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Placard Design by Kevan R. Wilkinson
Digital Content Manager, Balboa Capital

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CV Holdings and Centra Funding
COVID-19

"We finance your equipment needs in minutes and sign your documents on any computer or smart phone"
https://centrafunding.com/

CV Holdings, Inc. reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $(16,197,585) or $(0.26) per common share with weighted average common shares of 62,018,156 issued and outstanding during 2020.

CV Press Release stated, "Centra was formed and owned by John Boettigheimer, a significant owner, and its President/General Manager. Centra Funding, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CV Holdings, Inc., a diversified holding company with investments in a number of specialty finance verticals. CV Holdings, Inc.’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Markets Group or OTC Markets under the ticker CVHL.

"During 2020, the Company continued to grow and develop Centra (Plano, Texas), its equipment finance business, and to manage the ongoing liquidation of its VenSource portfolio. In May 2020, as previously disclosed, the two former co-Chief Executive Officers left the Company, and the Company generally ceased originating commercial real estate loans, while continuing to service the loans it holds on balance sheet and in its joint venture with a real estate credit-oriented investment fund.

Centra Funding, LLC

“On November 28, 2016, the Company, through a newly-formed subsidiary, Centra Funding, LLC closed on its acquisition of Centra Leasing, Inc., which was more fully described in the November 28, 2016 press release. Centra’s business is focused on commercial “small-ticket” equipment leases or finance contracts. Originations utilize a vendor-based model, employing direct vendor- and broker-focused sales staff. Centra’s business is nationwide and spans multiple industries, with typical leases or finance contracts for less than $100,000.

“Centra’s debt facility with an affiliate of Wells Fargo Bank allows Centra to borrow up to 85% of eligible collateral under its borrowing base. As of December 31, 2020, Centra had $44,593,953 of borrowings under this line.

“A significant number of Centra’s customers required payment deferments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the year, Centra worked closely with Wells Fargo to create a flexible deferment structure that enabled customers to stretch out payments while maintaining the same contracted yield and balance owed to Centra. More than 90% of the customers who received deferments have resumed making normal payments or paid off their contracts.

On March 16, 2021, Centra closed its $58,375,000 term securitization with an institutional investor. The Company used its proceeds from this securitization to pay down its line of credit and to support future originations and business operations. Concurrent with the securitization, the debt facility was decreased to $20,000,000 and the maturity was extended to July 1, 2021. The Company is currently negotiating a potential renewal of the debt facility.

“Centra continued to originate new business throughout the year while certain of its competitors stopped or sharply reduced originations. As a result, Centra believes it has been able to originate high-quality assets at elevated yields. As of March 31, 2021, Centra had closed on transactions totaling approximately $118,300,000 since inception and had an active backlog of greater than $13,800,000 of approved transactions.”

"As of December 31, 2020, the Company had investments in (through Centra, CVCF, two CVCF JVs and certain mortgages owned directly, and the remaining VenSource portfolio) approximately $102,000,000 in equipment finance contracts, loans and mortgages across all such investments. This compares with approximately $139,000,000 as of December 31, 2019. From an operating cash flow standpoint, as shown in the following table, excluding the pay-in-kind dividends on the Colborne Preferred Stock, the Company had EBITDA of $(4,628,113) in the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $(1,703,541) in the year ended December 31, 2019. This difference was principally attributable to the increase in provision for loan losses. As of March 31, 2021, loans, mortgages or equipment finance contracts totaled approximately $106,400,000. In general, it is the Company’s expectation that, as loans grow, administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues will decline, driving the Company toward positive EBITDA."

“During the year, the Company made significant progress in the growth of Centra and the wind down of the CVCF, VenSource and LongVue portfolios. Because the Company is focused on growing Centra, it has allocated capital received from the wind down of these portfolios to Centra. While the Company is pleased with the progress made on all these fronts in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted all of the Company’s businesses, reducing loan originations and causing a number of loans to become impaired and unable to meet their obligations in full. This exacerbated the already-slower-than-planned growth at the Company, due to the start-up nature of its businesses and the cessation of new originations at CVCF. The foregoing, together with the continued growth of the amount owed on the Colborne Preferred Stock, which is senior to the Company’s common shares, has created a dilutive effect to common stockholders. As noted above, additional dilution is likely if Colborne ceases to forbear and this leads to a restructuring of the Company.”

Full Financial Statement
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/07/2225788/0/en/CV-Holdings-Inc-Update-and-Financial-Statements-for-Year-Ended-December-31-2020.html

 

 

As Ken Lubin asks in the next article:
Are You Available for a Top Sales Position?

 

 

 

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Will You or Won't You?

The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

We all have a tipping a point in our careers.

When we have the opportunity to go bold, step out from the crowd and be great, or be with the masses, the status quo.

Ideas and opportunities are things, if you don’t embrace the idea, the opportunity, or the fear, you will be held back, if you are willing to take on the hard project, make the move, sit in the front row, that is where the magic happens. Stand out, don’t be a part of the pack.

That is the only true way to succeed in your career.

Ken
klubin@zrgpartners.com

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin/

"What is the Ultimate Hire? The Ultimate Hire is the professional that every business, team or leader needs in their organization. This is the high performance individual that always rises to the top, brings the team to the next level and can significantly add to the bottom line. The Ultimate Hire is the person that you can't afford to be without. Finding, Attracting, Hiring and Retaining these professionals is critical to the success of your business. We have identified these traits and can help you find these top professionals."

The Ultimate Hire Collection:
http://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/ultimate.html

 

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Sales Make it Happen --- by Steve Chriest

Want to Hire Great Sales Reps? Start by Avoiding
the "Sales Personality" Myth

Anyone who has managed salespeople has made hiring mistakes. At one time or another, all of us have found ourselves unable to resist hiring a candidate who seemed to be a sales superstar, even though our intuition made us uneasy or something in their story just didn't jibe with reality.

Today, more than at any time in the last 80 years, business success will depend on getting the right people on the sales team and making sure they are doing jobs that best use their innate talents.

Avoid the Myth of the "Sales Personality."

When managers want to hire sales superstars, they tend to hire people with stereotypical sales personalities—people who are outgoing, talkative, personable and gregarious. And because sales managers, for a host of reasons, prefer this personality type for their teams, they convince themselves that customers will prefer them as well.

This so-called "sales personality" is a myth. Belief in this myth may be as responsible for bad hiring and disastrous promotions by employers and poor performance by salespeople and sales managers, as anything else in the sales talent management equation.

Unfortunately, the traits that make up the "sales personality" have little to do with success in the game of sales. It doesn't hurt, of course, when a salesperson has a pleasant, extroverted personality but there are lots of outgoing, talkative, personable and gregarious people in the world with pleasant, extroverted personalities. Some are teachers; some are physicians, attorneys, plumbers and circus performers. Just because these folks share some pleasing personality traits doesn't mean they have the talent or competencies to succeed as sales professionals.

Get the Right People on the Team

According to the International Personnel Management Association, typical hiring methods are ineffective. If you simply pointed, blindfolded, to one among a group of candidates and hired that person, your hiring method would depend entirely on chance. If your hiring process includes a typical employment interview, your odds of improving over chance increase about one percent.

Unfortunately, the traits that make up the "sales personality" have little to do with success in the game of sales.

If your hiring process includes a standard personality test, you will improve your odds over chance by another one percent. If, along with the interview and personality test, you require a candidate to have relevant job experience, your chances of a good hire increase to five percent. If you include a scoreable interview in your hiring process, your odds of a good hire increase to about seven percent.

If your company is among a growing number of firms that include validated and objectively administered selection tests in the hiring process, you can increase your chances of a good hire by up to 25 percent. An improvement of 25 percent over chance may not impress you, but that is a whopping improvement of 257 percent over even the best interview processes that lack selection tests!

So, exactly how would a validated and objectively administered selection test help you avoid making hiring mistakes? These tests reveal not only aptitude for performance, but also a candidate's willingness to perform the duties of the particular sales position.

It isn't enough that Mary, a candidate all the sales managers’ love, has the quintessential sales personality. A validated and objectively administered selection test will reveal whether or not Mary has the innate talent, job-related competencies and tendencies to perform on the job. The tests answer two critical questions: Can the candidate do the job, and is the candidate likely to do the job?

Steve Chriest is the CEO of Open Advance and author of “Selling to the E-Suite, The Proven System for Reaching and Selling Senior Executives and Business Acumen 101.” He recently re-named his company from Selling-Up. He is also the author of Selling "The E-Suite, The Proven System for Reaching and "Selling Senior Executives" and "Profits and Cash – The Game of Business." He is the past president and founder of a major leasing company. He produces video and radio blogs, as well as continuing as a columnist for Leasing News since 2005. He is getting close to announcing a major project he will be raising funds to bring to fruition.
www.openadvance.com/contact/
www.openadvance.com/

Top Ten Leasing News
May 3 to May 7

(Stories most opened by readers)

(1) Well Known Leasing Attorney Stephen Jenkins
    Passes Away at Age 67
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_07.htm#jenkins

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_07.htm#hires

(3)  American Association Commercial Finance Brokers                   
    This Wednesday -- Latest List of Expo Exhibitors
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_03.htm#aacfb

(4) Cash-flooded Bank Balance Sheets
  May Come Back to Haunt U.S. Banks
    By Yoel Minkoff, Seeking Alpha News Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_05.htm#cash

(5) Quality Leasing Co., Inc. Joins
    Story Credit Lessor Listing
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_07.htm#ql

(6)  Story Credit Lessors - Lenders List for COVID-19
    "C" & "D" Lessees, Business Loans, Working Capital
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_03.htm#sc

(7) Chesswood Announces the Closing of Its
    Previously Announced Transaction with Vault Credit Corporation
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_05.htm#chesswood

(8) Four Types of Interim Rent
    By Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_03.htm#four

(9) Meridian Partners with Accord Financial to Expand
    Financing Solutions that Help Businesses to Compete
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_05.htm#meridian

(10)  Use a "Story Credit" to Close a Sale
    Sales Make it Happen --- by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_03.htm#use

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(Terry retired January 1, 2015. To honor him and his many years of writing for readers of Leasing News, Leasing News is posting columns he has written that are still meaningful today. While companies are moving toward electronic signatures for speed as well as validity, most companies still use a written signature. This one from Terry is from July 21, 2008

 

Landlord/Mortgage Waivers Today

The pressure to obtain a landlord wavier has weakened in the past few years because of competition and the need for fast turnaround credit and document services. However, in an economy turndown, especially in a recession or stagflation, there will be more pressure on leasing portfolios. Many are going to wish that their request for landlord waivers would have been more complete.

One of the most misunderstood and rarely asked for documents in leasing, or financing, is the dreaded landlord’s waiver. It is a form that allows you to preauthorize access, upon a default, to the property in which your equipment, or collateral, is located. While some landlords do not like to sign the waver, it is one of the most important documents to have to protect your asset when default occurs. The more riskier the credit, the more important the landlord’s form becomes. Selling a landlord on the importance of the waiver is as important as your credit decision as selling the lease to the lessee and cannot be taken lightly.

Property rights are amont the most sacred parts of our laws so if a property owner refuses to allow entry on to his property, to retrieve your asset, you may have to litigate for the privilege and it will be expensive and time consuming. It is not fun when a bankruptcy judge releases your asset from the bankruptcy and when you go to pick it up the landlord refuses to allow you entrance to his property.

In the beginning when everything looks to be acceptable and the purpose is explained, in person, to the landlord and the Lessor promises or states in the waiver not to enter the premises without permission, or with the landlord in attendance, and will repair or replace any damage sustained from the removal process, most landlords will sign the form. Most landlords are afraid of the damage that remains after contract repossessors leave the property. So telling them that you will repair, or clean up after yourselves, and are willing to put that in the form soothes their fears and many will sign the form. That language reads as follows;” The Lessor or Secured Party shall promptly, at its sole expense, repair in a commercially reasonable manner any and all damages to the Premises caused by such removal.”

However, when sent in the mail with no explanation except “please sign and return”, you should expect your document to be thrown away instead of returned. Also a landlord sometimes looks at his tenant as less desirable when forms are shoved in his direction with no courtesy call or explanation. I have never had a landlord fail to sign my form when I had a salesperson call on him and explain the purpose and explain our procedure should a default ever occur. I have even had conversations with landlords who later called me when the lessee was moving the leased equipment or was trying to sell it out of trust. A landlord can become a good source of information and usually is in the same boat as you are when things begin to go south.

If you do not have a landlord waiver, I would suggest you contact them once it appears the lessee is starting to have problems or is a chronic pass due. If you are up front with the landlord, they can help by keeping an eye on the lessee or if they are confrontational, you know it early and can take the appropriate steps at once to avoid lengthy delays later.

If you are going to have trouble with a landlord contact, your attorney to determine the property rules in that State so you can act with knowledge and foresight. It would also be important to know the issues in the state in which you have a large amount of assets like office equipment or data processing equipment where long delays can wipe out any thought of much recovery.

If the Lessee owns the property and it is mortgaged, the same issues apply.
In my audit experience, many companies are not up-to-date with their documentation, especially landlord waiver documents and procedures.

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

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

Chesswood Group First Quarter Up 5% from 4Q 1010
Declares 59% Dividend Increase

TORONTO  – Chesswood Group Limited (“Chesswood” or the “Company”) (TSX: CHW), a publically traded North American commercial equipment finance provider for small and medium-sized
businesses, reports its results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2021. At quarter end, Chesswood had 17.6 million shares outstanding (giving effect to the exchange of the currently outstanding 1.4 million
exchangeable shares) and a total market capitalization of $164.5 million.

Q1 2021 Highlights

• Gross finance receivables at quarter end of $930 million, up 5% from Q4 2020. Originations for the month of March reach $50+ million

• Strong portfolio performance as a result of reduced loan delinquencies, required provisions and charge-offs

• Growth in earnings, up 160% from Q4 2020, to $0.36 per share

• Dividend rate increased 50% to $0.36 per share annualized

• Subsequent to quarter end, announced and completed a merger of Chesswood’s Canadian business (Blue Chip Leasing) with Vault Credit Corporation

Chesswood CEO Ryan Marr declared, “The first quarter benefited from strong portfolio performance on the back of strong recoveries and low loan delinquencies. The impact of COVID has largely made its way through our loan portfolio and we expect this strong performance to continue throughout the year.

“In addition, first quarter originations rose throughout the period, reaching their peak in March. We expect to see continued strength inQ2 and expect strong overall growth for the year. For the first quarter, the company generated earnings of $6.3
million, or $0.36 per share.”

“Momentum in our business along with strong earnings performance has led us to increase our dividend rate by 50%, to $0.36 per share annualized. As we move forward, Chesswood will adjust its dividend to target a payout ratio of 40%, retaining additional earnings to support growth plans.” said Ryan Marr.

“Subsequent to quarter end, we announced and completed the merger of Vault Credit Corporation (VCC) with our Canadian business entity, Blue Chip Leasing. The merged entity has approximately $300 million of receivables, positioning the business as one of the largest independent equipment finance companies in  Canada. We are excited by the combination, which leverages Chesswood’s strong balance sheet with VCC’s strong originations pipeline in Canada.”

Summary of First Quarter Results

The Company reported consolidated net income of $6.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2020, an increase of $26.1 million year-over-year. Charges incurred in 2020 related to COVID-19 induced non-cash goodwill, restructuring and other transaction costs primarily account for the difference. On a constant currency basis, net income would have been $0.4 million higher for the quarter (or $0.02 per share).

The U.S. Equipment Finance segment (Pawnee Leasing and Tandem Finance) reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $20.6 million and ancillary and other income of $2.6 million, a total decrease of $6 million year on year. The decrease is a result of a smaller average portfolio, lower transaction volume as well as an
increasing weighting of prime receivables.

The Canadian Equipment Finance segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $2.3 million and ancillary and other income of $800,000, a total decrease of $1.0 million year on year. The decrease is the result of a smaller average portfolio and lower transaction volume throughout 2020.

Overall operating costs were up $300,000 year over year to $10.5 million. Operating expenses were up modestly due to the increase in average full time employees for the period to support origination growth free cash flow for the period was $3.8 million, down $400,000 from Q1 2020. The decline in free cash flow is the result of higher tax levels and timing differences between portfolio net charge-offs and loss provisioning. Excluding this impact, free cash flow would have been $1.4 million higher for the quarter. In addition to these
items, on a constant currency basis, free cash flow would have been $0.3 million higher for the quarter. Free cash flow is expected to meaningfully rise in Q2 and the remainder of the year.

Outlook

We continue to see strong pent-up demand in 2021, and expect our originations to continue to grow in the first month of Q2. Our teams at Pawnee and Tandem continue to expect record lease and loan volumes for the year. As a result, our goal continues to be to originate $650 million in new leases and loans.

The integration of Blue Chip and Vault Credit Corporation is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021. The offices have already been consolidated and both teams are working off the same operating system. We look forward to providing more detail on the combined business in Q2.

ABOUT CHESSWOOD
Through three 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 relationships with over 600 independent brokers in the U.S. Tandem Finance Inc. provides equipment financing to small and mediumsized businesses in the U.S. through the equipment vendor channel. In Canada, Blue Chip Leasing Corporation (which, as noted above, has recently been merged with Vault Credit Corporation) has been 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.

Learn more at: www.Chesswoodgroup.com, www.PawneeLeasing.com, www.BlueChipLeasing.com and www.TandemFinance.com

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

ELFA Accepting Member Nominations for 2021
Application Deadline: June 21, 2021

Washington, D.C.— The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announced it is accepting member nominations for its 2021 Operations & Technology Excellence Award. The award recognizes equipment finance organizations that have successfully implemented an operational excellence initiative and/or a technology innovation project.

Nominations must be received by Monday, June 21, and up to two winners will be selected. Submissions may include—but are not limited to—a new initiative, business model, customer experience improvement, consolidation, efficiency enhancement or digital transformation project. The application includes a new category for COVID-19 fast-tracked projects or technology improvements that equipment finance organizations implemented due to the new working environment.

Tawnya E. Stone, CLFP, Vice President, Strategic Technology at GreatAmerica Financial Services and Chair of the Award Subcommittee, said, “Coming out of a year of unique technology and operational challenges, now is the perfect time to celebrate the accomplishments within the equipment finance industry.

 “We have all made improvements and implemented innovations that will move not only our own companies but also our industry forward.  You can’t be recognized if you don’t submit—so don’t delay. The submission process is easy and will be kept confidential.”

Details on award entry eligibility, requirements, application and judging are available at www.elfaonline.org/about/awards/operations-technology-excellence-award. 

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the nearly $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. In 2021, ELFA is celebrating 60 years of equipping business for success. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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Boxer/Mix
Denver, Colorado  Adopt-a-Dog

Keystone
Male
2 Years Old
66 lbs.
Color: Br Brindle/White
Location A. Malone Center

 

Here is what my friends say about me:

LOVING PLUS FULL OF ENERGY
He loves to be outside in the yard to play and explore. He will chase the ball . . . but mmmmaybe bring it back, depends on his mood. He loves the attention with head and chin scratches. He gets excited to see the leash for walks and is a strong walker. It is mandatory that you bring in your whole family with no kids under 12 in the household for a long visit with Keystone to meet and play with him.

Dumb Friends League
Leslie A. Malone Center
2080 S. Quebec St.
Denver, CO 80231
303.751.5772

Pet Adoption Process
https://www.ddfl.org/adoption/pet-adoption-process/

Contact us:
https://www.ddfl.org/contact-us/

News Briefs---

Dog Shelters Struggle With Returns
    After Pandemic Adoption Boom
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dog-shelters-struggle-returns-pandemic-103255299.html

US pipeline company halts operations after cyberattack
   45% of all fuel consumed on the East Coast
https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d

After being hired in huge numbers,
    US delivery workers are losing their jobs
https://qz.com/2006628/us-delivery-workers-are-losing-their-jobs/?utm_source=YPL

U.S. stops Trump-era effort to loosen
    safety rules for Arctic drilling
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-stops-trump-era-effort-170000809.html

Texas governor backs Exxon Mobil
    petition in climate case
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-governor-backs-exxon-mobil-224123829.html

Certified Lease and Finance Professional
    Foundation Reaches 1,000 CLFPs
https://www.equipmentfa.com/articles/32287/clfp-foundation-reaches-1000-clfps

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You May Have Missed---

The Economy’s Growing Fast
    —But What About Jobs?
https://www.jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/insights/the-economys-growing-fast-but-what-about-jobs

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Sports Briefs---

Satchel Paige remains a Kansas City icon,
     but time has taken a toll on his former home
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/05/08/satchel-paige-kansas-city-house/

Bob Baffert suspended by Churchill Downs
     after Medina Spirit fails drug test
https://nypost.com/2021/05/09/churchill-downs-suspends-bob-baffert-after-medina-spirit-drug-test/

Editorial: Tokyo Olympics could turn
      into a coronavirus superspreader
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/-postpone-tokyo-olympics-over-covid-concerns/

Miami Dolphins Are NFL Team Best Prepared
    to Make a Play for Aaron Rodgers Now
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2942803-miami-dolphins-are-nfl-team-best-prepared-to-make-a-play-for-aaron-rodgers-now

A’s can’t overcome key mistakes
    in 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/09/as-cant-overcome-key-mistake-in-4-3-loss-to-tampa-bay/

The day Dwight Clark met Willie Mays,
    the men who made The Catch for their teams
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/The-Catch-meets-The-Catch-The-day-Dwight-met-16146457.php

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California Nuts Briefs---

California high schoolers are saying no thanks
    to reopened campuses and are staying home
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-09/no-show-high-school-students-reject-covid-reopening-rules

San Jose tourism spending dropped by more than $1 billion
    in 2020. Why it’ll take years to rebound
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/09/san-jose-tourism-plunged-by-106-million-in-2020-how-does-it-plan-to-come-back-from-this/

Manresa reopens with ‘new ideas for post-pandemic world’
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/09/manresa-reopens-with-new-ideas-for-post-pandemic-world/

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Winery owner David Bruce, a pinot pioneer,
     dies at 89 in Los Gatos
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/08/winery-owner-david-bruce-a-pinot-pioneer-dies-at-89-in-los-gatos/

Gallo lays off most Clos du Bois winery workers
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/business/gallo-lays-off-most-clos-du-bois-winery-workers/

Sommelier Roundtable: Favorite Female-Powered Wines
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/sommelier-roundtable-favorite-female-powered-wines

Wine of the week: the Space Age 2020
    Central Coast Grenache Rosé
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wine-of-the-week-the-space-age-2020-central-coast-grenache-rose/

A new Napa vintner just made an ambitious $10M
    Rutherford winery purchase, with plans for $275 Cabernet
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/Napa-vintner-Rutherford-Bella-Oaks-Cabernet-16157362.php

The World's Most Wanted Sauvignon Blancs
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/05/the-worlds-most-wanted-sauvignon-blancs

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

This Day in History

  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. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp940821/08190821.htm 
    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 chooses 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 (d. 1979), 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 (d. 1980) 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 - HALYBURTON, 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 Phillips 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.  Coincidentally, it was the Colts and Browns who survived the demise of the All-America Football Conference to join the NFL in 1950.
    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 the 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 Peyote, 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.
    2005 – A hand grenade thrown by Vladimir Arutyunian landed about 65 feet from President George W. Bush as he was giving a speech to a crowd in Tbilisi, Georgia.  The grenade did not detonate.
    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.
    2017 – USGS released a report stating that some glaciers in Montana have receded by 85% in the last 50 years.
    2017 - Apple becomes the first company to be worth more than $800 billion 

Stanley Cup Champions: 
    1970 - Boston Bruins
    1973 - Montreal Canadiens