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Tax Manager
Portland, Oregon

Multi-state property/sales tax experience.
Vertex & PTMS tax management software exp. preferred.
Click here for more information
Please Contact: B. Gail Proper gproper@pfsc.com or Johnathan Wease jwease@pfsc.com

http://www.pfsc.com/
One of the nation’s largest and most trusted independent lease and loan servicing organizations.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010


Singer/Songwriter/Drummer Ringo Starr born Richard Starkey, MBE, 7 July 1940 Liverpool, England, UK. With "The Beatles" 1962–1970. He has been in movies, touring with his own band, and is still very active.
http://www.ringostarr.com/news.php


Headlines---

Memorial for Shawn Griffin
  Classified Ads---Controller
   GCR Capital Equipment Leasing Closes it Doors
LEAF Specialty to Shut Down in Two Weeks?
 Claim: PSFS Violated California Finance Lenders Law
  Iowa Supreme Court Ruling Royal Carts Case
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
 Quiet Enjoyment, Ownership & Performance Protections
  Allied Health Denies Charges in Second Case
   Classified ads---Help Wanted
    BBB Leasing Ratings Update
     Employees rate their Employers
  Top Stories --- June 28-July 2
    Grand Rapids, Michigan---Adopt-a-Dog
News Briefs---
 Zions, Huntington, KeyCorp make top ten stocks
  Chinese bank may be world's biggest IPO
   Wainwright insiders (incl. Frank Keohane) set for big payday
    LB Finance launches Islamic Finance unit
     Sam's Club will offer small business loans
    Former Integrity Bank executives plead guilty to federal charges
   US authorities start probe into hidden HSBC accounts in India
  Bad-Debt Prices Up Amid Supply Shortage
    You may have missed---
     California Nuts Briefs---
      Sports Briefs---
       "Gimme that Wine"
    Today's Top Event in History
     This Day in American History
      Baseball Poem
       SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle
      GasBuddy
     Weather, USA or specific area
      Traffic Live----


######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer. It is considered “bias” as it is the writer’s viewpoint.



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

Memorial for Shawn Griffin



There is a Memorial for Shawn at Mariner's Church in Newport Beach on Friday the 9th at 6PM. It will be held at the Chapel. Mariner's Church is located in Newport Beach. www.marinerschurch.org
5001 Newport Coast Drive Irvine, CA 92603 (949) 854-7600

"Please join us as we remember Shawn as we knew and loved him. Please bring any photos, stories, souvenirs, and other remembrance to pass to his sons to help keep their father's memory alive forever."

Laura Giffin,
Newport Beach, California

Obituary:
"Giffin, Shawn, 45, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2010. Shawn is survived by his sons, Jake (13), and Kyle Giffin (11), and his wife, Laura Giffin, all of Newport Beach; his parents, Marty and Fred Giffin of Temple, Arizona, and his brother, Scott Giffin of Colorado. Shawn graduated with a degree in Business and Finance from the University of Arizona in 1988. After graduation, Shawn moved to Newport Beach, California. He co-founded Balboa Capital Corporation, which grew to become one of the fastest growing companies in the country, employing over 300 employees in various offices. Shawn was well known and respected in the business community as a leader. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997 and was written about often in publications such as Success Magazine, Inc. Magazine, the Orange County Business Journal. He believed, however, that the greatest achievement in his life was found in his two beautiful boys. He will be dearly missed by all and treasured in our hearts forever. At his family's request, his burial will be private.”

Orange County Register

Guest Book:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/orangecounty/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-giffin&pid=143877980&cid=full

Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110540628993070

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

Classified Ads---Controller

Chicago, IL
experienced in lease accounting, operations, management, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Seeking position with equipment lessor. Would consider contract assignments or relocating.
Email: leasecontroller@comcast.net
Southeastern, MI
Controller & Management experience w/ equip lessors &broker. MBA, CPA w/ extensive accounting, management, securitization experience with public and private companies. Willing to relocate.
Email: Leasebusiness@aol.com
Acton, MA
Strong experience in lease accounting, operations, & systems.  
Implemented lease plus, Great Plains, networks.
Excellent financial reporting and analysis skills. Looking for new opportunity.
LinkedIn
alexanderzlenz@gmail.com| Resume

Southern CA
20 years exp. as hands-on leasing CFO, managing accounting, treasury, FP&A, including securitizations, Great Plains/FRx, budgets, risk management.  MBA.  Also available as interim Controller/CFO, consultant.
Email: leasecfo@gmail.com


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

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

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

GCR Capital Equipment Leasing Closes it Doors


Judy DiVincenzo, President of GRC Capital, Safety Harbor, Florida, in business since April, 1966 announces she had closed her company doors:

“We regret to inform you that after many years of service, GCR Capital has ceased operating and closed its doors because of the current poor economic conditions in the lending industry. GCR tried mightily to continue in operation, but in the end was unable to do so. We sincerely regret any inconvenience GCR's closing will cause you.

“If you have further questions regarding this matter, please contact GCR's attorney, Tom Long at the Barnet Bolt law firm in Tampa, 813 253 2020, email tlong@barnettbolt.com, 601 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, Fl., 33606. “

Sincerely, GCR Capital
http://www.gcr-capital.com/

In the last few years, all complaints about advance rentals were handled by Ms. DiVincenzo, except for the last one. Her company had also settled with the Attorney General of Florida complaints, and made local newspapers with her not returning deposits:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/series-of-complaints-dog-safety-harbor-financial-company/1079604

Bulletin Board Complaint:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_18.htm#bbc_gcr

Leasing Companies out of the Broker/Discounting Business:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/Out-of-broker-bus.htm


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

LEAF Specialty to Shut Down in Two Weeks?
by Christopher Menkin



Crit DeMent, CEO LEAF Financial

A highly reliable source told Leasing News the LEAF Specialty unit, formerly NetBank Finance, Republic of South Carolina, whose co-founder Dwight Galloway, CLP, stopped funding leases in March, will close down in two weeks. Accordingly, "...letters are being mailed in the next two weeks...to all lessees....NetBank is closed; all employees are laid off. not sure about Dwight however."

Leasing News is aware of recent meetings with TD Bank and that Galloway has been actively searching since the end of last year for a bank or group to take over his operation. Originally, it was reported Resource America had given Galloway until the end of March and they then would get active. What they did was cut off the funding.

Perhaps this is an old as the line from a vendor, "Do this deal and I'll give you all my business." When a company is purchase, “Make promises to the management/staff -- get their hands on the portfolio -- wind down the company – get rid of staff. This happened to all these companies with LEAF.

LEAF had a direct sales group in California; LEAF Financial Corporation - 1551 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705 which Leasing News wrote about several times. This group was hand fed qualified leads from the home office in Philadelphia, primarily these leads were filtered through the portfolios they were acquiring including from brokers. These leads were sent over pre-qualified for approval up to a certain limits for the salespeople to call.

No doubt they will do the same with LEAF Specialty. But then again, so did Marlin Business Services, and brokers wrote Leasing News they would never do business with them again. As soon as Marlin opened up for a limited number of brokers, many of those who wrote Leasing News were complaining now of not being let into the small group accepted back. Perhaps the same may have with US Bancorp dba Lyons dba Manifest Funding.

LEAF Financials attention seems to be leaning heavily on its credit card advance lending companies, Merit Capital Advance, LLC, as well as promoting a factoring company, Prompt Payment, where the buyer can take up to 60 days interest free to repay what was advanced to the seller.

In the meantime, negotiations with the LEAF Specialty Columbia, South Carolina landlord for the 21,000 square foot facility has been underway with reported delinquent rent payments, threats of a law suit, and Bob Hunter of LEAF Financial has been active, it is alleged, and uncooperative, Leasing News is told, to sublease the property. Originally this was to take over the Santa Barbara and other operations, but it appears the direction changed as studies, Leasing News has been told (and by other funders, too) have indicated independent broker business has a higher write-off and problems, so LEAF Financial wanted out, following many others in the last year, who prefer to work with vendors of equipment directly.

As far a negotiating the remaining 21,000 square foot lease agreement, it is reported that Resource America, who's main business is as property managers, has experience in such things---but does LEAF Financial have the same in being on the other side of the table, meaning being the lessee in trying to break a lease with a lessor?

Leasing News is promised the entire inside story should the negotiations blow up.

Leasing Companies Out of Broker/Discounting Business
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/Out-of-broker-bus.htm


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

Claim: PSFS Violated California Finance Lenders Law
by Christopher Menkin



Ken Catanzarite, Esq. of the Catanzarite Law Corporation, Anaheim, California told Leasing News his firm has filed has filed an amended class action lawsuit seeking over $30 million on behalf of a Nationwide Class and a California citizens subclass related to what the plaintiffs allege to be the Brican Exhibeo Lease Fraud in the Brican America, Miami Beach, Florida matter. He states, "All of the leases contain the classic $1 end of lease bargain purchase clauses related to equipment fairly valued at no more than $3,500 and as such these are capital leases subject to both the California Finance Lenders Law and are also violate several states usury laws including California."

Tom McCurnin of Tom McCurnin Barton, Klugman & Oetting, Los Angeles, won a major victor regarding Commercial Money Center as it also was not licensed in the State of California. Catanzarite’s complaint asks for a determination that the Brican leases, both originated with and assigned to Professional Solutions, West Des Monies, Iowa, subsidiary PSFS, "are void or voidable, that the leases and related advertising and marketing agreements were misrepresented to plaintiffs and include usurious interest charges which entitles all plaintiffs to compensatory and punitive damages against all defendants, including PSFS."

"PSFS is a division of NCMIC FINANCE CORPORATION, an Iowa corporation, doing business as Professional Solutions Financial Services. PSFS is a member of NCMIC Group, Inc., a family of companies that offer a diversified portfolio of products to meet the insurance and financing needs of professionals including chiropractors, naturopaths, doctors, dentists and lawyers. The companies were started in 1946 with, what is described as, its “flagship operation”, NCMIC Insurance Company, licensed in all 50 states."

"On behalf of the California subclass the lawsuit asks a determination that the leases and related assignments are all void for failure to comply with the California Finance Lenders Law which plaintiffs allege required both PSFS and Brican to be licensed before entering into the leases and marketing agreements with California citizens, that such unlicensed activity and the failure to fully disclose the complete facts of the transaction results in the leases being void; in turn invalidates the floating forum selection clause; the pay come “hell or high water” clause; the California jury waiver; and related waiver clauses; and entitles each California citizen to a recovery of all money paid to PSFS, punitive damages and treble damages up to $10,000 per class member and attorneys’ fees and costs."

Brican America Lease (note #8: lessee pays personal property tax as owner as well as the many $1.00 purchase option clause:)

Lease/Loan State License Requirementshttp://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_25.htm#statuses

Brican America/Brican Financial Lawsuits
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/brican_america.htm

((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)

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

Iowa Supreme Court Ruling Royal Carts Case


What follows is a case on Friday July 2, 2010 that has a major impact on the Brican America-Professional Solutions $38 million case as well an estimated $12 million with other leasing companies.

Ronald P. Gossett, Gossett and Gossett, Hollywood, Florida has over 750 clients in a class action suit against PSFS as well as 50 California clients in a class action suit against PSFS. There are other attorneys in Florida, New Jersey, and Illinois also representing lessees involved with Brican America, including Ken Catanzarite, Esq. of the Catanzarite Law Corporation, Anaheim, California (see story prior.)

“The 3-column direct lease provides that it is non-cancelable (paragraph 1), and the lease buyout at end of term is $1.00 (paragraph 4, and box checked in Payment Terms), “ Ron Gossett explains regarding the recent court decision. “ Accordingly, pursuant to the Iowa Supreme Court, this is a security agreement, not a financing lease.

“The full page lease provides that it is non-cancelable (paragraph 1), and the lease buyout at end of term is $1.00 (paragraph 4, and box checked in Payment Terms). Accordingly, pursuant to the Iowa Supreme Court, this is a security agreement, not a financing lease.

“Under Iowa Statute section 554.1203, the transaction creates a security interest if the contract is not subject to termination by the lessee, and the lessee has an option to become the owner of the goods for no additional consideration, or for nominal consideration, upon compliance with the lease terms. Under Iowa Code section 544.13103(1)(j), provides that a sale which creates a security interest is not a lease.”

Ironically Leasing News has written about C&J Vantage Leasing Company and its assignments to Frontier Leasing, both in Iowa, and in this case a ruling from the Supreme Court of Iowa regarding OUTLOOK FARM GOLF CLUB, LLC d/b/a THE LINKS AT OUTLOOK GOLF COURSE, as reported by www.leagle.com:
http://www.leagle.com/unsecure/page.htm?shortname=iniaco20100702177

or

PDF:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/vantage_leasing.pdf

(as a side note, the law firm representing PSFS is the same one that was represent Frontier Leasing: Ginkens & McConnell, P.L.C., Clive, for appellee.)

Brican America Lease (note #8: lessee pays personal property tax as owner as well as the many $1.00 purchase option clause:)


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

Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP



Quiet Enjoyment, Ownership and Performance Protections

Article 2A requires you to give the lessee the right to use the equipment without your interference even though you are the owner. This is called the quite enjoyment clause. It must be in your lease as follows:

QUIET ENJOYMENT: If no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing hereunder, Lessor shall not interfere with Lessee's quiet enjoyment and use of the Equipment subject to the term hereof.

This does not prevent you from inspecting your equipment over the term, with proper notice, however it does prevent you from using the equipment during the lease term. While you are recognized as the true owner under Article 2A you must live up to the provisions required of an owner to qualify the lease under 2A.

If you fail to provide the pass through of warrantees and performance guarantees provided by the vendor you run the risk of failing the 2A requirements and you will be subject to Article 9 where the lessee is considered the owner of the equipment. This requires a paragraph on ownership as follows:

OWNERSHIP: Lessee shall at all times acknowledge, protect and defend, at its own cost and expense, the title and/or rights of Lessor from and against all claims, liens and legal processes, and keep all Equipment free and clear from all such claims, liens and processes. The Equipment is and shall remain the personal property of Lessor. Upon expiration or termination of this Lease with respect to any Schedule, Lessee at its own expense shall return all Equipment, free of liens or encumbrances, to Lessor. Title to all Equipment shall at all times remain in Lessor. If it is determined at any time in any legal proceeding that any of the Equipment is not subject to a true lease and/or that the ownership, or title to any, of the Equipment is not held by and/or in Lessor, then Lessee hereby grants to Lessor a security interest in all of the Equipment and all proceeds thereof to secure the performance of all obligations of whatever kind or nature due by Lessee to Lessor under this Lease and every Schedule.

If the lessee fails to perform any of its duties that may make the equipment subject to outside liens or other risks, such as failure to provide insurance, you need to have the right to perform them for the lessee and have the right to be reimbursed by the lessee. It is important to cover both the equipment and your ownership by having the correct language:

PERFORMANCE OF LESSEE'S OBLIGATIONS BY LESSOR: If Lessee fails to perform any of its obligations under this Lease, Lessor may, at its option, perform the same for the account of Lessee without thereby waiving Lessee's default, and any amount paid or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees), penalty or other liability incurred by Lessor in such performance shall be payable by Lessee to Lessor upon demand.

Short lease agreements tend to forget these paragraphs until a default occurs and then which article of law is used to make judgment on the lessor’s rights may make you wish you had offered a complete lease agreement instead of a short form.

I can’t advise this more than to conclude by repeating: You should have your lease agreements reviewed by a “lease” attorney at least every two years.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-327-8666.

He invites your questions and queries.

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

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

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

Allied Health Denies Charges in Second Case


Allied Health Care Services, Orange, New Jersey, has responded to the first of three lawsuits, Kingsbridge Holding, LLC, Lake Forrest, Illinois, with a complaint of $1,051,207.74 plus attorney and court fees. It basically is the same denial of being in default or in violation of the leasing contract, almost a boiler plate for June 24 response to the Minnwest Capital Corporation, Minnetonka, Minnesota, (subsidiary of Minnwest Bank Metro) $2,070,690 suit against Allied as well as the Charles Schwartz, president of the company, as personal guarantor to the corporation. Commonwealth Capital Corporation was the third to file; June 18th, for $4,224,543.02 against the corporation and $1,792,893.82 against the personal guarantee of Charles K. Schwartz, "plus attorneys fees, costs, and interest, as well as all other relieve which this court deems just."

Service has not been made in the third case, and took several weeks for the first two from the original date of filings: May 3, 2010 Kingsbridge filed (53 days for response); May 18, 2010 MinnWest Capital Corporation filed (32 days) ; June 18, 2010 Commonwealth Capital Corporation (no service, therefore no response).

Copy of Allied Health Complaint Response:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Allied_Response_Kingsbridge.pdf

Previous Allied Health Stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/ConsciousTop%20Stories/allied_health.html


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

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Tax Manager
Portland, Oregon

Multi-state property/sales tax experience.
Vertex & PTMS tax management software exp. preferred.
Click here for more information
Please Contact: B. Gail Proper gproper@pfsc.com or Johnathan Wease jwease@pfsc.com

http://www.pfsc.com/
One of the nation’s largest and most trusted independent lease and loan servicing organizations.

 


IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
NATIONAL SALES MANAGERS
Click on your area of expertise below for details

Medical Market                Technology Market


Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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

BBB Leasing Ratings Update


Three up-dates on Friday. The BBB ratings of all noted from articles that appeared in Leasing News will again be reviewed in three months.

“I noticed the BBB rating you had for our company in your newsletter this morning. I was quite surprised. I called the BBB and they said they “LACKED” information which is why the rating was so low. Please notice below how material accurate information can do for your rating.”

Larry LaChance
Bankers Capital
203 Southwest Cutoff
Northborough, MA 01532
508-351-6000-phone
508-351-6095-fax
llachance@bankers-capital.com
www.bankers-capital.com

From a C – to A

Bankers Capital, Northborough, Massachusetts
http://www.bbb.org/central-western-massachusetts/business-reviews/financing/bankers-capital-in-northborough-ma-262264

Other changes:

From a B- to A:

TCF Equipment Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota
http://www.bbb.org/minnesota/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan-companies/tcf-equipment-finance-in-minnetonka-mn-96072521

Mike Garrity, Marketing Manager
TCF Equipment Finance, Inc.
15933 Clayton Road, Suite 200, Ballwin, MO 63011-2146
Phone: 636-779-8206 | Fax: 636-557-1064 | Cell: 314-809-0809
mgarrity@tcfef.com | www.tcfef.com

From a C- to a B-

Celtic Leasing, Irvine, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/Celtic-Leasing-Corp-78000620

C-

LEAF Financial Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
http://dc-easternpa.bbb.org/codbrep.html?wlcl=y&id=055049028

Main Street Bank
http://www.bbb.org/houston/business-reviews/banks/main-street-bank-in-kingwood-tx-22011705/

 

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

Employees rate their Employers


“Love your job? Hate your job?
Share your experience — post an anonymous review of your company!”

All the leasing companies on the BBB list were used in the search and these were the only company found: average rating, how many reviews, plus the full report:

Bank of the West
33 by 1 review
http://www.jobvent.com/bank-of-the-west-job-reviews-C15791

Direct Capital
5.58 by 31 reviews
http://www.jobvent.com/direct-capital-job-reviews-C1481?searchType=company&searchText=direct capital

Key Bank
-12.93 by 14 reviews
http://www.jobvent.com/key-bank-job-reviews-C4396?searchType=company&searchText=key bank

LEAF Financial
-12.93 b27 by 1 review
http://www.jobvent.com/leaf-financial-job-reviews-C9756?searchType=company&searchText=LEAF Financial

Marlin Leasing
-80 by three reviews
http://www.jobvent.com/marlin-leasing-job-reviews-C7167

www.jobvent.com

 

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

Top Stories --- June 28-July 2


Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:

(1) US Bancorp Manifest--It's Official
http://leasingnews.org/archives/July2010/7_02.htm#manifest

(2) John Ogden Passes away
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_30.htm#ogden

(3) Third Law Suit against Allied Health
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#third_suit

(Tie) (4) Cartoon—Manifest Kovash moves to Vendor Side
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#cartoon

(Tie) (4) GE Capital Celebrates Financial Bill Regulation
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_30.htm#ge_capital

(5) Alert---T.J. Montgomery/Healthy People 2010 Grant
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#alert_montgomery

(6) East Lansing Equipment Lessor/Atty. takes his life
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100629/NEWS01/6290318/East-Lansing-attorney-s-suicide-after-conviction-stuns

(7) Only 1 Now-Lease Portals-Aggregate Funding Sources
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#lease_portals

(8) Secord Bankruptcy for Real by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#secord

(9) Archives---June 28, 2000
LeaseExchange—“Fixing a broken process”
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#archive_lease

(10) BBB: Rating Leasing Companies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/July2010/7_02.htm#bbb

 

[headlines]
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Grand Rapids, Michigan--Adopt-a-Dog

Lobo
Husky, Shepherd [Mix]
Large Young Male Dog Pet ID: 257491

“Lobo is a 5 month old, male, black and gray, husky/shep mix. Lobo was brought to the shelter by his family when they were unable to care for him. Lobo is very social, has a medium dominance level, likes hugs, loves to play with toys, and hasn't shown any signs of food aggression.

“Lobo will be neutered, brought up to date on vaccines, wormed, licensed and given a microchip before leaving the shelter.

“Lobo is a nice dog but will need to be taught basic manner and attending training classes would benefit him.”

* Kent County Animal Shelter
* Grand Rapids, MI
* (616) 632-7300

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/

[headlines]
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News Briefs ---

Zions, Huntington, KeyCorp make top ten stocks
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-10-biggest-stock-winners-so-far-in-2010-2010-07-02?pagenumber=1

Chinese bank may be world's biggest IPO
http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/06/news/international/china_bank_ipo/

Wainwright insiders (including Frank Keohane) set for big payday
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bottom_line/2010/06/
wainwright_insiders_set_for_big_payday.html

LB Finance launches Islamic Finance unit
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/business/127-local/14093.html

Sam's Club will offer small business loans
http://www.ajc.com/business/sams-club-will-offer-564960.html

Former Integrity Bank executives plead guilty to federal charges
http://www.ajc.com/business/former-integrity-bank-executives-565488.html

US authorities start probe into hidden HSBC accounts in India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/US-authorities-start-probe-into-hidden-HSBC-accounts-in-India/articleshow/6136676.cms

Bad-Debt Prices Up Amid Supply Shortage
http://www.collectionscreditrisk.com/news/bad-debt-prices-up-amid-supply-shortage-3002377-1.html

Restaurants feel pinched, but aren't pinching pennies on improvements
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/sc-biz-0707-restaurants--20100706,0,7517045.story



You May Have Missed---

Expect lots of government layoffs at state, local level
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-07-06-jobs06_ST_N.htm






Sports Briefs----

Oranje edge five-goal thriller
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249719/match=300061512/summary.html

Joe Montana finds empty nest in San Francisco
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/06/MN0O1CLQ4L.DTL

Former Oakland Raider JaMarcus Russell sadly shows mastery of his spiral
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sports/ci_15445311?nclick_check=1

Mariano Rivera, King of the Closers
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/magazine/04Rivera-t.html?ex=1293595200&en=5cfab1167c07525c&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=GN-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M156-ROS-0710-PH&WT.mc_ev=click

 

 


California Nuts Briefs---

Schwarzenegger sues, demanding Chiang pay minimum wage
http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2010/07/schwarzenegger-files-new-suit.html

 



“Gimme that Wine”

Iowa's Cedar Ridge wine gets high rating
http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20100706/NEWS01/7060309/Cedar-Ridge-wine-gets-high-rating

North Carolina wineries are on the map
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jul/04/north-carolina-wineries-are-on-the-map/

Woot.com Acquired by Amazon
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=75688

Female wine drinkers overtake men — who still get the wine list
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2011770215_wine06.html

The S.F. Chronicle Recommends: Portuguese whites
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2011770215_wine06.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/

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http://www.localwineevents.com/

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

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

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Today in History

1863-Lt. Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson (whom I was named after as my father was writing the radio series in 1942) leaves Santa Fe with his troops, beginning his campaign against the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona. A famed mountain man before the Civil War, Carson was responsible for waging a destructive war against the Navajo that resulted in their removal from the Four Corners area to southeastern New Mexico. Carson was perhaps the most famous trapper and guide in the West. He traveled with the expeditions of John C. Fremont in the 1840s, leading Fremont through the Great Basin. Fremont's flattering portrayal of Carson made the mountain man a hero when the reports were published and widely read in the east. Later, Carson guided Stephen Watts Kearney to New Mexico during the Mexican-American War. In the 1850s he became the Indian agent in Taos for New Mexico, a position he left in 1861 to accept a commission as lieutenant colonel in the 1st New Mexico Volunteers.
Although Carson's unit saw action in the New Mexico battles of 1862, he was most famous for his campaign against the Indians. Despite his reputation for being sympathetic and accommodating to tribes such as the Mescaleros, Kiowas, and Navajo, under orders of the US Military, Carson waged a brutal campaign against the Navajo in 1863. When bands of Navajo refused to accept confinement on reservations, Carson terrorized the Navajo lands--burning crops, destroying villages, and slaughtering livestock. Carson rounded up some 8,000 Navajo and marched them across New Mexico for imprisonment on the Bosque Redondo, over 300 miles from their homes, where they remained for the duration of the war. Kit Carson guided Stephen W. Kearny's party from New Mexico to California during the Mexican War and his bravery saved the company. Kit Carson was appointed in 1853 as Indian agent for Taos, New Mexico. Kit Carson was extremely qualified and helped calm the Apaches on several different occasions that appeared nearly hopeless short the entrance of his masterful skills During the Civil War Kit Carson joined the Union's Army 1st New Mexican Volunteers he was promoted to brigadier general for his outstanding campaign record After the Civil War Kit Carson commanded Fort Garland garrison in Colorado. When he retired, he moved his family back to Taos, New Mexico, where he died May 23, 1868.
http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln5.html
http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/201.jpg
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/jan/papr/kitcarson.html

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This Day in American History

    1586- Birthday of Thomas Hooker, colonial American pastor and an originator of the earliest system of federal government in America.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h544.html
http://nvnv.essortment.com/thomashooker_rlfj.htm
http://www.famousamericans.net/thomashooker/
http://www.colonialwarsct.org/1636.htm

    1742 - A Spanish force invading Georgia ran headlong into the colony's British defenders. A handful of British and Spanish colonial troops faced each other on a Georgia coastal island and decided the fate of a colony.
    1777 - American troops gave up Fort Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, to the British.
    1778 - Allied French fleet under Comte d'Estaing arrives in America.
    1754 - In New York City, Kings College opened. For its first year of operation, the institution admitted eight students and one faculty member, Dr. Samuel Johnson, who would also serve as the school president. In 1784, Kings College was renamed Columbia College, and later would became Columbia University. Many prestigious awards hail from the university today, including the Columbia Award for Journalism and the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism that was named after former Columbia professor, Joseph Pulitzer.
    1802 - Created by Robert Rusticoat in Hudson, New York, the first comic book to ever be published was "The Wasp."
    1807- First account of the Lewis & Clark expedition is published, Pittsburgh, PA.
    1846 - Commander J.D. Sloat of the United State Navy raised the American flag in Monterey, proclaiming United States citizenship for California. Sloat decided to take possession of California because he feared the British might occupy Monterey, and he was concerned about the reported revolution in Sonoma. The Commodore told the people of Monterey that he came to bring greater political freedom and stability, and henceforth California would be a part of the United States. Population the pueblo of Yerba Buena estimated at about 1000 non-natives. There were about 50 buildings in the pueblo.
    1851-San Francisco's population estimated at 30,000; the Gold Rush was on.
    1851-birthday of Lillian Jane Martin, founder of Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco, the first mental hygienic clinic for normal pre-school children, famed psychologist who started the field of gerontology by opening a clinic for the aged in 1929, when she was 78. She lived to an advanced age, doing such things as traveling through the jungles of South America at 87. In her "before" career, she worked through the ranks at Stanford to become a full professor of psychology in 1911. She was the first woman to head any department there. After mandatory retirement at 65, she got bored and began feeling old so she taught herself to type and then did strenuous exercises to strengthen her body. In 1920 (at 69) she founded Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco, the first mental hygienic clinic for normal pre-school children. In 1929 at 78, she started the work which has resulted in reinventing old age.
http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/martin.html
    1851- Birthday of Charles A. Tindley, African-American Methodist preacher and songwriter. His most enduring gospel hymns include 'Stand By Me,' 'Nothing Between,' 'Leave It There'and 'By and By.' Died July 26, 1933, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/t/i/tindley_ca.htm
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/1903/
Charles_A_Tindley_was_a_servant_of_the_Lord

http://www.templeumc.org/archives/Charles_Tindley.html
    1861-Birthday of Dr. Nettie Maria Stevens - U.S. biologist who in 1905 announced that chromosomes X and Y were responsible for the sex of the individual. She was never rightfully given full credit for her discovery.
http://www.dwwood.com/wise/science.html#stevens
    1863-Lt. Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson ( whom I was named after as my father was writing the radio series in 1942) leaves Santa Fe with his troops, beginning his campaign against the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona. A famed mountain man before the Civil War, Carson was responsible for waging a destructive war against the Navajo that resulted in their removal from the Four Corners area to southeastern New Mexico. Carson was perhaps the most famous trapper and guide in the West. He traveled with the expeditions of John C. Fremont in the 1840s, leading Fremont through the Great Basin. Fremont's flattering portrayal of Carson made the mountain man a hero when the reports were published and widely read in the east. Later, Carson guided Stephen Watts Kearney to New Mexico during the Mexican-American War. In the 1850s he became the Indian agent in Taos for New Mexico, a position he left in 1861 to accept a commission as lieutenant colonel in the 1st New Mexico Volunteers.
Although Carson's unit saw action in the New Mexico battles of 1862, he was most famous for his campaign against the Indians. Despite his reputation for being sympathetic and accommodating to tribes such as the Mescaleros, Kiowas, and Navajo, under orders of the US Military, Carson waged a brutal campaign against the Navajo in 1863. When bands of Navajo refused to accept confinement on reservations, Carson terrorized the Navajo lands--burning crops, destroying villages, and slaughtering livestock. Carson rounded up some 8,000 Navajo and marched them across New Mexico for imprisonment on the Bosque Redondo, over 300 miles from their homes, where they remained for the duration of the war. Kit Carson guided Stephen W. Kearny's party from New Mexico to California during the Mexican War and his bravery saved the company. Kit Carson was appointed in 1853 as Indian agent for Taos, New Mexico. Kit Carson was extremely qualified and helped calm the Apaches on several different occasions that appeared nearly hopeless short the entrance of his masterful skills During the Civil War Kit Carson joined the Union's Army 1st New Mexican Volunteers he was promoted to brigadier general for his outstanding campaign record After the Civil War Kit Carson commanded Fort Garland garrison in Colorado. When he retired, he moved his family back to Taos, New Mexico, where he died May 23, 1868.
http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln5.html
http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/201.jpg
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/jan/papr/kitcarson.html
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsrandGScid=38154
    1865 - Mary E. Surratt became the first woman to be executed by the US government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Her conviction was a subject of controversy as the only crime she appeared to have committed was to own the boarding house where Booth planned Lincoln's assassination. The president and those living in the area condemning her for allowing the plot to be hatched in her house. Whether she was part of the plot or knew of it was never proven. Three others, also convicted in the conspiracy, were hanged along with Mary E. Surratt: Lewis Payne, David E. Harold and George A. Atzerodt. This took place at Buzzard Point, site of the first U.S. Penitentiary. She was the first woman hanged in the United States.
Her son, one of the original conspirators whose plan it was to kidnap Lincoln, broke with Booth at the suggestion of assassination. Mary Surratt and the three men who were actually part of the conspiracy were hung after a trial replete with suppression of evidence, legal errors, etc. According to President Andrew Johnson, she "kept the nest that hatched the egg," and that was enough to kill her by an official act of the United States Army. Her son who had escaped to Canada was later was tried by a civilian court. He went free when the majority of the hung jury voted for his acquittal. The complicity of Mary Surratt in the plot was never completely proven. Sightings of the ghost of Mary Surratt have been made here, at her boarding house on K Street, and at the site of the Old Brick Capitol (now the site of the Supreme Court). The ghost of Anna Surratt, is said to be heard occasionally banging at the White House door to plead for the life of her mother as she did in fact on the eve of the execution.
http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln26.html
http://www.surratt.org/documents/dmarye.html
    1876 - The most notorious train robber of the American West, Jesse James, held up the Missouri-Pacific train and robbed about $15,000. Accompanied by his gang, Jesse James came to typify the hazards of the 19th-century frontier as it has been portrayed in motion-picture Westerns.
    1887- Beatrice Fox Auerbach birthday - Hartford, Connecticut, business executive and philanthropist who established a foundation to train women's groups in the techniques of community organization. She succeeded her father as president of Hartford's G. Fox and Company and developed it into the largest privately- owned retail store in the nation. Died 1968.
http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/biography/fox.html
http://www.cwhf.org/browse/auerbach.htm
    1896-The Presidential campaign was, in many ways, a battle over money. As was expected, the Republican campaign, led by the party's presidential nominee, Ohio governor William McKinley, centered on maintaining the gold standard. On the other side of the fence, the Democrats took a cue from the Populist party and latched on to the free coinage of silver as one of their guiding issues. While the Democrat's decision to support silver shocked a number of political observers, their nominee for the Oval Office proved to be even more surprising. The Democrats had already settled on their issue, but the summer of 1896 found them without a clear candidate for the Oval Office. That all changed at the party's national convention in Chicago on July 7 when William Jennings Bryan, then just a young scribe from Nebraska, stepped to speak before the Democrat's 20,000 delegates. An ardent supporter of the silver movement, Bryan seized the reins of the party by railing against the Republican's and their "demand for a gold standard." During his speech, Bryan laid down his now famous vow against gold and the Republicans: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." These indelible words sent the delegates into frenzy and effectively sealed Bryan's unlikely nomination as the Democrat's candidate for President. Alas, Bryan's fiery oratory proved to be no match for McKinley's fat coffers: backed by the money and influence of the nation's business leaders, the Republicans were able to lavish roughly $7 million on their campaign. Bryan, on the other hand, spent a scant $300,000 and ultimately lost his bid for the White House. The electoral vote was McKinley, 271; William Jennings Bryan, 176. The popular vote was McKinley 7,103,779, Bryan 5,402,925. The Republicans not only gained the White House but four seats in the Senate to lead 47-34, seven seats going to minor parties. In the House, the Republicans lost 40 seats but still held a 204-113 majority, 40 seats going to minor parties. The Republican party was free to have its way and on January 12 the new National Monetary Conference met at Indianapolis, Ind, and endorsed the existing gold standard.
    1898-Hawaii was annexed by the US. President William McKinley signed a resolution annexing Hawaii. No change in government took place until 1900, when Congress passed an act making Hawaii an “incorporated” territory of the US. This act remained in effect until Hawaii became a state in 1959.
    1905--- 127ø F (53ø C), Parker Arizona (state record)
    1906-Birthday of legendry pitcher Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige.
“Sometimes I feel like I will never stop
Just go forever
Till one fine morning
I'll reach up and grab me a handful of stars
and swing out my long lean leg
and whip three hot strikes burning down the heavens
and look over at God and say
How about that!”
— Samuel Allen, "To Satch"
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul07.html
    1907 -- Robert A. Heinlein birthday (1907-1988). Prolific American writer, grand master of science fiction. His first stories appeared in action-adventure pulp magazine "Astounding Science Fiction" in 1939. His first novel, Rocket Ship Galileo appeared in 1947 and paved way to children's science fiction. Wrote The Green Hills of Earth , the militarist Starship Troopers , and the 60s hippie oriented Stranger in a Strange Land (a favorite of mass murderer Charles Manson).
In 1975 Heinlein was awarded the first Grand Master Nebula.
http://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/
http://www.wegrokit.com/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451912535/inktomi-bkasin-20/
002-2909458-5798421

    1908- Harriette Louisa Simpson Arnow birthday - U.S. author who described the Souther Appalachian life and people with honesty and authenticity. She earned a college degree, which shocked her family who were descendants of original Kentucky settlers that didn't believe in women's education. She had to move to Cincinnati to live. Her most critically acclaimed best seller was Hunter's Horn (1949)
http://athena.english.vt.edu/~appalach/writersA/arnow.html
http://www.oriscus.com/kywriters/arnow.htm
http://webpages.marshall.edu/~broyles2/overv1.html
    1913-Birthday of sax player Hank Mobley, Eastman GA Died May 30, 1986
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/mobley.html
http://www.wright.edu/~martin.maner/mobley.htm
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.20.97/jazz-9747.html
    1915-birthday of black author Margaret Walker, writer, born Birmingham, Alabama, died November 30, 1998
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/english/ms-writers/dir/alexander_margaret_walker/
http://www.ibiblio.org/ipa/walker/
http://dept.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/walker-margaret.html
    1917-Birthday of jazz guitarist Lloyd "Tiny" Grimes guitar Newport News VA. Played with Charlie Parker and later became a rock'n'roll guitarist.
http://www.geocities.com/bighollowtwang/TinyGrimes.html
http://www.geocities.com/bighollowtwang/TinyGrimes.html
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/g2/tiny_grimes_b.htm
http://www.geocities.com/doo_wop_gino/cats.htm
    1917- John (Lonzo) Sullivan of the country comedy duo of Lonzo and Oscar was born in Edmonton, Kentucky. John's Brother, Rollin, was Oscar. The brothers' original songs included such ditties as "I'm My Own Grandpa" - a hit before the Second World War - "You Blacked My Blue Eyes Too Often" and "Take Them Cold Feet Out of My Back." In 1947, Lonzo and Oscar began a 20 year association with the Grand Ole Opry which ended in June 1967 with John Sullivan's death. Died June 5, 1967.
    1923-Famed San Franciscan Lefty O'Doul, who will become an outstanding major league hitter later in his career, gives up 13 runs in the sixth inning as the Indians rout the Red Sox, 27-3. He will finish his 11-year stint in the majors with a lifetime batting average of .349.
    1927- trumpeter and conductor Doc Severinsen born Arlington, Oregon, perhaps best known as the band leader for the “Johnny Carson Show.”
http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/Doc-Severinsen.htm
http://www.pianodesk.com/oldpage/doc.htm
http://www.dwerden.com/doc/
    1928- Singer Mary Ford, who had a series of pop hits with her husband, guitarist Les Paul, in the 1950's, was born in Pasadena, California. Their successes included "Mockin' Bird Hill," "How High the Moon" and "Waiting For the Sunrise." Their recordings were among the earliest to use the technique of multitracking, and featured Ford's voice answering Paul's talking guitar. The hits stopped in 1961, and Les Paul and Mary Ford were divorced two years later. Ford died on September 30th, 1977.
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Ford,+Mary+(I )
http://www.reevesaudio.com/visitlesandmary.html
http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/Les'n'MaryCol.html
    1934 -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, & Maxwell Perkins, lunch together. Fitzgerald advises Wolfe, struggling with Perkins over revisions to Of Time & the River: "You never cut anything out of a book you regret later."
    1937- With President Franklin D. Roosevelt in attendance at Griffith Stadium in Washington, Yankees' first baseman Lou Gehrig drives in four runs with a home run and a double to lead the AL to an 8-3 victory over the National League in All-Star action.
    1940-Birthday of drummer,singer, musician Ringo Starr (The Beatles) born Liverpool, England. He replaces Pete Best as the Beatles drummer in August 1962. He has two million-selling No. 1 solo singles: "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen." He marries actress Barbara Bach in 1981 and appears in several films, including "That'll Be the Day," "Cave Man" and Paul McCartney's "Give My Regards to Broad Street."
   1945-BAKER, THOMAS A. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. Entered service at: Troy, N.Y. Birth: Troy, N.Y. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. When his entire company was held up by fire from automatic weapons and small-arms fire from strongly fortified enemy positions that commanded the view of the company, Sgt. (then Pvt.) Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed alone to within 100 yards of the enemy. Through heavy rifle and machinegun fire that was directed at him by the enemy, he knocked out the strong point, enabling his company to assault the ridge. Some days later while his company advanced across the open field flanked with obstructions and places of concealment for the enemy, Sgt. Baker again voluntarily took up a position in the rear to protect the company against surprise attack and came upon 2 heavily fortified enemy pockets manned by 2 officers and 10 enlisted men which had been bypassed. Without regard for such superior numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked and killed all of them. Five hundred yards farther, he discovered 6 men of the enemy who had concealed themselves behind our lines and destroyed all of them. On 7 July 1944, the perimeter of which Sgt. Baker was a part was attacked from 3 sides by from 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese. During the early stages of this attack, Sgt. Baker was seriously wounded but he insisted on remaining in the line and fired at the enemy at ranges sometimes as close as 5 yards until his ammunition ran out. Without ammunition and with his own weapon battered to uselessness from hand-to-hand combat, he was carried about 50 yards to the rear by a comrade, who was then himself wounded. At this point Sgt. Baker refused to be moved any farther stating that he preferred to be left to die rather than risk the lives of any more of his friends. A short time later, at his request, he was placed in a sitting position against a small tree. Another comrade, withdrawing, offered assistance. Sgt. Baker refused, insisting that he be left alone and be given a soldier's pistol with its remaining 8 rounds of ammunition. When last seen alive, Sgt. Baker was propped against a tree, pistol in hand, calmly facing the foe. Later Sgt. Baker's body was found in the same position, gun empty, with 8 Japanese lying dead before him. His deeds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army
    1946-Pope Pius XII presided over the canonization ceremonies for Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, as she became the first American to be canonized. She was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her principal shrine is at mother Cabrini High School, New York, NY. Carbrini was born at Lombardy Italy., July 15, 1859 and died at Chicago, IL, December 22,1917. Her feast day is celebrated on December 22
    1948 - Satchel Paige was signed to pitch for the Cleveland Indians. Paige, who became a baseball legend playing in the Negro leagues, put on a major league uniform for the first time in his 23-year career. While he claimed to be 39, many speculated that he was actually in his 50's.
.
    1948---Top Hits
You Can't Be True, Dear - The Ken Griffin Orchestra (vocal: Jerry Wayne)
Nature Boy - Nat King
Woody Woodpecker Song - The Kay Kaiser Orchestra (vocal: Gloria Wood and The Campus Kids)
Bouquet of Roses - Eddy Arnold
    1949 - Jack Webb's "Dragnet" makes its radio debut on NBC radio. This was the first program to dramatize actual cases from police files. Each episode, on both radio and television, began with the announcement: "The story you are about to hear [see] is true; the names have been changed to protect the innocent;" and ended with the sentence the criminal was given. After a successful television preview on "Chesterfield Sound-Off Time," "Dragnet" made the permanent leap to television in January 1952. From 1952 to 1956, the show enjoyed simultaneous runs on radio and television, continuing on television until 1959. After a seven year hiatus, the show resurfaced as "Dragnet '67" to distinguish itself from its own reruns. This first real-life police drama series was such a success that it remains in syndication today.
    1953- R'n'B singer Peter Brown, who had a Top Ten hit in 1978 with "Dance With Me."
http://www.oldies.com/product/index.cfm/id/003497.html
http://www.ostlyrics.com/s/summerofsam/007.htm
    1954--Two versions of "Sh-Boom" hit the top-10. The original version by the Chords was at #9 and the cover version by The Crew Cuts was at #5
    1954- Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips became the first DJ to play an Elvis Presley record when he premiered "That's All Right" on his "Red, Hot and Blue" show on station WHBQ. Phillips also interviewed Presley on the program. "That's All Right" and its flip side, an updating of the country tune "Blue Moon of Kentucky," were hits in the Memphis area.
    1956-- The Platters' "My Prayer" is released.
    1956---Top Hits
The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
Be-Bop-A-Lula - Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps
Born to Be with You - The Chordettes
Crazy Arms - Ray Price
    1956 - Johnny Cash makes his first appearance on "Grand Ole Opry." He later becomes a regular member of the cast.
   
1956-O'BRIEN, WILLIAM J. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: At Saipan, Marianas Islands, 20 June through 7 July 1944. Entered service at: Troy, N.Y. Birth: Troy, N.Y. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Marianas Islands, from 20 June through 7 July 1944. When assault elements of his platoon were held up by intense enemy fire, Lt. Col. O'Brien ordered 3 tanks to precede the assault companies in an attempt to knock out the strongpoint. Due to direct enemy fire the tanks' turrets were closed, causing the tanks to lose direction and to fire into our own troops. Lt. Col. O'Brien, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed into full view of the enemy and ran to the leader's tank, and pounded on the tank with his pistol butt to attract 2 of the tank's crew and, mounting the tank fully exposed to enemy fire, Lt. Col. O'Brien personally directed the assault until the enemy strongpoint had been liquidated. On 28 June 1944, while his platoon was attempting to take a bitterly defended high ridge in the vicinity of Donnay, Lt. Col. O'Brien arranged to capture the ridge by a double envelopment movement of 2 large combat battalions. He personally took control of the maneuver. Lt. Col. O'Brien crossed 1,200 yards of sniper-infested underbrush alone to arrive at a point where 1 of his platoons was being held up by the enemy. Leaving some men to contain the enemy he personally led 4 men into a narrow ravine behind, and killed or drove off all the Japanese manning that strongpoint. In this action he captured S machineguns and one 77-mm. fieldpiece. Lt. Col. O'Brien then organized the 2 platoons for night defense and against repeated counterattacks directed them. Meanwhile he managed to hold ground. On 7 July 1944 his battalion and another battalion were attacked by an overwhelming enemy force estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese. With bloody hand-to-hand fighting in progress everywhere, their forward positions were finally overrun by the sheer weight of the enemy numbers. With many casualties and ammunition running low, Lt. Col. O'Brien refused to leave the front lines. Striding up and down the lines, he fired at the enemy with a pistol in each hand and his presence there bolstered the spirits of the men, encouraged them in their fight and sustained them in their heroic stand. Even after he was seriously wounded, Lt. Col. O'Brien refused to be evacuated and after his pistol ammunition was exhausted, he manned a .50 caliber machinegun, mounted on a jeep, and continued firing. When last seen alive he was standing upright firing into the Jap hordes that were then enveloping him. Some time later his body was found surrounded by enemy he had killed His valor was consistent with the highest traditions of the service.
    1962 - With "The Stripper," orchestra leader David Rose reached the number 1 spot on the popular music charts. The song stayed at the top spot for one week. Rose's previous success on the music charts was with "Holiday for Strings" in 1944.
    1962 - Riding Big Steve at Chicago, Illinois's Arlington Park, jockey Bill Hartack won his 3,000th race.
    1964---Top Hits
I Get Around - The Beach Boys
My Boy Lollipop - Millie Small
Memphis - Johnny Rivers
Together Again - Buck Owens
    1967 - The Monkees open a national tour with little-known Jimi Hendrix as the opening act.
    1968 -- Three years after Eric Clapton departed the Yardbirds & eight months after Jeff Beck left the group, the Yardbirds disband. Guitarist Jimmy Page had to fulfill the concert obligations & called his group The New Yardbirds. Keith Moon said "...it'll probably go over like a lead zeppelin." So Page changed the name of his group to Led Zeppelin.
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=216
http://www.feelgood-design.com/music/yardbirds.htm
    1971-- Commissioner Kuhn and Hall of Fame president Paul Kirk announce former Negro League players will have full membership in the Cooperstown shrine, not a separate wing as previously planned.
    1972---Top Hits
Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
Outa-Space - Billy Preston
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Eleven Roses - Hank Williams, Jr.
    1975-“Ryan's Hope” premiered on TV. This ABC soap ran until 1989 and was set mostly at the fictional Ryan's Tavern on Riverside Hospital at New York City.
    1980---Top Hits
Coming Up - Paul McCartney and Wings
The Rose - Bette Midler
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel
He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones
    1981 - President Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor to become a Supreme Court justice; she became the first woman member of the Supreme Court in September. She retired in 2006.
http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/justices/oconnor.bio.html
    1981-- Parts of Montana in a rare snow storm that dumped 10 inches at Glacier National Park with winds to 90 mph. Not far to the south, Denver was setting a record high with 101!
    1984 - "When Doves Cry," the first single to be released from Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain, hits the top of the charts. The song stayed on top for five weeks and became the best-selling single of 1984. Meanwhile, the album topped the charts for 24 weeks and sold more than 10 million copies.
    1984 -- Mr. Ed fan club holds first national convention labelled "Edstock". Billed as "a few hours of Ed, love & music." Tiny Tim won the "Ed Award" for the greatest live performance of the Mr. Ed theme.
    1986 - Jackie Joyner-Kersee was the United State's biggest success at the Goodwill Games. At the event held in Moscow, Russia, she broke the heptathlon world record with 7,148 points. The same year, Jackie broke her own record when she scored 7,158 points in the United States Olympic Sports Festival where she won all the heptathlon's seven events.
    1987--Temperatures fluctuate at Greensburg, KS from 75 at 7 am to 95 in a few minutes then drop back to 86 by 8 am. This was accompanied by dust devils and strange clouds.
    1988 - Thirty-eight cities in the north central and northeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date. Youngstown, OH, hit 100 degrees, and for the second day in a row, Flint, MI, reached 101 degrees, equaling all-time records for those two cities.
    1988---Top Hits
Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
The Flame - Cheap Trick
Mercedes Boy - Pebbles
If It Don't Come Easy - Tanya Tucker
    1989 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather during the day, with more than 100 reports of large hail and damaging winds from Ohio to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Thunderstorm winds reached 90 mph in Sullivan County, NH, and golf ball size hail was reported in Pennsylvania. Twenty-four cities, mostly in the southwestern U.S., reported record high temperatures for the date. Afternoon highs of 105 degrees at Cedar City, UT, and 114 degrees at Moab, UT, were all-time records for those locations
    1990- The world's three most famous tenors - Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras - performed their first concert together. The performance, in Rome on the eve of the World Cup soccer final, earned millions of dollars for charity. An album of the event, "Carerras-Domingo-Pavorotti in Concert," was a surprise hit on the pop charts, and eventually became the best-selling classical album of all-time.
    1998 -In the highest-scoring game in All-Star history, the American League beats the senior circuit, 13-8 in the thin air at Coors Field in Denver. The 21-run total surpasses the previous record set in     1954 when the American League beat the Nationals,11-9 in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium.
    1999 - The soundtrack album from Disney's film "Tarzan" was certified platinum on this date.
    1999-- The Rockies tie a 1903 major league record scoring in 15 consecutive innings. Phillies' ace Curt Schilling ends the streak.
    1999-The San Francisco Landmark Preservation Board voted to bestow landmark status to the Doggie Diner restaurant across from the city zoo. Sloat Garden Center, the owner of the property, order the diner operator to close shop in 60 days.
    2005 --The American sports of baseball and softball are dropped from the 2012 Olympic Games scheduled to played in London. It is the first time in 69 years events have been cut from the world games.


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Baseball Poem

Play at the Plate

From the book
"That Sweet Diamond"
by Paul B. Janeczko, Carole Katchen (Illustrator)

Some 
watch the ball 
short hop the wall and 
the right fielder-who 
can't pick it up fast enough - 
finally snatch it 
sling it 
to the impatient cut-off man, 
who throws home 
almost before he turns. 

Some 
watch the runner 
barely 
toe the inside corner of third, 
eyes on 
the coach's windmill arm 
signaling haste. 

All 
watch the meeting place: 
the catcher begging for the ball 
so he can sweep the tag 
at the runner beginning 
his slide 
before the umpire, 
holding his mask 
behind his back 
as casually as a satin heart 
of valentine candy, 
signals the meeting over, 
the runner safe.

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SuDoku

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm

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Daily Puzzle

How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

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http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx

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Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

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Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

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

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[headlines]

Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.