Mission Statement

In California the Board of Equalization (BOE) will collect the electronic waste-recycling fee in conjunction with sales tax on the sale or lease of covered electronic equipment starting July 2004. The fee will be assessed without regard to sales tax nexus because a separate logic dictates when a fee is due.

No distinct accommodation is given leasing transactions, which would therefore follow guidelines for retail sales in draft regulations to be issued on March 23. The last opportunity to advise them of issues unique to leasing is a workshop at Cal/EPA in Sacramento on Monday, February 6. Regulations dictating application of the new recycling fee to leased equipment need input from lessors and the last opportunity is February 6. A representative from your company can coordinate with other ELA members by contacting Dennis Brown of ELA at dbrown@elamail.com

( You can be sure if California enacts this, other states most

likely will follow. editor )

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Classified Ads---Credit-Documentation-Finance

Credit: Atlanta, GA. VP Credit/Operations/Sr. Credit Officer. 15yrs exp. in equipment leasing. Strong financial analysis and management skills. Experience developing and maintaining profitable customer/vendor relationships. Email:credops@msn.com

Credit: Atlanta, GA.

Senior Credit Officer in middle-market equip. finance, vendor, 3rd party, specialty, flow credit to the fortune 1000. Team builder, originations capable, strong work ethic, ability to multi-task. Email: kyletrust@hotmail.com

Credit: Atlanta, GA.

10 yrs experience in

credit/collections/recovery/documentation in the leasing industry. P&L responsibility,

team builder & strong portfolio mgnt skills.email: mortimerga@adelphia.net

Credit: Boston Ma.

Challenging position where my skills, professional experience, organization, leadership, strategic thinking, creativity, energy, passion, competitive nature will enable me to define opportunities and personal development.Email: bernd.janet@verizon.net

Credit: Corona, CA.

VP credit Consumer Credit prime/sub prime Auto lending/leasing/mortgages. 20+yrs exp. If you are looking for someone to affect the bottom line I am that person. Will relocate. Email:amosca2000@yahoo.com

Credit/Documentation: Fort Lee NJ

3 Years Experience. Looking in NJ/NY. Email: angitravis@mail.com

Credit: Long Beach, NY. Credit officer w/more than 20 years of experience. Seeking position in which I can utilize my credit-collections, communication &management skills. Email:michaelschaubeck@webtv.net

Credit: Los Angeles, CA

Over 15 years experience in Credit/Operations with Small Ticket and transactions up to $500,000.00. CLP, with excellent relationships with most major lenders. Email:jonbh123@earthlink.net

Credit: Mill Valley, CA

Senior corporate officer with financial services credit background. M and A, fund raising and workout expertise. Email:nywb@aol.com

Credit: New Jersey, NJ

Credit Analyst with 10+ years experience in small-ticket lending up to $500,000. Experience with both vendor-direct and with brokers.

Email: b.leavy@worldnet.att.net

Credit: New York, NY

3+ years of leasing credit / contracts experience. Currently in the leasing industry and moving to NY! Exp. working at both funding source and broker.Email: lease4you@mail.com

Credit: New York, NY.

V.P. Credit & Collections w/23 years exp.looking for a situation where I can utilize my varied & extensive knowledge of credit/ collections/risk-management & leasing. Email:rcouzzi@yahoo.com

Credit: New York, NY Credit officer with banking and leasing background; strong analytical and communication/PC skills with lending and portfolio management experience. Email: michaelschaubeck@webtv.net

Credit: San Francisco, CA. 10+ years Credit

Analyst experience underwriting for a direct lessor, regional bank and vendor leasing company. Have CLP and will make decisions ( won't rely on a FICO score for enlightenment.) Email: pmtorres1@yahoo.com

Credit Manager: Westlake, OH

7+ years Credit/Underwriting experience Comp lit. Please email me for copy of job description at mgallo@comfingrp.com

Documentation

Documentation/Funding/Collection Manager: Phoenix, AZ. Five years in Equipment Leasing Industry. Looking for a Leasing home in Phoenix. Prefer documentation/funding, but interested/open to managing account portfolios. Email: rrr64@aol.com

Finance: Chicago, IL

Experienced in big ticket origination, syndication, valuation and workout. Twenty five years, MBA, CPA, JD, LLM (Tax), structuring specialist. Inbound and outbound transactions.

Email:pal108381@comcast.net

Finance: Austin, TX.

20+ years all facets of lease/finance. Collection and credit management. Equipment & rolling stock structuring. $150k credit authority, $100 million portfolio management.

Email: texmartin@juno.com

Finance: Lyndhurst, NJ

CFO w/20+ years leasing/financing. Respected by lenders/rating agencies full & fair financial reporting. Outstanding record restructuring debt. Adept at investor relations and mentoring people. Email:joemcdev@aol.com

Full Listing of 101 Classified Ads:

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

Post Your Free “Job Wanted Ad “ by going here:

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp

Employer’s ads, please go here:

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.asp

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Economic Events This Week

Monday

January 26

Existing-Home Sales: December

Tuesday

January 27

Consumer Confidence: January

Wednesday

January 28

Durable Goods Orders: December

New-Home Sales: December

Prices of New Homes: December

Thursday

January 29

Weekly Jobless Claims

Friday

January 30

G.D.P.4th Qtr.

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**** announcement ****************************

Lease Broker Showcase Scheduled

Atlanta, GA - The Lessors Network has announced plans to develop an Invitation Only Lease Broker Showcase this summer. Invitation Requests are now available online from Lease Brokers Showcase.

For more information, please go here:

http://www.lessors.com/Events-2004/Brokers/overview.html

About The Lessors Network

The Lessors Network is a sales & marketing network facilitating new business development opportunities within the corporate and municipal equipment leasing markets. Additional information can be viewed from their web site at www.lessors.com.

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**** announcement **********************************

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Orix—Time to Heal

"Your last article regarding the "Down Dates" for ORIX has everyone so worried. I appreciate your posting of the information pertaining to ORIX. As I said before, this is about the only information that we are given.

"Just like Gary's statement Friday, corporate isn't saying much either. If so, it's so full of holes that they leave an easy out for themselves if they do shut us down.

"All of the "BEST" employees are leaving for jobs with other companies. Some of these people are the only person in their position with the knowledge it takes to keep things going. If ORIX doesn't close, they might as well.

"It's all down hill from here for ORIX!"

(name with held )

---

"Attached is the memo that was sent out to the OFS employees on Wednesday. One interesting note is that it was put in a PDF format so that it couldn't be printed out or posted on your site. I guess they have grown increasingly irritated with your site and view it as "The Gadfly Of The State".

"I have heard that the execs in Dallas were so ***** that some of this information has hit your site that they have delayed the announcement of the executives whom are being let go in an effort to discredit Leasing News."

( name with held )

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======================================================

editorial

Leasing news has many such e-mails. It's time to stop thinking "us versus them" or "versus Leasing News." It is obvious employees at Orix Financial have a tremendous desire to communicate their concerns. We have printed the “cry for help.” It appears management has gotten part of the message, and appears to realize that there is not only “miscommunication,” but “fear” and “apprehension.” Instead of being from just a few, it is growing and appears to be of concern to the company.

This is evident in the memo from Orix USA Financial President

Gary E. Corr.

http://two.leasingnews.org/loose_files/OFS_Strategy.pdf

Leasing News believes the concerns, which several readers

refer to as “fear,” needs to be addressed in an open question and answer session, similar to a staff meeting; but due to the logistics, we recommend a “telephone conference call” with all employees in the financial division.

This was extremely successful for CIT president Al Gamper, Jr.,

in the transition from Tyco to going public again. Gamper spoke

to employees in offices around the world, making a telephone number with tape available to employees who were not able to participate, so they could listen to the conversation in an “un-edited” format.

Friday, April 25^th, 2002, he addressed the employee’s fears.

He spoke to them a second time about what was going, has his right hand person with him, who also spoke about the financial condition. He did not have all the answers, said he would talk to Human Resources, and also directed questions to others in his company. He came across confident, considerate, and you could tell he wanted everyone “to be on the same page.”

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

Leasing News at the time went on the limb and advised to

buy this stock when it came out because you were not buying

a company, you were buying “people.”

CIT, even though part of Tyco, was a company working together, almost with a family attitude. I am sure they had their disputes and arguments, but they worked them out, they moved forward, they changed with the times, they cared. Even people who retired, many after twenty or twenty-five, or more years, still talk how proud they were part of CIT Financial.

Gamper went on the road, visited offices, made his pitch about

CIT, and also spoke directly with the employees, involving his management team, about the direction. He was the boss. He didn’t hide. He was a street fighter. He was proud of his “people.”

Gary E. Corr has an excellent reputation, both peers and employees don’t seem to question his integrity or leadership, but they are afraid of the closings and changes and what will happen to them. Leasing News suggests Mr. Corr engage all the employees in his division in a telephone conference call, perhaps follow it up in a week or two, as the first conference call may have technical difficulties and also many may be too afraid to speak. It worked from Gamper, and it may work for Corr, too.

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================================================

IFC Credit Corporation is seeking Account Executives ready to roll up their sleeves in establishing strategic financing alliances with select vendors and manufacturers in healthcare, industrial and technology marketplace segments. Proven track record of success in equipment financing a must. Specific industry and collateral experience a plus. Hiring now in major markets throughout the country. Email your resume to pmcdermid@ifccredit.com

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RW Professional Problems Now an Industry Problem

This is one example on e-mail Leasing News receives from businesses that have had problems with Commercial Money Center, RW Professional, among others, who have sold their lease twice, three times to other financial institutions, and/or, the lessee pays off the lease, but RW Professional or CMC does not pay off the bank where they assigned the lease.

In this example, the problem is not with American Express, First Sierra, or Bank of Utica, or “Nassau Recover Asset” who picked up the equipment, it is with RW Leasing, who’s owners away trail in New York allegedly over a hundred or more of these type situations.

Name = patricia jordan

Address = po box 12336

City = jacksonville

State = nc

Zipcode = 28546

Email = coastalcatclinic@hotmail.com

Comments or Questions= I have questions about the RWleasing case.

We are one of the many that have been caught up in the

deceitful practices of RW Leasing. Was there any connection that First Sierra was the same as RW Leasing in l999? The reason I ask is that credit inquiries of me prior to the so called "financing" of our business loan by RW Leasing only had inquiries by First Sierra and never RW Leasing.

The fact that now we are in court with them and yet never received any notice that the loan was supposedly "assigned" by RW Leasing to First Sierra as they report at a

date they refuse to list. In July or Aug of 2001, we were to told by RW Leasing to pay American Express Business Finance that they had been assigned the loan.

Now we find out other banks were supposedly to have "owned" this loan like the Bank of Utica whom tried to start to collect on it sometime in April of 2002. We did have one of three payments having to be sent to an address in Texas and 2 others in New York and Mass.

We make this connection learning that the parent office of First Sierra is also in Texas. A company, Nassau Recover Asset company was supposedly hired by RW Leasing to

come repossess equipment, which they did send some company reps who supposedly dealt with x-ray equipment from South Carolina to come get equipment which we had had in storage for four months awaiting pick up from supposedly RW Leasing.

We now have First Sierra suing us for a loan that we made payments to RW Leasing and American Express Business Finance and then had reps from Nassau Asset Recovery pick up in February of 2002.

We have a copy of the zero balance on the loans from American Express Business Finance in Aug of 2002 after all equipment picked up and yet about 5 months later had a suit by First Sierra filed against us.

Do you have any information about these connections and if First Sierra/RW Leasing/American Express Business Finance might all be the same entity?

Sincerely,

Patricia Jordan

((This is not over for Ms. Jordan. We suggested she hire an attorney where the lawsuit would be held (venue.) We explained RW Leasing had sold the lease to First Sierra ( such as she would understand is done in the mortgage industry, assigned, and perhaps even “sold” on a recourse or non-recourse basis,) who’s

company was purchased by American Express Business Finance. It also may be true that Bank of Utica has a “claim” against her company and the “collateral,” if you will.

(That this means more “expense” for her may not be avoided as there appears to be more than one party involved. It appears she has tried to communicate this, but is caught in the corporate maze of not speaking to someone with authority, who may be able to actually help her present her case without going to court.

To state that she will never lease again, and has told all her friends and colleagues, not to lease, is an understatement. If any reader has advice to give to her, please contact her, and if you would like to share with us, we will print it, too. editor.)

For the latest, and the archive stories on RW Professional Leasing, please go here:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/RW_Update_11-26-2003.htm

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Form to Help the Leasing Industry

by Kit Menkin

December 16,2003 was the last printing of the effort to raise $2,000 at $200 per person for a form that would spell out what could be kept by the leasing company in considering an application.

In it, we quoted from 1998, “Leasing Logic,” a publication of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers:

“From the Desk of Joseph G. Bonanno—Legal Counsel.”

To say the lease, we were criticized for printing something “old”
and for this effort. Even in the “Reader’s Survey,” most said
if the lease did not go through, the broker or leasing company
should return the “advance rental” or “commitment fee.”

It is time to try again!

There is a valid reason for a “commitment letter” or agreement.
It is quite common in leases over $100,000, especially used when the broker wants to “win the deal.”

Whether it is practical or not in leases at the $10,000 level is
the choice of the leasing company. Each situation is different.
It is recommended for leases over $25,000, and certainly over
$100,000.

The people who are donating $200 to this effort, also are presenting the documents their company uses today, and their experience. The form will be generic, and hopefully
valid in most states. It certainly will spell out what is “earned”
for working on an application.

If you have the faith that if the lease does not go through, you
will return all the money, that is your choice.

If you want to be remunerated for your time and effort, we
hope to make this form available “for free” to all readers,
once we find six more who want to “donate” $200 to this effort.

“I think a pool of companies is a great idea. I'm in. I have modified my agreement a bit already. I'll fax you a copy later today.”

Paul Behechti
Bridge Capital Leasing
pbehechti@bridgeleasing.com

“I'm in for the $200.”

Gary Saulter
Chase Industries, Inc.
800-968-5000
Fax: 616-459-6822
www.chaseindustries.com

“I support your efforts.
Hope all is well, keep up the good work.”

“Your leasing buddy,
Tree”

Theresa Kabot
Kabot Commercial Leasing
KabComLsng@aol.com

“Count me in I will be glad to help out and be a sponsor. A copy of a standard proposal letter and broker agreement would be a good result.

Yours in leasing...”

Warren Hawkins

whawkins@bancpartners.com

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.

He has agreed to perform this service, review the forms, and then devise a “generic one” to help brokers retain expenses, particularly if an application is not approved or terms and conditions change.

“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

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

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Seeking Sales Representative preferably in Midwest area, will consider out of area. Minimum 3+ years vendor experience. No requirement for market type. Please contact Susan M. Adamatis, Vice President - 800/ 669-7527 ext 1255 or e-mail: susana@netlease.com

About the company: www.netlease.com

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

First Banks, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End 2003 Earnings

" The Company experienced further deterioration in the commercial leasing portfolio in 2003, contributing to continued higher-than-historical provisions for loan losses. The Company recorded provisions for loan losses of $13.0 million and $49.0 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $16.8 million and $55.5 million for the comparable periods in 2002."

ST. LOUIS)----First Banks, Inc. ("First Banks" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:FBNKN) (NASDAQ:FBNKM) (NYSE:FBSPRA) reported net income of $15.4 million and $62.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $14.8 million and $45.2 million for the comparable periods in 2002. Results for 2003 reflect increased net interest income and noninterest income and decreased provisions for loan losses, which were partially offset by higher operating expenses and an increase in the effective tax rate. The increase in net income for 2003 is primarily attributable to increased net interest income resulting from reduced deposit rates and earnings on interest rate swap agreements associated with the Company's interest rate risk management program, increased gains on mortgage loans sold and held for sale and a gain relating to the partial exchange of First Banks' investment in Allegiant Bancorp, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri ("Allegiant"), for a 100% ownership interest in Bank of Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The Company's remaining investment in the common stock of Allegiant after the partial exchange was contributed in full to a previously established charitable foundation in the fourth quarter of 2003. This contribution was partially offset by the gain realized on the increase in the market value of the Allegiant common stock and the related income tax effects of the transaction. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2003 is primarily attributable to higher taxable income and the merger of the Company's two bank charters in 2003, which resulted in higher taxable income allocations in states where the Company files separate state tax returns.

On December 31, 2003, the Company implemented FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51, resulting in the deconsolidation of the Company's five statutory and business trusts, which were created for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. The implementation of this Interpretation had no material effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations for any of the periods presented.

Allen H. Blake, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Banks, said, "First Banks' financial performance for 2003 continues to reflect our adaptation to the current interest rate environment and weak economic conditions that have prevailed over the last two years. While continuing to address residual problems in the loan and lease portfolio, the Company has focused its efforts on strengthening net interest margin and growing noninterest income while managing operating expenses. This has placed us in a position to benefit from improved economic conditions as they occur."

The Company experienced continued growth of net interest income in 2003, primarily attributable to lower deposit rates coupled with earnings on interest rate swap agreements that were entered into in conjunction with the Company's interest rate risk management program to mitigate the effects of decreasing interest rates. In addition, during 2003, the Company reduced its subordinated debentures by $63.1 million. Net interest margin improved to 4.51% and 4.45% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to 4.27% and 4.23% for the comparable periods in 2002. Net interest income increased to $73.9 million and $287.1 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, from $70.2 million and $268.2 million for the comparable periods in 2002. The derivative financial instruments used to hedge the Company's interest rate risk contributed $16.5 million and $64.6 million to net interest income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $15.1 million and $53.0 million for the comparable periods in 2002. During 2003, the Company issued $73.2 million of subordinated debentures to newly formed trusts associated with the issuance of $25.0 million of trust preferred securities in a private placement and $46.0 million of trust preferred securities in an underwritten public offering. In the second quarter of 2003, the Company redeemed $132.3 million of trust preferred securities that had been issued during 1997 and 1998, thereby reducing its subordinated debenture obligations to the underlying trusts by $136.3 million. The funds necessary for the redemptions were provided from available cash of $32.9 million, borrowings under the Company's note payable of $34.5 million and net proceeds from the issuance of the additional subordinated debentures. These transactions, coupled with the use of additional derivative financial instruments, have allowed First Banks to reduce its overall expense associated with the utilization of trust preferred securities. While these transactions have contributed to the Company's financial performance, prevailing low interest rates, generally weak loan demand and overall economic conditions continue to exert pressure on the net interest margin.

The Company experienced a higher level of problem loans, related charge-offs and past due loans during 2002 resulting from economic conditions within the Company's markets, additional problems identified in two acquired loan portfolios and continuing deterioration in the commercial leasing portfolio, particularly the segment of the portfolio relating to the airline industry. The Company experienced further deterioration in the commercial leasing portfolio in 2003, contributing to continued higher-than-historical provisions for loan losses. The Company recorded provisions for loan losses of $13.0 million and $49.0 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $16.8 million and $55.5 million for the comparable periods in 2002. Net loan charge-offs were $7.3 million and $32.7 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $27.2 million and $54.6 million for the comparable periods in 2002. Net charge-offs included a $6.1 million net charge-off on one significant credit relationship in 2003 and $38.6 million on ten significant credit relationships in 2002. Net charge-offs associated with the commercial leasing portfolio increased to $14.4 million in 2003 from $7.9 million in 2002. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2003 increased to $86.5 million from $82.8 million at December 31, 2002. The allowance for loan losses increased to $116.5 million at December 31, 2003, compared to $99.4 million at December 31, 2002. The Company continues to monitor asset quality and address ongoing challenges posed by the current economic environment and expects nonperforming assets to remain at elevated levels during most of 2004. These trends are considered in the Company's overall assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses.

Noninterest income was $27.7 million and $111.0 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $24.6 million and $89.5 million for the comparable periods in 2002. Gains on mortgage loans sold increased to $38.9 million in 2003, compared to $28.4 million in 2002, reflecting continued growth of the Company's mortgage banking activities coupled with high volumes of new originations and refinancings associated with lower mortgage loan rates. Overall loan volumes slowed in the fourth quarter of 2003, resulting in a decline in gains on mortgage loans sold to $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003, compared to $8.1 million for the comparable period in 2002. Service charges on deposit accounts and customer service fees increased to $9.3 million and $36.1 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $9.0 million and $31.0 million for the comparable periods in 2002. In addition, net gains aggregating $4.0 million from the sale of four branches were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2003. Also reflected in the increase in noninterest income is a $6.3 million gain on the exchange of common stock of Allegiant held by First Banks for a 100% ownership interest in Bank of Ste. Genevieve, recognized in the first quarter of 2003, and a $2.3 million gain realized on the subsequent contribution of the remaining shares of Allegiant common stock to a charitable foundation in the fourth quarter of 2003. The overall increase in noninterest income in 2003 was partially offset by a reduction in other income of $4.6 million, primarily attributable to increased amortization of mortgage servicing rights.

Operating expenses were $66.1 million and $250.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $57.5 million and $232.8 million for the comparable periods in 2002. The increased operating expenses primarily result from increases in salaries and employee benefit expenses associated with the Company's 2002 and 2003 acquisitions and increased commissions paid to mortgage loan originators due to continued higher loan volumes, partially offset by staff realignments surrounding the Company's core business strategies. The increase also reflects charitable contribution expense of $5.1 million recognized by the Company on the contribution of its remaining shares of Allegiant common stock in the fourth quarter of 2003. In addition, write-downs on operating leases associated with the Company's commercial leasing business, primarily resulting from reductions in estimated residual values, were $1.6 million and $6.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, compared to $1.2 million and $2.6 million for the comparable periods in 2002. Occupancy and furniture and equipment expenses remained at higher levels primarily due to acquisitions, technology expenditures for equipment and continued expansion and renovation of various corporate and branch offices.

At December 31, 2003, First Banks had consolidated assets of $7.11 billion and operated 147 offices in Missouri, Illinois, California and Texas.

CONTACT:First Banks Inc., St. Louis Allen H. Blake or Terrance M. McCarthy, 314-592-5000

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

Dennis Houseman Named Vice President - Leasing Of Global Imaging

TAMPA, Fla., -- Global Imaging Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:GISX) announced today that Dennis J. Houseman, 47, has been named Vice President - Leasing. Mr. Houseman was previously Director of Leasing for the company.

"Denny has done an outstanding job organizing Global's leasing program," commented Tom Johnson, chairman and CEO of Global Imaging Systems. "He was instrumental in initiating the first customer leasing agreement with GE, and he played a key role in negotiating the three-year extension of that agreement announced this week."

Mr. Johnson added, "As a key member of our senior management team, Denny continues to direct a high-quality leasing program that serves our operating companies, their sales forces and their customers."

Mr. Houseman has more than 20 years' experience in equipment leasing. He joined Global Imaging Systems in 1998 as director of leasing. His initial responsibilities included evaluating the leasing program and making recommendations for improvement. Mr. Houseman recommended and implemented the creation of a strategic alliance with one leasing partner, GE. He works with all Global's leasing relationships to extend and amend their agreements and to ensure the best leasing opportunities for the company's customers. In addition, Denny provides sales and lease training to dealer sales personnel and operational support on larger credit requests.

Prior to joining Global, Mr. Houseman worked at Danka Industries as director of operations from 1994 to 1996 and as director of leasing from 1996 to 1998. He also served in various senior level positions at Canon Financial Services, Inc., Eaton Financial/AT&T Capital and Equitable Life Leasing Corporation.

Global Imaging Systems offers thousands of middle-market customers a one- stop shop for office technology solutions from a network of 149 offices in 28 states and the District of Columbia. The company provides the sale and service of automated office equipment, network integration services and electronic presentation systems. The company is also a disciplined, profitable consolidator in the office technology industry.

SOURCE Global Imaging Systems, Inc.

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

Advanta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2003 Earnings

( business card charge-offs 7.31%; over 30 day 5.82%; over 90 day 2.93%---"...credit

performance strongest in almost three years," says CEO Alter.

( Other segment net loss (A) 43,593,000 1.78 loss on discontinuance of mortgage and leasing businesses, net of tax, if applicable. )

SPRING HOUSE, Pa.----Advanta Corporation (NASDAQ:ADVNB; ADVNA) reported net income from core operations of $0.44 per diluted share for fourth quarter and $1.30 per diluted share for full year 2003 for Class A and Class B shares combined, consistent with the Company's expectations. Advanta reported consolidated net income for the quarter of $11.2 million or $0.44 per diluted share and $28.2 million or $1.13 per diluted share for full year 2003 for Class A and Class B shares combined. This compares to consolidated net loss of $1.36 per diluted share for fourth quarter 2002 and consolidated net loss of $0.97 per diluted share for full year 2002. Net income from core operations is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income of the Advanta Business Cards segment and the Venture Capital segment with the exception of venture capital valuation adjustments, net of tax.

"Strong credit performance and customer activity delivered the robust fourth quarter earnings that we anticipated" said Dennis Alter, Chairman and CEO. "In 2003, we experienced the favorable asset quality benefits expected from our high credit quality customers. In fact, the quarter's credit performance was the strongest in almost three years."

About Advanta

Advanta is a highly focused financial services company serving the small business market. Advanta leverages direct marketing and information based expertise to identify potential customers and new target markets and to provide a high level of service tailored to the unique needs of small business. Using these distinctive capabilities, Advanta has become one of the nation's largest issuers of MasterCard business credit cards to small businesses. Since 1951, Advanta has pioneered many of the marketing techniques common in the financial services industry today, including remote lending and direct mail, affinity and relationship marketing. Learn more about Advanta at www.advanta.com.

CONTACT:Advanta Corporation David Weinstock Vice President, Investor Relations (215) 444-5335 dweinstock@advanta.com or David Goodman Director, Communications (215) 444-5073 AdvantaCommunications@advanta.com

Full press release with financial statements available at: http://www.businesswire.com/webbox/bw.012304/240235080.htm

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

CIT Announces Sale of Direct Private Equity Investments

LIVINGSTON, N.J.,/ -- CIT Group Inc.

(NYSE: CIT) has announced it signed a purchase and sale agreement in connection with the sale of the company's direct private equity portfolio to Protostar Equity Partners, L.P. The funding for Protostar was provided by the Goldman Sachs' GS Vintage Funds II, a series of investment partnerships

managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management's Private Equity Group. Net proceeds are expected to approximate CIT's December 31, 2003 carrying value.

As a condition to closing, CIT must obtain consents and/or waivers of certain rights, including rights of first refusal (held by other stockholders), on approximately 75% of the investment in the portfolio based on value. Consents and/or waivers must be obtained by June 30, 2004. These investments will close ("initial closing"), promptly after the satisfaction of this condition. The closing for the balance of the investments, where the

necessary consents and/or waivers are received after the initial closing, will occur no later than December 31, 2004.

About CIT:

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading commercial and consumer finance company, provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services. Founded in 1908, CIT has nearly $50 billion in assets under management and possesses the financial resources, industry expertise and

product knowledge to serve the needs of clients across approximately 30 industries. CIT holds leading positions in vendor financing, U.S. factoring, equipment and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and asset-based and credit-secured lending. CIT, with its principal offices

in New York City and Livingston, New Jersey has approximately 6,000 employees in locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim. For more information, visit http://www.cit.com.

About Goldman Sachs:

Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high net worth individuals. The Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group, based in New York and London, manages over $11 billion of capital devoted to primary partnership investments, secondary purchases of limited partnership interests, direct co-investments and supporting investment teams in the acquisition of direct private equity investment portfolios.

About Protostar:

Protostar is a New York based middle-market leveraged buyout firm dedicated to acquiring portfolios of direct private equity investments. Protostar targets transactions ranging from $50 million to $250 million in equity value. The firm offers a balanced mix of strategic insight, operational capabilities and financial expertise, and is exclusively focused on building middle-market leaders.

SOURCE CIT Group Inc.

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

Michael Ash Promoted to Syndication Manager

NEW YORK CITY, — Michael Ash was recently promoted to Syndication Manager for Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc (WFEFI). As a 13-year industry veteran, Michael most recently served as a Syndicator for WFEFI’s West and East coast syndication sell efforts.

“Michael’s extensive financial and equipment leasing experience make him the ideal person for this position,” said Joseph Fantauzzi, Senior Vice President. “Under his direction, we look forward to expanding Wells Fargo Equipment Finance’s syndication efforts nationwide.”

Prior to his positions with Wells Fargo, Ash served as Vice President and Syndicator, Credit Team Leader and Credit Officer for Charter Financial. In addition, Ash also worked for the CIT Group as both a Credit Analyst and Portfolio Analyst. He has a Master’s in Business Administration degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business as well as a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University.

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. is one of the largest bank-owned equipment leasing and finance companies in the United States, with nearly $6 billion in assets. Their customer base includes a broad spectrum of middle-market companies and industries throughout the United States and Canada.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $391 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,900 stores, the internet (wellsfargo.com), and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only "Aaa"- rated bank in the United States.

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

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

Sales: Seeking salespeople with 1+yrs. experience in Medical Leasing. Unlimited growth potential. AFG welcomes any HPSC employees who are looking for a new home!

E-mail: ecarlberg@alliancefunds.com

About the Company: Alliance Funding Group, Inc. 2099 S. State college Blvd., Suite 100 Anaheim, CA. 92806

News Briefs---

Winter Storm Reaches From Kan. to S.C.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040126/D80A6G801.html

Weak Dollar Helps U.S. Firms, for Now

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47309-2004Jan25.html

A Recovery Unlike Others Seems to Alter Fed Rate View

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/26/business/26fed.html?pagewanted=all

Fewer Online Shoppers in Canada

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/26/technology/26ecom.html?pagewanted=all

AOL Lost Two Million Subscribers and One attorney in Stillman Valley

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/01/26/youve_got_problems/

Toyota outsells Ford to become world's No. 2 automaker

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/0104/23toyota.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48019-2004Jan26.html

Securities and brokerage firms in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties slashed 6, 000 jobs, a 20 percent cut, between January 2001 and last May, according to the California Economic Development Department, makes great offices available

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004
/01/25/BUG6G4GPQO1.DTL&type=business

Will Off shoring IT Become a Political Issue?

http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3303341

Regis Philbin “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” Coming Back on TV

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/26/arts/television/26ABC.html?ex=
1075698000&en=31c5925cb9096c38&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Regions Financial to merge with Union Planters bank

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2004-01-23-up-regions-merger_x.htm

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Sports Briefs---

Turner close to coaching Raiders?
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/auto/epaper/
editions/sunday/sports_0431f4fb75d171e71060.html

Payton did Raiders a favor by turning his back on them

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/
columnists/skip_bayless/7778197.htm

Seifert had hand in run of Panthers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive
/2004/01/25/SPG9L4GTJE1.DTL

Patriots' Brady the talk of the town

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7789659.htm

Back in the swing: Mickelson wins Bob Hope Classic

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7796092.htm

Weekend Sports Activities Wrap-Up

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-Transactions.html

[Top]

California Nuts Brief---

Governor confronts new crisis, no script

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/7792991.htm

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"Gimme That Wine"

Calculator to Measure Your Blood Alcohol Level

http://wine.about.com/library/encyc/bl_bac.htm

Shafer v. Young Ridge II: The Label Lawsuit Reloaded
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2320,00.html

Vineyard Land Going to Housing In Napa Valley
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template
=story_full&id=87F733E6-A14B-4390-BFFA-1CA672CCCA43

Chief Winemaker for Gallo George Thoukis Retiring

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/8050281p-8911266c.html

Women challenge notion men know more about wine

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/entertainment/7762359.htm

New York State Foresees $3M Yearly in Wine Bill
http://www.newsday.com/business/printedition/ny-bzwine233638505jan23,0,1413162.story

1939 -- a little bit of Hollywood comes to Napa
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id
=7D9E4630-F9BD-4AE0-B011-726A0A5128B5

[Top]

1654-Jews flee to the New World: approximately 150 Jewish families of Portuguese background fled the city of Recife, in Pernambuco, Brazil. By September a number of these refugees had established the first community of Jews in the future United States.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan26.html

1695-Considered the first Workers’ compensation agreement was made by Captain William Kidd of New York City, commander of the “Adventure Galley” of 787 tons burden. He promised to distribute to the crew one-fourth of all booty captured on privateering expeditions. According to the agreement, “ If any man should Loose a Leg or Arm in the said service, he should have six hundred pieces of Eight, or six able slaves; if any man should loose a joynt on the said service, he should have a hundred pieces of eight.”

1776-The first US Army chaplain who was Catholic was the Reverend Louis Eustace Lotbiniere, appointed by General Benedict Arnold to act as chaplain to the regiment of Colonel James Livingston in the Continental Army.

1784-In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed his unhappiness over the choice of the eagle as the symbol of America. He preferred the turkey.

1788-A shipload of convicts arrived briefly at Botany Bay,Australia, (which proved to be unsuitable) and then at Port Jackson (later the site of the city of Sydney). Establishment of an Australian prison colony was to relieve crowding of British prisons. A fleet of 11 ships lands in Port Jackson after sailing with the continent's first 1,030 English settlers, including 736 convicts. All told, England ships more than 160,000 men, women, & children in bondage to Australia in the largest forced exile of citizens by a European government in pre-modern history. Exiles landing today become known as the First Fleet. They are so unfit for survival in the new land that they live near starvation amid what is natural abundance to Aborigines. Most of the First Fleet convicts have never traveled more than 10 miles from their birth places. They saw the sea for the first time when they were clapped in irons & thrust onto the ships. All the convicts were transported for crimes against property. They include 70-year-old Elizabeth Beckford, who was exiled for stealing 12 pounds of Gloucester cheese. West-Indian Thomas Chaddick was sent to Australia after hunger drove him to steal cucumbers from a kitchen garden.

Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day or Anniversary Day, has been observed since about 1817 and has been a public holiday since 1838. Observed Jan 26 if a Monday, otherwise on the first Monday thereafter .

1831- Mary Mapes Dodge birthday: American writer edited St. Nicholas Magazine, one of the first periodicals for children. She is best known for her classic novel Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates (1865).

http://wwwa.search.eb.com/women/articles/Dodge_Mary_Elizabeth_Mapes.html

1837 -Michigan became the 26th state. Named Michigan after the American Indian word, Michigama, meaning great or large lake, Michigan borders four of the Great Lakes, and is divided into two peninsulas by the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lakes Michigan and Huron. The two peninsulas are recognized in the state motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice . Michigan is nicknamed the Wolverine State and/or the Great Lake State . The state bird is the robin; the state flower: apple blossom; state tree: white pine; state fish: trout; state gem: Isle Royal Greenstone aka Chlorastrolite. This gemstone is the Petoskey stone. The state flag, which is blue charged with the arms of the state, waves over the state capital of Lansing.

( lower portion of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan26.html )

1838-The first alcohol prohibition law enacted by a state was passed by Tennessee. The bill, an “act to repeal all laws licensing tippling houses,” provided that “all person convicted of the offense of retailing spirituous liquors shall be fined at the discretion of the court” and that the fines and forfeitures be used for the support of common good.” It appears the law did not apply to wine or beer.

1856 -- Leschi, chief of the Nisqually & Yakama Indians, leads 1,000 warriors in an attack on the town of Seattle. The attack is repulsed by naval forces in the harbor.

http://www.historylink.org/output.CFM?file_ID=1960

1861-Louisiana becomes the sixth state to succeed from the union. One of the growing reasons

for the secession was the admittance of Kansas to the Union, which officially occurred January 29,1861,which entered as a “free state.” On February 4^th, the Confederate States of American Leasing was formed at Montgomery Alabama with Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as president and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia vice president. Both were chosen on February 9^th. The Confederate constitution specifically stated the reason for succession was to continue slavery, and on February 9^th the Confederate Provisional Congress asserted that all laws under the U.S. Constitution that were not inconsistent with the constitution of the Confederate states would be recognized. The main issue

was the Confederate government wanted to continue the ownership of human beings ( Blacks

were not the only race that were slaves or owned by others---in fact, during this period, there

were many free Blacks who owned large plantations of both Creole and Black slaves. In Mississippi

itself, there were many wealthy Black plantation owners.

1863-54th Regiment (Black) infantry formed.

http://extlab1.entnem.ufl.edu/olustee/54th_MS_inf.html

http://www.afroammuseum.org/site1.htm

http://www.state.ma.us/statehouse/articles/54th_men.htm

http://www.54thmass.org/54hist.html

1875-George F. Green, of Kalamazoo, MI, received a patent for “electro-magnetic dental tools” used for sawing, filing, dressing and polishing teeth. The patent was assigned to Samuel S. White of Philadelphia, PA. In practice, the engines were too heavy and the batteries too expensive for general use.

1880-Douglas MacArthur, US general and supreme commander of Allied forces in Southwest Pacific during World War II. Born at Little Rock, AR, he served as commander of the Rainbow Division's 84th Infantry Brigade in World War I, leading it in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Sedan offensives. Remembered for his "I shall return" prediction when forced out of the Philippines by the Japanese during WW II, a promise he fulfilled. He later became involved in politics, and had set up a committee to run for president. Relieved of Far Eastern command by President Harry Truman on Apr 11, 1951, during the Korean War, after an incident regarding the landing of air craft and respect for the commander-in-chief. . MacArthur died at Washington, DC, Apr 5, 1964.

1893-Bessie Coleman born at Atlanta, Texas: America's first celebrated Black female pilot Bessie Coleman. Because of her race and gender, she was denied admission to aviation school programs in the US. In Paris, she received an international pilot's license in 1921. Upon return, "Queen Bess" took part in numerous acrobatic air exhibitions where her daring stunt-flying won her many admirers. She perished in a plane crash during a practice session, at Jacksonville, Florida, April 30, 1926. Foul play

was suspected due to both her race and gender.

1907-Congress passed a prohibition on corporations from contributing to candidates’ campaign funds in presidential and congressional races. An act passed on March 4, 1909, further prohibiting national banks and corporations from making financial contributions to campaign funds in connection with any election to any political office.

1893-Birthday of violinist/cajun music player Dennis McGee, Bayour Marron,LA

He died in 1989.

http://www.cajunculture.com/People/mcgeedennis.htm

http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/biographies/mcgee-d.htm

http://www.yazoorecords.com/2012.htm

1908-Jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli born Paris, France; died Nov, 1997.

http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,437799,00.html?
artist=Stephane+Grappelli

http://www.cyberbites.com/marleys_ghost/grappelliobit.html

1913-Jimmy Van Heusen was born Edward Chester Babcock at Syracuse, NY. He was a composer of many popular songs with his lyricist partners Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. One of his 76 songs that Frank Sinatra recorded was "My Kind of Town." Van Heusen won four Academy Awards for songs in movies such as Going My Way (1944). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame when it was founded in 1971. Van Heusen died Feb 7, 1990, at Rancho Mirage, CA.

http://www.jimmyvanheusen.com/

1913 - Jim Thorpe wrote the chairman of the Amateur Athletic Union revealing he had played professional baseball in 1909 and 1910. He voluntarily returned the two gold medals for the decathlon and pentathlon he won in the 1912 Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden. Sixty years later, twenty years after his death, the AAU restored Thorpe’s amateur standing and the Olympic medals.

1915-Rocky Mountain National Park was established. Under President Woodrow Wilson, the area covering more than 1,000 square miles in Colorado became a national park.

1918-Birthday of science fiction writer Philip Jose Farmer, born Peoria, IL.

http://www.pjfarmer.com/

1924-Birthday of Calvin Ross(Cal)Abrams, baseball player born at Philadelphia, PA. Abrams played eight years in the major leagues and hit .269. He is most famous for this incident that I remember

this day from when I was eight years old, for being thrown out at the plate by Richie Ashburn of the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning of the final game of the 1950 season, thereby depriving his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, of a shot at the pennant. Died at Ft. Lauderdale, FL, January 26,1997.

1925-Birthday of Paul Newman of “Newman’s Own,” actor (Oscar for The Color of Money; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), director (Rachel, Rachel, The Glass Menagerie), born Cleveland, OH.

http://www.newmansown.com/

1928-Birthday of vocalist Eartha Kitt, North, South Carolina.

http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/722/33.html

http://www.earthakitt.com/

http://www.artsmart.co.za/music/archive/872.html

1929-Jules Feiffer, cartoonist, writer, born New York, NY.

1934 - In New York City, the Apollo Theatre opened as a ‘Negro vaudeville theatre’. It became the showplace for many of the great black entertainers in the United States.

1934-Jimmy Lunceford Band records, “WhiteHeat,”

1939 - Producer David O. Selznick began filming Gone With the Wind. Numerous problems with the script, several directors, and a soaring budget plagued the project. After he turned down the role of Rhett Butler, Gary Cooper remarked, "Gone With the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in the history of Hollywood. I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling flat on his face and not Gary Cooper".

1942-The first American expeditionary force to land in Europe in World War II arrived in Ireland and was greeted by Sir Archibald Sinclair, the British air minister. The first officer to land was Major General Russell Peter Hartle. The first enlisted man to land was Private Milburn Henke of Hutchinson, MN.

1944-Esquire All-Stars ( Armstrong, Eldridge, Teagarden, Hawkins) cut Basin St. Blues, Mop Mop for V-Disc._

1945 - For $3 million, a syndicate headed by Dan Topping and Larry McPhail bought the New York Yankees baseball team.

1946-Birthday of jazz author/researcher Lee Hildebrand, Williamsport, PA

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567996930/inkto
mi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-4344982-0045565

http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/critic.php3?criticid=215

1947 - On ABC radio, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" was first heard, making it the first radio series to portray Jesus Christ's voice.

1948- President Truman decides to end segregation in the armed forces and the civil service through administrative action (executive order) rather than through legislation.

He signs on July 26,1948: Executive Order 9981, to end segregation in US Armed Forces signed by President Harry Truman.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/9981.htm

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/deseg1.htm

1949-The first tape-recording machine for mass production of tapes was announced by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company(3M), St. Paul, MN. The machine tape 48 hours of recorded music in one hour.

1951-The first Rabbi in the Reform movement who was a woman was Paula Ackerman of Meridian, MS, who was appointed to serve in the place of her late husband as rabbi of Temple Beth Israel.

1951 - Elizabeth Taylor divorced her first husband, Nicky Hilton, on the grounds of mental cruelty. It was less than a year after their highly publicized wedding.

1953 - Film actress, dancer, and sex symbol Rita Hayworth divorced Prince Aly Khan in Reno, Nevada on this date. Hayworth once said, "Every man I knew had fallen in love with Gilda and wakened with me," referring to her most successful film role in Gilda and her less-than-successful track record in marriage.

1954---Top Hits

Stranger in Paradise - Tony Bennett

Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher

At the Darktown Strutters’ Ball - Lou Monte

Bimbo - Jim Reeves

1956 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. arrested for the first time for driving 30 mph in a 25mph zone; his home will be bombed on January 30^th.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/man/MLKtimeline.html

http://www.holidays.net/mlk/rosa.htm

1956 - Buddy Holly had his first of three recording sessions in 1956 for Decca Records in Nashville, Tennessee with Owne Bradley as producer. Nothing much came out of those sessions. He formed the group, The Three Tunes (changed later to The Crickets), and went on to find fame and fortune when he hooked up with producer Norman Petty in New Mexico. Holly died in a plane crash near Mason City, IA, February 3, 1959 (“the day the music died”). He was 22. Holly was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

1958-Ellen DeGeneres, comedienne, actress ("Ellen"), born New Orleans, LA.

1959 - "Alcoa Presents" was first seen on ABC-TV. Later, the show was renamed "One Step Beyond". It was based on "true events that are strange, frightening and unexplainable in terms of normal human experience."

1960 - Burnsville, West Virginia beat Widen, West Virginia in basketball, 173-43. Danny Heater starred by getting in 135 points.

1960 - Pete Rozelle was elected commissioner of the National Football League, a position he held for over 25 years.

1961 - President John F. Kennedy chose Dr. Janet G. Travell (Mrs. John Powell) to be the first woman to hold the position of ‘personal physician to the President’.

1961-Wayne Gretzy, former hockey player, Hockey Hall of Famer, born Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

1962---Top Hits

The Twist - Chubby Checker

Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starliters

Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke

1970 - NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle, the three major television networks, NBC, CBS and ABC, agreed to pay a total of $124,000,000 over four years to broadcast National Football League games. CBS carried the NFC games and NBC the AFC. ABC had the idea to broadcast, "Monday Night Football".

1970---Top Hits

Raindrop Keep Fallin’ on My Head - B.J. Thomas

Venus - The Shocking Blue

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5

Baby, Baby (I Know You’re a Lady) - David Houston

1978---Top Hits

Baby Come Back - Player

Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton

You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim) - Rod Stewart

What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life - Ronnie Milsap

1979 - The guitar synthesizer was first demonstrated.

1979-“The Dukes of Hazzard” premiered on TV. This comedy/action show ran for seven seasons and featured car chases. Brothers Bo Kuke(John Schneider) and Luke Duke ( Tom Wopat) were the good guys, fighting crooked law enforcement in their rural southern community. Other characters included Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach), Uncle Jesse Duke(Denver Pyle), Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane (James Best), Deputy Enos Strate(Sonny Shroyer) and Boss Hogg ( Sorrell Books)

1984- "Mike Hammer" re-appeared on TV. Mike Hammer was a gritty, urban detective created by writer Mickey Spillane, very popular in both hard back and pocket book “hard boiled dick” writer,

considered still a classic, definitely ahead of his time. Originally a TV series in the 50s with Darren

McGavin, CBS revived the series with Stacy Keach as the hard-boiled detective. Production was stopped while Keach was briefly imprisoned for a drug charge in 1984 but the series returned in 1986. Darrin McGavin, who most likely is best remembered as "Kochak", was the originally Mike Hammer on television and one of my favorite shows. As a teenager, I never missed it and consequently read all Spillane's books, along with Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Kenneth Millar aka Ross McDonald. Spillane is one of America's greatest authors and his works should be studied in colleges and universities as there are many levels and messages in his observations of good versus evil.

1985 - With a 66-65 win, St. Johns University ended Georgetown’s 29-game winning streak. Chris Mullin, now an NBA star, scored 20 points for St. Johns. Patrick Ewing, also an NBA star, lead Georgetown with 9 points, in this the Big East Conference basketball game.

1986-Chicago Wins Super Bowl XX: In their first Super Bowl outing, the Chicago Bears romped over the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX, 46-10. Chicago spotted the Patriots a 3-0 lead but then scored the next 44 points while holding New England to seven yards rushing.

1986---Top Hits

That’s What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends

Burning Heart - Survivor

Talk to Me - Stevie Nicks

Never Be You - Rosanne Cash

1987 - Coca-Cola was officially named the #1 soft drink in the United States. Pepsi- Cola was at #2.

1988 - The incoming hit musical from London, The Phantom of The Opera, set a Broadway record in advance sales of over $12 million before its grand opening on Broadway on this date. Phantom took in a record-setting amount of $920,272 in seventeen hours when tickets went on sale the previous November.

1992 - Super Bowl XXVI (at Minneapolis): Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24. Washington led 37-10 before Buffalo scored a pair of TDs in the final six minutes. Bills’ QB Jim Kelly threw the football a record 58 times (with 4 interceptions) in the losing effort. MVP: Redskins’ QB Mark Rypien. Tickets: $150.00

1994—Top Hits

All For Love- Bryan Adams/Rod Stewart/Sting

Hero- Mariah Carey

Breathe Again- Toni Braxton

The Power Of Love- Celine Dion

1997 - Super Bowl XXXI (at New Orleans): Green Bay 35, New England 21. A classic team effort: QB Brett Favre passed for two TDs and Desmond Howard (MVP) returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score as the Packers won their 12th NFL championship and the first since Super Bowl II in 1968. Tickets: $275.00.

1998 - Compaq Computer Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp. announced plans to merge. In the largest computer biz acquisition to that time, the deal was worth $9.6 billion. March 20, 2002 the stock holders approved the company’s merger with Hewlett-Packard.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/newsroom/pr/2002/pr2002032001.html

SuperBowl Champions This Date

1986 Chicago Bears

1992-Washington Redskins

1997-Green Bay Packers