Classified Ads---Sales

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

California Aggressive, competitive self-starter with vendor/direct equipment  leasing and asset-based lending experience. Success in business banking sales and financial planning.  Email: dsp559@hotmail.com | Resume

Colorado Award winning and strategic leasing sales professional with eleven years experience in Technology, Medical, Furniture, and Office Automation. Only seeking positions offering a base salary with benefits. anderson_678@earthlink.net

Garfield, NJ 15 years experience small to large ticket sales exp. All types of equipment industries. Vendor & direct. Self motivated. Work with leasing company or broker. Tony Lio tonylio@optonline.net

Montgomery, AL Individual with 10 years advertising sales exp. & 7 years insurance sales exp. Wants independent contractor situation in Alabama. Work with leasing company or broker. 334-590-5133 E-mail: billmcneal2003@yahoo.com

Orange County, CA  20+ years in leasing sales & sales management.  Have estab. existing remote office with Lessee /Vender following.  Looking for a partnership w/funding source. shermbp@gmail.com

Pittsburgh , PA  Aggressive self starter looking for leasing position w/10 plus yrs sales exp., plus banking experience 814-227-4592 mwiser500@hotmail.com

San Francisco Bay Area: 15 year Vendor Program Agreement HUNTER. Currently employed at major IT manufacturer captive supporting direct and channel sales. Must have base, commission and benefit package. E-mail: VdrPgmBizDev@aol.com

Stuart, FL Lease professional seeking bank sub, captive or other self-funded lessor. Sales position or other. Mid ticket large territory experience. David34983@att.net

Texas/Oklahoma  15 year lease vet looking for plact to take business.great references. all major equipment types. open to compensation. please contact if interested. E-mail: bankingdallas@yahoo.com

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

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Who is John Otto?
by Christopher Menkin

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear! The late 1980's to mid 1990's when the Western Association of Equipment Leasing (WAEL--pronounced "whale") had from six to eight full time employees and was on the verge of changing its name to Worldwide Association of Equipment Leasing---but chose the United Association of Equipment Leasing. The thrust was to first be coast-to-coast and then go worldwide; to compete with the then Equipment Leasing Association, now Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.

Active in WAEL leasing conferences, many of them to become presidents of the association, Jim Merrilees, Gordon Roberts, Chuck Brazier, all three originally from Colonial Pacific Leasing, John Colton of AT&T, Tom Depping of Sierra Cities, and John Otto, who in late 1997 hired Gordon Roberts and Chuck Brazier to run Centerpoint, as well as worked with another ex-UAEL president Ben Millerbis, who founded his own company after working for another ex-UAEL president Bob Jacobsen. These were the golden days of "whale."

In running Centerpoint, Otto's main line was with Bank of America. The bank did not allow him to have any other bank lines of credit as part of their agreement, and he went to raising capital through private investors, using licensed brokers in Denver, Colorado where the company was based. In closing the company down, after theft was charged to its president, many brokers who had leases approved and deposits were cut off were quite unhappy. Perhaps John Otto’s difficulties began then.

In 1984, he purchased a company in Fresno, California, Heritage Pacific Leasing, where he did a lot of agriculture business, due to the location, then as Centerpoint was growing in the indirect marketplace, he brought in a crew to go after broker business and reportedly built it up to a $36 million lease portfolio. In 1996, he purchased Manufactures Acceptance and Heritage Pacific Leasing became a division. Heritage Pacific Leasing was licensed, audited yearly by the California Finance Lender's Department, and growing. During this time he opened HL Leasing, but different from Heritage, as he ran the internal operation out of his house near Ironwood Country Club's North golf course, Palm Desert, where he and his wife were active in the country club.

Ironwood County Club

It allegedly was to keep the entities separate. It was also not licensed, meaning not subject to state audits. He was reportedly visiting the country club during the day more and more than the Fresno or Denver operations.

HL Leasing was supported by investors, who instead of buying a second mortgage, bought a lease and may have gotten tax incentive, but the main was the return of the interest on the money. Leasing News would get inquiries from investors, from time to time, via the internet for a background of John Otto, over the last ten years. His involvement in "whale" and respect in the industry were very strong. He was well-liked, well-known, highly regarded. The kitting of money to pay the investors was not known at the time.

It was when Leasing News received inquiries, other concerns, and was told by the investors the leases they were financing were American Express Business Leases sold to Key Bank--- that the bank no longer wanted to finance. The timeline did not work, there were no leases found in a quick UCC search, and Leasing News put a call into John Otto at home to find out how this could be. The response was relayed that he would call back the next day.

August 2, 2011 a Fresno County found HL Leasing, Inc. liable for $114.5 million in a Ponzi scheme as the leases never existed. The jury award the 800 victims $$47.22 million and found the two top senior executives, Dan Ramirez and Andy Fernandez guilty (Ramirez fraudulent concealment and aiding and abetting the fraud), Fernandez (guilty of abiding and abetting the fraud.)

Found not guilty was the wife of John Otto. The FBI was brought in early, but to date has not brought any charges as the main criminal conspiracy was headed by John Otto, who committed suicide in the Palm Desert Visitors Center parking lot, the morning he said he was going to call back Leasing News.

In the Fresno jury decision, the jury believed that Kathleen Otto knew of the fraud, then agreed that she encouraged or assisted in the fraud, but checked “no” on the issue of her acts constituting a substantial cause.

"27. Did Kathy Otto know that concealment of material facts was being committed by John Otto and/or Dan Ramirez against Vicken Massoyan, Maggie Antaramian and the class members?
    X- Yes No

"28. Did Kathy Otto give substantial assistance or encouragement to John Otto and/or Dan Ramirez?
    X Yes No

"29. Was Kathy Otto's conduct a substantial factor in causing harm to Vicken Massoyan, Maggie Antaramian and the class members?
     Yes X- No”
               (1) Page 10

The plaintiffs were represented by Ara Jabagchourian and Aron K. Liang of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP and Donald Fischbach of Dowling, Aaron & Keeler, Inc. They requested a decision holding Kathleen Otto liable.

The Honorable Donald S. Black, a Fresno County Superior Court judge in his final decision found that John Otto was the alter ego of HL Leasing, Inc., Heritage Pacific Leasing and Air Fred. The Court reasoned that since Kathleen Otto obtained the benefits from her deceased husband's fraud, who committed suicide in May of 2009, she stood in the shoes of her husband for purposes of the lawsuit.

This was different than say the wife of Bernie Madoff as the accounting operation was conducted in their house, where she was friends with the accountants and reportedly was involved.

With Black's ruling, the victims now have high hopes of seizing 70-year-old Kathleen Otto's assets, which include a collection of expensive cars, a corporate jet, more than $1.2 million in jewelry, a $2 million home in Palm Desert and a membership to an exclusive country club, Jabagchourian said. Reportedly much of the assists, including AirFred, may be in a trust. The items purchased via tainted money may be liable as well as the income and assets from the various leasing entities, all in a wind down mode.

Kathleen Otto's attorney, Marc Miles, said Tuesday that he plans to appeal Black's ruling, partly because the jury in August found she had done nothing wrong. To do so, she would have to post a bond in the amount of the award plus other coverage.

Jabagchourian would be looking forward to this as it would prove what assets were available. He is the only attorney not paid, working on a contingency. His staff is very much interested in finding assets.

Ara Jabagchourian

He believes the FBI won't file as if it is a criminal case, it is primarily against Otto and he is dead. In a civil case, the bar is much lower than a criminal case and thus he could take the case to court. What the two officers convicted have in assets are not known.

Many of the victims have lost all their retirement, several have gone back to work or tried to find employment, others report losing their home or money that was to be for thier kids or grandkids college. Jabagchourian looks at this not only to get paid, but to make as much restitution as he can for the victims who reported receiving very little justice to date.

(Disclaimer, during the WAEL years in questions, the writer was a member of the membership committee and chairman for three years; he also served on the board of directors. Editor)

Previous Stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/heritage_leasing.htm

Special Verdict (see page 10):
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Special_Verdict.pdf

History of WAEL:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/WAEL_Hist_I.htm

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Reaction to 2012 Leasing Association Membership
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2012/1_11.htm#membership

Perhaps proving the article more factual than realized, the only comments came not direct, but from postings on Linkedin.com in two separate group discussions:

Certified Lease Professional

“I read your article yesterday, thanks. My company has been a National Association of Equipment Leasing Broker members since 2003, before that we were United Association of Equipment Leasing/Western Association of Equipment Leasing members for 20 years.

“While it's certainly true that there has been a big decline in member companies/lease professionals since 2008, I'm also wondering if these organizations have not missed the mark in providing benefits that leasing company/people need or want. When I consider whether or not to go to a conference, I read the classes being offered and look at the funder/suppliers that are involved. If I've attended a variation of that class 3 times before and don't see any funder/supplier on the list that is either (a) new or (b) a credible source providing real resources that are different then ones I'm currently working with, then I'm not sure my participation makes sense.

“Finally, regarding leasing overall, a decrease in participation with the associations does not necessarily mean a decrease in leasing activity. If you Google "equipment leasing companies", there are over 4 million entries. It does raise the question about what entities are doing equipment leasing, and how does that affect selected parts of the industry like the broker community.”

Joe Schmitz
President at F.I.T. Leasing

National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers

“The expression ‘Nothing is forever’ fits this. Change is inevitable and without change most things fail to keep up. You can be progressive and replicate the good things in the past if they are relevant. Going to giant conventions is expensive and time consuming, taking valuable time from your daily work. Soon online conventions will eclipse associations that are not providing the needed requirements of the constituent members. Some associations recognize this and think out of the box as well as ridding themselves of the box entirely. I have belonged to NAELB since inception, one of the longest members. I was WAEL/UAEL before you could vote east of the Miss., and belonged to the Eastern group in our early years.

“When opinions rise to declaring wisdom without innovation, failure is inevitable. In my past retail world, Retail is Detail, and one can never blame change for failure. One must adapt to change and nurture it and its potential. Those that recognize and embrace change ride wave after wave of success.

“We have been operational for 26 years and thrive on innovation through close working with lenders and applying the desire and buying power of them. I came up first as a Recruiter in the Equipment leasing desk. I met so many great and dedicated people this way.

“Associations that are innovative and operational through talented staff can reach greater goals as all good companies can. We are currently members of NEFA and NAELB and perhaps in our future Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.

“If Leasing has changed from “app only” to “app” to 150 k and back we can change. If you do your job folks will come just as in sales, but you must redefine your mission and adapt to it.

America may have slowed down but you have huge opportunity.

Neil Roth
Vice President, Key Credit Corp.

2012 Leasing Association Membership
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2012/1_11.htm#membership

Please send Leasing News to a colleague and ask them to subscribe.
We are free! No log-in requirements…

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Funders Looking for New Broker Business

Send company name, contact/email or telephone number as well as a URL to attach or description to
kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

There is no advertising fee or charge for a listing. They are “free.”Leasing News makes no endorsement of any of the companies listed, except they have qualified to be on this specific list.

Leasing News reserves the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications.

We encourage companies who are listed to contact us for any change or addition they would like to make. Adding further information as an "attachment" or clarification of what they have to offer would be helpful to readers are very much encouraged.

Leasing Associations: All non-profit leasing associations are abbreviated. To see the full name and learn more about the association, please click here.

BBB - Better Business Report | CBB - Leasing News Complaint Bulletin Board
| CNI - Current News Information

A -Accepts Broker Business | B -Requires Broker be Licensed | C -Sub-Broker Program
| D -"Private label Program" | E - Also "in house" salesmen

N/R (not reported)
* (no response---these listing do not come from the company directly, but from our research from many sources. It is our policy not to put anything in this section without confirmation.)

Business Reports: Companies listed may make any netiquette comment about their company or reports or other information in the footnote section of their listing. Leasing News recommends readers also view the footnote as well as the section itself or searching reports on the business.

It also should be noted that if a BBB report listing is found by a reader, as there may not have been one when this was last up-dated, please send the link to kit@leasingnews.org so Leasing News may up-date this section.

Leasing Associations: All non-profit leasing associations are abbreviated. To see the full name and learn more about the association, please click here.

BBB - Better Business Report | CBB - Leasing News Complaint Bulletin Board
| CNI - Current News Information

A -Accepts Broker Business | B -Requires Broker be Licensed | C -Sub-Broker Program
| D -"Private label Program" | E - Also "in house" salesmen

N/R (not reported)
* (no response---these listing do not come from the company directly, but from our research from many sources. It is our policy not to put anything in this section without confirmation.)

Beige Book—Business Getting Better and Better

The Federal Reserve 12 districts report that the pace of economic activity around the country is picking up, with the exception of the housing market.

"Lending activity edged up overall, primarily due to increased loan demand by businesses. Most Districts that commented on lending activity indicated little or no change in overall loan demand, but the remaining Districts identified increases rather than decreases. New York reported a pronounced increase in demand for commercial mortgages, and Cleveland also noted increased demand in this category. Both Dallas and San Francisco noted a slight uptick in commercial and industrial lending. Consumer lending was largely flat compared with the prior reporting period, although auto loans rose in Cleveland. New York, Philadelphia, and Cleveland reported demand growth or continued strength for refinancing of residential mortgages.

"Lending standards were largely unchanged across all lending categories. However, New York reported slight tightening for commercial and industrial loans. Moreover, a few reports highlighted that small businesses continued to struggle with credit access through banks. In the Atlanta District, some small businesses have turned to nonbank institutions for financing, and in the Chicago District some manufacturers have been financing loans to their suppliers from retained earnings. Credit quality improved in many Districts: New York reported a decline in delinquency rates for all loan categories, while Philadelphia, Richmond, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco all reported general improvement in loan quality."

Boston
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/1.htm

New York
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/2.htm

Philadelphia
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/3.htm

Cleveland
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/4.htm

Richmond
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/5.htm

Atlanta
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/6.htm

Chicago
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/7.htm

St. Louis
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/8.htm

Minneapolis
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/9.htm

Kansas City
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/10.htm

Dallas
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/11.htm

San Francisco
www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/12.htm

Full report
http://www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2012/20120111/FullReport.htm

Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services. Click here to see what our clients say about us.

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New Hires---Promotions

Doug Beebe appointed vice-president, energy finance, Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. Previously he was direct, Deutsche Leasing, USA (April, 2009-December, 2011), Vice-President, National accounts Business Development, GE Capital (August, 2008--March, 2009), vice-president, national accounts business development, Citi ((2006-2008), vice-president, regional sales manager, Citigroup, (2004-2006). North Carolina State University NABCEP Certification, NABCEP Entry Level Certification in Solar PV (2009 – 2009), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Entry Level Certification in Solar PV, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill BA, Economics and International Studies (August 1985 – May 1989), Activities and Societies: Club Hockey Team, South Mecklenburg High School 1983 – 1985 Chairman, Georgia Solar Energy Association (January, 2011-December, 2011).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/doug-beebe/0/a16/1b3

Steve Crain appointed Vice-President at Prudential Capital Group, Commercial Asset Finance, Greater Atlanta area. Previously he was senior managing director, U.S. Capital Solutions, LLC (March, 2009-December, 2011), senior vice president, corporate lending, GE Commercial Finance (21006-2009), ORIS Financial Services, Inc. (2000-2005), Senior Vice President, Eastern Regional Manager, Heller Financial Services (1993-2000), senior account executive, Sanwa (1992-1993), Senior Account Executive, Chrysler Capital Corporation (1987-1992). Florida State University - College of Business MBA (1982 – 1984), Florida State University BS, Business - Management (1982).
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevecrain

Kevin Spillane hired as Client Manager for Northeaster US at CIT Vendor Finance. Previously he was Express Area Manager at Avaya Financial Services A Division of The CIT Group, Inside Sales Area Manager at The CIT Group, Financial Area Manager for SMB Call Center at Hewlett Packard Financial Services, Credit Analyst at Hewlett Packard Financial Services previously Compaq Financial Services
Education: California Coast University, Metropolitan State College of Denver

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Carlsbad, California Vendor Account Manager - Strong background w/emphasis application-only marketplace - Commission Only and Results Oriented Sales Professional - Relationships in place to provide immediate opportunities - Vendor marketing and program development experience Documentation/Funding Coordinator Coordination of all documents with the Lessee and Vendor, Insurance, Vendors Invoices, Title Processing, and Equipment Deliveries. Experience with Vision and Salesforce.com -- big plus email- resumes@ilslease.com

National Business Development Manager with minimum seven years experience and current book of business. Strategically located throughout US in various targeted industries. Click Here for more info. Western Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of Western State Bank established in 1901, solicits originations throughout the US and provides funding solutions for a wide range of industries

Senior Accountant NYC 5 Year accounting, prefer bank or finance experience. CPA preferred. Full description, please click here. Please send resume to: financecompanyhr@gmail.com www.easternfunding.com A Commercial Finance Subsidiary of a publicly held bank, growing rapidly, is successful and has a dynamic, exciting culture.

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

Leasing News Help Wanted Ad Pricing

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LeMay Antique Car Collection to be Displayed June 2

LeMay-America's Car Museum rolls out the hot wheels Saturday, June 2. The Tacoma, Wahington venue will feature a four-story museum and up to 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles, including the LeMay collection, which earned a Guinness record for amassing more than 3,500 vehicles in the mid-1990s.

www.lemaymuseum.org

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

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

Harvey Evades $15 million Payroll Taxes

Michael P. Harvey of Anaheim Hills, California, pleaded guilty to evading the payment of payroll taxes and interest assessed against him by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to the plea agreement, Michael Harvey, 53, evaded the payment of taxes by not honoring IRS levies served on Advanced Business Payroll, Inc., Global Business Outsource Solutions, Inc., and Global Consulting, Inc. Michael Harvey admitted that he evaded payment of over $15 million to the IRS.

According to court documents, around September 18, 2006, an agent of the IRS served wage levies directed to Advanced Business Payroll, Inc., Global Business Outsource Solutions, Inc., and Global Consulting, Inc., companies which were owned and operated by Jason M. Harvey. The levies required those companies to pay to the IRS amounts that became due and owing by the companies to Michael P. Harvey. Both Michael Harvey and Jason Harvey acknowledged service of the levies in writing around September 27, 2006. Michael Harvey admitted that he caused the companies to not honor the levies, and aided Jason Harvey to cause those companies to not honor the IRS levies.

According to court documents, before the service of the levies, Advanced Business Payroll, Inc., Global Business Outsource Solutions, Inc., and Global Consulting, Inc. issued more than 45 checks made payable to Michael Harvey which totaled more than $230,000. However, after service of the levies, the companies instead made cash payments to Michael Harvey of at least $62,700, and also paid Michael Harvey at least six checks made payable to “cash” totaling $22,800, without paying such amounts to the IRS in accordance with the levies. Also, in December 2006, Jason Harvey and Michael Harvey caused Global Consulting Inc, to issue two checks totaling $100,000 for the credit of Michael Harvey which were used to make payments on a personal judgment against Michael Harvey.

At time of sentencing, Michael Harvey faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment; a three year period of supervised release; a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greater; and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2012.

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

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

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croc

Releases both dark ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo") and cozy ("The Iron Lady") hit theaters this week, while DVD viewers can have their pick of crowd-pleasing sports stories ("Moneyball"), skin-crawling thrillers ("Contagion"), and robust sports dramas ("Warrior").

In Theaters:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Sony Pictures): After the uncharacteristic lightness of Oscar-winning "The Social Network," director David Fincher returns to dark thriller territory with this stylish adaptation of Stieg Larsson's international best-seller. Taking place in a Sweden of gorgeous surfaces and wicked underpinnings, the story takes the shape of an investigation by journalist Mikael (Daniel Craig), who's determined to get to find the truth about the disappearance of a heiress four decades ago. His search is aided by Lisbeth (Rooney Mara), a young computer hacker whose hostile veneer hides a streak of wounded vulnerability. The more they investigate, however, the more dark secrets they uncover, and the closer they get to danger. Suspenseful and visually intoxicating, the movie is a first-rate thriller that imbues lurid narratives with cinematic artistry.

The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Company): Arguably the greatest living actress, Meryl Streep scores another triumph with her complex performance as controversial British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Taking place as a series of flashbacks, the movie recounts how Thatcher (played as a young woman by Alexandra Roach) rose from her working-class origins to start a political career that challenged the United Kingdom's stereotypes about gender roles. Though it touches many of her career benchmarks (including her party's sweeping victory in the early 1980s and the conflict over the Falkland Islands), the movie's focus is more on the protagonist's relationship with her longtime husband Denis (Jim Broadbent). Directed by Phyllida Lloyd ("Mamma Mia!"), this is an elegant showcase for Streep's typically meticulous acting.

On DVD:

Moneyball (Columbia Pictures): An account of the struggles of the Oakland A’s might seem like an odd follow-up to a stark portrait of Truman Capote’s most famous novel, but director Bennett Miller brings to this baseball drama the same dry intelligence he brought to his acclaimed hit “Capote.” Brad Pitt delivers a strong performance as the team’s real-life general manager Billy Beane, a former aspiring ballplayer who during the early 1990s faced the challenges of departing players and low salaries while scrambling to steer the A’s toward the World Series. It all seems dire until he resorts to statistical strategies with the help of an economics major (Jonah Hill). An intense and rousing story that should please baseball fans and non-fans alike, this is one of the season’s most satisfying releases.

Contagion (Warner Bros. Pictures): Versatile Oscar-winner Steve Soderbergh (“Traffic”) takes viewers on a smart and scary thrill-ride with this all-star thriller. Incorporating science-fiction elements into a disaster-movie format, it follows a large group of interconnected characters as they react to the worldwide outbreak of an epidemic disease. Among those trying to make sense of the virulent chaos are married couple Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Mitch (Matt Damon), clinical specialists Ellis (Laurence Fishburne) and Leonora (Marion Cotillard), and paranoid blogger Alan (Jude Law). Pulled together with a palpable sense of dread, these vignettes provide a chilling snapshot of humanity during a time of crisis, dealing not just with a devastating virus but also with their own personal problems. Fast-paced and provocative, Soderbergh’s movie tickles the mind even as it makes the skin crawl.

Warrior (Lionsgate): This year gets its own “The Fighter” with this powerful sports drama following the lives of two brothers from a broken home into the fighting ring. Tommy (Tom Hardy) is an ex-Marine who returns to his Pittsburg hometown in hopes of entering a high-stakes mixed martial arts contest with the help from his father (Nick Nolte), a former boxing coach. Though the event gives him a new lease of life, it also strains Tommy’s relationship with his older brother Brenan (Joel Edgerton), who has a past of his own in this brutal sport. Will the family be split apart or brought closer? Directed by Gavin O’Connor (“Pride and Glory”), the movie is a moody, emotional portrait of underdog struggle and family relations that’s sure to be remembered come time for Oscar nominations.

Roswell, Georgia -- Adopt-a-Dog

Marley O.

Breed: Labrador Retriever/Labrador Retriever Mix
Color: Brown/Chocolate
Age: 4 years
Size: 85 pounds
Sex: Male

"I am already neutered, housetrained, purebred, up to date with shots, good with kids, and good with dogs.

Marley O.'s Story...

"The sun-streaked chocolate coat is the first thing you see when Marley O enters the room. But then, he looks at you with his loving eyes and you are lost in his handsome Labrador face.

"This 4-year old chocolate Lab has a rather easy-going attitude compared to other young chocolates. On his own, Marley O exhibits a medium energy level. However, when he is playing with his younger friend Peanut, the two can get into some mischief. Marley O was surrendered to an area shelter along with Peanut, Sydney and his puppy Marley when their owner fell on hard times.

"Marley O connects well with people and gave our volunteer a quick kiss when he first met her, as if to say 'thanks' for saving my family. He is a very striking boy and now that he is spending less time outdoors his coat will slowly take on its natural chocolate color. We predict that Marley will be one of those dogs that blossoms into a real looker once he gets into his permanent home where he will receive good nutrition and love.

"Because Marley O has spent so much time with other dogs, we believe he would do fine in a home with other canines. His demeanor suggests that he is not a dominant dog, so fitting in will not be difficult for Marley O. On the other hand, being the center of attention might be a situation he could enjoy. The most important thing is that he finds a family that will love him and commit to giving him a forever home. "

Rescue Group: Atlanta Dog Squad
Pet ID #: 3426609-110512MarleyO
Phone: (404) 642-5295

Website: http://www.atlantadogsquad.org
Address: P.O. Box 767188
Roswell, GA
30076

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

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

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

Classified ads—Funders Looking for Employees

Open Positions at Leasing Funders/Various Locations

(Most of the listing have "open positions." While you may find ones that do not, check back later, as they may have added an opening.)

Advantage Funding
http://www.advantagefund.com/employment.htm

AIG
http://www.aigcorporate.com/addresources/globalcareers.html

Altec
https://careers.altec.com/psc/P90HALT_APP/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?
nocrumbs=yes&

Alter Moneta
http://www.altermoneta.com/careers/opportunities.html

Arrow Capital (not available at this time)

Atlas Copco
http://www.atlascopco.com/us/careers/openjobs/

Balboa Capital
http://www.balboacapital.com/about_us/careers.aspx

Bank of America
http://careers.bankofamerica.com/overview/overview.asp

Bank of Ozarks
https://bankozarks.applicantharbor.com/jobmainlist.php?a=m

Bank of the West
https://www.bankofthewest.com/about-us/careers/job-search.html
(type in state, and keyword leasing or category)

CIT Job Openings
http://sj.tbe.taleo.net/SJ1/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=CIT&cws=1

CSI Leasing
http://www.csileasing.com/ViewJobPostings.aspx

Data Sales
http://www.datasales.com/open_jobs.html

De Lage Landen Financial
https://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=DELAGELANDEN&cws=1

Direct Capital
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=DIRECTCAPITAL&cws=1

Farm Credit
http://www.farmcreditnetwork.com/careers/opportunities

Financial Pacific
http://www.finpac.com/careers.aspx

Fifth-Third Bank
https://cvg53.cvgs.net/Main/careerportal/JobAgent.cfm

GE Capital
www.ge.com/careers

GreatAmerica Leasing
http://jobs.greatamerica.com/

Hillcrest Bank
https://www.hillcrestbank.com/Careers.aspx

Home Savings Bank
http://www.home-savings-bank.com/careers.php

Key Bank
Click here

Marlin Business Services
Key (not available at this time)
https://www.marlinleasing.com/Careers/joblisting.html?location=all

Madi$on Capital
http://www.madisoncapital.com/employment.php?expandable=3&subexpandable=5

Meridian Bank
https://www.meridianbank.com/careers.html

Microfinancial/Timepayment
http://www.hirebridge.com/jobseeker2/Searchjobresults.asp?cid=5224

Northern California Farm Credit (office listings)
http://www.norcalfc.com/locations.html

People's United Bank
https://www3.ultirecruit.com/PEO1003/JobBoard/ListJobs.aspx

PL Capital
http://www.plcapital.com/careers.asp

Prime Alliance Bank
http://www.primealliancebank.com/home/careers

Regions Bank
https://regions.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl

Republic Financial
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA8/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=REPUBLICFINANCIAL&cws=1

Sterling Bank
https://www.synovus.apply2jobs.com/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=m
External.showSearchInterface 

TCF Bank
https://tcfbank.taleo.net/careersection/corporate/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

TD Bank
https://tderec.ijob.com/recruit/servlet/com.lawson.ijob.util.Login

US Bank 
(type position in blank space and/or state)
http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/careers/careers.cfm

Wells Fargo
https://employment.wellsfargo.com/psp/PSEA/APPLICANT_NW/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL

Zions Bank
https://zionsbancorp.taleo.net/careersection/zfnbexternal/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Leasing News invites other employers to list their "open positions." The listing is free.

News Briefs----

KeyCorp agrees to buy 37 bank branches in upstate New York
http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120112/FREE/120119930

Why Aren't Banks Lending More? What Both Sides Say
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45974140

2011 retail sales up 7.7 percent over 2010
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/01/12/2011-retail-sales-up-77-percent-over-2010/UPI-75361326393825/

Home Depot to hire 70,000 seasonal workers
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/home_depot_to_hire_seasonal_workers
_c6K0ydWDHfYknpvcAUuO4I

Amid downturn, more older Americans employed than ever before
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/amid-downturn-more-older-americans-employed-than-ever-before/2012/01/11/gIQATFA5tP_story.html

Rising mortgage fees menace super-low rates
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/news/rising-mortgage-fees-menace-super-low-rates.aspx?ic_id=Top_Financial News Center_link_1

Delta considering bid for American
http://www.ajc.com/business/report-delta-considering-bid-1300850.html

Mag ads down, revenue is flat
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/mag_ads_down_revenue_is_flat_
L1hMdBS72nzeMbpEiXIiWN

CIT halts loans to Sears suppliers; reaction is mixed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-cit-to-halt-loans-to-sears-suppliers20120112,0,2044062.story

HP's PC business suffered big hit last quarter
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_19722357

[headlines]
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You May Have Missed---

For the Senior Readers
http://www.tomrush.com./video_remember.html

[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Marathoners at Slim Risk of Cardiac Arrest
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_news_detail.asp?health_day=660629

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs----

49ers faithful relish return to playoffs
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119813/1350?Title=49ers-faithful-relish-return-to-playoffs

Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow: Clash of biblical proportions
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1395246&srvc=rss

Tim Tebow Touchdown Illegal? Broncos Score Against Steelers Draws Scrutiny
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/tim-tebow-touchdown-illegal-broncos-steelers-nfl-playoffs_n_1202188.html?1326396240&ncid=webmail7

The Huddle--Bronco's over Patriots/Giants over Packers/
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2012/01/saracenos-scoreboard-divisional-playoff-nfl-picks/1

Harbaugh’s mantra – “The team, the team, the team” – means outsiders count as the enemy. And a reporter’s place is obvious in the us-against-them worldview.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/01/09/jim-harbaugh-keeps-player-criticism-in-house/

[headlines]
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Football Poems

S.F. 49ers

Jane Griffin

Gold helmets shine in the sunlight. 
The jerseys are loose and the pants are tight. 
Those were the only things shining this year. 
After so many losses, there's no reason to cheer. 
That's what all thought but one loyal fan 
Because not matter what, I believe that they can. 
I know we could have won the Superbowl 
If our kicker was able to make a field goal. 
Many times when we could have won the game, 
Because of special teams, we left the field in shame. 
We'll have to wait until next season 
To be the ones doing the teasin'. 
The Superbowl will be our mission. 
After all it's 49ers tradition.

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Number of Californians with million-dollar incomes up sharply
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/01/californians-with-million-dollar-incomes-up-sharply.html#MTRecentEntries

Calif. factories building for rebound
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/10/calif-factories-building-rebound/

Solyndra asks judge to pay out $500,000 in bonuses
http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_19730988

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Using Social Media to Promote Wine Tourism
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=96151

US tops global wine consumption chart
http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2012/01/us-tops-global-wine-consumption-chart/

Global Wine Auctions Reach New High in 2011
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/46258

The case for cheaper wine, in one chart
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-case-for-cheaper-wine-in-one-chart/2012/01/11/gIQARwjtqP_blog.html

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/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

   1733- James Oglethorpe and 130 English colonists arrive at Charleston, SC
http://georgiahistory.i-found-it.net/georgiahistory1.html
http://www.virtualmuseumofhistory.com/internationalhall/worldleaders/
JAMESOGLETHORPE.COM/
http://ourgeorgiahistory.com/people/oglethorpe.html 
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/jeo300/savanna1.htm
    1794-Congress authorizes an “act making an alteration in the flag of the United States... that from and after the first day of May,1795, the Flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternated red and white; and that the union be fifteen stars, white, in a blue field. The change was made so that Vermont and Kentucky would be represented on the flag. A law passed on April 4, 1818, reduced the number of stripes to 13 to represent the original 13 states, as in the first American flag, and provided one star for each state. A new star was to be added on the Fourth of July following the admission of each new state.
    1807- Birthday of Union General Napoleon Bonaparte Buford, born in Woodford, Kentucky. Buford held many commands in the west and was a hero at the Battle of Belmont early in the war. Buford attended West Point and graduated in 1827, sixth out of 38 in his class. After a stint with the frontier military, he was given leave to study law at Harvard. He taught at West Point before leaving the service to become a businessman. He was an engineer and banker in Illinois during the 1840s and 1850s. When the war began, the 54-year-old Buford raised his own regiment, the 27th Illinois. He was commissioned as a colonel, and his unit was sent to Cairo, Illinois, and placed in General Ulysses S. Grant's army. On November 7, 1861, Grant attacked a Confederate camp at Belmont, Missouri, and quickly drove the Rebels away. But Grant's men became preoccupied with plundering the area, and a Confederate counterattack nearly turned to disaster for the Yankees. Buford's regiment was nearly cut off from the main Union force. He rallied his men and they fought their way out of the Confederate trap. Buford was commended for his bravery After Belmont, Buford participated in the capture of Island No. 10, a Confederate stronghold in the Mississippi River, and Buford was left in command after its capture. Buford and his regiment fought at Corinth in October 1862, but the colonel fell seriously ill from sunstroke. He left field command and sat on the court martial of General Fitz John Porter in Washington. Buford returned to the west and was promoted to Brigadier General in charge of the District of Eastern Arkansas. He remained there for the remainder of the war, although his main military action came in chasing off Confederate raiders in the area. Buford generated controversy in his dealings with black troops. He had drawn earlier criticism for not helping refugee slaves, and now he proclaimed his preference for commanding white troops. He justified it by saying that black troops were not as well trained and they were more likely to fall prey to drawn attention from southern bushwhackers. It was also true that Confederate soldiers went out of their way to attack units with Black soldiers, killing all wounded men on the field and shooting prisoners. Buford silenced some of the criticism by implementing programs for freed slaves in Arkansas that generally succeeded in taking care of their immediate needs. Poor health forced his resignation in March 1865, just before the end of the war. He was brevetted to major general following his retirement. He worked in a variety of businesses after the war and died in Chicago in 1883. Napoleon Bonaparte Buford was the older half-brother of John Buford, a Union General who commanded the Union force that first engaged the Confederates.
    1808-Birthday of Salmon Portland Chase, American statesman, born at Cornish, NH. US senator, secretary of the treasury and chief justice of the Supreme Court. Salmon P. Chase spent much of his life fighting slavery ( he was popularly known as “attorney general for runaway Negroes.”) He was one of the founders of the Republican Party and his hopes for becoming a candidate for president of the US in 1856 and 1860 were dashed because his unconcealed antislavery view3s made him unacceptable. Died at New York, NY, May 7, 1873.
    1813 - Captain Oliver Hazard Perry arrives in Presque Isle (Michigan) where he will supervise the construction of a flotilla. Two brigs, a schooner, and three gunboats will be constructed from materials transported overland and by inland waterway from Philadelphia, by way of Pittsburgh, in preparation for the naval battle for Lake Erie, where he carried the flag "Don't Give Up the Ship."
    1832- President Andrew Jackson wrote Vice President Martin Van Buren expressing his opposition to South Carolina's defiance of federal authority. South Carolinians agreed and planned to use armed force to prevent duty collection in the state after February 1, 1833. The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 was resolved without bloodshed in March 1833. Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who left the vice presidency at the end of 1832 to serve South Carolina in the Senate, drafted a reduced tariff agreement that pacified South Carolina while allowing the Federal government to stand firm.
( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan13.html)
    1834-Birthday of Horatio Alger, American clergyman and author of more than 100 popular books for boys ( some 20 million copies sold). Honesty, frugality and hard work assured that the heroes of his books would find success, wealth and fame. Born at Revere, MA, he died at Natick, MA, July 18,1899.
    1846 - President James Polk dispatched General Zachary Taylor and 4,000 troops to the Texas Border as war with Mexico loomed. Mexico had severed relations with the United States in March 1845, shortly after the U.S. annexation of Texas 
    1847—“ Capitulation of Cahuenga" ended all organized resistance to American rule in California as Los Angeles surrendered officially this date. All “rebels” were pardoned by Gen. Kearny.
On January 14, California was controlled by the United States military.
http://www.aztecclub.com/campo/CapCahuenga.htm
http://www.militarymuseum.org/Cahuenga.html
http://www.campodecahuenga.com/
    1850-Birthday of Charlotte R. Ray, the first black lawyer in the United States who was also a woman and certified as the first woman admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., many say because she signed the application C.R. Ray without using her first name. By 1878, in the face of overwhelming sexual and racial prejudice when not even black men would consult her, she returned to teaching in Brooklyn, NY. Died January 4,1911 at the age of 61 from acute bronchitis.
http://www.womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_ray_charlotte.htm
http://www.law.howard.edu/alumni/legalgiants/huslgiantoct2k.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/group/WLHP/papers/CharlotteRay.pdf
    1864 - Composer Stephen Foster was found critically ill in his hotel room three days earlier, and on this date, died in Bellevue Hospital, New York, at age 37. He only had 35 cents in his pocket, along with a little slip of paper on which he had written, "Dear friends and gentle hearts." While never a great composer, Foster wrote many of the popular songs of the era which remained a part of Americana for more than a century, including Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, Oh! Susanna, My Old Kentucky Home, and Old Folks at Home, also known as Swanee River.Many of his songs - including "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races" and "Old Black Joe" - are written in black dialect. Foster gained much of his knowledge of blacks through his early experience in traveling minstrel shows. He became a heavy drinker, suffered from tuberculosis, and lapsed into obscurity. His last song, Beautiful Dreamer, which he penned just a few days before his death, joined his earlier classics
    1869-First Convention of the Colored National Labor Union, the first Black labor convention.
http://www.uwm.edu/Course/448-440/national.htm
http://www.africana.com/Articles/tt_631.htm 
http://www.afscme.org/about/aframlink.htm
    1873-P.B.S. Pinchback ends service as first black governor of Louisiana.
http://www.africana.com/Articles/tt_1153.htm
http://www.sec.state.la.us/46.htm
http://www.huarchivesnet.howard.edu/9911huarnet/pbs1.htm
http://www.gnocdc.org/orleans/11/73/snapshot.html
http://66.216.8.84/CreoleCulture/famouscreoles/Pinchback/pinchback.htm
    1884-Grand entertainer Sophie Tucker was born in Poland. She was known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas" and her career in stage, film, cabaret, radio, TV and recording lasted more than 60 years, beginning with an appearance at her father's cafe in Hartford, Connecticut in 1905. Tucker's most famous songs were "Some of These Days," recorded in 1926, and "My Yiddish Momma," cut two years later. Sophie Tucker died in 1966.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan13.html
    1885-Birthday of Alfred Carl Fuller, founder of the Fuller Brush Company, born at Kings County, NS, Canada. In 1906 the young brush salesman went into business on his own, making brushes at a bench between the furnace and the coal bin in his sister's basement. Died at Hartford, CT, Dec. 4, 1973.
    1886 - A great blizzard struck the state of Kansas without warning. The storm claimed 50 to 100 lives, and eighty percent of the cattle in the state.
    1888 - The mercury plunged to 65 degrees below zero at Fort Keough, located near Miles City MT. The reading stood as a record for the continental U.S. for sixty-six years
    1892 - An Atlantic coast storm produced a record 18.6 inches of snow at Norfolk, VA, including 17.7 inches in 24 hours. The storm also produced 9.5 inches of snow at Raleigh NC, and brought snow to northern Florida for the first time in 35 years.
    1909-Birthday of trombonist Quentin “Butter” Jackson, born Springfield, OH. With Duke Ellington from 1948 to 1959.
    1910-Radio pioneer and electron tube inventor Lee de Forest arranged the world's first radio broadcast to the public at New York, NY. He succeeded in broadcasting the voice of Enrico Caruso along with other stars of the Metropolitan Opera to several receiving locations in the city where listeners with earphones marveled at wireless music form the air. Though only a few were equipped to listen, it was the first broadcast to reach the public and the beginning of a new era in which wireless radio communication became almost universal.
    1912-Delta Sigma Theta, sorority, founded on the campus of Howard University.
http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/history/index.htm
    1912 - The temperature at Oakland, MD, plunged to 40 degrees below zero to establish a state record.
    1926-Birthday of arranger/trombonist Melba Liston, Kansas City, MO, Died April 23, 1999
http://hardbop.tripod.com/liston.html
http://elvispelvis.com/melbaliston.htm
http://www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=438
    1926-Birthday of Gwen Verdon, born Culver City, Los Angeles, CA. One of Broadway's premier female dances and actresses, many of her most successful roles were choreographed by her husband Bob Fosse. She won Tony Awards for Can-Can, Daman Yankees, New Girl in Town and Redhead. She also acted in movies, including Cocoon and the film adaptation of Damn Yankees. She starred in the original Broadway production, which my mother and father took me to see and I will never forget her performance, especially being a Brooklyn Dodger fan.
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0893862/
http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL317.htm
    1927- - A woman takes a seat on the NY Stock Exchange breaking the all-male tradition.
    1929-Birthday of guitarist Joe Pass
http://www.riffinteractive.com/expguitar/JoePass1.htm
http://www.classicjazzguitar.com/albums/artists_albums.jsp?artist=55
http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/JoePass.html
    1930 - The comic strip "Mickey Mouse" debuted in American newspapers, with Floyd Gottfredson as its ghost writer.
    1931 -- The bridge connecting New York and New Jersey is named the George Washington Memorial Bridge.
    1933 - Making her first professional basketball appearance, Babe (Mildred) Didrikson scored nine points as the Brooklyn Yankees defeated the Long Island Ducklings.
    1936- Baptist clergyman B.B. McKinney, 50, wrote the words and tune to the gospel song, "Wherever He Leads, I'll Go," a few days before the opening of a Sunday School convention in Alabama.
    1937-- The United States bars Americans from serving in the Civil War in Spain.
    1938--A big hit of the year, recording: Allan Jones, "The Donkey Serenade"
    1938 - For Victor Records, singer Allan Jones recorded "The Donkey Serenade", which became the song most often associated with him. Allan also sang and acted in several Marx Brothers films including: "A Night at the Opera", "A Day at the Races". The film that made him a star was the operetta, "Firefly" with Jeanette MacDonald. Singer Jack Jones is the son of Allan and his actress wife, Irene Hervey ("The Count of Monte Cristo", "Play Misty for Me"). .
    1941 - The four Modernaires came to sang with the Glenn Miller Band on a full time basis. In 1946, they had a ‘solo' hit with "To Each His Own".
    1941-Charlie Spivak records with own band first time. Okey label.
    1942 - Henry Ford patented the plastic automobile, which decreased the weight of a car by 30%.
    1942 - German U-Boats begin operations of the US East Coast. The move is called operation Paukenschlag (Drum Roll). Admiral Doenitz has faced arguments from his superiors in the German Navy who do not favor the operation, and he has had the difficulty that only the larger 740-ton U-Boats are really suitable for such long range patrols. When Doenitz gives the order for the attack to begin there are 11 U-Boats in position and 10 more en route. Together they sink more than 150,000 tons during the first month. Intelligence sources have given reasonable warning of the attack but the U-Boats find virtually peace-time conditions in operation. Ship sail with lights on at night; lighthouses and buoys are still lit; there is no radio discipline - merchant ships often give their positions in plain text; there are destroyer patrols (not convoys with escorts) but these are regular and predictable and their crews are naturally inexperienced.
    1949---Top Hits 
Buttons and Bows - Dinah Shore 
On a Slow Boat to China - The Kay Kyser Orchestra (vocal: Harry Babbitt & Gloria Wood) 
A Little Bird Told Me - Evelyn Knight 
I Love You So Much It Hurts - Jimmy Wakely 
    1953-Don Barksdale becomes the first Black person to play in an NBA All-Star Game.
http://sports.insidebayarea.com/top50.asp?story=Don_Barksdale
http://thisweek.kqed.org/segments/390/
    1955 - Chase National Bank (founded in 1877) and the Bank of Manhattan Company (founded in 1799 as a water company) agreed to merge, becoming the second largest bank in the U.S.
    1957 - The Wham-O Company developed the first plastic Frisbee. The most popular theory as to how this flying disc came to be dates back to the 1920s when Yale students invented a game of catch by tossing around metal pie tins from the Frisbee Baking Company in nearby Bridgeport, Connecticut. They would frequently shout “Frisbieeeee” to warn passersby of the oncoming pie plate. Building inspector Fred Morrison puttered with and refined a plastic flying disc that he sold to WHAM-O (for $1 million) on this day in 1955. The disc was introduced to the consumer market in 1957 as the Pluto Platter (the name inspired by the U.S. obsession with UFOs). Wham-O changed the name to Frisbee in 1958, upon hearing the Yale pie-tin story. (Mattel now owns the rights to Frisbee, which has become an American icon.)
    1957 - For Victor Records in Hollywood, California, Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin"; which became Elvis' ninth consecutive gold record.
    1957---Top Hits 
Singing the Blues - Guy Mitchell 
The Banana Boat Song - The Tarriers 
Moonlight Gambler - Frankie Laine 
Singing the Blues - Marty Robbins
    1958- Little Richard releases "Good Golly Miss Molly."
    1961 - In the first round of the Los Angeles Open golf tournament, golfing great Arnie Palmer scored an embarrassing 12 strokes on one hole.
    1962 - Singer Chubby Checker set a record, literally, with the hit, "The Twist". The song reached the #1 position for an unprecedented second time -- in two years. "The Twist" was also number one on September 26, 1960. The song, widely considered one of the most successful singles of all time, was on the Top 100 charts for 39 weeks, longer than any other single except "Red Red Wine" by UB40. When an early recording of "The Twist" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters became the top dance song on Dick Clark's American Bandstand but failed to get much radio play, Clark suggested that a new artist should record a cover. Singer Ernest Evans of Cameo Records recorded the song and changed his name to Chubby Checker as a takeoff on Fats Domino. The song hit the charts in 1960 when it became immensely popular with teenagers, but adults started buying the record in 1962, after Chubby Checker sang "The Twist" on Ed Sullivan's October 22 show.
    1962-First Operation Farm Gate missions flown .
In the first Farm Gate combat missions, T-28 fighter-bombers are flown in support of a South Vietnamese outpost under Viet Cong attack.
By the end of the month, U.S. Air Force pilots had flown 229 Farm Gate sorties. Operation Farm Gate was initially designed to provide advisory support to assist the South Vietnamese Air Force in increasing its capability. The 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron arrived at Bien Hoa Airfield in November 1961 and began training South Vietnamese Air Force personnel with older, propeller-driven aircraft. In December, President John F. Kennedy expanded Farm Gate to include limited combat missions by the U.S. Air Force pilots in support of South Vietnamese ground forces. By late 1962, communist activity and combat intensity had increased so much that President Kennedy ordered a further expansion of Farm Gate. In early 1963, additional aircraft arrived and new detachments were established at Pleiku and Soc Trang. In early 1964, Farm Gate was upgraded again with the arrival of more modern aircraft. In October 1965, another squadron of A-1E aircraft was established at Bien Hoa. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara approved the replacement of South Vietnamese markings on Farm Gate aircraft with regular U.S. Air Force markings. By this point in the war, the Farm Gate squadrons were flying 80 percent of all missions in support of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). With the build up of U.S. combat forces in South Vietnam and the increase in U.S. Air Force presence there, the role of the Farm Gate program gradually decreased in significance. The Farm Gate squadrons were moved to Thailand in 1967, and from there they launched missions against the North Vietnamese in Laos.
    1962-Center Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors set an NBA regular season record by scoring 73 points in a game against Chicago. Chamberlain had scored 78 points in the previous December, but that game had gone into three overtime periods.
    1962--- Chubby Checker's "The Twist" hits #1 for the second time.
    1964 - Capitol released in the United States The Beatles' single I Want to Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There .
    1965---Top Hits 
I Feel Fine - The Beatles 
She's a Woman - The Beatles 
Love Potion Number Nine - The Searchers 
Once a Day - Connie Smith 
    1965-After the NBA All-Star game in which San Francisco Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, the Warriors shocked the basketball world by announcing that they were trading Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for three minor leaguers and !150,000.
    1965-- Bob Dylan releases "The Times They Are A-Changin'"
    1966 - On "Bewitched," Elizabeth Montgomery's character, Samantha, gave birth to her first child, Tabitha. The witch's daughter could wiggle her nose with her finger and cause problems for daddy, Darin, just like mom.
    1967 -- The Dead, Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band, & the Doors at the Fillmore, San Francisco, California.
    1968-Against the advice of Columbia Records executives, Johnny Cash visits Folsom State Prison in California to record a live album. The resulting LP, "Live At Folsom Prison" would become one of Johnny's biggest selling records, reaching #1 on the Country album chart and #13 on the Hot 200. It also produced one of his most memorable hit singles, "Folsom Prison Blues". In 2003, "Live at Folsom Prison" was certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over three million and was ranked #88 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
    1968-- Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" enters the pop charts.
    1968-Dr. K.C. Pollack of the University of Florida audio lab reports tests have found that the noise generated at rock & roll concerts is harmful to teenage ears.
    1968-In a game between the Minnesota North Stars and the Oakland Seals, Minnesota rookie center Bill Masterton was checked into the boards and fell heavily on his head. He suffered massive brain damage and died two days later, the only fatality in NHL history.
    1969-- After his triumphant '68 "comeback" special, Elvis Presley decides to take more control of his career and begins recording in Memphis for the first time since he left Sun Records. Over the next three weeks at Chips Moman's American Recording Studios, Elvis records the songs that would return him to the top of the charts ("Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto" chief among them).
    1969-- The Beatles release Yellow Submarine
    1973--- Carly Simon's album No Secrets hits #1.
    1973- Eric Clapton came back from his three-year heroin addiction problem with a concert at the Rainbow club in London. Clapton, helped and encouraged by Pete Townshend of the Who, was back on the album charts in 1974 with "461 Ocean Boulevard."
    1972-Nixon announces additional troop withdrawals President Nixon announces that 70,000 U.S. troops will leave South Vietnam over the next three months, reducing U.S. troop strength there by May 1 to 69,000 troops. Since taking office, Nixon had withdrawn more than 400,000 American troops from Vietnam. With the reduction in total troop strength, U.S. combat deaths were down to less than 10 per week. However, Nixon still came under heavy criticism from those who charged that he was pulling out troops but, by turning to the use of air power instead of ground troops, was continuing the U.S. involvement in Vietnam rather than disengaging from the war. The last American troops would be withdrawn in March 1973 under the provisions of the Paris Peace Accords.
    1972- The Beach Boys' "Surfin'" is getting airplay in Los Angeles and enters Billboard, moving up the Hot 100 chart at #118.
    1973 - Carly Simon's "No Secrets" was the #1 album in the U.S. for the first of five weeks. The tracks: "The Right Thing to Do", "The Carter Family", "You're So Vain", "His Friends are More Than Fond of Robin", "(We Have) No Secrets", "Embrace Me You Child", "Waited So Long", "It Was So Easy", "Night Owl" and "When You Close Your Eyes".
    1973---Top Hits 
Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul 
Clair - Gilbert O'Sullivan 
You're So Vain - Carly Simon 
She's Got to Be a Saint - Ray Price
    1974-A Gallup poll on religious worship showed that fewer Protestants and Roman Catholics were attending weekly services than ten years earlier, but that attendance at Jewish worship services had increased over the same period.
    1974- 37 people were injured in a melee outside the Tower Records store in Los Angeles after the crowd discovered that singer Steve Miller was not going to be at a post-concert party at the store. The organizers forgot to invite him. Miller's single and album "The Joker" were riding high on the charts at the time.
    1974 - Super Bowl VIII (at Houston): Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7. The Dolphins win their second straight Super Bowl. Fran Tarkenton and the Vikings are the victims. MVP: Dolphins' RB Larry Csonka; Larry Csonka's 145 yards rushing to claim their second straight championship. . Tickets: $15.00
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/0113.jpg.
    1976 - Sarah Caldwell, The Divine Miss Sarah, founder of the highly successful and artistically marvelous Boston Opera Company, the second woman in the history of the New York Philharmonic to conduct its orchestra (1975) became the first woman to conduct an opera at the Metropolitan, Verdi's La Traviata . Devoted to her Boston Opera company and opera in general, she uses off-beat methods to draw customers by using stage innovations which included such things as motorcycles and circus acts. She was born 03-05-24.
http://www2.worldbook.com/features/whm/html/whm068.html
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org/programs/cassettes/caldwell.HTM
    1978-Elvis Presley's version of Paul Anka's "My Way" goes gold in five months after the King's death. Earlier, it had become one of Presley's 78 Top Twenty-five hits.
    1980 - The Grateful Dead, Beach Boys and Jefferson Starship are the featured acts at a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea, held at the Oakland Coliseum.
    1981---Top Hits 
(Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon 
Love on the Rocks - Neil Diamond 
Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen 
I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink - Merle Haggard
    1982 - Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, attempted to take off from Washington's National Airport in one of the worst blizzards in history. Ice had built up on the wings of the jetliner as it waited its turn to take off, preventing it from gaining altitude. After crashing into the 14th Street Bridge, the plane fell into the Potomac River. 74 of the 79 people on the aircraft were killed in the accident. Four people on the bridge were killed.
    1982 - The worst Louisiana rainstorm in more than 100 years came to an end. More than 18 inches fell at Vinton, LA, during the three day storm. Flooding was widespread, and property damage was estimated at 100 to 200 million dollars. President Reagan visited the state and declared ten parishes in northeastern Lousiana disaster areas
    1984 - Wayne Gretzky extended his consecutive scoring streak to 45 games, but the Edmonton Oilers winning streak ended at an unlucky 13 when Gretzky and company lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-1.
    1985-While not a date in American history, Otto Bucher of Switzerland became the oldest golfer to record a hole-in-one when he aced the 12 th hole at a golf course in Spain. Burcher was 99 years old.
    1986 - NCAA member schools voted overwhelmingly in convention to adopt Proposition 48, a controversial attempt to raise the academic performance of student-athletes. Prop 48 required incoming freshmen to score 700 or more on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or 15 on the American College Testing (ACT) exam or graduate from high school with a 2.0 grade point average in order to be eligible for athletics during freshman year.
    1986 - For the first time in about 10 years, "The Wall Street Journal" broke with tradition and printed a real, honest-to-goodness picture on its front page. The story was about artist O. Winston Link and featured one of his works.
    1988 - A fast moving cold front ushered arctic cold into the north central and northeastern U.S. Mason City IA reported a wind chill reading of 51 degrees below zero, and Greenville ME reported a wind chill of 63 degrees below zero. Winds along the cold front gusted to 63 mph at Rochester NY, and a thunderstorm along the cold front produced wind gusts to 62 mph at Buffalo NY, along with snow and sleet.
    1989 - Half a dozen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, WV, with a reading of 13 degrees below zero. Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 37 degrees below zero
    1989---Top Hits
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison 
My Prerogative - Bobby Brown 
Two Hearts - Phil Collins 
Hold Me - K.T. Oslin
    1990 - A winter storm in the southwestern U.S. produced more than a twelve inches of snow in the mountains of California and Nevada. In northern California, Huntington Lake was buried under 40 inches of snow, and up to 20 inches was reported in northeastern Nevada. Heavy rain soaked some of the lower elevations of California. Gibraltar Dam CA was drenched with 5.33 inches of rain in two days.
    1992 - United States serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer pleaded guilty but insane to the murders of 15 young men and boys. He had kept parts of his victim in his refrigerator, and also claimed to be a cannibal. He was later murdered in by an inmate who said, “ God had told me to do this.”
    1992-- Japan apologized for forcing Korean women to act as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during WWII but refuses to pay reparations.
    1994-- GTE, in the midst of a massive restructuring program designed to "streamline" its operations for the dawning "multimedia age." announced that it was taking a $1.8 billion pretax charge for the fourth quarter of 1993 and, in the process, planned to slash its staff by some 17,000 jobs. GTE chairman Charles R. Lee declared the moves necessary for the company's future, noting that without a "competitive structure" GTE would likely "blow up." However, this logic didn't mollify GTE's primary union, the Communications Workers of America, which derided the lay-offs as "yet another example of a highly profitable company eliminating...the people who helped build the company and created its technology to further enhance the bottom line."
    1996-The Medals of Honor were awarded to African-American servicemen for service in World War II by President William Jefferson Clinton at a ceremony in the White House, Washington, DC. None of the 1.7 million African-Americans who served in World War II had received a Medal of Honor despite the many documented cases of bravery that were presented to officials of the armed forces. Of the seven servicemen who received the medal at the ceremony, the only one still alive was Vernon Baker, a 77-year-old retired career Army officer. Medals were awarded posthumously to staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter, J., of Los Angeles, First Lieutenant Charles L. Thomas of Detroit, Private George Watson of Birmingham, AL, First Lieutenant John R. Fox of Boston, Private First Class Willy F. James, Jr., of Kansas City, KS, and Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers of Tecumseh, OK.
    1998 -- Baltimore and Minnesota combine to set an NFL record with three kickoff return touchdowns in the same game, all in the first quarter of the Vikings' 38-28 victory. Corey Harris and Patrick Johnson score for the Ravens while David Palmer turns the trick for Minnesota. Vikings kicker Gary Anderson sets an NFL record when he converts his 34th consecutive field goal.
    1999-“The Sopranos” TV Premiere. The thinking viewer's mob drama,” The Sopranos” features James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, who's panic attacks drive him to seek out a psychiatrist ( Lorraine Bracco). The HBO drama revolves around Tony's home and crime lives. TV Guide has named the series one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/
    2000 - Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced that he would be stepping down as Microsoft chief executive and handing over the reins to longtime friend and company president Steve Ballmer. Gates assumed the title of ‘chief software architect'.
    2011---Just two months after The Beatles back catalogue became available on iTunes, their sales figures topped 5 million songs according to Hudson Square Research. During that period, the legendary group also moved more than a million full-length albums.

Superbowl Champions This Date
1974 Miami Dolphins