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Sales Manager – Irvine, CA
We're looking for a detail oriented, profit driven Sales Manager with 10 years experience in sales and/or management in the middle ticket equipment finance/leasing industry. Great opportunity for huge earnings potential as we offer a competitive salary with bonus and commission. Send resumes to llewis@calfirstlease.com .
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Monday, March 6, 2006
Headlines---
NAELB “List Serve”--"Master Member”
Classified Ads---Operations
1st Bank Highland Park “Funder List”
Outsource your lead generation
Top Stories--February 27-March 3
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Why IFC Credit is in Trouble
Coda:Texas Law NorVergence Leases
3/30 So.Cal.Roundtable Open to All
Which Browser is Better?
#1 North American Client for Alpha
News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
Calendar Events
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
Winter Poem
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
March 6, 2001 Archive---NAELB “List Serve”/”Master Member”
National Association of Lease Brokers Members write us to let us know their "List Serve" is an "outstanding member benefit." They state, "...because it's no time to go it alone!"
Right now 1/2 of the NAELB membership is using this service. Along with the promotion of the New Orleans Conference in May, this service is being promoted.
A fax is being sent to all the members:
1. Have you ever needed to find a funding source?
2. Would you like to be alerted to the latest fraud schemes?
3. Have you ever struggled with documentation, pricing or structure of a lease?
4. Would new ideas oil management, employee compensation, etc. be helpful?
5. Do you like keeping in touch with NAELB members?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the above ... You Need to subscribe to the NAELB List Serve! There are many seasoned brokers that are ready, willing and able to answer your questions! It's like having an NAELB Conference at your fingertips each and everyday.
The latest from NAELB:
The flyer sent to members asks them to join and start earning rewards and recognition:
"Receive a variety of special Master Member gifts, benefits, and programs as well as distinguished recognition at NAELB events.
"Earn Points toward you Master Member Status
* Accumulate consecutive years of membership
* Attend annual and regional events
* Chair a conference or committee
* Be a committee member, officer or Board member
* Be an event sponsor, exhibitor or speaker
* Attend member orientation
* Publish an article in Leasing Logic
* Attend a distance learning session.
"Qualifying Mater Members who sign up by March 15 will receive a Master Member sweater and name badge at our upcoming annual conference, so don't wait. Visit www.naelb.org and sign up today."
[headlines]
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Classified Ads---Operations
Chicago Portland Special 1906*
For a full view panorama picture:
http://www.leasingnews.org/items/LN_Classified/Chicago_Train_1906.jpg
Orange County, CA.
Operations/Credit Manager with 15 Years Experience, Middle & Large Ticket, initiated policies for Patriot Act and Sarbanes Oxley, Team Motivator.
E-mail: equiplender@aol.com
East Windsor, NJ.
Skilled Manager in credit, collections, training, documentation, policy and procedure, lease and finance operations. Get results and keep the customer coming back.
Email: rgmorrill@comcast.net
Resume
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/Resumes/Richard_Morrill.pdf
New York, NY.
10+ years in equipment leasing/secured lending. Skilled in management & training, documentation, policy and procedure development & implementation, portfolio reporting. Strong work ethic.
Email: dln1031@nyc.rr.com
Wayne, NJ
20+ heavily experienced collection/recovery VP looking to improve someone's bottom line. Proven, verifiable track record. Knowledge of all types of portfolio. Will relocate
Email: cmate@nac.net
For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm
To place a free “job wanted” ad, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp
*Chicago Portland Special 1906
Size: 12" x 36"$29.95
http://www.snapshotsofthepast.com/chicagoportlandspecialtrain1906panorama.html
[headlines]
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First Bank of Highland Park joins “Funder List”
A -Accepts Broker Business | B -Requires Broker be Licensed | C -Sub-Broker Program
| D -"Private label Program" | E - Also "in house" salesmen
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Name
In Business Since Contact
Website
Leasing Association
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44. |
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7 employees
(65 bank) |
United States |
$50,000 to $22,000,000 |
Commercial Passanger Aircraft |
N |
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(GG) First Bank of Highland Park is a relationship oriented funding source that has been providing a full range of financial products to the equipment Lessor for over twenty years. These products include non recourse discounting, warehouse/bridge lines of credit, syndication participations, recourse term facilities as well as syndicated revolving lines. Our credit underwriting criteria requires a minimum net worth of $75 million for manufacturing, retail, and service type companies and a $15 million net worth for institutional type credits which include hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and law firms. Simply stated, our approach to funding is very straight forward. We provide very aggressive rates for very good credits
For full list, please go here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/Funders.htm
[headlines]
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SunBridge Capital Marketing Tip
Outsource your lead generation
The purpose of most marketing in our industry is to generate sales leads. You can run ads, drop mailers, make calls or utilize online marketing.
Another option is to leave all of the marketing to someone else and just buy the resulting leads. Sales lead providers have already made the investments of time, knowledge and capital necessary to attract the target audience - so you don't have to.
Typically, lead providers ask you to complete a profile of what kind of leads you want. They then send you leads (usually originated on one of their websites) that meet your criteria. Be sure to carefully scrutinize contracts and pay structures so you don't over-commit yourself.
So what's the catch? Usually these leads are expensive (compared to what you are used to spending) and no matter how much research and qualifying you do, a lead never automatically equals a "sale".
Some of the top providers of leads for the equipment leasing industry are:
iBank
www.ibank.com
Leads2Results
www.leads2results.com
BusinessFinance.com
www.businessfinance.com
There are lead providers who are less specific to the equipment leasing industry. A couple minutes spent on a search engine will help you identify many more.
This is not an endorsement by SunBridge Capital. You should research any marketing decision carefully before you commit.
SunBridge Capital, Inc.
1989
Vickie Rocco
vrocco@sunbridgecapital.com
Chris Gregory
cgregory@sunbridgecapital.com
888-756-2521
866-798-3699 - Fax
www.SunBridgeCapital.com/Kit
EAEL, ELA, NAELB, UAEL
SunBridge Capital is a direct funding source. We specialize in commercial equipment such as construction equipment, work trucks, titled vehicles and more. Because we understand the value of the assets we fund, we are able to approve a wider range of customers than most other lenders, and deliver approvals in one business day or less. Attractive commissions on small deals and great rates for start-ups SunBridge Capital is happy to finance qualifying start-up companies with only a one-page application required for a credit decision and pricing. |
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[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Top Stories--February 27-March 3
Here are the top ten stories most "opened" by readers last week.
(1) Marlin Y/E Growth/Utah Industrial Bank ( in organization )
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-03-06.htm#marlin
(2) Quail Capital Corp. Joins “Super Broker list”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-03-06.htm#broker
(3) Bank of the West, Indirect Leasing Group
Joins “Funder List”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-01-06.htm#funder
(4) 1st Heritage Bank joins “Funder” list
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-03-06.htm#funder
(5) Popular Leasing to Begin Acquiring Small Ticket Leasing Portfolios
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-01-06.htm#pop
(6) Range Rover Makes LeaseCompare.com's Top 10
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-03-06.htm#range
(7) Selling Up-"Negotiate Now"-by Steve Chriest
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-03-06.htm#negotiate
(8) Looking for information on Royal Links, Iowa Court
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-01-06.htm#royal
(9) Utah Industrial Bank Latest LCA Bank Corp.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-01-06.htm#lca
(10) Correction: Pat Widmar 847-562-1095
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-01-06.htm#correct
The Top Ten did not include the "Extra" sent out as an e-mail and therefore was not "opened" to be counted.
NorVergence BK charges Salzano son stealing $1/2 MM
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202006/03-02-06_Extra.htm
[headlines]
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Classified Ads—Help Wanted
Account Executive
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Account Executive
Seeking an assertive, goal-oriented, profit-motivated Account Executive with sales experience in the equipment finance industry for Irvine , California headquarters. Unlimited earning potential - competitive salary with bonus and commission. Send resumes to llewis@calfirstlease.com or log on to www.calfirstjobs.com/apply_now.htm to apply for position.
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Financial Analyst
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Financial Analyst – Irvine, CA
Calfirst Leasing Corporation is looking for experienced individual with a commercial credit analysis background. This opportunity affords a competitive salary plus great medical and 401k benefits. If you have a minimum of 2 years commercial credit analysis background, please send us your resume to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Send resumes to bbumblis@cfnbc.com.
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Independent Regional Sales Manager
|
Independent
Reg. Sales Managers:
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia. Other positions available nationally. Vehicle & Equipment Funder.
Earnings potential is unlimited. Two years outside leasing/finance sales, proven track closing deals. Est. customer base/vendors a plus. Click here for more info.
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Lease Representatives
 |
Seeking Lease Representatives
in Baltimore, Atlanta,
Charlotte or Raleigh.
In these positions, you will develop and maintain relationships with lease brokers, leasing companies, equipment vendors and direct lessees throughout the Region. Must be knowledgeable in indirect/third party transactions ranging from $15K and up and have the necessary in-market experience. Please apply on-line at www.mandtbank.com.
At M&T Bank, we provide an exciting and challenging work environment where performance and innovative thinking are encouraged and rewarded at every level. With over 700 branches, your career can travel as far as you want to take it!
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Sales Manager
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Sales Manager – Irvine, CA
We're looking for a detail oriented, profit driven Sales Manager with 10 years experience in sales and/or management in the middle ticket equipment finance/leasing industry. Great opportunity for huge earnings potential as we offer a competitive salary with bonus and commission. Send resumes to llewis@calfirstlease.com .
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[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Why IFC Credit Corp. is in Trouble
by Christopher Menkin
REPORTER'S RECORD
2 VOLUME 1 OF 5
3 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. CC-04-04187-C
4 SPECIALTY OPTICAL D/B/A SOS, § IN THE COUNTY COURT
Plaintiff, §
5 §
VS. § AT LAW NO. 3
6 §
IF CREDIT CORPORATION, §
7 Defendant. § DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS
8
9
10
11
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12
NON-JURY TRIAL ON MERITS
In the trial before the Honorable Sally L. Montgomery, Dallas, Texas, IFC Credit Corporation Officer John Estok, CLP, divulges that his company has a $100 million asset portfolio with over $14 million in “up to 800” NorVergence leases with 550 in question: “…for the last 18 months, every month out the door is $300,000 in payments to the banks, and every month in the door is $100,000 or so of cash from settlements and customers who are still making their payments. “
The funds are borrowed, allegedly $9 million from a line of credit at PFF Bank (confirmed by the bank officer to Leasing News), $3 million from two investment groups (from three reliable sources), and $1 million in other bank lines (from court testimony.)
What the actual dollar potential loss is not know. In testimony, it is said there were “up to 800” NorVergence leases, but only 550 are in question. Are the 250 then making leasing payments and not considered in “default.” In addition to the reverse cash flow from the leases, the expenses involved in recovery from those not making monthly payments is not covered, or similar default situations such as Royal Links golf cart-advertising leases. It appears IFC
Credit has entered water filled with alligators.
Instead of the issue simply being the lessee signed the contract and must make the payments come “hell or high water,” IFC Credit appears to being held accountable for their process and substance as defined by Texas law.
There are issues regarding residual value, and what IFC Credit paid NorVergence for the lease contracts as it appears a series of “holdbacks” was required by IFC Credit to purchase NorVergence leases. Some of the hold backs come up to over 50% to 75% of the cost of equipment (not stream of payments.) One contention is the manner in which IFC Credit stated what it paid for the lease contract in prior testimony, where in reality it did not as it had a series of “hold backs,” but on its side, said the money was to be paid to NorVergence, based upon performance and other criteria. The other side states the reality it was “not paid” and at best was misleading, but claims it meets the legal definition of “perjury” in previous testimony.
In this specific law suit, the “Equipment Rental Agreement” is for 60 months at $543.67 or $32,620.20. After testimony, it is learned that IFC paid NorVergence $11,743 for a $28,000 original invoice figure that yielded lease payments of $32,620.20. The original lease factor was .0194, but in “reality” was .0463 on a sixty month term:)
The residual of the lease, which was booked as having no value, according to testimony. There was no further yield, but in Texas law this may also be viewed as a “capital lease” and not an “operating lease.” The lack of residual value, whether stated or in practice may have legal consequences regarding usury and/or “consumer” law.
It was also IFC Credit desire to have the venue in Illinois, where the laws are more “favorable” or politely put, the IFC Credit are drawn for this venue than elsewhere, plus their attorneys have more experience with Illinois law and success.
There also is the issue of the use of NorVergence “Equipment Rental Agreements,” the assigning FirstCorp, investors, and to other lines of credit the actual leases. These actions further defined the value of the residual and actual substance ( remember the recent ruling regarding substance being a determining factor in the nature of the transaction as being a “finance” or an “operating lease.”)
This specific lease being contested also reaches into Texas law regarding consumer and commercial law, usury, and “fraud,” as defined by the State of Texas.
All parties agree to a trial before a judge only, and the Honorable Sally L. Montgomery is hearing the case in her Dallas court.
Leasing News not only asked Rudoph Trebels,CLP, John Estok, CLP, and Brian Cascarano for a comment, but showed them an advance draft of this story, requesting a statement or reaction:
“We appreciate your inquiring. But we feel that it is neither fair nor appropriate to comment on pending litigation. As you are aware, these are very complex issues with serious ramifications for lessors, lenders and small business in general. Discussing only parts of individual testimony does not provide all of the facts necessary to make fair judgments on these issues. We expect that after looking at all of the facts, the courts will make a fair decision regarding these matters. “
Brian Cascarano
VP of Marketing
bcascarano@ifccredit.com
IFC Credit is in the process of filing their post trial briefing. The defense will have opportunity to respond, thus this trial will be going on for weeks, possibly months of more briefing before a judgment is handed down.
The issue regarding what is libel or not libel concerns statements of what IFC Credit or First Corp paid for the NorVergence leases. In a Florida case, and in the Texas case, the original number was utilized, not what was paid to NorVergence as they viewed the hold back and discount arrangement and cost of recovery as part of the price, according to the attorney representing the defendant (this involves the lease for 60 months at $543.67 or $32,620.20 that IFC paid NorVergence $11,743 for a $28,000 selling figure that yielded $32,620.20:)
Here is specific testimony, questions asked to Mr. Estok, CLP:
Q And you're pretty good with numbers; is that
10 right, sir?
11 A I can get around, yeah.
12 Q What percentage return on your $11,743 investment
13 are you trying to get out of this court?
14 A Oh, I don't know. I don't know how to answer
15 that.
16 Q Does it amount to about 170 percent return on
17 your original investment if the Court was to give you the
18 amount of money you're looking for? About 170 percent
19 return? Does that sound right, doing the math in your head?
20 A I can't -- I don't know the answer that question.
21 Q Well, you're certainly looking for more than a
22 hundred percent return, right?
23 A Of course, we're looking at the 28,000, not the
24 11,000. The 24,000. Of course, we talked about that
25 yesterday.
32
1 Q That's more than a hundred percent return, right?
2 A Of the 24,000?
3 Q The 24,000 would be more than a hundred percent
4 return on the 11,000?
5 A Yes.
6 Q Okay. It actually works out to more like 160
7 percent return on your investment, what you're looking for,
8 right? Is that correct, sir?
9 A I don't know.
February 10th
23 Q (By Mr. Lownds) So do you recall claiming,
24 telling The Leasing News -- well, first of all, does that
25 refresh your recollection about having an interview with The 34
1 Leasing News?
2 A I didn't have an interview with The Leasing News.
3 Q You called The Leasing News?
4 A I called the -- I phoned the owner of The Leasing
5 News.
6 Q And did you tell him that information in the
7 headline is false? Did you tell him that?
8 A I probably did.
9 Q And did you also tell him, We did not lose one
10 thin dime as a result of the Novergence bankruptcy? Did you
11 tell him that?
12 A I had -- I phoned him in his car. He talked to
13 me on his cell phone. He mischaracterized a number of the
14 things that I said to him. That may have been one of them.
15 But the report that was published the next day was full of
16 inaccurate statements.
17 Q Did you tell him, We, meaning IFC, did not lose
18 one thin dime as a result of the NorVergence bankruptcy? Did
19 you make that statement, sir, or not?
20 A I don't think so.
21 Q Are you denying making that?
22 A I'm having trouble searching for the context of
23 this in my mind. I could probably take a look at that and
24 it might refresh my memory.
25 Q Sure. It was in response to your taking offense 35
1 at --
2 THE COURT: Let him look at it.
3 Q (By Mr. Lownds) Let me show you this and see if
4 it refreshes your recollection.
5 THE COURT: You realize this Court is well-
6 aware of inaccuracies by the news. So, since I've already
7 been grilled on it just this morning, and I'm innocent. So
8 this is a steep hill to climb, Mr. Lownds.
9 A Yeah, here's the context of this. Let me give
10 you the context of this whole issue as I recall it. The
11 headline was in connection with the fact that we had walked
12 away from all of the leases that were subject to that June
13 23rd agreement. That included the extra collateral. You
14 remember we talked a little bit earlier about the extra
15 collateral that was associated with the June 23rd, the June
16 14th document that we never concluded? This lawsuit was
17 filed by some of the customers that were in that pool of 18 leases.
THE WITNESS: Let me just -- here's my
7 understanding of it. The nature of this allegation from The
8 Leasing News was that we had lost our case as it relates to
9 the additional collateral that we took. And my position was
10 we didn't lose any money on that because we never purchased
11 those contracts. That's the position that I was taking with
12 him.
13 Q Okay.
14 A Now, we had -- he was on his cell phone driving
15 around somewhere in California. He missed half of the
16 points I tried to make. This is a pretty low-end -- this is
17 not exactly a professional journalistic endeavor here. And
18 because of the way I was mischaracterized, I did not go back
19 again and get into another debate with him on the subject.
20 But that's the context here.
21 Q Did IFC file a motion to lift stay in the
22 bankruptcy?
23 A I believe we did.
To refresh Mr. Estok, CLP's memory, I did reach Mr. Estok, CLP back on my car telephone asking him when it would be convenient to talk to him as I was driving at the time. The interview was not conducted on a car telephone. Mr. Estok, CLP gave me a time to reach him in his office. I called him back, and made notes of the conversation on a yellow pad on my desk as he was doing the great majority of the talking. I took notes as the conversation was “on the record” and I wanted to make sure I had the statements he was making as “accurate" as possible. I still have the yellow note pad with the notes I made.
Mr. Estok, CLP obviously did not think I was the "owner," but talked to me as a "writer" and that he was going to call the advisory board about my writing skills, my errors, and intimated he was going to get me fired. He didn't like the word in the headline, “Wallop,” and made that perfectly clear many times. He was quite angry, talking louder and faster, building up his temper. When finally slowed down enough for me to get a word in edgewise, I informed him it wasn't necessary to talk to the advisory board as they are not involved in any way in editorial decisions, plus I was also the publisher and sole stockholder of the corporation. I wasn't going to fire myself. After hearing that, he was no longer interested in talking to me.
Here is more regarding testimony on what IFC Credit declared they paid for leases, but later “hold backs” and other agreements came forward:
MR. TRUSEVICH: No, when I asked the Court as 23 far as the gentleman who swore that they paid $24,000 needs 24 to come down here, they said, if they want to file a 25 motion. We will be doing that, Judge. We believe the Court 51
1 needs to hear why he said that. If they've got 550 of these
2 around the country, you can't have affidavits sworn under
3 oath saying we paid $24,000 when we all know it's just a
4 game here, that they paid $11,500. $11,500 is the only
5 amount of money that ever left IFC property. The hold back
6 account is under IFC's control. We'd like that gentleman to
7 come down here, explain to the Court why he did that under
8 oath at the summary judgment stage when we didn't have any
9 documents to refute that. They have 550 of these around the
10 country. Judge, he ought to come down here, explain it.
11 And we believe -- this gentleman right here
12 said, well, it depends what the definition of paid is. Your
13 Honor, paid is paid. If I say I paid $10 for this, and I
14 really only paid five and put five in a secret holding
15 account, that's disingenuous. What we believe is he needs
16 to come down here, explain why he swore. And then we're
17 going to be asking -- we believe a penalty of one percent of
18 what their asset holding is is correct. But if Your Honor
19 hears it and says, all right, the definition of paid is this
20 floating definition -- but, Your Honor, you need to hear
21 that.
22 The only way this system works is by people
23 telling the truth. And I make no holds about it, what that
24 man did is he lied; he committed perjury; and his buddy here
25 is going to protect him, Mr. Estok, (CLP,) with all due respect to 52
THE WITNESS: We advanced $14 million in
5 leases to NorVergence customers. Of that, we may have had a
6 million to two million dollars of these various holdbacks
7 that had not been paid to them yet and would not be paid to
8 them because of their bankruptcy. We owed, however, $14
9 million to the banks. We borrowed $14 million from the
10 banks. So the banks are not putting us in default on those
11 obligations despite the fact that the underlying contracts
12 have defaulted, on the basis that we continue to pay them
13 their interest and principal every month. So for the last
14 18 months, every month out the door is $300,000 in payments
15 to the banks, and every month in the door is $100,000 or so
16 of cash from settlements and customers who are still making 17 their payments.
22 Q So if it's a true statement that IFC paid
23 $11,743.67, then you would agree with me, just as a basic
24 principle of logic, that it is a false statement to say that
25 IFC paid $24,723.51, right? That would be a false
8 Q (By Mr. Lownds) Sure. Is it a false statement
9 that IFC took the assignment of the agreement by paying the
10 purchase price of $24,723.51, because that amount was never
11 paid?
12 A I don't think it's a false statement, because I
13 think we intended to pay the entire $24,723.51.
14 Q I won't bicker with you, sir, but it doesn't say
15 intended to pay. It says by paying, doesn't it?
16 A That's what it says.
17 Q And that would be perjury, in other words,
18 correct?
19 A I wouldn't say that, no.
11 Q Now, your company, I think you said, was a $100
12 million company?
13 A What I said was that our assets, the amount of
14 assets on our own books is around $100 million. That would
15 be the aggregate value of the portfolio that we hold in our
16 books.
17 Q And with NorVergence, you had loaned as of June
18 of 2004, you had bought up to $13 to $14 million worth of
19 leases?
20 A Fourteen.
21 Q $14 million. And you stopped doing business with
22 NorVergence on June 15th, 2004, correct?
23 A Approximately, yes.
24 Q And that was prior to the bankruptcy?
He speaks of a meeting with NorVergence with 25 or more leasing companies involved, forming a steering committee, hiring "turn around" person, and then: You were saying they hired
18 Mr. Mane. Then what happened?
19 A Shortly thereafter, the steering committee and
20 Mr. Mane spoke to Quest, and they made it pretty clear that
21 they were not --
22 Q Who is Quest?
23 A Quest was the primary supplier of T-1 services to
24 NorVergence customers.
25 Q Okay. And what was their position vis-a-vis
93
1 NorVergence, if you know, how much money were they owed?
2 A Four or $5 million. And they made it pretty well
3 known that they were not willing to sit back and wait. If
4 the account wasn't brought up to date immediately, they were
5 going to shut off the service, which would have shut off
6 service for all the customers, all 11,000 customers.
7 Because of that, four of the lenders who had direct exposure
8 to them filed an involuntary Chapter 11 filing. I believe
9 that's around the end of June some time.
There were some expenses that just had
21 to be taken care of. I mean he had missed one payroll. He
22 was about to miss a second payroll. People were going to
23 start leaving immediately. Rent was past due. The landlord
24 was making noises. Obviously Quest was very unhappy. So to
25 buy some time, we collectively raised $2 million.
94
1 Q You say we collectively?
2 A The 22 leasing companies involved in this, of
3 which IFC contributed $200,000. To simply buy enough time
4 to see if there could be a strategy emerge that would allow
5 this company to reorganize under bankruptcy and get back out
6 there and handle their business. About -- within about a
7 week, Keith was back to us to say that the hole was pretty
8 deep, that they needed $10 million in immediate financing to
9 get out of the hole. And based on that, no one had any
10 interest in continuing to support the company. They could
11 not arrange any dip financing to help them through the
12 bankruptcy. So by middle of July, the bankruptcy was
13 converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation and a trustee was then
• appointed.
Here is a 21 page "excerpt" synopsis of the transcript:
http://www.leasingnews.org/docs/Specialty_VS_IFC-Credit.doc
The full transcript includes information about the hearing in Texas versus Illinois, the judge stating that if fraud is involved, it would not be to IFC Credit favor in Texas. This is a hearing by a judge, not a trial by jury.
Here is the full 150 page transcript ( Exhibit's were not available to us:)
http://www.leasingnews.org/docs/SpecOp_v._IFC_Trial_Trnscipt.doc
[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Coda: Texas Law NorVergence Leases
In a related matter, that is the case was filed in Texas, but this time against Preferred Capital.
Please note that (1) Texas has a particular statute regarding where its citizens may be sued, and (2) this is a temporary injunction, with trial scheduled for December, and therefore it is not a final decision.
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Pref_Capital_Temp_Injunction.pdf
[headlines]
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March 30 Orange County Roundtable Open to All
Leasing Association Meetings Open Non-Members
Roundtable Event
UAEL So-Cal Region would like to invite you to our
Annual Roundtable Event
Thursday, March 30th, 2006
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Experian Building , Orange County
Roundtable Discussions:
Mohammed Ahsan, Quail Capital
“How to put together a winning submission package”
Ken Goodman, Goodman & Associates
“ Advanced Leasing Sales Skills”
Sell more, build stronger vendor relationships and understand your lessee
Bob Robichaud, PFF Bank & Trust
“How to sell a deal by understanding their financials”
Paul Foster, Allegiant Partners
“Selling structured transactions to your credit challenged customer; working with start-ups and how to get them financed”
Experian
“ How to read credit reports and business credit reports”
Chris Pisacane, PFF Bank & Trust
“ How to make your deals fund fast, eg: doc issues, delivery, vendor invoice”
**This discussion will help with back office issues.
No cost to UAEL Members, $10 for Non-Members
Please register via email with Gina Iacono at
giacono@westoverfinancial.com or telephone (714) 834-0127, ext. 102
Event Hosted by the UAEL Southern California Region
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Which Browser is Better?
February 2006 browser usage market share numbers provided by HitsLink show a return to growth for both Firefox and Safari. Firefox inches ever so close to a critical mass of 10% market share, ending the month at 9.75%. With momentum back on its side could March be the month they finally cross into double digit market share?
Browser share of the marketplace
Firefox is overwhelmingly considered the best browser available on the market today, with just over 50% of the voters choosing it, according to Hitslink.
Apple Safari recovered nicely from suffering its first market share loss in over a year during January they report. February showed Safari jumping past its pre-January number of 3.07% to 3.13% market share.
“But, it appears Opera Software's Opera browser will be dominating the portable device market. Opera is already available for phones and handheld computers. They also offer a device that allows you to browse the internet from your TV. One of the key features of Opera is that it resizes the browser window dynamically to fit whatever device you are using. And, soon (expected in June) Opera will even be available on the Nintendo DS. The device browsing market is expected to grow significantly in the next couple of years. And, Opera is poised to own that market.”
(I personally use Opera the most as it is the fastest. I have used it since Netscape. I often use Explorer for features as many of the conversions from Firefox are not as friendly for me. Both are slow compared to Opera. If you are in a hurry, and have a lot of research to do, none of the windows browers perform as well.
( The Apple users say very little spam on their system. Spam is getting worse each week. I have started to block them to see if it makes any difference. So far a lot of work for no noticeable results. editor)
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### Press Release ###########################
First North American Client for Alpha
ALFA Systems platform to be used at three Textron entities
Chicago, – CHP Consulting Ltd., the leading provider of software and services to the global asset finance industry, today announced it has secured its first client in North America – diversified commercial finance company Textron Financial Corporation of Providence, R.I.
CHP is installing its ALFA Systems technology platform to support Textron Financial's Golf Equipment Finance Division and the Textron Financial subsidiaries of Cessna Finance Corporation (CFC) and Textron Business Services, Inc. (TBS). Together these entities finance more than 300,000 assets annually. The Golf Equipment Finance Division finances E-Z-Go golf cars and Jacobson turf care equipment, while CFC finances Cessna airplanes, Bell helicopters and other aircraft. TBS provides portfolio servicing for leasing companies, banks, and portfolio managers.
Installation of the CHP ALFA Systems software platform is currently underway. CHP is partnering with Capgemini U.S. LLC, which will be providing project integration and related services during the installation.
CHP Consulting Secures First North American Client
“North America is very important for us and we're very pleased with the interest we've received in the ALFA Systems platform since entering this market less than a year ago,” said CHP Director Andrew Denton. “We're providing Textron Financial with a unique, end-to-end, enterprise software platform to manage all aspects of its leasing operations with these business units. This is but the first of many expected client engagements in the United States and Canada.”
Denton noted that founding CHP Director Justin Cooper and Project Manager Malcolm Gordon have relocated to the United States to manage the installation process and provide ongoing support to Textron Financial and future CHP clients here. Cooper and Gordon will be working closely with Steve LeBarron, CHP Vice President of Marketing in North America.
“CHP has a very impressive track record and we are very pleased with the progress of the project,” said TBS Vice President John Salvator. “CHP is very committed to the U.S. market place and their product really stands out in this market. Key requirements for us were lease and loan capability, end-to-end processing and proven delivery for businesses like Textron – ALFA ticks all these boxes.”
About Textron Financial Corporation
Textron Financial is a diversified commercial finance company with $9 billion in managed receivables. It has core businesses in Aviation Finance, Asset-Based Lending, Distribution Finance, Golf Finance, Resort Finance, and Structured Capital. Textron Financial also provides financing programs for products manufactured by its parent company, Textron Inc. Additional information about the company is available at www.textronfinancial.com .
About CHP Consulting
CHP Consulting has been delivering system solutions to the leasing and asset finance industry since 1990. With more than 140 employees worldwide, CHP has great expertise in the industry and a first-class delivery record. Its flagship product, ALFA Systems, provides dedicated support for equipment finance, consumer finance, asset management, vehicle finance and structured finance. It is used by clients in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and North America. These include RBS Lombard, HSBC, Nissan Finance, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, Société Générale, ING Lease, Investec, Textron Financial and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. For more information, visit www.chpconsulting.com .
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News Briefs----
Royal Bank splits stock, boosts dividend as Q1 profit jumps 20% to $1.17B
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/060303/b030380.html
Huge Phone Deal Seeks to Thwart Smaller Rivals
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/06/business/06phone.html?hp&ex=
1141707600&en=eaaef06a5683b023&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Auto-parts supplier Dana files for bankruptcy protection
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006-03-03-dana_x.htm
The High-Speed Money Line
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/06/technology/06broadband.html?_r=
1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
Quick cash lashes borrowers
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/
E825A8E66B562DDB8625712700146D48?OpenDocument
More big companies admit tax mistakes
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2006-03-02-tax-oops-usat_x.htm
"Crash" Stuns Oscars, Wins Best Film
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-oscars.html
http://blogs.usatoday.com/awardsnight/
Stewart made the most of his shot
http://www.variety.com/VR1117939289.html
Atlanta lags in race to Wi-Fi
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/0304bizwifi.html
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You May Have Missed
Domestic box-office totals for the most-honored films at the 78th annual Academy Awards:
-- ''Crash,'' Lionsgate, three Oscars, including best picture, released in May, $55.4 million.
-- ''Brokeback Mountain,'' Focus, three Oscars, including best director, released in December, $75.4 million.
-- ''King Kong,'' Universal, three Oscars, released in December, $216.7 million.
-- ''Memoirs of a Geisha,'' Sony, three Oscars, released in December, $56.7 million.
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Sports Briefs----
NFL Labor Deadline Is Extended Again
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/05/
AR2006030500255.html
Raiders Don't Cut Collins as reported elsewhere
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/06/RAIDERS.TMP
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2006-03-05-cutdown-rdp_x.htm
Seahawks, Alexander agree on multi-year deal
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002846645_webalexander05.html
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“Gimme that Wine”
HONOR ZIN? SOME CALL IT A SIN
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14023642.htm
California Wineries go all out to attract direct paying customers
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14023725.htm
On Wine -- Same wine, two bottles, two tastes
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/03/02/business/local/iq_3323223.txt
www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
If you want to know if you got a value for your wine, or what the wine price is today, go to www.winezap.com Type in the vintage (year) and name of the producer with wine type or geographic area, such as 1995 Chateau Lynch Bages Pauillac. Even 1995 Lynch Bages will work, or 1999 Viader
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Calendar Events This Day
Chocolate Cheesecake Day
Dentists' Day
Guam: Discovery Day or Magellan Day
Commemorates discovery of Guam in 1521 by Magellan, Annualy, the first Monday in March.
Orthodox Green Monday
Green, or Clean Monday is the first Monday of Lent on the Orthodox Christian calendar. Lunch in the fields, with bread, olives and uncooked vegetables and no meat or dairy products.
Orthodox Lent
March 6-April 15. Great Lent or Easter Lent, observed by Eastern Orthodox churches, last until Holy Week begins on Orthodox Palm Sunday, (April 16.) the first day is known as Clean Monday which begins the Great Fast when Orthodox Christians abstain from easting meat, dairy, and fish.
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Today's Top Event in History
1836-Four days after Texas declared itself an independent republic, the Alamo, a fortified mission at San Antonio, Texas, where fewer than 200 Texans were garrisoned was captured by the Mexican leader Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who had led 3000 troops across the Rio Grande. Every Texan except a mother, a child, and servant was killed. The siege, led by Mexican general Santa Anna, began Feb 23 and reached its climax Mar 6, when the last of the defenders was slain. Texans, under General Sam Houston, rallied with the war cry "Remember the Alamo" and, at the Battle of San Jacinto, Apr 21, defeated and captured Santa Anna, who signed a treaty recognizing Texas's independence.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar06.html
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This Day in American History
1791-American painter of miniatures and a member of the famous Peale family of artists, Anna Claypoole Peal is born at Philadelphia, PA; died December 25,1878.
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/13976/mcms.html
1834- Delmonico's, one of NY's finest restaurants, provides a meal of soup, steak, coffee & half a pie for 12 cents. The restaurant is considered the oldest in New York. Some of it's “firsts:”
The first diner called by the French name restaurant
The first diner where guests sat at their own tables
The first printed menu
The first tablecloths
The first debutante ball outside a private home
The first restaurant to offer a leisurely lunch and dinner
Oysters Rockefeller
Lobster Newberg, first called Lobster Wenberg
Baked Alaska
Eggs Benedict
Delmonico potatoes
Delmonico steak
Hamburger (known then as the Hamburg Steak) First use of the expression that something is "86'd", since the Delmonico Steak was item 86 on the menu and, when sold out, it was 86'd") .
http://www.nextmagazine.net/restaurants/delmonicos.shtml
http://www.cbbqa.com
1836-Four days after Texas declared itself an independent republic, the Alamo, a fortified mission at San Antonio, Texas, where fewer than 200 Texans were garrisoned was captured by the Mexican leader Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who had led 3000 troops across the Rio Grande. Every Texan except a mother, a child, and servant was killed. The siege, led by Mexican general Santa Anna, began Feb 23 and reached its climax Mar 6, when the last of the defenders was slain. Texans, under General Sam Houston, rallied with the war cry "Remember the Alamo" and, at the Battle of San Jacinto, Apr 21, defeated and captured Santa Anna, who signed a treaty recognizing Texas's independence.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar06.html
1857-Dred Scott decision (Blacks are not citizens of the U.S.). The US Supreme court handed down a decision in the case of Dred Scoot v. Sandrod, which became a major setback for anti-slavery forces and further aggravated the growing ill feeling between North and South. Dred Scott was a slave who owner had taken him from Missouri to Illinois, a free state in 1834. Scott later returned to Missouri and in 1846 sued for his liberty on the grounds that his stay in free territory ended his slavery. The Court ruled, however, that Scott could not sue because slaves were not citizens. Going beyond the specific case, the Court also said that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in territories and therefore, the Missouri Compromise of 1820, already repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, was unconstitutional.
1862- The Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., was fought. A Confederate army of 16,000 under General Earl Van Dorn attacked a Union army of 10,500 under Brig. General Samuel Ryan Curtis, whose last reserves prevented a Union disaster on the second day. Among the heavy losses on both sides were two Confederate generals, Benjamin McCulloch and James McQueen McIntosh.
1864--There were an average of 7,333 desertions a month from the Union army. Many desertions were the result of bounty jumpers - men who would collect bounty to enlist, then desert and do it again elsewhere. The US government spent $300 million dollars on bounties while state and local governments spent about the same...
http://www.tnstate.edu/library/digital/document.htm
slavery in Tennessee.
1872 - A cold wave hit the East coast sending the mercury plunging to 8 degrees below zero at Boston. It was the most severe March cold wave in modern history.
1885 -- Birthday of humorist and sportswriter Ring Lardner, Sr., born Niles, Michigan. Lardner wrote about sports for a variety of newspaper, mostly in Chicago. In both his columns and his short stories, he reproduced ballplayers' vernacular speech patterns with great success, thereby laying the groundwork for generations of baseball fiction to come. Lardner abandoned baseball after the Black Sox scandal was exposed. He wrote songs, plays and magazine articles but never the novel that some of his friends though he should. Taciturn and solemn with a biting sense of humor, Lardner drank and smoked to excess, even after contracting tuberculosis in 1926. Posthumously given the J.G. Taylor Spink Award in 1963 for his baseball writing, Died at East Hampton, NY, September 25, 1933.
1892- The first women's collegiate basketball game was played at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Senda Bereson, then Smith ‘s director of physical education and “mother of women's basketball” supervised the game, in which Smith's sophomore team beat the freshman team, 5-4.
1892- Clark Daniel Shaughnessy, football player and coach born at St. Cloud, MN. After playing football at the University of Minnesota, Shaughnessy strung tog3ether a coaching career of several institutions: Tulane, Loyla of the South, Chicago, Stanford, Maryland and Pittsburgh. He coached the Los Angeles Rams and assisted George Halas with the Chicago Bears. Shaughnessy is known as the father of the modern T formation and played a key role in developing modern pro defensive football. Died at Santa Monica, CA, May 15, 1970.
1905-Father of Western Swing, Bob Willis, born in Kosse, TX. Originally a performer (fiddler) with the Light Crust Doughboys, Willis later former the popular Texas Playboys. Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys appeared on film and at the grand Ole Opry made western swing popular with such hits as “San Antonio Rose.” Willis died May 13, 1975 at Fort Worth, TX.
1918- Bassist Red Callendar is born in Richmond, VA.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll
1923—Guitarist Wes Montgomery birthday
http://www.duke.edu/~mjs4/wes/
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll
1924- Sarah Caldwell, conductor birthday. She founded and produced almost 50 operas at the Boston Opera, first woman to conduct at the Metropolitan and the New York Philharmonic, and first recipient of the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence.
http://arts.endow.gov/artforms/Opera/Caldwell.html
http://smithsonianassociates.org/programs/caldwell/caldwell.htm
1926- Economist, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, birthday, New York, New York
1936-singer Sylvia Vanderpool born New York City, New York
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Sylvia%20Robinson.html
1939- Harry James records “Two O'clock Jump.”
1940- Duke Ellington records “ Jack the Bear,” KoKo.”
1941 - Les Hite and his orchestra recorded "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" on Bluebird Records. The instrumental became Hite's most popular work. A decade later, Les Paul and Mary Ford added a vocal to the tune, making it one of their biggest-selling hit songs.
1945—Top Hits
Accentuate the Positive - Johnny Mercer
I Dream of You - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Freddy Stewart)
A Little on the Lonely Side - The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Paul Allen)
I'm Losing My Mind Over You - Al Dexter
1953—Top Hits
Till I Waltz Again with You - Teresa Brewer
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como
Keep It a Secret - Jo Stafford
Kaw-Liga - Hank Williams
1954 - Florida received its greatest modern-day snowfall of record, with 4.0 inches at the Milton Experimental Station. Pensacola FL equaled their 24-hour record with 2.1 inches of snow.
1957-The doo-wop quartet the Diamonds make their pop chart debut with "Little Darlin'," their biggest hit. It reaches #2 on the pop chart and #3 R&B.
1961—Top Hits
Pony Time - Chubby Checker
Surrender - Elvis Presley
Wheels - The String-A-Longs
Don't Worry - Marty Robbins
1962 - Frank Sinatra recorded his final session for Capitol Records in Hollywood. Sinatra had been recording for his own record label, Reprise, for two years. His final side on Capitol was "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues", with Skip Martin's orchestra.
1964 - Tom O'Hara ran the mile in 3 minutes, 56.4 seconds, setting a world indoor record in Chicago, IL.
1964- Heavyweight champion Cassius Marcellus Clay announced that he had embraced the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. As Clay, he had won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome and captured the heavyweight crown with a stunning TKO of Sonny Liston at Miami Beach on February 25, 1964.
1969—Top Hits
Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone
Proud Mary - Credence Clearwater Revival
Baby, Baby Don't Cry - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
To Make Love Sweeter for You - Jerry Lee Lewis
1969- Russell Louis Schweickart and Colonel James Alton McDivitt, were the first astronauts to transfer from one spacecraft to another while in orbit, making an intravhicular transfer from Gumdrop, the Apollo 9 command ship to the Spider, the lunar module, leaving the pilot, Colonel David Randolph Scott in the command ship.
1972- Shaquille Rashan O'Neal, basketball player, born Newark, NJ.
1972 - The ‘Golden Bear', Jack Nicklaus, passed Arnold Palmer as golf's all-time, money winner. Nicklaus captured the Doral Eastern Open golf tournament to run his career earnings up to $1,477,200
1973-The group, War, out from under the shadow of former leader Eric Burdon, receive their second gold single of the week for "Cisco Kid," four days after "The World is a Ghetto" did likewise.
1975- Led Zeppelin's sixth album, "Physical Graffiti," was certified gold.
1976 - The Waylon & Willie (Jennings and Nelson) song, "Good Hearted Woman", started the last of three weeks at the top of the country music charts. Waylon and Willie wrote the song in 1969 during a poker game in Ft. Worth, TX. According to Jennings, “I'd been reading an ad for Ike and Tina Turner and it said, ‘Tina Turner singing songs about good-hearted women loving good-timing men.' I thought, ‘What a great country song title that is!'”
1976- Dorothy Hamill of the US completed women's figure skating celebrated double triumph by adding first place in the world's Championship, contested in Goteberg, Sweden, to the Olympic gold medal she won in February in Innsbruck, Austria. 1977—Top Hits
Love Theme from "A Star is Born" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
Fly like an Eagle - Steve Miller
I Like Dreamin' - Kenny Nolan
Heart Healer - Mel Tillis
1978- Billy Joel was awarded a rare platinum single for "Just the Way You Are."
1981 - Walter Cronkite, the dean of American television newscasters, said “And that's the way it is” for the final time, as he closed the "CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite". An audience estimated at 17,000,000 viewers saw ‘the most trusted man in America' sign-off. Cronkite retired after more than 30 years in broadcasting. He was replaced by Dan Rather at the anchor desk.
1982-Billboard points out that Dick Clark has donated the podium he stood behind on the original "American Bandstand" to the national museum at the Smithsonian.
1982-The Go-Go's debut LP, "Beauty and the Beast," released last July, starts a seven week run at Number One.
1982-Willie Nelson's "Always on my Mind" enters the pop chart at #88. The original was recorded in 1972 by Elvis Presley. Nelson's version will reach number One on the country chart and win a Grammy for Song of the Year.
1982 - The most points scored by two teams in the National Basketball Association made history. San Antonio beat Milwaukee 171-166 in three overtime periods to set the mark.
1983- The United States Football League opened its first season of play with five games. The USFL was designed to avoid competing with the NFL by playing in the spring, but it lasted only three years.
1985 - Yul Brynner played his famous role as the king in "The King and I" in his 4,500th performance in the musical. The actor, age 64, opened the successful production on Broadway in 1951.
1985—Top Hits
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
California Girls - David Lee Roth
Baby Bye Bye - Gary Morris
1987 - Twenty-eight cities in the north central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Pickstown SD was the hot spot in the nation with a reading of 83 degrees. The high of 71 at Saint Cloud MN smashed their previous record by 21 degrees.
1988- Julie Krone won the 1,205 th victory of her career, thereby becoming the all-time winning female jockey in history, Krone rod Squawter, a filly, to victory in the ninth race at Aqueduct Racetrack.
1988- “In the Heat of the Night” premiered on TV. NBC's police drama was based on the 1967 movie with the same name. Carroll O'Connor played Mississippi police chief Bill Gillespie who, along with Howard Rollins as Detective Virgil Tibbs, investigated crimes in the rural South. The cast featured Alan Autry as Sergeant Bubba Skinner, Anne-Marie Johnson as Virgil's wife, Althea, David Hart as Deputy Parker William, Hugh O'Connor as Deputy Lonnie Jamison, Christian LeBlanc as Deputy Junior Abernathy, Geoffrey Thorne as Deputy Sweet and Crystal Fox as dispatcher Luanne Corbin. The last telecast aired July 28, 1994, but the program remains popular in re-runs.
http://timstvshowcase.com/heatbak.jpg
1990 - Colorado's strongest winter storm of the season moved northeastward across the state producing 50 inches of snow at Echo Lake, 46.5 inches on Buckhorn Mountain, and 46 inches near the top of Coal Canyon. Snow fell at the rate of several inches per hour during the height of the storm, while winds gusted above 50 mph. Several hundred rush hour commuters, including the state governor, were stranded in blizzard conditions along Highway 36 between Denver and Boulder. Drifts up to twelve feet high had to be cleared southeast of Boulder.
1996- Chris Osgood of the Detroit Red Wings became the third goalie in NHL history to score a goal. He fired the puck into an empty net with 11 seconds remaining as Detroit beat the Harford Whalers, 4-2.
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Winter Poem
The Telephone
Robert Frost
When I was just as far as I could walk
From here today,
There was an hour
All still
When leaning with my head against a flower
I heard you talk, Don't say I didn't, for I heard you say---
You spoke from the flower on the window sill---
Do you remember what it was you said?
“First tell me what it was you thought your heard.”
(an excerpt—the beginning of the poem
http://www.internal.org/view_poem.phtml?poemID=164)
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