Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Headlines--- Correction: Technical Error--- ######## surrounding the article denotes it is a "press release"
Correction: Technical Error--- Tuesday's version of Leasing News was not posted until 10am, California time, due to a technical error. Readers, who received the wrong edition, are available to view Yesterday's edition at: http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-29-05.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- Classified Ads--Operations Orange County, CA. East Windsor, NJ. New York, NY. Wayne, NJ For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to: http://216.66.242.252/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm To place a free "job wanted" ad, please go to: http://216.66.242.252/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp -------------------------------------------------------------- Whatever Happened to... Senior Vice President (Retired) Eaton Financial Corporation/AT&T Capital Corp. Author- Selling Equipment Leasing- Amacom Books, American Management Association
Mike Berke and son Adam on recent trip to Florida "After twenty-five years or so in the street, I retired from active engagement in 1991. For the past fourteen years I've done some consulting, helped grow a start-up, and most recently began a new career as an author. "Some out there might remember my first book, "Selling Equipment Leasing," published by the Amacom Division of the American Management Association in 1994. That text is no longer in print but can be found occasionally at Amazon.com and other web resellers. Aside from the enjoyment of writing, I'm also an avid reader -mostly popular fiction (similar to my life in the leasing business). Thusly, about eighteen or so months ago I undertook the task of writing a novel. The book is almost as long as the RFP's required by major corporations or government agencies seeking to lease ten thousand dollars worth of equipment (354 pages in triplicate). The hero, Bobby Cole, is a bartender accidentally turned bodyguard whom eventually winds up confronting a faction of the Russian underworld in Brooklyn. According to my claque of volunteer readers the writing seems to be pretty good. Presently, an agent is working diligently to bring the work to publication. If you think closing leasing deals is tough, try selling a novel sometime. As a matter of fact, try writing one, it's a head-bender and a half. "For those who might remember the name, but aren't sure from where, I began by selling, renting and leasing Allis-Chalmers materials handling equipment in the mid-sixties. From there I migrated directly into the business with Continental Leasing Corp. of Bedford, Ma. Due to the proclivity of Lessors to ebb and flow with the equipment and capital markets compounded by the ramifications of good old tax legislation, the rest of my career ebbed and flowed along with them, fortunately staying above water most of the time myself. Some of my employers along the way were The Bank of Virginia, Leasco, Industralease, Sussex Leasing Corp., and finally Eaton Financial Corporation/AT&T Capital Corp. I'm most thankful for having worked for and with several industry leaders and legends, including Saul Steinberg, Harvey Granat and Paul Gass. If you want a life-challenge, try satisfying those guys with your production. Trust me, it ain't gonna happen. Reaching the top of their organizations is leasing Mecca. Doesn't get better than that. "In the event someone wants to contact me, my email address is m-berke@erols.com However, I find that despite the closeness and camaraderie of the scads of leasing folks that served on my leasing teams over the years, there's little communication amongst us as time goes by. I can only hope they're too busy doing deals and prospering to socialize. I know if I was still out there takin' care of business, I wouldn't want to talk to me either. "Lastly, thank you Kit Menkin for the opportunity to share some thoughts for old time's sake. Regards and best wishes to all, Mike Berke" -------------------------------------------------------------- Yozons reaches 14,000 customers -- many leasing and lending firms
Electronic Signature Boom "It's been a while since we last talked about Yozons and our sales to GE Capital's equipment leasing business. GE was our first, but we now have over 14,000 customers worldwide. It has been an incredible journey that's turned us from a mom & pop into a business with partners across the country. "We've experienced our greatest growth since 2004 when the business community began to return to "normal" after 9/11 and the dotcom fiasco. I know you've not kept track, but while our Signed & Secured platform has matured and carries a large customer base, our eSignForms.com offering is where our latest, greatest technology resides, and it's where our biggest growth now resides. "I don't think we've hit many in the leasing field yet, but we have a large number of small and mid-sized lenders, as well as those who generate sales that are then handed over to the financing companies to pay for their products and services. This includes retail sales financing, student loan consolidation and even mortgage apps. Our new technology lets prospects sign applications and financing contracts online, initialing and signing right inside the contracts. We do a mix of sales-generated forms sent to customers, online forms where customers sign-up while visiting a web site, as well as integration with existing CRM/sales systems that securely post the loan information so that their customers can then sign completed docs online. "I hope all is well with you. I'm happy to see that Leasing News appears to be going strong, and I enjoyed some of the archived letters about Bob Rodi, an acquaintance from years past who talked a good story about online leases, but never seemed to do a thing about it himself. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all." Best regards, David -- David A. E. Wall Chief Executive Officer Secure document delivery and electronic signature services Spam-free, virus-free business private network Proven by the Fortune 500 and over 14,100 customer accounts Comply with the security, privacy and electronic signature laws of HIPAA, GLB, 21 CFR Part 11, SOX and ESIGN -------------------------------------------------------------- Classified Ads---Help Wanted Documentation Manager
Equipment Finance & Leasing Representative
-------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Menzel, CLP : FTC Investigation of NorVergence Funders The coverage of the Federal Trade Commission investigation of NorVergence Funders has been well covered here, with all sides given to the story. Leasing News has posted three editorials, congratulating the parties who settled, calling for others to do the same, and to realize the "politics" of the issue, and as important, how the internet had changed equipment leasing news, plus the legal professional as much information, documents, and research is shared instantly and for free---as Randy Brook, FTC Senior Attorney commented: "I can say I agree with the opinion about the value of the internet to attorneys... speaking up for their behalf, not feeling they are alone, or having to re-invent or discover rulings and facts, ( and ability to pool resources) has certainly changed the playing field." The only encouraging e-mail about the Leasing News editorial and the FTC investigation has come from Paul Menzel, CLP, Senior Vice-President, Pacific Capital, who has also been very active in several leasing associations, including the Equipment Leasing Association and United Association of Equipment Leasing: "The story about the FTC investigation of deceptive practices in the small ticket leasing segment should be given serious consideration by all in our industry. NorVergence has exposed the leasing industry to more regulatory scrutiny than in the past. " Although there is plenty of blame to spread around to all parties concerned, not the least of which is the fraudulent but now bankrupt vendor, the Enron motivated demand for transparency in transactions has arrived at our shore. It is imperative that we rise to the challenge and self regulate our practices to meet the highest of ethical standards. "The leasing industry is good for the US economy and has provided a good living for those of us who participate in it. Let's not allow greedy practices by a few ruin it for the vast professional and ethical majority." Best regards, Paul J. Menzel, CLP Senior Vice President Community Lending Group PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP This was received on November 16 th , and Leasing News asked the following leaders of their companies for a comment, a reaction, or view point of Paul Menzel's e-mail to Leasing News: Patrick Byrne, Balboa Capital Perhaps the e-mails are sitting somewhere, but the point is, how many other "leaders" of the equipment leasing industry agree or disagree with Paul Menzel: "It is imperative that we rise to the challenge and self regulate our practices to meet the highest of ethical standards. We hope it does not happen again in the same large magnitude that hit 46 leasing firms and 11,000 lessees. As Paul Menzel, CLP, puts it,"The leasing industry is good for the US economy and has provided a good living for those of us who participate in it. Let's not allow greedy practices by a few ruin it for the vast professional and ethical majority." The large leasing companies faced it and made a decision: CIT Financial, GE Capital, US Bancorp, Wells Fargo, to name a few. Leasing News would like to hear from its readers on this subject. --------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------- Sales makes it Happen--- "Morale Buster" (This is from Hawaii, where the writer has taken his family for a vacation. We appreciate his time to continue his Wednesday weekly column. Editor)
--------------------------------------------------------------- China Leasing Sector Faces Hurdles to Growth- ExecsNew Kerala (India) (Courtesy of ELTnews) "...catching up to the United States, where lease financing accounts for over 30 percent of all capital formation." Chinese executives attending an industry conference Tuesday said that while several hurdles remain in the Chinese leasing industry, the country could have one of the world's largest leasing industries in as little as three years if the government makes some key adjustments to its regulatory framework and if state firms take more responsibility for improving their performance. Currently, the Chinese government has several different agencies regulating the leasing industry, which makes compliance difficult and confusing for firms. Executives also say the federal, local, and provincial authorities responsible for enforcing government tax regulations do not fully understand those rules or how the industry works. Yu Kaiqi, chief executive of Shanghai Yuantong Finance Leasing Co. and vice chairman of the Shanghai Leasing Association, says these regulatory hurdles are keeping China, where lease financing makes up only 2 percent of all capital formation, from catching up to the United States, where lease financing accounts for over 30 percent of all capital formation. The government is currently working to streamline its regulation of the leasing industry, but it could be years before changes are implemented. Don Chan, director of DAYE International Leasing Co., says the leasing industry will also improve as Chinese companies become increasingly accountable to shareholders. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2005 State of the Industry Webinar - December 1st ELTnews The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation will present the 2005 State of the Industry webinar on Thursday, December 1, 2005. This informative web-based seminar will discuss the industry's outlook, where the opportunities and challenges lie, and what's behind the numbers in ELA's Survey of Industry Activity. Developed by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation and sponsored by SAP America, Inc. and Accenture, the 2005 State of the Industry Report combines the analysis of the ELA Survey of Industry Activity with the perspectives of industry leaders and experts to identify trends impacting the industry and their potential implications for the future. In addition to evaluating performance by both lessor type and transaction size, this year's Report assesses some of leasing's most influential drivers (including the economy, competition, funding access, and accounting and legislative issues) and how these drivers are changing the industry. This web session presents highlights from the 2005 Report. New this year: the Report and this session include profiles of several successful lessors and how their "lessons-learned" can be applied across the industry. Get answers to these and other questions: . Where will future new business opportunities come from? Time of Web Seminar (depending upon your time zone): 1:30 pm - 3:30 p.m. Eastern Panelists include: David S. Wiener, GE Capital Markets Services, Inc., Matthew Harvey and President Charles Wendel of Financial Institutes Consulting, and Foundation Executive Director Lisa A. Levine, CAE. To register, please go here: www.krm.com/ela -------------------------------------------------------------- Willis Lease Finance Completes Regulatory Filings SAUSALITO, Calif.-----Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFCE), a leading lessor of commercial jet engines, today reported it has filed its amended Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, amended Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005 and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. As previously reported, the Company did not file its 10-Q for the third quarter on or before the due date. Consequently, the Company received a staff determination letter from Nasdaq on November 22, 2005, indicating that the Company failed to comply with the filing requirement for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14), and that its common stock was subject to delisting. With the completion of its filings today, the Company believes it has satisfied the requirements for continued listing. Following Nasdaq's final determination of compliance, the Company expects its ticker symbol will drop the E designation and revert to WLFC. For detailed disclosure on the third quarter results, investors are encouraged to review the financial information in the 10-Q now available on the Company's website, www.willislease.com. About Willis Lease Finance Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases spare commercial aircraft engines, rotable parts and aircraft to commercial airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and overhaul/repair facilities worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with the purchase and resale of used and refurbished commercial aircraft engines. Willis Lease Finance Corporation Monica J. Burke Chief Financial Officer 415-275-5100 ### Press Release ########################### De La Rue Cash Systems Inc., Relational, LLC, Enter Financing Partnership to ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.----- Leading North American provider of solutions spanning the acquisition, disposition and financing of technology to offer complete array of lease financing options to De La Rue customers. Relational, LLC, one of North America's largest independent technology financing and solutions providers, has entered into a partnership with De La Rue Cash Systems Inc. to provide lease financing services to De La Rue customers. De La Rue is a world-leading provider of cash handling technology, commercial security printing and other solutions that ensure secure transactions for financial institutions, governments and retailers. "Leasing is a financing option that makes De La Rue solutions more affordable for financial institutions as they continue to invest in initiatives that automate cash handling and heighten security in their branches," said Chris T. Reagan, De La Rue Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "The innovative financing solutions offered by Relational will enable De La Rue's growing customer base to more quickly realize the impact of automating manual tasks, freeing their frontline to execute their retail banking strategies and, ultimately, deliver a fantastic banking experience to their clients." Jeffrey H. Ehlers, CEO of Relational, LLC adds, "This strategic agreement represents an excellent opportunity for Relational to partner with a world-class solutions provider, and also improves Relational's presence in the rapidly growing financial marketplace. We are pleased to be able to provide De La Rue's customers throughout the U.S. and Canada with flexible leasing solutions to further enhance the benefits and transaction productivity improvements of De La Rue solutions." De La Rue is a respected, proven company in the financial marketplace that works closely with organizations, such as the Bank Administration Institute (BAI), to identify ways to help financial institutions deliver a high-quality client experience and grow their businesses. De La Rue's Chris T. Regan continued, "One way to enhance the client experience is through implementing cash handling solutions that increase employee productivity and accuracy, freeing time and changing their focus from cash to their clients. This translates into greater security and lower operational costs for financial institutions, as well as a higher level of client service and employee satisfaction." As a leading independent technology solutions provider, Relational, LLC offers flexible leasing options on all types of new and used desktop, server, storage and voice & data communications technology. The company's integrated acquisition, finance and disposition services generate insight to help customers save money and maximize their IT budgets, whether they buy or lease. About Relational, LLC Relational, LLC, is a leading provider of independent solutions spanning technology acquisition, financing and disposition allowing users to gain technology portfolio insight and maximize their IT budgets whether they buy or lease. Founded in 1990, the company now manages more than 15,000 individual lease schedules covering $1 billion in equipment. Clients served include Fortune 2,000 and mid-market companies across all industries. For more information, contact Relational at: 3701 Algonquin Road, Suite 600, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008; Phone 847-818-1700; Fax 847-818-1711; info@relationalllc.com; www.relationalllc.com. About De La Rue Solutions De La Rue provides accurate, efficient and secure cash handling solutions, helping financial institutions shift their frontline focus from cash to clients, freeing time to provide a better banking experience to clients and to execute their retail banking strategies. De La Rue is also the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker, involved in the production of over 150 national currencies and a wide range of security documents such as passports, fiscal stamps and traveler's checks. De La Rue employs over 6,200 people across 31 countries and has annual revenue in excess of $1 billion. The Company is a member of the FTSE 250. Its ordinary shares are listed with the UK Listing Authority and trade on the market for listed securities on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol DLAR. For further information visit De La Rue at www.us.delarue.com. Relational, LLC Michelle Griffin, 847-818-1700 mgriffin@relationalllc.com or De La Rue Cash Systems Robin Robison, 630-577-1025 Robin.Robison@us.delarue.com ### Press Release ########################### GE Energy Financial Services, Growing Internationally, Forms Power Transmission Line Partnership with Abengoa in Chile SANTIAGO, Chile--Growing in international markets with strong investment frameworks, GE Energy Financial Services announced today that it has formed a partnership with Abengoa -- the leading Spanish engineering, bioenergy, environmental services and IT group -- to own power transmission lines in Chile. GE Energy Financial Services will acquire an 80 percent equity interest in the partnership for $24.4 million. Abengoa will hold the remaining 20 percent. The partnership will own three 220kV transmission lines, built and previously owned by Abengoa, spanning 295 kilometers (183 miles) in Chile. Abengoa will continue as lead manager of the three transmission line companies: the Crucero-El Abra line, with a capacity of 150MW, feeding power from the main northern grid to CODELCO's El Abra copper mine; the Santa Barbara-Trupan line, with a capacity of 450MW, transmitting power from the Pangue hydroelectric plant to the central grid; and the Ralco-Charrua line, with a capacity of 570MW, carrying power from the Ralco hydroelectric plant to the central grid. "Abengoa's operating experience and Chile's positive environment for energy investment, more than a decade after the privatization of the country's electric utility industry, have enabled this transaction," said Tony Shizari, Managing Director at GE Energy Financial Services. "Chile is an attractive growth target for our investment capital, particularly in established operations such as these three transmission lines." Abengoa spokesperson Antonio Merino Ciudad, director of international structured finance, said: "This partnership combines the management and financial strengths of two leading international energy groups, and enables Abengoa to use the sale proceeds for further development in the Chilean power transmission sector. We look forward to exploring additional opportunities with GE Energy Financial Services." Abengoa was advised by BNP Paribas and the Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dorr law firm. GE Energy Financial Services was advised by the Claro y Cia law firm. About Abengoa Abengoa, a listed industrial and technology company with stock capital in excess of 657 million euros (31/12/2004), provides solutions for Sustainable Development, the Information and Knowledge Society, and the Creation of Infrastructures. It currently operates in four large fields: Bioenergy, where it is the world's No. 2 bioethanol producer; Environmental Services, where it is leader in Europe in certain segments of the industrial waste market; Information Technologies, where it is one of the main role-players at international level, with operations in Europe, the Americas and Asia; and Industrial Engineering and Construction, where it is leader in Spain and Latin America. (www.abengoa.com) About GE Energy Financial Services GE Energy Financial Services, based in Stamford, Connecticut, invests about $3 billion annually in the world's most capital-intensive industry, energy. With more than $10 billion in assets, GE Energy Financial Services offers structured equity, leveraged leasing, partnerships, project finance and broad-based commercial finance to the global energy industry from wellhead to wall socket. For more information, visit www.geenergyfinancialservices.com. About GE GE (NYSE:GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.ge.com. GE Stamford, CT (USA) Andy Katell, 203-961-5773 OR Abengoa Madrid, Spain Cristina Poole, +34-902-33-55-99 OR BNP Paribas Madrid, Spain Julio Carlavilla, +34-91388-8042 ### Press Release ########################### Lightyear Fund Completes Acquisition of Baker Tanks, Inc. NEW YORK--Lightyear Capital LLC ("Lightyear"), a private equity firm that focuses on financial services, today announced that on November 23, 2005, The Lightyear Fund, L.P. completed its acquisition of Baker Tanks, Inc. ("Baker"), the leading liquid and solid containment equipment rental and leasing services company. Lightyear previously announced a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Baker on October 17, 2005. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "We think Baker is uniquely poised to take advantage of the highly-fragmented and fast- growing liquid and solid containment equipment rental and leasing industry" said Donald B. Marron, chairman and chief executive officer of Lightyear. "The Company's growing product suite and close relationships with major corporations eager to consolidate their purchasing using fewer vendors provide Baker, in our opinion, with a distinct edge over the competition." Mr. Marron concluded, "We are confident in Baker's seasoned management team and look forward to supporting them as we partner in leading Baker through its next phase of growth." Commenting on the closing, Bryan Livingston, chief executive officer of Baker, said, "Working with Lightyear is a great opportunity for our company. We feel Lightyear's financial services expertise and value-added approach will immediately assist us with our growth plans both organically and through future acquisitions." Lightyear spearheaded an investment team comprised of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, a leading institutional investor in Canada, Goldman Sachs Mezzanine Partners III and Baker's existing management team. ABOUT LIGHTYEAR Lightyear Capital LLC is a New York-based private equity investment firm that primarily makes control investments in mid-sized companies within the financial services industry. Lightyear currently manages The Lightyear Fund, L.P., a $751 million private equity fund formed in 2001. Lightyear is led by its investment committee whose head is Donald B. Marron, former chairman and CEO of PaineWebber Group, Inc., and senior members David W. Glenn, Stewart K.P. Gross, Richard J. Sterne, and Mark F. Vassallo. Lightyear's senior investment professionals have an average of more than 20 years of financial services experience and possess a range of private equity investment and transaction experience and personal relationships established throughout their careers as experts and/or leaders within the financial services industry. For more information, please visit www.lycap.com. ABOUT BAKER Baker, an industry pioneer founded over 60 years ago, has emerged as the market leader in the liquid and solid containment equipment rental and leasing industry. Baker has enjoyed 12 consecutive years of revenue growth and is well positioned to expand its market share within the highly fragmented and fast-growing $2 billion liquid and solid containment market. Baker maintains a diverse fleet of over 15,300 units and provides liquid and solid containment rental and leasing solutions through its national network of 74 locations to a diverse customer base operating across numerous industries including industrial and environmental services, environmental remediation, oil and gas, construction, refinery, chemical, transportation, and power. For more information, please visit www.bakertanks.com. ABOUT THE CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBEC The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2004, it held CA$102.4 billion of net assets. The Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. The institution partners with dynamic companies in various sectors, offering them a full range of debt and equity financing products. As at December 31, 2004, the private equity portfolios held more than 600 investments in funds and companies, for CA$10.2 billion of net assets. For more information, please visit www.lacaisse.com ### Press Release ########################### Coach Industries Group -CIGI- Announces Acquisition of Fleet Plan LLC COOPER CITY, Fla.----Coach Industries Group, Inc. ("Coach") (OTCBB:CIGI), which offers an array of financial services including insurance products to commercial fleet operators, today announced the acquisition of Fleet Plan LLC (Fleet Plan, http://www.fleetplan.com), a Coral Springs, FL based leasing company focused on servicing commercial fleet operators in the Daily Rental markets. Francis O'Donnell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coach, commented, "As we continue to evolve into a financial services organization, the acquisition of Fleet Plan, LLC will add significant depth to the product offerings provided by Coach to commercial fleet operators. In addition to providing the ability to cross sell our core lease finance products, contract settlement and payroll services, and specialty insurance products to commercial fleet operators in the Daily Rental market, an expanded market for Coach, Fleet Plan represents a $50 million annual lease portfolio opportunity. Although we can make no assurances, we believe the acquisition of Fleet Plan will be accretive to earnings in fiscal year 2006." "The Fleet Plan acquisition has also enabled Coach to strengthen and expand the substantial relationships we enjoy with several financial institutions, including Daimler Chrysler Services and Bank of America," stated O'Donnell. About Coach Industries Group, Inc. Coach Industries Group, Inc. (OTCBB:CIGI) ("Coach"), is a holding company focused on providing financial services and the manufacturing of luxury limousine and specialty vehicles to Commercial Fleet Operators. ### Press Release ###########################
News Briefs---- Upbeat Signs Hold Cautions for the Future Gold's New Luster Puzzles Traders http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/29/AR2005112901546.html Sales of New Homes Jump 13% in October http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/29/AR2005112900423.html U.S. raises mortgage limit to $417,000 http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/2005-11-29-mortgage-limit_x.htm Sales Climb at Retailers on Internet http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/technology/30cyber.html Treasuries fall after Consumer Confidence and Home Sales Rise http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=71000001&refer=us&sid=adTrdLSJCd1M New Orleans Launches Free Wireless http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/11/29/national/a102633S51.DTL Microsoft Stands by Vista Ship Dates http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3567226 Plains' highways reopen after blizzard http://www.usatoday.com/weather/stormcenter/2005-11-29-great-lakes-blizzard_x.htm Multipartner deal means 'Idol' will air through 2011 http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2005-11-29-idol_x.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------
You May Have Missed Moves made now will pay off next April http://www.ajc.com/money/content/money/1105/27taxlede.html ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sports Briefs---- Bly blames Harrington for Mariucci's departure http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113326260247090.xml&coll=1 Manning Has Learned the Benefits of Sharing http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/sports/football/30peyton.html Rolling Stones to perform at Super Bowl halftime in Detroit http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/super/2005-11-29-stones-superbowl_x.htm Viva pro sports? Vegas makes play for team http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2005-11-29-las-vegas_x.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------
"Gimme that Wine" $6 Billion Generated for New York's Economy by the Grape, Grape Juice and Wine Industries http://www.winebusiness.com/news/DailyNewsArticle.cfm?dataid=40712 Two Unknowns from the Rhone Go West-Eric Asimov http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/dining/30wine.html?pagewanted=all Bonny Doon's Randall Grahm--Adding panache to the grenache http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/1129grenache1129.html Burgundy on a Beautiful Autumn Day http://www.californiawineandfood.com/events/burgandy-tasting.htm If you want to know if you got a value for your wine, or what the wine price is today, go to www.winezap.com Type in the vintage (year) and name of the producer with wine type or geographic area, such as 1995 Chateau Lynch Bages Pauillac. Even 1995 Lynch Bages will work, or 1999 Viader ----------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Top Event in History 1931-The Joy of Cooking is published, perhaps the most popular all-purpose cookbook, self-published by Irma Rombauer (1877-1962-her son by the way started Rombauer Winery in Napa making outstanding wine.) Rombauer's book was a comforting voice for cooks during the Depression, and the book grew into an institution. The first commercial edition of the book appeared in 1936, and it offered a revolutionary "action format" (chronologically ordered ingredients followed by instructions) now commonplace in cookbooks. In reality, she was not a cook, and most of the recipes she collected from friends and others, and wrote in a style for people who were not cooks. The numerous editions overseen by Rombauer and later her daughter and grandson sold more than 14 million copies. ----------------------------------------------------------------
This Day in American History 1729 ---Birth of Samuel Seabury, first bishop of the American Protestant Episcopal Church. (Following the American Revolution, Seabury helped formulate the constitution which made the American Protestant Episcopal Church independent and autonomous from the Church of England.) ------------------------------------------------------------- American Football Poem
S.F. 49ers Jane Griffin Gold helmets shine in the sunlight.
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