Corrections

ZRG Partners Acquires Starting Point Companies

http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_28.htm#zrg

In this story, Ken Vancini, managing partner, photo was used to identify Larry Hartman, as the URL was coded with his name. Larry must know a lot of people in the leasing industry, as Leasing News received over 50 emails about having the wrong photo.

Here is Larry:

 

---

Vaughn Indicted for defrauding banks, leasing companies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_28.htm#vaughn

At the hearing on the Chapter 12 Plan, he sheepishly admitted using multiple names, was caught lying on the stand about his business partner who in reality was dead, and using one thousand dollars in government money for a week at the Mark Hopkins Hotel and a $10,000 shopping spree at Victoria's Secret to dress up his lover. He also claimed that he did not know what his previous conviction was for (he forgot, he told the Bankruptcy court).

Left out was this remark from attorney Tom McCurnin:

"One of my fondest memories was asking the question about the Victoria's Secret clothing, and watching the Judge's Clerk literally lose a half glass of water through her nose, and wrecking her keyboard when that question was asked and answered. Priceless. "

Thank You All

$3,150

(Please Click on Kettle to see “Honor Roll”)

Happy New Year

Classified Ads---Senior Management

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment
or looking to improve their position)

Europe 25+ yrs exper. management roles Chase, AT&T Capital, Heller Financial, SFS. Develop biz from “scratch to success”. Looking for challenging & pioneering job. Email: frans@alliedproperty.net

Philadelphia, PA 27 yrs. exp. sales, ops., credit, strategy, P&L mngmet. Most recently created & executed the biz plans for 2 highly successful Bank-owned small ticket leasing subsidiaries. email: mccarthy2020@comcast.net

Philadelphia Metro Area - 30 Years experience Healthcare sales/ management- 3 years experience newly create "small-ticket" healthcare division. Good success - Mitch Utz 215-460-4483 Email: mitutz@msn.com

Southern CA 20 years exp. as hands-on leasing CFO, managing accounting, treasury, FP&A, including securitizations, Great Plains/FRx, budgets, risk management.  MBA.  Also available as interim Controller/CFO, consultant. Email: leasecfo@gmail.com

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Leasing Companies Out of Business
plus No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business

Companies with an * are no longer in business. The others are companies that were taking broker business, but announced that they no longer are accepting broker business. Many have also down-sized or are managing an existing portfolio.

More details are available in this list by company name:

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

Advantage Business Capital, Lake Oswego, Oregon
AEL Financial, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
(No longer taking new broker business)
Alliance Financial, Syracuse, New York
Balboa Capital, Irvine, Ca
Bankers Healthcare Group, Weston, FL.
*C and J Leasing Corp, Des Moines, Iowa
*Carlton Financial Corporation, Wayzata, Minnesota
*Chesterfield Financial, Chesterfield, Missouri
*Churchill Group/Churchill Leasing, Jericho, NY
CIT Group (limited)
Columbia Bank Leasing, Tacoma, WA
Commercial Equipment Lease, Eugene, Oregon
Concord Financial Services, Long Beach, California
Court Square, Malvern, Pennsylvania
*Creative Capital Leasing Group, LLC, San Diego, CA
Direct Capital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Diversified Financial Service, Omaha, NE
Dolsen Leasing, Bellevue/Yakima, Washington
Equipment Finance Partners, a division of Altec, Birmingham, Alabama
Evans National Leasing, Inc., Hamburg, NY
Enterprise Funding, Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Excel Financial Leasing, Lubbock Texas
*First Corp.(IFC subsidiary), Morton Grove, Illinois
First Federal Financial Services, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
First Republic Bank, San Francisco, CA
Frontier Capital, Teaneck New Jersey
*GCR Capital, Safety Harbor, Florida
GE Capital, Conn (limited)
Global Funding LLC., Clearwater, FL
*Greystone, Burlington, MA
*Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, CA
Hillcrest Bank Leasing, Overland Park, KS (Parent bank sold)
Huntington Equipment Finance, Vendor Finance Group, Bellevue, Washington
*IFC Credit Corp., Morton Grove, Illinois
Irwin Financial (Irwin Union Bank), Columbus, Indiana
Irwin Union Bank, F.S.B. (Louisville, Kentucky)
Lakeland Bank, Montville, NJ
LaSalle Systems Leasing
*Leaf Specialty Finance, Columbia, South Carolina
*LEAF Third Party Funding, Santa Barbara, Ca.
Lombard, part of Royal Bank of Scotland, worldwide
Marlin Business Services, Mount Laurel, NJ (accepting no new brokers, they may have opened for a select fee, but no more at this time, they say.)
Marquette Business Credit Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
M&T Credit (Bank)
*MericapCredit, Lisle, Illinois
Merrill Lynch Financial
Midwest Leasing Group, Livonia, Minnesota
National City, Cleveland, Ohio
*Navigator (Pentech subsidiary) San Diego, California
OFC Capital, Roswell, Georgia
Old National Bank, Evansville, Illinois
Pentech Financial, Campbell, CA
*PFF Bancorp, Inc, Pomona, CA
Pinnacle Business Finance, Fife, Washington
*Pioneer Capital Corporation, Addison, Texas
PredictiFund, a subsidiary of Capital Access Network, Inc
Popular Finance, St. Louis, Missouri
Radiance-Capital, Tacoma, WA
Rational Technology Solutions, Rolling Meadows, IL
Sandy Springs, Olney, MD
Sovereign Bank, Melville, New York
Specialty Funding, Albuquerque, NM
Sun Trust Equipment Finance & Leasing, Baltimore, Maryland
*SunBridge Capital, Mission, Kansas
Suncoast Equipment Funding Corp., Tampa, Florida
TCF Equipment Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota
TechLease, Morgan Hill, California
Textron Financial
*Triad Leasing & Financial, Inc., Boise, Idaho
*Union Capital Partners, Midvale, Utah
US Bank, Manifest Funding, Marshall, Minnesota
(new requirement: large yearly funding)
US Bank, Middle-Market, Portland, Oregon
Velocity Financial Group, Rosemont, Illinois
VenCore, Portland, Oregon (former company Len Ludwig)
Vision Capital, San Diego, California
Wachovia Bank Leasing
*Washington Mutual Financial
Western Bank, Devils Lake, ND
*Westover Financial, Inc., Santa Ana, California

(Note: Should a company policy have changed, please contact kitmenkin@leasingnews.org)

Funders looking for new Brokers:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/New_Broker.htm

"Broker/Lessor" looking for broker business:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Brokers/brokerlessor_bussiness.html

NAELB Broker Exchange
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/broker_exchange.html

ICON Capital is the Only Bidder

At the time of the filing a $21,599,653 suit against Equipment Acquisition Resources, Palatine, ICON Leasing Fund Eleven, LLC and ICON Leasing Fund Twelve, known as ICON EAR, LLC and ICON EAR II, LLC, also named Donna Malone (alleged wife of Sheldon Player and officer of Equipment Acquisition Resources) and Mark Anstett (president) as personal guarantors along with Equipment Acquisition Resources.

Filed in US District Court for the Southern District. the suit notes a master agreement with base rent of $131,765, $120,602.50, $120,184.50 and $46,911 each per month respectively. "The base term for each Equipment Schedule began on July 1, 2008 and was to continue June 30, 2013.

The transactions were secured by real estate in Wyoming, where Player had also established his bottle water company bottling (ironically, it was being leased from a neighbors well). In the E.A.R. bankruptcy filing, ICON fought for its right of property held as additional security to the leases, which was convoluted as being held by Players sons and special tax incentives to the family in the process. The loan being called, the property was finally put up for auction.

According to jhpropertyguide. com "The six parcels – in Horse Creek and on Henry’s Road – failed to attract any bidders other than the loan holder at a foreclosure auction Tuesday morning. Instead, the company that holds the mortgages, ICON EAR LLC, took the properties for the minimum bid of almost $23 million.

"The lot owners were listed as Sheldon Player, Dale Player, Donna Malone and Dana Malone.

"Cheryl Chidester, civil process supervisor for the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, said she was told the owners took out a loan against the properties to buy equipment for their business and defaulted on that loan.

"Also on Tuesday, U.S. Bank took back a condo at 536 Snow King Loop, No. 363. The bank took possession with an opening bid of $715,126 for the property.

"The parcels and condo bring the total number of properties foreclosed on in 2009 to 34.

"December is on track to set records for the value and number of homes in the county’s foreclosure process. Another nine properties are scheduled for auction through this month. The biggest one is a lot in the Lake Creek Ranch subdivision that has a starting bid of $5.6 million. That auction is scheduled for Dec. 29.

"Historically, Teton County has had few foreclosures. This year was a record year, with 127 auctions scheduled that had combined starting bids of $80.3 million."

http://www.jhpropertyguide.com/News.do?cmd=doNewsDetail&newsid=81

(if not working, please go to: http://leasingnews.org/items/teton_forclosure.html )

Icon Ear filing:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ICON%20Ear.pdf

E.A.R. Collection of stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/items/ear_1210.html

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com

Lease Police $$$ Special
--Reduce Your Portfolio Losses in 2011

(If ICON had been a member of LeasePolice, they could have saved themselves not only the $23 million, but time and costs involved, too!)

Effective immediately and until January 15, 2011, Lease Police will offer unlimited usage for the entire year 2011 for a one time charge of $650.This is your chance to reduce your losses with a one-time charge and expand your knowledge of your vendors and lessees. Where else can you get the following data at such a low cost?

Verify the phone number (does a stable vendor operate from a cell phone?) Verify the physical address (so many vendors operate from a residence) Search and examine the vendor’s web site (over 98% have one ) Search Credit.Net files for time in their files, SIC code and number of employees Cross-check our files for Vendor Unusual Activities ( we have over 375 at this time ) Check our files for reports of Lessee Unsatisfactory Early Terminations ( they now number over 10,000 with over 560 vendors with 3-55 repossessions) Verify the correct business name, date and state of formation and its active status.

All you have to do is reply to this memo and say “BERNIE---COUNT ME IN”

Bernie Boettigheimer, CLP
President
Lease Police, Inc.
1400 Preston Rd. #400
Plano, TX 75093
www.LeasePolice.com
www.bernieb@leasepolice.com
214-549-3426
972-692-8091- Fax

1099 Law into Effect January 1, 2012

It is a good idea to start collecting W9 forms from all the companies you have done business with starting January 1, 2011 where you paid $600 or more, as well as providing all the form, including when you buy over the internet or on a credit card. This includes checks to vendors, office supply, internet providers, all who you pay for business purposes whether by check or credit card.

The new 1099 Tax Law requirement for businesses to report to the Internal Revenue Service any purchase from a vendor or for goods and services amounting to $600 or more per year goes into effect 2012 for such purchases that will need to be reported and filed in 2013. You will need all the company's Federal ID or Employment number you do business with in 2012. Better to start getting into the mode in 2011 as it will take time to ramp it up.

W-9 Form:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

The expansion of 1099 reporting was added as a means to capture $2 billion worth of revenue in taxes on income that currently is not reported by smaller businesses, with the intent of offsetting the cost of the health bill.

The law may help track payments to terrorists and other such groups; however, it was put in the National Health bill: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The expansion of 1099 reporting was added as a means to capture $2 billion worth of revenue in taxes on income that currently is not reported by smaller businesses, with the intent of offsetting the cost of the health bill.

In the past, all companies reported only non-corporate payments, meaning to proprietorships and partnerships the amount of money expended in the preceding year.

Technically also many states require reporting the sales tax not paid on internet transactions, as they require that you pay them, although this is generally not followed as to the many exceptions such as the first three sales of a consumer not being recorded, some states 12, some states exempt garage sales, and for the last several years the Streamline Sales Tax Group has been working on making these state laws more uniform.

New computer programs by the IRS will be able to pick up these from the 1099 filings.

Most accounting software programs can automatically comply with these forms, not only adding up the category, but fitting it to the form, including all information such as name and address of the company paid to, as well as a cc: form to the company. Quick Books makes it quite simple to use. Undoubtedly there are many who may file electronically. Many other software programs such as TurboTax or specific programs such as from Realtaxtools.com or www.1099express.com or www.buytaxforms.com or Office Depot.

Smaller companies that use a hand written general ledger can also purchase specific software from many major stationary stores as well as the forms. It is assumed they have been reporting non-corporate and W-9 and this now adds corporations (except non-profits).

Retailers, including restaurants, already report credit card sales. In the past, smaller companies would estimate credit card sales, but under the new law, Plus, a major change goes into effect January 1, 2011, for payments received by credit cards, including PayPal.

From Wikipedia

"IRS Form 1099-K ensures that small business owners who don't declare all of the revenues they receive via credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and services like PayPal will no longer be able to hide those revenues from the IRS.

"In the years to come, IRS scrutiny will be more intense for small businesses and entrepreneurs that accept credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, PayPal or similar electronic payments.

"Historically, the revenues that small businesses receive through these payment processors have not been readily visible to the IRS.

"On the IRS website, you can view a draft version of new Form 1099K, Merchant Card and Third-Party Payments, which will be used to make these reports."

http://www.irs.gov/

Small Business Lending Market Trends
by Paul J. Menzel, CLP

We are coming out of the woods!

I have attached a couple of articles that reveal some interesting facts and historical perspective.

The first article shows lending trends from 2000 to 2010 Year to Date and breaks them down by loan size. It supports my contention that this recovery is being led by larger corporate borrowings rather than micro business lending (under $100k) that seemed to lead recovery in past recessions.

I believe the reason for this phenomenon is the psychological impact of the housing and job markets on the small business person. Overall, Federal Reserve Board statistics show that equipment loans and leases that are owned or managed by finance companies have declined continuously from the end of 2008 throughout 2009 and 2010 to a low point in October 2010 (latest statistics).

There was some recovery signals this summer, which we also felt, but the September/October 2010 contraction was the most severe in the last two years. It is pretty much the same story for consumer and commercial bank lending.

The next article shows how lending recovered after the recessions in 1990-91 and 2001.

In both cases it took a couple of years from the official end of the recession before lending started to recover in any meaningful way. That would put us at the middle of 2011 in this recession.

Some are arguing that it will take longer this time around due to the affect of the housing and job markets. Counter to that might be the advantage of low interest rates and the aggressive fiscal and monetary policies of the administration and Fed.

We shall see.

I believe that we have been bouncing along a bottom in our small ticket leasing market over the last few months and are at the beginning of a gradual but slow recovery throughout 2011.

Happy Holidays to all and Best Wishes for a Prosperous New Year!

Paul J. Menzel, CLP
President & CEO
FINANCIAL PACIFIC LEASING, LLC
Email: pmenzel@finpac.com
Phone: 253-568-6121 or 877-222-8558 x121

Why No Business Loan Growth:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/LoanGrowth.pdf

Small Biz Lending Weakness:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/SmallBizLending.pdf

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

Bank Beat---Tracking the Bank Failures

Map (please click on link)
http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/Failed-US-Banks.html

157 banks failed this year compared to 140 last year. There were more smaller bank failures than major bank failures of last year; 92.1 billion in assets this year compared to $169.7 billion in 2009.

This is a copyrighted feature by the Wall Street Journal. In opening the map, there is a list by date, and the map itself shows the most failures, the Southeast, the middle of America, Southern California, and Washington state.

You can resize the map and learn more, such as "value of assets" at the time making Washington state area the largest, which was primarily Washington Mutual; Colonial Bank in the South, BankUnited in Florida, IndyMac and Downy Savings and Loan in Southern California, Guaranty Bank in Texas, AmTrust in Illinois.

Worst Loan Portfolio (commercial real estate, construction and land development), then residential loans, then other business loans (note: the smallest of the group.) This backs up Paul Menzel’s comments above.

Total deposits go to the major bank failures and the preponderance are small banks.

Cost of failure is as interesting with the major bank failures the most costly (of course.)

Number of branches again the major player as most bank failures were from single and or regional banks; the community banks.

You can also view the bank failures on the map by state and not only see the geographical area but click on to see the bank name and its branch locations, as well as click on the bank to see information on the banks in all the circles.

List of Bank Failures:
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Bank Beat:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Bank_Beat.htm

John Kenny Receivables Management • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigations • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167| www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

[headlines]
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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Sales Manager – Houston Office 5 years+ equip fin/leasing experience Player/Coach 3-4 Rep’s, Energy Experience+ Must have track record of overachievement Controller – So California Office AR, AP,Tax,Fin-Statement Prep/Internal Controls Treasury Mgmt/Lease Acct and IT knowledge all++ Please submit resume to mcurtis@firstncc.com FIRST NATIONAL CAPITAL CORPORATION Is the 5th Largest Privately Held Equipment Finance Company In the United Stateswww.firstncc.com

Transportation Focused Company seeks Credit Manager. Knowledge of automated scoring as well as subjective credit underwriting a must. Compensation commensurate with experience. Located in the Inland Empire, please email wdalton@crlease.com

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

San Mateo, California---Adopt-a-Dog

Angel
ID #470296

“If you are looking for an angel then look no longer, for you have found her! This is Angel, a 1 year, 7 month old altered female Rottweiler mix. Angel is an absolute sweetheart! She loves to give kisses and get belly rubs! This is a gentle dog who is VERY mellow. In fact, she would be content just to sit at home all day with her owner! Angel does not need a lot of exercise, so her ideal owner would be someone who stays home for most of the day. Angel should be an only dog in the home. For all her sweetness, however, she will need a strong owner used to big dogs. Is this divine dog calling to you? If so, then please email Anika in order to set up an appointment or to learn more about her at: ALiljenwall@PHS-SPCA.org. ID #470296.”

Pictures and Video

Peninsula Humane Society
12 Airport Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94401
650.340.7022

http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/adoptionfees.html

http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/index.html

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/\

 

[headlines]
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Leasing News: Fernando’s View
By Fernando F. Croce

Special Year’s Best Edition

As 2010 comes to an end and we look forward to a new year, it’s time to look back at the best cinematic offerings. Here is a list, in alphabetical order, of some of the greatest movies released in 2010. Hurry and catch them in theaters, or, if they’ve already been released on DVD, give your Netflix queue to workout.

Alamar: Shot with few funds but bottomless love, director Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio’s gentle family drama provided a much-needed breath of fresh air amid loud and overproduced blockbusters. Using non-professional actors to create a unique blend of storytelling and documentary, its tale of family love and natural connection is a portrait of breathtaking beauty and pure, almost childlike emotions that lingers in the mind and heart long after it’s over.

Ghost Writer: Roman Polanski (“Rosemary’s Baby,” “Chinatown”) was in top form with this alternately chilling and blackly comic tale. Using its thriller plot to depict the treacherous theater of modern politics as well as a personal tale of artistic exile, this impeccably crafted and acted film is a master class in how to create a mood of sardonic unease and sustain it with wit and unsettling elegance. Top acting by Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan.

I Am Love: One of modern cinema’s most striking actresses, Tilda Swinton finds just the right role for her singular beauty in this terrifically stylish melodrama about a woman’s self-discovery. Letting the story unfold as a dry and witty comedy of social manners, writer-director Luca Guadagnino displays a luscious sense of visual style, as well as a sensitive touch for the characters. Best of all, he allows enough room for Swinton to shine her one-of-a-kind brand of light.

Let Me In: After a slew of moony “Twilight” bloodsuckers, is there still fresh blood left in vampire movies? There are more than a few drops of effectiveness in this strong and surprisingly affecting movie, inventively directed by Matt Reeves (“Cloverfield”). Following the strange friendship between a bullied young student and a melancholy, mysterious girl nex door, it transcends horror movie boundaries to create a moving tale of soulful sorrow.

Mother: Further cementing his reputation as one of South Korea’s most consistently fascinating filmmakers, Bong Joon-ho scores again with this beautifully made and unsettling look into a troubled woman’s ferocious mind. Anchored by Kim Hye-ja’s tremendous performance as a small-town mother investigating the events leading up to her son’s arrest for murder, it offers a remarkable drama that’s as harrowing as the best episodes of David Lynch’s classic “Twin Peaks” series.

Ondine: Acclaimed Irish director Neil Jordan ("The Crying Game") returns to his homeland with this enchanting fairy tale. Colin Farrell plays a fisherman who one day finds a beautiful young woman caught in his nets. Could she be a mermaid? The two fall passionately in love, but can their union survive as reality intrudes into the realm of myth? A movie that somehow manages to blend fantasy with grit, Jordan's romance is both magical and endearing.

Please Give: Continuing her streak of witty comic gems, writer-director Nicole Holofcener teams up once more with her favorite leading lady, Catherine Keener, for an amusing and often resonant comedy of manners. Painting a canvas of conscience-heavy business people, insecure teens and sensitive wallflowers, Holofcener weaves a series of observant vignettes about human connection. The result is a sharp and well-acted mix of humor and melancholy.

Toy Story 3: Fifteen years after they debuted in Pixar Studio’s first feature film, the “Toy Story” characters remain more beguiling than ever. In this third installment, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the other toys face their toughest challenge yet: The waning interest of their beloved owner Andy, who’s now a teenager with little time for playing. Filled with the kind of heart, laughs, and state-of-the-art animation that’s become Pixar’s specialty, this was the year’s most sure-to-please hit.

Vincere: The private life of a controversial historical figure is rivetingly laid out in this one-of-a-kind film from Italian veteran Marco Bellocchio. Telling the story of Benito Mussolini’s discarded mistress, the film employs an operatic style to bring together history and dramatic speculation, past and present, and music and movies, for an invigorating account of a woman refusing to become a historical footnote.

Wild Grass: Undermining the unofficial rule about cinema being a young man’s art, 88-year-old film legend Alain Resnais takes the audience’s breath away with this unpredictable, profoundly comic and moving tragicomedy. That the story of a strange man smitten by an eccentric dentist could lead to romance as well as restraining orders is just one of the elements making this modern screwball farce surreal and poignant at the same time, a cinematically inventive treat not to be missed by movie lovers.

News Briefs----

BBB 20/20 Investigation (Buy an “A+”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo8kfV9kONw

Head of L.A.-area BBB resigns amid scandal
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bbb-ceo-resigns-20101228,0,5491204.story

Inaction and Delays by New York as Storm Bore Down
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/nyregion/30response.html?_r=1&hp

New Jersey mayor uses Twitter to clear Newark streets
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/12/29/new.jersey.mayor.twitter/index.html?hpt=T1

 

You May have Missed---

Cell Phone Users Can Register for Emergency Notifications
http://green.tmcnet.com/news/2010/12/22/5208767.htm

 

 

Sports Briefs----

NFL fines Favre $50k for 'failure to cooperate'
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/article_7efcd356-e319-569a-80bc-7cd1c2ad93f5.html

49ers new GM may have familiar look
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/detail?entry_id=79993&tsp=1

 

“Gimme that Wine”

Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines - winemaker of the year
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/26/FD6U1GUFAJ.DTL&type=wine

Big Wine Brands Lead Growth in U.S. Market
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/44261

Maryland Reports Great grapes! Growers report best harvest ever
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12272010/businew155540_32552.php

Wine auction sales top $350 MM; Champagne anyone?
http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFN2723154220101228

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

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

    1813 -- Iroquois warriors and British troops capture Buffalo, New York.
http://history.buffalonet.org/1801.html
   1828- First coffee planted in Hawaii (Kona)
http://www.konacoffeefest.com/history.html
http://www.mauicoffeeco.com/history.html
http://www.konacoffee.com/about.html
http://www.kona-coffee-council.com
    1832 -Hanover College was chartered by the Presbyterian General Assembly of Indiana on November 29 and recognized by the State day to be created as
Hanover College on January 1, 1833. for official. The school had been founded as a seminary "in the wilderness" for training ministers 9n 1827,
 http://www.hanover.edu/
    1835 - Cherokees were forced to move across the Mississippi River after gold was discovered in Georgia. A minority faction of Cherokee agreed to the emigration of the whole tribe from their lands by signing the Treaty of New Echota. The Treaty of New Echota resulted in the cession of all Cherokee land to the U.S. and provided for the transportation of the Cherokee Indians to land beyond the Mississippi. The removal of the Cherokee was completed by 1838.
    1847-Birthday of John Peter Altgeld , born in Germany. He was a very popular
and progressive Governor of Illinois, first serving on the Cook County Supreme
Court.
 ( Lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec30.html)
   1853-Gadsden Purchase in Mexico City; the treaty settled the dispute over the exact location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas, giving the U.S. claim to approximately 29,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona, for the price of $10,000,000. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis sent James Gadsden, U.S. Minister to Mexico, who negotiated the treaty with General Antonio López de Santa Anna, President of Mexico. The plan was to set in motion land to build a southern continental train route to California. The civil war
halted many developments, including this one.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec30.html
   1862-The Union ironclad ship USS Monitor ( which achieved fame after her battle with the Merrimac) sank of Cape Hatteras during a storm. Sixteen of her crew were lost. As the Monitor pitched and swayed in the rough seas, the caulking around the gun turret loosened and water began to leak into the hull. More leaks developed as the journey continued. High seas tossed the craft, causing the ship's flat armor bottom to slap the water. Each roll opened more seams, and by nightfall on December 30, the Monitor was in dire straits. At 8:00 p.m., the Monitor's commander, J.P. Bankhead, signaled the Rhode Island that he wished to abandon ship. The wooden side-wheeler pulled as close as safety allowed to the stricken ironclad, and two lifeboats were lowered to retrieve the crew. Many of the sailors were rescued, but some men were terrified to venture onto the deck in such rough seas. The ironclad's pumps stopped working and the ship sank before 16 crew members could be rescued. Although the Monitor's service was brief, it signaled a new era in naval combat. The Virginia's arrival off Hampton Road terrified the U.S. Navy, but the Monitor leveled the playing field. Both sides had ironclads, and the advantage would go to the side that could build more of them. Northern industry would win that battle for the Union.
   1867-Birthday of Simon Guggenheim, American capitalist and philanthropist, born at Philadelphia, PA. He established, in memory of his son, the John Somin Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Died Nov 2, 1941 at New York City.
    1880 - The temperature at Charlotte, NC, plunged to an all-time record cold reading of 5 degrees below zero, a record which was equaled on the 21st of January in 1985.
   1890-Birthday of trumpet player/band leader Charlie Creath, born Ironton, MO. Led bands from 1916-1940.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/creath.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,539301,00.html
http://www.bluesworld.com/OTHERPRE.html
     1903 - A fire in the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago killed 588 people; public outrage led to new theater safety codes across America.
    1905- Former Idaho governor Steunenberg assassinated .Targeted for his role in quelling a miners' strike in 1899, former Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg is wounded by a powerful bomb that is triggered when he opens the gate to his home in Caldwell, Idaho. He died shortly afterwards in his own bed. A former newspaper editor, Steunenberg entered Idaho politics in 1890, when he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1896, he won the Idaho Governor's seat as the head of a coalition of Democrats, Populists, and Republicans who supported the use of silver to back currency. Generally perceived as a friend to labor and the "little man," Steunenberg won a second term as governor in 1896. During this term, he was confronted with one of the most divisive and violent western battles between labor and management of the 19th century. Miners in the rich silver districts near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, had been struggling to unionize and gain better pay and working conditions since 1892. Radicalized by their initial defeats, an increasing numbers of miners began supporting the violence-prone Western Federation of Miners (WFM), which advocated aggressive tactics and worker control of industry. Alarmed by the growing influence of the WFM, Coeur d'Alene mine owners attempted to bust the union in 1899, and the WFM responded by blowing up one mining company's huge and costly concentrators with dynamite. Disturbed by the miners' violent tactics, the hitherto pro-labor Steunenberg heeded the demands of the powerful mine owners and turned against the WFM, requesting that the federal government send in troops. The soldiers placed the region under martial law and herded hundreds of miners into makeshift prisons, ignoring their constitutional rights to know the charges and evidence against them. Steunenberg's actions restored order in the Idaho silver mines, but also earned him the lasting enmity of many radical WFM members. Six years later, the radicals took their revenge by sending a professional assassin named Harry Orchard to Caldwell. The professional hit man was responsible for planting the bomb that killed the former governor. Orchard was captured, tried, and sentenced to life in prison, and his guilt has never been seriously disputed. However, many were convinced that the plot to kill Steunenberg was supported not just by a radical minority within the WFM, but also by its top leadership. WFM secretary-treasurer William "Big Bill" Haywood was brought up on charges of criminal conspiracy but was found not guilty largely as a result of famous Chicago lawyer Clarence Darrow's brilliant defense. Haywood went on to found the even more radical Industrial Workers of the World.
     1910 – Paul Bowles, composer, author, husband of Jane Bowles, lives (1910-1999), New York City.
http://www.charm.net/~brooklyn/People/PaulBowles.html http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/HRC/HRHRC/paulbowles.html
   1912-The Haas Brothers patented “crepe,” first produced in France the same year, and commenced production in the United States.
http://64.70.222.59/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store
_Code=CrepeSuzette&Category_Code=corsets
http://tirocchi.stg.brown.edu/essays/print/parmal.html
  1915-Birthday of singer Brownie McGhee, died Feb. 23, 1996.
http://www.io.com/~tbone1/blues/ECblz/bromcg.html
http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_26/brownie.html
http://yazoobluesmailorder.com/vesta13056.htm
   1917 -32ºF (-36ºC) in Mountain City TN (state record) 1917 -37ºF (-38ºC) in Lewisburg WV (state record)
    1917 - A great cold wave set many records in the northeastern U.S. The mercury plunged to 13 degrees below zero at New York City, and to 15 degrees below zero at Boston. Temperature readings dipped below zero at Boston five nights in a row. Berlin NH hit 44 degrees below zero in the "Great World War I Cold Wave", and Saint Johnsbury VT reached 43 degrees below zero.
   1918 -John E Hoover decides to be called J Edgar Hoover. he entered (1917) the Dept. of Justice and served (1919-21) as special assistant to Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer . 1872-1936, American politician, b. Moosehead, Pa. Admitted (1893) to the bar, he built up a large law practice, became a leader in the state Democratic party, and served (1909-15) in Congress. In 1912, Palmer helped swing the Democratic convention to nominate Woodrow Wilson for President. Working under Palmer, he directed the so-called Palmer Raids against allegedly radical aliens. President Woodrow Wilson was very anti-black as recording by historians and noted in many books regarding his racism.
(“Lies My Teacher Told Me, “ by James W. Loewan.)
http://www.crimelibrary.com/hoover/hoovermain.htm
  1918-Birthday of pianist Jimmy Jones, Memphis TN
http://www.harlem.org/people/jimmyjones.html
   1924 -- Edwin Hubble announces existence of other galactic systems
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
http://www.edwinhubble.com/hubble_bio_001.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dp24ga.html
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/HubbleLaw.html
http://www.nso.lt/cosmos/hubble.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0937707287/categoricalgeome/104-3547695 1517507
   1926-Birthday of guitarist James “Jesse” Richard, Mississippi
   1926-Birthday of pianist Stan Tracey, London ,England
http://home.achilles.net/~howardm/stantracey/st.shtml
 http://www.ejn.it/mus/tracey.htm
    1927 -The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel was incorporated in Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 1923 by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, the denomination recognizes the significant role that women in ministry. Today, over 40% of its ministers are women.
http://www.foursquare.org/
   1928-Brithday of singer/song writer Bo Didley, (real name Ellas McDaniels) born McCombs, MS.  
 He auditioned for Chess records in Chicago in 1955 with a song called "Uncle John." When the song was recorded -- the session was produced by legendary blues man Willie Dixon -- the title was changed to the autobiographical "Bo Diddley."  "I'm a Man," "You Can't Tell a Book By Its Cover" and "Road Runner" were some of the other Diddley classics. His hard-driving, rhythmic guitar style influenced some of the early recordings of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=88
http://www.guitarsite.com/BoDiddley.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index_2.html
  1928-Birthday of tenor saxophone player Jack Montrose
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927163877&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
http://art.staviator.com/J/Jack_Montrose.html http://www.jazzmanrecords.com/jacmonpetjol.html
http://windmusicplus.safeshopper.com/469/4236.htm?148
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-
/135969/ref%3Dbr%5Fart%5F/104-3547695-1517507
    1931-Birthday of coach/former baseball player Frank Joseph Torre, New York, NY
    1933 - The temperature reached 50 degrees below zero at Bloomfield, VT. It was the coldest reading in modern records for New England. The temperature at Pittsburgh NH reached 44 degrees below zero.
    1935-Birthday of Sandy Koufax former sportscaster Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, born Brooklyn, NY.
   1938-historic recording of Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons “ Boogie Woogie Prayer.” Vacalion
   1939 - birthday of Del Shannon (Charles Westover), born Grand Rapids, Michigan. (singer: Runaway, Hat’s Off to Larry, Little Town Flirt, Keep Searchin’ [We’ll Follow the Sun]; songwriter: I Go to Pieces; inducted into the Rock http://www.history-of
rock.com/del_shannon.htm and Roll Hall of Fame [Mar 15, 1999]; died Feb 8, 1990)
http://www.cchr.org/art/eng/page20.htm
http://www.srv.net/~roxtar/shannon_del.html
   1939-Birthday of bassist/producer/arranger Felix Pappalardi, Bronx, NY
Died April 13, 1983
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist.html?artist_id=25076
http://www.pappalardi.com/
   1940-Birthday of drummer Jerry Granelli, San Francisco, CA
http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,437701,00.html?artist=Jerry+Granelli
http://www.songtone.com/artists/granelli_link.htm
http://www.cosmik.com/aa-january00/john55.html
   1942 - Frank Sinatra opened at New York’s Paramount Theatre backed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, performed his first solo concert at the Paramount Theatre in New York. This show marked the beginning of the mass hysteria for Sinatra among teen girls, known as bobby-soxers. There was a near-riot in Times Square. The show was scheduled to be a 4-week engagement (his shows turned out to be so popular, he was booked for an additional 4 weeks). An estimated 400 policemen were called out to help curb the excitement. It is said that some of the teenage girls were hired to scream, but many more screamed for free. Sinatra was dubbed ‘The Sultan of Swoon’, ‘The Voice that Thrills Millions’, and just ‘The Voice’. Whatever he was, it was at this Paramount Theatre engagement that modern pop hysteria was born.
   1944- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys made their first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Wills had been popular for more than a decade by then, but his western swing style -- a combination of western and big band music -- apparently was not favored by the Opry management.
  1946-Davy Jones, lead vocalist of the Monkees, was born in Manchester, England. The Monkees' guitarist, Mike Nesmsith, was born on the same day in 1942. The Monkees were a musical group created by producer Don Kirshner for a television series based on the Beatles' film "A Hard Day's Night." With the help of the songwriting team of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and plenty of studio musicians, the Monkees had a succession of pop hits in the 1960's -- among them, "Last Train to Clarksville" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." 1946 -- Singer/poet Patti Smith born Woodbury,NJ
http://www.oceanstar.com/patti/bio/aristbio.htm
http://www.pattismithland.com/
   1948 - Alfred Drake and Patricia Morrison starred in "Kiss Me Kate" which opened at the New Century Theatre in New York City. Cole Porter composed the music for the classic play that was adapted from Shakespeare’s comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew". The show ran for 1,077 performances on the Great White Way.
   1951---Top Hits
 Slowpoke - Pee Wee King
Sin (It’s No) - Eddy Howard
Down Yonder - Del Wood
Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way - Carl Smith
   1951-The Roy Rogers Show” premiered on TV. This very popular TV western starred Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, as themselves. It also featured Pat Brady as Roger’ sidekick who rod a jeep named Nellybelle, the singing group Sons of the Pioneers, Roger’s horse Trigger, Evan’s horse Buttermilk and a German shepherd named Bullet. This half-hour show was especially popular with young viewers. 1952 -- Tuskegee Institute reports this is first year in 71 years with no lynchings in the country
http://audible.nolanet.org/itemdetail.cfm?ID=786
   1952 -- Tuskegee Institute reports this is first year in 71 years with no lynchings in the country.
http://www.bl.uk/collections/tuskegee.html
   1953-Trumpet player Chet Baker cuts first strings session for Columbia Records (46174)
    1953 - The film, The Wild One, starring Marlin Brando as a leader of tough motorcyclists terrorizing a small town, debuted in New Yo1953 - The first color television sets went on sale for more than $1,000.
    1954 - Pearl Bailey opened on Broadway in the play, "House of Flowers", about two madams with rival bordellos. Diahann Carroll was also cast in the play, written by Truman Capote. Harold Arlen provided the musical score.
   1954 – Our neighbor in the Pacific Palisades, CA. James Arness made his dramatic TV debut on the "Lux Video Theatre" in "The Chase". The "Gunsmoke" series didn’t begin for Arness until the fall of 1955.
   1954-The first athlete who was African-American to win the James E. Sullivan Memorial Trophy was Malvin Greston “Mal” Whitfield of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, a half-miler who was the first choice on 252 of 657 ballots cast by a nationwide tribunal of sports authorities and tabulated this day. Whitfield set the Olympic record for 800 meters in London in 1948 and held the world 880-yard record and the 600-yeard indoor record. The trophy, presented annually since 1940 by the Amateur Athletic Union, is the top award for amateur athletes in the United States
    1955 - Anchorage, AK, reported an all-time record snow depth of 47 inches.
    1957- Elvis Presley's Elvis' Christmas Album hits #1
    1959---Top Hits
Why - Frankie Avalon
The Big Hurt - Miss Toni Fisher
It’s Time to Cry - Paul Anka
El Paso - Marty Robbins
   1961 - Jack Nicklaus lost to Gary Player in an exhibition match in Miami, Florida. It was Nicklaus’ first attempt at pro golf. The following year he entered the pro tour, winning $61,868.95, more than any other rookie golfer in history.
   1963-“Let’s Make a Deal” premiered on television. Monty Hall hosted this outrageous and no-skill-required game show. Our neighbor Bernie Gould was the chief writer (yes, all these shows were scripted for one liners, games, introductions, etc.). Audience members, many of whom were picked to “make a deal” with Hall by trading something of their own for something they were offered. Sometimes prizes were worthless (“zonks”). At the end of the show, the two people who had won the most were given the option to trade their winnings for a chance at the “Big Deal”,” hidden behind one of three doors. A rival of the show ran from 1990 to 1991 with Bob Hilton as the host.
   1967---Top Hits
Hello Goodbye - The Beatles
Woman, Woman - The Union Gap
Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy Band
For Loving You - Bill Anderson & Jan Howard, jumped into the top spot on Billboard's hit record charts, and stayed Number 1 for 3 weeks.
    1967-"Hello Goodbye" becomes The Beatles 15th Billboard number one hit. The flip side, "I Am the Walrus" reached #56, the lowest ranking for any charted "B" side of a Beatles number one single. John Lennon wrote nonsense words for "Walrus" after learning that a teacher at his old primary school was having his students analyze Beatles' lyrics. He would later say, "Let the fuckers work that one out."
    1968-HOWARD, ROBERT L. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sfc .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1968- The first Led Zeppelin bootleg, Gonzaga '68, is a recording of tonight's show at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, one of their very first in America and the first ever live recording of the band.
    1969 - Peter, Paul and Mary received a gold record for the single, "Leaving On a Jet Plane". The song had hit #1 on December 20.
   1969—President Nixon signs off on tax reform. As the 1960s drew to a close, President Richard Nixon signed off on what was then the most far-reaching tax reform bill in U.S. history. The legislation relieved nine million low-income citizens of the burden of paying taxes; it also slashed tax rates for individuals by 5 percent. It was the most far-reaching tax reform bill in US history passed by Congress. Although it removed 9,000,000 of the very poor from federal tax rolls, it was criticized as a measure that aided the rich. The bill, signed by President Nixon on this day, reduced the tax surcharge from 10% to 5% and extended it for six months, reduced the oil depletion allowance from 27.5% to 22%, closed numerous tax loopholes, and increased Social security benefits by 15%.
   1970 - Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest. The suit touched off a bitter feud between McCartney and the others, especially his co writer on many of the Beatles compositions, John Lennon. The partnership officially came to end in 1974. “You get your lawyer
& I'll get mine
We'll all get together
& have a real bad time.”
 George Harrison, "Sue Me Blues
    1971 -- Daniel Ellsberg indicted by a federal grand jury for releasing Pentagon papers to the news
media.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0838198.html
http://ellsberg.net/index.htm
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/72nov/ungar.htm
http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people/Ellsberg/ellsberg98-0.html
   1972 – Officials in Washington, D.C., announce that the peace talks in Paris between National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese negotiator Le Duc Tho will resume on January 2 President Richard M. Nixon on December 18th ordered a massive air bombardment of military installations in North Vietnam. The heaviest attack since the November, 1968 bombing halt.
 On December 28, Hanoi agreed to return to the negotiations, and President Nixon ordered a halt to Linebacker II, the intensive bombing campaign of North Vietnam. Nixon initiated the campaign on December 18 when the North Vietnamese, who walked out of the peace negotiations in Paris, refused his ultimatum to return to the talks. During the course of the bombing, 700 B-52 sorties and more than 1,000 fighter-bombers dropped an estimated 20,000 tons of bombs, mostly over the densely populated area between Hanoi and Haiphong. the US (by its own count) lost 15 B-52's & 11 fighter-bombers, with 93 airmen killed or missing. Hanoi claims 76 planes were shot down. Nixon, elected on the campaign with the promise of a "secret" plan to end the war . “The White House tapes” indicate he had none and at the time, was negotiating behind his Secretary of State Kissinger’s back. The North Vietnamese realized that Nixon was going to continue to bomb until they came back to the peace table, no matter what Kissinger was or was not telling them. When the communist negotiators returned to Paris, the peace talks moved along quickly. On January 23, 1973, the United States, North Vietnam, the Republic of Vietnam, and the Viet Cong signed a cease-fire agreement that took effect five days later.
   1975---Top Hits
Let’s Do It Again - The Staple Singers
Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
Convoy - C.W. McCall
    1975-Birthday of golfer Tiger (Eldrick) Woods, born Cypress, CA.
    1976 - The Smothers Brothers, Tom and Dick, played their last show at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and retired as a team from show business. Each continued as a solo artist. They reunited years later for another stab at TV (on NBC) plus concert appearances that proved very successful.
    1976- ABBA's Greatest Hits is certified gold
    1978 - Ohio State University fired Woody Hayes as its football coach, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl after Bauman intercepted an Ohio pass.
    1979- Emerson, Lake and Palmer announced they were splitting up. The trio of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer was enormously popular in the early 1970's with their classically-flavored progressive rock. The trio regrouped in 1986, at first with drummer Cozy Powell substituting for Palmer. But Palmer himself later rejoined Emerson and Lake.
   1980 - The longest-running series in prime-time television history was canceled by NBC. "The Wonderful World of Disney" was axed after more than 25 years on the tube.
    1982 - An uncommon sight in the sky this night, as a ‘blue moon’ appeared. It was not really a blue moon, but one unobstructed by pollution and haze - appearing grayish in color. It was the second full moon of the month; a rare event that attracted many sky watchers. Now you know where the expression, “once in a blue moon” came from.
    1983---Top Hits
Say Say Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Say It Isn’t So - Daryl Hall-John Oates
Union of the Snake - Duran Duran
Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You) - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
    1983 - ‘Dr. J’, Julius Erving, of the Philadelphia 76ers, sank a free throw in the third quarter to become the ninth pro basketball player to score 25,000 points. The 13-year veteran reached his milestone, but the Sixers still lost to the Seattle SuperSonics, 97-93. 1988 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan and President-elect George Bush were subpoenaed to testify at the trial of former White House aide Oliver North on criminal charges stemming from the Iran-Contra affair.
    1985- IBM-PC DOS Version 3.2 released
http://a1computers.net/pcdoshis.htm|
    1987 -- US: An unusually heavy demand for non-smoking seats aboard a TWA flight from Boston to Los Angeles leads to a complete smoking ban. Toward the end of the flight, 11 passengers protest by lighting cigarettes, & the flight attendant who demands that they be extinguished is physically assaulted.
    1988 - Unseasonably cold weather prevailed in the southwestern U.S. A week of subfreezing temperatures in southern California claimed the lives of five people. Redding CA was blanketed with four inches of snow.
    1989 - Extreme cold continued across northern Maine. Milo ME was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 38 degrees below zero, and the low of 31 degrees below zero at Caribou ME was a December record for that location. Freezing rain spread across much of Lower Michigan, knocking out electrical power to 1.9 million customers in southeastern Lower Michigan.
    1991- A girl was born to Bruce Springsteen and wife Patty Scialfa (SKEE-AL'-FUH). It was the couple's second child.
    1991---Top Hits
Black or White - Michael Jackson
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday - Boyz II Men
All 4 Love - Color Me Badd
My Next Broken Heart - Brooks & Dunn
    1995-Sir Elton John was named a commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year's honors list. He was honored for his service to music and to charity. John donated millions of dollars to AIDS research.
    1995 -- US: Right-to-Life (sic) gunman John C. Salvi III murders Shannon Lowney of Planned Parenthood & Lee Ann Nichols of Pre-term, women's health care clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts.|
Salvi, who worked in a beauty salon in New Hampshire before his murderous rampage, was described by acquaintances as a "very odd" man. Despite his increasingly erratic behavior, Salvi's parents resisted getting professional treatment for him. As his mental state deteriorated, he became a zealous anti-abortion activist. In March 1996, Salvi's trial jury rejected his insanity defense and convicted him of murder. After receiving two life sentences, he killed himself in prison in November 1996.
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/old-wildcats/spring95/February/February8,1995/03_3_m.html
http://www.standardtimes.com/daily/03-96/03-19-96/1asalvi.htm
    2002-According to a Nielsen SoundScan survey, total CD album sales were down 10.7% in 2002, marking the sharpest sales decrease from the previous year in the 11-year tracking history. It was the second straight year the market declined, following steady growth since Nielsen first began tracking the US market in 1991. Total album sales in 2002 were 681 million, compared with 762.8 million the previous year. Country album sales posted the largest increase, as sales rose 12.2% from 2001. This rise was largely fuelled by such crossover sensations as The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, and Faith Hill.

American Football Poem

Special Poem written by first-grade students in Room 3 at Lowell Elementary:

Peyton Manning

Long ago you were just a little boy,
A football came to be your favorite toy.

Your days seemed to fly by,
With daddy Archie and brothers Cooper and Eli.

High School in New Orleans and college in Tennessee,
You were the best quarterback anyone had ever seen.

Now you're with us,
Here in Indianapolis.

Our Colts leader so smart,
Doing good with your kind heart,
That's why the foundation had to start.

The PeyBack Foundation was a terrific decision,
Leadership and growth are part of its mission.

You said you grew up with a blessed life,
Others aren't lucky and have had strife.

But you're here with an excellent recommendation,
It's good to raise money for the PeyBack Foundation.
The PeyBack Classic, Holiday Happenings, Play it Smart, CASA,
Peyton's Pals, Handoff for Hunger and Peyton's Rally at Gasoline Alley, Varroom!

You're come a long way Peyton Manning,
As a person we find you absolutely outstanding

----

Students who participated in writing this poem:

Alleh Clark Ashleigh Pflum
Sophia Yowler Ms. Mercer
Natalie Garner Morgan Underwood
Erica Hernandez Jacob Grimes
Blake Reese Cammaria Nixon
Kaylee Sanders Chase Brown
Brian Wyatt Katrisha Steele
Paris Garnier Keenan Turner
Mrs. White Paula Fancher
Kadin Harris Savannah Hizer

more about PeyBack: http://www.peytonmanning.com/peyback/