Balboa Capital, Costa Mesa California

Inside Patrick "Evergreen" Byrne's Brain

 

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

 

Steve Agnello was hired as Senior Account Executive, CHG - Meridian.   He is based in Grayson, Georgia.  Previously, he was Area Vice President, Presidio Technology Capital (April, 2014 - July, 2018); Account Executive, Higher Education, Healthcare and Public Sector, Oracle Financial Services (November, 2004 - March, 2014); Area Operations Manager, Paccar Financial Corp. (September, 1993 - October, 2004). Education: Washington State University. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Business Administration and Management with an Emphasis in Marketing. Dormitory President.  Resident Assistant. President of WSU Sales and Marketing Association.  Director of WSU entry into General Motor Marketing competition.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-agnello-97153099/

Thomas Ball was promoted as Relationship Manager, the newly formed Heavy-Duty Transportation Finance Team, Hitachi Capital America, Norwalk, Connecticut.  He is located Greater New York Area.  He joined the firm April, 2018, as General Manager, Capital Markets. Education: Abilene Christian University. BBA, Finance/Accounting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasball/

Amy Cole was promoted at First American Equipment Finance, Rochester, New York Area, to Vice President. She joined the firm September, 2013, as Assistant Vice President, Healthcare Division.  Previously, she was at eHealth Technologies, starting September, 2011, as Inside Sales Representative; promoted February, 2012, Senior Account Manager; Account Executive, CGI Communications, starting as Sales Associate, March, 2009; promoted January, 2011, Account Executive.  Education: SUNY Oswego. Bachelor's degree. Communication Studies (2004 - 2008). https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-cole-b2366a32/ 

Brenden P. Forbes was hired as Director of Business Development, Clune & Company, Kansas City, Missouri. "He is a son-in-law of owner, Kevin F. Clune. Forbes is very familiar with Clune & Company and their niche as a Family owned Independent Equipment Lease Provider for over 60 years. Mr. Clune is confident that Brenden will have a positive impact on the future trajectory of the Company.  Forbes is looking forward to becoming more acquainted with the business, developing & celebrating relationships with current Vendors & Leasing Customers and nurturing successful new relationships.  Previously, Mr. Forbes was Manager, CB Richard Ellis (February, 2009 - August, 2018); Manager, Sprint (January, 2001 - February, 2009). Education: The University of Kansas (1991 - 1997). https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenden-forbes-9178743/ 

Dave Herring was promoted to National Sales Manager for Hitachi Capital America, Norwalk, Connecticut, newly formed Heavy-Duty Transportation Finance Team. He joined the firm April, 2018.  He is based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.  Previously, he was VP/National Sales Leader Transportation Finance, Marlin Business Service Corp. (May, 2016 - April, 2018); Co-Founder, FFS Capital Solutions (April, 2015 - April, 2016). He joined GE Capital Transportation Finance, August, 2005, as VP, Relationship Manager; promoted January, 2009, VP, National Account Manager; promoted, March, 2010, SVP, Regional Sales Manager. Prior, he was Regional Sales Manager, The Randstad Group (August, 2003 - January, 2005); Industry Relations and Marketing Manager, CityCapital (Formerly the Associates Commercial Corporation). Community Service: Volunteer: Councilmember, Coppell City Council (January, 2000 - January, 2003).  Elected to the Coppell City Council in 2000 Represented the City of Coppell population 44,000). https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveherring1/

Mirna Kassir was promoted to Senior Relationship Manager, Citizens Financial Group, Inc., Greater Boston area. She joined the firm 2011, as Vice President, Healthcare and Non-Profit Institutions; promoted 2012, Senior Credit Review Manager; promoted, 2015, Credit Officer. Pior, she was Assistant Vice President, Global Corporate and Investment Bank, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch (2010 - 2011); Assistant Vice President, Merrill Lynch (2007  - 2008);  Associate, Bank of America (2005 -2007); Program Coordinator, Harvard University ( 2004 - 2005); Adjunct Professor, Bentley College (2003 - 2004); Professor, The Boston Language Institute (2002 - 2003); Senior Credit Officer, Banque de la Mediterranee (1998 - 2001); Credit Officer, Bank of Beirut (1996 - 1998). Education: Lebanese American University. MBA. Business Administration (1995 - 1997). Richmond.  The American International University in London. BA, International Business (1990 - 1992).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirna-kassir-a71b24a/

Patrick Loughney was promoted to Vice President, Contract Management, Marlin Business Services Corp., Mount Laurel, New Jersey.  He joined the firm March, 2017, as Assistant Vice President, Contract Management. Previously, he was at Canon Financial Services, starting as Manager, Collections, October, 2010; promoted Senior Manager: Major Accounts, Collections and Legal/Workout, February, 2013; promoted January, 2015, Senior Manager: Documentation, Contract Management and Document Retention. Prior he was at Chrysler Financial, starting August, 1999, as Customer Service Presentative; promoted, September, 2001, Customer Service Supervisor, Skip Tracing and Collections; promoted 2004, Customer Service Supervisor; promoted, 2004, Customer Service Manager, High and Low Risk Collections; promoted, April, 2004, Customer Service Manager; promoted, 2006, Customer Service Manager, Quality and Coaching; promoted June, 2006, Manager.  Prior, he was Manager, Daimler Chrysler Financial Services (1999 - 2010). Education: Strayer University, Pennsylvania. Master of Business Administration (M.B.A>), International Business. 4.0. Lebanon Valley College, BS.  Marketing and Management (1995 - 1999). Activities and Societies: Phi Lambda Sigma, Track and Field and Field (All-America 1998).  Bishop McDevitt (1991 - 1995).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-loughney-30b688a/

Dennis R. Magarro was promoted to Senior Vice President, Peapack Capital Corporation, a Subsidiary of Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Bedminister, New Jersey.  He is located in the Greater Boston Area.  He joined the firm as Vice President, April, 2017. Previously, he was Vice President, Santander Equipment Finance, Santander Bank (August, 2015 - April, 2017); Vice President, Bank of Tokyo, Mitsubishi Capital Leasing & Finance, MUFG (October, 2013 - August, 2015); Vice President, RBS/Citizens, Citizens Commercial Banking (July, 2010 - October, 2013). He joined GE Capital, December, 2001, as Financial Analyst; promoted April, 2005, Associate, Corporate Lending; promoted August, 2007, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Lending. Prior, he was Auditor, Arthur Andersen & Company (September, 2000 - November, 2001). Community Service: Volunteer: Board Member, Commissioner and Coach of Girls Softball Shrewsbury Little League (April, 2015 - Present). Education: Quinnipiac University, Bachelors, Accounting (1996 - 2000).  Activities and Societies: Student Government, Senior Class President, Marketing Club President, Accounting Honors Program, Accounting Society.  Sacred Heart University, MBA, Finance (2002 - 2005). Paramus High School. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisrmagarro/

Kirk Mann, Senior Vice President & General Manager, will lead the newly formed Heavy-Duty Transportation Finance Team, Hitachi Capital America, Norwalk, Connecticut.  He is located Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Area.  He joined the firm April, 2017. Previously, he was Vice President, Business Development, Equify, LLC (February, 2014 - April, 2017); Vice President, Business Development, Triumph (February, 2013 - February, 2104); GM & Strategic Sales, FAPS (July, 2011 - January, 2013); Chief Marketing Officer/Strategic Initiatives Leader, GE Capital (January, 2007 - July, 2011); Regional Vice President, Financial Federal Credit (May, 2003 -January, 2007); Regional Vice President, CitiCapital, Citigroup (June, 1989 - May, 2003).Community Service: Volunteer: Sales Training, Prison Entrepreneurship Program ( October, 2013).  Mentor, Everwise (October, 2015 - Present).  Education:  Texas Tech University. Rawls College of Business. BBA. Finance. 1983 - 1989).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkmann/

Jeff Mills was promoted as Relationship Manager, the newly formed Heavy-Duty Transportation Finance Team, Hitachi Capital America, Norwalk, Connecticut.  He is located in Dallas, Texas.  He joined the firm December, 2017.  Previously, he was Vice President, Strategic Fleet Solutions, Fleet Advantage (June, 2015 - November, 2017); National Accounts Manager, Paccar Financial Corporation (May, 2011 - May, 2015); MBA Capstone, University of Dallas (2015); Vice President, Heavy Duty Truck and Trailer Finance, 1st Source Bank (July, 2001 - May, 2011); Vice President Equipment Leasing, Southtrust Bank (April, 2000 - July, 2001); Regional Sales Manager, Associates Commercial Corporation (May, 1993 - April, 2000). Education:  The University of Dallas.  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). Business Administration and Management. General.
(2013 - 2015). University of North Texas, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Banking, Corporate Finance and Securities Law (1989 - 1992). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-m-b5645233/

Robin (Schatz) O'Connell was Senior Manager, Zone Finance Sales, Canon Medical Systems, USA.  She is located in Mesa, Arizona. Previously, she was Regional Sales Manager, K2 Capital, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She is based out of Mesa, Arizona. Previously, she was Field Sales Manager, Rocky Mountain Area, Olympus Financial Services (April, 2012 - June, 2017); Account Executive II, Healthcare, De Lage Landen (September, 2008 February, 2012); Vice President, Equipment Finance Specialist, JP Morgan Chase (April, 2007 - August, 2008); Vendor Finance Account Manager, GE Commercial Finance (June, 2004 -April, 2007).  Education: Marist College, MBA, Marketing (2000 - 2004). Marist College School of Management, Masters of Business Administration, Marketing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-o-connell-85141b1/

John Snider was hired as Vice President, Relationship Manager, Verdant Commercial Capital, Dallas/Fort Worth area. Prior, he was at Wells Fargo when it acquired GE Capital, March, 2016, as Senior Relationship Manager, October, 2011; promoted, July, 2017, Vice-President, Relationship Management Manager. He began his career at GE Capital, starting 2004 as Field Service Representative; promoted, 2005, Account Manager; promoted, 2007, Credit Analyst; promoted, August, 2010, Senior Credit Analyst; promoted, October, 2011, Relationship Manager.  Education: The University of Georgia, MBA, Enterprise Risk Management (2007 - 2010).  Texas Tech University, BBA, Management (2002 - 2004).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-s-66336713/

Matthew Vazzana was hired as National Account Manager, Huntington Technology Finance, Baltimore, Maryland. Previously, he was Relationship Manager, TIAA Bank (February, 2012 - August, 2018); Team Leader, Transaction Management, BrightGrid Renewable Energy Finance (January, 2010 - February, 2012); Sales Assistant Intern, Capital Conduit Partners LLC (July, 2009 - August, 2008).  Education: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Finance (2006 - 2001) Activities and Societies: Investment Club. Geography and Earth Science Club. Adventure Club. John L. Grove College of Business. AACSB International Accreditation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewvazzana/

Russ Yananga as National Sales Director will assist in the Medium-Duty Trucks newly formed division for Hitachi Capital, Norwalk, Conneticut.  He is based in the Greater Chicago Area. He joined the firm April, 2007, as Regional Sales Director; promoted May, 2017, National Sales  Director.  Previously, he was Territory Manager, America's Body Company (April, 2005 - December, 2006); Fleet & Commercial Manager, Jerry Biggers Chevrolet (July, 2003 - April, 2005); Account Manager/Business Development Manager, Lojack Corporation (October, 2001 - June, 2003); Sales Manager, Jerry Biggers Chevrolet
(April, 1996 - August, 2001). Education: U.S. Army (1983 - 1995). https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-yanaga-3a52b6b/ 

 

Help Wanted

Byline Financial Group Bannockburn, Illinois Positions Open Customer Service Repesentative  Credit Administrator    Sales Coordinator (Click on position to learn more) bylinebank.com/byline-financial-group/ Byline Financial Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Byline Bank, Member FDIC

 

Leasing Funding Coordinator Los Angeles, California Visit: Recent Transactions Visit: Leasing Program Job Description www.dakotafinancial.com Asset-Based Direct Funding Source

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The 2018 Top Small Business Funders by Revenue
https://debanked.com

https://debanked.com

 

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 ELFF Month Confidence Index Continues Slide Down
August to 60.7 from July Index of 62.8

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry continued its slipping.  Interviewed by ELFF, the following alphabetically replied:

Quentin Cote, CLFP, President, Mintaka Financial, LLC
“I think there remains pent-up demand for capital equipment, and strong economic activity bodes well for portfolio performance. My concerns are about the impact of trade wars on equipment manufacturers’ prices, and the politicization of Fed interest rate moves, which would lead to overheating and inflation.”

Valerie Hayes Jester, President, Brandywine Capital Associates
“Our application rate and quality have remained steady over the typically slower summer months signaling a strong fourth quarter. Interest rates continue to be attractive even after earlier rate hikes. Businesses continue to expand at a strong rate and equipment finance continues to be a substantial component of that trend.”

Paul Menzel, CLFP, President and CEO, Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., an Umpqua Bank Company, said, “ ‘Uncertainty’ is the theme in the economy for the balance of 2018. Between the Administration’s trade strategy, the mid-term elections, and the President’s political challenges, decision makers are taking a wait-and-see approach to business investment.”

Michael Romanowski, President, Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation
“Trade tariffs are having an impact on capital investment by customers. Some are continuing to move forward, others are delaying investment. Overall, we are seeing business activity slightly behind levels from a year ago.”

ELFF Survey Demographics
Market Segment

    Bank 60%
    Captive 10%
    Financial Services 3.33%
    Independent 23.33%
    Other  3.33%

Market Segments Based on Transaction Size of New Business Volume

    Large-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size Over $5 Million) 16.67%
    Middle-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size of $250,000 – $5 Million) 53.33%
    Small-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size of $25,000 – $249,999) 30.00%
    Micro-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Less Than $25,000) 0.00%

Organization Size

    Under $50 Million 10%
    $50 Million – $250 Million 10%
    $250 Million – $1 Billion 26.67%
    Over $1 Billion 53.33%

Full Survey:
https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/monthly-confidence-index/

 

 

 

Owners Continue Reporting Strong Sales and Profits,
According to NFIB’s July Report

Washington, D.C. The Small Business Optimism Index marked its second highest level in the survey’s 45-year history at 107.9, rising to within 0.1 point of the July 1983 record-high of 108. The July 2018 report also set new records in terms of owners reporting job creation plans and those with job openings. A seasonally-adjusted net 23 percent are planning to create new jobs, up three points from June. Thirty-seven percent of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, a one-point increase from June.

NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan, said, “Small business owners are leading this economy and expressing optimism rivaling the highest levels in history.”

 “Expansion continues to be a priority for small businesses that show no signs of slowing as they anticipate more sales and better business conditions.”

A net eight percent of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months compared to the prior three months. July is the eighth consecutive strong month of reported sales gains after years of low or negative numbers.  A net 35 percent of owners expect better business conditions, ticking up two points from June.

Additional July highlights include:

• The percent of owners citing the availability of qualified workers as their number one business problem landed one point below the record high.
• Reports of compensation increases remained strong.
• Capital spending maintained a respectable pace but did not display the exuberance of its fellow indicators, although spending plans did post a gain.
• Plans to add to inventory holdings were strong as strong sales continue to deplete stocks.
• Profits continued to perform, and more firms raised prices, something that is easier when demand is strong.
• “Small business owners have never been so optimistic for so long, helping to power the second longest expansion in history,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Despite challenges in finding qualified workers to fill a record number of job openings, they’re taking advantage of this economy and pursuing growth.”

Fifty-nine percent reported hiring or trying to hire (down four points), but 52 percent (88 percent of those hiring or trying to hire) reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.  Twenty-three percent of owners cited the difficulty of finding qualified workers as their single most important business problem (up two points), one point below the 45-year record high.

Full Trend Report
http://www.nfib.com/surveys/small-business-economic-trends/

 

 

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Three Ways B2B Marketing Strategy Affects Website Design

FinTech #102
by Alex Vasilakos

The robustness and integrity of a website’s design can be positive factors in moving the B2B sales process down the funnel. Since the trip down the funnel is slower for B2B than B2C and requires more information to be consumed by decision makers, your website can be at the core of your content marketing strategy to make a great impression on prospective clients while they are in the process of making a decision. Here are three factors to incorporate into your website design that can increase your conversions.

Focus on Being Helpful

Does your website help a prospective client or hinder a sale? Imagine if you had the best products in the industry, but no one could find out about them from your website because it was so confusing and poorly designed. Take an honest look at your present website. If there is content or design on your website that does not educate or help the client, it should be removed. Your website should be easy to navigate so that your client can readily find helpful information. You can have a great sales staff, but if a client is frustrated or turned off with your website, it is likely that the lead will not convert. Here are some more website improvement tips:

• Make your core services readily displayed on your landing page.
• Your contact information is worth repeating. It needs to be on a header or footer throughout your website so the client does not have to hunt for it when she is ready to contact you.
• Keep your website up to date with relevant information and a periodic design refresh.

Credibility Counts

The key to credibility with a sales prospect is to provide relevant content on the website, as it is very likely your website will be visited multiple times during the decision making process. If your prospect is continually engaged with your website, it makes it easier to build a trusting relationship.

A company blog that targets the needs and concerns of your customers, relevant and timely social media posts, and offers of content such as e-books, guides, and tip sheets are all great ways to build credibility and engagement. Make sure that content is truly educational and has value for your customer, and vary the content perspective to address a variety of decision makers in the company.

Sales Come Second

Resist the temptation to close the sale too soon by asking for lengthy information from the website viewer or implementing pop-up screens asking for e-mail addresses. These tactics are extremely irritating to most prospects and will drive more leads away than it will generate. It is more beneficial to focus on the long game and show the prospect what you can do for them. Avoiding the hard sales tactics and instead informing the prospect of industry trends and how your company can address them is the best way to win business.

In It for the Long Haul

The longer decision process for B2B sales necessitates strong web marketing strategy and execution. Diversity of relevant content that is frequently updated, along with a clean and straightforward site design will make it easier for your company to develop relationships with prospective clients, and down the line, close sales.

Alex Vasilakos
Director of Marketing
The Finance Marketing Group
Alex@financemarketing.com 
Office: 518-591-4645x102 / Fax: 518-677-1071
90 State Street, Suite Currently, Alex works exclusively with financial services companies but his depth of knowledge and experience can help design and implement 1500, Albany, NY 12207
long-reaching strategies for businesses across all industries.

Previous Financial Technology Articles
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/fintech.html

 

 

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Ascentium Capital Crew in Place
in Scottsdale, Arizona

Caprice Archer - Sales Coordinator
Dominic Knight
Michael Jung
Brian Hernandez
Rick Gomba
Craig Colling

Andrew Baccaro is not in the picture.
Emil Cakardic is not in the picture.
"Team Scottsdale just completed sales training at Ascentium Capital University! Our sales training program empowers our financial professionals to succeed immediately. Thank you to our Kingwood, TX corporate office and Team Members for their support. The Ascent is now ready to take flight in Scottsdale!"

“Our team is taking the CFLP test in 2019, most likely hosting in Scottsdale.”
(Sent by Craig Colling, Senior Vice President Sales, Ascentium)

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

A pair of wild rides (“BlacKkKman,” “The Last Movie”) hit theaters, while DVD releases include boisterous comedy (“Blockers”)and affecting drama (“Outside In,” “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez”).

In theaters:

BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features): Maverick director Spike Lee (“Do the Right Thing”) continues his string of bold, confrontational features with this timely and darkly satirical blast. Set in the early 1970s, the story follows Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), who’s determined to make the most of his position as the first African-American detective in the police department of Colorado Springs. So he teams up with fellow investigator Flip (Adam Driver) and embarks on an extremely dangerous undercover mission: Infiltrating the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, standing side by side with a pack of volatile racists. Combining the funky style of a blaxploitation flick with ferocious humor and disturbing social commentary, Lee’s film is an attack on the absurd and deadly nature of racism. One of the year’s most vital releases.

The Last Movie (Arbelos Films): Long unavailable since its 1971 premiere, Dennis Hopper’s remarkable follow-up to the counterculture classic “Easy Rider” is finally enjoying a theatrical re-release, giving audiences the chance to discover a profoundly complex and challenging work. Hopper plays Kansas, a stunt-man who decides to start a new life in a Peruvian village after tragedy strikes on the set of his latest film. Trouble is, the presence of the American filmmakers has a toxic effect on villagers, who decide to create their own Western with fake cameras and real bullets. Using this meta-plot as a launching pad for a procession of psychedelic blurs of reality and fantasy, Hopper serves up a vision that seems to shimmer, mutate and disintegrate before the audience’s eyes. With a cast that includes Kris Kristofferson, Dean Stockwell and Peter Fonda.

Nextflix Tip: With the re-release of “The Last Movie,” it’s a good time to check back on the life and art of the late, iconic Dennis Hopper. So check out Netflix for his best roles, which include “Easy Rider” (1969), “Apocalypse Now” (1979), “Blue Velvet” (1986), “True Romance” (1993) and “Speed” (1994).

On DVD:

Blockers (Universal): The raunchy-and-sweet tradition of teen comedies is alive and well in this riotous take on the gap between adolescence and adulthood, which makes for a promising directorial debut for screenwriter Kay Cannon (“Pitch Perfect”). The story follows the friendship of a trio of high-schoolers, Julie (Kathryn Newton), Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Sam (Gideon Adlon), who make a pact to love their virginity on prom night. Things get complicated when said pact is revealed to their respective parents, single-mom Lisa (Leslie Mann), free-spirited Hunter (Ike Barinholtz) and overprotective Mitchell (John Cena), leading to quite a wild night for everybody. Recalling earlier hits such as “American Pie” and “Superbad” but with a welcome female perspective, Cannon’s film brings some hilarious and even touching twists to an often formulaic genre.

Outside In (The Orchard): A staple of the indie art-house, director Lynn Shelton (“Your Sister’s Sister”) serves up another observant slice of life with this intimate drama. A tale of lost time and second chances, it unfolds in a small Washington town where Chris (Jay Duplass), a man in his late thirties, returns home after a two-decade stint in prison. Re-entering the outside world is not an easy task for him, though he finds solace in his friendship with Carol (Edie Falco), his high-school teacher. When Chris’ awkward neediness and Carol’s loneliness push toward something more serious, however, their lives are changed forever. Following the characters’ paths with intelligence and gentleness, Shelton’s film gets a huge boost from the complex performances of his main actors. The results are engrossing and affecting.

The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (Criterion): A harrowing real-life case of injustice gets a poignant cinematic telling in this 1982 drama, featuring a powerful lead performance by Edward James Olmos. Olmos plays Gregorio Cortez, a Mexican-American farmer in early 1900s Texas, whose life takes a sharp turn when he’s accused of stealing a horse. When lawmen come for him and the ensuing scuffle leads to death, Gregorio must leave his family and become a fugitive. Along with cowboy posses, he’s also followed by a reporter (Bruce McGill) who’s determined to find the origins of the wanted man who’s on the verge of becoming a folk hero. Directed by Robert M. Young, the film depicts a waning Wild West in which a misunderstanding can easily push an ordinary man into tragedy and myth.

Great Pyrenees Puppy
Albany, New York  Adopt a Dog

Lincoln
Male
White/Cream
Coat Length: Short
Health:
Vaccinations up to date, Neutered

“Meet Lincoln
**WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF FOSTER HOMES** Homeward Bound Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer rescue organization and all our dogs and puppies are in foster homes - we are not a shelter and do NOT have a facility where we house our dogs. For adoption information go to: www.homewardbounddogrescue.com. You must fill out an application online as we do NOT accept applications at our clinics.

“Hi I am Lincoln a male 9-week-old purebred Great Pyrenees puppy. I am looking for my forever home and my new owners need to know the needs of a Great Pyrenees and not just adopt because I am adorable... which I am.

“Our adoption clinics are at our new facility in Schenectady on John Street, directly behind Boulevard Bowl (Erie Boulevard) every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm (directions are on our website). We require an approved application before we consider anyone for an adoption - so filling out the application is your first step. We do NOT accept applications at our clinics, they MUST be filled out online before coming to our adoption events. Different dogs and puppies go up for adoption EVERY WEEK so please feel free to visit the site and click on the Petfinder link for updates. Puppies and dogs up to 2 years old are $350. Dogs over 2 years old are $250. 100% of the adoption fees go to help us save more dogs.”

Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of NY
Albany, New York
info@homewardbounddogrescue.com
518-424-1738

Adoption Requirements:
http://www.homewardbounddogrescue.com/adoption_info.php

 

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

 

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The 3rd Asia Pacific Leasing Summit 2018, taking place in Singapore on November 29-30, offers a platform for prominent leasing enterprises, equipment manufacturers, service providers, policymakers, and analysts, to discuss important developments in the Asia Pacific leasing industry, as well as share experiences and best practices in the market.

During the two-day summit, speakers and panelists will address a range of important topics, including the regulatory environment for leasing, the overall macroeconomic climate in Asia, market growth points, product models applicable for diverse vendor industries, financing, asset residual management, and the revolutionary effects of Fintech on the market.

The 3rd Asia Pacific Leasing Summit 2018 continues event organizer Duxes’ decade of engagement and support for the leasing industry, in Asia and around the world. Duxes leasing summits have been acclaimed by leading enterprises for their attention to detail, thorough coverage, and interactive format.

Professionals working in the leasing industry, and in related fields, are invited to attend.

Event Review/Previous Speakers/Previous Attendees
http://www.duxes-leasing.com/lease-ap/index.html

News Briefs----

Stearns Bank Expanding Equipment Finance Division
  in Albany, New York
http://wjon.com/stearns-bank-expanding-equipment-finance-division-in-albany/

Tight Labor Market Doesn’t Move Wage Needle
  planning flat salary increases for 2019, studies show
http://ww2.cfo.com/compensation/2018/08/tight-labor-market-doesnt-move-wage-needle/

Walmart sales growth was the best in a decade
  Macy's, JC Penney Not
https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/16/news/companies/walmart-earnings-retail/index.html

New tariffs could cost U.S. nut/fruit industries over $3 billion
   Almonds alone could lose about $1.58 billion
http://ucanr.edu/News/?blogpost=27964&blogasset=44547

 

Byline Financial Group Bannockburn, Illinois Positions Open Customer Service Repesentative  Credit Administrator    Sales Coordinator (Click on position to learn more) bylinebank.com/byline-financial-group/ Byline Financial Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Byline Bank, Member FDIC

 

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You May Have Missed---

Top 50 Emerging Restaurant Chains
https://www.foodnewsfeed.com/fsr/research/fsr-50-2018-chart?utm_campaign=20180816&utm_medium=email&utm_source=fs_insider

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Baseball Poem

BABE RUTH'S CURSE I
by Joe Pickering, Jr.

OUR RED SOX NOW LEAD BY A COUNTRY MILESTILL FEAR GRIPS OUR HEARTS THE CROWD WEARS NO SMILE
BABE'S CURSE IS WITH US ALL CLOUDS GROW DARK
IT'S WORLD SERIES TIME AT OLD FENWAY PARK

THAT'S NOT DISTANT THUNDER I HEAR FROM THE SKY
BUT MISTER BABE RUTH STEPPING DOWN FROM ON HIGH
BABE'S COMING TO PLAY WITH HIS BAT AND HIS BALL
TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T WIN THE SERIES THIS FALL

CHORUS
HEY MISTER BABE PLEASE GIVE US A BREAK
HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE RED SOX FANS TAKE
IN THE ANNALS OF BASEBALL NONE CAN BE WORSE
THAN THE TERRIBLE TALE OF BABE RUTH'S CURSE

IN THE SERIES OF '18 BASE STRODE TO THE MOUND
AND PROCEEDED TO MOW THE CHICAGO CUBS DOWN
BUT THAT'S THE LAST SERIES THE SOX EVER WON
SOON BABE RUTH WAS TRADED, THE DIRTY DEED DONE

THE BABE GRABBED THE TRAIN AND LEFT SAD OLD BEANTOWN
TO BUILD UP THE YANKEES AND TEAR THE SOX DOWN
ALL THE FANS AGREE, THE TRADE WAS A SIN
BUT IT WASN'T OUR FAULT BABE SO PLEASE LET US WIN!!  

The Curse of the Bambino
http://www.baseballhistorian.com/html/babe_curse.htm

Reverse the Curse
http://www.yankeessuck.com/reversethecurse/

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Sports Briefs---

John Elway: Colin Kaepernick rejected his one Broncos chance
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/broncos-john-elway-makes-puzzling-remark-colin-kaepernick-200532260.html

Jon Gruden on Derek Carr:
  He’s got the offense mastered more than I do
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/jon-gruden-derek-carr-got-184509739.html

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California Nuts Briefs---

Delta tunnels cost soars to nearly $20 billion.
How will new price tag affect project?
https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/delta/article216813145.html

Scientists have a forecast for
   the rest of California’s fire season. It isn’t pretty.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/fires/article216804745.html

 

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

U.S. Wine Sales Up Despite Import Competition
https://www.winesandvines.com/news/article/202229/US-Wine-Sales-Up-Despite-Import-Competition

Make Way for (Even More) Rosé
https://vinous.com/articles/make-way-for-even-more-rose-aug-2018

2018 Harvest Begins in Napa and Sonoma
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=202237

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

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

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

This Day in History

     1585 - The Roanoke Island colony, sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh, was established on Roanoke Island, off the northeast coast of what is now North Carolina, under the leadership of Sir Richard Gren­ville and Sir Ralph Lane. The settlers fared badly and returned to England in June of 1586. In 1587, Raleigh sent out another group, under John White, consisting of 117 men, women, and children. White returned to England for supplies but was unable to get back to Roanoke until Aug. 17, 1590. He found all the colo­nists gone; the only clue to their fate was the word Croatoan carved on a tree. The meaning of this remains unexplained and no trace was ever found of the settlers.
    1635 - English Puritan Richard Mather, 39, first arrived in Boston. A staunch defender of the congregational form of church government, Mather is remembered today for founding the "dynasty" to which was born his son Increase Mather in 1639, and his grandson Cotton Mather in 1663.
    1735 - Evening Post began publishing, Boston, by T. Fleet.
    1786 - American Frontiersman Davy Crockett was born at Hawkins County, TN, then a part of North Carolina. He died during the final heroic defense of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, at San Antonio, TX. In his autobiography, 1834, when he was a congressman, Crockett wrote, “I leave this rule for others when I am dead. Be always sure you’re right—then go ahead.”  Crockett served two separate terms in the House, representing Tennessee.
    1788 - Losantville, OH (now Cincinnati), was founded.
    1790 - First presidential declaration of the free and equal status of Jewish-American citizens.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug17.html
    1807 - Robert Fulton began the first American steamboat trip between Albany and New York, New York. He revolutionized transportation and the growth of the country, but was laughed at for his invention. The US Minister of France, Robert R. Livingston, raised money to allow Fulton to design and construct his “steamboat” in France. He launched his proto-type on the Seine in 1803. He then secured exclusive rights to operate steamboats on the New York waters. The first Albany-to-New York trip took 32 hours to travel the 150-mile course. Although his efforts were labeled “Fulton’s Folly” by his detractors, his success allowed the partnership to begin commercial services. Fulton became a wealthy man, but when his exclusive contract was up, he lost most of his business to Cornelius Vanderbilt, who parlayed his capital into banks, railroads and real estate. Excellent book at
www.amazon.com, “The Vanderbilts and the Story of Their Fortune” by W. A. Croffut (Hardcover - June 1975). I also recommend the next time you are either in Chicago or New York to take a “river” trip to not only see
architecture and historical landmarks, but to understand why these cities grew, primarily due to their water access, and by understanding the Ferry between New York and New Jersey and other states, you can understand how Vanderbilt became a multi-millionaire.  He built a monopoly by undercutting his competition, and when they went out of business, he raised his prices and was basically the only game in town.
    1809 - In Pennsylvania, Thomas Campbell, 46, and his son Alexander, 20, formed the American Movement for Christian Unity, which later became the Disciples of Christ Church.
    1846 - U.S. fleet officer Robert F Stockton annexed California after capturing it from Mexico during the Mexican War.
    1858 – The first bank in Hawai’i opened.
    1859 – The first air mail, in a balloon, took off from Lafayette, IN.
    1862 - Minnesota erupts in violence as desperate Dakota Indians attack white settlements along the Minnesota River. The Dakota were eventually overwhelmed by the U.S. military six weeks later. The Dakota Indians were more commonly referred to as the Sioux, a derogatory name derived from part of a French word meaning "little snake." They were composed of four bands, and lived on temporary reservations in southwestern Minnesota. For two decades, the Dakota were poorly treated by the Federal government, local traders, and settlers. They saw their hunting lands whittled down, and provisions promised by the government rarely arrived. Worse yet, a wave of white settlers surrounded them. The summer of 1862 was particularly hard on the Dakota. Cutworms destroyed much of their corn crops, and many families faced starvation. Skirmishes and war then developed. Over 500 white settlers lost their lives along with about 150 Sioux warriors. President Lincoln dispatched General John Pope, fresh from his defeat at the Battle of Second Bull Run, to organize the Military Department of the Northwest. Some Dakota fled to North Dakota, but more than 2,000 were rounded up and over 300 warriors were sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted most of their sentences, but on December 26, 1862, 38 Dakota men were executed at Mankato, Minnesota. It was the largest mass execution in American history.
    1862 - Major General J.E.B. Stuart was assigned command of all the cavalry of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
    1885 – Amos, in extreme southeastern California, hit 130 to set the August U.S. record high.
    1887 - Birthday of Marcus (Moziah or Mosiah) A Garvey (1887-1940), St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, well-known Black leader of the “Back to Africa” movement.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/227/63.html
http://www.finalcall.com/perspectives/m_garvey8-17-99.html
http://www.africawithin.com/garvey/garvey.htm
    1893 - Birthday of Mae West (1893-1980) in Brooklyn.  US burlesque, stage, radio, and movie star who specialized in double-entendre and sensuality. She had a regal bearing and her wisecracks were legend. She was sexual and was proud of it. She was once arrested for "corrupting" youth for her stage work. One of the problems was not the throw of the hips or the sexual comments, but her very strong woman roles. She was in charge of her life, her sexuality, and men went to her. Her personal life mirrored her public presentation. During World War II, the inflatable life jacket was named after her because of its large curves. She starred in vaudeville and on Broadway for a number of years. She made 11 motion pictures including “She Done Him Wrong” (1933) and “My Little Chickadee” (1940). She was pure camp. Her autobiography is “Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It” (1959). She invested in real estate, especially in Hollywood and became a very, very wealthy woman. Some of the famed "wise-cracks" of Mae West who never married:
"Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you."
"He who hesitates is last."
"I only like two kinds of men: foreign and domestic."
"I feel like a million tonight, but one at a time."
"It's not the men in your life who count. It's the life in your men."
"So many men, so little time."
"I've been in more laps than a napkin."
"Come up and see me sometime....."
"When I'm good, I'm very, very, good, but when I'm bad, I'm better."
"She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong."
"When a girl goes bad - men go right after her."
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I've been rich and I've been poor. Believe me, rich is better."
"It's better to be looked over than overlooked."
"I wrote this story myself, It's all about a girl who lost her reputation, but never missed it."
    1894 - Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, members of the Tagish First Nations people, and George Carmack found gold in the Yukon, Canada, starting what became known as the Klondike Gold Rush. The three men were prospecting in Rabbit Creek (which they renamed Bonanza), a tributary of the Klondike River, when they made their discovery. Over 100,000 people stampeded to the Yukon in search of gold.
    1897 - WB Purvis patented the electric railway switch. Among the black inventor’s patents was the first fountain pen, patented bag machines, a bag fastener, a hand stamp, and the edge cutter for such products as aluminum foil, wax paper, cling wrap.
    1903 - The first Pulitzer Prize was awarded, when Joseph Pulitzer contributed a million-dollar donation to Columbia University providing the funds for the Pulitzer Prize awards made in his name.
    1906 - Birthday of Hazel Gladys Bishop (1906-98) in Hoboken, NJ.  U.S. inventor, chemist, business tycoon. While employed as an organic chemist for Standard Oil she conducted a series of home experiments to develop a lipstick that stayed on the lips and didn't smear to everything else they touched. In 1950, she formed the Hazel Bishop, Inc. Later she formed Hazel Bishop Laboratories which developed a series of home care products. A partner forced her out of the $10 million company she created and then, through court action, forbade her from using her own name in her future careers or in personal appearances. She became financial analyst for Evans & Company and Bache and Company with her opinions actively sought on matters of the burgeoning cosmetics business. In 1978, she became an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan specializing in training students for careers in cosmetics.
    1907 – Pike Place Market, a popular tourist destination and registered historic district in Seattle, opened.
    1908 – From the ashes of the great earthquake and fires, the Bank of Italy opened its new HQ at Clay and Montgomery in San Francisco.
    1909 - Bandleader Larry Clinton (1909-85) was born in Brooklyn, NY.
    1915 - Dayton, Ohio resident Charles F. Kettering patented the electric automobile self-starter.
    1915 - Mob lynches Jewish businessman Leo Frank in Cobb County, Ga after death sentence for murder of 13-year-old girl commuted to life.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/classics/frank/
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/leofrank.htm
http://www.leofranklynchers.com/
    1915 - A hurricane hit Galveston, TX, with wind gusts to 120 mph and a twelve foot storm surge. The storm claimed 275 lives, including forty-two on Galveston Island, with most deaths due to drowning. Of 250 homes built outside the seawall (which was constructed after the catastrophic hurricane of 1900), just ten percent were left standing.
    1918 - Tenor sax player Ike Quebec (d. 1963) was born Newark, NU.
    1918 - Samuel Riddle bought Man o'War, one of racing’s great horses, for $5,000.  
    1920 - Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman (1891-1920) dies as a result of being hit the day before by a pitch thrown by Yankee submariner Carl Mays. The tragedy remains the only on-field fatality in Major League history.  The sound of the ball smashing into Chapman's skull was so loud that Mays thought it had hit the end of Chapman's bat, so he fielded the ball and threw to first base.  His death led to Major League Baseball establishing a rule requiring umpires to replace the ball whenever it became dirty, and it was partially the reason the spitball was banned after the 1920 season. Chapman's death was also one of the examples used to emphasize the need for wearing batting helmets (although the rule was not adopted until over 30 years later).
    1920 - Bassist George Duvivier (1920-85) was born in NYC.
    1933 – Lou Gehrig, on the way to a record of 2,130, played in his 1308th consecutive game to break the Major League record held by Everett Scott.  Gehrig’s consecutive games-played streak was the record until 1995 when Cal Ripken, Jr of the Baltimore Orioles broke it on the way to the current record of 2,632.
    1939 - The magical "Wizard of Oz," the first movie to combine the uses of black and white, and color film, premiered. It starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Bert Lahr as both the Cowardly Lion and Zeke; Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow and Hunk; and Jack Haley as both the Tin Woodsman and Hickory. Buddy Ebsen originally cast as the Tin Man; but sickness forced him to leave the production before its completion. The movie was based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which had previously adapted into a musical play. The Hollywood version, directed by Victor Fleming, won an Oscar for best movie score (Harold Arlen and E.Y. ‘Yip’ Harburg), and for best song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
    1939 - The markets came down with a case of the war jitters. World War II was a few weeks from officially starting, but Wall Street could smell trouble brewing. After refusing U.S. requests to enter into peace agreements and breaking a non-aggression pact with Poland, Hitler had readied his troops to seize the Polish port city of Danzig. The markets reacted to these overtures by posting their biggest decline since July. Bond ratings followed suit, prompting fears that the troubles in Europe would torpedo whatever progress the American economy had made since the Depression.
But Wall Street's misgivings were otherwise misplaced: the war helped kick-start the American economy, pushing it from a lingering Depression-era funk into a prolonged state of abundance.
    1943 - On CBS radio, writer Norman Corwin’s first success "Passport for Adams" debuted. It starred Robert Young, who played a small town newspaper editor. Corwin would go on to have many radio successes including radio classics: "This is War," "An American in England" and "We Hold These Truths" all of which he wrote and produced.
    Lieutenant General George S. Patton and his 7th Army arrive in Messina, Sicily before British General Bernard Law Montgomery and his 8th Army, winning the unofficial "race to Messina," and completing the Allied conquest of Sicily.
    1944 - BENDER, STANLEY, Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near La Lande, France, 17 August 1944. Entered service at: Chicago, 111. Born: 31 October 1909, Carlisle, W. Va. G.O. No.: 7, 1 February 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 17 August 1944, near La Lande, France, he climbed on top of a knocked-out tank, in the face of withering machinegun fire which had halted the advance of his company, in an effort to locate the source of this fire. Although bullets ricocheted off the turret at his feet, he nevertheless remained standing upright in full view of the enemy for over 2 minutes. Locating the enemy machineguns on a knoll 200 yards away, he ordered 2 squads to cover him and led his men down an irrigation ditch, running a gauntlet of intense machinegun fire, which completely blanketed 50 yards of his advance and wounded 4 of his men. While the Germans hurled hand grenades at the ditch, he stood his ground until his squad caught up with him, then advanced alone, in a wide flanking approach, to the rear of the knoll. He walked deliberately a distance of 40 yards, without cover, in full view of the Germans and under a hail of both enemy and friendly fire, to the first machinegun and knocked it out with a single short burst. Then he made his way through the strong point, despite bursting hand grenades, toward the second machinegun, 25 yards distant, whose 2-man crew swung the machinegun around and fired two bursts at him, but he walked calmly through the fire and, reaching the edge of the emplacement, dispatched the crew. Signaling his men to rush the rifle pits, he then walked 35 yards further to kill an enemy rifleman and returned to lead his squad in the destruction of the 8 remaining Germans in the strong point. His audacity so inspired the remainder of the assault company that the men charged out of their positions, shouting and yelling, to overpower the enemy roadblock and sweep into town, knocking out 2 antitank guns, killing 37 Germans and capturing 26 others. He had sparked and led the assault company in an attack which overwhelmed the enemy, destroying a roadblock, taking a town, seizing intact 3 bridges over the Maravenne River, and capturing commanding terrain which dominated the area.
    1944 - Top Hits
“I’ll Be Seeing You” - Bing Crosby
“Amor” - Bing Crosby
“Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet” - Ella Mae Morse
“Is You is or is You Ain’t (Ma’ Baby)” - Louis Jordan
    1945 – Korea divided at the 38th parallel with the US occupying the south.
    1948 - An estimated crowd of nearly 100,000 fans pass by the body of Babe Ruth which is on display at Yankee Stadium following his death from cancer the day before.  His funeral Mass took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; a crowd estimated at 75,000 waited outside. Ruth was buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.
    1950 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “Goodnight Irene”, Gordon Jenkins Orchestra & the Weavers.
    1950 – The Hill 303 Massacre:  41 American POWs were shot to death by the N. Korean Army.
    1952 - Top Hits
“Walkin’ My Baby Back Home” - Johnnie Ray
“Auf Wiedersehn, Sweetheart” - Vera Lynn
“Half as Much” - Rosemary Clooney
“A Full Time Job” - Eddy Arnold
    1953 – Narcotics Anonymous co-founded by Jimmy Kinnon, held its first meeting, near LA.
    1954 - In Rhode Island, the Newport Jazz Festival opened at the Newport Casino. The festival featured jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Ella Fitzgerald.
    1955 - Hurricane Diane, following Hurricane Connie, floods Connecticut River, killing 190 and causing $1.8 billion damage
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc/historical/aug1955.htm
    1956 - Shelly Manne, with Previn and Vinnegar, cuts jazz version of “My Fair Lady.” I used to see them in person at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, every weekend I could when I went to high school.  They made one of the best jazz albums in history.
    1957 - Richie Ashburn, Phillies Hall of Fame CF, hit fan Alice Roth twice in same at bat with foul balls.  The first one broke her nose, and the second hit her while she is on the stretcher.
    1958 – Pioneer 0, America's first attempt at lunar orbit, was launched using the first Thor-Able rocket and failed. This is also notable as one of the first attempted launches beyond Earth orbit by any country.
    1958 - Belinda Carlisle is born in Hollywood. She becomes the lead singer of the all-female group the Go-Go's and has a solo No. 1 hit in 1987 with “Heaven Is a Place on Earth.”
    1959 – Quake Lake was formed by the magnitude 7.5 Hebgen Lake earthquake in Montana.
    1960 - Top Hits
“It’s Now or Never” - Elvis Presley
“Walk--Don’t Run” - The Ventures
“Walking to New Orleans” - Fats Domino
“Please Help Me, I’m Falling” - Hank Locklin
    1960 - The Beatles begin the first of forty-eight nights playing the Indra Club on Grosse Freiheit in Hamburg, Germany, playing for four-and-a-half hours every day (six on the weekends), an arrangement that leads to twenty-minute versions of songs like Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally." Notable as the first time the group performed under the name "The Beatles" (having dropped the "Silver" from their name en route), the gigs feature John Lennon yelling at the German audiences, calling them Nazis, shouting "Sieg Heil!" at them, and wearing outlandish outfits -- at one point appearing on stage in only his underwear, at another with a toilet seat around his neck.
    1961 - Birthday of American Composer David "Uncle Dave" Lewis in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Radio programmer on WAIF-Radio, Cincinnati and co-founder of the still-active "Art Damage" radio program begun in 1985, devoted to experimental music. He is a music expert and author of hundreds of articles on music and musicians, mostly published by the All Music Guide 2001-present, however also for ARSC Journal, WAIF Alert, WCBN Program Guide, www.redhotjazz.com and others
    1961 – The construction of the Berlin Wall began.
    1962 - L.A. County Coroner officially labels Marilyn Monroe's death a "probable suicide." Norman Mailer, author of “The Naked & the Dead” subsequently theorized she was murdered, partly on the grounds that "it is extremely rare for a woman to commit suicide in the nude." Rumors that she was both acquainted with John F. Kennedy, and was in love with Bobby Kennedy, who the night before told her he could not continue to see her, were alleged as the reason she committed suicide.  However, this is from the Cal Neva Resort website: During the Sinatra ownership years of 1955 to 1968, along with his associates "Wingy" and "Skinny," Sinatra built the now famous Celebrity Showroom and installed a helicopter pad on the roof in an attempt to make access easier for his colleagues and guests appearing at the Cal Neva during summer months. Hollywood followers were enamored with Sinatra and the "Rat Pack," an unforgettable fraternity that linked itself with the White House through Peter Lawford, brother-in-law of the then-President John F. Kennedy. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Juliet Prowse and Marilyn Monroe (among others) "sang for their suppers" in the Celebrity Showroom and the Indian Room while politicians and Hollywood stars played at the tables and in the private cottages overlooking Lake Tahoe. Marilyn Monroe was a frequent guest of the Lodge and scandal generally surrounded her because of the "alleged" secret rendezvous with John F. Kennedy. Then, when the presence of one particular guest, mobster Sam Giancana of Chicago, was noticed by authorities, it finally cost Sinatra his gaming license in a losing battle with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
    1962 - A riot broke out during a Gary U.S. Bonds performance at the Boston Arena.
    1962 – Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best as the drummer of The Beatles.
    1963 – Current and former Raiders’ Head Coach Jon Gruden’s birthday in Sandusky, OH.  After coaching the Oakland Raiders from 1998-2001, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by Raiders owner Al Davis for four first and second round draft picks and $8 million.  The Bucs defeated the Raiders in the next Super Bowl, 48-21, making Gruden the youngest NFL head coach to win the Super Bowl at age 36.
    1966 - Psychedelic fashion show and tarot reading at the SF Fillmore. The Jefferson Airplane and Mimi Fariña entertained.
    1967 – Gary Puckett and The Union Gap record "Woman Woman." The song would break first in Cleveland in November and would rise to number four on the US national charts.
    1968 - Deep Purple's "Hush" is released in the US, where it will climb to #4 by mid-September.
    1968 – “People Got to Be Free,” the hit single by The Rascals, rocketed into the top slot on Billboard's record charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.
    1968 - Top Hits
“People Got to Be Free” - The Rascals
“Born to Be Wild” - Steppenwolf
“Light My Fire” - Jose Feliciano
“Heaven Says Hello” - Sonny James
    1969 – Third day of Woodstock: Richie Havens, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, The Band, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix.
    1969 - Donny Wahlberg, one time member of New Kids on the Block and current star of CBS’ “Blue Bloods,” was  born in Dorchester, MA. His younger brother is former rapper/current actor Mark Wahlberg, who had a top 10 hit in 1991-92 with the million-selling single, “Wildside.”
    1969 - Camille, the second worst hurricane in U.S. history, smashed into the Mississippi coast. Winds gusted to 172 mph at Main Pass Block, LA and to 190 mph near Bay Saint Louis, MS. The hurricane claimed 256 lives, and caused $1.3 billion in damage. Several ocean going ships were carried over seven miles inland by the hurricane. The hurricane produced winds to 200 mph, and a storm surge of 24.6 feet. Complete destruction occurred in some coastal areas near the eye of the hurricane.
    1973 - At Shea Stadium, 42-year old New York Mets' outfielder, Willie Mays, hits his 660th and final home run of his career off Reds' lefty Don Gullett.  Mays would retire later that season with the third highest HR total, to Henry Aaron’s 755 and Babe Ruth’s 714.
    1974 - Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough" is released.
    1975 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Fallin' in Love,” Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds.
    1976 - Top Hits
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” - Elton John and Kiki Dee
“You Should Be Dancing” - Bee Gees
“Let ’Em In” -Wings
“Say It Again” - Don Williams
    1977 - The day after Elvis Presley's death, President Jimmy Carter issues the following statement: "Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense and he was a symbol to people the world over, of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of his country." Or as James Brown once put it, "he taught white America to get down."
    1977 - Florists Transworld Delivery (FTD) reports that in one day, the number of orders for flowers to be delivered to Graceland has surpassed the number for any other event in the company's history.    
    1982 – The first CDs, compact discs, were released to the public in Germany.
    1984 - Top Hits
“Ghostbusters” - Ray Parker Jr.
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” - Tina Turner
“State of Shock” - Jacksons
“That’s the Thing About Love” - Don Williams
    1987 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Who's That Girl,” Madonna.
It is the title song of Madonna's third film.
    1988 - Fifty-five cities, from the Middle Mississippi Valley to the Middle Atlantic Coast Region, reported record high temperatures for the date. Beckley, WV reported an all-time record high of 96 degrees, and Baltimore, MD hit 104 degrees, marking their thirteenth day of the year with 100 degree heat. Chicago, IL equaled a record with 46 days of 90 degree weather for the year. Thunderstorms produced severe weather from Wisconsin to New Jersey. Thunderstorms in New Jersey produced high winds which gusted to 92 mph at Wrightstown, and blew down a circus tent at Lavallette on the Jersey Shore, injuring fourteen persons.
    1992 - Woody Allen admitted to being romantically involved with Soon-Yi Previn, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Allen's longtime companion.
    1993 - Pop star Michael Jackson became the subject of an investigation of child molestation of a 13-year-old boy. Police confiscated video tapes and photographs from Jackson's Neverland ranch home, but found nothing to support the allegation. The charge was that Jackson had fondled and engaged in oral sex with the boy over a period of several months. It was believed that the child-abuse allegation grew out of an "extortion gone awry," after a purported demand for $20 million by the boy's father, a dentist, was denied. Charges were later dropped, and an unidentified source leaked to the press that a hefty settlement, possibly as high as $15 million, was paid to the boy's family. More than a year after the damaging allegations were made, the Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County district attorneys publicly announced that they didn't have enough evidence to charge the pop singer with a single crime.
    1994 - Boise, ID recorded its 41st day in a row with 90 plus temperatures, a record for that city.
    1994 - Severe thunderstorms belted central Oklahoma. Winds gusted to 113 at Meno, 104 at Mangum and 97 at Hobart. Hail up to 4.5 inches in diameter driven by the winds totaled 30 mobile homes at Okarche
    1996 - Ross Perot announced he was the Reform Party's presidential candidate.
    1998 - United States President Clinton admitted to having an improper relationship with former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky….so that’s what they call it!
    2002 - Homering in the seventh inning of Mariner starter James Baldwin, Yankee All-star Alfonso Soriano becomes the first second baseman to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. Bobby Bonds is the only other Yankee to post a 30/30 season, accomplishing the feat in 1975.
    2002 - Alex Rodriguez becomes the sixth player and the first infielder to compile five consecutive 40-home run seasons. The Rangers' shortstop joins Ralph Kiner (1947-51), Duke Snider (1953-57), Ken Griffey Jr (1996-2000), Sammy Sosa (1998-2002) and Babe Ruth (1926-32), who established the record with seven straight 40-homer seasons.  He admitted in 2009 that he was taking PEDs during this period.
    2003 - Peanuts character Charlie Brown joins late broadcaster Bob Prince, Negro League star Josh Gibson, former catcher Manny Sanguillen current shortstop Jack Wilson to be honored by the Pirates with a bobble head doll give-away day. Almost ten percent of the nearly 18,000 Peanuts strips created by Charles Schulz focused on baseball.
    2003 - The Rally Monkey, the Angels' unofficial mascot, is honored for its contribution to last season's world championship with its own bobble head doll promotion. The Rally Monkey Bobble Belly joins other dolls given to fans this year paying tribute to Troy Glaus' (2002 World Series MVP), Adam Kennedy' (ALCS MVP), and Mike Scioscia (AL Manager of the Year) and will wear an Anaheim jersey with a name of an honored player on the back.
    2004 - As she enters Raley Field at 6:27 p.m., five year old Olivia Perez is honored by the Sacramento River Cats as she becomes four millionth fan in franchise history. The Triple A affiliate of the Oakland A’s reaches the milestone faster than any club in minor league baseball history.
    2005 - St. Louis announces the franchise has broken its single-season attendance record of 3.43 million set in 1989. The first-place Cardinals have sold 3.45 million tickets for the team’s farewell season at 40-year old Busch Stadium     
    2008 - In a pre-game 55-minute ceremony at Minute Maid Park, Craig Biggio becomes the ninth Astro to have his jersey number retired. The Smithtown, N.Y. native, who wore number 7, is the team's all-time leader in games (2,850) and seasons (20) played.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
    2008 – Swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals in one Olympic Games.
    2012 - The United Kingdom's Treasury Committee of the House of Commons releases the first of two volumes reporting on the LIBOR fixing scandal.
    2013 - A wildfire near Yosemite National Park burned over 25 square miles, forcing residents of the Pine Lake community to evacuate.
    2013 - UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to determine whether chemical weapons were used in the Syrian conflict.
    2015 – The IRS revealed that hackers stole taxpayer data in May from as many as 334,000 taxpayers.