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Friday, March 19, 2010


Jazz Saxophonist/composer/musician Ornette Coleman born March 19, 1930 Fort Worth, Texas. With his plastic alto saxophone was one of the first "free jazz" players of the early 1960's. He still is actively playing and the photo above is from a recent concert in Germany.
http://www.ornettecoleman.com/


Headlines---

Pictures from the Past---1990
  Monterey Conference Chair Peter Eaton
   Classified Ads---Sales
Pirates of Leasing
 CMC/NorVergence/IFC Credit/Sheldon Player

  by Christopher Menkin
 Direct Capital EVP/CFO Leaves company
  Classified Ads---Help Wanted
   Cartoon---A sign of the economy
 Is the Broker/Discounter System Broken?
   Cartoon—Merrilees at IRS
 View from the Top by Steve Chriest
  Coaching Talent
   Placard---Work Hard
 New Hires---Promotions
   Jeremiah Waggoner tagged "Best Ranger" Competition
 Green Zone/Neil Young
  Mr. Fox/Blindside
   Fernando Croce Movie/DVD Reviews
 Palo Alto, California --- Adopt-a-Dog
News Briefs---
 Mortgage rates continue to drop
  Hard times send hotel industry into 'survival mode'
   Little Seattle bank hopes to raise $450M
    Fess Parker, TV's 'Davy Crockett', dies at 85
  You May have Missed---
   Sports Brief
    California Nuts Brief---
     "Gimme that Wine"
  Today's Top Event in History
    This Day in American History
      Poem about a dog - by Peter Menkin
       SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle
     GasBuddy
  Weather, USA or specific area
     Traffic Live----


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


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Pictures from the Past---1990---Monterey Conference Chair Peter Eaton


“WAEL Conference Chairman Peter Eaton, CLP, (l) and his wife Patricia visit with First National easing Corporation executive Vice-President Casey Kolp and his wife Linda during the Sports Reception.”

(Today known as the National Equipment Finance Association, holding their conference in Dallas Texas, this weekend)

A more recent photo:


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Classified Ads---Sales

Boston, MA
Senior leader in companies of varying size and scope, including start-ups. My current focus is sales, as a leader or as an individual contributor. thomasherlihy33@comcast.net
Cherry Hill, NJ
College grad seeking entry level sales position for equipment leasing and financing in small to mid-size ticket markets. Have 6 months experience in the industry and self-motivated. Contact Matt at 609-280-2178 or
email at mkuzan@gmail.com

California
Aggressive, competitive self-starter with vendor/direct equipment
leasing and asset-based lending experience. Success in business banking sales and financial planning.
Email: dsp559@hotmail.com | Resume

Minneapolis, MN
16 years leasing experience from micro to large ticket market, variety of equipment. Most recently calling on vendor telecom dealers in Upper Midwest. 
golfadm@yahoo.com

Montgomery, AL
Individual with 10 years advertising sales exp. & 7 years insurance sales exp. Wants independent contractor situation in Alabama.
Work with leasing company or broker.334-590-5133
E-mail: billmcneal2003@yahoo.com

Orange County, CA
20+ years in leasing sales & sales management.
Have estab. existing remote office with Lessee /Vender following.
Looking for a partnership w/funding source.

shermbp@gmail.com

Philadelphia Metro Area - 30 Years experience Healthcare sales/ management- 3 years experience newly create "small-ticket" healthcare division. Good success - Mitch Utz 215-460-4483
Email: mitutz@msn.com
Pittsburgh , PA
Aggressive self starter looking for leasing position w/10 plus yrs sales exp., plus banking experience 814-227-4592
mwiser500@hotmail.com

Pittsburgh, PA
Over 25 years of leasing experience including Captive, Dealer, Broker, and Third Party. Multiple equipment types. Seeking a Territory or National Sales position.
vsiegel2@aol.com

San Francisco Bay Area:
Business Development “Hunter” with transferable book of business in multiple segments: commercial construction, technology, fitness, etc. Years of managerial experience: can also be a “player/coach”.
E-mail: VdrPgmBizDev@aol.com

Texas/Oklahoma
15 year lease vet looking for plact to take business.great references. all major equipment types. open to compensation. please contact if interested.
E-mail: bankingdallas@yahoo.com

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

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


((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)


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Pirates of Leasing
CMC/NorVergence/IFC Credit/Sheldon Player

by Christopher Menkin



And nine years later?

Didn’t hear from any readers about the two main culprits in the Commercial Money Center conspiracy - Sterling Wayne Pirtle being sentenced to serve 57 months in custody and Ronald Allen Fisher being sentenced to serve 63 months in custody. Each was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release for his role in a $70 million scheme involving fraudulent equipment leases and tax evasion. Often with good behavior, it is half or less than the time granted.

The surprise is that they are to pay $62.2 million to 14 banks, meaning they must have that kind of money to be able to repay?

After nine years, $300 million in lease fraud, found guilty for $70 million and over $1 million in unreported taxes, yet much smaller amounts get terms of 15 to 20 years elsewhere as reported in Leasing News editions.

Previous CMC Stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/CMC_stories.htm

And six years later?

The NorVergence Bankruptcy was filed June 30, 2004 and there are apparently settlements from discovery and other issues, but it continues with recent attorney fees over $4 million, and other costs over $500,000.

"Interim Application for Compensation for J.H. Cohn LLP, Accountant, period: 10/1/2004 to 12/31/2006, fee: $434,557.50, expenses: $4,129.62. filed by Accountant J.H. Cohn LLP,

Compensation for Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., as Special Litigation Counsel to Charles M. Forman, Chapter 7 Trustee , Special Counsel, period: 10/1/2004 to 10/31/2006, fee: $1,063,445.00, expenses: $45,657.18

Second Interim Application for Compensation for Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., as Special Litigation Counsel to Charles M. Forman, Chapter 7 Trustee, fees awarded: $1,108,062.97

Order Granting Application for Compensation for J.H. Cohn LLP, fees awarded: $434,557.50, expenses awarded: $4,129.62

FORMAN HOLT ELIADES & RAVIN LLC, Trustee's Attorney, period: 7/14/2004 to 6/30/2007, fee: $677,855.00, expenses: $11,956.61"

Partial list:

February 24, 2010 69 page opinion from Rosemary Gambardella, United States Bankruptcy Judge on Motion to Dismiss Adversary Proceeding:

“CONCLUSION

“For the reasons set forth herein, Defendants' motions to dismiss Count IV, Count V, Count VI and Count VII of the respective Amended Complaints and/or Second Amended Complaints are Denied. The dismissal of the claims filed by newly added Plaintiffs is Denied. Plaintiffs' motion for nunc pro tunc relief to allow the newly added Plaintiffs to remain in the proceedings, as made during the June 2, 2009 hearing, is Granted. The dismissal of the claims of Plaintiffs who have settled with Defendants is denied. The parties are instructed to work together to file any appropriate stipulations of dismissal.

“Defendant Credential's summary judgment motion in Adv. Proc. No. 04-2944 is Denied. Plaintiffs are directed within forty-five (45) days of the date of the Opinion to amend the operative Complaints by providing the necessary information to complete the choice of law analysis as set forth in this Opinion. As to the claims against PCI in Adv. Proc. No. 04-2974, Plaintiffs are directed within forty-five (45) days of the date of this Opinion to seek in the Receivership action leave of the Ohio State Court to proceed with the action here. PCI's motion to dismiss the amended complaint on this basis is held in abeyance until the Ohio Court rules on the motion.*' An Order shall be submitted in accordance with this Opinion.

“ROSEMARY GAMBARDELLA
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE

“*'As a general matter, Plaintiffs, by their own admission, have not provided copies of ERA's and their assignments connecting all of the Plaintiffs with Defendants in the Adversary Proceedings even though Plaintiffs claim to have them. In the opinion of the Court, a dismissal of the Complaint for a failure to state a claim due to the absence of assignment documents is premature. The Court will be better able to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence of assignments at the end of the discovery phase.’”

NorVergence BK list of creditors:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/NorVergence_BK.pdf


NorVergence stories:

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


Equipment Acquisition Resources—Sheldon Player

It appears the information regarding equipment being sold in the Equipment Acquisition Resource may be true, as US Bankruptcy Court Justice John H. Squires, Northern District of Illinois, Easter Division on December 10, 2009, signed legal papers to be effective December 31, 2009 with one of the proviso’s “Equipment lessors and secured lenders are granted relief from the automatic stay effective December 31, 2009 to proceed with their rights under applicable law.

March 16, 2010 George P. Apostolides filed a “Notice of Motion” to appear Thursday, March 25, 2010 to present “DEBTOR’S MOTION FOR AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS.” A list of creditors was attached.

While there is talk that the FBI is investigating Sheldon Player and other officers, no official notice or information has been made available.

EAR Stories
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Sheldon_Player.htm


IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois

March 18, 2010 the hearing of creditors was re-scheduled to May 19, 2010 at 10:00am at Courtroom 619 219 South Dearborn, Chicago, IL, 60604. Reports are Rudy Trebels is in Florida playing golf. He does have an office open for leasing broker business in Illinois.

Earlier filing, renewed:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/IFC_BK.pdf

Previous Stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/IFC_stories.htm



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Direct Capital EVP/CFO Leaves company


Seven year veteran Bob Sweeney, Executive Vice President and CFO is no longer with the company, Direct Capital Chairman Chris Broom told Leasing News. "It was a mutual decision. Bob Sweeney played a key role here and I would be glad to be a reference for him."

Broom said he wanted to handle any rumors flying about, that his company was not only in sound financial shape with lines of credit and available funds, but was active in both vendor program and franchise funding, which has been a long time staple for his company.


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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Sales



Set Yourself Apart and Prosper

Interviewing highly skilled professionals
Motivated by success, rooted in integrity
Exclusive funding sources. Full Med/401(k)
Click Herefor more information.
Submit Resume To: smiscovich@stradacapital.com

About the Company: With over 10 years in business, Strada Capital Corporation exists to provide customized commercial finance solutions through our unique customer-centric approach. Our boutique firm is steadfast in providing personal attention, swift turnaround and extraordinary customer experiences.
Visit us at www.stradacapital.com


 






Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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Is the Broker/Discounter System Broken?


“My bank would not like me to make any comment at all, and if I were to even want to state an opinion, I would have to clear it with my boss and then his boss, and up the ladder. I need to trust you will not give out my name or bank.

“In my experience, the difference between a discounter and an in-house transaction, from a loan officer's viewpoint, is as different as night and day. You have to be a lot more guarded with a broker/discounted-originated transaction than you would be with a vendor-originated transaction. That's just how it is.

“While many of our clients may be stand-up companies, and I know many I would trust completely, there are many others who just are not, and who will, as a little white lie at least from their perspective, withhold what they know about a transaction. You know, things like the guy is getting $100K app only here, and another $100K done app only there, etc. Most vendors just know they have a customer that wants to get approved.

“The problem you run into a lot of times, or at least what I ran into, is that the culture of a Sales-oriented organization, which I'm convinced all leasing companies are, puts tremendous pressure upon you as a credit analyst to "play ball".

“The distinction between a vendor and a broker transaction isn't widely recognized in such a culture. So if you ask too many questions, or push back too hard, you get reviewed for taking too long, for looking for things that are not there, for being afraid to make a decision. It may not happen right away, but, like Karma, it catches up with you and you get held back for being disagreeable.

“And assets? Oh boy. You're the loan officer. You don't know assets. We've decided to go after these transactions. I got my volume number to make. Never you mind that. How does that credit look? When can I expect that approval?

“So, to answer the larger question, I think the system was broken and is getting closer to being fixed now. A new risk sharing paradigm has to happen. Going forward discounters and brokers should be known or scrutinized early and often. Never ever chase volume for volume's sake. I wish my boss would listen to me more often.”

(Name With Held)


From Paul Menzel, CLP:
“I read with interest and amusement the comments to your piece entitled "Is the Broker/Discounter System Broken?". My response to the question is NO. I personally, along with FinPac, have prospered under the TPO (Third Party Origination) model for over 20 years. The main reason it has worked for us is that we are first, and foremost, risk managers so we manage the third party risk just like any other. We are careful who we do business with, we monitor performance very closely, we verify all information, and we underwrite the credit and vendor knowing the apps are third party originated. We also price for the risk.

“It would be nice if all TPOs could also see themselves as risk managers and evaluate their customers and transactions as if they were using their own capital. Many of our clients do exactly that and their performance shows it. Others are not as professional or sophisticated. Recessions and market consolidation is a normal and healthy weeding out process.

“Given the restricted access to small business and consumer capital, I expect the TPO model to be even more relevant. As small business owners get turned away by their banks and cannot as easily access credit card debt or home equity lines, they will increasingly look to an intermediary to help them find equipment acquisition capital. The winners will be those TPOs who have proven themselves to the funding community and conduct their operations professionally and in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with their funding sources.

“As for the comments by others, I agree that theoretically credit is credit no matter what the source. But there is a risk from third party originators that needs to be addressed in the credit process and priced for. It is the funder's responsibility to understand and account for this risk.

“The one comment that suggested brokers provide marketing to the funders for "free" was very naïve. Last time I checked, amongst our largest cost items were broker fees and portfolio losses. That attitude is why some might see the system as "broken". If they feel that the simple fix is to turn to private equity and local banks, those sources are in for a rude awakening. It takes years of experience to understand the TPO marketplace. More importantly it requires a culture that knows the true definition and practices of risk management to be successful through a full economic cycle.

“We have learned a lot over this last downturn, but I am pleased to say that the TPO model and risk culture that we have developed over the last 35 years has been proven in the end. We look forward to continuing the prosperous relationships with our TPO or broker clients for years to come.”

Paul J. Menzel, CLP
President & CEO
FINANCIAL PACIFIC LEASING, LLC
3455 South 344th Way
Suite 300
PO Box 4568
Federal Way, WA 98063-4568
Email: pmenzel@finpac.com
Phone: 253-568-6121 or 877-222-8558 x121
FAX: 800-510-0101

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

From Ralph Mango:
“My view has been that the broker business, as with any indirect origination, rests on results, not only on volume but its residue, portfolio quality. While I have had experience on the broker side, the breadth of my work has been on the vendor side wherein the report cards, at least for the firms for whom I worked, were similar. A big difference of course, absent from the broker side, is the formal risk sharing, service level agreements that govern most vendor relationships of size, including small ticket.

“The report card is simple. Portfolio quality is defined by delinquency trends and charge-offs, as well as first payment defaults and litigation incidents. From the originator's side, whether broker or vendor, the funding source must be serviceable from decision time, approval, and funding ratio perspectives, as well as having competitive pricing that allows for participation by the originator. It has been my strong belief that when things have deteriorated, there is blame on both sides to be shared, with the caveat that the funding source owns the ball and can decide not to play any more when the originator's report card becomes troublesome. Additionally, when a source's trend of application activity, approval and funding ratios does not support a continuing relationship for a funding source, the funding source usually exits. This is likely a driving consideration to your list of those funding sources who have left, and which keeps increasing with each update.

“There is nothing new here. In prior downturns, funding sources stopped funding brokers and vendors because of declining portfolio quality. In all economic climates, the 'A' credits can demand better pricing because there are lower costs associated with their servicing, and they are usually besieged with funding sources looking for their business. Conversely weaker credits, lacking an abundant supply of capital sources willing to underwrite their higher risk, usually must pay the premium, and pass that cost on to lessees.

“When a previously performing portfolio slips in quality such that delinquencies are higher and charge offs are increasing, the funding source correctly increases pricing to match the 'new' risk, or terminates the relationship altogether. There is no conspiracy here; each of the funding sources you have listed as having exited the broker business reached those decisions based on their own portfolios, not in a concerted response after having spoken with other funding sources.

“Like anything else in life or business, if results are negative and if you want a different result, the habits must change.“

Ralph P. Mango
ralphmango@hotmail.com
8502 Tysons Ct., Vienna, VA 22182-5019...cell - 732-642-5008...home - 703-288-3127


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Coaching Talent

We believe that much of the money spent by business on sales training is spent educating people in roles they should not occupy.

Although you've done your best to select the right talent, and to make sure she has the right position on the team, how do you retain her and develop her innate abilities? First, you continually review your employee's assessment test to remain knowledgeable about her natural abilities and willingness to perform certain job functions. Second—and this is a key to successful talent management—you resist the temptation to place her in a job for which her talent and interests are not aligned.

When it comes to utilizing sales talent, perhaps the biggest error most sales leaders make is promoting great salespeople to the role of sales manager. Most often, when a great salesperson is promoted to sales manager, four things happen:

•the company loses a great salesperson
•the company gets a mediocre, or worse, sales manager
•customers suffer in the transition
•the stigma of failure prompts the great salesperson to flee to another company

We believe that much of the money spent by business on sales training is spent educating people in roles they should not occupy. At some point companies will demand a better system for selecting salespeople and sales management candidates with the talent and the will to perform up to management's expectations. For many companies this, and not simply more sales skills training, may become their single most important investment to improve market share and profitability, especially in these challenging times.

Using statistically validated assessment tests in the hiring process, placing salespeople only in jobs for which their talents and interests are aligned and developing career paths that allow employees to expand their natural talents is a win-win for the employees and the company.

Copyright © 2010 Selling UpTM. All Rights Reserved.

About the author: Steve Chriest is the founder of Selling UpTM (www.selling-up.com), a sales consulting firm specializing in sales revenue improvement for organizations of all types and sizes in a variety of industries. He is also the author of Selling The E-Suite, The Proven System For Reaching and Selling Senior Executives and Profits and Cash – The Game of Business. You can reach Steve at schriest@selling-up.com.

Previous columns: View from the Top
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/A_View.htm

SEATTLE

  

Meet and learn from Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Leasing #102 columnist for Leasing News,
long time educator and trainer

Sales and Operations
click here for course information and to register

April 12th until Noon on the 14th
Seattle, Washington
Hosted by Financial Pacific

$395.00 Paid in Advance for first person from company
$345 with each additional attendee 

"Certified Leasing Professionals attending this seminar will earn CPEs (Continuing Professional Education)
Credits toward their recertification"

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

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New Hires---Promotions


Melissa Fisher was hired to oversee credit and operations at Strada Capital, Irvine, California. She has 20 years of leasing and management experience. 1990-1995 Employed at California Thrift and Loan, Santa Barbara, CA as a Credit Analyst in the leasing division. 1995-2002 Employed at Balboa Capital, Irvine, CA in various roles in operations, serving as Vice President of Credit for the last few years. 2002-2010 Independent Consultant for Leasing Companies.


Christopher M. Gorman promoted to head equipment finance business, investments, Capital market, commercial real estate as senior executive vice president and head of its National Banking business, as well as serve as Vice-Chairman of Key Bank. He reports to KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Henry L. Meyer III and will be a member of KeyCorp's Management Committee.

He joined Key in 1991.He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Miami University (1983) and currently serves on the university's Business Advisory Council. He is actively involved in various charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Robert Rinaldi was hired as Senior Vice President for CSI Leasing, Creve Coeur, Missouri. He is a 25-year veteran of the leasing industry. He was a founding partner of Information Leasing Corp., which he helped grow to the fifth largest leasing company in the U.S. He is a trustee of the Equipment Lease and Finance Foundation, a member of the ELFA board and Chairman of its LeasePAC.

Clifford Svoboda was hired as Senior Vice President for CSI Leasing, Creve Coeur, Missouri. He has a 40-year business background with 29 years of senior management positions at Finalco, Bell Atlantic, Information Leasing and National City Commercial Capital. In his most recent position he served as CEO of Energy Capital Investments and a Principal with Najafi Companies, a private firm making selective investment acquisitions up to $2.5 billion.

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Jeremiah Waggoner tagged for "Best Ranger" Competition


(from his father, Terry)

“My son's first unit was 3/504 in '01 and he went to Afghanistan and Iraq with them in '03-'04. 3/504 was dissolved and he became a Scout in 1/508 and went on his 3rd tour for 15 months in Afg '07-'08.

“As you may know, every year the Army conducts a 'Best Ranger' competition for Ranger-tabbed servicemen. I'm not sure if it is 'Army-specific' as other branches go thru Ranger School as well.

“Any way, each Army post can send 2, and only two, Ranger-qualified Soldiers as representatives/competitors. It is a 2 man team.

“Ft. Bragg has over 50,000 soldiers and probably has more Ranger-tabbed Troopers than anywhere else in the world.

“My son, SSgt. Jeremiah Waggoner is 1/2 of that Team!

“What an incredible honor!

“Competition is at Ranger School; Ft. Benning, GA, and is something like 2 May to 9 May this year.

“It's televised for later broadcast each year.....don't think its broadcast real time, and I'll keep you posted. He and his partner are both have multiple combat tours and are Pre-Ranger School Course Instructors at Bragg. Their duty now is to train rigorously for the competition......at least 6 hours every day.”

Terry Waggoner
tvwagg@hotmail.com


(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Michael Witt, Esq.)

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Fernando’s View
By Fernando F. Croce

New releases offer something for action fans (“Green Zone”) and music fans (“The Neil Young Trunk Show”), while DVD releases include delightful animation (“The Fantastic Mr. Fox”), Oscar-winning crowd-pleasers (“The Blind Side”) and a rediscovered classic (“Bigger Than Life”).


Green Zone (Universal Pictures): Audiences looking for a combination of excitement and ideas should check out this taut thriller, directed by action specialist Paul Greengrass (“United 93,” “The Bourne Supremacy”). Shifting his restless camera from Robert Ludlum’s secret agent to real-life volatile situations, Greengrass sets the story during the U.S.-led occupation of Bagdad in 2003, with military officer Roy Miller (Matt Damon) leading a special military team in search of weapons of mass destruction. What initially seems like a clear case of good-versus-evil, however, gradually reveals ambiguous areas as Miller’s search for a wanted Iraqi figure leads him deeper into the unstable area’s darker secrets. Gripping and provocative, it would make an interesting double-bill with “The Hurt Locker.”


The Neil Young Trunk Show (Fortissimo Films): Having already directed Neil Young in the first-rate “Neil Young: Heart of Gold,” acclaimed director Jonathan Demme (“Silence of the Lambs”) teams up once again with the legendary singer in this vibrant new concert film. Detailing Young’s Chrome Dreams II tour at Pennsylvania’s Tower Theater, Demme eschews backstage footage and audience reaction shots in order to concentrate exclusively on the singer’s vigorous performances. Songs include classic favorites like “Cinnamon Girl,” lesser-known numbers like “The Sultan,” and recent hits like the 20-minute-long “No Hidden Path.” An emotional and beautifully crafted celebration that mixes music and offhand visual poetry, it’s an exhilarating bash that even non-fans of Young could rock to.

Netflix tip: With the release of “The Neil Young Trunk Show,” versatile director Jonathan Demme once again establishes himself as today’s best director of concert films. For more musical blasts, check Netflix for his earlier documentaries, including the beautiful Talking Heads film “Stop Making Sense” and the underrated “Storefront Hitchcock,” which captures Robyn Hitchcock’s inspired performances.

New on DVD:

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (20th-Century Fox): The movies of Wes Anderson (“Rushmore,” “The Darjeeling Limited”) have always had the quirkiness of a pop-up children’s book, so it’s no surprise to see the acclaimed writer-director using stop-animation to tackle a story by Roald Dahl (who wrote “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”). Mr. Fox (delightfully voiced by George Clooney) lives with his wife (Meryl Streep) and son Ash (Jason Schwartzman) in a lush garden residence, surrounded by their eccentric friends and relatives. However, soon their idyllic peace is disturbed by Mr. Fox’s rambunctious instincts, not to mention three mean farmers bent on hunting down the critters. At times off-putting in live-action, Anderson’s stylistic trademarks become charming in animated form, aided by a truly stellar vocal cast that includes Bill Murray, Michael Gambon and Willem Dafoe.

The Blind Side (Warner Bros.): Sandra Bullock won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a spunky career woman in this crowd-pleasing drama. Based on a true story, the film follows the early life of football player Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), who starts out as a virtually illiterate, directionless Texan teenager before being taken in and adopted by the Tuohys, a kindly, affluent family. Leigh Ann (Bullock) takes a special liking to Michael, helping him overcome his shyness while directing him to apply his talents on the school football field. Can the family stay together, however, as his fame increases and his past catches up with him? Directed by John Lee Hancock (“The Alamo”), its mix of football action and inspirational drama made it a surprise box-office hit.

Bigger Than Life (Criterion): Like the recent “Make Way for Tomorrow,” this brilliant 1956 drama is a long-unavailable classic that’s deservedly received the deluxe Criterion treatment. James Mason is superb as Ed Avery, a modest schoolteacher whose meek life takes a sharp turn after medical problems lead him to an addiction to cortisone. Freed from his earlier inhibitions, he grows bolder at work and at home, startling his wife (Barbara Rush) and young son (Christopher Olsen). But is the drug the real problem, or his suffocating everyday suburban life that’s causing his madness? Director Nicholas Ray (“Rebel Without a Cause”) was one of the great poets of 1950s melodrama, and his stylistic verve and subversive streak make this CinemaScope classic a must for every movie lover.

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Palo Alto, California --- Adopt-a-Dog


Two Brothers

Brando
I need a home & someone to love me.
Pet ID #: 2287485
Rescue Group: Doggie Protective Services (DPS) - Palo Alto

E-mail: rescuenoca@aol.com
- Let 'em know you saw "Brando" on Adopt-a-Pet.com!
Help this Rescue Group by making a donation..

Brando:
“He has a white goatee on his chin. He loves to just hang out on the couch with the family. He'll happily entertain himself. He has the total Newfie personality that loves others and gets along wonderfully with everyone. He hasn't met a person he doesn't like!”

Breed: Labrador Retriever / Newfoundland Mix
Size: Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Color: Black - With White
Sex: Male
Age: Puppy

Brando is:
already neutered
good with kids
good with dogs
good with cats
up to date with shots
http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3582861.html

March 17, 2010: The 'B' brothers, Brandon and Brando are 8 week old Lab-Newfie males who are over 15lbs right now! They are expected to be over 80lbs (up to 110lbs) when full grown. They currently live in a foster home with dogs, cats and kids. Brandon and Brando are big cuddly bears.

These two big-love dogs are going to be a wonderful option for just about any type of home that wants an x-large adult dog!


Brandon:
“He has a white patch on his chest and he's Mr. Mellow and hang out with the family. He is definitely a 'happy-go-lucky' soul. Nothing seems to bother him at all. He likes to play with toys, sleep in the cushy bed.”

Dog Application:
http://www.dpsrescue.com/adoptable/dog-application.html

**Priority is given to those applicants who have filled out the application ahead of time, had a phone interview and have received a confirmation email and contract for the adoption event. They will be given the first opportunity to pursue an adoption of the dog of their choice at the adoption event from 4:30-5:30pm. If they choose not to adopt that particular dog, then the dog becomes available at 5:30pm to the first approved home.

**If you are wanting to submit an application within 24 hours of an event, please print off the application and bring with you as well as submitting it. You may still submit it and if time and volunteers permit, we will contact you. Most applications submitted the weekend of adoptions are not responded to until after the adoption weekend.

http://www.dpsrescue.com/adoptable/available.html


Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

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News Briefs----

Mortgage rates continue to drop
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-rates-continue-to-drop.aspx

Hard times send hotel industry into 'survival mode'
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2010-03-19-hotels19_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Little Seattle bank hopes to raise $450M and be a big player
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011382752_fortunebank19.html

Fess Parker, TV's 'Davy Crockett', dies at 85
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/03/19/us/AP-US-Obit-Fess-Parker.html?_r=1

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You May have Missed---

Greenspan Concedes That the Fed Failed to Gauge the Bubble
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/business/economy/19fed.html?ref=business

 


Sports Briefs---

Live Updates from the N.C.A.A. Tournament, Part II
http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/live-updates-from-the-n-c-a-a-tournament-part-ii/?hp

Latest crisis points to 49ers' lack of stability
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14705741?nclick_check=1



California Nuts Briefs---

Schwarzenegger appoints paralyzed law grad to state post
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/18/2617773/schwarzenegger-appoints-paralyzed.html


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“Gimme that Wine”

Riedel wins 'breathable glass' case
http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=296040


Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

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

1985 - IBM announced that it was planning to stop making the PCjr consumer-oriented computer. The machine had been expected to dominate the home computer market but didn’t quite live up to those expectations. In the 16 months that the PCjr was on the market, only 240,000 units were sold. A young software programmer purchased the rights to the operating system and started a “tiny” software operation compared to IBM to be called Microsoft in the near future.

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This Day in American History

   1589 - William Bradford, Pilgrim father, governor of Plymouth Colony, one of the early presidents of the United States. Born at Yorkshire, England, baptized Mar 19, 1589. Sailed from Southampton, England, on the Mayflower in 1620. His wife Dorothy fell off the Mayflower and drowned on 7 December 1620, when it was anchored in Provincetown Harbor. Died at Plymouth, MA, May 9, 1657 (OS).
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/bradfordwilliam.htm
http://members.aol.com/calebj/bradford.html
http://members.aol.com/calebj/letterbook.html
    1674---French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette erected a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan, in present day Illinois. His log cabin became the first building of a settlement that afterward grew to become the city of Chicago.
    1687 -- The French explorer La Salle is murdered in by his own men while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
    1734- birthday of Thomas McKean, signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Pennsylvania. Born at Chester County, PA, he died June 24, 1817.
http://virtualology.com/hallofusa/uspresidents/thomasmckean.net/
    1785 - the first city college was the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, which was founded in 1770, but chartered this day. On December 20, 1837, it became a municipal university under municipal control.
    1847 - Painter Albert Pinkham Ryder was born at New Bedford, MA, where he gained a great love for the sea, the subject of many of his works. Ryder was a misanthrope and recluse. He dedicated himself to his painting, working slowly and piling layer after layer of paint on his canvases until he achieved the look he was after. In his lifetime Ryder created only 150 paintings. Three of his best-known works are The Race Track, Toilers of the Sea and Siegfried and the Rhine Maidens. Ryder died Mar 28, 1917, at Elmhurst, NY. Because of his method of painting, many of his works have deteriorated since their creation.
http://www.artunframed.com/albert_pinkham_ryder.htm
    1848-birthday of Wyatt Earp. Born at Monmouth, IL, and died Jan 13, 1929, at Los Angeles, CA. A legendary figure of the Old West, Earp worked as a railroad hand, saloonkeeper, gambler, lawman, gunslinger, miner and real estate investor at various times. Best known for the gunfight at the OK Corral Oct 26, 1881, at Tombstone, AZ. 
    1860-birthday of William Jennings Bryan, American political leader, member of Congress, Democratic presidential nominee (1896), "free silver" advocate, assisted in prosecution at Scopes trial, known as "the Silver-Tongued Orator." Born at Salem, IL, he died at Dayton, TN, July 26, 1925.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar19.html
    1864-birthday of Charles M. Russell, St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to Montana at about age 16 and became a cowboy. Considered one of the greatest Western artists, he recorded the life of the cowboy in his artwork.
http://www.cmrussell.org/
    1881 - birthday of Edith Nourse Rogers was a YMCA and Red Cross volunteer in France during World War I. In 1925 she was elected to the US Congress to fill the vacancy left by the death of her husband. An able legislator, she was reelected to the House of Representatives 17 times and became the first woman to have her name attached to major legislation. She was a major force in the legislation creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (May 14, 1942) during World War II. Rogers was born at Saco, ME, and died Sept 10, 1960, at Boston.
    1883- African-American Jan Matzeliger invented the first machine to manufacture entire shoe
http://www.invention.org/culture/african/matzeliger.html
    1891 - Birthday of Earl Warren, American juist, 14th chief justice of the US Supreme Court, governor of California, born Los Angeles, Calif. Died at Washington, DC, July 9, 1974. He went from a crusading attorney general to a very conservative, right wing governor, they claim, and became one of the most liberal on the bench, hated by those who one time applauded him for his very conservative political actions.
    1897-vocalist/comedian Jackie “Moms” Mabley born Brevard, NC
    1918-Anniversary of passage by the Congress of the Standard Time Act, which authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to establish standard time zones for the US. The Act also established "Daylight Saving Time," to save fuel and to promote other economies in a country at war. Daylight-Saving Time first went into operation on Easter Sunday, Mar 31, 1918. The Uniform Time Act of 1966, as amended in 1986, by Public Law 99-359, now governs standard time in the US. US: Daylight Saving Time Begins April 7.
    1904 - Birthday of John Joseph Sirica, “the Watergate Judge,” born at Waterbury, CT. During two years of trials and hearings, Sirica relentlessly pushed for the names of those responsible for the June 17,1972 burglary of the Democratic National committee headquarters in Washington’s Watergate Complex. His unwavering search for the truth ultimately resulted in the toppling of the Nixon administration. Judge John Sirica died August 15,1992, at Washington, DC.
    1919-blind pianist Lennie Tristano born Chicago, IL
http://www.lennietristano.com/
    1920-brithday of bassist Curly Russell, New York City. ( played a lot with Bird )
    1921-gospel vocalist Bobby McFerrin, Sr., born Marianna, AR
    1927-Don Richard ( Riochie) Ashburn, Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, born at Tilden, NE. Ashburn won two national League batting titles and collected 2,574 hits over a 15-year career. He was a key member of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, known as the Whiz kids. After retiring he broadcast Phillies games for 35 years. Inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1995. Died at New York, NY, September 9, 1997
    1930- alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman born Fort Worth, TX An iconoclastic saxophonist and composer, his experiments in free-form improvisation sharply divided the jazz establishment upon his emergence in 1959. Largely self-taught, he played in rhythm-and-blues bands before settling in Los Angeles in 1951, where he gradually formed a quartet of musicians who were receptive to his unorthodox ideas. He first recorded in 1958 and made his New York debut the following year. He made a series of important recordings in 1959--61 that shaped the direction of jazz for the next twenty years. A sporadic performing artist after the early 1960s, he occasionally led both a conventional jazz quartet and the rock band Prime Time, but turned increasingly to composition, producing several works for symphony orchestra in accordance with his "harmolodic theory." Most commonly played a “plastic” alto saxophone.
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_coleman_ornette.htm
    1931 -- The state of Nevada legalizes gambling.
    1935 - Suffocating dust storms occurred frequently in southeastern Colorado between the 12th and the 25th of the month. Six people died, and many livestock starved or suffocated. Up to six feet of dust covered the ground. Schools were closed, and many rural homes were deserted by tenants.
    1936-vocalist/songwriter Willie Dixon Columbus, MS
http://www.blueflamecafe.com/index.html
    1937-Count Basie and his band open at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem for the first time.
    1937- pianist/vocalist Clarence “Frogman” Henry born Algiers, LA
( I have all his records. He is best know for: :”I Ain’t Got No Home, But I Do [I Don’t Know Why])”
http://www.tsimon.com/henry.htm
    1941-The US aircraft carrier Lexington departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to deliver aircraft to Midway Island. Because of this mission, the Lexington inadvertently avoided the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 December. It was later to play a pivotal role in the Japanese defeat at Midway. Other US ships were not as lucky. Japanese carrier-based planes attacked the bulk of the US Pacific fleet moored in Pearl Harbor, sinking or severely damaging nineteen naval vessels, including eight battleships. 
    1945 -- Kamikaze attacks USS Franklin off Japan. In a maneuver heralded as one of the greatest feats in naval history, the light cruiser USS Santa Fe bellied up alongside the flaming Franklin & rescued over 800 sailors while still being stalked by Japanese fighter pilots.
    1945 - BURR, HERBERT H.   Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division. Place and date: Near Dorrmoschel, Germany, 19 March 1945. Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo. Birth: St. Joseph, Mo. G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry during action when the tank in which he was bow gunner was hit by an enemy rocket, which severely wounded the platoon sergeant and forced the remainder of the crew to abandon the vehicle. Deafened, but otherwise unhurt, S/Sgt. Burr immediately climbed into the driver's seat and continued on the mission of entering the town to reconnoiter road conditions. As he rounded a turn he encountered an 88-mm. antitank gun at pointblank range. Realizing that he had no crew, no one to man the tank's guns, he heroically chose to disregard his personal safety in a direct charge on the German weapon. At considerable speed he headed straight for the loaded gun, which was fully manned by enemy troops who had only to pull the lanyard to send a shell into his vehicle. So unexpected and daring was his assault that he was able to drive his tank completely over the gun, demolishing it and causing its crew to flee in confusion. He then skillfully sideswiped a large truck, overturned it, and wheeling his lumbering vehicle, returned to his company. When medical personnel who had been summoned to treat the wounded sergeant could not locate him, the valiant soldier ran through a hail of sniper fire to direct them to his stricken comrade. The bold, fearless determination of S/Sgt. Burr, his skill and courageous devotion to duty, resulted in the completion of his mission in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
    1945 -GARY, DONALD ARTHUR  Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Franklin. Place and date: Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945. Entered service at: Ohio. Born: 23 July 1903, Findlay, Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an engineering officer attached to the U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft during the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945. Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a series of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs, rockets, and ammunition by the hostile attack, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with smoke, and with no apparent egress. As the imperiled men below decks became increasingly panic stricken under the raging fury of incessant explosions, he confidently assured them he would find a means of effecting their release and, groping through the dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered an escapeway. Stanchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment 3 times despite menacing flames, flooding water, and the ominous threat of sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading his men through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved. Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows, he constantly rallied others about him, repeatedly organized and led fire-fighting parties into the blazing inferno on the flight deck and, when firerooms 1 and 2 were found to be inoperable, entered the No. 3 fireroom and directed the raising of steam in 1 boiler in the face of extreme difficulty and hazard. An inspiring and courageous leader, Lt. (j.g.) Gary rendered self-sacrificing service under the most perilous conditions and, by his heroic initiative, fortitude, and valor, was responsible for the saving of several hundred lives. His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service.
    1946-vocalist Ruth Pointer born Oakland, CA.
http://www.thepointersistersfans.com/ruth.html
    1948 -an F4 tornado moved through Fosterburg, Bunker Hill, and Gillespie, Illinois, killing 33 people and injuring 449. 2000 buildings in bunker hill were damaged or destroyed. Total damage was 3.6 million dollars.
    1949 - The American Museum of Atomic Energy opened in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
    1950-Sarah Vaughan records “ Mean to Me, “ Columbia 745 )
http://www.parsec-santa.com/celebrity/celeb_pages/SarahVaughn.html
    1950 - Timberline Lodge reported 246 inches of snow on the ground, a record for the state of Oregon.
    1950---Top Hits
I Said My Pajamas - Tony Martin & Fran Warren
Music, Music, Music - Teresa Brewer
If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake - Eileen Barton
Chatanoogie Shoe Shine Boy - Red Foley
    1951 - "The Caine Mutiny", a novel by Herman Wouk, was published for the first time. Wouk won a Pulitzer for the novel. He followed it with several more successes: "Marjorie Morningstar", "The Winds of War", and "War and Remembrance". 
    1953 - The Academy Awards celebrated their silver anniversary -- and came to television. NBC paid $100,000 for the rights to broadcast the event on both radio and TV, the first to be telecast, black and white to over 174 stations.. Hollywood’s best turned out to hand out the Oscar statuettes for the movies of 1952. The party was held at the RKO Pantages Theater, Los Angeles, with Bob Hope hosting. A dual celebration was staged in New York City, where Conrad Nagel was host. The Best Picture award went to Cecil B. DeMille’s "The Greatest Show on Earth". Best Director was the legendary John Ford for "The Quiet Man". The rest of the best: Actor: Gary Cooper for "High Noon"; Supporting Actor: Anthony Quinn for "Viva Zapata!"; Actress: Shirley Booth for "Come Back, Little Sheba"; Supporting Actress: Gloria Grahame for "The Bad and the Beautiful"; Art Direction-Set Decoration/ Color: Paul Sheriff, Marcel Vertès for "Moulin Rouge"; Music/Song: Dimitri Tiomkin (music), Ned Washington (lyrics) for the song, "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’)", from "High Noon". 
    1954 - Viewers saw the first televised prize fight shown in living color as Joey Giardello knocked out Willie Tory in round seven of a scheduled 10-round bout at Madison Square Garden in New York 1968 - Dean Martin received a gold record for the album, "Houston". Martin charted 17 hits on the pop music charts in the 1950s and 1860s. "Houston" was his 12th. 
    1956 - New England had its second heavy snowstorm in 3 days. 20 inches piled up at Putnam, Connecticut, 19.5 inches fell at Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts, and Boston, Massachusetts recorded 13 inches. Traffic was paralyzed. This storm made a contribution to the snowiest march ever in southern New England (until 1993). 
    1957- Although he wouldn't finalize the deal for six more days, Elvis Presley puts down a deposit to secure the 14-acre estate with a two-story colonial at 3734 Highway 51 South, Memphis, TN., later known as Graceland.
    1958---Top Hits
Don’t/I Beg of You - Elvis Presley
Sweet Little Sixteen - Chuck Berry
Dinner with Drac (Part 1) - John Zacherle
Ballad of a Teenage Queen - Johnny Cash
    1958-Big Records releases "Our Song," the first record by a teenage duo from Queens, New York, who go by the names of Tom and Jerry. The pair will become famous in the '60s under their real names, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
    1966---Top Hits
The Ballad of the Green Berets - SSgt Barry Sadler
19th Nervous Breakdown - The Rolling Stones
Nowhere Man - The Beatles
Waitin’ in Your Welfare Line - Buck Owens
    1968 - BUCHA, PAUL WILLIAM  Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company D, 3d Battalion. 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16- 19 March 1968. Entered service at: U .S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Born: 1 August 1943, Washington, D.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh, The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy. During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic weapon, heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, Claymore mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force. Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to single-handedly destroy the bunker with grenades. During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When 1 friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, helicopter gunship and Air Force gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smoke grenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of 3 air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company. At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element. During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield. His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1968 - Dean Martin's LP Houston is certified gold
    1969 - RAY, DAVID ROBERT  Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 19 March 1969. Entered service at: Nashville, Tenn. Born: 14 February 1945, McMinnville, Tenn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Battery D, 2d Battalion, at Phu Loc 6, near An Hoa. During the early morning hours, an estimated battalion-sized enemy force launched a determined assault against the battery's position, and succeeded in effecting a penetration of the barbed-wire perimeter. The initial burst of enemy fire caused numerous casualties among the marines who had immediately manned their howitzers during the rocket and mortar attack. Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, HC2c. Ray moved from parapet to parapet, rendering emergency medical treatment to the wounded. Although seriously wounded himself while administering first aid to a marine casualty, he refused medical aid and continued his lifesaving efforts. While he was bandaging and attempting to comfort another wounded marine, HC2c. Ray was forced to battle 2 enemy soldiers who attacked his position, personally killing 1 and wounding the other. Rapidly losing his strength as a result of his severe wounds, he nonetheless managed to move through the hail of enemy fire to other casualties. Once again, he was faced with the intense fire of oncoming enemy troops and, despite the grave personal danger and insurmountable odds, succeeded in treating the wounded and holding off the enemy until he ran out of ammunition, at which time he sustained fatal wounds. HC2c. Ray's final act of heroism was to protect the patient he was treating. He threw himself upon the wounded marine, thus saving the man's life when an enemy grenade exploded nearby. By his determined and persevering actions, courageous spirit, and selfless devotion to the welfare of his marine comrades, HC2c. Ray served to inspire the men of Battery D to heroic efforts in defeating the enemy. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1971 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Me and Bobby McGee,'' Janis Joplin. The song is the second posthumous No. 1 song of the rock era, reaching the top of the charts almost six months after Joplin's death.
    1972-Immaculata College defeated West Chester State, 52-48, to win the first Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women national basketball tournament. The AIAW crowned a champion for 11 years, but most Division 1 teams entered the new NCAA tournament starting in 1982. 
    1974 - Jefferson Airplane is re-named Jefferson Starship. The line-up includes Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, drummer Johnny Barbata, David Freiberg, Peter Kaukonen, Cragi Chaquico and Papa John Creach.
    1974---Top Hits
Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
Dark Lady - Cher
Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
There Won’t Be Anymore - Charlie Rich
    1977- The final episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It premiered on September 19, 1970 and ran for 168 episodes. "Mary Tyler Moore" was the first of a new wave of sitcoms to make it big in the early '70s. It combined good writing, an effective supporting cast and contemporary attitudes. The show centered around the two most important places in Mary Richards's (Mary Tyler Moore) life-the WJM-TV newsroom and her apartment at Minneapolis. At home she shared the ups and downs of life with her friend Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) and the manager of her apartment building, Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman). At work, as the associate producer (later producer) of "The Six O'clock News," Mary struggled to function in a man's world. Figuring in her professional life were her irascible boss Lou Grant (Ed Asner), levelheaded and softhearted news writer Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) and self-obsessed, narcissistic anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). In the last episode the unthinkable happened-everyone in the WJM newsroom except the inept Ted was fired. 
    1980 - Elvis Presley's autopsy is entered into proceedings held by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners against Dr. George Nichopoulos, better known to his clients -- including Elvis -- as "Dr. Nick." The doctor will eventually be found guilty of overprescribing the drugs that led to The King's death and will have his license revoked, even though he repeatedly took measures to cure Presley of his addiction.
    1982---Top Hits
Centerfold - The J. Geils Band
Open Arms - Journey
I Love Rock ’N Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Blue Moon with Heartache - Roseanne Cash
    1984- a major winter storm produced blizzard conditions in northwestern Kansas and southern Nebraska. This storm, which began affecting the region on the 18th, dumped 10 to 20 inches of snow over the above mentioned areas. A severe ice storm occurred in northeastern Kansas with 1 inch ice accumulations common. The 1400 foot radio tower for KLDH-TV near Topeka buckled and then collapsed from the weight of a 3 inch coating of ice. This ice storm ranks as one of the worst ever to hit Kansas.
    1985 - IBM announced that it was planning to stop making the PCjr consumer-oriented computer. The machine had been expected to dominate the home computer market but didn’t quite live up to those expectations. In the 16 months that the PCjr was on the market, only 240,000 units were sold. A young software programmer purchased the rights to the operating system and started a “tiny” software operation compared to IBM to be called Microsoft in the near future. 
    1988- Michael Jackson begins construction on his 2,800-acre ranch and private amusement park in Santa Barbara, CA, which he will name "Neverland" after a fantasy location in his favorite book, Peter Pan, a place where children never grow up.
    1990---Top Hits
Escapade - Janet Jackson
Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
Roam - The B-52’s
Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart - Randy Travis
    1998 - Seven cities in California and Nevada reported record high temperatures for the date as readings soared into the 80s and lower 90s. Los Angeles CA reported a record high of 89 degrees. Five cities in south central Texas reported record lows, including El Paso, with a reading of 22 degrees.
    1999 - Six cities reported new record low temperatures for the date as cold arctic air settled into the Upper Midwest for Palm Sunday, including Marquette MI with a reading of 11 degrees below zero. or league baseball owners gave final approval to the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Peter O’Malley to media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s Australian-based news conglomerate, News Corp. O’Malley had inherited the Dodgers from his father, Walter, who moved the team from Brooklyn to Los Angeles following the 1957 season, which Brooklyn fans never forgive him. Critics of the $311 million sale to Murdoch’s company bemoaned the fact that one more team would no longer be family-owned. Nobody seemed happy about the sale except for Rupert Murdock, reported never to have seen the team play in person.
    2003-Operation Iraqi Freedom: At 9:30pm, EST, two hours past a deadline for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to step down from power, US and British forces began air strikes gains this regime. A ground campaign (adding Australian forces) followed quickly, and by April 9, Baghdad was in allied control and Hussein had disappeared. On May 1, President George W. Bush announced the end of major military operations in Iraq, although a peacekeeping force remains and faces violet and fatal attacks from insurgents. Hussein was captured by US forces on December 13, 2003. ON June 28, 2004, Iraq regained its sovereignty. And on December 15, 2005, 70 percent of Iraqi’s registered voters turned out for parliamentary elections---one of the freest elections on record in the Arab world.
    2005-- After avoiding salary arbitration by signing a one-year $10.5 million deal worth in the off season, Lance Berkman agrees to a six-year, $85 million contract. The three-time All-Star outfielder will be an Astro until 2010 with the club holding the option for an additional year.

NCAA Basketball Champions This date

    1955 San Francisco
    1960 Ohio State
    1966—Texas Western


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Poem about a Dog—by Peter Menkin

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVXBN8JRDG0

Peter is my younger brother, who at one time had the fourth largest newspaper syndicate for columnists.  He is basically semi-retired, but still writes for various magazines such as the Atlantic, as well as a weekly column in several newspapers here, the San Francisco Examiner, and UK, on religion.  He would rather be known as a poet, he once told me.

 

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SuDoku

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

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

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Daily Puzzle

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

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

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

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Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

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Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

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

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

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Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.
 

[headlines]