Collections Opportunity Seeking an experienced collector to join its growing staff. Candidates should have a minimum 2 years of high volume collections experience, preferably in commercial vehicle lending or leasing. Competitive salary plus comprehensive package available. For consideration please fax resume in confidence to R.Z. 718-392-3933 or e-mail to rzerillo@advantagefunding.us

www.advantagefund.com

Monday, July 23, 2007

Headlines---

Classified Ads---Sales
    Site Inspection List
        Goodman joins “Leasing Schools/Franchisors” list
            Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Top Stories--July 16-July 20
    Placard---Forget about the Dog
        Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
        Blanket Liens
Oxley to speak at ELFA Convention
    Top five hiring mistakes small businesses make
        Harbour Capital Makes CollegeGrad.Com “Top 500”
Parker Bros. get 20/11 years in Federal Prison
    Is G.E. Too Big for Its Own Good?
        Police may lease ticket machines in Louisiana
            News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
Subprime lending misconceptions
    "Gimme that Wine"
        Restaurant Review: Tao, Las Vegas
Calendar Events
    Snapple Real Facts
        Today's Top Event in History
    This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
    SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle

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

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Classified Ads---Sales

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

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

[headlines]

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

Site Inspection List

This is the start of a new list of companies that provide site inspections for the equipment leasing industry. Maria Martinez-Wong contacted them all for complete information, but most of what we have here is from the company’s web sites.

It appears several do not want to reveal how many employees or independent contracts or part-time employees, who actually do the inspections.

Leasing News is planning an editorial on site inspections, but first sending a questionnaire for readers for their opinion, as well as a survey on when a site inspection is necessary. It is Leasing News
opinion that if Allserve, CyberNet, New Destiny, NorVergence and many other recent frauds had utilized site inspection services, there would have been not only better “due diligence,” but the fraud could have been avoided.

Site Inspection Services

( To apply to be listed, please fill in this form and fax to 408.374.3843 or you
may e-mail to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org )
Site Inspection Form

Associations are abbreviated. See our Associations page full name and information.

[headlines]

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Ken Goodman, CLP joins “Leasing Schools/Franchisors” list

Podium Partners

Podium Partners is basically an extension of the Goodman & Associates "Complete Lease Broker Training Course." Founded by Ken Goodman, CLP, Goodman & Associates will continue to offer training services and is on the Leasing News Financial & Sales Training list.

"I found that the missing component in that program was day to day ongoing support," Ken Goodman, CLP says." Certainly I was available to my graduates to offer answers to their questions and advise on marketing, but I couldn't commit the time to 'live with them' in terms of deal by deal processing/placement or helping them close a particular lease. This program offers that kind of intimate follow up.

"Rather than requiring clients to buy the whole package, they can choose from a 'menu' of services and buy only the components that interest them. The training program (with hotel costs, an HP17, T-Value and a CD with forms and letter samples) is $8000; we can design a corporate ID Package for them (website, brochure, cards and stationery) for $3000; and the ongoing support program is $600 a month. We think we will appeal to some established brokers who don't like tying up a lot of time on processing and would rather just sell, as well as those people looking for a 'business opportunity' as a new lease broker."

Kenneth D. Goodman, CLP
Managing Director
Podium Partners, a Division of Podium Financial Group, Inc.
485 East 17th Street - Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
direct 949/999-8613 - cell 888/852-7560
toll free 800-532-7336 - fax 949/646-7094
ken@leasegood.com - www.podiumpartners.com

To view the full Leasing Schools/Franchisors list:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/School-Franchisors.htm

[headlines]

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Accounts Manager

ACCOUNT MANAGER Phoenix, AZ or virtual office Responsible for developing and managing Vendor Programs with equipment manufacturers and vendors. Click here for more detailed information. Manufacturers' Lease Plans Inc. (MLPi) is the pioneer of short-term rental and operating lease financing, funding high technology equipment manufacturers since the 1960s.

www.leaseplans.com

Collections

Collections Opportunity Seeking an experienced collector to join its growing staff. Candidates should have a minimum 2 years of high volume collections experience, preferably in commercial vehicle lending or leasing. Competitive salary plus comprehensive package available. For consideration please fax resume in confidence to R.Z. 718-392-3933 or e-mail to rzerillo@advantagefunding.us

www.advantagefund.com

EFD Marketing Specialist

Managed Services Division

Sales Representatives

Sales Reps Due to expansion, we have openings in Richmond VA, Raleigh NC and Washington DC. To see job information, click here. Submit resume to pshelley@wwsmanagement.com Since 1986, CSC Leasing has worked with well-managed companies who appreciate the value of leasing.

www.cscleasing.com

[headlines]

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

Top Stories--July 16-July 20

Here are the top ten stories most “opened” by readers last week:

(1) U.S. Bank Equipment Finance Names Senior Vice President
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-16-07.htm#usbank

(2) Chris Raley: on passing of his partner Gene Sides
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-20-07.htm#pass

(3) Captive Lessors List
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-18-07.htm#capt

(4) Credit Quality at U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-20-07.htm#spot

(5) Leasing Solutions, San Jose, to re-organize???
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-16-07.htm#lsi

(6) Priority Leasing partners with Subway Franchise
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-18-07.htm#subway

(7) Cartoon - I’ve had a rough day, honey
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-18-07.htm#toon

(8) Bank of the West Automates Its Credit Review
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-18-07.htm#bow

(9) PNC to buy troubled Sterling Bank, Lancaster, PA
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-20-07.htm#pnc

(10) The Pros and Cons of Bank References
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202007/07-20-07.htm#debate

[headlines]

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[headlines]

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Leasing 102

by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Blanket Liens

Article 9 of the UCC requires the lender to file a financing statement (UCC1) on any collateral taken as security for a loan. This financing statement must be filed in the State where the customer has filed its charter papers. For instance corporations like to file their corporate papers in Delaware because of the favorable tax laws and limited liability companies like to file in Nevada because of favorable treatment. However, you must discover which State they have filed there charter papers and file in that State. Lessor’s are allowed to file financing statements on leases without fear that the filing may be used as evidence that we made a loan instead of a lease (Article 9-505).

In addition to a specific filing on equipment a blanket lien is a financing statement on all of the currently owned assets of a loan customer plus any after acquired assets. This filing poses many problems for leasing. The first problem comes from a customer who takes title on a purchase of equipment and then proceeds to request a lease. If the leasing company purchases the assets from the customer in a sale-lease-back arrangement (even if it is within a few days of the original purchase) the equipment falls under the blanket lien of the lender and title is encumbered. Therefore the customer can not pass clear title. Prior to arranging to pay a customer for these new assets you must run a UCC search to determine any blanket lien holders and obtain lien releases from them or you are a secondary or worse lien holder in a default. Next there is a possibility that the sales tax authority may require a second sales tax due to the passing of title for the second time. Some States will allow that the Sales tax was paid but not most. So be sure you check the sales tax requirements in the State that the transaction is consummated. If at all possible try and have the deal unwound through the dealer and pay the vendor to create clear title.

If a blanket lien exists in order to have priority over the blanket lien holder a lessor must file a purchase money security interest (PMSI) within twenty days of the lessee takes possession of the first piece of the equipment. There is only a "too late" but there is not a "too early" so file your liens as soon as possible.

On many bargain purchase option leases where a filing of a financing statement is critical I am beginning to see Lessor’s include blanket liens in the master lease to add additional collateral on weak deals. The recommended language states:

“To secure payment of all amounts due to Lessor under each Schedule and all other agreements Lessee has with Lessor, to the extent permitted by law, Lessee hereby grants to Lessor a lien on all now owned or hereafter acquired or arising accounts, payment intangibles, instruments and other rights to receive payments of Lessee, (ii) all general intangibles (including without limitation, contract rights and intellectual property), chattel paper, documents, supporting obligations, inventory, equipment, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, investment property, rights, remedies, guarantees and collateral evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to or associated with the foregoing, including without limitation all rights of enforcement and collection.”

However, including this language in a true lease would just be one more item that proves the real intent of the lessor was to act as a lender. The filing of financing statements covers a lot of issues so make yourself aware of the requirements and the purpose so that you understand the real value and consequences of this Article 9 requirement.

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]

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Nasdaq Vice Chair/Sarbanes-Oxley Author to Address
ELFA Annual Convention Capital for a Changing World

ELFA eNews Daily

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's 46th Annual Convention
October 28-30, 2007
Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Orlando, FL

Former Congressman Michael G. Oxley, vice chairman of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and co-author of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, will deliver the Tuesday keynote address at the ELFA Annual Convention in October.

The Honorable Michael G. Oxley was appointed Vice Chairman of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. in March 2007. In this capacity, he serves the NASDAQ executive management team and Board with his expertise in public policy, corporate counseling, financial services and capital markets, and interfaces with NASDAQ listed companies to increase visibility of the exchange's market excellence, business and policy issues.

Formerly, Mr. Oxley served for 25 years as U.S. Representative of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District. He was appointed Chairman of the House of Financial Services Committee in 2001. During his tenure as Chairman, he co-authored the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which was passed in 2002 in the wake of several large-scale accounting and corporate governance scandals. In 2007, he joined the Baker Hostetler LLP as a member of its Government Policy Group.

During his time as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2001 through 2006, Mr. Oxley was recognized for consolidating the jurisdiction of all financial services industries in one panel for the first time in the history of the House. The Committee's scope includes banking, insurance, securities and exchanges, and monetary policy.

For complete Annual Convention information, and to register, please visit
http://www.elfaonline.org/events/2007/ac/

[headlines]

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Top five hiring mistakes small businesses make

www.accountingweb.com

Gevity, which serves as a full-service human resources department for small and mid-sized businesses, has released its list of the top five hiring mistakes made by small businesses when recruiting and hiring employees. Developed from Cornell University/Gevity research and surveys of small business owners, the list is a handy tip sheet for recruiting and hiring top talent.

5. Relying strictly on traditional recruiting sources. Knowing where to find employees, both internally and externally, is essential for small businesses. While placing a classified ad in a newspaper may work in some markets and for some jobs, employers need to understand the full range of options that are available to them, such as online job boards, university job fairs, recruiters or employment agencies. You can often build a pipeline of quality candidates by establishing relationships with key talent sources, such as schools and professional organizations.

4. Failing to market your company. Don't forget that while your company is evaluating applicants, those applicants are evaluating your company. Make their choice easy by showcasing your company's strengths, opportunities and positive culture.

3. Waiting until someone leaves - or is long gone - to fill critical positions. Not planning for or turning a blind eye to turnover is one of the most common mistakes small employers make. Start building a talent pipeline now, so when you do have a position to fill, you can quickly fill it with top talent.

Hiring solely based on job fit, not organization fit. While employers large and small tend to hire based on candidates' job skills and experience, research has shown that job fit is less important than organization fit. So when interviewing prospective hires, make sure that a good organizational fit is the ultimate goal of your selection process.

2. "The key to attracting exceptional employees lies in avoiding these hiring mistakes and establishing a well thought out recruiting plan for your business," explains David Sikora, Director of Research at Gevity. "You can't expect great employees to find you. You have to develop a recruitment and hiring strategy to identify, target and reach them. Once you do this, you'll greatly improve the caliber of your job candidates, lower your recruiting costs and ultimately produce better business results."

Number one: Offering candidates uncompetitive compensation. Offering prospective hires a competitive compensation package is critical for small businesses, which often struggle to compete with larger companies on the basis of pay and benefits. While a competitive salary is a key part of any compensation package, candidates aren't just looking for cash. Benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, opportunities for growth and advancement, a positive work environment, and flexibility also play a large role in a candidate's decision-making process. Focus the prospective hire on the total compensation package.

By avoiding these five common mistakes, you will be able to recruit and hire candidates more effectively and efficiently.

[headlines]

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

Harbour Capital Makes the CollegeGrad.Com “Top 500”

Newington, NH – – For the second year in a row, Harbour Capital Corporation, one of the nation’s largest independent equipment financing companies, has been identified as a “Top Employer” of college graduates by Collegegrad.com, a leading web based job site.

“We are delighted to be recognized as a top employer by CollegeGrad.com,” said Marlo Kehoe, Harbour Capital’s employment coordinator. “This positive recognition helps us to stand out as an entry level employer of choice among college graduates and will certainly provide greater positive exposure for our recruiting efforts.”

In 2007, Harbour Capital is actively recruiting college graduates. While primarily looking to hire business majors, liberal arts majors with a 4-year degree will also be considered.

About Harbour Capital Corporation

Harbour Capital Corporation (HCC) (http:\www.HarbourCapital.com) is a national leader in small ticket, mid ticket, vendor and franchise financing. The company currently provides equipment and technology financing for businesses in all 50 States and Canada. From a 1-man operation in 1994, HCC has grown into a 45-person industry leader with an ever-increasing lease portfolio.

[headlines]

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

Parker Brothers get 20 and 11 years in Federal Prison

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eileen J. O’Connor, Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, United States Department of Justice, and Michael E. Yasofsky, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Miami Field Office, announced that defendants Robert Parker, a/k/a Bob Parker, of Broward County, and Gary N. Parker, of Greenville, Tennessee, were sentenced today after being found guilty by a jury on May 17, 2007 in Miami, Florida on numerous charges involving an international advance fee scheme that included the purported financing and leasing of commercial equipment. Victims from all over the world lost approximately $4,000,000.

The defendants were convicted of all charges which included mail and wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. After conviction, the defendants agreed to a $4,000,000 judgment and to the forfeiture of four bank accounts that contained $206,976.20 as well as a residence in Greenville, Tennessee. Today, Chief United States District Judge Federico A. Moreno, sentenced Robert Parker to 135 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, victim restitution in the amount of $1,824,137 and a special assessment in the amount of $4,400. Chief Judge Moreno, noting Gary N. Parker’s prior conviction for the same offense, sentenced him to 240 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, victim restitution in the amount of $1,824,137 and a special assessment in the amount of $4,400.

According to the Superseding Indictment, the defendants operated Parker Leasing and Finance Service in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the evidence presented at trial, Parker Leasing and Finance Service held itself out as a business engaged in the financing and leasing of commercial equipment, with millions of dollars available for loans. In fact, the defendants enriched themselves by making material misrepresentations to individuals to induce them to apply for commercial lease funding. Ultimately, the defendants failed to deliver on the promised funding and refused to return the victims’ advanced lease payments.

The Parkers were also convicted of conspiring to impede the lawful governmental functions of the Internal Revenue Service of the Treasury Department in the collection of federal income taxes. The evidence established that the defendants diverted the proceeds from the advanced fee scam to themselves using various bank accounts and then converted the proceeds to cash in order to conceal the amount of income they received. Defendant Bob Parker was also convicted of evading federal income tax due and owing by him for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Lanigan and Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorney Mitchell Bober and William C. Healy of the Asset Forfeit Division of the United States Attorney’s Office.

(Previous Leasing News stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202007/06-08-07.htm#park )

www.SterlingBankLeasing.com

[headlines]

### Press Release ###########################
--------------------------------------------------------------

News Briefs----

Is G.E. Too Big for Its Own Good?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/business/yourmoney/22ge.html

Police may lease ticket machines in Louisiana
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-22/
1184746190164230.xml&coll=1

Citi 2Q Net Up 18% On Booming Investment Bank
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200707201033DOW
JONESDJONLINE000667_FORTUNE5.htm

Fitch Comments on CIT's Home Lending Exit
http://www.fitchratings.com/corporate/events/press_releases_detail.cfm?pr_id=
361639&sector_flag=7&marketsector=1&detail=

Intel program on leasing in India
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/201565.asp

Report Says Barclays Seeks Billions For ABN
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-barclays-temasek.
html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Salesforce CEO leads charge against software
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2007-07-22-benioff_N.htm

Review: 'Harry Potter' finale action-packed, emotional
http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/286374.html

After 'Tonight,' will Jay stay at NBC?
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968927.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Groening Reveals Roots of Marge's Hair
http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/shared-gen/ap/
Movies/People_Groening.html

[headlines]

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You May have Missed---

Subprime lending misconceptions

http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2007/07/22/
subprime_lending_misconceptions/

[headlines]

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“Gimme that Wine”

Rosé Reluctance----Eric Asimov
http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/rose-reluctance/

Film about Chateau Montelena Set to Begin Production in Sonoma and Napa
http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/
doc46a0071c50c16401726829.txt

Shadowing the Master:
Uncovering Tony Craig’s Cellar Secrets
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/441/
Shadowing-the-Master-Tony-Craig.html

Wine made from Fruit
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/20/WIQTR3FA03.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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Restraunt Review

Tao, Las Vegas
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/us/22vegas.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

(for other reviews: please go here:

http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/rstrnt.htm

[headlines]

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Calendar Events This Day

Egypt: Revolution Day
– National holiday. Anniversary of the Revolution in 1952, which was launched by army officers and changed Egypt from a monarchy to a republic led by Nasser.

Gorgeous Grandma Day
– A day empowering women to age with style.

Hot enough for ya day
We are permitted today to utter the words that suffice when nothing of intelligence comes to mind. “Is it hot enough for ya?”

Ice Cream Cone Day
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/qt/jan29a.htm

Leo, the Lion
In the astronomical/astrological zodiac, which divides the sun’s apparent orbit into 12 segments, the period July 23-Aug 22 is identified traditionally, as the sun sign of Leo, the Lion. The ruling celestial body is the sun.

National Hot Dog Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/July/hotdogday.htm

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/July/vanillaicecream.htm

Virgin Islands: Hurricane Supplications Day
– Legal holiday. Population attends churches to pray for protection from hurricanes. Annually, the fourth Monday on July.

Saint feast Days

• St. Anne
• St. Bridget of Sweden
• St. Apollinaris
• St. Valerian
• Sts. Trophimus & Theophilus
• St. John Cassian
• St. Liborius
• St. Rasyphus and Ravennus
• St. Romlua
• Martyrs of Bulgaria

http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/jul.php

[headlines]

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Before 1687 clocks were made with only an hour hand.

(Number 29 wrong as clocks with minute hands go back to 1577,
although the first practical one was 1656)
http://www.arcytech.org/java/clock/clock_history.html

[headlines]

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Today's Top Event in History

1903-The first two-cylinder Ford Model A was delivered to its owner, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, on this day in 1903. The Model A was the result of a partnership between Henry Ford and Detroit coal merchant Alexander Malcomson. Ford had met Malcomson while working at Edison Illuminating Company: Malcomson sold him coal. The Model A, designed primarily by Ford’s assistant C. Harold Wills, was the affordable runabout that Ford needed to begin marketing his company’s stock.
In the next year Ford raised enough stock to release a line of cars and to incorporate as the Ford Motor Company. The company was capitalized at $100,000 at that time, but by 1927, the Ford Motor Company was valued at $700 million. Ford’s company grew quickly, but it wasn’t until the release of the Model T that Ford took the position of our nation’s largest carmaker.
Henry Ford was the father of mass production. His idea of reducing the cost of automobiles by manufacturing them on an assembly line revolutionized industry
The Model T kept Ford number one in the industry until production was stopped in 1927, and Ford relinquished its place to Chevrolet. The second Model A, released in November of 1927, was a great success. Between 1927 and 1931, 4.3 million Model A Fords were made. The stylish, dependable, and affordable Model A reaffirmed Ford’s position as a premier automaker at the time. Sales for the Model A would never approach those of its forerunner the Model T, due to the onset of the Depression. As sales slumped, Henry Ford decided to release a new car model in 1932. He introduced the speedy Ford V-8, known as the fastest car in the land at the time. Ford would never again regain hegemony atop the car industry.

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in American History

    1637 -- King Charles of England hands over the American colony of Massachusetts to Sir Fernando Gorges, one of the founders of the Council of New England.
    1664 – Four British ships arrived in Boston to drive the Dutch out of NY.
    1788 - A weather diary kept by George Washington recorded that the center of a hurricane passed directly over his Mount Vernon home. The hurricane crossed eastern North Carolina and Virginia before moving into the Central Appalachians. Norfolk, VA, reported houses destroyed, trees uprooted, and crops leveled to the ground.
    1829-William Austin Burt of Mount Vernon, Michigan, patented the first typewriter on July 23, 1829. The design of the keyboard was changed several times without much thought, but the most common was the one designed basically so you could use the keys on one line to type out “typewriter.”
http://www.michmarkers.com/Pages/S0570.htm
    1827-The first swimming school in the US opened at Boston, MA. Its pupils included John Quincy Adams and James Audubon.
    1850-Congregation Emanu-el founded in San Francisco.
    1865--William Booth founds the Salvation Army in England.
    1885- Ulysses S. Grant died at 63 and was buried this day in a mausoleum on Riverside Drive, New York City, overlooking the Hudson River. The funeral of Gen. Grant was designated a day of national mourning. The body was taken to New York City on a special train shrouded in black curtains . The former president lay in state at City Hall, where citizens who wished to pay their last respects gathered in a line a mile long Day and night for two days the mourners filed past. The funeral procession to the tomb was enormous and people packed the sidewalks and rooftops along its route.
http://www.nps.gov/gegr/
http://starship.python.net/crew/manus/Presidents/usg/usgobit.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/nbk/bios/18pgran.html
http://saints.css.edu/mkelsey/facts.html
    1885-the first state banking association was the Texas Bankers’ Association, which was organized at Lampasas, TX, with an initial membership of 31. The first president was James Francis Miller.
    1886- a 23 year-old unemployed Irish immigrant Stephen Brodie was pulled from the East River, claiming that he had just jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge. The newspapers of the day headlined his survival. Although Brodie was unable to produce any objective witnesses to say he had performed the feat---he was accused of having his friends drop a dummy from the bridge while he slipped unnoticed into the water from the riverbank---the newspapers made him famous. In 1894, he starred in a play called “On the Bowery,” during which he rescued the heroine by jumping off a bridge built onstage.
    1903-The first two-cylinder Ford Model A was delivered to its owner, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, on this day in 1903. The Model A was the result of a partnership between Henry Ford and Detroit coal merchant Alexander Malcomson. Ford had met Malcomson while working at Edison Illuminating Company: Malcomson sold him coal. The Model A, designed primarily by Ford’s assistant C. Harold Wills, was the affordable runabout that Ford needed to begin marketing his company’s stock.
In the next year Ford raised enough stock to release a line of cars and to incorporate as the Ford Motor Company. The company was capitalized at $100,000 at that time, but by 1927, the Ford Motor Company was valued at $700 million. Ford’s company grew quickly, but it wasn’t until the release of the Model T that Ford took the position of our nation’s largest carmaker.
Henry Ford was the father of mass production. His idea of reducing the cost of automobiles by manufacturing them on an assembly line revolutionized industry.
The Model T kept Ford number one in the industry until production was stopped in 1927, and Ford relinquished its place to Chevrolet. The second Model A, released in November of 1927, was a great success. Between 1927 and 1931, 4.3 million Model A Fords were made. The stylish, dependable, and affordable Model A reaffirmed Ford’s position as a premier automaker at the time. Sales for the Model A would never approach those of its forerunner the Model T, due to the onset of the Depression. As sales slumped, Henry Ford decided to release a new car model in 1932. He introduced the speedy Ford V-8, known as the fastest car in the land at the time. Ford would never again regain hegemony atop the car industry.
    1904-Charles E. Menches of Akron, Ohio, Missouri “discovers” the ice cream cone. The City of Akron gives him credit for hamburgers and corn snacks. While many give him credit, there are others who also have claim.
http://www.zingersicecream.com/history.htm
http://www.idfa.org/facts/icmonth/page8.htm
http://www.icescreamers.com/NewsletterArticle.html
The Official Day in History gives the credit to Menches:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul23.html
As does the official website for the City of Akron, Ohio
http://www.ohwy.com/oh/a/akron.htm
It also may be that he invented the hamburger as we know it, too:
http://ph.infoplease.com/askeds/11-28-00askeds.html
http://www.iabeef.org/fun/trivia.htm
    1908-Birthday of Charles Melvin “Cootie” Williams, Mobile, AL
http://www.blackhistory.eb.com/micro/727/46.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,510077,00.html?artist=Cootie+Williams
http://www.savoystyle.com/cootie_williams.html
    1915-birthday of trumpet player Emmett Berry, Macon, GA
http://www.harlem.org/people/berry.html
http://www.harlem.org/oldsite/greatday.html
    1918- Birthday of Harold Henry “Pee Wee” Reese, famous short stop player for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who I saw play often. Died August 14,1999
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.jsp?playerId=121010
( perhaps my favorite personal baseball player, captain of the team, short stop. Readers probably get sick of me saying how baseball players would stay after games to autographs balls or pictures for free, thank you for coming to the game. )
    1924-Birthday of African American physician Louis Tompkins Wright. Louis Tompkins Wright, a young African American physician interning at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, created a way to observe the Schick test on darkly pigmented skin. His discovery opened the way for the immunization of people of color against diphtheria and contributed to saving countless lives.
http://www.africana.com/Facts/bl_fact_237.htm
    1925-Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees hit the first grand slam of his career as the Yankees defeated the Washington Senators, 11-7. Gehrig hit 22 other grand slams and still holds the major league record.
    1930-Tenor saxophone player Richie Kamuca Birthday
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927005865&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1934-Birthday of Roman Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons, champion of labor and advocate of the separation of church and state, was born to Irish immigrants in Baltimore, Maryland.
( lower part of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul23.html )
    1934-Birthday of soprano sax player Steve Lacy, New York, NY.
http://www.furious.com/perfect/stevelacy.html
http://stevelacy.free.fr/
http://www.northwestern.edu/jazz/artists/lacy.steve/discog.html#lacy_discography
    1935-Birthday of Cleveland Duncan, lead singer of the 1950's rhythm-and-blues group, the Penguins, was born. The Los Angeles-based Penguins were responsible for one of the great r-and-b songs of the decade, 1954's "Earth Angel," which by 1966 had sold four-million copies. The record went to number eight on the Billboard pop chart, but a white Canadian group, the Crew Cuts, had an even bigger pop hit when they covered "Earth Angel" in 1955. "Earth Angel" hit the Billboard Hot 100 again in 1986 in a revival by the New Edition.
http://www.interstatecd.com/bio/biopage.P+++++5125.html
http://www.alldoowop.com/ps.html
http://members.tripod.com/~arty85/penguins.html
    1936- birthday of Don Drysdale, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1956 to 1969, compiling a Won-lost record of 209—166 with a career ERA of 2.95. Following his Playing career he became successful and popular broadcast announcer for the Chicago White Sox and then the Dodgers. He was born at Van Nuys, CA, and died at Montreal, Canada, July 3, 1993.
    1941-Sonny Dunham records big band version of “Memories of You.”
http://64.33.34.112/.WWW/d3.html#SDunham
    1943-birthday of guitarist/song writer Tony Joe White, Oak Grove, LA
http://www.tonyjoewhite.net/
    1944--BOYCE, GEORGE W. G., JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team. Place and date. Near Afua, New Guinea, 23 July 1944. Entered service at: Town of Cornwall, Orange County, N.Y. Birth: New York City, N.Y. G.O. No.: 25, 7 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Afua, New Guinea, on 23 July 1944. 2d Lt. Boyce's troop, having been ordered to the relief of another unit surrounded by superior enemy forces, moved out, and upon gaining contact with the enemy, the two leading platoons deployed and built up a firing line. 2d Lt. Boyce was ordered to attack with his platoon and make the main effort on the right of the troop. He launched his attack but after a short advance encountered such intense rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire that the forward movement of his platoon was temporarily halted. A shallow depression offered a route of advance and he worked his squad up this avenue of approach in order to close with the enemy. He was promptly met by a volley of hand grenades, 1 falling between himself and the men immediately following. Realizing at once that the explosion would kill or wound several of his men, he promptly threw himself upon the grenade and smothered the blast with his own body. By thus deliberately sacrificing his life to save those of his men, this officer exemplified the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
    1947-Birthnday of Don Imus, radio personality (IMUS in the Morning)
http://talkshows.about.com/cs/donimus/tp/fangifts.htm
    1947 - David Essex (David Cook) is born in London. His biggest hit is the million-selling No. 5 single ``Rock On.''
    1948—Top Hits
You Can’t Be True, Dear - The Ken Griffin Orchestra (vocal: Jerry Wayne)
Woody Woodpecker Song - The Kay Kaiser Orchestra (vocal: Gloria Wood & The Campus Kids)
It’s Magic - Doris Day
Bouqeut of Roses - Eddy Arnold
    1950- the “Gene Autry Show” premiered on television. The popular CBS western ran for six years starring movie actor Gene Autry. Along with sidekick Pat Buttram. His horse’s name was Champion. Autry helped bring criminals to justice. He later founded the California Angel’s baseball team ( a statue of him is at the Anaheim stadium ). He has a museum of Western History http://www.autry-museum.org
    1951 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Come on-a My House,'' Rosemary Clooney.
    1956—Top Hits
The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) - Doris Day
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
    1960-Betsy Rawls became the first golfer to win the US Women’s Open four times, adding the 1960 title to those won in 1951, 1953 and 1957.
http://www.reedsweb.com/drtbird/golf/html/brawls.htm
http://www.ajga.org/ResultsArchive/1998/BetsyRawls/Results.htm
    1962 - The "Telstar" communications satellite sent the first live TV broadcast to Europe. It was used to send TV programs between the United States and Europe
    1964—Top Hits
Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons
Can’t You See that She’s Mine - The Dave Clark Five
The Girl from Ipanema - Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto
Dang Me - Roger Miller
    1965-In a 5-1 win over the Mets, Phillies' first baseman Dick Stuart homers at Shea Stadium becoming the first player to have gone deep in 23 major league ballparks
    1965 - President Lyndon B. Johnson, in the course of discussions about what to do concerning the deteriorating situation in Vietnam, is told by some that he should give the American public all the facts, ask for an increase in taxes, mobilize the reserves, and declare a state of national emergency in the United States. Johnson rejected this approach, and informed his staff that he wanted any decisions implemented in a "low-key manner" in order to avoid an abrupt challenge to the communists, and to avoid undue concern and excitement in Congress and in domestic public opinion. During these discussions, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara urged the president to "expand promptly and substantially" the U.S. military presence in South Vietnam. Johnson, not wanting to "lose" Vietnam to the communists, ultimately accepted McNamara's recommendation and authorized a total of 44 U.S. battalions in South Vietnam, which led to a massive escalation of the war.
    1966 - Frank Sinatra hit the top of the pop album chart with his "Strangers in the Night". It was the first #1 Sinatra LP since 1960. The album’s title song had made it to number one on the pop singles chart on July 2nd.
    1966-Napoleon XIV releases "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha! Ha!"
http://www.drdemento.com/catalog/napoleon.html
1967- Forty-three killed in racial rebellion in Detroit (2,000 injured, 442 fires).
http://www.geneseo.edu/~jle5/
http://www.templeton-interactive.com/lest15.htm
http://detnews.com/specialreports/2002/segregation/b06-390063.htm
    1969- James Brown walked out of Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty's office when the mayor failed to show up on time to present him with a proclamation for James Brown Day
http://www.funky-stuff.com/jamesbrown/
    1971 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian),'' The Raiders (formerly Paul Revere and the Raiders). It is the group's biggest hit and last to hit the top 20.
    1972—Top Hits
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Too Late to Turn Back Now - Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilber O’Sullivan
It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer - Charley Pride
    1977--Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" is released.
    1977 - Judas Priest begins its first U.S. tour in Oakland, Calif., as the opening act for Led Zeppelin.
    1980—Top Hits
It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me - Billy Joel
Little Jeannie - Elton John
Cupid/I’ve Loved You for a Long Time - Spinners
True Love Ways - Mickey Gilley
    1981- Billy Squier earns his first gold album. He has a big hit with his second solo record, "Don't Say No."
    1981 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``The One That You Love,'' Air Supply. The group is the first from Australia to hit Billboard's Hot 100.
    1984 - Miss America, Vanessa Williams, turned in her crown. It had been discovered that she had posed nude for "Penthouse" magazine. Williams, the first black Miss America, relinquished her title to Suzette Charles, the pageant’s runner-up. http://www.celebritycd.com/vanessawilliams/
http://www.vanessawilliams.de/
    1987 - Thunderstorms produced a record ten inches of rain in six and a half hours at Minneapolis, MN, including 5.26 inches in two hours. Flash flooding claimed two lives and caused 21.3 million dollars damage. Streets in Minneapolis became rushing rivers, parking lots became lakes, and storm sewers spouted like geysers. A tornado hit Maple Grove, MN, causing five million dollars damage. Baseball size hail was reported at Olivia, MN
    1988- Saskatchewan's Dave Ridgway kicks record 8 field goals vs. Edmonton
    1988 - No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is Richard Marx's "Hold on to the Nights." It is the fourth single from his debut album, and it remains at No. 1 for one week.
    1988—Top Hits
Hold on to the Nights - Richard Marx
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Lappard
New Sensation - INXS
Set ’Em Up Joe - Vern Gosdin
    1989- FOX-TV tops ABC, NBC & CBS for 1st time (America's Most Wanted)
    1996- the first television station to regularly broadcast high-definition television was WRAL, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh, NC. There are many prime time television shows now broadcast in HD, but not many sets sold that will receive the broadcasts.
    1992- Bruce Springsteen opens his first U.S. tour since 1988 at The Brendan Byrne arena in the Meadowlands complex in New Jersey. The Boss plays 10 sold out shows in the 21,000 seat arena, with some of the shows going until 1AM
    1995-- Two astronomers, Alan Hale in New Mexico and Thomas Bopp in Arizona, almost simultaneouly discover a comet.
    1997- Netware International Bank was shut down by the FBI. The bank had been accused of improperly making loans and collecting deposits over the Internet.
http://www.fraud.org/news/old/120897.htm
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/1999/FIL9907a.html
http://www.cbintel.com/fraudbanking.htm
    1999-- NASA's first space mission commanded by a woman. Air Force Colonel Eileen Collins blasted off from Cape Canaveral in a rare night takeoff (12:26 am) and ended five days later (07-27-99) in a rarer night time landing (11:20 pm). On 07-24-99, mission specialist Catherine "Cady" Coleman was in charge of efforts to successfully deploy the $1.55 billion Chandra X-ray Observatory and did most of the delicate deployment herself. It wasn't until the next day that the public learned a fuel leak almost resulted in a highly dangerous, forced night landing. It would have been the first "forced landing" of a U.S. space ship. Captain Eileen Collins handled the crisis perfectly and the mission continued as scheduled.
    2000- Joining his grandfather Gus and father Buddy, Reds' third baseman Mike Bell becomes part of the first three-generation family to play for the same team.
    2000 -The Astros hit four homers off Cardinal hurler Andy Benes to tie the major league record for homers allowed by one pitcher in an inning. The second inning uprising help Houston set a team record for homers in one inning and tie a team record with six home runs for the game.
    2000- After rejecting a trade to the Mets, Reds' All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin agrees three-year, $27 million contract extension that will keep him Cincinnati until 2003.
    2000 - Tiger Woods won the British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland to become the youngest player (24 years of age) to win the career ‘Grand Slam’ of golf (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and British Open) and the first to win all four majors since Jack Nicklaus’ victory in the 1966. Woods not only was the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam, he completed it faster than any of the four greats who did it before him. The other players to win the Grand Slam were Gene Sarazen in 1935, Ben Hogan in 1953, Gary Player in 1965 and Jack Nicklaus in 1966 (age 26) at Muirfield. (Nicklaus went on to win the Grand Slam two more times.) Woods finished the British Open at 19-under-par 269, the best score ever at St. Andrews (Nick Faldo shot an 18- under in his 1990 win), and the lowest score ever at a major championship.
    2002- Celebrating his 29th birthday by hitting three homers Boston's 22-4 rout of the Devil Rays, Nomar Garciaparra ties the major league record becoming the 26th player to hit five home runs in two games. It was Red Sox shortstops second three-homer game, who also accomplished the feat against the Mariners on May 10, 1999.
    2006—It was predicted to hit 110 degrees in Los Gatos/Saratoga. We have never experienced more than one day over a triple digit weather, especially so high, so we took off early for the beach area, driving to Carmel, where it was 68 when he got there, and never went over 70 degrees. We took the dog, who really enjoyed Carmel-by-Sea, where dogs are welcome and most stores have water bowls and treats for dogs and welcome them into the store, and restaurants.

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Baseball Poem

    Silly Question

By: "Papa" Joe Chevalier

I like;
All nine innings and knee high strikes
The diamond cut by flashing spikes.
The infield hit, a long home run
Doubleheaders, the radar gun.
The curve, the knuckler, slider and splitter
A slugfest or the chance no-hitter.
The majors, the minors, the kids, the vets
The "Whiz Kids," the "Amazing Mets."
The squeeze bunt and the hit and run
The double steal on three and one.
Both real and artificial grass.
The routine grounder or astro turf hop.
Signs to take and signs to steal
Beating the deadline with a late night deal.
The brush back pitch, the managers warned
The visiting star locally scorned.
Balls with eyes and rain delays
Around the horn double plays.
Walking leads and frozen ropes
Bloops, blasts and springtime hopes.
The game of the week and cable TV
Descriptions like "Good field-no-hit
Or "Say goodbye baseball" at Safeco Field
Diving catches and trapped fly balls
Coaches sweating on 3-2 calls.
The pickoff move and stealing home
Games in the sun or under a dome.
Walks, balks, and fielders choices
An irate skipper getting the gate.
Cold soda, peanuts and ball park franks
Sometimes even the New York Yanks.
For all this and more I have good reason
To be pleased that it's Baseball season.
And if you guys don't mind suggestions,
Go somewhere else with your silly questions!

To hear the poem read by Johnny Nguyen

http://www.csupomona.edu/~jthuang/a5/Complete.wav

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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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[headlines]