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######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.

Hispanic Bank in Illinois Fails
Bank Beat

The two branches of AztecAmerica Bank, Berwyn, Illinois, were closed with Republic Bank of Chicago, Oak Brook, Illinois, to assume all of the deposits. Founded September 26, 2005, the bank had 27 full time employees at its offices in Berwyn and Chicago. In 2006, the bank had 31 full time employees.

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio: 3.15%

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $18.0 million.

Since the upheaval in the banking industry, there have been 58 bank failures in Illinois, which only trails the 87 failures in Georgia and 70 in Florida.

AztecAmerica Bank was founded with the intent of appealing to Chicago’s rapidly growing Hispanic community with the goal of helping them to “seamlessly enter the arena of modern American banking,” according to Carlos Montoya, President and CEO of AztecAmerica.
http://www.aztecamerica.com/about/

Mr. Montoya profile:
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/
private/person.asp?personId=6282895&privcapId=23826319

It should be noted that Mr. Montoya’s former employer, where he was president of Oak Brook-based Republic Bank of Chicago, purchased AztecAmerica's $66.3 million in assets and all of its $65 million in deposits. Republic Bank of Chicago will pay the FDIC a premium of 1.025 percent to assume all of the deposits of AztecAmerica Bank. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Republic Bank of Chicago agreed to purchase approximately $58.3 million of the failed bank's assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

Republic Bank has purchased both of the Chicago-area banks that have failed so far this year, the other one being West Chicago-based DuPage National Bank.

Crain's chicagobusiness.com reports, "The demise of AztecAmerica marks the loss of two Hispanic-oriented banks within the last month. The Puerto Rican parent of Banco Popular North America, one of the leading Latino lenders in the area, agreed last month to sell its Chicago franchise to Itasca-based First Midwest Bancorp Inc.

"In 2012, Second Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago, one of the most active Hispanic lenders in the city, failed. After intervention by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, and others, SecoFederal's assets and deposits wound up with North Carolina-based Self-Help Federal Credit Union, which committed to continue making home loans to Latino families in the city and suburbs."

"Berwyn population: 56,800. Berwyn also has the highest population density (2010) of any township in Illinois. It and Cicero are the only townships in Illinois that have a higher population density than the city of Chicago."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwyn,_Illinois

http://www.city-data.com/city/Berwyn-Illinois.html

The bank was never profitable. Non-current loans remained very high throughout the life of the bank, while charge offs fluctuated.

(in millions, unless otherwise)

Net Equity
2006	$6.90
2007	$5.50
2008	$6.20
2009	$8.00
2010	$5.00
2011	$4.50
2012	$3.20
2013	$1.30
03/31/14	$930,000.00

Profit
2006	-$2.90
2007	-$1.90
2008	-$1.90
2009	-$2.60
2010	-$4.20
2011	-$856,000.00
2012	-$1.60
2013	-$2.10
03/31/14	-$453,000.00

Non-Current Loans
2006	0
2007	$1.20
2008	$7.30
2009	$8.40
2010	$8.10
2011	$7.80
2012	$10.10
2013	$9.30

Charge Offs
2006 $18,000 ($18,000 loans to individuals)
2007 0
2008 $9,000 ($9,000 1-4 family residential)
2009 $247,000 ($191,000 1-4 family residential, $54,000 nonfarm/nonres., $2,000 individuals)
2010 $2.3 ($1.2 construction/land, $431,000 1-4 family, $413,000 nonfarm/nonres., $354,000 commercial/industrial)
2011 $626,000 ($200,000 nonfarm/nonres., $188,000 1-4 family, $106,000 multifamily)
2012 $29,000 ($144,000 1-4 family, $46,000 construction/land, $7,000 nonfarm/nonres., -$168,000 commercial/industrial)
2013 $1.2 ($715,000 1-4 family, $504,000 nonfarm/nonresidential)
3/31 $26,000 ($13,000 1-4 family, $13,000 nonfarm/nonresidential

Construction and Land, 1-4 family multiple residential, Multiple Family Residential, Non-Farm Non-Residential loans.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2014/pr14034.html

Unofficial problem bank list has declined to 502 institutions, according to Calculatedriskblog.com.

Unofficial Problem Bank List:
http://cr4re.com/PBL05172014.html

List of Bank Failures:
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Leasing News Bank Beat:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Bank_Beat.htm

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

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.

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AGLF Membership Report---End of 1st Quarter, 2014

540	Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
485	National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers
309	Association of Government Leasing and Finance
279	Commercial Finance Association
*	Canadian Finance & Leasing Association
200	Certified Leasing Professional Foundation
**	National Equipment Finance Association

*No response to several emails and telephone calls.

** NEFA President Kyle Gilliam emailed Leasing News, “I feel it is way too early to release those numbers given the fact that several of our members will be renewing just prior to the funding symposium this fall."

	3/31	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2003	2002	2001	2000
ELFA	540	574	583	565	582	604	700	741	768	817	780	732	862	873	850
NAELB	485	557	557	617	696	847	1021	1089	950	731	648	480	433	415	475
AGLFA	309	315	285	274	250	238	265	277	255	255	255	203	263	343	250
NEFA	*	207	193	191	210	274
EAEL	*	*	*	*	*	*	183	181	196	198	180	191	216	227	240
UAEL	*	*	*	*	*	*	289	314	314	314	297	248	378	379	589

As noted, all the association membership was down, as reported by Leasing News (1)

Joining the reporting of the Leasing Association membership, the Association of Government Leasing and Finance shows a loss of six members

	31-Mar	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
Basic	108	113	106	100	99	9
Industry Leader	157	155	118	126	100	9
Individual/Government	18	20	20	18	22	24
Limited	21	22	35	26	25	22
Emeritus	5	5	5	4	4	4
	309	315	284	274	250	238

In comparing previous years, there has been very good growth in this association. Understanding the categories is important.

The basic category allows only four members "with access to AGLF resources, publications, member conference rates and support." Industry leader allows access to all employees and is for larger companies. Full description is available here:
http://www.aglf.org/membership-categories

It should be noted the ELFA gives its support to this association.

Conferences are very important to network. This fall, the 34th Annual AGLF Conference will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon, Tucson, Arizona. Hotel Information is available at:
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Ventana-Canyon-Resort

Website:
http://www.aglf.org/

Membership Down for Leasing Associations
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_08.htm#membership

Colonial Pacific Leasing Loses Summary Judgment
on Commercially Reasonableness of Sale of Leasing Equipment
By Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal News Editor

Colonial Pacific Leasing v N&N Partners 2013 WL 5880590 (USDC N.D. GA 2013).

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” —John Wooden, UCLA Basketball Coach, 1975

Today’s case is about a do-over that failed. The lesson is that if one attempts to do something, do it right, the first time! Colonial Pacific should have studied John Wooden more. The facts follow.

The Lessee, N&N Partners, leased three schedules of equipment consisting of paving equipment and trucks from the vendor, whose first agreement was with Warren Equipment that went to Associates First Capital, which assigned all to GE Capital July 31, 2008 (which purchased Colonial) and all three leases were finally assigned to Colonial Pacific, December 31, 2009. N&N defaulted, the Lessor repossessed the equipment, and sold it at a foreclosure sale, which appeared to be duly noticed and regularly conducted. The Lessor sought a deficiency of $101,000 and change.

Colonial then filed suit on October 1, 2012, in Georgia Federal Court seeking the deficiency of $101,000. After some routine discovery, the Lessor filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. The Lessee opposed, claiming irregularities in the sale, and uncertainty in the deficiency.

The Trial Court quickly disposed of any alleged procedural defects in the sale. The sale was conducted slightly earlier than anticipated and the Court concluded that this was not prejudicial to the Lessee. The price procured by the equipment was alleged to be lower than market price, but the Trial Court stated that this was the Lessee’s burden to prove a better price could have been procured. Since the Lessee failed to come up with actual evidence of possible bids which went un-acted upon, that issue was also ruled upon, adverse to the Lessee.

But unbeknownst to the Trial Court, Colonial Pacific had filed a prior State Court lawsuit, and instead of asking for a deficiency of $101,000, Colonial Pacific stated that its deficiency was $48,000. Colonial’s State Court lawsuit was dismissed slightly before the scheduled trial, and the instant Federal Suit filed shortly thereafter.

The parties papers did not disclose why Colonial filed this first suit, why it may have had the wrong number in its Complaint, why it was dismissed, and why the 2nd Federal Suit was filed. I can only speculate that the prior State Court action was filed in error or was so screwed up from a pleading standpoint, that the lessor simply thought it would be easier to dismiss the case and re-file a 2nd lawsuit.

In short, I guess that the Lessor litigated the State Court case with the wrong damages all the way to trial, could not amend the Complaint, because it was so close to trial, and therefore the Lessor perceived that it would be stuck with a deficiency of half the actual amount, so it dismissed the case with the idea that the defect could be cured in a new 2nd lawsuit, in Federal Court, and the prior State Court case long forgotten.

The Trial Court ruled that the two dueling deficiency numbers, $53,000 apart, were no laughing matter, and ruled that Colonial Pacific could not obtain Summary Judgment because there was a triable issue of fact as to the Lessor’s damages. In short, although the lessor created confusion as to its true deficiency, it would per se be precluded from offering the correct numbers at a trial before the Federal Court.

All is not lost for the lessor. While the State Court claim for the wrong damage amount was confusing and embarrassing, those pleadings were not per set binding upon the Federal Court at trial. So the lessor lived to fight another day.

The lessons for the equipment lessor are probably obvious here.

• Get the Notice and Sale Times Coordinated. There was some discussion here that the foreclosure sale might have occurred at a time different than noticed. While this was embarrassing, it was critical. Certainly, many pages of paper and resulting legal assets were expended on this issue. I’m confident that if the Lessor got it right, the Summary Judgment process would have gone smoother. The Lessor, the repossessing agent, and counsel should all be on the same page on this process.

• Get the Damages Right the First Time--Allegations in Pleadings Matter. I’m confused why the Lessor litigated an entire State Court case almost to trial with the wrong damage numbers. This mistake really came back to bite the Lessor in the hind quarters. The lessor should get the numbers right the first time. I always get the client to send and sign a damage calculation in writing to me and before filing suit, take 15-20 minutes, and have the client walk me through the numbers over the phone.

The bottom line to this case: the Lessor probably wasn’t much of a John Wooden fan, and perhaps should have watched more UCLA basketball, because if you don’t have time to get it right the first time, when will you find the time to do it over?

Colonial Pacific Leasing Case (PDF)

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting in Los Angeles, California.

http://www.leasingnews.org/photos/Tom_sig.jpg

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

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“Online Presence Advice”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

Question: What steps can I take to make sure I have a positive online presence?

Answer: As we know, online sources are inevitably reviewed at some point by potential employers or even current employers. You will want to review and check out your online presence occasionally. Social media is NOT going away – get yourself familiar with this topic (take a free class or webinar). If you find negative information, referred to as “digital dirt”, it can be difficult to get rid of.

There are five steps to managing your online presence:

1. Removal and/or correction of incorrect or inappropriate information
2. Posting new content, which will move the unfavorable information lower in your search results
3. Check your grammar.
4. Check your spelling (more than using spellcheck; read aloud.
5. Your photo is very important. Ones with your spouse, or friend, or your favorite sport are unprofessional to use for a portrait position, such as in LinkedIn.

One of the strongest ways to create positive online content is through social media: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn (professional), which often appear prominently in Google’s search results. I recommend Instagram, Facebook, Twitter for your family and friends only. If you use for business, then only put “business” on these sites

Removal and/or correction of incorrect or inappropriate information

Requesting Removal of Online Information
If you find information online that you don’t want to be public, first determine who controls the content. For example, if the photo you want to hide is on your Facebook profile, you can change the visibility settings of that photo. If, however, the unwanted content resides on a website or page you do not control, you can request that it be removed.

To get an item removed, you need to first contact the website’s owner to get them to change it. You want the information removed at the source. Remember, removing content from Google’s search results does not remove it from other search engines (i.e., Bing, Yahoo).

After the webmaster has made the change, the negative result will still show up in Google for some time until Google updates their index. Note: If the content has not been removed from the website, the content will reappear in Google’s search results when that site is indexed again in the future.

If you’ve removed a negative item and need Google’s index to reflect that immediately, you can go through Google’s removal procedures to have that item taken out of the index. Here’s how:
Start by going to the removal request page:

1. http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removals
2. Click “New Removal Request”
3. Enter the URL you want removed
4. Finally, select the reason you want it removed and hit the “Request” button
5. Make sure you choose the right reason for your situation

Your Facebook Profile (should not be used for employment reasons; however, potential employers / colleagues / current employers may view)

1. First see how the public views your profile
2. You can check this with Facebook’s “View As…” option under “Edit Profile”
3. http://www.facebook.com/editprofile.php

Additionally, it is important to check out your privacy settings on Facebook; restricting the information you show to the public is important. Note: Facebook occasionally updates its privacy settings, so review your settings regularly. Learn more about Facebook’s privacy settings here: http://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=privacy

Posting new content

Ways to Create Content

Postings on blogs and news sites often appear in search results. Writing constructive comments can be a good way to create new content for Google to associate with your name. Posting content on these sites will also show up prominently in search results:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Google+

Reputation Management is Not a One-Time Thing

Social recruiting isn’t going away and only increasing in popularity; as such online reputation management is critical.

Some of the steps involved in online reputation management can be done quickly, but the Internet has a long memory, so be aware that it will take time for your new content to begin replacing unwanted content, and even more time for your old information to “disappear” from your search results. Continue to monitor your online presence, even when you are not in active job search mode.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

Career Crossroads Previous Columns
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

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Top Stories May 6--May 8
(You May Have Missed One)

Here are the top stories opened the most by readers:

(1) Four Salesmen Pay Survey Responses
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_12.htm#responses

(2) Northern Leasing Brings up $2 Million Bond re:
Ascentium New York Court of Appeals Case,
By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal News Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_14.htm#northernleasing

(3) Northern Leasing Found to Have Diverted
Proceeds from Lease Servicing Pool
By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal News Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_12.htm#northern

(4) Financial Pacific Leasing Updates
Funders List “A”/Funders Looking for Broker Business
Story Credits
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_14.htm#finpac_updates

(5) Financial Pacific Leasing -- Commercial
Joins Funder List “A”
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_12.htm#joins

(6) New Hires --- Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_16.htm#hires

(7) Archives May 16, 2000--Resource America Announces
It is Getting out of the Small Ticket Leasing business---
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_16.htm#archives

(8) State of California Proposes To Eliminate Exemption
Enjoyed by Bank Subsidiaries for Lender Licensing
By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal News Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_16.htm#state

(9) California Considers Taking Away Bank Subsidiary’s
Exemption to the California Lenders Law - ELFA Position
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_16.htm#california

(10) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Sales 2014
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2014/5_12.htm#winders

((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Getting Ready for the Future in Leasing

The future means returning to the past. Changes ahead in accounting, and tax, will require the sales forces to learn why leasing was popular twenty-five years ago. We were adaptive, and offered lease payment plans that were different than traditional commercial loans. Many companies have irregular, or seasonal incomes, because of the industries they serve. Technology and other changes mean equipment is being used in shorter or longer terms that the MACRS depreciation tables allow for. There are many reasons to look for rentals that match the lessee’s cash flow or expense requirements.

One of the points you should make is that if payments are scheduled when the cash is available, then there is no need for the lessee to use a line of credit to borrow funds when loan payments are due in low cash times. Often lessees use their borrowing rates to compare to our lease rates, but they forget to add the cost of their line of credit, or other demands on their working capital, including the bank utilization fees.

Leasing can also help manage cash by reducing payments in months where insurance payments are due or taxes are paid. It can also reduce payments or create skips in the future, when heavy maintenance will be required. Thinking not just of tax consequences, but actual “cash flow.” This not only applies to seasonal businesses, but also businesses that take time to develop to reach goals or release of new products.

Tying the term to the actual term of use is important, instead of just offering 3, 4, or 5 years. There is nothing wrong with starting a lease in August, but ending it 47 months later, when there is a lull in the lessee’s business. Also planning for replacement equipment, without the hassle of handling business cash flow at the same time.

One of the advantages of helping the lessee select the proper term for the lease will help you learn their current thoughts about lease termination. If they plan to keep the equipment past the lease term, then the term will not mean as much. Bu if they can select a specific “well thought out” term, then you can be assured, they plan to return the equipment.

Repeat business is the hallmark of a good leasing company. If you know the lessee plans to return the equipment, and your term has been well planned, then you have a leg up on when to solicit them for additional business. Remember: standard terms of 3, 4, or 5 years also puts you in a rate war with all your competitors.

I have said many times it is the “use” of the equipment that drives the lease. The more you understand the use, the more the term will come into focus. Also it is often an advantage to place the termination date at the end of the lessee’s year-end in the last year of use. This makes the accountants very happy.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at terrywinders11@yahoo.com or 502-649-0448.

He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

Mr. Terry Winders available as a consultant regarding assisting attorneys in resolving disputes or explaining procedures or reviewing documents as utilized in the finance and leasing industry.

He is the author of several books, including DVD's, as well as weekly columnist to Leasing News. He also performs audits of leasing companies as an expert on documentation, and has acted as an expert witness on leasing for litigation in legal and tax disputes, including before the IRS. He also has taught the senior bank examiners, how to review a bank leasing department, for the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C. and has trained the examiners for the FDIC on how to prepare a lease portfolio for sale.

502.649.0448/terrywinders11@yahoo.com

(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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http://predictablerevenue.com/triple-ebook

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

Lindsay Town joins IAA-Advisory as Director

IAA-Advisory, a leading advisor to the global asset finance industry, has great pleasure in announcing that Lindsay Town is to join the team as a Director.

Lindsay has been in the asset finance and leasing industry for over 35 years and has been involved in an extensive range of product and industry sectors, from high value cross border transactions to point of sale consumer finance business including major aerospace and marine sectors through to private motor vehicles. His career to date covers several organisations, including Barclays, Lloyds TSB and PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a range of roles from transactional to initiating and leading material strategic change as well as acquisitions and disposals. He has worked both in the UK and the USA.

Latterly Lindsay was a Managing Director of Bank of Scotland, Corporate, where he was responsible for a wide portfolio of asset finance and leasing business; which consisted at its peak of approximately £18bn of funded assets and over 2,250 colleagues.

Having taken early retirement from Lloyds/HBOS in 2009, Lindsay now works in an advisory role as well as being a non-executive director with several companies. He was formerly a Director of the Finance and Leasing Association and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland.

Derek Soper, Chairman of IAA-Advisory, said, “Lindsay is a wonderful addition to our team. His unique combination of experience across many aspects of IAA’s work will be a great plus for our business. We are all looking forward to working with him and benefiting from his knowledge and contacts in the industry.”

ABOUT IAA-ADVISORY

IAA-Advisory is at the forefront of change in the leasing and asset finance industry.

We bring impressive experience and independent insight to offer our clients clear and actionable advice. We build strong and continuing links between our client and our team, with a relationship built on trust and reliability.
Our clients include lessors and financial institutions such as banks, banking subsidiaries, manufacturer captive finance companies, independents and others who need external help with specific issues.
This team of highly experienced individuals is ideally placed to help clients with the complexities of business strategy and the dynamics of industry change. Recent engagements have helped develop and influence the direction of the industry. These include:

A complete review of an organisation’s European financing operations
Advice on entering and operating in markets including China, Russia and Georgia
Marketing strategy & tactics to launch a captive subsidiary
Partner selection for outsourced financing transactions

IAA coordinate the Captives’ Forum, an industry body to exchange ideas and influence policy, and we’ve advised Government & Regulatory bodies on their country’s legal framework to support an emerging asset financing industry. Wherever your challenge exists on this spectrum, we’d welcome an exploratory meeting.

IAA is also a sponsor and joint creator of The Leasing Foundation

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

News Briefs----

AT&T to Buy DirecTV for $48.5 Billion
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/att-to-buy-directv-for-48-5-billion/

Deutsche Bank Plans to Raise $11 Billion in Fresh Capital
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/deutsche-bank-to-raise-11-billion-in-fresh-capital/?ref=business

The Reinvention of Pitney Bowes
http://online.barrons.com/news/articles/
SB5000142

Fed's cuts are adding concern at NASA Glenn
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140518/SUB1/305189983

In Taking Crimea, Putin Gains a Sea of Fuel Reserves
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/world/europe/in-taking-crimea-putin-gains-a-sea-of-fuel-reserves.html?ref=business

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--You May Have Missed It

Top 45 Restaurants in United States
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-america-2014-5?op=1

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

All About Artificial Sweeteners
The Lowdown on Zero-Calorie Sugar Substitutes
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=289

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Like a fast break in basketball, there is no pausing in the poem. It's one long sentence.

Fast Break

In Memory of Dennis Turner, 1946-1984

Edward Hirsch

A hook shot kisses the rim and
hangs there, helplessly, but doesn't drop,

and for once our gangly starting center
boxes out his man and times his jump

perfectly, gathering the orange leather
from the air like a cherished possession

and spinning around to throw a strike
to the outlet who is already shoveling

an underhand pass toward the other guard
scissoring past a flat-footed defender

who looks stunned and nailed to the floor
in the wrong direction, trying to catch sight

of a high, gliding dribble and a man
letting the play develop in front of him

in slow motion, almost exactly
like a coach's drawing on the blackboard,

both forwards racing down the court
the way that forwards should, fanning out

and filling the lanes in tandem, moving
together as brothers passing the ball

between them without a dribble, without
a single bounce hitting the hardwood

until the guard finally lunges out
and commits to the wrong man

while the power-forward explodes past them
in a fury, taking the ball into the air

by himself now and laying it gently
against the glass for a lay-up,

but losing his balance in the process,
inexplicably falling, hitting the floor

with a wild, headlong motion
for the game he loved like a country

and swiveling back to see an orange blur
floating perfectly through the net.

from Wild Gratitude, 1990
Knopf

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Sports Briefs----

Pacers make statement vs. Heat
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2014/05/18/pacers-ride-offensive-wave-beat-heat-going-away/9263747/

California Chrome's Triple Crown bid threatened by nasal strip
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/20140518/california-chrome-triple-crown-threatened-belmont-nasal-strip.ap/?eref=sihp

Blackhawks win opener vs. Kings 3-1
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-blackhawks-kings-spt-0519-20140519,0,3238663.story

Cleveland Browns, many others seeing financial benefits of Johnny Manziel mania
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140518/SUB1/305189984#

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California Nuts Briefs---

49er 'Stadium effect' expected to spur office, retail, hotel development
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25789027/stadium-effect-expected-spur-office-retail-hotel-development

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Napa Valley Vintners Welcomes 500th Winery Member
http://napavintners.com/press/press_release_detail.asp?ID_News=600016

Tickets Now on Sale for Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, August 29-31, 2014
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/16/ca-sonomawineweekend-idUSnPn35dG9V+85+PRN20140516

New York Ranks Third in Wine Production
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?
section=news&content=132794

The Thirsty West: 10 Percent of California’s Water Goes to Almond Farming

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

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1643-The United Colonies of England was formed. Development of the coastal towns of Boston, Salem, Dorchester, and Charleston in Massachusetts Bay Colony alone dwarfed the Plymouth settlement. There were an estimated 20,000 inhabitants in the London Company's Bay Colony alone. The chance to be “free” of government control, escape religious persecution, the chance to own your own land, the adventure and opportunities began to bring thousands to what was called in those days, “The New World.”
    1749--- George II grants a charter to several hundred thousand acres around the forks of the Ohio River to the Ohio Company to settle Ohio Valley, thereby promoting westward settlement by Virginia colonials.
(see second part: http://www.answers.com/topic/ohio-company )
    1774 – Ann Lee and eight Shakers sailed from Liverpool to New York. The religious group originated in Quakerism and fled England due to religious persecution. They become the first conscientious objectors on religious grounds and were jailed during the American Revolution in 1776. In 1998, Suzanne Skees published “God Among the Shakers.” The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing is the full, proper name for the 19th-century religious group better known as the Shakers. Although they were the largest and best-known communal society a century ago, the Shakers were rarely referred to by their proper name. Outsiders dubbed them “Shakers” for the movements in their ritualistic dance.
    1780 - The infamous "dark day" in New England tradition. At noon it was nearly as dark as night. Heavy smoke from forest fires west of New England dimmed the sunlight, so that the noon sky was nearly as dark as night. Chickens went to roost and many persons were fearful of divine wrath. Candles were lit and many fearful persons believed that doomsday had arrived. At New Haven, CT, Colonel Abraham Davenport opposed adjournment of the town council in these words: “I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching or it is not. IF it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought.”
    1795--Johns Hopkins is born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, to a Quaker family. Convinced that slavery was morally wrong, his parents freed their slaves. As a result, Johns had to leave school at age twelve to work in the family tobacco fields. Hopkins regretted that his formal education ended so early. Ambitious and hardworking, he abandoned farming, and, at his mother’s urging, became an apprentice in his uncle's wholesale grocery business when he was seventeen. Within a decade, he had created his own Baltimore-based mercantile operation. Hopkins single-mindedly pursued his business ventures. He never married, lived frugally, and retired a rich man at age fifty. A series of wise investments over the next two decades—he was the largest individual stockholder in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, for example—further increased his wealth. He used his fortune to found The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, incorporating them in 1867. Hopkins died in 1873. His will divided $7 million equally between the hospital and the university. At the time, the gift was the largest philanthropic bequest in U.S. history. Hopkins also endowed an orphanage for African-American children. Johns Hopkins University opened February 22, 1876. Hopkins' President Daniel Coit Gilman set a new standard for higher education by focusing on ground-breaking research and advanced study. The research university system he introduced continues to characterize American higher education today. Johns Hopkins Hospital opened in 1889, and the medical school opened four years later. Here too, rigorous academic standards and an emphasis on scientific research profoundly influenced medical practice in the United States.
    1848- Milly Francis (B. 1803), Creek Indian woman, voted a U.S. congressional medal and a pension of $96 - neither of which she received because she had died of chronic starvation and tuberculosis. The award was made 31 years after she saved a white soldier's life. The American Indian wars changed her life from a prosperous farmer's daughter in Alabama to a half-starved refugee in Florida, and then a victim of the Trail of Tears when Native Americans from Florida were moved under the most deplorable conditions to Oklahoma.
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/millyfrancis
    1858 -- Charles Hamilton, leader of a paramilitary proslavery band from Georgia, shoots 11 prisoners he had captured during a raid in Kansas.
    1862-The Homestead Act was enacted by Congress, “an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain,” passed by both houses of Congress on May 19, 1862 and approved on May 20, 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. Under this law, any man or woman of 21 years of public land by living on it for five years, making certain improvements, and paying fees of approximately $18. The first homestead granted under the act was taken by Daniel Freeman, a Union soldier, on January 1, 1863, near Beatrice, NE.
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/
    1863--- Siege of Vicksburg. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's armies converged on Vicksburg, entrapping a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. With the loss of Pemberton's army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half. Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation, leading ultimately to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union armies. Pemberton blamed Jefferson Davis and other generals, but the real truth was not poor judgment, but the absence of supplies or reinforcements, and various states were having difficulty sending troops elsewhere as they were short ammunition, food, and soldiers. Many were not uniformed, and in several Southern states, the troops were farmers or woodsman with their own rifle and only one pair of shoes that they did not wear all the time to make them last longer. It was Grant's decision to further cut off supplies as he learned the Southern cities could not withstand the siege approach, plus he could cut them off from shipping supplies that they had received from Europe or their own local lands and manufacturing facilities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Vicksburg
    1864 –One of the fiercest battles of the Civil War that engaged both General Grant and General Lee against each other occurred in series of battles known as Spotsylvania Campaign. On May 19, a Confederate attempt to turn the Union right flank at Harris Farm was beaten back with severe casualties. Union generals Sedgwick (VI Corps commander) and Rice were killed. Confederate generals Johnson and Steuart were captured, Daniel and Perrin mortally wounded. The Union troops were strong with 100,000 compared to the 52,000 Confederates. In the battle, 18,000 Union troops would be killed to 12,000 Confederates, and while General Grant withdrew, the series of battles were considered “inconclusive as General Grant continued his offense.” The facts are the South was losing men and supplies in these battles, many wounded, and the North was well supplied with reinforcements, many of whom were immigrants anxious for the pay, food, and acceptance to their new land.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may19.html
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va048.htm
    1864 – President Lincoln wrote to ant-slavery advocate Charles Sumner of Massachusetts that widow and children of soldiers are to receive equal treatment regardless of race.
    1864-Birthday of Carl Akelly, Claredon, New York, known as the “father of modern taxidermy.” He spent his life elevating taxidermy to a science. His research led to many inventions and innovations that benefited museums worldwide. Regret over killing a mountain gorilla led him to petition King Albert I of Belgium to create a sanctuary, later Africa’s first national park. Akeley died Nov. 18, 1926, from a fever near Mt. Mkeno, Congo.
    1866-- "When You and I Were Young, Maggie," which became one of the most popular ballads in North America, was published in Indianapolis, Indiana by James A. Butterfield. The song was based on a poem written by G.W. Johnson in Hamilton, Ontario about 1864 as a tribute to his wife. Johnson was a schoolteacher who later taught at the University of Toronto. The most popular recorded version of the song was made in 1905 by Frank Stanley and Corrine Morgan for the Victor label.
    1891-- Rice Institute, which became Rice University, is chartered
    1892 --Charles Brady King invents pneumatic hammer, founder of the King Motor Company. His car was driven on Detroit's streets four months before Ford.
http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/kingmotorcar/king.html
http://www.detroithistorical.org/collections/vewebsite/
exhibit1/e10018a.htm
    1892-Birthday of bassist Pops Foster in McCall, La.
    1898--The first postcard privately printed and mailed was authorized. The regulation allowed the use of private mailing cards of the same form, quality, and weight as postal cards printed by the government. It cost one cent to mail a postcard, which became a very popular means of communication, especially as a souvenir of where you had traveled.
    1915-Connecticut passed a law, making the first licensed dental hygienists. The first examination for dental hygienists was given by the State Board in June, 1918, since no hygienist applied for a license prior to that date.
    1919-Birthday of the great tenor saxophone player Georgie Auld, born Toronto Canada. Played with Berigan, Shaw, Goodman, and lead his own band, too. Died January 8, 1990 Palm Springs, CA
http://www.swingmusic.net/Auld_Georgie.html
http://www.317x.com/albums/a/georgieauld/card.html
http://www.parabrisas.com/d_auldg.html
    1921—The first Immigration quota was enacted by Congress, which limited immigration to 3 percent of the number of foreign-born persons of any given nationality in the United Sates as shown in the 1910 census. Not more than 20 percent of any country's quota was permitted to arrive in one month, in addition to this national law. [and this immigration law was enforced].
    1925-Birthday of Malcolm Little, black nationalist and civil rights activist, at Omaha, NE; better known as Malcolm X. While serving a prison term, he resolved to transform his life. On his release in 1952, he changed his name to Malcolm X and worked for the Nation of Islam, until he was suspended by Black Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad, Dec. 4, 1963. Malcolm X later made the pilgrimage to Mecca and became an orthodox Muslim. He was assassinated as he spoke to a meeting at the Audubon Ballroom at New York, NY, Feb 21, 1965. As a young newsman, I interviewed Malcolm X on several occasions, twice "one-to-one." He reminded me very much of John F. Kennedy, except he could scare you. When Malcolm X came into the room, you knew he was there. As part of the press corps, you would wait and you knew when he entered the room as his "presence" was that strong.
http://www.who2.com/malcolmx.html (autobiography is excellent reading)
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/
    1928-The first Frog-Jumping jubilee was held at Angles Camp, Calaveras County, CA. in commemoration of Mark Twain's famous story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Fifty-one frogs were entered in the contest. “The Prize of San Joaquin,” a frog owned by Louis R. Fisher of Stockton, CA, was the winner with a jump of 3 feet, 4 inches.
    1930-Lorraine Hansberry birthday, the first black playwright to have a play on Broadway. Her parents had fought against restricted housing in Chicago and won a Supreme Court victory (Hansberry v. Lee - 1940; the NAACP's most celebrated housing suit) but they moved to Mexico before the judgment. The family had integrated a white neighborhood and while the father went to Washington (and incidentally out of harm's way), her mother kept the family in the Chicago home that was attacked by angry whites. She studied painting in Chicago and Mexico before moving to New York City in 1950. She participated in, and wrote for a number of progressive movements. In 1959, the landmark A Raisin in the Sun - produced, directed, and performed by blacks - became the first Broadway play ever produced by a black woman on Broadway. She tragically died of cancer at age 34. Her mother worked as a hairdresser, cashier, and schoolteacher. Her husband wrote a book and a play based on her unpublished writings and drawings. It is entitled To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.
    1933 --For the first time in major league history, brothers on opposite teams homer in the same game. Red Sox catcher Rick Ferrell takes his brother Wes deep, but the Indians' rightly returns the favor as he homers in the third on a pitch called by his sibling.
    1934—Birthday of journalist Jim Lehrer, born Wichita, Kansas.
    1936- Margaret Mitchell's epic novel of the Civil War South was published on this date, “Gone with the Wind.” It would be awarded the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award as best novel of 1936. It has been a bestseller since publication, and 40 countries have published translations. “Gone With The Wind” was also made into a famous motion picture with Clark Gable, Oliva de DeHaviland, Vivian Leigh and cleaned up at the Oscars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gone_with_the_Wind_(film)
    1939-Birthday of Astronaut Francis Scobee. He was the commander of the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger. The 46-year old pilot had been in the astronaut program since 1978 and had been pilot of the Challenger in 1984. Born at Cle Elum, WA, Scobee perished with all others on board when the Challenger explored on Jan 28, 1986.
    1942-Mrs. W. Driver became the first golfer of either sex to get two holes-in-one in the same round. She aced the third hole and the eight hole at Balgowlah Golf Club, Australia.
    1943- Canadian composer and synthesizer musician John Mills-Cockell was born in Toronto. He was one of the first musicians in Canada to use the Arp and Moog synthesizers in concert. Mills-Cockell performed from 1969 to 1972 with the Toronto rock bands Kensington Market and Syrinx, and with the Vancouver group Hydro-Electric Streetcar. After 1972, he concentrated on composing and recording, making only occasional live appearances.
    1943 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill begin planning the cross-channel landing in France, the D-Day Invasion, to be launched on May 1, 1944.
    1945 – The UN Charter committee met in Muir Woods. The meeting was planned by Roosevelt on a suggestion by Sec. of the Interior Ickes: one of the sessions “might be held among the giant redwoods in Muir Woods. Not only would this focus attention upon the nation’s interest in preserving these mighty trees for posterity, but in such a “temple of peace” the delegates would gain a perspective and sense of time that could be obtained nowhere better than in such a forest.” Visiting today, often people have to parka mile away to walk to the park. My parents used to live right next to Muir Woods in Mill Valley, California.
1945-Birthday of musician Pete Townshend, “The Who,” London, England.
The Who were one of the most widely respected rock groups of the 1960's and '70s, apparently winding up their career with a farewell tour in 1982. But there were to be a couple of reunions, including a world tour in 1989. Formed in 1963, they had only one personnel change in their entire career. Kenny Jones replaced original drummer Keith Moon, who died of a sedative overdose in 1978. The other two members of The Who were vocalist Roger Daltry and guitarist John Entwistle. Pete Townshend was the group's main songwriter, responsible for such early hits as "My Generation" and "I Can See for Miles." The Who later expanded their songs into the rock operas "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia."
    1948-Birthday of saxophonist and bandleader Tom Scott.
    1949—Birthday of Archie Manning, Drew, Mississippi. A former football NFL QB with the Saints and Houston Oilers, following an All-American career at Ole Miss, he is perhaps better known as the father of two football quarterbacks, Eli and Peyton Manning.
    1952- Disco singer Grace Jones was born in Spanishtown, Jamaica. At first mainly a cult artist popular in homosexual dance clubs, she gained wider popularity beginning with her 1980 album "Warm Leatherette."
http://www.imdb.com/Bio?Jones,%20Grace
http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=grace_jones
http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/GraceJones.html
    1952- Joey Ramone, leader of the punk rock group the Ramones, was born in New York City. The Ramones had a great influence on the punk movement, beginning with their 1976 album, "Ramones." It contained such songs as "Beat on the Brat" and "Now I Want to Sniff Some Glue."
    1955 - Lake Mayola, Minnesota received 11.28 inches of rain over a 24 hour period, to establish the state record for 24 hour rainfall.
    1955---Top Hits
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Unchained Melody - Les Baxter
A Blossom Fell - Nat King Cole
In the Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce
    1958 - Bobby Darin's single, "Splish Splash", was released as the first eight-track master recording pressed to a plastic 45 RPM disc at Atlantic Records. Darin is said to have written the song in 12 minutes.
    1958 - The original Broadway soundtrack to South Pacific hits #1
    1958 - The United States and Canada formally established the North American Air Defense Command, “NORAD”.
    1960 – Disc jockey Alan Freed was charged with accepting payola - money for playing records. Freed, the deejay who did the most to spread rock 'n' roll, who is alleged to have also coined the description of this music, was a broken man by the time he came to trial in December 1962. He pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and received a suspended sentence and a $300 fine. Freed, facing new charges of tax evasion, died in January 1965 at the age of 42.
    1960 - A 17-year-old Annette Funicello blows off her high school graduation ceremony in order to perform at Radio City Music Hall.
    1961 - The Everly Brothers form the Calliope label, the first artist-owned label to be formed by a rock group.
    1962 - Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals got his 3,431st hit, setting a new National League record.
    1962 - An all-time May record was set when the temperature climbed to 99 degrees at Central Park in New York City.
    1962 – At a Democratic Party fundraiser at Madison Square Garden, Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F Kennedy, although his birthday is May 29.
    1963---Top Hits
If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul
Surfin' USA - The Beatles
Foolish Little Girl - The Shirelles
Lonesome 7-7203 - Hawkshaw Hawkins
    1964 - The State Department disclosed that 40 hidden microphones had been found in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
    1965 - Roger Miller received a gold record for the hit, "King of the Road". The song was Miller's biggest hit record. It got to number four (3/20/65) on the pop charts and stayed on for 12 weeks. It was a number one country music hit (3/27/65) as well. Miller, a country singer, humorist, guitarist and composer from Fort Worth, TX and raised in Oklahoma, went to Nashville, TN in the mid-'50s to begin a songwriting career. He wrote songs and played drums for Faron Young in 1962, then won what was an unprecedented, six Grammy Awards in 1965, had his own TV show in 1966; wrote "Little Green Apples", a huge hit for O.C. Smith and had five tunes in the top ten in 1968. To top it off, he composed the music for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Big River" in 1985. He died October 10, 1992.
http://www.rogermiller.com/
http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/millerr.html
    1965 - Convinced that the lyrics to the Kingsmen's hit "Louie Louie" are as filthy as urban legends claim, the FBI visits Wand Records to ask a few questions. Eventually, they decide the group's version of the Richard Berry R&B classic is too garbled to make out, anyway.
     1967 – The Soviet Union ratified a treaty signed by the US, Britain, and others banning nuclear weapons. This is the culmination of discussion begun in 1959 with an agreement to ban such weapons from being used in Antarctica.
    1968 ---20th Emmy Awards: Get Smart, Mission Impossible & Barbara Bain
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0151536.html
    1968 - Piano stylist and vocalist Bobby Short gained national attention as he presented a concert with Mabel Mercer at New York's Town Hall. He had been the featured artist at the intimate Hotel Carlisle for years. He died April, 2005.
    1969 - The Beatles' "Get Back" is certified gold
    1971--- "Godspell" first opened at the Cherry Lane Theater in New York City. The musical by Stephen Schwartz is based on the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, and is still produced by secular and religious theater groups today.
    1971---Top Hits
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Never Can Say Goodbye - The Jackson 5
Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
I Won't Mention It Again - Ray Price
    1973 - Secretariat won the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown by capturing the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland. The famed horse later went on to win the Belmont Stakes in New York to earn the Triple Crown with jockey Ron Turcotte as the rider.
    1973 - Stevie Wonder moved to the number one position on the "Billboard" pop music chart with "You are the Sunshine of My Life". It was the third number one song for Wonder, following earlier successes with "Fingertips - Pt 2" (8/10/63) and "Superstition" (1/27/73). He would have seven more number one hits between 1973 and 1987: "You Haven't Done Nothin'", "I Wish", "Sir Duke", "Ebony & Ivory" (with Paul McCartney), "I Just Called to Say I Love You", "Part-Time Lover" and "That's What Friends are For".
    1973 - After Elvis Presley's critically-savaged debut at the Sahara resort on Lake Tahoe, and several more cancellations due to "illness," manager Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis' father Vernon plead with Los Angeles lawyer Ed Hookstratten to look into Elvis' prescription drug use and identify his main suppliers. With Elvis unwilling to cooperate, however, the investigation dies a slow death.
    1975--- 27th Emmy Awards: Mary Tyler Moore Show, Robert Blake & Jean Marsh
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0151554.html
    1976 -- Poet Gwendolyn Brooks becomes the first black woman inducted into the US National Institute of Arts & Letters.
    1979---Top Hits.
Reunited - Peaches & Herb
Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
In the Navy - Village People
If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me -
Bellamy Brothers
    1979-- After a bitter six-week strike, the major league umpires return to work. During the work stoppage, the men in blue were replaced by amateur arbiters.
    1984 – Wayne Gretsky teams with Mark Messier to lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup, defeating the New York Islanders.
    1984 - Pink Floyd's epochal “Dark Side of the Moon” LP marks its tenth anniversary, having never left the Billboard album charts.
    1985 - Motown celebrates the 50th anniversary of the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem with NBC-TV's special, “Motown Returns To The Apollo”, featuring performances by James Brown, The Cadillacs, Joe Cocker, The Commodores, Sammy Davis Jr., The Drifters, The Four Tops, Al Green, Thelma Houston, Chuck Jackson, Patti Labelle, Little Richard, The Manhattans, Marilyn McCoo, Wilson Pickett, Billy Preston, Lou Rawls, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Mavis Staples, Rod Stewart, The Temptations, Sarah Vaughn, Mary Wells, and Stevie Wonder.
    1987 -Thunderstorms in Texas produced 13 inches of rain northwest of Lavernia. The heavy rain, along with golf ball-size hail, destroyed 80 percent of the crops in the area. Strong winds also toppled many trees throughout the region.
    1987---Top Hits
With or Without You - U2
The Lady in Red - Chris DeBurgh
Heat of the Night - Bryan Adams
To Know Him is to Love Him - Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris
    1992 - Two doctors who performed an autopsy on John F. Kennedy confirmed the U.S. president died from two bullets fired from above and behind.
    1992 – The 27th Amendment to the US Constitution went into effect, thereby prohibiting Congress from giving itself midterm pay raises.
    1992 --Vice President Dan Quayle cites Murphy Brown as a poor example of family values
http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0406_Quayles_Murphy_Brown.html
    1994 – Former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis dies in New York City at age 64.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Kennedy_Onassis
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0448080/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/13/politics/jackie-kennedy-letters/index.html
    1995-- Emmy's 22nd Daytime Award presentation - Susan Lucci loses for 15th time, Kelsey Grammer, Helen Hunt, Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0764344.html
    1998-The World Golf Village, an ambitious 6,300 acre development supported by every major golf organization in the world and located in St. Augustine, FL, opened to the public. The complex includes three championship golf courses, a luxury hotel, vacation villas, retail stores, a convention center, a Mayo Clinic medical facility and the World Golf Hall of Fame with more than 70 exhibits arranged in on “18-hole” layout.
    1998 - Sonny and Cher are awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7020 Hollywood Blvd.
    1998 - Peter, Paul and Mary begin their 40th anniversary tour with a three-night stint in Vegas.
    1998 ---For the second time this season and fourth time in his career, Mark McGwire hits three homers in a game. 'Big Mac' becomes the 12th player to hit two three-homer games in a season as he smacks three two-run round trippers against the Phillies.
    1999 - Following months of media hype, promotional gimmicks, and thousands of ardent fans camping out in front of theaters to buy tickets, George Lucas's much-anticipated “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” opened in theaters across the U.S. The film starred Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman.
    2001 – Apple opened its first retail stores, in Tysons Corner, VA and Glendale, CA.
    2002-- Cubs' first baseman Fred McGriff's two-run homer at Miller Park ties Ellis Burks' record of homering in 40 different major league parks. The 'Crime Dog's' eighth inning blast knots the score 3-3 in an eventual 4-3, 11-inning victory over the Brewers snapping Chicago's nine-game losing streak.
    2004-- Brad Thompson breaks a 97-year-old minor league record set in 1907 by Irvin Wilhelm by hurling 57 consecutive scoreless innings. The 22-year old St. Louis Cardinals farmhand, playing in the Southern League for Tennessee Smokies, falls just two innings short of Orel Hershiser's professional mark of 59 established in 1988.
    2004 --Yankee spokesman Jason Zillo announces Cracker Jacks, which has been baseball's most famous snack for over a 100 years, will not be sold at Yankee Stadium and will be replaced by a product known as Crunch 'n Munch. The change is being made, according to Yankees' officials, because Crunch 'n Munch tastes better, but may have been really prompted by Frito-Lays decision to make only bags and not boxes.
    2004 -- Breaking his own record set two weeks ago, Julio Franco becomes the oldest player to hit a pinch-hit home run. The Braves' first baseman is 45 years, 269 days old when he accomplishes the feat.
    2007 – Los Angeles is the first stop on a cross-country tour to launch the SMART Car, to be released in the US the following year. It is a “For Two” minicar that is highly efficient in its consumption of gasoline. It is now a division of Mercedes-Benz and is sold globally.     2011 – Katie Couric, the first regular solo anchor woman of a major network newscast, signed off the “CBS Evening News”, for the final time after five years of mostly disappointing ratings.

Stanley Cup Champions This Date

1974 Philadelphia Flyers
1984 Edmonton Oilers

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