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Top commission (75%) plus health and retirement benefits. Full back office, large book funding sources meeting all your clients requirements. Robert Piot: 714-573-9804 or e-mail rpiot@socalleasing.com
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Monday, February 5, 2007
Congratulations---
Indianapolis Colts
Headlines---
Classified Ads--Credit
December brings 2006 Leasing Sales Up
Leasing News Exclusive—Video—
Distance Learning #3 by Gerry Egan
Top Stories----January 32-February 2
Testimonial from Dover Management
Classified ads—Help Wanted
Leasing #102--by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
"Personal Property"
Super Bowl Ads latest Poll
Pacific Capital 4th Quarter Results
Bear Stearns Stake in Alter Moneta
Direct Capital Closes Securitization Facility
Christopher Morell VP Leaf Financial Div
News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
California Nuts Brief---
Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
Calendar Events
Snapple Real Facts
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
American Football Poem
SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Classified Ads--Credit
Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet $93,800
Atlanta, GA
10 yrs experience in credit/collections/recovery/documentation in the leasing industry. P&L responsibility, team builder & strong portfolio mgnt. skills.
email: mortimerga@adelphia.net
Corona, CA
VP credit Consumer Credit prime/sub prime Auto lending/leasing/mortgages. 20+yrs exp. If you are looking for someone to affect the bottom line I am that person. Will relocate.
Email: amosca2000@yahoo.com
Fort Lee, NJ
3 Years Experience credit/documentation. Looking in NJ/NY.
Email: angitravis@mail.com
Irvine, CA
I have over 16 years of Credit/Collection experience in the finance industry. Prompt results, extremely effective and knowledgeable, professional, excellent manager and team player.
Email: newportresources@sbcglobal.net
Los Angeles, CA
Over 15 years experience in Credit/Operations with Small Ticket and transactions up to $500,000.00. CLP, with excellent relationships with most major lenders.
Email: jonbh123@earthlink.net New Jersey, NJ
Credit Analyst with 10+ years experience in small-ticket lending up to $500,000. Experience with both vendor-direct and with brokers.
Email: b.leavy@worldnet.att.net
New York, NY
V.P. Credit & Collections w/23 years exp. looking for a situation where I can utilize my varied & extensive knowledge of credit/collections/risk-management & leasing.
Email: rcouzzi@yahoo.com
Sausalito, CA
Sr. Corp. officer, presently serving as consultant, fin. service background, M&A, fund raising, great workout expertise, references
Email: nywb@aol.com
Orange, CA
Credit/Operations-15 years exper., looking for a new home. Have handled both middle/ large ticket transaction, plus muni & international finance.
email: equiplender@aol.com For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm
To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp
[headlines]
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December brings 2006 Leasing Sales Up
December nearly doubled the month of November findings, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association /1 (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25.)
The chart below in quarterly statistics is perhaps more accurate than putting the monthly figures monthly, especially when viewed to the last graph, which is the month of December alone.
“December has traditionally proven to be the strongest month of the year for the industry from a new origination standpoint and this year was no exception,” said Rick Wolfert, Vice Chairman, Commercial Finance, CIT Group, Inc.
Rick Wolfert, Vice Chairman, Commercial Finance, CIT Group, Inc.
December originations reported by the MLFI-25 increased significantly, totaling $10.4 billion for new commercial equipment leases and loans, compared to $5.6 billion in the prior month. This growth in new leasing and finance volume supports the trend reflected in the 3.1 percent increase in durable goods orders for the month and the Institute of Supply Chain Management index, in which economic activity in the manufacturing sector also showed growth for December.
“Of note, portfolio quality remained stable as we continue to benefit from a benign credit environment,” Wolfert added.
Receivables over 90 days matched its low for the year, at 0.7 percent, while average losses increased slightly over the prior month.
The trend toward enhanced credit scrutiny continues, with credit approval ratios close to their lowest for the year: 78 percent of all submitted deals.
Total headcount increased ever so slightly, continuing a growth trend indicated in 11 of the last 12 months. Again, the month of December brought the statistics up, and the four quarters show a consistent growth here.
The participant companies in the MLFI-25 reportedly represent a broad cross section of the equipment finance sector including small ticket, middle market, large ticket, bank, captive and independent leasing and finance companies. Because the same companies participate in the survey each month, the MLFI-25 provides a consistent trend analysis of current industry activity.
ELFA MLFI-25 Participants
ADP Credit Corporation
Amsouth Leasing Corporation
Bank of America Leasing
Bank of the West
Canon Financial Services
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CIT
De Lage Landen Financial Services
First American Equipment Finance
GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation
Hitachi Credit America
HP Financial Services
Irwin Financial
John Deere Credit Corporation
Key Equipment Finance
LaSalle National Leasing Corporation
Marlin Leasing Corporation
National City Commercial Corp.
RBS Asset Finance
Siemens Financial Services
US Bancorp Leasing & Financial
US Express Leasing
Verizon Capital Corp/Verizon Credit
Volvo Financial Services
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
[headlines]
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Leasing News Exclusive—Video—Distance Learning #3 by Gerry Egan
by Christopher Menkin, editor
This video is generally available only to members of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers (NAELB), but by special arrangement, it will be available for a limited time to readers
of Leasing News.
It is one of the products that NAELB offers its members. This group is for equipment leasing brokers, new and established, with both education, product, networking, current information
available for members only.
You may go directly to www.naelb.org or about membership
benefits: http://www.naelb.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=4
Gerry Egan
It is written, produced, and directed by Gerry. Since 1981 has been involved in Equipment Leasing training, education, and has written many articles. He is unique in his consulting profession as " We broker leases, hold our own leases and discount leases to local banks in addition to managing and servicing the leasing programs for a couple of small banks."
Distance Learning Three introduction and video:
http://www.naelb.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=76
[headlines]
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Top Stories----January 32-February 2
Here are the top ten stories most "opened" by readers last week.
(1) Bulletin Board Complaint up-date
---Balboa Capital, Irvine, CA
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-29-07.htm#bbc
(2) New gauntlet thrown down against Lessors
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-02-07.htm#gaunt
(3) Inside Marlin Leasing, January 29, 2007
by Christopher Menkin
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-29-07.htm#marlin
(4) Comments on Marlin Leasing article
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-31-07.htm#marlin
(5) IFC Credit still on the mat
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-02-07.htm#ifc
(6) Studebaker-Worthington Parent pays $65 MM settlement
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-31-07.htm#stud
(7) Correction: Yields on Municipals for Banks
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-31-07.htm#muni
(8) “Yields on Municipals for banks.”
Leasing #102—by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-29-07.htm#102
(9) Marci L. Slagle, CLP joins Varilease
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-02-07.htm#clp
(10) Brokers/Lessors wait for Rate break
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-02-07.htm#rate
[headlines]
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Testimonial from Dover Management
"I continue to read Leasing News as it is published and find it a great source of industry news and information. I have advertised my business in the Leasing News in the past as I believe its market reach is the same in which I want to do business, that of informed industry professionals."
Christopher J. Condon, ASA
Dover Management Group, Inc.
Phone 508.785.1277
FAX 508.785.3008
Leasing News appreciates Mr. Condon's kind words, plus financial support by advertising here. We have many testimonials about the "help wanted" working, plus banner ads. Perhaps the best is the repeat advertisers, and those who have signed up for a six month or year contract.
C.J. Condon “Accredited Sr. Appraiser”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202006/01-25-06.htm#asa
Lease a "Help Wanted Ad"
Reach more readers at a lower price than any other equipment leasing internet publication. These are experienced individuals, well-informed as they read Leasing News to keep up-to-date.
You can't beat this low "lease rate" and reach more of the audience you are seeking than at Leasing News!!!
Help Wanted Ad Pricing Criteria |
Smaller Ads |
$500.00 minimum for four lines |
Larger Ads |
$75.00 each additional line |
Additional Options |
- Design work to help create the ad is free.
- Description of your company is free
(company description cannot have more lines than your ad) |
Cost Per Day (based on ad price) |
$500.00 - $23.81 per day
$600.00 - $28.57 per day
$700.00 - $33.33 per day
$800.00 - $38.10 per day
$900.00 - $42.86 per day
|
All rates are subject to change.
Three month, Six month and One year contracts available with a discount.
To see sample size of ads, please go here
If you prefer a " non-employment" ad, we sell a banner ad, please click here
for pricing. |
[headlines]
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Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Account Manager
 North Shore Leasing & Funding Corp.
"FOR ALL OF YOUR FUNDING NEEDS" |
Nationwide Account Manager
2 yrs. exp., self-motivated, team oriented, college degree preferred. We approve A to D credits, no equipment restrictions. Resume, salary history, requirements by fax: 631-231-3773 or Steve Kelly at steve@nslf.com
North Shore Leasing & Funding Inc. (NSL&F Inc.) established in 1993, is a national small-ticket equipment leasing company located in Hauppauge, NY.
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Sales Professionals
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Top commission (75%) plus health and retirement benefits. Full back office, large book funding sources meeting all your clients requirements. Robert Piot: 714-573-9804 or e-mail rpiot@socalleasing.com
|
|
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[headlines]
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Leasing 102
Personal Property
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Personal property is defined as property having a depreciable life of greater than one year and not real estate. Property with a life of less than one year may not be depreciated for book or tax and must be expensed. Personal property is also defined as titled or untitled. Titled property such as transportation equipment (cars, trucks, rail cars, planes, boats, etc.) must have a lien place on the face of the title to be effective. Untitled property (everything else) mush have a lien filed by using a financing statement (UCC-I) and filing it in the State where the business has filed its business papers (charter, incorporation, partnership, LLC, etc.).
First filed financing statements always have preference over later filings on the same equipment. Occasionally a lessor may file a UCC-1 with a limited description to be properly filed in time and then follow it up later with a UCC-3 to complete the full description. Also a vendor should file a UCC-1 upon surrendering the equipment to the potential purchaser for testing and then can assign that lien to the funding source or the lessor by using a UCC-3. Many vendors have loss their equipment when a customer files bankruptcy when in possession of unpaid for equipment, and the vendor failed to
file a UCC-1.
Please remember that if a blanket lien exists, on the customer, then a purchase money security interest (PMSI) needs to be filed with-in twenty days of the lessee’s “possession” of the equipment and not twenty days after they sign your documents.
Liens on personal property all only required on lease transactions that are disguised conditional sales contracts that fall under Article 9 of the UCC. However many Lessor’s also place stickers or placards on the equipment declaring lessor ownership and telephone number. It is also wise to state that the equipment cannot be removed from it current location without lessor approval.
Mr. Terry Winders 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.
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
Bud Light’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is Super Bowl Viewers’ Favorite Ad
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M)--“Rock, Paper, Scissors” by Bud Light was voted the favorite commercial last night, according to ADBOWL® (www.ADBOWL.com), the real-time advertising ranking website for consumers developed by McKee Wallwork Cleveland in partnership with Rassai Interactive.
(Here is YouTube current vote of best Super Bowl Ads with the video of the ads — perhaps
more “current”:
http://youtube.com/superbowl )
USA ranks “Crabs on Beach” as number 1:
http://usatodayadmeter.feedroom.com/ifr_main.jsp?nsid=c5b4a0f1b:11089c49cfe:
16a0&fr_story=FEEDROOM177774&st=1170660144140&mp=WMP&cpf=true&fvn=9&
fr=020507_022221_5b4a0f1bx11089c49cfex16a1&rdm=524154.0206154698
(At press time, www.adbowl.com ranked ratingsJ
1. Bud Light – “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
2. Blockbuster Video – “Mouse”
3. Budweiser – “Dalmation”
4. Bud Light – “But He Has Bud Light”
5. General Motors – “Robot”
“On the whole, the ads this year lacked a certain spark,” said Steve McKee, president of McKee Wallwork Cleveland. “There weren’t any truly big ideas or breakthrough concepts. A number of spots were well executed, but, in general, this year’s ads were a little disappointing.”
McKee believes that the pre-game buzz surrounding consumer-generated ads helped garner votes and put the Doritos “Car Wreck” spot in the top ten. On the other hand, the PR frenzy surrounding the use of Kevin Federline as a spokesperson did more for Nationwide than the actual spot, which did not make ADBOWL’s list of favorites.
“The fact that Doritos scored in ADBOWL’s top 10 with a consumer-generated ad should light a fire under professional ad makers,” said McKee. “And, the Federline ad was the right idea for the wrong company. The target audience for annuities would tune out the ad long before the punchline.”
During and after the game last night, viewers went to www.ADBOWL.com and rated the commercials on a scale between one and five, with one being a “Fumble” and five being a “Touchdown.” The ADBOWL website infrastructure was enhanced by Rassai Interactive to accommodate the voter traffic. A complete listing of the results, including breakdown of winners by sex and age, can be found at www.ADBOWL.com.
ADBOWL Winners 2002-2007:
2007 – Bud Light’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
2006 – Bud Light’s “Hidden Fridge”
2005 – Anheuser-Busch’s “Applause”
2004 – Budweiser’s “Donkey Dream”
2003 – FedEx’s “Castaway”
2002 – M&M’s “Chocolate on Your Pillow”
About McKee Wallwork Cleveland
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
Pacific Capital Bancorp Reports Fourth Quarter Financial Results
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.----Pacific Capital Bancorp (Nasdaq:PCBC - News), a community bank holding company with $7.5 billion in assets, announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.
Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2006 was ($1.1) million or ($0.02) per diluted share, compared with net income of $11.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, reported for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the year ended 2006 was $94.5 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, compared with net income of $99.3 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, reported for the year ended 2005.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 reflects the following non-recurring items (all dollar amounts are pre-tax):
$8.8 million loss recorded on securities that will be sold as part of the Company's balance sheet management strategy
$9.3 million asset write-down related to obsolete software
$0.5 million in severance charges
$1.8 million gain on sale of the Company's San Diego branch
$1.0 million benefit from the true-up of the effective tax rate
Excluding these items, net income was $8.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $104.2 million, or $2.23 per diluted share, for the full year ended December 31, 2006. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures can be found in the tables at the end of the release.
Commenting on the fourth quarter results, William S. Thomas, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Capital Bancorp, said, "We took a number of important steps in the fourth quarter that we believe will position the Company for improved performance in 2007. We began the process of repositioning our balance sheet, which we believe will help improve our liquidity and alleviate pressure on our net interest margin in future quarters. We also continued to restructure our IT department, which will help us better manage our infrastructure and more effectively leverage the technology investments we have made in the past few years.
"From a core bank perspective, we continue to attract quality assets to the Company. Excluding short-term Holiday loans and a large bridge loan, we generated annualized loan growth of approximately 17% during the fourth quarter. We also continued to make progress on our expense reduction initiatives. Excluding non-recurring items in the fourth quarter, the core bank operating efficiency ratio continued to improve, and we believe we can make further progress in the coming quarters," said Thomas.
Full Press release here:
http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/file.aspx?IID=100652&FID=3367223
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
Bear Stearns Merchant Banking Acquires Majority Stake in Alter Moneta
MONTRÉAL, QC--(-- Bear Stearns Merchant Banking ("BSMB"), a leading private equity firm, announced that it has completed its acquisition of a controlling interest in Alter Moneta ("Alter Moneta"), an equipment finance innovator headquartered in Montréal, Québec with over $1 billion in assets. Founded in 1998, Alter Moneta provides traditional equipment financing in the provinces of Québec and Ontario, and in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast United States. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec ("Caisse"), a leading investment fund who manages in Canada, on behalf of its depositors, net assets under management of over $CDN 122 billion, has been a major shareholder of Alter Moneta since its inception and has helped to build the company's franchise to what it is today. Caisse will remain as one of the main shareholders within the new organization. "We are proud of the growth demonstrated by Alter Moneta since our initial investment in this dynamic organization," stated Paul-Henri Couture, Senior Vice President, Investments of Caisse. "In concert with BSMB, we maintain our confidence in Alter Moneta's continued capacity to expand and thrive within the equipment finance marketplace."
Alter Moneta's existing management team will remain in place and Tom Wajnert, senior advisor to BSMB for commercial finance, will assume the role of Executive Chairman. A 30-year industry veteran known for his innovative leadership, Mr. Wajnert founded and headed AT&T Capital Corporation for 13 years. AT&T Capital was one of the largest publicly traded global equipment leasing and finance companies. Mr. Wajnert led the transaction to take the company private in 1996 as well as the subsequent sale of AT&T Capital in 1997. He has also served as chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.
"I am thrilled to join the Alter Moneta team," Mr. Wajnert said. "Alter Moneta is a very impressive company with an outstanding management team. They have an excellent reputation in the market and have successfully executed their growth strategies. I look forward to helping the company with its future expansion plans."
Alain Savard, Alter Moneta CEO, added, "Capital is the one of the most essential aspects of any financial services organization. By teaming with BSMB, we have a partner with broad experience in the financial services sector. We plan to expand our geographic footprint beyond the east coast of the U.S. and the eastern provinces of Canada."
"We are excited about this partnership with Alter Moneta," said Robert Juneja, Managing Director and Partner of BSMB. "Alter Moneta has quickly established itself as a high quality independent leasing company, with significant North American growth and an exceptional management team. They have done an excellent job positioning the company to take advantage of future growth opportunities and we look forward to supporting Alter Moneta with its development initiatives."
About Alter Moneta
Alter Moneta, headquartered in Montréal, Québec, was established in 1998 as a de novo asset-based equipment finance company with the backing of Caisse. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing independent lease originators in the mid-market equipment finance industry in North America. The company provides collateralized lending, financing and leasing services to middle-market businesses, in the trucking and warehousing, construction, manufacturing, and services industries. The company lends against and finances a wide range of new and used revenue-producing, essential-use equipment including cranes, trailers, and trucks. More information about Alter Moneta can be found at www.altermoneta.com.
About BSMB
BSMB, the private equity affiliate of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE:BSC - News), invests private equity capital in compelling leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and growth capital opportunities alongside superior management teams. BSMB focuses on making control or entrepreneur-driven investments, principally in middle-market retail, financial services and consumer products companies. Since its formation in 1997, BSMB has been an investor in over 50 portfolio companies. BSMB manages nearly $5 billion of private equity capital, including its new $2.7 billion institutional fund and capital dedicated to its affiliate, Bear Growth Capital Partners. Investments by BSMB have included: ACA Capital Holdings (NYSE:ACA - News), Balducci's, CamelBak Products, Caribbean Financial Group, Cavalry Investments, Churchill Financial Holdings, Dairyland, Everything But Water, Harlem Furniture, Ironshore Inc., Multi Packaging Solutions, New York & Company (NYSE:NWY - News), Reddy Ice (NYSE:FRZ - News), Seven For All Mankind, Stuart Weitzman, Transamerican Auto Parts Company and The Vitamin Shoppe. More information about BSMB can be found at www.bsmb.com.
About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2005, it held CA$122.2 billion of net assets. The leading institutional fund manager in Canada, the Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. For more information: www.lacaisse.com.
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
Direct Capital Closes Securitization Facility
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Direct Capital Corporation, a leading provider of capital finance solutions for businesses, recently completed a $175 million equipment lease securitization facility structured by ABN AMRO and funded through Amsterdam Funding Corporation, an asset-backed commercial paper conduit administered by ABN AMRO. This transaction continues to strengthen the expansive finance capabilities that Direct Capital brings to the business marketplace.
Chris Broom, Chairman of Direct Capital Corp, noted, “This program provides the debt capital that will continue to support our aggressive lease portfolio origination plans for 2007 and beyond.” Dawn Gillette, SVP Finance added, “We are pleased to welcome ABN AMRO to our Bank Group. This new relationship will help to accelerate our long term growth strategy and will further strengthen our ability to service the diverse financial needs of our growing client base”.
Dave Donofrio, Director in ABN AMRO’s U.S. Securitization unit, remarked, ”ABN AMRO is very pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Direct Capital team at this exciting time in the company’s history. We’re looking forward to what we expect will be a longstanding partnership as Direct Capital continues to grow its solid business platform.”
ABN AMRO is presently ranked the second largest ABCP conduit program administrator worldwide with $102 billion in commitments and $80 billion in ABCP outstandings. Headquartered in Chicago, the U.S. Securitization team manages three multi-seller conduits (Windmill Funding, Amsterdam Funding, Nightwatch Funding) with aggregate commitments of $27.9 billion and $19.2 billion in ABCP outstandings. Globally, ABN AMRO manages ABCP conduits in Chicago, Amsterdam, London, Singapore, and Sydney.
Direct Capital Corporation (www.directcapital.com) is a national finance firm that excels in providing simple finance programs for new and used equipment purchases to businesses of all sizes. Programs are designed to drive revenue & profit and are delivered with exceptional levels of client service. Direct Capital has over 200 employees and is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH with satellite offices in New York, Hawaii and New London, NH. Direct Capital is also the official provider of Equipment Financing for eBay (http://financing-center.ebay.com/ebaybusiness/)
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
LEAF Financial Corporation Names New Vice President of
its newly created Life Science & Technology Division.
PHILADELPHIA, PA. –– LEAF Financial Corporation a subsidiary of Resource America (NASDAQ:REXI) announces it has named Christopher Morell as Vice President of its newly created Life Science and Technology Division. Mr. Morell is an accomplished industry veteran and will be responsible for leading this new strategic initiative nationally, supported by an outstanding team of seasoned professionals. Under his direction this team will help to expand the company’s successful and diversified financial services product platform.
Miles Herman, President and COO stated, “Chris has an impressive background in serving secured debt, equipment financing, and other capital markets. His proven background in building new strategic initiatives and his deep knowledge of development stage and sustained growth companies in the private equity communities will support our continued business growth.”
Mr. Morell has over 25 years of experience in commercial lending and equipment leasing, most recently as SVP at Capital Advisors and VP of GE Capital - Life Sciences where he earned a six sigma certification. Prior to this he worked at the Life Sciences and Technology Division for Transamerica and Finova. In his role he created successful business development models for emerging growth companies. Before that, Mr. Morell held senior executive positions at several national leasing and finance companies, including Technology Specialist for The CIT Group in New York and Division Manager for Copelco Capital in New Jersey. Earlier in his career he spent a decade with GE Capital (formerly Equitable Life Leasing) where he managed the national sales organization in San Diego, CA.
About LEAF Financial Corporation (www.LEAF-Financial.com)
LEAF Financial Corporation is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. LEAF's business model is to originate small to middle ticket equipment leases and commercial transactions by forming strategic marketing alliances and other program relationships with equipment vendors, commercial banks and other financial institutions. After origination, LEAF manages the assets for its own account, institutions, and individual investors through investment partnerships and other investment vehicles.
[headlines]
### Press Release ###########################
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News Briefs---- Weather/Not Football/Chicago Windchill -26F
http://www.wunderground.com/US/IL/Chicago-O'Hare_International.html#WIN
HSBC Bank tops competitors with 6 percent interest for online savings
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003555357_hsbc04.html
Bush plan seeks billions more for Iraq
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-02-04-bush-budget_x.htm
Dell to suspend 2006 bonuses, eliminate managers
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2007-02-03-dell_x.htm
Businesses add 111,000 jobs in January, fewer than expected; jobless rate rises
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2007-02-02-january_x.htm
[headlines]
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You May have Missed--- PC security more a wish than a promise
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/02/02/0203bizpcsecurity.html
[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---- Colts defeat Bears to win Super Bowl XLI
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/SPORTS03/70204012
http://story.indianapolispost.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/43a9fd3724cda141/id/226987/cs/1/
Bears fall in sloppy Super Bowl
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-070204bearsgamer,0,
1630661.story?coll=chi-homepagepromo440-fea
Indy celebrates Super Bowl victory
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/SPORTS03/70204017
[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs--- Governor strikes an upbeat chord
He's head of class in 'Tony Robbins School of Politics'
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/04/MNG9ONUKVN1.DTL
[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine” Riesling's California comeback
Wineries race to meet rising demand for domestic Riesling
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/WIG2PNQ2381.DTL
Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/
[headlines]
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Calendar Events This Day Mexico: Constitution Day
National holiday. Present constitution embracing major social reforms adopted in 1917l
Weatherman’s (Weatherperson’s) Day
Commemorates the birth of one of America’s first weathermen, John Jeffries, a Boston physician who kept detailed records of weather conditions, 1774-1816. Born at Boston, Feb. 5, 1744, and died there September 15, 1819.
[headlines]
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Alaska is the most eastern and western state in the U.S.
Northern is Alaska) (Southern is Hawaii)
(Eastern is Alaska) (Western is Alaska)
If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, the answers are:
Most Northern Point: Angle, Minnesota, at 49º 23'N
Most Southern Point: East Cape, Florida, at 25º 7'N
Most Eastern Point: West Quoddy Head, Maine, at 66º 57'W
Most Western Point: Cape Alva, Washington, at 124º 44'W
http://worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/nsewusa.htm
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Today's Top Event in History
1777- Changing European historic tradition, King George abolished laws of entail and primogeniture. Entail is a means of willing property to a specific and unchangeable hierarchy of inheritors. Primogeniture is the right of the eldest child in a family, usually the eldest son, to inherit his parents’ entire estate. In Europe, all property and rights went to the first born, and were willed primarily to the first born male, with the rest of the family having to depend on the eldest son. This was one of the most profound far reaching changes to both the financial and moral differences between the old world and the new world.
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This Day in American History 1723-Birthday of John Withersoon, clergyman, signer of the Declaration of Independence and reputed coiner of the word “Americanism” (in 1781). He was one of the hardest workers on the constitution and for the United States, according to historians. When he arrived from Scotland he had brought three hundred books with him, donated it to College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he became president and was active as a minister, plus building the library and the college. Five months after signing the Declaration, the British burned his library. As one colleague reported, "He would lay aside the cloth to take revenge on them, I believe he would send them to the devil if he could." Born near Edinburgh, Scotland. Died at Princeton, NJ. Nov 15,1794.
http://thedeclarationofindependence.org/JohnWitherspoon.com/
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/witherspoon.htm
1631- English clergyman Roger Williams first arrived in America. He soon began questioning Massachusetts' religious policies which fused church and state matters. Williams was banished to Rhode Island five years later, where at Providence he established the first Baptist church in America. He is known today as the “founder of Rhode Island.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb05.html
1644- the first branding law by a colony was enacted by Connecticut. It provided that all cattle and swine older than six months be earmarked or branded before May 1, 1644, and that the marks be registered. The penalty for violation was five shillings a head, two of which were paid to informers.
1736- The English Wesley brothers, John (32) and Charles (28) first arrived in America at Savannah, GA. They had been invited by Georgia governor James Oglethorpe as missionaries to the American Indians. They were co-founders of Methodism.
http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/
1777- Changing European historic tradition, King George abolished laws of entail and primogeniture. Entail is a means of willing property to a specific and unchangeable hierarchy of inheritors. Primogeniture is the right of the eldest child in a family, usually the eldest son, to inherit his parents’ entire estate. In Europe, all property and rights went to the first born, and were willed primarily to the first born male, with the rest of the family having to depend on the eldest son. This was one of the most
profound far reaching changes to both the financial and moral differences between the old world and the new world.
1780- The estimated colonial population was 2,7821,000. The winter was very cold and the Continental Army had suffered its worst privations, its greatest defeats, and its darkest hours. It would continue to lose battles but, by the time turned into a well-trained fighting force by European officers and aided by allied French forces, it endured and marched to ultimate victory at Yorktown, VA, in August 1781. The diplomatic struggle continued. Primarily articles of peace were secured on November 30,1782, after long and difficult negotiations. The Treaty of Paris by which the was officially ended and independence formally acknowledged by Great Britain, was not signed on September 3,1783.
1846- The first newspaper published on the Pacific Coast was the Oregon Spectator, a semimonthly issued in Oregon City, OR. Its slogan was “ Westward the star of the empire takes its way.”
1856--Chinese New Year began in San Francisco. New Year's Eve was celebrated by the Celestials last night with the explosion of millions of firecrackers.
1861- Louisiana delegation except Dominique Bouligny withdraws from Congress. Mr. Bouligny was opposed to the doctrine of secession, and was the only representative from a seceding state that did not leave his seat. During the civil war he remained in the north, dying in Washington before its close.
http://famousamericans.net/dominiquebouligny/
http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/PDF/Obits/B/Obits_Bouligny.PDF
1861 - Cincinnati, Ohio resident, Samuel Goodale, patented the moving picture peep show machine. After depositing a coin and turning a crank on the side of the ornate box, a flickering movie appeared.
Pictures were placed on leaves fastened by one edge to an axis in such a way that they stood out like spokes. As the shaft revolved, different images were seen in motion.
1883-The Southern Pacific Railroad completes its transcontinental "Sunset Route" from New Orleans to California, consolidating its dominance over rail traffic to the Pacific. One of the most powerful railroad companies of the 19th century, the "Espee" (as the railroad was often called) originated in an ambitious plan conceived in 1870 by the "Big Four" western railroad barons: Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, and Mark Hopkins. A year earlier, the Big Four's western-based Central Pacific had linked up with the eastern-based Union Pacific in Utah, creating the first transcontinental American railway. With that finished, the "Big Four" began to look for ways to increase their control over West Coast shipping, and decided to focus their efforts on extending the California-based Southern Pacific southward.
By 1877, the Southern Pacific controlled 85 percent of California's railroad mileage. Huntington, who now dominated the company, saw an excellent opportunity to create a transcontinental line through the southern United States. Huntington had to act fast if was to beat the competition. The Texas and Pacific Railroad was already pushing westward toward the Pacific at a fast pace. Marshalling his awesome energy and financial resources, Huntington began driving his Southern Pacific line eastward. He won the race in 1881, when he linked the Southern Pacific to the Santa Fe Railroad at Deming, New Mexico, creating the second American transcontinental railway. Two years later, on February 5, 1883, Huntington gained full control of a number of smaller railroads, creating the Southern Pacific's "Sunset Route" from New Orleans to California. With the "Sunset Route," Huntington confirmed his domination over California rails. He had taken considerable financial risks to build the Southern Pacific system, and he collected very considerable financial rewards. The Southern Pacific had a near monopoly over rail service to California, and Huntington and his associates took advantage of the situation by charging high shipping rates. Termed "the Octopus" for its tentacle stranglehold on much of the California economy, the Southern Pacific inspired Californians to create some of the first strong public regulations over railroads in American history. But despite the anger and outrage Huntington's exploitation inspired, few would deny that the mighty Southern Pacific Railroad played an essential role in fostering the growth of a vibrant California economy for decades to come.
1887 -The Chicago Evangelization Society was organized by evangelist D. L. Moody, 50. Two years later, the Society established the Bible Institute for Home and Foreign Missions. Moody died in 1899, and in 1900 the school was renamed Moody Bible Institute.
1887 - San Francisco, California had its greatest snowfall ever with 3.7 inches falling. The western hills of the city recorded up to 7 inches.
Excited crowds went on a snowball throwing rampage.
1889-According to many sources on the internet, but not confirmed, the word “hamburger” first appears in the Walla Walla Union newspaper.
It is perhaps this allegation that MacDonald’s “How ya doin’? How you doin’?”
fellow meets his girl, and asks here where she is from: “Walla, Walla.”
While this date and event appears on many “internet calendars,” we could not confirm nor deny it.
http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/History/HamburgerHistory.htm
http://www.geography.ccsu.edu/harmonj/atlas/burgers.html
1900 -- Surrealist painter Yves Tanguy born.
http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/cosmo14/yvestanguy.htm
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/glo/surrealism/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/tanguy_yves.html
1914-Birthday of famous American author William Burroughs, St. Louis, Missouri. His “Naked Lunch” is considered an American classic. Perhaps
not realized by many, he is the scion of the famous computer business
corporation, graduate of Harvard University, besides being well known
for his drug experiments.
http://www.altreel.com/cult-fiction/Burroughs.html
http://www.streettech.com/bcp/BCPgraf/Glossary/gloss1.html#Burroughs
1916 - For the Victor Talking Machine Company, Enrico Caruso recorded "O Solo Mio". The company eventually became Victor Records, then RCA Victor
1917- Mexico's present constitution was adopted, embracing major social reforms. This is a national
holiday in Mexico.
1917- An Immigration Act was passed by Congress over President Woodrow Wilson's veto ( on January 29th ). The law required a literacy test for immigrants and barred Asiatic labors, except for those from countries with special agreements or treaties with the United States. A series of reforms was introduced and passed over Wilson veto to the United States. The country was moving to an isolationist policy.
1921- Yankees purchase 20 acres in the Bronx for Yankee Stadium
1924- President Wilson was the first president buried in Washington, in the National Cathedral, the
Protestant Episcopal Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul.
1928- birthday of Donald “Don” Hoak, baseball player born at Roulette, PA> Hoak was a tough third baseman who played with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was married to singer Jill Corey. Died at Pittsburgh, PA, Oct 9, 1969. 1933- country singer Claude King was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His recording of "Wolverton Mountain" was a big hit on both the pop and country charts in 1962.
1929—Birthday of drummer and author Hal Blaine, Holyoke, MA
http://www.molehillgroup.com/hal_blaine.htm
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Hal%20Blaine.html
http://www.halblaine.com/
1933 -- Golden Gate Bridge work commences in San Francisco. The California. Bridge opens May 28, 1937.
http://www.goldengatebridge.org/photos/history.html
http://www.sfmuseum.net/hist10/strauss.html
1934- birthday of “Hank” Aaron, baseball executive and Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, born Mobile, AL. Holds major league record for most career home runs (755), home runs with one club (Braves, 733), RBIs (2,297), total bases (6,856), most games played (3,298) and many others. • Hit 20 or more home runs for 20 consecutive seasons (1955-1974). Named to 24 All Star games.
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/aaron_hank.htm
1936-Birthday of vocalist June Tyson, Albermarle, NC
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,504102,00.html
http://www.edmicheljazzproducer.com/sun_ra.htm
1936 - The first Charlie Chaplin talkie, "Modern Times", was released. Chaplin’s voice was heard in the film, but he was difficult to understand as he was singing gibberish that no one understood. Paulette Goddard who played the part of a waif was the movie's star.
http://www.filmsite.org/mode.html
1940- Glenn Miller records “Tuxedo Junction,” (Bluebird 10612 ).
1941- Motown songwriter and sometime singer Barrett Strong was born in Mississippi. Strong's 1960 recording of "Money" was one of the first hits for Berry Gordy's Motown company. But Strong soon began concentrating on songwriting, collaborating with Norman Whitfield on some of the Temptations' biggest hits, including "Just My Imagination," "Psychedelic Shack" and "Cloud Nine."
1942- Roger Staubach, pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, born Cincinnati, OH. Heisman Trophy winner as Navy junior in 1963; led Dallas to 2 Super Bowl titles (1972,78) and was Super Bowl MVP in 1972; 5-time leading passer in NFC (1971,73,77-79).
1942-Birthday of pianist Keith Ingham, London, England
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_Ingham.htm
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/INGHAM.HTM
http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/ingham.html
1944- Guitarist and keyboard player Al Kooper, a major figure in the blues-rock movement of the 1960's, was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1965, he helped form the Blues Project. And two years later, he and Steve Katz put together Blood, Sweat and Tears, but Kooper left the group before it achieved commercial success. By the '70s, Kooper was involved more in producing than recording. He discovered the groups Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Tubes.
http://www.alkooper.com/bio.html
http://jhendrix110.tripod.com/AlKooper.html
1948---Top Hits
Golden Earrings - Peggy Lee
How Soon - Jack Owens
Ballerina - Vaughn Monroe
I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) - Eddy Arnold
1948- Dick Button became the first American to win a gold medal in figure skating when he triumphed at the Fifth Winter Olympics at St. Moritz, Switzerland. Button earned a second gold medal four years later at Oslo, Norway.
1950- Stan Kenton’s Band records Shorty Roger’s “Jolly Rogers,” “Blues in a Riff,” Hollywood, CA.
1953 - "Peter Pan", the Walt Disney film, opened at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Although the film is now said to be a great work, not all of the 1953 critics liked the Disney stylization J.M. Barrie's play.
1953 - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz excitedly received their first of several Emmy Awards at the 4th Annual Emmy Awards banquet in Los Angeles. I Love Lucy won for Best Situation Comedy and Lucille Ball won for Best Comedienne. Other winners at the event included Robert Montgomery Presents for Best Dramatic Program; Dragnet for Best Mystery, Action, or Adventure Program; Your Show of Shows won for Best Variety Program; and Time for Beany was chosen Best Children's Program for the third year in a row. Emmys were originally going to be called "Ikes," a short form for the television iconoscope tube, but the name had problems, as it was also the nickname of war hero and future President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ultimately, the nickname chosen was a feminization of "Immy," a term commonly used for the early image orthicon camera tube.
1955-WNEW Radio in New York City announces the results of its annual music popularity poll. The winners are Perry Como, Patti Page, the Crew- Cuts and Ray Anthony.
1955-- The Fontaine Sisters' "Hearts of Stone" hits #1
1956---Top Hits
Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets
No, Not Much! - The Four Lads
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford
1957- Bill Haley and the Comets arrived in London for their first British tour. Haley's popularity was already beginning to decline in North America, but he continued to tour regularly in Britain and Europe through the mid-1970's.
1960 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Teen Angel,'' Mark Dinning. Dinning was surrounded by music from an early age: three of his sisters formed the group the Dinning Sisters (which had a top 10 song with the Oscar-winning ``Buttons and Bows'') and his baby-sitter was Patti Page. The song debuts at No. 100 on the Hot 100.
1961 - The Shirelles finished their first week at #1 on the music charts with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". The song spent two weeks at the top spot. It was the group’s first #1 song and the first #1 hit for the songwriter. She became a star in her own right, having many singles and albums in the 1970s. Her name was Carole King. 1972 - Bob Douglas became the first black man elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Douglas not only coached the New York Renaissance, an all-black team which won 88 consecutive games in 1933, he owned the team.
1961-Two big influences of '60s pop make their debuts. Mary Wells' with "Bye Bye Baby" and Gene Pitney with "Love My Life Away." (1961)
1963 -- Co-founder of Chess records, Leonard Chess, tells Billboard, "As it stands today, there's virtually no difference between rock & roll, pop & rhythm & blues. The music has completely overlapped."
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/C/Chess.html
1964---Top Hits
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
You Don’t Own Me - Leslie Gore
Out of Limits - The Marketts
Begging to You - Marty Robbins
1966-- Petula Clark's "My Love" hits #1
1966- Sergeant Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets" entered the US charts on its way to number one. Released at the height of the Vietnam War, it became one of the fastest sellers in the modern record business. It climbed very quickly on the charts and stayed number one for 13 weeks. The song was originally recorded for distribution to American troops, but RCA had Sadler record it with a full complement of studio musicians. Sadler soon resumed his military career, and was not heard from again until 1978 when he was involved in the first of two well-publicized shooting incidents. He later suffered brain damage when he was shot during a robbery at his home in Guatemala.
1966-Surf-rockers the Marketts enter the Hot 100 for the fifth and last time with the "Batman Theme." It reaches #17 in nine weeks on the charts.
1967 -"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS (later ABC, NBC). The CBS show lasted until April 4, 1969 when it was cancelled by CBS
for being too controversial. The hour-long show strongly influenced television humor during the two years it aired. Tom and Dick, however, frequently found themselves at odds with the censors over material that would be considered tame today. Guests and cast members frequently knocked the Vietnam War and the Nixon Administration. Acts with antiwar protestors such as Harry Belafonte were often cut.
http://timstvshowcase.com/
http://www.tvparty.com/smothers2.html
http://www.smothersbrothers.com/
http://www.masonwilliams-online.com/careertvcom.html
http://www.partialobserver.com/ArticleDisplay.cfm?ArticleID=570
1968- Dr. Benjamin Spock; William Sloan Coffin the chaplain of Yale University; novelist Mitchell Goodman; Michael Ferber, a graduate student at Harvard; and Marcus Raskin a peace activist are indicted on charges of conspiracy to encourage violations of the draft laws by a grand jury in Boston. The charges are the result of actions taken at a protest rally the previous October at the Lincoln Memorial. The four are convicted and Raskin acquitted on June 14th.
1968-- The Beatles' album Yellow Submarine is certified gold
1969- - Bobby Brown of New Edition is born in Boston. After leaving the teen R&B group he has a string of solo hits, including the million-selling No. 1 song ``My Prerogative.'' He has a bit part in the film ``Ghostbusters II'' which features his million-selling song ``On Our Own.'' In 1992, he marries singer Whitney Houston. They
eventually divorce after a tumultuous marriage.
http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/music/mu1227.php
1969-The Beatles "Yellow Submarine" album, the soundtrack to the animated film of that name, is awarded a gold record. The album contains only four previously unreleased Beatles songs: Harrison’s "It's All Too Much" and "Only a Northern Song" and Lennon and McCartney's "Hey Bulldog" and "All Together Now." (1969)
1970 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Venus,'' The Shocking Blue. The song is the biggest-selling single from Holland.
1972---Top Hits
American Pie - Don McLean
Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
Day After Day - Badfinger
One’s on the Way - Loretta Lynn
1972- Paul Simon released his first solo single following his breakup with Art Garfunkel, "Mother and Child Reunion." Recorded in Jamaica, it reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The second hit off the record "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," turns out to be one of quirkiest songs of the year. (1972)
1972-Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" is released.
1973-Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" goes gold.
1974--Patty Hearst is kidnapped at gunpoint.
1975-North Vietnamese Gen. Van Tien Dung departs for South Vietnam to take command of communist forces in preparation for a new offensive. In December 1974, the North Vietnamese 7th Division and the newly formed 3rd Division attacked Phuoc Long Province, north of Saigon. This attack represented an escalation in the "cease-fire war" that started shortly after the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973. The North Vietnamese wanted to see how Saigon and Washington would react to a major attack so close to Saigon. President Richard Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford, had promised to come to the aid of South Vietnam if the North Vietnamese launched a major new offensive. With Nixon's Watergate resignation and Ford facing an increasingly hostile Congress, Hanoi was essentially conducting a "test" attack to see if the United States would honor its commitment to Saigon. The attack was much more successful than the North Vietnamese anticipated: the South Vietnamese soldiers fought poorly and the United States did nothing. Emboldened by their success, the North Vietnamese decided to launch a major offensive against the South Vietnamese. "Campaign 275" began on March 1, 1975. The North Vietnamese forces quickly overran the South Vietnamese and the United States failed to provide the promised support. Saigon fell on April 30 and the South Vietnamese government officially surrendered.
1976- Before a roaring crowd of fellow countrymen, Austrian Franz Kalmmer won the downhill ski race at the XIIth Winter Olympic Games at Innsbruck, Austria. Clad in bright yellow, Klammer electrified a worldwide television audience with his breathtaking run.
1977-- Mary MacGregor's "Torn Between Two Lovers" hits #1
1979-The Pointer Sisters' version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" turns gold the same month as it reaches #2.
1980---Top Hits
Rock with You - Michael Jackson
Do that to Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille
Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers
I’ll Be Coming Back for More - T.G. Sheppard
1981 - Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau inducts Joni Mitchell into Canada's Juno Hall of Fame.
1987 - For the first time, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 2,200-point mark, closing at 2201.49.
1988 - a rare snow event occurred in southern Louisiana. 2 to 4 inches fell from East Baton Rouge parish to St. Tammany and Washington parish. This was the most snow in southern Louisiana since 1973.
1988---Top Hits
Need You Tonight - INXS
Could’ve Been - Tiffany
Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles
Wheels - Restless Heart
1988-military strongman General Manuel Antonio Noriega and 16 associates on drug smuggling and money laundering charges. Noriega, the de facto dictator of Panama since 1983, was charged with smuggling marijuana into the United States, laundering millions of U.S. dollars, and assisting Colombia's Medellin drug cartel in trafficking cocaine to America. The Panamanian leader denied the charges and threatened expulsion of the 10,000 U.S. service personnel and their families stationed around the Panama Canal. In 1968 Noriega, then a first lieutenant in the Panamanian National Guard, played an important part in a coup that ousted President Arnulfo Arias and brought General Omar Torrijos to power. Early the next year, Torrijos rewarded Noriega for his loyalty by promoting him to lieutenant colonel and appointing him chief of military intelligence. In 1970, Noriega, who had first been approached by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) while a promising military student in the early 1960s, went on the payroll of the CIA. The United States used Noriega as a check against the left-leaning Torrijos and as an informer on Central American revolutionaries, the Colombian drug cartels, and communist Cuba, which Torrijos, though not a Marxist himself, admired and visited. Noriega, meanwhile, developed his G-2 intelligence agency into a feared secret police force and became involved in the drug trade. The U.S. government was aware of his drug trafficking, and in 1977 he was removed from the CIA payroll. However, in 1981, the United States organized and financed the anti-Sandinista Contras in Nicaragua, and Noriega was brought back into the CIA fold. For a salary of close to $200,000 a year, Noriega provided intelligence about the Sandinistas and Cubans to the Americans and aided the Contras in their drug-trafficking efforts. Noriega's criminal trial began in 1991, and he pleaded innocent. On April 9, 1992, he was found guilty on eight counts of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, marking the first time in history that a U.S. jury had convicted a foreign leader of criminal charges. He was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.
1991- Joni Mitchel inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.
http://www.jonimitchell.com/
1993-President William Clinton signed legislation requiring companies with 50 or more employees ( and all government agencies) to allow employees to take up to 123 weeks unpaid leave in a 12-month period to deal with the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a relative with a serious health problem. The bill became effective August 5, 1993.
1994-Avowed White supremacist Byron de le Beckwith is convicted of NACCP field representative Medger Evers' murder, more than thirty years, ending the lengthiest murder case in American history. Evers was gunned down in the driveway of his Jackson, Mississippi, home while his wife, Myrlie, and the couple's small children were inside waiting for their father. Beckwith, widely recognized as the killer, was prosecuted for murder in 1964. However, two all-white (and all-male) juries deadlocked and refused to convict Beckwith. A second trial held in the same year resulted in a hung jury. The matter was dropped when it appeared that a conviction would be impossible. Myrlie Evers became the national chairwoman of the NAACP and refused to give up, pressing authorities to re-open the case. In 1989, documents came to light showing that jurors were illegally screened. Prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter worked with Myrlie Evers to force another prosecution of Beckwith. After four years of legal maneuvering, they were finally successful. At the third trial they produced a riflescope from the murder weapon with Beckwith's fingerprints. Justice was finally achieved when Beckwith was convicted and given a life sentence by a racially diverse jury in 1994. The story was dramatized in Rob Reiner's movie, Ghosts of Mississippi. Beckwith appealed the conviction, claiming that he had not been granted a speedy trial as required by the Constitution. However, the appeals courts have rejected his argument.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com
http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/evers_m.htmm/mwevers.htm
1996-Bank of America announced it would open a branch on America Online, allowing customers to bank on the Internet. Online banking and financial applications would become extremely successful in attracting customers.
1996- General Motors launched a Web site with more than 16,000 pages and 98,000 links. GM's site would become one of the largest on the Web and eventually offered online car shopping.
1996 -The great arctic outbreak of '96 began to wind down, but not before one more frigid morning. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina dropped to zero degrees for its coldest February temperature on record. Lakeland and Orlando, Florida recorded subfreezing temperatures with 24 and 26 degrees, respectively. 10 below zero at Lynchburg, Virginia tied its all-time record low. Some of the coldest temperatures in 20 years for southern New England were experienced. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts recorded 23 below and Willimantic, Connecticut fell to 22 below.
1999 - CityJazz, the new concert facility housing the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates its grand opening with the help of artists whose presence implies a blessing on the upscale venue. Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, drummer Elvin Jones, clarinetist Artie Shaw, and pianists Horace Silver and Cecil Taylor, five of only 14 living members of the venerable jazz magazine's Hall of Fame, crowd on stage during the opening ceremonies.
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American Football Poem
Special Poem written by first-grade students in Room 3 at Lowell Elementary:
Peyton Manning
Long ago you were just a little boy,
A football came to be your favorite toy.
Your days seemed to fly by,
With daddy Archie and brothers Cooper and Eli.
High School in New Orleans and college in Tennessee,
You were the best quarterback anyone had ever seen.
Now you're with us,
Here in Indianapolis.
Our Colts leader so smart,
Doing good with your kind heart,
That's why the foundation had to start.
The PeyBack Foundation was a terrific decision,
Leadership and growth are part of its mission.
You said you grew up with a blessed life,
Others aren't lucky and have had strife.
But you're here with an excellent recommendation,
It's good to raise money for the PeyBack Foundation.
The PeyBack Classic, Holiday Happenings, Play it Smart, CASA,
Peyton's Pals, Handoff for Hunger and Peyton's Rally at Gasoline Alley, Varroom!
You're come a long way Peyton Manning,
As a person we find you absolutely outstanding
----
Students who participated in writing this poem:
Alleh Clark Ashleigh Pflum
Sophia Yowler Ms. Mercer
Natalie Garner Morgan Underwood
Erica Hernandez Jacob Grimes
Blake Reese Cammaria Nixon
Kaylee Sanders Chase Brown
Brian Wyatt Katrisha Steele
Paris Garnier Keenan Turner
Mrs. White Paula Fancher
Kadin Harris Savannah Hizer
more about PeyBack: http://www.peytonmanning.com/peyback/
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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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