---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday,
October 8,2004 Headlines--- Classified---Clients
Looking for an Attorney Who
is Alex Wolf? by Christopher Menkin Leasing
Conference Count-Down-Latest News What
Lessors Are Saying About…”Compensation" ELA
Fleming at LeaseEurope Conference Tim
Taylor Joins Dumac Leasing Cambridge
Capital Group Relocates to Yorba Linda Group
Financial Services alliance with Z Resource Group Calazzo’s
Joins LPC “Fast Growing Leasing Company in U.S. CLEARLINK
Capital Corporation: Normal Course Issuer Bid Willis
Lease Expands Revolving Credit Facility by $12.5 Million Edmunds.com
Reports Automakers' True Cost of Incentives New
Valuation Firm—Vista Consulting Group Equipment
Financing Group signs with PayNet ######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press
release” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classified---Clients
Looking for an Attorney Long Beach, CA.: Our company ISPWEST, Inc. had a contract with Norvergence for internet, phone, & cell phones in Carson, California. Norvergence farmed out the lease to CIT financial, then went chapter 7. Now we have received one letter from CIT reminding us that we have no option but to pay the lease to them. They want $16000 for a useless router box. Not only have we not had phone/internet or cell phones for over three weeks, we have lost business because of this matter. We need help to get out of the Norvergence contract (which was farmed out to CIT). Is there any attorney out there who can help us? No one is trying to help the people affected by this mess. please contact us at (310)637-2100 or at Email: deborahp@rock.com if you can offer
any advice or help. Thank you for your time. Marina Del Rey, CA.: Seeking representation/advice
on failed NorVergence lease agreement.
Equipment had been received, but we never received service, we
made first months payment expecting reimbursement from NorVergence.
We returned the equipment to Wells Fargo, registered-insured
US Post, they accepted the return, but still hold us accountable to
the lease. We have not received any statements for payment
due, however their lawyer has informed me today (after I initialized
contact) that we should have been served for being in default. He informed me that the lease agreement is
a E-mail: marcy@personalcreations.net
Georgia Macon, GA.: Am interested in a Chicago area attorney to represent Norvergence customer lessees having rental agreements purchased by IFC. IFC is based in Morton Grove, IL. Steve Elliott 478.477.4818 x130
E-mail: selliott@mbrweb.net
Post a “free ad”
seeking an attorney who specializing in http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormLegal.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------- Who
is Alex Wolf? by Christopher Menkin It is time to change
the graphic from a world unplugged to the “energizer bunny,”
as the NorVergence problems keep going and going as customers
and creditors continue to fight each other over financing
of equipment that has very little value ( the best bid on eBay was $150 for the heart of the equipment lease: the
Matrix box.) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= The Texas Attorney
General has joined his counterparts in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey
and Florida, issuing subpoenas to leasing companies involved in the
NorVergence class action lawsuit to stop collecting on related leases,
warning of legal actions. The claim customer, the user
of the product. "We request
that you immediately cease all efforts to collect on agreements purchased
from NorVergence," stated a letter from Greg Abbott's office. "Continuing
to attempt collection efforts on agreements secured by fraud could subject
your company to substantial penalties." First, these are
not “orders” as the attorney general does not have this authority
for this type of situation. These
are “requests,” and the response
is not only up to those served, but also to a court of law to rule
upon ( which may be appealed.) Many lessees have
viewed the attorney general announcements incorrectly. They believe
they do not have to continue to make lease payments. The publicity seems
to have compounded the situation. The internet has
made it much easier to “write letters” and get government officials,
and even politicians, involved that the leasing companies
created a conspiracy against them.
The latest to join the
fray is Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. Hillary
focuses on Norvergence probe By DANIEL DUNAIEF DAILY NEWS BUSINESS
WRITER Sen. Hillary Clinton
is throwing the weight of her office behind the investigation into the
bankrupt telecom Norvergence. "I am extremely
troubled by this situation," Clinton told the Daily News. "My
office is currently looking into these serious complaints and has contacted
the state Attorney General's office." A spokesman for Eliot
Spitzer confirmed the attorney general's office had received a call
from Clinton's office and promised to share the results of the investigation
with her. As first reported
Monday in The News, Norvergence - through its matrix box - promised
to cut phone bills of small businesses by more than 30%. When the company
went bankrupt this summer, it left 11,000 customers nationwide with
no phone service. And it stuck them
with contracts held by leasing companies like Wells Fargo and Commerce
Bank for hundreds of dollars a month that they must keep paying. The leasing companies
have been playing hard ball with these small businesses, by suing them
or threatening to damage their credit ratings. "This is jeopardizing
small businesses in the city," said Samantha Kahn, a manager at
Jacobson Printing, which has been paying Wells Fargo more than $240
a month. Other states have
stepped in on behalf of small businesses. Texas recently threatened
to take legal actions against the leasing companies if they don't back
off from the small businesses during the state's investigation. "I'd like her
to act in the same way" other states have acted, said Kahn. Clinton said she's
eager to find "the result of Spitzer's investigation and to working
to ensure that justice is served for any business that was wronged --- The above appeared
in the October 7th edition of the New York Daily News and was sent
to us by a reader. In the meantime,
the bankruptcy proceedings may make many of these
lawsuits subject and/or part of the out come. Rosemary Gambardella is
the United States Bankruptcy Judge. As noted the deadline for filing
a proof of claim must be received by the bankruptcy
clerk's office from all creditors (except a governmental unit),
November 29,2004. For a governmental
unit, 180 days from the date of relief. Several
hearings October 4th hearing were postponed Judge Gambardella
granted Forma Holt & Eliades, LLC “...an extension of time for the
Trustee to assume or reject certain leases; and the court having considered
the papers submitted...Ordered that the time within which the Trustee
may assume or reject the Debtor’s unexpired U.S.C-365(d).” There are other such
rulings and documents on file. This is brought to readers attention
that it appears any preliminary readings will be made after
the first of the year. Among
the 111 debtors listed, many are small, expecting
“immediate” relief. Here are some of
the filings: »www.thedigest.com/docs/norvergence/ Leasing News has
printed the intentions of the class action suits, who have sent the names
and addresses of all the state attorney generals to those with complaints,
or have legal action in their state.
Expect to see more announcements from other state’s attorney general public information officers. As posted in Leasing
News on, the Telecom Agents Association suggests lessees to continue
to make leasing payments: “First, whatever
the amount of money that needs to be paid per month by an ex-Norvergence
customer to avoid getting sued by the leasing company is much less than
the cost of being sued by the leasing company from a distant state." "Second, to have a judge decide that the whole Norvergence situation really was a "Ponzi scheme" such that the leasing agreements are invalid, the "whole Norvergence story" must be told in a courtroom where the judge is actually interested in the whole story - not just the small part of the story the leasing company wants to tell in their "nuisance lawsuit". To get an objective hearing of the "whole story" both legal co-ops have endorsed the idea of "going on the offense" by suing the leasing companies as a group through one of several group legal actions that have formed - see www.NorvergenceClassAction.com.
" In the defense of
Robert J. Fine, Director of Bank Relations, for NorVergence, it is said
that NorVergence Capital, in which he was allegedly the president, did
not book any leases. It is also
said the man in charge of the day-to-day operations, who previous employees
and others tell Leasing News, was the one they reported to, not either of the Salzano brothers. While the two brothers were in the office almost every day, they
delegated control to Alexander L. Wolf, chief operating officer. Department
heads reported to him. In all the press releases we
have seen or reviewed, he was the spokesman quoted for the company. Leasing News was
told Robert J. Fine reported to Mr. Wolf, his direct boss, who
explained that what they were leasing was “standard” and the “procedure
in the telecom industry.” He
had come from Nortel, one of the providers, and was an expert in telecommunication
service and sales. Fine was the respected banker entree, more a “public
relations” man than involved in funding, sales, or operation of the
company, Leasing News was told. Insiders
say he is getting the two as they did
not do business, except he was an employee of the company. He
worked his way up from committee, to director, and then to position
of president of a trade association. These allegedly were
the NorVergence officers: PETER SALZANO, PRES-CEO ALEXANDER L. WOLF, COO STEVE LEIBROCK, CTO TERRY SKEMER, VP ENGINEERING ART SCUTTARO, SR VP-APPLICATION SCREENING JOE O'DONNELL, VP A memo from the public
relations firm handing the account, sent this out as a background
for Mr. Wolf. “Chief Operating
Officer: Mr. Alexander L. Wolf. “Formerly of Nortel
Networks, (2000-2001) Mr. Wolf was a Senior Executive within
Nortel Networks' Emerging Markets Group. Mr. Wolf's areas of responsibilities
within that Nortel Division have included Business and Market
Planning, Operational Planning & Realization, Carrier Product Portfolio
Development & Deployment, and Operational Support System Planning
& Implementation. While at Nortel, Mr. Wolf also played a major
role in helping emerging companies develop comprehensive business
& financial plans to support Seed and Stage A operations. Due to
the close relationship between Nortel and NorVergence, Executive
Management allowed Mr. Wolf to join NorVergence in October 2001. This
has facilitated interaction between the two firms based on previous
roles and relationships. “Before joining Nortel
Networks, Mr. Wolf was Head of Northeast Sales Operations for Payback
Training Systems, Inc., (1999) and pioneer in the E-Learning industry
that grew to $10 million in revenues before his departure for
Nortel. Mr. Wolf has more than 7 years of experience within the Telecommunications
and Data-Communications industries. Previously, Mr. Wolf
held leadership positions with Datatec (1998) managing the sub-contractor
relationship to the IBM account, and Siemens, (1995-1998)
where he developed and implemented cutting-edge technology solutions
for some of the largest Global 100 firms.” http://www.leasingnews.org/items/Interview%20on%20the%2019th% From the Fall edition
of Muhlenberg College “Class Notes” “’Alexander L. Wolf
sends the following update: “My start-up company has gone from business
plan to cash flow positive in its first full month of sales/operations
(January 2002). We are growing very quickly!! I already have 90-plus
employees in Newark, N.J. (Check out www.norvergence.com for details.)’
He also reports that he and wife Jenifer recently celebrated their second
wedding anniversary, “’but it will be a few years before kids’.” http://www.leasingnews.org/items/Muhlenberg%20Magazine %20Fall%202002.htm Before the bankruptcy
of NorVergence, here is their Dun and Bradstreet report, showing chain
of command, plus financial statements and credit ratings: http://www.leasingnews.org/items/N-DNB.htm Telecom Agents Association
Review of NorVergence, Inc. by Dan Baldwin, TAA
Editor-at-Large, December 3, 2003, explains how the
program works, including the separate service agreement,
and gives indication that the lessees were aware of the
dual roles in the NorVergence program: http://www.leasingnews.org/items/norvergence1.doc A press release from
NorVergence explains a new program: http://www.leasingnews.org/items/NorVergence,%20Inc_%20%20NorVergence %20Expands%20Product%20Offering%20Include%20Specialized%20Phones% At this time, many
of those who looked at the program, considered it a “scam:” http://www.leasingnews.org/items/Telecom.doc The value of the equipment as per eBay bids: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= Here is the 15 page NorVergence training manual on how to sell the product and use equipment leasing: http://leasingnews.org/PDF/SM_Training.pdf Here is how the story is being printed in the media today: http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2004/09/040922norvergence.shtml Leasing News for
over a year and a half before the bankruptcy filings was hearing “alarms”
from users, lessees, and funders. As
predicted last June, this is going to steam role into one of the largest
leasing company public relations failures of modern times, and while
early predictions have said there would be more than $3 million in losses,
the ultimate, including costs will be a minimum of $100 million, and
some believe it may wind up at $250 million. There is no doubt
this publicity has been one of the worst in recent years, perhaps
turning more businesses away from entering into equipment
leasing of any kind. It certainly has gotten the attention
of Hillary Clinton and other politicians, which may include
state attorney generals who run for office every four years,
or often seek higher positions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leasing Conference
Count-Down-Latest News UAEL Monterey, CA October 21-24 “This will be the
best attended conference in many years. The 30th year Reunion Party
and Welcome Reception on Thursday Evening , October 21, 2004, wail be
a special night. We have attending the Reunion many of the Original
Founding Members of WAEL/UAEL Thank you.” Joe
ELA Palm Desert, CA October 24-26 “Will You Make THE LIST?"
“October 14th Last Day to Register to be on the List.” “What’s THE LIST? Only one of the most important networking tools in the
leasing industry. Distributed onsite at the ELA Convention, October
24 – 26 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert,
CA, the final Convention Roster lets the other 1000+ attendees know
you’re there, and helps them seek you out. But October 14 is the last
day to pre-register for the Convention, and thus to make the Roster.
After that, you’re welcome to register onsite. If you have not attended an ELA
Conference before, and are a non-member, you will be eligible to attend. AGLF Rancho Mirage, CA November 10-12 MAEL Rosemont, Illinois November 18 To learn about these and other leasing associations, please go to: If you are interested to learn more about the conference, please to the web site noted.
ELTnews Equipment Leasing
Association’s “Leasing Industry Compensation Survey” reported that 2004
salary budgets, as a percent of total payroll, declined in all employee
categories. Executive and Middle Management salary budgets for the year
declined 3.3 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, when compared to
2003 salary budgets. Exempt- and Non-exempt employee pay budgets declined
as well. David Merrill of
Fifth Third Leasing Company said he was surprised to see the data when
it was released. “Based on our experience, the demand for top producers
and seasoned leaders is high. The recruiters that we work with are very
busy right now.” Daniel McKew of Suntrust
remarked that “It all depends on how each company does relative to budget.
Many of our parent companies have been used to seeing 20 percent and
plus growth. That cannot be sustained. When you fall below that number,
your compensation is effected.” Merrill added “I
can only speculate that the reasons [for salary budgets declining] are,
for one, the economy. Most lessors have seen improved volume year over
year but are still behind on their new business volume goals. This slowness
is offset somewhat by a strong improvement in credit quality and profits.
Another reason is the pay mix (salary/incentive based pay) seems to
be becoming more leveraged.” One lessor, who asked
not to be named said they thought salary budgets did decline and it
was because many lessors were not replacing headcount lost to attrition.
He also cited the industry continuing to shrink as merger activity continues.
So, more volume is being done with fewer players doing it, and this
particularly impacts the executive level. Also, the anonymous source
said too many players are chasing too few deals, making for decreased
spreads for all and decreasing volume for more marginal players. “I know that we have
utilized more temp help and outside consulting firms this year to get
work done in lieu of hiring additional staff,” said Jeff VanCleve of
Diebold Credit Corp. “Perhaps this is contributing [to down compensation]
along with continued industry focus on improving employee productivity.
The industry is doing better, but the low rate environment has significantly
reduced revenues, and margins are quite low for most, necessitating
a continued focus on controlling costs, especially headcount.” Will this deter new
people from joining the industry? “I don't think a
three percent drop will detour new employees from joining the industry.
Overall the leasing industry still offers a competitive wage compared
to the broad financial services/banking industry,” said Merrill. McKew added, “New players will join the industry when spending begins again. It is a natural economic cycle. We just all have to make it through the down period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ELA
Fleming at LeaseEurope Conference ELTnews "Today the Lease
only has product power through great execution," ELA President
Michael Fleming told delegates to the opening session of the LeasEurope
Conference in Italy Monday. "However,"
he said, "leasing will be a company by company story as companies
provide value to customers." Fleming told the 400 attendees that
today the leasing business' success stories are of individual company
success involving a lease product, not about the lease per se. Fleming also described how the problem stories are about lease programs
or lease products as reflected by: Cross Border tax exempt leasing;
Highly structured transactions, and; the "NorVergence matter"
which are calling on necessary commercial finance practices and documentation
such as assignability and hell or high water clauses. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Classified
Ads---Help Wanted Brokers
Funding/Loan Processor
CFO / Leasing Sales Leader [
Dealer Credit Finance Analyst / Dealer Credit Finance Services Supervisor
Vendor Account Executive
Cost of classified
help wanted ads: Two weeks $400.00 for four
lines for ten days $50.00 per line the
next four lines $25.00 per line thereafter
Logo is free. A description of
your company is free ( not more lines than your ad.) We will help you
write the ad, add a job description url or point to your web site
full job description. http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Press Release
######################## Tim
Taylor Joins Dumac Leasing We are pleased to
welcome Tim Taylor as the new Dumac Leasing Assistant Manager. The Assistant Manager position was created
so that we can continue to provide excellent customer service as our
business grows. We now have
more resources to ensure quick turnaround on lease applications and
to make improvements to our broker program. With 20 years of
experience in banking and the finance industry, Tim has a solid background
in credit, collections, documentation and sales.
His career began in customer service and he understands how important
that is in retaining excellent relationships.
Prior to joining Dumac, he spent the last 8 years working for
a national leasing company and was involved in nearly all aspects of
the equipment leasing business. A California native,
Tim has lived in the Santa Rosa area for the last 21 years. In his spare
time Tim enjoys gardening and playing golf.
Tim attended Montclair State University in New Jersey. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
We are sure that
you will enjoy working with Tim. He
will gradually get to know you as he works with your lease applications. He may be contacted as follows: Direct Phone
707-521-5132 Email ttaylor@exchangebank.com ###### Press Release
##################### The
Cambridge Capital Group Relocates to Yorba Linda Company
Provides Full-Service Commercial Equipment Financing Jamie Kaneshina Yorba Linda, Calif.
– In early September, The Cambridge Capital Group celebrated the grand
opening of their new company headquarters in Yorba Linda’s Savi Ranch
Center. The business is a national, full-service commercial
finance company funding business-essential equipment ranging in cost
from $10,000 – $5,000,000. The Cambridge Capital
Group funds equipment for a variety of industries including construction,
technology, restaurant, printing and telecommunication to name a few. The company is able to provide flexible payment
structures and 100% financing to preserve customer’s bank lines of credit. Three industry experts
bring over 35 years of experience to the firm.
Jaime A. Kaneshina, CLP serves as the Director of Finance, Heather
L. Wright runs the daily business as Director of Operations and Mark
Y. Askary will service customers in his role as Director of Business
Development. Mr. Kaneshina recently stated, “Our business aims to provide
customers with knowledgeable, professional and friendly service with
a quick turnaround from application to funding.” The Cambridge Capital Group is located at 22800 Savi Ranch Parkway, Ste. 204, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. For more information call (714) 221-1488 or visit, www.thecambridgecapitalgroup.com. ### Press Release
######################## Group Financial Services announces long-term alliance with Z Resource Group to expand
originations in Health Care Sector New York, NY, -- Group Financial Services, a leading originator
of Medical leases and loans, has announced a strategic alliance agreement
with Z Resource Group to help expand the sales team and processing infrastructure
of Group Financial Services. Under the terms of
the agreement, Z Resource Group will be bringing a combination of consulting
and recruiting services to Group Financial Services and ultimately,
look to support the business with an additional $100 million per year
of originations in the health care channel through the talent acquisition
of top Health Care Leasing and Financing representatives. Greg Einhorn, Director
Of Sales of Group Financial Services related, “We are excited about
the growth prospects of our organization.
We are pleased with this new partnership with Z Resource Group
that is already paying dividends in our growth plans. The principals
of Z Resource Group understand our business and their executive recruiting
team will assist us in filling several open spots in targeted markets.” Larry Hartmann, Managing
Director of Z Resource Group stated, “Group Financial has a rich 25+
year history of success as an independent lessor focused in the health
care niche. With their strong funding capabilities in place, coupled
with a comprehensive and creative product offering for the health care
vendor marketplace, GFS is in a strong growth mode. We are looking forward
to helping them achieve their growth plans”. About Group Financial
Services Group Financial Services is a Nationwide, 28-year-old business focused in providing leasing and financing products and services to the health care vendor and direct marketplace. The firm provides outsourced solutions as a captive finance arm for a variety of medical dealer associations and manufacturers as well as a strong direct presence in targeted markets. The firm has originated over $700 million in medical leases and loans and is targeted to fund in excess of $100 million this next year. Group Financial Services has offices in Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and now New Jersey. For more information, contact Greg Einhorn at 1-800-336-8562 or visit their web site at About Z Resource
Group Z Resource Group is a fast growing, nationwide specialty Executive Search, Staffing and Consulting Firm and a recognized leader in the leasing industry. The company is entering its sixth year of successfully providing value added services to several key markets, including financial services, technology, and healthcare. Headquartered in the Boston, MA area, the company maintains branch offices nationally. For more information, contact Larry Hartmann @ lhartmann@zrgroup.com or for ore information on the company, visit www.zrgroup.com. ### Press Release
#################### Calazzo’s
Joins LPC “Fast Growing Leasing Company in U.S. Wayne, NJ—Leasing
Partners Capital, Inc., one of the fastest growing leasing companies
in the U.S., has added a Telemarketing Manager to its Team. LPC is pleased to
announce the addition of Frank Caiazzo as Telemarketing Manager located
in Wayne, NJ. Frank will be
developing key programs for LPC’s sales representatives and Territory
Managers. This will allow LPC to launch all of it’s telemarketing
programs internally. Frank earned his
BA from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Frank has nearly
twenty years experience in sales and marketing, primarily with several
high profile securities firms. “About the Company” Leasing Partners
Capital, Inc. (LPC) is a small to lower-middle-market equipment leasing
company working with vendors and end users, headquartered in Wayne,
NJ. LPC currently has offices in Naples, FL, Louisville,
KY, Atlanta, GA, Pittsburgh, PA, Minneapolis, MN, Houston, TX, San Francisco,
CA, St. Louis, MO, Boston, MA, Detroit, MI, Seattle, WA, Litchfield,
NH, Tampa, FL, Warwick, NY and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For additional information or questions about LPC, contact Bruce Larsen, National Sales Manager, 877-333-5864 or email him at blarsen@leasingpartnerscapital.com, or check out their web site @ www.leasingpartnerscapital.com. ### Press Release ####################### CLEARLINK
Capital Corporation: Normal Course Issuer Bid MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--
CLEARLINK Capital Corporation (the "Corporation") (formerly
MFP Financial Services Ltd.) announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange
has approved the renewal of the Corporation's normal course issuer bid
which will commence on October 7, 2004 for a 12 month period until October
6, 2005. The maximum number of shares which can be purchased under the
issuer bid through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange will
be approximately 5% of the common shares outstanding or 449,000. All
shares purchased under the normal course issuer bid will be cancelled.
As of September 21, 2004, 8,994,651 common shares were outstanding and
2,500 common shares had been purchased during the previous year's issuer
bid at an average purchase price of $7.84. CLEARLINK Capital
Corporation is a leading provider of innovative financial solutions
in technology and equipment leasing, and equipment trading. Based in
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, CLEARLINK operates throughout North America
and Europe. 2281 North Sheridan
Way Mississauga, Ontario,
Canada L5K 2S3 Phone: (905) 855-2500
Fax: (905) 855-2725
### Press Release ####################### Willis
Lease Expands Revolving Credit Facility by $12.5 Million SAUSALITO, Calif.-----Willis
Lease Finance Corporation (Nasdaq:WLFC) announced today that it has
expanded one of its primary revolving credit facilities by $12.5 million,
bringing the total facility to $138.5 million. The bank syndicate was
expanded to include CDC IXIS, a French bank with assets of more than
EUR 71 billion ($86 billion US), which contributed $10 million to the
facility. National City Bank also increased its commitment by $2.5 million.
This credit facility was renewed in June 2004 for $126 million. The
syndicate of banks was led by Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V. as structuring
and security agent, and National City Bank as administrative agent.
California Bank & Trust, City National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, HSH
Nordbank, and State Bank of India are also participants in the credit.
This and other credit facilities support the company and its subsidiaries
in financing the $498.1 million equipment lease portfolio as of June
30, 2004. "Additional capital is a key component in our ability to meet
rising demand in the market for leased engines," said Charles F.
Willis, President and CEO. "The addition of CDC IXIS to the facility
helps promote our strategy of funding an international business with
a diverse group of lenders from around the world. We are looking to
expand our credit facilities even further, to give us more flexibility
to grow as the global aviation industry continues to improve."
About Willis Lease Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases spare commercial aircraft
engines, rotable parts and aircraft to commercial airlines, aircraft
engine manufacturers and overhaul/repair facilities worldwide. These
leasing activities are integrated with the purchase and resale of used
and refurbished commercial aircraft engines. Willis Lease Finance Corporation Monica J. Burke, Chief Financial Officer 415-331-5281 ### Press Release
####################### Edmunds.com Reports Automakers' True Cost of Incentives: All-Time Record Incentives Likely Cause of Strong Sales in September; Domestics Gain Market Share While Honda,
Toyota and Lexus Slip SANTA MONICA, Calif.,
-- Edmunds.com (http://www.edmunds.com),
the premier online resource for automotive information, reported today
that the average manufacturer incentives per vehicle sold in the United
States was $3,146 in September 2004, up $425 or 15.6% from August 2004,
and up $524 or 20.0% from September 2003. This is the highest industry average since
Edmunds began tracking manufacturer incentives in January 2002, and
Edmunds.com's experts believe incentives have never been higher. Edmunds.com's monthly
True Cost of Incentives(SM) (TCI(SM)) report takes into account all
of the manufacturers' various United States incentives programs, including
subvented interest rates and lease programs as well as cash rebates
to consumers and dealers. To
ensure the greatest possible accuracy, Edmunds.com bases its calculations
on sales volume, including the mix of vehicle makes and models for each
month, as well as on the proportion of vehicles for which each type
of incentive was used. Overall, combined
incentives spending for domestic Chrysler, Ford and General Motors nameplates
was $4,279 per vehicle sold in September 2004, up $428 from August 2004
and up $661 from September 2003. Chrysler
increased incentives spending from $384 to $3,778 per vehicle while
losing 0.7% market share since August 2004.
Ford increased its incentives by $74 per vehicle, setting a new
Ford record TCI of $4,048, and gained 0.8% market share.
GM increased overall incentives by $612, setting a new GM record
TCI of $4,593 per vehicle and gained 3.4% market share. "The domestics
are focused on clearing out 2004 model year vehicles, and their use
of dramatic incentives have been quite effective," said Dr. Jane
Liu, Vice President of Data Analysis for Edmunds.com.
"Domestic market share is climbing; they gained an impressive
3.5% last month to reach the highest level this year, 61.2%, and are
1.7% ahead of where they were this time last year.
Chevrolet in particular experienced a tremendous sales month
in September, likely because of attractive deals that enticed customers
without destroying the bottom line or the image of their reinvigorated
product line." In September 2004,
European automakers spent $2,497 per vehicle sold, $744 higher than
September 2003 but $324 less than August 2004, and lost 1.2% market
share. Japanese automakers spent $911, $54 less than
September 2003 but $49 more than August 2004, and lost 0.6% market share. Korean automakers spent $2,207, $823 more than
September 2003 and $325 more than August 2004, and gained 0.1% market
share. Of all brands, Mini
spent the least on incentives in September, $13 per vehicle sold, while
Scion spent only $89 and Acura spent just $251.
At the other end of the spectrum, Cadillac spent the most on
incentives, $6,281 per vehicle sold, followed by Lincoln at $5,566 and
Mercury at $5,434. Last month Chevrolet
gained the most market share, growing from 17.0% in August 2004 to 19.7%,
while GMC rose from 3.5% to 4.3% and Ford climbed from 15.4% to 16.1%. Pontiac and Lincoln also experienced noteworthy
gains. During the same period, the Honda brand lost the most market
share, dropping from 7.7% to 6.5%, while Toyota fell from 10.0% to 9.2%
and Lexus slipped from 1.8% to 1.4%. "Thanks to incentives,
the top five market share gainers last month are domestic while the
three with the biggest declines are Japanese," observed Dr. Liu. Among vehicle segments,
large SUVs offered the highest average incentives for the sixth straight
month, $5,196 per vehicle, a new market segment TCI record. Other segments with high incentives were large trucks at $4,053
and large cars at $3,838. Compact
cars had the lowest average incentives at $1,783, followed by compact
SUVs at $2,018 and luxury sport cars at $2,084. Large trucks gained
the most market share, up from 15.6% in August 2004 to 17.8% in September
2004, while large SUVs went from 5.6% to 6.7%.
By contrast, compact cars fell from 14.9% to 13.6% and midsize
cars dropped from 15.9% to 14.8%. "The bargain-hunters
were clearly all over dealership lots in September, responding in droves
to the most generous incentives," stated Dr. Liu. About Edmunds.com
True Cost of Incentives(SM) (TCI(SM))
Edmunds.com's TCI(SM)
is a comprehensive monthly report that measures automobile manufacturers'
cost of incentives on vehicles sold in the United States. These costs are reported on a per vehicle basis for the industry
as a whole, for each manufacturer, for each make sold by each manufacturer
and for each model of each make. TCI
covers all aspects of manufacturers' various incentives programs (except
volume and similar bonus programs), including dealer cash, manufacturer
rebates and consumer savings from subvented APR and lease programs (including
subvented lease residual values used in manufacturer leasing programs). Data for the industry, the manufacturers and
the makes are derived using weighted averages and are based on actual
monthly sales and financing activity. About Edmunds.com,
Inc. Edmunds.com is the
premier online resource for automotive information. Its comprehensive
set of data, tools and services, including Edmunds.com True Market Value(R)
pricing, is generated by Edmunds.com Information Solutions and is licensed
to third parties. For example,
the company supplies over 800,000 pages of content for the auto sections
of AOL and NYTimes.com, provides weekly data to Automotive News and
delivers monthly data reports to Wall Street analysts.
Edmunds.com was named "best car research" site by Forbes
ASAP, has been selected by consumers as the "most useful Web site"
according to every J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM)
and was ranked first in the Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites as reported
by The Wall Street Journal. The
company is headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. and maintains a satellite
office outside Detroit. SOURCE Edmunds.com
CO: Edmunds.com ST: California SU: SVY Web site: http://www.edmunds.com
### Press Release
##################### New
Valuation Firm—Vista Consulting Group Rick Daubenspeck,
ASA and Bill Carlson have recently established Vista Consulting Group,
Inc. which is an independent appraisal/advisory firm with more than
25 years of experience in the leasing industry. Vista's unique and broad
experience enables them to focus their efforts from the internal equipment
manager’s perspective as well as that of the equipment appraiser in
order to develop reliable and objective opinions. Vista personnel have
excelled as both equipment managers and appraisers, and they provide
an understand the challenges that equipment lessors are currently facing.
Vista's independence allows them to provide a wide range of services
while enabling their clients to obtain the service they desire in a
cost-effective manner. Services include
equipment valuations, site inspections, industry and market research,
leasing consulting support and industry studies. For more information
check out their website at www.vistacg.com.
Sites of Reference: CONTACT: Rick Daubenspeck,
ASA Vista Consulting
Group, Inc. Phone Number: (508)
345-0045 Fax Number: (508)
342-7333 E-mail: rick@vistacg.com
## Press Release
######################### Equipment
Financing Group, Inc. signs with PayNet, Inc. Equipment Financing
Group, Inc., Fresno, Ca, has entered into an agreement with PayNet,
Inc. PayNet is a leading provider of web based business credit information
services. This will provide EFG with a secondary source of business
credit information. It will enable EFG along with “Liquid Credit Scoring”
to enhance the companies scoring matrix. For additional information
on this program please contact Morgan Bennett. mbennett@efginc.net Phone: 888-808-3065
ext #15 Fax: 888-808-5005 Equipment Financing
Group, Inc. has shown a 131% increase in lease revenue year to date
compared to the same period in 2003. This increase was attributed to
lower cost of funds, new Corp-only programs, and additional deferred
payment options being offered to our sources. EQUIPMENT FINANCING
GROUP, INC. Equipment Financing
Group, Inc. (www.efglease.com)
is a leading small ticket funding source located in Fresno California.
The company operates additional offices in Los Angeles, Michigan, and
Pennsylvania. Started in 1992 the company has shown tremendous growth
in the last 12 months. Equipment Financing Group, Inc. also plans to
launch its new automated application site on October, 25th. ### Press Release
###################### ------------------------------------------------------------------------ News
Briefs--- Mortgages rates around
U.S. up this week http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/10/07/ mortgages_rates_around_us_up_this_week/ NVCA Q3 Venture-Backed
IPOs http://www.nvca.org/pdf/IPOQ32004.pdf More Job Cuts Set
by AT&T; Total to Hit 20% of Staff http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/business/ Bank of America to
Cut 4,500 More Jobs http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/business/ Consumer Borrowing
Declines for First Time in Nine Months http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/business/ Chip-maker AMD reports
higher third-quarter sales http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/9861641.htm Interest in Election
Helps Fuel Growth in Accessing Internet for News, According to Latest
Harris Poll http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/ www/story/10-07-2004/0002268398&EDATE= --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California
Nuts Briefs--- The recall also-rans
-- where are they now? Most are still involved,
in their own way http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/ Team Arnold hitting
the road to campaign against Props. 68, 70 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/ chronicle/archive/2004/10/06/BAG9794BPO1.DTL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Gimme
that Wine” Tim Mondavi Leaves
as an Employee of Robert Mondavi Corp., Following His Brother's Resignation http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2620,00.html Jean-Michel Valette
Named President & Managing Director of Robert Mondavi Winery http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp? ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20041006005909&newsLang=en Wine, Women and a
Pair of Buddies “Sideways”-Eric Asimov http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/06/dining/06POUR.html Direct shipping finds
friends for Supreme date http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/ Living la vida vino More winemakers of
Mexican heritage are making their mark on the wine world http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/ How to drink sweet
wine http://www.jancisrobinson.com/winenews/2004/winenews1002.html This
Day in American History 1775
–General George Washington, a slave owner himself in Virginia, convinces
the Continental Army to bar slaves and free blacks from Continental
Army as regular soldiers in a move to appeaser Southern states and recruit
more soldiers, plus financial contributions. As the Revolutionary
War spread through every region, those in bondage sided with whichever
army promised them personal liberty. The British actively recruited
slaves belonging to Patriot masters and, consequently, more blacks fought
for the Crown. In 1777, with
the war going badly and so many blacks joining the British, General
Washington allowed blacks to fight,
but not become regular soldiers. During the Revolution many African
Americans also sided with the British. Particularly for enslaved blacks
in the South, there was little guarantee that they would have any more
freedom under the rule of the colonists than they did under the rule
of the British. Indeed, in November 1775 Lord Dunmore, the royal governor
of Virginia, issued a proclamation that any slaves who fled to his lines
and assisted in suppressing the revolt would be given their freedom.
This was a more enticing offer than the colonists made, as the Southern
colonies generally would not recruit slaves to fight. Over 2,000 slaves
joined Dunmore and became his Ethiopian Regiment. When the fighting
moved South in 1779, thousands of slaves ran away from their masters
and fled to the British lines. There they were often pressed into service
as laborers, building fortifications around Charleston and Savannah.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart2b.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2narr4.html http://www.nyfreedom.com/blacks.htm 1728-
birthday of Rodney Caesar,(OS). Signer of the Declaration of Independence
who cast a tie-breaking vote. Born near Dover, DE, he died June 26,
1784. Rodney is on a quarter issued by the US Mint in 1999, the first
in a series of quarters that will commemorate each of the 50 states. 1777-After the second Battle of Bemis Heights, near Saratoga, NY where the Americans routed a force of some 1500 British, Gen. Bourgoyne retreated to Saratoga. 1862- Union and Confederate forces fought at Perryville, Kentucky in a one-day battle that repulsed the South's attempt to bring that border state into the Confederacy. (lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct08.html
) 1865-
Earthquake in Santa Cruz Mountains (6.5 to 7.5, various ratings) http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist4/68inter.html http://www.eqe.com/publications/lomaprie/seismici.htm http://pangea.stanford.edu/~segall/1868_abs.html http://www.fostertravel.com/CACRUZ.html http://www.santacruzpl.org/history/tourism/convent.shtml http://www.insurance.ca.gov/EXECUTIVE/CatSeries/Earthquake/Earthquake6.htm 1869
-- Inventor J(ames) Frank Duryea born Washburn, Illinois (1869). He
and his brother, Charles, invented the first automobile to be actually
built and operated in the US http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blDuryea.htm http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/monster/ 1871-The
great fire of Chicago began, according to legend, when Mrs. O’Leary’s
cow kicked over the lantern in her barn on DeKoven Street. The fire
leveled 3 ½ square miles destroying 17,450 buildings and leaving 98,500
people homeless and about 250 people dead.
Financially, the loss was $200 million.. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct08.html 1871
-- As Chicago blazes away
some 200 miles to the south an even deadlier fire rips through Peshtigo,
Wisconsin, completely razing the town and killing 600 of its inhabitants.
Over a million acres of forest are also consumed. Considered to be the
worst fire in the history of the United States. http://www.fact-index.com/p/pe/peshtigo__wisconsin.html http://www.iswonline.com/archives/eclectic/peshtigo.shtml 1890-Birthday
of Edward V. Rickenbacker, American aviator, auto race and hero, born
at Columbus, OH. Died July 23, 1973 at Surich Switzerland. 1893-
birthday of Clarence Williams, Plaquemine, LA, penned Royal Garden Blues,
Gulf Coast Blues, I Aint’ Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jellyroll. 1896.-
Dow Jones began reporting an average of the prices of 12 industrial
stocks in the Wall Street Journal
on this day. In the early years, these were largely railroad stocks.
In 1928 Mr. Dow expanded the number of stocks to 30, where it remains
today. Today, the large, frequently-traded stocks in the DJIA represent
about a fifth of the market value of all US stocks. 1904-Birthday of
great song writer W. C. Handy, Jr.,Clarksdale, MS 1917
Drummer J.C. Heard birthday http://www.harlem.org/people/heard.html 1918-Sergeant
Alvin C. York, while in the Argonne Forest, France, and separated from
his patrol, killed 20 enemy soldiers and captured a bill. 132 enemy
soldiers and 35 machine guns. He was awarded the US Medal of Honor and
French Crois de Guerra. Ironically, York had petitioned for exemption
from the draft as a conscientious
objector, but was turned down by his local draft board. A movie was
made of this event starring Gary Cooper. 1924-
In New York City, the National Lutheran Conference banned the playing
of jazz music in the local churches. 1930-Birthday
of baritone sax player Pepper Adams, Highland Park, IL 1933-Coit
Tower dedicated in SF, a monument to firefighters . http://www.guide-to-san-francisco-hotels.com/attractions/coit-tower.html http://www.danheller.com/sf-coittower.html http://www.talamasca.com/~cuccia/photos/coit/index.html 1934-
Faith Riaggold birthday, Afro-American artist. Much of her art combines
the feminist viewpoint and the black liberation movement. She changed
her style from being based on white male European to African influences.
She also started to work in fabric and soft sculptures, sometimes
depicting women from Harlem with open mouths because black women need
to find their voices. She has been criticized by some white critics
and especially by black male artists who claim her work should be classified
as crafts, not art. In 1984,
she became professor of art at the University of California, San Diego. 1938-For
the Saturday evening Post cover for this date, Norman Rockwell chose
to portray himself in quandary he frequently had to grapple with---trying
to come up with a cover for the Post on deadline. 1941
- The Benny Goodman Orchestra recorded "Buckle Down Winsocki",
with Tom Dix as featured vocalist, on the Columbia label. 1948-Winchell’s
Donut House Established. Since the grand opening of its first donut
house in Temple City, CA, Winchell’s has offered warm and fresh donuts
from it sown specialty mixes featuring the finest ingredients. Winchell’s
even invented the apple fritter in 1964! For more than 50 years, Winchells
donuts have been an American favorite, 1948-
Facing only thirty batters, Indian rookie pitching sensation Gene Bearden
five-hits the Braves for a 2-0 victory in front of 70,000 fans in Cleveland.
The Tribe takes a 2-1 World Series game lead. 1950-. “Your Hit Parade” premiered on TV. It began as a radio show in 1935. When it finally made it to TV, the format was simple: the show’s cast performed the week’s top musical hits. To keep viewers interest, since many of the same songs appeared wieldy, eye-catching production sequences were created. “YHP” was the starting point for many famous choreographers and dancers, including Tony Charmoli, Ernie Flatt, Peter Gennaro and Bob Fosse. Regulars included Dorothy Collins, Eileen Wilson, Snooky Lanson and Sue Bennett. The show was overhauled many times and switched networks before leaving the air in 1959. A summer revival in 1974 was short-lived. The original sponsor was a cigarette company. 1950-
“Frank Sinatra Show” premiered
on television. Mr.. Sinatra’s first series was a musical variety show
featuring regulars Erin O’Brien and comic Ben Blue. However, during
its last season this show was cut from an hour to 30 minutes as it could
not compete with “The Texaco Star Theater,” the most popular show of
the time. This was during the period of his decline as a singer and
personality. 1953-
Birmingham bans Jackie Robinson's Negro-White All-Stars from playing
in the city. The white players are dropped from the team as Robinson
gives in to city officials. 1956-
Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched the only perfect game in
a World Series history. He defeated
the Brooklyn Dodgers, 2-0, in Game 5. Larson threw 97 pitches, faced
27 batters, struck out 11 and lead the Bronx Bombers to a 2-0 shutout
of the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the Fall Classic. Pinch hitter
Dale Mitchell, batting for Dodgers pitcher Sal Maglie, was called out
on strikes for the last out. Game 6 Brooklyn beat the Yankees, 1-0 at
Brooklyn, and the series was tied. Game 7, also at Brooklyn, the Yankees won 9-0. Game 7 at Brooklyn
October 10, 1956 Team
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 R H E NY 2
0 2 1 0 0 4
0 0 9 10 0 BRO
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 3 1 1956—Top
Hits 1959-
In Game 6, the Dodgers defeat the Go-Go Sox, 9-3, to win the World Series.
Chicago's speed and quickness weren't enough to overcome Los Angeles
hitting and pitching. 1961
- New York Yankees’ pitcher Whitey Ford set the World Series record
for consecutive scoreless innings, while extending his streak to 32
in a 7-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Reds in Game 4. Ford added one more
scoreless inning in the 1962 World Series to bring that consecutive
scoreless inning total to 33. The previous record was 29-2/3 innings,
held by Babe Ruth. 1961
- Green Bay Packer’s running back/kicker Paul Hornung set a Packer records
for points scored in a game: 33. Hornung scored 33 points: four touchdowns,
six extra points and one field goal. (The Packers beat the Baltimore
Colts to, 45-7.) 1964—Top
Hits 1966
-- A concert featuring Joan Baez, Mimi Fariña, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver
Messenger Service, Ed Keating, and Don Duncan, to raise money for the
Congressional District Write In Committee for Phil Drath and Peace. http://www.richardandmimi.com/posters.html 1974
- "Then Came You", by Dionne Warwicke and The Spinners, went
solid gold this day. While the editors are poring over the proper spelling
of her name, might we add that due to some superstitious feeling having
to do with astrology, the former Ms. Warwick changed her name for good
luck to Warwicke. It apparently worked. When she went on her own, she changed her name back to the original
spelling. Tunes like, "I’ll Never Love This Way Again", "Deja
Vu" and hits with Johnny Mathis, Luther Vandross and some friends
made it OK to be just Dionne Warwick again. 1975-In the first basketball game played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the San Antonio Spurs of the American Basketball Association defeated the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association, 109-107, in an exhibition. 1977-Billy
Joel's breakthrough album, The
Stranger, enters the Billboard album chart. 1979
- "Sugar Babies" opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway.
The star of the hit show was also making his debut on the Great White
Way. Mickey Rooney, who had been acting since the 1930s, once again
delighted one and all with his performance. 1984 - Anne Murray won the Country Music Association’s Album of the Year Award this day for "A Little Good News". Murray was the first woman to win this award. 1986- The first North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World Evangelization opened in New Orleans. It drew 7,000 leaders from 40 denominations, and stressed the part which the charismatic experience plays in evangelization. 1987-Chuck
Berry is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His film biography,
"Hail, Hail Rock and Roll" premiers that night. 1987
- Unseasonably cold weather prevailed from the Upper Mississippi Valley
to the southeastern U.S. Thirty cities reported record low temperatures
for the date, including Madison WI with a reading of 22 degrees. The
low of 28 degrees at Evansville IN was the coolest of record for so
early in the season. Hot weather continued in the southwestern U.S.
Phoenix AZ reported a record high of 104 degrees and a record tying
116 days of 100 degree weather for the year. Tucson AZ established an
all-time record with 72 days of 100 degree weather for the year. 1989
- Morning lows in the 20s were reported from the Northern Plains to
the Upper Great Lakes. International Falls MN and Marquette MI reported
record lows of 22 degrees. Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in central
California as the Oakland Athletics won the American League pennant.
San Luis Obispo CA reported a high of 99 degrees. 1990-Native
American Day was celebrated in South Dakota in place of Columbus Day. 1991
- A U.S. District Court in Anchorage, Alaska, approved a $900-million
settlement (annual payments stretched over ten years) with Exxon Shipping
Company (Exxon Oil Corporation) for the Valdez oil spill. Exxon also
agreed to pay a $250-million fine, which would reimburse the state of
Alaska and the U.S. for the costs of cleanup, damage assessment and
litigation. 1992-The
U.S. Postal Service announces a commemorative stamp booklet that includes
rock legends Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and Ritchie Valens
plus RandB stars Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding and Dinah Washington. 1997-Center Adam Oats of the Washington Capitals scored three goals and two assists to move past the 1,000 mark in career NHL points. Oates finished the night with 1,004 points as Washington defeated the New York Islanders, 6-3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- World Series Champions
This Date 1919--Cincinnati
Reds 1922---New
York Giants 1927--
New York Yankees 1930
- Philadelphia Athletics 1939
- New York Yankees 1940
- Cincinnati Reds 1959
- Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball
Poem Baseball Canto by Lawrence Ferlinghetti Watching baseball sitting in the sun eating popcorn Rereading Ezra Pound and wishing Juan
Marichal would hit a hole
right through the Anglo-Saxon tradition in the First Canto and demolish the
barbarian invaders When the San Francisco
Giants take the field and everybody stands
up to the National Anthem with some Irish tenor's
voice piped over the loudspeakers with all the players
stuck dead in their places and the white umpires
like Irish cops in their black suits
and little black caps presses over their
hearts standing straight
and still like some funeral
of a blarney bartender and all facing East as if expecting some
Great White Hope or the Founding Fathers to appear on the
horizon like 1066 or 1776
or all that But Willie Mays appears
instead in the bottom of
the first and a roar goes up as he clouts the first one into the sun and takes off like a
foot runner from Thebes The ball is lost in the sun and maidens wail
after him but he
keeps running through the Anglo-Saxon epic And Tito Fuentes
comes up Looking like a bullfighter in his tight pants
and small pointed shoes And the right
field bleachers go mad With Chicanos
and blacks and Brooklyn beer drinkers "Sweet Tito! Sock it to heem, Sweet
Tito!" And Sweet
Tito puts his foot in the bucket and smacks one that doesn't come back
at all and flees
around the bases like
he's escaping from the United fruit Company as the
Gringo dollar beats out the Pound and Sweet Tito beats it out like he's beating out usury not to mention fascism and anti-Semitism And Juan Marchial
comes up and the Chicano
bleachers go loco again as Juan
belts the first fast ball out of sight and rounds first and keeps going and rounds second and rounds third and
keeps going and hits pay-dirt
to the roars of the grungy populace As some nut presses
the backstage panic button for the tape-recorded
National anthem again to save the situation but he don't stop
nobody this time in their revolution
round the loaded white bases in this last of the
great Anglo-Saxon epics in the Territorio
Libre of baseball
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