May 24, 2000 Archive
---“damnbroker”

"Read Rob's overview! (Rob Yohe on the EAEL-ELA Miami Beach, Florida Conference) It was very, very good! However, having been in the industry for many years, I am afraid I am beginning to hear the "damnbroker" analysis popping up again. If the brokers disappeared this afternoon a number of large companies would go away in a few days. If the funding sources had to go out and hire sales reps to do what the brokers do I think their margins might be even thinner! With the rates we see from the large leasing companies we are forced to compete against we are not getting the cheapest rates in town

Seems to me the problems currently in our market were mostly driven by some funding sources who got loads of money from securitization and had to put it somewhere. The brokers, who plan to stay in business, adhere to the credit criteria dictated by their funding sources. If the funding sources have competition and decide to lower their credit criteria or their rates to attract more business then they should be big boys and girls and realize what historically happens when you lower credit standards.

Ten years ago when seven of us sat in a hotel restaurant and birthed NAELB it was our desire to prevent fraud and level the playing field between the broker and funding source. I think there has been some success in that area through communication both ways. However, when hard times come why are we brokers always the ones getting beat up?

One thing about our industry, it ain't never dull!

   - Adrian Bulman

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

Adrian Bulman passed away January 13, 2001 at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife Beth and two sons Aaron (17) and Evan (14); ages at the time of his death.

He was young, in the prime of his life, and perhaps one of the best liked “super brokers” of his time. Adrian was a contributor to Leasing News, writing articles and keeping us “abreast” of what was happening in the “field.”

His viewpoint back at the end of the start of this century remains profound, and definitely worth reading. If you don't have time now, please come back over the long Memorial Weekend and read his December 27, 2000 observations (which has a January, 2001 addendum from Barry Marks, Esq.):
http://two.leasingnews.org/archives/December/12-27-00.htm

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Classified Ads---Sales

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

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

Garfield, NJ 15 years experience small to large ticket sales exp. All types of equipment industries. Vendor & direct. Self motivated. Work with leasing company or broker. Tony Lio tonylio@optonline.net

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+ yrs. leasing sales/sales mgmt Established remote office w/Lessee/Vendor following Request Salary + commission or partnership w/direct funding source. shermbp@gmail.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

San Francisco Bay Area: 15 year Vendor Program Agreement HUNTER. Currently employed at major IT manufacturer captive supporting direct and channel sales. Must have base, commission and benefit package. 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

 

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

 

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joins
Companies who notify lessee in advance of lease expiration
and require their discounter to also notify lessee in advance

Southern California Leasing, Inc., Tustin, California

"We also give our customers a letter 90 days in advance that their residual is coming up. We contact each customer even when we broker the deal to alert them to contact the lender.

"We just had a client with US Bancorp that was being billed even though his lease was up. The lessee did contact us because he received our letter in the mail and when we called they said it was a mistake and he did not owe any more payments."

Barbara Griffith

Companies who notify lessee in advance of lease expiration
and require their discounter to also notify lessee in advance

ABCO Leasing Advantage Funding Agility Ventures LLC Allegiant Partners American Leasefund, Inc. Balboa Capital Corp. BancLease Acceptance Corporation Bank of Ozarks Leasing Bankers Capital Bank of the West, Indirect Equipment Finance Black Rock Capital BSB Leasing Calfund Capital Technology & Leasing, LLC Cobra Capital, LLC Commerce National Bank Dakota Financial, LLC Direct Capital eLease

Financial Pacific Leasing Five Point Capital, In Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding GreatAmerica Leasing Innovative Lease Services, Inc. Madison Capital Manufacturer's Lease Plans, Inc Marquette Equipment Finance Mesa Leasing Maxim Commercial Capital Mount Pleasant Capital National Machine Tool Financial Corporation Navitas Lease Corp. Northwest Leasing Company P&L Capital Corporation Pacifica Capital Pawnee Leasing Corporation Southern California Leasing, Inc Standard Professional Services, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions Vehicle Lenders Group, LLC

 

Full list
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/lease_expiration.html

 

 

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Appears Europe Woes Affecting New Leasing Business

(Charts: Leasing News)

The 34 participants in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association MLFI-25 report the April, 2012 new business was 10% off the previous month. ELFA Reports it 20% above the same period in 2011.

MLFI-25 New Business Volume (Year Over Year Comparison)
click to make larger

(ELFA Chart)

ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said: “April’s new business volume and credit quality metrics appear to provide evidence that the equipment finance sector continues to gain momentum. Recent anecdotal information from ELFA members gathering in Washington, D.C., for a series of leadership meetings in mid-May supports the observation that the demand cycle for capital equipment parallels the broader economy in that both continue to strengthen, albeit slowly.”

Judson M. Snyder, President of BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, said: “We are seeing strong demand for financing in the transportation and energy sectors beginning in the end of 2011 and continuing through April of 2012. Many of these companies postponed replacing equipment during the financial crisis and are faced with the choice of increasing maintenance costs on older equipment or purchasing new. The ongoing historically low interest rate environment has made today an attractive time to replace and finance that equipment. We are also beginning to see requests for equipment relating to expansion and new contracts in the general manufacturing sector. These types of projects are a sign of a firmer economic recovery and we are hopeful that they will continue to develop throughout the summer and fall of 2012.”

Quoted in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation that saw a dip in confidence in the last month, leasing executives stated a more positive outlook:

Ron Arrington, Global President, Vendor Finance, CIT Equipment, New York, said “Leasing continues to increase as the economy in the United States continues to improve, albeit at a measured pace, especially for small to medium sized businesses. When companies do invest, they are looking for total solutions beyond just the equipment and including all the services that surround it. Those equipment providers that can provide total service-related solutions are seeing a new segment of growth for their business and equipment leasing is an important component of this total solution by providing capital while leveraging expertise in billing and services.”

Bill Verhelle, CEO, First American Equipment Finance, a City National Bank Company, noted: “We are cautiously optimistic about the improving, short-term opportunity for equipment finance companies serving, large creditworthy borrowers in the United States.”

ELFA MLFI-25 Charts for April

Aging of Receivables:

click to make larger

Average Losses (Charge-offs) as a % of net receivables
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

Credit Approval Ratios As % of all Decisions Submitted
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

Total Number of Employees
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger 

ELFA MLFI-25 Participants

1. ADP Credit
2. BancorpSouth Equipment Finance
3. Bank of America
4. Bank of the West
5. BB&T Bank
6. BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company
7. Canon Financial Services
   
8. Caterpillar Financial Services
   
9. CIT
   
10. De Lage Landen Financial Services
    
11. Dell Financial Services
    
12. EverBank Commercial Finance
    
13. Fifth Third Equipment Finance Company
    
14. First American Equipment Finance
    
15. GreatAmerica
    
16. Hitachi Credit America
    
17. HP Financial Services
    
18. Huntington Equipment Finance
    
19. John Deere Financial
    
20. Key Equipment Finance
    
21. M&T Bank
    
22. Marlin Leasing
    
23. Merchants Capital
    
24. PNC Equipment Finance
    
25. RBS Asset Finance
    
26. SG Equipment Finance
    
27. Siemens Financial Services
    
28. Stearns Bank
    
29. Suntrust
    
30. Susquehanna Commercial Finance
    
31. US Bancorp Equipment Finance
    
32. Verizon Capital
    
33. Volvo Financial Services
    
34. Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

Previous Monthly Reports:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/ELFA-Survey.htm

 

 

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New Hires---Promotions

Lauren Aron has been hired as graphic designer for LEAF Commercial Capital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Brenda Deaton has been hired as a contractor for Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas; representing the Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas area. She is also a consultant for Zipscene (April, 2012-President). Previously she worked for Modeling & Print (January, 2009-Present), executive, BKLLC (January, 2007-Pressent), vice-president Enterprise, ProfitStreams (November, 2010-January, 2012), Partner/President, BKLLC/Kingwood LLC (January, 2007-January, 2010), vp sales, American Express (1996-2007), director sales, Rockford Industries (1995-2000), director of Concierge & Sales, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (October, 1989-January, 1995). Florida State University - College of Business (1985 – 1989).Associated Travel Studies- North Miami Beach Travel-hotel-hospitality-Sabre (1986 – 1986), Argosy University Dallas, psychology (2010)
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=18972700&locale=en_US&trk=tyah

David Everson hired as business development professional for Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas.

Tom Forbes promoted to Head of Global Capital Markets at Caterpillar Financial, Nashville, area. Previously he was manager, Global Syndications, September, 2010-Present). Prior he was manager of global capital markets, financial services, Doosan Infracose Construction Equipment, (February, 2009-Setempber, 2010, managing director, Orix USA (august, 2004-May, 2008), vice president of business development, GE Commercial finance (2002-2004), senior vice president, CIT (April, 1993-October, 2001), assistant treasurer, Forsythe McArthur Associates (April, 1990-April,1993), commercial Bank, UJB (January, 1988-April, 1990). Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management Executive Development Program (1999 – 1999) Purdue University BA, Communications and Management (1984 – 1987)/
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tom-forbes/1/826/1bb

Laura Martin has been hired as marketing administrator at LEAF Commercial Capital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Simeon Olowere hired as business development professional for Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas.

Laura Osterling hired as business development professional for Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas. She will be working out of Orange County, California.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/laura-osterling/23/9b6/77

Michael Schaal has joined LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as marketing manager. Previously he was direct marketing specialist, Berkshire Associations, Inc. (October, 2010-June, 2011), marketing specialist, Cannon Business Solutions (2010-2010), direct marketing coordinator Communications (December, 2007-July, 2009), marketing coordinator, Bright House Networks (2005-2007). Education: Salisbury University.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-schaal/26/a8/709

Jeff C. Wenrich has joined Orion First Finance, Gig Harbor, Washington, as Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Previously he was Vice-President, Territory Manager, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Greater Seattle Area (February, 2010-April, 2012), DSM, CITI (2005-2008), DSM, CitiCapital Commercial Corp. (2005--2008). He "...is a 20 year sales veteran, and has spent the last decade in the commercial equipment finance industry with two of the top-10 largest domestic banks. Jeff is experienced in developing market scope and scale, situation analysis and implementing program roll-outs. Over the course of his career, Jeff has originated, underwritten and structured small-, mid- and large-ticket deals in a variety of industries. Jeff is an active member in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) and Western Independent Bankers (WIB). Jeff is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA Organizational Psychology) and received his MBA from Portland State University (Marketing). He resides with his wife, Rebecca and three children, in Gig Harbor, WA...'Orion’s growth plans called for an exceptional candidate in this position.' said David T. Schaefer, founder and President of Orion First Financial. 'Jeff’s experience in the Equipment Finance marketplace and success record make him a perfect fit for us, in line with Orion’s growth strategies'.”
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-wenrich/1/318/405

Neil Wessan appointed Managing Director and Group Head of CIT Capital Markets, New York, New York. "Wessan will oversee the Capital Markets group which is responsible for structuring, pricing and distributing all financial products originated by CIT. " Previously he was managing director, head of capital markets, Gleacher & Company (January, 2011-Presidnet) principal, Halsey Lane Holdings, LLC (September, 2009-August, 2010), managing director, co-head leveraged loan capital markets & syndications, Jefferies & Company (February, 2004-August, 2009), managing director, CIBC World Markets Corp., (1997-2004), managing director and deputy head, private placements Group, ING Barings Securities (August, 1993-March, 1997), principal, founding partner, Fieldstone Private Capital Group, LTd (August, 1990-August, 1993), vice-president, Bankers Trust Company/BT Securities (August, 1984-August,1990). University of Chicago (1982 – 1984), University of Pennsylvania BSE, Marketing, (1978 – 1982), Activities and Societies: Fencing Team, ZBT, Conservative Party, Flying Club, University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School BSE, Marketing, Management (1978 – 1982)
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/neil-wessan/6/a10/434

 

Ten Most Expensive Cars Driven by Top Leasing Execs

(Yes, most likely they leased the vehicles.)

 

10.
GT-R
Make: Nissan
Style: Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
True cost of ownership: $117,892
Purchase price: $91,830
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 19

9.
Range Rover
Make: Land Rover
Style: HSE 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl 6A)
True cost of ownership: $118,158
Purchase price: $88,862
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 14

8.
Hybrid 7
Make: BMW
Style: 750i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
True cost of ownership: $122,076
Purchase price: $101,545
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 20
188 Registrations in US 2011

7.
G-Class
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Style: G550 4dr SUV 4WD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
True cost of ownership: $126,714
Purchase price: $108,900
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 13
In Production since 1979

6.
LS 600h L
Make: Lexus
Style: 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
True cost of ownership: $129,542
Purchase price: $119,019
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 20

5.
SL-Class
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Style: SL550 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
True cost of ownership: $129,588
Purchase price: $106,718
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 17
Total registrations of the car have dropped dramatically from more than 5,600 in 2007 to less than 1,500 in 2011.

4.
CL-Class
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Style: CL550 4MATIC 2dr Coupe AWD (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
True cost of ownership: $142,558
Purchase price: $121,671
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 18
Sales of the car have steadily decreased over the years. There were more than 3,200 total registrations in 2007. In 2011, there were 980.

 

3.
ALPINA B7
Make: BMW
Style: SWB 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 6A)
True cost of ownership: $153,150
Purchase price: $133,445
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 17

2.
R8
Make: Audi
Style: 5.2 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 6M)
True cost of ownership: $193,429
Purchase price: $170,175
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 15
There were 1,173 registrations for the car in 2011 — the most of any year.

 

1.

SLS AMG
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Style: 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl 7AM)
True cost of ownership: $245,469
Purchase price: $210,875
Combined (city and highway) MPG: 16
Total registrations of the automobile increased from 470 in 2010 to 707 in 2011.

 

Steve Jobs would regularly park his Mercedes in
a handicap spot on Apple's campus.

Steve Jobs drove a silver Mercedes SL55 AMG. He leased it and never had a license plate. He obviously didn't want to display a “‘handicapped license.” Reportedly many employees and regulars in Palo Alto knew it was his car. He never was confronted by the police or applied for a special permit. He kept the seriousness of his illness as confidential as he could.

“Steve (or someone close to him) spotted a loophole in the California vehicle laws. Anyone with a brand new car had a maximum of six months to affix the issued number plate to the vehicle.

“So Jobs made an arrangement with the leasing company; he would always change cars during the sixth month of the lease, exchanging one silver Mercedes SL55 AMG for another identical one. At no time would he ever be in a car as old as six months; and thus there was no legal requirement to have the number plates fitted.

“One might also assume that the leasing company was happy – they had an endless supply of luxury cars to on-sell with the previous driver being none-other that Steve Jobs.

“That would be a win-win-win situation for Steve, the leasing company and for the subsequent buyer.”

http://www.cultofmac.com/126338/why-steve-jobs-mercedes-never-had-a-license-plate/

Full Story on Ten Most Expensive Cars:
http://247wallst.com/2012/05/21/the-ten-most-expensive-cars-to-own/

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

CLP Foundation Announces New Executive Director

The CLP Foundation, the preeminent education and certifying body created to raise the industry standards among equipment leasing and financing professionals is pleased to announce the appointment of Reid Raykovich, CLP, as Executive Director beginning immediately. Ms. Raykovich has over nine years of experience in the equipment leasing and financing industry and obtained her CLP designation in 2005.

Ms. Raykovich states, “The CLP designation has been the main reason I have remained in this industry. The process of obtaining the certification taught me more than I could have ever learned on my own. So when I was approached about this opportunity, I couldn’t have been more thrilled at the prospect of working for such an incredible foundation. I am excited to grow the member base as I have first-hand knowledge and experience of what it can do for one’s career.”

Rosanne Wilson, CLP, BPB, the President of the CLP Foundation, would like to add that, "Reid has demonstrated a real passion for the CLP Program in the short time she has been on board. She has brought forth so many ideas on how to further the goals of the Foundation. Her love of the CLP program shines in every aspect of her work. Reid has a strong desire to help others achieve this coveted certification and we are so fortunate to have her as our new Executive Director."

The CLP designation identifies you as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customer, and peers in the leasing industry. There are currently over 170 Certified Lease Professionals throughout the world. For more information, call (206) 535-6281 or visit www.clpfoundation.org

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

Mr. Terry Winders available as a consultant regarding assisting attorneys in resolving disputes or explaining procedures or reviewing documents as utilized in the finance and leasing industry. He is the author of several books, including DVD's, as well as weekly columnist to Leasing News. He also performs audits of leasing companies as an expert on documentation, and has acted as an expert witness on leasing for litigation in legal and tax disputes, including before the IRS. He also has taught the senior bank examiners, how to review a bank leasing department, for the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C. and has trained the examiners for the FDIC on how to prepare a lease portfolio for sale. 502.649.0488/Leaseconsulting@msn.com

 

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

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

Non-Home Finance Write-Offs at Lowest Level in Six Years

ATLANTA, GA– Non-home finance write-off dollars year-to-date through April have decreased 52% according to Equifax’s April National Consumer Credit Trends Report. The write-offs have decreased to $26.2 billion as of April 2012 from $54.1 billion in April 2009. Today’s write-offs approach 2006 pre-recession levels of $24.0 billion and continue an improving trend.

Non-home finance write-off dollars have declined due to both improvements in general repayment patterns and lower numbers of bankruptcies. Bankruptcy dollars have declined at a slower rate, comprising 15.7% of write-off dollars in 2009 but 18.5% of write-off dollars today. This is due to faster declines in the average dollar size of general delinquencies, relative to the peak of the recession.

Non-Home Finance balances declined by 7% or $193 billion since October 2008, but the deleveraging trend ended about a year ago, with balances now 1.5% higher than in May 2011. Auto balances are increasing following the trend in rising auto sales, while card balances are declining at a slower rate due to sustained origination increases and payment improvements that mirror pre-recession levels. Based on current trends, card balances will stop declining and begin increasing during 2012. With the continued weakness in labor markets, demand for additional education is very strong. As a result, student lending balances rose 66% to $766 billion in November 2011 (from the pre-recession average of $460 billion) before falling back to $753 billion as of April 2012.

"Consumers are now starting to see greater accessibility to credit opportunities and they are taking advantage of those opportunities, though in moderation,” said Equifax Chief Economist Amy Crews Cutts. “The American household’s balance sheet is looking much better now, with debt burdens down significantly due to both write-offs and consumer-led deleveraging, and slow but significant improvements in the economy. “

Other highlights from the data include:

Deleveraging continues in Home Finance:

Home Finance balances have decreased $1.2 trillion since October 2008, posting a fourth consecutive year of decline.

Home Finance real estate owned dollars (write-offs) for April 2012 have dropped 29% from April 2010 to $71.5 billion and is at the lowest level since 2008 ($74.7 billion).

In April 2012, Home Equity revolving balances were near $560 billion, down $115 billion from April 2009, and down $43.8 billion from April 2011.

Foreclosures In-Process for Home Equity Revolving credit dropped 37% from same time a year ago. At just under $1.25 billion, it is the lowest in two years.

Auto

As of April 2012, the number of outstanding Auto Loans is at 57 million, the highest since January 2010. Balances on these loans have risen from $689 billion in April 2011 to $734 billion in April 2012.

About Equifax, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 17 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX.

Equifax is a global leader in consumer and commercial information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers

For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.

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

John Kenny Receivables Management www.jrkrmdirect.com • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigation • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs John Kenny 315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

 

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

 

Movie Reviews
By Fernando F. Croce

Special Memorial Day Edition

For this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, check out these patriotic classics from Netflix for a cinematic celebration of national courage and resolve.

The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler, 1946): With WWII over, Hollywood felt the need to turn its sights back home to reassure the civilians the as well as the returning veterans. This Oscar-winning drama looks with great skill and sensitivity at the re-adjustment of a trio of military men as they reenter society. Al (Fredric March) has a devoted wife (Myrna Loy) and a good business, but finds the economic climate at odds with recognition of his fellow war vets’ efforts. Fred (Dana Andrews) struggles to deal with a rocky marriage and battlefield memories, while Homer (real-life paratrooper Harold Russell) faces emotional and physical challenges. William Wyler directs a superb cast in this stirring portrait of a nation’s postwar pain and healing.

Hail the Conquering Hero (Preston Sturges, 1944): For some Memorial Day belly laughs, you can’t go wrong with a comedy from the legendary Preston Sturges. This classic tells the rib-tickling tale of Woodrow (Eddie Bracken), a soldier who, at the height of World War II, gets discharged due to a bout of hay fever. Ashamed to go back to his hometown, he runs into a group of Marines led by gruff Sgt. Heppelfinger (William Demarest), who come up with a war story so Woodrow can retain his dignity. When the entire town welcomes him as a hero and even the Mayor offers him a new position, however, the charade becomes increasingly hard to keep up. A wonderful reminder that humor is as much a staple of a great nation as courage.

Saving Private Ryan (Steven Spielberg, 1998): There are countless fine American movies dealing with courage during wartime, but to many modern viewers this modern classic from Steven Spielberg may stand at the very top of the list. Kicking off with an unforgettable vision of the bloodshed and sacrifice of the D-Day landing near the end of World War II, it depicts the odyssey of a group of soldiers, led by Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks), as they venture into enemy territory in a dangerous mission: To rescue Private Ryan (Matt Damon), a paratrooper whose brothers were killed in action. With masterly camerawork and often overpowering emotions, Spielberg offers an indelible portrayal of bravery in the face of horror that’s both inspiring and haunting.

Flags of Our Fathers (Clint Eastwood, 2006): One of modern screen’s most enduring stars, Clint Eastwood has also become one of American cinema’s most fascinating and adventurous filmmakers. In this deeply moving WWII drama, he chronicles the fates of the young soldiers who in 1945 raised the flag at the battle of Iwo Jima. With their historic moment captured in a famous photograph, John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach) quickly become national heroes and media superstars. But at what price has their fame come? With a camera that never flinches from either battlefield brutality or the dark moments of a man’s soul, Eastwood creates a trenchant, profoundly humane portrait of troubled, brave men.

The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2009): After a series of misfires, renowned action director Kathryn Bigelow is back in top form with this intense and beautifully crafted chronicle of a group of bomb-defusing specialists in war-torn Baghdad. Creating an intimate and suspenseful atmosphere, it follows cocky Staff Sergeant James (a breakout performance by Jeremy Renner), by-the-book Sergeant Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and impressionable Specialist Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) as they make their way through a hostile terrain filled with bombs, snipers, and mercenaries. Stuck in a land where they're always one step away from an explosion, can they stay in one piece until they can go home? Focusing more on character and action than on political ideology, Bigelow offers a taut, Oscar-winning portrait of men at war and grace under pressure.

 

 

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Classified Ads---Employment Web Sites

Here is a list of top internet job web sites, several specializing in financial, money, and leasing, too.

www.adams-inc.com
www.affinitysearch.com
www.bajobs.com
www.careerbank.com
www.careerbuilder.com 
www.careerpath.com
www.careerjet.com
www.craigslist.org
ELFA Career Center
www.employmentcrossing.com 
www.FinanceLadder.com 
http://www.findhow.com/
www.hotjobs.com
www.Hound.com 
www.indeed.com
www.jobs.net
www.jobs-applications.com
www.jobssearchengine.net
www.jobsearchusa.org 
www.JobSpin.com
www.jobsinthemoney.com
www.ladders.com
www.leasingworld.co.uk
www.lessors.com
www.MarketingJobs.com
www.monitordaily.com
www.monster.com
www.monstertrak.monster.com/ 
www.Postonce.com 
www.RecruiterConnection.com
www.resumeblaster.com
www.snagajob.com/part-time-jobs/ 
www.toplanguagejobs.com 
www.vault.com
www.vetjobs.com
www.worktree.com
www.worldleasingnews.com

 

Dachshund Mix
Dallas, Texas Adopt-a-Dog

Hanz
ID#: 3788305
Breed: Dachshund Mix
Color: Brown/Chocolate - With White
Age: Young DOB 8/2010
Size: Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Sex: Male

"I am already neutered, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats."

HANZ's Story...

"Hanz's foster mom reports that this boy is housetrained, very intelligent, has tons of energy and learns and adapts quickly. He enjoys taking long walks and is a good watch dog and will alert at night if he hears strange noises. He enjoys playing with other dogs but is a little nervous around cats – he is also very friendly and likes people. A little lap dog, he loves to be held and is fond of playing with his toy bone. Hanz is also somewhat of a trick artist - he does a very good job of covering himself up with his blanket at night!!!

"Hanz came to the shelter after some Dallas travelers made a stop in Oklahoma for gas and little Hanz was sitting there looking forlorn. His rescuers asked us to help the little guy. He tested positive for heartworm and had cherry eye. Hanz was treated for heartworm several months ago, has fully recovered, and is now on preventative. Also, Hanz no longer suffers from cherry eye and has recovered beautifully. This little guy is in a loving foster home and is thoroughly enjoying having fun playing with three other little dogs while he adjusts to being a Texan

"Upon adoption, Hanz’s foster mom is willing to pay for a PetSmart dog training class or two for him. Hanz is very smart and she feels his new family will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly he learns.

"Hanz is not at the shelter but in foster care. If you want to see this cutie little guy you can contact us at adoptions@dognkittycity.org to make an appointment to see him."

Adoption Donation $175

Email: adoptions@dognkittycity.org
Phone: 214-601-2345 (dogs),
214-321-5556 (cats)
Fax: 214-363-6529 (dogs),
214-484-6695 (cats)
dognkittycity.org
2719 Manor Way
Dallas, Texas 75235
Phone: 214-350-7387
Hours: Daily 11:45-4:45. Closed holidays.

 

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/ 

 

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com

News Briefs----

 

Euro Zone Crisis Boils as Leaders Argue, Failing at Pact
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/world/europe/euro-crisis-intensifies-as-leaders-bicker.html?hp

It's Official: HP to cut 27,000 jobs
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/05/23/HP-to-cut-27000-jobs/UPI-19811337814243/

Dell Falls Most Since 2000 as Forecast Misses Estimates
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-M4HSOC6K50ZF01-6NV5Q018MH7T3F8FE51BQB81BI

Good News! U.S. housing prices rise
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/05/23/US-housing-prices-rise/UPI-45381337790471/

Walmart faces call for entire board's ouster
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/walmart_board_boot_call_vEyyLF8tXQLqBl6kCimhFM

New Board Will Adapt GAAP to Private Companies
http://www3.cfo.com/article/2012/5/gaap-ifrs_private-company-accounting-gaap-fasb-aicpa-faf

Australian Becomes World’s Richest Woman
http://www.cnbc.com/id/47536652/

Phillip Phillips takes 'Idol' crown
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-05-23/american-idol-winner/55178806/1

[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

4 Signs It's Time to Change Your Workout Routine
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=874

 

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs----

 

Devils Start and Finish Strong
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/sports/hockey/devils-start-and-finish-strong-in-game-5.html?_r=1&hp

 

[headlines]
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Baseball Poem

Rookie Instructions

On the path to second
you don't hesitate
or guess.
You read the pitcher,
his motion,
stance, arms,fanny, 
grip on the ball,
and his legs

His whole body
tells you more
than any
history teacher ever did.

After looking,
take a few feet,
and dare the future.
Run hard
and slide.
Never, never
look back,
and if you're tagged
out,
I'll tell you about
the catcher.

Written by Robert L. Harrison,
“Green Fields and White Lies,”
Baseball poems, published by McFarland
& Company

 

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

The day the Golden Gate Bridge flattened
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_20695952/day-golden-gate-bridge-flattened

 

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8 

Red Before Labor Day: Summer’s New Rules
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/dining/red-wine-before-labor-day-the-new-rules-of-summer.html?ref=dining

Napa's 2009s herald what great Cabernet can be
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/20/FD311OI9A5.DTL&type=wine

Maple Creek Winery in Mendocino, California, Goes on Block
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=100989&
htitle=Maple%20Creek%20Winery%20Goes%20on%20Block&

The Grapes of Rap---Boon for one Kosher winemaker
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/100365/the-grapes-of-rap

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

      1607 - Captain Christopher Newport and 105 followers founded the colony of Jamestown on the mouth of the James River in Virginia. They had left England with 144 members, 39 died on the way over. The colony was near the large Indian village of Werowocomoco, home of Pocahontas, the daughter Powhatan, an Algonquin chief. In 2003 archeologists believed that they had found the site of the village.
    1624 - After years of unprofitable operation, Virginia's charter was revoked and it became a royal colony.
    1764 - Bostonian lawyer James Otis denounced "taxation without representation" and called for the colonies to unite in demonstrating their opposition to Britain's new tax measures. 
    1816-birthday of Emanuel Leutze, obscure itinerant painter, born at Wurttemberg, Germany, came to the US when he was nine years old, began painting by age 15. Painted some of the most famous of American scenes, such as “Washington Crossing the Delaware, “ Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth” and Columbus Before the Queen.” Died July 18,1868, at Washington, DC. Painting all by his imagination. “Washington did indeed cross the Delaware, but not in the dramatic and elegant style depicted in Emanuel Leutze's famous painting, “as stated in Richard Shenkman's “Legends, Lies & Cherished Myths of American History.” “Washington probably wasn't standing, or course; that would have been, as one writer plainly put it, “stupid.” And Washington probably wasn't quite as impassive as Leutze portrays him(One is reminded of all those pictures which show Washington quietly atop his horse with bullets whirring speedily round him. As one critic commented, at times, his horse seems more active than the general himself.) Furthermore, the American flag probably wasn't flying; while the flay was in existence at this time, it hadn't been yet adopted by Congress ( and there were many versions ),. Finally, Washington's boat probably wasn't filled to capacity; there wouldn't have been any need for crowding. Boats there were aplenty; it was men who were in short supply.” Historian Ann Hawks Hutton contends that Leutze, a German, painted the picture primarily to stir up Germans. Leutze, she says, hoped that bye celebrating the American Revolution, he could help bring about revolution in Germany, where he painted the picture. He had returned to Germany where he painted many of these pictures where the conservative governments had recently crushed the Revolution of 1848. 
http://www.art-prints-and-posters.com/Emanuel-Leutze.html 
http://www.nmaa.si.edu/nmaa/images/text/artist_l/leute01x.html 
http://www.honors.uiuc.edu/eng255/gallery/romanticism/leutze.html
    1749--birthday of James Peale, American portrait and miniature painter
( painted portraits of George and Martha Washington and General Sir Thomas Shirley)
Died May 24,1831, Philadelphia, PA.
http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/gw/
http://www.butlerart.com/pc_book/pages/attribut.htm
    1844-The first US Telegraph line was formally opened between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first officially telegraphed words "What hath God wrought?" from the Capitol Building to Baltimore. Earlier messages had been sent along the historic line during testing, and one sent May 1, contained the news that Henry Clay had been nominated as president by the Whig party, from a meeting in Baltimore. The message reached Washington one hour prior to a train carrying the same news.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may24.html
    1862-the Union Army made use of the new communication device call the telegraphy. The first use was in the Peninsula campaign, when a wire several miles long extended from the headquarters of General George Brinton McClellan near Williamsport, VA, to an advance guard at Mechancsville, VA, commanded by General George Stoneman, chief of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. McClellan was an idiot and had no idea what he was doing and the telegraph seemed to confuse the cavalry even more, who were used to moving quickly, responding to events, but laying down wire and waiting for instructions due to the reliance on this telegraph invention, cost many Union lives. The cavalry once mobile, waited to hear orders from McClellan, who was out to lunch.
http://www.bufordsboys.com/StonemanBiography.htm
http://www.ngeorgia.com/history/atlcamp.html
    1869-the first exploration of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado by a white man was made by Major John Wesley Power, above the head of the Colorado River, emerging on August 29 with five of the nine men who had started with him. The Grand Canyon had been observed by Spanish explorers in 1540 and described by the Sitgreaves expedition in 1851.
    1883- nearly 14 years in construction, the $16 million Brooklyn Bridge over the East River opened. Designed by John A. Roebling, the steel suspension bridge has a span of 1,595 feet.
http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/bbridge/bbridgefacts.htm
    1889—the Johnstown Flood, actually occurring on May 31 st , but this week the Johnstown Flood Museum, Johnston,PA recreates the catastrophe in which 2,209 people died, tens of thousands were left homeless and a prospering city was left a wasteland. The Johnstown Flood” documentary, winner of Best Documentary Short Subject in 1898, will be shown hourly. 
www.jaha.org 
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/historic/nws/johnstown.html
    1893-The anti-Saloon League was founded by Howard H. Russell at Oberlin, OH. Efforts in that state were so successful that the Anti-Saloon League of America was organized in 1895. The League's permanent home become Otterbein College at Westerville,OH, in 1909. The ban on alcohol products, called the Prohibition Era, actually worked. There were less deaths by alcohol recorded at hospitals, less drunk drivers, and statistic record a major decline in drinking.
The crime empires of Al Capone and others in this era were established before prohibition. Incidentally, there were many country clubs and night clubs who had a large legal supply, as the law was against production and did not apply to what was already purchased and stored.
    1894 - Six inches of snow blanketed Kentucky. Just four days earlier as much as ten inches of snow had fallen across Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Six days earlier a violent storm had wrecked nine ships on Lake Michigan.
    1918-The Croix de Guerre was award to African-American in the American Army, Private Henry Johnson, 369 th Infantry, 93 rd Division, with the following citation: “Being on double sentry duty at night, was attacked by twelve Germans. He shot one and seriously wounded two others with his bayonet. Even though he had been three times sounded at the beginning of the action by revolver bullets and grenades, he went to the assistance of his wounded comrade, who was about to be carried off by the enemy, and continued the combat until the put the Germans to flight. It was a splendid example of courage and energy.”
    1928-In a game between the Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Yankees, 13 future members of the Baseball Hall of Fame took the field. Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Mickey Cochrane, Al Simmons, Eddie Collins Lefty Grove and Jimmie Foxx played for the Athletics. Earle Combs, Leo Durocher, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and Waite Hoyt played for the Yankees. In addition, the two managers: Connie Mack and Miller Huggins, are also Hall of Famers.
    1930-- Babe Ruth homers in both games of a doubleheader, giving him 9 in one week.
    1933 -- Jimmie Rodgers, knowing he only has a few days left to live, records 12 of the 24 songs for his last album. "Tea for Texass, Tea for Thelma, Tea for Ice-Tea, gonna be the death of me..."— Jimmie Rodgers (1897 - 1933)
http://www.jimmierodgers.com/
http://www.southernmusic.net/jimmierodgers.htm 
http://www.eyeneer.com/America/Genre/Folk.bluegrass/Profiles/Rodgers/
    1933-- Michael White birthday (Jazz violinist, often plays with John Handy, my late father's favorite modern jazz group, who he met when they were both teaching at San Francisco State College).
    1933 -- Jimmie Rodgers, knowing he only has a few days left to live, records 12 of the 24 songs for his last album.
"Tea for Texass, Tea for Thelma, Tea for Ice-Tea, gonna be the death of me..."
— Jimmie Rodgers (1897 - 1933)
http://www.jimmierodgers.com/
http://www.southernmusic.net/jimmierodgers.htm
    1935- the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 2—1, as more than 20,000 fans enjoyed the first night baseball game in the major leagues. The game was played at Crosley Field, Cincinnati, OH. By the way, the game was to have been previously held the night before, but rain cancelled the event.
    1938—birthday of singer Prince Buster, Kinston, Jamaica
http://www.georgwa.demon.co.uk/prince_buster.htm
    1941 - The German battleship Bismarck sank the British dreadnought HMS Hood in the North Atlantic. 1416 died with only three survivors. CGC Modoc sighted the German battleship SMS Bismarck while the cutter searched for survivors of a convoy southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland. British Swordfish torpedo planes from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Victorious circled Modoc as they flew towards the German battleship's position. The Modoc's crew then spotted the flashes caused by anti-aircraft fire from the Bismarck and then sighted British warships on the opposite horizon. The cutter then maneuvered to avoid contact with any of the warships and managed to steam out of the area unscathed. 
    1941 – birthday of Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) , born Duluth, MN. (Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter: Gotta Serve Somebody [1980]; Like a Rolling Stone, Lay Lady Lay, Positively 4th Street, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, Hurricane [Part 1]; actor: Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid, Renaldo and Clara [w/Joan Baez]; inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame [1988]; received Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award [1991]; 1991 Golden Globe and Academy Award for song "Things Have Changed" from 2000 film "Wonder Boys") 
http://www.bobdylan.com
    1944 - Patti LaBelle (Patricia Holt) is born in Philadelphia. She sings with Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles (later shortened to LaBelle), which has the No. 1 hit "Lady Marmalade." The singer's solo career takes off in the 1980s and she has a No. 1 duet, "On My Own," in 1986 with Michael MacDonald.
    1944---Top Hits
Long Ago and Far Away - Helen Forrest & Dick Haymes
San Fernando Valley - Bing Crosby
I'll Get By - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Dick Haymes)
Straighten Up and Fly Right - King Cole Trio
    1944--ANTOLAK, SYLVESTER Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944. Entered service at: St. Clairsville, Ohio. Birth: St. Clairsville, Ohio. G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945. Citation: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machinegun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machinegun, machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his submachine gun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strong point, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and, refusing to seek medical attention so badly needed, chose to lead the way toward another strong point 100 yards distant. Utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strong points when he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad went on to overwhelm the enemy troops. By his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machinegun, and clearing the path for his company to advance.
    1944--MILLS, JAMES H. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company F, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944. Entered service at: Fort Meade, Fla. Birth: Fort Meade, Fla. G.O. No.: 87, 14 November 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Mills, undergoing his baptism of fire, preceded his platoon down a draw to reach a position from which an attack could be launched against a heavily fortified strongpoint. After advancing about 300 yards, Pvt. Mills was fired on by a machinegun only S yards distant. He killed the gunner with 1 shot and forced the surrender of the assistant gunner. Continuing his advance, he saw a German soldier in a camouflaged position behind a large bush pulling the pin of a potato-masher grenade. Covering the German with his rifle, Pvt. Mills forced him to drop the grenade and captured him. When another enemy soldier attempted to throw a hand grenade into the draw, Pvt. Mills killed him with 1 shot. Brought under fire by a machinegun, 2 machine pistols, and 3 rifles at a range of only 50 feet, he charged headlong into the furious chain of automatic fire shooting his M 1 from the hip. The enemy was completely demoralized by Pvt. Mills' daring charge, and when he reached a point within 10 feet of their position, all 6 surrendered. As he neared the end of the draw, Pvt. Mills was brought under fire by a machine gunner 20 yards distant. Despite the fact that he had absolutely no cover, Pvt. Mills killed the gunner with 1 shot. Two enemy soldiers near the machinegunner fired wildly at Pvt. Mills and then fled. Pvt. Mills fired twice, killing 1 of the enemy. Continuing on to the position, he captured a fourth soldier. When it became apparent that an assault on the strongpoint would in all probability cause heavy casualties on the platoon, Pvt. Mills volunteered to cover the advance down a shallow ditch to a point within 50 yards of the objective. Standing on the bank in full view of the enemy less than 100 yards away, he shouted and fired his rifle directly into the position. His ruse worked exactly as planned. The enemy centered his fire on Pvt. Mills. Tracers passed within inches of his body, rifle and machine pistol bullets ricocheted off the rocks at his feet. Yet he stood there firing until his rifle was empty. Intent on covering the movement of his platoon, Pvt. Mills jumped into the draw, reloaded his weapon, climbed out again, and continued to lay down a base of fire. Repeating this action 4 times, he enabled his platoon to reach the designated spot undiscovered, from which position it assaulted and overwhelmed the enemy, capturing 22 Germans and taking the objective without casualties.
    1944--SCHAUER, HENRY Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 23-24 May 1944. Entered service at: Scobey, Mont. Born: 9 October 1918, Clinton, Okla. G.O. No.: 83, 27 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 23 May 1944, at 12 noon, Pfc. (now T/Sgt.) Schauer left the cover of a ditch to engage 4 German snipers who opened fire on the patrol from its rear. Standing erect he walked deliberately 30 yards toward the enemy, stopped amid the fire from 4 rifles centered on him, and with 4 bursts from his BAR, each at a different range, killed all of the snipers. Catching sight of a fifth sniper waiting for the patrol behind a house chimney, Pfc. Schauer brought him down with another burst. Shortly after, when a heavy enemy artillery concentration and 2 machineguns temporarily halted the patrol, Pfc. Schauer again left cover to engage the enemy weapons single-handed. While shells exploded within 15 yards, showering dirt over him, and strings of grazing German tracer bullets whipped past him at chest level, Pfc. Schauer knelt, killed the 2 gunners of the machinegun only 60 yards from him with a single burst from his BAR, and crumpled 2 other enemy soldiers who ran to man the gun. Inserting a fresh magazine in his BAR, Pfc. Schauer shifted his body to fire at the other weapon 500 yards distant and emptied his weapon into the enemy crew, killing all 4 Germans. Next morning, when shells from a German Mark VI tank and a machinegun only 100 yards distant again forced the patrol to seek cover, Pfc. Schauer crawled toward the enemy machinegun. stood upright only 80 yards from the weapon as its bullets cut the surrounding ground, and 4 tank shells fired directly at him burst within 20 yards. Raising his BAR to his shoulder, Pfc. Schauer killed the 4 members of the German machinegun crew with 1 burst of fire.
    1945- Food-O-Mat was installed in the Grand Union Company store in Carlstadt, NF. It was invented by Lansing Peter Shield. The patented merchandise display fixture operated on a gravity-fee, rear-load principle. Stockmen working behind the unit placed cans, jars, and packages on inclined runways with the labels upright The items reached the shopper with the brand name uppermost. As the customer picked out an item, another slid in place by gravity.
    1950 - ‘Sweetwater' (Nat) Clifton's contract was purchased by the New York Knicks. Sweetwater played for the Harlem Globetrotters. He was the first African-American player in the NBA.
    1952---Top Hits
Kiss of Fire - Georgia Gibbs
Blue Tango - The Leroy Anderson Orchestra
Be Anything - Eddy Howard
The Wild Side of Life - Hank Thompson
    1953 - A previously unknown actor, Rod Steiger, starred in "Marty" on the "Goodyear Playhouse". Paddy Chayefsky wrote the original TV play and then adapted it for the Oscar-winning film
http://us.imdb.com/Bio?Steiger,+Rod
    1955 - Rosanne Cash is born, the daughter of Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto. Among her numerous No. 1 country singles are "My Baby Thinks He's a Train" and "Blue Moon with Heartache."
    1960---Top Hits
Cathy's Clown - The Everly Brothers
Good Timin' - Jimmy Jones
Cradle of Love - Johnny Preston
Please Help Me, I'm Falling - Hank Locklin
    1962- Aurora 7 Mercury Space Capsule. With this launch Scott Carpenter became the second American to orbit Earth, circling it three times.
    1964-The Beatles' 3rd appearance on Ed Sullivan
    1964 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Love Me Do," The Beatles.
    1966- Leontyne Price, world renowned opera singer, opens Metropolitan 
http://www.afrovoices.com/price.html
http://www.triadntr.net/~rdavis/price.htm
Opera Season
http://www1.opera.it/English/Cantanti/Price.html
    1968---Top Hits
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & The Drells
Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
A Beautiful Morning - The Rascals
I Wanna Live - Glen Campbell
    1968 -- Charlie Musselwhite & Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks appear at the Straight Theatre in San Francisco.
    1969-Still riding high on the success of "American Woman", The Guess Who made their US Television debut on American Bandstand.
    1969-Oliver entered the US charts with "Good Morning Starshine", which would reach #3 by July and go on to sell over a million copies. His real name was William Oliver Swofford.
    1969 - The Beatles hit number one with "Get Back". The song was at the top for over five weeks. The song featured an organ solo by Billy Preston, who became the only non-group member ever credited on a Beatles single. 
http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/49633/detail/
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/rickenbacker/beatleg/Let%20It%20be%20Disaster.htm
http://website.lineone.net/~johnpaulgeorgeringo/book6.htm
    1969 -- Haight-Ashbury Festival in the Golden Gate Park Panhandle, San Francisco.
    1969-BONDSTEEL, JAMES LEROY Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: An Loc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1969. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 18 July 1947, Jackson, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bondsteel distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company A, near the village of Lang Sau. Company A was directed to assist a friendly unit which was endangered by intense fire from a North Vietnamese Battalion located in a heavily fortified base camp. S/Sgt. Bondsteel quickly organized the men of his platoon into effective combat teams and spearheaded the attack by destroying 4 enemy occupied bunkers. He then raced some 200 meters under heavy enemy fire to reach an adjoining platoon which had begun to falter. After rallying this unit and assisting their wounded, S/Sgt. Bondsteel returned to his own sector with critically needed munitions. Without pausing he moved to the forefront and destroyed 4 enemy occupied bunkers and a machine gun which had threatened his advancing platoon. Although painfully wounded by an enemy grenade, S/Sgt. Bondsteel refused medical attention and continued his assault by neutralizing 2 more enemy bunkers nearby. While searching one of these emplacements S/Sgt. Bondsteel narrowly escaped death when an enemy soldier detonated a grenade at close range. Shortly thereafter, he ran to the aid of a severely wounded officer and struck down an enemy soldier who was threatening the officer's life. S/Sgt. Bondsteel then continued to rally his men and led them through the entrenched enemy until his company was relieved. His exemplary leadership and great personal courage throughout the 4-hour battle ensured the success of his own and nearby units, and resulted in the saving of numerous lives of his fellow soldiers. By individual acts of bravery he destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including 2 key enemy commanders. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1970-ROCCO, LOUIS R.
Rank and organization: Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance Command. Place and date: Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 19 November 1938, Albuquerque, N. Mex. Citation: WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.
    1970-New Musical Express reports the Beatles' "Let it Be" has set a new record for intial U.S. sales, with 3.7 million advance orders. The album goes gold within days of its release.
    1972-the method of determining won-lost percentage changed in the NFL. Tie games, previously not counted in the standings, were made equal to a half-game won and a half-game lost.
    1974 – The last “Dean Martin “ TV show as broadcast. It lasted nine years with little or no rehearsal time with its star, who ironically said he was looking forward to not working so hard and going back to Las Vegas, the town that he loved. He returned to television, hosting Celebrity Roasts.
http://www.deanmartin.net/index/rightframe/09tva/09tva.html 
http://www.robertsenslerpresents.com/
    1975-For the second show in a row, the Beach Boys, on tour with Chicago, literally have the place jumping. The second level at the Oakland Coliseum is noticeable shaking in footage taken by a local news crew; the concert the day before at Anaheim Stadium caused the mezzanine to vibrate as much as eighteen inches.
    1975 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Shining Star," Earth, Wind & Fire.
    1976---Top Hits
Silly Love Songs - Wings
Love Hangover - Diana Ross
Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop
After All the Good is Gone - Conway Twitty
    1981-Bobby Unser finished first in the Indianapolis 500, but after the race was over, the stewards penalized him one lap for passing cars illegally under the yellow caution flag. The penalty vaulted Mario Andretti into first place, but Unser, and Roger Penske, owner of Unser's car, appealed the stewards' decision to the United States auto Club. Four months later, USAC ruled that Unser was guilty but that the punishment was too severe. The lap penalty was replaced by a $40,000 fine, and Unser recovered the championship.
    1982-A benefit concert for the Vietnam Veterans Project is held in San Francisco's Moscone Center, where the Jefferson Starship, Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs and Country Joe McDonald appear. They raise about $175,000.
    1984---Top Hits
Hello - Lionel Richie
Let's Hear It for the Boy - Deniece Williams
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
To All the Girls I've Loved Before - Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson
    1984 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Let's Hear It for the Boy," Deniece Williams. The song is featured in the film "Footloose." Williams is a member of Stevie Wonder's backup group, Wonderlove, from 1972-75.
    1986 – The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames, 4-3, to win the Stanley Cup, four games to one. For the Canadiens, it was their 23 rd title, putting them one major-league championship ahead of the New York Yankees and their 22 world Series titles. Montreal won another Stanley Cup in 1993.
    1986 - Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All” climbed to the top and stayed there for three weeks.
http://www.whitney-houston.com/
    1988 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the southeastern U.S. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 88 mph at Columbia, NC. Baseball size hail was reported near Tifton GA.
    1989 - Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather across the Upper Midwest through the day and night. Thunderstorms spawned 30 tornadoes, and there were 158 reports of large hail and damaging winds. A strong (F-3) tornado caused five million dollars damage at Corning, IA, and a powerful (F-4) tornado caused five million dollars damage at Traer, IA. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 88 mph killed one person and injured five others at Stephensville, WI.
    1990 - Severe thunderstorms spawned two dozen tornadoes from Montana to Oklahoma. Four tornadoes carved a 109-mile path across central Kansas. The third of the four tornadoes blew 88 cars of an 125-car train off the track, stacking them three to four cars high in some cases, and the fourth tornado caused 3.9 million dollars damage. The third tornado injured six persons who were trying to escape in vehicles. A woman was "sucked out" of a truck and said that at one time she was "airborne, trying to run but my feet wouldn't touch the ground". She also saw a live deer "flying through the air"
    1994---Top Hits
I Swear- All-4-One
I'll Remember (From "With Honors")- Madonna
The Sign- Ace Of Base
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World-The Artist
    1994- In a game against Milwaukee, Cal Ripken hits his 300th career home run.
    1998 - The first Native American Music Awards take place at the Fox Theater at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. The show is hosted by Wayne Newton, and presenters include Joe Walsh, Bruce Cockburn, Richie Havens and John Trudell. Lifetime achievement awards go to Robbie Robertson and Frederick Whiteface.
    1998 - In an official ceremony backstage prior to Van Halen's show at the CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell proclaims May 24th Van Halen Day in Philadelphia. Each member of the band is given a personalized replica of the Liberty Bell.
    1999---Top Hits
Livin La Vida Loca- Ricky Martin
No Scrubs- TLC
Kiss Me- Sixpence None The Richer
Fortunate- Maxwell
    2000- Shawn Estes pitches a seven-hitter and becomes the first Giants pitcher in 51 years (Monte Kennedy-1949) to hit a grand slam en route to handing the Expos their worst defeat in franchise history, 18-0. The San Bernardino native just misses joining Tony Cloninger as the only major league pitcher to hit two slams in a game.
    2000- Mark McGwire becomes the fastest player to hit 20 home runs in one season reaching the mark in 35 games, six less than Mickey Mantle (1956) and his own record (1998).
    2000- Sixteen Dodgers' players and three coaches are suspended by the commissioner's office for going into the stands during the Wrigley Field scuffle with fans on May 16. The suspensions totaling 60 games for players and 24 games for coaches is the harshest penalty ever handed down by major league baseball.
    2001 -Cincinnati is shut out as Cubs' starter Jon Lieber one-hits the Reds, 3-0. The span of 208 of games without being blanked establishes a new National League record with the 1931-33 Yankees (308) and the 1978-79 Milwaukee Brewers (212) being the only teams with longer streaks.
    2007-Art Garfunkel joined Paul Simon in a rare reunion in Washington, D.C. which commemorated Simon's receipt of the Library of Congress' first Gershwin Award, recognizing contributions to the popular song as an art form. Simon introduced his former partner by saying "My dear friend and partner in arguments, Art Garfunkel," before they launched into "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Cecilia". Also appearing on the show were Stevie Wonder and James Taylor.
    2009-Billy Joel was sued by his former drummer for hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid royalties. Liberty Devitto claimed that Joel hadn't paid him proper royalties for 10 years of his work. Devitto was Joel's drummer from 1975 until 2005, when he said he was abruptly kicked out of the band without so much as a phone call.
    2010-John Fogerty's 1985 hit "Centerfield" was selected to be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. The event would mark the first time a musician or song has been honored in such a way.

Stanley Cup Champions This Date

    1980 New York Islanders
    1986 Montreal Canadiens
    1990 Edmonton Oilers