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Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Established Funding Sources, 2) Fun Working Environment, 3) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k), 4) Aggressive Commission Structure.
Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com, Contact: Jeff Edwards (949) 225-1712

Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employers, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.

Monday, December 21, 2009


Kiefer Sutherland born 21 December 1966 London, England, perhaps best known for playing Jack Bauer in the TV series "24 (195 episodes, 2001-2010)." He has also appeared in over 70 films, including in "Flatliners,” and a "A Few Good Men."
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000662/

Headlines---

Classified Ads---Controller
 “It’s So Slow…” Contest Results
   Five Days to Make the Goal
Bank Beat---7 Unlucky Banks closed before Xmas
  Placard---Be Mellow
   Top Stories-December 14---18
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
  So You Want To Start a Leasing Company
   Classified ads---Help Wanted
    Seasons of Faith CD
Books for Leasing Professional for Christmas
  ELFA Foundation Names Board of Trustees
   Richmond, Indiana --- Adopt-a-Pet
News Briefs---
 Health Bill Passes Key Test with 60 Votes
  Moody's cuts ILFC to junk
   U.A.E. Shares Fall to Weekly Low
    First Premier 80% Credit Card Interest
 Dutch automaker makes offer on Saab
  Fed's approach left banks exposed to crisis
    Citadel Broadcasting files Chapter 11 BK
 Tiger Woods full update
You May have Missed---
  California Nuts---
    Sports Briefs
     "Gimme that Wine"
 Today's Top Event in History
    This Day in American History
     Football Poem
      SuDoku
       Daily Puzzle
        GasBuddy
  Weather, USA or specific area
     Traffic Live----

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


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[headlines]

Classified Ads---Controller

Chicago, IL
experienced in lease accounting, operations, management, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Seeking position with equipment lessor. Would consider contract assignments or relocating.
Email: leasecontroller@comcast.net
Southeastern, MI
Controller & Management experience w/ equip lessors &broker. MBA, CPA w/ extensive accounting, management, securitization experience with public and private companies. Willing to relocate.
Email: Leasebusiness@aol.com

For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Other e-Mail Posting Sites:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Posting_sites.htm


[headlines]

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It’s So Slow…” Contest Results

(Note: the photo’s may not represent the prize description in size or actual wine label. They were shipped UPS on Wednesday to arrive December 21st, however due to weather on the East Coast, delivery may be delayed. Editor)


Winner --- First Place
Magnum 1977 Duckhorn Merlot Mt. Howell

Bob Kantor
VP - Senior Client Manager
Healthcare Financial Services
GE Capital
Bay Shore, New York

"It is so slow that the 'Chariots of Fire' theme song plays when documents come in."

http://www.mididatabase.com/20091028/themes/movies/Chariots_Of_Fire.mid


Second Place
3lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Bernice Truszkowski
Equipment Funding, Ltd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

It is so slow I finally have time to learn how to use all the software to make me more efficient and not waste time.”



Third place

3lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Gene Allen
All Start Lease
St. Louis, Missouri

It is so slow…, if I was riding a bike, I’d fall over.


Fourth place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Alex Alonso
Bullseye Financial Services
Miramar, Florida

Things are so slow that I decided to do collection work on my deals in the hopes of finding a repeat lessee.”


Fifth place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Rob Yohe
Stilwell, Kansas


"Things ARE SO SLOW THAT a 120 day account is now considered prompt!"

Sixth place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Jerry Lean
(semi-retired, former VP Copelco,
National Manager, Canon Financial)
Cherry Hill, New Jersey

"It is so slow the mailman thinks we moved."



Seventh place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Bruce Block
Koch Financial
Scottsdale, Arizona

"It's so slow... I listen to Muzak for excitement."



Eighth Place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Paul Bent, Principal
The Alta Group, LLC
Long Beach, California

"It's so slow that approvals are delivered by hand."



Ninth Place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Herb Spanier
Sunbelt Lessors, Inc.
Richardson, Texas

"It's sooooo slow that I just got a decline from Denrich Leasing!"


Tenth Place
2lb box See’s Chocolate Nuts and Chews

Adrian Dalsey
Sr. Account Manager
Libertycapitalgroup
San Diego, California

"It is so slow that I actually have time to read Scott Wheeler’s amazing sales technique emails"



Special Mention
2lb See’s Dark Chocolate and Nuts

Michael Gregan
De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc.
Wayne, Pennsylvania

"It's So Slow... the ELFA has decided to hire Benny Judah, Sheldon Player, and the Salzano brothers to form a special Political Action Committee to figure out creative ways to get the credit markets turned back on..."


Special Mention
3lb Special Custom Mix Chocolates

Dorran Sampson
Marquette Equipment Finance
Midvale, Utah

It's so slow that I actually have time to read Leasing News!”


Thank you for all your participation. There may have been duplicates, but the first one in was the one the chosen. Please try again in our next contest.

Kit Menkin
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 

[headlines]

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Five Days to Make the Goal
Please help the Leasing News Team


(to see who has donated, please click on the kettle and look
for names to scroll with dollar amounts)

[headlines]
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Bank Beat---Seven Unlucky Banks closed before Christmas


The 140th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the seventeenth in California was First Federal Bank of California, Santa Monica, California. Founded January 1, 1929, the 39 branches were purchased and deposits assumed by OneWest Bank, FSB, Pasadena, California. In 1983 First Federal Bank of California went public. In 1987 First Federal Bank of California organized itself under FirstFed Financial Corp., a holding company. The Company common stock now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FED.

The FDIC and OneWest Bank, FSB entered into a loss-share transaction on $5.3 billion of First Federal Bank of California's assets. OneWest Bank, FSB will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. OneWest is owned by a group of private equity investors that teamed up this year to buy IndyMac Bank.

As with IndyMac, the problems seem to come from California subprime mortgages and commercial packages, including $547 million in losses over the last seven quarters on so-called pay-option adjustable-rate mortgages. These are also known as option ARMs, which allowed borrowers to pay so little each month that their loan balances could increase. Many of the homes are now under water, meaning the house is worth half its original cost and there is no equity to refinance as the rate increases. The original concept was to “flip the house” or refinance before the rates went up.

As of September 30, 2009, First Federal Bank of California had approximately $6.1 billion in total assets and $4.5 billion in total deposits. From September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009 the bank had gone from 606 full time employees to 509, net equity from $640 million to $261 million, with a loss of $152.5 in 2008 to a loss of $138 million in 2009; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 7.59%

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $146.3 million.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09239.html

The nine branches of Imperial Capital Bank La Jolla, California was purchase by City National Bank, Los Angeles, California, who also assumes all of the deposits.

As of September 30, 2009, Imperial Capital Bank had approximately $4.0 billion in total assets and $2.8 billion in total deposits. City National Bank paid the FDIC a .24 percent premium for the right to assume all of the deposits of Imperial Capital Bank.

The bank started December 12, 1973 and at last count had 146 full time employees as of September 30, 2009, down from 182 the prior year. Net equity had dropped from $294.6 million to $149.9 million the same period, from a $9 million profit to a $100 million loss as of September 30, 2009.The bank had a minus $99.8 million operating income with a tier 1 of 4.82%.

It is expected that City National will close several or many of the branches within the next 90 days as they overlap their existing branches.

The FDIC and City National Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on $2.5 billion of Imperial Capital Bank's assets. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $619.2 million.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09238.html

New South Federal Savings Bank, Irondale, Alabama sole office was closed Friday with Beal Bank, Plano, Texas taking over assets and deposits. As of September 30, 2009, New South Federal Savings Bank had approximately $1.5 billion in total assets and $1.2 billion in total deposits, reportedly the largest thrift in the state. The FDIC and Beal Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on $1.2 billion of New South Federal Savings Bank's assets.

The bank was heavy into an automobile lending program involved indirect lending through more than 400 automobile dealers in six states. Concentrating on small to mid-size independent dealers, the auto division of the bank also offered floor-planning of dealer inventories. It also was very active on the internet regarding direct and dealer real estate loans, plus attracting depositors from all the 50 states.

The bank was established January 24, 1985, had gone from 574 full time employees as of September 30, 2008 to 381; net equity from $125.1 million to $2.6 million; with a loss of $8.2 million the previous September 30 to a loss of $110 million September 30, 2009; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 0.48%

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $212.3 million.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09236.html

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09234.html

RockBridge Commercial Bank, Atlanta, Georgia became the twenty-fifth bank to fail in Georgia, which the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance appointing the FDIC as receiver. The bank was established November 13, 2006 and had 20 full time employees, with equity at $1.5 million as of September 30, 2009, net loss of $28.4 million and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 0.42%.

Reportedly the bank was a heavy lender to commercial real estate developers, investors, and builders. $64 million of loans predominantly related to real estate lending were recently written off by the bank.

The FDIC was unable to find another financial institution to take over the banking operations of RockBridge Commercial Bank. As of September 30, 2009, RockBridge Commercial Bank had approximately $294.0 million in total assets and $291.7 million in total deposits.

At the time of closing, the bank had an estimated $2.1 million in uninsured funds. As a result, checks to the retail depositors for their insured funds will be mailed on Monday. Brokered deposits will be wired once brokers provide the FDIC with the necessary documents to determine if any of their clients exceed the insurance limits. The FDIC estimates the cost of the failure to its Deposit Insurance Fund to be approximately $124.2 million.

(More about Rockbridge failure):
http://www.ajc.com/business/rockbridge-commercial-bank-closed-246571.html

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09233.html

The fourteenth bank to fail this year in Florida was Peoples First Community Bank, Panama City, Florida, established July 21, 1983. Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi to assume all deposits and the 29 branches.

As of September 30, 2009, Peoples First Community Bank had approximately $1.8 billion in total assets and $1.7 billion in total deposits. The Hancock Bank will pay the FDIC a premium of one percent to assume all of the deposits of Peoples First Community Bank. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Hancock Bank agreed to purchase approximately $1.6 billion of the failed bank's assets. The FDIC retained the remaining assets for later disposition.

The bank had gone from 489 full time employees as of September 30, 2008 to 375 September 30,2009, with net equity dropping from $154.4 million to $18.3 million with a loss of $16.9 the previous period and loss of $135.8 million September 30, 2009. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 1.29%. Net operating income was minus $119.9 million.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $556.7 million.

(Full story in Newsherald.com)
http://www.newsherald.com/news/officials-77233-bank-panama.html

 

Citizens State Bank, New Baltimore, Michigan, established June 3, 1922 was closed Friday by the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation, which then appointed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC created the Deposit Insurance National Bank of New Baltimore (DINB), which will remain open for approximately 45 days to allow depositors access to their insured deposits and time to open accounts at other insured institutions. There are 58 full time employees at the seven bank branches, the first established at 51066 Washington Street and the last on May 4, 2004 at 24668 Rosso Highway, Clinton Township.

New Baltimore is located on the north coastline of Lake St. Clair, along the boundary line of Macomb and St. Clair Counties. The entire state has been hit with high unemployment, a serious recession, and listed as bank demographic area: Detroit-Warren-Livonia.

A 2007 news story indicates the bank have five directors with “James K. Caldwell, the bank’s president and CEO, has been at the 144-year-old bank since 1974. He’s a former Wisconsin Bankers Association president.”
http://www.bdbonline.biz/directors/firstcitizensAug07.html

At the time of closing, the receiver immediately transferred to the DINB all insured savings, checking, and secured public units of Citizens State Bank. Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) were not transferred over to the DINB. The FDIC will mail checks directly to deposit customers who had CDs and IRAs with Citizens State Bank.

The Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio, will provide operational management of the DINB under a contract with the FDIC.

As of September 30, 2009, Citizens State Bank had $168.6 million in total assets and $157.1 million in total deposits. At the time of closing, deposits of approximately $803,000 potentially exceeded the insurance limits. Equity at the bank had dropped from $16.5 million September 30, 2008 to $1.9 million September 30, 2009; income a loss of $3 million the prior year with a current loss for this year of $11.1. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 1.48%

The cost to the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund is estimated to be $76.6 million
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09235.html

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created a bridge bank to take over the operations of Independent Bankers' Bank, Springfield, Illinois, after the bank was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation—Division of Banking, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. The newly created bank is Independent Bankers' Bank Bridge Bank, National Association.

Independent Bankers' Bank did not take deposits directly from the general public nor did it make loans to consumers. It was a commercial bank that provided correspondent banking services to its client banks. Cash due from depository institutions was $18.5 million September 30, 2008 to $157.5 million September 30, 2009.

Independent Bankers' Bank had approximately 450 client banks in four states, and operated one regional office. It provided a variety of services for its clients, including clearing accounts, investments, consulting, purchasing loans, and selling loan participations. Since the FDIC created a new bank to take over the operations of Independent Bankers' Bank, there is not expected to be any meaningful impact on the bank's clients.

Founded August 28, 1986, the bank had 64 full time employees, down from 75 the previous year reporting time frame; net income had gone from $3.1 million September 30, 2009 to a net loss of $18.9 million September 30, 2009; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 7.18% .

As of September 30, 2009, Independent Bankers' Bank had approximately $585.5 million in assets and $511.5 million in deposits. At the time of closing, the bank had an estimated $269,000 in uninsured funds. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $68.4 million.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09237.html

List of Bank Failures:
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Previous Bank Beat columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Bank_Beat.htm

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[headlines]
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Top Stories-December 14---18


Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:

(1) Benchmark Financial Groups, Aliso Viejo, CA
Bulletin Board Complaint
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-14-09.htm#benchmark

(2) Correction: Benchmark Financial Groups
Bulletin Board Complaint
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-16-09.htm#correction

(3) Chesterfield Financial Closes its Office
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-18-09.htm#chesterfield

(4) Leasing Companies out of the broker businesshttp://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-18-09.htm#outof_business

(5) Trebels plays golf in Florida while creditors burn
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-16-09.htm#trebels

(6) SunTrust Leasing Corp. fixed rate of 2.785%
http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/40929

(7) Bank Beat---Going to get Worse
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-14-09.htm#bank_beat

(8) Letter from Brican America Attorney Lichtman
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-14-09.htm#brican_letter

(9) View from the Top--by Steve Chriest
An Unprecedented Opportunity for Growth
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-18-09.htm#growth

(10) GE Capital Slimming Down ("Shrinking" as reported)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/business/15VIEWS.html

Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP


So You Want To Start a Leasing Company

Many banks and successful salespersons, brokers and packagers have approached me on how to start a leasing company because as they observe or sell off transactions they see a small fee while the rest seems to benefit the funding source. I do not want to discourage you on this idea but there is a lot to consider and I have a few suggestions along the way. Establishing a leasing company is an expensive task and takes a lot of time. A “company” takes people procedures and money. A person or two can do it by having outside help on bookkeeping and tax compliance but then there is the question of credit losses and collection expense.

Before anything else you must have an established flow of business of at least five million dollars per year to create enough profits to break even. This amount varies, of course, with the margin created and the size of the lease transactions. Small ticket leases takes a lot more than large ticket leases because of handling costs, such as credit reports, documentation etc.

If your ticket size is under one hundred thousand then it would take about $10 million in leases to break even. Unless you have credit losses or heavy collection costs. Remember distance adds all kinds of costs to collection efforts, so stay close to home with your marketing activity and try and stay away from out of state transactions.

I have helped a lot of banks get into leasing so I created a list of tasks for them to get started but it does cover many of the tasks even a small leasing company would need to consider. This list will be modified based on the actual decisions reached each step of the way. The list is not intended to be complete, but just to begin the progress. Also, the timing of these events necessary to establish a leasing department are not necessarily in order because many of them need to occur at the same time. However these are in the best order possible:

  • Hire a leasing consultant (optional)

  • Determine what form your leasing company is to be, example: Sub-S, LLC, Corporation, Etc.

  • Determine what type of leases you can offer

  • Create business plan for guide posts during development

  • If a Bank notify bank regulators of leasing activity

  • If Independent get business license

  • Request sales tax authority for each state you will be doing business

  • If required, obtain license in each state you will be doing business,

  • Determine property tax requirements

  • Establish policy as a guideline for transactions, credit, authorities, and residuals

  • Establish credit flow and residual authority

  • Select or create lease documentation

  • Take lease forms to legal counsel for review

  • Print legal documents or place in computer

  • Select bookkeeping procedure and establish or purchase “inside” or “outside support” software

  • Lease or purchase pricing and structuring software

  • If you are a bank then hire lease manager (familiar with all aspects of leasing not just sales)

  • Hire or appoint administrative assistant

  • Arrange for funding

  • Train on booking software

  • Train on documentation

  • Train on pricing

  • Create marketing materials

  • Create back office forms

  • Create back office procedure

  • Establish portfolio files. Fire proof safe for legal documents

  • Establish responsibility requirements

  • Train accounting personnel (perhaps your spouse)

  • Investigate lease markets

  • Establish marketing plan ( stay in only three markets for first two years)

  • Hire lease sales personnel

  • Establish commission plan with maximum 10% of gross margin or 25% of net margin

  • Make sales calls on vendors

  • Make sales calls on end users (lessees)

  • Create all end of month and volume reports

  • Explain reports to management or funders

  • Train on tax reporting

  • Train on use of accounting reports

  • Train on changes on lease during term

  • Train on differences of leasing Vs loans

  • Make leases

  • Establish end of the lease procedures

  • Obtain blanket insurance coverage

  • Join an Equipment Leasing Association and support it.

I know this list is not complete but one of the most important things I can recommend regardless of your size is to have a “complete” business plan prior to beginning the company. It needs to address your operation from one end to the other and establish guide posts to determine if you are on the same path as originally envisioned.

In America we are noted for being able to adapt to new business challenges however in this case everything from funding and operation costs require you to pass on transactions or markets that are not in the plan. If you get lured away from the plan by a large transaction or an out of state deal or what looks like a good market, you will lose time and effort from building the company correctly. A rifle approach and not a shotgun approach is the best way to go.

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


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

[headlines]
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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Established Funding Sources, 2) Fun Working Environment, 3) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k), 4) Aggressive Commission Structure.
Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com, Contact: Jeff Edwards (949) 225-1712

Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employers, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.



Quail Equipment Leasing

5 years experience with established vendor relationships. We offer great funding capacity for transactions $10k to $10MM. Quail Company's established for over 30 years. Submit resume to: jrudin@quailcap.com

About the company: Quail Equipment Leasing 17 years in
business with the ability to develop specialized programs for
vendors and unique industries: $10K to $10MM.

www.quailequipmentleasing.com

[headlines]
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[headlines]

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Seasons of Faith CD

Spiritual Poetry by Peter Menkin, readings on a CD - - $7 Audio readings of poetry by Parish Poet Peter Menkin. Approximately 30 poems running 45 minutes. This CD is a homemade production. Cost is $7, $3 shipping. Please send email to inquire or order. menkbabeus@yahoo.com You will be invoiced by PayPal prior to sending your order. Thank you, Peter Menkin, a Parish Poet.

[headlines]
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Books for Leasing Professional for Christmas


Power Tools for Successful Leasing

The acclaimed book adopted for Equipment Leasing Association workshops, and on the recommended reading list for CLP and CAUCUS certification programs, as well as Leasing News book recommendation.

Technology Leasing: Power Tools for Lessees--(c) 2002, the unique lessee focused book on the recommended reading list for CAUCUS certification.

Both titles are available through year-end at the reduced price of $59.95 each, with shipping and handling waived.

Orders may be placed by phone (815.753.1116), secure fax (630.365.5602) or email (phdleasing@fastmail.fm)

In addition, over 70 leasing websites and a dozen leasing articles are available for complimentary download at www.leasingpress.com

James M. Johnson, Ph.D.
Graduate School, Northern Illinois University
www.leasingpress.com

Barry S. Marks, Esq.
Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom & Kushner
www.leasingpress.com

[headlines]
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### Press Release ##########################

ELFA Foundation Names Board of Trustees; Dahlka Remains Chairman


Edward A. Dahlka, Jr.


The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has announced its new Board of Trustees and Officers, which will serve during the next 12 months.

Edward Dahlka, Jr., the president of Assurance Asset Finance, will remain chairman of the board, serving his second term. Lisa A. Levine, CAE was named President of the Foundation.

"We are extremely pleased to have Ed Dahlka continue as Foundation Chair at a time when the Foundation is taking significant steps to increase the number and diversity of industry studies published annually," said Levine. "As the equipment finance sector endures the uncertainties of the future, the Foundation and industry at large will benefit from Ed's leadership, and the commitment and dedication of the entire Board of Trustees."

Commenting on the near-term future of the equipment finance industry, Dahlka remarked: "I think 2010 will be a better year than 2009 however, I do not see the economy improving quickly, including little improvement in unemployment. Companies will invest in equipment to improve their results and equipment finance will provide a vital role to their equipment acquisitions. Experience has taught many the benefits of conserving cash. Small businesses, in particular, will see the benefit of utilizing flexible long-term fixed rate financing options provided through equipment leasing and finance conduits."

The newest members of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Board of Trustees include:

Roland Chalons-Browne, Siemens Financial Services, Inc.
Rick Remiker, RBS Asset Finance, Inc., and
William Verhelle, First American Equipment Finance

They will join the 2010 Foundation Board of Trustees including:

John H. Beville , SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp.
Melisa R. Carter, Key Equipment Finance
Edward A. Dahlka, Jr. Assurance Asset Finance, LLC
Paul W. Frechette, Tygris Vendor Finance
Henry Frommer, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc.
Edward A. Groobert, Dykema & Gossett PLLC
Valerie H. Jester, Brandywine Capital Associates, Inc.
James M. Johnson, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Joseph C. Lane, Sinter Capital
Lisa A. Levine, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation
Deborah Monosson, Boston Financial & Equity Corporation
Robert Rinaldi, PNC Equipment Finance, LLC
James Schallheim, Ph.D., University Of Utah
Robert Wax, Kingsbury Wax Bova, LLC and David Wiener

The Executive Committee includes:

Chairman: Edward A. Dahlka, Jr.
Vice Chairman: Debbie Monosson,
Treasurer: Paul Frechette,
Secretary: Edward Groobert
President: Lisa A. Levine, CAE

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

Richmond, Indiana --- Adopt-a-Pet


Hoshi”
Pet ID #: D2009329
Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
Size: Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Color: Unknown
Sex: Female
Age: Young

Hoshi is:
already spayed
good with kids
good with dogs
good with cats
up to date with shots

Hoshi's story...
Hoshi is just a sweet little six month old baby girl! She has a lot of energy, and would love to play with a family that had kids. She gets along well with all the other dogs that we have here at the shelter, and she seems to do fine with the cats; there are more than two hundred cats in the room that she is living in! She is spayed and up to date on her vaccinations! Come and visit Hoshi at HELP the Animals or fill out an application online: http://members.petfinder.com/~IN135/AdoptionApplication.html

Contact this rescue group to adopt Hoshi ...
Rescue Group: HELP The Animals Inc.
Pet ID #: D2009329
Phone: (765) 962-6811

- Let 'em know you saw "Hoshi" on Adopt-a-Pet.com!
E-mail: helptheanimalsinc@comcast.net
Website: http://www.Myspace.com/helpshelter

Address: 2101 West Main Street
Richmond , IN 47375

Come Meet Our Pets...
We are located at 2101 West Main Street in Richmond IN 47375. We are open to the public for adoptions Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.

Our other pets:
http://www.adoptapet.com/shelter72855-pets.html

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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


 

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News Briefs----

Health Bill Passes Key Test with 60 Votes
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/us/21vote.html?hp

Moody's cuts ILFC to junk, cites falling AIG support
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1823962020091218?type=marketsNews

U.A.E. Shares Fall to Weekly Low on Concern Over Bank Results http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=avHSKmOVmPvA&pos=4

First Premier Bank Charges 80% Credit Card Interest
http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/First_Premier_Bank_Charges_80_
Percent_Credit_Card_Interest_91220

Dutch automaker makes offer on Saab
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/12/20/Dutch-automaker-makes-offer-on-Saab/UPI-36041261342734/

Fed's approach to regulation left banks exposed to crisis
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/20/AR2009122002580.html

Citadel Broadcasting files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/20/financial/f101911S72.DTL&tsp=1

Tiger Woods update: Headed for drug, sex rehab, mother Kultida Woods is 'furious' over affairs http://www.examiner.com/x-27745-SF-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m12d20-Tiger-Woods-update--Headed-for-drug-sex-rehab-mother-Kultida-Woods-is-furious

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You May have Missed---

Stan Thomas: An Atlanta developer with outsized dreams faces outsized debts http://www.ajc.com/business/stan-thomas-an-atlanta-246564.html


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

Sports Briefs----

Still undefeated: Colts hold off Jaguars' rally, move to 14-0
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-12-17-colts-jaguars_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip(Please See today's Football Poem)

Shanahan appears headed to Redskins
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_14020216?source=rssskipframe-theredzone.org

For Madden, at 73, the Game’s Still On
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/sports/football/
17madden.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=john%20madden&st=cse


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California Nuts Briefs---

Round 3 of California's never-ending budget bout looms
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2409679.html


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"Gimme that Wine"

New York wines lag in perception of quality, report says
http://rocnow.com/article/business/200991217016

Goelet restructuring
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/12/18/wine/doc4b2adabe29ce2622715160.txt

Wine hangover and currency woes give Foster's a headache
http://www.smh.com.au/business/wine-hangover-and-currency-woes-give-fosters-a-headache-20091218-l5rn.html

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
http://www.wine-searcher.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/

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Today's Top Event in History

1864-Sherman takes Savannah. Despite efforts by Confederate General William Hardee to defend the city of Savannah, GA, Southern troops were forced to pull out of the city, and on this date Union forces under William Tecumseh Sherman captured the town. By marching form Atlanta to the coast at Savannah, Sherman had cut the lower South off from the center. Contrary to Southern belief on history, it was the Confederate troops who upon leaving the city began the fires so Union troops would not food or supplies or goods held in stores or warehouses in the city. They also burned farms on their journey to also cut supplies from Union troops.

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This Day in American History

 1620- According to Governor William Bradfords History of Plymouth Plantation, the Pilgrims, aboard the Mayflower, reached Plymouth, MA, “sounded ye harbor, and founde fill for shipping; and marched into ye land, & founde diverse cornfields, and ye best they could find, and yea season & their presente necessitie made them glad to accepte of it.... And after wards tooke better view of ye place, and resolved wher to pitch their dwelling; and them and their goods.” Plymouth Rock, the legendary place of landing since it first was “identified” in 1769, nearly 150 years after the landing, has been a historic shrine since. Contrary to common belief, the Pilgrims tried several locations first, including Provincetown Harbor, Mass, where the first social contract for a New England colony, was drafted and signed by 41 adult males. The Pilgrims did not settle there, but went on after a time to Plymouth. Physician Dr. Samuel Fuller was on board, in fact one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact. For some time he was the sole physician in Massachusetts. Ina letter dated June 28, 1630, written at Salem, MA, to Governor William Bradford of Plymouth, he described one of the customary treatments, in which he “let some twenty of these people blood.”
    1790 -- Samuel Slater's thread-spinning factory goes into production, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The beginning of the Industrial Revolution in America. The workers at his machines are 4 to 10 years old.
http://www.woonsocket.org/slaterhist.htm
http://john.ourjourneys.org/slater/early.html
http://inventors.about.com/cs/inventorsalphabet/a/textile_2.htm
    1829—Birthday of Laura Dewey Bridgman - struck deaf and blind at two, she was the first blind-deaf mute to be taught successfully. LDB eventually helped teach others with disabilities. She learned to read through a Braille-like system and "spoke" through tapping out an "alphabet." as taught her by Samuel Gridley Howe at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, Boston. Howe's methods of teaching her are still being studied today and his journals as well as Bridgman's are carefully read for their insight and aid for teaching all those with disabilities. The records kept by Howe and by Bridgman's teachers are invaluable to modern researchers investigating the education of the disabled, as they are the first detailed records of the education of a deaf-blind person." She lived her entire life at Perkins, dying at age 60.
http://library.pittstate.edu/spcoll/ndxbridgman.html
http://library.pittstate.edu/spcoll/bridgman1.html
http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?DOCID=1P1:30431105&num=3&ctrlInfo=
Round9c%3AProd1%3ASR%3AResult&ao=

    1830—Birthday of early American author Mary Virginia Hawest Terhune. Her novels often centered around southern plantation life. Her first novel Alone (1854) sold more than 100,000 copies. She also wrote advice books, and popular biographies. She wrote syndicated columns on women's affairs for the Philadelphia North American (1900-10) and the Chicago Tribune (1911-17).
http://www3.telus.net/womenswork/mary_virginia_terhune.htm
http://mn.essortment.com/maryvirginiate_rapi.htm
http://web.ask.com/searchcp?q=Mary+Virginia+Terhune&t=Mary+Vir
ginia+Terhune&cache=
00*2s45u99erpnnw&url=http://www.math.ttu.edu/~wlewis/family.htm&page=&ws=1

    1850 -- Celia, a black slave is hung for killing her master. Her tragic story and the underlying cruelty and the societal-approved prerogative of the male to sexually satisfy himself with his property - slave or wife - was told in Meltan A. McLaurin's historically accurate book Celia, A Slave, New York: Avon Books, 1991. Robert Newsom, a widower, bought Celia when she was about 14, raping her for the first time on the way back to his Missouri plantation. He set her up in a cabin behind the main house and in time she bore two children. As the trial transcripts relate, in trying to resist her master's advances, she killed him with a stick. White women rallied to her side claiming that women had a right to resist rape whether they were slaves or not, but not surprising in the all-male judicial system upheld the male prerogative and the right of ownership prevailed in court. All appeals failed and she was hanged for murder. Melton A. McLaurin's book Celia, A Slave (New York: Avon Books, 1991) attracted a great deal of interest when it was first published because it was the first time anyone had attempted to reconstruct the life of an "ordinary" slave, a woman at that. All the real facts that are known about Celia are taken from the transcripts of her trial. At about 19, she began developing a mind of her own and even became involved with another slave, George.
http://www.click2famoustrials.com/celia/celia.htm
http://www.jacksonvillestory.com/Celia%27s%20Sad%20Fate.htm
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=464114&sourceid=
1500000000000001827190&dest=9999999997

    1864-Sherman takes Savannah. Despite efforts by Confederate General William Hardee to defend the city of Savannah, GA, Southern troops were forced to pull out of the city, and on this date Union forces under William Tecumseh Sherman captured the town. By marching form Atlanta to the coast at Savannah, Sherman had cut the lower South off from the center. Contrary to Southern belief on history, it was the Confederate troops who upon leaving the city began the fires so Union troops would not food or supplies or goods held in stores or warehouses in the city. They also burned farms on their journey to also cut supplies from Union troops.
    1892- Walter Charles Hagen, golfer born at Rochester, NY. Hagen won two US Opens, four British Opens and five PGA Championships. He was extraordinary in match play, including the Ryder Cup, because he was a master scrambler and absolutely unflappable. He was also a colorful showman who brought the game to the masses and helped to increase prize money. died at Traverse City, MI, October 5, 1969.
    1892 - Portland, OR, was buried under a record 27.5 inches of snow.
    1903 – American detective writer Lawrence Treat born, wrote under the name Lawrence Arthur Goldstone, often called the "father" of modern police procedural novel.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/treat.htm
    1909- Barney Ross, boxer born Barnet David Rosofsky at New York, NY. Ross was the first boxed to hold two titles simultaneously. He won the lightweight crown in 1932 and the welterweight crown in 1934. He also won a Silver Star during World War II as a Marine. died at Chicago, IL, January 18,1967.
1909 - Although called introductory high schools, the McKinley and Washington schools of Berkeley, California, were the first authorized, junior-high schools in the United States. They taught grades 7,8 and 9.
    1912- Joshua (Josh) Gibson, Baseball Hall of Fame catcher born at Buena Vista, GA. Gibson is regarded as the greatest slugger to play in the Negro Leagues and perhaps the greatest ballplayer ever. Gibson starred with the Pittsburgh Crawford's. his long home runs are the stuff of legend. In 60 recorded at bats against big league pitching, Gibson batted .426. He died at 35 years old just three months before the integration of baseball in the major leagues. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. Died at Pittsburgh, PA, January 20, 1947.
http://www.blackbaseball.com/gibsonjo.html
    1913-The first crossword puzzle was compiled by Arthur Wynne and published in a supplement of New York World . He basically redesigned a Victorian-era game called The Magic Square as a feature for the Pulitzer newspaper.
    1914 - Marie Dressler, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Swain appeared in the first feature-length comedy that was six reels long. Mack Sennett directed the film called, "Tillie's Punctured Romance".
    1929- The first hospital insurance group plan was effected by Baylor University Hospital, Dallas, Texas. The plan was inaugurated by Dr. Justin Ford Kimball, executive vice president of Baylor University. The first group insured were the Dallas public school teachers, who paid 50 cents per month for 21 days of hospital treatment.
    1929-an exceptional snowstorm swept across the southern Plains through Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. 26 inches fell at Hillsboro, TX and 18 inches fell at El Dorado, AR
    1937- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was exhibited in Los Angeles, CA. It was an instant hit. Disney took a tremendous gamble with this 3-year artistic venture, as fantasies usually did not fare well at the box office. He had much of his own money tied up in the film, and Snow White had the potential of financially ruining him. The film was originally budgeted for $250,000, but ended up costing $1,480,000. The film utilized the talents of 570 artists and contained 250,000 drawings. Would adults sit through a cartoon that ran nearly an hour and a half? But the pre-release fears were unfounded. The public and most critics were enchanted and impressed with Disney's painstakingly crafted fairy tale. Never before had anyone so successfully produced a full-length animation film, and it was quickly dubbed into 10 languages. In England, children under 16 were not allowed to see the film unless accompanied by an adult, and it was under partial ban in South Africa and the Netherlands. The film ran for an unfrequented 5 weeks at New York's Radio City Music Hall and for 31 weeks in Paris. Snow White set new attendance records around the world, marking the dawn of a new age in animation. It became the first movie to earn $1 billion. In its nine theatrical releases it earned approximately $1 billion in 1994 US Dollars. The home video version of Snow White was officially released on October 28, 1994, after receiving about 27 million retail orders, making it the top-selling video up to that time.
    1937---Birthday of Jane Fonda, considered a controversial figure because she visited Hanoi during the Viet Nam war. She won Academy Awards for her work in Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978) and she was nominated three more times. She won the Emmy for The Dollmaker (1984). One of the nation's most distinguished actors, she may never be fully honored because of her anti-war activities during the Viet Nam war. She went to Hanoi and through radio broadcast begged America to stop the bombing. She has been called Hanoi Jane ever since by the right wing extremists who distorted her message and purpose. Her workout books and videos became very popular in the 1980s. She dropped out of films when she married Ted Turner, the TV mogul, in 1991 (divorced in 200). In 1994 she narrated A Century of Women, a TV series that celebrated women's achievements in the 20th century..
    1938- Cootie Williams's Rug Cutters record “Delta Mood.”
    1940- rock singer and composer Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore. The oldest of four children, Zappa and his family moved to California while he was still in his teens. After graduation in 1958, he played with various lounge bands and began composing songs, one of which, "Memories of El Monte," was recorded by the Penguins of "Earth Angel" fame. In 1964, Zappa took over a rhythm-and-blues band called the Soul Giants and turned them into the Mothers of Invention. Their irreverent blend of satire and rock 'n' roll was featured on half a dozen albums in the '60s. Zappa began a solo career in the '70s, and made a surrealistic film of rock 'n' roll life called "200 Motels." All told, he released more than 50 albums, including "Jazz From Hell," which won a Grammy Award for best rock instrumental in 1988. Zappa died of prostate cancer on December 4th, 1993.
    1942-- soul singer Carla Thomas was born in Memphis, the daughter of veteran performer Rufus Thomas. She was the first Memphis soul artist to have a national pop hit, "Gee Whiz" in 1961. The success of that disc led to the formation of the Stax Records company. Thomas had another pop hit in 1966 with "BABY," and the following year recorded two duets with Otis Redding, "Tramp" and "Knock on Wood," both of which made the Billboard Top 30.
    1943-Birthday of guitar player Wolfman Washington, New Orleans, LA
http://www.xtrememusician.com/info/artists/profiles/2659.html
http://www.offbeat.com/text/wolfman.html
http://walterwashington.com/index1.html
    1944--CURREY, FRANCIS S. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division. Place and date: Malmedy, Belgium, 21 December 1944. Entered service at: Hurleyville, N.Y. Birth: Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. G.O. No.: 69, 17 August 1945. Citation: He was an automatic rifleman with the 3d Platoon defending a strong point near Malmedy, Belgium, on 21 December 1944, when the enemy launched a powerful attack. Overrunning tank destroyers and antitank guns located near the strong point, German tanks advanced to the 3d Platoon's position, and, after prolonged fighting, forced the withdrawal of this group to a nearby factory. Sgt. Currey found a bazooka in the building and crossed the street to secure rockets meanwhile enduring intense fire from enemy tanks and hostile infantrymen who had taken up a position at a house a short distance away. In the face of small-arms, machinegun, and artillery fire, he, with a companion, knocked out a tank with 1 shot. Moving to another position, he observed 3 Germans in the doorway of an enemy-held house. He killed or wounded all 3 with his automatic rifle. He emerged from cover and advanced alone to within 50 yards of the house, intent on wrecking it with rockets. Covered by friendly fire, he stood erect, and fired a shot which knocked down half of 1 wall. While in this forward position, he observed 5 Americans who had been pinned down for hours by fire from the house and 3 tanks. Realizing that they could not escape until the enemy tank and infantry guns had been silenced, Sgt. Currey crossed the street to a vehicle, where he procured an armful of antitank grenades. These he launched while under heavy enemy fire, driving the tank men from the vehicles into the house. He then climbed onto a half-track in full view of the Germans and fired a machinegun at the house. Once again changing his position, he manned another machinegun whose crew had been killed; under his covering fire the 5 soldiers were able to retire to safety. Deprived of tanks and with heavy infantry casualties, the enemy was forced to withdraw. Through his extensive knowledge of weapons and by his heroic and repeated braving of murderous enemy fire, Sgt. Currey was greatly responsible for inflicting heavy losses in men and material on the enemy, for rescuing 5 comrades, 2 of whom were wounded, and for stemming an attack which threatened to flank his battalion's position.
    1945---BENJAMIN, GEORGE, JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 306th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 21 December 1944. Entered service at: Carney's Point, N.J. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. G.O. No.: 49, 28 June 1945. Citation: He was a radio operator, advancing in the rear of his company as it engaged a well-defended Japanese strong point holding up the progress of the entire battalion. When a rifle platoon supporting a light tank hesitated in its advance, he voluntarily and with utter disregard for personal safety left his comparatively secure position and ran across bullet-whipped terrain to the tank, waving and shouting to the men of the platoon to follow. Carrying his bulky radio and armed only with a pistol, he fearlessly penetrated intense machinegun and rifle fire to the enemy position, where he killed 1 of the enemy in a foxhole and moved on to annihilate the crew of a light machinegun. Heedless of the terrific fire now concentrated on him, he continued to spearhead the assault, killing 2 more of the enemy and exhorting the other men to advance, until he fell mortally wounded. After being evacuated to an aid station, his first thought was still of the American advance. Overcoming great pain he called for the battalion operations officer to report the location of enemy weapons and valuable tactical information he had secured in his heroic charge. The unwavering courage, the unswerving devotion to the task at hand, the aggressive leadership of Pfc. Benjamin were a source of great and lasting inspiration to his comrades and were to a great extent responsible for the success of the battalion's mission.
    1945 - The FCC assigned television channels to several licensees, including CBS and NBC in New York City and Radio Corp. of America in Camden, New Jersey.
    1946- Louis Jordan's single, "Let the Good Times Roll," debuted on the Rhythm and Blues charts.
( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec21.html )
    1946-- guitarist Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys was born in Hawthorne, California. The three Wilson brothers - the others were Dennis and Brian - formed a group called Carl and the Passions with Mike Love and Al Jardine in 1961. The band's name was changed to the Beach Boys to take advantage of the surfing craze in southern California. Among their surfing hits for the Capitol label - "Surfin USA," "Surfer Girl" and "I Get Around." The Beach Boys turned in a more experimental direction in 1966, recording "Good Vibrations," a number-one song that took six months to produce and was at the time the most expensive single ever made. The Beach Boys continue to perform, primarily as a nostalgia act.
    1947- Metronome All-Stars record “Metronome Riff.”
    1950---Top Hits
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Nevertheless - Jack Denny
If You've Got the Money Honey I've Got the Time - Lefty Frizzell
    1954-- Chris Evert, tennis champion, had 125 consecutive clay-court victories and has been called the world's best clay-court woman player of all time. She was ranked the world's best player 1974 to 1978 and in 1980 and 81. She was the U.S. singles champion 1975-78, 80, 82; Wimbledon champion 1974, 76, and 81, and won at least one Grand Slam singles title for 13 consecutive years. Between 1973 and 1979 Evert won a record 125 consecutive clay-court matches, and won the French Open on clay a record seven times.
    1958---Top Hits
The Chipmunk Song - The Chipmunks
Problems - The Everly Brothers
One Night - Elvis Presley
City Lights - Ray Price
    1960-Elvis Presley was inducted into the Los Angeles Indian Tribal Council on the day his movie Flaming Star opened.
    1961-One of Rock and Roll's strangest oddities happened when "I Heard It through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye hit number one on the Cash Box music chart. The same song was also a number one hit for Gladys Knight and The Pips exactly one year earlier. The tune would also turn up on the chart by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1976.
    1964 - A great warm surge from the Pacific Ocean across Oregon and northern California brought torrential rains on a deep snow cover resulting in record floods.
    1965 -- An overflow crowd of 76,251 jams the Cotton Bowl, giving Dallas its first home sellout. The Browns beat the Cowboys 24-17.
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/1121.jpg
    1966 - The Beach Boys receive three gold-record citations for the single "Good Vibrations," which hit Number One eleven days ago and the albums "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Shut Down, Vol. 2."
    1966---Top Hits
Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen
Winchester Cathedral - The New Vaudeville Band
That's Life - Frank Sinatra
Somebody Like Me - Eddy Arnold
    1967--SMEDLEY, LARRY E. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 December 1967. Entered service at: Orlando, Fla. Born: 4 March 1949, Front Royal, Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with company D, in connection with operations against the enemy. On the evenings of 20-21 December 1967, Cpl. Smedley led his 6-man squad to an ambush site at the mouth of Happy Valley, near Phouc Ninh (2) in Quang Nam Province. Later that night an estimated 100 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army regulars, carrying 122mm rocket launchers and mortars, were observed moving toward Hill 41. Realizing this was a significant enemy move to launch an attack on the vital Danang complex, Cpl. Smedley immediately took sound and courageous action to stop the enemy threat. After he radioed for a reaction force, he skillfully maneuvered his men to a more advantageous position and led an attack on the numerically superior enemy force. A heavy volume of fire from an enemy machinegun positioned on the left flank of the squad inflicted several casualties on Cpl. Smedley's unit. Simultaneously, an enemy rifle grenade exploded nearby, wounding him in the right foot and knocking him to the ground. Cpl. Smedley disregarded this serious injury and valiantly struggled to his feet, shouting words of encouragement to his men. He fearlessly led a charge against the enemy machinegun emplacement, firing his rifle and throwing grenades, until he was again struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground. Gravely wounded and weak from loss of blood, he rose and commenced a l-man assault against the enemy position. Although his aggressive and singlehanded attack resulted in the destruction of the machinegun, he was struck in the chest by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded. Cpl. Smedley's inspiring and courageous actions, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1968-the first Astronauts to orbit the moon were Colonel Frank Borman, Captain James Arthur Lovell, Jr., and Major William Alison Anders, who made 10 lunar orbits in Apollo 8, launched by a three-stage Saturn 5 rocked from Cape Canaveral, FL, at 7:51am. The spacecraft reentered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean 147 hours 11 seconds later.
    1968--- David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash performed together for the first time at a concert in California. Nash had announced his departure from the Hollies earlier in the month, while Crosby had played with the Byrds and Stills with Buffalo Springfield. Another former member of Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, joined Crosby, Stills and Nash in 1969.
    1968-Janis Joplin made her first appearance after leaving Big Brother and the Holding Company. Joplin performed in Memphis at the "Yuletide Thing" event sponsored by the Stax-Volt record labels. Also on the bill were such leading Stax acts as the Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the M-G's and Rufus and Carla Thomas.
    1969-Diana Ross and the Supremes make their final television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, singing "Someday We'll Be Together", which would be the last of their 12 number one singles.
    1970--Elvis Presley met US President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office at the White House. They posed for a photo that Nixon aides hoped would boost the president's image with America's youth. All the singer wanted was a Drug Enforcement Agency badge for his collection. Presley, according to most accounts high on pills at the time, lectured Nixon on the evils of drugs, the Beatles, hippies and communists. Nixon had Presley shown the door as soon as he'd presented him with the badge and made him an honorary federal agent.
    1974---Top Hits
Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
Angie Baby - Helen Reddy
You're the First, the Last, My Everything - Barry White
I Can Help - Billy Swan
    1974-Harry Chapin enjoys his only number one single with "Cat's In The Cradle". The song's theme about a distant father and son relationship was suggested to Harry by his wife, after he expressed disappointment about being on tour instead of attending his son's birth.
    1979- The Eagles, Chicago and Linda Ronstadt perform at a benefit show for the presidential campaign for California governor Jerry Brown, who also happens to be Ronstadt's boyfriend. The show at the San Diego Sports Arena is followed-up by a similar show at the Addin Theater in Las Vegas. The two shows bring in over $450,000.
    1979-- Willie Nelson's movie debut, "The Electric Horseman," which also starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, opened in North American theatres.
    1979- Frank Zappa's "Baby Snakes" premiered on Zappa's 39th birthday. The film combined concert footage, backstage antics and animated clay figures.
    1982---Top Hits
Maneater - Daryl Hall & John Oates
The Girl is Mine - Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney
Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson
Somewhere Between Right and Wrong - Earl Thomas Conley
    1985 - Bruce Springsteen's album, "Born in the USA", surpassed Michael Jackson's "Thriller", making it the second longest-lasting LP in the top 10. springsteen's album lasted at it peak for 79 weeks, and was second to "The Sound of Music" with Julie Andrews that lasted: 109 weeks.
    1985 - Bruce Springsteen's album, "Born in the USA", passed Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to become the second longest-lasting LP in the top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only "The Sound of Music" with Julie Andrews lasted longer: 109 weeks.
    1986 - Atlanta center Jeff Van Note, who at 40 was the oldest pro football player, played his 246th and last NFL game as Atlanta beat Detroit, 20-6.
    1988 - Pan Am World Airways Flight 103 was the victim of a terrorist attack when the jet exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. The 258 passengers, crew, and several people on the ground at the site of the crash were all killed.
    1988 - Seven cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Charleston SC with a reading of 78 degrees. A storm in the northwestern U.S. produced 22 inches of snow at Idaho City ID in two days, and up to two feet of snow at Happy Camp CA. Ski resorts in Idaho reported three to six feet of snow on the ground.
    1989 - Forty cities in the north central U.S., including thirteen in Iowa, reported record low temperatures for the date. Havre and Jordan, MT, tied for honors as the cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 43 degrees below zero, and the temperature remained close to 40 degrees below zero through the daylight hours. Dickinson ND reported a morning low of 33 degrees below zero and a wind chill reading of 86 degrees below zero. The high for the date of 16 degrees below zero at Sioux Falls SD was December record for that location.
    1990---Top Hits
Because I Love You (The Postman Song) - Stevie B
Justify My Love - Madonna
Impulsive - Wilson Phillips
I've Come to Expect It from You - George Strait
    1997- Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions became the third player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season when he gained 184 yards against the New York Jets. the Lions won, 13-10. He reached the 2,000 yard mark with a 2-yard run with just over two minutes left in the game. On the next play, he broke free for 53 yards, a gain that allowed the Lions to run out the clock and clinch a playoff berth. The other members of the 2,0000 yard club are O.J.Simpson, who rushed for 2,003 yards in 1973, and Eric Dickerson, who ran for 2,105 yards in 1984 ( this book is not up to date and there are surely some more members of this elite group today ).
    2006-The Beatles' "Love" sat at #1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart. The album was produced by George Martin and his son Giles Martin and features music compiled and remixed for the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. The disc would quickly be certified Platinum and won Grammys in two categories - Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Surround Sound Album at the 50th annual Grammy awards on February 10th, 2008.
    2009-A snow storm embattled the East Coast, closing airports, raising havoc in many states, affecting Christmas shopping and closing many businesses.

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Football Poem

Poems by
--Vince Lombardi
(1913-1970) US football coach

If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.

Gentleman, this is a football.

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.

Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.

If you can't accept losing, you can't win.

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. -

All right Mister, let me tell you what winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, give more than anyone else.

The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

Winning isn't everything it's the only thing.

--Vince Lombardi

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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

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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

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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

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Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

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Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click,
or type in a new route to learn the traffic live

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Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.

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