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Collectors
Wrentham, Mass.
Growing Leasing Collection Division for 25+ year estab. business. Must have exceptional, creative negotiation skills, ability to thrive in high volume, fast paced environment. Click here for more info:
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Monday, December 24, 2007
Please visit Kit’s Kettle by clicking on it:
Headlines---
Christmas Message
Classified ads---Outsourcing
Top Stories --- December 17-21
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Equipment Cost on Lease Agreements
Placard---Serenity Prayer
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Manage Risk from 3rd Parties
Moet & Chandon 2000 Grand Vintage
Jews eat Chinese Chicken on Xmas
Alter Moneta 2 New Biz. Dev. Mgrs.
United Rentals Deal Is Dead
Unpaid credit card bills surge
Seattle area to dodge economic doldrums
News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
Calendar Events
Snapple Real Facts
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
Football Poem
SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
GasBuddy
News on Line---Internet Newspapers
Happy News
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
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“God bless us every one.”
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Celebrate Kwanzaa
The Cratchit family drew round the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half a one; and at Bob Cratchit's elbow stood the family display of glass. Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle. These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob proposed: `A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us.' Which all the family re-echoed. `God bless us every one.' said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
From all of us at Leasing News--- Gretchen Gabriel, Kim McArthur, Kit Menkin,
Brian Wong, Maria Martinez-Wong
and our contributing writers Steve Chriest, Gerry Egan, Shawn Halladay, Linda P. Kester, Al Levine, Barry Marks, Esq., Adrian Miller, Milton W. Talkington, Bob Teichman, CLP, Terry Winders, CLP, and many others who have contributed articles and coverage in 2007.
and the Leasing News Advisory Board
Edward Castagna, Westbury, NY.
Steve Crane, CLP, Walnut Creek, CA.
Dale Davis, Costa Mesa CA
Phil Dushey, Manhattan, NY.
Steve Gabriel, San Jose, CA
Ken Greene, Esq., Larkspur, California
Shawn D. Halladay, Salt Lake City, UT
Robert S. Kieve, San Jose, CA.
Bruce Kropschot, Vero Beach, FL.
Fred St. Laurent, Atlanta, GA.
Bruce Lurie, Houston, TX.
Andrew Lea, Burlingame, CA.
Allan Levine, Owings Mills, MD
Armon L. Mills, CPA, San Diego, CA.
Dan Pulcrano, San Jose, California
Steve Reid, CLP, Orange, CA.
Paul Weiss, San Francisco, CA.
Bob Teichman, CLP, Sausalito, CA.
Ginny Young, Orange, CA.
History of Christmas
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real.html
History of Hanukkah
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/hanukkah/history.html
History of Kwanazaa
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/kwanzaa/hist.html
(Our next edition will be Friday, December 28th. Happy Holidays.)
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Classified ads---Outsourcing 
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm
To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm
For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm
[headlines]
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Top Stories --- December 17-21
Here are the top ten stories most “opened” by readers last week:
(1) Leah Marks' Passing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-17-07.htm#pass
(2) Curt Lysne now at PFSC--- along with "Zep"
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-17-07.htm#pfsc
(3) The real Curtis E. Lysne!!!
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-19-07.htm#real
(4) Balboa Capital—Broker Division
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-17-07.htm#balboa
(5) Sales makes it happen---by Christopher Menkin
Great Opportunity to close some sales in 2007
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-19-07.htm#sales
(6) Paul Weiss joins Leasing News Advisory Board
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-19-07.htm#lnboard
(7) Not a Jolly Season for 2 Top Bankers
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/business/21wall.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
(8) U.S. Equipment Finance Market Study
By Shawn Halladay
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-21-07.htm#usef
(9) Does ELFA promote Evergreen Clauses?
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-17-07.htm#elfa
(10) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
“Depreciation”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-17-07.htm#102
[headlines]
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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Equipment Cost on Lease Agreements
God bless financial people and their attorneys because they love to put the equipment cost in or on the lease agreement. They claim it is necessary to have an amount displayed to determine the stipulated loss value if a loss occurs. Let me tell you why this is not a good idea. To begin with we usually prefer the lessee select the vendor and the equipment to avoid liability for equipment performance, however, we are the ones paying for it and once in a while you may want to renegotiate the purchase price. If you can get a discount by explaining to the vendor that a lower price helps you both win the deal then you can either lower the customer’s payment, to be more competitive, or increase your margin. This helps packager and funder alike.
An accountant is required to discount the rental stream on a capital lease to determine its net present value for straight line depreciation purposes. If you place the equipment cost on the lease agreement then the accountant will use it as the net present value and your rate is there for all to see. A lease is a long term “use” agreement and there is no requirement that the equipment cost be disclosed. When the documents do not state the equipment cost then the accountant must use the firms “incremental borrowing rate” (average cost of money under like circumstances) as a discount factor to determine the net present value of the rent stream. If it is lower than your rate the net present value will be higher than the actual cost making your rate appear lower because the accountant subtracts the net present value of the rent from the total rent to determine the amount of the interest. In this situation when a customer asks your rate you can respond by saying it is equal to the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate instead of the stream rate. If your competition has listed the equipment cost on their documents you may look cheaper if the lessee looks at the total interest charge.
Too often we approach capital leasing like a fancy loan and forget the advantages leasing offers. There are many capital lease programs and structures that support the lessee’s need to reflect costs on different timing that financing allows. Remember that any time a cash payment is not equaled by an offsetting expense the lessee’s equity is lowered. Terms that match use and not terms of equal years gives leasing an edge over straight financing.
The correct way to approach early termination due to default or loss due to destruction on non-cancelable leases is to require the remaining payments plus the current value of the equipment. It is after all your equipment and you have loss all of the future rents and the future rents from a release or sale. You can always ask for less or negotiate the stipulated loss value but to tie it to the equipment cost is too much like lending.
Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-327-8666.
He invites your questions and queries.
Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm
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[headlines]
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Leasing Industry Help Wanted
Collectors
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Collectors
Wrentham, Mass.
Growing Leasing Collection Division for 25+ year estab. business. Must have exceptional, creative negotiation skills, ability to thrive in high volume, fast paced environment. Click here for more info:
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Lease Officer
[headlines]
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Manage Risk From 3rd Parties By Brad Finkelstein
http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com
Lenders need to manage the risks their third-party providers bring to the origination process.
This was the theme of the presentation made at the SourceMedia Fraud and Risk Conference here made by Larry Ruder, the director of fraud risk management for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
Those third parties include appraisers, mortgage brokers, correspondent originators, closing agents, real estate agents, and even home sellers and buyers.
The risks associated with third-party transactions, he said, include strategic risk, reputation risk, credit risk, transaction risk and compliance risk. Among the red flags in the area of appraisal fraud are condo conversions, new construction sales (builder bailout schemes), the sales price being higher than the multiple listing service price, second homes or investment properties where the borrower is renting his primary residence, out-of-state borrowers purchasing properties and loans coming from non-disclosure states. Things that get missed in the underwriting process that are red flags are the appraisal being dated before the sales contract, the owner on the appraisal does not agree to the sales contract or title commitment, the appraisal is ordered by someone other than the lender, assigned appraisals, assignment of sales contracts and excessive real estate commissions.
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Moet & Chandon 2000 Grand Vintage Champagne
I have only found the brut one place, out of New York. We had an exclusive tour of Moet & Chandon by the head of public relations in Epernay, France, arranged by a large US distributor by our traveling companions, the 30 year owner of the finest, first Wine Spectator Grand Award on the SF Peninsula. We had a tour of the Champagne cellar, which is 18 miles long (we only saw a very small part; the large bottles were the best.) “Be Fabulous” is their new branding, and they certainly are.
Moet & Chandon is the largest Champagne maker in the world and their best client is the US. Also the largest owner of Champagne vineyards. They produce brut, White Star, and Dom Perignon. The brut they add 3 grams sugar and White Star 5 grams. They do
not add to Dom Perignon.
The assistant Champagne maker gave us a taste, opening the 2000 Grand Vintage, which he said they issued in March, 2007 in France. I could not find it here at all when I returned to the US the end of October.
It was not rated by Wine Spectator yet, as I checked, and is quite different than their other brut or white star. First, only the vintage is added for what they consider a top year. Grand is for the best vintage. What also makes this Champagne special is it is the first vintage produced by their new Champagne maker. I think the other Champagne maker was there for 25 years and retired, as I remember. The new fellow did something daring for them; instead of all Pinot Noir, it is 50% Chardonnay. It was fresh, crispy, and very flavorful. I asked how long it would last and was told to drink regular Champagne no later than three years after it is introduced, and Vintage, no later than five years. Most wine enthusiast say 10 to 15 years. He thinks the wine gets flat with small bubbles and loses a lot of its original flavor. He also said Champagne is not just for special occasions, but is a favorite with most foods.
The Rose was super, too; mostly Pinot Noir. We learned a lot about the crazy French laws, trades, and control of the Champagne grape industry. He says Krug is their number one competitor, and was not a fan of Crystal, which he said was “too light.” He was very, very proud
of the Grand Vintage 2000 produced.
I was surprised I could not find it, for quite some time, and write
this article because you can order it now for New Year’s Eve
from Park Avenue Liquor Shop immediately at 212-685-2442
https://www.parkaveliquor.com
It was $70 at the time. I did it all on line and it was delivered
on time for our Christmas Eve dinner with fresh San Francisco
Dungeness crab dinner. December 25tH; standing rib roast with Viader
1997 red wine (double magnum.) [headlines]
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Jews eat Chinese Chicken on Xmas 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1uZ_W7atDE
And if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Monday, Dinner Show 6:00pm, 9:30pm cocktail show
Tuesday, 5pm (early bird) dinner show, 8:30pm cocktail show
Shelly Berman (yes, the Shelly Berman)
Scott Blakeman (nice Jewish comic from Brooklyn)
Esther Paid Goodman (Korean Jewish comedian)
Lisa Gedulig, your hostess
San Francisco, New Asia Restaurant
http://www.koshercomedy.com/
Courtesy of Stan Nathanson, Columbia Equipment Finance
[headlines]
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### Press Release ###########################
Alter Moneta Bolsters Direct Sales Force for Eastern United States with
Two New Business Development Managers
Buffalo, NY, —The U.S. headquarters of Alter Moneta, in Buffalo, New York, announced the recent appointment of two sales professionals to its East Coast direct sales force. Effective this month, Mark Doppstadt and Chuck Saxton have assumed roles as district sales managers to handle equipment financing business relationships in New England and Florida, respectively. Both are reporting to Thomas Greco, Alter Moneta’s vice president of direct sales for the Eastern U.S., in Atlanta.
“We’re very excited with the talent and proven skills that each is bringing to Alter Moneta,” says Greco.
Doppstadt, who lives in Cromwell, Connecticut, will be focusing Alter Moneta’s sales effort on direct calls to construction, transportation, and bus fleets in Central and Eastern New York, Long Island, and Western Connecticut. Doppstadt said he was attracted to Alter Moneta because it is highly regarded and respected in the industry and growing aggressively. “It gives me a chance to meet more of my customers’ needs,” he says.
Doppstadt comes to Alter Moneta from Hitachi Credit America Corp, where he had served since 1999 as vice president and sales manager of the company’s Construction Equipment Finance Division, which he helped found and grew to a portfolio of $48 million. Prior to his tenure with Hitachi, Doppstadt had served as district manager for CIT Group/Industrial Financing for more than five years, generating over $110 million in sales volume. Doppstadt got his start in commercial finance in 1984 as a credit analyst with Associates Commercial Corp, working his way up to district sales manager of the New England branch during his 10 years with that firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin—Whitewater and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.
A resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Saxton has assumed responsibility for direct sales in Alter Moneta’s South Florida region, focusing primarily on equipment financing for trucks, heavy equipment, and construction equipment. “I’m impressed by the direction Alter Moneta is taking and their strong focus on equipment finance—which has always been my real focus,” says Saxton.
Saxton joined Alter Moneta from Citicapital Commercial Corporation, in Norcross, Georgia, where he had served, most recently, as district sales manager. He started with Citicapital as a senior portfolio specialist and had held positions as a credit analyst and inside sales representative during his seven years with the company. Prior to Citicapital, Saxton held positions in management and consumer lending at Rich’s Employee Credit Union, NationsBank, and First Family Financial Services. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia, in 1994.
Both Doppstadt and Saxton said they were impressed by Alter Moneta’s top management—and the feeling is mutual. According to Greco, “Both Mark and Chuck bring an impressive history of achievement to their current roles at Alter Moneta.” Specifically, Greco cites their proven achievement in start-up roles with their previous employers as particularly compelling factors in their hiring by Alter Moneta.
“For Mark, it’s obviously his long experience and tenured past with Associates Commercial Corp., CIT, and Hitachi and good sales and portfolio-building experience in our core markets,” says Greco. “With Chuck, you not only see an impressive progression through the ranks from credit to collections to inside sales and finally to outside sales, but also a similarly strong capability to build a profitable portfolio,” says Greco. “He basically went into a market in South Florida that Citicapital had no presence in and started from scratch—and built something very impressive.”
The hiring of Doppstadt and Saxton bolster Alter Moneta’s established presence in the Eastern United States and signifies the company’s commitment to continuing its expansion plans throughout North America—a plan that is expected to double human resources at the company by 2012.
About Alter Moneta
Alter Moneta, established in 1998, is one of the fastest growing independent financial services firms in North America, with significant market presence in both Canada and the United States. The company provides funds to purchase or lease new and used revenue- producing equipment for middle-market firms in trucking, warehousing, construction, passenger transport, manufacturing and waste management industries. Through its vendor finance group, Alter Moneta also provides financing programs for manufacturers and dealers. Its Lutex subsidiary, in Quebec, provides auto-leasing services. For more information, visit www.altermoneta.com.
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
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News Briefs---- United Rentals Deal Is Dead
http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/12/21/united-rentals-closer-markets-equity-cx_r
a_1221markets36.html?feed=rss_markets
U.S. debt woes grow as unpaid credit card bills surge
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20071223-1449-ca-creditcardcrunch.html
Seattle area to dodge economic doldrums
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004088702_outlook23.html
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You May have Missed--- Splurge on a $12,000 bottle of Scotch
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/21/WI4MTRJ0R.DTL
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Sports Briefs---- Chargers peaking at right time now
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20071223-9999-1s23chargers.html
Hill, 49ers defeat Buccaneers
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/23/SP3OU3V82.DTL
McDonald: Russell era officially underway
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7794418?nclick_check=1
Fifteen down, one to go for Patriots' perfect season
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-23-dolphins-patriots_N.htm
Redskins seize control of playoff fate after downing Vikes
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-23-redskins-vikings_N.htm
Resurgent McNabb leads Eagles past Saints, 38-23
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-23-eagles-saints_N.htm
Titans trip Jets 10-6, take charge of playoff chase
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-23-jets-titans_N.htm
Seahawks rout Ravens, clinch No. 3 seed in NFC
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-23-ravens-seahawks_N.htm
Bears sweep Packers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-071223chicagobears
greenbaypackers,1,6805744.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Pete Dougherty column: Source says Favre likely will be back
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/PKR07/
712230660/1989
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“Gimme that Wine” 'Wine Across America' book just released
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/21/WIRJTQ9PD.DTL
Beringer Vineyards Launches California Chardonnay
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,245455.shtml
Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/
[headlines]
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Calendar Events This Day Christmas Eve
Family gift-giving occasion in many Christian countries.
. . But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Clement C. Moore, "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec24.html
Christmas Eve, traditionally one present is exchanged in the evening in many Christian countries. Often all gift giving is done this evening with Church service the next day; however, in the United States, many of the Christian faith attend late evening or midnight mass. Easter is considered the major event, but the most popular of Christian observance is Christmas as a Feast of the Nativity, dating from the 4th century. Although Jesus’ birth date is not known, the Western church selected December 25 for the feast, possible to counteract the non-Christian festivals of that approximate date. Many customs from non-Christian festivals ( Roman Saturnalia, Mithraic sun’s birthday, Teutonic yule, Druidic and other winter solstic rites ) have been adopted as par of the Christmas celebration ( lights, mistletoe, holly and ivy, holiday tree, wassailing and gift-giving, for example ). Some Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7th based on the “old calendar (Julian ). Theophany ( recognition of the divinity of Jesus) is observed on this date and also on January 6th, especially by the Eastern Orthodox Church, considered by history as the first organized Christian church.
http://ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/intro.html
Libya: Independence Day
Libya gained its independence from Italy in 1951.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ly.html
National Chocolate Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/chocolateday.htm
National Egg Nog Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/eggnogday.htm
Saint feast Days
http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/dec.php
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S.O.S. doesn't stand for "Save Our Ship" or "Save Our Souls" -- It was just chosen by an 1908 international conference on Morse Code because the letters S and O were easy to remember and just about anyone could key it and read it, S = dot dot dot, O = dash dash dash..
[headlines]
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Today's Top Event in History
1972-Comedian Bob Hope gives what he says is his last Christmas show to U.S. servicemen in Saigon. Hope was a comedian and star of stage, radio, television, and over 50 feature films. Hope was one of many Hollywood stars who followed the tradition of traveling overseas to entertain American troops stationed abroad. The 1972 show marked Hope's ninth consecutive Christmas appearance in Vietnam. Hope endorsed President Nixon's bombing of North Vietnam to force it to accept U.S. peace terms, and received South Vietnam's highest civilian medal for his "anti-communist zeal." Although some antiwar protesters criticized Hope for supporting government policies in Vietnam, the comedian said he believed it was his responsibility to lift spirits by entertaining the troops.
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This Day in American History 1784- the first Methodist bishop was Francis Asbury, who was appointed in 1784 by Thomas Coke, to whom the title really belonged. they were known as the joint bishops of the Church in North America. Bishop Asbury was elected by the first General Conference called the Christmas Conference, which met this date in 1984 in the Light Street church, Baltimore, MD.
1809- Christopher “Kit” Carson birthday. American frontiersman, solider, trapper, guide and Indian agent best known as Kit Carson. Born at Madison County, KY. My father Lawrence Menkin was writing the “Kit Carson” radio series, so when I was born, I received this name. My parents always called me “Kit.”
1818- In St. Nicholas Church at Oberndorf, Austria, church organist Franz Gruber, 31, composed a melody on guitar for the poem, "Stille Nacht," written earlier by pastor Joseph Mohr, 26. This evening the world heard "Silent Night" sung for the very first time.
Christmas Eve, traditionally one present is exchanged in the evening in many Christian countries. Often all gift giving is done this evening with Church service the next day; however, in the United States, many of the Christian faith attend late evening or midnight mass. Easter is considered the major event, but the most popular of Christian observance is Christmas as a Feast of the Nativity, dating from the 4th century. Although Jesus’ birth date is not known, the Western church selected December 25 for the feast, possible to counteract the non- Christian festivals of that approximate date. Many customs from non-Christian festivals ( Roman Saturnalia, Mithraic sun’s birthday, Teutonic yule, Druidic and other winter solstic rites ) have been adopted as par of the Christmas celebration ( lights, mistletoe, holly and ivy, holiday tree, wassailing and gift-giving, for example ). Some Orthodox Churches, such as the first Christian church-The Greek Orthodox--- celebrate Christmas on January 7th based on the “old calendar (Julian ). Theophany ( recognition of the divinity of Jesus) is observed on this date and also on January 6th, especially by the Eastern Orthodox Church, considered by history as the first organized Christian church.
http://ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/intro.html
1784- the first Methodist bishop was Francis Asbury, who was appointed in 1784 by Thomas Coke, to whom the title really belonged. they were known as the joint bishops of the Church in North America. Bishop Asbury was elected by the first General Conference called the Christmas Conference, which met this date in 1984 in the Light Street church, Baltimore, MD. 1822-Moore is thought to have composed the tale, now popularly known as "The Night Before Christmas," on December 24, 1822, while traveling home from Greenwich Village, where he had bought a turkey for his family's Christmas dinner. Inspired by the plump, bearded Dutchman who took him by sleigh on his errand through the snow-covered streets of New York City, Moore penned A Visit from St. Nicholas for the amusement of his six children, with whom he shared the poem that evening. His vision of St. Nicholas draws upon Dutch-American and Norwegian traditions of a magical, gift-giving figure who appears at Christmas time, as well as the German legend of a visitor who enters homes through chimneys. Clement Moore was born in 1779 into a prominent New York family. His father, Benjamin Moore, president of Columbia University, in his role as Episcopal Bishop of New York participated in the inauguration of George Washington as the nation's first president. The elder Moore also administered last rites to Alexander Hamilton after he was mortally wounded in a tragic duel with Aaron Burr. A graduate of Columbia, Clement Moore was a scholar of Hebrew and a professor of Oriental and Greek literature at the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. He is said to have been embarrassed by the light-hearted verse, which was made public without his knowledge in December 1823. Moore did not publish it under his name until 1844.
1814-The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812, was signed by representatives of the US and Great Britain. The Senate ratified the treaty in February 1815. The American negotiators were John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell and Albert Gallatin. By terms of the treaty, all conquered territory was to be returned by both sides, and a commission was to settle the boundary between the U.S. and Canada from the St. Coris River west to Lake of the Woods. The British did not achieve their aim to set up an Indian buffer state to the Northwest. The emotional issues that helped cause the war---imprisonment of American seamen and the rights of neutral commerce---were not mentioned.
1832-The first hospital and asylum of African-Americans founded by whites was chartered in Savannah, GA, as the Georgia Infirmary for the Relief and Protection of Aged and Afflicted Negroes. The organizational meeting was held at the Exchange on January 15, 1833, and the first president was Richard F. Williams.
http://www.savannahnow.com/stories/021599/ACCblackhist.html
1905-Birthday of Howard Hughes, wealthy American industrialist aviator and movie producer who spent his latter years as a recluse. Born at Houston, TX, he died in an airplane en route from Acapulco, Mexico, to Houston.
1851 - Fire destroyed two-thirds of the 55,000 volumes in the Library of Congress.
1864-A Union fleet under Admiral David Dixon Porter begins a bombardment of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Although an impressive display of firepower, the attack failed to destroy the fort; a ground attack the next day did not succeed either.
Fort Fisher guarded the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the approach to Wilmington. Throughout the war, Wilmington was one of the most important ports as the Confederates tried to break the Union blockade of its coasts. By late
1864-- Wilmington was one of the last ports open in the South. The massive wood and sand Fort Fisher was built in 1862 to withstand attack by the most powerful Federal cannon. Even though it was an important city, the Union leaders directed more attention to other targets, such as the capture of the Confederate capital of Richmond. Not until late 1864 did the Union turn attention to Fort Fisher. Now, 60 ships attacked the fort on Christmas Eve. Inside the stronghold, 500 Confederates hunkered down and withstood the siege. Although buildings in the fort caught fire, there were few casualties. The next day, a small Yankee force attacked on the ground, but reinforcing Confederates from Wilmington drove them away. The Union fleet sailed back to Hampton Roads, Virginia, with nothing to show for their efforts. The Union tried again to take Fort Fisher in January. After two days, a Union force overwhelmed the fort and the last major Confederate port was closed.
1865 - The Ku Klux Klan white supremacy organization was formed in Pulaski, Tennessee.
http://www.iupui.edu/~aao/kkk.html
http://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/blackhistory/kukluxklan.htm
http://www.trincoll.edu/~mwade/kkk.html
1867 - On Christmas Eve, R.H. Macy’s department store in New York City stayed open until midnight to get sales from last-minute shoppers. It was a Merry Christmas for Macy's which took in a record $6,000. Promotion and merchandizing made this department store the innovator of retail.
1872 Chicago, IL hit all-time low of 23 below zero. Minneapolis dropped to 38 below zero and then rose only to -17.
1893-Birthday of composer/writer Harry Warren, Brooklyn, NY
http://www.harrywarrenmusic.com/frameset.html
http://www.harrywarren.org/
1893-Henry Ford completed his first successful gasoline engine. He and his wife tested the engine in their kitchen on Christmas Eve. Ford's first automobile took its inaugural drive on June 4, 1896.
1898-Birthday of drummer Warren “Baby” Dodds
http://www.redhotjazz.com/baby.html
http://www.rhythmweb.com/baby/index.html
1903 – Birthday of artist Joseph Cornell lives in a crate, Nyack, NY.
http://mexplaza.udg.mx/wm/paint/auth/cornell/
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/cornell_ext.html
http://www.wwnorton.com/thamesandhudson/new/fall00/528243.htm
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/cornell_joseph.html
1907 – Birthday of Activist journalist I. F. "Izzy" Stone, US journalist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0813520088/inktomi-bkasin-20/
104-3547695-1517507
1908-Birthday of trumpeter Jabbo Smith, born Pembroke, GA.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/rhythmAces.html
1919-Birthday of trombone player Henry Coker, Dallas, Texas
http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,416126,00.html?artist=Henry+Coker
1924 - Notre Dame's football coach, Knute Rockne, said he opposed eliminating the forward pass as it helped "to curb the brutality of football." Rockne's .881, record for the highest winning percentage in Division I-A football, stands today. It was decided not to do away with the forward pass.
1926-Birthday of singer Lee Dorsey, New Orleans, LA. . His hits in the 1960's, most of them produced by Allen Toussaint, included "Ya Ya," "Working in the Coal Mine" and "Ride Your Pony." He died in 1986.
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Lee%20Dorsey.html
1931—Birthday of piano player Ray Bryant, Philadelphia, PA
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/raybryant.html
1941- Lionel Hampton cuts first big band session for Decca records.
1943 - General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force preparing for the invasion of France.
1944-Birthday of trumpet player Woody Shaw, Laurinberg, NC, Died May 10,1989 http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/shaw.html
http://www.shout.net/~jmh/articles/woody4.html
http://www.northwestern.edu/jazz/artists/shaw.woody/discog.html
1944 - The Andrews Sisters starred in "The Andrews Sisters’ Eight-To-The-Bar-Ranch" as it debuted on ABC Radio. For the show, Patty, Maxene and LaVerne ran a fictional dude ranch. Until the show's run ended in 1946, George ‘Gabby’ Hayes was a regular guest along with Vic Schoen’s Orchestra.
1944- Henry Vestine, guitarist for the blues-rock band Canned Heat, was born in Washington, D-C. Vestine joined Canned Heat in 1966 after playing with the Mothers of Invention. "On the Road Again" in 1968 and "Going Up the Country" in 1969 were Canned Heat's two biggest hits. Vestine left Canned Heat in mid-1969 to form a new band but returned the following year after the death of group member Al Wilson. Vestine departed Canned Heat for good in 1975. He died a couple of months ago in Paris.
1944-- *CASTLE, FREDERICK W. (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Brigadier General. Assistant Commander, 4th Bomber Wing, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Germany, 24 December 1944. Entered service at: Mountain Lake, N.J. Born: 14 October 1908, Manila P.I. G.O. No. 22, 28 February 1947. Citation: He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells. set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward. carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
1945—Top Hits
It Might as Well Be Spring - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Billy Williams)
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
It’s Been a Long, Long Time - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight - Bob Wills
1946 Jimmy Buffett Birthday http://www.buffettnews.com/
1948- “The Perry Como Show” premiers on TV. Singer Perry Como hosted “ The Chesterfield Supper Club:” when it came to TV from radio. Also featured were the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and the Fontane Sisters. When the show moved from NBC to CBS in 1950, announcer Frank Gallop was added. In 1955, Como moved back to NBC, and the show was retiled, “ The Perry Como Show” during the 1955-59 and then “ The Kraft Music Hall” during 1959-63. The Ray Charles Singers and the Louis DaPron Danvers were featured. Como’s theme song was “Dream Along with Me.”
1948-- first solar heated house occupied. The experiments were sponsored by Amelia Peabody, house designed by Eleanor Raymond, and the heating system developed by Dr. Maria Telkes. It was cheap and effective and promptly ignored by industry.
1950- the Cleveland Browns defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 30-28, to win the NFL championship. The Browns claimed the title in the first year in the league after the demise of the All-American Football Conference. the Rams, incidentally, had been the Cleveland Rams before they left for the West Coast after the 9145 season.
1952-The McCarren-Walter Act takes effect and revises America's immigration laws. The law was hailed by supporters as a necessary step in preventing communist subversion in the United States, while opponents decried the legislation as being xenophobic and discriminatory. The act, named after Senator Pat McCarren (Democrat-Nevada) (The Governor in “Godfather.”) and Representative Francis Walter (Democratic-Pennsylvania), did relatively little to alter the quota system for immigration into the United States that had been established in the Immigration Act of 1924. The skewed nature of the quotas was readily apparent. Immigrants from Great Britain, Ireland, and Germany were allotted two-thirds of the 154,657 spots available each year. However, the act did specifically remove previously established racial barriers that had acted to exclude immigrants from nations such as Japan and China. These countries were now assigned very small quotas.
The changes that were of more concern for many critics centered on the act's provision of much more strenuous screening of potential immigrants. It banned admission to anyone declared a subversive by the attorney general and indicated that members of communist and "communist-front" organizations were subject to deportation. In defending the act, Senator McCarren declared, "If this oasis of the world should be overrun, perverted, contaminated, or destroyed, then the last flickering light of humanity will be extinguished." President Harry S. Truman took a very different view, calling the legislation "un-American" and inhumane. When the bill was passed in June 1952, Truman vetoed the bill. Congress overrode his veto, and the act took effect in December. The McCarren-Walter Act set America's immigration standards until new legislation was passed in 1965.
1953---Top Hits
Ebb Tide - The Frank Chacksfield Orchestra
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Ricochet - Teresa Brewer
Let Me Be the One - Hank Locklin
1954 -- Johnny Ace, ballad singer, dies at 25 while playing Russian Roulette with himself while on tour ,backstage at the "City Auditorium" in Houston, Texas.
One of the more tragic 50s R&B heroes. Ace was a fixture on the Memphis Beale Street blues scene, playing with Bobby Bland and Roscoe Gordon in the fabled Beale Streeters. He struck out solo in the early 50s, recording the ballad "Pledging My Love" in 1954. He is mentioned in many rock and roll songs.
http://www.rockabilly.nl/artists/johnny_ace.htm
1955 - The Lennon Sisters debuted as "The Lawrence Welk Show"'s featured singers on ABC. In just a month they became regulars and remained on the show until 1968.
http://www.singers.com/jazz/vintage/lennonsisters.html
1955- the Weavers played Carnegie Hall in New York, ending three years on Senator Joseph McCarthy's blacklist because of their support of left-wing causes. Many of the groups in the folk music revival of the following decade were inspired by the Weavers' topical songs and fervent style.
1961- the Tokens reached the top of the U-S charts with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." An adaptation of a South African folk song, it first reached the best-seller lists in 1951 in a recording by the Weavers under the title "Winoweh" (WIN'-OH-WAY). Singer Robert John also had a hit with the song, again under the title "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," in 1971.
1961---Top Hits
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens
Run to Him - Bobby Vee
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke
1964-Two Viet Cong agents disguised as South Vietnamese soldiers leave a car filled with explosives parked at the Brinks Hotel in Saigon. The hotel was housing U.S. officers. Two Americans were killed in the blast and 65 Americans and Vietnamese were injured. Ambassador Maxwell Taylor, Gen. William Westmoreland, and other senior U.S. officials tried to persuade President Lyndon B. Johnson to respond with retaliatory raids on North Vietnam, but Johnson refused. In his cable to Taylor explaining his decision, he indicated for the first time that he was considering a commitment of U.S. combat troops.
1967 — New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath passes for 343 yards in a 42-32 win at San Diego to become the first player to throw for 4,000 yards in a season (4,007).
1968 - After their release from North Korea, the crew of the United States Navy ship, "Pueblo", walked across the Bridge of No Return between North and South Korea. The "Pueblo's" captain, Commander Lloyd M. Bucher, and 82 of his crew were held for 11 months after their ship was seized by North Korea as a suspected American spy vessel.
1969—Top Hits
Leaving on a Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary
Someday We’ll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again - Charley Pride
1971-Birthday of singer Ricky Martin, born Enrique Jose Martin, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1972-Comedian Bob Hope gives what he says is his last Christmas show to U.S. servicemen in Saigon. Hope was a comedian and star of stage, radio, television, and over 50 feature films. Hope was one of many Hollywood stars who followed the tradition of traveling overseas to entertain American troops stationed abroad. The 1972 show marked Hope's ninth consecutive Christmas appearance in Vietnam. Hope endorsed President Nixon's bombing of North Vietnam to force it to accept U.S. peace terms, and received South Vietnam's highest civilian medal for his "anti-communist zeal." Although some antiwar protesters criticized Hope for supporting government policies in Vietnam, the comedian said he believed it was his responsibility to lift spirits by entertaining the troops.
1972- President Nixon suspends Operation Linebacker II for 36 hours to mark the Christmas holiday. The bombing campaign against North Vietnam had been operating since December 18, when Nixon initiated the campaign to force the North Vietnamese back to the Paris peace negotiations. On December 28, the North Vietnamese announced that they would return to Paris if Nixon ended the bombing. The bombing campaign was halted and the negotiators met during the first week of January. They quickly arrived at a settlement--the Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 23, and a cease-fire went into effect five days later.
1976--Birthday of Philip Rothman, born Buffalo, NY.
1977 - The Bee Gees' How Deep is Your Love became Number 1 on the music charts, and stayed there for 3 weeks.
1977—Top Hits
How Deep is Your Love - Bee Gees
Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt
(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again - L.T.D.
Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
1981 - Reggie Jackson chose Christmas Eve to announce he was joining Gene Autry’s California Angels for the 1982 season.
1985
Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie
Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
Alive & Kicking - Simple Minds
The Chair - George Strait
1988 - "Giving You the Best that I’ve Got", by Anita Baker, was #1 on U.S. album charts for four weeks. The other albums in the top five that week: "Rattle and Hum" by U2; The soundtrack from "Cocktail"; "Appetite for Destruction" by Guns N’ Roses; and Bon Jovi’s "New Jersey".
1994 - Pearl Jam’s album "Vitalogy" hit #1 for one week in the U.S. The other top-five albums of the week were: "Miracles: The Holiday Album", by Kenny G; "Live at the BBC", by The Beatles; Mariah Carey’s "Merry Christmas"; and "II", by Boyz II Men.
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Football Poem
SUPER BOWL XXXIX
FEB. 6, 2005, JACKSONVILLE
Super Bowl XXXVIII: Twelve Ways of Looking at Super Bowl XXXVIII
composed in real time by Joshua Adams
I.
Among a thousand American flag
placemats, the only moving thing the ass
of Beyonce in the land of the free.
Toby Keith croons, the cheerleaders waggle,
Tom Brady stands, a man with a package
(or so we have heard). The hour draws nigh
Twenty-five past Six, and a spread of the same,
Pick the Panthers? You'll have no-one to blame
but yourself.
II.
I was of three minds, like a field goal -- missed!
The South Dakotan kicker owns the day
no longer? How could you, Adam? Wide right?
Vrabel, verily, sacks the city Delhomme.
Would that Hugh Jackman shelve the Van Helsing
and punt for the Pats. Friendly bounces won't
carry the day. This isn't Survivor
though "All-Stars" with Jerri the lunatic
tempts. Focus, bard, pick the right CBS
spectacle.
III.
The yellow flag wilts in the climate control
Holding is a penalty pantomimed
but so is a scoreless first quarter.
The spaceship reliant looms in the air
unlike a twenty-two yard punt. Oh woe
to the team with zero yardage, to the
foes of Grand Master Big Brain Belichick.
The minutemen drive on the wings of Troy
Brown, and Deon Branch, who bends but not breaks
on Fourth Down.
IV.
Upon further review a man and a
woman are one and the same under pads.
Why not a W.F.L.? It's about time.
The Continental Army marches fast
to Vinatieri's place -- another
missed kick! Inconceivable. All of our
intelligence pointed to W.M.D.
on that front. Brady is slow, but Cheney
is slower.
V.
I do not know which to prefer -- the beauty
of a touchdown pass, or a touchdown dance.
Delhomme fights back, the Cats air it out,
Ricky Proehl's hands are their weapons of choice.
The clock runs down, but not fast enough on
those AOL ads. Delhomme again hurls
celestial -- Steve Smith is already
dancing a jig. The Panthers are on the
board. 'Bout time.
VI.
Icicles fill the windows of Boston
But in hot Houston, Jessica Simpson
is busty, but Janet Jackson is bustier.
P. Diddy in fur and Nelly's wife-beater
bring us back to Nineteen Ninety Seven,
when, alas, we all first heard of Kid Rock.
Janet returns in chain mail with Justin
Timberlake in tow; one breast later we're
all wondering if that counts as roughing
the passer.
VII.
O thin men of New England Special Teams!
Why do you insist on sucking it up?
It vexes your defense most unhappily
like the streakers do the network's censors.
Jermaine Wiggins, turncoat, won a ring
with the Pats; now he hurdles cornerbacks.
Unflattering close-ups of cheerleaders
are less exciting than a three-yard gain.
Cialis, on the other hand, can last.
But four hours?
VIII.
I know noble accents & fumbles when
I see them. Delhomme gets lucky while the
Pats reload. Chris Jenkins jumps the gun (again).
Somebody get that man some sedatives.
Throw to Branch and the catch is guaranteed.
Same goes for Daniel Graham. The drive ensues
but Carolina gropers hold again.
That's good for half the distance to the goal
and a New England score. The kick is good
for a change.
IX.
When Steve Smith flies out of sight, look out below.
A pair of leaps as tall as spires lead
to a DeShaun Foster rumble, stumble score.
To go for two is folly incarnate
and yet the Cats still try. Meanwhile
General Brady zings a pass or two
upfield. Confidence is King in Bahstun,
on Third and two there's little doubt a
First will come. But then an interception
turns the tables.
X.
Carolina leaps ahead in one play.
The margin's one and that won't do back home.
Belichick begins to groan, and Upset
rears her head. Can Tom Brady save the day?
Or, barring him, our fickle, kicker, friend?
Give it to Givens at the third yard line
and watch him twist and sprawl and run his mouth.
From the dark side of Defense comes one Michael
Vrabel, Buckeye, over the middle. TD!
Plus two points.
XI.
Delhomme rides over New England in a
glass coach. A hole the size of Texas in
the secondary affords a big play.
A vaunted defense no more? Suddenly,
not Susan, but a tie. Ricky Proehl again
sticks the knife in the chest of Belichick.
With one minute left, there's little to do
but head straight to a field goal's promised land.
Pass interference on Troy Brown? Ye gods.
The clock ticks...
XII.
...The river of red, white and blue has moved,
Troy Brown hauls it in. History repeats
and one small man from South Dakota
bolts it through the bright uprights! Redemption,
thy name is Adam. Pandemonium
knows no bounds in Houston; and justice in
New England. If no World Series comes to
Boston, let two Super Bowls in three years
suffice to heal the psychic wounds. All's well
that ends well.
http://www.superbowl.com/
[headlines]
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SuDoku
The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?
http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm
[headlines]
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Daily Puzzle
How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
[headlines]
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http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx
[headlines]
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News on Line---Internet Newspapers USA
http://www.happynews.com/
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