NEFA National Equipment Finance Summit Report
by Dwight Galloway, CLP

(Photo: NEFA website)

During the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico from March 14 to March 16, approximately 140 attendees enjoyed well-presented and well attended education sessions and had ample time for networking and one-on-one meetings. The conference was simply fun with more "energy" and optimism than the more somber affairs since 2008.

The positive mood was reinforced, even heightened, by Cameron Krueger's presentation of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Economic Outlook Report which finds the leading economic indicators now pointing to resurgence in capital equipment spending.

Most of the broker-lessors were discussing recent increases in applications and their company growth plans rather than survival tactics. Unfortunately, the many broker-lessors not at the Summit missed an opportunity to benefit from the sharing of information and direct contact with other members.

Despite the fervent efforts of Director Gerry Egan and his team as well as the strong attendance of funders and service providers, the weak turnout of broker-lessors seemed to reflect the reduced number of active brokers and the reluctance or inability of some to spend the time and money to invest for a promising future.

President John Rosenlund and the NEFA officers and Board members were all enthusiastic about the October Funding Symposium in Nashville. They believe the improving economic conditions and the excitement felt by the Albuquerque attendees will produce a substantial increase in attendance by broker-lessor members. The many funders and service providers will no doubt follow their customers!

Dwight Galloway, CLP
dgalloway@rlcfunding.com
(803) 566-8245

Classified Ads---Collections

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

Long Grove, Illinois 17+ years Comdisco, accounts receivable, collections, customer service, plus senior management, seeking full time or part time assignment. 847-359-4066roborgaard@aol.com | Resume

Port St Lucie, FL 20+ yrs exp. commercial collection/late stage specialist.  Prefer to work from home based office or transfer to Sarasota areamichaelgalan@comcast.net | Resume

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

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

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LinkedIn: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
by Christopher "Kit" Menkin

Leasing News has recently become a paid subscriber to LinkedIn services, primarily for email purposes (It is free unless you want additional features, such as the ability to send more emails via LinkedIn). We have two LinkedIn groups, relatively small: Bank Beat with 1 follower, Leasing News with 48 followers, whereas most follow Christopher "Kit" Menkin where I first joined as an individual. At last count, there were 3,461 in this group.

It appears postings pass through my personal group and thus the others have not joined Leasing News or Bank Beat, or maybe they just are not popular. I don’t know.

I belong to 30 groups. You can join up to 50 groups. Keeping up with the groups I belong is time consuming and therefore are set for once a day or once a week. I used to belong to more, but don’t now. There is just too much traffic to follow.

The Good

I started LinkedIn more as a newsman to learn what was happening, get leads, get news stories, plus stay in touch with readers, associates, friends, as well as for the New Hires-Promotions, where not only do I get the new changes, but can also include in the Friday edition who they are, and often with a photo. About a year ago I began to incorporate some press release information as several readers suggested I do so in New Hires-Promotions.

The Bad

I must admit I am prejudice against many press releases as they leave out information, overstate information, and often are what many editors refer to as "puff pieces," public relation efforts to "puff" up the news as being more important than it is, as well as full of exaggerating descriptions (That is their job, to make the news more interesting and attractive as well as put a positive spin on a story when it really is more boring or negative news).

The Ugly

In giving advice to vendors and finance/leasing applicants, as well as complaints, the first is to belong to a leasing association. It not only gives credence, but the ability to find out if they are in good standing in the industry. Many will not accept or expel certain individuals and companies, as well as give a place to learn about a company or place a grievance.

This does not happen at LinkedIn, where many of those who have appeared on Leasing News Bulletin Board boasts they can put almost everything together, or a person working out of his apartment, often using a mail box drop or virtual office address, can pretend to be a funder or provide the lowest rate for the worst credit than anyone else can. Often they operate for a year or longer, than change their name.

Some continue to fool or withhold advance payments and deposits, actually existing off of them for years. I know as Leasing News often gets the complaint after the broker, the funder, the vendor, as well as from customers, who have been misled due to the exaggerations found in groups.

LinkedIn managers often screen emails, but basically for liability purposes or language, rather than authenticity.

Despite the misrepresentation by a very few, LinkedIn is an excellent source to acquire information, look for employment, learn what is new or educational, entertaining, informative, stay in touch with colleagues, and in my opinion: is the best social media for the finance and leasing industry.

If you have not given it a try, or think it would not be of benefit, I recommend you visit: www.linkedin.com

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Orange, California Funding Coordinator Generate documents & addendum's, approve all signed documents, process, working closely with sales team; responsible for developing positive and strong working relationships both internally and externally. This is a key position, important for the growth of Quick Bridge funding For more description of duties and requirements, please click on position www.quickbridgefunding.com Quick Bridge Funding provides working capital loans to small and mid-sized companies throughout the United States. With an innovative program we provide capital to an to an under-served market.

Business Development Officer Baltimore-Washington DC Area Existing client base a plus, work from corporate office as needed. Salary plus commission structure, benefits, expense plan. Allan Levine 443 796 7337 Nancy Pistorio 443 796 7325 Email: Alevine@madisoncapital.com or npistorio@madisoncapital.com A great place to work www.madisoncapital.com 35 years equipment & vehicle financing full service direct funder for small to mid-ticket transactions, with syndication abilities for large ticket.

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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“Besides a Suit-What should I or should not wear?”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

Question: I am preparing for some upcoming interviews. May sound, shallow, but besides a suit, what do you recommend in terms of accessories? I know it’s all about making a good first impression.

Answer: What you wear to your interview will tell a lot about you. Often it is said that the first five seconds mean as much as the entire interview. Instant opinions can be influenced by wearing the right accessories to enhance the professional image of any applicant, male or female--- the wrong accessories can destroy it.

Basic principle, do not use / wear anything that could be misconstrued or leave a bad impression. For example, never wear religious or political insignias in the form of rings, ties or pins.

Here are some general guidelines

• Never be “overdressed” than your interviewer. Standards are different in New York than Silicon Valley or Iowa or Southern California.

• Avoid cheap-looking pseudo-gold watchbands at all costs, your watch should be simple and plain

• A leather briefcase (attaché case) will make the best impression or a plain manila folder (never bring papers loose).

• A cotton or linen handkerchief should be part of a job hunter’s wardrobe (plain white) – it can be used to relieve “clammy-hands syndrome” so common before an interview

• Belts should match or complement your shoes and should not be instantly noticeable, if it is then it’s the wrong belt

• Cover up those tattoos!

Men:

• A simple / plain watch, a wedding band (if applicable) and if wearing French cuffs, a small subdued pair of cuff links are acceptable

• No fraternity rings, bracelets, neck chains, earrings, tie tacks/clips or medallions

Women:

• A scarf can serve as a powerful status symbol (however a cheap one will ruin the look) – avoid flamboyant styles and stick to the basics

• Opt for a strand of pearls – all jewelry should be professional and subdued, no dangling earrings (posts are best) and no ankle bracelets (or those knuckle cuffs, ear cuffs, skeletons, etc…)

• If wearing stockings only nude (keep an extra pair in case of developing a run – at the worst possible moment!)

• Use a leather purse OR briefcase, not both and it should be free of expensive and distracting embellishments

• Don’t wear faddish or multicolored shoes - opt for an easy professional look with a heel height of up to 2.5 inches (stay away from high heels); wear a closed toe shoe (pump) or a sling-back with a closed toe and no overly pointed shoes!

Remember, the first five seconds are very important, so what you are wearing may give the first impression.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

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

Back Problems/Poor Posture
May be Your Desk

Edison Electric Table -ELE-TB
$829

In a previous article, it was recommended by Dennis Dunphy, I.F.P.A.,C.F.T., to look straight at your computer monitor or look up, never down. It is a strain on your neck. As you get older, not only do you get neck and back problems, but your posture changes as you look down when you walk, as well as it may through your balance off and your hip too, resulting in smaller steps as you walk to keep standing (happens in older people often from years.)

This not only comes from watching too much TV, sitting too much, but particularly to those who spend time on the computer.

I noted my visit to the Yahoo campus in Menlo Park, California where not only did everyone seem to have two monitors (many had three) but there were several standing against monitors on the way and shelf on wall for the keyboard, as well as single stations.

In visiting my insurance agent Tyler Williams of Williams Insurance, whose office is across from my accountant where I picked up Leasing News corporate tax return, I was surprised to see him standing in front of two monitors, talking on his headphone, and looking thinner with better posture, too.

(Three leg desk, looked better with monitor, photos, other items)

He was standing behind a sit-stand three leg Mcergo workritedesk. He had been having back problems and went to a "back store" in Los Gatos, California, he said as he pushed a button on the side of the desk

---and the desk moved down to a sitting position (without noise and quickly, not even making the items on his desk vibrate). He said they came in manual and electric. He liked the desk he chose very much, he said.

He then gave a great testimonial how his back, posture improved; more energy.

I visited the "back store" on line and did a search on the internet, too.

What I learned: I need to get out of my office more often.

Kit Menkin

Various shapes and sizes from $1400 to $1800
http://www.mcergo.com/work-stations/workrite

Versatables.com (Edison)
http://www.versatables.com/products/desks-tables/

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Leasing 102
by Terry Winders

How Much Does it Cost?

Equipment cost is an elusive subject. Just because a vendor puts an equipment cost on an invoice does not make it so. There are many things that can influence the cost of the equipment from trade-ins, hidden down payments, increases to cover negative values of trade-ins and over pricing, as well as a lower cost showing either used equipment or disguised sale/leaseback.

I have requested that you check the equipment cost with the same effort you check the lessee’s credit. It is not only the real value of equipment

learned in a default, but also has both legal and tax consequences. Remember that any reduction in equipment cost because of a lessee involvement makes your transaction a loan instead of a lease. Other

creditors in a bankruptcy can dispute the instrument as a lease and make it part of the secured assets that they all share in. Just because you have a vendors invoice does not act as an excuse. Any investigation of the fair market value (FMV) of the equipment cost that shows any discrepancy from the vendor invoice the transaction is under suspicion. Because the lessor is the purchaser, the lessor has the burden of proof to defend the transaction is a lease.

The FMV is all that is allowed for income tax purposes. Over pricing causes over depreciation even though that was the price on the invoice. This would lead to a lower return unless you have an income tax liability paragraph in your lease agreement.

Used equipment is more difficult to evaluate because in most cases it is the condition of the equipment that determines it true value not the guide books or auction reports. They can guide you but the condition can be masked and the ignorance of the lessee may cause the selling price to be too high. Special closing procedures should make sure the lessee is aware that the lessor has no responsibility for performance. The reason for this is that used equipment usually has very little or no warrantees from the seller.

I have asked you to, where possible, to do an equipment inspection on used equipment prior to closing and paying for the equipment. A digital photo is also recommended. On occasion it would be advisable to create a purchase order with a paragraph that does not require payment until the lessee has had the equipment and used it for two weeks to prove performance.

Remember that any seller of new or especially used equipment that attempts to push you to fund quickly should cause all kinds of red flags.

Understanding the use and value of the equipment you are preparing to lease is almost more important than the credit evaluation. It will tell you how smart the lessee is and explain some of the credit comments. The proper cost will limit your exposure and this may allow you to lower your lease loss reserve.

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

He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:

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

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

Bank Tagged for Inaccurate Notice of Sale
By Tom McCurnin

1992 BMW M5

Most States Require Creditor to Specify What Kind of Sale is Anticipated. Where Creditor Fails To Designate Private or Public Sale, the Creditor May Be Liable for Statutory Penalties and a Class Action Suit.

Boulevard Bank v Mallott 2013 WL 324041 (Mo.App. W.D).

I had a long retired partner who was really good at resolving cases, and who often said, “Sometimes you have to pay money to take out the trash.” In today’s trashy lawsuit, the Bank came to realize that its UCC “Notice of Sale “was defective, but did so too late. By the time it figured out that its Notice of Sale was defective and dismissed its suit, its litigious borrower was already before the Court of Appeal.

Boulevard Bank financed Herb Malott’s used BMW in 2007. Two years later, Malott defaulted and the Bank repossessed.

In a letter dated March 19, 2009, the Bank stated that the Bank had repossessed Malott's vehicle, a 1992 MBW M5, the amount due on the Note was $6,395.14, and that the collateral will be sold at a public/private sale if the total amount due was not received by April 9, 2009. The letter also advised Malott that he would be personally liable for any deficiency.

The Bank sold the car and sued Malott for a deficiency of $3,100. Malott counterclaimed, stating that the vague notice did not comply with Uniform Commercial Code § 9-625(c)(2). Malott also had class action allegations in his counterclaim.

The lower court dismissed Malott’s counterclaim, and the Bank pressed forward with its deficiency. The Bank and its attorneys obviously thought this matter over and quickly dismissed the Bank’s affirmative claims. I mean for $3,000 and a litigious customer, there really isn’t much upside here. Undeterred, Malott appealed the dismissal of his claim as it appears his attorney had something else in mind.

On appeal, the Missouri Court of Appeal reversed. The Uniform Commercial Code § 9-613(1) specifically states that the Notice must state “the method of intended disposition.” Obviously, there are huge differences between a public and private sale. The Court stated:

“By failing to inform him of the type of sale it intended to conduct, the Bank denied him a full opportunity to protect his interest in the vehicle, and his interest in ensuring that any sale achieved the highest price, and was otherwise conducted in a commercially reasonable manner.”

The fact that the sale might have been per se commercially reasonable is irrelevant, because Uniform Commercial Code 9–625(c)(2) “provides a minimum, statutory, damage recovery for a debtor’ independent of a showing of damage.”

Now the Bank is facing a defense action with potential class action ramifications. Let’s hope they throw some money at this case and make it go away.

The lessons for equipment lessors is obvious here—if the lessor is using a form repossession and notice of sale letter, it might be wise to have the form double checked against the statute.

Boulevard Bank Case:
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/BoulevardBankCase.pdf

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting in Los Angeles, California.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com
Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

Top 50 US banks and thrifts by assets
By Aarti Kanjani, SNL Financial

The pro forma ranking of the largest 50 banks and thrifts in the U.S. for the fourth quarter of 2012 saw little movement at the top, but there were several changes among the smaller companies. The top four held the same spots as the third quarter of 2012, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. holding the No. 1 spot. After that, many companies saw their rankings rise or fall.

Wells Fargo & Co. reported an increase in its deposits and joined JPMorgan and Bank of America Corp. in the group of companies having more than $1 trillion in deposits. According to Wells Fargo's recent Form 10-K, total assets grew 8% in 2012 to $1.4 trillion, funded predominantly by strong deposit growth. Core deposits grew $73.1 billion, or 8%, in 2012. The predominant areas of asset growth were in short-term investments, which increased $92.9 billion, and loans, which increased $29.9 billion.

The largest upward movements in the top 50 were seen by Charles Schwab Corp., which sprang up three spots to No. 16 from No. 19, and Scottrade Financial Services Inc., moving up three spots as well, to No. 45 from No. 48. Charles Schwab's assets rose to $133.64 billion from $117.66 billion, while Scottrade Financials assets jumped to $25.13 billion from $22.64 billion in the third quarter.

The biggest downward movement was Regions Financial Corp., dropping to No. 20 from No. 18 as its assets fell to $121.35 billion from $121.80 billion.

SNL's ranking by assets is pro forma for pending M&A deals and transactions that have closed since Dec. 31, 2012.

FirstMerit Corp., which had entered the rankings at No. 46 in the third quarter of 2012 due to its announced acquisition of Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc., remained at the same position in the fourth quarter of 2012. The ranking is based on Citizens Republic's $9.59 billion in assets and FirstMerit's $14.91 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2012.

M&T Bank Corp., which rose to the 17th spot in the third quarter of 2012 with its announced $3.81 billion acquisition of Hudson City Bancorp Inc. on Aug. 27, fell to the 18th spot. M&T's new ranking is based on a combination of its $83.01 billion in assets and Hudson City's $40.60 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2012. The asset size has not been adjusted to reflect M&T's intent to pay down approximately $12 billion of Hudson City's long-term borrowings by liquidating its comparably sized investment portfolio.

SVB Financial Group was the sole newcomer to the list, which cracked the rankings at No. 49. It dropped off the list in the third quarter of 2012 after falling short. Its assets rose to $22.77 billion from $21.58 billion in the previous quarter.

Exiting the list this quarter was GE Capital Retail Bank, a unit of General Electric Capital Corp. General Electric Capital filed a consolidated regulatory filing with the Federal Reserve for 2012, its first bank holding company filing, which caused its exclusion, since SNL excludes holding companies with deposits totaling less than 25% of assets from the ranking. Its deposit-to-asset ratio stood at 8.50% at Dec. 31, 2012. GE Capital acquired the U.S. retail depository business from MetLife Inc. on Jan. 11. As a result, approximately $6.4 billion in bank deposits have been transferred to GE Capital Retail Bank. After the deal, MetLife started the process of deregistering as a bank holding company. On Feb. 14, it announced that it had received the required approvals to deregister as a bank holding company. MetLife has not appeared on SNL's top 50 ranking in the past because its deposit levels were too low.

Some other large firms regulated as bank holding companies, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley, are also not ranked since their deposits totaled less than 25% of assets.

A number of ranked companies recently announced noteworthy specialty finance asset deals. Although these deals met SNL's threshold for calculating a pro forma ranking, there was not enough disclosure to make adjustments. Those deals are: Bank of America's announcement to sell a residential mortgage servicing rights portfolio Jan. 6, with $215 billion in receivables; Bank of America's completed sale of mortgage servicing rights Jan. 31, with $88.00 billion in receivables; Citigroup's announcement Feb. 19 regarding the acquisition of credit card receivables from Capital One Financial Corp. with, $7 billion in receivables; Popular Inc.'s announced sale of a portfolio of nonperforming loans and real estate owned Feb. 28, with $1.02 billion in receivables; and Toronto-Dominion Bank's Oct. 22, 2012, announcement to acquire a credit card portfolio from Target Corp. having $5.90 billion in managed receivables.

Leasing Media Sites Alexa Rating
Less Visitors

Alexa ranks web sites in the order of most read, meaning number one is the most read, which is Google; and the rest follow. The change since February 18th show less readers for all, except in World Wide Position, where Commercial Finance Association, ELFAonline and Worldleasingnew.com improved( CLP foundation and AGLF increased, also improved, but have very few readers in comparison to the other leasing and finance sties.) Note: These are association or general leasing media sites and do not include such niche sites as containers, fleet, or trucks.

This chart shows their loss in position from February 18, 2013, unless noted with a + which indicates a rise in position. Links are actual numbers, not position. These are visitors lost or gained:


Change from February 18 to March 17

In news media editions, often referred to as On Line News or On Line News Media: Lessors, Monitor daily, ELFAonline, EquipmentFinance Advisors have five news editions a week; Leasing News has generally has three (holidays for both daily and three times a week will change the schedules).

March 17, 2013 Listing
(Lower is higher, meaning more visitors)

Companies also can employ Google Analytics or a Google relationship, such as Lessors.org.

Sites linking in refer to other sites who connect readers to the web site, as Alexa notes “can serve as a measure of a site’s reputation.”

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Top Stories March 11--March 15
(You May Have Missed)

Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:

(1) Marlin Business Service Form 10-K Highlights
What you did not see in the press release
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_11.htm#marlin

(2) Female Lease Finance Association Presidents
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_15.htm#female

(3) More Copier Woes
Coactive Capital Partners
By Tom McCurnin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_11.htm#copier

(4) Leasing News Advisory Board
List of Advisors with Biographies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_11.htm#board

(5) Los Angeles BBB Expelled from National Association
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_13.htm#bbb

(6) Northern Leasing Systems Says "It isn't so!"
(New York is an Evergreen Notification State)
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_13.htm#nls

(7) Companies who utilize Evergreen Clauses
for Extra Lease Payments
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_11.htm#evergreen

(8) Funder Looking for Broker Group Needs Good “BBB”
Conditions on being on the List
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_13.htm#funder

(9) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Depreciation and ITC
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_11.htm#itc(Tie)

(10) Leasing News Receives Constant Contact
"All-Star Award"
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_13.htm#award

(Tie)(10) New Hires---Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_15.htm#hires

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do.  Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com

Classified ads—Investigators

Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)

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

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

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

Poodle/Dachshund Mix
Los Gatos, California Adopt-a-Dog

"Hello world! My name is Scuffer, I am about 4-years-old, and you might say I’m a dog of the world--a perfect designer dog! My rescue family thinks that I am part poodle, part dachshund, part terrier – an excellent combination, don’t you think? I was recently rescued from a local shelter where I spent a very long time because they have lots of dogs for adoption and one can get lost in a crowd. What also hurt my chances was that I didn’t look my best since they took a buzz saw to my curly locks. Unfortunately, I was sadly neglected and my coat was really matted when I came in. My curls are coming back though and my handsome coat is coming in even as you read this story! I am not a big fan of water; well, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a good bath but there is no Labrador in me if you know what I mean;-)

"I tell you that for a little guy like me (14 lbs./ 11”) I have an amazing amount of endurance and I would be happy to be your exercise machine. I can go for a walk any time of the day and I am a gentleman on a leash. I like to be around people and get plenty of cuddles and pets, but if you are too busy for me I will entertain myself with my toys and have my own little party. My foster mom says that I am quite a clown when it comes to my toys; I can throw a ball and catch it all by myself! Being at the shelter for over a month can get anybody off track but I am doing pretty well in the potty department. My foster mom can vouch that I am a quick learner. She also can tell you that I am a nice boy who loves to kiss but at the same time is spunky and energetic. Good combo again, eh? As I said there is a little bit of everything for everybody in me:)

"All I need is a home to call my own with somebody who can love me and teach me all kind of doggy commands…I am already working on “no” and “sit” and I know there are other things I would be happy to learn from my new family. I just started my obedience school; I am an "A" student!

"My preference would be a family without young children and with an active life style. I am not sure how I feel about cats yet but I do well with easy-going dogs who don’t try to boss me around."

Scuffer will be attending our adoption fair at Pet Food Express in Los Gatos (1566 Los Gatos Blvd/ across from Trader Joe's) on Saturday, March 23 between 12-2 pm.

If you have any questions about Scuffer please email ul_fosters@yahoo.com.

Unconditional Love Animal Rescue and Placement
P.O. Box 171
Los Gatos, CA 95031
(408) 529-4945
lislotti@aol.com
http://www.ul-rescue.org

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

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

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The last rescued pet after Hurricane Sandy needs
a home before Nassau County shelter shuts down

This is a true story, and a check on Sunday shows Bruno
is the remaining dog:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bruno-515-rescued-hurricane-sandy-animals-new-home-shelter-closes-article-1.1289135

Nassau County Web Site:
http://www.nassaucountyspca.org/adoption.cfm

Orange, California Funding Coordinator Generate documents & addendum's, approve all signed documents, process, working closely with sales team; responsible for developing positive and strong working relationships both internally and externally. This is a key position, important for the growth of Quick Bridge funding For more description of duties and requirements, please click on position www.quickbridgefunding.com Quick Bridge Funding provides working capital loans to small and mid-sized companies throughout the United States. With an innovative program we provide capital to an to an under-served market.

News Briefs----

Founder of PHd Corp, San Diego Vehicle/Equip. Leasing Passes Away
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/17/tp-businessman-praised-as-an-adept-mentor/

Willis Lease Finance Earns Net Income of $2.2MM 4th Q
http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/03/11/529752/10024795/en/Willis-Lease-Finance-Earns-Net-Income-of-2-2-million-in-Fourth-Quarter-of-2012.html

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---You May Have Missed

New Pope Francis enjoys wine, coffee but skips Argentine empanadas and parilla
http://nbclatino.com/2013/03/14/new-pope-francis-enjoys-wine-coffee-but-skips-argentine-empanadas-and-parilla/

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Spark Diet
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/sparkdiet.asp

#

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Spring Poem

Poem about a Dog—by Peter Menkin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVXBN8JRDG0

Peter is my younger brother, who at one time had the fourth largest newspaper syndicate for columnists.  He is basically semi-retired, but still writes for various magazines such as the Atlantic, as well as a weekly column in several newspapers here, the San Francisco Examiner, and UK, on religion.  He would rather be known as a poet, he once told me.

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Sports Briefs----

Louisville top overall seed in NCAA tournament
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/17/5270071/another-wave-of-upsets-leaves.html

SLU vs. MU? It could happen in NCAA
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/slu-vs-mu-it-could-happen-in-ncaa/article_82ac42da-bfd1-5a8b-9d5a-5cb7481ed4a9.html

A mighty good Miami wins the ACC tournament
http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/mark-bradley/2013/mar/17/acc-title-heads-south-beach-and-deservedly-so/

49ers fill void at safety
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130316/

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California Nuts Briefs---

SF Symphony scraps tour as musician strike continues
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-Symphony-scraps-tour-as-musician-strike-4361728.php

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-Symphony-scraps-tour-as-musician-strike-4361728.php#ixzz2NqgPjIhX

Golden Gate Bridge toll takers share stories, secrets on way out
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22803609/golden-gate-bridge-toll-takers-share-stories-secrets

1921 film showcases San Jose's past
http://www.mercurynews.com/scott-herhold/ci_22807357/herhold-1921-film-showcases-san-joses-past

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

james L. Barrett, Owner of Chaeau Montelena Passes Away
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=113419

Kosher Wines for the Seder Table
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/20/dining/reviews/kosher-wines-for-the-seder-table.html?ref=dining&_r=0

Kosher wine evolves from cheap to collectible
http://www.timesofisrael.com/kosher-wine-evolves-from-cheap-to-collectible/

Seattle's oldest winery expands into new frontier
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/03/14/2915169/seattles-oldest-winery-expands.html

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

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

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

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

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

1543- the first record of a flood in the United Sates observed by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Sota. he noted the Mississippi River began overflowing its banks and continued until it crest on April 20. by the end of May, the flood had receded. Desoto introduced wild pigs into the wilderness that environmentalist changed the animal population considerable, including introducing smallpox that killed millions of Indians and when expeditions returned a hundred years late, they questioned Desoto's reports because of the major changes to the landscape. ( see the March edition of Atlantic Magazine:
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2002/03/ 
    1644 - In Virginia the Opechancanough Indians rise up against the settlers but after two years they will be defeated decisively. They will be forced to give up all the land between the James and York Rivers. The resulting peace will last until 1675.
    1692 - Following the accession of William III to the English throne, Pennsylvania is declared a royal colony and New York governor Benjamin Fletcher is declared governor of Pennsylvania, depriving William Penn of his proprietary powers. The Crown takes over Pennsylvania because the pacifist Quakers refused to involve themselves in the war against France and because William Penn had maintained friendly relations with the former English monarch, James II
    1748- George Washington visited the public spa at a mineral spring opened to the public( deeded to the colony of Virginia in 1756 by Thomas Fairfax, sixth Baron Fairfax “ to be forever free to the publick for the welfare of suffering humanities.” The spa was located in Bath , Berkeley County , VA ( now Berkeley Springs, Morgan County, WV ). 
    1782- birthday of John Calhoun, American statesman and first vice president of the US to resign that office (Dec 28, 1832). Born at Abbeville District , SC , died at Washington , DC , Mar 31, 1850,consider the South's strongest advocate for slavery. The vice-presidents ran as separate offices in his day and he served under John Quincy Adams from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829 and under President Andrew Jackson from March 4, 1829 to December 28,1832. He resigned to fill the vacancy in the Senate caused by the resignation of Robert Young Hayne, senator form South Carolina . Calhoun was elected to fill the vacancy on December 12, 1832. He had been secretary of war, secretary of state. He was too weak and ill to read his speech or oppose Daniel Webster's brilliant oratory that brought about the “Missouri Compromise” regarding limited slavery in the Western territory. Senator Daniel Webster argued in favor of the compromise. He both cautioned Southerners that disunion would lead to war and advised Northerners to forgo antislavery measures. The Compromise of 1850 was passed and Calhoun died soon after on March 31, 1850. 
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar18.html 
    1806-Birthday of African-American Norbert Rillieux, inventor of sugar refining. 
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrillieux.htm 
http://gibbsmagazine.com/Rillieux.htm 
    1813 - David Melville of Newport , Rhode Island patented the gas streetlight. He first installed these lights in front of his own house on Pelham Street Soon everyone in the neighborhood wanted one. 
    1837, the 22nd and 24th president of the US was born Stephen Grover Cleveland at Caldwell , NJ ,1837. Terms of office as president: March 4, 1885—March 3, 1889, and March 4, 1893—March 3, 1897. He ran for president for the intervening term and received a plurality of votes cast but failed to win electoral college victory for that term. Only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms. Also the only president to be married in the White House. He married 21-year-old Frances Polsom, his ward. Their daughter, Esther, was the first child of a president to be born in the White House.
    1848--"California Star" reported that non-Native population of San Francisco
was 575 males, 177 females and 60 children 
    1856-birthday of African-American Dr Daniel H. William, who performed first successful open heart operation 
    1886 - Edward Everett Horton (narrator: Fractured Fairy Tales on The Bullwinkle Show; actor: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Lost Horizon, Sex and the Single Girl, Arsenic and Old Lace; died Sep 29, 1970) 
    1901-- William H. Johnson was born in Florence , South Carolina. , a famous African American artist. Johnson spent many years in Europe painting expressionist works. He was strongly influenced by the vivid styles and brushstrokes of Henry 0. Tanner, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Edward Munch and Otto Dix. He left Europe when Hitler began destroying art that had primitivist or African themes. Back in the US , Johnson developed a new, flatter style and delved into subjects of his own experience as well as historical African-American figures and events. Going to Church (1940—41) and Mom and Dad (1944) are examples of his later work.\ 
   1902--29-year-old Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso was paid $50 each to record 10 songs on wax for the Gramophone and Typewriter Company in Italy; $500. He would go on to become the world's first recording star. Two years later, he began recording in America for the Victor Talking Machine Company (later RCA Victor). Over a 16-year span, he would earn millions of dollars in royalties from the retail sales of his 260 recordings. 
   1907 - The lawyers prosecuting alleged grafters score point after point in the proceedings before the grand jury and announce that they have sufficient evidence to prove that the United Railroads, the Pacific States Telephone Co., Home Telephone Co., the Prize-Fight Trust and the Gas Co., have bribed San Francisco supervisors and other city officials. 
    1911-March 18, Dean Kinkaide Birthday ( noted big band arranger, Dorsey's “Boogie Woogie,” Goodman's “Bugle Call Rag”. Had many of his arrangements in my high school/college big
    1925 - the 'Great Tri-state Tornado' tore a 219 mile path through Missouri , Illinois , and Indiana , resulting in the greatest US tornado disaster ever. 695 people were killed, the largest death toll from a single tornado in US history. 234 deaths occurred at Murphysboro , Illinois , the biggest death toll within a single city from a tornado on record. At one point, the tornado was moving at a record setting 73 mph. This tornado was easily an F5 on the Fujita scale with winds exceeding 260 mph. Instead of occurring along a cold front or in a squall line, the tornado was closely associated with a surface low pressure area. In all respects, it was a remarkable tornado and stands alone in its own class of tornadic events 
    1926 - Peter Graves (Arness) born Minneapolis, MN ;actor: Mission Impossible, The Winds of War, Airplane, Airplane 2, Stalag 17, The President's Plane is Missing, The Night of the Hunter; brother of actor James Arness, who lived near us and took my brother and I to University High School often—Our next door neighbor James Whitmore turned down the “Gunsmoke” role and recommended Arness instead.) 
    1931- the first electric razor was manufactured by Schick company of Stamford , CT , was delivered today. Remington introduced the dual-headed electric shaver in 1940. The electric shaver was invented by Colonel Jaco Schhick, who recognized that soldiers in the field needed a razor that did not require soap or hot water. he patented a tiny electric motor in 1923, and received pate4nts on his “shaving implement” on November 6, 1928. He could not convince anyone to manufacture his invention, so raised money himself to start his own company.. 
    1932- author John Updike born, Shillington , PA
http://www.hycyber.com/HF/updike_john.html 
    1932- Casa Loma Band cuts “Smoke Rings.”
    1938- singer, former minor league baseball player, Charley Pride born Sledge, MS. He is considered to be the most successful black entertainer in country music. Mississippi . By the early 1970's, Pride had become RCA Victor's biggest-selling artist since Elvis Presley, with hits such as "Is Anybody Going to San Antone?" "Kiss and Angel Good Morning" and "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore." When his first record, "Snakes Crawl at Night," was released in 1965,there was almost no publicity and few people realized that Pride was black. But by the following year, Pride had gained a huge hit and a Grammy Award nomination for "Just Between You and Me."And in 1967 he was introduced on the Grand Ole Opry by Ernest Tubb. 
    1939- Frank Sinatra makes his very first recording, a demo called "Our Love," recorded with the Frank Mane band.
    1940- Casa Loma Band cuts “No Name Jive, “ Decca)
    1941- Wilson Pickett, one of the great soul singers of the 1960's, was born in Prattville , Alabama . Pickett joined a Detroit group called the Falcons in 1962, and sang lead on their hit, "I Found a Love." But Pickett, on the suggestion of the Falcons' producer, soon began a solo career. He signed with Atlantic in 1964, and had the first of his many hits with "In the Midnight Hour." His backing group on this record was Booker T. and the MG's. Pickett's other successes included "Land of 1,000 Dances," "Funky Broadway" and "I'm a Midnight Mover." 
    1943--MATHIS, JACK W. (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, 18 March 1943. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: 25 September 1921, San Angelo, Tex. G.O. No.: 38, 12 July 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier’s compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis’ undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
    1945---MURPHY, FREDERICK C. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 259th Infantry, 65th Infantry Division. Place and date: Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Weymouth, Mass. Birth: Boston, Mass. G.O. No.: 21, 26 February 1946. Citation: An aid man, he was wounded in the right shoulder soon after his comrades had jumped off in a dawn attack 18 March 1945, against the Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany. He refused to withdraw for treatment and continued forward, administering first aid under heavy machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire. When the company ran into a thickly sown antipersonnel minefield and began to suffer more and more casualties, he continued to disregard his own wound and unhesitatingly braved the danger of exploding mines, moving about through heavy fire and helping the injured until he stepped on a mine which severed one of his feet. In spite of his grievous wounds, he struggled on with his work, refusing to be evacuated and crawling from man to man administering to them while in great pain and bleeding profusely. He was killed by the blast of another mine which he had dragged himself across in an effort to reach still another casualty. With indomitable courage, and unquenchable spirit of self-sacrifice and supreme devotion to duty which made it possible for him to continue performing his tasks while barely able to move, Pfc. Murphy saved many of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own life.
    1945---TREADWELL, JACK L. Medal of HonorRank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company F, 180th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Snyder. Okla. Birth: Ashland, Ala. G.O. No.: 79, 14 September 1945. Citation: Capt. Treadwell (then 1st Lt.), commanding officer of Company F, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, in the Siegfried line, single-handedly captured 6 pillboxes and 18 prisoners. Murderous enemy automatic and rifle fire with intermittent artillery bombardments had pinned down his company for hours at the base of a hill defended by concrete fortifications and interlocking trenches. Eight men sent to attack a single point had all become casualties on the hare slope when Capt. Treadwell, armed with a submachine gun and hand grenades, went forward alone to clear the way for his stalled company. Over the terrain devoid of cover and swept by bullets, he fearlessly advanced, firing at the aperture of the nearest pillbox and, when within range, hurling grenades at it. He reached the pillbox, thrust the muzzle of his gun through the port, and drove 4 Germans out with their hands in the air. A fifth was found dead inside. Waving these prisoners back to the American line, he continued under terrible, concentrated fire to the next pillbox and took it in the same manner. In this fort he captured the commander of the hill defenses, whom he sent to the rear with the other prisoners. Never slackening his attack, he then ran across the crest of the hill to a third pillbox, traversing this distance in full view of hostile machine gunners and snipers. He was again successful in taking the enemy position. The Germans quickly fell prey to his further rushes on 3 more pillboxes in the confusion and havoc caused by his whirlwind assaults and capture of their commander. Inspired by the electrifying performance of their leader, the men of Company F stormed after him and overwhelmed resistance on the entire hill, driving a wedge into the Siegfried line and making it possible for their battalion to take its objective. By his courageous willingness to face nearly impossible odds and by his overwhelming one-man offensive, Capt. Treadwell reduced a heavily fortified, seemingly impregnable enemy sector.
    1945-the first professional hockey player to score 50 goals in one season was Joseph Henri Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens, who scored his 50 th goal in the 17 th minute 45 th second of the third and last period against the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden , Boston , MA . He retired in 1960 with 544 goals in 16 regular seasons. 
    1945- The Japanese released mechanized flying bombs piloted by young Japanese men. These suicide bombs, directed against the US aircraft carrier fleet attacking the Japanese fleet in the Kure-Kobe area, inflicted serious damage on the Enterprise , Intrepid and Wasp . 
    1945 - About 1300 American bombers, with some 700 escorting fighters, drop 3000 tons of bombs on Berlin, despite heavy anti-aircraft defenses, including numerous jet fighters. The US fleet loses 25 bombers and 5 fighters.
    1945---TREADWELL, JACK L. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company F, 180th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Snyder. Okla. Birth: Ashland, Ala. G.O. No.: 79, 14 September 1945. Citation: Capt. Treadwell (then 1st Lt.), commanding officer of Company F, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, in the Siegfried line, single-handedly captured 6 pillboxes and 18 prisoners. Murderous enemy automatic and rifle fire with intermittent artillery bombardments had pinned down his company for hours at the base of a hill defended by concrete fortifications and interlocking trenches. Eight men sent to attack a single point had all become casualties on the hare slope when Capt. Treadwell, armed with a submachinegun and hand grenades, went forward alone to clear the way for his stalled company. Over the terrain devoid of cover and swept by bullets, he fearlessly advanced, firing at the aperture of the nearest pillbox and, when within range, hurling grenades at it. He reached the pillbox, thrust the muzzle of his gun through the port, and drove 4 Germans out with their hands in the air. A fifth was found dead inside. Waving these prisoners back to the American line, he continued under terrible, concentrated fire to the next pillbox and took it in the same manner. In this fort he captured the commander of the hill defenses, whom he sent to the rear with the other prisoners. Never slackening his attack, he then ran across the crest of the hill to a third pillbox, traversing this distance in full view of hostile machine gunners and snipers. He was again successful in taking the enemy position. The Germans quickly fell prey to his further rushes on 3 more pillboxes in the confusion and havoc caused by his whirlwind assaults and capture of their commander. Inspired by the electrifying performance of their leader, the men of Company F stormed after him and overwhelmed resistance on the entire hill, driving a wedge into the Siegfried line and making it possible for their battalion to take its objective. By his courageous willingness to face nearly impossible odds and by his overwhelming one-man offensive, Capt. Treadwell reduced a heavily fortified, seemingly impregnable enemy sector.
    1945--*WILKIN, EDWARD G. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company C, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Siegfried Line in Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Longmeadow, Mass. Birth: Burlington, Vt. G.O. No.: 119, 17 December 1945. Citation: He spearheaded his unit's assault of the Siegfried Line in Germany. Heavy fire from enemy riflemen and camouflaged pillboxes had pinned down his comrades when he moved forward on his own initiative to reconnoiter a route of advance. He cleared the way into an area studded with pillboxes, where he repeatedly stood up and walked into vicious enemy fire, storming 1 fortification after another with automatic rifle fire and grenades, killing enemy troops, taking prisoners as the enemy defense became confused, and encouraging his comrades by his heroic example. When halted by heavy barbed wire entanglements, he secured bangalore torpedoes and blasted a path toward still more pillboxes, all the time braving bursting grenades and mortar shells and direct rifle and automatic-weapons fire. He engaged in fierce fire fights, standing in the open while his adversaries fought from the protection of concrete emplacements, and on 1 occasion pursued enemy soldiers across an open field and through interlocking trenches, disregarding the crossfire from 2 pillboxes until he had penetrated the formidable line 200 yards in advance of any American element. That night, although terribly fatigued, he refused to rest and insisted on distributing rations and supplies to his comrades. Hearing that a nearby company was suffering heavy casualties, he secured permission to guide litter bearers and assist them in evacuating the wounded. All that night he remained in the battle area on his mercy missions, and for the following 2 days he continued to remove casualties, venturing into enemy-held territory, scorning cover and braving devastating mortar and artillery bombardments. In 3 days he neutralized and captured 6 pillboxes single-handedly, killed at least 9 Germans, wounded 13, took 13 prisoners, aided in the capture of 14 others, and saved many American lives by his fearless performance as a litter bearer. Through his superb fighting skill, dauntless courage, and gallant, inspiring actions, Cpl. Wilkin contributed in large measure to his company's success in cracking the Siegfried Line. One month later he was killed in action while fighting deep in Germany
    1949---Top Hits 
Far Away Places - Margaret Whiting
Powder Your Face with Sunshine - Evelyn Knight
Cruising Down the River - The Russ Morgan Orchestra (vocal: The Skyliners)
Don't Rob Another Man's Castle - Eddy Arnold
    1950 - Teresa Brewer's "Music! Music! Music!" hits #1
    1953- in baseball's first franchise shift in half a century, the Boston Braves announced that they would become the Milwaukee Braves. The team remained in Milwaukee through the 1965 season after which it moved to Atlanta .
    1957---Top Hits
Young Love - Tab Hunter
Round and Round - Perry Como 
Little Darlin' - The Diamonds 
There You Go - Johnny Cash 
    1957- “Tales of Wells Fargo” premiered on TV. This half-hour western starred Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie, agent for Wells Fargo Transport Company. In the fall of 1961, the show expanded to an hour. Hardie bought a ranch, and new cast members were added, including Jack Ging as Beau McCloud, another agent, Virginia Christine as Ovie, a widow owning a nearby ranch, Lory Patrick and Mary Jane Saunders as Ovie's daughters and William Demarest as Jeb, Hardie's ranch foreman. Jack Nicholson appeared in one of his first major TV roles in the episode "The Washburn Girl." My father Lawrence Menkin wrote many of the episodes.
    1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis becomes the first musician to appear on American Bandstand actually singing and not lip-synching his performance. Singing "Great Balls Of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," and "Breathless" live, he also becomes the first guest to perform three songs on the program.
    1959 - Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics began what was to be the longest string of successful consecutive free throws (56 in a row) to set a new National Basketball Association record.
    1959 - President Eisenhower signed the Hawaii statehood bill
    1959 - EMI announces its intention to halt production of 78 rpm records.
    1960 - Rio Bravo, the classic Howard Hawks/John Wayne Western that also stars Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, opens in US theaters.
    1962-Gary "U.S." Bonds appears on The Ed Sullivan Show performing his latest hit, "Twist, Twist, Senora", which will reach #9 in April.
    1963 ---The first doomed sports stadium that was fully enclosed started to be built this day. It was the Astrodome, Houston , TX , formally known as the Harris County Domed Stadium. The overall cost was $35.5 million. The arena could accommodate 66,000 people. The first baseball game under the dome was played on April 9, 1965 between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees, who lost 2-1. In the game, Mickey Mantle hit the first home run at the Houston Astrodome. It was off of pitcher Turk Farrell.The first football game was played on September 11,1965, when the University of Tulsa defeated the University of Houston 14-0. 
    1964--Birthday of Bonnie Blair, speed skater. Born on March 18, 1964, in Cornwall, N.Y. She moved with her parents to Champaign, Ill., when she was 2 and began skating at that time. In 1988 Blair won the gold medal in the 500 meters at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, and a bronze in the 1,000 meters. In the 1992 games in Albertville, France, she won two gold medals at the same distances, becoming the first American Woman to win three gold medals in the Winter Olympics and in 1994 she added more.
    1965---Top Hits 
Eight Days a Week - The Beatles 
Stop! In the Name of Love - The Supremes 
The Birds and the Bees - Jewel Akens
I've Got a Tiger by the Tail - Buck Owens
    1966- Robert C. Weaver became first Black presidential cabinet member when sworn in as Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs, (Johnson Administration)
     1967—Wide receiver Andre Previn Rison born Flint , MI.
http://www.andrerison.com/Andre-Rison-News.php  
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RisoAn00.htm
    1967 - The Beatles went gold, receiving a gold record for the single, " Penny Lane ". The ‘B' side of hit record was the also-popular "Strawberry Fields Forever".
    1967-After three minor chart makers, an Oklahoma group called Five Americans release their biggest hit, "Western Union", which would rise to #5 on The Hot 100. 
    1970-Country Joe McDonald is convicted for obscenity and fined $500 for leading
a crowd in his infamous Fish Cheer ("Gimmie an F..!") at a concert in Massachusetts.
http://www.countryjoe.com/
    1970 - Brook Benton received a gold record for the hit single, "Rainy Night in Georgia ". It was Benton 's first hit since 1963's "Hotel Happiness". 
    1970- a wild-cat strike of postal employees locals of the National Association of Letter Carriers that began in New York City this day spread to parts of New York , New Jersey , and Connecticut . On March 23, President Richard Nixon decaled a state of national emergency and called out 30,000 troops to move the mail. The strike ended on March 24.
    1970- Country Joe McDonald is convicted for obscenity and fined $500 for leading crowd in his infamous Fish Cheer ("Gimmie an F..!") at a concert in Massachusetts. Visit the Country Joe' great website: http://www.countryjoe.com/
    1971- high winds accompanied a powerful low pressure system tracking from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes . Winds gusted to 100 mph at Hastings , Nebraska and to 115 mph at Hays, Kansas . High winds caused 2 million dollars in property damage in Kansas .
    1972-The Knox-class ocean destroyer escort, the Jesse L. Brown, was named at the Avondale Shipyards, Westwego, LA, becoming the first naval ship to be named for an African-American naval officer. Jesse Leroy Brown of Hattiesburg , MI , was commissioned an ensign on April 15, 10949. He died near the Changjin Reservoir in Korean, becoming the first African-American flier in the Naval Reserve to be killed in combat.
    1972-The Chicago vocal group, The Chi-Lites make their second appearance on TV's Soul Train, where they perform their newest release, "Oh Girl". The tune will go on to top the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and reach #14 in the UK. Not bad for a song that writer Eugene Record would later say he was surprised that the record company even wanted to issue as a single. 
    1972-Neil Young enjoyed his only solo, US number one hit with "Heart Of Gold". Backing vocals were provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
    1972--Paul Simon's self-titled debut album topped the chart on the strength of the singles "Mother And Child Reunion" and "Me And Julio Down By The School Yard". 
    1973---Top Hits 
Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack 
Love Train - O'Jays Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001) - Deodato
Teddy Bear Song - Barbara Fairchild
    1978 - The Bee Gees started an eight-week stay at the top of the pop music charts with "Night Fever" (they had a total of nine #1 hits) from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.
    1981---Top Hits
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon 
Woman - John Lennon 
Guitar Man - Elvis Presley 
    1985 - History was made in the short-lived United States Football League. A pro football record was set by Denver and Houston of the USFL with a total of 112 passes thrown in the game. Houston went airborne 69 times, Denver took to the air 43 times.
    1989---Top Hits 
Lost in Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson 
The Living Years - Mike & The Mechanics 
Roni - Bobby Brown 
From a Jack to a King - Ricky Van Shelton
    1989 - A storm in the western U.S. produced heavy rain in California, with heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Range. Venado CA was drenched with 5.40 inches of rain in 24 hours. A dozen cities in the eastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Baltimore MD with a reading of 82 degrees.
    1990 - Heavy rain caused extensive flooding of rivers and streams in Georgia, with total damage running well into the millions. Flooding also claimed six lives. Nearly seven inches of rain caused 2.5 million dollars damage around Columbus, and up to nine inches of rain was reported over the northern Kinchafoonee Basin in Georgia.
    1992-Disco Queen, Donna Summer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    1995- Michael Jordan, considered one of the NBA'S greatest all-time players, made history again when he announced that he was returning to professional play after a 17-month break.. The 32-year-old star had retired just before the start of the 1993—94 season, following the murder of his father, James Jordan. Jordan, who averaged 32.3 points a game during regular season play, had led the Chicago Bulls to three successive NBA titles. While retired, he tried a baseball career, playing for the Chicago White Sox minor league team. On his return to the Bulls, he led them to three more NBA titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He recently made a come-back, until he injured his knee.