Friday, October 15, 2004

 

Headlines---

 

    Classified Ads---Sales Manager

        Pictures from the Past---1999-Diversity

            Kendra Bernal Sentencing Postponed Until Jan. 4th

                Weekly Bulletin Board Complaint

    Classified Ads---Help Wanted

        The List—Quarterly Chronological  Up-Date

            CIT Small Business Outlook Reflects Continued Confidence

    IFC Credit VP Named to ELA Small Ticket Committee

        DocuSign Announces First Complete Online Signing Service

            Daniel Spindler Joins LPC as Territory Manager

    News Briefs---

        Sports Briefs---

            California Nuts Brief---

                "Gimme that Wine"

                    This Day in American History

                        Baseball Poem

 

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Kendra Bernal Sentencing Postponed Until Jan. 4^th

 

 

This is the third postponement of the sentencing of Kendra Bernal,

now scheduled for January 4, 2005 in Superior Court, Riverside,

California.  Her most immediate employer dismissed her, reportedly filing a grievance with the district attorney’s office.

 

Here is what she is being sentence for this time:

http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/Bernal.pdf

 

Here is her public criminal history:

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

 

After working with Growth 1, she set up two companies in Southern

California, then when the State of California Department of Corporations closed her down ( she had a Chapter 11 bankruptcy

and no Finance Lender’s License,) moved the operation to Nevada,

then changed officers, but the Nevada Attorney General caught

the company engaging in the same practices here in California:

collecting advance rentals, but not funding leases.  Many leasing

brokers lost commissions, clients, vendors, and truck dealers

who went direct wound up repossessing trucks not paid for.

 

Her own attorney was stiffed for $15,000 in non-payment

for defending her.  When the attorney complained to the judge

about the money owed, he instructed him to continue in

her defense on this case without pay. Later he was able

to excuse himself from representation for reasons of

“prejudice because he had not been paid for neither

costs nor his time.”

 

Later, she was employed for a firm allegedly under false

pretenses and reported discrepancies, according to the

ex-employer, who filed a complaint with the Riverside

County District Attorney.

 

Here are the latest news stories about Kendra Bernal and

the Funding Tree:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Funding_Tree-Kendra_Bernal-main.htm

[headlines]

 

 

Weekly Bulletin Board Complaint

 

    by Kit Menkin

 

 

 

Prospects, funders, vendors send us e-mails regarding

whether they should enter into a transaction or ask

us about “common practices.”

 

Our first reaction is routine:  a)See if they belong to

a leasing association ( this is an indication they

are serious about their profession, plus often leasing

associations will know about their members. b) visit

their web site, as it will list organizations they belong

to, perhaps even have references or other information

which makes them appear “legitimate.” c) Visit bbb.org

and learn what the Better Business Bureau has to say.  

 

As a rule of thumb, if they fail one of the above, be

very careful.  If they fail two, ask who their funding

source are and ask them for references.  If they fail

all, run away.

 

Normally, we do not report complaints that are “satisfied.”

From time to time, we report cases we are working on.

If they are settled, we don’t write about it.  If they are

not, they get posted to the Complaint Bulletin Board,

and it is up to the readers to decide whether they

want to do business with companies that do not

return deposits or advance rentals.  We also get

other types of problems, such as:

 

#1---

 

This complaint was filed against a leasing company in Arizona

for not funding a transaction for $9,984.  The lease contract

was signed.  The leasing company stated that the vendor wanted

to be paid in advance before shipping, and that while they gave

evidence they were able to pay after acceptance, they are at a

stalemate with the vendor over terms and conditions.

 

The leasing company was willing to put the transaction on

a credit card, but the vendor wanted the points it would

cost to accept this as the price worked out with the lessee

was “bare bone profit.”

 

Leasing News was able to verify the approval of the lease by

the funder, the correction of all documents, and convinced the

vendor to ship as they would be paid in five days---

which they were.

 

#2  This one is reportedly settled, check sent, but at this

time not received by the applicant. We believe “the check

is in the mail,” although we had requested “next day delivery.”

 

This complaint was against a very well known Southern California

leasing company, who we have received numerous complaints,

but all satisfied to date.  This lease from a West Palm Beach. Florida

applicant was for over $300,000, approved in May, and lease

signed July 19,2004 for monthly payments of $7,497.65 with

miscellaneous charges including a $2,500 “doc fee.”  The check

was dated August 1,2004 for $17,495.30.

 

There is correspondence that the first set of documents were lost

by Federal Express, or then found, but the crux of the matter,

the equipment was delivered, vendor not paid, and lease never

started.  August 26^th the applicant contacted Leasing News.

 

After much discussion, it was learned the contract was signed “to

take the deal off the street” and it was never executed.  Over

a month of conversations, primarily with the leasing company

trying to put the deal together, they agree to return the money.

The vendor had never been sent a purchase order or told

to deliver.  The applicant went to his bank, who paid the vendor.

However, he wanted his “deposit” back.

 

Supposedly it is in the mail.

 

#3  This complaint is against the same leasing company in Southern

California.  In the early days of leasing news, many of the complaints

came from referrals of brokers trying to help a potential customer

out of their dilemma.  Today, most come direct; however, this one

was referred to us by a very reputable representative of a major

company specializing in  this type of financing. This applicant was a Venture backed company seeking $300,000 of “general office equipment” as their next round of financing was under way.  The actual commitment letter was signed July 27,2004. He was promised “quick action” and ask controller,

he said he fulfilled immediately.

 

September 14^th, he sent Leasing News a copy of all the documents

he signed, with a copy of the “Processing Fee $4,500”

 

The controller’s comment:

 

“******* has not returned several phone calls; their non-responsiveness has me concerned.

 

“****** has dragged its heels on our due diligence, and is failing to respond to phone calls regarding initiating the borrowing process. We paid a $4,500 due diligence fee to get this process going, and we are now concerned that this lease will not be executed and that we are going to lose our $4,500. 

 

“This non-performance is particularly disappointing as we are under strict pressure by our venture capital investors (including  *****) to maintain certain targets.  We are in the midst of seeking additional VC financing.  The funds anticipated through this lease were incorporated in our plans, and our inability to execute this lease and meet our targets could possibly compromise this fundraising effort.

 

“Bottom line – we’d like to continue to work with ********, but we cannot allow them to delay this process inevitably, force us to seek alternatives, then keep our money.  That is not professional or reputable behavior. 

 

“Also, any commentary on the reputation of ********* would be very valuable.”

 

Almost a month later, or to be more correct, on October 8^th,

“...looks like we are not approved yet.”

 

October 11^th:

“At this point, they're still working with us, but

slowly.  I appreciate your help.  Right now, it looks like your prodding

has helped.”

 

 

The Leasing Company states the applicant has not provided a current audited financial statement, which is holding up the process.

 

#4   In August, a company in Arizona was approved for a $45,500

Kenworth Truck & Boom.  The lease was signed September 10^th

with a commitment fee for $4,859.99.  October 6, the company

contacted Leasing News because the lease was never funded,

and the leasing company said they sent the check on September

21^st, but they never received it.

 

They found Leasing News because they did a web search and found

the company on the Complaint Bulletin Board.  They faxed us

all copies of documents they signed, plus e-mail that the company

had sent the check, the latest on September 27. 

 

After hearing from Leasing News that another complaint would

be posted if the check were not sent, they said they would

cancel the first check and issue a new one. Today we received an

e-mail from the lessee that included a copy of an airborne express number so they could track the return of their check.

 

[headlines]

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

 

Brokers

Brokers. We get deals done!  We can help you make more money. We are on top of the changing marketplace with more sources due to our volume. Must have 4 years of leasing experience w/ strong client base.  70% Commission, 70% Residual. Barbara Griffith bgriffith@socalleasing.com or 714-573-9804 About the company: SCL has been in business for 12 years. We are contracted with multiple funding sources which enables us to provide more competitive rates and flexible terms and conditions.

 

Funding/Loan Processor

CFO / Leasing Sales Leader

Leasing Sales Leader: Atlanta GA. Outstanding opportunity for highly motivated, exp. leasing rep. for fast growing tech solutions provider. Unlimited earnings potential, fast paced enviroment. Exper. end-user sales/ tech leasing required. Full description here. Email: OHCResumes@OHC-LLC.com CFO: Atlanta, GA. CPA/10yrs exp. required. Direct/oversee all financial activities and manage leasing operations. Full description here. Email: OHCResumes@OHC-LLC.com About the Company: Located in Atlanta GA. Optimus Solutions is a leading provider of enterprise Information Technology solutions including systems, storage, and software enhanced by a complete range of integration and consulting services. http://optimussolutions.com/

 

Dealer Credit Finance Analyst / Dealer Credit Finance Services Supervisor

Dealer Credit Fin. Analyst, Torrance, CA Click here for full descrip. & to apply.    Dealer Credit Fin. Services Supervisor, Torrance, CA. Click here for full descrip. & to apply. To learn more about us, please visit: www.toyotafinancial.com/careers

 

National Account Manager

National Accounts Mgr: Truck/Trailer Industry.  Must generate minimum of $500K/month. Click here for detailed description & resume submission info. Trinity Capital, a subsidiary of Bank of the West, is a national leader in the equipment financing industry with a consistent presence and superior reputation.

 

Vendor Account Executive

Vendor Account Executive: Troy, MI, Proven sales exp in developing vendor relationships. Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of leasing. Strong communication skills. Send email to resume@leasecorp.com About the Company: Lease Corporation of America is a well established, 16 year old, national equipment leasing company.

 

 

We can help you design an inexpensive “help wanted ad” or

“banner ad.”  As you can see, full job descriptions are

available or connection to your web site, at no additional

charge.

 

 

The logo area is free, as well as the description about

your company.  The main ad body is two weeks

 

   $400.00 for four lines

   $50.00 per line the next four lines

   $25.00 per line thereafter

 

 

contact: maria@leasingnews.org

 

[headlines]

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The List—Quarterly Chronological  Up-Date

 

Available in full alphabetical and chronological sequence at:

 

http://www.leasingnews.org/list.htm

 

 

 

 

October

 

    Preferred Lease/CapitalWerks (10/04) A number of readers questions how Kinko's turned over a video so quickly, others believe it is an ex-employee that is the culprit and thus the real reason the name is not being revealed(10/04) “We do not receive any benefit in publicly humiliating the individuals responsible for this misconduct. Our intentions are to hold them responsible and liable for the consequences of their statements, and to recover damages they have caused to our business,” says Raeder (10/04) Survey Results: “Let Us Know the Name” http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202004/10-01-04.html#survey (9/04) Jim Raeder to reveal culprits name(8/04) Jim Raeder allegedly sees video at Kinko's, sales slip, talks to clerk, knows party's name and company (8/04) derogatory and malicious accusations spread around internet and to funders, industry readers, becomes “chain letter.”(8/04) New York Times criticizes company for not returning advance rentals. Controversy grows regarding story and commitment fees in general (5/2001) Preferred Lease, A CapitalWerks Company Mark Seif now in private law practice, company one of his clients (3/2001) Rumor close to sell to Capital Werks, and will become Preferred Leasing, a Capital Werks Company, this month (2/2001) internal memo about training by company about to take over, supposedly there for several months, "training" employees (01/2000 Mark Seif confirms for sale; will make no further comments  (12/2000) Company reportedly on the block

"one the block."

( 11/2000). David Murray left 11/7 "didn't like letting his friends go." (Reportedly now at VenServe ).

 

    NorVergence, New Jersey (10/04) Leasing companies file on lessees, Weir Group has almost 1300 plaintiffs in class action suit, newspapers print poor picture of leasing companies (9/04) Florida attorney general requests leasing companies cease collecting lease payments; three other state AG's follow (8/04) First class action is filed, two others to follow. (7/2004) Campaign to Stop Leasing Company Payments (7/2004) Robert J. Fine Resigns as EAEL President, ran Finance Division, discounting paper to banks and others (7/2004) Telecom Agent Association starts “Legal Co-Op” to breaking third party leasing contracts sold by NorVergence or involved with NorVergence equipment and service. (7/2004) NorVergence files Chapter 7(7/2004) NorVergence files Chapter 11.(7/2004) NorVergence investigated for failing to pay its employees NorVergence (4/2004) "Mr. Arnold comes to NorVergence Capital from HP Financial Services, where he was the Finance Director for North America. At HP Financial Services, he was responsible for all financial functions and was instrumental in integrating the HP and Compaq Financial services portfolios. Mr. Arnold was part of management team that launched Compaq Financial Services in 1997."

 

    Microfinancial/Leasecomm (10/04) Secures $30 Million Line of Credit From CIT(4/2004) Reports $7.6 Million revenue loss first quarter, resulting in $4.7 million net loss. (11/03) Changes name to Transaction Enabling Systems http://www.tes-edi.com/ (10/03) Net Loss $3.2 million for 3rd Q (10/03) class action filed. (5/03) Record Fine/Judgment Under the terms of the settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, Leasecomm will stop collection efforts on all outstanding judgments, totaling $24 million, involving the financing of the software and equipment for processing credit-card transactions. The company also agreed to stop financing those kinds of business opportunities in the future. Leasecomm will also pay a $1 million fine to be split by the states of Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas. The district attorney for Ventura County, Calif. will also receive a portion of that fine. The company was looking for a financial partner, and there is the question regarding the selling of $500,000 stock by an executive officer before the stock took a nose dive. The company was also recently "re-listed" on the exchange. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202003/06_02_2003.htm#24 (5/03) New York Stock Exchange has accepted the Company's proposed compliance plan for continued listing on the Exchange (5/2003) Files $0.8 million quarter loss http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202003/05_08_2003.htm#micro (4/2003) delays filing for 15 days with SEC (3/2003) to be de-listed (3/2003) Net loss for year-end was $7.7 million. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202003/03-11-03.htm#micro (2/2003) Stocks Falls to .73 cents on Friday, 12/2002-----The Board of Directors of MicroFinancial Inc. (NYSE:MFI) has suspended its dividend to comply with the Company's banking agreements. (11/2002) Leasecomm closes, shuts off all brokers, won't fund deals approved "Goes Down---CEO Sells $500,000 Stock Before the News." ( Microfinancial Stories )Waltham, MA (8/2001) Leasecomm, Attorney General investigating, many complaints on line .

 

 

September

 

    American Express/Sierra Cities/Rockford (9/04) The Gazelle is Back! Registered for the October 27th Equipment Leasing Association Conference in Palm Desert, California:

Mr. Thomas J. Depping MAIN STREET INVESTMENT PARTNERS

Mr. Robert H. Quinn, Jr. MAIN STREET INVESTMENT PARTNERS (3/2004) 40 Amex Leasing Employees Let Go in Santa Ana, closing down the office imaging-copier processing center in Santa Ana, CA.---- where the old Rockford use to be in the Xerox building on Third Street. Much of the health operation went back to Parsippany (NJ), and some moved to the old Sierra Cities location in Houston, Texas. The main reason for the closing of the operation here--the building lease was originally to Rockford and it expired. Some HR and marketing will remain in Santa Ana., about ten. All employees were offered jobs in other American Express locations. (11/2002) Lays off salesmen, rumors float they are about to get out of leasing business; Richard Anderson does not return telephone calls to confirm or deny. (09/2001) American Express Business Finance has closed down their broker division. We can submit deals until 10/12/01. All deals must be funded by 12/31/01. Unconfirmed rumors that salesmen are now going after the broker vendor accounts. We are seeking to confirm or deny this. (8/2001) Discovers up to $20 million write-off with RW Leasing portfolio, other portfolio's, alleged stock fraud, Amex declares they are investigating (7/2001) pretax write-down of $826 million that will pummel, second-quarter profits. The company also unveiled plans to cut as many as 5,000 more jobs because of the weak economy. Rumors abound about portfolio performance and major problems in the woodpile/going the way Rockford Industries went. (5/2001) New Name: "American Express Business Finance" (4/2001) Merger complete, Depping resigns as "gazelle" (3/31/2001) American Express completes purchase/merger (3/2001) Sierra Cities-Amex Merger gets green light by authorities (2/2001) offer from American Express for $5.68 per share in cash. We predicted this last week, naming the company and floor price. American Express active in equipment leasing, likes what it sees, and Sierra Cities is the vehicle, not Advanta or others that it has viewed to purchase. (1/2001) VerticalNet Merger falls apart. (1/16/01) Sells Off UK Assets. (7/2000) 2nd quarter loss, see report http://www.leasingnews.org/articles.doc/newsletter3.htm.

 

    Siemens Financial Services, Iselin, NJ. (9/04) Enters Small Ticket Fray "The current marketplace demands a provider who can allot as much attention to smaller client needs as it would a large-ticket contract," SFS President and CEO, Bill Zadrozny declares. "SFS now has the capabilities, dedication, and expertise to fulfill such a role."

 

    RW Professional, Long Island, NY (9/04) Drayer Fires Attorneys, Trial Postponed until March, 2005 (8/04) Trial scheduled for October 14,2004. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/8-09-2004.htm#rw (6/2004) Trial to start October 14 th , 2004 http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/RW_update7.htm (11/03)Jury to be selected for trial on April 12,2004 (9/03) Defendants on bail, "house confined," with trial to start April 12, 2004. "Status Conference adjourned to 11/14/03 @ 1:30 p.m. before USDJ Spatt. Conference held. Speedy Trial Information on Dfts: Code Type: XT, Start Date: 9/5/03, Stop Date: 4/12/04. Excludable Delay entered on the record. Next Status Conference: 1) Conclude discovery 2) Set motion schedule. Questionnaires two weeks before jury selection on 3/30/04. 3/31/04 counsel to pick up questionnaires. 4/6/04 all counsel to agree on jurors who will return for Jury Selection. Jury Selection 4/12/04 @ 9:00 a.m. Consent to Magistrate Judge selecting jury by dfts and govt. No adjournments of Jury Selection date will be granted. Re: Bradley Simon's Letter dated 9/2/03. Govt. to move documents to another location and keep boxes (2nd set) for the Courthouse." Last file is a letter: "Ms. Besser is currently subject to a 7:00 p.m. curfew as part of her pre-trial supervision and requests that the curfew be lifted on 10/19/03 so she may participate in a gathering in Manhattan." It appears for the defendants to ask to either/or travel from their home or at certain hours, as they are remanded to their residence with electronic monitors on their ankle.

"MINUTE ENTRY; before USDJ Spatt on 9/5/03 @ 11:30 a.m., for Criminal Cause for Status Conference as to Dfts Payaddi Shivashankar, Susan Cottrell, Adam Drayer, Roger Drayer, RW Professional Leasing Services Corp., Rochelle Besser, Barry Drayer. Dft RW Professional Leasing Services Corp. present on bail with retained counsel Stuart E. Abrams. Dft Rochelle Besser present on bail with retained counsel Stuart Abrams. Dft Barry Drayer present on bail with retain counsel Stephen L. Cohen. Dft Roger Drayer present on bail with retained counsel Jerald Rosenthal. Dft Adam Drayer present on bail with retained counsel Thomas Marino. Dft Susan Cottrell present on bail with retained counsel Jerald Rosenthal. Dft Payaddi Shivashankar present in custody with CJA counsel Edward Jenks. Govt: Geoffrey Kaiser. Court Reporter: Harry Rapaport. Case called. Status Conference adjourned to 11/14/03 @ 1:30 p.m. before USDJ Spatt. Conference held. Speedy Trial Information on Dfts: Code Type: XT, Start Date: 9/5/03, Stop Date: 4/12/04. Excludable Delay entered on the record. Next Status Conference: 1) Conclude discovery 2) Set motion schedule. Questionnaires two weeks before jury selection on 3/30/04. 3/31/04 counsel to pick up questionnaires. 4/6/04 all counsel to agree on jurors who will return for Jury Selection. Jury Selection 4/12/04 @ 9:00 a.m. Consent to Magistrate Judge selecting jury by dfts and govt. No adjournments of Jury Selection date will be granted. Re: Bradley Simon's Letter dated 9/2/03. Govt to move documents to another location and keep boxes (2nd set) for the Courthouse. Notice of Appearance filed by Jerald Rosenthal for dft #4. (Coleman, Laurie)" (6/2002) 40 FBI agents raided the offices and arrested Barry and Rochelle, Roger and Jennifer Drayer. The investigation found $6.5 Million of fraud.  Prosecutors said that the company, the RW Professional Leasing Corporation, concocted  elaborate schemes using up to 100 rented mailboxes as far away as California to send  phony checks, sham invoices, bogus leases and other false documents to banks in various states. Based on those documents, the banks lent RW millions of dollars to buy equipment and lease it out, prosecutors said. The schemes included multiple loans from different banks for the same medical equipment and loans for equipment that was never bought or leased,  prosecutors said. Take the Money and Run:

Part I,
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/moneyandrun1.htm

Part II,
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/moneyandrun2.htm

Part III
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/moneyandrun3.htm

 

    Adirondack Leasing Associates, Rensselaer NY. (9/04) Gerry Oestreich sells his company to First Niagara Bank, Lockport, NY.” I'm here for at least 4 more years and could be more. They say it's not work if you're having fun!” he declares.

 

 

 

 

August

 

    Funding Tree (8/04) Kendra Bernal sentencing moved to October 13,2004 (7/2004) Funding Tree Kendra Bernal in Utah, out on $184,000 bail, due to report in California on August 25, 2004 for sentencing. (3/2003) wrap-up by the late award winning journalist Rene Tankersley, Landline Magazine: http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202003/03-12-03.htm Nevada Attorney General Closes Legacy/Funding Tree Down http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202003/ 02-27-03.htm#fdic the Year-end wrap-up by Rene Tankersley, Landline Magazine http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202003/02-12-03.htm#easy (2/2003)---"I Really Didn't Know." Telemarketer confesses for her action, tells all: (2/2003)Rene Tankersley Landline Magazine up-dated 12/2002---Complaints continue about Funding Tree operation in Nevada keeping advance rentals. (10/2002) In the last episode, Kendra Bernal had resigned (went back to jail), a new president was named, and according to the attorney of record, the hearing before the California Department of Corporations was cancelled. The corporation did not have a Finance Lender's License to conduct business, and further was ordered to desist. The Funding Tree was appealing, until Kendra Bernal was arrested for violating parole. It appears The Funding Tree has moved to the State of Nevada, where a license is not required. Leasing News has two complaints, one in Maryland, the other in Kentucky, where advance rentals have been paid, one where the vendor has not been paid for the limousine, but leasing payments were taken out of the lessee bank by ACH. Riverside, CA ( 6/2002) New president says there is hope past vendors and brokers will be paid. Dept. of Corp. "cease and desist order" still in place. Riverside DA Jerry Fox warns, "Don't take advance rentals if there is no lease approval. "(6/2002) Kendra Bernal arrested for allegedly violating parole (5/2002) More complaints, although e-mails say some deals have funded and vendors have been paid---hope--- (5/2002) Many more complaints (4/2002) Many complaints. Vendors/brokers not paid.

 

    Leasing Institute of America (8/04) New Institute to train lease brokers, place deals http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/

8-18-2004.htm#lease

 

    PDS Gaming Corporation dba PDS Leasing, Nevada (8/04) PDS Gaming 2nd Q Up $10 Million (4/2004) PDS Gaming $1.6M Net Loss for 4th But YE 2003 $659,000 Profit

 

    One World Leasing (8/04) Co-op adds six new members, new exec. dir. gets company going. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/

8-06-2004.htm#one (11/03) Down to five members, but seeks new president (2/2003) Loses three members, obtains new CEO.

http://www.leasingnews.org/#world

 

    Thalman Financial, Apple Valley, CA. (8/04) also known as NowLease, Andrew Thorn leaves leasing industry for www.telioscorp.com.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/

8-03-2004.htm#andrew

 

    Pinnfund/PinnLeasing (8/04) Larsen gets prison term, told to repay investors http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/8-03-2004.htm#larsen (12/03) Tommy A. Larsen, president of PinnLease, admitted to scheming to funnel money from bogus equipment leases to himself, among other charges. He pleaded guilty to scheming to obtain funds for PinnFund U.S.A. through fraudulent equipment leases, and laundering kickbacks of those funds to the mortgage lender and himself through sham transactions and false invoices, prosecutors said. Larsen also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with his previous attempt to provide false testimony in federal court. The defendant also pleaded guilty to evading taxes with respect to his 1999 and 2000 federal income taxes by charging personal expenditures to PinnFund, by structuring his compensation to avoid payroll taxes, and by hiding the proceeds of illicit activity in offshore financial institutions. Sentencing is set for April 5 before U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff. (11/03) Jury trial set for 9:00 3/16/04 for Tommy A Larsen, for Kim A. Larsen before Judge Marilyn Huff (2/2003) PinnLeasing President denied bail (2/2003) Four indicted on charges of fraud in the PinnFund case ) (2/2003)Former Pinnfund CEO plea bargain- 10 years in prison  12/2002--A former employee of defunct PinnFund USA, a Carlsbad mortgage lender that imploded in March 2001 when regulators uncovered a $300-million pyramid scheme, pleaded guilty to lying to a federal grand jury. U.S. Attorney Carol Lam said Kimberly Hulihee admitted that she provided false testimony on Nov. 14 to a federal grand jury investigating the removal of files and other materials from a PinnFund subsidiary - PinnLease USA Inc. Hulihee, 38, was the former office manager of PinnLease, and later a company linked to former PinnLease President Tommy Larsen called Aloha Pacific Leasing. Hulihee is the second person to plead guilty to criminal charges in the PinnFund fraud. Former PinnFund chief executive Michael Fanghella also has admitted to myriad federal charges. He is cooperating with authorities and remains behind bars in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego awaiting sentencing. Larsen faces a pending civil suit related to the PinnFund fraud but no criminal charges, according to court documents. (8/2002) Federal authorities plan to auction expensive wine, jewelry and coins seized from the Ramona house of John D. Garitta, the former PinnFund USA chief financial officer who pleaded guilty last week to securities fraud charges.  Merchandise to be sold at the auction includes more than 400 bottles of wine worth an estimated $163,000,  $480,000 in jewelry and gems and $19,000 in collectible coins.  The auction will be held in Rancho Dominguez in the Los Angeles area.  (7/2002) investors in Carlsbad's defunct PinnFund USA sue the PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Firm for failing to detect fraud at the Company.  (4/2002) the Receiver in the case filed a lawsuit against Tommy Larsen,  related companies and a law firm, in bankruptcy court. It's a preference that may climb to $6.7 million. Larsen denies it all, and says, "prove it!"  (12/2001 ) a top Executive Officer  to turn over $47 deal/judge makes okay as it favors return of investor money. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202001/12-07-01.htm.  (11/2001) Girlfriend to return millions. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202001/11-01-01.htm.  (8/2001) Fanghella pleads not guilty to all charges, remains in jail. (8/2001)  A federal grand jury indicted PinnFund USA founder Michael J.Fanghella 20-count indictment; 19 counts in the indictment carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. One count -- filing false financial information with the U.S. Dept of housing and Urban Development -- carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. (8/2001) In San Diego Feds file charges for filing false financial statements plus criminal charges for bilking at least 166 investors out of $330 million after Fanghella turns self in.  (7/2001 )  Barbados Court Freezes PinnFund Exec's Assets (6/2001) Leasing News considers it a “not guilty” judgment against Tommy Larsen, but Larsen's lawyer basically agreed to comply with the temporary restraining order of March 23 and agreed that Mr. Larsen would give an accounting of any possible gains he received that rightfully belong to PinnFund.  Since he gave in to everything the receiver wanted, he was not held in contempt. The records shows that being acquitted or not guilty was not what happened.  The judge found he wasn't in contempt because, going forward, he agreed to cooperate fully. (6/2001) Judge Hands Down $109 M Default Judgment in PinnFund Scandal.  Bounty Hunters Get the Nod to Go Get 'Em  (4/2001) Judge continues freeze of assets.  Founder of PinnFund skips bail, judge issues arrest warrant ( 3/2001)  PinnFund out of money, closes all offices, including leasing.  Newspaper stories say “Millions of  dollars are gone.” (3/2001) PinnLease USA to Fold 47 Nationwide Offices-- $100 Million Fraud, reads like a tabloid story, perhaps largest  fraud in West Coast history. 

 

    Corporate Capital Leasing Group (8/04) grows to 24 offices by advertising on eBay. http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August_2004/

8-02-2004.htm#corporate

 

 

July

 

    LPI Financial Services, Inc.,GA. (7/04) Charlie Lester sells his company, new name is LPI Healthcare Financial Services, Inc. owned by Kurt Hess and Kay Smith. “ I love it--I do credit, sales and consulting for them on an as needed basis. Goof off the rest of the time,” he says.

 

Visit our website by clickng on the logo below 122-A Foothill Blvd., Arcadia, CA. 91006 Voice 626-305-1053 . Fax 626-305-0019 . ted@cclease.com

 [headlines]

### press Release #########################

 

 

CIT Small Business Outlook Reflects Continued Confidence

in the Future of the U.S. Economy

 

     Survey Cites A Need To Focus On Business Basics In Order to Achieve

                              Sustainable Growth

 

    NEW YORK, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Small business owners and executives maintain their positive outlook for business growth despite an uneven economic recovery, heightened government regulation, slower-than-expected business spending and higher oil prices, according to CIT's 2004 Small Business Outlook, a nationwide survey conducted jointly by CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) and Business Week Research Services.

 

    "The continued enthusiasm expressed by small businesses across the country is an encouraging indicator of the strength of the U.S. economic recovery, which is positive news for both entrepreneurs and corporate America," said Tom Hallman, Vice Chairman of CIT's Specialty Finance group.  "Interestingly, our survey shows that small business owners are confident about meeting their growth targets, while also focused on closely managing expansion to maintain a consistently strong position going forward."

 

    Acutely aware of the dangers that come with rapid expansion, survey responses showed that most business owners were taking a more measured approach to growing their business.   Small companies are more focused on business basics, such as hiring, managing healthcare, investing in new technologies and financing their growth.  "The results show that while most companies are optimistic about the future, they want to be prepared for all economic cycles," Hallman added.

 

    Continued Confidence

 

    The semi-annual survey, which focuses on how small companies view the process of growing their businesses, identified three main areas of confidence in the small business marketplace: near future revenues; the return on investment (ROI); and steady increases in technology spending.

 

     -- 28% of respondents expect sales to increase between 10-20% in 2004,  compared to 25% in the April survey

     -- 79% of respondents consider the current climate a good time to invest  in their businesses, slightly lower than the 85% level in the April  survey

     -- 60% of respondents expect to increase technology spending and

        investment, compared to 47% in April

 

    While investment in technology may be down in certain sectors of the U.S.economy, small business owners continue to cite technology spending as a number one priority.

 

    "Companies that reduced their spending last year are ready to invest in growth this year," said John Canning, President of CIT Small Business Lending Corporation, a subsidiary of CIT.   "These numbers illustrate a tremendous confidence among small business owners that the investments they make today will result in strong future growth."

 

    Rising Cost Of Doing Business

    Growth does have a cost, according to the survey, and in some areas these costs are fast becoming a disproportionate burden.  Many small business owners felt that the costs associated with The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related government regulations are currently impacting small businesses.  Sarbanes- Oxley, enacted in 2002 and administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifies a set of guidelines for how companies report and

control their financial records.

 

    Twenty-six percent of respondents, versus 16% in April, cite the need to invest in additional resources for financial controls.  Thirty-nine percent of respondents feel that corporate governance regulations have affected how their companies conduct business, and 30% cite government regulations as barriers to growth.  Additional inhibitors to growth include:

 

     -- Heath care costs (37% of respondents)

     -- Competition (42% of respondents)

 

    In light of the upcoming Presidential Election, participants were asked which political party's policies would have a more positive impact on the U.S. economy:

     -- 47% prefer Republican policies

     -- 35% prefer Democrat's policies

     -- 18% are undecided

 

    About the Survey

    The first phase of the CIT Small Business Survey, conducted in April 2004, focused on companies and their need for capital.  This second phase of the survey was again conducted jointly with CIT and BusinessWeek Research Services, and explored specifically on how companies view the process of growing their businesses.  The survey collected responses from a sample of 448 companies nationwide with approximately 5 to 100 employees and revenues between $500,000 and $15 million.

 

    About CIT and Small Businesses

    CIT Small Business Lending Corporation offers Small Business

Administration (SBA) loans to finance business acquisitions, owner-occupied real estate purchases and franchise start-ups through a network of field representatives. The nation's No. 1 SBA lender, CIT Small Business Lending has been designated a "Preferred Lender" by the SBA and can provide quick credit decisions and loan closings. The company's website and online SBA loan application are located at

http://www.smallbizlending.com.

    CIT also helps small businesses finance and lease office products, office technology and telecommunications equipment.  In addition, CIT provides business credit services, including secured loans, leasing, receivables financing, real estate financing and factoring to companies and medical professionals.

 

    About CIT

    CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading commercial finance company, provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services.  Founded in 1908, CIT has nearly $50 billion in assets under management and possesses the financial resources, industry expertise and product knowledge to serve the needs of clients across approximately 30 industries.  CIT, a Fortune 500 company, holds leading positions in vendor financing, factoring, Small

Business Administration loans, equipment and transportation financing, and asset-based lending.  CIT has approximately 5,800 employees in locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim.  For more information, visit http://www.cit.com

 

    About BusinessWeek Research Services

    BusinessWeek Research Services (BWRS) is the custom marketing research division of BusinessWeek with more than 50 years of combined experience.  This group of research experts regularly conducts primary research studies for established companies including technology and financial clients as well as leading agencies.

 

SOURCE  CIT Group Inc.

 

[headlines]

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

 

IFC Credit VP Named to ELA Small Ticket Committee

 

MORTON GROVE, Illinois,  John Estok, Chief Operations Officer of IFC Credit Corporation has been named to the Equipment Leasing Association's Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee.

 

The ELA Small-Ticket Business Council Committee's mission is to facilitate interaction between member companies and the ELA, and to represent the concerns of ELA member companies primarily involved in the small ticket business, determine program priorities and develop needs-based initiatives.

 

Mr. Estok has been involved in the equipment leasing industry since 1972. He joined IFC Credit Corporation in 2003 with IFC's acquisition of  First Portland Corporation (dba FirstCorp) where he served as President.  Previously, Mr. Estok was Executive Vice President and COO of Hitachi Credit Canada Inc., in Mississauga, Canada; President and CEO of Industrial Leasing Corporation of Portland, Oregon; and Executive Vice President of Norex Leasing, Burlington, Canada. He is also past President of the Equipment Lessors Association

of Canada.

 

For additional information contact:

 

Brian Cascarano

Vice President of Marketing

IFC Credit Corporation

847.663.6700

bcascarano@ifccredit.com

 

[headlines]

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

 

DocuSign Announces First Complete Online Signing Service

 

 

- Enables Any Windows Application to Send Documents for Signature Instantly -

 

SEATTLE, DocuSign, Inc., the leading online signing service, announced the first-ever complete web service for signing documents online.  A revolutionary new way to accelerate business transactions, through DocuSign any business requiring a document with a legally-binding signature can easily complete the transaction electronically in seconds, eliminating the need to print copies and have them physically delivered for signature.

 

The DocuSign online signing service is unique because, unlike other signature services requiring recipients to have complex digital certificates, pen tablets or specialized software, it requires no integration and documents are supported from any Windows application.  In addition, DocuSign is totally compliant with federal ESIGN legislation, which gives electronic documents and signatures the same legal standing as paper documents and ink signatures.

 

"DocuSign is simply the fastest way to get a signature," said Court Lorenzini, DocuSign president and CEO.  "Any document from any application can now be sent electronically for signature, and the recipient only needs email and a browser to sign.  We've finally broken through the usability barrier that has prevented the adoption of e-signatures.  This has profound implications for any business that needs documents signed.  The DocuSign online signing service is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get business done,"

he added.

 

DocuSign can be adopted quickly because the service itself is very easy to use and so seemingly familiar.  Any business can log on to www.docusign.com and establish an instant or corporate account.  The sender then 'prints' documents from any Windows application into a DocuSign Envelope, where contents are encrypted and stored on a secured server, and simply drags yellow 'sign-here' and 'initial here' Stick-eTabs(TM) onto the document to ensure a complete and correct signing every time.  Recipients are then invited via email to authenticate and securely review documents, and then sign or initial where indicated.  Each user receives a unique and secure DocuSign Electronic Signature and then clicks to place this signature and initials where required.

 

DocuSign emails all signers a printed or electronic copy of the completed documents, along with a Certificate of Signing, which outlines the evidence of the signature process.  The service maintains 100% audit control over the entire process, complete with time-stamping for all steps and a

transaction summary.

 

About DocuSign 

 

Based in Seattle, WA, DocuSign, Inc. was founded in January 2003 to create a revolutionary new service to easily execute legally-binding transactions online.  After a year of research and development to build out the document encryption and distribution capability, and secure a series of signature patents, DocuSign now offers the first-ever complete online signing service. DocuSign has already established over 700 accounts in industries ranging from financial services (lending and leasing), insurance, real estate, legal, settlement services to communications.  For more information, visit www.docusign.com.

 

For more information, please contact

Mark Benhard of

Tonic Brand Communications,

+1-805-230-1080,

for DocuSign, Inc.

 

 

[headlines]

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

 

LPC Adds Territory Manager To It’s Team

 

Wayne, NJ—

 

Leasing Partners Capital, Inc., one of the fastest growing leasing companies in the U.S., has added another Territory Manager to its Team.

 

LPC is pleased to announce the addition of Daniel Spindler.  Daniel will be working from an office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

 

Daniel earned his MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale.  Mr. Spindler was previously a principal of United Capital and has held several management positions with several companies in the U.S.,

as well as, Guatemala.

 

“About the Company”

 

Leasing Partners Capital, Inc. (LPC) is a small to lower-middle-market equipment leasing company working with vendors and end users, headquartered in Wayne, NJ.  LPC currently has offices in Naples, FL, Louisville, KY, Atlanta, GA, Pittsburgh, PA, Minneapolis, MN, Houston, TX, San Francisco, CA, St. Louis, MO, Boston, MA, Detroit, MI, Seattle, WA, Litchfield, NH, Tampa, FL, Warwick, NY and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

 

[headlines]

 

 

“News Briefs---

 

New ELA Business Council Steering Committee Leaders Announced

http://www.elaonline.com/news/MembersOnly/news_report.cfm?id=5229

 

 

Citigroup, Bank of America beat estimates

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/earnings/

2004-10-14-citigroup-bank-of-america_x.htm

 

Polls: Views of America Worsening

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Views-of-America.html

 

Venture Impact – Economic Impact of Venture Capital Study

http://www.nvca.org/pdf/VentureImpact2004.pdf

 

Adelphia's Complex Bankruptcy: Claims Total $3 Trillion

http://www.accountingweb.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=99904

 

Home prices still sizzling

Bay Area's September sales were highest in 16 years, report says

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/10/15/HOMES.TMP

 

Mortgages rates down; 30-year averages 5.74%

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/2004-10-14-mortgage_x.htm

 

Sun Turns a Lemon into an Orange

http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3422101

 

Amtrak Pays Millions for Others' Fatal Errors

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/15/national/15rail.html?hp&ex=

1097899200&en=b1694b3d228bad11&ei=5094&partner=homepage

 

Ford Brings Back Steve McQueen

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/15/business/media/15adco.html

 

[headlines]

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

 

Sports Briefs---

 

8th-inning homers to Pujols, Rolen sink Astros

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2848598

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/

2004-10-14-cards-astros-game2_x.htm

 

Yankees Now Have History on Their Side

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/15/sports/baseball/15yankees.html

 (see our baseball poem today)

 

Eagles: T.O. issues challenge to Manning

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13138230&BRD=

1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18170&rfi=6

 

Rice lets Davis know his stance

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/9915848.htm?1c

 

Look for the Raiders to Beat Denver-I’ll be at the game-Kit

(Mike Shanahan is one of the best coaches in the league, but too bad.)

 

[headlines]

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

 

California Nuts Brief---

 

Governor's budget chief resigns

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/

breaking_news/9919625.htm

 

[headlines]

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

 

 

“Gimme that Wine”

 

Wineries proliferate in the United States, study says

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/

2004/10/14/WIGOU98NS51.DTL

 

 

Zachys' First L.A. Auction Breaks Numerous Records

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2648,00.html

 

 

PINOT NOIR

New Zealand's latest enological success has wine lovers seeing red

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/14/

WIGRE991211.DTL

 

 

31 Pinot Noir from Oregon—Top Picks

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/14/

WIGVC96B8V1.DTL&type=chart

 

A Rare Dessert Wine Honors St. Nick's Spirit of Gift- Giving

 

 

This Day in American History

 

    1565-Florida: the French surrendered under the terms of a truce that guaranteed them amnesty to Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the Spanish navigator, who had captured the French Huguenot colony at Fort Caroline, near present-day Jacksonville, FL.  However, after they surrendered, Mendendez hanged them, putting a sign over the bodies that read: “ I do this not to Frenchmen but to Lutherans.”  In 1568, the fort was recaptured by a Huguenot corsair, Dominque de Gourges, who took his revenge by killing all his prisoners.  His sing read: “I do this not to Spaniards...but as to traitors, robbers, and murderers.”

    1790 -Ann Teresa Mathews (aka Mother Bernardina) and Frances Dickinson founded a convent of Discalced Carmelites (a contemplative working order) in Port Tobacco, Maryland. It was the first Catholic convent founded in the United States.
    1840 -In Melville, Missouri, the Evangelical Synod of North America was founded. It later became one of the branches of today's United Church of Christ.
    1858-Birthday of John L. Sullivan, boxer born at Roxbury, MA “ The Great John L” was one of America’s first sports heroes.  He captured the world’s bare-knuckle heavyweight championship on Feb 7, 1882, and went six years without defending the tile. He won the last bare-knuckle fight in 1889 and then lost the title to James J. Corbett in 1892. This was the first fight in which the boxers used gloves and were governed by the Marquess of Queensberry rules. Died at Abindon, MA, Fe 2, 1918.

    1863-The C.S.S. Hunley, the first successful submarine, sinks during a test run, killing its inventor and seven crewmembers. Horace Lawson Hunley developed the submarine from a cylinder boiler. It was operated by a crew of eight--one person steered while the other seven turned a crank that drove the ship's propeller. The Hunley could dive, but it required calm seas for safe operations. It was tested successfully in Alabama's Mobile Bay in the summer of 1863, and Confederate commander General Pierre G.T. Beauregard recognized that the vessel might be useful to ram Union ships and break the blockade of Charleston Harbor. The Hunley was placed on a railcar and shipped to South Carolina. The submarine experienced problems upon its arrival. During a test run, a crewmember became tangled in part of the craft's machinery and the craft dove with its hatch open; only two men survived the accident. The ship was raised and repaired, but it was difficult to find another crew that was willing to assume the risk of operating the submarine. Its inventor and namesake stepped forward to restore confidence in his creation. On October 15, he took the submarine into Charleston Harbor for another test. In front of a crowd of spectators, the Hunley slipped below the surface and did not reappear. Horace Hunley and his entire crew perished. Surprisingly, another willing crew was assembled and the Hunley went back into the water. On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Housatanic. The Hunley stuck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. The Housatanic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle. Unfortunately, its first successful mission was also its last--the Hunley sank before it returned to Charleston, taking yet another crew down with it. The vessel was raised on August 8, 2000, and will now reside in an exhibit at the Charleston History Museum.

    1878- Edison starts the General Electric Company: this day he  opened the doors to the Edison Electric Company at 65 Fifth Avenue, New York City.Three thousand shares with a par value of $100 each were issued for the express purpose of financing Thomas Alva Edison’s work on the incandescent lamp. J.P. Morgan and his friends were enthusiastic investors. Though commercial electric light had eluded inventors for over fifty years, Edison had vowed that he would create the first incandescent lamp, and as important, build a plant to support the electricity to run the lights.  He quickly made good on his promise. His company was soon flush with profits, and competitors hoping to cash in on the burgeoning market were springing up everywhere. Reportedly learning quickly from his investors, Edison adopted the aggressive tactics of vertical integration, buying his rivals and transforming his company into a model modern enterprise, re-christening it : the General Electric Company.

    1892- by Presidential Proclamation 1.8 million acres of Crow Indian reservation were opened to settlers. The government had induced the Crow to give up a portion of their land in the mountainous western area in the state of Montana, for which they received 50 cents per acre.

    1900- Pentecostal evangelist Charles Fox Parham opened Bethel Bible Institute in Topeka, Kansas. It was here on January 1, 1901 that the first Christian in modern times was reported to have spoken in tongues: student Agnes Ozman.

    1904- birthday of Marty Mann, American social activist and author was born at Chicago, IL. She was founder in 1944 of the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism and author of A New Primer on Alcoholism. She died at Bridgeport, CT, July 22, 1980.

    1909-The first apartment house to occupy a square city block was the Belnord Apartment House, a 12-story building in New York City.  It was bounded by 86^th street on the south, 87^th street on the north. Broadway on the west and Amsterdam Avenue on the east. At the time, it was the largest apartment house in the world. Its area was 64,614 square feet with an interior court of 22,033 square feet.  It contained six separate passenger elevators and 178 suites, each with 7 to 11 rooms and two to four baths. Every room was an outside room.  Annual rentals ranged from $2,100 upwards.  Philip Hiss and H. Hobart Weekes were the architects.

    1915-Birthday of pianist Nellie Lutcher, Lake Charles, LA.

    1916-Birthday of trumpet player Al Killian.

( most notably for playing  with Basie ’40-’44, Ellington ’47-’50)

    1918-The leading film studios announce they will stop releasing films temporarily because of the influenza epidemic. Many theaters had been closed by cities throughout the country to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. Two years earlier, New York City had banned children from theaters in an attempt to halt the spread of polio.    

    1920 –Novelist Mario Puzo born, best known for his “Godfather” trilogy, made more famous by director-producer Francis Ford Coppola

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mpuzo.htm

http://www.mariopuzo.com/biography.shtml

    1925-Birthday of guitarist/singer Mickey Baker ( Mickey and Sylvia), Louisville, KY

    1937 -- One time New Christy Minstrels member, gravelly voiced singer of "Eve of Destruction," Barry McGuire born in Oklahoma City, OK. One of the things that set them apart from the other folk groups of their time was the concept of signing new players, like all pro-sports teams. New blood was always being added to the group, while seasoned musicians went off to make careers of their own. Famed alumni include: Kenny Rogers, The "First Edition", Karen Black, John Denver, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, Kim Carnes and many, many more.

http://www.tsimon.com/mcguire.htm

http://www.barrymcguire.com/bio04/

http://barrymcguire.byrdsnet.com/

    1937 --  Ernest Hemingway novel “To Have and Have Not” is published.

http://www.hemingwaysociety.org/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037382/

http://www.culturevulture.net/Movies/ToHave.htm

    1946 - With two outs, and St. Louis Cardinals’ Enos Slaughter on first, Harry Walker hit a line drive to left-center. Slaughter got an early jump as Boston Red Sox pitcher Bob Klinger failed to hold him on the bag. Leon Culberson (in center) bobbled Walker’s single and shortstop Johnny Pesky hesitated on the cutoff (checking the runner on first instead of throwing home). Ignoring third base coach Mike Gonzalez, Slaughter rounded third and scored. Pitcher Harry Brecheen shut down the Red Sox in the ninth and St. Louis won the game, 4-3, and the World Series, four games to three. The ’46 Series will always be remembered in Red Sox lore as the one in which “Pesky held the ball.”

    1947---Top Hits

I Wish I Didn’t Love You So - Vaughn Monroe

Feudin’ and Fightin’ - Dorothy Shay

Near You - The Francis Craig Orchestra (vocal: Bob Lamm)

Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams

    1950- the first radio paging service was instituted in New York City area by Aircall  The first call was for a doctor who was on a golf course 25 miles away.  Subscribers equipped with six-ounce Aircall pocket radio receivers could hear their call numbers repeated in numerical sequence on the air at least once per minute within a 30-mile area.

    1951- “I Love Lucy” premiers on television.. This enormously popular sitcom, TV’s first smash hit, starred the real-life husband and wife team of Cuban actor/bandleader Desi Arnaz and talented redheaded actress/comedienne Lucille Ball. They played Ricky and Lucy Ricardo, a New York bandleader and his aspiring actress/home­maker wife who was always scheming to get on stage. Costarring were William Frawley and Vivian Vance as Fred and Ethel Mertz, the Ricardos’ landlords and good friends who participated in the escapades and dealt with the consequences of Lucy’s often well-intentioned plans. Famous actors guest-starred on the show, including Harpo Marx, Rock Hudson, William Holden, Hedda Hopper and John Wayne. This was the first sitcom to be filmed live before a studio audience, and it did extremely well in the rat­ings both the first time around and in reruns. The last telecast ran Sept 24, 1961.

    1954- Hurricane Hazel made landfall near Cape Fear, NC with winds near 150 mph, a category 4 storm. Tides reached 18 feet above normal with extreme destruction along the North Carolina coast. At Long Beach, 300 homes vanished, no debris remained. Every fishing pier from Myrtle Beach, SC to Cedar Island, NC, a total of 170 miles, was destroyed. As the storm came inland it quickly transformed into a powerful extra tropical storm and raced north northwestward though the mid-Atlantic states. Washington, D.C. had a record sustained wind of 78 mph with gusts to 98 mph. Hazel killed 98 and caused $251 million in damages

    1955- “Fury” premiers This popular series starred Bobby Diamond as Joey Newton, an orphan living on the streets. He is relocated to a ranch owned by recent widower Jim Newton (Peter Graves), who eventually adopts Joey. Joey’s friend is a black horse given to him by Newton, called Fury. Also featured were William Fawcett, Roger Mobley and Jimmy Baird. In syndication, the series was retiled “Brave Stal­lion.”

    1955—Top Hits
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing - The Four Aces
Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams
Black Denim Trousers - The Cheers
The Cattle Call - Eddy Arnold

    1959 - Van Johnson was originally slated to play Eliot Ness, but he backed out in a dispute over money the weekend before filming was to begin. Robert Stack was hastily recruited for the starring role in "The Untouchables" on a Sunday morning. He was fitted for costumes in the afternoon, and started filming the first episode, "The Empty Chair", on Monday morning. "The Untouchables", with the chatter of machine-gun fire and the squeal of tires on the streets of Chicago, began a four-year run this day on ABC-TV. With Stack, as G-man Ness, were Nick Georgiade (as Enrico Rossi), Jerry Paris (as Martin Flaherty), Abel Fernandez (as William Youngfellow), Anthony George (as Cam Allison), Paul Percerni (as Lee Hobson), Steve London (as Agent Rossman) and Bruce Gordon (as Frank Nitti). The unforgettable narrator was radio’s famous Walter Winchell.

http://www.tvparty.com/untouch.html

http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-674/

    1963---Top Hits

Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs

Be My Baby - The Ronettes

Cry Baby - Garnet Mimms and The Enchanters

Talk Back Trembling Lips - Ernest Ashworth

    1964 - For St. Louis, it was the first time a Cardinal team had appeared in the World Series since 1946 (see above), and the first of three Series appearances in the 1960s. For the Yankees, it was their last Series appearance for 12 years, and the last hurrah in a long string of Fall Classics for legendary players Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle. The Cards won the Series in seven games, with Bob Gibson’s complete game, nine strike-out performance in game seven. Lou Brock’s fifth-inning home run triggered a second 3-run inning and a 6-0 lead for Gibson. Mickey Mantle, Clete Boyer, and Phil Linz homered for New York, but it wasn’t enough. The Cards won the game, 7-5, and the series, four games to three.

    1966-A bill creating the Department of Transportation, the 12^th Cabinet department , was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

    1966- Bill Russell made his debut as the first black coach in the NBA as his Boston Celtics defeated the San Francisco Warriors, 121-113, at Boston Garden.  Russell served as the Celtics’ player-coach for three seasons and won two NBA tittles.

    1968-Wyomia Tyus becomes the first person to win a gold medal in the 100 meter race in two consecutive Olympiads.

    1971 - Rick Nelson was booed off the stage when he didn’t stick to all oldies at the seventh Annual Rock ’n’ Roll Revival show at Madison Square Garden, New York. He tried to slip in some of his new material and the crowd did not approve. The negative reaction to his performance inspired Nelson to write his last top-40 hit, "Garden Party", which hit the top-ten about a year after the Madison Square Garden debacle. "Garden Party", ironically, was Nelson’s biggest hit in years, “...If you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luck; But if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck.”

    1971---Top Hits

Maggie Mae/Reason to Believe - Rod Stewart

Superstar - Carpenters

Yo-Yo - The Osmonds

How Can I Unlove You - Lynn Anderson

    1972- Jackie Robinson threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the second game of the World Series commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of his becoming the first African-American to play in modern Major League Baseball. (Blacks played with white baseball players after the Civil War,

during reconstruction.)

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct15.html

    1973 - “Sweet dreams.” Tom Snyder would use this phrase to close his late-night show, "Tomorrow", which debuted on NBC-TV this night. Tom would yuk it up with some of TV’s most interesting chatter -- right after the "Tonight" show. NBC would later add critic Rona Barrett to the show. "Tomorrow" ran until January of 1982.

    1974- Watergate trial begins. The eyes of the world were focused on the United States as the trial of H.R. Haldeman, John Erlichman, John Mitchell, Robert Mardian, and Kenneth Parkinson began. Nixon had resigned, and the Watergate co-conspirators had to answer to the court for their alleged involvement in the break-in and cover-up. The trial lasted until January 1, 1975. The defendants were sentenced in February 1975.

http://www.il.proquest.com/research/pd-product-Watergate-Trial-414.shtml

    1977- Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life," goes #1 and stays #1

for 10 weeks.

    1979---Top Hits

Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

Rise - Herb Alpert

Sail On - Commodores

Last Cheater’s Waltz - T.G. Sheppard

    1982-Lionel Richie of the Commodores fuels rumors that he'll be leaving the group as his solo song, "Truly" is on the RandB chart at #28. The song does rise to the Top Ten on both the RandB singles and pop singles charts.

    1986-Trailing 3-0, Ray Knight of the New York Mets keyed a three-run rally in the ninth inning to tie the score in the sixth game of the National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros. The Mets won the game, 7-6, in 16 innings, to win the longest postseason game ever and the series as well (4 hours and 42 minutes)  in the sixteen innings at the Astrodome.

    1986- After being down three games to one in the ALCS, the Red Sox pull off one the greatest comebacks in playoff history by defeating the California Angels 8-1 to win the American League pennant.

    1986- Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia opens a sold-out two-week run of solo shows on Broadway.

    1987—Top Hits
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
Carrie - Europe
The Way We Make a Broken Heart - Rosanne Cash

    1987-The National Football League Players Association ordered its members to return to work without a contract, effectively ending a 24-day strike against the NFL. The players reported after the owners’ deadline and were told they would not play or be paid for the upcoming Sunday’s game.

    1987 - Unseasonably cold weather continued in the eastern U.S., with thirteen cities reporting record low temperatures for the date. The low of 34 degrees at Montgomery AL was their coldest reading of record for so early in the season. Lows of 32 degrees at Harrisburg PA and 34 degrees at Parkersburg WV marked their third straight morning of record cold.

    1988 - "Red Red Wine", by UB40, was the first reggae hit to make it to number one in the U.S. From the album "Labour of Love", "Red Red Wine" was #1 for only one week, but turned out to be UB40’s signature song.

    1988-Kirk Gibson hit a two-run, pinch-hit home run with two out n the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Oakland A's in the first game of the world Series. Gibson, hampered by a strained left knee, hobbled around the bases pumping his arm in jubilation. The Dodgers won the Series, four games to one.

    1989- Wayne Gretsky passes Gordie Howes as NHL's all time top scorer.

    1989 - Hurricane Jerry made landfall on the upper Texas coast, the latest ever for a storm in this region. The center of this very small storm passed closest to Galveston, TX which reported sustained winds of 75 mph with gusts to 100 mph. Tides along the island were six to eight feet, and rainfall totals ranged up to slightly more than six inches north of Beaumont. Three persons were killed when their vehicle was blown off the Galveston seawall into the pounding surf. Total damage along the Upper Texas Coast was estimated at fifteen million dollars.

    1991-After three days of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on charges of sexual harassment made against Judge Clarence Thomas by a former aide, Anita F. Hill, the Senate confirmed Thomas as the 106^th US Supreme Court Justice with a 52-48 vote.  The vote was the closed for a 20^th-century justice and made Thomas, who would replace retired Justice Thurgood Marshall, the second African American to sit on the Supreme Court.

    1993—Top Hits

Dreamlover- Mariah Carey

Right Here (Human Nature)/Downtown- SWV

The River Of Dreams, Billy Joel

Whoomp! (There It Is)- Tag Team

    1998-Top Hits

One Week- Barenaked Ladies

The First Night- Monica

I Don t Want To Miss A Thing- Aerosmith

How Deep Is Your Love- Dru Hill Featuring Redman

 

 

World Series Champions This Date

 

    1917   Chicago White Sox

    1923   New York Yankees

    1925 Pittsburgh Pirates

    1946  St. Louis Cardinals

    1964 St. Louis Cardinals

    1970  Baltimore Orioles

[headlines]

 

 

Baseball Poem

 

Ground Hog Day, 2003

              By Paul Hunt, Topsham, Maine

 

The outlook wasn't brilliant when the Red Sox went to work;

The series stood three games to two, with the last games in New York.

We faced Pettite and Roger Clemens on his last tour around the circuit,

And before we could pitch Pedro we had to send out Johnny Burkett.

 

The newcomers to Red Sox Nation were amazed at our deep despair.

”This team is different from the past, there is something different in the air.”

But the faithful know that with the Sox there’s never another way,

The names and faces may be new but in the end it’s Ground Hog Day.

 

Game Six started as expected, though Torre showed Pettite the door,

Burkett was gone, the crowd was loud, and the Sox trailed 6-4.

But Nomar had surprised us by snapping out of his postseason woe,

And he scored a fifth run for the Sox on a triple and a wild throw.

 

Manny preceded Ortiz and the Sox finally “moved the line,”

And when Trot’s ninth inning blast reached the upper deck, the Sox took it 6-9.

It was the highlight of the season, we would later learn,

But at that moment all of us to Game 7 had to turn.

 

Upon followers of the team did a curious feeling fall;

A win would finally Reverse the Curse, but a loss would be the worst of all.

There was still time to suspend belief, not watch, or other things,

That have served to protect us all these years when the Sox didn’t get

their rings.

 

But Trot crushed an early homer, to the wonderment of all.

And Millar, who to date had not done much, put a charge into a Clemens ball.

Pedro silenced the hecklers by twirling inning after inning,

And much to the surprise of Yankee fans, the Red Sox indeed were winning.

 

The game continued with just a blip or two when Giambi hit a couple late,

But Pedro glared, struck Soriano out, and we headed to inning eight.

When Ortiz blasted a homer to begin that fateful frame,

Even those of us who expect the worst began to believe this was the game.

 

Though this was indeed New York, where even safer games have gone awry,

One look along the Yankee bench showed they knew their end was nigh.

A three run lead into the eighth should prove to be sufficient,

For weeks Timlin and Williamson had proved more than just efficient.

 

Across beautiful New England, from hill to sea, eyes watched the screen,

Here we were, on all new ground, which none of our fathers had ever seen.

Six outs to go with a 3-run lead, we thought, this is good enough for me,

They’ll have the 26 rings to polish but we’ll savor this one memory.

 

Then after some commercials that we nervously waited through,

A sight which will live in infamy appeared for us to view,

A mistake, we knew, without a doubt, a sure path to a loss,

It was clear to even casual viewers, all but the Red Sox boss.

 

They’ll blow it now, they surely will, though we were sure the past was behind us,

But that voice that always comes into our heads returned at once to remind us.

It pounded through our heads, over and over, and we recoiled from the sound;

For Pedro, stubborn Pedro, was advancing to the mound.

 

The rest of the game belonged to the Yankees for to win is their destiny,

Much of what happened after that had to be relayed to me.

I stuck with it till Jeter crushed a ball, surely that would be it for our proud starter,

But Grady never moved a muscle and my heart just beat harder and harder.

 

I missed the late innings, or most of them, just like in 86,

I paced around in the next room wondering why it always comes to this.

It’s just a game, players come and go, it’s a bat and a ball and a glove,

But why, oh why, do the Red Sox have to break the hearts of the ones

who love?

 

I guess there are New York fans who’ll remember every play as thrilling,

But Steven King, in all his books, never wrote a script so chilling.

Sure, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright.

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light.

And, somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout,

But there is no joy in Boston:

Grady didn’t take Pedro out.

 

      Baseball Poem Collection:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Poetry.htm

 

[headlines]