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Like selling vendor programs and large transactions? CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again. |
Friday, March 13, 2009
| Singer, Songwriter, Pianist Neil Sedaka born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York." Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (#1, 1962);"Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" (#6, 1961).Between 1960 and 1962, Sedaka had eight Top 40 hits, as well as composed songs ""Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Solitaire." He still tours, but plays Las Vegas a lot where he is very popular with audiences. http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/neil-sedaka.htm |
Headlines---
Complaints
Classified Ads---Senior Management
Kovash on $59 million judgment
Two Leasing Conferences Must Attend
Classified ads----Help Wanted
Cartoon---Golden Oldies
Ask Andrew---Title Issues with Vehicles/Trucks
Dan & Kit open a bottle 1978 Monte Sereno Merlot
Everlasting Moments/Moscow, Belgium
Role Models/Pinocchio/Transporter 3
Fernando’s View by Fernando F. Croce
New Hires---Promotions
Friday the Thirteen
Berkshire, GE Lose Top Credit Ratings
Citi doesn't need more government capital
Madoff is trading his penthouse for prison
Here is his Cell: the size of walk-in closet
Wells Fargo may be looking to pay back TARP
45 percent of world's wealth destroyed
News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
"Gimme that Wine"
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
GasBuddy
Weather, USA or specific area
Traffic Live----
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
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"In 'Major Decision: IFC Credit loses SOS Appeal' you wrote, 'By the way, Estok today remains a CLP." I thought you supported the CLP program?" (1)
(Leasing News supports the Certified Lease Program. It does not mean that all of the CLP's are squeaky clean, or have not had problems in the past, or complaints received today. Being a CLP
does not mean you are 100% pure. This applies to attorneys, CPS’s, dentists, doctors, and all professions. Leasing News also lists those on the Complaint Bulletin Board that belong to leasing associations who make them sign ethics statements, but they still remain members. (Editor)
"You made a correction, quoting Jim Blumberg about the NAELB credit checking program. What is written by Jim in his article is accurate in the sense that:
- CBA does not sell info for trigger leads ((Experian does))
- All inquiries are tagged as CBA ((true but they fall under KOB – equipment leasing – as required by Experian which is the TRIGGER))"
(Experian confirmed that they put inquiries into a "KOB." While a broker may utilize CBA to pull the Experian report, and the inquiry name will be CBA, it should be noted that CBA registers their accounts under what Experian calls a certain “KOB” – Kind Of Business. CBA registers each of their accounts under either a Mortgage or Equipment Leasing. They also have Boating, Auto & Specialty KOBs. I will follow-up with Jim Blumberg---but go back to the Leasing News idea of registering your credit reporting under a company not affiliated with leasing. You could even call it Clarkson’s Used Computers, a division of your company that sells computers. Editor) (2)
"Why don't you write more about companies like Balboa and LEAF calling on accounts brokers originally sent to them? I was just told by a VIP customer that Leaf is calling our customers while we are a active broker with them!!!!!! Saying they can push us aside and go direct!
Who's going to protect us?"
(Leasing News has written about the changes of companies getting out of the broker business and the changes, such as calling both lessees and vendors from broker submissions. Many companies when they find a broker not hitting a volume or having a "portfolio problem," end the relationship but turn the brokers and vendors over to other. This also happens when a company is sold or its portfolio is sold, or being serviced by another company. My attitude is that if the company can "steal" your customer, he never was “your” customer in the first place. You must continue to earn your customer's loyalty. Editor) (3)
"Why are you always picking on New Jersey's Leasing companies?"
(In looking over the stories the last year, most complaints and problems have come from Southern California; in fact, Orange County. There are many fine companies there, but also "Operation Lease Fleece" and many who live off "advance rentals." Maybe you mean why I am always picking on Marlin Leasing. I know they have a very limited amount of money for fundings until they're "bank" goes through. I don't know what the exact number is. I do know that sales reps were told they could only fund a certain dollar amount worth of deals this month. If this bank thing keeps dragging out it sounds like they will have issues funding deals very shortly. It certainly will be interesting to see the first quarter of this year results. It looks like a house of cards to me. Editor. (4)
(1) Major Decision: IFC Loses Appeal to S.0.S.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202009/03-09-09.htm#ifc
(2) CBA Credit Reports/NAELB
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202009/03-06-09.htm#correct
(3) What happens to broker customers/vendors at Marlin
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202009/02-02-09.htm#marlin
(4) Marlin—House of Dan
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202009/03-11-09.htm#marlin
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Classified Ads---Senior Management
Europe |
Gig Harbor, WA |
| Philadelphia, PA 27 yrs. exp. sales, ops., credit, strategy, P&L mngmet. Most recently created & executed the biz plans for 2 highly successful Bank-owned small ticket leasing subsidiaries. email: mccarthy2020@comcast.net |
| Philadelphia Metro Area - 30 Years experience Healthcare sales/ management- 3 years experience newly create "small-ticket" healthcare division. Good success - Mitch Utz 215-460-4483 mitutz@msn.com |
Salt Lake City, UT |
Winfield, IL |
For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm
To place a free “job wanted” Leasing News ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm
ELFA Career Center: Job Seekers (free):
http://careers.elfaonline.org/search.cfm
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Kovash on $59 million judgment
Franklin County 2nd Judicial Court House
Lyon Financial dba U.S. Bancorp Manifest Financial Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, lost a case to Christopher Rural Health Planning with the jury in Franklin County, Benton, Illinois awarding the plaintiff $59 million. The suit goes back to 2005 regarding software leases.
"I am sure you have heard of the large judgment a jury awarded against Lyon in Illinois, “ Curt P Kovash, General Manager/Sr. Vice President U.S. Bank Manifest Funding Services, told Leasing News. "Lyon Financial is very disappointed in the jury's verdict. We will ask the court to reverse or reduce the amount of the judgment and will pursue an appeal if necessary. I can not comment on this matter any further since it is in the legal process."
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Two Leasing Conferences a Must to Attend
If you can only choose one leasing conference, which one?
by Christopher Menkin
The first six months of this year will be critical to staying in business, and if you are a broker, captive lessor, discounter, lessor, or funder, which one should you attend?
First, if you have the funds and time, you should attend as many of the leasing association conferences as you can afford. If you are a niche player than the Association of Government Financing and Leasing as well as the National Vehicle Leasing Association are a must for networking, as well as gaining or strengthening contacts.
If your budget and time can afford only one, there are two that are
a "must" to stay in business, and it depends on what you are seeking.
April 22-23
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
National Funding Exhibition
Fairmont Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
www.elfaonline.org
Attendees/Exhibitors/registration
http://www.elfaonline.org/pub/events/2009/NFE/index.cfm#att
This is the premier conference, always well attended, interview appointments available by on line always full right away (be early, don’t count on meeting someone afterwards. These are “top guns.” They will be very busy with current clients in the evening.
The ELFA Funding Exhibition is primarily for the larger lessor, funder looking to buy or sell portfolios, to create new lines of credit, and the major large ticket to perhaps high middle-ticket professional broker, or captive lessor on want to be one. Many do not attend the other conferences, only ELFA, and the main Fall Conference will be busy. Most who attend are ELFA members, and non-members are few at the Funding Exhibition.
If you are in the category above, you should join or renew your ELFA membership for all the benefits. This conference draws the top banks and credit grantors, many who do not attend any of the other association meetings and conferences. As important, you have the top officers in attendance. This is very serious business.
If you are in the categories mentioned above this is a MUST, especially this year.
April 30-May 2, 2009
NAELB Annual Conference
Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa
Las Vegas, NV
www.NAELB.org
If you are a small broker or discount firm, especially new on your own, a small to medium sized lessor, someone trying to grow your company, meet colleagues who will help you and not just part of the “good old boy’s club, “this is a MUST. Also the best bang for the buck" you will see all year long from any leasing association. Make the time to attend.
If you are a company that wants to do business with this category, you should be a sponsor, or at least, attending the conference. The education value is worth the time and money, the networking, meeting your peers with the truth, and making new friends of both of the aisles, this is definitely for you. In addition, you might even have a real good time in Las Vegas, but that is not the reason to go--- Go to stay in business in 2009.
Please visit the association web sites to learn more.
Here is a list of all the leasing association conferences that Leasing News has dates:
Leasing Association Conference 2009
April 4-7
National Equipment Finance Association
2009 Spring Education Conference
Hilton Inn
Orlando , Florida
www.nefassociation.com
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April 16-17
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
National Funding Exhibition
Fairmont Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
www.elfaonline.org
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April 30-May 2, 2009
NAELB Annual Conference
Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa
Las Vegas, NV
www.NAELB.org
September 24-27, 2009
National Equipment Finance Association
2009 Fall Conference and Exposition
Monterey , California
www.nefassociation.com
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October 18th-20th
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
48th Annual Convention
Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego, CA
www.elfaonline.org
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November 9, 2009
National Equipment Finance Association
2009 Super Regional Conference
Newark, New Jersey
www.nefassociation.com
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To view Leasing Association Events-Meetings Open to All, please click here.
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Leasing Industry Help Wanted
sales
 |
Position available for experienced salesperson to solicit direct business for equipment & vehicle leasing company located in Maryland. Madison Capital provides lease financing nationwide, in Canada and Puerto Rico Call either Nancy Pistorio (800.733.5529 ext 7325) or Allan Levine (800.733.5529 ext 7337) About the Company: We are a direct funding source for most types of equipment and all makes of vehicles. We have brokerage capability and experience for equipment transactions up to $10,000,000. |
|
Like selling vendor programs and large transactions? CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again. |
 |
Hands-on, professional and personable senior management team member to work with small ticket leases from the third party broker marketplace. Click here for more information. About the company: Founded in 1982, we originate all of our leases through an independent network of lease brokers |
Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.
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Ask Andrew---Title Issues with Vehicles/Trucks
Andrew Aldridge is President and principle of GPD Capital Services, Inc. His experience spans 27 years in originating funding for commercial customers needing equipment and titled vehicles financed and or leased. GPD is uniquely established with strong well known funders who primarily do not work with outside originators.
by Andrew Aldridge
When getting involved in funding titled vehicles/trucks verify everything with all parties involved, I find its best sometimes to tie all parties together in email connections so all can see clearly each others expectations. If this is done and you are clear in your communications to all, you will have a smooth Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) process and greatly add value. Perhaps the most important is to make sure when the process is consummated you get copies from the Dealer, DMV service and or the DMV directly to see that all your specific communications; company name, address, possible Lessor/Lessee and lien holder information was correctly entered on the proper forms. The DMV will have a printout confirming the information. If there is an error and is caught early it can be changed before it goes to the next department that creates the new registration as well and the new title.
These are some but not all of the action steps you should be taking when processing a titled transaction.
A. The customer needs to be interviewed by you for information such as address as well as the proper and correct entity to have for registration. By doing so alleviates your embarrassment that due to insurance, licensing, airport authority and many more reasons your customer does not call you after receiving their registration being wrong and informs you (with a loud voice) they cannot use the unit because of your error.
B. You send the instructions to the dealer. The dealer is either in state and does the DMV work. Some dealers are in the same state as the customer but cannot do the registration. Some dealers are out of the state and will not do the title registration work.
1. In any situation make sure the word Commercial registration is used.
2. If transaction is tax exempt where use tax is added to the payment the funder will need to give you their re-sale # and Fed ID #. Establish the registration requirements from the lender as well as the lien holder.
MAKE SURE YOU GET A PAPERTRAIL
3. If you are not using the dealer to perfect title/registration you will need to make a decision to let the customer do the work or have a licensed DMV service do it. I have been successful in choosing either way. I also have been sorry for making the wrong decision a couple of times. One of the times I trusted the end user when he told me he would take the paperwork into his local DMV service within a week. I gave promises to my lender as such. As time went on he was avoiding me. I finally found out he had the ability in that state to get a temporary registration which allowed him to make money with the unit. This postponed his registration fees he had to pay for 60 days. Another time I decided to send the paperwork to a title service that I did not do any back ground checks on. After two weeks having the paperwork sitting on this person’s desk found out she was the only one who could process the type of transaction since there were only 3 people in the firm in a small town in Utah. They did not cover for each other therefore I had an angry customer waiting for the registration. There are so many other variations on this theme that I will cover them in a latter article.
In order to create a new registration you will need to have a properly signed off title for a used unit. For a new one you will need a MSO or frequently called a MCO. MSO = Manufactures statement of Origin. MCO = Manufactures Certificate or Origin. In some states you will not need these items. In some states you will need the body MSO along with the chassis MSO. I consider these nuisance issues but they are to be overcome. By doing so will allow for a smooth (after closing) process that will add tremendous value to the transaction for your customer the dealer as well as the bank or Leasing company you are partnering with.
The motivation for doing the above accurately is very important to all parties. The customer needs valid registration to operate the titled unit. The bank or secured lender needs the assurance that the collateral has the correct lien and if a lease the proper Lessor relationship in the owner and registration areas. Some states there are variations on this theme. You as the “trust officer” in the transaction desire to be accurate so the customer wants to come back to you for additional units and the bank/funder you are working with will find your work accurate and be eager to work with you again. Doing a Great Job with this process produces great referrals back to you from your customers as well as your funder/partner.
Andrew Aldridge
President, GPD
Direct Voice: 888-331-9781 EXT 12 | Direct Fax: 408-364-0743 | Cell: 408-888-7027
E-mail: Andrew@GPDCSI.com
NATIONWIDE FUNDING: VEHICLES.BUS.COACH.SHUTTLE.TRUCKS.TOW.LIMO.SUV.SUV STRETCH.TOWN CAR.PASS WAGON-DEALER FACTORY ORDERING SVCS & ALL EQUIPMENT TYPES.
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Dan and Kit open a bottle of 1978 Monte Sereno Merlot
(photo by Dina Scoppettone (c) 2008)
Dan Pulcrano, Publisher
Metro Newspaper
Founder & CEO, Boulevards News Media
This was written by Dan Pulcrano, CEO of Boulevards New Media/ Metro Publishing.
Dan also serves on the Leasing News Advisory Board
Twenty-Four And Counting
IN TODAY'S venturespeak, Kit Menkin would be called an "angel," the Old Testament term for divine messengers that check-writers who take big pieces of early startups use to describe themselves.
Menkin stopped by the rented Monte Sereno basement where Metro's business plan was being written using a Visicalc spreadsheet on an Apple III computer. He dropped a $3,000 check on the kitchen counter. There was no paperwork. He thought starting a weekly newspaper for Silicon Valley was a good idea.
Menkin, a leasing agent, also left a case of red table wine that bore the quail emblem of the city of Monte Sereno. He had managed to convince the valley's smallest municipality to loan its logo to a boutique bottling.
Two of those bottles sat in my basement, labels spotted by moisture. I pulled one out last week. "It won't be any good," Menkin assured me.
I brought it to Steamer's anyway and paid corkage, about four times the sticker price of the $7 bottle of 1978 merlot. Dennis, a server who has been around the valley forever, ably removed the still-moist cork and poured the wine, which had taken on a lovely tawnyish-burgundy shade. Menkin eyed his glass and suspiciously sipped the aged result of his three-decade old gimmick bottling, expecting vinegar.
"Hey, that's pretty good," he said with a laugh. And it was. Amid the backdrop of a friendship that led to what's now a valley fixture, it tasted as good as a Chateau Margaux.
Menkin used to mail out newsletters with a gold-foil sticker on the envelope that boasted of his longevity in business—15 years, 20 years—assuring customers that survival stood for something.
Today's issue of Metro, Volume 25, Number 1, bears a logo that commemorates the beginning of our 25th year (which means we've completed 24). It will be a transformational and celebratory one, despite the current state of the newspaper publishing industry.
Newspapers, particularly dailies, face challenges, not only because of Internet competition and the state of the economy but because of self-inflicted problems resulting from debt-financed purchases, resistance to change, out-of-town ownership, bureaucratic management and product quality cuts.
Metro is still locally based and owned and operated by its founders, which today is about as rare as that lone bottle of drinkable wine that survived earthquakes and moves and improved with time.
As we reinvent Metro to remain relevant in an age of portable devices and social media, we remain committed to quality local writing and community service. We thank the many people who believed in the idea of a valley-based publisher, who worked with us, stuck with us and supported us. In true valley style, we're looking forward, not back, and believe the best is yet to come.
Dan Pulcrano
Dan Pulcrano, CEO
Boulevards New Media Inc. | Metro Publishing Inc.
452 S. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
SanJose.com | SanFrancisco.com | LosAngeles.com | Dallas.com | Houston.com
SanAntonio.com | Philadelphia.com | Seattle.com | SFStation.com | MovieTimes.com
“Inventing the local media of the future”
Twenty-Four And Counting:
http://www.metroactive.com/metro/03.04.09/letters-0909.html
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Everlasting Moments/Moscow, Belgium
Role Models/Pinocchio/Transporter 3
Fernando’s View
By Fernando F. Croce
In Theaters:
Everlasting Moments (IFC Films): Jan Troell, the Swedish director who in the 1970s offered audiences a more humanistic alternative to the forbidding Ingmar Bergman, returns to the screen with this moving, engrossing study of struggle and grace. Set in the early 1900s, it follows Maria (Maria Heiskanen), a young working-class woman who finds joy in her marriage to a brutal dockworker (Mikael Persbrandt) through the camera she won in a lottery. As she becomes more accomplished as a photographer, Maria’s strength in the face of adversity gradually turns her into an unlikely heroine. Beautifully filmed and performed, this is the kind of harsh yet luminous drama that makes one wonder why Troell isn’t a more well-known name with critics and audiences.
Moscow, Belgium (NeoClassical Films): Matty (Barbara Sarafian) is not having a good day: As a postal clerk struggling to rein in her rebellious daughters after her husband has left her for another woman, the last thing she needs is a fender-bender at the grocery store parking lot. But, as she gets to know the other driver (Jurgen Delnaet) and threats become romantic declarations, the crash may turn out to be the best thing that’s happened to her in months. That’s just the kind of unexpected delight found in Belgian director Christophe Van Rompaey, a highly appealing charmer that keeps surprising the viewer with tiny flares of humor and sweetness.
New on DVD:
Role Models (Universal): Paul Rudd once again proves himself to be one of the most underappreciated comic actors in this rowdy, often very funny odd-couple tale. He stars as Danny, an energy drink seller who is sentenced to 150 working hours of a mentoring program after he and his friend Wheeler (Sean William Scott) ram their company’s vehicle into school property. The two see the idea of mentoring kids as an easy escape, though after some time with the youngsters (“Superbad’s” Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb’e J. Thompson), Danny and Wheeler are not sure if jail wouldn’t have been better. Rude yet good-hearted, it’s a fleet and surprisingly smart comedy. Look for a movie-stealing performance by Jane Lynch.
Pinocchio (Walt Disney): Arguably Walt Disney’s crowning achievement, the imperishable 1940 animated classic looks better than ever in a brand new Blu-Ray transfer. The story of a wooden puppet who is brought to life by a fairy and given a cricket for a conscience has been around for ages, and yet it’s astonishing to see how startling it remains. The harmony of Geppetto’s store, the fiery outbursts of Stromboli, Pinocchio’s ever growing nose—these are, to use the title of another movie, everlasting moments. Few instances in animated history have matched the boy-into-donkey transformation at Pleasure Island or the devouring appearance of Monstro the whale for sheer, almost traumatic force. A must for kids and parents alike.
Transporter 3 (Lions Gate): In his third foray into breathless action, Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has a new mission: Transporting the kidnapped daughter of a Ukrainian politician (Natalya Rudakova) from France to Russia. It’s easier said than done, however, as Frank must fend off hordes of enemies along the way, to say nothing of his own growing feelings for his uncooperative passenger. Critics may prefer Matt Damon in the Bourne movies, but the truth is that the Transporter thrillers have evolved into a much more pleasurable action series. Moving at a breakneck pace, this installment is exciting without being gratuitously bloody, and should cement the taut, muscular and brutishly charismatic Statham as a superb action hero.
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New Hires---Promotions
Patrick “Pat” Kilkenny has joined Warren Capital Corporation, Novato, California as an Independent Advisor. He will focus will be providing financing options advice to North Bay and California clients with an emphasis on healthcare, food processing companies, distribution businesses, professional firms, and the wine industry In addition, he will provide important strategic and operational advice to Warren Capital to assist with an expansion program for 2009-2010.
Kilkenny comes to WCC after 36 years as a commercial banker most recently serving as Chairman, President and CEO of National Bank of the Redwoods (“NBR”). His experience as an executive officer of NBR’s parent, Redwood Empire Bancorp (a publicly traded company), lends itself to being able to provide experienced advice to businesses throughout the North Bay. He has a Finance Degree from Santa Clara University, Law Degree from Empire College, is a Graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School, University of Washington and currently holds a California Real Estate Broker’s License.
Over the last 29 years, Kilkenny has been of service to numerous local community organizations in various capacities. He is currently the President of the Sonoma County Alliance, having been Chairman or President of the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, and Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire. Most recently he served as a Community Member of the Sonoma County Innovation Council and the Health Action Council of Sonoma County. He has been married to Linda V. Kilkenny for 39 years and has three grown children.
John McQueen promoted to lead the combined Equipment Finance businesses of Wells Fargo and Wachovia Corporation. When Jim Renner retired at the end of the year in 2005, eventually moving to Florida, in the same complex as Bruce Kropschot,John McQueen was elevated to overseee the 40 locations and 375 employees nationwide who make up Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc.
The combined business will have approximately $24 billion in assets, more than 50,000 active customers and over 900 team members. We will continue to build off an expert model, focus on customer service, partnering with bank officers and building industry relationships.
Reporting to McQueen are:
• Andrew Rupprecht, Wells Fargo Senior Credit Officer;
• Dan Pocrnich, CFO and CIO;
• Lisa Lenton, Area Operations Manager;
• Joe Fantauzzi, WFEFI, Capital Markets Division;
• Spence Hamrick, Wachovia Equipment Finance, Commercial Banking East and Business Aircraft;
• Brent Malcom, WFEFI, Commercial Banking West, Retail Banking US, Large Corporate Banking US;
• Byron Payne, WFEFI, head of Industry Finance Business;
• Jack Thomas, FUR, head of First Union Rail;
• Mark Trollinger, Wachovia Equipment Finance, structured products.
Rene Paradis appointed CFO at CoActiv Capital Partners, Horsham, PA. She formerly was CFO at Capmark Investments, CFO at GMAC Institutional Advisors, MD at PFPC, Inc. Paradis is a CPA and holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Maryland.
Davi Tserpelis was hired as director of business development, based in New York, for Franklin Capital Network, Highland Park, IL. He was Senior Business Development Officer at CapitalSource Finance LLC-Lender Finance Group; Vice President-Portfolio Management, Sterling Financial Services at Sterling National Bank for 12 years.
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Friday the Thirteen
2009 February, March, November
2010 August
Myth of Friday the Thirteenth
http://www.crystalinks.com/friday13th.html
#### Press Release ##############################
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 |
News Briefs----
Berkshire, GE Lose Top Credit Ratings
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/12/
AR2009031203580.html
Citi doesn't need more government capital: Parsons
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE52B7SD20090312?sp=true
Disgraced Madoff is trading his penthouse for prison
http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/2009-03-12-ponzi-prison-madoff_N.htm
Madoff's new home: Cell the size of walk-in closet
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/mar/12/madoff-scandal-jail-031209/
?zIndex=65980
Wells Fargo may be looking to pay back TARP
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/12/BUQ816EFNU.DTL
45 percent of world's wealth destroyed
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtUSInvestingNews/idUSTRE52966Z20090310
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You May have Missed---
As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home for Some
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/us/11motel.html?hp
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 |
(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)
“Gimme that Wine”
Italy's wine export volumes drop in 2008: industry
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090311/lf_nm_life/us_italy_wine_1
2005 vintage wines leave a great impression
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2009/03/12/business/local/
doc49b86245b4697397829306.txt
Sting's vineyard to sell 'rock star wine'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/wine/article5887740.ece
Sonoma Vineyard Launches Captûre Wines
http://winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=62851&htitle=Sonoma
%20Vineyard%20Launches%20Capt%C3%BBre%20Wines
UP AND DOWN THE NAPA VALLEY WINE ROADS with George Starke
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2009/03/12/columnists/george_starke/
doc49b8622891db6901644537.txt
Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\
Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/
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Today's Top Event in History
1932 – Hunger marches were taking place throughout the country; the Bonus marchers are expelled from Washington. This day Herbert Hoover sends a secret message to Congress advising it not to cut the pay of Army or Navy personnel because they may be need to put down the marchers, who’s numbers seem to be growing. He believes they are communist inspired as are the hunger marches in England and Germany. The economy is not in that bad of shape as the newspapers report, he adds.
http://www.weisbord.org/ThreeOne.htm
http://www.studsterkel.org/htimes.php
[headlines]
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This Day in American History
| 1565- Smoking of tobacco was introduced to England by John Hawkins. Hawkins was primarily a slave trader, carrying Africans to the West Indies. Most of his dealings were with the Spanish in the West Indies, but during his second trip to the region visited the small French colony in Florida and learned to smoke tobacco from the colonists, who had learned from the Indians. Hawkins returned to England with a shipload of tobacco. He described the Indian use of the plant this way: “The Floridians when they travel have a kind of herb dried, who with a cane and an earthen cap in the end, with fire, and dried herbs put together, doe sucke thorow the cane the smoke thereof, which smoke satisfieth their hunger, and therwith they live foure or five days without meat or drinke, and this all the Frenchmen used for this purpose.” 1687-Father Eusebio Kino, 42, an Italian-born Jesuit in the service of Spain, began missionary labors in the American Southwest. In all, Kino established 25 Indian missions in the area now divided between northern Mexico and Arizona. http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/azhistory/02086kino0210.html http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/april/papr/du_kino.html http://www.nps.gov/tuma/Father_Kino.html http://discoverseaz.com/History/Kino.html 1789-Young Enoch Brooks inscribed his name in this children's Bible in Princeton, New Jersey. Now a rare artifact of Americana, Brooks' book is one of four extant copies of A Curious Hieroglyphick Bible. With nearly five hundred woodcuts by American artists, this Bible was the most ambitious woodcut volume produced in America up to that time. He was not only a prolific printer of children’s books but at one time owned more than 20 book stores in the Boston, MA area. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar13.html 1791 - Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man was published in London. http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/paine/ROM/rofmxx.htm http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/thomas_paine/rights_of_man/part1.html http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~dino55/rightsofman.htm 1794- Eli Whitney received a patent for the cotton gin, allegedly based on the ideas and concept of a Black slave on a plantation he was visiting. Whether he, the black slave, or Katherine Greene, the owner of the plantation he was visiting, came up with the concept of wire cleaning the cotton balls is a matter of historic controversy. Whitney's cotton gin was capable of maintaining a daily output of 23 kg (50 lb) of cleaned cotton, and its effect was far-reaching, making southern cotton a profitable crop for the first time. Whitney, however, failed to profit from his invention. Numerous imitations appeared, and his 1794 patent was not validated until 1807. This made cotton a major crop in the South where slaves were “imported” to meet the demand, plus could be utilized for other crops due to this invention. “By the early 1800's, more than 700,000 slaves lived in the South. They accounted for about a third of the region's people. By 1860, the slave states had about 4 million slaves. Slaves outnumbered whites in South Carolina and made up over half the population in both Maryland and Virginia. Slavery began to develop even deeper roots in the South after Eli Whitney of Massachusetts invented his cotton gin in 1793. This machine removed the seeds from cotton as fast as 50 people working by hand and probably contributed more to the growth of slavery than any other development. Whitney's gin enabled farmers to meet the rapidly rising demand for cotton. As a result, the Southern cotton industry expanded, and cotton became the chief crop in the region. The planters needed more and more workers to pick and bale the cotton, which led to large increases in the slave population. The thriving sugar cane plantations of Louisiana also used many slaves during the first half of the 1800's. By 1860, about 4 million slaves lived in the South.” It is stated that in 1860, one in three people in the South were slaves. http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/152.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h1522.html http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/whitney.html http://www.eliwhitney.org/main.htm http://www.csusm.edu/Black_Excellence/documents/pg-c-gin.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3narr6.html http://www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=aajourney &page=html/bh112.html&direct=yes http://ia.thebostonchannel.com/blackhistory/1947088/detail.html http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/cotton_gin_patent/cotton_gin_patent.html http://web.mit.edu/invent/www/inventorsR-Z/whitney.html 1798-birthday of Abigail Fillmore, first wife of Millard Fillmore, 13th president of the US. Born at Stillwater, NY. It is said that the White House was without any books until Abigail Fillmore, formerly a teacher, made a room on the second floor into a library. Within a year, Congress appropriated $250 for the president to spend on books for the White House. Died at Washington, DC, Mar 30, 1853. 1802- Absalom Jones ordained first Black priest in Episcopal Church http://www.ube.org/abjones.htm 1813-. Lorenzo Delmonico was born in Marengo, Switzerland and was invited to join his uncles in their successful pastry shop and catering business in New York in 1831. He soon transformed the business into one of the first, best, most elegant and famous restaurants in the country, Delmonico’s. Lorenzo was not a chef, but he purchased the food and created the very extensive menu. He helped make the concept of the 'restaurant' an acceptable and successful one. After many moves the final Delmonico’s restaurant was forced to close in 1923, a victim of Prohibition. http://www.cbbqa.com/delmonico/Filippini.html http://www.cbbqa.com/delmonico/Steak.html http://www.cbbqa.com/delmonico/Potatoes.html http://www.infoplease.com/spot/foodnames.html 1818- Absalom Jones ordained first Black priest in Episcopal Church http://www.justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/98.html http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Absalom_Jones.htm http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Feb/AbsJones.html http://david-alexander.tripod.com/id117.htm 1836- Houston retreats from Santa Anna's army. Less than a week after the disastrous defeat of Texas rebels at the Alamo, the newly commissioned Texan General Sam Houston begins a series of strategic retreats to buy time to train his ill-prepared army. Revolutionary Texans had only formally announced their independence from Mexico 11 days earlier. On March 6, 1836, the separatists chose Sam Houston to be the commander-in- chief of the revolutionary army. Houston immediately departed for Gonzales, Texas, where the main force of the revolutionary army was stationed. When he arrived, he found that the Texan army consisted of 374 poorly dressed and ill-equipped men. Most had no guns or military experience, and they had only two days of rations. Houston had little time to dwell on the situation, because he learned that the Mexican general Santa Anna was staging a siege of the Alamo in San Antonio. Before Houston could prepare his troops to rush to aid the defenders, however, word arrived that Santa Anna had wiped them out on March 6. Scouts reported that Santa Anna's troops were heading east toward Gonzales. Unprepared to confront the Mexican army with his poorly trained force, Houston began a series of strategic retreats designed to give him enough time to whip his army into fighting shape. Houston's decision to retreat won him little but scorn from the Texas rebels. His troops and officers were eager to engage the Mexicans, and they chafed at Houston's insistence on learning proper field maneuvers. Houston wisely continued to organize, train, and equip his troops so they would be prepared to meet Santa Anna's army. Finally, after nearly a month of falling back, Houston ordered his men to turn around and head south to meet Santa Anna's forces. On April 21, Houston led his 783 troops in an attack on Santa Anna's force of nearly twice that number near the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River. With the famous cry, "Remember the Alamo," the Texans stormed the surprised Mexican forces. After a brief attempt at defense, the Mexican soldiers broke into a disorganized retreat, allowing the Texans to isolate and slaughter them. In a stunning victory, Houston's army succeeded in killing or capturing nearly the entire Mexican force, including General Santa Anna, who was taken prisoner. Only two Texans were killed and 30 wounded. Fearful of execution, Santa Anna signed an order calling for the immediate withdrawal of all Mexican troops from Texas soil. The Mexicans never again seriously threatened the independence of the Lone Star Republic. 1846---In San Francisco, Colonel Castro issued a proclamation that declared John Frémont and his party to be a band of highwaymen. 1865—Slaves were assigned to military duty in the Confederate Army by a bill signed by President Jefferson Davis. During the Civil War, blacks not only had related jobs, but also were uniformed soldiers and officers. CSA General Patrick Cleburne had suggested enlisting slaves a year before, but few in the Confederate leadership considered the proposal, since slavery was the foundation of southern society. One politician asked, "What did we go to war for, if not to protect our property?" Another suggested, "If slaves will make good soldiers, our whole theory of slavery is wrong." General Lee weighed in on the issue and asked the Confederate government for help. "We must decide whether slavery shall be extinguished by our enemies and the slaves be used against us, or use them ourselves." Lee asked that the slaves be freed as a condition of fighting, but the bill that passed the Confederate Congress on March 13 did not stipulate freedom for those who served. The measure did nothing to stop the destruction of the Confederacy. Several thousand blacks were enlisted in the Rebel cause, but they could not begin to balance out the nearly 200,000 blacks that fought for the Union. http://www.rebelgray.com/BlackSoldiers.htm http://www.nps.gov/apco/blacks.htm http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/022199/met_confeds.shtml http://www.coax.net/people/lwf/burke_cw.htm http://www.africana.com/archive/dailyarticles/index_20010410.asp http://www2.netdoor.com/~jgh/mobile.html http://www.theonlinedispatch.com/dans/_disc2/00000142.htm 1868-The US Senate began its trial to impeach President Andrew Jackson. For the first time in the nation’s history a president was impeached. Pres. Johnson was accused by Congress of having violated the Tenure of Office Act of 1867, which forbade the president to discharge any federal officer holder appointed “by and with the consent of the Senate.” Johnson tested the act by removing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton on February 21. The impeachment was brought largely because the radical Republicans bitterly opposed Johnson’s plans for Reconstruction. Johnson’s firing of Stanton gave them the opportunity they had been seeking. On February 24 the House of Representatives voted to impeach. The US Senate trial began this date. Sworn in as president after Lincoln's assassination in April 1865, President Johnson enacted a lenient Reconstruction policy for the defeated South, including almost total amnesty to ex-Confederates, a program of rapid restoration of U.S.-state status for the seceded states, and the approval of new, local Southern governments, which were able to legislate "black codes" that preserved the system of slavery in all but name. The Republican-dominated Congress greatly opposed Johnson's Reconstruction program and passed the "Radical Reconstruction" by repeatedly overriding the president's vetoes. Under the Radical Reconstruction, local Southern governments gave way to federal military rule, and African-American men in the South were granted the constitutional right to vote. In March 1867, in order further to weaken Johnson's authority, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act over his veto. The act prohibited the president from removing federal office holders, including Cabinet members, who had been confirmed by the Senate, without the consent of the Senate. It was designed to shield members of Johnson's Cabinet like Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who was appointed during the Lincoln administration and was a leading ally of the so-called Radical Republicans in Congress. In the fall of 1867, Johnson attempted to test the constitutionality of the act by replacing Stanton with General Ulysses S. Grant. However, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to rule on the case, and Grant turned the office back to Stanton after the Senate passed a measure in protest of the dismissal. On February 21, 1868, Johnson decided to rid himself of Stanton once and for all and appointed General Lorenzo Thomas, an individual far less favorable to the Congress than Grant, as secretary of war. Stanton refused to yield, barricading himself in his office, and the House of Representatives, which had already discussed impeachment after Johnson's first dismissal of Stanton, initiated formal impeachment proceedings against the president. On February 24, the House voted 11 impeachment articles against President Johnson. Nine of the articles cited his violations of the Tenure of Office Act; one cited his opposition to the Army Appropriations Act of 1867 (designed to deprive the president of his constitutional position as commander in chief of the U.S. Army); and one accused Johnson of bringing "into disgrace, ridicule, hatred, contempt, and reproach the Congress of the United States" through certain controversial speeches. On March 13, according to the rules set out in Section 3 of Article I of the U.S. Constitution, the impeachment trial of President Johnson began in the Senate. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presided over the proceedings, which were described as theatrical. On May 16 and again on May 26, the Senate voted on the charges brought against President Johnson. Both times the vote was 35 for conviction and 19 for acquittal, with seven moderate Republicans joining 12 Democrats in voting against what was a weak case for impeachment. Because both votes fell short--by one vote--of the two- thirds majority needed to convict Johnson, he was judged not guilty and remained in office. Nevertheless, he chose not to actively seek reelection on the Democratic ticket. In November, Ulysses S. Grant, who supported the Republicans' Radical Reconstruction policies, was elected president of the United States. In 1875, after two failed bids, Johnson won reelection to Congress as a U.S. senator from Tennessee. He died less than four months after taking office at the age of 66. Fifty-one years later, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Tenure of Office Act unconstitutional in its ruling in Myers v. United States. 1868- Birth of Charles E. Cowman, American missionary pioneer. In 1901 he sailed to Japan with his wife Lettie (who later authored "Streams in the Desert"), where in 1910 they founded the Oriental Missionary Society. http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/bio_cowman.htm http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=6249X&p=1014019 March 13, 1873-PBS Pinchback, first Black state governor, is denied his senate seat by the Senate, 1873. Senators were elected at this time by the state legislature. In January 1873, the Louisiana legislature elected Pinchback to the U.S. Senate, which was also contested by another rival W.L. McMillen. Though McMillen eventually acknowledged Pinchback's claim to the seat, Senators uncovered evidence that Pinchback had paid $10,000 to obtain it. On March 13, 1875, the Senate denied Pinchback his seat by a vote of 32 to 29. http://www.theblackmale.com/black-men/History/pinchback.htm http://www.fact-index.com/p/p_/p__b__s__pinchback.html http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/reference/articles/p_b_s_pinchback.html 1887- Chester Greenwood of Maine received a patent for earmuffs. 1906-clarinet/sax player Frank Teschemacher born Kansas City MO, Died, 1932 Chicago http://www.redhotjazz.com/tesch.html http://wwwp.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=600112 1911- Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, science fiction writer, recluse and founder of the Church of Scientology, born at Tilden, NE. His best-known book was Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Died at San Luis Obispo County, CA, Jan 24, 1986. http://www.lronhubbard.org 1912- the Chamber of Commerce of the United Sates was founded by approximately 500 representatives of commercial organizations, trade associations, and individual establishments, who were invited to participate in a series of discussions by President William Howard Taft and Secretary of Commerce and Labor Charles Nagel. The headquarters of the chamber of Commerce of the Untied States was dedicated on May 20, 1925. 1912 – Mystery writer Bill S. Ballinger (1912-1980), aka Frederic Freyer, B.X. Sanborn, born, Oskaloosa, Iowa. American thriller writer, who specialized from the early 1950's in a multi-level kind of narration or divided narration. Received Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America in 1960 for his TV work. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ballinge.htm 1913---guitarist Lightin’ Slim (Otis V. Hicks) born St. Louis, Mo. http://mathrisc1.lunet.edu/blues/Louisiana.html#O_Hicks http://www.luckymojo.com/blueshoodoolightninslim.html 1913- Sammy Kaye, one of the most successful bandleaders of all time, was born in Rocky River, Ohio. Although the syrupy sweet romantic sounds were denounced by critics and music purists, the "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye" formula was so successful that his orchestra stayed together long after the big band era had ended. His hit records in the 1940's included "Daddy," "Harbor Lights" and "It Isn't Fair." Kaye died on June 2nd, 1987. http://www.sammykayeorchestra.com/ http://data.sonicnet.com/artists/az/kaye_sammy/bio.jhtml 1913-guitarist Slim Lightin’ (Otis V. Hicks) born St. Louis, Mo, Died July 27, 1994 http://physics.lunet.edu/blues/Louisiana.html 1914-base player Bob Haggart bass born New York City /Died December 2, 1999 http://www.riverwalk.org/profiles/haggart.htm http://jazzbymail.com/artists/haggart.html http://www.52ndstreet.com/justjazz/Haggart_birthday.html http://www.atlantajazzparty.com/ajp10.html 1914-bassist Bob Haggart born New York City. http://pudbrown.hypermart.net/haggart.htm 1922-drummer Willie “Rough Dried” Williams born Lake Village, AR 1923 - A great improvement in radio receivers was advertised. The new models had a concealed speaker and eliminated the need for headphones, which were considered a nuisance because they were so heavy to wear and messed up hairdos. The new radios were also said to have a ‘foolproof’ design. 1924-pianist Dick Katz born Baltimore MD http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_KATZ.HTM http://www.theiceberg.com/artist.html?artist_id=24371 1925- Legislation prohibiting the teaching of evolution within the state's public school system was passed by Tennessee State Assembly. A celebrated violation of this law led to the famous July Scopes Monkey Trial http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/tennstat.htm http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/scopes.htm 1925-guitarist Bob “Poor” Woodfork born Lake Village, AR 1926 Roy Haynes Birthday http://www.ejn.it/mus/haynes.htm http://www.dreyfusrecords.com/artists/RoyHaynes.shtml 1929- Helen Candaele Saint Aubin, known as Helen Callaghan during her baseball days, was born at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Saint Aubin and her sister, Margaret Maxwell, were recruited for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which flourished in the 1940s when many major league players were off fighting WWII. She first played at age 15 for the Minneapolis Millerettes, an expansion team that moved to Indiana and became the Fort Wayne Daisies. For the 1945 season the left-handed outfielder led the league with a .299 average and 24 extra base hits. In 1946 she stole 114 bases in 111 games. Her son Kelly Candaele's documentary on the women's baseball league inspired the film A League of Their Own. Saint Aubin, who was known as the "Ted Williams of women's baseball," died Dec 8, 1992, at Santa Barbara, CA 1930-trumpterer Blue Mitchell born Miami, FL Died May 21, 1929 http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/mitchell_blue/bio.jhtml http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/blue.html 1932- country singer Jan Howard was born in West Plains, Missouri. Howard first hit the charts in 1960 with "The One You Slip Around With." She is best known for her duets with Bill Anderson, which included "For Loving You," a country chart-topper from 1967. Howard was also successful on her own, with such country hits as "Evil on Your Mind" and "My Son," a tribute to her son, Jim, who died in Vietnam two weeks after the song was recorded in 1968. http://www.janhoward.com/bio.php 1932 -- With six million unemployed, chaos in Berlin, starvation & ruin, the threat of Marxism, & a very uncertain future, the German people turn to Hitler by the millions. In the presidential election, Hitler receives over eleven million votes (11,339,446) or 30% of the total. Hindenburg receives 18,651,497 votes or 49%. Since Hindenburg does not get the majority, a run-off election is held. In the campaign that follows, Hitler crisscrosses Germany in an airplane, descending from the clouds into the arms of growing numbers of fanatics, at ever larger rallies. He gives them a positive message, promising something for everyone, then ascends back into the clouds. "In the Third Reich every German girl will find a husband!" - Hitler once promises. 1932 – Hunger marches were taking place throughout the country; the Bonus marchers are expelled from Washington. This day Herbert Hoover sends a secret message to Congress advising it not to cut the pay of Army or Navy personnel because they may be need to put down the marchers, who’s numbers seem to be growing. He believes they are communist inspired as are the hunger marches in England and Germany. The economy is not in that bad of shape as the newspapers report, he adds. http://www.weisbord.org/ThreeOne.htm http://www.studsterkel.org/htimes.php 1939- Singer and songwriter Neil Sedaka was born in Brooklyn, New York. Sedaka began writing songs with his lifelong musical partner, Howard Greenfield, at age 13, and in 1958 sold his first song, "Stupid Cupid," which became a hit for Connie Francis. The following year, Sedaka began his own recording career, scoring hits with such songs as "Oh Carol," written for Carole King, "Calendar Girl" and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," which went to number one in 1962. For much of the 1960's, Sedaka concentrated on songwriting, composing chart successes such as "Working on a Groovy Thing" for the Fifth Dimension and "Puppet Man" for Tom Jones. In 1975, Elton John helped Sedaka get back on the charts by having him record an LP for his Rocket label. From "The Hungry Years" came the number-one hit single "Laughter in the Rain." Sedaka topped the charts for a second time that year with "Bad Blood." http://www.history-of-rock.com/neil_sedaka.htm http://www.neilsedaka.info/ 1940-“The Road to Singapore,” starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour, opened. The comedy was the first of seven Road pictures, which brought fame and fortune to its actors. 1941-the Benny Goodman Sextet cuts “Air Mail Special” 1944---Top Hits Mairzy Doats - The Merry Macs Besame Mucho - The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen No Love, No Nothin’ - Ella Mae Morse Rosalita - Al Dexter 1946-The first Medal of Honor awarded to a soldier of Japanese ancestry was conferred upon Private First Class Sadao S. Munemori of Company A,100th Infantry Battalion, 442dn Combat Team, for action near Seravezza, Italy, on April 5, 1945, when he knocked out two machine guns with grenades and saved the livers of two of his companions by diving on an exploding grenade. The medal was presented posthumously this day to his mother, Mrs. Nawa Munemori. 1947 - "The Best Years of Our Lives", produced by Samuel Goldwyn, was a big favorite winning the Best Picture prize at the 19th Academy Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Actor/producer/comedian Jack Benny hosted the glittering gala. "The Best Years of Our Lives" won Oscars for Best Director (William Wyler); Actor (Fredric March); Supporting Actor (Harold Russell); Film Editing (Daniel Mandell); Screenplay (Robert E. Sherwood); and a shared award with "The Jolson Story" for Best Score. Other awards for the best of 1946: Actress: Olivia de Havilland in "To Each His Own", and Actress in a Supporting Role: Anne Baxter in "The Razor’s Edge". The Best Song was "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" (from "The Harvey Girls") by Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren. Foreign-made films showed up in these Oscars, bringing an end to Hollywood’s then exclusive rights to the coveted awards. Of the foreign movies nominated, three were British ("Henry V" - producer, Laurence Olivier; "Brief Encounter" starring Celia Johnson; "Perfect Strangers" which won the Oscar for Best Writing/Original Story [Clemence Dane]), one was French ("Les Enfants du paradis", an original screenplay by Jacques Prévert) and one Italian ("Roma, città aperta", screenplay written by Sergio Amidei, Federico Fellini). http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0148339.html 1951 - ” The comic strip, "Dennis the Menace", appeared for the first time in 18 newspapers across the U.S. The strip became an international favorite in thousands of newspapers and spawned a CBS-TV program that starred Jay North as Dennis. The series lasted for several seasons and is still seen in syndicated re-runs. A somewhat popular movie starring Walter Matthau as Mr. Wilson and Christopher Lloyd as the bad guy was released in 1993. http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/dennis/about.htm 1952---Top Hits Slowpoke - Pee Wee King Tell Me Why - The Four Aces Please, Mr. Sun - Johnnie Ray Wondering - Webb Pierce 1956 - In a rally in Birmingham, Alabama, Asa Carter, the executive secretary of the north Alabama White Citizen's Council, charged that rock and roll was introduced to white teenagers by the N.A.A.C.P. and other pro-integration forces. He initiated a campaign to pressure radio stations to bar what he termed "immoral music". 1956-Elvis Presley's first album is released by RCA. The self-titled disc would sell over a million copies and become The King's first Gold record. 1958-“The Long Hot Summer,” starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Orson Welles, opens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Newman, who won the Cannes Film Festival award as Best Actor for his performance in the film, married Woodward the same year-the pairing is one of Hollywood's longest lasting marriages. 1958-The Quarry Men, with both John Lennon and Paul McCartney playing guitar, perform at the Morgue Skiffle Cellar in Oakhill Park. 1960---Top Hits The Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith Wild One - Bobby Rydell Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes) - Dinah Washington & Brook Benton He’ll Have to Go - Jim Reeves 1960 National Football League owners voted to allow the Chicago Cardinals to move to St. Louis. The Cardinals are generally regarded as the oldest continuing operation in pro football, having been founded as the Morgan Athletic Club, a neighborhood team in 1899. The Cardinals remained in St. Louis through the 1987 season after which owner Bill Bidwill transferred the team to Phoenix, AZ. 1961-President John F. Kennedy sets up the Alliance for Progress. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1961kennedy-afp1.html 1962- trumpeter Terence Blanchard born New Orleans LA http://www.terenceblanchard.com/ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=1TERENCE|BLANCHARD http://www.offbeat.com/ob2004/backtalk.html 1962 -- Wing Luke becomes the first non-white to be elected to the Seattle City Council, and the highest Asian-American elected official in the continental US at the time. http://www.wingluke.org/wing_luke1.htm http://www.wingluke.org/ 1964- Motown Records released Mary Wells's "My Guy," written and produced by Smokey Robinson. It was the Supreme’s co-founder only number-one hit as a single. http://www.marywilson.com/ 1968 - The Byrds received a gold record for the album, "Greatest Hits", which featured "Turn! Turn! Turn!", written by Pete Seeger (excerpted from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible); "Eight Miles High"; "Mr. Spaceman"; "Mr. Tambourine Man"; "All I Really Want To Do"; and "My Back Pages". The group consisted of Jim McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Mike Clarke. Kevin Kelly, Gram Parsons, Clarence White, John York and Gene Parsons were also members of the group through the years. The Byrds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. 1969-“ The Love Bug” released by Walt Disney studio. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the film starred "Herbie," a loveable Volkswagen bug with a personality. Abused by the evil racecar driver "Thorndyke" (David Thomlinson), Herbie is rescued by the young good-guy racecar driver "Jim" (Dean Jones). Grateful for his rescue, Herbie rewards the hapless Jim by winning one race after another on his driver’s behalf. The excitement begins when the ruthless Thorndyke plots to get Herbie back by any means necessary. Based on a story by Gordon Buford, The Love Bug inspired two sequels, Herbie Rides Again and Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo. 1968---Top Hits Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls - Dionne Warwick (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding Take Me to Your World - Tammy Wynette 1970 - An extremely popular cover of "LIFE" magazine was issued, showing the current fashion battle over long versus mini skirts. http://www.life.com/Life/covers/1970/cv031370.html 1971 -- The Allman Brothers Band records its breakthrough album, "Live at the Fillmore East." http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=My_eGallery &file=index&do=showpic&pid=1616&orderby= 1972- "The Merv Griffin Show", starring game show and late-night television host, Merv Griffin, started its syndicated debut for Metromedia Television. Joining Merv were Arthur Treacher, and Mort Lindsey and his orchestra. In the 1940s, Griffin had a number one song with the Freddy Martin Orchestra, "I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts", which launched him to fame. He had his own radio show at KFRC in San Francisco in the late 1940’s, branching into early local television. Griffin battled Johnny Carson on CBS-TV late night, and lost. He also fought ABC-TV's Joey Bishop, and again lost. He did win in the Metro media show; and in ownership of stations such as WPIX-TV 11 in New York, WPOP Radio in Hartford, Connecticut. Later, he came up with "Wheel of Fortune" and the formula for "Jeopardy", which he also owns; making him one of the world's richest entertainment moguls. Griffin also owns several hotels in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Beverly Hills. 1972 -- Author Clifford Irving pleads guilty to a charge that the "autobiography" of Howard Hughes on which he supposedly collaborated was a hoax. http://www.who2.com/cliffordirving.html 1974-The Arab Oil Embargo was lifted. It would take several weeks before long gasoline lines disappeared here. The oil-producing Arab countries agreed to lift their five-month embargo on petroleum sales to the US. During the embargo prices went up 330 percent and a ban was imposed on Sunday gasoline sales. The embargo was in retaliation for US support of Israel during the October 1973 Middle-East War. 1976---Top Hits December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons All by Myself - Eric Carmen Take It to the Limit - Eagles The Roots of My Raising - Merle Haggard 1976 - The Four Seasons, featuring Frankie Valli, returned to the pop charts after an absence of 10 years. The group's "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)", became the top song in the United States. Valli’s real name is Castelluccio and with him were Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito. Joe Long and Charlie Callelo were members in the 1960s, when Gaudio focused on producing for the group and DeVito left. The original producer was Bob Crewe. The name, The Four Seasons, was taken from a bowling alley in New Jersey. The group charted a total of 30 songs, plus Valli had nine solo hits. In 1990, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1976-Johnny Taylor's "Disco Lady" begins a six week stay at the top of the Billboard R&B chart. It is the first number one song to contain the word "disco" in the title. 1980 -- Pink Floyd's "The Wall" goes platinum a few weeks into its 15 week stay at Number One. The two-record set is largely the brainchild of bass player Roger Waters, who now emerges as the group's creative head. http://www.rogerwaters.org/ http://ingsoc.com/waters/ http://www.pinkfloyd-co.com/mast_idx.html 1983- Radio talk show host Larry King brought his topical interview program to syndicated TV.. Using a telephone hook-up, viewers called in to speak to particular guests. King has been appearing on CNN since 1985 interviewing a variety of newsmakers and celebrities. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/ 1983 Randy Smith’s NBA consecutive-game streak came to an end as he played in his 906th straight game. Smith played for Buffalo, San Diego, Cleveland, New York, and San Diego (again.) 1984---Top Hits Jump - Van Halen Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper Somebody’s Watching Me - Rockwell Going, Going, Gone - Lee Greenwood 1985 - National Football League owners met in Phoenix, AZ and tabled a proposal that would have allowed transmitters and receivers in football helmets. The idea was to allow quarterbacks to talk with players in noisy stadiums. The idea did become a reality, but a minor one. Players complained of too much interference and static. 1986- Susan Butcher wins the Iditarod dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, in the record time of 11 days, 15 hours, almost seven days faster than the time in 1985 when Libby Riddles was the first woman to win the race. Butcher again wins the race in 1987 in what is called a new era in the dogsled competition 1993- "Informer" by Toronto rapper Snow reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. It would remain in the top spot for seven weeks, making it one of the most successful Canadian songs ever on the US chart. Snow's debut album, "12 Inches of Snow," also was a million-seller. 1994- Prodigy puts newspaper online--the Atlanta Journal- Constitution. One of the earliest online newspapers, the Journal-Constitution listed local information, including Little League scores, lunch menus, and crime reports, as well as local advertising. The news service was available as a subscription service, with additional fees for bulletin board usage. Other early online newspapers included the St. Louis Dispatch and Florida Today. 1998 - Candice Bergen and the cast of Murphy Brown filmed the 245th and final episode of the award-winning and sometimes controversial CBS sitcom. The hour-long finale featured appearances by Julia Roberts, Bette Midler, and George Clooney, as well as Bergen's real mother, Frances. http://timstvshowcase.com/murphybak.jpg |
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