Jim Harris (founder of Allco Leasing) passes away

James G. “Jim” Harris
(Photo: June, 1988 WAEL NewsLine)

"Jim passed away yesterday (Saturday) at the ripe age of 80. He said he had done about everything he intended to do with no regrets. There will be no memorial at his request."

Reportedly Jim has been saying his goodbyes to friends recently, knowing that his condition was terminal.

"Allco Leasing and Financial Services of Lake Oswego, Oregon (03/05) old timer Jim Harris's leasing company sells company to LEAF Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of Resource America (The acquisition includes both a portfolio of leases with a value of $27 million bought on behalf of LEAF's investment partners and hundreds of long term customer relationships.) Jim was one of the 80 brokers in an association in the 1970's who decided he wanted to be a lessor. His firm specialized in collateral deals over $100,000 in the Northwest, limiting brokers to 5%, often structuring transactions 1st and 5% with the 5% going to the broker as commission. Most transactions were over $100,000 and considered top collateral by Jim. He reported did over $300 million in leases with a very small staff, all full recourse."
leasingnews.org "The List"

The broker group started out with AJ Batt, Jim Harris (who started Allco in 1969), Mont Gates, Ted Pierce, Louis Funkenstein (who changed his name to Funston) and myself and grew until the Western Association of Equipment Lessors decided to accept brokers and let them attend conferences. Even the early now Equipment Leasing and Finance Association did not accept brokers.

 

Jim was best known for speaking his mind, telling it like it is, and had a great sense of humor.
Christopher "Kit" Menkin

Classified Ads---Job Wanted

Operation

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

N. Phoenix, Arizona Kathleen Gibbons-Erler. Eleven years experience in all office operations, including but not limited to lease processing. Excellent follow up skills. References on Linkedin.com. kgibbons-erler@cox.net Resume

SF Bay Area Contract Administrator. Formerly Documentation /Compliance , Pentech; American National Leasing, VP-Operations. 30 years Experience. Available now. Resume gbflinn@gmail.com

Acton, MA Strong experience in lease accounting, operations, & systems.   Implemented lease plus, Great Plains, networks. Excellent financial reporting and analysis skills. Looking for new opportunity. LinkedIn alexanderzlenz@gmail.com| Resume

Seasoned Ops, Broker Development, Credit, Legal, Strategy, P & L Management detail oriented team player seeks position with Small ticket direct lender. Established remote office. Wgriffith61@yahoo.com Resume

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

Bank Beat
--- Are Banks Overregulated?
by Christopher Menkin

It appears no industry is as well regulated or audited by so many governmental entities as the banking industry. Layers and layers of requirements keep getting added on as if that is going to halt making poor business decisions, meaning accepting or turning down clients who apply for the many products and services offered. The real ingredient are the decision makers and why. Smaller, community banks are a necessity as they are the providers for their community and make individual, personal, community decisions, but most regulations are aimed at the billion dollar banks.

As the cost of FDIC insurance keeps going up, so do the government new requirements. One that may be a pain in the neck has also turned about to be a better indicator of the health of the bank, particularly in its community involvement. Called the Community Reinvestment Act (CRS), it was forced down their throats of all banks into law in 1977 with the intention "... to encourage insured banks and thrifts to meet local credit needs, including those of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations."

Community banks were doing nothing but investing in their community as that is where they got their business. Now they were being regulated, and at worse, being treated as if they were a billion dollar enterprise.

The supervision falls under the FDIC, who insures deposits at the nation's 7,760 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed.

Many blame allowing "Fannie Mae" and "Freddie Mac" to be considered with CRA as bringing too much risk to smaller banks, and perhaps in many areas it did in 2008, as many smaller banks relied of the federal back mortgage programs to fulfill their lending requirements to low and moderate-income neighborhoods, and lesser credits.

The latest report is September and lists 93 banks, finding 83 " satisfactory," five "outstanding" and five "needs to improve". No "Substantial Non-compliance".

In most of these Bank Beat reports the cause of the local bank failures has been construction and land development loans as well as loans for nonfarm nonresidential development as well as first mortgages to homes in the bank's community.

There does appear a change in the banks who are meeting the "satisfactory" requirements of the CRA.

Many of the banks were small and served their community with directors who were original founders and citizens, local business people mostly, involved strongly in their community.

Here are four picked at random that gives examples of the correlation with the "satisfactory" CRA; noted here in alphabetical sequence:

The Commercial Bank of Ozark, Ozark, Alabama has 33 full time employees. In 2009 they had a $5.2 million net equity with a $592,000 loss. September 30, 2010 they have a $5.7 net equity with a $314,000 profit. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 12.17%

ICBA At-Large Director
Charles F. Harper
President, CEO and Chairman
The Commercial Bank of Ozark
(Photo: Bank of Ozark)

“The Commercial Bank of Ozark was chartered in 1959 and has served the citizens of Ozark and Dale County to the present. Douglas Brown organized the bank because the financial needs for new construction were going unmet by the community's primary bank.”

(The board also contains Clementine B. Harper, President, Brown Real Estate Company, Charles D. Harper, Vice President, Christopher Harper, Vice President.)
http://www.cbozark.com/a_aboutus.htm

Board of Directors, Desert Commercial Bank
http://www.desertbanking.com/boardmembers.aspx
(Photo: Desert Commercial Bank)

Desert Commercial Bank, Palm Desert, California had 30 employees in 2008 with a loss of $4.4 million and $14.5 net equity, 2009 a loss of $4 million, but September 30, 2010 now with 36 employees and a $345,000 net profit with a $16.5 net equity. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 13.64%

February 17, 2009 the bank received a “cease and desist order” from the FDIC regarding the bank operation and alleged poor loans.

Desert Commercial Bank “Cease and Desist:”
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/DesertCommercialBank.pdf

First Security Trust Bank, Florence, Kentucky with 25 employees had a $9.6 million net equity in 2008, a $11.8 net equity in 2009, and September 30, 1910 it is $12.2 million, with a $368,000 profit and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 11.95%.

Commonwealth Bancshares, Inc. is the parent of First Security Trust Bank, a community bank headquartered in Florence, Kentucky and SMC Capital, Inc., an investment advisory firm, located in Louisville. Commonwealth Bank & Trust September 30, 2010 net equity was $72.5 million with a net profit of $5.9 million and Tier 1 risk-based capital ration of 12.02%. According to “Manta,” CMC is a Financial Planning Consultants company and has an “A-“ BBB report.

http://www.bbb.org/louisville/business-reviews/investment-advisory-service/smc-capital-inc-in-louisville-ky-2026612/

 

Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company was conceived in 2005 by Mark A. Candido, President, and Richard R. Barredo, Executive Vice President, who, together, have more than 60 years' experience in banking. Mark has worked for First Bank, Connecticut National Bank, The Bank of New Haven, and is currently Chairman of The Connecticut Community Investment Corporation. Dick has worked for State National Bank, Connecticut National Bank, The Bank of New Haven the Connecticut Development Authority, and Connecticut Innovations Inc.

(Photo: Quinnipiac Bank. Here are Officers and Directors: http://quinnipiacbank.com/officers-organizers.html)

Quinnipiac Bank & Trust, Hamden, Connecticut had a $9 million net equity in 2008 with a loss of $2.3 million, 2009 $7.7 million net equity with $1.1 million loss, but September 30, 2010 $7.2 net equity with a loss of $555,000, while the Tier 1 Risk Capital 19.39%

Article on line by Mark A. Candido, President (abridged):
“While every banker would like to see increased deposits and loan applications that lead to the classic ‘relationship/ banking of past years, today’s banking environment dictates the traditional, conservative approach by bank management that eyes even secured loans as hazards no matter how many accounts a customer may maintain at the bank. A loan in default can do more damage to the bank than the total balances maintained in that same relationship.

“However, the local hometown bank can keep its finger on the pulse of local borrowers, i.e. personal knowledge of the customer’s past history in the community. The big banks, out of touch with the importance of individual financial needs, stop at the gates of credit scores. At the Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company, we review the entire history of a loan applicant, the family ties to a business, the integrity of the individual along with obvious assets and past credit history. In short, there’s a personal profile here that goes into the mix. While small banks offer a more compassionate approach to lending, there is still the need to be conservative but not exclusive.

“It was the lack of lending constraints, ironically, that got the major banks in trouble under deregulation. There was lots of available money, but the competition for those funds was rampant with the regional and super regional banks. Following that, the past 15 years of “everyone and anyone deserve a mortgage” has proven to be a disaster.

“So it was natural that the ‘House of Credit Cards’ and loose credit would eventually tumble. Fortunately small banks, with local Directors on the Board, can enjoy, if you will, a sort of checks and balances environment, to keep the ship headed toward its proper destination — profits for the shareholders and opportunities for bank customers to use their finances properly and grow their businesses.

“We opened the Quinnipiac Bank and Trust Company at the outset of the recession back in ’08. Many people in the business community raised eyebrows at the wisdom of the venture but we foresaw what was already happening regionally and nationally with the large banks and the imminent need for small, community banks offering security and solidity.

“So what’s the future for the Community Bank? Very strong, very positive, because we’re independent and call our own shots. No need to report to an out-of-state parent bank or even a giant bank based out of the country. Customers get quick decisions on loan matters with no hierarchy to wade through. Plus our depositors know where their money is — right around the corner in their home town; besides, we offer most of the financial services of the larger banks with a few exceptions. Best of all, our own personal roots are right here locally. Our customers get to know us personally; they trust us and see how we conduct our own business in a well-managed format. It’s a very secure environment.

“Not only is hometown banking back, it’s back in a big way. With strong management, strong capitalization, we’re positioned for the long term.”

Full Article: "A Bank is a Bank is a Bank. Or is it?"
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ABankisaBank.pdf

FDIC September Community Reinvestment Act Report:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/FDICMonthlyList1110.pdf

Tracking Bank Failures Map:
http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/Failed-US-Banks.html

List of Bank Failures:
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Bank Beat:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Bank_Beat.htm

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Sales

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Arvest Equipment Finance is looking to fill the position of Equipment Finance Specialist. Qualified applicants should have (5) plus years of bank leasing experience, a college degree, as well as a proven track record of success in sales. If interested, please go to www.arvest.com and click on careers for a complete and detailed job description. We offer an excellent pay and benefits package along with a company vehicle. EOE/AA Arverst Equipment Finance

Vehicle Lenders Group, LLC is looking for dynamic sales associate. Either work out of one of our offices in Calif. , Dayton, or Oyster Bay, NY or your own office. Draw w/benefits after three month probation period. Must have excellent references, honest, self motivated, able to generate $500,000 a month by the end of 12 months of employment. Curt Webster, CVLE 516-922-7447 ext 104 http://www.trucklendersusa.com/

Account Executive – Inside Sales San Francisco, CA Base salary, a lucrative uncapped commission plan and an environment conducive to your success. Click here to learn more. www.atel.com

Account Executives - Inside Sales Calabasas, CA Base salary plus commission. Minimum 1 yr experience. Please send resumes to: jobs@teqlease.com Attn: Mike Lockwood or Russ Runnalls CLP www.TEQlease.com

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

Help Wanted Ad Special Offer

30 days plus one week run
if ordered this week, plus half off.

Now $297.50 includes logo, four lines,
web site with company description.
$25 per extra lines.

This offer expires December 25th.

Call 408-354-7967 or email: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

Story Credit Lessors---Up-Dated

These companies specialize in "C" and "D" credits, often new businesses, or businesses where the principal(s) have Beacon score around 600 or previous difficulties; meaning to become comfortable with the credit and financial situation you need to learn the "story" to make a positive decision, often requiring further security, shorter term, or additional guarantors. Many of these companies may also have programs for “A” and “B” rated companies, but their specialty is not being a “cookie cutter” and often require full financial statements and tax returns as well as a “story about the company, its history, goals, circumstances” to fully understand the full financial picture.

To qualify for this list, the company must be a funder (as qualified by Leasing News and on the “Funder List” and not a "Broker/Lessor", along with an acceptable Better Business Bureau Rating and no history of complaints at Leasing News. We reserve the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications.

Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details ABCO Leasing, Inc. Advantage Funding Agility Solutions Allegiant Partners Incorporated American Leasefund, Inc. Bankers Capital Black Rock Capital Boston Financial & Equity BSB Leasing, Inc Calfund, LLC Cobra Capital LLC Financial Pacific Leasing Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Mesa Leasing, Inc. Maxim Commercial Credit National Machine Tool Financial NFS Leasing, Inc. Pawnee Leasing Corporation Standard Professional Services, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions Name In Business Since Contact Website Leasing Association Employees Geo Area Dollar Amount Business Reports Financial Pacific Leasing 1975 Terey Jennings CLP, 800-447-7107, tjennings@finpac.com www.finpac.com ELFA, NAELB, NEFA (P) 130 Nationwide $5,000-$50,000 BBB CNI Search Pawnee Leasing Corporation 1982 Gary H. Souverein President (800) 864-4266 ext. 222 Gary@pawneeleasing.com www.pawneeleasing.com NAELB & NEFA (Click here for further description) 45 Nationwide $1,000 - $50,000 Does Subprime Leases BBB CNI 1 CNI 2 Search Advantage Funding 1997 Edward P. Kaye 718.392.1300 www.advantagefund.com NVLA, ELFA, NLA & TLPA (X) 20 Nationwide Vehicles Only $10,000 - $1,000,000 BBB CNI Search National Machine Tool Financial Corporation 1986 Chris Chiappetta, Robert Lang, Susan Adamatis 800-669-7527 www.netlease.com (CC) 20 Nationwide $15,000   NFS Leasing, Inc. Beverly, Massachusetts 2001 Dean Oliver deano@nfsleasing.com 987-767-2353 www.nfsleasing.com NEFA (FF) 15 US and Canada $50,000 to $3MM   Boston Financial & Equity Corporation 1968 Debbie Monosson debbie@bfec.com www.bfec.com CFA, ELFA, NEFA (J) 12 National $100,000 to $1,500,000 Does Subprime Leases BBB CNI Search BSB Leasing, Inc. 1992 Colorado, Hawaii Don Meyerson, Pres. DMyerson@bsbleasing.com Bruce Zwillinger, Vice President 800.945.3372 ext. 306 bzwillinger@bsbleasing.com Randy Propect, East Coast rpropect@bsbleasing.com Vicki Shimkus,CLP West Coast Brokers vshimkus@bsbleasing.com www.bsbleasing.com NAELB (EE) 12 National $5,000+ BBB CNI 1 CNI 2 Search TEAM Funding Solutions 1992 Ted Reynolds – Owner and President Jeff Deskins - Credit Manager Lynn Smith - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x115, App Submittal Martin Lacayo - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x106, App Submittal Mike Wright - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x108, App Submittal Stephen Stuesser – CFO Jessica Green - Marketing and Relationships Manager 888-457-6700 x109, Enrollment Fax: 512-258-2322 512.692.0500 fax www.teamfundingsolutions.com ELFA, NAELB, NEFA (Z) 11 All 50 States $10,000-$110,000 BBB CNI Calfund, LLC 2000 Harry Saghian harry@calfundllc.com (AA) 10 Western States $15K Minimum Does Subprime Leases CNI BBB Allegiant Partners Incorporated 1998 Scott Enbom senbom@allegiant-partners.com (415) 257-4200, x207 www.allegiant-partners.com ELFA, NAELB & NEFA 9 Nationwide, including Alaska & Hawaii $20,000---$150,000 BBB CNI 1 CNI 2 Search Black Rock Capital 1994 George Booth gkbooth@blackrockcapital.com 203.336-9200 www.blackrockcapital.com ELFA (E) 7 US Canada (F) $50,000 to $3MM $250,000 average transaction Search Forum Financial Services, Inc. 1996 Tim O'Connor 972-690-9444 ext. 225 tim@forumleasing..com 275 West Campbell Road Suite 320 Richardson, Texas 75080 Fax: 972-690-9464 www.forumleasing.com NAELB & NEFA (W) 7 Nationwide $50,000 to $1.0 million. Our average size transaction is $250,000. Preferred Range $100,000 to $500,000 Does Subprime Leases     American Leasefund, Inc. 1999 Tom Davis tom@alclease.com 800.644.1182 - PH 503.244.0845 - FX www.americanlf.com NEFA (Q) 6 Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington $5,000 - $50,000 Does Subprime Leases Search Bankers Capital 1990 Larry LaChance - President 508-351-6000 llachance@bankers-capital.com www.bankers-capital.com NAELB, NEFA (GG)  6 Nationwide - 50 States $25,000 + Search Cobra Capital LLC 2000 Dale Kluga, President dale@cobrallc.com 630-985-3500 www.cobrallc.com ELFA (G) 6 Nationwide $50,000 to $1MM $250,000 average transaction Search ABCO Leasing, Inc. 1974 Brad Christensen bradc@abcoleasing.net 877-634-4045 www.abcoleasing.net NAELB, and NEFA (D) 5 Most States $50,000 - $450,000 Search Agility Solutions 2003 Hal Hayden (928) 541-0771 hhayden@agilityventures.com www.agilitysolutions.net NEFA (V) 5 U.S. $50,000 - $1,000,000 (Master Lease) Does Subprime Leases Search Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC    2008 877-776-2946 Doug Houlahan, CLP info@maximcc.com Shervin Rashti, CLP shervin@maximcc.com  www.maximcc.com    NAELB    NAELB (DD) 5 U.S. $35,000 - $500,000 Mesa Leasing, Inc. 1999 Jeff Macdonald 858-541-1002 mesa-jeff@dslextreme.com www.mesaleasing.com 4 California $10,000 - $100,000 Standard Professional Services, LLC 1976 Mr. Raphael Lavin, CLP JWhalen@spsllc.net 847-291-7858 www.spsllc.net NAELB, NEFA (I) 4 Nationwide & some offshore $10,000 - 250,000 ($25,000 - $150,000 desired) BBB Gonor Funding 2001 Norman J. Gonor ngonor@gonorfunding.com 818.784.5444 Jason Gonor 818.402.6999 www.gonorfunding.com (Y) 3 USA $10,000 to $100,000 with an average of $25,000 - $35,000 Does Subprime Leases     Name In Business Since Contact Website Leasing Association Employees Geo Area Dollar Amount Business Reports Business Reports: Companies listed may make any netiquette comment about their company or reports or other information in the footnote section of their listing. Leasing News recommends readers also view the footnote as well as the section itself or searching reports on the business. It also should be noted that if a BBB report listing is found by a reader, as there may not have been one when this was last up-dated, please send the link to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org so Leasing News may up-date this section. BBB - Better Business Report | CBB - Leasing News Complaint Bulletin Board | CNI - Current News Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A) Pawnee Leasing Corporation; Some times we go higher than $30,000, but our marketplace is from $1,000 to $30,000. Broker Qualify - One year time in business (B) * Allegiant Partners has expanded their maximum transaction size from $250,000 to $500,000 for the 5 western states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona. In addition to increasing the transaction size Allegiant is offering more competitve rates for these A- and B+ transactions. Broker Qualify - For Broker qualification please click here. Allegiant.pdf (D)ABCO Leasing, Inc. (Seattle, WA) exclusively serves the broker community and has been in business since 1974.  Since we retain all transactions in our own portfolio, we require full financial packages.  We are best at deals that do not quite fit an “A Funder” due to a lack of flexibility or some type of an arbitrary matrix requirement.  ABCO is an industry generalist that prides itself on being creative when structuring new business and in providing high quality service levels.  Broker and deal contact: Brad Christensen, Broker Relations Manager, 971/204-0236  bradc@abcoleasing.net (G) Cobra Capital LLC. Comments: Our registered trademark "Solutions that work" is our designator of origin and central marketing identity for both strong and weak credits. In addition to funding strong credits, we have also developed a 14 year history, (from Cobra and my prior company GALCO), with funding specialty, non-conforming transactions and have a solid reputation for candidly responding to our originators and lessees and working diligently to mitigate deal risk rather than making excuses to turn deals down. Our originators prefer our underwriting approach to non-conforming transactions since unlike most non-conforming funders, we prefer to mitigate risk versus jacking our return. Both Originators and Lessee's prefer our candid approach as we are also frequently asked to advise lessee's and lessors on the best way to structure their bank loans and raise capital due to our 30+ year banking and accounting backgrounds as my partner and I are both former bankers and CPA's. (I) Standard Professional Services. LLC is a non-cookie cutter funder who does not credit score. (J) Boston Financial & Equity Corporation, most of our leases are venture capital backed startups and turnarounds. We require full financial disclosures, CPA and internal statements, no tax returns. We do not required additional collateral, no PG's or RE needed. Do not send deals with large tax liens, especially if they are payroll taxes. Broker Qualify - A deal in hand and a full package. (P) Financial Pacific Leasing supports a nationwide network of Brokers and Lessors. We specialize in "B" and "C" credits for established companies as well as companies under two years in business. Broker Qualify - Please Call or see "Prospective Broker" section on website (Q) American Leasefund, Inc. funds small hard to do transactions under $50,000.00. Most of the transactions are "app only". We look for additional collateral or larger first payments to help the weaker credits. We maintain and service our own portfolio. All of our lessee billings are done via ACH. Broker Qualify - Please Call (S) We at Summit Leasing consider ourselves to be primarily "B" credit lenders, working almost exclusively through brokers. Broker Qualify - Contact us (V) Agility Solutions; we fund all equipment used by Wireless Internet Service Providers. Click here to see Leasing News story. Broker Qualify - Please Call (W) Forum Financial Services, Inc., prefer venture capital backed start-ups and middle market to large corporate turnaround companies including companies in bankruptcy and post bankruptcy. Our absolute minimum sales for an established business with financial problems are $10.0 million. (this does not include venture capital backed start-ups). Broker Qualify - Please visit our website at www.forumleasing.com or call 972-690-9444 ext. 225 (X) Advantage Funding - While we also consider quality equipment leasing as a funder, in the title vehicle leasing business, we consider all types of situations and credits and speciality vehicles for commercial use. We have a history of understanding all types of title vehicle leasing. Broker Qualify - Please Call (Y) Gonor Funding specializes in hard to fund leases with D credit. Collateral based with good rates and commission program. Broker Qualify - Please Call (Z) TEAM Funding Solutions is a structured lender for brand new businesses or for older companies with previous credit problems. We do not credit score. The secret to producing an approval for C-Credits starts with interviewing your customer." Broker Qualify - Click here for Broker Enrollment Form. (AA) Calfund, LLC finances 18 wheelers and some trailers for owner operators with substandard credit. (CC)  Specializing in Machine Tools only for transactions up to $750k. National has been in the Machine Tool Finance business since 1986 and has a leasing proficient staff to accommodate the most challenging transaction.  F ull financial disclosure required.   We can provide structured financing for the story marginal credits.   May require personal guarantees and/or down payments depending on the credit.   Any size business accepted.  For more information please contact Chris Chiappetta or Robert Lang at 800-669-7527. (DD) Maxim Commercial Credit provides creative and flexible asset-based financing for today's challenging credit market. (EE) BSB Leasing, Inc. is a direct funding source. In addition we offer an experienced Syndication Desk that can place transactions that fall outside of credit, equipment, geographic or dollar amount appetite. (FF) NFS Leasing, Inc Specialist in Information Technology; Equipment Finance (GG) Bankers Capital "We will do ANY Type of Equipment, in ANY industry, in ANY state.  We especially like 6-figure transactions with full financial packages no matter how good or bad they look.  We look to structure the story C&D credits with any kind of additional collateral that makes sense.  It could be with 2nd or 3rd mortgages on residential or commercial Real Estate, additional equipment, cash value life insurance, security deposits, vendor agreements.  We look for any way to make the deal work instead of looking for any way to decline the deal." Broker Qualify - Please contact Larry LaChance

Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Identify the Equipment on Lease or Else!

I have written many times on the subject of return conditions for leased equipment, but the real issue is proper identification of that equipment to begin with! This does not only apply to “Fair Market Value” or even 10% purchase options, but also to repossessions or disputes. A wrong serial number for two of the same types of equipment, without proper full description, can result in a lost case, or at best, more attorney and court costs.

Unfortunately, in all leases, especially what is called small ticket and even middle market, we lease many types of equipment that we do not understand and therefore use the vendors invoice for a description. This is only acceptable if you call the vendor and quiz them about its purpose and include additional information plus pictures in your schedule “A” (equipment description).

Without a site inspections and photos, you are relying solely on invoice descriptions. You wind up in court, or trying to obtain back and find how inadequate the invoice is as you were in a rush to fund and it looked simple. In reality, the invoice only to helps the vendor identify what he has sold. In court, later on, it “Ain’t worth s**t”.

I have also suggested you have a provision in your lease that allows you to place a label or a sticker on your equipment, if it does not have a serial number or other identifying marks. I recommend this even if it has a serial number, as it gives information for a personal property audit as well as further identification when you are trying to get your equipment back.

I also think it should be viewed as an advertisement. To not only remind the company, but perhaps others, who one day may go into business and remember the name of your company from the sticker they saw all the time. Don’t laugh. If you get one sale a year from having an attractive ID tag, it certainly is worth the effort.

I have heard stories of equipment repossessed by other creditors when allowed to grab first, and better identification may overcome this.

Knowing specifically what you leased and having it better identified is so easy to do at the beginning than to experience the difficulties than learning the hard way at the end.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty-five years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-649-0448

He invites your questions and queries.

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

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

Top Stories---November 29--December 3

Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:

(1) Archives--November 29, 2005
IFC Credit/PFF Bancorp NorVergence Lease Connection
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2010/11_29.htm#archive_1129

(2) BBB: Rating Leasing Companies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_03.htm#bbb

(3) Lisa Levine--11 Years--Out at ELFF
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_01.htm#levine

(4) Lacking Ability for Bail, Schwartz Spends Thanksgiving in Jail
---Plea Deal in the Works
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2010/11_29.htm#deal

(5) Funders Looking for New Brokers
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_03.htm#new

(6) Attention: Spinal Aid Centers of America
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_01.htm#spinal

(7) Sparta Commercial's Municipal Leasing Program
---Growing Niche in the Leasing Marketplace
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_01.htm#sparta

(Tie) (8) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Basic Lease Issues in Documentation
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2010/11_29.htm#issues

(Tie)(8) Prevailing Party Insurance Coverage
--New Insurance Policy is a Game-Changer
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_01.htm#insurance

(9) Top Leasing Web Sites
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_03.htm#top_sites

(10) "Broker/Lessor" looking for broker business
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_03.htm#business

John Kenny Receivables Management • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigations • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167| www.jkrmdirect.com

Hamden, Connecticut---Adopt-a-Dog

Moose
Chihuahua: An adoptable dog in Hamden, CT
Small • Adult • Male

“My name is Moose. I am a very tiny dog with a big personality. I like one on one attention I am about 4 years old and would like to find a home where someone will show me lots of love.”

Impound number 41

For more information or to schedule a visit with Joe, please contact Officer Smith or Officer Gimler at 203-230-4080.to see him. Most our dogs are picked up as strays. While dogs are evaluated prior to adoption there is no guarantee of temperament or health. Adoption is contingent upon completion and approval of an adoption application which can be obtained by visiting our home page or from our Animal Control Officers. The adoption fee for altered canines is $5.00. Unaltered canines are adopted out with APCP Certificates. Connecticut residents must pay a $50.00 fee ($45.00 goes to APCP, $5.00 to the municipality) at the time of adoption, which entitles the adopter to a vaccination/sterilization voucher valid for sixty days. The voucher provides a one-time sterilization fee of $100.00 for a male dog, and $120.00 for a female dog plus two pre-surgical vaccinations coincident with sterilization.

Town of Hamden Animal Control
Hamden, CT
203-230-4080
kimhappytails@aol.com

http://www.hamden.com/content/219/4079/default.aspx

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----

Cut taxes with early mortgage payment
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/cut-taxes-with-early-mortgage-payment-1.aspx

Bernanke's been right
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bernanke_been_right_ZDbla8zzqyQRn90GFz9m5J

Feds moves forward with 'cloud-first' plan for new technology
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/05/AR2010120503320.html

 

 

You May have Missed---

JP Morgan Chase bank says Christmas trees offensive
http://www.examiner.com/christianity-culture-in-fort-worth/jp-morgan-chase-bank-says-christmas-trees-offensive
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/02/2676274/jpmorgan-chase-orders-southlake.html

 

 

Sports Briefs----

Falcons pull out another tough victory, 28-24
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-pull-out-another-767835.html

After poor first half, 'angry' Smith send message
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1206-bears-haugh-chicago--20101205,0,1903748.column

Rams win without drama
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/article_f2fe6c9f-db2e-5543-9a45-136d62594559.html

Raiders stun Chargers
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_16784832?nclick_check=1
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/dec/05/chargers-square-rival-raiders/

Peyton Manning throws four interceptions in OT loss to Dallas Cowboys
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16786158

Seahawks rally for 31-14 victory over Carolina Panthers
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2013605403_hawk06.html

Packers show 49ers what a playoff team looks like
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/05/SPTF1GMAAL.DTL

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

 

California Nuts Briefs---

Schwarzenegger to propose 'ugly cuts' for Calif.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/02/state/n143510S13.DTL

 

 

 

“Gimme that Wine”

Port Is a Welcome Guest at Cocktail Parties
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/reviews/01pour.html?_r=1&ref=dining

7-Eleven to sell finer quality wine
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/serious-277542-starbucks-wine.html

Napa Valley Distillery creates vodka from sauvignon blanc
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/article_bf86891c-fea2-11df-9282-001cc4c03286.html

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com

http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

    1492-- Christopher Columbus lands on the island of Santo Domingo in search of gold.
He finds a lot of natives that he makes slaves and brings back to Spain, reporting
that he has found a route to India.
    1628- Thomas Beard began manufacturing shoes. He came over on the Mayflower. Prior to that date, shoes were imported from England. The colonists also learned from the Native Americans how to make moccasins, which were so well liked that as early as 1650 they were exported to Eng­land.
    1776 -- Phi Beta Kappa, the first scholastic fraternity, is founded at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.
    1787- Delaware became the first state to ratify the federal Constitution by unanimous vote. It was signed on December 7 by all 30 members of the Constitutional Convention. Thomas Collins, who was president of Delaware at that time, automatically became the first state governor.
    1790 - Congress moved from New York City to Philadelphia.
    1820- James Monroe was re-elected president of the United Sates. Daniel D. Tompkins was re-elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Monroe, 231; John Quincy Adams, a Federalist and Monroe’s secretary of state, 1 electoral vote. The panic of 1819 had wrought great changes in people’s economic status. A period of wild speculation had ended with wholesale foreclosures by banks, and much property in the South and West reverted to the national bank. To add to this, at the end of 1818 the Union consisted of 11 free and 11 salve states. Ready to be a state, Maine, would be a free state, but it would be offset by creating the state of Missouri from Louisiana, otherwise known as the Missouri compromise. The fourth U.S. Census recorded a population of 9,638,453. The center of population was 16 miles east of Moorefiled, W.Va.
    1862 - President Lincoln ordered the hanging of 39 of the 303 convicted Indians who participated in the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota. They were to be hanged on Dec. 26. The Dakota Indians were going hungry when food and money from the federal government was not distributed as promised. They led a massacre that left over 400 white people dead. The uprising was put down and 300 Indians were sentenced to death. Pres. Lincoln reduced the number to 39, who were hanged. The government then nullified the 1851 treaty.
    1864- Abraham Lincoln appointed Ohio Senator Salmon P. Chase chief justice of the United States, a strong advocate of African-American rights.
( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec06.htm
http://www.abbess.demon.co.uk/brubeck/discog/ l )
    1865-The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, abolishing slavery in the US. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, save as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." In 1860, the US Census recorded a population of 31,443,321. There were 448,070 free blacks and 3,953,760 slaves in the country, the overwhelming majority were black.
    1884-Washington Monument is “topped.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec06.html
    1865-Eight months after the end of the Civil War, Georgia became the last state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery in the United States. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." With these words, the single greatest change wrought by the Civil War was officially noted in the U.S. Constitution.
    1876 –The presidential election held on November 7 had given Governor of New York Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate, a popular vote plurality of 250,000, but Republicans refused to concede on the grounds that returns from Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon were in dispute and thus their 19 electoral votes. Hayes need the electoral votes of those states to win. On December 6 two different sets of electoral returns were reported from the four states. The electoral vote ultimately was to be determined by a special 15-members electoral commission with five members from each house of Congress and five members form the Supreme Court, made up of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. On March 2, Congress adopted the commissions decision, Rutherford B. Hayes received 185 electoral votes and Tilden 184. The Republicans were accused of offering southern Democrats economic favors for their region if they supported Hayes’s claim. In any event, the new president showed a conciliatory attitude toward the South: the last federal troops were withdrawn and there was no further effort to protect the rights of blacks. All government programs for equality were ended. Reconstruction was over.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rh19.html
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/rbhayes.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/side/tilden.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/side/elecollg.html
    1876-- Jack McCall is convicted for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok and sentenced to hang. He was acquitted at an “illegal” trial, but held again for trial in South Dakota, where he was convicted on this day in 1876 and then became the first person hanged in South Dakota. Wild Bill Hickok’s card hand held an ace of spades, ace of clubs, two black eights - clubs and spades - and the jack of diamonds. This became known as aces and eights - the dead man's hand.
http://www.adamsmuseumandhouse.org/answers/jackmccall.html
    1877- Washington Post publishes 1st edition
    1877 -First sound recording made (Thomas Edison)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/
    1886-Birthday of Joyce Kilmer, American poet most famous for his poem “Trees,
which was published in 1913, was born at New Brunswick, NJ. Kilmer was killed in action near Ourcy, France, in World War I, July 30, 1918. Camp Kilmer was named for him.
    1886 - A great snowstorm hit the southern Appalachian Mountains. The three day storm produced 25 inches at Rome GA, 33 inches at Asheville NC, and 42 inches in the mountains. Montgomery AL received a record eleven inches of snow. Columbia SC received one to two inches of sleet. (4th-6th)
    1892-Birthday of Theodore Lawless, African-American medicine pioneer, born Thibodeaux, Louisiana . He was a dermatologist who became a millionaire form his studies, practice and development of medicines. He also contributed to the better understanding of syphilis, a venereal disease; and leprosy, a disease which wastes away the muscles of the body. Setting up his offices in the heart of Chicago's Black community, he established one of the largest and best known skin clinics in the city. For many years, men and women and children, both black and white, crowded his waiting room from morning until night. But he still found time to teach at Northwestern University, work with the staff of Chicago's Provident Hospital, and share his knowledge with other doctors. In 1954, he was awarded the NAACP's Springarn Medal. In 1970 at his seventy-eighth birthday celebration on Dillard University's campus, Lawless shared the philosophy that directed his life:
“I sought my soul,
But my soul I could not see,
I sought my God, but my God eluded me,
I sought my neighbor, and I found all there.”
Died May 1, 1971
http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/1057LawlessT.asp?pic=none
    1896-Birthday of Ira Gershwin, Pulitzer Prize—winning American lyricist and author who collab­orated with his brother, George, and with many other composers.
Among his Broadway successes: Lady Be Good, Funny Face, Strike
Up the Band and such songs as “The Man I Love,” “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
    1898-Birthday of American photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt, born Dirschau, Prussia. One of the greatest photojournalists in US history he is best known for his 86 photos that were used on covers of Life magazine, including the photo of the sailor kissing a nurse in New York’s Times Square at the end of World War II. He died August 23, 1995, at Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
    1920—Pianist/composer Dave Brubeck birthday
http://www.schirmer.com/composers/brubeck_bio.html
http://www.brubeckmusic.com/dave.html
http://www.downbeat.com/artists/window.asp?aid=143&aname=Dave+Brubeck
    1921 -- Otto Graham, the Hall of Fame quarterback who ran and passed the Cleveland Browns to seven league championships in 10 seasons (1946-55), was born.
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/1206.jpg
    1922 -- William P. McGivern lives. American novelist, screenplay writer, who published over 20 novels covering the wide genre of thrillers — homicide detection, espionage, political corruption, the world of psychopath, & the crooked cop.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mcgivern.htm
    1922-The first electric commercial power line was placed in operation by Utica Gas and Electric Company, Utica, NY. The plant was build by the General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY, and consisted of the transmitters, the power lines, and the associated receives. The transmission lines carried both voices and power. A single power line could carry several different carrier frequencies simultaneously, making possible distant supervisory control of various types of electric equipment. This opened the United States, and the world to cheap electrical power, transmission, and changed lifestyles. The first hydrogen-cooled turbine generator for cities was built by GE, who lead the field in innovation and relatively low cost for consumers
    1925-Tenor sax and flute player Bob Cooper born, Pittsburgh, PA, 1925, died August 5, 1993.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?p=amg&sql=B6335
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927005436&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1928-Birthday of drummer Frank Dunlop, Buffalo, NY
http://www.audiophilia.com/software/ac2.htm
    1937-Birthday of drummer Eddie Gladden, Newark, NJ
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927063655
    1940-Birthday of bass player Jay Leonhard, Baltimore, MD
    1940- Nat King Cole Trio cuts first Decca recordings.
    1941-President Roosevelt-convinced on the basis of intelligence reports that the Japanese fleet is headed for Thailand, not the United States-telegrams Emperor Hirohito with the request that "for the sake of humanity," the emperor intervene "to prevent further death and destruction in the world." The Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese escorts, cruisers, and destroyers on patrol near the Malayan coast, south of Cape Cambodia. An Aussie pilot managed to radio that it looked as if the Japanese warships were headed for Thailand-just before he was shot down by the Japanese. Back in England, Prime Minister Churchill called a meeting of his chiefs of staff to discuss the crisis. While reports were coming in describing Thailand as the Japanese destination, they began to question whether it could have been a diversion. British intelligence had intercepted the Japanese code "Raffles," a warning to the Japanese fleet to be on alert-but for what? Britain was already preparing Operation Matador, the launching of their 11th Indian Division into Thailand to meet the presumed Japanese invasion force. But at the last minute, Air Marshall Brooke-Popham received word not to cross the Thai border for fear that it would provoke a Japanese attack if, in fact, the warship movement was merely a bluff. Meanwhile, 600 miles northwest of Hawaii, Admiral Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese fleet, announced to his men: "The rise or fall of the empire depends upon this battle. Everyone will do his duty with utmost efforts." Thailand was, in fact, a bluff. Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii was confirmed for Yamamoto as the Japanese target, after the Japanese consul in Hawaii had reported to Tokyo that a significant portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet would be anchored in the harbor-sitting ducks.
    1944-- The Count Basie Orchestra records "Red Bank Boogie"
    1947- Stan Kenton cuts “ Peanut Vendor.”
http://www.mamajazz.org/pages/biokenton.html
http://business.baylor.edu/Phil_VanAuken/kenton.html
http://music.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--5209,
prod_id--1007232,name--The%20Best%20Of%20Stan%20Kenton%20%28
Blue%20Note%29.html
    1947- Everglades national Park was established.. Part of vast marshland area
on southern Florida peninsula, originally authorized May 30,1934.
    1950 -Duluth, MN had their greatest 24 hour snowfall when 25.4 inches fell
    1951---Top Hits
Sin (It’s No) - Eddy Howard
Because of You - Tony Bennett
Down Yonder - Del Wood
Slow Poke - Pee Wee King
    1952-- The Mills Brothers' "The Glow-Worm" hits #1
    1954 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Mr. Sandman," The Chordettes.
    1957-Mercury Records releases the Diamonds' cover of the Chuck Willis dance tune "The Stroll." It peaks at #8 on the pop chart and sparks a fad for the dance of the same name.
    1957-- Elvis visits radio station WDIA in Memphis and meets two of his idols, Little Junior Parker and Bobby Bland.
    1959---Top Hits
Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin
Don’t You Know - Della Reese
In the Mood - Ernie Field’s Orch.
Country Girl - Faron Young
    1960 - Gene Autry was attending the 1960 baseball winter meetings hoping to secure a broadcasting contract for KMPC, his Los Angeles radio station. The ‘Singing Cowboy’ wound up as the owner of the expansion Los Angeles Angels (when no one came forward to bid for the team, Autry made a bid of his own). The team became the showpiece for KMPC. The Angels played their first season in Wrigley Field (capacity 22,000), then rented Dodger Stadium and later moved to Anaheim.
In 2002, they won the World Series, beating the San Francisco Giants.
    1960-500 store owners in Tucson, Arizona sign pledges of non-discrimination.
In 1994 a black chamber of commerce was formed in Tucson, the 33rd largest city
in the United States. One of the “hold out” states, it was not until 1993 that Arizona observed its first statewide Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. June 7, 1993, Governor Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire signed the King Holiday legislation into law, completing enactment of holiday in all states.
    1965-Motown Records releases Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Going to a Go-Go." The song is later covered by the Rolling Stones. The Miracles' version will reach #11 on the pop chart.
    1966--The Beatles record "When I'm Sixty-Four"
    1967---Top Hits
Daydream Believer - The Monkees
The Rain, the Park & Other Things - The Cowsills
I Say a Little Prayer - Dionne Warwick
It’s the Little Things - Sonny James
    1967- the first heart transplant in the Untied States was performed at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, New York City. Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz was the surgeon and the patient was a two-week-old baby boy, who lived for 6.5 hours after the operation. The transplant took place three days after Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant in history in Cape Town, South Africa. The first heart transplant performed on an adult in the United States took place on January 6, 1968, at the Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA. The patient was Mike Kasperak and the surgeon was Dr. Norman Shumway.
    1967--LITEKY, ANGELO J. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Chaplain (Capt.), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade. place and date: Near Phuoc-Lac, Bien Hoa province, Republic of Vietnam, 6 December 1967. Entered service at: Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Born: 14 February 1931, Washington, D.C. Citation: Chaplain Liteky distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving with Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. He was participating in a search and destroy operation when Company A came under intense fire from a battalion size enemy force. Momentarily stunned from the immediate encounter that ensued, the men hugged the ground for cover. Observing 2 wounded men, Chaplain Liteky moved to within 15 meters of an enemy machine gun position to reach them, placing himself between the enemy and the wounded men. When there was a brief respite in the fighting, he managed to drag them to the relative safety of the landing zone. Inspired by his courageous actions, the company rallied and began placing a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy's positions. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Chaplain Liteky began moving upright through the enemy fire, administering last rites to the dying and evacuating the wounded. Noticing another trapped and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid. Realizing that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back, placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along. pausing for breath momentarily, he returned to the action and came upon a man entangled in the dense, thorny underbrush. Once more intense enemy fire was directed at him, but Chaplain Liteky stood his ground and calmly broke the vines and carried the man to the landing zone for evacuation. On several occasions when the landing zone was under small arms and rocket fire, Chaplain Liteky stood up in the face of hostile fire and personally directed the medivac helicopters into and out of the area. With the wounded safely evacuated, Chaplain Liteky returned to the perimeter, constantly encouraging and inspiring the men. Upon the unit's relief on the morning of 7 December 1967, it was discovered that despite painful wounds in the neck and foot, Chaplain Liteky had personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone for evacuation during the savage fighting. Through his indomitable inspiration and heroic actions, Chaplain Liteky saved the lives of a number of his comrades and enabled the company to repulse the enemy. Chaplain Liteky's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
    1969- Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Livermore, a free concert featuring performance by the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplanes, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and the Flying Burrito Brothers turned into tragedy. The "thank you" concert for 300,000 fans was marred by overcrowding, drug overdoses and the fatal stabbing of a spectator by a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, who had been hired as security guards for the event. The murder is filmed and included in the film "Gimme Shelter" which premiers exactly one year later.
http://www.echoes.com/rememberaday/altamont.html
    1969 - Musician Cab Calloway turned actor as he was seen in the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation of "The Littlest Angel" on NBC. The big band singer, known for such classics as "Minnie the Moocher", became a movie star in "The Blues Brothers" (1980) with John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.
    1969 - "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", by Steam, reached the #1 spot on the top 40. It stayed at the top for two weeks and was the only major hit for the group that later ran out of ... steam.
    1970-"Gimme Shelter," the documentary film about the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour of the U.S. debuts on the anniversary of the Altamont concert.
    1970 - A windstorm toppled the National Christmas Tree at the White House.
    1971 - It was payday for Jack Nicklaus. He received $30,000 for capturing the first Disney World golf tournament. His earnings for the season totaled $244,490.
    1971- Ryan Wayne White born with hemophilia, later to contract AIDS from blood-clotting products.
http://teenink.com/Past/1999/10658.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451173228/inktomi-bkasin-20/
103-8044451-6791041
    1973- Gerald Ford was sworn in as vice-president under Richard Nixon, following the resignation of Spiro Agnew who pled no contest to a charge of income tax evasion. 1973 Gerald Rudolph Ford became the first vice president chosen under the 25th amendment when he was sworn into office as President Richard Milhous Nixon’s vice president. The 25th amend, ratified on February 10, 1967, enables the president to appoint a vice president in the event that the office becomes vacant. On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned to face charges of income tax evasion, leaving the vice presidency open for the first time since the passage of the amendment. When President Nixon resigned Gerald Ford became the first president of the United States never elected to the office He later pardoned Nixon after his resignation as president. Some say it was this act that elected Jimmy Carter president of the United States in 1976. The electoral vote was Carter, 297; Pres. Ford, 240. the popular vote was Carter, 40,828,929; Ford 38,148,940. In congressional elections, the Democrats kept a 2-Senate majority, 61-38, with one seat going to an impendent, and a House Majority o4 2192-143. Yet Carter was considered by historians as a very ineffectual president and leader.. Some say it was the challenging of his chief campaign manager who became director of the Officer of Management and budget, Bert Lance. Never the less, in the first months of Pres. Jimmy Carter’s administration, most Vietnam-era draft resisters were pardoned, the planned pullout of U.S. forces from South Korea was announced, and administration officials spoke out against human rights violations worldwide. Vernon Jordon of the National Urban League charged the administration with not doing enough to reduce unemployment among blacks. In his second year, national unemployment reached 7% and the Dow Jones declined, while the U.S. faced a high trade deficit, primarily because of oil imports and the falling value of the dollar.
    1973-Steve Miller who'd been laying low for most of last year and this year, gets a gold record for "The Joker," his most successful LP to date. The title track becomes Miller's first chart-topping hit and gives cameo roles to some of his previous in-song personas, like "Maurice" and "The Gangster of Love."
    1975 - Paul Simon’s album, "Still Crazy After All These Years", was number one in the U.S. It was Simon’s first #1 solo album and it contained his first recording with Art Garfunkel since their 1969 breakup ("My Little Town", which was also included on Garfunkel’s "Breakaway" album).
    1975- Senator Robert Dole & Elizabeth Hanford marry.
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/candidates/republican/dole/timeline/index.shtml
    1975---Top Hits
Fly, Robin, Fly - Silver Convention
Sky High - Jigsaw
Let’s Do It Again - The Staple Singers
Secret Love - Freddy Fender
    1975-Soul singer Tyrone Davis enters the R&B chart with "Turning Point," which -- though it will never enter the pop chart -- will hit Number One early next year.
    1979-AC/DC's big breakthrough comes with his fifth U.S. album, "Highway to Hell." It turns gold and happens to be the last album recorded with original vocalist Bon Scott, who dies two months later.
    1983---Top Hits
All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
Say Say Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
A Little Good News - Anne Murray
    1984- The longest winning streak in the history of women’s tennis came to an end when Helena Kuova defeated Martina Navatilove, who had won 74 matches in a row, starting January 15, 1974.
    1986 - University of Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy on this day.
    1987 - Another in a series of storms brought high winds and heavy rain to the northwestern U.S., with heavy snow in some of the higher elevations. In northern California, Crescent City was drenched with 2.58 inches of rain, and winds gusted to 90 mph. Up to fourteen inches of snow blanketed the mountains of northern California, and snow and high winds created blizzard conditions around Lake Tahoe NV.
    1989 - Heavy snow blanketed the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Totals in the southern foothills of Colorado ranged up to 17 inches at Rye. Arctic air invaded the north central U.S. Lincoln NE, which reported a record high of 69 degrees the previous afternoon, was 35 degrees colder. International Falls MN was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 9 degrees below zero, and temperatures in northern Minnesota hovered near zero through the daylight hours.
    1991---Top Hits
Set Adrift on Memory Bliss - PM Dawn
Black or White - Michael Jackson
Blowing Kisses in the Wind - Paula Abdul
Forever Together - Randy Travis
    1994-Financial disaster hit Orange County on December 6, 1994, as a dalliance with high-risk investing forced the affluent California community to file for bankruptcy. The move, which marked the single biggest bankruptcy filing by a municipality, capped off a disastrous run for Orange County and its multi-billion-dollar investment fund.
    1998 - Astronauts on the U.S. space shuttle "Endeavour" completed the most difficult task of their 12-day mission, mating modules from Russia and the United States to create the first two building blocks of International Space Station. “We have capture of Zarya,” Commander Robert Cabana announced when the two pieces came together at approximately 9:07 p.m. EST. “Congratulations to the crew of the good ship Endeavour,” replied Mission Control. “That's terrific.”
    1999 - The U.S. airline maintenance company SabreTech was cleared of conspiracy charges in the crash of a plane belonging to cut-rate carrier ValuJet, which killed 110 people. The company was convicted on a series of less serious charges, including the improper packaging of the oxygen canisters thought to be responsible for the crash. The case involved 144 oxygen generators removed by SabreTech from other ValuJet planes and delivered to the ill-fated flight without the required safety caps or any markings indicating the canisters were hazardous. Investigators blamed the generators for starting a 2,200-degree cargo fire that brought down the DC-9 on May 11, 1996.
    1998-Comedian and actor Bill Cosby receives the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Cosby was born in Philadelphia in 1937. He dropped out of high school and joined the navy in 1956, later getting his high school degree by correspondence. In 1960, he entered Temple University on a football scholarship, but by the following year he had become more interested in comedy and began performing regularly in a Greenwich Village nightclub. He went on to pursue a career in show business and was cast in 1965 as the partner of a white undercover agent in I Spy, which ran until 1968. The first network TV show to portray a natural working relationship between white and black colleagues, I Spy co-starred Robert Culp. (The first black-white TV show was “Harlem Detective” written-produced-directed by my father in the early 1950’s in New York.) Cosby starred in numerous other TV shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including The Bill Cosby Show, from 1969 to 1971, a situation comedy in which Cosby played a high school coach, and The New Bill Cosby Show, a variety show that lasted only one season (1972-73). Meanwhile, Cosby released a series of hit comedy recordings, winning eight Grammies, and earned a doctorate in education. In 1972, he launched an animated cartoon series called Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, which ran until 1984. In the 1970s and '80s, he made many appearances on children's TV shows, including The Electric Company and Sesame Street.In 1984, The Cosby Show debuted, a series featuring obstetrician Cliff Huxtable, his attorney wife, and their houseful of children. Rejected by ABC and NBC when Cosby pitched a similar concept based on a blue-collar family, NBC agreed to try the show once Cosby made the main characters an affluent family. The show, which ran until 1992, became one of the most popular programs on television. From 1994 to 1995, Cosby starred in The Cosby Mysteries, playing a forensic expert, and launched Cosby, about downsized airline worker Clinton Lucas, in 1996. Cosby also starred in several movies, including Leonard, Part 6 (1987), which he produced, and Ghost Dad (1990), but his movies generally failed to make a splash at the box office.
http://www.delafont.com/comedians/Bill-Cosby.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby
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http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-14611/
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/cosbyshowt/cosbyshowt.htm
2005 At the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays continue to keep their wallets open as the team agrees to a five-year, $55 million deal with A.J. Burnett ( 12-12, 3.44 ). The signing of the Marlin free agent who many consider the best starter available on the market, comes on the heels of Toronto giving B.J. Ryan $47 million over five-years making it the richest contract in baseball history.

American Football Poem

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter “Little Prig”;
Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it is no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.
I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”