Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Headlines--- Up-Date: formula for figuring rate ######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
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In Monday's article on Calculators, Leasing News wrote: “A reader asked us for a program that would calculate his commission based on a lease factor. Many founders and equipment leasing companies offer these programs on line, for free. Some allow you to download the program. Excel can also do this easily.” Bob Teichman, CLP, sent us the correct formula: ADV:PMT=(-PV-FVx(SPPV(I%YR÷12:N)))÷(USPV(I%YR÷12:N-#ADV)+#ADV) "This is a very difficult formula to copy correctly, whether on paper or on the calculator. "I use this formula in my pricing classes, and it is very useful as it will solve for any of the leasing variables, given any number of advance payments, including rate factor, cost, term, yield (or rate), and residual. As shown above, the formula is only for leases or loans which are paid monthly and where payments are level. However, the formula could be easily adapted to other payment periods (quarterly, for instance). You would have to use a difference formula, or a program such as T-Value, to calculate skip or step payment structures. "Thanks for printing the information about on-line calculators. I continually refer people to your list." Monday's article, now up-dated on the web: http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202006/08-21-06.htm#update -------------------------------------------------------------- Classified Ads---Asset Management
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Austin, TX Bloomfield Township, MI Boston, MA Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Princeton, NJ Sausalito, CA Sonoma, CA Wilton, CT For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to: To place a free “job wanted” ad, please go to: * http://www.kionawine.com/History/kionahistory.htm 400 wineries and nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the state. -------------------------------------------------------------- ELA to become “ELFa” by Kit Menkin
The Equipment Leasing Association to change its name and focus more on advocacy at all political levels, according to their official internet news media, ELTnews.
Michael J. Fleming, CAE In the final days of his 27 year “watch,” Mike Fleming, CAE, tried his best with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer regarding NorVergence leases, even presenting a “white paper,” then with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) call to end “ abusive leasing tax shelters that allow corporations to claim tax deductions for sewers, bridges and subways that are owned by foreign countries or paid for with U.S. taxpayer dollars,” and finally FASB wanting to end “off balance” sheet terms and call most leasing actually “finance.”
ELFa President Ken Bentsen It is obvious that the ELA steering committee, along with Mr. Fleming, saw the need for Ken Bentsen, former Texas US congressman and Washington, D.C., lobbyist. That he had no association management experience was evidently not considered as important, particularly due to the 25 member professional staff and excellent programs in place.
ELFa Chairman Paul A. Larkins ELFa Chairman Paul A. Larkins told ELTnews, “ The ELA Executive Committee met August 14-16 in Edwards, Colorado to prepare a new strategic plan for the association. The ELA staff led by President Ken Bentsen (former US congressman and Washington, DC, lobbyist.editor) presented recommendations for a new multi-year strategic plan designed to establish the association as a forum for industry development, platform for advocacy and the principal resource for industry information. “The Executive Committee also heard from Public Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm retained to conduct an in-depth survey of a representative cross-section of members. Among the consultant's many findings was the clear recognition that member companies have, in many cases, expanded their product offerings beyond those of just leasing. The data indicates that today association members participate across a broad spectrum of commercial and governmental finance sectors. After considering and amending the staff recommendations and the data presented by our consultants, the Executive Committee directed the staff to prepare a final strategic plan for approval at a September 18 Executive Committee meeting. “The new strategic plan as recommended by the Executive Committee calls for the ELA to increase its advocacy on behalf of the equipment leasing and finance industry as it relates to public policy, media, financial markets and the business community. Specifically, it calls for the association to undertake efforts to establish and leverage the profile of the equipment finance industry as a critical sector of commercial finance. Furthermore, the plan seeks to increase leadership and member participation in and direction of ELA policy and activities. And, it calls for increasing ELA outreach within existing member companies as well as targeting potential new members as the ELA's mission and vision encompass representing all facets of the equipment leasing and finance industry as a key sector of commercial finance and capital formation. “To that end, the Executive Committee unanimously recommended to the Board of Directors that the ELA change its name to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association to ensure that members, customers, policy makers, markets, the media and the public understand the true breadth of the industry as it has evolved and the critical role it plays in the economy. This action follows on recommendations provided to the Executive Committee by the Business Council Steering Committees and is fully intended to represent the growth, development, and strength of our sector of finance. Further, the Executive Committee requested that the Board convene a special meeting in September to consider this forward-looking proposal. The Executive Committee believes that taking this action now is prudent as it reflects the association's new strategic plan and direction. “The $230 billion equipment leasing and finance industry is a growing and dynamic sector of commercial finance. This growth underscores the financial expertise our members bring to a market place that is constantly changing. The Executive Committee believes the association's name, activities and programs, on behalf of the membership, should clearly and forcefully reflect that expertise and breadth of market. “ -------------------------------------------------------------- Archives—October, 1991—“AAEL to become ELA” Rejects “Finance” in the name---- American Association of Equipment Lessors Chairman John Dean announced in October, 1991 that on November 6, members would vote on changing the name to Equipment Leasing Association. “'...the name of the association was confusing too many people and it did not communicate well, ‘explains AAEL Chairman John Deane. “'The new name will tell quickly and clearly what the association is,” Deane continues. “It also will reflect that the equipment leasing industry is made up of many interest that play critical roles in the success of the industry, including lessors...' “Most focus group participants wanted “equipment” and “lease” or “leasing” included in the name. All agreed that lessor is not a good word. Several wanted to be certain that the name conveyed that this is an American association. “One of the early considerations was whether ‘finance” should be included. This raised a bigger question for the Board of Directors. What does the association stand for? Equipment leasing? All leasing? Secured lending? All equipment finance? “At the spring meeting, the Board spent several hours determining what the future focus of the association should be. Many members do both lending and leasing, however, the board decided the association could only be an advocate for one type of financial product---equipment leasing. To broaden the scope would be to dilute or neutralize the association's work in representation and promotion, especially when conflicts occur. Hence, finance was not included. “As a result, a name was developed that quickly and clearly states what the association represents: EQUIPMENT LEASING. “If approved, the official effective date will be March 31, 1992. In the meantime, a transition in name, logo, public relations and legal documents will be initiated.” Volume III, No. 9 “Equipment Leasing Today,” October, 1991 -------------------------------------------------------------- Archives—1979---AAEL to move to Virginia From Leasing Digest, September, 1979, UK publication: “IN AMERICA “Record turn-out at Reno Convention “There was a record turn-out of some 1,500 people at the annual convention of the American Association of Equipment Lessors, this year held in Reno, Nevada, from September 16-19. The AAEL President, Sam Eichenfield, described 1979 as being the most significant in the history of the Association, because it was the year in which it became active rather than reactive. “This year the AAEL moved its headquarters from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Washington, DC. For the long standing and respected Secretary Sidney R. Rose, this is retirement year and his last Convention. In 1966 he joined the young association of 23 members, and it has since then grown massively in membership. (ELA started in the year 1961.) “With the move to Washington comes the appointment of the new Executive Secretary, Michael J. Fleming. Now in temporary offices in Washington he will move to new offices at 1700 North Moores Street, Arlington, VA 22209, from November 1. A sign of the importance of the new location lies in the fact that a reception for US Congressmen is being planned for October 22 when the AAEL will be asserting itself as an effective voice in the political lobby.”
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-------------------------------------------------------------- The Bizarre NorVergence Leases The Saga of Kuumba
Part I The Saga of Kuumba The Kuumba House Dance Theater is a non-profit organization in Houston, Texas, caught in the middle of two bankruptcy trustees, the Texas attorney general, and Preferred Capital creditors.
"Kuumba House is a performing arts company that preserves, creates, teaches and presents the cultural experience of African art forms through dance, theatre, music and other creative expression." www.Kuumbahouse.org
"Children's Dance Classes -- a dance education program that offers opportunities for youth, ages 6-17, to experience activities designed to nurture and explore their creative abilities through jazz, ballet and African dance." www.Kuumbahouse.org The Kuumba House Dance Theater was organized by Lindi Yeni Suiaiman. She is not a big-time lessee of phone equipment. She is a dance instructor for a charity. Preferred Capital sued her personally about a month ago in Ohio, as she personally guaranteed what she thought was a telephone service agreement, a booklet of paperwork that she signed to save telephone costs, she thought. This situation is typical of those who were defrauded by NorVergence and now find themselves caught up in a legal dilemma that often can turn out to be more costly than what they owe. The case in Ohio demands "...judgment against the Defendants, Kuumba House, Inc. and Lini Yeni Sulaiman, jointly and severally, the amount of Nine Thousand, Four Hundred, Ninety and 71/100 dollars($9,490.71) together with costs interest, attorney fees and such further relief as this Court deems appropriate." "Actually the point is very simple," according to attorney Scott Mackenzie, who is representing his client gratis.." The Texas NorVergence default judgment seemingly issues a permanent injunction against the enforcement of the any lease agreement obtained by NorVergence. It makes no distinction between assigned leases and leases retained by NorVergence at the time of its bankruptcy, "That is the argument against the Texas AG Default, namely that assigned leases are somehow different and not subject to the injunction, "he further explained. "What Kuumba House seeks to do is have the judge clarify his injunction and halt all collection activities as to Preferred Capital, since the receiver declared herself not subject to the injunction in her affidavit." http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Kuumbahouse_Show_Cause.pdf Donald Scott Mackenzie, Attorney at Law Part II "Maybe this is stupid?" In reality, IFC Credit Corporation, Morton Grove, Illinois was seeking $11,743 in the case of Specialty Optical d/b/a SOS in Texas. They were originally going to pay $24,723.51 to NorVergence, but in the course of the trial it was "discovered" they had a "hold back." ( see story and transcript footnote) What did this move get them? "IFC takes nothing on it's counterclaim. SOS shall recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees in the amount of $45,000.00 for trial, $30K for appeal, and $15 K for a petition for review to the Supreme Court of Texas, and $15K for responding to any unsuccessful appeal by IFC to the Supreme Court of Texas in the event the petition for discretionary review is granted per the parties stipulation." In addition, when the "holdback" was considered by Judge Sally Montgomery: ORDERED that IFC Credit Corp. (“IFC”) shall send letters to all lessees against which it has made claims under leases or rental agreements acquired form NorVergence and explain to each lessee the precise amount of money that was delivered to NorVergence for the lease, as well as what amount was held back, the basis for such holdback, and the manner in which the holdback was applied in the accounting records of IFC. In addition, "$13,600.00 as part of the sanctions in this case, which will also reimburse Specialty Optical for the fees it will incur in monitoring the notification of other lessees regarding payment and holdbacks as described above. It is further ORDERED that IFC shall pay to Specialty Optical, within 30 days from the date of this Order, the further sum of $22,078.25 as reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees incurred in connection with bringing this motion, as well as the sum of $803.92..." for a total of $36,482.17 IFC Credit did not “fund” the entire amount, but paid only a portion, and held back $16,257, which it labeled a “hold back” and did not disclose. In this specific law suit, the “Equipment Rental Agreement” is for 60 months at $543.67 or $32,620.20. After testimony, it is learned that IFC paid NorVergence $11,743 for a $28,000 original invoice figure that yielded lease payments of $36,482.17. Today IFC Credit is appealing the decision: The bizarre point here is lets assume the IFC attorney fees to date on this are $25,000, including the depositions, the length of the hearing, the number of attorneys, involved ( this may be low,) now add the judge's numbers of $36,482.17, $105,000,and the appeal costs, easily $25,000 to $40,000, we are at $206,482.17----to chase $11,743. I hope the law firm Askounis & Borst, P.C. doesn't threaten to sue us again, this time because we called the situation bizarre. Perhaps if we had called it stupid, we might be sued for libel???? It certainly is bizarre. Ten pages ruling of facts (perhaps for use in the appeal): Part III Who called for a Taxi?
The question: Is it the client or the law firm that decides where to go? Some law firms are like "taxi's," they will take their client where ever they are directed as they have the flag down and taxi meter running. Guilty or innocent, right or wrong, their oath when they passed the state bar was to represent their client to the best of their ability. This means the taxi driver will take the passenger wherever he wants to go ( legally, by the rules of the court, of course.)
A Cook County, Illinois jury recently ruled in favor of NorVergence lessee United Business & Industrial Federal Credit Union, finding IFC Credit. Morton Grove, Illinois, through its "master agreement" and relationship joined NorVergence and “induced by fraud to sign the 5 NorVergence contracts without knowledge of, or reasonable opportunity to learn of, the character or essential terms of the contracts." The legal term for this defense is called "fraud in the factum" or "essential fraud." Managing Partner Gregory Adamski, Adamski & Conti, estimated there was “$80-$100,000 in attorney fees from Askounis & Borst, P.C. While it is debated whether this sets up a precedent, it certainly must change the financial consideration of at least 50 pending cases with IFC Credit Corporation. In one such case, it was converted to a "Class Action case, "Pure Solutions v IFC 070306 Class Action:" The cost here in “cash out of pocket” appears to equal or outweigh the actual potential dollar loss. The larger size leasing companies settled with the 28 state attorneys general and District of Columbia. A good majority were settled for 90%, including late charges, personal property tax, insurance, and with terms. They evidently foresaw that whether the contract was valid or not, what the costs involved would be. Those that did not settle said to their friends, “These big companies could afford to do this, as they have a lot of money.” Whether they agreed or did not agree, they evidently did not have the cash flow to consider such settlements. Also perhaps for borrowing purposes, it was better to show their lenders and financial sources that they were pursuing the matter, and the decision was not whether they had the cash available to take the hit. Then there is the foreign bank that owns a popular leasing company: it is said by insiders that recovering any portion seems better than none. They did not want their parent to look like they did not know what they were doing in the USA. There is another group, who settled, took their lumps, as it is the "cost of doing business," also realized they might realize less of an out of pocket loss by going to court, but would not win in public opinion--- or public court if it went to a jury. While a precedent may or may not have been made in the recent Cook County Jury Trial, the first on record regarding NorVergence leases, the key in this was after four days of trial, it took the jury 2 1/2 hours, over their lunch, to reach a verdict. There are 100's of case pending for trial, but I would guess the overwhelming majority have been settled, many or almost all with the stipulation that the settlement be kept private, a common requirement. Leasing News early on called for settlement in the matter. We got more criticism from the NorVergence lessees at the time, claiming they wanted "vengeance." Leasing News printed an article from Paul Bent of the Alta Group on considering the dollar costs involved and sent it to many NorVergence list serves and blogs. Perhaps it should also now be read by those leasing companies who are telling their taxi driver where to go. The final word: It is not sales that make a net profit, it is good management. Paul Bent “Settlement Vs. Litigation” Some Current IFC Credit Cases:
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-------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Taylor, CLP New Book Available
"My new book, The Future of Equipment Leasing analyzes how the demise of Enron will affect off-balance sheet financing and the future of equipment leasing. Coupled with my other book, Selling Leasing In A Tough Economy, they provide a solid training foundation for both novice and experienced equipment leasing professionals. “Buy both books today and save $20 on your purchase." Jeffrey Taylor “For twenty-five years, I educated more than 20,000 equipment leasing professionals in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Kuwait, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Singapore and the U.K. By most standards, I am a world expert on the subject. Although I prefer Google, Yahoo and MSN, pick any search engine you want. Type in the phrase, “FASB 13” or “lease accounting” and one of my websites will show up on the first page. “Since 1981, I promoted and aggressively defended equipment leasing, because every Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and tax attorney believed in it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Equipment Leasing Association (ELA), major leasing companies, Chambers of Commerce, and the accounting community firmly endorsed the product.” For more information, please go to: http://leasing.bz/
### Press Release ########################### Sterling Financial Corporation of Lancaster, Pa., LANCASTER, Pa., -- The board of directors of Sterling Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: SLFI) declared a $0.15 per share cash dividend for the third quarter of 2006. This $0.15 per share quarterly dividend represents a 7.1 percent increase in the quarterly dividend over the dividend of $0.14 in both the second quarter of 2006 and the third quarter of 2005. In addition, it represents a dividend yield of 2.78 percent, based on Sterling's closing market price of $21.62 on Aug. 21, 2006. The third quarter dividend is payable on Oct. 2, 2006, to shareholders of record on Sept. 15, 2006. Sterling Financial Corporation has an 18-year record of consecutively increasing shareholder dividends. With assets of approximately $3.1 billion and investment assets under administration of $2.5 billion, Sterling Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: SLFI) is a diversified financial services company based in Lancaster, Pa. Sterling Banking Services Group affiliates offer a full range of banking services in south-central Pennsylvania, northern Maryland and northern Delaware; the group also offers correspondent banking services in the mid-Atlantic region to other companies within the financial services industry. Sterling Financial Services Group affiliates provide specialty commercial financing; fleet and equipment leasing; investment, trust and brokerage services; insurance services; and human resources consulting services. Visit http://www.sterlingfi.com for more information. Banking Services Group -- Banks: Pennsylvania: Bank of Lancaster County, N.A.; Bank of Lebanon County; PennSterling Bank; and Pennsylvania State Bank. Pennsylvania and Maryland: Bank of Hanover and Trust Company. Maryland: First National Bank of North East. Delaware: Delaware Sterling Bank & Trust Company. Correspondent banking services: Correspondent Services Group (provider of Sterling services to other financial institutions). Financial Services Group -- Specialty commercial financing: Equipment Finance LLC (commercial financing company for the forestry, land clearing and construction industries). Fleet and equipment leasing: Town & Country Leasing, LLC (nationwide fleet and equipment leasing company). Trust, investment and brokerage services: Sterling Financial Trust Company (trust and investment services), Church Capital Management, LLC (registered investment advisor) and Bainbridge Securities Inc. (securities broker/dealer). Insurance services: Lancaster Insurance Group, LLC (independent insurance agency for personal, property and business insurance); StoudtAdvisors (employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm); and Sterling Financial Settlement Services, LLC (title insurance agency). Human resources consulting: Professional Services Group (human resources consulting services provider for small to medium size businesses). SOURCE Sterling Financial Corporation ### Press Release ########################### London – - The Alta Group announced today that Asset Lifecycle Management Limited Established in 2002, by John Evans and Jim McGovern, ALM specialises in physical asset portfolio management for the leasing and asset finance industry. Both Directors have extensive experience in the banking and asset finance business and bring a level of knowledge to the systemisation of asset management that is second to none.
Pictured from left to right: John Evans (ALM), Malcolm Ogle, Derek Soper (both the Alta Group) and Jim McGovern (ALM) Derek Soper, European Chairman and Principal of The Alta Group in expressing his enthusiastic support for the arrangement, commented “As Alta expands its customer base across Europe it is inevitable that we find areas of required expertise which we do not already have within the Group. Asset Lifecycle Management brings specialist expertise in the whole field of asset management, from the setting and monitoring of residual values to issues arising from the reporting requirements under Basle II. Our clients will benefit hugely from this addition to our range of services.” John Evans, Managing Director of ALM, said “I believe that this arrangement with Alta will enable both companies to increase the depth and breadth of their respective services to deliver innovative solutions to contemporary market challenges and opportunities. As competition across Europe intensifies, lessors are looking for ways of improving returns, developing markets and complying with regulatory changes. Capitalising on an existing asset portfolio and developing business strategies that maximise these opportunities are areas where both ALM's and Alta's expertise can hugely benefit clients”. ABOUT THE ALTA GROUP The Alta Group, established in 1992, provides a broad array of strategic consulting and advisory services, education and training programmes, merger and acquisition and dispute resolution services for companies in the global equipment leasing and asset finance industries. Its clients include manufacturers, banks, independent lessors of various sizes and others in the industry. The Alta team is made up of more than 35 international professionals committed to the asset finance business, including former CEOs, company founders and industry thought leaders who are active in their areas of expertise. They collaborate and share their in-depth knowledge and insights with today's business leaders who face a range of challenges, both old and new. The firm has built a reputation on creative thinking, trust and professionalism. The Alta Group supports clients in North America, Latin America, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. For more information, visit www.thealtagroup.eu.com ABOUT ASSET LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT Established in 2002, ALM is a specialist provider of asset management services and consultancy to banks and leasing companies in the leasing and asset finance sectors in the UK and Europe. Understanding financing assets is at the heart of the business, utilising asset specialists and a range of unique bespoke systems for evaluating, tracking, managing and disposing of assets. The PAM™ (Physical Asset Manager™) system has been designed to work with any leasing system and provides a total ‘asset view' of a transaction and portfolio. The range of valuation and management services is available for the whole finance lifecycle or can be utilised at any point in the lifecycle including remarketing and disposal at the end of term. For more information about the company, visit www.assetlifecyclemanagement.com ### Press Release ########################### Financing for all-in-one equipment, printers and copiers with "print-IT-easy!" Munich, - "Print -IT-easy!" is the name of the new financing model for printing and copy solutions offered by Siemens Finance & Leasing GmbH (SF&L), the German leasing subsidiary of Siemens Financial Services (SFS). This model is user focused and independent of any particular equipment manufacturer. It is designed especially for business with IT system companies and office suppliers. Using "print-IT-easy!" SF&L partners can offer their customers attractive, transparent solutions as well as per-page costs. In addition, they have complete freedom in the selection of the printing and copy systems. With SF&L's new, usage-based leasing arrangement called "print-IT-easy!" IT system companies and office suppliers now have a financing solution that is completely independent of any particular manufacturer. Thanks to the new solution, the IT system companies and office suppliers can serve their customers as flexible partners offering needs-based printing solutions. Only one-fifth of all costs associated with document printing are linked to hardware procurement. The bulk of the costs are associated with operation and maintenance. The transparency and calculation certainty offered by "print-IT-easy!" can significantly reduce operation and maintenance costs. In addition to the transfer of the equipment, "print-IT-easy!" contracts also cover the provision of all maintenance and repair services by the dealer. With the exception of paper, the customer's monthly payment covers all costs associated with the operation of the leased equipment: maintenance, support and expendable items like toner. The size of the monthly payment is based on a calculated expenditure and printing volume. Oliver Heiß, who heads the small-ticket business in the Region Northern Germany, views the new leasing arrangement as an innovative addition to his company's financing portfolio: "With the ‘print-IT-easy!' leasing arrangement, we are giving IT system companies and office suppliers the opportunity to position themselves with their customers as partners for modern, needs-based printing solutions. The program imposes no limits on the selection of the hardware manufacturer. This independence gives our partners additional flexibility. In terms of conditions and the speed of processing, our solution also sets a competitive standard." Siemens Finance & Leasing GmbH, an affiliate of Siemens Financial Services GmbH, ranks among the leading providers of equipment leasing. The company has a nationwide distribution network in Germany. Siemens Finance & Leasing has more than 10,000 customers in Germany, including numerous small and medium-sized companies and self-employed professionals as well as major multinational corporations, municipal, state and federal authorities as well as public entities. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.siemens.de/leasing. With its roughly 1,700 employees and an international network of financial companies coordinated by Siemens Financial Services GmbH, Munich, the Siemens Financial Services (SFS) Group offers a broad range of financial services. This covers everything from sales and investment financing to treasury services, fund management and insurance brokerage. SFS's key customers are above all internationally active industrial and services companies, as well as public-sector operators. More information under: www.siemens.de/sfs. Related Links Siemens Finance & Leasing GmbH Siemens Financial Services (SFS) Group ### Press Release ###########################
News Briefs--- Is economy headed to a soft landing? This Fed Chief May Yet Get a Honeymoon Fitch Downgrades Ford & Ford Credit's IDR to 'B'; Outlook Remains Negative Possible sour loan raises SunTrust questions Growing future for jobs, salaries in Illinois Quattrone settles criminal case, plans return to banking Japan rice ban worries some California farmers Yosemite fire forces closure of El Capitan trails Willie Nelson joins campaign against horse slaughter With Katrina aid disappearing, nearly 60 percent of evacuees in Texas remain jobless ---------------------------------------------------------------
You May have Missed--- Ex-Leasing Company Owner Bob Donahue Running for Congress ----------------------------------------------------------------
“Gimme that Wine” Auction of Washington Wines Brings in $1.9 Million; ''Chateau Cabaret'' Raises Big Numbers in Three Acts of Weekend Events Mahoney Sells Winery Facility to Mondavi Family Wine Pairings for the Summer—Louis Jadot Macon Villages (our house French white wine—Sue's favorite) Wine Prices by vintage US/International Wine Events Winery Atlas Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) ----------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar Events This Day Hug Your Sweetheart Day Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day United Nations: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Abolition ----------------------------------------------------------------
The US is the largest country named after a real person (Amerigo Vespucci). Here are countries named after people: About Amerigo Vespucci, who explored South America before Columbus, who thought he had discovered Asia ((When discovered landed in the 15 th century in North America, an obscure map maker called the land South and North America, after Amerigo Vespucci http://geography.about.com/cs/historicalgeog/a/amerigo.htm
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Today's Top Event in History 1864- The Union navy captured Fort Morgan, Alabama, breaking the Confederate dominance of the ports of the Gulf of Mexico. As the Union fleet of four ironclad and fourteen wooden ships sailed into the channel on August 5, one of the lead ships, the Tecumseh, hit a mine, at the time known as a "torpedo." In reply to the warning, "Torpedoes ahead!" given by the forward ships, commander Admiral David Farragut called out, "Damn the torpedoes!" and, taking the lead with his flagship the Hartford, sailed over the double row of mines and into Mobile Bay. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug23.html ----------------------------------------------------------------
This Day in American History 1500 -- Christopher Columbus, accused of mistreating the natives of Haiti, is arrested and sent back to Spain in chains. Plunder continued to take precedence over conversion, but the Catholics continued to be embarrassed. Their ideology was not altogether suited to their practice. The Catholics made much of their conquests of Aztecs and Incas, whom they described as empires with institutions similar to those of the Hapsburg Empire and the religious practices as demonic as those of the official enemy, the heathen empire of the Ottoman Turks. But the Catholics did not make much of the wars of extermination against communities that had neither emperors nor standing armies. Such feats, although perpetrated regularly, conflicted with the ideology and were less than heroic. The act of slavery was condoned, as natives were considered “property” for this purpose, but there were reports of sexual abuse and torture in the name of church that got back to authorities, and contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church did not condone this. The queen of Spain appealed to the Pope, plus paid a “fine” for his release. --------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball Poem there Is nothing, in sport, like a new baseball by Tim Peeler Without seeing one, I can feel it in It feels a bit like your dry face after In sport what can you compare with this orb? --- with the permission of the author, from his available from Amazon -------------------------------------------------------------- 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? |
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