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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and entertainment for the commercial leasing and finance industry. The News Edition is updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
   

*************EXTRA

President and CFO of HL Leasing Found Liable Ponzi scheme

A class action case against the officers and others thought liable in the HL Leasing, Fresno, California scheme masterminded by John Otto, who committed, suicide, has found the president, Dan Ramirez, and Andy Fernandez, chief financial officer, liable and ordered to pay $46.5 million to more than 1,200 who claim to be victims. Ara Jabagchourian, principal, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, Burlingame, California brought the case before Judge Donald S. Black in Fresno County Superior Court.

Ara Jabagchourian

How much of the reported $132 million, and perhaps more specifically to those in the class action suit of the award of $46.5 million, will actually be returned is not known at this time.

Kathleen Otto, the late John Otto's wife, even though accounting was done at their home, was not found guilty by the jury, as reportedly they did not find evidence that her actions caused any financial harm to the victims. However Jabagchourian believes she could be held liable under the theory she was a shareholder of the three companies Otto had founded that reportedly defrauded the victims. A hearing is scheduled for September.

The FBI also has not released its findings regarding alleged fraud.

Leasing News broke the story May 11, 2009 and had a telephone call into John Otto for an interview on May 10 prior to printing the story.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202009/05-11-09.htm#hpl

 

Friday, August 5, 2011


Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines


Attorney Confirms His Client’s Relationship with Fin Pac
 Classified Ads---Senior Management
  Leasing Stocks –Could Have Been Much Worse
   Placard---We’re going to look back
Crit DeMent---May Be Turning a New Leaf
 Steve Hudson Back on the Lease Hunt
  Is He Coming to the United States?
   Marlin with 97 Salesmen Still Relies on Evergreen for Profit
     ELFA Lease and Finance Accounts Conference
     September 12-14, 2011
      Leasing Association Fall Conference Schedule---Up-Date
       Help Wanted Advertising at Leasing News
  Crazy, Stupid, Love/Horrible Bosses
    Fernando F. Croce Movie/DVD Reviews
     Source Code/Rio/ Leon Morin, Priest
      Kirkland, Quebec, Canada Adopt a Dog
News Briefs---
 Mortage Rates Plument
  Time to Say It: Double Dip Recession May Be Happening
   2385 businesses chose LED Lighting lease-to-purchase
    Electro Rent Reports Sharp Increase in Net Income, Revenues

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (collection)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months
 

The One Airport to Avoid Is ...
  You May have Missed---
   Sports Briefs---
      "Gimme that Wine"
         This Day in American History
          SuDoku
           Daily Puzzle
            GasBuddy
             Weather, USA or specific area
              Traffic Live----

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer. It is considered “bias” as it is the writer’s viewpoint.


 



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

Attorney Confirms His Client’s Relationship with Fin Pac


Leasing News has written a certified US Post Office letter along with copies of the news stories and all the Bulletin Board Complaints with exhibits to the California Finance Lenders Law Division, Department of Corporations, regarding a licensed lender/broker doing business with unlicensed lenders/brokers, and has named Financial Pacific Leasing as well as Newport Financial Group, as well as Benchmark Financial Group, MD Capital Partners, Cobalt Funding Group, and Partners Capital Group.
   - Christopher Menkin, Editor/Publisher


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

Classified Ads---Senior Management



(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment
or looking to improve their position)

Europe
25+ yrs exper. management roles Chase, AT&T Capital, Heller Financial, SFS. Develop biz from “scratch to success”. Looking for challenging & pioneering job.
Email: frans@alliedproperty.net

Philadelphia, PA
27 yrs. exp. sales, ops., credit, strategy, P&L mngmet. Most recently created & executed the biz plans for 2 highly successful Bank-owned small ticket leasing subsidiaries.
email: mccarthy2020@comcast.net
Southern CA
20 years exp. as hands-on leasing CFO, managing accounting, treasury, FP&A, including securitizations, Great Plains/FRx, budgets, risk management.  MBA.  Also available as interim Controller/CFO, consultant.
Email: leasecfo@gmail.com


Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm




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

Send Leasing News to a Colleague. We are “Free.”


Leasing Stocks –Could Have Been Much Worse


CIT GROUP, INC (NYSE: CIT)
Last Trade: 35.80
Change: 2.19 (5.76%)
Prev Close: 37.99
Day's Range: 35.77 - 37.54
52wk Range: 35.77 - 49.57
Volume: 2,514,504
Avg Vol (3m): 1,571,760

 

G A T X CP (NYSE: GMT)
Last Trade: 34.26
Change: 2.63 (7.13%)
Prev Close: 36.89
Open: 36.13
Day's Range: 34.24 - 36.43
52wk Range: 25.40 - 42.84
Volume: 690,558
Avg Vol (3m): 381,814

 


GEN ELECTRIC CO (NYSE: GE)
Last Trade: 16.47
Change: 1.00 (5.72%)
Prev Close: 17.47
Day's Range: 16.42 - 17.27
52wk Range: 14.25 - 21.65
Volume: 126,777,400
Avg Vol (3m): 51,311,200


MicroFinancial Incorporated (NasdaqGM: MFI)
Last Trade: 5.55
Change: 0.22 (3.81%
Prev Close: 5.77
Open: 5.82
Day's Range: 5.39 - 5.93
52wk Range: 3.53 - 6.42
Volume: 21,092
Avg Vol (3m): 17,626

 


Chesswood Group Limited (Pawnee Corp.) (CHW.UN)
(Canadian monetary, www.tmx.com)
Closing: 7.00
Day Low: 7.00
Day High: 7.33
52 Week Low: 4.45
Volume: 5,300
52 Week High: 8.36


Resource America, Inc.(NasdaqGS:Rexi)
(LEAF Financial; LEAF Business Credit, LEAF Dealer Solutions)
Last Trade: 5.58
Change: 0.30 (5.10%)
Prev Close: 5.88
Day's Range: 5.29 - 5.89
52wk Range: 4.50 - 7.47
Volume: 31,521
Avg Vol (3m): 27,822


Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services.
Click here to see what our clients say about us.

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



[headlines]
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Crit DeMent---May Be Turning a New Leaf
by Christopher Menkin


CEO, LEAF Business Capital
LEAF Financial Corp.
LEAF Dealer Solutions
ELFA Chairman Elect, Crit DeMent

There is good news and bad news for Crit DeMent, CEO of LEAF Financial and LEAF Business Capital and LEAF Dealer Solutions, as well as incoming chairman to the Equipment Leasing and Financial Association.

According to the Resource America, Inc. 8-K, Commercial finance was $6.5 million the last three months compared to $5.6 million in 2010 for the last three months ending.

The report also noted:

"--  At our LEAF Business Capital unit in Philadelphia, PA, we have
        recently signed three major private label program agreements to
        support the captive finance units of a multibillion dollar
        industrial control and HVAC manufacturer, a multi-line industrial
        distributor to support their telephony product lines and a market
        leading distributor of medical products for physician based
        practices.
    --  At our Moberly, MO, based LEAF Dealer Solutions unit, during the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011, e added 104 new dealers as active users of our leasing programs and 116 additional dealers have enrolled in our enhanced lease origination online portal MyLeaseLink.com. The portal allows dealers to manage their financing transactions in real time...
    --  Credit Applications - up 20%
    --  Lease Originations - up 23%
    --  Approved Backlog - up 51%"

It also appears LEAF is now position and expected to start to turn a profit within the next few quarters.

LEAF was at one time the only entity in the Resource America group showing a profit. Now this statement admits Leaf was losing money. Resource America gained $1 billion in assets almost overnight, now they lost almost $1 billion in assets from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2011, while Commercial Financial goes $1 billion to $600 million.

Don’t know about these new vendor programs but Leaf is notorious for making announcements about signing vendor programs that never work out. Gateway Computer is a prime example. I think the telephone equipment vendor might be the Samsung account that was announced several months ago. Leasing News has published "new salesmen" but LinkedIn shows they started in February and March.

I think the Moberly group does mostly all copier business, the old Dolphin unit.

The nine months ending June 30, 2011 show quite a drop, going from $21.8 million to $14.4 million.  And while the parent Resource America did better than the same months in 2010, it still is a net loss of $411,000 compared to the net loss of $5.3 million in 2010; less of a loss is good news, but still a loss.

The Nine months ending shows a loss of $5.57 million in 2010 and a loss of $5.24 million, but wouldn't call that a real improvement.

On Page 12, the “CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES” shows a large drop in principal payments, but as important, Resource America used $15.2 million proceeds from issuance of LEAF preferred stock that enabled them to pick up from the cash of $11.2 million at the beginning of the year.

In following up a complaint from an investor in one of the funds, who listened to a LEAF salesman, he complained he should have known better, a search on debt equity from a copy of a Regulation
D offering for $25 million.  It cost them 11.7% up-front.  And that doesn't include the management fees.

(page 20)
Regulation D PDF:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/RegdLeaf.pdf

Resource America 8-K PDF:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ResourceAmerica_8K_20110803.pdf

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

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

Steve Hudson Back on the Lease Hunt
Is He Coming to the United States?
by Christopher Menkin

Leasing News is seeking an interview with Steve Hudson, known to the leasing industry as the founder of Newcourt Credit Group that he sold to CIT. He is an entrepreneur with a seeming touch of gold, who in May, 2011 began taking the best talent from CIT and other leasing entities to work for his new Element Financial Corp., located in Toronto.

He reportedly created the entity with $10 million from Cameron Capital Corp, which he named for his son, and $75 million private placement stock. It seems one of his first moves was paying book value for the assets of Montreal-based Alter Moneta, a leasing firm that was started in 1998 with money from National Bank of Canada and the Caisse de depot et placment due Quebec. That brings it up to $180 million in lease assets.

Leasing News is told from very well informed sources in Canada that Hudson will raise more than enough money from the pending IPO to do several more deals. He certainly is after a stock exchange listing, which most likely will happen before the end of this year.

His marketplace right now is the $100,000 to $1 million range. He has told his colleagues he has three or four more deals in the near future to take advantage, he says, of the lingering impact of the financial crisis.

He is quoted in the Canadian Globe and Mail, "I think in the next 12 to 18 months, you'll see incredible value, and after that the world heals itself, and capital starts to flow back in, and yields get driven down."

In speaking about Canadian banks, he things they are now entering the small ticket leasing market, mentioning that Royal Bank of Canada bought MCAP Leasing, Inc. and Canadian Western Bank bought Winnipeg-based National Leasing Group, Inc.

"I think that ultimately the leasing business will be bank owned, " he told The Globe and Mail and perhaps that is an indication that he will be moving more of his operation into the United States, and thus Leasing News would like an interview as it appears he is about to shake up the marketplace.

Don't forget whatever he invests in, makes a great deal of money. He founded the Toronto-based Newcourt Credit Group for less than a half-a-million dollars and later sold it in 1999 for $2.4 billion


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



Marlin with 97 Salesmen Still Relies on Evergreen for Profit
by Christopher Menkin


Marlin Business Services (NASDA-MRLN), Mount Laurel, New Jersey Reports $1.5 MM Net Income 2nd Quarter

“Renewal income net of depreciation totaled approximately $1.8 million and $2.0 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively. Renewal income net of depreciation totaled approximately $3.8 million and $3.9 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively."
  - page 41

Again, as Leasing News reports from the SEC 10Q filing, it is the Evergreen Clause, most likely from copiers as noted in the Marlin SEC filing on residuals:

"Our leases offer our end user customers the option to own the equipment at lease expiration. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 66% of our leases were one dollar purchase option leases, 32% were fair market value leases and 2% were fixed purchase option leases, the latter of which typically contain an end-of-term purchase option equal to 10% of the original equipment cost. As of June 30, 2011, there were $34.9 million of residual assets retained on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, of which $28.5 million, or 81.8%, were related to copiers. No other group of equipment represented more than 10% of equipment residuals as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Improvements in technology and other market changes, particularly in copiers, could adversely impact our ability to realize the recorded residual values of this equipment.

"Fee income included approximately $1.1 million and $1.3 million of net residual income for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively. Fee income included approximately $2.3 million and $2.7 million of net residual income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively. Net residual income includes income from lease renewals and gains and losses on the realization of residual values of leased equipment disposed at the end of term as further described below.

Our leases generally include renewal provisions and many leases continue beyond their initial contractual term. Based on the Company’s experience, the amount of ultimate realization of the residual value tends to relate more to the customer’s election at the end of the lease term to enter into a renewal period, purchase the leased equipment or return the leased equipment than it does to the equipment type. We consider renewal income a component of residual performance."

Highlights from the 10Q:

"During the three months ended June 30, 2011, we generated 4,522 new leases with a cost of $53.9 million, compared to 3,009 new leases with a cost of $31.7 million generated for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Much of the change in volume is the result of increasing sales staffing levels from 69 sales account executives at June 30, 2010 to 97 sales account executives at June 30, 2011. Approval rates also rose from 49% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 to 60% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 due to the improved credit quality of the applications received and adjustments made to credit policy in light of the continued strong performance of recent years’ lease originations."

"During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we generated 8,506 new leases with a cost of $100.9 million, compared to 5,485 new leases with a cost of $55.4 million generated for the six months ended June 30, 2010."

"The provision for credit losses decreased $1.6 million, or 64.0%, to $0.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011 from $2.5 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to lower charge-offs, improved delinquencies and a reduced portfolio size. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2011 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, net interest and fee income decreased $0.8 million, or 7.0%, primarily due to the 11.2% decrease in average total finance receivables. Other expenses increased $0.9 million, or 11.5%, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to increased salaries and benefits expense related to increased sales staffing levels."

"Salaries and benefits expense. Salaries and benefits expense increased $0.8 million, or 17.4%, to $5.4 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2011 from $4.6 million for the same period in 2010. Salaries and benefits expense, as a percentage of average total finance receivables, was 6.13% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2011 compared with 4.64% for the same period in 2010. Total personnel increased to 251 at June 30, 2011 from 211 at June 30, 2010, primarily due to increased sales staffing levels, which were 97 sales account executives at June 30, 2011, compared to 69 sales account executives at June 30, 2010."

"The Company purchased 155,604 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $12.04 per share during the three-month period ended June 30, 2011. The Company purchased 171,198 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $11.98 per share during the six-month period ended June 30, 2011. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock on the open market during the three- or six-month periods ended June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2011, the Company had $8.4 million remaining in its stock repurchase plan authorized by the Board of Directors."

Marlin 10-Q 6/30/2011:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Marlin10Q_811.pdf

Marlin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Marlin_Leasing_2008.htm

John Kenny Receivables Management
www.jrkrmdirect.com

• End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement
• Fraud Investigation
• Credit Investigations
• Asset Searches
• Skip-tracing
• Third-party Commercial Collections

The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs
John Kenny
315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com


(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

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

 

******Annnouncement*************************************

ELFA Lease and Finance Accounts Conference
September 12-14, 2011
Intercontinental Hotel, Addison (Dallas), Texas


Shawn Halladay, Rodney Hurd, David Mayer, and a host of speakers for the three day conference.

    • Hear directly from FASB member Daryl Buck and IASB member Prabhakar Kalavacherla on the convergence of accounting standards and the implications for lease accounting.

    • Learn about “hot topics” in lease accounting, including the tax benefits available for renewable energy projects and the primary structures utilized in renewable energy

    • Learn the basics of lease accounting, tax management and pricing.

    • Participate in unmatched networking activities

    • View an exhibition of lease and finance accounting software providers

$1,150 Individual (ELFA Member)
$1,035 Each additional ELFA Member
$2,300 Non Members
$575 Speaker Fee
$250 Spouse/Companion fee

"If you are employed by a company that has not renewed its membership in the ELFA in2011, you must wait until 2012 to attend this conference as a non-member."

Full Brochure
:
http://www.elfaonline.org/cvweb_elfa/cgi-bin/documentdll.dll/view?DOCUMENTNUM=339

Hotel Information (Before August 19th for Group Rate)
http://www.elfaonline.org/cvweb_elfa/cgi-bin/eventsdll.dll/EventInfo?SESSIONALTCD=LAC11&WRP=RegInfo.htm&WLN=LAC11_Nav.htm#info

*****Announcement***************************************

Leasing Association 2011 Conferences





September 15-17
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Special Funding Symposium

Conference Chair
Tara Aasand, of Great American Insurance Group

Committee
Chris Enbom, CLP, CEO, Allegiant Partners
Doug Houlahan, CLP, Maxim Commercial Capital
Jim McCommon, CLP, McCommon Leasing
David Normandin, CLP.of Envision Capital Group
Linda Parady, First Litchfield Leasing
Brad and Adam Peterson, Channel Partners
Chris Walker, CLP, GreatAmerica Leasing
Lynne Wicker, RTR Services

Agenda:
http://www.nefassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=130

Sponsors & Exhibits
http://www.nefassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=133

Rates:
https://m360.nefassociation.org/event.aspx?eventID=30371

NEFA Conference Attendees Why You Should Attend 3:25

 

Follow NEFA planning and information up-dates with NEFA "app" for users of IPhones,
Android phones, Blackberry phones, and other smartphones and web-enabled mobile devices. 

Alternatively, aim your mobile device’s scanner to the right to access the mobile site...



 
http://www.fundingsymposium.org/mobile_website
http://www.nefassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=128






October 14-15, 2011
Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center 
Atlanta, Georgia

$125 Member
$115 send member attendee
$260 Associate Member
$200 Broker Non-Member
$360 Funder Non-Member

Registration Form
https://www.paymyassociation.com/displayemailforms.cfm?SessionId=681106E0-DCEB-23C9-7430D6ADEEB457C1&emailformnbr=166184&event=358826




October 23-25th ELFA 50th Anniversary Conference
San Antonio, Texas



The 50th Anniversary Equipment Leasing and Finance Convention promises 
to be "the largest meeting of the equipment leasing and finance sector
---Whoever you need to see is likely to be there!"

To those who have survived in this economy, and to those who
want to survive in this economy, this conference is a must.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Last day to receive the special ELFA convention rate 
for your accommodations at the JW Marriott Hill Country.

Monday, October 10, 2011
Last day for mail-in and online registrations.
After this date registrations can be made on-site. 
Please note: There are no refunds of registration fees after this date.

Conference Brochure:
http://www.elfaonline.org/cvweb_elfa/cgi-bin/documentdll.dll/view?DOCUMENTNUM=321

What Previous Attendees are Saying:
http://www.elfaonline.org/pub/events/2011/AC/50th/

Registration Forms:
http://www.elfaonline.org/pub/events/2011/ac/RegInfo.cfm

Share Your Anniversary Message
http://www.elfaonline.org/pub/events/2011/AC/50th/share.cfm

Keynote Speakers

General Stanley McChrystal
Former Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan

Marin Regalia
Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Economic and Tax Policy
United States Chamber of Commerce

Garrison Wynn
President, Wynne Solutions

 




November 11-12
Hilton, Orange County 
Costa Mesa, California

 


 


April 26-28, 2012
Denver Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Denver, Colorado


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

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

 

Leasing News Help Wanted Ad Pricing

Help Wanted Web Ad New Programs

Classified Ad Section
(rotates chronological above headlines and
also appears in Classified Ad section.) *

15 days in a row:
$395 four lines (a space is a line)
($25 each additional line or space)

30 days in a row:
$595 four lines (a space is a line)
($40 each additional line or space)

Design work is free. Logo is free as well as company description not to exceed the number of lines of the ad.
Also free: click to a click to a web site or a full description of the position.

Ads are placed in the "Help Wanted' section by category, alphabetical, with the ad with the most lines first in the group. They appear on the web site and in each news edition at the top in a rotation basis per issue.

* Help Wanted” ads  appear in each issue on a chronological basis above the top headline as a courtesy. This position is not available as a paid position, but is generally on a rotation basis.  At the same time, the ad continues in the classified help wanted section in the news edition and web site, so in effect appears twice.

Leasing News reserves the right to refuse advertising, particularly to a company that has appeared in the complaint bulletin board

 

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

Laughs are ripe at the box-office this week with “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “Horrible Bosses,” while DVD releases encompass science-fiction (“Source Code”), animation (“Rio”), and classic spiritual drama (“Leon Morin, Priest”)

In theaters:

Crazy, Stupid, Love (Warner Bros. Pictures): The romantic comedy genre gets a welcome shot of energy in this vivacious roundelay of love and awkwardness. The story kicks off as suburban everyman Cal (Steve Carell) finds his balanced existence suddenly rattled by his wife Emily’s (Julianne Moore) decision to get a divorce. Befuddled by his new position as Mr. Bachelor, he seeks advice from his friend Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a slick womanizer who has the challenge of molding out-of-it Cal into a successful ladies’ man. The plot may not sound exactly original, but directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (“I Love You Philip Morris”) and a crack ensemble cast that also includes Emma Stone and Marisa Tomei give a fresh spin to familiar jokes and situations.

Horrible Bosses (Warner Bros. Pictures): Following on the steps of “The Hangover Part 2” and “Bridesmaids,” this is another summer comedy that delivers big laughs. Directed with a nimble hand by Seth Gordon, the movie charts the professional woes of three friends, each of whom has to deal with bad supervisors. There’s Nick (Jason Bateman) and his smug corporate boss (Kevin Spacey), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and his psychotic office honcho (Colin Farrell), and Dale (Charlie Day) who works as an assistant to a roving dentist (Jennifer Aniston). When they decide to a page from Hitchcock and bump off each other’s bosses, however, reality refuses to play ball. Filled with energetic performances, sudden twists and go-for-broke jokes, this is a brisk, rude, and consistently hilarious look at life’s daily frustrations and private rebellions.


Netflix Tip: Though not as well-remembered as many of her male colleagues, the late Polly Platt (1939-2011) was an indispensable presence (as producer and designer, among other roles) during the New Hollywood of the 1970s. In homage to her, check out Netflix for the modern American classics she worked on: “The Last Picture Show” (1971), “Paper Moon” (1973), “Thieves Are Us” (1974), “The Bad News Bears” (1976) and “Terms of Endearment” (1983).

On DVD:

Source Code (Summit): Following the underrated “Moon” with this sturdy suspense drama, director Duncan Jones again showcases his ability to craft ingenious sci-fi with modest budgets. The title refers to a top-secret military mission that allows a person to enter somebody else’s consciousness. The latest agent to use this dangerous technique is Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal), a war veteran who finds himself stuck in limbo, repeatedly living out the last minutes of a man’s life in a train disaster. As the incident replays over and over and more details emerge, Colter grows aware of a larger danger at foot. But will he be able to prevent it and save both the city and himself? Mixing solid characters with white-knuckle thrills, the film often plays like a minimalist version of last year’s “Unstoppable.”


Rio (20th-Century Fox): Blue Sky Studios, the animation unit responsible for “Robots” and the “Ice Age” movies, delivers another gem with this lush animated adventure, directed by Carlos Saldanha and set in the vibrant landscapes of Brazil. Our guide is Blu (voiced by “The Social Network’s” Jesse Eisenberg), a Maca bird who, after years of domesticated leisure, doesn’t even bother to spread his wings anymore. Suddenly paired up with a sassy, independent-mind female Maca named Jewel (Anne Hathaway), he finds himself back in his South American homeland, embarking on a quest that brings them face to face with a colorful menagerie of tropical critters hilariously voiced by the lies of Jamie Foxx, George Lopez and Tracy Morgan. Full of breezy characters and breathtaking vistas, the movie is heartfelt and eye-catching family fun.


Leon Morin, Priest (Criterion): Though best known to movie-buffs for impeccably cool crime dramas, acclaimed French director Jean-Pierre Melville was also responsible for classics in other genres as well. An example ripe for discovery is this exceptional drama from 1961, set in a small town during the World War II invasion of France. Though the title refers to the unconventional young priest (played by French New Wave superstar Jean-Paul Belmondo) who lives in the city during the German invasion, the main character is actually Barny (Emmanuelle Riva), a widow whose spiritual doubts (as well as personal feelings) are tested during her weekly meetings with Leon Morin. Employing inventive storytelling and keeping a surprisingly light mood in the midst of such a serious setting, Melville brings this moving conflict to unforgettable cinematic life.

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

Kirkland, Quebec, Canada-- Adopt-a-Dog


Photos courtesy of Susan Fischer at Simple Photos

I am so grateful to Rosie. They rescued me from the pound and now have found a foster for me. I am living with other dogs and getting along very well with them. More to follow on me.

Gender: Female
Age: 8 months
Size: Medium
Weight: 40 lbs.
Breed: Lab Mix
With Dogs: TBD
With Cats: TBD
With Children: Over 12 years old

Contact Rosie
514-217-DOGS (3647)
http://www.rosieanimaladoption.ca/about-rosie/contact-us/

Main Web Site
http://www.rosieanimaladoption.ca/

Rosie Animal Adoption
PO Box 440
3551 Boul. St. Charles
Kirkland, Quebec, Canada
H9H 3C4
Tel: 514-217-DOGS (3647)
Fax: 514-457-9319

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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




 


News Briefs----


Mortage Rates Plument
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-rates-plummet-on-debt-deal-news.aspx?ic_id=tsHed1

Time to Say It: Double Dip Recession May Be Happening
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/business/economy/double-dip-recession-may-be-returning.html?_r=1&ref=business

2385 businesses chose LED Lighting lease-to-purchase
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18615327

Electro Rent Reports Sharp Increase in Net Income, Revenues for Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/electro-rent-reports-sharp-increase-in-net-income-revenues-for-fiscal-2011-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2011-08-04?reflink=MW_news_stmp
 

 

 



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The One Airport to Avoid Is ...
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Sports Briefs----

Big catch: 49ers land WR Edwards with one-year deal
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/08/big-catch-49ers-land-wr-edwards-with-one-year-deal.html

The Huddle
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/index

 

 


“Gimme that Wine”

Thinking Inside the Box---by Eric Asimov
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/dining/reviews/boxed-wines-review.html?ref=dining

Washington Wineries Pick Up the Tab
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=91024&
htitle=Washington%20Wineries%20Pick%20Up%20the%20Tab
&

Wine popsicles and other boozy frozen treats
http://www.mercurynews.com/food-wine-headlines/ci_18594359


10 Incredible Wine World Records
http://www.thedailymeal.com/incredible-wine-world-records#ixzz1Tn1gZpeG

 

 

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This Day in American History

       1693 - It is believed that a monk named Dom Perignon invented champagne at the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers in the region of Champagne, northern France. He made the first champagne by re-fermenting a certain wine in the spring and then placing it in strong, sealed bottles so that the wine would become sparkling. Dom Perignon was the Cellar master for 47 years until his death in 1715. The sparkling wine was crude and perhaps the first one to produce what we drink today was Mme. Nicole-Barbe Clicquot, who developed the sur pointe process that clarified the sediment out of sparkling wines. She was also an astute business person, especially in a day that women did not run business. Nicole Barbe Clinquot was the daughter of the mayor of Reims who at 20 was widowed with a daughter after three years of marriage to a vintner. She vowed to carry on her husband's business. She developed the process of remuage (moving) in which the bottles of wine are stored upside down (on their corks or sur pointe) and then the bottles are shaken periodically and then rotated to force the sediments in the wine to settle down on the cork. After a certain period, the cork is quickly removed, the sediment is expelled by the wine gases and then the bottle is quickly re-corked. The widow Clinquot also invented pink champagne. My favorite in Louis Roederer, but a Grand Madame Clinquot, now that is a fine sparkling wine! Here is a secret. You can serve “Champagne” with everything. If you cannot match a wine to a food, serve “Champagne.” Next, a very good beer. Don’t laugh, some fine beer goes with everything ( especially if it is “fresh.”) Now what does this have to do with American History? Nothing, but thought you would like to know more about sparkling beverages.
http://www.umc.fr/encyclopedie/vignes_au_plaisir/veuve_clicquot.htm
    1735 - Freedom of the press was established in the United States when John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New York Weekly Journal, won an acquittal of the libel charges placed by Gov. William Crosby. The royal governor had tried to censor Zenger's attacks on the British crown.
    1753 - George Washington became a Master Mason.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug04.html
    1790-U.S.Coast Guard founded. 
    1810-Birthday of abolitionist Robert Purvis. He ran all the Underground Railroads from his home and was the founder of the American Leasing Anti-Slavery Society.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASpurvis.htm
    1830- Plans for the city of Chicago laid out.
http://www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/C/Chicago-history.html
http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago/chicagohistory.htm
    1838-Emancipation of slaves in the Bahama’s and Grenada this day by the British . A rumor started in the South that salves would try to escape to the Bahama’s and fear of this lead to stricter attitudes and positions of slavery, especially by the many large slave owner who relied on the “free” labor at their farms, called plantations.
    1873- While protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, Custer and his 7th Cavalry clash for the first time with the Sioux Indians, who will defeat them three years later at Little Big Horn. During the previous two years, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his 7th Cavalry had not fought a single battle against the hostile Indians of the western Plains. Hungry for action, Custer was pleased when the 7th Cavalry was ordered to help protect a party of surveyors laying out the route for the proposed Northern Pacific Railroad. The new transcontinental railroad (the third in the United States) was to pass through territory controlled by hostile Sioux Indians. Custer was optimistic that the assignment would give him a chance to improve his reputation as an Indian fighter. Initially, the military escort saw little action. The hostile Indians seemed to be avoiding or ignoring the survey party. For Custer, the mission turned into something of a lark. He spent much of his time shooting buffalo, antelope, elk, and other animals. To find good hunting, he often led the 7th Cavalry far away from the survey party and the main body of the military escort.
On this day in 1873, Custer was far ahead of the rest of the force, camping along the Tongue River in southeastern Montana. Suddenly, a large band of Sioux warriors appeared on the horizon and attacked. The Indians were led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, but the young braves seemed to have attacked impetuously and with little planning. Custer, who had been taking an afternoon nap, reacted quickly and mounted an effective defense. After a brief skirmish, the Indians withdrew. Since only one soldier and one Indian were killed in the skirmish, Custer's short battle along the Tongue River seemed relatively insignificant at the time. However, Custer's easy escape in his first encounter with Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse may have given him a dangerously scornful view of their fighting abilities. It helped to confirm his belief that the Plains warriors tended to flee rather than fight. As a result, when Custer again encountered Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse at the Little Big Horn River three years later, his greatest fear was that they would withdraw before he could attack, and he rushed in without proper reconnaissance. That time, though, the Indians stood and fought, leaving Custer and more than 200 of his men dead.
    1874 -Methodist clergyman John H. Vincent (1832-1920) and Ohio manufacturer Lewis Miller established the Chautauqua Assembly in northwest New York state a summer retreat center combining recreational activities with the training of Sunday School teachers and other church workers.
    1875 - The first Convention of Colored Newspapermen was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The convention's aim was to promote the establishment of United States newspapers that would focus on the African American community.
    1881- 122ø F (50ø C), Seville, Spain (European record)
    1882 - A vivid aurora was visible from Oregon to Maine, down the east coast as far as Mayport, FL, and inland as far as Wellington KS. Observers at Louisville KY noted "merry dancers" across the sky, and observers at Saint Vincent, MN, noted it was probably the most brilliant ever seen at that location.
    1897-Blackman Henry Rucker appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for Georgia
    1900-Louis Armstrong, Jazz musician extraordinaire born at New Orleans, LA. For years, he had told reporters that he was born on July 4th, but actual records show August 4, which he realized later in life, noting his orphan home had told him otherwise. Died at New York, NY, July 6, 1971. Perhaps the greatest jazz trumpet player who ever lived. Asked to define jazz, Armstrong reportedly replied, "Man, if you gotta ask, you'll never know." The trumpet player was also known as Satchmo. He appeared in many films. Popular singles included "What a Wonderful World" and "Hello, Dolly" (with Barbra Streisand) and “High Society.” Two of my favorite albums are “Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy” and “Ella and Louis.”
http://www.satchmo.net/
http://www.redhotjazz.com/louie.html
Best Louis Armstrong Vocal:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004RD5E/qid=1059868750/sr=2-2/
ref=sr_2_2/103-5362656-4423850

My favorite single Armstrong Album:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002ADP/qid=1059868810/sr=1-1/
ref=sr_1_1/103-5362656-4423850?v=glance&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000047FO/qid=1059868625/sr=10-2/
ref=sr_10_2/103-5362656-4423850?v=glance&s=books

1904-Trumpet player Bill Coleman birthday, Centreville, KY1904-pianist/alto sax/trumpet player Kenneth Anderson born Pittsburgh, PA
(see the list: http://jazzinstituteofchicago.org/index.asp?target=/jazzgram/bronzeville/union/part3.asp )
    1905- Piano player Joseph Louis “Red” Cayou born New Orleans, LA", LA Died May 12, 1994.
    1910-Birthday of American composer William Howard Schuman who won the first Pulitzer Prize for composition and founded the Juilliard School of Music, born at New York. His compositions include American Festival Overture, New England Triptych, the baseball opera The Mighty Casey and On Freedom's Ground, written for the centennial of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. He was instrumental in the conception of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and served as its first president. In 1985 he was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for his contributions. He also received a National Medal of Arts in 1985 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 1989. Schuman died at New York City, Feb 15, 1992.
    1916 - Denmark agreed to cede the Danish West Indies, including the Virgin Islands, to the United States for $25 million. The deal took effect the following March 31. 
    1919-Birthday of Glenn Clarence Cunningham, the "Kansas Ironman," American track athlete and 1934-37 world record holder for the mile, member of the US Olympic teams in 1932 and 1936, was born at Atlanta, KS. On June 16, 1934, at Princeton, NJ, Cunningham set a world record for the mile (4:06.7 min). Cunningham died at Menifee, AR, Mar 10, 1988.
    1920- Birthday of Helen Thomas - U.S. journalist
    1921-guitarist Herb Ellis born McKinley, Texas
http://www.arjazz.org/artists/hof/1994/94_herb_ellis.html
http://www.classicjazzguitar.com/artists/artists_page.jsp?artist=12
    1927 - The General Electric Station in Schenectady, New York, station 2XAG which was later named WGY, began experimenting with operations from a 100,000-watt transmitter. The FCC would later regulate the power of AM radio stations to not go over 50,000 watts on "clear channels" where few stations would interfere with each other. 
    1927 - For Victor Records in Bristol, Tennessee, singer Jimmie Rodgers recorded his first songs. On the record he sang "Sleep Baby Sleep" and "Soldier’s Sweetheart". 
    1930 - The temperature at Moorefield, WV, soared to 112 degrees to establish a state record, having reached 110 degrees the previous day. Widespread drought after April of that year caused some towns to haul water for domestic use, and many manufacturing plants were barely operational.
    1933-Sax player Sonny Simmons born Sicily Island, Louisiana.
http://www.gallery41.com/JazzArtists/SonnySimmons.htm
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/simmons_sonny/bio.jhtml
http://www.hollowear.com/reviews/simmons.html
http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,493395,00.html?artist=Sonny+Simmons
    1934 - The first major league baseball player to score 6 runs in one game became Mel Ott today.
    1936-"Long" John Woodruff wins an Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter run
http://www.fay-west.com/connellsville/historic/woodruff.php
http://www.greaterconnellsville.org/woodruff/commemorativeprintform.htm
    1940 - "Crime Doctor" introduced a new radio hero. CBS radio presented Dr. Benjamin Ordway, the show’s main character, as an amnesia victim. A former criminal, he got hit on the head, and began to work as a crime fighter.
    1944 - Nazi police found Anne Frank and her family, hiding in secret rooms above her father’s factory in Amsterdam, Holland. Anne was 15 years old at this time and had kept a diary during the two years of hiding from the Nazis. After the arrest, Anne and her sister were taken to a concentration camp. Anne Frank would die at Bergen- Belsen. Later Anne's diary was found and has since been translated into 30 languages, and adapted as both a play and a Hollywood film. 
    1944 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Swinging on a Star," Bing Crosby.
    1947---Top Hits
Peg o’ My Heart - The Harmonicats
That’s My Desire - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Don Cornell)
I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder - Eddy Howard
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams
    1953-drummer Jeff Hamilton born Richmond, Indiana
http://www.hamiltonjazz.com/hamiltonbio.html
    1954 - In Saskatchewan, Canada, the uranium rush began. 
    1954 - Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window had its world premier at New York's Rivoli Theater. 
    1954 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Sh-Boom," The Crew-Cuts.
    1955---Top Hits
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Ain’t That a Shame - Fats Domino
Learnin’ the Blues - Frank Sinatra
I Don’t Care - Webb Pierce
    1955 - To Catch a Thief, starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, debuted in New York on this date. The film later received an Oscar for Best Color Cinematography. 
    1956 - at Wendover, Utah, Wilhelm Herz was clocked at 210 miles per hour, making him the first person to race a motorcycle over 200 miles-per-hour.
    1956- Elvis Presley record "Hound Dog" b/w "Don't Be Cruel" is released.
    1956-- The Platters' "My Prayer" hits #1
    1957 - A world record was set by Florence Chadwick who swam the English Channel in 6 hours, 7 minutes. 
    1957 - Juan Fangio won his last car race, winning the world auto driving championship for the fifth consecutive year.
    1957---The Everly Brothers make their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and introduce their upcoming single, "Wake Up Little Susie," a song which would go on to cause some major controversy and be banned from some radio stations
    1958- Billboard magazine introduces its "Hot 100" chart, a list of the 100 best-selling pop singles in the country. This list replaced multiple charts the magazine had previously published, including Best Sellers in Stores and Most Played in Juke Boxes. The first song to top the Hot 100 list was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson.
    1958- Dumont TV Network crumbles. My father was a producer/writer/director for the Dumont network, creating among shows such as “Harlem Detective,” “Captain Video,” “Hands of Murder.” He met often with Dr. Dumont,
who he once gave one of the exploding cigars I put in his pocket as a kid. Dumont was a scientist and not a “showman,” losing Jackie Gleason among others. My father worked right under Ted Bergman, who I remember my father respected, but Dr. Dumont was not a businessman ( nor was my father. )
http://members.aol.com/cingram/television/dumont2.htm
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/DuMont/DuMont.htm
    1961- 108ø F, Spokane, WA (record)
    1962-Jamaica Independence Day. National holiday observing achievement of Jamaican independence form Britain August 6, 1962. Annually the first Monday in August.
    1963-The Beatles appear on the US record charts for the first time as "From Me To You" debuts at #116 in Billboard. Unfortunately, it stays there, due to problems with its American label (Vee Jay) and a cover version by Del Shannon that got the jump on it. It would take a massive promotional blitz by Capitol over the next five months to ensure a Beatles hit in America with the single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" b/w "I Saw Her Standing There" (Capitol 5112).
    1963---Top Hits
So Much in Love - The Tymes
Fingertips - Pt 2 - Little Stevie Wonder
(You’re the) Devil in Disguise - Elvis Presley
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
    1963- In his first at-bat in two months after breaking his left foot, Mickey Mantle slams a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning to beat the Orioles, 11-10.
    1964-After disappearing on June 21, three civil rights workers were found murdered and buried in an earthen dam outside Philadelphia, MS. The three young men were workers on the Mississippi Summer Project organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to increase black voter registration. Prior to their disappearance, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were detained by Neshoba County police on charges of speeding. When their car was found, burned, on June 23, President Johnson ordered an FBI search for the men.
    1964 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "A Hard Day's Night," The Beatles.
    1966-John Lennon's comment that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus Christ" was re-printed in an American teen magazine called Datebook and was widely reported in North America. The statement, made to London Evening Standard journalist Maureen Cleave several months earlier, caused a public outcry in the US and led to mass destruction of Beatle records. Thirty five radio stations banned all Beatles songs and even the Ku Klux Klan made threats against the group. What Lennon actually said was "Christianity will go. It will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that, I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus Christ now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
    1968-The Newport Pop Festival begins in Costa Mesa, California. 100,000 fans come out to hear Sonny & Cher, Tiny Tim, Jefferson Airplane, Steppenwolf, the Grateful Dead, the Byrds, Iron Butterfly and Eric Burdon and The Animals.
    1971---Top Hits
You’ve Got a Friend - James Taylor
Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
Draggin’ the Line - Tommy James
I’m Just Me - Charley Pride
    1972 - Superfly, starring Ron O'Neal, opened in theaters. Starring Ron O'Neal and directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., Superfly's success at the box office and unexpected acclaim prompted two sequels. The plot centers on a Harlem drug dealer who wants to retire. Curtis Mayfield's dynamic soundtrack set it apart from similar low-budget films. 
    1973- Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After (The Song From The Poseidon Adventure)" hits #1 
    1974- Paul Simon's "Love Me Like A Rock" is released.
    1974 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Feel Like Makin' Love," Roberta Flack.
    1979---Top Hits
Bad Girls - Donna Summer
Good Times - Chic
Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
You’re the Only One - Dolly Parton
    1980 - A record forty-two consecutive days of 100 degree heat finally came to an end at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. July 1980 proved to be the hottest month of record with a mean temperature of 92 degrees. There was just one day of rain in July, and there was no measurable rain in August. There were 18 more days of 100 degree heat in August, and four in September. Hot weather that summer contributed to the deaths of 1200 people nationally, and losses from the heat across the country were estimated at twenty billion dollars.
    1980-After a five year hiatus, John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin recording their album "Double Fantasy" at New York's Hit Factory Studio. The LP would go to number one in the US after its release in November, less than a month before Lennon was gunned down outside his New York apartment. "Double Fantasy" received the 1981 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. 
    1981 - A United States court ordered striking air traffic controllers back to work and fined their union $2.4 million a day for the duration of the strike. 1983 - During warm-ups, New York Yankee outfielder Dave Winfield threw a baseball and accidentally killed a seagull. When the game was over, Toronto police surrounded the batter and arrested him for "causing unnecessary suffering to an animal."
    1987---Top Hits
Shakedown - Bob Seger
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2
I Want Your Sex - George Michael
Snap Your Fingers - Ronnie Milsap
    1988-Congress votes $20,000 to each Japanese-American interned in WW II.
    1989 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas to the Great Lakes Region, with 150 reports of large hail or damaging winds during the afternoon, evening, and nighttime hours. Thunderstorms produced tennis ball size hail at Claremont, MN, and wind gusts to 75 mph at Milwaukee, WI. Thunderstorms representing what once was Hurricane Chantal produced five inches of rain at Grant, MI, and deluged Chicago, IL, with more than three inches of rain in three hours
    1995- Long time coach Jimmie Reese, whose 23 years in an Angels uniform equals longest in club history is inducted into the Angels' Hall of Fame. The former roommate of Babe Ruth began his career as a batboy for the Pacific Coast League's Los Angeles Angels in 1917.
    1995 - Babe, the charming sleeper hit about a pig who learns to be a sheep dog, debuted in United States movie theaters. The gentle film, with state-of-the-art computer technology, thrilled audiences young and old, and the film garnered many awards and nominations, including the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/ Musical, and it was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Veteran actor James Cromwell received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Farmer Hoggett, and director Chris Noonan received the New York Film Critics Circle Awards for Best New Director. The National Society of Film Critics declared it Best Film of the Year. Christine Cavanaugh supplied the voice of the hero pig, and Roscoe Lee Browne was a moving narrator. Babe was based on the book "The Sheep-Pig" by Dick King- Smith. 
    1997 - The world's oldest person, Jeanne Calment, died aged 122 years and 164 days in Arles, France.
    1998 -Yankees' slugger Darryl Strawberry hits a game-tying pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth inning of New York's 10-5 win becoming the second major leaguer to hit two pinch-hit grand slams in one season.
    2000-- With 32 home games remaining, the Astros, who moved from the pitcher-friendly Astrodome to homer-haven Enron Field this season, set a franchise-record by already hitting 83 homers at home this season.
    2001--Top Hits
Bootylicious -Destiny's Child 
Loverboy -Mariah Carey Featuring Cameo
Let Me Blow Ya Mind -Eve Featuring Gwen Stefani
Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!) -Blu Cantrell
   2009-A Federal jury ruled that a 25-year-old Boston University graduate student must pay $675,000 to four music companies for illegally downloading and distributing more than two dozen songs. The man said that he would file for bankruptcy protection. 

 

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