Passing of Leonard Machlis, Executive Director
for 38 Years, Commercial Finance Association

"To Our CFA Community:

"It is with great sadness that we share the passing of the Commercial Finance Association’s former Executive Director, Leonard Machlis. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Len’s family, including his wife, Harriet, sons, Steven, Brian and Roger, and his daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Len joined CFA in 1955, after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was the Executive Director for 38 years, retiring in 2002. After retiring, Len and Harriet moved from New Jersey to New York City and enjoyed all of the cultural events NYC has to offer, especially the theater.

"If one person can make a difference, Len made that difference. Under his leadership and vision the CFA grew from a small regional finance association into an international trade association representing the full gamut of financial institutions. He lived and breathed CFA during his career and traveled the country unceasingly in furtherance of CFA’s goals. Along the way, he touched the lives of so many of our members and staff. Len was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.

"The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 7, at 11:00 am at Riverside Memorial Chapel, located at 180 West 76th Street, Manhattan. Following the service, the internment will be at B'nai Torah Cemetery, 250 Reid Street, Fairfield, CT.”

For further details concerning arrangements, please contact CFA.

Sincerely,
Richard D. Gumbrecht
CEO, Commercial Finance Association

Leonard Machlis Obituary Notice
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-york-ny/leonard-machlis-8079546

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Marshall Goldberg Reports California Senate Bill 1235
Will Not Become Effective Before Year End 2019

Marshall Goldberg reports, "Recently enacted California Senate Bill 1235 will require consumer-like disclosures to be made on certain commercial finance products under $500,000, including small business loans and merchant cash advances, and leases with nominal purchase options, among other things.

“Many clients and friends have questioned when the new law will become effective. The Dept. of Business Oversight ("DBO") follows a set of comprehensive rules and requirements that include pre-text  and post-text comment periods and when complete, the formal text is submitted to the Office of Administrative Law ("OAL") for its final approval.

"The DBO has assured us that the legislation will not become effective before the expiration of these comment and approval periods or until the quarter following final approval. As such, compliance with the legislation will not be required at least through the end of 2019.  On December 4, 2018, the DBO Commissioner published an invitation for the first round of pre-text comments, which are due by January 29, 2019."

DBO Invitation for Comment
https://www.elfaonline.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/state/dboinvitationforcomment.pdf

(It should be noted a bill in New Jersey, NJ S2262, similar to the California bill, but more pointed to Merchant Cash Advance, has passed the last Senate vote, but has not moved forward since October 29, 2018.  In the meantime, the New York Attorney General has announced an investigation into the abuse of Merchant Cash Advance default procedures.)

Marshall Goldenberg, Esq.
GLASS & GOLDBERG, ALC
22917 Burbank Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-4203.
(818) 888-2220
mgoldberg@glassgoldberg.com

 

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 New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Michael Clune, CLFP, was promoted to Director of Capital Markets,
First American Equipment Finance, an RBC/City National Company, Fairpoint, New York.  He joined the 2011 as AVP, Operations/Sales/Credit; promoted March, 2016, VP, Syndications. Community Service: Volunteer: Finance Advisory Board Member, St. John Fisher College (2018). Education: Saint John Fisher College. Corporate Finance, Magna cum Laude.  Activities and Societies: Beta Gamma Sigma International, Honor Society, Investment Club. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-clune-clfp-51812a22/

Andre Crompton was hired as Senior Vice President of Indirect Originations, Wintrust Asset Finance, a division of Wintrust Commercial Finance, Frisco, Texas.  He will be located at Wintrust Commercial Finance New Jersey office in Jersey City. Previously, he was Managing Director, First Vice President, Old Sterling National Bank (June, 2012 - November, 2018). He started at Societe Generale Equipment Finance April, 2008, as Senior Credit Analyst; promoted December, 2008, Syndicator Capital Markets. Prior, he was Senior Credit Analyst, Bank of America (September, 2002 - October, 2005). Community Service: Volunteer: Board Member, YMCA of Greater New York (June, 2014 - Present).  Member Board of Directors, St. Anthony Charter School, Dallas, Texas (May, 2017 - Present).  Education: University of Notre Dame, Business (1998 - 2002). St Benedict's Prep. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrecrompton/

John A. Curtis was hired as Managing Director, Corporate Finance, Infinity Finance Group, Dallas, Texas.  He is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Previously, he was Self-Employed since September, 2017. Prior, he was Group President, Southwest, MB Business Capital (October, 2015 - August, 2017); Executive Vice President, First Capital (March 1988 - March, 2015).  Education: Oklahoma State University. BS, Finance (1980 - 1984); Oklahoma City University, MBA, Finance (1986 - 1988). https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-curtis-91914a5/

James Door was promoted to Chief Credit Officer, Equipment Finance Group, Wells Fargo.  He joined the firm 2006 as Executive Vice President, 2006; promoted in 2011, Group Head, Retail Finance and Commercial Services Group.  Previously, he was Managing Director, Bank of America Retail Finance (1999 - 2006); Vice President, GE Capital (1990 - 1999).  Education: Fairfield University, MBA, Finance (1998 - 2000); Stonehill College. BS. Business Administration (1986 - 1999).  https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dore-022095b/

Jessica Garcia was hired as Chief Executive Officer, Simplified Funding Solutions, New York, New York. Previously, she was Relationship Manager, Region Capital (May, 2018 - September, 2018);ISO Relationship Manager, Greenbox Capital (November, 2017 - May, 2018); Branch Operations Manager, World Business Lenders, LLC (July, 2016 - February, 2017); Vice President, Operations, Leverage Point, LLC (August, 2013 - April, 2016); Operations Manager, Cityscape Financial (May, 2011 - July, 2013).  Education: Miami Dade College.  Associate's degree.  Business Administration, Management and Operations. (2017 - 2018).  The Legacy School for Integrated Studies.  High School Diploma. High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates. (2007 - 2010).  Activities and Societies:  Student Council, Soccer Team, Karate Club. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-garcia-6b751756/

Richard S. Greenwood was hired as VP, Sales, Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas.  He is based out of Rochester, Michigan. Previously, he was Senior Account Executive, LCA, Lease Corporation of America (April, 2012 - November, 2018).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-s-greenwood-a79ba327/

Casey Maley was promoted to Area Manager, US Bank, Capital Equipment Group, covering Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana & West Virginia.  He is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Previously, he was  at PNC Equipment Finance, starting as Assistant Vice President, January, 2012; promoted to Vice President, 2016.  Prior, He was Commercial Credit Analyst II, Fifth Third Bank (June, 2007 - April, 2010).  Education: Northern Kentucky University, Bachelor's degree, Finance General (2003 - 2007).https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-maley-a3038b40/

John McBride was hired as Vice President of Sales, Vendor Service Group, Alliance Funding Group, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Previously, he was at Direct Capital Corporation, joining 2012, as Finance Manager; promoted June, 2015, Enterprise Account Manager; promoted January, 2017, Senior Team Leader, Sales.  Prior, he was Business Development Manager, TimePayment Corp. (April, 2009 - February, 2012); Training and Online Education Associate, Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. (January, 2004 - July, 2006). Community Service: Volunteer: YP4M, Education: Volunteer: YPRM, Subset of Big Brother Big Sister of New Hampshire (January, 2016 - Present).  Education, BS, Business Administration (2001 - 2006) GPA of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. Graduated Magna Cum Laude.  Major: Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Management.  Exeter High School, Diploma, High School (1996 -2001). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmcbride1021/

Jake Nguyen, CLFP, was hired as Vice President and Credit Manager, Wintrust Specialty Finance, Rosemont, Illinois.  He is located in Newport Beach, California.  Previously, he was AVP, Credit Manager, Hanmi Bank (December, 2015 - October, 2018); Credit, Banc of California (December, 2015 - January, 2018); Credit Officer, Financial Pacific Leasing, A subsidiary of Umpqua Bank (April, 2014 - November, 2015); Credit Analyst, Sterling Savings Bank (Formerly Commerce National Bank) (December, 2006 - April, 2014); Credit Analyst, Commerce National Bank (December, 2006 - October, 2013). Certified Lease and Finance Professional. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakevnguyen/

Richard O’Brien was hired as Managing Director, Technology Capital Advisors, Newport Beach, California. Previously, he was Financial Solutions Consultant, Presidio Technology Capital (December, 2012 - June, 2018); Director of Technology Finance, VeriStor Systems, Inc. (July, 2010 - December, 2012); Senior Account Manager/Team Leader Technology & Financial Solutions Group, Presidio (2006 - 2010); Director of Technology Finance, Churchill Technology Finance (2002 - 2006). Education: University of Redlands, Bachelor of Arts, Business Management.  Stanford University, Certificate, Mortgage Banking and Real Estate Finance.  University of California, Los Angeles, Certificate, Management. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-o-brien-5713ba1b/

Karina Pitkin was hired as Senior Credit Officer, CircleUp, San Francisco, California.  Previously, she was Credit Risk Officer, Oracle (October, 2010 - December, 2018); Underwriting Administrator, Comerica Bank (February, 2005 - October, 2010).  Education: San Jose State University, Bachelor, Finance. Comerica Bank. Commercial credit Training Program (2005).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-pitin-82890811/

Kimberly Poston was promoted to Senior Director, Contract Operations, GreatAmerica Financial Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She joined the firm August, 2004, as Vendor Relationship Manager; promoted February, 2011, Team Leader; promoted October, 2013, Director, Account Support (October, 2013 - October, 2018).  Community Service: Volunteer: Board Member (Chairman, 2013). Caring Corner Christian Daycare and Preschool (2011 - 2013).  Education: Mount Mercy University. Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Administrative Management and Marketing (2002 - 2004).  Kirkwood Community College, Associate of Arts (A.A.) (2000 - 2002). https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-poston-0820b5a7/

Kim Riggs was hired at Orion Frist, Gig Harbor, Washington, as a member of the Business Development Team. Previously, she was Vice President, Business Development, Snap Advance (May, 2016 - October, 2018); Sales Account Manager, Quiktrak (June, 2010 - May, 2016). Education: Washington State University Bachelor's degree, Business (1988 - 1992). https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-riggs-41383042/

Robert Rubino was hired as President of CIT Bank, N.A., as well as Head of Commerce Banking, New York, New York. Previously, he was Co-President, Santander Bank, N.A., as well as Head of Commercial Banking. "Prior to that, he served as the executive vice president of Commercial Banking at Citizens Financial Group. During his 10 years with the company, he led Corporate Finance & Capital Markets and was instrumental in building the commercial bank. Prior to Citizens, Rubino served in a variety of executive roles at Bank of America, including within the Business Capital division. He earned a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics and a bachelor's degree in economics from Providence College."

Holly Shoemaker was hired as Vice President, Onset Financial, Midvale, Utah.  Previously, she was in Equipment Finance, BofI Federal Bank (April, 2016 - November, 2018); Vice President, Pacific Western Equipment Finnace, a division of Pacific Western Bank (June, 2006 - March, 2016). https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-shoemaker-34255320/

Jonathan VanKouwenberg was promoted to Sales Analyst at First American Equipment Finance, Rochester, New York.  He joined the firm August, 2018, as Direct Sales Intern.  Previously, he was a Leasing Agent, NDG Student Living (January, 2017 - June, 2018); Assembly Line Worker, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (May, 2017 - August, 2017). He started as a Night Clerk, November, 2015 at Onondaga Community College; promoted to Resident Assistant, January, 2016).  Education:" SUNY Oneonta, Bachelor's degree, Psychology.  Onondaga Community College, Humanities/Humanistic Studies (2014 - 2016). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-vankouwenberg-3bbb97169/

Chelsea Wood was hired as Vice President, Funding Manager, Wintrust Specialty Finance, Frisco, Texas. She is located in Orange County, California.  Previously, she was Senior Funder, Hanmi Bank (October, 2016 - October, 2018); Commercial Finance Funding Training Manager, Banc of California (August, 2002 - October, 2016); Instructional Aide, Orange Unified School District (May, 2015 - June, 2015).  Education:  Grand Canyon University, Master of Education (M.ED)., Special Education and Teaching (2014 - 2016).  California State University, Northridge, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, Communicative Disorders, 4.0 (2011 - 2012). Received accredited license from ASHA for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.  California State University, Fullerton, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Communicative Disorders. (2007 - 2011). Activities and Societies: National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-wood-523577b9/

Fred Van Etten, President, Midland Equipment Finance
Plays Golf with former President George H.W. Bush

"I certainly enjoyed playing golf with the President and meeting Barbara. They were a class act.  They will be missed.

"The person to the left is Evan Johansen, CEO of Redstone Golf.(Fred in glasses next to Barbara Bush). The person on the far right is Rob Shannon who was SVP and worked for AON Insurance co.

"Picture was taken at Cypress Wood golf course in Houston Texas. The event was The U.S. Secret Service Charity Golf tournament which raised money for killed and injured Secret Service agents, and it was taken in April 21, 1999."

 

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 Federal Reserve Beige Book November, 2018 Report
Uncertainty Popping Up, Trade Deficits, Hiring Problems

12 regions achieved satisfactory growth in November but also says there is "increased uncertainty" among businesses over the influence of US tariff policy. The report highlights rising costs for manufacturers and problems for farmers due to counter tariffs imposed by China and others.

Over half of the districts cited firms for which employment, production and sometimes capacity expansion had been constrained by an inability to attract and retain qualified workers,” the report

Overall Economic Activity
Most of the twelve Federal Reserve Districts reported that their economies expanded at a modest or moderate pace from mid-October through late November, though both Dallas and Philadelphia noted slower growth compared with the prior Beige Book period. St. Louis and Kansas City noted just slight growth. On balance, consumer spending held steady – District reports on growth of non-auto retail sales appeared somewhat weaker while auto sales tended to improve, particularly for used cars. Tourism reports varied but generally kept pace with the economy. Tariffs remained a concern for manufacturers, but a majority of Districts continued to report moderate growth in the sector. All Districts reported growth in nonfinancial services – ranging from slight to strong. New home construction and existing home sales tended to decline or hold steady, while construction and leasing of nonresidential structures tended to rise or remain flat. Overall, lending volumes grew modestly, although a few Districts noted some slowing. Agricultural conditions and farm incomes were mixed; some Districts noted impacts from excessive rainfall and from tariffs, which have constrained demand. Most energy sectors saw little change or modest growth. Most Districts reported that firms remained positive; however, optimism has waned in some as contacts cited increased uncertainty from impacts of tariffs, rising interest rates, and labor market constraints.

Employment and Wages
Labor markets tightened further across a broad range of occupations. Over half of the Districts cited firms for which employment, production, and sometimes capacity expansion had been constrained by an inability to attract and retain qualified workers. In fact, several Chicago firms reported that some employees have simply quit – with no notice nor means of contact. Partly as a consequence of labor shortages, most Districts reported that employment growth leaned to the slower side of a modest to moderate pace. Conversely, most Districts reported that wage growth tended to the higher side of a modest to moderate pace. In addition to raising wages, most Districts noted examples of firms enhancing nonwage benefits, including health benefits, profit-sharing, bonuses, and paid vacation days.

Prices
On balance, prices rose at a modest pace in most Districts, although a few noted moderate increases. Nearly all reported that input costs rose faster than final goods prices. Reports of tariff-induced cost increases have spread more broadly from manufacturers and contractors to retailers and restaurants. Local growing conditions caused prices to vary across farm products and among Districts, but reported soybean prices were typically lower. Several Districts noted falling oil and fuel prices, as well as rising freight costs. House prices continued to rise in a majority of markets.

Highlights plus Full Report
https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook201812.htm

 

 

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

OnDeck to Combine Canadian Operations
with Evolocity Financial Group

Combination Will Create A Leading Online Lending Platform
Serving Small Businesses in Canada

The transaction will combine the direct sales, operations, and local underwriting expertise of the Evolocity team with the marketing and business development capabilities of the Toronto-based OnDeck team. The combined enterprise will also benefit from the scale, technology and data analytics of the wider OnDeck group. Neil Wechsler will serve as Chief Executive Officer of OnDeck Canada, and the management team will include  Evolocity co-founders David Souaid as Chief Revenue Officer and Harley Greenspoon as Chief Operating Officer.

Noah Breslow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, OnDeck, said, “The combination of OnDeck’s Canadian operations with Evolocity will create a leading online platform for small business financing throughout Canada and represents a significant investment in the Canadian market.

 “There is an enormous need among underserved Canadian small businesses to access capital quickly and easily online, supported by trusted and knowledgeable customer service experts. Working together with the outstanding Evolocity team, we will provide a broad range of financing options to further enhance the small business lending experience across Canada.”

OnDeck pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. It has originated over CAD$200 million in online small business loans in Canada since entering the market in 2014.

Evolocity has provided over CAD$240 million of financing to Canadian small businesses since 2010. It uses proprietary risk scoring models, data aggregation, and electronic payment technology, along with Canadian credit and financial performance data to underwrite and facilitate small business financing. With over 70 full-time employees, Evolocity has the skilled talent, industry expertise, and localized technology to continue to successfully serve the Canadian market.

Neil Wechsler, CEO of Evolocity Financial Group, said, “We are excited to join forces with OnDeck, the North American leader in online small business lending, to enhance our best in class digital financing solutions to small businesses across Canada.

“Additionally, this transaction will augment our data science and analytics capabilities to help deliver an unparalleled merchant experience. The new OnDeck Canada is well positioned to be a leader in the Canadian marketplace.”

In Canada, small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy. The most recent analysis on small businesses from the Canadian government* reported that there are 1.14 million small businesses representing 97.9 percent of all businesses in Canada. Small businesses employed over 8.2 million individuals in Canada, or 70.5 percent of the total private workforce. More than half of those businesses – 51.3 percent – requested external financing according to the Canadian government, yet less than half received the financing they needed, according to Statistics Canada.

The combination of OnDeck’s Canadian operations and Evolocity is designed to fill that small business credit gap. It will allow small businesses in Canada to benefit from a broad offering of innovative financing options and a superior customer experience, delivered by a dedicated Canadian customer team, operating locally out of offices in Montreal and Toronto.

Transaction Details

The transaction combines OnDeck’s Canadian operations with Evolocity Financial Group to create a new and larger company. Once integrated, these two companies will be branded as OnDeck Canada.  OnDeck Canada and Evolocity are contributing their businesses and assets to the combined enterprise and OnDeck will make supplemental cash investments such that OnDeck will own a majority interest in the new combined entity.

The new entity will be governed by a Board of Directors chaired by OnDeck CEO Noah Breslow and comprised of existing OnDeck and Evolocity management. The entity will be consolidated and reported in OnDeck’s financial statements with Evolocity’s existing shareholder stake reported as a non-controlling interest.  The transaction is expected to close in early 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

About OnDeck

OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK) is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small business. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online.  Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners.  The company also offers bank clients a comprehensive technology and services platform that facilitates online lending to small business customers through ODX, a wholly-owned subsidiary. OnDeck has provided over $10 billion in loans to customers in 700 different industries across the United States, Canada and Australia. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is rated 5 stars by Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.

About Evolocity Financial Group

Evolocity Financial Group offers fast and flexible financing solutions to small and medium-sized Canadian businesses. With a simple online application process, Evolocity Financial Group is focused on SME merchants and is a great source of growth capital, quickly. A Canadian company, Evolocity understands the unique cash flow demands affecting small businesses and has developed an innovative approach to SME financing. For more information, please visit www.evolocity.ca.

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

Official : Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance
Acquires ENGS Holdings, Inc.

ITASCA, IL –  ENGS Commercial Finance Co. (”ENGS”), an industry leading commercial finance company, is pleased to announce that it has closed on the sale of all shares of ENGS to Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited (“MUL”).  

MUL is a prominent global leasing company headquartered in Tokyo and its principal shareholders include Mitsubishi Corporation, a leading Japanese trading and investment company, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., one of the world's leading financial institutions.  With this acquisition of ENGS, MUL has expanded its global reach of vendor finance into North America.  ENGS will continue to expand its existing relationships and markets with its vendors and will also be the North American vendor-based platform for MUL’s international clients.   

Craig Weinewuth, President and CEO of ENGS, said,” “We are extremely excited to become part of the MUL family,” commented.  “The strength and power of the MUL brand worldwide is unrivaled.  Becoming the North American vendor finance platform for MUL will provide great benefits to our employees, vendors and customers.  Together with MUL’s existing U.S. businesses, we will be able to offer our vendor and customer clients global products and services that very few in the U.S. can match.” 

Mr. Weinewuth continued, “MUL and ENGS share the same vision to become the leading commercial finance company in the U.S.  We know that in order to achieve this, we have to provide the best products and services to our clients.  With the strength and resources of MUL behind us, we will be in an even better position to achieve this.”

About Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd. (“MUL”.)  

MUL is a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under 8593 and reported 2018 revenues of ¥869.9 billion.  MUL was founded in 1971. The U.S. is a high priority region for MUL.  MUL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance (U.S.A.) Inc (“MULUSA”), has supported capital investment of Japanese companies in the U.S. since 1985.  In recent years, MULUSA has expanded its capital investment to U.S. based companies through its Corporate Asset Finance Division based in San Diego.  It has grown its global asset business in the U.S. through its acquisitions of Jackson Square Aviation, LLC, a leading aircraft leasing company, Beacon Intermodal Leasing, LLC, a marine container leasing company and full entry into freight car leasing through an alliance with Greenbrier Leasing Company.
 
About ENGS Commercial Finance Co.
ENGS Commercial Finance Company (ENGS) is a U.S. based industry leading, full-service commercial finance company.  ENGS specializes in Equipment Finance, Working Capital Finance, and Insurance. ENGS offers industry-specific vendor finance programs with a commitment to Service, Speed and Simplicity.  Since 1952, ENGS has been consistently lending and helping our customers expand their businesses. ENGS is recognized as a leading independent finance company in the U.S. by The Monitor.

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

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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

A taut thriller (“Widows”) and a giddy animated sequel (“Ralph Breaks the Internet”) come to theaters, while DVD releases offer effervescent comedy (“The Spy Who Dumped Me”), unbridled delirium (“Mandy”), and an all-time masterpiece (“The Magnificent Ambersons”).

In theaters:

Widows (Twentieth-Century Fox): Intense Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) lightens up a bit with this pulpy, crowd-pleasing thriller, which features a knockout ensemble cast. The widows of the title are Veronica (Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo), the wives of four thieves killed off in a bank heist. Facing threats from their husbands’ underworld activities, the women decide to team up and go ahead with the daring caper originally planned. Things don’t go as planned, naturally, with the characters’ actions opening up a hidden web of crime and politics. Always a meticulous engineer, McQueen brings eccentric camera angles to the genre mechanics. The film’s best asset, however, remains the performances, with special kudos to Davis, Debicki, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall.

Ralph Breaks the Internet (Walt Disney Animation Studios): The 2012 animated hit delves deeper into the online wonderland in this sequel, which matches the original in speed and irreverence. Having since gone from arcade-game villain to unlikely hero, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) has a new mission, helping his best friend Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) find a replacement for her video game, “Sugar Rush.” In order to do so, he ventures into the endless spaces of the Internet, encountering a wide variety of cyber-denizens. Bumping into YouTube whiners along with Disney princesses, Ralph and Vanellope encounter online fame but soon run amok of greedy corporations and virus-infested clones. Expanding its giddy satire to tackle the various facets of online culture, the movie packs plenty of color and breezy wit.

Nextflix: A wildly eccentric visionary, British director Nicolas Roeg (1928-2018) created some of the most original and unsettling films of the 20th-century. So check out Netflix for his greatest works, which include “Performance” (1970), “Walkabout” (1971), “Don’t Look Now” (1973), “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (1976), and “Insignificance” (1985).

On DVD:

The Spy Who Dumped Me (Lionsgate): Effervescent comic chemistry buoys this spoof of secret agent thrillers, which mixes frantic jokes with cloak-and-dagger action. The intrigue kicks off as Audrey (Mila Kunis) gets fed up with her boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux), who turns out to be an international spy with enemies on his tail. A storm of phone texts and a fantasy football trophy suddenly land her in his deadly field, with her best friend Morgan (Kate McKinnon) eagerly tagging along. Dropped into a world where nobody can be trusted, the two women have to find their way through a maelstrom of assassins and turncoats. Directed by Susanna Fogel, the film gets some frisky mileage out of playfully subverting the genre’s standard macho tropes, helped immensely by McKinnon’s offbeat comic inventiveness.

Mandy (RLJE Films): Nicolas Cage gives his most electrifying performance in years in this dark, no-holds-barred revenge tale, set in 1983. Cage plays Red, whose dream life with beloved wife Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) gives way to a nightmare when their home is invaded by savage killers led by a sadistic cult leader named Jeremiah (Linus Roach). Things turn more and more surreal as Red’s mind spirals into vengeful obsession, launching him on a wild mission that threatens to consume his very soul. Director Panos Cosmatos creates a stylishly savage trip through its protagonist’s unmoored psyche that’s sure to fascinate some and repel others. While its expressionistic violence is certainly not for everyone, the film achieves undeniable pulp intensity thanks to Cage’s unabashed blurring of delirious, visceral emotions.

The Magnificent Ambersons (Criterion): One of the greatest of all films, Orson Welles’ sublime 1942 follow-up to “Citizen Kane” is an astounding meditation on cinematic time and being. Adapted from Booth Tarkington’s novel, it follows the eponymous upper-crust family as the twentieth century looms and their old ways of life threaten to vanish. At the center is spoiled scion George (Tim Holt), who is determined to stand between the romance of his mother Isabel (Dolores Costello) and dashing car industrialist Eugene (Joseph Cotten). As their fortune dwindles, the Ambersons (including the spinsterish Aunt Fanny, remarkably played by Agnes Moorehead) must face the merciless onslaught of time. Famously butchered by the studio, Welles’ film in its current form is nevertheless a masterpiece to be cherished by movie-lovers now and forever. 

Poodle Mix
Van Nuys, California  Adopt a Dog

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7 year old poodle mix Male good with other dogs. Very friendly

Pet Orphans of Southern California
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Phone: (818) 901 - 0190
Fax: (818) 901 - 0011
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Tuesday - Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm

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

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Leasing News Classified Ads

Operations / Remarketing / Repossessions

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News Briefs----

U.S. Trade Gap Widens to 10-Year High Amid China Tensions
   Deficit of $55.5 billion tops estimates as imports increase
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-06/u-s-trade-gap-widens-to-10-year-high-amid-tensions-with-china

Glassdoor: In-N-Out is a Better Place to Work than Google
Glassdoor's annual rankings put the burger chain No. 3 over
https://www.qsrmagazine.com/employee-management/glassdoor-n-out-better-place-work-google

Powell Says U.S. Labor Market ‘Very Strong’
     by Many Measures
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-06/powell-says-u-s-labor-market-very-strong-by-many-measures?srnd=premium

[headlines]
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You May Have Missed---

How to Be Invisible on the Internet
  Turning Off Privacy in Search sites and Devices
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/how-to-be-invisible-on-the-internet/

[headlines]
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 “You got to want it to win it and we want it more. You got to want it to win it and we want it more. Go Niners.”

“We're headed for the top, We're solid as a rock, We can't be stopped, Because we're HOT HOT HOT!!!”

“Clap your hands, And stomp your feet, And jam to the rhythm of the Grizzly beat, It goes (stomp, clap, stomp stomp, clap, stomp clap), Do it “

“Its time, to cheer, Seahawks are here, Seahawks, Seahawks, Yeah, This is our year!!!”

IF YOU WANT TO WIN THIS GAME ……. 
YOU HAVE TO SHOUT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!!! 

WE SAY "GO" 
YOU SAY…….FIGHT!!

GO………FIGHT! 
GO………FIGHT! 

Everyone together yell: WIN
 Uh-Oh!!! We lost.

 

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---

Bleacher Report's Expert Consensus Week 14 NFL Picks
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2809251-bleacher-reports-expert-consensus-week-14-nfl-picks#slide0

Alex Smith dealing with scary complications from broken leg
https://nypost.com/2018/12/06/alex-smith-dealing-with-scary-complications-from-broken-leg/

Reuben Foster’s ex-girlfriend: 49ers intercepted
    Tampa police in abuse investigation
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Reuben-Foster-s-ex-girlfriend-49ers-13448394.php

NFL suspends 49ers long snapper — yes, their long snapper
    — 10 games for second PED violation
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl-suspends-49ers-long-snapper-yes-long-snapper-10-games-second-ped-violation-022208068.html

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

San Jose approves Google land deal:
  Police remove protesters as council closes chambers
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Google-s-San-Jose-land-deal-vote-Police-remove-13443835.php

Santa Cruz Fire Chief retires, takes ‘dream job’ at Facebook
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/06/santa-cruz-fire-chief-jim-frawley-to-retire-work-for-facebook/

Sonoma County develops plan for PG&E blackouts during fire weather
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9032501-181/sonoma-county-develops-plan-for

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Taste Washington Tickets On Sale
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=206953

2018 Wine Harvest Report: Sonoma Sings of an Ideal Year
https://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/Sonoma-Sings-of-an-Ideal-Year

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

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

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

This Day in History

    1661 - Under pressure from the British Parliament, the American Colony of Massachusetts suspended its Corporal Punishment Act of 1656, which had imposed harsh penalties on Quakers and other religious nonconformists.
     1787 - In Dover, Delaware, the U.S. Constitution is unanimously ratified by all 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention.  Less than four months before, the Constitution was signed by 37 of the original 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia. The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, and, by the terms of the document, the Constitution would become binding once nine of the former 13 colonies had ratified the document. Delaware led the process, and on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making federal democracy the law of the land. Government under the U.S. Constitution took effect on March 4, 1789.
    1787 - Delaware became the "First State" when it was first to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. As a result of their quick action, it was admitted first into the Union. Also known as the Diamond State, Delaware is the smallest of the Southern states and is the second smallest of all 50 states. The state bird of Delaware is the blue hen.  Thomas Collins, who was president of Delaware at that time, automatically became the first state governor.
    1796 - Electors chose John Adams to be the second President of the United States.
    1801 - Abigail Hopper Gibbons (d. 1893) birthday in Philadelphia.  She was a U.S. prison reformer and whose New York home was a stop for runaway slaves. Raised in the Quaker tradition of good works, she was instrumental in establishing reforms in women's prisons in New York, personally implemented and aided a number of assistance programs including a home for indigent infants and children. She nursed for 3.5 years during the Civil War and her criticisms and reforms of hospital and surgical conditions earned her the enmity of many Army officers and medical men. Her pre-war anti-slavery campaigns translated into compassionate care for the freed slaves. Her fight for police matrons rather than men guards who often abused and raped women prisoners was one of her most significant campaigns and, at age 91, she was victorious in the creation of a women's reformatory in New York City.
http://civilwartalk.com/cwt_alt/resources/women/a_gibbons.htm
http://www.alexanderstreet2.com/CWLDLive/BIOS/A3BIO.html
    1805 - Having seen the Pacific Ocean for the first time a few weeks earlier, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark cross to the south shore of the Columbia River (near modern-day Portland) and begin building the small fort that would be their winter home.
    1808 - James Madison was elected President, succeeding Thomas Jefferson.  George Clinton, Republican of New York, was elected Vice-President. The electoral vote was Madison, Democratic-Republican of Virginia, 122; Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a Federalist of South Carolina, 47; George Clinton, 6. In the Vice-President race, the electoral vote was Clinton, 113; Rufus King, Federalist of New York, 47.
    1836 - Martin Van Buren was elected President. The electoral vote was Van Buren, 170; William Henry Harrison, Anti-Masonic candidate, 73; Sen. Hugh L. White of Tennessee, anti-Jacksonian Democrat, 26; Daniel Webster, Massachusetts, Whig candidate, 14; and William P. Mangum of North Carolina, 11. The popular vote was Van Buren, 761,549; Harrison, 549,567; White 145,396; Webster, 41,287. None of the four Vice Presidential candidates received a majority of the electoral votes. The Senate, for the first and only time, had to choose, naming Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky to the office.
    1842 - The Philharmonic Society of New York, the first permanent orchestra in the U.S., held its first concert. Despite uncomfortable seating, the event was a huge success. They performed works of Beethoven.
    1848 - Henry Dodge of Wisconsin and his son Augustus Caesar Dodge of Iowa were senators at the same session, serving together until February 22, 1855, in the 30th to 33rd Congresses. They had previously served as delegates to the House of Representatives in the 27th and 28th Congresses, from March 4, 1841, to March 3, 1845, prior to the statehood of their territory. Henry Dodge continued to serve in the Senate until March 3, 1857.
    1848 - Lt. Lucian Loeser arrived in Washington with 230 ounces [6.5 kg] of gold stuffed into a tea caddy. It was placed on display at the War Department and caused much excitement.
    1865 - The Stetson hat is introduced as John Stetson opens a one-man hat factory in Philadelphia. Stetson, the son of a hat maker, had previously attempted to establish himself in the business, but ill health had forced him to travel to Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado. During his travels he had noticed the style of hat favored by westerners and, after a slow start in Philadelphia, he began to design new hats based on the western styles. His business began to expand rapidly. By 1906, he employed 3500 workers and was selling 2,000,000 hats a year. The Stetson hat had a broad brim and its crown was tall, enough to sport ten ornamental braids, known as galloons. It was the mispronunciation of the word galloon, which gave the world the term ten-gallon hat.
    1868 - Jesse James gang robbed the bank in Gallatin, MO, killing 1 and taking $700.
http://www.islandnet.com/~the-gang/daviess.htm
    1873 - Birthday of American author Willa Cather (d. 1947) at Winchester, VA. Best known for her novels about the development of early 20th century American life, such as “Pioneers” and “My Antonia.” She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1922 for her book “One of Ours.”
    1874 - About 70 blacks were killed when they attacked the courthouse at Vicksburg, Miss. The blacks rioted over the intimidation and ejection of a carpetbag sheriff by the whites of Vicksburg. History does not record whether they were born here, thus they are "blacks" to historians.
    1885 - The last spike is driven in the first Canadian transcontinental main line at Craigellachie, B.C. in the Eagle Pass. Van Horne makes his famous fifteen-word speech "All I can say is that the work has been well done in every way."
    1909 - Bandleader Teddy Hill (d. 1978) was born in Birmingham, AL.
    1911 - Singer/trumpet player Louis Prima (d. 1978) birthday, New Orleans.
http://www.spaceagepop.com/prima.htm
    1925 - In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, swimmer Johnny Weissmuller set a world record in the 150-yard freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 25 and 2/5 seconds. Johnny went on to star as “Tarzan, King of the Jungle” in movies, and setting records with women he met.
    1926 - The first gas refrigerator to be successfully introduced into the American market was the Electrolux, which was sponsored by the Electrolux Refrigerator Sales Company of Evansville, Illinois. A tiny gas flame and a tiny flow of water in the refrigerator took the place of all moving parts, circulating a liquid refrigerant that was hermetically sealed in rigid steel.
    1927 - Ben Pollack records “Waitin' for Katie,” “Memphis Blue.” Boom-chick-a-Boom beat is born.
    1931 - Birthday of Bobby Osborne, Leslie County, KY.  Musician, mandolin, singer with the duo Osborne Brothers.
    1931 - The nation was mired in the depths of the Great Depression. The Committee for Unemployment Relief, formed at President Hoover's command in October 1930, released a report that detailed the depths of the nation's woes. According to the committee, some 4 to 5 million Americans were unemployed. However, the Depression only continued to grow worse, which further swelled the unemployment rolls; by 1932, some 13 million Americans were without jobs.
    1931 - Ford produced the last Ford Model A, discontinued production and closed the factory to retool ready for the Ford V8 which is planned for production starting in April, 1932.
1934 - Converted Major League baseball player Billy Sunday, at age 72, began a two-week revival at Calvary Baptist Church in NY City. Sunday was an evangelist from 1893 until his death in 1935. 
    1935 - Severe flooding hit parts of the Houston, TX, area. Eight persons were killed as one hundred city blocks were inundated. Satsuma reported 16.49 inches of rain. The Buffalo and White Oak Bayous crested on the 9th.   
    1937 - The Boston Red Sox acquired the contract of 19-year-old Ted Williams from the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast league.
    1939 - Lou Gehrig was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The five-year waiting rule was waived after the 'Iron Horse' was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that would take his life on Jun 2, 1941.
    1941 - At 7:55 AM, local time in Hawaii, “a date that will live in infamy,” nearly 200 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, long considered the US’ “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” The raid, which lasted little more than one hour, left nearly 3,000 Americans dead. Nearly the entire US Pacific Fleet, except carriers at sea, was at anchor there and few ships escaped damage. Several were sunk or disabled, while 200 aircraft on the ground were destroyed. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought about immediate US entry into World War II, a Declaration of War being requested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and approved by the Congress, December 8, 1941. US Military intelligence had expected the Japanese to attack Luzon and had sent the aircraft carrier Midway in its direction. It escaped being destroyed, but the intelligence of the day, called for the carrier to return as they now expected no attack in Luzon. On December 10, the Japanese invaded Luzon in the Philippines, where Gen. Douglas MacArthur commanded the defending U.S. and Philippine forces. December 11, Germany and Italy, in a pact with the Japanese, declared war against the United States. Misinterpreting the anti-war sentiment in the U.S., they thought we would not want to enter two separate wars, particularly with a decimated U.S. Navy and would leave Asia and Australia for Japan to conquer. They thought Americans to be weak and without the will, particularly without the weapons to fight back.  [Historical note:  One of my Bay Area golfing buddies, as a 19-year old, served as a mate on the USS Pennsylvania, Adm. Kimmel’s flagship that was in dry dock for repairs.  Jim mentioned that overnight, the Pennsylvania was moved and another ship moved into its spot.  As he was in the crow’s nest at the time of the attack, he saw first-hand the first bombs hit where the Pennsylvania had been a few hours prior.  Remarkably, he said, Pennsylvania sustained very little damage in the attack. Ralph Mango]
(lower half of http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec07.html )
    1941 - SCOTT, ROBERT R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Machinist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 July 1915, Massillon, Ohio. Accredited to Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. The compartment, in the U.S.S. California, in which the air compressor, to which Scott was assigned as his battle station, was flooded as the result of a torpedo hit. The remainder of the personnel evacuated that compartment but Scott refused to leave, saying words to the effect "This is my station and I will stay and give them air as long as the guns are going.'' 
    1941 - *TOMICH, PETER, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Chief Watertender, U.S. Navy. Born: 3 June 1893, Prolog, Austria. Accredited to: New Jersey. Citation: For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, and extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Although realizing that the ship was capsizing, as a result of enemy bombing and torpedoing, Tomich remained at his post in the engineering plant of the U.S.S. Utah, until he saw that all boilers were secured and all fire room personnel had left their stations, and by so doing lost his own life.
    1941 - *VAN VALKENBURGH, FRANKLIN, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy. Born: 5 April 1888, Minneapolis, Minn. Appointed from: Wisconsin. Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor T.H., by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As commanding officer of the U.S.S. Arizona, Capt. Van Valkenburgh gallantly fought his ship until the U.S.S. Arizona blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life.
    1941 - *WARD, JAMES RICHARD, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 10 September 1921, Springfield, Ohio. Entered service at: Springfield, Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.   
    1941 - YOUNG, CASSIN, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 6 March 1894, Washington, D.C. Appointed from: Wisconsin. Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For distinguished conduct in action, outstanding heroism and utter disregard of his own safety, above and beyond the call of duty, as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Vestal, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by enemy Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Comdr. Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3-inch antiaircraft gun. When blown overboard by the blast of the forward magazine explosion of the U.S.S. Arizona, to which the U.S.S. Vestal was moored, he swam back to his ship. The entire forward part of the U.S.S. Arizona was a blazing inferno with oil afire on the water between the 2 ships; as a result of several bomb hits, the U.S.S. Vestal was afire in several places, was settling and taking on a list. Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, and his shocking experience of having been blown overboard, Comdr. Young, with extreme coolness and calmness, moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U.S.S. Arizona, and subsequently beached the U.S.S. Vestal upon determining that such action was required to save his ship.
    1942 - American PT Boats force a Japanese supply convoy to turn back before landing their supplies on Guadalcanal. The convoy is escorted by 7 destroyers led by Captain Sato.
    1942 - The U.S. Navy launched the USS New Jersey, the largest battleship ever built.  New Jersey was decommissioned for the final time on 8 February 1991, with the ship serving a total of 20 years (the most of the four Iowa‍ -class battleships) in active service.  She received nine battle stars for her World War II service, four for her service in the Korean War, two for her service in the Vietnam War, and four for service in Lebanon and the Persian Gulf region.  Due to her outstanding service record, New Jersey holds the distinction of being the most decorated battleship in US history.   On 15 October 2000, New Jersey arrived at her final resting place on the Camden Waterfront on the Delaware River.
    1942 – Singer-songwriter Harry Chapin (d. 1981) was born in Brooklyn.  Best known for his folk rock songs including "Taxi," "W*O*L*D,” and the No. 1 hit, "Cat’s in the Cradle,” Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger.  He was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977.  In 1987, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his humanitarian work.  He was killed in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway in July, 1981.
   1947 – Hall of Fame C Johnny Bench was born in Oklahoma City.  Perhaps the best catcher ever, he was a two-time MVP, a 14-time All-Star, a two-time home run champ, and a key player on the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s. He won ten Gold Gloves, beginning in his first full season in the Majors. In 1999, he was named to Baseball’s All-Century Team.  In 2007, he was named to the Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove Team.  He appeared in four World Series, winning two, hitting 5 home runs and slugging over .500.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.  
    1952 - Top Hits
“Glow Worm” - The Mills Brothers
“Because You're Mine” - Mario Lanza
“Why Don't You Believe Me” - Joni James
“Back Street Affair” - Webb Pierce
    1952 - On CBS Radio, "My Little Margie," starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell, debuted. The television version of the show began on June 16, 1952. "My Little Margie" lasted 3 years on radio. Storm got her own show, titled "The Gale Storm Show" and recorded several hit songs, including "I Hear You Knocking" and "Ivory Tower" between 1955-1957.
    1954 - Marty Robbins becomes the first major artist to cover an Elvis Presley tune when he records the Arthur Crudup composition "That's All Right" for Columbia Records. Robbins' effort will pay off in a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Country chart. 
    1956 - Birthday of Larry Bird, Hall of Fame basketball player, former coach, born West Baden, IN.  Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at both forwards for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale. Bird was a 12-time All-Star and was named the MVP three consecutive times (1984-86). He played his entire professional career for Boston, winning three NBA titles and two NBA Finals MVP awards.  Since retiring as a player, he had been a mainstay in the Indiana Pacers organization until retiring in 2017.
    1957 - For the first of 6 weeks, Pat Boone was at the top of the pop charts with "April Love." His other number one hits would include "Ain't That a Shame," "I Almost Lost My Mind," "Don't Forbid Me" and "Love Letters in the Sand."
    1960 - Top Hits
“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” - Elvis Presley
“Last Date” - Floyd Cramer
“Poetry in Motion” - Johnny Tillotson
“Wings of a Dove” - Ferlin Husky
    1963 - "Dominique" by The Singing Nun was the number one record in North America, edging out The Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie". The song would eventually sell over 1.5 million copies and win a Grammy Award for the year's best Gospel song. Her given name was Jeanine Deckers and she would leave the convent in 1967 before taking her final vows, partly to pursue a recording career, but never repeated her earlier success. In 1985, the center for autistic children in Belgium that she helped to found had closed due to lack of funds. In despair over this failure, the 51-year-old Deckers and her friend Annie Pescher committed suicide. 
     1963 - The Beatles appear on a UK show called Juke Box Jury, where host David Jacobs presided over a panel of four celebrities who rendered their judgments on the latest Pop record releases. John, Paul, Ringo and George turned thumbs down on Bobby Vinton's "There, I've Said It Again," which was currently number one in the US. They predicted that Elvis Presley's "Kiss Me Quick" would be a hit, but it stalled at #34 in America the following summer. 
    1963 - The Murmaids, an L.A. trio consisting of sisters Carol and Terry Fischer along with Sally Gordon, enter the Billboard chart with "Popsicles and Icicles," which will rise to #3.
    1964 - Mario Savio, leader of Berkeley Free Speech Movement, was arrested. Univ. of California-Berkeley administration makes a presentation at the Greek Theatre to 18,000 students; followed by strike by 9,000 of the 27,000 students, and a faculty resolution (824 to 115) supporting the rapidly growing Free Speech Movement. I was there with other reporters covering the event.
    1964 - The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown while on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. He would stop touring with the group soon after.
    1965 - The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches formally reconciled themselves by reversing a mutual excommunication of each other, dating back (over 900 years!) to July, 1054.
    1965 - In a memorandum to President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara states that U.S. troop strength must be substantially augmented "if we are to avoid being defeated there." Cautioning that such deployments would not ensure military success, McNamara said the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong "continue to believe that the war will be a long one, that time is their ally, and their own staying power is superior to ours." 
    1968 - Top Hits
“Love Child” - Diana Ross & The Supremes
“For Once in My Life” - Stevie Wonder
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” - Marvin Gaye
“Stand By Your Man” - Tammy Wynette
    1968 - The Animals' lead singer, Eric Burdon, announced that the group will officially disband after a December 22 concert at Newcastle City Hall.
    1973 - The Giants sell future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal to the Red Sox. The high leg-kicking right-handed Dominican will post a 5-1 record for Boston.
    1974 - "Kung Fu Fighting," by Carl Douglas, reached #1 on the pop charts, staying there for two weeks.
    1974 - Barry Manilow's first hit, "Mandy" enters the US chart on its way to number one. The song was originally written by Scott English and Richard Kerr as "Brandy," but was changed by Manilow when a group called Looking Glass had a hit with that title six months before.
    1976 - Top Hits
“Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” - Rod Stewart
“The Rubberband Man” - Spinners
“You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)” - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.
“Good Woman Blues” - Mel Tillis
    1976 - Bob Seger's fortunes are about to change when he releases the LP "Night Moves." The record would turn out to be his breakthrough album and took him from being a local Detroit favorite to an internationally known Rock star. "Night Moves" reached #8 on the US album chart and sold over 5 million copies. 
    1980 - The San Francisco 49ers erase a 35-7 halftime deficit to record the biggest comeback in NFL history, beating the New Orleans Saints 38-35 in overtime on Ray Wersching's 36-yard field goal.  QB Joe Montana led the team back with two TD passes and a TD run while the defense shut out the Saints in the second half to force the game to overtime.  This remains the largest deficit to be overcome in NFL history.
    1982 - Liz Taylor's 7th divorce (Senator John Warner)
    1984 - Top Hits
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” - Wham!
“Out of Touch” - Daryl Hall & John Oates
“Better Be Good to Me” - Tina Turner
“Your Heart's Not in It” - Janie Fricke
    1985 - "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
    1986 - Basketball coach Pat Riley got his 300th coaching victory when the Los Angeles Lakers downed the Golden State Warriors, 132-100. It only took Pat 416 games to reach the milestone.
    1987 - Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Judy Collins (among others) appear onstage at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to Harry Chapin, who would have been celebrating his 45th birthday.  Chapin also was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
    1987 – Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev arrived in the United States for an arms control summit with President Ronald Reagan. The summit resulted in one of the most significant arms control agreements of the Cold War. Reagan and Gorbachev signed off on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty, which called for the elimination of all ground cruise and ballistic missiles and launchers in Europe with ranges of 320 to 3,400 miles.
    1988 - An outbreak of cold arctic air brought up to 18 inches of snow to the Colorado Rockies, with 14 inches at Boulder, CO, and seven inches at Denver. Heavy snow blanketed New Mexico the following day, with 15 inches reported near Ruidoso.
    1991 - "Black or White" becomes Michael Jackson's 12th US number one hit, tying him with The Supremes for the third most, behind The Beatles (20) and Elvis Presley
    1993 - Colin Ferguson opened fire on a Long Island Rail Road commuter train, killing six people and wounding 17, before other passengers stopped him by tackling and holding him down. He was later convicted and sentenced to a minimum of 200 years in prison.
    1996 - "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
    1999 - Alan Kaufman, SF poet, published his anthology of poetry: "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry." His book “Jew Boy,” an autobiography, and “the New Generation” have received rave reviews from both readers and professional critics.
http://www.heelstone.com/meridian/word2.html
    1999 - The Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) filed a lawsuit against the new but fast growing Napster file sharing service, on charges of copyright infringement. It was two years, in July, 2001, before Napster was closed down when they lost their case using the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
    2004 - After popularizing the PC in the '80s, IBM sells its PC business to a Chinese company, Lenovo.
    2007 – Barry Bonds pleads not guilty to five charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in federal hearings regarding the BALCO investigation.
He was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to the grand jury during the federal government's investigation of BALCO. The perjury charges against Bonds were dropped, but he was convicted of obstruction of justice. This conviction was upheld by an appellate court panel in 2013, but after a rehearing, a larger panel of the court voted 10-1 to overturn his conviction in 2015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonds
    2010 - A judge in the divorce proceedings of LA Dodgers owner Frank McCourt muddied the waters when he invalidated a 2004 marital property agreement that stated the Dodgers were McCourt's sole property. As a result, his former wife Jamie was recognized as half-owner of the team; she is considering selling her share to outside investors.   Ultimately, the Dodgers were acquired by Guggenheim Partners.
    2011 - Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois, was sentenced to 14 years in jail for corruption.  Among the charges against him:  attempting to generate “contributions” for his nomination of a replacement for the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.
    2014 - U.S.-Iranian citizen Jason Rezaian, the head of the 'Washington Post' bureau in Iran, was accused of unknown charges and is being held without bail; Iran has denied requests from Switzerland to check on Rezaian's condition on behalf of the U.S.