Monday, June 9, 2008

Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss) guitarist, inventor, born
June 9, 1915, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Perhaps better known
to the popular music audience as Les Paul and Mary Ford,
He and his late wife had many popular hits. He was, and still is, a jazz guitarist,
inventor of the Les Paul Guitar. His web site says, he performs
every Monday at the Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, New York City.
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com/

Headlines---

Archives---June 9, 2000
33 Leasing Companies with Problems
    Classified Ads---Senior Management
        National City in trouble?
    Mortgage Rates go Up!!!
Hope to see you at the NVLA Conf. Wednesday
    Leasing Web Site Internet Ratings
        Placard---A woman who seeks to become equal
Summer Special: 20% off Help Wanted Ads
(plus an extra ten days—one full month)
    Top Stories --June 2--June 6
        Leasing News Advisory Board---Up-dated
Leasing #102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Changes in Accounting for Leases
    Enterprise Funding Group/American Lease Insurance
        A bank holiday?
    Texas Pacific and the Assoc. of British Insurers
Chill creeping into home-equity lines of credit
    News Briefs---
        You May have Missed---
California Nuts Brief---
    Sports Briefs---
        "Gimme that Wine"
    Calendar Events
Snapple Real Facts
    Today's Top Event in History
        This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
    SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle
    GasBuddy
Weather, USA or specific area
News on Line---Internet Newspapers
Kauai, Hawaii

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP---Leasing #102
    “If all we do is wait and listen for the results
        I suggest you look for work as soon as possible.”

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

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Archives---June 9, 2000
33 Leasing Companies with Problems

33 Leasing Companies with Problems the last Six Months:

Bankvest (bankrupt)
Linc Capital (out of vendor and broker business, Nasdaq halts stock sales )
DVI Capital ( out of broker )
Leasing Solutions ( bankrupt )
Prime Capital ( sold off )
VGM ( out of business )
American Business Leasing ( gone )
Fidelity ( acquired by ABN Amro Bank )
Phoenix ( both divisions )
Dana ( sold off )
Rockford ( sold )
Franklin Bank ( no more leases )
Transamerica ( sold )
Commerce Security ( closed )
Nationbank Leasing ( closed )
Unicapital ( reportedly struggling )
Imperial ( sold portfolio )
Newcourt ( sold off )
United Leasing ( out of liquidity )
Leasing Corp of America ( for sale below book value )
C&W Leasing (C&W was acquired by Granite, who were then by Fidelity National Title (FNF) )
Merit Leasing ( gone )
USA Capital ( closed shop due to "serious financial irregularities", filed Chapter 13, then converted to Chapter 7. There is a possibility that criminal charges may be brought.)
Liberty Leasing, Redwood City,CA ( closed )
Copelco ( sold to Citibank )
Finova ( out of market place )
Bombadier ( reported having problems, not confirmed )
SDI ( closed )
United Capital ( reported having problems, very bad quarter )
Charter Financial ( purchased by Wells Fargo )
New England Capital ( sold )
T&W ( "tubed" )
Metrolease ( many rumors floating around the internet, cannot at this time print them, very serious charges, but now have enough sources to tell me this company has ceased doing business with brokers ( not the cause of their problems, by the way ).
I can't write more about this until hearing the other side, but John Blazek at Metrolease does not return my telephone calls or e-mail ).

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Classified Ads---Senior Management

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

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National City in trouble?

Insiders are telling Leasing News that National City Corp., the nation’s 10th top bank was in serious trouble, close to collapse, and that the "Memorandum of Understanding" with the Office of Controller of Currency (OCC) regards the banks condition. The OCC is reportedly concerned that if the bank fails it may take five other banks with it due to their risk sharing, banking insiders are telling Leasing News.

How this fits in with the $8 billion dollar investment by shareholders, or whether a law suit regarding the condition of the bank was not presently "fairly," are other matters being talked about.

NCCC was active in many consumer and commercial loans and leases, including NorVergence leases.

The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported “recently”
the OCC issued a "memorandum of understanding" to First City’s banking unit.
At the end of the day, their stock was at $4.95. The 52 week high was $34.63

National City Corp completed several capital offerings earlier this year.
It had reported a fourth-quarter 2007 net loss of $333 million and a net loss of $171 million in the first quarter of 2008. Merger rumors have circulated around the company of late, but they abated in early May, when National City completed a $7 billion capital raise.

U.S. bank holding companies have raised more than $80 billion in capital, he said in remarks prepared for a speech at the Boston College Carroll School of Management Center for Asset Management.

Last year both the FDIC and OTS have been asking those who retired to come back to work, also seeking new employees to gear up for what they fear is to happen. They not only saw the subprime mortgage failures, but other troubles from companies who supply this industry. Their main fear was unemployment and its affect. The price of oil has increased this, wiping out any so-called economic stimulus, adding to companies laying off more employees. The idea was to beat the June 30 state and county fiscal year-end, which will see more employment layoffs.

Banking regulator are not only warning banks to raise their reserves, but also telling congress there are more problems ahead. Last year they were saying it would get better, but what they are now telling the news media and those that will listen, it is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. The latest is not until the end of 2009.

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Mortgage Rates go Up!!!

One week after the yield on the 10-year note broke through 4 percent, fixed-rate mortgages tacked on six basis points to reach a national average price of 6.26 percent, according to bankrate.com

Rates on 15-year mortgages also gained. Freddie Mac reports that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.09 percent, compared with 6.08 percent the previous week. It was the highest mark for 30-year mortgages in 12 weeks since averaging 6.13 percent the week of March 16.

The mortgage rates do not include points. The nationwide fee for 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 0.6 of a point; the fee on five-year mortgages averaged 0.5 of a point. One-year ARMs averaged 0.7 of a point.

At the same time, mortgage applications plunged, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, falling 15.3 percent.

The Chicago Tribune reports most lenders in their city were charging more than 6 percent on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Rates on jumbo loans, those larger than $417,000, were considerably higher, more than 7 percent at most lenders. Northern Trust, one of the area's largest banks, was charging borrowers 7.5 percent for jumbo mortgages, while Harris Bank was offering them at 7.25 percent, according to Interest.com, a personal finance Web site.

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Hope to see you at the NVLA Conference Wednesday

In recent years I do not attend many conferences, primarily because many workshop speakers do not want quoting or reporting, as it is considered a “closed meeting, not aimed for a newspaper article.” Time demands in producing Leasing News is also a consideration.

It is an honor to be invited to the National Vehicle Leasing Association
at their 40th anniversary to present on Wednesday evening at the opening of their conference the Leasing News Person of the Year for 2007 to retired FTC Senior Attorney Randy Brook.

Randy will also be serving on a legal panel that appears before the entire conference membership on Thursday at 12:30pm.
The moderator is Elaine Litwer, CVLE, E L Leasing Corp., who is also the NVLA Legislative Coordinator. She tells me,

“Mike Benoit will cover compliance his best subject.

“Dennis Brown of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association will talk about Streamlined Sales Tax and other projects that ELFA and NVLA work together on.

“Paul Doyle (CPA) will talk about FASB and the changes

“Hopefully Randy Brook can talk on lease extensions that exceed six months, state laws expanding consumer rights to business use clients
as well as Regulation ‘M”.”

If you are attending, please look for us to say hello.
Kit Menkin, editor/publisher

Randy Brook

Kit Menkin

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Leasing Web Site Internet Ratings

Alexa Ranks Leasing Media Web Sites

David G. Mayer's Business Leasing and Finance News is not included in the Alexa report list as it does not have its own individual site and Alexa finds Patton Boggs, LLP Attorneys at Law.  The rating is not valid as it includes all those who visit and communicate with the law firm.  When Business Leasing and Finance News has its own individual web site, it will be included in the Alexa survey.

*It should also be noted that two web sites have their "list serve" posted via their site, meaning their e-mails are counted as a visit to the site, whereas they are "list serve" communication.  These are technically visits to the web site, but primarily to use "list serve."

The Alexa tool bar works on most browsers.
They are partnered with Google.

You may download their free tool bar A graph and analysis of the last three months are available.

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Summer Special: 20% off Help Wanted Ads
(plus an extra ten days—one full month)

According to all Web site reports, Leasing News reaches more than our competitors combined. Our classified have found employment for attorneys, chief operating officers, as well as those in asset management, credit, sales, and executive positions.

We reach not only independents, but those who service the finance and leasing industry, as well as employees in all types of positions, and related industry, including government regulatory and enforcement departments. Our readers are not just in large cities, but throughout the United States. All of them are potential employees, including those who want to improve their present position.

That’s right, June, July, August—20% off regular rate, plus an increase from 21 days to 31 days on Leasing News. Art work is free, and connecting to a web site or full employment description is also free.

All rates are subject to change.

Ads run a minimum of 21 days on the web site ( holidays not included.)  There are placed in the "Help Wanted' section by category, alphabetical, with the largest ad in the category first. Copy may be amended without any extra charge.

It is also our policy to place "help wanted" ads above the news edition headlines. This position is not available as a paid position, but appear on the top of the news edition in a rotation basis. This position is not guaranteed,but is a practice to give advertisers more attention to their ad. 

Please send an email to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org to post a Help Wanted Ad.

Here are some samples of various size ads:
www.leasingnews.org/Classified/examples.htm

If you prefer a " non-employment" ad, we sell a banner ad, please
click here for pricing.

If you would like more information, please contact: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

We reserve the right to refuse any advertising.

Ads for employment should be placed in the classified ad section, where it is possible to also appear at the top of the headlines.

No changing or alternating banner ads.

Ad copy may be up-dated or changed at any time during the time period.

No charge for artwork or design.

To see sample size of ads, please go here.

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Top Stories --June 2--June 6

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

(1) Rates Going Up!!!
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-04-08.htm#rates

(2) KeyCorp not alone lease 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

(3) Steve Barker Sentenced to 48 months
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-06-08.htm#sent

(4) Dwight Galloway still employed at LEAF
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-04-08.htm#leafsf

(5) Alliance Funding Group, Orange, California
Bulletin Board Complaint
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-06-08.htm#bbc

(6) Sales makes it Happen---by Christopher Menkin
“New” Ten Top Reasons to Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-04-08.htm#sales

(7) PFF awarded Creative Capital lease portfolio
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-02-08.htm#pff

(tie)
(8) Banks with the best overall customer ratings
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-02-08.htm#banks

(tie)
(8) Ron Lear leaves PFF behind, joins OFC Capital
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-06-08.htm#ofc

(tie)
(9) John McCue no longer at McCue/Netsol
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-04-08.htm#mcnet

(tie)
(9) Lease Police extends “no-charge”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-02-08.htm#lp

(10) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Delivery & Acceptance
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202008/06-02-08.htm#102

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Leasing News Advisory Board---Up-dated

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Leasing #102

by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Changes in Accounting for Leases

“If all we do is wait and listen for the results I suggest you look for work as soon as possible.”

There is a lot of speculation on how the changes in lease classification will affect the Commercial Equipment Leasing industry. One thing is for sure, most leases are going to show up on the balance sheet of the Lessee. The attempts of the past to use lease accounting rules to hide debt has irritated the accounting world to such an extent that they will bend over backwards to make sure everything is reported correctly. Therefore the current thought for the changes will apply a discount factor (implicit rate) to the rent stream of “all” leases and place the discounted amount on the balance sheet just as capital leases are handled currently. I think this will have a crippling effect on equipment leases without looking at the facts.

Currently an operating lease that is structured around the “use” of the equipment is allowed to expense the lease payments as paid that are structured on an irregular basis to match the revenue flow, cash flow, and irregular use of the equipment, as it occurs. Many small businesses find this method of matching the expense to the actual use, a strong indicator of their true margin. Many accountants believe in the straight line approach because they say it gives consistency to the financial reporting of the firm. This may be acceptable if the firm is large but it cripples small firms. How many times have we heard “it looked like they were making money on paper just before they declared bankruptcy” Placing the expanse next to the revenue is necessary for management to determine in the short run if they are making money. Straight lining the lease expense and any attempt by the accounting profession to make true, and operating leases, look like loans on the lessee’s financials are avoiding the real world.

If I create a lease with no purchase option of any kind and create payments based on an irregular use of my equipment and expect to get it back at lease termination “why” do the accountants think it is a disguised loan? The 90% test is acceptable if, and only if, the lease contains a bargain purchase option. In addition, where is the difference for accounting purposes between renting and leasing? If there is no purchase option what is the difference between 3 months and 84 months unless it is judged by the useful life of the equipment. They need to overhaul the rules and create some method to properly present the long term obligation represented by the non-cancelable rent requirement but to convert it to a discounted loan on a straight line basis is sticking their head in the sand.

The purpose of this article is to let you know that because of the failure of so many leasing companies to support our leasing trade associations they do not have the money or the time to properly represent us in this current crisis. If all we do is wait and listen for the results I suggest you look for work as soon as possible. A strong write in campaign of your views should be directed at your local accounting chapter, your auditors and the FASB board itself. Without this effort we will sink into a forgotten industry. The time for action is now and if you just wait on the sidelines then expect the worst. We need to educate the accounting profession on what is a commercial lease and its impact on American business.

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

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

Enterprise Funding Group Speeds Funding with American Lease Insurance

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Enterprise Funding Group, LLC (Enterprise) is closing deals faster with American Lease Insurance (ALI). According to Enterprise Senior Vice President Michael Coon “ALI has improved our response time, and our ability to fund transactions.”

The ALI Program provides comprehensive portfolio protection, placing property and liability coverage on all eligible equipment from the date each lease or finance agreement is signed, as well as tracking insurance coverage for lessees who choose to obtain their own insurance. The ALI Program ensures peace of mind, remarked Coon: “If our customers’ insurance expires, ALI coverage is added automatically, so our portfolio is always protected.”

The ALI Program is automated, fully integrated with major lease accounting software programs, including LeaseTeam’s LeasePlus™ used by Enterprise. Secure data transfers to and from ALI trigger coverage on each agreement for which sufficient evidence of alternate coverage has not been provided, and facilitate billing and fee collection. Enterprise Senior Vice President of Finance Ben Fellows said the transition was even smoother than expected. “Now, all we have to do is import files three times a month, and export files three times a month. We direct all insurance-related customer service calls to ALI. We can even log into a program and review all comments and communications ALI has with our customers.”

The ALI Program was designed by experts using best industry practices in both leasing and insurance. According to Fellows, “We interviewed several providers, and determined that ALI’s coverage and customer service was superior. Their people really knew what they were talking about.” ALI’s enhanced coverage, competitive pricing, and meticulous collections and claims processing have resulted in the highest acceptance rates in the industry. Fellows summed up: “They provide our customers fair and competitive coverage, and save us considerable time. Everything they have promised, they have delivered.”

American Lease Insurance was founded in 2000 by licensed insurance agent and broker Steve Dinkelaker. From its headquarters in Sunderland, Massachusetts, ALI provides a comprehensive insurance program to an expanding list of equipment leasing and finance companies that now numbers 25. An active member of all major equipment leasing associations, ALI has been the corporate sponsor of the Equipment Leasing and Financing Foundation’s annual Industry Future Council since 2003.

For more information, go to www.aliac.net.

Enterprise Funding Group is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based independent equipment finance company specializing in transactions from $10,000 to $135,000, originated primarily by third parties. Enterprise Funding Group underwrites, funds and services loans and leases for its own portfolio. Clients include small to medium-sized business nationwide. For more information, go to
www.enterprisefundinggroup.com.

[headlines]

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

A bank holiday?
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_571579.html

Texas Pacific and the Association of British Insurers
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article4087382.ece

Chill creeping into home-equity lines of credit
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/chi-re-home-equity-line-0608
jun08,0,1555781.story

Soaring gas prices drive down sales of SUVs
http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/995778.html#more_images

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You May have Missed---

Al Franken wins endorsement for Senate in Minnesota
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080607/D915FU6O0.html

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Sports Briefs----

For the Celtics, Game 2 Is Take Two
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/08/
AR2008060802378.html?hpid=topnews

Romo, Timberlake break 100 at US Open course
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_en_tv/glf_torrey_pines_celebrity_challenge

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California Nuts Briefs---

Schwarzenegger plans to borrow from smog, nail salon funds to ease deficit
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/997024.html

This last week in Silicon Valley and California
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_9520830?nclick_check=1

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“Gimme that Wine”

Champagne's solo act: Single-vineyard bottlings allow France's revered houses to buck tradition
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/05/WIEG10UI6H.DTL

Auction Napa Valley: Heitz tried and true
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080603/LIFESTYLE/669244023/1309/
Auction_Napa_Valley__Heitz_tried_and_true

Indiana winery set to unveil no-calorie, no-carb wine
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/LIVING07/
806060445/1272/LIVING07

Hoosier wineries earn their day in the sun
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/LIVING07/
806060433/1007/LIVING

Georgia Opens to Direct Shipping
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=56089

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/

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Calendar Events This Day

Donald Duck Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/donaldduckday.htm

International Young Eagle's Day
http://homeschooling.about.com/library/bljun9a.htm

Jordan: Accession Day
National Holiday. Commemorates the accession to the throne of King Abdullah II in 1999, following the death of his father, King Hussein

National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day

Shavuot or Feast of Weeks. (June 9-10)
Jewish Pentecost holidays. Hebrew dates, Sivan 6-7, 5768. Celebrates giving of Torah (the Law) to Moses on Mount Sinai. Began at sundown June 8.

Saint feast Days

• St. Ephrem
• Bl. Diana
• St. Columba
• Bl. Anne Mary Taigi
• St. Baithin
• St. Vincent of Agen
• St. Cummian
• St. Julian
• St. Richard of Andria
• St. Maximian of Syracuse
• St. Pelagia of Antioch

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

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A perfect game in baseball is one in which the same player pitches the entire game without allowing any player of the opposing team to reach first base -- by any means.

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Today's Top Event in History

1915-Les Paul, one of the most influential guitarists in popular music history, was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. With his wife Mary Ford, he had a string of hits in the late 1940's and early '50s. Among them were "Mockin' Bird Hill," "How High the Moon" and "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise." These recordings were among the earliest to use multitracking. Les Paul designed guitars which were marketed by the Gibson company, and became the favorites of pop, rock and country musicians. Paul also built the first eight-track tape recorder, which helped pioneer multitrack recording. And he invented "sound-on-sound" recording, which has since become known as overdubbing.
http://www.lespaulonline.com/bio.html

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This Day in American History

    1732-- Englishman James Oglethorpe received a royal charter to form the American colony of Georgia. It was to be a place of refuge for sectarian Protestant believers, persecuted in England.
    1772-The first naval attack in the Revolutionary Ware was made against the British revenue cutter Gaspee, commandeered by Lieutenant William Duddington, which ran aground while chasing the packet Hanna off Namquit Point, Providence, RI, in Narragansett Bay. During the night, merchant John Brown and number of others rowed
out in eight longboats captained by Abraham Whipple, board the Gaspee, and set it on fire.
    1846- John Parker Hall of New Hampshire was elected, running on the first antislavery ticket. He switched from serving as a Democrat in the House of Representatives and ran as a Republican, starting the antislavery “ticket.”
    1856-Committee of Vigilance of San Francisco issued a proclamation which read in part: "All political, religious, and sectional differences and issues have given way to the paramount necessity of a thorough and fundamental reform and purification of the social and political body."
    1862-- Battle of Port Republic, last of 5 battles in Jacksons Valley camp, early Confederate victories by General "Stonewall" Jackson.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va106.htm
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/ABPP/shenandoah/svs3-6.html
    1863-- The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought on the North American continent. of the 20,000 soldiers involved, about 17,000 were of the mounted branch. Brandy Station is also the first battle of the war's most famous campaign - Gettysburg.
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/brandy.htm
    1887- Gertrude Agnes Muller birthday, U.S. businesswoman and inventor. Her widowed mother ran a boarding house and sold her homemade doughnuts to support the family. She also was an inventor, primarily for children products, such as the “ toidey seat," and other such products, including being the first to develop a child safety seat for automobiles.
    1856- A band of 497 Mormons left Iowa City, Iowa, and began the more than 1,000-mile trek to Salt Lake City. They carried all their goods in about 100 two-wheeled handcarts, most of which were heaped with the maximum load of 400 to 500 pounds. Each family usually had one cart, and the father and mother took turns pulling while any children old enough helped by pushing. The handcart immigrants soon ran into serious problems. The Mormon craftsmen who had constructed the handcarts back in Iowa City had chosen to use wooden axles instead of iron in order to save time and money. Sand and dirt quickly wore down the wood, and water and heat made the axles splinter and crack. As the level terrain of the prairies gave way to the more rugged country of the Plains, the sheer physical challenge of hauling a 500-pound cart began to take its toll. One British immigrant who was a skilled carpenter wrote of having to make three coffins in as many days. Some of the pilgrims gave up. Two girls in one handcart group left to marry a pair of miners they met along the way. The majority, however, struggled on and eventually reached the Salt Lake Valley. Over the course of the next four years, some 3,000 Mormon converts made the overland journey by pushing and pulling heavy-laden handcarts. Better planning and the use of iron axles made the subsequent immigrations slightly easier than the first, and some actually made the journey more quickly than if they had used ox-drawn wagons. Still, once the church finances had recovered, Young's followers returned to using conventional wagons. The handcart treks remained nothing less than heroic. One Mormon girl later estimated that she and her family had each taken over a million steps to reach their goal, pushing and pulling a creaking wooden handcart the entire way.
http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1787-1-1-1,00.html
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=323397&sourceid=
0100000010991440602498
http://www.xmission.com/~nelsonb/handcart.htm
    1863-The largest cavalry battle of the war is fought at Brandy Station, Virginia. After the Confederate victory at Chancellorville in early May, Lee began to prepare for another invasion of the North by placing General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry at Brandy Station, just east of Culpeper, to screen the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia as it started toward the Blue Ridge mountains. Stuart used this time at Brandy Station to stage a grand parade in order to boost morale and show off his dashing troopers to local residents. Unbeknownst to Stuart, his pompous display was observed by uninvited Union cavalry and infantry under the command of General Alfred Pleasonton, who lurked across the Rappahannock. On June 9, Pleasonton struck the surprised Rebels in a two-pronged assault. After initially falling back, the Confederates eventually rallied, and the battle raged all day around St. James Church. The battle's key moment came when Union troops headed to seize Fleetwood Hill, an elevation from which the Yankees could shell the entire battlefield. Confederate Lieutenant John Carter struggled to mount a cannon on the hill and fired a single shot that stopped the Union troopers in their tracks. The Yankee officer leading the charge suspected the Confederates had a line of guns sitting just over the top of the hill, when in fact it was a single gun with barely enough powder for a single shot. Carter's heroic act saved the day for Stuart. The move bought time for the Confederates, and they held the hill.
The battle continued until late afternoon, with many spectacular cavalry charges and saber fights in addition to hand-to-hand combat by dismounted cavalry. In the end, Stuart's forces held the field. Although it was technically a Rebel victory, the battle demonstrated how far the Union cavalry had come since the beginning of the war. Stuart's cavalry had been the master of their Union counterparts, but its invincibility was shattered on that muggy Virginia day.
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/brandy.htm
http://americancivilwar.com/brandy_station.html
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va035.html
    1891-Cole Porter's birthday. Each day we celebrate life with the birthday of a notable musician, artist or American. The purpose is to celebrate life and a birthday is the perfect day to do so.. An excellent book is available at amazon.com titled Cole Porter: A Biography by William McBrien. You will find my review of this book along with others on Amazon.com . Porter published his first song,” The Boblink Waltz” at the age of 10. His career as a composer and lyricist for Broadway was launched in 1928 when five of his songs were used in the musical play, “ Let’s Dot It.” His prolific contributions to the Broadway stage included Fifty Million Frenchmen, Wake up and Dream, The Gay Divorcee, Anything Goes, Leave It To Me, Du Barry was a Lady, Something for the Boys, Kiss Me Kate, Can Can and Silk Stockings. Both of Porter's legs were crushed in a horseback riding accident in 1937, and he became a semi-invalid thereafter. Porter was born at Peru, IN, and died at Santa Monica, October 15,1964.
    1894 -- American Railway Union convenes in Chicago (-26th), representing 465 local unions & a claimed membership of 15,000. On the 26th they call a sympathy strike for Pullman workers.
http://recollectionbooks.com/siml/library/PullmanStrike.htm
    1899 - James J. Jeffries scored an 11th-round knockout against "Sunny" Bob Fitzsimmons at Coney Island, New York. Jeffries became heavyweight boxing champ as a result.
    1899---Kate Chopin book “The Awakening” is published. Way ahead of her time, she created the unforgettable character Edna Pontellier, the married woman who sought her own sexual and emotional identity.
http://www.dailycelebrations.com/060901.htm
    1902 -Horn and Hardart Baking Company opened the first automatic arrangement for vending food at 818 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, on June 9, 1920. The mechanism, which cost $30,000, was imported from Germany, where the patents were acquired from their Swedish originators. The company then opened a chain of Automate restaurants in cities across the nation, including New York City, where a branch opened in 1912 at 1515 Broadway. These automats used a different mechanism that was patented and manufactured by Horn and Hardart. Customers were presented with an array of little compartments, each containing a dish of prepared food visible through a glass door. When the customer dropped a nickel in the proper slot, the door popped open, allowing the customer to remove the dish. The compartments were refilled from behind by restaurant workers.
    1909-The trip that changed women's attitude towards automobiles from “Woman of Achievement and History:”
Alice Huyler Ramsey, 22, with three women friends as passengers got behind the wheel of a topless motor car in New York City and headed west. Predicted to turn for home within days, the women sped across the U.S. to San Francisco in 41 days and proved that women could drive "just like a man." The new Maxwel Ramsey could hit 40 on the few good roads there were. Most of the "roads" were nothing more than rutted wagon trails.
Sponsored by the Maxwell Company, the women's trip was well publicized. Ramsey did all the repair work herself like changing sparkplugs and fixing flats. The women "passengers" were called a working crew by Ramsey. AHR drove cross country almost 70 more times, doing it once a year until her death at 96. She held a valid driver's license. In accepting an AAA award for her part in proving that "automobiles are here to stay rugged and dependable enough to commend any man's respect, gentle enough for the daintiest lady," AHR included herself among "the great women drivers who were convinced we could drive as well as most men." A 1909 "in town" race of women drivers show the cars and the race conditions in cities. But outside the cities, there were virtually no roads - just wagon trails. For years many women were afraid to drive because it infringed on the male prerogative. Men were men and could not be expected to trust a woman behind the wheel of a car. Most women chose not to challenge for the driver's seat since it made the man look less virile. Another reason was that a woman behind the wheel of a car caused rampant road rage as men deliberately crashed into the cars driven by women to teach them not to challenge men's rights.
    1915-Les Paul, one of the most influential guitarists in popular music history, was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. With his wife Mary Ford, he had a string of hits in the late 1940's and early '50s. Among them were "Mockin' Bird Hill," "How High the Moon" and "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise." These recordings were among the earliest to use multitracking. Les Paul designed guitars which were marketed by the Gibson company, and became the favorites of pop, rock and country musicians. Paul also built the first eight-track tape recorder, which helped pioneer multitrack recording. And he invented "sound-on-sound" recording, which has since become known as overdubbing.
http://www.lespaulonline.com/bio.html
    1924 - Jelly Roll Morton and his band recorded "Jelly-Roll Blues" for General Records.
    1934- Donald Duck makes his first film appearance, in The Wise Little Hen, a short by Walt Disney. Donald, along with Mickey Mouse (who debuted in 1928), would become one of Disney's most beloved characters. Donald's popularity also led to other characters in the Duck family, including Daisy Duck, Uncle Scrooge, and nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louey.
    1934--soul singer Jackie Wilson was born in Detroit. He got his first big break when he replaced Clyde McPhatter as lead singer of the Dominoes. Wilson later developed into one of the premier black vocalists, beginning in the late 1950s. His string of hits included "Higher and Higher," "Lonely Teardrops" and "Baby Workout." In September, 1975, he collapsed on stage in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He remained in a coma until his death on January 21st, 1984.
    1943—FDR introduces “Withholding tax” on payroll; popularly known as the "Pay As You Go Tax," allowed Americans to taxpayers to withhold federal income taxes before getting paid their wages or salaries. It also was a major cash boon for the government, especially for the wartime economy.
    1944—Top Hits
Long Ago and Far Away - Helen Forrest & Dick Haymes
I’ll Get By - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Dick Haymes)
I’ll Be Seeing You - Bing Crosby
Straighten Up and Fly Right - King Cole Trio
    1946--*DEGLOPPER, CHARLES N. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. C, 325th Glider Infantry, 82d Airborne Division. Place and date: Merderet River at la Fiere, France, 9 June 1944. Entered service at: Grand Island, N.Y. Birth: Grand Island, N.Y. G.O. No.: 22, 28 February 1946. Citation: He was a member of Company C, 325th Glider Infantry, on 9 June 1944 advancing with the forward platoon to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River at La Fiere, France. At dawn the platoon had penetrated an outer line of machineguns and riflemen, but in so doing had become cut off from the rest of the company. Vastly superior forces began a decimation of the stricken unit and put in motion a flanking maneuver which would have completely exposed the American platoon in a shallow roadside ditch where it had taken cover. Detecting this danger, Pfc. DeGlopper volunteered to support his comrades by fire from his automatic rifle while they attempted a withdrawal through a break in a hedgerow 40 yards to the rear. Scorning a concentration of enemy automatic weapons and rifle fire, he walked from the ditch onto the road in full view of the Germans, and sprayed the hostile positions with assault fire. He was wounded, but he continued firing. Struck again, he started to fall; and yet his grim determination and valiant fighting spirit could not be broken. Kneeling in the roadway, weakened by his grievous wounds, he leveled his heavy weapon against the enemy and fired burst after burst until killed outright. He was successful in drawing the enemy action away from his fellow soldiers, who continued the fight from a more advantageous position and established the first bridgehead over the Merderet. In the area where he made his intrepid stand his comrades later found the ground strewn with dead Germans and many machineguns and automatic weapons which he had knocked out of action. Pfc. DeGlopper's gallant sacrifice and unflinching heroism while facing unsurmountable odds were in great measure responsible for a highly important tactical victory in the Normandy Campaign.
    1946 - Mel Ott of the New York Giants had the honor of becoming the first manager to be ejected from both games of a doubleheader.
    1952—Top Hits
Kiss of Fire - Georgia Gibbs
Blue Tango - The Leroy Anderson Orchestra
Be Anything - Eddy Howard
The Wild Side of Life - Hank Thompson
    1953 -Touching down far east of traditional tornado alley, a devastating tornado, at least of F4 intensity, tore through Worcester County, Massachusetts and killed 90 people and injured 1288. The northern part of the city of Worcester suffered extreme damage. Property damage exceeded 52 million dollars which until then was a record high for a single tornado. 4000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. spawned by a classic supercell thunderstorm with tops at 60,000 feet, this tornado was and still is the worst tornadic event in history of New England.
    1954 - Army counsel Joseph N. Welch asked Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" during the Senate-Army Hearings. The audience of citizens and newspaper and television reporters burst into wild applause. Just a week later, the hearings into the Army came to a close. McCarthy, exposed as a reckless bully, was officially condemned by the U.S. Senate for contempt against his colleagues in December 1954. During the next two- and-a-half years McCarthy spiraled into alcoholism. Still in office, he died in 1957. http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0609.html
    1956-Bestselling crime novelist Patricia Cornwall, creator of crime- solving medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, born Miami, Florida. Hoping to become a crime novelist, Cornwall spent six years studying forensic science and working at the morgue. She wrote three novels between 1984 and 1988, all featuring a dashing, adventurous, and poetic detective hero, with a minor medical- examiner character named Kay Scarpetta. An editor advised Cornwall to focus on Scarpetta and to write grittier fiction based on everyday crime situations faced by the morgue. Cornwall wrote Postmortem, which was finally accepted by Scribner's after seven other publishers rejected it. The novel won five major mystery awards that year and sold hundreds of thousands of copies in paperback. Cornwall's subsequent Scarpetta novels, including Cruel and Unusual (1993) and Cause of Death (1996), sold in the millions and have been translated into 22 languages, earning her multimillion-dollar advances.
    1960—Top Hits
Cathy’s Clown - The Everly Brothers
Burning Bridges - Jack Scott
Paper Roses - Anita Bryant
Please Help Me, I’m Falling - Hank Locklin
    1961-Birthday of actor Michael J. Fox, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
    1962 - Tony Bennett made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City ten years after making his first hit song, "Because of You."
    1963-Birthday of actor Johnny Deep, born Ed Wood at Owensboro, KY.
    1966 -Hurricane Alma made landfall over the eastern Florida panhandle -- the earliest lanfalling hurricane on the U.S. mainland on record.
    1967---McGONAGLE, WILLIAM L. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain (then Comdr.) U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Liberty (AGTR-5). place and date: International waters, Eastern Mediterranean, 8-9 June 1967. Entered service at: Thermal, Calif. Born: 19 November 1925, Wichita, Kans. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sailing in international waters, the Liberty was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and motor torpedo boats which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Capt. McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command. Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Capt. McGonagle's extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the Liberty's crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to command his ship for more than 17 hours. It was only after rendezvous with a U.S. destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the Liberty and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Capt. McGonagle's superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant leadership saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. (Captain McGonagle earned the Medal of Honor for actions that took place in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean rather than in Vietnam.)
    1968—Top Hits
Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & The Drells
This Guy’s in Love with You - Herb Alpert
Honey - Bobby Goldsboro
    1969 - The U.S. Senate confirmed Warren Burger to be the new chief justice of the United States, succeeding Earl Warren.
    1972 -Thunderstorms dumped up to 14 inches of rain in about 4 hours on the east slopes of northern Black Hills in South Dakota. Severe flash flooding resulted, especially in the Rapid City area. The make matters worse, the Canyon Lake Dam collapsed sending a wall of water through the city. 238 people were killed and 2932 were injured. Total damage exceeded $150 million.
    1973 - Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first American Triple Crown winner in 25 years.
    1975 - Tony Orlando and Dawn received a gold record for their hit song "He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)". The album sold a million copies, and was number one for three weeks from May 3 to 17, 1975. It was also one of five million copy sellers for the trio. "He Don’t Love You" was a remake of a hit Jerry Butler crooned in 1960.
    1976—Top Hits
Love Hangover - Diana Ross
Silly Love Songs - Wings
Get Up and Boogie (That’s Right) - Silver Convention
One Piece at a Time - Johnny Cash
    1977 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "I'm Your Boogie Man," KC & the Sunshine Band.
    1978 - Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints struck down a 148-year-old policy of excluding black men from the Mormon priesthood.
    1980 - Comedian and actor Richard Pryor suffered almost fatal burns at his San Fernando Valley, California home when a mixture of "free-base" cocaine exploded and set him on fire. Near death, he convalesced at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital Burn Center.
    1981-Xerox is the first with a personal computer for the office: Xerox 820. Basically a word processor, it retailed for $3,000, had two disk drives and a monitor displaying twenty- four lines of 80-character type.
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Peaks/9595/xerox.html
    1983 - Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney tragically drowned while trying to save three children from drowning in Monroe, Louisiana. Two of the children perished, but one made it to safety. A few weeks later, Pres. Reagan posthumously awarded Delaney the Presidential Citizens Medal.
    1984—Top Hits
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry
The Reflex - Duran Duran
Someday When Things are Good - Merle Haggard
    1985 - American educator Thomas Sutherland was kidnapped in Lebanon, and he was released in November 1991 along with fellow hostage Terry Waite.
    1985 - The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly beat the Boston Celtics, 111-100, to win their first National Basketball Association title in nine tries against the Celtics. Since 1959, when they were based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Lakers had been shut out of the championship series. The most-valuable-player for the winning Lakers was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
    1987 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Always," Atlantic Starr.
    1987 - Thunderstorms in the northeastern U.S. produced large hail and damaging winds in Vermont injuring two persons. Thunderstorms in Ohio produced wind gusts to 75 mph near Akron, and deluged Pittsfield with two inches of rain in thirty minutes.
    1989-- Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry hits his 200th career home run in a ten-inning, 4-3, loss to the Pirates.
    1989 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather over the Central Gulf Coast Region during the day and evening. Severe thunderstorms spawned 17 tornadoes, including one which injured ten persons and caused a million dollars damage at Orange Beach, AL. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 90 mph killed three persons and injured four others at Mobile AL. Thunderstorms also deluged Walnut Hill and Avalon Beach, FL, with eight inches of rain.
1989 "Star Trek V" premiers; "The Final Frontier"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098382/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305350205/002-5217827-1679236?v=glance&n=130
    1990 -San Diego, California set a new record rainfall amount on this date. .38 inches of rain fell breaking the old record of .13 inches established in 1892. Moisture from the remains of Hurricane Boris was responsible for this rare rain event.
    1990 - 25 years to the day after their father Brian and his band The Beach Boys hold the No. 1 spot for "Help Me Rhonda," Carnie and Wendy Wilson's trio Wilson Phillips (with Chynna Phillips) move into the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with their single "Hold On."
    1993—Top Hits
That s The Way Love Goes-- Janet Jackson
Freak Me- Silk
Knockin Da Boots, H-Town
Weak- SWV
    1993 - What's Love Got to Do With It?, a film about singer Tina Turner and how she rose to rock stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner, opened in U.S. theaters. The film was well received, and the stars, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, were both nominated for Oscars. Bassett won a Best Actress Golden Globe for her electrifying performance as Tina.
    1998-Top Hits
The Boy Is Mine, Brandy
Too Close- Next
You re Still The One- Shania Twain
My All- Mariah Carey
    1999 - Ricky Martin's self-titled album was certified multi-platinum on this date.
    1999 --After being ejected in the 12th inning by plate umpire Randy Marsh for arguing a catcher's interference call, Bobby Valentine returns to the dugout with a fake mustache and glasses. The National League will suspend the Mets' manager for two games and fine him for using the disguise.
    2000 - Boyz II Men release to radio stations "Pass You By," their first new single in more than three years.

NBA Finals Champions This Date

    1985 Los Angeles Lakers

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Baseball Poem

        Three Run Homers, or, Rupert Brooke Celebrates Baseball

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a three
Run homer when the team is pressed
Against the wall and quite distressed,
A homer that may at evening scare
A nighthawk circling in the air,
Or, 'neath the arc lights blazing bright,
Restore the score and set things right,
Rescue the pitcher and save the game,
And set the home team crowd aflame:
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only heroes knock in three.

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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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News on Line---Internet Newspapers

Kauai, Hawaii

http://kauaiworld.com/

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