Add me to mailing list    |           |      Search

Advertising | All Lists | Archives | Classified Ads | This Day In American History


   

 


VENDOR SALES SPECIALISTS
LEASING SALES PROFESSIONALS

Like selling vendor programs and large transactions?
Enjoy international financing programs?
Prefer the advantages of a commission only environment with the security of health and welfare benefits?

CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Singer/composer Jackie DeShannon born 21 August 1944, Hazel, Kentucky. Perhaps best known for "Put a Little Love in Your Heart."
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221176/

Headlines---

John Polizzi passes away
    Classified Ads---Documentation
        Alert: Thomas J. Montgomery/Wellspring Healthcare
    Paul Menzel, CLP, says “Goodbye”
Exchange Bank Prez’s resignation/Dumac Leasing
    Classified Ads---Help Wanted
        Sheldon Player is back!!! Now its bottled water
            Marlin Hires Chief Risk Officer from CIT
Chesswood Income Fund (Pawnee) Bank Facility
    Regional Banks May Need Federal Rescue
        FDIC Faces Replenishing Its Coffers
            OTS Fact Book for 2007
        Ryder Agrees to Acquire Gordon Truck Leasing
    Mortgage demand drops despite falling rates
News Briefs---
    You May have Missed---
        California Nuts Brief---
            Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
    Today's Top Event in History
        This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
    SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle
GasBuddy
    Weather, USA or specific area
        Traffic Live----
News on Line---Internet Newspapers

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

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

John Polizzi passes away

John Polizzi, founder and president of Capital Asset Services, North Andover, Massachusetts,
passed away after a battle with cancer.


(Photo:www.capitalassetservices.com)
John Pol1zzi

Founder and President, Capital Asset Services (1999 - Present)
A national company offering services related to the appraisal, inspection and remarketing of capital equipment on behalf of leasing companies, financial institutions and manufacturing companies

Principal and Vice President, Asset Control Services, Inc. (1991 - 1999)
A national service company providing machinery and equipment appraisals, inspections, recoveries and asset sales to the Equipment Leasing Industry

Vice President, TRAC Systems (A Division of Signal Capital Corp.) (1988 - 1991)
An asset management company offering equipment appraisals, remarketing and collection services to the Financial Industry

Vice President of Operations, Equilease Corporation (1980 - 1988)
A one-billion dollar Commercial and Industrial Equipment Lessor

Affiliations:
American Society of Appraisers, Accredited Senior Appraiser
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Member
Turnaround Management Association Member
Smaller Business Association of New England Member

Education:
St. John's University, Queens, New York
New York Institute of Credit
NTP National Marketing Program
American Society of Appraisers
Experience:
Over thirty (30) years experience in:
Machinery and Equipment Appraisals
Asset Management
Portfolio Management
Recovery and Disposal of Equipment
Residual Analysis
Liquidation & Bankruptcy Sales
    source: http://www.capitalassetservices.com/

[headlines]

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

Classified Ads---Documentation

Irvine, CA
I have over seven years experience in the leasing industry working in
documentation & funding. Available for work immediately.
Email: jen@pwrcapital.com714-401-1132
[Resume]

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Leasing Recruiters:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Recruits/index.htm

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

[headlines]

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

Alert: Thomas J. Montgomery/Wellspring Healthcare

“ATTENTION ALL LEASE POLICE SUBSCRIBERS:

http://www.uswellnesschamber.org/

“Lease Police has just discovered that Thomas J. Montgomery has set up the above web site on August 8, 2008. If you will recall Mr. Montgomery was the President of Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc., Denton, Texas and was the subject of an "Alert" to all of you on June 9, 2008. Later it was found to be the subject of considerable litigation on over 29 lease transactions (Leasing News 6/11/08). For a full report look at our listing on www.leasepolice.com .The new company is located at 6136 Frisco Square Blvd, Suite 400, Frisco, Texas 75034. We will continue to monitor the activities of this new venture.”

Regards,

Bernie Boettigheimer, CLP
President
Lease Police, Inc.
972-361-8111
972-692-8091-fax
214-549-3426-cell
bernieb@leasepolice.com

Leasing News received permission to print the above. The original
also came from Lease Police and posted on June 11, 2008. A
major funding source is embarrassed to report that they had 60
or $2.7 million of these.

June 11, 2008 Posting

Alert----“National Advisor”
Wellspring Healthcare Lawsuit, Denton, Texas

Attorney James D. Horbuckle of Dixon Law Firm, Dana Point,
California is looking for other cases to join his:

“If you have already received this email from us, please excuse this duplicate. Dr. Judd Fuhr just sent us a list of 28 "National Advisors" and you name and email address was on that list.

“We are attorneys that represent a Physician in California that signed up with Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc. as a "National Advisor."

“As part of the so-called National Advisor program, Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc. fraudulently induced our client to sign a lease for $75,000 of Wellspring "software" that was never delivered to our client. Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc. was supposed to reimburse each "National Advisor" the monthly amount of the software lease which came to approximately $1800.00.

“Some "National Advisors" signed these fraudulent leases with US Bank Manifest Funding and some others signed leases with SunTrust Bank.

“We talked with several other people in California and other states who also signed up as a "National Advisor" and signed leases for more than $75,000 and some that signed leases for less that $75,000.

“We understand that Thomas Montgomery is continuing to solicit funds in similar fraudulent transactions. We have contacted the FBI in Houston Texas and they are looking into this fraud by Thomas Montgomery and Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc.

“If you or someone you know signed up as a so-called "National Advisor" please contact me or have them contact me.”

Thank you.

James D. Hornbuckle, Esq.
Dixon Law Corporation
34145 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 221
Dana Point, CA 92629
Office: 949-499-7370
Direct: 949-499-1822
Fax: 949-340-9655
E-mail: jdh@dixonlawcorp.com

Leasing News attempted to reach Thomas J. Montgomery of Wellspring Healthcare Enterprises, Inc. The telephone went into a paging mode, but was unable to reach him, so a voice mail message was left for him to return our call. At press time, he did not return the telephone call.

Copy of Empire Chiropractic agreement/communication: http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Empire_Chiropractic.pdf

(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

[headlines]

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

Paul Menzel, CLP, says “Goodbye”

Paul has been in the commercial equipment leasing industry, managing the same portfolio, for over 30 years and arranged the acquisition of the Leasing Division by Santa Barbara Bank & Trust in 1996 and then the sale to LEAF Corporation. He was named Leasing Person of the Year for 2005 by Leasing News.

He is a former board member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association as well as the United Association of Equipment Leasing, also very active in his community. He is a Certified Lease Professional, a graduate of UC Berkeley and holds an MBA in Management.

LEAF Corporation announced on Tuesday that they were closing LEAF Third Party Funding in Southern California (formerly Pacific Capital Bank Leasing, Santa Barbara Leasing) for an expansion in Columbia, South Carolina to a 20,000 square foot facility to house 150 employees “in a consolidation for all third party originations.” 25 employees were given immediate notice. Menzel, as president, also received a “pink slip.”

In his goodbye, Paul told Leasing News, “The consolidation was an understandable business decision, and perhaps a sign of times in our industry and I understand and accept this business decision. I very much appreciate the opportunity that LEAF provided me…I am most sad about the challenges for the employees that have been together for so many years. It is a great opportunity for the industry to grab some talent and experience."

Dwight Galloway, former president of NetBank Business Finance and now LEAF Specialty Finance “was promoted and will run the operation,” the press release said.

At present, there are not 150 employees to be located here as it appears to be a growth plan by LEAF Corporation (spokesman Bob Hunter was not available for a comment as Leasing News was told both he and Dwight Galloway, CLP, were in the Santa Barbara area in meetings. )

After the changes of the original 80 employees at Galloway’s operation when LEAF took over, billing was taken over by OCR, and funding, accounting, HR, IT, similar functions, were moved to the main New Jersey headquarters, where checks were cut with a 3pm East Coast cut off time. It appears the 150 employee office is a goal as NetBank had several mortgage operations in the Columbia, South Carolina area where the overhead is much lower than either New Jersey or California.

When Paul was sent by LEAF to close the former Alco Leasing taken over by LEAF in Portland, Oregon, it may have been foreshadowing that his operation would be next. The economy was changing, credit was tightening, large corporation were looking at ways to improve the bottom line by eliminating employees, overhead, and “consolidating.”
He was not alone in the premonition.

He did not want to make any further comment to Leasing News, but told us he was looking forward to writing the next chapter of his leasing career and sorting through new opportunities.

Steve Reid, market manager and member of the Leasing News Advisory Board, said he was willing to stay on longer to help the transition, assist brokers with funding and applications in process, but also would be hitting the streets.

Another long time employee told Leasing News the first day he was “shocked” and the second day angry as he learned severance was based on one year and other benefits also, from the date
LEAF purchased Pacific Capital.

While Paul says “goodbye” for now, we hope to have a “hello, again”
from him soon. He does not have a non-compete clause from LEAF corporation.

[headlines]

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

Exchange Bank President’s resignation/Dumac Leasing

Archie Julian of Dumac Leasing, Santa Rosa, California, said the surprise resignation of Barrie Graham president and chief executive officer of Exchange Bank, Sonoma County's oldest and largest commercial bank, parent of Dumac, has not had an affect that he is aware of on Dumac Leasing nor Exchange Bank Leasing.

Dumac has been a very successful small ticket leasing operation, headed by Ken Taylor, formerly of Taylor Leasing, Oakland, California
(Leasing News played “phone tag” but was never able to connect to him. editor.)

A spokesperson for the bank said there would be no change to any of the bank operations and considered the event as “management change.”


Photo: MARK ARONOFF (www.pressdemocrat.com)
J. Barrie Graham shown here in 2002 in his third-floor office in downtown Santa Rosa,
was the sixth president of the 118-year-old bank.

This is another example of regional banks that have been affected by the mortgage/housing downfall. Leasing News has been writing about these problems since they became apparent last year with examples of PFF Bank & Trust and most recently Vineyard Bank, both in Southern California. This trend continues as noted in today’s edition concerning FDIC help for regional banks.

Despite the low Federal buy rates, all banks are building up their liquidity, making credit criteria and due diligence much more strict, plus either cutting recourse and non-recourse discounters off or change many of the conditions of accepting transactions.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that the retired president
was named in this “management change” to take charge:

“C. William Reinking, who retired from day-to-day management of the Santa Rosa bank in 2002 but continued to serve as chairman of the board, was named CEO.

“William Schrader, the current chief operating officer, takes over as president of the bank.

“Reinking and Schrader announced Graham’s resignation in a meeting with senior management Monday. Later in the day, Reinking sent an e-mail to the bank’s 470 employees announcing Graham's resignation.”

The bank has been reportedly been very aggressive under the leadership of Graham. In the last few years the bank has gotten into raw land transactions, including funding residential and commercial developers, which has taken a hit in Northern California particularly. In June of this year, the bank wrote of $14.5 million in bad debt, plus added $14.5 million for anticipated bad loans. This was compared to $1.5 million loan provision for the previous year. In addition, Exchange Bank reported $32.4 million of loans into non-accrual, which means the loans are late in payment or not paying interest.

[headlines]

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

Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Sales Person



Frustrated Sales Person

If you are experiencing difficulty in fulfilling local banks' credit criteria with your transactions, believe that foreign funding could be of assistance and are ready for an exciting new challenge---then you need to apply for this sales position.

gocustomcapital.com is an International equipment leasing company recently established in Brea, California, seeking to attract frustrated sales persons.

Vendor Sales Specialists


VENDOR SALES SPECIALISTS
LEASING SALES PROFESSIONALS

Like selling vendor programs and large transactions?
Enjoy international financing programs?
Prefer the advantages of a commission only environment with the security of health and welfare benefits?

CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again.



About the company: Located on the water in
beautiful Newport Beach, California.The environment is positive.


  Growing vendor based equipment leasing company
  Learn our value proposition
  2 Years Sales or Related Exp.
  College Degree Preferred
  You will work with people
that you can trust and respect
  Click here to learn more

[headlines]

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

Sheldon Player is back!!! Now selling bottled water

Leasing News has written about Sheldon Player at Equipment Acquisition Resources, Palatine, Illinois. He served time for Greyhound Leasing $75 million fraud, then set up a company in Illinois under his wife's name and has been reportedly dealing with leasing companies without their knowledge of his background. He now has also apparently started "Jackson Hole H20, highly elevated water” out of Wyoming. The web site says he will be in Las Vegas soon to start selling more of his distributers.

Sheldon Player’s picture above is in the Planet Jackson Hole on Line as well as one of the distributors is at his Palatine, Illinois office address (where his web site www.eartechnology.com) states "E.A.R. Inc. is currently offering Direct Financing not only on Equipment Purchases, but also on our Process development and Contract Manufacturing." The web site not only gives one of the distributor addresses but the main address to contact is the same as Equipment Acquisition Resources (http://www.highlyelevatedwater.com/)

A call to Mr. Sheldon was not returned but the receptionist said the "Jackson Hole H20" was his company, and that he was in Wyoming when Leasing News called.

From a column in Planet Jackson Hole on Line by Jack Nichols:

“A press release is making the rounds touting the debut of something called Jackson Hole H2O. The bottled water, brainchild of Californian Sheldon Player, will be available mainly on the Left Coast, but Player hopes to have everyone in the nation drinking the stuff he calls “highly elevated water.”

“Player started Jackson Hole H2O to answer the public demand for drinking only extremely pure bottled water, his release states. “Gone are the days of selling products with a fancy label,” Player is quoted saying. ‘Our products only contain the purest water from glacial reserves.’

“The water is supposedly bottled under the authority of Twin Mountain River Ranch in Hoback Junction. Calls to the owner, Nancy Breitenstine, were unsuccessful. “

First recent story:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202007/05-02-07.htm#alert

Second recent story:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202007/05-04-07.htm#deja

[headlines]

---------------------------------------------------------------
### Press Release ###########################

Marlin Business Services Corp. Hires Chief Risk Officer

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.,) -- Marlin Business Services Corp. (Nasdaq:MRLN) is pleased to announce the hiring of Kerri O'Connor as Chief Risk Officer and Senior Vice President of Risk Analytics & Underwriting. Kerri joins Marlin from The CIT Group, where she spent the last 12 years in a variety of senior credit positions. Kerri most recently served as Chief Credit Officer of CIT Small Business Lending, a nationwide lender with $3.5 billion in assets under management. Kerri brings more than 25 years experience in the Financial Services industry having worked for companies such as Wells Fargo Bank as Vice President and Manager and First Security Bank of Utah.

"We are very excited to have Kerri join the Marlin team in the newly created role of Chief Risk Officer," said George D. Pelose, Marlin's Chief Operating Officer. "Kerri's vast experience and knowledge in the small business lending arena, her portfolio analytics capabilities and her strong management and mentoring skills will be tremendous assets to our organization. Adding someone of Kerri's caliber to the team will greatly enhance Marlin's already strong credit culture."

About Marlin Business Services Corp.

Marlin Business Services Corp. is a nationwide provider of equipment leasing and working capital solutions primarily to small businesses. The Company's principal operating subsidiary, Marlin Leasing Corporation, finances over 70 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 its executive offices in Mount Laurel, NJ, Marlin has regional offices in or near Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. For more information, visit www.marlincorp.com or call
toll free at (888) 479-9111.

[headlines]

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

Chesswood Income Fund (Pawnee) Announces New Distribution Policy
and Renewal of Bank Credit Facility

TORONTO, ONTARIO, -- Chesswood Income Fund (the "Fund") (CA:CHW.UN: news, chart, profile) , today announced that its Board of Trustees has adopted a new distribution policy effective with the last quarter of 2008.

Given the prolonged nature of uncertainty in the U.S. financial services market and the resulting challenge the Fund faces in forecasting future cash flows from its largest subsidiary, Pawnee Leasing Corporation ("Pawnee"), the Fund will declare monthly distribution levels for each upcoming quarter, based on its estimated actual cash flow from the immediately preceding quarter.

"This new policy allows us to set distribution amounts at levels that reflect the operating needs of the business and our actual cash flows." said Barry Shafran, the Fund's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The policy also allows Chesswood to continue to provide unitholders with distributable cash, while eliminating the need to try to determine future business performance at a time when forecasts are inherently difficult" added Shafran.

For the interim months of August and September, prior to this policy taking effect, the Fund will distribute $0.025 per month, per unit.
The Fund also announced that Pawnee recently renewed its credit facility with its lenders, for a term of three years.

About Chesswood Income Fund

Chesswood Income Fund is a financial services trust with operating businesses in both Canada and the U.S. Through its subsidiaries, Chesswood operates in the United States as a leading commercial micro and small-ticket equipment leasing company and in Canada as an automotive sales and leasing company.

[headlines]

### Press Release ###########################
--------------------------------------------------------------

News Briefs----

Regional Banks May Need Federal Rescue
http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/08/18/banks-bailout-fdic-cx_0818oxford.html

FDIC Faces Balancing Act in Replenishing Its Coffers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121927727160658617.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

OTS Fact Book for 2007
http://files.ots.treas.gov/481109.pdf

Ryder Agrees to Acquire Gordon Truck Leasing
http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=61228

Mortgage demand drops despite falling rates
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-08-20-mortgage-applications_N.htm

Investor Jitters Deflate Fannie, Freddie Shares
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/20/
AR2008082003606.html?sub=AR

$100 Million may make Fannie & Freddie Whole
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08202008/business/100_000_000_000_00_125285.htm

Airlines emerge from profit-killing oil slick
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-08-20-airlines-outlook-travel_N.htm

Home Depot earnings fall 25 percent
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/08/19/homedepot_earnings.html

Lifestyles of the rich may be changing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed-luxury-cutback-aug20,0,5009798.story

[headlines]

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

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)

You May have Missed--

What, them worry? Three veteran salesmen explain how they do their jobs in tough economic times
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2008/08/what_them_worry_three_veteran.html

[headlines]

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

Sports Briefs----

U.S. women win gold in beach volleyball
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/volleyball/2008-08-21-womens-beach-gold_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Among hoops-loving Chinese, it's a slam dunk: Kobe is king
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/basketball/2008-08-20-kobe_N.htm

Griffey hits homer No. 609, ties Sosa for fifth on all-time list in win
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-08-20-whitesox-mariners_N.htm

[headlines]

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

California Nuts Briefs---

State workers to get full pay this month
http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/1172690.html

Gov. Schwarzenegger tries to force budget compromise
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080820-1436-ca-statebudget.html

[headlines]

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

“Gimme that Wine”

In Napa, Some Wineries Choose the Old Route --Eric Asimov
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/dining/20pour.html?_r=1&ref=dining&oref=slogin

Sting of Wine Spectator awards
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=57843

Alexander Valley Vineyard owner passes away
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-wetzel20-2008aug20,0,6235300.story

Don't fear supermarket wine aisles
http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/1169270.html

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

[headlines]

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

Today's Top Event in History

 1904- William (Count) Basie, who led one of the top big bands in the world for more than 45 years, was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. Basie became stranded in Kansas City while touring with a vaudeville show in 1927. He was originally a drummer. When the pianist was sick, he sat in. He was known for playing short riffs, called in the trade, “composer piano,” and brought his drum, rhythm skills to the piano. He the joined the Blue Devils led by bassist Walter Page. (Page became part of the Basie famed rhythm section: Freddie Green on guitar and Jo Jones on drums. While the drummer changed during the years, Green and Page were with the band until they died. ) Kansas City was where jazz was “hot”. He then joined the best band at the time led by the famed Bennie Moten, a “riff band” of renown. When Moten died in 1935, Basie took over. By 1937, when the Count Basie Orchestra made its New York debut, its personnel included such jazz stars as tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeter Buck Clayton, Basie's former employer Walter Page on bass, drummer Joe Jones and singer Jimmy Rushing. Originally there was no music written and the “riffs” were improvised per sections, very similar to Dixieland music, but in saxophone, trombone, trumpet sections. Most of it was “ad lib.” In the late 1940's, when big band jazz was over, Basie scaled down to seven men. In the early 1950's, with the help of new composers such as Quincy Jones, Frank Wes, and singer Joe Williams, the big band started up again. He was perhaps Frank Sinatra's favorite band and the new generation of musicians was the finest in the land. Lambert-Hendricks-Ross had many hit records with Basie tunes put to words. The Count from Red Bank, New Jersey led his band almost continuously until a few months before his death of cancer on April 26th, 1984. Please see: “postscript..” )
http://www.harlem.org/people/basie.html
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_basie_count.htm
http://www.countbasietheatre.org/

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in American History

    1781-The jury in Great Barrington, MA granted Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mum (or Marm” ) Bett, her freedom, thus becoming the first slave to be emancipated in the so called free world. The wife of her owner, Colonel John Ashely of Sheffield, MA, tried to hit her own sister with a hot iron and Elizabeth Freeman interfered and received the blow on her arm, where she was scared for life. She ran away to the home of lawyer Theodore Sedwick, whom she had seen at the Ashley house discussing the rights of man with a group of Sheffiled notables, and obtained his help in suing for her freedom. She died December 28,1829, and was buried in the Sedgwick family plot
    1831- You probably read about this in history as there were many such rebellions but one of the first on this large scale took place in Southampton County, VA. It was led by Nat Turner, an African-American slave and religious visionary who believed that he was divinely chose to lead his fellow slaves to freedom. With seven accomplices, Turner killed his owner Joseph Travis, and the Travis family in their sleep, then led more than 70 followers in a two-day revolt in which 55 to 60 whites were killed. State militiamen and armed whites confronted the rebels near Jerusalem, VA, and killed as many as 100 slaves, a number of whom had not taken part in the rebellion. Turner escaped, but was caught six weeks later and hanged on November 11.
    1863-Confederate raider William Clarke Quantrill launched a predawn terrorist raid on Lawrence, Kansas, leaving 150 civilians dead and much of the town ruined. Quantrill had been denied a commission in the Southern army for his barbaric approach to war. Many say he was a “bandit,” and was in the war for what he and his men could steal and pilferage.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/QQ/fqu3.html
http://jessejamesvirtualmuseum.com/quantrill.htm
    1863-Paper money fractional currency was issued from this date to May 27, 1863, in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. They are collection items today. The bills were originally issued with perforated edges, but later were cut plan. They were also known as “postage currency,” as they depicted postage stamps. They were receivable in payment for all dues to the United States less than $5 and were exchangeable for United States notes by any assistant treasurer or designed U.S. Depository in sums not less than $5.
    1866-Birth of Civilla D. Martin, teacher and songwriter, in Nova Scotia. A pastor's wife, she penned in     1904 the hymn, "Be Not Dismayed, Whate'er Betide" (a.k.a. "God Will Take Care of You").
    1874- Popular 19th century preacher Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was accused by Theodore Tilton of committing adultery with his wife. The resulting trial ended in a 9-3 hung jury decision, in Beecher's favor.
    1878- The American Bar Association was founded in Saratoga, New York to store all the attorney jokes. They ran out of room a few years later, giving birth to other state and local bar associations to store their records; now available on CD Rom. Also available at
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/att_jokes.htm
(These are mostly from attorneys, including the great, late stand-up comic, leasing law expert Jeff Wong, Esq.)
    1879- The first telephone exchange opened for business, Galveston, Texas.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/print/TT/egt2.html
    1883-Rochester, MN was hit with an F5 tornado killing 31, injuring 200, and wrecking 1351 dwellings.
    1896 -- Author Roark Bradford born Lauderdale County, Tennessee. He wrote fiction & folklore based on childhood contacts with African-American preachers, musicians, & storytellers on the plantations.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rbradf.htm
    1904- William (Count) Basie, who led one of the top big bands in the world for more than 45 years, was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. Basie became stranded in Kansas City while touring with a vaudeville show in 1927. He was originally a drummer. When the pianist was sick, he sat in. He was known for playing short riffs, called in the trade, “composer piano,” and brought his drum, rhythm skills to the piano. He the joined the Blue Devils led by bassist Walter Page. (Page became part of the Basie famed rhythm section: Freddie Green on guitar and Jo Jones on drums. While the drummer changed during the years, Green and Page were with the band until they died. ) Kansas City was where jazz was “hot”. He then joined the best band at the time led by the famed Bennie Moten, a “riff band” of renown. When Moten died in 1935, Basie took over. By 1937, when the Count Basie Orchestra made its New York debut, its personnel included such jazz stars as tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeter Buck Clayton, Basie's former employer Walter Page on bass, drummer Joe Jones and singer Jimmy Rushing. Originally there was no music written and the “riffs” were improvised per sections, very similar to Dixieland music, but in saxophone, trombone, trumpet sections. Most of it was “ad lib.” In the late 1940's, when big band jazz was over, Basie scaled down to seven men. In the early 1950's, with the help of new composers such as Quincy Jones, Frank Wes, and singer Joe Williams, the big band started up again. He was perhaps Frank Sinatra's favorite band and the new generation of musicians was the finest in the land. Lambert-Hendricks-Ross had many hit records with Basie tunes put to words. The Count from Red Bank, New Jersey led his band almost continuously until a few months before his death of cancer on April 26th, 1984. Please see: “postscript..” )
http://www.harlem.org/people/basie.html
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_basie_count.htm
http://www.countbasietheatre.org/
    1912- Arthur Rose Eldred of the Oceanside, NY, troop became the first American Eagle Scout.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug21.html
    1918 - A tornado struck Tyler, MN, killing 36 persons and destroying most of the business section of the town resulting in a million dollars damage.
    1928 – Birthday of Art Farmer (musician: trumpet, flugelhorn: worked w/Horace Henderson, Johnny Otis, Lionel Hampton Band; recorded be-bop classic Farmer's Market; developed musical instrument called ‘flumpet'; died Oct 4, 1999)
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/farmer.html
    1928-Birthday of bassist Addison Farmer, Council Bluffs, IA.
    1931- Babe Ruth hits his 600th HR (Yanks beat Browns 11-7)
    1935- Benny Goodman opens at Palomar Ballroom, Los Angeles: regarded as the birth of the Swing Era!!! The Goodman Orchestra played an ecstatically received concert at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles. Until then, the band had been playing the commercial sweet music of the day. But for the Palomar date, Goodman decided to go for broke, playing hot numbers like "Just You, Just Me" and "Air Mail Special." The concert is generally regarded as being the start of the Swing Era, and by the end of the 1930's, Goodman was known as the "King of Swing."
    1936-Birthday of Wilt Chamberlain, Basketball Hall of Fame center, born at Philadelphia, PA. NBA MVP Award: Philadelphia Warriors [1960], Philadelphia 76ers [1966, 1967, 1968 Died October 12, 1999 at Los Angeles, CA.
    1938-Birthday of singer Kenny Rogers, Houston, TX, considered one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world in his “hey day.” A 1980's tour with Dolly Parton netted him more than $200,000 a night and two of his palatial homes were once valued at nearly $15 million. After singing folk with the New Christy Minstrels and rock with the First Edition, Rogers began his solo career in 1975. His breakthrough came two years later with "Lucille," which sold millions to both pop and country music fans. Rogers has continued to score million-sellers with his middle-of-the-road country style. Grammy and CMA Award-winning singer: She Believes in Me, Lady, Lucille, Islands in the Stream [w/Dolly Parton], What are We Doin' in Love [w/Dottie West], Through the Years, We've Got Tonight [w/Sheena Easton], You Decorated My Life, Coward of the County, The Gambler; groups: The Kirby Stone Four, The New Christy Minstrels, The First Edition; actor: The Gambler series).
http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/Kenny-Rogers.htm
    1944—Birthday of Jackie DeShannon, singer, songwriter, born Hazel, KY. Her 1965 recording of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" earned four Grammy nominations. And in 1969, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," a song which DeShannon co-wrote, sold two-million copies. “What the World Needs Now is Love” was another of her big hits. Although her recording career was not successful after the early '70s, DeShannon continued to score as a songwriter. She is co-author of Kim Carnes's 1981 hit, "Bette Davis Eyes."
http://www.swinginchicks.com/jackie_deshannon.htm
    1947-- The first Little League World Series tourney is held at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With a .625 team batting average, the hometown Maynard Midgets easily win the tournament, 16-7.
    1956---Top Hits
My Prayer - The Platters
Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter & Eddie Haywood
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
    1957-In 1953 Congress adopted a proposal to terminate assistance to non-recognized Indian tribes. Seminole leaders and tribal members began to fight the proposal by drafting a constitution and charter for the Seminole Tribe. These were later approved by the Secretary of the Interior. On this date, a majority of tribal members voted to establish the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Today, 2,200 Seminoles live on five reservations in Florida.
    1959-President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii to the United. States. The statehood bill had passed the previous March with a stipulation that statehood should be approved by a vote of Hawaiian residents. The referendum passed by a huge margin in June and Eisenhower proclaimed Hawaii the 50 state today in 1959. The president also issued the order for a new flag of 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five 6-star rows and four 5-star rows, the flag to become as it is today. In March of 1959, the statehood bill had been passed; but it contained a stipulation that the residents of the Hawaiian Islands would have to give their vote of approval. Three months later, they did so -- and by a huge margin. Hawaii, the Aloha State, finally became the 50th state of the United States of America. Although the Aloha State is made up of a chain of 122 volcanic islands spread out over 1,600 miles, only seven, at the southeastern end of the chain, are inhabited: Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui (the Valley Isle), Lanai (the Pineapple Isle), Molokai (the Friendly Isle), Kauai (the Garden Isle), Niihau (the Forbidden Island), and Oahu (the Gathering Place). Oahu is the home of the state capital, Honolulu, and about 75% of the state's population ... a population that is truly a melting pot of all races and religions. The yellow hibiscus is the Hawaii state flower. The nene or Hawaiian goose is the state bird and the humuhumunukunukuapua'a is the state fish. The state motto of Hawaii is: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono. = The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
    1964---Top Hits
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin
Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes
Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons
Dang Me - Roger Miller
    1965-The Rolling Stones album, "Out of Our Heads," is number one on the U.S. album chart. Songs off the LP include, "Satisfaction," "Play With Fire" and "The Last Time."
    1965- A “trick answer:” Lieutenant Colonel Leroy Gordon Cooper, who's first trip was on Faith 7, made his second flight on August 21-29, when he and Lt. Commander Charles Conrad, Jr. made the two man space flight of 120 orbits in 190 hours 55 minutes 14 seconds in Gemini 5. The first to do this. It was not John Glenn. Cooper was the first astronaut to make two trips into outer space.
    1969 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Honky Tonk Women," The Rolling Stones.
    1972---Top Hits
Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) - The Hollies
Bless Your Heart - Freddie Hart & The Heartbeats
    1979 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "My Sharona," The Knack. Billboard ranks the song the No. 1 single of the year.
    1980---Top Hits
Magic - Olivia Newton-John
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Take Your Time (Do It Right) - The S.O.S. Band
Tennessee River – Alabama
    1980-"The Pirates of Penzance" co-starring Linda Ronstadt, moves to Broadway.
    1982- Relief pitcher Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers became the first pitcher to record 200 saves in his career as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.
    1982-Relief pitcher Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers became the first pitcher to record 300 saves in his career as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.
    1983-record high for the state of North Carolina was set when temperatures reached 110 at Fayetteville.
    1984 - Clint Eastwood contributed a hand print and the words, “You made my day,” to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Mann's Chinese Theatre.
    1986 - The Boston Red Sox made history against the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox whipped the Indians 24-5 in the worst loss in the Tribe's 85-year history. Greg Swindell made his major-league debut on the mound for the Indians. Dennis ‘Oil Can' Boyd got a 17-run lead for Boston and, luckily, held on for the win.
    1987 - Early morning thunderstorms produced severe weather in eastern Iowa and west central Illinois. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 82 mph at Moline IL, and tennis ball size hail at Independence IA. Rock Island IL was drenched with 3.70 inches of rain. Total damage for the seven county areas of west central Illinois was estimated at twelve million dollars.
    1988---Top Hits
Roll with It - Steve Winwood
Monkey - George Michael
1-2-3 - Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Bluest Eyes in Texas - Restless Heart
    1989 - Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather from Kansas to Minnesota and North Dakota. Thunderstorms in Minnesota produced baseball size hail from Correll to north of Appleton. Thunderstorms in north central Kansas produced wind gusts higher than 100 mph at Wilson Dam. Thunderstorms around Lincoln NE produced baseball size hail and up to five inches of rain, and Boone NE was deluged with five inches of rain in an hour and a half.
    1992-Sacramento, CA hits 90 for the 40th straight days, a record for that city.
    1993 - The soundtrack from "Sleepless in Seattle" hit number one on the "Billboard" LP chart. Other hit albums: #2 "Black Sunday" (Cypress Hill), #3 "Janet." (Janet Jackson), #4 "Zooropa" (U2), #5 "Core" (Stone Temple Pilots).
    1994- Bruce Springsteen was a surprise participant in a jam session at a 400 seat club in Long Branch, New Jersey. Dion showed up later in the evening to sing his hit "The Wanderer." Springsteen got his start in the early '70s by playing in bars along the Jersey shore. Thus began a new tradition of Springsteen appearing at his old haunts, and today with much citizenship, trying to revive commerce in Ashbury Park, New Jersey.
    1995 - Seal's single "Kiss From A Rose" tops the Billboards Hot 100. The "Batman Forever" tune is the second Batman movie single to top the charts. Prince went all the way with "Batdance" from the film "Batman" in 1989.
    1999 - Hua Mei, the giant panda cub, was born at the San Diego Zoo weighing a not-so-giant 4-5 ounces. Her parents are Bai Yun and Shi Shi (they arrived at the zoo on Sep 10, 1996 on a 12-year conservation study). Hua Mei was the first panda born in the U.S. in ten years.
    2002-- In longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville, Kentucky beats Fort Worth, Texas in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting with 49 strikeouts is recorded as Fort Worth's Walker Kelly strikes out 21 in nine two-hit innings and Louisville's Aaron Alvey fans 19 batter over nine no-hit inning.

* Post Script : the Count Basie Band was my favorite since discovering jazz in 1955 with "Joe Williams Sings, Count Basie Swings." I took my kids to all his concerts, and when younger, waited outside restaurant kitchens to hear him play. Often they would like us "white boys" in and we got to know some of the players. My kids and I shook his hand at his last performance here at the Circle Star, San Carlos, California. I will never forget it. My son, who was the oldest, talks about it to this day. He became a rock ‘n' roll drummer, had great hands and rhythm, although he has all Buddy Rich's CD's and also listened to big band music, such as Basie. My oldest daughter is a big jazz fan with pictures of Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and others in her living room. My youngest daughter, who was too young to go to the concerts, lives in Nevada and is a big country and western fan. Sue's oldest and middle daughter likes Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and others we played the most, and the youngest “rap,” although she likes “Barry Malinow” and “Harry Connick,” that we play all the time. I think kids later enjoy the music they heard when young, one of the reasons to expose them early to classical music ( in fact, they have records to play for babies they say the harmonies not only relax them, but later in life, they appreciate Bach and Brahms ). Kit Menkin

[headlines]

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

Baseball Poem

Baseball Poem

The Batter

From the book

That Sweet Diamond

by Paul B. Janeczko, Carole Katchen (Illustrator)

He approaches the plate,

ponderous,

swinging smoothly

in slow motion

knowing his choice is simple:

swing or not.

 

As he paws

the back line of the batter's box,

matching concentration and stare

with the pitcher,

he knows

indecision

or

hesitation

makes failure likely.

 

Pitcher rocks.

 

Batter waits.

 

Then, in the time it takes

a happy heart to beat,

decides.

[headlines]

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

SuDoku

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm

[headlines]

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

Daily Puzzle

How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

[headlines]

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

http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx

[headlines]

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

Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

[headlines]

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

Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out
with one click, or type in a new route to learn the traffic live.

[headlines]

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

News on Line---Internet Newspapers

*Other on line newspapers:

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

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

[headlines]

Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.
Ten Top Stories each week chosen by readers (click here)
Features


Cartoons
Computer Tips

Fernando's Review
Leasing 102
Online Newspapers
Placards
Sales Make it Happen
To Tell the Truth
 

Editorials (click here)