Friday, December 7, 2007

Headlines---

Pictures from the Past
—December, 1978-Fred Shieman
    Classified ads—Legal
        Operation Lease Fleece up-date
More changes at CIT –More to follow?
    Marlin at $13.20
        Archive: Marlin IPO –Bob Rodi- 12/03/03
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
    Cartoon—A night for white wine
        Leasing Books for Christmas
    OTS head Endorses Prevention Initiative
Dollar falls against euro
    SBA- Role in Massive Loan Fraud
        SEC releases taxonomy GAAP fin. reports
    CFOs' Optimism Slumps to Record Low
News Briefs---
    You May have Missed---
        California Nuts Brief---
Sports Briefs---
    "Gimme that Wine"
        Calendar Events
Snapple Real Facts
    Today's Top Event in History
        This Day in American History
Football Poem
    SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle
    GasBuddy
News on Line---Internet Newspapers
Bodega Bay West County, California

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”

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

Pictures from the Past—December, 1978-Fred Shieman

“Western Association of Equipment Lessors elected a new slate of officers for 1979 at the Maui Conference. The income president is Fred Shieman of California Group Services in San Francisco. Shieman has been active in WAEL since its early formative days, and served the association as vice president for 1978 and earlier as secretary treasurer.

“WAEL’s new president started his firm, a real estate financing development operation, in 1971. IN the early years the firm concentrated in construction equipment, leasing and conditional sales contracts. They developed some combination types of financing of real estate and equipment along with concurrent equipment leasing, and later provided some leasing services for manufacturers and equipment vendors.

“Fred graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and reports he has one wife, two children. They live in Walnut Creek, and Fred is still not used to the commute to San Francisco where he opened offices a year ago. His hobbies include flying, sailing and working.”

While flying by himself, Shieman’s plane crashed due to bad weather conditions. According to Duane Russell, CLP, who submitted the above poem for the February, 1990 UAEL Newsline, “Fred died doing what he loved. He loved flying.”

    High Flight

        A poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds—and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence, hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high, un-trespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

At the time of his departure, Fred D. Shieman was chairman of the board, Matsco Financial Corp., Walnut Creek, California. His son Matt assumed his father’s position, including becoming more active in several leasing associations and community organizations; grew the company into a national entity via the securitization market, then sold it to Greater Bay Bank.

[headlines]

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

Classified ads—Legal

San Diego , CA
Experienced in-house corporate, equipment leasing and financial services attorney seeks position as managing or transactional counsel. Willing to relocate. Cell Phone: 760-533-4058;
Email: sandidq@msn.com

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

[headlines]

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

Operation Lease Fleece up-date

Leasing News may not have its series on what happened and how those in the industry can protect themselves from what the FBI has uncovered in Operation Lease Fleece for several weeks.

It appears the others do not want to make the same deal as the first 23 who have signed agreements and also cooperated in the investigation. Leasing News is aware of two companies involved, as well as other individuals, who think they can beat the Feds. I guess they never watched Elliott Ness on
the Untouchables.

The strategy here then is they will be tried first, and then the 23 will be sentenced afterwards. It avoids the ability of “taking the fifth,” Leasing News is told. In addition, it may be from six to twelve months before post indictments are made.

This information comes from several of the “insiders” and not any government agent.

Those who hold out: You are foolish. You have the FBI really knowledgeable about what is going on. You have the Internal Revenue Service in the wings, as well as the United States Postal Authority, and a host of others.

If you watch “Deal or No Deal,” you will see those who try to go to the $1,000,000 in the case they hold always lose. They make a “Deal.” You should, too.

[headlines]

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

More changes at CIT –More to follow?

.
Thomas B Hallman

Perhaps the European market was not going as smoothly as expected, and Thomas B. Hallman is taking retirement. He was CIT Vice Chairman, Specialty Finance, responsible they said for “the strategic vision behind CIT’s acquisition of Barclays UK and German vendor finance businesses.” Before that, Rick Wolfert, Vice-Chairman, commercial finance, was abruptly let go.

Rick Wolfert

A CIT press release in announcing his original appointment in 2004 stated: “Mr. Wolfert integrated the Heller Financial Healthcare business with several healthcare finance businesses within GE Capital and established one of the largest financial services providers to companies in the healthcare industry...
“Since 2001, he has served as President and CEO of GE Healthcare Finance. Prior to joining GE, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Heller Financial Corporation and was Chairman, President and CEO of KeyBank USA and of KeyCorp Leasing Ltd. Prior to joining KeyCorp in 1988; he was employed by U.S. Leasing Corporation as Vice President, Business Development.”

In January, 2007, 18 month CIT veteran Walter J. Owens was named president of CIT Corporate Finance.

Walter J. Owens

Prior to joining CIT, Owens served as Chief Marketing Officer for GE Commercial Finance where he was responsible for executing growth strategies for existing and new products and markets. Other key positions held at GE included Managing Director and General Manager of GE Small Enterprise Services and Managing Director of Global Securitization for GE Capital Market Services. Owens also led the Heller integration into the GE Corporate Finance Services unit.

Before GE, Owens served as Vice President at Citibank's Corporate Policy & Advisory Group from 1990 to 1992. He began his career in 1982 where he held a number of positions at Deloitte, Haskins and Sells in the Accounting and Auditing Services Division.

Owens is a Certified Public Accountant. He received his BS from Villanova University and his MBA from New York University

Wednesday Owens announced the appointment of Jay DesMarteau (40) as President of CIT Equipment Finance. DesMarteau had served as interim Group Head since June, 2007. He was responsible for developing and growing CIT’s middle market equipment finance business and working with the Equipment Finance leadership team to drive sales, deal structuring, portfolio management and customer satisfaction.

Jay DesMarteau

DesMarteau joined CIT in 2006 as the Chief Sales Officer of Commercial Finance. Prior to joining CIT, DesMarteau worked with General Electric for 15 years in a number of increasingly senior roles, most recently leading the consolidation of GE Capital Solutions which incorporated the merging of GE’s $2 billion Net Income Equipment Finance, Inventory Finance, and Vendor Finance business units. Prior to GE, he also led the sales and marketing teams for a $10 billion domestic finance business.

These changes at the top will result in other movement in the corporate structure.

It looks like CIT branding is changing directions again with GE trained executives. One thing for sure, even if you step in the same spot in the stream, the water is different.

Coda: The end of November, CIT Group Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Jeffrey Peek bought 5,000 shares of common stock.
He bought the shares for $27.39 apiece. Most likely he is about to “retire” too. The stock closed on Thursday, yesterday: $27.75

The point being is that Peek put his money where his mouth is. He believes in the CIT Group. Silly to even doubt that.

[headlines]

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

Marlin at $13.20

While we are talking about stock, Leasing News wrote an editorial on November 12, saluting the Marlin Business Services Board of Directors who has announced the company intends to buy back $15 million of their stock. “This should not only be good news to stockholders, but also to employees and the leasing industry that the board believes in their company. They are willing to put their money where their mouth is.”

To date, haven’t seen any large purchases or SEC announcements.
The stock has not recovered very much since the announcement, and closed Thursday, yesterday,
at $13.20.

13.20
Trade Time: 3:59PM ET
Change: 0.20 (1.54%)
Prev Close: 13.00
Open: 12.93
Bid: 6.57 x 100
Ask: 19.80 x 100
1y Target Est: 22.50
Day's Range: 12.90 - 13.23
52wk Range: 12.00 - 24.40
Volume: 28,132
Avg Vol (3m): 56,021.5

Leasing News Editorial:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202007/11-12-07.htm#marlin

[headlines]

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

Archive: Marlin IPO –Bob Rodi, CLP December 3, 2003:

““Dancing the Night Away--From top right, Ginny Young, Brava Capital, and Robert Rodi, CLP, the American Lease Exchange, show off their moves at Saturday’s ‘Roaring 20’s Dinner Gala. Inset: Pat Roberts, M&R Leasing, Inc., and Phil Dushey, Global Leasing Services at the Roaring 20’s.”
November, 1995 United Association of Equipment Leasing Regional Reporter
(sorry, readers, could not find a more current photo of Dr. Lease—his email pen name. editor)

“While I do not purport to be a stock market analyst I did the simple math on the Marlin IPO. By my calculations, out of approximately $61MM that they expect to raise, roughly $18MM goes to the "selling shareholders", $4.8MM goes to fees which I assume encompasses the attorney, accountants and underwriter, and $38MM finally makes it to the company providing for a grand total of about $60MM in proceeds from the IPO.

“Now, if I am an investor, do I ask myself, "Why would I want to invest in a company where the "selling shareholders" are going to engineer a major liquidity event with absolutely no intention of putting dime one back into the company? What kind of signal does that send to the market? Isn't it customary for the initial shareholders to let the public get some of their money before they make a grab and run? I recall that when our former partner, Rich Masterson, took his company public, he, nor any of the founding shareholders were allowed to sell any stock for 6 months.

“Also, if I am one of the "lucky" investors that pays $14 per share, but only about 60% of my money is actually "invested" in the company, how profitable does Marlin have to be before they achieve a valuation that makes up for the 40% that the selling shareholders, accountants and lawyers are whacking up. Again, by my calculations, it looks like that stock would have to reach a valuation of $22 per share to make up for the 40% that the selling shareholders, underwriters and attorneys will be whacking up.

“I guess the hope is that you get in at $14, get a quick run up and then sell and take the profit. Somehow, based on recent history in the equipment finance industry, I would bet against that. It also sounds suspiciously like the old Industrial Leasing IPO. Anyone remember that? They hurried up the IPO because there were some questions about whether or not they could keep the ship afloat. I am anxious to see if investors are going to leap at this "opportunity" or if they come to the same conclusion I did--if the selling shareholders don't have the confidence to re-invest, why the heck would I?”

Bob Rodi, CLP
(His company was called LeaseNow and then the American Lease Exchange ( or perhaps that
was a sub-title), and is today: Mount Pleasant Capital Corp. Warrendale, PA)

[headlines]

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

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Collectors

Collectors Wrentham, Mass. Growing Leasing Collection Division for 25+ year estab. business. Must have exceptional, creative negotiation skills,  ability to thrive in high volume, fast paced environment. Click here for more info:

www.nasset.com

Lease Officer

LEASE OFFICER SMALL TICKET LESSOR, providing superior service for 35+years Transactions- $10Kto $1MM, Seeks seasoned sales professionals To learn more: sandyspringbank.tms or contact Scott Wheeler at SWheeler@SandySpringBank.com

www.sandyspringbank.com

[headlines]

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

[headlines]

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

Leasing Books for Christmas

Now is the time to start thinking about Christmas presents.
One of the best for a colleague in the leasing industry is a book on leasing.

Leasing Books

Books on Equipment Leasing by Source:

Master Index

Books
Direct Purchase
Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) Foundation
Equipment Leasing Association
Equipment  Leasing and Finance Foundation Reports
United Association of Equipment Leasing

Library Research from Home

Linda Kester's book “366 Marketing Tips for Equipment Leasing” has gained quite a bit of traction since being released in late spring.

Apparently, good sales ideas know few boundaries, as over 100 copies have been shipped to Australia, and a good many to other parts of the globe. As we expected, single orders are often followed by volume orders (30 to 50 is typical) for companies that want to put "Tips" in the hands of all their sales personnel. To assist the first lookers, we are waiving shipping and handling through the remainder of 2007 (a $6 dollar reduction on single copy orders) to reduce the "all in" investment cost to purchasers to $79.95. Volume pricing (bulk shipments in one package to one address) is always available on orders greater than five, ten, twenty-five and fifty copies.

Here is the 14 pages content section, with all the titles to the pages of the book:
http://www.leasingpress.com/366%20Marketing%20Tips%20for%20Equipment%20Leasing
%20Cover%20and%20Contents.pdf

To order, please go to:
http://www.leasingpress.com/

[headlines]

---------------------------------------------------------------
### Press Release ###########################

OTS Director Reich Endorses Foreclosure Prevention Initiative

Washington, D.C. — Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) Director John Reich endorsed the private-sector initiative announced today to help families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson unveiled details of the initiative today at a news conference at the Department of the Treasury. Director Reich, other federal banking regulatory agency heads, and representatives of mortgage investors, community organizations and the financial services industry also participated in the event.

“I am gratified that the efforts of the industry, federal government and community organizations have resulted in an important first step toward helping American families that are in jeopardy of losing their homes in foreclosure,” the Director said. “It is a tribute to the leadership of Secretary Paulson that this initiative will help struggling consumers without negatively affecting the mortgage markets or using public funds.”

The American Securitization Forum, representing mortgage investors, and the Hope Now alliance, whose members represent more than 80 percent of the subprime mortgage servicing market, developed the details of the streamlined process for refinancing and modifying subprime adjustable-rate mortgages. The new process is intended as a blueprint for standard industry practice.

Secretary Paulson announced the broad outlines of the initiative earlier this week in a speech at the OTS 2007 National Housing Forum in Washington.

Borrowers who are having trouble paying their mortgages may call a toll-free hotline at
1-888-995-HOPE.

[headlines]

### Press Release ###########################
--------------------------------------------------------------

News Briefs----

Dollar falls against euro, pound after European central bank holds rate steady, Britain cuts
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/06/business/NA-FIN-MKT-US-Dollar.php

SBA Tries to Conceal Its Role in Massive Loan Fraud
http://www.allbusiness.com/law-legal-system/legal-services-lawyers/4974129-1.
html?busintel=12_06_07

SEC releases taxonomy for GAAP financial reports
http://www.accountingweb.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=104310

CFOs' Optimism Slumps to Record Low
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/10241142?f=alerts

Ex-UnitedHealth chief William McGuire payback $600MM
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/10272959/c_10250664?f=home_todayinfinance&x=1

Chrysler CEO tells workers of wider loss
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-12-05-chrysler-outlook_N.htm

Dell Will Sell Computers at Best Buy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-dell-best-buy,0,6995228.story

[headlines]

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

You May have Missed---

A Few of the Costly Defaults for the USDA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/
AR2007120402041.html

[headlines]

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

Sports Briefs----

U.S. v. Bonds will have everything but dancing elephants
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7653489

Green and Bold: A's prepared to bring in Barry
MLB exec: 'No doubt . . . Oakland will sign Bonds'
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/06/SP2STPL2P.DTL

How do you stop the Patriots? Here's a blueprint
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2007-12-06-cover_N.
htm?loc=interstitialskip

[headlines]

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

California Nuts Briefs---

New Miss California Crowned After Mix-Up
http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/
Other_Entertainment/Miss_California.html

Schwarzenegger travel committee forced to reveal donors
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7654942?nclick_check=1

[headlines]

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

“Gimme that Wine”

MEXICO: Striving To Make A Better Wine
http://abcnews.go.com/Exclusiva/story?id=3958994&page=1

Facing sticky wine situations Nos. 1-3
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2004052732_winecol05.html

2008 Pittsburgh, PA. Wine Festival: Tickets Now On Sale
http://www.drinksmediawire.com/afficher_cdp.asp?id=2354&lng=2

New York Saké Expert, Chris Johnson, Aligns with Oregon's Saké Brewer, SakéOne
http://www.drinksmediawire.com/afficher_cdp.asp?id=2351&lng=2

Silhouette Wine Glass Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift; Revolutionary Design is a Hit With Wine Enthusiasts
http://www.drinksmediawire.com/afficher_cdp.asp?id=2352&lng=2

Napa Grapegrower Richard Perry Dies at Age 65
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,4154,00.html

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
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

[headlines]

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

Calendar Events This Day

Cote D’Ivoire: Commemoration Day
National Holiday. Commemorates the death of the first president Belix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iv.html

Letter Writing Day

National Cotton Candy Day

Pearl Harbor Day
“A date that will live in infamy,” nearly 300 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, long considered the US “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” The raid, which lasted little more than one hour, left nearly 3,000 dead. Nearly the entire US Pacific Fleet was at anchor there and few ships escaped damage. Several were sunk or disabled, while 300 US aircraft on the ground were destroyed. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought about immediate US entry into WWII, a declaration of war
being requested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and approved by Congress Dec 8, 1941.

United Nations: International Civil Aviation Day
On Dec 6, 1996, the General Assembly proclaimed Dec. 7 as International Civil Aviation Day. On De 8, 1944, the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which established the International Civil Aviation Organization, was signed.
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/civilaviationday.htm

Saint feast Days

• St. Victor of Piacenza
• St. Servus
• St. Anianas
• St. Maria Giuseppe Rossello
• Martyrs of Africa
• St. Polycarp and Theodore

http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/dec.php

[headlines]

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

Cranberries are sorted for ripeness by bouncing them; a fully ripened cranberry can be dribbled like a basketball.

[headlines]

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

Today's Top Event in History

1941- At 7:55 local time in Hawaii, “a date that will leave in infamy,” nearly 200 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, long considered the US “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” The raid, which lasted little more than one hour, left nearly 3,000 dead. Nearly the entire US Pacific Fleet was at anchor there and few ships escaped damage. Several were sunk or disabled, while 200 aircraft on the ground were destroyed. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought about immediate US entry into World War II, a Declaration of War being requested by President Franklin D.Roosevelt and approved by the Congress, December 8, 1941. US Military intelligence had expected the Japanese to attack Luzon and had sent the aircraft carrier Midway in its direction. It escaped being destroy, but the intelligence of the day, called for the carrier to return as they now expected no attack in Luzon. On December 10, the Japanese invaded Luzon in the Philippines, where Gen. Douglas MacArthur commanded the defending U.S. and Philippine forces. December 11, Germany and Italy, in a pact with the Japanese, declared war against the United States. Misinterpreting the anti-war sentiment in the U.S., they thought we would not want to enter two separate wars, particularly with a decimated U.S. Navy and would leave Asia and Australia for Japan to conquer. They thought American’s weak and without the will, particularly without the weapons to fight back.
( http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec07.html )

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

This Day in American History

    1661--Under pressure from the British Parliament, the American Colony of Massachusetts suspended its Corporal Punishment Act of 1656, which had imposed harsh penalties on Quakers and other religious Nonconformists.
    1787-The Federal Constitution was signed by all 30 members of the Constitutional Convention. Thomas Collins, who was president of Delaware at that time, automatically became the first state governor.
    1787 - Delaware became the "First State" when it was first to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. As a result of their quick action, it was admitted first into to the Union. Also known as the Diamond State, Delaware is the smallest of the Southern states and is the second smallest of all 50 states. The state bird of Delaware is the blue hen chicken.1796-John Adams was elected president of the United States. Adams was the last Federalist candidate to gain the presidency. The electoral vote was Adams, 71; Thomas Jefferson, Democratic Republican of Virginia, 68; Aaron Burr, Democratic Republican of New York, 30, and Thomas Pinckney, Federalist of South Carolina, 59. Jefferson, the candidate with the second highest electoral vote, became five-president. In the fifth Congress20 senators were Federalist and 12 Democratic-Republicans; in the House the division was 58 and 48.
    1801- Abigail Hopper Gibbons birthday- U.S. prison reformer and whose New York home was a stop for runaway slaves. Raised in the Quaker tradition of good works, she was instrumental in established reform in women's prisons in New York, personally assisted and aided a number of assistance programs including a home for indigent infants and children. She nursed for 3.5 years during the civil War and her criticisms and reforms of hospital and surgical conditions earned her the enmity of many Army officers and medical men. Her pre-war anti-slavery campaigns translated into compassionate care for the freed slaves; her home had been a stop for runaway slaves. Her fight for police matrons rather than men guards who often abused and raped women prisoners was one of her most significant campaigns and at age 91 she was victorious in the creation of a women's reformatory in New York City.
http://civilwartalk.com/cwt_alt/resources/women/a_gibbons.htm
http://www.alexanderstreet2.com/CWLDLive/BIOS/A3BIO.html
    1808-James Madison was elected president of the United States. George Clinton, Republican of New York, was elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Madison, Democratic-Republican of Virginia, 122, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a Federalist of South Carolina, 47’ George Clinton, 6. In the vice president race the electoral vote was Clinton, 113; Rufus King, Federalist of New York, 47
    1836- Martin Van Buren was elected president of the United Sates. The electoral vote was Van Buren, 170; William Henry Harrison, Anti-Masonic candidate, 73: Sen. Hugh L. White of Tennessee, anti-Jacksonian Democrat, 26; Daniel Webster, Massachusetts Whig candidate, 14; and William P. Mangum of North Carolina, 11. The popular vote was Van Buren, 761,549; Harrison, 549,567; White 145,396; Webster, 41,287. None of the four vice presidential candidates received a majority of the electoral votes. The Senate, for the first and only time, had to choose, naming Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky to the office.
    1842 --The Philharmonic Society of New York, the first permanent orchestra in the
U.S., held its first concert. Despite uncomfortable seating, the event was a huge success. They performed works of Beethoven.
    1848- father and son who were senators at the same session were Henry Dodge of Wisconsin and his son Augustus Caesar Dodge of Iowa, who sat this day together to February 22,1855, in the 30th to 33rd Congresses. They had previously served as delegates to the House of Representatives in the 27th and 287th Congress, From March 4, 1941, to March 3, 1945, prior to the statehood of their territories. Henry Dodge continued to serve in the Senate until March 3, 1857.
    1848-Lt. Lucian Loeser arrived in Washington with 230 ounces [6.5 kg] of gold stuffed into a tea caddy. It was placed on display at the War Department and caused much excitement.
    1865-The Stetson hat is introduced as John Stetson opens one-man hat factory in Philadelphia, Pa. Stetson, the son of a hat maker, had previously attempted to establish himself in the business, but ill health had forced him to travel to Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado. During his travels he had noticed the style of hat favored by westerners and, after a slow start in Philadelphia, he began to design new hats based on the western styles. His business began to expand rapidly. By 1906, he employed 3500 workers and was selling 2,000,000 hats a year. The Stetson hat had a broad brim and its crown was tall, enough to sport ten ornamental braids, known as galloons. It was the mispronunciation of the word galloon, which gave the world the term ten-gallon hat.
    1868-- Jesse James gang robs bank in Gallatin MO, kills 1, take is $700.
http://www.islandnet.com/~the-gang/daviess.htm
    1873-Birthday of American author Willa Cather born at Winchester, VA. Died at New York, NY, April 24, 1947. Best known for her novels about the development of early 20th-century American life, such as “Pioneers/ and My Antonia. She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1922 for her book One of Ours.
    1874-About 70 blacks were killed when they attacked the courthouse at Vicksburg, Miss. The blacks rioted over the intimidation and ejection of a carpetbag sheriff by the white of Vicksburg. (history does not record whether they were born here or where, thus they a "blacks" to historians )
    1885--- The last spike is driven in the first Canadian transcontinental main line at Craigellachie B.C. in the Eagle Pass. Van Horne makes his famous fifteen-word speech "All I can say is that the work has been well done in every way".
    1909- bandleader Teddy Hill born Birmingham, AL.
    1911-Singer/trumpet player Louis Prima Birthday
http://www.spaceagepop.com/prima.htm
    1916-Woodrow Wilson was reelected president of the United States. Thomas R. Marshall was reelected vice president. The election was so close that the out come was uncertain for three days, when it became clear the Wilson had carrier California, but by fewer than 4000. votes. The electoral vote was Wilson, 277; Charles Evans Hughes, Republican, candidate, 254. The popular vote was Wilson, 91,28,837; Hughes, 8,536,380. In congressional elections, the Democrats lost three seats in the Senate but maintained a 53-42 majority, with one seat going to a minor party. In the House the Democrats again narrowed their majority over the Republicans, 21q6-210, with six seats held by minor parties.
    1917-The United States declares war on Austria-Hungary with only one dissenting vote in Congress.
    1925 - In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, swimmer Johnny Weissmuller set a world record in the 150-yard freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 25 and 2/5 seconds. Johnny went on to star as King of the Jungle, Tarzan, in movies, and setting records with women he met.
    1925--Birthday of Edith Frances Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts begins the first of her 18 terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
    1926-The first gas refrigerator to be successfully introduced into the American market was the Electrolux, which was sponsored by the Electrolux Refrigerator Sales Company of Evansville, Illinois. A tiny gas flame and a tiny flower of water in the refrigerator took the place of all moving parts, circulating a liquid refrigerant that was hermetically seal in rigid steel.
    1927- Ben Pollack records “Waitin’ for Katie, “Memphis Blue.” Boom-chick-a-Boom beat is born.
    1931-Birthday of Bobby Osborne, Musician, mandolin, singer with the duo - Osborne Brothers.
    1935 - Severe flooding hit parts of the Houston, TX, area. Eight persons were killed as one hundred city blocks were inundated. Satsuma reported 16.49 inches of rain. The Buffalo and White Oak Bayous crested on the 9th. (6th-8th)
    1939 --Lou Gehrig is elected to the Hall of Fame. The five-year waiting rule is waived after the 'Iron Horse' is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
    1941- At 7:55 local time in Hawaii, “a date that will leave in infamy,” nearly 200 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, long considered the US “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” The raid, which lasted little more than one hour, left nearly 3,000 dead. Nearly the entire US Pacific Fleet was at anchor there and few ships escaped damage. Several were sunk or disabled, while 200 aircraft on the ground were destroyed. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought about immediate US entry into World War II, a Declaration of War being requested by President Franklin D.Roosevelt and approved by the Congress, December 8, 1941. US Military intelligence had expected the Japanese to attack Luzon and had sent the aircraft carrier Midway in its direction. It escaped being destroy, but the intelligence of the day, called for the carrier to return as they now expected no attack in Luzon. On December 10, the Japanese invaded Luzon in the Philippines, where Gen. Douglas MacArthur commanded the defending U.S. and Philippine forces. December 11, Germany and Italy, in a pact with the Japanese, declared war against the United States. Misinterpreting the anti-war sentiment in the U.S., they thought we would not want to enter two separate wars, particularly with a decimated U.S. Navy and would leave Asia and Australia for Japan to conquer. They thought American’s weak and without the will, particularly without the weapons to fight back.
( http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec07.html )
    1941---BULKELEY, JOHN DUNCAN Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander, Commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Philippine waters, 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. Entered service at: Texas. Born: 19 August 1911, New York, N.Y. Other awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit. Citation: For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, in Philippine waters during the period 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lt. Comdr. Bulkeley's command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the 4 months and 8 days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul, or maintenance facilities for his squadron, is believed to be without precedent in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefulness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service.
    1941--*FLAHERTY, FRANCIS C. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born: 15 March 1919, Charlotte, Mich. Accredited to: Michigan. Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty and extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ens. Flaherty remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life
    1941--PHARRIS, JACKSON CHARLES Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. California. Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 26 June 1912, Columbus, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the U.S.S. California during the surprise enemy Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. In charge of the ordnance repair party on the third deck when the first Japanese torpedo struck almost directly under his station, Lt. (then Gunner) Pharris was stunned and severely injured by the concussion which hurled him to the overhead and back to the deck. Quickly recovering, he acted on his own initiative to set up a hand-supply ammunition train for the antiaircraft guns. With water and oil rushing in where the port bulkhead had been torn up from the deck, with many of the remaining crewmembers overcome by oil fumes, and the ship without power and listing heavily to port as a result of a second torpedo hit, Lt. Pharris ordered the shipfitters to counterflood. Twice rendered unconscious by the nauseous fumes and handicapped by his painful injuries, he persisted in his desperate efforts to speed up the supply of ammunition and at the same time repeatedly risked his life to enter flooding compartments and drag to safety unconscious shipmates who were gradually being submerged in oil. By his inspiring leadership, his valiant efforts and his extreme loyalty to his ship and her crew, he saved many of his shipmates from death and was largely responsible for keeping the California in action during the attack. His heroic conduct throughout this first eventful engagement of World War 11 reflects the highest credit upon Lt. Pharris and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1941--YOUNG, CASSIN Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 6 March 1894, Washington, D.C. Appointed from: Wisconsin. Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For distinguished conduct in action, outstanding heroism and utter disregard of his own safety, above and beyond the call of duty, as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Vestal, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by enemy Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Comdr. Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3-inch antiaircraft gun. When blown overboard by the blast of the forward magazine explosion of the U.S.S. Arizona, to which the U.S.S. Vestal was moored, he swam back to his ship. The entire forward part of the U.S.S. Arizona was a blazing inferno with oil afire on the water between the 2 ships; as a result of several bomb hits, the U.S.S. Vestal was afire in several places, was settling and taking on a list. Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, and his shocking experience of having been blown overboard, Comdr. Young, with extreme coolness and calmness, moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U.S.S. Arizona, and subsequently beached the U.S.S. Vestal upon determining that such action was required to save his ship.
(There are many more this day. This is only a short sample.)
    1944-Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected president of the United Sates, the only person ever to win a fourth term. Harry S. Truman was elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Roosevelt, 432, Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Republican, 99. The popular vote was Roosevelt 25,602,504, Dewey 22,006,285. In congressional elections the Democrats lost two Senate seats but held a 56-38 majority. in the House they gained 24 seats for a 242-190 lead, with two seats held by minor parties.
    1945- The microwave oven was patented. Percy Spencer accidentally discovered that microwaves would also heat food. Spencer, an eighth-grade dropout and electronic wizard, worked for the Raytheon Manufacturing Corporation of Massachusetts developing a radar machine using microwave radiation.
    1952 - In the largest single-day tally of the Korean War, U.S. Air Force F-86 Sabre jet pilots report seven of 32 enemy fighters destroyed, one damaged and one probably destroyed.
    1952---Top Hits
Glow Worm - The Mills Brothers
Because You’re Mine - Mario Lanza
Why Don’t You Believe Me - Joni James
Back Street Affair - Webb Pierce
    1952 - On CBS Radio, "My Little Margie", starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell, made debuted. The television version of the show began on June 16, 1952. "My Little Margie" lasted 3 years on radio. Storm got her own show, titled "The Gale Storm Show" and recorded several hit songs, including "I Hear You Knocking" and "Ivory Tower" between 1955-1957.
    1956-Birthday of Larry Bird, Hall of Fame basketball player, former coach, born West Baden, In.
    1957 - For the first of 6 weeks, Pat Boone was at the top of the pop charts with "April Love". His other number one hits would include "Ain’t That a Shame", "I Almost Lost My Mind", "Don’t Forbid Me" and "Love Letters in the Sand".
    1957- Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" hits #1
    1959--Birthday of American composer Ronald Caltabiano, New York.
    1960---Top Hits
Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley
Last Date - Floyd Cramer
Poetry in Motion - Johnny Tillotson
Wings of a Dove - Ferlin Husky
    1963- "Dominique" by Singing Nun topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
    1964-Mario Savio, leader of Berkeley Free Speech Movement, arrested. Univ. of California-Berkeley administration makes a presentation at the Greek Theatre to 18,000 students; followed by strike by 9,000 of the 27,000 students, and a faculty resolution (824 to 115) supporting the rapidly growing Free Speech Movement.
    1965-- The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches formally reconciled themselves by reversing a mutual excommunication of each other, dating back (over 900 years!) to July 1054.
    1965--Birthday of American composer Carlyle Sharpe,Brownsville, Texas.
    1968---Top Hits
Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes
For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder
I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette
    1972-Richard M. Nixon was reelected president of the United States in the greatest Republican landslide in history. Spiro T. Agnew was reelected vice—president. The electoral vote was Nixon, 521; Sen. George S. McGovern, Democrat, 17. The popular vote was Nixon 45,767,2118; McGovern 28,352,668. The Democrats picked up two Senate seats for a 57-43 majority. The Republicans gained 13 seats in the House, but the Democrats still led 255-179, with one seat going to an independent.
    1982-- Liz Taylor's 7th divorce ( Senator John Warner)
    1973-The Giants sell future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal to the Red Sox. The high leg-kicking right-handed Dominican will post a 5-1 record for Boston.
    1974 - "Kung Fu Fighting", by Carl Douglas, reached #1 on the pop charts, staying there for two weeks.
    1974 - Barry Manilow's recording, Mandy, entered Billboard's record charts on this date. It was Manilow's first hit, becoming Number 1 for a week and staying on the charts for 12 weeks. It was later certified gold.
    1974- Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting" hits #1
    1976---Top Hits
Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart
The Rubberband Man - Spinners
You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.
Good Woman Blues - Mel Tillis
    1980- Considered one of the greatest comebacks in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, trailing the New Orleans Saints, 35-7, at halftime, scored four consecutive second-half touchdowns to force overtime. Ray Wershing then kicked a 36-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 38-35 win, considered by sports historians as the greatest come-from-behind victory in NFL regular-season history. Perhaps the Seattle Seahawks losing Monday, December 6, 2004, may also make the record books.
    1984---Top Hits
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
Out of Touch - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Better Be Good to Me - Tina Turner
Your Heart’s Not in It - Janie Fricke
    1985- "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
    1986 - Basketball coach Pat Riley got his 300th coaching victory when the Los Angeles Lakers downed the Golden State Warriors, 132-100. It only took Pat 416 games to reach the milestone.
    1988 - An outbreak of cold arctic air brought up to 18 inches of snow to the Colorado Rockies, with 14 inches at Boulder CO, and seven inches at Denver. Heavy snow blanketed New Mexico the following day, with 15 inches reported near Ruidoso.
    1991-"Black or White" by Michael Jackson topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
    1996- "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
    1999-Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a star of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, announced his retirement because he was infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. A professional basketball player for 12 seasons, Johnson admitted to having had many unprotected sexual contacts. Johnson changed his mind and signed a one-year, $14,600,000 contract with the Lakers, but retired again on Nov. 2, 1992.
    1999-Alan Kaufman, SF poet, published his anthology of poetry: "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry." His book “Jew Boy,” an autiobiography, and “the New Generation”
have received rave reviews from both readers and professional critics.
http://www.heelstone.com/meridian/word2.html

[headlines]

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

Football Poem

[headlines]

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

SuDoku

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm

[headlines]

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

Daily Puzzle

How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

[headlines]

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

http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx

[headlines]

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

News on Line---Internet Newspapers

Bodega Bay West County, California

http://www.bodegabaynavigator.com/

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

[headlines]