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Status of Leasing/Finance Employment Available
in the U.S. Marketplace

John Boettigheimer, Centra Funding/4 Hour Funding, LCC, thanked Leasing News for its attraction of talent, which he said he filled in a very short time:

"Kit, there were so many qualified people out there. It was the best pool of candidates for a position that I ever saw."

John Boettigheimer
Centra Funding, LLC / 4 Hour Funding, LLC

Leasing News then asked other advertisers what they were experiencing:

"We have seen a larger number of qualified candidates from those companies suffering dislocations but there is still stiff competition for proven talent. The equipment finance sector is still vibrant so, although more applicants of high quality are willing to talk right now, there is still competition for that talent. This is not 2008."

David C. Lee
Chairman and CEO
North Mill Equipment Finance

"We really benefit from advertising our job openings on Leasing News because the audience is comprised of professionals in the equipment financing industry and this has helped us locate some top talent nationwide."

Paul Knapp
Senior Corporate Recruiter, Balboa Capital

"I first want to say Leasing News industry reach is second to none. When we need to let the industry know we are in need of qualified personnel, Leasing news is the place to go and exceptionally well-priced for such a targeted audience.

"We actually have seen very little movement of qualified candidates. Most sales available are Ascentium rejects."

Jeff Rudin, CEO
Quail Financial Solutions

“Kit, we have been very active recruiting and hiring experienced, vendor sales reps. These reps were desperate for the financing tools and programs needed to support vendors in the Medical, Construction, Manufacturing and Trucking industries. Some of the largest lenders in our market have drastically changed their underwriting and approach to servicing vendor programs. The experienced sales reps knows this. They and their vendors have suffered through these changes, and in the end, Partners Capital is the best option when it comes to being competitive, fast and supporting their customers and vendor partners.”

Marcus Davin
President and CEO
Partners Capital Group

 

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

The Following are all new hires at Partners Capital Group

Jake Cagle was hired as Senior Account Executive, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California.  Previously, he was at TopMark Funding, starting February, 2018, as Junior Account Executive; promoted April, 2018, Account Executive; promoted November, 2018, Senior Account Manager.  Assistant Sales Manager, 24 Hour Fitness (October, 2017 - February, 2018); Prior he was at Tesla, starting October, 2016, Inside Energy Advisor; promoted October Solar Energy Specialist Advisor.  California Family Fitness (July 2015 - July,2016); Sales Advisor, California Family Fitness (July, 2015 - July, 2016).; Personal training Director, LA Fitness (June, 2011- September, 2014); Fabricator, Hot Rod Service Company (March, 2004 - May, 2005).  Education: Wyotech-West Sacramento. Bachelor of Applied Science. BASc. Business Administration and Management General.(2004 - 2006).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-cagle-11890047/

Christina Collins was hired as Funder, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. Previously she was at Balboa Capital, starting May, 2017, as Account Manager; promoted October, 2018, VSR/JR Funding Coordinator; Senior Account Executive, Jgoodin, Inc. (March, 2013 - March, 2017). Assistant Manager, GStage, Inc. (July, 2012 - March, 2013); Assistant Merchandise Manager, Gap Inc/Gap (August, 2010 - January, 2012); Visual Merchandiser, Forever 21 (September, 2007 - February, 2010). Licenses & Certifications:  SaleForce, Inside Sales, Vision, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. Education: Brooks Institute. Associates Degree in Fashion Merchandising. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-collins-074b68123/

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/

Keith Garagozzo was hired as Vice President of Sales Partners, Capital Group, Santa Ana, California.  He is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Previously, he was Senior business Manager, Marlin Capital Solutions (November, 2018 - August, 2020); Vice President of Sales, Cobalt Business Systems (July, 2014 - August, 2020); Vice President, College Coordinator, SJ Elite Sports Academy (January, 2009 - July, 2014); Wholesale Furniture Sales Representative, Aico Furniture, Sphinx Oriental Weavers, Rowe Furniture, Franklin Furniture (1997 - 2009): Pitcher, New York Yankees (1991 - 1997); MLB Pitcher, Minnesota Twins (1994). Education: University of Delaware. Bachelor of Science (BS) 1988 - 1992. https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-garagozzo-1536b4a/

Roger Gonzalez was hired as Senior Account Executive, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California.  Previously, he was Account Executive at Balboa Capital (October, 2019 - June, 2020); Credit Risk Manager, One Stop Group (June, 2018 - August, 2019); Financial Credit analyst, Municipal Trucks & Equipment (March, 2016 - June, 2017). Education: The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Bachelor of Business Administration. BBA, Business Administration and Management, General (2018 - 2019). South Texas College. Associate's degree, Business Administration and Management General. https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-gonzalez-660a8a140/

Brooke Harper was hired as Vice President of Sales, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. "She has 5+ years of equipment leasing experience with Pacific Capital." https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-harper-09045a1a8/

Joseph Krug was hired was hired as a Credit Analyst at Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California, following two years at Marlin Business Solutions. Previously, he was Client Specialist, Fleet Financing Resources, starting June, 2015.  Education: Sonoma State University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Finance, General (2012 - 2015). https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-krug-006220133/

Calvin Nguyen was hired as Vice President of Sales, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. Previously, he was at Balboa Capital, starting January, 2018 as Account Executive 1; promoted May, 2019, Account Executive II; promoted November, 2019, Account Manager. Senior Team Manager, Seacret Direct (December, 2011 - May, 2016). https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-nguyen-bbb0595a/

Anthony Olivo was hired as Vice President of Sales, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California.  He is located in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Previously, he was Senior Business Development Manager, Healthcare National Accounts, Marlin Capital Solutions (April, 2017 - July, 2020); Manager, Legal Workout, Canon Financial Services, Inc. (February, 2016 - April, 2017); Director of Operations, MRS BPO, LLC. (June, 2008 - February, 2016). https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-olivo-5b572a71/

Michael Schwerter was hired as Senior Account Executive, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. Previously, he was Account Executive, Balboa Capital (April, 2019 - May, 2020); Welk Resorts (July, 2018 - May, 2020); Chef, Michael Schlow Restaurant Group (August, 2015 - December, 2016); Brand Ambassador, The Boston Beer Company (August, 2015 - June, 2016); Chef, Pure C (September, 2015 - December, 2015); Executive Chef, Camp Group (May, 2014 - August, 2015); Chef, Google (April, 2013 - November, 2013); Server, Macaroni Grill (October, 2007 - October, 2010); Chef, AKA (June, 2007 - September, 2007). Education: The Culinary Institute of America. Associate's degree, Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager (2012 - 2014). Held position as group leader of my class, excelled in wine studies, co-founder of the green campus initiative, proficient forager. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-schwerter-6a421711a/

Steven Weidler was hired as National Account Executive, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California.  He is located in Mantua, New Jersey.  Previously he was National Account Executive, Marlin Business Services, starting October, 2017.  He began his career at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, starting September, 2014, as Management Assistant; promoted October, 2015, Assistant Manager; promoted October, 2015, Account Executive.  Education: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Metropolitan Campus, History (2010). Bachelor's Degree, History, 3.8 (2014).  Activities and Societies: Student Council. https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-weidler-6a7763bb/

Arjun Wickremasinghe was hired as Senior Credit Analyst, Partners Capital Group, Santa Ana, California. He previously was Credit Manager, Alliance Funding Group (August, 2015 - December, 2018); Credit Analyst, Pacific Premier Bank (January, 2015 - August, 2016); Jr. Credit Analyst, Celtric Commercial Finance, a Fifth Third Bancorp Company (September, 2011 - December, 2014). Volunteer: Teaching Financial Literacy, Precious Life Shelter (June, 2016). Teaching Entrepreneurship & Leadership. Orange Coast College (May, 2009). Education: Concordia University, Irvine. Master of Business Administration. MBA, Leadership and Finance (2016 - 2018).  California State University, Fullerton. Bachelor of Arts, BA, Business Administration MBA. Leadership and Finance (2016 - 2018). California State University, Fullerton, Bachelor of Arts. Business Administration, Management and Operations. (2010 - 2014).  Orange Coast College. Transfer Business Administration (2007 - 2010).  Activities and Societies: Desi Society, Treasurer. Vice President, Society of International Students, South East Asian Society, President. Robert B. Moore Leadership award two consecutive years in a row. Also awarded the Dean of Students Leadership Skill & Knowledge award my first term of school. https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjun-l-wickremasinghe-09133725/

 

 

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

With initial jobless claims falling below 1 million for the first time since March and the insured unemployment rate gradually declining from its May peak of 15.6 percent to 10.4 percent in the week ended August 1, the U.S. job market is at last showing tentative signs of recovery. Make no mistake, the jobs crisis is still far from over, but the signs are finally pointing in the right direction.

In a country as heterogenic as the United States, it’s one thing to look at nationwide jobless figures, but it’s important to keep in mind that the situation differs widely across state lines. According to the latest data from the Department of Labor, the insured unemployment rate ranged from just 3.4 percent in Idaho to 23.6 percent in neighboring Nevada for the week ended July 25.

The following chart provides a rough overview of the employment situation across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, illustrating that no clear geographic trend can be observed and that very few states have been spared by pandemic’s devastating effect on the labor market.

It’s important to note that this chart shows the weekly reported insured unemployment, which is the number of people currently receiving unemployment insurance as a percentage of the labor force. As opposed to the conventional unemployment rate, which includes those who report that they are not employed but searching for work, insured unemployment leaved out the long-term unemployed, who may no longer qualify for unemployment assistance.

By Felix Richter, Statista

 

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Willingness

Sales Makes it Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP

What are you, as a commercial equipment leasing and finance originator, willing to do to be successful?

My coaching sessions with professional originators usually include an originator asking, "What three steps or ten actions does a professional need to take in order to be a top producing originator?" I usually turn the table and ask them, "What are you willing to do? What actions are you willing to take to increase your productivity and results?"

Is the originator willing to go the extra mile and become a top producer by:

• Making more contacts with potential customers every day?
• Starting their workday earlier and staying later on a regular basis?
• Investing in themselves and learning more about the process?
• Determining whether they truly have a passion for the business and if so, flaunting their passion to everyone they meet both professionally and personally?
• Building their business from the bottom up and from the top down - always taking the next step to improve their effectiveness in the market?
• Becoming a player in the industry and gaining the respect of their peers and competitors?

There are no shortcuts to success. There is no magical list that can be followed one through ten. The list is endless and top originators are willing to explore new paths, new actions, and new means to become successful. Successful originators never exhaust their options; they overcome new challenges and forge forward. Top producers are willing to become the best by improving their own skills, taking personal responsibility, and delivering results.

Top performers will outlast the COVID-19 epidemic. They will perform well during the recovery. They are positioning themselves for future success.

Order via Amazon: https://www.createspace.com/5355516  

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 

Sales Makes it Happen articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.htm

 

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

American Express to Acquire Kabbage
To Service Millions of Small Business customers

NEW YORK-- American Express will acquire Kabbage’s team and its full suite of financial technology products, data platform and IP built for small businesses. Kabbage’s products include access to flexible lines of credit, online bill payment, cash flow visualization tools, e-gift certificates, and the ability to centralize funds through the company’s recently launched business checking account. This product suite is integrated into a single online platform that uses real-time data processing to help small businesses better understand, forecast and manage their cash flow.

With the addition of Kabbage’s technology, products and people, American Express plans to offer a broader set of cash flow management tools and working capital products to its millions of small business customers in the U.S.

Anna Marrs, President of Global Commercial Services at American Express, said, “For several years, American Express has been expanding beyond our industry-leading commercial card products to offer our business customers a growing set of payment and working capital solutions.

 “This acquisition accelerates our plans to offer U.S. small businesses an easy and efficient way to manage their payments and cash flow digitally in one place, which is more critical than ever in today’s environment. By bringing together Kabbage’s innovative technology and talented team with our broad distribution capabilities and over 60 years of experience backing small businesses, we can better help our customers successfully emerge from this challenging period and beyond.”

Kabbage CEO and co-founder, Rob Frohwein, commented,
“At Kabbage, we have always made the success of America’s small businesses our primary objective.

 “We have built a technology and data platform that provides them with the kind of capabilities and insights often reserved for larger businesses. By joining American Express, we can help more small businesses succeed with a fully digital suite of financial products to help them run and grow their companies.”

The acquisition is expected to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions. Kabbage’s pre-existing loan portfolio is not included in the purchase agreement.

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, InAuth, corporate card, business travel, and corporate responsibility.

ABOUT Kabbage
Kabbage, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is a data and technology company providing small business cash flow solutions. Its suite of products includes Kabbage CheckingTM, providing small businesses a new way to bank; Kabbage PaymentsTM, helping small businesses get paid and access the money they earn faster; Kabbage InsightsTM, calculating small businesses’ real-time cash flow; and Kabbage FundingTM providing access to flexible lines of credit up to $250,000 in minutes. Kabbage is a 2020 CNBC Disruptor 50 and is funded and backed by leading investors, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, BlueRun Ventures, Thomvest Ventures, and others. For complete product details and disclosures, please visit www.kabbage.com.

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

 

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

Remote Core Conversions Rule as Financial Institutions
Move to Fiserv to Support Strategic Initiatives

BROOKFIELD, Finserv Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced today that within the last five months, more than 20 financial institutions have completed remote core conversions to advance their individual strategies of digital engagement and further customer and member service innovations.

While travel and social distancing requirements remain in place across the U.S., many financial institutions are eager to move forward with updates that will allow them to better serve consumers, driving new levels of demand for remote processes.

For Investors Bank, a $26-billion institution with locations in New York and New Jersey, its most recent acquisition was an opportunity to strengthen expansion in the Long Island market while adding a focus on small business customers.


Brian Doran, Chief Administrative Officer at Investors Bank, remarked, “Acquisitions are a cornerstone of our growth strategy, and our most recent conversion was important to show the market we’re back in acquisition mode.”

Chris Blotto, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Investors Bank, commented, “Heading into the conversion, there were a number of concerns about managing the process remotely”

 “What helped us through was the great communication with Fiserv, our regulators and the staff at the acquired bank – all of whom were working remotely.”

When Mechanics Bank, an $18-billion bank headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area, acquired much larger Rabobank, it made the strategic decision to upgrade its commercial cash management and online account opening capabilities with Fiserv technologies. Rather than allow COVID-19 to put the initiative on hold, the bank worked with Fiserv to complete the entire conversion process with remote support.

Chris Pierce, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mechanics Bank, said, “Over our 20-year relationship, Fiserv has proven themselves to deliver what they say they will, and they delivered an excellent conversion under challenging conditions.” .

Fiserv and its professional services teams were able to adapt rapidly to fully remote conversion operations. Family 1st of Texas FCU, as well as Hoboken School Employees FCU, both converted their systems in early April, along with Allegacy Federal Credit Union in May.

Sandra Szymanski, CEO of $16-million Family 1st Credit Union of Texas, commented, “This was a long-planned, digital enablement move that came at a time when we are looking for every possible way to stay close to our members,” said. “The Fiserv team worked quickly in an unpredictable, largely remote environment to deliver. The new tools and member service options will help us as we continue to navigate COVID-19 in Fort Worth.”

Fiserv is committed to moving its conversion pipeline forward remotely for as long as is needed, in accordance with guidance from national and local healthcare leaders.

Todd Horvath, Group President of Account Processing at Fiserv, said, “COVID-19 has compelled us to work in new ways, and our clients and associates have come together, not missing a beat as we have completed these mission-critical conversion projects.

“We will continue to leverage our expertise in remote operations and help financial institutions advance their strategic objectives.”

Continuing Momentum Toward SaaS
In addition to the remote core conversions, Fiserv has completed remote migrations for more than a dozen financial institutions who have chosen to move from in-house account processing to a SaaS model. Many organizations have found the challenges of COVID-19 to underscore the value of outsourcing IT functions to a partner with scale and robust resources.

Tom Cook, President and CEO at Bank of Landisburg, a $310-million institution in Pennsylvania, commented, “We migrated in March, so we were deep in the COVID-19 issue.

“The Fiserv team partnered closely with us to be sure we had the assistance needed for a successful remote migration.”

In a world moving faster than ever before, Fiserv helps clients deliver solutions in step with the way businesses live and work today – financial services at the speed of life. Learn more at fiserv.com.

About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale solution. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and the FORTUNE® 500, and is among FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Companies®. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.

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

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

Unemployment compensation is taxable
Have tax withheld now and avoid a tax-time surprise

WASHINGTON – With millions of Americans now receiving taxable unemployment compensation, many of them for the first time, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded people receiving unemployment compensation that they can have tax withheld from their benefits now to help avoid owing taxes on this income when they file their federal income tax return next year.

By law, unemployment compensation is taxable and must be reported on a 2020 federal income tax return. Taxable benefits include any of the special unemployment compensation authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted this spring.

Withholding is voluntary. Federal law allows any recipient to choose to have a flat 10% withheld from their benefits to cover part or all of their tax liability. To do that, fill out Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request (PDF), and give it to the agency paying the benefits. Don’t send it to the IRS. If the payor has its own withholding request form, use it instead.

f a recipient doesn’t choose withholding, or if withholding is not enough, they can make quarterly estimated tax payments instead. The payment for the first two quarters of 2020 was due on July 15. Third and fourth quarter payments are due on Sept. 15, 2020, and Jan. 15, 2021, respectively. For more information, including some helpful worksheets, see Form 1040-ES and Publication 505, available on IRS.gov.

Here are some types of payments taxpayers should check their withholding on:

• Unemployment compensation includes: Benefits paid by a state or the District of Columbia from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund
• Railroad unemployment compensation benefits
• Disability benefits paid as a substitute for unemployment compensation
• Trade readjustment allowances under the Trade Act of 1974
• Unemployment assistance under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, and
• Unemployment assistance under the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 Program

Recipients who return to work before the end of the year can use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to make sure they are having enough tax taken out of their pay. Available only on IRS.gov, this online tool can help any worker or pension recipient avoid or lessen their year-end tax bill or estimate the refund they want.

In January 2021, unemployment benefit recipients should receive a Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments (PDF) from the agency paying the benefits. The form will show the amount of unemployment compensation they received during 2020 in Box 1, and any federal income tax withheld in Box 4. Taxpayers report this information, along with their W-2 income, on their 2020 federal tax return. For more information on unemployment, see Unemployment Benefits in Publication 525.

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

Labrador Retriever
Plano, Texas
Adopt a Dog

Crystal

Female
3.9 Months
18 lbs.

Crystal is a sweet, brave, curious girl full of life. She, in typical puppy fashion, goes about a thousand miles an hour….in between naps. She sleeps through the night (10pm - 6am) in her crate like a champ! She is not afraid of her foster brothers that seem huge compared to her. She enjoys chewing on her toys and has not had an issue chewing on things that don’t belong to her. She is a healthy eater and is getting the hang of a potty schedule. For such a tiny girl, she has a tremendous spirit and will make a family so very happy!

Dallas Fort Worth Labrador Retriever Rescue Club, Inc.
PMB 352
3100 Independence Parkway, Suite 311
Plano, Texas 75075
NOTE:  We are not located at this address.

Adoption Information:
http://www.dfwlabrescue.org/information.html

Adoption Process:
http://www.dfwlabrescue.org/process.html

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Your Dog Advisor
Tips for Recall Training

https://yourdogadvisor.com/dog-recall-training/

 

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        Most Influential Lawyers
in Equipment Finance and Leasing

Stewart Abramson
Andrew Alper
Thomas V. Askounis
Julie Babcock
Joe Bonanno, CLFP
Bill Carey
Richard Contino
James Coston, CLFP
Jonathan Fleisher
Marshall Goldberg
Kenneth Charles Greene, Esq.
Michael A. Leichtling
Malcolm C. Lindquist
Barry Marks, Esq., CLFP
David G. Mayer
Allan J. Mogol
Frank Peretore
John G. Sinodis
Mark Stout
Kevin Trabaris
Allan Umans
Mark Wada
Michael J. Witt
Irwin Wittlin

Full List:
http://leasingnews.org/Pages/top_lawyers.html

News Briefs----

California blackouts expose problems in state’s
     transition to clean energy
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/17/california-blackouts-expose-problems-in-states-transition-to-clean-energy/

Bankrupt Pizza Hut Operator NPC to Close up to 300 Stores
    Most of the closures will be dine-in units.
https://www.qsrmagazine.com/finance/bankrupt-pizza-hut-operator-npc-close-300-stores

Navy Pier to close temporarily after Labor Day
   Loss of tourism dollars 'devastating to the organization’s budget.'
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/navy-pier-close-temporarily-after-labor-day

New saliva-based Covid-19 test could be a
   fast and cheap 'game changer'
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/16/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html

New U.S. Coronavirus Cases Slip
   Lowest Since Late June
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-18-2020-11597739213

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You May Have Missed---

First Fires, Now Heat: Millions of Californians
     Back in the Dark
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-faces-second-night-blackouts-020525955.html

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Sports Briefs---

Washington hires Jason Wright as NFL's 1st Black team president
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/washington-hires-jason-wright-as-nfls-1st-black-team-president/

Golden State Warriors must cover $49 million Oakland Arena      
    debt, state court rules
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/08/18/golden-state-warriors-must-cover-49-million-oakland-arena-debt-state-court-rules/

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California Nuts Briefs---

California wildfire updates: Newsom declares state of    
     emergency amid over 30 blazes
https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article245043835.html?

US Postal Service suspending cuts — but will it help Californians?
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article245050900.html?

How to check if your home will lose power during PG&E blackouts
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/18/how-to-check-if-your-home-will-lose-power-during-pge-blackouts/

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Fire Threatens Napa Vineyards
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2020/08/fire-threatens-napa-vineyards

French vines ready early amid Covid-19 and climate challenges
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/French-vines-ready-early-in-2020-due-to-good-weather-amid-Covid-19-and-climate-challenges

Spain’s vineyards destroy record harvest as wine sales crash
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/aug/15/spains-vineyards-destroy-record-harvest-as-wine-sales-crash

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

    1692 - In Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, five people, one woman and four men, including a clergyman, were executed after being convicted of witchcraft.
    1779 - Americans under Major Henry Lee took the British garrison at Paulus Hook, New Jersey.
    1782 - The last major engagement of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Blue Licks, occurred almost ten months after the surrender of the British Cmdr. Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown. On a hill next to the Licking River in what is now Kentucky (but was then in Kentucky County, VA), a force of about 50 American and Canadian Loyalists along with 300 Indians ambushed and routed 182 Rebel Kentucky militiamen. It was the last victory for the Loyalists and Natives during the frontier war.
    1792 - Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) published his first Almanac.  In February 1791, Major Andrew Ellicott hired Banneker to assist in the initial survey of the boundaries of the new federal district, which the 1790 federal Residence Act and later legislation authorized. Formed from land along the Potomac River that the states of Maryland and Virginia ceded in accordance with the Residence Act, the territory that became the original District of Columbia was a square measuring 10 miles on each side, totaling 100 square miles. Ellicott's team placed boundary stones at every mile point along the borders of the new capital territory. During this effort, Banneker also kept a series of journals that contained his notebooks for astronomical observations, his diary and accounts of his dreams.  The title page of an edition of Banneker's 1792 “Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris” stated that the publication contained:  “the Motions of the Sun and Moon, the True Places and Aspects of the Planets, the Rising and Setting of the Sun, Place and Age of the Moon, &c.—The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Festivals, and other remarkable Days; Days for holding the Supreme and Circuit Courts of the United States, as also the useful Courts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.  In addition to the information that its title page described, the almanac contained a tides table for the Chesapeake Bay region listing times for high water or high tide at Cape Charles and Point Lookout, Virginia and Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland.  These locations remain today as those for which National Weather Service tidal information is regularly quoted.
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Banneker.html
    1812 - Lucy Brewer, alias George Baker and Louisa Baker, concealed her gender and served on board the USS Constitution as a US Marine in its battle with HMS Guerriere. Brewer is the pen name of a writer who purported to be the first woman in the US Marine, serving aboard the Constitution. Brewer's adventures were probably written by Nathaniel Hill Wright (1787–1824) or Wright's publisher, Nathaniel Coverly. ‘She’ thus became the first woman to serve as a US Marine. This also was considered by historians to be the most important naval action of the war that took place in the Atlantic Ocean about 750 miles east of Boston. The American loss was 14 killed or wounded; the British, 79 killed or wounded and Congress awarded $50,000 to Captain Isaac Hull and his crew for the victory over Guerriere.  According to the book, “The Female Marine,” original title: “The Adventures of Lucy Brewer,” Brewer supposedly grew up on a farm near Plymouth, MA and, at age 16, fell in love with a boy named Henry. When she became pregnant, Henry refused to marry her and she set out for Boston. In Boston, Lucy was tricked into prostitution after her baby died in childbirth. This series of seduction and betrayal precisely follows the strict line of the romance genre, until, that is, motivated by a patriotic desire to fight in the War of 1812, Lucy tricked her way onto the Constitution, pretending to be a man named George Baker.  She served valiantly for three years and in many naval battles against the British before being honorably discharged, all the while keeping her true gender a secret.
    1814 - The British land in Maryland to invade Washington, DC.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug19.html
    1814 - Mary Ellen "Mammy" Pleasant (1814-1904) birthday, whereabouts uncertain.  She was an early African-American activist who used her fortune to further the abolitionist movement. She worked on the Underground Railroad across many states and then helped bring it to California during the Gold Rush Era. She was a friend and financial supporter of John Brown, and was well known in abolitionist circles. After the Civil War, she took her battles to the courts in the 1860s and won several civil rights victories, one of which was cited and upheld in the 1980s and resulted in her being called “The Mother of Human Rights in California.” She is often called the mother of black civil rights in California. Much of her life is clouded in legend which says that she freed slaves who were being held illegally in free California. She worked to win the rights at African-Americans to have their testimony accepted in court (1863) and helped to end discrimination on California streetcars in Pleasant v. North Beach and Mission Railroad Company (January 1868).
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist10/mammy.html
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/ImageFinder/Bancroft/z024.html
http://www.shapingsf.org/ezine/afamerican/mpleasant.html
http://www.mepleasant.com/story2.html
http://www.press.uillinois.edu/f02/hudson.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912238046/fast-bkasin-20/
103-5362656-4423850
    1818 – Capt. James Biddle takes possession of Oregon Territory for U.S.
    1846 – Gen. Stephen W Kearney's US forces captures Santa Fe, NM
http://bchs.kearney.net/BTales_197901.htm
    1848 - "New York Herald" printed an item about the discovery of gold in California.
    1854 - The First Sioux War began when seven US Army soldiers killed Lakota chief Conquering Bear and, in return, were massacred near Fort Laramie, WY.
    1870 – Bernard Baruch (1870-1965) was born in Camden, SC.  He was an American financier, investor, statesman, and political consultant. After his success in business, he devoted his time toward advising Presidents Wilson and Roosevelt on economic matters and became a philanthropist
    1871 - Birthday of Orville Wright (1871-1948), aviation pioneer, at Dayton, OH. There has been controversy as to who launched the first air plane flight in the United States, but he certainly is the one he made flying famous, with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk, NC.
    1873 – Mt. Whitney, the second highest peak in the US, was con­quered for the first time by a trio of American climbers, Charles D. Begole, A.H. Johnson and John Lucas.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/DD/fduqk.html
    1883 - Birthday of Coco Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971) in Samur, France.   French dress designer. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has a full showing of her “work” which is fascinating to view, including jewelry and perfume bottles. Coco Chanel was the preeminent Parisian haute couture and premier arbitrator of western women's fashions for almost six decades. Coco Chanel almost single-handed changed women's wardrobes from works of architectural wonders to clothes that allow a woman to move. Her clothes were first designed for working girls, but soon wealthy women flocked to her small shop to find the clothes that freed them from the abusive corsets. Chanel, for the first time in history, presented women with clothing that fit a woman's body and did not force a woman to fit her designs. She was also one of the first women to make it big in the women's fashion industry. She presented bobbed hair, trench coats, jersey dresses, sweaters, bell-bottom slacks/trousers as well as the classic straight-line skirt as knee length with a boxy jacket that allowed freedom of motion. She retired in 1939 but came back in 1954 when Dior and others started a "romantic" fashion that threatened to return women's clothing to the turn of the century. She raised hems, introduced the chemise dress, the classic Chanel suit look we know today as a simple boxed jacket with a straight skirt with enough room to walk and climb, and, of course, the staple in every wardrobe, "the little black dress." In 1922 she developed a fragrance that is still one of the most highly sold fragrances in the world: Chanel #5. She was orphaned at age six. Her early years are obscure but there were no wealthy men behind her when she opened a small millinery shop in Paris in 1913 and within a very short time, her comfortable clothing had made her the rage of post-World War I Paris. At her height, she employed 3,500! She was described by Vogue as "a revolutionist, a non-conformist, a lone rebel who let women out of the prison of tight corsets. She led women to cut their hair in the 1920's, raise hemlines, stripped away trimmings and feathers, and produced a simplicity that freed women.  Coco Chanel said in a 1954 interview, "There are too many men in this business and they don't know how to make clothes for women. All this fantastic pinching and puffing. How can a woman wear a dress that's cut so she can't lift up her arm to pick up a telephone?" One of the most influential of women's clothing in America.
    1886 - The Christian Union was founded by Baptist clergyman Richard G. Spurling (1858-1935) at the Barney Creek Meeting House in Monroe County, Tennessee. In 1923, this Pentecostal denomination changed its name to the Church of God. Headquartered today in Cleveland, Tennessee, its current membership is nearly 500,000 in 14 congregations.
    1893 - Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, served the first “Black Cow” root beer float in Cripple Creek, CO. Inspired by the moon-lit view of the snow-capped Cow Mountain which reminded him of vanilla ice cream floating on top of the pitch-black mountain, he added a scoop of ice cream to his Myers Avenue Red root beer and began serving it as the “Black Cow Mountain Ice Cream Root Beer Float.” Kids loved it and short­ened the name to “Black Cow.” Cripple Creek Brewing, now located in Warrenville, IL, celebrating its 107th anniversary, sells beverages based on the original formulas, including Myers Avenue Red root beer.  lbartl64lS@aol.com.
Web: www.cripplecreekbrewing.com. 
    1895 – Outlaw John Wesley Hardin was killed by an off-duty policeman in a saloon in El Paso, TX.
    1900 – Rube Waddell threw two complete games as Milwaukee swept a doubleheader from the Chicago White Stockings, 2-1 and 1-0. After throwing 17 innings in the first game, the colorful southpaw was coaxed by skipper Connie Mack, who promised him a few days off to go fishing, to pitch the nightcap.  He hurled a five-inning one-hitter.    
    1902 - Birthday of Ogden Nash (1902-71), American writer, best remembered for his humorous verse, at Rye, NY.  “Undeniably brash/Was young Ogden Nash/ Whose notable verse/Was admirably terse/ And written with panache.”
http://www.aenet.org/poems/ognash1.htm
    1905 - Birthday of drummer Tommy Benford (1905-94), Charleston, WV.
    1906 - Birthday of trombone player/guitarist/arranger Eddie Durham (1906-67), San Marcos, TX. 
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/DD/fduqk.html
http://www.umkc.edu/orgs/kcjazz/jazzfolk/durhe_00.htm
http://www.craftone.co.jp/solo_flight/guitarist/durham,e/discography.html
    1906 – Philo Farnsworth (1906-71) was born near Beaver, UT.  He was an inventor whose early work involved the first fully functional all-electronic image pickup device (video camera tube), the "image dissector," as well as the first fully functional and complete all-electronic television system. He was also the first person to demonstrate such a system to the public. Farnsworth developed a television system complete with receiver and camera, which he produced commercially in the firm of the Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation, from 1938 to 1951, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He asked his high school science teacher, Justin Tolman, for advice about an electronic television system he was contemplating. He provided the teacher with sketches and diagrams covering several blackboards to show how it might be accomplished electronically. He asked his teacher if he should go ahead with his ideas, and he was encouraged to do so.  Later in 1924, Farnsworth applied to the US Naval Academy, where he was recruited after he earned the nation's second highest score on academy tests. However, he was already thinking ahead to his television projects and, upon learning the government would own his patents if he stayed in the military, he sought and received an honorable discharge within months, under a provision in which the eldest child in a fatherless family could be excused from military service in order to provide for his family.
On September 7, 1927, Farnsworth's image dissector camera tube transmitted its first image, a simple straight line, to a receiver in another room of his laboratory at 202 Green Street in San Francisco.  Pem Farnsworth recalled in 1985 that her husband broke the stunned silence of his lab assistants by saying, "There you are — electronic television!"  In 1999, Time magazine included Farnsworth in the "Time 100:  The most Important People of the Century.”
    1907 - Birthday of sax player Joe Rushton (1907-64), Evanston, IL.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,487951,00.html?
artist=Joe+Rushton
    1909 - First edition of “The Little Red Songbook” published in Spokane, WA.  Also known as “I.W.W. Songs” or “Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World,” it is a compilation of tunes, hymns, and songs used by the Workers (I.W.W.) to help build morale, promote solidarity and lift the bleak spirits of the working-class during the Labor Movement.
http://www.bloomington.in.us/~mitch/iww/lrs.html
    1909 - The first car race to be run on brick occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    1912 - Jimmie Shields (d. 1982), one of the most popular Irish tenors in Canada during the 1930's, was born in St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Shields rose to further fame in the US from 1937 to 1941 when he appeared with the orchestras of Eddie Duchin and Morton Gould. He also appeared on several leading radio shows, and, in 1939, had his own weekly program on NBC, "Enna-Jettick Melodies." Shields was a regular performer on the CBC from 1948 until his retirement in 1964.
    1913 - Birthday of Harry Mills (1913-82), leader singer of the famed Mills Brothers, Piqua, OH
    1915 - The Boston Braves opened their new ballpark, Braves Field, with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Braves called this park home through the 1952 season when they moved to Milwaukee.  It is now the home field of Boston University.
    1915 - Birthday of famed writer Ring Lardner, Jr., (1915-2000), son of fabled baseball writer and humorist Ring Lardner. Lardner, Jr., was an Academy Award winning screenwriter (Oscar for “Woman of the Year” and “M*A*S*H”) and he also wrote for television. He was a member of the Hollywood Ten, a group of film industry executives sent to federal prison in 1950 for their refusal to tell the House Un-American Activities Committee if they were members of the Communist Party. He served nine months, and was blacklisted for many years.
    1917 - Team managers John McGraw and Christy Mathewson were arrested for breaking New York City's blue laws. The crime was their teams were playing baseball on Sunday.
    1918 - Pianist Jimmy Rowles (1918-96) birthday in Spokane, WA.
    1918 – Walter Johnson beat St. Louis, 4-3, in 14 innings. The Big Train worked in 15 extra-inning games, including two of 18 innings, one of 16 innings, and another of 15 innings.
    1921 - Birthday of Gene Roddenberry (1921-91), the creator of the popular TV series “Star Trek,” at El Paso, TX. Turning from his first career as an airline pilot to writing, he created one of the most successful TV science fiction series ever. The original series, which ended its run in 1969, lives on in reruns, and the “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager” series have continuing popularity. Eight films also have been spawned from the original concept.
    1921 - At the age of 34, Ty Cobb becomes the youngest player to reach 3000 hits when he singles of off Red Sox hurler Elmer Myers.
    1927 - Henry and Edsel Ford drove the fifteen millionth Model T off the assembly line at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, officially ending Model T production. Production in England ended on August 19; in Ireland on December 31. After revolutionizing the automobile market, sales of the Model T had started to falter due to its failure to keep up with the competition. Total world Model T production: 15,458,781.
    1928 - Canadian pop singer Norman Brooks (1928-2006) was born in Montreal. He is best known for singing in the style of Al Jolson. Brooks played Jolson in the 1956 film "The Best Things in Life Are Free," and also starred in "The Magic of Jolson" on Broadway in 1975. His 1953 recording of "Hello Sunshine" was a substantial hit.
    1929 - "Amos and Andy," the radio comedy program, made its debut on NBC starring Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll.  This popular TV show ran on CBS (1951–53) and continued in syndicated reruns (1954–66). CBS finally gave in to pressure from the NAACP and the growing civil rights movement and withdrew the program. It would not be shown to a nationwide audience again until 2012.
    1931 – Jockey Bill Shoemaker (1931-2003) was born in Fabens, TX.  For 29 years he held the world record for total professional jockey victories with 8833.  In retirement, and after being paralyzed in a Ford Bronco rollover, Shoemaker authored three murder mysteries: “Stalking Horse” (1994), “Fire Horse” (1995), and “Dark Horse” (1996)
    1934 - Roberto Walker Clemente (1934-72), Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, was born at Carolina, Puerto Rico. Clemente, one of the game's best and most exciting outfielders, played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, lead­ing them to a World Series in 1971 and collected 3,000 hits. While on a mission of mercy to deliver supplies to victims of a Nicaraguan earthquake on New Year’s Eve, 1972, he perished in a plane crash off the Nicaraguan coast. He was immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 after the mandatory 5-year waiting period was waived.
    1934 – The first soap box derby was held in Dayton, OH.
    1939 – NJ record was set when 14.8” of rain fell at Tuckerton.
    1940 - The new Civil Aeronautics Administration awarded honorary license #1 to Orville Wright.
    1940 – The B-25 Mitchell bomber, the workhorse of the Doolittle Raid two years later, was launched.  Nearly 10,000 Mitchells rolled from the lines of North American Aviation and served in every theater of World War II.  My father, Army Air Force SSgt Vincent Mango, was a tail gunner on one that flew over 65 missions including cover for the raids on Monte Cassino and the diversion at Calais on D-Day.  The B-25 was also the star of the film version of Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22.”
    1942 - First offensive action in the Guadalcanal where J.F. Junkin, Army air pilot, shoots down a German flown aircraft (allies of the Japanese) in the Solomon Islands, after Carlson's Raiders, a special guerrilla unit led by Lt. Col. Evans Fordyce Carlson, landed on Makin Island, at the northern end of the Gilbert Islands, with orders to destroy the radio station on the island. In 40 hours, every Japanese member of a force of 350 was killed, 1000 gallons of gasoline were set aflame, and the island was rendered militarily useless.
    1943 - Singer Billy J. Kramer was born William Ashton, in Bootle, England. It was Beatles' manager Brian Epstein who brought Kramer together with a Manchester band, the Dakotas, and introduced them to the songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas had their first hit in 1963 with Lennon and McCartney's "Do You Want to Know a Secret." Kramer's other chart records included "Little Children" and "Trains and Boats and Planes." Kramer and the Dakotas parted company in 1966, with Kramer turning to performing in small English clubs.
    1944 - NAKAE, MASATO, Medal of Honor.
Private Masato Nakae distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19 August 1944, near Pisa, Italy. When his submachine gun was damaged by a shell fragment during a fierce attack by a superior enemy force, Private Nakae quickly picked up his wounded comrade's M-1 rifle and fired rifle grenades at the steadily advancing enemy. As the hostile force continued to close in on his position, Private Nakae threw six grenades and forced them to withdraw. During a concentrated enemy mortar barrage that preceded the next assault by the enemy force, a mortar shell fragment seriously wounded Private Nakae. Despite his injury, he refused to surrender his position and continued firing at the advancing enemy. By inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy force, he finally succeeded in breaking up the attack and caused the enemy to withdraw. Private Nakae's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
    1946 - William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd US President (1993—2001), was born at Hope, AR. Left in disgrace due to lying and having an affair with one of his young interns; however, remained popular with those who forgave him. His autobiography was read by over a million people. Accordingly, he appointed more women to important government posts than all the presidents in history combined. There is no controversy that he liked women.
    1946 - Woody Herman Band, directed by Igor Stravinsky, records his ”Ebony Concerto” in Los Angeles.
    1946 - Nat King Cole records “For Sentimental Reasons”, Capital 304.
    1950 - Gillette paid $800,000 for TV rights to the World Series. Radio rights will add another $175,000 more.
    1950 - ABC-TV airs the first children's shows.
(bottom of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug19.html )
    1953 – Maybe this is the reason…The CIA and MI6 helped overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran and reinstated the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. 
    1954 - Top Hits
“Sh-Boom” - The Crewcuts
“The Little Shoemaker” - The Gaylords
“Hey There” - Rosemary Clooney
“I Don't Hurt Anymore” - Hank Snow
    1954 - Ralph J. Bunche (1903-71), diplomat and first Black winner of Nobel Peace Prize, was named undersecretary of the United Nations.
    1955 – WINS 1010 radio in NYC announced it will no longer play "copy" white cover versions of R&B songs by black artists.  DJs must play Fats Domino's "Ain't It a Shame," not Pat Boone's.  Early rock ‘n’ roll was littered with this practice of black artists releasing hits and white singers immediately ‘covering’ and having, in many cases, bigger hits.
    1955 – Hurricane Diane was the first hurricane to cause at least $1 billion in damage.
    1957 - New York Giants vote to move their franchise to San Francisco in 1958.  The move was coordinated with the move of hated rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers, to LA that same year.  The vitriol of the New York rivalry has intensified since as the Dodgers have won five World Series and 9 NL pennants while the Giants have won 3 and 6, respectively.
    1958 - The production of the elegant Packard line came to a halt on this day. Studebaker-Packard attributed the decision to lagging luxury car sales, but many Packard fans were disgruntled by the decision, which came shortly after Packard's acquisition of Studebaker. Many wondered why Packard, with its reputation for high-quality cars and knowledgeable management, would buy the debt-ridden Studebaker Company. Studebaker management assumed the company reins after the merger, not Packard. It was common to call the new car a “stupid-baker.”
    1960 – US U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was convicted of espionage in Moscow.
    1962 - Top Hits
“Breaking Up is Hard to Do” - Neil Sedaka
“The Loco-Motion” - Little Eva
“You Don't Know Me” - Ray Charles
“Wolverton Mountain” - Claude King
    1962 - Homero Blancos plays the finest round in US competitive golf history, shooting a 55 at the Premier Invitational Golf Tournament held in Longview, TX.
    1962 - Peter, Paul and Mary released their first US Top 10 hit, "If I Had a Hammer."
    1963 - National Association of the Advancement of Colored People Youth Council begins sit-ins at lunch counters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
    1964 - The Beatles opened their first US tour at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Others to cross the stage include Jackie DeShannon and the Righteous Brothers.
    1967 - The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" hits #1 the pop charts. On the same day, Ringo Starr and his wife Maureen have a baby boy named Jason.
    1967 - PLESS, STEPHEN W., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Major (then Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, VMD-6, Mag-36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Place and date: Near Quang Nai, Republic of Vietnam, 19 August 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 6 September 1939, Newman, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces. During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a Treeline. His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing one of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
    1968 - After 58 episodes, the final “Monkees” TV show airs on NBC. Since the its initial run, almost every major cable network has aired re-runs of the show, including a popular stint on CBS from 1969-1972
    1969 - Trumpeter Miles Davis began recording sessions in New York for what would eventually become the ground-breaking jazz-rock fusion album "Br*tches Brew." Among the musicians taking part were Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul. There were no rehearsals and Davis gave the musicians only minimal directions.
    1969 - 'Never say die' Hurricane Camille let loose a cloudburst in Virginia resulting in flash floods and landslides which killed 151 persons and caused $140 million in damage. Massies Hill, VA received 27 inches of rain.
    1970 - Top Hits
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” - Carpenters
“Make It with You” - Bread
“Spill the Wine” - Eric Burdon & War
“Don't Keep Me Hangin' On” - Sonny James
    1972 - NBC-TV presented "The Midnight Special" for the first time. John Denver was the host for the first show. Wolfman Jack was the show's announcer. "The Midnight Special" proved to be a ratings success.
    1974 - During an anti-American protest in Nicosia, Cyprus, US Ambassador Rodger P. Davies was fatally wounded by a bullet while in the American embassy.
    1976 - The Republican National Convention nominates President Gerald Ford for reelection in a narrow victory over former governor Ronald Reagan of California. Senator Robert J. Dole of Kansas was nominated for the vice-presidency.  
    1977 - Fleetwood Mac's reunion album "The Dance" is released. The disc was taken from two shows that were recorded live at a Warner Brothers soundstage a few months earlier.
    1978 - Top Hits
“Three Times a Lady” - Commodores
“Grease” - Frankie Valli
“Miss You” - The Rolling Stones
“Talking in Your Sleep” - Crystal Gayle
    1978 - Alicia Bridges enters the soul chart with "I Love the Nightlife." Though the single will only reach as high as #31 in its seventeen weeks on the chart, the song's title will become a disco-era catch-phrase.
    1980 - Christopher Cross comes from nowhere and has one of the biggest hits of the year off his debut album which goes platinum on this date. He has three top fifteen hits, including the Number One, "Sailing." He will take home five Grammies in February
    1984 - Lee Trevino wins the PGA
    1986 - Top Hits
“Papa Don't Preach” - Madonna
“Higher Love” - Steve Winwood
“Venus” - Bananarama
“You’re the Last Thing I Needed Tonight” - John Schneider
    1986 - The temperature at San Antonio, TX, soared to an all-time record high of 108 degrees
    1987 - It was on this day that consumer reporter David Horowitz was held at gunpoint on camera. During a KNBC-TV newscast in Burbank, CA, Horowitz was forced to read the assailant's rambling note. The news director took the program off the air until police could get the gunman off the set. Horowitz was unharmed.
    1988 - Raleigh, NC reported a record hot temperature reading of 103 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 75 mph in southern Pittsburg County. Thunderstorms in Indiana produced 4.50 inches of rain at Morgantown
    1990 - White Sox Bobby Thigpen records his 40th save as the Chicago White Sox beat the Rangers, 4-2. He becomes the only eighth reliever to reach this milestone in Major League history.
    1991 - Hurricane Bob was located 30-35 miles east of Cape Hatteras NC, and was at its peak intensity of 115 mph. Damage from Bob was estimated at $1.5 billion, making it the 15th costliest hurricane in U.S. History. A total of 18 people died in the storm.
    1991 – In the Crown Heights Riot in Queens, NYC, Black groups targeted Hasidic Jews for three days after two black children were hit by a car driven by a Hasidic man.
    1992 - When Mariner second baseman Bret Boone, the grandson of Ray Boone (1948-60) and son of Bob Boone (1972-90) makes a start against the Orioles, he becomes part of the first three-generation family to play in the Major Leagues.  Brett’s brother, Aaron, also played 12 seasons with a number of clubs and is now manager of the New York Yankees.
    1992 - IBM and Sears, Roebuck & Co. announce they are working together to create a voice-and-data network service called "Advantis." The two companies had already been working together since the mid-1980s to create the online service Prodigy. With their entry into Internet provider services, the companies expected to generate at least $1 billion a year in revenue.
    1999 – “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    2004 - Google Inc. stock began selling on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The initial price was set at $85 and ended the day at $100.34 with more than 22 million shares traded.
    2009 - U.S. Army officer William Calley publicly apologized for the My Lai massacre during the Viet Nam War.
    2014 - Community Health Systems Inc., a private hospital company, revealed that Social Security numbers and other personal data were stolen for 4.5 million patients in April and June; the company believes the attack is the work of Chinese hackers.
    2014 - Google will be launching a paid subscription-based music service featuring YouTube music video content; the service will be separate from the company's existing subscription music service on Google Play.