Position Wanted---Senior Management
  Seeking New Position

Each Week Leasing News is pleased, as a service to its readership, to offer completely free ads placed by candidates for jobs in the industry. These ads also can be accessed directly on the website at: 
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Each ad is limited to (100) words and ads repeat for up to 6 months unless the candidate tells us to stop. Your submissions should be received here by the end of each week.

Please encourage friends and colleagues to take advantage of this service, including recent graduates and others interested in leasing and related careers.

Senior-level leasing executive accomplished in sales, finance, operations and marketing. Seeking new opportunity to capitalize on my strategic, ideation, communication and analytical strengths to identify opportunities, formulate solutions and articulate strategies that inspire cross-functional teams to enhance corporate performance and shareholder value. Adept negotiator of multi-million dollar lease program agreements and contracts. Driver of increased sales productivity, incremental revenue, operating expense reductions and customer acquisition/retention. 
www.linkedin.com/in/reglindholm
reg.lindholm@gmail.com

 

 

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Top Stories February 8 - February 12
(Opened Most by Readers)

 

(1) Lease Finance Group Tagged with Class Action
        by Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_10.htm#lease_finance

(2) Reaction to "Lending Club Sends up a Red Flare"
        Readers Respond to Leasing News/Dale Kluga
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_08.htm#reaction

(3) BSB’s Ron Gonzales and Wife Renee Photos
  Denver Bronco Fans attend Super Bowl 50
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_12.htm#bsb

(4) FICO Score: Excellent to Bad
           www.credit.com
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_12.htm#fico

(5) New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Business
          and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_12.htm#hires

(6) Must Employers Reimburse Employees for
         Cell Phone Expenses?
    by Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_12.htm#must

(7) 20 Years: How 37 Banks Merged Into 4
   Chart
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_10.htm#chart

(Tie) (8) LendingClub Models Misfire as Loan Write-Offs Tops
   Forecasts   7 percent to 8 percent
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-05/lendingclub-models-misfire-as-loan-write-offs-exceed-forecasts

(Tie) (8) School for Loan Brokers/Alternate Finance & Real Estate
as well as leasing -- in Business Since 2009/also forms NACLB
 http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_10.htm#school

(10) The Closer – Meet the Yellowstone Capital Rep That                 
           Originated $47 Million in Deals Last Year
http://debanked.com/2016/02/the-closer-meet-the-yellowstone-capital-rep-that-originated-47-million-in-deals-last-year/

(11) Credit/Collections #102 by Ben Carlile
        “Would you do this deal?”
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2016/02_08.htm#cc

Not Counted for Technical Reasons:
Leasing Icon Ben Millerbis Passes Away
http://leasingnews.org/Pages/millerbis.html 

 

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Reactions from Readers:
Leasing Icon Ben Millerbis Passes Away

Pentech Financial Services, Inc.
(January, 1985 –February, 2016)

Story from Saturday Extra Edition:
http://leasingnews.org/Pages/millerbis.html

(Received mostly in Chronological Order)

"I remember that WAEL convention when Ben wore that spacesuit.  It was in Seattle, if I recall correctly. Certainly will miss him. "

Russell H. Wilder
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer
ATEL Capital Group, Inc. And Affiliates

---

"As us baby boomers mature, I'm sure you're going to hear more and more of this. First with Alister, now with Ben. Sad, very sad."

Mr. Vincent Barauskas
Merrimac Capital Services

---

"Very sad. One of the good ones . . ."

Kenneth Charles Greene
Law Offices of Kenneth Charles Greene

---

"I was shocked and very disappointed to hear of Ben's passing. I was fortunate to serve with Ben on the Western Association of Equipment Lessors (WAEL) Board of Directors for several years in the 1980's and then had the opportunity to work for him from 2003 to 2009 as part of the Pentech/Manifest Navigator program. Due to Ben's vision and support, the Navigator program was the most challenging and rewarding (and fun) broker funding program with which I was ever involved.

“Ben was very smart. He was the certainly consummate risk taker, and most of all he was a big thinker. He was very supportive of our group in San Diego that processed the Navigator program transactions and I will always be grateful to him for his confidence in that operation. Ben will be missed.  Our thoughts and sincere condolences to Glenda and the family."

Ron Wagner

---

"Wow. How time flies. I was at a dinner with him years and years ago. Forgot all about it sadly. We had such a lovely evening out with the group at the conference. Tons of laughs and great food. Feels like yesterday now…."

Shari L. Lipski, CLFP
Principal
ECS Financial Services

---

"I was shocked to hear about Ben's passing. He was one of those guys who you would think would outlast the universe.

"I loved to rattle his cage. He was so serious most of the time even at conferences. I may still have some of the candid photos I took of him at various events. Great personality. "

Bob Teichman, CLFP
Teichman Financial Training

---

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ben Millerbis. He was a 'giant' in my eyes as he guided WAEL in the early days in establishing its own staff. He always had his eyes on the bigger picture and his leadership will be sorely missed. On a personal basis, Barbara and I always enjoyed his company and that of his lovely wife, Glenda."

Bernie Boettigheimer CLFP
President
Lease Police, Inc.

----

 Hi Kit,
"I just want to set the record straight. Ben and I started Pentek Leasing. We were 50/50 owners. He was the President and I was EVP in charge of credit. We sold Pentek to Alaska Pacific Bank. I stayed on as an employee, EVP, of Alaska Pacific Leasing. I ran the west coast division for them. Ben then started Pentech Financial Services. I stayed with Alaska Pacific Bank until they wanted to move our west coast operation to Albany, New York. I then left the bank and started my broker operation, Investors Capital, Santa Clara, California. Then in the early 1990's I went to work for Ben during the Manifest program calling on brokers.

"When that fell apart, Ben changed Pentech into a collection company. I stayed on for a few years, then I retired. I don't know if this is important or not.

"I appreciate you honoring Ben today. He definitely was one of a kind and was basically a good man."

Best Regards,
Larry Blazek 
 
---

"I’m sorry to hear about his death.  Do you know who is handling memorial/funeral arrangements?  Both Cheryl and I will want to attend."

Bob Jacobson

(Told Bob did not know, and related what Larry Blazek sent, which
resulted in further explaining the relationships. Editor)

"I was assistant manager at Morris Plan in Santa Clara. Larry Blazek and I opened that office from scratch. He was the manager
and I was the assistant. He trained me right out of college in credit and collections. I first met him when he was the manager of Barclays Bank at Airport Branch (on Coleman Avenue in Santa Clara, California. I also banked there when Larry was manager and also knew Bob Jacobson from Interlease days. Editor)

"Larry Blazek and I first met Ben in the early 70’s while we were all doing part time work as collectors for Sears in Mountain View, California.  That was to start decade’s long friendships and work relationships.

 “I was working for Union Bank in Palo Alto as the installment loan manager.  I started funding deals for Hy Bren and Don Smith at Interlease in San Francisco.  A year later, I went to work for them as their CFO, getting the bank lines and funding the deals.  About a year after that, I left and started Coordinated Lease with Tom Evans as a partner. We broke up as partners and I moved the business to Mountain View. 4 phones on the floor, a chair, and a card table, and $500 borrowed on a master charge. Those were the days!

“Ben worked for me as our finance manager when I owned Coordinated Lease Corp in the late 70’s.  When I sold the company to Dividend Financial (originally founded by Leasing News editor), he decided he would like to venture out on his own and started Pentek with Larry Blazek.  Over the years, we continued to do business together.

 In fact, before Tri-Con Leasing closed the broker division, one of my last deals was a $15,000,000 computer lease brokered by Ben to us.

"As a person, Ben was extremely creative, humorous, and charming.  He had a knack for negotiations, and he was a true 'survivor' of the ups and downs in his business and personal life.  I’m so surprised at his death.  He will be missed."

Bob Jacobson

----

"R.I.P. He was very good to me for the six years I worked at Pentech. He died way too soon."

Sue Loach
Funding Coordinator
Commercial Finance & Leasing Bank of Cardiff, Inc.

 

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Bernese Mountain Dog/Retriever, Labrador
Roseville, California  Adopt-a-Dog

Caleb
Breed Bernese Mountain Dog/Retriever, Labrador
Age: 11 years 16 days
Sex: Male
Size: Large
Color: Black/White
Neutered
Declawed: No
Intake Date: 1/30/2016

Placer SPCA Companion Animal Care Center
150 Corporation Yard Rd.
Roseville, CA 95678
T: (916) 782-7722 | (530) 885-7387
F: (916) 782-8655
Tues, Fri-Sun: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wed & Thurs: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
*Closed Mondays & holidays unless specifically noted

 

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Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Now is the Time

  

FinTech #102  by Dan Janal
“How to Use Facebook as a Marketplace”

Facebook is more than just a place to watch cat videos.

It is a thriving marketplace full of prospects that need your services.

This article will shed light on the advertising and marketing opportunities available to executives in sales, banking and leasing companies.

The first question people ask me is, “I run a B2B business. Are my prospects using Facebook?”

The answer is yes!

More than 133 million people in the United States between the ages of 25 and 65 use Facebook. Many are members of professional organizations and they join professional groups that cover nearly every topic imaginable. They might go to Facebook to see pictures of their children but they stay to get the latest info on their peers, business trends and new products and services they see advertised.

Here are a few examples:

• You are a banker who wants to sell refinanced mortgages. You can use Facebook to target homeowners who bought their houses when interest rates were high. You can also specify their income or net worth so you can be reasonably assured they are highly qualified prospects. You can target them by location so you can verify they will be living in areas that you serve. There are 64 million homeowners on Facebook.

• You lease products to operations managers. Guess what? Facebook can deliver your ads directly any of literally thousands of job titles or professions. Need to lease equipment to a dentist? There are 2,1876,540 members of the American Dental Association on Facebook. Now you can reach the right person by targeting by type of business, size of business and location. You can dive deeper and search on other factors too, but that should get you started.

If you’re one of those people who say, “My business is different,” there’s good news for you too. Facebook can show ads to your existing customers and prospects that use Facebook. Hold onto your hats: Facebook can figure out what those people have in common and then show yours ads to people on Facebook who are just like those customers and prospects.

This means that you’ll have the added benefit of being able to reach your clients on another medium – Facebook – to integrate your marketing with your current methods, like direct mail, email, sales calls and the like. Plus you might be reaching them when they are more likely to take action because they go to Facebook to relax and therefore may have let their guard down on advertising.

By now you should be shaking your head in amazement and wonder – just like I did when I first learned about these amazing capabilities when I attended Facebook’s “Boost Your Business” seminar recently.

The other cool thing I learned at that seminar was that it doesn’t cost a fortune to advertise on Facebook. In fact, the company’s gurus were telling everyone that they can test ads for as little as $10 a day. So for just $300 a month in ad fees (plus creative time from their ad agency or in-house staff), a company can see which ads work best and then roll out a larger campaign with the knowledge that if the test ads are profitable, then the campaign should be very profitable.

In fact, if you’re one of the smart people who know how much money it costs to acquire a customer, then you can easily see how Facebook advertising compares in effectiveness to your other forms of advertising, marketing and sales.

One thing to note: It’s highly unlikely that anyone reading an ad in any medium would plunk down $2,500 to buy something from you on the basis of one ad. Any company must gain the trust of the prospect and educate them on why they should do business with you. With that in mind, Facebook should be looked as a lead generation tool that gets prospects into the sales funnel where you can help them get to know, like and trust you.

I hope this article showed you that you can reach your target audience with Facebook ads and that Facebook ads are a low-cost way to get more customers and prospects.

Dan Janal wrote the first book about marketing on the Internet back in 1993! He has written several books, as well as speaker on not only the internet, but financial technology and the social medium.  He is a former member of the Leasing News Advisory Board. Now he helps companies plan and execute their Facebook advertising programs. For info, go to PRLEADStoPROFITS.com/Facebook or call 952-380-9844 or email dan@prleads.com

Previous Financial Technology Articles
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/fintech.html

 

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“Leasing to Franchises”
by Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal Editor

An Equipment Lease to Franchisee Sounds Easy, But Revolving Door Franchisees, Fixture Filings, and Nasty Franchisors May Present Challenges.  Can a Lessor Properly Underwrite a Lease to a Franchisee?  

Frontier Leasing Corp. v. Advanced Mailing Systems, Inc., 789 N.W.2d 436 Iowa Ct. App. 2010)

Equipment lessors have a love affair with franchisors, and for a lot of good reasons.  First, as a national vendor, the franchisor can direct franchisees to the lessor.  Second, the lessor can fund deals for the franchisee which has been pre-screened by the franchisor for credit.  Finally, there is a perception that doing business with a franchisee location is safer.  Sadly, many of these assumptions are wrong.  

First, although a vendor relationship can be of benefit to the lessor, the vendor will want many deal points in the vendor agreement, such as funding deals above a certain credit score (or a percentage of approvals), credit decision turn-around time, and perhaps, remarketing rights to the equipment. 

Will the lessor want to blindly fund deals over a certain credit score?  Possibly, but the devil is in the details, so funding a 600 credit score is not the same as funding a 750 credit score.  Franchisees will typically have a lot of debt associated with the location, including real estate lease payments, salaries and food costs.  A few months of poor operation can turn a solvent lessee into an insolvent lessee. 

Many franchisors want lessors to commit to approval numbers based on certain assumptions.  The sales department of the franchisor will expect the lessor to meet those target numbers, and it is not unusual for the sales force to fudge the numbers a bit, to fit the proposed franchisee into an approval category.  This often results in friction between the lessor and the franchisor’s sales force. 

Remarketing of repossessed equipment sounds innocuous enough, but unless lessors are familiar with static locations and fixture rights in the State in which the lease is made, remarketing may be more of a benefit to the franchisor.  The reason is that the franchisor may churn a location, shuffling in serial franchisees into a specific location, and at each instance a “re-sale” of the equipment, which of course results in a fee to the franchisor.  Lessors need to understand the health of the franchise, from the franchisee’s standpoint, so default rates and franchisee turn ratios become key to underwriting.  A quick look on PACER (or other electronic dockets) for lawsuits against the franchisor may be educational. 

Much the equipment in a franchise location may be build-outs and fixtures, which will have little value to the lessor upon default.  Other equipment may have some value, but may be a fixture.  Typically, the equipment’s highest and best use will be to the new franchisee, if the franchisor can secure one for the location.  Will the lessor underwrite this franchisee as well, or will it be at the mercy of the franchisor? 

Finally, who will handle the documentation?  Often the franchisor will submit loan applications, financial statements, and will handle signatures for the lessor.  While this may sound appealing, today’s case demonstrates that the lessor should handle its own signature gathering.  If the franchisor obtains the signatures, will it rep and warrant their validity? 

A lessor Total Lease Concepts entered into an equipment lease with a franchisee Advanced Mailing Systems.  One of the signers was Melinda Lirones, a bookkeeper who held no equity interest in the franchise, but signed the lease.  Later, someone inserted a typewritten “President” below her name.  She also signed a personal guaranty. 

The franchisee went into default.

Total Lease Concepts assigned the lease and the assignee sued Ms. Lirones.  She countered with the argument that she merely signed the lease as agent for the franchisee and held no position at the franchisee other than as a bookkeeper.  As far as her personal guaranty goes, she argued that she never read it. 

The lease had a waiver of defenses clause, which I would characterize as a hell and high water clause on steroids.  This type of clause may state, “Lessee agrees not to raise any claim or defense which lessee may have against lessor arising out of the lease or otherwise as a defense, counterclaim, or offset to any action by assignee or secured party hereunder.” 

Ms. Lirones argued that she had no idea what she was signing, essentially fraud in the inducement by the franchisee.  The court found her testimony credible.  Nor did she have a reasonable opportunity to discover what she signed, as she had only worked for the franchisee less than a week.  There was no testimony that the franchisee explained the documents to her.  Again, the court found her testimony credible and dismissed the suit by Frontier against Ms. Lirones.  The lessor lost, the lessee won. 

What are the lessons here?

First, it seemed clear to me that the franchisee handled all the signatures and communicated with the franchisor about them.  The equipment lessor should have been personally involved in the handling of the underwriting and signature gathering.  Bear in mind that the franchisor’s sales force won’t care if the lessor makes a bad deal or not, once the deal is funded.  The sales force will drop the lessor like 4th period French. 

Second, assuming Ms. Lirones signature was not authorized, what did that do to the security interest in the equipment?  Presumably, the lessor lost rights to the equipment as well. 

Third, where were the underwriters when all this came down?  Did the lessor obtain articles of formation, by-laws, or proper corporate resolutions?  From whom?  How did the lessor verify those documents? 

The bottom line to this case is that leasing to a franchisee while seemingly appealing is fraught with some measure of risk.  Proper documentation and underwriting is key to having a successful relationship with a franchisor. 
Frontier Leasing Case
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/FrontierLeasing2016.pdf

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting
in Los Angeles, California.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com
Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

 

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Certificate of Insurance for Lease or Loan
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLFP

 

Most leasing companies have the ability to secure insurance when their lessee does not renew their insurance, or have proper insurance to begin with; many have let it lapse.  Alternate Finance companies don’t seem to be concerned about the situation, although it is not only the loss of the collateral, but as well the liabilities that may be involved or claimed by the debtor or other parties. Continuation of insurance coverage should not be overlooked.

A properly executed insurance certificate carries the names and addresses of both the agency coordinating the insurance coverage’s and the insurance companies issuing them. The certificate must also clearly state the name(s) of the primary insured party (the Lessee or debtor), with the Lessor or Lender identified as loss payee (for property coverage) and additional insured (for liability). In addition, the insurance coverage amounts, policy numbers, a complete description of the asset(s) covered, cancellation notification stipulation, and the date of insurance issuance should all be clearly stated on the certificate.

It is important that the Lessor, as asset owner, or Creditor, require at least 30 days’ notice from the insurance company of any pending insurance policy cancellation. This allows enough time to prevent any lapse in coverage should the issuing company decide to cancel the policy. The usual reason for cancellation is nonpayment of premium. Notification of impending cancellation could signify deterioration of the Lessee’s or creditor’s financial condition; a situation of utmost importance to any Lessor or lender. A wise funder must be as concerned about the credit ratings and paying habits of his customers as he is about insuring the assets under a contract agreement.

For the same reasons, the Lessor or Lender should also require notification of non-renewal of the policy as well as cancellation. If the receiving notification of non-renewal, the policy should be to immediately contact the client to make certain new coverage is provided.

Pre-Commencement and Termination
The lease or loan agreement should require the Lessee to place insurance coverage on the asset upon possession and not upon acceptance. The period of time the Lessee takes to uncrate, assemble, and test the asset prior to acceptance could run into weeks or a few months. A proper insurance requirement states that insurance is due upon taking possession and payment is due upon acceptance. This will protect the Lessor or lender during the acceptance phase of the agreement.  In most policies, this is spelled out. I had one instance where a printing press was being unloaded from the truck for delivery and slipped from the forklift to the ground, breaking it into several pieces. The dispute then was between the owner of the forklift, the neighbor of the party to accept the printing equipment, the trucking company, and the party receiving the printer.  It went to court, who found the vendor of the printer was responsible for choosing the trucking firm, the fork lift, and the equipment had not been delivered, therefore not accepted.  But all parties paid their own attorney and court fees.

The requirement for insurance should also require the insurance be in force until the asset is returned or purchased at Termination. This includes any additional time after the lease terminates and rent is not due but the asset is being transported to the location stated by the Lessor. This is also true regarding vehicles.

If the Lessor decides to recover the asset at termination or due to early termination, or repossession in a default, then it is the Lessor’s responsibility to provide its own insurance coverage. Also the method of transport and by whom will impact the amount of the premium required by the insurer.

Occasionally, a Lessor believes the return of the asset, if handled by Lessor employees, will to be covered by the current umbrella liability coverage and this is usually not the case. The insurer for the Lessor should be contacted to discuss all issues about insurance on off lease assets.

Additional Language
In the insurance paragraph, the lessee must allow the lessor or lender to purchase insurance and bill the lessee or debtor for the cost, if the insurance binder is not in place at the time of equipment delivery or the insurance lapses during the lease term. The paragraph must require notification if the lessee changes insurance carriers to prevent the lessors or lender purchasing replacement insurance. Thus many leasing companies have an insurance ability, whereas many Alternate Financing companies believe they are only the creditor and not responsible for the debtor not having insurance on the collateral.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

 

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

Leasing News Advisor
Bruce Lurie

Bruce Lurie, President, Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation, Houston, Texas, an equipment inspection and collateral management firm established in 1932.

Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation
14800 St. Mary's Lane, Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77079
Telephone: 800-255-0552
Fax 800-529-7530
blurie@douglasguardian.com
www.douglasguardian.com

Bruce Lurie joined the Leasing News Advisory board September 12, 2007 and has been an active participant.

Since July 1995, Bruce Lurie has been president of Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation, the original equipment inspection and collateral management firm established in 1932.

When not chasing down collateral to inspect throughout the US or Canada, Bruce enjoys spending time with his wife Martha and learning new and exciting things from his 15 year old daughter Danielle. Bruce is an avid jogger and former triathlon fanatic.

Prior to Douglas Guardian, his experience includes fifteen years with Brown and Root, Inc., a multi-billion dollar engineering and construction company. Primary areas of responsibility have included project development, project finance, sales, marketing, strategic planning and executive management. Extensive training in quality deployment and team building techniques. BS, Civil Engineering, BS Engineering Management, and MBA from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.

 

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“No Substitute for CAREFULL Proofreading”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

 

Be Aware of Common Errors & Typos in your Resume/Career Portfolios. There is No Substitute for CAREFUL Proofreading:

I think we have all, at some point, leaned on automated spell check/grammar checks to proofread our work; however, we should not solely rely on them to detect errors.  To be taken as a true professional candidate, no errors/typos should be on any document, e.g. resume, submitted to a potential employer.

Use automated software programs BUT make sure to read, re-read and have someone else read your documents before submittal.  Remember, your goal is to have your documents reach audiences that have decision-making authority. Failure to proofread may lead to your documents being thrown in the trash!  If necessary, hire someone just to proofread your work. Furthermore, refer to the most updated version of the Gregg Reference Manual by Sabin.

Here are some common typos that you can easily identify in your documents:

Quotation Marks & Punctuation:

• Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks
• Colons and semicolons always go outside quotation marks
• Question marks go inside if they are part of the material being quoted

Colons

• When a series follows an introductory clause, colons are used if the introductory element expresses a complete thought.  E.g. The times for next week’s interviews are as follows:

Misused Words Such as …

• Advise/advice
• Loose/lose
• Their/they’re/there
• It’s/its
• You/your/you’re
• Choose/chose

Common Misspelled Words

• Separate
• Occasion
• Recommended
• Accommodate
• Tomorrow
• Accessible
• Allot

Many errors occur when meeting deadlines or not concentrating specifically on the document at hand. Give yourself plenty of time and a quite space to draft outlines, write, rewrite and proofread at least three times!

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

 

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Windows 10 Overtakes 15 Year old XP Users
But 50% are using 2009 issue Windows 7  -Chart

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

 

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Leasing News Classified Ads

Complete Turnkey Blog
Generate Leads, Build Authority and Showcase your expertise with your own lease blog. Don't have the time? We do it for you. Complete turnkey blog setup and/or content only provided by leasing expert for leasing companies. 
Email for free evaluationstu@p2plendingexpert.com

 

News Briefs---

Customers Quit Beaverton Pet Leasing Company after DOJ Launches Investigation
http://katu.com/news/local/customers-quit-pet-leasing-company-hannah-the-pet-society-after-doj-launches-investigation

Japanese auto lease service via Amazon
http://www.assetfinanceinternational.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13044:japanese-auto-lease-service-via-amazon&catid=704&Itemid=1648

The plane has landed - the IASB has published its new leasing standard!
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bd8dfcc9-4ec4-4c76-8644-8ec32976008f

Why lenders are struggling to secure new customers
  Alternate Lending Picking up Unscored/Using Alternative Data
http://www.autoremarketing.com/subprime/why-lenders-are-struggling-secure-new-customers

Lending Club Is ‘Transforming Banking,’ But Banks Fund 25% of Its Loans
http://bankinnovation.net/2016/02/lending-club-talks-transforming-banking-but-banks-fund-25-of-its-loans/

Big Banks Are Feeding the Mortgage Market
  74% in 2007, 52% in 2014, most recent data
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/big-banks-are-fleeing-the-mortgage-market-2016-02-12

Paragon Offshore Is Latest of About 60 Oil Firms to File for Bankruptcy
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/16/business/dealbook/paragon-offshore-is-latest-of-about-60-oil-firms-to-file-for-bankruptcy.html?ref=business&_r=0

Approval for First U.S. Factory in Cuba in Over 50 Years To Build Small Tractors for Farmers to Buy
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/16/business/international/approval-for-first-us-factory-in-cuba-in-over-50-years.html

Morgan Stanley Agrees to $2.6 Billion Penalty
   Violation of TARP Funds/Investigation Details
https://www.sigtarp.gov/Press%20Releases/Morgan_Stanley_Settlement.pdf

Major Sports Agent Makes Splash With Alternate Finance Group
http://www.sporttechie.com/2016/02/10/sports-agent-makes-splash-in-venture-capital/

FICO to cover 3 advances in credit scoring during free webinar
  register here for Wednesday, Feb.18, Webinar 10:00am PST https://www.virtualvenues.com/FICO/fico_world_preview_series_2016.html
full story:
http://www.autoremarketing.com/subprime/fico-cover-3-advances-credit-scoring-during-free-webinar

 

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--You May Have Missed It

Global Water Shortage Risk Is Worse Than Scientists Thought
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/water-scarcity-study_us_56c1ebc5e4b0b40245c72f5e

[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Grapeful Salad (easy with trick of onion)
https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1946407

[headlines]
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Winter Poem

President George Washington
14 September 1789 
Boston Gazette
An Acrostic--

G REAT Hero! whose illustrious actions claim 
E ternal blessings and an endless fame-- 
O f every virtue and each gift possess 
R eligion reigns triumphant in his breast. 
G rant him, almighty God! thy aid and health 
E ver to rule these states and guard their wealth.
W hat power of Language can enough extoll 
A Son of Liberty and friend to all-- 
S aviour and patron of Columbia! 
H er sons revere thee and exult this day-- 
I n thee, their Favourite and firm support-- 
N ations applaud thee and thy friendship court. 
G enerous deliverer of thy Country's right! 
T hou hast prov'd victor over lawless might. 
O f all the Conquerors in the historic page, 
N one have surpass'd this Phœnix of the age.

 

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Sports Briefs----

Broncos wait on Manning before holding contract talks with Osweiler
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2016/02/15/denver-broncos-brock-osweiler-peyton-mann/80396252/#

Phil Jackson, this is your chance to save the Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/02/15/phil-jacksons-blueprint-for-knicks-rescue-includes-carmelo-type-trade/

Aaron Rodgers says knee 'feels great'
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/02/13/aaron-rodgers-att-pro-am-knee-surgery-feels-great-packers/80338114/#

Derek Carr looks to be the quarterback of the future in Oakland
http://www.endzonescore.com/derek-carr-sees-massive-improvement-in-year-two/35226

Texans desperately want upgrade at QB
http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/54801/Texans-desperately-want-upgrade-at-QB/Default.aspx

 

Receivables Management LLC John Kenny • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement  • Third-Party Commercial Collections  john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167| www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigative
reporting provided by John Kenny)

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Bay Bridge Panel Tries to Trim Cost Overruns
http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/02/12/bay-bridge-panel-tries-to-trim-cost-overruns.htm

Benicia commission rejects crude oil trains
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/transportation/article59969201.html

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

CA North Coast winegrape harvest down 25% in 2015
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/sonomacounty/5210949-181/north-coast-winegrape-report

Cloverdale City Council grants revisions to Alexander Valley Resort
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5204921-181/cloverdale-city-council-grants-revisions?artslide=0

Longtime Schramsberg employee gets vineyard block dedicated to him
http://napavalleyregister.com/calistogan/lifestyles/longtime-schramsberg-employee-gets-vineyard-block-dedicated-to-him/article_516ee834-0d27-55a6-862c-4f7549cda4d2.html

Wine Predictions from a Guy Who Sells 42 Million Bottles a Year
http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/wine-predictions-guy-who-sells-42-million-bottles-year

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

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

    1690-French and Indian forces from Montreal attacked and burned Schenectady, New York. This was known as King William's War (1689-1697) named after an Indian leader. It was also known as the French and Indian Wars. These were a series of military conflicts between Great Britain and France that lasted three-quarters of a century. Hostilities in King William's War began in 1690, when in the course of a few months Schenectady, N.Y., was burned by the French and Indians, and colonial English forces launched attacks on Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal), Nova Scotia, and on Quebec. Despite further raids by the French and Indians, the war ended in a stalemate. The Treaty of Ryswick, by which were ended the war and its European counterpart, the War of the Grand Alliance, restored after colonial possessions to their prewar status. In the 1720’s the French would expand and entrench the Mississippi Valley, erecting forts at the Kaskaskia and Illinois rivers, Cape Breton Island, Lake Champlain and the Wabash River, making more friends with the Indians.
    1719--Fraunces Tavern, the earliest residential building remaining in Manhattan, was built at Pearl and Board streets in New York, Originally built as a residence for Stephen De Lancey, it was purchased for a tavern by Samuel Fraunces in 1762. , where he opened it as the Queen's Head Tavern. It became famous for its wines and food and was a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty and other organizations before the American Revolution and for British officers during their occupation of the city. Fraunces himself was a patriot, and his tavern was the center of the celebration on the occasion of the British evacuation of New York. In its Long Room, George Washington bade farewell (1783) to his officers. Fraunces sold the tavern in 1785. When Washington returned (1789) to New York as president, Fraunces became steward of his household, maintaining that position even after Philadelphia was made the capital. The tavern, extensively restored after a devastating 1900 fire, is now owned by the Sons of the Revolution (not the Sons of the American Revolution). For many years it was open to the public as a restaurant, and it continues to house many historical objects and documents.
http://www.frauncestavern.com/fraunces_history.htm
http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/
    1741 - Benjamin Franklin published what was to be America’s second magazine, "The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle".
    1760 - Cherokee Indians held hostage at Fort St. George by South Carolina Governor Lyttleton are killed in revenge for Indian attacks on frontier settlements that broke a peace treaty of December 1759. This leads to a renewal of Cherokee attacks.
    1804-The first Marine Corps commando raid was made in North Africa by Lieutenanet Stephen Decatur, who led 74 volunteers, including 8 Marines under Sergeant Solomon Wren, in a 20-minute raid to burn the U.S.S. Philadelphia, which had been captured by the Tripolitans and was lying under the protection of their shore guns. The raiders killed or captured all the enemy but two and set the Philadelphia afire. During the First Barbary War, US Lieutenant Stephen Decatur leads a military mission that famed British Admiral Horatio Nelson later calls the "most daring act of the age." In June of 1801, US President Thomas Jefferson ordered US Navy vessels to the Mediterranean Sea in protest of continuing raids against US ships by pirates from the Barbary states — Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, and Tripolitania. US sailors were often abducted along with the captured booty and ransomed back to the US at an exorbitant price. After two years of minor confrontations, sustained action began in June of 1803 when a small US expeditionary force attacked Tripoli harbor in present-day Libya. On 31 October 1803, the US frigate Philadelphia ran aground near Tripoli and was captured by Tripolitan gunboats. The Americans feared that the well-constructed warship would be used not only as a formidable addition to the Tripolitan navy, but also as an innovative model to build future Tripolitan frigates.
On 16 February 1804, hoping to prevent the Barbary pirates from gaining this dangerous military advantage, US Lieutenant Stephen Decatur led a daring expedition into Tripoli harbor to destroy the captured American vessel. After disguising himself and his men as Maltese sailors, Decatur’s force of seventy-four men, which included nine US Marines, sailed into Tripoli harbor on a small two-mast ship. The Americans approached the USS Philadelphia without drawing fire from the Tripoli shore guns, boarded the ship, and attacked its Tripolitan crew, capturing or killing all but two. After setting fire to the frigate, Decatur and his men escaped without the loss of a single American. The Philadelphia subsequently exploded when its gunpowder reserve was lit by the spreading fire. Six months later, Decatur returned to Tripoli Harbor as part of a larger US offensive, and emerged as a hero again during the so-called "Battle of the Gunboats," a naval battle that saw hand-to-hand combat between the Americans and the Tripolitans.
(Thus in the Marine’s Hymn, “…to the shores of Tripoli.”)
    1810-Congregationalist missionary Cushing Eells, founder of Whitman College, the oldest educational institution in Washington State, was born in Massachusetts. Whitmans helped open Oregon Territory to U.S. settlement.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb16.html
    1812-Birthday of Henry Wilson, 18th vice-president of the US (1873-75.) Born at Farmington, NH, died at Washington, DC, November 22,1875. He changed his name in 1833 to Jeremiah Jones Colbathm, moved to Massachusetts where he was ran and was elected to the U.S. Senate. Shortly after taking office he suffered a stroke which he kept as secret as possible, but he died after suffering a second stroke in 1875
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000585
http://www.usatrivia.com/Vpndth.html
    1862-Surrender of Fort Donelson. With Confederate troops evacuating Bowling Green, KY, and other points along the Kentucky line, General Ulysses S. Grant’s forces circled Fort Donelson, KY. After fighting on land and on the Cumberland River, Grant requested surrender of Fort Donelson, stating that “No Terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” This earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant. Confederate General Simon Buckner surrendered the fort, in essence giving the Union army control of Tennessee and Kentucky and the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Disruption ensued and civilians attempted to flee the area occupied by Federal Troops. Grant was following out his over all strategy to cut supplies to Confederate troops. Some 15,000 Confederate soldiers under General Simon B. Buckner surrender unconditionally at Fort Donelson, Tennessee. Only 3000 rebs escape. (Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's victory earned him the nickname "Unconditional Surrender Grant.")
http://www.civilwarhome.com/donelson.htm
http://www.nps.gov/fodo/
    1861 -- The Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples sign the Treaty of Fort Wise, agreeing to cede their land and live on a small reservation in southwest Colorado. U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs Colonel A.B. Greenwood issues medals, blankets, sugar and tobacco. But only six of 44 Cheyenne chiefs sign the treaty, casting doubt on the gala affair's legality.
http://members.tripod.com/~mr_sedivy/colorado2.html
http://www.dickshovel.com/was2.html
    1868-The first Elks meeting that organized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks took place in New York City. It derived from an older social and benevoletn organization, the Jolly Corks. The first Exalted Ruler was George W. Thomopson, the Grand Lodge was incorporated on March 10,1871, in New York and the first Grand Exalter Ruler was George J. Green.
    1884-Birthday of American filmmaker, explorer and author Robert Flaherty, called “father of the documentary film.” Born at Iron Mountain, MI, deied at Dunneston, VT. July 23,1951. Films included Nanook of the North, Moana and Man of Aran.
    1899 - Washington D.C. received 1.26 inches of rain in six hours atop a snow cover more than 30 inches deep making it the soggiest day of record.
    1901-Birthday of Wayne King, American saxophonist and bandleader, widely known as “ the Waltz King,” born at Savannah, IL. His own composition, “the Waltz you Save for Me” was his theme song.
Died at Paradise Valley, Arizona, July 16,1985.
    1903 -59º F (-51º C), Pokegama Dam MN (state record)
    1914- singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely was born in Mineola, Arkansas. He made more than 70 movies, and was ranked just below Gene Autry and Roy Rogers in popularity. He is best remembered for his 1940's duets with Margaret Whiting - "Slipping Around" and "I'll Never Slip Around Again." Wakely died in 1982.
    1916 –Baritone sax player Charlie Fowlkes birthday
    1916—Birthday of rocker Bill Doggett, “Honky Tonk.”
Bill Doggett, Died November 13, 1996
http://theatreorgans.com/grounds/doodlin/doggett.html
http://www.history-of-rock.com/doggett.htm
    1920- Patti Andrews, lead singer of the Andrews Sisters, was born in Minneapolis. The trio was extremely popular, beginning in the late 1930s and lasting through the next decade. Among their big sellers - "Bei Mir Bist du Schon (BYE MEER BIST DU SHANE)," "Rum and Coca-Cola" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," which was revived by Bette Middler in 1973.
    1932-The first fruit tree patent was issued to James E. Markham and assigned to the Stark Brothers Nurseries and Orchards Company of Louisiana, MO. The patent was obtained on a peach tree, the fruit of which ripened later than ordinary peaches.
    1935- Singer Sonny Bono was born in Detroit. He first gained success as a songwriter, writing the 1963 hit "Needles and Pins" for the Searchers. In 1964, Bono married his girlfriend Cher, and the couple began recording under the direction of Phil Spector. Sonny and Cher scored a million-seller in 1965 with "I Got You Babe." As the duo's string of hits continued, Cher became the main attraction. Following a two-year TV show in the early '70s, Sonny and Cher split, both professionally and personally. In 1988, Sonny became mayor of Palm Springs, California. Six years later, he was elected to the US Congress. On January 5, 1999, Sonny Bono was killed in a skiing accident in South Lake Tahoe, while on vacation. 
    1937-The first synthetic fiber produced entirely from chemicals was nylon, invented by Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers, a chemist at E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE, who opbtained a patent for it this day. The patent covered synthetic linear condensation polymers capable of being drawn into strong pliable fibers, as well as the process for making them.
    1942 - On Bluebird Records, Shep Fields and his orchestra recorded "Jersey Bounce".
    1943 - Record cold prevailed in the northeastern U.S. The mercury plunged to 43 degrees below zero at Concord NH, and to -39 degrees at Portland ME. The morning low of -32 degrees at Falls Village CT established a state record, yet the afternoon high that day was 20 degrees above zero
    1945---McCARTER, LLOYD G. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 16 19 February 1945. Entered service at: Tacoma, Wash. Born: 11 May 1917, St. Maries, Idaho. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945. Citation: He was a scout with the regiment which seized the fortress of Corregidor, Philippine Islands. Shortly after the initial parachute assault on 16 February 1945, he crossed 30 yards of open ground under intense enemy fire, and at pointblank range silenced a machinegun with hand grenades. On the afternoon of 18 February he killed 6 snipers. That evening, when a large force attempted to bypass his company, he voluntarily moved to an exposed area and opened fire. The enemy attacked his position repeatedly throughout the night and was each time repulsed. By 2 o'clock in the morning, all the men about him had been wounded; but shouting encouragement to his comrades and defiance at the enemy, he continued to bear the brunt of the attack, fearlessly exposing himself to locate enemy soldiers and then pouring heavy fire on them. He repeatedly crawled back to the American line to secure more ammunition. When his submachine gun would no longer operate, he seized an automatic rifle and continued to inflict heavy casualties. This weapon, in turn, became too hot to use and, discarding it, he continued with an M-l rifle. At dawn the enemy attacked with renewed intensity. Completely exposing himself to hostile fire, he stood erect to locate the most dangerous enemy positions. He was seriously wounded; but, though he had already killed more than 30 of the enemy, he refused to evacuate until he had pointed out immediate objectives for attack. Through his sustained and outstanding heroism in the face of grave and obvious danger, Pvt. McCarter made outstanding contributions to the success of his company and to the recapture of Corregidor.
    1948-The first newsreel telecast presented daily was the 20th Century-Fox Movietone News telecast, first presented over the National Broadcasting Company’s East Coast network. The program was sponsored by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
    1951---Top Hits
My Heart Cries for You - Guy Mitchell
Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page
If - Perry Como
There’s Been a Change in Me - Eddy Arnold
    1951--KYLE, DARWIN K. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kamil-ni, Korea, 16 February 1951. Entered service at: Racine, W. Va. Born: 1 June 1918, Jenkins, Ky. G.O. No.: 17, 1 February 1952. Citation: 2d Lt. Kyle, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon had been pinned down by intense fire, he completely exposed himself to move among and encourage his men to continue the advance against enemy forces strongly entrenched on Hill 185. Inspired by his courageous leadership, the platoon resumed the advance but was again pinned down when an enemy machine gun opened fire, wounding 6 of the men. 2d Lt. Kyle immediately charged the hostile emplacement alone, engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat, killing all 3. Continuing on toward the objective, his platoon suddenly received an intense automatic-weapons fire from a well-concealed hostile position on its right flank. Again leading his men in a daring bayonet charge against this position, firing his carbine and throwing grenades, 2d Lt. Kyle personally destroyed 4 of the enemy before he was killed by a burst from an enemy submachine gun. The extraordinary heroism and outstanding leadership of 2d Lt. Kyle, and his gallant self-sacrifice, reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service. 
    1955-- Elvis Presley performs two shows at the Odessa Senior High School Field House in Odessa, TX. In the audience is local singer Roy Orbison, who would later recall: "His energy was incredible. His instinct was just amazing."
    1957- The Del Vikings' "Come Go With Me" enters the pop charts
    1957-Elvis Presley's "Too Much" enters the pop chart. It will become the first of four chart toppers for Presley this year
    1957- Tab Hunter's "Young Love" hits #1
    1958 - one of the greatest snowstorms of the mid 20th century struck the northeast. 39 inches of snow fell at Callicoon, New York. Boston, Massachusetts recorded 19.4 inches which was the greatest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded until January 1978. The same storm dumped 14 inches at Washington, DC and 15.5 inches at Baltimore, Maryland. 43 people were killed as a result of the storm and damage totaled $500 million.
    1959—Birthday of Ice T, rap singer and actor, born Tracy Morrow, Newark, NJ.
    1959 - Fidel Castro was sworn in as prime minister of Cuba, replacing Miro Cardona, after leading a guerrilla campaign that ousted right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista on January 1. He will soon place all industry under the direction of Cuba that he controls in the name of the people, he declares, creating what he calls a Communist government with ties to the USSR, who financially subsidizes his efforts, and has the long range goal to establish a military base against the United States, as the United States has established surrounding the Soviet Union.
    1959---Top Hits
Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
16 Candles - The Crests
The All American Boy - Bill Parsons
Billy Bayou - Jim Reeves
    1963- the Beatles' first big hit, "Please, Please Me," reached number one on the British charts. Another song from the pens of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, it stayed at the top spot for only one week. When it was released in the US the following year, sales totalled more than one-million. "Please, Please Me" was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks, getting as high as number three.
    1964 - Because of the extraordinary success of their first appearance the week before, Ed Sullivan promptly signed the Beatles for a second television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The return visit received the second-highest ratings ever for the show (the highest was from the week before), and became one of the highest- rated shows in the history of television.: 70 million.
    1967---Top Hits
I’m a Believer - The Monkees
Georgy Girl - The Seekers
Kind of a Drag - The Buckinghams
Don’t Come Home a’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind) - Loretta Lynn
    1967 --*MONROE, JAMES H. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: Bong Son, Hoai Nhon Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 17 October 1944, Aurora, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His platoon was deployed in a night ambush when the position was suddenly subjected to an intense and accurate grenade attack, and 1 foxhole was hit immediately. Responding without hesitation to the calls for help from the wounded men Pfc. Monroe moved forward through heavy small-arms fire to the foxhole but found that all of the men had expired. He turned immediately and crawled back through the deadly hail of fire toward other calls for aid. He moved to the platoon sergeant's position where he found the radio operator bleeding profusely from fragmentation and bullet wounds. Ignoring the continuing enemy attack, Pfc. Monroe began treating the wounded man when he saw a live grenade fall directly in front of the position. He shouted a warning to all those nearby, pushed the wounded radio operator and the platoon sergeant to one side, and lunged forward to smother the grenade's blast with his body. Through his valorous actions, performed in a flash of inspired selflessness, Pfc. Monroe saved the lives of 2 of his comrades and prevented the probable injury of several others. His gallantry and intrepidity were in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
    1967--*SMITH, ELMELINDO R. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant (then S/Sgt.), U.S. Army, 1st Platoon, Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1967. Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii. Born: 27 July 1935, Honolulu, Hawaii. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During a reconnaissance patrol. his platoon was suddenly engaged by intense machinegun fire hemming in the platoon on 3 sides. A defensive perimeter was hastily established, but the enemy added mortar and rocket fire to the deadly fusillade and assaulted the position from several directions. With complete disregard for his safety, P/Sgt. Smith moved through the deadly fire along the defensive line, positioning soldiers, distributing ammunition and encouraging his men to repeal the enemy attack. Struck to the ground by enemy fire which caused a severe shoulder wound, he regained his feet, killed the enemy soldier and continued to move about the perimeter. He was again wounded in the shoulder and stomach but continued moving on his knees to assist in the defense. Noting the enemy massing at a weakened point on the perimeter, he crawled into the open and poured deadly fire into the enemy ranks. As he crawled on, he was struck by a rocket. Moments later, he regained consciousness, and drawing on his fast dwindling strength, continued to crawl from man to man. When he could move no farther, he chose to remain in the open where he could alert the perimeter to the approaching enemy. P/Sgt. Smith perished, never relenting in his determined effort against the enemy. The valorous acts and heroic leadership of this outstanding soldier inspired those remaining members of his platoon to beat back the enemy assaults. P/Sgt. Smith's gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and they reflect great credit upon him and the Armed Forces of his country
    1968---GRAVES, TERRENCE COLLINSON Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1968. Entered service at: New York Born: 6 July 1945, Corpus Christi, Tex. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander with the 3d Force Reconnaissance Company. While on a long-range reconnaissance mission, 2d Lt. Graves' 8-man patrol observed 7 enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy. After the fire had ceased, he and 2 patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When 1 of his men was hit by the enemy fire, 2d Lt. Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy. After attending the wounded, 2d Lt. Graves, accompanied by another marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing that several of the enemy were still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded 2 more marines and 2d Lt. Graves. Refusing medical attention, he once more adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing the fire of his men. He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the incoming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to the hostile fire. Realizing that 1 of the wounded had not embarked, he directed the aircraft to depart and, along with another marine, moved to the side of the casualty. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, 2d Lt. Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. At this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. 2d Lt. Graves' outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day 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-US officials report that, in addition to the 800'000 people listed as refugees prior to January 30, the fighting during the Tet Offensive has created 350'000 new refugees. The communist attack known as the Tet Offensive had begun at dawn on January 31, the first day of the Tet holiday truce. Viet Cong forces, supported by large numbers of North Vietnamese troops, launched the largest and best-coordinated offensive of the war, driving into the centers of South Vietnam's seven largest cities and attacking 30 provincial capitals ranging from the Delta to the DMZ.
    1968 - Elvis Presley was awarded a gold record for his album of hymns, "How Great Thou Art". Although he was popular in the pop music world, Elvis only won 3 Grammy Awards: one for this album, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1970, and one for "He Touched Me" in 1972. He did receive over a dozen Grammy nominations. 
    1968-At the US Indoor Championships at Salisbury, MD, the longest match in US Tennis Association history pitted Englishmen Mark Cox and Bob Wilson against Americans Charlie Pasarell and Ron Holmberg. After six hours and 23 minutes, Cox and Wilson emerged victorious, 26-24, 17-19,30-28.
    1969--*MILLER, GARY L. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. place and date: Binh Duong province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1969. Entered service at: Roanoke, Va. Born: 19 March 1947, Covington, Va. Citation: For conspicuous intrepidity and gallantry in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lt. Miller, Infantry, Company A, was serving as a platoon leader at night when his company ambushed a hostile force infiltrating from Cambodian sanctuaries. After contact with the enemy was broken, 1st Lt. Miller led a reconnaissance patrol from their prepared positions through the early evening darkness and dense tropical growth to search the area for enemy casualties. As the group advanced they were suddenly attacked. First Lt. Miller was seriously wounded. However, the group fought back with telling effect on the hostile force. An enemy grenade was thrown into the midst of the friendly patrol group and all took cover except 1st Lt. Miller. who in the dim light located the grenade and threw himself on it, absorbing the force of the explosion with his body. His action saved nearby members of his patrol from almost certain serious injury. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army. 
    1971- Aretha Franklin records "Spanish Harlem."
    1972 - Wilt Chamberlin became the first player in NBA history to score 30,000 points. He accomplished this while playing against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Arizona, with the Suns winning, 110-109.
    1972-- During his week-long stint as host of the syndicated Mike Douglas Show, John Lennon performs "Memphis" and "Johnny B. Goode" with Chuck Berry, who Lennon refers to as "my hero."
    1974-- Elton John releases "Bennie and the Jets."
    1975---Top Hits
You’re No Good - Linda Ronstadt
Pick Up the Pieces - AWB
Best of My Love - The Eagles
Devil in the Bottle - T.G. Sheppard
    1975 - The music variety series ``Cher'' premieres on CBS-TV.
    1980-Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" from "In Through The Out Door" peaks at #21 on the pop chart. 
    1983---Top Hits
Down Under - Men at Work
Baby, Come to Me - Patti Austin with James Ingram
Shame on the Moon - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
’Til I Gain Control Again - Crystal Gayle
    1984-Skier Bill Johnson became the first ( and thus far, the only) American to win the Olympic downhill. Johnson’s victory came at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.
    1985 - In what would be his last fight, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini lost the World Boxing Association lightweight championship crown to Livingston Bramble. In August of 1985, the fighter retired. 
    1985 - Telly "Who Loves Ya Baby!" Savalas brought "Kojak" back to network television after a seven year absence (1973-1978.) "Kojak: The Belarus File", was aired as a special on CBS-TV, the network that gave "Kojak" its stardom.
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0089434/
    1985 - Coach Lefty Driesell got his 400th career victory as the University of Maryland defeated Davidson by a score of 65-63.
    1985-Hall & Oates' "Method Of Modern Love" peaks at #5 on the chart
    1985-Journey lead singer Steve Perry 's "Foolish Heart" peaks at #18 on the chart.
    1987 - a massive ice storm struck Kentucky, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In some areas, ice accumulations reached 3 inches. Across south central Kentucky, 16,000 people were without power for 3 days, making this the worst ice storm in 35 years for the area. In North Carolina, 5 inches of sleet fell at Raleigh and up to 8 inches was reported in Person and Granville counties. Roadways were made impassable due to the thick coating of ice.
    1988-George Harrison's "Got My Mind Set On You" hits #1 on the chart.
    1990 - Strong thunderstorms developing ahead of an arctic cold front produced severe weather across the southeastern U.S. between mid morning on the 15th and early evening on the 16th. Thunderstorms spawned thirteen tornadoes, including one which, prior to dawn on the 16th, injured eleven persons near Carrollton GA. There were also 121 reports of large hail or damaging winds. A late afternoon thunderstorm on the 15th produced baseball size hail at Jackson MS, and prior to dawn on the 16th, a thunderstorm produced high winds which injured four persons at Goodwater AL 
    1991---Top Hits
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston
One More Try - Timmy -T-
Brother Jukebox - Mark Chesnutt
    1993-- At London's Brit Awards, Rod Stewart invites former members of his old band, The Faces, onstage for an impromptu reunion. Original members Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones join Stewart for renditions of "Stay With Me" and "Sweet Little Rock and Roller." Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman sits in for original Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, who is ill with Multiple Sclerosis.