Hugh Swandel Joins Leasing News Advisory Board

Hugh Swandel
Senior Managing Director - Canada
www.thealtagroup.com
204.477.0703 direct
204.996.4844 mobile
hswandel@thealtagroup.com

"Leasing News welcomes Mr. Swandel on board and looks forward to his participation in the overall direction of our electronic newspaper. As per our 'Policy Statement,' which follows a "printed" newspaper procedure, it is the editor's sole discretion as to what is printed and not printed; not the board of directors or any advisory board."

Hugh Swandel is the senior managing director of The Alta Group in Canada. The Alta Group is a global consultancy practice specializing in the asset based finance industry. With extensive North American contacts in the equipment finance and leasing industry, Hugh has a strong reputation as an effective negotiator of win/win agreements involving mergers and acquisitions, business development, market entry, operations and analysis, securitization and other matters of importance to lessors.

Hugh is on the boards of directors of the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA) and National Equipment Financing Association (NEFA). He also is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association of America (ELFA). In 2006 and again in 2010, Hugh received the Canadian leasing industry’s highest honor when he was named “CFLA Member of the Year.” In 2010 Mr. Swandel was also named Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Equipment and Finance Association. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has had several articles published in leading industry magazines.

During the Global Credit Crisis Hugh was retained by the Canadian Finance and Leasing Industry to prepare materials and provide insight into the impact of the credit crisis on Canadian independent finance companies. Mr. Swandel presented to the advisory committee to the Minister of Finance and was later asked to provide commentary to the CD Howe Institute at policy development discussion with government and industry representatives.

Mr. Swandel has recently advised domestic and international clients on the current state of the Canadian finance industry. Clients have included leading players in the automotive, equipment, and consumer finance industries.

Prior to founding his firm, Swandel and Associates, in 2001, Hugh served as president and chief operation officer of Electronic Financial Group (EFG). EFG was a Canadian company that launched a multi lending web based credit system. Earlier, Hugh spent 10 years with National Leasing Group in a variety of senior positions. National Leasing Group is Canadian lessor that has won numerous awards for excellence in management and innovation.

Leasing News
Chairman, Advisory Board
Bob Teichman, CLP	Teichman Financial Training, Sausalito, CA.
Advisory Board
Edward Castagna	Nassau Asset Management, Westbury, NY
Steve Crane, CLP	Bank of the West, Walnut Creek, CA
Dale Davis	Endeavor Financial Services, Costa Mesa , CA
Phil Dushey	Global Financial Services, Manhattan, NY
Ken Greene, Esq.	Hamrick & Evans, Universal City, CA
Shawn D. Halladay	The Alta Group, Salt Lake City, UT
Robert S. Kieve	Empire Broadcasting, San Jose, CA
Bruce Kropschot	Kropschot Financial Services, The Villages, FL
Bruce Lurie	Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation, Houston, TX
Andrew Lea, M.A.	Point Richmond, CA
Allan Levine	Madison Capital, LLC., Owings Mills, MD
Don Myerson	BSB Leasing, Colorado, Hawaii
Armon L. Mills, CPA	J.H. Cohn, LLP, San Diego, CA
Dan Pulcrano	Metro Newspapers, San Jose, California
Hugh Swandel	The Alta Group, Canada
Rosanne Wilson, CLP	1st Independent Leasing, Beaverton, OR
Ginny Young	former Brava Capital, Orange, CA

Editor/Publisher
Christopher Menkin	Saratoga, California

Classified Ads---Sales

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

Cherry Hill, NJ College grad seeking entry level sales position for equipment leasing and financing in small to mid-size ticket markets. Have 6 months experience in the industry and self-motivated. Contact Matt at 609-280-2178 or email at mkuzan@gmail.com

California Aggressive, competitive self-starter with vendor/direct equipment leasing and asset-based lending experience. Success in business banking sales and financial planning. Email: dsp559@hotmail.com | Resume

Colorado Award winning and strategic leasing sales professional with eleven years experience in Technology, Medical, Furniture, and Office Automation. Will consider positions with full benefits only. anderson_678@earthlink.net

Garfield, NJ 15 years experience small to large ticket sales exp. All types of equipment industries. Vendor & direct. Self motivated. Work with leasing company or broker. Tony Lio tonylio@optonline.net

Montgomery, AL Individual with 10 years advertising sales exp. & 7 years insurance sales exp. Wants independent contractor situation in Alabama. Work with leasing company or broker. 334-590-5133 E-mail: billmcneal2003@yahoo.com

Orange County, CA 20+ years in leasing sales & sales management. Have estab. existing remote office with Lessee /Vender following. Looking for a partnership w/funding source. shermbp@gmail.com

Pittsburgh , PA Aggressive self starter looking for leasing position w/10 plus yrs sales exp., plus banking experience 814-227-4592 mwiser500@hotmail.com

San Francisco Bay Area: Business Development “Hunter” with transferable book of business in multiple segments: commercial construction, technology, fitness, etc. Years of managerial experience: can also be a “player/coach”. E-mail: VdrPgmBizDev@aol.com

South Central, FL Years of exp in mid-ticket niched leasing. Seek entry or other position with direct lender. David34983@att.net

Texas/Oklahoma 15 year lease vet looking for plact to take business.great references. all major equipment types. open to compensation. please contact if interested. E-mail: bankingdallas@yahoo.com

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

John Kenny Receivables Management www.jrkrmdirect.com • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigation • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs John Kenny 315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

[headlines]
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Leasing CFO Pleads Guilty $1.2 million embezzlement

Barry A. Thomas, Chief Credit and Financial Officer, Central Leasing Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama, as wells as president of Kingdom Capital (an affiliate of Central), has plead guilty to embezzling $1.2 million from his company, after being arrested following the work of U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley, and Vestavia Hills Police Chief Dan Rary. Thomas was terminated last August after discrepancies were first noticed by auditors.

Central Leasing has been in business since 1985 in the $10,000 to $5 million equipment marketplace and has three separate subsidiaries: Central Fleet Leasing, Kingdom Capital that does receivable financing, and National Capital Finance, working capital loans from $100,000 to $1 million.

Barry A. Thomas

It appears he Mr. Thomas joined the company March, 2003 after serving for six years as vice-president of South Trust Bank, previously for eight years vice-president of Bank One. He claims a master’s degree from University of Phoenix and Bachelor's degree in Finance from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, 1981-1986.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/barryathomas

According to court documents, part of Thomas's responsibilities was payment of salaries for Central Leasing employees. He would communicate over the internet, thus the arrest under "wire fraud" from his office in Birmingham to the payroll and bookkeeping firm, QuckBooks/intuit in San Diego, California. He would instruct the exact amounts to be deposited into the personal accounts of Central Leasing employees. It appears since his employment he was transferring between $500 and $20,000 every two weeks beyond his actual salary.

When the audit was complete, the dollar amount he put in his account was totaled to $1,226,277.

This is a plea agreement, but normally the maximum sentence for wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He has been ordered to return the money and reportedly has made restitution of approximately $100,000. Sentencing date to be announced.

A comment was requested from Doug Mills, President of Centra Leasing, but none was received.

www.centralleasing.com

A -Accepts Broker Business | B -Requires Broker be Licensed | C -Sub-Broker Program
| D -"Private label Program" | E - Also "in house" salesmen

360 Equipment Finance Closes Third Fund

Christopher Fielder, Managing Partner, 360 Equipment Finance, LLC announces they have closed their third fund.

They report funding lease transactions in the "C" credit market place. "What we do is a short term traditional lease (12-36 months) for existing companies that have been declined because of credit, time in business, age of equipment and hopefully when they are ready to do their next lease they will be more of a standard credit again," Fielder said.

He was vice-president of TEAM Funding Solutions for 10 years, left last year and left last Feb to start my own company with Kip Amstutz, an industry veteran, owner of Mantis Financial, One World Member, both active with the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers.

Partner Kip Amstutz stated “360 has continued to see month to month growth, having just completed our largest funding month in June. Our portfolio is healthy and we have money to lend.”

360 Equipment Finance funds broker submitted transactions from $3,000 to $30,000.

"We want to listen to your story and look at your company, not just a credit score, "Fielder said.” 360 will review your transaction on a cash flow basis and the ability to debt service your equipment lease. 360 Equipment Finance understands that small business owners may have had a hiccup over the years; we do not want that to stop you from obtaining the equipment you need for your company."

The name: In Austin Texas, the north side of town is separated from the south side by the Colorado River. Spanning the gap and connecting the two sides together is the 360 Bridge. The 360 bridge has become a landmark in Austin and provides service to 80,000 cars a day getting all safely across rough waters.

Contact Info:
Christopher Fielder, Partner
chris@360equipmentfinance.com

Kip Amstutz, Partner
kip@360equipmentfinance.com

360 Equipment Finance, LLC
300 Beardsley Lane
Building D Suite 201
Austin, TX 78746
Phone 512-263-7235
Fax 512-402-1655
www.360equipmentfinance.com
"The Bridge to your Financial Future"

[headlines]
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John Torbenson Celebrates 43rd Year in Leasing business

Here are his reasons for his company longevity:

Over the long 4th weekend we celebrated our 43rd Anniversary in the Leasing Business.

In looking back over all these years one question that we hear is, “How do all your leasing companies stay in business over all these years with so many of the larger leasing companies closing, merging or just going out of business?

The answer is that years ago we chose to:

1. Specialize in financing the B and C credits, story credits and start-up businesses. Most other leasing companies don’t entertain these requests.

2. To provide the best service possible to our equipment dealer network by doing all the leg work on each application they give us.

We still do the A credits, when possible, but we have figured out a way to get the lower end, newer company, credits approved. Most of the larger lease companies only do the A credits.

In the eyes of our clients they want to do business with a company that can handle all the different types of credits, A credits to C credits. They know if they come to us to finance equipment we can generally accomplish this. No matter the type of request, the credit and type of equipment. Most companies don’t finance equipment over 10 years old while we have always financed the older equipment requests.

The leases we do may have less than perfect personal or business credit but are applications that have a story behind them. We get to understand what is actually happening with the company in question; we CALL and talk to the prospective client. How Unique!

Many financing companies turn down financing requests JUST using an individual’s Fair Isaac credit score. If the score misses their credit matrix, it gets turned down.

We have always believed that many of these requests merit credit extension one way or another. Many of our leases in our portfolios fall into this category.

Actually one of our companies specializes in financing B&C medical/dental credits and around-town smaller trucks to companies.

We have used down payments, additional collateral, co-signers, and liens on Real Estate and cross-company guarantees to help make many of the financings happen. We earn nothing if we can’t figure out a way to approve the requested amount. Commission sales certainly help our sales force work harder.

Of the 4400+ clients we have provided financing for over the years, many are higher rate, tougher credits. Many of these were new companies who continually let us finance other equipment requests. We get letters from our lessees at the lease termination thanking us for approving them when no one else would.

As you all know all we need to get started is a signed credit application. In case we don’t have a current one on you and your company I attached our application.

Try us; you will find they just don’t get any better than Odyssey!

John Torbenson - President

ODYSSEY EQUIPMENT FINANCING
Affiliates: Nile River and Two Rivers Leasing
8655 E. Via de Ventura, Ste. E-130
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
480-607-6800 #1
Toll Free 1-888-607-6800
www.oefc.net

Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com To learn more about the benefits of outsourcing personal property tax, please click here.

-----------------------------------------

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Equipment Leasing Opportunities throughout the U.S. Controller: West Coast • Copier Sales Reps: Florida • Producing Healthcare Leasing Mgr: Midwest • Truck / Trailer Leasing Rep: Southwest • Vendor Sales Team: Anywhere U.S. info@riirecruit.com www.riirecruit.com

NATIONWIDE SALES POSITIONS AVAILABLE Medical app only to 200k, Commercial app only to 150k Superior COF’s-Superior Buying window-Superior back office Please contact Steve Schachtel at 973-339-9900 ext. 101 or email at sschachtel@usfunding.us

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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

GreatAmerica Purchases Cedar Rapids Office Building

(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation announced today that it has purchased the “One GreatAmerica Plaza” building in downtown Cedar Rapids from River Cedar Properties LLC. The investment reinforces the GreatAmerica commitment to the community and the downtown area after the catastrophic flooding in 2008. Constructed in 1998, the 8-story glass-clad, 156,000 square foot building is among the most prestigious office buildings in the area.

GreatAmerica, which now occupies nearly one-half of the building, was the driving force behind its construction and subsequently became the lead tenant when it opened.

Chairman/CEO Tony Gologic

“The purchase of the GreatAmerica Building provides a solution to our long-term office space needs as our company continues with its record of 19 years of uninterrupted growth” said GreatAmerica Chairman and CEO Tony Golobic. “Our community has rewarded us with exceptional people who care greatly about each other, our company and our customers. We started 19 years ago with a vision to reach standards of excellence so high in everything we do that we will have no competition. This is our vision today and will be our vision tomorrow. ”

Ryan Companies US, Inc. will continue to manage and operate the building. The purchase signals a strong vote of confidence in the Cedar Rapids downtown district, which was ravaged by a 500 year flood in 2008.

About GreatAmerica
GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation was founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1992. With nearly $1.2 billion in assets, GreatAmerica is the largest private independent equipment finance company in the U.S. and is dedicated to helping equipment manufacturers, vendors, and dealers be more successful and keep their customers for life. GreatAmerica provides equipment financing and consulting services in all fifty states and a number of U.S. Territories. The company employs more than 340 professionals, having offices in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Georgia. www.greatamerica.com

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

[headlines]
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Univest CAPITAL, Inc. opens New headquarters AND Satellite location

New Facilities Support Growing Operations and Improved Working Environment

SOUDERTON, Pa.,– Univest Capital, Inc., a subsidiary of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (NASDAQ: UVSP), announced the opening of its new headquarters located at Two Greenwood Square, 3331 Street Road in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, and new sales office in West Chester, Chester County. The offices will support continued sales growth and provide quality service and solutions for customers.

Hugh W. Connelly, President

"These new offices provide larger space and added convenience for our staff and customers,” said Hugh W. Connelly, president, Univest Capital Inc. “We are excited to be in these new locations.”

The Bensalem Headquarters is a 4,500 square-foot facility that houses Univest’s main street banking and the bank-wide collections team. The office, leased from Brandywine Realty Trust, provides an improved employee experience with state-of-the-art features for the 23 employees working here. The West Chester location, consisting of 3,500 square feet of space, is located in the same building as Univest’s Chester County insurance and banking operations. The staff of four in this office brings additional integrated solutions to one of Univest’s newer markets.

About Univest Corporation
Headquartered in Souderton, Pennsylvania, Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (www.univest.net) and its subsidiaries serve the financial needs of residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Lehigh counties. Univest National Bank and Trust Co., a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender, offers customers 32 financial service centers, 12 retirement financial services centers, and 39 ATM locations throughout the region, and is the parent company of Univest Capital, Inc., a small ticket commercial finance business; Univest Insurance, Inc., an independent insurance agency headquartered in Lansdale, Pa., which serves commercial and personal customers; and Univest Investments, Inc., a member of FINRA and SIPC and a full-service broker-dealer and investment advisory firm. For more information on Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania and its subsidiaries, please visit www.univest.net.

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

[headlines]
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Sparta Welcomes St. Pauls, NC to Its Municipal Lease Program and
Adds to Earlier Mt. Gilead, NC Lease

Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. today announced that St. Pauls, NC has become the latest municipality to join Sparta’s Municipal Lease Program with the acquisition of new cruisers for its police department. Sparta also announced that Mt. Gilead, NC has expanded its police cruiser fleet, adding to its current Municipal Lease arrangement with the Company. All of the new cruisers are Dodge Chargers, acquired through Ilderton Dodge, a local dealer.

According to Sparta, the continuing growth of its Municipal Lease Program reflects a desire among an increasing number of municipalities across the United States to lower their annual capital outlays at a time when they are challenged by decreasing revenues, but still require essential equipment for critical services. Sparta’s Municipal Lease Program offers municipalities the opportunity to conserve capital within their annual budgets, since leasing the necessary equipment allows for payment to be made over time, instead of having to pay the entire cost upfront.

Shawn Walker, Mt. Gilead Chief of Police, commented on the new transaction with Sparta, saying, “We were extremely pleased with the last experience we had with Sparta, which is why the decision to use their Municipal Leasing Program again was so easy. Their attention to detail, outstanding communications, and overall professionalism, in addition to the cost savings, is everything we could hope for.”

Amy Hill, Fleet Sales Manager at Ilderton Dodge, also commented, “The people in Sparta’s Municipal Lease department are simply great to work with. They handle this kind of leasing arrangement with exceptional knowledge about the dealer’s role, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the quality of their involvement.”

To sum up, Anthony Havens, Sparta’s CEO, said, “As we bring on an ever-increasing number of cities, states, and towns to our Municipal Lease Program, our commitment to the principle of providing a more cost-effective way for municipalities to acquire the essential equipment they must have is continually reinforced. We understand the economic difficulties governmental agencies are facing, and whenever we can help with our Municipal Lease Program, we’re particularly pleased.”

About Sparta Commercial Services, Inc:
Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. is a nationwide financial services company dedicated to municipal and governmental leasing. Sparta specializes in the financing of essential-use equipment and services for the law enforcement and emergency response communities, as well as other municipal departments such as public works, parks & recreation, etc...

Please visit our website at SpartaMunicipal.com to learn more about our complete Municipal Leasing Program

Or contact us directly:
Louis Musher
Municipal Leasing Manager
(800) 882-0778 Ext-217
louis@SpartaCommercial.com

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

Monteral, Quebec-- Adopt-a-Dog

Mika
Siberian Husky/Alaskan Malamute Mix
Color: White - With Gray Or Silver Age: Young
Size: Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) Sex: Female

"I am already spayed, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and not good with cats."

Mika's Story...

"Mika is just over a year and a half and due to changes in her guardian's circumstances is in search of a new home. Mika is a very endearing young gal and will charm you with her antics and humour as all husky's will. Sweet and outgoing, she enjoys playing with other dogs, going for long walks, running and simply being with you. A securely fenced yard is a must for Mika. Please contact us if you think Mika is the right friend for you.”

Contact This Rescue Group...
Rescue Group: Canada Dog
Phone: Please email this shelter!
(They don't list their phone number here)
E-mail: canada.dogs@sympatico.ca
Let 'em know you saw "Mika" on Adopt-a-Pet.com!
Address: Montreal, QC
J7V 7X2

http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/70641.html

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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

 

--- News Briefs

Multi-Millionaire British Leasing Fraudster tells Judge has no money left
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/06/24/i-have-no-money-left-fraudster-tells-judge/

Fifth defendant to plead guilty in EFI leasing fraud
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/414829_Fifth-defendant-to-plead-guilty-in-EFI-fraud.html

Stimulus includes free leasing for rural Internet access
http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2011-06-25/news/29704726_1_high-speed-internet-service-rural-internet-access-broadband-initiative

Hawaiian Airlines 15 Boeing 717-200 Aircraft BCC Equipment Leasing
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Hawaiian+Airlines+(HA)
+Enters+SPA+for+Purchase+of+15+Boeing+(BA)+717-200+Aircraft/6613848.html

U.S. banks are pruning branches
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/07/05/US-banks-are-pruning-branches/UPI-34201309885857/

Bank of America settlement faces challenge
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/07/05/bank_of_america_settlement_faces_challenge/

New Controversy: BofA wants to remove Tamarrack Ski Lifts
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/07/04/general-financials-id-tamarack-lifts_8548904.html

 

 

 

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Free Mobile Wine Program
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Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
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     1526 -The first European settlement in what is now located in South Carolina, San Miguel de Guadalupe, was established by Lucas Vazsquez de Vyllon, who led some 500 or 600 settlers from Hispaniola to this coast location.  The site of the settlement was thought to be just north of the Peedee Rive.  Many of the settlers died of fever. After Ayllon succumbed himself on October 18, the approximately 150 surviving settlers returned to Hispaniola.  The Spanish were the first group interested in this part of the America's, Juan Ponce de Leon discovering Florida, claiming it for the King of Spain. Members of his expedition reached the Mississippi River, and Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo not only went as far as Mexico, but in 1542, also landed near what is now Ballast Point, San Diego, then discovered Santa Catalina Island, San Pedro Bay, the Santa Barbara Channel, and other West Coast landmarks, which bear the names he gave them today.
    1747-American naval officer born at Kirkbean, Scotland. Remembered for his victory in the battle of his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, with the British frigate Serapis, Sept 23, 1779. When Jones was queried: "Do you ask for quarter?" he made his famous reply: "I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones was victorious, but the Bonhomme Richard, badly damaged, sank two days later. Jones died at Paris, France, July 18, 1792.
    1757 –Birthday of William McKendree, colonial American church leader. In 1808 he was ordained the first American-born bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
    1776-The Pennsylvania Evening Post of Philadelphia, PA  was the first newspaper to publish the Declaration of Independence.
    1847—Birthday of  Ellen Martin Henrotin - wealthy U.S. widow who used her money to make the 1893 Chicago World's Fair the national focal point for feminist activity.     Most importantly, she lead a committee that forced the closing of hundreds of brothels in Chicago and brought about the downfall of the flourishing "white slavery" trade in which women were kidnapped into prostitution.
    1865-Birthday of  Mina Miller , the seventh of eleven children. She met Thomas Edison at the home of a mutual friend of her father and Edison, the inventor Ezra Gilliland. Her future husband claims he taught her Morse code so that they could converse in secret, even while the family watched. This is how Edison claims he proposed marriage and how she responded "yes." The two married on February 24, 1886. The couple moved into Glenmont, the Edison's' new home, after their honeymoon in Florida. At age twenty, the new Mrs. Edison became a stepmother to Mary's three children. It was not an easy task. She was less than ten years older than stepdaughter Marion.    Although Mina tried to nurture her new family, Marion later described Mina as "too young to be a mother but too old to be a chum." Her role as Mrs. Thomas Edison was also difficult: Edison frequently stayed late at the laboratory and forgot anniversaries and birthdays. Yet he seemed to love his "Billie." A note found in one of Mina's gardening books reads, "Mina Miller Edison is the sweetest little woman who ever bestowed love on a miserable homely good for nothing male (sic)" As Thomas Edison supervised his "muckers" down the hill (at his laboratory), Mina hired and supervised a staff of maids, a cook, a nanny and a gardening staff. She even called herself the "home executive." After 1891 she, not her husband, owned the house. (This protected the house from being seized to pay Edison's debts if he went bankrupt.).Four years after Edison died, Mina married childhood sweetheart Edward Everett Hughes. The two lived in Glenmont until Hughes died in 1940, when she once again adopted the name of Mrs. Edison. She lived at Glenmont until her death on August 24, 1947.
    1858- Lyman Reed Blake of Abington, MA, obtained patents for the McKay stitching machine, which revolutionized shoe manufacturing, creating a new industry for New England, providing inexpensive and well-made footwear.  The upper was lasted upon the insole by means of tacks driven through the insole and clinched against the steel bottom of the last. The outsole was then attached to the insole and upper by the McKay sewing machine, which made a chain stitch through and through to the inside of the shoe. the surface of the insole was then covered by a lining.  The machine was first put in use by William Potter and Sons, Lynn, MA, in 1861. It was probably foot powered.
    1899-Birthday of Mignon G. Eberhart - U.S. mystery writer whose writing career spanned 57 years (1929-1988) and included 59 books. She commonly used brave - plucky - women in exotic locations. Many of her books became Hollywood movies.
http://www.mignoneberhart.com/
    1871- The first baseball game between an all-white team and an all-African American team was played in Chicago, IL.  The African-American Uniques beat the Alerts by a score of 17-16.
    1921—Birthday of Nancy Davis Reagan, former First Lady, wife of  the late Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the US, born New York, NY.
    1925—Birthday of TV host, singer, entertainer, business executive Merv Griffin, born San Mateo, Ca.  He got his first start here in San Francisco on my old alma mater KRFC
on the Old Don Lee Network.
    1928 --At Potter, NE, severe thunderstorm drops huge hailstones. One measured 5.5 inches in diameter, with a circumference of 17 inches and weighed 1.5 pounds!
Paul McCartney met John Lennon for the first time when Lennon's band, The Quarrymen were playing at a church social. In the church basement between sets, 15 year old McCartney teaches a 16 year old Lennon to play and sing Eddie Cochran's, "Twenty Flight Rock" and Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula". Lennon would later say that he was impressed with McCartney's ability to tune a guitar.
    1932- Singer Della Reese Birthday
    1933- Babe Ruth became the first to hit a home run in an All-Star game.
    1933-Major League baseball Holds First All-Star Game: The first midsummer All-Star Game was held at Comiskey Park, Chicago, IL. Babe Ruth led the American League with a home run, as they defeated the National League 4-2. Prior to the summer of 1933, All-Star contests consisted of pre- and postseason exhibitions that often found teams made up of a few stars playing beside journeymen and even minor leaguers.  
    114ø F (46ø C), Moorhead, Minnesota (state record)
    1936 ---121ø F (49ø C), Steele, North Dakota (state record)
    1946—“43,” George W. Bush, 43rd president of the US, former govern or Texas, born New Haven, CT.
    1946—Birthday of Sylvester Stallone, actor, director, born New York, NY.
    1947---Top Hits
Peg o' My Heart - The Harmonicats
I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder - Eddy Howard
Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba - Perry Como
It's a Sin - Eddy Arnold
    1947 - Allen Funt debuted with "The Candid Microphone" on ABC Radio. Later, on August 10, 1948, "Candid Camera" became a smash TV hit and made Funt a star. Funt also produced the film "What Do You Say To A Naked Lady?" using his hidden camera concept.
    1949—The Quiz Kids premiered and my good friend Ken Kelly of Goodwill and the Salvation Army, was one of the winners. This show began on radio and continued on TV with the original host, Joe Kelly, and later with Clifton Fadiman. The format was a panel of five child prodigies who answered questions sent in by viewers. Four were regulars, staying for weeks or months, while the fifth was a "guest child." The ages of the panelists varied from 6 to 16.
    1953- “Name That Tune” was a musical identification show that appeared in different formats in the 50's and the 70's. Red Benson was the host or the NBC series and Bill Cullen (and later George DeWitt) was the CBS host. Two contestants listened while an orchestra played a musical selection, and the first contestant who could identify it raced across the stage to ring a bell. The winner of the round then tried to identify a number of tunes within a specific time period. After 11 years, the show was brought back with Richard Hayes as host. In 1974, new network and syndicated versions appeared.
    1955---Top Hits
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Learnin' the Blues - Frank Sinatra
Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young - Faron Young
    1955—Governor William Grant Stratton of Illinois signed into law a state requirement that all automobiles be equipped with frame holes to which seat belts could be fastened,
the first state to mandate this requirement. .  The law also required that no new motor vehicle could be registered unless equipped with seat belt attachments conforming to the specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
    1955- "Baby Let's Play House" becomes Elvis' first single to place on the national charts and hits #10 on the Country & Western charts.
    1955--A landmark in music history is established on July 9th, when Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" reaches number one on the Billboard chart. Many music historians will eventually acknowledge the song as a dividing line, separating Rock and Roll from everything that preceded it.
    1957-Althea Gibson of the US became the first black person to win any Wimbledon title when she beat Darlene Hard, also of the US, 6-3, 6-2 to win the women's singles championship.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul06.html
    1957-Paul McCartney met John Lennon for the first time when Lennon's band, The Quarrymen were playing at a church social. In the church basement between sets, 15 year old McCartney teaches a 16 year old Lennon to play and sing Eddie Cochran's, "Twenty Flight Rock" and Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula". Lennon would later say that he was impressed with McCartney's ability to tune a guitar.
    1961—The Count Basie and Duke Ellington Band record together for the first time. 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000IMYM/104-4730229-5095117?v=glance
    1963-Two weeks after being released, The Surfers' classic surf tune "Wipe Out" cracks the Billboard Hot 100 on its way to number two. The song was recorded as a "filler" in just two takes, but would stay in the Top 40 for ten weeks.
    1963-Three members of The United States Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, who called themselves The Essex, had the number one song on Billboard's chart with "Easier Said Than Done". It was a tune that the group would later confess none of them really liked. In the studio, they rushed through the recording, intending the track to be the "B" side of their first single.
    1963-James Brown went to #2 on the US album chart with "Live At The Apollo". The LP spent a total of 33 weeks on the chart.
    1971---Top Hits
It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King
Indian Reservation - Raiders
Treat Her Like a Lady - Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
When You're Hot, You're Hot - Jerry Reed
    1961- Cecil Francis Poole became the first black US state's attorney when he was sworn in as US attorney for the Northern District of California. He served until his retirement on Feb 3, 1970.
    1963---Top Hits
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto
Blue on Blue - Bobby Vinton
Easier Said Than Done - The Essex
Act Naturally - Buck Owens
    1970- California became the first state to adopt a “no fault” divorce law.  It allowed divorces in cases of incurable insanity and irreconcilable differences.  The divorce rate of more than 1 million a year was reached in 1975, when 1,036,000 divorces were granted.
    1974-The Hues Corporation had the top tune in the US with "Rock the Boat".
    1977->Peak of 10 day heat wave with 100 in Washington, D.C.
    1979---Top Hits
Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
Bad Girls - Donna Summer
Chuck E.'s in Love - Rickie Lee Jones
Amanda - Waylon Jennings
    1981 - The Dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware announced their intent to purchase Conoco, Inc. (Continental Oil Co.) for seven billion dollars. For that time, the merger was the largest in corporate history. Until a final sum of $7.7 billion closed the deal, the bargaining continued. The result of the merger was the creation of the seventh largest industrial company in the United States.
     --Pocatello, Id sets new record with 35, coldest for July
    1987---Top Hits
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston
Alone - Heart
Shakedown - Bob Seger
That was a Close One - Earl Thomas Conley
    1994---Top Hits
I Swear- All-4-One
Regulate (From "Above The Rim")- Warren G
Any Time, Any Place/And On And On- Janet Jackson
Don t Turn Around- Ace Of Base   
    1998-Korean Se Ri Pak rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt to defeat amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn on the  second hole of sudden death and win the 1998 US Women's Open at Blackwolf Run GC in Kholer, WI.  The two golfers had finished the regulation 72 holes tied at six-over-par and had battled evenly at two-over— through an 18-hole playoff.  Both pared the first extra hole, the first sudden-death hold in the history of the tournament. By winning, Pak became the youngest Open champ in history at 20, and only the second golf on the LPGA tour to win two major championships in her rookie year.  Her earlier victory had come in the McDonald's LPGA Classic.
    2001 --Playing in the 101st different park since 1876, the Cubs beat the Tigers in Comerica Park, 15-8. The Cubs win for the first time in Detroit in 56 years dating back to Game 3 of the 1945 World Series when Claude Passeau's threw a 3-0 shutout in Briggs Stadium.
    2002-- Daryle Ward becomes the first player in the brief history of
Pittsburgh's PNC Park to hit the Allegheny River on the fly. His fifth inning towering grand slam, which is estimated to travel 479 feet, help the Astros to rout the Pirates, 10-2.