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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Kirsten Dargy was promoted to Marketing Manager, LTi Technology Solutions, Omaha, Nebraska. She is located in La Vista, Nebraska. She joined the firm February, 2015, as Marketing Coordinator; promoted January 2016, Marketing Communications and Social Media Coordinator; promoted January, 2017, Digital Marketing Coordinator; Copywriter, Venel, the Communications of Orthopedics (August, 2013 - November, 2014). Volunteer: Junior Varsity Softball Coach, Mercy High School, Omaha (February, 2014 - April, 2015);  Intern, Great Plains Athletic Conference (January, 2013 - May, 2013); Assistant Coach, Nebraska Thunder Fastpitch 12's (November, 2019 -Present); Assistant Coach, Nebraska Fury Fastpitch (October, 2014 - August, 2016); Assistant Coach, Quakes Fastpitch Softball 16'w (January, 2014 - July, 2014).  Education: Morningside College, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Marketing, Graduate. (2009 - 2013). Activities and Societies: Leadership Academy, Softball Team. Campus Security Supervisor, Morningside College (2009 - 2013). https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstendargy/

Irene Duffy was hired as Senior Account Executive at Lease Corporation of America, Troy, Michigan. She will work out of her home office in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Previously, she was a Senior Business Development Manager for Marlin Capital Services. "Previously she was with Horizon Keystone Finance.  She has over 20 years of successful experience in the small ticket vendor financing market." https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-duffy-79b55b3/

It is official from TokyoCentury (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TokyoCentury Corporation that Chris Enbom, CLFP, was appointed Chief Executive Officer as of April 1, 2021.  It was noted he is currently CEO of AP Equipment Financing, Bend Oregon, which was acquired by TokyoCentury (USA) in late 2019. On January 7, 2021 Leasing News ran the article that Chris Lerma, CLFP, was named President of AP Equipment Funding, noting that Mr. Enbom was the CEO. “The acquisition of AP Equipment Financing has allowed Tokyo Century (USA) to quickly grow its footprint in the small ticket commercial equipment finance market in the U.S.” stated Tiger Ogawa, President of TokyoCentury (USA). “We are excited to have Chris on board to help TokyoCentury achieve even more growth in the U.S. market.” TokyoCentury (USA) is engaged primarily in financing specialty medium-duty trucks through dealer relationships. AP Equipment Financing is also an innovative player in the medium duty equipment finance market in the U.S. The two companies together financed over $400 million in small ticket transactions in 2020 and manage nearly $1 billion in small-ticket equipment financing assets. Mr. Ogawa will remain President of TokyoCentury (USA). “The TokyoCentury (USA) group companies bring a powerful skillset to original equipment manufacturers, dealers, and companies seeking equipment and equipment financing” stated Chris Enbom, CLFP. “I look forward to growing our product offerings and adding services to additional industries as we continue to expand.” Mr. Enbom was named Director, TokyoCentury, January, 2020; CEO, Work Truck Direct (January, 2015 - Present); CEO, Allegiant Partners Incorporated (February, 1998 - Present); Managing Director, CIBC World Markets (January, 1994 - February, 1998); Vice President, BankAmerica Leasing (1993 - less than a year); Managing Director, Ingenor Finance (1992 - 1993); Vice President, D'Accord Financial (1989 - 1992); Intern, Aerospace Lending, IBJ Leasing (September, 1988 - 1989) (Note: Both D'Accord and IBJ Leasing, Tokyo, Japan). Certifications: Certified Leasing and Finance Professional, CLFP Association, issued, January, 2005. Languages: French. Japanese. Honors: Chris Walker Member of the Year Award. Volunteer: Active in several leasing associations, he is past treasurer and director of the CLFP Foundation. ELFA spokesperson told Leasing News he "certainly has been quite an active volunteer with ELFA and the Foundation. Chris Enbom is not a currently an ELFA Board member but did serve on the ELFA Board in the past. He has also served on the Foundation Board of Trustees and as Chair of ELFA's Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee, among other activities." Education: UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). Completed one year of Study. Graduate School, Japanese, Finance, International Relations (1987 - 1988).  Japanese, Finance, International Relations, accounting.  University of California, Berkely, BA, Political Economy of Industrial Societies (1983 - 1987). Activities and Societies, Zeta Psi Fraternity. Economics and Political Science. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisenbom/

Jacob Fahl was promoted to Vice President of Funding and Portfolio Services, Hitachi Capital America Corp., Marshall, Minnesota. He joined the firm June, 2014, as Leader, Funding and Portfolio Services. He remains as Speaker/Teacher, Self-Employed (September, 2014 - Present). Previously, he was Regional Sales Manager, US Bank (November, 2011 - May, 2014); Relationship Manager, Bremer Bank (June, 2009 - November, 2011); Adjunct Professor, Southwest Minnesota State University (January, 2011 - March, 2011); Account Executive, US Bank (January, 2004 - June, 2009). Education: Southwest Minnesota State University, BA, Masters, Masters, Business (2006 - 2007).  Southwest Minnesota State University, BA, Business Administration (1999 - 2003). Activities and Societies: Men's Basketball. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobfahl/

Morgan Finn, SHRM-CP, was promoted to Human Resources Business Partner, LeasePlan, Headquarters Netherlands. She is located in the Atlanta, Georgia office. She joined the firm September, 2014, as HR Coordinator; promoted September, 2018, HR Generalist. Previously, she was HR Coordinator, Dimensional Thinking (September, 2011 - May, 2014); HR Coordinator, The Wendy's Company (Previously, Wendy's/Arby's Group); HR Assistant, Arby's Restaurant Group (October, 2006 - September, 2008). Licenses: SHRM-CP, issued February, 2017.  Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences. LinkedIn. Issued June, 2020.  Education: Valdosta State University, Bachelor’s Degree, Business Management (2001 - 2006). Activities and Societies: Chi Omega, Boy's and Girl's Club, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-finn-shrm-cp-a301a01a/

Brenda Hailey was hired as Manager, Tax and Administration, Equipment Finance, First Horizon Bank, Headquarters: Michigan City, Indiana. She is located in Vinemont, Alabama. Previously, she was Operations Analyst, Regions Financial Corporation (June, 2012 - October, 2020); Controller, CapitalParters Leasing, LLC (November, 2001 - June, 2012): Staff Accountant, BancPartners Leasing, LLC (May, 1995 - November, 2001); Accounting Assistant, CMS Therapies, Inc. (1991 - 1995). Education: Bessemer State Technical College, Associates in Applied Technology, Accounting (1990 - 1991). Jefferson State Community College, Core Classes (1987 - 1990). WA Berry.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-hailey-b22b51b/

Phil Lee was promoted to Senior Finance Manager, Lending Club, San Francisco, California.  He joined the company August, 2018, as Finance Manager. Previously, he was Portfolio Accountant, Symphony Asset Management (April, 2015 - July, 2018); Fund Accountant, State Street (July, 2014 - April, 2015); Global Fixed Income, CalPERS, Internship (April, 2014 - June, 2014); Intern, New Yok Life Insurance Company (October, 2013 - March, 2014). Volunteer: Internal Revenue Service, Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (January, 2013 - April, 2013). Camp Counselor, Holbrook Elementary.  Assistant Wrestling Coach, El Dorado Middle School.  Licenses: Business Analytics Nanodegree. Udacity. Issued March, 2020.  SQL Scripting Fundamentals. AcademyX.  Issued July, 2019.  Passed CFA Level 1, CFA Institute.  Education: University of California, Davis. Bachelor of Science (BS), Managerial Economics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillvlee/

Michael Molenda was hired as Managing Director, Encina Equipment Finance, LLC, Chicago, Illinois. Previously, he was Senior Sales Director, PNC (July, 2019 - March, 2021); Managing Director, Rise Line Business Credit (July, 2018 - July, 2019); Managing Director, Great Rock Capital (September, 2017 - July, 2018); Managing Director, Regions Business Capital, Regions Financial Corporation (June, 2012 - September, 2017); Leverage Finance, Senior Vice President, Capital One (November, 2011 - June, 2012); Director, Structured Finance Group, Ally Commercial Finance, f.k.a., GMAC Commercial Finance (August, 2007 - November, 2011); Director, Corporate Finance Group, Merrill Lynch Capital (February, 2005 - August,2007); Vice President, Structured Finance Group, GMAC Commercial Finance (August, 2000 - February, 2005); Team Leader, Corporate Finance Group (PPM America (March, 1999 - August, 2000); Underwriter and Account Executive, Heller Financial (December, 1993 - March, 1999); Auditor, KPMG (June, 1991 - December, 1993). Education: The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Analytic Finance, Strategy (1997 - 1999); University of Michigan. Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Accounting and Finance (1986 - 1991).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelemolenda/

Mark Parauka, CPA, was hired as Vice President, Risk, Encina Equipment Finance, Westport, Connecticut. Previously, he was Director of Credit and Underwriting, Utica Equipment Finance, LLC (March, 2019 - March, 2021); Vice President, Business Banking Credit Analyst, Wells Fargo (2017 - 2019); Sr. Credit Analyst, Capital Equipment Finance, Everbank (2015 - 2017) He joined GE Capital 2010 as Internal Control Officer; promoted, 2013, Risk Analyst. Senior Internal Auditor, Office Depot (2009 - 2010); Audit Supervisor, Holman Automotive Group (2005 -2009); Internal Auditor, Ann Taylor (2003 -2004); Senior Auditor, Deloitte (2000 - 2003). Licenses: CPA, Connecticut State Board of Accountancy. Community: Volunteer. GE Volunteers Project Leader, Ability Beyond (July, 2012 - September, 2015). https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-parauka-cpa-520314b9/

Tobias Rajchel, CPA, CA, was promoted to President, Chesswood Group Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, upon the retirement of CFO Officer Lisa Stevenson.  He joined the firm November, 2020, as Vice President, Finance. Previously, he was Director, Financial Reporting, Agellan (June, 2020 - October, 2020); Senior Director, Financial Reporting, Fiera Private Debt (January, 2020 - April, 2020). He began his career at Ernst & Young, starting September, 2010, as Staff Accountant; promoted October, 2012, Senior Staff Accountant; promoted October, 2014, Manager; promoted October, 2018, Senior Manager. Volunteer: Young Professionals Committee Member, Ronald McDonald House Charities (January, 2018 – Present).  Education: Schulich School of Business, York University. Accounting (2006 - 2010). Activities and Societies: Business Law Association Membership Director, Insider Media Group Section Editor & Writer, Intramural Soccer Team Capitan, York Investment Club Member, Accounting Society Member. Also participated in the Globe International Business Conference & the Corporate Social Responsibility's Core Conference.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasrajchel/

Jillian "Jill" Vogel was promoted to President, at Lease Corporation of America (LCA0, Troy, Michigan. She was assumed the role of Chief Operations Officer of its Utah-based industrial bank subsidiary, LCA Corporation (LCAB).  She joined LCA May, 1997, as VP Operations; promoted May, 1997, Documentation Manager.  Education: Walsh College. Bachelor of Accounting (1999 - 2001). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-vogel-283b3b35/

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

Alternate Finance Association Membership
United States

 

Technically these groups are an association: "an organization of people with a common purpose and having a formal structure."  In reality, and by their own admission, they are more an association of "lobbyists": "...trying to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest."

One thing they have in common is a very small number of members; anywhere from three to eight, although they are trying to attract new members.

Commercial Finance Coalition (CFC) CFC members include lenders, commercial finance brokers, payment processors, data providers, merchant cash advance companies and recovery agencies." 
https://www.commercialfinancecoalition.com/

Financial Innovation Now was formed to "lobby for policies important to the growing electronic payments sector." In their mission, it includes "... expanding the market for online commerce and lending and improving access for underserved populations."  Members are involved in loans and leases, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Intuit, and PayPal.  The executive Director of the coalition, Brian Peters, is also a staffer at tech lobbying powerhouse the Franklin Square Group.
https://financialinnovationnow.org/

Founded by what their press release calls "The nation's three largest online small business lending platforms – OnDeck® (NYSE: ONDK), Kabbage, and CAN Capital."

The ILPA press release states, "Beginning in June 2016, the Innovative Lending Platform Association will commence a 90-day ‘"national engagement period’ in which it will seek feedback on the SMART Box initiative from interested lenders, trade associations, policymakers, and non-profit organizations. In September 2016, the Innovative Lending Platform Association will encourage those interested in promoting the responsible development of the small business lending industry to voluntarily adopt or support the model disclosure."

"The Innovative Lending Platform Association is focused on advancing small business online lending education, advocacy, and best practices."

The new association is aligned with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), “For twenty-five years, AEO and its more than 450 member organizations have helped millions of entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth while supporting themselves, their families and their communities. AEO members and partners include a broad range of organizations that provide capital and services to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing and expanding their businesses. Together, we are working to change the way that capital and services flow to underserved entrepreneurs so that they can create jobs and opportunities for all."

https://innovativelending.org/

 

One of the earlier groups is now called the Small Business Finance Association (SBFA), who have hired an experienced "lobbyist," Stephen "Steve" Dennis as Executive Director.

http://sbfassociation.org/

 

 

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The List - February, 2021
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

ELFA January New Business Down 33%
    from December, 2020
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_26.htm#elfa

M&T Bank and People’s United Bank
    Leaf Commercial Capital and People’s United Bank
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_26.htm#mt

What Happens to LEAF Commercial Capital
    after M&T Bank acquires People’s United Bank?
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_24.htm#what

Super Brokers on the Rise
    By Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_22.htm#super

FSG Capital Celebrates 30 Years in Business
   Founder Bruce Winter, CLFP, 30 Year Anniversary
     was on the first CLFP Board of Directors
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_18.htm#fsg

Texas Struggles Against Crippling Blackouts
    Not only Families but Businesses, too - Chart
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_18.htm#texas

Sales Makes it Happen by Kit Menkin
    Leasing in 2021 Will Not Lose its Sizzle
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_18.htm#sizzle

Tom Williams, President e-Lease, reports from
    St. Petersburg, Florida that migration is happening to his state
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_16.htm#williams

New York Legislature Moves to Expand Reach
  of the Recently Enacted Small Business Truth-in-Lending
    Act Before it Becomes Effective
      By Robert L. Hornby, CSG Attorneys at Law
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_10.htm#ny

LeasePolice.com and LeasePoliceplus.com are Down
    By Christopher Menkin, Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_10.htm#lp

A typical Letter on How Good Business Is
    from Brian Carey, EMS Leasing Specialist
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_05.htm#typical

TCF National Bank Acquires
    BB&T Commercial Equipment Capital Corp.
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_03.htm#tcf

Always Be in Motion: Moving
    The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_01.htm#always 

 

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The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its 2021 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. Compiled every four years, it comprehensively assessed 17 major infrastructure categories on a range of criteria such as capacity, condition, funding and public safety. They were then scored through a simple A to F school report card format. The good news is that the American infrastructure has improved with the country's score climbing from a D+ in 2017 to a C- in 2021. It is the first time the U.S. has been out of the D range in two decades.

Despite the progress, it was not even everywhere and 11 out of 17 categories still recorded D grades. Elsewhere, five saw their grades increase while just one - bridges - experienced a decrease. While things are going in the right direction, the bad news is that the long-term infrastructure investment gap is continuing to grow with the report stating that the weU.S. is only paying half as much as it needs. The investment gap has now climbed from $2.1 trillion over 10 years to nearly $2.59 trillion over 10 years.

The report states that continued underinvestment in infrastructure at current rates will result in serious economic consequences. By 2039, $10 trillion is GDP will be lost, along with $2.4 trillion in exports. More than three million jobs would also be lost. By the end of the next decade, the situation will cost the average U.S. household $3,300 a year or $63 per week unless there are changes. The research has recommendations such as implementing a plan to renew, modernize and invest in infrastructure with maintenance as its central focus.

The U.S. has $5.9 trillion in infrastructure funding needs up to 2029 with $3.35 trillion in place. The biggest investment gap is in surface transportation (roads, highways, bridges and public transportation systems) which requires a financial injection of $1.2 trillion up to 2029. Drinking water, wastewater and storm water along with schools also require considerable investment at $434 billion and $380 billion, respectively.

By Niall McCarthy, Statista

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

Chesswood Announces Strong Year End 2020 Results
Parent of Pawnee, Blue Chip & Tandem Financial

TORONTO,/CNW/ - Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood" or the "Company") (TSX: CHW), a publicly-traded North American commercial equipment finance provider for small and medium-sized businesses, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.  At year end, Chesswood has 17.7 million shares outstanding (including Exchangeable Shares) and a total market capitalization of $162.0 million.

Highlights

• Full year Free Cash Flow generation of $19.6 million ($1.10 per share); fourth quarter Free Cash Flow of $6.9 million ($0.39 per share).
• Dividend reinstated at annual rate of $0.24 per share (22% of Free Cash Flow) and repurchased 265,760 shares as of February 26th 2021.
• Portfolio growth resumed in December 2020. Average net finance receivable portfolio of $801.3 million, up $2.4 million year-over-year.
• Record annual recoveries, resulting in net charge-offs of $31.4 million versus $25.6 million in 2019.
• Successful completion of ABS offering of US$183.5 million at an interest rate of 2.2%.
• Year end COVID-19 related modified leases and loans down substantially to 3.1% of total gross lease receivables.

Ryan Marr, Chesswood's President and CEO, said, "The fourth quarter brought an end to a turbulent year for Chesswood Group and the economy broadly.  Despite the noise and disruption, we remained economically healthy and profitable.  For the full year, the company generated Adjusted Operating Income of $17.2 million and strong Free Cash Flow, totaling $19.6 million or $1.10 per fully diluted share.
.  "Our portfolio declined modestly from its peak level as we concentrated our efforts on collections over new originations.  As a result, net charge-offs were up modestly to $31.3 million for 2020 versus $25.6 million in 2019 on an average net finance receivable portfolio size of $801.3 million versus $798.9 million in 2019."

"For 2021, we are focused on three key aspects of our business to drive profitable per share earnings and Free Cash Flow growth.  First is the need for a stable source of funding, in all phases of the market cycle.  Historically, this was limited to bank line diversification, whereas today there are new channels of liquidity.  Second is the need to embrace technology in all aspects of the business to improve efficiencies, make smarter decisions and better serve customers.  We are investing in proprietary commercial lending software to drive our business.  Third is the ongoing requirement to support our people in addition to attracting new people to our organization.  At the end of the day, our people are our most valuable asset" said Ryan Marr.

Summary of Full Year Results

The Company reported a consolidated net loss of $8.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to net income of $12.7 million in 2019, a decrease of $21.2 million year-over-year.  COVID-19 induced non-cash goodwill and intangible asset impairment of $20.8 million and $9.3 million of restructuring and other transaction costs incurred in 2020 were primary reasons for the decrease in net income year-over-year.  Excluding these items, adjusted after-tax net income was $18.2 million or $1.03 per share for the full year.

The U.S. Equipment Finance segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $91.5 million and ancillary and other income of $10.3 million, a total decrease of $6.8 million in revenue year-over-year.  The decrease is a result of a smaller average portfolio, lower transaction volume (approximately 3,500 or 52.5 % fewer contracts funded year-over-year) as well as a higher proportion of prime receivables.

The Canadian Equipment Finance segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $11.4 million and ancillary and other income of $3.8 million, a total decrease of $2.9 million in revenue year-over-year.  The decrease is the result of a smaller average portfolio and lower transaction volume (approximately 950 or 33% fewer contracts funded year-over-year).

The Company reinstated its dividend beginning in November at $0.02 per share payable monthly.  In addition, the Company repurchased 85,890 shares in 2020.

Outlook

There is a strong sense of pent-up demand as we enter 2021.  Combined with the potential for additional economic stimulus in North America, we are confident that 2021 originations will be significantly greater than 2020.  Our teams at Pawnee, Tandem and Blue Chip expect to fund lease and loan volumes in excess of $650 million for the full year 2021, with at least 70% of the volume being prime credits.  We anticipate the pace of originations to steadily rise throughout the year as the COVID vaccine is broadly administered and business activity normalizes.

To support these plans, we are hiring across most departments to maintain high levels of service to our clients.  In Canada, we are looking to expand with partnerships in the third-party channel to leverage our fixed cost infrastructure in the market.

Chesswood Announces CFO Retirement
Lisa Stevenson is retiring as Chesswood's Chief Financial Officer on March 19, 2021. Tobias Rajchel, who is currently Chesswood's Vice-President Finance, will become Chesswood's interim Chief Financial Officer.

"We thank Lisa for her 21 years of dedicated service and wish her well" said Ryan Marr.

NON-GAAP MEASURES
Adjusted Operating Income and Free Cash Flow are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards and do not have a standard meaning. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please refer to the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis in Chesswood's 2020 Annual Report for additional information concerning these measures and a reconciliation of these measures to the Company's consolidated income before taxes.

ABOUT CHESSWOOD
Through three wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada, Chesswood Group Limited is North America's only publicly-traded commercial equipment finance company focused on small and medium-sized businesses. Our Colorado-based Pawnee Leasing Corporation, founded in 1982, finances a highly diversified portfolio of commercial equipment leases and loans through relationships with over 600 independent brokers in the U.S. Tandem Finance Inc. provides equipment financing to small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. through the equipment vendor channel. In Canada, Blue Chip Leasing Corporation has been originating and servicing commercial equipment leases and loans since 1996, and today operates through a nationwide network of more than 50 independent brokers. Based in Toronto, Canada, Chesswood's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CHW.

Learn more at: www.Chesswoodgroup.com  www.PawneeLeasing.com  www.BlueChipLeasing.com and www.TandemFinance.com

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

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Fernando Croce Reviews
Watch at Home

Celebrating Irish culture and its artistic contributions, our list for St. Patrick’s Day movies range from lyrical classics to scrappy musicals to harrowing historical dramas. So check out Netflix for these cinematic pots of gold.

The Quiet Man (John Ford, 1952): Known for his legendary Westerns, the great director John Ford scored one of his greatest successes with this marvelously sentimental, profoundly personal comedy-drama. John Wayne stars as Sean Thornton, an American boxer who retires from the ring and visits the rural Irish village where he was born. Trying to reconnect with his roots and escape a troubled past, he falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara), a radiant local maiden. Their romance is a rocky one, however, complicated by their headstrong temperaments and by Mary Kate's bellicose older brother Will (Victor McLaglen), who's determined to keep them apart. With gorgeous cinematography, robust humor and a roster of zesty performances from a great cast, this is one of Ford's most beloved works.

The Commitments (Alan Parker, 1991): Steering away refreshingly from the big, serious subjects he’s usually attracted to, director Alan Parker (“Midnight Express”) had his most likable movie with this infectious account of a small-time soul band in Dublin, Ireland. The story follows the misadventures of Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a brash music promoter looking to find a rhythm and blues band in his working-class neighborhood. He finds a couple of inspired collaborators: Deco (Andrew Armstrong), a boozy driver with a soaring voice, and veteran horn player Fagan (Johnny Murphy), who swears to have worked with every legend in the business. Together with a trio of backup singers, they form The Commitments—but can they make it in the city’s pubs? Keeping Parker’s energy while adding oodles of peppery humor, this is a gritty delight.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (Ken Loach, 2006): The Irish War of Independence is the backdrop of this intense drama, which won the prestigious Palme d’or at the Cannes Film Festival. Set in the early 1920s, it focuses on the O’Donovan brothers, Damien (Cillian Murphy), who’s studying medicine, and Teddy (Padraic Delaney), who’s part of the Irish Republican Army. After witnessing the brutalities of the Black and Tans, Damien joins the cause. When the Irish Civil War kicks in, however, their fraternal union is splintered as the brothers are pitted against each other. Paralleling country and family, passionate director Ken Loach (“I, Daniel Blake”) serves up a strong, stirring national epic about commitment and betrayal, community and violence. Bringing intimacy to historical events, Loach’s film grips and startles.

Ondine (Neil Jordan, 2009): Though he often films in America, acclaimed Irish director Neil Jordan (“The Crying Game”) is at his best in his homeland, as in the case of this lyrical, enchanting fairy tale. Colin Farrell plays Syracuse, a fisherman who one day finds a beautiful young woman (Alicja Bachleda) caught in his nets. With the help of his vivacious daughter (Alison Barry), Syracuse takes her in and calls her Ondine, believing that she’s the legendary mermaid from the tales he grew up listening to. The two fall passionately in love, but can their union survive as reality intrudes into the realm of myth? A movie that somehow manages to blend fantasy with grit, Jordan’s magical romance accentuates the director’s interest in the blur between fantasy and real worlds.

Brooklyn (John Crowley, 2016): Immigrant sagas are a common sight in American movies, but few exude the toughness and poignancy that suffuses John Crowley’s compassionate drama. Saoirse Ronan delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Eilis, a young woman who leaves her home in Ireland in the 1950s to start a new life in America—more specifically in Brooklyn. Filled with unease but also with a sense of wonder, she finds work, friends, and new romance with Tony (Emory Cohen), the sensitive Italian guy she meets at a dance. When tragic news take Eilis back to Ireland, the couple’s future together hangs on a balance. Made with a clear eye and a gentle touch, this is an intimate, generous film with a cast that also includes Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.

Black Mouth Cur/Shepard
Chicago, Illinois  Adopt-a-Dog

Wyman

Male
10 Years
52 lbs.
Okay with childr
en
Good with dogs
No cats
Home Alone--okay
Activity -Friendly

Located Lincoln Park Center

I’m an adult dog. If your life is busy or you just don’t want to start from scratch, an adult dog may be the best choice you ever make. We’ve all heard the phrase, “You can’t teach an older dog new tricks”, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Adult dogs have the attention span and eagerness to please to help them learn faster than more youthful members of their species. If you’re looking for a steadfast companion who will be grateful for a second chance, talk to a volunteer about adopting me.

As one of our longest term animals, Wyman is ready to give you his whole heart - it's a little damaged from manageable heart failure but he's still hoping you'll give it a chance

Wyman would love to meet you!

If you’re interested in adopting this spectacular animal, there are three steps you should complete:

1. Please start by taking our ComPETibility Quiz to make sure they’re a good fit for your home. 
https://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/pet-adoption/adoption-process/

2.  You will be emailed a link to the Adoption Application, which you must complete. 

3. Finally, fill out a Virtual Adoption Registration Form specifically mentioning the name of your desired pet and we’ll take it from there!
https://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/pet-adoption/adoption-process/virtual-adoption/

We must have ALL THREE documents to start the process and be able to successfully match you with an animal.

Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center
1997 N. Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614 - Map it
773-935-7297 (PAWS)

Note: Located Lincoln Park Center

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Free---Open to All - Members and Non-Members

TimeValue Software is the developer of TValue Online loan and lease structuring software, the industry standard for equipment finance brokers and funding sources. Many funding sources require their brokers to submit their deals using TValue Online software.

Join us on Wednesday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). Greg Smith, Senior Account Manager for TimeValue Software will demonstrate how to use the buy rate from a funding source to calculate broker commissions and quote the payment amount to customers. See how to structure a loan and/or lease with payments in advance, payments in arrears, skip payments for seasonal business, forbearance payments for COVID relief, and residual payments.

If you are competing for business with other lenders, you will also see how brokers use TValue Online to reverse analyze their competitors' deals and come out on top. Learn how to use TValue Online to win your customers' business.

Register:
AACFB Webinar Wednesday March 24 3:00pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3JYoZXklQSa7w1Y0P7fgcw

Greg Smith

Greg Smith is a senior team member for TimeValue Software. Since 1984, TimeValue Software has developed finance and tax software applications used by more than a half million end-users worldwide. Greg is a software sales and product trainer of time-value of money calculations focused on helping financial professionals in the accounting, banking, and equipment finance industries.

Greg has been with TimeValue Software for the past 26 years. As Business Development Manager at TimeValue Software for the last 12 years, he handles software sales, product support, product training, customer retention, and strategic alliances for most all of the TimeValue Software product lines, with emphasis on their flagship product, TValue.

Greg resides in Southern California and his interests include his family, cooking, watching and attending UCLA athletic events, and coaching high school and youth wrestling.

News Briefs---

GE to Wind Down GE Capital
    After Shedding Jet-Leasing Unit
https://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-reaches-jet-leasing-deal-with-aercap-11615376187

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/10/ge-sheds-more-assets-as-it-focuses-on-industrial-business-and-strengthens-balance-sheet-.html

A $60 billion surprise in the COVID-19 relief bill:
    Tax hikes
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/10/covid-relief-bill-tax-hikes-475051

Eli Lilly's combo therapy for COVID-19 cuts serious illness
    and death in large study
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lilly/eli-lillys-combo-therapy-for-covid-19-cuts-serious-illness-and-death-in-large-study-idUSKBN2B21C0

BMW Profits Slump on Pandemic Shutdowns
    Most of the damage was done in the first half of 2020
https://www.barrons.com/news/bmw-profits-slump-on-pandemic-shutdowns-01615463405?tesla=y

Cyberattack Against Molson Coors Impacts Brewery
    Operations, Production, and Shipments
https://www.securityweek.com/cyberattack-forces-brewery-shutdown-molson-coors

Elon Musk: Tesla Cybertruck Electric Pickup
    Will be Able to Power a Camper
https://electrek.co/2021/03/11/tesla-cybertruck-electric-pickup-power-camper-elon-musk/

WSFS to Merge with Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.
"positioned to continue to serve & outperform for all our constituents"
https://investors.wsfsbank.com/news-releases/news-release-details/photo-release-wsfs-financial-corporation-combine-bryn-mawr-bank

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

You May Have Missed---

$1.9T COVID-19 relief package includes
    billions for capital projects
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/congress-approves-19t-covid-relief-bill/596400/

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

Sports Briefs---

2021 NFL free agent tracker:
    Keep pace with off-season’s major moves
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/03/11/nfl-free-agency-tracker-2021-updates-offseason-major-moves-trades/4581737001/

NFL announces 2021 compensatory draft selections
    with Dallas Cowboys earning a league-high four
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/03/10/nfl-draft-2021-compensatory-picks-dallas-cowboys/6944181002/

Inside the 49ers: Buy into Trent Williams,
    then retreat for free agency bargains
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/inside-the-49ers-buy-into-trent-williams-then-retreat-for-free-agency-bar/

Norm Sherry, Dodgers teammate
      of Sandy Koufax, dies at 89
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/norm-sherry-dodgers-teammate-of-sandy-koufax-dies-at-89/

Amelia Schimmel is officially the Oakland Athletics'
    first-ever female PA announcer
https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Amelia-Schimmel-is-officially-the-Oakland-16014654.php

Warriors' Steph Curry, Draymond Green
     named finalists for U.S. Olympic team
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Warriors-Steph-Curry-Draymond-Green-named-16018695.php

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

California Nuts Briefs---

Just 53% of Santa Clara County jail staff
    have agreed to vaccination
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/03/10/just-53-of-santa-clara-county-jail-staff-have-agreed-to-vaccination/

Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco reopens for indoor dining
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/Tommys-Joynt-San-Francisco-reopens-indoor-16019187.php

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

“Gimme that Wine”

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

Bud Break Begins in Napa Valley
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=242691

28 Celebrities Who Are Making Wine in Sonoma
     and Napa Wine Country
https://www.sonomamag.com/celebrity-wines-and-wineries-sonoma-napa/?gSlide=1

Wine of the week:
     Lang & Reed 2019 Mendocino Chenin Blanc
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wine-of-the-week-lang-reed-2019-mendocino-chenin-blanc/

Obituary: Steven Spurrier, 1941-2021
https://cluboenologique.com/story/obituary-steven-spurrier-1941-2021/

From the archive: Steven Spurrier
  – My top 10 Bordeaux wines of all time
https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/opinion/the-editors-blog/steven-spurrier-bordeaux-favourite-wines-372151/

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

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

This Day in History

     1609 - Quite by accident, Bermuda was colonized as part of the British Empire. The ship of Admiral Sir George Somers, taking settlers to Virginia, was wrecked on the reefs of Bermuda. The islands had been discovered in the early 1500s but were uninhabited until 1609. It actually saved the crew, who did eventually make it to Jamestown. The island then became a favorite of the British, as well as the original rendezvous for those who cross the ocean to the New World.
    1613 - The first colonial warfare between England and France in America occurred at Mount Desert, ME, where Father Pierre Biard, superior of Saint Sauveur, had established a settlement of French Jesuits. The settlement was attacked by an English expedition under the command of Captain Samuel Argall. His aim was to suppress piracy and defend England’s claim to the country, which was based on explorations made by John and Sebastian Cabot in the 15th and 16th centuries. The seas around this area were also ripe with fish and European countries would set sail for the area just
for the fishing.
    1664 - The Duke of York obtains a grant that gives him authority over all lands between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. This land grant includes all Dutch holdings in North America.  New Jersey became a British colony.
    .
    1755 – The first steam engine in America was installed, to pump water from a mine.
    1773 - French-African Jeanne Baptiste Pointe de Sable founded the settlement now known as Chicago, Ill.
http://www.choosechicago.com/HISTORY.HTM
http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/dusable.html
    1831 - Clement Studebaker (d. 1901) was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Clement and his brother, Henry Studebaker, founded H. & C. Studebaker, a blacksmith and wagon building business in South Bend, Indiana. The Studebaker brothers made their fortune manufacturing carriages for the Union Army during the Civil War. By the end of the war, the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company had become the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages. With the advent of the automobile, Studebaker converted its business to car manufacturing, becoming one of the larger independent automobile manufacturers. Another major war would affect the company's fortune almost a century after its founders had benefited from the demand caused by the Civil War. During World War II, Studebaker manufactured airplane engines, trucks, and weasels (small military vehicles) for the war effort. Like many of the independents, Studebaker fared well during the war by producing affordable family cars. As their advertisement claimed, "Studebaker is building an unlimited quantity of airplane engines, military trucks, and other materiel for national defense... and a limited number of passenger cars, which are the finest Studebaker has ever produced." However, after the war, the Big Three--GM, Ford, and Chrysler--bolstered by their new government-subsidized production facilities, were too much for many of the independents, and Studebaker was no exception. Post-WWII competition drove Studebaker to its limits, and the company was absorbed by the Packard Corporation in 1954.
    1850 - The US issued the first $20 gold piece.
    1858 – Birthday of Adolph Ochs (d. 1935) in Cincinnati.  He was a newspaper publisher and former owner of “The New York Times” and “Chattanooga Times.”
    1860 - Congress accepted the Pre-emption Bill that granted free land in the West for colonists
    1864 - Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to the rank of general-in-chief of the Union armies in the Civil War by President Abraham Lincoln.
    1864 – The Red River Campaign began as a US Navy fleet of 13 Ironclads and 7 Gunboats and other support ships enter the Red River in Louisiana.
    1868 - Congress abolished the manufacturers' tax
    1877 - David McKendree Key served as Postmaster General in the cabinet of President Rutherford B. Hayes until August 24, 1880. McKendree Key was a lieutenant colonel in the 43rd regiment of Tennessee and had been wounded and captured at Vicksburg. He also was a U.S. Senator. The appointment was quite controversial at the time.  His appointment was part of the Compromise of 1877, implemented to ensure there was Democratic power in the Republican cabinet. Key's work as Postmaster General is harshly criticized by Mark Twain in “The Autobiography of Mark Twain.”
    1884 - The State of Mississippi authorized the first state-supported college for women. It was called the Mississippi Industrial Institute and College.    
    1888 – “The Great Blizzard of ’88,” one of the most devastating blizzards to hit the northeastern US, began in the early hours of Monday. A snowfall of 40-50 inches, accompanied by gale-force winds, left drifts as high as 30-40 feet. More than 400 persons died in the storm (200 at New York City alone). Some survivors of the storm, known as "The Blizzard Men of 1888,” held annual meetings at New York City as late as 1941 to recount personal recollections of the event.
    1894 – Coca-Cola was bottled and sold for the first time in Vicksburg, MS by local soda fountain operator Joseph Biedenharn.
    1894 - Pittsburgh issued free season tickets for ladies on Tuesdays and Fridays
    1896 - Jesse "Lone Cat" Fuller (d. 1976) born Jonesboro, Georgia. A country blues singer and one-man-band, he wrote the classic "San Francisco Bay Blues," among many other songs, and influenced numerous early-60s white folk-blues artists.
http://www.taco.com/roots/fuller.html
    1901 - Andrew Carnegie donates $5.2 million to build 65 branch libraries in New York. Between 1900 and his death in 1919, Carnegie used his vast his riches to establish over 2500 libraries. He believed reading to be very important. In 1775, less than 60% could read, not including slaves who were less literate, and women, reportedly 75% of whom could not read or write. The free education system through reading brought equality and a better quality of life for the entire country.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar12.html
    1901 – Groundbreaking began for the Boston Americans’ first ballpark, the Huntington Avenue grounds.
    1903 - One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the defunct Baltimore Orioles, were sold and moved to New York City and became the New York Highlanders, before taking the "Yankees" as their official name in 1913.
    1904 - Raphael Hawaweeny was ordained Eastern Orthodox bishop of Brooklyn, NY, at St. Nicholas Church. As a vicar under the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia, Hawaweeny thus became the first Russian Orthodox bishop ordained in America.
    1910 – Boxer “Two Ton” Tony Galento was born Domenico Antonio Galento (d. 1979) in Orange, NJ.  Galento was one of the most colorful fighters in the history of the sport. He wrestled an octopus, boxed a kangaroo and a 550 lb. bear as publicity stunts for his fights. On June 28, 1939, he fought champ Joe Louis at Yankee Stadium.  The short, balding Galento stunned the crowd, and his opponent, by staggering and hurting Louis with a powerful left hook in the first round. In the third round, Louis was hitting Galento with combinations when Galento caught him with a wild left hook and Louis went down. The fourth round was brutal for Galento. Louis hit him with murderous combinations which forced the referee to finally stop the bout. 
    1912 - Juliet Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA at Savannah, Georgia. As is the tradition, Girl Scout cookies are on sale during this week. At first, the girls weren’t called Girl Scouts at all. They were called Girl Guides until the name was officially changed a short time after the group’s founding.
    1917 - Earl Heywood (d. 2006), known as "Canada's Number-One Cowboy Singer," was born in London, Ontario. He began his career in 1941 on CFCO in Chatham, Ontario. The following year he moved to CKNX in Wingham, where he remained as a singer and announcer for more than 35 years. Heywood appeared for almost 20 years on the weekly "CKNX Barn Dance" and was host for "Serenade Ranch" from 1946 to 1953. Heywood and his Serenade Ranch Boys recorded 18 songs for RCA Victor, the most popular of which was "Alberta Waltz."
http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/artist_details.cfm?artistid=12027
    1917 - Chess record producer Leonard S. Chess was born Lejzor Shmuel Czyż (d. 1969) in Motol, Poland.  Without the two Chess brothers, most of the blues songs would not have been recorded nor influenced the rock ’n’ roll musicians that followed.  Leonard bought a stake in a record company called Aristocrat Records in 1947.  In 1950, Leonard brought his brother, Phil, into the operation and they became sole owners of the company, renaming it as Chess Records.  In 1951, the Chess brothers began an association with Sam Phillips’ Memphis recording studio.   One of the most important recordings that Phillips gave to Chess was "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brentson and His Delta Cats which topped Billboard’s R&B chart and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 because of its influence as a rock ‘n’ roll single.  One of the most important artists that came out of Memphis was Howlin’ Wolf, who stayed with the label until his death in 1976. Many songs created by Chess artists were later reproduced by many famous rock ’n’ roll bands and artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and Eric Clapton. Some of the core riffs created by Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and others were the basis of a wide amount of early rock ’n’ roll.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,414291,00.htm
l?artist=Leonard+Chess
http://www.cnn.com/2000/books/news/09/08/arts.us.bluesintogold.ap/
http://www.saveamericastreasures.org/profiles/chess.htm
    1917 - A German submarine sunk an unarmed US merchant ship, the 'Algonquin,' on the same day that President Woodrow Wilson gave an executive order to arm US merchant ships
    1918 - Organ player Charles Thompson (d. 2016) born Springfield, OH.
http://search.centerstage.net/music/articles/charlesthompson.html
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~steveja7/SCT.htm
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r1200_137.htm
    1921 – Actor, singer Gordon McRae (d. 1986) was born in East Orange, NJ.  Best known for his appearances in the film versions of musicals “Oklahoma!” (1955) and “Carousel” (1956), and playing Bill Sherman in “On Moonlight Bay” (1951) and “By the Light of The Silvery Moon” (1953). 
    1921 – Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis suspended eight members of the Chicago White Sox for their alleged involvement in fixing the 1919 World Series. The group includes outfielder Shoeless Joe Jackson, who batted .375 in the Series. Others banned are Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams.  None of them will ever play in organized baseball again.
    1922 - American poet and novelist Jack (Jean-Louis) Kerouac (d. 1969), leader and spokesman for the Beat movement, was born at Lowell, MA. Kerouac is best known for his novel “On the Road,” published in 1957. It celebrates the Beat ideal of nonconformity. Kerouac published “The Dharma Bums” in 1958, followed by “The Subterraneans” the same year, “Doctor Sax” and its sequel “Maggie Cassidy” in 1959; “Lonesome Traveler” in 1960, “Big Sur” in 1962 and “Desolation Angels” in 1965. A previously unpublished part of “On the Road” called “Visions of Cody” was published posthumously in 1972.
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/kerouac.htm
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/kerouac.htm
    1923 - The first movie with sound was shown before the New York Electrical Society in New York City by Dr. Lee De Forest. Called “The Gavote,” it showed a man and woman dancing to old-time music performed by four musicians playing on wind, percussion and string instruments. An Egyptian dance “trailer” was also shown. No voices were heard, only music. As a pioneer of ‘modern’ radio in the early 1900’s, DeForest called his invention phonofilm. Today it's called soundtrack.
    1923 – Astronaut Wally Schirra (d. 2007) was born in Hackensack, NJ.  Schirra was one of the original seven astronauts chosen for Project Mercury, America's first effort to put humans in space. He flew the six-orbit, nine-hour Mercury-Atlas 8 mission on October 3, 1962, becoming the fifth American, and the ninth human, to ride a rocket into space.    
    1926 - “The Home of the Happy Feet,” Harlem’s famous Savoy Ballroom opens. “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” was one of Count Basie’s and Benny Goodman’s hits. The entrance fee was very small and often the crowd was 15% to 25% white. Supposedly the room was very well lit so you could view other dancers and it was very well-ventilated. (In the days before air conditioning this was very important.)
http://www.findarticles.com/g1epc/tov/2419101066/p1/article.jhtml
http://www.savoyplaque.org/about_savoy.htm
http://www.savoyballroom.com/
http://www.savoystyle.com/history.html
http://www.savoystyle.com/movies.html
    1928 - Sax player Willie Maiden (d. 1976) born Detroit MI
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,462246,00.html?
artist=Willie+Maiden
    1928 - The St. Francis Dam 40 miles north of Los Angeles burst and flooded the San Francisquito Canyon. Over 500 people were drowned.
http://www.usc.edu/isd/archives/la/scandals/st_francis_dam.html
http://seis.natsci.csulb.edu/VIRTUAL_FIELD
/Francesquito_Dam/franmain.htm
    1931 – The co-founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher (d. 2019), was born in Camden, NJ.
    1932 – Civil Rights leader Andrew Young was born in New Orleans. (d-January 2, 1990).
    1933 - Eight days after he was inaugurated, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his first presidential address to the nation, the first of his famous "Fireside Chats." The name was coined by newsman, Robert Trout, who thought the President sounded as if he was sitting in living rooms all over the nation, next to a roaring fire.  Speaking by radio from the White House, he reported rather informally on the economic problems of the nation and on his actions to deal with them. His subject was the reopening of the banks during the following week.
    1935 - Pari-mutuel betting came into being as horse race bets were legalized in Nebraska. Today, there are still states where horse racing, betting, or other forms gambling still bother legislatures, despite the fact that other states have been participating in these activities for years.
    1935 - Pianist Hugh Lawson (d. 1997) was born Detroit, MI.
http://www.52ndstreet.com/reviews/reissues/lawsoncolours.reissues.html
    1939 - Artie Shaw and his band recorded "Deep Purple" for the Bluebird label. After the first minute, you can hear Helen Forrest sing the vocal refrain. Larry Clinton had a number one song with a similar arrangement of the same song this same year. In 1963, it was a hit for saxophonist, Nino Tempo and his sister, April Stevens. Hundreds of versions of this song have been recorded.
    1940 - Singer Al Jarreau (d. 2017) born Milwaukee, WI. 
http://www.aljarreau.com/biography.html    
    1945 – New York became the first state to prohibit employment discrimination by race or creed.
    1946 - The filming of the controversial “Forever Amber” began in Hollywood, with a record-breaking $3 million budget. The film, based on the steamy best-selling novel by Kathleen Winsor which was banned in Australia, starred Linda Darnell, Cornel Wilde, George Sanders, Richard Haydn, Leo G. Carroll, and Jessica Tandy. The film went way over budget, ultimately costing $6.5 million, or $2.5 million more than “Gone with the Wind” less than a decade earlier. The film's budget skyrocketed partly because Darnell replaced actress Peggy Cummins in the lead role after she was fired, which forced a temporary production shut-down. Despite its stellar cast, superb musical score, expensive costumes, and ambitious plans, the 140-minute epic was a big flop at the box office.
http://www.norcalmovies.com/ForeverAmber/
    1946 - Vocalist Liza Minnelli was born in Hollywood, CA, the daughter of legendary singer Judy Garland and film director Vincent Minnelli. She made her professional debut at the age of three in a quick role in the film "In the Good Old Summertime," directed by her father and starring her mother. But Liza Minnelli soon dispelled notions that she was coasting on her parents' reputations. When she was 19, she became the youngest performer to win a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical "Flora, the Red Menace." Six years later, she was a star of the first magnitude, capturing an Oscar for her singing, dancing, and acting in "Cabaret."
http://www.lizamay.com/
    1947 – President Harry S. Truman asks Congress for "anticommunist" aid to Greece and Turkey. The speech is dubbed as the Truman Doctrine and officially ushers in the Cold War era. President Truman declares the U.S. must help "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." President Truman declares the world "must choose between alternative ways of life." One based on "the will of the majority . . . distinguished by free institutions"; the other on "the will of a minority . . . terror and oppression . . . the suppression of personal freedoms."
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/17456/mcms.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ht33.html
    1947 – Mitt Romney was born Willard Mitt Romney in Detroit.  Son of former presidential candidate and American Motors CEO, George Romney, Mitt was formerly CEO of Bain Capital before entering politics in 1994.  He was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 2002 after chairing the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.  After failing to gain the Republican Presidential nomination 2008, he was successful in 2012 but lost to incumbent president Barack Obama.  He is now one of the Senators from Utah.
    1948 - Singer/composer James Taylor was born in Boston, MA. His first professional experience was with a rock band called the Flying Machine. Then came his first solo album for the Beatles' Apple Records. It didn't do very well, but after a switch to Warner Brothers, he hit it big. Taylor's second album, "Sweet Baby James," sold three-million copies. "Fire and Rain" from that LP hit the top of the singles chart in 1970 and helped make James Taylor a household name. He won a Grammy Award in 1978 for his recording of "Handy Man," a slowed-down version of the old Jimmy Jones rock 'n' roll song. Taylor married singer Carly Simon in 1972, but she sued for divorce ten years later.
http://www.james-taylor.com/
    1951 - WOMACK, BRYANT E., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Sokso-ri, Korea, 12 March 1952. Entered service at: Mill Springs, N.C. Birth: Mill Springs, N.C. G.O. No.: 5, 12 January 1953. Citation: Pfc. Womack distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Pfc. Womack was the only medical aid man attached to a night combat patrol when sudden contact with a numerically superior enemy produced numerous casualties. Pfc. Womack went immediately to their aid, although this necessitated exposing himself to a devastating hail of enemy fire, during which he was seriously wounded. Refusing medical aid for himself, he continued moving among his comrades to administer aid. While he was aiding 1 man, he was again struck by enemy mortar fire, this time suffering the loss of his right arm. Although he knew the consequences should immediate aid not be administered, he still refused aid and insisted that all efforts be made for the benefit of others that were wounded. Although unable to perform the task himself, he remained on the scene and directed others in first aid techniques. The last man to withdraw, he walked until he collapsed from loss of blood, and died a few minutes later while being carried by his comrades. The extraordinary heroism, outstanding courage, and unswerving devotion to his duties displayed by Pfc. Womack reflect the utmost distinction upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
    1951 - The cartoon "Dennis the Menace" by Hank Ketcham made its syndicated debut in 16 newspapers.
    1951 - Top Hits
“If” - Perry Como
“My Heart Cries for You” - Guy Mitchell
“Be My Love” - Mario Lanza
“There’s Been a Change in Me” - Eddy Arnold
    1951 – The owners of Major League Baseball voted 9-7 against the renewal of Commissioner A.B. ‘Happy’ Chandler’s contract. He represented Kentucky in the Senate and served as its 44th and 49th governor. He served as the second Commissioner of Baseball, succeeding Kenesaw Mountain Landis after the latter’s death, from 1945 to 1951.  Chandler was inducted into the Baseball of Fame in 1982. During his term, baseball underwent considerable structural and economic change.  Chandler supported Jackie Robinson and the racial integration of baseball during the 1947 season.  He suspended Dodgers manager Leo Durocher for associating with gamblers and his affair with actress Laraine Day, breaking up her marriage.  Also in 1947, Chandler sold the rights to broadcast the World Series on the radio for $475,000 and used the money from the contract to establish a pension fund for baseball players.   In 1949, Chandler negotiated a seven-year contract with Gillette and Mutual Broadcasting to broadcast the Series.  Proceeds from the $4,370,000 deal went directly into the pension fund.  The same two companies negotiated a six-year, $6 million contract to broadcast the Series on television in 1950.   Again, Chandler directed the proceeds into the pension fund.  The Mexican League pirated several Major League players.  Chandler deterred players from considering Mexican League offers by imposing a five-year ban from the Majors to anyone who played in the Mexican League and did not return by April 1, 1946. Chandler cited his decision to void a trade between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox for outfielder Dick Wakefield as a major factor in his inability to secure a new contract.   The Yankees traded Wakefield to the White Sox for cash but Wakefield refused to report to the White Sox after a salary dispute, which led to a disagreement between the teams over who was responsible for his salary.  Chandler voided the trade, making Wakefield's contract the Yankees' responsibility and angering their owner, Del Webb. In fact this, Robinson’s integration of the game and Chandler’s perceived support of players issues were the primary causes.   
    1954 - A bridge hand in which each player was dealt a perfect hand of 13 cards of the same suit occurred at Cranston, RI. Irene Motta bid seven hearts and won the bid.
    1954 - A blizzard raged from eastern Wyoming into the Black Hills of western South Dakota while a severe ice storm was in progress from northeastern Nebraska to central Iowa. The ice storm isolated 153 towns in Iowa. Dust from the Great Plains caused brown snow, while hail and muddy rain fell over parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.
    1955 - “Bird Lives.” Jazz alto saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker dies in New York City of heart failure.  He more-or-less invented the be-bop form of music and just the week before played at the New York City jazz club Birdland, which was named after him. Charlie Parker was 34 years old. Among several streets in New York, written in chalk on the sidewalk, “The Bird Lives." The tradition continues on this day, at least here in Saratoga, California.
http://www.chasinthebird.com
http://www.abraxis.com/cmjazz/Parker.html 
http://www.cmgww.com/music/parker/bio.html
http://www.charlieparkerresidence.net/ (national register of historic places)
    1955 - One of the great groups of jazz appeared for the first time at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Dave Brubeck Quartet presented a magnificent concert for jazz fans. Joining with Brubeck, in what would become one of the most popular concert draws on college campuses, were names that would become legends in their own right, including Paul Desmond on alto sax, Joe Morello on drums and Eugene Wright on bass.
http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/cosmo17/dave_brubeck.htm
    1956 - Dick Farley of the Syracuse Nationals fouled out on an NBA game against the St. Louis Hawks after playing just five minutes, the fastest disqualification in league history.
    1956 – Former Atlanta Braves slugger Dale Murphy was born in Portland, OR.  During an 18-year baseball career, 1976–1993, he played for three different teams, but is noted for his time with the Braves. Murphy won consecutive National League MVP Awards (1982–1983), the National League's Silver Slugger Award four straight years (1982–1985), and the National League's Gold Glove award five straight years (1982–1986).
    1959 - Top Hits
“Venus” - Frankie Avalon
“Charlie Brown” - The Coasters
“Alvin’s Harmonica” - David Seville & The Chipmunks
“Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” - Johnny Cash
    1959 - Congress approved the admission of Hawaii as the 50th state in the U.S.
    1962 – Darryl Strawberry was born in LA.  He was a four-time World Series champ (Mets, 1986, Yankees, 1998-2000) whose career is discussed in terms of what might have been had he not succumbed to cocaine.
    1964 - Malcolm X confirms his resignation from Nation of Islam
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/bio.html
    1964 - Teamsters union President James Hoffa was found guilty and sentenced to eight years on bribery charges. He had been on trial 4 times earlier but had not been found guilty.  He appealed against the convictions and, in 1966, while still going through the appeal process, he was re-elected in July 1966 despite two prison sentences totaling 13 years hanging over him.  He vanished in mysterious circumstances in 1975 and has never been seen since.  His body has still not been found and no one has been charged.
    1966 - Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bobby Hull became the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in a season when he tallied his 51st goal of the year against the New York Rangers.
    1966 - In San Francisco, The Alligator Clip, the Charlatans, Sopwith Camel, and Duncan Blue Boy and his Cosmic Yo-Yo, at the Firehouse on Sacramento Street.
    1966 – Jockey Johnny Longden retired from racing with 6,032 wins after 40 years.
    1967 - Top Hits
“Love is Here and Now You’re Gone” - The Supremes
“Baby I Need Your Lovin’” - Johnny Rivers
“Penny Lane” - The Beatles
“The Fugitive” - Merle Haggard
    1967 - A tremendous 4 day storm was in progress across California. Winds to 90 mph closed mountain passes, heavy rains flooded the lowlands, and in 60 hours Squaw Valley was buried under 96 inches of snow.
    1968 - McCarthy does well in the Democratic primary. Senator Eugene McCarthy (D-Minnesota), an outspoken critic of the Johnson administration's policies in Vietnam, polls 42 percent of the vote in New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary. President Lyndon B. Johnson got 48 percent. A Harris poll later showed that anti-Johnson, rather than antiwar, sentiment provided the basis for McCarthy's surprisingly strong performance.
McCarthy had been a contender to be President Lyndon B. Johnson's running mate in the 1964 election, but since then he had become increasingly disenchanted with Johnson's policies in Vietnam and the escalation of the war. In 1967, he published “The Limits of Power,” an assessment of U.S. foreign policy that was very critical of the Johnson administration. McCarthy announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in January, 1968, saying that he hoped to harness the growing antiwar sentiment in the country, particularly among the young. His showing in the New Hampshire primary astonished most of the political pundits. Johnson, frustrated with his inability to reach a solution in Vietnam and stunned by his narrow victory in New Hampshire, announced on March 31, 1968, that he “would neither seek nor accept the nomination of his party for re-election.” The rest of McCarthy's campaign was almost an anticlimax. Senator Robert Kennedy of New York entered the race and won most of the Democratic primaries until his assassination in June. When the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago, a conflict immediately erupted over the party's Vietnam platform. While demonstrations against the war took place in the streets outside the convention hall, Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the party nomination. Humphrey was defeated in the general election by Republican Richard Nixon. McCarthy retired from the Senate in 1971, but his surprising showing in the primary was evidence of the strong antiwar sentiment in the country.
    1969 - Paul McCartney marries photographer Linda Eastman. Contrary to the popular rumor of the day, she is not related to the Eastmans of Eastman-Kodak fame. Paul's brother, Mike McGear is the best man. None of the other Beatles is in attendance. 
    1972 – Gordie Howe retired from the NHL after 26 seasons.
    1974 - "Wonder Woman" debuted on ABC-TV, although it eventually moved to CBS. It starred Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, whose real name was Diana Prince. Wonder Girl, Diana's sister, was Donna Troy.
http://timstvshowcase.com/wonderwomanbak.jpg
    1975 - Top Hits
“Have You Never Been Mellow” - Olivia Newton-John
“Black Water” - The Doobie Brothers
“My Eyes Adored You” - Frankie Valli
“Linda on My Mind” - Conway Twitty 
    1980 - A jury convicted John Wayne Gacy Jr. of the murders of 33 boys and young men.  He had admitted the murders but he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.  He had started his murders in 1972 and continued into 1978 when he was caught.  27 victims were found in a crawl space under the floor of his house and others were found in nearby rivers.  The sentence was 21 consecutive life sentences and 12 death sentences.  On May 10, 1994, Gacy was executed at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois, by lethal injection. 
    1983 - U2's "War" enters the British LP chart at #1.
    1983 - Top Hits
“Billy Jean” - Michael Jackson
“Shame on the Moon” - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
“Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” - Culture Club
“The Rose” - Conway Twitty 
    1984 – At  the World Figure Slaking Championships, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain became the first ice dancing team to earn nine perfect marks of 6.0
    1985 - Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics scored a club-record 60 points in a 126-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Bird broke the record previously held by teammate Kevin McHale, who scored 56 points just nine days earlier. 
    1985 - Auto dealer Tom Bensen and several investors plunked down about $64 million to buy the New Orleans Saints NFL team.
  http://www.neworleanssaints.com/stories.php?story_id=8
    1986 - Susan Butcher wins 1,158 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/but0pro-1
http://www.barberusa.com/motive/butcher_susan.html
    1987 - After breaking all records for advance ticket sales, the British musical “Les Miserables” opened on Broadway.
    1987 - A&M Records presented Special Olympics International with a check for $5 million. It was the first proceeds from sales of "A Very Special Christmas," a collection of yuletide songs by such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bon Jovi, and Run-DMC.
    1989 - An early season heat wave continued in the southwestern and central U.S. Nineteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date. Wichita Falls, TX, which six days earlier reported a record low of 8 above, reported a record high of 95 degrees. Childress, TX was the first spot in the country in 1989 to hit the century mark
    1990 - Unseasonably warm temperatures occurred from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic coast. Over 90 high temperature records for this date were broken or tied. Many of the records were topped by 15 degrees or more and some of the records broken had been set 100 years ago or more. The high temperature for the nation was recorded in Baltimore, Maryland where the temperature reached 95 degrees. Washington, DC and Richmond, Virginia both recorded 89 degrees.
    1990 – The NFL Los Angeles Raiders, formerly the Oakland Raiders, announced that they are returning to Oakland.  They remained there until moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2020 season. 
     1992 – Top Hits
“Someday” - Mariah Carey
“One More Try”- Timmy -T-
“Show Me the Way” - Styx
“I’d Love You All Over Again” - Alan Jackson
    1992 - Eric Clapton appeared on MTV's "Unplugged." His acoustic performance was released as an album, becoming one of his biggest sellers. It included a remake of his 1970 Top-10 hit "Layla," which almost matched the original in popularity. The format produced many other “relaxed, simple, and intimate” performances and records.
    1993 - What was to become the "Great Blizzard of '93" began to develop as a huge mesoscale convective complex formed in the western Gulf of Mexico. As the low pressure area moved eastward and intensified, howling north winds exceeding hurricane force behind the storm were reported by platforms in the Gulf. One platform near 28.5n/ 92.5w recorded sustained winds of 85 mph with gusts to 99 mph. As the low crossed the coast around midnight near Panama City, Florida, the central pressure was already down to 980 millibars (28.94 inches). During the late evening into the early morning hours of the 13th, a vicious squall line swept through Florida and spawned 11 tornadoes resulting in 5 fatalities. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 110 mph at Alligator Point and 109 mph at Dry Tortugas. Extremely high tides occurred along the western Florida coast. A 13-foot storm surge occurred in Taylor County, Florida, resulting in 10 deaths with 57 residences destroyed. Over 500 homes were destroyed with major damage to another 700 structures.
    1993 – Janet Reno was sworn in as the nation’s first female Attorney General.
    1994 - The Church of England broke with 460 years of male dominance when it ordained its first women priests in Bristol Cathedral.
    1996 - Nancy Sinatra gives her famous white go-go boots, the ones that “were made for walkin',” to the Beverly Hills Hard Rock Cafe.
    1996 - Directly contradicting an agreement signed with Netscape the previous day, AOL agrees to use and promote Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser exclusively. In exchange, Microsoft agrees to bundle AOL software with its Windows 95 operating system. The abrupt about-face became an important issue in the Department of Justice's 1998 antitrust suit against Microsoft. A senior vice president at AOL testified that his company had initially avoided selecting the Microsoft browser because Microsoft seemed to be in direct competition with AOL.
    2001 - Richard Hidalgo signs the third-richest contract in Houston Astro history with a four-year, $32 million deal with the club. The outfielder's pact is less than teammate Jeff Bagwell's $85 million (5-years), and Craig Biggio's $33 million (4-years).
    2001 - In a poll conducted by the Recording Industry Association of America, music fans voted Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" as the Song of the Century. The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" came in at #16 and The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was #26. 
    2002 - Andrea Yates, a 37-year-old housewife who drowned her five children in the bathtub of her Texas home in June, 2001, was convicted.
    2003 - The second exhibition season bench-clearing brawl this week occurs as a raging Mike Piazza, after being hit by a pitch, charges the mound in pursuit of Guillermo Mota, who makes to the dugout without being caught. The incident may be a follow-up to an incident the previous spring which resulted in a shoving match after a similar event at which the Met All-Star catcher waited for the Dodger reliever, who was coming off the field in the eighth inning and grabbed him by the jersey.
    2003 - 15-year-old Elizabeth Smart was found in Utah nine months after being kidnapped from her home. Her abductors, an employee who worked at the Smart’s home, and his wife, were captured and were charged of kidnapping, burglary, and sexual assault.
    2006 - Phoenix's record run for dry days finally ends at 143 days. The last measured rain fell on October 18, 2005. Not only did the rain break the dry spell, the 1.40 inches that fell was a record amount for the date.
    2006 - The Chicago Tribune compiled a list of 2,653 C.I.A. employees by searching the Internet. The newspaper stated that Washington was uncertain of whether the Bush Administration had revealed the names of covert C.I.A. operatives to the press and asserts that getting this sort of information is not difficult. The Tribune reported that it had found the names by searching commercial databases on the Internet. The Tribune's deputy managing editor for news has edited the story and says that the paper was surprised by how much it could learn from its online sources (including supposedly undercover operatives' names). He said, “We were able to get identities, internal agency telephone numbers and the locations of some two dozen secret C.I.A. facilities around the United States.”  It has not published the names at the C.I.A's request. A C.I.A. spokeswoman has admitted that this will force the Agency to change its methods of protecting information.
    2008 - An all-Beatles-song episode of FOX-TV's “American Idol,” seven years in the making, draws an estimated 31 million viewers.
    2009 - Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty in New York to pulling off perhaps the biggest swindle in Wall Street history.
    2010 - President Bush's top political adviser said he approved of the controversial techniques such as waterboarding. Known as the former president's 'brain,' Karl Rove said he did not believe that this form of interrogation amounted to torture. In an interview with BBC TV, he has claimed that waterboarding has helped prevent further terrorist attacks. 'I'm proud that we used techniques that broke the will of these terrorists and gave us valuable information that allowed us to foil plots.'
    2012 – The US Census Bureau reported that the world population exceeds 7 billion people.  As of March 4, 2021, the population is just under 7.85 billion.  Top 10 highest populations:  China, India, US, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, Mexico.
    2013 – The College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church entered the Sistine Chapel to begin voting on a new Pope after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down from the position. A day later, the Cardinals chose Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio as the new Pope who took the name Pope Francis. Pope Francis is the first Pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope.
    2013 – Google agreed to settle a privacy lawsuit, paying a $7 million fine over its handling of wireless data from early 2008 until spring, 2010.
    2019 – Dozens were charged by US prosecutors in a college admissions bribery scandal.  Among them were actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman.  At least 53 people were charged as part of the conspiracy, many of whom pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty. Thirty-three parents of college applicants are accused of paying more than $25 million between 2011 and 2018 to William Rick Singer, organizer of the scheme, who used part of the money to fraudulently inflate entrance exam test scores and bribe college officials.  Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Gianulli, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.  On August 21, 2020, Loughlin was fined and sentenced to two months in prison.  Huffman pleaded guilty to federal charges for paying $15,000 to have a proctor correct SAT questions answered incorrectly by her daughter.  She was sentenced to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and one-year supervised release for her part in the scandal.  She reported to prison and began her sentence on October 15, 2019. She was released from prison on October 25, 2019. Among those universities involved are a “who’s who” of the elite:  Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, Texas, UCLA.