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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and
entertainment for the commercial alternate financing,
bank, finance and leasing industries

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   



Thursday, June 8, 2017



Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Funders Looking for New Broker Business
   Updated
New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Business
   and Related Industries
Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
National Account Managers in US/Funding Coordinator (Remote)
Revitalizing Your Content Marketing Campaign
     FinTech #102 by Alex Vasilakos
Leasing and Finance Conferences
   New Places and Dates Added
Bad Guys: Companies who utilize Evergreen Clauses
    for Extra Lease Payments
Wonder Woman/I, Daniel Black
Toni Erdmann, Ghost World, Dheepan
   Movie/Digital Reviews by Leasing News' Fernando Croce
Bluetick Coonhound
   West Murray, Utah   Adopt a Dog
Classified Ads ---Free
   (Companies Providing Services and Products)
News Briefs---
Google, San Jose plan search giant’s downtown expansion;
    up to 20,000 jobs possible
10,000 new homes are coming to ‘desirable’ part
    of the Sacramento region
$13 Trillion Consumer Debt Hangover
  Debt Has Risen, Consumers are Under Stress
Here is List of New 72 Sears Location Closing
  They Are Adding to 180 Store Closing List

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

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

You May have Missed---
CEOs of Progressive, KeyCorp are part of largest-ever
contingent of women leading Fortune 500 companies
 Baseball Poem
  Sports Brief----
   California Nuts Brief---
   "Gimme that Wine"
     This Day in American History
      SuDoku
       Daily Puzzle
        GasBuddy
         Weather, USA or specific area
          Traffic Live----

######## 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.

 


Please send a colleague and ask them to subscribe. We are free.
Email kitmenkin@leasingnews.org and in subject line: subscribe


[headlines]

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

Funders Looking for New Broker Business
Updated

To qualify for this list, the company must be a funder (as qualified by Leasing News) and on the “Funder List,” an acceptable Better Business Bureau Rating and no history of complaints at Leasing News. Also, it is their practice to notify lessees in advance when the lease will end and what the residual will be, specifically not automating extra lease payments, or insisting their discounter follow the same policy. We reserve the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications.

There is no advertising fee or charge for a listing. They are “free.” Leasing News makes no endorsement of any of the companies listed, except they have qualified to be on this specific list.

We encourage companies who are listed to contact us for any change or addition they would like to make. We encourage adding further information as an "attachment" or clarification of what they have to offer would be helpful to readers.

Please send company name, contact/email or telephone number as well as a URL to attach or description to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details

1st Enterprise Bank Leasing
Advantage Funding
Allegheny Valley Bank Leasing 
Allstate Leasing
American Leasefund, Inc.
Bankers Capital 
Barrett Capital Corporation
Black Rock Capital
Boston Financial & Equity Corp.
BSB Leasing, Inc.
Calfund, LLC
Chesapeake Industrial Leasing Co., Inc.
Citizens Business Bank

Cobra Capital LLC
Dakota Financial 
Exchange Bank Leasing (formerly Dumac Leasing)
FirstLease, Inc.
First Federal Leasing
First Foundation Bank
First Midwest Equipment Finance
Financial Pacific Leasing
Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Gonor Funding
Lease Corporation of America
Madison Capital

Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC
Mesa Leasing
National Equipment Finance
NexTier Leasing
NFS Leasing, Inc
Northwest Leasing Company, Inc
P&L Capital Corporation
Padco Financial Services
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
RLC Funding
Standard Professional Services, LLC
Summit Leasing, Inc.
TEAM Funding Solutions
TimePayment 

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

 

 


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

 

New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries


Roya Hoodeh was promoted to Business Development Manager, Balboa Capital, Costa Mesa, California. She joined the firm April, 2017 as Account Executive. Previously, she was an Intern, U.S. Commercial Service, Dubai (September, 2016 - December, 2016):  Student Intern, Havayar Industrial Group, Tehran (June, 2015 - August, 2015). Languages: Arabic, English, French, Persian. Certification: Certified Associate Project Manager. Volunteer: Organizer, Breast Cancer Walkathon (October, 2014). Animals Right cyber Activist, Animals Without Shelter (June, 2015 - Present). Education: American University of Sharjah, BSBA, Economics (2012 - 2016).  International School of Choueifat, High School Diploma, Physical Sciences (1999 -2012).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roya-hoodeh-7a2221a1/


Tayne Hunsaker was hired as Senior Relationship Manager, TCS Equipment Finance, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Previously, he was Senior Relationship manager, BofI Federal Bank (April, 2016 - May, 2017); Senior Relationship Manager, Pacific Western Equipment Finance (August, 2006 - April, 2016); Senior Relationship Manager, Pacific Western Bank (October, 2012 - March, 2016); Senior Account Manager, Marquette Equipment Finance (purchased by Pacific Western Bank) (2006 -2011).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayne-hunsaker-96933627/


Greg Larson was promoted to Franchise Territory Manager, Officer, TCF Equipment Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota. He joined the firm September, 2010, as Branch Manager, Officer; promoted February, 2015, Account Manager, Officer. Prior, he was Assistant Area Director, Corner Bakery Cafe (May, 2007 - May, 2010); General Manager, Panera Bread (April, 2001 - May, 2007). Volunteer: Walker, Animal Humane Society (May, 2015); Team Capital, Animal Humane Society (May, 2016). Volunteer, Packing Food, Feed My Starving Children (November, 2016). Education: Scottsdale Community College, Hospitality Administration/Management (2000 - 2001). Mesa Community College, Business/Commerce, General (1998 - 2000).  Illinois State University, General Studies (1997 - 1998). Normal Community West High School (1993 -1997). Activities and Societies: Entertainment, wrote for the school newspaper, "The Paw Print."  Wrestling. Technology Club.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-larson-b0634165/


Jenny Lund, CFCM, was promoted to Vice President, Federal Originations, Key Government Finance, Superior, Colorado. She joined the firm June, 2010 and previous position was as Senior Contracts Manager.  Previously, she was Contracts Administrator, Sierra Nevada Corporation (November, 2005 - March 2010); Accounts Receivable, Finley Industries (November, 2004 - November, 2005); Licensing Response Specialist, Microsoft (April, 2002 - October, 2004); Industrial Staffing Specialist, David H Pau, Inc. (July, 2001 - March, 2002); Administrative Manager, RODI Systems Corp. (February, 2001 - July, 2001); Administrative Assistant, Johnson Controls (August, 1998 - January, 2001); Administrative Assistant - Contracts, PacifiCorp. (August, 1985 -July, 1998); Legal Assistant, Williams, Porter, Day & Neville, P.C. (July, 1979 - July, 1985). Certifications:  Certified Federal Contracts Manager. Associate's Certificate in Contract Management. Honor: Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society. Organization: National Contract Management Association. Education: University of Phoenix, Colorado Campus. Bachelor's degree, Business Management, General (2009 -2013).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-lund-cfcm-52881860/


Rick Matte was hired as President, Chief Commercial Officer, Encina Equipment Finance, Danbury, Connecticut. Previously, he was at GE Capital, Equipment Finance, starting as Associate, Information Management Leadership Program, July, 2002; promoted September, 2004 as Vice President, Sales; promoted July, 2007, Managing Director, Region Sales Leader; promoted March, 2013, Managing Director, Business Development. Prior, he was Associate Consultant, Computer Sciences Corp. (October, 2000 - July, 2001). Education: Columbia Business School, MBA, Finance (2006 -2007).  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Lally School of Management and Technology, BS, Management (1996 - 2000).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-matte-814a102/


Keely Newcomer was hired as Senior Credit Analyst at Umpqua Bank Equipment Leasing and Finance, Portland, Oregon. Previously, she was Credit Analyst, U.S. Bank, Practice Finance (February, 2014 - April, 2017); Credit Officer, US Bancorp Equipment Finance (August, 2006 - January, 2014). Education: University of Oregon, Political Science (1998-2002).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keely-newcomer-1496751/


Kirk Stone was hired as Loan Officer, Eastern Funding, LLC, New York, New York.  He is based in Des Moines, Iowa." (He)...will work on expanding Eastern Funding’s reach across the U.S. and Canada. Previously, he was Vice President, Vendor Group, US Capital Corporation (February, 2007 - May, 2017).  Education: American Institute of Business (1976 -1978).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-stone-085464b/


Gabriel Weare was hired as Senior Account Executive, Alignment Financial Group, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Previously, he was Finance Manager, Everlasting Capital Corporation (October, 2016 - February, 2017); Senior Account Executive, Kingswood Leasing Inc. (April, 2007 - 2015).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-weare-0a93312b/ 

 


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

Leasing Industry Help Wanted




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

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees

 

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

 

Revitalizing Your Content Marketing Campaign

FinTech #102 by Alex Vasilakos

 

You Can’t Always Rely On Content Alone

Sometimes waiting for your audience to come to you isn’t the most efficient way to reach your audience and get the search rankings you need. Paid promotions, be they through search engines like Google or social media like Facebook, will increase exposure to your targeted audience.

Above all, remember that digital marketing campaigns are dynamic. Marketing standards and trends are constantly changing. Your marketing strategy should not be set in stone. Periodically check to see where you are gaining traction, what can be improved, and what can be put on the back burner. Seeing results can take time. Maintaining an agile approach to digital marketing and reviewing your results every quarter or six months can keep your campaign on track and deliver the desired results.

Don’t Spin Your Wheels Churning Out Quantity Over Quality

The digital arena is immense and there is a lot of information available to everyone. Many marketing professionals feel a compulsion to constantly generate content. This is a holdover from the marketing strategies used before the advent of the Internet where 100 cold calls would yield maybe seven responses, and even fewer conversions. A digital marketing strategy is about finding the perfect signal- to- noise ratio, where the former is much higher than the latter. Focus on quality and engaging content. Even if you are doing heavy research to complete one piece each month, the information contained in those pieces are valued much more than marketing professionals who simply “spin” existing content to pass it off as their own. Your targeted audience will appreciate the effort and will respond positively to high-quality content.

Study The Competition

Taking time to study what your competitors are doing can give you tremendous insight into your own content marketing campaign. Look at the content your competitors have produced and see which pieces seem to resonate or get a reaction out of their customers. Which ones appeal to you? The idea is not to copy what your competitors are doing but to understand what works well for them. Next, apply what you have learned and think about what makes your business unique. What points do you want to impress upon your audience? What kind of content will make you stand out from the competition and appeal to your customer base?

Getting Your Team on the Same Page 

A solid content marketing campaign can have a tremendous impact. You know this. You have seen it in action with other businesses. While you may have the vision, the rest of your team may not. As a leader, you need to communicate where the goal is and how you want to get there. By bringing your entire team on board, everyone can stay focused, even while bouncing ideas off each other. It is of the utmost importance for marketing professionals to get the whole team on the same page to see how each person’s work is created, coordinated, and integrated into the marketing campaign as a whole.


Alex Vasilakos
Director of Marketing
The Finance Marketing Group
alex@financemarketing.com
Office: 518-591-4645x102 / Fax: 518-677-1071
90 State Street, Suite 1500, Albany, NY 12207

Currently, Alex works exclusively with financial services companies, but his depth of knowledge and experience can help design and implement long-reaching strategies for businesses across all industries.

Alex entered advertising and marketing in 2003 as the industry landscape shifted from traditional print to digital media. In that time, he has worked with numerous large accounts in both healthcare and financial services, and has helped small and medium-sized businesses grow and flourish in their respective digital markets. He has won countless awards for creative direction and strategy, and is certified by Google Partners in both AdWords and Analytics.

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

 

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

Leasing and Finance Conferences
New Places and Dates Added



Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel Reservation: click here

Presentation Proposal for September 16, Atlanta, Georgia
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REGIONALSESSSION




October 4, 2017 - October, 6
2017 Funding Symposium
JW Marriott Buckhead
Atlanta, Georgia


October 11, 2017 - October 13, 2017
Lend360
Fairmount Dallas, Texas
http://www.lend360.org/


October 17, 2017 - October 19, 2017
2017 56th Annual Convention
Gaylord Resort & Convention Center
Orlando, Florida

"Our registration is now open and we anticipate over 600 brokers to attend based on the success of last year and growth we experienced."

Kris D. Roglieri
kris@commercialcapitaltraining.com
Commercial Capital Training Group
www.CommercialCapitalTraining.com

For More Information:
www.naclb.org


October 22, 2017 - October 24, 2017
2017 56th Annual Convention
Orlando, Florida

Call for Presentations/Submission Deadline 
Monday, July 3, 2017


October 22, 2017 -  October, 26, 2017
The Palazzo and Sands Convention Center
Venetian Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

Speakers and More Information
https://10times.com/money/speakers



“Positioning Today’s Lessors for Tomorrow” in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates / October 30 – 31, 2017

Amembal & Halladay is pleased to announce that our Management Symposium, “Positioning Today’s Lessors for Tomorrow”, will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from October 30th – 31st of 2017.

Critical operational factors such as funding, improving profitability, identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the company’s financial health are explored in depth.  The speakers, including leasing company executives, will provide insights into successfully shepherding the leasing company into the future.

All members of management will greatly benefit from attending this symposium, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, middle managers, and those being groomed for management positions.

Registration is now open with an early bird discount in effect until August 15, 2017.

Contact Kelly Farnham for more information and to register:
kelly@amembalandhalladay.com



8:00AM - 6:00PM EST

Tickets
$499 ( + $28.44 fee) Early Bird
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fintech-world-summit-2017-the-evolution-of-finance-tickets-34997256737#tickets

For More Information, please go here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fintech-world-summit-2017-the-evolution-of-finance-tickets-34997256737?aff=es2 




November 7, 2017
The Regency Ballroom
1300 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109

$100 Early Bird
Information:
https://www.empirefintechconference.com/pages/sf2017


Western Regional Meeting
November 17 - 18, 2017
Doubletree by Hilton - Anaheim
Anaheim, California

Presentation Proposal for November 17 - 18, Orange, California
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REGIONALSESSSION

 

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

Bad Guys: Companies who utilize Evergreen Clauses 
for Extra Lease Payments


These companies use language in their lease documents regarding purchase options to confuse, perhaps to deceive, resulting in an automatic continuation for an additional twelve months of payments. Often, they win transactions with lower monthly payments as the lessee does not carefully read and prepare for the end-of-lease notification requirement (many are on ACH payments).

Several have continuation of payments and the requirement of replacing the equipment for a new lease. Leasing News has had complaints involving companies who invoke the twelve months on a $1.00 purchase option lease and on an Equipment Finance Agreements.

Several have appeared in Leasing News "Complaints" Bulletin Board:
http://www.leasingnews.org/bulletin_board.htm

Additionally, Tom McCurnin has written often about Evergreen Clause court cases involving these companies.
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html 

Two of the companies on this list do a lot of copier leasing, where it is reported manufacturers are now getting a piece of auto-renewals while  insisting that they be in the lease as a condition of the business. Leasing News has heard from a very reliable source that some copier manufacturers also give dealers 4-5 months’ notice of a discontinued model and agree to sell it to the dealer at 40% of list price, on the condition that the captive finance division not receive the business. Also, buried in the contract on one is a one month rental return fee including an inspection fee at the location specified by lessor and at lessee’s return expense (often not the local dealer who supplied the copier).

Advice for Broker or Lessor Dealing with a Company that Uses Evergreen Clauses
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_18.htm#advice

Complaints on Extra Payments

ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah
Balboa Capital, Irvine, California
De Lage Landen, Wayne, Pennsylvania
IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois
Jules and Associates, Los Angeles, California 
LEAF Financial Group
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marlin Business Leasing, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Marquette Equipment Finance, Midvale, Utah 
Mazuma Capital Corporation, Draper, Utah
Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 
Republic Bank, Bountiful, Utah
Tetra Financial Group, Salt Lake City, Utah

 

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

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

Enjoyable blockbuster action (“Wonder Woman”) and heartrending drama (“I, Daniel Blake”) make for a contrasting double-bill at the box-office, while new DVDs offer a pair of exceptionally bittersweet comedies (“Toni Erdmann” and “Ghost World”) and a tense award-winner (“Deephan”).

In theaters:


Wonder Woman (Warner Bros.): After such dreary DC Comics movies as “Batman vs. Superman” and “Suicide Squad,” the screwball humor and speed of this enjoyable action-adventure are particularly welcome. Winningly portrayed by Gal Gadot, Amazon princess Diane Prince lives in an isolated island as an unbeatable warrior. Her life takes a sharp turn when she meets Steve (Chris Pine), a World War I American flier who makes her aware of the fight against evil going on in the world at large. Venturing away from home for the first time, she bursts into the battlefield as Wonder Woman—learning about her destiny while fighting the treacherous mythical fiend Ares (David Thewlis). Directed with a rousing yet light hand by Patty Jenkins (“Monster”), the movie is colorful, ripping big-screen fun.


I, Daniel Blake (Sundance Selects): A dedicated chronicler of underprivileged struggles, British filmmaker Ken Loach (“My Name Is Joe”) serves up another first-rate slice of grit with a heartrending drama, which took the top prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Played by Dave Johns, the title character is a 59-year-old widowed carpenter who, in the wake of health problems, finds himself in a veritable bureaucratic hell. While fighting for an appeal to get benefits, Daniel befriends Katie (Haley Squires), a young single mother with her own array of problems. As desperation draws closer, can they give each other enough strength to stay one step ahead of the abyss? Though never afraid to depict the harshest situations the characters go through, Loach’s film also abounds in tenderness, humor, and hope.

Netflix Tip: Flourishing as James Bond in the 1970s and early 1980s, Roger Moore (1927-2017) brought an edge of lighthearted derring-do to the world’s most famous secret agent. So check out some of his greatest 007 adventures with Netflix, which include “Live and Let Die” (1973), “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977), “For Your Eyes Only” (1981) and “Octopussy” (1983).

On DVD:

Toni Erdmann (Sony): Awkward laughter and heartfelt emotion mingle miraculously in this wonderful German comedy from writer-director Maren Ade (“Everyone Else”). Moving unpredictably from one memorable moment to another, the story chronicles the eccentric push-pull between Ines (Sandra Huller), 9a serious, hardworking businesswoman, and her father Winfred (Peter Simonischek), an aging prankster determined to get her to loosen up and appreciate the absurdity of life. A business trip brings the two together and turns increasingly zany as Winfred begins to appear in disguise as an eccentric millionaire called Toni Erdmann, gleefully unbalancing his daughter’s stuffy routines. Featuring some of the year’s most hilarious scenes as well as some of its most unexpectedly melancholy, Aden’s richly poignant film is a life-affirming gift to movie lovers. With subtitles.


Ghost World (Criterion): A specialist in curmudgeonly characters with secretly soulful centers, director Terry Zwigoff (“Bad Santa”) scored one of his most beloved hits with this lovably bittersweet comedy-drama from 2001. Based on a comic-book by Daniel Clowes, the film follows Enid (Thora Birch), a sardonic teenager who, having just graduated from high school, has to find her place in the real world. With her friend Rebecca (Scarlet Johansson) by her side, she finds an unlikely ally in Seymour (Steve Buscemi), an eccentric whose eccentric exterior hides a sensitive if lonely side. As the two girls notice the changes in their friendship, they begin to realize the compromises of adulthood. Brimming with uniquely humane characters, Zwigoff’s film hilariously and poignantly navigates the private spaces of outsiders young as well as old.


Dheepan (Criterion): French director Jacques Audiard ("A Prophet") scored the top prize at the Cannes Festival with this gritty and intense drama, set in a Parisian housing project. The plot follows Sivadhasan (Antonythasan Jesuthasan), a Sri Lankan ex-soldier who, following a stay at a refugee camp, decides to move to France. The road to a new life is a torturous one, however, and it includes accepting a new identity and family to secure asylum in the new land. Renamed Dheepan and accompanied by a wife named Yalini (Kalieaswari Srinivasan) and a daughter named Illayaal (Claudine Vinasithamby), he finds work as a caretaker. When new tensions arise, Sivadhasan's life takes a sharp turn to the violent, putting everything he's achieved in jeopardy. Mixing observational drama with elements from a revenge thriller, Audiard's film portrays a struggle between despair and hope. With subtitles.

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

Bluetick Coonhound
West Murray, Utah Adopt-a-Dog


Keeara
ID A112658
Female
Color: Tricolor
Age: 1 Year 7 Months
Kennel No: DA3

Humane Society of Utah
4242 South 300 West
Murray, Utah 84157-3659

How to Adopt
https://www.utahhumane.org/adopt/how-adopt

Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday
12 Noon – 5:00 PM

Adoption Fee: $88.00 base

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

 

[headlines]
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Classified Ads ---Free
(Companies Providing Services and Products)

To post free classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

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


News Briefs---

Google, San Jose plan search giant’s downtown expansion;
    up to 20,000 jobs possible
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/06/google-san-jose-craft-search-giants-downtown-expansion/

10,000 new homes are coming to ‘desirable’ part
    of the Sacramento region
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article154936164.html

$13 Trillion Consumer Debt Hangover
  Debt Has Risen, Consumers are Under Stress
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-06/trump-s-america-is-facing-a-13-trillion-consumer-debt-hangover

Here is List of New 72 Sears Location Closing
  They Are Adding to 180 Store Closing List
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/sears-closing-72-stores-heres-210400016.html  



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

You May Have Missed---

CEOs of Progressive, KeyCorp are part of largest-ever
  contingent of women leading Fortune 500 companies
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/ceos-of-progressive-keycorp-are-part-of-largest-ever-contingent-of


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

Poem ---

    Play at the Plate

From the book

"That Sweet Diamond"

by Paul B. Janeczko, Carole Katchen (Illustrator)

 

Some
watch the ball
short hop the wall and
the right fielder-who
can't pick it up fast enough -
finally snatch it
sling it
to the impatient cut-off man,
who throws home
almost before he turns.

Some
watch the runner
barely
toe the inside corner of third,
eyes on
the coach's windmill arm
signaling haste.

All
watch the meeting place:
the catcher begging for the ball
so he can sweep the tag
at the runner beginning
his slide
before the umpire,
holding his mask
behind his back
as casually as a satin heart
of valentine candy,
signals the meeting over,
the runner safe.

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs----

Steve Kerr says Warriors' Game 3 win was aided by Cavs getting tired
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19575552/golden-state-warriors-coach-steve-kerr-says-cleveland-cavaliers-fatigue-played-part-game-3

Shell-shocked: Players reflect on crazy day of Stoops' retirement
http://newsok.com/shell-shocked-players-reflect-on-crazy-day-of-stoops-retirement/article/5552019


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


California Nuts Briefs---

LAPD Cop Leaves Motorcycle for dance floor,
  Shows off Salsa Skills
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article154936164.html#1

Dog Waited Two Months to be Adopted
Family drove 16 hours to Save her Life
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article154936164.html#2

 

[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

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

The story behind Napa's new blockbuster winery: Promontory
http://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Bill-Harlan-s-game-changer-Promontory-winery-11191722.php

J. Lohr's Estates Wines Reveal Refreshed Look
   (Jerry Lohr is my neighbor. Editor)
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=185216


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

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

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

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

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

This Day in American History

         1670 - A Virginia slavery act decreed that slaves who had become Christians before their importation were not liable to lifelong servitude. This law reflected the moral concern felt in America over the enslavement of Christians. 
    1697 - The husband of Hannah Duston was awarded the sum of 25 pounds (equivalent to today dollar about $10,000) for her heroic efforts, the first public award to a woman in America. On March 16 of the same year, in an attack on Haverhill, Massachusetts, Indians captured Hannah Duston and killed her baby, killing or capturing 39 others in addition. After being taken to an Indian camp, she escaped on April 29 after killing 10 Indians with a tomahawk and scalping them as proof of her deed. 
    1786 - The first ice cream to be made commercially was sold by Mr. Hall of 76 Chatham Street (now Park Row), New York City, who advertised its sale. 
    1789 - James Madison introduced twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution in the House.  By 1791, ten of them were ratified by the state legislatures and became the Bill of Rights.  Another was eventually ratified in 1992 to become the 27th Amendment. 
    1816 - Mary Lucinda Bonney’s (1816-1900) birthday; educator and reformer who organized and headed a successful women's school in Philadelphia as well as the Central Indian Committee which campaigned for the U.S. to honor its Indian treaties. Under her leadership, the plan to allot land to individual Indians was developed and approved by Congress. 
http://www.school.eb.com/women/articles/Bonney_Mary_Lucinda.html 
    1851 - The "Alta" published a proposal for a citizens committee of safety following an outbreak of lawlessness and arson. 
    1852 - Chinese laborers on the three-story granite Parrott Building, first fireproof structure in town, went on strike in 1852, demanding more pay.  Since only they could read the characters on the building's granite blocks, which had been cut, dressed, and numbered in China, they got it. 
    1861 - Tennessee seceded from the Union in a two to one vote in the state.  (lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html ) 
    1862 - At the Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia, Confederate forces under Gen. Stonewall Jackson saved the Army of Northern Virginian from a Union assault on the James Peninsula led by Gen. George McClellan.
    1863 - Residents of Vicksburg flee into caves as General Ulysses S. Grant's army begins shelling the town. 
    1867 - The birthday of perhaps the greatest American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), born at Richland Center, WI. In his autobiography, Wright wrote: "No house should ever be on any hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other." http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html 
    1869 - Ives W. McGaffey of Chicago, Illinois obtained a patent on a "sweeping machine," a light hand-powered suction device for surface cleaning. Although he did not coin the word "Vacuum Cleaner," he is credited with its invention. Melville Reuben Bissell of Grand Rapids, MI, in 1876 received a patent on a "broom action: variable pressure sweeper, responsive to different grades of floor covering. The first vacuum cleaner driven by a motor was invented by John S. Thurman of the General Compressed Air and Vacuum Machinery Company, St. Louis, MO, in 1899 for a "pneumatic carpet renovator." Vacuum Cleaner came into the American language as a shorter name of maker, it was a "Vacuum" cleaner. 
    1869 - Pioneer Japanese immigrants establish a tea and silk farm colony at Gold Hill, California. Americans of Japanese ancestry (Nisei) lived in this country and struggled courageously for freedom and equality. This heritage was attacked following Pearl Harbor as they were shipped off to concentration camps and their homes, businesses, and property were stolen from them. 
    1886 – Congress passed the first Civil Rights Act.
    1982 – In the act that triggered the litigation, Homer A. Plessy refused to go to a segregated railroad car (Plessy v. Ferguson). 
    1893 - Birthday of Dorothy Deming, author of the Penny Marsh books on nursing as a career. 
http://www.seriesbooks.com/demingdorothy.htm 
http://www.elliemik.com/helpwanted.html 
    1906 - Pianist Frank "Sweet" Williams 
    1906 - Birthday of guitarist Willie Morris, Bolton, MS. http://www.adelphirecords.com/video/JugBand.html 
    1906 - Birthday of Pianist Billie Pierce (1906-74) was born Wilhelmina Goodson in Marianna, Florida.  Known best for performing with DeDe Pierce, she was a boogie-woogie piano player with a distinctive blues shouting style that was reportedly unforgettable. 
http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/showsearchresults.asp?&
OutletID=1&SearchField=a&SearchString=Pierce
 
http://music.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/cpc_150701_vtl_artist_c15332934.html 
http://www.enigmaterial.com/jazz/ph1966/ph66_bpierce.html 
    1906 – President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law, authorizing the President to restrict the use of certain parcels of public land with historical or conservation value.
    1909 – Clarence “Cack” Henley of the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast league threw the longest complete game shutout in professional baseball history. Henley threw 24 scoreless innings against the Oakland Oaks before finally winning, 1-0…guessing on his pitch count???! 
    1916 - Birthday of Canadian trumpeter and bandleader Johnny Holmes, in Montreal. 
    1917 – Walt Disney graduated from Benton HS.
    1917 - Birthday of Byron Raymond (Whizzer) White (1917-2002) at Fort Collins, CO.  Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US, nominated by President Kennedy Apr 3, 1962. White was an All-American halfback for the University of Colorado.   He also played basketball and baseball. After graduation he signed with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) after they selected him in Round 1 of the 1938 NFL Draft, and he played the 1938 season. He led the league in rushing in his rookie season and became the game's highest-paid player. He won a Rhodes scholarship to the University of Oxford and, after having deferred it for a year to play football, he decided to attend.  After Oxford, White played for the Detroit Lions from 1940 to 1941. He led the league in rushing in 1938 and 1940, and he was one of the first "big money" NFL players, making $15,000 a year.  His career was cut short when he entered the Navy during World War II; after the war, he elected to attend law school rather than return to football. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
    1921 - Birthday of Alexis Smith (1921-93), born Margaret Alexis Fitzsimmons Smith in Penticton, BC.  After moving to southern California as a child, she attended Hollywood HS and LA City College where she was discovered.  She was an actress who starred with many of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men including Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Errol Flynn in the 1940s and 50s. She won a Tony in 1972 for her sensational performance as the cynical and aging former showgirl in “Follies”. She was the patron for U.S. novelist Rita Mae Brown.  Her sole survivor was her husband of 49 years, actor Craig Stevens who played “Peter Gunn” on the TV series.
    1921 – LeRoy Nieman (1921-2012) was born Leroy Leslie Runquist in St. Paul, MN.  He was an artist known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events.    
    1925 - Birthday of Barbara Pierce Bush, former First Lady, was born in NYC.  She met George Herbert Walker Bush at age 16, and the two married in 1945, while he was on leave during his deployment as a naval officer in World War II.  They had six children together, among them former President George H. Bush and former FL Governor Jeb Bush. 
    1925 – Eddie Gaedel (1925-61) was born in Chicago with dwarfism.  On August 19, 1951 for the St. Louis Browns, he was called into pinch-hit against the Detroit Tigers.  Standing a mere 3’ 7”, he was walked on four pitches, was replaced by a pinch-runner, and never played again.  The owner of the Browns at the time was Bill Veeck.  His death was gruesome.  On June 18, 1961, the unemployed Gaedel, who had just turned 36, was at a bowling alley in Chicago. Gaedel was followed home and beaten. His mother discovered him lying dead in his bed.
    1933 – Comedian and writer Joan Rivers (1933-2014) was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn.  She died of cardiac arrest in an operating room September 4, 2014; age 81.
    1936 - Birthday of actor-singer James Darren was born James William Ercolani in Philadelphia, PA.  
http://www.jamesdarren.com/ 
http://celebhost.net/jamesdarren/ 
    1937 - Eight-and-one-half-foot giant Calla Lily blooms, New York Botanical Gardens. 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/06/05/MN182256.DTL 
    1939 - Soprano saxophone player Sidney Bechet records "Summertime," (Blue Note 6) 
    1940 - Birthday of singer Nancy Sinatra, was born in Jersey City, NJ. Graduate of University High School in West Los Angeles. After forming an association with producer Lee Hazelwood, she made number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 with "These Boots Are Made for Walkin". Nancy Sinatra also had several hit duets with Hazelwood, and one with her father, "Somethin' Stupid," in 1967. 
http://www.nancysinatra.com/ 
http://www.theveteran.net/nancy/ 
http://www.sinatrafamily.com/news/index.php 
    1940 – Neptunium (Element 93, Symbol Np, Atomic weight 237) was created at the University of California at Berkeley, CA, by Edwin Mattison McMillan and Philip Hauge Abelson. Neptunium was the first element created that was heavier than uranium, the heaviest naturally occurring element. 
    1942 - Chuck Negron, lead vocalist for Three Dog Night, was born in New York City. Three Dog Night, formed in Los Angeles in 1968, became one of the most commercially successful American rock bands of the 1970's. Negron had been a session vocalist before he was recruited by group founder Danny Hutton. Three Dog Night's first album in 1969 yielded a million-seller, "One," and after that they were seldom absent from the charts. Among their other hits were "Easy to Be Hard," "Joy to the World" and "An Old-Fashioned Love Song." The group also had a number of best-selling albums. Three Dog Night's commercial magic had waned by 1975, and the group gradually broke up. The three original vocalists of Three Dog Night - Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells - reunited in 1981. 
    1944 - Birthday of Boz Scaggs, singer, musician, songwriter (“Silk Degress”, “Middle Man”), born William Royce Skaggs in Canton, OH. Following two albums with the Steve Miller Band in the late 1960's, he spent nearly a decade trying to make it as a solo act. Scaggs finally made it in 1976 with the album "Silk Degrees," which sold five-million copies. Singles from the LP, "Lowdown," made it to number three and “Lido Shuffle” to #13  on the Hot 100. 
    1944 - *PEREGORY, FRANK D., Medal of Honor 
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. Place and date: Grandcampe France, 8 June 1944. Entered service at: Charlottesville, Va. Born. 10 April 1915, Esmont, Va. G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1945. Citation: On 8 June 1944, the 3d Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcampe, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machinegun fire from a firmly entrenched enemy force on the high ground overlooking the town. After numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective, T/Sgt. Peregory, on his own initiative, advanced up the hill under withering fire, and worked his way to the crest where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main enemy fortifications 200 yards away. Without hesitating, he leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement. Encountering a squad of enemy riflemen, he fearlessly attacked them with hand grenades and bayonet, killed 8 and forced 3 to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he single-handedly forced the surrender of 32 more riflemen, captured the machine gunners, and opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion to advance and secure its objective. The extraordinary gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by T/Sgt. Peregory are exemplary of the highest tradition of the armed forces. 
    1945 - *LESTER, FRED FAULKNER, Medal of Honor 
Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 April 1926, Downers Grove, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with an Assault Rifle Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 8 June 1945. Quick to spot a wounded marine lying in an open field beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic Japanese hill position, Lester unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty under a concentrated barrage from hostile machineguns, rifles, and grenades. Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before he reached cover, he exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded himself to administer aid, he instructed 2 of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued marine. Realizing that his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused medical attention for himself and, gathering his fast-waning strength with calm determination, coolly and expertly directed his men in the treatment of 2 other wounded marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, Lester, by his indomitable spirit, outstanding valor, and competent direction of others, had saved the life of 1 who otherwise must have perished and had contributed to the safety of countless others. Lester's fortitude in the face of certain death sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. 
   1946 - Harmonica player, composer, band leader James Harman birthday, born Anniston, AL. 
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bxt6uaknk5m3v 
    1947 - Birthday of detective writer Sara Paretskey in Ames, IA.  She is best known as the author of the Chicago-based detective series featuring the opera singing, liberal feminist, V. I. Warshawski, who lacks house cleaning and cooking abilities, but is "hard boiled."  “Killing Orders”, “Burn Marks”.  
http://www.saraparetsky.com/ 
http://www.valueshop.com/bkgpparetsky.html 
http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/engl/marling/hardboiled/Paretsky.HTM 
    1948 - The first African-American officer commissioned in the Marine Corps was John Earl Rudder, a midshipman in the regular Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Purdue University, Lafayette, IN.  He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and he served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 24, 1943 to June 26, 1946. 
    1948 - Milton Berle starred on the "Texaco Star Theatre." He soon earned the nickname "Mr. Television", and he continued to be America's top TV comedian until 1956. In 1948, only about one percent of America's homes had TV. However, by 1956, thanks in large part to Berle, the percentage was much higher. When Berle was on, theatres often closed and neighborhood taverns noted a big decrease in business. 
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/miltonberle/miltonberle.htm 
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/berlemilton/berlemilton.htm 
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0040041/ 
    1949 - An FBI report named as Communists celebrities Helen Keller, Dorothy Parker, Danny Kaye, Fredric March, John Garfield, Paul Muni, and Edward G. Robinson.
    1949 – George Orwell’s “1984” was published. The novel is set in Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain), a province of the superstate Oceania, in a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation, dictated by a political system under the control of a privileged Inner Party elite that persecutes individualism and independent thinking as "thought crimes."  The tyranny is epitomized by Big Brother, the quasi-divine Party leader who enjoys an intense cult of personality but who may not even exist. The Party "seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power.”
    1950 – The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Browns, 29-4. It was a one game baseball record for scoring. Al Zarilla of the Sox scored four doubles in the game. 
    1951 – Top Hits
“Too Young” – Nat King Cole
“On Top of Old Smokey” – The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
“How High the Moon” – Les Paul & Mary Ford
“I Want to Be with You Always” – Lefty Frizzell
    1951 – Birthday of rock singer Bonnie Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, near Swansea, South Wales.  Her biggest hit is the million-selling  “Total Eclipse of the Heart’’ in 1983. The single tops Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks. 
http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/bonnietyler.htm
http://www.bonnietyler.com/main.html 
    1953 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that restaurants in the District of Columbia could not refuse to serve blacks. 
    1953 - A 1/2 mile wide tornado struck Flint, Michigan. 115 people were killed making it the worst tornado in the state's history. This tornado, rated F5 on the Fujita scale, was the last single tornado in the U.S. to kill over 100 people.   116 were killed, 844 injured, and 340 homes destroyed.
    1954 - Record promoters officially began phasing out 78s and giving 45s to radio DJs instead.  How many under the age of 50 will understand this statement?
    1955 – The Brooklyn Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the minor league Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax who had been on the disabled list.  In 1954, during a tryout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Koufax's fastball broke the thumb of the team's bullpen coach. Branch Rickey, by then the GM of the Pirates, told his scout Clyde Sukeforth (of Jackie Robinson fame) that Koufax had the "greatest arm [he had] ever seen.”  Dodgers scout Al Campanis heard about Koufax from a local sporting goods store owner. After seeing Koufax pitch for Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, Campanis invited him to an Ebbets Field tryout. With Dodgers manager Walter Alston and scouting director Fresco Thompson watching, Campanis assumed the hitter's stance while Koufax started throwing. Campanis later said, "There are two times in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the second time, I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball."  The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 ($53,000 today) salary, with a $14,000 ($123,000 today) bonus. Because Koufax's signing bonus was greater than $4,000 ($35,000 today), he was forced to remain on the roster for at least two years before he could be sent to the minors. 
 
    1957 - Birthday of Scott Adams, cartoonist, creator of "Dilbert," born Windham, NY. 
    1959 - Top Hits
“Dream Lover” - Bobby Darin
“Personality” - Lloyd Price
“Quiet Village” - Martin Denny
“The Battle of New Orleans” - Johnny Horton
    1959 - "I Only Have Eyes for You" by the six man, Chicago vocal group, The Flamingos, enters the Billboard chart, where it will reach #11.  This is a doo-wop all-timer and one that was great for submarine race-watching!
    1960 - Roy Orbison released "Only the Lonely.”
    1961 - A Major League Baseball record was set when four Milwaukee Braves batters – Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, and Frank Thomas -  hit consecutive home runs in the game's seventh inning. They still lost to the Cincinnati Reds, 10-8. 
    1961 - Elvis Presley's seventh film, "Wild in the Country" premiers. 
    1962 - Birthday of Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran who was born Nicholas James Bates in England. 
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/duran_duran/bio.jhtml 
http://www.duranduran.com/ 
http://www.duranduran.co.uk/ 
    1963 - The Essex release "Easier Said Than Done," a song that will climb to #1 on both the US Pop and R&B charts.  Founding members Walter Vickers (guitar) and Rodney Taylor (drums) were members of the US Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  After being transferred to Camp LeJeune, NC, they enlisted fellow Marines Billy Hill and Rudolph Johnson as group members.  Next they added a female lead singer, Anita Humes, another Marine.
    1963 - The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" peaks at #3 on the Billboard Pop chart. The effort is the brain child of Phil Spector, who uses a multi-track recording system to build the song layer upon layer to achieve a result that will become known as a "wall of sound". Backing musicians include Glen Campbell on guitar, Hal Blain on drums, Leon Russell on piano and Nino Tempo on sax. 
    1965 - President Johnson authorizes commanders in Vietnam to commit U.S. ground forces to combat. 
    1963 - American Heart Association became the first agency to campaign against cigarettes 
    1965 – Major League Baseball held its first free agent draft and the Kansas City A’s chose Rick Monday as the first overall pick.  Picking second, the Mets picked Les Rohr and they waited until the 10th round to choose Nolan Ryan.  Johnny Bench was chosen by the Reds in the second round after they selected Bernie Carbo in the first.  Other notables:  Minnesota chose Graig Nettles in the 4th round, the Kansas City A’s chose Sal Bando in the 6th round, Tom Seaver was chosen by the Dodgers in the 10th round, Nolan Ryan in the 12th by the Mets.
    1966 - Merle James Smith, Jr. of Baltimore, MD, part of the class of 113 cadets who were graduated this day, became the first African-American Coast Guard Academy graduate. The ceremony was held at Jones Field, New London, CT. His commission was presented to him by his father, a colonel in the regular army. 
    1966 - A tornado ripped right through the heart of the capitol city of Topeka, KS, killing sixteen persons and causing $100 million damage. The tornado, which struck during the evening, cut a swath of near total destruction eight miles long and four blocks wide. It was the most destructive tornado of record up until that time. 
    1966 - The Elvis Presley film “Paradise Hawaiian Style'' premieres. 
    1967 - Top Hits
“Respect” - Aretha Franklin
“Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” - Engelbert Humperdinck
“Croquet Alley” - The Mamas & the Papas
“It's Such a Pretty World Today” - Wynn Stewart 
    1967 - Attack on the USS Liberty. At 2 PM local time, the unescorted US intelligence ship USS Liberty, sailing in international waters off the Egyptian coast, was attacked without warning by Israeli jet planes and three Israeli torpedo boats. She was strafed and hit repeatedly by rockets, cannon, napalm and finally a torpedo. Casualties: out of a crew of 294 Americans, there were 34 dead and 171 wounded. Israel apologized, claiming mistaken identity, but surviving crew members charged deliberate attack by Israel and cover-up by US authorities. 
    1968 - The Rolling Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash." 
    1968 - Don Drysdale, pitcher for LA Dodgers, lost his major league streak of scoreless innings pitched, when it was stopped at 58-2/3 by Howie Bedell, of the Philadelphia Phillies, who hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The Dodgers did beat the Phillies 5-3 that day. Until 1987, Drysdale's record stood, when it was broken by Orel Hersheiser, also of the Dodgers at that time. 
    1968 - During a meeting on Midway Island in the Pacific, President Richard M. Nixon and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu announce the imminent withdrawal of 25,000 US troops from Vietnam, and emphasize that all remaining US grounds troops will eventually be replaced by South Vietnamese forces. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy had sent the first large force of US military personnel to Vietnam to bolster the ineffectual autocratic regime of South Vietnam against the Communist North. Three years later, with the South Vietnamese government crumbling, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered limited bombing raids on North Vietnam and Congress authorized the use of US troops. By 1965, North Vietnamese offensives left President Johnson with two choices: escalate US involvement or withdraw. Johnson ordered the former, and troop levels soon jumped to over 300,000 as US air forces commenced the largest bombing campaign in history. Over the next few years, the extended length of the war, the high number of US casualties, and the exposure of US involvement in war crimes such as the massacre at My Lai, helped to turn many in the United States against the Vietnam War, and created a perilous national division. In the spring of 1969, as protests in the United States against the war escalated, US troop strength in the war-torn country reached its peak at nearly 550,000. In June, Richard Nixon, the new US president, announced the beginning of US troop withdrawal, but intensified bombing in an effort to salvage the embattled war effort. Large US troop withdrawals continued in the early 1970s, but President Nixon expanded air and ground operations into Cambodia and Laos in attempts to block enemy supply routes along Vietnam's borders. This expansion of the war, which accomplished few positive results, led to new waves of protests in the United States and elsewhere. Finally, in 1973, representatives of the United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement in Paris, ending the US military involvement in the Vietnam War. By the end of 1973, the US contingent in Vietnam had shrunk to only fifty military advisors. On 30 April 1975, the last of these and other US nationals were airlifted out of Vietnam as Communist forces launched their final triumphant offensive into South Vietnam. The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular foreign war in US history, cost fifty-eight thousand American lives, many more lives of Vietnamese soldiers from both North and South, uncounted lives of Vietnamese civilians, and long-lasting damage to the environment in Vietnam. 
    1968 - James Earl Ray, alleged assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr., was captured. 
    1968 – Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.  Immediately following the mass, Kennedy's body was transported by a special private train to Washington, D.C. Thousands of mourners lined the tracks and stations along the route, paying their respects as the train passed. The train departed New York at 12:30 pm.  The four-hour trip took more than eight hours because of the thick crowds lining the tracks on the 225 miles journey to prepare for the interment at Arlington National cemetery next to his slain brother, President John F. Kennedy.
    1969 - New York Yankees honored Mickey Mantle by retiring his number 7 in a ceremony preceding a double-header against the Chicago White Sox. 60,096 fans came out to salute Mantle and to watch the Yankees sweep the Sox, 3-1 and 11-2. The Yankees have retired 22 numbers in all, more than any other baseball team.  They retired #51 for Bernie Williams, #20 for Jorge Posada and #46 for Andy Pettitte in 2015.  Derek Jeter’s #2 and Paul O’Neil’s #21 will likely be retired in the near future. 
    1969 – The last episode of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” aired on CBS.  The series was a major success, especially considering it was scheduled against the major NBC television series, “Bonanza”, with content that appealed to contemporary youth viewership with daring political satire humor and major music acts.  Despite this success, continual conflicts with network executives over content led to the show being abruptly pulled from the schedule in violation of the Smothers' contract in 1969.  On April 6, 1973, the Federal court ruled in favor of the Smothers and ordered CBS to pay them $766,000. Despite the Smothers' legal victory, the show never returned to the air.  Despite this cancellation, the show won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy, Variety or Music Show.     
    1969 - Having already been fired for his worsening drug use, Brian Jones officially announced that he is leaving the Rolling Stones, saying that he "no longer see(s) eye to eye (with the group about) the discs we are cutting." In less than a month he will be found dead.
    1970 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Long and Winding Road,'' The Beatles. 
    1973 - After quarterbacking for the Baltimore Colts for 16 of the NFL's most exciting seasons ever, including back-to-back NFL Championships in 1958-59, Johnny Unitas signed a two-year contract to finish out his football career with the San Diego Chargers. He never did look right with bolts on his helmet instead of the horseshoes!!
    1974 - Severe thunderstorms spawned at least twenty-three tornadoes in Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening hours. One of the tornadoes struck the town Drumright killing sixteen persons and injuring 150 others. A tornado struck the National Weather Service office in Oklahoma City, and two tornadoes hit the city of Tulsa. Thunderstorms in Tulsa also produced as much as ten inches of rain. Total damage from the storms was around thirty million dollars. It was the worst natural disaster of record for Tulsa. 
    1974 - Paul McCartney and Wings had the top spot on the Billboard singles chart with "Band on the Run," a song on which Paul played bass, guitar and drums. 
    1975 - Top Hits
“Thank God I'm a Country Boy” - John Denver
“Sister Golden Hair” - America
“Bad Time” - Grand Funk
“Window Up Above” - Mickey Gilley 
    1977 – Kiss’ debut album was certified gold.
    1978 - Through the voice of its president Spencer W. Kimball, the Mormon Church reversed a 148-year-long policy of spiritual discrimination against African- American leadership within the denomination. The declaration extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church.  The Mormon attitude about Black church members is little understood outside their church, but here is a site chronicling a group trying to bring "fair" information concerning the LDS.
http://www.ldsblacks.com/history.html
The Official Decision as recorded by the LDSBlacks.com
http://www.ldsblacks.com/declare2.html
About this site:  http://www.ldsblacks.com/gordon.html 
    1982 - A re-united Simon & Garfunkel leave for a nine date European tour starting at the Hippodrome d'Auteuil in Paris. It ends June 19th in London. 
    1982 – The Ageless One, Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige (1906-82) died.
    1983 - Top Hits
“Flashdance...What a Feeling” - Irene Cara
“Overkill” - Men at Work
“Time (Clock of the Heart)” - Culture Club
“Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will)” - Waylon Jennings 
    1986 - In the longest nine inning game in American League history, the Orioles beat the Yankees 18-9 in four hours and sixteen minutes. 
    1986 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “On My Own,'' Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald. 
    1988 - Overnight thunderstorms in Iowa produced 5.20 inches of rain at Coon Rapids. Thunderstorms in the Florida Keys drenched Tavernier with 7.16 inches of rain in 24 hours. Eleven cities in the central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. 
    1989 - After the Pirates take a 10-0 lead in Philadelphia by sending 16 batters to the plate in the first inning, Pirate broadcaster Jim Rooker announces if the Bucs lose the game he'll walk back to Pittsburgh. True to his word, the radio by-by-play man organizes a charity walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after the season as a result of the Phillies comeback win over the Pirates, 15-11. 
    1989 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather over the Central Gulf Coast Region during the day and evening. Severe thunderstorms spawned 17 tornadoes, including one which injured ten persons and caused a million dollars damage at Orange Beach, AL. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 90 mph killed three persons and injured four others at Mobile, AL. Thunderstorms also deluged Walnut Hill and Avalon Beach, FL, with eight inches of rain. 
    1990 - CDR Rosemary Mariner becomes first Navy woman to command a fleet jet aircraft squadron. 
    1991 - General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of Allied forces in Operation "Desert Storm", leads the National Victory Parade up Pennsylvania Avenue past the reviewing stand holding President George H.W. Bush and other dignitaries in the first such military parade held in the nation's capital since the end of World War I. Among the contingents of military units are composite battalions of Air and Army Guard personnel who served in theater. 
    1991 - Top Hits
“More Than Words” - Extreme
“I Wanna Sex You Up” - Color Me Badd
“Rush, Rush” - Paula Abdul
“Meet in the Middle” - Diamond Rio 
    1991 - Paula Abdul started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart with "Spellbound". 
    1991 - Bruce Springsteen married longtime girlfriend Patti Scialfa in a private ceremony at the couple's mansion in Beverly Hills, California. Bob Dylan was among the guests. It was the second marriage for Springsteen, who divorced model Julianne Phillips in 1988, and the first for Scialfa, who used to sing in Springsteen's E Street Band. 
    1995 - The downed Air Force pilot Capt. Scott O’Grady was rescued by US Marines in Bosnia. 
    1998 - Former LA Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson's new late-night talk show averaged a 3 Nielsen rating in its opening night in 40 major cities. It dropped to a 2.1 rating the next two nights, and was soon cancelled. 
    1998 - The National Rifle Association elected Charlton Heston its president. 
    2001 - For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the two Texas teams play one another in the regular season. The Astros beat their interstate rivals, the Rangers, 5-4 in the first game of the Lone Star Series played in Arlington, Texas.  
  2003 - Billy Joel won a Tony award for the orchestration of his musical, “Movin' Out.”  
    2004 - Tampa Bay holds off the Flames for its First Stanley Cup: Lightning 2, Flames 1 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23531-2004Jun7.html 
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/sports/hockey/08cup.html    
    2005 - Going yard twice in his 4-for-4 day, Alex Rodriquez becomes the 40th and youngest big leaguer to hit 400 career home runs. On the 316th day of 29th year of his life, the Yankee superstar third baseman, who surpasses Ken Griffey Jr. for the honor, connects for a solo shot off Brewers' southpaw Jorge De La Rosa in the eighth inning for the milestone marker.   
    2009 - New York's legendary Apollo Theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary with a concert featuring, among others, The O'Jays and Patti Labelle. During the proceedings, Labelle and Quincy Jones were inducted into the venue's Hall of Fame.
    2010 - Pitcher Stephen Strasburg made the most eagerly anticipated debut in decades before a sell-out crowd in Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The recipient of the largest signing bonus in history lived up to his advance billing, striking out 14 while walking none in seven innings.  The Nationals beat the Pirates, 4-2, for Strasburg's first major league win. 
    2010 - Old Man River, otherwise known as Tim Wakefield, rolled along to another milestone, passing Roger Clemens for most innings pitched in Red Sox team history with 2777. 
    2010 - The trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich began, facing corruption charges regarding his alleged attempt to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.  He would be convicted in 2012 and is now serving a 14-year prison sentence. 
    2013 - For only the second time in Major League history, two games went 18 innings on the same day. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Texas Rangers, 4-3 in 18 while the New York Mets lost to the Florida Marlins, 2-1 in 20.  
 

Stanley Cup Champions 
    2004 - Tampa Bay Lightning 

NBA Champions 
    1982 - Los Angeles Lakers, MVP:  Magic Johnson, L.A.  
    1986 - Boston Celtics, MVP: Larry Bird, Boston. 

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