Testimonial

"I want to thank you for listing our Business Risk employment position in Leasing News. Through our various postings, we received resumes from over 50 very qualified candidates. It just goes to show that people read our publications!

"I am very happy to report that the position has been filled. If possible, please discontinue posting the position."

Thanks!

Laurie Bakke, President
Western Equipment Finance

 

Leasing News Help Wanted Ad Pricing

Help Wanted Web Ad New Programs Classified Ad Section  (rotates chronological above headlines and  also appears in Classified Ad section.) * 21 days in a row: $595 four lines (a space is a line)  ($40 each additional line or space) Design work is free. Logo is free as well as company description not to exceed the number of lines of the ad. Also free: click to a click to a web site or a full description of the position. Ads are placed in the "Help Wanted' section by category, alphabetical, with the ad with the most lines first in the group. They appear on the web site and in each news edition at the top in a rotation basis per issue. * Help Wanted” ads  appear in each issue on a chronological basis above the top headline as a courtesy. This position is not available as a paid position, but is generally on a rotation basis.  At the same time, the ad continues in the classified help wanted section in the news edition and web site, so in effect appears twice. Leasing News reserves the right to refuse advertising, particularly to a company that has appeared in the complaint bulletin board

 

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Classified Ads---Asset Management

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

Asset Management

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

Located near Dallas Extensive experience in valuation/remarketing of IT and telecom assets. Established network of customers and vendors. Strong leasing background Located near Dallas contact: leasevalue@gmail.com

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

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

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Chris Walker Continues Fight against Pancreatic Cancer

Chris Walker, CLP
(Photo: GreatAmerica Corporate Directory)

"I visit him once a week and he is pain-free, which is a huge victory for those with pancreatic cancer. He’s such an upbeat guy."

“He still reads his email, so any note would surely be appreciated.”

Matt Doty
Vice President, Corporation Communication
GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation

Chris Walker email cwalker@galc.com

Chris at the August 20, 2011 "Lovefest"
acknowledging the over 400 who attended
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2011/8_24.htm#walker

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriswalker

 

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Sheldon Player Still on the Loose
by Christopher Menkin

Perhaps the most inquiries to Leasing News concern why Sheldon Player is not in jail again. This involves a person who was sentenced in the early 1980's for $75 million fraud against Greyhound Leasing * Financial Corp. , brought to readers attention in 2007, and unfortunately not in time for others to lease equipment that allegedly did not exist to support his alleged gambling habits, culminating in the October 23, 2009 bankruptcy of the company he controlled, Equipment Acquisition Resource, Palatine, Illinois. The alleged fraud is over $135 million this time.

He reportedly filled bankruptcy, but records could not be found, nor do many attorneys believe he has done so, although his estranged wife and former officer Mark Anstett have. Whether he still has cash socked away, is playing at casino's not involved in the bankruptcy hearing, is not known.

The EAR bankruptcy proceedings continue to accept, reject, settle claims, the attorneys time sheets keep getting longer, while the case regarding IRS payments involved continues, with the latest IRS basically stating the issues involved are not valid, citing many court cases and opinion (1).

It looks like this may not be until next year. Perhaps the FBI is awaiting the conclusion here as well as the HL Leasing/Heritage Leasing matter in Fresno, California.

1. IRS Reply to EAR
   http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/IRSReplyEAR_111311.pdf

Sheldon Player et. al. Back to the IRS Complete Stories
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Sheldon_Player.htm

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Please send Leasing News and ask them to subscribe. We are Free!

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Puget Sound Leasing/First Sound Bank May Go Under
by Christopher Menkin

Registered to raise $6 million, the bank raised $3.2 million through a private placement June 30, 2010. The share price was $0.10. The latest FDIC financial filings dated September 31, 2011 show First Sound Bank Net Equity is below that figure. Considering the award from the jury's verdict, the banks own attorney and court expenses fees owed, as well as the current dispute over prevailing parties, the bank is upside down.

The case is still open and centered on several million dollars in attorney fees reportedly due Louis Secord, Jr., and his brother Louis Secord by First Sound Bank who basically lost their case in Seattle, Washington. Technically the bank won $1,244,751 on the claim regarding "Asset Purchase Agreement,” but they lost in the "employment agreement," awarding $2,077,767, and the same with Richard Secord, awarding $1,484,767. As important, they jury also ruled against the "breach of fiduciary duty" and "breach of contract claims" in favor of Larasco and the Secords, the original claim which brought the lawsuit.

Friday, November 11, 2011, the deadline set by U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Zilly for a response, was field by First Sound Bank regarding the claim by Louis Secord and Richard Secord regarding the prevailing party's attorney fees should also be paid by First Sound Bank. Both Secords are in bankruptcy, so the money would go to the trustee to pay creditors, if any. The attorney for First Sound Bank brings up several issues as to why the bank is not responsible. (1)

In addition, there are fees for the case involving Wells Fargo also being considered as part of the original employment/consulting agreement. A response is to be made by November 14, with a reply on November 18, 2011.

The leasing company exists as a division of the bank in their bank location, basically winding down the portfolio. When the bank raised the $3 million in 2010, the goal was $6 million.

An investor today would run as fast as they could away from these financial numbers:

September 31, 2011 Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 2.95%

Bank Equity
Year-end 2008	$24.8 million
Year-end 2009	$5.8 million
Year-end 2010	$4.5 million
Sept. 30, 2011	$3.0 million

Tier 1 Risk Capital Ratio
Year-end 2008	10.02%
Year-end 2009	3.02%
Year-end 2010	3.61%
Sept. 30, 2011	2.95%

Net Profit
Year-end 2008	-$20 million
Year-end 2009	-$18.9 million
Year-end 2010	-$7.9 million
Sept. 30, 2011	-$6.9 million

Non-Conforming Loans
Year-end 2008	$9.2 million
Year-end 2009	$44.5 million
Year-end 2010	$14.3 million
Sept. 30, 2011	$12.8 million

Charge Offs

Year-end 2008: $1.7 million:$300,000 commercial and industrial loans $1.1 lease finance receivables,
Year-end 2009: $10.3 million: $5.3 million lease finance receivables, $4.37 million commercial and industrial loans, $504,000 construction and land development.
Year-end 2010: 2010 $12.4 million: $3.9 million commercial and industrial loans, $3.6 million construction and land development, $2.7 million lease financing receivables, $2.1 million nonfarm nonresidential properties
Sept. 30, 2011: $5.1 million: $1.7 million nonfarm/non residential, $1.3 million Lease Financing Receivables, $1.1 million commercial/industrial loans, $643,000 1-4 family residential construction other, other such loans $67,000, $39,000 first deeds, $239,000 consumer.

(1) Response by First Sound on Attorney Claim
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/ResponseFirstSound.pdf

Previous Stories
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/puget.html

Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com To learn more about the benefits of outsourcing personal property tax, please click here.

 

 

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Cautiously Optimistic
by Bob Teichman, CLP

"Cautiously Optimistic"---that was the overall spirit of the 136 registered attendees and 25 exhibitors at the National Association of Equipment Leasing Broker's Western regional meeting in Costa Mesa, California, this past Friday and Saturday.  Those numbers are up from 131 attendees and 22 exhibitors last year.

By "Cautiously Optimistic," I learned demand is better, but, new funders are coming into the industry, as well as new brokers and lessors. The attendees included many industry veterans, but there was also a significant presence of people new to the business, including former bank employees using their hard-earned skills to give themselves a start in the equipment leasing industry.

Attendees came from all over the country; from California to Florida and from the Canadian to the Mexican borders. All the exhibitors were busy and there was active networking at the well-attended reception on Friday night as well as throughout the day on Saturday.

NAELB President Bud Callahan, CLP, BPB, noted the improvement in the industry in his speech at the Saturday luncheon. He also announced that the Board of Directors of NAELB granted the prestigious Bill Granieri Award to Chris Walker, CLP, in recognition of his many years of service to the equipment leasing industry and to the equipment lease broker community. Walker, of Great American Leasing, is well-known to the industry and is the President of the CLP Foundation’s Board of Directors and a Director of the National Equipment Finance Association.

Mr. Callahan also announced that NAELB has begun to develop relationships with European lessor and broker associations such as the Association of Commercial Finance Brokers in England. NAELB currently has members from Europe and Canada, and since many NAELB members work with international vendors, such relationships can benefit both American and foreign brokers and their customers.

Saturday afternoon workshops and roundtables were well-received. Roundtables, covering such subjects as working with new funders, vendor development, working with social media and how to properly package a transaction, were all full. Moderators moved from table to table, spending 15 minutes or so with each group.

Most of the people at my table were veterans, but there were also a few new to the industry. The contributions from those with more experience provided a good education for the new folk, but even those with many years in the business took home new ideas.

The industry is still picking itself up from the disaster of 2009. Many companies are no longer in the business, but this conference proved that the industry is still vital and forward-looking. All agreed that this is an excellent time to enter the equipment leasing business, because in a few short years, it will be back to its robust self.

Robert Teichman, CLP
Teichman Financial Training
3030 Bridgeway, Suite 213
Sausalito, CA 94965
Tel: 415 331-6445
Fax: 415 331-6451
e-mail: BoTei@aol.com

Career Crossroad—“New Job Offer & Year-End Bonus”

Question: I am interested in pursuing a new opportunity, but I believe I am getting a year-end bonus … would you suggest I wait?

Answer: In short – YES, BUT you really need to contemplate if you are willing to forgo your bonus for a new position AND the anticipated amount (is it based on your performance or the company’s performance or a combination of both?– do the numbers)!

Also, consider what the competition will be – do you believe there will be a lot of Candidates vying for that position? Obviously, Candidates pursue new opportunities for various reasons – it’s NOT always about money (and it shouldn’t be). Take the time to really consider its importance to you.

Understandably you have worked hard for that bonus! My suggestion, if it is not a substantial amount and your new employer wants you ASAP, your new employer may offer this to you as a sign on bonus OR you may negotiate this in the offer/acceptance process.

It is something you should bring up, if offered the new position, but do the numbers first--and after you are offered the position---don’t make it a stumbling block!

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
www.riirecruit.com

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

Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Tax (True) Leasing Differences

I am sure that by now with all the Financial Accounting Standard Board announcements and stories in the media, you think true leasing is very complicated --- and it is, so therefore you need lease computer structuring software such as “SuperTRUMP” from Ivory Consulting Corporation ” to help guide you through the maze.

Hang on. One aspect overlooked in the media stories is the lessor is not required to take depreciation on a true lease, but they are required to report the lease payments as income for income tax consideration. You may not declare your transaction a “non tax” lease if it meets the requirements of a tax lease. The IRS loves its taxes, so avoiding the true lease requirement is hard to do if you do not grasp the tax rules.

With the coming changes in the accounting rules and the loss of the tax incentives, so the deficit can be addressed, I believe we will once again see a rise in the request for true leasing in the market place so please get ready by learning this product and know how to use it as leasing history may be repeating itself.

Prior to 1986 we use to do a lot of true leasing. What was so different in those days was that even if two lessors’s had the same parameters, same residual, same yield requirement etc., they would most probably have different rates to the lessee. The reason was the different tax position of the lessor. The composite federal income tax position was one difference and if they were in a different state, then the state income tax would usually be different. Originally tax leases were arranged by attorneys specializing in tax, CPA’s, financial planners, or investment groups. It was not until Bank of America got into leasing that other aspects became popular. The investment tax credit, off and on, was also a strong consideration. With the advent of small ticket leasing, and the changes in tax laws, there became a major difference regarding the issue of how different true leasing is from bargain option leasing.

In bargain option leasing---the lessor requirements for rate is a major factor in the lessee payment stream. With no residual and no tax considerations, about the only advantage one lessor may have against another is the lease structure. This lease structure, say irregular rents, is fairly easy because it only represents cash flow considerations to determine the rate requirements.

You could have 90 days before the first payment was made, quarterly payments, structures for the ups and downs of a company’s business, and longer terms than conventional loans (or less “up front.) You could have the same with a true lease; however, when you begin to structure a true lease, the structure has impact on the outcome of return to the lessor.

In a bargain option lease, income is reported as the margin under the interest method of accounting. That means that your reported income for income tax is the same as interest on a loan; except if you have a “purchase upon terms,” commonly called a “put”, or say a bargain 10% purchase option, the payments may be lower for the lessee, but the interest will be higher.

To illustrate this lets review a bargain option lease ($1) for $100,000 leased over 60 months at 10% with one payment in advance starting on July 15th. The payments would be 60 x $2,107.14. The income reported for income tax for the remaining six months would be $3,970.35. The lessee would report the same amount as interest expense and also take the MACRS depreciation. (I am not allowing for the current accelerated 100% depreciation in this example, but stay with me, not only for the example but the deductions for 2012 may change, as well as many lessors exceed the maximum deduction).

Now if we create a tax lease with no residual and no purchase option on the same parameters with standard 5 year MACRS depreciation we would get payments of $2,055.74. The payments are lower by $51.40 a month for the lessee, but the income tax approach is very different. The lessee would expense the 6 payments equal to $12,334.44 as lease expense for income tax on both federal and state forms. The lessor on the other hand would be registering income of $12,334.44. This is much different than the $3,970.35 reported as income from the $1 out lease. However the lessor gets the MACRS depreciation in a true lease which allows for a depreciation deduction of 20% ($20,000) in standard MACRS allowance. If you subtract $20,000 from $12,334.44, you get a negative income of -$7,665.56. This means the lessor can shelter $7,665.56 of income from other sources from income tax. Therefore the lessor must have taxable income from sources other than from true leases or the negative income would have no value.

This is just the tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to structuring true leases because assuming a residual lowers the payment thus it lowers the income and increases the shelter effect in the early years. If you create irregular rents to follow the cash flow needs of the lessee, it will affect the payments and thereby affect the lessor’s income. In addition if income is a function of the payments received, then when the lease payments begin during the year will also affect the lessor’s first year income. Then to top it off the tax bracket of the lessor is very important to the value of the shelter. Also if the lessor is not on a calendar tax year, because their fiscal year’s end is on a month different than December, the numbers will be different.

Don’t wait to be surprised with the changes to come, but become educated now so you can hit the streets running instead of retiring to live with your kids.

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

He invites your questions and queries.

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

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP Anaheim, California December 12th -14th Two and One Half-Day Seminar sponsored by Commerce National Bank 4040 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 100  Newport Beach CA 92660 (Orange County Airport is a half-mile away) The seminar will contain information on how to approach leasing in 2012 with the following subjects: New lease language Proposed new accounting rules for lessee's Structuring and pricing for competition Income tax rules, Article 2A vs. Article 9 New reasons to lease Questions to ask lessee Vendor needs Credit enhancements Documentation issues and a take home assignment to see how to propose a lease. Cost $450 per person To request a complete outline contact: leaseconsulting@msn.comor for questions call 502-649-0448

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

 

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Bank Beat---How Many more Bank Failures This Year?

No banks failed during 2005 and 2005, only 3 in 2008, and then 25 in 2008. 2009 saw 140 institutions call, costing the FDIC Deposit Insurance Fund $26 billion, actually closing the account out. 2010: 157 banks failed. The FDIC says there will not be as many banks fail this year as last, but the fact is there are 865 problem banks on their list.

The only bank failure last week was in the State of Georgia, the 23rd to fail this year from the state. Georgia leads the nation with 74 failures since mid-2008. From the list of problem banks in Georgia, there are many that should have been closed down last year. This is one of them. And it was in the middle of the list of trouble banks in Georgia.

Community Bank of Rockmart, Rockmart, Georgia, was closed last week with Century Bank of Georgia, Cartersville, Georgia to assume all the deposits. Founded May 9, 2005, the bank had 11 employees June 30, 2011. The end of 2007, they had 18 full time employees.

September 30, 2011 Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 3.23%

Community Bank of Rockmart started right before the height of the boom. The city of 3,870 people (2000), 27 miles west of Marietta and 41 miles northwest of Atlanta, saw a Wal-Mart Supercenter store open in 2007, which was the best year for the bank; they only lost $200,000.

Banking officials wheel storage containers and other equipment into the Community Bank of Rockmart around 5:05 p.m. Thursday. The locally owned bank will now be a branch of Century Bank of Georgia.(Lowell Vickers/thepolkfishwrap.com)

The small bank (housed in a large building) had not been profitable, even before the real estate bubble burst, losing $947,000 in their first year of operation, then $480,000 in 2006, a year and a half after opening. The bad times came in 2009 with $2 million in charge offs, $1.7 million in non-current loans, and it looks like since the end of 2010 the bank would not recover having lost another $2 million, $5.6 million in noncurrent loans (reportedly 30% in commercial real estate) and $1 million in charge-offs.

It appears from the problem list of banks in Georgia there are many others similar to Community Bank of Rockmart.

(in millions, unless otherwise)

Net Equity
2005	$6.8
2006	$6.3
2007	$6.3
2008	$5.9
2009	$3.5
2010	$1.5
6/30	$1.5
9/30	$1.36

Profit
2005	-$947,000
2006	-$480,000
2007	-$200,000
2008	-$584,000
2009	-$2.2
2010	-$2.0
6/30	-$118,000
9/30	-$103,000

Non-Current Loans
2005	-$947,000
2006	-$480,000
2007	-$200,000
2008	-$584,000
2009	-$2.2
2010	-$2.0
6/30	-$118,000
9/30	-$103,000

Non-Current Loans
2005	0
2006	0
2007	$521,000
2008	$3.3
2009	$1.7
2010	$5.6
6/30	$5.7

Charge Offs
2005 N/A
2006 $3,000 ($3,000 other loans)
2007 0
2008 $437,000 ($180,000 multifamily, $134,000 construction/land, $54,000 commercial, $35,000 other consumer, $24,000 nonfarm nonresidential)
2009 $2.0 ($938,000 construction/land, $456,000 multifamily, $235,000 1-4 family, $368,000 nonfarm/nonresidential, $39,000 commercial, $12,000 loans to individuals)
2010 $1 ($420,000 1-4 family, $295,000 nonfarm/nonres., $121,000 commercial, indus., $17,000 indivd.)
6/31 -0-
9/30 $6,000 (1-4 family homes, 1st liens)

Construction and Land, 1-4 family multiple residential, Multiple Family Residential, Non-Farm Non-Residential loans.

As of September 30, 2011, Community Bank of Rockmart had approximately $62.4 million in total assets and $55.9 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits, Century Bank of Georgia agreed to purchase approximately $40.7 million of the failed bank's assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $14.5 million.

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2011/pr11178.html

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

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

John Kenny Receivables Management www.jrkrmdirect.com • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigation • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs  John Kenny 315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

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

Top Stories November 7--November 11

Here are the top ten sorties opened by readers:

(1) Former Head of Marlin Leasing Grows His New Company
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_07.htm#grows

(2) Marlin Business Service Officers’ "Exotic Pay" by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_07.htm#pay

(3) The Non-Broker Trend and Growth of "Lease Portals" by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_09.htm#portals

(4) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
How Much Do you Know About Leasing?
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_07.htm#know

(5) Placard--No time to see a leasing salesman!
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_09.htm#placard

(Tie) (6) Cartoon---Letting Brokers Go
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_09.htm#cartoon

(Tie) (6) 2011 NEFA EXPO Super Regional Report
by Allan Levine, CEO, Madison Capital
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_09.htm#nefa

(7) Processing online poker operators does one bank in,
--Another is taken over by a bank, basically "on the come"
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_07.htm#bank_beat

(8) New Hires---Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_09.htm#hires

(9) Exclusive: Hudson Tells Leasing News "Now's the Time!"
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2011/11_07.htm#exclusive

(10) Chesswood (Pawnee Leasing) Announce Q3 2011
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chesswood-announces-results-for-q3-2011-2011-11-08

Auburn, Washington -- Adopt-a-Dog

Nell

Beagle/Yellow Labrador Retriever Mix
Female
35 pounds
2-3 years old
Spayed
Up-to-Date with routine shots

“Nell is a really cute little girl, a great medium size, about 35 pounds. She is a little chunky and overweight, super cute and sweet. She is gentle and quiet and gets along well with everyone. We think she is beagle with yellow lab, based on her size and coloration. We think she is 2-3 years old. Nell is just a great little girl to be your companion for whatever you like to do. Nell's adoption donation is $250.”

Puget Sound Rescue, Auburn, WA
pugetsoundrescue@hotmail.com

More information:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/WA149.html

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

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

 

News Briefs---

 

Richest Man in Leasing gets richer----
---Air Lease posts third-quarter profit of $18.3 million
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1112-air-lease-earnings-20111112,0,2212050.story

Fast-growing airline Emirates orders 50 more Boeing 777s in record $18 billion deal
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-ml-dubai-airshow,0,7485155.story

Banks Quietly Ramping Up Costs to Consumers
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/business/banks-quietly-ramp-up-consumer-fees.html?_r=1&ref=business

Europe's crisis could hit United States
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/11/12/Europes-crisis-could-hit-United-States/UPI-35261321126772/

Real estate woes deepen as home prices face more pressure
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/story/2011-11-12/cnbc-pressures-on-housing-prices/51166152/1

 

 

-----------------------------------------

 

You may have missed---

Stores seek sales tax fairness
http://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/david-nicklaus/stores-seek-sales-tax-fairness/article_bf2c5451-bf0b-5c23-b690-9f69d3b3a10d.html

---------------------------------------

 

Sports Briefs----

In Twist, Manning and the Giants Fall Short in the Fourth
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/sports/football/49ers-hold-off-giants-27-20-in-san-francisco.html

SF Versions:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/49ers/ci_19328841
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/13/SPGC1LUKOM.DTL

Oakland Raiders QB Carson Palmer credits his revival to old school NFL vet Ken O'Brien
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_19324392?source=most_viewed

Cowboys have best game of season, but still might not be playoff team
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/11/instant-analysis-cowboys-cruis.html

Seahawks end three-game skid, beat Ravens 22-17
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2016762605_hawk14.html

Cards hire Matheny as manager
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/cards-hire-matheny-as-manager/article_59a7b250-0e4c-11e1-a0d3-0019bb30f31a.html

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

California Nuts Briefs---

Raid on Occupy Oakland camp could be hours away
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_19328576

 

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

Out of the Shadow of Barolo
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/dining/12iht-wine12.html?ref=dining

Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/dining/reviews/wines-for-thanksgiving-dinner-review.html?ref=dining

A nobly rotten vintage in Napa
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/a-nobly-rotten-vintage/article_3ed4c9c8-068f-11e1-b703-001cc4c03286.html

What do Women Want in Wine?
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=94219

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

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

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

     1732-The Library Company of Philadelphia signed a contract with its first librarian. Founded by Benjamin Franklin and friends in November 1731, the library enrolled members for a fee of 40 shillings but had to wait for its books to arrive from England before beginning full operation.
    1784-Samuel Seabury, 55, was consecrated Bishop of Connecticut and Rhode Island, the first bishop of the American Protestant Episcopal Church, and the first Anglican bishop in America.
    1803 -- American author Jacob Abbott born Hallowell, Maine.Abbott wrote the first fictional series for children, introducing many of the key types and techniques of series books, popularizing the genre virtually single-handedly, and wrote some of the earliest American juveniles deserving of the term "children's literature"
http://www.readseries.com/auth-a/ab-bio.html
http://www.merrycoz.org/bib/ABBOTT.HTM
    1832 - The first horse car (a streetcar drawn by horses) was displayed in New York City. The vehicle had room for 30 people in three compartments. The new service traveled Fourth Avenue between Prince and Fourteenth Streets. 
    1851 - “Call me Ishmael. Some years ago -- never mind how long precisely -- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world...” Thus begins Herman Melville’s book "Moby-Dick; or, The Whale", which was first published in New York City by Harper & Brothers on this day. The complex, but rousing sea story tells the tale of a sea captain’s search for Moby Dick, the great white whale that had once crippled him. The story is told by sailor-narrator Ishmael. Through the pages of "Moby Dick", we meet Ishmael’s bunkmate Queequeg, a whale harpooner from Polynesia; learn everything there is to know about whaling in the nineteenth century; and, of course, about Captain Ahab and his obsession with Moby Dick.  In 1846, he published his first novel, Typee, based on his Polynesian adventures. His second book, Omoo (1847), also dealt with the South Seas. The two novels became popular, although his third, Mardi (1849), more experimental in nature, failed to catch on with the public. Melville bought a farm near Nathaniel Hawthorne's house in Massachusetts, and the two became close friends, although they later drifted apart. Melville wrote for journals and continued to publish novels. Moby Dick was coolly received, but his short stories were highly acclaimed. Putnam's Monthly published "Bartleby the Scrivener" in 1853 and "Benito Cereno" in 1855. In 1866, Melville won appointment as a customs inspector in New York, which brought him a stable income. He published several volumes of poetry. He continued to write until his death in 1891, and his last novel, Billy Budd, was not published until 1924. 
    1882-Gunslinger Franklin "Buckskin" Leslie shoots the Billy "The Kid" Claiborne dead in the streets of Tombstone, Arizona. (The name of one of Aaron Copland’s work, who’s birthday is today-1900)The town of Tombstone is best known today as the site of the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. In the 1880s, however, Tombstone was home to many gunmen who never achieved the enduring fame of Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday. Franklin "Buckskin" Leslie was one of the most notorious of these largely forgotten outlaws. There are few surviving details about Leslie's early life. The first historical evidence of Leslie's life emerges in 1877, when he became a scout in Arizona. A few years later, Leslie was attracted to the moneymaking opportunities of the booming mining town of Tombstone, where he opened the Cosmopolitan Hotel in 1880. That same year he killed a man named Mike Killeen during a quarrel over Killeen's wife, and he married the woman shortly thereafter. Leslie's reputation as a cold-blooded killer brought him trouble after his drinking companion and fellow gunman John Ringo was found dead in July 1882. Some Tombstone citizens, including a young friend of Ringo's named Billy "The Kid" Claiborne, were convinced that Leslie had murdered Ringo, though they could not prove it. Probably seeking vengeance and the notoriety that would come from shooting a famous gunslinger, Claiborne unwisely decided to publicly challenge Leslie, who shot him dead. The remainder of Leslie's life was equally violent and senseless. After divorcing Killeen in 1887, he took up with a Tombstone prostitute, whom he murdered several years later during a drunken rage. Even by the loose standards of frontier law in Tombstone, the murder of an unarmed woman was unacceptable, and Leslie served nearly 10 years in prison before he was paroled in 1896. After his release, he married again and worked a variety of odd jobs around the West. He reportedly made a small fortune in the gold fields of the Klondike region before he disappeared forever from the historical record.
    1861 -- Historian Frederick Jackson Turner
(The Frontier in American History) born Portage, Wisconsin.
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/turner/turner.html
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/turner.htm
    1900- birthday of American composer Aaron Copland , born at Brooklyn, NY. Incorporating American folk music and, later, the 12-tone system, he strove to create an American music style that was both popular and artistic. He composed ballets, film scores and orchestral works including Fanfare for the Common Man (1942), Appalachian Spring (1944) (for which he won the Pulitzer Prize) and the score for The Heiress (1948) (for which he won an Oscar) and “Billy the Kid.”
He died Dec 2, 1990, at North Tarrytown, NY.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov14.html
    1900-Ban Johnson, president of the minor Western League, announced his intention to upgrade its status to a major league and to change its name to the American League.
    1903- The first football game was played in the first football stadium, Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA. It was specifically build for football, made of concrete and the largest steel re-enforced concrete structure in the world at the time of construction. The stadium had a seating capacity of 40,000.
    1904 - Art Hodes Birthday
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0252017536/107-7460879-4591723
    1906 -- Actress Louise Brooks born Cherryvale, Kansas. She is the fourth most written about actress (in terms of major magazine articles) after Clara Bow, Joan Crawford and Colleen Moore.
http://www.pandorasbox.com/
    1917- Storyville, also known as the District, New Orleans’s red-light district, a series of honky-tonks and sporting house, was shut down by the U.S. Navy The closing tended to drive jazz musicians out of New Orleans, up the river, including the Original Dixieland Jass Band that opened at Reisenweber’s Restaurant in New York City. In this year, the group made the first jazz recording, including “ Tiger Rag,” “Barnyard Blues, “ Clarinet Marmalade, “: At the Jazz Band Ball, and “Reisenweber Rag.”
    1919-Birthday of Constance Frances Marie Ockleman, later known as Veronica Lake, born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lake began appearing in films under the name Constance Keane in 1939; in 1941, she changed her name and was soon a major Hollywood draw, frequently starring opposite Alan Ladd in films like This Gun for Hire (1942), The Glass Key (1942), and The Blue Dahlia (1946). Her career took a nosedive in the late 1940s and early 1950s. She and her husband, director Andre de Toth, filed for bankruptcy. Lake stopped acting and allegedly drank heavily. In the 1960s, a reporter discovered her working at a hotel bar in New York. She later began acting again in small roles and published an autobiography in 1969. She died of hepatitis in 1973. 
    1934-Birthday of pianist Ellis Marsalis, New Orleans, LA
http://www.nathanielturner.com/ellismarsalis.htm
http://www.louisianamusic.org/ELMBioandDiscog.html
    1934-Under the direction of Leopold Stokowski, who was conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA, the symphony No. 1, known as the Negro Folk Symphony, composed by the African-American conductor William Levi Dawson was presented. 
http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/0759DawsonWilliam.asp?pic=none
    1935 - President Roosevelt proclaimed the Philippine Islands a free commonwealth. Manuel Luis Quezon was sworn in as the first Filipino president, as the Commonwealth of Philippines was inaugurated.
    1942 - Off the coast of Guadalcanal, Admiral Tanaka turns south with his destroyers and transports and comes under heavy air attack from both Henderson Field and planes from the USS Enterprise. Seven of the transports and two warships are lost. He continues his advance throughout the night and manages to sail his remaining transports to Tassafaronga. However, more of the Japanese troops are killed by air attack while disembarking. Meanwhile, the second battle of Guadalcanal gets underway shortly before midnight. The Japanese covering force supporting the convoy, led by Admiral Kondo ( with the battleship Kirishima, four cruisers and nine destroyers), encounters US Task Force 64, under the command of Admiral Lee ( with the battleships Washington and South Dakota and four destroyers). The battle begins with damage to the South Dakota. It is forced from the battle. A seven minute burst of fire from the USS Washington sinks the Kirishima. Control of the seas around Guadalcanal is passing to the Americans. Supply problems are mounting for the Japanese, who will now be forced to make considerable use of submarines to transport supplies. Already many of the Japanese troops are ill and hungry.
    1942---BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 20 November 1908. Woodruff, Kans. Appointed from: Nebraska. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to 1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col. Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.
    1943 -- During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, and all of America's top military brass, narrowly escape disaster aboard the U.S. battleship Iowa, when a live torpedo is accidentally fired at them from a U.S. destroyer. To demonstrate to the president the defensive abilities of the Iowa, the battleship launches a series of weather balloons to use as anti-aircraft targets. Men on the nearby destroyer William D. Porter, under Captain Jesse Walker, are ordered to battle stations and begin shooting down the balloons that the Iowa had missed. Better yet, a simulated torpedo firing was ordered, and the torpedo room obliged. Unfortunately, torpedoer Lawton Dawson neglected to disarm torpedo tube #3, and an armed torpedo was fired at the Iowa. The Iowa rapidly began evasive maneuvers, as all guns were turned on the Porter. Word of the firing reached Roosevelt, who asked that his wheelchair be moved to the ship's railing so that he could watch the torpedo's approach. It exploded behind the ship's massive wake. The Porter is ordered to return to Bermuda, and Captain Walker and the entire crew are arrested by a force of Marines upon docking. President Roosevelt intervened and the ship was kidded throughout the fleet with signs saying, “Don’t Shoot, We’re Republicans.” On 10 June 1945, the Porter's hard luck finally ran out. She was sunk by a plane which had (unintentionally) attacked underwater. A Japanese bomber almost made entirely of wood and canvas slipped through the Navy's defense. Having little in the way of metal surfaces, the plane didn't register on radar. A fully loaded kamikaze, it was headed for a ship near the Porter, but just at the last moment veered away and crashed along side the unlucky destroyer. There was a sigh of relief as the plane sunk out of sight, but then it blew up underneath the Porter, opening her hull in the worst possible location. Three hours later, after the last man was off board, the Captain jumped to the safety of a rescue vessel and the ship that almost changed world history slipped astern into 2400 feet of water. Not a single soul was lost in the sinking. After everything else that happened, it was almost as if the ship decided to let her crew off at the end.
http://bobrosssr.tripod.com/porterstory.html
    1943-Sid Luckman of the Chicago Bears became the first professional quarterback to pass for more than 400 yards in a single game, throwing for 433 yards and seven touchdowns as the Bears walloped the New York Giants, 56-7.
    1944 - An outstanding array of musicians gathered in Hollywood to record a classic. Tommy Dorsey and orchestra made "Opus No. 1", Victor record number 20-1608. Buddy Rich was the drummer in the session, Buddy DeFranco on sac and clarinet, and Nelson Riddle played trombone on the Sy Oliver arrangement. 
    1944-Birthday of pianist George Cables, Brooklyn, NY.
    1945---Top Hits
It’s Been a Long, Long Time - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
Till the End of Time - Perry Como
I’ll Buy that Dream - The Pied Pipers
With Tears in My Eyes - Wesley Tuttle
    1953---Top Hits
Ebb Tide - The Frank Chacksfield Orchestra
Rags to Riches - Tony Bennett
Many Times - Eddie Fisher
There Stands the Glass - Webb Pierce
    1954-Birthday of Condoleezza Rice, US National Security Adviser to President George Bush, Birmingham, AL.
    1954-Birthday of new age composer Yanni, born Yanni Chrysomalis, Kalamata, 
Greece. He made a big hit of musical cd’s sold via television commercials.
    1957 -- Twenty underworld kingpins stage "Crime Convention" in Appalachia, New York
    1959 - The eruption of Kilauea Iki Crater (Nov 14-Dec 20, 1959) on the Big Island of Hawaii was a relatively brief event, but produced some of Kilauea’s most spectacular lava fountains of the 20th century. (The current Pu`u `O`o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea began in 1983). 
    1960--- Elvis Presley's latest single, "It's Now or Never," sells 780,000 copies in the UK during its first week of release, making it the fastest-selling song in the country's history.
    1960--- Drummer Cozy Cole of "Topsy" fame is sent by the US State Department on a 20-week goodwill tour of Africa
    1960- Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" hits #1
    1961---Top Hits
Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
Fool #1 - Brenda Lee
Tower of Strength - Gene McDaniels
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke 
    1961 - The Elvis Presley film ``Blue Hawaii'' premieres.
    1961 - President Kennedy increased the number of American advisors in Vietnam from 1,000 to 16,000.
    1964 - Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings set a National Hockey League record as he scored his 627th career goal in a game against Montreal.
    1964 - With the help of a fresh three inch cover of snow, the temperature at Ely, NV, dipped to 15 degrees below zero to establish an all-time record low for the month of November. That record of -15 degrees was later equaled on the 19th of November in 1985.
    1965--CAPTAIN ED W. FREEMAN Medal of Honor
United States Army; for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
     1965-MARM, WALTER JOSEPH, JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant (then 2d Lt.), U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). place and date: Vicinity of la Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 20 November 1941, Washington, pa. G.O. No.: 7, 15 February 1967. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. 1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all 4. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. 1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. 1st Lt. Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
    1965 - US government sent 90,000 soldiers to Vietnam.
    1965--CRANDALL, BRUCE P. Medal of Honor
Rank and Organization: Major, U.S. Army, Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and dates: Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. Place and date of birth: Olympia, Washington, 1933. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. On the fourth troop lift, the airlift began to take enemy fire, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the next troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry batallion desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall's voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. Major Crandall's daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
    1966 - Boxing’s largest indoor crowd assembled in the Houston Astrodome to see Cassius Clay defeat Cleveland Williams -- by a TKO. 
    1967 - The Monkees received a gold record for "Daydream Believer". 
    1967-Brave and reportedly well-liked Major General Bruno Arthur Hochmuth, commander of the 3rd Marine Division, was killed at Hue, Vietnam, when ground fire downed the helicopter in which he was a passenger. Two American pilots, an American crew chief, and a Vietnamese interpreter were also killed in the crash.
    1969- Apollo 12, a space milestone launched this date. This was the second manned lunar landing—in Ocean of Storms. First pinpoint landing. Astronauts Conrad, Bean and Gordon visited Surveyor 3 and took samples. Earth splashdown November 24.
    1969---Top Hits
Wedding Bell Blues - The 5th Dimension
Come Together - The Beatles
Baby It’s You - Smith
To See My Angel Cry - Conway Twitty
    1970-Birthday of Dana William Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers, born, Cleves.OH.
    1970--Santana's "Black Magic Woman" is released.
    1972- the Dow-Jones Index of 30 major industrial stocks topped the 1,000 mark for the first time.
    1972 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``I Can See Clearly Now,'' Johnny Nash.
    1974 - A storm produced 15 inches of snow at the Buffalo, NY, airport, and 30 inches on the south shore of Lake Erie.
    1975 - "They Just Can’t Stop It (The Games People Play)" became a gold record for the Spinners. Their other hits include "Then Came You" (with Dionne Warwicke), "Could It Be I’m Falling in Love", "The Rubberband Man", "Working My Way Back to You", "Cupid", "It’s a Shame" and "I’ll Be Around" -- for Motown. 
    1977---Top Hits
You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
Boogie Nights - Heatwave
It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me - Barry White
More to Me - Charley Pride
    1981 - Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant tied the record of Amos Alonzo Stagg for most football wins. The Alabama Crimson Tide notched win #314 for Coach Bryant. Alabama beat Penn State, 31-16. 
    1981 - For the second week in a row, Daryl Hall and John Oates owned the top spot on the pop music charts with "Private Eyes".
    1982 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Up Where We Belong,'' Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes. The single wins an Oscar as the theme of ``An Officer and a Gentleman.'
    1985—Top Hits
Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
Head over Heels - Tears For Fears
You Belong to the City - Glenn Frey
Can’t Keep a Good Man Down – Alabama
    1986 - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Ivan Boesky would have to pay $100 million in fines and alleged profits to settle insider-trading charges against him. The settlement was just $6 million less than the entire S.E.C. budget for 1986. Until 1986, Ivan Boesky was one of wealthiest and most successful figures on Wall Street. But, after November 14, 1986, his name was inextricably linked with the scandal and corruption that engulfed the industry during the 1980s. After prison, Boesky divorced his wife and relocated to La Jolla, California. In contrast to Milken and others involved, Boesky has largely avoided public attention since the scandal, though he has surfaced to testify in still-unresolved legal proceedings. History is full of people who manipulated the system such as Enron, Worldcom, Kozlowski, to just a few recent ones.
    1986 - An early season cold wave set more than 200 records from the northwestern U.S. to the east coast over a seven day period. For some places it proved to be the coldest weather of the winter season.
    1986 - An early season cold wave set more than 200 records from the northwestern U.S. to the east coast over a seven day period. For some places it proved to be the coldest weather of the winter season.
    1987--- In an initially awkward but eventually moving live event, David Letterman convinces guest Cher to sing "I Got You Babe" just one more time with embittered ex Sonny Bono on his NBC-TV Late Night program. Both Sonny and Cher are left in tears, though no reunion is forthcoming.
    1987-- A major oldies revival crests today, when the soundtrack to the hit Patrick Swayze film Dirty Dancing -- set in 1963 and featuring many hits of the day -- rises to Number One on the Billboard charts.
    1988- "Murphy Brown" premiered on television. The series lasted ten years. The show often blurred the lines between reality and fiction by dealing with topical issues and including real-life journalists as guests stars playing themselves. Former Vice-President Dan Quayle made a major issue about the character Murphy Brown being an un-married mother. Set in Washington, DC, starred Candice Bergen starred in the title role, as an egotistical, seasoned journalist working for the fictitious TV newsmagazine show “FYI.” Also featured were Grant Shaud as the show’s high-strung producer, Miles Silverberg (later replaced by Lily Tomlin), Faith Ford as the former Miss America, Corky Sherwood (and later Miles’ bride), Joe Regalbuto as Murphy’s neurotic friend, reporter Frank Fontana, Charles Kimbrough as “FYI”’s uptight anchorman, Jim Dial and Pat Corley as Phil, owner of the local watering hole. Colleen Dewhurst appeared as Murphy’s mother and Robert Pastorelli appeared as Eldin Bernecky, perfectionist housepainter and aspiring artist (he left the series for his own show). The show often blurred the lines between reality and fiction by dealing with topical issues and by including real-life journalists as guest stars playing themselves. The series ended with the May 31,1998 episode.
    1987 - The "Dirty Dancing" movie soundtrack was the number one album in the U.S. It was number one for a total of eighteen weeks. The remainder of the top-five that week: 2)-"Tunnel of Love" (Bruce Springsteen); 3)-"Bad" (Michael Jackson); 4)-"Whitesnake" (Whitesnake); 5)-"A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (Pink Floyd).
    1988 - A massive storm produced snow and gusty winds in the western U.S., with heavy snow in some of the higher elevations. Winds gusted to 66 mph at Show Low AZ, and Donner Summit, located in the Sierra Nevada Range of California, was buried under 23 inches of snow. Heavy rain soaked parts of California, with 3.19 inches reported at Blue Canyon
    1989 - Unseasonably warm weather prevailed east of the Rockies. Temperatures reached 70 degrees as far north as New England, and readings in the 80s were reported across the southeast quarter of the nation. Nineteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date. For the second time in the month Dallas/Fort Worth TX equalled their record for November with an afternoon high of 89 degrees. The high of 91 degrees at Waco TX was their warmest of record for so late in the season. Heavy snow blanketed parts of Wyoming overnight, with a foot of snow reported at Cody, and ten inches at Yellowstone Park.
    1993- head coach Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins won the 325th game of his career as the Dolphins defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 19-14. The victory moved Shula past George Halas as the “winningist” coach in NFL history. Shula concluded his coaching career in 1995 with a record of 347 wins, 173 losses and 6 ties.
    1994-Bill Gates paid $30.8 million for a sixteenth-century Leonardo da Vinci manuscript, which depicted the motion of water and the principles of the steam engine. Gates' bid tripled the existing price for similar items. Beating out Italian bidders who had pledged to bring the treasure back to its home in Italy, Gates promised to leave the manuscript on public display at least fifty percent of the time. The manuscript, last sold to the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center, had fetched a mere $5.6 million in 1980.
    2000 --Y2K countdown: 47 days, 2 hours, 43 minutes.
http://www.cpsr.org/program/y2k/
    2001- For the second time in his career, Seattle skipper Lou Piniella is named the American League Manager of the Year. 'Sweet Lou', the only person to appear on every ballot, guided to the Mariners to an historical 116 victories which tied 1906 Cubs as the winningest team in major league history. 
    2002-Nancy Pelosi became the 1st woman to lead a party in the US Congress after Democrats voted 177-29 in support of the liberal from SF.