January, 2018 - The List
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"

Brossard Leasing, Montreal, CNW Telebec (01-18)  Brossard Leasing is named a Best Managed company/ Winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2018/03_09.htm#brossard

Bank of Ozarks, Little Rock, Arkansas (01-18) No Surprise, Bank of the Ozarks Closing Leasing Division  http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2018/01_22.htm#no

Midland Equipment Finance, Clayton, Missouri (01/18) Midland Makes it Official with Press Release/Fred Van Etten Thanks ZRG Partners’ Gerry Ricco http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2018/01_11.htm#midl

Navitas Credit Corp,  Ponte Verde, Florida   (01/18) Gary Shiver's Navitas Credit Acquired
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2018/01_11.htm#gary

Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas (01/18) Exceeds $1 Billion  http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2018/01_09.htm#ascentium

Marlin Business Services, Mount Laurel, New Jersey (01/18)  Marlin to Record a $10 Million Tax Benefit Result of Tax Cuts http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2018/01_09.htm#marlin

 

 

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

“Evergreen Clause”—The Danger of Automatic Renewal

The inclusion of automatic renewal (or “evergreen”) clauses in true leases has been a fairly common practice from time immemorial. It is included in most company leasing contracts, whether "fair market value," 10%options, or even $1.00 (Yes, companies will continue payments if not notified and there have been several cases where the residual is $1.00)

There is no question that these clauses provide important protections to the lessor to obtain their residual. If the lessee has no intent to renew, the lessor has in interest in knowing it before the end of the term so that he can start planning for remarketing or some other disposition of the equipment.

However, the question of whether a lessee should be reminded by the lessor of the notice deadline in plenty of time for the lessee to react is an entirely different question. These states have statutes requiring commercial equipment lessors to provide a written notice – a fair warning – before the notice deadline date arrives:

This is an unofficial list:
Louisiana
New York
Rhode Island
Texas
Wisconsin

Most of the abuses occur in the small-ticket world. Larger lessees often overlook the notification clause in the contract or do not have “tickler” systems to remind them. Consider the corner dry-cleaner. He signs up for a five year lease in 2014. Does he mark it 90 days before the expiration in his computer calendar for 2019, or more important, did he overlook this as the residual is 10% or a $1.00. And the more apt question is: What possible interest does a lessor have in not voluntarily reminding its customer of the notice deadline – unless it’s to create a chance that the lessee will slip up and get trapped in a renewal it does not want?

---

 

Companies who utilize Evergreen Clauses 
for Extra Lease Payments

These companies use language in their lease documents regarding purchase options to confuse, perhaps to deceive, resulting in an automatic continuation for an additional twelve months of payments. Often they win transactions with lower monthly payments as the lessee does not carefully read and prepare for the end-of-lease notification requirement (many are on ACH payments).

Several have continuation of payments and the requirement of replacing the equipment for a new lease. Leasing News has had complaints involving companies who invoke the twelve months on a $1.00 purchase option, as well as on an Equipment Finance Agreements.

Several have appeared in Leasing News "Complaints" Bulletin Board:
http://www.leasingnews.org/bulletin_board.htm

Additionally, Tom McCurnin has written often about Evergreen Clause court cases involving these companies.
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html 

Two of the companies on this list do a lot of copier leasing, where it is reported manufacturers are now getting a piece of auto-renewals and as well as insisting that they be in the lease as a condition of the business. Leasing News has heard from a very reliable source that some copier manufacturers also give dealers 4-5 months’ notice of a discontinued model and agree to sell it to the dealer at 40% of list price, on the condition that the captive finance division not receive the business. Also buried in the contract on one is a one month rental return fee including an inspection fee at the location specified by lessor and at lessee’s return expense (often not the local dealer who supplied the copier).

Advice for Broker or Lessor
Dealing with a Company that Uses Evergreen Clauses
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_18.htm#advice

ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah
Balboa Capital, Irvine, California
De Lage Landen, Wayne, Pennsylvania
IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois
Jules and Associates, Los Angeles, California 
LEAF Financial Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marlin Business Leasing, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Marquette Equipment Finance, Midvale, Utah 
Mazuma Capital Corporation, Draper, Utah
Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 
Republic Bank, Bountiful, Utah
Tetra Financial Group, Salt Lake City, Utah

ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah---This company is no longer in business, although its portfolio is being wound down, according to its owner Loni Lowder; the receivables are being collected by creditors. Lowder today is an employee, manager, Stalwart Contract Finance, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Evergreen Clause complaints have not been satisfied, but were when the company was active.


Balboa Capital, Irvine, California---This company had its first Bulletin Board Complaint in 2006. While a new president stated this was no longer the practice, recent bulletin Board Complaints demonstrate the practice continues.
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2012/12_10.htm#bbc
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_22.htm#bbc

De Lage Landen, Wayne, Pennsylvania -- $34,560 in lease payments were collected illegally, although the lease contract had an Evergreen clause that if the lessee did not notify in 90 days before expiration, the payments would continue. It appears this went on for almost three years. The purchase option was 10%.

What makes it even more shameless is a collection agency was involved after payments stopped, but wait, it gets worse: the lessee has settled with the funder and the funder's collection agency, but the lessor, who sold the lease to the funder, De Lage Landen (DLL,) remains in the suit as being party, or “in collusion,” with the Evergreen clause collection matter. The fact is the lessor was not directly involved in the collection of payments or received any remuneration, as well as the suit continues, now solely against the lessor.
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_18.htm#dll

IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois---This company is in bankruptcy, appeared many times in the Leasing News Bulletin Board prior to filing bankruptcy, but engaged in Evergreen Clauses, and unfortunately a recent example is a complaint to the trustee, stemming from M&T Bank lease assignment expiring and notify the lessee that they did not notify about the residual, which was a $1.00. This has happened many times with other banks who have taken over the IFC Credit Corporation portfolio. Calls and letters to the trustee and attorneys have gone unanswered. Bankruptcy was adjudicated in 2013, and it is believed most cases involving leases with funders are resolved.

Jules and Associates, Los Angeles, California--- Jules and Associates, Los Angeles, California---A repeat customer, who notified Jules and Associates on a lease, but was not before the 180 day expiration, so Jules and Associates instead of the 1% due for the residual ($2,308.79) charged six more payments or $40,463.94, and if 1% is not paid in this time, they will be subject to another three months.
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2011/8_29.htm#jules

LEAF Financial Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania---It appears this company is in a more wind down phase, moving its operation of LEAF Commercial Credit with basically the same management. There have been complaints about the Evergreen Clause, including one this year for an Equipment Finance Agreement. Company merged into LEAF Commercial Capital and was sold to People's United Bank, Bridgeport, Connecticut.    

Marlin Business Leasing, Mount Laurel, New Jersey---The actual SEC filings state the profit earned from Evergreen Clause, primarily from copier leases. Bulletin Board Complaints have been received about this practice in addition to the SEC financial statement filings. (9) Marlin Response to posting 


Marquette Equipment Finance, Midvale, Utah --- According to Dorran Sampson, Vice-President/Broker Relations: "Marquette Equipment Finance does not offer an Evergreen product. Our master lease provides for extensions but is negotiated at the schedule level. Notice periods are also negotiated at the schedule level and vary depending on the Lessee’s needs."

When the company was bought and became Pacific Western Equipment Finance (a division of Pacific Western Bank) he maintained the same position. It was noted his old company was still on the list, and a request of his "master lease" was made.

"Our docs are the same as when we were with Marquette. Because we’re public now, it is very difficult to get documents released."

I asked him if he could send to a broker wanting to do business with him, "Sorry, can’t forward to you or your brokerage."

A search of PACER, a national index for U.S. district, bankruptcy and appellate courts brought up a number of Marquette cases, and the first one hit pay dirt: Merchants & Farmers Bank, a Mississippi Corporation versus Marquette Equipment Finance and Applied Financial. It was a similar case and while "dismissed with prejudice" (6), it had the arguments regarding the purchase option and a copy of the complete contract with a similar PPR as with Mazuma Capital:

"(g) Lessee's Options at End of Initial Period. At the end of the Initial Period of any Lease, Lessee shall, provided at least one-hundred-eighty (180) days prior written notice is received by Lessor from Lessee via certified mail, do one of the following: (1) purchase the Property for a price to be determined by Lessor and Lessee, (2) extend the Lease for twelve (12) additional months at the rate specified on the respective Schedule, or (3) return the Property to Lessor at Lessee's expense to a destination within the continental United States specified by Lessor and terminate the Schedule; provided, however, that for option (3) to apply, all accrued but unpaid late charges, interest, taxes, penalties, and any and all other sums due and owing under the Schedule must first be paid in full, the provisions of Sections 6(c) and (d) and 7(c) hereof must be specifically complied with, and Lessee must enter into a new Schedule with Lessor to lease Property which replaces the Property listed on the old Schedule. With respect to options (1) and (3), each party shall have the right in its absolute and sole discretion to accept or reject any terms of purchase or of any new Schedule, as applicable. In the event Lessor and Lessee have not agreed to either option (1) or (3) by the end of the Initial Period or if Lessee fails to give written notice of its option via certified mail at least one-hundred-eighty (180) days prior to the termination of the Initial Period, then option (2) shall apply at the end of the Initial Period. At the end of the extension period provided for in option (2) above, the Lease shall continue in effect at the rate specified in the respective Schedule for successive periods of six (6) months each subject to termination at the end of any such successive six-month renewal period by either Lessor or Lessee giving to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior written notice of termination."

The first option is to purchase the equipment for a price to be determined by Lessor and Lessee and requires a certified letter 180 days prior. This sounds like a fair market purchase option, but the “price to be determined” language means that the Lessor can set any price it wants. This option is illusory in my opinion.

The second option is to continue the lease for an additional 12 months, the “Evergreen” period. No notice of this provision is given to the lessee either in advance of signing or prior to exercising this option. Republic Bank purchases these 12 month extensions in advance of their exercise. How would the bank know that the lessee is going to exercise this option, unless everyone knows it is the only practical option for the lessee to exercise? Republic Bank President Boyd Lindquist confirmed in a telephone call that he “buys” these extensions from Mazuma and has for quite some time.

The third option is to return the equipment, but the clause is draped with the condition that the lessee has to re-lease identical equipment for a similar term. It also has 180 day certified letter requirement, and applies to the second option of 12 months, but also has the clause of an automatic six month option. So what is the point of exercising this option? At the end of this re-lease, there would be the same three identical options, so the lessee would be required to re-lease and re-lease. It’s just like Groundhog Day.

Leasing News is working on obtaining information on other companies so named to add to the list, including follow-up on the master lease for Pacific Western Equipment Finance. If you have a copy, please send and will keep your name “off the record.”

((7) See for Copy of Filing, including contract.) 

Mazuma Capital Corp, Draper, Utah Several routie "end of lease agreements, as alleged in Unified Container and Anderson Dairy (1) "8. The basic scheme involves the inclusion of a purchase, renewal, return (“PRR”) provision in the lease. The lessor assures the customer they will be able to purchase the equipment at the end of the initial term in the lease for a reasonable or nominal price. Often, the lessor promises the equipment can be purchased at a fixed percentage of the total amount financed. However, at the end of the initial lease term, the lessor refuses to honor the agreed upon purchase price or negotiate in good faith regarding a purchase price, but instead, insists the lease automatically renews for an additional term (usually twelve months).

9. The inclusion of the purchase and return options in the lease are entirely illusory and intended only to give the customer the false impression that it can exercise any of the three options at the end of the initial lease term, when in fact, the lessor will only allow an automatic renewal at the end of the initial lease term.) There are other exhibits. This case was settled "out of court."
    (page 3)

H. Jared Belnap, past President & CEO, Mazuma Capital Corp., takes exception on beingon the Evergreen list. His full letter and Leasing News Response is at (5).

Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah --- Onset contract, which contained:

“(Section 20:
n. Lessee's Options at Maturity of Base Period. At the maturity of the Base Period of any Lease, Lessee shall, provided at least one hundred fifty (150) days prior written notice is received by Lessor from Lessee via certified mail, do one of the following: (1) purchase the Property for a price to be determined by Lessor end Lessee, (2) renew the Lease for twelve (12) additional months at the rate specified on the respective Schedule, or (3) terminate the Schedule and return the Properly to Lessor at Lessee's expense to a destination within the continental United States specified by Lessor; provided, however, that for option (3) to apply, all accrued but unpaid late charges, interest, taxes, penalties, and any and all other sums due and owing under the Schedule must first be paid in full, the provisions of Sections 8f, 8g and 7d hereof must be specifically complied with, and Lessee must enter into a new Schedule with Lessor to lease Property which replaces the Property listed on the old Schedule. With respect to options (1) and (3), each party shall have the right in its absolute and sole discretion to accept or reject any terms of purchase or of any new Schedule, as applicable. In the event Lessor end Lessee have not agreed to either option (1) or (3) by the maturity of the Base Period, or if Lessee fails to give written notice of Its option via certified mail at least one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the maturity of the Base Period, or if an Event of Default has occurred under any Lease, then option (2) shall apply at the maturity of the Base Period. At the maturity of the renewal period provided for In option (2) above, the Lease shall continue in effect at the rate specified in the respective Schedule for successive periods of six (6) months each subject to termination at the maturity of any such successive six-month renewal period by either Lessor or Lessee giving to the other party at best thirty (30) days prior written notice of termination." (3)

((8) See for Copy of Onset Contract with PPR purchase option.

Pacific Western Equipment Finance, Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Dorran Sampson, then Vice-President/Broker Relations, Marquette Equipment Finance, now Vice President Broker Relations Pacific Western Equipment Finance told Leasing News when the company was bought and became Pacific Western Equipment Finance (a division of Pacific Western Bank) they maintained the same position as Marquette.

"Our docs are the same as when we were with Marquette. Because we’re public now, it is very difficult to get documents released."

I asked him if he could send to a broker wanting to do business with him, "Sorry, can’t forward to you or your brokerage.

Leasing News has obtained a copy of a Pacific Western Equipment Finance agreement, and confirms the same procedures as their former company Marquette utilized:

“14. LESSEE’S OPTIONS AT END OF INITIAL PERIOD.

At the end of the Initial Period of any Lease, Lessee shall, provided at least one-hundred-eighty (180) days prior written notice is received by Lessor from Lessee via certified mail, do one of the following: (1) purchase the Property for a price to be determined by Lessor and Lessee, (2) extend the Lease for twelve (12) additional months at the rate specified on the respective Schedule, or (3) return the Property to Lessor at Lessee’s expense to a destination within the continental United States specified by Lessor and terminate the Schedule; provided, however, that for option (3) to apply, all accrued but unpaid late charges, interest, taxes, penalties, and any and all other sums due and owing under the Schedule must first be paid in full, the provisions of Sections 6(c) and (d) and 7(c) hereof must be specifically complied with, and Lessee must enter into a new Schedule with Lessor to lease Property which replaces the Property listed on the old Schedule. With respect to options (1) and (3), each party shall have the right in its absolute and sole discretion to accept or reject any terms of purchase or of any new Schedule, as applicable. IN THE EVENT LESSOR AND LESSEE HAVE NOT AGREED TO EITHER OPTION (1) OR (3) BY THE END OF THE INITIAL PERIOD OR IF LESSEE FAILS TO GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE OF ITS OPTION VIA CERTIFIED MAIL AT LEAST ONE-HUNDRED-EIGHTY (180) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION OF THE INITIAL PERIOD, THEN OPTION (2) SHALL APPLY AT THE END OF THE INITIAL PERIOD. At the end of the extension period provided for in option (2) above, the Lease shall continue in effect at the rate specified in the respective Schedule for successive periods of six (6) months each subject to termination at the end of any such successive six (6) month renewal period by either Lessor or Lessee giving to the other party at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of termination” (10) (Also see Marquette listing)

(10) http://leasingnews.org/PDF/PacificWesternEquipmentFinance.pdf

Pacific Western Bank Responds to Evergreen Non-Notification
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2013/3_28.htm#pacwest

Republic Bank, Bountiful, Utah Purchases and participates in extended Evergreen clause agreements.

They are legal in all states, except four states require advance notification be given to the lessee regarding termination of the lease and its residual (Four states: New York Rhode Island, Texas, Illinois (In Illinois, Consumer law, but may affect commercial, especially a proprietorship, partnership or personal guarantee)"

The bank is closed and it appears all cases have been resolved, according to pacer.gov.

Tetra Financial Group, Salt Lake City, Utah Several routine "end of lease agreements, as alleged in Unified Container and Anderson Dairy (1)

“22. Mazuma Capital is associated with Republic Bank and obtains financing for its leases containing PRR provisions from Republic Bank.

23. Like what took place at Amplicon, Inc., the PRR scheme utilized by Matrix, Applied Financial, LLC, Mazuma Capital, Tetra Financial Group, LLC and others has begun to be exposed through litigation and negative press. See Deseret News (2) articles attached hereto as Exhibits B (2) and C. (3)”

Here is a case where New York courts threw out the Evergreen Clause as not legal in New York, even though venue appears to be Utah. (4))

(1) 36 main pdf
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/36main.pdf

(2) Deseret News
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/DeseretNewsarticle.pdf

(3) Exhibit C
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ExhibitCDeseret.pdf

(4) Salon Management case
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/SalonManagement.pdf

(5) Mazuma Takes Exception on Being on Evergreen List
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2012/7_30.htm#mazuma

(6) Order to Dismiss with Prejudice
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Marquette_order_dismiss.pdf

(7) Copy of filing, including contract
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Maquette.pdf

(8) Copy of Onset Contract with PPR purchase option
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/OnsetContract.pdf

(9) Marlin Response to posting.
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2012/7_13.htm#response

 

Companies who notify lessee in advance of lease expiration
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/lease_expiration.html

 

 

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

Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Now’s the Time to Apply

We are looking for: Account Executive Senior Account Executive National Sales Manager 2018 Interns for Sales, Operations, or Accounting What sets CoreTech apart from other equipment leasing companies is our team members and impeccable reputation. Are you unhappy with the ethics of your company and the promises made to you? Join our team, positions are available in Newport Beach, CA and remotely. To learn more, please click here www.coretechleasing.com CoreTech specializes in assisting medium to large size companies throughout various markets including: Legal, Medical, Manufacturing, Education, Corporate and Semi-Conductor Over 100 law firms trust CoreTech for their leasing needs, why wouldn't you?

 

The CLFP Foundation Adds 19 Members
After Two Internal Academies

The first two Certified Lease and Finance Professional Finance Internal Academies of the year added nineteen new equipment finance professionals who gained the CLFP Designation in February and March.  An Internal Academies means they are hosted by the company and only internal employees were invited.  Both exams were hosted by Canon Financial Services and Amur Equipment Finance.

There are currently 539 active Certified Lease and Finance Professionals and Associates in the United States, Canada and Australia. The foundation is endorsed by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, and National Equipment Finance Association.

The news CLFPs are:

Stacy Allen, CLFP
Senior Sales Coordinator
Amur Equipment Finance

Bryan Anderson, CLFP
National Account Manager
Amur Equipment Finance

McKayla Anderson, CLFP
Senior Credit Analyst
Amur Equipment Finance

Cathy Archer, CLFP
Accounting Supervisor
Amur Equipment Finance

Eric Bicknase, CLFP
Senior Account Manager

Don Bryson, CLFP
Director of IT
Canon Financial Services, Inc.

Joe Carr, CLFP
IT Business Analyst
Canon Financial Services, Inc.

Jacob Conlon, CLFP
Senior Manager, Corporate IT
Canon Financial Services, Inc.

Mike Coon, CLFP
Vice President, Syndications
Amur Equipment Finance

David Cramer, CLFP
IT Systems Administrator
Amur Equipment Finance

Shauna Heckathorn, CLFP
Chief Financial Officer
Amur Equipment Finance

Rob Hollenbeck, CLFP
IT Architect
Canon Financial Services

Jacklynn Manning, CLFP
Vice President of Marketing
Amur Equipment Finance

Daniel Marquette, CLFP
Senior Account Manager
Amur Equipment Finance

Casey Mitchell, CLFP
Senior Vice President of Sales
Amur Equipment Finance

Nate Pfeifer, CLFP
Manager, Credit
Amur Equipment Finance

David Rabinovitz, CLFP
Vice President, Syndications
Amur Equipment Finance

Brian Shinkle, CLFP
Senior IT Architect
Canon Financial Services

Seth Yount, CLFP
Corporate Counsel
Amur Equipment Finance

Mrs. Manning, Vice President, Amur Equipment Finance, stated, “In an effort to achieve a level of expertise and proficiency beyond that of a ‘standard’ marketer within the industry, I chose to pursue the CLFP designation. This provided me the opportunity to grow and enhance my skills of the leasing and finance industry and will allow me to use this knowledge as a tool to develop strategic and diverse programmatic omnichannel marketing while at Amur Equipment Finance.”

The CLFP designation is the only certification for the Equipment Finance Industry. there are currently 539 active Certified Lease & Finance Professionals and Associates in the United States, Canada and Australia. For more information, call Executive Director Reid Raykovich, CLFP at (206) 535-6281 or visit http://www.CLFPFoundation.org.

Companies with More than Two Employees
 Certified Leasing and Finance Professionals

First American Equipment Finance, a City National Bank Company	72
Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., an Umpqua Bank Company	25
AP Equipment Financing	19
Ascentium Capital	18
Amur Equipment Finance	18
BB&T Commercial Equipment Capital Corp.	16
ECS Financial Services, Inc.	12
Ivory Consulting Corporation	12
Orion First Financial LLC	11
Arvest Bank	9
Celtic Commercial Finance	9
Northland Capital Financial Services	9
Bank of the West	8
Canon Financial Services, Inc	8
KLC Financial, Inc.	8
Marlin Business Bank	8
BMO Financial Group	7
BancorpSouth Equipment Finance	6
Beacon Funding Corporation	6
Great American Insurance	6
GreatAmerica Financial Services	6
Hanmi Bank	6
Stearns Bank NA-Equipment Finance Division	6
BSB Leasing, Inc.	4
Commerce Bank	4
DLL	4
Key Equipment Finance	4
Blue Street Capital, LLC	3
Clune & Company LC	3
Diversified Capital Credit Corporation	3
First National Capital	3
FSG Capital Inc.	3
Innovative Lease Services, Inc.	3
International Decision Systems	3
LeaseTeam Inc.	3
Oakmont Capital Services LLC	3
Provident Equipment Leasing	3
Quality Leasing Co. Inc.	3
Tamarack Consulting, Inc	3
Alliance Funding Group	2
ComCo-OneWorld Equipment Finance	2
Dakota Financial, LLC	2
Direct Capital a CIT company	2
Finance Capital	2
First Foundation Bank	2
Fleet Advantage, LLC	2
Great Falls Capital Partners dba Pinnacle Capital	2
Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC	2
NCMIC Finance Corporation	2
Pacifica Capital	2
Padco Financial Services, Inc.	2
Partners Capital Group	2
Patriot Capital Corporation a Division of State Bank & Trust Company	2
Portfolio Financial Servicing Company	2
Providence Capital Funding, Inc.	2
Summit Funding Group, Inc.	2
TEQLease, Inc.	2
Western Equipment Finance	2

  

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

Having repeatedly stated his discontent about his country’s role in world trade, U.S. President Trump is currently pushing for a more protectionist policy, threatening to impose tariffs on imported goods. Next to China, the largest import partner of the United States, and the country’s neighbors to the North and South, the European Union stands to lose the most if the current tensions should escalate into a full-blown trade war.

Europe’s car industry should be particularly worried, as Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on passenger car imports from the EU more than once in the past. In fact, the European Union is currently imposing higher tariffs on American cars (10%) than the U.S. is on most European cars (2.5%), contributing but not causing the United States’ negative trade balance in the automobile sector.

By Felix Richter, Statista.com

https://www.statista.com/chart/13248/us-import-partners-for-cars/

 

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

There are 41 states that impose a tax on personal property.
http://www.avptc.com/avptc_state_tax_sites.html

Advanced Property Tax Compliance was started in late 2004 by Gary DiLillo and Don Martin. The goal of the company is to provide the best business personal property tax compliance service in the industry.

All services are provided at an operations center in Carrollton, TX. All tax work is done by licensed tax agents and in total the company has over 70 years’ experience working with personal property taxes. All employees of the firm only work on personal property tax compliance. Each Client is assigned a tax agent who is the main interface with the Client. The tax agent discusses client assets with assessors, signs the returns, reconciles the tax bills, and initiates the tax payment process. Support personnel work in the mail room and the document scanning area. All hard copy documents are scanned, verified and shredded after a short retention period. This virtual "paperless" operation improves efficiencies by eliminating paper shuffling, and all documents are forever "tied" to the client and their assets via the software.

Lease Management Software Interfaces

"If you are a Leasing Company, Advanced Property Tax Compliance can accept data files exported from any lease management software. Likewise we can create billing files that meet the import requirements of the lease management softwares. We have created files for LeasePlus, IDS InfoLease or ProFinia, Oracle, SAP, Classic, TurboLease, IFS, Odessa, NetSol LeasePak, and SFFA software to name a few.

"Additionally, we can accept files created in any standard e-file format, and create files for asset management or accounting softwares."

Testimonials:
http://www.avptc.com/avptc_testimonials.html

 

 

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

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

Anti-Hacking Oasis Technology’s TITAN Data Warehouse
Now Optimized for Full AI and BOT Analysis

(CAMARILLO, CALIF) – Oasis Technology, provider of the leading TITAN anti-hacking device, announces the new NOC availability of the TITAN data warehouse.

Since its rollout, TITAN has blocked over 23 billion world-wide hack attempts at multiple installations.  To date, no hacking attempt (DDOS, ransomware or otherwise) has penetrated any of the TITAN installations.

George Baldonado,
President, CEO of Oasis Technology
(with the company's Titan anti-hacking device)

“The beauty of this solution is that TITAN works seamlessly with all existing firewalls," Baldonado says. "Firewalls make decisions on smaller data samples and patterns, sometimes on the basis of hours.  The TITAN device makes decisions on larger data samples and patterns, in the order of many days.  The TITAN data warehouse can now help the TITAN unit make decisions bases upon many months of patterns across multiple customers,” stated Mr. George Baldonado, President and CEO of Oasis Technology.

“This new addition takes the TITAN solution from a device solution to a hybrid device and cloud solution that seamlessly integrates with any network.  This makes the combination of any firewall, the TITAN unit, and the TITAN data warehouse the complete intrusion protection solution for any company, group, or organization.”,

Since inception, the TITAN system has been aggregating all attack attempts into its data warehouse repository.

This very large data repository provides a basis for full analysis of all intrusion attempts, regardless of customer or date. 

Initial AI analysis of the data warehouse has helped TITAN customers pinpoint leaking firewalls that were broadcasting internal traffic to the outside.

Additionally, analysis of the broad spectrum of data has allowed TITAN to remotely install additional rules to protect TITAN customers.

This new feature takes the TITAN device from a device into a fully combined device-and-cloud- based solution.

www.oasistechnology.com

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

Labrador Retriever Mix
Chicago, Illinois  Adopt-a-Dog

Peggy
Female
5 Years  old
Weight: 76.36 lbs.
Location: Lincoln Park Adoption Center

"Peggy and her companion, Maple, would love to meet you. They would do best in a moderately active home with children 15+.

Please visit Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center,
1997 Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
773-935-7297 (PAWS)
Sat & Sun: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Mon-Fri: 12 - 7 p.m.

All PAWS Chicago dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped,
 and have up-to-date on shots based on age and arrival date.

Adoption Process:
http://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/pet-adoption/adoption-process/

Email us:
adoptions@pawschicago.org

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

 

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

Updated

Twelve Attorneys Against Evergreen Abuse

The original intention of the Evergreen clause in an equipment leasing contract was to have an alternative to when the lessee did not exercise the residual at the end of the contract. Often the clause calls for an automatic additional twelve months when the residual is not resolved.

In most cases, the lessor notifies the lessee that the residual will be due, often ninety days in advance. However, often there is nothing in the contract that requires the lessor to notify the lessee regarding the expiration of the contract.

Contrarily, many small ticket lessors do not notify the lessee, and automatically continue the lease, often via an ACH or continued billing, which often goes unnoticed until many payments have already been made.

Leasing News would like to see an industry standard that lessees are notified in advance of the expiration of their contract regarding its termination. We support the clause, and the notification requirement is wide open, meaning 90, 60, even 30 days and by telephone or mail.

This list of attorneys agrees with this and will be available to lessees, sometimes able to help them without a fee, or at a reduced rate, in an effort to end the abuse of Evergreen clause leases.

Joseph G. Bonanno, Esq., CLFP
Attorney at Law, Massachusetts
Andover Landing at Brickstone
300 Brickstone Square, Ste. 201
Andover, MA 01810
Tel: (781)328-1010
Fax: (781) 827-0866
Email: law@jgbesq.com
"Industry expert witness in litigation, numerous authored and
co-authored published articles and conducting educational
seminars. Very well-known in the industry."

Jim Coston
Coston & Coston LLC
105 W. Adams Street
Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 205-1010
jcoston@costonlaw.com
(In 1998, he was elected to the United Association of Equipment
Leasing Board of Directors, and in 2003-04 was the first
attorney to become UAEL President, very active in his political party.)

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Schultz & Associates LLP
640 Cepi Drive, Suite A
Chesterfield, MO 63005
(636) 537-4645 x108
(636) 537-2599 (fax)
www.sl-lawyers.com
(Proven Leasing Litigator, well respected by all sides)

Ronald P. Gossett
Gossett & Gossett, P.A.
400 Seridan Street, Building I
Hollywood, Florida
954-983-2828
Fax: 954-983-2850
rongossett@gossettlaw.com
(Many cases including NorVergence, Brican, among others, a winner)

Ken Greene
Law Offices of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
Skype: 424.235.1658
kenlaw100@gmail.com
(Ken was involved in the formation of Leasing News and
represented it (pro bono) in the early days.)

Peter S. Hemar, Esq.
Hemar & Associates, Attorneys at Law
2001 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Telephone: (310) 829-1948
Fax: (310) 829-1352
phemar@hemar.com
(My firm supports the clause giving lessees advance 
notice of the expiration of their contract.)

Brandon J. Mark
Attorney at Law, Admitted in Utah and Oregon
Parsons Behle & Latimer
201 South Main Street, Suite 1800
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Direct Dial 801.536.6958
Facsimile 801.536.6111
www.parsonsbehle.com
BMark@parsonsbehle.com
(His firm represents banks who buy leases, and his
clients refuse to buy these types of leases.)

Barry S. Marks
MARKS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Financial Center - Suite 1615
505 North 20th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
P. O. Box 11386
Birmingham, Alabama 35202
barry@leaselawyer.com
www.leaselawyer.com
205.251.8303
fax 278.8905 (Direct) 251.8305 (Main)
(Well-known to the leasing industry, also Alabama Poet)

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ste. 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Voice: (213) 617-6129
Fax: (213) 625-1832
Cell: (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
(Leasing News Advisor/Leasing News Legal Editor,
Well-Known top Leasing Litigator)

Frank Peretore
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi
West Orange, New Jersey
http://www.csglaw.com/biographies/frank-peretore 
Phone 973-530-2058
fperetore@csglaw.com
(Experienced leasing attorney, aggressive, author, active
National Equipment Finance Association, ELFA, too)

Kevin E. Trabaris, Partner
Culhane Meadows PLLC
30 S. Wacker Drive, 22nd floor
Chicago, IL  60606
Telephone:  847-840-4687
Email:  ktrabaris@culhanemeadows.com
llflegal.com/attorneys/kevin-trabaris
"In my career, I’ve repeatedly seen this provision misused
by unscrupulous lessors and think it’s a bad idea for both
the lessee and the lessor."

Michael J. Witt, Esq.
MICHAEL J. WITT LAW OFFICES
4342 Oakwood Lane
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Tel: (515) 657-8706
Mobile: (515) 868-1067
Fax: (515) 223-2352
email: MWitt@Witt-Legal.com
 Web:  www.witt-legal.com
(Former Advanta Leasing
and Wells Fargo Equipment Finance attorney)

 

News Briefs----

National debt hits $21T for first time ever
  $1 Trillion Rise since September
https://nypost.com/2018/03/19/national-debt-hits-21t-for-first-time-ever/

Trucks carry smaller share of NAFTA freight in 2017
     but still haul most of it
http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=71962#.WrGjK5ch1jU

Major Canadian Bank Files Patent To Make Credit Scores
     ‘Transparent’ Via Blockchain
https://cointelegraph.com/news/major-canadian-bank-files-patent-to-make-credit-scores-transparent-via-blockchain 

What equipment categories hot or not
http://thealtagroup.com/what-equipment-categories-are-hot-or-not-construction-assets-reign-for-five-years-straight/

We are looking for: Account Executive Senior Account Executive National Sales Manager 2018 Interns for Sales, Operations, or Accounting What sets CoreTech apart from other equipment leasing companies is our team members and impeccable reputation. Are you unhappy with the ethics of your company and the promises made to you? Join our team, positions are available in Newport Beach, CA and remotely. To learn more, please click here www.coretechleasing.com CoreTech specializes in assisting medium to large size companies throughout various markets including: Legal, Medical, Manufacturing, Education, Corporate and Semi-Conductor Over 100 law firms trust CoreTech for their leasing needs, why wouldn't you?

 

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

You May Have Missed---

When Amazon is Willing to Lose Money,
   Grocers Are in Trouble
https://www.barrons.com/articles/when-amazons-willing-to-lose-money-grocers-are-in-trouble-1521569742

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

Basketball Poem

 Winner vs Loser

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

The Winner is always part of the answer;
The Loser is always part of the problem. 
The Winner is always has a program;
The Loser always has an excuse. 
The Winner says,"Let me do it for you;
The Loser says;" That is not my job." 
The Winner sees an answer for every problem;
The Loser sees a problem for every answer. 
The Winner says," It may be difficult but it is possible";
The Loser says,"It may be possible but it is too difficult." 
When a Winner makes a mistake, he says," I was wrong";
When a Loser makes a mistake, he says," It wasn't my fault." 
A Winner makes commitments;
A Loser makes promises. 
Winners have dreams;
Loser have schemes. 
Winners say," I must do something";
Losers say,"Something must be done." 
Winners are a part of the team;
Losers are apart from the team. 
Winners see the gain;
Losers see the pain. 
Winners see possibilities;
Losers see problems. 
Winners believe in win/win; 
Losers believe for them to win someone has to lose.
Winners see the potential;
Losers see the past. 
Winners are like a thermostat;
Losers are like thermometers. 
Winners choose what they say;
Losers say what they choose. 
Winners use hard arguments but soft words;
Losers use soft arguments but hard words. 
Winners stand firm on values but compromise on petty things;
Losers stand firm on petty things but compromise on values. Winners follow the philosophy of empathy: "Don't do to others what you would, not want them to do to you";
Losers follow the philosophy, "Do it to others before they do it to you."

Winners make it happen;
Losers let it happen.

 

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

 

Sports Briefs---

Joe Montana touts benefits of cannabis for NFL players
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/03/20/joe-montana-says-marijuana-eased-his-pain/

Inside Giants’ draft thinking, which is leaning away from a QB
https://nypost.com/2018/03/20/inside-giants-draft-thinking-which-is-leaning-away-from-a-qb/

Richard Sherman expresses “concern” Eric Reid remains unsigned
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/20/richard-sherman-expresses-concern-eric-reid-remains-unsigned/

Raiders roster turning over quickly with Gruden in town
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/raiders-roster-turning-over-quickly-150737280.html

Bears match offer sheet for Fuller, sign him to 4-year deal
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/03/20/bears-match-offer-sheet-for-fuller-sign-him-to-4-year-deal/33126801/

Another New Football League Says It Will Start Play in 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/sports/football/alliance-of-american-football.html

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

California Nuts Briefs---

On trial for causing climate change,
  oil companies don’t plan to deny it’s happening
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article206025399.html#emlnl=Alerts_Newsletter 

CalPERS won't pull its money out of gun sellers.
  Here's what it's doing instead
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article205536294.html#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter

Exclusive: Facebook eyes Sunnyvale office complex for huge expansion
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/03/20/facebook-eyes-sunnyvale-office-complex-for-huge-expansion/

 

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

“Gimme that Wine”

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

How Two Italians Achieved a 200-Year-Old Dream of Virginian Wine
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/first-virginia-winery-barboursville

Bordeaux 2006: Which wines have aged well?
http://www.decanter.com/premium/bordeaux-2006-wines-aged-well-386437/

Why This Master of Wine Moved from Napa to the Finger Lakes
http://www.foodandwine.com/wine-regions/new-york/finger-lakes-wine-nova-cadamatre

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

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

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

This Day in History

     1595 – Pocahontas (d. 1617), known as Amonute, and later known as Rebecca Rolfe, daughter of Powhatan, was born Matoaka, near the Tidewater region in Virginia.  She helped to foster good will between the colonists of the Jamestown settlement and her people. Early histories established that Pocahontas befriended Capt. John Smith and the Jamestown colony. Pocahontas often went to the settlement and played games with the boys there.  When the colonists were starving, "every once in four or five days, Pocahontas with her attendants brought him [Smith] so much provision that saved many of their lives that else for all this had starved with hunger.”  Pocahontas converted to Christianity, was baptized with the name Rebecca and married John Rolfe on April 5, 1614. In 1616, she accompanied Rolfe on a trip to his native England, where she was regarded as an overseas "ambassador." Pocahontas's stay in England drew so much attention to the Virginia Company's Jamestown settlement that lotteries were held to help support the colony. Shortly before she was scheduled to return to Jamestown, Pocahontas died at Gravesend, Kent, England, of either smallpox or pneumonia. She was buried in a church in Gravesend in the United Kingdom, but the exact location of her grave is unknown.  According to Atlantic Magazine, the Indians had no immune system to ward off European diseases, including smallpox and pneumonia.
    1713 - Birthday of Francis Lewis (d. 1802), signer of the Declaration of Independence, born at Llandaff, Wales. He was a member of the Committee of Sixty, a member of the New York Provincial Congress, and was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1778, he signed the United States Articles of Confederation. From 1779 to 1780, Lewis served as the Chairman of the Continental Board of Admiralty. His house in Whitestone, Queens, was destroyed by the British and his wife kidnapped, dying shortly thereafter, and he died in poverty, having lost everything.  Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens is named for him.
http://www.francislewis.com/
    1791 - Captain Hopley Yeaton of New Hampshire became the first commissioned officer in Revenue Cutter Service.
    1851 - Yosemite Valley was discovered by non-natives in California. The 58 men of the Mariposa Battalion under Major James D. Savage were the first whites to enter Yosemite Valley. Their first view of the valley was from the plateau later named Mount Beatitude. They expelled Chief Tenaya and his band of Ahwahneechee Indians. Dr. Bunnell, a physician in the battalion, named the valley Yosemite to honor the local Indians. He did not realize that the word “yohemeti” meant “some of them are killers” and was an insult against the valley people.
    1859 – The first zoo in the US, the Philadelphia Zoo, was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Its opening was delayed by the Civil War until July 1, 1874. It opened with 1,000 animals and an admission price of 25 cents.  For a brief time, the zoo also housed animals brought over from safari on behalf of the Smithsonian which had not yet built the National Zoo.    
    1864 - Nevada and Colorado territories admitted into the Union.
    1865 - Battle of Bentonville ends, last Confederate effort to stop Sherman.
    1869 - Birthday of Florenz Ziegfield (d. 1932), legendary showman, Chicago.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar21.html
    1882 - Birthday of Bascom Lunsford (d. 1973) at Mars Hill, NC.  Folk song writer and folklorist who authored the folk song "Mountain Dew," Lunsford started the first folk music festival in 1928 at Asheville, NC. This event, which led to the formation of the National Clogging and Hoedown Council, is held to this day. He was known as the "father of clogging dance" and the "king of folk music." He recorded some 320 folk songs, tunes and stories for the Library of Congress.
    1910 - American vintner Julio Gallo (d. 1993) was born at Oakland, CA. He is best known for his role in the Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery, of Modesto, CA, which at one time claimed about 26 percent of the US wine industry.
    1916 - Frank James Marshall of New York City met 105 local players at the National Press Club, Washington DC. He played them all simultaneously, winning a total of 82 games, lost 8, and drew 15.
    1917 - Loretta Walsh, age 18, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was sworn in as chief yeoman. She is the first woman to become a petty officer in the U.S. Navy
    1918 - Pianist Sir Charles Thompson (d. 2016) born Springfield, Ohio.
http://www.delmark.com/delmark.450.htm
    1918 – In the Second Battle of Somme, until April 4, over 500,000 men lost their lives. General Erich Ludendorff launched the Michael offensive, the biggest German offensive of 1918 with a five-hour artillery barrage. The Central Powers objective was to drive a wedge between the British and French forces and drive the British to the sea. Although they did not accomplish this objective, in the south they captured Montdidier and advanced to a depth of 40 miles. They managed to create a bulge in the front south of Somme and end what had effectively been a stalemate. The Allies lost nearly 230,000 men and the Germans almost as many in the Battle of Somme.
    1928 - President Calvin Coolidge gives the Congressional Medal of Honor to Charles Lindbergh for his first trans-Atlantic flight. 
    1932 - A tornado swarm occurred in the Deep South. Between late afternoon and early the next morning severe thunderstorms spawned 31 tornadoes in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. The tornadoes killed 334 persons and injured 1784 others. Northern Alabama was hardest hit. Tornadoes in Alabama killed 286 persons and caused five million dollars damage.
    1934 - Babe Didriksen, perhaps the greatest women athlete of all time, pitched one inning of baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics in an exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Babe hit the first batter she faced and walked the next. The third hit into a triple play.
    1938 - Eddie Duchin, with Pat Normal vocal, records “ Ol’ Man Mose”
    1939 - A song, written by Irving Berlin in 1918 as a tribute by a successful immigrant to his adopted country, was recorded by Kate Smith for Victor Records on this day. Ms. Smith had introduced the song on Armistice Day, November 11, 1938, at the New York World’s Fair. It was a fitting tribute to its composer, who gave all royalties from the very popular and emotional "God Bless America" to the Boy Scouts. The song became Kate Smith’s second signature after "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain" and the second national anthem of the United States of America
    1946 - Trombonist Dicky Wells Big Seven records “ Drag Nasty.”
http://blackhistory.eb.com/micro/727/45.html
    1946 - One year before Jackie Robinson began playing major league baseball, Kenny Washington broke the NFL’s color line. Washington signed a contract to play for the Los Angeles Rams.
http://www.africana.com/Utilities/Content.html?&../cgi-bin/banner.pl?banner=
Lifestyle%20&../Articles/tt_216.htm
    1952 - Top Hits
“Cry” - Johnnie Ray
“Wheel of Fortune” - Kay Starr
“Anytime” - Eddie Fisher
(When You Feel like You’re in Love) “Don’t Just Stand There” - Carl Smith
    1952 - At the Cleveland Arena, influential DJ Alan Freed holds what is today considered the first true "rock and roll concert," as his Moondog Coronation Ball features Billy Ward and the Dominoes, Tiny Grimes, and Paul Williams and the Hucklebuckers. With ten thousand attendees (and twice that many outside, waiting to get in), the local police shut the concert down prematurely for fire code violations, causing a near-riot.
    1953 - Patti Page's "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?" hits #1
    1955 - No. 1 Billboard hit: “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,'' Bill Hayes.
    1956 - Rock 'n' Roll pioneer Carl Perkins received four broken ribs and a broken shoulder in a car accident that killed his brother Jay while the two were on their way the way to appear on “The Perry Como Show” in New York. Perkins would spend several months in the hospital and by the time he is well, Elvis Presley had covered his song, "Blue Suede Shoes."
    1956 - The 28th Academy Awards were celebrated at the RKO Pantages Theater, Los Angeles, California. Hosting the festivities were comedian/actor/singer/producer Jerry Lewis in Hollywood, plus actress Claudette Colbert and writer/producer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz in New York City. "Marty," produced by Harold Hecht, was a big winner: Best Picture; Best Director (Delbert Mann); Best Actor (Ernest Borgnine); and Best Writing/Screenplay (Paddy Chayefsky). Best Actress was Anna Magnani for "The Rose Tattoo;" Best Supporting Actor was Jack Lemmon for "Mister Roberts;" Best Supporting Actress was Jo Van Fleet for "East of Eden;" and Best Music/Song to Sammy Fain (music), Paul Francis Webster (lyrics) for "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" from "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing." 1955 was a great year for other great movies, too: "Picnic;" "Bad Day at Black Rock;" "The Man with the Golden Arm;" "Rebel Without a Cause;" "Pete Kelly’s Blues;" "The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell;" "The Seven Little Foys;" "Blackboard Jungle;" "To Catch a Thief;" "The Bridges at Toko-Ri."
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0148661.html
    1960 - Top Hits
The Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith
“Wild One” - Bobby Rydell
“Puppy Love” - Paul Anka
“He’ll Have to Go” - Jim Reeves
    1963 – Alcatraz, the world's most secure prison, closes. Only one man ever escaped the island in San Francisco Bay in 30 years -- only to be arrested when reaching the mainland.
    1964 - Singer Judy Collins made her debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City and established herself “in the front rank of American balladeers.” She would first hit the Top 40 in 1968 with "Both Sides Now", a Joni Mitchell song. Her versions of "Amazing Grace" and "Send in the Clowns" also became classics. 
    1964 - The Beatles replaced one Billboard chart topper with another when "She Loves You" took over from "I Want To Hold Your Hand."
    1965 - More than 3,000 civil rights demonstrators led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., began a four-day march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, Alabama to demand federal protection of voting rights. There were violent attempts by local police, using fire hoses and dogs, to suppress the march. A march two weeks before on Mar 7, was called "Bloody Sunday" because of the use of night sticks, chains and electric cattle prods against the marchers by the police. As a young news editor for KFRC radio in San Francisco, I interviewed live marchers, plus recorded interviews with sheriff spokesmen, who were surprised that a San Francisco radio station would be interested in the event and their comments were quite candid. I had interviewed Dr. King, Jr., several times, but he was at the lead of the demonstration and could not come to the telephone booth on the parade route. The marchers were also not allowed bathroom privileges, food and water were also a problem, and there was no television coverage in those days, plus film camera were held off by the local police. This was the beginning of true equality for Black people in all parts of the United States.
    1967 - HOSKING, CHARLES ERNEST, JR., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 March 1967. Entered service at: Fort Dix, N.J. Born: 12 May 1924, Ramsey, N.J. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. M/Sgt. Hosking (then Sfc.), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While M/Sgt. Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from M/Sgt. Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of 2 Americans and 2 Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, M/Sgt. Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong's back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a "Bear Hug" forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier's chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy's body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both M/Sgt. Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or serious injury. M/Sgt. Hosking's risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty is in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
    1968 - Top Hits
(Sittin’ On) “The Dock of the Bay” - Otis Redding
“Love is Blue” - Paul Mauriat
“Simon Says” - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
“A World of Our Own” - Sonny James
    1969 - JOHNSTON, DONALD R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 March 1969. Entered service at: Columbus, Ga. Born: 19 November 1947, Columbus, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Johnston distinguished himself while serving as a mortar man with Company D, at a fire support base in Tay Ninh Province. Sp4c. Johnston's company was in defensive positions when it came under a devastating rocket and mortar attack. Under cover of the bombardment, enemy sappers broke through the defensive perimeter and began hurling explosive charges into the main defensive bunkers. Sp4c. Johnston and 6 of his comrades had moved from their exposed positions to 1 of the bunkers to continue their fight against the enemy attackers. As they were firing from the bunker, an enemy soldier threw 3 explosive charges into their position. Sensing the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Johnston, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself onto the explosive charges, smothering the detonations with his body and shielding his fellow soldiers from the blast. His heroic action saved the lives of 6 of his comrades. Sp4c. Johnston's concern for his fellow men at the cost of his life were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1970 - The Beatles established a new record. "Let It Be" entered the "Billboard" chart at number six. This was the highest debuting position ever for a record. "Let It Be" reached number two a week later and made it to the top spot on April 11, overshadowing Simon & Garfunkel’s "Bridge over Troubled Water."
    1970 – “ABC" by the Jackson Five is released. The song is the group's second hit and also their second hit to go to #1!
    1973 - Frank Mahovlich of the Montreal Canadiens scored the 500th goal of his career in a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Mahovlich finished his career with 533 goals and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.
    1975 - No. 1 Billboard hit: “My Eyes Adored You,'' by Frankie Valli. The song helps revive the careers of both Valli and his former group, the Four Seasons. The group has its fifth No. 1 single, “December 1963 (Oh What a Night),'' exactly one year after “My Eyes Adored You.''
    1976 - Top Hits
December 1963 (“Oh, What a Night”) - The Four Seasons
“Dream Weaver” - Gary Wright
“Lonely Night” (Angel Face) - Captain & Tennille
“Faster Horses” (The Cowboy and the Poet) - Tom T. Hall
    1980 - President Jimmy Carter announces that, in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan started in December 1979, the US will boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. It is the only time that the US has boycotted the Olympics. It does not stop the Russians in Afghanistan and it hurts the Olympics.
    1981 - New wave pop rockers, Blondie, enter the soul LPs chart with "Autoamerican," which peaks at #7 in 25 weeks on the chart. It has climbed to #7 on the pop chart. One song off the album, "Rapture" is one of the first big crossover raps hits. It's goes to Number One for two weeks and another tune "The Tide is High" makes to the head of the class as well.
    1984 - No. 1 Billboard hit: “Jump,'' by Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen writes the music for “Jump'' two years before band member David Lee Roth agrees to write the lyrics and record it.
    1984 - Top Hits
“Jump” - Van Halen
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” - Cyndi Lauper
“Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
“Elizabeth” - The Statler Brothers
    1984 - John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, dedicates a section of New York City's Central Park as a place of meditation called Strawberry Fields. Every December 9, thousands of fans converge on the spot to remember her last husband, who was murdered by a deranged fan on that day in 1980.
    1986 - Debi Thomas becomes the first black woman to win the gold medal in a world skating competition.
    1988 - Bitterly cold weather prevailed across the northeastern U.S. Portland, ME reported their coldest spring day of record with a morning low of 5 above, and an afternoon high of just 21 degrees. Marquette, MI reported a record low of 15 degrees below zero.
    1989 - Madonna's "Like A Prayer" LP is released.
    1990 - The first full day of spring was a cold one for the eastern U.S. Freezing temperatures damaged 62 percent of the peach crop in upstate South Carolina, and 72 percent of the peach crop in the ridge area of South Carolina. Elkins, WV, which a week earlier reported a record high of 82 degrees, was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 16 degrees.
   1992 - Intense snow squalls associated with a stalled cold front and a "norlun" instability trough buried Kennebunkport, Maine under 14 inches of snow in only 4 hours. Goose Rocks Beach reported an amazing two feet in the same time period. Portland, Maine recorded 4 inches of snow in just one hour with a total of 11.4 inches. Nearly 6 inches of snow fell in one hour in the Beverly, Massachusetts area, resulting in a 27 car pileup on route 128 and the closing down of the route for 1.5 hours.
    1994 - Actress/Comedienne Whoopi Goldberg hosted the 66th Annual Academy Awards show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The film that was created so the world would never forget the Holocaust -- the inhumanity of mankind to other humans -- received the highest honors this evening. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) awarded "Schindler’s List," nominated in no less than 12 categories, with seven Oscars: beginning with Best Writing/Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Stephen Zaillian); Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Allan Starski, Ewa Braun); Best Cinematography (Janusz Kaminski); Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn); Best Music/Original Score (John Williams); Best Director (Steven Spielberg); and culminating with Best Picture (Producers Steven Spielberg, Gerald R. Molen and Branko Lustig). "Schindler’s List" was not the only film to receive multiple golden statuettes. "Philadelphia" (nominated five times) scored two awards, Best Actor (Tom Hanks) and Best Music/Song, "Streets of Philadelphia" to Bruce Springsteen. "The Piano" (nominated in eight categories) won both Best Actress (Holly Hunter)and Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin), and Best Writing/Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Jane Campion); "Jurassic Park" received the Best Sound award (Gary Summers, Gary Rydstrom, Shawn Murphy, Ron Judkins), the Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing award (Gary Rydstrom, Richard Hymns), and the Best Effects, Visual Effects award (Dennis Muren, Stan Winston, Phil Tippett, Michael Lantieri). Tommy Lee Jones picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for "The Fugitive," a film nominated in seven categories.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0149895.html
Oscar went to Sandy Powell for "Shakespeare in Love".) Gwyneth Paltrow, e    1995 - Top Hits
“Take A Bow”- Madonna 
“Candy Rain”- Soul For Real 
“Creep”- TLC 
“Red Light Special”- TLC
    1999 - The 71st Annual Academy Awards ceremony was hosted comedienne Whoopi Goldberg, who modeled the beautiful, and sometimes bizarre, costumes from the movies nominated in the Best Costume Design category. (And the emotionally accepted the Best Actress Oscar for her role in "Shakespeare in Love." The film with 13 nominations and seven wins including the upset win of Best Picture of the 1998 year; Best Supporting Actress (Dame Judi Dench); Best Writing/Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard); Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Martin Childs, Jill Quertier); and Best Music/Original Musical or Comedy Score (Stephen Warbeck). This was the first time in nine years that the film that won Best Picture did not win for Best Director. Steven Spielberg was the winning director for "Saving Private Ryan" (which also won four more of the golden statuettes). Best Supporting Actor Oscar was awarded to James Coburn ("Affliction"), his first Academy Award nomination in over 70 films. It was the longest running Academy Award ceremony to date, including Sophia Loren, who said, “and the Oscar goes to Roberto!” (Best Actor: La Vita è bella - Roberto Benigni). In plain English, "Life is Beautiful." Roberto Benigni was the first actor in a foreign language film to receive an Oscar. Coincidentally, Ms. Loren had been the first actress to be so honored. Benigni had received an Oscar earlier in the evening for Best Foreign Film ("Life is Beautiful") when he pirouetted on top of seat backs, hopping and dancing to the stage.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774113.html
    2000 - Top Hits
“Say My Name” - Destiny’s Child
“Maria Maria” - Santana Featuring The Product G 
“Amazed” - Lonestar 
“Breathe” - Faith Hill
    2004 - George Michael scored his fifth UK #1 album with "Patience."
    2006 - After a six-year legal battle, the three surviving daughters of African musician Solomon Linda are awarded one-quarter of all future royalties from the Tokens' 1961 hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The court ruled that the song, which the Tokens adapted from a Pete Seeger song called "Wimoweh," which was actually Linda's 1939 adaptation of a native folk song. Linda, who died in 1962, had nothing to leave to his family, who were destitute at the time of the ruling.
    2011 - The first full face transplant was performed by surgeons at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
    2011 - The perjury trial of Barry Bonds began in San Francisco with jury selection. The prosecution seeks to demonstrate that Bonds lied to a grand jury in 2003 during the BALCO investigation when he stated that he had never knowingly used steroids. During grand jury testimony on December 4, 2003, Bonds said that he used a clear substance and a cream that he received from his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson, who told him they were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis.  Later reports on Bonds’ leaked grand-jury testimony contend that he admitted to unknowingly using "the cream" and "the clear." Bonds also faces a charge of obstruction of justice.  On April 13, 2011, Bonds was convicted of one felony count of obstruction of justice for giving an incomplete answer to a question in grand jury testimony. A mistrial was declared on the remaining three counts of perjury, and those charges were dropped.  The obstruction of justice conviction was upheld by an appellate panel in 2013, but a larger panel of the appellate court overturned the conviction in 2015. 
    2014 - Exxon Mobil takes the initiative among energy companies to disclose its plans for dealing with climate change in response to a 2013 shareholder resolution.
    2014 - Vladimir Putin ratifies laws annexing Crimea, defying sanction threats by the U.S. and the E.U.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions:
    1959 - California
    1964 - UCLA
    1970 - UCLA