Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Headlines---

February 6, 2001--CPL closes Tilden Office
    Classified Ads--- Collector/Collections
        Pictures from the Past—1991 UAEL Board
Funders/Service Providers favor Merger
    Cartoon---UAEL Board gets an idea
        Blue Coast Financial
Sales makes it Happen—by Adrian Miller
"How to Beat a Sales Slump"
        Classified Ads---Help Wanted
“Beware of the Stimulus Plan Boomerang”
John Deane, the Alta Group
    Placard—No Cause for Alarm
        GMAC Financial Services Net Loss $724MM
Asian Markets Follow Dow’s Decline
    Fed Says U.S. Banks Tightening Lending
        Financial stocks get hit hard by market
    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
        SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
    GasBuddy
News on Line---Internet Newspapers
Livermore, California

Third short story: San Francisco Valley Leasing this Friday

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

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February 6, 2001--CPL closes Tilden Office

Colonial Pacific closed former Tilden operation in Hauppauge, NY and Anaheim, CA, at noon today.

This came as a surprise to employees, we were told. They were not "upset," but surprised. They specifically did not want to talk "on" or "off" the record.

We had reported in Leasing News, September 21, 2000: "Tilden in its current form will be closed down and folded into GE\Colonial Pacific."

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September/9-21-00.htm

With the recent consolidation, and from the original news in September, this should not have been a surprise to regular readers of Leasing News.

We kept trying to reach Mark Jorgensen, spokesperson, GE/Colonial in Oregon, from when we first received the news from several brokers who told us they were "cut off."

Late afternoon we received the following:

CPL announces closure of Tilden Financial

Some of you may be aware that we announced last fall that GE Capital Tilden Financial was transitioning to become a part of GE Capital Colonial Pacific Leasing. After continued assessment and evaluation, we came to the conclusion that it was best it we consolidated the entire business into one location.

Therefore, effective today at noon Eastern Time, the offices of Tilden Financial in Hauppauge, New York and Anaheim, California will be closed and all business activities will be relocated to Colonial Pacific Leasing in Portland, Oregon.

We made this decision for the following reasons:

o     We can expand our product offering to our customers, including the addition of Tilden's expertise in processing structured transactions.

o     We are able to leverage synergies between the two businesses and eliminate any confusion in the marketplace of having two separate GE businesses focusing on the same origination channel.

o     We can gain efficiencies by eliminating redundancies, reducing costs and fully utilizing the capacity at CPL.

We think you'll benefit from having one location to send all your lease transactions-everything from App-Only to commercial to structured transactions.

Our commitment to servicing your needs is as strong as ever. The people and resources are in place to make a smooth transition of Tilden's operations into our offices in Portland.

If you have any questions or concerns about this announcement, please contact your CPL representative.

CPL/GE Capital

Colonial Pacific Leasing
800 444-1738
Fax 800 274-3299
13010 SW 68th Parkway
Portland, Oregon 97223
www gecapital-cpl.corn

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Classified Ads--- Collector/Collections /Consultant

Collector: Atlanta, GA Asset Recovery Specialist. We get your money or we get your > equipment back for you. Physical Asset Recovery Experts! E-mail: mcrouse911@joimail.com	Collector: Cleveland, OH Huntley Capital & Associates is your solution to late payments, no payments, and asset recovery. Call 216-337-7075. Email: ghpatey@msn.com
Collector: Los Angeles, CA Expert skiptracers covering Southern California. We locate skips, judgment debtors and collateral. When you can't get the job done in house, give us a call at 1-800-778-0794. E-mail: ceo@interagencyLA.com	Collector: Louisville, KY We are a full service collection agency with attorney network. 21 years experience. Please call Jon Floyd, VP at 1-800-264-6850 email: jfloyd@collectcsg.com
Collector: Mandeville, MI International commercial collection services all fees are on contingency on line access. E-mail: rmelerine@collect-now.com www.drspay.com www.collect-now.com	Collector: Milwaukee, WI We specialize in ATM machine reposession and remarketing. We can get you top dollar for your inventory. E-mail: bdperry1@yahoo.com
Collector: Nationwide End of lease negotiations & enforcement. Third-party collections. Skip-tracing. Background checks. Credit & asset investigations. 15+ years in leasing industry. Providing services to clients nationwide. 800-824-0234 john.kenny6@worldnet.att.net	Collector: Saint Louis, MO Complete commercial collection agency. Licensed bonded in all states and will out performed any other agency! Call 1-800-659-7199 ext.315 E-mail: jfloyd@lindquistandtrudeau.com
Consultant: Burlington, CT We provide our clients with a full range of consulting services such as portfolio conversions, reconciliation, custom programming and leasing operations utilizing InfoLease. Email: info@new-millennium-assoc.com	Consultant: Sausalito, CA Lease trainer and consultant. 38 years in equipment leasing. Expert in transaction analysis, financial statement analysis, credit, packaging, structuring. Presents highly popular classes and workshops. E-mail:BoTei@aol.com
Consultant: North of Detroit, MI INFOLEASE EXPERT - 18 years experience. Since being downsized in 2002, working as a consultant for several leasing companies. Seeking consulting projects nationwide. E-mail: darwint@prodigy.net	Consultant: Ridgefield CT. Lisa Lersner w/20 years exp. specializing in leasing technology now providinglessor selection andmanagement services, includingthe securing of debt and equity and acquisition guidance services. Email: LLersner@leasefinanceconsulting.com Go to www.leasefinanceconsulting.com
Communications: Chassell, MI Cartoons on business, finance & computers. Use for your presentations, website, newletter, direct mail projects etc. Fees are negotiable. Email: dan@danscartoons.com Go to http://www.danscartoons.com

To place an ad in outsourcing, free, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

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Pictures from the Past—1991 UAEL Board of Directors

(photo: UAEL Newsline)

The 1991 Western Association of Equipment Lessors Board of directors posed for this picture with the Pacific Ocean in the background as the evening Gala at The Lodge at Pebble Beach was about to commence. The 1991 Executive Committee (seated l to r) are President Bill Grohe, VP Marketing, Brentwood Funding Enterprises; Vice President Hal Horowitz, CLP, EVP, Interbank Leasing Company; Immediate Past President Ron Wagner, CLP, President Heritage Leasing Capital; Executive Vice President Jon Bednerik, CAE (not pictured is Secretary/Treasurer Gordon Roberts, VP First Concord Acceptance Corporation). Standing (l to r) are Board of Directors Members Bob Grenzer, President, Kropschot & Associates; Chuck Griffin, CLP President, Griffin & Associates; Jim Merrilees, President, Colonial Pacific Leasing Corporation; Peter Eaton, CLP, Regional Vice President, First National Leasing Corporation; Robert Jacobson III, CLP, Consultant; Francie Wilbourne, West Coast Manager, ORIX Credit Alliance Corporation; Oren M. Hall, Partner, Heritage Financial Services. (Not pictured are Barry Ferns, Esq., Ferns & Ferns, and Ginny Young, EVP, Nova Leasing Corporation.)

Jim Merrilees, who became a president, is now on today’s board
Oren M. Hall, who became a president, is now on today’s board
Bill Grohe, who was president in 1991, is today director of marketing.

(photo: UAEL Newsline

1986 Western Association of Equipment Lessors President Ted Parker, Charter Equipment Leasing (left) admonishes 1987 President-elect Joe Woodley, Westover Financial, IN. to “ talk softly and carry a big stick” as he passes the gavel.

Joe Woodley is CEO of UAEL today.

Brad Peterson, immediate past president
(photo: courtesy PredictiFund)

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Funders/Service Providers favor Merger

by Christopher Menkin

The Executive Boards of the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors
(EAEL) and the United Association of Equipment Leasing (UAEL) have established a four person committee each to explore the possibility of a merger between them.

It was always the intention when the Western Association of Equipment Leasing changed its direction and name to a national organization in 1995 to invite members from EAEL as it is not only cost savings to belong to only one association, but an increase in numbers. At its peak,
UAEL claimed over 500 members.

Heading the EAEL Committee is Bruce Winter, CLP, FSG Leasing, Inc (lessor) Randy Haug, LeaseTeam, Inc. (Service Provider-software). George Parker, Leasing Technologies International, Inc. (lessor), Frank Peretore, Peretore & Peretore, P.C. (Service Provider-attorney)

Heading the UAEL Committee is Brent Hall, CLP, Pinnacle Business Finance, (funder) Brian Bjella, Grandview Financial (funder), Steve Crane, Bank of the West Leasing (funder), Steve Schachtel, Lakeland Bank (funder), Lakeland Bank (funder.)

Bruce Winter, CLP, representing EAEL, said it was an exploratory committee between the two associations. He also said of the 181 EAEL members, 60 also belong to UAEL. Many expressed an interest in being able to save the membership fees.

Several of the funders and one service provider told Leasing News off the record they would not only save the membership fee, but the conference fees, sponsorship costs, and their and staff costs to attend the conferences and other meetings. It would cut down on their duplication and costs. It was mentioned that there are cutbacks coming, and one of the items to be cut will be how much is spent on sponsorship and conference costs. Many said if they were attending in 2008 it would only be one or two from their company, if at all. So they thought a merger this year would be cost effective. One said it may enable them to spend more for one, than splitting between two.

In reality, it may not be until 2009, but the facts seem to be 60 members of EAEL will save money if there is one association, created from the two. There is no doubt other companies in other categories who belong to both associations would also save from the merger.

On the other hand, some members of EAEL believe the smaller number allows for a closer relationship between members, and other benefits, such as co-conferences with the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers as well as EAEL Members can attend Equipment Leasing Finance Association conferences at member prices.

Bruce Winter, CLP
(Photo courtesy FSG Leasing)

“I have not had one EAEL member tell me that they value the small size of our Association, “Bruce Winter, CLP said.  “This is not a full polling of all EAEL members, and I would agree there are probably ‘some’ members that feel this way, but my personal experience from day to day communications with all types of EAEL members tells me this is not an overriding consideration.”

The executive director of EAEL is Allison Pryor, formerly with Bank of New England, who then worked with Steve Geller, CLP. She believes she would still be employed if the merger takes place, but might be part-time out of her house. She believes she will continue to be of service to current EAEL members in a new capacity, but does not have a position on the merger as it is exploratory. She told Leasing news that she has no position of the merger, leaving the decision up to the membership.

Paul Knowlton, CLP, Republic Bank Leasing, UAEL President,
said “There are no mandates. No predispositions. This discussion has been around for years and this is a process to explore the possibilities.”

Paul Knowlton, CLP
(photo: Republic Bank Leasing)

Asked if there are any statistics, he said they have none to date as so far it has been exploratory. The last count the UAEL membership was 300.
 
Bruce Winter, CLP, EAEL committee chairman told Leasing News, “Our time line is to research the proposed merger in 2008, with the goal (if a merger is ultimately proposed by the Joint Task Force), to hold a vote by each Association by the end of 2008, with a merged entity taking over in 2009.”

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Cartoon---UAEL Board gets an idea

[headlines]

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Blue Coast Financial

Looking for information regarding Blue Coast Financial,
new leasing franchise and sales group:

“Business Equipment Lease Brokering

“Trade publications estimate business equipment leasing as a 200 billion business in the United States – and getting in on this money making market couldn’t be easier with the Blue Coast program. Normally the cost of becoming a lease broker is over $10,000 alone.

“We include it as part of your exclusive marketing services package. Equipment leases usually fund in 24-48 hours and the commission potential is sizeable. Industries that routinely lease equipment include: Agriculture, Banking, Entertainment, Health, Retail, Services, Technology and many more.”
http://www.bluecoastfinancial.biz/index.htm

Better Business Bureau reports the company started January,2000
by Ms. Lindsey Hull, President.

Corporate Training Center

Blue Coast Financial Group Inc.
3478 Buskirk Avenue,
Suite 1015
Pleasant Hill, California 94523

Phone 800-763-4070
Fax 925-887-4474

Business Development

Blue Coast Financial Group Inc.
2929 N. Power Road,
Suite C100
Mesa, Arizona 85215

Phone 800-763-4070
Fax 925-887-4474

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

EFD Marketing Officer

Lease Officer

LEASE OFFICER SMALL TICKET LESSOR, providing superior service for 35+years Transactions- $10Kto $1MM, Seeks seasoned sales professionals To learn more: sandyspringbank.tms or contact Scott Wheeler at SWheeler@SandySpringBank.com

www.sandyspringbank.com

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“Beware of the Stimulus Plan Boomerang”
John Deane, the Alta Group

The tax benefits of the new economic stimulus proposal come with a big caveat; but the gains still may be worth the short-term boost.

by
Stephen Taub and Marie LeoneCFO.com

The proposed economic stimulus package, which is now in the hands of the Senate, has attracted a lot of attention because it will hand over money to many Americans. However, the final bill is likely to provide some goodies for corporations as well.

For example, it is likely to provide most companies with one year of 50 percent bonus depreciation. Bonus depreciation, which provides businesses with a tax incentive to increase capital spending this year, allows companies to depreciate, for tax purposes, more of an asset's cost upfront.

This will result in initially higher depreciation expense on the tax return, lower taxable income, lower cash taxes, and provide a boost to cash flow, assuming companies are profitable enough or can carry-back losses to prior periods, according to a report from Credit Suisse Securities. Bonus depreciation has no impact on earnings, however.

The initial boost to cash flow from bonus depreciation can be significant, noted the report. Credit Suisse estimates that the additional depreciation could provide $41 billion in aggregate tax savings for S&P 500 companies in 2008, and could increase cash flow by more than 10 percent for 59 companies.

This type of "super bonus depreciation for a profitable company means that a much higher percentage of equipment cost is written off in year one, as an incentive to companies to buy more equipment," explains John Deane, managing principle of the Alta Group, a consultancy specializing in the leasing industry.

John Deane
(photo from the Alta Group)

But he emphasizes that the write off in year one — which he reckons could be a 35 percent discount on the purchase price — is a depreciation gain, not a credit. The write-off "will come back," although it has a material positive impact on cash flow in the first year. "Effectively, it's like a company is getting a loan from Treasury," adds Deane.

The Credit Suisse report sends up the same red flag. When bonus depreciation expires, the already highly depreciated assets can't provide their "normal" tax shield. "That means lower depreciation expense, higher taxable income, and higher cash taxes, causing a drain on cash flows," explains the report.

In fact, Credit Suisse estimates that upfront bonus could cause a $52 billion drag on aggregate cash flow for the S&P 500 companies in 2009, and could pull down cash flow by more than 10 percent for 87 companies. "The real benefit of bonus depreciation is that it accelerates the tax savings that a company gets from depreciating an asset, creating an additional tax benefit on a present value basis through the magic of the time value of money," notes the investment bank. "It's as if the company is getting a discount on its capex from Uncle Sam."

The report also estimates the aggregate net present value benefit for the S&P 500 companies could range from $3 billion (for 3-year life) to $18 billion (20-year life.) "Companies that invest in assets with long tax lives get the most benefit," it asserts.

Indeed, even at the high end of the range, the report finds only four companies in which the present value benefit of bonus depreciation is over 2 percent of market capitalization. "So, don't be fooled, the real benefits from bonus depreciation are not as significant as the initial boost to cash flow makes it out to be," counsels Credit Suisse. "On the other hand, bonus depreciation or an extension of the carryback period on [non-operating losses] could be a lifesaver for a company facing a liquidity crunch."

The bonus depreciation could also affect a corporation's buy-versus-lease decision, says Deane. To be sure, some company's may be able to use the tax benefit as a bargaining chip. He explains that it is a long-standing position of the Treasury Department to say that an equipment leasing company can take the same tax benefits that its customers receives with regard to depreciation.

If that's the case, then a bonus depreciation would also increase the cash flow, on a gross basis, of an equipment leasing company. At that point, a leasing company could choose to share the benefit with a customer and rework leasing terms to make them more favorable compared to an equipment purchase, concludes Deane.

He points out that this is exactly what leasing companies used to do back in the days of the investment tax credit, which lasted from the 1960s throught the 1980s. As a result, the stimulus package, if it is passed in its current form, could give leasing companies the incentive to be an intermediary that passes on tax benefits to individual corporations that might not otherwise be able to claim the tax break, surmises Deane.

You may subscribe to www.cfo.com or their printed magazine.

Biography John C. Deane:
Prior to co-founding The Alta Group, John served as a principal in the firm of Amembal, Deane & Associates, the world's leading provider of training, educational and consulting services for the equipment leasing industry. He has been CEO of both Great Western Leasing and BancOne Leasing and has served as the CFO and president of several major financial corporations.

John's broad expertise was fortified by his work as chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) and a member of the World Leasing Council. The ability and opportunity to work with lessors and service providers from around the world has enhanced his ability to see the big picture and determine where and how Alta clients should focus their efforts, domestically and internationally.
http://www.thealtagroup.com/bios-deane.php

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

GMAC Financial Services Net Loss $724 Million
compared to net income of $1 billion in 4th quarter of 2006.

Fourth quarter net loss of $724 million
• 2007 net loss of $2.3 billion
• Automotive finance and insurance remain profitable
• Cash and marketable securities of $22.7 billion

Full press release:
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/13/139684/PR_020508.pdf

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

Asian Markets Follow Dow’s Decline
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/business/06stox-web.html?_r=1&ref=
business&oref=slogin

Fed Says U.S. Banks Are Tightening Lending Standards
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aBMbj1aE86jk&refer=economy

Financial stocks get hit hard by market sell-off
http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/2008-02-05-financials_N.htm

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You May have Missed---

Severe recession would mean 5.8 million more jobs lost, report says
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/
2004164165_jobsoutlook05.html

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Sports Briefs----

A super-sad day for Patriots
http://www.examiner.com/a-1201020~Dickey__Super_sad_Patriots.html?LFS=y

Patriots coach moving ahead after stunning Super Bowl setback
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/05/
belichick_advises_patience_on_future_decisions/

Tom Brady's personal passing guru says ankle had impact on performance
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/02/05/
2008-02-05_tom_bradys_personal_passing_guru_says_an.html

'Hawks tab Mora as next head coach
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7764658/Sources:-'Hawks-tab-Mora-as-next-head-coach

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California Nuts Briefs---

Restraining order accuses man of taking over Spears' life
http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/689173.html

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“Gimme that Wine”

Bordeaux’s a Bargain, and Here’s Why --Eric Asimov
http://events.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/dining/reviews/06wine.html?ref=dining

Tennessee wine sales caught in the Web
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/
BUSINESS/802050314

Success tied to growing wine industry in Washington
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349999_stemichelle05.html

Financiers Talk Vineyard Values
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=52934

AmericanWinery.com Hits The 1,000 Mark: Over 1,000 Wineries
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&
newsId=20080204006315&newsLang=en

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

Ash Wednesday
Marks the beginning of Lent. Forty week-days and six Sundays (Saturday considered a weekday) remain until Easter Sunday. Named for use of ashes in ceremonial penance.

Frozen Yogurt Day
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/unitssubjhol/qt/feb6c.htm

Lame Duck Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/lameduckday.htm

Lent Feb 6—March 22
Most Christian churches observe a period of fasting and penitence (40 weekdays and 6 Sundays—Saturday considered a weekday) beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the Saturday before Easter. The word Lent comes from “lengthen,” referring to the lengthening of the day that occurs in the spring.

New Zealand: Waitangi Day
National Day. Commemorates signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1940 (at Waitangi, Chatham Island, New Zealand.) The treaty between the native Maori and the European peoples, proved for development of New Zealand under the British Crown.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitangi_Day
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html

Saint feast Days

• St. Mel
• St. Dorothy
• St. Amand
• Bl. Diego De Avezedo
• St. Francis Nagasaki
• St. Paul Miki
• St. Antholian
• St. Anthony Dainan
• St. Bonaventure of Miako
• St. Tanco
• St. Theophilus the Lawyer
• St. Thomas Danki
• St. Thomas Kozaki
• Sts. Saturninus, Theophilus, & Revocata
• St. Cosmas
• St. Francis of St. Michael
• St. James Kisai
• St. John Soan de Goto
• St. Relindis
• St. Mun
• St. Martin de Aguirre
• St. Martin Loynaz of the Ascension
• St. Matthias of Meako
• St. Michael Kozaki
• St. Peter Shukeshiko

http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/feb.php

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A “Jiffy” is actually a measurement of time, equaling 100th of a second.

The connotation of the word varies in its usage, so whether Snapple is right or wrong, is difficult to determine, although an internet search says 100th of a second is most common:
http://www.faqs.org/docs/jargon/J/jiffy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiffy_(time)

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Today's Top Event in History

1943 -- US government requires the 110,000 Japanese-Americans imprisoned in internment camps to answer loyalty surveys. The first questionnaire was issued on February 3 at Tule Lake and by this date all the internment camp require their “prisoners” to answer: Question 27 asks draft-age men: "Are you willing to serve in the US armed forces on combat duty, wherever ordered?"
22% of the 21,000 second-generation respondents will answer "no" or give no response. Known as Nisei [nih-say], these U.S.-born Japanese-Americans are not expressing disloyalty but their protest against the internment. In January 1944, the Selective Service began reclassifying to 1-A the Nisei men who answered "yes" to the question and issuing draft notices. After more than 300 Nisei refuse to be inducted, authorities arrest & indict Frank Emi and six others for conspiracy to violate the Selective Service Act. The seven are found guilty and sentenced to four years at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas.
http://www.csupomona.edu/~tassi/intern.htm
http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html#4
http://www.ww2pacific.com/relocation.html

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This Day in American History

    1756- birthday of Aaron Burr, 3rd vice president of the US (Mar 4, 1801-Mar 3, 1805). While vice president, Burr is remembered most for challenging political enemy Alexander Hamilton to a duel and mortally wounded him July 11,1804, at Weehawken, Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson tied in the electoral vote and the election went to Congress. Hamilton, a leading Federalist, supported Jefferson. In those days, president and vice-present were elected separately ( Jefferson when he ran for re-election, choose his own vice-president, George Clinton, starting the tradition.) It was Hamilton who denied Burr the presidency by his one vote, and lead against Burr’s politics. ( Hamilton was not familiar with firearms, but was a Man of Honor” and despite pleas from friends, his wife, sons, he felt he had to defend his honor, knowing it meant his death. ) Indicted for the challenge and for murder, Burr returned to Washington to complete his term of office (during which he presided over the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase). Ironically, the man who was almost president joined forces, centered around land before Jefferson completed the Louisiana Purchase In 1807, one of his "partners" turned evidence against Burr to escape hanging, and Burr was arrested, tried for treason (in an alleged scheme to invade Mexico and set up a new nation in the West) and acquitted. Burr journeyed to New Orleans and entered into a conspiracy with U.S. Gen. James Wilkinson, although it is not clear what they conspired about. Wilkinson was actually in the pay of Spain at the time. This was about the time of great wars in Europe and the need for cash had France sell "the Louisiana Purchase" to the U.S. Speculation was that Burr intended either to establish an independent nation in the Southwest or to seize territory, now known as "Texas", for the same purpose in Spanish America. Burr secured financing from Harman Blennerhassett, of Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River near present-day Parkersburg, West Virginia.. He set out from there in the fall of 1806 with about 60 well-armed men and headed downstream. The expedition aroused suspicion and Wilkinson, seeking to save his own skin, turned against Burr. He spread stories of Burr's intentions and sent dispatches to the government in Washington accusing Burr of treason. Burr was arrested and charged with of treason. Burr was arrested and charged with treason, but still had many friends in Washington and was acquitted in 1807. Born at Newark, NJ, he died at Staten Island, NY, Sept 14,1836.
    1788- by a vote of 187 to 168, Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the Constitution. The people of this state drafted the first constitution eight years earlier, which was utilized in the formation of the US constitution. Massachusetts is derived from two Indian words meaning ‘great mountain place’. This great mountain place in New England was one of the most important of the 13 colonies in the new America, which gave it its other nickname, Old Colony State. Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, has been the center of activity in the state since those old colony days. Massachusetts state symbols include the chickadee, state bird; American elm, state tree; ladybug, state insect; "All Hail to Massachusetts", state song; and mayflower, the state flower. Which arrived first, the ship or the flower? Unique to Massachusetts is a state beverage: cranberry juice and a state muffin; I am not making this up, the corn muffin is official. The Massachusetts state motto is: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace; but peace only under liberty).
    1788- France was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States. Treaties of amity and alliance between the United States and France were drafted in Paris this day.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb06.html
    1820- US population announced at 9,638,453 (1,771,656 blacks (18.4%))
The number of college graduates in the U.S. was estimated by James Fenimore Cooper to be 8,000. A financial panic that struck the U.S. in 1819 still brought fear as many state banks were closed and much western property was turned over to the Bank of the United States. Immigration slowed to a trickle for almost two decades, especially after the new immigration law was enacted by Congress. Stained relations between the North and the South hinted at trouble to come as the Union consisted of 11 free and 11 slave states. The North, however, was rapidly outdistancing the South in population and held a grown numerical advantage in the House of Representatives. Ready for state were Main, certain to be a free state, and Missouri, part of the Louisiana Purchase and likely to be a slave state. Big time political machines were introduced in the US led by a group of New York Democrats known as the Albany Regency. Martin Van Buren was among the leaders of the group, which controlled New York politics for two decades.
    1820- The first organized emigration of U.S. blacks to Africa began when the "Mayflower of Liberia" sailed from New York City for Sierra Leone with 86 blacks aboard. The ship arrived in Sierra Leone on March 9. Twenty-two years later, it took a U.S. Supreme Court ruling for 35 former passengers of the "Amistad" to accomplish the same thing. During this period of history there was a growing movement of “free” blacks to return to their native continent. As Northern states made slavery “illegal,” the “free” Blacks number grew from a few thousand in 1760 to 319,000 by 1830. Many of the movements were for the benefit of the organizer, who received fees as a “travel agent.” Some were outright “scams,” and others started the free state of Liberia. At the turn of the century, Marcus Garvey actually bought a steamship to send his followers to Liberia, and other countries in Africa.
http://www.connerprairie.org/historyonline/colon.html
    1843 - "The Virginia Minstrels", the first minstrel show in the United States, opened at the Bowery Amphitheatre in New York City.
    1862 -General Ulysses S. Grant provides the first major Union victory of the war when he captures Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. Ten days later, he captured Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, which gave the Yankees control of northern Tennessee and paved the way for the occupation of Nashville.
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/tn001.htm
http://users.aol.com/greenup1/page1.html
    1865- Dashing Confederate General John Pegram is killed at the Battle of Dabney's Mill, Virginia, only three weeks after marrying Hetty Cary, the "handsomest women in the Southland." Pegram graduated from West Point in 1854, 10th in a class of 46. He served in various posts in the west before resigning his commission at the start of the Civil War. He was well connected, a Southern gentleman, but not considered a good military officer by the troops he served under. After leaving the US Army, Pegram received an appointment as a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate army. Sent to fight in western Virginia during the summer of 1861, he was captured by General George McClellan's men at the Battle of Rich Mountain. Pegram was exchanged in April 1862 and sent to serve with General Pierre G. T. Beauregard in Mississippi. He fought in Tennessee and Kentucky and earned a promotion to brigadier general. After the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, Pegram was transferred to General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. He was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, but recovered to fight with General Jubal Early during the Shenandoah Valley campaign in the summer of 1864. That fall, he was sent to defend his native city of Petersburg. On January 19, Pegram married Hetty Cary, a prominent Richmond socialite who many called the "handsomest women in the Southland." Even in the gloom of the ongoing siege, the ceremony was a grand affair attended by nearly all of the high-ranking Confederates, including President Jefferson Davis and his wife, Varina. The bride, commented onlookers, was a vision of beauty and one said that the "happy gleam of her beautiful brown eyes seemed to defy all sorrow." Just three weeks later, Pegram's body was returned to the same church, St. Paul's Episcopal, and his young widow knelt beside his coffin as the minister who married them presided over the dashing general's funeral.
http://www.richmountain.org/pegram.htm
    1867-The Peabody Fund is established to promote Black education in the South.
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/11767/mcms.html
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/1776/The_Peabody_Fund_established
( see the Letters of Robert C. Winthrop: http://muweb.millersville.edu/~winthrop/news2.html )
    1891-The Dalton Gang's first attempt at train robbery was a fiasco as Bob, Grat, and Bill tried to rob a Southern Pacific train near Alila, California. While Bill kept any passengers from interfering by shooting over their heads, Bob and Grat forced the engineer to show them the location of the cash-carrying express car. When the engineer tried to slip away, one of the brothers shot him in the stomach. Finding the express car on their own, Bob and Grat demanded that the guard inside open the heavy door. The guard refused and began firing down on them from a small spy hole. Thwarted, the brothers finally gave up and rode away. The Daltons would have done well to heed the ominous signs of that first failed robbery and seek safer pursuits. Instead, they returned to Oklahoma, reunited with young Emmett, and began robbing in earnest. A year later, the gang botched another robbery, boldly attempting to hit two Coffeyville, Kansas, banks at the same time. Townspeople caught them in the act and killed Bob, Grat, and two of their gang members. Emmett was seriously wounded and served 14 years in prison. Of all the criminal Dalton brothers, only Emmett lived into old age. Freed from prison in 1907, he married and settled in Los Angeles, where he built a successful career in real estate and contracting.
    1895- George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and outfielder born at Baltimore, MD. One of the baseball’s greatest heroes, Ruth was raised at St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys. He was signed to a minor league baseball contract by Jack Dunn of the Baltimore Orioles and became known as “Dunn’s Babe.” An out-standing pitcher, Ruth began swatting home runs in record numbers and was converted to the outfield. He hit 714 home runs in 22 major league seasons of play ( a record 60 in 1927) and played in 10 World Series. He was the game’s greatest star and became an enduring legend. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 19236. Died at New York, NY, on August 16,1948.
    1902- the Young Women’s Hebrew Association was organized in New York City. Mrs. Bella Unterbergwas the founder and the first president. The first building used by the organization was at 1584 Lexington Avenue, New York City.
    1899 - The Treaty of Paris was ratified by the United States Senate by one vote, ending the Spanish-American War.
    1911- birthday of Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th president of the US (1981-89). Former sportscaster, motion picture actor, governor of California (1967-74); he was the oldest and the first divorced person to become president. He would visit John Birch meetings down the street from us in the Pacific Palisades, CA., as I parked cars for our neighbor who held the meeting at his house. I also delivered flowers to his house when I was working for Oliver Bente Florist in Brentwood, CA. He is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Born at Tampico, IL. Married actress Jane Wyman in 1940 (divorced in 1948); married actress Nancy Davis, Mar 4, 1952.
    1918-Birthday of trumpet player Howard McGhee, Tulsa, OK ;Died July 17,1987, New York City, NY
http://www.4stardust.com/howard.htm
http://www.trumpetjazz.com/artists.cgi?name=Howard+McGhee&x=23&y=12
    1919- a heady display of labor's growing power concluded when a general strike was called off in Seattle, Washington. World War I had swelled the ranks of the nation’s unions, while the Marxist revolution in Russia raised hopes of deliverance for the world's workers. In the days before the war, a strong alliance of craft unions enabled Seattle's 35,000 dockworkers to gain some of the highest wages in the nation. With the outbreak of war, the government placed constraints on the shipyard worker's wages, in hopes of rolling their earnings back in line with the rest of the country. In January, the dockworkers retaliated by walking off the job, and on February 1, 25,000 of Seattle's other workers joined the dockworkers on the picket line. The workers began the strikes in response to government sanctioned wage cuts. A riff occurred in the various labor unions, some say due to anarchists, Marxists, socialist and other “malcontents.” The mood definitely was to protest the wage cuts. The five-day strike effectively shut down Seattle: factories, shops and the waterfront all sat dormant, waiting for a resolution to the dispute. A General Strike Committee swiftly stepped in and established temporary systems for feeding and protecting Seattle’s citizens. Although the strike was peaceful, and the Committee judged that people were rapidly "learning to manage" the city's daily operations, local government and business chiefs threatened action against the country's unions. Feeling the fire of a potential legal or political nightmare, national labor leaders stepped in and urged Seattle’s workers to end their strike. Seattle’s strikers had not yet gained ground on their wage demands, but they heeded the call and headed back to work, releasing the city from their grip on this day in 1919.
    1921- "The Kid", starring Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan, released.
    1921-Birthday of lead trumpet player Ernie Royal, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,487546,00.html?artist=Ernie+Royal
http://www.jazzprofessional.com/interviews/Ernie%20Royal.htm
    1922—Lead trumpet player great Conrad Gozzo birthday
( Perhaps Hollywood’s Best Lead Trumpet player, title now passed down to Warren Luening, Jr. )
    1924-Birthdayof arranger Sam Nestico, Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.52ndstreet.com/reviews/mainstream/cappplayitagain.html
    1924-- Station KFSG (Kall Four Square Gospel) went on the air. One of the earliest radio stations licensed, it broadcast the services of Angelus Temple, the flagship congregation of the International Foursquare Gospel Church, founded by Aimee Semple Mc Pherson in 1923.
    1926- Norman Rockwell’s Colonial Sign Painter cover for the Saturday Evening Post was the first to appear in full color. It depicted a Rockwell kindred spirit--a Colonial sign painter
    1933 - The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted, allowing the president to take office in January instead of March.
    1933 –Birthday of Walter E Fauntroy (Representative-D-DC, 1971-1991 )
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000046
    1936 –Birthday of rocker Otis Williams rocker (Charms and the Temptations)
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=4:40:55|PM&sql=B2kq4g4jttv5z
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=199
    1937-John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men, the story of the bond between two migrant workers, is published. He adapted the book into a three-act play, which was produced the same year. The story brought national attention to Steinbeck's work, which had started to catch on in 1935 with the publication of his first successful novel, Tortilla Flat. Steinbeck was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, where his father was a county official and his mother a former schoolteacher. A good student and president of his senior class in high school, Steinbeck attended Stanford intermittently in the early 1920s. In 1925, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a manual laborer and a journalist while writing stories and novels. His first two novels were not successful. In 1930, he married Carol Henning, the first of his three wives, and moved to Pacific Grove, California. Steinbeck's father gave the couple a house and a small income while Steinbeck continued to write. He shortly thereafter moved to Los Gatos, California, where he lived in two homes, trying to avoid visitors and celebrity status. His third novel, Tortilla Flat (1935), was a critical and financial success, as were such subsequent books as In Dubious Battle (1935) and Of Mice and Men (1937), both of which offered social commentaries on injustices of various types. In 1939, Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath, a novel tracing a fictional Oklahoma family as they lose their family farm in the Depression and move to California seeking a better life. His work after World War II, including Cannery Row and The Pearl, continued to offer social criticism but became more sentimental. Steinbeck tried his hand at movie scripts in the 1940s, writing successful films like Forgotten Village (1941) and Viva Zapata (1952). He also took up the serious study of marine biology and published a nonfiction book, The Sea of Cortez, in 1941. His 1962 nonfiction book, Travels with Charlie, describes his travels across the United States in a camper truck with his poodle, Charlie. Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize in 1962 and died in New York in 1968.
1938-Birthday of Isaac Hayes, one of the most important forces in the development of Memphis soul music, born in Covington, Tennessee.
He played piano in the house band at Stax Records in the 1960's, and also began composing hit songs, such as "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming" for Sam and Dave and "BABY" for Carla Thomas. Hayes's 1969 album "Hot Buttered Soul" established his reputation as a performer. The lushly orchestrated and often lengthy songs that became his trademark laid the foundation for the disco music of such artists as Barry White. Hayes himself, with tights, cape and gold chains around his bare chest was the '70s forerunner to Mr. T. Hayes's commercial peak came in 1971 with his double soundtrack album for "Shaft." "The Theme From Shaft" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and made Hayes an international superstar. But by 1976, mismanagement and personal excesses had forced Isaac Hayes into bankruptcy. He made several comeback attempts, one of them in 1979 producing the gold album, "Don't Let Go." He is currently the voice of 'Chef' on the hit adult cartoon "South Park".
    1940- TV media journalist Tom Brokaw birthday, Yanton, SD.
    1941--Birthday of American composer Stephen Albert, New York City, died
27 December 1992, Cape Cod, NY.
    1943 - Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed commander-in-chief of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in North Africa.
    1943- Frank Sinatra makes his first appearance on “Your Hit Parade.”
    1943- birthday of singer Fabian ( Fabianoo Forte ), Philadelphia, PA. One of several manufactured teen idols to come out of Philly in the late 1950's, Fabian had three big hits in 1959, then disappeared from the charts. His most popular record was "Tiger," which hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Fabian later turned to acting, and in 1974 posed nude for Playgirl magazine.
http://www.history-of-rock.com/fabian.htm
    1943 - Swashbuckler screen actor Errol Flynn, age 33, was acquitted of three charges of statutory rape by a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court. It was well known that he had a penchant for teenage girls, and in the later years of his life lived openly in Havana, Cuba with 16-17 year old Beverly Aadland.
While it is true, “In Like Flynn” became a popular expression during the 40’s, the origination according to A Dictionary of Catch Phrases (Eric Partridge, 1986) came from: Edward J. Flynn (1892-1953) a New York City political boss who became a campaign manager for the Democratic party during FDR's presidency. Boss Flynn's "Democratic Party machine exercised absolute political control over the Bronx.... The candidates he backed were almost automatically 'in,' and he himself permanently so," Partridge comments.
http://www.inlikeflynn.com/
http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/eddesk.nsf/All/D3473A226D5984F2CA
256CB1001633C1!open
    1943 -- US government requires the 110,000 Japanese-Americans imprisoned in internment camps to answer loyalty surveys. The first questionnaire was issued on February 3 at Tule Lake and by this date all the internment camp require their “prisoners” to answer: Question 27 asks draft-age men: "Are you willing to serve in the US armed forces on combat duty, wherever ordered?"
22% of the 21,000 second-generation respondents will answer "no" or give no response. Known as Nisei [nih-say], these U.S.-born Japanese-Americans are not expressing disloyalty but their protest against the internment. In January 1944, the Selective Service began reclassifying to 1-A the Nisei men who answered "yes" to the question and issuing draft notices. After more than 300 Nisei refuse to be inducted, authorities arrest & indict Frank Emi and six others for conspiracy to violate the Selective Service Act. The seven are found guilty and sentenced to four years at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas.
http://www.csupomona.edu/~tassi/intern.htm
http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html#4
http://www.ww2pacific.com/relocation.html
    1945- birthday of Bob Marley. With his group, The Wailers, Bob Marley was one of the most popular and influential performers of reggae music, an "off-beat-accented Jamaican" music closely associated with the political/religious Rastafarian movement (admirers of the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, who was formerly called Ras Tafari). Marley was born at Rhoden Hall in northern Jamaica. In 1963, Marley formed a vocal quintet, the Wailers, who achieved some success, but little financial reward, in their native country, before disbanding in 1966.  The Wailers reunited in 1968, but for several years seemed no closer than before to establishing steady careers. Then, in 1972, Chris Blackwell signed them to Island Records and advanced them the money to record an album in Jamaica. The result was "Catch a Fire," the first album by Bob Marley and the Wailers to be marketed outside Jamaica. It was the start of their climb to international fame, aided by Eric Clapton's hit single of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff."   Over the next several years, Marley and the Wailers were largely responsible for the worldwide popularity of reggae music. Marley became a superstar in Jamaica, where he survived an assassination attempt in 1976. In 1980, a tour of the US was cancelled when Marley collapsed on stage during a concert. He had developed brain and lung cancer, which killed him in May, 1981, Maimi, FL.
http://www.bobmarley.com/
    1946-Birthday of Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle was born in St. Sauveur-des-Monts, Quebec. She and her sister Anna first attracted international attention in the 1970's as songwriters. Anna's "Heart Like a Wheel" was recorded in 1972 by McKendree Spring and served as the title song for a 1975 album by Linda Ronstadt. The duo's 1976 debut in London resulted in one British critic saying they were among "the very best voices to be heard in popular music today." The McGarrigles sing both their own songs and French-Canadian folk tunes.
    1949---Top Hits
A Little Bird Told Me - Evelyn Knight
Far Away Places - Margaret Whiting
Powder Your Face with Sunshine - Evelyn Knight
I Love You So Much It Hurts - Jimmy Wakely
    1950-Birthday of singer Natalie Cole (“This Will Be,” “Unforgettable’), born Los Angeles, Ca.
    1955- Horace Silver Quintet records “The Preacher” ( Blue Note 5062 )
http://www.harlem.org/people/silver.html
(http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/silver_discography.html)
    1957---Top Hits
Too Much - Elvis Presley
Young Love - Tab Hunter
Banana Boat (Day-O) - Harry Belefonte
Young Love - Sonny James
    1957--The Del-Vikings' first and biggest hit, "Come Go with Me," debuts on the pop chart. In four weeks, it peaks at #5 while on the R&B chart, it hits #3.
    1958- Ted Williams signs with Red Sox for $135,000, making him highest paid in baseball. He retired from the Boston Red Sox at the end of the 1960 season with a lifetime batting average of .344, a lifetime home run count of 521 and a reputation that will span generations to come.
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/williams_ted.htm
http://www.redsox.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/history/bos_history_timeline_article.
jsp?article=1939
    1961-- The Capris' "There's a Moon Out Tonight" enters the R&B charts.
    1962- Birthday of singer Axl Rose [William Bailey] Lafayette IN (Guns & Roses)
    1965---Top Hits
You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ - The Righteous Brothers
The Name Game - Shirley Ellis
This Diamond Ring - Gary Lewis & The Playboys
You’re the Only World I Know - Sonny James
    1965-- The Temptations' "My Girl" hits #1 R&B.
    1967 - Muhammad Ali retained his world heavyweight title and won the WBA heavyweight title with a 15-round decision over Ernest Terrell in the Houston Astrodome.
    1968 - Joan Whitney Payson was elected as president of the New York Mets. One year later, the ‘Miracle’ Mets would become world champions.
    1968 - The Xth Winter Olympic games opened in Grenoble, France. Some 18,000 people participated in the opening ceremonies as the games were dedicated by General Charles de Gaulle. Thousands of scented paper roses were dropped from helicopters against a background of five circles drawn in the sky by the smoke of parachutists. And Olympic flags were shot into the air by cannons.
    1970--Birthday of American composer Sean Hickey, Detroit, Michigan
    1971 - NASA Astronaut Alan B. Shepard took a six-iron stashed inside his spacecraft took a swing at three golf balls on the surface of the moon. Shepard whiffed the first swing. The others were good shots that went a few hundred yards in space's vacuum. Because his moonwalk suit was so bulky, he didn’t get enough of a swing to launch the golf balls into orbit. But he did get a couple of divots.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/9804/moonpunt_a15.jpg
    1973---Top Hits
Crocodile Rock - Elton John
Why Can’t We Live Together - Timmy Thomas
Oh, Babe, What Would You Say? - Hurricane Smith
She Needs Someone to Hold Her (When She Cries) - Conway Twitty
    1978 - A massive nor'easter buried the cities of the northeastern U.S. Storm totals included 18 inches at New York City, 16 inches at Philadelphia, and 14 inches at Baltimore. The Boston MA area received 25 to 30 inches in "The Great New England Blizzard", and the mayor outlawed travel in the city for an entire week.
    1981---Top Hits
The Tide is High - Blondie
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt
I Feel like Loving You Again - T.G. Sheppard
    1985 - For the first time in 123 years, French mineral water company, Perrier, debuted a new product. On grocery store shelves and in trendy establishments, you could find water with a twist of lemon, lime or orange.
    1985-Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple Computer and inventor of the best-selling Apple II computer, resigned from the company on this day in 1985. The company, which started in Wozniak's garage in 1976, had become a massive bureaucracy by the mid-1980s. Wozniak had developed his first computer, the Apple I, as a project to impress his friends in the Homebrew Computing Club. With Steve Jobs' help, he created the Apple II, which went on sale in 1977 and quickly became popular with mass-market consumers, not just electronics hobbyists. As the fastest growing company in history, Apple experienced serious growing pains, including the hiring of a professional management team. Wozniak, who preferred to remain an engineer rather than participate in management politics, objected to the tactics and strategies of Apple's management. He lives in Los Gatos, California, where he has attempted to start several companies, but basically remains a “dilettante.” The San Jose Technology Museum is located on a street named after him called “Woz Way.”
    1985- skier Dianne Roffe, 17, took first place in a giant slalom race to become the first US woman to win a gold medal in a World Alpine Skiing Championship race.
    1985-Microsoft announced it would develop a word processing program for the IBM PC on February 6, 1985. Microsoft later adapted the program, called Word, to the Macintosh. At first, Word was an underdog, competing with category dominator WordPerfect; however, Word's intuitive, user-friendly design quickly won users over, making it the most popular software in history. Word marked an important turning point for Microsoft, which moved from being an operating-systems company catering to computer manufacturers, to a consumer-oriented software company. Perhaps the best marketing ploy was the Microsoft Suite, where the software programs were bundled at a very low price and coordinated with each other: word, excel, access, money, and originally publisher ( later replaced by the browser Explore. It took up to 14 hard floppy disks to install and was quite time consuming and large for its day, but the integration between word and excel doomed the very popular word perfect and other spread sheet programs that were perhaps superior to excel at the time but more difficult to learn and more expensive, plus did not interchange with other software.
    1987 - President Ronald Reagan turned 76 years old, adding another year to his already established record as the oldest United States President in ever. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the previous record holder, by serving the country at age 70.
    1988 - Arctic cold invaded the south central and eastern U.S. Sixteen cities reported new record low temperatures for the date. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced a foot of snow at Arcade NY in three hours.
    1989---Top Hits
When I’m with You - Sheriff
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
When the Children Cry - White Lion
What I’d Say - Earl Thomas Conley
    1989- The first nude musical, "Oh! Calcutta!," closed on Broadway after 5,059 performances. John Lennon was one of the writers who contributed to the show, which opened off-Broadway in 1969
    1989 - Forty-one cities in the western U.S. reported new record low temperatures for the date. Lows of -30 degrees at Ely NV and -33 degrees at Richfield UT were all-time records. Morning lows of 31 degrees at San Francisco CA and -15 degrees at Reno NV were records for February. Logan Canyon UT was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 54 degrees below zero, and Craig CO hit 51 degrees below zero.
    1990- Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues scored his 50th goal of the season to join his father, Hall of Fame left wing Bobby Hull, as the only father-son combination in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season. 1993 - Tennis champion Arthur Ashe died of complications brought on by AIDS that he received from a blood transfusion.
    1992- Bob Dylan made a rare TV appearance on David Letterman's 10th anniversary special. He performed "Like a Rolling Stone," backed by an all-star band that included Emmylou Harris, Chrissie Hynde and Carole King.
    1995- Keith Lockhart replaced John Williams as conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Williams had led the orchestra since 1980, when he took over after the death of the legendary Arthur Fiedler.  
    1998 - Washington National Airport was renamed Ronald Reagan National Airport, for U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
    1998 - Carl Wilson, the Beach Boys' lead guitarist and youngest of the Wilson brothers, died at age 51 in Los Angeles. He'd been diagnosed with lung cancer which then spread to his brain. Despite chemotherapy, Wilson lost the battle. During the group's publicized ups and downs with drugs over the years, Carl's steady influence reportedly was responsible for keeping the group together. He went to University High School, West Los Angeles, CA. He really was a surfer, personal testimony; Zuma Beach, Malibu, rarely Santa Monica Beach.
    2000- the NFC defeated the AFC 51-31 which set an NFL record for most points scored by a conference and total points combined for a Pro Bowl.
    2000-Janice Mirikitani, wife of Rev. Cecil Williams of Glide Memorial, was named the poet laureate for San Francisco for 2000.

XXXIX Feb. 6, 2005 New England 24, Philadelphia 21

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