32 Leasing Companies No Longer in Business
June 9, 2000 Archive

Thank you Mark Speros for further corrections, and I have received enough e-mail from others with substantiated information from other organizations to add one more to this list: MetroLease.

33 Leasing Companies with Problems the last Six Months:

Bankvest (bankrupt)
Linc Capital (out of vendor and broker business, Nasdaq halts stock sales)
DVI Capital (out of broker)
Leasing Solutions ( bankrupt )
Prime Capital (sold off)
VGM (out of business)
American Business Leasing (gone)
Fidelity ( acquired by ABN Amro Bank )
Phoenix ( both divisions )
Dana ( sold off )
Rockford ( sold )
Franklin Bank ( no more leases )
Transamerica ( sold )
Commerce Security ( closed )
Nationbank Leasing ( closed )
Unicapital ( reportedly struggling )
Imperial ( sold portfolio )
Newcourt ( sold off )
United Leasing ( out of liquidity )
Leasing Corp of America ( for sale below book value )
C&W Leasing (C&W was acquired by Granite, who were then by Fidelity National Title (FNF) )
Merit Leasing ( gone )
USA Capital ( closed shop due to "serious financial irregularities", filed Chapter 13, then converted to Chapter 7. There is a possibility that criminal charges may be brought.)
Libery Leasing ( closed )
Copelco ( sold to Citibank )
Finova ( out of market place )
Bombadier ( reported having problems, not confirmed )
SDI ( closed )
United Capital ( reported having problems, very bad quarter )
Charter Financial ( purchased by Wells Fargo )
New England Capital ( sold )
T&W ( "tubed" )
Metrolease ( many rumors floating around the internet, cannot at this time print them, very serious charges, but now have enough sources to tell me this company has ceased doing business with brokers ( not the cause of their problems, by the way ).
I can't write more about this until hearing the other side, but John Blazek at Metrolease does not return my telephone calls or e-mail ).

---

Sierra Cities formerly known as First Sierra.
It was suggested that I put First Sierra on the "troubled list." I have heard mostly negative news, and would like to keep it in the "gossip" category. Unfortunately, their stock continues to slide:

On Friday, closing: Down 4.8% to 3 7/8

The chart itself gives a history of not only First Sierra, but what is happening the securitationz market, which does not speak well of of industry to investors.

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In yesterday's Leasing News, I mention that lessors and brokers need to get their head out of the sand...get web sites, web software like Centerpoint 2.0, and remember what Sanchel Paige said, "Don't look back, because they will be gaining upon you."

And more and more vendors are going "on line" and more and more customers are going "on line." Where will you be? Still riding the train?

Here again is more news about new entries on the World Wide Web in Leasing:

e-MedSoft.Com about to launch "Portal Financing" to physicians, doctors, hospitals, suppliers, including an "instant lease" program. This not only tied to accounts receivable, supplies, but leasing--- full story *****1

---

Story #1

e-MedSoft.com Completes Phase I of NCFE Master Portal First Money Distribution Network in Use and Scheduled for Nationwide Launch July 1, 2000

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., and DUBLIN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- June 8, 2000--e-MedSoft.com (AMEX:MED) and National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. ("NCFE") today announced that e-MedSoft.com has completed Phase I of the NCFE/e-MedSoft.com Master Portal and has implemented its first customers using the revolutionary accounts receivable and customer reporting functionality of the portal.

This is part of the phase-in testing that will culminate in the nationwide launch of the fully functional Master Portal scheduled for July 1, 2000.

For the first time, health-care providers will be able to gain electronic access, through the Master Portal, to the network of business and financial resources of NCFE and e-MedSoft.com. The suite of services available July 1 to Master Portal customers includes:

*T

NCFE Services e-MedSoft.com Services
-- A/R Purchasing
-- Medical Business Applications
-- Self-Pay Financing
-- Pharmacy Services
-- Merger and Acquisition Advisory
-- MultiMedia Services
-- Equipment Leasing
-- MED e-Commerce
-- Customer Information Services
-- Professional Services

This groundbreaking capability streamlines both new customers' access and the ongoing business/financial transactions of existing customers. For the first time, customers can access, with pinpoint specificity, specific information regarding patients, physicians, payors and/or providers, billings and accounts receivable -- from diagnosis to "superbill" performance particulars, for business management purposes.

These capabilities, together with the e-MedSoft-offered Medical Business Applications, create for the companies a Web-based, comprehensive "money" distribution network where clients -- from hospitals and clinics to home health agencies -- can access funding or payment for their claims in a totally electronic environment.

This powerful new portal makes these crucial business resources accessible to a far broader health-care customer constituency than was ever previously possible.

"We are impressed with e-MedSoft's commitment to NCFE in completing this implementation ahead of schedule. With this inaugural client implementation, we are beginning to demonstrate the substantial impact this initiative will have on our core businesses and eagerly anticipate the mutual success to be enjoyed by both companies upon the mass rollout," stated Lance K. Poulsen, chairman of NCFE.

John F. Andrews, e-MedSoft.com chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "This implementation will continue to enhance NCFE's position and stature in the industry."

About NCFE

With headquarters in Dublin, National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. has raised in excess of $1 billion through its securitized programs during 1999 and is the country's largest provider of health-care accounts receivable financing via securitization.

Since 1994, the firm has raised in excess of $6 billion through a myriad of programs within the health-care industry. In addition to its Dublin headquarters, NCFE has offices in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Durham, N.C.; and Port Charlotte, Fla. The firm currently employs more than 230 people.

About e-MedSoft.com

e-MedSoft.com, with its core medical software product, is leading a transition in the medical industry, as it is the first subscription-based health-care management system available for delivery through the Internet.

Users of the software are charged a small up-front installation fee, and an ongoing subscription fee based on transaction volume. The medical software is a complete health-care management system.

Through the Internet and its Java-based integrator, which utilizes Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java technology, e-MedSoft.com's software facilitates communication across diverse platforms and languages in unlimited capacity, allowing for the interlink of doctors, hospitals, clinics, HMOs, insurance companies, financiers and government agencies.

The ease and low cost with which it can be implemented; its Internet-based ASP model, which reduces the need to build internal IT infrastructures; and its ability to allow for the exchange of information across diverse platforms and systems bode well for its widespread adoption by the medical community.

e-MedSoft.com also operates the e-Net Technology group of companies, which includes e-Net Systems Ltd. (formerly Relay Business Systems Ltd.), IFA Systems Ltd. and e-Net Software.

The e-Net group focuses on removing the complexity of Web-enabling business processes by providing a complete range of Internet Managed Services and Information Technology solutions, and by utilizing strategic partners Sun Microsystems, Oracle Corp. and Cisco Systems Ltd.

e-MedSoft.com's products are built on the foundations of speed, ease of use, security, scalability and resilience. For more information, see http://www.sierracities.com/stock_chart.asp, and http://www.magnumfinancial.com/.

Statements in this news release that relate to management's expectations, intentions or beliefs concerning future plans, expectations, events and performance are "forward looking" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include assumptions, beliefs and opinions relating to the company's business and growth strategy based upon management's interpretation and analysis of its own contractual and legal rights, of management's ability to satisfy industry and consumer needs with its technologies, of health-care industry trends, and of management's ability to successfully develop, implement, market and/or sell its network transaction processing services, software programs, clinical and financial transaction services, and e-commerce systems to its clientele. Management's forward-looking statements further assume that the company will be able to successfully develop and execute on its strategic relationships. Many known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including general economic conditions and risk factors detailed from time to time in news releases and the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause these forward-looking statements to be incorrect in whole or in part. The company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors set out above, including, without limitation, acceptance by customers of the company's products, changing technology, competition in the health-care market, government regulation of health care, the company's limited operating history, general economic conditions, availability of capital and other factors.

Note to Editors: Java and 100% Pure Java are trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, tradenames, registered trademarks or registered tradenames are the property of their respective holders.

--30--mtb/la* rws/la

CONTACT:

For e-MedSoft.com

Magnum Financial Group LLC, Los Angeles

Michael Manahan/Jeff Yu,
213/488-0443

mike@magnumfinancial.com
jeff@magnumfinanical.com or

For NCFE GERBIG, SNELL/WEISHEIMER & ASSOCIATES INC,
Columbus, Ohio

Jill Fazekas,
614/848-4848
jfazekas@gswa.com

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Why I Subscribe to Leasing News
By Randy Haug

“Kit, I have been an avid daily reader of Leasing News from the beginning. Honest, Informative, Timely and Valuable. It has the information in it that I find required for my personal and business development.

“One of the best things you can do is be continual learner in our business. Leasing News help make that happen for me.”

Best regards,

Randy Haug
EVP Co-Founder
LTi Technolgy Solutions, Inc.
rhaug@ltisolutions.com

 

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Parker Dood, CLFP, was promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Your Partner in Funding, Minnetonka, Minnesota. "Dood is responsible for establishing relationships with Channel’s Northeast partners and having intimate knowledge of their business approach and strategies to help them identify Channel products and services that best support their ability to compete and grow." He is located in Jackson, Michigan. He Joined Channel December, 2022, Senior Sales and Customer Advocate, promoted June, 2022, Regional Sales Manager. Previously, he was at Stryker, starting January, 2017, Finance Representative, promoted August, 2018, Senior ASC Finance Representative, promoted January, 2020, Senior ASC Finance Representative.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-dood-clfp-587b48127/

Marc Heller was promoted to the position of Vice Chairman of CIT Commercial Services, a subsidiary of First Citizens Bank.  He has previously held the position of Executive Vice President and New York Regional Manager of HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc. Marc was with HSBC and its predecessor, Republic Business Credit Corporation, since 1991 and has been in the financial services industry since 1970. A recipient of a number of industry awards, Marc has received the Financial Services Industries Award from the American Jewish Congress in 1996. He received the Leadership in Education Award from the New York Institute of Credit in 1998. Marc received the Community Achievement Award from ORT in 2002 and received the Top Hat Award in 2004.  He was at CIT since February, 2004, serving as President.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-heller-85499526/

Michael Hudgens has been promoted to the role of CIT Commercial Services President with full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the business. The new appointments are effective July 1. He is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Previously, he was Group Head of CIT Commercial Services (March, 2022). Managing Director, Southeast Regional Manger, CIT Commercial Services, Inc. (July, 1988).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hudgens-bb42bb3/

Kandi K. (Stettmeier) Laufert, CPA, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Partner, Madison Capital, LLC, Owings Mill, Maryland.  She joined the firm December, 1997, Controller. Previously, she was at Aon Risk Services (Alexander & Alexander Services, Inc., starting July, 1988, Internal Auditor, promoted November, 1990, Staff Account, promoted to Senior Accountant (July, 1994 - December, 1997).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandi-k-laufert-cpa-659aa831/

Eric Weber was hired as Manager, Credit Analyst, North Mill Equipment Finance, Inc., Norwalk, Connecticut.  He is located in Overland Park, Kansas. Previously, he was at Entegra Capital, LLC, starting January, 2017, Credit Analyst, promoted October, 2019, Credit Manager.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-weber-570aa81ab/

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

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Mastering the Endurance Game: Thriving in Sports
and Business Through Patience and Perseverance
By Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

In the realms of sports and sales, being an executive or running a business, success is not achieved overnight. Both arenas require a forward-thinking mindset that embraces patience and persistence. While each domain may differ in its specifics, the core principles remain the same: setting long-term goals, consistent effort, resilience in the face of setbacks, continuous learning, and building strong teams. By understanding the parallels between sports and business, individuals can cultivate a mindset that propels them towards success.

The Power of Long-Term Vision
Whether you're an athlete or an entrepreneur, having a clear long-term vision is essential. It provides a purposeful direction and a target to Pursue. By setting goals that extend beyond immediate results, individuals can maintain focus and drive, even during challenging times. A forward-thinking mindset ensures that short-term setbacks do not derail the overall journey.

The Persistence to Overcome Obstacles
In both sports and business, obstacles and setbacks are inevitable. Athletes face injuries, defeats, and plateaus, while business professionals encounter market volatility, financial challenges, and fierce competition. However, those who possess patience and persistence view these obstacles as opportunities for growth and improvement. They adapt, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward, undeterred by temporary setbacks.

Adapting through Continuous Learning
In a rapidly changing world, learning is paramount. Athletes study opponents, analyze strategies, and refine their techniques. Similarly, business professionals must stay informed about market trends, customer preferences, and technological advancements. By fostering a mindset of continuous learning, individuals can remain ahead of the curve, adapt to evolving circumstances, and seize new opportunities.

The Strength of Collaborative Teams
Success in both sports and business rarely comes from individual efforts alone. Building strong teams is a cornerstone of achievement. Athletes rely on coaches, teammates, and support staff to maximize their potential. Similarly, businesses thrive when they bring together individuals with diverse talents and expertise, fostering collaboration and innovation. Patience and persistence are necessary when forming cohesive teams, as it takes time to establish trust, cohesion, and a shared vision.

Uniting the worlds of sports and business is the shared foundation of patience and persistence. By adopting a forward-thinking mindset, individuals can transcend the short-term challenges and keep their focus on long-term goals. Embracing obstacles as learning opportunities, continuously expanding knowledge, and building collaborative teams are essential to navigating the journey towards success. So, whether you're an athlete or a business professional, remember that playing the long game is the key to surpassing expectations and achieving greatness.

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


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

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

 

 

How Remote Work Has Reshaped
New York’s 'Super’ Commutes
By Caroline Spivak, Crains New York

Perhaps no one has benefited more from the proliferation of remote and hybrid work than so-called super commuters, those who spend 90 minutes or more traveling to work each way.

After years on the rise, this group of the country’s commuters has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data by Apartment List, a rental platform.

Lengthy commutes have been historically more common among high earners—think the executive who lives in the suburbs or out of state—but a greater flexibility to work from home has transformed that way of life. Now, in what represents a complete reversal to the prepandemic pattern, super commuting is most prevalent among the region’s lowest-income brackets who appear to have less ability, or none at all, to work remotely.

In 2019, 4.4% of U.S. workers earning $100,000 per year or more were super commuters—more than double the rate (2.1%) among those earning less than $25,000 annually. But from 2019 to 2021, the rate of super commuting among those earning $100,000 plus was cleaved in half while the rate of super commuting for those earning under $25,000 declined modestly to 1.7%. In the New York City region, the change is even more dramatic. About 9% of those earning $100,000 or more super commuted in 2019 compared to just 3.8% in 2021.

In other words, workers at the high end of the income spectrum are on the receiving end of the biggest drops in super commuting in New York and beyond. And whatever they’re doing with their recovered time, less of it is spent on trains and on the road.

With so many more workers reporting from home, shifts in travel patterns have not been limited to super commuting. But the starkest change has been for those with long travel times. For instance, from 2019 to 2021 the number of U.S. workers traveling 30 minutes or less each way decreased by 8%, while the number of super commuters traveling 90 minutes or more dropped by 35%.

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TuSimple Has Started Testing its
Self-driving Autonomous Truck in Japan

TuSimple Holdings, Inc. (“TuSimple”) a global autonomous driving technology company, announced it has begun Level 4 autonomous test runs on Japan’s most critical freight corridor that connects the major cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

In 2021, TuSimple Japan, a subsidiary of TuSimple, completed a series of safety validation and testing work of its autonomous driving system with a local Japanese OEM truck. In January 2023, TuSimple Japan commenced regular testing on the Tomei Expressway.

Source: AJOT.com

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Watch at Home
by Fernando Croce, Leasing News Movie Reviewer

The latest batch of streaming releases offer engaging underdog sagas ("Air"), crowd-pleasing comedy ("Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret"), stylish action ("John Wick: Chapter 4"), evocative film noir pastiches ("Marlowe") and uplifting documentaries ("Still: A Michael J. Fox Film").

Air (Amazon Prime): As in “Air Jordan,” the Michael Jordan-approved Nike shoes whose origins are chronicled in this shamelessly clichéd (and shamelessly entertaining) underdog drama, directed by Ben Affleck. Set in 1984, it finds the company struggling to catch up with its rivals and eager for new ideas. Enter marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), who suggests Nike enter the NBA business by courting a certain college superstar. That strategy involves convincing many people, including Nike founder Phil Knight (Affleck), Jordan’s pugnacious agent (Chris Messina), and, above all, Jordan’s mother (Viola Davis). Following a predictable trajectory, the film nonetheless remains a crackling time thanks to Affleck’s engaging, period-savvy filmmaking, strong performances, and an awareness of the opportunities and hurdles faced by young Black athletes then and now.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (Vudu): Judy Blume’s beloved 1970 novel gets a warmhearted screen treatment in this heartfelt adaptation, which marks director Kelly Fremon Craig’s follow-up to her acclaimed debut, “The Edge of Seventeen.” Abby Rider Fortson is delightful as Margaret Simon, the awkward teen heroine trying to make sense of life during puberty as she moves to New Jersey with her family. While pining for cute boys with her equally curious friends, she gets an assignment about religion, leading her to establish a private communication with God about her anxieties. Treating the protagonist’s mix of spiritual awareness and sexual inquisitiveness with empathy and humor, Fremon Craig fashions a crowd-pleasing comedy at once specific and universal. Others in the excellent cast include Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates.

John Wick: Chapter 4(Vudu): The popular action franchise reaches its sprawling, operatic fourth installment, with Keanu Reeves returning as the eponymous, dog-avenging retired hitman. Promptly picking up where the third chapter left off, the story follows Wick as he takes on the High Table criminal system with the help of the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). Locations change from New York to Paris to Osaka while the body count rises, with the taciturn hero facing minions from a High Table honcho (Bill Skarsgard) as well as a blind mentor (a scene-stealing Donnie Yen) and an enigmatic tracker known as Mr. Nobody (Shamier Anderson). Directed once again with bone-crushing panache by stuntman-turned-filmmaker Chad Stahelski, this is a cavalcade of bullet ballets that should satisfy the franchise’s most bloodthirsty devotees.

Marlowe (iTunes, Vudu): Veteran Irish director Neil Jordan re-teams with his “Michael Collins” leading man, Liam Neeon, for this handsome, knowing tribute to film noir, set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Neeson plays Raymond Chandler’s legendary hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe, a character previously embodied by such different actors Humphrey Bogart (“The Big Sleep”) and Elliott Gould (“The Long Goodbye”). His latest case involves investigating the disappearance of a Hollywood figure, the ex-lover of heiress Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger). While floating around the crossroads of movie industry and criminal underworld, Marlowe meets a variety of colorful characters, ranging from Clare’s screen diva mother (Jessica Lange) to a malevolent nightclub owner (Danny Huston) and a powerful kingpin (Alan Cumming). It all makes for a slick, evocative, and enjoyable pastiche.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Film (Apple TV+): Michael J. Fox’s professional rise and private struggles are chronicled in this heartening documentary from “An Inconvenient Truth” director David Guggenheim. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991, the actor has worked diligently to bring attention to the awareness and treatment of the disease. Narrating the movie himself, Fox looks back at his stardom in the Eighties on small as well as big screens, on TV hits such as “Family Ties” and blockbusters like “Back to the Future.” Juxtaposed with clips is his physical therapy and bond with his wife and children. Poignantly yet unsentimentally contemplating the vulnerability behind the impishly kinetic persona, the film admirably captures Fox’s warmth, humor, charisma and courage in the face of life’s overwhelming travails.

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

Hound -  Adopt-a-Dog
Waxhaw, North Carolina
(Greater Charlotte NC Area)

Oakley

Male
Young
Neutered
Up-do-Date on Vaccinations
Coat: Short
White/Cream
House Trained
Good in Home with
Other Dogs, Cats, Children
Characteristics:
Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Gentle,
Loyal, Smart, Funny, Loves Kisses, Oakley

Meet Oakley an absolute sweetheart!!! This petite Hound mix male is around 7-8 months old. Oakley is such a good boy; he has a heart of gold and personality to match. He is eager to please and just wants to be loved. Once you meet him you will understand why we say he is one in a million. Oakley is great with other dogs, children and everyone he meets. He loves his foster's dogs and will snuggle and play with them as much as they will let him. He is good in the car and doing well with house training. He is current on vaccines, microchipped and neutered. He currently weighs around 35lbs and will weigh around 45lbs full grown. Oakley is ready and waiting to find his forever family, contact us today at adopt@carolinapaws.com to make this handsome boy part of your family.

Carolina Pet Adoption & Welfare Society (PAWS)
P.O. Box 365
Waxhaw, NC 28173
adopt@carolinapaws.com
https://www.carolinapaws.com/

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News Briefs---

Connecticut Passes Commercial Financing
    Disclosure Bill
https://debanked.com/2023/06/connecticut-passes-commercial-financing-disclosure-bill/

Jobless claims jump to 261,000
    — Highest level since 2021
https://nypost.com/2023/06/08/jobless-claims-jump-to-261000-highest-level-since-2021/

New lawsuit filed against Umpqua Bank
    related to $330M Marin County Ponzi scheme
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/new-lawsuit-filed-against-umpqua-bank-related-to-330m-marin-county-ponzi-s/

As UPS union plans vote on strike,
    drivers broil in trucks lacking AC
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/08/ups-strike-trucks-air-conditioning/

What to know about the West Coast
    ports’ slowdown
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/08/ports-west-coast-dockworkers/

To fill offices, Google issues ultimatum
    while Salesforce tries charity
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/08/google-salesforce-return-to-office/

 

 

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More Americans own stocks. This is great
    for their financial future.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/06/american-stock-ownership/

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Sports Briefs---

Jay Monahan meeting with PGA Tour golfers gets 'heated'
https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/37808429/jay-monahan-meeting-pga-tour-golfers-gets-heated

Two Browns players robbed at gunpoint, per police report
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37806020/two-browns-players-robbed-gunpoint-per-police-report

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California News Briefs---

Los Angeles Times to cut 74 newsroom
positions amid advertising declines
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-06-07/los-angeles-times-newsroom-layoffs-merida-soon-shiong

S.F.’s hotel pain could spread as more than
30 owners face mortgage deadlines
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/downtown-san-francisco-hotels-18138079.php

They Fled San Francisco.
    The A.I. Boom Pulled Them Back
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/07/technology/ai-san-francisco-tech-industry.html

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Gimme that Wine

 

When Wine Becomes Crucial to Cultural Identity
   By Eric Asimov
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/05/dining/drinks/wine-cultural-identity.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Digging into 2022 Bordeaux
After visiting 16 estates, tasting 200 Wines
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/digging-into-2022-bordeaux

Washington Wine History Interviews:
Ted Baseler, Chateau Ste. Michelle
https://www.historylink.org/File/22596

Kelby James Russell launches winery
in New York’s Finger Lakes region
https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/kelby-james-russell-launches-winery-in-new-yorks-finger-lakes-region-504921/

This Day in History

      1498 - Christopher Columbus left on his third voyage of exploration.
    1712 - The Pennsylvania Assembly banned the importation of slaves.    
    1769 - Daniel Boone arrives in Kentucky, celebrated today as “Boone Day.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun07.html
(as stated by a relative here, many of the stories about Daniel Boone were invented and are not true; however, he was an American pioneer, nevertheless).
    1776 - Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed to the Continental Congress the resolution calling for a Declaration of Independence: that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States..." Congress delayed the vote on the resolution until July 1.
    1777 - The Second Continental Congress voted to replace the phrase “United Colonies” in all legislation with the phrase “United States of America.” The Congress represented only twelve colonies at this date, Georgia not having sent delegates yet.
    1816 - At Danville, Vermont, snow and sleet drifted to a depth of 20 inches. The higher elevations remained white the entire day. snow flurries were reported as far south as Boston, Massachusetts. Waltham, Massachusetts reported a low temperature of 33 degrees and New Haven, Connecticut had a low of 35 degrees.
    1828 - A party led by Jebediah Smith completed a journey down the Klamath River and were on the verge of starvation when they were visited by Indians who brought food. Smith's party proceeded north to Oregon and most of the party was killed by Umpqua Indians. Smith was killed in 1831 by Comanches on the Cimarron River. Smith’s party was the first white people to see Lake Earl, the biggest lagoon on the West Coast.    
    1860 - As more Americans learned to read, the first mass-market paperback book was a fiction entitled: “Malaeska: Indian Wife of the White Hunter,” by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. It was the trend then to hire writers, as was done for the Nancy Drew series, gives them an outline and flat fee, no royalties. Mrs. Stephens had never left New York City, had never met an Indian. It was published by Irwin P. Beadle and Company, New York, and first advertised this day in the New York Tribune as “Beadle's Dime Novels No. 1.”
    1862 - Union General Benjamin Franklin Butler was hated in New Orleans and it perhaps started with this incident, which saw the first person hanged for treason, William Bruce Mumford, a retired gamble. During the Civil War, Captain Theodorus Bailey was sent by Admiral David Glasgow Farragut to New Orleans, LA, where he hoisted the American flag over the mint on April 28, 1862. After the troops left, Mumford tore down the flag. On May 1, General Butler arrived in New Orleans with 2,000 troops and took possession of the St. Charles Hotel. A Crowd gather in front of it, among them Mumford, who boasted of his exploit in humbling the “old rag of the United States.” Mumford was arrested, tried under the direction of the provost marshal of the district of New Orleans, convicted, and hanged on June 7, 1862.
   1864 – “BURGLAR ARRESTED” was written by Mark Twain for The San Francisco Daily Morning Call.  John Richardson, whose taste for a cigar must be inordinate, gratified it on Saturday night last by forcing his way into a tobacconist on Broadway, near Kearny Street, and helping himself to fourteen hundred "smokes." In his hurry, however, he did not select the best, as the stolen tobacco was only valued at fifty dollars. He was congratulating himself last evening in a saloon on Dupont Street, in having secured weeds for himself and all his friends, when lo! a Rose bloomed before his eyes, and he wilted. The scent of that flower of detectives was too strong even for the aroma of the stolen cigars. Richardson was conveyed to the station-house, where a kit of neat burglar's tools was found on his person. He is now reposing his limbs on an asphaltum floor - a bed hard as the ways of unrighteousness.
    1887 - Revolutionizing printing, Tolbert Lanston of Washington, DC, received five patents for a monotype machine. The machine cast new type, letter by letter, from matrices that were used over and over again.
http://www.agfamonotype.co.uk/DynamicPage/View.cfm?PageName=tl_1844_94
    1892 - African-American GJ Sampson received patent for clothes dryer.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwashingmachines.htm
    1892 - Wyoming, which recognized women's rights early, perhaps to attract more women to the state, also became the first state with women at a national political convention. Therese A. Jenkins of Cheyenne, WY, and Cora G. Carleton of Hilliard, WY, were sent as alternate delegates to the 10th Republican Party convention at Minneapolis, MN, on June 7-10, 1892.
    1892 - Homer A. Plessy refuses to move to segregated railroad coach in New Orleans, initiating Plessy v Ferguson, adjudicated by the Supreme Court.
http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/post-civilwar/plessy.html
    1897 - Birthday of George Szell (d. 1970), Hungarian-born American conductor.
    1902 - Birthday of trombonist Ed Cuffee (d. 1959), Norfolk, VA.
    1906 - Birthday of bandleader Glen Gray, born Glen Gray Knoblauch  (d. 1963), Roanoke, IL.
http://www.lib.neu.edu/archives/collect/findaids/m31find.htm
    1909 - Birthday of Virginia Apgar (d. 1974), Westfield, NJ. Dr. Apgar developed the simple assessment method that permits doctors and nurses to evaluate newborns while they are still in the delivery room to identify those in need of immediate medical care. The Apgar score was first published in 1953 and the Prenatal Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics is named for Dr. Apgar.
    1909 - Birthday of Jessica Tandy (d. 1994), British-born U.S. actor. She won the Kennedy Center Honors Award in 1986; won an Academy Award for the lead in “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989). She won her second Tony award for “The Gin Game” (1978). Most remember her in her old age and are amazed that her first Tony award was for her creation of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1947) - opposite Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden.
    1915 - William Jennings Bryan resigned as secretary of state in a disagreement with President Woodrow Wilson over the wording of a second note to Germany. Robert Lansing was named acting secretary of state.
    1917 - Birthday of Gwendolyn Brooks (d. 2000), Topeka, KS. Brooks' mother had taught at the Topeka school that later became involved in the famous Brown v. Board of Education racial desegregation case.  Family lore held that Brooks' paternal grandfather had escaped slavery to join the Union forces during the Civil War. A poet, her work often dealt with the personal celebrations and struggles of ordinary people in her community. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 for “Annie Allen,” making her the first African American to receive the Pulitzer.  Throughout her prolific writing career, Brooks received many more honors. She was appointed Poet Laureate of Illinois in 1968, a position she held until her death, and what is now the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress for the 1985–86 term. In 1976, she became the first African-American woman inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. 
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/brooks/brooks.html
    1917 - Birthday of singer/straight man and movie/tv star Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti (d. 1995), Steubenville, OH. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool" for his seemingly effortless charisma and self-assurance.  He and Jerry Lewis formed the immensely popular comedy duo Martin and Lewis, with Martin serving as the straight man to Lewis' slapstick hijinks. From 1946-56, they were arguably the hottest act in show business before going their separate ways. A member of the “Rat Pack,” Martin went on to become a star of concert stages, nightclubs, audio recordings, motion pictures and television. Martin was the host of the variety programs, “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.” His relaxed, warbling, crooning voice earned him dozens of hit singles, including his signature songs “Memories Are Made of This,” “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” ”Sway,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?,” and “Volare.”
    1921 - Guitarist Tal Farlow (d. 1998) birthday, Greensboro, NC.
http://www.jazzguitar.com/features/talbook.html nStreet/5563/ 
http://www.myjazzhome.com/tal_2.htm
http://elvispelvis.com/talfarlow.htm
    1930 - The New York Times agreed to capitalize the word from n- to Negro.
    1930 - Gallant Fox, with jockey Earle Sande, became the second horse to win the Triple Crown. Trained by Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, Gallant Fox won the Belmont Stakes by three lengths over Wichone in 2:31.3
    1932 - Over 7,000 war veterans march on Washington, D.C. demanding their bonuses for service in World War I.
    1934 - Country honky-tonk and ballad singer Wynn Stewart (d. 1985) was born in Morrisville, Missouri. He is best known for his 1967 country chart-topper, "It's Such a Pretty World Today."
    1940 - Singer Tom Jones was born Thomas John Woodward in Pontypridd, Wales.  After building a reputation in London clubs, Jones was offered a recording contract in 1964. His first records weren't successful, but in 1965 he achieved international success with "it’s Not Unusual," a song written by his manager, Gordon Mills. Jones next reached the top of the charts with the title song from the Peter O'Toole movie "What's New Pussycat?" He followed this with a series of country-flavored pop hits, among them "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Delilah" and "Love Me Tonight." Tom Jones became one of the biggest selling acts in Las Vegas and had his own US network TV show for a few seasons.   
He returned with much gusto in 1994 with a new image, a new label and a new record. Titled 'The Lead and How to Swing It,' the ZTT (Trevor Horn's label) released disc featured the hit single 'If I Only Knew' and a duet with Tori Amos called 'I Want You Back.' Tom also covered the early 80s Yaz tune 'Situation.' 
    1941 - Whirlaway won the Belmont Stakes by 2 ½ lengths over Robert Morris to become the fifth horse to win the Triple Crown. Trained by Ben Jones for Calumet Farms and ridden by Eddie Arcaro, Whirlaway finished the Belmont in 2:31.
    1942 - It is not very well remembered but it was very important to the building fear of the times when the Japanese occupied the undefended island of Attu and the island of Kiska in the Western Aleutians, which was American territory. The capture was announced by the Navy on June 13. The islands were retaken by American Forces in May, 1943 and is the only battle fought on U.S. soil during World War II.
    1942 - The Battle of Midway, one of the most decisive U.S. victories in its war against Japan, comes to an end. In the four-day sea and air battle, the outnumbered U.S. Pacific Fleet succeeded in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers with the loss of only one of its own, the Yorktown, thus reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy. In six months of offensives, the Japanese had triumphed in lands throughout the Pacific, including Malaysia, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines, and numerous island groups. The United States, however, was a growing threat and Japanese Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto sought to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet before it was large enough to outmatch his own. A thousand miles northwest of Honolulu, the strategic island of Midway became the focus of his scheme to smash U.S. resistance to Japan's imperial designs. Yamamoto's plan consisted of a feint toward Alaska followed by an invasion of Midway by a Japanese strike force. When the U.S. Pacific Fleet arrived at Midway to respond to the invasion, it would be destroyed by the superior Japanese fleet waiting unseen to the west. If successful, the plan would eliminate the U.S. Pacific Fleet and provide a forward outpost from which the Japanese could eliminate any future American threat in the Central Pacific. Unfortunately for the Japanese, U.S. intelligence broke the Japanese naval code and the Americans anticipated the surprise attack. Three heavy aircraft carriers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were mustered to challenge the four heavy Japanese carriers steaming toward Midway. At the Battle of Midway, Japan lost four carriers, a cruiser, 292 aircraft, and suffered 2,500 casualties. The U.S. lost the Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammann, 145 aircraft, and suffered 307 casualties. Japan's losses in the hobbled its naval might, bringing Japanese and American sea power to approximate parity, and marked the turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II. In August 1942, the great U.S. counteroffensive began at Guadalcanal and did not cease until Japan's surrender three years later.
    1943 - The worst of the L.A. Zoot Suit Riot violence occurs as soldiers, sailors, and marines from as far away as San Diego travel to Los Angeles to join in the fighting. Taxi drivers offer free rides to servicemen and civilians to the riot areas. Approximately 5,000 civilians and military men gather downtown. The riot spreads into the predominantly African American section of Watts.
    1944 - Birthday of guitarist Clarence White (d. 1973) of the Byrds was born in Lewiston, Maine. After appearing as a session musician on recordings by such artists as Rick Nelson, the Everly Brothers and the Byrds, he became a permanent member of the Byrds in 1968. White remained with them until the group broke up in 1973. In July of that year, White was killed by a drunken driver in Lancaster, California, while he was loading equipment on to a van following a concert.
    1950 - Top Hits
“My Foolish Heart” - The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra (vocal: Eileen Wilson)
“Bewitched” - The Bill Snyder Orchestra
“The Third Man Theme” - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra
“Birmingham Bounce” - Red Foley
    1951 - HANSON, JACK G., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Near Pachi-dong, Korea, 7 June 1951. Entered service at: Galveston, Tex. Born: 18 September 1930, Escaptawpa, Miss. G.O. No.: 15, 1 February 1952. Citation: Pfc. Hanson, a machine gunner with the 1st Platoon, Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. The company, in defensive positions on two strategic hills separated by a wide saddle, was ruthlessly attacked at approximately 0300 hours, the brunt of which centered on the approach to the divide within range of Pfc. Hanson's machine gun. In the initial phase of the action, 4 riflemen were wounded and evacuated and the numerically superior enemy, advancing under cover of darkness, infiltrated and posed an imminent threat to the security of the command post and weapons platoon. Upon orders to move to key terrain above and to the right of Pfc. Hanson's position, he voluntarily remained to provide protective fire for the withdrawal. Subsequent to the retiring elements fighting a rearguard action to the new location, it was learned that Pfc. Hanson's assistant gunner and 3 riflemen had been wounded and had crawled to safety, and that he was maintaining a lone-man defense. After the 1st Platoon reorganized, counterattacked, and re-secured its original positions at approximately 0530 hours, Pfc. Hanson's body was found lying in front of his emplacement, his machine gun ammunition expended, his empty pistol in his right hand, and a machete with blood on the blade in his left hand, and approximately 22 enemy dead lay in the wake of his action. Pfc. Hanson's consummate valor, inspirational conduct, and willing self-sacrifice enabled the company to contain the enemy and regain the commanding ground, and reflect lasting glory on himself and the noble traditions of the military service.
    1953 - Kukla, Fran (Allison) and Ollie, along with the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler, were featured on the first network telecast in ‘compatible color.’ The program was broadcast from Boston, MA.
    1953 - At age 90, Mary Church Terrell led the struggle to end segregation in Washington DC restaurants, culminating at the Supreme Court. On June 8, 1953, the court ruled that segregated eating places in Washington, D.C., were unconstitutional.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/dc2.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aap/terrell.html
http://www.tnstate.edu/library/digital/terrell.htm
    1954 - Dodger catcher Roy Campanella steals home in the 12th in a 7-5 victory over the Cardinals.
    1954 - With Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" riding high on the Billboard R&B chart, Bill Haley and His Comets enter Decca Records' New York studio to record the same number. Haley's version will enter the Pop chart next August for an amazing 27-week run and rise to #7, becoming the first Rock and Roll tune to sell a million copies. 
    1955 - First President to appear on color TV (Dwight Eisenhower)
    1958 - Prince is born Prince Roger Nelson (d. 2018) in Minneapolis. His biggest hit is "When Doves Cry," which tops Billboard's Hot 100 for five weeks and sells more than 2 million copies. On his 35th birthday in 1993 he changed his name to a symbol.
    1958 - Top Hits
“The Purple People Eater” - Sheb Wooley
“Secretly” - Jimmie Rodgers
“Do You Want to Dance” - Bobby Freeman
“All I Have to Do is Dream” - The Everly Brothers
    1963 - The Rolling Stones' first record, “Come On,” was released.
http://personal.redestb.es/jmunoz/stones/comeon.html
    1965 - The executive committee of the American Football League met in New Jersey and voted to expand the league to nine teams from eight.  Two months later, the league awarded the expansion franchise to Miami for $7.5 million. The ownership group headed by Joe Robbie and entertainer Danny Thomas named its team the Dolphins.
    1966 - Top Hits
“When a Man Loves a Woman” - Percy Sledge
“A Groovy Kind of Love” - The Mindbenders
“Paint It, Black” - The Rolling Stones
“Distant Drums” - Jim Reeves
   1967 - Dr. David E Smith opened the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, the first free clinic in the U.S. without a religious affiliation. His goal was to provide free medical care for everyone under the motto "Health care is a right, not a privilege." The clinic operated in the Haight-Ashbury District through 2007, then moved most of its operations to the Mission District of San Francisco and continues to provide medical care to those who would otherwise lack access to it. The clinics merged in 2011 with Walden House, an addiction treatment organization; in 2012 they adopted a new name: HealthRIGHT 360.  Forty years later, his book: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/20/MNSOLSMITH20.DTL
    1968 - The Grateful Dead and The Airplane at the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco.
    1969 - The rock group Blind Faith made its British debut at a free concert at London's Hyde Park. Over 100,000 fans attended what was called “the most remarkable gathering of young people ever seen in England.” The group was composed of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Stevie Winwood and Rick Grech.
    1969 – “The Johnny Cash Show” premiered on television, CBS.
http://www.johnnycash.com/
    1974 - Top Hits
“The Streak” - Ray Stevens
“Band on the Run” - Paul McCartney & Wings
“You Make Me Feel Brand New” - The Stylistics
“Pure Love” - Ronnie Milsap
    1975 – “Thank God I'm a Country Boy,” by John Denver hits #1.
    1971 - Carole King's album "Tapestry" goes gold. The album retains on the charts for three years and produces her biggest single, "It's Too Late."  It is the 81st best-selling album of all time, with over 14 million sales certified worldwide, reaching Diamond status in 1995.   It received four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year. The lead singles from the album— “It’s Too Late" and “I Feel the Earth Move"—spent five weeks at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. In 2000, it was voted number 74 in Colin Larkin’s All Time Top 1000 Albums.   In 2020, “Tapestry” was ranked number 25 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
    1971 - Elton John's album, "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" enters the U.S. chart at #1 where it stayed there for seven weeks.
    1972 - The musical “Grease” opened on Broadway. It had been playing off-Broadway for about 4 months.  By the time it closed on April 13, 1980, it had run 3,388 performances.
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/8849/Moviemusicals/
Rydell/Grease.htm#stag
    1974 - "The Entertainer," the original music from the motion picture "The Sting," earned a gold record for pianist and conductor, Marvin Hamlisch
    1975 - Sony Corporation released its videocassette recorder, the Betamax, which sold for $995. RCA and others introduced the VHS format, selling originally for $1,295. The Betamax was cheaper and supposedly a better system, but Sony would not release the patent and more manufacturers produced VHS, making it cheaper and cheaper.  Perhaps what happened to Apple not releasing its software to programmers and Microsoft giving it to software developers for free, happened as Sony stopped making Betamax. If you remember, people were saying the video tape would put the movie industry out of business---just as they are saying today the internet will put the retailers out of business. In reality, both were enhanced and the consumers became the winners. VHS was eventually replaced by DVD which fell to online video and streaming services.
    1976 - "The NBC Nightly News," with John Chancellor and David Brinkley, aired for the first time. The partnership lasted until Brinkley moved to ABC News. Chancellor then held the solo anchor spot until retiring.
    1980 - Rocky Burnette's "Tired of Toeing the Line" peaks at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rocky bills himself as “The Son of Rock and Roll” as his father, Johnny Burnette, had scored a 1960 number one hit with "You're Sixteen." The feat of father and child both scoring a Top Ten hit has also been accomplished by Ozzie and Rick Nelson, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Nat and Natalie Cole, and Pat and Debbie Boone. 
    1982 - Top Hits
“Ebony and Ivory” - Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
“Don't Talk to Strangers” - Rick Springfield
“I've Never Been to Me” - Charlene
“Finally” - T.G. Sheppard
    1982 - Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey becomes only the fifth player in Major League history to play in 1,000 consecutive games.
    1984 - 42 tornadoes touched down in the upper Midwest with 21 of them occurring in Iowa. An F4 tornado tracked 30 miles through Mahaska and Keokuk counties in Iowa, killing 2 people and injuring 51. The small town of Wright was practically wiped out. Barneveld, Wisconsin was devastated shortly before midnight as a F5 tornado chewed up the town. 90 percent of the town was damaged or destroyed, 9 people were killed, and 197 were injured.
    1990 - Top Hits
“Vogue” - Madonna
“All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You” - Heart
“Hold On” - Wilson Phillips
“I've Cried My Last Tear for You” - Ricky Van Shelton
    1993 - The Who's Pete Townshend and Chuck Berry are among those present for the ground breaking ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, seven years after the city won the right to host the building. Guests stood on a guitar shaped stage at the construction site on the shore of Lake Erie.
2006 - US forces in Iraq killed terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.  A Jordanian jihadist who ran a paramilitary training camp in Afghanistan, he became known after going to Iraq and master-minding a series of bombings, beheadings, and attacks during the Iraq War, reportedly "turning an insurgency against US troops" in Iraq "into a Shia-Sunni civil war.”  In late 2004, he joined al-Qaeda and pledged allegiance to bin Laden. He dispatched numerous suicide bombers throughout Iraq to attack American soldiers and areas with large concentrations of Shia militias. He is also thought to be responsible for the 2005 bombing of three hotels in Amman, Jordan.  Zarqawi was killed in a targeted killing by a joint U.S. force while attending a meeting in an isolated safehouse.
    2013 – According to a new study, breast milk boosts brain development by 30% compared to babies who are fed formula.
    2020 - COVID-19 global death toll passes 400,000 with confirmed cases at 6,973,195 according to Johns Hopkins figures.


NBA Champions:
   1978 - Washington Bullets
Stanley Cup Champions:
   1997 - Detroit Red Wings
   2018 – Washington Capitals