Georgia Commercial Finance Disclosure Laws
Submitted to the Governor for Signature
By Marshall Goldberg, Esq., Leasing News Legal Editor

Georgia is the next state in line to pass financing disclosure laws similar to California and New York.  This month, a bill was passed by both the Georgia House and Senate proposing to amend Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia annotated to, among other things, provide for these disclosures.  The bill was sent to the Georgia Governor for signature on April 5, 2023, and if signed, it will cover commercial financing transactions consummated on or after January 1, 2024. 

“Commercial financing transactions” under the proposed law means a business purpose transaction for a loan or open-end credit plan or an accounts receivable purchase transaction.

The written disclosures must be provided at or before consummation of the transaction.  Information to be disclosed includes the total amount of funds to be provided, the total amount of funds to be disbursed after any deductions or withholding which must be itemized, the total amount owed to the lender, the total dollar cost of the financing, the manner, frequency and amount of the payments and, if there are variable payments, the manner, frequency, and estimated amount of the initial payment. Brokers may not assess, collect, or advance fees from a business to provide brokering services.

Disclosures are not required for commercial financial transactions that are $500,000 or more or by a lender that provides no more than five commercial financing transactions in the State of Georgia during a 12-month period. 

The following transactions and entities are exempt from the disclosure requirements: commercial leases as defined by Georgia UCC Code Section 11-2A-103, depository institutions and their affiliates, holding companies and their subsidiaries, Farm Credit Act regulated lenders, transactions secured by real property, purchase money obligations as defined in Georgia UCC Code Section 11-9-103, transactions where the recipient is a vehicle dealer or vehicle rental company or affiliate (and the loan or credit plan is for at least $50,000 or a similar transaction offered by a manufacturer or its related entity “captive finance company”) and licensed money transmitters.

Any person who violates the law shall be subject to a civil penalty, for all violations arising out of the same transaction, of $500 per violation, not to exceed $20,000.  Any person who violates the law after receiving notice shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation, not to exceed $50,000 documentation or materials.  The code section does not create a private right of action.

Other states with pending disclosure bills include Carolina, Connecticut, and Illinois.  New Jersey has been semi-active for perhaps three years. Disclosure laws in California, New York, Utah, and Virginia include MCA disclosure requirements.

Marshall Goldberg
Glass & Goldberg, A Law Corporation
22917 Burbank Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-4203
(818) 474-1532 Direct
(818) 888-2220 Main
(818) 888-2229 Facsimile
mgoldberg@glassgoldberg.com
www.glassgoldberg.com

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National Equipment Finance Association
2022 Year-End Membership

• Broker/Lessor - 209 companies
• Funding Sources - 73 companies
• Service Providers - 82 companies
• Industry partners - 6 organizations
• Toral – 370

Chad Sluss, MSA 
Executive Director / CEO
csluss@nefassociation.org
https://www.nefassociation.org

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Ed Davis was hired as National Director of Sales, Compass Equipment Finance, Clarendon Hills, Illinois. He is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Previously, he was Executive VP of Customer Relations, Business Capital Solutions, LLC (January, 2009 - April, 2023); Territory Account Manager, Commercial Credit Group (2005 - 2007); Field Sales and Auditing Specialist, Bombardier Capital (January, 2001 - June, 2004); Business Development Manager, Transamerica Commercial Finance (1994 - 2001).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-davis-20518111/

Bruce Hudson, CLFP, was hired as AVP of Operation North Mill Equipment Finance LLC., Norwalk, Connecticut.  He is located in the Greater Sale Lake City Branch.  Previously, he was F&I, Larry H. Miller Dealerships (April, 2003 - April, 2004).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-hudson-clfp-5859a01a/

Chris Johnson, CLFP, was hired as Senior Vice President, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.  He is located in the Memphis, Tennessee area. He previously was with ENGS Commercial Finance Co., that merged with Mitsubishi and other companies (January, in the position of Managing Director, Construction Division (2012 - April, 2023).
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnson03/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnson03/

Claire Nelson, CLFP, was promoted to Credit Officer at Amur, Grand Island, Nebraska. She joined Amur October, 2020, Credit Analyst, promoted Senior Credit Analyst, September, 2021. Prior, she was a Union Bank and Trust, starting October, 2014 as Personal Banker, promoted September, 2011, Assistant Branch Manager, promoted October, 2018, Branch Manager.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-nelson-clfp-7129a7138/

James Owings was promoted to AVP, IT Originations Platform, North Mill Equipment Finance, LLC, Norwalk, Connecticut. He joined North Mill November, 2022, Salesforce Administrator. He is located in Layton, Utah. Previously, he was Operations Manager, Aztec Financial (September, 2017 - January, 2022); Account Executive, MarketStar (August, 2008 - April, 2010)); Account Executive, Texas Instruments, DLP (August, 2007 - September, 2008); VBA, Eastern Canada, Marketstar (August, 2005- August, 2007).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesowings/

Brian Petrikonis was hired as Senior Business Development Manager, NewLane Finance, Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was Senior Business Development Manager, CAN Capital (November, 2022 - April, 2023). Prior, he was Sales Manager, NewLane Finance (May, 2018 - November, 2022); Business Development Manager, Marlin Business Services Corp. (April, 2016 - April, 2018).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-petrikonis-5a2b53130

Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted
Highly Trained Operation Staff/Work from Home
Excellent Compensation/Marketing Support

You Become What You Attract

The title of this article not only applies to those in sales, but to companies themselves, and perhaps to life itself.

In my experience, new sales individuals are attracted mostly to large lease transactions. They get off the track easily, especially if they have set themselves up on a quota or are in a lull. They think one large lease will make up from the lack of "regular" leases they have been advised to follow.

Sometimes it is the "bragging" or "feeling good about yourself" that may be the reason you are working on a very large deal. You tell your boss, your colleagues, your spouse, and others, about working on the large deal. Maybe it is the idea of the "big money" or being in the circle of "top executives" or the perhaps feeling you have arrived because "look at the big deal I am working on."

Most large ticket deals that you first stumble into do not go together as they are either not creditworthy, and thus the reason why you are working on it, or if they are creditworthy, by the time they place the order, they have gone with someone who has a much better rate. There is always someone with a better rate.

There is no convenience or ‘I am doing the lease because I like you.’ They will bid it out. Just like the old Wild West, there is always someone who is faster in the draw, especially if you are new to the game. However, most of the time the reason you are invited to work on the large transaction is they have nowhere else to go, and that is also where you will wind up.

This also applies to those in sales who rely on getting ten to fifteen points (or more) on a deal. They are not interested in cultivating a vendor or asking a customer for repeat business or cold calling. They want the deal that is almost impossible to put together, but somehow they do, or find someone who will do the lease. Sometimes it is the challenge, but in reality it is "I can make more money." All of a sudden, they find themselves boxed into this market and then it becomes not only the type of customer they find, but the type of customer that finds them.

The vendor who said he will send you all his business if you put this together--- what he sends you is the business his regular source that pays him a "spiff" can't do. You have become what you attract, the deals his regular leasing company can't do.

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Inflation Reaches Lowest Point
in Almost Two Years - Chart

Inflation in the U.S. cooled to the lowest point in almost two years in March as year-over-year price increases reached 5 percent. The last time a reading this low happened was May 2021. Compared to February, prices rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent - less than the month-on-month increases recorded in February and January. While food prices overall remained unchanged from the previous month and food at home fell by 0.3 percent, energy prices decreased by as much as 3.5 percent over the same time period (and 6.4 percent year-over-year.) However, some of the drop was offset by rising prices for housing, up by 0.6 percent since February and more than 8 percent since the same time last year.

In part due to the rise in housing cost, the core consumer price index reading (excluding food and energy) is now higher than the reading for all items. Food and energy are considered the more volatile items in the CPI - they rose fastest when inflation took off at the end of 2021, but are now also cooling faster, especially energy. At a press conference last month, Fed chairman Jerome Powell had made remarks that many took as a hint that the central bank's tightening cycle might soon be over. With the current reading, at least one more rate hike is expected next month. “The process of getting inflation back down to 2 percent has a long way to go and is likely to be bumpy,” the central bank leader was quoted as saying then.

Source:
Katharina Buchholz
Statista 

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$202 Billion Worth of Property
Impacted by Severe Spring Storms
By Kyle G. Horst, DS News

The recent outbreak of severe weather that crossed a large swath of the country reaching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico on April 4 was responsible for more than 200 tornado reports, large hail, and hurricane force winds.

According to CoreLogic’s Weather Verification System the storms damaged about 578,900 homes; the worst of the large hail fell in swaths across Iowa and Illinois.

In Iowa, three-inch hail was recorded in Clarke County, south of Des Moines. Scott County, which includes the city of Davenport, recorded two and three-quarter-inch hail.

In Illinois, three-inch hail fell in Fulton County, which is west-southwest of Peoria. Hail ranging in size from two-to-two and a quarter inches in diameter was recorded in DuPage and Kane Counties, both of which are west of Chicago.

All-in-all, CoreLogic believes that the total value of properties damaged, both single- and multi-family properties comes to $202.5 billion.

Allen Levine Celebrates 25 years
with Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Allen is an old friend, long time Leasing News Leasing Advisory Board Member, Leasing News writer of conference and activities, former editor of the Eastern Association of Equipment Leasing Newsletter.

He emailed he got a surprise:

“Not sure if you are interested. However, one additional twist to the article below. I did not know Anything about it or would have sent it to your first. I stopped running the company 4 years ago. I still work 50% +/- depending on time of year.

“History: Madison was a merger of two companies:

“Fox Valley Leasing (started by me-1974) and Harbor Leasing (started by Mark Caplan-1983). Our two companies merged in 1997.

“My company was mostly vehicles and Mark’s company was mostly equipment. Mark and I thought having financing for vehicles and equipment would be good, hence the merger. And, it was been great. While there were 30000 +/- banks in the US in early 1970, there are probably only 3000 +/-now. In short, both companies have antecedents to my original company. The 2 companies have antecedents headed into the 50th year. That is way better than ELFA’s story.

“Nancy (active in ELFA) became President after my run about 4 years ago. I am a partner and still service my data base headed into my 50th year.

“Madison’s history is a good legacy from its roots and still kicking. I cannot tell you how many banks said we would never make, and most them closed, were closed, or merged.

“So, I am proud of my and my company’s history.  Fifty years in the same company, through all types of business environments is no easy task.

“Take care.” 

 Allen

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Madison Capital Recognized for 25 Years of Membership
in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Today the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) recognized Madison Capital for 25 years of membership in the organization. ELFA is the premier trade association representing companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. Madison Capital recognized by Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Madison Capital offers its customers an unparalleled combination of service and financial expertise to meet their unique equipment and vehicle financing needs. With over 40 years of experience in the finance industry, the Madison team is dedicated to delivering personalized services tailored specifically to individual business requirements. Their use of state-of-the-art technology solutions ensures both speed and cost-effectiveness. Whether typical or unique – Madison is ready to power your success with solutions that help you get the financing you need quickly and easily.

As a member of ELFA, Madison Capital joins forces with other leading companies in the equipment finance sector. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation across the U.S. The association’s 575+ members include independent and captive equipment leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. ELFA exists to provide member companies a platform to promote and advocate for the equipment finance industry, including attracting and developing new and diverse talent; a forum for professional development and training; and a resource that develops information about, and for, the industry.

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta congratulated Madison Capital on achieving 25 years of membership and thanked the company for its participation in and many contributions to the association and industry.

“Since its founding in 1961, ELFA has united the equipment finance industry under one umbrella to learn, do business and advocate for equipment finance and its important role in the U.S. economy,” said Petta. “Over the years, member companies have evolved and innovated to meet changing customer needs. This speaks to the strength and resilience of our industry as it equips American businesses to succeed and prosper. We congratulate all the companies celebrating milestone membership anniversaries in 2023.”

About Madison Capital
Madison Capital is one of the longest running continuously operating independents in the equipment and vehicle finance industry, with more than 40 years of experience.

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ELFA Announces In-Person
 and Virtual 2023 Legal Forum, May 7-9
Association recognizes members of its Legal Committee

 

Washington, D.C. – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association today announced the agenda for its 2023 Legal Forum and recognized the members who are serving on the 2023 ELFA Legal Committee. New this year, the Forum is offered both in-person on May 7-9 in Fort Myers, Florida and virtually at a special discounted virtual rate of $295. Attendees will receive 12.0 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit + 1.0 Ethics Credit.

R. Scott Adams, Chair of the ELFA Legal Committee, which plans and hosts the Forum, said, “Whether you’ve been to every Legal Forum or if this is your first, you won’t want to miss the excellent programming and opportunities to learn and develop with other colleagues from the equipment finance industry.

“This is a welcoming group that will help newcomers deepen their knowledge and relationships.  The amount of change facing our industry continues to compound with respect to regulation and complexity of transactions, and the Legal Forum helps attendees address those challenges together.”  

The 2023 Legal Forum will provide attorneys serving the equipment finance industry with critical updates on legal issues, practical takeaways for their daily practice and comprehensive discussions of key market segments. Breakout sessions and roundtables will cover a wide range of hot topics, from UCC to clean energy to bankruptcy and much more. General Sessions will include the popular Legal Update, as well as focus on 1071, ethics, DEI and more. In addition, a variety of networking opportunities and a trivia competition are planned.

Planning Committee
ELFA recognized the members of the 2023 Legal Committee who are helping to plan the Legal Forum, including:

• R. Scott Adams, Vice President Legal & Compliance, North America, Volvo Financial Services (Committee Chair)
• Vincent Borst, Shareholder, Robbins DiMonte, Ltd.
• Jennifer Crastz, Partner, Hemar, Rousso & Heald, LLP
• Jeanette Dannenfelser, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Summit Funding Group, A First Financial Bank Company (Immediate Past Chair)
• Alexandra Dressman, CLFP, Counsel - Senior/Assistant Vice President, Huntington Equipment Finance
• Julia Gavrilov, Partner, Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP
• Arlene Gelman, Shareholder, Vedder Price P.C.
• Barbara Goodstein, Partner, Mayer Brown LLP
• Robert Hornby, Member of the Firm, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
• Brian Kestenbaum, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.
• Alexis Levine, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
• Dominic Liberatore, Deputy General Counsel, DLL (Subcommittee Chair)
• David Miele, Esq., Chief Administrative Officer, Citizens Asset Finance, a division of Citizens Bank, N.A.
• Molly Simon, CLFP, Senior Legal Counsel, DLL
• Mary Ann Stathopoulos, Esq, Senior Corporate Counsel, Cisco Systems Capital Corporation

More Information
The agenda and registration details for the ELFA Legal Forum are available at www.elfaonline.org/events/2023/LF/

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. ELFA has been equipping business for success for more than 60 years. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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Watch at Home
by Fernando Croce, Leasing News Movie Reviewer

A perennially underrated screen presence, Stella Stevens (1938-2023) could always be counted on to enhance her films with beauty, emotion and good-natured humor. So check out our list for some of her most memorable roles.

Too Late Blues (1961): Stevens is touchingly paired with singer-turned-actor Bobby Darin in this criminally underseen drama, the second feature by legendary independent director John Cassavetes (“A Woman Under the Influence”). Darin plays “Ghost” Wakefield, the leader of a struggling jazz band who, despite life’s hardships, refuses to give up on his dreams. One night at a party he meets gifted but timid singer Jess (Stevens), and a romance quickly blooms. But can their bond survive the interference of Wakefield’s ruthless manager Benny (Everett Chambers), as well as the despair that pervades life in the big city? Revealing the romantic streak behind Cassavetes’ hard-boiled persona, the movie is an evocative snapshot of Los Angeles in the early 1960s, and a portrait of broken characters coming together for emotional music.

The Nutty Professor (1963): The classic tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde goes slapstick in this uproarious comedicupdate from director-star Jerry Lewis. Hopelessly clumsy and bashful, college professor Julius Kelp (Lewis) has always failed when dealing with women. Determined to impress the beautiful Stella (Stevens), he hits the gym in hopes of building up his muscles. When that fails, Julius turns to chemistry and whips up a potion that transforms him into his opposite number—a brash, oily lounge lizard called Buddy Love. Fluctuating between his two very different halves, he struggles to findnot just love but also wholeness. Filled with inventive gags and memorable routines, this is one of Lewis’ most personal and revealing films, and in Stevens he has a first-rate straight woman.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963): A master of the Golden Age musical, director Vincente Minnellibrings his masterful control of color and mood to thischarming family comedy, which carriesunexpecteddepths of melancholia. The eponymous Eddie is a 6-year-old boy (played by future Oscar-winning director Ron Howard) who takes it upon himself to play matchmaker for his widowed father, Tom (Glenn Ford). His first choice, Dollye (Stevens, in a scene-stealing turn), turns out to have different romantic plans. The sophisticated Rita (Dina Merrill) doesn’t get along with Eddie, while the divorcee next door, Elizabeth(Shirley Jones), risks going unnoticed. Made with Minnelli’s customary style and sensitivity, this suburban heart-warmer (which would be later spun off into a popular TV sitcom) brims with laughs and poignancy.

The Silencers (1966): Dean Martin made his debut as swinging secret agent Matt Helm in this tongue-in-cheek spy adventurefrom veteran director Phil Karlson (“Walking Tall”). Enjoying a retirement filled with glamorous models, Helm is summoned back to his old organization to save the world once more. Tung-Tze (Victor Buono), mastermind of the nefarious Big-O cabal, plans to trigger nuclear war with a well-placed missile dropped in New Mexico. To stop him, Helm must make his way through a maelstrom of deadly gadgets and comely women—ranging from double agent Tina (Daliah Lavi) and sultry dancer Sarita (Cyd Charisse) to bumbling bystander Gail (Stevens). The first of four movies starring the character, this is easily the best one thanks largely to the humor Stevens brings to it.

The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970): Stevens had one of her best roles in this surprisingly lyrical Western from Sam Peckinpah, who’s better known for brutalclassics like “The Wild Bunch.” Cable Hogue (Jason Robards) is a prospecting loner who, while left behind in the desert, discovers water and sets out to create a business offering refreshment to passing stagecoaches. Helped by a lecherous pastor named Joshua (David Warner), he runs a successful establishment but his coarse ways get him into trouble with Hildy (Stevens), the radiant and headstrong prostitute he falls in love with. Addressing his favorite theme (the twilightof the rugged Wild West) in a more relaxed, tender and humorous register, this is one of the most appealing films from the legendary “Bloody Sam.”

Fernando Croce is a nationally recognized film reviewer and has been contributing to Leasing News since the summer of 2008. His reviews appear each Friday.

German Shepherd
Westlake Village, California  Adopt-a-Dog

Buddy

Male
Eight Months Old
Medium size
Bicolor: Black, Yellow,
Tan/Blonde/Fawn
Neutered
Coat Length: Short
Good in a Home with
Other dogs, casts, children
Characteristics: Friendly, Loyal,
Affectionate, Gentle, Playful smart
Brave, Curious, Funny, Athletic,
Loves Kisses

MEET BUDDY!

Buddy is an 8 month old German Shepherd. He is a medium sized pup!
Buddy is GREAT with KIDS, CATS, and DOGS!! He is a HAPPY and LOVING boy that would do well in ANY family. BUDDY is a SWEET boy!! He is GREAT on a leash and LOVES going on walks! He is currently potty training and is learning so fast. He would make an EXCELLENT companion for a hiker or runner!! ADOPT BUDDY today!

Bubbles Dog Rescue
Westlake Village , CA
info@bubblesdogrescue.org
https://bubblesdogrescue.org/

Application:
https://bubblesdogrescue.org/dog-adoption-application/

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Leasing News Advisor Emeritus
Ken Greene, Attorney

Ken Greene
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
ken@kengreenelaw.com
Alternate: kengreenelaw@outlook.com
www.kengreenelaw.com

Ken is recovering from a fairly recent cancer of the kidney operation, back at his law office, continuing to work as legal editor of the American Association of Commercial Finance Business.  He continues to write articles for the AACFB’s Dealmaker Magazine, plus contributes articles to deBanked.com, Monitor Daily, and SFNet.  He served as Legal Editor for Leasing News for many years.

He says he has never felt better in his life.

Ken is an attorney with his own law firm, the Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene. He was involved in the formation of Leasing News, Inc. and represented it (pro bono) in the early days. Ken is currently based in Southern California. He began his leasing career with BankAmerilease in 1981. He has been a partner in several law firms including Ross & Ivanjack, one of the first law firms in the country devoted exclusively to the equipment finance industry.

Ken served as corporate counsel to a leasing company and a real estate development company, and then was a partner in a major Universal City law firm before opening his own firm in Westlake Village, California in 2013. The new firm continues representation of equipment finance companies and lenders, lessors and brokers, in contract review and preparation, litigation, bankruptcy, licensing, compliance and transactions. He also represents small businesses and individuals in an advisory capacity, as well as litigation, bankruptcy, transactions, contract, and corporate matters, and many entities and individuals in the entertainment industry.

Ken has been associated with the American Bankruptcy Institute, California Bankruptcy Forum, Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors (“EAEL”), Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (“ELFA”—formerly the Equipment Leasing Association), and National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) (formerly NAEL, UAEL, and, once upon a time, WAEL). He has served on the Board of Directors of that association and has been its Legal Committee Chairman, Legal Line Editor, Regional Committee Chair, and Conference Chairman. He is currently General Counsel for the American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (formerly the “National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers”) and has spoken at conference panels several times.

Ken has served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, the Mountain Play Association in Marin County, California, and the Marin Symphony Orchestra Association. He has been active in musical theater at the school and community levels. He produces and curates music at the Westlake Village Inn, primarily at Bogies, as well as Borderline in Agoura Hills, and is very active in the Conejo Valley music community. Ken is also committed to producing benefit concerts for worthy causes like Ukraine relief, cancer, equine healing, and more. 

Ken is also co-owner and a director at 2200 Studios (fka The Record Plant) in Sausalito, CA In 2019, an iconic and historic recording studio which gave birth to some of the most renowned albums of all time, including Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors,” Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” and many more. He is counsel to and a director at Alert the Globe, Inc., an audio video company that films and broadcasts music performances online from around the world. He also works with scientists and cancer groups to assist in these causes.

Ken received his B. A, at Brandeis University, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, graduating cum laude. He received his J.D. at Santa Clara University in 1980, also graduating with honors.
Mr. Greene has been a frequent writer on matters of leasing law and other related legal issues. He is an acknowledged contributor on bankruptcy issues to Miller & Starr, California Real Estate 2d (Bancroft Whitney). He has lectured on leasing law and documentation, compliance, litigation, licensing, disclosure law, and collection matters, and has created and presented seminars to leasing companies on enhancing the attorney-client relationship. He has also taught nationally for Euromoney Lease Training.

Ken’s passions, besides music, include family, travel, yoga, cooking, hiking, reading, golf, crossword puzzles, the Yankees, cigars, fine food, fine wine, and more. He lives in Moorpark, California with his wife Barbara and their son Alex, who is a graduate of Cal Lutheran and is working in the field of video game design, and is also an actor, singer, voiceover artist and songwriter.

His daughter, Gigi, graduated UC Irvine and is employed at Service Titan as an event planner and diversity leader. She has her own photography business (PhotoGGraphy) and is Ken's "spirit animal" when it comes to music. In his “spare” time, Ken plays keyboards with several Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area bands, and plays and records with other local artists. He recently performed "We're Not Gonna Take It" with his old band mate and buddy Dee Snider at the Concert for Ukraine which he produced, and just finished recording a couple of songs for an upcoming off-Broadway show.

News Briefs---

In shocking reversal, mortgages proved poor
    investment for banks that lost money on home loans
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/real-estate/2023/04/13/banks-making-loss-on-mortgages/11655704002/

Biggest Drop for Small Business
    Credit Availability in Over 20 Years
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/inside-credit-crunch-biggest-drop-small-business-credit-availability-over-20-years

NFL approves use of helmet designed
    to reduce concussions for quarterbacks
https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/04/nfl-approves-use-of-helmet-designed-reduce-concussions-for-quarterbacks.html

What Happened When the IRS Got Audited
    Obsolete software. Archaic code. Tech so old it makes the typical member of Congress look young. The IRS has an IT problem.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/tax-irs-technology-gao-report-1dcdc87?st=onsk5pli778966e&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

‘Hey, I Am a Human.’ In Sales, the People Are Battling the Chatbots
    Artificial intelligence can’t close sales as well as people can, but that could change
https://www.wsj.com/articles/artificial-intelligence-sales-jobs-workers-127289f3?st=zn2u55utggk8ds2&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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You May Have Missed---

Bank Turmoil Squeezes Borrowers,
     Raising Fears of a Slowdown
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/10/business/economy/bank-economy-credit-crunch.html

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Sports Briefs---

Dan Snyder Nears $6 Billion Deal to Sell Washington Commanders to Josh Harris
https://www.wsj.com/articles/dan-snyder-sell-washington-commanders-josh-harris-6c9f98f6?st=24kdbx8h5ih454m&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

The Biggest Question for Every NBA First-Round Series
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/4/13/23681573/nba-playoffs-preview-series

The Sale of the Commanders Is Good for the NFL. Unfortunately, It’s Also Good for Dan Snyder.
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/4/13/23682445/washington-commanders-sale-dan-snyder-josh-harris

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California News Briefs---

Is First Republic and Silicon Valley Bank fallout hurting the Bay Area real estate market?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/article/silicon-valley-first-republic-17889773.php

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Gimme that Wine

 

North Coast vintners slow the brisk grape
    buying activity to gauge 2023 crop size
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/north-coast-vintners-pause-brisk-grape-buying-activity-to-gauge-2023-crop-s/

Los Gatos: Michelin-starred Manresa’s wine
collection going up on the auction block
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/04/05/los-gatos-michelin-starred-manresas-wine-collection-going-up-on-the-auction-block/

Renowned Winemaker, Ashley Hepworth, Launches
Comprehensive Wine Consulting Practice
https://napavalleyregister.com/community/star/news/st-helenas-hepworth-launches-wine-consultancy/article_15be5990-d302-11ed-b998-530629f0b546.html

North Coast vintners slow the brisk grape
buying activity to gauge 2023 crop size
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/north-coast-vintners-pause-brisk-grape-buying-activity-to-gauge-2023-crop-s/

Los Gatos: Michelin-starred Manresa’s wine
collection going up on the auction block
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/04/05/los-gatos-michelin-starred-manresas-wine-collection-going-up-on-the-auction-block/

Renowned Winemaker, Ashley Hepworth, Launches
Comprehensive Wine Consulting Practice
https://napavalleyregister.com/community/star/news/st-helenas-hepworth-launches-wine-consultancy/article_15be5990-d302-11ed-b998-530629f0b546.html

This Day in American History

    1621 - Myles Standish, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims, was unanimously chosen military captain of the colony.
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/deetz/Plymouth/standishwill.html
    1631 - The first militia was formed by the Court of Assistants of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Boston, MA, which ordered “that there shall be a watch of 4 kept (every) night at Dorchester and another of 4 at Watertown, the watches to begin at sunset.”
    1724 - Birthday of Lyman Hall (d. 1790) at Wallingford, CT.  Signer of the Declaration of Independence. When the war reached Savannah, Hall's property was burned and he stood accused of high treason. He fled to Charleston, which was also overtaken by the British. http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/hall.http://www.lyman-hall.com/ htm
    1770 - The British government moved to mollify outraged colonists by repealing almost all of the Townshend Acts. Initially passed in the summer of 1767, the Townshend Acts were the British government's fiscal and political play to maintain its power over the American colonies. The bills, named after their sponsor, Charles Townshend, not only suspended America's uppity body of representatives, but also levied a controversial package of revenue taxes, including duties on paint, paper and tea. While English leaders viewed colonial control as a historically justified stance, Americans were of a far different mind: they believed the acts smacked of undue meddling. This sent the colonies into a heated, and sometimes violent, frenzy of protest. America's outrage eventually prompted the British to roll back all of the acts and revenue duties, save for the now infamous tea tax.
    1776 - Halifax resolution for independence was adopted by North Carolina.  The first Declaration to form an independent Union started with a resolution adopted by the Provincial Congress of North Carolina at Halifax, NC, authorizing the delegates from North Carolina to the Continental Congress to vote for a Declaration of Independence.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr12.html
    1777 - Birthday of Henry Clay (d. 1852), statesman, born at Hanover County, VA. Was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and later became the leader of the new Whig party. He was defeated for the presidency three times. 
http://www.henryclay.org/
    1811 - The first settlers to reach the Pacific coast left New York City on September 6, 1810, on the S.S. Tonquin, a 290-ton vessel captained by Jonathan Thorn. They rounded Cape Horn on December 25, 1810, landing on April 12, 1811, at Cape Disappointment, WA, a promontory at the mouth of the Columbia River. The enterprise was sponsored by John Jacob Astor.
    1858 - Salt Lake City offers an uneasy welcome to Alfred Cummings, its first non-Mormon governor, which signals the end of the so-called "Utah War." The Mormon acceptance of a gentile governor came after more than a year of tensions and military threats between the U.S. government and Brigham Young's Utah theocracy. Sometimes referred to as the Utah War, this little-known conflict arose out of fundamental questions about the autonomy of the Mormon-controlled territory of Utah. Was Utah an American state or an independent nation? Could the Mormon Church maintain its tight controls over the political and economic fate of the territory while still abiding by the laws and dictates of the United States? Mormon citizens began manufacturing arms and ammunition in preparation for war. Much to the embarrassment of the Buchanan administration, severe weather and the Nauvoo Legion's scorched earth tactics initially stymied the federal troops. After a hard winter spent at the burnt out shell of Fort Bridger, the American force prepared to make another attempt to push through the Wasatch Mountains and down into Salt Lake. By this time, Young was ready for peace, but he remained so distrustful that he ordered some 30,000 people to abandon Salt Lake and other northern settlements and make an unnecessary retreat southward. When Cummings finally arrived in Salt Lake on this day in 1858, the city was nearly deserted. Young peacefully relinquished the governorship and all of his other governmental roles, agreeing to become solely the spiritual leader of Utah Mormons. In exchange, Buchanan gave all Utah residents a blanket pardon for any involvement in the conflict. Several months later, two brigades of American soldiers established Camp Floyd south of Salt Lake City, the largest garrison in the nation until the Civil War. With the threat of a bloody conflict diminished, Mormon refugees began returning to their homes. Though tensions between the Mormons and the federal government continued for decades, the Utah War ended the dream of a Mormon state geographically and politically separated from nonbelievers. Henceforth, Utah Territory was clearly a part of the American union, and it was granted full statehood in 1896.
    1859 - The first billiard match to attain international fame was played in Detroit between Michael Phelan of New York City and John Seereiter of Detroit for the championship of the world and a $415,000 purse. Phelan, known as the “father of billiards,” won the championship by a score of 2,000 against his competitor's 1,904. The best run made by Phelan was 129 points. The game was played on a 6-by-12 four-pocket table with four balls. Pushing and crouching were allowed.
    1861 - After months of escalating tension, Major Robert Anderson refused to evacuate Fort Sumter at Charleston, SC. Confederate troops under the command of General P.T. Beauregard opened fire on the harbor fort at 4:30 AM (the first gun was fired by Edmund Ruffin, a 67-year-old Virginian) and continued until Major Anderson surrendered on Apr 13. No lives were lost despite the firing of some 40,000 shells in the first major engagement of the American Civil War.
    1861 - The same morning, off Charleston, SC, the side-wheeler Harriet Lane fired a shot across the bow of the merchantman steamer Nashville to force it show its colors. The Nashville hoisted a U.S. ensign and was allowed to proceed, even though it was a Confederate ship. The Harriet Lane, 270 feet long with a 22-foot beam, had been built by William Henry Webb in 1857 as a Treasury Department revenue cutter and was transferred to the Navy in 1858. It was named after a niece of President James Buchanan and was the first federal steamer named for a woman. On January 1, 1863, the Harriet Lane was captured by Confederate forces in Galveston Bay, after desperately resisting boarding parties from four rebel ships.
    1864 - Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest's Confederate raiders attack the isolated Union garrison at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, overlooking the Mississippi River. The fort, an important part of the Confederate river defense system, was captured by federal forces in 1862. Of the 500-strong Union garrison defending the fort, more than half the soldiers were African-Americans. After an initial bombardment, General Forrest asked for the garrison's surrender. The Union commander refused, and Forrest's 1,500 cavalry troopers easily stormed and captured the fort, suffering only moderate casualties. However, the extremely high proportion of Union casualties--231 killed and more than 100 seriously wounded--raised questions about the Confederates' conduct after the battle. Union survivors' accounts, later supported by a federal investigation, concluded that African-American troops were massacred by Forrest's men after surrendering. Southern accounts disputed these findings, and controversy over the battle continues today. The enlistment of African-Americans into the Union army began after the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and by the war's end 180,000 African Americans had fought in the Union army and 10,000 in the navy.
    1867 - Birthday of Johnny Watson (d. 1963), also known as “Daddy Stovepipe,” Mobile, AL
    1877 - The catcher's mask is used in a baseball game for the first time.
    1883 - Birthday of Imogen Cunningham (d. 1976), pioneer photographer of plants and portraits, at Portland, OR.
    1892 - George C. Blickensderfer of Stanford, CT received a patent for a portable typewriter.
    1892 - Jazz clarinetist Johnny Dodds (d. 1940) birthday, Waveland, MS.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/jdodds.html
    1900 - Joseph Bohomiel “Joe” Lapchick (d. 1970), Basketball Hall of Fame player and coach, was born at Yonkers, NY. Lapchick played basketball for pay from an early age. In 1923, he joined the original Celtics, one of the greatest pro teams of any era. The Celtics revolutionized the game with Lapchick as the great center. He began coaching at St. John's University in 1937, left for the New York Knicks in 1947, and returned to St. John's in 1957.  The Celtics were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1959, and Lapchick followed as an individual in 1966.
    1906 – Johnny Bates of the Boston Beaneaters became the first modern player to hit a homer in his first Major League at-bat, when he connected in the 2nd inning against Brooklyn Superbas pitcher Harry McIntire.
    1908 - A fire that began in a dump in the Chelsea section of Boston, Massachusetts spread through the community and ignited oil tanks on the Chelsea Creek, eventually rendering 17,000 people homeless.
    1913 - Jazz vibraharpist and bandleader Lionel Hampton (d. 2002) was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He is best known for his association with Benny Goodman, and for leading his own big band. Hampton was with the Goodman quartet for the legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert, where his performance on such tunes as "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Avalon" established him as a major jazz soloist. Hampton put together his own band after leaving Goodman in 1940, leading an orchestra on and off for more than 30 years. The Lionel Hampton band's theme song was "Flying Home."
    1915 - Birthday of guitarist “Hound Dog” Taylor (d. 1975), Natchez, MS.
http://www.zicline.com/semaine16/houndog.htm
    1917 - Singer Helen Forrest (d. 1999) was born in Atlantic City, NJ. http://www.davidmulliss.com.au/HelenForrest/helenforrest.htm
    1924 - Birthday of Canadian dance band vocalist Lorraine McAllister (d. 1984), in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was long associated with her husband Dal Richards's Vancouver orchestra.
    1926 - Birthday of Andrew “Blueblood” McMahon (d. 1984), Delhi, LA.  McMahon played blues and hillbilly music in Mississippi and worked with Bukka White in Memphis, Tennessee
    1926 - Smith Wildman Brookhart, Republican of Iowa, was ousted by the US Senate of a vote of 45-41. A recount of the votes in the election had proved the winner to be Daniel Frederic Steck, the Democrat candidate, who served from April 12, 1926 to March 3, 1931.
    1927 - An F5 tornado wiped Rock Springs, Texas "off the map." 235 of the town's 247 buildings were completely destroyed. The tornado was over 1 mile wide when it passed through the town. 74 people were killed.
    1930 - Birthday of vocalist Bob Lee, Tuscaloosa, AL
    1930 - Herbert Khaury (d. 1996), better known as Tiny Tim, was born in New York City. With his ukulele and his squeaky falsetto voice, he became the most successful novelty act of the 1960's. "Tip Toe Through the Tulips," a Top-20 hit in 1966, is the Tiny Tim record most people remember. He died of a heart attack on November 29th, 1996, after performing his signature song at a benefit in Minneapolis.
    1933 - Ruth Bryan Owen, is appointed U.S. envoy to Denmark, the first woman to represent the US as a foreign minister.
    1934 - The highest-velocity natural wind ever recorded occurred in the morning at the Mount Washington, NH, Observatory. Three weather observers, Wendell Stephenson, Alexander McKenzie and Salvatore Pagliuca, observed and recorded the phenomenon in which gusts reached 231 miles per hour--"the strongest natural wind ever recorded on the earth's surface." The 50th anniversary was observed at the site in 1984, with the three original observers participating in the ceremony
    1934 - F. Scott Fitzgerald's “Tender Is the Night” is published, but the novel about rich expatriates is unenthusiastically received during the Great Depression.
http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/biography.html
    1939 - Woody Herman cuts “Woodchopper's Ball.”
    1940 - Pianist/composer Herbie Hancock born Chicago, IL
http://www.herbie-hancock.com/
    1944 - John Kay, leader of Steppenwolf, was born Joachim Krauledat in Germany. Steppenwolf began as a Toronto-based band called the Sparrow in 1964. The group moved to the US in 1966 before splitting up in 1967. Kay then formed Steppenwolf, using some of the members of the Sparrow. The name Steppenwolf is taken from the Herman Hesse novel. Steppenwolf had a dozen hits in the late '60s and early '70s, the biggest of which were "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride." The original band broke up in 1972. After bogus groups began performing under the Steppenwolf name, John Kay reformed the band in the 1980s.
    1945 - ERWIN, HENRY E., (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force. Place and date: Koriyama, Japan, 12 April 1945. Entered service at: Bessemer, Ala. Born: 8 May 1921, Adamsville, Ala. G.O. No.: 44, 6 June 1945. Citation: He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.
    1945 - *HASTINGS, JOE R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 386th Infantry, 97th Infantry Division. Place and date: Drabenderhohe, Germany, 12 April 1945. Entered service at: Magnolia, Ohio. Birth: Malvern, Ohio. G.O. No.: 101, 8 November 1945. Citation: He fought gallantly during an attack against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from the dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly missed him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open, rolling fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy troops. From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun, drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and so successfully shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran 150 yards with his gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the 40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack, he advanced, firing his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his intrepidity, outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to wipe out the formidable German opposition, cleared the path for his company's advance into Drabenderhohe. He was killed 4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.
    1945 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, on the 83rd day of his fourth term, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, with the love of his life with him (no, it wasn't Eleanor).  Vice-President Harry S. Truman was sworn in as President the next day.  Roosevelt, 32nd president of the US, was the only president to serve more than two terms--- he was elected to four consecutive terms.

    1945 - Antlers, Oklahoma was leveled by an F5 tornado. 600 buildings were destroyed and 700 were damaged. 69 people were killed and 353 were injured. This disaster would have commanded national and local attention if it was not overshadowed by the death of President Roosevelt. Even nearby local newspapers had more information on the president than the tornado.
    1947 - David Letterman Birthday, born Indianapolis, Ind.
http://www.intac.com/~fredman/letterman/bio.htmlhttp://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow//
    1950 - Top Hits
“If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake” - Eileen Barton
“Music, Music, Music” - Teresa Brewer
“Peter Cottontail” - Gene Autry
“Long Gone Lonesome Blues” - Hank Williams
    1952 - Buddy Morrow records “Night Train.”
http://www.buddymorrowproductions.com/
    1955 - The Kansas City Athletics, transplanted from Philadelphia, opened their first season in their new home by defeating the Detroit Tigers, 6-2, at Municipal Stadium. The A's finished the year in sixth place with a record of 63-91. They never won a pennant in Kansas City and moved to Oakland after the 1967 season.
    1954 - Bill Haley and His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock" for Decca Records. The song was recorded at the Pythian Temple, “a big, barn like building with great echo,” in New York City. "Rock Around the Clock" was formally released a month later. Most rock historians feel the tune, featured in the 1955 film "Blackboard Jungle", ushered in the era of rock 'n' roll. It hit number one on June 29, 1955 and stayed there for eight weeks, remaining on the charts for a total of 24 weeks. The record has now sold over 25,000,000 copies and it is believed to be the second-best selling recording after “White Christmas.”  Haley's recording 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.  In 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."  "Rock Around the Clock" is often cited as the biggest-selling vinyl rock and roll single of all time. 
    1955 - The polio vaccine developed by American physician Dr. Jonas E. Salk was "safe, potent and effective." Incidence of the dreaded infantile paralysis, or poliomyelitis, declined by 95 percent following introduction of preventive vaccines. The announcement of the discovery of a vaccine against polio, was made on the ten year anniversary of the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from complication of the disease, his deteriorating illness kept from the public for perhaps up to two years as others ran the government. With the end of the World War II only months away, the nation and the world were stunned by the "sudden" death of the President shortly into his fourth term of office.   
    1957 - Alan Freed's “Rock 'n' Roll Easter Jubilee” opens for a ten-day run at Brooklyn Paramount. Buddy Knox, Charlie Gracie and Bo Diddley are also included on the show.
    1958 - Top Hits
“Tequila” - The Champs
“He's Got the Whole World (In His Hands)” - Laurie London
“Book of Love” - The Monotones
“Oh Lonesome Me” - Don Gibson
    1961 - At the third annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Ray Charles wins three trophies, including Best Pop Single for "Georgia On My Mind." Marty Robbins took home a statue for Best Country and Western Performance for "El Paso."
    1963 - Police use dogs and cattle prods on peaceful civil rights demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama.
    1963 - Bob Dylan performs a spectacular concert at Town Hall in New York, which is recorded for a never-released live album on Columbia
    1964 - Arnold Palmer won his fourth Masters title and became the first golfer to make career earnings of $506,496
    1966 - The Atlanta Braves brought Major League baseball to the South but lost their regular season opener, 3-2, to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 12 innings. The Braves finished the season in fifth place with a record of 85-77. They won the first division pennant in 1969.
    1966 - Top Hits
“The Ballad of the Green Berets” - SSgt Barry Sadler
(“You're My”) “Soul and Inspiration” - The Righteous Brothers
“Daydream” - The Lovin' Spoonful
“I Want to Go with You” - Eddy Arnold
    1966 - Jan Berry, a classmate of mine at University High School in Los Angeles and half of the hit making surf-rock vocal duo, Jan & Dean, runs his Corvette into a parked truck on L.A.'s Whittier Boulevard,  just a short distance from Dead Man’s Curve in Beverly Hills, two years after the song had become a hit. Berry suffers total physical paralysis for over a year as well as extensive brain damage which makes it nearly impossible to return to performing. They do give it a try in 1973 but are not well received. He was never the same as before the accident.  The pair started their hit streak in 1958 with "Jennie Lee" and followed with "Baby Talk," "Surf City," "Sidewalk Surfin'," "Drag City," "Dead Man's Curve," "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" and "Popsicle."  Jan's accident ended their career as hit makers, although they attempted a comeback in 1978 after the TV biographical movie, “Dead Man's Curve.”  Berry died in 2004.
   1967 - Ray Piecuch, a cowboy poet from New Hampshire, completed his yearlong 3,500 mile ride across country on his horse, Bo, with a champagne celebration at Baker Beach, San Francisco.
    1967 - "Busted," a benefit for the SF Mime Troupe, included
Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Moby Grape Andrew Staples, The Loading Zone, at Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco
    1969 - After scoring a series of instrumental hits in the early 1960s including "Walk Don't Run" and "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue," The Ventures were back on Billboard's Hot 100 for the last time with the theme from the TV show, “Hawaii Five-0.”
    1969 - The Fifth Dimension score their first #1 and their eighth Billboard Top 40 hit with "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In."
    1974 - Top Hits
“Sunshine on My Shoulders” - John Denver
“Hooked on a Feeling”- Blue Swede
“Bennie & The Jets” - Elton John
“A Very Special Love Song” - Charlie Rich
    1981 - First flight of shuttle Columbia. Two astronauts (John Young and Robert Crippen), on first manned US space mission since Apollo-Soyuz in July 1976, spent 54 hours in space (36 orbits of Earth) before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Apr 14.
   1982 - Top Hits
“I Love Rock 'N Roll” - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“We Got the Beat” - Go-Go's
“Make a Move on Me” - Olivia Newton-John
“Big City” - Merle Haggard
    1983 - Harold Washington is elected the first black mayor of Chicago.
    1985 - The first US Senator to fly in space was Jake Garn, Republican Senator for Utah, who joined the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery as a “congressional observer” when the shuttle lifted off from Cape Canaveral, FL, on April 12, 1985. A former Navy pilot, Garn had taken several months of astronaut training. Another senator, John Herschel Glenn, Jr., of Ohio, was an astronaut in the 1960's, before he entered politics.
    1985 - Key West, Florida set a new record for April rainfall in a 24-hour period as 6.06 inches of rain were recorded, eclipsing the previous record of 6.04 inches which fell on April 29, 1941. In addition, the heavy rainfall shattered the old record for this date set back in 1931 when 1.49 inches of rain fell. 
    1987 - “21 Jump Street” premiers on TV. Youthful big city cops busted crime in the local schools and colleges in this Fox police drama. Starred Johnny Depp as Tom Hanson, Holly Robinson Peete as Judy Hoffs, Dustin Nguyen as H.T. Ioki, Peter DeLuise as Doug Penhall, Frederic Forrest as Captain Jenko, Steven Williams as Captain Adam Fuller and Richard Grieco as Dennis Booker. It was one of the Fox network's early hits.
    1987 - Larry Mize, 28, hit a miracle shot -- a 140-foot chip -- to win the Masters golf title in Augusta, GA. Mize defeated Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros in a playoff.
    1988 - Sonny Bono succeeds in his bid to become mayor of his hometown, Palm Springs, CA.
    1989 - Twenty-two cities in the south central and eastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, WV with a low of 15 degrees, and Baton Rouge, LA with a reading of 37 degrees.
    1990 - Top Hits
“Love Will Lead You Back” - Taylor Dayne
“I'll Be Your Everything” - Tommy Page
“All Around the World” - Lisa Stansfield
“Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” - Randy Travis
    1993 - The Grateful Dead sang the national anthem before the San Francisco Giants' home opener at Candlestick Park.
    1996 - The Detroit Red Wings set a National Hockey League record by winning their 61st regular season game, 5-3, over the Chicago Blackhawks. The previous record was held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens. Detroit finished the season with 62 wins, 13 losses and 7 ties.
    1996 - Duluth, Minnesota recorded 1.7 inches of snow on this day to raise its seasonal snowfall total to 132.8 inches -- its snowiest winter on record. The old record was 131.6 inches set back in 1949-50.
    2000 - In San Francisco, the North Beach Playground and Pool was renamed the Joe DiMaggio North Beach Playground and Pool. The Recreation and Park Commission voted 20 years earlier to rename the park after DiMaggio.
    2008 - With her latest single, "4 Minutes," Madonna beats Elvis as the artist with the most al-time Top Ten Hits on the Billboard charts (37).
    2010 - One-inch diameter hail falls in Fresno, CA. Two condominiums are destroyed by thunderstorms in California's San Joaquin Valley. Up to three funnel clouds were also seen in the region.
    2013 - Macy's lost its dispute with JC Penney over the exclusive right to sell unbranded housewares designed by Martha Stewart in its stores.
    2014 - Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. was ranked the highest-paid U.S. executive for the second year in a row; Ellison's 2013 compensation of $78.4 million is more than twice that of runner-up Robert Iger of Walt Disney Corp, with $34.3 million.
    2014 - Researchers announced a new orally-administered drug that may cure Hepatitis C; 90 percent of patients in trials were declared free of the virus after 12 weeks.
    2015 - Jordan Spieth, age 21, wins the Masters golf tournament, tying Tiger Woods' record-setting 72-hole score of 18 under par at the course in 1997.

NBA Champions:
1954 - Minneapolis Lakers
1958 - St. Louis Hawks