Operation Lease Fleece--Updates

November 7, 2007 the FBI investigation dubbed "Operation Lease Fleece" officially filed charges against 23 for their roles in a fraud scheme that allegedly caused more than $20 million in losses to several leasing companies and banks that believed they were financing equipment leases. The list is up to 32 named, and the Deputy US Attorney considers the case "on going." However, it looks like most of the sentencing has been completed.

Here is the latest update:

Leon J. Najera, of Mission Viejo, California worked at ECCI:

MINUTES OF SENTENCING Hearing held before Judge Cormac J. Carney as to Defendant Leo J Najera. Defendant Leo J Najera (1), Count(s) 1, Defendant is sentenced to 1 day imprisonment, which the Court determines has been served. Pay $100 special assessment. Pay total restitution of $396,251.22. The defendant shall be held jointly and severally liable with convicted co-participants Mark McQuitty (Docket No SACR 07-236-CJC) and James Raeder (Docket No SACR 07-237-CJC) for the full amount of restitution ordered in this judgment. Interest on restitution ordered waived. Placed on supervised release for 3 years under terms and conditions of US Probation Office and General Orders 318 and 01-05. Bond Exonerated. Defendant advised of right to appeal. (Probation must approve foreign travel and/or employment and other activities, including any financial investments.)

Brian Sim, of Irvine, California, worked at BrickBanc, owned by Adam Zuckerman. Sim was sentenced and was committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 1 day, “which the Court finds has already been served in full. Pay $100 special assessment. All fines are waived. 3 years supervised release under terms and conditions of US Probation Office and General Order 318. Defendant advised of right to appeal. Bond Exonerated. Court ORDERS transcript sealed until further order of the Court.”

Ziya Arik, Preferred Lease, sentencing continued to 8/27/2012 10:00 AM before Judge Cormac J. Carney. Reportedly one of the toughest salesmen who was rough on customers, competing with Brian Acosta, CLP, for accounts, and may be now working for him, but not confirmed, as those indicted are to not engage in financing or the leasing industry. He appears to be the last to be sentenced, although that could be changed as happened with Adam Zuckerman.

Richard Norris, reported to be the bookkeeper of Jim Raeder and Mark McQuitty, as well as Chant Vartanian. His private information he plead guilty to will be revealed when sentenced, as it is sealed until then. “ORDER TO CONTINUE Sentencing by Judge Cormac J. Carney as to Defendant Richard Michael Norris. (NOTE: CHANGES MADE BY THE COURT) Sentencing reset 7/2/2012 10:00 AM before Judge Cormac J. Carney. (rla) (Entered: 02/15/2012)”

Vartanian Brothers trial was originally May 8 with a status conference on April 30th. MINUTES OF Status Conference held before Judge Cormac J. Carney as to Defendant Chant Vartanian. Court schedules a change of plea hearing for May 18, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. Counsel for the Government are directed to prepare and file a stipulation and proposed order to continue the pretrial conference and trial dates.

After many, many delays by the Vartanians, it looks like they are ready to make a plea arrangement, which perhaps was their original purpose in the delays.

Reportedly Randall Clarke, Preferred Capital “rep” brought Vartanian brothers Isystems to Preferred Lease. Brian Acosta, CLP, allegedly worked the account at Preferred Capital with Stephanie Devoire. Ex-employees said he was continuing to arrange leases for the Vartanian brothers, perhaps up until the time of the pending trial.

Mark McQuitty, co-founder CapitalWerks, Preferred Lease, sentencing set for 5/14/2012 09:00 AM before Judge Cormac J. Carney. The photo above is perhaps over ten years old. Public Records find he has been arrested three times for D.U.I. Reportedly, he was administrating the portfolio, although prohibited from engaging in new financing or leasing.

James Raeder, co-founder CapitalWerks, Preferred Lease, sentencing set for June 4, 2012 before Judge Cormac J. Carney. This photo may be over twenty years old. It was originally in a tuxedo and made into a portrait shot. He is living in Colorado with his family with an office in his brother's business. Reportedly he buys assets off lease and re-sells them, and in his spare time is writing an autobiography, he told Leasing News.

Both Raeder and McQuitty were once very active in leasing, well-known in the industry, and considered by many as very aggressive salesmen. Some say “bad boys.” They had very good number and the operation became part of First Sierra.

McQuitty, after being fired by Tom Depping of First Sierra, attempted to get the company going again with Jim Raeder, and along the way purchased Preferred Lease, Lake Tahoe, but seemed to run against a changing marketplace that lead to their venture into more and more disguised sale/leasebacks which finally caught the eye of the FBI, after an informant from Citibank came clean with his participation in the scheme.

At a point in time, the full list of those sentenced will be given, when the case is considered "closed."

Recent stories:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Lease_Fleece.htm

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP) 

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Classified Ads---Asset Management/Controller

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

San Francisco, CA
Ten years experience setting residuals, negotiating leases and remarketing equipment across a broad spectrum of large ticket asset types including marine, intermodal, mining, energy, manufacturing.
geoffwalshe@yahoo.com

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

New Hires---Promotions

John Beville was named managing director for TCP Leasing, Southeast Region, based in Atlanta and focus his efforts in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. Previously he was managing director, Sigma Capital (August, 2011-Present), SVP, SunTrust Equipment Finance & leasing Corp (July, 2001-November, 2010), SVP, Wachovia Leasing (August, 1998-July, 2001), SVP, The CIT Group (1991-1998), vp, Citicorp (1991-1998), svp, CIT (1991-1998), vp, Citicorp (1978-1987), AVP, C& S national Bank ( 1972-1978). Board Member, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (January, 1997--December, 2011).Georgia State University MBA, International Bus/Finance (1973 – 1976), Central Michigan University MA, Industrial Mgt (1971 – 1972), Auburn University, BS, Business Adm. (1965-1969).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-beville/1/6a5/697

Joshua Briggs has joined Green Campus Partners, New Jersey-based energy project developer and financial solutions provider, as vice president, Business Development responsible for the Rocky Mountain and Midwestern regions. Previously he was regional finance manager, Siemens Healthcare (May, 2005-May, 2012), vice president, Municipal Asset Management (March, 2004-May, 2005), director of operations and syndications, Key Government Finance (May, 2001-March, 2004), manager, municipal syndications (Banc One Leasing Corp. (September, 1997-Febtruary, 2001), Associate, Key Capital Markets (1996-1997), associate, Huntington Capital Corp. (1994-1996), credit analyst, Huntington National Bank ( 1992-1994). University of Pittsburgh - Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business MBA, Finance (1991 – 1992), University of Wisconsin-Madison Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (1982 – 1987) Coach, Centaurus Little League (February, 2009--Present).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-briggs/a/313/b02

Laurent (Larry) Favre was named president of First Niagara Commercial Finance, Boston, Massachusetts. "He will lead the bank’s asset-based lending business while focusing on growth strategy and providing a strong complement to the bank’s other commercial lending activities." He joined the bank April 20, 2010 as senior vice-president, specialty lending chief credit officer. Prior he was senior vice-president, J.P. Morgan Chase (August, 2003-Apirl, 2010), senior vice president, GE Capital (June, 2000-July, 2006. Prior “Fleet Boston Financial, where he focused on middle market and corporate commercial finance and leveraged lending." The University of Connecticut Bachelor of Science (BS), Accounting, 1987.
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=151393343&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

Chad Gappa named Business Development Representative at TASER International, Scottsdale, Arizona. Previously he was senior account manager, Paramount Financial Services (September, 2008-April, 2012), online consultant, Careerbuilder.com (July, 2008-Setempber, 2008), account manager, Balboa Capital (May, 2006-July, 2008), police officer, Ankeny Police Department (August, 2005-April, 2006).Iowa Central Community College A.S., Criminal Justice (2001–2003).
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chadgappa

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Credit and Syndication Manager Carlsbad, California Analysis of credits and Syndication to funding partners or for booking into our in-house portfolio. Experience with Vision and Salesforce.com a plus. Please click here for more information. www.ilslease.com Established in 1986, ILS specializes in small-mid ticket equipment financing and working capital. Our Vendor-centric approach values long term relationships with our Lessee, Vendor and Funding partners.

Leasing Sales Representative Long Island, NY Hiring experienced or new to business sales reps. Transactions in all states / all industries. Send resume to: info@sterlingcap.net or fax 631-414-7571. About the Company: Sterling Capital Leasing, LLC is a national small ticket/middle market leasing company

www.sterlingcap.net

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

Bob Rodi Receives Outstanding Alumnus Award

The California University of Pennsylvania selected Robert "Bob" Rodi to receive the Eberly College of Science and Technology Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2012.

Eberly College of Science and Technology Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2012: This honor is presented to alumni from the College who have distinguished themselves and brought credit to the College through their professional and community work. He is the sixth recipient of this award from the Eberly College of Science and Technology.

"From Left to Right are my daughter Angela, Me, Sarah, Marina, and Alaina. Actually Marina is my wife but people kid me about her looking more like my daughter. Sarah is also a California University of Pennsylvania PA graduate, class of 2008, and Angela is graduating May 12th of this year, with a degree in Speech Pathology and Communication Disorders. (I always tell her that her communication disorder education will come in handy in our family)"

"The award is called the Galileo Award and it is given out by the Eberly College of Science and Technology which also houses the business dept. at California University of Pennsylvania,” Bob explains The University, which does have an odd name, was actually founded in 1856 as the California Normal School. It is located on the banks of the Monongahela River, which is one of the rivers that flows to the 'point' in Pittsburgh to form the might Ohio. We "CAL U" Alumni affectionately refer to our school as 'Harvard on the Mon'.

"The town of California, PA was founded circa 1846 by a group of settlers who left Philadelphia for the State of California. By the first winter of their journey, they had made it to the point in Southwestern, Pennsylvania, which is currently known as California, Pennsylvania. When winter was over and they saw beauty of the Laurel Highlands they decided that they didn’t really have to go any further and named the spot, where they had spent the winter, California.

"California University of Pennsylvania is one of the PA State Universities, which has other famous or semi famous schools such as Slippery Rock State, Edinboro State, and Indiana University of PA (Indiana, PA is the hometown of Jimmy Stewart), Westchester State, and Kutztown State."

Bob has been in the leasing business for 31 years, starting LeaseNOW, introduced RAPIDTrack, Franchise Finder, early developer of internet programs, founded Mount Pleasant Capital, specializing in franchise financing. He was a board member of the Faire-Issac eClient Advisory Board, a founding member of the Small Business Financial Exchange and past president of the United Association of Equipment Leasing, was a founding advisory board member of Leasing News, one of the original CLPs and a contributing author to the Leasing Professional’s Handbook and CLP study guide.

www.calu.edu/

Leasing News "The List" ---April

Northern Leasing Systems, New York City (04/12) New York AG sues for $10 million. Company previously won $180 million similar suit. lawsuit alleging the company siphoned more than $10 million in unauthorized debits from the bank accounts of more than 100,000 former customers, as well as extended leases beyond their original termination date in many states (Evergreen clauses are illegal in New York). Company denies charges:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2012/4_27.htm#responds

Five Point Capital, San Diego, CA (04/12) David Gilbert buys out his "partner," Greg Wells/Tamara McCourt, CLP, Michael Losey, Jason Norton released. Gilbert becomes CEO. http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2012/4_18.htm#five_point

Marlin Leasing, Mount Laurel, NJ (04/12) Bulletin Board Complaint
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2012/4_04.htm#marlin

Signature Bank Leasing, New York City (04/12) makes it official, press release on leasing division to be headed by Walter Rabin, and other former Capital One executives. http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2012/4_04.htm#release

Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, CA (04/12) May 9th is day to seek judgment for $163,720,000 against the officers of HL Leasing, Inc., Manufacturers Acceptance Corporation dba Heritage Pacific Leasing, Air Fred, along with officers Andy Fernandez, Dan Ramírez and Kathleen Otto.

IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois (04/12) The main bankruptcy case had a trial date set for 3/28/2013, but it was continued until 4/20/2013 with discovery cutoff September 1, 2012. Other related cases continue.

Alphabetical List
http://www.leasingnews.org/list_alpha_new.htm

Chronological List
http://www.leasingnews.org/list_chron_new.htm

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com

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Kamikaze Kat

You can grab the cat and try to save him. You can right click on the cat for more features or to exit the program.

http://www.leasingnews.org/EXE/KamikazeKat.exe

*****Announcement*************************

LeMay-America's Car Museum to Open June 2

Saturday, June 2, is the official grand opening of LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. It’s going to a day-long celebration, with ceremonies beginning at 10:00 a.m. and special events happening into the evening; displays ranging from “Ferrari in America” to cars from Nicola Bulgari’s impressive collection.

Late last month Nancy LeMay donated $700,000 to 165,000 square-foot museum, originated in 1998 as a way to house the vast car, motorcycle and truck collection of Nancy’s husband, Harold, has evolved through the years to become much more than a museum building.

The nine-acre ACM campus – with the four-level museum as the hub – features a 3.5 acre show field to host everything from vintage car events to rock concerts and drive-in movies. There is also a gift shop, meeting space, car storage, café/restaurant, banquet hall, educational center/library and rotating galleries using cars, music, film and photos for displays such as “the Harold LeMay exhibit.”

Nancy and Harold LeMay

“The museum is the realization of Harold’s dream,” said Nancy LeMay. “It’s absolutely stunning and the perfect home for so many of his cars. I can’t wait until the grand opening.”

Harold, who passed away in 2000 at age 81, at one time owned more than 3,500 vehicles and was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the largest privately-owned automotive collection in the world.

“We’re delighted to have Nancy’s continued backing as we move closer to the grand opening,” said David Madeira, ACM president and CEO.

http://leasingnews.org/photos/David_Madeira_fun.jpg

“We built our museum (that began construction in June 2010) during some tough economic times, but Nancy stuck with us while others said it couldn’t be accomplished. When Nancy presented the check to me, she said she wanted to ‘help us properly open,’ which is exactly what we’ll do during our day-long festivities on June 2. We deeply appreciate her and Doug’s (Nancy’s son) generosity.”

The campus, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, also contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, café, banquet hall and meeting facilities. To become an ACM member, volunteer or make a donation, visit (www.lemaymuseum.org)

*****Announcement************************************

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Ten Cars that Americans are not buying

10.
Dodge Ram Pickup 1500
Days to Turn: 91
Price: $20,610
Configuration: 6 Cyl, 2 Door
MPG: 14 City, 20 Hwy

9.
Cadillac DTS
Days to Turn: 93
Price: $46,680
Confguration: 8 Cyl, 4 Door
MPG: 15 City, 23 Hwy

8.
Suzuki SX4
Days to Turn: 93
Price: $16,999
Configuration: 4 Cyl, 5 Door
MPG: 23 City, 30 Hwy

7.
Honda Element
Days to Turn: 96
Price: $19,168
Configuration: 4 Cyl, 5 Door
MPG: 20 City, 25 Hwy

6.
Toyota Matrix
Days to Turn: 97
Price: $18,845
Configuration: 4 Cyl, 5 Door
MPG: 26 City, 32 Hwy

5.
Toyota Yaris
Days to Turn: 97
Price: $14,115
Configuration: 4 Cyl, 3 Door
MPG: 30 City, 28 Hwy

4.
Mazda 6
Days to Turn: 100
Price: $20,725
Configuration: 6 Cyl, 4 Door
MPG: 22 City, 31 Hwy

3.
Kia Rio
Days to Turn: 101
Price: $13,400
Configuration: 4 Cyl, 4 Door/4 Cyl, 5 Door
MPG: 30 City, 40 Hwy

2.
Nissan Titan
Days to Turn: 106
Price: $28,520
Configuration: 8 Cyl, 2 Door
MPG: 13 City, 18 Hwy

1.
Volkswagen Routan
2011 Days to Turn: 107
Price: $27,020
Configuration: 6 Cyl, 4 Door
MPG: 17 City, 25 Hwy

Full Story:
The Cars Americans Will Not Buy
http://247wallst.com/2012/05/03/the-cars-americans-will-not-buy/

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

Conflicting Consumer Confidence Reports for April

Once again the two major consumer confidence indices reported opposing views on consumers’ confidence in the economy.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (April 30, 2012) – The April Thompson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index reported an increase of 0.2 in consumers’ confidence in the economy; from 76.2 in March to 76.4 in April. Conversely, The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index reported a decrease of 0.3 in consumers’ confidence in the economy; from 69.5 in March to 69.2 in April. This is the second time this year that the two major consumer confidence indices conflicted with each other.

In January of this year, the Thompson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index reported an increase of 5.1 points from December, were as The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index reported a decline of 3.7 points for the same month. Clearly, consumers’ confidence in the economy can not be increasing and decreasing at the same time, which points to a deficiency in the concept of subjective surveys. The Money Anxiety Index (moneyanxiety.com), which is based on objective economic indicators, reported an improvement of 1.3 in consumer financial confidence in April.

The repeatedly conflicting results between the Thompson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index and The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index are rooted in their reliance on what consumers say rather on what consumers do, such as spending and savings. Such discrepancy occurs because people do not always say what they do, nor do they always do what they say. Hence, consumer confidence indices relaying on consumer responses are subjective, and are not as reliable as the Money Anxiety Index, which is completely objective because it is based only on real economic indicators.

“Surprisingly, many economists and analysts use such subjective indices as predictor to economic activities,” said Dan Geller, Ph.D. Chief Research Officer at Money Anxiety Index.

“I would argue that using economic indicators to gauge consumer financial confidence is much more reliable and predictive.”

About Money Anxiety Index
The Money Anxiety Index (MAI) measures various economic indicators and factors associated with consumers’ level of financial worry and stress. MAI, which measured the level of financial anxiety for the past 50 years, fluctuated from a high of 136.0 during the early 1980s recession, and a low of 40.3 in the mid 1960s (January 1975 = 100). The Money Anxiety Index was developed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a large sample size of monthly economic indicators ranging from 1959 to 2010.

The Money Anxiety Index (MAI) differs from other indices of consumer confidence mainly because its measurement is objective rather than subjective. MAI measures how economic indicators are impacting consumers’ behavior (objective) rather than how consumers say they feel about the economy (subjective), which is the methodology used by survey-based consumer confidence indices.

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

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

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United Capital Finances Buffalo Wild Wings® Stores

HUNT VALLEY, MD - United Capital Business Lending, a national business lender specializing in franchise finance, announced today that it provided $2,600,000 in financing to Buffalo Wild Wings® owner, Southseas Wings, LLC. United Capital refinanced one location for the Texas based company and will provide funding to open additional Buffalo Wild Wings® restaurants in Hawaii. Southseas Wings, LLC together with its affiliate companies is one of the largest Buffalo Wild Wings® franchisees, currently operating 34 restaurants in various states.

“The Buffalo Wild Wings® chain has its pick of lenders,” says William Johnson, senior vice president of sales and business development for United Capital.

“So to be working with one of the biggest franchisees in the system is proof United Capital has the financing products and pricing to attract top notch operators in the strongest franchise concepts.”

United Capital Business Lending is a subsidiary of BankUnited (NYSE: BKU), the largest bank headquartered in Florida with over $12 billion in assets.

In addition to Buffalo Wild Wings®, the United Capital team has financed franchisees for Subway®, Denny’s®, Dunkin’ Donuts®, Five Guys® Burgers and Fries and Popeyes® among others.

For information about financing for franchise acquisition, new unit development, remodeling or debt refinancing, call United Capital at 866-218-4793 or visit the company’s website at www.unitedcapitalbusinesslending.com.

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

Los Angeles, California-- Adopt-a-Dog

Norman

Breed: Poodle (Miniature)
Color: White
Age: Young
Size: Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Sex: Male

“I am already neutered, housetrained, purebred, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats.

Norman's Story..
“Courtesy Listing! Please contact Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue at: 626-340-9316 or adopt@angelsheartdogrescue.com and not the rescue group connected to this page. The best (and preferred) method of contact for quick response is by way of e-mail.

“Norman is a two-year-old pure-bred Miniature Poodle. He is a very sweet, easy going dog. He weighs 14 lbs. He is new to the rescue, but so far, from what we can see, he walks well on the leash, rides great in the car, and has the makings of being an all-around great pet. He gets a bit intimidated if a big or overly playful dog bounces right upon him, but generally speaking, does quite well with all dogs both large and small and does not seem to be bothered by cats.

“He seems to want a quieter household in lieu of a crazy one if those were his two choices. He is HYPOALLERGENIC ((good for allergy suffers). He appears to be potty-trained and is not a leg lifter (though potty reinforcement is necessary in any new home). We will know more about him as time goes on so stay tuned.”

Norman is neutered, de-wormed, vaccinated including rabies, and micro-chipped. If you are interested in Norman, please contact Janet Cook of the Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue at: adopt@angelsheartdogrescue.com or call 626-340-9316.

Please also visit our website at: http://www.angelsheartdogrescue.com and go to the Adoption Tab to read about the adoption process.

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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

The 2012 San Francisco International Film Festival
By Fernando F. Croce

The country’s longest-running film festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival remains a most valuable combination of films by established masters, up-and-coming talents, and rediscovered classics. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s fest, hopefully coming to a theater near you sooner than later.

Alps: One of the great hopes of contemporary European cinema, Greek director Giorgos Lanthimos follows his acclaimed "Dogtooth" with this equally inventive and unsettling mosaic of human lives in crisis. Among the characters followed are a teenage athlete laboring to please her demanding coach, a teacher tending to a crash victim, and an older man remembering his glory days on the dance floor. Powerful and uncompromising, the film may be rough going for some audiences but it's worth it to experience a vision as fiercely unique as Lanthimos'.

The Day He Arrives: Prolific Korean director Hong Sang-soo serves up another easygoing, deceptively simple look at human relationships with this deft comedy-drama. On the surface, the plot traces the comings and goings of a trio of friends who all dwell in the film industry. On a deeper level, however, the movie is about the subtle romantic shifts amid the lovelorn characters, with their dreamy desires and insecurities captured with gentle yet unexpected glances. The result is a tale that feels as light as air yet leaves a sharp emotional aftertaste.

Harlan County USA: A veteran documentarian whose films give viewers unforgettable glimpses of social struggle, Barbara Kopple was a well-deserved honoree at this year's festival. As a tribute, this 1976 Oscar-winner was screened. Chronicling the protests for better working conditions by Kentucky miners in the early 1970s, this powerful, stirring documentary provides both a snapshot of a specific time and place from the past as well as a cry for engagement that's still relevant today.

Life without Principle: Best known for his action extravaganzas, Hong Kong director Johnnie To surprises with this gripping drama about the various human effects of a financial crisis. Keeping things moving at a furious clip, the plot follows the tangled web of action and reaction that results when economical problems force a gallery of characters (including a police officer, a bank clerk, and a low-level gangster) into difficult moral quandaries. Without sacrificing any of the kinetic energy from his thrillers, To creates a forceful portrait of our times.

Pierre Rissient, Man of Cinema: A hugely perceptive and demanding critic as well as a tireless discoverer of cinematic talent, veteran French writer Pierre Rissient was one of the guests of honor at this year's San Francisco Film Festival. So what better way to celebrate a life dedicated to cinema than with this brisk, enjoyable documentary about his achievements, which highlights his relationships with the many great directors he championed. Full of interviews and anecdotes, it's a veritable love letter that's equally enjoyable to dedicated buffs and casual moviegoers

The Sheik and I: No stranger to provocative journeys, writer-director Caveh Zahedi turns the cameras on himself in this multilayered documentary. Assigned to come up with a "subversive" work of art for an event in the Middle East, the boundary-pushing Zahedi decides to poke fun at the Sheik who rules the country and finances the project. As the film goes along, however, it becomes clear that he's walking a very thin line between satire and danger. An often funny, sometimes uncomfortable and always revealing look at how far filmmakers are willing to go for their art.

Terraferma: Emanuele Crialese cements his reputation as one of the most interesting of young Italian filmmakers with this accomplished coming-of-age tale set in a small Sicilian island. Unfolding over the course of a hectic summer season, the plot follows the awakening of teenage Filippo (Filippo Pucillo), who helps his family run a touristic resort until a family of undocumented African immigrants washes ashore. Faced with a new dilemma, Filippo has to make a decision that will change the rest of his life. A surprising and compassionate drama.

The Third Man: In honor of the recent death of San Francisco Film Society executive director Bingham Ray, this 1949 masterpiece, his all-time favorite movie, was screened. Directed by Carol Reed and set in a post-WWII Vienna of deep shadows and shifting alliances, this noir classic follows the misadventures of an American novelist (Joseph Cotten) as he tracks down an elusive former friend (Orson Welles) who is now involved in shady activities. Suave, atmospheric, and totally irresistible to any lover of cinema.

Twixt: Hollywood legend Francis Ford Coppola continues his recent streak of deeply personal, exhilaratingly idiosyncratic releases with this delirious horror-comedy. Val Kilmer stars as a floundering writer who finds himself stranded in a small town struggling to finish his new book, and getting some inspiration in dreams that involve buried secrets, a gang of vampires, and even the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. Playful and visually sumptuous, this one-of-a-kind film (shot in 3D, no less) is as bewildering to describe as it is easy to enjoy.

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Classified ads—Back Office

Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)

All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

News Briefs----

Mortgage rates beckon but play hard to get
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/news/mortgage-rates-beckon-play-hard-to-get.aspx?ic_id=Top_Stories_link_1

Aircastle 1Q profit falls as equipment sales drop
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47280688/ns/business-us_business/

Lockheed Martin delivers final Raptor
http://www.ajc.com/business/lockheed-martin-delivers-final-1430114.html#fadetoblack

Ford sheds plant in 'win, win, win' deal
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/05/03/Ford-sheds-plant-in-win-win-win-deal/UPI-15111336078315/

Wall Street’s ‘bad boy’ gets 12 years in $140MM scam
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ex-investment-manager-known-as-wall-streets-bad-boy-gets-12-years-in-140-million-scam/2012/05/03/gIQAz3cszT_story.html

For Craftsmen, Fragile Lifeline From Craigslist
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/business/economy/for-craftsmen-craigslist-is-a-slender-lifeline.html?_r=1&ref=business

'American Idol': The competition is down to a fab four
http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_20545492/american-idol-competition-is-down-fab-four

Smothers likes that Clooney will make his movie
http://sonoma.towns.pressdemocrat.com/2012/05/news/smothers-likes-that-clooney-will-make-his-movie/

[headlines]
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You May Have Missed---

Facebook Is Urging Members to Add Organ Donor Status
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/technology/facebook-urges-members-to-add-organ-donor-status.html

[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Make Cinco de Mayo Healthier, with 30+ of Our Best Mexican Recipes
http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=make_cinco_de_mayo_healthier_with_30
_of_our_best_mexican_recipes

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs----

Seau family holds prayer vigil
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2012/may/03/seau-funeral-plans-take-shape/

Miami Heat own N.Y. Knicks, take 3-0 series lead
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-05-03/Analysis-Miami-Heat-own-NY-Knicks-take-3-0-series-lead/54738236/1

Rivera hurts knee; career may be over
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/sports/baseball/yankees-mariano-rivera-injured-during-batting-practice.html?_r=1&hp

[headlines]
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Baseball Poem

Three Run Homers, or, Rupert Brooke Celebrates Baseball 
 
I think that I shall never see 
A poem lovely as a three 
Run homer when the team is pressed 
Against the wall and quite distressed, 
A homer that may at evening scare 
A nighthawk circling in the air, 
Or, 'neath the arc lights blazing bright, 
Restore the score and set things right, 
Rescue the pitcher and save the game, 
And set the home team crowd aflame: 
Poems are made by fools like me, 
But only heroes knock in three.

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Much talk, little progress on California schools
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/05/little-progress-on-california-schools-five-years-after-stanford-study.html

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Costco's Wine Buyer Doesn't Think Wine Is Different Than Toilet Paper
http://eater.com/archives/2012/04/27/costcos-wine-buyer-doesnt-think-wine-is-different-than-toilet-paper.php

Legendary Wines, Sold in Sips
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/dining/benoit-sells-legendary-wines-by-the-ounce.html?ref=dining

N.J. wineries raise a glass as law that allows them to ship directly to customers takes effect
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/05/nj_wineries_raise_a_glass_as_l.html

Northeast Ohio wine grapes 'devastated' by hard freeze
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/northeast-ohio-wine-grapes-devastated-by-hard-freeze

Wine Shippers From Forest Floor
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=100281&
htitle=Wine%20Shippers%20From%20Forest%20Floor&

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

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

     1494- Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica. The Arawak Indians were its first inhabitants. This was his second journey. His first he basically discovered Cuba, and on his third Trinidad, and on his fifth trip, 1502-1504, Martinique, exploring the coasts of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. He brought a lot of slaves back to Spain, his main find in the islands. The Pope was requested to intervene in the brutality by Columbus’s men and issued a decree dividing the new world between the Spanish and Portuguese.
    1626-Dutch colonist Peter Minuit arrived on the wooded island of Manhattan in present-day New York. He bought Manhattan for $24, but from a tribe in Brooklyn, almost like buying the Brooklyn Bridge. The story has been repeated so many times school children believe the borough was bought for beads. Ironically, he Dutch had already established the town of New Amsterdam at the southern end of the island. The American Indians had no comprehension of land ownership. Shortly most of them were wiped out by small pox, influenza, and a host of diseases brought from Europe in which
they had no immunity.
(lower half: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may04.html )
    1746- The Moravians in Pennsylvania established the Moravian Women's Seminary at Bethlehem. It was the first educational institution of its kind established by the "Unitas Fratrum" in (colonial) America.
    1776 - Rhode Island declares independence from England.
    1778-The Continental Congress voted to ratify two treaties signed by representatives from the United States and France in Paris three months before, clearing the way for France to enter the American Revolution on the side of the United States. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the US as an independent nation and encouraged trade between France and the America, while the Treaty of Alliance provided for a military alliance against Great Britain, stipulating that the absolute independence of the US be recognized as a condition for peace and that France would be permitted to conquer the British West Indies. With the treaties, the first entered into by the US government, the Bourbon monarchy of France formalized its commitment to assist the American colonies in their struggle against France's old rival, Great Britain. The eagerness of the French to help the United States was motivated both by an appreciation of the American revolutionaries' liberal democratic ideals and by a bitterness at having lost most of their American empire to the British at the conclusion of the French and Indian Wars in 1763. France had been secretly providing aid to the United States since the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775, and in 1776, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee to a joint diplomatic commission to secure a formal alliance with France. However, it was not until 17 October 1777, and the US victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga, that the French became convinced that the Americans were committed to the struggle and thus worthy partners in a formal alliance.
On 06 February 1778, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance were signed, and on 04 May, the Continental Congress ratified these treaties. On 17 June, war between Britain and France began when a British squadron fired on two French ships. During the US War of Independence French armies and naval fleets proved critical in the defeat of the British, which culminated at the Battle of Yorktown in October of 1781.
    1796-Birthday of Horace Mann, American educator, author, public servant, known as the "father of public education in the US," was born at Franklin, MA. Founder of Westfield (MA) State College and editor of the influential Common School Journal. Mann died at Yellow Springs, OH, Aug 2, 1859.
    1850--A second Great Fire broke out in the United States Exchange, a saloon and gambling house. The fire burned 300 buildings and caused $4,000,000 damage.It is interesting that on the same date, one year later, the 5th Great Fire almost destroyed San Francisco. The entire business district was destroyed in 10 hours. 18 Blocks, 2,000 buildings
    1851-First major San Francisco fire
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/5-51fire.html
    1863- The Battle of Chancellorsville ends when Union Army retreats.
    1864- General Grant's Army at Potomac attacks at Rappahannock
crosses Rapidan and begins his duel with Robert E Lee
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/cwp:@field(NUMBER+@band(cwpb+01175))
http://www.civilwar-va.com/virginia/va-central/1864tour.html
    1864- Over the objections of President Lincoln, the House of Representatives on this date passed the Wade-Davis Reconstruction bill, containing stiff punitive measures against the South that if put into law would have destroyed Lincoln’s more moderate reconstruction aims. The bill was also adamantly opposed by Radical Republicans, led by Thaddeus Stevens for whom it was insufficiently severe in its treatment of the Southern rebels. Lincoln eventually killed the bill by using the pocket veto. When Andrew Johnson became president, following Lincoln’s assassination, he basically abandoned all Lincoln’s reconstruction plans and set up to punish the South.
    1864 - Union General Ulysses S. Grant's forces cross the Rapidan River and meet Robert E. Lee's Confederate army.
    1886 - Chichester Bell and Charles Tainter received a US patent for the graphophone. This invention replaced Thomas Edison's phonograph, and featured wax-coated cylinders. These were considered an improvement over the phonograph's tinfoil cylinders, which had been delicate and difficult to remove.
    1891-The first hospital open to all races as a matter of policy was the Provident Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Although primarily for African-Americans, there was no racial barrier to the admission of patients or staff appointments of physicians. Dr. Frank Billings was chief consulting physician. Dr. Christian Fenger, chief consulting surgeon; and Drs. Ralph N. Isham and Daniel Hall Williams, attending surgeons. A nursing school, the Provident Hospital Training School Association, was connected with the hospital.
    1894—Bird Day began.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may04.html
    1896- Labor union unrest at Chicago led to violence when a crowd of unemployed men tried to enter the McCormick Reaper Works, where a strike was underway. Although no one was killed, anarchist groups called a mass meeting in Haymarket Square to avenge the “massacre. When the police advanced on the demonstrators, a bomb was thrown and several policemen were killed. Four leaders of the demonstration were hanged and another committed suicide in jail. Three others were given jail terms. The case aroused considerable controversy around the world.
    1891-Birthday of American composer, Frederick Jacobi, born San Francisco, CA.Jacobi was one of the founders of the U.S. League of Composers in 1923 and served on the American board of the International Society for Contemporary Music in the 1920s and 1930s. His compositions were played by leading orchestras across the country, from A California Suite (San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, 1917) to his Serenade for Piano and Orchestra (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1952). The Austrian section of the ISCM gave a special performance of Jacobi’s works at the ISCM Congress in Vienna in 1932. He died 24 October 1952
    1905- Honky Tonk singer Al Dexter was born in Jacksonville, Texas. He perfected his style in the oil-boom dance halls of East Texas. And he recorded one of the first songs to have the word "honky tonk" in its title, "Honky Tonk Blues." Dexter, who died in 1984, is best known as the composer of the wartime hit, "Pistol Packin' Mama."
    1909- Tel Aviv founded. In 1910, the suburb was named Tel Aviv after Nahum Sokolow's translation of Altneuland, Herzl's fictional depiction of the Jewish State.
http://www.wzo.org.il/home/dev/ta1.htm
http://www.wzo.org.il/home/aliyah/aliya2b.htm
http://alpha.furman.edu/~mcknight/cr9.htm
http://www.ddtravel-acc.com/tel.htm
    1926-Drummer Sonny Payne birthday, New York City
“Atomic Bomb” Basie album, best known for. Died Jan 29, 1979 in Los Angeles, CA
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Sonny_Payne.html 
http://www.angelfire.com/mac/keepitlive/drummers/Payne/payne.htm
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,477721,00.html?artist=Sonny+Payne
    1928- Canadian jazz trumpet player, “screamer,” Maynard Ferguson was born in Montreal. He went to the US at the age of 20, playing in the big bands of Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Barnett and Stan Kenton. Ferguson won the Down Beat magazine reader's poll for trumpet in 1950, '51 and '52. He later formed his own big band, which in the 1970's turned in a jazz-rock direction. Ferguson's recording of "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from "Rocky," was a major hit single in 1977.
http://www.gr8music.com/Ferguson%2C_Maynard/mf-bio.html
http://www.maynard.ferguson.net/
http://www.super8filmmaking.com/maynard/maynard.htm
    1929-Birthday of Audrey Hepburn, whose first major movie role in Roman Holiday (1953) won her an Academy Award as best actress, was born near Brussels, Belgium. 
Here real name was Edda Van Heemstra Hepburn-Rusten.She made 26 movies during her career and received four additional Oscar nominations. During the latter years of her life Hepburn served as spokesperson for the United Nations Children's Fund, traveling worldwide raising money for the organization. Audrey Hepburn died Jan 20, 1993, at Tolochenaz, Switzerland. Even when dying of cancer, she traded ceaselessly in Third World countries, always for the children, never stinting, giving everything she had.
Answering a reporter's question about why she worked so hard for UNICEF, she answered simply, "I do not want to see mothers and fathers digging graves for their children." One can only guess that she saw too much of that when as a girl she was accidentally trapped in Holland during World War II. She suffered extreme hardships during the war and several of her relatives and friends were executed by the Nazis. AH acted as a courier for the underground. She even had to eat tulip bulbs when food supplies ran out or they were confiscated by the Germans just before the Allied troops freed the Netherlands.
    1932 - Public Enemy Number One, Al Capone, was jailed - in the Atlanta Penitentiary - for tax evasion. After a long reign atop Chicago's seething Underworld, the law finally nabbed Al Capone in the fall of 1931. Following a high-wattage trial, the notorious mob kingpin was sentenced to an eleven-year jail term and forced to pay $80,000 in fines. But, while Capone was an alleged killer, as well as the force behind gambling rings and bootlegging networks, his trip to prison wasn't tied to any of these eminently punishable enterprises. Rather, Capone had been tripped up for repeatedly failing to pay his taxes. Capone's fiscal offenses, which had been unearthed by the band of Treasury agents now enshrined in pop-culture history as the "Untouchables," landed him first in an Atlanta prison; two years into his term, Capone was shuttled to the recently opened Bay Area prison, Alcatraz. However, Capone never served out his sentence: suffering from an advanced bout of syphilis, he was set free in 1939 favor of an extended stay in a Baltimore hospital.
    1937-Bassist Ron Carter birthday, Ferndale, MI
http://www.roncarter.net/officialSite.html
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/carter_ron/bio.jhtml
    1939-- In his first-ever at-bat in the city of Detroit, rookie Ted Williams becomes the first player to hit a homer which totally clears the right field seats at Briggs Stadium.
    1940-Duke Ellington bad records “Cotton Tail,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” for Victor.
    1942 - The Battle of the Coral Sea commences. 
    1942- The United States begins food rationing.
    1942-POWERS, JOHN JAMES Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 July 1912, New York City, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. Other Navy award: Air Medal with 1 gold star. Citation: For distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, while pilot of an airplane of Bombing Squadron 5, Lt. Powers participated, with his squadron, in 5 engagements with Japanese forces in the Coral Sea area and adjacent waters during the period 4 to 8 May 1942. Three attacks were made on enemy objectives at or near Tulagi on 4 May. In these attacks he scored a direct hit which instantly demolished a large enemy gunboat or destroyer and is credited with 2 close misses, 1 of which severely damaged a large aircraft tender, the other damaging a 20,000-ton transport. He fearlessly strafed a gunboat, firing all his ammunition into it amid intense antiaircraft fire. This gunboat was then observed to be leaving a heavy oil slick in its wake and later was seen beached on a nearby island. On 7 May, an attack was launched against an enemy airplane carrier and other units of the enemy's invasion force. He fearlessly led his attack section of 3 Douglas Dauntless dive bombers, to attack the carrier. On this occasion he dived in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, to an altitude well below the safety altitude, at the risk of his life and almost certain damage to his own plane, in order that he might positively obtain a hit in a vital part of the ship, which would insure her complete destruction. This bomb hit was noted by many pilots and observers to cause a tremendous explosion engulfing the ship in a mass of flame, smoke, and debris. The ship sank soon after. That evening, in his capacity as Squadron Gunnery Officer, Lt. Powers gave a lecture to the squadron on point-of-aim and diving technique. During this discourse he advocated low release point in order to insure greater accuracy; yet he stressed the danger not only from enemy fire and the resultant low pull-out, but from own bomb blast and bomb fragments. Thus his low-dive bombing attacks were deliberate and premeditated, since he well knew and realized the dangers of such tactics, but went far beyond the call of duty in order to further the cause which he knew to be right. The next morning, 8 May, as the pilots of the attack group left the ready room to man planes, his indomitable spirit and leadership were well expressed in his own words, "Remember the folks back home are counting on us. 1 am going to get a hit if 1 have to lay it on their flight deck.'' He led his section of dive bombers down to the target from an altitude of 18,000 feet, through a wall of bursting antiaircraft shells and into the face of enemy fighter planes. Again, completely disregarding the safety altitude and without fear or concern for his safety, Lt. Powers courageously pressed home his attack, almost to the very deck of an enemy carrier and did not release his bomb until he was sure of a direct hit. He was last seen attempting recovery from his dive at the extremely low altitude of 200 feet, and amid a terrific barrage of shell and bomb fragments, smoke, flame and debris from the stricken vessel.
    1945--KINSER, ELBERT LUTHER Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 21 October 1922, Greeneville, Tenn. Accredited to: Tennessee. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while acting as leader of a Rifle Platoon, serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 4 May 1945. Taken under sudden, close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding newly won positions, Sgt. Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sgt. Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby protecting his men from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted and indomitable, he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1945 - On Okinawa, the Japanese 32nd Army counterattacks. Artillery that was formerly concealed is used to support infantry charges. The US 7th and 77th Divisions hold the assaults. Meanwhile, the US 1st Marine Division attacks Machinato airfield and suffers heavy losses. At sea, Kamikaze attacks sink 14 small ships and damage the escort carrier Sangamon, 1 destroyer, and other ships. Some 131 Japanese planes are claimed to be shot down. The British carrier Formidable is damaged by a Kamikaze attack off the Sakishima Islands. 
    1945--Stan Kenton records "Tampico."
    1945 - Donitz sends envoys to the headquarters of Field Marshal Montgomery, at Luneburg Heath, and they sign an agreement, at 1820 hrs, for the surrender of German forces in Holland, Denmark and northern Germany. The Germans also agree to the Allied demand that German submarines should be surrendered rather than scuttled -- in the German naval tradition. The surrender becomes effective on May 5th. Meanwhile, in continuing fighting to the south, Salzburg is captured by American forces. Other units push into Czechoslovakia toward Pilsen. German forces conduct rearguard actions, in northern Germany, in Czechoslovakia and Austria, as the bulk of the German forces attempt to disengage and reach the Anglo-American lines
    1948-Author Norman Mailer’s first book is published, ”The Naked and the Dead.”
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/nmailer.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/mailer_n.html
    1948--Birthday of American composer John Newell in Charlotte, NC. An accomplished pianist and conductor, he founded and conducted the Berkshire County Chamber Orchestra in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For the past twelve years he has served as music director for the Congregational Church of Worthington, Massachusetts. He is affiliated with Broadcast Music, Inc. and is an artist member of the American Music Center. He publishes his work through Abierto Music.
    1956---Top Hits
Heartbreak Hotel/I Was the One - Elvis Presley
Moonglow and Theme from ’Picnic’ - Morris Stoloff
Standing on the Corner - The Four Lads
Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
    1956 - Gene Vincent and his group, The Blue Caps, recorded "Be-Bop-A Lula" for Capitol Records in Los Angeles. Interesting note: Vincent had written the tune only three days before he auditioned in a record company talent search that won him first place. The record was rush-released just two days later and became a rock and roll classic. Vincent recorded two other charted songs in 1957 and 1958: "Lotta Lovin’" and "Dance to the Bop".
    1957- "The Alan Freed Show" debuted on ABC-TV. The legendary disc jockey's rock 'n' roll variety show was cancelled some months later after black teenage singer Frankie Lymon was shown dancing with a white girl.
    1959- The first Grammy Awards were presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Record of the year and song of the year was "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu" - better known as "Volare" - by Domenico Modugno. Henry Mancini won the Album of the Year award for "The Music From Peter Gunn" and the Kingston Trio won the first country Grammy for "Tom Dooley."
    1960-- the birth control pill was approved by the FDA in the U.S. It was developed at the Worcester Center for Experimental Biology. The work was financed by Katherine McCormick who gave the center $150,000 a year from 1953 on to develop an oral contraceptive. McCormick was the second woman graduate of M.I.T. She married into the McCormick family and took over the International Harvester business when her husband became hopelessly insane.
    1961-- US considers intervention in Vietnam. At a press conference, Secretary of State Dean Rusk reports that Viet Cong forces have grown to 12'000 men and that they had killed or kidnapped more than 3,000 persons in 1960. While declaring that the United States would supply South Vietnam with any possible help, he refused to say whether the United States would intervene militarily. At a press conference the next day, President John F. Kennedy said that consideration was being given to the use of United States forces. Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, did eventually commit more than 500'000 American soldiers to the war.
    1961-Militant students joined James Farmer of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to conduct “freedom rides” on public transportation from Washington, DC, across the deep South to New Orleans. The trips were intended to test Supreme Court decisions and Interstate Commerce Commission regulations prohibiting discrimination in interstate travel. In several places riders were brutally beaten by local people and policemen. On May 14, members of the Ku Klux Klan attacked the Freedom Riders in Birmingham, Alabama, awhile local police watched. In Mississippi,, Freedom Riders were jailed. They never made it to New Orleans. The rides were patterned after a similar challenge to segregation, the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation, which tested the US Supreme Court’s June 3, 1946, ban against segregation in interstate bus travel.
    1963 - Andy Williams's album, Days of Wine and Roses, hit the Number 1 spot on the LP pop chart, and stayed there for 16 weeks.
    1963-The Beach Boys "Surfin U.S.A." LP debuts on the charts.
    1964---Top Hits
Can’t Buy Me Love - The Beatles
Hello Dolly! - Louis Armstrong
Bits and Pieces - The Dave Clark Five
My Heart Skips a Beat - Buck Owens
    1964- “Another World, “created by lrna Phillips and sponsored by P&G, this soap was set in fictional Bay City. It was the first soap to air for a full hour and the first to beget two spin-offs (“Somerset” and “Texas’). Charles Durning,Ted Shackelford, Eric Roberts, Ray Liotta, Kyra Sedgwick, Faith Ford, Morgan Freeman, Jackëe Harry,Victoria Wyndham and Valarie Pettiford are some of its well-known alums. The show was cancelled in1999 and the last episode aired dune 25, 1999.
    1964 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Hello Dolly," Louis Armstrong.
    1964 - The Beatles set a "Billboard" magazine Top 100 chart all-time record when, today, all five of the top songs were by the British rock group. The Beatles also had the number one album with "Meet the Beatles", the top album from February 15 through May 2, when it was replaced by "The Beatles Second Album". During the first three months of 1964, it was estimated The Beatles accounted for 60 percent of the entire singles record business. The top five Beatles singles, setting the record, were: 1) Can’t Buy Me Love 2) Twist and Shout 3) She Loves You 4) I Want to Hold Your Hand 5) Please Please Me
    1967-The Turtles receive their first of two gold singles, for their recent Number One pop hit, "Happy Together." Their second gold single will come with "She'd Rather Be with Me."
    1968-FOURNET, DOUGLAS B. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 4 May 1968. Entered service at: New Orleans, La. Born: 7 May 1943, Lake Charles, La. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Fournet, Infantry, distinguished himself in action while serving as rifle platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Company B. While advancing uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley, the platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be alerted, 1st Lt. Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached it. With complete disregard for his safety and realizing the imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he reached for the wire the mine was detonated, killing him instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but 1st Lt. Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of serious injury or death. His gallantry and willing self-sacrifice are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1970 - President Richard Nixon’s May 1st announcement of the American incursion into Cambodia leads to massive anti-Vietnam war protests on college campuses nationwide. 
    1970- The US National Guard opens fire on a Vietnam War protest at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four unarmed students and wounding eleven more. After seeing the photos later that week in Life magazine, Neil Young immediately writes the song "Ohio," which Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young will record the next day. Twenty-five years later to the day, Peter Paul and Mary play a commemorative concert at the university, performing Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind."
    1970- Still fresh in minds of students who attending college during this time, four students (Allison Krause, 19; Sandra Lee Scheuer. 20: Jeffrey Glenn Miller. 20 and William K. Schroeder, 19) were killed by the National Guard during demonstrations against the Vietnam War at Kent(Ohio) State .
http://dept.kent.edu/sociology/lewis/lewihen.htm
    1972---Top Hits
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
I Gotcha - Joe Tex
Betcha By Golly, Wow - The Stylistics
Chantilly Lace - Jerry Lee Lewis
    1973-Led Zeppelin open their 1973 U.S. tour, which is billed as the "biggest and most profitable rock & roll tour in the history of the United States." A group spokesman predicts the group will gross over $3 million.
   1974- Marvin Hamlisch's soundtrack LP the Sting hits #1
   1974- Grand Funk's "The Loco-Motion" hits #1
   1974-The first skyscraper higher than 1,400 feet in height was the 110-story sears Building of sears Roebuck and Company, measuring 1,454 feet high located on Jackson Boulevard between Adams and Franklin streets in Chicago.
http://www.sears-tower.com/index.html
http://www.the-skydeck.com/homeDefault.htm
    1975-Baseball’s One Millionth Run. Bob Watson of the Houston Astros raced around the bases on Milt May’s home run against the San Francisco Giants an crossed the plate with what was declared to be the one millionth run scored in major league baseball history. Watson’s hustle paid off. Davey Conceptcion of the Cincinnati Reds scored another run in a different game in a different city seconds later.
    1976- The Illinois Legislature declares today as Rick Monday Day because of his patriotic gesture of saving the American flag from being burned in Los Angeles by two fans.
    1977 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Hotel California," The Eagles.
    1978-Jefferson Starship receive a platinum record for what will be their last LP with Grace Slick and Marty Balin. Just a few weeks later, both are gone and the band has to be revamped.
    1980---Top Hits
Call Me - Blondie
Ride like the Wind - Christopher Cross
Lost in Love - Air Supply
Are You on the Road to Lovin’ Me Again - Debby Boone
    1985- The legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem reopens after a massive ten-million-dollar makeover.
    1986 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "West End Girls," Pet Shop Boys.
    1988---Top Hits
Where Do Broken Hearts Go - Whitney Houston
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D’Arby
Angel - Aerosmith
It’s Such a Small World - Rodney Crowell & Rosanne Cash
    1989 - Col. Oliver North was found guilty in the investigations into the Iran-Contra affair. As part of the Iran-Contra affair, a federal jury convicted Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. North, a former official of the National Security Council, on charges of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence.
Although President Reagan was heavily implicated by North in his testimony during the televised congressional hearings and also by Walsh in his final Iran-Contra report, neither he nor Vice President George Bush were directly indicted in the subsequent criminal trials. Oliver North, whose convictions were later suspended in an appeals court, eventually had all his convictions overturned by a federal judge because the prosecutors had used testimony that North had given to Congress under immunity.
    1990 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather from the Lower Ohio Valley to Virginia and the Carolinas. A tornado at Augusta Springs VA killed two people and injured ten others, and another tornado caused 1.7 million dollars damage at Colonial Heights VA. Temp-eratures soared into the 90s in northern California. The high of 98 degrees in downtown Sacramento was their hottest reading of record for so early in the season.
    1991- Indians' first baseman Chris James establishes the club record for RBIs by driving in nine runs with a pair of homers and two singles, helping Cleveland to crush the A's, 20-6.
    1994---Top Hits
The Sign- Ace of Base 
Bump N Grind- R. Kelly 
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World- The Artist
Return to Innocence- Enigma
    1999---Top Hits
Livin La Vida Loca- Ricky Martin
No Scrubs- TLC 
Kiss Me- Sixpence None The Richer 
Every Morning- Sugar Ray 
    2006 - Pearl Jam sticks around after taping a song for CBS' "The Late Show With David Letterman to play a 10-song set inside New York's Ed Sullivan Theatre exclusively for members of its fan club.

Stanley Champions This Date

    1969 Montreal Canadiens