Working Capital from $10,0000 to $250,000                           ChannelPartnersCapital.com

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Barry S. Marks, CLFP, Named 2017 Recipient of the
Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence
from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Washington, D.C.—The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has awarded Barry S. Marks, CLFP, founding shareholder of Marks & Associates, P.C., the Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence. Mr. Marks received the award on May 8 at the ELFA Legal Forum in St. Pete Beach, Florida. ELFA Legal Committee Chair Allan Umans, VP & General Counsel at Pacific Rim Capital, Inc., presented the award to Mr. Marks in recognition of his significant contributions to the Association and the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Since 1977, Mr. Marks has concentrated his legal practice in the areas of equipment leasing and finance and commercial lending and he has been an active member of ELFA for more than 30 years. He has served as a member of the association’s Legal Committee, which is a member and staff resource on a wide range of national and international legal issues impacting the equipment finance industry. He also has made many presentations and participated on numerous panels at the ELFA Legal Forum, an annual event for attorneys serving the equipment finance industry, and other ELFA events. (He also was instrumental in the formation of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, serving as the original attorney. Active in the National Association of Equipment Financing (and it preceding associations,
including the Eastern Association of Equipment Leasing. Editor.)

In addition, Mr. Marks is an active member of ELFA’s LegalTalk, an e-mail discussion group where members post questions and exchange commentary on legal topics, sharing his industry expertise, insights and analysis on a wide range of legal issues important for equipment leasing and finance lawyers.

A prolific author, Mr. Marks publishes a monthly newsletter and maintains the informative leaselawyer.com website.  He authored chapters in Matthew Bender’s Equipment Leasing and the Practicing Law Institute’s Equipment Leasing - Leveraged Leasing treatises and co-authored Power Tools for Successful Leasing, Technology Leasing: A Lessee Toolkit and Power Tools for Small Ticket Leasing, available from Leasing Power Tools Press. In addition, Mr. Marks serves on the Editorial Review Board for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Journal of Equipment Lease Financing as well as the review board for the LJN Equipment Leasing Newsletter and has contributed to numerous industry publications, including ELFA’s Executive Guide to Lease Documentation. (He is also an original contributor to Leasing News,
writing many articles and serving as longtime associate industry advisor).

Mr. Marks received a B.A. from Emory University (magna cum laude); a J.D. from the University of Florida (with high honors); and an LLM degree in Taxation from Emory University. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Florida Bar and the State Bar of Georgia. Mr. Marks was the first lawyer to earn the Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) designation and has been active in promoting leasing education and ethical conduct for lawyers, business executives and others in the industry.* He is a Director Emeritus of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers and in 1999 he received the NAELB Bill Granieri Award for Education in Equipment Leasing. (He was named as one of the top 25 Leasing and Finance Attorneys by Leasing News readers. Editor).

In addition, Mr. Marks is past President of the Alabama State Poetry Society, has been on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Writers Conclave and has published three award-winning books of poetry as well as numerous poems and short stories.

The Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence is named for ELFA’s long-time Secretary and General Counsel Edward A. Groobert, who was active in the legal affairs of the association from the mid-1960s until his retirement in 2010.

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

* Why I Became a CLP (May 16, 2006)
Part 1-"The First CLP Attorney"
http://www.leasingnews.org/CLP/Part_1-CLP-Attorney.htm
(Note: Jim Coston says in his interview, “I was advised (about the test results) at the UAEL 2002 Spring Conference in Rancho Mirage.)

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The Top Performer’s Corner
By Gerry J. Ricco, Managing Director, ZRG Partners 

Top Performer! What an excellent and gratifying title to receive. However, this tough-to-achieve title can also be temporary and hard to retain. In sports, professional athletes gain MVP titles, championship rings, large compensations, celebrity status, and lucrative sponsorships. In the business world, top performers receive important titles of status and authority, large salaries, substantial bonuses, equity, and attractive perks.  Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, either due to our limitations or outside events that we have no control over, the title of being a top performer along with the success and rewards that come with it can slip away.

Over the next several weeks we are going to hear from industry top performing professionals how they achieved their statuses and positions of leadership. These leaders will be lease and finance professionals from all business capacities who will share their career achievements, challenges and what it takes to retain their coveted titles of being considered top performers in their respective fields. Also, we are going to hear how these leaders have built winning teams of top performing talent and the challenges of recruiting and retaining their top talent.

To begin this journey, I would like to start by sharing some of my challenges, successes, and views on what it takes to be a top performer. Also, I'll share some tips on how to recruit and retain top talent. Before I start, I would like to thank Kit Menkin for the opportunity to write for Leasing News. I hope my column will be interesting and informative to its readers.

Over the years, my greatest challenge as a business leader is to stay open minded and quick to recognize the rapid changes and trends in our industry. I always try to be innovative and lead as opposed to reacting to change and just being status quo. In a couple of months, I turn 65, and, like many of you in my age group, we have experienced countless changes and incredible advancements in our industry. Still, with all the ongoing high-tech advancements and developments, one thing that hasn't changed is the need for hard working, innovative, think outside-the-box, top performing talented people. No organization has achieved success without top talent.

1984 to 2002 was a very exciting and gratifying career period for me; I was the President and CEO of American Express Business Finance, formerly Rockford Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROCF). With limited capital along with two other founding partners - Larry Hartmann and Brian Seigel – we started in 1984 an equipment lease and finance company, Rockford Industries Inc.

The mid-1980s was a very exciting and opportunistic time for startup independent leasing companies. We weren't yoked to slow clunky legacy computer systems. We could move quickly and take advantage of emerging computer technology and the maturing Internet. Taking advantage of all these new business tools, we developed an innovative operating platform that delivered quick and convenient lease and finance products for equipment vendors to help them make it easier to sell their equipment. We grew rapidly and to fuel this rapid growth, we successfully raised additional capital and tapped into the securitization market. In 1995, we successfully took the company public, and in 1999, we were acquired by American Express Company and became American Express Business Finance.

As I previously mentioned, no company or organization has ever reached success without high-performing talent. Rockford Industries Inc. was a success story. Its success is a tribute to the entire team of high-performing talented professionals that made it a success. They were rock stars, and I am very proud to have worked with them.
As mentioned earlier, my future columns will be showcasing top industry leaders from all business capacities. They will be sharing their achievements, how they have built winning teams of top performing talent and career path tips.

My closing tip is to surround yourself with very talented, highly energetic top performing professionals. Give them a clear vision where you want them to end up and provide a positive, enjoyable environment where they can apply their talents and excel. Remember, the team captain is only as good as his or her teammates.

Gerry J. Ricco
Managing Director
ZRG Partners
Office: 949-354-0663
Cell: 949-842-9219
gricco@zrgpartners.com
www.zrgpartners.com

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“On Deck Goes from Hot Tech Startup
to Dull Lender,” reports Wall Street Journal

To sum it up, stock is down, as it is reported that On Deck is more of a niche financial company than a revolutionary technology platform. The Wall Street Journal reported that On Deck expects loan originations may decline by a fifth next quarter, and total originations will be lower this year than last.

"The company plans to sell less than 5% of its loans through its online marketplace this year,” Chief Financial Officer Howard Katzenberg said, down from 18% in 2016 and 34% in 2015. Of the rest, some will be securitized, but most will be held on its balance sheet, he commented.

Overlooked is the fact that small business is doing well now, employment is up, optimism still prevails, and what will happen if things turn around to the On Deck profile of doing deals banks won’t do.  Perhaps it will be the collection agencies who will become the beneficiaries.

 

Lending Club May Have Hit a Dead End
By Maria Terekhove, Business Insider

Despite the aftermath of a governance scandal in early 2016, US alt lending giant Lending Club seemed to be on track for a slow but steady recovery at the end of the year.

Overall performance is generally down, despite some minor bright spots. Origination volume slipped 1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) from $1.99 billion to $1.96 billion in Q1, marking a 29% year-over-year (YoY) decline from $2.75 billion in Q1 2016.

Banks also apparently continued to regain their confidence in the company, now accounting for 40% of investment in the platform, up by 7% QoQ, and 6% YoY. While the declines in originations and net revenue were mild, so was the narrowing of losses; meaning that overall, performance was relatively stagnant.

Lending Club again stated that it's pursuing growth, but gave little evidence of how it's doing this. In the results call, CEO Scott Samborn pointed to continued investment in growth areas, including Lending Club's technology platform and its underwriting capabilities — but these are the most basic elements of its business, rather than new initiatives.

This suggests that the company doesn't have a clear growth strategy or measurable goals. And while it's possible that it wants to return to the growth rates it saw in 2014, this would require more dramatic changes than we have so far seen. It's also worth noting that several of its peers have stopped chasing outsized growth, having decided it's unsustainable in the long run, which should give Lending Club food for thought.

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Leasing News The List  -  March, 2017
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Signature Bank, New York, New York (03/17) Signature Bank Named Best Commercial “Bank of the Year” in the United States by International Banker Magazine
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/03_31.htm#signature

Northern Leasing Systems, New York, New York (03/17) Ninth Circuit Slams Merchant Cash Advance Companies in RICO Class Action http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/03_29.htm#ninth

Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas (03/17) Opinion: Ascentium Capital Alleged Scandal
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/03_27.htm#opinion; (03/17) Ascentium Capital Sued in Worthless $45 Million Equipment Ponzi Scheme http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/archives_mar2017.htm

Lendit, New York, New York (03/17) 2017 Conference Report - 5,800 in Attendance http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/03_14.htm#lendit

Lease Police, Dallas, Texas (03/17) Ten Year Lease Police Anniversary - New General Manager John Kenny
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2017/03_06.htm#ten

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

Chesswood Reports First Quarter 2107 Results
Solid Earnings Underpin Strong Growth

Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood" or "the Company") (TSX:CHW), a North American wide commercial equipment finance provider for small and medium-sized businesses, today reported first quarter operating income of $8.0 million and record originations of $79 million. While operating income was relatively unchanged from the first quarter of 2016, last year's first quarter results related to Windset Capital were $531,000 higher than in 2017 and included an additional $354,000 in earnings resulting from a stronger U.S. dollar in 2016. Windset Capital, the Company's U.S. based working capital loan business, has been in wind down since September 2016.

Barry Shafran
President/CEO
Chesswood

"We increased our first quarter originations by 64% over the same period last year as our core businesses in both the U.S. and Canada continue to grow. Our results highlight the positive impact of our strategic decision to focus on our strong positions in the equipment finance market for small and medium-sized businesses," said Barry Shafran, Chesswood's President and CEO.

Strong organic growth increased Chesswood's finance income and expanded the Company's gross lease and loan receivables at Pawnee and Blue Chip to $585 million as at March 31, 2017, up from $547 million at 2016 year end. The Company also exercised US$30 million of additional borrowing capacity under the US$80 million accordion feature of its bank credit facility, subsequent to quarter-end, in support of future growth.

"As expected, our portfolio delinquency declined during the quarter from seasonal highs at December 31st.The lower delinquency helped generate a lower provision for credit losses this quarter, while charge-offs in our U.S. portfolio, driven by our non-prime receivables, remained very similar to our last quarter," said Shafran. The provision for credit losses was $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, down from $6.3 million a year ago. At March 31, 2017, Chesswood's North American wide portfolio included about 27,200 leases and loans.

                                                                
Financial Highlights                            For the Three Months Ended 
(in CDN $000's, except EPS)                              March 31          
                                             -------------------------------
                                                     2017(2)     2016(2) (3)
                                             -------------------------------
                                                                          
Operating Income(1)(2)                     $8,049          $8,095
                                                                           
Adjusted EBITDA(1)                           $8,092          $8,700
                                                                           
Net Income(2)(3)                              $4,696         $10,107
                                                                            
Earnings per Share
- continuing operations                        $0.26           $0.17
                                                                           
Earnings per Share
 - discontinued operations                  $0.00           $0.40
                                                                           
Earnings Per Share - basic                  $0.26           $0.57
                                                                           
(1)  See "Non-GAAP Measures" below.                                         
(2)  2016 Operating Income includes $498,500 of pre-tax income from Windset compared to a pre-tax loss of $32,600 in 2017.                        
(3)  2016 net income includes $6.8 million gain on the sale of EcoHome Financial.                                                            

Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and Operating Income are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards and do not have standard meanings. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please refer to the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis in Chesswood's 2016 Annual Report and 2017 First Quarter Report for additional information concerning these measures and a reconciliation of these measures to the Company's consolidated net income.

About Chesswood
Through two wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada, Chesswood Group Limited is North America's only publicly-traded commercial equipment finance company focused on small and medium-sized businesses. Our Colorado-based Pawnee Leasing Corporation, founded in 1982, finances a highly diversified portfolio of commercial equipment leases and loans through established relationships with over 600 independent brokers in 48 U.S. states. In Canada, Blue Chip Leasing Corporation has been originating and servicing commercial equipment leases and loans since 1996, and today operates through a nationwide network of more than 50 independent brokers. Based in Toronto, Canada, Chesswood's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CHW (convertible debentures: CHW.DB).

Learn more at www.chesswoodgroup.com, www.PawneeLeasing.com and www.BlueChipLeasing.com.

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

TEAM Funding Solutions Joins
Mintaka Financial Roster of Partners

GIG HARBOR, WA. - Mintaka Financial announced today that TEAM Funding Solutions has joined as an origination partner. TEAM Funding joins 10 other small business lending organizations that comprise the Mintaka Financial equity stakeholder group. (10 members:
http://mintakafinancial.com/about/affiliate-partners )

Quentin Cote
SVP
Mintaka

“Mintaka Financial is pleased to have TEAM Funding Solutions joining the ranks of our Mintaka Partners. We look forward to their contribution to the funding products Mintaka offers and to the potential to attract new small business profiles,” stated Quentin Cote, SVP of Mintaka Financial. “The commitment to their customers, demonstrated by the sincere manner in which they discern unique situations, and small business funding needs, makes them an ideal addition to our Mintaka family.”

Ted Reynolds
President
TEAM Funding

“Our mission is simple––listen to the stories of those who need funding in order to get a true understanding of the business owners and their unique situations,” added Ted Reynolds, President of TEAM Funding. “By joining the Mintaka Partner program we will be able to expand our capabilities as an Originator, ultimately allowing us to grow as an organization and better support small businesses across the country.”

About TEAM Funding
TEAM Funding Solutions is an independently owned direct capital source, dedicated to funding equipment leases exclusively for the Broker Community. Founded in 1992, TEAM Funding recognized that many good business owners were being turned down by traditional banks. Today, TEAM fulfills a unique sector in the leasing industry by approving leases for business owners with challenged credit or those wanting to finance equipment for new business ventures. More information about TEAM Funding Solutions can be found at teamfundingsolutions.com.

About Mintaka Financial
Mintaka Financial, located in Gig Harbor, WA, was established in 2004 as a commercial finance company specializing in serving the needs of small businesses across the United States. Mintaka Financial is a direct small business lender that originates commercial loans through a limited group of independent small business finance companies that share ownership in Mintaka. These companies are specialists in small business credit service, selected to participate in the Mintaka program based on their experience, reputation in the industry, and their dedication to building long term relationships with their small business clients. For more information regarding Mintaka Financial, visit mintakafinancial.com.

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

 

Labrador Retriever
Birmingham, Alabama  Adopt-a-Dog

Sochi Bear
Female
3 years old
Medium
Good with Children
Good with dogs
Prefers no cats

“Sochi Bear is sweet, playful, loves kids but not good with cats. She also loves other dogs. She was put out at a rural church in Walker County. Sochi would love a forever home.”

Please contact aaas2808@gmail.com for more information on Sochi Bear.

Contact Form: http://leasingnews.org/PDF/BirminghamDogApplication.pdf

Alabama Animal Adoption Society
2808 Crescent Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
205-871-6351

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

 

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9 Useful Phone Apps for Sales Reps

by Jim Acee

 I am sure that any millennial can tell you that there are a 100 different must-have phone apps. I am a baby boomer that uses technology to make my life easier, not live my life. As a sales person who travels extensively, I am always on the lookout for ways to make my travel time easier, faster and more efficient. Below is a list of phone apps (iPhone) that I use on a regular basis.

Waze – Free
This is a GPS app that also has live traffic, police and road construction. You enter your desired destination and it will warn you of all the traffic backups and police along your route while you are driving (it will even automatically reroute you around traffic jams). The thousands of Wazers (as users are known) are continually entering traffic information as they drive.

HP 17BII Plus - $4.99
If you are a leasing sales person, this is an essential tool to have. Besides, why lug around a separate HP when you can have it right on your phone. The hand-held calculator, last I checked, was over $100, the app is $4.99, need I say more? If you are partial to the HP 12C, you can download that on your phone for $14.99 (just make sure the flip phone you are using can download apps). I know what you are thinking, why is the 17BII $10 cheaper? Beat’s me, but then again, why do we pay more for electrolyte bottled water than we do for gasoline.

Passible – Free
If you are like me, for years you’ve scribbled all of your passwords and ID’s on a piece of paper hidden them in your desk or kept them in an excel spreadsheet you are sure no one can find. Passible is an easy to use, secure app to store all your ID’s and passwords and keep them at your fingertips. Best of all you don’t have to remember your ID and password for Passible as it can use your touch ID.

American/Delta Airlines – Free
Are you still dealing with finicky hotel printers trying to print your boarding pass before you down your morning bagel and coffee? The airline apps are a fast, reliable way to choose/upgrade your seats, check flight status and get your boarding pass. You can even get your boarding pass on the rental car shuttle ride back to the airport.

SamCard Pro – $4.99
Take a picture of a business card with the app and Voila, the information is entered into your phone contact data base. Saves you from having to enter the information manually. Better yet, no need to save that growing stack of business cards in your upper right hand desk drawer anymore. There is a free version of this app, but it only lets you enter 5 business cards a month. Pay for the Pro version and enter all the business cards you want.
 
Poynt – Free
I am sure there are better apps out there, but this one works for finding restaurants and other businesses near your location. You never know when you are in the middle of South Carolina and really need a cigar! Poynt will get you there.

OpenTable – Free
This is a restaurant reservation and review app. If you travel and entertain customers, it’s a handy app for finding and booking a table at something other than the local Appleby’s.

LinkedIn – Free
I am an active LinkedIn user and correspond with business contacts through the site. The phone app lets me do just about anything on my phone that I can do on the LinkedIn site. I especially like it for returning messages to my contact immediately.

Google – Free
One of the most indispensable apps on any device. If I have to explain what Google is, take a rock and smash the Commodore 64 you are reading this on and go back to your cave.

Jim Acee  
 (m) 484-883-9618
jjacee@verizon.net
He has a rich background, serving as
DLL Country Sales Manager;
Vice President, Syndication Buy Desk; 
Vice President, Field Sales, Wells Fargo Capital Finance;
Managing Director, Vendor Leasing, US Bank;
Director of Sales, US Bancorp (formerly BCL). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-acee-578a03b

Previous Jim Acee columns plus Sales Makes it Happen
http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.html  

 

 

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TV Reviews by Kit Menkin
Anthony Bourdain is back again!

Now on CNN, this Sunday, May 7 at 9 p.m. EST/PST. This new episode has him "Eating his way through San Sebastian" in Spain. “San Sebastián and the surrounding region have more outrageously good restaurants per square mile than just about anywhere in Europe. Even the bad restaurants are good.”

He most likely is best known for his "Parts Unknown" TV series, although he has a collection of many others since 2011.

You not only learn about other countries, what the people eat and enjoy, but Bourdain's viewpoint on life, who seems to travel often, and has two ex-wives (watch the series and you'll understand that his lifestyle would definitely be hard to live with!

Don't miss the "Eater’s Roundup" of the best Quotable Bourdain moments from San Sebastián immediately following the show.

(If you have a conflict with the time, record it, as that is what we do
at home to watch the Warriors or Giants.)

 

Parts Unknown Collection:
https://explorepartsunknown.com/

News Briefs---

AliPay Expands to Four Million U.S. Merchants
  Chinese Mobile Payments Expand Moving in
http://bankinnovation.net/2017/05/alipay-expands-to-four-million-u-s-merchants/

Retail Stores Face Biggest Challenges, Starting to 
 look a lot like the Great Recession again for retailers
http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Retail-funk-Stores-face-biggest-challenges-since-11132382.php

 

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You May Have Missed---

7 Ways Fintech Is Changing the Job Market
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/7-ways-fintech-is-changing-the-job-market_us_5911b222e4b056aa2363d8cd

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Baseball Poem ---

After the Game

From the book

That Sweet Diamond
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/068980735X/
qid=947633878/102-2352086-3308828

by Paul B. Janeczko,
Carole Katchen (Illustrator)

Bases yanked.

Infield groomed.

Tarp pulled
to the edge of the outfield grass,
smoothed.

Lowered flags folded.

Hisst, hisst, hisst of brooms
sweeping aisles and ramps.

Section by section,
the lights go out
until the field is dark,

and the ghosts of players
gone
to other lives
long
for another game
on that sweet diamond.

 

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Sports Briefs----

Broncos take season tickets from those who sold theirs in 2016
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/05/05/broncos-take-season-tickets-from-those-who-sold-theirs-in-2016/

NBA Metrics 101: Which NBA Playoff Myths Are Actually True?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2708178-nba-metrics-101-which-nba-playoff-myths-are-actually-true

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California Nuts Briefs---

Why people love to hate Californians
http://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Why-people-love-to-hate-Californians-11101058.php

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Ken Volk Puts Historic Santa Maria Valley Winery Up for Sale
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=184293

Marshall Edwards grows some of Washington’s top wines
http://www.greatnorthwestwine.com/2017/05/09/marshall-edwards-grows-some-of-washingtons-top-wines/

500 Wines, 200 Vintners, 50 AVAs:
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/931463
/c1e24a0fd2/1549827685/a3a8bd6e85/

What it takes to drive a cabernet from good to great
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/what-it-takes-to-drive-a-cabernet-from-good-to-great/2017/05/05/c162d4f8-307c-11e7-9dec-764dc781686f_story.html?utm_term=.7204da60d4a2

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/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

        1497 - Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci left for his first of four known voyages to the New World. The first and fourth voyages are disputed to have occurred, while the second and third are certain voyages. At the invitation of King Manuel I of Portugal, Vespucci participated as an observer in several voyages that explored the east coast of South America. On the first of these voyages, he was aboard the ship that discovered that South America extended much further south than previously thought.  The expeditions became widely known in Europe after two accounts attributed to Vespucci were published between 1502 and 1504. In 1507, Martin Waldseemuller produced a world map on which he named the new continent America after the feminine Latin version of Vespucci's first name.
    1643 - The first attempt for colonial government was the United Colonies of New England, organized in Boston, MA, by the colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Haven, and Plymouth as “a firm and perpetual league of friendship and amity for offense and defense, mutual advice and succor, upon all occasions, both for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the gospel and for their own mutual safety and welfare.”  A board of eight commissioners, two for each colony, formed the “consociation.” Issues could be referred to the general courts for appeal, if not approved by six votes. John Winthrop of Massachusetts was the first president. Massachusetts, the largest colony, gradually withdrew because it did not have proportional representation.
    1652 - John Johnson, a free black man, was granted 550 acres in Northampton, VA.
    1676 – Bacon’s Rebellion began, led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Virginia Colony Governor William Berkeley.  It was the first rebellion in the American colonies in which discontented frontiersmen took part. A similar uprising in Maryland took place later that year. The alliance between indentured servants and Africans (most enslaved until death or freed), united by their bond-servitude, disturbed the ruling class, who responded by hardening the racial caste of slavery to divide the two races from subsequent united uprisings with the passage of the Virginia Slave Codes of 1705.  While the farmers failed in their initial goal of driving the Indians from Virginia, the rebellion did result in Berkeley being recalled to England.
    1748 - [O.S.] Slave-ship Captain John Newton, 22, was converted to a saving Christian faith. Newton later became an Anglican clergyman, and, as the author of "Amazing Grace," a greatly respected hymn writer as well.
http://www.flash.net/~gaylon/jnewton.htm
http://www.noteworthyministries.com/agstory.htm
    1775 - The first Revolutionary War military action occurred when Ethan Allen and 83 men who called themselves the Green Mountain Boys crossed Lake Champlain from Vermont in scows, entered Fort Ticonderoga, NY, through the south gate, and swarmed into the barracks while the soldiers were asleep. Allen demanded the surrender of the fort “in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress. The fort, commanded by Capital William Delaplace and Lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham, was captured with 78 guns, 6 mortars, 3 howitzers, thousands of cannon balls, 30,000 flits, and other supplies. Historians consider him one of the most improbable heroes in American History. “He secretly negotiated with the British during the Revolution to take Vermont out of the war in exchange for a huge tract of virgin forest. And, in the 1770's, with the help of roving bands of mounted Green Mountain Boys, he launched a campaign of terror to prevent New York from taking possession of land he claimed as his own in an area dispute between New York and New Hampshire. Before he was through, he burned down several homes, destroyed a few mills, and set up a kangaroo court in which he condemned colonial officers to punishment by whipping. Per Robert Shalhope in “The Roots of Democracy,” “Allen swindle land out of his neighbors in Vermont, and cavorted with the British during the Revolution; when he was captured he not only refused to try to escape but he prevented others from doing so, at one point stopping the capture of a privateer from taking over a lightly defended British ship.”
http://www.virtualvermont.com/history/eallen.html
    1775 – The Second Continental Congress met as representatives from all Thirteen Colonies gathered in Philadelphia.  The Second Congress managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence, adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Many of the same 56 delegates who attended the first meeting were in attendance at the second, and the delegates appointed the same President (Peyton Randolph) and secretary.  Notable new arrivals included Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and John Hancock of Massachusetts. Within two weeks, Randolph was summoned back to Virginia and he was replaced in the Virginia delegation by Thomas Jefferson, who arrived several weeks later. Henry Middleton was elected as president to replace Randolph, but he declined. Hancock was elected president on May 24.  By raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and making formal treaties such as the Olive Branch petition, the Congress acted as the de facto national government of what became the United States. 
    1779 - Birthday of George Ross (d. 1779), New Castle, DE.  Signer of the Declaration of Independence. http://www.georgeross.net/
    1801 - The Pasha of Tripoli declared war on the U.S.  Piracy against U.S. shipping began after the end of the Revolution when the U.S. government lost its protection of France under the Treaty of Alliance.  On 11 October 1784, Moroccan pirates seized an American merchant ship. The Spanish government negotiated the freedom of the captured ship and crew; however, Spain offered advice to the United States on how to deal with the Barbary States: offer tribute to prevent further attacks against merchant ships. The U.S. Minister to France, Thomas Jefferson, decided to send envoys to Morocco and Algeria to try to purchase treaties and the freedom of the captured sailors held by Algeria.  Morocco was the first Barbary Coast State to sign a treaty with the U.S., on 23 June 1786. American diplomatic action with Tripoli and Algeria, the other major Barbary Coast States, was much less productive than with Morocco.  Just before Jefferson's inauguration in 1801, Congress passed naval legislation that, among other things, provided for six frigates that 'shall be officered and manned as the President of the United States may direct.' ... In the event of a declaration of war on the United States by the Barbary powers, these ships were to 'protect our commerce and chastise their insolence—by sinking, burning or destroying their ships and vessels wherever you shall find them.'"  On Jefferson's inauguration as president in 1801, the Pasha declared war.
    1849 - The theater was very popular, particularly Shakespeare plays. A riot erupted outside the Astor Place Opera House at New York, NY, where the British actor William Charles Macready was performing. Led by the American actor Edwin Forrest, angry crowds revolted against dress requirements for admission and against Macready's public statements on the vulgarity of American life. The cause of the dispute was basically between two Shakespearean actors, one American, one British, who were then performing in rival productions of “Macbeth.” The city had become caught up in the dispute, dividing along class lines, the rich favoring the British actor's production, the laborers favoring the American's. To followers of the American, it seemed that nothing less than democracy itself was at stake. On May 8, Macready's performance of Macbeth was stopped by Forrest's followers. Two days later, a mob led by Ned Buntline shattered the windows of the theater during a performance. Troops were summoned and they were ordered to fire, killing 22, wounding 26, injuring over 150, plus 86 arrests were made
(Source: Richard Shenkman, author of “Legends, Lies & Cherished Myths of American History”).
http://www.mcny.org/astorriot.htm
    1863 - Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson dies of wounds inflicted accidentally eight days ago by his own troops.
    1865 - Jefferson Davis was captured at Irwinville, GA by a contingent of Gen. James H. Wilson's cavalry, led by Lt. Col. Benjamin Pritchard. There was a contingent of soldiers and generals who wanted to hang him, including the U.S. Congress, but General U. S. Grant put the care of Jefferson Davis under a personally chosen cadre of troops.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may10.html
    1868 – The man who perhaps changed the game of baseball forever was born in Springfield, IL.  Ed Barrow (d. 1953) was made the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1918. He won the World Series in his first year with the Red Sox, during which he made the momentous decision to turn left-handed pitcher Babe Ruth, one of the game’s great pitchers, into an outfielder.  Ed then served as General Manager of the Yankees from 1921-44, during which the team emerged as the powerhouse in Major League Baseball.  During that 24-year span, the Yankees went to the World Series 14 times, winning 10.  In addition, during his GM days, the Yankees discovered and signed Tony Lazzeri, Lou Gehrig, Frank Crosetti, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Lefty Gomez and other stars of their dynasty years.  Barrow was also active in establishing one of the strongest farm systems in baseball during this period. Barrow was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, mere months prior to his death.
    1869 - To meet the contract, a golden spike was driven by Leland Stanford, president of the Central Pacific, to celebrate the linkage of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways. Long called the final link in the ocean-to-ocean railroad, this event cannot be accurately described as completing the transcontinental railroad, but it did complete continuous rail tracks between Omaha and Sacramento. The actual completion was not until August 15.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may10.html
    1872 - Victoria Claftin Woodhull became the first woman nominated for president by the National Radical Reformers at Apollo Hall, New York. Frederick Douglass was the vice-presidential candidate. One of her campaign themes was “free sex.” By the way, Douglass was the first African-American vice-presidential candidate. In 1888, he became the first African-American candidate for president at the Republican Convention, that eventually choose Benjamin Harrison. Douglass was later appointed U.S. Minister to Haiti. The closest any woman had come to the top seat of the nation since Victoria Woodhull was Geraldine A. Ferraro who was on the Democratic party slate as the Vice-Presidential candidate in 1984.  In 2016, former Senator and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton won the Democratic Party nomination for President only to lose to Republican Donald Trump.
    1899 - Birthday of Fred Astaire, born Frederick Austerlitz (d. 1987) at Omaha, NE.  Actor, dancer and choreographer, he began dancing with his sister Adele and in the mid-1930s, began dancing with Ginger Rogers. His resume said,”Can't act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.”  Despite this, Astaire starred in more than 40 films including “Holiday Inn,” “The Gay Divorcee,” “Silk Stockings” and “Easter Parade.”  Astaire was ranked by the AFI as the fifth greatest male star of Classic Hollywood cinema in “100 Years…100 Stars.”
http://themave.com/Astaire/
    1905 - An F5 tornado 1/2-mile-wide ripped through Snyder, Oklahoma. 87 people were killed. Many people thought the approaching tornado was a hailstorm and did not take shelter.
    1907 - Bandleader “Pee Wee” Hunt was born Walter Gerhardt Hunt, Mt. Healthy, OH.  Best known for his big hit “12th Street Rag.”
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/h2/pee_wee_hunt_b.htm
http://seniormusicians.homestead.com/PeeWee.html
    1907 – Heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, modestly stated that he is to marry Miss Lola Toy, a rich Australian white woman. The rumor of the marriage was called to big Jack's attention and, after much pressing, the husky lad admitted the facts. Johnson arrived in Oakland last night and is in excellent condition.
    1909 – The longest no-hitter in the history of organized baseball occurred in a Blue Grass League game between the Lexington Colts and the Winchester Hustlers. Fred Toney, who would later pitch in the only double no-hitter in Major League history, threw a 17-inning no-hitter for Winchester, winning 1-0. He struck out 19 and walked only one in beating Lexington's Baker, who allows seven hits. A squeeze play ended the game.
    1919 - Sir Barton, ridden by Johnny Loftus, won the Kentucky Derby by five lengths. Leading wire-to-wire, he went on to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown, (The Derby, The Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.)
    1924 - J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as the sixth director of the Bureau of Investigation — predecessor to the FBI. He and was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972, aged 77. Hoover is credited with building the FBI into a larger crime-fighting agency than it was at its inception and with instituting a number of modernizations to police technology, such as a centralized fingerprint file and forensic laboratories.
http://members.tripod.com/~american_almanac/hoover.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhooverE.htm
    1928 - The legendary country music group, the Carter Family, recorded "Wildwood Flower." This is the song most associated with the Carter Family, largely because of the guitar playing of Mother Maybelle Carter. "Wildwood Flower" is still in the repertoire of practically every country guitarist.
    1932 - Author William Faulkner makes his first trip to Hollywood to write for MGM.
http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/faulkner/faulkner.html
    1935 - '50s rock 'n' roll singer Larry Williams was born in New Orleans. He had several hits in 1957 and '58 with frantic novelty numbers such as "Short Fat Fannie," "Bony Moronie" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy." "Miss Lizzy" was later recorded by the Beatles. Larry Williams committed suicide in January 1980.
    1940 - Lionel Hampton , with the Nat King Cole Trio, records “Central Ave,” “Breakdown,” “Jack the Bellboy.”
    1945 - Les Brown Band records, “Leap Frog,” Columbia.
http://www.bandsofrenown.com/
    1945 - ALYBURTON, WILLIAM DAVID, JR., MEDAL of HONOR.
Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counter fire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
    1946 - Singer Donovan Phillip Leitch, better known as Donovan, is born Glasgow, Scotland.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~mansion1/solodonovan.html
    1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets released "Rock Around the Clock", the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts (on July 9, 1955), a feat it repeated on charts around the world. The song stayed at this place for eight weeks. It was not the first rock and roll record, nor was it the first successful record of the genre (Bill Haley had American chart success with "Crazy Man, Crazy" in 1953, and in 1954, "Shake, Rattle and Roll" sung by Big Joe Turner reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart). Haley's recording nevertheless became an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth and is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked No. 158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  "Rock Around the Clock" is often cited as the biggest-selling vinyl rock and roll single of all time. The exact number of copies sold has never been audited; however, a figure of at least 25 million was cited by the Guinness Book of World records in its category "Phonograph records: Biggest Sellers" from the early 1970s until the 1990s, and it is second all-time to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”
    1954 - Top Hits
“Wanted” - Perry Como
“Young at Heart” - Frank Sinatra
“Little Things Mean a Lot” - Kitty Kallen
“Slowly” - Webb Pierce
    1960 - U2 vocalist Bono was born Paul Hewson in Dublin, Ireland. U2 was formed in 1976, and by 1987, was acknowledged as the top rock band in the world. Their hit albums include "The Unforgettable Fire," "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum." "Rattle and Hum" was also the title of U2's 1988 concert film.
http://www.atu2.com/band/bono/
    1962 - Top Hits
“Soldier Boy” - The Shirelles
“Mashed Potato Time” - Dee Dee Sharp
“Stranger on the Shore” - Mr. Acker Bilk
“Charlie's Shoes” - Billy Walker
    1963 - The Rolling Stones began their first recording session in London with producer Andrew Loog Oldham. Their first single, a cover of Chuck Berry's song "Come On," was released a month later.
    1966 - Morning lows of 21 degrees at Bloomington-Normal, Illinois and Aurora, Illinois established a state record for the month of May. Snow flurries were reported at Kansas City, Missouri and Chicago.
    1967 - Braves' outfielder Hank Aaron hits an inside-the-park homer off Phillies hurler Jim Bunning. It will be 'Hammerin' Hank's' only home run which doesn't clear the fence among his record setting 755 round-trippers.
    1968 - Peace talks open in Paris with Averell Harriman representing the U.S. and Xan Thuy representing North Vietnam. Talks soon deadlock over the North Vietnamese demand for an end to all U.S. bombing of North Vietnam. More than 2,000 American soldiers die in combat in May, the highest monthly loss of the war.
    1969 – A mere four months following the New York Jets’ Super Bowl upset of the Baltimore Colts, the American Football League and the National Football League announced that plans for their merger and integration into one league with two conferences of 13 teams each were complete. Three NFL teams, the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, agreed to join the American Football Conference as part of the deal.
    1986 - Navy Lt. Commander Donnie Cochran became the first black pilot to fly with the celebrated Blue Angels precision aerial demonstration team
http://www.raaheroes.com/military/navy/cochran.htm
    1970 - Top Hits
“American Woman”/”No Sugar Tonight” - The Guess Who
“Vehicle” - The Ides of March
“Love or Let Me Be Lonely” - The Friends of Distinction
“The Pool Shark” - Dave Dudley
    1970 - Hoyt Wilhelm of the Atlanta Braves became the first Major League pitcher to appear in 1,000 games when he was called in from the bullpen in a game against tithe St. Louis Cardinals. Wilhelm gave up three runs, and the Braves lost, 6-5.
    1975 - Springfield, Missouri's Ozark Mountain Daredevils topped the Cashbox Best Sellers chart with their biggest hit, "Jackie Blue."
    1977 - An unprecedented spring snowstorm hit Southern New England and New York.
    1978 - Top Hits
“Night Fever” - Bee Gees
“If I Can't Have You” - Yvonne Elliman
“The Closer I Get to You” - Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway
“It's All Wrong, But It's All Right” - Dolly Parton
    1982 - As Northern California slowly recovers from the most destructive winter in recorded history, the dimensions of the damage, death and economic loss are just beginning to emerge. At least 51 people were killed, 481 were injured, more than 7,500 were left homeless and 10 counties were declared federal disaster areas. Damages are already in the excess $635 million.
    1986 - Top Hits
“West End Girls” - Pet Shop Boys
“Greatest Love of All” - Whitney Houston
“Why Can't This Be Love” - Van Halen
“Grandpa (Tell Me 'bout the Good Old Days)” - The Judds
    1990 - A spring snowstorm produced heavy snow in Upper Michigan and Eastern Wisconsin. Marquette, Michigan recorded 22.4 inches of snow to set not only a new single storm snowfall record for may but also a new monthly record for snowfall in May.
    1991 - Severe thunderstorms blasted Western Texas and Nebraska. 15 tornadoes were reported in West Texas. 3 miles northwest of Lazbuddie, a complex of 5 tornadoes touched down within 10 minutes of one another. This consisted of the main funnel (rated f2) and 4 'satellite' tornadoes that rotated around the main vortex at a distance of about 1/4 mile. Hail 6 inches in diameter broke many windshields and did extensive damage to roofs in Pyote, Texas. 5 inch hailstones descended from a supercell thunderstorm near Crawford, Nebraska.
    1994 - Barbra Streisand opened her first concert tour in 28 years with a show in New York. The tour was inspired by the warm reception she received at two New Year's concerts in Las Vegas.
    1999 - In a 12-4 rout of the Mariners, Boston's shortstop Nomar Garciaparra hits two grand slams as well as a two-run homer becoming the first American League player to drive in 10 runs in a game since 1975.
    2005 - Country superstar Faith Hill's new single "Mississippi Girl," becomes available as a free, timed-out download beginning via radio station Web sites across the country.
    2010 - Solicitor General Elena Kagan was the youngest Justice and third woman nominated for the Supreme Court.
    2011 – Microsoft purchased Skype, an Internet phone service, for $8.5 billion.
    2012 – The Baltimore Orioles became the first team in the history of the American league to lead off a game with three consecutive homers.  Ryan Flaherty, JJ Hardy and Nick Markakis went deep to open the bottom of the 1st.
    2014 - Unidentified remains of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were put to rest in a private depository next to the museum at the World Trade Center Memorial site; the remains will not be accessible or viewable to the public.
Stanley Cup Champions:
    1970 - Boston Bruins
    1973 - Montreal Canadiens