Monday, February 12, 2007

Headlines---

Leasing Pioneer Harold McAfee Passes Away
    Classified Ads---Project Management
        Mike Bennie--- next President of Marlin Leasing?
    Accounting/Tax Chart from TechLease
$112,000 First Year Depreciation Allowance
    FTC Attorney Randy Brook responds to Shawn Halladay
        Classified Ads—Help Wanted
    Top Stories---February 5-9
AZELA Scottsdale Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 5pm
    Leasing 102 --by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
    “What is a Finance Lease?”
        Placard---House Rules
    PJ Stone VP Sales Five Point Capital
News Briefs---
    You May have Missed---
        California Nuts Brief---
    Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
    Calendar Events
        Snapple Real Facts
    Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
    Winter Poem—the Eagle and the Hawk
        SuDoku
            Daily Puzzle

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

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Leasing Pioneer Harold McAfee Passes Away

Harold McAfee,
Triple C Leasing
San Rafael, CA.
Western Association of
Equipment Lessors (WAEL)
President
1975-1976
(WAEL became the United Association of Equipment Leasing-UAEL)

“Have some bad news to share with you that Harold passed away Saturday night. In some respects you probably have more information regarding Hal’s involvement with the formation of WAEL and its early beginnings than I do. There will be a service for him up in Sonoma this Friday the 16th at 11am. I will forward the details to you as I receive them.

“Hal was certainly a ‘pioneer’ in our industry and helped develop many great leasing sales professionals that are still active in the business today. Linda M. and Dave Johnson come to mind.

“Hal also served as a board member to the Matsco Companies in the late 80’s through 1998 where he provided great insight and wisdom to not only myself but other managers within Matsco.

“Thought Leasing News would like to acknowledge and remember a special person.”

Matt Shieman
matt@blackhawk.aero

Gathering of “Eagles:” Founders Award presentation in celebration of the Association's 20th Anniversary (left to right) Art Schwartz, Steve Dunham, Harold “Hal” McAfee, and Steve Head.
November, 1995 UAEL Regional Reporte

Leasing News publisher/editor Christopher "Kit" Menkin started in the equipment leasing business in 1971 as a broker, In December, he opened the Santa Clara, California branch office of Triple C Leasing with his own money in after an advance on a sale from “Mac,” as everyone in San Bruno, California, called him. Menkin eventually became sales manager and then vice-president, leaving the firm as an independent agent in 1974 to start American Leasing. He had known “Mac” since he was San Bruno Chamber of Commerce manager with offices right across the street from McAfee’s Department store. McAfee sold this retail operation (less than a mile away, Tanforan Shopping Center, the first major shopping center in the county, opened) to enter the sign business, primarily specializing in reader boards for service stations and other companies, but also selling and installing signs. The company was Triple C Sign, named for the brand of reader board. He started leasing these $1800 signs and with his CPA as president, who brought in several of his clients, who pooled their money and created a line of credit at Security Pacific Bank in San Mateo, CA., to form an equipment leasing company. Their first salesman, commission only, was Kit Menkin. The company was getting ready to go public when the president got a divorce and directors, all his friends, had disagreements over minor expenditures of the president. McAfee then took over the company. In January, 1983, the company was purchased by Pacific First Federal Savings Bank in Seattle, WA., and became a subsidiary, changing its name to Pacific First Leasing. McAfee became an investor and board member of the Matsco Companies. October 27, 1992 Washington Mutual announced the purchase of Pacific First Federal Savings Bank.

More on Harold McAfee in Wednesday’s edition. Readers who want to pass on wishes or stories, please send to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/WAEL_Hist_I.htm
Russ Rickards of CenVal Leasing (now Bank of the West leasing ) has a copy of the original minutes of the first meeting, as he was in attendance, which he gave Leasing News a copy.

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/WAEL_Hist_II.htm

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Classified Ads---Project Management

Porsche 911 Turbo Most Expensive MSRP: $122,000
3.6 liters, 6cycl rear engine, 480 hp(SAE) @6,000RPM
0-60 mph: 3.7 sec. Top Track Speed: 193 mph

Project Management
Phoenix, AZ: Lease Administrator with exp. in lease administration, doc. & portfolio management for $200M in IT assets. Additional experience financial analysis process improvement/development.
Email: jeg3894@cox.net

This is a new category, suggested by the party above who was in “asset management.” There also may be others in this category, or perhaps senior management, who should be in this category
or in both.

Every 30-45 days we contact the advertisers to make sure their e-mail address is working, that they want to continue the ad, change their ad copy, add a picture or resume. Plus we ask for suggestions.

The role of this site is to get employers to send an e-mail to ask for more information about the person seeking employment, learn if there may be a fit, and hopefully even schedule an interview, or at least a telephone call.

Throughout the years the classified has fulfilled the job of a president of a medium sized leasing company, several operation managers for some large leasing companies, three attorneys, and many other positions, including collections, administrative assistants, and sales.

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

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Mike Bennie--- next President of Marlin Leasing?

by Christopher Menkin

A tale of 2 stocks

From Leasing News Archives, July 10, 2002:

“Marlin Leasing Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

“Currently listed among the top ten small-ticket equipment leasing companies in the country, Marlin Leasing celebrated another Milestone this June - their fifth year of operation. ‘This is a very exciting time for us," says Gary Shivers, president of Marlin Leasing. "Our growth strategies continue to be aggressive. We've exceeded our growth expectations each year, and based on current projections, will do so again this year’"

“’Shivers attributes their success to a cohesive management team that has worked together for over thirteen years. ’We combined our expertise with a quality staff that is equally committed to success. Because we focus on relationship building both internally and externally, our employees and our customers are motivated to stay with us. And that only makes us better.’

“In Marlin's first five years they have:
1. achieved profitability in their second year of operation
2. employed and trained over 190 employees
3. grown assets to over $300 million, and
4. successfully accessed capital markets to support growth.

“Marlin's goals moving forward include:
1. doubling the size of the company in the next three years
2. being listed among the top five small-ticket leasing companies in the country, and
3. expanding geographically.

Five years later, the only one left of the three founders who left Advanta is Dan Dyer. Gary Kester (husband of Leasing News columnist and Well-known leasing instructor Linda P. Kester) was the first squeezed out. Gary Shivers recently was given a golden parachute to stay out of the office in New Jersey. Marlin, which relies 100% on leasing, appears stuck in the mud. There must some vindication in this, considering Advanta lost a lot of their leasing sales reps to Marlin in the late 1990’s. Gary Shivers, who recently was given the “highway,” contributed the early Marlin success to a cohesive management team and employees being motivated to stay with them. Now that much of the original management team is gone, including Shivers, where is Marlin heading. Will the new president change direction?

Marlin Business Services dba Marlin Leasing will announce their Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 Earnings this Friday. Perhaps they will also name the new president to take Gary Shivers place. The conference call is set for Friday, February 16, 2007 at 6:00am, California time. (Details at the end of this story.)

It is no secret that there is a need to hire someone to take over Shivers position and head sales in time for the announcement. Along with outsiders, Dominic Janney and Michael “Mike” Bennie both VP’s,
are considered the front runners for the job.

Bennie, who is head of broker services, appears to have an inside track. Hopefully Leasing News did not jinx his appointment by recognizing him as the leader.

Dominick Janney, head of retail sales, if chosen will demonstrate the highway Dyer has chosen to drive his bus.

The national vendor account market is dominated by CIT, GE Commercial, among many others, including companies with less employees than Marlin such as Butler Capital and even
companies such as Bob Rodi’s Mt. Pleasant Capital, specializing in franchise leasing. There are many lessors who have found their niche. Their size allows them to give terrific service and know
their clients. Should they grow to Marlin’s size, the increased cost of middle management operation may cause them to increase margins and cease their ability to serve their niche vendors.

Direct sales for the smaller fragmented vendor marketplace is tough to compete against as independent brokers are basically free, working on a strictly commission basis. Many funders
and “super brokers” cultivate them. While many of their deals may be “story credits” or “C”
paper, as some call it, they also have strong relationships with companies that have grown
to “A” and “B” paper deals. Established brokers not only have experience in acquiring and closing deals, but none of the last major fraud that has racked the leasing industry was generated in the leasing broker sector. In fact, they did not even come from “inside sales,” but from “wholesale packagers” and “upper management.”

The new Marlin president may be an outsider with much experience such as Jim Merrilees from Portland, Oregon; Bob Fisher from Houston, Texas; Ron Wagner from San Diego, Charles Randall from Columbia, South Carolina, or out of retirement, Oren Hall from Reno, Nevada. Are they willing to move to New Jersey?

Of course it could be George D. Pelose, Marlin’s Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, corporate Secretary and public relations contact on press releases. He seems to do everything else, including emptying the waste paper baskets at night.

Or it could be a younger person, recruited not from the leasing industry itself, with a fresh approach to bringing in equipment leasing business. Many of the larger company leasing executives did not
come from the industry, but quickly adopted their experience to build a successful financing operation.

Or Marlin could decide to go after the middle-market field, taking on competitors such as Key Equipment Finance. It’s no secret many stockholders are unhappy with their performance today, let alone having confidence the company will do well outside the small ticket marketplace. A new president may give them confidence. It may give them “hope” there will be better performance.

Marlin Business Services Corp.
for Friday, February 09, 2007

Closing Price ($): 22.52
Change ($): -0.53
Change (%): -2.30
One Day Volume: 30,857
Day's High: 23.12
Day's Low: 22.28

2006 Earnings Conference Call set for Friday, February 16, 2007 at 6:00 AM, California time. . Participants should dial 800-909-7113 and the conference ID is: 7marlin.

This call will also be web cast and can be accessed on the Marlin Business Services Corp. website at http://www.marlincorp.com:

What: Marlin Business Services Corp.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2006 Earnings Conference Call

When: February 16, 2007 @ 6:00 AM PST

How: Participant Dial in - 800-909-7113, 785-830-1914 (international)
Or live over the Internet -- Simply log on to the web at the address below.

Where: http://www.marlincorp.com
(Investor Relations section) or
http://www.InvestorCalendar.com

Contact: Lynne Wilson, CFO, 888-479-9111 X4108

If you are unable to participate during the live conference call and web cast, the call will be archived in the Investor Relations section at http://www.marlincorp.com for approximately 90 days. A written transcript will also be available on the website.

Marlin Business Services Corp. is a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses. The company's principal operating subsidiary, Marlin Leasing Corporation, finances over 60 equipment categories in a segment of the market generally referred to as "small-ticket" leasing (i.e. transactions less than $250,000). The company was founded in 1997 and completed its initial public offering of common stock November 12, 2003. In addition to Mount Laurel, NJ, Marlin also has regional offices in or near Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. For more information, visit http://www.marlincorp.com or call toll-free at (888) 479-9111.

Marlin Leasing company brochure:
http://ofchq.snl.com/cache/1500004084.pdf

“Inside Marlin Leasing” story:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202007/01-29-07.htm#marlin

"Marlin does not make any official statements to the press about financial, personnel or other matters. As a public company subject to Regulation FD, we have determined that the best course of action is to release material news through the methods set forth in the securities laws, such as the Form 8-K.
"Marlin has (and will) take all necessary steps to protect and defend its employees from public comments that are untrue, disparaging and/or damaging to the employee’s (or Marlin’s) reputation."

George D. Pelose
COO & General Counsel
Marlin Business Services Corp

Note: Neither Gary or Linda P. Kester were contacted for comments nor did Leasing News receive any from them for this article. Editor

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Accounting/Tax Chart from TechLease

Click here to see a larger image

Eric Paton
TechLease L.L.C.
Member UAEL
(408) 219-0434 voice
(877) 284-1717 toll free
(408) 228-0525 fax
epaton@techlease.com
www.techlease.com

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$112,000 First Year Depreciation Allowance

Buying rather than leasing computers, machinery, and other equipment for a business can generate tax savings -- up to $112,000 of the cost of equipment placed in service in 2007 can be immediately deducted rather than depreciated over five years, seven years or other periods fixed by law (depending upon the type of equipment). For 2006, the limit had been $108,000.

Capital Leases allow depreciation to be passed through to the lessee of the equipment.

Important: This break applies to both new and pre-owned equipment whether it is purchased outright or financed in whole or in part.

Caution: State income tax rules may not allow this federal tax break and require businesses to depreciate their equipment purchases. Current legislation to increase the minimum wage may be coupled with small business tax measures, including a permanent increase in the expensing limit (which is scheduled after 2009 to revert to its old $25,000 limitation).

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FTC Attorney Randy Brook responds to Shawn Halladay

Seattle based Leasing Dragon Killer Randy Brook
(Famed for the Leasecomm decision, among others)

In Friday’s edition, the “blog” of Shawn Halladay, popular author, lecturer, legal leasing expert witness, and teacher, brought much disagreement. Many were forwarded to his “blog,” but this one from the Federal Trade Commission Senior Attorney Randy Brook, with his permission, is being brought forth to Leasing News readers:

“In reading your 2/9/07 Shawn Halladay column ‘NorVergence questions,’ there appear to be several critical questions omitted. Let me suggest some of those questions.

“For example, how are the finance contracts written? Stated in more direct, NorVergence or Leasecomm terminology, did the finance contract (whatever it was called) state that services were being financed or conceal that aspect of the transaction?

“The Leasecomm ‘equipment leases’ challenged by the FTC were actually financing intangible business opportunities or investment schemes, although they were styled as financing equipment. In NorVergence, the company was primarily selling long term telecommunication services, of which the Matrix box was only a small, inexpensive component. The Rental Agreements, purportedly just for the Matrix box, covered most of the cost of the whole package. Was this ever stated in a NorVergence Rental Agreement? Obviously not.

“If the Rental Agreements had truthfully stated as consideration ‘five years of services plus an incidental Matrix box,’ would any court enforce those contracts today? If a finance company knew or should have known that the Rental Agreements were really for services, should a court allow the finance company to have the contracts enforced?”

Randy Brook
Senior Attorney, Federal Trade Commission
RBROOK@ftc.gov
My comments represent my personal views and not necessarily those of the Commission

www.leasingnotes.com column:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-09-07.htm#norv1

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Account Manager

North Shore Leasing & Funding Corp. "FOR ALL OF YOUR FUNDING NEEDS"

Nationwide Account Manager 2 yrs. exp., self-motivated, team oriented, college degree preferred. We approve A to D credits, no equipment restrictions. Resume, salary history, requirements by fax: 631-231-3773 or Steve Kelly at steve@nslf.com North Shore Leasing & Funding Inc. (NSL&F Inc.) established in 1993, is a national small-ticket equipment leasing company located in Hauppauge, NY.

www.nslf.com

Sales Professionals

Top commission (75%) plus health and retirement benefits. Full back office, large book funding sources meeting all your clients requirements. Robert Piot: 714-573-9804 or e-mail rpiot@socalleasing.com

To learn more or for more info, click here www.socalleasing.com

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Top Stories---February 5-9

Here are the top ten stories most "opened" by readers last week.

(1) Mitsui backs out of purchase of Butler Capital
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-07-07.htm#butler

(2) Weather Closing Leasing Companies early
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-07-07.htm#weather

(3) Direct Capital Closes Securitization Facility
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-05-07.htm#dcc

(4) Super Bowl Ads latest Poll
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-05-07.htm#adbowl

(5) Parker Trial Postponed until April 27, 2007
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-07-07.htm#trial

(6) CIT Group Vice-Chair Exclusive Interview
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-09-07.htm#cit

(7) Leasing #102--by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
"Personal Property"
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-05-07.htm#102

(8) (tie)
New Decisions: NorVergence Leases
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-09-07.htm#norv

(8) (Tie)
NorVergence questions --by Shawn Halladay
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-09-07.htm#norv1

(9) Leasing News Exclusive—Video—
Distance Learning #3 by Gerry Egan
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-05-07.htm#video

(10) Sales makes it Happen---by Linda P. Kester
“Marketing Attitude”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202007/02-07-07.htm#sales

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Arizona Equipment Leasing Association

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Starfire Country Club
11500 North Hayden RD
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-948-6000
Time: 5 PM Networking 6 PM Presentation
Fee: $20 includes heavy appetizers and one drink payable in advance.
Feel free to invite any interested persons.

Name
Company
Email
Phone

Send Check payable to AZELA for $20.00 and send it prior to 1/30 to Pat McCann Universal
Financial Group 3021 East Laurel St, Mesa AZ 85213

Dennis Brown, V.P. State Government
Relations for the Equipment Leasing & Finance
Association

"I look forward to sharing with Arizona Equipment Leasing Association members some highlights of Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) advocacy within the state legislative arena where interest groups dedicate on average 5 lobbyists and $130,000 per state legislator. ELFA efforts rely on grassroots industry involvement.

"Lobbying is often hampered when policymakers assume equipment lessors deal only in short term consumer rentals. These misconceptions are best removed by direct involvement of industry members. In an extreme case, a Lieutenant Governor introduced legislation forbidding lessors from obtaining tax incentives after legislative staff attorneys reported the federal government had determined commercial equipment leasing is illegal. Legal counsel informed him that a federal grand jury would soon indict
ELFA staff and member companies. ELFA defeated the legislation.

"Presently, the most immediate threat is nationwide attention given a California law requiring equipment lessors to collect recycling fees on certain electronic equipment. Legislators in over 20 states have filed similar proposals. States are also taking interest in regulating leasing practices. ELFA repealed a New York law that applied end of lease notice for apartment buildings to commercial leases but a similar proposal is now introduced in Wisconsin. In Utah a proposal would severely restrict purchase options.

"These are some of the issues I will share with you on Tuesday evening, February 13"

Dennis Brown
Vice President
State Government Relations
Equipment Leasing & Finance Association
4301 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 550
Arlington, Virginia 2203
Telephone: (703) 516-8368
FAX (703) 527-2649
Email: dbrown@elfaonline.org

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Leasing 102

“What is a Finance Lease?”

by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

The term finance lease was introduced in 1955 when the IRS issued the first revenue ruling for leasing RR55-540. It represented a transaction that the IRS determine not to be a lease because the “intent” of the two parties to the lease, the Lessee and Lessor, was to create a disguised conditional sales contract (a loan) evidenced by a structure that included a bargain purchase option or allowed the Lessee to use the equipment for its complete useful life meaning the Lessor could no longer use it. Hence a transaction like this looked like a loan so it looked like a financing not a lease.

Then in 1975 when the Financial Accounting Standards Board created SFAS #13 accounting for leases they began to use the term “Direct Finance Lease” to classify a lease for a three party Lessor that meet one of the requirements of paragraph 7. A direct finance lease broke the transaction into depreciation and interest expense. This totally disregards the legal or tax issues and only looks at the economic structure of the lease. Therefore a true tax lease (not a finance lease) could be classified to look like a loan even though the lessee had no right to purchase the equipment at lease termination.

Then in 1988 with the introduction of Article 2A for the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) the legal profession decided to call the three party legal lease a Finance lease where the Lessor is not held responsible for equipment performance providing the Supply Contract (Vendors warrantees and guarantees) is passed through to the Lessee in the lease agreement.

The term money over money was used by many Lessors’ in the early days because it was clear that if the only return was cash then no tax issues were involved so it was a disguised sale. While this is acceptable for tax issues it still left open the question; is it a legal lease? Also there is a term use in legal to describe a lease that is not an Article 2A lease and therefore is covered by Article 9 that is a “lease intended as a security”. A fancy term meaning it’s a loan not a lease.

Therefore we needed a term that would describe a transaction that fails all the rules and is in fact a financing or a conditional sales contract so we chose “Non-lease Lease” because it describes a transaction that is not a lease but for contract purposes is placed on a lease agreement.

Please clear the air on the meaning you apply to finance lease if you continue to use the term so as to not miscomunicate your thoughts.

Mr. Terry Winders has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-327-8666.
He invites your questions and queries.

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[headlines]

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

Five Point Capital Names PJ Stone Vice President of Sales

SAN DIEGO, CA San Diego-based equipment leasing firm, Five Point Capital has named PJ Stone vice-president of sales. PJ Stone is responsible for directing all sales of the company’s leasing services via the firm’s large telesales department. He will develop and implement innovative sales and CRM strategies along with overseeing the design of sales incentive plans. Closely aligned with the marketing department, Stone will provide input on the development of outbound marketing programs to drive customer loyalty, satisfaction and repeat business. “With PJ’s extensive sales management experience, we are extremely confident that his T3-Training (Train the Trainer), coaching, process management and performance measurements experience will help propel Five Point Capital to the next level,” said President Dan Feder.

PJ Stone has over 20+ years of sales management experience within major financial institutions. Prior to joining Five Point Capital, PJ held the position of vice-president of call center sales and operations for (GE) General Electric Company. He was responsible for directing and managing three multi-state sites for the service and sales of GE Money Consumer finance products. Additionally, PJ was vice-president of sales and operations while at Conseco Finance and vice-president of sales while at Sun-Script Pharmacy Healthcare Corporation.

PJ Stone received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University. While at GE, PJ mastered CAP (Change Acceleration Process) methodologies and achieved the level of a Six Sigma Black Belt. The goal of Six Sigma is to increase profits by eliminating variability, defects and waste that undermine customer loyalty. According to the Six Sigma Academy, Black Belts save companies approximately $230,000 per project and can complete four to six projects per year. PJ Stone resides in Carmel Valley.

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### Press Release ###########################
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News Briefs----

Fed's Bies Resigns after Five Years at Central Bank
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTATFBK4zc_s&refer=home

Bernanke to say economy sound, inflation a risk
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=
OBR&Date=20070211&ID=6466724

Intel Prototype May Herald a New Age of Processing
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/technology/12chip.html?_r=1&ref=
business&oref=slogin

Complete list of Grammy winners
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/EarlyEdition/article_view.cfm?recordID=
5990&publishdate=02/12/2007

Canine Mardi Gras Photo’s
http://lpe.ajc.com/gallery/view/news/0207/mardidog

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You May have Missed---

Home shoppers do their hunting online
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/2007-02-08-net-real-estate-usat_x.htm

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Sports Briefs----

Mickelson finishes strong on way to win at Pebble Beach
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2007-02-11-pebble-beach_x.htm

Cowboys receiver talks with Phillips, also discusses year outlook
http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstory/stories/021107cpcowlede.1c94464.html

Dallas' passing on Turner a big victory for the 49ers
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/
2007/02/10/SPG7CO2IAB1.DTL

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California Nuts Briefs---

The Guv's Shaky Support
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/12/REPUBLICANS.TMP

[headlines]

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“Gimme that Wine”

Chocolate and wine is not always a match made in heaven
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/09/WIG8SNVQEV1.DTL

California's 2006 Crush Totaled 3.1 Million Tons--Third Largest in History
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/DailyNewsArticle.cfm?dataid=46557

Lodi wine breaks $50 barrier
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/A_NEWS/702100323

Pinot noir comes out on top in 2006
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/NEWS/
702100307/1033/NEWS01

In a Bottle, the Scent of a Mouse
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07curious.html?ref=dining

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

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Calendar Events This Day

Clean Out Your Computer Day
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/cleancomputerday.htm
http://www.overhall.com/feb_computer_day.htm

Darwin Day
Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity. Events are coordinated around the world to commemorate the life and work of Charles Darwin and contributions and achievements of science and reason.
www.darwinday.org

Lincoln’s Birthplace Cabin Wreath Laying
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historic Site, Hodgenville, KY. A wreath is placed at the door of the symbolic “Birthplace Cabin” in commemoration of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
www.nps.gov/abli

Oglethorpe Day
General James Edward Oglethorpe (born at London, England, December 22, 1696) with some other 100 other Englishmen, landed at what is now Savannah, GA, on February 12, 1733. Oglethorpe was organizer and first governor of the colony and founder of the city of Savannah. Oglethorpe Day and Georgia Day observed on this date.

Saint Celebrations:

February 12
· St. Buonfiglio Monaldo
· St. Febronia
· St. Julian
· St. Anthony Kauleas
· St. Anthony of Saxony
· St. Benedict Revelli
· Bl. Thomas Hemerford
· St. Damian
· St. James Feun, Blessed
· St. John of Nicomedia
· St. Julian the Hospitaler
· St. Juventius of Pavia
· St. Ludan
· St. Meletius of Antioch
· St. Modestus
· St. Modestus & Ammonius
· St. Modestus & Julian
http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/feb.php

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The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/

However, according to according to Jon Stone, a writer for Sesame Street, it is merely a coincidence.
http://ask.yahoo.com/20020717.html

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Today's Top Event in History

1899- On the edge of the greatest arctic outbreak of all-time, a vicious blizzard pounded the mid-Atlantic and New England states. 20 inches of snow fell at Washington, DC and 34 inches fell at Cape May, New Jersey. The central pressure of the storm was estimated to be 966 millibars (28.53 inches) just southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. it was the coldest morning ever in the eastern Great Plains and eastern Texas. Kansas city, Missouri bottomed out at 22 degrees below zero. Fort Worth, Texas dropped to 8 degrees below. Camp Clarke, Nebraska recorded 47 degrees below zero. In the east, Washington, DC recorded 15 degrees below zero and Charleston, South Carolina received 3.9 inches of snow.

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This Day in American History

    1733-General James Edward Oglethorpe, with some 100 other Englishmen, landed at what is now Savannah, GA. Naming the new colony Georgia for England’s King George II, Oglethorpe was organizer and first governor of the colony and founder of the city of Savannah. In 1732, he proposed the establishment of an asylum for debtors in the region south of the American colony of South Carolina. The British recognized the advantages of a buffer colony between South Carolina and Spanish Florida and Oglethorpe was made a twenty-year trustee of the colony of Georgia, named after King George II. He carefully selected about one hundred debtors, and on January 11, 1733, the expedition sailed into South Carolina’s Charleston Bay. After purchasing supplies, Oglethorpe led the settlers down the coast to Georgia, where they traveled inland along the Savannah River, establishing the settlement of Savannah on February 12. After forging friendly relations with the Yamacraw, a branch of the Creek Confederacy who agreed to cede land to the colonists for settlement, he set about establishing a defense against the Spanish, building forts, and instituting a system of military training. In 1739, England declared war on Spain, and in 1742, Oglethorpe defeated the Spanish on St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia, effectively ending Spanish claims to the territory of Georgia. Georgia, rich in export potential, later grew into one of the most prosperous British colonies in America.
    1793-As states in New England began outlawing slavery, the Southern states pushed through Congress the “Fugitive Slave Law: No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.” As the Underground Railroad began, more and more states enacted statues of bounty and fines for those assisting “runaway slaves.”
    1809- Birthday of Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the US (Mar 4, 1861-Apr 15, 1865) and the first to be assassinated (on Good Friday, Apr 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre at Washington, DC). His presidency encompassed the tragic Civil War. Especially remembered are his Emancipation Proclamation (Jan 1, 1863), his Gettysburg Address (Nov 19, 1863) and his proclamation establishing the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. Born at Hardin County, KY, he died at Washington, DC, Apr 15, 1865. Lincoln's birthday is observed as part of Presidents' Day in most states, but is a legal holiday in Illinois and an optional bank holiday in Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia.
    1831 -- Nat Turner's revolt in Virginia begins with divine signal -- solar eclipse.
He decides the only way to be free is to revolt and sees this as a sign to raise an army of salves.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1518.html
    1837- Birthday of artist Thomas Moran.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb12.html
    1837- An irate group of unemployed New Yorkers gathered to protest skyrocketing food and fuel prices, as well as the city's rapidly escalating rents. The demonstration quickly degenerated into violence, as the workers turned their anger on a flour warehouse. For the city, as well as the rest of the nation, the outburst was a strong indicator of the fiscal troubles that would bubble over later that year. Come that May, a host of events, including a wave of bank failures and a brewing recession, both of which stemmed from President Andrew Jackson's decision to yank all Federal deposits from the second Bank of the United States, signaled the onset of the Panic of 1837. The panic hung over America for the next seven years, debilitating the nation's economy and triggering rampant unemployment.
    1865- First Black to address US House of Representatives.
Reverend Dr. Henry Highland Garnet, the first African-American ever permitted in the US House of Representatives, delivers a sermon to a crowded House chamber. His sermon commemorates the victories of the Union army and the deliverance of the country from slavery. Garnet, a former slave himself, was a pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. President Abraham Lincoln, with the unanimous consent of his cabinet and the two congressional chaplains, had arranged for the special Sunday service, to be held on February 12, the president’s fifty-sixth birthday. Garnet escaped to the North in 1824, where he became a prominent abolitionist, famous for his radical appeal to slaves to rise up and slay their masters. In 1881, he was appointed US minister to Liberia, but he died only two months after his arrival in the African nation.
    1870- The women in the Utah Territory were granted the right to vote in political elections---50 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.
    1874 --King David Kalakaua of Sandwich Island HI, is first king to visit US.
    1883- Coronation on territory that would later become part of the Untied States: King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani were crowned king and queen of the Hawaiian Islands at Iolani Palace, Honolulu.
    1873- A routine coinage act of Congress omitted all silver currency because silver was so scarce it brought more as bullion than as dollars. Three years later, when Nevada mines were producing unprecedented quantities of silver mine owners demanded that the government buy their product for coinage. At that time, the coinage act became known as the Crime of '73 as all coins were gold.
    1877- The first telephone news dispatch was called into the Boston Globe in Boston from Salem, Massachusetts, using equipment provided by Alexander Graham Bell.
    1879-A gala carnival was present at the opening of the first indoor ice skating rink, built by Thomas L. Rankin at Madison Square Garden, New York. I t has 6,000 square feet of surface.
    1887- Frederick Winthrom Thayer of Waverly, MA, captain of the Harvard University Baseball Club, obtained a patent for a “face guard or safety mask.” He had a tinsmith in Cambridge, MA, make it. Louis Truschke, catcher of the Foster Baseball Club, Lawrence, MA, who had been hurt by a pitched ball, adopted the mask. It became very popular among catchers and was eventually manufactured by Peck and Snyder, New York City.
    1889- John Lewis, American labor leader born near Lucas, IA. His parents came to the US from Welsh mining towns, and Lewis left school in the seventh grade to become a miner himself. Became leader of United Mine Workers of America and champion of all miners' causes. Died at Washington, DC, June 11, 1969.
    1898- Roy Harris, born at Chandler, OK, Harris was one of the most important composers of this century. He was known for his use of Anglo-American folk tunes. He composed more than 200 works, including 13 symphonies, several ballet scores and much chamber and choral music. His best-known work is his Third Symphony (1939). He died at Santa Monica, CA, Oct 1, 1979.
    1899- On the edge of the greatest arctic outbreak of all-time, a vicious blizzard pounded the mid-Atlantic and New England states. 20 inches of snow fell at Washington, DC and 34 inches fell at Cape May, New Jersey. The central pressure of the storm was estimated to be 966 millibars (28.53 inches) just southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. it was the coldest morning ever in the eastern Great Plains and eastern Texas. Kansas city, Missouri bottomed out at 22 degrees below zero. Fort Worth, Texas dropped to 8 degrees below. Camp Clarke, Nebraska recorded 47 degrees below zero. In the east, Washington, DC recorded 15 degrees below zero and Charleston, South Carolina received 3.9 inches of snow.
    1900-Birthday of guitarist Pink Anderson, Laurens, SC, Died October 12, 1974
http://www.io.com/~tbone1/blues/ECblz/pinkan.html
http://www.oafb.net/once107.html
http://www.wirz.de/music/andepfrm.htm
    1903-Birthday of Milton Rackmil, co-founder Decca records and president of Universal Studios, New York City, NY
http://www.carygrant.net/autobiography/autobiography7.html
http://archives.studio.universalstudios.com/timeline1959.html
( see 1951-- http://archives.studio.universalstudios.com/smallframe4.html )
    1907 – Anna T. Jeanes bequeaths $1,000,000 to the Jeanes Supervisors. Anna T. Jeanes, a Quaker from Philadelphia, was one of ten children in a wealthy family. She was a well-to-do single woman in the 1800s who was interested in the causes of her day. None of her brothers and sisters left heirs. So in time, she inherited a great deal of money. Around the turn of the century, she began to donate her fortune to charity, and in 1907, shortly before she died, she gave one million dollars to a fund of income-bearing securities, to provide education to black students in rural areas of the South. This fund, based on an original gift of over a million dollars, was set up for the improvement of rural elementary schools for African Americans. Jeanes teachers were hired to travel to all the schools in a county, helping the local teachers organize classes in domestic science, gardening and carpentry.
The Jeanes teachers contributed to the schools in other ways, often serving as informal social workers. For thirty years they provided a precious ingredient, hope, to small black communities. In 1937, the Jeanes Fund merged with the Slater Fund to found the Southern Education Foundation, which has continued to do much good work. She is buried at Fair Hill
http://www.fairhillburial.org/famous.php
Burial Ground at Germantown Avenue and Cambria Street.
    1908 - The famous, New York-to-Paris automobile race started via Seattle and Yokohama, Japan. The race began in Times Square, New York City, with six automobiles entered in the race: three French, one Italian, One German, and one American. The race was won by George Schuster, driver, George J. Miller, mechanic, and Montague Roberts, assistant mechanic, in a car made by the
E.R. Thomas Motor Company, Buffalo, NY. The cars drove across the North American continent, took a boat across the Pacific and then raced across Siberia and Europe to the City of Lights. One car dropped out on the starting day; after a while, only two remained. The average daily run was 152 miles, the longest daily run 420 miles. A team of Americans reached Paris on July 31, four days after a German team, but the Americans were declared the winners because of a handicap imposed on the Germans. The Americans traveled 13,341 miles in 170 days, 88 of which he spent driving . The race was sponsored by the New York Times and the Paris newspaper Le Matin.
Second entry:
http://www.springvillechamber.com/Historical_Society/favorite_sons.htm
http://www.thegreatautorace.com/update.htm
    1909- On the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a call for an organizational meeting was issued for what was to become the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded by W.E.B. Dubois and Ida Wells-Barnett, with 58 others, to wage a militant campaign against lynching and other forms of racial oppression. Its legal wing brought many lawsuits that successfully challenged segregation in the 1950s and '60s. Today, the membership of the NAACP exceeds 500,000.
http://www.naacp.org/
    1910-Birthday of tenor sax player Paul Bascomb, Birmingham, AL
http://www.alamhof.org/bascombp.htm
http://www.hoyhoy.com/bascomb.htm
    1913- Raymond “Ray” Dandridge, Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman born at Richmond, VA. Dandridge was a standout third baseman in the Negro Leagues. He was 35 years old when Organized Baseball called, but he never played a day in the major leagues. Inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1987. Died at Palm Beach, FL, 1994.
    1913 -- Mary Harris "Mother" Jones leads a protest of conditions in the West Virginia mines and is arrested. (On May 8, newly-elected Governor Hatfield releases her from jail.) A government official once called Mary Jones "The most dangerous woman in America." She was dangerous to the established order because she was fearless in her defense of the oppressed working class. For 60 years she went into mining towns where men often feared to go, organizing unions. The miners called her "Mother" Jones. She was still out there at age 83. No rockin' chair for her...
God,  if You had but the moon
    Stuck in Your cap for a lamp,
Even You'd tire of it soon,
    Down in the dark and the damp.
Nothing but blackness above
    And nothing that moves but the cars. . . .
God, if You wish for our love,
    Fling us a handful of stars.
---Louis Untermeyer
excerpt from Caliban in the Coal Mines, from Challenge, 1914
(This poem is based on the Few Clothes Johnson, the character played by James Earle Jones in John Sayles' film Matewan.)
UMWA miners on Paint Creek in Kanawha County demanded wages equal to those of other area mines. The operators rejected the wage increase & miners walked off the job today, beginning one of the most violent strikes in the nation's history. At the age of 83, Mother Jones was convicted by a military court of conspiring to commit murder & was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The event created such a furor that the U.S. Senate form a committee to look into conditions in the West Virginia coalfields.
http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/majones.htm
http://www.meetingground.org/loavfish/lf599/motherjones.htm
http://www.johnshepler.com/articles/mojo.html
http://www.feminista.com/v3n8/cruey.html
    1914-Birthday of sax player “Tex” Beneke,Fort Worth,TX Died May 30,2000
http://elvispelvis.com/texbeneke.htm
http://elvispelvis.com/texbeneke.htm#bio
http://www.bigbands.net/int-TexBeneke.html
    1915-Birthday of Lorne Greene, the actor who played Ben Cartwright on the immensely popular television Western Bonanza, is born in Ontario, Canada. An only child, Greene later said he based his portrayal of Ben Cartwright on his own father, Daniel Greene. Greene’s rise to national stardom in Bonanza did not come until relatively late in his career. He first began acting as a student at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, where he abandoned his major in chemical engineering to follow the more exciting lure of the stage. For several years he worked in the theater in New York City, but he won his first major position in 1939 as an announcer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His deep, warm voice soon earned Greene the title, "The Voice of Canada." During World War II, he served as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. When he returned to Canada, Greene began to win more acting roles in the fledgling Canadian television industry. In 1954, he made his big screen debut as the Apostle Peter in The Silver Chalice. Greene’s big break came in 1959. The American TV producer David Dortot spotted Greene playing a small role in the Western Wagon Train. Dortot was in the midst of creating a new TV Western based on the adventures of a rancher father and his three sons. He thought Greene would be perfect for the role of "Pa"-Ben Cartwright. Greene agreed to take the role. His three TV sons (each by a different wife) were the thoughtful and mature Adam (Pernell Roberts), the gentle giant Hoss (Dan Blocker), and the hot-blooded young romantic Little Joe (Michael Landon). Bonanza debuted on NBC in 1959 and remained on the air until 1973, making it one of the longest running TV Westerns ever. Somewhat unique among the many other TV Westerns of the time that emphasized solitary cowboys and gunmen, Bonanza focused on the strong familial bonds between Ben Cartwright and his three sons. The silver-haired Greene created a Ben Cartwright who was an ideal father. Strong, compassionate, and understanding, "Pa" shepherded his sons through tough times with a grace and wisdom that won him the affection of millions of viewers. Besides offering appealing characters and interesting story lines, Bonanza was also popular because it was the first network Western to be televised in color. After Bonanza was canceled in 1973, Greene acted in several other short-lived TV shows, including Battlestar Galactica. He died in 1987 at the age of 72, still best remembered by millions as "Pa" Cartwright.
    1917- birthday of Dominic “Dom” DiMaggio, former baseball player, San Francisco, Ca.
    1923-Birthday of drummer Art Mardigan, Detroit, MI
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Art_Mardigan.html
http://www.jazzvalley.com/musician/art.mardigan
http://www.ipl.org.ar/exhibit/detjazz/BlBiSlSh7.html
    1924 - Bandleader Paul Whiteman presented his symphonic jazz at New York's Aeolian Hall. The concert was the first public performance of George Gershwin’s "Rhapsody In Blue" with Gershwin, himself, at the piano.
    1924 - Calvin Coolidge, known as the ‘Silent President’, gave the first presidential political speech on radio from New York City. The speech was broadcast on five radio stations, and some five million people tuned in to hear the President.
    1925-The Arbitration law was enacted by Congress: “...to make valid and enforceable written provisions or agreements for arbitration of disputes, arising out of contracts, maritime transactions or commerce among the state or Territories or with foreign nations.”
    1926—Trumpet player Buddy Childers born in St. Louis, Missouri.
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist/27676/buddy_childers.html
http://www.callet.com/buddy.htm
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/childers_buddy/albums.jhtml
    1926- birthday of Joe Garagiola, broadcaster and former baseball player, St. Louis, Mo.
    1934-Birthday of basketball Hall of Fame center and former coach William Felton (Bill” Russell, born, Monroe, LA.
http://www.geocities.com/dblimbrick/russell.html
http://www.nba.com/history/russell_bio.html
    1935--- Great airship, USS Macon, crashes into Pacific Ocean.
    1935- Birthday of singer/song composer Gene McDaniels, Kansas City, KS http://www.tsimon.com/mcdaniel.htm
    1935-Birthday of Ray Manzarek, keyboards player with the Doors, was born in Chicago. Manzarek met Doors' lead singer Jim Morrison at the UCLA film department, and together they conceived the group which was to become famous as much for Morrison's exhibitionism as for its music. The Doors, with Robby Krieger on guitar and John Densmore on drums, had a number-one hit with "Light My Fire," a song taken from their debut album in 1967. Several more hit singles and albums followed, until Jim Morrison's death of heart failure in 1971. Ray Manzarek took the band on to record two more albums, but the Doors split up in 1973.
    1938 – Birthday of Judy Blume, breakthrough author of realistic books for children.
http://www.edupaperback.org/authorbios/Blume_Judy.html
http://www.judyblume.com/
http://www.januarymagazine.com/profiles/blume.html amseyil/blume.htm
    1940 - Mutual Radio first broadcast the comic-strip hero, "Superman". For six years the identity of the man from Krypton was unknown to listeners. Eventually word got out that Superman’s voice was that of Bud Collyer, who later hosted the television program, "To Tell the Truth" on CBS.
    1942 - On Decca Records, Mildred Bailey recorded "More Than You Know".
    1944-Wendell Wilkie (R) enters presidential race He had been talked into
running against FDR in 1940, and was more sincere in this race; however,
the Republicans had become more interested in the conservative Governor Thomas Dewey from New York. Wilkie was the 1940 Republican nominee, but he had several heart attacks, finally succumbed, dying on October 8, 1944 at age fifty-two. FDR was reelected president on November 7, beating Gov. Dewey 25,602,504 to 22,006,285; electoral votes 432 to 99.
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/abouteleanor/q-and-a/glossary/wilkie-wendell.htm
    1945- San Francisco selected for site of UN Conference.
    1947—Top Hits
For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole
Ole Buttermilk Sky - The Kay Kyser Orchestra (vocal: Mike Douglas & The Campus Kids)
A Gal in Calico - Johnny Mercer
So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Merle Travis
    1950-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett is born in England. Hackett joined the group in 1970, after their first album had been released in Britain. Under the leadership of Peter Gabriel, Genesis was an art-rock band with an elaborate stage show and a dedicated cult following. But after Gabriel left in 1975, the band gained a wider audience with singer Phil Collins up front. By the time Genesis gained its first gold album, "And Then There Were Three," in 1978, Steve Hackett had left for a solo career.
    1951- Gil Moore, vocalist and drummer with the Canadian hard rock band Triumph, was born. The other members of the trio, formed in Toronto in 1975, were vocalist and guitarist Rik (correct) Emmett and keyboardist and bassist Mike Levine. Triumph's hits from 1979 to 1986 included "Hold On," "Magic Power" and "Somebody's Out There."
    1955- McGuire Sisters' "Sincerely" single goes to #1 & stays #1 for 10 weeks
http://www.singers.com/jazz/vintage/mcguire.html
http://www.webfitz.com/lyrics/Lyrics/1955/101955.html
    1955—Top Hits
Sincerely - McGuire Sisters
Hearts of Stone - Fontane Sisters
Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) - Perry Como
Let Me Go, Lover! - Hank Snow
    1955 – U.S. agrees to train the South Vietnamese Army. President Dwight Eisenhower sends first US advisors to South Vietnam.
    1956- Rock 'n' roll eccentric Screamin' Jay Hawkins recorded "I Put a Spell on You" for Okeh records, which became his best known song. He toured with revues organized by disc jockey Alan Freed, and often concluded his act by being carried off in a flaming coffin. He died Feb 13,2000.
http://ohiobio.org/hawkins.htm
http://www.roadhouseblues.com/biopages/bioScreaminJ.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/3001/
http://www.salon.com/people/obit/2000/02/18/hawkins/
    1957 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Too Much,'' Elvis Presley. The song is the first of four Presley songs to hit No. 1 in 1957, matching his 1956 record.
    1957- the Coasters recorded "Young Blood," a tune written by two white songwriters and independent record producers, Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. It became the first big hit for the group. The flip side, "Searchin'," was also popular.
    1958-Argo Records releases the Monotones' doo wop classic, "Book of Love" backed with "You Never." Rising to the Top Five on both the pop and R&B charts, "Book of Love" will be the only success for the vocal sextet from Newark, New Jersey, who built their song on the jingle from a Pepsodent toothpaste commercial
    1959 -- Carl Sandburg, poet/socialist, addresses joint session of the US Congress on 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birthday.
http://carl-sandburg.com/
    1960 -- Pat Boone earns a gold LP for "Pat's Great Hits."
http://www.tsimon.com/boone.htm
http://www.patsgold.com/index.php3?Pats_Session=31adaca78d47
28b7d79b6947164a0a1d
    1960 - A snowstorm in the Deep South produced more than a foot of snow in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama
    1961- "Shop Around" by the Miracles became the first million-seller for Motown Records.
    1962-Bus boycott starts in Macon GA
http://www.ibiblio.org/uncpress/chapters/burns_daybreak.html
    1962 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Duke of Earl,'' Gene Chandler. The song is the first million-selling record for Vee Jay Records.
    1963—Top Hits
Hey Paula - Paul & Paula
Loop De Loop - Johnny Thunder
Up on the Roof - The Drifters
The Ballad of Jed Clampett - Flatt & Scruggs
    1964 - The Beatles ended a successful American tour by playing two concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
    1966 -- Rock For Peace at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California, with The Great Society, Quicksilver Messenger Service, & Big Brother & the Holding Company. Benefit for Democratic congressional candidates & the Viet Nam Study Group. Meanwhile, it's Lincoln's Birthday Party with Sopwith Camel at the Firehouse, former quarters of Engine Co. 26 & Truck Co. 10, 3767 Sacramento St. The Charlatans also appeared.
http://www.peacerock.com/
http://www.stores.ebay.com/peacerockposters
http://bayarea.citysearch.com/profile/900590/
http://www.sopwithcamel.com/history.html
    1966-The Rolling Stones fly to New York to tape an appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," which is on the next evening.
    1966-Rock For Peace at the San Francisco Fillmore Auditorium with the The Great Society, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Big Brother and the Holding Company. Benefit for Democratic congressional candidates and the Viet Nam Study Group.
    1967 -- Benefit at the Fillmore for the Council for Civic Unity. Moby Grape, & Sly & the Family Stone perform.
http://www.classicbands.com/sly.html
http://www.slystone.com/
http://www.warr.org/grape.html
http://www.mobygrape.net/index2.html
    1968-Jimi Hendrix returns home to Seattle where he plays for the students of Garfield High School (which he dropped out from) and receives a key to the city.
http://www.cd-bootleg.com/Jimi_Hendrix.htm
    1968 - Ramparts published Eldridge Cleaver's Soul on Ice.
    1970-Joseph L. Searles becomes the first Black member of the New York
Stock Exchange.
http://www.nyse.com/about/records.html
    1971—Top Hits
Knock Three Times - Dawn
One Bad Apple - The Osmonds
Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson
Joshua - Dolly Parton
    1972 - Al Green’s "Let’s Stay Together" took the top spot from "American Pie" on the music charts. The record stayed at #1 for one week, before Nilsson’s "Without You" knocked it out. In 1980, Green returned to his gospel roots, and is now a minister in Memphis, Tennessee. Green recorded 14 hit songs, six of which made it to the Top 10.
    1973 - The first group of United States prisoners of war were freed from North Vietnam. 1974, LaBelle played the unofficial opening concert for the legendary New York club the Bottom Line. The headliner for the official opening the next night was Dr. John. Stevie Wonder and Johnny Winter joined him for a jam session.
    1973-The release of U.S. POWs begins in Hanoi as part of the Paris peace settlement. The return of U.S. POWs began when North Vietnam released 142 of 591 U.S. prisoners at Hanoi's Gia Lam Airport. Part of what was called Operation Homecoming, the first 20 POWs arrived to a hero's welcome at Travis Air Force Base in California on February 14. Operation Homecoming was completed on March 29, 1973, when the last of 591 U.S. prisoners were released and returned to the United States.
    1973- metric distance markers were put up by the Ohio Department of Transportation, the first state to do so, on Interstate 71 between Cincinnati and Columbus and between Columbus and Cleveland. The signs showed the distance in both miles and kilometers.
    1974-New York's legendary rock club, The Bottom Line opens in Greenwich Village. LaBelle played the unofficial opening concert for the legendary New York club the Bottom Line. The headliner for the official opening the next night was Dr. John. Stevie Wonder and Johnny Winter joined him for a jam session.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/119366p-107569c.
htmlottomlinecabaret.com/
    1975 - The Stepford Wives, starring Katharine Ross, a film about women in a small town being turned into passive robots, opened to theaters.
    1977-- Barbra Streisand's soundtrack album A Star Is Born hits #1
    1979—Top Hits
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? - Rod Stewart
Y.M.C.A. - Village People
A Little More Love - Olivia Newton-John
Every Which Way But Loose - Eddie Rabbitt
    1985 - Johnny Carson surprised "Tonight Show" viewers and live audience members by shaving his beard. Carson joked: "I had to do it when a little old lady said that she had confused me for one of the Smith Brothers." The studio audience was silent, until Johnny, timing it perfectly said, "You know, the cough drop guys." Laughter.
    1986 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``How Will I Know,'' Whitney Houston. The song displaces ``That's What Friends Are For,'' the No. 1 song by Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick.
    1987—Top Hits
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Change of Heart - Cyndi Lauper
Leave Me Lonely - Gary Morris
    1988 - a big east coast storm dumped heavy snow across New York and New England. Snowfall totals included 26.1 inches at Camden, New York, 26 inches at Chester, Massachusetts, and 24 inches at Berlin, New Hampshire and Rochester, Vermont.
    1989 -- Tiny Tim declares himself a New York City mayoral candidate.
http://www.tinytim.org/
    1990- Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Don Henley performed at a benefit in Beverly Hills, California for the Rainforest Foundation. More than one-million dollars was collected from such celebrities as Don Johnson, Billy Crystal, Barbra Streisand and Goldie Hawn to save the Amazon rain forests and the Indians who live there.
    1992- Sharon Kowalski finally went home. After an eight-year battle to gain custody of her life partner who was badly injured in an accident, Karen Thompson was named Sharon's guardian and took her home. Karen had fought for the right of guardianship claiming Sharon's father - who would have nothing to do with her before the accident - only gave her warehousing, custodial care on the money awarded Sharon for her accident and insufficient medical care. Karen showed that because of the lack of physical therapy Sharon's muscles were shortening crippling her further. And Sharon, though brain damaged, made it clear she wanted to go with Karen. In the decision, the Minnesota Court of Appeals said that the women were "...a family of affinity which ought to be respected."
    1994- Celine Dion became the first Quebec artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart when "The Power of Love" made number-one.
    1997- Fred Goldman says he will settle for a signed murder confession from O J Simpson in lieu of his $20.5 million judgment.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9702/12/simpson/index.html
    1998 - The handwritten lyrics to Elton John's funeral tribute to Princess Diana, the revised balled "Candle in the Wind 1997," sold for $442,500 at a Beverly Hills auction benefiting the Princess's charities. The lyrics were revised from the 1970's hit tribute to Marilyn Monroe, and were both written by Elton's longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin.
    1999-Clinton is found “not guilty” in breaking any Federal laws. The five-week impeachment trial of Bill Clinton comes to an end, with the Senate voting to acquit the president on both articles of impeachment: perjury and obstruction of justice. In November 1995, Clinton began an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a 21-year-old unpaid intern. Over the course of a year and a half, the president and Lewinsky had nearly a dozen sexual encounters in the White House. In April 1996, Lewinsky was transferred to the Pentagon. That summer, she first confided in Pentagon co-worker Linda Tripp about her sexual relationship with the president. In 1997, with the relationship over, Tripp began secretly to record conversations with Lewinsky, in which Lewinsky gave Tripp details about the affair. In December, lawyers for Paula Jones, who was suing the president on sexual harassment charges, subpoenaed Lewinsky. In January 1998, allegedly under the recommendation of the president, Lewinsky filed an affidavit in which she denied ever having had a sexual relationship with him. Five days later, Tripp contacted the office of Kenneth Starr, the Whitewater independent counsel, to talk about Lewinsky and the tapes she made of their conversations. Tripp, wired by FBI agents working with Starr, met with Lewinsky again, and on January 16 Lewinsky was taken by FBI agents and U.S. attorneys to a hotel room where she was questioned and offered immunity if she cooperated with the prosecution. A few days later, the story broke, and Clinton publicly denied the allegations, saying, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." In late July, lawyers for Lewinsky and Starr worked out a full-immunity agreement covering both Lewinsky and her parents, all of whom Starr had threatened with prosecution. On August 6, Lewinsky appeared before the grand jury to begin her testimony, and on August 17 President Clinton testified. Contrary to his testimony in the Paula Jones sexual-harassment case, President Clinton acknowledged to prosecutors from the office of the independent counsel that he had had an extramarital affair with Ms. Lewinsky. In four hours of closed-door testimony, conducted in the Map Room of the White House, Clinton spoke live via closed-circuit television to a grand jury in a nearby federal courthouse. He was the first sitting president ever to testify before a grand jury investigating his conduct. That evening, President Clinton also gave a four-minute televised address to the nation in which he admitted he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky. In the brief speech, which was wrought with legalisms, the word "sex" was never spoken, and the word "regret" was used only in reference to his admission that he misled the public and his family. Less than a month later, on September 9, Kenneth Starr submitted his report and 18 boxes of supporting documents to the House of Representatives. Released to the public two days later, the Starr Report outlined a case for impeaching Clinton on 11 grounds, including perjury, obstruction of justice, witness-tampering, and abuse of power, and also provided explicit details of the sexual relationship between the president and Ms. Lewinsky. On October 8, the House authorized a wide-ranging impeachment inquiry, and on December 11 the House Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment. On December 19, after nearly 14 hours of debate, the House approved two articles of impeachment, charging President Clinton with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. Clinton, the second president in American history to be impeached, vowed to finish his term. On January 7, 1999, in a congressional procedure not seen since the 1868 impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, the trial of President Clinton got underway in the Senate. As instructed in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (William Rehnquist at this time) was sworn in to preside and the senators were sworn in as jurors. Five weeks later, on February 12, the Senate voted on whether to remove Clinton from office. The president was acquitted on both articles of impeachment. The prosecution needed a two-thirds majority to convict but failed to achieve even a bare majority. Rejecting the first charge of perjury, 45 Democrats and 10 Republicans voted "not guilty" and on the charge of obstruction of justice the Senate was split 50-50. After the trial concluded, President Clinton said he was "profoundly sorry" for the burden his behavior imposed on Congress and the American people.
    2004-Some 90 gay and lesbian couples wed in San Francisco. Over the next few days some 2,000 took their vows.

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Winter Poem

The Eagle and the Hawk

Words and Music by John Denver and Mike Taylor

I am the eagle, I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky
I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers
But time is still turning they soon will be dry
And all those who see me and all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we "can" be, not what we are

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SuDoku

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

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

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Daily Puzzle

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

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

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