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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and
entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   

 


Friday, May 15, 2015



Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Take the Ralph Mango Baseball Challenge
 Position Wanted---Senior Management
Subject: Need a corporation 3-7 years old?
  Reaction
Bill to Pay Unlicensed Referrers a Fee
  Goes to the California Senate Floor
New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry
  Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Macquarie Group Acquires Advantage Funding
  by Christopher Menkin
   Element Financial Reports Quarter Income $133.7 Million
    Net Profit $49.5 Million/72% of New Business from US Market
Banking Industry Saw Earnings Growth in Q1
 Despite Record Low Net Interest Margin
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Renews Vendor Program
   with Fleet Financing Resources
 CLFP Foundation Receives $7,000 Grant
   Workouts and Enforcement for the Equipment Lessor
     and Secured Creditor (2015 Edition) by Frank Peretore, Esq.
    Marlin Launches New Technology Solution
Far from the Madding Crowd/Maggie
  Selma/Still Alice/Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
   Film/Digital Reviews by Fernando Croce
     Golden Retriever/German Shepherd
      Phoenix, Arizona  Adopt-a-Dog
News Briefs---
Mortgage rates rise on global bond sell-off
 Lease or buy: That's the (car) question
  Amtrak Crash and America’s Declining Construction Spending
   Five Big Banks Expected to Plead Guilty to Felony Charges

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (writer's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org
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######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.


[headlines]

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Take the Ralph Mango Baseball Challenge

Leasing News Associate Editor Ralph Mango challenges readers to identify the baseball players in the following poem, published Monday, May 11, 2015.  The first person with the most baseball players matches to the nicknames will receive a $25 Starbuck Gift Card.

Rule #1: no “Google” or other browsers…Please try matching from memory.

Rule #2: In the event of a tie, earliest date of entry will determine the winner.

Some of these nicknames are associated with more than one player. All that is required is one of the players who played with that nickname. The match of the player and the nickname must be identifiable from a reliable source as determined by Da Judge.

Contest ends on Memorial Day and the winner will be announced by June 10. Judge will be Ralph Mango.

Send your guesses to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

Baseball Poem

Anthem
by
William (Sugar) Wallace  

Catfish, Mudcat, Ducky, Coot.
The Babe, The Barber, The Blade, The Brat.
Windy, Dummy, Gabby, Hoot.
Big Train, Big Six, Big Ed, Fat.

Greasy, Sandy, Muddy, Rocky.
Bunions, Twinkletoes, Footsie, The Hat.
Fuzzy, Dizzy, Buddy, Cocky.
The Bull, The Stork, The Weasle, The Cat.
Schoolboy, Sheriff,
Rajah, Duke,
General, Major,
Spaceman, Spook.

The Georgia Peach, The Fordham Flash,
The Flying Dutchman. Cot.
The People's Cherce, The Blazer. Crash.
The Staten Island Scot.
Skeeter, Scooter,
Pepper, Duster,
Ebba, Bama, Boomer, Buster. 

The Little Professor, The Iron Horse. Cap.
Iron Man, Iron Mike, Iron Hands. Hutch.
Jap, The Mad Russian, Irish, Swede. Nap.
Germany, Frenchy, Big Serb, Dutch,
Turk. Tuck, Tug, Twig.
Spider, Birdy, Rabbit, Pig. 

Fat Jack, Black Jack, Zeke, Zack. Bloop. 
Peanuts, Candy, Chewing Gum, Pop.
Chicken, Cracker, Hot Potato, Soup.
Ding, Bingo.
Hippity-Hopp.

Three-Finger, No-Neck, The Knuck, The Lip.
Casey, Gavvy, Pumpsie, Zim.
Flit, Bad Henry. Fat Freddie, Flip.
Jolly Cholly, Sunny Jim.
Shag, Schnozz,
King Kong, Klu.
Boog, Buzz,
Boots, Bump, Boo. 

King Carl, The Count. The Rope, The Whip.
Wee Willie, Wild Bill, Gloomy Gus. Cy.
Bobo, Bombo, Bozo. Skip.
Coco, Kiki, Yo-yo. Pie.
Dinty, Dooley,
Tuffy, Snuffy,
Stubby, Dazzy,
Daffy, Duffy. 

Baby Doll, Angel Sleeves, Pep, Sliding Billy,
Buttercup, Bollicky, Boileryard, Juice.
Colby Jack, Dauntless Dave, Cheese,
Gentle Willie,
Trolley Line, Wagon Tongue, Rough,
What's the Use.

Ee-yah,
Poosh 'Em Up,
Skoonj, Slats, Ski.
Ding Dong,
Ding-a-Ling,
Dim Dom, Dee.  

Famous Amos. Rosy, Rusty.
Handsome Ransom. Home Run, Huck.
Rapid Robert. Cactus, Dusty.
Rowdy Richard. Hot Rod, Truck.
Jo-Jo, Jumping Joe,
Little Looie,
Muggsy, Moe.

Old Folks, Old Pard, Oom Paul. Yaz.
Cowboy, Indian Bob, Chief, Ozark Ike.
Rawhide, Reindeer Bill. Motormouth. Maz.
Pistol Pete, Jungle Jim, Wahoo Sam. Spike.
The Mad Hungarian.
Mickey, Minnie.
Kitten, Bunny.
Big Dan, Moose.
Jumbo, Pee Wee; Chubby, Skinny.
Little Poison.
Crow, Hawk, Goose. 
Marvelous Marv.
Oisk, Oats, Tookie.
Vinegar Bend.
Suds, Hooks, Hug.
Hammerin' Hank.
Cooch, Cod, Cookie.
Harry the Horse.
Speed, Stretch, Slug.

The Splendid Splinter. Pruschka. Sparky.
Chico, Choo Choo, Cha-Cha, Chub.
Dr. Strangeglove. Deacon. Arky.
Abba Dabba. Supersub.
Bubbles, Dimples, Cuddles, Pinky.
Poison Ivy, Vulture, Stinky.
Jigger, Jabbo
Jolting Joe
Blue Moon
Boom Boom
Bubba
Bo

 


[headlines]
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Position Wanted---Senior Management

Leasing News is pleased, as a service to its readership, to offer completely free ads placed by candidates for jobs in the industry. These ads also can be accessed directly on the website at:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Each ad is limited to (100) words and ads repeat for up to 6 months unless the candidate tells us to stop. Your submissions should be received here by the end of each week.

Please encourage friends and colleagues to take advantage of this service, including recent graduates and others interested in leasing and related careers.

Accomplished leasing executive driven to deliver increased revenues, operating efficiencies, improved sales productivity and customer acquisition. Seeking new opportunity to utilize my strategic, ideation, communication and analytical strengths to develop, implement and execute your organization’s strategic plan.
Reg.Lindholm@gmail.com


[headlines]
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Subject: Need a corporation 3-7 years old?
Reaction

"Read your piece on ‘aged shelf corporations’.  My jaw hit my desk.  Is this for real?  If so, where does this article or advertisement appear, where did you find it?"

Rick Wilbur
Managing Partner 
CHARTER CAPITAL

Received a number of reactions, similar to Rick's. First, there was no comment from Leasing News in the article (1). There were a number of legal reasons for this. The "advertisement" was sent around on the internet to prospective users of the service being offered.

Bernie Boettigheimer, President of Lease Police, has written articles on the subject of companies who approach funders with information, or use such information that was prevalent in Operation Lease Fleece, as well as others, such as this one published March 12, 2012:

"Hi xxxx , if you have been looking for a more affordable way to obtain Unsecured Corporate Cash Credit using a Credit-Ready Aged Corporation, then this is your opportunity. We are now offering Credit-Ready Aged Corporations with a $20K Corporate Cash Credit Program for only $999, and they come with Tax ID #, DNB #, Bank Account, Merchant Account, Website, Phone System, 411 Listing, and the list goes on. You can pay eCheck or Credit Card.

"There are only 50 Corps left - First Come, First Serve.

"Below is the Link:
 http://www.linkhop.org/999corpoffer

"CreditReadyCorps
 228 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003."
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2012/3_13.htm#alert

 

(1) Subject: Need a corporation 3-7 years old?
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2015/5_13.htm#subject

 

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


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


Bill to Pay Unlicensed Referrers a Fee
Goes to the California Senate Floor

The latest version of SB 197 takes out the dollar amount to be paid to the unlicensed referrer, and states: "You have been referred to us by [Name of Unlicensed Person].  If you are approved for the loan, we may pay a fee to [Name of  unlicensed Person or Company] for the successful referral."

Also spelled out, "Two types of direct competitors that are not required to hold CFLL licenses include merchant  advance companies (not required to be licensed under the CFLL,  because they are advancing, rather than lending money) and companies that partner with banks (not required to be licensed under the CFLL, because the loans are made under the banks' charters). CFLL licensees may offer better loan terms to businesses than competitors that lack CFLL licenses, but often lose customers to those competitors, because the competitors can't compensate those from whom they receive referrals, while the CFLL licensees are prohibited from doing so.”

SB 197 as Amended on CA Senate Floor for vote:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/sen/sb_0151-0200/sb_197_cfa_20150513_165656_sen_floor.html

 


[headlines]
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New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry


Jeffry D. Elliott was promoted to Chief Administration Officer of Huntington Asset Finance, Huntington National Bank, Cleveland, Ohio. He joined the bank October, 2001, with his previous position Equipment Finance Strategy & Corporation Development; Managing Direct, Huntington Public Capital.  Previously, he was Vice President, US Bank (December, 1995 – September, 2001); Assistant Branch Manager, Bank of America (January, 1994 – August, 1995). Associations: Trustee & Co-Chairman of the Research Committee,
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (October, 2013 – Present). Committee Member, ELFA Financial Institutions Business Council, Steering Committee (October, 2013 – Present). Research Committee, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (2011 – October, 2013). Education: Xavier University, Williams College of Business, MBA, Finance (1995 – 1997); Miami University, Business, Accounting & Finance (1989 – 1993).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffryelliott


David Feldser was appointed Director of Originations, NXT Capital;
based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He joined GE Capital, January, 2001, FMP; promoted to VP, Senior Account Manager, July, 2004; Managing Director, June, 2011. Education: Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University, MBA, Finance (2006 – 2008). Wake Forest University, Bachelor's degree, Analytical Finance (1997 – 2000).
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/david-feldser/4/919/59


Dawn Druyor Gillette, CFA, was hired as Director, Specialty Finance Lending. “In this role, Gillette will have responsibility for a portion of Key Corporate Bank’s existing specialty finance portfolio while augmenting the growing portfolio of new clients. ’Dawn brings to this position more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, financial reporting, analytics, operations, credit, pricing, treasury, debt capital markets, and the M&A process,' said Rian Emmett, Managing Director, Specialty Finance Lending, Key Corporate Bank." Previously, she was SVP, Chief Financial Officer, Direct Capital Corporation (June, 2004 - December, 2014). Previously, she was Vice President, Fleet National Bank (1999 – 2004); Director, Bank of America (1992 – 2004); Vice President, Bank Boston (August, 1992 – October, 1999);
Association: Member of the ELFA small ticket and membership councils. Certifications: Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA Institute, Starting July, 2004. Education: Boston College, Bachelor’s Degree, Economics & History (1988 – 1992).
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dawn-druyor-gillette-cfa/4/b44/a41


Robert Seltzer was hired as Managing Director of CIT Capital Equipment,  New York, New York. Previously, he was Vice President, Business Development, PHH Mortgage (March, 2013 -May, 2015). He joined GE Capital in 1997 as VP Sales; promoted in 2003 to Regional Sales Manager; 2006 Managing Director, Specialty Finance; 2009, Director Business Development - Mergers and Acquisitions; 2011, Managing Director East, Food and Beverage. He began his career in the Financial Management Program at GE Aerospace (August, 1988 - December, 1990).Education: Isenberg School of Management, University of Masschusetts, Amherst. BS, Finance (1984 – 1988). University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Finance, General (1984 – 1988).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertseltzer1

 

[headlines]
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[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


Macquarie Group Acquires Advantage Funding
by Christopher Menkin

Macquarie Group LTD, Australia's leading investment bank, is on an acquiring spree. Good reasons, as it recently posted a $1.6 billion profit, up 27%; Net operating income came in at $9.29 billion, up 14% over the prior corresponding period; a final dividend of $2.00 per share, franked at 40%, was declared – taking the full year payout to $3.30, up from $2.60 in FY14; Assets under management jumped to $486.3 billion, up 14%.

It also reported international income accounted for 70% of its total income, thus the latest announcement that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Advantage Funding Management Co., Inc (Advantage Funding) from Marubeni America Corporation. Under the agreement, Advantage Funding will become a fully owned subsidiary of Macquarie’s Corporate and Asset Finance group (CAF).

The joint press release states, "Advantage Funding is a leading provider of transportation financing and leasing solutions servicing commercial and vehicle operators, dealers and manufacturers. Their solutions allow for the acquisition of tow trucks, ambulances, para-transit vehicles, coaches, limousines and vocational trucks across municipal and industrial operations."

It was just this last February where a press released announced that Advantage Funding, Lake Success, New York,  CFO Alvaro (Al) Damiani's promotion to President, and Don Coolbaugh becoming Chief Sales Officer, that Leasing News learned of a major change.  (Both are included in the New Hires-Promotions, above). Marubeni, a multi-national, multi-billion-dollar Japanese trading company, stated in the press release that they now had full ownership of the company; they had originally purchased 80%.

The press release stated, "Marubeni America executives had long expressed an interest in assuming full ownership of Advantage Funding, and a recent agreement reached with Advantage Funding’s principals made this possible."


Ed Kaye
(Former President Advantage Funding)

Reached by email, Ed Kaye responded: "My understanding is that Al is president and CEO, I am no longer with the company.  Marubeni bought out all minority shareholders, my two partners included."

"Yes, we do have a noncompete (which we will honor), and I am too young to retire!  We are looking for new opportunities that are not competitive with Advantage Funding.  It was a great experience for a long time.  The company is in good hands and in good shape.  I wish them well."

It appears the company will not be "flipped" again, as it is to be absorbed, according to a joint press release, where CAF Group Head Garry Farrell said: “This transaction complements our existing leasing portfolio with a commercial vehicle finance platform in the US. Advantage Funding has a demonstrated track record of client satisfaction and strong operational performance. The acquisition builds on the strong growth of CAF’s global leasing business.”


Alvaro "Al" Damiani
Now CEO

Advantage Funding’s Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro "Al" Damiani, said: “We look forward to working with Macquarie to provide our customers with a broader range of transportation financing solutions and product capacity. Macquarie’s complementary leasing and financing expertise will help us expand our service in US markets and position us to further support our clients’ continued growth.”

The transaction is expected to close in mid-2015, subject to customary closing conditions.



[headlines]
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Element Financial Reports Quarter Income $133.7 Million
Net Profit $49.5 Million/72% of New Business from US Market

Element Financial Corporation (TSX:EFN), Toronto, Ontario reported net financial income for the three month period ended March 31, 2015
was $133.7 million versus 1st Quarter, 2014 of $44.9 million.
ended December 31, 2014. According to the financial information
provided the net income was $49.497 million for the first quarter,
March 31, 2015 compared to $15.8 million for March 31, 2014.

Total earning assets increased by $1.1 billion during the three
month period to $10.8 billion as at March 31, 2015 versus $9.7
billion as at the end of the preceding quarter, the press release
stated.  Total debt for the first quarter was $9.095 billion compared to first quarter, March 31, 2014 of $2.2 billion, according to the financial statement provided with the press release.


Steven Hudson
Chief Executive Officer

“During the first quarter, more than 72 percent of our new business volume and 71 percent of our financial revenue were derived from the US market,” said Mr. Hudson. “With 69 percent of our earning assets now domiciled in the US and the demand for capital equipment in this market expected to continue to show strength through the current fiscal year, we expect to exit 2015 with a portfolio of earning assets that is 75 percent weighted in favor of the US economy.”

“These results are tracking in line with our business plan and the guidance that we have provided to investors that indicate we expect to generate $1.05 of operating EPS during the year and exit 2015 with earning assets of $15.1 million and tangible leverage of 4.55:1,”

New Originations amounted to $1.5 billion for the three month ended
March, 2015, compared to the "seasonally strong three month period
ended December, 2014," the company press release stated.

Full Press Release (10) pages:
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/element_q12015.pd

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Banking Industry Saw Earnings Growth in Q1,
Despite Record Low Net Interest Margin

SNL Financial Feature by Maria Tor

The U.S. banking industry's net income rose to $39.83 billion in the first quarter of 2015 from $36.58 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $37.25 billion in the first quarter of 2014, despite another plunge in the aggregate net interest margin.

The industry's aggregate net interest margin sank below 3.00% for the first time since SNL began tracking bank regulatory data in 1991. The combined net interest margin for commercial banks and savings banks in the first quarter was 2.97%, down from 3.07% in the fourth-quarter of 2014 and 3.12% in the first quarter of 2014. (SNL did not adjust the net interest margin to be on a fully taxable equivalent basis due to limited disclosure by savings institutions in periods before 2012.)

The first-quarter margin is calculated based on $105.70 billion in aggregate net interest income divided by $14.24 trillion in average earning assets, annualized. Average earning assets reached new heights in the first quarter while net interest income fell compared to the fourth quarter. Average earning assets totaled $14.24 trillion, up from $14.02 trillion in the prior quarter and $13.37 trillion in the first quarter of 2014. Net interest income declined to $105.70 billion from $107.66 billion in the prior quarter, but increased from $104.18 billion a year ago.

Loans grew to $8.36 trillion at March 31 from $8.31 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014, and $7.93 trillion at March 31, 2014. Deposits also grew, increasing to $11.96 trillion from $11.76 trillion at the end of the prior quarter and $11.32 trillion at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Alongside the growth in loans, the aggregate provision for loan losses taken by the industry also increased in the first quarter to $8.37 billion from $8.25 billion in the prior quarter and $7.61 billion in the year-ago quarter.

On the noninterest segment of the income statement, total noninterest income grew to $62.57 billion from $59.95 billion in the prior quarter and $59.83 billion a year ago, while total noninterest expense fell to $103.43 billion from $108.52 billion in the prior quarter, but increased from $102.24 billion a year ago.

 


(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)



[headlines]
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Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Renews Vendor Program
   with Fleet Financing Resources

Fleet Financing Resource, Riverside, California, has renewed their vendor program facility of $85 million, with $45 million being supported by UNL pool or recourse. Initiated in 2003, funded volume of the program exceeds $210 million; the renewal also includes a $11 million increase in the total discretionary guidance amount. 

Fleet Financing Resources is a national lender, managing a current portfolio receivable of $135 million in titled transportation equipment, including motor coaches, buses of all sizes, school transportation, vocational trucks, and all livery related vehicles. The company conducts sales direct as well as from third party originators.

Dave Reynolds, President and CE0 of Fleet Financing Services said,"Of the various lending partners with whom we have forged funding platforms, we highly value the solid relationship with Wells Fargo Equipment Finance and are grateful for the increase in the facility to $85 million. We continue to be a premier partner as a result of their outstanding servicing and overall partnership excellence.”


Receivables Management LLC
John Kenny

• End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement 
• Third-Party Commercial Collections

john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167
www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigative
reporting provided by John Kenny)

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

CLFP Foundation Receives $7,000 Grant

The Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation announces it has received $7,000 from the NEFA’s Chris Walker Educational Fund (CWEF).

The National Equipment Finance Association’s (NEFA) Chris Walker Education Fund was created shortly after Chris passed away in 2011.  It was created to allow the many NEFA Members, CLFP members, and other industry professionals make a donation to honor and continue Chris’ great service to this industry. This is the second year of grants since the formation and the amount awarded this year almost doubled due to the generous donations to the Fund.  Individuals are encouraged to apply for a grant each spring.


Brian Schonfeld, CLFP, President of the CLFP Board of Directors., Project & Information Manager, Pawnee Leasing, commented, "As Chris was a longtime supporter of both the equipment leasing industry and the CLFP Foundation, we hope he would be pleased that such beneficial initiatives as these are being done in his name to raise the quality of the equipment leasing and financing industry as a whole.”


Chris Enbom, CLFP Trustee for the CWEF Fund, CEO at Allegiant Partners, explains, "The Chris Walker Fund was assembled to help fund exactly this type of project - an endeavor that furthers scholarship and education in equipment finance.  Chris was a strong supporter of the CLFP program and would have been proud of this award.”


Reid Raykovich, CLFP Executive Director of the CLFP Foundation stated that the Foundation is a direct beneficiary of a $4,500 grant to be used to have The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals’ Handbook professionally edited.  The Foundation will also benefit from almost $2,500 in funds awarded to individuals to be used towards their pursuit of the CLFP designation.

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the equipment finance industry. There are currently 230 Certified Lease & Finance Professionals throughout the world. For more information, call Reid Raykovich, CLFP at (206) 535-6281 or visit www.CLFPfoundation.org.

[headlines]
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Workouts and Enforcement for the Equipment Lessor
and Secured Creditor (2015 Edition) by Frank Peretore, Esq.

Lexis/Nexis recently announced publication of Attorney Frank Peretore's highly-regarded tome, first published in 1988, now updated for 2015. This is a step-by-step guide, replete with practical forms, for attorneys to represent secured creditors and equipment lessors from the workout through the litigation and bankruptcy processes.

The 2015 Edition updates and enhances the prior edition by incorporating current case law and statutory revisions, including the 2010 Amendment to Article 9. This edition further incorporates new chapter sections, strategies and/or forms in connection with all asset liens, avoiding preference and fraudulent conveyance claims in workouts, foreclosing Article 9 liens, enforcing judgments, prosecuting fraudulent conveyance claims, and many aspects of bankruptcy practice such as strategies and issues in preparing and filing Proofs of Claim, prosecuting nondischarge and nondischargeability claims, conducting discovery in bankruptcy, valuing collateral for motions for relief from the automatic stay, objecting to 363 sales of collateral, defending against avoidance claims and 506(c) claims, and electing section 1111(b) in Chapter 11 reorganization cases.

Available in Print or eBook $239.00


[headlines]
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##### Press Release ############################

Marlin Launches New Technology Solution

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.,  -- Marlin Business Services Corp. (Nasdaq: MRLN), a leading national provider of commercial lending products and services,  announces the availability of Marlin eLink, a new technology solution that gives commercial equipment vendors the ability to integrate financing options directly into their ecommerce sales platform.

Marlin eLink is a web service application program interface (API) and is seamlessly integrated to the equipment vendors' website. Using Marlin eLink, vendors will benefit from the advanced instant quote and application process. Once the customer elects to proceed with a financing option, they are taken through a simple online application process and can obtain a credit decision in minutes. Vendors can also track the status of these transactions through MarlinNet, Marlin's web-based account management platform.

"With Marlin eLink, firms who sell equipment and software online have the ability to directly offer their small business customers a convenient financing option at the point of sale through their existing website," said Jim Sherlock, Marlin's Vice President of Information Technology. "Providing an alternative payment option with affordable monthly payments is a tremendous value-add for the purchasing customer and offers our equipment vendor partners a unique competitive advantage."

Available at no cost, Marlin eLink is the latest development in Marlin's suite of integrated web-based technology solutions designed to facilitate a means for equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors to offer financing to their customers.

Sherlock added, "We see an opportunity with Marlin eLink to further strengthen our value proposition to our equipment vendor customers and be a valuable addition to the suite of technology products we offer to help them manage their financing activity."

About Marlin Business Services Corp.

Marlin Business Services Corp. is a nationwide provider of commercial lending solutions for small and mid-size businesses. Through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Marlin Business Bank, Marlin provides innovative commercial financing programs. Our equipment financing and loan products are offered directly to businesses, and through third party vendor programs, which includes manufacturers, distributors, independent dealers and brokers. Since its inception in 1997, Marlin has extended credit to over a quarter of a million business customers. Our mission is to offer convenient financing products while providing the highest level of personalized customer service. Marlin is publicly traded (Nasdaq: MRLN). For more information about Marlin, visit www.marlincorp.com or call toll free at (888) 479-9111.

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

 

 

[headlines]
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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

Unconventional ventures into period drama ("Far from the Madding Crowd") and familial horror ("Maggie") make for an offbeat week at the box-office, while DVD releases offer an inspirational biopic ("Selma"), an Oscar-winning turn ("Still Alice"), and an underrated '70s hit ("Thunderbolt and Lightfoot").

In Theaters:


Far from the Madding Crowd (Fox Searchlight Pictures): Thomas Hardy's famous novel gets a fresh big-screen treatment in this impressive new adaptation, directed by Thomas Vinterberg. Set in Victorian England, the story is a love triangle centered on Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), a headstrong young beauty juggling a trio of very different suitors. There's Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), who herds sheep in a nearby farm and is enchanted by the strength of the independent lass; William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a more mature and successful but somewhat dull man; and Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), an Army Sergeant whose dash is matched by his arrogance. Overlapping passions build up to the heroine's decision, which proves to be more suspenseful than the climax of a superhero blockbuster. Capturing Hardy's rich and bold romanticism, the film brings a classic to exciting, tender life.


Maggie (Lionsgate): Ever since returning to films after his political stint, Arnold Schwarzenegger has developed an affecting tendency to reveal the vulnerable, haunted side of his brawny characters. That side is fascinatingly explored in director Henry Hobson's unconventional tale, which blends domestic drama and apocalyptic horror with often ingenious results. Schwarzenegger stars as Wade, an aging family man in the Midwest whose life turns topsy-turvy when his beloved teenage daughter Maggie (Abigail Breslin) finds herself infected by a virus that turns people into flesh-craving ghouls. As the outbreak grows more intense and locals turn more desperate, Wade refuses to give up on the girl. Is his paternal love strong enough to ward off a zombie epidemic? More somber and restrained than its plot summary suggests, the film is worth seeing for Schwarzenegger's autumnal gravitas.

Netflix Tip: An original member of the Scandinavian "Dogma 95" manifesto, director Thomas Vinterberg has had an intriguingly varied career. So, with his latest in theaters, check out some of his earlier efforts, which include the acclaimed "The Celebration," the oddball allegory "Dear Wendy," and the Oscar-nominated "The Hunt."

On DVD:

Selma (Paramount): History comes stirringly alive in director Ava DuVernay's moving chronicle of the Civil Rights struggle. Set in 1965, the film follows Martin Luther King Jr. (superbly played by David Oyelowo) as he embarks on a bold campaign for voting equality in racially segregated territory. Organizing a massive march of protest from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. King faces often violent opposition but bravely forges ahead, inspired by the help of countless supporters hoping to make a difference. A specialist in emotional details, DuVernay brings an intimate tone to this epic scope, presenting historical figures like Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey), Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) and George Wallace (Tim Roth) as complex, flesh and blood presences. The result is a very good portrait of a truly great man.


Still Alice (Sony): Long established as one of American cinema's very greatest actresses, Julianne Moore finally snagged an Academy Award for her powerful performance in this gentle, modest drama. Moore plays Alice Howland, a respected professor who teaches university linguistics when not enjoying the company of her husband John (Alec Baldwin) and three children. Still in early middle-age, however, she starts to experience troubling passages of memory loss, leading to the discovery of a rare form of Alzheimer's Disease. Increasingly affected by the symptoms but determined to regain control of her mind, Alice presses on even as she tests the bonds of her family. Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, the film resonates most as a showcase for Moore's sensitive understanding of her character.


Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Kino): Better known for his Oscar-winning epic "The Deer Hunter," Michael Cimino made his directorial debut with this offbeat crime drama from 1974. Clint Eastwood stars as Thunderbolt, a bank robber who masquerades as a preacher until his past, in the form of a brutal former accomplice (George Kennedy), catches up with him. With loot from a previous heist hidden, he's joined by an eccentric kid nicknamed Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) in a daring caper. But with both the police and other crooks closing in, can the pair make it out alive? An often underrated gem from the freewheeling New Hollywood days of the early 1970s, Cimino's briskly paced, stylish and humorously idiosyncratic movie still packs a wallop.

[headlines]
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Golden Retriever/German Shepherd
Phoenix, Arizona  Adopt-a-Dog


Zira
Animal ID: 25295589
Breed: Retriever, Golden/German Shepherd
Age: 2 years 1 month 12 days
Sex: Female
Size: Medium
Color: Black/White
Spayed
Site: Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
Location: Homeward Bound
Intake Date: 3/31/2015
Adoption Price: $200.00

"Hi, my name is Zira! I am looking for my fur-ever family! I am a sweet, gentle, polite lady. I came from a Reservation with a litter of pups and now I'm adjusting to this new lifestyle. I've discovered I like treats, walks in the park, treats, belly-rubs and treats. I can be shy when first meeting, but I will warm up and be your new best friend.

"If you want to meet me, please contact my foster dad, Phil, at 480-209-5344 or proudlonghorn@hotmail.com

Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
25 N. 40th ST
Phoenix, Arizona 85034

 

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


[headlines]
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News Briefs----

Mortgage rates rise on global bond sell-off
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-analysis-051415.aspx?ic_id=Top_Financial%20News%20Center_link_1

Lease or buy: That's the (car) question
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865628659/Lease-or-buy-Thats-the-car-question.html

Amtrak Crash and America’s Declining Construction Spending
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/upshot/amtrak-crash-and-americas-declining-construction-spending.html?ref=business&abt=0002&abg=0

Five Big Banks Expected to Plead Guilty to Felony Charges,
  but Punishments May Be Tempered
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/business/dealbook/5-big-banks-expected-to-plead-guilty-to-felony-charges-but-punishments-may-be-tempered.html?ref=business

 



[headlines]

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--You May Have Missed It

Facebook's Zuckerberg earned $1.2B on birthday Thursday
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2015/05/14/Facebooks-Zuckerberg-earned-12B-on-birthday-Thursday/8171431646013/?spt=sec&or=bn



[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer



The Buzz on Caffeine
Health Benefits and Risks of Caffeine Consumption
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1962


[headlines]
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Baseball Poem

Ball Of Bases 
A Baseball Poem


by Hank Festa (Los Angeles, CA)


Oh why should the ball of bases be proud? 
Like spring trainings silent and fall playoffs loud 
A season-saving play, a bad ump call replay 
It all belongs to the ages come Judgment Day

The measure of triumph and defeat shall thee grade 
By the end of the year it counts when it's played 
When the luck of the draw or the stars up above 
Can erase the fatalism of the game that we love

The hopeful of eternal optimist mind 
The critic, the expert and their pedant kind 
The stat and the box score, the fan and the fun 
Have no scores left to settle when the home team has won

The hitter who gambles, the gambler who hits 
The brass-ringed hill-toppers with the glass-enclosed mitts 
The famers, the gamers, the shunned and the whinning 
All use the big show for father time's sand mining

The glare of the closer one out away 
The stare of the slugger walked in his way 
The foul of ball and pine of tar 
Protect mortality's cheaters by far

The utility man whose BA is a wash 
The role player riding the bench by gosh 
The subbed deer-in-the-headlight sigh 
Can make history in the blink of an eye

The hero who ran and stole home plate 
The goat a dollar short and a day late 
Every mastered moment or scenic crime 
Has hit or miss a place for all time

So the common man dreams for the chance to lose 
To give his life legend short of booze 
So the record books balk at those who win 
In cahoots with folly to make up for sin

For the watcher and the doer are halves of the same breed 
One takes to greatness and the other gives it seed 
We worship the same field and toss the same ball 
Either with Cracker Jacks or plaques in the Hall

The teams we are rooting, our fathers would root 
Through the win or the loss, our loyalty is moot 
Wait until next year we'll give them a bye 
As long as they win before we die

Each winter off season we confront the bitter frost 
Of years and times of our lives lost 
Marking the past as an innocent lot 
When youth was served but October was not

Forever is a finite stat for winners 
Save always for ageless 7th game sinners 
Eternity is the trying that plays life's game 
Effort is immortality and success is a fickle dame

Thus we know the reason why we'll never have our fill 
When you watch the game hope and time stand still 
The balls and strikes slow down the clock on the wall 
For the chance to substitute winning for the end of it all

Beyond victory is a mindset called loss of hope 
With nothing left to look forward to and no reason to cope 
If tis but a metaphor for a short life cycle crowd 
Then why should the ball of bases be proud?

» Hank Festa's poem, dedicated to the late Steve Bechler, is partially based on verse from "Mortality", by Scotsman William Knox (1789-1825).

 


[headlines]

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Sports Briefs----

Patriots QB Tom Brady officially appeals Deflategate suspension
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2015/05/14/tom-brady-appeals-deflategate-suspension-nflpa-ted-wells-report/27311351/

Brett Favre Discusses Tom Brady, Deflategate Scandal in Fox News Interview
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2464492-brett-favre-discusses-tom-brady-deflategate-scandal-in-fox-news-interview

Santa Clara turns down 49ers cash offering for youth sports
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_28111001/santa-clara-turns-down-latest-49ers-cash-offer


[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Silicon Valley companies plan hiring spree in 2015
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_28103312/silicon-valley-companies-plan-hiring-spree-2015



[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Duckhorn Wine Company Acquires Three Palms, Napa Valley's Famous Merlot Vineyard
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=151339

Joe-Jo, Jessica & Jake: New Study Finds Three Segments of High-Frequency Wine Consumers
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=151363

 

U.S. Wines Reign Supreme in Canada as the #1 Table Import Category
http://www.abc3340.com/story/29053224/us-wines-reign-supreme-in-canada-as-the-1-table-import-category

 

The 11 Best Dive Bars in Wine Country
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/san-francisco/napa-sonoma/best-dive-bars-napa-sonoma-yountville-calistoga

    1. Billco's Billiard and Darts
    1234 Third St, Napa
    2. Blue Moon Saloon
    19380 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma
    3. El Verano Inn
    705 laurel ave, El Verano
    4. Ernie's Tin Bar
    5100 Lakeville Hwy, Petaluma
    5. Green Door
    2955 Solano Ave, Napa
    6. Henry's Cocktail Lounge
    823 Main St, Napa
    7. Olde Sonoma Public House
    18615 Hwy 12, Sonoma
    8. Pancha's of Yountville
    6764 Washington St, Yountville
    9. Steiners Tavern
    465 1st St W, Sonoma
    10. Stones Sports Bar
    1679 W Imola Ave, Napa
    11. Susie's Bar
    1365 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga


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/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in American History

     1607 - The first permanent English settlement was established in Jamestown, VA with one hundred and five from Blackwell, England who traveled on three ships: Susan Constant, Goodspeed and Discovery. Most of them were 'gentlemen adventurers," gentlemen who did not work and brought servants…quite British, you know. Captains John Smith and Christopher Newport were among the leaders of the group of royally chartered Virginia Company settlers.  The colony was named after England's King James I.
    1612 - Tobacco cultivation was undertaken at Jamestown by John Rolfe, who had arrived with the Jamestown settlers. Rolfe was the first settler to come up with a method of curing tobacco, which made it possible grow tobacco drops for export to England. The smoking, chewing, and snuff became very popular and soon were the most important export to Europe. Nicotine made this not only popular, but a daily necessity. It was definitely a "cash crop" for the New World.
    1637 - Cardinal Richelieu of France created the table knife
    1780 - The Cumberland Compact was signed by leaders of the settlers in early Tennessee. This forerunner of the Tennessee Constitution was signed by these 256 settlers when they settled Fort Nashborough, which would become Nashville.  It called for a governing council of twelve judges who would be elected by the vote of free men 21 years of age or older. Unique to the times, the Compact included a clause that these judges could be removed from office by the people. Government salaries were to be paid in goods. Governor was worth 1,000 deer skins. Secretary was to be paid 450 otter skins, and county clerk was valued at 500 raccoon skins. The constable received one mink skin for every warrant served. All males sixteen or older were subject to militia duty.
    1846 - Although fighting had begun days earlier, Congress officially declared war on Mexico. The struggle cost the lives of 11,300 American soldiers and resulted in the annexation by the US of land that became parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah and Colorado. The war ended in 1848.
    1861 – Queen Victoria of England issued a "proclamation of neutrality" which recognized the breakaway Confederate states as having belligerent rights.
    1862 – The USS Planter, a steamer and gunship, stole through Confederate lines and passed to the Union by a southern slave, Robert Smalls, who later was officially appointed as captain, becoming the first black man to command a United States ship.
    1864 - The first soldier buried at Arlington National Cemetery was a Confederate soldier, William Henry Christman, close to what is now the northeast gate in Section 27.  George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington’s grandson, acquired the land that now is Arlington National Cemetery in 1802, and began construction of Arlington House. The estate passed to Custis' daughter, Mary Ana, who had married then US Army Officer Robert E. Lee.   When Virginia seceded from the Union, Lee resigned his commission and took command of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Virginia, later becoming commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. The Virginia militia occupied Arlington and Arlington House.  With Confederate forces occupying Arlington's high ground, the capital of the Union was left in an untenable military position.  Although unwilling to leave Arlington House, Mary Lee believed her estate would soon be infested with federal soldiers. So she buried many of her family treasures on the grounds and left for her sister's estate in Fairfax County, Virginia.  On May 3, General Winfield Scott ordered Brigadier Gen. Irvin McDowell to clear Arlington and of all troops not loyal to the United States.  McDowell occupied Arlington without opposition on May 24.  By late 1863, existing cemeteries in the area were nearly full.  On July 16, 1862, Congress passed legislation authorizing the U.S. federal government to purchase land for national cemeteries for military dead, and put the U.S. Army Quartermaster General in charge of this program.  In May 1864, Union forces suffered large numbers of dead in the Battle of the Wilderness. The Quartermaster ordered that an examination of eligible sites be made for the establishment for a large new national military cemetery. Within weeks, his staff reported that Arlington Estate was the most suitable property in the area.  The property was high and free from floods (which might unearth graves), it had a view of the District of Columbia, and it was aesthetically pleasing. It was also the home of the leader of the armed forces of the Confederate States of America, and denying Robert E. Lee use of his home after the war was a valuable political consideration.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may13.html 
    1865 – The Battle of Palmito Ranch, near Brownsville, Texas, more than a month after the Confederate surrender, is the last land battle of the Civil War and ends with a Confederate victory.   PVT. John J Williams of the 34th Indiana is last man killed.
    1880 – Thomas Edison performed the first test of his electric railway, in Menlo Park, NJ.
    1908 - President Theodore Roosevelt declares "Conservation is a national duty."
(Lower half of http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may13.html)
    1911 - Birthday of pianist Maxine Sullivan, Homestead, PA. 
http://www.harlem.org/people/sullivan.html 
http://www.ddg.com/LIS/InfoDesignF96/Ismael/jazz/1940/sullivan.html 
    1911 – Fred Merkle of the New York Giants, of Merkle’s Boner fame in 1908, became the first Major Leaguer to get 6 RBIs in an inning.
    1912 - Jazz arranger and composer Gil Evans was born in Toronto. Evans, whose career was almost entirely in the US, first became known for his innovative writing for the Claude Thornhill orchestra in the 1940's. In the following decade, Evans collaborated with trumpeter Miles Davis for such classic jazz LPs as "Miles Ahead," "Porgy and Bess" and "Sketches of Spain." He died in Mexico on March 20th, 1988. He is my favorite jazz composer/arranger. I have all his records; every one.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,428387,00.html
?artist=Gil+Evans 
http://www.miles-davis.com/GilEvans/ 
http://gilevans.free.fr/biographie_us/biographie.htm 
http://www.nprjazz.org/feature/gevans.html 
http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~chambers/miles.html 
http://www.culturekiosque.com/jazz/miles/rhemiles4.htm 
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_evans_gil.htm 
http://www.melmartin.com/html_pages/Articles/miles.html 
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1540795&
sourceid=0100000010991440602498 
http://www.edkeane.com/About
%20the%20Artists/Miles%20Evans/Mile-Evans.htm 
http://www.cd-music.org/music/51379Helen-Merrill-w-Gil-Evans.html 
    1914 - Birthday of one of boxing’s great heavyweight champions, Joe Louis was born Joseph Louis Barrow near Lafayette, AL.   He held the title 1937-49.  Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber”, Louis helped elevate boxing from a decline in popularity in the post-Jack Dempsey era by establishing a reputation as an honest, hardworking fighter at a time when the sport was dominated by gambling interests.  Louis' championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months, during which he participated in 26 championship fights. Louis was victorious in 25 title defenses, a record for any division. In 2005, Louis was ranked as the #1 heavyweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization, and was ranked #1 on “The Ring’s” list of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time.  He is widely regarded as the first African-American to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the US, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II.  He was instrumental in integrating the game of golf, breaking the sport's color barrier in America by appearing under a sponsor's exemption in a PGA event in 1952.  In 1943, he enlisted as an Army private and was stationed at Ft. Riley, KS.  There he helped the cause of various black soldiers with whom he came into contact. In one noted episode, Louis contacted his lawyer in order to facilitate the Officer Candidate School applications of a group of African Americans at Fort Riley, which had been inexplicably delayed for several months.  Among the OCS applications Louis facilitated was that of a young Jackie Robinson.  The episode would spawn a personal friendship between the two men.  He died Apr 12, 1981, at Las Vegas, NV. His burial at Arlington National Cemetery, by presidential waiver, was the 39th exception ever to the eligibility rules for burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
http://www.cmgww.com/sports/louis/louis.html 
    1923 - Birthday of Pianist Red Garland, Dallas, TX.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/bios/rxgbio.htm 
http://rollingstone.com/artists/default.asp?oid=7408
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-
/41495/103-9368180-9796616 
    1926 - Birthday of Beatrice Arthur, born Beatrice Frankel in NYC.  Actor and singer who the Tony for Best Supporting Actress in “Mame” (1966). Her TV series “Maude”, a spin-off of “All in the Family”, was a hit during the 1970s and she was one of the “Golden Girls”, another long running TV hit series.  Arthur died in 2009.
    1930 - A man was killed when caught in an open field during a hailstorm northwest of Lubbock TX. It was the first, and perhaps the only, authenticated death by hail in U.S. weather records.
    1931 – Cult Leader Jim Jones was born in Randolph County, IN.  Jones is notorious as founder and the leader of the Peoples Temple, best known for the mass murder-suicide in November, 1978 of 909 of its members in Jonestown, Guyana, the murder of five people at a nearby airstrip, including California Congressman Leo Ryan. Nearly three-hundred children were murdered at Jonestown, almost all of them by cyanide poisoning.  Jones died from a gunshot wound to the head; it is suspected his death was a suicide.
    1933 - Birthday of saxophonist Buddy Catlett, Long Beach, CA
http://www.ponyboyrecords.com/files/nova/trio/nova_trio.html 
http://members.aon.at/jazzclub-life-salzburg/images/Musiker/ 
http://www.oldpop.net/musics/Donna.htm catlett.htm 
    1938 - Louis Armstrong records "When the Saints Go Marching In"
    1939 - The first commercial FM radio station in the United States launched in Bloomfield, CT. The station later became WDRC-FM.
    1941 - 50s rock 'n' roll singer Ritchie Valens was born Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, California. He was signed by Del-Fi Records in 1958, and had three big hits that year with "Come On, Let's Go," "Donna" and "La Bamba." Valens was killed in the plane crash in Iowa with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in February, 3, 1959…"...the day music died".  There was a resurgence of interest in Valens' music in 1987 with the release of the movie biography "La Bamba."   http://www.fiftiesweb.com/crash.htm 
http://www.oldpop.net/musics/Donna-RichieVallens(LosLobos).htm 
http://www.geocities.com/roger-brasil/rock/la_bamba.mid 
    1943 - General Sir Harold Alexander telegraphed Winston Churchill, who was in Washington attending a conference, "It is my duty to report that the Tunis campaign is over. All enemy resistance has ceased. We are masters of the North African shores." About 250,000 Germans and Italians surrendered in the last few days of the campaign. This Allied victory in North Africa helped open Mediterranean shipping lines.
    1943 - Birthday of singer Mary Wells in Detroit.  Probably best known for her song, "My Guy", she was one of the group of black artists of the 60's who helped end musical segregation by being played on white radio stations.  Mary Wells died July 26, 1992, at Los Angeles, California at the age of 49.
http://www.cmgww.com/music/wells/ 
    1947 – The Senate approved the Taft-Hartley Act limiting the power of unions.
    1948 – On the day before the signing of its declaration of independence, Israel suffers a tragic loss at the hands of Arab irregulars at the Kfar Etzion Massacre.
    1949 - Top Hits
“Cruising Down the River” - The Russ Morgan Orchestra
   (vocal: The Skyliners)
“Forever and Ever” - Perry Como
“Careless Hands” - Mel Torme
“Lovesick Blues” - Hank Williams
    1950 - Stevie Wonder, whose real name is Steveland Morris Hardaway, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He sang and played the harmonica so well that Ronnie White of the Miracles brought him to Motown records, where Berry Gordy signed him on the spot. Wonder's third single, "Fingertips-Part Two," shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1963. Since then, Stevie Wonder has developed into one of the greatest pop composers and vocalists of our time. His songs, such as "For Once in My Life," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," appeal to a wide range of the public taste. Almost all of his albums have sold enough to qualify for gold records. The one notable exception was 1977's "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants," a mostly instrumental album which failed to catch on with the public.
http://www.motowndiscography.com/pages/Artists/Stevie.html 
http://www.stevie-wonder.com/ 
    1951 – E Street drummer Max Weinberg was born in Newark, NJ.
    1952 – Ron Necciai of the Bristol Twins struck out 27 batters while throwing a 7-0 no-hitter against the Welch Miners in the Class D Appalachian League. He is the only pitcher ever to do so in a nine-inning, professional-league game.  Four hitters did reach base, a walk, error, hit batter, and a third-strike passed ball. Only two batters put the ball in play.  In his next start, Necciai threw a 24-strikeout two-hitter. In that season he struck out 109 hitters in 43 innings with Bristol.
    1954 - President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation authorizing US-Canadian construction of a waterway that would make it possible for oceangoing ships to reach the Great Lakes.  The construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway was underway.
    1954 - "The Pajama Game" made its debut on Broadway in New York City at the St. James Theatre, the first Broadway endeavor of producer Harold Prince. The show ran for 1,063 performances. John Raitt and Janis Paige starred in the leading roles. Carol Haney came to national fame for her rendition of the song, "Steam Heat". The movie version also starred Raitt along with Doris Day.
    1954 – Robin Roberts of the Philadelphia Phillies gave up a HR to the first batter, then retired 27 in a row.  The lead-off home run was hit by Bobby Adams of the Cincinnati Reds, who lost the one-hitter, 8-1.
    1955 - At tonight's show in Jacksonville, FL, Elvis Presley tells the girls who make up the majority of the 14,000-plus crowd that he'll "see (them) backstage." The crowd proceeds to do just that, ripping the King's clothes, causing Elvis' first-ever riot and, reportedly, convincing Tom Parker about Elvis' popularity once and for all.
    1955 – Mickey Mantle hit 3 consecutive home runs of at least 463'.
    1957 - Top Hits
“School Day” - Chuck Berry
“A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)” - Marty Robbins
“So Rare” - Jimmy Dorsey
“All Shook Up” - Elvis Presley
    1957 - Elvis begins filming his third movie, “Jailhouse Rock”, in Hollywood.
    1958 - During a visit to Caracas, Venezuela, Vice President Nixon’s car was attacked by anti-American demonstrators.
    1958 - Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals got the 3,000th hit of his career, a pinch-hit double off Moe Drabowsky of the Chicago Cubs. “The Man” finished his career in 1963 with 3,630 hits, 1,815 at home and an equal number on the road.
http://www.stan-musial.com/ 
    1958 – Velcro was first registered as a trademark.
    1960 - The juvenile delinquent movie “Platinum High School”, starring Conway Twitty, opens in New York.
    1960 – The Free Speech Movement was born when hundreds of University of California students congregated in Berkeley for the first day of protest against a visit by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Thirty-one students were arrested.
    1962 - The Beatles began their legendary stint at the new Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany. Performing three to four hours a night for 48 days, with only one day off, the group logged a total of 172 hours of performance. When they return to England, they were already stars with a recording contract.
    1963 - The Beach Boys released "Surfin' USA".
    1964 – Stephen Colbert was born in DC.  After years on the hit Comedy Channel’s “The Colbert Report”, he has been chosen to take over from David Letterman as host of CBS’ “The Late Show”, premiering on September 8, 2015.
    1965 - Elvis Presley's sixteenth movie, “Tickle Me”, premieres in Hollywood.
    1965 - Top Hits
“Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter” - Herman's Hermits
“Count Me In” - Gary Lewis & The Playboys
“Ticket to Ride” - The Beatles
“Girl on the Billboard” - Del Reeves
    1966 – Federal education funding was withheld from 12 school districts in the South because of violations of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
    1967 - Slugging outfielder Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees hit the 500th home run of his career against Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles. The homer propelled the Yankees to a 6-5 victory. Mantle finished his career in 1968 with 536 home runs, third on the all-time list at the time of his retirement after the next season.
http://www.mickeymantle.org/ 
    1967 - The Rolling Stones played their first-ever gig behind the "Iron Curtain" with a performance in Warsaw. When the club became overrun by kids without tickets, the local police reacted by dispersing the crowd with tear gas.
    1969 - DUNAGAN, KERN W., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, Americal Division. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1969. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 20 February 1934, Superior, Ariz. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Maj. (then Capt.) Dunagan distinguished himself during the period May 13 and 14, 1969, while serving as commanding officer, Company A. On May 13, 1969, Maj. Dunagan was leading an attack to relieve pressure on the battalion's forward support base when his company came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy battalion. Despite continuous hostile fire from a numerically superior force, Maj. Dunagan repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself in order to locate enemy positions, direct friendly supporting artillery, and position the men of his company. In the early evening, while directing an element of his unit into perimeter guard, he was seriously wounded during an enemy mortar attack, but he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to supervise the evacuation of dead and wounded and to lead his command in the difficult task of disengaging from an aggressive enemy. In spite of painful wounds and extreme fatigue, Maj. Dunagan risked heavy fire on 2 occasions to rescue critically wounded men. He was again seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14. Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a 6-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter. Maj. Dunagan unhesitatingly went back and searched for his men. Finding 1 soldier critically wounded, Maj. Dunagan, ignoring his wounds, lifted the man to his shoulders and carried him to the comparative safety of the friendly perimeter. Before permitting himself to be evacuated, he insured all of his wounded received emergency treatment and was removed from the area. Throughout the engagement, Maj. Dunagan's actions gave great inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Maj. Dunagan's extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969 – Singer Diana Ross, having left The Supremes, made her first television appearance as a solo act, performing on Dinah Shore's NBC special Like Hep”.
    1970 - WINDER, DAVID F., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1970. Entered service at: Columbus, Ohio. Born: 10 August 1946, Edinboro, Pa. Citation: Pfc. Winder distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam as a senior medical aid man with Company A. After moving through freshly cut rice paddies in search of a suspected company-size enemy force, the unit started a thorough search of the area. Suddenly they were engaged with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire by a well-entrenched enemy force. Several friendly soldiers fell wounded in the initial contact and the unit was pinned down. Responding instantly to the cries of his wounded comrades, Pfc. Winder began maneuvering across approximately 100 meters of open, bullet-swept terrain toward the nearest casualty. Unarmed and crawling most of the distance, he was wounded by enemy fire before reaching his comrades. Despite his wounds and with great effort, Pfc. Winder reached the first casualty and administered medical aid. As he continued to crawl across the open terrain toward a second wounded soldier he was forced to stop when wounded a second time. Aroused by the cries of an injured comrade for aid, Pfc. Winder's great determination and sense of duty impelled him to move forward once again, despite his wounds, in a courageous attempt to reach and assist the injured man. After struggling to within 10 meters of the man, Pfc. Winder was mortally wounded. His dedication and sacrifice inspired his unit to initiate an aggressive counterassault which led to the defeat of the enemy. Pfc. Winder's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army
    1971 - Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', received a gold record for her version of "Bridge over Troubled Water", originally a Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel tune. 
http://webhome.globalserve.net/ebutler/ 
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/default.asp?oid=457 
    1973 - Top Hits
“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” - Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
“You are the Sunshine of My Life” - Stevie Wonder
“Little Willy” - The Sweet
“Come Live with Me” - Roy Clark
    1973 - Tennis star Bobby Riggs defeated Margaret Court in a televised tennis match that was seen worldwide. He went on to face Billy Jean King, in a typical "Don King" hype, after appearing on many radio and television shows saying a man tennis player can always beat a woman tennis player. At that time Billy Jean King, his opponent, was still in the closet, and she whipped his butt at the Houston Astrodome. The event allegedly brought women's tennis to the forefront as a competitive sport with a growing legion of fans. It certainly made Riggs a lot of money, plus put him on a circuit for more as the man for women to beat. Died Oct. 27, 1995.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/
memories/1995/95pass5.htm 
    1978 - Paul Anka opened a disco in Las Vegas named after his early gospel-disco number "Jubilation."
    1978 – Former A’s and Giants’ lefty, Barry Zito, was born in Las Vegas.  He won the 2002 Cy Young Award in the American League with a 23-5 record for the Oakland A’s.  He never approached that level of excellence again and currently pitches for the AAA Nashville Sounds.
    1980 - After $8 million in ticket sales and 3,883 performances, a record run for the time (not to mention one major motion picture), the Fifties musical Grease” closed on Broadway.
    1981 - Top Hits
“Morning Train (Nine to Five)” - Sheena Easton 
“Just the Two of Us” - Grover Washington, Jr./Bill Withers
“Bette Davis Eyes” - Kim Carnes
“Am I Losing You” - Ronnie Milsap
    1981 - A tornado 450 yards in width destroyed ninety percent of Emberson, TX. People did not see a tornado, but rather a wall of debris. Homes were leveled, a man in a bathtub was hurled a quarter of a mile, and a 1500 pound recreational vehicle was hurled 500 yards. Miraculously no deaths occurred in the tornado.
    1982 - The Chicago Cubs, charter members of the National League won the 8,000th game in their history, beating the Houston Astros in the Astrodome, 5-0.  The Cubs began their existence as the Chicago White Stockings in the National Association (1871, 1874-75) and moved to the National League in 1876. The team changed its name to the Colts in 1890, to the Orphans in 1898, and the Cubs in 1902.
    1983 – Reggie Jackson became the first Major Leaguer to strike out 2000 times.
    1984 - "The Fantasticks", playing at the Sullivan Theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City, became the longest-running musical in theatre history with performance number 10,000 on this night. "The Fantasticks" opened on May 3, 1960.
    1985 - During the siege of the radical group MOVE at Philadelphia, PA, police in a helicopter reportedly dropped a bomb containing the powerful military plastic explosive C-4 on the building in which the group was housed.  The bomb and the resulting fire left 11 persons dead (including four children) and destroyed 61 homes.
    1985 - Tony Perez became the oldest major-league baseball player to hit a grand slam home run. Perez hit the grand slam for the Cincinnati Reds, helping the Reds to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros. Perez was just a month shy of his 43rd birthday when he connected for the big dinger.
    1985 - 'The Boss', Bruce Springsteen, married actress/model Julianne Phillips in ceremonies in Lake Oswego, OR. The couple went their separate ways in 1989. Springsteen's hit, "I'm on Fire", was in the top ten when the couple tied the wedding knot. Springsteen remarried in June of 1991, this time to a member of his E Street Band, Patti Scialfa, a true Jersey Girl, with whom he remains married. Despite his popularity, Springsteen has never had a number one song. His closest to the top of the pop music charts was a four-week stay at number two with "Dancing in the Dark" (June/July, 1984). Springsteen has had 11 hits in the top ten. 
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/ 
http://www.springstomania.com/content.html 
http://www.nj.com/springsteen/ 
    1989 - Top Hits
“I'll Be There for You” - Bon Jovi
“Real Love” - Jody Watley
“Forever Your Girl” - Paula Abdul
“Is It Still Over?” - Randy Travis
    1989 - Thunderstorms developing along a warm front produced severe weather in the Southern Plains Region during the afternoon and night. A thunderstorm at Killeen, TX produced wind gusts to 95 mph damaging 200 helicopters at Fort Hood causing nearly 500 million dollars damage. Another thunderstorm produced softball size hail at Hodges, TX.
   1990 - Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front spawned ten tornadoes from eastern Wyoming to northern Kansas, including seven in western Nebraska. Thunderstorms forming ahead of a cold front in the eastern U.S. spawned five tornadoes from northeastern North Carolina to southern Pennsylvania. Thunderstorms over southeast Louisiana deluged the New Orleans area with four to eight inches of rain between 7 AM and Noon.
    1991 - A way ahead of its time, Apple introduced an improved version of its Macintosh system software, called System 7.0, on this day in 1991. The new system let all Macintoshes share files in a network without the intervention of a server, and it also introduced "balloon help" - pop-up text windows offering helpful hints.
    1994 - After nine years of a very public marriage, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley announced they have separated. They divorced later in the year.
    1994 – Johnny Carson made his last television appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman”.  He died in 2005.
    1997 – Eddie Murray became the sixth player in MLB history to play in 3000 games.
    2014 - A shipwreck off of Haiti may be that of the Santa Maria, one of the three ships led by Christopher Columbus.  The wreck was discovered in 1994, but was only now tentatively identified in light of Columbus' writings and other evidence.

 

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