Equipment Acquisition Resources Bankruptcy--Up-Date

Creditors have told Leasing News the bankruptcy has moved from Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7, although a filing as of October 28th has not been recorded.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, in Leasing #102 describes a Chapter 7:
"In Chapter 7, a debtor surrenders his or her non-exempt property to a bankruptcy trustee who then liquidates the property and distributes the proceeds to the debtor's unsecured creditors. In exchange, the debtor is entitled to a discharge of some debt; however, the debtor will not be granted a discharge if he or she is guilty of certain types of inappropriate behavior (e.g. concealing records relating to financial condition) and certain debts..."

"In Chapter 11, the debtor retains ownership and control of its assets and is re-termed a debtor in possession ("DIP"). The debtor in possession runs the day to day operations of the business while creditors and the debtor work with the Bankruptcy Court in order to negotiate and complete a plan. Upon meeting certain requirements (e.g. fairness among creditors, priority of certain creditors) creditors are permitted to vote on the proposed plan. If a plan is confirmed the debtor will continue to operate and pay its debts under the terms of the confirmed plan. If a specified majority of creditors do not vote to confirm a plan, additional requirements may be imposed by the court in order to confirm the plan."

The meeting of creditors has been moved to November 5, 2009 at 09:30 AM at 219 South Dearborn, Courtroom 680, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

The date for debtors to file "its schedules and statement of financial affairs" has been sent for November 24, 2009.

There is a meeting of creditors on December 1, 2009.

A "Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement" is to be filed on or before February 22, 2010.

At this time there has been no news about the Illinois U.S. Attorney arresting Sheldon Player and his wife Donna Malone, who were operating Equipment Acquisition Resources.

The latest news is a suit by the EAR representative William Brandt suit against ICON Capital EAR trust funds who are claiming $21 million plus, who have started foreclosure proceedings on property pledged by Donna Malone and Sheldon Player in Wyoming: three parcels at the same street address in Jackson (2800 Horse Creek Road), one at 2240 Horse Credit Road, Parcel 3 at 8455 Henrys Rod, and "a vacant lot end of Rodeo Road to dead end."

Interesting to note that on the documents they are signed by Sheldon Player and Donna Malone (it has been thought by those introduced that she is his wife, but evidently may not be legally correct. editor)

Tom Nars Vice-President Sales at Coach Capital, Wheeling, Illinois, on October 20 visited Equipment Acquisition Resources in Palatine, Illinois and reported the operation basically closed, no one in the building, only a sole truck parked in the lot.

In a telephone interview with Sheldon Player, May, 2007,"He admitted to one instance of double-collateral from a site inspection, but said he paid it immediately and there was no UCC filing on the equipment as the first lease did not go through, he claimed. He had no answer as to when the site inspector was examining the equipment (still mostly in the crate,) he discovered a blank post-it note and unpeeled it, which revealed another leasing companies identification label.

"He said he was 'young and foolish' and served his time what happened at Greyhound Leasing, which basically was sub-leasing non-existent equipment, making rental payments, investing in real estate, and leasing the same piece of equipment many times." http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202007/05-04-07.htm#deja

Don Blody with Butler Capital, at the time May, 2007, now with Madison Capital reported: "The tax returns we were supplied with showed sales of $19MM for the year ended 12/31/04 with taxable income of $5.8MM. The IRS verification showed taxable income of $347M."

At the time, a funder reported to Leasing News:

"I have met Sheldon and his bride Donna at their offices in Palatine IL. This was when I was at ******. One of my brokers ****** was very strong to me on getting this transaction for Sheldon done. I had the deal approved and went out to have the documents signed. I was told the equipment was delivered and in the back. I said I would like to look at it. I was granted access.

"In the back were a lot of busy people preparing equipment to be shipped to various locations. My thought is they were sub-leasing or renting the equipment to other companies that may be not credit worthy or want some type of special treatment. No telling were all the equipment is. If you check out the public filings you will see some of the best in the market place have lent to Sheldon under his company name Equipment Acquisition Resources."

Bankruptcy--Leasing #102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/September%202009/09-29-09.htm#Leasing102

Nov. 5 Hearing Announcement:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/EAR_hearing.pdf

February 22 Reorganization and Disclosure Date:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/EAR_2_22.pdf

ICON EAR Foreclosure Filing:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/EAR&ICON_part2.pdf

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

New Hires---Promotions

Reid Allen was appointed a Major Account Manager concentrating on the West Coast Region, as well as managing relationships with key National Accounts, for Graphic Savings Group LLC, Fairfield, Connecticut. He previously was an Assistant Vice President with Bank of America Leasing, where he managed and developed vendor relationships in 33 states across the US. He was a 45-time sales award winner with Bank of America. He received a BS in Business Marketing and Management from Northern Michigan University.

Keelean Burkhalter was appointed vice president Wells Fargo Equipment Finance for the territory of Northern Florida and the panhandle cities of Florida. He previously was with Wachovia Bank, supporting a portfolio of over 200 business bank clients.

John F. Harders has been hired by Arvest Bank, Fayetteville, Arkansas (Chairman of the Board is Jim Walton, son of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart) as sales support and asset manager in their Arkansas-based equipment finance division. He previously was a leasing sales representative for Synous Capital Finance.

Jeff Hayes has joined Latitude Equipment Leasing, Marlton, New Jersey, as a territory manager. Mr. Hayes will work out of the newly established Latitude's 31st sales office located in New Albany, Indiana, a suburb of Louisville, KY. He has spent the past nine years involved in commercial finance, including owning and operating two online financial service businesses.

François-Xavier Meurville was appointed as an Associate for The Alta Group French EMEA Region. He will be based in Paris. He is a senior banker and an innovative professional with more than 25 years' leasing and corporate banking experience across four continents, most recently at Groupe Crédit Agricole. He has worked internationally in a variety of senior management roles. Whilst at Locafrance International, he founded Afribail-CI in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and, later, based in New York, he worked closely on vendor programmes with several machine tool manufacturers.

Mr. Meurville was Managing Director of BLS Leasing, a joint venture between Calyon, Tokai Bank and Bapindo, and based in Indonesia and then moved to Calyon's affiliate bank in Saudi Arabia, where he was in charge of the financing of Aramco and the oil-related industry.

Adam Seaver, Jon Muller, Darren Voage, Adam Nguyen, Dave Anderson and Chris Harris, the former sales team for Nationwide Business Credit, Hermosa Beach, California, along with their president, Rob Addison, have joined Balboa Capital, Irvine California. Nationwide Business Credit remains in business, according to Rob Addison. (Burt Walker is listed as the contact at National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, but not listed as moving to Balboa. Leasing News is aware of Nationwide Business Finance, and at least one party was allegedly formerly with Union Capital, Irvine and Beaverton, Oregon, also familiar to Leasing News.)

"We warmly welcome Rob and his team to Balboa," said Phil Silva, Balboa Capital president. "I have known him for some time and have appreciated his high integrity and balanced approach to doing business…"

Dave Stuart has been hired as a sales person for Creekridge Capital LLC, Edina, Minnesota. He previously has been with companies such as Citigroup, CIT and MarCap, where he served most recently as regional sales director for the Southeast.

Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Vendor/Dealer Leasing Professional, generous commission's package that can lead to base salary and benefits. Join a sales team that has all the right sales tools for developing a successful vendor program in many different industries. Chris Chiappetta, Phone: 800-669-7527 ext. 1208, chris@netlease.com National Machine Tool Financial Corp., funding vendor programs since 1986. We offer competitive rates and a credit staff dedicated to vendor programs. www.netlease.com

 

5 years experience with established vendor relationships. We offer great funding capacity for transactions $10k to $10MM. Quail Company's established for over 30 years. Submit resume to: jrudin@quailcap.com About the company: Quail Equipment Leasing 17 years in business with the ability to develop specialized programs for vendors and unique industries: $10K to $10MM.

www.quailequipmentleasing.com

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

Halloween is here again, and it's time to dig up more choice cinematic scares. Last year we had a top-shelf array of spine-tinglers, from "Psycho" to "Night of the Living Dead." This year, we're offering a new batch of movies that combine giggles and chills and put the recent "Paranormal Activity" to shame. So pull up a chair and a bowl of trick-or-treat candy, and get ready to be scared.

In Theaters:

Halloween (1978): It may sound like an obvious choice, but John Carpenter's original slasher classic retains its chilling qualities even after years of being ripped off by inferior horror movies such as "Friday the 13th" and "Saw." Introducing one of horror cinema's most enduring boogeyman in Michael Myers, the escaped psychopath carving his way through a small-town's festivities (and meeting his match in plucky scream-queen Jamie Lee Curtis), the movie nevertheless remains a marvel of suspense and ingenuity over blood and guts. Modern horror directors can still learn a thing or two from it.

Rosemary's Baby (1968): Surely one of the most frightening movies for expecting mothers, this darkly comic horror movie has often been imitated but never equaled. Mia Farrow plays Rosemary, a young woman who moves with her husband (John Cassavetes) into a spooky old building in New York City, and starts having strange feelings after she becomes pregnant. Is it all in her imagination, or do her odd neighbors have anything to do with it? Director Roman Polanski creates a unique atmosphere that mixes genuine dread with eccentric humor, building up to an unforgettable conclusion. And keep an eye out for Ruth Gordon's Oscar-winning, movie-stealing performance.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): After so many sequels, remakes, and spoofs, it's easy to forget how terrifying Freddy Krueger originally was. The prune-faced fellow with the striped shirt and razors for fingernails (played by Robert Englund) made his first appearance in Wes Craven's creepy story of a wronged man taking revenge on people by invading and terrorizing their dreams. The 1980s was for the most part a bleak time for horror movies, but Craven's fierce ideas and a strong cast (which includes a very young Johnny Depp) make this a visually striking, truly shocking ride.

Night of the Demon (1957): Proof that less is more, this terrific, unfairly forgotten gem should be watched by anybody who complains that horror movies can only rely on gore to get thrills. Like "Rosemary's Baby," it depicts a world in which the supernatural exists next to (and sometimes within) our normal lives. Dana Andrews stars as an American psychologist who travels to England to investigate rumors of occult gatherings, and gets more than he bargained for when he learns about the ancient demonic curse hanging over the local village. The great director Jacques Tourneur gives a master class on how to quicken pulses by using powers of suggestion rather than violence.

The Thing (1982): Okay, so this is technically a science-fiction rather than a horror movie. Still, I have never met anyone who hasn't been chilled to the bone by it. Director John Carpenter, who gave us "Halloween," heads to the South Pole for even stronger shocks. A group of scientists think they have a great discovery when they find an ancient alien spaceship frozen in the ice, but they never counted on having the shape-shifting visitor take over their compound. Thanks to an exceptional cast led by Kurt Russell, incredible special-effects, and Carpenter's amazing use of screen space, the film works up a remarkable feeling of paranoia. Make sure to watch this one with the lights on!

Prepare Front-Line Sales Leaders

I've written before that front-line sales leaders are the red-headed step-children in most business organizations today. This must change if there is any hope of redesigning the sales organization for an uncertain, volatile future.

Once the right sales leaders are selected for your organization, they must be educated on the true work of managers, and they must be given tools and a management system in which to operate.

While educating and training the front-line leaders on the primary work of managers is vitally important, providing a management system that guides their leadership activities is key to developing a highly successful sales organization.

Education without management structure always results in what I call "random strategy execution." For example, if you have ten front-line sales leaders, each of whom is responsible for organizing priorities for their team members, each will undoubtedly perform this task differently than their counterparts, both in terms of quantity of the work performed and the quality of the work.

Without an action plan that specifies performance standards for setting team member priorities, and that delineates the steps required to execute this important tactical work, there will be no consistency in how the task is performed by individual sales leaders, and the cumulative results will be as haphazard as the individual execution!

Installing a management system for front-line sales leaders, what we call a Sales Management Operating System™, may at first appear to be a daunting initiative. It can, however, be accomplished one step at a time, and the actual work can be started and expanded by the front-line leaders themselves as they learn new strategic and tactical responsibilities and as they perform their daily work.

Inspect What You Expect

Finally, a crucial component of any strategy to redesign the sales organization for new economic times must include a mechanism for measuring and evaluating execution of the strategy.

Our military has operated for decades understanding that you must "inspect" what you "expect." A process for continuous inspection of the company's sale process, sales methodologies and all functions associated with the sales organization is an integral part of a management system for front-line sales leaders.

We call this process Systems Review. It is one component of our Sales Management Operating System™. In as little as fifteen minutes a month, front-line leaders can review and inspect all operational areas of the selling organization, and they can report their findings and make recommendations up line to their superiors.

This one process will do more than any other single component of a sales management system to avoid entropy, keep important new initiatives alive, and protect your investment in a continually improving sales organization.

An Unprecedented Opportunity

Redesigning the sales organization for a new economic reality may at first appear like sitting down to a meal and noticing that an elephant is the main course. The old adage that advises "the best way to eat an elephant is with a spoon" applies here.

This economic reset provides all of us with an unprecedented opportunity to redesign our sales organizations for a new economic normal, and there is no better time than now to start the process.

If you want to learn more about our approach to tuning up the sales organization for new economic times, contact us today to discover how to reboot your sales systems.

Steve Chriest, CEO

Steve Chriest is the former president of a successful national leasing company.

Steve is a regular contributor to executive-level publications such as Customer Think and Customer Management IQ. Steve recently completed his first book, Selling The E-Suite, The Proven System For Reaching and Selling Senior Executives, in which he translates his experiences as a CEO into a practical guide for selling to senior executives. Steve can be reached at: schriest@selling-up.com.

Previous Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/A_View.htm

St. Louis, Missouri --Adopt a Pet

Ovaltine
Gender: Female
Breed: Shepherd/Rottweiler mix
Size: 40pounds
Age: 1 year
Ovaltine is one very special girl. She was rescued several months ago with her puppy, Nesquick. From the very beginning we knew Ovaltine was destined for great things. She is extremely friendly with everyone she meets, and gets along great with cats and other dogs. It was her outgoing, friendly nature that has made the difference in a very sad, scared dog's life. Carlos (see story below) was rescued from Oman where he had been treated not so nicely. He was so afraid of people he wouldn't let any of us pet him. But once he saw Ovaltine it was love at first sight. Ovaltine has shown Carlos what it's like to be happy and just live a normal dog's life. Her work with him has been nothing, if not amazing. Although Ovaltine was easily adoptable from Day One, she knew she had a mission to complete first. Carlos has now gotten over his fears (for the most part) and it's time for Ovaltine to move on. She would be perfect for any home setting. You couldn't ask for a better dog. Whoever is lucky enough to adopt her wil
l have a loyal friend for life. She truly is an awesome dog. If you would like to meet Ovaltine please fill out one of the online applications and we'll be in touch.
Please go here: http://www.strayrescue.org/node/66

*Carlos and his story:
http://www.strayrescue.org/adopt/carlos

Main Page:
http://www.strayrescue.org/

Leasing Association Events-Meetings Open to All

Calendar: Equipment Leasing and Finance Events & Training

(Many events and meetings are open to non-members, in addition, prospective members are invited, questions may be directed to Donald Ethier VP - Membership and Marketing dethier@elfaonline.org 202.238.3418 )
http://www.elfaonline.org/pub/events/calendar/index.cfm

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

November 6-7
NAELB 2009 Western Regional Meeting
Hilton Orange County / Costa Mesa
- Costa Mesa, CA

For more information, please go here:
http://www.naelb.org/cde.cfm?event=251985

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

To view Leasing Association Conferences in 2009, please click here.

Leasing Association Conference 2009

November 9, 2009
National Equipment Finance Association
2009 Super Regional Conference
Newark, New Jersey
www.nefassociation.org

For more information, please go here:
https://m360.nefassociation.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=10923&instance=0

 

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

To view Leasing Association Events-Meetings Open to All, please click here.

 

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

Bluestar Financial Group to Expand Small Ticket Leasing, Inc. Appoints New Interim CEO

(NASDAQ Financial Statement:
http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/ExtendFund.asp?symbol=BSFG&selected=BSFG )

RICHLAND, Wash.---Bluestar Financial Group, Inc. (OTCBB:BSFG - News), an early stage small ticket electronic equipment leasing company, announced that it has appointed Richard Papworth as interim Chief Executive Officer for the Company.

"We selected Mr. Papworth as our interim CEO based on his extensive financial and public company experience which we will leverage effectively as we roll out our aggressive, re-positioned growth and acquisition strategy focused in the Green Tech and e-Waste sector," stated Jeffrey Rassas, Chairman of the Board of Bluestar Financial Group, Inc.

"I am pleased to join this very progressive organization and plan to facilitate Bluestar's relocation from Richland, Washington to Scottsdale, Arizona in preparation of rolling out the repositioned growth strategy focused in the Green Tech sector to provide a solution to the ever growing environmental challenges of e-Waste. The Board of Directors of Bluestar are recruiting a world-class management team to lead and execute this brilliant strategy," stated Richard Papworth, Interim Chief Executive Officer.

About Bluestar Financial Group, Inc.

Bluestar Financial Group, Inc. intends to provide small ticket item leasing to small and middle market companies primarily within the hospitality, spa, and resort communities. It plans to lease equipment, such as audiovisual, computer systems, and laundry and health spa equipment. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Richland, Washington.

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

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

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

NACM Launches Web-based Tool for Credit and Finance Professionals

Columbia, MD: -The focus on credit and credit availability in today's business world could not be greater. Now, with the economy edging back into expansion, credit and finance professionals need to better situate themselves and their companies for growth, while at the same time keeping their largest asset - accounts receivable - stable. The National Association of Credit Management (NACM) is now offering a self-paced, cost-efficient, easily accessible and highly relevant educational resource to accommodate this need: the Credit Learning Center (CLC).

Jointly organized and developed by NACM and its international partner, FCIB (an association of Executives in Finance, Credit and International Business), the Credit Learning Center is poised to recalibrate the parameters of web-based learning. The CLC offers diverse and timely learning modules in nine categories, allowing students to build knowledge and skills required of professionals in today's highly skilled field of credit. Modules comprise a 45- to 50-minute audio session that runs concurrently with a slide presentation; useful links to supplementary material are also provided. All CLC modules have been developed by carefully selected expert instructors and credit professionals.

The nine CLC modules available are accounting basics, credit in the building and construction arena, day-to-day operations, designation exam preparation, financial analysis, general business, international business, legal and professional development.

Credit Learning Center participants choose the desired module and also choose when to take it - viewing the module at his/her convenience. After finishing the module, the participant takes a 10-question quiz to complete the module, which earns .1 CEU.

Participants will also have the opportunity to pursue two value-added options. First, NACM's Business Credit Principles course may be completed through the CLC. Participants will be able to complete this core academic requirement for the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation in a fluid and self-directed manner. Second, a CLC participant may earn a specialty certificate by successfully completing a specific group of modules; for example, one may earn specialty certificates in commercial collections, commercial construction and commercial bankruptcy. Participants must post a passing quiz score of seven out of 10 correct answers in order for the module to count toward a course or specialty certificate.

As a web-based resource, the CLC provides a user-friendly interface for all participants. Current modules offerings can be viewed online and are "browsable" in three convenient ways: view all modules, view by category or view by course/specialty course.

Visit http://clc.nacm.org/ for a more detailed introduction to NACM's outstanding new web-based educational resource, the Credit Learning Center!

Credit and financial professionals who recognize the uncertainty of today's business environment and are driven to learn from, and network with, the best practitioners and experts in the nation are invited to attend NACM's 114th Annual Credit Congress & Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 16-19, 2010. During this premier event, NACM will host dozens of educational sessions, industry-specific programming and an Expo showcasing the latest credit-based tools and services from leading vendors. Attendees will also enjoy countless networking and relationship-building activities. Visit www.nacm.org for more information about NACM, its myriad publications, educational offerings and the 114th Credit Congress.

About NACM

The National Association of Credit Management (NACM), headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, supports more than 18,000 business credit and financial professionals worldwide with premier industry services, tools and information and is the source of the Credit Managers' Index monthly economic report. NACM and its network of Affiliated Associations are the leading resource for credit and financial management information and education, delivering products and services, which improve the management of business credit and accounts receivable. NACM's collective voice has influenced legislative results concerning commercial business and trade credit to our nation's policy makers for more than 100 years, and continues to play an active part in legislative issues pertaining to business credit and corporate bankruptcy.

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

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

Support for Small Business Credit Access Grows Among Business Group

WASHINGTON,-Twenty eight national trade associations have joined the International Franchise Association in urging Congress to move forward on key provisions to help unfreeze credit markets for small businesses.

"There is a growing chorus of support among key business groups to increase access to credit for small businesses, a top issue for the franchise industry," said IFA Vice President of Government Affairs David French. "Working with other business organizations to increase the volume is critical to eventually getting legislation passed."

In a coalition letter signed by IFA and 28 other national trade associations, the groups urged members of Congress to support extension of the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guaranty provisions of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through Fiscal Year 2010.

"These stimulus provisions are essential as our nation's credit-worthy entrepreneurs continue to search for needed capital while the economy begins to recover," the groups said. "Lenders are returning to the SBA program and providing loans of all sizes to the nation's small businesses, and this momentum must continue until the economy is completely into recovery. Small businesses need access to capital more than ever for working capital, inventory, expansion, real estate and ultimately new job creation."

The groups also reiterated support for an increase in the maximum loan size and the maximum guaranteed portion of SBA loans, and expressed support for legislation introduced by Sens. Landrieu ( D-LA) and Snowe (R-ME), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, that would increase the maximum SBA loan size from $2 million to $5 million. The groups also urged House members to increase the loan limits to at least $5 million in the House bill and provide an increase in the statutory maximum guarantee amount.

"There are many small businesses that could take advantage of a $5 million loan size to expand and create new jobs and a commensurate increase in the statutory maximum guaranteed portion will help ensure that lenders are willing to participate," the groups said. "Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, and they can create hundreds of thousands of new jobs if they have access to reasonably priced credit. We urge your timely support of these critical provisions."

In addition to the IFA, the other organizations supporting these measures include: American Apparel & Footwear Association, American Foundry Society, American Hotel & Lodging Association, American International Automobile Dealers Association, American Nursery & Landscape Association, Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International, International Council of Shopping Centers, Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, Marine Retailers Association of America, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, National Club Association, National Restaurant Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Manufacturers, National Automobile Dealers Association, National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Council of Textile Organizations, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Small Business Association, Printing Industries of America, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, The Hosiery Association, Tree Care Industry Association, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association, the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of nearly 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org.

Evans Bank to Keep $36.2 million Leasing portfolio
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/843323.html

Mortgage rates rise for 3rd week
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-rates-rise-for-third-week.aspx

With big government boost, U.S. economy grew in 3rd quarter
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102900196.html

Madoff Ponzi losses clear $21.2B
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/madoff_ponzi_losses_clear_UyiMQkMYPZ2aYsI0oAgAuO

Receiver looks to get $1.5 billion to return to Stanford investors
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/103009dntexstanford.3d2dd32.html

Crude oil price climbs sharply
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/10/29/Crude-oil-price-climbs-sharply/UPI-13051256822091/

Collection Portfolio Recovery Q3 Net Income Drops 12%
http://www.creditcollectionsworld.com/article.html?id=20091029KTTLT2H8&from=creditandcollectionnews

Burger King profit slides 6% in latest quarter
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/earnings/2009-10-29-burger-king_N.htm

Massachusetts economy is shrinking
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/10/massachusetts_e_3.html

Birmingham Mayor Guilty of All Charges
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/10/29/Birmingham_Mayor_Guilty_of_All_Charges.htm

The Internet at 40: History Began With Its First Crash
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/174696/the_internet_at_40_history_began_with_its_first_crash.html

Yankees Even the World Series
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/sports/baseball/30series.html?_r=1&hp

Bay Bridge could reopen for morning commute
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/29/MNAQ1ACPGK.DTL&tsp=1

Garrido hearing attracts 1976 victim
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/29/BAAA1ACDT4.DTL

Korbel family court fight ends with settlement, parting shots
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091029/ARTICLES/910299892/1350?Title=Korbel-family-court-fight-ends-with-settlement-parting-shots-

The Fanciful Notion of 'Minerality' in Wine
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/the-fanciful-notion-of-minerality-in-wine/

Napa Approves Restoration of 'Ghost' Winery
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=68654&htitle=Napa%20Approves%20Restoration%20of%20%27Ghost%27%20Winery

2009 New York Wine Experience: The Top 10 Wines of 2008
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/41076

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 & depressed to think of anything so violent as suicide."
- Robert Goldston, The Great Depression

End of Millennium World Series 2000
by Mark H. Young ©

Published: Baseball Almanac (11-15-2000)

Yankee tradition, can they be beat?
Year 2000 was their latest three-peat.
Steeped in history, chalk up another
During the lifetime of your father and brother.
Many had already written them off
Said they were old, no good, no stuff.

The Yankees did win, as they should
The Metropolitans tried, as hard as they could.
It wasn't the Braves or Cardinals this time
But one giant step up, to the varsity nine.
Benny and the jets called it in five
But wrongly for his Mets, ain't no jive.

Mayor Giuliani had school kids play hooky
One day before Halloween spooky.
Rudy led them in ticker-tape glory
Fourth in five years, just standard story.
Out in front was Grand Marshall Yogi,
Fans cheered MVP Jeter and manager Torre.

Fourteen consecutive games in a row
Another record to post in the Show.
Piazza had Clemens too much on his mind
The Mets' All-Star catcher just cried and whined.
The Rocket threw Mike's bat in vain
But purposely missed, causing more pain.
With their $322 thousand per, winner's shares
Roger's $50 grand fine, with barrel, who cares.

The number 4 and 7 trains
Got New York fans to all the games.
The SUBWAY Series really pumped up New York
With the Bronx Bombers popping champagne cork.
As the clock chimed midnight, Piazza flied out
To Bernie in center, who then knelt about
He thanks God for victory, they all jump and shout.
New York City experienced World Series frenzy
When the Yankees clinched it a day after Wednesday.

As the 'Ol Perfessor Casey, would say in Stengeleeze,
The Metsies are Amazin'.....but against the Yankees, Puh-lease !!!!!