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In memory of Ronald Reagan 1911-2004
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Tuesday, June 8,2004
Headlines---
New
Tax Bill Goes Easier On SILOs
UAEL
Oregon "Networking/Gathering” 6/23
Pasternak
Starts Fairfield Capital Services
Studebaker-Worthington
Names Omar Diaz Broker Mgr.
Adamski
Joins Leasing Partners Capital
Fin.
Federal Names Michael J. Zimmerman to Board
Dennis
Williams to lead Assoc.Program at Silvermark
Donald
C Slappey joins GMAC CF
Financial
Federal's 3rd Q Net Earnings Increase 22%
S&P
Rates Westinghouse "Solid Credit"
Wheels
Introduces New "To Market" Program
Universal
Express New "Pay Platform"
NorVergence/Commercial
Leasing "Cost Saving" Program
Congratulations—Tampa Bay Lightning
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press
release”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classified
Ads----Credit
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: Danbury,
CT.
Skilled in team building,
management & training. Seasoned credit, portfolio and risk management
professional. Experienced
in developing, implementing underwriting, portfolio management policies & procedures.
email: vgjmoro@aol.com
Credit/Documentation:
Fort Lee NJ
3 Years Experience. Looking in NJ/NY.
Email: angitravis@mail.com
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: Phoenix,
AZ.
Credit/Leasing Manager-
8 years underwriting. Proven performer, strong negotiator and sales
support. Worked with the best- Randy Schiell, Chuck Brazier, Jim Lahti.
Contact: Elizabeth
Rose (480)510-7434
Email: ravenfinance@aol.com
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
100 Classified Ads
at: http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm
To post a free “job wanted ad,” please go here:
http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIC
to NAICS
Reader requests conversion
codes:
“Do you know the
conversion codes from SIC to NAICS for the Leasing Industries?
“I'm guessing there
should be two classifications. One just for Brokers and Discounters
who sell for fees or spreads and one for those that not only broker
but maintain their own credit lines. Heck, maybe there are three.
“Many Bank's are
converting over from SIC to NAICS and the categories just don't quite
fit. I think that 522310 for Brokers and 523910 for those also with
lines but I'm not sure. I was hoping your reader's could help me pinpoint
the correct NAICS codes we need to use in each case.”
Bob Robichaud,
PFF Bank & Trust
(If you have information,
please send and I will relay to Mr. Robichaud.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New
Tax Bill Goes Easier On SILOs
Would
Exempt 15 Transportation Deals
By
Susanna Duff Barnett
WASHINGTON - House
Ways and Means chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., unveiled a new version
of his corporate tax bill Friday that contains far less onerous curbs
on certain tax- advantaged leasing deals known as sale-in, lease-out,
or SILO, deals than tougher restrictions proposed by the Treasury Department
and adopted by the Senate.
Unlike the Treasury
and Senate versions, Thomas' bill would restrict SILO deals as of March
12 and would grandfather in 15 pending transportation deals. The bill
also would allow states and localities to lease facilities that have
been financed with tax-exempt bonds.
Thomas' bill also
would extend the use of New York Liberty Zone bonds, qualified zone
academy bonds, and a number of tax incentives for the District of Columbia.
However, the bill contains none of the other municipal bond provisions
that are in the version of the corporate tax bill approved by the Senate
May 11.
The House Ways and
Means Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday, and the House
is expected to consider the bill next week. Jill Hershey, a vice president
of legislative affairs at The Bond Market Association, said there is
momentum to get the bill finalized despite a presidential election in
five months, especially since both versions contain measures that would
put an end to punitive tariffs that have been imposed by the European
Union on some U.S. products since March 1.
"I think the
bond provisions are in a very strong position," Hershey said.
Thomas' bill contains
a number of changes to the SILO measure from the version he introduced
on March 12, which originally had a Feb. 12 effective date. Unlike the
earlier version, the new bill would exempt lease deals less than five
years from the curbs and would allow a two-year renewal for qualified
technological equipment leases.
The SILO restrictions
also would not apply to transportation deals that were submitted to
the Federal Transit Administration after June 30, 2003, and before March
12, 2004. Like the earlier versions, the provision gives the FTA until
Jan. 1, 2005, to approve those deals. The grandfather clause would lift
the current hold placed on the 15 pending transportation leasing deals
by the Department of Transportation on Nov. 26.
Thomas' provision
differs from the Treasury and Senate measures, which would curb domestic
deals as of Jan. 1, 2004, and would not protect the pending municipal
transportation deals. The Senate version also would eliminate the tax
advantage of SILO deals that involve foreign property as of Jan. 1,
2005, regardless of when they were entered into.
The Treasury and
Senate bills also would prevent the use of tax-exempt bonds to finance
SILO deals and would give Treasury discretion in defining leases that
should be curbed. As in his earlier version, Thomas' bill would exempt
service contracts from the curbs. The Senate bill does not contain that
provision.
Thomas' latest corporate
tax bill contains several extensions of tax provisions that are similar
to those in the Senate bill. It would extend the $8 billion New York
Liberty Zone bond program, currently set to expire Dec. 31, 2004, for
four years - one year less than the Senate bill. The Thomas bill also
does not include a provision in the Senate bill that would extend the
period in which one additional advance refunding is permitted for one
year through Dec. 31, 2005.
Another measure would
extend through 2005 the QZAB program, which allows the issuance of $400
million a year in taxable tax-credit bonds to renovate schools in poor
neighborhoods and lapsed at the end of 2003. But the Senate bill would
go a step further by allowing the program to be used for new construction
and land acquisition.
Thomas' bill also
includes tax incentives for investment in the District of Columbia that
would extend economic development bonds and first-time homebuyer tax
credits for another year through Dec. 31, 2005. The Senate bill would
only extend those provisions through the end of 2004.
However, Thomas'
new bill - which was sweetened to pick up votes from Republicans who
opposed the Ways and Means panel's original bill that was never sent
to the full House - does not contain a number of other municipal bond-related
measures that were included in the Senate-passed bill.
One Senate measure
would permanently repeal the 10-year rule for single-family mortgage
revenue bonds issued after the date of enactment and provide a one-year
exemption from the rule for outstanding bonds. However, it would still
apply to currently existing bonds after the one-year exemption expires.
Another provision
would double the aggregate capital expenditure limit on projects financed
with qualified small issue bonds to $20 million but keep the bond issuance
limit at its present level of $10 million.
The Senate bill also
would temporarily expand the use of tax-exempt bonds for facilities
based on Indian reservations, create a two-year project to allow nonprofit
groups to use bonds to buy land and pay off the debt with funds from
logging operations without violating the private-activity bond restrictions,
and create a demonstration project for so-called green bonds.
The Senate bill also
includes provisions from a slimmed down energy tax package introduced
in February that would protect the ability of municipal utilities and
state agencies to use tax-exempt bonds to prepay long-term contracts
for natural gas by easing existing regulations to make clear that a
utility may base the volume of a gas prepayment contract on gas usage
over the previous five year. It would make renewable- energy production
tax credits available to public power utilities and allow them to sell
the credits to a private entity for cash.
The Senate provisions
also would create an ethanol tax credit to ultimately generate $2 billion
in highway construction funding and provide loan guarantees to help
finance a natural pipeline from Alaska through Canada.
**** announcement
***************************************
United
Association of Equipment Leasing Oregon Region Presents:
“Cocktail Reception,
Networking/Gathering”
When: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 @ 5:00 PM
Where: Sweetbrier Inn
7125 SW Nyberg St
Tualatin OR 97062
Tel: 503-692-5800
(review www.sweetbrier.com for directions,
we will be meeting
in the lounge/bar)
Event: Cocktail Reception. Open for both members and
non-members. Provides a forum
to stay connected with Oregon Brokers, Lessors, Funding Sources and
Vendors, to meet new members and establish new relationships. We will provide an update on all UAEL events, but this is a low
key event that should be both beneficial and fun!!
Cost: No cost.
The purpose is to
encourage active participation, and silicate new members, and renewal
of previous members who may have not yet renewed.
There will be a no
host bar, and light appetizers will be provided by sponsors.
Please R.S.V.P via email to: gparker@harbourcap.com
****** announcement ************************************
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Accounting
 Accounting: PricewaterhouseCoopers seeks executives with experience in equipment leasing to help clients improve their leasing businesses by assessing "as is" conditions and designing and implementing solutions to operational issues. PwC also seeks CPA's with a broad based knowledge of FAS13 and familiarity with accounting for leases with simple and complex transaction structures. Email: anthony.g.anderson@us.pwc.com About the Company: PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York, NY. |
|
About the Company: Nationwide Funding, Irvine, CA. |
Equipment Sales Representative
|
Equip.
Leasing Sales Rep: Strong sales and bus. dev. skills
needed. Dev/manage portfolio, initiate bus. in upper Midwest .
3-4 yr leasing exp. www.associatedbank.com About
the Company: Associated
Banc-Corp is a diversified multibank holding co., w/ $15.5
billion in total assets. Headquartered in Green Bay, WI . Associated
has more than 200 banking locations across WI, IL and MN. |
Marketing Indirect Originator
|
|
Sales
|
About the Company: www.odysseyequipfinance.com |
|
About
the Company: |
Sales: Established 20-year
full service lessor seeks sales professional in small or mid ticket
markets. Earn high commissions, with benefits.
--- to post
a "Help Wanted" ad, please go to:
http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pasternak
Starts Fairfield Capital Services
EFJ Pulse Online
(efj.com)
Dana Pasternak recently
left Fleet Capital Leasing to start his own company, Fairfield Capital
Services (FCS).
Pasternak, a veteran of nearly 30 years in commercial and investment
banking, and the equipment leasing and commercial finance industries,
indicated FCS will have as its primary focus providing financial advice
to, and raising capital for, middle market and highly leveraged companies.
In fulfilling this objective, FCS will not be limited to working
solely within the equipment leasing and financing markets, but will
also include in its capital raising strategies other major forms of
secured financing including asset-based working capital loans, mezzanine
financing, and real estate mortgages and leases.
T
he appropriate mix
will be determined by what best fits the client's business model and
balance sheet. He also indicated the company will be working with smaller
equipment leasing companies who do not have the internal resources for
advice in selling portfolios and raising capital for non-standard equipment
leases.
He can be reached at (203)652-0543, or E-Mail: danajpasternak@att.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
### Press Release
###########################
Studebaker-Worthington
Names Omar Diaz Broker Mgr.
STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON
LEASING CORP.,located in Jericho,NY and a wholly owned subsidiary of
State Bank of Long Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of
Omar Diaz as their Broker
Relationship Manager.
Omar brings over
25 years of equipment lease funding experience to Studebaker-Worthington
Leasing Corp., having formerly worked for The Bank Of The West as their
east coast representative, as a Group Vice President for European American
Bank (EAB) in their equipment lease finance division and for
Tilden Financial.
He can be reached
at 1-800-645-7242, Ext.401.
Fred Anderson
Address = Studebaker-Worthington
City = Jericho
State = NY
Zipcode = 11753
Phone = 516-938-5460
Fax = 516-938-5604
Email = fanderson@studebaker.com
|
The only annually-updated international reference book for the asset financing and leasing industry available. The new 25th edition includes the latest market trends , over 100 authoritative articles and reports on the leasing software and IT market, an exclusive ranking of the top 50 leasing markets by size worldwide with feature profiles from Africa to Venezuela PLUS a directory of over 4,400 contacts. HOW TO ORDER - Simply call our Customer Hotline on +44 (0) 20 7779 8999 or toll free in the US +1 800 437 9997. Alternatively visit https://www.euromoneyplc.com/ to order online |
### Press Release
##########################
Adamski
Joins Leasing Partners Capital
Wayne, NJ—Leasing Partners Capital, Inc., the fastest
growing leasing company in the U.S., announces another addition to its
staff.
Lea Adamski will be located in our main headquarters
as a Lease Administrator. Lea
transferred to LPC from our former sister company, RCI Communications
in Wayne, NJ. Lea attended SUNY-Oneota
while working on her Bachelor’s degree in marketing.
LPC is a nationwide equipment lessor in the small
to lower-middle-market segment.
Bruce Larsen
National Sales Manager
Leasing Partners Capital, Inc.
Toll-free: 877-333-5864
E-mail: blarsen@leasingpartnerscapital.com
Web site: www.leasingpartnerscapital.com
#### Press Release
#########################
Financial
Federal Corporation Announces the Addition of Michael J. Zimmerman to
Its Board of Directors
NEW YORK----Financial
Federal Corporation (NYSE:FIF)announced today that its Board of Directors
has selected Michael J. Zimmerman as its seventh member. Mr. Zimmerman
will serve as a director until the next annual meeting of shareholders
in December 2004. The Company's Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee determined that Mr. Zimmerman qualifies as an independent
director in accordance with New York Stock Exchange rules. Mr. Zimmerman
will serve on the Company's Audit Committee. Paul R. Sinsheimer, CEO,
commented: "We are privileged to have Mr. Zimmerman join our Board.
His vast business and financial background will be a valuable asset
to the Company."
Michael J. Zimmerman is
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ContiGroup Companies,
Inc. (a major privately held agribusiness and investment firm formerly
known as Continental Grain Company) and President of its ContiInvestments
subsidiary. He is responsible for the financial and strategic initiatives
in ContiGroup's existing operations as well as its investment activities
in both new and related areas.
Prior to joining Continental Grain in 1996, Mr. Zimmerman was a
Managing Director at Salomon Brothers, where he served over 20 years
in a variety of senior positions in the investment banking and firm
investment areas. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Overseas
Shipholding Group, Inc., where he serves as non-executive Chairman,
and is Chairman of Premium Standard Farms, a majority-owned affiliate
of ContiGroup.
Mr. Zimmerman holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and
a Bachelors degree from Trinity College. He is active in several educational,
religious and philanthropic organizations. A resident of Brooklyn, NY,
he is married and has two sons.
Financial Federal Corporation specializes in financing industrial
and commercial equipment through installment sales and leasing programs
for manufacturers, dealers and end users nationwide. For additional
information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.financialfederal.com.
CONTACT:Financial
Federal Corporation Steven F. Groth, 212-599-8000
### Press Release
###############################
SilverMark
Capital names Associate Program Manager
HOUSTON, TEXAS (
—— SilverMark Capital, a division of Texas-based Sterling Bank, has
named Dennis Williams to lead the development and operation of its Associate
Program, which offers originators of equipment leasing programs a platform
for managing vendor relationships that need a high level of support
and funding capacity.
“We are pleased that
Dennis has been able to join our team and apply his background at Citicorp
and First Sierra Financial to leading this growing product segment,”
said Fred Van Etten, CEO of SilverMark Capital. “He has the knowledge
to ensure that our Associate Program remains fast, efficient and provides
all the tools necessary for independent originators to provide their
vendors with access to a state-of-the-art back office system and optimum
funding.”
Williams was most
recently associate vice president of performance metrics management
for Citigroup Inc. in San Antonio. He previously served as senior syndication
analyst for First Sierra Financial in Houston. Both Citigroup and First
Sierra provide financial services to businesses. He has also held analyst
and account executive positions at Frost & Sullivan, a consulting
firm on emerging high technology and industrial markets, and Philip
Services Corporation, a metals recovery and industrial service corporation.
SilverMark Capital
is a division of Sterling Bank, which was named to FORTUNE Magazine’s
2004 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. The bank operates 37 commercial
banking offices in the greater metropolitan areas of Dallas, Houston
and San Antonio and holds assets of $3.2 billion.
Sterling Bank is
a subsidiary of Sterling Bancshares, Inc., whose common stock is traded
through the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol SBIB.
For more information
on SilverMark Capital and its associate program, please visit the company's
website at www.silvermarkcapital.com,
or contact Williams at 713-507-7677.
### Press Release
###########################
Donald
C Slappey joins GMAC CF
SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—
GMAC Commercial Finance (GMAC CF), part of General Motors Acceptance
Corporation (GMAC) since 1999, announces that Donald C. Slappey has
recently joined the company’s Equipment Finance Division’s (EFD) Commercial
Asset Finance Group as vice president, senior account executive, based
in the Atlanta, Ga. office. He will be covering the states of Florida,
Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
Slappey brings with
him many successful years of experience in the finance and leasing industry
and will be a significant "impact" player for the group. He
spent the last three years with the Bank of America Leasing & Capital
Group, and previously spent 15 years with the Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation,
performing in various capacities.
GMAC Commercial Finance,
considered a leader in its segment of the financial services market,
provides asset-based lending, equipment finance/leasing, structured
finance and factoring services to a wide variety of middle-market clients
in diverse industries. Loan facilities are in the $1 million to $200
million range. With locations in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong
and the United Kingdom, the Company is positioned to provide lending
services worldwide.
GMAC Commercial Finance
is part of GMAC Financial Services. GMACFS has been a wholly owned subsidiary
of General Motors Corporation since 1919. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the
Equipment Finance Division can be reached at 678 553-2700.
Sites of Reference:
CONTACT:
Kim Rutherford
GMAC CF
Phone Number: (248)
358-8322
### Press Release
###########################
Financial
Federal's Third Quarter Net Earnings Increase 22%
NEW YORK----Financial
Federal Corporation (NYSE:FIF) announced a 22% increase in net earnings
in its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2004 primarily from the
effects of fewer non-performing assets. Net earnings for the quarter
was $8.0 million compared to $6.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal
2003. Diluted earnings per share increased by 22% to $0.44 from $0.36.
Finance receivables originated during the quarter totaled $211.0 million
and finance receivables outstanding increased by $26.0 million during
the quarter to $1.43 billion at April 30, 2004.
Net earnings in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 and 2003 were
$23.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively; decreasing by less than
1%. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 2% to $1.25 from $1.27.
In fiscal 2003, a non-recurring loss from the redemption of convertible
debt reduced net earnings by $1.1 million and reduced diluted earnings
per share by $0.06. Without this loss, net earnings in the first nine
months of fiscal 2003 was $24.3 million and diluted earnings per share
was $1.33. These amounts are non- GAAP financial measures that management
believes are useful to investors. Net earnings and diluted earnings
per share in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 each decreased by
6% with this loss excluded from fiscal 2003.
Net charge-offs for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 were $1.9
million or 0.54% (annualized) of average finance receivables compared
to 0.70% in the preceding quarter and 1.18% in the third quarter of
fiscal 2003. For the first nine months of fiscal 2004 and 2003, net
charge-offs were 0.76% and 0.79%, respectively. Non-performing assets
were 2.9% of total finance receivables at April 30, 2004, compared to
3.1% at January 31, 2004 and 5.2% at April 30, 2003. Delinquent receivables
(60 days or more past due) were 1.8% of total receivables at April 30,
2004 compared to 1.5% at January 31, 2004 and 2.1% at April 30, 2003.
Paul R. Sinsheimer, CEO, commented: "We are encouraged by
the results of our third quarter notwithstanding the potential effects
of rising oil prices and the prospect of rising short-term interest
rates. Demand for equipment financing increased, and the outlook for
new business appears to be better than it has been for some time. The
recent $175 million convertible debt issuance has further positioned
the Company to benefit from an improving economic environment."
Steven F. Groth, CFO, remarked: "Most of our operating statistics
continue to trend positively, especially net charge-offs, repossessions
and operating expenses. This is the second straight quarter of growth
in finance receivables which has not occurred in a year and a half.
Leverage remains at a level that allows for significant growth, even
though the Company recently repurchased $50 million of its common stock."
The Company also announced an increase in the amount available
under its common stock repurchase program from $13 million to $20 million.
The program was also amended to include repurchases of the Company's
convertible debentures.
Financial Federal Corporation specializes in financing industrial
and commercial equipment through installment sales and leasing programs
for manufacturers, dealers and end users nationwide. For additional
information, please visit the Company's website at www.financialfederal.com.
CONTACT:Financial
Federal Corporation Steven F. Groth, 212-599-8000
### Press Release
##############################
S&P
Announces: Summary Analysis-Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co.
NEW YORK--The ratings
on Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. (WABTEC) reflect the company's
somewhat aggressive financial policy, and its strategy of pursuing acquisitions.
These risk factors are partly offset by its leading market position
in the mature and cyclical rail products and services sector.
Wilmerding, Pa.-based WABTEC is a leading North American supplier
of rail equipment and related services for the freight (71% of sales)
and transit (29%) sectors.
Although the freight and transit markets are both cyclical in nature,
they generally move in independent directions. Transit generally lags
the cyclical nature of the freight market, because of federal and state
spending. Freight car fundamentals (car loadings and new orders) have
improved substantially in the past year with renewed fleet reinvestment
by the Class I railroads, utilities, and leasing companies; increased
government spending; and the recovery of the U.S. economy. New freight
car orders were 17,962 in the first quarter of 2004, the highest since
the third quarter of 1998. The company estimates industry railcar deliveries
will approach 41,000 in 2004, up from a prior estimate of 36,000.
Transit group revenues also benefited from a larger number of shipments
and deliveries of rail door assemblies under existing contracts. However,
transit demand is not expected to recover in a meaningful way until
2005, with the delivery of New York City subway car replacement orders.
A recent R-160 New York City contract is expected to bring $250 million
in future business over a four-year period beginning in 2005.
WABTEC's financial policy is considered somewhat aggressive because
of its debt-financed acquisition strategy, although management has demonstrated
discipline during the industry downturn. Significant improvements to
operating efficiency through attention to cost controls have resulted
in the generation of solid credit protection measures, which are currently
above average for the rating. These include operating lease-adjusted
EBITDA interest coverage ratio of 5.8x, debt to EBITDA of 2.8x, and
funds from operations to total debt of 27.3% for the 12 months ended
March 31, 2004.
The company's growth strategy includes some debt-financed acquisitions,
and, as industry prospects continue to improve, WABTEC could use its
debt capacity to pursue its business objectives. However, transactions
are expected to add complementary product lines, enhance geographic
distribution, and extend the customer list. As such, Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services expects WABTEC to maintain an EBITDA interest
coverage ratio of about 3x-4x over the cycle and total debt to EBITDA
of around 3x-3.5x, which takes into account a moderate cushion for potential
acquisitions without affecting the current ratings.
Liquidity.
WABTEC derives strength from its solid liquidity position. As of
March 31, 2004, sources of liquidity included:
-- $29 million of free
operating cash flow for the prior 12
months;
-- $58 million of cash
and short-term investments; and
-- Unused borrowing capacity
of $118.4 million under a new $175 million credit facility due January 2009 (net letters of
credit).
Capital spending levels are expected to be about 2.5%-3% of sales.
Steady, good margins and modest capital spending needs continue to translate
into a good conversion of EBITDA to free operating cash flow, at roughly
173% of net income in 2003. Given an improved business climate and sustainable
healthy cash flow generation, liquidity should be adequate to fund the
company's business plan, including potential acquisitions. The company
had under funded pension and postretirement plans of about $55.6 million
at the end of 2003. However, cash contributions to the pension plan
are expected to be manageable at about $6.4 million in 2004 and at similar
levels of funding expected thereafter. The company does not have any
material
\]debt maturities
until after 2008.
Outlook
The stable outlook reflects Standard & Poor's expectations
that WABTEC will continue to generate solid credit protection measures,
supported by end-market improvement in both rail and transit. Standard
& Poor's also expects WABTEC to maintain a balanced capital structure
as it pursues its growth strategy.
Copyright (c) 2004, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
CONTACT:Standard
& Poor's, New York Linli Chee, 212-438-1688
### Press Release
##############################
Wheels
Introduces First-To-Market Application to Simplify Upfitting of Commercial
Vehicles
DES
PLAINES, Ill., -- Wheels, Inc., a leader in the multi-billion-dollar
fleet-leasing industry, today announced the availability of its first-in-the-industry
truck upfitting application, which allows commercial fleet managers
to add a variety of equipment options and other special features when
ordering vehicles online.
Offering
maximum convenience and ease of use, the upfitting tool is a new component
of FleetView(R), Wheels' online fleet management tool that allows
fleet managers to quickly accomplish a variety of tasks online, ranging
from analyzing expenses to reviewing maintenance records and examining
driver profiles. The upfitting application allows fleet managers to
customize their commercial vehicles by choosing a single equipment
package or groups of packages unique to their fleet, including equipment
such as decals, tool boxes, ladder racks, van interiors and service
bodies. The application also allows fleet managers the flexibility
to further modify the order, for example changing the phone number
that appears on a decal.
Wheels'
new upfitting application:
-
Eliminates the need to create new templates for each
vehicle/equipment option combination.
-
Includes new screens that list upfitting options for a particular
vehicle.
-
Allows users to select stand-alone components or component groups
unique to them.
-
Includes detailed information on equipment, such as component
costs and
images.
-
Helps ensure the accuracy of orders.
-
Significantly decreases the order cycle.
"This
latest enhancement to our FleetView system will provide much more
convenience and flexibility for fleets with any number of upfit trucks
by fully automating and accelerating upfit vehicle orders," said
Stratford Dick, Wheels' director of e-commerce. "This gives both
more flexibility and more control to those managing the ordering process,
whether it be a central fleet group or decentralized service locations."
About
Wheels, Inc.
Wheels,
Inc. ( http://www.wheels.com ),
which pioneered the concept of auto leasing in 1939, provides a full
range of specialized services to help corporations manage their vehicle
fleets. Wheels has 550 employees and manages more than 240,000 vehicles.
Its holding company, Frank Consolidated Enterprises, currently ranks
as one of the largest private companies in the United States, with
nearly $2 billion in annual sales. For additional information, please
contact info@wheels.com.
SOURCE Wheels, Inc.
Web
site: http://www.wheels.com
#### Press Release ###########################
Universal Express Announces Agreement with
Transaction Management, LLC; Innovative New Bill Payment Services
Platform to be offered through Universal Post Division
NEW YORK--Universal Express, Inc. (OTCBB:USXP),
The electronic age has been bridged by a new electronic bill payment
service now offered through Universal Post, a division of Universal
Express, and is being offered throughout their association member
stores, nationwide. The service developed and marketed for Security
Bank, Ralls, TX is EmpaSys' "Pay All Bills Here" and provides
"one-stop" convenience for anyone needing to pay any bill.
An estimated 25 million U.S. wage earners who operate
without checking accounts represent a market in need of a solution.
Now, a bill payer can take that bill or statement to a participating
store, become an established "Pay All Bills Here" customer
and pay any bill. The entire process is completed at one convenient
location. The "Pay All Bills Here" system is a nationwide,
Internet based solution. "Pay All Bills Here" facilitates
the transfer of funds from a cash-paying customer to a biller or creditor
conveniently and securely. The system utilizes relationships with
thousands of commercial billers in various industries that have agreed
to accept payments electronically.
"We are pleased to be able to now offer those customers
without bank accounts a convenient bill payment alternative while
further increasing our products and services to our association of
private postal stores," said Richard A. Altomare, President &
CEO of Universal Express, Inc.
"Working with Universal Express is an exiting proposition
for us. It will extend Transaction Management's mission of providing
those without checking accounts access to secure and dependable financial
solutions." said Ron Phillips, Transaction Management co-founder
and President.
About Transaction Management, LLC - Founded in February
2003, the entire team at TMLLC operates with nearly sixty years of
combined experience in the technology and electronic payments industries.
EmpaSys "Pay All Bills Here", developed by and marketed
for Security Bank, Ralls, Texas has become the industry's choice for
collecting electronic bill payments. At present, TMLLC markets services
through its channel partners and referral agents for electronic commercial
banking and bill payment solutions. These services, along with the
many other electronic payment processes that the company provides,
enhance merchant's ability to increase their walk-in traffic, increase
their revenues, and accept payments anytime, anywhere and in any fashion.
On the Net: Transaction Management's site: http://www.transactionmgmt.com/
About Universal Express
Universal Express, Inc. owns and operates several subsidiaries
including Universal Express Capital Corp. (USXP Cash Express &
Leasing Division), and Universal Express Logistics (Luggage Express
and the Virtual Bellhop). These subsidiaries and divisions provide
the private postal industry, (Universal Post) customers, and couriers
with value-added services and products, logistical services, equipment
leasing, and cost-effective delivery of goods and luggage worldwide.
For more information visit www.usxp.com.
CONTACT:Media: TransMedia Group Glen Calder, 561-750-9800
#### Press Release #############################
NorVergence Delivers Dramatic Cost Savings
to Financing Company
Commercial First Leasing Increased Services and Reduced
Technology Costs with NorVergence
NEWARK, N.J., / -- NorVergence, Inc., a Newark-based managed systems
and engineering firm, recently announced it was able to provide Commercial
Leasing First of Rochester Hills, MI with zero-cents per minute, unlimited
800 and cell calling and unlimited high-speed Internet access, all
for less than what the financial lender was spending with its previous
provider.
Commercial First Leasing President, David Kowalski, stated that NorVergence's
MATRIX(TM) Solution left him with a very favorable impression. "Our
cost reductions and increased services have been exactly as promised
by the representatives." Mr. Kowalski added that although
he was doubtful he could achieve drastic reductions on his telecommunications
costs when he was first approached about the NorVergence solution,
the savings were too much to ignore. "I was skeptical at first.
But it was true -- there were no per-minute charges on our cellular
calls and we got unlimited long distance and 800 calls.
"I appreciate the honesty that was shown toward me and the helpfulness
I received in the transition," Mr. Kowalski stated.
The NorVergence MATRIX(TM) Solution provides free and unlimited local
and long distance calling, unlimited cellular and 800 calling and
unlimited high- speed Internet access at a drastic cost reduction
for customers.
About NorVergence:
NorVergence is a technology company providing advanced telecommunication
and information technology solutions for growing businesses nationwide.
NorVergence has current offerings that will drastically reduce customers'
total telecommunication and information technology monthly expenditures.
Founded in 2001, NorVergence currently has 38 offices nationwide.
About Commercial First Leasing:
Commercial First Leasing is an independent financing company, securing
funds for medical practices and health and beauty establishments.
They provide financing to new and established businesses with "A"
credit to bankruptcy. The company was established in 1990 and is located
in Rochester Hills, MI.
For more information on all of the NorVergence MATRIX(TM) Solutions,
please visit us at: http://www.NorVergence.com/.
For information on Commercial First Leasing, please go to: http://www.commercialfirstleasing.com/.
NorVergence MATRIX(TM) CCS, MATRIX(TM) SOHO and MATRIX(TM) ATM Voice
Gateway are all registered trademarks of NorVergence, Inc. in the
United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and
products mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE NorVergence, Inc.
CO: NorVergence, Inc.; Commercial Leasing First
### Press Release ###############################
News
Briefs
NYSE, Nasdaq to close
Friday to honor Reagan
http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/us/2004-06-07-markets_x.htm
Washington readies
for funeral events
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-06-07-reagan-washington_x.htm
Loan-backed CDOs
dominate the pipeline
http://www.absnet.net/include/showfreearticle.asp?file=/headlines/2.htm
Fed Officials Seek
to Ease Fears of a Surge in Inflation
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/business/08fed.html
Americans' credit
cards rest a bit easier in April, but debt still rises
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20040607-1324-consumercredit.html
Minorities seen driving
housing growth
http://www.boston.com/business/markets/articles/2004/06/07/minorities_
Rains Taking Toll
on Kansas Winter Wheat
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23868-2004Jun8.html
Jeff Glik won't abandon
small-town America
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/columnists.nsf/Five+minutes+with...
/88309E77CE65214486256EA9004C5313?OpenDocument&Headline=Jeff+Glik+
won't+abandon+small-town+America++
Study finds obstacles
to retirement
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/06/06/study_finds_obstacles_to_retirement/
American Idol by
1.3M Votes Fantasia to Release Debut Single June 22
http://www.two.leasingnews.org/loose_files/Amer_Idol.htm
Magic Johnson agrees
to buy 30 Burger King restaurants
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2004-06-07-mcdonalds-magic_x.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sports
Briefs---
Tampa Bay Holds Off
the Flames for Its First Stanley Cup: Lightning 2, Flames 1
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23531-2004Jun7.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/sports/hockey/08cup.html
Pistons Let O'Neal
Shine, but Dim Rest of the Lakers
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/sports/basketball/08lakers.html
Ravens Have More
Than Football to Worry About
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/sports/football/08nfl.html
“Gimme
that Wine”
2004 Napa Valley
Wine Auction Raises $5.3 Million
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2496,00.html
Doris Duke Cellar
Nets $3.8 Million at Auction
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2498,00.html
The extraordinary
Doris Duke cellar contains a host of pre-war rarities
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Main/Feature_Basic_Template/0,1197,2122,00.htm
Vandals Drain Tanks
at Hagafen Cellars in Napa-3,700 Gallons
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full
&id=34362B42-CDA6-4EBD-BC8D-09C6ADC18E8A
An appellation of
its own: Bennett Valley In Sonoma
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/news/06bennett_e1.html
New Brochure Makes
it Easier than Ever to Explore Virginia Wineries
http://www.vino.com/press/press_release.asp?PRID=354
AgCredit keeps growing
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/news/05agcredit_e1e01_biz_e1streete.html
This
Day in American History
1670-
A Virginia slavery act decreed that slaves who had become Christians
before their importation were not liable to lifelong servitude. This
law reflected the moral concern felt in America over the enslavement
of Christians.
1697-
The husband of Hannah Duston was awarded the sum of 25 pounds
( equivalent to today
dollar about $10,000 ) for her heroic efforts, the first public
award to a woman
in America. On March 16 of the
same year, in an attack on Haverhill,
Massachusetts, Indians
captured Hannah Duston and killed her baby, killing or capturing
39 others in addition.
After being taken to an Indian camp, she escaped on April 29 after
killing 10 Indians
with a tomahawk and scalping them as proof of her deed .
1786-The
first ice cream to be made commercially was sold by Mr. Hall of 76 Chatham
Street ( now Park Row),New York City, who advertised its sale.
1789-
James Madison proposed the Bill of Rights, which led to the first 10
amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
1816-
Mary Lucinda Bonney birthday ; educator and reformer who organized and
headed a successful women's school in Philadelphia as well as the Central
Indian Committee which campaigned for the U.S. to honor its Indian treaties.
Under her leadership, the plan to allot land to individual Indians was
developed and approved by Congress.
http://www.school.eb.com/women/articles/Bonney_Mary_Lucinda.html
1861-Tennessee
seceded from the Union in a two to one vote in the state.
(lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html
)
1867-
The birthday of perhaps the greatest American architect Frank Lloyd
Wright, born at Richland Center, WI. In his autobiography Wright wrote: “ No house should ever be on
any hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it,
so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other.”
Wright died at Phoenix, AZ, April 9, 1959.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html
1869-
Ives W. McGaffey of Chicago, Illinois obtained a patent on a “sweeping
machine,” a light hand-powered suction device for surface cleaning.
Although he
did not coin the
word “Vacuum Cleaner,” he is credited with its invention. Melville
Reuben Bissell of
Grand Rapids, MI, in 1876 received a patent on a “broom action:
variable pressure
sweeper, responsive to different grades of floor covering. The first
vacuum cleaner driven
by a motor was invented by John S. Thurman of the General
Compressed Air and
Vacuum Machinery Company, St. Louis, MO, in 1899 for
a “pneumatic carpet
renovator.” Vacuum Cleaner came
into the American language
as a shorter name
of maker, it was a “Vacuum” cleaner.
1893-Birthday
of Dorothy Deming, author of
the Penny Marsh books on nursing as a career.
http://www.seriesbooks.com/demingdorothy.htm
http://www.elliemik.com/helpwanted.html
1906-Pianist
Frank “Sweet” Williams
1906-Birthday
of guitarist Willie Morris, Bolton, MS. Boogie-woogie piano player with
a distinctive blues shouting style that was reportedly unforgettable.
http://www.adelphirecords.com/video/JugBand.html
1906-Birthday
of Pianist Billie Pierce, known best for performing with DeDe Pierce, born Marianna,
Florida
http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/showsearchresults.asp?&OutletID
=1&SearchField=a&SearchString=Pierce
http://music.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/cpc_150701_vtl_artist_c15332934.html
http://www.enigmaterial.com/jazz/ph1966/ph66_bpierce.html
1916-
Birthday of Canadian trumpeter
and bandleader Johnny Holmes, in Montreal.
1917-Birthday
of Byron Raymond (Whizzer)White,
Retired associate justice of the Supreme Court of the US, nominated
by President Kennedy Apr 3, 1962. (Oath of office, Apr 16, 1962.) and
former football player. Justice
White was born at Fort Collins, CO.
1925-Birthday
of Barbara Pierce Bush, former First Lady, born Rye, NY.
1936-Birthday
of actor-singer James Darren, born Philadlephia, PA
http://celebhost.net/jamesdarren/
1937
-- Eight-and-one-half-foot giant Calla Lily blooms, New York Botanical
Gardens.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/06/05/MN182256.DTL
1939-Soprano
saxophone player Sidney Bechet records “Summertime,” (Blue Note 6)
1940-Birthday
of singer Nancy Sinatra, born Jersey City, NJ, graduate of University
High School in West Los Angeles. After forming an association with producer
Lee Hazelwood, she made number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966
with "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'." Nancy Sinatra also
had several hit duets with Hazelwood, and one with her father, "Somethin'
Stupid," in 1967.
http://www.theveteran.net/nancy/
http://www.sinatrafamily.com/news/index.php
1940—Neptunium(Element
93, Symbol Np, Atomic weight 237) was created at the University of California
at Berkeley, CA, by Edwin Mattison McMillan and Philip Hauge Abelson.
Their announcement was made this day. Neptunium was the first element
created that was heavier than uranium, the heaviest naturally occurring
element.
1942-
Chuck Negron, lead vocalist for Three Dog Night, was born in New York
City.
Three Dog Night, formed in Los Angeles in 1968, became one of the
most commercially successful American rock bands of the 1970's. Negron
had been a session vocalist before he was recruited by group founder
Danny Hutton. Three Dog Night's first album in 1969 yielded a million-seller,
"One," and after that they were seldom absent from the charts.
Among their other hits were "Easy to Be Hard," "Joy to
the World" and "An Old-Fashioned Love Song." The group
also had a number of best-selling albums.
Three Dog Night's
commercial magic had waned by 1975, and the group gradually broke up.
The three original vocalists of Three Dog Night - Chuck Negron, Danny
Hutton and Cory Wells - reunited in 1981.
1944-Birthday
of Boz Scaggs, singer, musician, songwriter (Silk Degress, Middle Man),
born Dallas, TX, Following two albums with the Steve Miller Band in
the late 1960's, he spent nearly a decade trying to make it as a solo
act. Scaggs finally made it in 1976 with the album "Silk Degrees,"
which sold five-million copies. A single from the LP, "Lowdown,"
made it to number three on the Hot 100.
1947-Birthday
of detective writer Sara Paretskey, (Killing Orders, Burn Marks), born Ames,
IA. Best known as the author of the Chicago- based detective series
featuring the opera singing, liberal feminist, Victoria Warshawski who
lacks house cleaning and cooking abilities, but is “hard boiled.”
http://www.valueshop.com/bkgpparetsky.html
1946-Harmonica
player, composer, band leader James Harman birthday, born Anniston,
AL.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bxt6uaknk5m3v
1948-The
first commissioned officer in the Marine Corps who was African American
was John Earl Rudder, a midshipman in the regularly Naval Reserve Officers’
Training Corps at Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, who was commissioned
as a second lieutenant. He had
served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 24,1943
to June 26, 1946.
1948
- Milton Berle starred on the "Texaco Star Theatre." He soon
earned the nickname "Mr. Television", and he continued to
be America's top TV comedian until 1956. In 1948, only about one percent
of America's homes had TV. However, by 1956, thanks in large part to
Berle, the percentage was much higher. When Berle was on, theatres often
closed and neighborhood taverns noted a big decrease in business,
1950
- The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Browns, 19-4. It was a one
game baseball record for scoring. Al Zarilla of the Sox scored four
doubles in the game.
1951----Top
Hits
Too Young - Nat King
Cole
On Top of Old Smokey
- The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
How High the Moon
- Les Paul & Mary Ford
I Want to Be with
You Always - Lefty Frizzell
1951-Birthday
of rock singer Bonnie Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, near Swansea,
South Wales.
http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/bonnietyler.htm
http://www.bonnietyler.com/main.html
1953
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that restaurants in the District of Columbia
could not refuse to serve blacks.
1953
-A 1/2 mile wide tornado struck Flint, Michigan. 115 people were killed
making it the worst tornado in the state's history. This tornado, rated
F5 on the Fujita scale, was the last single tornado in the U.S. to kill
over 100 people.
1957—Birthday
of Scott Adams, cartoonist, creator of "Dilbert," born Windham,
NY.
1959----Top
Hits
Dream Lover - Bobby
Darin
Personality - Lloyd
Price
Quiet Village - Martin
Denny
The Battle of New
Orleans - Johnny Horton
1961
- A major league baseball record was set when four Milwaukee Braves
batters hit consecutive home runs in the game's seventh inning. They
were playing against the Cincinnati Reds.
1962-Birthday
of Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran
who was born Nicholas James Bates.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/duran_duran/bio.jhtml
1966-
Merle James Smith, Jr. of Baltimore, MD, part of the class of 113 cadets
who were graduated this day, became the first Coast Guard Academy graduate
who was African-American. The ceremony was held at Jones Field, New
London, CT. His commission was
presented to him by his father, a colonel in the regular army.
1966
- A tornado ripped right through the heart of the capitol city of Topeka
KS killing sixteen persons and causing 100 million dollars damage. The
tornado, which struck during the evening, cut a swath of near total
destruction eight miles long and four blocks wide. It was the most destructive
tornado of record up until that time.
1967----Top
Hits
Respect - Aretha
Franklin
Release Me (And Let
Me Love Again) - Engelbert Humperdinck
Creeque Alley - The
Mamas & The Papas
It’s Such a Pretty
World Today - Wynn Stewart
1967-Attack
on the USS Liberty. At 2 PM local time, the unescorted US intelligence
ship USS Liberty, sailing in international waters off the Egyptian coast,
was attacked without warning by Israeli jet planes and three Israeli
torpedo boats. She was strafed and hit repeatedly by rockets, cannon,
napalm and finally a torpedo. Casualties: out of a crew of 294 Americans,
there were 34 dead and 171 wounded. Israel apologized, claiming mistaken
identity, but surviving crew members charged deliberate attack by Israel
and cover-up by US authorities.
1968-
The Rolling Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
1968
- Don Drysdale, pitcher for LA Dodgers, lost his major league streak
of scoreless innings pitched, when it was stopped at 58-2/3 by Howie
Bedell, of the Philadelphia Phillies, who hit a sacrifice fly in the
fifth inning. The Dodgers did beat the Phillies 5-3 that day. Until
1987, Drysdale's record stood, when it was broken by Orel Hersheiser,
also of the Dodgers, at that time.
1969-New
York Yankees honored Mickey Mantle by retiring his number 7 in a ceremony
preceding a double-header against the Chicago White Sox.
60,096 fans came out to salute Mantle and to watch the Yankees
sweep the Sox, 3-1 and 11-2. The Yankees have retired 12 numbers in all,
more than any other baseball team.
1973
- After quarterbacking for the Baltimore colts for 16 of the NFL's most
exciting season ever, Johnny Unitas signed a two-year contract to finish
out his football career with the San Diego Chargers.
1974
- Severe thunderstorms spawned at least twenty-three tornadoes in Oklahoma
during the afternoon and evening hours. One of the tornadoes struck
the town Drumright killing sixteen persons and injuring 150 others.
A tornado struck the National Weather Service office in Oklahoma City,
and two tornadoes hit the city of Tulsa. Thunderstorms in Tulsa also
produced as much as ten inches of rain. Total damage from the storms
was around thirty million dollars. It was the worst natural disaster
of record for Tulsa.
1975----Top
Hits
Thank God I’m a Country
Boy - John Denver
Sister Golden Hair
- America
Bad Time - Grand
Funk
Window Up Above -
Mickey Gilley
1978--
Through the voice of its president Spencer W. Kimball, the Mormon Church
reversed a 148-year- long policy of spiritual discrimination against
African- American leadership within the denomination. The declaration
extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members
of the Church The Mormon attitude about Black church members is little
understood outside their church, but here is a site chronically a
group trying to bring
“fair” information concerning the LDS.
http://www.ldsblacks.com/history.html
The Official Decision as
recorded by the LDSBlacks.com
http://www.ldsblacks.com/declare2.html
About this site:
http://www.ldsblacks.com/gordon.html
1982-
A re-united Simon & Garfunkel leave for a nine date European tour
starting at the Hippodrome d'Auteuil in Paris. It ends June 19th in
London.
1983----Top
Hits
Flashdance...What
a Feeling - Irene Cara
Overkill - Men At
Work
Time (Clock of the
Heart) - Culture Club
Lucille (You Won’t
Do Your Daddy’s Will) - Waylon Jennings
1986-
In the longest nine inning game in American League history, the Orioles
beat the Yankees 18-9 in four hours and sixteen minutes.
1988
- Overnight thunderstorms in Iowa produced 5.20 inches of rain at Coon
Rapids. Thunderstorms in the Florida Keys drenched Tavernier with 7.16
inches of rain in 24 hours. Eleven cities in the central U.S. reported
record high temperatures for the date.
1989-
After the Pirates take a 10-0 lead in Philadelphia by sending 16 batters
to the plate in the first inning , Pirate broadcaster Jim Rooker announces
if the Bucs lose the game he'll walk back to Pittsburgh. True to his
word, the radio by-by-play man organizes a charity walk from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh after the season as a result of the Phillies comeback
win over the Pirates, 15-11.
1989
- Thunderstorms produced severe weather over the Central Gulf Coast
Region during the day and evening. Severe thunderstorms spawned 17 tornadoes,
including one which injured ten persons and caused a million dollars
damage at Orange Beach, AL. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 90 mph killed
three persons and injured four others at Mobile AL. Thunderstorms also
deluged Walnut Hill and Avalon Beach, FL, with eight inches of rain.
1991----Top
Hits
More Than Words -
Extreme
I Wanna Sex You Up
- Color Me Badd
Rush, Rush - Paula
Abdul
Meet in the Middle
- Diamond Rio
1998
- Former LA Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson's new late-night
talk show averaged a 3 Nielsen rating in its opening night in 40 major
cities. It dropped to a 2.1 rating the next two nights, and was soon
cancelled.
1998
- The National Rifle Association elected Charlton Heston its president.
2001-
For the first time in major league history, the two Texan teams play
one another in the regular season. The Astros beat their interstate
rivals, the Rangers, 5-4 in the first game of the Lone Star Series played
in Arlington, Texas.
NBA Finals Champion This Date
1982 Los Angeles
Lakers G MVP
|
1981-82 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers |
Philadelphia 76ers |
4-2 |
Magic Johnson, L.A. |
1986 Boston Celtics
G MVP
|
1985-86 |
|
Boston Celtics |
Houston Rockets |
4-2 |
Larry Bird, Bos. |
Baseball
Poem
When I go to a Red Sox Baseball Game.(Arts and Lifestyle)
The Boston Herald; 10/13/2003; Tardiff, Nicole
Byline: Nicole Tardiff
I
can't explain
the
feeling I get
when
I go to
a
Red Sox
baseball game.
It's
like this
BANG
of energy that rushes through my veins.
I'm
free.
The
air is filled with
the
spices of
hot
dogs, pizza,
Fenway
freshly cut grass.
I
love it.
Here
everyone
is like me,
cheering
on my fave
Red
Sox players.
I'm
not different.
Here
I
fit in.
Nicole
Tardiff, 17, is a senior at Lexington High School. This poem was originally
published in "2:25 P.M.," a book of poetry and prose
from Lexington High School's participation in the Student Publishing
Program.
Lexington's
Student Publishing Program has been selected as one of the top high
school writing programs in the country by Web del Sol, the largest nonprofit
publisher of periodical contemporary literature in the United States.
See
http://www.225pm.org for more information
about the Student Publishing Program and its free online literary magazine
and writing resources
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www.leasingnews.org |
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