COVID-19 Crushes Construction Starts
Irontrax.com

Across North America, as a whole, construction sales have fallen 54% from a year earlier as many builders have postponed their projects. Conversely, in Asia and the Pacific, where the spread of the disease appears to be decelerating at a faster rate, construction sales fell just 10% on a year-over-year basis.

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession have wreaked havoc on U.S. building markets. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, commercial and multifamily starts were healthy during January and February but stalled as the pandemic hit the nation in March. For the first three months of 2020, U.S. multifamily and commercial building starts rose just 1% from the same period in 2019. The commercial and multifamily group is comprised of office buildings, stores, hotels, warehouses, commercial garages, and multifamily housing.

The full force of the pandemic bore down on U.S. construction starts in April as economic activity virtually shut down and local restrictions on construction took effect. Construction resumed in some areas in May allowing starts to increase slightly from the prior month. Although things continued to improve in June, the damage to commercial and multifamily construction during the first half of the year was extensive. Starts plunged 22% below the first half of 2019, with only warehouse construction posting a very small improvement.

Commercial and multifamily construction starts in the top 20 metropolitan areas posted a similar drop of 22% through the first six months of 2020. In the top 10 metropolitan areas, commercial and multifamily starts slid 21%. New York was the only one of those areas to post an increase despite falling 24% below year-ago levels.

Following a 31% Decline in Revenue, on July 31, Caterpillar reported second-quarter 2020 adjusted per-share earnings of $1.03 on revenue of $10 billion, a 31% decrease from $14.4 billion earned in the second quarter of 2019. The decline in revenue was attributable to lower sales volume driven by a reduction in the demand for equipment stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in dealer inventories. Dealers decreased machine and engine inventories about $1.4 billion during the second quarter of 2020, compared with an increase of approximately $500 million during the second quarter of last year. On the up side, Caterpillar’s revenue exceeded analysts’ expectations of $9.38 billion for the quarter, primarily due to cost-cutting initiatives and prioritized spending, which helped the company offset the decline in the demand for equipment.

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

 

Matt Bauer was hired as Credit Analyst by Western Equipment Finance, Devils Lake, North Dakota.  He is located in the new Marshall, Minnesota office. “He will analyze and assess small-ticket transactions and work with the team to evaluate underwriting parameters, guidelines and policy. Bauer joined Western from U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, where he spent nine years in collections and credit analyst roles. He is a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University."

Vince DePietro was hired as Vice President of Sales, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. He is located in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  Previously, he was Major Accounts Business Development, Marlin Capital Solutions (April, 2014 - August, 2020); Business Development Manager, De Lage Landen Financial Services (September, 2009 - April, 2014); Executive Vice President, Kelly & Thomas Associates (September 2004 - September, 2009). Education: Drexel University. Bachelor of business Administration (B.B.A) (1989 - 1995). https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-depietro-737821132/

Joshua K. Devaney was hired as Senior Business Advisor, Rok Financial. Great River, New York.  Previously, he was at National Business Capital, starting June 2013 as Business Finance Consultant; promoted January, 2019, Finance Manager.  Education: Suffolk County Community College. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-k-devaney-1b648359/

Brian Frana was hired as Business Development Specialist by Western Equipment Finance, Devils Lake, North Dakota. He is located at the new Marshall, Minnesota office. "Frana previously worked as a coach and professor at Wayne State College and Southwest Minnesota State University. He holds a master’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.

Mark Erickson was hired as Senior Vice President, National Sales Manager, Wintrust Specialty Finance, Rosemont, Illinois. He is located in Denver, Colorado. Previously, he was Consultant and VP, Equipment Finance, OnDeck (April, 2018 - October, 2019); Senior Vice President/General Manager, Commercial Sales and Operations, Square Two Financial Corporation (December, 2010 - May, 2017); Chief Operating Officer, Sustainable Cards LLC (December 2009 – December 2010). He joined Key Equipment Finance, Australia Pty Ltd, October, 2010; promoted 2001, VP, Risk Management Asia-Pacific; promoted December, 1994, Senior Vice President.  Prior, he was VP - Commercial Lending, Colorado National Bank (now US Bank) (1994 – 1997). Education: Washington University in St. Louis - Olin Business School, MBA, Finance & Marketing (1989 – 1991). University of Denver, BA, International Politics (1984 – 1988). Activities and Societies: Graduated with Honors, Kappa Sigma Fraternity President.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-erickson-b8506111

Bruce Gau has joined the Invigors/Alta team, headquartered Reno, Nevada, "...to the group’s activities in the Middle East and Africa regions. His appointment further strengthens the fast growing Invigors’ team in EMEA and brings additional capability, especially in supporting corporate and project financing activities."  Previously, he was Director, Customer Financial Solutions, Huawei (August, 2015 –August, 2020). Prior, he was at Ericsson, starting March, 2003, Head of Customer Financing (Region sub-Saharan Africa); Promoted, 2009, Director: Working Capital Management (Region sub-Saharan Africa); promoted August, 2013, Head of Bid & Proposal Management (Region Sub-Saharan Africa). He began his career at Nedbank, starting July, 1983, Senior Manager Corporate Finance, Johannesburg Area, South Africa, July, 1983; promoted January, 1991, Relationship Manager, Corporate Bank (January, 1991 - June, 1997; promoted July, 1997, Assistant General Manager, Nedbank Africa. Volunteer: Member of the Governing Body, Cliffview Primary School (January, 1997 - December, 2001). General Manager of the school with a particular focus of school fee collections. Organizations: South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Assoc. of Corporate Treasurers of Southern Africa (ACTSA) South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) The International Project Finance Association (IPFA) Languages: Afrikaans. English. Licenses & Certifications: Bid & Proposal Management. Ericsson Academy. Issued August, 2013.  Commercial Management Fundamentals. Ericsson Academy. Issue August, 2013. University of the Witwatersrand, Bachelor of Accounting, Accounting and Auditing (1973- 1980). Duke corporate Education: Leadership Excellence Program, Leadership: Senior Management, Certificate of Successful Completion (2012).  Insead. Management Development Program, General Management, Certificate of Successful Completion (2001); University of Manchester.  Manchester Business School (1994); University of Johannesburg. Diploma in Advanced Banking. Banking Law.  Post-graduate Diploma.  Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stllenbosch. Executive Development Program. General Management. Certificate of Successful Completion.  University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria. Advanced financial Management Diploma, Financing Management, Certificate of Successful Completion (1987) Diploma in Advance Finance Management. University of the Witwaterrand. B.ACC (Wits). Accounting/Auditing, Bachelor’s Degree. (Bachelor of Accounting is a 5-year extra-mural degree that is done in parallel with Articles (apprenticeship) at a firm of chartered accountants. This is full time employment.)  Springs Boys High School.  University Entrance Matric, Secondary Education, 12 (1970 - 1974. Activities and Societies. Managed the school tuck shop for 2 years. University of Johannesburg. Post Grad Diploma Banking Law (1994).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-gau-457b291b/

Sam Irving was hired as Account Executive, Civic Financial Services, Redondo Beach, California. Previously, he was National Account Manager, LoanME Official (March, 2020 - July, 2020); ISO Relationship Manager, Nova Biz Funding (June, 2019 - March, 2020); VP of Sales, US Capital Corp (September, 2018 - June 2019); Finance Specialist, World Business Lenders, LLC (June, 2016 - September, 2018); Senior Account Manager, Student Advocates (May 2015 - June 2016); Business Developer, Tom Ferry - Your Coach (March, 2015 - May, 2015); Sales Manager, Dish TV Inc. (May, 2010 - February, 2014). Education: Santiago Canyon College. Associate’s Degree, Political Science and Government (2008 - 2010). Tustin High School. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-irving-83442898/

Josh Kiely was hired as Business Development Specialist by Western Equipment Finance, Devils Lake, North Dakota. He is located at the new Marshall, Minnesota office. “Kiley spent the past 16 years at U.S. Bank Equipment Finance in credit management, account executive and customer service representative positions. He graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College."

Amy Page was hired as Business Development Specialist, Western Equipment Finance, Devils Lake, North Dakota. She is located at the new Marshall, Minnesota office. Previously she was Operations Manager, U.S. Bank (May, 2002 - July 2002). Education: Southwest Minnesota State University. Bachelor's degree, Accounting and Business Manager (1999 - 2003). https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-page-88050022/

Don Plummer was hired as Director of Cloud Lending, NewLane Finance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cloud Lending is an integrated end-to-end lending and leasing platform to help lenders close more loans and generate more revenue.

Ramon Romero was hired as Program Analyst, Global Equity Finance, San Diego, California.  Previously he was at National Funding, starting October, 2018, as Funding Coordinator; promoted February, 2019 Funding Coordinator II; promoted August, 2019, Credit Analyst; Collateral & Sales Representation, Mega Auto Finance (May, 2017 - May, 2018); Importation and Purchase Agent, Ditribuidora de Materiales Rojas (July, 2012 - July, 2016).  Education: CIETYS Universidad. Marketing/Marketing Management, General (2011 - 2018). https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramon-romero-73aa7210a/

Dayne Scott was hired as Program Manager, Balboa Capital, Costa Mesa, California. Previously, he was at QuickBridge, starting February, 2018, as Funding Advisor; promoted February, 2019, Account Manager II; Mortgage Loan Originator, Home Point Financial, Emery Team (January, 2016 - December 2017).  Education: University of California, Los Angeles. Bachelor's Degree, Political Science and Government, 3.8 GPA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynescott/

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

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Few industries have been hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than the cruise industry. Due to the massive outbreak on board of the Diamond Princess, the industry was negatively associated with the pandemic from the start and the large number of vessels reporting positive cases on board has led industry critics to call cruise ships “floating petri dishes,” which is perhaps a bit harsh.

Like all mass congregations in tight spaces, putting thousands of passengers on a cruise ship in the middle of a pandemic simply isn’t a good idea, however. Perhaps this is why most cruise lines have suspended travel completely for the time being. With measures such as reduced passenger capacity, social distancing and strict rules on hygiene, the Norwegian Hurtigruten Line was the first to resume cruises in mid-June, only to find itself at the center of attention after at least 40 passengers and crew members on board of the MS Roald Amundsen had tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
As the following chart shows, cruise line revenues have practically disappeared in the second quarter of 2020, with each of the three largest operators seeing sales drop by at least 85 percent for the three months ended June 30 (May 31 for Carnival). Looking at the first six months of 2020, all three industry heavyweights are faced with billion-dollar losses, posing the question if and when the industry can recover from hitting this virus-shaped iceberg.

By Felix Richter

JC Penney: Will the Last Person to Leave Turn Out the Lights
By Douglas A. McIntyre, 247walst.com

As bidders vie to buy the J.C. Penney retail operations and perhaps its real estate, one of its attorneys said the company is “in the red zone.” The meaning of the comment was not clear. However, it was almost certainly a hint at how close J.C. Penney is to liquidation and the end of jobs for thousands of people.

It is not certain who will buy part or all of J.C. Penney. Among those in bankruptcy court were some of its landlords, specifically Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, both of which operate malls. Even if they cut J.C. Penney’s rent essentially to zero, it will not bring back the shoppers who have deserted the retailer in greater numbers each year. J.C. Penney cannot cut its way to profits.

J.C. Penney has 850 stores, a number it plans to cut to 700. That will bring its revenue down even more since its collapse. In the quarter that ended May 2, revenue was $1.2 billion, down from $2.6 billion in the same period the year before. The spread of COVID-19 was the most substantial cause. As the disease continues to race around America, many of those stores could be closed for months. J.C. Penney cannot afford this. It has not had a solid balance sheet for years. It could not borrow money to build a cash cushion the way Macy’s has. Even the Macy’s funds may not be enough. In the most recent quarter, J.C. Penney’s net cash used in operating activity was $814 million.

J.C. Penney has another problem new owners in the mall business cannot solve. Malls have become unattractive to many shoppers concerned with crowded indoor spaces. The will not abate until the pandemic does.

Even if J.C. Penney were funded for another year or more and could make it to the holiday shopping period, consumers already have moved on to Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and a crush of other smaller retailers. Whatever merchandise and price cuts J.C. Penney offers will not be adequate either. J.C. Penney already offers discounts of as much as 50% on items available at JCPenney.com.

Amazon.com often has been blamed for the demise of department stores. That is true and the process is not over.

The rescue of J.C. Penney is already over.

 

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Faced with an advertising boycott in protest of its laissez-fair approach to policing hate speech on its social media platforms, Facebook ramped up its efforts to detect and remove harmful content significantly in the second quarter of 2020. The company defines hate speech as “violent or dehumanizing speech, statements of inferiority, calls for exclusion or segregation based on protected characteristics, or slurs. These characteristics include race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, caste, sex, gender, gender identity, and serious disability or disease.”

According to its latest Community Standards Enforcement Report, released on Tuesday, Facebook took action on (i.e. in most cases removed) 22.5 million pieces of content for hate speech between April and June, up from just 9.6 million in the first three months of 2020. Moreover, the company has gotten significantly better at detecting hateful content before users reported it. In the second quarter, 94.5 percent of the content Facebook took action on was detected by its machine learning algorithms before being reported, up from 88.8 percent in Q1 and from just above 70 percent a year ago. The so-called “proactive rate” is an important metric, because the quicker Facebook detects, flags or removes violating content, the fewer users are potentially exposed to it.

In an effort to further demonstrate its “continued commitment to making Facebook and Instagram safe and inclusive”, Facebook also announced that it will be publishing its Community Standards Enforcement Report on a quarterly basis going forward. In the past, the company had published its results on a bi-annual basis.

By Felix Richter

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DEF CON 2020 Wrap-Up: Hacking Phones, Cars and Satellites
By Eduard Kovacs, Security Week

Tens of researchers showcased their work last week at the DEF CON hacking conference. They presented research on hacking phones, cars, satellite communications, traffic lights, smart home devices, printers, and popular software services, among many others.

Here is a summary of some of the most interesting presentations from DEF CON 2020:

Hacking Samsung smartphones via Find My Mobile

A series of vulnerabilities affecting Samsung’s Find My Mobile could have been chained to track a phone, wipe it remotely and perform various other activities, according to cybersecurity company Char49. The flaws were patched by Samsung last year.

Vulnerabilities in Qualcomm chips expose over 1 billion devices to attacks

Check Point has identified hundreds of vulnerabilities that expose devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips to attacks. At least one billion devices are believed to be affected and while Qualcomm has developed patches, it’s now up to OEMs to distribute them to end-users.

Vulnerabilities exposed thousands of HDL smart devices to remote attacks

Several vulnerabilities found by SentinelOne researchers in smart devices made by HDL could have been exploited to remotely hack thousands of impacted devices found in homes and buildings. The vendor released patches after being notified.

New techniques for bypassing biometric systems

Yamila Levalle from Dreamlab Technologies has demonstrated some new techniques for bypassing biometric systems, particularly fingerprint scanners, using 3D printing.

Related: Black Hat Wrap-Up: IoT and Hardware
 Vulnerabilities Take the Spotlight

Zoom vulnerabilities allowed data theft and malware deployment

Zoom recently patched some vulnerabilities that could have been used by an attacker with access to a device to steal user data and execute malware. The researcher who discovered the flaws described his findings.

Analysis of a Boeing 747-400 from a hacker’s perspective

Researchers from Pen Test Partners presented the systems of a Boeing 747-400 airplane, focusing on systems that could be of interest to a hacker. They pointed out that some updates are still performed using floppy disks.

Hacking smart traffic light systems

Researchers at Netherlands-based applied security research company Zolder showed how they hacked a traffic light management system that is connected to a smartphone app. They talked about how a hacker could remotely control traffic lights. The affected product is used in over 10 municipalities in the Netherlands.

Targeting satellite communications using home TV equipment

Researcher James Pavur demonstrated an attack on satellite broadband communications networks using $300-worth of home television equipment. He showed that he could intercept sensitive data transmitted on satellite links by some of the world’s largest organizations.

Hacking a Tesla’s battery management system

A researcher from Rapid7 described how he was able to hack a Tesla’s battery management system to obtain more power for the electric vehicle. While he bricked a car during his experiments, he ultimately did manage to make a car faster.

Hacking Spark clusters

A researcher from Qonto showed how an attacker could “pop a shell” on hundreds of Apache Spark nodes. Such an attack can result in a malicious actor gaining access to highly sensitive information belonging to a company.

Printer attacks

Researchers from SafeBreach found potentially serious vulnerabilities in the Windows Print Spooler service, the same service that was targeted by the notorious Stuxnet malware in attacks on Iran. Vulnerability in the Print Spooler service was also detected.

 

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

Preliminary Used Class 8 Data for July Shows
YTD Sales Up, With Average Price, Miles and Age All Lower

COLUMBUS, IN – Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) grew 16% month-over-month in July, according to the latest preliminary release of the “State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks”  published by ACT Research. Longer-term, volumes rose 48% compared to July 2019, and were up 7% when measured against the first seven months of last year.

Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for July 2020, which showed that average prices increased 4%, while average miles and average age each decreased, down 4% and 1%, respectively, compared to June. Year-to-date, average price, miles, and age were all lower, down 17%, 2%, and 7%, respectively, compared to the first seven months of 2019.

According to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research, “The current economic slowdown is largely driven by a dramatic reduction in spending on services, which really is making the situation ‘different this time’.” He continued, “In the commercial vehicle world that means that freight continues to move, albeit at a somewhat lower pace.”

Tam added, “The upshot is that truck sales, both new and used, are performing at better than expected levels. That said, on the used truck side, this is curious, particularly given the number of trucking jobs that have been lost since COVID-19 started.” He concluded, “Unemployed truckers temporarily tighten capacity as their trucks are sidelined. This has led to increased freight rates, which has enticed first-time buyers to snap up equipment and jump into the fray.”

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

 

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Watch at Home
By Fernando Croce

From kiddie spoofs of gangster movies to historical musicals, Oscar-nominated British director Alan Parker (1944-2020) brought his flashy, forceful touch to a wide variety of genres. So check out Netflix for some of his top films:

Midnight Express (1978): The film that catapulted Parker into Oscar-nominated stardom, this harrowing account of survival under bestial conditions remains a ruthlessly, often agonizingly effective work. Based on the real-life of ordeal of Billy Hayes, it catches up with the American tourist (played by Brad Davis) as he gets caught trying to smuggle drugs out of Turkey. When the Turkish government decides to make an example out of his case, Hayes finds himself in a veritable hell as he’s sent to a nightmarish prison full of filth and violence. While behind bars, he befriends an eccentric Englishman named Max (John Hurt, in a brilliant, scene-stealing performance) while trying to avoid a monstrous guard (Paul L. Smith). With a screenplay by Oliver Stone, this is an indelible journey steeped in controversy.

Shoot the Moon (1982): One of the director’s most emotionally gripping projects, this much underrated drama poignantly captures the fierce and messy emotions behind marital breakups. Albert Finney and Diane Keaton both give magnificent performances as George and Faith Dunlap, who have been together for years and see their seemingly happy marriage coming to a bitter end. Looking for new beginnings in the midst of pain and confusion, they start new relationships—George with a single mother named Sandy (Karen Allen) and Faith with a contractor named Frank (Peter Weller). Nothing turns out to be simple, however, especially when their daughters become involved in matters. Putting his formidable craft at the service of raw feelings, Parker offers an intimate human study filled with equal parts delicacy and ferocity.

Angel Heart (1987): Never one to shy away from excess, Parker found the ideal subject for his feverish style with this delightfully lurid thriller, which combines film noir elements with mysticism to immensely enjoyable effect. Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) is a private detective in 1950s Brooklyn, who’s hired by the mysterious Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro, marvelously diabolical) to track down a missing singer. Following the trail of clues and suspects from Harlem to New Orleans, Harry discovers that anyone connected with the vanished crooner turns up dead in a manner suspiciously reminiscent of a demonic cult. When he hooks up with a sultry young woman named Epiphany (Lisa Bonet), Harry gets dangerously close to the dark truth. Stylish, juicy pulp, the film is a guilty pleasure dripping with atmosphere.

Mississippi Burning (1989): Arguably Parker’s most famous film, this box-office smash and Best Picture nominee tells the tension-filled, true-life story of violence in the South during the Civil Rights struggle. When a group of activists vanish in a small Mississippi town controlled by the KKK, two FBI agents, Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe), go on location to start an investigation. Finding a community gripped by corruption, racism and fear, the two men go about very different approaches—the by-the-book Ward prefers to follow the rules, while gruff veteran Anderson has no qualms about fighting fire with fire and adopting the Klan’s intimidation tactics. Wrapping its social concerns in the skin of a flashy thriller, this brutally effective film benefits greatly from its superb cast.

The Commitments (1991): Steering away refreshingly from the big, serious subjects he’s usually attracted to, Parker directed his most likable movie with this marvelously infectious account of a small-time soul band in Dublin, Ireland. The story follows the misadventures of Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a brash young music promoter looking to find a rhythm and blues band in his working-class neighborhood. After many an audition, he finds a couple of inspired collaborators: Deco (Andrew Armstrong), a boozy driver with a soaring voice, and veteran horn player Fagan (Johnny Murphy), who swears to have worked with every legend in the business. Together with a trio of backup singers, they form The Commitments—but can they make it in the city’s pubs? Keeping Parker’s energy while adding oodles of peppery humor, this is a gritty delight.

Labrador Retriever
Oakland, California
Adopt-a-Dog

Ray

Male
3 years old
Neutered
79 lbs.
Blind

Background: Originally found as a stray up in Humboldt County [Who the heck “loses” a blind dog? Give me a break!], we have named him “Ray.” We have Ray in a foster home but really want to place him in his forever home soonest.

What Ray’s Rescue Rep says: Ray gets along great with people and other dogs but this recent change in scenery has Ray out of sorts. He is settling in as his foster but he is no doubt confused, unsure, and anxious – takes a while to calm and settle down. He is not yet house-broken so he will need to be well supervised. Would probably do great with another calm/adult dog in the home. A blind dog relies considerably on his/her sense of smell, hearing and, obviously, touch. Caring for a blind dog requires a unique approach:

https://www.care.com/c/stories/6299/17-tips-for-living-with-a-blind-dog/

https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/health-and-nutrition/dogs-with-special-needs/coping-with-blindness

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-help-a-blind-dog/

Medical: Besides being blind, Ray appears to be in superb health. Maybe a few pounds overweight. Current on vaccinations, heartworm negative, microchipped. We hope to get Ray to a doggie eye specialist in the near future.

Ray is currently located in Oakland.
If you are interested in adopting Ray, please contact Rescue Rep Dave at 415-686-4248 or david.c.ely@sbcglobal.net.

“Our volunteers donate their personal time & phones so please only call during reasonable hours (8am - 8pm). The Rescue Rep identified in the dog posting is the only person with information about the dog - please only contact the designated volunteer. We do call everyone back within 2-3 days so please be patient. We work very hard to make the right matches for the dogs and for the new owners. We get 3-5 dogs per week; we do not have a facility where the dogs are housed, they are in foster homes throughout the Bay Area.”

Golden Gate Lab Rescue
http://www.labrescue.org/about.html

Video: Meeting a little yappy dog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX3RsDConFQ&feature=youtu.be

Video: Meeting someone he didn't know was there and had never met before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcgYWCCSjDM&feature=youtu.be

Video: Ray exploring his foster’s backyard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NgZ7SwW1TA&feature=youtu.be

Video: Ray walking with some small dog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNKtetwjp8Q&feature=youtu.be

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Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Momentum Monitor f
orecasts growth: computers investment, contraction in other verticals

Investment in computers surged 68% in Q2 2020 and is up 9.7% year-over-year, according to the August Foundation-Keybridge U.S. Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor. Overall, the index suggests computers investment growth will remain positive over the next six months but forecasts negative growth in most of the other vertical markets tracked, with the exception of software. Access this free report via the Foundation’s online library.

Full Report (six pages
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/elff2020.pdf

News Briefs----

Where Kamala Harris stands on coronavirus masks,
    stimulus checks and other pandemic spending
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/12/where-kamala-harris-stands-on-coronavirus-masks-stimulus-checks-and-other-pandemic-spending.html

Trump's Methane Rollback That Big Oil Doesn't Want
    designed to reduce climate-warming methane emissions
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/901863874/trumps-methane-rollback-that-big-oil-doesn-t-want

Stein Mart files for bankruptcy/will close most of its 300 stores
    the company currently employs more than 8,000 people
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/business/stein-mart-bankruptcy/index.html

Mercedes-Benz maker to pay $2.2B
    to settle US diesel emissions claims
https://nypost.com/2020/08/13/daimler-to-pay-2-2b-to-settle-us-diesel-emissions-claims/

Covid-19 in the classroom becomes stark reality for parents
      who've sent their children back to school
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/us/georgia-schools-parents-coronavirus-wellness/index.html

Payroll Tax Delay To Boost Take-Home Pay,
    But Don't Spend It Yet
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/12/901416058/payroll-tax-delay-to-boost-take-home-pay-but-dont-spend-it-yet

Florida sheriff bans his deputies and office visitors from
wearing masks on a day his county broke records for Covid-19 deaths
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/us/sheriff-no-mask-ocala-trnd/index.html

Santa Clara County Mask Scofflaws To Face Stiff Fines: Report
    fines up to $500 and businesses could see fines up to $5,000
https://patch.com/california/losgatos/santa-clara-county-mask-scofflaws-face-stiff-fines-report

Worried Lenders Pounce on Landlords
    Unable to Pay Their Loans
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/business/commercial-landlord-loan-foreclosure.html

Norwegian Taxis, Wirelessly Charging
     While They Wait for a Fare
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/business/jaguar-i-pace-oslo-taxis-charging.html

Macy's exiting Water Tower Place in Chicago
    unhappy with the police response to recent looting
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/macys-exiting-water-tower-place

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You May Have Missed---

Message to the Mayor of Chicago: "The Homeowers
   We Represent Do Not Feel Safe"
https://newscolony.com/chicago-property-management-company-president-says-residents-staff-feel-unsafe-amid-crime-unrest-demands-action-from-mayor/ 

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Sports Briefs---

George Kittle to Sign Six-Year Extension with 49ers on Friday
https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/george-kittle-to-sign-contract-extension-with-49ers-on-friday

The NFL is totally ready to restart the season:
     All they need is players, a plan and a clue
https://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/the-nfl-is-totally-ready-to-restart-the-season-all-they-need-is-players-a-plan-and-a-clue/

Cast out of Toronto, the Blue Jays are settling
   into their new Buffalo 'home' - Embrace the Weird
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2904096-embrace-the-weird

From cabdrivers to concession cashiers, workers supported by
 Chicago’s airports wonder when — or if
    — they’ll go back. ‘I don’t see a future.'
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-ohare-midway-airport-layoffs-20200813-ncyn4wiwifarbib3sgk3qdxc3u-story.html

Travis Kelce agrees to four-year extension with Kansas City Chiefs
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2020/08/13/travis-kelce-contract-kansas-city-chiefs-tight-end-george-kittle/3367590001/

Source: Seahawks waive rookie Kemah Siverand
      for trying to sneak female visitor into team hotel
http://www.theredzone.org/Blog-Description/EntryId/83003/Source--Seahawks-waive-rookie-Kemah-Siverand-for-trying-to-sneak-female-visitor-into-team-hotel

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California Nuts Briefs---

California judges lift coronavirus eviction ban
    Eviction moratorium ends Sept. 1
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/13/california-judges-lift-coronavirus-eviction-ban/

Sacramento County used most of its federal coronavirus
     funding to pay sheriff’s payroll
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article244813632.html?ac_cid=DM256773&ac_bid=1727444817

North Bay traffic to suffer most in San Francisco Bay Area
     from sea level rise, says Stanford study
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/north-bay-traffic-to-suffer-most-in-san-francisco-bay-area-from-sea-level-r/

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Kamala Harris, the only major candidate who drinks booze,
     has great taste in wine
https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Kamala-Harris-has-good-taste-in-wine-15478759.php

The top 15 growth brands in table wine in June and July
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=235046

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

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

This Day in History

    1760 - The first Methodist preacher, Philip Embury, arrived in New York City on the Perry, which carried 70 passengers, half of whom were Methodists. With the assistance of Barbara Heck, he organized the first Methodist Society in America in 1776.
    1806 – While hunting for elk along the Missouri River, Meriwether Lewis is shot in the hip, probably by one of his own men. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark had embarked on their epic journey to the Pacific two years earlier. The near-sighted Cruzatte probably mistook the leather-clad Lewis for an elk, though it is unlikely the private’s guilt will ever be proven with absolute certainty. His wound was not serious, but Lewis spent the next several days lying face down in the bottom of a canoe as the party proceeded down river. The following day, they caught up with Clark. By the time they reached St. Louis on September 23, Lewis’ wound had healed and the excitement of homecoming overshadowed the event.
    1841 - Having escaped from slavery only three years earlier, Frederick Douglass was legally a fugitive when he first spoke before an audience on this day. At an antislavery convention on Nantucket Island, Douglass spoke simply but eloquently about his life as a slave. His words were so moving that he was asked to become a full-time lecturer for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Douglass became a brilliant orator, writer and abolitionist who championed the rights of blacks as well as the rights of all humankind.  http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/douglass/home.html
    1842 -  Second Seminole War ends, with the Seminoles forced from Florida to Oklahoma.
    1848 – Oregon Territory was organized by an Act of Congress.  The region was divided between the UK and US in 1846. When established, the territory encompassed an area that included the current states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and parts of Wyoming and Montana.
    1860 - Nevada is known as the “Silver State” as the first silver mill to treat sliver ore successfully and the first reducing mill to treat ore-bearing quartz was established by the Washoe Gold and Silver Mining Company, No. 1, near Virginia City, Nevada. The mill operated by waterpower, was built by Almarin B. Paul, who began construction work on May 25, 1860, and completed it on August 9, 1860. It consisted of 24 stamps that began to crush on August 11, 1860.
    1861 - The first US Senator to address the Senate in military uniform was Edward Dickinson Baker, Republican of Oregon. He was drilling his regiment at Meridian Hill when he was summoned to refute Senator John Breckinridge, Democrat of Kentucky, who was speaking against a proposal to send troops against the South. Baker did not have time to change into civilian attire but removed his sword prior to delivering his speech. Baker City and County were named for London-born Edward Dickinson Baker, a Disciple minister. E.D. Baker had been converted to Christ at the Carrolton Church in Greene County, Illinois. Baker held many roles. He defeated Abraham Lincoln in a primary election in 1842. Baker and Lincoln were friends and the Lincolns named their second son Edward Baker Lincoln in honor of E. D. Baker. He came to Oregon in 1860 and campaigned for Lincoln. Later, becoming United States senator from Oregon, Baker introduced Lincoln at his first inaugural.  He was killed at the battle of Balls Fluff, VA, on October 21, 1861.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000059
http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/features/regimental/
pennsylvania/union/71stPennsylvania/eb.cfm    
    1864 – Among the earliest recorded games in organized baseball, the  Brooklyn Atlantics finished a 4-game series in Philadelphia‚ beating the Athletics‚ 43-16. The visitors whipped Camden‚ 64-10, on the 8th‚ beat the Keystone Club‚ 65-10, on the 9th‚ and won, 58-11, over the 30-year-old Olympic Club yesterday. 
    1874 - Harry S. Parmelee of New Haven, Connecticut got a patent for the sprinkler head.    
    1885 - $100,000 raised in U.S. for pedestal for Statue of Liberty 
    1896 - The pull-chain electric-light socket was patented by Harvey Hubbell of Bridgeport, Connecticut.    
    1907 - St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Ed Karger pitches a 7 inning perfect game vs the Boston Braves, 4-0. 
     1909 - The first United States ship to use the "SOS" radio distress call was made by Theodore D. Hauber on the Clyde liner "Arapahoe," a single-screw freight and passenger steamer of some 3,000 tons, bound for Charleston, SC, and Jacksonville, FL, from New York City. The first distress signal used was the “CQ” for “stop sending and listen.” Its engines were disabled 21 miles southeast of Diamond Shoals, off Cape Hatteras at 3:45pm. The SOS was first heard and acknowledged by R.J. Vosburg, wireless operator at station HA in Cape Hatteras, NC.
    1912 - In an 8-3 win over the New York Highlanders, Cleveland’s Shoeless Joe Jackson became the second American Leaguer to steal home twice in a game. He stole home in the 1st inning‚ and then in the 7th‚ he stole second base‚ third‚ and home.    
    1924 - First newsreel pictures of presidential candidates were taken. 
    1929 - Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees became the first player to hit 500 career home runs when he connected off Willis Hudlin as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Yankees, 6-5. The home was also the 30th of the year for the Bambino.  The next highest total at the time was 237 by Cy Williams.
    1933 - Loggers caused a forest fire in the Coast Range of Oregon, later known as the first forest fire of the Tillamook Burn; it is not fully extinguished until September 5, after destroying 240,000 acres.
    1934 - The first prisoners arrive at Alcatraz, in San Francisco Bay, a prison for the “most dangerous.”  
(lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug11.html )
    1935 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating a government pension system for the aged and unemployment insurance.  By the 1930s, the United States was the lone modern industrial country without any national system of social security. In the midst of the Great Depression, physician Francis Townsend galvanized support behind a proposal to issue direct payments to the elderly. Responding to this movement, Roosevelt organized a committee led by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins to develop a major social welfare program proposal. Roosevelt presented the plan in early 1935, and he signed the Social Security Act into law. The act was upheld by the Supreme Court in two major cases decided in 1937. 
    1940 - A major hurricane struck Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC, causing the worst inland flooding since 1607.
    1940 – Pitcher Stan Musial of the Daytona Beach Islanders landed on his left shoulder while making a shoestring catch in the outfield.  The injury ended his pitching career. 
    1940 – Ernest Thayer, author of “Casey at the Bat,” died in Santa Barbara.
    1941 – President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sign the Atlantic charter..
    1942 - Movie star Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna about 1914, received a patent while under contract with the MGM studio in Hollywood for the development of the concept of “frequency hopping” as a mean of controlling torpedoes by radio.  This later became the basis for modern technologies in wireless telephones and Wi-Fi.    
    1943 – German forces begin a six-day evacuation of the Italian island of Sicily, having been beaten back by the Allies, who invaded the island in July. The Germans had maintained a presence in Sicily since the earliest days of the war. But with the arrival of Gen. George S. Patton and his 7th Army and Gen. Bernard Montgomery and his 8th Army, the Germans could no longer hold their position. The race began for the Strait of Messina, the 2-mile wide body of water that separated Sicily from the Italian mainland. The Germans needed to get out of Sicily and onto the Italian peninsula. While Patton had already reached his goal, Palermo, the Sicilian capital, on July 22 (to a hero’s welcome, as the Sicilian people were more than happy to see an end to fascist rule), Montgomery, determined to head off the Germans at Messina, didn’t make his goal in time. The German 29th Panzergrenadier Division and the 14th Panzer Corps were brought over from Africa for the sole purpose of slowing the Allies’ progress and allowing the bulk of the German forces to get off the island. The delaying tactic succeeded. Despite the heavy bombing of railways leading to Messina, the Germans made it to the strait on August 11. Over six days and seven nights, the Germans led 39,569 soldiers, 47 tanks, 94 heavy guns, 9,605 vehicles, and more than 2,000 tons of ammunition onto the Italian mainland. (Not to mention the 60,000 Italian soldiers who were also evacuated, in order to elude capture by the Allies.) Although the United States and Britain had succeeded in conquering Sicily, the Germans were now reinforced and heavily supplied, making the race for Rome more problematic.
    1944 - Burlington, VT reaches a scorching 101 for all-time maximum record.
    1945 – Japan accepted the Allied unconditional terms of surrender in World War II and the Emperor recorded the Imperial Rescript on Surrender.     
    1946 - Top Hits
“They Say It’s Wonderful” - Frank Sinatra
“The Gypsy” - The Ink Spots
“Surrender” - Perry Como
“New Spanish Two Step” - Bob Wills    
    1947 - WHEAT, ROY M.,  Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 11 August 1967. Entered service a*: Jackson, Miss. Born: 24 July 1947, Moselle, Miss. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1950 – Hitting .279, Yankees CF Joe DiMaggio is benched for the first time in his career by Mgr. Casey Stengel..
    1951 – Losing again, the New York Giants fall 13 ½ games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers.  From here on, the Giants go 44-7, tie the Dodgers on the last day of the season, then win in a three-game playoff on Bobby Thomson’s game-winning “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” HR in the bottom of the 9th off Ralph Branca.
    1954 - Top Hits
“Sh-Boom” - The Crewcuts
“The Little Shoemaker” - The Gaylords
“In the Chapel in the Moonlight” - Kitty Kallen
“One by One” - Kitty Wells & Red Foley
    1956 - Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" is released. It will become his second Billboard chart topper.
    1958 - "Hard Headed Woman," the feature song of the movie "King Cole," earned Elvis Presley a gold record.    1962 - Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" hits #1
    1962 - Top Hits
“Breaking Up is Hard to Do” - Neil Sedaka
“The Loco-Motion” - Little Eva
“Ahab, the Arab” - Ray Stevens
“Wolverton Mountain” - Claude King
    1962 - A flood of new releases hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart, that will go on to be hit records. Mary Wells' "You Beat Me to the Punch," Ray Stevens' "Ahab the Arab," Johnny Tillotson's "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," The Marvelettes' "Beechwood 4-5789," The Contours' "Do You Love Me," The Beach Boys' "Surfin' Safari," Booker T and the MGs' "Green Onions" and Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."   
    1963 - The Kingston Trio appear as the celebrity "mystery guests" on CBS-TV's What's My Line?
    1964 - The Beatles' first film, “A Hard Day's Night,” has its US premiere in New York City.
    1964 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Everybody Loves Somebody," Dean Martin. The song becomes the theme song to NBC's "The Dean Martin Show" the following year.
    1964 – Mickey Mantle set a Major League record when hit a home run from both sides of the plate for the 10th time in his career. Mantle hit a left-handed homer off Ray Herbert over the 461-foot marker in centerfield at Yankee Stadium that lands 15 rows into the bleachers, 502 feet from the plate.    1967 - WHEAT, ROY M., Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 11 August 1967. Entered service: Jackson, Miss. Born: 24 July 1947, Moselle, Miss. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1968 – Satchel Paige, in his 60s and needing 158 days to qualify for a Major League pension, signs a contract with the Atlanta Braves.
    1969 - Diana Ross holds a party for 350 at Beverly Hills' Daisy Club to announce her discovery of the singing group the Jackson 5 -- even though Gladys Knight actually recommended them to Motown head Berry Gordy. That night, the group gains even more exposure by performing at the first Miss Black America pageant
    1969 – The last Dodger to have played in Brooklyn, Don Drysdale, announced his retirement due to lingering shoulder ailments.
    1970 - Top Hits
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” - Carpenters
“Make It with You” - Bread
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” - Stevie Wonder
“Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On” - Sonny James
    1970 - Jim Bunning of the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Houston Astros, 6-5, to become the first pitcher to win 100 games in each major league. Bunning, who started his career with the Detroit Tigers, became a Congressman from Kentucky after retiring from baseball and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
    1970 - Judge Irving Ben Cooper ruled against outfielder Curt Flood in his antitrust suit against Major League Baseball. Cooper says "Decisions of the Supreme Court are not lightly overruled... We find no general or widespread disregard of the extremely important position the player occupies... Clearly the preponderance of credible proof does not favor elimination of the reserve clause." However, the judge says changes in the reserve clause should be made through negotiation but denies Flood damages. Flood will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, but in vain.  Flood challenged baseball’s reserve clause objecting to his trade to the Phillies by the St. Louis Cardinals.  This was a first step in a long journey that eventually ushered in free agency to MLB.
    1972 - The last United States ground combat unit leaves South Vietnam. 
    1974 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "The Night Chicago Died," Paper Lace. The song is written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander.
    1974 – Nolan Ryan struck out 19, breaking the American League record of 18, set by Bob Feller in 1938, and tying the Major League record set by Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver. He also tied the Major League record with 32 Ks in his last two games.  Ryan is the Majors’ all-time career strikeout leader with 5,714 and is the only pitcher to reach 5000 Ks.
    1975 - Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic" LP goes gold.
    1978 - Top Hits
“Miss You” - The Rolling Stones
“Three Times a Lady” - Commodores
“Grease” - Frankie Valli
“Love or Something Like It” - Kenny Rogers
    1981 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Endless Love," Diana Ross & Lionel Richie. The song holds onto the top spot for nine weeks, making it the most successful duo, most successful Motown single and most successful soundtrack single of all time.
    1982 - The debut of Anglo-American pop-rock band, the Pretenders is certified platinum about three years after it's released. The L.P. contained two hits, "Brass in Pocket" and "Kid."
    1984 - President Ronald Reagan's voice-test joke: in preparation for a radio broadcast, during a thought-to-be-off-the-record voice level test, instead of counting "one, two, three . . ." the President said: "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes." The statement was picked up by live television cameras and was heard by millions worldwide. The incident provoked national and international reactions, including a news network proposal of new ground rules concerning the use of "off-the-record" remarks.
    1984 - Ray Parker, Jr.'s single, “Ghostbusters,” hit the Number 1 spot on the Billboard's record charts on this date, and stayed there for 3 weeks. Parker also wrote and produced the song, which was the title theme song for one of the highest-grossing comedy films in movie history. He later received an Academy Award nomination for it.
    1984 – Cincinnati Reds retire catcher Johnny Bench’s #5.  Bench is regarded by many as baseball’s greatest catcher and he is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    1986 - Top Hits
“Glory of Love” - Peter Cetera
“Papa Don’t Preach” - Madonna
“Mad About You” - Belinda Carlisle
“Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain” - The Judds
    1987 - The Beatles' album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was named 'the best album made during the last 20 years' by Rolling Stone magazine. 
    1988 - Moisture from what remained of Tropical Storm Beryl resulted in torrential rains across eastern Texas. Twelve and a half inches of rain deluged Enterprise, TX, which was more than the amount received there during the previous eight months. Philadelphia, PA reported a record forty-four days of 90-degree weather for the year. Baltimore, MD and Newark, NJ reported a record fourteen straight days of 90-degree heat
    1989 - One of the most severe convective outbreaks of record came to a climax in southern California after four days. Thunderstorms deluged Benton, CA with six inches of rain two days in a row, and the flooding which resulted caused more than a million dollars damage to homes and highways. Thunderstorms around Yellowstone Park, WY produced four inches of rain in twenty minutes resulting in fifteen mudslides. Thunderstorms over Long Island, NY drenched Suffolk County with 8 to 10 inches of rain. Twenty-three cities in the southeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date. It was, for some cities, the fourth straight morning of record cold temperatures.
    1989 - Bruce Springsteen joins Ringo Starr onstage at a concert in Holmdel, NJ, to sing four songs: "Get Back," "Long Tall Sally," "Photograph," and "With A Little Help From My Friends."
    1991 - In only his second big league start, 21-year old White Sox southpaw Wilson Alvarez no-hits the Orioles, 7-0. Only Browns' hurler Bobo Holloman, who threw a no-hitter in his first Major League start in 1953 accomplished the feat in fewer starts.
    1993 - First foreign-born officer appointed chair of joint chiefs: President Bill Clinton appointed Army General John Shalikashvili to succeed Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Shalikashvili was born at Poland, but his family fled to Germany in 1944 to escape advancing Soviet troops. After moving to the US, his family lived at Peoria, IL. "General Shali" has a distinguished military record and is a Vietnam War veteran.
    1993 - A severe thunderstorm spawned a high elevation F3 tornado in the Ashley National Forest, 20 miles north of Roosevelt, UT. The tornado touched down 3 times along a 17 mile path and was up to 1/2 miles wide. 1000 acres of trees were snapped or uprooted. The highest elevation damage was at 10,800 feet.
    1994 - Randy Johnson’s pitch to strike out A's Ernie Young will become the last ball thrown in the Majors for seven and half months as the longest work stoppage in baseball history begins.  Among the casualties was the 1994 World Series, the first to be cancelled in MLB history.
    1994 - Top Hits
“Stay (I Missed You)” (From "Reality Bites") - Lisa Loeb 
“I Swear” - All-4-One 
“Fantastic Voyage” - Coolio 
“Wild Night” - John Mellencamp With Me Shell Ndegeocello
“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (From "The Lion King") - Elton John
    1994 - Record high set at Miami with 96 then heavy thunderstorms drop the temperature to 70, a record low for the same date.
    1997 - Sonny West, Red West, Lamar Fike and Marty Lacker, four of the biggest members of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia," recall the King in a one-time-only webchat. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Mafia
https://www.facebook.com/LegacyRecordings/photos/a.410741997995
.182278.157335342995/10151749009902996/?type=1
    1997 - Congress passed the line-item veto for the President in 1996, but on this day in 1997, William Jefferson Clinton was the first to use it, 
eliminating three provisions from legislation that had been passed by Congress. The line-item veto, a power sought by presidents since Ulysses S. Grant, enables presidents to strike particular items from newly enacted federal laws without having to veto the entire bill.
    1998 - Lawrence Ferlinghetti was named the first poet laureate of San Francisco.
    1999 - Top Hits
“Genie in a Bottle” - Christina Aguilera
“Tell Me It’s Real” - K-Ci
“Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child 
“All Star” - Smash Mouth
    2001 - Using fewest number of games anyone has ever needed to hit 50 homers in a season, Giant outfielder Barry Bonds reaches the milestone in 117 contests. In 1999, Sammy Sosa reached the mark in 121 contests.
    2002 - Sammy Sosa's grand slam and run-scoring double against the Rockies gives the Cubs' slugger 14 RBIs over two games establishing a new a National League record. The previous mark was 13 shared by Nate Colbert (Padres-1972) and Mark Whiten (Cardinals -1993).
    2003 - By fanning Jeff Kent in the seventh inning at Wrigley Field, Kerry Wood became the fastest Major Leaguer to record his 1,000th career strikeout, needing only 134 games to reach the milestone. It took 143 games for Roger Clemens to accomplish the feat.
    2003 – Top Hits
“Crazy In Love”- Beyoncé Featuring Jay-Z
“Right Thurr”- Chingy
“Never Leave You - Uh Ooh
“Lumidee P.I.M.P” - 50 Cent 
    2012 – The Republicans’ presumptive nominee for President, Mitt Romney, selects Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate.
    2012 – The Yankees’ all-time hit leader, Derek Jeter, collected his league-leading 150th hit of the season, joining Hank Aaron as the only two players to have 17 seasons of 150 or more hits.  Jeter finished his career in 2014 with 3,654 hits, sixth-most all-time and most ever by a Yankee.
    2013 - At the Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York, American golfer Jason Duffner wins the 2013 PGA Championship.
    2014 - Sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to Microsoft ex-CEO Steve Ballmer was approved by the NBA, despite attempts by former owner Donald Sterling to stop the transaction. Sterling was forced to sell after being banned from the NBA for his racist remarks.