Archives---February 15, 2002
Where is Richard Baccaro? Scottsdale, Arizona
Former Executive Vice-President of American Express Business Finance
-joined First Sierra, 1998.

"More recently after leaving American Express Business Finance in November, I have been working on my golf game, enjoying time with my three children and planning the start of a new leasing company.
 
 "I will be moving my family back to NJ to launch a new leasing
venture called American Equipment Finance LLC."

"Top Gun"  Richard Baccaro

Picture of Richard on his Harley

 
Here is Richard Buckaroo’s Background:
 
1985-1995 EVP-Sales First Financial - Princeton NJ
1996-1998 President/CEO ICC - Bridgewater NJ
1998-1999 VP-Sales First Sierra Financial - Houston TX
1999-2000 SVP-Sales SierraCities formerly First Sierra Financial
2000-2001 EVP-Sales SierraCities/American Express         
2002- President/CEO  American Equipment Finance LLC - Warren NJ/Scottsdale AZ
 
Wife: Merryl
Children: Andrew, Valerie and Ashley
Resides: Warren, NJ (still looking to sell my Scottsdale home)
Passions: Golf, Coaching the kids, Riding my Harley, Saturday nights out with Merryl

Today

Richard Baccaro
Executive Vice President
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Ascentium Capital
(He and his family are back living in Scottsdale, Arizona)

 

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Leasing News Bulletin Board Complaints
by Kit Menkin, editor

At present time, Leasing News receives four or five complaints a week. Some take a month or more to resolve, and the process is time consuming as the party must present all the documents, correspondence, and email to verify their claim. Some start and give up. Others go to small claims court and then the appeal, and a third appeal (yes, it happens).

Recently, lessees have been asking for attorney referrals, wanting to take the leasing company to court.  The dollar amounts have been higher, the lessees larger companies, and they think they can win.

Often the best they get is a settlement. Almost always the settlement and complaint is signed as “confidential” with neither party able to comment on the case or its outcome.

Leasing News’ main role is to determine if the complaint is "legitimate," meaning valid, and if not resolved, meaning "negotiated," "compromised," or "settled," it would appear in Leasing News and the Complaint Bulletin Board. It was never the role to say who is right or who is wrong, although some are quite obvious, such as an Evergreen Clauses on $1.00 purchase options, or the lessee has a copy he signed of an original purchase option, but does not have a signed copy from the leasing company.

There are also other claims where there is no agreement regarding payments for time spent or justifying keeping the advance rental because they spent a lot of time, or an approval with an ACH, but the customer won't accept an ACH. Most are an approval at one price, but the lease at another price.

There are also issues over unreturned security deposits, the resulting unpaid purchase option, or the security deposits applied to the purchase option. A lease starts with one broker, goes to another broker, who discounts to a leasing company that fails, and their portfolio is sold to one company, who later discounts it to another leasing company.

And this has happened a lot in the last few years, such as the current one with the Bankruptcy Estate of IFC Credit whose lease was assigned to M&T Bank with a $1.00 out, but now the Bankruptcy Estate is billing extra lease payments. Another with Co-Activ, who actually returned over- payments and a security deposit and the trustee on a $1.00 purchase option waited a year before going after non-notification.

And there are complaints from lessees about a "fair market value," and although the salesman said it was a $1.00, they claim, there is no documentation on it, the salesman is no longer around (in the times a salesman is found, none have remembered the lease) and more importantly, on the face of the contract it says "Fair Market Value" or there is no purchase option document.

Now before you say, “the lessee should have read the contract,” there are many leasing companies who have a side letter that states "fair market value" is $1.00, and they say this is done for "tax reasons" as the purchase option can't appear on the contract. Or sometimes the original proposal says "fair market value" as does the contract, but the lessee says he was told by the salesman it would not be very much at the end.

Interim rents are always brought up, especially in the larger lease transactions when the CFO discovered there are not “lease payments.”
Recently, there have been complaints from brokers not being paid their commission. We have been getting two to three a month now. Often when Leasing News gets involved, they get paid or a compromise is made. I keep telling the broker to get it all in writing instead of any verbal “he said, she said” situation.

It amazes me how some of these companies stay in business with all the complaints.  I also hear from lessees they will never enter into an equipment lease again!

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Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Join a Company Utilizing Latest Advantages of Financial Technology

  

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Sales Makes it Happen by Jim Acee

Five Things Every Sales Manager Should Know

I've spent 25 of the last 30 years of my career leading sales teams in the financial services industry. My teams have included both inside and outside sales reps. Below are five things I believe you should do to make you and your sales team more successful.

1. Set clear, measurable activity expectations.
Every sales rep should know exactly what is expected of them from an activity stand point. We have no problem giving our sale reps their sales goals each year but all too often there is no concrete direction on the path that should be used to get there. As a sales manager, you should know how many phone calls, face to face meetings, follow-up meetings, CRM usage, reporting and anything else you expect that your sales reps perform on a weekly/monthly basis. These expected activities should be clearly spelled out for all sale reps.

2. Inspect what you expect.
To go along with setting clear, measurable expectations you must inspect what you expect. I am not advocating micro management of your sales team to know what they are doing every minute of the day. You should have some method of sales activity reporting whether it’s through a CRM product or good old fashion paper sales reports. As Ronald Reagan said of the Soviet Union; “Trust, but verify.”

3. Every sales rep will eventually hit a slump.
Over the years I have observed that even the best sales reps will eventually hit a slump. It could be something personal going on in their life or simply a streak of boredom. Even the great Atlanta Braves hitter Chipper Jones had batting slumps, but he always managed to turn it around.  Don’t be afraid to sit down with your underperforming sales reps one on one to  figure out what is going on in their world. If you ask them what needs to be done to turn things around, 9 times out of 10 they know exactly what they need to do (more phone calls, more appointments, etc,). Put their fixes down in writing, even if it’s only an informal email of understanding, and include an expected date to see results from their efforts. Don’t forget to inspect what you expect every few weeks to make sure they are getting back on track.

4. Close the spreadsheet, get out of the office and spend time on the road with your sales reps.
Your mission in life should be to help make your direct reports more successful. Simply riding along with your sales reps to impart your vast knowledge upon them will make a big difference in their productivity and believe it or not, you might learn something about them, too.

5. When there is a disagreement over commissions, always over pay, never under pay.
It’s inevitable that if your compensation program includes a variable commission based on production, there are going to be disagreements with sales reps on whether they earned commission on this deal or that one. The disagreements usually arise from a lack of clarity on commissionable items that are not clearly addressed in the plan. The little bit of money you are going to save the company in commission payout will be lost a hundred times over with the loss of productivity from a sales rep that feels they are getting screwed over (and likely venting to their peers). On top of seeding discontent on your sales team, there is a better that good chance you will lose the sales rep in short order. You can always clarify how commissions are paid after you pay the sales rep, so that unearned commissions are not paid out in the future.

Jim Acee 
 (m) 484-883-9618
jjacee@verizon.net
He has a rich background, serving as
DLL Country Sales Manager;
Vice President, Syndication Buy Desk;
Vice President, Field Sales, Wells Fargo Capital Finance;
Managing Director, Vendor Leasing, US Bank;
Director of Sales, US Bancorp (formerly BCL). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-acee-578a03b

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Leasing News Advisor 
Bob Kieve

Robert S. Kieve
Empire Broadcasting
San Jose, California

Born Jersey City, NJ 
BS Harvard College: 1943 
Information Officer American Embassy, Madrid: 1943-47 
Author: El Arte Radiofonico, Spain's first book on radio broadcasting 
Program Manager: WGVA, Geneva, NY 
Promotion Writer: CBS, New York 
Special Assistant in White House Office under Eisenhower: 1953-56 
General Manager WBBF-AM_FM, Rochester: NY 1967-67 
President, Empire Broadcasting Corporation, San Jose, CA:
1968-present

Bob Kieve joined the Leasing News Advisory Board on February 4, 2005. He is most likely our oldest member, 95; perhaps, one of the most experienced radio broadcasters, commentators, with the most public experience. Not only is his “Mr. San Jose,” an award given to him for all his community service, but has served in the good will category through out the world and was one of President Dwight Eisenhower’s speech writers for three years.  He has many stories about "Ike," a person he greatly admired.

Robert S. Kieve is president of Empire Broadcasting Corporation, a position he has held since 1967. The company owns and operates radio stations KLIV, KARA and KRTY in San José, California, where Mr. Kieve also serves as a radio commentator.KLIV has been on the air since September 1946. It was originally KSJO, a 1000-watt daytime-only station. KLIV changed hands on July 1, 1967. It was acquired by two former Rochester, N.Y., radio executives, Robert S. Kieve and James M. Trayhern, Jr., who had incorporated as Empire Broadcasting. Four decades later, Bob Kieve has remained as the owner of KLIV, one of the few independent radio station owners left in the region. 

A 1943 graduate of Harvard College, Bob began his career as an information officer at the American Embassy in Madrid, Spain, during and after World War II. Following several program director and writer positions in radio and television, he was appointed to a position as special assistant and staff writer for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was later promoted to Special Assistant to Deputy Director of U.S. Information Agency before becoming general manager of Radio Stations WBBF and WBBF-FM in Rochester, NY. He is the author of El Arte Radiofonico, published in Madrid. An active member of the community, Mr. Kieve is past president of the Rotary Club of San José, director of the San Jose Symphony Foundation, past board member of the San Jose Symphony, member of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, board member of the Northern California Broadcasters Association and the California Broadcasters Association. He joined the Board of Trustees at Regional Medical Center of San Jose in 2000. He was awarded the "Mr. San Jose" by the community. 

Bob has served on many non-profits in active positions from president to chairman of committees, too numerous to mention here. 

It is his writing skills, and as important, his ability as a commentator on San Francisco Bay area radio that he is most known to the local public. His commentary is always full of wit, common sense, sophistication, and Bob is definitely known to speak his mind. Whether you agreed or did not agree with him, the audience seem to always find it a pleasure to hear his commentary. 

Bob today serves more as a mentor, someone you want to be when you grow up. When asked, he participates with his opinion on subjects and positions on Leasing News, although he is not in the equipment leasing business. He is a broadcaster. The internet is the newest median. He was one of the first to be “on line” and appreciate the direction the World Wide Web is heading. He still is very active, someone you look forward to in receiving an e-mail.

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CLFP Only Four Academy Study Program Available
Two of the Six for the Year Sold out

Reid Raykovich, CLFP, Executive Director, Certified Leasing and Finance Professional Foundation, informed Leasing News two of the seven Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals are sold out: Chicago and San Francisco. The three-day event is designed to prepare an individual to sit and pass the CLFP exam

 

Still available:

Atlanta – 3/23 – 25
Seattle area – 7/20 – 22
Dover, NH – 8/17 – 19
Southern California – 10/12 - 14

Full Academy for Lease & Finance Professional Calendar
http://www.clfpfoundation.org/alfp-calendar

More about the program:
http://www.clfpfoundation.org/alfp.php

CLFP continues its Mentor Program

"It’s a great program that’s completely free to any paid applicant.  I used it when going through the program and wound up working for my mentor later on (Jim McCommon)," Raykovich said.

"The link to it is: http://www.clfpfoundation.org/mentors.php

"What we have seen is that many test-takers are moving to the digital age for studying and using an app called ‘Quizlet’ that can be accessed on smartphones and the web. There are several study tools that are available on it just by searching 'CLFP Exam.' I love our members!"

2016 Annual Reports for California Finance Lenders
Law Licensees Due March 15

The annual report for licensees engaged in business under the California Finance Lenders Law (CFLL) for calendar year 2016 must be submitted to the DBO no later than Mar. 15. Filling out and submitting the report is a web-based process that must be completed on the DBO’s website via the self-service portal.

Missing the Mar. 15 filing deadline may result in penalty assessments, and failure to file the annual report constitutes grounds for license revocation.

Licensees who have not registered through DOCQNET should do so immediately here. Licensees with questions should email CFL.Inquiries@dbo.ca.gov or call (213) 576-7690.

 

 

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

ELFA Website Earns AVA Digital Award
International Competition Recognition

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association has earned a Platinum Award in the 2017 AVA Digital Awards, an international competition that recognizes excellence in digital communication. ELFA was recognized for the redesign of its flagship website at www.elfaonline.org, which provides user-friendly access to the latest information and resources concerning the $1 trillion equipment finance industry.

ELFA redesigned the website based on input from its membership. The mobile-friendly site offers improved navigation, a robust site search and a new “Industry Topics” section spotlighting industry hot topics. The association’s key offerings are prominently featured, including advocacy, industry information, events and training, and membership resources. The site also delivers the latest industry headlines, best practices, equipment market data and issue updates, from lease accounting to federal and state advocacy developments—all focused on helping members succeed and showcasing how equipment finance ‘Equips Business for Success.’

Users can access the new data and information from both ELFA and the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation through a series of “one-stop-shop” Industry Topics pages, which showcase 10 key topic areas: Data, Benchmarking & Forecasting; Electronic Documents; Equipment Management; Funding & Alternative Finance; Human Capital; Lease Accounting; Legal Resources; Operations & Technology; Risk Management and Vertical Markets. The information on these pages is delivered dynamically through the site’s new content management system.

For more information, visit www.elfaonline.org.  

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals
and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

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Small Screen, Big Shows

HBO’s provocative new series (“The Young Pope”) continues its acclaimed run, while a beloved fairy-tale book gets the lavish Netflix treatment (“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”) and a raunchy favorite returns for its 12th season (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”).

The Young Pope (HBO): Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino (“The Great Beauty”) is the creative force behind this provocative behind-the-scenes look at the machinations of the Vatican City, centering on the newly elected Pope Pius XIII (Jude Law). Shocking the institution with his unorthodox approach to the politics of organized faith, he locks horns with other authorities such as Sister Mary (Diane Keaton) and Cardinal Voiello (Silvio Orlando). The more he pushes for a return to old-fashioned ideals, however, the more we learn of the intrigues behind several of his Vatican colleagues, not to mention Pius’ own thorny background. Filmed with flashes of lavish surrealism recognizable from the director’s films, this bravura series aims for compelling, ironic entertainment even as it ponders questions about theology and scandals. The cast also includes James Cromwell, Cecile de France, and Ludivine Sagnier.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix): The beloved, Roald Dahl-esque children’s books series was already adapted into a movie back in 2004, but Netflix gets it right in this opulently designed version, which preserves the author’s delightful strangeness. Replacing Jim Carrey, Neil Patrick Harris stars as Count Olaf, a nefarious actor who’s determined to seize the inheritance money from the orphaned Baudelaire children—Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Sunny (Presley Smith). Even after they escape Olaf’s mansion, the kids continue to run into him as he follows them under a variety of sneaky disguises. Can they solve the mystery behind their parents’ demise before he corners them once again? Developed by TV veteran Mark Hudis (“True Blood”) and comic director Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”), this first season overflows with boisterous performances and a mordant sense of mischief.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX): The gang at Paddy’s Pub returns for the 12th season of this gleefully amoral comedy, still delighting in hilarious bad behavior and breaking taboos. Back are the inimitably spastic Charlie (Charlie Day), meathead Mac (Rob McElhenney), narcissistic Dennis (Glenn Howerton), egocentric Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and seamy old Frank (Danny DeVito), ready for questionable adventures. So far this season, they have imagined themselves in a politically-incorrect, musical version of “The Wizard of Oz,” turned a potential hostage situation into a sitcom, taught children the best ways to be psychopaths, and disastrously tried their hand at the drinks industry. Never afraid to push the envelope with TV style or the boundaries of good taste, the show’s fractured take on life as viewed from a most wacky Philly hasn’t lost any of its mojo.

German Shepherd Mix
Scottsdale, Arizona  Adopt-a-Dog

Sam

Animal ID: 20429905
Age: 5 years 6 months 29 days
Gender: Female
Size: Large
Color: Black/Tan
Spayed
Site: Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
Location:  Building 6
Intake Date: 11/15/2016
Adoption Price: $75.00
(waived through 2/18)

"Hey, I'm Sam! I'm your typical high drive, German shepherd and I am looking for an experienced family who understands my needs and has the time to train and exercise me. I like to keep busy so my family needs to be prepared to play lots of games with me.. like fetch and doggie puzzles. I am so smart too... some might say too smart so my new family needs to be ready to teach me lots of tricks and take me to training classes! I would make a great hiking partner and would love to do some doggie sports, like agility because I am athletic! I will require your full attention so I must be the only dog in the home! If you're looking for a smart, high energy dog, and have the time to invest in the care I need please come down to the shelter to meet me!!

"To celebrate Valentine's Day, my adoption fee is waived through 2/18!"

Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
Sonia Breslow Adoption Center
25 N. 40th ST
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
602-273-6852, x116
email: https://aawl.org/adoptions

Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:30am to 6:00pm
Wednesday 11:30am to 6:00pm
Thursday 11:30am to 6:00pm
Friday 11:30am to 6:00pm
Saturday 10:30am to 6:00pm
Sunday 11:30am to 6:00pm

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

 

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All Leasing News Lists

"Complaints" Bulletin Board Companies
BBB: Rating Leasing Companies - August 2016
BBB Ratings -- Complaints Bulletin Board Companies
Broker/Lessor List "A"
Broker/Lessor List "B"
Captive Lessor
Funder List "A"
Funder List "B"
Funders Looking for New Broker Business
Funders Taking New Broker Business List
No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business plus Leasing Companies Out of Business
Story Credit Lessor

	Aggregate Funding Sources (On Line: connects lessees, lessors, and vendors)
	Back Office Companies
	Equipment OnLine Auctions
	Financial and Sales Training
	Leasing Recruiters
	Leasing Schools/Franchisors
	Site Inspection List
	Leasing Software Companies
	Leasing Portals (Business to Business including Finance/Leasing)
	Loan/Lease Regulations -- Update
	Sample of Usury Laws in United States

	Leasing/Finance Associations
	Alternate Finance Association

	Most Influential Lawyers in Equipment Finance and Leasing
	Most Influential Leasing People--Industry Contribution
	Most Influential Leasing Persons--Transaction
	Most Influential Women in Leasing

The List—History of Leasing from 1998 Leasing News Company News Archives

- "Evergreen Clause" The Danger of Automatic Renewal - Purchase, Renewal, Return ("PRR") Clauses - Bad Guys: Companies who utilize Evergreen for Extra Lease Payments - Good Guys: Companies who notify lessee in advance of lease expiration - Twelve Attorneys Against Evergreen Abuse

News Briefs---

Used-car leasing fails to meet expectations
Monthly savings over new vehicles aren't enough
http://www.autonews.com/article/20170213/FINANCE_AND_INSURANCE/302139980/used-car-leasing-fails-to-meet-expectations

Western Union Admits Anti-Money Laundering Violations
Forfeits $586 Million in Settlement with FTC and Justice Department
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/01/western-union-admits-anti-money-laundering-violations-settles

 

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You May Have Missed---

Dubai is buying 200 Tesla vehicles
   as part of its ambitious self-driving taxi plan
http://fortune.com/2017/02/14/get-ready-for-tesla-taxis-in-dubai/

 

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Winter Poem

  The Road Not Taken

        by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

 

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Sports Briefs----

Aldon Smith’s long, predictable, frustrating NFL
    and Raiders self-destruction
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/13/aldon-smiths-long-predictable-frustrating-nfl-self-destruction-no-rush-to-judgment-just-a-career-that-is-coming-to-an-end/

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California Nuts Briefs---

Trump approves CA request for aid
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Trump-approves-California-s-request-for-10932968.php

Oroville Dam evacuees told they can return home
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article132705659.html

They helped build Oroville Dam, and they refused to evacuate
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/02/14/they-helped-build-oroville-dam-now-they-refuse-to-evacuate/

Federal government grants Wilton tribe control
     of land for Elk Grove casino - Okay to Proceed
http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article132640804.html

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Napa, Sonoma cabernet sauvignon winegrape pricing
    pushes North Coast to new record
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/sonomacounty/6652267-181/napa-sonoma-cabernet-sauvignon-winegrape

New Zealand Winegrowers releases 1st Sustainability Report
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1702/S00329/new-zealand-winegrowers-releases-1st-sustainability-report.htm

Napa Valley’s Honig Vineyard and Winery hires dog
  to sniff out mealybugs and diabetes danger
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/sonomacounty/6639537-181/napa-honig-vineyard-dog-diabetes-mealybug?artslide=0

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/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

 1762 - The British captured Fort Martinique, the main French port in the West Indies, and then St. Lucia and Grenada. Later in the year, Britain will also overrun the Spanish colonial outposts of Cuba and of Manila in the Philippines.
1726 - Birthday of Abraham Clark (d. 1794), Elizabethtown, NJ. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, farmer and lawyer. One of the “ordinary” signers, representing the people of his area, originally a farmer. Two or three of the sons of Mr. Clark were officers in the army during the Revolutionary War. During a part of their captivity, their sufferings were extreme, being confined in the notorious prison ship, Jersey. Painful as the condition of his sons was, Mr. Clark scrupulously avoided calling the attention of congress to the subject, excepting in a single instance. One of his sons, a captain of artillery, had been cast into a dungeon, where he received no other food than that which was conveyed to him by his fellow prisoners, through a keyhole. On a representation of these facts to congress, that body immediately directed a course of retaliation in respect to a British officer. This had the desired effect, and Captain Clark's condition was improved.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/clark.htm 
http://www.colonialhall.com/clark/clark.php
1758 - Benjamin Franklin brought in mustard from France and introduced it to his guests in both a dark and light yellow “mustard,” hence its common name today. One of his guests was Benjamin Jackson, who established Globe Mills on Germantown Road, Philadelphia, PA, bottling and selling the product in glass bottles with his label on them. He advertised in the Pennsylvania Chronicle of February 15, 1768, that he was “the original establisher of the mustard manufactory in America, and...at present the only mustard manufacturer on the continent. I bought the art with me into the country.” The truth, according to the Global Gourmet: All mustard is made in relatively the same way. The seed must be crushed, its hull and bran sifted out or not depending on type of mustard being made. It then may or may not go through further grinding and crushing. A liquid such as water, wine, vinegar, beer, or a combination of several of these liquids is added, along with seasonings and perhaps other flavorings. The mustard is mixed, in some cases simmered, and then cooled. Some mustard is aged in large containers before it is bottled and shipped to stores and customer. Although similar recipes for mustard paste appear as early as 42 AD, the use of mustard as a condiment was not widely practiced in either Greece or Rome. The Romans took the seed to Gaul, and by the ninth century French monasteries were bringing in considerable income from mustard preparations. By the 13th century, mustard was one of the items offered by Parisian sauce-hawkers, who walked the streets at dinner peddling their savory war.
1764 - The city of St. Louis was established as a French trading post. Pierre Laclede Liguest and stepson Auguste Chouteau notched a couple of trees that marked the site for Laclede's Landing that became St. Louis. August Chouteau is recognized as the “builder” of St. Louis. http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/pierre-laclede.html  http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/Circa1804/StLouis/BlockInfo/Block34A Laclede.htm  http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/auguste-chouteau.html  http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/laclede.htm  http://www.nps.gov/jeff/LewisClark2/Circa1804/StLouis/BlockInfo/Block34A AChouteauSr.htm  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/6403/rene.html  http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/planning/research/data/about/history.ht  ml
1798 - The first serious fist fight occurs in Congress
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwpugilr.html
1799 - Pennsylvania authorized the first printed ballots in the U.S.
1803 - Birthday of John Sutter (d. 1880) at Kandern, Germany, Sutter established the first white settlement on the site of Sacramento, CA, in 1839, and owned a large tract of land there, which he named New Helvetia. The first great gold strike in the US was on his property, at Sutter's Mill, Jan 24, 1848. His land was soon overrun by gold seekers who, he claimed, slaughtered his cattle and stole or destroyed his property. Sutter was bankrupt by 1852.
1804 - New Jersey becomes last northern state to abolish slavery http://www.slavenorth.com/newjersey.htm  http://www.slavenorth.com/exclusion.htm
1808 - Birthday of Cyrus McCormick (d. 1884). He was the first to utilize "leasing" and "finance" to promote his product, something unheard of in his day. American historians believe McCormick's invention of the reaper is second only to the railroad in the development of the United States. Continuing the dream of his father, McCormick constructed a horse-operated reaper which was demonstrated for the first time in a Virginia wheat field in July 1831. He moved his operation to Chicago, IL, in 1847 in order to be closer to the Midwest's expanding wheat fields. His business prospered despite two decades of constant litigation over patent rights. His machine also was not considered the "best" of its day. In order to get his machine on the farm, he would offer "no payment until after Harvest," "No money down," “Seasonal payments," " Rent to Own," " Lease with Ability to Trade in For New Model." The company today is International Harvester.
1812 - Birthday of Charles Lewis Tiffany (d. 1902) at Killingly, CT. American jeweler whose name became synonymous with high standards of quality.
1820 - Birthday of Susan Brownell Anthony (d. 1906), Adams, MA. Affectionally known as Aunt Susan, she was born into a Quaker family committed to social equality. She collected anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17. In 1856, she became the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society. One of the primary figures of the 19th century battle for women's rights and became its best known spokeswoman. Elected to Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1950. An untiring pioneer crusader for women's rights, women's suffrage, Negro suffrage and abolition who traveled this nation constantly for 60 years for social justice. Her last public words: "Failure is impossible." She became the first non-fictitious woman to be depicted on U.S. coinage when her portrait appeared on the 1979 dollar coin.
http://winningthevote.org/SBAnthony.html
1836 - Birthday of Sarah Fuller (d. 1927), Weston, MA. An early
advocate of teaching deaf children to read lips rather than signing, she taught Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, at her Boston School for Deaf-Mutes, which later became known as the Horace Mann School for the Deaf. (not to be confused with philosopher Sarah Margaret Fuller.)
http://search.eb.com/women/articles/FullerSarah.html
1849 - Goat Island, also known as Sea Bird Island and later as Wood Island, sold by Nathan Spear to Harbor Master Edward A. King for $1. This island serves as a base today for the Bay Bridge. It is not to be confused with Treasure Island, which is man-made. http://www.inetours.com/images/Snglimgs/TreasureIslandAerial.jpg
1860 - Birthday of Annie Blythe West, Japanese government gave her the 6th degree of the Order of the Precious Crown for her 40 years of missionary work in Japan among women, children, and disabled soldiers.
1876 - Ada Everleigh who with her sister Minna operated a brothel in Chicago, "probably the most famous and luxurious house of prostitution in the country” from 1900-1911. At the time there were reported to be nearly 600 houses of prostitution in Chicago alone. When a reform movement closed the Everleigh house in 1911 because of their fame (others remained open), the sisters retired millionaires. http://www.britannica.com/women/articles/EverleighAdaandMinna.html  http://www.littlebarrestaurant.com/lb8everleigh.html
Minnie Everleigh
http://images.suntimes.com/century/images/1900-2.jpg
1879 - President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. It would be some 41 years before the federal government would allow women to affect the making of the laws through suffrage.
1892 - Earl Henry “Red” Blaik (d. 1989) was born in Detroit. He served as the head football coach at Dartmouth from 1934 to 1940 and at the US Military Academy from 1941 to 1958, compiling a career record of 166–48– 14. His Army football teams won three consecutive national championships in 1944, 1945 and 1946 with the running combination of Mr. Inside, Felix “Doc” Blanchard, and Mr. Outside, Glenn Davis. In 1948, he became one of the first college coaches to implement a two-platoon system, using players strictly for offense or defense. Blaik was also one of the first coaches to analyze the game play-by-play, charting a team’s tendencies on every down with the use of game film. He is generally recognized for introducing one of the game’s most significant changes, the split end that lined up on the line of scrimmage several yards away from the rest of the offensive line, which gave the receiver leverage to get open more quickly. It is rare in today’s game that at least one, likely more receivers are split to either or both sides of the ball before the snap. Blaik was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1964.
1895 - A big Gulf snowstorm produced six inches at Brownsville, TX and Mobile, AL, 15 inches at Galveston, TX, and 24 inches of snow at Rayne, LA in 24 hours. Snow fell at the very mouth of the Mississippi River. Houston, TX received 22 inches of snow, and nine inches blanketed New Orleans, LA.
1898 - American battleship Maine was blown up while at anchor in Havana harbor, at 9:40 PM. The ship, under the command of Captain Charles G. Sigsbee, sank quickly, and 260 members of its crew were lost. Inflamed public opinion in the US ignored the lack of evidence to establish responsibility for the explosion. "Remember the Maine " became the war cry, and a formal declaration of war against Spain followed on Apr 25, 1898. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb15.html
1905 - Composer Harold Arlen (d. 1986) birthday, born Hyman Arluck, Buffalo, NY. He had written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide: the songs for the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz” (lyrics by E.Y. Harburg), including the classic "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the Great American Songbook. "Over the Rainbow" was voted the twentieth century's No. 1 song by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
http://www.haroldarlen.com/
1910 - Both Major Leagues adopted resolutions banning syndicate baseball, which allowed owners to have financial interests in more than one team. The National League voted for a 154-game schedule to open on April 12th, which the American League had already adopted. This schedule remained in effect until 1961 when expansion added several teams and drove the schedule to the present 162 games. Other rules: umpires must announce all team changes to spectators; batting orders must be delivered to the umpire at home plate before the game; a batter is out if he crosses the plate from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position to pitch; a base runner is out if he passes another runner before the latter has been put out.
1915 - Jazz trumpeter Taft Jordan (d. 1981) born Florence, SC. http://allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?p=amg&sql=B8907
1917 - San Francisco Public Library (Main Branch at Civic Center) dedicated. In 1906, architect Daniel Burnham presented his plans for a new Civic Center for San Francisco, including a new library building. These plans were put on hold after the 1906 Earthquake and fire, which destroyed about 140,000 volumes, nearly 80% of its holdings. In 1917, the new main library building, designed by George W. Kelham, opened in the Civic Center. http://sfpl.org/librarylocations/main/sfplhist.htm
1917 - Birthday of Theresa Castro (d. 2002), McKeesport, PA. US businesswoman, co-owner with her husband Bernard of Castro Convertible, virtually a synonym for convertible sofa. She had saved her tips as a waitress to help start the company with him. Historians record it as the last major invention in sofa beds, actually the result of customers' requests of an upholsterer named Bernard Castro (1904-1991) to produce a davenport sofa bed that looked and worked well. The Castro Convertible, patented in 1948, with its folding springs that pull out from inside the sofa frame, was the prototype for most modern sofa beds. A recent departure from the Castro type sofa bed features covered foam sections that stack to become seats and unfold to become beds. These designs reflect an ongoing need for cheaper more portable furniture. After becoming wealthy, Theresa Castro became well-known as an energetic charitable benefactor in New York and Florida. Her daughter, Bernadette Castro, at age 4, was used in television commercials to show how easily the bed opened and folded. She was the New York State Parks Commissioner (1995-2007) and a well-known personality in her own right. http://www.tecsoc.org/pubs/history/2001/aug24.htm  http://www.rpts.tamu.edu/pugsley/CastroB.htm
1918 - Country singer Hank Locklin (d. 2009) was born in McLellan, Florida. Locklin, who first hit the country charts in 1949, is best known for his 1960 hit "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." He has the distinction of being one of the most popular singers in Ireland, and is credited with helping make country music popular on the Emerald Isle.
1932 - The US four-man bobsled team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, NY. On the team was Edward F. Eagan, who had won a gold medal in boxing at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Egan thus became the first person to win gold medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympics.
1932 - George Burns and Gracie Allen debuted as regulars on "The Guy Lombardo Show" on CBS radio. The couple was so popular that soon they would have their own "Burns and Allen Show" which was inducted into the National radio Hall of Fame in 1994. George and Gracie continued on radio for 18 years before making the switch to TV. All in all, they worked together as a successful comedy team that entertained vaudeville, film, radio and television audiences for over forty years. Gracie died in 1964 after years of heart problems while George lived to be 100, passing a couple of months after his centennial in 1996.
1933 - At Bay Front Park, Miami, FL, an assassin aiming at President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt had his aim deflected by a spectator. Anton Cermak, mayor of Chicago, struck and killed instead. Giuseppe (Joe) Zangara, the 32-year-old assassin, who had emigrated from Italy in 1923, was electrocuted at the Raiford, FL, state prison Mar 20, 1933.
1935 – Astronaut Roger Chafee (d. 1967) was born in Grand Rapids, MI. He was selected to be an astronaut as a part of NASA Astronaut Group 3. In 1967, Chaffee died in a fire along with fellow astronauts Gus Grissom and Edward White during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission at Cape Kennedy. Chaffee was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and a second Air Medal.
1936 - The temperature at Parshall, ND plunged to 60 degrees below zero to establish a state record. On the 6th of July that same year the temperature at Steele, ND hit 121 degrees, also a state record
1941 - Duke Ellington records “Take the A Train,” Victor 273080)
1941 - Brian Holland, of the prolific Motown songwriting team of Holland, Dozier and Holland, was born in Detroit. The trio, including Brian's brother, Eddie, and Lamont Dozier, were responsible for 28 Top-Ten hits between 1963 and 1966. Among their successes - "Heat Wave" for Martha and the Vandellas, "Stop! In the Name of Love" for the Supremes and "Reach Out, I'll Be There" for the Four Tops. The three songwriters formed their own record label, Invictus-Hot Wax, in 1968. "Want Ads" by Honey Cone became the company's first number-one hit, in 1971.
1944 - GORDON, NATHAN GREEN, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, commander of Catalina patrol plane. Place and date: Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944. Entered service at: Arkansas. Born: 4 September 1916, Morrilton, Ark. Citation: For extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as commander of a Catalina patrol plane in rescuing personnel of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force shot down in combat over Kavieng Harbor in the Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944. On air alert in the vicinity of Vitu Islands, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) Gordon unhesitatingly responded to a report of the crash and flew boldly into the harbor, defying close-range fire from enemy shore guns to make 3 separate landings in full view of the Japanese and pick up 9 men, several of them injured. With his cumbersome flying boat dangerously overloaded, he made a brilliant takeoff despite heavy swells and almost total absence of wind and set a course for base, only to receive the report of another group stranded in a rubber life raft 600 yards from the enemy shore. Promptly turning back, he again risked his life to set his plane down under direct fire of the heaviest defenses of Kavieng and take aboard 6 more survivors, coolly making his fourth dexterous takeoff with 15 rescued officers and men. By his exceptional daring, personal valor, and incomparable airmanship under most perilous conditions, Lt. Gordon prevented certain death or capture of our airmen by the Japanese.
1945 - FLUCKEY, EUGENE BENNETT, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Commanding U.S.S. Barb. Place and date: Along coast of China, 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945. Entered service at: Illinois. Born: S October 1913, Washington, D.C. Other Navy award: Navy Cross with 3 Gold Stars. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Barb during her 11th war patrol along the east coast of China from 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945. After sinking a large enemy ammunition ship and damaging additional tonnage during a running 2-hour night battle on 8 January, Comdr. Fluckey, in an exceptional feat of brilliant deduction and bold tracking on 25 January, located a concentration of more than 30 enemy ships in the lower reaches of Nankuan Chiang (Mamkwan Harbor). Fully aware that a safe retirement would necessitate an hour's run at full speed through the uncharted, mined, and rock-obstructed waters, he bravely ordered, "Battle station--torpedoes!" In a daring penetration of the heavy enemy screen, and riding in 5 fathoms of water, he launched the Barb's last forward torpedoes at 3,000-yard range. Quickly bringing the ship's stern tubes to bear, he turned loose 4 more torpedoes into the enemy, obtaining 8 direct hits on 6 of the main targets to explode a large ammunition ship and cause inestimable damage by the resultant flying shells and other pyrotechnics. Clearing the treacherous area at high speed, he brought the Barb through to safety and 4 days later sank a large Japanese freighter to complete a record of heroic combat achievement, reflecting the highest credit upon Comdr. Fluckey, his gallant officers and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.
1950 - Top Hits
“Dear Hearts and Gentle People” - Bing Crosby
“The Old Master Painter” - Snooky Lanson
“There's No Tomorrow” - Tony Martin
“Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy” - Red Foley
1951 - Birthday of Jane Seymour, real name Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England best known for her title role of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” the long-running TV series. http://www.friendsofjane.com/  http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-26021/
1951 - Birthday of singer Melissa Manchester, born The Bronx, New York http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-983  http://www.melissa-manchester.com/biography.html
1953 - Tenley Albright made a figure skating history by becoming the first American woman to win the world's championship. She also skated her way to a silver medal at the 1952 Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics.
1957 - The Coasters record "Searchin'," which will reach #3 in the US and become the first of their ten Billboard Top 40 hits.
1957 - Impresario Irvin Feld debuts his Greatest Shows of 1957 in Pittsburgh. On the bill: Clyde McPhatter, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Lavern Baker, Bill Doggett, the Moonglows, the Five Satins and more. Before it closes on May 5, the tour goes through every region of the U.S., including some such as the northern Rocky Mountain states, which have never seen a live rock and roll show before.
1957 - San Francisco Beatnik writer Jack Kerouac departs New York on the S.S. Slovenia en route for Tangier to see William Burroughs. February-March: In Tangier, Kerouac stays in a room above Burroughs at the Villa Muniria; types Burroughs' “Naked Lunch” manuscript (Kerouac has provided the title for the novel which Burroughs originally called “Word Hoard.”) In March, Allen Ginsberg and Peter Orlovsky arrive in Tangier to visit Kerouac and Burroughs.
1958 - "Get a Job," by The Silhouettes, hit #1 on the music Tunedex, staying there for two weeks. One week earlier, the number one song was "Sugartime," by The McGuire Sisters, which fell off the top to be replaced by Perry Como's “Catch a Falling Star.” "Get a Job" would be replaced as number one in two weeks by "Tequila," an instrumental by a studio group known as The Champs.
1958 - Top Hits
“Get a Job” - The Silhouettes
“Don't/I Beg of You” - Elvis Presley
“Catch a Falling Star/Magic Moments” - Perry Como
“Ballad of a Teenage Queen” - Johnny Cash
1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis performs "Great Balls of Fire" and his latest release "Breathless" on "American Bandstand." Later in the day, "The Dick Clark Show," a new Saturday night rock & roll television program debuts on ABC-TV. The show features appearances by Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Chuck Willis, the Royal Teens and Johnnie Ray.
1961 - On its way to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, the entire United States figure skating team along with several of their coaches and family members were killed when their plane crashed in Belgium. This was the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 707 in regular passenger service, 28 months after it was placed into commercial use.
1962 - Ray Charles records "I Can't Stop Loving You" at United Studios in Hollywood, California. The tune will go on to top both the US and UK charts and would be included on the LP "Modern Sounds In Country / Western Music", which would lead the Billboard album chart for 14 weeks.
1964 - Bill Bradley scores 51 points for Princeton (Bradley fouled out with his team leading 75-63), and a 58-point outburst against Wichita State in the 1965 NCAA tournament, which was a single game record. In total, Bradley scored 2,503 points at Princeton, averaging 30.2 points per game. In 1965, Bradley became the first basketball player chosen as winner of the prestigious AAU Sullivan Award, presented to the top amateur athlete in the country. After captaining the triumphant U.S. Olympic team in 1964, Bradley graduated with honors and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He played for the New York Knickerbockers in the NBA (1967-77) during which time they won 2 NBA Championships. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, along with teammate Dave DeBusschere. In 1984, the Knicks retired his number 24 jersey; he was the fourth player so honored by the Knicks, after Willis reed, Walt Frazier and, and DeBusschere. He is one of only two players, along with Manu Ginóbili, to have won a Euroleague title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He served three terms as a Democratic US Senator from New Jersey and ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination in 2000.
http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Bradley.htm
http://quest.morris.com/bradley/
1964 - "Navy Blue" by Diane Renay enters the Billboard chart, on its way to #6. Her highest charting follow-up, "Kiss Me Sailor" would make it to #29.
1965 - The new Canadian national flag was raised in Ottawa, Canada's capital on this day. The re-and-white flag with a red maple leaf in the center replaced the Red Ensign flag which had the British Union Jack in the upper left-hard corner. It is now called “the Maple Leaf” flag.
1966 - Top Hits
“My Love” - Petula Clark
“Lightnin' Strikes” - Lou Christie
Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder
“Giddyup Go” - Red Sovine
1967 - WILLETT, LOUIS E. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 15 February 1967. Entered service at:
Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: 19 June 1945, Brooklyn, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Willett distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company C, during combat operations. His squad was conducting a security sweep when it made contact with a large enemy force. The squad was immediately engaged with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and pinned to the ground. Despite the deadly fusillade, Pfc. Willett rose to his feet firing rapid bursts from his weapon and moved to a position from which he placed highly effective fire on the enemy. His action allowed the remainder of his squad to begin to withdraw from the superior enemy force toward the company perimeter. Pfc. Willett covered the squad's withdrawal, but his position drew heavy enemy machinegun fire, and he received multiple wounds enabling the enemy again to pin down the remainder of the squad. Pfc. Willett struggled to an upright position, and, disregarding his painful wounds, he again engaged the enemy with his rifle to allow his squad to continue its movement and to evacuate several of his comrades who were by now wounded. Moving from position to position, he engaged the enemy at close range until he was mortally wounded. By his unselfish acts of bravery, Pfc. Willett insured the withdrawal of his comrades to the company position, saving their lives at the cost of his life. Pfc. Willett's valorous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
1969 - Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" hits #1 on the pop chart.
1969 - The Doors' "Touch Me" peaks at #3 on the chart.
1971 - Birthday of Renee O'Connor, aka Gabrielle, born Houston, Texas. Gabrielle was the dutiful sidekick and devoted best friend of Xena, Warrior Princess.
http://reneeoconnor.info/whoisrenee.php 
http://www.xenaville.com/cast/renee.html
1972 – Sound recordings were granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.
1973 - Birthday of Amy VanDyken in Denver, CO. U.S. swimmer won a record four gold medals at the 1996 Olympics, the most gold medals for any US woman in one Olympics to that date. She has severe asthma, doctors have estimated that she gets 65 per cent of a normal person's oxygen and on her worst days, she gets 30 per cent. She has passed out during workouts. Her golds were in the 50m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly and two team events. http://www.tahoecelebritygolf.com/Players/VanDyken-Amy.html  http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9910/27/chat.vandyken/index.html
1974 - Boston Bruins Center Phil Esposito scored the 1,000 the point of his career, an assist in Boston's 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Esposito finished his career with 1,590 points.
1974 - Top Hits
“Love's Theme” - Love Unlimited Orchestra
“Americans” - Byron MacGregor
“Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)” - Aretha “Franklin World of Make Believe” - Bill Anderson
1975 - Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" hits #1 on the pop chart and her album “Heart Like a Wheel” hits #1.
1982 - Top Hits
“Centerfold” - The J. Geils Band
“Harden My Heart” - Quarterflash
“Open Arms” - Journey
“Someone Could Lose a Heart Tonight” - Eddie Rabbitt
1978 - Leon Spinks won a 15-round split controversial decision over Muhammad Ali to capture the heavyweight championship in a fight in Las Vegas.
1979 - The 1978 Grammy Award winners are announced. The "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack wins Album of the Year and the Bee Gees take home statues for Best Pop Group and Best Arrangement for Voices for "Staying Alive." Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" wins Record and Song of the Year.
1986 - Living Bibles International moved to its present headquarters in Naperville, IL. Founded in 1968 by Ken Taylor, editor of the Living Bible, LBI is an interdenominational Bible distributing agency, working in 45 countries.
1982 - An intense cyclone off the Atlantic coast capsized a drilling rig killing 84 persons, and sank a Soviet freighter resulting in 33 more deaths. The cyclone produced 80 mph winds which whipped the water into waves fifty feet high.
1986 - Whitney Houston reached the #1 spot on the music charts. Her single, "How Will I Know," replaced a song recorded by her first cousin, Dionne Warwick ("That's What Friends Are For").
1987 - A storm crossing the central U.S. produced severe thunderstorms which spawned tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi. Tornadoes injured four persons at Pierre Pass, LA, three persons at Tangipahoa, LA, two persons at Lexie, MS and two persons at Nicholson, MS. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 100 mph killed one person south of Sulphur, LA. Jackson, MS was drenched with 1.5 inches of rain in ten minutes.
1989 - Thirty-seven cities in the southeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. The afternoon high of 80 degrees at Atlanta, GA was a February record. Highs of 79 degrees at Chattanooga, TN, 84 degrees at Columbia, SC and 85 degrees at New Orleans, LA equaled February records
1990 - Top Hits
“Opposites Attract” - Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair
“Two to Make It Right” - Seduction
“Janie's Got a Gun” - Aerosmith
“Southern Star” – Alabama
1990 - Heavy snow also blanketed the Northern Atlantic Coast States, with ten inches reported at Buffalo, NY and Mount Washington, NH. Freezing rain over southern New England knocked out electricity to more than 10,000 homes in the western suburbs of Boston, MA.
1990 - Major League owners refused to open spring training without a new Basic Agreement with the Players’ Union, beginning a lockout that will last 32 days and postpone the start of the regular season by one week.
1992 – Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced in Milwaukee to life in prison. He was convicted of the rape, murder, and dismemberment of seventeen men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was sentenced to fifteen terms of life imprisonment and was later sentenced to a sixteenth term of life imprisonment for an additional homicide committed in Ohio in 1978. On November 28, 1994, Dahmer was beaten to death by Christopher Scarver, a fellow inmate.
1994 – Ila Borders became the first woman to pitch in a college baseball game. Appearing for Southern California College of Costa Mesa, she five-hit Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College, 12-1. In her senior year, she went 4-5 with a 5.22 ERA in 51 innings. In 1997, Borders signed with the St. Paul Saints and made her professional debut, faced three Sioux Falls Canaries batters, and gave up three earned runs. Three weeks later, on June 18, she was traded to the Duluth-Superior Dukes. Ila had no decisions and a 7.53 ERA in 15 appearances that year, allowing 24 hits in 14 innings, striking out 11 and walking nine. In 1998, Borders made history again by becoming the first female pitcher in history to start a minor league baseball game and later in the season the first to record a win.
1995 - Dow-Jones closes at record 3986.17
1995 - Population of People's Republic of China hits 1.2 billion
1995 - Top Hits
“Creep” - TLC
“Take A Bow” - Madonna
“On Bended Knee” - Boyz II Men
“Another Night” - Real McCoy
1995 - Known as the “Condor,” the FBI arrested Kevin Mitnick in Raleigh, NC. It was considered by the FBI as its "most wanted hacker." He was charged him with cracking security for some of the nation's most protected computers. (Mitnick was later released after serving five years behind bars. http://www.takedown.com/bio/mitnick.html
1997 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Tara Lipinski
1997 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Todd Eldridge
1998 - Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500. Earnhardt won the race on the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR, the 40th Anniversary of the Daytona 500 and his 20th running of the Daytona 500. During a post-race interview he took a stuffed toy monkey and threw it on the ground and said, “Now I have that monkey off my back!”
1998 - The Rolling Stones wrap up their Bridges To Babylon North American tour in Las Vegas. The Stones played "The Joint," the 1,400 seat theatre inside the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas. Among those in attendance is Brad Pitt, Leonardo DeCaprio, Johnny Depp, Sting and Eddie Murphy. Said Mick during the show, "Well this is a fantastic audience. It's got to be the best-dressed audience I've ever seen in my life.
1999 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura -- a former Rolling Stones concert bodyguard -- declares today "Rolling Stones Day."
2000 - Top Hits
“Thank God I Found You” - Mariah Carey
“I Knew I Loved You” - Savage Garden
“What a Girl Wants” - Christina Aguilera
“Get It On Tonite” - Montell Jordan
2004 - Up to 11 inches of snow fell in areas south of Nashville, TN, causing power outages and producing hazardous driving conditions.
2011 - Protesters swarmed Wisconsin's capitol after Gov. Scott Walker proposed cutbacks in benefits and bargaining rights for public employees.
2015 – The Federal Aviation Administration is planning rules for commercial drones that will limit flights to uncrowded areas within the operator's line of sight, meaning that uses such as package delivery or long-range news reporting are off limits.