Friday, March 10, 2006
Headlines--- 2001 Archives--Who is Linda Kester? ######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
March 9, 2001 Archives--Who is Linda Kester?
In our March 7 (2001) edition, and also now on line in our Articles section, Mrs. Kester wrote an article for us on "Surviving a Recession." This was written expressly for our industry. We hope she is going to write further for us, as she is a free lance writer. Many of our readers have asked, who is she? Well, I first attended one of her workshops on advertising and promoting your leasing company at a conference. It was one of the best leasing conference workshops I have been to in over twenty-five years. I learned a lot. Linda Kester is founder of The Institute for Personal Development (IPD). IPD offers exciting and interactive training for leasing sales professionals. More information is available at www.lindakester.com . Linda can be reached at (856) 489-6558, or by e-mail at linda@lindakester.com. I asked her earlier about herself, and she told me: “I'm a pretty simple person. I sold copiers door to door as my first job out of college, and the went on to a successful eight year career at Advanta. “While I was at Advanta I fell in love w/ Gary Kester (a credit guy), and ever since then, I've gotten "slack" about: my deals got bought because I was sleeping with the credit department, or I only made it to Management because of my husband. “I have to constantly prove myself. But I don't mind. I can live up to the challenge. “In January of 1996 I quit Advanta because I had my second baby. I wanted a more flexible job, and so I started a sales training business. It's been great. “In June of 1997 my husband and three other Senior Managers at Advanta left & started Marlin Leasing Corp. They were a broker at first, and then got the venture capital to become a funding source. They secularize their assets, and are doing really well. “I do training for Marlin, and I do training for lots of Brokers. One Broker had me sign a confidentiality agreement that I wouldn't take his ideas, back to Marlin. I have no problem with that. If I didn't have integrity no one would hire me. “I also do speeches. I'm a sub-contractor for a company called Making College Count. I speak to high school seniors about making the most of college.” (Linda Kester has a new book coming out. In addition, she will write another column for “Sales Makes it Happen.” We hope she will find the time to write additional columns for us as she certainly has not only been a success herself, but helped many companies also become very successful. editor)
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Nez-Perce & Yakima Indians Astoria, Oregon, August, 1911* for larger view, please go here: http://www.leasingnews.org/items/LN_Classified/perce_yakima1911-large.jpg And here is the original, from the US Library of Congress, in full digital size, great clarity and detail: http://www.leasingnews.org/items/LN_Classified/perce_yakima1911-XL.jpg Atlanta, GA Austin, TX Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. Marlton, NJ New York, NY Sales Manager: Pennsauken, NJ. Portland, OR. Scottsdale, AZ 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 Nez-Perce & Yakima Indians Astoria, Oregon, August, 1911* --------------------------------------------------------------- Maverick Leasing joins the “Broker/Lessor” List
Third Column: YES - Year Company Started | YELB - Years in equipment Leasing Business A - City Business License | B- State License | C - Certified Leasing Professional |
D - State(s) sales/use tax license | E - Named as "lessor" on 50% or more of lease contract signed. |
To view the full list, please go here:
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Capital Stream up-dated on “Leasing Software Companies list
To view full list, please go here: http://www.leasingnews.org/elease/software.htm --------------------------------------------------------------- Summit National Chapter 11 BK Up-date
As many as 200 banks and leasing companies are licensed to use the Summit National software. The company is also developing a new program that will replace its present software, a major up-grade. The company alleges it was forced to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. During this period, the unsecured liabilities are primarily to the officers of the corporation and now total almost $1 million. During this period, it is reported the only secured creditor, Nancy McDougal, wife of the founder of the company, Bruce McDougal, who died of cancer, has been paid in full. Recently the company won a permanent injunction and partial summary judgment against its licensee, Daimler Chrysler Services North America (DCS) for break of its ALAS vehicle leasing software license agreement. As Summit's president Ken Duffy, Sr., explains it,” "On December 24, 2004, without prior notice to Summit, DCS entered into an agreement with the software company's secured creditor for the purpose of inducing a foreclosure and collateral sale. DCS, through information obtained in deposition testimony, had arranged to bid to acquire control of the collateral, and control of Summit. According to Duffy, this prevented Summit from obtaining final judgment and damages award. "On or about April 1, 2005 the secured creditor placed notices of collateral sale in the Wall Street Journal with an intended sale date of April 22, 2005, “he said.” On April 21, 2005, on advice of counsel, his company filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code to protect the interests of all our creditors and shareholders." During the intervening months, Duffy noted DamlerChrylser Services North America filed motions with the Bankruptcy Court to attempt dismissal of the Chapter 11 filing which would allow the sale to proceed and DCS to acquire control of his company. On July 19, 2005 the Honorable Judge Jacqueline Cox of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the DCS motions. On August 18, 2005, a three-judge panel from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's ruling, stating that, "The testimony of Daimler Chrysler employees clearly suggested that Daimler Chrysler had not taken all reasonable steps to prevent ALAS from being made available to third parties...", and that, "The record is devoid of evidence that Daimler Chrysler took steps to prevent disclosure to third parties." On August 30, 2005 Judge Edmunds set a jury trial date for November 4, 2005. Duffy reports that during the intervening months the secured creditor and his company negotiated terms under which the creditor's claim would be "adequately protected" under the law. As a result, Summit requested and was granted a delay of the scheduled trial date to early 2006. On November 1, 2005, Duffy, as the majority shareholder, provided funds in an amount sufficient to accomplish the "adequate protection" remedy for the secured creditor. Under an agreed order, the company could provide additional protection for the secured creditor before trial. He also points out that around November 1, 2005, Damier Chrysler entered into a new agreement with the secured creditor in yet another attempt to acquire control of his company. Investment advisors then began preparing to provide the secured creditor with full protection of its interests and prevent the takeover. On December 30, 2005 the full judicial panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously denied Daimler's petition for en banc rehearing. The January 26, 2006 Bankruptcy Court in Chicago approved a motion by Summit National to enter into a financing arrangement to pay its only secured creditor thereby stopping the unfriendly takeover attempt. Summit then paid its secured creditor in full and obtained release of the prior lien. Thursday, March 30, 2006, Summit National and Damier Chrysler Services North America will return to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for a jury trial on damages and additional liability issues. Summit said its multi million dollar damages will include claims for unlicensed use, unlicensed users, copyright damages, trade secret damages, unauthorized third party access damages, unjust enrichment, and reimbursement of attorney fees. Damier Chrysler Services North America was unavailable for a comment. ---------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------- Why I Became a CLP---
This is the first in a series about the Certified Lease Professional program, explaining why individuals decided to become a CLP, the process, and their reaction to the knowledge and other benefits gained. Even though Kevin Clune (now CLP) has been in the equipment leasing business for 32 years, he decided to not only support the program, but get all twelve of his employees involved. His observation was “it is the only certification program in our industry” “Basically we incorporated the CLP process into our personnel program, “he said. “All of our employees had the option to participate.” “We had eight of our twelve employees go through the program, six sat for the test and four passed, “Clune, CLP, explained. “ Their job responsibilities were all over the place.....sales, lending, collections, accounting and management. The newly revised CLP Handbook is very well done--- a collaborative effort of 20 leasing professionals. The book has 16 chapters so we structured a 16 week course, about an hour long class each week. Each of us was responsible for "teaching" two chapters. Peer pressure was such that everyone did a great job in preparation even if they weren't particularly well versed on the subject.” The company paid the employees for their time in studying and taking the course and exam, plus for the handbook and all fees in taking the test. The exam fee is $550.00. The CLP Handbook is 59.95 + postage = $64.00. If the CLP Applicant completes the application and orders the handbook at the same time they save a few dollars. The total cost would be $600.00 instead of $614.00. Jim McCommon, CLP, McCommon Leasing, Bellevue, Washington, flew down to Kansas City, and then was picked up to spend time reviewing and helping those study for the test. “We paid for Jim's airfare and hotel room but that's it, “he said. “Counting travel time Jim was away the better part of three days. He did an all day review before we sat for the test. He did a fabulous job and really helped us focus on areas in which we needed help.” Jim was not reimbursed for his time from the foundation. Cindy Spurdle of the CLP Foundation did all the coordination and helped with the arrangements. Joe Flannery, Security Leasing Services, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri, who is not a CLP, donated a full day of his time to be the proctor for the written examination held in the Clune Conference room. Reportedly Joe Flannery was one who encouraged the CLP process to be started at Colonial Pacific Leasing when he was there. He left before it was implemented, but has been interested in it ever since. “We are very proud of all of our crew, especially those who sat for the test, whether they passed or not, “Clune, CLP, said with enthusiasm. “ It was a great learning experience, even for me after 32 years in the business. Our other CLP's are Amy Holsapple, Bernadette McDevitt and Ned Luce. The process caused us to grow in our knowledge of the industry and it is a great training tool. "On a personal level, it was worth it to me to achieve the designation after being in the equipment leasing industry since 1996,” said Bernadette McDevitt, CLP. "On a professional level, I believe it provided me with a higher level of proficiency and confidence in all areas of equipment leasing, not just the area my position as a Credit Analyst serves. “It was a challenge that required personal commitment and quite a few hours of study in addition to the in-house classes and review, but all the effort was worth it. I am pleased to have earned the CLP designation and grateful to have been part of the process." “It was an eye opening process," Amy Holsapple, CLP, said. “Like Bernadette, I've been with Clune for 10 years; I work in the accounting area. The process of preparing for the final exam enlightened me to what other employee's positions entailed. Also, I felt the employees that did not take the course learned a lot as we often shared what we learned in class. “I believe not only our knowledge increased but also our company has become a closer-knit organization. I keep my CLP manual at my desk and refer to it frequently." Clune said he “...credited our recently retired VP & GM Ned Luce with spearheading the process here. He worked closely with Cindy Spurdle who does a fabulous job in making everything run smoothly.” “The process we went through started with 8 of us in the study program, from all areas of the company, “Luce, CLP explained. “When I went into the process, I had worked 8 years for IBM Credit, 5 years as a broker on my own, and 4 years for Kevin. Yet, the way we did it exposed me and the others to additional parts of the business and industry. Thus, we all learned a lot more sharing experiences and perspectives. “We predicted that additional knowledge of the material in the CLP Handbook would be the result of our effort when in fact it went further than that with expanded appreciation of the way a company like ours operates in the industry. We all ended up having broader and deeper knowledge, not all of it from the CLP Handbook.” “It is a very tough test,” Clune, CLP, concluded. “It looks like one of the two will go for it again but it takes a lot of guts to want to go through something like that again. Cindy has even offered help.” For more information, please visit: ---------------------------------------------------------------
“Beware Negotiating Tactics” by Steve Chriest Everyone uses negotiating tactics when they negotiate. People employ tactics in negotiations because they believe the tactics work for them. No matter how effective a particular negotiating tactic seems to work for you, however, there is a danger in being typecast as a devotee of that particular negotiating tactic. Even an effective negotiating tactic can become a two-edged sword. I had a chance to meet with the general manager of a baseball team once who told me about a well known sports agent who acquired a nickname because of his favorite negotiating tactic. When a player's contract negotiations got down to a reasonable spread between the agent's money demands and the ball club's offer, the agent would invariably say to the general manager, “Let's split the difference and get this deal done.” Over the years the sports agent represented several of the ball club's players. Whenever the sports agent telephoned the general manager's office, whoever answered the phone would place the agent on hold, and announce the call, saying “Split The Difference is on the phone!” In this case the sports agent's favorite negotiating tactic may have helped get some deals done, but being typecast as “Split The Difference” put him at a disadvantage with his negotiating partners. It was easy, in this case, for the general manager and his negotiating team to come up with a strategy to neutralize the agent's favorite negotiating tactic. The agent, because he was predictable, became vulnerable to counter-negotiating tactics. His negotiating tactic became a two-edged sword. As you negotiate with customers, it's important to recognize the various tactics some customers employ to get what they want or need. Once you recognize a customer's favorite negotiating tactic, you can devise a strategy for neutralizing the tactic or maybe even using their tactic to your advantage. Remember, everyone uses negotiating tactics when they negotiate. Do you employ a favorite negotiating tactic when you negotiate with customers? Someone once tried to convince me that they make a conscious effort not to use any tactics when they negotiate with customers. I replied, “Congratulations! You get this month's Selling Up award for using the “I don't use tactics” negotiating tactic! Copyright © 2006 Selling Up TM . All Rights Reserved. About the author: Steve Chriest is the founder of Selling Up TM (www.selling-up.com), a sales consulting firm specializing in sales improvement for organizations of all types and sizes in a variety of industries. He is also the author of Selling Up , The Proven System For Reaching and Selling Senior Executives. You can reach Steve at schriest@selling-up.com .
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-------------------------------------------------------------- Web Time—Free Program
An alternative to Atom Time: Web Time. This is completely free, and installation is a 2 minute process. http://www.gregorybraun.com/WebTime.html “You can select which atomic clock you want to use (there's a choice of ten throughout the country). One click retrieves the current time via the Internet (to the thousandth of a second) and resets your Windows clock to the correct time. “I've used this for years, every day (in fact, I re-sync every time I hot sync my PDA to my desktop computer, so I can keep my PDA time current). “Keep up the good work.” • Paul Bent
-------------------------------------------------------------- Pitney Bowes to sell Imagistics for $280 MM+
Stamford, Connecticut based, Pitney Bowes Inc. the largest U.S. supplier of postage meters and mailing machines, who sold their Colonial Pacific Leasing operation to GE Capital, announced that it has agreed to sell its Imagistics International Inc. lease portfolio to De Lage Landen Operational Services LLC, a unit of Rabobank Group, for between $280 million to $290 million. Pitney Bowes stated the portfolio is part of its Capital Services external financing business. The exact purchase price will be based on the receivables at the day of closing, not yet specified. Pitney Bowes over the last five years has been planning to exit Capital Services, formally making their plans known the beginning of 2003. It said it is now assessing a broader range of options, including a spin-off, a sale and a partial sale, in light of new disclosure requirements by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This may delay the plans until next year. -------------------------------------------------------------- Narrowing Spreads Stir Complaints ABSnet Some investors are complaining that underwriters are using bait-and-switch tactics to lure them to deals, but other buysiders say the gripes are unfounded. As robust demand drives in already tight spreads, accusations have surfaced that investment banks are advertising inflated returns when they start marketing new issues - only to revise those expectations once they have investors on board. For example, an underwriter might start by offering returns that are 3-4 bp better than average on a top-rated transaction, knowing all along that it would never settle for those prices. The idea would be to tease investors into signing up for the deal, and then ask them to accept the tighter spreads just before taking final commitments. Of course, spreads have a natural tendency to tighten as investors pile into deals, and underwriters are supposed to get the best possible pricing for their customers. Some portfolio managers say the complaints are a case of sour grapes from buysiders who haven't been getting the returns they were hoping for. One bond buyer also said traders who initially suggest returns that are too small could hurt their issuer clients, since any widening of their deals' spreads might pick up too much momentum during the marketing process. An investor who supports the pricing-trickery theory, on the other hand, accused underwriters of "hoping that once people start looking, they'll stick with it even though the spreads are moving in." He claims that the practice has forced him to withdraw some orders, including one on a subprime auto-loan deal whose three-month senior tranche recently sold flat to Libor after making the rounds with 3 bp of additional spread. Such tactics can be frustrating because it draws attention away from competing deals that might be a better fit in the long run, he added.
-------------------------------------------------------------- 30-year mortgage rates hit 3-year high Continuing to rise since last week, Freddie Mac yesterday reported rates on 30-year mortgages jumped to the highest level in 3 1/2 years. It has been rising every week, perhaps one of the reasons existing house sales are down. Rates on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, a popular choice for refinancing, averaged 6%. That was up from 5.89% last week and the highest level for 15-year mortgages since they averaged 6.03% the week of July 5, 2002. One-year adjustable rate mortgages rose to 5.45%. That was up from 5.34% last week and the highest level for one-year ARMs since they averaged 5.58% the week of Sept. 21, 2001. Rates on five-year hybrid adjustable rate mortgages rose to 6.03% this week, up from 5.97% last week. It was the first time this mortgage has been above 6% since Freddie Mac began tracking it at the beginning of last year. The mortgages rates do not include add-on fees known as points. The 30-year and 15-year mortgages had a nationwide average fee of 0.6 point this week. The one-year adjustable rate mortgage carried a nationwide average fee of 0.8 point and the five-year ARM had a 0.7 point average fee. A point is one percent of the loan amount. A year ago, 30-year mortgages averaged 5.85%, 15-year mortgages stood at 5.38%, one-year adjustable-rate mortgages were at 4. ---------------------------------------------------------------### Press Release ########################### CLEARLINK Capital Corporation Completes Sale of Leasing Portfolio
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario CLEARLINK Capital Corporation (the "Corporation") (TSX:CNK) announced that it has completed the previously disclosed sale of its leasing business together with a substantial portion of the leasing portfolio to ICON Capital Corp. ("ICON"). Net proceeds from the sale of the leasing business were approximately $56.8 million. The purchase price is subject to validation and potential adjustment in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement, as outlined to shareholders and described in the management proxy circular in respect of the special meeting of shareholders held on February 22, 2006 where the transaction was approved. With the completion of the sale to ICON, the Corporation's lease portfolio has been reduced to approximately $52.2 million. The Corporation will continue to administer the remaining leases but will not be writing any new leases. It will further assess opportunities to sell portions of the remaining portfolio and in that regard has, subject to certain events, committed to a further asset sale to ICON of approximately one-half of the remaining lease value. In addition, the Corporation will also continue to work to arrive at fair and reasonable settlements for its outstanding litigation matters. The Corporation will continue to run the computer equipment trading business and explore other investment opportunities as they arise. The Corporation now has approximately $101.5 million in cash and marketable securities, which amount is well in excess of the long-term requirements of its existing business. The Corporation will invest such funds in equity securities and short-term debt instruments and, other value-enhancing opportunities, as and when available. Effective March 13, 2006, the new website address will be www.renasant.ca. Renasant is an innovative financial services provider and equipment trading organization. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Renasant operates throughout North America and Europe. CLEARLINK Capital Corporation (TSX:CNK) CONTACT: CLEARLINK Capital Corporation Robert Wright Senior Vice President and CFO (905) 403-6644 Fax: (905) 403-4882 rwright@clearlink.com www.clearlink.com ### Press Release ########################### Wall Street Analytics Develop Equipment Lease Module
WSA's Structured Finance Workstation and Bond Administration Workstation already accommodate the vast majority of securitized asset types and now include an equipment lease module that allows users to specify the unique characteristics of leased assets as well as the more traditional ABS asset classes. Equipment lease securitizations behave differently than other ABS asset classes due to the variety of payment schedules that might be seen for each asset in the portfolio as well as the unique structural features of the deals themselves. The new equipment lease module easily handles the import of lease payment schedules as well as the setting of discount rates and residual values for calculating each leases discounted contract balance. It also contains a variety of data fields to capture the descriptive characteristics of the assets in order to easily analyze and report on concentration requirements. Wall Street Analytics' new equipment lease module provides a sophisticated yet simple platform for equipment lease issuers to manage their deal through the entire deal lifecycle from the warehousing of the loans, to the modeling of the deals and through the ongoing valuations, bond administration and investor reporting. Wall Street Analytics is a worldwide leader for providing sophisticated software products and services to the structured finance markets. The company provides products and support to more than 100 clients around the world including leading asset management firms, investment banks, trustees, and institutional investors. Its CDOnet, CDOcalc, Structured Finance Workstation, Bond Administration Workstation, ABScalc and Portfolio Management Workstation products are widely recognized for their unique abilities to support detailed analysis of the most sophisticated structured debt products including, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and asset-backed securities (ABS). Founded in 1987, the company serves the markets from its three main locations in New York, San Francisco and London. For more information on the equipment lease functionality or WSA's other products interested parties should visit the company's website at www.wsainc.com. Sites of Reference: CONTACT: Tom Geraghty ### Press Release ########################### USXL Closes $300,000,000 Conduit Facility
Credit Facility Arranged by Credit Suisse & Insured by Ambac Provides Financing for Continued Growth - US Express Leasing, Inc. announced that it has entered into a set of financing agreements arranged by Credit Suisse Group which expand its current conduit facility to $300,000,000. As part of this transaction, the expanded facility has been insured by Ambac Assurance Corporation. Conduits administered by Wachovia Securities and Barclays Bank are expected to join the facility in the near future as co-purchasers. According to USXL's CEO Jim McGrane, the facility will provide USXL with the financing needed to support the company's continuing growth. "This facility brings us a step closer to our ultimate goal of becoming a significant issuer in the term ABS market," McGrane says. "Credit Suisse, Ambac, Wachovia and Barclays are all recognized leaders in this market, and we are fortunate to have their support as we continue to build the USXL franchise". The $300,000,000 conduit facility complements USXL's existing $75,000,000 credit facility provided through Wells Fargo Foothill Lender Finance and Textron Financial. In addition to the initial commitment, the conduit facility's structure is designed to accommodate future expansion as USXL grows its lease portfolio. "The structure of this facility provides USXL with significant flexibility as we continue to expand our business," McGrane says. About USXL US Express Leasing, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., is an independent equipment leasing company originating transactions through dealers, distributors and manufacturers in the healthcare, technology, office products, and commercial and industrial equipment markets. For more information, visit US Express Leasing at http://www.usxl.com/ . CONTACT: Debra Battagliad of US Express Leasing, Inc., +1-973-576-0526, ### Press Release ########################### UCC Direct Announces Promotions
Richard Fifield has been promoted to Vice President, Sales for UCC Direct headquartered in Houston, TX. Mr. Fifield has spent the past two years serving as Eastern Regional Sales Manager. The UCC Direct Sales organization consists of 50 individuals responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with commercial lenders, leasing professionals, factors, asset based lenders and the legal professionals that represent lenders. Through various UCC Direct Client Advisory Boards, Mr. Fifield is well positioned to advance the organization's products and services to serve the evolving needs of a diverse client base. Lara Beeks has been promoted to National Account Manager for UCC Direct. After four successful years as Territiry Account Manager for UCC Direct's mountain region, Ms. Beeks will continue to support the company's products and services, including iLienOnline. Her new account base will consist of the nation's leading financial institutions. Andrew Gulley has been appointed UCC Direct's Territory Sales Manager for the New York/New Jersey Region. Mr. Gulley's responsibilities will include maintaining and developing relationships with lenders in the NY Metropolitan area and integrating the best of class work flow tool, iLienOnline.com, to support their due diligence needs. Katie Olivier-Flores has been promoted to National Account Manager for UCC Direct. During the past five years with the company, she has served in various roles such as Customer Specialist, Team Leader of Product Support and Territory Account Manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for introducing and supporting our flagship product iLienOnline.com to the largest lenders nationwide. Jeanne M. Barron Marketing Communications UCC Direct Services Ph: 413-563-7383 jeanne.barron@wolterskluwer.com http://www.ctlegalsolutions.com/transactions/default.asp ### Press Release ###########################
News Briefs---- Growth of commercial real estate loans concerns Fed As Trade Deficit Grows, So Do Tensions With China Microsoft Introduces a New Small Computer Greenspan, After the Fed, Exuberance Nurses launch new union effort in St. Louis Knight Ridder sets meeting to review bids World box office dipped 7.9 pct to 23 billion dollars last year: study Atlanta TV Anchorwoman Monica Kaufman is selling her Ansley Park home for just under $4 million. She and her husband are downsizing Number of Billionaires Up to Record 793—Gates still #1 $50BB Forbes Listing of Billionaires Forbes Billionaires by State Union trying again to organize Microsoft—Has Pay Information ---------------------------------------------------------------
You May Have Missed For Trader Joe's, a New York Taste Test—Taster's Panel http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/dining/08joes.html ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sports Briefs---- Fed-up Vikings working on trading Culpepper BASEBALL TO 'REVIEW' BONDS ALLEGATIONS Bonds betrayed fans' admiration Powe in control; Cal wins going away NFL owners accept player union proposal with 30-2 vote ----------------------------------------------------------------
California News Briefs--- Ex-guard to be state's lead negotiator with prison guards association http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20060309-1756-bn09guards.html ----------------------------------------------------------------
“Gimme that Wine” Under the radar Napa auction nets record cash—Wine Sales in Asia Acid Level in Wine---Dan Berger State of Washington: Wine Month Dunne on Wine: Bottlings few of us can ever afford to try Jean-Luc Thunevin, 54, first produced Chateau Valandraud in his garage in Saint-Emilion, France, in 1991. It has since become one of Bordeaux's most sought-after wines The ideal meal 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------
Restaurant Review French 75 1464 S Coast Hwy Valet Parking is available. A 1940s Parisian-style bistro and champagne bar featuring traditional and contemporary French cuisine. The food is more modern and California than French. The menu has general faire, with “rack of lamb” considered one of the best. Chocolate Soufflé their signature desert. Zagats give the food at “24” with service a “23” out of “30” (in reality “24” is very good, with rare “25's” ever given out, and perhaps only a few 26 in the entire country. If any reader knows a higher rating in their area, please send in, and hopefully with a “review” to share with all. Editor) Jazz piano most evenings. Otherwise “Le Jazz Hot” taped music. Menu: The history behind the name: About the management team: Other Restaurant locations of this group: Whenever we visit Laguna Beach, and don't go to "Diz's," this is our "in-laws" favorite. It is more for the atmosphere than anything else. You need reservations most of the time, but it is also fun to sit at the bar, and wait for a table. Great bartender. In fact, many eat dinner at the bar. There are also a number of hotel restaurants with great views of the ocean, but they serve “Denny's” type food. Not that there is anything wrong with “Denny's,” but when you pay $40 each for dinner and $6.95 at “Denny's, the additional cost must be for the view of the ocean. Restaurant Review (for other reviews: please go here: http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/rstrnt.htm 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar Events This Day Telephone Day Mario Day A day for all persons named Mario. Using the abbreviation for the month of March, I.E., MAR with the day, i.e. 10, you get the name spelled out: Mario. Middle Name Pride Day Today's name celebration requires honest and boldness. Tell three people who don't already know it what your middle name is (even if it's Egbert.) Annually, the Friday of Celebrate Your Name Week. www.jerryhill.com Money Day ----------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Top Event in History 1876- Alexander Graham Bell transmitted the first telephone message to his assistant in the next room: “ Mr. Watson, come here, I want you,” at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Born at Edinburgh, Scotland, Bell acquired his interest in the transmission of sound from his father, Melville Bell, a teacher of the deaf. Bell's use of visual devices to teach articulation to the deaf contributed to the theory from which he derived the principle of the vibrating membrane used in the telephone. Bells other accomplishments include a refinement of Edison's phonograph, the first successful phonograph record and the audiometer. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar10.html ----------------------------------------------------------------
This Day in American History 1776- Charleston,S.C., set up an independent government under a temporary local constitution that was to be in effect until an agreement with England could be reached. John Rutledge was chosen president. This government, said to be the first independent government within the recognized borders of the colonies, successfully defended Charleston against the British army and fleet on June 28, 1776, thus freeing the South from attack for nearly three years . Culture was also flourishing here and New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, but most of all in Charleston. In the mid-eighteenth century musical concerts were flourishing in the colonial centers, and musical societies, music dealers, and instrument makers all benefited. the first music society in America was founded in Charleston, the St. Cecila Society in 1762. In Europe, Charleston was considered the chief cultural center of the colonies, and many artists, actors and musicians chose to settle there when they immigrated to America. Other cities could boast of cultural achievements as well. In Boston a group of gentlemen sponsored a concert in Faneui Hall as early as 1744, and in 1954 the first concern hall in Boston was opened by Gilbert Dubois. Philadelphia boasted four organ makers who produced spinets and virginals as well as organs. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Winter Poem Warm Winter Brew This is an easy thoughtful gift. Just put this poem with a packet of apple cider and tie on a cinnamon stick with a piece of raffia. Or use a packet of hot chocolate mix. What could be easier!
Try this. Take your spouse out to lunch, just the two of you, at least once a week. Make a Friday or Saturday date. And demonstrate your youth with a fun thought, just as a |
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