We are still getting the bugs out of this new system. You may have received two editions yesterday. The links were not working in the first one.

This was originally Johnny Johnson's suggestion to open to the archives section. We are doing that by changing the “links,” which means those receiving the eMail go to our “archive section.”

This should enable those who want to scroll back issues, plus also correct the problem of those going to older e-mails and the headline opens to the current page, not the archive edition.

If you note any kinks, any links not working, please let us know so we may correct them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit: Irvine, CA,
I have over 16 years of Credit/Collection experience in the finance industry. Prompt results, extremely effective and knowledgeable, professional, excellent manager and team player.
Email: newportresources@sbcglobal.net

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

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

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

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

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

Orange, CA.
15 years exper., looking for a new home. Have handled both middle/ large ticket transaction, plus muni & international finance.
email: equiplender@aol.com

Senior Credit Officer experienced in middle-market leasing; structured, vendor and 3rd party to the fortune 1000. Proactive team builder, originations capable with strong work ethic. Email: kyletrust@hotmail.com

(-----23 state attorney general plus the District of Columbia now have reached settlements with the major holders of NorVergence leases. Three more leasing companies have entered negotiations, and definitely more will follow the lead, first started by GE Capital. The rumor was they could afford it, but in reality, other were soon to join them, including CIT, among others, and now USbancorp and others. Leasing News reported earlier that USbancorp had take the high road. We think others should get on the band wagon. editor )

At press time, four state attorneys general issued press releases on their victory in obtaining settlements that add up to an additional $24 million, not including the amounts won in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas and several other states. Reportedly all the attorney general offices involved in the latest settlement will be issuing press releases on how it involves their state.

Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Riely said “...73 in Massachusetts who will receive an estimated $1.6 million - will either receive refunds or be cleared of $24 million in debt under the terms of a settlement reached with three finance companies linked to a telecommunications scam spearheaded by NorVergence, a now-bankrupt New Jersey-based telephone company.”

“The settlement, filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, resolves allegations that CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc.(CIT), of Livingston, New Jersey, Lyon Financial Services, known as U.S. Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group (US Bancorp), of Marshall, Minnesota, and Wells Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. (Wells Fargo), of Des Moines, Iowa, knew or should have known that their financing agreements with more than 1,000 small businesses were fraudulently obtained. At the center of the controversy is NorVergence, a bankrupt New Jersey-based telecommunications provider, which misled customers into signing long-term contracts with claims that the company would provide discounts on local, long distance, wireless and Internet services.”

" ‘This settlement lifts the burden off many small business owners who were being forced to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars each month for non-existent services,' AG Reilly said. ‘Today's action is another step forward in our efforts to hold NorVergence accountable for its widespread telecommunications scam, and to end the continuing victimization of these consumers by the finance companies which, through their actions, whether intentionally or not, facilitated and furthered the scam."

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers also announced the multistate settlement with Lyon Financial Services (dba U.S. Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group) and Wells Fargo Financial Leasing Inc., both of which had purchased lease agreements from NorVergence Inc., a bankrupt, New Jersey-based telephone equipment and service company.

Suthers said the settlement will put more than $500,000 back in the hands of Colorado small-business owners. However, creditors still would collect about $93,000 from the companies involved in the case.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox summed it with settlements from CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc. (CIT), Lyon Financial Services d/b/a U.S. Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group (USB), and Wells Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. (WFFL) will collectively refund or not collect more than $24 million in rental payments from consumers according to the following formula:

" ‘Many Michigan small business owners were victimized by NorVergence's bogus promises, and then suffered again when financing companies tried to collect for services that were not being received,' said Cox.'” I am pleased that CIT, USB, and WFFL have agreed to forgive the bulk of the outstanding balances on their NorVergence contracts. These settlements will offer resolution to affected small businesses that were struggling to meet dead-end obligations, including some that were sued for payment in courts in Minnesota and Iowa."

“CIT, USB, and WFFL are three of approximately 40 financing companies involved with the financing of telecommunication services through the rental of data routers that NorVergence called the Matrix box. NorVergence enticed small business customers to enter into rental agreements for a Matrix box that purported to provide telecommunications services by false claims of dramatic savings. While the rental agreements were typically for three to five years with payments of $500 - $2,000 per month, the market price of the Matrix box was no more than $1,500. After securing contracts with businesses, NorVergence sold the rental agreements to different finance companies, including CIT, USB, and WFFL.

“When NorVergence was forced into bankruptcy in June 2004, its customers were left without service but the finance companies, including CIT, USB, and WFFL, maintained that customers were still responsible for the five-year rental agreement payments. Customers who did not pay faced being sued or threatened with suits by USB and WFFL in the states in which they have their corporate headquarters, in most cases, a distant and inconvenient forum for the NorVergence customers.

“All consumers who signed agreements with NorVergence that were bought by CIT, USB, or WFFL or signed NorVergence agreements directly with CIT, USB, or WFFL, will receive a notice in the mail regarding the opportunity to participate in the settlement. To accept the settlement offer, consumers must follow instructions contained in the notice. Also, any consumer that previously settled with the three companies regarding NorVergence service can opt to receive the same or substantially the same terms of this settlement, if they choose.

“During 2003 and 2004, the Consumer Protection Division collected more than $600 million on behalf of Michigan. In 2004, the Division stopped more than $400 million in utility rate increases and responded to more than 102,000 consumer complaints.

“A copy of the settlements with CIT, USB, and WFFL can be viewed at the Attorney General's Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/ag under the Consumer Protection link.”

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced,
” three finance companies that bought contracts from a telecom company that rented worthless equipment to small businesses have agreed to stop collecting payments and pay refunds.”

His press release stated, “Cooper joined attorneys from 22 other states and the District of Columbia to announce settlements.” This brings the total then from 22 to 24.”

“The agreement with Wells Fargo means that 13 North Carolina consumers could opt to be forgiven $342,210 of $298,034 debt,” he said. “ An additional five North Carolina small businesses are eligible to receive an estimated $100,000 in refunds or debt forgiveness from USB. North Carolina does not have any CIT customers.

NorVergence assigned these customers' contracts to several out-of-state financing companies, including the three named in today's settlement. In many instances, these assignments were done without the customers' knowledge or consent. As a result, even after NorVergence stopped providing any telecommunications services, many NorVergence customers in Massachusetts were forced to either pay the finance companies thousands of dollars for services they were not receiving, or else fight the financing companies and risk collection actions and default judgments in other states.

NorVergence had more than 9,000 customer accounts nationwide, and more than 250 in Massachusetts.

When NorVergence was forced into bankruptcy in June 2004, its customers were left without service but the finance companies, including CIT, US Bancorp and Wells Fargo, still tried to hold the customers responsible for the five-year rental agreement payments. US Bancorp and Wells Fargo then sued or threatened suit against many of these customers, including Massachusetts customers. The finance companies, however, filed -- or threatened to file -- their suits in the states in which they have their corporate headquarters, which in most cases is a distant and inconvenient forum for the NorVergence customers. This made it financially difficult or impossible for the customers to mount a defense.

Under the terms of today's settlement, CIT, US Bancorp, and Wells Fargo will refund or clear $24 million in rental payments they claimed to be owed by more than 1,000 NorVergence customers nationwide. In Massachusetts, CIT, US Bancorp, and Wells Fargo will refund or not collect over $1.6 million in rental payments they claimed to be owed by 73 Massachusetts consumers. In addition, CIT, US Bancorp, and Wells Fargo have agreed not to enforce the waiver of jurisdiction clause -- which means that even if a Massachusetts customer opts not to accept the terms of the AG's settlement, that customer can no longer be sued outside of Massachusetts.

All consumers who signed agreements with NorVergence bought by CIT, US Bancorp, or Wells Fargo or who signed NorVergence agreements directly with one of these finance companies, will receive a notice about participating in this settlement. The settlement mandates that CIT and USB will only collect 15 percent of the customer's remaining balance after July 15, 2004. Wells Fargo will collect 14 percent of the customer's remaining balance after July 31, 2004. Also, any consumer that previously settled with CIT, US Bancorp, or Wells Fargo regarding NorVergence service for terms that are less favorable than this settlement can receive the more favorable settlement terms if they choose.

AG Reilly led this multi-state action with Attorneys General from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and the Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.

Assistant Attorneys General Geoffrey G. Why and Scott Schafer of AG Reilly's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division and Assistant Attorney General Karlen Reed of AG Reilly's Utilities Division handled this case with assistance from paralegal Caitlin Burke.

“I am not thrilled about the proposed CIT settlements offered to Florida victims. I can't wait too long to decide , will need more legal advise and review where the class action attorney stands.”

“Is it just me, or are there others who are happy that all of the AG's are getting the leasing companies to settle, dating back to July 15th, but still concerned (read that unhappy) that 10-15% still to pay to settle is too much? If I were to settle for 15%, I'd still owe more than $10,000. Don't think I'd be all that thrilled having to come up with that and still think I got a great deal. Am I nuts, or are there people just pleased to settle and move on? “

“I am glad to have kept my payments current. I am glad I did not have to try and defend non payment of the lease. It has all worked out and I have learned a valuable lesson regarding the leasing industry.

“Thanks to Mr. Kevin Anderson at the North Carolina DOJ and to his boss Mr. Cooper for going to bat for us even though there were not many NC Victims.”

At this time, there is no “count” of how many have accepted the attorney general multi-state settlement. There is a procedure for this, which will be included at the end of this article. The guess by experts is that it will be high, many will agree to end the trauma and pay the price to walk away. To say the least, the leasing companies are not happy, either. Many are in denial, and I don't mean in Egypt.

Here is a synopsis of the settlement, which is basically 15% of the payments since July 15,2004. Wells Fargo works out to be 14% as they could not mechanically use this date, but had to use since July 31,2004.

In addition, those who have already made a settlement, may opt to choose these terms and get money back. Meaning if you settled for 40%, you can get it reduced to 15% by joining this settlement.

Part of it also includes releasing all claims and withdrawing for all law suits involving the creditor. It appears not to include claims against NorVergence itself or agents of NorVergence.

On the good side for the leasing companies, the agreement does not call for penalties, investigative fees, or other costs incurred by the attorney general offices. It is the common procedure to charge a “punishment” fee. Often it is in the millions of dollars. Since the leasing companies were also considered “victims,” the AGs waived these fees, which they surely could use for their operations or other programs.

On the bad side, included in these settlements are lessees who allegedly never received the equipment, who never had it connected; meaning never had service, but only signed a contract that the leasing company funded NorVergence. There were other odds and ends regarding actual claims of not having service or partial service. Due to the complexity of the negotiations, there was no provision for such “separate” issues. It is up to those in this position to decide whether to accept the settlement or seek remedy in a court of law.

The multi-state action was trying to be fair to both sides. They faced some tough New York, Boston, Chicago, and other city top law firms, with both staff and financial resources, plus connections.

The leasing companies were pushed to their limit as the various attorney generals would agree the were victims, too, but were told they had become “victimizers” in trying to collect money for service that was not there.

Leasing News was told it was a matter of a lot of give and take, including giving up costs or “rewards” for their work. The goal was to protect the consumer and business user as equals under the law.

In the end, many leasing companies felt it was better to negotiate with the attorney general offices than go through state litigation. “Better” meant the costs involved, the financial and other ramifications of losing, the setting of precedents, and the anger of the law enforcement agencies and future customers, too.

Reportedly there were three other leasing companies who had asked to join this specific settlement procedure, but due to the timing involving various states, they were not able to be included.

These are still considered to be in the negotiations stage, so no names were mentioned. Particularly missing was the State of California, which was notable by its absence, especially when North Carolina only had 13 consumers.

From insiders, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper and his office was not only active in his state, but was one of the leaders in the multi-state alliance.

Asked if there were more than three more leasing companies interested in working on a settlement arrangement, Leasing
News was told: “This is not like asking a girl to go to the prom.”

It was explained it was up to the leasing company to approach the attorney general first at this point as they have their cases well prepared and know the situation very well.

Leasing News in its editorials has supported and recommended generous settlements to the NorVergence lessees. The leasing companies who don't believe giving up 85% and all costs are on opposite sides of those lessees who don't want to give up 15% for something they did not receive, including their costs, loss of business, and anguish.

Both sides should get out of their rut. You have 23 state and District of Columbia top officials who have worked out what they think is the best for all parties. They even gave up charging a fee and their costs to bring both parties together. It is time to move on, get back to business, and take the losses as part of your business expenses---this applies to both sides.

December 8, 2004, Pennsylvania Attorney General Gerald J. Pappert brought suit against NorVergence and the officers of the company, including Peter J. Salzano and other defendants to be named.

There is criminal action that can be taken in addition to fines and penalties for violation of consumer law.

Randy Brooks of the Federal Trade Commission has brought suit against NorVergence, which surely will include officers, and perhaps others involved.

It is time for both the leasing companies and the NorVergence lessees to move on, to get back to regular business, and as the person from North Carolina said, “It has all worked out and I have learned a valuable lesson regarding the leasing industry.”

Here are copies of the three settlements, including the forms for those who want to participate in the settlement:

Attorney Generals from 13 states file friend of court brief for defendants in Preferred Capital cases. Attorneys general from Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, and California have signed and filed an amici brief (friend of court brief) on behalf of appellees in cases consolidated for appeal before the Eighth District Ohio Court of Appeals in Cleveland. The appellate court consolidated a dozen appeals filed by Preferred Capital in cases where trial court judges granted motions to dismiss based on lack of personal jurisdiction.

The Ohio 8th District Appellate Court found that it has no jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a determination that the trial court lacks personal jurisdiction over the defendant, which the Appeals Court said is "not a final appealable order." This decision then allows venue to stand in the county.

“ We have no jurisdiction to review the common pleas court's decisions in these consolidated cases. Accordingly, we dismiss these appeals.

“ Appellant Preferred Capital, Inc. (“Preferred”) is the assignee of the lessor's rights under a series of commercial equipment rental agreements. It filed these actions to recover rental payments it alleges are due from the lessees. Preferred, whose own offices are located in Brecksville, Ohio, filed these actions in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. The defendants are variously located in other states and commonwealths.

“ In each case, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. They all contended that the forum selection clause contained in the rental agreement was unenforceable. The common pleas court granted these motions and dismissed the cases for lack of personal jurisdiction.

“ Preferred appealed each of those judgments. The cases were consolidated for briefing, hearing and disposition before this court.”

The Court did not discuss the merits of this issue or any other aspect of the case, preferring instead to dismiss the consolidated appeals based on the procedural issue (not an appealable order).

Remaining, though, is what happens to the 600 pending Preferred Capital cases filed in Cuyahoga and Summit counties, Ohio. Leasing News is told the customers' counsel are still discussing the ramifications of the Court's order.

There are also over reportedly 550 suits filed by IFC Credit Corporation in Morton Grove, Illinois

Preferred Capital, Inc. has been sued by several banks in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas. The lawsuits appear to be related to loans used by Preferred Capital to acquire equipment rental agreements from the now-defunct NorVergence. Preferred Capital sold some of its NorVergence equipment rental agreements which are the subject of litigation. Huntington National Bank is a purchaser. The company is now in receivership and it will be up to the receiver to make the next determination regarding the Preferred Capital leases.

SALES: Seeking energetic, self motivated sales pro, nationwide opportunities, equipment/ transportation leasing and financing (buses, livery, limousines, ambulances, paratransit, funeral vehicles). Direct experience helpful/ not required. We are willing to train the right person. Moderate travel /extensive phone work required. Highest commissions paid in the industry. Fax or email resume to 718-392-5427 or dcoolbaugh@advantagefunding.us

About the Company: Advantage Funding is a leading commercial and consumer vehicle and equipment financing and leasing company, Long Island City, NY.

www.advantagefund.com

We still have about 400 readers on our mailing list who are not receiving Leasing News. It appears their ISP provider blocks e-mail from the “constant contact” service. This is our new procedure, using their format.

If you are reading this on the web site, but not being notified by e-mail, you may want to contact your service provider. If you have a colleague who mentions he no longer gets Leasing News, please send him this information.

We are going to try and contact those readers who were getting Leasing News, but no longer ( as soon as we get the time.)

I used to get a copy, but no longer do, as the email to me from Constant Contact is being blocked by our ISP provider.

Hello. My name is XXXX and I have been a customer of your services since XXXX. I understand that you have spam filters in place to protect customers like myself from unsolicited email; however, this blacklist has made it impossible for me to receive newsletters, announcements, and promotions that I have subscribed to receive. I value these communications and would like to receive them using this email address.

The sender of these emails uses an email marketing service called Constant Contact. Constant Contact is not an open relay and has extremely strict anti-spam policies in place. Because you block emails from Constant Contact I am unable to receive these communications.

I ask that you remove the block on Constant Contacts mail, or add them to your white list. For further information about Constant Contact you may contact the Ops team at

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If you didn't open the Memorial Day message sent originally by John Semon, of lessors.com, here it is again ( it came with music, but we couldn't come the wave, so here it is without sound: )

DealerTrack Completes Acquisitions of Automotive Lease Guide and
North American Advanced Technology

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., -- DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. today announced that in separate transactions it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Automotive Lease Guide (ALG), LLC and North American Advanced Technology (NAT), Inc.

"We are pleased to announce the acquisitions of ALG and NAT," said Mark O'Neil, DealerTrack's president and chief executive officer. "As with our recent Chrome Systems acquisition, these transactions bring under the DealerTrack umbrella data and technology resources that are used in the automotive sales and finance process. It will help us to further expand our integrated solutions for dealers, while enhancing our relationships with manufacturers and suppliers."

ALG, based in Santa Barbara, California, has been providing residual vehicle values to the automotive industry for more than 35 years. ALG's guidebooks, data products and consulting services enable market participants such as automotive dealers, manufacturers and financing sources to estimate the approximate market value of a vehicle at the end of a lease, a necessary step in calculating appropriate lease payments.

"We are looking forward to working with DealerTrack to further develop solutions that enhance the sales and finance process," said John Blair, ALG's chief executive officer. "ALG's residual values, analytical data products and consultation will continue to provide the automotive industry with valuable independent business intelligence and consulting services."

NAT, based in Rosemont, Illinois, has been providing technology solutions for aftermarket providers, including insurance companies and automotive dealers for more than 20 years. NAT's software solutions streamline and automate many traditionally time-consuming and error-prone manual processes of administering aftermarket products, such as extended service contracts, guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage, theft deterrent devices and credit life insurance.

"We are pleased to join forces with an industry leader such as DealerTrack," said Mark Nagelvoort, president of NAT. "Together, we will strengthen our platform, which will benefit our customers and our employees. We look forward to leveraging DealerTrack's network of over 21,000 dealers while enhancing opportunities for lenders."

John Blair will continue as chief executive officer of ALG and Mark Nagelvoort will continue as president of NAT.

DealerTrack is a leading web-based provider of sales and finance solutions for the automotive retail industry in the United States. We have established a network of active relationships with approximately 21,000 automotive dealers, including over 90% of all franchised dealers, 130 financing sources, including the 30 largest independent financing sources in the United States, and a number of other mission-critical service and information providers in the automotive retail industry. Our core credit application processing product automates and accelerates the credit application process by increasing the speed of financing communications and improving transactional efficiency. We also offer an integrated suite of subscription-based products and services that enable our automotive dealer customers to obtain valuable consumer leads, compare various financing options and programs, structure sales, financing and leasing transactions, sell insurance and other after-market products, comply with applicable disclosure laws and execute contracts electronically. More information on DealerTrack is available at http://www.dealertrack.com or by calling 866-339-5723.

OLNEY, Md., -- Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq:SASR) the parent company of Sandy Spring Bank, announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share for the 2nd quarter of 2005. Compared to the second quarter of 2004, the second quarter dividend for 2005 represents an increase of $0.02 per share. The dividend is payable on June 16, 2005 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 7, 2005.

With $2.3 billion in assets, Sandy Spring Bancorp is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank and its principal subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and The Equipment Leasing Company. Sandy Spring Bancorp is the third largest publicly traded banking company headquartered in Maryland. Sandy Spring is a community banking organization that focuses its lending and other services on businesses and consumers in the local market area. Independent and community-oriented, Sandy Spring Bank was founded in 1868 and offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking and trust services through 30 community offices and 45 ATMs located in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties in Maryland.

Phil Litchenstein, Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager of ATEL Leasing Corporation, announced the hiring of Gregory L. Dallape' as Regional Vice President for the Northeast.

Greg began his career in leasing with GE Capital's Commercial Equipment Finance unit from 1994 to 1997 and returned to GE Capital in 2003 after 6 years at the CIT Group. Greg's office will be in Stamford, Connecticut.

Litchenstein said, “Greg is a great addition to the ATEL team. He has a track record of success and many important contacts in the Northeast that we hope to leverage.”

ATEL Leasing Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of ATEL Capital Group, works closely with investment-grade and near investment-grade companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia to structure creative financing solutions for the leasing of business-necessary equipment. Each lease transaction is customized to preserve cash resources and optimize accounting and tax planning objectives.

Some of the types of equipment in ATEL's nearly $2 billion portfolio are: aircraft, communications equipment, machine tools, materials handling equipment, off-shore marine vessels, medical equipment, tractors, trailers, helicopters, and various types of manufacturing equipment.

1894- Dashiell Hammett's birthday, who my son is named after. He is best known as the author of The Maltese Falcon. He lived with writer Lillian Hellman and worked with her on many of her plays. His first two novels, Red Harvest (1929) and The Dain Curse (1929) were based on his eight years spent as a Pinkerton Detective in San Francisco. Hammett is recognized as the founder of the "hard-boiled" school of detective fiction. All his books were made into movies and it was not until he was called to testify but refused to name members of an alleged subversive organization during House Un-American Activities Committee hearings that he stopped writing. It is a longer story than this, outlined in Lillian Hellman's autobiography.

1607-The first battle between English colonist and Native Americans took place when the English settlers of Jamestown, VA, repulsed an attack by 200 Native American warriors. It is recorded that the English leader, Captain Edward Maria Wingfield,” was shot clean through his beard.”
1647-Alllegedly the first execution for witchcraft on record by many sites was that of Achsah Young of Massachusetts, who was thought to have been hanged as a witch; however, history shows the first accused witch to be executed was Margaret Jones of Charleston, MA, hanged in 1648.
There are conflicting stories on this and all the “today in history” echo the hanging of Achsah Young as accurate (one of the reason we try to footnote these as we find many inaccuracies and wrong dates in history pages which seem to copy each other but never verify facts or dates. This is a good example. Actual Massachusetts archives shows that she was convicted on this date, but not hanged. http://www.geocities.com/mcquoidg/thumbpage/thumb/pages/00294.htm
The record shows that the council reconsidered and let here go home with her husband.
http://www.geocities.com/mcquoidg/thumbpage/thumb/pages/00295.htm
Here is the site of this information:
http://mcquoidg.tripod.com/frm218.html
The actual charges start here and show the bizarre attitude, perhaps “jealousies” or “fears “ of the time:
http://www.geocities.com/mcquoidg/thumbpage/thumb/pages/00291.htm
1664-- Colonial theologian Increase Mather, 24, was installed as minister of Boston's Second (Congregational) Church. He remained there until his death in 1723.
1771 - 150 lives were lost in the Richmond, Virginia area in the great James River Flood.
1818—American social reformer and women's rights advocate Amelia Jenks Bloomer, born at Homer, NYU. Her name is remembered especially because of her work for more sensible dress for women and her recommendation of a costume hat had been introduced about 1848 by Elizabeth Smith Miller but came to be known as the “Bloomer Costume” or “Bloomers.” Amelia Bloomer died at Council Bluffs, IA, Dec. 30, 1894.
1819- Birthday of Julia Ward Howe - . author, women's rights activist , and reformer who became a national institution, sometimes referred to as the Queen Victoria of the United States. She is best known historically for her poem Battle Hymn of the Republic (1862). She edited the influential Woman's Journal (1870-1890), was the first woman member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and was the first president (1868-1877, 1893-1910) of the New England Woman Suffrage Association.
She worked hard for equal education and professional and business opportunities for women after seeing the terrible economic plight of Civil War widows.
1850 --Mormon Temple in Nauvoo IL destroyed by tornado
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo_Temple
http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/gal/hlewis54.html
http://www.americanwest.com/trails/pages/mormtrl.htm
1873- The first running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Track, MD, was won by survivor with a time of 2:43. The winning jockey was G. Barbee, and the winning owner took one-year possession of a Woodlawn Vase, a trophy created in 1860 by Tiffany and Co. The Preakness was named for the colt that won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day the track opened in 1870. Preakness was shipped to Europe after being purchased by the Duke of Hamilton, who, some time later in a fit of pique, shot the horse dead.
1878- Isadora Duncan, born in San Francisco, world famous interpretive dancer who revolutionized the entire concept of dance. Bare-footed, freedom-loving, liberated woman and rebel against tradition, she experienced worldwide professional success and profound personal tragedy (her two children drowned, her marriage failed and she met a bizarre death when the long scarf she was wearing caught in a wheel of the open car in which she was riding, strangling her in Nice, France, Sept 14,1927.
http://www.sfmuseum.org/bio/isadora.html
http://www.isadoraduncan.org/
1894- Dashiell Hammett's birthday, who my son is named after. He is best known as the author of The Maltese Falcon. He lived with writer Lillian Hellman and worked with her on many of her plays. His first two novels, Red Harvest (1929) and The Dain Curse (1929) were based on his eight years spent as a Pinkerton Detective in San Francisco. Hammett is recognized as the founder of the "hard-boiled" school of detective fiction. All his books were made into movies and it was not until he was called to testify but refused to name members of an alleged subversive organization during House Un-American Activities Committee hearings that he stopped writing. It is a longer story than this, outlined in Lillian Hellman's autobiography.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/dhammett.htm
1896 --First major tornado to strike urban US (St Louis & E St Louis MO), labeled a cyclone, in less than fifteen minutes reportedly killing a reported 256 in St. Louis and East St. Louis, 85 missing, killing over 40 in remote towns, and leaving thousands homeless
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/cyclone.htm
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/climate/torcli/violent.htm
1907-Birthday of American scientist and author Rachel “Louise) Carson, born at Springdale, PA. Author of Silent Spring (1962), a book that provoked widespread controversy over the use of pesticides. Died April 14, 1964 at Silver Spring, MD.
http://www.rachelcarson.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=bio
1912—Birthday of Sam Snead, the winningest US tour golfer of the 20 th century , born at Hot Springs, VA. He turned pro in 1934 and went on to become the only golfer to win tournaments in six different decades. He won 84 US Tour events and 182 tournaments in totall. Snead always wore a snappy straw hat and was a favorite on the Tour. He was one of the founders of the U.S. Senior Tour. Snead died at Hot Springs on May 23, 2002.
1912 – Birthday of John Cheever, born Quincy, Massachusetts (1912-1982). American writer, wrote of the emptiness of middle-class, suburban America and portrayed its manners and morals with ironic humor. His career began with expulsion from the Thayer Academy in his junior year -- the subject of his first short story, "Expelled".
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/cheever.htm
1915-Birthday of author Herman Wouk, born New York, NY. Marjorie Morningstar, The Winds of War.
1917 -67 people were killed and 345 were injured when an f4 tornado tracked 50 miles through Lake County in Tennessee and Fulton, Hickman, and Graves Counties in Kentucky
1926 Alto Sax player Bud Shank birthday
http://www.budshankalto.com/Bio.html
http://www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/shank.html
1927-- Birthday of Ralph Carmichael, a popular sacred composer whose works flourished most during the 1960s-1970s. Among his often sung arrangements are "The Savior is Waiting" and "He's Everything to Me."
1930 Richard Gurley Drew received a patent for his adhesive tape, later manufactured by 3M as Scotch tape.
1931 - A tornado struck the "Empire Builder" near Moorhead, Minnesota. Five coaches weighing 70 tons each were lifted off the track. One was carried 80 feet. 57 of the 117 passengers were injured and one was blown through a window and killed
1943- The first president of a black African country to visit the United States was President Edwin James Barclay of the Republic of Liberia, who addressed the Senate on May 27, 1943, the day following his arrival. The vice-president and president elect accompanied him and they were welcomed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
1937 - Ceremonies marking the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge were held in San Francisco, California and the first pedestrians crossed the Golden Gate. The bridge has been called one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world.
http://www.goldengatebridge.org/research/Walk.jpg
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Golden_Gate_Bridge.html
1950 - Frank Sinatra made his TV debut as he appeared on NBC's "Star-Spangled Review" with show biz legend, Bob Hope.
1955---Top Hits
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Unchained Melody - Les Baxter
Learnin' the Blues - Frank Sinatra
In the Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce
1961-- Ralph Boston of the US, sets then long jump record at 27' ½".
He broke the world record six times in his career.
http://vm.mtsac.edu/relays/HallFame/Boston.htm
1962 -- Anton Webern's "Eight Early Songs" & "Langsamer Satz" premier, Seattle, Washington.
1963---Top Hits
If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul
Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys
Foolish Little Girl - The Shirelles
Lonesome 7-7203 - Hawkshaw Hawkins
1964 "From Russia With Love " premieres in US.
http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/f/from_russia.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057076/
1971---Top Hits
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
Me and You and a Dog Named Boo - Lobo
I Won't Mention It Again - Ray Price
1977--- Val-Kill Cottage in Hyde Park , New York, was named a National Historic site. Eleanor Roosevelt used it as a retreat in her younger years with her woman friends and made it her home in later years. It was a gift from her husband Franklin Delano Roosevelt near his family's estate in Hyde Park. He wanted her to have a private place. He had a special bridge built that rumbled to warn of visitors.
http://www.nps.gov/elro/
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/abouteleanor/q-and-a/glossary/val-kill.htm
http://www.ervk.org/ervkhistory.htm
http://www.sodamail.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=6899
1979---Top Hits
Reunited - Peaches & Herb
Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
Love You Inside Out - Bee Gees
If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me - Bellamy Brothers
1984 -Thunderstorms unloaded 8.63 inches of rain on Tulsa, Oklahoma in only 6 hours. The resultant flash flooding killed 14 people and total damage was $89.6 million.
1985 - The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 148-114, in the first game of the NBA championship series, setting a new record for total points by a team.
1987 -Severe Thunderstorms in West Texas produced baseball size hail at Crane, hail up to 3.5 inches in diameter at Post, and grapefruit size hail south of Midland. 5 days of flooding commenced in Oklahoma. Thunderstorms deluged Central Oklahoma with 7 to 9 inches of rain. Oklahoma City was drenched with 4.33 inches of rain in just 6 hours.
1987---Top Hits
With or Without You - U2
The Lady in Red - Chris DeBurgh
You Keep Me Hangin' On - Kim Wilde
Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You - The O'Kanes

Baseball is something
like love. There ' s an elegance
about it—a fine tension.

Fielders pluck comets
from thin and glorious air.
Pitchers make solid spheres
disappear. And batters smash meteors
with matchsticks.

But fielders also topple
over fences, sprawl empty-handed
in the dust. Pitchers throw wild.
And batters sometimes tilt
at windmills.

Yet they lean in—watch—wait.
They risk looking foolish
in order to be brilliant.

Written by Louise Grieco in “Line Drives”
“100 Contemporary Baseball Poems”
edited by Brooke Horvath and Tim Wiles
Southern Illinois University Press