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Brokers.
We get deals done!  We can help you make more money. We are on top of the changing marketplace with more sources due to our volume. Must have 4 years of leasing experience w/ strong client base.  70% Commission, 70% Residual. Barbara Griffith bgriffith@socalleasing.com or 714-573-9804

About the company: SCL has been in business for 12 years. We are contracted with multiple funding sources which enables us to provide more competitive rates and flexible terms and conditions.

 

 

 

Friday, October 29,2004

Headlines---

 

    Classified Ads---Back Office

        "Foundation Celebrates, Welcomes New leadership"

            Capital Leasing Very Popular This Time of the Season

    EFG Enters “Franchise Leasing” Business and More

        Chicago’s Rodney Dixon Found Guilty of Leasing Fraud

            Kenesaw Leasing/J&S Leasing Sold to FSG Bank

    Classified Ads---Help Wanted

        Reality Check: Ensure Your Company's Future

            Federal Reserve Beige Report

    MicroFinancial Announces 3rd Q 2004 Results: Loss

        Universal Express Sells Capital Subsidiary

            Marlin Business Services 3rd Q 2004 Net Up $3.5M

                IKON Credits GE Commercial Finance for Its Success

    News Briefs---

        Sports Briefs---

            "Gimme that Wine"

                This Day in American History

                    American Football Poem

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Your One stop solution for training and reference material for the Leasing Professional


Visit our website by clickng on the logo above

122-A Foothill Blvd., Arcadia, CA. 91006
Voice 626-305-1053 . Fax 626-305-0019 .
ted@cclease.com

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

Classified Ads---Back Office

 

Back Office 

 

Atlanta , GA.

GlobalTech Portfolio Services provides world class lease, loan administration and asset management for equipment and vehicles. Current portfolios $1 billion. Contact Alan Zeppenfeld 678-816-2216

E-mail: azeppenfeld@globaltechfinancial.com

  

Atlanta, GA.

Let Tax Partners handle your sales and use tax compliance duties w/less risk and cost than in-house. Largest tax compliance firm in US

E-mail: sales@taxpartners.com 

 

Dallas, TX.

Property Tax and sales and use tax administration services performance is guaranteed and we will save you time and money or our service is free.

E-mail: info@osgsolutions.com

   

Indianapolis, IN

JDR Solutions, LLC specializes in delivering customized back-office lease portfolio admin./ASP services for lessors, banks, manufacturer captives:

other financial institutions.

Paul Henkel (317) 251-5352 ex. 7201

E-mail: paul.henkel@jdrsol.com 

 

Jacksonville, FL.

CIT's Portfolio Service Group: providing cost-effective lease/portfolio services: Accounting, Tax Reporting, Collection svc, End of Lease Solutions, Front End Documentation, Invoicing, and on-line reporting

E-mail: vincente.dingianni@cit.com 

 

Back Office: Laughlin, NV.

20 years experience on funder/broker sides. Looking for a relationship where I act as credit shop for smaller brokers when financial statements are involved.
E-mail: batarista@laughlin.net 

 

New Rochelle, NY

Proactive management/administration of commercial/consumer vehicle lease/finance portfolios covering insurance, titles, registrations, sales/property taxes, tickets, collections, accounting, vehicle disposition. Since 1975

E-mail: Barrett@BarrettCapital.com 

 

Northbrook, IL

Our staff of CPA's and lease professionals can handle any or all portfolio responsibilities incl. portfolio mgmt, invoicing, sales/property/income tax, accounting, etc.

E-mail: ngeary@edwinsigel.com

    

San Rafael, CA

We can run your back office from origination to final payoff. 30 years experience in commercial equipment lease and loan portfolio management.

E-mail: gmartinez@phxa.com 

 

  full listing of all “Outsourcing” ads at:

 

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostingsOutsourcing.htm

[headlines]

 

 

"Foundation Celebrates, Welcomes New leadership"

 

    ELTnews

 

In a lunchtime awards ceremony on Monday at the Equipment Leasing Association Convention, The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation recognized donors and celebrated a successful year.

 

 

 James Renner, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, outgoing Chairman of the Foundation, told attendees, "2004 has been a great year for the Foundation. This year, we set $300,000 as our annual fundraising goal. I am pleased to announce, here today - the Foundation has reached and exceeded that goal, and 2004 contributions totaled $332,000.

 

While recognizing the generosity of the foundation's many contributors, Renner said "Foundation research is 100% donor supported. Only your generosity produces the worthwhile studies and knowledge enhancing reports the Foundation publishes each year." Renner also announced that GE Commercial Finance has donated $125,000 over 3 years, earning the designation of Foundation Fellow.

 

The ceremony also saw a changing of the Foundation's leadership, as Renner and James Possehl, Republic Financial Corp., retired from the Board of Trustees. Both will remain active in the Foundation.

 

"I know I leave the Foundation in very capable hands, with an excellent Board of Trustees and strong chairman," said Renner, as he introduced his successor as Chairman, Joe Lane, Bay4 Capital.

 

In a Monday breakout session, Charles Wendel, Financial Institutions Consulting, and David Wiener, GE Commercial Finance-Capital Markets Group, presented results of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's newly published 2004 State of the Industry Report.

 

Some of the results highlighted include:

*Leasing volume and penetration declined in 2003 because of low

    interest rates, bonus depreciation and a sharp drop in large ticket

     activity.

*Industry profitability improved because of reduced operating costs

      and better credit quality.

*Banks are exploiting their customer relationships and lower cost of

      funds.

*Independents are increasing their emphasis on niche markets

*Captives are narrowing their focus to their core captive products.

 

Overall, more lessors are "plotting paths for growth" by being more selective in the their niches, but expanding their offerings beyond just financing.

 

ELT will feature a detailed look at the State of the Industry Report in its January issue. Equipment leasing & Finance Foundation Donors will receive the Report free of charge. Non-donors may purchase a copy of the SOI report for $200. Go to the Foundation website at

http://www.LeaseFoundation.org/

 

[headlines]

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

 

 

Capital Leasing Very Popular This Time of the Season

 

 

The special depreciation allowance created by Congress in 2002 and expanded in 2003 has been continued in 2004 to stimulate the economy. The bonus depreciation law was enacted to stimulate industry purchases and manufacturer growth in the post 9/11 economy. Initially, the depreciation bonus let companies immediately deduct an extra 30 percent of an asset's cost in the year it is placed in service, which was then expanded to 50 percent through the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 for the years 2003 and 2004. For example, a company making a purchase of $200,000 will get a bonus depreciation deduction of $100,000 in 2004, plus standard depreciation of $20,000. “C” and “S” Corporations, proprietorships, and partnerships all qualify for bonus depreciation, which also applies to software and certain leasehold improvements. 1)In addition to 'bonus' depreciation, companies can also elect to expense the first $100,000 of equipment/ vehicle/ furniture purchased in a year, under section 179 2)  the 'expensing election' (100%) is reduced if you purchase over $400K of eligible assets in the year, and is limited to the company's net taxable income. Companies who choose to acquire assets through a capital lease can depreciate the asset in the same way they would if they had purchased it outright.  If delivered this year, the deduction can be made this year with just one month cash outlay. As with all tax laws, there are several other considerations to be made in assessing the value/application of these deductions.  You are STRONGLY URGED to consult a tax professional in evaluating the use of these elections.

 

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-regs/td9091.pdf

 

[headlines] 

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

 

EFG Enters “Franchise Leasing” Business and More

 

by Kit Menkin

 

No, this is not an “April 1st” gag, although it may

qualify as a  new chapter in a “soap opera” or a New York Post

“exclusive.” It really is a Drudge Report item.  Perhaps the

National Inquirer will buy the rights.

  

“EQUIPMENT FINANCING GROUP, INC. OFFERS $150,000 APPLICATION ONLY PROGRAM!

 

“Equipment Financing Group, Inc. offers limited franchise offices. EFG is offering 62 satellite offices in 39 states for a small one time franchise time fee. This fee will also cover a 5 day training and marketing class.”

 

The above was the banner advertisement in the Thursday, October 28,

Monitor Daily.

 

 

The above is a banner of the front page of the EFG website. On the company web site. They also promote plastic credit cards for “lease lines” and “ lease approvals.”

 

http://www.efginc.net/

 

The site also shows three icons: Better Business Bureau, Equipment Leasing Association, and United Association of Equipment Leasing.  It does not show the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers (NAELB) icon. Ken Wheeler has had a running feud with the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers.  In fact, he intends to file a “Ricco” action against the association for damages he claims incurred to his company on the NAELB forum, he has told Leasing News. The attorney he reportedly retained would not confirm any information on the subject and specifically requested we not print his name.

 

Leasing News tried several times to reach Mr. Wheeler for a comment

on the franchise development advertised in the Monitor Daily and

status of his pending law suit.

 

Mr. Wheeler’s  son Sean Wheeler was very active as president of Source One, a company that also set up franchises across the country,

and then got into trouble. He went to many leasing conferences,

exhibiting for broker business, also trying to sell “franchises”

to those new in the business.  Along the way he even became a Certified Leasing Professional ( although that is also a controversy

that will have to wait until Johnnie Johnson comes back from

Kuwait---he has all the CLP test scores in his garage at home.)

 

Sean eventually sold the leasing operation to the owner of “Wet Pets,” and then traded Source One for his new enterprise, last heard he was in the tropical fish servicing and pet sitting business (I am not making this up.)

 

Leasing News has written many stories about Source One, Sean Wheeler, and Ken Wheeler alleged involvement in his son’s business, including the “feud” regarding the use of his office by his son ( his side) and the ethics involved (NAELB) which lead to the dispute.

 

Mr. Wheeler recently told Leasing News he was “de-emphasizing” the broker side of his business and thus the reason for the new direct sales office.

 

August 26,2004, Equipment Financing Group stated in a press release: "This office will service over 800 accounts for which EFG currently provides support. The office will be run by former VP of Election Campaign Marketing Morgan Bennett. Mr. Bennett started and operated more than 11 political campaign call centers in the past 12 years in the Washington DC, and Maryland area. Our call center will house 29 representatives respectively."

 

 

For past stories on Sean Wheeler, please go to:

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

SeanWheeler_stories.htm

 

This article explain the dispute between NAELB and Ken Wheeler:

 

Sean Wheeler of Fresno, California Stands Up-----

Kenneth Wheeler Takes On NAELB Legal Counsel Joe Bonanno

http://two.leasingnews.org/archives/June2002/6-18-2002.htm

 

 

Please send to a colleague and ask them to subscribe.  We are trying to build our readership.

[headlines]

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

Chicago’s Rodney Dixon Found Guilty of Leasing Fraud

 

Rodney Dixon admitted falsely inflating his company Lacrad's net worth to defraud six equipment-leasing companies of more than $11.4 million and a Texas bank of $2.25 million for the jet purchase. He claimed his company Lacrad International Inc. had offices around the world and annual revenues in excess of $100 million in the late 1990s.

 

He was convicted of fraud, pleading guilty in federal court in Chicago to a sophisticated fraud scheme in which lenders were misled about the success of the business and bilked out of more than $13 million.

 

Dixon was able to mislead many of the lenders into thinking he had as much as $20 million in Banco Popular by faxing fraudulent confirmations of the deposits on papers that appeared to be produced by the bank, according to the Chicago Tribune story.

 

Dixon also supplied the lenders a phony phone number for Banco Popular to ensure any calls would be routed back to his office. He would then pose as the banker and confirm the huge bank deposits, O'Rourke said.

 

It turned out that Lacrad's auditors, Goldblum & Goldblum, never existed. He was able to fool lenders in part by working out of well-appointed offices in 1 Oakbrook Lane, a DuPage County high-rise, holding meetings around an $85,000, custom-made conference table, according to O'Rourke.

 

To give the office the appearance of a bustling operation, Dixon hired about a dozen temps to pose as employees, O'Rourke said. He also wore suits costing several thousand dollars each to have the look of success, he said.

 

Dixon also had glossy brochures produced with a photo of his supposed management team -- all but a couple of them actors hired from a modeling agency, according to O'Rourke.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/west/

chi-0410280207oct28,1,2890364.story

 

[headlines]

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

Kenesaw Leasing/J&S Leasing Sold to FSG Bank

 

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based FSG Bank ( formerly known as Frontier Bank)  has acquired Knoxville Kenesaw Leasing and J&S Leasing Inc., two companies that broke off from previous owner National Bank of Commerce when it merged with SunTrust Banks in October.

 

 FSG, which has $675 million in assets, also announced yesterday that the former president of the National Bank of Commerce Knoxville, David R. Haynes, has been chosen to lead FSG's Knoxville operations.

 

The $48-million-asset Kenesaw Leasing provides owner-managed businesses with new and used equipment, fixtures, and furnishings, while J&S Leasing, with $13.6 million in assets, leases equipment and machinery to construction and trucking companies.

 

 As wholly owned subsidiaries of FSG, the two Knoxville-based companies will retain their names and current staffs.

 

[headlines]

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

 

Classified Ads---Help Wanted

 

Account Representative

BALTIMORE-BASED ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE - In this position, you will develop and maintain relationships with lease brokers, leasing companies, equipment vendors and direct leases throughout Maryland and Virginia. Must be knowledgeable in indirect/third party transactions ranging $15K and up.
Apply online ONLY to www.mandtbank.com and view posting #04-0003124.
EOE M/F/D/V

At M&T Bank, we provide an exciting and challenging work environment where performance and innovative thinking are encouraged and rewarded at every level. With over 700 branches, your career can travel as far as you want to take it.


Account Representatives & Inside Sales Manager needed in Nashville, TN & Austin, TX. with exp., in finance & sales, & a successful track record of sales leasing. Work directly with CFOs, CIOs, CEOs and other high-level executives at the Mid-Market level. Please send resume indicating position and location of interest to: Us_DFS_Staffing@dell.com .

About the Company: At Dell Financial Services, we aspire to fuel your potential with the kind of challenging opportunities and hands-on support you need to grow. We're the exclusive provider of leasing and finance services for Dell technology systems worldwide.

 

Brokers



Brokers.
We get deals done!  We can help you make more money. We are on top of the changing marketplace with more sources due to our volume. Must have 4 years of leasing experience w/ strong client base.  70% Commission, 70% Residual. Barbara Griffith bgriffith@socalleasing.com or 714-573-9804

About the company: SCL has been in business for 12 years. We are contracted with multiple funding sources which enables us to provide more competitive rates and flexible terms and conditions.

 

National Account Manager


National Accounts Mgr: Truck/Trailer Industry.  Must generate minimum of $500K/month. Click here for detailed description & resume submission info.

Trinity Capital, a subsidiary of Bank of the West, is a national leader in the equipment financing industry with a consistent presence and superior reputation.

 

Vendor Account Executive


Vendor Account Executive:
Troy, MI, Proven sales exp in developing vendor relationships. Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of leasing. Strong communication skills. Send email to resume@leasecorp.com

About the Company: Lease Corporation of America is a well established, 16 year old, national equipment leasing company.

 

Cost of classified help wanted ads:

 

          

$400.00 is minimum for four lines 

        For larger ads

$50.00 per line: the next four lines

$25.00 per line thereafter

   This does not include:

Your logo, which is free.


Also free: the description of your company is free

   ( not more lines than your ad.)

 

This is for ten issues printed ( the ad in the

web site remains until ten issues are

sent out. The top of the newsletter is

on a rotation basis, and not guaranteed

for specific days.  Placement is alphabetical

with larger ads first.)

 

 

http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.asp

 

[headlines]

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

 

****Announcement******************************

 

"Reality Check: Ensure Your Company's Future By Attracting

and Keeping the Best and the Brightest"

 

ELTnews

 

An informative, 90-minute web-based seminar scheduled Tuesday, November 9, 2004 beginning 2:00 pm Eastern Time will discuss the challenges facing leasing companies today in their efforts to keep their best employees and attract new talent from a younger and more diverse population. Highlights from the newly released "2004 Leasing Industry Compensation Survey" compiled by Semler Brossy Consulting Group will be included. Issues discussed include:

 

- How has the tightening of the job market affected compensation?

- How have regulatory pressures affected long-term compensation philosophies, such as option grants?

- What are the trends in sales force compensation today?

- How has the career path for a leasing professional changed?

- What kind of talent is most sought after in today's leasing companies, and what kinds of pressures are they facing?

- Why is it important to attract and develop talent from a younger and more diverse population and what are some companies doing about it?

- How are companies ensuring they have the top talent needed for their future?

 

This program is designed for all executives and managers involved in the hiring of personnel and human resource professionals working in a leasing environment. Most companies will want to include a multi-person team in this web seminar who represent these disciplines. To learn more and to register, both ELA members and non-members are invited,  please go here:  

http://www.elaonline.com/Events/2004/Attract/

 

 

[headlines]

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

 

Federal Reserve Beige Report

 

Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts generally indicated that economic activity continued to expand in September and early October. Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City noted continued expansion in economic activity. Richmond and Dallas said the pace had quickened, while New York, Cleveland, and San Francisco suggested that growth had moderated somewhat. St. Louis received mixed reports on economic activity, and Atlanta cited widespread hurricane-related disruptions. Many reports suggested that higher energy costs were constraining consumer and business spending.

 

 

Full Report:

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/FullReport.htm

 

     By Federal Reserve District

 

Boston

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/1.htm

 

New York

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/2.htm

 

 

Philadelphia

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/3.htm

 

Cleveland

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/4.htm

 

Richmond

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/5.htm

 

Atlanta

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/6.htm

 

Chicago

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/7.htm

 

St. Louis

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/8.htm

 

Minneapolis

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/9.htm

 

Kansas City

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/10.htm

 

Dallas

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/11.htm

 

San Francisco

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2004/20041027/12.htm

 

[headlines]

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

 

 

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

 

MicroFinancial  Announces Third Quarter 2004 Results: Loss

 

WOBURN, Mass.----MicroFinancial Incorporated (NYSE:MFI), announced its financial results for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

 MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED

            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

            (In thousands, except share and per share data)

                              (Unaudited)

 

 

  For the nine months    
  ended September 30,    
 

 

-----------
2003
-----------

-----------

2004

-----------

Revenues:      
Income on financing leases and loans   $25,372 $9,962
Rental income   25,763 24,177
Income on service contracts   6,653 4,671
Loss and damage waiver fees   4,271 3,127
Service fees and other   9,533 6,078
Total revenues   -----------
71,592
-----------

-----------

48,015

-----------

       
Expenses:      
Selling general and administrative   25,677 21,359
Provision for credit losses   39,900 37,885
Depreciation and amortization   12,463 11,391
Interest   6,364 2,016
Total expenses   -----------
84,404
-----------
-----------
72,651
-----------
Loss before benefit for income taxes   (12,812) (24,636)
Benefit for income taxes   (5,125) (9,856)
Net loss   ($7,687) ($14,780)
       

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

 

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted    ($0.59)    ($1.12)

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

 

Weighted-average shares used to compute:

      Basic and diluted net loss per share   12,999,035 13,182,050

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

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, revenues decreased 32.9% to $48.0 million compared to $71.6 million during the same period in 2003. The reduction in revenues is directly related to the decline in the size of the Company's leases, rentals, and service contracts.

 

The net loss year to date ending September 30, 2004 was $14.8 million or ($1.12) per share versus a net loss of $7.7 million or ($0.59) per share for the same period last year. Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $72.7 million compared to $84.4 million in 2003. Interest expense declined 68.3% to $2.0 million as a result of average debt balances being lower by approximately $93.2 million as compared to the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 16.8% to $21.4 million for the first nine months of the year versus $25.7 million for the same period last year. The decrease was driven in part by a reduction in personnel related expenses of approximately $2.1 million, rent expenses of approximately $0.9 million, and legal expenses of $0.5 million. The Company's headcount at September 30, 2004 was 102; down from 144 at September 30, 2003, while depreciation and amortization decreased 8.6% to $11.4 million compared to $12.5 million in 2003. The provision for credit losses decreased 5.1% to $37.9 million for the nine-month period from $39.9 million for the same period last year. Year to date net charge-offs increased to $57.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from $52.7 million from the same period last year. Total cash received from customers year to date decreased 38% to $66.7 million from the same period last year. Total cash received from customers exceeded year to date revenues by $18.7 million.

 

Third quarter revenue for the period ended September 30, 2004, was $14.2 million compared to $22.1 million for the same period last year. The reduction in revenues is attributable to the decrease in the size of the Company's portfolio of leases, rentals and service contracts. The Company was forced to suspend virtually all originations from October 2002 until June 2004 when the Company was able to secure a limited amount of new financing. During the third quarter of 2004, the Company focused its efforts on securing a larger, lower priced line of credit and restarting its origination business with a few select vendors.

 

The net loss for the quarter was $4.2 million, or a loss of $0.32 per share as compared with a net loss of $3.2 million or a loss of $0.25 per share in the prior year's third quarter. The net loss is primarily the result of a 64.3% decline in lease and loan revenues to $2.6 million, a 33.4% decline in service contracts to $1.4 million, and a 37.8% decrease in service fees and other to $1.8 million as compared to the same period last year. Other components of revenue declined by 14.5% to $8.5 million

 

Total operating expenses for the quarter declined 22.4% to $21.3 million as compared to the same period in 2003. Interest expense declined 64.8% to $0.6 million as a result of lower average debt balances for the quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 7.7% to $7.2 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003, versus $7.8 million for the same period last year. The provision for credit losses decreased to $10.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from $13.9 million for the same period last year, while net charge offs increased to $17.8 million from $16.6 million. Past due balances greater than 31 days delinquent at September 30, 2004 decreased to $51.5 million from $67.8 million last quarter. Total cash received from customers for the quarter decreased 15.6% to $19.0 million compared to $22.5 million for the previous quarter. Cash received from customers exceeded total revenues by $8.3 million for the quarter.

 

On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into a $30 million, three year revolving line of credit with CIT Commercial Services Group. This facility provided the Company with a lower cost of funds, allowed the Company to pay off its previous line of credit, and permitted the Company to avoid having to issue an additional 135,000 warrants at $0.825 to the participants under the old credit facility. As of September 30, 2004, the total outstanding debt under the new line of credit was $11.3 million.

 

Richard Latour, President and Chief Executive Officer of MicroFinancial stated, "We were very pleased to have finalized the revolving credit facility with CIT. This new credit facility was the next step in our process and will now provide the Company with the opportunity to focus on marketing efforts and hiring a sales force in order to rebuild vendor relationships in our efforts to re-establish ourselves as the leader in microticket leasing and finance."

 

 

MicroFinancial Incorporated continues to operate without the use of gain on sale accounting treatment and a balance sheet with total liabilities less subordinated debt to total equity plus subordinated debt of 0.4 to 1.

 

 CONTACT: MicroFinancial Incorporated

             Richard F. Latour, 781-994-4800

             President and CEO

 

[headlines]

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

 

Universal Express Sells Capital Subsidiary

 

NEW YORK--Universal Express Inc. (OTCBB:USXP), today sold 75% of Universal Express Capital Corp. its former subsidiary, to Capitalliance, a $350,000,000 insurance and funding operation. USXP will retain 10% of the shares of the new Company and 15% of the shares of the Company will be distributed to USXP shareholders.

 

 After the new Universal Express Capital is approved as a public entity, shareholders of USXP will be notified of the distributions of shares to them.

 

 In addition, the new Universal Express Capital run by Capitalliance will now serve as a lead funding source for future USXP acquisitions and investments.

 

 "Most importantly, USXP will receive a preferred lending rate and Capitalliance is initially capitalizing Universal Express Capital with $22,500,000 of assets. Capitalliance receives and develops an active trading company, USXP receives a funding partner and 10% of a $22,500,000 capitalized company with bonding relationships worldwide. Our shareholders will receive stock distributions of Universal Express Capital and, in addition we have received from Capitalliance a funding lead commitment of $22,000,000 for Alpine Airlines financing and $225,000,000 for our Equipment Trust Certificates Program," said Richard A. Altomare, Chairman & CEO of Universal Express.

 

 About Universal Express

 

 Universal Express, Inc. owns and operates several subsidiaries including Universal Express Capital Corp., (including its USXP Cash Express division) Universal Express Logistics, Inc. (including Virtual Bellhop, LLC and Luggage Express), and the UniversalPost Network. These subsidiaries and divisions provide the private postal industry and consumers with value-added services and products, logistical services, equipment leasing, and cost-effective delivery of goods worldwide.

 

[headlines]

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

 

Marlin Business Services Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2004 Earnings

 

 

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)----Marlin Business Services Corp. (NASDAQ:MRLN) today reported net income of $3.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared with a net income attributable to common shareholders of $371,000 or $0.12 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 net income was $10.2 million, or $0.87 per diluted share compared with net income attributable to common shareholders of $136,000 or $0.06 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

 "Our disciplined operating approach led to another strong quarter of profit performance," said Dan Dyer, Chairman and CEO of the company. "We delivered solid asset quality results and attractive returns on capital. As a leading lender to small business, we are committed to the delivery of value-added solutions to the customers we serve."

 

 Marlin completed its initial public offering of common stock (IPO) on November 12, 2003. Certain non-recurring expenses and preferred dividends were recorded in 2003 and in prior periods which reduced net income attributable to common shareholders. A reconciliation between net income attributable to common shareholders in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and pro forma net income for 2003 is provided in a table immediately following the 2003 Supplemental Quarterly Data included with this release. These charges ended in conjunction with the November IPO and associated corporate reorganization and therefore will not affect future reporting periods beginning in 2004. As a result, we believe the pro forma numbers for 2003 present a clearer and more comparable basis to review the company's fundamental financial performance. On a pro forma basis, net income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 was $2.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively.

 

 Highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 include:

 

 -- For the quarter ended September 30, 2004, net income was $3.5 million, a 52.6% increase over the pro forma net income of $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

 -- Diluted earnings per share were $0.30 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2004, compared to $0.28 per diluted share for pro forma earnings in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Growth in EPS was achieved despite approximately 30% growth in outstanding shares following our November

2003 IPO.

 

 -- Annualized returns on average equity and assets were 16.23% and 2.57%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. For the first nine months of 2004, annualized returns on average equity and assets were 16.69% and 2.70%, respectively.

 

 Asset Origination

 

 -- Based on initial equipment cost, lease production was $68.8 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared with $70.5 million in the second quarter of 2004 and $65.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. Net investment in leases grew to $480.1 million at September 30, 2004, an increase of 21.0% from $396.8 million at September 30, 2003.

 

 -- The weighted average implicit yield on new business was 13.75% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to 14.07% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004 and 13.80% in the third quarter of 2003.

 

 -- Our end user customer base grew to more than 75,000 at September 30, 2004 compared with 66,000 as of year-end 2003.

 

 Credit Quality

 

 -- Net charge-offs totaled $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2004. The provision for credit losses was $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2004.

 

 -- On an annualized basis, net charge-offs were 1.90% of average net investment in leases during the third quarter of 2004 compared to 1.93% for the second quarter of 2004.

 

 -- As of September 30, 2004, 0.73% of our total lease portfolio was 60 or more days delinquent, up from 0.66% as of June 30, 2004.

 

 -- Allowance for credit losses was $6.0 million as of September 30, 2004, an approximate $460,000 increase over the prior quarter. Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of average net investment in leases was 1.28% at September 30, 2004 compared to 1.23% as of June 30, 2004. The allowance for credit losses was increased in the third quarter by an additional $250,000 to reserve for certain accounts 60 or more days delinquent as of September 30, 2004.

 

 -- In conjunction with this release, static pool loss statistics have been updated as supplemental information on the investor relations section of our website at www.marlincorp.com.

 

 Net Interest and Fee Margin and Cost of Funds

 

 -- Based on the average net investment in leases, the net interest and fee margin was 12.04% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of 55 basis points compared to a record of 12.59% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. The decrease is attributed in part to the successful completion of the company's sixth term securitization transaction on July 22, 2004 which refinanced short-term variable rate warehouse financing with higher cost fixed rate term financing.

 

 -- Fee income as a percentage of average net investment in leases was 3.58% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to 3.57% for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 -- Interest expense as a percentage of average net investment in leases was 3.97% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. This was a 69 basis point increase from the 3.28% for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. This increase reflects the higher cost of the fixed rate term financing including approximately 30 basis points attributed to the $80.5 million prefunding feature in the July term securitization.

 

 -- Interest expense as a percentage of weighted average borrowings was 3.81% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to 3.63% for the second quarter of 2004 reflecting the higher cost of fixed rate term financing issued July 22, 2004.

 

 Operating Expenses

 

 -- Salaries and benefits expense was $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2004. Salaries and benefits expense was 3.1% as an annualized percentage of average net investment in leases for both the second and third quarters of 2004.

 

 -- Other general and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2004, a decrease of $200,000 from $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2004. Other general and administrative expenses as an annualized percentage of average net investment in leases were 2.16% for the third quarter of 2004, a decrease of 32 basis points from 2.48% in the second quarter of 2004. The decrease is primarily attributed to certain non-recurring items that affected the second quarter.

 

 Insurance and other Income

 

 -- Insurance and other income was $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2004. The increase is attributed to an 8.7% increase in the average number of accounts in the insurance program in the third quarter.

 

 Funding and Liquidity

 

 -- On July 22, 2004, we completed our sixth term asset-backed securitization transaction. This was the company's first securitization rated P-1/A-1+, AAA/AAA, A2/A-, Baa2/BBB by Moody's and Standard & Poor's. Proceeds from the transaction were used to repay the company's warehouse credit facilities and provide an additional $80.5 million for future lease production.

 

 -- On August 16, 2004 we exercised our call option and paid off our 2001 term securitization at a time when the remaining note balance was $16.3 million and the coupon was approximately 6.0%.

 

 -- As of September 30, 2004 we have $265 million of committed warehouse funding capacity and more than $66 million in available cash.

 

 -- Our debt to equity ratio was 5.27:1 at September 30, 2004 compared to 4.66:1 at June 30, 2004. The increase is principally attributed to the additional borrowings related to the prefunding feature of the 2004 term securitization.

 

 

 About Marlin Business Services Corp.

 

 Marlin Business Services Corp. is a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses. The company's principal operating subsidiary, Marlin Leasing Corporation, finances over 60 equipment categories in a segment of the market generally referred to as "small-ticket" leasing (i.e. leasing transactions less than $250,000). The company was founded in 1997 and completed its initial public offering of common stock on November 12, 2003. In addition to Mount Laurel, NJ, Marlin has regional offices in or near Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.marlincorp.com or

call toll free at (888) 479-9111.

 

Marlin Business Services Corp. Bruce E. Sickel, 888-479-9111 x4108

 

[headlines]

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

 

IKON Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2004 Results;

Earnings In Line With Expectations;

Fiscal Year Closes With Strengthened Balance Sheet,

Success in Growth Platforms

 

 

VALLEY FORGE, Pa.------IKON Office Solutions (NYSE:IKN), the world's largest independent channel for document management systems and services, today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended

September 30, 2004.

 

 Net income for the fourth quarter was $25.6 million, or $.17 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.17 billion. Net income includes certain unusual charges and benefits recorded during the quarter, representing approximately $.03 per diluted share, which have been excluded from GAAP earnings on the attached non-GAAP reconciliation in order to provide a better view of the Company's operational performance in the fourth quarter. Excluding these unusual charges and benefits, net income was $21.5 million, or $.14 per diluted share, in line with the Company's expectations for the fourth quarter.

 

 Revenues for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2004 were $1.17 billion compared to $1.20 billion for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003, a decline of 2.5%. Targeted revenues increased by 3% and represented 96% of the revenue mix. Targeted revenues exclude finance revenues from the Company's exit from its captive leasing business in North America in the second and third quarters of Fiscal 2004, and de-emphasized technology hardware. Foreign currency translation provided a 1.5% benefit to total revenues.

 

 "Our fourth quarter performance reflects steady progress toward our long-term objectives, as we continue to shift to a stronger product, services, and customer mix," stated Matthew J. Espe, IKON's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We maintained our focus on our strategic priorities: operational leverage, optimizing our core sales and service capabilities in areas such as national accounts and color, and expansion into profitable adjacencies such as Professional Services. Our national account business continues to be successful with revenues up 40% over the same period in Fiscal 2003. Color revenues increased by 19% in the quarter, strengthening our prospects for future service and supply revenues. Also in the quarter, we launched Enterprise Services' new integrated solutions portfolio of document management services that will allow us to address the specific business problems and document challenges our customers are facing in both office and production environments. Our new partners in this endeavor are best-in-class providers like EMC (Documentum), Captaris, Kofax and Equitrac, who, together with our equipment partners, enable us to offer complete, end-to-end solutions addressing every phase of the document management lifecycle.

 

 "Two major factors contributed to our performance in the quarter: the slower summer months, which had a greater impact on the volume experienced in our off-site Managed Services businesses than we anticipated, and our aggressive posture in winning new transactions in some of our growth platforms, which caused some softness in our Net Sales margins. However, we are exiting the fourth quarter better positioned for growth in Fiscal 2005; in fact, the fourth quarter marked our highest quarter for new customer wins in both our national account group and our facilities management business - the largest component of Managed Services. We are clearly seeing the benefits of our strategic investments in 2004 and look forward to applying that same rigor to other areas of the business in 2005.

 

 "This year marked a strategic milestone for us as we commenced the transition out of our lease financing business in North America as part of a new strategic alliance with GE Commercial Finance ("GE") and achieved a more attractive business model with a lower risk profile, a more favorable capital structure, and expanded alternatives for cash usage. The balance sheet is strong; 44% of our $805 million in corporate debt matures in 2025/2027; and, we have $473 million in cash on hand," Mr. Espe concluded.

 

 During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 4.5 million shares of IKON's outstanding common stock for $52.3 million. Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased 6.7 million shares for approximately $78 million, leaving $172 million remaining for share repurchases under the 2004

Board authorization.

 

 The IKON Board of Directors approved the Company's regular quarterly cash dividend of $.04 per common share. The dividend is payable on December 10, 2004 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2004.

 

 Fourth Quarter Analysis

 

 Net Sales of $542.2 million, which includes the sale of copier/printer equipment, direct supplies and technology hardware, increased by 4.4% from the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003. Contributing to this growth were a 4.7% increase in sales of copier/printer equipment and a 7.8% increase in supply sales in the quarter, which were offset by a $1.3 million decline in technology hardware sales. Growth in copier/printer equipment revenues, which represents approximately 90% of Net Sales, was primarily driven by the new leasing model and growth initiatives. The new leasing model provides the Company with origination fees for leases funded in the U.S. and Canada as part of the Company's new strategic alliance with GE. Gross profit margin on Net Sales increased slightly to 27.3% from 26.9% in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003.

 

 Services of $589.4 million, which includes revenues from the servicing of copier/printer equipment ("Customer Service"), Managed Services, Professional Services (collectively, "Enterprise Services"), rentals and other fees, increased by 2.1% from the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003. Overall Services growth was primarily driven by 37% growth in Professional Services and additional fees received from GE under the new strategic alliance. Offsetting this growth were declines in Customer Service and Managed Services of .7% and 2.2%, respectively, as transaction activity slowed in the summer months. Gross profit margin on Services improved to 42.3% from 41.0% for the same period a year ago, primarily due to higher-margin fees received from the Company's new alliance with GE.

 

 Finance Income of $34.3 million declined by 65.4% from the prior year due to the Company's previously announced transition out of captive lease financing in North America. Finance income from the U.S. portfolio is expected to decline primarily over the next 24 months. Gross profit margin from finance subsidiaries increased to 74.7% in the fourth quarter, from 63.7% for the same period a year ago, due to the higher margins associated with the retained U.S. leasing portfolio and a stronger European mix.

 

 Selling and Administrative expenses declined by $3.5 million from the prior year. Excluding $4.7 million in unusual charges in the fourth quarter, Selling and Administrative expense declined by $8.2 million, driven mainly by the exit of the captive leasing business in North America. Interest expense, net, of $13.1 million increased by $1.7 million from the same period in Fiscal 2003, due to higher corporate debt levels resulting from IKON's assumption of IOS Capital's public debt, reported in Finance Interest Expense prior to the third quarter of Fiscal 2004, offset by cash investments.

 

 Fiscal Year 2004 Results

 

 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, net income was $91.6 million, or $.60 per diluted share, on revenues of $4.65 billion. On a non-GAAP basis, as described below, earnings were $.72 per diluted share. On March 31, 2004, certain U.S. assets and liabilities of IOS Capital were sold to GE, and the Company's Canadian leasing business was sold to GE on June 30, 2004. As a result, Fiscal 2004 earnings results only partially reflect the impact of exiting the captive leasing business in North America.

 

 Non-GAAP adjustments exclude $35.9 million in pretax losses, or $.13 per diluted share, from the early extinguishment of debt; a $11.4 million net pretax loss, or $.04 per diluted share, from the sale of the Company's U.S. and Canadian leasing operations; $4.7 million net pretax losses, or $.02 per diluted share, related to litigation and long-term disability charges in the fourth quarter of 2004; and tax benefits of $11.8 million, or $.07 per diluted share, recognized in the second and fourth quarters of 2004.

 

 Fiscal 2004 revenues of $4.65 billion declined by $61.1 million, or 1.3%, from the prior year, with modest gains in Net Sales and Services offsetting the decline in finance revenues. Targeted revenues, which exclude the impact of U.S. and Canadian leasing and de-emphasized technology hardware, grew by 2% compared to Fiscal 2003.

 

 Balance Sheet and Liquidity

 

 As of September 30, 2004, the Company had approximately $473 million in non-restricted cash on its balance sheet. As a result of capital structure and liquidity-related actions throughout the year, the total debt to capital ratio decreased to 49.1% from 67.8% at the end of Fiscal 2003.

 

 Cash used in operations for the fiscal year totaled approximately $377 million, due to income tax payments, higher pension contributions, and an increase in accounts receivable as a result of the new alliance with GE. Capital expenditures on operating rentals and property and equipment, net of proceeds, totaled $74 million. Finance receivable proceeds and net collections, which provide for a source of cash against deferred tax liabilities relating to the retained lease portfolio, as well as lease-related debt repayments, were $365 million.

 

 Outlook

 

 "Fiscal 2004 was a year of strategic repositioning for IKON, and we are energized by the opportunities we have identified for revenue growth and improved profitability," commented Mr. Espe. "While we recognize that fourth quarter operational performance was at the low end of our expected range, and that market conditions may continue to be challenging, we are encouraged by the growth potential in areas such as color, our national account program, and the full range of document management solutions and services now available through IKON Enterprise Services.

 

 "Our objectives for Fiscal 2005 assume continued growth and profitability improvements in our targeted revenue streams, while we continue to transition out of captive leasing in North America. For Fiscal 2005, we expect revenues to decline by approximately 2% to 4%, reflecting 2% to 3% growth in Net Sales and Services, offset by a decline in finance revenues of approximately 60%. Earnings are expected to be in the range of $.63 to $.68 per diluted share, reflecting a headwind of approximately $.15 per diluted share expected from the leasing transition and double-digit improvement in the remaining business.

 

 "First quarter earnings for Fiscal 2005 are expected to be in the range of $.12 to $.14 per diluted share.

 

 "Our strong cash position, success in our growth platforms in 2004, and double-digit improvement in our targeted revenue streams in 2005 will give us the momentum we need to deliver substantial improvements in earnings per share in the years ahead. We remain committed to our goal of growing earnings per share at an 8% to 12% compound annual growth rate from 2004 to 2007," Mr. Espe concluded.

 

 First quarter and Fiscal 2005 expectations exclude any additional potential gain or loss from the early extinguishment of debt that the Company may incur.

 

 

 About IKON

 

 IKON Office Solutions (www.ikon.com), the world's largest independent channel for copier, printer and MFP technologies, delivers enterprise document management solutions and systems, enabling customers worldwide to improve document workflow and increase efficiency. IKON integrates best-in-class systems from leading manufacturers, such as Canon, Ricoh, Konica-Minolta, EFI and HP, and document management software from companies like Captaris, EMC (Documentum), Kofax and others, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions implemented and supported by its global services organization - IKON Enterprise Services. IKON represents the industry's broadest portfolio of document management services, including professional services, a unique blend of on-site and off-site managed services, customized workflow services, and comprehensive support through its team of 7,000 service professionals worldwide. With Fiscal 2004 revenues of $4.65 billion, IKON has approximately 500 locations throughout North America and Europe.

[headlines] 

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

 

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News Briefs----

 

Mortgage rates fall again, 30-year lowest since early April

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/

2004-10-28-mortgages_x.htm

 

New Checking Law Takes Effect

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7612-2004Oct28.html

 

Japanese Trust Bank Sues to Block Merger

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/10038540.htm

[headlines]

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

 

Sports Briefs----

 

Sox parade set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/

2004/10/28/menino_sox_parade_most_likely_will_be_saturday/

 

Curt Schilling, interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America," said, "Tell everybody to vote. And vote Bush next week."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/

20041028/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_red_sox_1&printer=1

 

The team is out, but the fans aren't down

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/

story/2B2E422819383D3086256F3C0014C098?OpenDocument&Headline

=The+team+is+out,+but+the+fans+aren't+down

 

Red Sox Erase 86 Years of Futility in 4 Games

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/baseball/index.html?8dpc

 

NFL closer to picking place for L.A. franchise

http://www.theredzone.org/news/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=1790

 

Emmitt Smith Looks Forward to More Carries

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-FBN-Cardinals-Smith.html

 

[headlines]

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

 

“Gimme that Wine”

 

Robert Mondavi Reports $57.7 Million Net Loss 1st Q  Fiscal Year 2005

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=

news_view&newsId=20041027006008&newsLang=en

 

Some Wine Country workers believe residents of the past come back to visit, even if they're no longer living

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/28/

WIGBD9E1GM1.DTL

 

"North American Pinot Noir" by John Winthrop Haeger

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/28/

WIGIR9GSEL1.DTL

 

Wine Events

http://www.wineevents-calendar.com/festivals.Lasso

 

[headlines]

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

 

This Day in American History

 

 

    1682 -William Penn lands in what will become Pennsylvania. He originally called it Sylvania, but the King changed it to Pennsylvania in granted the charter.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PENN/pnintro.html

http://www.2020site.org/penn/pennsylvania.html

    1815-Birthday of Daniel Emmett DeCatur, creator of words and music for the song “Dixie,” which became a fighting son for Confederate troops and unofficial “national anthem” of the South, born Mt. Vernon, OH, and died there June 28, 1904.

    1837-Birthday of African-American folk artist Harriet Powers, now nationally recognized for her quilts, born in rural Georgia.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct29.html

    1863-Battle of Wauhatchie (Brown's Ferry) concludes: The troops of Union General Ulysses S. Grant open a supply line into Chattanooga, Tennessee, when they drive away a Confederate attack by General James Longstreet. Although the Confederates still held the high ground above Chattanooga, the new supply line allowed the Union to hold the city and prepare for a major new offensive the next month. After the Battle of Chickamauga in northern Georgia on September 19 and 20, the defeated Union army of General William Rosecrans fled back to nearby Chattanooga. Braxton Bragg's Confederates took up positions along Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge to the east of the city. The Rebel lines made a semicircle around the city, and Confederate guns closed traffic on the Tennessee River. As a result, Union supplies had to come over a rugged mountainous route from the west. This line was vulnerable to a Confederate attack, and it made the Union's hold on Chattanooga tenuous at best. On October 23, Grant arrived as the new commander of all western forces. He immediately ordered two brigades to attack Brown's Ferry, where the Confederates were blocking river traffic to Chattanooga. The Yankees captured the ferry on October 27, then held off a counterattack to maintain control. On the night of October 28, Longstreet mounted a much larger attack to retake the crossing. The Confederates possessed superior numbers but could not pry the Union troops from the river. In the dark, the Yankees held and Longstreet withdrew his forces before dawn. The Union suffered 78 killed, 327 wounded, and 15 missing, while the Confederates suffered 34 killed, 305 wounded, and 69 missing. The Battle of Wauhatchie was one of the few Civil War engagements that took place at night. As a result of the battle, the Tennessee River was reopened for the Union and supplies reached Grant's troops. One month later, Grant drove the Confederates from the mountains around Chattanooga.

http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/tn021.htm

http://roadsidegeorgia.com/int/1471

http://www.149th-nysv.org/Battles/wauhatchie_cr.htm

    1902 -- Fredric Brown, American writer birthday.. One of the most ingenious American crime, mystery writers, and also wrote science fiction to overcome — as he said — the too real aspect of detective fiction. He also wrote television plays for Alfred Hitchcock series. “Martian Go Home” was one of his best sellers. His other notable novels include Night of the Jabberwock (1951) and The Deep End (1952)

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/fbrown.htm

http://www.hycyber.com/SF/brown_fredric.html

http://members.tripod.com/~gwillick/brown.html

http://www.ebookmall.com/alpha-authors/Fredric-Brown.htm

    1917 - The temperature at Denver, CO, dipped to zero, and at Soda Butte, WY, the mercury plunged to 33 degrees below zero, a U.S. record for the month of October.

    1921 – Birthday of Bill Mauldin (Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist: [1945, 1959], created G.I. Joe and Willie) Killed in action.

http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/bill-mauldin.html

    1922-Composer/arranger/trumpet player Neal Hefti Birthday 

http://web.mit.edu/klund/www/hefti.html

    1923 -- "Runnin' Wild" (introducing the Charleston) opens on Broadway.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000058RB/

avsearch-musicasin-20/002-4023470-8873669#product-details

    1925- tenor saxophone player Zoot Sims born, Inglewood, CA.

http://members.aol.com/plabjazz/zootsims.html

    1925- History records “Howard Johnson’s “ as the first franchise chain. The chain got it s started when Howard Dearing Johnson, the proprietor of a drugstore in Quincy, MA, began making ice cream with a hand-held crank to sell at the soda fountain.  Unable to finance additional restaurants on his own. he began franchising his name and the formulas for his ice cream and other specialties.  The first restaurant to which he granted a franchise, in 1932, was on Cape Cod.  Eventually, the chain had 600 restaurants across the country.  Johnson’s innovations included the use of a central commissary to supply all franchises with food of consistent quality and the sitting of diner along highways.

    1929- Major Stock Market Crash as prices on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted and virtually collapsed four days after President Herbert Hoover had declared “The fundamental business of the country ... is on a sound and prosperous basis.” More than 16 million shares were dumped and billions of dollars were lost. The boom was over and the nation faced nearly a decade of depression. Some analysts had warned that the buying spree, with prices 15 to 150 times above earnings, had to stop at some point. Frightened investors ordered their brokers to sell at whatever price. The resulting Great Depression, which lasted until about 1939, involved North Amer­ica, Europe and other industrialized countries. In 1932 one out of four US workers was unemployed.

http://www.authentichistory.com/audio/1930s/1930smusic01.html

http://imusic.artistdirect.com/store/artist/album/0,,301462,00.html

    1934-Birthday of alto sax player Jimmy Woods, St. Louis, MO

http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927008906&clink=

dmmu.artist&a=b

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=519095601/

ut=0cea001161ce67c0

http://www.mediawars.ne.jp/~mundo/collect/file/jimmy-woods.html

    1936 -- Singer Hank Snow makes his first recordings, "Lonesome Blue Yodel" & "Prisoned Cowboy."

http://www.hanksnow.com/

http://www.harborside.com/~wchope/hanksnow.htm

    1953—Top Hits
You, You, You - The Ames Brothers
No Other Love - Perry Como
Oh - Pee Wee Hunt
I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know - The Davis Sisters
    1953-The sale of the St. Louis Browns from Bill Veeck to a group of Baltimore investors was completed, and the American League’s most hapless team became the Orioles.

    1954- Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge record “Trumpet Kings”

album, Verve.

    1956 - John Cameron Swayze and "The Camel News Caravan" were replaced by Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC-TV. The "Huntley-Brinkley Report" clicked so well that the respected newsmen reported nightly until July of 1970. “Good night Chet. Good night David. And good night from NBC News.

    1960 - Cassius Clay won his first pro bout -- over Tunney Hunsaker -- in six rounds in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

    1961 - The top, pop song on the charts belonged to Dion (DiMucci). "Runaround Sue" was in its second week at the tiptop of the top-tune tabulation (it was in the top 40 for three months).

    1961—Top Hits
Runaround Sue - Dion
Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke

    1962 – John “Buck” O'Neil is the first black coach in major-league baseball, for the Chicago Cubs.

http://bestofbuck.com/800/bio.htm

http://www.nlbpa.com/o_neil__john_jordan_-_buck.html

http://www.annonline.com/interviews/960715/

    1962-Actor Sydney Poitier testifies before the House Committee on Education and Labor, condemning the lack of opportunities for black actors in Hollywood. Poitier was born in 1924 to poor farmers in the Bahamas. He dropped out of school at age 13 and later joined the U.S. Army. After his army stint, he became interested in performing and joined the American Negro Theater. He debuted on Broadway in 1946 and three years later made his film debut in a U.S. Army documentary. By the late 1950s, he was the leading African American actor in the country. In 1964, he became the first African American actor to win the Best Actor Oscar, for his role as a laborer who helps build a chapel in Lilies of the Field (1963). Other films include In the Heat of the Night (1967) and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967). He began directing in 1971 with Buck and the Preacher. In 1992, he won the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, the first black actor and director to be so honored.

    1967-Hair, An American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, opened at the Public Theater in New York City.  The composer was Galt MacDermott.  The musical, which appeared during the Vietnam War, carried an antiwar message and aroused some controversy for its glorification of “hippie” values, including a nude scene at the end of the first act. The production moved to Broadway’s Biltmore Theater in April, 1968.

    1966- formation of the National Organization for Women to "bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society NOW!"

http://www.now.org/

    1969-Historians consider this the day the Internet was created. The first connection on what would become the world wide web was made on this day when bits of data flowed between computers at UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute. This was the beginning of ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet developed by the Department of Defense. By the end of 1969, four sites were connected: UCLA, the Stanford Research Institute, the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Utah. By the next year there were 10 sites and soon there were applications like e­mail and file transfer utilities. The @ symbol was adopted in 1972 and a year later 75 percent of ARPANET traffic was e-mail. ARPANET was decommissioned in 1990 and the National Science Foundation’s NSFnet took over the role of backbone of the Internet.

    1969—Top Hits
I Can’t Get Next to You - The Temptations
Hot Fun in the Summertime - Sly & The Family Stone
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
The Ways to Love a Man - Tammy Wynette

    1970 - Neil Diamond received a nice package: a gold record for the hit, "Cracklin’ Rosie".

    1973 - O.J. Simpson set two NFL records this day. The Buffalo Bills’ star running back ran 39 times for 157 yards -- and he rushed for a total of over 1,000 yards in only seven games.

    1977—Top Hits
You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
That’s Rock ’n’ Roll - Shaun Cassidy
Heaven’s Just a Sin Away - The Kendalls

    1981 - Loretta Lynn received a gold record for her album, "Greatest Hits, Vol. 2".

    1982- Car maker John DeLorean indicted for drug trafficking in a government sting operation; later acquitted

http://www.bigtexas.com/dmc/

http://www.delorean-dmc12.co.uk/john_z_delorean.html

http://www.babbtechnology.com/Collect/index.htm

http://www.deloreanstore.com/

http://www.who2.com/johndelorean.html

http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20010927.html

    1983 - After four weeks at #1 on the pop music charts, Bonnie Tyler’s "Total Eclipse of the Heart" slipped to #2 -- replaced by "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

    1984 - Golfing great Tom Watson won his sixth PGA Player of the Year title; the most won by any golfer since the award was first given in 1948. Jack Nicklaus had accumulated five of those titles.

    1985—Top Hits
Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
Touch a Hand, Make a Friend - The Oak Ridge Boys

    1987 - Severe thunderstorms in Arizona produced wind gusts to 86 mph at the Glendale Airport near Phoenix, baseball size hail and 70 mph winds at Wickenburg, and up to an inch of rain in fifteen minutes in Yavapai County and northwest Maricopa County. Arizona Public Service alone reported 2.5 million dollars damage from the storms.

    1988 - Wintry weather prevailed in the Upper Midwest. South Bend, IN, equaled their record for October with a morning low of 23 degrees. International Falls MN reported a record low of 11 degrees in the morning, then dipped down to 8 degrees above zero late in the evening.

    1989 - Thunderstorms developing along a cold front produced severe weather in Oklahoma and north central Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours. Thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced weak tornadoes near Snyder and Davidson, and produced hail two inches in diameter at Altus. Large hail damaged 60 to 80 percent of the cotton crop in Tillman County OK. Nine cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date as readings warmed into the 70s. For Marquette MI it marked their fifth straight day of record warmth. Arctic cold invaded the western U.S. Lows of 7 degrees at Alamosa CO and 9 degrees at Elko NV were records for the date. (My daughter in nearby Lamoille said it was zero degrees.)

    1996-The National Basketball Association got set to launch its 50th anniversary of all time, ten of the 50 spent significant portions of their careers with the Boston Celtics.

http://www.unc.edu/~lbrooks2/50.html

    1998 - Hurricane Mitch (Oct 22-Nov 4, 1998), one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever, made landfall, slamming into Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and other Central American countries. The real story was not the wind but the rain. Slow movement of the storm caused heavy rain, resulting in widespread flooding and mudslides. Over 10,000 people were killed, another 10,000 were missing, and some two million people were affected in some way by the storm.

    1998 - The space shuttle Discovery blasted off, returning 77-year-old U.S. Senator John Glenn to space some 36 years after he became the first American in orbit. Glenn was part of a crew of seven astronauts shepherding scientific payloads on the shuttle mission.

    2001-- Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. He homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989.

http://worldseries.mlb.com/ws/index.html

http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/2001.html

[headlines]

 

 

 

American Football Poem

 

WOES OF A BEAR FAN

 

 

Standing tall with the red and gold,

down by the bay, you’d catch your death of cold.

All come together to see a football game,

honoring a great, who’ll be in the Hall of Fame.

Those forty-niners ran out onto the field,

I bet they couldn’t next time, wearing high heels.

Da Bears decided they didn’t need to play,

maybe they ate too much at da buffet.

Could the reason for the low Bears tally,

be because they took a trip to Napa Valley?

Receivers with the likes of Davis and Rice,

Turned da secondary into crushed ice.

Neither team is heading into the post season,

I’m sure there is no confusion as to the reason.

The wharf, the bay and gold gate, all sittin pretty,

Huey Lewis is serving the sounds to the city.

 

Displaced Chicagoan, I think not!

A real Illinoian knows what they got.

We got rough, tough Bears at Soldier's Field.

They've got cute uniforms and some appeal.

In 2001, up the ranks we will slide.

For the red & the gold...can we say died?

This time we concede cuz you had Rice,

but next time the monsters won't be so nice.

It's a chant we are taught at a tender age

Get's us thru the cold and holds off road rage.

We shout it loud, so all can hear,

 

We're used to saying it...JUST WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!

 

LGuzzino & LJMaas

 

 

(In San Francisco, we now say “ At least we scored.”)

 

[headlines] 

 

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