Leasing News

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer. It is considered “bias” as it is the writer’s viewpoint.

Sales makes it Happen---by Kit Menkin

"Songs with a sales message"

(click and/or paste into your browser to hear song
and/or read the lyrics)

God Bless the Other 99

by Barry Manilow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QgX_EId-Wk

I learned more from failure than I learned from success
I learned from "no thank you" so much more than from "yes"
I learned to be willing to lead with my chin
And if I were willing to lose I could win
I learned from the losers who got right back in line
The dimmer their future then the brighter they’d shine
Three cheers for the one, the one in a hundred
But God bless the other ninety nine
Those courageous people changed my life
They taught me
You can give in, you can give out, but you don’t give up

Frank Sinatra “Pick Yourself Up”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1jk1zDxIQk

Now nothing's impossible, I've found for when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.
Don't lose your confidence if you slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up, dust off, start over again.
Work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, start all over again.

(musical interlude)

You gotta work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall and then to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

(musical interlude)

Once again now:
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall and then rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

(coda)

That's enough now.

Bing Crosby
AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE (Mister In-Between)
(Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45EB4TiYz4

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

(To illustrate his last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark)

Man, they said we better
Accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Do you hear me, hmm?

(Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear
About the elininatin' of the negative
And the accent on the positive)
And gather 'round me children if you're willin'
A nd sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right

(You've gotta accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between)

You've got to spread joy (up to the maximum)
Bring gloom (down) down to the minimum
Otherwise (otherwise) pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate (well illustrate) my last remark (you got the floor)
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they say (what did they say)
Say when everything looked so dark

Man, they said we better
Accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No! Don't mess with Mister In-Between

Coda:
That's Life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIiUqfxFttM

Frank at age 81 with Count Basie (The Best is Yet to Come)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEirm0Nl2OQ&feature=related

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Candor, confidence and optimism:
Ralph Petta talks about his role at ELFA
Written by Brian Rogerson

(Reprinted with permission)

Ralph Petta met Asset Finance Europe at International Decision System's ConnectionPoint 2010 where he was briefing over 100 representatives from leading asset finance organizations on the key drivers currently impacting the equipment leasing and finance marketplace.

Petta was appointed chief operating officer (COO) of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) in April this year. The move came at a time of unprecedented challenge for the US, and indeed the global, asset finance industry.

Petta has worked for the association since 1987, most recently as interim president. In his letter to ELFA members accompanying the 2009 Annual Report, Petta pretty well set a road map for his future role. “As we say goodbye to a difficult 2009,” he said, “it is important that we assess where we’ve been and where we’re going. Looking back, we see a global financial system trying to regain its footing and recover from breathtaking upheaval in the financial service industry.”

Looking ahead: “There is no denying that, when all is said and done, this year (2009) will be unprecedented in terms of the magnitude of challenges facing ELFA members – and the association.” Nevertheless, Petta’s calm authority came through: “Be assured, that the Board is more engaged than ever in ensuring the financial health and stability of the organization.”

Such assuredness comes from a firm grounding in the mindset of the leasing industry. Although, truth to tell, it was not always so.

Political science

Born and schooled in Syracuse, New York, Petta attended Syracuse University and left with a degree in political science. For some nine years he worked in the office of US Senator Sam Nunn - the nuclear threat campaigner and specialist in international affairs.

“Working for Sam Nunn immediately after university was a great experience for me, since he had a great amount of influence on Capitol Hill,” Petta told Asset Finance Europe. “I started out working as a low-level administrative employee – and ended up as the Senator’s legislative assistant, dealing strictly with non-defense issues.”

His employment with the ELFA came purely by chance. “After some nine years I was looking for another opportunity,” he said. “Joining a trade association seemed a likely prospect and I started talking to a variety of contacts in a range of industries.”

It came to his notice that a post had become vacant at the ELFA (at that time the AAEL) which he initially took to be a government relations position. “When I started, I found my primary responsibilities were managing the development of the association’s industry information resources and data-collection projects. In addition, I oversaw the development of various benchmarking and market research initiatives and related resources.”

The biggest challenge

“My biggest challenge was quite simply that I didn’t know anything about the leasing industry, and it took me some time to get up to speed. Part of my brief was to advise members on their industry problems – so I spent much time reading everything available on the equipment leasing industry and how it functions. I also learned much from listening to members about their concerns and queries – and I am a good listener!"

Now, as a recognized authority in the business of equipment finance, he is often quoted in industry trade publications and is a frequent speaker regarding the role of equipment finance in the US economy and developments in the equipment finance sector.

Petta recounts the changing face of leasing over recent years. “There has been so much industry consolidation that leasing has tended to become very specialized – and indeed popularized. The trend has been a move away from pure leasing to lenders providing a far broader range of product offerings. So secured asset-based lending has widely developed in place of solely leasing – but the common theme remains the use of the asset itself.”

Monumental

As in the UK, the original tax benefits of leasing have tended to be eroded by US government intervention over the years. Petta recalls the “monumental” Tax Reform Act of 1986 with its elimination of investment tax credits as pivotal to the fortunes of the equipment leasing industry. “Quite frankly,” he said, “I had heard from some experts that the industry was finished- and I had just joined it!”

He added: “But over the years I’ve become used to the fact that despite continuing changes our members, and the overall asset finance industry, find new ways to adapt and evolve and prosper. After all, the economic value of an asset lies in its use and not in its ownership or the tax advantages that may be derived from it.”

As COO, Petta is responsible for executing ELFA’s strategic vision and providing management as well as oversight for programmes and services designed to add value to the association’s members and their companies.

The COO position itself is new and was custom-made because of Petta’s unique familiarity with the Washington regulatory scene coupled with his extensive knowledge of the asset finance industry.

Confidence

He is facing association challenges with equanimity. ELFA membership revenues are inevitably down as a result of the recession (although this has stabilized during Q1 2010), conference and event-attendance drops have reduced income and generally the association’s planning and budgeting took “a significant hit”. To add to this the association’s investments have also suffered with stock exchange falls.

But as an asset finance trade association ELFA has a strength that is rarely replicated elsewhere. Its openness and transparency is a lesson to many of its global counterparts. It reveals its highs and lows with a candor that looks beyond the short-term. It indicates a confidence and anticipation for more optimistic times ahead.

“We work hard at being as open and transparent as we possibly can,” Petta stressed. “We have a policy of reaching out to targeted audiences beyond our membership. We strive to link with trade journals and the media to emphasize the value of the asset finance industry and its association. We work at being open and honest – and I believe that it serves us well. After all, we are not just an advisory group – we represent the business community at large.”

Looking forward Petta aims to broaden the appeal of asset finance to a wider range of users. Already ELFA has been approached by Chinese trade associations for industry advice and assistance in developing their domestic industry.

“The US asset finance sector is mature. There is, however, a growing global appetite for asset finance, and we aim to look beyond our borders and provide those of our members seeking to grow internationally with an appropriate environment in which to do so.”

Membership returning

As Q2 2010 asset finance figures indicate a gradual return to sounder levels of new business Petta’s calm command of the industry reveals itself. “We are not out of the woods yet,” he said, “but membership is coming back and some recent conferences have been oversubscribed. Furthermore we have reached our 2010 membership budget.”

He added: “I believe what the ELFA offers its members in terms of value is outstanding. I am certain there is no other organization in our space that provides the level of service offered by the ELFA to its members, whether it is industry information, research and data, public policy support, business and professional development, or ethical standards of conduct. The association provides all of these benefits now – and promises to continue to do so in the years ahead.”

----

Petta lives in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside Washington DC with his wife and two children. His wife, Lisa Levine, is president of the ELFA’s leasing and finance foundation which provides overall management and direction for the association’s charitable work and development of future industry research.

When time permits he enjoys a game of golf – and plays off a handicap of 12 despite not being a club member. He also keeps his feet firmly on the ground by playing keyboard in a rock and roll blues band.

Ralph Petta's presentation last week was at ConnectionPoint 2010, International Decision Systems (IDS) annual conference in Minneapolis where he identified key drivers impacting the asset finance industry. ConnectionPoint is a conference for over 100 leading asset organization from IDS global user community.

Register to receive free Asset Finance/Europe:
http://www.assetfinanceeurope.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=registers&Itemid=1048

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

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Announces Winthrop Resources Corporation
to Receive 2010 Operations & Technology Excellence Award

Direct Capital Corporation Awarded Honorable Mention

Washington, DC—— The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) announces that its 2010 Operations & Technology Excellence (O&TE) Award will go to Winthrop Resources Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation, for its project implemented by Odessa Technologies, Inc. Direct Capital Corporation is being recognized for honorable mention for its project developed with eOriginal, Inc. The winners were selected by the O&TE Award subcommittee and will be showcased during ELFA’s 49th Annual Convention, October 24-26 in Boca Raton, FL.

“Winthrop Resources Corporation and Direct Capital Corporation have demonstrated outstanding achievement in solution implementation best practices,” said Deborah Reuben, Product Manager, HCL Technologies and O&TE Award Sub-committee Chair. “Their accomplishments are excellent examples of the technical expertise and initiative that has come to define the equipment finance industry, and well deserving of this award recognition.”

Winthrop Resources Corporation will receive the O&TE Award for its implementation of a robust technical platform, capable of handling well over a million leased assets and several thousand customers. The fully-integrated system covers all processes and functionality normally associated with lease management, including adherence to generally accepted accounting principles, the application of financial and business process controls and adequate tax/compliance support.

Direct Capital Corporation will receive an honorable mention for its development of a transformative business process incorporating e-signature technology which reduces customers’ financing transaction time and increases efficiency in sending and receiving customers’ financial documentation.

The O&TE Award Program identifies and recognizes equipment leasing and finance companies that have demonstrated best practices in developing and implementing innovative uses of technology or creative business processes to improve operations, enhance customer interactions, enter new markets and build overall ROI. The program brings the backroom to the foreground spotlighting the best in the industry as an example for others.

About the ELFA

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $518 billion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its over 600 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org

ELFA is the premier source for statistics and analyses concerning the equipment finance sector. Please visit http://www.elfaonline.org/ind/research/ for additional information.

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Irvine, California--Adopt-a-Dog

*TIARA - ID#A064793

Shelter staff named me TIARA.
I am a spayed female, brown Terrier mix.
The shelter staff thinks I am about 7 years old.
I have been at the shelter since Jun 08, 2010.

Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal:

“The Princess Diaries: Today I sat in my kennel as I watched some of my buddies here get adopted and go to new homes. I'm hoping today is my day to adopt a great family. Maybe I get looked over because I don't see as well as some but that only makes me a gentle easy going soul. Perhaps today someone who can see well enough to look into my heart will visit with me and discover I'm the soft curly-coated little lady who will bring them joy.

"I am a senior dog so if you are 62 or older you may qualify to adopt me for free as part of our Seniors Helping Seniors program."

For more information about this animal, call:
Irvine Animal Care Center at (949) 724-7740
Ask for information about animal ID number A064793

Irvine Animal Care Center
6443 Oak Canyon
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 724-7740
info@irvineshelter.org
http://www.irvineshelter.org

Our Adoption Process
A few things to know about our adoption process:
Please call the shelter at (949) 724-7741 to check if a dog is still available for adoption.
We do not place “holds” on animals or accept adoption applications online.
Our adoption fee is $120 for adult dogs (4 months of age or older) and $150 for puppies (less than 4 months of age). Your dog or puppy will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before you take it home.
Everyone who will be living with your new dog will be required to meet it at the shelter.
If you rent your home, you'll need to provide written proof that you are permitted to have the dog you intend to adopt.
You must be at least 18 to adopt a dog.

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/

Classified ads— Client Looking For a Leasing Attorney

Birmingham, Alabama
The lawyers of Marks & Weinberg, 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 & Nevada
Hamrick & Evans, LLP, Universal City , LA; San Francisco Bay
Area, No.Calif. & Nevada. Call for free consultation (828)763-5292 or (415) 806-2254,
kgreene@hamricklaw.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, Southern CA
Seasoned attorney representing secured creditors in auto finance and truck/equipment lease industry. Bankruptcy and State Court litigation. Vincent V. Frounjian (818) 990-0605 or 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

Long Beach, CA
Wagner & Zielinski, successfully representing lessees/ lessors. Not a member of any leasing organization, therefore not beholden to special interests. Richard Wagner
(562) 216-2952 www.wzlawyers.com

Long Beach CA.
Paul Bent -- 30 years experience in all forms of equipment leasing, secured lending, and asset based transactions, from analysis and deal structuring to contract negotiations to closing to private dispute resolution. (562) 426-1000
www.paulbent.com

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

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, PA sscuteri@capehart.com / www.capehart.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

Westport, CT: We represent finance companies, banks, lessors, etc., in replevins/seizures, collections and bankruptcy matters in Connecticut and New York. Flat fee, contingency and hourly rates.
Email: rchinitz@replevinlawyer.com

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News Briefs ---

Ex-con Gary Growden returns to leasing after prison
http://www.startribune.com/business/95651029.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:
DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

Fannie, Freddie repair bill: $1T
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/fannie_freddie_repair_bill_m2Kw2a8ymBB34bCR4Op0PI

Good business for leasing companies in Sri Lanka
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/06/15/bus02.asp

You May Have Missed---

The Larger Struggle--by David Brooks
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/opinion/15brooks.html?ref=davidbrooks

Sports Briefs----

Lakers rout Celtics in Game 6, 89-67
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lat-sp-lakers-celtics-game6-live,0,17608.story

California Nuts Briefs---

License-plate advertising eyed as future money-maker for state
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/06/license-plate-advertising-eyed.html

“Gimme that Wine”

Nevada wine lovers worried about threat to mail orders
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20100614/NEWS/100619877/1058&parentprofile=1058

Natural Winemaking Stirs Debate--by Eric Asimov
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/dining/16pour.html?ref=dining

Bordeaux 2009 Futures Sell 700 Cases an Hour, Freeze Computer
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=ayiP5g5NHnXY

Getting it right: the Petite Sirah story
http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2010/06/08/getting-it-right-the-petite-sirah-story/

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

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Today in History

1775 - American Col. William Prescott led 1200 men from Cambridge to dig in at Bunker’s Hill but arrived at night and dug in at Breed’s Hill. A siege on Boston by Colonial militia generals John Stark and Israel Putnam prompted the British to attack.

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This Day in American History

     1738-Birthday of Mary Katherine Goddard - Colonial printer and publisher. She was the first to publish the Declaration of Independence. Her widowed mother worked in her son's printing plant in Rhode Island as she did. When he moved away leaving it in debt, the women continued the business and published the Providence Gazette. They sold it and moved to Philadelphia to publish the Pennsylvania Chronicle. Selling this paper, she moved to Maryland as the editor and publisher of the Maryland Journal which she published right through the Revolutionary war.
http://www.rebelswithavision.com/MaryKatherineGoddard.com/
http://www.baltimoremd.com/monuments/goddard.html
    1755 - British captured Fort Beausejour and expelled the Acadians. The Accadians of Nova Scotia were uprooted by an English governor and forced to leave. Some 10,000 people moved to destinations like Maine and Louisiana. Some moved to Iles-de-la-Madeleine off Quebec. The Longfellow story "Evangeline" is based on this displacement.
    1775 - American Col. William Prescott led 1200 men from Cambridge to dig in at Bunker’s Hill but arrived at night and dug in at Breed’s Hill. A siege on Boston by Colonial militia generals John Stark and Israel Putnam prompted the British to attack.
    1806 - A total eclipse of the sun was viewed from southern California to Massachusetts.
    1822--Denamrk Vessy led slave rebellion in South Carolina, according to reports from 35 to 37 blacks slaves were hung, and perhaps up to 50 exiled into slavery into other parts of the world. The revolt had the opposite affect, arming whites, restricting travel of Black , education, bringing fear to whites of further black revolt and further laws of “repression.”
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/510/Slave_revolutionary_D
enmark_Vesey_wanted_freedom
http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/hamilton/menu.html
http://www.afrigeneas.com/states/sc/SC-biblio.htm
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/black_voices/voices_display.cfm?id=25
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/ssa.htm
    1858 - In a speech in Springfield, Illinois, Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved, declaring, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
    1882 -- 17" hailstones weighing 1.75 lbs fall in Dubuque, Iowa. Small still- living frogs are found in some of those hailstones.
    1892--Birthday of Jennie Grossinger, Austrian-born American hotel executive and philanthropist. She managed a small family inn operating on a small chicken farm taking in summer boarders to one of the most famous resort hotels in the world: Grossinger's in the Catskills Mountains. At her death in 1964, Grossinger's resort consisted of 35 buildings on 1,200 acres and served 150,000 guests a year. Her children carry on the tradition. In the beginning, her mother was the cook for the guests, her father did the maintenance, and Jennie was both chambermaid and bookkeeper.
    1883- The New York Giants hosted the first Ladies’ Day baseball game. Both escorted and unescorted ladies were admitted to the game free.
    1897 - The government signed a treaty of annexation with Hawaii.
    1902-Birthday of Barbara McClintock geneticist whose groundbreaking work in genetics and the precursor of DNA was published in 1951 had to wait 32 years to be honored with the Nobel Prize. She was 49 when she published and 81 when she was awarded the Nobel.
    1903 - Ford Motor Company was incorporated.
    1904 -- James Joyce meets Nora Barnacle, a chambermaid at Finn's Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, & takes her for a walk. This is the day of Leopold Bloom's fictional odyssey through Dublin in Ulysses — Bloomsday.
    1909- The first airplane sold commercially was the “Gold Bug,” delivered by Glenn Hammond Curtis to the New York Aeronautical Society at Hammondsport, NY, for $5,000. Flying instructions were given to two members.
    1917-Birthday of Katharine Meyer Graham, U.S. newspaper publisher who guided the Washington Post (and Newsweek magazine) to a place of prominence. Under her direction they challenged such national newspapers as the New York and Los Angeles Times, and Time magazine. She hired a strong staff of reporters and editors. She personally gave the go ahead to Post stories that exposed the Nixon political abuses and led to his resignation. She never, in the face of a lot of political pressure, failed to support her staff. In fact, Nixon's Attorney General John Mitchell had chortled after a Post article on the corruption of the Nixon administration that "this time she's got her tit in a wringer.” He was that confident of the administration's power to crush her. He went to jail instead.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/july01/2001-07-17-graham-dead.htm
    1917 –Birthday of photographer Irving Penn.
http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/1aa/1aa393.htm
http://www.artic.edu/aic/books/subpenn.html
http://www.execpc.com/~torrey/notefoto.html#P
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/082122459X/026-9304654-2918861
    1917 - The temperature soared to 124 degrees at Mecca climaxing the most destructive heat wave of record in California history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca,_California
    1920- Birthday of John Howard Griffin, American author and photographer, deeply concerned about racial problems in US. To better understand blacks in American South, Griffin blackened his skin by the use of chemicals and ultraviolet light, keeping a journal as he traveled through the South, resulting his best-known book, “Black Like Me.” Life Magazine syndicated the book, which was instrumental in the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s.
    1924 –Tenor player Lucky Thompson birthday.
http://www.fact-index.com/l/lu/lucky_thompson.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,501507,00.html?artist=Lucky+Thompson
    1933- Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act, known as the Banking Act of 1933, creating bank deposit insurance. There was a sliding scale of protection, up to 50% over $50,000. In August 23,1935, the law was changed to a limit of $5,000 for any one depositor “ to provide for the sound, effective and uninterrupted operation of the banking system, and for other purposes.” Banks were regulated to obtain this insurance, which changed banking for both the business community and consumers, giving them more protection and regulating the banking industry.
    1939- Country rock singer Billy (Crash) Craddock was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. Craddock scored a hit on the pop charts in 1959 with "Don't Destroy Me," then quit the music business because his record company wouldn't allow him to record country songs. Craddock began recording again in the late 1960's, scoring hits with such rock-oriented country tunes as "Dream Lover," a former chart success for Johnny Burnette, and "Knock Three Times," a hit on the pop charts for Dawn. Billy (Crash) Craddock topped the Billboard country chart in 1977 with "Broken Down in Tiny Pieces."
    1940—Blues singer Nolan Struck born Dunson, LA
http://centerstage.net/music/whoswho/NolanStruck.html
    1943---*SARNOSKI, JOSEPH R. (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 43rd Bomber Group, Place and date: Over Buka Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Simpson, Pa. Born. 30 January 1915, Simpson, Pa. G.O. No.: 85, 17 December 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 16 June 1943, 2d Lt. Sarnoski volunteered as bombardier of a crew on an important photographic mapping mission covering the heavily defended Buka area, Solomon Islands. When the mission was nearly completed, about 20 enemy fighters intercepted. At the nose guns, 2d Lt. Sarnoski fought off the first attackers, making it possible for the pilot to finish the plotted course. When a coordinated frontal attack by the enemy extensively damaged his bomber, and seriously injured 5 of the crew, 2d Lt. Sarnoski, though wounded, continued firing and shot down 2 enemy planes. A 20-millimeter shell which burst in the nose of the bomber knocked him into the catwalk under the cockpit. With indomitable fighting spirit, he crawled back to his post and kept on firing until he collapsed on his guns. 2d Lt. Sarnoski by resolute defense of his aircraft at the price of his life, made possible the completion of a vitally important mission.
    1943--ZEAMER, JAY JR. (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Buka area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Machias, Maine. Birth: Carlisle, Pa. G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1944. Citation: On 16 June 1943, Maj. Zeamer (then Capt.) volunteered as pilot of a bomber on an important photographic mapping mission covering the formidably defended area in the vicinity of Buka, Solomon Islands. While photographing the Buka airdrome. his crew observed about 20 enemy fighters on the field, many of them taking off. Despite the certainty of a dangerous attack by this strong force, Maj. Zeamer proceeded with his mapping run, even after the enemy attack began. In the ensuing engagement, Maj. Zeamer sustained gunshot wounds in both arms and legs, 1 leg being broken. Despite his injuries, he maneuvered the damaged plane so skillfully that his gunners were able to fight off the enemy during a running fight which lasted 40 minutes. The crew destroyed at least 5 hostile planes, of which Maj. Zeamer himself shot down 1. Although weak from loss of blood, he refused medical aid until the enemy had broken combat. He then turned over the controls, but continued to exercise command despite lapses into unconsciousness, and directed the flight to a base 580 miles away. In this voluntary action, Maj. Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission of great value.
    1944--McCARD, ROBERT HOWARD Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 25 November 1918, Syracuse, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon sergeant of Company A, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, during the battle for enemy Japanese-held Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 16 June 1944. Cut off from the other units of his platoon when his tank was put out of action by a battery of enemy 77mm. guns, G/Sgt. McCard carried on resolutely, bringing all the tank's weapons to bear on the enemy, until the severity of hostile fire caused him to order his crew out of the escape hatch while he courageously exposed himself to enemy guns by hurling hand grenades, in order to cover the evacuation of his men. Seriously wounded during this action and with his supply of grenades exhausted, G/Sgt. McCard then dismantled one of the tank's machineguns and faced the Japanese for the second time to deliver vigorous fire into their positions, destroying 16 of the enemy but sacrificing himself to insure the safety of his crew. His valiant fighting spirit and supreme loyalty in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. McCard and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1946-Trumpet player Tom Harrell’s birthday, born Urbana,IL.
http://home.earthlink.net/~tomharrell/harrbio.html
http://www.epinions.com/Music-Tom_Harrell_albums?sp=imed
    1951---Top Hits
Too Young - Nat King Cole
On Top of Old Smokey - The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
Syncopated Clock - The Leroy Anderson Orchestra
I Want to Be with You Always - Lefty Frizzell
    1952- Canadian pop singer and composer Gino Vanelli was born in Montreal. He had his first international hit in 1974 with "People Gotta Move." Vanelli's recording of "I Just Wanna Stop" was a million-seller, and garnered the singer a Grammy Award nomination and a Juno Award as male vocalist of the year in 1978. Vanelli traded heavily on his sex symbol image - good looks, shoulder length curly hair and tight jeans - during the 1970's. But that image was toned down with the release of his 1985 comeback album, "Black Cars."
    1952 - Gale Storm (Margie Albright) and Charles Farrell (Vernon Albright) starred in "My Little Margie" which debuted on CBS-TV on this day. Fans of the popular comedy will remember that "My Little Margie" was based at the Carlton Arms Hotel, Apartment 10-A. Vern Albright was a very eligible widower who worked for the investment firm of Honeywell and Todd. Margie Albright, his 21-year-old daughter, was continually scheming to help dad and continually causing big trouble while helping.
    1956 - Capitol Records released "Be-Bop-A-Lula" by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps. Vincent was hailed as Capitol’s answer to Elvis Presley. Of the three songs Vincent Eugene Craddock had hit the airwaves, "Lula" was biggest hit to make the pop music charts. The other songs were "Lotta Lovin’", and "Dance to the Bop." In 1971, Vincent died.
    1956-A 31-year-old woman named Gogi Grant knocked Elvis out of Billboard's number one spot with a song called "The Wayward Wind". It was a tune that she recorded almost as an after thought, with just fifteen minutes of studio time remaining. Six weeks later, Elvis would be back on top with "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You".
    1956-Patti Page saw what would be her biggest hit, "Allegheny Moon" enter the Billboard chart, where it would reach #2 during a 22 week run. In all, the Oklahoma native would place sixteen songs in the Top 40 between 1954 and 1965.
    1959---Top Hits
Personality - Lloyd Price
Quiet Village - Martin Denny
Tallahassee Lassie - Freddy Cannon
The Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
1965- Herman's Hermits earned their first gold record with "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter".
    1961-Gary "U.S." Bonds performs his US Top Ten hit "Quarter To Three" on American Bandstand.
    1965-Herman's Hermits were awarded their first Gold record for "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter". The song was originally an album cut that got so much air play in the US, MGM Records released it as a single.
    1966---HOWARD, JIMMIE E. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant (then S/Sgt.) U.S. Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 16 June 1966. Entered service at: Burlington, Iowa. Born: 27 July 1929, Burlington, Iowa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. G/Sgt. Howard and his 18-man platoon were occupying an observation post deep within enemy-controlled territory. Shortly after midnight a Viet Cong force of estimated battalion size approached the marines' position and launched a vicious attack with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Reacting swiftly and fearlessly in the face of the overwhelming odds, G/Sgt. Howard skillfully organized his small but determined force into a tight perimeter defense and calmly moved from position to position to direct his men's fire. Throughout the night, during assault after assault, his courageous example and firm leadership inspired and motivated his men to withstand the unrelenting fury of the hostile fire in the seemingly hopeless situation. He constantly shouted encouragement to his men and exhibited imagination and resourcefulness in directing their return fire. When fragments of an exploding enemy grenade wounded him severely and prevented him from moving his legs, he distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and proceeded to maintain radio communications and direct air strikes on the enemy with uncanny accuracy. At dawn, despite the fact that 5 men were killed and all but 1 wounded, his beleaguered platoon was still in command of its position. When evacuation helicopters approached his position, G/Sgt. Howard warned them away and called for additional air strikes and directed devastating small-arms fire and air strikes against enemy automatic weapons positions in order to make the landing zone as secure as possible. Through his extraordinary courage and resolute fighting spirit, G/Sgt. Howard was largely responsible for preventing the loss of his entire platoon. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his platoon to heroic endeavor in the face of overwhelming odds, and reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. Howard, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service.
    1967- The Monterey International Pop Festival opened in California. It was the first major rock festival and attracted 50,000 people over three days. Ticket prices ranged from $3.50 to $6.50 to see more than two dozen top rock acts. The performers played for free. The festival was immortalized in D.A. Pennebaker's 1969 documentary "Monterey Pop." Janis Joplin, The Jefferson Airplane, the Dead, Big Brother and other San Francisco artists performed. Fifty thousand spectators migrated to the site that featured Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Mamas and the Papas and The Who. It was one wild weekend and I remember the smoke, the stoned performers and audience,
and everyone was rocking all day and night long. I had press passes from KFRC radio and also went back stage, what I remember most
was the booze, marijuana, and everything else right out in the open.
http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/pop/monterey.htm
    1968 - Lee Trevino became the first golfer in 68 years to play all four rounds of the U.S. Open golf tournament with sub-par totals of 69, 68, 69 and 67, respectively.
    1967---Top Hits
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Him or Me - What’s It Gonna Be? - Paul Revere & The Raiders
Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane
It’s Such a Pretty World Today - Wynn Stewart
    1972 - The only museum devoted exclusively to jazz music opened. The New York Jazz Museum welcomed visitors for the first time.
http://jazzmuseuminharlem.org/
    1974 -- Homer Simpson & Marge Bouvier wed.
    1975---Top Hits
Sister Golden Hair - America
Love Will Keep Us Together - The Captain & Tennille
I’m Not Lisa - Jessi Colter
When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt
    1978 - After much success on Broadway, Grease, came to the big screen when it premiered in New York City. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John starred in the hit movie. Several hit songs came out of the motion picture including "Grease," by Frankie Valli, "You're The One That I Want," and "Summer Nights," The first two songs went platinum selling 2,000,000+ copies, while the third sold a million.
    1980 - The movie "The Blues Brothers" opened in Chicago, Illinois. Starring John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, both formerly of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live" the movie was a hit. The pair played Jake and Elwood Blues and were joined by celebrity guests James Brown, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. Cab Calloway also appeared with a rendition of his song "Minnie the Moocher."
    1981 - For $20.5 million, the "Chicago Tribune" purchased the Chicago Cubs baseball team from the P.K. Wrigley Chewing Gum Company. For over 60 years the Wrigley family had controlled the team. The longest, continuous ownership of a team, that stayed in its original city, ended with the sale.
    1983---Top Hits
Flashdance...What a Feeling - Irene Cara
Time (Clock of the Heart) - Culture Club
My Love - Lionel Richie
Our Love is on the Faultline - Crystal Gayle
    1985 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Heaven," Bryan Adams.
    1987 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for $5,000,000. The 18-year veteran of the NBA became the highest paid player in any sport at the time.
    1988- the largest operatic production in Canadian history was staged at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. About 30,000 people paid between $20 and $150 each to watch Verdi's "Aida" - complete with a 14-metre model of the Sphinx, elephants, tigers and a four-metre python. The stars were soprano Katia Ricciarelli in the title role and tenor Nicola Martinucci as Radames. Giuseppe Raffa conducted a 120 piece orchestra and a 140 member chorus.The production was repeated two nights later in the Olympic Stadium. An even more grandiose staging of "Aida" took place in 1987 at Giza, Egypt, site of the real Sphinx.
    1989- Sammy Sosa becomes the youngest (20-years, seven months) Dominican to play in the majors. The Ranger rookie goes 2-for-4 with a double against the Yankees.
    1989 - Daytime thunderstorms produced severe weather from northern Florida to the Middle Atlantic Coast. The thunderstorms spawned eight tornadoes, and there were 138 reports of large hail and damaging winds. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 87 mph caused twenty million dollars damage at Columbia SC. Strong thunderstorm winds killed one person at McLeansville NC.
    1991---Top Hits
Rush, Rush - Paula Abdul
Love is a Wonderful Thing - Michael Bolton
Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets) - Joe Diffie
    1995 - "Batman Forever", the third film in the Batman series premiered. Batman/Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer) faces Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey). Add a sexy psychologist (Nicole Kidman), with a thing for Batman and sidekick Robin (Chris O’Donnell), and you wind up with a smash: $52.78 million in the U.S. for opening weekend. Smash, Bang, Wow box-office, Batman!
    1999 - Cher launched her "Believe" tour in Phoenix, Arizona. The CD had become a worldwide smash, and the single made Cher, at 52, the oldest woman to have a song hit Number 1 on the charts. It was the first time in nearly a decade that the exotic, charismatic diva had gone on a concert tour. To an enthusiastic sell-out crowd, she performed the hits from her "Believe" album, and many of the public's favorite spanning the previous three decades.
    1999 - World-class sprinters all dream the impossible dream, to break the 100-meter world record. Maurice Greene’s dream came true this day at an invitational track meet in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of track and field events. Running in the stadium (home of the 2004 Olympics) with no wind at his back, his friend and training partner in another lane, 24-year-old Maurice Greene finished the 100 meters in 9.79 seconds. The previous record (9.84 seconds), set at the 1996 Olympics, belongs to Canada’s Donovan Bailey. Greene from Kansas City, Kansas is the first American to hold this sprint record since 1994. His training partner, Ato Boldon, placed second with a time of 9.86.
    2000-Heat wave ends in San Jose with records over 109 degrees and over 100 degrees in San Francisco, breaking all weather history records. In June, San Francisco recorded 104, its highest ever in the history of the city.
    2001- At Turner Field in a game which featured thousands of swarming moths, Boston beat the Braves and bugs in extra innings, 9-5. Although the insects had little bearing on the outcome of the game, the insects clearly bothered the some players, including Dave Martinez who claimed to having sucked one into his mouth.

NBA Finals Champions This Date

1996 Chicago Bulls

[headlines]
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Baseball Poem

Baseball Archeologists
by Tim Peeler

Hatley had
a catcher's big hands
and had he played
he certainly would have caught,
braced in the squat position
examining the game
from its lowest perspective
with small dark eyes
darting like flashy pencil points —
Hatley never
watched the games live,
vcr'd them,
invited the guys over
to study
inning by inning
in reverse,
the coffee table smothered
with stuffed ashtrays
and emptied crushed beer cans,
at first the speculation
heavy as late game drunkenness,
what caused the score,
the change of pitchers,
rewinding the full swings,
the perfect throws,
in three out layers,
our eyes clearing,
cig butts disappearing,
finally ending
with the first taken pitch
and the sober presentation
of the lineups —
when the national anthem sang itself we stood
the words jumping
back into our mouths.

Touching All Bases
Poems from Baseball
Tim Peeler
www.mcfarlandpub.com

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