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Day in American History

Account Executives Positions are available for remote Account Executives with 7+ yrs Equipment Leasing Sales exp.  Work directly with CFOs, CIOs, CEOs and other high-level executives. Please send resume indicating where you saw this ad 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.

www.dellfinancialservices.com

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Headlines---

Correction: 12 Leasing Companies
    Archives: Tom Allanson, now at TaxNet
        Fight over 500 plus NorVergence Lease Jurisdiction
Lessee Sues Popular Leasing First, Gets Jurisdiction
    HP Leasing Team Reunion
        Summit Leasing Joins Story Credit List
Leasing Meetings Open to Non-Members
    Classified Ads---Help Wanted
        Smith New Equifax chairman, CEO
Mount New VP Credit Key Equipment Finance
    Terri McNally Wins 2005 Entrepreneurial Woman
        News Briefs---
            You May Have Missed---
Sports Briefs---
    California Nuts Brief---
        "Gimme that Wine"
Today Top in Event in History
    This Day in American History
        Baseball Poem

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

Correction: 12 Leasing Companies

Number of leasing companies that have not settled in New York State is 12.

NY Ag Eliot Spitzer

In the recent press release by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, he announced a total of 711 NorVergence customers from New York receiving a potential of over $16 million in relief, with that latest four agreements, BB&T Leasing Company, Interchange Bank, R-G Crown Bank (d/b/a Crown Bank Leasing), and National Penn Leasing Company, will forgive $2.8 million (90% of the balances on outstanding leases) in payments due from 111 New York customers, who signed long-term contracts with NorVergence.

Here is the correct list of those leasing companies who have not settled in New York State:

Alfa Finance
Celtic Bank
Dolphin Capital
IFC Credit
Insight Finance Group
Liberty Bank
National City Commercial
Partner's Equity
Popular Leasing
Preferred Capital
Sterling Bank
Studebaker-Worthington

The original list of all leasing companies who had purchased NorVergence leases as of June, 2004:

1ABB Equipment Leasing CT
2 Bank One IL
3 BB&T NC
4 CCL – Commerce Commercial Leasing PA
5 Celtic Bank UT
6 Cincinnati Financial Corp. OH
7 CIT Technology Financing NJ
8 CitiCapital NY
9 Court Square Leasing PA
10 Credential Leasing PA
11 Crown Bank Leasing FL
12 De Lage Landen PA
13 Dolphin Capital FL
14 Financial Pacific WA
15 First Corporation
16 First Lease
17 Firstcorp OR
18 GE Capital CT
19 IFC Credit Corp. IL
20 ILC – Information Leasing Corp. OH
21 Insight Financial Corp IL
22 Interchange Capital NJ
23 Irwin Business IN
24 Lakeland Bank NJ
25 Liberty Bank CT
26 Madison Capital IL
27 National Penn Bank PA
28 Norvergence PA
29 OFC Capital/ALFA Financial GA
30 Patriot Leasing PA
31 Penn Bank Leasing
32 PFG Commerical Finance
33 Popular Leasing MO
34 Preferred Capital, Inc. OH
35 Primary Financial Corp. PA
36 Source One Capital
37 Sterling National Bank NY
38 Studebaker – Worthington NY
39 TFC Express Leasing RI
40 Toshiba America Info Systems CA
41 US Express Leasing NJ
42 USbancorp MN
43 Wells Fargo Financial Leasing

Note: Several of these companies have resolved or settled all NorVergence leases at this date. Leasing News asked the Federal Trade Commission attorneys what the number is today, those not resolved. We were told it was confidential at this time, but was over 40.

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Classified Ads---Leasing Industry Attorneys

Free posting in this classified ad site at:

http://216.66.242.252/AL/LeasingNews/PostingFormAttorney.htm

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Archives August 25, 2000-- Tom Allanson has resigned as president of GE/Colonial Pacific "to take the opportunity of a lifetime."

Tom Allanson has resigned as president of GE/Colonial Pacific "to take the opportunity of a lifetime." He has joined Intuit to head their Turbo Tax division. Living in Silicon Valley, see employees leave for better jobs and opportunities, I can appreciate this. Netbank has just completed a deal with Quicken, who is owned by Intuit and runs Turbo Tax on their software and internet connection. Quicken is going to not only recommend Netbank, meaning Quicken users should change banks, but change their software so it will automatically interface, using the features of Quicken and possibly Turbo Tax.

It is only a matter of time that we will see money as we now see postage stamps being printed via the internet. They don't use paper money on Star Trek. Perhaps with the automation of loans, ATM machines everywhere, and grocery chains having banking offices, we will see less actual branch offices and more on line banking. The electronic cash is not that far from reality in the next five to ten years. Electronic payments and record keeping is becoming very popular.

I can remember less than two years ago Bank of America and Wells Fargo saying the internet banking will never catch on...They didn't even want to go on line. I also remember when ATM's came out, banks were against them, saying people would never use them...

(Also maybe Allanson could see the writing on the wall, or as John Deane , Managing Principal, Alta Group, called his study of what happened next, “The Perfect Storm.”

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

In 2004, he left Intuit to found along with David Murry TaxNet.

From their web site, www.taxnet.com

"Use TaxNet™ to prepare and print your IRS Federal Tax Return for FREE. Answer simple questions and let TaxNet™ fill out the right tax forms.

"TaxNet™ is the next generation in tax preparation because it's smarter and easier to use than other online tax products. It's designed by tax and software usability experts to maximize your deductions and qualify you for tax credits."

Here is the San Diego Tribune newspaper interview on the formation of the

TaxNet:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/
20040321-9999-news_m1m21qa.html

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Fight over 500 plus NorVergence Lease Jurisdiction

The St. Louis, Missouri state court (upheld on appeal) dismissed actions by Popular because Popular failed to name Norvergence as a "necessary and indispensable party" under Missouri law. A separate decision by the same panel upheld a decision that the floating forum provision of the rental agreements was unenforceable in Missouri. Popular's only alternative to the dismissal, after being denied reconsideration by the appellate court, was to petition the Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey for relief from the automatic stay to enable it to name Norvergence as a "party" in each of the 500+ Missouri state court actions.

This does not appear to foreclose Popular from re-instituting individual suits all over the country against the same consumers, other than those residing in MO. Leasingnews.org is not aware of any other state court that has ruled on the issue of whether NorVergence would be a necessary party. Nor would there be any question left of the validity of the floating forum clause under state law.

According to Federal Trade Commission senior attorney Randy Brook: "If Popular Leasing did re-institute suits in local forums, there would be no violation of the FTC Act or decisions that have ruled that distant forum suits against individual and small business consumers violate the FTC Act."

Randy Brook, known as the dragon slayer of leasing companies

Brook also noted that most of the state Attorney General settlements with finance companies provide that if a consumer rejects the settlement terms offered, the finance company can only sue that consumer in a local court.

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Lessee Sues Popular Leasing First, Gets Jurisdiction

A company in California with a NorVergence lease learned through his telephone carrier last July that he was going to be shut off and that NorVergence was going bankrupt. He immediately talked with his attorney who decided to sue Popular Leasing in Missouri, whom he was making payments.

Popular Leasing eventually tried to have the suit brought to Missouri, along with 500 others, claiming the lease was signed there ( they accepted and signed the lease there) and noting that the venue called for their location.

Missouri laws are quite different than California, one of the reasons the Missouri attorney general has not been able to get any settlements, and it would not cost as much as having to come to California.) They lost their motion as the company in California brought the suit first and it was ruled to supersede the Missouri filing, which was later.

While this was going on, the company contacted others that they found in California and asked them to join them in the suit. One it would protect them from going to Missouri, and he felt he could not only win in California, but may receive damages.

During this time he collected all the NorVergence web sites, while they were still up, and found a place that had previous NorVergence web sites and has full copies of them all, plus all the sales literature and sales procedures. He also was able to locate the sales person from NorVergence who sold him the lease ( and others, too.)

In California, often a verbal promise or deception may over rule a contract, particularly if it is fraudulent in nature. In addition to the above, the person involved has also collected other information about the Salzano's and their involvement in other enterprises to prove their original intent.

The NorVergence lease payments to this party are $2,000 a month, so the attorney fees, and now split among eight, are much less than what he would outlay in any settlement, plus he also believe he can recuperate his expenses plus has hopes of getting more for what Popular Leasing has put he and his company through.

Regarding California Attorney General Bill Lockyear, he doesn't have many good things to say. It is true the California AG was “ a dollar short and a dollar late” in obtaining what settlements to do, plus they were not as well done as either Massachusetts or New York.

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HP Leasing Team Reunion

“A month ago we had a reunion of the original Hewlett-Packard Leasing team. Started in 1972, the group was headed by Joe Barr. We initiated the first leasing programs and established the captive. Great memories, great dinner in Palo Alto followed by a game of Texas Hold 'Em (Joe provided the chips and cards). Attending were:

“John LaRocca - Partner Quote-2-Cash

Bill Vinnicomb - President Z Resource Captive Services

Steve Thrower - COO Eden Housing Inc.

Tom Stroud - Cisco Capital

Steve Pavlovich - just retired from HP as VP Investor Relations

Ron Bannerman - President Start-Up-Services

Joe Barr - Retired (still doing work for HP and not slowed down)

“Four of us have stayed in the leasing business for these 25+ years. In fact, John LaRocca and I are in the process of raising capital for a new venture.

“Attached is a picture of the group you are welcome to post on your site.

“We all agree we still look great.”

Regards,

Ron Bannerman

Seated L - R: LaRocca, Barr, Bannerman, Thrower
Standing L - R: Vinnicomb, Stroud, Pavlovich

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Summit Leasing Joins Story Credit List

To view the entire list, please go here:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Story_Credit/Story_Credit.htm

[headlines]

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Leasing Association Meetings Open to Non-Members

UAEL Oregon Region Presents

“Annual Golf Tournament”

Call UAEL at 760-564-2227 to REGISTER NOW (before September 7th) as this is a first come, first serve event, as we have tee times reserved for 40 players!!

When: Thursday, September 15, 2005
Where: Eastmoreland Golf Course
2425 SE Bybee Blvd
Portland OR 97202
503-775-2900

(review www.eastmorelandgolfcourse.com for directions)

Event: This will be a scramble format, and is open to both members and non-members. We will have both contests and drawings.

Time: Check in will be at 10:00 a.m., and the first start time will be at 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $40.00 for members, and $55.00 for non-members.

Registration: Simply call UAEL at 760-564-2227 to make payment arrangements. As mentioned, this is first come, first serve, so please REGISTER NOW (deadline is September 7 th ). UAEL can take your credit card information over the phone or they can invoice you as well. Please also make sure to provide us with your handicap, and let us know if you would like to be partnered with anyone.

Final Comments: The Oregon Annual Golf Tournament has been held for many years now, and has always been a huge success. We have always had an excellent mix of funding sources, brokers and lessors, and vendors. We also encourage non-golfers to come out and meet us for beverages, as all players should be coming off the course between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

For additional information: Please contact Gary Parker, Commercial Equipment Lease, at 800-234-1884 or email gparker@commlease.com .

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

September 19-21 ELA Lease Accountants Conference

"If you are planning to attend the ELA Lease Accountants Conference, scheduled for September 19-21, 2005 at the JW Marriott Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, complete conference details including hotel and conference registration, are now available online: http://www.elaonline.com/events/2005/leaseaccts/
This premier event includes programming for both new and seasoned accounting professionals. Special bonus: Two pre-conference workshops on accounting for commercial vehicle fleet leasing and leases involving real estate have been added to the program. These workshops are scheduled on Monday, September 19, 2005 from 9:00 am – Noon and are free to all fully-registered conference attendees. If you wish to attend one of the workshops, simply check the appropriate box on the conference registration form.

The full conference agenda includes sessions that address:

Doing business in a changing corporate environment: understanding the regulatory, tax and accounting impact Current & emerging developments at the FASB and how they impact lease accounting The impact of the SEC report on off-balance sheet arrangements on leasing Current status and outlook of proposed FASB standards related to off-balance sheet accounting and financial reporting for securitization implementation and interpretive questions Update on the latest developments in accounting for cross-border transactions Changes in the accounting treatment of tax benefits in leverage leases."

For complete details, including registration information, please go here: http://www.elaonline.com/events/2005/leaseaccts

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

Oct. 21-22, 2005
Western Regional Meeting

National Association of Equipment Brokers
Hilton Irvine  Irvine, California

For more information: mwilson@hqtrs.com

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November 4-5
Eastern Regional Meeting
National Association of Equipment Brokers Atlanta, Georgia

For more information: mwilson@hqtrs.com

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Account Executives

Account Executives Positions are available for remote Account Executives with 7+ yrs Equipment Leasing Sales exp.  Work directly with CFOs, CIOs, CEOs and other high-level executives. Please send resume indicating where you saw this ad 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.

www.dellfinancialservices.com

Credit Analyst

Credit Analyst Campbell, CA. Credit Analyst for middle market commercial/venture leases. Performs financial statement analysis/assesses qualifications w/underwriting criteria. Assists portfolio management. Requires excellent analytical and writing skills. College degree  finance/accounting. Prior exper. financial services industry required. E-mail resume to: pentech@pentechfinancial.com

For more information about Pentech: www.pentechfinancial.com

Lease Representatives

MIS/Business Analyst

MIS/Business Analyst Campbell, CA. Business Analyst needed to assist Ops Department in production and development of business segment reporting, liquidity management; systems integration. College degree/related experience in financial services industry required. E-mail resume to: pentech@pentechfinancial.com

For more information about Pentech: www.pentechfinancial.com

National Account Manager

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Smith New Equifax chairman, CEO

Richard F. "Rick" Smith, the chief operating officer of General Electric Co.'s GE Insurance Solutions, will replace Thomas F. Chapman, who plans to retire at the end of this year.

Smith, 45, was in charge of the insurance group that posted $10 billion in revenue and $50 billion in assets last year.

The announcement ends a nearly year-long search for a replacement to Chapman, who announced last August his intention to retire.

[headlines]

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

KEY EQUIPMENT FINANCE

NAMES MICHAEL A. MOUNT

VICE PRESIDENT OF CREDIT, COMMERCIAL LEASING SERVICES

SUPERIOR, CO. – Key Equipment Finance, one of the nation's largest bank-affiliated equipment financing companies and an affiliate of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY), has announced the promotion of Michael A. Mount to vice president of credit within its Commercial Leasing Services group. Mr. Mount will have responsibility for the Colorado- and New York-based credit staff supporting Key Equipment Finance's rapidly growing direct sales, business aviation financing, syndication and leveraged leasing activities. His office is in Key Equipment Finance's world headquarters just outside Boulder, Colorado.

“Mic comes to the job with nearly 15 years of financial analysis experience,” said Paul A. Larkins, president and chief executive officer, Key Equipment Finance. “His background is a good match for this position, and he has already proven his value to our organization.”

“Mic has been an integral part of the KEF credit team since 2001,” said Andrew Mesches, executive vice president, Risk Management, Key Equipment Finance. “It is gratifying to have identified a candidate of Mic's breadth of experience from within our own ranks. This says good things about the caliber of our employee base.”

Mr. Mount joined Key Equipment Finance in March 2001 as senior credit officer in the Global Vendor Services line of business. He transferred to the Commercial Leasing Services line of business in January 2003 to support its syndications, lease advisory services and business aviation divisions. He was recently selected to be a member of the inaugural President's Council within Key Equipment Finance. Prior to joining Key, Mr. Mount was vice president and commercial loan officer for UMB Bank Colorado N.A. He had also worked for GRA, Thompson, White & Co., P.C. and the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. He earned his bachelor of science degree, with an emphasis in finance and marketing, at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a CFA charterholder and is a member of the CFA Institute, Denver Society of Security Analysts and the University of Colorado Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Key Equipment Finance is an affiliate of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) and provides business-to-business equipment financing solutions to businesses of many types and sizes. The company focuses on four distinct markets:

· businesses of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada (from small business to large corporate);

· equipment manufacturers, distributors and value-added resellers worldwide;

· federal, provincial, state and local governments as well as other public sector organizations; and

· lease advisory services for manufacturers' captive leasing and finance companies.

Headquartered outside Boulder, Colorado, Key Equipment Finance manages a $12 billion equipment portfolio with annual originations of approximately $5 billion. The company has major management and operations bases in Toronto, Ontario; Albany, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; London, England; and Sydney, Australia. The company, which operates in 25 countries and employs 1,100 people worldwide, has been in the equipment financing business for more than 30 years. Additional information regarding Key Equipment Finance, its products and services can be obtained online at KEFonline.com.

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $91 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally.

[headlines]

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

Terri McNally of Global Capital, Ltd. Wins
2005 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award

Terri E. McNally

Chicago, Illinois – Terri E. McNally, President and CEO of Global Capital, Ltd., a financing and leasing company, has just been selected as the 2005 recipient of the Women's Business Development Center's (WBDC) Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award. Ms. McNally will be honored at the WBDC Hall of Fame Awards luncheon attended by the mayor and governor as well as over 1,000 women business owners and community leaders. The WBDC Hall of Fame Awards luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 14th, 2005 in the Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier.

Hedy Ratner, co-president of the WBDC, explained that the criteria for selecting the winner of this award are based on the entrepreneur's “unequaled strength, perseverance and creativity in their business, and embodiment of entrepreneurial success in various ways such as growth in revenue and dedication to her community and to supporting other women-owned businesses. This award serves to recognize successful women business owners that demonstrate creativity, tenacity, persistence and a high level of expertise in their fields.”

While Ms. McNally more than exemplifies these qualities, Ms. Ratner also mentioned that she was acknowledged for her willingness to try new things, her ability to establish new business relationships and establish critical ties and credibility with her clients, and her commitment to helping other women-owned businesses succeed. The prestige of this award not only extensively promotes the recipient but also sets a standard for other successful women business owners.

“I am very thankful for this award,” said Ms. McNally, “but I am looking forward to a day when there are just entrepreneurial awards, rather than specific women's awards. In essence, I have just always valued working hard and doing the best I can, and the most significant purpose in all of this is to try and help others.”

While these decisive factors undoubtedly describe Ms. McNally, they are similarly reflective of her company. Global Capital prides itself on a foundation of integrity, individual excellence, superior service, customized solutions, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

This is not the first time that Ms. McNally has been honored for her success and excellence and this award further proves that she continues to do her best and set an example for other women-owned businesses. “Last year was a banner year for our company that started off with winning the 2004 Women-owned Business Stars Award and ended with being elected to the WBENC Board,” said Ms. McNally. “I look forward to helping other women-owned businesses find success just as others have helped me.”

Ms. McNally is also a member of The Chicago Network; she serves on the advisory council of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and is a member of Women's President Organization (WPO).

About Global Capital

Global Capital, a $23 million dollar company, specializes in leasing and financing all types of equipment including copiers, IT, transportation equipment, telecommunications equipment and manufacturing equipment. Crain's Chicago Business recently recognized Global Capital as one of the top woman-owned businesses in Illinois. More information about Global Capital is available at www.globalcapital.com or by calling 847-223-7820.

Contact:
Kate Koziol, CTC
K Squared Communications, Inc.
773 412 6840

kkoziol@ksqrd.com

[headlines]

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

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News Briefs----

New Data, New Record In a Housing Market That Defies Predictions

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2005/08/24/AR2005082400437.html

New home sales reach record in July

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/
2005-08-24-new-home-sales_x.htm

Mortgage rates tread water

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/
2005-08-24-mortgages-mba_x.htm

Rents Head Up as Home Prices http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/25/realestate/25rent.html?hp&ex=
1125028800&en=451e679a25895db1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

GE to Seek India Bank License, Build $10 Billion of Assets

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=71000001&refer=
asia&sid=a9YyD4WUK7MM

AOL settles customer services suit for $1.25 million

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/
1F45B86E1FA0277B86257068001083E8?OpenDocument

SEC filing: Anheuser-Busch settled with Maris' for $120 million

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/
20050824-1445-anheuserbusch-maris.html

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You May Have Missed

If you're looking to commit a social faux pas with minimal backlash, come to the Bay Area

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/
2005/08/24/DDG8REBF5R22.DTL

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Sports Briefs----

Armstrong returns fire about doping allegations

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2005-08-24-tour-director_x.htm

Sox seek landmark status for Fenway

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2005/08/24/
sox_seek_landmark_status_for_fenway/

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California News Briefs---

Governor's numbers fall even lower in poll None of his ballot measures wins majority backing

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/25/POLL.TMP

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“Gimme that Wine”

California Vineyard prices rebound as wine sector recovers

http://www.cfbf.com/agalert/AgAlertStory.cfm?ID=420&ck=
B6F0479AE87D244975439C6124592772

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=
39&url_article_id=5541&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2

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Today's Top Event in History

    1830—One of the great obstacle of the industrial age that actually began around this time, but did not “catch on” until after the civil war, as people did not believe in “new” or “modern” things. One of the most popular events was a race between a locomotive and a horse-drawn vehicle. It took place this day between Relay and Baltimore, MD., a distance of nine miles. The locomotive was the Tom Thumb, an engine of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, driven by Peter Cooper. The Tom Thumb was involved in an accident, and the horse won. Although the broken belt lost the race, the steam engine proved it was an advantage in hauling over a horse drawn cart.

http://home.mindspring.com/~railroadstories/rrmmv1n1/birthof.htm

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tomthumb.htm

---also please at least see the first entry in This Day in American History below

This Day in American History

    1814-James Madison became the first president to face enemy gunfire while in office and the first president actively to use his authority as commander-in-chief. On this day he assumed command of Commodore Joshua Barney's battery, stationed a half mile north of Bladensburg, MD. In 1813, the British fleet "parked" off the east coast of the U.S. This was called a blockade. They stopped trading ships from going in and out. They attacked U.S. navy vessels. British ships in Chesapeake Bay went even farther. Soldiers from the ships burned and looted homes around the Bay. Barney came up with a plan. The plan called for a small group of ships to sneak into the Bay. They would attack the British ships. Then they would quickly hide again. The larger warships couldn't move as easily as the small vessels. Joshua's plan was put into action. He helped build a flotilla of barges. The flat boats would hold one cannon each. This little fleet fought back against the British warships. Two of the big ships were sunk. The enemy was kept busy dealing with the sneak attacks. In 1814, the British launched a plan. They would attack the U.S. capital! They thought they could win the war by taking Washington, D.C. They sailed their fleet up the river near Washington. Barney's flotilla kept the enemy ships back for several weeks. Finally, the larger ships won the battle. They landed troops at a town near the capital. Joshua had already decided what he would do. He had his own boats burned! Then, if captured, they couldn't be used by the enemy. Barney and his 400 marines marched to Bladensburg. This small town was the only thing that stood between the British and the U.S. capital. Barney's men went to help the militia defend the city. The defeat (August 24, 1814) here of American troops under Gen. W. H. Winder enabled In 1813, the British fleet "parked" off the east coast of the U.S. This was called a blockade. They stopped trading ships from going in and out. They attacked U.S. navy vessels. British ships in Chesapeake Bay went even farther. Soldiers from the ships burned and looted homes around the Bay. Barney came up with a plan. The plan called for a small group of ships to sneak into the Bay. They would attack the British ships. Then they would quickly hide again. The larger warships couldn't move as easily as the small vessels. Joshua's plan was put into action. He helped build a flotilla of barges. The flat boats would hold one cannon each. This little fleet fought back against the British warships. Two of the big ships were sunk. The enemy was kept busy dealing with the sneak attacks. In 1814, the British launched a plan. They would attack the U.S. capital! They thought they could win the war by taking Washington, D.C. They sailed their fleet up the river near Washington. Barney's flotilla kept the enemy ships back for several weeks. Finally, the larger ships won the battle. They landed troops at a town near the capital.9 Joshua had already decided what he would do. He had his own boats burned! Then, if captured, they couldn't be used by the enemy. Barney and his 400 plus 100 marines marched to Bladensburg. This small town was the only thing that stood between the British and the U.S. capital. Barney's men went to help the militia defend the city. The Americans lost the battle as basically Barney's men ran out of ammunition and refused to retreat. The fight so impressed the British that all prisoners were treated as if they were officers and commodore Barney was fully escorted to the nearest large city where his wounds could be attended to. The British under General Robert Ross to march on Washington., D.C., and burn many of the public buildings. By the end of the same day, the Capitol building, the President's Mansion and many other public buildings were in flames. The following day more buildings were burned. At about noon a tremendous storm of hurricane force descended upon the city halting further destruction. With their mission accomplished, the British feared the Americans would reassemble their forces and attack while they were in the vulnerable position of being a long distance from their fleet. The men were miserable in the 98 degree temperatures. They were tired, ill and wounded. At dusk the troops quietly withdrew from the city. The troops were so exhausted that many died of fatigue on the four day march back to the ships, several deserted, but the body of men marched on. The full story is located here:
http://www.barneyfamily.org/cgi-bin/public/director.cgi?CODE=
CODEX&LINK=/docs/article_03.htm
    1819-Birthday of Scottish-born American detective Allan Pinkerton, founder of detective agency at Chicago, IL, in 1850, first chief of US Army's secret service, remembered now because of his strike-breaking and his lack of sympathy for working people. Pinkerton was born at Glasgow, Scotland, and died at Chicago, July 1, 1884.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug25.html
    1830—One of the great obstacle of the industrial age that actually began around this time, but did not “catch on” until after the civil war, as people did not believe in “new” or “modern” things. One of the most popular events was a race between a locomotive and a horse-drawn vehicle. It took place this day between Relay and Baltimore, MD., a distance of nine miles. The locomotive was the Tom Thumb, an engine of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, driven by Peter Cooper. The Tom Thumb was involved in an accident, and the horse won. Although the broken belt lost the race, the steam engine proved it was an advantage in hauling over a horse drawn cart.
http://home.mindspring.com/~railroadstories/rrmmv1n1/birthof.htm
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tomthumb.htm
    1831-The first bedspring manufacturing patent was granted to Josiah French of Ware, MA.
    1836-Birthday of Bret Harte, journalist, poet, printer, teacher and novelist, especially remembered for his early stories of California (“the Luck of Roaring Camp,” “ The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” and “How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar.” born Albany, NY. He died at London, England, May 5, 1902.
    1840-Revolutionize farming, Joseph Gibbons of Adrian, MI received a patent for a seeding machine that was very practical. His machine was a grain drill with cavities to deliver seed and a device for regulating the volume.
    1879 -New York's Madison Square Garden displayed a real floating ship in a gigantic water tank as Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore, was performed.
    1908- National Association of Colored Nurses.
    1910-Bowen, Montana drops to 5 degrees, lowest ever for the 48 states in August
    1913-Birthday of American cartoonist and creator of the comic strip “Pogo,” Walt Kelly birthday, born at Philadelphia, PA. It was Kelly's character Pogo who paraphrased Oliver Hazard Perry to say, “We has met the enemy and it is us.” Kelly died at Hollywood, CA., October 18, 1973.
    1916 - The United States National Park Service was created
    1918 --Composer/Conductor Leonard Bernstein born Lawrence, MA. One of the greatest conductors in American music history, he first conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at age 25 and was its director from 1959 to 1969. His musicals include West Side Story and On the Town, and his operas and operettas include Candide. He died five days after his retirement. October 14, 1990, at New York, New York. While growing up in Manhattan, my mother would take my brother and I one Sunday once a month to the children's concert that he conducted along with a short movie clip about music staring Gerald McBong Bong. As I grew older, we went to the concerts on weekends, then saw West Side Story and On the Town, plus Candide, composed by Leonard Bernstein. My father played classical music all the time at our house and I grew to love this music. In fact, I first learned about how jazz worked from the Bernstein concerts and he also produced a Columbia record, which is not out of date today.
    1920—the first Olympic gold medalist from the United States who was a woman was Ethelda Bleibtrey, who competed in the seventh Olympiad, held in Antwerp, Belgium. She won the 100-meter free-style swim on this day and the 300-meter free-style swim on August 26.
    1925- A Philip Randolph organizes the Sleeping Car Porter's Union.
    1927-Birthday of tennis great Althea Gibson, born at Silver, SC. Althea Gibson learned paddle tennis by chance as a child when her block of West 143 rd Street in New York was designated as a Police Athletic League play street. She overcame great financial and social adversity and eventually won ten consecutive national titles in the American Tennis Association, a league for black players. On August 28, 1950, she became the first black player to compete in the national tennis championship at Forest Hills, NUY. A few years after, she became the first black woman to win the singles championship at Wimbledon. In her prime, she was ranked as high as 7 th in the United States, winning titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and US National at Forest Hills. She died at East Orange, NJ. Sept 29, 2003.
    1930—Birthday of well-known actor Sean Connery, born Edinburgh, Scotland.
    1933—Birthday of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” host Regis Philbin, born New York.
    1933—Birthday of sax player Wayne Shorter, Newark, NJ
http://www.ejn.it/mus/shorter.htm
http://www.melmartin.com/html_pages/Interviews/shorter.html
http://home.ica.net/~blooms/wshome.html
    1937- Pullman Company formally recognizes Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
http://www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.com/evo_history4.html
http://www.pbs.org/weta/apr/apr_chrono.html
http://1912.history.ohio-state.edu/pullman.htm
http://1912.history.ohio-state.edu/eventsOfPullmanStrike.htm
http://1912.history.ohio-state.edu/reaction.htm
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~latam/powerpoints/Pullman.pdf
    1939—The Wizard of Oz is released. This motion-picture classic directed by Victor Fleming was a musical adaptation of the L. Frank Baum children's book with both black-and white and color sequences. It starred Judy Garland as Dorothy as well as frank Morgan as the Wizard ( and four other characters,, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Man and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West. Nominated for six Academy Awards, it won two for best musical score and best song, “Over the Rainbow” ( Harold Arlen music and E.Y. Harburg lyrics.)
    1944-Paris Liberated: as dawn broke the men of the 2 nd French Armored Division entered Paris, ending the long German occupation of the City of Light. That afternoon General Charles de Gaule led a parade down the Champs Elysees. Though Hitler had ordered the destruction of Paris, German occupying-0fficer General Dietrich von Choltiz, refused that order and instead surrendered to French Major Genral Jacques Le Clerc.
    1944---Top Hits
Amor - Bing Crosby
I'll Be Seeing You - Bing Crosby
Time Waits for No One - Helen Forest
Is You is or is You Ain't (Ma' Baby) - Louis Jordan
    1952---Top Hits
Auf Wiedersehn, Sweetheart - Vera Lynn
Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Johnnie Ray
Kiss of Fire - Georgia Gibbs
It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels - Kitty Wells
    1958- "Little Star" by the Elegants topped the charts and stayed there for a week.
    1958-"Bird Dog" by the Everly Brothers topped the charts and stayed there for a week.
    1960---Top Hits
It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley
Walk--Don't Run - The Ventures
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Alabam - Cowboy Copas
    1962- "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva topped the charts and stayed there for a week.
    1964 - For their hit single "A Hard Day's Night," The Beatles received a gold record, their third such award. Until 1970, they would collect 18 more.
    1966--Yardbirds performed at the Carousel Ballroom. The Carousel was the former El Patio Ballroom on the second floor of the car dealership on the southwest corner of Market and Van Ness.
    1968---Top Hits
People Got to Be Free - The Rascals
Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano
Already It's Heaven - David Houston
    1973- "Brother Louie" by the Stories topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
    1976---Top Hits
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee
You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
Let 'Em In - Wings
Bring It on Home to Me - Mickey Gilley
    1979- "My Sharona" by Knack topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
    1982 - The rock group, Fleetwood Mac, earned a gold record for their album, "Mirage".
    1984 - Fanatically popular toys, the Cabbage Patch Kids and Trivial Pursuit, were replaced in the public eye robotic action figures that fought galactic battles, the Transformers.
    1984 - Starting its third week at #1 on the pop music charts is "Ghostbusters", by Ray Parker, Jr. The hit song was featured in the movie of the same name which starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis.
    1984---Top Hits
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
What's Love Got to Do with It - Tina Turner
Stuck on You - Lionel Richie
Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream) - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
    1985—Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets became the youngest pitcher to win 20 games in a season. Gooden defeated the san Diego Padres, 9-3. He was 20 years, nine months and nine days old. Bob Feller was a month older when he accomplished the feat in 1939.
    1987-a new record for monthly rainfall was set at Chicago when a storm brought the total to 15.73 inches erasing the previous record for any month which had been 14.17 in September, 1961
    1996-The New York Yankees dedicated a monument to the late Mickey Mantle at Monument Park in Yankee Stadium. The new monument joined three others honoring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins. Mantle died August 13, 1995

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Baseball Poem

WAITING FOR GODOT'S FIRST PITCH

Above,
The husky blue sky
Is a blank face of canvas—
Not even a jet tail
To trace a whisper
Against the silence
Below,
The strain of anthem
Segued to cheer
And throaty organ notes,
Then,
That jungle hush
As the fat blackbird of ump
Notes the glove fit
Of his plump form
Against the stocky catcher's squat
As this world waits
On the long ice of the moment,
In the lanky pitcher's
Nervous hand,
The first pitch imagines
A blinding path toward the plate.

Written by Tim Peeler,
“Waiting for Godot's First Pitch”
More Poems from Baseball

Published by McFarland & Company

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