More on Financial Pacific and FDIC Fine
Against Umpqua Bank and Restitution Penalty

Dive Brief:

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) ordered Umpqua Bank to pay a $1.8 million penalty over what the regulator determined to be unfair and deceptive debt and fee collection practices at the Oregon-based bank’s subsidiary, Financial Pacific Leasing.

The bank also paid more than $1.6 million in restitution to 16,902 customers who were charged the undisclosed collection fees, according to the FDIC's announcement Monday.

"We promptly and thoroughly addressed the FDIC’s findings in relation to our subsidiary ... and are confident the critical issues have been successfully resolved," Umpqua said in a statement, according to American Banker.

Dive Insight:

FinPac, which specializes in commercial equipment financing, charged past-due borrowers undisclosed fees over collection calls and letters and third-party collection, the FDIC said.

The Umpqua Bank subsidiary made excessive and sequential collection calls after customers requested for the calls to stop, the regulator said. Further, FinPac disclosed information about the customers’ debts to third parties and told borrowers it would report delinquencies on commercial debt to consumer reporting agencies, when its policy was not to do so, the FDIC said.

Umpqua Bank neither admitted nor denied the violations in the settlement.

Source: Bankingdive.com

(Leasing News has been attempting to learn the details but, at this point, no comment has been made by Umpqua Bank).

 

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Visualizing the Recent Explosion in Lumber Prices
The Market’s Current Environment

In just one year, the price of lumber has increased 377%—reaching a record high of $1,635 per 1,000 bd. ft. For context, lumber has historically fluctuated between $200 to $400.

U.S. lumber supplies came under pressure in April 2017, when the Trump administration raised tariffs on Canadian lumber. Since then, lumber imports have fallen and prices have experienced significant volatility.

After a brief stint above $600 in April 2018, lumber quickly tumbled down to sub $250 a level, causing a number of sawmills to shut down. The resulting decreases in production capacity (supply) were estimated to be around 3 billion board feet.

Once COVID-19 emerged, labor shortages cut production even further, making the lumber market incredibly sensitive to demand shocks. The U.S. government has since reduced its tariffs on Canadian lumber, but these measures appear to be an example of too little, too late.

Pent-up Demand

Against expectations, COVID-19 has led to a significant boom in housing markets, greatly increasing the need for lumber.

Lockdowns in early 2020 delayed many home purchases until later in the year, while increased savings rates during the pandemic meant Americans had more cash on hand. The demand for homes was further amplified by record-low mortgage rates across the country.

Existing homeowners needed lumber too, as many Americans suddenly found themselves requiring upgrades and renovations to accommodate their new stay-at-home lifestyles.

Full Story:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-explosion-lumber-prices-50k/

 

 

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Funders Taking "New" Broker Business List
Four Do Not Require that Brokers Be Licensed

BSB Leasing, Inc.
Bankers Capital
C.H. Brown Company
Forum Financial Services
TimePayment Corp.

The following “funders” have informed Leasing News they will consider business from “new” third party originators.  Many companies require a certain length of time in business and other requirements, such as a specific volume of business.  These “funders” will consider submissions from those new in the leasing and finance business:

 

Help Wanted Ads

 

 

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Key Strategies to Win the Interview

The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

Now that we are heading into Prime Hiring Season, differentiating yourself is more important than ever.
 
I wanted to share some tried and true interview strategies that have worked well for all levels in my 19 years of executive search for you to land your next big opportunity:

Interviewing is probably one of the most nerve wracking activities that a candidate and hiring manager can do. Most people are not professional interviewers and/or professional interviewees.

Outlined is a path to success so that you can and will succeed in the interview process. These strategies have been successful in placing candidates through 2 major economic downturns: .com of early 2000’s and the Financial Services collapse of recent times. Who knows what’s next

Additionally, these strategies work in multiple cultures across the globe but one thing still rises to the top of interview success. “People hire people they like and that are most like them.”  Also, “the most qualified person is not the person who will get the job, but the one who interviews the best.”

You can download the full guide, “Win the Interview.”  

http://www.kenlubin.net/uploads/2/7/6/0/27601293/win_the_interview_-_2016.pdf

I hope that this helps you take the critical first step in getting your dream position!
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at klubin@zrgpartners.com
 

Ken

"What is the Ultimate Hire? The Ultimate Hire is the professional that every business, team or leader needs in their organization. This is the high performance individual that always rises to the top, brings the team to the next level and can significantly add to the bottom line. The Ultimate Hire is the person that you can't afford to be without. Finding, Attracting, Hiring and Retaining these professionals is critical to the success of your business. We have identified these traits and can help you find these top professionals."

The Ultimate Hire Collection:
http://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/ultimate.html

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Top Ten Leasing News
May 10 to May 14

(Stories most opened by readers)

(1) FDIC Fines Umpqua Bank $1.8 Million
    for Federal Financial Pacific subsidiary dba Financial Pacific
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_12.htm#fdic

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_14.htm#hires

(3) It's about Time!
    Placard
 http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_10.htm#placard

(4) CV Holdings and Centra Funding
    COVID-19
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_10.htm#cv

(5) CLFP Foundation Surpasses 1,000 Members
    57 Pass 8-Hour Exam
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_14.htm#clfp

(6)  How Likely are US Adults to Take a Vacation this Year
    % of respondents, April, 2021 - Chart
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_14.htm#how

(7) John Boettigheimer Comments on CV Holdings
    and Centra Story in Monday's Leasing News
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_12.htm#john

(8)  Tandem Finance
    Join Our Tandem Team
https://www.tandemfinance.com/careers

(9) Where Apartment Rents Are Falling Fastest -- Chart
    Year-over-Change Rental Price for One-Bedroom Apartments
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/05_12.htm#where

(10) Two New Business Lines of Credit Created by
    Signature Bank's Specialty Finance Subsidiary
http://leasingnews.org/archives/May2021/0

On July 11, 1987, the world population passed the five billion mark. Since then the figure has risen steadily to 7.9 billion in 2021. The UN expects the world’s population to grow to 10.9 billion by 2100.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the largest share of the world population lives in China with 18.25 percent, followed by India with 18.04 percent. The U.S. is actually the world’s third most populous nation. 4.3 percent of the global population live here.

Asia is by far the most populous continent on Earth, being home not only to China and India, but to populous nations like Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This makes half of the world's ten biggest countries Asian. 50 percent of the top 20 are also Asian. Here, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran and Thailand are listed for their population sizes between ranks 10-20. Further down, Myanmar and South Korea in rank 26 and 27. respectively, and around 0.7 percent to the world's population.

The United Nations estimates that the Asian population will peak at 5.27 billion in 2070. Europe and Latin America will reach their population peaks at 689 million and 765 million inhabitants, respectively, around the year 2060, according to the projection. African populations are expected to keep growing, albeit at a slower pace, beyond the current century, which is when their combined size could surpass that of Asian populations.

By Katharina Buchholz, Statista

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

ELFA Announces Randy Haug Will Receive
2021 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award

Randy Haug
Exec. VP, Vice Chairman, Co-Founder
ITi Technology Solutions
(Formerly LeaseTeam, Inc.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has selected Randy Haug, Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of LTi Technology Solutions, to receive its 2021 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association’s advocacy efforts to promote sound public policies for the equipment finance industry. Haug will be formally recognized at ELFA’s Virtual Capitol Connections event on Wednesday, May 19.

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “As the leading advocate for the equipment finance industry, ELFA plays a critical role in making sure our industry’s voice is heard as elected officials develop regulatory and legislative initiatives that impact our members’ businesses. Without the leadership and commitment of members like Randy Haug, these efforts would not be successful. We thank Randy for all he has done to help advance the ELFA advocacy agenda. It is an honor to present him with this well-deserved award.”

Randy Haig commented, “I am genuinely humbled and honored to be named along with many incredible industry peers who have received this award before me.

 “Actively volunteering and advocating for issues that are important to sustain and propel our industry forward is something I strongly believe in. It inspires me to see ELFA members advocating on Capitol Hill each year. They educate and make a compelling case to elected officials on important public policy issues. When the ELFA and ELFA voluntary members collaborate, it creates a powerful message to our elected government officials on both the federal and state levels. Thank you for honoring me with this wonderful award.”

Haug has more than 30 years of experience in the equipment leasing and finance industry. As an active participant in ELFA, he has supported the industry’s policy objectives in a number of ways. He has been a steadfast participant in the association’s annual Capitol Connections event in Washington, D.C., attending every year since 2015. At this event, Haug has met with members of Congress, highlighting the value of equipment finance to the U.S. economy and the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on the industry.

 He has also been active on the local level in Omaha, Nebraska, nurturing relationships with his elected representatives and hosting a member of Congress at the offices of LTi Technology Solutions. In addition, Haug has supported LeasePAC, ELFA’s nonpartisan federal political action committee, consistently contributing to the PAC at the Chairman’s Club level.

Haug is a member of ELFA’s Advocacy Advisory Committee, which provides advice and counsel to the association’s federal government relations efforts on a broad range of legislative and regulatory issues. As an industry thought leader, Haug has lent his expertise to a number of other ELFA committees. He also has served on the Membership Committee and was integral to the creation of the Service Provider Business Council Steering Committee. Haug also gives back to the industry as an active supporter of Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, serving on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as Chair of its National Development Committee and as a member of its Marketing Committee. In addition, he has served as a speaker and panelist at numerous industry events and authored articles for leading industry publications.
 
Outside of ELFA, Haug is active with the National Equipment and Finance Association (NEFA). He is a Past President of NEFA and Current Chair and Co-Founder of NEFA’s Chris Walker Education Committee. He is also an active member of the Canadian Finance & Leasing Association.

About the Award
The David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award is named for ELFA’s former Vice President of Federal Government Relations, David H. Fenig, who served as an accomplished and tireless advocate on behalf of the equipment leasing and finance industry from 2004-2011.

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the nearly $1 trillion 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 575 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. In 2021, ELFA is celebrating 60 years of equipping business for success. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org

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

German Shepherd (mix)
Omaha, Nebraska  Adopt-a-Dog

Name: QUEENIE
ID: A1381120
Breed: German Shepherd Dog mix
Age: 4 years old
Color: Brown and Black
Sex: Spayed Female
Weight: 74 pounds
First Day at NEHS: Mar 27, 2021
Adoption Fee: $75.00

My name is Queenie. People describe me as affectionate - I'm cuddly, lovable, and I like to give kisses and snuggle. I may be a bit nervous at first, but once I warm up, you'd better watch out because I'll be ready to party! I need a home where all kids are closer to their teens. I need to meet all kids and any other dogs in the home. I need a home where there are no small animals. I really like to talk when alone, sometimes even when I have company. I'm not sure apartment neighbors will appreciate me being a "chatty Cathy". I can jump right over a fence and will require a home with a 6 foot privacy fence.

 

Queenie will be shown by appointment only. If you are interested in learning more about this animal, please fill out an application by clicking here : http://support.nehumanesociety.org/site/Survey?

 Be sure to include "Queenie A1381120" when filling out the survey. After reviewing your application, we will only be reaching out to you if the animal is a good fit for your home.

BENEFITS OF ADOPTING FROM NHS
ALL DOGS HAVE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
Parvo/Distemper/Kennel Cough vaccinations on intake
Puppies get appropriate boosters
Heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older
Flea and tick preventative
Spay/neuter
Microchip

Nebraska Humane Society
8929 Fort Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68134
(402) 444-7800
ext. 1
adoptions@nehumanesociety.org

ADOPTION HOURS
Monday- Friday: Noon to 7 p.m.
Saturday- Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Beginning 3/28/2020 Adoptions are being done by appointment only to help control the spread of COVID-19

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

60th ELFA Annual Convention:
Call for Presentations due May 17

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association today announced the Call for Presentations for the 60th ELFA Annual Convention. Proposals to speak at the convention, which is the largest and most important annual gathering of equipment finance professionals, are due Monday, May 17. The convention will take place Oct. 24-26 in San Antonio, Texas.

At the 60th ELFA Annual Convention, industry leaders will reunite, reconnect and exchange best practices for innovating, winning business and leading in an age of rapid change. As the nation looks forward to emerging from the pandemic, the most successful equipment finance companies aren’t returning to “business as usual.” They are preparing to take advantage of new opportunities in the marketplace and adapting their business models to meet changing customer demands.

ELFA welcomes presentation proposals on topics of interest to a wide range of equipment finance industry members and conversations that spark connection. Proposals should present timely information on topics illustrating out-of-the-box thinking and demonstrating an ability to thrive in evolving market conditions, from navigating the changing business climate post-COVID, to competing in the digital age, to building a workforce for the future and more. The association encourages submissions from speakers and panels representing diverse backgrounds, leadership roles and generations.

To review the Call for Presentations and submit a session proposal by May 17, please visit https://www.elfaonline.org/events/2021/ac/call-for-presentations/

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the nearly $1 trillion 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 575 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. In 2021, ELFA is celebrating 60 years of equipping business for success. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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

News Briefs---

The hybrid workplace probably won’t last…
   runs counter too much of what makes organizations tick
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/09/opinion/hybrid-workplace-probably-wont-last/

As maskless shopping and dining return,
    businesses are loath to become Oregon’s vaccination police
https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2021/05/as-maskless-shopping-and-dining-return-businesses-are-loathe-to-become-oregons-vaccination-police.html

McDonalds, Shake Shack and others give
    the COVID-19 vaccine a push a shot in the arm
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/heres-what-fast-food-giants-companies-are-doing-to-support-the-covid-19-vaccine-push-134213555.htm

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You May Have Missed---

Inflation Marks Quickest Pace Since 2008;
    Consumer Prices Surge in April
https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

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Sports Briefs---

Warriors clinch No. 8 seed with win
     vs. Grizzlies in season finale
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/16/warriors-clinch-no-8-seed-with-win-vs-grizzlies-in-season-finale

A's stir up beehive at busy Port of Oakland
     with their plans to move in
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/A-s-stir-up-beehive-at-busy-Port-of-Oakland-16180238.php

Top 10 games of 2021 NFL schedule:
     Marquee matchups feature top QB duels
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/05/12/nfl-schedule-2021-10-best-games-heavy-chiefs-buccaneers/5060956001/

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California Nuts Briefs---

Two-thirds of Californians are immune
    to COVID, is the end in sight?
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/15/two-thirds-of-californians-are-immune-to-covid-is-the-end-in-sight/

Mandatory Evacuations Remain In Place for
    1,000 People Due To Pacific Palisades Brush Fire
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/05/16/mandatory-evacuations-remain-in-place-for-1000-people-due-to-pacific-palisades-brush-fire/

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Napa Valley near St. Louis? Investor plotting $100M revamp
    to turn Augusta into national destination
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/napa-valley-near-st-louis-investor-plotting-100m-revamp-to-turn-augusta-into-national-destination

David vs. Goliath: House Bill Pits Louisiana Wine Lovers
    against Powerful Wholesalers
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210513005775/en/David-vs.-Goliath-House-Bill-Pits-Louisiana-Wine-Lovers-against-Powerful-Wholesalers

Napa Valley Wine Train slated to roll again
     May 17 after pandemic pause
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/article/napa-valley-wine-train-slated-to-roll-again-may-17-after-pandemic-pause/

Napa Valley Grape growers pick co-founder
     Ren Harris as Grower of the Year
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/napa-valley-grapegrowers-picks-co-founder-ren-harris-as-grower-of-the-year/

Napa wine group seeks applicants for $1M in scholarships
    for people of color
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/napa-wine-group-seeks-applicants-for-1m-in-scholarships-for-people-of-colo/

Women in Wine and Sports
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=245536

Vintage 2020: Bordeaux Rolls Out Another Classic
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/05/vintage-2020-bordeaux-rolls-out-another-classic

Books to Inspire Hunger and Thirst
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/dining/drinks/wine-books.html

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

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

This Day in History

    1792 - Twenty-four brokers signed an agreement to fix the rates of commission on stocks and bonds, forming the New York Stock Exchange, with the first meeting at the Merchants Coffee House, Second and Gold Streets, New York City. The first president was Matthew McConnell.
    1804 - Lewis and Clark began their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. 
    1853 - Earning a place on the game of monopoly, the first major railroad merger took place as ten companies consolidated into the Central Railroad Company, consisting of 187 first-class passenger coaches, 55 second class coaches, 65 baggage, mail and express cards, and 1,702 freight cars. There were 298 miles of main line, 236 miles of branch line, and 29 miles of leased road.
http://www.cprr.org/Museum/index.html
    1868 - Japan: The Scioto sets sail out of Yokohama for Hawaii, carrying 153 Japanese migrants bound for employment on the sugar plantations. These adventurers constitute the first mass emigration of Japanese overseas. They became known as the Gannenmono.
    1872 - Bohemian Club incorporated.
    1875 - The first running of the Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. African-American Jockey Oliver Lewis rode the horse Aristides to a winning time of 2:37:25. 
http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa012499.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may17.html
    1877 - First interstate telephone call took place when a call was made from New Brunswick, NJ, to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell at Chickering Hall, New York City. In 1915, he made the first East Coast to West Coast call. Bell's first telephone call was so famous, he repeated the phrase from the first call and first interstate call in 1915 in the formal opening of the completed transcontinental telephone lines connecting America's East and West coasts. Picking up the phone in New York, Mr. Bell said, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want you." But this time Watson replied that it would take him a week; he was on the other end of the line in San Francisco. 
http://www.fitzgeraldstudio.com/html/bell/theman.html
http://www.historybuff.com/library/refgarfield.html
http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/parks/nova_scotia/alex_g_bell/Alex_g_bell_e.htm
    1877 - Edwin Thomas Holmes operating an electrical burglar alarm business at 342 Washington Street, Boston, MA, converted it into the first telephone exchange or switchboard. Holmes' office was connected by wire to a number of banks and similar institutions, and the telephone were placed in the offices of six of his subscribers and connected to these wires. The system served as a telephone system by day and as a burglar alarm system at night. The telephones were connected only in the daytime.
    1878 - Canada's governor general and his wife, Lord and Lady Dufferin, were treated to a demonstration of Thomas Edison's recent invention, the phonograph, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The early phonograph both recorded and played back crude reproductions of the human voice on a tin-foil covered cylinder, and was not yet used for recording music. Lady Dufferin wrote in her diary that "we were so amazed when we heard this bit of iron speak."
    1883 - Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show premiered in Omaha, NE. 
    1896 - An F5 tornado tracked 100 miles through Northeastern Kansas and extreme Southeastern Nebraska. Seneca, Oneida, Sabetha, and Reserve, Kansas sustained severe damage. While passing through Reserve the tornado was 2 miles wide. 25 were killed and 200 were injured.
    1898 – In the Presidio, Camp Merritt formed, a U.S. military camp in San Francisco for American troops destined for the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Formerly a racetrack, the camp was named for General Wesley Merritt commanding officer of the Philippine expeditionary forces and the Eighth Corps at the time.    
    1903 - Birthday of James “Cool Papa” Bell (d. 1991), Starkville, MS. This famous Negro League baseball player was active for 25 seasons (from 1922 to 1946---one year before Jackie Robinson broke the “color barrier” in Major League Baseball) with a career average of .338. Regarded as the fastest man ever to play the game—he could round the bases in 13 seconds. Cool Papa often stole two bases on one pitch or scored from second on a sacrifice fly. Satchel Paige said Bell could turn off the light and “be in bed before the room was dark.” He batted .400 several times and stole 175 bases in one year.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/1999/October/cool_pap_bell.html
    1910 - Halley's Comet terrifies millions on earth.
    1912 – Boston’s Fenway Park was officially dedicated, one month after hosting its first game. 
    1916 - Birthday of tenor sax player Paul “Vice-President” Quinichette (d. 1983), Denver, CO.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/quinichette_paul/bio.jhtml
    1924 - The Giant Dipper roller coaster opened at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, CA, a half hour from my office. It quickly became the park's most popular ride. The Dipper was built by Arthur Looff, the son of master carousel-horse carver Charles I.D. Looff. In June of 1987, the Giant Dipper and the Looff carousel were designated National Historic Landmarks by the US National Park Service. The Boardwalk is still a popular place, day and night. 
http://www.beachboardwalk.com/
http://www.cinternet.net/~bowersda/artgall.htm
    1924 - The Marx Brothers take New York by storm. In one of show business's great strokes of luck, the opening night of a major dramatic play is cancelled, leading all the top New York critics instead to the premiere of a vaudeville revue called “I'll Say She Is,” starring the unknown Marx Brothers comedy team. The brothers' incredible banter and slapstick astounds the critics, ensuring the Marx's' fame.
    1925 - Cleveland Indians centerfielder Tris Speaker collected the 3,000th hit of his Major League career off Tom Zachary of the Washington Senators, off whom Babe Ruth hit home run #60 in 1927. Speaker played from 1907 through 1928, got 3,515 hits and batted .344.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, was named 27th in The Sporting News’ 100 Greatest Baseball Players (1999) and was included in the MLB All-Century Team.
    1932 - Alto sax player Jackie McLean (d. 2006) birthday, NYC. 
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_mclean_jackie.htm
    1933 - Country singer Jimmie Rodgers began to record a series of 24 songs for RCA Victor Records. Rodgers was in failing health at the beginning of the session but persevered to complete the job at hand. The singing star died nine days later (he was 35). Jimmie Rodgers was born in 1897 and was known as the Blue Yodeler and the Singing Brakeman. Rodgers was the first member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, elected in 1961 (along with Fred Rose and Hank Williams). His recording career began in 1927. His yodel became a trademark of his music. Jimmie Rodgers recorded over 100 songs and sold millions of 78 RPM records. His songs were about the Depression and many were about trains. "Brakeman's Blues," "Blue Yodel," "Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues" and his famous "‘T' for Texas" are all classics. He died of tuberculosis.
http://www.jimmierodgers.com/ 
http://www.ping.be/ml-cmb/jrindex.htm
http://www.eyeneer.com/America/Genre/Folk.bluegrass/Profiles/Rodgers/ 
http://sonymusic.com/artists/JimmieRodgers/TheSongsOfJimmieRodgers/biography.html
http://www.studioclub.com/JRSaga2.htm
    1939 - Glenn Miller opens a three-month stand at Glen Island Casino, New Rochelle, NY. Both NBC and Mutual carried the event, which was attended by 1,800 people in the casino ballroom.
    1939 - The first baseball game ever televised – Princeton vs. Columbia at the Baker Bowl - was watched by a handful of viewers via W2XBS in NYC. Bill Stern announces the ten-inning victory of visiting Princeton, 2 - 1. Reviewing the game the next day, the New York Times reported: "it is difficult to see how this sort of thing can catch the public fancy." 
    1944 - General Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5th.  As the Allies required a full moon and a spring tide, possible dates for the invasion were limited. This was Eisenhower’s first choice but was forced to delay due to poor weather and high seas. Faced with the possibility of recalling the invasion force to port, he received a favorable weather report for June 6 from Group Captain James M. Stagg. After some debate, orders were issued to launch the invasion on June 6.  Due to the poor conditions, the Germans believed that no invasion would occur in early June. As a result, Rommel returned to Germany and many officers left their units to attend war games.
    1944 - Birthday of guitarist/songwriter Jesse Winchester (d. 2014), Bossier City, LA
http://www.jessewinchester.com/
    1946 – President Harry Truman seized control of the nation’s railroads.  Unions that continued to press beyond the general labor settlements established in the auto and steel industries after World War II found themselves facing an additional and powerful adversary—the federal government. In the spring of 1946, both coal miners and railroad workers staged nationwide strikes. President Harry Truman decided that the unions had gone too far and, after the railroad workers rejected a settlement, he seized control of the railroads. Despite the government takeover, the workers continued with their strike plans. As a result, Truman issued an ultimatum declaring that the government would operate the railroads and use the army as strikebreakers. When the deadline passed, Truman went before Congress to seek the power to deny seniority rights to strikers and to draft strikers into the armed forces. Just as Truman reached the climax of his speech, he received a note saying that the strike was “settled on the terms proposed by the President.”
    1948 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Nature Boy," Nat King Cole.
    1953 - Top Hits
“I Believe” - Frankie Laine
“April in Portugal” - The Les Baxter Orchestra
“Song from Moulin Rouge” - The Percy Faith Orchestra
“Mexican Joe
 - Jim Reeves
    1954 - The US ruled on Brown vs. Board of Education.  This was a major event because the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that segregation of public schools “solely on the basis of race" denied black children “equal education opportunity" even though "physical facilities and other 'tangible' factors may have been equal. It reversed the 1896 "separate but equal" Plessy vs Ferguson decision. The Supreme Court previously approved racial segregation May 18, 1896.  The case was argued before the Court by Thurgood Marshall, who would go on to become the first black appointed to the Supreme Court.  
    1956 - Birthday of former boxer Ray Charles “Sugar Ray” Leonard, born Washington, DC. 
http://www.ipcress.com/box/leonard.html
http://www.times-olympics.co.uk/historyheroes/srleon.html
    1956 - The first synthetic mica was produced commercially by the Synthetic Mica Corporation, Caldwell Township, NY, and offered for sale this day under the trade name of Synthamica. It was chemically pure and sustained temperatures as high as 20000 degrees without physical or electrical failure. The birth of new technology was now able to be born, replacing tubes and bringing a new dawn to both business and recreational products.
    1958 - "South Pacific" soundtrack album goes to #1 and stays #1 for 31 weeks
    1961 - Top Hits
“Runaway” - Del Shannon
“Mother-In-Law” - Ernie K-Doe
“A Hundred Pounds of Clay” - Gene McDaniels
“Hello Walls” - Faron Young
    1963 - The first Monterey Folk Festival in California featured performances by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary. I was there and it was mellow (we brought wine, others brought other things).
    1969 - Top Hits
“Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” - The 5th Dimension
“Hair” - The Cowsills
“Get Back” - The Beatles
“My Life (Throw It Away if I Want To)” - Bill Anderson
    1970 - Henry Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, on his way to becoming baseball's all-time home run king, got the 3,000th hit of his career, a scratch single off Wayne Simpson of the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron finished his career in 1976 with a .305 batting average, 3,771 hits and 755 home runs and was the first to hit 500 HRs and 3000 hits.
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/aaron_hank.htm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/all_time_stats/players/a/42389/index.html
    1970 - Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block is born in Worcester, MA. His older brother Jon is also a member of the pop group from Boston.
    1971 - The musical, "Godspell," opened this night at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City. "Godspell" featured the song "Day by Day" (a top-15 hit in 1972). The rock musical that featured Robin Lamont played for 2,124 performances and was the third longest-running off-Broadway production at the time.
    1972 – Hall of Fame US soccer player, Mia Hamm, was born in Selma, AL.                 
    1973 – Congressional hearings on the Watergate scandal were begun.  Several major revelations and egregious presidential action against the investigation later in 1973 prompted the House to commence an impeachment process against President Nixon.  The Supreme Court ruled that Nixon had to release the Oval Office tapes to government investigators. The tapes revealed that Nixon had conspired to cover up activities that took place after the break-in and had attempted to use federal officials to deflect the investigation.   The House Judiciary Committee then approved articles of impeachment against Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. With his complicity in the cover-up made public and his political support completely eroded, Nixon resigned from office on August 9, 1974. It is believed that, if he had not done so, he would have been impeached by the House and removed from office by a trial in the Senate.  He is the only U.S. president to have resigned from office. On September 8, 1974, Nixon's successor, Gerald Ford, pardoned him.  There were 69 people indicted and 48 people—many of them top Nixon administration officials—who were convicted. 
    1973 - Captain Robin Lindsay Quigley became the first female Navy Officer to hold a major command: Navy Service School, San Diego, CA, supervising 30,000 students.
    1973 - Yes receive gold records for both "Yessongs" their triple-record live set and "The Yes Album."
    1974 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "The Streak," Ray Stevens.
    1975 - NBC-TV paid a whopping $5,000,000 for the rights to show "Gone with the Wind" just one time. It was the top price paid for a single opportunity to show a film on television.  It became, at that time, the highest-rated television program ever presented on a single network, watched by 47.5 percent of the households sampled in America, and 65 percent of television viewers, still the record for the highest rated film to ever air on television.
    1975 - Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" album was released and certified a platinum record on the very same day. It was the first album to be certified a million seller (in this case, a two-million seller) on the first day of release.
    1976 - Race jockey Steve Cauthen began an enviable win streak. Cauthen, age 16, rode his first winner at River Downs, KY. He went on to win 94 races, becoming horse racing's most-watched jockey.
    1977 - Top Hits
“When I Need You” - Leo Sayer
“Sir Duke” - Stevie Wonder
“Couldn't Get It Right” - Climax Blues Band
“Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” - Don Williams
    1977 - The movie "Smokey & the Bandit" premieres.
    1978 – “Thank God It's Friday,” a movie celebration of disco which is Casablanca Records chief Neil Bogart's response to Saturday Night Fever, premieres in Los Angeles. It stars Donna Summer as a singer looking for her big break in a "typical" Hollywood disco on a "typical" Friday night. Summer's song "The Last Dance" is introduced and it goes on to top the pop charts and wins the 1978 Academy Award for Best Song. The film, meantime, is a flop.
    1979 - "In The Navy" by Village People hits #3
    1979 - -12ºF (-11ºC), on top of Mauna Kea HI (state record)
    1979 - With the wind really blowing out at Wrigley Field, the Cubs and Phillies combined for a wild ten-inning slugfest won by the Phillies, 23-22. Dave Kingman hit three home runs and collected six RBI for the Cubs while teammate Bill Buckner had a grand slam and seven RBI. Mike Schmidt belted two home runs, including the game-winner in the 10th inning. Bob Boone, pitcher Randy Lerch, and Garry Maddox also homered for the Phillies and Steve Ontiveros and Jerry Martin do it for the Cubs. The eleven home runs between the two teams tied a MLB game record. The contest included 50 hits. In 2010, the MLB Network named it the 20th greatest game of the previous 50 years. 
    1983 - A golfer playing the Fox Meadows course in Memphis, Tennessee was struck by a bolt of lightning that went through his neck, down his spine, came out a pocket containing his keys, and went into a nearby tree. Miraculously, he survived!
    1983 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Let's Dance," David Bowie.
    1984 - Baseball's Mario Soto threw four strikeouts in one inning — only 15th pitcher since 1900 to do so. The catcher dropped the ball on the third strike. The runner ran to first and was safe. The catcher must hold on to the ball for a third strike call to take effect (or tag the runner or make the throw out to first).
    1985 - Bobby Ewing died on the season finale of "Dallas" on CBS-TV. It was the “talk of the town.” Young Bobby Ewing, played by actor Patrick Duffy, died in a violent car explosion, but came back to life the following season (he was seen taking a shower, just as Victoria Principal, his TV wife, was about to step into the shower stall).
    1985 - Top Hits
“Don't You Forget About Me” - Simple Minds
“One Night in Bangkok” - Murray Head
“Everything She Wants” - Wham!
“Somebody Should Leave” - Reba McEntire
    1987 - The US Navy's guided missile frigate, Stark, sailing off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf, was struck and set afire by two Exocet sea-skimming missiles fired from an Iraqi warplane at 2:10pm, EDT. Also struck was a Cypriot flag tanker. At least 28 American naval personnel were killed. Only hours earlier a Soviet oil tanker in the Gulf had struck a mine.
    1987 - Eric ‘Sleepy' Floyd of the Golden State Warriors set a playoff record for points in a single quarter. He poured in 29 points in the fourth period in a game against Pat Riley's Los Angeles Lakers.
    1988 - Thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds across the Mid-Atlantic region during the afternoon and evening hours. A "thunderstorm of a lifetime" in Northern Spartanburg County, South Carolina produced hail for 45 minutes. Hail accumulated to knee-deep in some places.
    1992 - Betsy King shot 267 to win the LPGA Championship by 11 strokes over Karen Noble. King recorded rounds of 68, 66, 67 and 66, the first time that any LPGA player finished four rounds under 70 in that any LPGA player finished four rounds under 70 in a major championship. Her 267 was the lowest score ever recorded by any golfer, man or woman, in a major championship.
    1992 - The Toronto Blue Jays reached the one million mark in home attendance faster than any other team in baseball history. The Blue Jays drew 1,006,294 fans in just 21 days, surpassing the record held jointly by the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers and the 1991 Blue Jays.
    1998 - ESPN's “Sportscenter,” the cable network's signature program, broadcast its 20,000th edition with a special 90-minute show hosted by longtime anchors Chris Berman, Dan Patrick, and Bob Ley. “Sportscenter” made its debut on September 7, 1979, ESPN's launch day, and is broadcast live three times each weekday and four times on Saturday and Sunday.
    1998 - Lefthander David Wells of the New York Yankees pitched a perfect game (allowing no hits and no base runners of any kind) against the Minnesota Twins, winning 4-0. This was the first perfect game pitched in Yankee Stadium since Don Larsen's in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. Oddly enough, Wells and Larsen attended the same high school, Point Loma in San Diego, CA.
    2004 – Massachusetts became the first state to sanction gay marriage.
    2011 - The final episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was recorded in Chicago, Illinois with many celebrities attending the star-studded event.
    2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel B. Shapiro, says America 'is ready' to attack Iran to prevent them from developing nuclear weapons.
    2014 - Google, Inc. and Apple, Inc. have agreed to drop certain patent lawsuits against each other; the lawsuits revolve around Google's Motorola Mobility technology.
    2018 - Michigan State University will pay $500 million in claims to 300 survivors of sexual abuse involving Larry Nassar. Largest sexual abuse case in sports history.  Nassar's cumulative sexual assault crimes were the basis of the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal that began in 2015, in which he sexually assaulted at least 265 young women and girls dating back to 1992.  His victims included numerous Olympic and US women’s national gymnastics team gymnasts.  Nassar has admitted to 10 of those accusations.  Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison in July 2017 after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. On January 24, 2018, Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in a Michigan state prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault of minors.  On February 5, 2018, he was sentenced to an additional 40 to 125 years in prison after pleading guilty to an additional three counts of sexual assault. His state prison sentences are to run consecutively with his federal sentence, amounting to a practical life sentence.

Stanley Cup Champions:
    1983 - New York Islanders