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Monday, December 7, 2020


Today's Leasing News Headlines

Having Courage does not mean...
    Placard
The Top Seven Leasing/Finance Company Websites
    in North America
Top Ten Leasing News
    November 30 to December 4
Leasing Industry Ads
    ---Help Wanted
Outside Interests Often Asked by Employers
    Career Crossroads---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII
Researchers Develop Marijuana Saliva Test
    to Detect Impaired Drivers
XS Financial has Signed a $5 Million Equipment
    Lease Facility Agreement with Columbia Care
The Pandemic's Disproportionate Toll on the Elderly
    Chart Distribution of COVID-19 Deaths by Age Group
German Shepherd
    Orange County, California  Adopt a Dog
Balboa Capital "Broker Success" Webinar
    Tuesday, December 15, 2 pm EST
News Briefs---
First shipments of coronavirus vaccine
    will fall short
Cadillac dealers are jumping ship
     rather than upgrade for EV sales, report says
Trump raises $495 million since mid-October, including
    a massive haul fueled by misleading appeals about election fraud
Small businesses left with table scraps
    while 5% of PPP loan applicants got more than half the cash
Santa Cruz DA seeks $10 million from dating site
     Match.com for misleading customers
Volvo to Start Production of VNR Electric Early in 2021
    The batteries can charge up to 80% within 70 minutes
Pining to leave the house, St. Louisans
     are chopping down Christmas trees early

You May have Missed---
Opinion | Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line
     See when you might be able to get a shot

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (wrilter's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org
Leasing News Icon for Android Mobile Device


  Sports Brief----
   California Nuts Brief---
    "Gimme that Wine"
     This Day in History
      SuDoku
       Daily Puzzle
        GasBuddy
         Weather, USA or specific area
          Traffic Live----

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release,” it was not written by Leasing News nor has the information been verified. The source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “byline.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.





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The Top Seven Leasing/Finance Company Websites
in North America

Alexa Rank is a rank (number) used to measure the popularity of a website among millions of other websites on Internet. For example, a website with a rank of 1 means it is the most popular website on Internet (i.e. google.com) and is on the first position of the Alexa global rank.

Balboa Capital keeps its number one spot, actually moving up from 337,485 from 377,497 three months ago to 134,742.  TimePayment moved up to number two from five, Ascentium Capital moved up ur to number three from four. Crest Capital fell to fifth place, number two three months ago to fifth place. (1)

The top seven leasing/finance companies were taken from three-month Siteworthtraffic.com ratings (2). They were chosen from the Leasing News Funder List and originally, over 100 were checked for ratings under 1,000 (3). Note: many leasing companies are listed under their bank URLs.

If your company has less than a 1,000 rating, please email kitmenkin@leasingnews.org to be included in the next Leasing/Finance Company listing.


www.balboacapital.com
134,741


https://timepayment.com/brokers/
192,720


www.AscentiumCapital.com
367,578


https://marlincapitalsolutions.com/
369,015


www.crestcapital.com
457,704


www.finpac.com
551,589


https://www.greatamerica.com
624,426

(1)  Three months ago numbers:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2020/08_31.htm#sites
(2) http://www.siteworthtraffic.com/
(3) Funder List "A"
http://leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/Funders.htm


 

 

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 


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Top Ten Leasing News
November 30 to December 4

(Stories most opened by readers)

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2020/12_04.htm#hires

(2) Rush to Normal…
    Placard
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2020/11_30.htm#rush

(3) U.S. Billionaires Gained $1 Trillion Since the Pandemic Started
   Change in the wealth of U.S. billionaires since beginning of pandemic
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2020/12_04.htm#us

(4) The Results are in from the
  2020 Compensation and Production Survey
     Wheeler Business Consulting
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2020/12_02.htm#results

(5) Consent Order Confirms California
    Merchant Cash Advance CA Enforcement Campaign
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2020/11_30.htm#consent

(6) Six Ways to Support Small Businesses
    Placard
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2020/12_02.htm#six

(7) California Attorney Ken Greene Updates
    Commitment to Lease or Make Loan Agreements
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2020/11_30.htm#california

(8)  Types of Fraud
    By the late Bernie Boettigheimer, CLFP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2020/11_30.htm#fraud

(9) North Mill Sets Another Record in 2020
    as November Originations Hit as All-Time High
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2020/12_02.htm#north

(10) Photographers captured removal of the mysterious
     Utah monolith. Here's why it vanished.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/12/01/utah-monolith-disappearance-photographer-captures-removal/6474630002/

 

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Outside Interests Often Asked by Employers

Career Crossroads---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

Question: Do employers really look at a candidate’s outside interests when considering new hires?

Answer: Employers are always on the lookout for candidates that engage in community service, have association memberships, etc... Having interests outside of work indicates a well-rounded individual.

Outside interests provide the employer information about the candidate’s values, motivation, and they demonstrate the candidate’s breadth of interests. Additionally, they give an employer an idea of how a candidate is likely to use her/his time and whether she/he is well balanced.

Many organizations look to hire leaders and potential leaders involved in the community, e.g. volunteerism. This type of activity can teach new and important skills to executives, rising stars and future leaders and may expose them to cultural diversity, which is indicative of today’s work environments.

Resumes

It is not necessary to indicate interests in your resume; this information can be included in your Cover Letter or in your formal application with the employer. Should you decide to include this, list them after your Education/Training/Certification Section. Always include if you are continuing your education or taking specific classes to improve your career or health.

Do not indicate on resumes your religious or political views - organizations that indicate your affiliation(s)/belief(s) should not be present anywhere in your resume.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

Career Crossroads Previous Columns
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html



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Researchers Develop Marijuana Saliva Test
to Detect Impaired Drivers

People who consume alcohol in the United States are often stopped on the roadsides and asked to take breathalyzer tests. If an individual’s blood alcohol content exceeds a specified limit, they may be subjected to penalties, fines and tickets; they could even be arrested. On the other hand, marijuana does not currently have an intoxication test, which makes it harder for authorities to determine individuals who may have exceeded the limit and are driving while impaired.

Researchers have, however, reported that they are on the verge of a breakthrough, developing a saliva test to help measure marijuana levels at roadside stops. The research findings collected by these scientists were presented on the SciMeetings platform that was held online by the American Chemical Society.

The study’s lead, Shalini Prasad, stated that while people think that driving while high on cannabis is safer than driving when intoxicated on liquor, both alcohol and cannabis have similar effects on individuals. This includes a decrease in self-awareness, a decline in a person’s alertness and a slowed reaction time. However, researchers have yet to determine a definite level of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, that can cause impairment. Preliminary reports suggest that between 1 to 15 THC Nanoograms per ml of blood may be considered as an impairment level.

With the number of states that are decriminalizing cannabis growing, law enforcement authorities are struggling to find ways to ensure that the roads remain safe from drivers who may be driving while intoxicated. While THC blood tests do exist,  they are invasive and laborious. In addition, most police officers do not have the skills required to administer these tests at roadside stops. Some scientists are working on tools to help measure levels of THC that are similar to alcohol breathalyzers. However, Prasad explains that THC levels in a person’s breath are low and these devices may need extensive data processing to allow other compounds to be filtered out.

With the discovery that the THC found in saliva corresponds to the THC found in the blood, Prasad and colleagues have found a way around this. The University of Texas researchers have developed an electronic reader and sensor strips that pick up on any THC present in a sample. They have conducted a test using a drop of human saliva, which had been contaminated with THC. Their findings demonstrate that the device could test THC levels that range from 100pg/ml to 100 ng/ml accurately. Additionally, it took the device less than five minutes to produce results.

Source: CannabisNewsWire.com


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XS Financial has Signed a $5 Million Equipment
Lease Facility Agreement with Columbia Care

XS Financial says the equipment lease facility will support the growth of Columbia Care, one of the largest and most experienced cannabis cultivators


XS Financial CEO David Kivitz said in a statement: "We are pleased to be working with an industry-leading group like Columbia Care and commend their entire team for the professionalism they exhibited through this transaction. Columbia Care is operating in numerous growth markets with significant equipment needs and we are excited to support their growth through this initial, competitively priced facility."

KushCo teams up with United Pacific to widen CBD distribution across 350 US gas stations and stores

KushCo noted that Columbia Care has already begun to draw down on the lease facility, which will be deployed in multiple tranches on a pro-rata basis and based on 36 and 48-month terms.

Columbia Care is one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of medical and adult-use cannabis products, currently operating 100 facilities including 76 dispensaries and 24 cultivation and manufacturing facilities.

KushCo Holdings, a cannabis packaging company, has sold more than one billion units to growers, brand owners, processors and producers across North America, South America, and Europe. It specializes in child-resistant and fully customizable packaging, exclusive vape hardware and technology, and complementary solvents and natural products.

The company recently announced a partnership agreement with United Pacific, one of the largest owners of gas stations and convenience stores in the western United States, to expand CBD distribution across 350 locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Colorado. KushCo said it will work with United Pacific to curate customized CBD Wellness Centers across 350 United Pacific locations.

Source: Proactiveinvestors.com

Financing Cannabis Funding Sources

http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2020/11_16.htm#trends

http://www.datamation.com/data-center/banks-overwhelmingly-embarking-on-the-digital-transformation-journey.html




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As the holiday season approached, many are faced with the difficult question of whether or not they should spend Christmas with their parents, grandparents or other vulnerable relatives. And while experts clearly advise against large family gatherings this year, the thought of spending the holiday without their loved ones will certainly be too much to bear for many people, even those that have been careful for months.

When making the decision on how to spend the holidays, it’s important to remember just how much more dangerous COVID-19 is to the elderly compared to young, healthy people. Of the roughly 250,000 people who had died from COVID-19 in the United States as of December 2, 230,000 were older than 55, with almost 150,000 deaths occurring in the 75+ age group alone. Meanwhile, less than 2,500 people younger than 35 lost their lives to the virus, with just over 500 victims younger than 25.

By Felix Richter, Statista

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German Shepherd
Orange County, California  Adopt a Dog


2 year old Greta has just arrived from a faraway shelter. This sweet girl is happy, playful and hoping to find a home of her very own. She is in a GSROC foster home now and working on her doggy social skills.

Adoption Application: If you are interested in adopting one of our dogs, you may submit an application online or via fax. If you choose to send a fax, please download the Adoption Application here in PDF format; fill it out and sign it. You can fax it to us at 714-773-9430. Home Visit Prior to any dog going home, we do require a home visit to ensure that your environment is safe and secure. Once your home has been approved, the adoption can move forward. Adoption Donation: Our adoption donation is a minimum $350.00 plus $25.00 for microchip for adult dogs and $450 plus $25.00 microchip for puppies 1 year and under. This donation is tax deductible as allowed by law and helps to offset the costs that we have incurred for the dog's care and housing during his or her stay with our group. The minimum adoption donation does not entirely cover the investments that we have made in the dogs so if you are in a position to give more, we would be honored to receive your additional donation. All adoption donations go directly toward the needs of our dogs.

All dogs adopted through GSROC are spayed or neutered, current on their vaccines and de-wormed. Because the minimum Adoption Donation rarely covers the costs associated with each dog, we ask that adopters who are in a position to give additional funds do so at their discretion.

Application:
https://www.gsroc.org/application/?id=108723

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County

NOTE: Mailing Address only. No dogs are housed at this location.

120 Tustin Avenue Suite C-1111
Newport Beach, CA 92663

In response to the current health crisis, Southern CA is working within CDC guidelines to protect our community members.

We are accepting visits by appointment only.

Phone: 714.97-GSROC (714.974.7762)

 

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Balboa Capital "Broker Success" Webinar

   Tuesday, December 15, 2 pm EST


Speakers:


Vicki Shimkus, CLFP
Broker Relationship Manager


Matthew Lent
Manager of Ancillary Products/Working Capital


SIGN UP for Free Webinar to learn how the Balboa Capital broker program can help you achieve growth and increase profits.

Click Here: www.balboacapital.com/broker-webinar

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News Briefs---

First shipments of coronavirus vaccine
    will fall short
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/05/health/first-covid-vaccine-shipments-inadequate/index.html

Cadillac dealers are jumping ship
     rather than upgrade for EV sales, report says
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/cadillac-franchise-dealers-jump-ship-ev-sales-lyriq/

Trump raises $495 million since mid-October, including
    a massive haul fueled by misleading appeals about election fraud
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-fundraising/2020/12/03/3aa1091a-35b6-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html

Small businesses left with table scraps
    while 5% of PPP loan applicants got more than half the cash
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/coronavirus/small-businesses-left-with-table-scraps-while-5-of-ppp-loan-applicants-got-more-than-half-the-cash

Santa Cruz DA seeks $10 million from dating site
     Match.com for misleading customers
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/04/santa-cruz-da-alleges-dating-site-match-com-misled-customers/

Volvo electric vehicle
https://www.truckinginfo.com/10131699/volvo-to-start-production-of-vnr-electric-early-in-2021

Pining to leave the house, St. Louisans
     are chopping down Christmas trees early
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/pining-to-leave-the-house-st-louisans-are-chopping-down-christmas-trees-early/article_c838094c-c6a1-5222-bc84-9839737ea810.html


 

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You May Have Missed---

Opinion | Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line
     See when you might be able to get a shot.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/03/opinion/covid-19-vaccine-timeline.html


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Sports Briefs---

Carr's TD pass with 5 seconds left lifts Raiders past Jets
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/carrs-td-pass-with-5-seconds-left-lifts-raiders-past-jets

Stanford women win, moving coach Tara VanDerveer
     closer to all-time record for victories
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/12/06/stanford-women-win-moving-coach-tara-vanderveer-closer-to-all-time-record-for-victories/

Richard Sherman says he’s not likely to return
     to the 49ers in 2021
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/06/richard-sherman-says-hes-not-likely-to-return-to-the-49ers-in-2021/


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California Nuts Briefs---

Nearly 85% of California Residents to Be Under
     Stay-At-Home Orders Through Christmas
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/06/943630749/nearly-85-of-california-residents-to-be-under-stay-at-home-orders-through-christ

California state offices will close in response
     to Gov. Newsom’s stay-at-home order
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/news/california-state-offices-will-close-in-response-to-gov-newsoms-stay-at-ho/



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“Gimme that Wine”

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

California wineries brace for big losses during holiday season
    after looming lockdown
https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/California-wineries-brace-for-big-losses-during-15774342.php

Can Christmas save Sonoma County’s small businesses?
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/can-christmas-save-sonoma-countys-small-businesses/


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

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

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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-The Federal Constitution was signed by all 30 members of the Constitutional Convention. Thomas Collins, who was president of Delaware at that time, automatically became the first state governor.
    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 to 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 chicken.
    1787- In Dover, Delaware, the U.S. Constitution is unanimously ratified by all 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention, making Delaware the first state of the modern United States. 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.
    1796- Electors chose John Adams to be the second president of the United States.
    1801- Abigail Hopper Gibbons birthday- 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 established reform in women's prisons in New York, personally assisted 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 home had been a stop for runaway 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 spied 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 in succession to Thomas Jefferson.     
   1808-James Madison was elected president of the United States. 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 of the United Sates. 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- father and son who were senators at the same session were Henry Dodge of Wisconsin and his son Augustus Caesar Dodge of Iowa, who sat this day together to February 22,1855, in the 30 th to 33 rd Congresses. They had previously served as delegates to the House of Representatives in the 27 th and 287 th Congress, From March 4, 1941, to March 3, 1945, prior to the statehood of their territories. 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 one-man hat factory in Philadelphia, Pa. 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 robs bank in Gallatin MO, kills 1, take is $700.
http://www.islandnet.com/~the-gang/daviess.htm
    1873-Birthday of American author Willa Cather born at Winchester, VA. Died at New York, NY, April 24, 1947. Best known for her novels about the development of early 20 th -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 white of Vicksburg. (history does not record whether they were born here or where, thus they a "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 born Birmingham, AL.
    1911-Singer/trumpet player Louis Prima Birthday
http://www.spaceagepop.com/prima.htm
    1916-Woodrow Wilson was reelected president of the United States. Thomas R. Marshall was reelected vice president. The election was so close that the out come was uncertain for three days, when it became clear the Wilson had carrier California, but by fewer than 4000. votes. The electoral vote was Wilson, 277; Charles Evans Hughes, Republican, candidate, 254. The popular vote was Wilson, 91,28,837; Hughes, 8,536,380. In congressional elections, the Democrats lost three seats in the Senate but maintained a 53-42 majority, with one seat going to a minor party. In the House the Democrats again narrowed their majority over the Republicans, 21q6-210, with six seats held by minor parties.
    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 King of the Jungle, Tarzan, 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 flower of water in the refrigerator took the place of all moving parts, circulating a liquid refrigerant that was hermetically seal in rigid steel.
    1927- Ben Pollack records “Waitin' for Katie, “Memphis Blue.” Boom-chick-a-Boom beat is born.
    1931-Birthday of Bobby Osborne, Musician, mandolin, singer with the duo - Osborne Brothers.
    1931- The nation was mired in the depths of the Great Depression. On January 7, 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. 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. (6th-8th)
    1939 --Lou Gehrig is elected to the Hall of Fame. The five-year waiting rule is waived after the 'Iron Horse' is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
    1941- At 7:55 local time in Hawaii, “a date that will leave 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 dead. Nearly the entire US Pacific Fleet 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 destroy, 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 American's weak and without the will, particularly without the weapons to fight back.
( 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.
    1944-Franklin D. Roosevelt was reelected president of the United Sates, the only person ever to win a fourth term. Harry S. Truman was elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Roosevelt, 432, Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Republican, 99. The popular vote was Roosevelt 25,602,504, Dewey 22,006,285. In congressional elections the Democrats lost two Senate seats but held a 56-38 majority. in the House they gained 24 seats for a 242-190 lease, with two seats held by minor parties.
    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, made 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.
    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 To-night? - 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, 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.
    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
    1972-Richard M. Nixon was reelected president of the United States in the greatest Republican landslide in history. Spiro T. Agnew was reelected vice—president. The electoral vote was Nixon, 521; Sen. George S. McGovern, Democrat, 17. The popular vote was Nixon 45,767,2118; McGovern 28,352,668. The Democrats picked up two Senate seats for a 57-43 majority. The Republicans gained 13 seats in the House, but the Democrats still led 255-179, with one seat going to an independent.
1982-- Liz Taylor's 7th divorce ( Senator John Warner)
    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.
    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.
    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
    1996- "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
    1999-Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a star of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, announced his retirement because he was infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. A professional basketball player for 12 seasons, Johnson admitted to having had many unprotected sexual contacts. Johnson changed his mind and signed a one-year, $14,600,000 contract with the Lakers, but retired again on Nov. 2, 1992.
    1999-Alan Kaufman, SF poet, published his anthology of poetry: "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry." His book “Jew Boy,” an autiobiography, and “the New Generation” have received rave reviews from both readers and professional critics.

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