Signs of Spring

Forest Park owlets attract fans, followers in Missouri.
St. Louis Dispatch

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Leasing Company Turns it Down, but Then Gives to
Direct Salesperson Who Puts it Together
By Kit Menkin, Editor

Complaints about brokers not getting paid when a company completes a deal they originally submitted have been made to Leasing News for years, such as this latest one:

"It’s a company I’ve come to know well because I work here. I feel compelled to speak about it not because I am disgruntled – in fact, far from it. I like my job, my co-workers. Overall I like the company culture as well. But as the pandemic ends and trade show seasons start to pick up again and stalled projects get back on track, I will have to face customer and partners, and I’d like to be able to look them in the eye and shake hands without this knot in my stomach. So here it is:

“The leadership of my company has purposely misled dozens of partners that they work with, basically fibbing about the way they conduct business. Effectively, we have a divided house: a “direct” team and a “broker” team. The direct team works directly with manufacturers and dealers, and the broker team works with brokers who represent borrowers and dealers. When brokers bring us transactions, they trust that we won’t steal their customers and dealers via our direct business. However, it has been happening more and more, the leadership team is aware of it.

“When I have expressed concern about these issues, I’ve been taken aside and quietly told I should look the other way and that I’d be hurting my own career if I continued to ‘make waves.’ I’ve also been told it only happens rarely when requested by customers, but that’s not what I’ve seen. Especially since the pandemic started, it’s practically become normal course of business to try to steal broker relationships over to our direct-to-vendor team. A few brokers that I know well have told me that our direct Team calls their customers, usually some weeks or months after successfully funded transactions. That’s a big ‘no-no.’  Brokers live on their relationships. We’re big enough I feel, that we shouldn’t need to steal business from our partners. It’s just wrong.”

The late Bernie Boettigheimer, CLFP, was a member of the American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, who started Lease Police. He originally got the idea from the “members only” blog on sharing information about leasing company and inside information. He would contact the funder or super broker and work on getting all the facts.

The AACFB “members only” blog has been going on since the early days of the association when it began as NAELB, sharing inside information confidentially. When Bernie passed away, he intended to donate Lease Police to AACFB to continue (this is another story).  When Leasing News received complaints that we could not use because they are hearsay amid threats of litigation for publishing the complaint, I would suggest to the party who sent the original information to join AACFB and share the information. At worst, it would protect members. At best, it might bring evidence that could bring the information public.

The party who sent the information about direct salesmen taking over broker deals sent more information, but did not give us their name and due to the nature Leasing News could not publish the “hearsay.”

Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor, as well as Legal Counsel for AACFB, was asked for his opinion on the legality issues, especially what is expressed by AACFB in “Members Only” website blog.

“Obviously, we would like independent corroboration of this allegation, which is very serious. Circumvention of brokers is an ongoing concern to the AACFB, and should be to the broker industry in general.

“It is illegal, unethical, and immoral. It also undermines an enormous sector of the equipment finance industry by creating an atmosphere of suspicion within the broker community, who will be reluctant to make referrals if they believe a lender is going to steal their commissions and/or their leads. If the AACFB were to adjudicate this type of conduct under its ethics guidelines and dispute procedures, I am sure the offending member would be disciplined, and perhaps expelled from the association.

“If a dispute like this was heard by a judge or jury, I am certain the lender would pay the price. This has to stop. I urge anyone to come forward, whether to Leasing News, or the AACFB, NEFA, ELFA, or whatever association they belong to, to put an end to this nefarious behavior.”

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

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What Tom McCurnin Learned from 40 Years
in Banking and Leasing  - Sixth and final part

Before Tom retired, he wrote 13 California Department of Business Oversight cases where the broker or lessor were fined for not being licensed, several of which were from out of state. (1) They were highly read.

In wrapping up, he also wrote advice/memoirs. As editor, I chose the sequence, saving what I thought was the best advice for last.
- Kit Menkin, editor

Part 6
Understand the Regulations - Appoint a Compliance Officer

I don’t want to dive into politics, but since the election of Donald Trump, the present administration has abandoned federal regulations for financial institutions. At first blush, this sounded like a great idea, but there were unintended consequences. The abject failure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to regulate the explosion in finance companies has caused two states (California and New York) to undertake their own regulation of the financial services industry.  California has a comprehensive licensing statute with interest rate disclosure, to be further developed this year by the California Department of Business Oversight. New Jersey to follow. New York may have interest rate disclosure by 2020. 

The California Department of Business Oversight (DBO) has enacted licensing requirements and interest rate disclosure.  It is aggressively policing its requirements as a direct result of the federal government backing out of the space. With licensing, there are a number of other regulations which must be understood by licensees. 

▪ Appoint a Compliance Officer. Most financial institutions have appointed a person to be in charge of regulatory compliance. It is this person’s job to make sure that the company complies with all regulations. Of course, this person should consult appropriate lawyers who know regulations and should attend conferences on the subject. 

▪ Timely File Annual Reports In California, these reports are due in March. If you’ve moved or not received your reminder card, you still have to renew your license. There may be significant fines for letting the license expire. 

▪ Deals Done Without a License Will Subject You To Fines. If your company has done California loans without a license, or while the license was expired, expect to be fined. The fine can be as large as $2,500, but is usually significantly less. Nevertheless doing a couple hundred deals will probably warrant a five figure fine. 

▪ Understand the Regulations. Along with your license, the DBO has enacted about 20 pages of regulations.  They are not difficult to read and understand. Somebody at your company should read them and report back to management. The current trip wires for the DBO are paying commissions to unlicensed brokers or if you are a broker, receiving commissions while not being licensed. 

▪ Understand the Regulations of Other States. Most good leasing attorneys can conduct a 50 state survey of licensing requirements. Some states have no lending license requirements, except for small dollar, less than $10,000 commercial loans. Other states have that threshold at $5,000. Your compliance officer should know all the requirements for loans and leases made by your company in the states you operate. 

Part One
Good Business Practices Matters
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2019/04_03.htm#what

Part Two
Understand Your Debtor - Embrace Settlement
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2019/04_05.htm#understand    

Part Three
Picking an Attorney - Risk Management
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2019/04_09.htm#picking

Part Four
Collection of Payment Stream
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2019/04_12.htm#collection

Part Five
Lease Documentation: Make it Clear
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2019/04_16.htm#5

1. Leasing Cases by Tom McCurnin
   http://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

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Help Wanted Ads

 

Superior Originators

Sales Makes it Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP

The U.S. economy is facing volatility (rising interest rates, supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, inflation, geo-political challenges) and activity in the industry continues to be. Demand for commercial equipment is outpacing supply. The times require strong, aggressive, and knowledgeable originators who can navigate changing conditions on the ground.

Superior originators are working closely with their vendors and end-users to educate them about anticipated changes and to position their clients for success.

Vendors and end-users are demanding expertise. Originators need to be up-to-date on equipment costs, funding capabilities, and processes. Quality transactions are requiring quality originators who can simplify the process and quickly determine what steps need to occur to efficiently move a transaction from application to funding.

Conversely, top originators are spending their valuable time strictly on those transactions that have the greatest possibility of being successfully funded in a timely matter.

A seasoned originator recently explained that over the past few months he has increased his pre-qualification of every potential application. He considers it a valuable service, to set realistic expectations. He has followed the lead of his credit department and has narrowed his credit box to reflect the current conditions in the market.

His volume continues to increase because he is spending quality time on those transactions that will fund. Vendors and end-users respect his ability to set parameters which when met, produce exceptional results. They respect his professionalism of explaining why conditions are changing and what steps should be taken to best protect the interest of his vendors, end-users, and his company.

The market always rewards professionalism, honesty, and aggressiveness.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

Sales Makes it Happen articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.htm

 

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You Are a Valuable Asset

Career Crossroads---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

You Are a Valuable Asset … Is Your Employer Just NOW Expressing Their Appreciation?

We have seen an unprecedented emphasis on Candidate expectations over the last six months and Employers will not soon forget the necessity to ensure they implement retention initiatives.

This has been quite a pendulum shift for thousands of companies; however, there are organizations that have always held their employees as true assets. They understand the need to attract and retain great employees.

Candidates, take our advice and never “just jump.” Take the time to reflect on your current and long-term goals before ever contemplating a move. Consider the following:

• Is this the ideal environment for me
• Am I challenged
• There is a defined career path
• Base & incentives meet today’s standards
• Volume targets are unrealistic/territory too broad (SALES)
• Company re-aligned role due to pandemic-driven necessity/additional functions (e.g., took on two roles w/o recognition/ comp)
• Create a Career Journal or Career Agenda Request info on our Journal to assist

There should be synergy between your current role and what you want. Then, do yourself a favor and speak to your managers relaying any discontent. If a “meeting of the minds” is not forthcoming, then ACT. Threats to leave will never be appreciated so quietly make your decision and do not waiver.

If you determine you are ready to take the next step, here are industry-specific positions that may be of interest to you or your colleagues:

MULTIPLE SALES EXECUTIVE ROLES | Expertise in Large Ticket FMV/Direct Business | Tech, Medical, Industrial, Construction, or Similar | TEAMS WELCOME

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY | GENERAL COUNSEL | VERY SENIOR LEVEL CONTRACT MANAGER/ DIRECTOR | Drafting of Contracts & Industry Expertise a Must | Relo Available

SYNDICATIONS & CREDIT DIRECTOR | Formal Commercial Credit Training & Industry Expertise a Must | Relo Available

COMMERCIAL CREDIT ANALYST to TRAIN for Syndications & Credit Directorship Role | 4+ Years of Commercial Credit | Formal Bank Training | Relo Available

MULTIPLE Commercial Credit Analyst Roles | Throughout the Country, Including TX, PA, IL, UT, etc.

MULTIPLE 3RD PARTY LEASING SALES/RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ROLES (BANKS) | Mix of Hunters & Relationship Managers | Throughout the Country

COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICERS (BANKS) | Mix of Hunters & Relationship Managers |Throughout the Country 

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

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

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One of the Best Summations
on the Local COVID-19 Pandemic
Sara Rubin, Editor. Monterey County Weekly, California

The rate of new infections has slowed but it hasn’t stopped. Also as of March 14, the county reported 467 new COVID cases, a rate of 7.5 cases per 100,000 people.
Doctors and public health officials never expected the virus to simply disappear but have long had their eyes on the transition from pandemic to endemic. That’s the point at which the virus is just part of life – something perhaps resembling the flu, that comes with vaccinations, regular PSAs and a certain number of severe illnesses and deaths, but does not force the health care system into overdrive or stall society.
It’s hard to tell when endemic status might arrive, says Martha Blum, medical director for infection prevention for Montage Health, but she’s hopeful it is coming.
“We’ll probably realize it in the rearview mirror—it’s not going to be one magic indicator,” Blum says. “I don’t know that there’s going to be one specific day or time or event that we’ll say ‘aha, now we’ve achieved that.’ People sense that’s where we almost are. Many prevention measures have become optional, rather than mandatory. It’s coming. I, for one, am looking forward to a much more COVID-free spring and summer.”
Health officials estimate about 70-90 percent of the population needs to be immune to the virus to achieve herd immunity, which would take us to endemic status. Without vaccines yet available for children ages 0-4, and just 83 percent of Monterey County’s eligible population at least partially vaccinated, we haven’t hit that threshold yet.
But there is research underway to figure out how close we are. CalScope is a study being conducted by the California Department of Public Health in seven counties, including Monterey. (The others are Alameda, El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego and Shasta.) The study is using blood samples collected via finger prick to look at who has antibodies from a previous Covid-19 infection or vaccination.
Some 200,000 invitations went to households in those counties starting in October for a second round of analysis. Last June, the first round of testing on 11,161 households showed 67 percent of adults ages 18 and older had immunity from prior infection or vaccination, and 43 percent of 0 to 17-year-olds had immunity.
“Obviously both of those numbers will be a lot higher now,” Blum says.
-Sara Rubin, editor, sara@mcweekly.com

Top Ten Leasing News Read by Readers
March 14 to March 18

(1)  Virginia May Be for Lovers But Not MCA's
Kenneth C. Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_14.htm#va

(2) No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business
plus Leasing Companies Out of Business - Updated
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_18.htm#no_longer

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_18.htm#hires

(4) Former President and CEO of Iowa Bank Sentenced
  to 9 Months & $4.5 MM in Restitution for Loan Guaranty Fraud
By Delaney Sexton, Coleman Report Contributing Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_14.htm#former

(5) Don’t Forget to Be Grateful...
Written in the Sky
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_16.htm#dont

(6)  Don't Fear the Unsubscribe
FinTech #102 by Alex Vasilakos
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_14.htm#dont

(7) Biden Administration Warns Applicants to Refrain
from Investing in Cannabis Companies
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_16.htm#biden

(8)  Fully Understanding Credit
Sales Makes it Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_16.htm#fully

(9)  LTi Technology Solutions Launches ASPIRE Express
Book and Service Lease/Loans Low Cost of Entry
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2022/03_14.htm#lti

(10)  Owners Outfoxed as Russia Absconds
with $10 Billion Worth of Jets
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-seizing-western-built-airliners-224955211.html

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The CDC is predicting that the BA.2 variant of Covid-19 – also called the stealth variant – will become dominant in the United States soon. The latest data shows that the variant, which is related to the varieties of Covid-19 that became known as Omicron (BA.1.1), was responsible for around 23 percent of cases in the country as of March 12, up from around 14 percent a week earlier. The data also shows that the original Omicron variant surged from less than 10 percent of cases to three quarters of cases within two weeks in December of 2021.

As BA.2 is suspected to be even more transmissible than BA.1.1, some expect an increase in Covid-19 cases in relation to the development.

The strain’s subvariety status made it harder to detect initially, earning it the stealth nickname. Around the world, the variety is already not operating in a low-key fashion anymore, also becoming more dominant in Europe and other countries. It is not clear, however, if BA.2 is to blame for infection numbers that have been rising again in European countries and – in an outbreak not seen since the initial coronavirus wave – in Hong Kong and China.

By Katharina Buchholz
Data Journalist
katharina.buchholz@statista.com

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

Money Received through ‘Crowdfunding’
May be Taxable

Taxpayers should understand their obligations
and the benefits of good recordkeeping

Understanding Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a method of raising money through websites by soliciting contributions from a large number of people. The contributions may be solicited to fund businesses, for charitable donations, or for gifts. In some cases, the money raised through crowdfunding is solicited by crowdfunding organizers on behalf of other people or businesses. In other cases, people establish crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for themselves or their businesses.  

Receipt of a Form 1099-K for Distributions of Money Raised Through Crowdfunding

The crowdfunding website or its payment processor may be required to report distributions of money raised if the amount distributed meets certain reporting thresholds by filing Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions, with the IRS. If Form 1099-K is required to be filed with the IRS, the crowdfunding website or its payment processor must also furnish a copy of that form to the person to whom the distributions are made. The American Rescue Plan Act clarifies that the crowdfunding website or its payment processor is not required to file Form 1099-K with the IRS or furnish it to the person to whom the distributions are made if the contributors to the crowdfunding campaign do not receive goods or services for their contributions.

Prior to 2022, the threshold for a crowdfunding website or payment processor to file and furnish a Form 1099-K was met if, during a calendar year, the total of all payments distributed to a person exceeded $20,000 in gross payments resulting from more than 200 transactions or donations.

For calendar years beginning after December 31, 2021, the threshold is lowered and is met if, during a calendar year, the total of all payments distributed to a person exceeds $600 in gross payments, regardless of the number of transactions or donations.

Accordingly, if a crowdfunding website or its payment processor makes distributions of money raised that meet the reporting threshold, and the contributors to the crowdfunding campaign received goods or services for their contributions, then a Form 1099-K is required to be filed with the IRS. Additionally, if the distributions of the money raised are made to the crowdfunding organizer, a copy of the Form 1099-K must be furnished to the organizer; alternatively, if the distributions of the money raised are made directly to individuals or businesses for whom the organizer solicited funds, the Form 1099-K must be furnished to those individuals or businesses that receive amounts that meet the reporting threshold.  

A person receiving a Form 1099-K for distributions of money raised through crowdfunding may not recognize the filer’s name on the form. Sometimes the payment processor used by the crowdfunding website, rather than the crowdfunding website itself, will issue the Form 1099-K and be included as the filer on the form. If the recipient of a Form 1099-K does not recognize the filer’s name or the amounts included on the Form 1099-K, the recipient can use the filer’s telephone number listed on the form to contact a person knowledgeable about the payments reported.

Box 1 on the Form 1099-K will show the gross amount of the distributions made to a person during the calendar year, but issuance of a Form 1099-K doesn’t automatically mean the amount reported on the form is taxable to the person receiving the form.  As discussed below, the income tax consequences depend on all the facts and circumstances. If the distributions reported on a Form 1099-K are not reported on the tax return of the recipient of the form, the IRS may contact the recipient for more information. The recipient will have the opportunity to explain why the crowdfunding distributions were not reported on the recipient’s tax return.

Tax Treatment of Money Raised Through Crowdfunding

Under federal tax law, gross income includes all income from whatever source derived unless it is specifically excluded from gross income by law. In most cases, property received as a gift is not includible in the gross income of the person receiving the gift.

If a crowdfunding organizer solicits contributions on behalf of others, distributions of the money raised to the organizer may not be includible in the organizer’s gross income if the organizer further distributes the money raised to those for whom the crowdfunding campaign was organized.

If crowdfunding contributions are made as a result of the contributors’ detached and disinterested generosity, and without the contributors receiving or expecting to receive anything in return, the amounts may be gifts and therefore may not be includible in the gross income of those for whom the campaign was organized.  Contributions to crowdfunding campaigns are not necessarily a result of detached and disinterested generosity, and therefore may not be gifts.  Additionally, contributions to crowdfunding campaigns by an employer to, or for the benefit of, an employee are generally includible in the employee’s gross income.

Taxpayers may want to consult a trusted tax professional for information and advice regarding how to treat amounts received from crowdfunding campaigns.

Recordkeeping for Money Raised Through Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding organizers and any person receiving amounts from crowdfunding should keep complete and accurate records of all facts and circumstances surrounding the fundraising and disposition of funds for at least three years.

Understanding Your Form 1099-K
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k

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

Spaniel (unknown type)
Roseville, Calfornia   Adopt-a-Dog

Paxton

Male
ID 16736144
Young
When Grown: 25 lbs.
Neutered
Good with Cats
Good wih Dogs
Good with Kids
House-Trained

Sacramento- Paxton was dumped out in some fields in Central California, and a nice man stopped and picked him up.  He is a bit nervous, but mostly is a great, energetic and loving dog.  He lives with two older children who have loved having him to play with and train.  He loves playing with the flirt pole and is learning to walk on a leash and is doing well with crate training.

He is going to need humans who are willing to work with his being nervous of new situations, and also that want an energetic dog.  We assume he was born about 11/21/20  and is a spaniel mix of some sort.  One thing that is for sure, he is adorable. We thought he was going to be a medium size dog but he has stayed small (he is about 10 pounds). He would definitely be better in a home with other dogs to help him be more confident 

You can find our adoption process and apply online at:  http://recycledpetsnorcal.org/adoptpet/

Adoption fee: $400 Includes spay/neuter, microchip, started puppy vaccines, dewormed

Recycled Pets NorCal
Roseville, Ca 95661
email:  adoptions@recycledpetsnorcal.org
Wesite: http://recycledpetsnorcal.org

Ask About Me Form:
https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/31072041-roseville-california-spaniel-unknown-type

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Truck Leasing & Renting Annual Meeting
April 3-6, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort/Spa

The trade association was organized in in 1978 to provide the unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA's membership includes nearly 500 leasing and rental firms and 100 suppliers that make up nearly the entire truck renting and leasing industry.

TRALA members purchase approximately 30 percent of all Class 2 through 8 over-the-road commercial trucks and tractors operating in the U.S. each year. You can now reach TRALA on Facebook @TRALAorg, Twitter @TRALAorg, and LinkedIn @TRALA.

Keynote speaker for its 2022 Annual Meeting is the former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, John Foley and its Industry Speaker is Tom Linebarger, President and CEO of Cummins Inc.

Every year TRALA hosts an Annual Meeting for its entire membership.  The event includes a General Assembly with speakers on topics critical to the membership, engaging business sessions on important issues affecting the truck renting and leasing industry, plenty of networking functions and a technology expo that showcases the products and services being offered by TRALA's supplier members. TRALA's leasing system member companies, NationaLease, Mack Leasing/Volvo Truck Leasing and PacLease system, all hold meetings in conjunction with TRALA's Annual Meeting.

TRALA encourages all its members to attend this valuable meeting and if your company is interested in becoming an Annual Meeting sponsor, please contact TRALA's Shannon Davison at sdavison@trala.org.

News Briefs---

Why is Freelancing on the rise?
    Two million Americans started freelancing in the first year of the pandemic
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-freelancing-rise-onesourcedirect/?trackingId=Inn6s8%2BG%2FhY35UJjnLM0vw%3D%3D

These charts show how much it costs to charge
    an EV vs. refueling a gas vehicle
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/19/cost-of-charging-ev-vs-gas-prices.html

Will surging gas prices put a U-turn
    on a return to the office?
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/21/will-surging-gas-prices-put-a-u-turn-on-a-return-to-the-office/

TAB Bank dragged into seedy world of puppy mill
    loans by FinTech partner
https://www.americanbanker.com/news/tab-bank-dragged-into-seedy-world-of-puppy-mill-loans-by-fintech-partner

Federal Reserve System publishes
    annual financial statements
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20220321a.htm

This California wine country town is multicultural
    So why do so many feel invisible?
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-03-20/ethnic-studies-class-spurs-a-racial-reckoning-in-california-wine-country

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You May Have Missed---

We are in a modern version of the Gilded Age
    with large increases in market concentrations since 1999
https://www.industryweek.com/the-economy/article/22027909/too-big-to-innovate

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Sports Briefs---

Report: Sean Miller Targeted to Return
    to Former School as Head Coach
https://larrybrownsports.com/college-basketball/sean-miller-targeted-xavier-head-coach/593586

Matthew Stafford and Rams agree on a four-year,
    $160-million contract
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2022-03-19/matthew-stafford-agrees-to-new-contract-rams-four-years?utm_id=50830&sfmc_id=1646692

Matt Ryan traded to Colts: Falcons sending former
    NFL MVP to Indianapolis for third-round pick
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/matt-ryan-traded-to-colts-falcons-sending-former-nfl-mvp-to-indianapolis-for-third-round-pick/

Matt Ryan’s replacement: Falcons sign Marcus Mariota
https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/matt-ryans-replacement-falcons-sign-marcus-mariota/53XQ5ELH7FCQDGZ6TMN4FXFX7Q/

Tennessee Titans trading for Los Angeles Rams
     WR Robert Woods to replace Julio Jones
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2022/03/19/robert-woods-trade-tennessee-titans-los-angeles-rams/7108505001/

A’s fans feel recent trades, ticket prices
      ‘might be the last straw’
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/as-fans-feel-recent-trades-ticket-prices-might-be-the-last-straw/

A’s Howard Terminal ballpark hits unexpected pothole,
    threatens to wreck the project
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2022/3/19/22986188/oakland-as-howard-terminal-ballpark-vote-spac-bcdc

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California Nuts Briefs---

California to drop proof of vaccination or negative test
     for large indoor events
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/California-to-drop-proof-of-vaccination-or-17012844.php

Long commutes, multiple roommates and friends’ couches:
    how UC Berkeley students live
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/21/commutes-roommates-and-couches-how-uc-berkeley-students-live/

Borenstein: A’s ballpark plan jeopardizes
    needed Bay Area port capacity
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/19/borenstein-as-ballpark-plan-jeopardizes-oakland-port-future-growth/

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"Gimme that wine"

"Wines for Ukraine" goes live to raise funds for organizations
    helping Ukrainians affected by the war
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/257019

10 Grapes Worth Knowing Better
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/21/dining/drinks/wine-grape-varieties.html

Cabernet Franc, A Favorite in Long Island and
  the Finger Lakes, 3 Winemakers Explain Why
https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlsson/2022/03/18/cabernet-franc-a-favourite-grape-in-long-island-and-the-finger-lakes-3-winemakers-explain-why/

Napa’s first Black woman winemaker, Victoria Coleman,
    encourages others to pursue viticulture
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/napas-first-black-woman-winemaker-victoria-coleman-encourages-others-to/

Wine makers push to change Prohibition era regulations
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/wine-makers-push-to-change-prohibition-era-regulations/article_5b6af0b6-a62b-11ec-828e-9f0279835884.html

“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/

This Day in History

     1526 - The first North American Slave Revolt: Nearly 40 years before the first permanent European settlement in North America, Spanish explorers bring enslaved Africans to what became the Carolinas. The Africans escape in what is the first recorded slave revolt in North America. In 1501, Spanish settlers brought slaves from Africa to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. There was a slave revolt in 1522 on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which now comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Most of Columbus’ bounty were Indian slaves as this was large commerce for basically “free labor.” In 1562, John Hawkins, the first Briton to take part in the slave trade, makes a huge profit hauling human cargo from Africa to Hispaniola.
    1619 - Africans brought to Jamestown are the first slaves imported into Britain's North American colonies. Like indentured servants, they were probably freed after a fixed period of service. 
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/tl.html
    1621 - A peace treaty and defensive alliance between the Wampanog Indians, led by Chief Massassoit, and the Pilgrims was concluded at Strawberry Hill, Plymouth, Mass. Arranged by Squanto, an English-speaking Indian, it was one of the earliest recorded treaties between Europeans and Indians in North America. Squanto had been kidnapped and sold as a slave in Spain. He escaped to England, where he learned English, and lived in Newfoundland for a time before returning to Massachusetts in 1619.
http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/massasoit-treaty.html
    1622 - The Powhatan Confederacy massacred 350 colonists in Virginia, a quarter of the population. On Good Friday, over 300 colonists in and around Jamestown were massacred. The massacre was led by the Powhatan chief Opechancanough and began a costly 22-year war against the English. Opechancanough hoped that killing one quarter of Virginia’s colonists would put an end to the European threat. The result of the massacre was just the opposite, however, as English survivors regrouped and pushed the Powhatans far into the interior. Opechancanough launched his final campaign in 1644, when he was nearly 100 years old and almost totally blind. He was then captured and executed.  In 1644, another Indian uprising, led by Opechancanough, threatened Jamestown, but was surprised by the colonists and resulted in a treaty which forced the Indians to cede additional territory and effected a peace until 1675. Remains of the successful English settlement were found in 1996, including wood stains showing where the original wall was, the skeleton of a settler, and glass beads used for trading with the local Indians.
    1630 - The first legislation prohibiting gambling was enacted in Boston, Massachusetts.
    1713 - The Tuscarora War ended with the fall of Fort Neoheroka, effectively opening up the interior of North Carolina to European colonization.  The conflict was between the British, Dutch, and German settlers and the Tuscarora Native Americans after nearly 50 years of peaceful co-existence.  The Europeans enlisted the Yamasee and Cherokee as Indian allies against the Tuscarora, who had amassed several allies themselves. This was considered the bloodiest colonial war in North Carolina.  Defeated, the Tuscarora signed a treaty with colonial officials in 1718 and settled on a reserved tract of land in what became Bertie County.  After their defeat, most of the Tuscarora migrated north to New York where they joined their Iroquoian cousins, the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. They were accepted as the sixth nation. Their chief said that Tuscarora remaining in the South after 1722 were no longer members of the tribe.
    1765 - Britain enacted a requirement to buy revenue stamps – “The Stamp Act” - for every pair of dice, every pack of playing cards, and every newspaper, document, and pamphlet. The purpose of the tax was to raise funds to pay for the upkeep of the British army in America. Colonists mounted a sustained boycott of British goods until the tax was repealed.      
    1790 - Thomas Jefferson became the first U.S. Secretary of State.
    1794 - Congress banned U.S. vessels from supplying slaves to other countries.
    1812 - Birthday of Stephen Pearl (d. 1886), author, born in Templeton, Massachusetts. He was an ardent abolitionist, and in 1839, moved to Texas, where he converted many of the slave-owners, who were also large landowners, by showing them that they would become rapidly rich from the sale of land if immigration were induced by throwing the country open to free labor. Here he acquired considerable wealth in the practice of his profession. He also had a dedicated following around a “universal” philosophy and language.
http://www.famousamericans.net/stephenpearlandrews/
    1820 - Naval hero Stephen Decatur died from a duel. One of Decatur's colleagues, Commodore James Barron had been the subject of scandal in 1807 when he commanded the frigate Chesapeake and failed to prepare it for battle to British warship Leopold. Barron's disgraceful defeat led to his court martial in 1808. One of Decatur's naval duties was to sit on the trial of Barron's court martial. Although Decatur and Barron had been friends, Decatur agreed to a verdict that expelled Barron from the Navy for five years. This event began the thirteen-year dispute that would end on the dueling grounds in Maryland. Barron was overseas at the end of his five-year expulsion from the Navy and did not return to help defend his country during the War of 1812. Upon Barron's return to the United States in December 1818, Decatur challenged his absence during the war. In his defense, Barron claimed he had no money, and therefore could not get back to his country. Back and forth over four years, letters were written and both men stood their ground. Eventually, the quarrel became a fatal battle of honor. 
Although dueling was illegal in the city of Washington, it was still common for naval officers to challenge one another. Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron met on the dueling ground in Bladensburg, Maryland. Both men were shot, but Decatur was mortally wounded. He was brought back to his home on Lafayette Square and died several hours later. The nation mourned the death of a great naval hero.
http://www.decaturhouse.org/museum/history2.htm
    1842 - Publisher/abolitionist Josiah Warren (1798-1874) opens 2nd Time Store in New Harmony. Warren founded several “equity” stores, founded three utopian colonies, and wrote “True Civilization.” These stores based sales on the hours of labor and worked on the trade of these goods for the time of labor, utilizing a “clock” formula. He is considered America's first anarchist.
http://www.famousamericans.net/josiahwarren/
http://www.kat.gr/kat/history/Txt/Gl/Anarchism/JosWarren.htm
http://faculty.evansville.edu/ck6/bstud/warren.html
http://faculty.evansville.edu/ck6/bstud/nh.html
     1871 - In North Carolina, William W. Holden became the first governor of a US state to be removed from office by impeachment.  Appointed by President Andrew Johnson in 1865 for a brief term, and then elected in 1868, serving until 1871, he was the leader of the state's Republican Party during Reconstruction.  The main charges against Holden were related to the rough treatment and arrests of North Carolina citizens by state militia officer Col. George W. Kirk during the enforcement of Reconstruction civil rights legislation. Holden had formed the state militia to respond to the assassination of a Republican senator, the lynching of Wyatt Outlaw, an African-American police officer, and numerous attacks by the KKK.   After the Democratic Party regained majorities in both houses of the state legislature in 1870, he was impeached and convicted on six of the eight charges against him by the Democrats of the North Carolina Senate in straight party-line votes.  In 2011, Holden was posthumously pardoned by the North Carolina Senate.
    1872 - The State of Illinois was the first to pass a law banning sex discrimination in employment: “no person shall be precluded or debarred from any occupation or employment (except military) on account of sex.”  100 years later, the Senate passed the passed a law to prohibit sex discrimination, but it never received the necessary votes to become law. Ironically, only 35 states ratified the 1972 amendment. Among the ones that ironically did not were Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
    1874 - The Young Men's Hebrew Association originated in the 1840s as the Young Men's Hebrew Literary Association. The first YMHA opened in Baltimore, MD, in 1854, but was unsuccessful.  The first permanent YMHA was founded this day in 1874 by a group of German-Jewish businessmen and professionals headed by Dr. Simeon Newton Leo. The first president was Lewis May. A second club was started in Philadelphia in 1875.
    1882 - The Edmunds Act is passed by Congress making polygamy a felony offense, disenfranchising polygamists and barring them from public office. Apparently, the only US law to deprive citizens of their civil rights without trial. More than 1,300 men were imprisoned under the terms of this measure. It was specifically enacted to halt the growth of the Mormon religion in Utah.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h734.html
http://www.vermonthistory.org/educate/Edmunds/gEdmunds.HTM
    1887 - Leonard "Chico" Marx (d. 1961) was born in NYC.  He was the oldest of the Marx Brothers. In addition to his work as a performer, he played an important role in the management and development of the act, at least in its early years.
    1893 - The first women's collegiate basketball game was played at Smith College at Northampton, MA. Senda Berenson, then Smith's director of physical education and "mother of women's basketball," supervised the game, in which Smith's sophomore team beat the freshman team 5-4.
    1899 - Ruth Page (d. 1991) was born at Indianapolis, IN. American dancer and choreographer.  She was a leading figure in Chicago dance with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Opera Ballet and the Chicago Ballet.
http://www.ruthpage.com/
    1907 - Trumpeter player Rex Stewart (d. 1967) was born in Philadelphia.  http://www.dnai.com/~lmcohen/BOOKS/dc801590.htm
    1908 - Birthday of Louis L'Amour (d. 1988), Jamestown, ND.  American writer of western fiction. After the 1950s, L'Amour published, at the peak of his career, several westerns a year. Best known is “Hondo.”
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/lamour.htm
    1912 – Character actor Karl Malden (d. 2009) was born Malden George Sekulovich in Chicago.  He was in such classic films as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, “On the Waterfront” and “One Eyed Jacks.”  Malden later played in high-profile Hollywood movies such as “Baby Doll,” “How the West Was Won,” and “Patton.” He starred with a young Michael Douglas as Lt. Mike Stone in the 1970s TV crime series “The Streets of San Francisco.”  Douglas freely credited Malden for the fame Douglas has received as an actor.
    1920 – James Brown (d. 1992) who played Lt. Rip Masters in “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,” was born in Desdemona, TX.
    1920 - A spectacular display of the Northern Lights was visible as far south as Bradenton, FL, El Paso, TX, and Fresno, CA. At Detroit, MI, the display was described "so brilliant as to blot out all stars below first magnitude".
    1931 - Yesterday was James T. Kirk’s birthday; today is William Shatner's birthday, Montreal, QC, Canada.
    1936 - Great floods were at their crest on rivers from Maine to Ohio. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania reached 6.1 feet, Harrisburg hit 3.5 feet, and Hartford hit 8.6 feet, a depth greater than ever before. 107 lives were lost and damage was placed at $270 million.
    1943 - Singer/guitars/song writer George Benson was born in Pittsburgh. Benson began as a jazz guitarist, playing and recording with organist Brother Jack McDuff, and recording a series of mainstream jazz LPs on his own for several labels. In 1975, Benson signed with Warner Brothers, where he was encouraged to sing. The result was "Breezin'," which became the biggest-selling jazz album of all time. His hit singles, all vocals in the Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway mold, include "On Broadway," "This Masquerade," "Give Me the Night" and "Turn Your Love Around."
    1943 - Birthday of Keith Relf (d. 1976), vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player with the legendary British band, the Yardbirds, was born in Richmond, England. The group gave birth to three major guitar heroes of the 1960's - Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. For his part, Relf is credited with being one of the first to use guitar feedback. After the Yardbirds broke up in 1968, Relf and another member of the group, Jim McCarty, formed a duo called Together. Relf then organized a classical rock band, Renaissance, and a heavy rock group, Armageddon. In 1976, Keith Relf was found dead in his London home with a guitar in his hands. He had died of an electric shock.
    1945 - Top Hits
A Little on the Lonely Side - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal: Jimmy Brown)
Accentuate the Positive - Johnny Mercer
My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time - The Pied Pipers
There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder - Jimmie Davis
    1948 - Andrew Lloyd Webber birthday, London, England.  Composer of such smash musicals as "Jesus Christ, Superstar," "Evita," "Cats," "Phantom of the Opera," "Starlight Express" and "Aspects of Love."  Webber, the son of a composer, studied music at the Guildhall School and the Royal College, as well as attending Oxford. With lyricist Tim Rice, Webber was asked to write a children's show for EMI Records. The result was a version of an Old Testament story, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which was a moderate success.  With manager David Lands underwriting their efforts, Webber and Rice started work on a rock opera, "Jesus Christ, Superstar," which tells the story from the viewpoint of children who might have known Christ. The recording of the opera was released on two LP's in October, 1970, and four years later had sold 5.5 million copies. "Jesus Christ, Superstar" opened on Broadway in 1971 and in London a year later.   A film version, directed by Norman Jewison, was made in 1973.
    1953 - Top Hits
Till I Waltz Again with You - Teresa Brewer
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como
Doggie in the Window - Patti Page
Kaw-Liga - Hank Williams
    1955 - Disc Jockey Alan Freed joins the staff of Coral records as an A&R man. His two-year deal calls for him to work with Coral's parent Company, Decca, as a producer.
    1956 - Sammy Davis, Jr. starred in the play, "Mr. Wonderful," in New York City. The critics were unkind, saying that they didn't care for the production. Audiences, however, gave it ‘thumbs up' and the show went on to be one of Broadway's more popular musicals, catapulting Davis into the limelight. He appeared with Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, as Sinatra was also making a comeback, having won the Academy Award in 1954 as best supporting actor in “From Here to Eternity.” They became fast friends. The public black and white relationship was ahead of its time.
    1956 - Perry Como became the first major TV variety show host to book a rock and roll act on his program. The ‘Incomparable Mr. C.' booked Carl Perkins for the show and Perkins sang "Blue Suede Shoes."
    1958 - Movie producer Mike Todd and three other passengers were killed when the Lockheed Lodestar aircraft they were in exploded while in midair. Mike Todd was Elizabeth Taylor's third husband and she took his untimely death very hard. It was reported that Taylor had planned to be on board as well but her husband discouraged her from the trip due to an illness she was getting over. Todd produced the Oscar-winning movie from two years earlier, “Around the World in 80 Days,” and introduced innovative methods of filming to the industry.
    1958 - At the urging of his mother, Hank Williams, Jr. makes his stage debut in Swainsboro, Georgia. He is the eight-year-old son of the late country singer (who passed away New Year's Day, 1953) and his wife, Audrey Williams. It would take years and a near-fatal accident before he could develop a style of his own and come to terms with being the son of one of country music's greatest performers
    1960 - The first patent for a laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) granted to Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes.  Schawlow shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics with Nicolaas Bloembergern and Kai Siegbahn for his work on lasers. He also was married to Townes’ sister.  He then took a position with Townes at the physics department of Columbia University in the fall of 1949. Schawlow coauthored “Microwave Spectroscopy” (1955) with Townes. Also with Townes, they prepared a much disputed, by Gordon Gould, laser patent filed by Bell Labs in 1958.  Townes was known for his work on the theory and application of the maser, on which he got the fundamental patent, and other work in quantum electronics connected with both maser and laser devices.  He shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics with Nikolay Basov and Alexander Prokhorov.
    1961 - Top Hits
“Surrender” - Elvis Presley
“Where the Boys Are” - Connie Francis
“Dedicated to the One I Love” - The Shirelles
“Don't Worry” - Marty Robbins
    1961 - Industrial designer Raymond Loewy made this sketch of a futuristic sports car at the request of Sherwood Egbert, the recently appointed president of the ailing Studebaker Corporation. Egbert charged Loewy to design a new car bold enough to capture the popular imagination and boost the company's sagging fortunes. Loewy and his team of designers produced a prototype in record time, and the Avanti debuted in the spring of 1962 to rave reviews. My parents liked it so much they sold their Olds to get a red Avanti. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar22.html
    1962 - The play, "I Can Get It For You Wholesale," opened on Broadway. It featured a 19-year-old named Barbara Streisand. She stopped the show at the famed Shubert Theatre in New York City. Streisand starred as Miss Marmelstein. Audiences kept coming back for more of Barbara for 300 performances.
    1963 - "Our Day Will Come" by Ruby and The Romantics topped the Billboard Hot 100.
    1966 - Sopwith Camel appears at the Matrix in the San Francisco Marina District.     
    1962 - A former member of the New York Giants, requesting anonymity, later revealed as Sal Yvars, revealed that Bobby Thomson's home run in the 1951 National League playoffs against the Brooklyn Dodgers – the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” - was helped by a sign-stealing clubhouse spy. The spying is claimed to have gone on for the last three months of the season. Thomson, along with former Giants manager Leo Durocher, vehemently denied that he received help, but a source close to the team confirmed the spy operation. Wiki: “At the urging of manager Leo Durocher, coach Herman Franks, a catcher in his 11-year Major League career, took a seat behind the scoreboard and watched the opposite catcher's signals through a telescope.  Using an electric buzzer, he relayed what he saw through an electrical signal to the dugout, where the Giants' batter would be informed of what pitch was coming. According to the book “The Echoing Green” that revealed the scheme, the system was installed on July 20. What is known is that the Giants were nearly unbeatable at home after that date closing the season with a 37-7 record. However, before one jumps to the conclusion that they "stole" the pennant through this devious tactic, it should also be noted that they were also a tremendous team on the road.
    1967 - McNERNEY, DAVID H., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Polei Dock, Republic of Vietnam, 22 March 1967. Entered service at: Fort Bliss, Tex. Born: 2 June 1931, Lowell, Mass. Citation: 1st Sgt. McNerney distinguished himself when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Pole Doc. Running through the hail of enemy fire to the area of heaviest contact, he was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was painfully injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machinegun position that had pinned down 5 of his comrades beyond the defensive line. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. He adjusted artillery fire to within 20 meters of the position in a daring measure to repulse enemy assaults. When the smoke grenades used to mark the position were gone, he moved into a nearby clearing to designate the location to friendly aircraft. In spite of enemy fire he remained exposed until he was certain the position was spotted and then climbed into a tree and tied the identification panel to its highest branches. Then he moved among his men readjusting their position, encouraging the defenders and checking the wounded. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed to remove large trees, he crawled outside the relative safety of his perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Moving through a fusillade of fire he returned with the explosives that were vital to the clearing of the landing zone. Disregarding the pain of his injury and refusing medical evacuation 1st Sgt. McNerney remained with his unit until the next day when the new commander arrived. First Sgt. McNerney's outstanding heroism and leadership were inspirational to his comrades. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
    1967 - Elvis Presley begins filming his 25th movie, “Clambake,” in Los Angeles.
    1967 - The Who make their US stage debut, performing at the Paramount Theater in New York City.     
    1969 - UCLA defeated Purdue 92-72 to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball championship. The Bruins were the first team to win three consecutive championships -- all under legendary head coach John Wooden. UCLA went on to dominate the college basketball title through the 1973 season, winning the NCAA Championship 10 times under Wooden.
    1969 - Top Hits
“Dizzy” - Tommy Roe
“Traces” - Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost
“Indian Giver” - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
“Only the Lonely” - Sonny James
    1972 - The Senate passed the 27th Amendment, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sending it to the states for ratification. Hawaii led the way as the first state to ratify and by the end of the year, 22 of the required states had ratified it. On Oct 6, 1978, the deadline for ratification was extended to June 30, 1982, by Congress. The amendment still lacked three of the required 38 states for ratification. This was the first extension granted since Congress set seven years as the limit for ratification. The amendment failed to achieve ratification as the deadline came and passed and no additional states ratified the measure. 
http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/
    1972 - The Yankees trade first baseman Danny Cater to the Red Sox for lefty reliever Albert Walter Lyle. Over the next seven years, Sparky will pitch in 420 games in relief with 57-40 record and a 2.41 ERA notching 141 saves as he helps the Bronx Bombers to appear in three World Series, winning two.  A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977, the first relief pitcher ever so honored in the AL.  He led the in saves in 1972 and 1976.  In a move only George Steinbrenner could make, right after Lyle won the Cy Young, he signed free agent Goose Gossage and Lyle was traded to Texas after the 1978 season and the 1978 World Series in which he did not appear.  Teammate Graig Nettles: “He went from Cy Young to sayonara.”
    1975 - Barry Manilow makes his first US television appearance, performing "Mandy" and "It's A Miracle" on ABC-TV's American Bandstand.
    1975 - Frankie Valli's "My Eyes Adored You" hits #1.
    1976 - Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter tells the audience at the National Association of Record Merchandisers' Scholarship Foundation Dinner that Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin and other bands inspired him while working late nights when he was the Governor of Georgia. To prove he would never lie to them, he quoted lines from the Beatles' "Yesterday" and Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind.
    1977 - A blockbuster coastal storm lashed New York and New England. Norfolk, Connecticut was buried under 33 inches of snow. 24 inches was reported at Pittsfield, Massachusetts and 18 inches piled up at Gardner, Massachusetts. Snow amounts exceeded 30 inches in the Catskills in southeastern New York. 3 to 5 inches of rain deluged south coastal New England and wind gusts reached 60 to 90 mph. A 450 foot radio tower in Framingham, Massachusetts was toppled by the high winds.
    1977 - Top Hits
Love Theme from "A Star is Born" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
“Fly like an Eagle” - Steve Miller
“Rich Girl” - Daryl Hall & John Oates
“Southern Nights” - Glen Campbell
    1977 - Comedienne Lily Tomlin made her debut on Broadway, as "Lily Tomlin on Stage" opened in New York.
    1977 - Stevie Wonder releases the single, "Sir Duke." The tune was a tribute to Duke Ellington and would spend 3 weeks at #1
    1977 - The John Denver TV special, “Thank God, I'm A Country Boy” aired on ABC-TV. Guests included Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Roger Miller.
    1982 - Diana Ross' first solo album for RCA, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," goes platinum less than three months after its release.
    1985 - Top Hits
“Can't Fight This Feeling” - REO Speedwagon
“The Heat is On” - Glenn Frey
“Material Girl” - Madonna
“Crazy for Your Love” – Exile
    1988 - Rain and high winds battered the Northern Pacific Coast Region, with wind gusts to 78 mph at Ocean Shores, WA. The high winds uprooted trees and down power lines. Ten cities in the northeastern U.S. reported new record low temperatures for the date. Eight cities in the central U.S. reported record highs. Southerly winds gusting to 60 mph helped push the mercury at Ottumwa, IA to a record warm reading of 83 degrees    1989 - Dick Clark announces he'll no longer host "American Bandstand," ending a 33-year run.
    1989 - Six cities in the Great Lakes Region, and three in southern Texas, reported new record low temperatures for the date, including Alpena, MI with a reading of 9 above zero, and Brownsville, TX with a reading of 38 degrees.
    1990 - A surge of arctic air kept temperatures in the teens and 20s during the day in the north central U.S., and heavy snow fell over parts of Montana. Record warmth was reported in the western U.S., and in Alaska. Phoenix, AZ reported a record high of 94 degrees, and the town of Barrow, located along the arctic coast of Alaska, reported a record high of 20 degrees.
    1991 - At Sotheby's in NYC, a 1909-10 baseball card in mint condition of Honus Wagner sold for $451,000, with the 10% auction house premium. Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall purchased the rare card. On the same day, a 1952 Topps card of Mickey Mantle sold for $49,500, tripling the pre-auction estimate, while a baseball signed by 12 players at the 1939 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, sold for $20,900.  A new all-time record was established when a 1909-10 Honus Wagner T206 sold in August 2021 for $6,606,296.
    1993 – Intel shipped the first Pentium chips (80586), featuring a 60 MHz clock speed, 100+ MIPS, and a 64-bit data path.
    1999 - Top Hits
“Believe” - Cher
“Heartbreak Hotel” - Whitney Houston Feat. Faith Evans
“Angel of Mine” - Monica
“I Still Believe” - Mariah Carey
    2011 - South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed an abortion bill that requires women to undertake counseling and wait 72 hours, the longest period in the U.S.
    2014 - Mt. Gox, the Bitcoin exchange that filed for bankruptcy, announced that it found 200,000 of the 800,000 missing bitcoins belonging to customers.  The missing bitcoins were overlooked because they had been stored in an older format in a 'wallet' presumed to be empty.
    2021 - Evanston, Illinois, votes to become first US city to pay reparations to Black residents for past discriminations and effects of slavery, giving $400,000 to each household.

NCAA Basketball Champions:
    1958 - Kentucky
    1969 - UCLA