11 Days to Chanukah 16 days to Christmas

 Headlines---

California Leasing Lady Ruth Paddock Passes Away

    Classified Ads---Attorneys

        Please Help:

        Form to Cover Expenses, Out of Pocket Costs

            PinnLease USA President Tommy Larsen Pleads Guilty

                Rates dip on short-term Treasury bills

    Defrauded Bondholders Continue Fight

        Financial Federal Earnings Down 14%

            NetBank Completes Acquisition ATM Company

                Two Key Equip. Employees Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

    Company Newsletter--"IFC Leaseline"

        Christmas Gifts---

            Two Versions of Leasing News

                News Briefs---

    Sports Briefs---

        California Nuts Brief---

             "Gimme that Wine"

                This Day in American History

This Border ##### Denotes Press Release (Not Written By Leasing News)

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California Leasing Lady Ruth Paddock Passes Away

“...wanted to let everyone at WAEL(previously known as) that Ruth Paddock " Pictures from the Past" Featured in Leasing News: 4/16/2003 passed away on November 28th 2003 here in grass valley. a memorial service will be held at whispering pines church ( Grass valley ca) at noon on Saturday January 10th 2004 open service.

nancy paddock (formerly sales/ac manager for Heritage Leasing Associates)

Name = nancy cara paddock

               Address = p o box 1531

                  City = rough & ready

                 State = ca

               Zipcode = 95975

                 Phone = 530 274-1577

                   Fax =

                   Email = ncpaddock@sbcglobal.net

Ruth Paddock

The Union staff theunion.com ( serving Western Nevada County)

Memorial services for Ruth Irene (Nesmith) Paddock will be conducted at noon Saturday, Jan. 10, at Whispering Pines Church in Grass Valley.

Mrs. Paddock died Friday, Nov. 28. She was 68.

She was born May 6, 1935, to Harvey and Anna Geraldine Nesmith. She married Richard W. Paddock in 1955 in Hollywood. She was president of a homeowners association in Palos Verdes, was an accounts manager with Heritage Leasing in San Diego and then was president of Adama Financial Corp. in Newport Beach. She was a member of the Western Association of Equipment Lessors, American Association of Equipment Lessors, National Association of Professional Business Women, the Women's Shelter and employment program "A Helping Hand Up," and was instrumental in establishing Women in Leasing.

She enjoyed traveling through Europe and driving the back roads of the United States. She also enjoyed shopping in the Orient or at barn sales in Iowa. She was active in the Libertarian Party and community support efforts.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Paddock of Grass Valley; mother, Anna of Portland, Ore.; siblings Dave and Clara Nesmith, Lois and Tom O'Brien of Portland, Ore., Jeanette and Dean Tromanhauser, and Steve and Rose Tozier of Orange County, Mary and David Lance of Tulare and Laurie Truiet of Chico; nieces Patty, Sandy and Jessica; and nephew, Lance.

Memorial contributions may be made to AnimalSave or Hospice of the Foothills.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary.

http://www.leasingnews.org/pictures_past/past_04-16-03.htm

---1987---

Paddock/Gilyeart/DeNunzio/Davis

http://two.leasingnews.org/imanges_uael_wael/Paddock,Dilyeart,DeNunzio,D.jpg

Order of the WAEL was awarded to (left to right: Ruth Paddock, Steven Gilyeart, Joe DeNunzio, and George Davis at Spring Conference.

For their effort in promoting the Western Association of Equipment Lessors and the equipment leasing industry, ten members of WAEL were given the Order of the WAEL at the Spring Conference in San Diego.

Public Relations Committee Chairman Larry Turner, Lease Systems, san Diego, CA, recognized the following individuals with a First Order of the WAEL. Each one either gave the WAEL Speakers Bureau presentation or wrote an article for at trade publication about equipment leasing.

George Davis, Fortune Financial, Bend, OR.

Joe DeNunzio, SCS Leasing, Buena Park, CA

Steven Gilyeart, Dempcy & Braley, P.S.,Seattle, WAT

Terry Isom, Amembal & Isom, Salt Lake City, UT

Randall Jaeger, General GMC, Phoenix, AZ

Lonnie Langdon, Orient-U.S. Leasing, Los Angeles, CA

Gregory Larson, First Security Leasing, Salt Lake City, UT

Anthony Lucarelli, Charter Equipment Leaisng, Beverly Hills, CA

Victor Morgan, Dorado Equities, San Antonio, TX

Ruth Paddock, Costa Mesa, CA.

June, 1987, WAEL Newsline

[Headlines]

Classified Ads---Attorneys

----This section is free to law firms who belong to a leasing association and also

demonstrate their expertise in the equipment leasing and finance industry.

If you are searching for representation in a specific geographic area, or

are in need to this expertise, go to an attorney who has experience in

this field.

California - statewide: CA "ELA"

5-attorney creditors rights law firm, in biz 25 yrs +, specialize all aspects of creditor representation. Primarily represent equipment lessors & funders,plus collection and creditor rep. in bankruptcy. Email:phemar@hemar.com

California - statewide: Encino, CA. "ELA"

24 Attorney AV-rated Lawfirm representing the Leasing Industry for over 25 Years. We specialize in Lease-enforcement, collection and representation in Bankruptcy Court. email:sjenkins@hemar-rousso.com

Connecticut, Southern New England: EVANS, FELDMAN & BOYER, LLC Collections, litigation, documentation, portfolio sales and financing, bankruptcy. We represent many of the national and local leasing companies doing business in this state. Past chairman EAEL legal committee. Competitive rates. email: rcfeldman@snet.net EAEL

Law Firm - Service, Dallas, TX. ELA

Mayer regularly practices in leasing, secured financing, project development and finance and corporate finance.

email: dmayer@pattonboggs.com

Los Angeles, Statewide: CA. "ELA"

Aggressive creditors rights law firm specializing in equipment leasing handling collection matters on a contingency, fixed fee or hourly basis. email:RGarwacki@prodigy.net

Los Angeles -statewide: CA "ELA "

Practice limited to collections, bankruptcy and problem accounts resolution. Decades of experience. 10-lawyer firm dedicated to serving you. Call Ronald Cohn, Esq. (818)591- 2121 or email. Email: rrcohn@aol.com

National: http://www.leaselawyer.com/

Full staff of attorneys and legal assistants work with Group Leader Barry S. Marks to ensure prompt, cost-effective responses to client needs: Email:bsm@blik.com

National: Coston & Lichtman: Business attorneys serving the lease-finance industry since 1980. Transactional, documentation, corporate; workouts, litigation, bankruptcy. Chicago & Florida offices. Jim Coston, CLP (Members: ELA/UAEL/MAEL)

email: Jcoston@costonlaw.com

Northern California - Statewide: CA "EAEL" "ELA" San Francisco expertise at Marin County prices; practice limited to equipment leasing and finance with 22 years experience, testimonials. Ken Greene, Esq. 415-721-7900 keng@kengreenelaw.com

NY Metro and National: Hackensack, NY

Attorney specializing in equipment lease matters for at least 10 years with a 50-State operating network of attorneys experienced in leasing matters. Email:wuscher

***** free posting to attorneys who belong to an equipment leasing association, and by

doing so, indicate their “specialty of law:”

 http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormAttorney.htm

 [Headlines]

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Please Help: Form to Cover Expenses, Out of Pocket Costs

In talking with the Leasing News “house counsel,” Ken Greene, we had collected several forms that brokers use. Some have had clauses where they can keep everything no matter what ( and when signed by the applicant, we consider it a bilateral agreement and whether legal or not, the complaints received so far will not make our bulletin board.) We also have seen ones where expenses, or a general fee, are spelled out.

While we do not want to give legal advice, particularly realizing that

states differ and there are also licensing issue, we asked Ken Greene

for some “generic” help:

“I reviewed the documents you faxed to me regarding advance fees. It's a

noble effort and creating a relatively simple and inexpensive to use form to

ward off problems in this area. Please note, however, that it may not be so

simple, for these reasons:

  ( he has a very long list, which we are not printing here.)

“I know everyone wants a boilerplate, across-the board, form and no one want

to pay. I am not one to dig for business, but I think this is pennywise and

pound foolish. A well crafted agreement could cost perhaps $2000.

If 10 companies share the cost, it's only $200 each. I think you get what you pay

for, and if they want a "free" form, they will not get the comfort level I

would want if I was in their shoes. And though they don't want to pay, I am

sure the companies who have been sued on this issue, and who have paid

thousands of dollars in attorneys fees have ended up paying much much more,

not to mention the hassle of litigation.

        I am glad to help if a pool of leasing companies would like to get together

and hire me to put together a thorough form. It can still be simple, but it

should be internally consistent and not appear to be punitive in nature.

Ken

Kenneth C. Greene
Law Offices of Kenneth C. Greene
980 Magnolia Avenue Suite 6C
Larkspur, CA 94939
Vox: 415 461 3777
Fax: 415 461 3733
E-Mail: keng@kengreenelaw.com
Website: www.kengreenelaw.com

We do need the help of other companies to both share what they utilize and

to help sponsor this “generic” form.

For those who participate, Ken Greene is willing to do extra work for a minimal fee on the form for their specific needs. Each company will sign an agreement regarding this form to cover expenses incurred should a lease not go forward, plus give other clauses for specific terms and conditions to be covered in the proposal. Should we not obtain the $2,000 needed, all money will be returned. As per our policy, we also reserve

the right to refuse a sponsorship. editor

[Headlines]

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PinnLease USA President Tommy Larsen Pleads Guilty

(Originally, Larsen told Leasing News he was “not guilty” and his

attorney requested retractions of our story, very similar to

what is now happening at RW Professional Leasing. We also heard

from the presidents of United Capital, Unicapital, MSM Capital, SDI

Capital, and others, for “blowing the whistle.” Leasing News provided information

to Mr. Freeman, who should get an award for his journalism on both his

PinnFund and PinnLeasing exposes. Editor)

By Mike Freeman

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

The former president of a PinnFund USA subsidiary pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion charges related to the scam that engulfed the defunct Carlsbad mortgage company.

Tommy A. Larsen, president of PinnLease, admitted to scheming to funnel money from bogus equipment leases to himself, among other charges.

He pleaded guilty to scheming to obtain funds for PinnFund U.S.A. through fraudulent equipment leases, and laundering kickbacks of those funds to the mortgage lender and himself through sham transactions and false invoices, prosecutors said.

Larsen also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with his previous attempt to provide false testimony in federal court.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to evading taxes with respect to his 1999 and 2000 federal income taxes by charging personal expenditures to PinnFund, by structuring his compensation to avoid payroll taxes, and by hiding the proceeds of illicit activity in offshore financial institutions.

Sentencing is set for April 5 before U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff.

"The personal greed of those responsible for the massive PinnFund fraud led to the collapse of the corporation, the loss of millions of dollars by investors and the evasion of taxes,' said Denise L. Rubin, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge for San Diego.

PinnLease was the office equipment leasing arm of PinnFund, which imploded in March 2001 when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit alleging massive fraud.

Criminal charges followed the SEC action against several of the ringleaders, including chief executive Michael Fanghella, who in February was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Counting Larsen, seven people linked to PinnFund have pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. One of the top money raisers in the scam, James Hillman, a former Oakland lawyer, is fighting the charges. No trial date is scheduled.

U.S. Attorney Carol Lam said Larsen, 54, entered his plea without reaching a deal with prosecutors. He admitted to laundering kickbacks from phony office equipment leases to PinnFund and himself, attempting to provide false testimony and evading taxes by charging personal expenses to PinnFund and structuring his salary to sidestep payroll taxes. Some of the money was hidden in offshore banks.

"Today's guilty plea demonstrates the extraordinary scope of the fraudulent conduct that occurred at PinnFund," Lam said.

About 160 investors put $330 million into PinnFund over a five-year span. They were promised 17 percent returns on their money, which they were told was being used to finance mortgage loans.

Instead, the money went to cover millions in operating losses at PinnFund, to enrich company executives and to provide investors with their monthly returns, which is the way a classic Ponzi scheme operates.

While the total loss remains unclear, prosecutors said about $106 million came back to investors in the form of monthly payments. That puts the estimated loss of investor funds at about $224 million – making the scam among the largest in San Diego County history.

In all, Larsen pleaded guilty to 18 counts of a 23-count federal indictment handed up on January. Sentencing is scheduled April 5 before U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff. Larsen faces more than 20 years in prison.

PinnFund U.S.A. was closed by court order on March 23, 2001.

  ( For further information about PinnLease USA, please go here:

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

[Headlines]

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Rates dip on short-term Treasury bills

WASHINGTON -- Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities fell in yesterday's auction. The Treasury Department sold $16 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 0.900 percent, down from 0.925 percent last week. An additional $16 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 1.000 percent, down from 1.030 percent.

[Headlines]

Defrauded Bondholders Continue Fight

   ABSnet

"...the National Century scandal would represent the largest investor loss in the history of the asset-backed market")

Holders of National Century Financial's $3.3 billion of defaulted asset-backed securities are disappointed with the amounts they are slated to receive, and are looking for ways to boost their recoveries.

As it now stands, there is only $122.5 million in the bankrupt company's estate that can be used to repay the fraudulent healthcare-receivables bonds, court-appointed chief executive David Coles told investors last week. But bondholders may still be able to reduce their losses by laying claim to loan payments owed to National Century and by suing various banks and service providers that did business with the company.

Perhaps the best opportunity for investors to boost their recoveries would be to ask the bankruptcy court to grant them rights to $200 million to $300 million of loan payments that healthcare-provider clients still owe to National Century.

Bondholders may also be able to pocket $75 million that Credit Suisse First Boston loaned to National Century shortly before it went bankrupt in November 2002. Bankruptcy law may give the bondholders seniority over lenders such as First Boston on loans that were written within 90 days of the borrower's bankruptcy filing. In fact, ING Barings has agreed to turn over a $43.1 million loan to National Century's bondholders for that reason. If investors aren't able to settle with First Boston within the next few weeks, they'll likely sue the investment bank.

Separately, there's a chance that investors will win more than $1 billion through various class action lawsuits against service providers that worked on National Century's deals. Among the defendants are trustees J.P. Morgan Chase and Bank One, as well as underwriter First Boston. The City of Chandler, in Arizona, is also suing Moody's and Fitch, which rated National Century's issues.

Barring those recoveries, the National Century scandal would represent the largest investor loss in the history of the asset-backed market. Among National Century's largest asset-backed holders are Pacific Investment Management, First Boston, Alliance Capital Management, hedge fund III Finance, Metropolitan Life, Ambac and Lincoln Capital Management.

In September, ING filed a separate lawsuit against J.P. Morgan and Deloitte & Touche in Manhattan Federal Court. It's seeking to recover $500 million that it lost as liquidity provider for its Mont Blanc Capital commercial-paper conduit, which owns some National Century bonds.

The bondholder distributions proposed by Coles are subject to bankruptcy-court approval later this month. Coles is also a managing director at workout firm Alvarez & Marshal.

 [Headlines]

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

Financial Federal Earnings Down 14%

Financial Federal Corporation announced net earnings of $7.2 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2003, a 14% decrease from the $8.3 million earned for the quarter ended October 31, 2002. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 13% to $0.39 from $0.45. Finance receivables originated during the quarter totaled $170 million. Finance receivables outstanding decreased by less than 1% to $1.41 billion at October 31, 2003 from $1.42 billion at July 31, 2003.

Net earnings for the quarter ended October 31, 2002 includes a $1.1 million after-tax loss from the redemption of convertible debt that reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.06. Without this loss, net earnings for the quarter ended October 31, 2002 was $9.4 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.51. These amounts are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are useful to investors in comparing the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2003. Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended October 31, 2003 each decreased by 24% with this fiscal 2003 loss excluded.

Net charge-offs were $3.7 million or 1.05% (annualized) of average finance receivables compared to 1.11% in the preceding quarter and 0.41% in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Non- performing assets were 3.8% of total finance receivables at October 31, 2003 compared to 4.4% at July 31, 2003 and 4.2% at October 31, 2002. Delinquent receivables (60 days or more past due) were 2.1% of total finance receivables at October 31, 2003 compared to 1.6% at July 31, 2003 and 1.9% at October 31, 2002.

Paul R. Sinsheimer, CEO, commented, “Consistent with overall commercial loan activity in the country, demand for the Company’s services remained weak during the quarter. With sufficient liquidity available and historically low leverage, the Company is structured to produce higher levels of loan originations. We are patiently optimistic that demand for our services will increase.”

Steven F. Groth, CFO, remarked, “Higher collection costs and the incremental costs of operating as a public company in today’s environment accounted for the increase in operating expenses reported in the attached income statement. A decline in non- performing assets should cause a reduction in future collection costs. Although delinquencies rose, their level compares favorably to other finance companies. Other credit quality statistics, such as repossessions, non-accruals and charge-offs, continued to trend favorably.”

For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.financialfederal.com.

[Headlines]

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

NetBank, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Financial Technologies, Inc.; Acquisition is Part of Company's Revenue Diversification Strategy

ATLANTA----NetBank, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTBK), parent company of the country's first commercially successful Internet bank, NetBank(R) (www.netbank.com), announced it has completed its acquisition of Financial Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of off-premise ATM and merchant processing services. Through this acquisition, the company has expanded its transaction processing lines of business with an immediately accretive addition.

   "We're very excited to add FTI to the NetBank, Inc. family of companies," said Douglas K. Freeman, chairman and CEO, NetBank, Inc. "It fits nicely with our long-term strategy of providing small institutions or non-bank retail businesses the means of distributing ancillary financial services to their existing customers. We also expect to capitalize on natural synergies with our own retail and small business banking services over time."

   NetBank received regulatory approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision on December 5. FTI will operate as a subsidiary of NetBank and maintain its headquarters in Jackson, Miss. FTI's current management team will continue to oversee its operations. For further information on this transaction, please see the company's press release "NetBank, Inc. Reaches Definitive Agreement to Acquire Financial Technologies, Inc.," dated October 6.

   About NetBank, Inc.

   NetBank, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTBK) operates with a revolutionary business model through a diverse group of complementary financial services businesses that leverage technology for more efficient and cost effective delivery of services. Its major subsidiaries include NetBank(R) (www.netbank.com), the country's first commercially successful Internet bank; RBMG, Inc., a wholesale mortgage lender that generates residential mortgages through a nationwide network of independent brokers and correspondent lenders; Market Street Mortgage Corporation, a retail residential mortgage lender that conducts business in 39 states; Meritage Mortgage Corporation, a wholesale mortgage lender that originates non-conforming residential mortgages through a nationwide network of independent brokers; Republic Leasing Company, Inc., a wholesale originator and servicer of commercial business equipment leases; and NetInsurance, Inc. (formerly known as RBMG Insurance Services, Inc.), an online insurance agency representing some of the nation's leading insurance companies. NetBank is a Member FDIC. NetBank, RBMG(R), Market Street Mortgage(R) and Meritage(R) are Equal Housing Lenders.

CONTACT:NetBank, Atlanta Rich Jeffers, 678-942-7596 rjeffers@netbank.com

[Headlines]

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

Two Key Equipment Finance Employees Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Key Equipment Finance, one of the nation’s largest bank-held equipment financing companies and an affiliate of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) today announced that two of the company’s employees have successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent, to raise money for charity.

Pietro Simonetti and Catherine Pappas were part of a team that ascended the mountain in an effort to raise funds for the Colorado Cancer Foundation and the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF). The team ascended Mt. Kilimanjaro from the remote north side, and Simonetti was one of two team members that skied a 3,500 vertical foot descent over the Heim Glacier. Only a few people in the world have successfully climbed and skied down the mountain.

"We are proud of Pietro and Katy’s accomplishments and were happy to help support an expedition for such a worthwhile cause," said Paul Larkins, president and CEO of Key Equipment Finance. "Pietro and Katy possess unmatched determination and perseverance and we’re lucky to have them as part of the Key Equipment Finance team."

Simonetti and Pappas are experienced athletes, and both were part of a team that set a Guinness World Record by skiing all of Colorado’s 28 ski resorts in 80 hours, 41 minutes in 2002.

The Colorado Cancer Foundation is a growing organization that supports cancer research, education and cancer patients and families requiring support. AMREF’s mission is to empower disadvantaged people in Africa to enjoy better health, and the success of AMREF’s work is measured by the impact it makes on the lives of the most disadvantaged people in Africa.

About Key Equipment Finance

Key Equipment Finance is an affiliate of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) and provides business-to-business equipment financing solutions to businesses of many types and sizes. They focus on four distinct markets:

 businesses of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada (from small business to large corporate);

 equipment manufacturers, distributors and value-added resellers worldwide;

 federal, provincial, state and local governments as well as other public sector organizations; and

 lease advisory services for manufacturers’ captive leasing and finance companies.

Headquartered outside Boulder, Colorado, Key Equipment Finance oversees an $8.7 billion equipment portfolio with annual originations of approximately $3.5 billion. The company has major management and operations bases in Toronto, Ontario; Albany, New York; London, England; and Sydney, Australia. The company, which operates in 24 countries and employs more than 600 people worldwide, has been in the equipment financing business for 30 years. Additional information regarding Key Equipment Finance, its products and services can be obtained online at KEFonline.com.

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $84 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, retirement, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. The company's businesses deliver their products and services through KeyCenters and offices; a network of approximately 2,400 ATMs; telephone banking centers (1.800.KEY2YOU); and a Web site, Key.com, that provides account access and financial products 24 hours a day.

Sites of Reference:

http://www.kefonline.com

CONTACT:

Cori Keeton

Barnhart/CMI

Phone Number: 303-626-7200

Fax Number: 303-626-7252

E-mail: corik@barnhartcmi.com

[Headlines]

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

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Company Newsletters

IFC LeaseLine

http://two.leasingnews.org/loose_files/LeaseLine%20Dec%2003.pdf

To subscribe to LeaseLine, call IFC direct at 1-888-554-4432

This is a new feature we would like to start. Send us your company newsletter,

and we will convert it into a pdf or word file to post on Leasing News.

[Headlines]

Christmas Gifts---

Here are books about leasing, perfect for the leasing colleague, an employee...

Instead of candy or a basket, here is something that will keep longer and

be of greater benefit:

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books.htm

If you are a company looking for a ten book discount, many of the sellers

will be glad to provide it. Some will even ship the book out to individual]

addresses for free as a “group discount.”

[Headlines]

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Two Versions of Leasing News

      Free (text format)

                     HTML: $59.95 yr --- Free 30 Day Trial

The text edition “goes to press” from 2:00am to 3:00am, California time.

It is also available in an "up-grade" format, html, where you may

click on the headlines to go to the story, plus is also in this "new" format

posted daily on our website--- http://www.leasingnews.org/contact_us_news.htm

This addition, and the website, are posted from 8:00am to 9:00am, California time.

If you have not had a prior trial, get 30 days for free and then see if you want to keep the HTML version. Classified ads and subscriptions help support the operation of Leasing

[Headlines]

News Briefs----

Fed Likely to Keep Interest Rate the Same

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48101-2003Dec9.html

House Votes, Fights and Then Adjourns

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/politics/campaigns/09CONG.html

Time Warner Cable to launch US-wide web phone
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT
/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1069493814243&p=1012571727088

Ex-Tyco director denies OK of perks

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2003/12/09/
ex_tyco_director_denies_ok_of_perks/

'Idol' winner feels 'Soulful' worth the wait

http://www.accessatlanta.com/music/content/music/cds/
rubenstuddard120903.html;COXnetJSessionID=1VJftW3a39Z
RDwJnKn3D1lg4u21vFpwv2ktUEsQGIkLJB6Y6Mydx!-2078213007
?urac=n&urvf=10709589437570.05611456050285801

Lessons from Newman's Own--New Book full of humor

http://www.usatoday.com/money/books/reviews/2003-12-07-newman_x.htm

[Headlines]

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Sports Briefs---

Patriots Are Back on Top a Year After Falling Flat

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/sports/football/09PATS.html

Raiders: This time, it's hearts, not brains, that falter
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/football/
nfl/oakland_raiders/7441267.htm

MTV to produce 2004 Super Bowl halftime show

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/7920489p-8858116c.html

The B.C.S. Will Live, but Faces Tinkering

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/sports/ncaafootball/09BCS.html

[Headlines]

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 California Nuts Brief---

Governor aborts groping inquiry Stuntwoman sues for campaign smear

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/09/LIBEL.TMP

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/
california/northern_california/7445303.htm

[Headlines]

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 "Gimme that Wine"

Smart Money---Wine Buying Guide

http://www.smartmoney.com/ontheagenda/index.cfm?story=20031208

S.F. Chronicle Top 100 Wines of 2003 Wine Primer
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-
bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/07/CMprimer.DTL

Presidio Wine Bunkers Become Wine Cellars

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/articles/2003/12/06/news/news03.txt

His cellar holds $2.5m of wine---5,000 bottles

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/invest/story/0,4386,224011,00.html

[Headlines]

________________________________________________________________________

This Day in American History

      1561-Birthday of Sir Edwin Sandys, English statesman and one of the founders of the Virginia Colony (treasurer, the Virginia Company, 1619-20), born at Worcestershire, England. He later became a member of the Bermuda Company.. Sandys Parish in Bermuda named for him; died in 1629)

 Encouraged many to go to America. He was also in favor of having the colonies become a self-sufficient republic. Died at Kent, England, in October 1629 (exact date not known).

http://www.famousamericans.net/siredwinsandys/

http://www.bermuda-online.org/seesandy.htm

    1783- Slavery was made illegal this day in Massachusetts by a judicial interpretation of the state constitution of 1780, " in which the text stating that all men were 'born free and equal' was construed as legal nullification of slavery. This year also saw the slave trade outlawed in Maryland. The following year slavery was abolished in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

    1788 - George Washington sold his race horse, Magnolia, to Colonel Henry Lee. Washington reportedly got 5,000 acres of Kentucky farmland. Lee was in Washington’s command and

also was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was known as “Light Horse

Harry.” He wanted the horse to race as this was the great sport of the time. Upon the death of President George Washington, Harry was asked by Congress to deliver a tribute to his beloved general, describing him for posterity:

“First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen...second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life.”

After the death of his idol, Harry's fortunes began to decline rapidly. the support of a family of six, coupled with disastrous land speculation, reduced him to financial poverty, Then, on January 19, 1807, in the large upstairs room at Stratford where so many Lees had come into the world, Ann gave birth to their fifth son, Robert Edward, named after two of his mother's favorite brothers. As Robert was learning to walk, his father was carried off to debtor's prison in Montross.

With characteristic courage, in a 12-by-15 foot prison cell, Harry wrote his Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States, still the standard text on that portion of the Revolutionary War. When the book was finished in 1810, the family moved to Alexandria, where a new life on a modest scale was made possible by a legacy from Ann's father. Harry's eldest son, Henry IV, became master of Stratford.

"Light Horse Harry's" last years were marred by sorrow and pain. Internal injuries, received when he was beaten by a mob as he defended a friend and freedom of the press in Baltimore, kept him in constant physical pain. He sought relief in the warm climate of the West Indies. When his health continued to decline, Harry attempted to return home, but died on Cumberland Island, Georgia, in the home of the daughter of his former commander, Nathaniel Greene.

http://www.patriotresource.com/people/lee.html

http://www.stratfordhall.org/lighthorse.htm

    1793 - The first daily newspaper in New York City was founded by Noah Webster. "The America Minerva" was published for the first time this day. How long Webster stayed awake at night to come up with "Minerva" is anyone’s guess.

 1

     1835-Inspired by the spirited leadership of Benjamin Rush Milam, the newly created Texan Army takes possession of the city of San Antonio, an important victory for the Republic of Texas in its war for independence from Mexico. After helping the Texas Army capture the city of Goliad, he made an impassioned call for volunteers, asking: "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?" Three hundred men did volunteer, and the Texas Army began its attack on San Antonio at dawn on December 5. By December 9, the defending forces of the Mexican army were badly beaten, and the commanding general surrendered the city. Milam, however, was not there to witness the results of his leadership--he was killed instantly by a sniper bullet on December 7. If Milam had survived, he might well have been among the doomed defenders of the Alamo that were wiped out by Santa Ana's troops the following March.

    1848-Birthday of Joe Chandler Harris, American author, creator of the “Uncle Remus” stories, born at Eatonton, GA. Died July 3, 1908, at Atlanta, GA.

    1861- Battle of Bird Creek, Indian Territory (High Shoal, Chusto-Talasah), Oklahoma.

Indian Union troops hold off Confederate advance, but retreat due to lack of ammunition. Confederates call it a “victory,” and at Chustenahlah they again pushed back the ill-trained Union Indian troops.

http://www.pathsofthecivilwar.com/Pastfinder/PCWsummary.asp?locationID=OK002
http://home.earthlink.net/~dawise/CreekReg.htm

http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ok003.htm

    1872-African-American PBS Pinchback was the Acting Lt. Governor and succeeded after the impeachment of Warmoth. and on this date , started the first of 35 days as the Governor of Louisiana.

http://www.sec.state.la.us/46.htm

    1886- Birthday of Clarence Birdseye, the American industrialist who developed a way of deep-freezing foods. He was marketing frozen fish in 1925 and was one of the founders of General Food Corporation. Born at Brooklyn, NY., he died at New York City, Oct. 7, 1956.

    1888-Twenty-eight-year-old Herman Hollerith installed his punch calculator machine at the War Department in Washington, D.C. Hollerith had developed his tabulating machine, which read and sorted punched cards, in the hopes that it would be used in the 1890 census. Census officials thought Hollerith's machine seemed promising but needed practical experience, so Hollerith volunteered to use the machine to organize health statistics from city health departments in New York and Baltimore. It was so successful that news of the machine soon spread, and the War Department invited Hollerith to install a tabulating machine there to track statistics. Ultimately, the Census Department did use Hollerith's machine in the 1890 census.

     1898-Birthday of Emmett Kelly, American circus clown and entertainer, born at Sedan KS. Kelly was best known for “Weary Willie,” a clown dressed in tattered clothes, with a beard and large nose. Died at Sarasota, FL. March 28,1979.

       1906- Birthday of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, born New York, NY, retired from the Navy at eighty years old, developer of the computer, mother of COBOL, and quite an amazing woman, rising to the highest ranks for a woman at that time,1983. When she retired from the navy in 1986, she went to work full time for the Digital Computer Company as a “consultant.” Reportedly, she functioned in much the same capacity she did when she was in the Navy, traveling on lecture tours around the country, speaking at engineering forums, colleges, universities and computer seminars passing on the message that managers shouldn't be afraid of change. In her opinion, "the most damaging phrase in the language is `We've always done it this way.'". While the question on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire for the top prize was what insect was the “computer bug,” which was the moth, this word was coined by Admiral Hopper and the Navy has a picture of what she discovered . She also is attributed with the phrase, “Computer debugging.” She is said to also have had quite a sense of humor. She was a constant smoker of filter less Lucky Strike cigarettes. The USS Hopper (DDG 70) is named after her honor. Died January 1,1992, Arlington, WV.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-h/g-hoppr.htm

http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/hopper.htm

http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/hopper.html

http://www.chips.navy.mil/links/grace_hopper/file2.htm

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/destroyers/hopper/hoprcom.html

   1916-Birthday of Trumpet player Bob Scobey

http://artisttv.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,490603,00.html?artist=Bob+Scobey

http://www.stompoff.com/westcoast.html

http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/bsfjb.html

http://www.sftradjazz.org/75.html http://www.trumpetjazz.com/artists.cgi?name=Bob+Scobey&x=21&y=9

   1918-Birthday of violinist Joe Thompson, Mebane, NC

    1919- Birthday of Roy deCarava, first Black American photographer to be awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

http://www.frif.com/cat97/a-e/conversa.html

http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/exhibits/rec_acq/history/sweet.html

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/D/decarava/decarava.html

http://artcyclopedia.com/artists/decarava_roy.html

http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/2aa/2aa68.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/museums/photogallery/decarava/decarava1.htm

     1922-Birthday of Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford at St. Louis, MO. Redd Foxx plied his comedic trade on vaudeville stages, in nightclubs, on television, in films and on record albums. His talents reached a national audience with the TV sitcom “Sanford and Son.” He died after collapsing during a rehearsal for a new TV sitcom, “ The Royal Family, “ at Los Angels, CA. Oct. 11, 1991.

http://www.triviatribute.com/reddfoxx.html

http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-38305

    1926 – 17 year old Benny Goodman’s first recording session, Chicago, playing clarinet with Ben Pollack and His Californians .Victor Records. He had a 16 bars solo of a song called "He's the Last Word." Goodman worked hard to raise his family out of abject poverty in Chicago. Sadly, his father was hit by a car and killed on the same day Goodman recorded the solo. His father never came to one of Goodman's shows because he didn't own a suit.

      1927-Birthday of sax player Bennie Green, Leeds, England, Died March 22,1977

http://search.centerstage.net/music/whoswho/BennieGreen.html

     1927-Red McKenzie-Eddie Condon stage first Chicago-style session, Chicago, Okeh records.

     1932-Birthday of trumpet player Donald Byrd, Detroit,MI

http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/byrd.html

http://www.thejazzfiles.com/JazzByrd.htm
     1932-Birthday of song writer/singer Jesse Hill, New Orleans, LA, Died Sept. 16, 1966.

     1934-Birthday of harmonica player Junior Wells, West Memphis,AR

Died Jan. 15, 1998

http://www.island.net/~blues/junior.html

http://www.juniorwells.com/jwbio.htm

http://www.imdb.com/Name?Wells,+Junior

1938 – Birthday of David Houston (Grammy Award-winning singer: Almost Persuaded [1966]; Mountain of Love, Livin’ in a House Full of Love, With One Exception, You Mean the World to Me, Have a Little Faith, Already It’s Heaven, Baby Baby [I Know You’re a Lady], So Many Ways; actor: Carnival Rock, Cottonpickin’ Chickenpickers; died Nov 30, 1993)

     1938 – Birthday of Deacon (David) Jones (Pro Football Hall of Famer: LA Rams: coined the term ‘sack’ of which he was premier at the time; NFL defensive player of the year [1967, 1968]; San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins)

     1940-The Chicago Bears won the NFL championship by defeating the Washington Redskins, 73-0, the most one-sided victory in the league’s title game.

    1941-The first American bombing mission took place two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,when B-17 airplanes of the 19^th Bombardment Group attacked Japanese ships off the east coast of Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Island.

     1941-Fighter plane from the United States to destroy a Japanese airplane in World War II was a Grumman f$-F Wildcat fighter of the Marines, which downed a twin-engine bomber off Wake Island.

     1941- Although having a 3-C draft deferment due to being the sole support of his family, Bob Feller, last year's AL leading pitcher with 27 victories for the Indians, becomes the first major leaguer to enlist after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The 23-year old navy recruit has already won 107 major league games.

http://www.bobfellermuseum.org/

     1942 – Birthday of Dick Butkus (College and Pro Football Hall of Famer: Chicago Bears: middle linebacker: NFL Defensive P1943 – Birthday of Jim Merritt (baseball: pitcher: Minnesota Twins [World Series: 1965], Cincinnati Reds [World Series: 1970/all-star: 1970], Texas Rangers) player of the Year [1969, 1970]; actor: Rich Man, Poor Man, Half Nelson)

    1943 – Birthday of Jim Merritt (baseball: pitcher: Minnesota Twins [World Series: 1965], Cincinnati Reds [World Series: 1970/all-star: 1970], Texas Rangers)

    1943-Birthday of trumpet player Jimmy Owens, New York City

http://www.trumpetjazz.com/artists.cgi?name=Jimmy+Owens&x=15&y=5

     1946—Top Hits
Ole Buttermilk Sky - The Kay Kyser Orchestra (vocal: Mike Douglas & The Campus Kids)
Rumors are Flying - The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Marjorie Hughes)
The Old Lamplighter - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Billy Williams)
Divorce Me C.O.D. - Merle Travis 

     1953 - Frank Sinatra recorded "Young At Heart". The song was turned down by Nat ‘King’ Cole and other artists, believe it or not. It became a top hit in the U.S. in March of 1954.

     1954—Top Hits
Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes
Count Your Blessings - Eddie Fisher
Dim Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere) - Bill Haley & His Comets
More and More - Webb Pierce

     1956 - The Million Dollar Session was held at Sun Records in Memphis, TN. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered for an impromptu jam session. Six songs by the artists were recorded at this session. None of the songs was released for nearly three decades.

     1958-In Indianapolis, retired Boston candy manufacturer Robert H.W. Welch, Jr., establishes the John Birch Society, a right-wing organization dedicated to fighting what it perceives to be the extensive infiltration of communism into American society. Welch named the society in honor of John Birch, considered by many to be the first American casualty in the struggle against communism. In 1945, Birch, a Baptist missionary and U.S. Army intelligence specialist, was killed by Chinese communists in the northern province of Anhwei.The John Birch Society, initially founded with only 11 members, had by the early 1960s grown to a membership of nearly 100,000 Americans and received annual private contributions of several million dollars. In the early days of formation, Ronald Reagan came to several meetings in the Pacific Palisades (he was never listed as a member); as a teenager, I parked the cars for one of my neighbors who held the meetings. The John Birch Society remains active today, and its members seek "to expose a semi-secret international cabal whose members sit in the highest places of influence and power worldwide."

    1960 - Sperry Rand Corporation of St. Paul, MN unveiled a new computer, known as Univac 1107. The electronic wizard employed what was known as thin-film memory.

    1962—Top Hits
Big Girls Don’t Cry - The 4 Seasons
Return to Sender - Elvis Presley
Bobby’s Girl - Marcie Blane
Don’t Let Me Cross Over - Carl Butler & Pearl (Dee Jones)

     1962-Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Monument was established as a national park.

http://www.orerockon.com/petrified_forest.htm

http://www.nps.gov/pefo/

http://www.petrifiedforest.org/

    1965- "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres

http://www.ew.com/ew/fab400/tv100/60s_p4.html

http://www.phillyburbs.com/holidays/christmas/tv/cbc.shtml

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0059026

    1965-An article in the New York Times asserts that the U.S. bombing campaign has neither destabilized North Vietnam's economy nor appreciably reduced the flow of its forces into South Vietnam. These observations were strikingly similar to an earlier Defense Intelligence Agency analysis, which concluded that "the idea that destroying, or threatening to destroy, North Vietnam's industry would pressure Hanoi into calling it quits seems, in retrospect, a colossal misjudgment." President Johnson called for more ground troops to be deployed to South Viet Nam.
1970—Top Hits
I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Gypsy Woman - Brian Hyland
Endlessly - Sonny James
1978—Top Hits
Le Freak - Chic
I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vanelli
I Love the Nightlife (Disco ’Round) - Alicia Bridges
On My Knees - Charlie Rich with Janie Fricke
1980- 61ºF in Boston at 1 AM

     1984 - Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears got another first as he ran six plays as quarterback. He was intercepted twice, but ran the ball himself on four carries. It didn’t help. The Green Bay packers still won, 20-14. Payton said after the game, “It was okay, but I wouldn’t want to do it for a living.”

    1984 - Eric Dickerson, then of the Los Angeles Rams, became only the second pro football player to run for more than 2,000 yards (2,105) in a season.

    1986—Top Hits
The Next Time I Fall - Peter Cetera with Amy Grant
Hip to Be Square - Huey Lewis & The News
The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby & The Range
It Ain’t Cool to Be Crazy About You - George Strait

     1987-Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first goalie in NHL history to shoot the puck into the opposition team’s net in a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.

     1995 - The Beatles’ "Anthology 1" was #1 in the U.S. The double CD contained 60 Beatles songs and was the their sixteenth number-one album. It also set a record for the longest time span for a run of number-one albums: 31 years and 10 months between "Meet the Beatles" and "Anthology 1.”

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