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Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry
kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   

 


Monday, February 27, 2012





Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

   Classified Ads---Sales Manager
Westover Capital Accused of Multiple Grand Thefts
 by Christopher Menkin
  Placard---Sherlock Holmes Observation
   Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
   The Changing “End User” Sales Calls
     “Reasons employees look elsewhere”
      Career Crossroad—
      Classified Ads---Help Wanted
 Bank Beat—Non-Conforming Loans in Georgia
  Home Savings of America fails—no buyers!
   Complete 2012 Leasing & Finance Association---Up-date
Tuesday, February 28—Sutton at Arizona Meeting
Top Stories---February 21 - February 24
    ELFA: President Obama's Corporate Tax Reform Proposal
     Tustin, California Adopt-a-Dog
      Classified ads—Signing Service/Site Inspection
News Briefs---
 ELFA Reports $5.1 billion new business in January
  SunTrust estimates possible $120 million cost
   Canada's banks lto squeeze out more profit in tight times
Why Auto Leasing Collapsed in Canada
    'The Artist':best picture, director, actor; Meryl Streep best actress
      Ben & Jerry's releases Jeremy Lin ice cream flavor

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (collection)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

Chase Plans SF Bay Expansion; branch rankings here
  You May Have Missed
  Healthy Beverage Guidelines
   SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer
    Sports Briefs---
      Winter Poem
     California Nuts Briefs---
       "Gimme that Wine"
       This Day in American History
         SuDoku
           Daily Puzzle
             GasBuddy
               Weather, USA or specific area
                 Traffic Live----

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer. It is considered “bias” as it is the writer’s viewpoint.


 

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Classified Ads---Sales Manager




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


Fort Myers, Florida
Very experienced and strong skills with both Captive and Specialty Sales Management. Over 25 years , will relocate and travel---successful and team player.
e-mail: tlinspections@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

 


Hugh Swandel, Senior Managing Director of the Alta Group and President of the National Equipment and Finance Association (NEFA) would like to personally invite you to join NEFA and attend our Spring Summit

National Equipment Finance Summit, March 22-24





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Westover Capital Accused of Multiple Grand Thefts
by Christopher Menkin


In the history of writing Leasing News there have been those in the industry where I find little pleasure in reporting, but to quell the rumors and misinformation, here is why Lanak & Hanna, Orange, California, is taking Westover Financial, Westover Capital, Jaimie Haver, Steven R. Jones, and Joseph G. Woodley, CLP, (past National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) Executive Director and CLP board member) and others connected, to trial on March 12, 2010 in Superior Court, Orange County, California. It regards $859,409.50 allegedly stolen.*

To make the situation worse, Westover Capital is not a California Licensed Lender, subjecting transactions in California to usury laws as well as proprietorship and personal guarantee transactions may be considered invalid, unless the transaction is a “true lease” with no bargain purchase option and meets requirements of an “operating lease.” In addition, those licensed with capital lease transactions may find additional difficulties, including invalid contracts, if discovered, for dealing with a non-licensed entity.

It appears the Westover Capital logo
has several meanings with the saying
"Open the Door to Opportunity"

The Lanak & Hanna complaint alleges customer lists, computers, documents, equipment, files, forms, furniture, as well as actual leases and their residuals were taken from Westover Financial to Westover Capital, which secured a revolving line of credit. In additional, the complaint states Joe Woodley, CLP, allegedly destroyed the Westover Financial files and other documents; joined by Jaime Haver and as well as others who participated in the destruction of all records.

"Defendant HAVER; and DOES 86 through 100, inclusive, an officer of Defendant WESTOVER and WESTOVER CAPITAL, as well as Defendants WOODLEY, an officer and shareholder of Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, knowingly and intentionally arranged for the destruction of and destroyed all contracts, paperwork documenting deals, and equipment leasing and financing agreement documents and files of Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, shredded despite Plaintiff's demands not to, and also knowingly, fraudulently, and with wrongful intent transferred all other books and records not destroyed of Defendants WESTOVER to Defendants WESTOVER CAPITAL;"
    (Page 19)

The thirty-one page third amended complaint allegedly tells the story, which appears to leave Jaimie Haver and others twisting in the air, especially over oral testimony. The case really centers on her and others as well as Westover Capital. According to informed sources, Joe Woodley, CLP, is not the concern now, as he is not named as an officer or employee of Westover Capital. In fact, Jaimie Haver states her actions were done as a "favor to Joe," according to the Lanak-Hanna complaint. It seems to leave Joe Woodley out of cause for any action that took place.

This all started after the demise of First Heritage Bank, Newport Beach, California (1) that had given a $1 million revolver line of credit to Westover Financial, secured with the leases, signatures of Steven Jones and Joseph Woodley. In February, 2009 the FDIC as receivers sold the loan and covenants to Brown Bark III. May 6, 2009 the law firm filed against those named. Westover Capital, now located in Tustin, California was incorporated June 29, 2009 with Jaimie Haver as the agent (C3215873). (2) July 21, 2009 Joseph Woodley filed personal bankruptcy, and among the named debts was the First Heritage bank line of credit, along with others. (3)


Joseph G. Woodley, CLP

The date is noticeable as the next day, July 22, 2009 Leasing News interviewed Joe Woodley, CLP (4). Several readers had contacted Leasing News, such as this email, "In case you don’t have this already, I just heard from a pretty reliable source that these guys closed down, apparently owing vendors, lessees and salespeople money. Thought you might want to check it out."

In the interview, a day after he had filed bankruptcy, Woodley told Leasing News he had "...sold 40% of the company to Steve Jones, who eventually took full control, until a few months ago when he left and took the inside sales crew to iFinancial, San Clemente, California."

The story continues:

"Semi-retired, but still active as membership director-West for the successor of UAEL, National Equipment Finance Association, he has settled some of the bills, settling other debts, answering other questions, and is now in the process of legally dissolving the company.

"His long time credit manager Jaimie Haver will then take over his former outside sales staff: Chuck Parsons, Amy Pine, Wayne Evans, Rick Russo, George Guibert, Tom Tolman, Dave Kolle, Rob Wible, Martin Lacayo, Woody Wong. They are planning to re-open as Westover Capital."

The intent was stated. It is the long time practice of Leasing News to have the person interviewed review the story to make any corrections, additions, or deletions, as was done this time.

By email, Joe Woodley responds:

"This article is fine, and a fair assessment of the situation. The industry rumor mill is having a good time with this economy and I’m sure this piece of yours will generate some phone calls and comments. Please let me know what the feedback is and I will do the same.

"Thank you.

"Joe"
(5)

"...that unity of interest and ownership between Defendants WESTOVER; AND DOES 1 through 25 and WESTOVER CAPITAL; AND DOES 76 through 100 was created in bad faith and exists for the wrongful purpose of WESTOVER escaping liability for its debts. 'WESTOVER CAPITAL; and DOES 76 through 85, inclusive, and WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, share a similar name, operate business from the same address, WESTOVER's and WESTOVER CAPITAL'S telephone numbers connect to the same voicemail system advising the caller has reached "Westover," WESTOVER CAPITAL has and involves similar officers, owners, directors and the same insiders and employees involved in WESTOVER, carnies on the same business as WESTOVER, and has obtained, disposed of, and or hidden all the assets of WESTOVER, including WESTOVER' s client lists, business relationships, and good will without paying WESTOVER's debts and obligations. Plaintiff is further informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that any transactions between or involving WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, and/or WESTOVER CAPITAL; and DOES 76 through 85, inclusive, whereby WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, and/or WESTOVER CAPITAL; and DOES 76 through 85, inclusive, purported to purchase, assign, or transfer WESTOVER assets or dissolve WESTOVER without paying WESTOVER's debts and obligations were entered into fraudulently and with the intent and purpose of deceiving WESTOVER' s creditors, including Plaintiff, and for the purpose of evading payment obligations to WESTOVER's creditors and interested parties and to attempt to escape liability for its debts, while continuing to do business under the same or similar name. Plaintiff alleges there exists and has existed at all times relevant a unity of interest and ownership between WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, and WESTOVER CAPITAL;
   (Page 3, Third Amended Complaint)

"July 1, 2009 WOODLEY, in his capacity as an officer and shareholder of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, orally represented to Plaintiff he intended on and would be destroying WESTOVER's; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive's, books, records, papers, documents, ledgers, customer files, reports and all other documentation of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, because WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, he represented, had not been and would no longer be doing any business. At that time, Plaintiff demanded WOODLEY refrain from destroying the books, records, papers, documents, ledgers, customer files, reports and all other documentation of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, as Plaintiff, as the secured creditor of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, had and has a right to possession and examination of all of the books, records, papers, documents, ledgers, customer files, reports and all other documentation of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25.
   (Pages 7 & 8)

"...stated orally to Plaintiff that she, HAVER, had arranged for the destruction of and destroyed all contracts, paperwork documenting deals, and equipment leasing and financing agreement documents and files of Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, shredded despite Plaintiffs demands not to...

"...and WOODLEY, an officer and shareholder of Defendant WESTOVER; and 7 DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, stated orally to Plaintiff that there were no residuals or lease payments to be collected by WESTOVER..."
   (Page 10)

"Defendant HAVER; and DOES 86 through 100, inclusive, orally reiterated and again emphatically represented that she had had all of Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive's, equipment leasing and financing agreements and customer files had been shredded and, further, that Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, had not done business since the beginning of 200916 and was not doing any new business. When asked why then Defendant HAVER; and DOES 86 through 100, inclusive, was keeping all of Defendant WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive's, property at her residence, she represented she was doing WOODLEY a favor..."
   (Page 12)

"When HAVER; and DOES 86 through 100, inclusive, individually and in her capacity as an officer of WESTOVER; and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive and WESTOVER CAPITAL; and DOES 76 through 85, inclusive, made these representations, she knew them to be false and made these representations with the intent to deceive and defraud Plaintiff and to induce Plaintiff to refrain from collecting payments being paid to WESTOVER which Plaintiff had a right to immediate possession of under the Secured Loan Agreement, refrain from collecting residual payments being made to WESTOVER. which Plaintiff had a right to immediate possession of under the Secured Loan Agreement and refrain from collecting the assets of WESTOVER, and with the expectation that Plaintiff would refrain from taking such acts."
   (Pages 25 & 26)

"WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays judgment against Defendants WESTOVER; and DOES I through , inclusive; JONES and DOES 26 through 50, inclusive; WOODLEY; and DOES 51 through 75, inclusive; and WESTOVER CAPITAL; and DOES 76 through 85, inclusive; and HAVER; and DOES 86 through 100, inclusive, as follows:

1. For damages in the principal an amount of not less than $859,409.50, according to proof at trial;
2. For exemplary and punitive damages, according to proof at trial;
3. For possession of the Collateral described herein or, if the Collateral cannot be delivered, for its value according to proof at trial;
4. For an order requiring Defendants; and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive, and each of them, to show cause, if any they have, why they should not be enjoined as hereinafter set forth, during the pendency of this action;
5. For a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and a permanent injunction, all requiring Defendants; and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive, and each of them, and their agents, servants, and employees, and all persons acting under, in concert with, or for them:
   A. To refrain from continuing the misappropriation of Plaintiffs Collateral; and
   B. To return all of the Collateral to Plaintiff;
6. For interest;
7. For attorneys fees pursuant to the Secured Loan Agreement, Custodian Agreement, and Guaranties;
8. For costs of suit herein incurred; and
9. For such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate.
    (Pages 29 & 30)

While attempts were made, none of the parties responded with a comment or statement.

* Principal Balance: $859,409.50; interest: $8,021.28; Total: $867,430.78 (Calculated through February 23, 2009)

(1) FDIC Press Release
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2008/pr08063.html

(2) First Complaint, includes line of credit information
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Lanak&HannaComplaint.pdf

(3) Woodley BK Petition (Westover Financial Info only)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/WoodleyBKPetition2009.pdf

(4) July 24, 2009 Interview/Story
http://leasingnews.org/archives/July%202009/07-24-09.htm#Westover

(5) July 23 email from Joe Woodley
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/July_23_email_from_Joe_Woodley.pdf

 

 

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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP


The Changing “End User” Sales Calls

Those who use a prepared script, or--- approach with a low rate that they know they may not be able to provide, will be doomed for failure, especially perhaps by next year when the new accounting rules are going to narrow your offerings and require you to offer more flexible and adaptable leasing opportunities.

Modern leasing requires the lease salesperson to discuss the accounting and income tax effects of different types of leases while explaining the benefits to having the lease rental payment fit the use and term of the equipments value. To do this the salesperson needs to first, listen to the customer’s discussion of his business activity and then ask a series of easily answered questions to lead the discussion in the direction of leasing. If you take part in a real dialog you will find out what form of leasing the customer wants ---and as important, what you can offer to fit their needs. This puts the emphasis on the dialog--- not your monologue.

Salespeople tend to talk too much and listen to little. If you begin by talking too much, you forget the most important fact: The meeting is about the customer. You should let them be in charge in talking about their company, the use of the equipment, and what it means to them, and then perhaps what they believe their options may be.

Simply put: You should begin by letting the customer begin. Let them tell you what they are up to and how things might have changed since your last conversation. However, some may prefer you to start things off so it is wise to open with a question like “Mr. Smith I am prepared to talk about our leasing programs, that we discussed on the phone, but if you could give me your perspective on that, we can focus the meeting on what interest you”. It is important to listen to the customer and direct the conversation to what kind of lease structure may be of interest. Sometimes they had a bad experience with leasing and it would be good to hear about that too, especially if they have been hit with an “Evergreen Clause” or what they thought was a bargain purchase option but turns out to be something else at the end.

I know you want to explain the reasons customers lease, but very often the customers have reasons of their own and the discovery process to determine “what and why” is what separates the professional lease salesperson from the average order taker. You need to first understand what the customer has in mind prior to beginning your sales pitch. What his objections may be.

What his experience has been in acquiring loans and leases.

The best sales pitch comes from no sales pitch at all but from explaining how your lease fits what the customer is trying to accomplish.

I have always had success with the Socratic selling method. This method requires you to have a series of questions to direct the conversation instead of just presenting your leasing programs. But remember to listen and evaluate the answers prior to asking just question after questions assuming you know the answers. Also sometimes it is important to rephrase the answer to make sure you understand it. This lets the customer know you are listening.

If equipment needs come up in the conversation then prior to offering a lease learn more about the opportunity. Our first tendency is to ask for an equipment description, vendor’s name, and how many years the customer wants to lease. Wrong! Direct your questions towards the old equipment. Questions usually asked by leasing sales persons are directed to the old equipment first to determine what as been done in the past. “Mr. Smith can you tell me if this equipment is a replacement or an addition.” If the equipment is an addition it signals an expansion of activities and helps direct your future questions on credit issues. If the equipment is a replacement then the conversation needs to discover the history of the old equipment.

“How long have you been in possession of the existing equipment” This will give you an idea on what the term of lease should be. Next: “How did you use it and will the new equipment be used in the same way?” Now you are probably asking why ask how a forklift or a computer is going to be used when it seems obvious. The answer is that when “use” is discussed, lots of subject matter is naturally included such as location, requirements for trained operators, special maintenance, multiple use, hours of use, and many other surprising issues that may affect your residual assumptions.

On occasion, direct questions may be required to obtain complete information but if it can be obtained in conversation from leading questions the sales call is more effective. However, we all have been on sales calls where the customer is hard to question and does not think we need to know this much information, so be prepared to present the reasons for your inquiry such as: “Our Tax and Legal rules require us to determine that the term of our lease does not exceed 80% of the assets useful life and accounting requires less than 75% of the useful life”. This question signals that you know your business and are trying to offer the best deal possible. The discussion of the term based on the use of the old equipment and its current value can best be answered by presenting this fact to the customer.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty-five years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-649-0448

He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Anaheim, California

April 5 & 6

Two Day Seminar
sponsored by
Equipment Leasing Department
4040 MacArthur blvd, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660

The seminar will contain information on how to approach leasing in 2012 with the following subjects:

  • New lease language
  • Proposed new accounting rules for lessee's
  • Structuring and pricing for competition
  • Income tax rules, Article 2A vs. Article 9
  • New reasons to lease
  • Questions to ask lessee
  • Vendor needs
  • Credit enhancements
  • Documentation issues 
    and a take home assignment to see how to propose a lease.

Cost $450 per person

Registration and Outline of Course: PDF

For questions, please contact Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, at leaseconsulting@msn.com or call 502-649-0448.

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“Reasons employees look elsewhere”
-Career Crossroad


Question: What are reasons employees search for new Career Opportunities?

Answer: In my opinion, after recruiting for over a decade, the number one reason for employees looking elsewhere is because they do not feel valued or appreciated (either through compensation and/or recognition).

For a typical organization with a good and ethical reputation that does NOT “churn and burn” their employees (that is a whole different ballgame), it is rarely just one issue, but more than likely a few reasons, to include:

    • Lack of appreciation / not feeling valued
    • Not fitting into the company’s culture
    • Not getting enough face time with higher ups (for training, feedback, assistance); they might just feel like a number
    • Base salary is not in-line with the market
    • Lack of stability (series of layoffs, office closures, etc…)
    • Geography
    • Position not fitting in with long-term career goals
    • Stepping up the ladder in their career – for example, into a management role
    • Better quality of life (for those who have to travel extensively – maybe too much travel for personal goals/family)
    • Industry change
    • Education – degree or classes geared towards specific role (s) and/or the opportunity to now pursue higher level role

For Employees in a business development / sales, there are additional issues:

  • Total compensation (commissions / bonuses) are not a direct reflection of production
  • Commission changes
  • Decreased territories
  • Having to share territories with colleagues – thus competing against each other rather than as a team
  • Increased quotas that they feel are unattainable

These are typically the reasons we have found in sourcing and recruiting Candidates for over 12 years. As an Employer, maybe you are able to address some of these issues – maybe not.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
www.riirecruit.com

Previous Career Crossroad columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

 

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Help Wanted Web Ad New Programs

Classified Ad Section 
(rotates chronological above headlines and 
also appears in Classified Ad section.) *

21 days in a row:
$595 four lines (a space is a line) 
($40 each additional line or space)

Design work is free. Logo is free as well as company description not to exceed the number of lines of the ad.
Also free: click to a click to a web site or a full description of the position.

Ads are placed in the "Help Wanted' section by category, alphabetical, with the ad with the most lines first in the group. They appear on the web site and in each news edition at the top in a rotation basis per issue.

* Help Wanted” ads  appear in each issue on a chronological basis above the top headline as a courtesy. This position is not available as a paid position, but is generally on a rotation basis.  At the same time, the ad continues in the classified help wanted section in the news edition and web site, so in effect appears twice.

Leasing News reserves the right to refuse advertising, particularly to a company that has appeared in the complaint bulletin board

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Bank Beat—Non-Conforming Loans in Georgia
Home Savings of America fails—no buyers!


The five branches of Central Bank of Georgia, Ellaville, Georgia, were closed with Ameris Bank, Moultrie, Georgia, to assume all of the deposits. Founded September 16, 1910, the bank had five officers: Butler, Buena Vista, Cusseta, Ellaville, and Macon. September, 30, 2011 they had 57 full time employees. Year-end 2006 they had 49 full time employees to a high of 72 full time employees in 2008 as they had opened an office in Buena Vista on June 15, 2007 and one in Cusseta March 3, 2008.

The bank saying below its name was “Common Sense Banking.”


Tier 1 risk-based capital ration: .066% (not a typo. editor)

The purchaser of the bank still owes $52 million in TARP:

"Ameris Bancorp, along with 370 other banks, still owes the U.S. Treasury money from the TARP program… Ameris Bancorp borrowed $52 million under the TARP Capital Purchase Program in November 2008. Ameris has made interest payments on the loan but has not paid back the original $52 million lent to it. Regulators have allowed many banks in the past to purchase failed banks when they still had outstanding TARP loans to the U.S. Treasury."
http://problembanklist.com/central-bank-of-georgia-fails-after-serving-public-for-years-0488/


John Gill Chairman, President, 2nd on the left is (without tie)

"...in 1975, John Gill became a director upon the death of his father, Paul L. Gill, who was president of the bank at that time. John Gill has been president since 1981 and president of the Middle Georgia Corporation since its inception in 1980. .."
http://www.centralbankga.com/history.htm

A Consent and Decease agreement was entered July, 2009, then a new one December 9, and finally one in January. The July, 2009: "...issued an unusual 13-page notice detailing “unsafe and unsound” practices. They included manipulating and misstating the bank’s quarterly financial condition. Twice last year, the FDIC said, the bank’s holding company borrowed $500,000 from a board member and injected the money into the bank’s surplus capital account. A short time later, the bank paid a dividend to the holding company, which repaid the loan to the board member. These practices “inflated the bank’s capital at quarter and misstated the true condition of the bank,” the document said."
http://americustimesrecorder.com/local/x1720282823/Central-Bank-of-Georgia-under-consent-agreement-with-F


2008 the bank had charge offs of $3.3 million, followed by $7.3 million, $1.5 million, and $4.95 million year-end 2001. Real estate loans, construction and development primarily, along with other poor loan decisions did the long time bank in.

Charge Offs
2006 $185,000 ($61,000 construction & land, $61,000 nonfarm nonres., $44,000 loans to individuals)
2007 $60,000 ($21,000 commercial, $19,000 individuals, $16,000 1-4 family)
2008 $3.3 ($1.5 commercial, $737,000 construction & land, $374,000 1-4 family, $120,000 indiv.)
2009 $7.3 ($2.8 construction & land, $1.75 1-4 family, $1.5 commercial, $806,000 nonfarm, $447,000 indiv.)
2010 $1.5 ($945,000 1-4 family, $255,000 commercial, $238,000 individuals
2011 $4.95 ($2.3 const. & land, $1.5 1-4 family, $492,000 commercial, $283,000 nonfarm nonres., $404,000 loans to individuals).

Construction and Land, 1-4 family multiple residential, Multiple Family Residential, Non-Farm Non-Residential loans.

It is more than the charge offs, but the non-conforming loans.

A non-conforming loan is a loan that fails to meet bank criteria for funding.Reasons include the loan amount is higher than the conforming loan limit (for mortgage loans), lack of sufficient credit, the unorthodox nature of the use of funds, or the collateral backing it.

These can also be 60 to 90 days delinquent, and in some cases up to 120 days, although they really go into a charge off column, but that is another subject. The point is the lack on income payments affects the bottom line not only in additional manpowr and costs, but in payments, and thus the profit goes down.

Here 2009 was $20.6 million, 2010 $22.4 million, and while year-end 2011 numbers were not available, the nine month number was $25.7 million. Note the effect on net equity and profit below:

(in millions, unless otherwise)

Net Equity
2006 $20.2
2007 $22.6
2008 $20.8
2009 $18.2
2010 $14.6
2011 $1.4

Profit
2006 $2.3
2007 $2.8
2008 -$831,000
2009 -$2.35
2010 -$4.6
2011 -$13.4

Non-Current Loans
2006 $3
2007 $2.95
2008 $7.1
2009 $20.6
2010 $22.4
09/11 $25.7

Georgia banks were hit hard with such loss, but the numbers below show a beleaguered bank headed for failure. Unfortunately this was common with "good ole boys" board of directors supporting loans to their colleagues, friends, and real estate developers who courted them at country clubs and the golf course.

In 2011 Georgia had the largest number of banking failures in the United States; 23 or 25% of all banking failures.

As of December 31, 2011, Central Bank of Georgia had approximately $278.9 million in total assets and $266.6 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Ameris Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

The FDIC and Ameris Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on $192.8 million of Central Bank of Georgia's assets. Ameris Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $67.5 million

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2012/pr12021.html

After being closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and appointed as the received, the FDIC was unable to find another financial institution to take over the banking operations of Home Savings of America, Little Falls, Montana. Included in the enclosure were two branches in Orange County, California, and one in Walnut Creek, California. During 2011, the FDIC was unable to find a purchaser for two failed banks.

Between January 2009 to December 2010, the FDIC could not find buyers for 19 banks and was forced to liquidate the banks and payoff depositors.

Founded September 1, 1934, the bank expanded in June 22, 2007 with an office in Laguna Woods, Orange, California, January 7, 2008 with an office in Seal Beach, California, and on December, 29, 2008 with an office in Walnut Creek, California. As of September 30, 2011 they had 810 full time employees, specializing in mortgage transactions. As of December 31, 2006 they had 69 full time employees.

The FDIC said there were no sufficient bids primarily because on branch was in Minnesota and three were scattered in California. The majority of business came from all over the United States. There are many complaints about real estate transactions, even employment, on the internet involving this operation.

The FDIC will mail directly to depositors of Home Savings of America, checks for the amount of their insured money.

Depositors of Home Savings of America with more than $250,000 at the bank may visit the FDIC's Web page "Is My Account Fully Insured?" at http://www2.fdic.gov/dip/Index.asp to determine their insurance coverage. In these relatively circumstances, depositors who are above insurance limitations may find themselves at the loss of their savings over the limit.

The FDIC will mail directly to depositors of Home Savings of America, checks for the amount of their insured money.

As of December 31, 2011, Home Savings of America had $434.1 million in total assets and $432.2 million in total deposits. The amount of uninsured deposits will be determined once the FDIC obtains additional information from those customers.

The FDIC as receiver will retain all the assets from Home Savings of America for later disposition. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $38.8 million.

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 4.59% as of September 30, 2011. More current information was not available from the FDIC.

This is a more apparent with non-current loans hitting $9 million, 2008, $28.2 million, 2009, and $17.6 million, 2010. The year-end numbers were not available, but note nine month is $11.1 million, and it is not the charge-offs, but lack of profit that hit the net equity.

There is more to this story, and there may be a federal investigation in the works.

(in millions, unless otherwise)

Net Equity
2006 $18.3
2007 $24.1
2008 $25.9
2009 $28.0
2010 $25.9
09/11 $12.0

Profit
2006 $1.6
2007 $831,000
2008 -$780,000
2009 $2.2
2010 -$2.1
09/11 -$7.6

Non-Current Loans
2006 $120,000
2007 $2.7
2008 $9.0
2009 $28.2
2010 $17.6
09/11 $11.1

Charge Offs
2006 $1,000 ($1,000 consumer loans)
2007 $18,000 ($19,000 1-4 family, -$1,000 consumer loans)
2008 $103,000 ($103,000 1-4 family residential properties)
2009 $4,000 ($4,000 loans to individuals)
2010 $3.9 ($3.3 1-4 family residential, $647,000 construction & loans)
09/11 $2.5 ($2.5 1-4 family residential)

Construction and Land, 1-4 family multiple residential, Multiple Family Residential, Non-Farm Non-Residential loans.

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2012/pr12022.html

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



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Tuesday, February 28—Sutton at Arizona Meeting




AZELA First Meeting 2012
Speaker: William G. Sutton, CAE

Tuesday, February 28 – 5 P.M.

State of the Equipment Leasing and Financing Industry
co-sponsored with the National Association of Equipment Brokers

GUEST SPEAKER:

William G. Sutton, CAE
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) President and CEO

Mr. Sutton will discuss the state of the equipment leasing and finance industry as well as the outlook for 2012. He will also share his perspective on the Washington regulatory and political landscape from his experience as Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, a unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, as Naval Aide to the President, and as Director of Navy Legislative Programs.


Location& Time:
Starfire Golf Club
11500 North Hayden RD
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-948-6000
5:00pm Sharp!


Registration Fee:
$25.00 for members, $35.00 for non-members- Don’t forget your annual dues of $25.00

RSVP/Registration form to: Patrick McCann, Universal Financial Group, Inc., 3021 E. Laurel St., Mesa, AZ 85213 email: universal5@cox.net or fax: 480-218-0525

Registration includes drink ticket, appetizers, buffet and time to network with your peers.

Reservations and checks should be in by February 20, 2012

More information available at:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Feb_28_2012_AZELA_ELFA_Meeting.pdf

Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com

To learn more about the benefits of
outsourcing personal property tax, please click here.

[headlines]
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Leasing Association 2012 Conferences





National Equipment Finance Summit
March 22-24, 2012
San Diego, CA


Michael J. Stead, Director of Capital Markets for Bank of the West,
will be the featured luncheon speaker on Friday, March 23, 2012.

Bestselling author Mike Robbins
will be a featured Saturday luncheon speaker March 24th.


Lynne Wicker, Conference Chairperson, RTR Services, Salem, Oregon, noted
"With over six weeks still to go, we’ve already registered many more people
than we had in total at this event last year,
so we’re really expecting a good turnout and an exciting event.”

Special Program for Brokers who want to become Lessors

A successful broker himself for many years, Gerry talks about the struggles faced today by many brokers and describes a way out by taking more control of your business and outlines a path for learning how to do just that. Always, positive, always encouraging, Gerry also tells how NEFA connections and conferences helped him and countless other brokers and what's specifically planned for this year's Summit to continue to pay that forward. Time: 6:46

 

Agenda:
https://m360.nefassociation.org/frontend/event/schedule.aspx?EventId=39465

Pricing with registration
http://www.nefassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=166

 

 

April 17-19
24th Annual National Funding Conference
Fairmont Hotel
Chicago, Illinois

Funding Sources
(As of February 8, 2012)

AIG Equipment Finance
Bank Financial FSB
Bank of the West
BMO Harris Equipment Company
Boston Financial & Equity Corporation
Diversified Lenders Inc.
EverBank Commercial Finance, Inc.
Fifth Third Equipment Finance Company
Financial Pacific Leasing
First Eagle Bank
GE Capital Corporate Finance
GE Capital Markets
Huntington Equipment Finance
Key Equipment Finance
MB Financial Bank
People's Capital and Leasing Corp.
RBS Asset Finance
Regions Equipment Finance Corp.
TAB Bank
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

And we anticipate A LOT more!

Funding Sources have significant flexibility in determining who they meet with.

  • Funding Source Exhibitors who purchase a "Suite on the Floor" have access to all attendee profiles, not just the ones who have made appointments with them. Therefore, it is very impor¬tant that your business profile be as complete and as accurate as possible.

  • Convenient Schedule: The National Funding Con¬ference will begin with a reception on Tuesday, April 17th, fol¬lowed by a full day of meetings on April 18th, concluding with a half day of meetings on April 19th.

  • Half Day Bank Practices Roundtable

  • NEW! Half Day Summit for Executives from Independent Finance Companies

  • These invitation-only events immediately precede the start of the National Funding Conference on April 17th.

Brochure:
PDF

 


April 23-25
National Vehicle Leasing Association
Annual Conference
Worthington Renaissance Hotel
200 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas


NVLA Program:
http://www.nvla.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=BCh9J9IJ0ns%3d&tabid=150

www.nvla.org

 

 


April 26-28, 2012
Denver Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Denver, Colorado

6th Annual Women in Leasing Luncheon
Thursday, April 26, 2012

Conference Exhibitors
(As of February 20, 2012)

360 Equipment Finance
Amerisource Funding, Inc.
Bankers Capital
Blackstone Equipment Leasing, L.P.
Blue Bridge Financial, LLC
BSB Leasing, Inc.
Commerce National Bank
Dakota Financial, LLC
Diversified Lenders, Inc.
Financial Pacific Leasing, LLC
First Federal Leasing
instaCOVER
Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC
On Deck Capital
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
Preferred Business Solutions
Quiktrak, Inc.
Quail Capital
RLC Funding a Division of Navitas Lease Corp.
Summit Leasing, Inc.
TEAM Funding Solutions
TimePayment Corporation

Conference Brochure:
Conference brochure

Schedule:
http://www.naelb.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=281

Registration with fees:
https://www.paymyassociation.com/displayemailforms.cfm?SessionId=12444721-EB8B-7832-CF209E9F55C9119C&emailformnbr=174905&event=375692

 

AGLF/ELFA Public Sector Finance Forum
May 9 - May 11
Doubletree Magnificent Mile
Chicago, Illinois

Registration
http://members.aglf.org/source/events/event.cfm?event=ANN12

 

September 13—15
Funding Symposium
Rennaisance Washington, DC Dupont Circle Hotel
1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1522

 


October 21-23
ELFA 51st Annual Convention
JW Marriott Desert Springs

Palm Desert, California

 

 


November 7 - 9, 2012

32nd Annual Fall Conference
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
La Jolla, California

 


November 14-16
67th Commercial Finance Conference
JW Marriott Hotel
Phoenix, Arizona

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

To view Leasing Association Events-Meetings Open to All, please click here.

 

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Top Stories---February 21 - February 24


Here are the top ten sorties opened by readers:

(1) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Fair Market Value as a Purchase Option
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_21.htm#fmv

(2) New Hires---Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_24.htm#hires

(3) Bad Guy Bruce Donner sentencing rescheduled
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_21.htm#donner

(4) Marlin Shows $507,000 Profit over last year numbers
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_24.htm#marlin

(5) 41 Months plus $2.5 MM for Ponzi Scheme
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_21.htm#scheme

(6) Searching for New CLP Foundation Executive Director
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_21.htm#clp

(7) Lease Companies on the Stock Exchange
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_24.htm#stocks

(8) Career Crossroad—"Thinking of going into another industry."
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_21.htm#crossroad

(9) Bank of America Breaks with Fannie Mae
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/business/bank-of-america-breaks-with-fannie-mae.html?_r=1&ref=business

(10) TBF: On Line Price Equipment Lease/Loan Charge Off
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2012/2_24.htm#tbf

<

John Kenny Receivables Management
www.jrkrmdirect.com

• End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement
• Fraud Investigation
• Credit Investigations
• Asset Searches
• Skip-tracing
• Third-party Commercial Collections

The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs
John Kenny
315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

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


[headlines]
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### Press Release ############################

ELFA: President Obama's Corporate Tax Reform Proposal

Washington, D.C., — William G. Sutton, CAE, President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, released the following statement in response to the Obama Administration’s proposal for corporate tax reform:

“For U.S. businesses and manufacturers to remain competitive, the tax code must promote growth and continue to encourage investment in capital equipment and the work force in order to facilitate the acquisition and operation of this equipment.

“The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association believes the time is right for comprehensive tax reform and supports the efforts by Congress and the Administration to create discussion drafts in the continuing dialogue. Promoting investment in productive assets and ensuring the maximum flexibility of financing options for asset acquisitions and business expansion are essential to creating the right environment for positive investment in equipment and growth of our economy. Within the context of tax reform, capital formation incentives need to remain, and the ability to acquire capital equipment should not be adversely affected.

“We look forward to playing a constructive role in the continuing debate surrounding tax reform and informing stakeholders of the critical role equipment financing plays in the U.S. economy.”

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

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

[headlines]
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Tustin, California-- Adopt-a-Dog

Louie

Breed: Labrador Retriever/Hound (Unknown Type) Mix
Color: Tricolor (Tan/Brown & Black & White)
Age: Puppy
Size: Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Sex: Male

“I am already neutered, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats.”

Louie's Story...
“We have no idea what breed Louie is - he is a complete mutt. He was found at 3 days old on an Indian reservation with no mama. We bottle fed him and his siblings, nurtured them, loved them and now they are big babies. They are very very very mellow puppies, happy and very cuddly.

“His current weight is about 10 pounds and full grown we believe he maybe around 40 - 60 pounds. He could have hound dog or boxer in him as well.

“If you are interested in meeting or adopting Louie please email us at leslieoakley@sbcglobal.net”

Rescue Group: FOCHP
Contact: Leslie Oakley
Phone: (714) 264-4532
Let 'em know you saw "Louie" on Adopt-a-Pet.com!
E-mail: leslieoakley@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://fochp.org
Address: Tustin, CA 92780

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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Classified ads—Signing Service / Site Inspection

 

Signing Service / Site Inspection

Signing Service: New Jersey
Mobile NJ Lease Signing Service
We are New Jersey mobile lease signers and Notaries.We bring lease to clients, expedite signing and return docs. Same day. 
Jim Lissemore, Pres www.Flexo-Notaries.com
 Site Inspection: Placentia, CA 
On site verifications, document signing or collections. Quick, accurate and professional. Reports with photographs e-mailed direct. Agents throughout US. Contact for coverage and rates. 
E-mail:pwright@yk2bizsolutions.com

Site Inspection: US & Canada 
Quiktrak performs equipment inspections within 24 hours of your job placement anywhere in the US. Order, check status & receive reports & photos online. 
E-mail:sdresser@quiktrak.com

Site Inspection: National Property Tax Compliance Services to the leasing industry. Over 60-years experience and fifty Lessors as clients. References and free quotes available, (216) 658-5618,
E-mail gary@avptc.com
Inspection: Tampa /St. Pete, FL 
Contact Dick Mitchell @ Randolph Lynn Associates for prompt professional pre-funding equipment inspections, collateral "visits", and related lessee/vendor contacts. (Florida locations) 727-302-9144
E-mail:dmrla@gte.net		 Site Inspection plus: Greater Baltimore area
C. and A. Courier Services™, TA / Andreas Klepp-Egge Jr., Baltimore MD  21229.Field Appraisal  Inspection Service, 410-746-6355,candacourier22@aol.com.
Asset Inspections / Lender Services:Serving Michigan, N.Ohio, N.Indiana – Lender services including asset inspection, business/vendor verification, collections, and lease/loan signings.  25 years experience leasing/financial. 
www.michiganclosingsandmore.com
sheri@michiganclosingsandmore.com		 Site Inspection: Nationwide
Division of RTR Services, Jim Merrilees, Vice-President, jimmerrilees@is-rtr.com
Wes Peterson, Inspection Quality Administrator, wespeterson@is-rtr.com
www.is-rtr.com


All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

 
 

 


News Briefs----

 

ELFA Reports $5.1 billion new business in January
http://news.yahoo.com/january-business-borrowing-ago-200454367.html

SunTrust estimates possible $120 million cost in mortgage, foreclosure settlement
http://www.ajc.com/business/suntrust-estimates-possible-120-1361900.html

Canada's banks look to squeeze out more profit in tight times
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canadas-banks-look-to-squeeze-out-more-profit-in-tight-times/article2350434/

Why Auto Leasing Collapsed in Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/why-leasing-collapsed-across-north-america/article2345185/?from=sec434

'The Artist' wins best picture, director, actor; Meryl Streep wins best actress
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/env-oscars-2012-news-story,0,2701093.story

Ben & Jerry's releases Jeremy Lin ice cream flavor
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-ben-jerrys-releases-jeremy-lin-ice-cream-flavor-20120224,0,6221795.story

 

 

 

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

You May Have Missed---

Chase Plans SF Bay Expansion; branch rankings here
http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate/ci_20012891?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com

 

 

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

SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Healthy Beverage Guidelines
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=605

 

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

 


Sports Briefs----

San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan knocked out of game in San Jose's 4-3 loss at Minnesota Wild
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_20050895/sharks-todd-mclellan-knocked-out-game-san-joses

Giants will be 'respectful' over territorial rights issue
http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_20044271

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III walk in Peyton Manning's shadow
http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_20040358

 

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

Winter Poem

Looking For a Sunset Bird in Winter by Robert Frost

The west was getting out of gold,
The breath of air had died of cold,
When shoeing home across the white,
I thought I saw a bird alight.

In summer when I passed the place
I had to stop and lift my face;
A bird with an angelic gift
Was singing in it sweet and swift.

No bird was singing in it now.
A single leaf was on a bough,
And that was all there was to see
In going twice around the tree.

From my advantage on a hill
I judged that such a crystal chill
Was only adding frost to snow
As gilt to gold that wouldn't show.

A brush had left a crooked stroke
Of what was either cloud or smoke
From north to south across the blue;
A piercing little star was through.

 

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8 

 


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

[headlines]
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This Day in History

      1717 - What was perhaps the greatest snow in New England history commenced on this date. During a ten day period a series of four snowstorms dumped three feet of snow upon Boston, and the city was snowbound for two weeks. Up to six feet of snow was reported farther to the north, and drifts covered many one story homes.
    1728-Importation of rum in the colonies for this year amounted to 2,124,500 gallons of liquor. Drinking was extremely heavy. This printed doggerel gave one reason why people did not drink:
There’s but one Reason I can Think
Why People ever cease to drink,
Sobriety the Cause is not,
Nor Fear of being deam’d a Sot,
But if Liquor can’t be got.
    1773-Christ Church in Alexandria, VA., was completed after six years of construction and a total cost of approximately $4070. George Washington purchased a pew for himself and his family at a cost of about $100. He also donated a handsome brass chandelier to the church.
http://www.historicchristchurch.org/History/history1.htm
    1776 - A colonial force of North Carolina patriots resoundingly defeats a detachment of Scottish Loyalists at Moore’s Creek Bridge near Wilmington. The battle ended Royal Governor Josiah Martin's hopes of regaining control of the colony for the British crown. In addition, this first decisive Patriot victory of the Revolutionary War raised morale for Patriots throughout the colonies. 
    1782 - In England, the House of Commons votes against waging any further war in America. On 5 March, Parliament enacts legislation empowering the English Crown to negotiate peace with the United States.
    1792 -a heavy snowfall at Charleston, South Carolina caused the Ashley River Bridge to collapse.
http://www.ashleyriver.org/origins%207.html
http://www.wilbursmith.com/services/Bridges/bridgeAshley.htm
    1807- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet and writer, born at Portland, ME. He is best remembered for his classic narrative poems, such as The Song of Hiawatha, Paul Revere's Ride and The Wreck of the Hesperus. The most popular 19th century American poet and first to earn a living solely from writing verse. His best-known narrative poem, The Song of Hiawatha (1855) adapted its meter from the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Died at Cambridge, MA, Mar 24, 1882.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/long.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb27.html
    1827 - The first Mardi-Gras celebration is held in New Orleans.
    1850-Charlotte Ray, first Black female lawyer, born New York City. She became the first woman to be accepted by the District of Columbia Bar Association. Ray opened a law office in Washington, D.C., but racial prejudices proved too strong, and she could not obtain enough legal business to maintain an active practice. In 1879 she returned to New York City unable to establish and maintain a successful law practice on her own. There she became active with the National Association of Colored Women and the National Women's Suffrage Association. She was employed by the Brooklyn School System. Around 1886 she married a man with the last name Fraim and moved to Woodside on Long Island. She died on January 4, 1911 from bronchitis at the age of 60. She was a person that stood up for what she believed in. She did much to help women black and white to gain equal rights to vote and to hold the same occupations at men..
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_ray_charlotte.htm
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/24/Attorney
    1863 - Confederate raider William Quantrill and his bushwackers attacked Hickman, Kentucky, shooting women and children.
    1864-As chronicled in the book “Andersonville, “the first Union prisoners begin arriving at the Andersonville prison, even thought it was still under construction in southern Georgia. Andersonville became synonymous with death as nearly a quarter of its inmates died in captivity. Henry Wirz, commandant at Andersonville, was executed after the war for the brutality and mistreatment committed under his command. Originally designed for 10,000 men, it soon housed over 33,000 in quite deplorable conditions. The creek banks eroded, creating a swamp, which became part of the compound. Food was scarce, and guards were encouraged to “lessen the population” and were quite brutal and violent to the prisoners.
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/anderson.htm
http://www.libs.uga.edu/hargrett/selections/confed/aville2.html
http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/andecon.htm
List of Union soldiers who died and their cause of death:
http://www.civilwarindiana.com/andersonville/andersonville.php3
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov10.html
http://www.nps.gov/ande/
    1869-American pathologist Alice Hamilton was born at New York, NY. She contributed to the workmen's compensation laws by reporting on the dangers to workers of industrial toxic substances. She taught at Harvard Medical School from 1919 until 1935. Hamilton died Sept 22, 1970, at Hadlyme, CT.
    1869 --John Willis Menard spoke to Congress in defense of his claim to a contested seat representing Louisiana's Second Congressional District, thus becoming the first black to speak to Congress. Congress decided against his claim, as well as the claim of the other contestant. Congressman James A. Garfield said "it was too early to admit a Negro to the U.S. Congress." So, Menard was actually the first black elected to Congress, in 1868, but he was not permitted to serve his term. He was reportedly paid by Congress a monthly salary for the term of office he was to fulfill. He was not only an active civil rights advocate, but a published poet.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~crackerbarrel/Menard.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879852748/avsearch-df1-2-20
    1872- Charlotte Ray, first Black woman lawyer, graduated Harvard University. She was employed by the Brooklyn School System. Around 1886 she married a man with the last name Fraim and moved to Woodside on Long Island. She died on January 4, 1911 from bronchitis at the age of 60. She was a person that stood up for what she believed in. She did much to help women black and white to gain equal rights to vote and to hold the same occupations at men
http://www.loogootee.k12.in.us/east/ray.htm
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/24/Attorney_Charlotte_Ray
_was_forced_to_teach
    1879-Sugar substitute Saccharine: Discovered by Constantine Fahlberg, who was working under the direction of Professor Ira Remsen at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Fhalberg described the discovered in an article entitle “ On the Liquid Touensulphochloride,” which he submitted to the American Chemical Journal on this day. Saccharine is an edible substance 550 time sweeter than table sugar, but not absorbed by the body.
    1883- Oscar Hammerstein of New York City, grandfather of the famous composer, received a patent for the first practical cigar-rolling machine.
    1890-cornet player Freddie Keppard born New Orleans, LA Died 1933
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/k1/freddie_keppard_b.htm
http://www.redhotjazz.com/keppard.html
http://artisttv.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,452708,00.html?artist=Freddie+Keppard
http://atj.8k.com/noartist/atjkeppard.html
http://www.musikrunterladen.com/stars/31837-freddie-keppard--the-legend.html
    1891- David Sarnoff, broadcasting pioneer, is born. Russian-born Sarnoff moved to New York at age nine, and at seventeen, he took a job as a telegraph messenger boy. He used his first paycheck to buy a telegraph and taught himself Morse code. Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company hired him as a telegraph operator. In 1912, Sarnoff was the first telegraph operator to pick up the Titanic's distress call; He remained at his post for seventy-two hours, monitoring the call and passing on information. Sarnoff rose rapidly through the ranks of the company. He proposed that Marconi market a "radio music box" and, in 1921, became general manager of RCA. Sarnoff also set up the NBC radio network and established the first U.S. television service in 1939. http://www.stfrancis.edu/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/bbios/biograph/sarnoff.htm
http://www.mercurians.org/may99/d.sarnoff.library.html
    1897- Marian Anderson born at Philadelphia (some sources say in 1899 or 1902), Anderson's talent was evident at an early age. Her career stonewalled by the prejudice she encountered in the US, she moved to Europe where the magnificence of her voice and her versatility as a performer began to establish her as one of the world's finest contraltos. Preventing Anderson's performance at Washington's Constitution Hall in 1939 on the basis of her color, the Daughters of the American Revolution secured for her the publicity that would lay the foundation for her success in the States. Her performance was rescheduled, and on Apr 9 (Easter Sunday) 75,000 people showed up to hear her sing from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the performance was simultaneously broadcast by radio. In 1957 Anderson became the first African-American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera. The following year President Eisenhower named her a delegate to the United Nations. She performed at President Kennedy's inauguration and in 1963 received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some historians cite this as the Lincoln Memorial performance the first strategic victory of the modern civil rights movement. Anderson died April 8, 1993, at Portland, Oregon.http://www.afrovoices.com/anderson.html
http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/special/gallery/anderson/index.html
    1900 -a massive snowstorm set records from Kansas to New York. 18.7 inches of snow was measured at Topeka, Kansas in 24 hours -- the city's greatest 24 hour snowfall on record. 17.5 fell at Springfield, Illinois, 43 inches at Rochester, New York, 60 inches in the Adirondacks, and 31 inches at Northfield, Vermont.
    1902 - John (Ernst) Steinbeck (one of American’s best writers: The Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row; known also for his many short stories and “Travels with Charlie,” which generated several television programs. died Dec 20, 1968) He lived a few blocks away from where I live now, and in the 1940’s and 1950’s wrote many of his books here.
http://www.steinbeck100.org/
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.html
http://www2.tcu.edu/depts/prs/amwest/pdf/wl0424.pdf
    1902- Gene Sarazen, golfer, born Eugenio Saraceni at Harrison, NY. Sarazen was one of the game's greatest players and in his later years one of its greatest goodwill ambassadors. The inventor of the sand wedge, Sarazen was also the first to win the modern grand slam (the Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA), although not in the same year. During the 1935 Masters, he hit one of golf's most famous shots, a four-wood for a double eagle on the par-5 fifteenth hole of the final round. The shot enabled him to tie Craig Wood for the lead and defeat him in a playoff. Sarazen's last shot was the traditional ceremonial tee shot to open the 1999 Masters. Died at Marco Island, FL, May 13, 1999. 
    1904- James Ferrell, American author, novelist and short story writer, best known for his Studs Lonigan trilogy. Born at Chicago, IL, he died at New York, NY, Aug 22, 1979.
    1907- singer Mildred Bailey, Tekoa, WA. Tagged Mr. and Mrs. Swing she led a band with her husband Red Norvo, did solo vocals, and had her own radio show.
http://www.parabrisas.com/d_baileym.html http://www.mrlucky.com/songbirds/html/oct99/9910_bailey.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000050HOJ/absolutsearch05/102-1682336-8966565
    1909-guitarist Harrison Verrett born Napoleonville, LAhttp://tec.uno.edu/george/Papers/HIST4991/fatsDomino.html
    1909 Ben Webster Birthday
http://www.berkeleyhills.com/ben.html
http://jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_WEBSTER.HTM 
http://personal.bna.bellsouth.net/bna/w/i/willbp/webster.htm
    1912- Hilton Lee Smith, baseball player born at Giddings, TX. Smith was a dominant pitcher in the Negro Leagues. he possessed a superb curve ball and was often considered the equal or better of Satchel Page. Died at Kansas City, MO, Nov 18, 1983.
    1913 – American playwright, author, screenwriter, Irwin Shaw, born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in Bronx in New York Best known for his book “The Young Lions.” Died, 1984
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ishaw.htm
http://www.ibgm.com/stinson/st-prod.htm
    1923- Guitarist Chuck Wayne born New York City.
    1923- Tenor sax player Dexter Gordon, Los Angeles, CA (saw him play many times;
Often at the jazz house in Half Moon Bay --I believe.)
Died April 26, 1996
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/dex.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0306803615/inktomi-bkasin-20/102-1682336-8966565
http://www.greatmodernpictures.com/pjazz11.htm
http://www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=143
http://members.aol.com/jaz206/profiles/gordon.html/
    1926- First jazz concert held at Chicago’s Coliseum, sponsored by Okey Records.
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/cja/mapkey.html
    1928-guitarist Roy Montrell born New Orleans, LA.
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/m4/roy_montrell_b.htm
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist.html?artist_id=20395
    1929- The first movie by a major company for an African-American audience was shown this day at the Gaiety Theatre, New York City. It was the William Fox Movietone feature “Heats in Dixie” a musical comedy drama of the South featuring 200 entertainers. It was a Paul Sloane production, written and directed by Eugene Walter, with story dialogue by Walter Weems, The featured actor was Stephen “Stepin” Fetchit. The entire case, with one exception, was African-American.
http://www.cwpost.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/library/african/movies.htm
    1930--Birthday of Joanne Woodward, won Academy award for best actress, The Three Faces of Eve (1957) and nominated for several others. Won several Emmys for her TV work; perhaps most remembered as long time wife of Paul Newman (Newman's Own).
    1932--Birthday of Elizabeth Taylor, a complex and headline grabbing private life and her violet eyes in a exquisite face, often eclipses the fact that she has won two Academy Awards for best actress: Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966) and been nominated three other times. Helped form pioneer AIDS-fighting organization Am-Far and is a cosmetic executive. Her mother was actress Sara Sothern.
    1934- Consumer advocate Ralph Nader born Winsted, Connecticut. His claim to fame was his 1965 book, “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” Today he is an active political candidate for change.
http://www.nader.org/
    1935 - The 7th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel (for the films of 1934). Actor/writer Irvin S. Cobb hosted the big show. "It Happened One Night" swept the awards, capturing Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Frank Capra), Best Actor (Clark Gable) and Best Actress (Claudette Colbert). A miniature version of Oscar was presented to child star, Shirley Temple “...in grateful recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment during the year 1934.” 
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0147992.html 
    1945---WATSON, WILSON DOUGLAS Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 and 27 February 1945. Entered service at: Arkansas. Born: 18 February 1921, Tuscumbia, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 and 27 February 1945. With his squad abruptly halted by intense fire from enemy fortifications in the high rocky ridges and crags commanding the line of advance, Pvt. Watson boldly rushed 1 pillbox and fired into the embrasure with his weapon, keeping the enemy pinned down single-handedly until he was in a position to hurl in a grenade, and then running to the rear of the emplacement to destroy the retreating Japanese and enable his platoon to take its objective. Again pinned down at the foot of a small hill, he dauntlessly scaled the jagged incline under fierce mortar and machinegun barrages and, with his assistant BAR man, charged the crest of the hill, firing from his hip. Fighting furiously against Japanese troops attacking with grenades and knee mortars from the reverse slope, he stood fearlessly erect in his exposed position to cover the hostile entrenchments and held the hill under savage fire for 15 minutes, killing 60 Japanese before his ammunition was exhausted and his platoon was able to join him. His courageous initiative and valiant fighting spirit against devastating odds were directly responsible for the continued advance of his platoon, and his inspiring leadership throughout this bitterly fought action reflects the highest credit upon Pvt. Watson and the U.S. Naval Service.
    1946—Top Hits
Let It Snow - Vaughn Monroe
Symphony - The Freddy Martin Orchestra (vocal: Clyde Rogers)
I Can’t Begin to Tell You - Bing Crosby with the Carmen Cavallaro Orchestra
Guitar Polka - Al Dexter
    1946 - The fourth of the “Road” films, "Road to Utopia", starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour and Robert Benchley, opened in New York City. Bing and Bob wound up in Alaska posing as "It’s Anybody’s Spring”. escaped killers in order to locate a lost gold mine. Tunes from the flick: "Put It There, Pal", "Welcome to My Dreams", "Would You?", "Personality", "Sunday, Monday, or Always", "Goodtime Charlie" and 
    1948-The jeep was made by Bantam Motor Company for the US Army. In issued a restraining order, preventing the Willys-Overland Company from representing that it had
order to protect its patent rights, the company appealed to the Federal Trade Commission who this day developed the Jeep. Willys-Overland did, in fact, end up producing the Army vehicle that would come to be known as the Jeep ( actually Ford built the most as Willy could not keep
up with the demand), but the patent was owned by the Bantam Motor Company.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Jeep_Man/bantam.htm
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/UniversalJeeps.html
    1950- the twenty-second amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, limiting the presidential off to two terms.
    1951- singer/politician Lee Atwater born Atlanta, GA 
http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/lee_at.htm
    1954—Top Hits
Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher
Make Love to Me! - Jo Stafford
Cross Over the Bridge - Patti Page
Wake Up, Irene - Hank Thompson
    1954- Doris Day's "Secret Love" hits #1
    1955- For the first time, the 45 rpm vinyl single begins outselling the previous industry standard 78 rpm record.
    1955- Neal Schon, vocalist and guitarist with the hard-pop band Journey, was born in San Mateo, California. The group's fourth LP, "Infinity," sold a million copies in 1978. Three years later, "Escape" became Journey's first number-one LP. A single from it, "Open Arms," hit number two on the Billboard chart. Journey is said to be the first rock band to inspire a video game - "Journey - Escape" was in the arcades in late 1982.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/schon_neal/bio.jhtml
http://nealschon.com/no-flash/index.html
http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/neal_schon.htm
    1956- Elvis Presley's releases "Heartbreak Hotel"
    1956- Little Richard's first Number One R&B hit, "Slippin' and Slidin'," backed with "Long Tall Sally," is released on Specialty.
    1960-- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles make their first ever TV appearance, singing "Shop Around" on ABC's American Bandstand.
    1961--Five months after topping the US charts with "The Twist", Chubby Checker does it again with "Pony Time".
    1962- Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The record, released only ten days after Chandler signed with Vee-Jay records in Chicago, remained in the top spot for three weeks.
    1962—Top Hits
Duke of Earl - Gene Chandler
The Wanderer - Dion
Norman - Sue Thompson
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke
    1963 - The New York Yankees' Mickey Mantle signed a baseball contract worth $100,000, a far cry from his 1949 contract which Mantle had signed for $1,100. In April of 1953, Mantle was said to have hit the longest home run. Batting left-handed in Griffith Stadium, in Washington, DC, Mantle hit the 460-foot sign, with the ball flying an estimated 565 feet. In 1962, Mantle appeared in the movie "That Touch of Mink". In 1995, Mickey Mantle died in Texas.
    1966 -Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Davos won by Peggy Fleming of US
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/classic/bkgd2.gif
    1967-San Francisco Police raided two Digger houses that the were 848 Clayton and 1775 Haight. The next day, a demonstration takes place at Park Station protesting the raids, and police harassment, especially directed toward Patrolman Arthur Gerrans.
Lt. John Curran estimated that 40 people stayed at each apartment on a nightly basis. 
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/the-diggers-premium-vintage-print/GAP0073-VP.html
    1969 - A record snowstorm in Maine came to an end. Two to four feet of snow buried southern and central Maine, with a state record of 57 inches reported at West Forks. Drifts covered many single story homes, and the weight of the snow collapsed many roofs. Two to four feet of snow also buried northeastern Vermont and northeastern Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, Mount Washington NH reported 97.8 inches of snow, a record storm total for New England.
    1970—Top Hits
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)/Everybody is a Star - Sly & The Family Stone
Hey There Lonely Girl - Eddie Holman
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
It’s Just a Matter of Time - Sonny James
    1970 - Simon and Garfunkel received a gold record for the single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The duo was so impressed with their deserved achievement that they played the gold disc on their stereo. But they heard Mitch Miller’s "Bridge on the River Kwai" instead, and on the same Columbia label they recorded for! Amazing but weird, huh? 
    1971--Five months after her death, Janis Joplin began a nine-week stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with "Pearl". 
    1972 -unseasonably mild weather prevailed throughout the central US. Temperatures soared to 83 degrees in Kansas City, Missouri, setting an all-time high record for the month of February.
    1973 - Baseball star Dick ‘Don’t Call Me Richie’ Allen signed a three-year pact with the Chicago White Sox for a reported $675,000 after leaving the Philadelphia Phillies.
    1973- 200 members of the American Indian Movement, led by Russell Means and Dennis Banks, occupied Wounded Knee, SD, a town on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Their demands included a review of treaties between the federal government and indigenous peoples, a Senate investigation into the treatment of Native Americans, and fee elections of tribal leaders. The occupation ended on May 8 when the group surrendered to federal marshals. Gunfights during the siege killed one marshal and two protesters. Wounded Knee was the site of a massacre in December 1890 when Army troops machine-gunned 200 Sioux men, women, and children.
    1977- Center Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks, scored the 500th goal of his career in Chicago’s 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Mikita finished his career with 541 goals and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
    1978—Top Hits
Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees
(Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You - Margo Smith.
    1980- The 22nd Annual Grammy Award winners for 1979 are announced. The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" wins both Record and Song of the Year. Billy Joel's "52nd Street" wins both Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
    1981-Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded "Ebony and Ivory", which will top both the Billboard Pop chart and the Adult Contemporary chart during a 15 week run.
    1982 -- Earl “ Square Eyes” Anthony becomes first pro bowler to win more than $1 million. Anthony, voted "Bowler of the Millennium" later falls down stairs in his retirement and dies August 14, 2001 as a result.
http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/anthonye.shtml
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bowling/2001-08-14-anthony-obit.htm
    1984 -a severe winter storm, which began on the 26th, spread blizzard conditions across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. 24 inches of snow fell in the Vichy-Rolla area in Missouri. 22 inches was reported in southern Illinois. Winds frequently gusted to 40 and 50 mph. Interstate 65, which connects Indianapolis with Chicago, was impassable for several days due to extensive drifting of the snow. Thunderstorms were reported which added to the heavy snow amounts.
    1986- Van Halen released "Why Can't This Be Love," their first single since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as lead singer. It would rise to number three on the Billboard chart.
    1986—Top Hits
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
Kyrie - Mr. Mister
Sara - Starship
There’s No Stopping Your Heart - Marie Osmond
    1987-Former White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan resigns after the Tower Commission reports
gives him responsibility for the Iran-Contra affair to trade guns for hostages with money going to
the Nicaraguan Contras.
    1988- Debi Thomas, figure skater, becomes first Black American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. After her Olympic career, she toured for several years then returned to school. Thomas completed her education to become a physician, and today is a practicing orthopedic surgeonhttp://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_debi_thomas.htm
http://www.thegrandstandinc.com/pages/9675.htm
http://espn.go.com/skating/news/2000/0209/345701.html
    1988--George Michael reaches number one in the US for the second time in his solo career with "Father Figure". He would go on to have a total of six after scoring three chart toppers with Andrew Ridgeley in Wham!
    1991- Allied troops entered Kuwait City, Kuwait, four days after launching a ground offensive. President George Bush declared Kuwait to be liberated and ceased all offensive military operations in the Gulf War. The end of military operations came at 9pm, EST, 100 hours after the beginning of the land attack. At 9 p.m. (EST), U.S. President George Bush said on live television, “Kuwait is liberated. Iraq’s army is defeated. I am pleased to announce that at midnight tonight, exactly 100 hours since ground operations began and six weeks since the start of Operation Desert Storm, all United States and coalition forces will suspend offensive combat operations”. Feb 26 is commemorated as Liberation Day in Kuwait.
    1991- James Brown was paroled in Columbia, South Carolina after serving 15 months of a six-year-term for leading police on a chase through South Carolina and Georgia. He recently performed at the Oakland Coliseum at age 71 and got rave reviews from all the newspapers. 
    1992 -Tiger Woods, 16, becomes youngest PGA golfer in 35 years.
http://www.tigerwoods.com/images/1.gif
http://ps1.sportsline.com/u/golf/open97/tiger/images/tilematch.jpg
http://world.std.com/~rgu/tigerwoods/tigerwoods.faq
    1993--Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" replaces Boyz II Men's 1992 hit "End Of The Road" as the longest running Billboard chart topper when it stays #1 for its 14th consecutive week. 
    1995- Canadian singer Celine Dion made British chart history by becoming the first artist in more than 30 years to have both the number-one album and single for five straight weeks. Dion topped the singles chart with "Think Twice" and the album chart with "The Color of My Love." The last time that happened for five consecutive weeks was in 1964 with "I Feel Fine" and "Beatles for Sale."
http://www.celineonline.com/
    2006—African Burial Ground National Monument Established by President George W. Bush, who signed a proclamation declaring a seven-acre plot at the corners of Duane and Elk Streets in Lower Manhattan, New York, to be a national monument. From the 1609s to the 1790s, this land served as a cemetery for both free and enslaved Africans and is believed to be the resting place of more than 15,000 people.
    2011--Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre. Best Picture, "The King's Speech," Best Animated Film, "Toy Story 3," Action in a Leasing Role, Colin Firth, "The King's Speech," Actress in a Leasing Role, Natalie Portman,” Black Swan," Action in a Supo0rting Role, Christian Bale,” The Fighter," Actress in a Supporting Role, "Melissa Leo, "the Fighter.", Director, Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech, Writer, Original Screenplay, David Seidler, "the King's Speech," Adapted Screenplay, Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network," Cinematography, Wally Pfister, "inception," Music, "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3: Music and Lyric by Randy Newman.

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