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Like selling vendor programs and large transactions? CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again. |
Friday, June 19, 2009
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Singer/Songwriter Sir James Paul McCartney MBE born 18 June 1942 Liverpool, Lancashire, England; a member of the Beatles, but perhaps along with John Lennon wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history. McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. Still very active singing and composing. http://www.paulmccartney.com/
http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/mccartney_paul/artist.jhtml#bio |
Headlines---
Our Nine Year Anniversary
Classified Ads---Sales Manager
Pugent Sound NOT joining "No Broker's List"
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Cartoon---Golfer leaves House
25 Top Leasing Industry Influence-43 Named
Sending files on the Internet
June 26-27, 2009, Mumbai, India Workshop
8 New CLS Designees
Whatever Works/Year One/High Hopes
The Hidden Fortress/Waltz with Bashir
Fernando's View by Fernando F. Croce
View from the Top--Steve Chriest
"Fast Turn Around Time"
Classified ads- Syndicator
News Briefs---
Changes Ahead For Lease Accounting Standards
Walter Cronkite reportedly gravely ill
Mortgage Loan Applications Drop Nearly 16%
Recession losing steam?
Credit Cards: Cutting Off Mom & Pop Credit
Billionaire Stanford to appear in federal court
You May have Missed---
Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
GasBuddy
Weather, USA or specific area
Traffic Live----
In Sales makes it Happen, Scott Wheeler answers those who criticized him for regarding questioning "application only" transactions.
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
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Our Nine Year Anniversary
June 21, 2000 Leasing News was incorporated with an Advisory Board to give further direction.
Leasing News |
|
Chairman, Advisory Board |
|
| Bob Teichman, CLP | Teichman Financial Training, Sausalito, CA. |
Advisory Board |
|
| Edward Castagna | Nassau Asset Management, Westbury, NY. |
| Steve Crane, CLP | Bank of the West, Walnut Creek, CA. |
Endeavor Financial Services, Costa Mesa , CA |
|
| Phil Dushey | Global Financial Services, Manhattan, NY. |
| Ken Greene, Esq. | Universal City / Kentfield, California |
| Shawn D. Halladay | The Alta Group, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Robert S. Kieve | Empire Bradcasting, San Jose, CA. |
| Bruce Kropschot | Kropschot Financial Services, The Villages, FL. |
| Bruce Lurie | Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation, Houson, TX. |
| Andrew Lea, M.A. | Point Richmond, Calif. |
| Allan Levine | Madison Capital, LLC., Owings Mills, MD |
| Don Myerson | BSB Leasing, Colorado,Hawaii |
| Armon L. Mills, CPA | San Diego Business Journal, San Diego, CA. |
| Dan Pulcrano | Metro Newspapers, San Jose, California |
| Steve Reid, CLP |
|
| Pacific Rim Partners &
Sunrise Tankers, San Francisco, CA. |
|
| Ginny Young | former Brava Capital, Orange, CA. |
Publisher/Editor |
|
| Christopher "Kit" Menkin,, Saratoga, CA. | |
“Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.”
One of our main goals is to be a crusader of ideas; a provocateur of thought, presenting all sides following internet netiquette.
We will continue as an ombudsman to help “arbitrate, negotiate,” “resolve” complaints, answer specific questions that readers may have, help provide solutions, sources, contacts, tools, resources, and make available the truth of what is really happening in the leasing industry.
It is our mission to not represent one viewpoint, but to give all sides available, and to find the truth behind a “spin” in a press release. To be first with the news and to follow-up until full conclusion.
We do not represent a “membership” or group who's interest is primarily promoting their membership and activities.
We are independent in every spirit of the word. We have written about advertisers, friends, leasing associations, and seek to represent all sides equally. We have placed “advertisers” in our complaint bulletin board, informing them that they may no longer advertise here.
Opinions and viewpoints in an article are allowed when the article is signed by the writer, as is the policy of Associated Press.
If a writer has a potential conflict of interest, a disclaimer will be included in any article.
All press releases, written by others will be so indicated with ##### surrounding.
We only will have an edition when there is “sufficient equipment leasing news.”
We will continue to help those seeking employment or who want to seek a better position. Originally our “help wanted” ads were free, but too many were taking advantage in seeking “commissioned salesmen,” so now this has become a “paid” privilege. Our other classified ad, such as “job wanted,” “outsourcing,” and “attorney” ads will remain free.
The Leasing News Advisory Board is chosen by the publisher.They are not financially compensated. They participate in the overall direction of our electronic newspaper. As with a printed newspaper, it is the editor's sole discretion as to what is “printed” and not “printed;” specifically the advisory board is not consulted for editorial content.
It is not an editorial board.
While we are in a different century, different time, and do not have the
circulation of “The World,” Leasing News will strive to follow “The World's” editorial policy as expressed by its publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
Christopher "Kit" Menkin,
Editor/Publisher
January 10, 2006
The Mission of “The World” newspaper
“An institution which should always fight for progress and reform; never tolerate injustice or corruption; always fight demagogues of all parties; never belong to any party; always oppose privileged classes and public plunder; never lack sympathy with the poor; always remain devoted to the public welfare; never be satisfied with merely printing the news; always be drastically independent; never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.”
October 30, 1911 Frank J. Cobb, editor, “The World.” His statement is a quote from the publisher Joseph Pulitzer's retirement speech on April 10, 1907.
The policy and mission of Leasing News are available in each
edition printed.
Policy Statement:
http://www.leasingnews.org/policy.htm
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Classified Ads---Sales Manager
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Bayville, NJ |
For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm
To place a free "job wanted" Leasing News ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm
ELFA Career Center: Job Seekers (free):
http://careers.elfaonline.org/search.cfm
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Pugent Sound NOT joining "No Broker's List"
The letter above was sent to many Pugent Sound Leasing brokers, who assumed the company was getting out of the broker aspect of business. According to a highly reliable source, the letter is sent out to brokers who have not been sending in much business, or who were receiving approvals, but not getting the deals signed.
When David M. Johnson joined Puget Sound Leasing, Bellevue, Washington as senior vice president and leasing division manager for First Sound Bank, he was to make some changes. He had been vice president of credit and operations for Irwin Commercial Finance's Small-Ticket Leasing Division.
He made some personnel changes shortly after he joined, and along with David Murphy, Ex-Irwin Senior Credit Analyst, their intention was to be more aggressive and efficient in seeking solid leasing business. They had First Sound Bank behind them solidly, it was reported.
Several of the leasing brokers who were affected said business was slow, it was true, but added they were concerned about Pugent Sound Leasing staying in business due to the law suit with the Secords (officers of Larasco with personal guarantees involved) and other banks.
"I had a 100% funding ratio with them, but I did not send them anything in the last 3 or 4 months because of the controversy that was taking place there at the bank and the lawsuit," one broker told Leasing News. "I was terrified the bank would divest themselves of Puget Sound and I would be caught with an approval, but no funding."
The fear is not justified as all sources tell Leasing News the bank is in very good shape, despite their dispute with the sellers of the leasing company (the co-founder of the leasing company was on their board of directors!!!)
The court cases in the state of Washington seemed to have merged, as they center on the same liability issues in C09-0056-TSZ in the US District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle. There are now six plaintiffs and now 22 defendants, counting counter defendants, plus 16 attorneys to be notified (same attorneys on "counter defendants."
The Secords reportedly have deep pockets. They have posted $3.6 million in cash to date with the Clerk "…for the potential loss of value of the attached property." There are arguments back and forth what the posting should be, and the latest based on First Sound Bank not providing an audited financial statement to shareholders.
Jan Gould, Chief Financial Officer of First Sound Bank, since its formation in 2004, stated he will have audited statements by the end of the month. It should be noted the bank issued a restatement of its April, 2009 financial statement showing a $20 million loss, $18 million of which they directly attributed to losses of Pugent Sound Leasing acquisition from the four defendants, they claim.
The Secords on the other hand claim it is the economy for the losses, not theirs, and while twelve employees in depositions testified to planned forfeiture of security deposits, extended leases, residuals changed from $1 to 10% or fair market value, and the money being used to keep losses low, the Secords deny this. In arrangements of selling stream of payments to other banks, with contingencies involving First Sound Bank in the sale, in the Cowlith Bank case as "Intervening Plaintiff" dated June 1, 2009:
"29. Answering Paragraph 29, Larasco admits that the no-loss practice also served as the primary reasons the Investor Banks were willing to provide favorable terms to PSL in purchase the lease payment streams. Unless specifically admitted, Larasco denies all other allegations.
30. Answering Paragraph 20, Larasco admits that PSL employed a practice whereby PSL paid all amounts due under the leases underlying the lease payment stream portfolios (referred to be Cowlitz as the "no-loss practice." Larasco further admits that PSL affirmed its no-loss practice to Cowlitz and that its course of conduct was consistent with that practice."
This gives evidence to the 12 banks claims of leases being made "whole" by Larasco and the allegation that they considered it part of a "no loss" program, reportedly not part of the agreement with First Sound Bank's purchase from Larasco and the defendants. It also gives credence to the charges of not returning security deposits, charging extra payments as an "Evergreen Clause" and also changing purchase options where the money went to the "no loss" concept.
In reporting from public records, Louis Secord, Jr. made motions to seal documents, which were granted. In the latest, a motion to protect "proprietary information" and "confidential information," the defendants prevailed in an order to obtain a "Protective Order Regarding Holding of Confidential and Attorney's Eyes Only Material." Basically this is to exclude the media from more public information being disclosed as to the practices of the banks in conjunction with Larasco and the Secords as well as what employees and other witnesses will be deposing in their testimony.
"Discussion" on Larasco Cash to equal value of assets in case
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/Larasco%20$3.6%20million.pdf
Cowiltz Bank admissions on "no-loss practice
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/Larsaco%20Response.pdf
Previous Articles on FSB vs. Larasco/Secords:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/pugent.htm
No Longer Working with Broker's List:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/Out-of-broker-bus.htm
 |
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Classified Ads---Help Wanted
 |
Ten years experience packaging/placing leases
jamespenny@cprofit.com/877-386-3716,ext.100 |
 |
Manage, evaluate, value, remarket portfolio assets. Unlimited compensation. CLICK HERE for full description. Maria Lopez (203) 354-6090 or mlopez@eqfsdirect.com Equilease is a long established full-service leasing company that finances industrial and commercial equipment for vendors, manufacturers and end-users. www.eqfsdirect.com |
|
Like selling vendor programs and large transactions? CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again. |
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25 Top Leasing Industry Influence-43 Named
"Influential" as "a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events" {Online Dictionary}. They must be alive, and do not need to be active any longer in the leasing or finance industry.
List (click on name for full description:)
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Sending files on the Internet
This is a follow-up on Scott Wheeler's columns regarding credit requirements becoming more than "application only" and the credit score. Larger transactions have always required financial statements and tax returns, and it seems this is now being required on lower dollar transactions and "due diligence."
Many would prefer to use the internet, as they have been using "application only." The size of the files seems to be a problem.
Many scanners have multi-feeds as larger copies possess.
The options to saving and sending in large amounts require additional internet programs. One of the oldest, but not utilized as much today is:
This program is often free with a new computer, and the company gives free up-grades from registered owners. Two basic versions.
$29.95 & $49.95
http://www.winzip.com/downwz.htm
Adobe was perhaps the first to make PDF files easy to use. This is perhaps the most popular method of copying files. The only problem is they are in the PDF format. You need to convert Word and Excel into PDF format. Adobe has two versions. It is often given as free software with a new computer, plus has a "free" version ("Reader" and a paid version (Acrobat 9 Pro: $449 or up-grade $159) http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/images/reader_icon_special.jpg
Gaining popularity is Nuance PDF Converter, as it not only has PDF but the ability to easily convert into a word or other document. It is very fast and convenient. Many scanners today also have the feature to convert PDF. The main advantage with Nuance is not only its speed and ease to use, but easy ability into conversions (and doesn't use up all the hard drive space that Adobe does, either.)
$99.00
http://www.nuance.com/imaging/pdfconverter/pdfconverter-professional.asp
You can use this account to send files to anyone, however there are limitations, based if the free version or paid versions.
Free version limitations:
The upload speed will be SLOWER than a paid account.
The file will expire in 3 days.
The file can only be downloaded 3 times.
Can only send one file at a time.
Ads will display when the recipient downloads the file.
Features:
Fast download speed for the recipient.
Download information available in "My Files" area.
You can create a FileBox to receive files.
Depending on your usage, they have programs starting at $4.95 a month ($49.95 per year) a month for 500mb per month transfer, and higher.
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June 26-27, 2009, Mumbai, India Workshop
o Two day workshop in Mumbai on the June 26-27, 2009 where we do a complete discussion on leasing of IT equipments, telecom equipments and residual value leases, discussion on accounting aspect, tax and regulatory aspect to taking up a global overview and discussion on Islamic leases also.
o Workshops on Leasing in emerging markets in Mauritius and our other two-day public workshop, in India, on Pricing & Management of Credit Risk
o Our comprehensive residential event will be running for the eleventh time from August 19 - 25, 2009. We do a complete discussion on covered bonds, sukuks, other alternative forms of asset backed securities, recent developments in securitization accounting and lots more.
o Eleventh Securitization and Covered bonds School:
See details at:
http://vinodkothari.com/secwork.htm
or just write back to me or vinod@vinodkothari.com
Main Web site: http://vinodkothari.com/
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8 New CLS Designees
The Certified Leasing Professional Foundation here in the United States would like to extend its Congratulations to the eight (8) new Ukrainian CLS designees. The following individuals earned their CLS Certificates in during the second quarter of 2009: Starova Ganna Remualdovna, Oleksandr Leonidovich Bilinok, Oksana Volodimirovna Boyko, Valirya Volodimirovna Golitsina, Ganna Anatolivna Ivashina, Olena Leonidivna Kulish, Evgeniya Yurievna Nogina and Olena Vitalievna Savina.
"The Certified Leasing Specialist Program is the certification plan in the Ukraine and Moldova designed to raise the stature of those who work in the Financial Leasing Industry as well as to insure that a pool of qualified candidates are ready to help accelerate the growth of the equipment finance industry. The CLS program is the premier designation of individuals who pass and complete a series of intensive course work over three weeks and then pass a set of three exams."
The CLS certification program is a collaboration of the Access to Credit Initiative (ATCI) a project of the US Agency for International Development, implemented by Pragma Corporation, an international consulting company, and the Certified Lease Professional Foundation. ATCI is designed to grow commerce by improving access to credit in several industries including mortgage, banking, and credit reporting systems and of commercial equipment leasing and finance. Target markets are small and medium sized companies on track for growth. Similar to the CLP certification here in the United States, CLS course work and testing is conducted on the following topics: Classification and Terminology, Marketing, Lease Pricing, Risk Management, Financial Analysis, Lease Packaging, Documentation and Accounting.
Since 2006 the CLS Programs in Ukraine and Moldova have retained their status as licensees of the Certified Lease Professional Foundation.
Leasing News thanks Theresa M. Kabot, CLP, President, CLP Foundation for sending a copy of the certification for Starova Remualdovna
Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce
"Whatever Works" and "Year One" provide audiences with a choice of comedic styles, while DVD watchers can rediscover classics from Mike Leigh and Akira Kurosawa.
In Theaters:
Whatever Works (Sony Pictures Classics): There's something comforting about the way Woody Allen continues to average a movie a year. After taking a tour of Spain in last year's "Vicki Christina Barcelona," cinema's favorite neurotic returns to his beloved New York with this characteristically offbeat comedy. Larry David, best known to TV audiences for "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," fits right into Allen's world as Boris, a crusty pessimist whose life takes an unexpected turn when he has to shack up with Melodie (Evan Rachel Wood), a lively young woman who's the polar opposite of him. Can the chasm between their contrasting personalities be overcome? Though he doesn't do anything new, Allen knows just the right combination of jokes and romance to keep his fans satisfied.
Year One (Sony Pictures): Burly, raucous Jack black and spindly, meek Michael Cera make a fine comic duo in this likable comedy from the experienced yet still underrated Harold Ramis ("Caddyshack," "Groundhog Day"). Ambling satirically through ancient times, the movie follows Zed (Black) and Oh (Cera), a pair of luckless prehistoric hunters who can't seem to keep up with the demands of their village. Sent away because of their slacking, they come across a variety of legendary characters, from Cain and Abel to the dwellers of a certain city known as Sodom. Fast-paced and full of clever gags, the movie may not be raunchy enough for audiences who prefer their comedy R-rated. But everybody else should enjoy the zesty humor and the cameos (including Paul Rudd and Hank Azaria).
New on DVD:
High Hopes (BFS): Mike Leigh ("Secrets & Lies," "Vera Drake") had been making movies for more than a decade before he had his international breakout hit with this wonderfully melancholy comedy-drama from 1988. Giving audiences a snapshot of British society during the Thatcher Era, the film focuses on a welter of characters in London, ranging from a working-class couple (Philip Davis, Ruth Sheen), a car salesman (Philip Jackson) and his pretentious wife (Heather Tobias), a couple of upper-class neighbors (Lesley Manville, David Bamber), and the old mother (Edna Doré) bemused by them all. Working with a flawless cast and a marvelous sense of the wonders and hardships of life, Leigh creates a stunning slice-of-life that brims with humor, wit, and outrage.
The Hidden Fortress (Criterion): Though not as well known as Akira Kurosawa's other samurai epics ("The Seven Samurai," "Yojimbo"), this rousing adventure yarn is just as exciting and stirring. Set in medieval Japan, it follows a couple of bumbling wanderers (Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara) who are hired to act as bodyguards as a woman and a man cross a forest full of danger. What the two don't realize is that the woman is actually the feisty Princess (Misa Uehara) and the man is the dignified general (Toshiro Mifune) who's been assigned to protect her from enemies who want to take over her throne. The film has such robust action, humor and fascinating characters that George Lucas would steal ideas from it to make "Star Wars" later. With subtitles.
Waltz with Bashir (Sony Pictures Classics): A blend of animation and documentary about the Middle East conflict? Ari Folman's unique film is that and more, a vision of an ongoing conflict that goes from dream to nightmare and back with startling ease. Using a friend's anecdote as a launching pad, Folman looks back at his time in the Israeli Army during the Lebanon War in 1982. By tracking down former colleagues to ask about what happened during those years, will he get to the bottom of the truth, or just expose more horrors? Deeply personal yet immediately accessible, "Waltz with Bashir" uses animation to go where few other films would dare go. With subtitles.
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"Fast Turn around Time"
If you want to avoid the label of a "me-too" player in your industry, you will want to identify your company's Exclusive Strengths.
Because some customers use your services, you have, at least in their eyes, Exclusive Strengths. These are strengths that are exclusive to your company, are recognized as exclusive by your customers, and for which you have earned bragging rights. Exclusive Strengths can only be claimed by you - they cannot also be claimed by any of your competitors.
In the equipment finance business, the claim of "fast credit turnaround time" can be claimed by so many competitors that the claim isn't even a strength today, it's a requirement for staying in business! The same is true for a claim that your company's people truly care about their customers. You can bet that your competitors are making the same claim to their customers.
So, how do you go about identifying Exclusive Strengths? The process is relatively simple, and deceptively powerful. First, conduct a brainstorming session with everyone involved in the company's revenue generating process. You can do this in an office setting or at a retreat. Ask the participants to answer these questions: What do we have that our competitors cannot offer, or what do we do that our competitors don't do? Once answers to these questions are developed into a list, the qualification process begins.
To qualify as an Exclusive Strength, what you have or what you do must be something your customers care about. For example, if you truly have a system of credit and collection activities that allow you to approve and fund more "D" credits than any industry competitor in a geographical area, and your customers care about this ability, it begins to qualify as an Exclusive Strength. If you can prove your claim to your customers, it will then pass the final test and will qualify as an Exclusive Strength for your company. It's important to note that your claim is an Exclusive Strength only for those customers who are "D" credits or those who provide goods or services to "D" credit customers. "A" credit customers, or those who sell exclusively to "A" credit customers, may have no interest in your sub-prime funding capabilities. In these cases your ability is not seen as an Exclusive Strength because they don't care!
Another, almost failsafe approach to zeroing in on your Exclusive Strengths is to ask your customers! Instead of sending out surveys which ask your customers how you can improve your services, ask them, in person, the following, simple questions: "Why do you do business with us? What do we have or do that distinguishes us, in your eyes, from our competitors?" They will tell you how they see you as different from your competitors, and they'll let you know what else they want from you to remain loyal customers.
Steve Chriest is a well-respected management and sales consultant who specializes in helping organizations develop comprehensive sales processes that integrate strategy, training, sales tools and management systems to improve sales revenue.
He is the founder of Selling-UpTM, a San Francisco-based sales improvement consulting firm. He developed Selling-Up's exclusive Sales Management Operating SystemTM and is publisher of Sales Journal, a monthly sales strategy publication for an E-suite audience. Steve created Selling-Up's most popular educational offerings, including Strategic Sales RoadmapTM and online courses such as Profits and Cash - The Game of Business and Assertive Negotiating.
Steve is a regular contributor to executive-level publications such as Customer Think and Customer Management IQ. Steve recently completed his first book, Selling The E-Suite, The Proven System For Reaching and Selling Senior Executives, in which he translates his experiences as a CEO into a practical guide for selling to senior executives. Steve can be reached at: schriest@selling-up.com.
Classified ads- Syndicator
| Syndicator: Overland Park, KS Top Syndicator from single deal to portfolios. 20+ yrs exp. Available for contract work or full time position. Nationwide contacts. E-mail: FFLLeasing@aol.com |
Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)
All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested
and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm
How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm
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News Briefs----
Changes Ahead For Lease Accounting Standards
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2Fp3117%2F32p17%2F32p17%2F32p17.asp&guid=&searchtype=&WordList=&bJumpTo=True
Walter Cronkite reportedly gravely ill
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1629972,walter-cronkite-gravely-ill-061809.article?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Mortgage Loan Applications Drop Nearly 16%
http://www.creditcollectionsworld.com/article.html?id=20090617HYSD6M9O&from=creditandcollectionnews
Recession losing steam?
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/18/us-leading-indicators-061809/?business&zIndex=118777
Credit Cards: Cutting Off Mom & Pop Credit
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/business/smallbusiness/19credit.html?_r=1&ref=business
Billionaire Stanford to appear in federal court
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/18/financial/f194426D20.DTL&tsp=1
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 |
(This ad is a "trade" for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
You May have Missed---
Is the 40-year mortgage a joke?
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/is-the-40-year-mortgage-a-joke-1.aspx
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Sports Briefs----
Alex Ovechkin Back-to-Back MVP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061804262.html?hpid=artslot
Favre: Arm feels 'OK' after workout
http://blogs.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=2977
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“Gimme that Wine”
Tourism slump likely to continue
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090617/BUSINESS/906171034/1339?Title=Tourism-slump-likely-to-continue
Wine shopping habits, wine scores and Costco
http://www.examiner.com/x-5719-NY-Wine-Shopping-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Wine-shopping-habits-compared
California wine industry got its start with Chinese workers
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=111849
Lee Hudson grows great grapes - and that ain't all
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/06/17/news/local/doc4a388440643dc414235740.txt
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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Today's Top Event in History
1910-The first Father's Day was celebrated. The idea originated with Mrs. John Bruce Dodd, and the holiday was launched by the Ministerial Association and the YMCA of Spokane, WAAS. The idea originated in the mind of a Ms. John Bruce Dodd, a local housewife who was inspired by her admiration for the great job her father, William Smart, had done in raising his 6 children after his wife's untimely and early death. It is now generally observed on the third Sunday in June.
[headlines]
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(Leasing News provides this ad "gratis" as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)
This Day in American History
1586 - English colonists sailed from Roanoke Island, N.C. after failing to establish England's first permanent settlement in America.1754-the first Colonial congress met at Albany, NY, from this date to July 11, to form a plan of union and to negotiate a treaty with the Six Nations of the Iroquois. Seven colonies attended. Massachusetts Bay sent four delegates, New Hampshire four, New York four, Pennsylvania four, Connecticut three, Maryland two, and Rhode Island tow.
1778-Learning that the British have left Philadelphia, Washington's troops start to move from Valley Forge where raw recruits had spent almost nine months of training, which has turned them into a formidable force. They also joined by General Lafayette, who had narrowly escaped a British counter-attack
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/lafayette.html
1835 -A tornado tore through the center of New Brunswick, New Jersey, killing 5 people. Debris from the tornado fell as far away as Manhattan Island. The tornado was studied on spot by two meteorologists - William Redfield and James Espy. Smaller tornadoes were reported at Paterson, New Jersey, Kinderhook, New York, and Pine Plains, New York.
1841- In a letter to President John Tyler from Samuel Colt of Hartford CT, Colt claimed he had invented an “underwater torpedo” and could sink ships by mines. He sank the gunboat Boxer in New York Harbor on July 4, 1842, and the 300-ton brig Volta on October 18, 1842. On April 13, 1843, in the presence of President Tyler, his Cabinet, General Winfield Scott, and other officials, Colt blew up a schooner on the Potomac River by an electric mind from a distance of five miles. His invention was a combination of Robert Fulton's stationary torpedo and Professor Robert Hare's galvanic current. Its claim was that it would protect all US harbors from foreign invasion.
http://www.nps.gov/fowa/torpedo.htm
http://www.cthum.org/encyclopedia/topicalsurveys/colt.htm
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/i_historicalservices.html
1846- The first baseball game to be played as part of an organized sport took place at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, NJ, when the Knickbocker Baseball Club of New York, the first organized baseball team, was defeated by an informal team called the New York Nine. The score was 23-1 in four innings. The umpire was Alexander Joy Cartwright, a member of the Knickerbocker team. Cartwright was the author of the first set of formal rules for baseball. He also laid out the sport's diamond-shaped field and established its nine playing positions. The widespread legend that attributes the founding of baseball to Abner Doubleday, a West Point cadet (later a general), at Cooperstown, NY, is false. Early versions of baseball, based on the English games of rounders and cricket, were played in the English colonies of America as far back as the early 1700's.
1864-SMITH, WILLIAM Citation of Honor Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Ireland. Accredited to: New Hampshire. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Served as second quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as captain of the 11-inch pivot gun of the second division, Smith carried out his duties courageously and deserved special notice for the deliberate and cool manner in which he acted throughout the bitter engagement. It is stated by rebel officers that this gun was more destructive and did more damage than any other gun of Kearsarge
1856- Elbert Hubbard, born at Bloomington, IL, famous turn of the century American author and craftsman, founded the Roycroft Press at East Aurora, NY. Best known of his writings were A Message to Garcia and a series of essays titled Little Journeys. He also became famous for his furniture designs. Hubbard lost his life with the sinking of the Lusitania, May 7,1915.
1862-After fifty years of controversy, Congress outlawed slavery in US territories http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/long/long.html
1864-The Confederate Cruiser Alabama was sunk by the U.S. S. Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France, while trying to escape into the Atlantic. fifteen thousand Frenchmen watched the battle from shoreline cliffs. In two years of roaming the Atlantic, the Alabama had destroyed or captured 69 vessels.
http://www.angelfire.com/wi2/cvs33/sow.html
1865-“Emancipation Day:” celebrated in Texas to commemorate the day in 1865 when Union General Granger proclaimed the slaves of Texas free. Also proclaimed as Emancipation Day by the Florida legislature. “Juneteenth” originally was an occasion for commemoration by African Americans in many parts of the US and now celebrated each year nationally as the holiday "Juneteenth," oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
http://www.juneteenth.com/
1867-The first running of the Belmont Stakes took place at Jerome Park, NY. The team of jockey J. Gilpartic and his horse, Thuless, finished first in a time of 3:05. The Belmont Stakes continued at Jerome Park until 1889, then moved to Morris Park, NYU, during 1890-95, and in 1906 settled at Belmont Park, NY, where it has continued to the present day. The Belmont Stakes is the oldest event of horse racing's Triple Crown.
1885-The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York, a present from France to the people of the United States. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun19.html
1897- The head stooge in the Three Stooges, Moe Howard was born Moses Horwitz at Bensonhurst, NY. He died May 4, 1975, at Hollywood, CA. Howard began his show business career at age 12 by running errands at Vitagraph studios. He worked with Ted Healy in various comedy and singing acts, and together they teamed with Shemp Howard and Larry Fine in the mid-1920s for an early Stooges act. In 1930 the Stooges made their film debut in Soup to Nuts. Although the members of the Three Stooges changed over the years, Moe Howard was one of the constants. Howard appeared in four feature films without the other Stooges, including Doctor Death, Seeker of Souls. http://www.threestooges.com/bios/moe.htm http://web2.airmail.net/willdogs/
1902---Birthday of bandleader Guy Lombardo, whose orchestra played "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven,” born in London, Ontario. Lombardo's Royal Canadians were the most popular dance band in North America in terms of record sales - more than 300-million during the orchestra's 50-year career. Among Lombardo's million-sellers were "Humoresque" in 1946, "Easter Parade" in 1947 and the "Third Man Theme" in 1950. Lombardo went to Cleveland in 1923 with a group of London-area musicians, including his brothers Carmen and Lebert. By the following year, the band was being billed as the Royal Canadians. Lombardo's New Year's Eve radio and TV broadcasts from the Roosevelt Grill in New York were a traditional part of holiday celebrations from 1929 to 1962. The Royal Canadians were known especially for their version of "Auld Lang Syne." Guy Lombardo died on November 5th, 1977.
1903-Birthday of Lou Gehrig, lifetime baseball batting average of .341), who played in seven World Series, was born in New York, NY. The baseball Hall of Fame first baseman was born Ludwig Henirich Gehrig but changed his name
for the game to Henry Lewis. Known as the “Iron Horse,” he played in 2,130 consecutive games, a record not surpassed until Cal Ripken did so in 1995. He played 17 years with the Yankees, hit 341 and slugged 493 home runs, 23 of them grand slams. Gehrig retired abruptly in May, 1939 and was diagnosed with the degenerative muscle disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has become known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939 by special election. Died at New York, June 2, 1941.
1906- Earl W. Bascom, famous Mormon rodeo showman and pioneer, birthday. Bascom developed the first side-delivery rodeo chute (1916), the first hornless bronc saddle(1922) and the first one-handed bareback rigging(1925). He produced the first rodeo in Mississippi and also produced the first rodeo performed at night under electric lights.
1909-Tenor sax player Joe Thomas born Uniontown, PA. http://www.harlem.org/people/thomas.html
1910-The first Father's Day was celebrated. The idea originated with Mrs. John Bruce Dodd, and the holiday was launched by the Ministerial Association and the YMCA of Spokane, WAAS. The idea originated in the mind of a Ms. John Bruce Dodd, a local housewife who was inspired by her admiration for the great job her father, William Smart, had done in raising his 6 children after his wife's untimely and early death. It is now generally observed on the third Sunday in June.
1910-birthday of Abe Fortas, born Memphis, TN. He was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Prior to his appointment he was known as a civil libertarian, having argued cases for government employees and other individuals accused by Senator Joe McCarthy of having communist affiliations. He argued the 1963 landmark Supreme Court case of Gideon v Wainwright, which established the right of indigent defendants to free legal aid in criminal prosecutions. In 1968, he was nominated by Johnson to succeed Chief Justice Earl Warren, but his nomination was withdrawn after much conservative opposition in the Senate. In 1969, Fortas became the first Supreme Court Justice to be forced to resign after revelations about questionable financial dealings were made public. He died April 5, 1982 at Washington, DC.
1914- bluegrass musician Lester Flatt was born in Overton County, Tennessee. Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys were one of the most popular country music acts of the 1950's and '60s. They were largely responsible for making bluegrass music popular outside the rural South where it had flourished for years. In the '60s, their biggest hits were "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," from the "Beverly Hillbillies" TV show, and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," which was used in the soundtrack of "Bonnie and Clyde." By 1969, when Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs split up, they were one of the best known country music acts in the world. Lester Flatt died on May 11th, 1979.
1917--Singer Dave Lambert ( Lambert-Henricks-Ross ) birthday http://www.singers.com/jazz/lambert.html
1926-Harmonica player DeFord Bailey, the most important black performer in country music before Charley Pride, made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. His lively adaptations of old songs made him one of the most popular Opry performers until 1941, when he was dismissed, according to Opry founder George D. Hay, for refusing to learn new material.
1938 -A cloudburst near Custer Creek, Montana (near Miles City) caused a train wreck killing 48 persons. An estimated 4 to 7 inches of rain deluged the head of the creek that evening and water flowing through the creek weakened the bridge. As a result, locomotive and 7 passenger cars plunged into the swollen creek. One car, a tourist sleeper, was completely submerged.
1940--Birthday Shirley Muldowney, one of the predominant drag racers in the history of the sport, man or woman. She dominated the sport winning three world championship titles, but for many years she did not get a single sponsor! Her first marriage was dissolved after she became a better drag racer than her husband. The media credited some of her wins to her crew boss. Because he refused to deny the claims (in fact probably started the rumors), she replaced him. When he turned to driving himself, she beat him. No matter how many wins, she never got any major sponsorship
http://www.muldowney.com/index.htm
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=88594595&albumId=749490
1941-- Joe DiMaggio goes 3-for-3 against the White Sox to extend his consecutive game hit streak to 32.
1942-The Boston Braves' Paul Waner, known as “Pig Polson,” got the 3,000 th hit of his major league career, but the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Boston,,7-6. Waner played in the majors from 1926 to 1945, mostly with the Pirates, and finished with 3,152 hits.
1944- June 19-20, determined to prevent any further advancement by the allies in Japan's area of inner defense, Vice-Admiral Jisaburo Azawa ordered the Imperial fleet to the Mariana Islands this day in 1944 for the start of a two day decisive battle. Admiral Raymond Spruance, possibly the US's greatest and most successful naval commander, ordered a strike force against the Japanese fleet in the Philippine Seas. As seen in two episodes of "Victory at Sea," a furious battle developed in the skies between US carrier-borne aircraft and Japanese aircraft from their carriers and land bases on the Marianas. Kamikazi planes were deadly man controlled bombs. The Japanese lost three aircraft carriers ( Shokaku,Taiho and Hiyo ), two destroyers and one tanker. Three carriers, one battleship, three cruisers, one destroyer and three tanks also were seriously damaged.
1944--McCAMPBELL, DAVID Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Air Group 15. Place and date: First and second battles of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944. Entered service at: Florida. Born: 16 January 1 910, Bessemer, Ala. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, Air Medal. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Air Group 15, during combat against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea. An inspiring leader, fighting boldly in the face of terrific odds, Comdr. McCampbell led his fighter planes against a force of 80 Japanese carrier-based aircraft bearing down on our fleet on 19 June 1944. Striking fiercely in valiant defense of our surface force, he personally destroyed 7 hostile planes during this single engagement in which the outnumbering attack force was utterly routed and virtually annihilated. During a major fleet engagement with the enemy on 24 October, Comdr. McCampbell, assisted by but l plane, intercepted and daringly attacked a formation of 60 hostile land-based craft approaching our forces. Fighting desperately but with superb skill against such overwhelming airpower, he shot down 9 Japanese planes and, completely disorganizing the enemy group, forced the remainder to abandon the attack before a single aircraft could reach the fleet. His great personal valor and indomitable spirit of aggression under extremely perilous combat conditions reflect the highest credit upon Comdr. McCampbell and the U.S. Naval Service.
1945-BAKER, THOMAS A. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. Entered service at: Troy, N.Y. Birth: Troy, N.Y. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. When his entire company was held up by fire from automatic weapons and small-arms fire from strongly fortified enemy positions that commanded the view of the company, Sgt. (then Pvt.) Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed alone to within 100 yards of the enemy. Through heavy rifle and machinegun fire that was directed at him by the enemy, he knocked out the strong point, enabling his company to assault the ridge. Some days later while his company advanced across the open field flanked with obstructions and places of concealment for the enemy, Sgt. Baker again voluntarily took up a position in the rear to protect the company against surprise attack and came upon 2 heavily fortified enemy pockets manned by 2 officers and 10 enlisted men which had been bypassed. Without regard for such superior numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked and killed all of them. Five hundred yards farther, he discovered 6 men of the enemy who had concealed themselves behind our lines and destroyed all of them. On 7 July 1944, the perimeter of which Sgt. Baker was a part was attacked from 3 sides by from 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese. During the early stages of this attack, Sgt. Baker was seriously wounded but he insisted on remaining in the line and fired at the enemy at ranges sometimes as close as 5 yards until his ammunition ran out. Without ammunition and with his own weapon battered to uselessness from hand-to-hand combat, he was carried about 50 yards to the rear by a comrade, who was then himself wounded. At this point Sgt. Baker refused to be moved any farther stating that he preferred to be left to die rather than risk the lives of any more of his friends. A short time later, at his request, he was placed in a sitting position against a small tree. Another comrade, withdrawing, offered assistance. Sgt. Baker refused, insisting that he be left alone and be given a soldier's pistol with its remaining 8 rounds of ammunition. When last seen alive, Sgt. Baker was propped against a tree, pistol in hand, calmly facing the foe. Later Sgt. Baker's body was found in the same position, gun empty, with 8 Japanese lying dead before him. His deeds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
1946---Top Hits
The Gypsy - The Ink Spots
All Through the Day - Perry Como
They Say It's Wonderful - Frank Sinatra
New Spanish Two Step - Bob Wills
1946-MEAGHER, JOHN Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Ozato, Okinawa, 19 June 1945. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: Jersey City, N.J. G.O. No.: 60, 26 June 1946. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. In the heat of the fight, he mounted an assault tank, and, with bullets splattering about him, designated targets to the gunner. Seeing an enemy soldier carrying an explosive charge dash for the tank treads, he shouted fire orders to the gunner, leaped from the tank, and bayoneted the charging soldier. Knocked unconscious and his rifle destroyed, he regained consciousness, secured a machinegun from the tank, and began a furious 1-man assault on the enemy. Firing from his hip, moving through vicious crossfire that ripped through his clothing, he charged the nearest pillbox, killing 6. Going on amid the hail of bullets and grenades, he dashed for a second enemy gun, running out of ammunition just as he reached the position. He grasped his empty gun by the barrel and in a violent onslaught killed the crew. By his fearless assaults T/Sgt. Meagher single-handedly broke the enemy resistance, enabling his platoon to take its objective and continue the advance. br> 1947-The Marshall Plan for the rebuilding of Europe began.
( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun19.html )
1947 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Peg O' My Heart," The Harmonicats.
1949-NASCAR staged the first race in its Strictly Stock series, using new model cars that fans could see at their favorite dealers. The 150-mile event around a dirty track in Charlotte, NC< was won by Glenn Dunnaway.
1950-- Loretta Lynn's first single, "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl," made the country charts. It was recorded on a small record label called Zero, and neither the label nor Lynn had enough money to promote the record. So Loretta and her husband mailed out copies to disc jockeys by hand. The record began getting plays and eventually made the country top ten.
1951-Ann Wilson, lead singer of the heavy metal group Heart, was born in San Diego, California. The group, featuring Ann's sister, Nancy, on guitar, have sold millions of copies of such albums as their 1976 debut "Dreamboat Annie," "Magazine," "Dog and Butterfly," Bebe le Strange" and "Brigade."
1952- “I've Got a Secret” premiered on television. Celebrity panelists tried to guess the guests' secrets on this popular game show; celebrity guests also came on to baffle the panel. Guests whispered their secret to the host and the audience saw it on the screen. Garry Moore hosted the show, followed by Steve Allen and Bill Cullen. Allen Sherman (“My Son the Folk Singer”) created the show and most of the celebrity “secrets.” Celebrity panelists included Bill Cullen, Betsy Palmer, Henry Morgan, Bess Myerson, Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows.
1953--Birthday of Larry Dunn, keyboards player with Earth, Wind and Fire.
1954---Top Hits
Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen
Three Coins in the Fountain - The Four Aces
Hernando's Hideaway - Archie Bleyer
I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow
1961-Pat Boone had his sixth and final number 1 hit in the US with "Moody River". 1961-Ben E. King enjoys his biggest hit as "Stand By Me" reaches #4 on the Billboard singles chart. The same song would re-appear on the Hot 100 in 1986, reaching #9 after it was featured in the River Phoenix film of the same name.
1962--Birthday of singer and choreographer Paula Abdul.
1962---Top Hits
I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles
It Keeps Right on a-Hurtin' - Johnny Tillotson
(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney
She Thinks I Still Care - George Jones
1964-Carol Doda dances in a Rudi Gernreich topless bathing suit in The Condor nightclub, North Beach, San Francisco, California. It's starts the craze of Topless dancing along Broadway.
1965-The Four Tops had their first US number one record with "I Can't Help Myself". Lead singer Levi Stubbs had not been satisfied with the recording session and was promised that he could do it again the following day, but no other session ever took place. The track that became a hit was just the second take of the song.
1965-Elvis Presley enjoyed his 15th UK #1 single with "Crying In The Chapel".
1965--~ I Can't Help Myself, by The Four Tops, topped the pop and R&B charts. The Tops, who had no personnel changes in their more than 35 years together were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
1966 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Paperback Writer," The Beatles.
1968-"Soul Scene" benefit dance for the Blackman's Free Store held at the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco.
1969-The Who appeared at Fillmore West.
1970---Top Hits
The Long and Winding Road/For You Blue - The Beatles.
Which Way You Goin' Billy? - The Poppy Family
Get Ready - Rare Earth
Hello Darlin' - Conway Twitty
1971-Carole King's double sided hit single "It's Too Late" / "I Feel The Earth Move" went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
1972 - Hurricane Agnes moved onshore near Cape San Blas FL with wind gusts to 80 mph, and exited Maine on the 26th. There were 117 deaths, mainly due to flooding from North Carolina to New York State, and total damage was estimated at more than three billion dollars. Up to 19 inches of rain deluged western Schuylkill County PA. The rains of Hurricane Agnes resulted in one of the greatest natural disasters in U.S. history. Agnes caused more damage than all other tropical cyclones in the previous six years combined (which included Celia and Camille).
1973--The stage production of "The Rocky Horror Show" opened in London. I t later played in Los Angeles and New York. Star Tim Curry reprised his role in the 1975 movie version, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which developed into a cult phenomenon. Fans, dressed up as their favorite characters from the film, continued to show up at midnight screenings for a decade.
1976-Wild Cherry releases "Play That Funky Music," a song that would make it to #1.
1977- Pope Paul VI canonized John Nepomucene Neuman, the first American Citizen to become a saint. He was ordained in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Mott Street, New York City, 1836. From 1852 until his death in 1860, he served as the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. He was responsible for the organizing the first diocesan school system in America and for building schools, churches, and asylums. In 1896, he was the first male American citizen to be declared venerable. In 1963, he became the first male American citizen to be beatified, and on June 19, 1977, he was canonized in Rome by Pope Paul VI.
1977-- With five home runs in an 11-1 win against the Yankees, the Red Sox set a major league mark hitting 16 round trippers in three games, all against the Yankees.
1978---Top Hits
Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
It's a Heartache - Bonnie Tyler
Two More Bottles of Wine - Emmylou Harris
1978-The first appearance in the newspapers of lasagna-loving “Garfield,” created by Jim Davis.
http://www.garfield.com/
1980-- Disco queen Donna Summer became the first artist to sign with Geffen Records, the new label started by industry veteran David Geffen.
1982-The debut album by the super group Asia, entitled simply "Asia" hits #1.
1986---Top Hits
On My Own - Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz
There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) - Billy Ocean
Life's Highway - Steve Wariner
1986-LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15). place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Fla. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) .
1986-RAY, RONALD ERIC Rank and organization: Captain (then 1st Lt.), U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: la Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1966. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 7 December 1941, Cordelle, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Ray distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader with Company A. When 1 of his ambush patrols was attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Capt. Ray organized a reaction force and quickly moved through 2 kilometers of mountainous jungle terrain to the contact area. After breaking through the hostile lines to reach the beleaguered patrol, Capt. Ray began directing the reinforcement of the site. When an enemy position pinned down 3 of his men with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire, he silenced the emplacement with a grenade and killed 4 Viet Cong with his rifle fire. As medics were moving a casualty toward a sheltered position, they began receiving intense hostile fire. While directing suppressive fire on the enemy position, Capt. Ray moved close enough to silence the enemy with a grenade. A few moments later Capt. Ray saw an enemy grenade land, unnoticed, near 2 of his men. Without hesitation or regard for his safety he dove between the grenade and the men, thus shielding them from the explosion while receiving wounds in his exposed feet and legs. He immediately sustained additional wounds in his legs from an enemy machinegun, but nevertheless he silenced the emplacement with another grenade. Although suffering great pain from his wounds, Capt. Ray continued to direct his men, providing the outstanding courage and leadership they vitally needed, and prevented their annihilation by successfully leading them from their surrounded position. Only after assuring that his platoon was no longer in immediate danger did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Ray has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army .
1987- Ben & Jerry Ice Cream and Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia
announce new Ice Cream flavor: Cherry Garcia. http://table.mpr.org/recipes/dessert_garcia.html
http://www.hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember.4/JerryGarcia.html
1988 - Temperatures soared above 100 degrees in the central U.S. for Father's Day. Fifteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date. Severe thunderstorms in Minnesota and Wisconsin produced softball size hail near River Falls WI, and wind gusts to 80 mph at Menomonie WI.
1988 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Foolish Beat," Debbie Gibson.
1989 - Fourteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date as searing heat spread from the southwestern deserts into the High Plains Region. Record highs included 98 degrees at Billings, MT, 107 degrees at Valentine, NE, and 112 degrees at Tucson, AZ.
1992-Two batches of severe thunderstorms, occurring within 6 hours of each other, dumped hailstones up to 4.5 inches in diameter across Sedgwick and surrounding counties in south-central Kansas. Over 10,000 homes were damaged. The hail left wheat fields in a near total loss. Estimated property damage totaled $500 million with crop damage at $100 million. The thunderstorm episode ranks as one for the worst ever to hit Kansas.
1997-- The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats" became the longest-running show in Broadway history. The 6,138th performance of the musical broke the record held by "A Chorus Line."
2000—The Los Angeles Lakers begin their three winning games with
a victory of the Indiana Pacers, and the fans went nuts!!!!
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/06/20/lakers.violence/
1998 - Loretta Lynn makes a special appearance on the Friday Night Opry, opening with her first No. 1 country hit, "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'," from 1966, and follows with "We've Come a Long Way Baby" from 1978. To round out her night, Lynn performs "How Great Thou Art" without accompaniment, for which she receives a standing ovation and finishes with her signature tune "The Coal Miner's Daughter."
2000-The Los Angeles Lakers begin their three winning games with a victory of the Indiana Pacers, and the fans went nuts!!!! Though the Pacers drubbed the Lakers 120-87 in Game 5, the series was wrapped up by Los Angeles on its home floor in Game 6, a 116-111 decision that set off riots in the streets outside Staples Center.
NBA Champions This Date
1999-00 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers |
Indiana Pacers |
4-2 |
Shaquille O'Neal, L.A.. |
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Baseball Poem
Play at the Plate
From the book
"That Sweet Diamond "
by Paul B. Janeczko, Carole Katchen (Illustrator)
Some
watch the ball
short hop the wall and
the right fielder-who
can't pick it up fast enough -
finally snatch it
sling it
to the impatient cut-off man,
who throws home
almost before he turns.
Some
watch the runner
barely
toe the inside corner of third,
eyes on
the coach's windmill arm
signaling haste.
All
watch the meeting place:
the catcher begging for the ball
so he can sweep the tag
at the runner beginning
his slide
before the umpire,
holding his mask
behind his back
as casually as a satin heart
of valentine candy,
signals the meeting over,
the runner safe.
Baseball Bonus
The original radio show of Abbott and Costello's, "Who's on First Base."
(paste into you media player browser)
http://www.abbottandcostello.net/clips/who1st2.wav
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SuDoku
The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?
http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm
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Daily Puzzle
How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
Refresh for current date:
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Weather
See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials
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Real Time Traffic Information
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You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click,
or type in a new route to learn the traffic live
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