SUBMISSION CALL: Blue Magazine

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1. Greetings dear Editor, here is a travel article (with humor) for your rejection/acceptance for publication.

   In Love & Joy.
   Michael Levy. Author, Poet, Philosopher, Financial/Inspirational speaker.
   (And many other Labels)
   Service With A Smile.
   https://www.pointoflife.com

   Fort Lauderdale
   Florida

   A Week in Sunny Devon. ©  by Michael Levy.

   It was six forty-five in the morning as our USA plane touched down at Gatwick airport. This was the start of my one weeks vacation in Southern England. As we drew up to the disembarkation gate the captain told us the weather forecast for the next few days was warm and sunny … what a bonus no rain.

   Once we cleared customs and located our hire car which, as luck would have it, had a diesel engine. What a great reward, considering gas is around five dollars a gallon in the UK and this car would achieve sixty miles to the gallon. So off we set on our journey down to Devon, where the rolling hills and lush green valleys are a sheer delight. When we turned off the highways (after an hour) and on to the county roads the scenery started out quite level, with the odd hill scattered here and there. All of a sudden I began to see Stonehenge straight ahead. As we approached the amazing monuments of age-old stone my heart began to sense a bygone age of ancient rituals. I slowed down to a crawl (much to the disgust of the impatient drivers behind) and could envision sacred blessing being bestowed to faithful worshipers. A time gone by that holds many mysteries and conjures up mystical thoughts that spark the soul.

   All to soon the unexplainable stones disappeared in the rear view mirror as the car picked up speed and headed towards Devon. As the scenery began to change to rolling hills there was no need to look at the map to know we were approaching Somerset and then Devon. Originating from Florida where everything is flat, the rolling hills were a truly a refreshing pleasure to behold.
   After four hours driving and one rest stop for toasted tea cakes and tea, we arrived at our Devon cottage in the countryside where we were to spend the first week of our vacation.

   Lancombe Cottages is a delightful series of eight individual cottages catering to all tastes in size. We lodged in a one bedroom cottage that was the home of two horses before the conversion to a holiday home. It was tiny but very comfortable. The owners of Lancombe Cottages are Vanessa and Chris Lewis. They are a wonderful couple who go out of their way to make every guests stay a pure pleasure. With a heated indoor swimming pool and children’s play area the secluded cottages are and idyllic setting for a peaceful holiday. Magnificent Rolling hills that encircle the cottages accommodate a farm with sheep, cows, a Rooster and an angry farmer who will not allow anyone on his land. Of course one day we tried to walk over to the cows only to be told to Bugger off in no uncertain manner. Gee! it’s great to be back in the UK and be greeted with such frank honesty. When I blew the farmer a kiss his faced turned to beetroot (nice to see county folks with color in their cheeks)

   Chris’s father was MP for a north eastern town in England for many years. One evening he brought over his fathers memorabilia, which contained amongst other things, a collection of letters Chris’s dad had receive from Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan and the infamous Enoch Powell. Every letter told a story and there was even some correspondence from a minster at the center of the Perfumo affair in the early sixties. What! you don’t remember the call girl scandal that brought down the defense minister…..Of course you do. They made a movie called “Scandal” and I was reading a letter that was part of all the Hoo-Har……Fascinating stuff.

   The cottages are very close to the sea side towns of Paignton (Famous for its great zoo), and Torquay. Both are well worth a day visit and the zoo is a real nature reserve in natural settings. but be warned … very hilly. Torquay takes first prize for magnificent Gardens and superb sea front walking promenade. No wonder they call it the “English Riviera” It even has palm trees, swaying in the light balmy breezes. As we walked along the promenade we came to a large grassed area that was holding a festival in aid of a charity. The site was filled with many Marques that had children’s gifts and there was a large stage for children’s entertainment. A little further down the line was a marque with a large sign “Free Men’s Health Check.” It has been twenty years since I had a health check so what a golden opportunity to get an examination. “What do you do” I enquired. Cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and testicle test came the reply from a young good looking nurse. “Really, where do I sign up” was my immediate, cheeky smiling, response.

   All my blood levels were perfect, then it came to the testicle test. The cute young nurse brought over a rubber sack that resembled a mans genitals and she showed me how to squeeze each testicle looking for and signs of a lump. It was not the physical I imagined, but it was an important piece of information on do-it yourself health check that can save a life. I had learnt something new and I thanked all the staff kindly for their great work in preventing illness. Another bonus to a great holiday.

   There was an adjoining marque so I went inside to see what was going on. My eyesight is not what it used to be when it come to reading small print. Sitting on a table was a basket with small black packages in it, that had the words “extra strong” in bold white letters. The rest we lots of small words I could not read without my glasses. I Thought they were extra strong mints, so I asked the girl if it was OK to take a couple. “Yes, certainly it is OK and you will need this lubricant to go with them.” She kindly replied. “What! Lubricant with a mint?” I laughingly responded.
   She laughed out loud and declaimed ‘They are not mints .. They are condoms”!!! The laugh was on me and everyone in the tent fell about laughing. What with testicles and condoms this was turning out to be very safe sex, but alas……. No mints!!!

   Meanwhile back at the cottages Vanessa and Chris had organized a get-together with all the other guests. It turned out to be a great party with many interesting English folks who all had stories to tell. More about that some other time.

   Another lovely place close by is the ancient town of Totnes. It is a town steeped in English history. Steeped is the correct word for the town is built on an extremely steep hill and walking up is not for the unfit. We had a lovely guide to show us around and tell us of the local history. Medieval legend has it that, Brutus of Troy,(based on myths) is the originator of the British race And this would be the place early settlers would have arrived along the South West coast in the 10th century. Totnes, which means ‘The Fort’ was originated by the Saxon kingdom of Wessex. In 1206 people secured their charter of independence from King John, and sent their first MP to Parliament in 1295. The list of Mayors in the Guildhall begins in 1359.

   Many houses in the town depict the wealth of rich merchants from the 16th century, several with lavishly carved ceilings. Throughout the Civil War, both sides used the town as a base, with Sir Thomas Fairfax, Charles the Second and Oliver Cromwell visiting the town and leaving their mark in the history books. Today the ancient character of the town is still in felt with the clock tower in the center to chronicle an ambiance of past era. Shoppers will enjoy strolling around some unique and diverse shops in the town. It also boasts of a great old fashioned fishmonger with very fresh fish.

   There are so many day trips in the local area, we would have needed a month to see them all. One of the place we did visit was a working farm called Pennywell. It is filled with an assortment of half-hourly events and various cute animals that make for a very enjoyable day out. The highlight for us was the bird of pray display that was truly amazing. Another subject I will be writing about in an other article.

   Some of the other places to visit in the area, which the locals told me were great fun are: Canonteign Falls , Cardew Teapottery, Coleton Fishacre House and Garden, Dartington Ciderpress Centre, Hedgehog Hospital, Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, Quaywest Waterpark, River Dart Country Park, Sharpham Vineyard, Sorley Tunnel Adventure Farm, South Devon Railway, Totnes Rare Breeds Centre, Woodlands Leisure Park. Numerous choices and with our weeks visit was bathed in sunshine, we visited as many places as we could.
   ************************
   Bio sketch MICHAEL LEVY.
   Michael levy was born in Manchester, England on the 6th March 1945.
   After many life experiences and a successful business career he retired to Florida in 1992.
   In 1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project his philosophy and spiritual understanding. The website http://www.pointoflife.com and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are visited and read by thousands of people around the world every month. Michael is a frequent speaker on radio, television and at seminars where he shares and discusses his views about the purpose of life, finding peace and enjoyment and leading a healthy, stress-free life. 

   In just a few years he has become a world renowned poet. In 2002 Michael was invited to become a member of the prestigious Templeton Speaker’s Bureau.

   Michael has recently established the Point of Life Foundation, a National Heritage Foundation dedicated to bridging the gap between science and religion and to bringing a clear, unbiased message to the general public to help them lead a meaningful, sharing and enjoyable existence. Starting in 2003 the Point of Life Foundation will present seminars and conferences bringing together opinion leaders from the fields of science, religion, medicine, philosophy and nutrition to help find common guidelines for leading a purposeful life.

   Michael Levy is the author four books “What is the Point? ISBN 0966806905”, “Minds of Blue Souls of Gold”ISBN 0966806913 , “Enjoy Yourself – It’s Later Than You Think”ISBN “0966806921 and “Invest with a Genius”ISBN “0966806948. His poetry and essays now grace many web sites, Journals and Magazines throughout the world. His philosophies have become a major source of Truth, Wisdom and Love for many world organizations.
   Web Sites : https://www.pointoflife.com  https://www.polfoundation.org
   E-mail: mikmikl@aol.com

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2. Regarding: Point of Life Foundation, a National Heritage Foundation
   State of Maine
   Office of Securities_
   21 State House Station
   Augusta, Maine 04333-0121

   IN RE: NOTICE OF INTENT
   06-073

   JAMES L. CLIFFORD
   ALLEGATIONS
   1. James L. Clifford (“Clifford”) (CRD # 1419478) is an individual who has been licensed in Maine as a sales representative or agent since at least 1985. His last known address is 955 Eastern Avenue, Holden, Maine 04429.
   2. From December 4, 1997, to the present, Clifford has worked as a sales representative or agent at the Brewer, Maine, branch office of Investors Capital Corp. (“ICC”).
   3. Pearl P. Schoppe (“Ms. Schoppe”) was a life-long resident of Orono, Maine, and the valedictorian of the 1936 graduating class of Husson College in Bangor, Maine.
   4. In May of 1996 Ms. Schoppe established a living trust (the “Schoppe Trust”) with herself as trustee and with two of her relatives designated as trustees upon her death. The original trust document directed that upon Ms. Schoppe’s death, after payment of any of Ms. Schoppe’s debts, expenses and taxes, and certain distributions, the remainder of the trust property was to be held in trust for Husson College with income distributions to fund a scholarship program.
   5. Ms. Schoppe was conservative with her investments. She essentially bought only certificates of deposits and fixed annuities.
   6. In October of 1998, Ms. Schoppe, then age 80, amended the trust document to, among other things, change the trustee upon her death to Clifford. The amendment also changed the provision regarding the distribution of the remainder of her trust property. As amended, instead of the property being held in trust for Husson, the trust instrument dictated that the property was to be “distributed to the National Heritage Foundation F.B.O. Pearl P. Schoppe Foundation.”
   7. The charitable purpose stated by Ms. Schoppe on the National Heritage Foundation application was “Assist students of the Greater Bangor/Brewer, Orono/Old Town, ME area who need financial aid to attend Husson College. To be paid out interest only 80% of interest to go to students, 20% of the interest to go back into the Foundation so foundation will continue to grow.”
   8. Ms. Schoppe died on January 19, 2000.
   9. On March 7, 2000, in Singer Island, Florida, Clifford and John T.”Dock” Houck, II, CEO of National Heritage Foundation, (“NHF”) completed the paperwork for “National Heritage Foundation Inc. FBO Pearl Schoppe FNDTN” to purchase a $150,000 variable annuity from Conseco Variable Annuity Insurance Company through ICC, using funds from the Schoppe Trust.
   10. On May 11, 2000, Clifford sent an additional $50,000 from the Schoppe Trust’s checking account to Conseco to add to the variable annuity.
   11. The subaccounts chosen by Clifford and Houck were largely more-risky growth funds, when Ms. Schoppe’s stated intent and investment history dictated the use of more conservative income-producing investments.
   12. The variable annuity sold by Clifford to the foundation was unsuitable for the charitable purposes expressed by Ms. Schoppe. There was no tax benefit and no value to having a death benefit on the life of Mr. Houck to offset the higher costs and reduced liquidity of the investment.
   13. Clifford received $12,600 in commissions on these transactions. In addition, Clifford has paid himself trustee fees exceeding $42,000.00 from the trust assets despite the fact that he appears to have provided little if any valuable services to the trust.
   14. Since the purchase of the variable annuity in March of 2000, Husson College has received no scholarship money from the Pearl P. Schoppe Foundation.
   15. Under federal law, variable annuities are securities and the offer and sale of variable annuities is regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   16. The NASD is a national securities association registered with the SEC under §15A and in accordance with the provision of §19(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   17. NASD Rules are filed with the SEC and promulgated under §19(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. NASD rules apply to “all members and persons associated with a member. Persons associated with a member shall have the same duties and obligations as a member” under the association’s rules. NASD Rule 0115.
   18. ICC is a member of NASD and Clifford is a person associated with ICC.
   19. NASD Rule 2310 requires that a member have reasonable grounds for believing that a recommended purchase is suitable for a customer based on the facts disclosed by the customer including the customer’s investment objectives.
   20. By virtue of his training and experience, Clifford knew the requirements of NASD Rule 2310. Through his customer relationship with Ms. Schoppe, Clifford knew her investment objectives and the charitable purpose for which she established the Pearl P. Schoppe Foundation. Thus, Clifford intentionally or knowingly failed to comply with NASD Rule 2310. 32 M.R.S.A. §10313(1)(B).
   21. By using funds of the Schoppe Trust to purchase an unsuitable investment, Clifford engaged in unlawful or unethical conduct in the securities business. 32 M.R.S.A. §10313(1)(G).
   22. Pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §§10313 and 16702, the Securities Administrator may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, issue an order to revoke the license of a licensee or impose a bar on a licensee if the Securities Administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and that the licensee: (1) has engaged in unlawful, unethical or dishonest conduct in the securities business; or (2) has intentionally or knowingly violated or failed to comply with a rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   NOTICE
   Notice is hereby given that the Securities Administrator intends to issue an Order to Revoke Clifford’s Agent License and Censure Him or Bar Him from Association under 32 M.R.S.A. §§10313(1) and 16702(1).
   If Clifford wants to request a hearing in this matter, he must do so in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of this Notice of Intent. 32 M.R.S.A. §§10708, 16702(1).

   Date: November 28, 2006 /s/ Michael J. Colleran
   ` Michael J. Collera
   Securities Administrator
   Date: November 28, 2006 /s/ Bonnie E. Russell
   Bonnie E. Russell
   Assistant Securities Administrator
   Date: November 28, 2006 /s/ Willis P. Smedberg
   Willis P. Smedberg
   Investigator/Examiner
   Last Updated: December 20, 2006 4:42 PM

   Posted by: Eduardo Alarcon
   19319 Inverness Dr.
   Spicewood, TX 78669
   (512) 217-6655
   Eduardo.alarcon@sbcglobal.net

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3. Press Release

   September 11, 2008

   Yesterday, a Cameron County jury awarded $9 million in damages to Dr. Juan and Sylvia Mancillas in their lawsuit against the National Heritage Foundation (“NHF”). Dr. and Mrs. Mancillas sued NHF in 2005 because NHF changed the beneficiaries of three multi-million dollar life insurance policies from the Mancillas children to itself.

   NHF is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia that manages thousands of accounts called “donor advised accounts” created by individuals who engage in various charitable projects. NHF acts as the bookkeeper for the hundreds of millions of dollars kept in these donor advised accounts.

   The lawsuit involved what the IRS called an abusive tax shelter known as a charitable split dollar life insurance plan. Between 1997 and 1999, NHF peddled this tax scheme to people across the country. The typical arrangement worked like this—a donor made a charitable “donation” to NHF and took a tax deduction. NHF used those donations to pay premiums on large life insurance policies. The beneficiaries of the life insurance policies were primarily the donor’s heirs, but a smaller portion of the death benefit would go to a charity chosen by the donor. NHF made money by charging a 4.5% fee on the full amount of the death benefit.

   In December 1997, NHF sold Dr. and Mrs. Mancillas a charitable split dollar life insurance plan with annual premiums of about $85,000 on $7 million in life insurance. The Mancillases two sons were the beneficiaries of $5 million of the life insurance, and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, a organization of Catholic nuns in Brownsville, were the beneficiaries of the other $2 million. The large amount of life insurance was necessary because the Mancillases youngest son suffered a severe brain injury at the age of 6 that has left him unable to speak, walk or care for himself.

   In 1999, the IRS determined that donations made in connection with these plans were not tax deductible. At that time, NHF had about 600 of these plans nationwide, with potential life insurance death benefits aggregating between $600 million and $2 billion. If these deals went away, NHF stood to lose between $25 and $90 million in fees.

   NHF did not inform the Mancillases that the tax deduction was not allowed or that it could have just paid the premiums themselves to insure that their sons still got the life insurance benefits. Had they done that, NHF would be out of the picture and would lose out on their substantial fees. NHF instead modified the plan—without telling Dr. or Mrs. Mancillas—so that it was the sole beneficiary of millions of dollars in life insurance policies and the Mancillases children would get nothing. Believing that their sons were still the beneficiaries, Dr. and Mrs. Mancillas continued paying the premiums. They paid a total of $548,000 in premiums over seven years with no knowledge that NHF had changed the beneficiary to itself.

   “I can’t help but wonder how many of the other 600 families with charitable split dollar life insurance plans with NHF have also had their children removed as beneficiaries just so that NHF could be the sole beneficiary”, said the Mancillases attorney, Albert Garcia. “Hundreds of families may still be sending NHF millions of dollars each year for life insurance premiums, thinking that their kids will receive the death benefits when they die,” warned Mr. Garcia. He added, “NHF said nothing to the Mancillases so why wouldn’t they pull the same stunt with these 600 other families.”

   NHF is no stranger to controversy. Its founder, J.T. “Dock” Houk started the original NHF in 1968. In 1982, the IRS filed suit to revoke NHF’s charitable status for violations of the federal tax laws. Mr. Houk was then ousted as NHF’s CEO and the organization changed its name to the National Foundation. In 1993, he started the current NHF and installed himself as the CEO, his son, J.T. “Tick” Houk as President, his wife as the chief operating officer, and his daughter and daughter-in-law as vice presidents. In 1999, the IRS disallowed tax deductions for NHF’s charitable split dollar life insurance plans, effectively ending that tax avoidance scheme. In 2006, the Congress also outlawed another NHF scheme—charitable employment. Under that program, one would “donate” money to his foundation that was managed by NHF, and take a tax deduction on his tax return. The donor would then “work” for his foundation as a director and pay himself a salary with the very money he donated and took a tax deduction for. Very little, if any, of the donated money would go to charity because it would come back to the donor as a salary.

   Dr. and Mrs. Mancillas were represented by Albert Garcia and Adrian Martinez of the McAllen, Texas law firm of Garcia & Martinez, L.L.P. They specialize in complex commercial and personal injury litigation.

   Posted By Eduardo Alarcon

   19319 Inverness Dr.

   Spicewood, TX 78669

   (512) 217-6655

   Eduardo.alarcon@sbcglobal.net

   P.S. If you want to contact the Law Firm mentioned in the press release please contact them directly at:

   April P. Adrian, Paralegal

   GARCIA & MARTINEZ, L.L.P.

   10113 N. 10th Street, Suite H

   McAllen, Texas 78504

   (956) 380-3700 – office

   (956) 380-3703 – fax

   april@garmtzlaw.com

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