Monday, June 2, 2008

Dana Carvey, comedian, actor, born June 2, 1955, Missoula, MT; best known for his characters in Saturday Night Live: Church Lady; Hans, of the Hans and Franz bodybuilding duo; Garth, Wayne Campbell's (Mike Myers) "Excellent Co-host" on the immensely popular sketch "Wayne's World."
My father Lawrence Menkin in retirement taught acting and comedy in Marin County;
Dana Carvey was one of his students.

Headlines---

Correction—Baseball Poem Attribution
    Classified Ads---Sales
        Lease Police extends “no-charge”
PFF awarded Creative Capital lease portfolio
    FTC-IFC Trial Postponed until November
        Banks with the best overall customer ratings
    Top Stories --May 26--May 30
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
"Delivery & Acceptance"
    Leasing Meetings & Events open to all
        Geographic "Distressed or Underserved" list
KeyCorp not alone lease losses, experts say
    News Briefs---
        You May have Missed---
"Gimme that Wine"
    Calendar Events
        Snapple Real Facts
Today's Top Event in History
    This Day in American History
        Baseball Poem
SuDoku
    Daily Puzzle
        GasBuddy
Weather, USA or specific area
News on Line---Internet Newspapers
Rapid City, South Dakota

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

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Correction—Baseball Poem Attribution

“The baseball poem that was attributed to someone from Puget Sound (“This actually came from a girl at Puget Sound who loves baseball. I thought you would like it.”) on May 28th was actually from George Carlin and was not attributed to him. I remember seeing him perform it on TV.

“I found the text of his performance at
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor7.shtml “

Tim

Timothy M. Christomos, CPA
Controller
820 A Street, Suite 560
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone 253-573-9600 Ext 12
Fax 1-866-379-9700
tchristomos@radiance-capital.com

(This appeared in “We get eMail” and the attribution is now corrected. editor)

Letters—We get eMail
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-28-08.htm#email

[headlines]

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Classified Ads---Sales

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

Leasing Recruiters:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Recruits/index.htm

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

[headlines]

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Lease Police extends “no-charge” until September 30, 2008

“The good news is that the "no-charge" period has been extended until September 30, 2008. This is consistent with our policy of providing value to our customers by not asking them to pay for reports until we believe the database is fully populated. We are quite pleased with our company's acceptance, growth and support. What began operations in April 2007 is now accepted as an accepted presence in our industry. Futhermore, Lease Police is well ahead of our projections made on January 1, 2008. Let's take a look at our goals and where we stand so far this year:

“DATA BASE GOAL - 15,000 files by year end..............We will hit this by September 30th

“ALERTS GOAL - 150-200 by year end...................148 already posted

“SUBSCRIBERS GOAL - over 200 by year end............146 now
(58% of our subscribers are funders)

“We are growing rapidly, and the database has saved our clients over $1 million to date. We do need to encourage all users, however, to use the database on all new applications - not just when you are suspicious.

“LeasePolice.com is not just about avoiding fraudulent transactions, as the system can also alert you to legitimate vendors who have produced a high number of early defaults.

“The number of lease defaults in the system increases weekly. With 148 "alerts" of unusual vendor and lessee activity on file, over 3000 repossessions posted, and computerized scores on every vendor in the system there is no reason not to spend 45 seconds to input an application. All that plus no charge until September 30th.....what a deal!!

“A wise move would be to pull a report on every vendor with whom you are doing business. Our new Vendor Score allows you to credit-review vendors and to make timely decisions on those with whom you are currently doing business.

“The value of being able to look at a vendor's performance with all his funders may help you uncover unprofitable vendors before you fund too many deals with them.”

Regards,

Bernie Boettigheimer, CLP
President
Lease Police, Inc.
972-361-8111
972-692-8091-fax
214-549-3426-cell
bernieb@leasepolice.com

[headlines]

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PFF awarded Creative Capital lease portfolio

In the Creative Capital Leasing Group, LLC, San Diego, bankruptcy proceedings, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors awarded PFF Bank & Trust "The Lease Portfolio, consisted primarily of approximately 42 commercial equipment leases. The entry was listed May 30, 2008. The Debtor has listed the Lease Portfolio as having a value of $8,000,000."

"Pursuant to the Equipment Loan Documents, Debtor granted PFF Bank a valid and perfected first-priority lien upon the Leasing Portfolio. PFF Bank claims it was owed the aggregate principal amount of not less than $8,314,850.36, as of the petition date, exclusive of all accrued interest, fees, costs and expenses…"

"The Settlement Agreement provided that the Leasing Portfolio would be sold to a third party, and that the proceeds would be distributed pursuant to the following formula:
a. PFF Bank shall be paid the first $1,500,000 from the Sales Proceeds.
b. Any Sale Proceeds in excess of the $1,500,000 and up to $1,850,000 shall be paid to the OCC for satisfaction of administrative expense and unsecured claims against the estate.
c. Any Sale Proceeds in excess $1,850,000 will be divided pursuant to the following formula: 55% to the PFF Bank, 45% to the OCC for satisfaction of administrative expense and unsecured claims against the estate.
7. On May 12, 2008, an order was entered approving the sale of the Leasing Portfolio to a third party for $2,150,445.36."

There may be cases pending the officers and guarantors of Creative Capital Leasing Group.

Stipulation filed May 30th:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Creative_Cap_Ch.11.pdf

Previous PFF award:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202008/01-21-08.htm#pff

Filing of BK article:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202007/12-05-07.htm#ccl

[headlines]

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FTC-IFC Trial Postponed until November

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois Jeffrey Cole in the matter of the Federal Trade Commission vs. IFC Credit Corporation, Morton Grove, Illinois, :2007cv03155 filed on June 6, 2007 has again postponed the bench trial before him from July 14, 2008 to November 10, 2008 at 9:30am.. Judge Cole granted also granted:

"Plaintiff’s oral motion to withdraw motion for summary judgment [135] without prejudice is granted.
Defendant’s oral motion to withdraw motion for summary judgment [136] without prejudice is granted.
Defendant’s oral motion to withdraw motion to bar recovery of settlement proceeds as part of FTC’s
restitution claim [193] without prejudice is granted."

Judge Cole set a status hearing for July 30, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

Cases pending in both Missouri and Texas by the Attorney Generals’ offices await this trial. IFC attorneys have indicated they plan to appeal a ruling in the “S.O.S.” case to the Texas Supreme Court. No record of filing has been recorded to date, according to state court records.

NorVergence articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Novergence_main.htm

[headlines]

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Banks with the best overall customer ratings

JD Powers reports the banks with the best ratings by customers,
who are more loyal for the service and performance are
(alphabetically

Bank of the West
Commerce Bank
First Tennessee Bank
Wachovia Bank

The ratings are by banks in their region:

    Mid-Atlantic Region: Commerce Bank (Bancorp) ranks highest in the region with a score of 781 points, performing particularly well in convenience. First National Bank of Pennsylvania (764) follows in the regional rankings.

    Midwest Region: Commerce Bank (Bancshares) ranks highest in the region with a score of 750, performing particularly well in statements. WaMu (742) and Comerica Bank (739) follow in the region.

    Southeast Region: BancorpSouth Bank ranks highest with a score of 782, performing well in the transaction factor. First Tennessee Bank (774) and WaMu (768) follow in the region.

    Southwest Region: With a score of 802 points, Wachovia Bank ranks highest in the region, performing particularly well in the transaction factor. Bank of America, Capital One and Zions First National Bank follow with scores of 740, in a tie.

    West Region: Bank of the West ranks highest in the region with a score of 772, performing particularly well in the transactions factor. Citibank (759) and Union Bank of California (746) follow in the regional rankings.

Here is the full press release with the list of bank ratings by region:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/JD_Power_and_Associates_Report_May28.pdf

[headlines]

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Top Stories --May 26--May 30

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

(1) Galloway out as head of LEAF Specialty Finance
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#out

(2) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Thirteen Questions You Should Ask
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-28-08.htm#102

(3) Founding Father NAELB to have Triple By-Pass
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#naelb

(4)Investors Press Lenders on Bad Loans
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121193306681924605-lMyQjAxMDI4M
TIxODkyMzgzWj.html

(5) Leasing Rates --by Christopher Menkin
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#rates

(6) Cartoon---Asking for a loan
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#toon

(7) Tygris acquires USXL Express Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#tygris

(8) Letters!!! We get eMail---
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-28-08.htm#email

(9) Leasing companies named in New Destiny BK
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-30-08.htm#named

(10) April— New Equipment Volume Up!!!
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202008/05-28-08.htm#vol

[headlines]

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Leasing 102

by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

  "Delivery & Acceptance"

I have acted as an expert witness in a number of cases involving questions on equipment existence. Our documents do not cover us if the equipment did not get delivered or we fail to confirm that it meets with the lessee’s expectations. Delivery and acceptance documents have been downsized over the years for a number of “bad” reasons. Salespersons complain that our documentation is too long or too complicated. Quite frankly they are as much trouble as opposing counsel in a fraud case because they are not at risk and they are looking for an easy way to complete the sale. I suggest having the salespeople cover all the frauds and see how your documentation problems evaporate. Proper documentation and follow up cannot be taken lightly in today’s market.

When questions of fraud surface, it can usually be traced back to some failure by the leasing company in documentation, or follow up. It is important to confirm equipment existence and that it has been received intact by the lessee. The best way to do this is to visit the customer and the newly arrived equipment to have the possession and acceptance document signed. If this is not possible then ask for a signed bill of laden from the vendor to confirm that the lessee signed for the equipment. Without the equipment that you paid for your claim usually results in tremendous losses.

A small amount to investigation is necessary on each vendor to confirm that they are not tied to the lessee and they have been in existence for a few years. Most of the fraud on equipment existence comes from vendors in cahoots with the lessee and usually the equipment does not exist or it is used on multiple occasions as props for a new unsuspecting leasing company to see. Equipment inspections appear to be a lot of expense until you have that first loss because of failure to confirm the equipments existence, then the inspections sound cheap.

Think of equipment confirmation as a time to get closer to your customer and look for additional business. I have said for years that equipment inspections are the best marketing call you will ever make and equipment confirmation on new leases will discover a lot of problems that can be solved “before” the lease commences instead of after the money is spent.

It never hurts to take the check for equipment purchases to the vendor. Did you ever see anyone turned away when baring money for the vendor? This is a chance to size up the vendor and ask for additional business. Also you should question vendors that use post office box numbers or addresses in poor parts of town. Use some common sense when evaluating vendors. Just because they are not your customer does not mean that they cannot hurt you or cause you lots of pain.

Last but not least, they more time you spend on the phone confirming a good description of the equipment the better to receive warring signs that something is just not right. Most equipment fraud cases have one thing in common; a lack of information on the description and use of the equipment.

Proper documents and proper procedures rarely get into trouble but each time you cut a corner be prepared for trouble.

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

[headlines]

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Leasing Association Events-Meetings Open to All

Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors  
Chapter Meeting Schedule for more information: www.eael.org
EAEL
Tel : 212 809-1602
Fax : 212-809-1650
62 William Street,  4th Floor
New York, NY  10005

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More information: www.naelb.org

September 5 & 6, 2008
Western Regional Meeeting
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa Costa Mesa, Ca.

November 14 & 15, 2008
Eastern Regional Meeting
Renaissance Concourse Hotel
Atlanta, GA

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To view Leasing Association Conferences in 2007, please click here.

[headlines]

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Geographic "Distressed or Underserved" list

The federal bank and thrift regulatory agencies on Friday announced the availability of the 2008 list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies where bank revitalization or stabilization activities will receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) consideration as “community development.”

The list, which is a 12mb download, shows by county areas of each state that they classified as “distressed” or “underserved in 2007.”

Geographies subject to the one-year lag period are eligible to receive consideration for community development activities for the 12 months following publication of the 2008 list.

“Distressed nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies” and “underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies” are designated by the agencies in accordance with their CRA regulations. The criteria used to designate these areas are available on the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) website
( http://www.ffiec.gov/cra).

While the list is intended to show areas underserved, it may also be viewed not only as areas in need, but to be avoided, depending on your investment or sales viewpoint:

Here is the full list (145 pages, scroll, quick download):
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/CRA_List_2008.pdf

[headlines]

### Press Release ###########################
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News Briefs----

KeyCorp. not alone in loan losses, experts say
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2008/06/01/keycorp_anxious.
ART_ART_06-01-08_D2_GUAC54A.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

Ridership on mass transit breaks records
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-01-mass-transit_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Slow economic times mean pay cuts for many workers
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-06-01-commission-tips-pay-income_N.htm

Incomes and spending both slow in April
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20080530-1431-economy.html

[headlines]

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You May have Missed---

Web Site Puts Personal Spin on News Surfing
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/01/AR2008060101920.html

[headlines]

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“Gimme that Wine”

The new cults: Upstart wineries shoot for Screaming Eagle status
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/29/WI4G10U4F3.DTL

Chimney Rock wine in "Sex"
http://wineabout.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2207483&mode=

The Napa Valley castle that wine built
http://www.mercurynews.com/winecountry/ci_6723847

Wine in Los Gatos, California
http://www.mercurynews.com/winecountry/ci_5162938

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

[headlines]

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Calendar Events This Day

Bhutan: Coronation Day
National holiday. Commemorates the crowing of the fourth king in 1974.

Bulgaria: Hristo Boteve Day
Poet and national hero Hristo Botev fell fighting Turks, 1876.

I love my dentist day
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/dentalprint.htm

Israel: Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim)
Hebrew calendar date: Iyar 28, 5768. commemorates the liberation of the old city, June 7, 1967. Began at sundown June 1.

Italy: Republic Day
National holiday. Commemorates 1946 referendum in which republic status was selected instead of return to monarchy.

Make Time Precious
http://www.dailycelebrations.com/060200.htm

National Bubba Day.
Comedian T. Bubba Bechtol has created a holiday for Bubbas everywhere.
www.tbubba.com
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/bubbaday.htm

National Leave the Office Earlier Day
Employees commit to working productively all day so they can get their work done, leave the office earlier and get home to their family.
www.the productivitpro.com

National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/rockyroadday.htm

Queen’s Official Birthday
In New Zealand and Tuyalu it is commemorated on the first Monday in June. Holiday in Australia (except for Western Australia), Belize, Cayman Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea on the second Monday in June. Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s “official birthday, not the day she was actually born (which is April 21). She was crowned queen this day in 1953.

Saint Erasmus Day
Feast day of Erasmus, also known as Elmo, bishop of Formiae Campagna, Italy, who was martyred around AD 303. Patron saint of sailors. The blue light seen around ship masts that marks atmospheric electricity is popularly called St. Elmo’s Fire from the ancient believe that it signifies the saint’s protection of sailors during storms.

United Kingdom: Coronation Day
Commemorates the crowing of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Saint feast Days

• Sts. Marcellinus and Peter
• St. Erasmus
• St. Eugene
• St. Blandina
• St. Adalgis
• St. Alexander
• St. Bodfan
• St. John de Ortega
• Martyrs of Lyons
• St. Nicholas Peregrinus
• St. Ada

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

[headlines]

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Virginia Dare
1587 --- 1st child born in the American colonies, on August 18th, on what is now Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

[headlines]

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Today's Top Event in History

1863 -- Harriet Tubman frees 750 slaves in raid. This former slave and abolitionist James Montgomery lead 300 African American troops of the Union's Second South Carolina Volunteers on a raid of plantations along the Combahee River. Backed by three gun boats, Tubman's forces set fire to the plantations and free 756 slaves. American history also shows her as the first woman to lead military troops into action.
http://members.aol.com/asargordon/combee.htm
http://www.harriettubmanbiography.com/
http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm

[headlines]
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This Day in American History

    1692-As the village of Salem was gripped by terror of witches, Massachusetts Bay Colony governor Sir William Phips ordered a special court create on May 217,1692, to expedite judgment of the more than 150 people accused of witchcraft. Unpopular resident Bridge Bishop, first accused in April, was the first on the jailed brought to trail on June 2. At her April examination her accusers—teenaged girls---had collapsed in fits as she appeared but Bishop adamantly denied the charges. “I am not witch—I known not what a witch is.” She was convicted June 2 and hung June 10.
    1731—Birthday of American’s first lady: Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. While some have stated this was a standard marriage of “convenience” in its day and age, the truth in the diaries and
letters and devotion of both husband and wife supersedes the criticism as they tried to live a private life and maintain a family.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/mw1.html
    1835 - P. T. Barnum and his circus began their first tour of the United States.
    1851- America’s first statewide statute prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages was enacted in the state of Maine, June 2, 1851. The following Independence Day the mayor of Bangor showed his support of the new law by smashing 10 kegs of confiscated booze.
    1852-Publication today of a manual of the corporation of the city of San Francisco containing a map of the city, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the constitution of the state of California, the charters of the city, the revised ordinances still in force, and certain laws relating particularly to the city of San Francisco.
    1852-10,641 immigrants arrived by boat during the month of May.
    1854-New light house on Bird Island, also known as Alcatraz, illuminated for the first time. It could be seen 12 miles at sea.
    1856-Gov. Johnson ordered newly-appointed Maj.-Gen. Sherman of the California Militia to call up its members because of the crisis in San Francisco.
    1863 -- Harriet Tubman frees 750 slaves in raid. This former slave and abolitionist James Montgomery lead 300 African American troops of the Union's Second South Carolina Volunteers on a raid of plantations along the Combahee River. Backed by three gun boats, Tubman's forces set fire to the plantations and free 756 slaves. American history also shows her as the first woman to lead military troops into action.
http://members.aol.com/asargordon/combee.htm
http://www.harriettubmanbiography.com/
http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm
    1883-The first electric elevated railroad began demonstrated at the Chicago Railway Exposition by the Electric Railway Company The total track was 1,553 feet and not permitted to operate until June 9th and ceased operating on June 23 having 118.75 hours with 1,588 trips, carrying 26,805 passengers, and ran 446.24 miles. It was the first commercial elevated train to operate and considered a success to build a line in Chicago
    1886-The first wedding of a president in the White House was Grover Cleveland’s marriage to his ward, Frances Folsom, during his first administration. Cleveland served as president form March 4,1885 to March 4,1898. With the thought he had a second term in the bag, he did not campaign much and lost. He did the next election and
served as president again from March 4,1893 to March 4, 1897.
    1891- Charles Garder Radbourn wins his 300th game beating the Beaneaters at South End Grounds in Boston, 10-8. ‘Old Hoss’, who will finish 484 of the 497 games he starts, will end his 11-year career this season with 309 victories.
    1904-Johnny Weissmuller birthday. Peter John (Johnny) Weissmuller, actor and Olympic gold medal swimmer, born at Windber, PA. Weissmuller won three gold medals at the 1924 Olympics and two more at the 1928 games. He set 24 world records and in 1950 was voted the best swimmer of the first half of the 20th century. After retiring from amateur competition, he appeared as Tarzan in a dozen movies and as “Jungle Jim” in the movies and on television. Died at Acapulco, Mexico, January 20,1984.
    1917 - The temperature at Tribune, KS dipped to 30 degrees to establish a state record for the month of June.
    1925-Native Americans were declared citizens of the United States with all rights. The statute declared “ all non-citizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby declared to be, citizens of the United States.”
    1921-Trumpeter Ernie Royal born Los Angeles, CA.
    1938-Gene Krupa records “Wire Brush Stomp,” (Brunswick 8166).
    1941- Rolling Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts was born in London. Watts joined the Rolling Stones in January 1963, about six months after the group was formed. He was working in an advertising agency at the time, but had earlier played with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, as had other members of the Stones. Watts has been the backbone, along with guitarist Bill Wyman, of the Rolling Stones rhythm section throughout their 25 year career.
    1941- William Guest of Gladys Knight and the Pips was born in Atlanta. The group was part of the Motown empire in the 1960’s, where they had a hit with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in ‘67. But the Pips’ greatest popularity came in the ‘70s on the Buddah label, where their 1973 gold album “Imagination” yielded three gold singles. Among them was “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
    1944--KOBASHIGAWA, YEIKI Medal of Honor
Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. During an attack, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa’s platoon encountered strong enemy resistance from a series of machine guns providing supporting fire. Observing a machine gun nest 50 yards from his position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa crawled forward with one of his men, threw a grenade and then charged the enemy with his submachine gun while a fellow soldier provided covering fire. He killed one enemy soldier and captured two prisoners. Meanwhile, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa and his comrade were fired upon by another machine gun 50 yards ahead. Directing a squad to advance to his first position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa again moved forward with a fellow soldier to subdue the second machine gun nest. After throwing grenades into the position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa provided close supporting fire while a fellow soldier charged, capturing four prisoners. On the alert for other machine gun nests, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa discovered four more, and skillfully led a squad in neutralizing two of them. Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
    1944—Marvin Hamlisch birthday, composer (Oscar for The Sting, The Way We Were, Tony for A chorus Line, born New York, NY.
    1945----Top Hits
Laura - The Woody Herman Orchestra
Dream - The Pied Pipers
Sentimental Journey - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
At Mail Call Today - Gene Autry
    1951--*CHARLTON, CORNELIUS H. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chipo-ri, Korea, 2 June 1951. Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. Born: 24 July 1929, East Gulf, W. Va. G.O. No.: 30, 19 March 1952. Citation: Sgt. Charlton, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon was attacking heavily defended hostile positions on commanding ground when the leader was wounded and evacuated. Sgt. Charlton assumed command, rallied the men, and spearheaded the assault against the hill. Personally eliminating 2 hostile positions and killing 6 of the enemy with his rifle fire and grenades, he continued up the slope until the unit suffered heavy casualties and became pinned down. Regrouping the men he led them forward only to be again hurled back by a shower of grenades. Despite a severe chest wound, Sgt. Charlton refused medical attention and led a third daring charge which carried to the crest of the ridge. Observing that the remaining emplacement which had retarded the advance was situated on the reverse slope, he charged it alone, was again hit by a grenade but raked the position with a devastating fire which eliminated it and routed the defenders. The wounds received during his daring exploits resulted in his death but his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself the infantry, and the military service.
    1953---Top Hits
Song from Moulin Rouge - The Percy Faith Orchestra
I Believe - Frankie Laine
April in Portugal - The Les Baxter Orchestra
Take These Chains from My Heart - Hank Williams
    1955-Dana Carvey Birthday, comedian, actor (Wayne’s World, “Saturday Night Live”), born Missoula, MT. He was one of my father’s students as in his later years he taught comedy and writing at San Francisco State and then at his workshop in San Rafael, California.
    1959-The game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park was delayed for nearly half an hour as swarms of gnats invaded the field. Bug spray and torches did not disperse the gnats, but a smoke bomb, set to be used as part of a post game fireworks display, did. The orioles won, 3-2.
    1961---Top Hits
Travelin’ Man - Ricky Nelson
Daddy’s Home - Shep & The Limelites
Running Scared - Roy Orbison
Hello Walls - Faron Young
    1967- Race riots in Roxbury section of Boston .
http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc/DisplayIssue.asp?id=139
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/12/3/256S
    1967 -- KFRC Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival at Mt. Tamalpais to benefit the Hunters Point Child Care Center. “Trans-Love Buslines” carries participants from the parking area to the festival. I was news editor and we promoted the event as this style of music was very popular. The station was the leader of the new S.F. sound.
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/rock.html
    1969--*POXON, ROBERT LESLIE Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 June 1969. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 3 January 1947, Detroit, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Poxon, Armor, Troop B, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader on a reconnaissance mission. Landing by helicopter in an area suspected of being occupied by the enemy, the platoon came under intense fire from enemy soldiers in concealed positions and fortifications around the landing zone. A soldier fell, hit by the first burst of fire. 1st Lt. Poxon dashed to his aid, drawing the majority of the enemy fire as he crossed 20 meters of open ground. The fallen soldier was beyond help and 1st Lt. Poxon was seriously and painfully wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon, with indomitable courage, refused medical aid and evacuation and turned his attention to seizing the initiative from the enemy. With sure instinct he marked a central enemy bunker as the key to success. Quickly instructing his men to concentrate their fire on the bunker, and in spite of his wound, 1st Lt. Poxon crawled toward the bunker, readied a hand grenade and charged. He was hit again but continued his assault. After succeeding in silencing the enemy guns in the bunker he was struck once again by enemy fire and fell, mortally wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon's comrades followed their leader, pressed the attack and drove the enemy from their positions. 1st Lt. Poxon's gallantry, indomitable will, and courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969---Top
Get Back - The Beatles
Love (Can Make You Happy) - Mercy
Oh Happy Day - The Edwin Hawkins’ Singers
Singing My Song - Tammy Wynette
    1972- the ‘50s group Dion and the Belmonts reunited for a show at Madison Square Garden in New York. The concert was captured on the LP “Reunion.”
    1973- Paul McCartney and Wings have the #1 song on the chart with "My Love"...It's in the first of its three straight weeks at the top.
    1975 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," John Denver.
    1976 - Don Bolles, an award-winning investigative reporter for the Arizona Republic, was fatally injured when a bomb exploded in his car. He had been probing connections between businessmen and organized crime in Phoenix. A national team of reporters from several newspapers helped to indict John Adamson, who was arrested with others, for the murder.
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special01/
http://jeff.scott.tripod.com/donbolles.html
    1977---Top Hits
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
I’m Your Boogie Man - KC & The Sunshine Band
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) - Waylon Jennings
    1977 –New Jersey allows casino gambling in Atlantic City
http://camden-www.rutgers.edu/RUCAM/impact_gaming.html
http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/97/03/Chapt6.html
    1978- Bruce Springsteen's long awaited album, "Darkness On The Edge of Town" is released. Springsteen was prevented from recording for a year due to litigation involving his former manager. (1978) The album included the tracks "Badlands," "Prove It All Night" and the title track.
    1985- Nancy Lopez wins the LPGA tournament
http://www.lpga.com/player_results.aspx?id=500
    1985 - Lightning struck a house, broke a bedroom window, and jumped to a metal frame bed. A man was killed but his wife was unharmed by the lightning
    1985---Top Hits
Everything She Wants - Wham!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer
Don’t Call Him a Cowboy - Conway Twitty
sics of Love) - Waylon Jennings
    1988 -Severe thunderstorms in Texas and Oklahoma produced hail more than three inches in diameter near Stilwater OK, and softball size hail in Jones County of north central Texas. Baseball size hail and 70 mph winds caused an estimated 100 million dollars damage around Abilene TX.
    1988-True story—James Brown’s wife Adrienne claims diplomatic immunity while fighting numerous traffic violations under the grounds that she’s the wife of the Official Ambassador of Soul.
    1989 -Thunderstorms produced severe weather across much of the south central U.S. through most of the day and night. Thunderstorms spawned a dozen tornadoes, and there were 123 reports of large hail and damaging winds. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 78 mph at Russell KS, and baseball size hail was reported at Denver CO, Cuthbert TX, and in Reeves County TX. Afternoon thunderstorms in southern New England produced wind gusts to 120 mph at Fitchburg, MA, causing five million dollars damage.
    1990 -66 tornadoes struck parts of the Midwest, the Ohio Valley, and the Great Lakes area with the majority of the tornadoes in the Ohio Valley. 7 of the tornadoes were rated F4 on the Fujita scale. Indiana was the hardest hit with 37 tornadoes and 8 deaths. This outbreak was the largest outbreak since the Superoutbreak of April 3-4, 1974.
    1992- k.d. lang publicly declared her homosexuality in an interview with the Advocate, a US gay and lesbian publication. Lang talked frankly about her lesbian lifestyle and her unrequited love for a married woman.
    1994---Top Hits
Swear—All-4-One
I ll Remember (From “With Honors”)--- Madonna
The Sign—Ace Of Base
Return To Innocence—Enigma
    1997-Timothy McVeigh was found guilty of bombing the federal building in Oklahoma City two years ago.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/june97/mcveigh_6-2.html
    1999—Top Hits
Livin La Vida Loca--- Ricky Martin
If You Had My Love, Jennifer Lopez
No Scrubs- TLC
Fortunate- Maxwell
    2000- With the Tigers visiting Wrigley Field for the first time since the 1945 World Series, Cub reliever Rick Aguilera pitches a perfect ninth inning for his 300th save to nail down a 2- 0 Chicago victory.
    2000- For the first time a major league team chooses to honor a hero from a different sport as the Montreal Expos will wear Maurice Richard’s uniform number (9) on their jerseys to honor the late Montreal Canadians star.

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Baseball Poem

A Baseball Family Album

Without the iconic numbers
Like Cy’s 511, Ted’s .406, the Babe’s 60
Without the fabulous legends
Tall tales of Josh’s homers that land
In the next city on the next day
Without the headlines and box scores
They are still there

We recognize their faces
From black-and-white photos
And newsreels and pieces
Of cardboard that sold tobacco
Their trademark stances
Windups and deliveries
Slings and swings
Trots around the sacks
Head-first slides home

They have become family
Sometimes we know their nicknames
Best of all
No one is anonymous
And each has left something behind
Not just the tools of their craft
Horsehide and leather
White ash and muddy metal cleats
Pinstriped jerseys and wire-rimmed sunglasses
Not just trophies and rings and the stuff
Of attic trunks and game room displays

We have memories
Stories told between generations
Embellished over hot stoves
Recalled every summer
In the grandstand and bleachers
When something out there jogs
Something in here
Where they will live
As long as the Game
Is played

Written by Gene Carney
“Romancing the Horsehide,”
Baseball Poems on Players and
the game, published by McFarland
and Company

[headlines]

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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

[headlines]

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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

[headlines]

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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

[headlines]

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Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

[headlines]

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News on Line---Internet Newspapers

Rapid City, South Dakota

http://www.plainsman.com/v2_main_page.php

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[headlines]