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Thursday, February 24, 2022

Today's Leasing News Headlines

AACFB 2022 Conference 54 Exhibitors
  "Navigating the Future"  May 11 -13
     Charlotte, North Carolina
New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
Leasing and Finance Industry Ads
    We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now!
Where Africa's Oil Flows Free - Graphic
    African Countries with Highest Production Volume
Canada Set to Launch First In-Airport Marijuana Retail Store
    Perhaps Other Canada Airports to Follow
Introducing Leasing News Advisor
    Don Myerson
TransUnion to acquire Verisk Financial
    Services for $515 Million
TopMark Funding Celebrates Record-Setting 2021
    After Robust Q4 Performance
OnDeck Recognized as a Best Small Business Loan
    of 2022 by Forbes Advisor
Watch at Home: House of Gucci, Nightmare Alley,
  Kimi, Parallel Mothers, A Hero
    New Streaming Releases Chosen by Fernando Croce
Husky/Mixed
    Burlingame, California Adopt-a-Dog
Why I Became a Certified Lease and Finance Professional
   Russell Wilder, CLFP, EVP, Chief Credit Officer
     Atel Capital Group, Inc.
News Briefs---
Cummins to Buy Meritor for $3.7 Billion,
     Accelerate Fleet Electrification
Postal Service finalizes plans to buy
     mostly gas-powered delivery vehicles

You May have Missed---
Malicious software said to be deleting data
from hundreds of computers in Ukraine

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (wrilter's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months
www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org
Leasing News Icon for Android Mobile Device

Sports Brief----
 California Nuts Brief---
   "Gimme that wine"
    This Day in History
     SuDoku
      Daily Puzzle
       GasBuddy
        Weather, USA or specific area
         Traffic Live----
          Wordle

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


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54 Exhibitors Up-to-Date

4 Hour Funding
360 Equipment Finance
AACFB Benefits
American Capital Group
American Lease Insurance
AMUR Equipment Finance
Ascentium Capital LLC
AvTech Capital LLC
Balboa Capital
Bankers Capital
BankFinancial Equipment Finance
Banleaco
Baystone Government Finance/KS StateBank
Blue Bridge Financial
C.H. Brown Co. LLC
Channel
CLFP Foundation
Commercial Funding Partners LLC
Corporate Freight Savers/Discounted Overnight Envelope Air Labels
CreditBench Powered By BayFirst
Dedicated Funding, LLC
Entegra Capital LLC
Equipment Leasing Group of America, LLC
FileInvite
Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc.
First Business Bank
First Federal Leasing
First Foundation Bank
FirstLease
Fountainhead Commercial Capital
Global Financial & Leasing Services LLC
instaCOVER
MAKO Equipment Finance
Marlin Capital Solutions
Maynards Capital
Meridian Equipment Finance
Navitas Credit Corp.
NCMIC/Professional Solutions
NewLane Finance
North Mill Equipment Finance LLC
North Star Leasing
Orange Commercial Credit
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
Providence Equipment Finance, a Division of Providence Bank & Trust
Quality Leasing Co., Inc.
ROK Financial
SCJ Commercial Financial Services
SLIM Capital LLC
SLS Financial Services
The Monitor
TradeRiver USA
Universal Finance
VFI Corporate Finance
Y.E.S. Leasing

Contact info@aacfb.org for more information about becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor.

Agenda at a Glance
https://annualconference.aacfb.org/agenda/at-a-glance

Speakers:
https://annualconference.aacfb.org/agenda/speakers

Registration and Fees:
https://annualconference.aacfb.org/registration

Sheraton Charlotte Hotel
(Cut Off Date April 19 or until block is full info
https://annualconference.aacfb.org/travel-hotel/about-hotel918740


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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Lou Altobelli was promoted to Chief Sales Officer (CSO), Dext Capital, Lake Oswego, Oregon.  He is located in Roselle, Illinois. He joined the firm October, 2018, as National Sales Manager, Direct and Retail. Previously, He was Vice President of Sales, Healthcare Finance, Siemens Financial Services (December, 2013 - August, 2018); Director, Sales Market Leader Healthcare, CIT (November, 2011 - December, 2013); Vice-President, Business Development, US Bank Equipment Finance (April, 2008 - November, 2011), Relationship Manager, GE Healthcare, GE Healthcare Financial Services (March, 2003-April, 2007), National Sales Manager, Healthcare, HPSC, Inc. (June, 2002 - March 2003), VP-Director of Sales Healthcare, American Express Business Finance (April, 1999 - June, 2002), Director of Sales & Business Development (Healthcare Group), GE Vendor Financial Services (January, 1997 - April, 1999), Vice-President of Sales, Healthcare, Trans Leasing (March, 1981 - March, 1996). Norther Illinois University BS, Management (1978 – 1980). Activities and Societies: Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-altobelli-a9b4929/


Ryan Bohlert was hired as Managing Director of Originations Stonebriar Commercial Finance, New York, New York. Previously, he was at SLR Equipment, joining August, 2016 as Vice President, Syndications, promoted January, 2019, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets and Syndications. Assistant Treasurer, Inside Sales and Commercial Finance Operations, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (February, 2016 - August, 2016). He joined Terex Corporation January, 2013, as Operations Specialist, promoted July, 2014, Financial Sales Manager, Construction; Financial Consultant, AXA Equitable (May, 2012 - November, 2013). Education: University of Connecticut, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance and Management, Dual Concentration: Finance and Management (2014 - 2017). Molloy College, Bachelor's Degree, Business Management (2007 - 2011).  Activities and Societies: Molloy Men's Lacrosse Team. Freshman Class President 2007.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-bohlert-56661789/


Clifton Shiuh Jiun Cheng was hired as Senior Underwriter Associate, Enova International, South Jordan, Utah.  He is located in Washington District, Columbia, United States.  Previously, he was at OnDeck, starting January, 2016, Credit Analyst, promoted September, 2017, Underwriter. Financial Analyst (Contractor), Intelsat (November, 2015); Research Intern, the Wicks Group (May, 2015 - August, 2015); Union Analyst, Pacific Wire and Cable Co., LTD (PEWC) (March, 2013 - June, 2013); Internship, IBM (July, 2011 - September, 2011). Languages: Chinese, English). Volunteer. Institute for the Blind of Taiwan (February, 2009 - June, 2009). Education: The George Washing University, Master of Science (MS), Finance, general (2013 - 2015). Activities and Societies: George Washington University TSA (Taiwanese Student Associations). Fu Jen Catholic University, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Information Management (2007 - 2011. Yen-Ping High School (2004 - 2007). https://www.linkedin.com/in/clifton-shiuh-jiun-cheng-14749069/


Sara Hammann was hired as Business Development Representative, KLC Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota. She is located in Hibbing, Minnesota. Previously, she was Vice President Lender, First National Bank of Chisholm (April, 2021 - February, 2022); Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Roseau (September, 2019 - November, 2020); Business Bank Officer, American Bank of the North (October, 2016 - 2018). She joined U.S. Bank January, 2012, as Personal Banker II, promoted November, 2014, Small Business Specialist; Personal Banking Specialist, Bremer Bank (August, 2011 - October, 2012); Personal Banking Officer, Wells Fargo (June, 2010 - August, 2011). Volunteer: Habitat for Humanity, Grand Rapids, Minnesota (Built houses with Habitat). Education: Capella University, Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) Finance and Financial Management Services. MBA Commercial Lending School, Certificate, Commercial Lending (2016). Augsburg University (2007 - 2009).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-hammann-521bb646/


Cassie Monroe was hired as Senior Director of Sales and Business Development, HMF Capital Group, New York City, New York. She is located in Brooklyn, New York. Previously, she was Senior Director of Business Development and Sales, CLK Financial and Recovery Services (January, 2016 - January, 2022); ISO Relations Managers, 24 Capital (September, 2017 - May, 2018); Sales Representative, Small Business Capital Solutions (March, 2016 - August, 2017). https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassie-monroe-b61384126/


Chris Miller was named Senior Managing Partner, Shearwater Global Capital, Atlanta, Georgia.  He joined the firm October, 2104, as Managing Partner. Previously, he was at Guggenheim Aero Finance, joining May, 2007, promoted Managing Director, Business Aircraft Investments Guggeheim Aero Finance Company.  Managing Partner, LeadCorps (January, 2004 - April, 2008); Executive vice President, Board Member, Mckinney Rogers (February, 2003 - March, 2004); Senior Vice President, Workstream, Inc. (September, 2001 - May, 2002); CEO, Funder, 6FigureJobs.com (March, 1998 - May, 2002). Capitan, FA-18 Pilot, USMC (May, 1988 - March, 1996). Certifications ASA Senior Aircraft  Appraiser, United Latino Students Association, Credential ID 97748. Volunteer, Mentor for Transitioning Military Personnel, The COMMIT Foundation. Education: Columbia University, City of New York, MBA (May, 1996 - February, 1998). Denison University, BA,  Psychology (1984- 1998). Activities and Societies: Phi Delta Theta, Rugby, Lacrosse, inter Fraternity Council.  New Canaan High School (1980 - 1984). https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-miller-804b50/


Daniel Perron was hired as Account Executive/Equipment Finance, LBC Capital, Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Previously, he was Senior Client Partner, Advisory Services, BDC (March, 2008 - February, 2022): Managing Partner & Founder, DSX Capital & Consulting, Inc. (January, 2106 - February, 2018); Ambassador, Montreal, 2PS (July, 2016 - April, 2017); Managing Partner, Henley & Partners Canada (October, 2012 - December, 2015); Director and Head of Global Investor Immigrate Services (GIIS), HSBC (September, 2011 - October, 2013); Director, Global Immigrant Investor Services (GIIS), HSBC Trust Company (Canada) (July, 2009 - September, 2011); Assistant Vice President, Leasing Equipment Finance) for Eastern Canada, HSBC (2001 - June, 2009); Business Development Officer, Corporation Alter Moneta (January, 1998 - June, 2001); International Officer, National Bank (1990 - 1993). Education: Universite du Quebec a Montreal. Activities and Societies: Investment Migration Council; International Referral (private client steering committee); the International Tax Planning Association. Universit due Quebec a Montreal.  Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielperrondsx/

David Scoular was hired as Senior Credit Underwriter, Atlantic Union Equipment Finance, Atlanta, Georgia.  Previously, he was Director of Finance, Prevost (February, 2016 - February, 2022); Territory Manager, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (August, 2014 - February, 2016); Vice President, Region Credit Portfolio Manager, SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp. (August, 2012 - August, 2014); NAPA Loan Program Manager, SunTrust Bank (July, 2011 - August, 2012); Vice President, Charabanc Financial Services, Inc. (2002 - June, 2011); Credit/Syndication Manager, equipment Finance Corporation (2000 - 2002). He joined Textron Finance Corporation in 1994 as Senior Credit Analyst, promoted 1994, Regional Sales Manager, promoted 1994, Investment Control Analyst.  Credit Manager, Electrical Insulation Supplies (1994); Credit analyst, Orix Credit Alliance, Inc.(1991 - 1994). Education: Marshall University, BBA, Finance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-scoular-b8b1008/


Kathryne Ann Smithson was hired as Credit Analyst, People's United Equipment Finance ?Corp. f/k/a/ Financial Federal Credit, Inc., Houston, Texas. She is located in Austin, Texas. Previously, she was at 360 Equipment Finance, starting June, 2017, Business Development Manager, promoted July, 2019, Credit Manager. Prior, she was Accountant, Financial Analyst Program, Southern Western University, starting April, 2015; promoted April, 2016, Statistician, Financial Analyst Program. Treasurer, Philanthropy Chair, Apparel Chair, Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, Lambda Chapter (January, 2014 - May, 2017); Tutor, Self-Employed (August, 2013 - May, 2017); Research and Development/ Project Management Intern, AIB, Inc. (May, 2015 - July, 2016); Math and SAT/ACT Tutor College Nannies and Tutors (January, 2015 - June, 2015); Math Instructor, Mathnasium, The Math Learning Center (May, 2014 - August, 2014).  Volunteer: BIG Event, Southwestern University (2014 - 2016). Bilingual Kindergarten Mentor, Mitchell Elementary (January, 2015 - May, 2015).  Education: Southwestern University. Bachelor of Arts (BA), Business & Mathematics 3.82. Activities and Societies: Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Beta kappa Honor Society, Pi Mu Epsilon Math Honor Society, Financial Analyst Program, Dance & Spirit Team, HEAT, Paideia, Global Health Research Cluster.  IES Abroad, International Business and Mathematics (2014).  Katy High School. 4.69 (2009 - 2013). Activities and Societies: Bengal Brigade Dance Team, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Peer Mentors, UIL Math Calculator Applications Team. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynesmithson/


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Help Wanted Ads


 

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While the move away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable alternatives is well on the way in many industry sectors, the world as of now still relies heavily on crude oil for the production of different fuel types, plastics and wax. In 2020 alone, countries around the world produced 4,165 million metric tons of oil. The continent of Africa was responsible for 327.3 million metric tons, netting it fifth place worldwide after the Middle East, North America, CIS and the Asia Pacific region including China. As our chart shows, its oil production hotspots are mainly situated in countries with coastlines, with Nigeria taking the top spot.

According to data from BP's yearly report, the Western African nation produced more than a quarter of the whole continent's oil production, which translates to 86.9 million metric tons. This stands in stark contrast to Nigeria's reputation of fostering major technology hubs like Lagos, showcasing the divide between a more traditional, oil-based economy and a more progressive one. This divide, however, is not unique to African countries: Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose economies still rely mainly on fossil fuel production, are also aiming to restructure their economy into a future-proof one. Taking the second spot in oil produced as well as oil exported is Angola with 64.5 million metric tons and 1.3 million barrels, respectively.

Overall, oil production around the world in 2020 has gone done by 7.2 percent year over year. The decrease is especially harsh in OPEC countries, where 12.5 percent less oil was produced. When it comes to the most lucrative oil companies, Chinese corporations occupy the top spots. The state-run Sinopec generated roughly $332.7 billion in revenue in 2021, with PetroChina coming in second with $309 billion. Taking third place is U.S.-based Exxon Mobil with annual revenue of $181 billion this past year.

By Florian Zandt, Statista


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Canada Set to Launch First In-Airport Marijuana Retail Store
Perhaps Other Canada Airports to Follow

British Columbia’s Prince George Airport may soon host the first in-airport marijuana store in the world. Owen Ritz, the cofounder of Copilot, which is the retail brand that’s spearheading this project, revealed that its airport terminal store would be open by the beginning of summer after store construction was completed and further approvals required from the government were received.

In a recent interview, Ritz explained that cannabis was a product that some individuals used to relieve stress and, given that travelling was a stressful experience, the store’s presence would benefit customers who were looking to buy cannabis products and potentially consume them before they travelled. He added that other potential customers included curious travelers who ordinarily wouldn’t visit a marijuana store or travelers who wanted to pick up some products before they headed to their final destination.

In the interview, Ritz also revealed that he and Reed Horton, the cofounder of Copilot, first pitched the retail concept to the airport a couple of years ago, which earned them the authority’s support and approval. However, this was before the coronavirus pandemic when the regional single-terminal airport served about half a million travelers.

The cannabis retail store will be located in a central point, between the security checkpoint and the check-in hall. The store will not sell its products to airline staff or airport staff on shift. It will also not sell its products to travelers with final destinations or international transits.

Additionally, air travelers will be allowed to legally bring marijuana on domestic Canadian flights. While the airport remains a nonsmoking zone at the moment, plans are underway to create a designated marijuana consumption area for the responsible consumption of marijuana products. This will be similar to what has been done in the Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver airports.

Copilot’s goal is to create a travel-focused brand that focuses on travel and cannabis. In the future, the company hopes to produce and sell products that specifically cater to the needs of travelers rather than ordinary commodity marijuana products. The company is primarily focused on Canada, as the United States still federally prohibits marijuana, despite most states legalizing the herb for recreational and/or medical use.

With regard to duty-free sales of cannabis, Ritz notes that the possibility of duty-free airport marijuana sales in the future is an opportunity more than it is a risk.


 

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Don Myerson
President
BSB Leasing, Inc.
7800 S. Elati St., Suite 201
Littleton, Colorado 80120
dmyerson@bsbleasing.com
800-945-3372 Ext. 336

Don Myerson is the President and founder of BSB Leasing, Inc., and brings over 37 years of industry experience. BSB Leasing, Inc. headquartered in Denver, Colorado was started in 1982 as a broker shop. It was acquired by UniCapital Corporation in 1998 and re-acquired by Myerson and his management team in 2000.

In addition to his role at BSB Leasing, Inc. Mr. Myerson is a Managing Member and co-founder of Mintaka Financial, LLC, a small ticket funding source based in Gig Harbor, Washington, a co­founder and Board Member for Orion First Financial, LLC., a loan and leasing servicing company which provides underwriting, contract servicing and collection services to banks and independent financial institutions.

Don and his wife Dolly and 4 kids split their time between the island of Kauai and the mountains of Colorado. Passions include family travel, and camping and hiking all over the world.

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TransUnion to acquire Verisk Financial
Services for $515 Million

The acquisition train just keeps gaining steam throughout the automotive industry.

The latest momentum builder arrived when TransUnion said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Verisk Financial Services, the financial services business unit of Verisk, in a $515 million deal with cash on hand; to close in the second quarter.

Verisk Financial is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., serving clients in more than 40 markets around the world. Officials added that the Argus business — a long-standing strategic partner of TransUnion — represents approximately 65% of Verisk Financial revenue and is home to the core data asset.

TransUnion noted that Verisk Financial’s leading business — Argus Information & Advisory Services — provides proprietary competitive portfolio performance insights sourced from a consortium of financial institutions, which complements TransUnion’s ability to help participating customers understand consumer behavior through a “full wallet view.”

Around the core Argus business, Verisk Financial has added capabilities to address merchant fraud, regulatory compliance and consumer bankruptcy for financial institutions around the world.

In 2021, Verisk Financial generated $143 million of revenue and $41 million of adjusted EBITDA before corporate allocations and one-time discrete costs, or 29% margin. Verisk Financial is expected to grow revenue low-single-digits in 2022, which TransUnion expects to accelerate to high-single-digits in 2023 and into the low-double-digits in 2024 as part of the combined company.


Transunion Chief Executive Officer Chris Cartwright, said,  “Verisk Financial is a distinctive business with authoritative, differentiated data, particularly from Argus’s consortium of lender-contributed data and analytics. TransUnion’s broad range of data, analytics and technology enhances Verisk Financial’s existing data set and expands their addressable market while delivering valuable innovation to members of the consortium”

With the acquisition of Verisk Financial, TransUnion explained that it intends to provide enhanced insights and solutions to help consortium members increase financial inclusion, acquire new accounts, and improve fraud prevention, risk management and targeting through better application of solutions like CreditVision and CreditVision Link.

Source: Subprime Auto Finance News


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

TopMark Funding Celebrates Record-Setting 2021
After Robust Q4 Performance


Continued Momentum and Focus on Commercial
Vehicle Funding in Q4 2021 Makes 2021

TopMark Funding is reporting a record-setting year in the company’s history for 2021. The full details are below but here are a few of the key highlights from the company’s banner year and a look ahead to this year. 

  1. TopMark finished ahead of its 2021 annual goal by 19%
  2. TopMark closed 2021 with performance on an annualized run rate set to exceed $144M in volume
  3. 2022 will bring continued growth for the company specifically through expanded geographic expansion and evolving technology

TopMark Funding is the top funding destination for commercial vehicle dealerships and small to midsized fleets, closed 2021 with a goal-breaking quarter helping to build on the momentum of a tremendous year and deliver results that make 2021 the company’s highest-performing year in its seven-year history.

In Q4 2021, TopMark Funding exceeded its revenue goal by 38%. Revenue in Q4 2021 was up 3 times year over year and the company finished ahead of its 2021 annual goal by 19%. A strong fourth quarter, despite industry talent shortages and limited truck inventory, is attributed to both increased commercial vehicle transportation needs as the country settles in to its new normal and TopMark continues to develop and build an impactful team, systems and approach to serving the transportation marketplace.  

In addition, earnings continue to be stronger than anticipated with Q4 coming in at a net profit margin up 125% from forecast. Additionally, TopMark closed the year with an increased volume (Total Amount Financed) of 2.3 times year over year performance. The company exited 2021 with performance on an annualized run rate set to exceed $144 million in volume.


Managing Director and Co-Founder Evan Lang, said, “The success that TopMark experienced in 2021 couldn’t be realized without the dedication and commitment of the senior operational and sales talent.

“We know that our clients are receiving better funding solutions from the TopMark team, and we are excited to expand our service and impact on both the client the dealership segments in 2022.” 
In 2021, the company found success defining itself as the best-in-class employer for senior equipment finance sales professionals and centering its business on growing dealer relationships.

These are key areas that you can expect to see more of from the company in the coming months. As the organization turns its attention to 2022, TopMark Funding is laser-focused on growth through geographic expansion, a continued emphasis on talent and evolving innovation in its technology to better serve its clients and partners. The company is aggressive in its outlook for continued expansion over the next twelve months. 

About TopMark Funding
TopMark Funding, LLC, is a premier funding partner for dealerships, specializes in financing commercial vehicles, and can effectively and efficiently handle dealer transactions. Founded in 2015, the company has a proven track record of helping transportation companies expand by offering strategic funding solutions for growing small and mid-sized fleets. With a laser focus on speed, accuracy, and unmatched customer service, TopMark Funding and its dedicated team actively assist dealers in financing $12 million of commercial vehicles each month.

Careers Available:
https://www.topmarkfunding.com/about-topmark-funding/careers

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



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

OnDeck Recognized as a Best Small Business Loan
of 2022 by Forbes Advisor

NEW YORK / -- OnDeck, a part of Enova International, has been selected as a Best Small Business Loan in 2022 by Forbes Advisor, a trusted destination for money and business news, reviews and a product marketplace. The small business lender received 4.5 stars in the category Short Term Loans. Forbes Advisor selected OnDeck amongst 15 lenders based on 16 data points: loan cost, loan details, customer experience, eligibility and accessibility, and application process.

OnDeck was recognized as the best short term lender for its variety of business lending products and same day funding. Small businesses can apply in ten minutes from the comfort of their home or office with a team of loan advisors to help determine the best fit.

OnDeck, America's largest online small business lender, has nearly 15 years of experience providing small businesses with over $14 billion in online financing that meets the individualized needs of each business. Forbes Advisor provides consumers with financial advice and objective coverage on financial topics.


Jim Granat, Senior Vice President at Enova and Co-Head of OnDeck, commented, “Our fast and easy application process helps customers achieve success on their own terms. Small businesses trust Forbes Advisor's expertise and turn to them for honest, transparent advice. We believe providing our customers with personal support through every step of the application and funding process is a necessity and what differentiates OnDeck from other lenders."

More information on OnDeck's small business financing options can be found at OnDeck.com. The Forbes Advisor Best Small Business Loans list can be accessed at www.ForbesAdvisor.com.

About OnDeck
OnDeck®, a brand of Enova International, is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small businesses. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners. OnDeck has provided over $14 billion in loans to customers in 700 different industries. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is rated 4.8 stars by Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.

About Forbes Advisor
Forbes Advisor is a trusted destination for unbiased money and business advice, news and reviews, dedicated to helping consumers make smart decisions and choose the right products with ease. For more information about Forbes Advisor, visit www.forbesadvisor.com.

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

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Watch at Home:
Fernando's View

From cautionary tales and operatic melodramas to paranoid thrillers and stylish noir visions, new streaming releases have a little something for every audience’s mood.

A Hero (Amazon Prime): Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (“A Separation”) offers another piercing human portrait with this astute, powerful morality tale. Recently released from prison on a temporary leave, Rahim (Amir Jadidi) sets out to start a new life. Determined to regain his status and dignity, he comes up with a plan for selling gold coins found by his new girlfriend, Farkhondeh (Sahar Goldust). When things don’t go as expected, however, he goes another, more unstable route by presenting himself as a selfless hero who’s looking for the true owner of the treasure. This earns him localcelebrity status, but in no time the charade starts to crumble. Strikingly dissecting individual and society alike, Farhadi’s cautionary drama hums with tension, poignancy, and subversive humor. With subtitles.

House of Gucci (Vudu, Amazon Prime): Following his first-rate medieval drama “The Last Duel,” veteran director Ridley Scott analyzes a different type of skullduggery in this lavish take on the real-life scandal surrounding the Gucci fashion empire. Beginning in the late 1970s, the decade-spanning story centers on Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), a middle-class young woman who meets Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), one of the heirs of the haute-couture business. They get married, against the wishes of Maurizio’s father (Jeremy Irons) but with the blessing of his uncle (Al Pacino), who’s happy to see Patrizia’s ambitious savvy. The intrigue thickens with betrayal, scandaland, eventually, murder. Scott brings a stately sheen to the piquant theatrics, enhanced by the game cast—especially Lady Gaga and, in a fascinatingly off-the-wall turn, Jared Leto.

Kimi (HBO Max): The unstoppable Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic”) continues his run of predictably unpredictable gems with this pandemic-set thriller, which explores themes of technology in our modern world. Zoe Kravitz is terrific as Angela Childs, a tech worker who, due to her intense agoraphobia, spends all of her days anxiously holed up in her Seattle apartment. Her work consists of fixing coding errors detected by a program named Kimi, and during one of these recordings Angela sees what may be evidence of a violent crime. Determined to bring matters to light, she must face doubting authorities as well as her own crippling fear to step outside of her house. Mixing elements from “Rear Window” and “Blow Out,” Soderbergh’s brisk and suspensefulfilm amply showcases the director’s giftfor canny inventiveness.

Nightmare Alley (HBO Max, Hulu): Guillermo del Toro follows up his Oscar-winning “Shape of Water” with this mordant, stylish remake of the film noirthrillerfrom 1947. Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) is a down-on-his-luck conman who, working as a carny, becomes involved with clairvoyant Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her husband (David Strathairn). Though he’s attracted to fellow carnival performer Molly (Rooney Mara), he sets his ambitious sights on wealthy customers, whom he hopes to swindle using his bogus mesmeric talents. Soon he falls in with upper-crust psychiatrist Lilith (Cate Blanchett), and pushes his luck with dangerous people. Applying his fascination with grotesque beauty to the increasingly sinister plot, del Toro fashions a darkly juicy spiral. Cooper’s seedy commitment is matched by a cast that also includes Willem Dafoe and Ron Perlman.

Parallel Mothers (Amazon Prime): A provocateur turned humanist, Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar (“All About My Mother”) re-teams with Penelope Cruz for this masterful melodrama, which contemplates the often mysterious bonds between parents and children. Cruz stars as Janis, a Madrid photographer who meets teen-aged Ana (Milena Smit) at a hospital when both women are about to give birth. They decide to keep in touch afterward, sending news about each other’s babies. Time passes and their paths cross, as personal tragedies and revelations alternately threaten and enforce their friendship. Into their story,Almodovar deftly weaves a study of Spain’s dark past and how it can still affect the present. Filmed in the director’s trademark lush style, this is a gorgeous, moving vision of healing, vibrant maternal emotions. With subtitles.

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Husky/Mixed
Burlingame, California Adopt-a-Dog


Storm

Pet ID#A907006
Female
44 lbs.
Up-to-date with Vaccines
Medium Coat
Spayed

Storm here! I'm a four year old, spayed female, 44 pound, Husky mix and I ready to electrify your life! My name may be Storm but I'm more of a quiet storm. I like to take my time while getting to know new people; much like a cat, you have to earn my love. I can be an affectionate girl, but true to my husky nature, I also need my space sometimes. Another thing us huskies need is lots of walks with sniffing and exploring opportunities. My ideal home would be with someone that is familiar with Nordic breeds, who understand reserved dogs like me. Since I'm a timid girl, I would also do best in a home without very small children. As you can see in my photos, I really love to run around the yard, it makes me feel happy and free! I can play with other dogs as long as they are respectful of my space, I'm a dainty player. I also prefer male dogs rather than females. If you are a husky lover, and you're ready to share your home with me, please follow the instructions bellow!

If you are interested in meeting with me, please submit your fully completed Adoption Profile Form to adoptinquire@peninsulahumanesociety.org and an adoption counselor will call you to conduct a phone interview before making an appointment to meet in person. You must be 18 or older to submit an application. Please make sure to include in the application that you are interested in meeting me, Storm ID# A907006.

Application: https://phs-spca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AdoptionProfiles_dog2021b.pdf

*The application may not work on mobile devices and iPads. Please call (650) 340-7022 for assistance.

To adopt an animal please call 650-340-7022 for an appointment or submit your adoption profile to adoptinquire@phs-spca.org . Please allow at least an hour if you think you might be adopting a pet.  Adoption hours are subject to change due to COVID-19.

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
Tom & Annette Lantos Center for Compassion
Administration • Adoptions • Education • Wildlife
1450 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
650-340-7022 phone | 650-685-8428 fax

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Why I Became a Certified Lease and Finance Professional

Russell Wilder
EVP, Chief Credit Officer
ATEL Capital Group, Inc.

At the time I took the exam, it was 1990 and then it was known as the Certified Lease Professional Foundation. The CLP designation was pretty new. I had been an active attendee to many WAEL (Western Association of Equipment Lessors -now known as National Equipment Finance Association) events from 1985-1989 when I ran a small ticket leasing operation for Fireside Thrift Co., which was and still is, primarily a consumer lending outfit.

About the middle of 1989, Fireside's ownership structure was changed. What was formerly a subsidiary of Teledyne, Inc. became a subsidiary of a new holding company spun off from Teledyne that had a bunch of finance and insurance firms Teledyne had acquired over the years. Shortly thereafter, the senior honchos at the new holding company parent visited Fireside's headquarters where my office was located and discovered that the largest branch (in terms of loans on the books) of Fireside Thrift was in fact a business equipment financing operation. As there were some recent changes in our regulatory environment from the state, as part of some refocusing of Fireside's operations, it was decided to shut down my operation as my operation was like a square peg trying to fit into a pegboard with round holes.

After my severance from Fireside Thrift at the end of 1989 and spending a couple of months trying to find a new job, I started laying the groundwork to become a lease broker. As Fireside Thrift had exited the business, they let me take the entire contact list of every lessee we had ever dealt with in the nearly five years I was there so I thought I would have a good start on the marketing side. At the time, I thought having the CLP designation would give me more credibility in developing potential funding sources at least, if not my customer base. I signed up to take the CLP exam.

Back then, the CLP Handbook had not been developed yet but WAEL did run a one or two day cram course for the exam and I flew down to southern California to take it. Today they have a three day academy, plus the CLFP Handbook to study beforehand. Don’t get me wrong, the cram course was a very useful course, especially on the use of the HP 12C. While I had by then been in the equipment financing and leasing industry twelve years on the credit, documentation, collection and other operations end, I had never been on the sales side and really had very little experience doing lease pricing as I had mostly just been "PVing" rental streams on leases discounted to Fireside Thrift or my prior employers.

The exam itself was like taking three blue book finals in college all in the same day. My writing hand was very fatigued by the end of the exams.

After getting the CLP designation, I tried brokering leases and learning the sales side. I believe having the CLP designation was useful in lining up potential funding sources when I was getting the brokering operation set up as I did not have much trouble getting approved by any.

I was not successful as a broker though. Primarily this was because I had no training in sales. Also my timing of entry was poor as Gulf War I had broken out in August 1990 and the economy went into a mild recession. Firms I contacted were not acquiring new equipment unless they absolutely had to.

While brokering deals I was still trying to get full time employment with an equipment financing or leasing firm or a bank. By the early 1990s many of the firms that had branches in the Bay Area that competed with my former employers in the equipment financing industry (Westinghouse Credit Corporation, Wells Fargo Leasing Corporation) had either closed down their offices in the Bay Area entirely or vastly reduced the headcounts here to just sales offices so there was much less opportunity in the area than when I had started in 1978.

I think I was able to get maybe two or three interviews with equipment leasing or financing firms in two years. To any of them that were WAEL members at the time, I think having the CLP designation was a plus. In reality, I did not get any job offers as nearly all the firms I spoke with ended up closing their offices in the Bay Area in the next year or two.

I suspect the senior management of those offices became aware of the likelihood of their closing down in the near future while I was in the interview process.

I also applied to banks as I figured my credit and collections experience would be transferable skills and experience to a bank's commercial or corporate lending groups, especially since I had undergone one formal training program while at Wells Fargo Leasing Corporation that was designed for the bank's commercial and corporate lending groups.

What I found though was that banks by and large did not want to talk to me. My perception was that bankers did not understand leasing and did not see how anyone with a leasing background had experience applicable to their needs. My having the CLP designation meant nothing to any banks I was able to interview with. To say the least, I was getting pretty discouraged, and was barely making a living as a lease broker. Trying to move from credit into sales was not working for me, and maybe those who I was interviewing with thought that was what I really wanted to do. It wasn't.
Ultimately, after a few months of "off and on" conversations with ATEL founder AJ Batt, who was quite a unique man, I joined ATEL in the fall of 1992.

The CLFP designation has always meant something to me as I have renewed it now two or three times. When ATEL was actively in the small ticket market the packages I received from brokers that had the CLP got a bit more consideration from me as they were clearly more complete, organized and otherwise more professionally packaged than most submissions via brokers. I think more leasing professionals having the CLFP would definitely improve the overall caliber of professionalism within the industry and any serious broker should seek the designation.

Today there are 766 active Certified Leasing & Finance Professionals and Associates in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The foundation has come a long way with many professionals who are proud to put the designation after their name.



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News Briefs---

Cummins to Buy Meritor for $3.7 Billion,
    Accelerate Fleet Electrification
https://www.truckinginfo.com/10161932/cummins-buying-meritor-to-accelerate-electrification-development

Postal Service finalizes plans to buy
    mostly gas-powered delivery vehicles
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/02/23/usps-trucks-epa-climate-change/


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


You May Have Missed---

Malicious software said to be deleting data
from hundreds of computers in Ukraine
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/23/europe/ukraine-government-commercial-organizations-data-wiping-hack/index.html




[headlines]

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


Sports Briefs---

American women settle suit vs US Soccer for $24 million
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/02/22/american-women-settle-suit-vs-us-soccer-for-24m/

Aaron Rodgers suggests he and Shailene Woodley are
still together, calling her his ‘partner’ and ‘person’
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/02/22/what-breakup-aaron-rodgers-calls-shailene-woodley-his-person-and-partner-and-describes-their-great-home-life/

Nearly half of Washingtonians don’t like
Commanders name, Post poll finds
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/21/washington-commanders-stadium-dc-poll/

How can the 49ers get a first-round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo?
https://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/how-can-the-49ers-get-a-first-round-pick-for-jimmy-garoppolo/

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Sacramento Mayor Steinberg offers a vision of downtown
    with fewer office towers, more apartments
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article258635768.html?ac_cid=DM610307&ac_bid=-965781010

Vacant East Bay office building will house
homeless residents. More could follow
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/02/22/vacant-east-bay-office-building-will-house-homeless-residents-more-could-follow/

L.A. County bars, offices, gyms can drop mask
rules with COVID vaccine verification
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-23/l-a-county-to-relax-mask-rules-at-places-with-vaccine-proof?utm_id=49116&sfmc_id=1646692

California farmers to see paltry federal water
deliveries as drought’s stranglehold tightens
https://www.courthousenews.com/california-farmers-to-see-paltry-federal-water-deliveries-as-droughts-stranglehold-tightens/

Storm dumps 22 inches of snow on Lake Tahoe ski resort
https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/Lake-Tahoe-sees-first-major-snowstorm-weeks-16941730.php


[headlines]

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

"Gimme that wine"

Global Reach of Premiere Napa Valley Wine Auction
     Grows in 2022
https://napavintners.com/press/press_release_detail.asp?ID_News=3624190

Leonardo DiCaprio acquires stake in Champagne Telmont
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2022/02/leonardo-dicaprio-acquires-stake-in-champagne-telmont/

Wine of the week: Pedroncelli, 2019
Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wine-of-the-week-pedroncelli-2019-dry-creek-valley-sonoma-county-zinfande/


“Gimme that Wine”

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

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

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

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in History

      1761 - James Otis voices opposition to English colonial rule in a speech before the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. In 1761, the merchants of Boston hired attorney James Otis to give a speech against the writs of assistance, a general warrant which was issued for the life of the sovereign to search "any House, shop, Cellar, Warehouse or Room or other Place.” Customs officers could ask anyone to help with the writ, which was the reason for its name. Young attorney John Adams, who later became the second President of the United States, heard the speech, and was so inspired by it that he wrote a provision for the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights based on the arguments Mr. Otis made. The language later formed the basic language of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The battle against the writs of assistance, and the Otis speech, was one of the major opening chapters in the American colonists' struggles against tax tyranny that led to the American Revolution. The speech generated much excitement.
    1786 - Charles Cornwallis, whose armies had surrendered to US at Yorktown, was appointed Governor-General of India.
    1803 – In Marbury v. Madison, the United States Supreme Court declared a federal law unconstitutional for the first time. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the opinion for the court. He held that it was the duty of the judicial branch to determine what the law is. His opinion established the power of judicial review—that is, the court's authority to declare laws unconstitutional.
http://www.stanley2002.org/marbury.htm
http://www.jmu.edu/madison/marbury/background.htm
    1811 - Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne (d. 1893), sixth Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and a founder of Ohio's Wilberforce University, was born to free black parents in Charleston, South Carolina. Named for English abolitionist Lord William Wilberforce, Wilberforce University in Xenia, Ohio was the first black-owned college in the United States. Payne was named the university's president in 1863, becoming the nation's first black college president.
http://www.amecnet.org/payne.htm
http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/payne70/frontis.html
    1831 - The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, the first removal treaty in accordance with the Indian Removal Act, was proclaimed, having been signed on September 27, 1830. The Choctaws in Mississippi cede about 11 million acres in exchange for about 15 million acres in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma.
    1836 - Home Winslow (d. 1920) was born at Boston.  American artist noted for the realism of his work, from the Civil War reportage to the highly regarded rugged outdoor scenes of hunting and fishing.
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/homer.html
    1836 - Texan Colonel William Travis sends a desperate plea for help for the besieged defenders of the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, with the famous last words, "Victory or Death." On March 6, the Alamo, where 182 Texans were garrisoned, was captured by the Mexican leader Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who had led over 3000 troops across the Rio Grande. Every Texan except a mother, a child, and a servant was killed. “Remember the Alamo” became a battle cry that brought Texans and friends from neighboring states together that eventually formed the Republic of Texas. The movie in the 1950's “Davey Crockett,” would bring the event to worldwide attention as he died in the Alamo along with Colonel Travis, making the “Bowie” knife and coonskin cap famous (as a point of history, Crockett never wore a coonskin cap. He was a former legislator and well-educated man for his time, not a hick or country bumpkin as the role Fess Parker made famous.)
    1852 - The Susquehanna River ice bridge at Havre de Grace, Maryland began to break up after 40 days of use. A total of 1738 loaded freight cars were hauled along the rails laid on the ice.
    1857 - Los Angeles Vineyard Society organized by two men in San Francisco named Charles Kohler and James Frohling who were looking for an area to establish a vineyard colony. Kohler and Frohling formed the Society with a group of German immigrants. George Hansen, a Los Angeles surveyor, was selected to find an ideal site for their planned community. He found it on the Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana, which was then in Los Angeles County. Plans were formed for the new town, which was named "Anaheim," but known to their Spanish-speaking neighbors as "Campo Aleman." Although the first settlers arrived in town in 1859, it was not until 1870 that the city was first organized as a municipality.
http://www.anaheim.net/depts_servc/police/history/intro.htm
    1863 - Arizona was recognized as a US territory.  It was first organized as a Confederate territory on Feb. 14, 1862.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb24.html
    1864 - Battle of Tunnel Hill, GA (Buzzard's Roost). This started as a skirmish on February 22 but grew into a battle that lasted until February 25.  This was the second of four major Civil War battles here as the location includes a nearby 1,497 feet long railroad tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain.  The railroad tunnel was the first to be completed south of the Mason-Dixon Line. 
http://bachelorsgrove.com/archive/obituaries
/info/jamfuller/stories/index4.html

http://www.northga.net/whitfield/tunnel.html
http://roadsidegeorgia.com/city/tunnelhill.html
http://www.ganet.org/civilwar/georgia.html#anchor221032
    1867 - In a showdown over reconstruction policy following the Civil War, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson. During the two years following the end of the war, the Republican-controlled Congress had sought to severely punish the South. Congress passed the Reconstruction Act that divided the South into five military districts headed by officers who were to take their orders from General Grant, the head of the army, instead of from President Johnson. In addition, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which required Senate approval before Johnson could remove any official whose appointment was originally approved by the Senate. Johnson vetoed this act but the veto was overridden by Congress. To test the constitutionality of the act, Johnson dismissed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, triggering the impeachment vote. While Johnson was not pro civil rights, he was pro South.  In fact, one of his last acts of office in December was to pardon Jefferson Davis, who was on trial for treason. Stanton was very much anti-South and harbored many ill feelings, basically because of his blundering of military assignments to “society” generals. On Mar 5, 1868, the Senate convened as a court to hear the charges against the President. The Senate vote of 35—19 fell one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment. Thus the South became Dixie Democrats until modern times. The 1868 presidential election was close, with Ulysses S. Grant's popular majority a scant 306,000 out of 5,717,500 votes, although the electoral vote was 214 Grant to 80 for Republican Horatio Seymour. The black vote, which totaled over 700,000, decided the election for Grant. In 1872, Grant beat Republican Candidate Horace Greely 3,597,132 to 2,384,124.  The electoral vote was 286 to 66. History changed and the Democratic Dixiecrats destroyed reconstruction and controlled the house with an inside deal to give. [Is this related to 1868 or 1872???]The election had been thrown back to Congress before, such as the one between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson. This was the first time the nation faced a dispute over the results of a presidential election. A candidate needed 185 electoral votes to win and Samuel J. Tilden the Democratic candidate, clearly had 184. In dispute were the 19 electoral votes of three states till under carpetbag rule---Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina---plus one vote in Oregon. In Congress both parties agreed on January 29, 1877 to establish an electoral commission to decide the issue. The commission, with five members from each house of Congress, and five members from the Supreme Court, was made up of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. All the commission's decisions were to fall along party lines. On March 2, Congress accepted the commission's decision, which awarded all the disputed votes to the Republican candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, who thus received 185 electoral votes to Tilden's 184. The Republicans were accused of offering southern Democrats economic favors for their region if they supported Hayes's claim. In any event, the new president showed a conciliatory attitude toward the South: all the programs in place that had elected blacks to office, given them property and protection were removed, and the last federal troops were withdrawn and there was no further effort to protect the rights of blacks. Reconstruction was over.
    1868 - First US parade with floats (Mardi Gras-Mobile AL)
http://www.fabuloustravel.com/usa/mardigras/almardigras.html
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/6483/mg1.html
http://www.mglinks.com/mg101.htm
http://www.mglinks.com/
    1874 – Birthday of Honus Wagner (d. 1955), born Johannes Peter Wagner in Chartiers (now Carnegie), PA.  He played 21 seasons in the Majors from 1897 to 1917, almost entirely for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wagner won eight batting titles, tied for the most in National League history with Tony Gwinn. He also led the league in slugging six times, and in stolen bases five times. Wagner was nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman" due to his superb speed and German heritage ("Dutch" in this instance being an alteration of "Deutsch").  In 1936, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Wagner as one of the five charter members. He received the second-highest vote total, behind Ty Cobb and tied with Babe Ruth.  Although Cobb is frequently cited as the greatest player of the dead-ball era, some contemporaries regarded Wagner as the better all-around player, and most baseball historians consider Wagner to be the greatest shortstop ever. Cobb himself called Wagner "maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond."
    1885 - Birthday of Chester Nimitz (d. 1966), Fredericksburg, TX.  Admiral who was Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet (CinCPac), for U.S. naval forces and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CinCPOA), for U.S. and Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II.  Nimitz signed for the United States when Japan formally surrendered on board the USS Missouri. On October 5, 1945, which had been officially designated as "Nimitz Day" in Washington, DC, Admiral Nimitz was personally presented a Gold Star for the third award of the Distinguished Service Meal by President Harry Truman "for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from June 1944 to August 1945...."
    1891 - The term "honky tonk" introduced, appearing in an Oklahoma paper, The Daily Ardorite, which reports "the honk-a-tonk last night was well attended." The word is most likely a Creole derivative but a definitive source could not be found. “Honkey” or "Honkie" might be its original source or a “spin-off.”
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/199703/1997.03.05.06.html
http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/bulletin_board/13/messages/216.html
    1895 – Revolution broke out in Baire, a town near Santiago de Cuba, beginning the Cuban War of Independence, that ended with the Spanish-American War in 1898.
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/1895/chronology.htm
http://www.autentico.org/oa09313.html
http://www.historyofcuba.com/cuba.htm
    1897 - Emile Berliner took out a Canadian patent on his gramophone talking machine. Manufacturing facilities were set up in Montreal. Berliner had built a crude model of his machine ten years earlier at his home laboratory in Washington, DC, and he applied for a US patent on it on September 26th, 1887. Today the terms "gramophone" and "phonograph" mean the same thing. But in Berliner's day this was not so. "Gramophone" referred to a talking machine employing lateral-cut discs, while the phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison, used vertical-cut cylinders. Berliner's discs eventually made Edison's cylinders obsolete. Berliner also invented the microphone, which we still use today.
http://www.invention.org/electronic-music/berliner.html
    1905 - The temperature at Valley Head, Alabama fell to 18 degrees below zero. This was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Alabama until January 30, 1966 when it reached -27 at New Market.
    1909 - The Hudson Motor Car Company, founded by Joseph Hudson, in Detroit, Michigan, was incorporated. Hudson is perhaps most famous for its impact on NASCAR racing, which it accomplished thanks to a revolutionary design innovation.  Hudson's strong, light-weight bodies, combined with its high-torque inline six-cylinder engine technology, made the company's 1951–54 Hornet an auto-racing champion, dominating NASCAR in 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1954.  Some NASCAR records set by Hudson in the 1950s (e.g. consecutive wins in one racing season) still stand even today.  The company made Hudson, Essex and Triplane brands from 1909 to 1954. In 1954, Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation to form American motors (AMC). The Hudson name was continued through the 1957 model year, after which it was discontinued.
    1910 - Arranger/Pianist Clyde Hart (d. 1945) born Baltimore, MD.
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/h1/clyde_hart_b.htm
(Ben Webster talks about Clyde Hart:
http://www.jazzprofessional.com/interviews/BenWebster.htm
http://www.umkc.edu/lib/spec-col/ww2/1939/jive_txt.htm
(CD had Clyde Hart All-stars with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie)
http://www.geocities.com/ladenso1/RBird/RepliestoKLONBird3_2_.html
Una Mae Carlise Orchestra
http://www.welwyn11.freeserve.co.uk/LY_smallgps.htm
    1912 - Hadassah: Twelve members of the Daughters of Zion Study Circle met at New York City under the leadership of Nerietta Szoid. A constitution was drafted to expand the study group into a national organization called Hadassah (Hebrew for “myrtle” and the biblical name of Queen Esther) to foster Jewish education in America and to create public health nursing and nurses training in Palestine. Hadassah is now the largest women's volunteer organization in the US with 1,500 chapters rooted in health care delivery, education and vocational training, children's villages and services and land reclamation in Israel.
    1912 - Labor activist Elizabeth Gurley Flynn heads "Bread & Roses" Lawrence Textile Strike of 20,000 women in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Police attack 150 children & their parents at the town railroad station. Many strikers are sending their kids to safe homes with friendly families in other cities. The exodus has generated so much publicity that Lawrence authorities have resolved to crush it. They forced 35 women and their children into patrol wagons. After charging the women with neglect and handing jail sentences and fines to the organizers, the town fathers send 10 of the kids to the Lawrence poor farm. This prompts only more publicity, forcing Congress to investigate the strike. Sixteen children will testify, describing the poverty that led them to leave school and take jobs in the mill. The American Woolen Company will have no choice but to yield to the strikers' demands.
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/rebelgirl.html
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45b/index-a.html
    1921 - Abe Vigoda (d. 2016) was born in Brooklyn.  He was known for a number of roles, especially his portrayals of Salvatore Tessio in “The Godfather” and Detective Sgt. Phil Fish on the sitcom “Barney Miller” from 1975 to 1977 and its spinoff show “Fish” from 1977 to 1978.  http://www.zxcproductions.com/web/Abe/abe.html
http://www.tvland.com/shows/barneymiller/actor1.jhtml
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800022099&cf=biog&intl=us
    1927 - West Coast bassist Ralph Pena (d. 1969) was born in Jarbridge, NV. He played with Pete Jolly and was also popular at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California, where we saw him play often with many jazz groups.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio
/0,,478135,00.html?artist=Ralph+Pena

    1928 - In its first show to feature a Black artist, the New Gallery of New York exhibits works of Archibald Motley.
    1930 - Ted Lewis records, "On the Sunny Side of the Street"
    1932 - Composer Michel Legrand (d. 2019) born Paris, France
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Legrand,+Michel
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005YW0W/inktomi-musicasin-20/
102-1682336-8966565

    1933 - Tenor Sax David “Fathead” Newman (d. 2009) Birthday
http://www.davidfatheadnewman.com/
http://www.interneted.com/Reviewpages/newmandaviddaveyblue.htm
http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/ah/fathead/david_fathead.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000333E/avsearch-df1-9-20/
102-1682336-8966565

    1936 - Vermont and New Hampshire received brown snow due to dust from storms in the Great Plains Region. A muddy rain fell across parts of northern New York State. (24th-25th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
    1938 – Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, was born in Portland, OR.  In November, 2015, Forbes named Knight the 15th richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $28.1 billion.  He is also the owner of the stop motion film production company Laika.  A graduate of the University of Oregon and Stanford Graduate School of Business, he has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to both schools; Knight gave the largest donation in history at the time to Stanford's business school in 2006. A native Oregonian, he ran track under coach Bill Bowerman at the University of Oregon, with whom he would co-found Nike.
    1940 - On Decca Records, Frances Langford recorded "When You Wish Upon a Star" during a session held in Los Angeles, California. Many artists have recorded that particular song, including Linda Ronstadt with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the early 1980s. The song can also be heard in the opening credits of any Disney movie, video or television program.
    1941 - '60s pop singer Joanie Sommers was born Joan Drost in Buffalo, NY.  Once billed as "The Voice of the Sixties", and associated with top-notch arrangers, song-writers and producers, Sommers' popular reputation became closely tied to her biggest, yet most uncharacteristic, hit song "Johnny Get Angry," in 1962, which reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://www.grillecloth.com/sommers/sommers.html
http://www.homestead.com/joaniesommers/
    1942 - Harry James records “Trumpet Blues and Cantabile” (Col. 36549)
    1942 - The Army, mistaking a weather balloon that strayed over Los Angeles for a Japanese bomber, unleashes a saturation antiaircraft barrage. Three civilians are trampled to death in the attending panic, and dozens more injured by falling shrapnel. The Japanese later in the war deployed large balloons with bombs, most landed in Oregon and Northern California, causing damage, but was kept out of the news, and the Japanese thinking they were not effective, ended the program. The press was told not to print any stories as if the Japanese learned how effective and inexpensive it was for them to release balloons with bombs in the jet stream, it may have destroyed many cities on the West Coast.
    1943 – “The Human Comedy,” a novel written by William Saroyan, was published on this date in New York.
http://www.housecollectibles.com/highschool
/catalog/display.pperl?0440339332

http://www.cilicia.com/armo22_william_saroyan_3.html
    1943 - George Harrison (d. 2001) was born in Liverpool, England.  As a member of The Beatles, he achieved international fame as the lead guitarist.  In June, 1965, Harrison and the other Beatles were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire.  They received their insignia from Queen Elizabeth at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.  In 1971, the Beatles received an Academy Award for the best Original Song Score for the film “Let It Be.”   In December, 1992, he became the first recipient of the Billboard Century Award, an honor presented to music artists for significant bodies of work.  Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".  In 2004, Harrison was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist and into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame in 2006 for the Concert for Bangladesh.  On 14 April 2009, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Harrison a star on the Walk of Fame in front of the Capitol records Building. Among his songs:  “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn't It a Pity,” “What is Life?,” “All Those Years Ago.”  As an actor: “A Hard Day's Night,” “Help!,” “The Beatles,” “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Let It Be,” “The Concert for Bangladesh,” “Shanghai Surprise,” “You Can't Do That!,” “The Making of ‘A Hard Day's Night'.” Harrison believed for most of his life his birthday was Feb 25 but a family birth record has his birth at near 11:50 p.m. Feb 24.
    1944 - "Merrill's Marauders" hit Burma. The Marauders' mission began with a 1,000-mile walk through dense jungle, without artillery support, consisting of five major and 30 minor engagements with a far more numerous Japanese enemy. They had to carry their supplies on their backs and on pack mules and were resupplied only with airdrops in the middle of the jungle. Merrill's Marauders succeeded in maneuvering behind Japanese forces to cause the disruptions necessary to throw the enemy into confusion. They were so successful, the Marauders managed even to capture the Myitkyina Airfield in northern Burma.
    1947 - Bass player Bob Magnusson born New York City, NY,
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist/24649/bob_magnusson/
http://www.emusic.com/cd/10600/10600220.html?fref=148694
    1951 - Top Hits
“If” - Perry Como
“My Heart Cries for You” - Guy Mitchell
“Tennessee Waltz” - Patti Page
“There's Been a Change in Me” - Eddy Arnold
    1955 – President Dwight Eisenhower met with newspaper publisher Roy Howard and expressed his resistance under pressure to commit American troops to Vietnam. The conversation was recorded on a dictabelt machine that Eisenhower had secretly installed in the President’s office.
    1955 - Steven Jobs (d. 2011), co-founder of Apple Computer, was born Los Altos, CA. Jobs started out selling his friend Stephen Wozniak's computers door-to-door at electronic hobbyist shops. By 1979, Apple Computer had become the fastest growing company in history, worth more than $1 billion. That year, Jobs led a team of several Apple developers, working on a new project called Lisa, on a visit to Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, where the team saw the Alto, an early computer with a graphical user interface using icons, a mouse, and built-in networking capacity. Both the Lisa and the Macintosh adopted key elements of the Alto. Jobs, whose impulsive personal style irritated some of Apple's key managers, was forced to leave Apple in 1985. He formed NeXT Inc., became president of Pixar animation studios, and returned to Apple in 1997 as acting president. He turned both ventures into giant money-making companies, winning awards, dominating the music market with the iPod.  The company changed their name to Apple Inc. to reflect their diversification.  Jobs is credited with the company's tremendous success. Under his direction the company grew from computers to portable music players, portable wireless telephones, and now the IPAD, which revolutionized the computer industry as Jobs did to both the music industry and telephone/web industry. The Apple computer is considered the finest by architects, graphic designers, and web designers, as well as other aficionados. Jobs was also the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios until it was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2006. Jobs was the Walt Disney Company's largest individual shareholder and a member of its Board of Directors.  Jobs was diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in 2003 and died of respiratory arrest related to the tumor
    1956 - Need an adult to dance in Cleveland: Now the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland invoked a 1931 law barring people under 18 from dancing publicly without an adult guardian.
    1959 - Top Hits
“Stagger Lee” - Lloyd Price
“Donna” - Ritchie Valens
“The All American Boy” - Bill Parsons
“Don't Take Your Guns to Town” - Johnny Cash
    1963 - The Rolling Stones take over as the Sunday house band at the Station Hotel, near London. They are paid £24 ($67) to entertain a crowd of 66 people.
    1967 - WILBANKS, HILLIARD A., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force, 21st. Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nha Trang AFB, RVN. Place and date: Near Dalat, Republic of Vietnam, 24 February 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 26 July 1933, Cornelia, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive search revealed a well-concealed and numerically superior hostile force poised to ambush the advancing rangers. The Viet Cong, realizing that Capt. Wilbanks' discovery had compromised their position and ability to launch a surprise attack, immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available firepower. The enemy then began advancing against the exposed forward elements of the ranger force which were pinned down by devastating fire. Capt. Wilbanks recognized that close support aircraft could not arrive in time to enable the rangers to withstand the advancing enemy, onslaught. With full knowledge of the limitations of his unarmed, unarmored, light reconnaissance aircraft, and the great danger imposed by the enemy's vast firepower, he unhesitatingly assumed a covering, close support role. Flying through a hail of withering fire at treetop level, Capt. Wilbanks passed directly over the advancing enemy and inflicted many casualties by firing his rifle out of the side window of his aircraft. Despite increasingly intense antiaircraft fire, Capt. Wilbanks continued to completely disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers. His daring tactics successfully interrupted the enemy advance, allowing the rangers to withdraw to safety from their perilous position. During his final courageous attack to protect the withdrawing forces, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces. Capt. Wilbanks' magnificent action saved numerous friendly personnel from certain injury or death. His unparalleled concern for his fellow man and his extraordinary heroism were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
    1967 - Top Hits
“Kind of a Drag” - The Buckinghams
“Love is Here and Now You're Gone” - The Supremes
“The Beat Goes On” - Sonny & Cher
“Where Does the Good Times Go” - Buck Owens
    1969 - LEVITOW, JOHN L.,  Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 3d Special Operations Squadron. Place and date: Long Binh Army post, Republic of Vietnam, 24 February 1969. Entered service at: New Haven, Conn. Born: 1 November 1945, Hartford, Conn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Levitow (then A1c.), U.S. Air Force, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while assigned as a loadmaster aboard an AC-47 aircraft flying a night mission in support of Long Binh Army post. Sgt. Levitow's aircraft was struck by a hostile mortar round. The resulting explosion ripped a hole 2 feet in diameter through the wing and fragments made over 3,500 holes in the fuselage. All occupants of the cargo compartment were wounded and helplessly slammed against the floor and fuselage. The explosion tore an activated flare from the grasp of a crewmember who had been launching flares to provide illumination for Army ground troops engaged in combat. Sgt. Levitow, though stunned by the concussion of the blast and suffering from over 40 fragment wounds in the back and legs, staggered to his feet and turned to assist the man nearest to him who had been knocked down and was bleeding heavily. As he was moving his wounded comrade forward and away from the opened cargo compartment door, he saw the smoking flare ahead of him in the aisle. Realizing the danger involved and completely disregarding his own wounds, Sgt. Levitow started toward the burning flare. The aircraft was partially out of control and the flare was rolling wildly from side to side. Sgt. Levitow struggled forward despite the loss of blood from his many wounds and the partial loss of feeling in his right leg. Unable to grasp the rolling flare with his hands, he threw himself bodily upon the burning flare. Hugging the deadly device to his body, he dragged himself back to the rear of the aircraft and hurled the flare through the open cargo door. At that instant the flare separated and ignited in the air, but clear of the aircraft. Sgt. Levitow, by his selfless and heroic actions, saved the aircraft and its entire crew from certain death and destruction. Sgt. Levitow's gallantry, his profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
    1969 - Johnny Cash recorded his second live prison performance, this one at San Quentin, Marin County, California. It followed a concert the previous year at Folsom Prison. The LP "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" topped the Billboard pop and country charts. It also contained the hit single "A Boy Named Sue."
http://www.canoe.ca/JamAlbumsC/cash_johnny_sanquentin.html
    1970 – Former Niners and Eagles QB Jeff Garcia was born Gilroy, CA.
    1970 - Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" hits #1
    1971 - Janis Joplin's "Pearl" goes gold.
    1972 - Birthday of Manon Rheaume, Beauport, Quebec.  She is the first woman to play in a professional hockey game. Rheaume was goaltender when Canada won the 1992 and 1994 world championships as a member of Canada's women's national team and was MVP of both tournaments. In 1986, she goaled the national team to the Olympic silver. "In 1992, Rheaume made sports history by appearing in an NHL exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning, thus becoming the first female to play in a major professional sport. She continued her pro hockey career with various men's minor league teams but in 1995, she turned to professional roller hockey playing for the New Jersey Rock 'n Rollers." Small for her position, she is 5' 6" with a playing weight of 130 lbs.
    1973 - With Roger McGuinn remaining the only original member, The Byrds made their final live appearance when they played at The Capitol Theatre, in Passaic, New Jersey.
    1973 - Roberta Flack's “Killing Me Softly With His Song” jumped to Number 1 on Billboard's hit record charts, and remained there for 5 weeks. It was rumored that the subject of her song was folk singer Don McLean. Actually, it was not.  Rather, the original singer, Lori Leiberman, was “inspired” by a McLean song and got a songwriter, Norman Gabriel, to make a few changes.
http://www.superseventies.com/1973_9singles.html
    1975 - Top Hits
“Pick Up the Pieces” - AWB
“Best of My Love” - The Eagles
“Some Kind of Wonderful” - Grand Funk
“I Care” - Tom T. Hall
    1976 - The Eagles "Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)" became the first LP in the US to be certified platinum with two-million copies sold.  It reached number one on the US Billboard 200, where it stayed for five weeks. The album has the distinction of being the first album to receive the RIAA Platinum certification, which was introduced in 1976 to recognize albums that shipped one million copies in the United States. It was ranked number four on the Billboard year-end album chart of 1976 and has spent a total of 239 weeks on the Billboard 200 as of August 2018.  It was the best-selling album of the 20th century in the United States and it stayed the best-selling album in the U.S. until it was surpassed by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” after the artist's death in 2009.  In August 2018, it regained the title of the best-selling album in the U.S. In 2017, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."
    1976 - At the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Paul Simon picks up Best Pop Vocal and Best Album awards for “Still Crazy After All These Years,” leading him to famously remark, in his acceptance speech, "I'd like to thank Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album this year."
    1976 - Rhythm Heritage's "Theme From S.W.A.T." hits #1
    1978 - Barry Manilow shared the stage with Ray Charles during The Second Barry Manilow Special, dueting on "It's a Miracle." Manilow had just enjoyed a Top Ten hit with "Looks Like We Made It" and would follow with "Can't Smile Without You," "Even Now," "Copacabana" and "Ready to Take a Chance Again" during the next few months.
    1978 - The Pointer Sisters, now down to a trio after Bonnie Pointer had left for a solo career, enjoy their biggest US hit when the Bruce Springsteen written "Fire" tops out at Billboard's #2.
    1979 - The Jefferson Starship releases the greatest hits LP "Gold" which eventually makes the top-20 on Billboard's LP chart.
    1980 - Hockey Teams Wins Gold: Two days after defeating the Soviet Union 4-3, the US hockey team won the gold medal at the XIII Winter Olympic Games by beating Finland, 4-2.
    1981 - School Headmistress and Socialite Jean Harris is convicted of murdering "The Scarsdale Diet" doctor, Herman Tarnower. Harris and Tarnower had been a couple since they met in 1966. However, Tarnower was a notorious womanizer who never followed through on his vague promises to marry the 56-year-old Harris. In the late 1970s, Harris discovered that Tarnower was having an affair with a younger woman. Nonetheless, she assisted him in writing and editing “The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet,” which became a surprise sensation, earning Tarnower wealth and fame. Harris later claimed that she went there with suicidal intentions. However, the fact that Tarnower was shot four times seemed to belie her defense. Rather than maintain that she had killed in the heat of the moment, which would have dealt a manslaughter conviction, Harris insisted that the shooting was an accident. Her gamble (or insistence on principle) failed when the jury convicted her of murder and gave her a life sentence. Harris was a model prisoner who used every opportunity to bring attention to the plight of women prisoners. She wrote the well-received “They Always Call Us Ladies” in 1988, and finally won parole in 1993.
    1981 - Boston Celtics begin 18 NBA game win streak 
http://www.pataky.net/NBAFinals.asp
http://sporting.oneofakindantiques.com/
2085_boston_celtics_basketball_from
_1980_to_1981_4.htm

http://members.tripod.com/opey3/celtics.html
    1982 - Wayne Gretzky, 21-year-old center for the Edmonton Oilers, scored his 77th goal of the season against the Buffalo Sabres to break Phil Esposito's single-season goal-scoring record. With Esposito, who had scored 76 goals in the 1970-71 season, in attendance, Gretzky stole the puck and broke a 3-3 tie with seven minutes to play. He added two more goals in the game's final two minutes and finished the season with 92 goals.
    1982 - The 1981 Grammy Award winners are announced. Kim Carnes wins Record and Song of the Year with "Bette Davis Eyes," while John Lennon and Yoko Ono win Album of the Year with "Double Fantasy."
    1983 – Dow Jones average for the first time closed above the 1100 mark, after the stock market moved 24.87 points to close at 1121.81. In 1972, the 1100 plateau had been reached, but a rally could not keep the benchmark high at that point until the end of the trading day.
    1983 - Top Hits
“Baby, Come to Me” - Patti Austin with James Ingram
“Shame on the Moon” - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
“Stray Cat Strut” - Stray Cats
“Faking Love” - T.G. Sheppard & Karen Brooks
    1983 - A special commission of Congress released a report that condemned the internment of Japanese during World War II. It was silent on the same treatment of Italians and Germans.
    1985 - Quarterback Doug Flutie played his first professional game, leading the New Jersey Generals against Birmingham, to a 38-28 loss. The former Boston College star had a rough start in his USFL debut but completed 12 of 18 passes in the game's fourth quarter. I bring this up as he is my double cousin on my mother's side (son of my mother's sister's son.)
http://www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org/
http://members.aol.com/Argonuter/
    1985 - Yul Brynner reprised his "The King and I" role, setting an all-time box office weekly receipt record when the show took in $520,920.
    1987 - Not a Welk Tune: A spokeswoman for bandleader Lawrence Welk said some Welk fans who bought his "Polka Party" compact disc ended up with the punk rock soundtrack to the movie "Sid and Nancy." The Welk Enterprises office in Los Angeles fielded several telephone calls from upset fans. The CD's apparently were mislabeled at the factory in Japan.
    1987 - The Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made his first three-point shot. At this date, the leading scorer in NBA history had reached 36,000 points, but until now, Kareem never scored over two at a time.
    1987 - The 1986 Grammys are awarded: Paul Simon's "Graceland" wins Best Album; Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" wins Best Record and Bruce Hornsby and the Range win Best New Artist.
    1987 - The massive winter storm continued to pound the western US in southern California.  Big Bear was blanketed with 17 inches of snow and Lake Hughes reported 4 inches in one hour. Snow pellets whitened coastal areas of Orange and San Diego counties with 3 inches falling at Huntington Beach. Thunderstorms producing hail and waterspouts also occurred. In Colorado, Purgatory was buried under 62 inches of snow over a 4 day period and Colorado Springs had 14.8 inches in 24 hours to set a 24 hour snowfall record for February.
    1988 - Strong winds produced snow squalls in the Great Lakes Region which created "white-out" conditions in eastern Upper Michigan. Squalls produced up to 14 inches of snow in Geauga County of northeastern Ohio.
    1988 - Matt Nykanen of Finland, having already finished first in the 70-and 90-meter ski jumping events, won an unprecedented third gold medal in Nordic skiing when the Finnish team won the new 90-meter team jumping competition.
    1989 - Jerry Jones announced the he had reached an agreement to buy the Dallas Cowboys from H.R. “Bum” Bright and that he had replaced Tom Landry, the only head coach in Dallas history, with University of Miami coach and former University of Arkansas teammate, Jimmy Johnson.  Johnson coached the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993. He is one of only six men in NFL history to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners, winning in 1992 and 1993. 
    1989 - A total of thirty-three cities in the eastern U.S. reported new record low temperatures for the date, and an Atlantic coast storm spread heavy snow from Georgia to southern New England. Snowfall totals in New Jersey ranged up to 24 inches in Cape May County, with 19 inches reported at Atlantic City. Totals in North Carolina ranged up to 18 inches in Gates County, and winds along the coast of North Carolina gusted to 70 mph at Duck Pier. Strong winds gusting to 52 mph created blizzard conditions at Chatham, MA.
    1989 – United flight 811, bound for New Zealand from Honolulu, ripped open during flight, blowing nine passengers out of the business-class section.
    1990 - Strong northerly winds prevailed from Illinois to the Southern and Central Appalachians. Winds gusted to 68 mph at Sewickley Heights, PA. High winds caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow across northern and central Indiana through the day. Wind gusts to 47 mph and 6 to 8 inches of snow created white-out conditions around South Bend, IN. Traffic accidents resulted in two deaths and 130 injuries. Sixty-five persons were injured in one accident along Interstate 69 in Huntington County. Wind gusts to 60 mph and 4 to 8 inches of snow created blizzard conditions in eastern and northern Ohio. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
    1991 - In the Gulf War, the ground campaign began with an Allied night attack. More than 14,000 Iraqis were captured in the first 24 hours of fighting. The Persian Gulf War, codenamed Operation Desert Storm, authorized by the U.N. and led by the U.S., began with an all-out air war against Iraq on January 15, 1991. Its objective was to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, which Iraq had occupied since August 2, 1990. Ground action began February 24 and three days later, President George H. W. Bush halted the fighting with Iraqi forces routed. Iraq agreed to destroy its facilities for making chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons, but stalled the actual carrying out of the relevant UN resolution American casualties were 146 dead and 467 wounded. Iraq set fires to all the oil wells, gutted the hospitals, stole jewelry, automobiles, anything they could carry or drive. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey, all US allies in the Persian Gulf War, wanted the US presence out of the area as soon as possible.
    1991 - Top Hits
“All the Man that I Need” - Whitney Houston
“One More Try” - Timmy -T-
“Someday” - Mariah Carey
“Walk on Faith” - Mike Reid
    1992 - GM loses $4.45 billion: The greatest loss by a US company was suffered by the world's largest industrial company, General Motors Corporation, who announced they had a $4.45 billion loss for the year 1991.
    1992 - The U.S. Postal Service unveils 2 versions of its proposed Elvis stamp for fans to vote on. Eventually, the younger Elvis wins and is issued on January 8, 1993
    1992 - As of 2:45 am CST, International Falls, Minnesota had recorded 29.5 inches of snow for the month with snow still falling. This set a new monthly snowfall record for February. The old record was 29.0 inches set back in 1911. A new record was also set for winter season snowfall (Dec-Feb) with 68.5 inches. The old record was 67.9 inches.
    1993 - British rock legend Eric Clapton, who had been virtually ignored in the Grammy Awards for most of his career, won six Grammys, including the music industry's three major awards - record, album and song of the year. Clapton was honored for his album "Unplugged," and the song "Tears in Heaven." Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" as a tribute to his infant son Conor, who died in 1991 when he fell out a window in Clapton's 53rd floor New York apartment.
    1998 - Elton John is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in front of his parents and his partner David Furnish.
    1998 – Andrea Boccelli, already an international singing sensation, released his second album, “Bocelli,” by Sugar Music. The album achieved double-platinum in Italy, sextuple platinum in Belgium, and quadruple platinum in both Germany and the Netherlands. His single song "Con te Partiro" topped the charts for 6 weeks in France, earning a triple-gold sales award. In Belgium, it became the biggest hit of all time, with 12 weeks at the top.
    1998 – Henny Youngman, legendary comedian, at age 91, died in Manhattan following a debilitating bout of flu. Youngman, often called "King of the One-Liners" was best known for his trademark "Take my wife, please!" Using that line since the 1930's, he continued after his beloved wife Sadie died in 1987.
http://www.iei.net/~liz/young.htm
http://www.comedycity.com/henny_youngman/
    1999 - Radio shock jock Doug Tracht, known as "Greaseman," was suspended indefinitely and then ultimately fired for a race-related remark made on station WARW-FM in Washington, D.C. On that morning's radio show, Tracht had noted that the Grammy Awards ceremony were scheduled for that evening and played a portion of a song by Lauryn Hill, a young black hip-hop artist nominated for 10 Grammys. Then he commented, "No wonder people drag them behind trucks." The reference was to the torture and death in Texas of James Byrd, Jr., a black man decapitated while being dragged behind a pickup truck. John William King, a white supremacist, was convicted of murder the previous day in the case. Tracht faxed a one-paragraph statement: "I'm truly sorry for the pain and hurt I have caused with my unfeeling comment. I have no excuse for my remark, and regret it. If I could take it back I would. In the course of my show, split second judgment is made over ad-libs. This remark was a grave error in my judgment." A statement from the station announcing Tracht's firing apologized to listeners who were offended. "While we will always strongly support the right of our on-air artists to express a wide range of opinions, even those that are unpopular or offensive to some, WARW cannot be associated with the trivialization of an unspeakable act of violence," the statement read.
    1999 - At the annual Grammy awards ceremony in the Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, hip-hop star Lauryn Hill broke a record for female artists, winning five Grammy Awards for her album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Hill's five wins in one night - album of the year, best new artist, female rhythm and blues vocal, R & B song for “Doo Wop (That Thing),” and R & B album - topped the four Grammys won by Carole King in 1971 for “Tapestry.”
    1999 – Arizona executed Karl LeGrand, a German national convicted of murder during a botched bank robbery, in spite of Germany's legal action to attempt to save him.
    2002 - XIX winter Olympics closes in Salt Lake City UT/Québec City
http://www.utah.com/olympics/http://www.saltlake2002.com/
http://anythingkiss.tripod.com/xix_olympics.html
    2004 - Heavy snows blanket wide areas of northern New Mexico, closing schools and highways.  The mountains east of Santa Fe receive 20 inches. Sandia Park, east of Albuquerque, measures 11 inches. 8 inches falls at Los Alamos
    2010 - The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver ends with, among other things, a surprise appearance by Canadian native Neil Young, who sings "Long May You Run" as the torch is put out.
2014 – Researchers report that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy can increase the risk of ADHD diagnoses as the babies mature.  Taking acetaminophen in the first trimester has the lowest risk at 9% but there is a 63% likelihood of the condition in babies if the drug is taken in the last two trimesters.
2014 – 29-term Rep. John Dingell, Jr. announced that he will retire at the end of his current term.  The 87-year-old congressman said that his health is fine but the hostile environment in Congress means that he can no longer do his job effectively.  Dingell began his congressional career by succeeding his father as representative for Michigan’s 16th district.  His wife, Debbie Dingell, ran to succeed her husband and defeated Republican Terry Bowman in the general election on November 4, 2014.  He died in 2019.
2015 – President Obama vetoed the Keystone XL project which would extend the existing Keystone pipeline and connect Canadian oil directly with US Gulf Coast refineries.  Environmentalists claimed the extension will add to climate change.

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