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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Actress, comedian Loretta Swit born 4 November 1937, Passaic, New Jersey, perhaps best known as Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the TV Series "Mash." (234 episodes, 1972-1983)
http://www.nndb.com/people/001/000023929/

Headlines---

Alert: Acropolis Ventures/Looking for Information
    Classified Ads---Legal: Marshall Rosenberg, Esq
        Marlin posts $941,000 loss Third Quarter
            Bank Beat by Christopher Menkin
                New Hires---Promotions
Cartoon---Gahan Wilson
    Classified Ads --Leasing Industry Outsourcing
        Top Stories---October 27--October 31
Difference between a $1 Purchase Option Lease
and a Conditional Sales Contract
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
    NACM report uses the word “Doom”
Fed says credit conditions continue to tighten
    TCF Receives Approval for $361 MM Participation
        AIG's aircraft lessor OK'd for Fed funding facility
            Carpet maker Mohawk reports $1.3 billion loss
        GM's US sales fall 45 pct
    United traffic off nearly 10% in October
Boeing strike could delay 80 plane deliveries
    Honeymoon over between Merrill-BofA
        Chinese bank official siphons off $5 million
            News Briefs---
Nervous firms forgo tax breaks on purchases
You May have Missed---
    "Gimme that Wine"
        Today's Top Event in History
            This Day in American History
SuDoku
    Daily Puzzle
        GasBuddy
            Weather, USA or specific area
                Traffic Live----

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

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Alert: Acropolis Ventures/Looking for Information

“I have 3 different lessor clients who have been contacted by the equipment vendor named: Acropolis Ventures. I have been out to inspect these and always come away with an uneasy feeling. Most lessees are in temporary office suites, or work from home, or one worked out of the back room of a bong shop. Have you heard anything about this? It's a server with lights, no serial numbers, etc.

“When we went out unannounced we never found the lessee, or the equipment in the right place. One inspection by appointment found the 2 servers there and while our guy was in the parking lot filling out paperwork he saw the lessee carrying server boxes out of the place into his car.

“The deal smells funny. One of my clients is trying to build a case. Do you have any other evidence or lessors who have may have been taken by these folks?”

(Name With Held)

Please send any information to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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

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Classified Ads---Legal

From Marshall Rosenberg, Esq.:

“In my experience, it is generally very difficult (and in particular during this troublesome economy) for senior in-house attorneys to obtain new employment in the finance industry. Ads placed in industry newsletters are helpful.

“In the last year I have had three responses to my ad in Leasing News. One from a major bank leasing and commercial finance subsidiary and the other two from smaller leasing businesses. Unfortunately, I was unable to secure a position, particularly with the aforementioned bank which seemed a most promising opportunity.

“In addition to my ad in Leasing News I have utilized search methods including networking, company, industry and employment websites, as well as search firms which have generated some opportunities, but not as yet the right one. However, I am optimistic that through continued persistence a seasoned professional will find the right opportunity.”

San Diego , CA
Experienced in-house corporate, equipment leasing and financial services attorney seeks position as managing or transactional counsel. Willing to relocate.
Cell Phone: 760-533-4058;
Email: sandidq@msn.com
Resume

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

To place a free “job wanted” Leasing News ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

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Marlin posts $941,000 loss Third Quarter

Marlin Business Service, Mount Laurel, NJ ( “mrln” NASDAQ ) stock "hovered" upon the late afternoon notice that the company had lost $941,000 in their third quarter compared to $5.0 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. The nine months ended September 30, 2007 net income was $15.2 million compared to $2.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2008.

The Day's High was $4.05 and low $3.83, but closed at $3.95 in a very small volume of trading of 4,155.

"Marlin's recent filing to become a commercial bank will further diversify our sources of funding and reduce borrowing rates," declared Daniel P. Dyer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marlin Business Services Corp. At one time they tried factoring, then automobile leasing, let go a number of key executives, and now are down to two leasing broker representatives from a time when they had ten.

Dyer said in a press release: "The Company's proven business model combined with being well-capitalized and conservatively leveraged are essential ingredients for success during these challenging times. Our strategic focus remains on maintaining a well diversified portfolio of lease assets, adhering to stringent underwriting standards and generating attractive risk-adjusted margins."

Marlin will host a "...conference call on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss our third quarter 2007 results." Leasing News has never been able to ask a question direct or during the conference, but perhaps the SEC filing of the third quarter will reveal more of the statistics when it is filed.

Marlin Full Press Release:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/MarlinQ308.pdf

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Bank Beat by Christopher Menkin

Freedom Bank, Bradenton, Florida became the 17th bank failure this year. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver of the bank, which had $287 million in assets and $254 million in deposits as of Oct. 17.

The FDIC said the bank's deposits will be assumed by Fifth Third Bank of Grand Rapids, Mich. Its four branches were reopened yesterday, as offices of Fifth Third Bank. After a transition period, Freedom's customers will have access to Fifth Third's 16 locations in the Bradenton-Sarasota market as well as to its nearly 1,300 branches and more than 2,300 ATMs in 12 states.

Fifth Third said it will work with Freedom's employees to identify potential job opportunities.

The FDIC estimated the resolution of Freedom Bank will cost the federal deposit insurance fund between $80 million and $104 million.

Regular deposit accounts are now insured up to $250,000 as part of the new financial rescue law enacted in early October. The limit on individual retirement accounts held in banks remains at $250,000.

Another bank in Bradenton, First Priority Bank, failed in August. That was the first bank failure in Florida, a state still suffering from overbuilding and credit problems, since 2004. There are perhaps
more banks from Florida to fail.

American West Bank, Layton, Utah was issued a cease and desist order "for unsafe and unsound practices, including operating with inadequate capital levels and with a large volume of poor-quality loans." The bank was ordered to increase their Tier 1 capital to 10% plus increase its allowance for lease and loan losses.

Bank of Canton, Canton, Pennsylvania, entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve to improve the management of its bank. Other regulations were made.

BankCherokee, St. Paul, Minnesota, was issued a cease and desist order for "for operating with inadequate capital levels and an 'excessive level' of bad loans. Several regulations were made, including being "ordered to charge off or collect all assets or portions of assets classified as a loss in the regulator's report of examination."

Citizens Community Bank, Ridgewood, NJ, has received official notice "for engaging in unsafe and unsound practices, including hazardous lending practices and operating with an unsatisfactory level of capital."

The FDIC has ordered the Citizens to hire an independent third-party to review the performance of the bank's directors and executive officers, plus imposed other regulations.

First Asian Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada was issued a cease and desist order from the FDIC for "for engaging in unsafe and unsound practices, including operating with inadequate capital and liquidity and engaging in unsatisfactory underwriting." The bank was given 90 days to get better management and put the bank in better order.

The FDIC reported that FDIC reported that Franklin Bank, Houston, Texas is "significantly undercapitalized." The bank has responded that they are in the process of restoring this capacity and may have it completed by the year-end, but have not made any assurances until such an agreement is achieved.

In a press release, they state, "The proposals are nonbinding, subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence, approval of the final terms by the relevant boards of directors, execution of definitive agreements, receipt of certain approvals of or waivers by applicable regulatory authorities and other conditions customary in such transactions. It is expected that consummation of any transaction, which would be expected by year-end, also will require the approval of Franklin's stockholders. No assurance may be given that any agreement will be concluded or any transaction consummated.

"The challenges in the financial services industry we are facing today are without precedent," said Alan Master, CEO and President of Franklin. "Our announcement today is intended to inform stakeholders in Franklin that the board continues to seek the best opportunity for the Bank to meet and solve these challenges."

National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio announced that Bancorp Chairman, President and CEO Peter Raskind will leave the company after its acquisition by Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group Inc. closes this quarter. Earlier Raskin was to remain as vice-chairman. There are several lawsuits against the bank, including Mr. Raskin.

The San Francisco-based Wells Fargo Bank Board of Directors have voted to grant Richard Kovacevich an exception to the mandatory retirement age of 65 for senior executives so he may continue to serve as chairman in order to assist with the integration of Wachovia Corp.

It is reported CEO John Stumpf will then serve as chairman in addition to his regular duties. Effective January 1, 2009, Philip Quigley was elected to the newly created board position of lead director Currently, Quigley serves as chairman of the audit and examination committee, a member of the credit committee and a member of the governance and nominating committee.

As lead director, he will approve board meeting agendas with the chairman and CEO, chair meetings of non-management and independent directors and call executive sessions of the board, among other duties.

The FDIC estimates that through 2013 there will be about $40 billion in losses to the deposit insurance fund, including an $8.9 billion loss from the failure of IndyMac Bank. The FDIC is raising insurance premiums paid by banks and thrifts to replenish its fund, which now stands at around $45.2 billion, below the minimum target level set by Congress and the lowest level since 2003.

Of the roughly 8,500 FDIC-insured banks, 117 were considered to be in trouble in the second quarter — the highest level in about five years and up from 90 in the first quarter. The agency doesn't disclose the banks' names.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued Rev. Proc. 2008-64 on October 29, 2008, to provide banking organizations the tax benefit of treating gains and losses on certain indirect investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock as ordinary rather than capital. Indirect investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock include certain adjustable rate preferred stock programs (such as auction pass-through certificates) and stock held by certain subsidiaries of financial institutions.

SNL reports, "There has been much speculation on how banks will take advantage of their newfound capital. One indication came last week with PNC Financial Services Group Inc.'s purchase of National City Corp. Other banks have said they will increase lending and strengthen their balance sheets, and some have said they may use the funds for growth through acquisitions. Thus far, Interim Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability Neel Kashkari, who oversees TARP, has been hesitant to impose restrictions on how companies can use the capital, which has led to concern among many key congressional Democrats.

"According to SNL data, the Treasury has already granted preliminary approval for deals totaling more than $163.60 billion, as of Oct. 28.

"Rumors have also begun to swirl in recent days that TARP capital might be extended to private companies as the Treasury moves to further stabilize the financial system."

(See article in News Briefs: AIG OK'd for Fed funding facility.

(Also if you missed this one last week about what the banks did with the $125 billion Paulsen gave them: Hank Paulson's $125 Billion Mistake
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004380.html
Editor)

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New Hires---Promotions

Anthony Daddezio joins Sterling National Bank, NY, NY, as a Vice President and Long Island Business Development Officer, based out of Sterling’s Woodbury, New York office. Mr. Daddezio also joins from Wachovia, where he held the position of Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager. At Sterling, he will manage relationships with a portfolio of Long Island-based clients. Mr. Daddezio will also be responsible for developing new business prospects.

Lawrence G. Hund was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Tygris Commercial Finance Group, Inc., NY. He was formerly Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bridge Finance Group. Mr. Hund was previously Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer at Harley-Davidson Financial Services, and served in various senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President and Controller at Heller Financial. He began his career at Arthur Young & Company and holds a B.A. in accounting from Loyola University Chicago and a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Ms. Terese Kramer appointed Vice President of Asset Management, CoActiv Capital Partners (CoActiv), a Marubeni Group Company, Horsham, PA. She brings 30 years' equipment leasing experience -- 15 years in the US and, subsequently, 15 years in the UK. Most recently, Ms. Kramer was principal of TK Consultants, an international consulting firm providing asset management expertise to companies involved with international leasing and valuation.

Ms. Kramer has held various management positions in equipment valuation, portfolio management, and remarketing for global lessors including Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC, Heller Global Vendor Finance, Lombard Business Finance, GATX Asset Residual Management plc and GATX Capital Corporation. A dual British and American citizen, Ms. Kramer relocated to Horsham, PA from the UK in summer 2008. She holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from Michigan State University and has completed all course work in the American Society of Appraisers, Plant and Machinery Discipline.

Cramer Owen named vice president, Specialty Vehicle Group, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. He previously was with CIT where he served as vice president of national accounts in the Diversified Vendor Group. He has also held similar positions with GECC, DaimlerChrysler and PACCAR. Owen has 30 years of experience in financial services. He earned his MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Ariz. and his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

James O. Ray named vice president of client services, Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. He previously was with Porsche Finance Services, where for the past ten years he served as director of operations overseeing credit operations, collections, customer service, recovery and remarketing. Prior to that, he held positions of increasing responsibility at the same company, including regional sales manager, remarketing manager and senior manager of credit operations and customer services department. Previously, Ray worked for seven years in a variety of operational positions for Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. Mr. Ray has a bachelor’s degree in marketing research from the University of Oklahoma.

Brian Stegall named Vice President of Western Alliance Equipment Finance, Las Vegas, Nevada. He was formerly the Nevada representative of Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Inc. where he served as Vice President since 2001 and has over 19 years of banking experience. Western Alliance Bancorporation is the parent company of Bank of Nevada, First Independent Bank of Nevada, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Torrey Pines Bank, Alta Alliance Bank, Miller/Russell & Associates, Shine Investment Advisory Services, Premier Trust, PartnersFirst .

Rick Zimmerman joins Sterling National Bank, NY, NY, as First Vice President and Long Island Business Development Team Leader, based out of Sterling’s Woodbury, New York office. Since 2003, Mr. Zimmerman held the position of Business Banking Director for the Long Island region at Wachovia Bank, N.A. In his new position, Mr. Zimmerman will be responsible for sourcing new business opportunities in the New York metropolitan area with a particular emphasis on companies and prospects on Long Island. In addition, he will manage a team of business development officers.

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Classified Ads --Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)

Accounting / Aircraft / Appraisals
Asset/Recovery & Collections

Appraisals: Boston, MA Nationwide appraisals, remarketing, audits, inspections and more! Over 15-years industry experience and dedicated to deliver personal, prompt, professional services. Call Chris @ 508-785-1277. Email:chris@dovermanagementgroup.com	Appraisals: National Equipment Appraisal prepares Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraisals. IRS qualified, USPAP Compliant. Nationwide - fast turnaround. Visit www.nationalequipmentappraisal.com or call 714-282-1525.”
Accounting: Dallas, TX Provide cost effective Sales and Use Tax and Property Tax consulting and administration Services to the leasing industry. Many leasing industry referrals available. E-mail: mattm@osgsolutions.com	Accounting: National Property Tax Compliance Services to the leasing industry. Over 60-years experience and fifty Lessors as clients. References and free quotes available, (216) 658-5618, E-mail gary@avptc.com
Aircraft Delivery: Seattle, WA Global Aircraft Delivery ferries all types of aircraft all over the world. We are a unique ferry company moving your aircraft with our expert turnkey operation. www.globalaircraftdelivery.com E-mail:info@globalaircraftdelivery.com	Asset/Recovery & Collections: Charlotte, NC IRTC Continencies: Commercial Collections-Skip Trace- Repossessions-judgment enforcement-Investigations- Asset Re-marketing& No Cost Warehousing East Coast USA. Call 336-877-3077 ask for Robert or E-mail to Robert@mbsfinancial.com

All "Outsourcing" Classified ads
(advertisers are both requested and responsible to keep their free ads up to date: )
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

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Top Stories---October 27--October 31

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

(1) More to LEAF cutting back brokers
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-29-08.htm#leaf

(2) LEAF, Marlin cut back on broker business
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-27-08.htm#leaf

(3) Correction: Popular Equipment Finance
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-27-08.htm#error

(4) Alert: Computer Vendor in North Carolina
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-31-08.htm#alert

(5) Clarification: Sandy Spring Bank Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-31-08.htm#clarify

(6) Clarification: Subject: AIG Bailout
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-27-08.htm#subject

(7) Hank Paulson's $125 Billion Mistake
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004380.html

(8) ?New Leasing Business Volume Up by 22%
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-29-08.htm#nlb

(9) CIT/ Marlin stock also continues down
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-29-08.htm#stock

(10) Marlin Industrial Bank to go "Commercial"
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-31-08.htm#mib

October 27, 2008 --- Leasing News Extra (not counted for technical reasons)
UAEL & EAEL Unanimously Approve Merger of Associations
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202008/10-27-08a.htm

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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Difference between a $1 Purchase Option Lease
and a Conditional Sales Contract

Mr. Frank Commers from Corporate Capital Leasing of Minnesota asked me to write an article on the differences between a Conditional Sales Contract and a bargain option lease. I had the same request from a Federal Reserve auditor a few years back and responded with this list of ten differences:

A lease requires a non-cancelable term, a loan is cancelable.
The accounting for Capital Leases ($1 P.O,) leases is different
under GAAP requirements.
A loan usually requires down payments, financial restrictions, or additional collateral. Leases do not contain any of these requirements.
Servicing a lease requires following for monthly sales tax, and annual property tax that does not exist in a loan.
Documentation for lease transactions requires documents not used in lending such as; Purchase orders, vendor invoices, sales tax remittance forms, acceptance forms and others.
Lease Insurance requires the lessee to purchase and provide “Liability” coverage in addition to the “Loss Payable Clause.
Lease documentation (master lease agreement) has requirements for equipment maintenance and return conditions not found in lending.
Lease documentation contains strong language and many defaults not found in loan documentation such as: equipment location; if location changes then sales tax changes. This requires a lease accounting package that can create location reports on multiple assets to insure proper tax remittance, or a default if equipment does not follow manufactures required maintenance schedule plus other requirements not found in traditional loan documentation.
Late charges on leases are usually 5% of the payment or have a Minimum not found in Loans.
Lessee’s use $1 leases to control costs if they are not using GAAP accounting.

In short a lending department does not have the tools or the training to account for, or handle, an equipment lease, regardless if the UCC decides it is an Article 9 transaction. Case law will only determine if the lease meets legal or tax standards and has no affect on the accounting standards (SFAS #13) used to classify a lease.

In addition Lessor is usually concerned about the equipment being leased and studies the actual useful life and the economic value of the equipment over the term. A lender usually reviews the financial statement of the borrower to determine the credit quality of the transaction.

A lender rarely reviews the requested term in relation to the risk or the “true” collateral value of the equipment. This leads a Lessor to completely describe the equipment and understand its potential use to the lessee. This additional insight supports the credit decision and lowers the overall delinquency rate of the lessor’s portfolio.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-327-8666.

He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

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

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

NACM report uses the word “Doom”

—“The seasonally adjusted Credit Manager’s Index (CMI) for October revealed an increasing sense of doom among the participants, mirroring conditions in the rest of the economy,” said Daniel North, chief economist for credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI, who analyzes the data and prepares the CMI report for the National Association of Credit management. The combined index fell 2.6% to a record low of 44.8%.

Eight of the 10 components fell, nine are now below the 50 level, indicating economic contraction, and eight set record lows. “The misery was spread all around but manufacturing fared the worst, losing 4.2%, while services fell 0.9%,” said North. Both manufacturing and services were below 50% for the second consecutive month. “The ‘accounts placed for collection’ component was below 40% in both manufacturing and service sectors, suggesting that customers are trying their best to drag out terms in an effort to get credit in any form they can, because apparently banks aren’t giving any,” said North.

“Certainly the economy is in dismal shape after the effects of high energy prices and the housing market bubble burst have been dragging on for some time. Now the increasing number of job losses, shrinking GDP, negative real retail sales and a host of other indicators confirm that the recession has arrived. Perhaps most troubling though is the disruption in the financial markets which has severely curtailed the availability of credit. As a result, which credit managers are so clearly telling us, not only is the economy bad, but the credit situation is making it even worse,” said North.

The seasonally adjusted manufacturing sector index fell 4.2% to a record low of 43.7%, North reported. Nine components fell, all 10 are below the 50% level and six set record lows. Weak collections, slow payment and tight credit bode poorly for the coming months as our participants from various industries tell us:

• “Tight, tight money and now a new worry is the customer's bank.” – Steel works
• “The number of final demand letters has increased, indicating probable future deterioration in receivables.” – Motor vehicle parts
• “Reviewing credit limits and deciding to lower quite a few as a precautionary measure.” – Fabricated rubber
• “Our market condition is continuing to decline. Our sales continue to shrink.” – Telephone equipment
• “Projecting slow growth…” – Glass works

The seasonally adjusted service sector index fell 0.9% to 45.9%. Six components fell, eight are below 50% and five set record lows. “The climate in the service sector is decidedly more irritable than in manufacturing,” said North. “The manufacturing sector seems more focused on weak demand, but service sector credit managers are more concerned about getting their money back.”

• Construction materials: “We are…filing more liens than we have ever done.”
• Electronic parts: “I fully expect bankruptcies and delinquencies to increase through 2009.”
• Seafood: “Our customers are seriously challenged by the current economic environment. Threatened credit cut-offs and actual credit cut-offs…are at an all time high.”
• Farm supplies: “Increase in the number of customers that are sending smaller weekly payments on account instead of paying invoices in full.”
• Metals service center: “We are beginning to see effects of economic downturn, i.e., slower payments, more unauthorized deductions, increased request for extended terms, request for price adjustment...”

“It’s not surprising then, in this environment, to see that one industry in particular is doing well—legal services,” said North. Said one respondent, “I expect this to be our best year in 25 years for new business and net revenue.”

“On a seasonally adjusted basis over the past 12 months, the combined index has fallen 9.0%, with most of the decline coming in the most recent two months,” said North. Services fell 8.7% and manufacturing fell 9.3%. Bankruptcies led the way in all three indexes, dropping 16.2% in services and 19.4% in manufacturing.

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

Fed says credit conditions continue to tighten
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081103/bs_nm/us_usa_fed_loans_1

TCF Receives Approval for $361 Million Participation
http://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachrichten/nachricht/2605754.html

AIG's aircraft lessor OK'd for Fed funding facility
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN3137365220081031

Carpet maker Mohawk reports $1.3 billion loss
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/11/03/
mohawk_industries_earnings.html

GM's US sales fall 45 pct
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-auto-sales,0,4255364.story

United traffic off nearly 10% in October
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-united-october-traffic-nov3,0,4078624.story

Boeing strike could delay 80 plane deliveries
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20081103-1343-boeingmachinists.html

Las Vegas style Honeymoon over between Merrill-BofA
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11032008/business/let_em_eat_cake_136606.htm

Chinese bank official siphons off $5 million
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/China_Bank_official_siphons_off_5m/
articleshow/3660021.cms

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You May have Missed---

Nervous firms forgo tax breaks on purchases

http://www.northjersey.com/business/33709804.html

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“Gimme that Wine”

On Line Poll: Which Wines will you open on Election night?
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Which-Wine-Will-You-Open/story.aspx?
guid=%7B97DC73DB-A5DC-4EBD-A063-DCA20360B227%7D

Napa claims elegant 2008 vintage despite 'crazy' growing season
http://www.decanter.com/news/271178.html

Veteran Georgia grape grower retires
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/495492.html

'Flights of Fancy' honors Rombauer
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/10/31/wine/doc490a7d62033cd671125177.txt

Wine Analysis by Region
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/641/Wine-Analysis.html

Euro wines carrying potentially dangerous levels of heavy metals
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/euro-wines-carrying-potentially-dangerous-levels-
heavy-metals-37121

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

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Today's Top Event in History

1939-The Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, publicly exhibited the first air-conditioned car at the 40th Automobile Show, Chicago, IL. Air in the car was cooled to the temperature desired, dehumidified, filtered, and circulated. The refrigerating coils were located behind the rear seat in tan air duct, with heating coils into another compartment of the same duct. The capacity of the unit was equivalent to 1.5 tons of ice in 24 hours when the car was driven at 60 miles per hour, or 2 tons at 80 miles per hour. The invention was first offered to the Ford Motor Company, invented by the Greenberg Brothers. It was a sweltering August day when the three Greenberg Brothers entered the posh Dearborn, Michigan offices of the notoriously anti- Semitic carmaker, Henry Ford. "Mr. Ford," announced Hyman Greenberg, the eldest of the three, "we have a remarkable invention that will revolutionize the automobile industry."
Ford looked skeptical, but their threats to offer it to the competition kept his interest piqued. Hi Greenberg continued, "We would like to demonstrate it to you in person." After a little cajoling, they brought Mr. Ford outside and asked him to enter a black car that was parked in front of the building. Norman Greenberg, the middle brother, opened the door of the car. "Please step inside, Mr. Ford." "What!" shouted the tycoon, "are you crazy? It must be one hundred degrees in that car!" "It is," smiled the youngest brother, Max, "but sit down, Mr. Ford, and push the white button." Intrigued, Ford pushed the button. All of a sudden a whoosh of freezing air started blowing from vents all around the car, and within seconds the automobile was not only comfortable, it was quite cool! "This is amazing!" exclaimed Ford. "How much do you want for the patent?" Norman spoke up. "The price is one million dollars." Then he paused, "And there is something else. We want the name 'Greenberg Brothers Air Conditioning' to be stamped right next to the Ford logo." "Money is no problem," retorted Ford, "but no way will I have a Jewish name next to my logo on my cars!" They haggled back and forth for a while and finally they settled. One and one half million dollars, and the name Greenberg would be left off. However, the first names of the Greenberg brothers would be forever emblazoned upon the console of every Ford air conditioning system. And that is why today, whenever you enter a Ford vehicle you will see those three names clearly defined on the air-conditioning control panel: Max-Hi-Norm

[headlines]
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This Day in American History

    1646 -The Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law making it a capital offense to deny that the Bible was the Word of God. Any person convicted of the offense was liable to the death penalty.
    1791 - General Arthur St. Clair, governor of Northwest Territory, was badly defeated by a large Indian army near Fort Wayne. Miami Indian Chief Little Turtle led the powerful force of Miami, Wyandot, Iroquois, Shawnee, Delaware, Ojibwa and Potawatomi that inflicted the greatest defeat ever suffered by the U.S. Army at the hands of North American Indians. Some 623 regulars led by General Arthur St. Clair were killed and 258 wounded on the banks of the Wabash River near present day Fort Wayne, Indiana. The staggering defeat moved Congress to authorize a larger army in 1792.
    1798 - Congress agreed to pay a yearly tribute to Tripoli, considering it the only way to protect U.S. shipping. The US has no appreciable Navy as yet. This is the most expedient and assured way to protect American shipping in the Mediterranean.
    1856 - James Buchanan was elected US president. Stephen A. Douglas coveted the Democratic nomination in 1856, but his reputation had been badly tarnished by ongoing violence in Kansas. In his place the Democrats turned to James Buchanan, who had been the minister to Britain from 1853 to 1856 and was not linked to the Kansas issue. The Republicans ran their first presidential campaign in 1856, choosing noted Western explorer John C. Frémont, “The Pathfinder." Frémont had no political record (regarded as a plus), but held abolitionist views (a negative in the eyes of many moderates). The Republicans ran a campaign calling for repeal of the hated Kansas-Nebraska Act, opposition to the extension of slavery into the territories and support for internal improvement projects. They also took every opportunity to blame the Democrats for the horrors of “Bleeding Kansas." Buchanan emerged the victor, but failed to gain a majority of the popular vote. In fact, a shift of a small number of votes in several states would have tipped the electoral tally to the Republicans. Mirroring the sectional feelings of the day, the Democrats were strong in the South, the Republicans in the North. The election in 1856 brought a weak president to leadership in a badly divided nation.
    1862-The Gatling gun, designed by Richard Jordan Gatling, was given a patent. Its chief feature, six barrels revolving around a central axis, permitted high rates of fire. The first gun was, which fired 250 shots a minute, was made in Indianapolis. It was not employed by Union forces for over two years, first utilized in the siege of Petersburg, Virginia in the 1864-65 battles. The military did not know how to utilize the new weapon and the general was later demoted. It was later utilized successfully by the military in the West against American Indians who had bows and arrows, (a few had captured rifles but had no ammunition.)
    1873- Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown
    1898- The first church to bear the Pentecostal Holiness name was organized at Goldsboro, NC, under the leadership of Methodist evangelist Ambrose Blackman Crumpler, 35.
    1864-Battle of Johnsonville, Tennessee. In the summer of 1864, Sherman captured Atlanta, and by November he was planning his march across Georgia. Meanwhile, the defeated Confederates hoped that destroying his line would draw Sherman out of the Deep South. Nobody was better at raiding than Forrest, but Union pursuit had kept him in Mississippi during the Atlanta campaign. Johnsonville was an important transfer point from boats on the Tennessee River to a rail line that connected with Nashville to the east. When Sherman sent part of his army back to Nashville to protect his supply lines, Forrest hoped to apply pressure to that force. Forrest began moving part of his force to Johnsonville on October 16, but most of his men were not in place until early November. Incredibly, the Union forces, which numbered about 2,000, seem to have been completely unaware of the Confederates just across the river. Forrest brought up artillery and began a barrage at 2 p.m. on November 5. The attack was devastating. One observer noted, "The wharf for nearly one mile up and down the river presented one solid sheet of flame." More than $6 million worth of supplies were destroyed, along with four gunboats, 14 transports, and 20 barges. General George Thomas, commander of the Union force at Nashville, had to divert troops to protect Johnsonville. After the raid, Forrest's reputation grew, but the raid did not deter Sherman from embarking on the March to the Sea, his devastating expedition across Georgia.
    1879-Birthday of Will Rogers, American writer, actor, humorist and grassroots philosopher, born at Oologah, Indian Territory ( now Oklahoma). With aviator Wiley Post, he was killed in an airplane crash near Point Barrow, AK, August 15, 1935. “ My forefathers, “ he said, “didn't come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.”
    1879-African-American T. Elkins patents the refrigerating apparatus.
    1884-Grover Cleveland was elected president of the United Sates; Thomas A. Hendricks was elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Cleveland, 219; James G. Blaine, Republican of Maine, 182. The popular vote was Cleveland 4,911,017; Blaine 4,848,334. In congressional elections, the Republicans gained five seats in the Senate to gain a 43-34 majority. In the House, the Republicans gained 22 seats, but the Democrats held a 183-140 majority. Robert M. La Follette, ‘Republican of Wisconsin, was elected to his first term in the House of Representatives. A celebrated presidential campaign slogan aimed at Grover Cleveland was, “Ma,Ma, where's my Pa?---a reference to Cleveland's admission that he fathered a child out of wedlock. To this query the Democrats would reply, “ Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha.”
    1897- the first Library of Congress building opened its doors to the public. Previously, the Library had been housed in the Congressional Reading Room in the U.S. Capitol.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov01.html
    1906-Birthday of Robert Bernard “Bob” Considine, sportswriter and author, born at Washington, DC. Considine parlayed some early success as a tennis player and a job as a federal government clerk into a career as a sportswriter. He covered baseball starting in 1933 and soon became a columnist for the Hearst newspapers. He branched out into politics and national affairs and served as a war correspondent during World War II. He wrote or coauthored more than 25 books, including the screenplay for “Pride of the Yankees,” the film biography of Lou Gehrig, Died at New York, NY, Sept 1, 1975.
    1916-Birthday of Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr., journalist, former anchor for “CBS Evening News, Born St. Joseph, MO.
    1918-Birthday of Art Carney, actor ( Oscar for “Harry and Tonto; six Emmys for “The Honeymooners.”, born Mount Vernon, NY.
    1919-Birthday of bass player Joe Benjamin, Atlantic, City, NJ
http://www.jazzvalley.com/musician/joe.benjamin
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927041585
    1920—Women voted nationally for the first time as constitutional bars lifted by 21st amendment.
    1922—Birthday of pianist Ralph Sutton, Hamburg, MO
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,499089,00.html?artist=Ralph+Sutton
http://www.riverwalk.org/profiles/sutton.htm
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_SUTTON.htm
    1924 - Calvin Coolidge was elected to the top office of the United States. Coolidge was already in the office of president having to complete Warren G. Harding's term (Harding died in office). The electoral vote was Coolidge 382; John, W. Davis, Democratic candidate, 13. The popular vote was Coolidge 15,725,016; Davis 8,385,503, La Follette, 4,822,856. The huge Republican victory in the presidential election was anticipated The Democrats had torn themselves apart in a struggle for the nomination. Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York represented the East and the big cities, and William G. McAddo of Tennessee, the southern and western parts of the country. The eventual nominee was John W. Davis, an able man but almost unknown to the voters. The Republicans, on the other hand, could point with pride to Calvin Coolidge and a record of prosperity. The Democrats tried to make much of the scandals of the Harding administration but failed to stir the electorate. In fact, despite a strong third party in the field, only about half of those eligible to vote did so.
    1924-The first woman governor was Nellie Taylor Ross, Wyoming, elected to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, William Bradley Ross. From 1933 to 1935, she served as director of the Mint, the first woman to do so.
    1926-Birthday of percussionist Carlos “Potato” Valdez, Havana, Cuba
http://www.jazzgalerie.de/galerieseiten/VC1.HTM
    1927 - A great Vermont flood occurred. Tropical rains deluged the Green Mountain area of Vermont causing the worst flood in the history of the state. Torrential rains, up to 15 inches in the higher elevations, sent streams on a rampage devastating the Winooski Valley. Flooding claimed 200 lives and caused 40 million dollars damage. The town of Vernon reported 84 deaths. Flooding left up to eight to ten feet of water in downtown Montpelier VT. (2nd-4th)
    1928-Arnold Rothstein, New York's most notorious gambler is shot and killed during a poker game at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. After finding Rothstein bleeding profusely at the service entrance of the hotel, police followed his trail of blood back to a suite where a group of men were playing cards. Reportedly, Rothstein had nothing good in his final hand. In the 1920's, Rothstein began purchasing nightclubs, racehorses, and brothels. He had such a formidable presence in the criminal underworld that he was reportedly once paid half a million dollars to mediate a gang war. As Rothstein's fortune grew to an estimated $50 million, he became a high-level loan shark, liberally padding the pockets of police and judges to evade the law. He is fabled to have carried around $200,000 in pocket money at all times.
Rothstein's luck finally ran out in 1928 when he encountered an unprecedented losing streak. At a poker game in September with "Hump" McManus, "Nigger Nate" Raymond, and "Titanic" Thompson, Rothstein lost a cool $320,000 and then refused to pay on the grounds that the game had been rigged. Two months later, McManus invited Rothstein to play what would be his final poker game. Police were never able to identify Rothstein's murderer. Asked who had shot him before dying, Rothstein reportedly put his finger to his lips and kept the gangsters' code of silence.
    1928-Birthday of drummer Larry Bunker, Long Beach, CA.
http://www.jazzvalley.com/musician/larry.bunker
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927046069&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1935 - The so-called Yankee Hurricane hit Miami with winds of 95 mph. It was unusual in that it moved into the area from the northeast
    1936- Future U.S. Senate Chaplain Rev. Peter Marshall, 34, married Catherine Wood, 22. Following Peter's premature death at age 46, Catherine immortalized his name through her 1951 best selling biography, "A Man Called Peter."
    1939-The Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, publicly exhibited the first air-conditioned car at the 40th Automobile Show, Chicago, IL. Air in the car was cooled to the temperature desired, dehumidified, filtered, and circulated. The refrigerating coils were located behind the rear seat in tan air duct, with heating coils into another compartment of the same duct. The capacity of the unit was equivalent to 1.5 tons of ice in 24 hours when the car was driven at 60 miles per hour, or 2 tons at 80 miles per hour. The invention was first offered to the Ford Motor Company, invented by the Greenberg Brothers. It was a sweltering August day when the three Greenberg Brothers entered the posh Dearborn, Michigan offices of the notoriously anti- Semitic carmaker, Henry Ford. "Mr. Ford," announced Hyman Greenberg, the eldest of the three, "we have a remarkable invention that will revolutionize the automobile industry."
Ford looked skeptical, but their threats to offer it to the competition kept his interest piqued. Hi Greenberg continued, "We would like to demonstrate it to you in person." After a little cajoling, they brought Mr. Ford outside and asked him to enter a black car that was parked in front of the building. Norman Greenberg, the middle brother, opened the door of the car. "Please step inside, Mr. Ford." "What!" shouted the tycoon, "are you crazy? It must be one hundred degrees in that car!" "It is," smiled the youngest brother, Max, "but sit down, Mr. Ford, and push the white button." Intrigued, Ford pushed the button. All of a sudden a whoosh of freezing air started blowing from vents all around the car, and within seconds the automobile was not only comfortable, it was quite cool! "This is amazing!" exclaimed Ford. "How much do you want for the patent?" Norman spoke up. "The price is one million dollars." Then he paused, "And there is something else. We want the name 'Greenberg Brothers Air Conditioning' to be stamped right next to the Ford logo." "Money is no problem," retorted Ford, "but no way will I have a Jewish name next to my logo on my cars!" They haggled back and forth for a while and finally they settled. One and one half million dollars, and the name Greenberg would be left off. However, the first names of the Greenberg brothers would be forever emblazoned upon the console of every Ford air conditioning system. And that is why today, whenever you enter a Ford vehicle you will see those three names clearly defined on the air-conditioning control panel: Max-Hi-Norm
    1946-Birthday of Laura Bush, First Lady, wife of President George W. Bush, born Midland, TX. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1968. After college, she worked as a teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in the Dallas Independent School District until 1969 and then moved to Houston, Texas, where she taught at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District until 1972. "Later, she enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Master of Library Science degree in 1973. Afterward, she worked at the Houston Public Library, Kashmere Gardens Branch until she moved back to Austin in 1974.She worked as a librarian at Dawson Elementary School until 1977, when she met George Walker Bush at the home of mutual friends. They married in November 1977 and made their home in Midland. In 1981, George and Laura Bush became the proud parents of twin girls, who are named Barbara and Jenna, after their grandmothers.
    1946-UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization formed.
    1949-“One Man's Family” premiered on TV. This series occurred at the same time as the popular radio continuing drama, in the first season, the cast included Bert Lytell as Henry Barbour, a wealthy San Francisco stockbroker and Majorie Gateson as his wife Fanny. Also included were Eva Maria Saint and Tony Randall. The second time the show came to TV it was a 15-minute serial and had an entirely new cast.
    1950---*POYNTER, JAMES I. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Near Sudong, Korea, 4 November 1950. Entered service at: Downey, Calif. Born: 1 December 1916, Bloomington, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader in a rifle platoon of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces during the defense of Hill 532, south of Sudong, Korea. When a vastly outnumbering, well-concealed hostile force launched a sudden, vicious counterattack against his platoon's hasty defensive position, Sgt. Poynter displayed superb skill and courage in leading his squad and directing its fire against the onrushing enemy. With his ranks critically depleted by casualties and he himself critically wounded as the onslaught gained momentum and the hostile force surrounded his position, he seized his bayonet and engaged in bitter hand-to-hand combat as the breakthrough continued. Observing 3 machineguns closing in at a distance of 25 yards, he dashed from his position and, grasping handgrenades from fallen marines as he ran, charged the emplacements in rapid succession, killing the crews of 2 and putting the other out of action before he fell, mortally wounded. By his self-sacrificing and valiant conduct, Sgt. Poynter inspired the remaining members of his squad to heroic endeavor in bearing down upon and repelling the disorganized enemy, thereby enabling the platoon to move out of the trap to a more favorable tactical position. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude, and great personal valor maintained in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1951—Top Hits
Because of You - Tony Bennett
I Get Ideas - Tony Martin
Down Yonder - Del Wood
Slow Poke - Pee Wee King
    1952 - America said, “I Like Ike”. The Dwight D. Eisenhower/Richard M. Nixon ticket won a sweeping (55%-44%) victory over Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson and running mate John J. Sparkman. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the U.S. The electoral vote was Eisenhower, 442, Gov. Adele E. Stevenson, Democrat, 89. The popular vote was Eisenhower, 36,938,285; Stevenson 27,312,217; Vincent Hallinan, Progressive, 140,138. The Republicans gained one Senate seat for a 48-47 majority with one seat going to a minor party. In the use, they gained 22 seats for a 221-211 majority, one seating to a minority party. On Election Day, 1952, UNIVAC, the world's first commercially available electronic computer, predicted a landslide for Eisenhower in his presidential race against Adlai Stevenson. In a test televised by CBS, the computer used early returns from key states to predict the election, based on voting patterns from 1944 and 1948. However, the computer's predictions were radically different from polls taken by Gallup and Roper, which predicted a close race, and the computer's programmers made adjustments so that the computer's first broadcast prediction corresponded more closely to the polls. Only an hour after the polls had closed with less than ten percent of the votes had been counted , the CBS TV Network, which employed the computer, was able to predict Eisenhower's landslide victory, trumping human experts who had predicted a close race. Ironically, the computer's original prediction of 438 electoral votes for Eisenhower and 93 for Stevenson was only off by four votes. The nation watched with interest as a Republican administration took over the reins of government for the first time in n 24 years. The most explosive internal problem was Joseph R. McCarthy. Republican of Wisconsin, charging Soviet espionage activities in the U.S. The administration most outstanding success was a peace agreement in Korea. Pres. Eisenhower announced the agreement to a relieved country, but warned , “We have won armistice on a single battleground, but not peace in the world.
    1953-Hulan Jack elected first Black Borough President of Manhattan, NYC.
    1953-“ How to Marry a Millionaire ” premiered, starring Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, one of the most popular films with the most beautiful women, about three women who's goal in life was to marry a rich man. The ending: love triumphs over all, and to the surprise of all, the richest man of the group.
    1954 - Florence Henderson, who was all of 20 years old, joined with Ezio Pinza and Walter Slezak in "Fanny". The show lit up Broadway 888 times.
    1958-African-American Shirely Verrett, world renowned opera singer, makes her debut in New York City.
    1954 -Philadelphia A's move to Kansas City
    1956-The top six songs on the pop and R&B charts are identical: Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," the Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little Susie," Sam Cooke's "You Send Me," the Rays' "Silhouettes," Rickie Nelson's "Be-Bop Baby" and Jimmie Rodgers' "Honeycomb."
    1958 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``It's Only Make Believe,'' Conway Twitty.
    1959—Top Hits
Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin
Mr. Blue - The Fleetwoods
Put Your Head on My Shoulder - Paul Anka
The Three Bells - The Browns
    1962 - Bob Dylan gave his first major concert outside of Greenwich Village. The Carnegie Hall solo appearance was not well attended.
    1967-Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "I Second That Emotion" is released.
    1967—Top Hits
To Sir with Love - Lulu
Soul Man - Sam & Dave
It Must Be Him - Vikki Carr
You Mean the World to Me - David Houston
    1968- Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the House of Representatives.
http://www.africanamericans.com/ShirleyChisholm.htm
http://nh.essortment.com/shirleychisholm_ruol.htm
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/wlm/equal/
    1970-King Peter II of Yugoslavia became the first European king to be buried in the United Sates. His Serbian name was Petar Karadjordjevic. He became King on October 11, 1934. He left Yugoslavia in 1941 after it was invaded by Germany, and headed the exiled Yugoslav government during World War II. After 1945, when Yugoslavia became a republic, he lived in New York City.
    1972- "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
    1973 - The Chicago Bears set a National Football League record by holding the Green Bay Packers to a minus 12 yards pass
    1973--The De Franco Family enjoyed their biggest hit when "Heartbeat - It's a Lovebeat" topped out at #3 on the Billboard chart.
    1975—Top Hits
Island Girl - Elton John
Lyin' Eyes - The Eagles
They Just Can't Stop It (Games People Play) - Spinners
(Turn Out the Lights And) Love Me Tonight - Don Williams
    1976-Major league baseball held its first draft of a players who had declared themselves free agents. 24 players from 13 clubs were available for selection. Reggie Jackson eventually signed the most lucrative contract in this group, $2.9 million over five years, to play with the New York Yankees.
    1978- "You Needed Me" by Anne Murray topped the charts and stayed there for a week.
    1979- 500 Iranians seized the US Embassy in Teheran, taking some 90 hostages, of whom about 60 were Americans. They vowed to hold the hostages until the former Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ( in the US for medical treatments ) was returned to Iran for trial. The Shad died July 27, 1980, in an Egyptian military hospital near Cairo. The remaining ( 52) American hostages were released and left Teheran on January 20, 1981, after 444 days of captivity.
    1980 - Republican Ronald Reagan won the White House defeating President Jimmy Carter. Reagan was the 40th President of the U.S., carrying 44 states winning by a landslide (489 electoral votes to Carter's 49). The popular vote was Reagan, 42,797,153; Carter 34, 424,100, John Anderson, independent candidate 5,533,927. In congressional elections the Republicans picked up 12 Senate seats for a 53-46 majority, with one independent seat. In the House, the Democrats lost 33 seats but kept a majority of 242-192, with one seat going to an independent... January 20, as Ronald Reagan was being inaugurated, Iran released the 52 captives seized at the U.S. embassy in Teheran, in Nov. 1979 , thus ending the Iranian hostage crisis. The Oakland Raiders won Super Bowl XV, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10. Divorce in 1981 hit a record 1,210,000, the government reported.
    1980- Japan's all-time HR hitter, Sadaharu Oh, retires from professional baseball. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants' first baseman hit a record 868 home runs in his 22-year playing career.
    1981-“The Fall Guy” premiered on TV. An hour-long adventure series, the story centered around a Hollywood stuntman, Colt Seavers ( Lee Majors) who also moonlighted as a bounty-hunter, catching bail-jumpers. It also starred Douglas Barr, heather Thomas, Jo Ann Pflug, Marie Post and Negra Volz. Lee Majors also sang the theme song for the show.
    1983—Top Hits
All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
One Thing Leads to Another - The Fixx
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) - Sheena Easton
Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton
    1983 -the temperature at Billings, MT soars to 77, a new record for the data and month
    1984 — Seattle sets an NFL record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns in a 45-0 victory over Kansas City. Dave Brown scores twice while Kenny Easley and Keith Simpson also return interceptions for touchdowns. All of the scores are longer than 50 yards.
    1987- The NBA announces four new franchises; Charlotte and Miami for 1988 ; Minneapolis and Orlando for 1989.
    1987 - Thirty-two cities in the eastern and south central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Highs of 74 degrees at Portland ME and 86 degrees at Fort Smith AR equaled November records. It was the fourth day of record warmth for Beckley WV, Memphis TN and Paducah KY. A cold front ushered much colder air into the north central U.S. Gale force winds lashed all five Great Lakes.
    1989 - Snow and high winds plagued parts of Colorado and Wyoming. Winds gusted to 71 mph near Wheatland WY, and reached 80 mph west of Fort Collins CO. Up to five inches of snow blanketed Yellowstone Park WY closing many roads. Snow also blanketed northern Minnesota, with seven inches reported at Baudette.
    1991 - The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum was dedicated by five American presidents (the first gathering of five U.S. presidents). Reagan, President George Bush, and former presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard M. Nixon attended the ceremonies in Simi Valley, California.
    1991—Top Hits
Romantic - Karyn White
Cream - Prince & The N.P.G.
Can't Stop This Thing We Started - Bryan Adams
Anymore - Travis Tritt
    1991--Bobby "Blue" Bland, Booker T. & The M.G.s, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, The Isley Brothers, Sam & Dave and The Yardbirds are elected to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
    1992-Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin sign a $39 million publishing contract with Warner-Chappell music -- the largest music publishing firm.
    1993-The NBA Board of Governors accepted a recommendation from the Expansion Committee to award a franchise to a Toronto group headed by John Bitlove, Jr. The team, later named the Raptors, began play in the 1995-96 season.
    1997---After an 18 month delay, Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' "The Pet Sounds Sessions", a 4-CD boxed set which details the creation of The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds". Overseen by producer Brian Wilson, the collection allows the listener to hear a capella vocals from the master tapes and alternate mixes of the songs.
    2001- In Game 7 of a classic World Series, Arizona rallies for two runs in the bottom of the ninth defeating the Yankees and their usually unbeatable closer, Mariano Rivera, 3-2. The four-year old Diamondbacks, the youngest franchise to win a Fall Classic, ends New York's string of three consecutive World Championships.
http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/2001.html
    2002- Colorado Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings (16-6, 4.52 ) becomes first member of the Rockies to be selected by the BBWAA as the National League Rookie of the Year. The 24-year old right-hander receives 27 first-place votes from the 32 writers participating in the balloting.
    2003-- Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved a plan committing $73 million in tax money toward a new major league ballpark for the Marlins. The World Champions, who have agreed to change their name to the Miami Marlins if the city builds the ballpark, want to begin playing in the$325 million new park in 2007, but still doesn't have a plan for raising $137 million needed as part of their commitment.

World Series Baseball Champions This Date

2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
http://worldseries.mlb.com/ws/index.html

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