Correction ---U.S. Bancorp Oliver-Allen group Closing Down

Originally the title was "More cutbacks at US Bancorp Manifest" and concerned U.S. Bancorp Oliver-Allen group, now called the US Equipment Finance Technology Group, located in Larkspur, California. The story was quite explicit, but many found the headline "misleading." If they read the article, it was made clear which "office" was affected.

The criticism comes from both wanting a shorter headline, as well as the grouping of referring to leasing divisions as CIT, GE Capital, Key Equipment as a "group name" rather than the specific division in a headline. My thinking is I see it as "Manifest," who is the "mother" of all the divisions named in the group. While they are distinct in their mission, operation, they basically fall under one group name, and to me, it is always "Manifest;" a company where I have known the various presidents personally for years. Many called on me as one of their brokers for more business in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The operations man Tom Landmark started off as a credit man and I was one of the first he gave his first approvals (and turn downs) to. Not to go into nostalgia, but that is the way I think of the leasing groups as "Manifest." I don’t see it as a group, but as one, as Marshall, Minnesota, a different way of thinking, about caring about their customers, their performance; clean cut, ethical: The American Way.

If the information in the story was not accurate, it is the fault of the two US Bancorp public relations people who wrote press releases for this group, that's where I got their name and cell telephone numbers from two days before the story. They never returned the telephone calls. As well as Sal Maglietta, two days before the story, as well as asking him for a photograph or "should I use the one I have in archives," which is really "Law & Orders" Dennis Farina---Dee DiBenedictis was the only one who sent an email questioning the photo as Farina). Maybe he likes the one of Farina better than his own---I don't know. If he complains, it’s his fault for not returning the telephone call or putting the responsibility on one of his staff.

When a company does not respond, then the inside information has carte blanche, especially when it comes from a "well informed source."

Let me also bring up the Curt Kovash cartoons that one person told me they found offensive. Kovash is a public person, serving on the board of a leasing association, being a leader, accepting the Monitor Broker award at the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers Conference (two years in a row as I remember.) He is a person highly respected in the industry, who I have interviewed many times, have tremendous respect for his intelligence and integrity and performance. Honest.

The cartoon I thought was funny, as here he is getting the shuffle of paper work, moving to the vendor division, and he is taking it like "I'm moving to the sunny side of the street."

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2010/6_28.htm#cartoon

The song was written in the depression in 1930 for a Broadway Show and made famous later by both Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong:

"Grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worry at the doorstep
Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street
Can’t you hear that pitter pat and that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet on the sunny side of the street

"I used to walk in the shade with those blues on parade
But I’m not afraid ’cause this rover, crossed over

"If I never had a cent I’ll be as rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet on the sunny side of the street

"With those blues on parade
Because this rover, it crossed over

"If I never had a cent I’ll be as loaded as old Rockefeller
With that gold dust ’round my feet
On the sunny side of the street
On the side, at that side of the street that is sunny."

So Curt, if you found this offensive, I am sorry. I see you on the sunny side of the street! That’s the type of person you are. A winner.

“A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.”

Kit Menkin, editor

Wednesday's Story:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/July2010/7_21.htm#bancorp_cutbacks

Louis Armstrong, if you have the time, click on the track to hear:
http://www.lyricsg.com/41984/lyrics/louisarmstrong/onthesunnysideofthestreetlive.html

Classified Ads---Asset Management

Haverhill, MA Started in credit and collections 30 years ago with a private agency. My skills are negotiating with Attorney's, Insurance Companies & Large & small companies. cityofpa@earthlink.net | Resume

Minneapolis, MN 16 years leasing experience from micro to large ticket market, variety of equipment. Most recently calling on vendor telecom dealers in Upper Midwest. golfadm@yahoo.com

Santa Barbara CA (will relocate) Experienced Asset Manager of various portfolio's for a bank, broker and leasing company. Utilized specialized remarketing companies to maximize collateral values. Worked remote two years. geoff.taylor@verizon.net | Resume | Reference 1 | Reference 2

 

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Other e-Mail Posting Sites:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Posting_sites.htm

ZRG Partners—Unemployment is the worst behind us?
Exclusive to Leasing News

The Second Quarter Report of ZRG Partners hiring index is quite up.

"Could the worst be behind us?” ZRG Partners ask.

"The Secord Quarter of 2010 shows a major increase in hiring in the equipment finance and leasing markets as the index increased to 334, a level not seen since July 2008. This is the second straight quarter of meaningful increases in the index levels after two years of steady declines in 2008 and 2009."

"July showed a major bump in the index number, rising from 274 to 335. Three of the top index benchmark companies all showed over 250% increases in job postings from year end 2010 levels to today, signaling a broad return to hiring for several of the industry leaders who had stalled adding new personnel in 2009. While still well below 2007 hiring levels, hiring activity is finally returning to the industry in the United States."

The index is published quarterly and is based on several key proprietary data sources. These data sources include hiring data that comes directly from benchmark firms that make up the index as well as 20 different National Job Boards and several leasing industry specific job sites. The sample group includes banks, captives and independents. The next update will be in October 2010.

www.zrgpartners.com

Full ZRG Partners Report:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/JulyZRG.pdf

7th Bank files against Allied Health Care Services

LifeCare LPV 120

National Bank, Bettendorf, Iowa becomes the seventh bank to file against Allied Health Care Services, Orange, New Jersey along with guarantor Charles K. Schwartz as the holder of three leases by First Premier Capital, Edina, Minnesota for 50 LifeCare Respirators costing $250,000 each. The demand is for $800,000, bringing the total in the suits over $20 million to date.

July 13th ABCO Leasing, Bothell, Washington filed against Allied Health Care Services, Orange, New Jersey as well as the guarantor Charles K. Schwartz. It regards two leases for a total of $400,000.

July 12th Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah and CW Onset, a Utah limited company, on July 12, 2010 filed a $9,798,000. Crossroad Bank, Wabash, Indiana, formerly known as First Federal Savings Bank of Wabash filed a suit on July 9th, 2010 for $144,788.20 plus attorney and court costs regarding respirators. Commonwealth Capital Corporation filed on June 18 for $4,224,543.02 against the corporation and $1,792,893.82 against the personal guarantee of Charles K. Schwartz, "plus attorneys fees, costs, and interest, as well as all other relieve which this court deems just;" Kingsbridge Holding, LLC, Lake Forrest, Illinois, was first with a suit against Allied Health Care Services for $1,051,207.74 plus attorney and court fees; MinnWest Capital Corporation, Minnetonka, Minnesota, (subsidiary of MinnWest Bank Metro) $2,070,690 suit against Allied as well as the Charles Schwartz, president of the company, as personal guarantor to the corporation.

National Bank Complaint:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Nationalbank.pdf

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

((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)

US Bancorp Profits Increase—plus Leasing Numbers

Heather Landy of American Banker reported "... U.S. Bancorp earned enough in the second quarter to put more distance between itself and rivals that are struggling in their core businesses.

"Smart acquisitions, an investment in corporate banking capabilities and opportune improvements in demand for payments and processing services helped U.S. Bancorp post record revenue of $4.5 billion, up 8.7% from the second quarter of 2009."

Net income of $766 million; $0,45 per diluted common share (includes benefit of $0.05 related to an exchange of perpetual preferred stock for outstanding income trust securities)

• Record total net revenue of $4.5 billion, up 8.7% vs. 2Q09
• Net interest income growth of 14.5% vs. 2009
• Noninterest income growth of 2.7% vs. 2009
• Strong average deposit growth of 12.3% (4.1% excluding acquisitions) vs. 2Q09
• Average loan growth of 4.0% (decline of 2.7% excluding acquisitions) vs. 2Q09
• Linked quarter decline in net charge-offs and nonperforming assets; provision for credit losses declined for the third consecutive quarter (allowance for credit losses as a percentage of NPAs = 146%, excluding covered loans)
• Early and late stage loan delinquencies as a percentage of ending loan balances declined in a majority of major loan categories on a linked quarter basis
Capital generation continues to strengthen capital position
• Tier 1 capital ratio of 10.1%

While the leasing numbers appear flat, they are healthy and as important, the net charge offs have improved as well as the number of nonperforming leases have gone down. While these are consolidated numbers, and without the back up information, it is difficult to make an opinion---but overall, there is portfolio improvement:

Leasing Numbers:

In Millions	2Q	1Q	2Q '09	Y-to-D 2010	Y-to-D 2009
lease financing	6,245	6,445	6,697	6,344	6,734
	3.1% change			5.1% change

Net Charge Offs---Leasing

	2Q	1Q	4Q	3Q	2Q
In Millions	22	34	33	44	55
Ratio's	1.41	2.14	2.02	2.66	3.29
Non-Performing	115	113	125	119	123

The leasing groups are members of the Wholesale Banking category.

From the SEC 8K Filing:

“Wholesale Banking's contribution to net income in the second quarter of 2010 was $80 million higher than the first quarter of 2010. This improvement was due to a reduction in the provision for credit losses and higher total net revenue, partially offset by an increase in total noninterest expense. Total net revenue was higher due to favorable variances in both net interest income and total noninterest income. Net interest income was $21 million (4.4 percent) higher on a linked quarter basis as improved spreads on loans and an increase in loan fees were partially offset by a reduction in loan demand. The $16 million (5.8 percent) increase in total noninterest income was the result of higher commercial products revenue due to syndication and other capital markets—related income, partially offset by lower equity investment income. Total noninterest expense increased by $37 million (13.0 percent) principally due to higher compensation and employee benefits expense, higher costs for other real estate owned and seasonally higher processing costs. The provision for credit losses decreased $127 million (27.0 percent) on a linked quarter basis due to lower net charge—offs and a decrease in allocated reserves.”

Heather Landy report in American Banker:
http://www.bankinvestmentconsultant.com/news/us-bancorp-2667999-1.html

8K Quarterly Report (67 pages):
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/USBancorp8K.pdf

Key Corp Starts to Control Leasing Portfolio
by Christopher Menkin

Again, consolidated reports, but it appears since Paul A. Larkins left not only is business down, but so are outstandings and charge offs up. This may reflect the economy, and perhaps the marketplace, but in comparison to US Bancorp above, Key Bank may be doing better, but their leasing department is not.

Many salesmen have left and joined other companies, perhaps the company’s decision, but then according to these numbers, Adam Warner should be quite concerned about his division’s performance ( although non-performing assets have improved; sales have not: the economy or the sales staff or change in direction? I’m sure I’ll hear from his supporters, but the numbers speak for themselves. Any comments, glad to print them.)

Non-Performing Assets in Millions

	2Q10	1Q10	4Q09	3Q09	2Q09
Commercial lease financing	83	99	113	131	122

KeyCorp Reports Second Quarter 2010 Profit
Commercial Lease Financing

Balance Outstanding			New Loan Charge offs
6-30-10	3-31-10		2Q10	1Q10
2,437	2,685		44	22

Loan Composition (Commercial Lease Financing) (in Millions)

			% change 6/30/10 vs.
6-30-10	3-31-10	6-30-09	3/31/10	6/30/09
6,620	6,964	8,263	(4.9)	(19.9)

Non-Performing & Past Due from Continuing Operations (dollars in Millions)

6-30-10	3-31-10	12-31-09	9-30-09	6-30-09
83	99	113	131	122

Tier 1: 8.01%

I wouldn’t brag about the Tier 1 (compare it to US Bancorp andother major banks.) Also Key has moved employees out of Cleveland to New Jersey and other states, so there goes the community bank image. The good news is finally the bank turns a profit.

For more information about Key, see 8K SEC report, plus for the local newspaper viewpoint, see News Briefs about Key, Fifth Third, Huntington, PNC.

8K Key Corp. SEC Report:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Key8k.pdf

ABCO Leasing added to “Funder List”

ABCO Leasing, Inc. Bothell, Washington 1974 Brad Christensen bradc@abcoleasing.net 971-204-0236 www.abcoleasing.net NAELB, NEFA

5

26 states.

$50,000 - $450,000

Y

N

Y

N

N

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

Full Funder “A” List:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/Funders.htm

Culver Capital added to “Broker-Lessor” List

Culver Capital Group Costa Mesa, California Ross Stites 714-689-9417 rstites@culvercapital.com culvercapital.com NAELB

2006

20

National

Minimum dollar category: $250,000

Y

N

N

N

*

Broker List “A”:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Brokers/broker_Lessor.htm

Story Credit Lessors---The List

These companies specialize in "C" and "D" credits, often new businesses, or businesses where the principal(s) have Beacon score around 600 or previous difficulties; meaning to become comfortable with the credit and financial situation you need to learn the "story" to make a positive decision, often requiring further security, shorter term, or additional guarantors. Many of these companies may also be a "B," but appear otherwise without the "story" to understand the full financial picture.

Also listed below the dollar amounts are companies that who are known for accepting "subprime leasing."

(To qualify for this list, the company must be a funder and not a "Broker/Lessor" or "Super Broker/Lessor", along with an acceptable Better Business Bureau Rating and no history of complaints at Leasing News. There may be several readers see missing from this list as Leasing News reserves the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications for this specific list.)

Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details
ABCO Leasing, Inc. Advantage Funding Agility Solutions Allegiant Partners Incorporated American Leasefund, Inc.	Black Rock Capital Boston Financial & Equity Calfund, LLC Cobra Capital LLC Financial Pacific Leasing	Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Mesa Leasing, Inc. National Machine Tool Financial Pawnee Leasing Corporation Standard Professional Services, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions

Name In Business Since Contact Website Leasing Association	Employees	Geo Area	Dollar Amount	Business Reports
Financial Pacific Leasing 1975 Terey Jennings CLP, 800-447-7107, tjennings@finpac.com www.finpac.com ELFA, NAELB, NEFA (P)	130	Nationwide	$5,000-$50,000	BBB CNI Search
Pawnee Leasing Corporation 1982 Dana Freeman dana@pawneeleasing.com www.pawneeleasing.com NAELB & NEFA (A)	45	Nationwide	$1,000 - $30,000 Does Subprime Leases	BBB CNI 1 CNI 2 Search
Advantage Funding 1997 Edward P. Kaye 718.392.1300 www.advantagefund.com NVLA, ELFA, NLA & TLPA (X)	20	Nationwide	Vehicles Only $10,000 - $1,000,000	BBB CNI Search
National Machine Tool Financial Corporation 1986 Chris Chiappetta, Robert Lang, Susan Adamatis 800-669-7527 www.netlease.com (CC)	20	Nationwide	$15,000
Boston Financial & Equity Corporation 1968 Debbie Monosson debbie@bfec.com www.bfec.com CFA, ELFA, NEFA (J)	12	National	$100,000 to $1,500,000 Does Subprime Leases	BBB CNI Search
TEAM Funding Solutions 1992 Ted Reynolds – Owner and President Jeff Deskins - Credit Manager Lynn Smith - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x115, App Submittal Martin Lacayo - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x106, App Submittal Mike Wright - Broker Development Manager 888-457-6700 x108, App Submittal Stephen Stuesser – CFO Jessica Green - Marketing and Relationships Manager 888-457-6700 x109, Enrollment Fax: 512-258-2322 512.692.0500 fax www.teamfundingsolutions.com ELFA, NAELB, NEFA (Z)	11	All 50 States	$10,000-$110,000	BBB CNI
Calfund, LLC 2000 Harry Saghian harry@calfundllc.com (AA)	10	Western States	$15K Minimum Does Subprime Leases	CNI BBB
Allegiant Partners Incorporated 1998 Scott Enbom senbom@allegiant-partners.com (415) 257-4200, x207 www.allegiant-partners.com ELFA, NAELB & NEFA	9	Nationwide, including Alaska & Hawaii	$20,000---$150,000	BBB CNI 1 CNI 2 Search
Black Rock Capital 1994 George Booth gkbooth@blackrockcapital.com 203.336-9200 www.blackrockcapital.com ELFA (E)	7	US Canada (F)	$50,000 to $3MM $250,000 average transaction	Search
Forum Financial Services, Inc. 1996 Tim O'Connor 972-690-9444 ext. 225 tim@forumleasing..com 275 West Campbell Road Suite 320 Richardson, Texas 75080 Fax: 972-690-9464 www.forumleasing.com NAELB & NEFA (W)	7	Nationwide	$50,000 to $1.0 million. Our average size transaction is $250,000. Preferred Range $100,000 to $500,000 Does Subprime Leases
American Leasefund, Inc. 1999 Tom Davis tom@alclease.com 800.644.1182 - PH 503.244.0845 - FX www.alclease.com NEFA (Q)	6	Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington	$3,500 - $50,000 Does Subprime Leases	Search
Cobra Capital LLC 2000 Dale Kluga, President dale@cobrallc.com 630-985-3500 www.cobrallc.com ELFA (G)	6	Nationwide	$50,000 to $1MM $250,000 average transaction	Search
ABCO Leasing, Inc. 1974 Brad Christensen bradc@abcoleasing.net 971/204-0236 www.abcoleasing.net NAELB, and NEFA (D)	5	Most States	$50,000 - $450,000	Search
Agility Solutions 2003 Hal Hayden (928) 541-0771 hhayden@agilityventures.com www.agilitysolutions.net NEFA (V)	5	U.S.	$50,000 - $1,000,000 (Master Lease) Does Subprime Leases	Search
Mesa Leasing, Inc. 1999 Jeff Macdonald 858-541-1002 mesa-jeff@dslextreme.com www.mesaleasing.com	4	California	$10,000 - $100,000
Standard Professional Services, LLC 1976 Mr. Raphael Lavin, CLP JWhalen@spsllc.net 847-291-7858 www.spsllc.net NAELB, NEFA (I)	4	Nationwide & some offshore	$10,000 - 250,000 ($25,000 - $150,000 desired)	BBB
Gonor Funding 2001 Norman J. Gonor ngonor@gonorfunding.com 818.784.5444 Jason Gonor 818.402.6999 www.gonorfunding.com (Y)	3	USA	$10,000 to $100,000 with an average of $25,000 - $35,000 Does Subprime Leases
Name In Business Since Contact Website Leasing Association	Employees	Geo Area	Dollar Amount	Business Reports

Business Reports: Companies listed may make any netiquette comment about their company or reports or other information in the footnote section of their listing. Leasing News recommends readers also view the footnote as well as the section itself or searching reports on the business.

It also should be noted that if a BBB report listing is found by a reader, as there may not have been one when this was last up-dated, please send the link to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org so Leasing News may up-date this section.

BBB - Better Business Report | CBB - Leasing News Complaint Bulletin Board
| CNI - Current News Information

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

(A) Pawnee Leasing Corporation; Some times we go higher than $30,000, but our marketplace is from $1,000 to $30,000. Broker Qualify - One year time in business

(B) * Allegiant Partners has expanded their maximum transaction size from $250,000 to $500,000 for the 5 western states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona.
In addition to increasing the transaction size Allegiant is offering more competitve rates for these A- and B+ transactions. Broker Qualify - For Broker qualification please click here.
Allegiant.pdf

(D)ABCO Leasing, Inc. (Seattle, WA) exclusively serves the broker community and has been in business since 1974.  Since we retain all transactions in our own portfolio, we require full financial packages.  We are best at deals that do not quite fit an “A Funder” due to a lack of flexibility or some type of an arbitrary matrix requirement.  ABCO is an industry generalist that prides itself on being creative when structuring new business and in providing highly quality service levels.  Broker and deal contact: Brad Christensen, Broker Relations Manager, 971/204-0236  bradc@abcoleasing.net 

(G) Cobra Capital, LLC. Comments: Our registered trademark "Making impossible possible" is our central marketing tagline for both strong and weak credits. I have developed a 10 year history, (from Cobra and my prior company GALCO), with specialty, non-conforming transactions (story credits) and have a solid reputation for candidly responding to our originators and lessees and working diligently to mitigate deal risk rather than making excuses to turn deals down. Our originators prefer our underwriting approach to non-conforming transactions since unlike most non-conforming funders, we prefer to mitigate risk versus jacking our return. Both Originators and Lessee's prefer our candid approach as we are also frequently asked to advise lessee's and lessors on the best way to structure their bank loans and raise capital due to our 25+ year banking and accounting backgrounds as my partner and I are both former bankers and CPA's.

(I) Standard Professional Services. LLC is a non-cookie cutter funder who does not credit score.

(J) Boston Financial & Equity Corporation, most of our leases are venture capital backed startups and turnarounds. We require full financial disclosures, CPA and internal statements, no tax returns. We do not required additional collateral, no PG's or RE needed. Do not send deals with large tax liens, especially if they are payroll taxes. Broker Qualify - A deal in hand and a full package.

(P) Financial Pacific Leasing supports a nationwide network of Brokers and Lessors. We specialize in "B" and "C" credits for established companies as well as companies under two years in business. Broker Qualify - Please Call or see "Prospective Broker" section on website

(Q) American Leasefund, Inc. funds small hard to do transactions under $50,000.00. Most of the transactions are "app only". We look for additional collateral or larger first payments to help the weaker credits. We maintain and service our own portfolio. All of our lessee billings are done via ACH. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(S) We at Summit Leasing consider ourselves to be primarily "B" credit lenders, working almost exclusively through brokers. Broker Qualify - Contact us

(V) Agility Solutions; we fund all equipment used by Wireless Internet Service Providers.
Click here to see Leasing News story. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(W) Forum Financial Services, Inc., prefer venture capital backed start-ups and middle market to large corporate turnaround companies including companies in bankruptcy and post bankruptcy. Our absolute minimum sales for an established business with financial problems are $10.0 million. (this does not include venture capital backed start-ups). Broker Qualify - Please visit our website at www.forumleasing.com or call 972-690-9444 ext. 225

(X) Advantage Funding - While we also consider quality equipment leasing as a funder, in the title vehicle leasing business, we consider all types of situations and credits and speciality vehicles for commercial use. We have a history of understanding all types of title vehicle leasing. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(Y) Gonor Funding specializes in hard to fund leases with D credit. Collateral based with good rates and commission program. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(Z) TEAM Funding Solutions is a structured lender for brand new businesses or for older companies with previous credit problems. We do not credit score. The secret to producing an approval for C-Credits starts with interviewing your customer." Broker Qualify - Click here for Broker Enrollment Form.

(AA) Calfund, LLC finances 18 wheelers and some trailers for owner operators with substandard credit.

(BB)

(CC)  Specializing in Machine Tools only for transactions up to $750k. National has been in the Machine Tool Finance business since 1986 and has a leasing proficient staff to accommodate the most challenging transaction.  F ull financial disclosure required.   We can provide structured financing for the story marginal credits.   May require personal guarantees and/or down payments depending on the credit.   Any size business accepted.  For more information please contact Chris Chiappetta or Robert Lang at 800-669-7527. Or fax us your story transaction to 888-901-7789.

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Looking for experienced vendor reps. across the country. A book of business is a plus... Our value proposition is unmatched in the industry. contact: mscritchfield@homecoastcapital.com www.homecoastcapital.com

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

July CLP Spotlights Bob Bell & Mathieu Bewley

The CLP Foundation Newsletter--

Bob Bell, CLP
United Funding LLC

How did you get your start in the equipment leasing and finance industry?
Back in the early 1980's I worked as VP of sales and marketing for what then was considered a "high tech" company selling turnkey systems to the emerging field of personal financial planning. The founder of the company decided it would be better to lease the systems as we could bundle in the software and other soft costs into the package. That was my first exposure to leasing. As it turned out, the leasing company that had been handling our leases had experienced some losses in another industry and became very "tentative" about doing our transactions. As time went on it became almost impossible to get a deal approved and it almost put us out of business. Then one day our receptionist rang my phone and says, "Bob, there's some guy here in the lobby who would like to talk to you about leasing". And, that was my first experience with an equipment leasing broker. He really saved our bacon and made a bunch of money in the process.

In 1990 in the middle of a recession, I went to work for the same broker who had helped us out on the vendor side, and in 1993 I went out on my own and started Independent Leasing Associates. The same month the NAELB was having their 3rd annual meeting in Atlanta and I attended with the dual purpose of meeting other brokers and finding funding sources (does that sound familiar). I felt like such a rookie, even though I had worked on the syndication side and had been a broker for several years. As time went on I became more involved in the association and realized this was going to be my "last" career. With that decision made, I wanted to be more involved and more a part of the "business". In 2009 I merged my company with my son, Corey, to form United Funding, LLC.

The CLP had been an exclusive UAEL program until 1998. I had been to meetings and saw many of the icons of the industry with the designation and they seemed "special". When they chose to make it a non-association designation, I wanted to be part of that group. I sat for the CLP exam in the fall of 1999 and received my plaque in the spring of 2000, the same year I became a board member of the NAELB.

I can't point to a specific instance where I can say, "I got that deal or that vendor because I'm a CLP", but I know I have mentioned it often. Let's face it; I don't have name recognition of an AT&T, GE, CIT, etc so anything I can do to give credibility to my company is a plus.

Over the years many brokers have talked to me about the "exam". I know it has been rewritten since I took it, but most of the "body of knowledge" incorporated in the exam is stuff we do every day, and with an 85% plus pass rate on the first try I urge everyone to consider it. The next time they ask the CLPs to stand at an association meeting, I hope you will be standing next to me.

Mathieu Bewley, CLP
Great American Insurance Group

How did you become involved in the equipment leasing and finance industry?
My background in the leasing industry comes from dealing with the insurance side of the house. I've been with Great American Insurance Company since 2000. Prior to that, my only experience with leasing was thinking the car salesman was trying to pull a fast one over on me when trying to talk me into an auto lease. Since joining Great American, I have learned the real value of leasing and how powerful a tool it can be to help the small-business owner obtain the equipment they really need to run their business.

What do you enjoy about your position as Product Manager at Great American Insurance? From an insurance point of view, I ask myself, how can insurance better serve both the lessor and the lessee? I work with a team of product developers that tries to find the answer to that question. Each industry is different and affords unique opportunities for insurance protection. We strive to create insurance products and services that the lessee, at the end of the day, will be happy to have included with their equipment lease.

Would you like to share an interesting hobby or accomplishment?
Prior to joining Great American, I spent 10 years in the Navy as a Nuclear Electrician on a submarine. I've taken apart and fixed billion-dollar pieces of equipment. Interestingly, the Navy does not actually purchase all the hardware, but instead leases and then returns the transmission gears.

If you could transport yourself anywhere instantly, where would you go and why?
I've been all over the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii, Australia, Japan, China, and Korea, to name a few), but I've always been fascinated by Egypt. Although I love the historical aspect, going to Egypt is a real conflict for me, because I don't like the desert. Even so, it's on my bucket list.

July CLP Newsletter:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/clp_july.pdf

 

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

Special Edition: Dream a Little Dream

With Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” topping the box-office and triggering a new interest in the realm of dreams, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of cinema’s most indelible dreamscapes. Check out Netflix for these titles, and get lost inside their imaginative worlds.

Mulholland Dr.(David Lynch, 2001): No director can waltz into the subconscious better than David Lynch. In this mesmerizing masterpiece, the filmmaker somehow manages to tell a story that happens in the real world (or does it?) while at the same time giving the feeling of drifting through its heroine’s dreamy desires and fears. Naomi Watts gives a remarkable performance as a perky young actress who comes to Hollywood to become a star and instead gets involved with a beautiful but amnesiac stranger (Laura Herring), whose past threatens to catch up with them. True to the mysterious nature of dreams, the movie shifts shapes and moods as it goes through an unforgettable collection of sights and sounds, always keeping viewers on their toes.

Waking Life (Richard Linklater, 2001): How can movies capture the ever-changing nature of dreams? A versatile director of independent movies, Richard Linklater (“Dazed and Confused”) hit upon the idea of using animation to illustrate the ways our ideas weave in and out of dream states. The result is a thought-provoking, visually striking and frequently amusing procession of characters and events that eventually come together into a mosaic of reveries. Among the characters are a snooty talking chimp, a barroom philosopher, and a young man desperately looking for the meaning of his dream. Shot in Texas with cutting-edge animation techniques and featuring cameos by Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, this is unlike any other cartoon you’ve ever seen.

Dreamscape (Joseph Ruben, 1984): Dreams play a key role in this ingenious mystery drama, directed by the underrated Joseph Ruben (“The Stepfather”). Dennis Quaid stars as Alex, a brash young man whose ability to enter other people’s minds as they sleep makes him a hot commodity for organizations interested in psychic control. It seems that the U.S. President himself is suffering from nightmares and needs his help. The more Alex learns about his mission, however, the more he realizes that he may be a pawn in a game of intrigue for control of the White House! With dream sequences that are at once funny, startling and surreal, the movie blends modern swashbuckling action with the timeless wonder of the human subconscious at play.

Femme Fatale (Brian De Palma, 2002): Though he’s the man behind such sturdy mainstream blockbusters as “The Untouchables” and “Mission: Impossible,” Brian De Palma always hoped for the chance to make a more experimental movie that would deal with the areas where people’s buried emotions come out to play: dreams. He finally got his chance in this glittering thriller, which works so sneakily that it may not be until afterwards that audiences realize how cleverly it delves into the subconscious of its heroine. Said heroine is Laure (Rebecca Romijin), a beautiful jewel thief whose latest job her to a photographer (Antonio Banderas) as well as to her brutal cohorts. Filled with De Palma’s distinctive humor and inventiveness, it’s a delectable ode to the mischievous side of our dreams.

Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939): Celebrating its 70th anniversary, this legendary Hollywood classic remains as full of delights and surprises as ever. By now everybody knows the plot of this lavish screen version of L. Frank Baum's children's story, though that doesn't keep viewers from following the adventures of Dorothy (Judy Garland) and friends from the grays of Kansas to the magical world of Oz, and marveling at the iconic performances (including Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch) and unforgettable songs. It may also be one of the most beloved of movie dreams, in which the heroine’s imagination propels her out of Depression-era dreariness and into the flaming Technicolor and the endless possibilities of Hollywood (which, after all, is known as the “dream factory”).

Glendora, California--Adopt-a-Dog

Ash-Lee
German Shepherd Dog / Labrador Retriever Mix
Female, Adult
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)

ash-lee is:
already spayed
good with dogs
up to date with shots

ash-lee's story...

"ash-lee is sweet & gets along with other dogs. She is looking for a good loving home."

Rescue Group: all breed rescue
Contact: Gloria Slatten
Phone: (909) 874-5266
E-mail: allbreedrescu63@hotmail.com

- Let 'em know you saw "ash-lee" on Adopt-a-Pet.com!

Address: Gladstone
Glendora , CA
91740

http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/78594.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 ---

Storm Threat Forces Ships to Leave Work at Oil Spill Site
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/us/24spill.html

KeyCorp returns to profitability after eight consecutive quarters of losses
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100722/FREE/100729947

Puget Sound Bank Reports Record Year-to-Date Earnings Exceeding Earnings For All of 2009
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/puget-sound-bank-reports-record-year-to-date-earnings-exceeding-earnings-for-all-of-2009-2010-07-21?reflink=MW_news_stmp

GATX Profit Rises 69 Percent Despite Rail Slide
http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/gatx-profit-rises-69-percent-despite-rail-slide

Auto Lessors Have Lost $10 Bln Since 2005
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11229065

Indicators point to slowing growth
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/07/22/Indicators-point-to-slowing-growth/UPI-83791279818780/

SunTrust unit fined for improper trades
http://www.ajc.com/business/suntrust-unit-fined-for-576593.html

Dell Agrees to Pay $100M to SEC in Accounting Case
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/07/22/29063.htm

Mortgage rates tie record low
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-rates-tie-record-low.aspx

Brazil Is Booming (and Maddening)
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/14508833/c_14512555?f=home_todayinfinance

Federal Report Faults Banks on Huge Bonuses
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/business/23pay.html?_r=1&ref=business

 

You May have Missed---

Expensive, Outdated Collection Methods Hamper Industry Rebound: Study
http://www.collectionscreditrisk.com/news/expensive-outdated-collection-methods-hamper-rebound-study-3002598-1.html

Sports Briefs----

For ex-49er Jerry Rice, hard work in practice paid Hall of Fame dividends
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15581965

Why the Raiders don't need T.O.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?entry_id=68460

 

 

California Nuts Briefs---

San Jose Mayor Reed wants to push ahead on A's ballot measure — even without baseball's OK
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_15582236

152 arrested at San Francisco hotel protest
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/22/152-arrested-at-san-francisco-hotel-protest/

 

“Gimme that Wine”

French Authorities Approve Four New Appellations
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/43233

A Different Side of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival: The VIP Experience
http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/

The Way We Were
Thoughts on my departing colleague, James Suckling
http://www.winespectator.com/blogs/show/id/43222

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/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

     1637 -- King Charles of England hands over the American colony of Massachusetts to Sir Fernando Gorges, one of the founders of the Council of New England.
    1664 – Four British ships arrived in Boston to drive the Dutch out of NY.
    1788 - A weather diary kept by George Washington recorded that the center of a hurricane passed directly over his Mount Vernon home. The hurricane crossed eastern North Carolina and Virginia before moving into the Central Appalachians. Norfolk, VA, reported houses destroyed, trees uprooted, and crops leveled to the ground.
    1829-William Austin Burt of Mount Vernon, Michigan, patented the first typewriter on July 23, 1829. The design of the keyboard was changed several times without much thought, but the most common was the one designed basically so you could use the keys on one line to type out “typewriter.”
http://www.michmarkers.com/Pages/S0570.htm
    1827-The first swimming school in the US opened at Boston, MA. Its pupils included John Quincy Adams and James Audubon.
    1850-Congregation Emanu-el founded in San Francisco.
    1865--William Booth founds the Salvation Army in England. 1885- Ulysses S. Grant died at 63 and was buried this day in a mausoleum on Riverside Drive, New York City, overlooking the Hudson River. The funeral of Gen. Grant was designated a day of national mourning. The body was taken to New York City on a special train shrouded in black curtains. The former president lay in state at City Hall, where citizens who wished to pay their last respects gathered in a line a mile long Day and night for two days the mourners filed past. The funeral procession to the tomb was enormous and people packed the sidewalks and rooftops along its route.
http://www.nps.gov/gegr/
http://starship.python.net/crew/manus/Presidents/usg/usgobit.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/nbk/bios/18pgran.html
http://saints.css.edu/mkelsey/facts.html
    1885-the first state banking association was the Texas Bankers’ Association, which was organized at Lampasas, TX, with an initial membership of 31. The first president was James Francis Miller.
    1886- A 23 year-old unemployed Irish immigrant Stephen Brodie was pulled from the East River, claiming that he had just jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge. The newspapers of the day headlined his survival. Although Brodie was unable to produce any objective witnesses to say he had performed the feat---he was accused of having his friends drop a dummy from the bridge while he slipped unnoticed into the water from the riverbank---the newspapers made him famous. In 1894, he starred in a play called “On the Bowery,” during which he rescued the heroine by jumping off a bridge built onstage.
    1888-Birthday of one of my favorite authors: Raymond Chandler. He
did not start writing until later in his life, publishing his first novel, The big Sleep. It brought him fame and to Hollywood with his detective character Philip Marlowe, a Los Angels private eye who liked “liquor and women and chess and a few others things.” Chandler was known for spare prose that featured gripping similes: “The wet air was as cold as the ashes of love” or “She had eyes like strange sin.” He authored and co-authored several Hollywood screen plays, as well as had a popular detective cartoon series. Born at Chicago, IL, Chandler died at Lo Jolla, CA, on March 26, 1959. Perhaps one of the best books about Chandler is “The Long Embrace: Raymond Chandler and the Woman he Loved” by Judith Freeman. Perhaps you need to be a fan to really appreciate this book, which I am.
    1903-The first two-cylinder Ford Model A was delivered to its owner, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, on this day in 1903. The Model A was the result of a partnership between Henry Ford and Detroit coal merchant Alexander Malcomson. Ford had met Malcomson while working at Edison Illuminating Company: Malcomson sold him coal. The Model A, designed primarily by Ford’s assistant C. Harold Wills, was the affordable runabout that Ford needed to begin marketing his company’s stock.
In the next year Ford raised enough stock to release a line of cars and to incorporate as the Ford Motor Company. The company was capitalized at $100,000 at that time, but by 1927, the Ford Motor Company was valued at $700 million. Ford’s company grew quickly, but it wasn’t until the release of the Model T that Ford took the position of our nation’s largest carmaker.
Henry Ford was the father of mass production. His idea of reducing the cost of automobiles by manufacturing them on an assembly line revolutionized industry
The Model T kept Ford number one in the industry until production was stopped in 1927, and Ford relinquished its place to Chevrolet. The second Model A, released in November of 1927, was a great success. Between 1927 and 1931, 4.3 million Model A Fords were made. The stylish, dependable, and affordable Model A reaffirmed Ford’s position as a premier automaker at the time. Sales for the Model A would never approach those of its forerunner the Model T, due to the onset of the Depression. As sales slumped, Henry Ford decided to release a new car model in 1932. He introduced the speedy Ford V-8, known as the fastest car in the land at the time. Ford would never again regain hegemony atop the car industry.
    1904-Charles E. Menches of Akron, Ohio, Missouri “discovers” the ice cream cone. The City of Akron gives him credit for hamburgers and corn snacks. While many give him credit, there are others who also have claim.
http://www.zingersicecream.com/history.htm
http://www.idfa.org/facts/icmonth/page8.htm
http://www.icescreamers.com/NewsletterArticle.html
The Official Day in History gives the credit to Menches:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul23.html
As does the official website for the City of Akron, Ohio
http://www.ohwy.com/oh/a/akron.htm
It also may be that he invented the hamburger as we know it, too:
http://ph.infoplease.com/askeds/11-28-00askeds.html
http://www.iabeef.org/fun/trivia.htm
    1908-Birthday of Charles Melvin “Cootie” Williams, Mobile, AL
http://www.blackhistory.eb.com/micro/727/46.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,510077,00.html?artist=Cootie+Williams
http://www.savoystyle.com/cootie_williams.html
    1915-birthday of trumpet player Emmett Berry, Macon, GA
http://www.harlem.org/people/berry.html
http://www.harlem.org/oldsite/greatday.html
    1916--American composer Ben Weber born St. Louis, MO. Died 9 May 1979, New York. One Of the First Americans to use twelve tone Technique, in a very melodic way.
    1918- Birthday of Harold Henry “Pee Wee” Reese, famous short stop player for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who I saw play often. Died August 14,1999
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/reese_pee_wee.htm
(perhaps my favorite personal baseball player, captain of the team, short stop. Readers probably get sick of me saying how baseball players would stay after games to autographs balls or pictures for free, thank you for coming to the game. )
    1924-Birthday of African American physician Louis Tompkins Wright. Louis Tompkins Wright, a young African American physician interning at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, created a way to observe the Schick test on darkly pigmented skin. His discovery opened the way for the immunization of people of color against diphtheria and contributed to saving countless lives.
http://www.africana.com/Facts/bl_fact_237.htm
    1925-Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees hit the first grand slam of his career as the Yankees defeated the Washington Senators, 11-7. Gehrig hit 22 other grand slams and still holds the major league record.
    1930-Tenor saxophone player Richie Kamuca Birthday
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927005865&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1934-Birthday of Roman Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons, champion of labor and advocate of the separation of church and state, was born to Irish immigrants in Baltimore, Maryland.
( lower part of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul23.html )
    1934-Birthday of soprano sax player Steve Lacy, New York, NY.
http://www.furious.com/perfect/stevelacy.html
http://stevelacy.free.fr/
http://www.northwestern.edu/jazz/artists/lacy.steve/discog.html#lacy_discography
    1935-Birthday of Cleveland Duncan, lead singer of the 1950's rhythm-and-blues group, the Penguins, was born. The Los Angeles-based Penguins were responsible for one of the great r-and-b songs of the decade, 1954's "Earth Angel," which by 1966 had sold four-million copies. The record went to number eight on the Billboard pop chart, but a white Canadian group, the Crew Cuts, had an even bigger pop hit when they covered "Earth Angel" in 1955. "Earth Angel" hit the Billboard Hot 100 again in 1986 in a revival by the New Edition.
http://www.alldoowop.com/ps.html
http://members.tripod.com/~arty85/penguins.html
    1936- birthday of Don Drysdale, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1956 to 1969, compiling a Won-lost record of 209—166 with a career ERA of 2.95. Following his Playing career he became successful and popular broadcast announcer for the Chicago White Sox and then the Dodgers. He was born at Van Nuys, CA, and died at Montreal, Canada, July 3, 1993.
    1941-Sonny Dunham records big band version of “Memories of You.”
    1943-birthday of guitarist/song writer Tony Joe White, Oak Grove, LA
http://www.tonyjoewhite.net/
    1944--BOYCE, GEORGE W. G., JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team. Place and date. Near Afua, New Guinea, 23 July 1944. Entered service at: Town of Cornwall, Orange County, N.Y. Birth: New York City, N.Y. G.O. No.: 25, 7 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Afua, New Guinea, on 23 July 1944. 2d Lt. Boyce's troop, having been ordered to the relief of another unit surrounded by superior enemy forces, moved out, and upon gaining contact with the enemy, the two leading platoons deployed and built up a firing line. 2d Lt. Boyce was ordered to attack with his platoon and make the main effort on the right of the troop. He launched his attack but after a short advance encountered such intense rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire that the forward movement of his platoon was temporarily halted. A shallow depression offered a route of advance and he worked his squad up this avenue of approach in order to close with the enemy. He was promptly met by a volley of hand grenades, 1 falling between himself and the men immediately following. Realizing at once that the explosion would kill or wound several of his men, he promptly threw himself upon the grenade and smothered the blast with his own body. By thus deliberately sacrificing his life to save those of his men, this officer exemplified the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
    1944--*EUBANKS, RAY E. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 503d Parachute Infantry. Place and date: At Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. Entered service at: LaGrange, N.C. Born: 6 February 1922, Snow Hill, N.C. G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. While moving to the relief of a platoon isolated by the enemy, his company encountered a strong enemy position supported by machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire. Sgt. Eubanks was ordered to make an attack with 1 squad to neutralize the enemy by fire in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance. Directing his men to maintain their fire, he and 2 scouts worked their way forward up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy. Directing the scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself with an automatic rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept by intense fire to within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened fire with telling effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated their fire with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered his rifle useless. In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged the enemy and using his weapon as a club killed 4 of the enemy before he was himself again hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage, and example in leadership so inspired his men that their advance was successful. They killed 45 of the enemy and drove the remainder from the position, thus effecting the relief of our beleaguered troops.
    1947-Birthnday of Don Imus, radio personality (IMUS in the Morning)
http://talkshows.about.com/cs/donimus/tp/fangifts.htm
    1947 - David Essex (David Cook) is born in London. His biggest hit is the million-selling No. 5 single ``Rock On.''
    1948—Top Hits
You Can’t Be True, Dear - The Ken Griffin Orchestra (vocal: Jerry Wayne)
Woody Woodpecker Song - The Kay Kaiser Orchestra (vocal: Gloria Wood & The Campus Kids)
It’s Magic - Doris Day
Bouquet of Roses - Eddy Arnold
    1950- The “Gene Autry Show” premiered on television. The popular CBS western ran for six years starring movie actor Gene Autry. Along with sidekick Pat Buttram. His horse’s name was Champion. Autry helped bring criminals to justice. He later founded the California Angel’s baseball team (a statue of him is at the Anaheim stadium). He has a museum of Western History
http://www.autry-museum.org
    1951 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Come on-a My House,'' Rosemary Clooney.
    1951--American composer John Carbon born Chicago, IL.
http://www.johncarbon.com/biography.html
    1956—Top Hits
The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) - Doris Day
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
    1960-Betsy Rawls became the first golfer to win the US Women’s Open four times, adding the 1960 title to those won in 1951, 1953 and 1957.
http://www.reedsweb.com/drtbird/golf/html/brawls.htm
http://www.ajga.org/ResultsArchive/1998/BetsyRawls/Results.htm
    1962 - The "Telstar" communications satellite sent the first live TV broadcast to Europe. It was used to send TV programs between the United States and Europe
   1963- High school student Neil Young and his band, the Squires, enter a Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada studio to record their first single, a surf instrumental called "The Sultan."
    1964—Top Hits
Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons
Can’t You See that She’s Mine - The Dave Clark Five
The Girl from Ipanema - Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto
Dang Me - Roger Miller
    1965-In a 5-1 win over the Mets, Phillies' first baseman Dick Stuart homers at Shea Stadium becoming the first player to have gone deep in 23 major league ballparks
    1965 - President Lyndon B. Johnson, in the course of discussions about what to do concerning the deteriorating situation in Vietnam, is told by some that he should give the American public all the facts, ask for an increase in taxes, mobilize the reserves, and declare a state of national emergency in the United States. Johnson rejected this approach, and informed his staff that he wanted any decisions implemented in a "low-key manner" in order to avoid an abrupt challenge to the communists, and to avoid undue concern and excitement in Congress and in domestic public opinion. During these discussions, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara urged the president to "expand promptly and substantially" the U.S. military presence in South Vietnam. Johnson, not wanting to "lose" Vietnam to the communists, ultimately accepted McNamara's recommendation and authorized a total of 44 U.S. battalions in South Vietnam, which led to a massive escalation of the war.
    1966 - Frank Sinatra hit the top of the pop album chart with his "Strangers in the Night". It was the first #1 Sinatra LP since 1960. The album’s title song had made it to number one on the pop singles chart on July 2nd.
    1966--A recording engineer named Jerry Samuels, who billed himself as Napoleon XIV, hit the top of the Billboard chart with a novelty song called "They're Coming to Take me Away, Ha-Haaa!" The song was banned by many US radio stations because it seemed to make fun of the insane. http://www.drdemento.com/catalog/napoleon.html
    1967- Forty-three killed in racial rebellion in Detroit (2,000 injured, 442 fires).
http://www.geneseo.edu/~jle5/
http://www.templeton-interactive.com/lest15.htm http://detnews.com/specialreports/2002/segregation/b06-390063.htm
http://www.icpsr.umich.edu:8080/ABSTRACTS/07312.xml
    1969- James Brown walked out of Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty's office when the mayor failed to show up on time to present him with a proclamation for James Brown Day
http://www.funky-stuff.com/jamesbrown/
    1970-*LUCAS, ANDRE C. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. place and date: Fire Support Base Ripcord, Republic of Vietnam, 1 to 23 July 1970. Entered service at: West point, N.Y. Born: 2 October 1930, Washington D.C. Citation: Lt. Col. Lucas distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as the commanding officer of the 2d Battalion. Although the fire base was constantly subjected to heavy attacks by a numerically superior enemy force throughout this period, Lt. Col. Lucas, forsaking his own safety, performed numerous acts of extraordinary valor in directing the defense of the allied position. On 1 occasion, he flew in a helicopter at treetop level above an entrenched enemy directing the fire of 1 of his companies for over 3 hours. Even though his helicopter was heavily damaged by enemy fire, he remained in an exposed position until the company expended its supply of grenades. He then transferred to another helicopter, dropped critically needed grenades to the troops, and resumed his perilous mission of directing fire on the enemy. These courageous actions by Lt. Col. Lucas prevented the company from being encircled and destroyed by a larger enemy force. On another occasion, Lt. Col. Lucas attempted to rescue a crewman trapped in a burning helicopter. As the flames in the. aircraft spread, and enemy fire became intense, Lt. Col. Lucas ordered all members of the rescue party to safety. Then, at great personal risk, he continued the rescue effort amid concentrated enemy mortar fire, intense heat, and exploding ammunition until the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames. Lt. Col. Lucas was mortally wounded while directing the successful withdrawal of his battalion from the fire base. His actions throughout this extended period inspired his men to heroic efforts, and were instrumental in saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Lt. Col. Lucas' conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.
    1971 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian),'' The Raiders (formerly Paul Revere and the Raiders). It is the group's biggest hit and last to hit the top 20.
    1972—Top Hits
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Too Late to Turn Back Now - Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilber O’Sullivan
It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer - Charley Pride
    1977--Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" is released.
    1977--"Looks Like We Made It" becomes Barry Manilow's third US chart topper. The song had been written by Richard Kerr, the same man who wrote the music for Manilow's first number one, "Mandy".
    1977 - Judas Priest begins its first U.S. tour in Oakland, Calif., as the opening act for Led Zeppelin.
    1980—Top Hits
It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me - Billy Joel
Little Jeannie - Elton John
Cupid/I’ve Loved You for a Long Time - Spinners
True Love Ways - Mickey Gilley
    1981- Billy Squier earns his first gold album. He has a big hit with his second solo record, "Don't Say No."
    1981 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``The One That You Love,'' Air Supply. The group is the first from Australia to hit Billboard's Hot 100.
    1983-"Synchronicity" by The Police went to #1 on the Billboard album chart for the first of seventeen weeks.
    1984 - Miss America, Vanessa Williams, turned in her crown. It had been discovered that she had posed nude for "Penthouse" magazine. Williams, the first black Miss America, relinquished her title to Suzette Charles, the pageant’s runner-up.
http://www.celebritycd.com/vanessawilliams/
http://www.vanessawilliams.de/
    1987 - Thunderstorms produced a record ten inches of rain in six and a half hours at Minneapolis, MN, including 5.26 inches in two hours. Flash flooding claimed two lives and caused 21.3 million dollars damage. Streets in Minneapolis became rushing rivers, parking lots became lakes, and storm sewers spouted like geysers. A tornado hit Maple Grove, MN, causing five million dollars damage. Baseball size hail was reported at Olivia, MN
    1988- Saskatchewan's Dave Ridgway kicks record 8 field goals vs. Edmonton
    1988 - No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is Richard Marx's "Hold on to the Nights." It is the fourth single from his debut album, and it remains at No. 1 for one week.
    1988—Top Hits
Hold on to the Nights - Richard Marx
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Lappard
New Sensation - INXS
Set ’Em Up Joe - Vern Gosdin
    1989- FOX-TV tops ABC, NBC & CBS for 1st time (America's Most Wanted)
    1989- Ringo Starr begins his first tour since the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, introducing his "All-Starr Band" of Seventies icons in Dallas, TX.
    1992- Bruce Springsteen opens his first U.S. tour since 1988 at The Brendan Byrne arena in the Meadowlands complex in New Jersey. The Boss plays 10 sold out shows in the 21,000 seat arena, with some of the shows going until 1AM
    1995-- Two astronomers, Alan Hale in New Mexico and Thomas Bopp in Arizona, almost simultaneouly discover a comet.
    1996- the first television station to regularly broadcast high-definition television was WRAL, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh, NC. There are many prime time television shows now broadcast in HD, but not many sets sold that will receive the broadcasts.
    1997- Netware International Bank was shut down by the FBI. The bank had been accused of improperly making loans and collecting deposits over the Internet.
http://www.fraud.org/news/old/120897.htm
http://www.cbintel.com/fraudbanking.htm
    1999-- NASA's first space mission commanded by a woman. Air Force Colonel Eileen Collins blasted off from Cape Canaveral in a rare night takeoff (12:26 am) and ended five days later (07-27-99) in a rarer night time landing (11:20 pm). On 07-24-99, mission specialist Catherine "Cady" Coleman was in charge of efforts to successfully deploy the $1.55 billion Chandra X-ray Observatory and did most of the delicate deployment herself. It wasn't until the next day that the public learned a fuel leak almost resulted in a highly dangerous, forced night landing. It would have been the first "forced landing" of a U.S. space ship. Captain Eileen Collins handled the crisis perfectly and the mission continued as scheduled.
    2000- Joining his grandfather Gus and father Buddy, Reds' third baseman Mike Bell becomes part of the first three-generation family to play for the same team.
    2000 -The Astros hit four homers off Cardinal hurler Andy Benes to tie the major league record for homers allowed by one pitcher in an inning. The second inning uprising help Houston set a team record for homers in one inning and tie a team record with six home runs for the game.
    2000- After rejecting a trade to the Mets, Reds' All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin agrees three-year, $27 million contract extension that will keep him Cincinnati until 2003.
    2000 - Tiger Woods won the British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland to become the youngest player (24 years of age) to win the career ‘Grand Slam’ of golf (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and British Open) and the first to win all four majors since Jack Nicklaus’ victory in the 1966. Woods not only was the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam, he completed it faster than any of the four greats who did it before him. The other players to win the Grand Slam were Gene Sarazen in 1935, Ben Hogan in 1953, Gary Player in 1965 and Jack Nicklaus in 1966 (age 26) at Muirfield. (Nicklaus went on to win the Grand Slam two more times.) Woods finished the British Open at 19-under-par 269, the best score ever at St. Andrews (Nick Faldo shot an 18- under in his 1990 win), and the lowest score ever at a major championship.
    2002- Celebrating his 29th birthday by hitting three homers Boston's 22-4 rout of the Devil Rays, Nomar Garciaparra ties the major league record becoming the 26th player to hit five home runs in two games. It was Red Sox shortstops second three-homer game, who also accomplished the feat against the Mariners on May 10, 1999.
    2005-- At San Francisco SBC Park, uniform number 36 is added to the second deck of the left field bleachers joining nine others as the Giants honor Gaylord Perry. The Hall of Famer, who won 134 of his 314 career victories with San Francisco, remembers his 37-year old son, Jack, who died last month of complications from leukemia.
    2006—It was predicted to hit 110 degrees in Los Gatos/Saratoga. We have never experienced more than one day over a triple digit weather, especially so high, so we took off early for the beach area, driving to Carmel, where it was 68 when he got there, and never went over 70 degrees. We took the dog, who really enjoyed Carmel-by-Sea, where dogs are welcome and most stores have water bowls and treats for dogs and welcome them into the store, and restaurants.

Baseball Poem

WHY BASEBALL WALTZES WITH LETTERS

by Tim Peeler

A Faulkner sentence is an extra inning game, Simply and finally playing through its Will and exhaustion.

Third Base Coach signals are ee cummings poems-
Gimmicky, sure, but meaningful in their color
When you break the code. 

The prisons play contests of Bukowski prose,
Where a stolen base may be a literal image
And everybody gambles nothing. 

Weird killers load the bases at a
Stephen King Little League field, the sequel,
A grand slam promise at the bank. 

Although Poe would never sit through nine,
His words are a dark season in the cellar,
A team leaving town and the death of a Beautiful groupie. 

Finally, Wolfe who wrote slugfest
Double-headers played to million-footed
Throngs, then flickered like so many other
Stars never meant for extra innings.

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

--- with the permission of the author, from his
book of baseball poetry:

“Waiting for Godot's First Pitch”
More Poems from Baseball 

available from Amazon or direct from the publisher at: www.mcfarlandpub.com