Position Wanted – Operations
Work Remotely or Relocate for Right Opportunity

Each Week Leasing News is pleased, as a service to its readership, to offer completely free ads placed by candidates for jobs in the industry.  These ads also can be accessed directly on the website at:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Each ad is limited to (100) words and ads repeat for up to 6 months unless the candidate tells us to stop. Your submissions should be received here by the end of each week.

Operations

Dallas/Fort Worth or Will Work Remotely Leasing Superstar! Unmatched work ethic and positive energy - strong attention to detail - have taken transactions from application through funding.  Have worked as both a broker and a funder. Problem solver - strong sales and customer service personality. I keep the deals moving and alive!  Will relocate for the right opportunity. Let's Talk! laura.noblin@gmail.com Resume: Laura Noblin Resume Operations

Please encourage friends and colleagues to take advantage of this service, including recent graduates and others interested in leasing and related careers.

 

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Top Stories: July 6 - July 8
(Opened Most by Readers)

(1) Dan Lee Passes Away
Long-Time Aircraft Leasing Executive
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#lee

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_08.htm#hires

(3) Madison Capital eDoc Experience
   by Allan Levine, President/COO
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#madison

(4) Ascentium Capital Reports Strong 2nd Quarter Growth
   $225.4 Million Funding
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_08.htm#reports

(5) IMCA Capital Changes Operations to “Currency”
    Becomes Aggregate Funding Source
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#imca

(6) Service Today for Broker/Lessor "Bob" New
  Well Known to NAELB/NEFA Members
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#service

(7) Method of Billing Lease Payments
   Leasing #102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLFP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#method

(8) “May I leave certain employers and jobs off my resume?”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_06.htm#crossroad

(9) Four New CLFPs Passed the Test
Foundation Reaches 348 Active
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2016/07_08.htm#clfp

(10) Where Have All the Giants Gone? The Rise and Fall
           of U.S. Industrial Segment Lessors
http://www.monitordaily.com/article-posts/where-have-all-the-giants-gone-the-rise-and-fall-of-u-s-industrial-segment-lessors/

 

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Balboa Capital Tagged for Quarterly Payment Scam
by Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal Editor

Federal Judge Refuses to Embrace Balboa’s Quarterly Interim Rent Term
Which Was Unclear in Lease

Shopko v Balboa Capital CV 16-00099 (Central District of California 2016). 

I’ve written about the quarterly payment scam before, and how, if the lessee is stupid enough not to read the lease, it results in huge revenue for leasing companies. The scam goes like this. A lease is entered into on January 10 and calls for quarterly payments. The next quarter starts April 1. So the leasing company charges “interim rent” for nearly 90 days and the charge does not reduce the balance on the lease. The salesman often pitches quarterly rent because it is so “convenient.” Well, it’s convenient alright, but convenient for the lessor. The terms are generally buried in 10 point font in vague language. 

Sadly, I’ve not seen a lessee with the guts to take on the lessor on this issue—until today. Today’s case appears, at least from the allegations, that a lessor ACH’ed a quarterly interim rental payment for nearly $70,000, a complete windfall. Add to the facts that this occurred over 13 different leases, many with quarterly payments of over $100,000, and you’ve got a $750,000 windfall to the lessor. This lessee hired “A Team” counsel and sued the lessor in Federal Court. The facts follow. 

As alleged, Balboa Capital entered into 13 leases with Shopko, a Wisconsin retailer for vehicles and other personal property between June, 2012 and August, 2015.  The Master Lease had a vague quarterly payment provision which generally stated:

"RENT...The first such payment…shall be made at the Lessor’s discretion of any day occurring in the quarter following the Commencement Date."

OK, by my reading of this, Balboa is given the discretion to tag the Lessee’s account at any time within the first 90 days of the commencement. Fair enough, but it’s not terribly clear when the lease was commenced, nor how much it will be. It seems that the lease simply gives the lessor carte blanche to pick any date within 90 days for the first quarterly payment to start. Is that fair? 

One example is the first schedule. Shopko alleges, and Leasing News has confirmed, that the Lessee signed the lease on June 25, 2012.  Balboa counter-signed it on July 10, 2012. There is no explanation for the 15 day delay, but obviously, the longer the delay, the more potential revenue the Lessor receives. It is unclear when the vendor was paid and the equipment accepted, which would typically be the commencement date of the lease. 

Balboa assigned the lease on June 26.  I can’t believe that the lease was assigned without the vendor being paid and the lease “commenced.” 

The assignment notification clearly stated that the assignee was getting 12 quarterly payments of $129,465. Later, Balboa ACH’ed the lessee for $148,000 for interim rent from July 2 to September 29, about 89 days. The excess of interim rent was attributable to a whopping $13,000 document fee, the amount of which was undisclosed in the lease (except by a vague undefined term called base lease amount), and taxes and wire fees. I hasten to add that the lease probably commenced in June, and thus, the first quarter would start in July, not September, but apparently, Balboa has a different time line.

Shopko alleged that this was repeated for every of the 13 leases. In other words, Balboa ACH’ed nearly $750,000 from Shopko’s account over five years. 

Shopko sued for fraud, alleging that Balboa did not disclose the amount of the interim rent. Shopko also sued Balboa for a violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, alleging that the practice was unfair.

Balboa moved to dismiss the claims, alleging that the provision for quarterly interim rent was fully disclosed in the Master Lease. Surprisingly, Balboa also attached an affidavit which introduced other documents, which is not allowed in a motion to dismiss. A motion to dismiss is concerned whether the complaint and exhibits states a cause of action, not whether there might be other documents in other files which could support a possible defense, so this motion was doomed from the start. 

The court heard Balboa’s motion on the merits, and denied it.  At its core, the court concluded that the Master Lease and supporting schedules were ambiguous, and that Shopko could offer oral evidence of its interpretation of the lease. Further hindering Balboa was the fact that the Schedules, which detail the payment of each lease, do not reference any right to interim quarterly rent.  In short, the Court held that “the lease is more than reasonably susceptible of ShopKo’s interpretation.” The court denied Balboa’s motion to dismiss.  Lessee won, lessor lost.

Balboa must now answer the complaint. The two parties will conduct discovery of their various positions. While it is technically possible for Balboa to re-present this argument again in the form of a motion summary judgment, given the Court’s ruling that the Shopko interpretation is reasonable, it seems to me that any such motion for summary judgment would present a question of fact for the court to resolve, and thus, that motion would be denied in favor of a trial.

I have three observations on this case at this preliminary stage:

First, I was hopeless confused by the language of the lease and the schedule.  It took multiple readings and a calculator to figure out how the quarterly interim rent was calculated. It shouldn’t be that difficult.  California Financial Code § 22161 makes it unlawful to operate in a deceptive manner. At best, the lease was ambiguous, at worst it was deceptive. The only case I could find was Underwriters Labs., Inc. v. Solarcom LLC, 2002 WL 31103476 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 18, 2002)  [Notwithstanding interim rent provision, lessee was allowed to introduce oral statements from lessor that lessee would not be charged interim rent]. This seems to go to the heart of what the court was saying. 

Second, I was also stupefied at the commencement date.  The lessee signed the lease in June, and it was assigned by Balboa the next day, but not countersigned until July 10. So, at the latest, the lease would have been commenced by June 26. Yet Balboa seemed to claim the lease commenced July 2, nearly two weeks before it countersigned the lease, or is it July 10?  I don’t get it. Assuming Balboa denies the lease was commenced on June 26, are we to believe that a lessor would (or could) assign a lease that wasn’t commenced yet? That would trigger a whole host of reps and warranties in the assignment document. 

Third, let’s look at the reasons behind interim rent. Interim rent is generally number of days elapsing between the date Lessee accepts the equipment and the commencement date of this Lease, to compensate lessor for the advance made to the vendor.  In re Edison Bros. Stores, Inc., 207 B.R. 801, 815 (Bankr. D. Del. 1997), it seems to me that this was only a day or two. But if Balboa unilaterally set a false commencement date a week or two after the vendor was paid, and the lease assigned, Balboa’s predicament is one of its own making. 

Fourth, this case may be a bit of a tar baby for Balboa, if for no other reason that a Federal Judge believes the lease is ambiguous and that ambiguity may be construed against it. This case is not a good candidate for summary judgment, because the ambiguity will likely go to a jury, some of which may only have a high school diploma. Does a lessor really want a high school graduate determining its liability? I think to get rid of it, Balboa might have to refund some or all of the nearly $750,000 it ACH’ed from Shopko’s account.  This is a big number, but bear in mind, it’s found money for Balboa. 

What are the lessons here to be learned for lessors wanting to charge quarterly rent?

• First, For Equipment Lessors, clarity in documentation is critical. The vague reference to possible interim rent in one document, and having it completely absent in another document is a problem in my judgment. While lessors do not have use plain English contracts, the agreements should be clear what they mean—and so clear that a high school senior would understand it by reading it. 

• Second, I was hopelessly confused about the commencement dates.  Again, providing clarity and consistency throughout the document suite, from the master lease, to the schedule, to the welcome letter is important. To me it seemed that Balboa picked an artificial commencement date to charge up to 89 days of interim rent in July-September. For lessors, make the commencement clear throughout the entire document suite. 

• Third, although not part of this case, I was struck by a $13,000 “documentation fee, which was completely absent in the master lease, and only vaguely referred to as 1% of the “Base Lease Amount,” an term which was not defined anywhere in the lease documents. That number is over the top and should have been spelled out with clarity in the master lease agreement—another arguably deceptive practice. 

• Fourth, it should be noted that at trial, Balboa might prevail. To do so, it will have to convince the judge or jury that the language in the lease is clear and unambiguous and the commencement dates carved in stone. 

The bottom line to this case is that Balboa Capital’s practice of charging interim quarterly rent has not passed muster with a Federal Judge at this preliminary stage. It remains to be seen whether the Lessee will press forward with this issue or whether this case will settle. I would expect a quick six figure settlement, especially given the fact that the quarterly interim rent is nothing but gravy for Balboa. Expect this case to go away in the next few months, and the issue, swept under the rug in a confidentiality agreement. 

Balboa Motion...Dismiss  (32 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/BalboaMotionDismiss2016.pdf

Schedule 000  (10 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Schedule000_2016.pdf

First Amended Complaint  (23 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/FirstAmendedComplaint2016.pdf

Shopko Minute Order  (11 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ShopkoMinuteOrder2016.pdf

Shopko Opposition  (30 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ShopkoOpposition2016.pdf

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting
in Los Angeles, California.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com
Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

 

Interim Rent

(Originally Published June 6, 2011)

It was common for leasing and finance companies to request all payments be made on the first of each month. It was also common to issue payment coupon books all with payments due on the first of the month. It was originally developed to support delinquency because it gave the firm thirty days to collect the payment. If the payment was not in by the twenty fifth, it became a thirty day delinquent account in five days. This procedure was driven by the bookkeeping systems of the day.

Then it developed that either you gave away the income from moving the due date from the commencement date to the first of the next month, you had to charge the lessee for a whole month regardless. Most Lessees regarded this as not acceptable, and in addition, moved the due date not 30 days, but ten days after the payment was due. Often the late charge became an “extra profit.” Coupon books were abandoned and interim rent was born.

With modern bookkeeping, we are able to collect interim payments based on the number of days between commencement and the preferred due date.

This trend not only recouped the daily interest cost, but also earned a profit between principal and interest in this time period. In addition, to the actual date of the funding - check to vendor -the interim rent could be full profit, depending on the start date and actual date the booking of the lease was complete, as the interim rate did not change the actual number of payments or reduce the days at the end. It is important to note that interim rent is not interest only, like in a loan, but extra rent and that is why it increases the yield so much.

Therefore additional rent on top of the total rent stream is collected, usually on the second invoice because the first invoice covers the first advanced payment and it usually comes with the signed acceptance prior to the computing of the interim amount.

I have seen abuses of the interim rent just like all parts of the lease contract. Now there seems to be leasing companies that start the rent payments as much as 90 days in the future to create a large interim payment that is usually not explained to the lessee until after signing the lease. (Companies, such as Balboa Capital, have charged Quarterly interim rent payments on Quarterly rent transaction, where their funding is actually in arrears, so they yield an extra three months in addition to the interim rent. Editor)

Interim payments are part of the cost of a lease but rarely presented up front to the lessee. In some cases, it is used to reduce the appearance of the rate when a long interim is required. It therefore becomes one of those hidden advantages used to be more competitive.

I believe we need competitive advantages but for some reason we rely on tricks and hidden charges. Therefore it is important to completely understand lease documentation and the timing of rent payments to determine your competitive position when proposing a lease arrangement. If a rate looks too low, something in the transaction is not clearly understood.

Unless the transaction is a large lease, most lessees accept the interim rent payment as it is very common today to be included in the lease or finance contract.

First Federal is one of the few companies
that does not charge Interim Rent

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Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Positions Available for the Right Person

Senior Credit Analyst - Minimum 5 years of small ticket/high volume equipment finance underwriting experience preferred - Relocation benefits available for the right candidate - For a complete job description, please click here Senior Credit Analyst - Transportation - Minimum 5 years of small ticket/high volume equipment finance underwriting experience preferred - Relocation benefits available for the right candidate - For a complete job description, please click here www.pawneeleasing.com Established in 1982, Pawnee Leasing Corporation located in Fort Collins, CO specializes in commercial equipment leasing and financing up to $150,000 to smaller, closely-held business enterprises. Pawnee Leasing is a U.S. subsidiary of Chesswood Group Limited, a publicly-held specialty financial services company based in Toronto, Canada (TSX:CHW).

 

Inside Sales Manager San Francisco We are currently seeking qualified talent to be primarily responsible for overseeing the Inside Sales Department within the Vendor business group of the Equipment Finance Division, while developing and improving policies and procedures to properly support high production volume. For more information click here www.bankofthewest.com

 

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“What is the Interviewer Looking For?”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

 

Question: During an interview, what is the interviewer looking for?

Answer: Number one: Remember being able “to do” the job is only a part of the interview process.

Interviewers will ask you dozens of searching questions that test your confidence, poise, and desirable personality trains. They may be tracking if you contradict yourself and if are able to think on your feet. The interviewer will make a decision based on some main areas:

1. How can you contribute to the company/department?
   
2. Will you complement or disrupt the department?
   
3. Are you willing to take the extra step?
   
4. Are you manageable?
   
5. Are your comp requirements in line with the market?
   
6. And of course, does s/he believe you can do the job?

The interviewer will be looking for a pattern in your replies in order to find certain traits.

You will fail if you:

1. If you don’t listen to the questions (let the interviewer “lead” the interview)
   
2. If you annoy the interviewer by answering a question that was not asked
   
3. If you provide superfluous information (keep your answers brief, thorough and to the point)

You must be prepared to answer an array of questions that have value and relevance to the employer, for example:

1. Why do you want to work here
   
2. What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
   
3. What is your greatest weakness?

Again, listen to the question and answer it only. Don’t try to do the job for the interviewer. Don’t try to outguess what they are looking for or want. Keep it simple… 

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

An Example of Financial Technology

Airbnb has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in San Francisco in 2008. Today, the website has over 2 million listings in 191 countries worldwide. Its apartments and rooms are on offer in 34,000 cities.

 www.airbnb.com

 

 

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Big Banks Lose Near Half a Trillion Dollars
FactSet Data Chart

MarketWatch reports, "Brexit isn't all to blame. True, bank stocks have plummeted since the U.K. voted last month to leave the European Union.But they have been losing value since the start of the year, when a group of factors--the Chinese economy, the path of U.S. interest rates, oil prices---weighed on the markets."

 

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California DBO Payday 2016 Lending Report
Some Surprising Statistics

The number of customers in 2015 who obtained 10 payday loans (formally called deferred deposit transactions under state law) totaled 462,334, according to a survey of DBO-licensed payday lenders included in the report.  That was 42.7 percent more than the 323,870 customers who made only one transaction. Those numbers are based on survey responses from 216 of 252 licensees. 

Other survey data related to repeat customers:

• Of subsequent payday loans for the same borrower, 47.2 percent were made the same day the previous transaction ended. Another 23.2 percent were made one to seven days after the previous transaction (based on survey responses from 136 licensees).

• The average annual percentage rate (APR) for payday loans in 2015 increased to 366 percent from 361 percent in 2014.

• The total number of returned checks represented 6.37 percent of all payday loans in 2015, up from 5.84 percent in 2014.  However, the dollar amount of returned checks, as a percentage of the total dollar amount of all transactions, declined to 5.1 percent from 5.82 percent in 2014.

• The number of charged off returned checks increased as a share of total payday loans in 2015, to 3.11 percent from 3.04 percent in 2014.  However, the dollar amount of charged off returned checks, as a percentage of the total dollar amount of all transactions, fell to 2.23 percent from 2.95 percent in 2014.

• As of Dec. 31, 2015, the DBO supervised 252 payday loan licensees at 1,969 licensed locations.  The number of licensed locations was down 4.57 percent from 2014 and 18.06 percent from 2007, according to the report.

Full PayDay 2016 Survey Report  (67 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/2016CDDTLReport0716.pdf

 

Receivables Management LLC John Kenny • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement  • Third-Party Commercial Collections john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167 www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigative
reporting provided by John Kenny)

 

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

California Installment Consumer Lending by
Non-Banks Grew Almost 50% in 2015

Most Loans Between $2,500 and $5,000 Had 100% Plus APRs

The combined dollar amount of installment consumer loans made by non-banks in California grew almost 50 percent in 2015, while most borrowers in the highest-volume category of loans paid annualized rates of 100 percent or higher, according to a report released today by the Department of Business Oversight (DBO). 

Jan Lynn Owen
Dept. Business Oversight Commissioner

“The good news is the increased lending activity reflects continued improvement in California’s economic health,” said DBO Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen. “Less heartening is the data that show hundreds of thousands of borrowers facing triple-digit APRs. We will continue to work with policymakers and hope they find the report helpful as they consider reforms of California’s small-dollar loan market.” 

The combined principal of non-payday consumer loans made by firms licensed under the California Finance Lenders Law totaled $34.1 billion in 2015, according to the report. That was up 48.7 percent from $22.9 billion in 2014.  The number of such loans increased 25.6 percent over the same period, to roughly 1.4 million last year.

The report also contained interesting data related to Finance Lenders Law provisions that limit interest rates.  The statute caps rates on loans under $2,500, but imposes no limits on loans valued at $2,500 or higher. 
The report showed more than half of the consumer loans valued at $2,500 to $4,999 carried annual percentage rates (APRs) of 100 percent or higher.  Licensed lenders made 535,585 secured and unsecured loans in that dollar range, the highest total for any loan-value category.  Of those loans, 293,248 – or 54.7 percent – had APRs of 100 percent or higher. 

Lenders made 411,822 unsecured consumer loans in the $2,500-$4,999 range, according to the report.  Of those, 57.7 percent had APRs of 100 percent or higher. 

Meanwhile, the report data showed a significant increase in the number and principal amount of unsecured consumer loans under $2,500, where the rate caps apply. The number of such loans in 2015 grew 30.2 percent from 2014, to 450,224. The aggregate principal increased 28.1 percent, to $312.1 million. 

Other significant data points from the report: 

• Auto title loans – The data showed growth in this sector slowed in 2015.  The number of auto title loans increased 9.5 percent last year (to 116,444), compared to a 16.2 percent growth rate in 2014.  The aggregate principal on such loans grew 10.9 percent in 2015 (to $423.5 million), compared to a 14.1 percent increase in 2014. 
• Mortgage lending – The data showed the growth in overall consumer lending by non-banks in 2015 was driven largely by residential mortgage loans made by licensees under the Finance Lenders Law.  Loans secured by real property increased in number 61.7 percent from 2014, to 78,073.  The aggregate principal on such loans went up 55.3 percent, to $24.6 billion last year. The data is provided by licensed lenders and is unaudited.

 The DBO licenses and regulates more than 360,000 individuals and entities that provide financial services in California. DBO’s regulatory jurisdiction extends over state-chartered banks and credit unions, money transmitters, securities broker-dealers, investment advisers, non-bank installment lenders and payday lenders, mortgage lenders, escrow companies, franchisors and more.

2016 Consumer Loan Report (36 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Non-PayConsumeLoans2016.pdf

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

 

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

Hound (mix)
Dallas, Texas Adopt-a-Dog

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Male
Color: Tan/Yellow/Fawn with White
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Size: Medium

Mookie is not currently in shelter. He is in a foster home waiting adoption. Please email adoptions@dognkittycity.org to meet Mookie!

"I'm Mookie. I love people; especially ones that give me massages, peanut butter, and take me out for long walks. I like to have my belly rubbed as much as humanly possible. When that happens, I lie on my back and emit a long sigh, because it feels so good! I get along with people, children and other pets that I have lived with in the past. I like both the indoors and outdoors - mostly I want to be wherever you are at! I need a house full of soft beds, people who like to give me lots of love and attention, and yummy treats! I'm 6 years young and ready for love!

If you are interested in adopting this pet you will need to submit a filled-in adoption application (dognkittycity.org/docs/adoptionapp.pdf) to the Adoption Director in person, by email:  adoptions@dognkittycity.org

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Closed Tuesday and Holidays

Adopt a Pet
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Attorneys Who Specialize in
Banking, Finance, and Leasing

Birmingham, Alabama The lawyers of Marks & Associates, P.C. have over 30 years experience in dealing with virtually every type of equipment financing and are recognized throughout the industry for prompt, practical solutions and exemplary service. They offer cost-conscious, effective lease enforcement and good counsel.  Email: Barry@leaselawyer.com Website: www.leaselawyers.com	California, National: city: Riverside  Ellen Stern - get results, reasonable pricing; numerous industry contacts, nearly 30 yrs exp.in SoCal, 20 yrs equip.: CFL license specialist, documentation, work-outs, litigated collections, recoveries; deal-maker.  Email: leaselaw@msn.com
Kenneth C. Greene California Leasing and Financial consultant, active in several leasing associations, as well as involved in music and film production inLA.  Mention "Leasing News" for a free consultation. 818.575.9095 Skype: 424.235.1658 ken@kengreenelaw.com	Connecticut, Southern New England:  EVANS, FELDMAN & BOYER, LLC Collections, litigation, documentation, portfolio sales and financing, bankruptcy. We represent many of the national and local leasing companies doing business in this state. Past chairman EAEL legal committee. Competitive rates.  email: rcfeldman@snet.net
Los Angeles/Santa Monica Hemar & Associates, Attorneys at Law Specialists in legal assistance, including debt collection, equipment recovery, litigation for 35 years. Fluent in Spanish.  Tel: 310-829-1948  email: phemar@hemar.com
Los Angeles, Southern CA  Seasoned attorney representing secured creditors in auto finance and truck/equipment lease industry.  Bankruptcy and State Court litigation.   Vincent V. Frounjian (818) 990-0605or email: vvf@pacbell.net.	Encino, California: Statewide “ELFA”  Hemar, Rousso & Heald, LLP 30 yr excellent reputation Lessor representation commercial litigation, debt collection, and bankruptcy. Call Stephen E. Jenkins Esq (818) 501-3800
Los Angeles, Statewide: CA.     "ELFA" Aggressive creditors rights law firm specializing in equipment leasing handling collection matters on a contingency, fixed fee or hourly cbasis. email:RGarwacki@prodigy.net	Los Angeles, Statewide: CA      "ELFA" Practice limited to collections, bankruptcy and problem accounts resolution. Decades of experience. 10-lawyer firm dedicated to serving you. Call Ronald Cohn, Esq. (818)591-2121 or email. Email: rrcohn@aol.com
Los Angeles- Statewide, CA Lawyer specializing in banking and leasing issues statewide. Documents and litigation.  Tom McCurnin, Barton, Klugman & Oetting. Voice: (213) 617-6129  Cell:(213) 268-8291 Email:  tmccurnin@bkolaw.com	California & National Paul Bent – More than 35 years experience in all forms of equipment leasing, secured lending, and asset based transactions. Financial analysis, deal structuring, contract negotiations, documentation, private dispute resolution, expert witness services.  (562) 426-1000 www.paulbentlaw.com pbent@paulbentlaw.com
Illinois   Kevin E. Trabaris: Concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial finance, corporate and business transactions. Extensive experience representing banks, financial companies, equipment lessors, insurers and other funding and intermediary entities and borrowers in connection with thousands of business financing matters. He has handled everything from small ticket transactions to billion dollar syndicated loans, real estate financing to asset-based facilities. Email: ktrabaris@llflegal.com Work: 312.667.1354 Cell: 847.840.4687 http://llflegal.com/attorneys/kevin-trabaris/	Law Firm - Service, Dallas, TX. "ELFA" Mayer regularly practices in leasing, secured financing, project development and finance and corporate finance.  email: dmayer@pattonboggs.com Website: www.pattonboggs.com
Massachusetts (collection/litigation coast to coast)  Modern Law Group focuses its practice on collections, lease enforcement and asset recovery. For the past five years, our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars. We are able to cover your needs coast to coast. Email phone 617-855-9085www.modernlawgroup.com	Michael J. Witt, experienced bank, finance, and leasing attorney, also conducts Portfolio Audits. Previously he was Managing Counsel, Wells Fargo & Co. (May, 2003 – September, 2008); Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Advanta Business Services (May, 1988 – June, 1997) Tel: (515) 223-2352 Cell: (515) 868-1067 E-mail: MWitt@Witt-Legal.com Web: www.witt-legal.com
National:  The OMEGA Network Group-nationwide legal representation of small and mid ticket equipment lessors-flat fee bankruptcy & replevin, contingent collection,  billable litigation (704-969-3280) tong_92@yahoo.com	National: Coston & Rademacher: Business attorneys serving the lease-finance industry since 1980. Transactional, documentation, corporate/finance, workouts, litigation, bankruptcy, portfolio management. Chicago-based national practice. Jim Coston, CLP (Members: ELFA, NEFA).  email: Jcoston@costonlaw.com Website:www.costonlaw.com
St. Louis County , MO. - statewide:  Schultz & Associates LLP., collections, negotiation, and litigation. Also register and pursue recovery on foreign judgments. Contingency and reasonable hourly rates.  Ronald J. Eisenberg, Esq. (636) 537-4645 x108  reisenberg@sl-lawyers.com www.sl-lawyers.com	NJ,De,Pa: Specializing in leased equipment/secured transactions. Collections, replevins/workouts reasonable rates. Sergio Scuteri/Capehart & Scratchard, PAsscuteri@capehart.com / www.capehart.com
New York and New Jersey Peretore & Peretore, P.C. documentation, portfolio purchase & sale, replevin, workouts, litigation, collection, bankruptcy.  Aggressive. Over 25 years experience.www.peretore.com	Thousand Oaks, California:  Statewide coverage Spiwak & Iezza, LLP 20+ years experience,Representing Lessors banks in both State/ Federal Courts/ all aspects of commercial leasing litigation. Nick Iezza 805-777-1175 niezza@spiwakandiezza.com

 

((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

News Briefs---

Nashville-based Airplane Leasing Company Sues Televangelists
Business Aircraft Leasing says two ‘prophets’ owe thousands
http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/article/20827530/nashville-airplane-leasing-company-sues-televangelists

Online Consumer Lenders Stumble,
  While Online Business Lenders Stay On Their Game
http://debanked.com/2016/07/online-consumer-lenders-stumble-while-online-business-lenders-stay-on-their-game/

Financial Edge: Rail Insights 2016 takeaways
  Upgrades Too Expensive for Leased Tank Railcars
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/finance-leasing/financial-edge-rail-insights-2016-takeaways.html

 

Inside Sales Manager San Francisco We are currently seeking qualified talent to be primarily responsible for overseeing the Inside Sales Department within the Vendor business group of the Equipment Finance Division, while developing and improving policies and procedures to properly support high production volume. For more information click here www.bankofthewest.com

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

--You May Have Missed It

Microsoft claim big breakthrough with data storage using DNA
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/uw-microsoft-claim-big-breakthrough-with-data-storage-using-dna/

[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

9 Great Exercises for Neck Pain
http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/
blog.asp?post=the_9_best_exercises_for_neck_pain

[headlines]
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Baseball Poen

A Baseball Game (Free verse)

 

The ump showed up early.
Sharply dressed
His pants, meticulously creased.
His gold watch glinting in the 4 o'clock
End of March southern California sun.
He held a sour look
It was his first line of defense.

The manager of the Astros
Was what you might call
An easy going type.
A long-time bachelor, and a slob to boot.
He always had a quick sly grin
Popped his gum unceasingly.
His face like an old first-baseman's glove;
Tanned brown with wear,
The stitching undone,
Staggeringly wrinkled from so much daily use.

He strolled over to home,
Tugging at the bottom of his extra-large shirt
Which barely covered the expanse of his girth,
Slapped the ump on the back
and announced that the teams
were a little behind getting the field ready
and could we start the game at a quarter past?

The ump looked at his watch without saying a word
Held up his right hand for a moment,
Then brought it down like an ax,
"Play Ball!" he shouted
2 inches from the Astros manager's leathery face.

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs----

Wimbledon: Andy Murray captures his second title
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_30112201/wimbledon-andy-murray-captures-his-second-title

Chargers' make-or-break stadium proposal cleared for November vote
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2016/07/09/chargers-stadium-tax-proposal-november-ballot-make-or-break/86909930/

Sonoma County’s Vineman triathlons mark first race under new Ironman ownership
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5820925-181/sonoma-countys-vineman-triathlons-mark?artslide=0

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

California Nuts Briefs---

It’s official: California grows to 6th-largest world economy
http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/It-s-official-California-grows-to-6th-largest-8348184.php

San Jose: High-rise hotel proposed near I-880 and Highway 101
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30102494/high-rise-hotel-proposed-san-jose

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Discover the Best Wine Lists App by Wine Spectator
https://restaurants.winespectator.com/

Treasury Wine Estates dumps cheaper US brands
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-04/treasury-wine-estates-dumps-cheaper-us-brands/7566328

U.S. Wine Market On Pace To Grow By More Than 20 Million Cases By 2020
http://www.shankennewsdaily.com/index.php/2016/07/08/15350/exclusive-u-s-wine-market-pace-grow-20-million-cases-2020/

On tour with the Wine Train
http://napavalleyregister.com/wine/on-tour-with-the-wine-train/article_15f8ef0b-285b-5de6-a3cc-547cb47b50c8.html

Seattle’s oldest wine shop is still going strong nearly 50 years later
http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/seattles-oldest-wine-shop-is-still-going-strong-nearly-50-years-later/

The next Chinese import: $300-a-bottle wine
http://napavalleyregister.com/wine/the-next-chinese-import--a-bottle-wine/article_8d0188c0-9443-51c9-8a7b-8e2a4eb21aa3.html

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

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

        1656 - Ann Austin and Mary Fisher, two Englishwomen, become the first Quakers to enter the American colonies when the ship carrying them lands at Boston in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The pair had come from Barbados, where Quakers had established a center for missionary work. The Religious Society of Friends, whose members are commonly known as Quakers, was a Christian movement founded by George Fox in England during the early 1650s. Quakers opposed central church authority, preferring to seek spiritual insight and consensus through egalitarian Quaker meetings. They also advocated sexual equality, and became some of the most outspoken opponents of slavery in early America. Shortly after arriving in Massachusetts, Austin and Fisher, whose liberal teachings enraged the Puritan colonial government, were arrested and jailed. After five years in prison, they were deported back to Barbados. In October of 1656, the Massachusetts colonial government enacted their first ban on Quakers, and on 20 October 1658, ordered Quakers banished from the colony "under penalty of death." On 27 October 1659, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson became the first Quakers to be executed in America when they were hanged from an elm tree on Boston Common. Mary Dyer was sentenced with them but reprieved and warned not to return to Boston. She did, and was hanged on 01 June 1860. In the mid-eighteenth century, John Woolman, an anti-slavery Quaker, traveled the American colonies, preaching and advancing the abolitionist cause. He also organized boycotts of products made by slave labor, and was responsible for convincing many Quaker communities to publicly denounce slavery. Another of many important abolitionist Quakers was Lucretia Mott, who worked on the Underground Railroad in the nineteenth century, helping lead fugitive slaves to freedom in the Northern states and Canada. In addition to her anti-slavery crusade, Mott later became a leader in the movement for women's rights.    
    1735 - Mathematical calculations suggested that it is on this day that Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune for the last time before 1979.
    1767 - Birthday of John Quincy Adams (d. 1848), Braintree, Massachusetts Bay Colony.  He was the first U.S. President, sixth overall, whose father had also been President of the United States. He also has the uniqueness for serving 17 years as a member of Congress from Plymouth, Massachusetts, after serving one single term as President. He died February 23, 1848, at the House of Representatives (in the same room in which he had taken the presidential oath of Office March 4, 1825).
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ja6.html 
    1786 - Morocco agreed to stop attacking American ships in the Mediterranean for a payment of $10,000.
    1796 – The US took possession of Detroit from the British under the Jay Treaty.
    1798 - President John Adams signed the bill that re-established the Marine Corps. The Continental Congress had disbanded the service in April of 1783 at the end of the American Revolution. The Marine Corps, however, recognizes its "official" birthday to be the date that the Second Continental Congress first authorized the establishment of the "Corps of Marines" on 10 November 1775. To add to the confusion of the Corps' actual "historical" birthday, on 1 July 1797, Congress authorized the Revenue cutters to carry, in addition to their regular crew, up to "30 marines." Congress directed the cutters to interdict French privateers operating off the coast during the Quasi-War with France and thought the additional firepower of 30 marines would be needed by the under-manned and under-gunned cutters. It is unknown if any "marines" were enlisted for service with the Revenue cutters during this time.
    1804 - Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded in a pistol duel with Aaron Burr. Since New Jersey did not have a law against dueling at the time, Burr and Hamilton, both New Yorkers, crossed the Hudson to Weehawken, New Jersey. New York had banned the practice earlier, partly due to Hamilton's own campaign efforts after his son was killed in a duel.  Hamilton had fought Burr’s run for the presidency in 1800, and for the governorship of New York in 1804, when Hamilton and others suspected that Burr intended to attach New York to the disgruntled New England states in a plan to disunite from the Union and form a northern confederacy. Jefferson and Burr had equal electoral votes, throwing the election to the House where each state would have one vote. There were 35 ballots in a row, deadlocked, until the 36th, and Burr became Vice-President (there were separate elections for the office at that time). Burr challenged Hamilton, who deliberately misfired before Burr fired with the intent to kill. Burr was later tried for treason in an attempt to have Southern states secede from the union and join Mexico.   http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul11.html  
   1806 - James Smith, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born 1719 at Dublin, Ireland, died.  His family immigrated to Pennsylvania when he was ten and his father was a successful farmer.  He was appointed to the provincial convention in Philadelphia in 1775, the state constitutional convention in 1776, and was elected to the Continental Congress the same year. He remained in Congress only two years, and as Congress was meeting in Philadelphia in those days, provided his office for meetings of the Board of War.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/smith.htm
    1819 - Birthday of Susan Bogert Warner (d. 1885), NYC.  She wrote, under the name of "Elizabeth Wetherell", thirty novels, many of which went into multiple editions. A remarkably prolific and popular author, she is said to be the first U.S. author to sell a million copies of a book. She collaborated on several with her sister Anna Bartlett Warner (b. 08-31-1827), also a successful writer. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Warner
    1838 - Birthday of John Wanamaker (d. 1922), Philadelphia.  Founder of Wanamaker’s Department Store, at Philadelphia.  A merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, he was considered by some to be an early proponent of advertising and a "pioneer in marketing.”  He opened his first store in 1861, in partnership with his brother in-law, called "Oak Hall", at Sixth and Market Streets in Philadelphia, adjacent to the site of George Washington's Presidential home. In 1889, Wanamaker began the First Penny Savings Bank in order to encourage thrift. That same year, he was appointed Postmaster General by President Benjamin Harrison. Wanamaker was credited by his friends with introducing the first commemorative stamp, and many efficiencies to the Postal Service. He was the first to make plans for free rural postal service in the United States, although the plan was not implemented until 1897.
    1846 - The American flag replaced the California Republic flag at Sutter's Fort today. As soon as he received word that the U.S. and Mexico were at war, John Fremont quickly enrolled local Anglo settlers, mostly recent immigrants from Missouri and Iowa, into a militia force. Numbering about 500 men, Fremont moved the battalion south toward Los Angeles. He soon took the city without a fight. In fact, except for one small engagement of Mexican cavalry against a force of Army Regulars lead by General Stephen Kearny, coming into California from New Mexico, the rest of the colony willingly accepted American control.
    1848 - Governor of California, Gen. Richard Barnes Mason, visited gold fields to gather information for a report to the U.S. Government. He was accompanied by his aide, Capt. William T. Sherman. 
    1854 – Birthday of actress Georgiana Barrymore (d. 1893) at Philadelphia, PA.  She is the mother of John, Ethel, and Lionel Barrymore and her maiden name, Drew, is that of her great, great granddaughter and current actress.
    1855 - Word arrived that Los Angeles yesterday suffered the heaviest earthquake ever felt there. Hardly a building escaped damage. Residents said the quake lifted the ground and then twisted it. Bells of the San Gabriel Mission Church were thrown down by the tremor.
    1864 - General Jubal A. Early, commanding Confederate troops attempting to draw Union forces away from Richmond, broke through inadequate Union forces southeast of Frederick, MD., and entered the District of Columbia. His goal was to attack the White House, as was General Lee’s original goal when his troops were caught at Gettysburg. At this time, the Union was aware of the original thrust by Lee and his forces and had been re-enforcing the capital. Noting that hastily ordered federal reserves were arriving in significant numbers, Early withdrew the next night. He continued to harass Union forces from Shenandoah Valley until the Battle of Cedar Creek in October. He was elevated by Lee to Lt. General. He was very loyal to Lee and an ardent critic of General Longstreet. 
http://www.jubalearly.org/jubal.html
http://www.civilwarhome.com/earlybio.htm
    1870 - Snowden School of Alexandria, VA, was the first African-American School established by a state. The Snowden and Hallowell schools were the first black public schools in the City of Alexandria. In 1915, the Snowden School for Boys was destroyed in a fire, but the students were allowed to attend St. Mary’s Catholic Church School which was located at the time on Wolfe and Royal Streets. In 1920, the Snowden and Hallowell schools were consolidated, and the resulting school was named the Parker-Gray School. Parker-Gray School is named for John Parker, principal of the Snowden School for Boys, and Sarah Gray, principal of the Hallowell School for Girls. 
    1884 - The first practical fountain pen was invented by Lewis Edson Waterman and was manufactured by the L.E. Waterman Company in New York City. During the first year, about 200 fountain pens were manufactured. They were originally manufactured by hand. Waterman also invented the machinery to produce fountain pens in commercial quantities.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwaterman.htm 
    1897 - Blind Lemon Jefferson was born Lemon Henry Jefferson (d. 1929), Coutchman, TX.  A blues and gospel singer, guitarist, and songwriter, he was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been called "Father of the Texas Blues."
http://www.78records.com.au/stat-txt/bljstory.html
    1899 - Birthday of E.B. White (d. 1985), Mt. Vernon, NY.  Versatile author of books for adults and children “Charlotte’s Web,” editor of the New Yorker Magazine and co-author of the classic” “Elements of Style.”
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/tingum/ebwhite.html
http://www.ablongman.com/professional/catalog/academic/product/
1,4096,020530902X,00.html
    1905 - A group of African American intellectuals and activists, led by W.E.B. Dubois, founded the Niagara Movement in Niagara Falls, Canada. A forerunner of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the movement was formed to fight racial discrimination in the US. Image of the founding members of the Niagara Movement:
http://www.nypl.org/research/sc/scg/photo.html
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Classroom/9912/naacp.html
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/nhhs/project/1998/blkgroup.htm
    1911 - The Federal Express of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad, carrying the St. Louis Cardinals to Boston, plunged down an 18-foot embankment outside Bridgeport, CT, killing 14 passengers. The team's Pullmans were originally just behind the baggage coaches near the front. When noise prevented the players from sleeping, manager Roger Bresnahan requested the car be changed. The day coach that replaced the players' car was crushed and splintered. The players helped remove bodies and rescue the injured, then boarded a special train to Boston, where the day's game was postponed. The railroad paid each player $25 for his rescue work and for lost belongings.
    1914 – After starting in his first professional baseball season with the minor league Baltimore Orioles, Babe Ruth made his Major League Baseball when he took the mound in Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox against the Cleveland Naps. Ruth was relieved for the last two innings, but was the winning pitcher in a 4-3 game. During his rookie season, Ruth made $2,900. Six years later Ruth would pocket a $80,000 paycheck as a member of the New York Yankees.
    1916 - US President Woodrow Wilson signs the Federal Aid Road Act, the first grant-in-aid enacted by Congress to help states build roads. In 1916, roads throughout America were generally poor and most were susceptible to weather. The advent of the Ford Model T brought on new interests in higher standards for roads, and by the early 1900s, motorist clubs like the American Automobile Association (AAA) had rallied around the call for federally funded long-distance highways. Farmers balked at the idea, arguing that paying taxes so city people could go on car tours was unfair. As the car became more important to farmers, however, the ground became fertile for legislation to raise the quality or roads across the country.
    1918 – Enrico Caruso recorded "Over There" written by George M. Cohan.
    1919 - The first golfer to play 180 holes in one day was Edward Styles, who started the marathon contest at 5:53am at the Old York Road Country Club, Philadelphia, PA.  He played 180 holes, 10 rounds of golf, in 796 strokes, and finished playing at 8:32pm. The average time per round was one hour and nineteen minutes. He walked nearly 40 miles and took time out three times for a change of shoes and for refreshments. His average score was 79.6 strokes per round.
    1919 – The eight-hour day and Sunday off became law for workers in the Netherlands.
    1920 – Birthday of actor Yul Brynner, born Yuliy Borisovich Briner at Vladivostok, Russia.  He was best known for his portrayal of the King of Siam in the musical, “The King and I,” for which he won two Tony Awards and an Academy Award for the film version; he played the role 4,625 times on stage. He is also remembered as Ramses II in the 1955 blockbuster, “The Ten Commandments,” General Bounine in the 1956 film “Anastasia,” and Chris Adams in “The Magnificent Seven.” Brynner was noted for his distinctive voice and for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it in 1951 for his role in “The King and I”. Earlier, he was a model and television director, and later a photographer and the author of two books.
    1921 – Former President William Howard Taft was sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, becoming the only person ever to hold both offices.
    1931 – Actor Tab Hunter’s birthday, born Arthur Andrew Kelm in New York City.
    1931 – Birthday of singer Thurston Harris (d. 1990), Indianapolis.  In 1957, Harris signed as a solo artist for Aladdin. His former band, The Tenderfoots who later became The Rivingtons, backed him when he released his version of "Little Bitty Pretty One”.  It reached #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.  The track sold over one million records, achieving gold disc status.  The Rivingtons went on to record “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow” that reached #48 in 1962.    
    1939 - Birthday of Clara Adams-Ender, Willow Springs, NC.  U.S. nurse who became the first black woman to be made Chief, Department of Nursing, Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 
http://www.dom.com/about/education/strong/1993/claraadamsender.jsp
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9152636
    1943 - *CRAIG, ROBERT, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Favoratta, Sicily, 11 July 1943. Entered service at: Toledo, Ohio. Birth: Scotland. G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, on 11 July 1943 at Favoratta, Sicily. 2d Lt. Craig voluntarily undertook the perilous task of locating and destroying a hidden enemy machinegun which had halted the advance of his company. Attempts by 3 other officers to locate the weapon had resulted in failure, with each officer receiving wounds. 2d Lt. Craig located the gun and snaked his way to a point within 35 yards of the hostile position before being discovered. Charging headlong into the furious automatic fire, he reached the gun, stood over it, and killed the 3 crew members with his carbine. With this obstacle removed, his company continued its advance.
    1944 - *ENDL, GERALD L., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U S. Army, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Anamo, New Guinea, 11 July 1944. Entered service at: Janesville, Wis. Birth: Ft. Atkinson, Wis. G.O. No.: 17, 13 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July 1944. S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were encountered and a fire fight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle, machinegun, and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl immediately assumed command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail toward which the enemy attack was directed. The dense jungle terrain greatly restricted vision and movement, and he endeavored to penetrate down the trail toward an open clearing of Kunai grass. As he advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least 6 light and 2 heavy machineguns, attempting an enveloping movement around both flanks. His commanding officer sent a second platoon to move up on the left flank of the position, but the enemy closed in rapidly, placing our force in imminent danger of being isolated and annihilated. Twelve members of his platoon were wounded, 7 being cut off by the enemy. Realizing that if his platoon were forced farther back, these 7 men would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy of a vicious enemy, he resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain death, in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy fire he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and to withdraw. Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were lying along the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the last man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and was killed. By his persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made possible the successful evacuation of all but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons to withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the company.
Lt. Craig and his platoon, in a position devoid of cover and concealment, encountered the fire of approximately 100 enemy soldiers. Electing to sacrifice himself so that his platoon might carry on the battle, he ordered his men to withdraw to the cover of the crest while he drew the enemy fire to himself. With no hope of survival, he charged toward the enemy until he was within 25 yards of them. Assuming a kneeling position, he killed 5 and wounded 3 enemy soldiers. While the hostile force concentrated fire on him, his platoon reached the cover of the crest. 2d Lt. Craig was killed by enemy fire, but his intrepid action so inspired his men that they drove the enemy from the area, inflicting heavy casualties on the hostile force. 
    1944 - Top Hits
“I’ll Be Seeing You” - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Frank Sinatra)
“Long Ago and Far Away” - Helen Forrest & Dick Haymes
“I’ll Get By” - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Dick Haymes)
Straighten Up and Fly Right - King Cole Trio
    1946 - Dean Martin begins his recording career mere weeks before teaming up with nightclub comic Jerry Lewis. 
    1950 – During the All-Star Game in Chicago, Ted Williams fractured his left elbow in making a leaping, off-the-wall catch of a Ralph Kiner drive in the 1st inning.  Remaining in the game, he put the AL ahead, 3 - 2, with an RBI single. Kiner's 9th-inning home run tied the game, and Red Scheondienst's blast in the 14th won it. Williams later stated he was never the same after this injury. It was a game of firsts - the first extra-inning All-Star Game, the first time the NL won at an AL park, and the first All-Star Game ever shown on national television.
    1951 - Birthday of Patricia Eva ‘Bonnie’ Pointer (Pointer Sisters), Oakland, CA. 
http://www.thepointersistersfans.com/bonnie.html.  
    1952 - Top Hits
“Kiss of Fire” - Georgia Gibbs
“I’m Yours” - Eddie Fisher
“Delicado” - The Percy Faith Orchestra
“That Heart Belongs to Me” - Webb Pierce
    1952 – The Republican National Convention, meeting in Chicago, nominated Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower for President and Richard M. Nixon for Vice–President.
    1953 – Boxer Leon Spinks was born at St. Louis, MO.  Gap-toothed fighter is best-known for his upset of Muhammad Ali on February 15, 1978, one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.  
    1955 – The Air Force Academy was dedicated at Lowry AFB, Colorado Springs, CO.
    1956 - John Coltrane Quintet cuts eight titles for Prestige records.
http://www.saintjohncoltrane.org/
    1959 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “Lonely Boy,'' Paul Anka.
    1960 - Top Hits
“Alley-Oop” - Hollywood Argyles
“I’m Sorry” - Brenda Lee
“Mule Skinner Blues” - The Fendermen
“Please Help Me, I’m Falling” - Hank Locklin
    1960 - "To Kill a Mockingbird," Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, was published.
    1960 - In Honolulu, the first tournament held outside the continental US, sanctioned by the US Golf Association, began. 
    1960 - Birthday of Richie Sambora, Perth Amboy, NJ,  guitarist with Bon Jovi.
http://www.richiesambora.com/
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bio.asp?oid=3965&cf=3965
    1961 – San Francisco’s Candlestick Park’s notoriously vicious winds dominated the first of 1961's two All-Star Games. A capacity crowd witnessed a record seven errors and hometown hero Stu Miller’s balk was caused as the wind knocked him backward off the rubber.  The AL forged a 3 - 3 tie before losing, 5 - 4, in 10 innings.
    1962 - The Telstar communications satellite picked up broadcast signals from France and bounced them down to an antenna in Maine, thus delivering the first live television picture from Europe to America. Telstar was launched from Cape Canaveral as an experiment in TV transmission, and was also used to send radio and telephone signals. Americans watched a seven-minute program, featuring a song by Yves Montand. Historians believe this changed the world more than any other invention in the 20th century.
    1964 - Although the music world was being dominated by Rock ‘n’ Roll, crooner Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody" cracked the US charts on its way to the Top Ten.  Written in 1947 by Sam Coslow, Irving Taylor and pianist – and Martin’s accompanist, Ken Lane, coincidentally, Martin had sung it on Bob Hope’s radio show in 1948. “Everybody Loves Somebody” knocked the Beatles "A Hard Day's Night" off the number one slot on Billboard, going straight up to the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts, the latter for eight weeks.  It ultimately became Martin's signature song, and he sang it as the theme of his weekly television show from 1965 until 1974. As an apt description of the power of the song in Martin's life, the words "Everybody Loves Somebody" appear on his grave marker in LA. 
    1964 - The Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go?" is released and enters the Hot 100. It stays on the chart for 14 weeks and would become the group's first number one hit next August. 
    1964 - Stevie Wonder released his first single without the title "Little" in front of his name. "Hey Harmonica Man" reached number 29 on the singles chart, his third Top 40 hit. 
    1964 - With the song "My Boy Lollipop," 18-year old Millie Small found success on the pop music charts. The harmonica tracks were provided by Rod Stewart. In her native Jamaica, Millie Small was known as the "Blue Beat Girl."
    1967 - One day after he and fellow members Thelma Camacho, Mike Settle and Terry Williams left The New Christy Minstrels, Kenny Rogers formed The First Edition. In 1972, The First Edition hosted a syndicated variety show on television. Songs made popular by the group include: "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," "But You Know I Love You," "Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town," "Ruben James," and "Something’s Burning." 
    1968 - Top Hits
“This Guy’s in Love with You” - Herb Alpert
“The Horse” - Cliff Nobles & Co.
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” - The Rolling Stones
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” - Tammy Wynette
    1969 - ROBERTS, GORDON R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Sp4c.), U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, 11 July 1969. Entered service at: Cincinnati, Ohio. Born: 14 June 1950, Middletown, Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Roberts distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company B, during combat operations. Sgt. Roberts' platoon was maneuvering along a ridge to attack heavily fortified enemy bunker positions which had pinned down an adjoining friendly company. As the platoon approached the enemy positions, it was suddenly pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire from camouflaged enemy fortifications atop the overlooking hill. Seeing his platoon immobilized and in danger of failing in its mission, Sgt. Roberts crawled rapidly toward the closest enemy bunker. With complete disregard for his safety, he leaped to his feet and charged the bunker, firing as he ran. Despite the intense enemy fire directed at him, Sgt. Roberts silenced the 2-man bunker. Without hesitation, Sgt. Roberts continued his l-man assault on a second bunker. As he neared the second bunker, a burst of enemy fire knocked his rifle from his hands. Sgt. Roberts picked up a rifle dropped by a comrade and continued his assault, silencing the bunker. He continued his charge against a third bunker and destroyed it with well-thrown hand grenades. Although Sgt. Roberts was now cut off from his platoon, he continued his assault against a fourth enemy emplacement. He fought through a heavy hail of fire to join elements of the adjoining company which had been pinned down by the enemy fire. Although continually exposed to hostile fire, he assisted in moving wounded personnel from exposed positions on the hilltop to an evacuation area before returning to his unit. By his gallant and selfless actions, Sgt. Roberts contributed directly to saving the lives of his comrades and served as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers in the defeat of the enemy force. Sgt. Roberts' extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969 - David Bowie's single, "Space Oddity", is released to coincide with the first lunar landing.
    1969 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus),'' Zager & Evans. Evans wrote the song in the year 1964. It is their only song to make the Hot 100.
    1969 - The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" is released. The band started recording the tune as a Country song based on Hank Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues", but found that it made a better Rocker.
    1970 - The soundtrack to the 1969 Woodstock concert becomes the first triple-disc album to top the Billboard chart.
    1970 - The Who's "Summertime Blues" is released.
    1974 - The Grateful Dead receive two gold records for albums they released in 1970, "Workingman's Dead" and "American Beauty."
    1976 - Top Hits
“Afternoon Delight” - Starland Vocal Band
“Kiss and Say Goodbye” - Manhattans
“I’ll Be Good to You” - The Brothers Johnson
“The Door is Always Open” - Dave & Sugar 
    1977 - The Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a White House ceremony.
    1978 - At Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, Steve Garvey, Dodgers 1B, became the first two-time All-Star Game MVP in history. His game-tying, two-run single and a triple helped the NL win, 7-3.  The Giants’ Vida Blue started on the mound for the NL, the first pitcher to start for both leagues. Blue also started in 1971 and 1975 for the AL.
    1979 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “Bad Girls,'' Donna Summer.
    1979 - The abandoned United States space station Skylab made a spectacular return to Earth, burning up in the atmosphere and showering debris over the Indian Ocean and Australia.      
    1984 - Top Hits
“When Doves Cry” - Prince
“Jump (For My Love)” - Pointer Sisters
“Eyes Without a Face” - Billy Idol
“Somebody’s Needin’ Somebody” - Conway Twitty
    1985 - Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros became the first pitcher in baseball history to reach 4,000 career strikeouts when he made Danny Heep of the New York Mets his victim in the sixth inning. Ryan finished his career in 1993 with 5,714 strikeouts, Major League Baseball’s all-time leader.
http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/special/ryan/.
    1985 - Coca-Cola returns as Classic Coke.  The company unveiled plans to return the beloved version of Coca Cola--now christened "Classic Coke"--to the market. In the wake of this groundbreaking, company officials quietly conceded that they had erred in halting distribution of the "classic" version of the drink. However, they refused to admit that releasing New Coke was a mistake. Indeed, even though American consumers reviled it, the company kept New Coke in circulation, albeit in cans and bottles that identified the drink simply as "Coke”.
    1987 - Heart's "Alone" hits #1 for the first of three weeks.
    1987 - An eight-pound baby boy, Matej Gaspar, born at 8:35 A.M. (2:35 A.M., New York time) to Sanja and Dragutin Gaspar at University Medical Hospital, Zagreb, capital of the Croatian republic, was proclaimed the five billionth inhabitant of Earth. The United Nations Fund for Population Activities, hoping to draw attention to population growth, proclaimed July 11 as “Day of the Five Billion,” noting that 150 babies are born each minute. It later became known as “World Population Day.”
http://www.unfpa.org/
    1987 – Bill Ripken, 22, joined his brother, Cal, in the Orioles’ starting lineup in Baltimore's 2 - 1 loss to the Twins. Orioles manager Cal Ripken, Sr. is the first to manage two sons in the Majors.
    1988 - Thunderstorms produced heavy rain in southern Texas, with totals ranging up to 13 inches near Medina. Two men drowned when their pick-up truck was swept into the Guadalupe River, west of the town of Hunt. Ten cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Baltimore, MD, reported a record high reading of 102 degrees for the second day in a row.
    1989 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “If You Don't Know Me by Now,'' Simply Red.
    1992 - Jerry Garcia introduces a series of neckties he's designed, bearing his name. President Bill Clinton immediately buys the set of eight. 
    1994 - Michael Dell, chairman of Dell Computers, announces that the company will pull out of retail and concentrate entirely on its mail-order business. Although the company had predicted just four months earlier that it would expand its retail efforts, the company decided its build-to-order strategy would be more profitable as a strictly mail-order operation. By 1998, the company had become the country's No. 3 seller of computers, after Compaq and IBM. 
    1995 – The US normalized relations with Vietnam.
    2000 - Lars Ulrich of Metallica was the first witness to testify at a U.S. Senate hearing over copyright law issues concerning free sharing of music files on Web sites such as Napster and MP3.com.      
    2008 - The hand-painted drum skin that appeared on the cover of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" sold for $1.1 million at a Christie's memorabilia sale in London. John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "Give Peace a Chance" fetched $834,000, well above pre-sale expectations of around $500,000.
    2008 - Apple introduced the iPhone 3G and changed forever the phone habits around the world.
    2012 – Astronomers discover Styx, the fifth moon of Pluto.
    2014 – Free agent LeBron James, late of the Miami Heat, returned to his first team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.