Position Wanted---Risk Management
  Seeking New Opportunities

Each Week 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.

 

Chicago, Illinois
Highly knowledgeable and analytical Equipment Leasing Executive; leveraging 25 years in Portfolio Management, Operations, Credit, and Collections within Banking environment and Commercial Equipment Leasing Industry; proven track record, developing/ implementing strategies, sound operational excellence and process improvement, while maximizing revenues and positioning organizations for greater success. wgriffith61@yahoo.com 
Resume

 

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

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Top Stories: October 24 - October  28
(Opened Most by Readers)

(1) Balboa Capital Forced to Disclose List
           of Disgruntled Customers
  By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_26.htm#balboa

(2) ELFA 55th Annual Convention Report
          Palm Desert, California
  By Bruce Kropschot, The Alta Group
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_28.htm#elfa

(3) $4 Billion Sale of Scottrade Financial Services
  Could Be Announced as Early as Monday
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/billion-sale-of-scottrade-could-be-announced-as-early-as/article_411ab645-959f-5c8d-ac3a-24d0aeb2d796.html

(4) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_28.htm#hires

(5) Leasing News Affected by DDos Attack
   Website Up, But Not Email Server
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_24.htm#attack

(6) Pictures from the Past---1979
            Sam Eichenfeld
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_28.htm#photos

(7) No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business
       plus Leasing Companies Out of Business
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_26.htm#no

(8) Side Agreements Including Vendor Agreements
     Leasing #102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLFP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_24.htm#side

(9) Stumpf Wasn't Fired or Even "Gently Pushed,"
  says New Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/518256/Stumpf-wasn-t-fired-or-even-gently-pushed-says-new

(10) Sales Makes it Happen by Christopher Menkin
            New Top Ten Reasons to Lease
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_26.htm#new_10

 

 The Issue of the Balboa Legal Case Not the BBB Rating,
But the Actual BBB Complaints

by Christopher Menkin, Editor

Leasing News received many emails regarding the article written by Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor (1), regarding the Interim rent case brought by Shopko Stores Operating Company, LLC, Green Bay, Wisconsin against Balboa Capital Corporation, Costa Mesa, California:

"Interim rent runs rampant in the Lease / Finance world"

"You can't treat customers poorly and expect that it will not eventually catch up with you."

"WOW!! The can of worms has been opened, wide. My opinion is that Interim Rent is scandalous and it was due to be challenged. Balboa had every opportunity in the world to squash this but ego got in the way and now they're going to pay dearly."

"Given this Judge’s order for them to deliver all the files exposing their deliberate deceptive business practices, I can’t imagine an attorney at some point filing a class action suit. There are thousands of victims. I wish Tom McCurnin would do it. It might actually help clean up the predators like them that have always given our industry a black eye."

"I am pleased to be able to state that the company I represent, LCA (Lease Corp. of America) does NOT charge Interim Rent or any other 'silly' fees."

Several brought up the question: “With so many complaints, how did Balboa receive an A+ rating?”

The story was not about the Better Business Bureau ratings. This is a legal case and what matters is whether Balboa cheated Shopko.  The actual rating by BBB for Balboa is lacking any serious purpose. 

Leasing News publishes the ratings of leasing and finance companies at least twice a year. (2)

The point of Tom McCurnin's article is that “Reputation is a Big Deal.” Basically, if there were no disgruntled customers, then the answer for Balboa was easy—produce everything they have, which is nothing.  But in contrast, there appeared to be a lot of disgruntled customers as per the document presented in court (3). Balboa refused to produce one single such complaint they have received in the last few years. We're not even talking about the complaints sent to Leasing News, many reviewed again.   That to me, gives evidence that there are quite a few complaints.  The BBB list of complaints was also the take of the Judge.
 
These are real people, with real issues regarding the lending practices
of Balboa and a lease file with such correspondence and emails.  This would be, in accordance with the Judge, evidence of fraud.

So the issue is not about an A+ rating, but is there evidence of fraud?

(1) Balboa Capital Forced to Disclose List of Disgruntled Customers
 by Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2016/10_26.htm#balboa

(2) AAA Rating August 15, 2016
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2016/08_15.htm#bbb

(3) Balboa Capital BBB Complaints
 http://leasingnews.org/PDF/SupplementalAuthorityShopko.pdf

 

 

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Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted Opportunity

 

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Hanmi Bank Purchases Banc of California
Commercial Equipment Finance Division

Hanmi Bank, Los Angeles, California, "founded with the goal of catering to a growing Korean-America marketplace," has purchased the Commercial Financial Division of Banc of California, along with seasoned single family residential mortgages. The bank is in a growth mode. The division had loan balances of $234 million and the mortgages were valued at $163 million. No price was given, but the Banc of California reported these transactions would result in gains of approximately $10 million during the fourth quarter.

The management team of the Commercial Financial Division will remain at 1920 Main Street, Suite 1140, Irvine, California, with David Normandin, CLFP, as Managing Director.

David Normandin, CLFP
Managing Director

He told Leasing News, “We took the team, portfolio, systems, process, pricing, location... We literally approved new deals on day 1 and funded deals. I am grateful to this industry and people who have been good to me. Hanmi has a good leadership team that I am excited to be a part of.”

Normandin is very active in several leasing association as well as the Certified Leasing and Finance Professional Foundation.  He began in 2012 with the PacTrust Bank which became Banc of California in 2013
and certainly is off to a very good start with Hanmi Bank in 2016.

Hanmi Bank last week reported third quarter net income of $14 million with loans receivables up 5.7% or $168.2 million from the second quarter, with new loan production up 47.1% or $306.1 million from the second quarter.

The bank has 23 branches in Southern California, two in Northern California, nine in Texas, five in Illinois, one in Virginia, and one in New Jersey.

 

“The Meaning of Candidate Fit”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

What is a Candidate Fit, I hear this often from you and other Recruiters?

A good “fit” is what Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and HR Reps seek!  There are two types of “fits” that will be considered, (1) education, skills, years of experience, and (2) suitability to work well with the company’s corporate culture and suited to work with current employees.  “… Even if you have terrific credentials, if it does not appear that you will fit in with leadership, current employees, or with the culture you may not be moving forward in the interview process …”

In any search, it is vital, that the “fit” be a long-term one for both the Candidate and the Employer; or it is a waste of time for both parties.  Make sure to take the time to conduct due diligence tasks to ensure there is a match. 

How to Know … The Position
Various aspects will impact how you will fit in. First, will be if your resume lines up with the qualifications of the position you are targeting. It will be necessary that Candidates have the needed skills and experiences.  Review the job requirements; be ready to demonstrate why you would be a good fit. Some examples of how to assess if you might be a fit for a position: 

1. Analyze the Job Listing
2. Skills Required
3. Prioritize Your Qualifications

 How to Know … The Company
Employers and Recruiters will look for individuals who will fit well with the company’s corporate culture personally and professionally.

As an example, if a company values entrepreneurship, then the interviewer will want to see a pattern of those qualities in your career.  Make sure you research the company culture before even applying to ensure you would thrive in their type of environment and if so, you can present your strengths that would mesh well with their culture. 

Is it a Good Fit for You?
Remember, it is just as important to make sure the company is a good long-term fit for you. Interviewing is a two-way street and should give you, the Candidate, an opportunity to evaluate if the employer/role is a match for what you are looking for in your next role. Take the time to determine if it is worth your time to apply (again, do your due diligence).  

Contact us for more advice or to assist you in the due diligence process.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
www.riicareer.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO
https://www.pinterest.com/recruitersinter/rii-career-services/

Career Crossroads Previous Columns
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

 

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“Eight Steps to a Strong Marketing Plan”

If times get tough, nothing is more important than a strong marketing plan. The principal parts of your marketing plan, and their sequence, vary from leasing company to leasing company because of their capabilities like cost of money, size of transaction, number of employees, etc. But as a general rule, your plan should answer the following questions:

1. Company objective, direction and capabilities.
2. Where are we now, and why? (Situational analysis)
3. Where do we want to go (are we doing the right things now to reach our intended customer base?)
4. Where should we be headed in light of the economy?
5. How do we get there? (Development of action programs to achieve objectives)?
6. What resources are required and how much will it cost to achieve our goals (Budget preparation)?
7. How will we know if we are on course or not? (Monitoring performance and control)?
8. What if unexpected events occur or key assumptions prove invalid? (Contingency plans)?

Please keep in mind that this outline is only a general guideline. You may have good reason to add to it, omit some sections, or rearrange their sequence, depending on your reading of where your opportunities are and what needs to be done to realize them.

I think one of the main purposes of a marketing plan is to stop, look at what you are doing, and reevaluate the future based on your company capabilities. Increased competition, higher rates, some bad luck, may shift your markets somewhat and to continue down the same path as last year’s objectives may be the wrong course of action. You need to reevaluate every three months to stay on top of the changing economy.

Some companies try to reinvent themselves and head into markets that they are convinced will provide great opportunities, only to find tough going and limited business. Therefore, besides just drawing up the plan, you need to investigate thoroughly any major change in markets or direction. The plan is a chance to “think” about what you can accomplish and look for markets that your needs fit into. If your plan is just throwing darts at a phone book in today’s economic times, you better start telling your people to begin looking for work. Management has a responsibility to direct the marketing activities, not to just complain and try to drive people harder.

I would check out your local trade show facilities, attend the show and listen to the distributors to see what markets are holding their own and where to look for Lessees. I would go to auctions and talk to both dealers and bidders who are there. There are still lots of markets where equipment is being sold and leasing or financing is hard to come by. Make your capabilities known and do some homework before approaching new markets or territories.

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

 

 

 

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Highlights on Marlin Business Telephone Conference Call
Taken from the 12 Pages at Seekingalpha.com

By Christopher Menkin

Marlin Business Services reported Q3/16 net income of $4.3 million compared to $4.8 million for the third quarter last year. Combined Equipment Finance and Funding Stream origination volume for Q3/16 of $128.3 million was the fourth consecutive quarter of record origination volume for the company. (Full press release follows this article).

Marlin Business Services Corp. (NASDAQ:MRLN)
Q3 2016 Earnings Conference Call

page 8

Jeff Hilzinger,  President and CEO

“We want to do as little broker as possible. We probably will never go to zero because we get tremendous market insight from doing business with brokers but we don't want to do much and the business that we do with brokers we want to do with the best brokers that we know. But the primary focuses of funding stream as a product for small businesses. They will be focused primarily on our existing customer base where we've already adjudicated, we've already understand what the credit risk is. And I will say that from what we've seen over the last quarter in terms of what's happening the broker channel of the marketplace vendor is pretty scary.”

Ed Siciliano, EVP and COO (from page 9)

“I mentioned in my comments that we are still very much focused on our existing customer base for all reasons you might expect, Chris. We know these customers. They had leases with us. We understand their credit history, they paid us back. So 80% of our funding stream portfolio consists of existing customers. We are seeing a significant opportunities to increase funding stream volume through the broker community but we are resisting that. And we had a couple of -- there have been a couple of competitors that have stepped out of the business. One of them Windset and immediately we saw an increase in broker activity. But that's not we are going -- that's not how we are going to increase our working capital portfolio. We've decided to resist that and continue to focus on our customer base for credit quality reasons.”

Jeff Hilzinger,  President and CEO  (from page 1)

“The third quarter was a very productive period for Marlin highlighted by record origination volume and portfolio size, continued strong credit quality and significant progress on our Marlin 2.0 initiative. Total origination volume of $128.3 million was an all-time record, up nearly 6% compared to the previous quarter and nearly 26% from a year ago. Our origination growth was broad based and driven by increased application volume in our equipment finance business including solid contribution from our new franchise and transportation origination platforms.

“In addition, Funding Stream, our working capital loan business continues to gain traction and comprise $10.3 million or 8% of total origination in the quarter, up from $7.9 million or 6% of total origination volume in the prior quarter. Our investment in leases and loans also reached an all-time record during the quarter increasing to $756.1 million, up 4% from the previous quarter and 15% from a year ago. Importantly, we achieved the record origination volume while maintaining our strict underwriting standard as evidenced by the portfolio's credit performance which remained excellent during the quarter.

“In addition to our strong financial and operational performance, we continue to make good progress in rounding out the Marlin management team. During the quarter we promoted David Lafferty to the newly created position of Capital Markets leader. Dave has been Marlin since 1998 in various credit roles and has nearly 25 years of experience in equipment finance. In his new role, Dave is leading the process of building of capital markets capability in order to help diversify our funding sources while also providing our origination platforms with a broader set of credit products to take to market. This is an important strategic initiative within Marlin 2.0, so I am very pleased to have somebody of Dave's caliber in this role.”

Taylor Kamp,  SVP and CFO

“Now turning to our business outlook for the full year ending December 31, 2016. Full-year origination volume including both equipment finance and funding stream is expected to finish in the range of $480 million to $490 million. At the low-end, this would represent an almost 26% increase over 2015. Credit quality is anticipated to remain strong within the expected range.

“In conclusion, Marlin's strong third quarter performance led by robust origination growth and excellent credit quality represents another well executed quarter as we continue to achieve new levels of growth and profitability in 2016.”

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

Seeking Alpha 3rd Quarter Earnings Report
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4016453-marlin-business-services-mrln-ceo-jeff-hilzinger-q3-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript

Marlin Business Services Corp. Reports 3rd Q 2016 Earnings
and Declares a Cash Dividend of $0.14 Per Share (12 pages)
http://www.snl.com/Cache/36431754.pdf

 

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

DealSafe---Control of Contractual Rights
Cloud Based Control of Lease Payments/Auto-Renew

Sets notifications to warn about automatic Evergreen Clauses or other dates to notify control of contractual rights. The cloud based platform "allow companies to easily upload, parse, and set notifications to any key contractual data such as end of term notification windows, early buyout options or upgrade opportunities. Access can be granted to multiple users and even outside professionals such as attorneys and accountants. In addition to equipment leases, customers use it for sales, procurement, employment and NDA contracts as well."

A demonstration is available with prices based on services
provided: http://dealsafe.com

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

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
Launches Redesigned Website

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association has launched a fully redesigned website at www.elfaonline.org that provides user-friendly access to the latest information and resources concerning the $1 trillion equipment finance industry. The mobile-friendly site offers improved navigation, a robust site search and a new “Industry Topics” section spotlighting industry hot topics.

The new ELFAonline.org is designed to engage and inform association members as well as those who want to learn more about the equipment finance industry. The association’s key offerings are prominently featured, including advocacy, industry information, events and training, and membership resources. The site also delivers the latest industry headlines, best practices, equipment market data and issue updates, from lease accounting to federal and state advocacy developments.

Users can access the new data and information from both ELFA and the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation through a series of new “one-stop-shop” Industry Topics pages, which showcase 10 key topic areas: Data, Benchmarking & Forecasting; Electronic Documents; Equipment Management; Funding & Alternative Finance; Human Capital; Lease Accounting; Legal Resources; Operations & Technology; Risk Management and Vertical Markets. The information on these pages is delivered dynamically through the site’s new content management system.

Members-only tools allow members to connect with each other. Members enjoy exclusive access to a comprehensive membership directory; event registration discounts; benchmarking research studies; publication archives, including Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine, Washington Report and State Legislature Report; email discussion groups; a State Tax Manual; ELFA Career Center specials and more. Users can also connect with each other through the association’s social media channels, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
*

Ralph Petta
President/CEO
ELFA

“We are pleased to introduce the new and improved ELFAonline.org,” said ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta. “The site showcases the value proposition offered by ELFA—including industry information, advocacy, business and professional development and industry promotion. We invite all users to visit the site today for valuable resources and to learn how ELFA and the $1 trillion equipment finance industry are ‘Equipping Business for Success.’”

Amy Vogt
Vice President, Communications
and Marketing
ELFA

“Our primary goal was to create an engaging website that is easy to use and provides high-quality information for our constituents, based on feedback from ELFA members,” said Amy Vogt, ELFA Vice President for Communications and Marketing. “The new ELFAonline.org is designed to help visitors connect with each other, access critical information and make sound decisions. We look forward to continuing to grow the site, taking advantage of our new content management system to provide dynamic and relevant content to our members into the future.”

For more information or to ask any questions about the new site, please email webmaster@elfaonline.org.

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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

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

Labrador Retriever
Chicago, Illinois Adopt-a-Dog

Ash

Male
Age: 7 months
Location: Lincoln Park Adoption Center

"Ash would love to meet you!  Stop by our Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center at 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, today."

Adoption Process:
http://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/pet-adoption/adoption-process/

PAWS Chicago
Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center
1997 N. Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614 - Map it
773-935-7297 (PAWS)
adoptions@pawschicago.org

Sat & Sun: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Mon-Fri: 12 - 7 p.m.

 

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

 

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Marketing

Marketing: Generate Leads, Build Authority and Showcase your expertise with your own lease blog. Don't have the time? We do it for you. Complete turnkey blog setup and/or content only provided by leasing expert for leasing companies. Email for free evaluation  stu@p2plendingexpert.com	SAWBUX: a different kind of marketing firm.  Built by deal guys for deal guys, we drive sales and create winning brands. Contact: EMAIL
Finance Marketing: AFull-service creative marketing agency that provides multi-channel digital marketing solutions including PPC Lead Generation, SEO, Social Media & Email Marketing. Our passion for the finance industry has enabled us to help connect our clients with their customers in today’s complex digital landscape.  brittney@financemarketing.com

 

News Briefs---

US Bank Regulator Charts Path
  for Blockchain Startup Oversight
http://www.coindesk.com/us-bank-regulator-blockchain-fintech-oversight/

Get Ready for Phase-Out of Bonus Depreciation
“how to prepare for the coming changes" by Nancy Geary
http://ww2.cfo.com/accounting-2/2016/10/get-ready-phase-bonus-depreciation/

 

 

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--You May Have Missed It

Elon Musk Unveils Roof Shingles that also Power Your House
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tesla-solar-roof_us_5814025ae4b0390e69d07c6e

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Baseball Poem

What is it
About ticket stubs
That prevents me
From throwing them away

Not just the precious few

From a World Series
But lately
I can't throw any away

They do not bring to mind

Vivid memories
Of good times
Or remembrances
Of hits and runs past

Yet they stand for something For times I traveled
Outside of time
Like stamped passports
They are all the proof remaining
Of my trips

Written by Gene Carney, published in
“Romancing the Horsehide: Baseball Poems
on Players the Game”
Published by McFarland and Company

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Sports Briefs----

Raiders make penalty history, beat Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/10/30/raiders-makes-history-beat-buccaneers-30-24-in-overtime/

Tom Brady takes Patriots offense in new direction
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2016/10/30/tom-brady-rex-ryan-new-england-buffalo-bills/93019402/

Saints rally, hold on late to beat Seahawks
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/30/saints-rally-hold-on-late-to-beat-seahawks/

Santa Clara threatening to take over management of Levi's Stadium from 49ers
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Santa-Clara-threatening-to-take-over-levis-49ers-10423524.php

A big step forward for Oregon Ducks QB Herbert
http://registerguard.com/rg/sports/football/34939440-69/a-big-step-forward-for-oregon-ducks-qb-herbert.html.csp

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California Nuts Briefs---

How the 1906 quake spurred Sausalito houseboat culture
http://www.sfgate.com/living/article/What-it-s-like-living-on-a-Sausalito-houseboat-10326629.php

Il Fornaio’s first female top chef makes debut at Santa Clara
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/10/30/il-fornaios-first-female-top-chef-makes-debut-at-santa-clara/

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

How Wine Spectator Thrives, And Continues To Grow,
   40 Years After Its First Issue
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianfreedman/2016/10/27/how-wine-spectator-still-thrives-and-continues-to-grow-40-years-after-its-first-issue/#5ced47383a6e

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

 

    1517 - German Augustinian monk Martin Luther, 31, nailed to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg a list of 95 theological points he wished to debate, one of the major events in the founding of the new world that was to become the United Colonies (later changed to the United States.) The weakening of the Vatican-controlled religion touched off the Protestant Reformation that lead to seeking of religious freedom in all countries, but none as profound as the “New World.”
    1740 – Birthday of William Paca (d. 1799), Abingdon, Maryland Province.  He was signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate of Maryland of which he later became Governor. 
    1753 - George Washington was sent by Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia to demand French withdrawal from the Ohio territory. Dinwiddie had been impressed by Washington's achievement as surveyor and fieldsman, and picked him for the commission, although he was only 21 years old. As adjutant general of the Northern Division, Washington set out from Williamsburg, VA. With Christopher Gist as his guide, he made observations of French fortifications and estimations about needed English fortifications. During the expedition, he kept a journal, which Dinwiddie later obtained and had printed. It indicated French intentions for the territory and attributed to a French office the indiscreet admission that “...it was their absolute Design to take possession of the Ohio, and by G---they would do it.”
    1832 - American Episcopal scholar George Washington Doane, 33, was consecrated as second Bishop of the Diocese of NJ. Doane is better remembered today as author of the hymn, "Softly Now the Light of Day."
    1860 - Birthday of Juliette Gordon Low (d. 1927), founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Savannah, GA.
    1860 – Birthday of Andrew Volstead (d. 1947), Congressman from Minnesota (1903-23) who introduced National Prohibition Act, aka the Volstead Act. 
    1861 - Citing failing health, General Winfield Scott, commander of the Union forces, retires from service. The hero of the Mexican War recognized early in the Civil War that his health and advancing years were a liability in the daunting task of directing the Federal war effort. Scott was born in Virginia in 1786. He graduated from William and Mary College and joined the military in 1808, where he had become the youngest general in the army by the end of the War of 1812. During the crisis of 1861, Scott remained at his post and refused to join his native state in secession. President Lincoln asked Scott to devise a comprehensive plan to defeat the Confederacy. Scott's strategy called for the blockading of ports to isolate the South economically, then an offensive down the Mississippi River. In the optimistic early days of the war, this strategy seemed hopelessly sluggish.  In fact, critics dubbed it the "Anaconda Plan" after the giant Amazonian snake that slowly strangles its prey. Despite initial criticism, it was the basic strategy that eventually won the war.
    1864 - Nevada became the 36th state.  Anxious to have support of the Republican-dominated Nevada Territory for President Abraham Lincoln's reelection, the U.S. Congress quickly admits Nevada to the Union. In 1864, Nevada had only 40,000 inhabitants, considerably short of the 60,000 normally required for statehood. But the 1859 discovery of the incredibly large and rich silver deposits at Virginia City had rapidly made the region one of the most important and wealthy in the West. The inexpert miners who initially developed the placer gold deposits at Virginia City had complained for some time about the blue-gray gunk that kept clogging up their gold sluices. Eventually several of the more experienced miners realized that the gunk the gold miners had been tossing aside was actually rich silver ore, and soon after, they discovered the massive underground silver deposit called the Comstock Lode. The decisive factor in easing the path to Nevada's statehood was President Lincoln's proposed 13th Amendment banning slavery. Throughout his administration, Lincoln had appointed territorial officials in Nevada who were strong Republicans, and he knew he could count on the congressmen and citizens of a new state of Nevada to support him in the coming presidential election and to vote for his proposed amendment. Since time was so short, the Nevada constitutional delegation sent the longest telegram on record up to that time to Washington, D.C., containing the entire text of the proposed state constitution and costing the then astronomical sum of $3,416.77.  Their speedy actions paid off with quick congressional approval of statehood and the new state of Nevada did indeed provide strong support for Lincoln. On January 31, 1865, Congress approved the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning slavery.
    1892 - Arthur Conan Doyle publishes "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." While not American history, this was my favorite book in junior high school, where I read the completed collection at least three times, as to me, it was the “Harry Potter” of the day.
    1893 - African-American football player William Henry Lewis named All-American. Harvard's football team featured the first black All-American, Lewis, who had been an undergraduate at Amherst College. Lewis had initially attended Virginia Normal (now Virginia State), but moved north in 1889. He was voted as Amherst's captain in 1890. Lewis went on to Harvard Law School and continued his football career. He played in the Crimson's 6-0 loss to Yale in 1892, but so impressed Walter Camp that he was named to Camp's All-America squad. The Crimson center rusher was a repeat All-America honoree in 1893. Lewis became assistant district attorney in Boston following graduation.
    1896 - Birthday of actress Ethel Waters (d. 1977) in Chester, PA. Married when she was 13, Ethel Waters began her singing career at the urging of friends. At age 17, she was singing at Baltimore's Lincoln Center, billing herself as Sweet Mama Stringbean. Her career took her to New York, where she divided her work between the stage, nightclubs and films. She made her Broadway debut in 1927 in the revue “Africana,” and her other stage credits included “Blackbirds,” “Rhapsody in Black,” “Thousands Cheer” and “Mamba's Daughters.” Her memorable stage roles in “Cabin in the Sky” and “A Member of the Wedding” (for which she won the Drama Critics' Award) were recreated for film.  Waters was the second African-American, after Hattie McDaniel, to be nominated for an Academy Award, for her role in “Pinky”. She is also the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Emmy, in 1962.  In 1950, Waters starred in the TV series, “Beulah,” but quit after complaining that the scripts' portrayal of blacks was "degrading." 
    1912 – Actress, singer, songwriter Dale Evans (d. 2001) was born Lucille Wood Smith, later changed to Frances Octavia Smith, in Uvalde, TX.  She took the name Dale Evans in the early 1930s to promote her singing career.  Evans married Roy Rogers in 1947, his second and her fourth and it lasted 51 years until his death in 1998.  Evans wrote the theme, “Happy Trails to You” for their TV show. 
    1913 – The Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway for automobiles, is dedicated.  It ran coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.  There are a total of 14 states, 128 counties, and over 700 cities, towns and villages through which the highway passed at some time in its history.  The first officially recorded length of the entire Lincoln Highway in 1913 was 3,389 miles.  Most of the 1928 Lincoln Highway route became US 30, with portions becoming US 1 in the East and US 40, US 50 and US 93 in the West. Today, Interstate 80 (I-80) is the cross-country highway most closely aligned with the Lincoln Highway. In the West, particularly in Wyoming, Utah and California, sections of I-80 are paved directly over alignments of the Lincoln Highway. This is also the first national memorial to President Abraham Lincoln.
    1915 – Birthday of piano player Meade Lux Lewis (d. 1964), Louisville, KY.  Noted for his work in the boogie-woogie style, his best-known work, "Honky Tonk Train Blues," has been recorded by many artists.
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Lewis,+Meade+'Lux'
http://sunsite.kth.se/feastlib/mrf/yinyue/pw/LEWMEA.HTM
    1916 – Ken Keltner (d. 1991) was born in Milwaukee.  One of the Majors’ best third basemen in the 1940s, for the Cleveland Indians, he is remembered for his two outstanding plays in 1941 that helped to end the 56-game hitting streak of Joe DiMaggio.
    1922 - Saxophone player Illinois Jacquet, born Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet (d. 2004), Broussard, LA.  Best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home," critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. 
http://www.yalloppinhounds.com/jacquet.html
http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/0661JacquetIllinois.asp
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/default.asp?oid=7428
    1922 - Birthday of saxophonist Ted Nash (d. 2011), Somerville, MA
http://www.jazzradio.org/tednash.htm
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=
1927006142&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1925 - Record low October temperatures were set in northern New England. Van Buren, ME hit 1 degree, Garfield, VT dropped to 2, Pittsburg, NH to 4 degrees
    1926 – Because this is Halloween, we note the death of Harry Houdini of peritonitis. Days earlier, between performances at the Princess Theater in Montreal, Canada, as he relaxed in his dressing room, he was visited by a student athlete from Montreal's McGill University. The young man asked Houdini if it was true that he could actually withstand punches to the stomach. Houdini replied in the affirmative, but before he could prepare himself for the stunt by tightening his stomach muscles, the student punched the magician several times in his mid-section. Houdini performed that night and several more, then headed for Detroit where he did one show, then collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. At the time, it was assumed that his appendix had been ruptured by the blows from the student. Current medical knowledge leads experts to believe that Houdini already had appendicitis and only thought that the blows to his stomach were the cause of his pain. Magicians and mediums throughout the world still gather on this night, Halloween, to honor the Great Houdini
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct31.html
    1927 - Hoagy Carmichael records a song he just wrong called “Stardust” (Gennett 6331).  It became an American standard and is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 1,500 total recordings.  In 2004, Carmichael's original 1927 recording of the song was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. "Stardust" is considered by many the finest song ever written.
    1929 - A little boy explodes some firecrackers on La Salle Street in Chicago and rumors quickly spread that gangsters who have lost heavily on the stock market are shooting up the street. Squad cars of police arrive to find a very bewildered little kid.  "Despite the fact that there is a cherished legend in American folklore that pedestrians on Wall Street had to scurry out of the way of falling financiers, no such wave of suicides took place. Those (and there were countless) whose life savings had been wiped out were far too stunned and depressed to think of anything so violent as suicide."
— Robert Goldston, The Great Depression
    1930 - In a rare recording, William ‘Count' Basie sang with Bennie Moten's orchestra, "Somebody Stole My Gal.”
    1930 - Birthday of tenor sax player Ervin Booker (d. 1970), Denison, TX. 
http://www.channel1.com/users/obscure/bervin.html
http://freett.com/basiemusic/booker-ervin.html
http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?style=music&
HT_Search_Info=Ervin%2C+Booker&HT_Search=XARTIST
    1931 – Major League Baseball’s last legal spitballer, Burleigh Grimes, was released by the St. Louis Cardinals.  The spitball and all other pitches involving doctoring the ball, were banned before the 1920 season, though some "bona fide" spitball pitchers were allowed to continue throwing the pitch for the remainder of their careers. Many pitchers since have been accused of throwing spitballs illegally, and a few were either caught or admitted to doing so after retiring.
    1931 – Newsman Dan Rather was born in Wharton, TX.
    1936 – Little Joe’s birthday.  Actor Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz (d. 1991) in Queens.  He was an actor, writer, director, and producer.  He is best known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in “Bonanza” (1959–73), Charles Ingalls in “Little House on the Prairie” (1974–83), and Jonathan Smith in “Highway to Heaven” (1984–89). Landon appeared on the cover of “TV Guide” 22 times, second only to Lucille Ball.  
    1937 - Tom Paxton was born in Chicago, Illinois. Folk singer/songwriter. His songs have been recorded by hundreds of artists as diverse as Pete Seeger, Willie Nelson and Placido Domingo. “Ramblin' Boy,” “The Last Thing On My Mind,” “Bottle of Wine,” “Goin' to the Zoo” and “The Marvelous Toy” are just a few of his songs.
“Oh lay me down in Forest Lawn in a silver casket
put golden flowers over my head in a silver basket
While the drum & bugle corps
play taps while cannons roar
while sixteen liveried employees
Sell souvenirs from the funeral store...”
http://www.sky.net/~emily/jon/forestla.jon
http://www.wfma.net/paxton.htm
http://www.tompaxton.com/
    1938 – As the Great Depression enters its tenth year, in an effort to restore investor confidence, the NYSE unveils a fifteen-point program aimed at upgrading protection for the investing public.
    1939 - Birthday of drummer John Guerin (d. 2004), Hawaii
http://www.song.net/guerin/guerin.htm
http://www.united-mutations.com/g/john_guerin_random_notes.htm
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/John%20Guerin.html
    1941 - Although incomplete, the Federal Government declared the work over at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, after 14 years of work. First suggested by Jonah Robinson of the South Dakota State Historical Society, work began August 10, 1927. The memorial contains sculptures of the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, sculpted into South Dakota’s Black Hills. The 60-foot-tall sculptures represent, respectively, the nation's founding, political philosophy, preservation, expansion and conservation. There were multiple dedications as each President’s likeness was completed. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum died in 1941 and his son, Lincoln, continued the project until funds ran out on this day. Since then, no additional carving has been done, nor is any further work (other than maintenance) on the memorial planned.  The entire project cost $989,992.32. Notable for a project of such size, none of some 440 workers died during the carving.
http://www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/parks/moru/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/moru/
    1942 - The only pitcher in Major League history to hit a grand slam in a World Series game, Dave McNally (d. 2002), was born in Billings, MT. (Game 3, 1970, a 9–3 Orioles victory over the Cincinnati Reds).   He won more than 20 games for 4 consecutive seasons (1968 through 1971) and was one of four 20-game winners for the 1971 Orioles with Pat Dobson, Jim Palmer, and Mike Cuellar. He was the only pitcher other than Roger Clemens to win 12 decisions in a row 3 times, including 17 consecutive at one time. After winning the last 2 decisions of the 1968 season, he opened the 1969 season with a 15–0 record.  He is also known for his role in the historic 1975 Seitz decision which led to the downfall of Major League Baseball's reserve clause and ushered in the current era of free agency. McNally and Andy Messersmith were the only two players in 1975 playing on the one-year reserve clause in effect at the time. Neither had signed a contract at the time but both were held with their team under the rule. The two challenged the rule and won their free agency, forever changing the economics of Major League Baseball. 
    1943 - An F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a USN or USMC aircraft.
    1944 - Birthday of drummer Sherman Ferguson (d. 2006), Philadelphia, PA
http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=3294
http://www.musthear.com/gallery/gallery%20five/pages/DrumClap.htm
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927059503
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,429902,00.html
    1945 - Booker T Washington, educator, inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans
    1947 - Top Hits
“Near You” - The Francis Craig Orchestra (vocal: Bob Lamm)
“I Wish I Didn't Love You So” - Vaughn Monroe
“I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now” - Perry Como
“Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” - Tex Williams
    1950 - Earl Lloyd became the first black player in an NBA game when he took the floor for the Wash­ington Capitols in Rochester, NY. Lloyd was actually one of three blacks to become NBA players in the 1950 sea­son, the others being Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was signed by the New York Knicks, and Chuck Cooper, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics (and debuted the night after Lloyd).
    1950 - Birthday of TV personality Jane Pauley, in Indianapolis. October 30 marked the anniversary of her first appearance as co-anchor on “The Today Show” in 1976.
http://www.msnbc.com/onair/bios/j_pauley.asp
http://www.emanila.com/benrazon/people/pauley.htm
http://talkshows.tqn.com/library/news/blnewsjanepauley.htm
    1951 – Football coach, currently at Alabama, Nick Saban, was born in Fairmont, WV.
    1952 - The first hydrogen bomb was detonated, designated as “Mike,” part of Operation Ivy. It was a tower shot with a burst of 20 feet at the Elugelab Atoll at the Eniwetok Proving Ground, Marshall Islands.
    1952 - When his original guitarist suffered a stroke just before a New Year's Eve gig, popular St. Louis boogie-woogie pianist Johnnie Johnson hired for his group, The Sir John's Trio, a 26-year old hairdresser named Chuck Berry.
    1955 - Top Hits
“Autumn Leaves” - Roger Williams
“Only You” - The Platters
“Sixteen Tons” - Tennessee Ernie Ford
“Love, Love, Love” - Webb Pierce
    1957 – According to Yogi Berra, the Yankees returned the fines levied from the Copacabana incident.  On May 16, 1957, six members of the world champion New York Yankees were involved in a post-midnight disturbance during a party at the Copacabana nightclub in Manhattan. The Yankees, who were at the club to celebrate Billy Martin's 29th birthday, included Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Hank Bauer, Whitey Ford, Johnny Kucks and Martin. The disturbance stemmed from an argument between the players and members of a bowling club who also were celebrating at the club, who were heckling Sammy Davis, Jr., with racial epithets. Four weeks later, Billy Martin was traded to the Kansas City A's in an eight-player deal generally acknowledged to have stemmed from the brawl.
    1958 – The Flamingos recorded “I Only Have Eyes for You.”  Composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Al Dubin, it was written in 1934 for the film “Dames” where it was introduced by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler.  The version by the Flamingos features a prominent reverb effect, creating a dreamy ambience. This version peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the R&B charts. Perhaps most notably, in addition to having been covered by hundreds of artists since, the Flamingos’ version is a staple at rock and roll revivals.
    1961 - A federal judge ruled that Birmingham laws against integrated playing fields are illegal, eliminating the last barrier against integration in the minor league Southern Association. The circuit chose to disband rather than abide the ruling and was replaced in 1964 by the integrated Southern League.
    1963 - Top Hits
“Sugar Shack” - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
“Be My Baby” - The Ronettes
“Deep Purple” - Nino Tempo & April Stevens
“Love's Gonna Live Here” - Buck Owens
    1963 - An explosion at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum in Indianapolis kills 74 people and injures another 400 during an ice skating show. A faulty propane tank connection in a concession stand is blamed.
    1963 - The Beatles returned from a tour of Sweden to find 50,000 screaming fans waiting for them at London's Heathrow Airport. Waiting at the airport is American TV host Ed Sullivan. "Who are those guys?" he asked a bystander, who tells him they are "England's foremost singing group." Having never heard them, Sullivan nevertheless immediately contacted manager Brian Epstein to book the band for three appearances on his CBS show early in 1964.
    1964 - The Supremes "Baby Love" was the number one single (for four weeks), while Barbra Streisand's "People" was #1 on U.S. album charts (for five weeks).
    1965 - Fort Lauderdale was deluged with 13.81 inches over a two-day period, the second heavy rains in two weeks. More road and street damage occurred and some homes were flooded for the second time
    1966 - Bob McKendrick presented "Dance of Death" costume ball at California Hall. The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Mimi Fariñia entertained.
http://www.breadandroses.com/
http://www.richardandmimi.com/posters.html
    1966 - Ken Kesey's “Acid Test Graduation.”  The Acid Tests were a series of parties held by Kesey in the San Francisco Bay Area during the mid-1960s, centered entirely on the use of, and advocacy of, LSD, also known as "acid."  LSD was not made illegal until late in 1968.
http://www.intrepidtrips.com/
http://wild-bohemian.com/kesey.htm
    1968 - President Lyndon Johnson, trying to get his Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, elected to succeed him, orders an end to bombing of North Vietnam.  On November 5, Richard M. Nixon is elected President of the United Sates, defeating his Democratic opponent Humphrey in a close race. Spiro T. Agnew of Maryland, was elected Vice President. The electoral vote was Nixon, 302; Humphrey, 191; George C. Wallace, third-party candidate, 45. One Nixon elector later cast his vote for Wallace. The popular vote was Nixon, 31,785,480; Humphrey 31,275,166; Wallace, 9,906.473. There are those who say if Wallace had not run, Humphrey would have been elected President.
    1971 - Top Hits
“Maggie Mae/Reason to Believe” - Rod Stewart
“Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves” - Cher
“Theme from Shaft” - Isaac Hayes
“How Can I Unlove You” - Lynn Anderson
    1972 - Curtis Mayfield received a gold record for "Freddie's Dead" from the flick, "Superfly."
    1976 – Elvis made his last recording, a remake of the Jim Reeves hit “He’ll Have to Go,” in the Jungle Room of his Graceland home.
    1979 - Top Hits
“Rise” - Herb Alpert
“Pop Muzik” - M
“Dim All the Lights” - Donna Summer
“All the Gold in California” - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
    1984 - "Caribbean Queen" became a gold record for Billy Ocean. It was Ocean's second hit song and the only one of his 11 hits to become a million-seller. He would have two other #1 songs and a pair of #2 hits, but none as big as "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)." Billy's from Trinidad, you know. His real name: Leslie Sebastian Charles.
    1986 - For the first time, Universal Studios in Hollywood opened at night -- to give fans a scare. Halloween Horror Night included Dracula, the Mummy, King Kong, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Wolfman, and Rick Dees.
    1987 - Top Hits
“Bad” - Michael Jackson
“Causing a Commotion” - Madonna
“I Think We're Alone Now” - Tiffany
“Right from the Start” - Earl Thomas Conley
    1987 - Chris Antley became the first jockey to win nine races in a single day. He won four races in six tries at Aqueduct in the afternoon and five more in eight races at The Meadowlands at night.
    1987 - Running back Eric Dickerson signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts to complete a complex three team NFL trade. The Colts got Dickerson from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for one player and three draft choices. The Rams acquired an additional three draft picks and another player from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Colts' trading the right to linebacker Cornelius Bennett to the Bills. This started the tradition of making “deals” utilizing draft picks.
    1988 - Paul McCartney made musical history by becoming the first Western recording artist to release an album exclusively in the Soviet Union. Titled “CHOBA B CCCP” ("Back in the USSR"), it comprised the best tracks from his set of live one-take recordings taped the previous year.
    1991 - A severe winter storm dubbed the 'Great Halloween Mega Storm' struck the upper Midwest. Minnesota bore the brunt of the storm. Blizzard conditions occurred with wind gusts frequently to 40 to 50 mph. By the time the storm finally ended on November 2nd, Duluth received 37 inches of snow, Minneapolis 28 inches and International Falls 18 inches. For Duluth and Minneapolis, this set new all-time records for single storm totals. These two cities received nearly half their normal seasonal snows in this one storm. In Wisconsin, 35 inches of snow was reported at Superior and 30 inches at Iron River.
    1992 - Five American nuns in Liberia were shot to death near the capital Monrovia; the killings were blamed on rebels loyal to Charles Taylor.
    1993 - A cold wave set or tied 43 record lows. Corpus Christi, TX dropped to 28 degrees to set the October (and November) record. Brownsville dropped to a monthly record 35 degrees.
    1998 - Iraq announces it would no longer cooperate with UN weapons inspectors.
    1999 – Egypt Air Flight 990, en route to Cairo from New York, crashed off the coast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. All 217 people on board died. Some American investigators suspected a relief co-pilot deliberately put the plane into a suicide dive, causing the crash. It is the belief today that Osama Bin Laden got the idea to use airplanes as bombs from this event.
    2000 - Napster announced a deal with entertainment giant BMG to make its illegal file-sharing software into a paid subscription service.
    2001 - For the first time since Philadelphia A's Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run homer in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the ninth and goes on to win in extra innings. The Yankees’ Tino Martinez sends the game into extra innings with a two-out homer off Diamondbacks' closer Byung-Hyun Kim and Derek Jeter, dubbed Mr. November, wins it after the stroke of midnight with a full count, two-out round tripper that gave the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 victory and knotted the Series at two games apiece.
     2002 - A federal grand jury indicts former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice related to the collapse of his ex-employer.  At the time of its Chapter XI filing, Enron was the world’s seventh-largest company.  As many of us in EF/L are accountants or accounting-related, read “A Conspiracy of Fools” by Kurt Eichenhwald, the WSJ reporter on this story.  It is amazing in its description of the outrageous schemes of these perpetrators, including President Jeff Skilling and CEO Ken Lay, who in his ignorance, left the leadership void that allowed Fastow and Skilling to sink the company.  The acquiescence of Arthur Andresen is epic.
    2005 - President George W. Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
    2006 – Bob Barker retired after 35 years as the host of “The Price is Right.”
    2007 - Elvis topped the annual Forbes magazine list of most profitable dead celebrities, his estate having taken in $49 million over the past year. John Lennon is #2 while George Harrison, James Brown, and Bob Marley also make the list.
    2011 – The world’s population reached seven billion.  As of August 2016, it was estimated at 7.4 billion.
    2012 - Over 60 people died in the Mid-Atlantic states as the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy leaves millions without electricity and cripples its mass transportation system.  Many areas affected by the historic storm remain dislocated from their homes as insurance settlements and failed contractors have elongated the recovery.  The New York Stock Exchange reopened after a two-day closure due to Hurricane Sandy; this was the market's first weather-related two-day closure since the late 19th century.