Why I became a CLP

Joe Schmitz. CLP
F.I.T. Leasing
Financing Industry & Technology

 

In 1990 I decided I wanted to work for a bank. I had been working in the transportation industry for a small, slightly crazy, family owned company and I wanted to work for a stable, secure company and thought I wanted to be in finance. I was hired by Ginny Young (Leasing News Advisory Member) at a Thrift & Loan that had been in business for 72 years; however 6 months after hiring me they closed. So much for security. Ginny then helped me get a job at one of the Thrift’s customers, a leasing brokerage named Nova Leasing that was owned by Steve O’Neill. I was a straight commission salesperson. After a rocky start, business started growing and we had a great time until 1998 when Steve passed away.

Upon Steve’s passing, I arranged to buy the company from his family in the beginning of 1999. That’s when I decided to get my CLP. Prior to that I had handled the sales and marketing side; now I owned the company and realized that my knowledge base was way too limited. I believed getting the CLP would help make up for the gaps. Also, I felt it would equip me for the biggest change in my roles, that of working with our lenders. Prior to that we had a classic inside/outside role, I brought the transactions in and Steve dealt with our lender relationships. I did not have his 20 years of history with the principals of these funding sources so it seemed to me that being able to show them that I was serious about the profession of leasing and dedicated to following a professional code of conduct would help them trust our company and the transactions we brought them.

Shortly after I bought the company, a multi-day Master Review class was being held at Pacifica Capital. It was a 3 day intensive class followed by a full day test. While it wasn’t cheap, it took time away from my business and was pretty intimidating; it seemed like the best way to get the process done. Since the class was held at Pacifica Capital, I had a chance to get to know the others taking the test including Bette Kerhoulas, CLP, Amy Spragg, CLP, and Jaime Kaneshina, CLP. It was a great group of people to study with. Johnnie Johnson, CLP, led the class (on his own time) and he was an outstanding teacher.

So for three days, I was stuffed full of leasing information. History, law, pricing, structure, collections; by the end I couldn’t wait to take the test, just so I could be finished. As you might imagine the test was intimidating and pretty exhausting. I was pretty sure I passed, but they didn’t have the results on the spot so you just didn’t know. I was very relieved when they notified me that I passed and pleased that everyone in our group also passed.

So what’s been the benefit? Since I was self-employed, it wasn’t that I got an automatic raise for earning the CLP, but unquestionably it profited me. Of the thousands of people in the equipment leasing industry, less than 1% have achieved this designation. That gives you a level of confidence. I know that if I am interacting with a CFO of a large corporation I can properly address any question or concern he or she might have about leasing as it relates to tax, accounting or legal.

The CLP knowledge base means I can read with understanding some of the in-depth articles on Leasing News written by Terry Winders, CLP, such as how a fair market purchase option may still be considered a “bargain” (and what a “bargain” means!) when the cost to return equipment exceeds its value. Or a post by Tom McCurnin about how amendments in Article 9 of the UCC can affect secured creditors. Lastly having the CLP has been an enormous benefit in developing relationships with funding sources as it lets them know I’m serious about being a professional in this industry.

I highly encourage you to consider getting your Certified Leasing Professional designation. You’ll be glad you did.

“Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”
- William Shakespeare

CLPs in Good Standing
http://www.clpfoundation.org/members/members.php

Why I Became a CLP series:
http://www.leasingnews.org/CLP/Index.htm

 

 

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Leasing News Advisory Board Chairman
Robert Teichman, CLP

Bob was appointed by Kit Menkin as chairman May 8, 2005, primarily to recognize him as our number one good will ambassador. Kit has known him for over forty years since the early 1970's when he was President of Dividend Leasing, Santa Clara, and Bob was the champion salesman, just out of Crocker Bank Leasing. Later roles were reversed when Kit sold him deals at various funding companies he represented. He also tutored him to pass the Certified Leasing Professional test, but could never get Kit to run the HP calculator correctly.

Bob joined the Leasing News Advisory Board July 7, 2000. He was actually involved in the "perception" of the newsletter before this date, making many contributions before we went “on line.”

He is the one readers call with the most complaints, or wanting the editor to print a press release or explain what was written. Perhaps he started to get the calls as at one time he wrote about all the leasing conferences for Leasing News, wrote many articles, "pal'd around" with Kit at conferences, where many learned he was a very close friend.

Many don't know Bob is quite a musician, a dancer, and choral singer.

Robert Teichman, CLP
Teichman Financial Training
3030 Bridgeway, Suite 205
Sausalito, CA 94965
Tel: 415 331-6445
Fax: 415 331-6451
e-mail: BoTei@aol.com

Bob Teichman, CLP, was born in New York City. After attending the High School of Music & Art and the New York College of Music, he received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College.

“I studied music for a lot of years. I even played piano professionally while in college (local 802, American Federation of Musicians, James C. Petrillo presiding!), “he added. “I have kept up my interest in music by singing in a local chorus for the past 30 years. There are about 100 of us and we give concerts several times a year, mostly pre-20th century composers like Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. But we do get away from the 18th and 19th centuries. At a recent concert we performed 15th and 20th century music.” He pursued his graduate studies in Geneva, Switzerland.

"In 1956, when I was a graduate student in Geneva, I met my wife Patricia," he wrote. "She was working at the UN and she and I were members of a group of expatriates- Americans, British, Russians, Swedes, mid-Easterners- who all hung around the same cafes"

"It was the late 1950's and Switzerland was affordable for students like me. The ski slopes were close and most of the rest of Europe was less than a day’s drive away.

"But sooner or later reality sets in. More than fifty years ago we married in New York and came to California; driving cross-country in a 1957 Bristol sedan my father had picked up on one of his many trips. The car had right-hand drive, so it was a real challenge maneuvering on the two-lane roads (yeah, they were paved; it was the middle of the 20th, not the 19th, century.) Still, it was an adventure when we had car trouble on a couple of occasions.

"Patty is an avid gardener and an excellent watercolorist. The two interests coincide in her botanical paintings. Here is an example of her painting of a flower from our garden:

"We spend our vacations at a small and very primitive cabin in the Sierra backcountry. Summers only; the roads aren't plowed in the winter. Nice country in summer, though. Pines, firs, granite outcrops, streams, meadows. Also coyotes, bears and deer. We don't bother them, they don't bother us. A bear did chew on my neighbor's cabin. Probably liked the taste of the wood stain.

"Thanks for your friendship over all these years. After having been in the leasing business for over 50 years, I really appreciate all the wonderful people I have met, and the lasting friendships I have formed. I still enjoy the business immensely. There is always something new around the corner."

Bob started in automotive leasing in 1963 in sales, then moved into equipment leasing in the late 1960's. For over 20 years he provided funding for leasing companies as an officer of both bank and non-bank lenders. Along the way, he started several successful leasing companies. His company, Teichman Financial Training, located in Sausalito, California, was founded in 1998 and provides lease education and consulting services to lessors, funders, brokers, government and international agencies, and other members of the financial community.

He is active in leasing associations, having served on the Board of Directors of the United Association of Equipment Leasing (UAEL) for four years. For three years he was the Chairman of their Education Committee with responsibility for the Certification Program and Educational Programs. He was also a member of other committees including the Standards Committee.

Bob is a frequent speaker at leasing industry events, and has written articles for UAEL's Newsline and other industry publications. He is a co-author of the Certified Lease Professional's Handbook and a co-author of the World Bank’s Global Leasing Toolkit.

He is currently Chairman of the CLP Foundation Board, as well as has served two years as President, and a number of years as Chairman of the Education Committee. He is also a member of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers and the National Equipment Finance Association.

 
 

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The QRS 15 Top Franchisor Contenders
Barely Miss the Cut for this year's QRS 50

July 31st the "Top 50 Quick-Service/Fast-Casual Restaurants" were chosen by QSRmagazine.com.(1) Here are the 15 that barely missed the cut:

Full 15 Article:
http://www.qsrmagazine.com/qsr-50/qsr-50-contenders

(1) Top 50 Quick-Service/Fast-Casual Restaurants
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2013/7_31.htm#qsr

 

 

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

Element Reports Strong Volume Growth in Q2-2013
Originations Up 34%

After tax adjusted operating income increases 21% over Q1 to $10.5 million or $0.08 per share

• Origination volumes increased 34% over the previous quarter to $398 million
• Commercial finance volumes (Element Finance) increase 10% in Canada and 88% in the US
• Corporate finance volumes (Element Capital) increase 69% over the previous quarter to $86.6 million
  
• Fleet management volumes (Element Fleet) increase 36% over the previous quarter to $80.4 million
  
• After tax adjusted operating income per share was $0.08 versus $0.08 for the previous period
• Total assets increased by 43% over the immediately previous quarter to $2.5 billion from both organic growth and the acquisition of the GE Fleet portfolio

TORONTO, Ontario - Element Financial Corporation (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or “the Company”), one of North America’s leading independent equipment finance companies, today reported financial results for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2013 showing strong growth in origination volumes across all of the Company’s business verticals. New originations increased 34% to $397.9 million for the three month period versus $296.3 million in the previous period.

Financial revenue increased to $33.96 million versus $31.84 million in the previous period generating net financial income of $24.7 million versus $22.8 million in the previous period. Adjusted operating expenses were $10.3 million for the period versus $10.8 million in the previous period resulting in adjusted operating income of $14.5 million for the current three month period versus $12.0 million for the previous period. After tax adjusted operating income was $10.5 million or $0.08 per share for the current period versus $$8.6 million or $0.08 per share for the previous period. Total assets increased 43% to $2.5 billion at the end of the period versus $1.8 billion at the end of the previous period and book value per share increased to $5.67 versus $4.75 reported at the end of the previous period.

Element Finance accounted for $230.9 million or 58% of the $397.9 million originated during the period. Element Capital accounted for $86.6 million or 22% of the new business volume while Element Fleet originated $80.4 million or 20% of the period’s new business volume. The acquisition of the GE Fleet portfolio also added a further $488.7 million to the Company’s portfolio of finance assets during the period. Finance receivables increased 45.9% to $2.1 billion at the end of the period versus $1.5 billion reported at the end of the previous period. Average finance receivables for the period were $1.5 billion versus $1.4 billion for the previous period. The slight increase resulted from the acquisition of the GE Fleet portfolio on the last day of the quarter.

On June 18th, the Company closed a $300.6 million private placement bought deal equity financing and on June 28th used proceeds from this financing to close the acquisition of GE Capital Canada’s Canadian fleet management business and portfolio (the “GE Fleet portfolio”) of $488.7 finance receivables. During the period the Company also announced that it had commenced funding through the previously announced Element Equipment Finance Fund with the purchase of US$48.5 million of unrated notes by a US-based investment management firm.

Steve Hudson, Chairman/CEO

“We’ve seen strong originations across all our business verticals during the period with a notable increase in our US business which originated $64.2 million of new business volume in Q2,” said Steven Hudson, Element’s Chairman and CEO. “Even after backing out approximately $7 million of volume related to one-time transactions, I’m pleased to see that this business, which we acquired in December of last year, is tracking in line with expectations. We are also on track with our plans for the integration of the Canadian fleet management business that we acquired from GE Capital during the period and continue to expect to deliver on the anticipated earnings accretion from this transaction,” noted Mr. Hudson.

Delinquencies continue to perform as expected and represented 0.15% of total finance receivables as at June 30, 2013 compared to 0.28% as at March 31, 2013. The improvement resulted from the acquisition of the GE Fleet portfolio which had lower delinquency rates than the average portfolio.

Element’s financial leverage ratio increased slightly to 1.75:1 at the end of the second quarter from 1.73:1 at the end of the previous period. Average leverage during the period declined from 2.36:1 in the first quarter to 1.72:1 in the second quarter resulting mainly from the issuance of additional equity in two separate tranches in March and June of this year. “We remain focused on delivering the continued quality growth to our balance sheet that will bring us in line with our target leverage ratio,” said Steven Hudson.

The weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, including special warrants, increased to 129.4 million from 107.7 million in the previous period. At the end of the period, the company had 155.1 million shares outstanding including special warrants.

Full Eight Page Press Release with Financial Statements:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Q2FinancialResults_8142013.pdf

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

 

Cocker Spaniel/German Shepherd Mix
Long Beach, California Adopt-a-Dog

Prince
ID #A504446

"I am a female, black and brown Cocker Spaniel and German Shepherd Dog.
"The shelter staff think I am about 1 year old.
"I have been at the shelter since Aug 10, 2013.

For more information about this animal, call:
Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau at (562) 570-7387
Ask for information about animal ID number A504446

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

 

 

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Leasing Industry Outsourcing

(Providing Services and Products)

Back Office: Atlanta, GA Let Tax Partners handle your sales and use tax compliance duties w/less risk and cost than in-house. Largest tax compliance firm in US E-mail:sales@taxpartners.com	Back Office: 58 Calif. counties Property tax, assessment appear representation and consulting, including hearing appearances. www.rpcpropertytax.com   Ken Sullivan 800-540-3900
Backoffice: Dallas, TX  Property Tax and sales and use tax administration services performance is guaranteed and we will save you time and money or our service is free. E-mail: info@osgsolutions.com
Back Office: Gig Harbor, WA Orion First Financial provides comprehensive lease/loan account servicing, collection/workout solutions and strategic advisory services. Contact David T. Schaefer 253-857-9610 dtschaefer@orionfirst.com	Back Office: Laughlin, NV 20 years experience on funder/broker sides. Looking for a relationship where I act as credit shop for smaller brokers when financial statements are involved. E-mail:batarista@laughlin.net
Back Office: National Property Tax Compliance Services to the leasing industry. Over 60-years experience and fifty Lessors as clients. References and free quotes available, (216) 658-5618, E-mail gary@avptc.com	Back Office – National Spending too much time on processing credit applications, preparing lease documents and other administrative tasks and not enough time marketing and growing your business? Call us! 407.964.1232 dee@leasebrokerassistant.com
Backoffice: New Rochelle, NY Proactive management/administration of commercial/consumer vehicle lease/finance portfolios covering insurance, titles, registrations, sales/property taxes, tickets, collections, accounting, vehicle disposition. Since 1975 Email:  Barrett@BarrettCapital.com	Back Office: Northbrook, IL Our staff of CPA's and lease professionals can handle any or all portfolio responsibilities incl. portfolio mgmt, invoicing, sales/property/income tax, accounting, etc.  800-826-7070  E-mail: ngeary@ecsfinancial.com
Back Office: San Rafael, CA We can run your back office from origination to final payoff. 30 years experience in commercial equipment lease and loan portfolio management.  E-mail:gmartinez@phxa.com	Back Office - Portland, OR  Keep more of your hard-earned commissions! Middle-Market, Small-Ticket for brokers, nationwide, 20+years experience, negotiable splits. Contact us for more information at (888)745-9481 or bev@alliedpacific.net
Back Office -Portland  Portfolio Financial Servicing Company is a leading provider of private label primary and backup servicing for lease and loan contracts.  800-547-4905 sales@pfsc.com	Portfolio Servicing: Portsmouth, NH Servicing without all the subcontracting. Payments, billing, collection, legal, recovery, accounting, tax. Leading systems; highly recognized professionals. Call 855.EENGINE lendersolutions.com

All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

 

 

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August 14, 2003--Dedicated to Lawrence Faber
My Very Close Friend who Died at 56

Larry is on the left in the picture, and Walt is on the right
(his favorite pick-up truck) from a 1999 Oakland Raider game.
(Walt and I have been close friends since 1963.)

(From 8/15/03 Leasing News)

Larry would have gone to the 49ers-Raiders pre-season game with Walt and I yesterday late afternoon, but it was Cal Camp week. He was a UC Berkeley graduate. He and his family never missed it. He saw his fraternity buddies, and he was a Cal fan, going to all the football games, basketball games, and he would argue with anyone, especially a Stanford alumni.

I started doing business with his company Input/Optics about twenty-five years ago as American Leasing, writing leases for over 500 dentists, and did their up-grades and other equipment after being introduced by Larry.

He turned 56 years old on Sunday. On Wednesday, he said he felt ill, tired, and went to the infirmary. He was not over weight, physically very active, and in generally very good health. They found nothing. He felt a little better, but cold and clammy, so Dr. Budack, a dentist, took him to his tent, where he laid down, and then made a gasp, and was dead. He tried CPR. There was a physician nearby who also tried to revive him. But he had died. It was quick.

I was in shock. I decided to go ahead and go to the game, as I was meeting Walt, his youngest son, and a friend, both had taken the day off from work, and I had the tickets. Larry went to a few 49er games with us. We went to all the Raider games usually with four to six other friends, where we all sat together. We did wine tasting, sometimes blind, in the Oakland Coliseum Parking lot, sometimes across the way in a building parking lot, or whatever was available. Larry and I often went, just the two of us, to afternoon or night games. For years, he was a guest of mine at the Santa Clara Wine Society dinners. He knew his wine.

He and his wife have been to our house many times, in fact, Larry installed the first computer at my house, and originally did all the computers at our office in 1984. I believe. We had lunch at least two to three times a month, often more when we had leases going on, as well as I was involved in his business expansion on his board of directors. We talked on the telephone all the time. His was building up a practice of computers systems for attorneys and we had many leases with attorneys from advertising in the bar association news : "We are not afraid of leasing to attorneys!"

I always enjoyed his wit, his profound intelligence, his different way of looking at things, and spoke his mind. He was very funny, too. He was an avid golfer, won many software trophies at Twin Creeks in his late thirties and forties, then became captain of the team which was composed mostly of San Jose policemen. To say the lease, Larry was in very good physical shape. He was married to Michelle with two teenage children---actually one is at college now. I certainly will miss him. I wanted to share this with readers as leasing has made many friends for me, and Larry was one of the best ones I had.

Kit Menkin

 

News Briefs----

Audit Reports Could Face Biggest Shake-Up Yet
http://www3.cfo.com/article/2013/8/auditing_auditing-mda-discussion-pcaob-iaasb-caq

Oracle's Larry Ellison says Apple's best days are over
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23852897/oracles-larry-ellison-says-apples-best-days-are

Few Clues to Regulatory Goals of Fed Rivals
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/business/economy/careers-of-2-fed-contenders-reveal-little-on-regulatory-approach.html?ref=business

CEO of AOL Apologizes to Staff for the Public Firing of an Employee
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/business/media/aols-armstrong-apologizes-to-staff-for-firing-of-employee.html?_r=0

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--You May Have Missed It

That Time People Sent a Cat Through the Mail Using Pneumatic Tubes
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/08/that-time-people-sent-a-cat-through-the-mail-using-pneumatic-tubes/278629/

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

 

10 Excuse-Busting Exercise Truths: SparkPeople Slideshow
(Print out and paste the 10 around your place)
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slideshow.asp?show=88

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Baseball Poem

Frankly Speaking

What makes hot
dogs Taste better
At the ball park
Than anywhere else?

Can't be the
brand Or the
roll Or the
mustard

I think it 's
The process
Of spotting
The vendor
Ordering
over The
noise of The
fans
Passing your bucks
To the right
And
watching
The dog
Move from hand to hand
To the left

Then looking up
And rejoining the
Miracle play
In progress
Becoming again an
active Part of the
hopefuls
Eating quickly
So you can keep
score again And clap
along
With the kids over
there Chanting
WE WANNA HIT!

Written by Gene Carney, “Romancing the Horsehide,” Baseball Poems on Players and the Game, published by McFarland and Company

 

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Sports Briefs----

Lowell Cohn: 49ers ought to cut losses and dump A.J. Jenkins
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130812/sports/

Jerry Rice finally unloads Atherton chateau
http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/08/13/jerry-rice-finally-unloads-atherton-chateau/

 

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California Nuts Briefs---

Feds say it is OK to open Bay Bridge on Labor Day
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_23852053/feds-say-it-is-ok-open-bay-bridge

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

New Report Reveals Which States Are Friendliest to Wine Consumers
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=120139

10 Great California Wines Without Homes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswineclub/2013/08/06/ten-great-california-wines-without-homes/

Russian River Valley AVA turns 30
http://www.mercurynews.com/corkheads/ci_23829544/wine-russian-river-valley-ava-turns-30

How Small Wineries Can Drive Business
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=120377

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

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

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

 

1559 - Spanish explorer de Luna entered Pensacola Bay, Florida.
    1607 - The Popham expedition reached the Sagadahoc River in the northeastern North America (Maine), and settled there.
    1746-Fort Oswego in north central New York was captured by the French under General Joseph de Moncalm de Saint-Veran. General Montcalm surrendered the fort useless for military purposes and returned to Montreal.
    1765-- On this morning, the people of Boston awakened to discover two effigies suspended from an elm tree in protest of the hated Stamp Act. From that day forward, that elm became known as the "Liberty Tree". For the next ten years, it stood in silent witness to countless meetings, speeches and celebrations, and often served as the rallying place for the Sons of Liberty. In August of 1775, as a last act of violence prior to their evacuation of Boston, British Soldiers cut it down because it bore the name "Liberty". The American Liberty elm was named after "The Liberty Tree", Our Country's First Symbol of Freedom.
http://www.elmpost.org/
    1776- Land grant to deserters from the British Army during the Revolutionary War was authorized by the act of the Continental Congress. The act offered American citizenship to British and Hessian deserters from the British Army and gave each desert or his heirs 50 acres of un-appropriated land in certain states. On August 27, 1776, a similar act was passed to encourage officers in the British forces to desert.
    1846-Henry David Thoreau is jailed for tax resistance.
    1846-Mormon Elder Sam Brannan preached a sermon in front of Richardson's Casa Grande, San Francisco.
    1846--Mormon Elder Sam Brannan preached a sermon in front of Richardson's Casa Grande in San Francisco. 
    1848-Congress created the Oregon Territory (Idaho, western Montana, Oregon and Washington).
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug14.html
    1849-Thomas Tennent began San Francisco Bay Area weather observations from roof of the building at the northeast corner of Union and Dupont. He also recorded earthquakes.
    1862-Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith begins an invasion of Kentucky as part of a Confederate plan to draw the Yankee army of General Don Carlos Buell away from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and to raise support for the Southern cause in Kentucky. Smith led 10,000 troops out of Knoxville, Tennessee, on August 14 and moved toward the Cumberland Gap—the first step in the Confederate invasion of Kentucky. After a Federal force evacuated the pass in the face of the invasion, Smith continued north. On August 30, he encountered a more significant force at Richmond, Kentucky. In a decisive battle, the Confederates routed the Yankees and captured most of the 6,000-man army. The Confederates occupied Lexington a few days later.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/ksmithbio.htm 
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWkirby.htm 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0807118001/fast-bkasin-20/
103-5362656-4423850 
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/smith.htm
http://18.1911encyclopedia.org/S/SM/SMITH_EDMUND_KIRBY.htm
    1863-Birthday of Ernest Lawrence Thayer, poet and journalist, born at Lawrence, MA. He wrote a series of comic ballads for the San Francisco Examiner, of which “Casey at the Bat” was the last. It was published and he received $5 in payment for it. Recitations of the ballad by the actor William DeWolf Hopper greatly increased is popularity. It is said that by 1900 there were few Americans who had not heard of “Casey at the Bat.” Died at Santa Barbara, CA, August 21, 1940.
    1883-Birthday of African-American Ernest E. Just, American marine biologist, pioneer of cell division, born at Charleston, SC. He was the first recipient of the NAACP's Spingarn Medal and was a professor at Howard University from 1907 to 1941, where he was head of physiology at the medical school(1912-20) and head of zoology(1912-41). He died October 27, 1941, at Washington, DC.
    1900-After a siege of nearly two months, troops from the US ( Marines), Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Japan reached Peking and put down the Box Rebellion. Bitter antagonism against all foreigners in China broke into open warfare when a nationalist group, the Boxers, occupied Peking on June 20 and besieged members of the diplomatic corps, their families, and others in the British legation. The Boxers wanted to rid China of all foreigners. Under pressure from the U.S., the other powers agreed not to partition China further. On September 7, 1901, China and eleven other nations signed the Boxer Protocol, by which China agreed to pay 4333,000,000 in indemnity. The U.S. Received $24,5000,000 but in 1908 this amount was reduced and the money was used to educate Chinese students in the U.S.
    1909 Jazz Violinist Stuff Smith Birthday
http://www.harlem.org/people/smith.html
http://www.musicweb-international.com/encyclopaedia/s/S138.HTM
    1926-Birthday of pianist/singer Buddy Greco, Philadelphia, PA.
http://www.candidrecords.com/buddygreco.html
    1926-Birthday of 1926, Alice Adams - U.S. writer and novelist. Her major work consisted of the novels Careless Love (1968), Families and Survivors (1975), Listening to Billie (1978), and her best read book Superior Women (1984). She published 25 short stories in the New Yorker magazine. 
    1929-Birthday of singer Lorez Alexandria, Chicago, IL
    1930—Birthday of vibraphonist Eddie Cost, Atlas, PA.
    1935-Congress approved the Social Security Act, which contained provisions for the establishment of a Social Security Board to administer federal old-age and survivors' insurance in the US. By signing the bill into law, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was fulfilling a 1932 campaign promise.
As a side note, US Senators/Congressmen do not pay into Social Security, and, therefore they do not collect from it. They felt they should have a special plan. When they retire no matter how long they have been in office, they continue to draw their same pay until they die, except it may be increased from time to time by the cost-of-living.
    1936-Kansas City, MO has its hottest ever temperature with 113.1936 - Temperatures across much of eastern Kansas soared above 110 degrees.. It was one of sixteen consecutive days of 100 degree heat for Kansas City. During that summer there were a record 53 days of 100 degree heat, and during the three summer months Kansas City received just 1.12 inches of rain
    1940 - Dash Crofts of Seals & Crofts is born in Cisco, Texas. The group has three top 10 hits, all of which reach No. 6: "Summer Breeze" in 1972, "Diamond Girl" in 1973 and "Get Closer" in 1976.
    1941 - David Crosby is born David Van Courtland in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Byrds, then teams up with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1968. The group wins the best new artist Grammy in 1969. CSN's two top 10 songs are "Just a Song Before I Go" and "Wasted on the Way."
    1945- President Truman's announcement in 1945 that Japan had surrendered to the Allies, setting off celebrations across the nation. Official ratification of surrender occurred aboard the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay, September 2 ( Far Eastern Time ).
    1946-Birthday of Susan St. James - U.S. actor who perfected the airhead characterization who had innate common sense in a number of TV series including the hits MacMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.
    1947-Miles Davis record his first session under his own name, New York City ( Half Nelson, Milestones, Little Willie Leaps).
    1947--Birthday of Danielle Steel - U.S. novelist with more than 100 million books in print in 42 countries. 
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/steel/ 
    1949---Top Hits
Some Enchanted Evening - Perry Como
Bali Ha'i - Perry Como
Again - Doris Day
I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl that I Love) - Eddy Arnold
    1950 -- Birthday of American cartoonist/humorist Gary Larson.
    1953 - David N. Mullany and his 13-year-old son, David A. Mullany, while trying to come up with a ball that would curve every time it was thrown, wound up inventing the Wiffle Ball. The ball had oblong holes on the top half, and a solid bottom. The original Wiffle bat was wood, but for many years it has been a skinny glowing yellow shaped plastic bat.
    1953-June Christy records “Something Cool,” Los Angeles.
    1953-HAMMOND, LESTER, JR. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Near Kumwha, Korea, 14 August 1952. Entered service at: Quincy, Ill. Born: 25 March 1931, Wayland, Mo. G.O. No.: 63, 17 August 1953. Citation: Cpl. Hammond, a radio operator with Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Cpl. Hammond was a member of a 6 man reconnaissance patrol which had penetrated approximately 3,500 yards into enemy-held territory. Ambushed and partially surrounded by a large hostile force, the small group opened fire, and then quickly withdrew up a narrow ravine in search of protective cover. Despite a wound sustained in the initial exchange of fire and imminent danger of being overrun by the numerically superior foe, he refused to seek shelter and, remaining in an exposed place, called for artillery fire to support a defensive action. Constantly vulnerable to enemy observation and action, he coordinated and directed crippling fire on the assailants, inflicting heavy casualties and repulsing several attempts to overrun friendly positions. Although wounded a second time, he remained steadfast and maintained his stand until mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit set an inspiring example of valor to his comrades and, through his actions, the onslaught was stemmed, enabling a friendly platoon to reach the beleaguered patrol, evacuate the wounded, and affect a safe withdrawal to friendly lines. Cpl. Hammond's unflinching courage and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service. 
    1957---Top Hits
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone
Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
Bye Bye Love - The Everly Brothers
    1959-The formation of the American Football League was announced at a press conference in Chicago. Play was set to begin in 1960 with at least six and possibly eight franchisees.
    1959-Birthday of Earvin “ Magic” Johnson, Jr., former basketball player and coach, born Landsing, MI.
    1961-Wanda Jackson's biggest hit, "Right Or Wrong" enters the Billboard Pop chart on its way to #29. 
    1965- Frank Mitchell, age 15, of Springfield, IL, was appointed by Representative Paul Findley, Republican of Illinois, to become a Congressional page, the first African-American to hold this position in the history of the United States.
    1965-The McCoys' "Hang On Sloopy" is released.
    1965---Top Hits
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
Save Your Heart for Me - Gary Lewis & The Playboys
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
The First Thing Ev'ry Morning (And the Last Thing Ev'ry Night) - Jimmy Dean
    1965-After several minor hits, Sonny and Cher had the number one song in the US when "I Got You Babe" reached the top. 
    1967 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "All You Need Is Love," The Beatles. The group's manager, Brian Epstein, dies of an accidental drug overdose while the song is No. 1.
    1969 - The New York Mets were 9-1/2 games behind the league-leading Chicago Cubs. The Amazing Mets began a comeback that launched the phrase, “You Gotta Believe,” as they began a drive that took them to the National League pennant and the World Series Championship (over the Baltimore Orioles). It was the first championship for the Mets franchise which began in 1962.
    1969—The Woodstock Music and Art Fair opens for three days on Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York.
    1971-Rod Stewart released "Maggie May."
    1973---Top Hits
The Morning After - Maureen McGovern
Live and Let Die - Wings
Brother Louie - Stories
Trip to Heaven - Freddie Hart & The Heartbeats
    1974-Paul Anka's "You're Having My Baby," is gold despite its denouncement by feminists. The objection is the use of the word 'my' as in "my baby", not "our baby." It is Number One by the end of the summer.
    1976- The longest softball game began at 10am and continued until Saturday, 4pm, when it was called because of rain and fog. The game was played at Summerville Field, Monticello, NY between the Gager's Diner and the Bend n” Elbow Tavern. About 70 players, including 20 women participated. Some $4,000 was raised for the construction of a new softball field and for the Community General Hospital. The Gagers made 832 hits and scored 491 runs; the Elbows made 738 hits, scoring 467 runs. There were 31 home runs. To date, this remains the longest softball game on record.
    1976 - Nick Lowe's debut solo single, "So It Goes," is released.
    1976-The Steve Miller Band's "Rock 'N Me" is released.
    1977---77,691 fans, the largest crowd to that date to watch a soccer match in the US, saw the New York Cosmos, led by Pele, defeat the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, 8-3, in a National American Soccer League quarterfinal playoff game at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.
    1981---Top Hits
Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It or Not) - Joey Scarbury
Too Many Lovers - Crystal Gayle
    1982-The first National Navajo Code Talkers Day. Coded military radio transmissions using a Native American language began in 1942, when the Allied and Axis powers were competing to devise communications codes that could not be deciphered by the enemy. Philip Johnston, a missionary's son who had grown-up on the Navajo reservation, proposed the idea of using the Navajo language, a complicated system in which the meaning of a word is often determined by expression and pronunciation. Marine Major General Clayton B. Vogel approved the plan and recruited 420 Navajo “ code talkers” to handle coded radio communications in the Pacific theater. the codes combined everyday Navajo words with about 400 special terms made up by the code talkers. Members of other tribes were employed as well. The Japanese were aware of the Navajo codes, but never broke them. They were kept top secret until 1968.
    1984 - IBM released PC-DOS v3.0 for PC/AT (with network support). A 286 processor, 20-30 megabyte hard drive and 256k/512k RAM for somewhere between $6000 and $9000.
    1985-Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney for the entire ATV music publishing catalogue, which includes most of the Lennon / McCartney songbook. Jackson paid 47.5 million US dollars for the company, in an act that will permanently sour the friendship between the two stars.
    1987 - Mark McGwire set the record for home runs by a rookie, as he connected for his 39th round-tripper of the season. He got the homer off of 317-game winner Don Sutton of the California Angels. McGwire led the Oakland Athletics to a 7-6 win -- in 12 innings.
    1987- Slow moving thunderstorms deluged northern and western suburbs of Chicago IL with torrential rains. O'Hare Airport reported 9.35 inches in 18 hours, easily exceeding the previous 24 hour record of 6.24 inches. Flooding over a five day period resulted in 221 million dollars damage. It was Chicago's worst flash flood event, particularly for northern and western sections of the city. Kennedy Expressway became a footpath for thousands of travelers to O'Hare Airport as roads were closed. The heavy rains swelled the Des Plaines River above flood stage, and many persons had to be rescued from stalled vehicles on flooded roads.
    1988 - Eighteen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, and the water temperature at Lake Erie reached a record 80 degrees. Portland ME reported a record fourteen straight days of 80 degree weather. Milwaukee WI reported a record 34 days of 90 degree heat for the year. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms resulted in about fifty reports of severe weather in the northeastern U.S. One person was killed at Stockbridge MI when a tornado knocked a tree onto their camper.
    1989---Top Hits
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
On Our Own - Bobby Brown
Once Bitten Twice Shy - Great White
Timber, I'm Falling in Love - Patty Loveless
    1989-Bon Jovi's "New Jersey" LP becomes the first U.S. album to be released legally in the Soviet Union. The Russian label Melodiya pays the group with a truckload of firewood since rubles can't leave Russia.
    1990-Denver votes for a 1% sales tax to pay for a baseball franchise.
    1992 - Wayne Newton files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The singer, a former owner of the Alladin Hotel in Las Vegas, is one of the highest paid performers on the Vegas strip.
    1995 - Members of the Grateful Dead meet and decide to cancel their fall tour in the wake of Jerry Garcia's death.
    1998 -The A's Rickey Henderson's stolen base in the first-inning against the Tigers makes the thirty-nine year old the oldest player to steal 50 bases in a season.
    1999 -With Pudge's 20th stolen base in Chicago, Texas backstop Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season.
    2003-Largest power outage in US history hits the Northeast. By 11 p.m. in New Jersey, power had been restored to all but 250,000 of the nearly 1 million customers who had been in the dark since just after 4 p.m.