JP Morgan Chase Gets Tagged for FCRA for Denial of
Applications for Checking Accounts
By Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal Editor

Banks Must Give Customers Contact Information for Credit Reporting Agency

In re JP Morgan Chase No. 2017 CFPB-0005 (August 2, 2017).

Most banks use credit bureau reports and/or a similar reporting document called ChexSystems to underwrite potential customers for prior overdrafts, fraud and problem accounts. However, JP Morgan Chase did not advise their applicants of the results of the investigation, the type of report that was used, nor the contact information for the reporting agency. In addition, the bank did not have policies in place to screen the results of the reports to insure accuracy.

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau investigated and assessed the bank with a whopping $4.6 million dollar fine. In addition, the bank is required to remedy these actions and institute policies to assure compliance.

The decision relates to ChexSystems for opening accounts, not for leasing applications. The same rules apply to leasing companies and brokers. 

--The applicant if declined for any reason, needs to be told why.
--If there was a CBR involved in making the decision, then the CBR needs to be identified, the adverse information disclosed, and contact information for the CBR given to the applicant. 

This is pretty customary stuff. 

Now, many leasing companies do not issue declines and leave applications perpetually open. Brokers violate this law all the time! This is wrong. If the application in its present form cannot be approved, then it is declined and the broker needs to advise the applicant of the above information.

The bottom line is that if a financial institution, leasing company, or third party originator declines an applicant for credit or a bank account, adequate information must be given the applicant for it to determine what the basis was and contact information to possible correct the report.  

CFPB Consent Order JPMorgan Chase Bank  (21 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/CFPB_Chase2017.pdf

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

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

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

 

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

 

Steven Caligor was hired as Senior Managing Director, Monticello Asset Management, New York, New York. Previously, he was Division Manager, BHI (April, 2016 - August, 2017); Senior Manager, Signature Bank (June, 2015 - April, 2016); Head of NY Middle Market Commercial Banking/First Senior Vice President, Bank Leumi (November, 2011 - May, 2015); Head of Bank Leumi Leasing Corporation, Bank Leumi Leasing Corporation (January, 2000 - May, 2015).  Volunteer Experience: Caregiver Support Team, White Plains Hospital (June, 2015 - Present); Village Board of Appeals, Village of Scarsdale (January, 2010 - January, 2015).   Education: The George Washington University, School of Business.  Bachelor of Business Administration (MBA), Finance and Investment Management (1987 - 1988).  The George Washington University, School of Business. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Marketing and International Business (1983 - 1987).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencaligor/

Kevin Libert was appointed Independent Consultant, Third Bridge Group Limited, London.  He also was hired as Loan Officer, Central Coast Lending.  Previously, he was Business Development Manager, Engs Commercial Finance (February, 2017 - May, 2017); Financing Director, Bigge Crane and Rigging Co (July, 2015 - October, 2016); Account Executive, Siemens Financial Services (April, 2013 - February, 2015); District Sales Manager, Commercial Credit Group (September, 2012 - April 2013); Business Development Manger, Bigge Crane and Rigging Co (November, 2009 - September, 2012); VP, Key Equipment Finance (January, 2007 - December, 2008); VP, Peoples Capital & Leasing (August, 2006 - December, 2007); VP, Terex (January, 2003 - August, 2006). Volunteer: Board of Directors, Oak Shores Community Association (September, 2017).  Education: California State University, East Bay (BS) Business (1980 - 1984). Activities and Societies: Graduated with Honors/Deans List. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-libert-61126aa/

MidAtlantic Farm Credit announced the promotion of Matt Ritenour to Regional Lending Manager, Westminster, Maryland, effective June, 2017. He was hired June, 2017. He is based in the association’s Winchester, VA office. He started with the firm as Marketing Specialist, MidAtlantic Farm Credit (April, 2009 - May, 2013); Promoted Crop Insurance Specialist, June, 2013. Prior, he was Marketing Specialist, MidAtlantic Farm Credit (April, 2009 - May, 2013); Executive Assistant; Member Services/Marketing Coordinator; Credit Analyst at Valley Farm Credit (July, 2003 - April, 2009).  Education:  Morehead State University, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing. Activities and Societies; Student Athletic Committee, NCAA
Division Rifle Team.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-ritenour-34013414/

Gena Romereo was hired as Business Development Manager, Umpqua Bank Vendor Finance, Parker, Colorado. Previously, she was National Account Executive, Marlin Business Services Corp (May, 2013 - September, 2017); National Sales Manager, National Commercial Capital, Inc. (May, 2008 - May, 2013); Regional Sales Manager, Marlin Business Services (June, 2005 - May, 2009).  Education:  Colorado State University, Bachelor's degree (2001 - 2004).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gena-romero-7b8ab867/

Marty White was hired as Business Development Officer, Oakmount Capital Services, West Chester, Pennsylvania. He previously was with Commercial Credit Group, serving as Business Development Officer for ten years. "He has 30 years of finance sales experience."

 

Equipment Leasing Account Executive What sets CoreTech apart from other equipment leasing companies is our team members and impeccable reputation. Are you unhappy with the ethics of your company and the promises made to you? Come to Newport Beach and join us. To learn more, please click here www.coretechleasing.com CoreTech specializes in medium to  large size companies and firms Over 100 law firms trust CoreTech for their leasing needs, why wouldn't you?

 

 

 

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Store Bought Management
by Jim Acee

Observations from the Front Porch

Last week, I used the analogy of growing a garden to developing home-grown management.* But as we all know, especially those of us in the northern climes, you cannot rely only on home-grown if you like fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. Sometimes you’ve must rely on others to grow it for you.
Much the same can be said for hiring management from outside the company. If you rely only on home grown talent, there is a good chance you could be losing out on the freshness, variety of opinion and experience that come from hiring management from outside the company.

The mistake companies make is to think that they can grow management talent for every situation, even when the climate and conditions are not conducive. Take the example of a company that wants to venture into a new niche, where they have no experience. Like the recipe that call for jicama or lemon grass (two things I had no idea existed the first time a recipe called for them), sometimes you just got to go to a different grocery store to find them. So too should companies seek outside expertise to guide them to success in a new endeavor.

New niches are not the only reason to seek out store bought management. Sometimes the quality of the vegetables at the local farmer’s market are better than what you are trying to grow yourself. If you are making a salad for dinner, sometimes you are better off buying the ripe, sweet tomatoes that are available right now at the farm stand, then you are waiting for the green tomatoes in your garden to ripen overnight. The same can be said for hiring an experienced manager from the outside in place of promoting the untested internal candidate. Sure, outside hires may cost more, but like the ripe tomato from the farmer’s market, you know that it will be of high quality. Waiting for the green tomato to ripen will take time and may never meet your taste expectations.

So, which is it, home grown or store bought management. Which is better?

I contend that you need both for your company to be well balanced. Like the gardener that only grows tomatoes, no matter how you prepare them, at the end of the day everything tastes like a tomato. Companies get myopic when all of their management team shares the same experiences and background. Sometimes you’ve got to introduce new fruit and vegetables into your diet to get a well-balanced meal. So, too should companies balance their management team with home-grown and store bought management.

 * The Corporate Gardener – ‘Home-Grown’ Management
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Sep2017/09_07.htm#porch

Jim Acee  
jjacee@verizon.net
He has a rich background, serving as
DLL Country Sales Manager;
Vice President, Syndication Buy Desk; 
Vice President, Field Sales, Wells Fargo Capital Finance;
Managing Director, Vendor Leasing, US Bank;
Director of Sales, US Bancorp (formerly BCL). 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-acee-578a03b

Observations from the Front Porch by Jim Acee
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/porch.html

 

 

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Online Business Reviews Can Help Grow Your Business
FinTech #102 by Alex Vasilakos

In this digital age, people keep forgetting that word-of-mouth is still one of the best sources of marketing out there. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Yelp and all these outlets are social media platforms, but if you look deeper,  it is another form of word-of-mouth marketing. People are sharing and talking about brands all the time. When you go to the Internet to buy a product what is the first thing you typically look for? Reviews. If you have not asked for reviews or testimonials from your customers, you are missing a huge opportunity to help your brand and business grow.

Why Are Online Reviews So Important for a Business Owner:

• 88% of users have read reviews to determine the quality of a small business.
• 72% of consumers say positive reviews make them trust a business more.
• 90% of customers say their decision to decide on your services or abilities is influenced by online reviews.
• Asking for reviews as a business owner costs you nothing.

Benefits of Having Online Business Reviews:
Online reviews can certainly have a huge impact and effect on your business’s lead generation and growth. There are two major factors that are important in securing online business reviews:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Google loves online reviews and they help with your local SEO. Since search engines are targeting more local now, they love online reviews for the primary reason that consumers love reviews. Search engines are in the business of providing relevant and accurate information for people on-the-go or even at home and assist them in making the right decision, especially if it comes to purchases. The faster they can produce the most relevant results, the more the customer will go back.

• Personal human interactions and conversions: Clients are going to check online before engaging in your business or even purchasing your services. The more testimonials and/or reviews, the more acceptance will be given to you.
  
  

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

 

 

 

 

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Amembal & Halladay Report on Fourth Annual
Chinese Leasing Forum

The Fourth Annual Global Leasing Industry Competitive Forum in Tianjin, China was co-organized by Amembal & Halladay. This year’s conference attracted nearly 450 leasing professionals, government officials, bankers, students, and members of the media.
 

Sudhir Amembal, Chairman & CEO of Amembal & Halladay reported: “One of the unique benefits of the Forum is that the global leasing experts provide insight into their own respective mature market; the Chinese speakers add tremendous value by presenting pragmatic domestic solutions.

“Their government is highly supportive of the leasing industry as a whole, indicating that leasing will continue to play a significant role in China’s continued economic and financial transformation.

“Each year, the conference brings significantly increasing value to the growth of the Chinese leasing industry and allows Chinese leasing professionals to learn from the experts.  They are learning extremely fast and, in terms of volume, will more than likely become the world’s leading leasing economy, given current estimated growth rates, by 2026.

The focus of this year’s Forum was “New Regulation and New Opportunities – The Evolution of the Leasing Industry.”  It consisted of a unique blend of general assemblies supplemented by a CEO panel and hands-on parallel sessions that addressed specific concerns and questions of the attendees.  Speakers included Chinese leasing luminaries, government representatives, and prestigious speakers from the U.S. and Australia.

Shawn Halladay, Managing Director of the company, addressed the gathering and moderated three roundtable sessions.

Next event: Management Symposium in Dubai, University Arab Emirates, October 30 -31, 2107.  For information, contact Kelly Farnham, General Manager +1 250 517 8649 (Pacific Time Zone).

(See Leasing News’ Lease Conferences for more information)

Amembal & Halladay, formed in 1978, was the first entity to serve the global equipment leasing industry and is the world's premier service provider to its many leasing industries and companies.  Amembal & Halladay has trained over 80,000 leasing professionals in 80 plus countries and has authored 16 industry best-sellers.  It also has provided consultancy services to over 20 governments as well as numerous well-known, blue chip leasing companies around the globe.  Amembal & Halladay have been consultants for the Chinese leasing industry since 1989.

 

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Leasing/Finance/Loan Conferences
Updated Information/Exhibitors

10/4/2017 to 10/6/2017
JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead
3300 Lenox Rd NE
Atlanta, Georgia  30326

Exhibitors (as of September 14, 2017)

 

4 Hour Funding
Advantage Funding
American Lease Insurance
AMUR Equipment Finance
Baystone Government Finance
Beneficial Equipment Finance
Bluechip Asset Management
Boston Financial & Equity Corp
Bryn Mawr Funding
Channel Partners Capital
CLFP Foundation
Collateral Specialists, Inc
Commercial Funding Partners
Copernicus
Dakota Financial, LLC
Dedicated Commercial Recovery
Dedicated Funding
ECS Financial Services, Inc.
Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc.
Funding Circle
Great American Insurance
Hanmi Bank
JB&B Capital
Leasepath
LeaseTeam, Inc.
Marlin Business Bank
Monitor Daily
Navitas Credit Corp
Newsline / Equip Finance Advisor
NetSol Technologies Americas
North Mill Equipment Finance
Orange Commercial Credit
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
Quality Leasing Co., Inc.
Quiktrak, Inc
Rapid Advance
RTR Services
SQN Capital Management, LLC
Tamarack
The Bancorp
TradeRiver USA
VFI

Information about 2017 Funding Symposium
http://www.nefassociation.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=889561&grou

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October 11, 2017 - October 13, 2017

“The 4th Annual LEND360, the go-to event for leaders in the fintech industry, has formed a Small Business Lending Advisory Committee, made up of key industry players. LEND360 has always had a strong focus on business lending, and the forming of this committee is a natural progression of its growing focus at the event.

“Small businesses are key to the economy’s growth and an important component of their success is access to capital. The Small Business Lending Advisory Committee participating companies are:

Ballard Spahr LLP
Clark Hill PLC
DataX
Divergent Capital
Evolve Capital Partners
Hudson Cook LLP
Innovative Decision Analytics
Intuit
Kabbage
LeadsMarket.com
LendingCalc
Marqeta
Moneytree
MRS BPO LLC
Small Business Finance Association (SBFA)
US Black Chambers, Inc

“Many of these participants have been integral in shaping the discussions for LEND360, as well as engaging in policy issues impacting the small business lending industry.”

Speakers and Information
http://www.lend360.org/speakers/

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

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, a Marriott Hotel

What makes this conference difference are funders and brokers who normally do not attend conferences, but come from all parts of the United States. This is not just for members of one group, but open to all, many who do not belong to finance and leasing associations, including specialists with specific followings in business loans, equipment finance and leasing, merchant advance, working capital and other commercial financial transactions.

"Whether you're a bank or private commercial lender, or a commercial loan broker, the NACLB conference is designed specifically for brokers and lenders to help each other get business done.

"Based on a recent poll of last year's conference in Las Vegas, our lenders proposed on over $50,000,000 worth of deals with in two months after the conference; all from new broker relationships they gained. That means that the brokers who attended had over $50,000,000 worth of deals that were not being funded previous to attending our conference. No other conference can deliver those numbers!
 
"Top things you will gain as a broker:

Meet close to 100 banks and lenders that are eager to take on broker business across multiple funding categories in business lending and commercial real estate lending. Get educated on different products to cross sell your clients or gain access to funding products to concentrate on and increase your revenue. Learn and hear from the industry's most successful brokers and how they grew their businesses. Learn how to effectively make the leap from broker to lender. Discover the changes that might be impacting your industry with regard to regulations. Play a friendly game of poker and get a chance to win a 5-day vacation (for 2) to the Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

 

"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

For More Information:
www.naclb.org

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

This year the 2017 State of the Equipment Finance Industry Report will debut during the Foundation Luncheon. The Foundation also has special donor benefits planned during this year’s convention that include a private reception, donor lounge, special recognition during the Foundation luncheon and other exciting opportunities.

Brochure/Schedule of Events/Speakers/Registration
https://www.elfaonline.org/cvweb_elfa/cgi-bin/documentdll.dll/view?DOCUMENTNUM=1649&DOCUMENTNUM=1649

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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

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“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

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8:00AM - 6:00PM EST

Tickets
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 

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

Information:
https://www.empirefintechconference.com/pages/sf2017

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Asia Pacific Leasing Summit 2017
November 8-10, 2017
Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers

Information
http://www.duxes-events.com/leaseap/

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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

General Information
https://www.naelb.org/events/event-description?Calendar
EventKey=c32837eb-8b8a-49ae-a908-c0b1d8557d6e&Home=%2fhome

Exhibitors to Date

360 Equipment Finance
4 Hour Funding
BlackRiver Business Capital
BSB Leasing
Channel Partners Capital
Cobra Capital
Dakota Financial, LLC
CLFP Foundation
Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc.
First Federal Leasing
Global Financial & Leasing Services
Hanmi Bank
InstaCOVER
Navitas Credit Corp
NCMIC
Orange Commercial Credit
Paradigm Equipment Finance, Inc.
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
Quality Leasing Co., Inc.
Quiktrak, Inc.
RapidAdvance
TEAM Funding Solutions
Tetra Financial Group
VFI Corporate Finance

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4th Middle East Leasing Summit
December 4 -7
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai

Information
http://www.duxes-events.com/leaseme

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Canadian Finance & Leasing Association at Convention
Name Richard McAuliffe as Chairman

Richard McAuliffe
Senior Vice President/COO
Key Equipment Finance Canada Ltd.

The Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA) announced that Richard McAuliffe has been named chairman of the board of directors. The appointment was made at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the CFLA earlier this week. McAuliffe is senior vice president and chief operating officer Key Equipment Finance Canada Ltd.

David Powell
President and CEO
Canadian Finance & Leasing Association

“Everyone welcomes Richard’s appointment,” said David Powell, CFLA president and CEO. “He is a respected and effective industry leader. His energy and thoughtful advice will continue to make a major contribution to the association and advance the interests of the industry.”

McAuliffe is responsible for Key Equipment Finance’s Canadian operations. He is also responsible for direct originations, supporting bank clients’ equipment finance needs in Canada and managing the equipment finance programs for all of the company’s vendor customers, including equipment manufacturers and distributors who have operations and clients in Canada.

Before joining Key Equipment Finance in 2003, McAuliffe was associate vice president and general manager of TD Bank Asset Finance’s leasing business, where he had worked since 1996. Prior to that, he was vice president risk manager and operations at GE Capital Canada Inc. He also held the position of assistant credit manager and treasurer at The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada.

Adam D. Warner
President
Key Equipment Finance

“Throughout his career, Richard’s main focus has been on empowering the people around him,” said Adam D. Warner, President of Key Equipment Finance. “The Canadian Financing & Leasing Association plays an important role in advocating for the equipment leasing industry in Canada, and Richard’s industry expertise and leadership skills make him well suited to serve as chairman of the association. I congratulate him on being selected for this position and look forward to supporting him in this role.”

An active member of the Canadian Equipment Finance and Leasing Association for over 20 years, McAuliffe has served and chaired various committees and is a member of the executive committee.

In addition to McAuliffe’s appointment, the board also appointed the following individuals to serve on the Executive Committee:

• Tom Pundyk (National Leasing), Immediate Past Chairman
• Peter Horan (DLL Financial Services Canada Inc.),Vice-Chairman
• Patrick Lefebvre (VW Credit Canada, Ltd.), Secretary-Treasurer
• Stefan Karrenbauer (Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation/Daimler Truck Financial)
• Douglas McKenzie (BAL Global Finance Canada Corporation)
• Paul Monjanel (Ford Credit Canada Ltd.)

About the CFLA
The Canadian Finance & Leasing Association/l’Association canadienne de financement et de location is the business association that represents the asset-based finance, equipment and vehicle leasing industry in Canada.  With almost 250 corporate members, the industry finances over $370 billion worth of assets in Canada.  After traditional lending, the asset-based finance industry is the largest provider of capital and credit to Canadian consumers and businesses.

Asset-based financing is offered by banks, credit unions, government financial institutions, manufacturer finance companies, independent finance companies and by vendors. Manufacturers extend financing to customers through their finance subsidiaries or in partnership with independent financing companies.  In this way, customers of vehicle dealers and equipment vendors can obtain financing at the point of sale.

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ELFA Announces Joseph P. Sebike Will Receive
2017 Distinguished Service Award

Joseph P. Sebik, CPA
Director of Tax
Siemens Financial Services, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has selected Joseph P. Sebik, CPA, Director of Tax at Siemens Financial Services, Inc., to receive its 2017 Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry. Sebik will be formally recognized during a ceremony at the 56th ELFA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, in October.

Sebik has been a major contributor to ELFA’s advocacy and outreach efforts concerning lease accounting and financial reporting for more than a decade. He has served as an active member of the Financial Accounting Committee for the past 13 years, helping to analyze issues related to the lease accounting project and other critical accounting matters. He has also helped educate members about the implications of these issues, facilitating web seminars on lease accounting and leading presentations at the ELFA Lease and Finance Accountants Conference on accounting, tax and other critical topics.

In addition, Sebik has played an instrumental role in ELFA’s federal advocacy efforts, with a special focus since 2014 in the area of tax reform. For the past three years he has served as Chairman of the Federal Tax Committee, helping to analyze and monitor legislative and regulatory tax issues and their impact on the equipment finance industry. In anticipation of tax reform discussions during the 115th Congress, he has led an effort to model the effect of potential tax reform plans on the industry.

Sebik also has written extensively on industry issues. He has published countless articles in the association’s Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine and Washington Report e-newsletter and the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Journal of Equipment Lease Financing on topics ranging from accounting to tax reform to alternative energy. He also has authored numerous reference portfolios on accounting policy and practice and the economics of equipment finance for Bloomberg BNA, and brought Bloomberg BNA and ELFA together to cooperate on joint webinars.

Before joining Siemens Financial Services, Inc., Sebik worked for Price Waterhouse, IBM Credit Corporation, Chase Equipment Leasing, Citicorp Global Equipment Finance and JPMorgan’s Tax Oriented Investment Group. Sebik has been a CPA in New York for more than 35 years and is a graduate of the City University of New York. In his spare time he enjoys repairing and riding motorcycles, of which he currently has two.

Ralph Petta
ELFA President and CEO

“We are delighted to present this honor to Joe in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to ELFA and the equipment finance industry,” said ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta. “I’ve known Joe personally for a number of years. His dedicated volunteer spirit and leadership, especially in the areas of financial accounting and reporting, federal advocacy and professional development, have had a positive impact on the ELFA membership and the industry as a whole.”

“I am humbled by the honor presented to me by ELFA and by the recognition of my peers in the leasing industry,” said Sebik. “The service and efforts I am being honored for would not have been possible if not for the active engagement and support of the ELFA membership, the members of both the Financial Accounting Committee and the Federal Tax Committee and, lastly, the very supportive ELFA staff. I would also urge other members to volunteer their service to keep the ELFA the great association that it is.”

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $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. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

The box-office lightens up with pair of quirky and biting comedies (“Ingrid Goes West” and “I Do… Until I Don’t”), while DVD releases offer grave action (“Logan”), tense period drama (“My Cousin Rachel”) and delicious dark humor (“Prizzi’s Honor”).

In theaters:

Ingrid Goes West (Mongrel Media): A couple of talented and underrated actresses get a sharp showcase in this biting comedy-drama. Aubrey Plaza stars as Ingrid, a troubled young woman whose destructive behavior has left her with no friends. Things begin to change however when Ingrid becomes fixated on a socialite she spotted on Instagram, Taylor (Elizabeth Olsen), causing her to travel to Los Angeles to meet her. Though having wildly different personalities, the two women become friends. But can their unlikely bond survive the revelation of secrets? Turning a satirical eye to current obsessions with social media, writer-director Matt Spicer’s film benefits enormously from the volatile chemistry between Plaza and Olsen. Veering from laughter to mortification and back, the performances keep audiences on their toes.

I Do… Until I Don’t (The Film Arcade): Following her acclaimed “In a World,” talented writer-director Lake Bell serves up another quirky comedy with this ensemble study of matrimonial foibles. Bell also stars as Alice, an insecure former artist who jumps at the chance to be in the new documentary by one of her favorite directors (Dolly Wells). The project’s subject turns out to be troubled marriages, which doesn’t exactly sit well with Alice’s husband Noah (Ed Helms). Also included is an older couple, Cybil (Mary Steenburgen) and Harvey (Paul Reiser), not to mention Alice’s free-spirited sister Fanny (Amber Heard) and her boyfriend (Wyatt Cenac). As complications arise, will anybody’s relationship make it to the end of the shooting? Low in budget but high in comic chemistry, Bell’s movie has warmth and tartness.

Netflix Tip: One of the true mavericks of 1970s American horror, director Tobe Hooper (1943-2017) was responsible for some of cinema’s most ferocious shocks. So check out Netflix for some of his craziest and greatest movies, which “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), “The Funhouse” (1981), “Poltergeist” (1982) and “Lifeforce” (1986).

On DVD:

Logan (Fox): The superhero blockbuster genre gets serious with this brooding action thriller, which delves into the darker sides of its mutant warrior. Set in the future, the plot zeroes in on Wolverine (played once again with laconic intensity by Hugh Jackman), once a member of the uncanny X-Men but now reduced to a limo chauffeur in the wake of a harsh plague. Hiding in the south border and caring for aging, ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart), he is reluctantly pulled back into the avenging business by a group of younger mutants led by Laura (Dafne Keen). When he uncovers a nefarious project equipped with killers, Wolverine finds himself back in claw-slashing action. Directed with meaty gravity by James Mangold, this is a moody and visceral riposte to anyone complaining about the lack of substance in superhero movies.

My Cousin Rachel (Fox): Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz gets a meaty role as the complex eponymous heroine in this tense and graceful adaptation of the Daphne Du Maurier novel. Set on a large British estate, the story charts the vengeful machinations of Phil (Sam Claflin), a young Brit who becomes determined to punish Rachel (Weisz), the missing wife of his dead cousin. Convinced that she was responsible for his death, he meets her and immediately becomes seduced by her beauty. What follows is a handsome mystery in which appearances prove deceptive and predator and prey trade places. Directed by Roger Mitchell (“Notting Hill”), the film offers melodrama and malice with a gritty eye for period detail, anchored by Weisz’s deft and wily performance.

Prizzi’s Honor (Kino): At an age when most veteran directors would have long retired, the elderly John Huston (“The Maltese Falcon”) instead delivered one of his best films in this eccentric 1985 black comedy. Jack Nicholson stars as Charley Partanna, a ruthless but not overly intelligent hitman whose efficiency in the art of murder has made him a valuable asset to the Prizzi crime family in Brooklyn. He finally meets his match in Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), a gorgeous and deadly hired assassin from Los Angeles. Their affair is a surreal parody of traditional romance, complicated by the jealousy of Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar), who is not above putting a price on her romantic rival’s head. Made with matchless slyness, the film is a sardonic pleasure.

Shepherd Mix
San Francisco, California   Adopt-a-Dog

Zelda
ID 34843678
Female
Age: 1 year, 1 month
Weight: 55 lbs.

"Zelda is a young, energetic and bouncy gal looking for an active adopter! She loves to romp around and get lots of exercise, but then snuggle up with you for some cuddle time. She needs daily mental and physical exercise to keep her mind and body in check. Come meet this goofy girl today!"

San Francisco SPCA
250 Florida Street
San Francisco, Ca. 94103
415-522-3500

Hours:
Monday - Friday  1pm - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday  10am - 5pm
(free parking available)

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

 

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

Grandson Jedrek Wilcox Graduates 18 Week Bootcamp
Now a U.S. Marine

Graduation Ceremony, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.

Standing next to grandson Jedrek, now a U.S. Marine ("Expert" Rifleman). Next to him grandsons Clay and Daegen; in front, Grandson Kaiden, and my youngest daughter, who is their mother, Ashley. They live in West Wendover, Nevada.

  - Kit Menkin, Editor and Proud Grandfather

News Briefs----

Bear market looms over Bitcoin
 a single bitcoin tumbled nearly 8% Thursday to $3,565
http://nypost.com/2017/09/14/bear-market-looms-over-bitcoin/

Equifax waited months to fix well-known software flaw
  Stock Dropped from $142 Before Hack to $90.60
http://nypost.com/2017/09/14/equifax-waited-months-to-fix-well-known-software-flaw/

Oracle cloud sales reach $1.5 billion,
   but its outlook fails to impress
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/14/oracle-scores-as-first-quarter-cloud-sales-reach-1-5-billion/

 

 

 

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

You May Have Missed---

You'll soon see Giants in the sky,
   thanks to special SF Alaska Airlines plane
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Giants-plane-Alaska-Airlines-12199071.php

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

Baseball Poem

John W. Knight

The game was tied in the bottom of nine
A runner on third and two out
In the dead still air a mosquito's whine
Was all you could hear, then a shout

"Do something Ben, murder the ball,
For crying out loud get a hit."
Ben strode to the plate to answer the call
The now restless fans knew this was it

He dug in his right foot then positioned his left
And tapped the plate twice with his bat
Then he pulled it back slowly as to measure its heft
And tensed his whole frame like a cat

The pitcher glared in, the Ump hunkered down
Then the ball on its way like a shot
Ben pulled the trigger, his body unwound
And the ball hit the bat with a "Thock"

This is the sum that the game's all about
This instant is not just a dream
The split second physics, a hit or an out?
Each player and fan poised to scream

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

Sports Briefs----

A’s want to build new ballpark next to Laney College in Oakland
http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/A-s-want-to-build-new-ballpark-next-to-Laney-12193239.php

 

 

Raiders' Giogio Tavecchio sticks with NFL dream
    and kicks way to history
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/7420482-181/raiders-giogio-tavecchio-sticks-with

49ers fans weigh in on how the team can fix
    their heat problem at Levi's Stadium
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Levis-Stadium-49ers-hot-shade-can-they-fix-it-12189254.php

Odell Beckham says ankle is a 6-8 week injury
http://www.theredzone.org/Blog-Description/EntryId/65342/Odell-Beckham-says-ankle-is-a-6-8-week-injury

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

California Nuts Briefs---

Now this is ridiculous: $782,000 over
 the asking price for house in Sunnyvale
http://www.siliconbeat.com/2017/09/12/now-ridiculous-782000-asking-price-house-sunnyvale/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=gmsv&utm_medium=email

More on the Sunnyvale house that sold for $782,000
   over asking, and what it all means
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/14/tip-of-the-iceberg-more-on-the-sunnyvale-house-that-sold-for-782000-over-asking-and-what-it-all-means/

Interactive rankings of Silicon Valley’s top public tech companies
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/05/01/sv150-2017-ranking-of-silicon-valleys-top-150-public-tech-companies/

 

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

“Gimme that Wine”

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

Recall effort underway to remove St. Helena Mayor Alan Galbraith
http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/local/recall-effort-underway-to-remove-st-helena-mayor-alan-galbraith/article_f1f7426f-997f-526d-941d-6b438e2e0599.html

North Coast grape growers scramble in rain
    aftermath to protect against rot
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/7416820-181/north-coast-grape-growers-scramble?artslide=0

Last Straw' for Lodi Grape Growers
https://www.winesandvines.com/news/article/189545/Last-Straw-for-Lodi-Grape-Growers

Gowan’s of Mendocino County wins
  California Cider Competition for second year
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/mendocinocounty/7413926-181/gowan-mendocino-california-cider?artslide=0

Wine culture maturing in Mexico but road ahead is long
http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/wine-culture-maturing-but-road-ahead-is-long/

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

This Day in History

     1620 – The Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England with 102 pilgrims.
    1787 - Tornadoes were reported in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Wethersfield, CT was hard hit by the tornado outbreak.
    1789 – James Fenimore Copper (d. 1851) was born in Burlington, NJ.  A prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century, his historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. He lived most of his life in Cooperstown, NY, which was founded by his father William on property that he owned.  Among his most famous works is the novel “The Last of the Mohicans,” often regarded as his masterpiece. 
    1812 - William Wells migrated with his family to Kentucky when he was nine years old. Five years later, he was captured by Miami Indians and adopted into the family of the Wea village chief Gaviahatte. The young boy quickly adapted to Indian ways. He became a distinguished warrior and married the daughter of a prominent Miami war chief. For several years, Wells fought with the Miami against American soldiers attempting to push them off their land. In 1792, however, the army captured his wife and adopted mother. In exchange for their freedom, Wells agreed to join the American army as an interpreter. A reunion with a long lost brother helped reinforce the allegiance of Wells to the Americans, though his loyalties remained conflicted for the rest of his life. For several years, Wells was an invaluable scout and interpreter for the U.S. Army, helping the Americans defeat the hostile factions of the Miami and other tribes. In 1797, he was appointed Indian agent for the Miami, Delaware, Potawatomi, and other tribes of the Old Northwest (the modern-day Midwest). Yet, increasing pressure for the Indians to give up their lands to white settlers led to renewed conflicts, and Wells was often caught between the two groups. The outbreak of the War of 1812 with Great Britain heightened an already tense situation as some Indians saw the war as chance to join forces with the British to push out the Americans. Concerned about the safety of the Americans at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), where his niece was married to the fort commander, Wells quickly raised a rescue party of 30 Miami Indians who were loyal to him and the United States and headed north. When he arrived on August 13, he found the fort surrounded by hostile Indians. Wells argued for staying at the fort and making a stand until a larger force of American soldiers could arrive. But the commander insisted on evacuation. On this day in 1812, Wells led a small company of men, women, and children out of the fort. They had not gone far before hundreds of Potawatomi Indians ambushed the party, killing more than 50 and taking the remainder captive. Wells, who was dressed and painted as a Miami warrior, fought heroically but was eventually shot through the lungs. When he fell from his horse, witnesses claimed the Potawatomi swarmed over his body, cut out his heart, and divided it among them.
    1824 - Freed American slaves formed the country of Liberia.
    1824 - The Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War, arrives in New York and begins a tour of 24 states.
    1843 – The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu is dedicated. Now the Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, it is the oldest such cathedral in continuous use in the United States.
    1850 - Fifty firemen from the Protection Engine Co. went to Sacramento to put down squatter rioting on Capt. Sutter’s property, under the direction Mayor Geary and Capt. McCormick of the California Guards.
    1857 – William Howard Taft (d. 1930), 27th President (1909-13) of the US, was born in Cincinnati.  He was also Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921-30), the only man in American history to hold both positions. 
    1878 - The temperature at Denver, CO, soars to an all-time record high of 105 degrees.
    1890 - Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller (d. 1976) in Devon, England.  She is the best-selling author of all-time, writing 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.  She also wrote the world's longest-running play, a murder mystery, “The Mousetrap,” and six romances under the name Mary Westmacott. In 1971 she was made a Dame for her contribution to literature.
    1903 – Roy Acuff (d. 1992) was born in Maynardville, TN. Known as the "King of Country Music," Acuff is credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful. In 1952, Hank Williams told Ralph Gleason, "He's the biggest singer this music ever knew. You booked him and you didn't worry about crowds. For drawing power in the South, it was Roy Acuff, then God.”  He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, and although his popularity as a musician waned in the late 1940s, he remained one of the Opry's key figures and promoters for nearly four decades. In 1942, Acuff co-founded the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company – Acuff-Rose Music - which signed such artists as Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers. In 1962, Acuff became the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
    1907 – Fay Wray, was born Vina Fay Wray (d. 2004) in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. She is most noted for playing the female lead in the 1933 film, “King Kong” as Ann Darrow. Through an acting career that spanned 57 years, Wray attained international renown as an actress in horror movie roles. She was one of the first "scream queens.”
    1914 - The American-built waterway, the Panama Canal, across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is inaugurated with the passage of the U.S. vessel SS Ancon, a cargo and passenger ship. The rush of settlers to California and Oregon in the mid-19th century was the initial impetus of the U.S. desire to build an artificial waterway across Central America. In 1855, the United States completed a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama (then part of Colombia), prompting various parties to propose canal-building plans.
    1914 - A male servant of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright sets fire to the living quarters of the latter's Wisconsin home, Taliesin, murders seven people and burns the living quarters to the ground.
    1915 - A story in the New York World newspaper reveals that the Imperial German government had purchased excess phenol from Thomas Edison that could be used to make explosives for the war effort and diverted it to Bayer for Aspirin production.
    1918 - Russia severed diplomatic ties with US.
    1922 – Actor Jackie Cooper (d. 2011) was born in LA.  Cooper was the first child actor to receive an Academy Award nomination.  At age nine, he was also the youngest performer to have been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role—an honor that he received for the film “Skippy” (1931).  Cooper joined the “Our Gang” series in 1929. He initially was only a supporting character in the series, but by early 1930 he had done so well with the transition to sound films that he had become one of the Gang's major characters. He graduated to a career of modest success in films, then made the successful leap to television both as an actor and producer.  His “People’s Choice” on NBC and “Hennessey” on CBS were modest successes, after which he became a studio executive for a large part of the remainder of career.  He returned to film in the “Superman” franchise as Daily Planet editor Perry White. 
    1928 – Jazz saxophonist Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley (d. 1975) was born in Tampa.  Adderley is remembered for his 1966 single "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," a crossover hit on the pop charts, and for his work with trumpeter Miles Davis, including on the epochal album “Kind of Blue” (1959).
        1934 - 19 years of occupation ended as the 1st Marine Brigade departed Haiti.
    1938 – Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, he of the spitball, was born in Williamston, NC.  During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 ERA. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.  Perry, a five-time All-Star, was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in each league, winning it in the AL in 1972 with the Cleveland Indians and in the NL in 1978 with the San Diego Padres. He is also distinguished, along with his brother Jim, for being part of the second-winningest brother combination in baseball history behind the Niekro brothers.
    1939 - After five directors, several script drafts, and endless casting changes, the movie musical “The Wizard of Oz” premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
    1940 – Merlin Olsen (d. 2010) was born in Logan, UT.  A football player, announcer, and actor. He played his entire 15-year professional football career in NFL as a defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams’ Fearsome Foursome that included Lamar Lundy, Roosevelt Grier and Deacon Jones. He was selected to the Pro Bowl a record 14 straight times, missing selection only in the last year of his career. This record of 14 seasons selected to play in the Pro Bowl, consecutive or otherwise, is current and shared with three other players. Olsen is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. As an actor, he portrayed farmer Jonathan Garvey on “Little House on the Prairie”. After leaving that series, he starred in his own NBC drama, “Father Murphy.”
    1942 - The Japanese submarine I-25 departed Japan with a floatplane in its hold. It was assembled upon arriving off the West Coast of the US, and used to bomb U.S. forests.
    1944 - After several postponements, Allied forces began Operation Dragoon, the landing on the south coast of France during World War II.  More than 2,000 transports and landing craft transported 94,000 men to an area between Toulon and Cannes, with only 183 allied losses.  they encountered minimal opposition, and by the end of August, the French coast from the mouth of the Rhone to Nice was in Allied hands. Sgt. Connor received a Medal of Honor for his role, and you can read more about this event below.
    1944 - CONNOR, JAMES P., Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Cape Cavalaire, southern France, 15 August 1944. Entered service at: Wilmington, Del. Birth: Wilmington, Del. G.O. No.: 18, 15 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 15 August 1944, Sgt. Connor, through sheer grit and determination, led his platoon in clearing an enemy vastly superior in numbers and firepower from strongly entrenched positions on Cape Cavalaire, removing a grave enemy threat to his division during the amphibious landing in southern France, and thereby insured safe and uninterrupted landings for the huge volume of men and materiel which followed. His battle patrol landed on "Red Beach" with the mission of destroying the strongly fortified enemy positions on Cape Cavalaire with utmost speed. From the peninsula the enemy had commanding observation and seriously menaced the vast landing operations taking place. Though knocked down and seriously wounded in the neck by a hanging mine which killed his platoon lieutenant, Sgt. Connor refused medical aid and with his driving spirit practically carried the platoon across several thousand yards of mine-saturated beach through intense fire from mortars, 20-mm. flak guns, machineguns, and snipers. En route to the Cape he personally shot and killed 2 snipers. The platoon sergeant was killed and Sgt. Connor became platoon leader. Receiving a second wound, which lacerated his shoulder and back, he again refused evacuation, expressing determination to carry on until physically unable to continue. He reassured and prodded the hesitating men of his decimated platoon forward through almost impregnable mortar concentrations. Again emphasizing the prevalent urgency of their mission, he impelled his men toward a group of buildings honeycombed with enemy snipers and machineguns. Here he received his third grave wound, this time in the leg, felling him in his tracks. Still resolved to carry on, he relinquished command only after his attempts proved that it was physically impossible to stand. Nevertheless, from his prone position, he gave the orders and directed his men in assaulting the enemy. Infused with Sgt. Connor's dogged determination, the platoon, though reduced to less than one-third of its original 36 men, outflanked and rushed the enemy with such furiousness that they killed 7, captured 40, seized 3 machineguns and considerable other materiel, and took all their assigned objectives, successfully completing their mission. By his repeated examples of tenaciousness and indomitable spirit Sgt. Connor transmitted his heroism to his men until they became a fighting team which could not be stopped.
    1945 – World War II gasoline rationing in America ended. Rationing was just one of the special measures taken in the U.S. during wartime. Civilian auto production virtually ceased after the attack on Pearl Harbor, as the U.S. automotive industry turned to war production. Automotive firms made almost $29 billion worth of military materiele between 1940 and 1945, including jeeps, trucks, machine guns, carbines, tanks, helmets, and aerial bombs. After the war, rationing ended and the auto industry boomed.
    1945 – Celebrations mark the end of World War II — VJ Day. A two-day holiday is proclaimed for all federal employees. In New York, Mayor La Guardia pays tribute to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the deceased president, in a radio broadcast.
    1945 – US Task Force 38 launches massive air strikes on the Tokyo area, encountering numerous Japanese fighters but the aircraft are recalled upon receipt of the surrender announcement. Meanwhile, Vice-Admiral Ugaki, commanding Kamikaze operations, leads a final mission but the 7 dive-bombers are shot down off Tokyo before they can reach Okinawa.
    1945 – Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6, Emperor Hirohito gave a recorded radio address across the Empire during which he announced the surrender of Japan to the Allies.
    1946 – Actor Tommy Lee Jones was born in San Saba, TX.  Jones was an All-Ivy guard at Harvard and played on their 1968 undefeated team that included the 16-point comeback against previously undefeated Yale to tie, 29-29.  He has received four Academy Award nominations, winning Best Supporting Actor for his performance as US Marshal Samuel Gerard in the 1993 thriller film, “The Fugitive.”  His film career began in “Love Story” and he has acted in many highly successful films since.
    1946 – Oliver Stone was born in NYC.  A noted screenwriter, director and producer, Stone won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as writer of “Midnight Express” (1978). As a director, Stone achieved prominence as director/writer of “Platoon” (1986), for which Stone won the Academy Award for Best Director; the film was awarded Best Picture. “Platoon” was the first in a trilogy of films based on the Vietnam War, in which Stone served as an infantry soldier. He continued the series with “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989) - for which Stone won his second Best Director Oscar – and “Heaven & Earth” (1993). Stone's other notable works include “Salvador” (1986); “Wall Street” (1987) and its 2010 sequel, “Money Never Sleeps;” the Jim Morrison biopic, “The Doors” (1991); and a trilogy of films based on the American Presidency: “JFK” (1991), “Nixon” (1995) and “W.” (2008). His latest film is “Snowden” (2016).
Many of Stone's films focus on controversial American political issues during the late 20th century, and as such were considered contentious at the times of their releases. They often combine different camera and film formats within a single scene, as evidenced in “JFK,” “Natural Born Killer” and “Nixon.”    He was at Yale when Jones was at Harvard.
    1946 - Saint Louis, MO, was deluged with a record 8.78 inches of rain in 24 hours.
    1951 – Pete Carroll was born in San Francisco.  A long head coaching career has included stops with the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California.  Currently and since 2010, he is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks with whom he won Super Bowl XVLIII, thus becoming one of three coaches who have won a college football championship and a Super Bowl. Despite this, he will be remembered for perhaps the worst call in football history in Super Bowl XLIX.  Trailing the Patriots, 28–24, with 25 seconds to go on second down and goal at the Patriots' 1 yard line, and with running back Marshawn Lynch having run freely all afternoon, Carroll called for a pass play. QB Russell Wilson's pass was intercepted by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler on the goal line, and the Patriots ran out the clock. 
    1951 - Top Hits
“Too Young” - Nat King Cole
“Mister and Mississippi” - Patti Page
“Because of You” - Tony Bennett
“I Wanna Play House with You” - Eddy Arnold
    1953 - Perry Como's "No Other Love" hits #1
    1955 - Elvis Presley attends a meeting in Memphis with his manager Bob Neal, Colonel Tom Parker and his father, Vernon Presley, at which a new contract is signed that names Colonel Parker as "special advisor" with control of virtually every aspect of Elvis' career. Parker was not really a Colonel but a Dutch immigrant named Andreas Cornelius van Kujik, whose honorary title was given to him in 1948 by Governor Jimmie Davis of Louisiana. He was a flamboyant promoter whose pre-Elvis experience included shows called “The Great Parker Pony Circus” and “Tom Parker and His Dancing Turkeys” and was a veteran of carnivals, medicine shows and various other entertainment enterprises.
    1955 - After a suggestion that RCA bid $20,000 to land Elvis Presley, company executive Mitch Miller replies "no singer is worth that much."
    1958 – Buddy Holly and Maria Elena Santiago are married in a private ceremony at his parents’ home in Lubbock, TX.
    1958 - A Central Railroad of New Jersey commuter train ran through a stop signal at Newark Bay at the approach to Penn Station in Newark, off a drawbridge and killed 48.  Among the fatalities was former New York Yankees 2B and American League batting champion, George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss and James C. Adams, brother-in-law of author Kurt Vonnegut.
    1959 - Top Hits
“Lonely Boy” - Paul Anka
“A Big Hunk o’ Love” - Elvis Presley
“My Heart is an Open Book” - Carl Dobkins, Jr.
“Waterloo” - Stonewall Jackson
    1960 - Elvis Presley's "It's Now or Never" sits on top of the Billboard singles chart, where it would stay for a month. The record would have international sales of over 20 million and become a personal favorite of The King.
    1961 – Two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities begin building the Berlin Wall to permanently close off access to the West. For the next 28 years, the heavily fortified Berlin Wall stood as the most tangible symbol of the Cold War–a literal “iron curtain” dividing Europe. The end of World War II in 1945 saw Germany divided into four Allied occupation zones. Berlin, the German capital, was likewise divided into occupation sectors, even though it was located deep within the Soviet zone. The future of Germany and Berlin was a major sticking point in postwar treaty talks, and tensions grew when the United States, Britain, and France moved in 1948 to unite their occupation zones into a single autonomous entity–the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). In response, the USSR launched a land blockade of West Berlin in an effort to force the West to abandon the city. However, a massive airlift by Britain and the United States kept West Berlin supplied with food and fuel, and in May 1949 the Soviets ended the defeated blockade. By 1961, Cold War tensions over Berlin were running high again.  In 1989, East Germany’s communist regime was overwhelmed by the democratization sweeping across Eastern Europe. On the evening of November 9, 1989, East Germany announced an easing of travel restrictions to the West, and thousands demanded passage though the Berlin Wall. Faced with growing demonstrations, East German border guards opened the borders. Jubilant Berliners climbed on top of the Berlin Wall, painted graffiti on it, and removed fragments as souvenirs. The next day, East German troops began dismantling the wall. In 1990, East and West Germany were formally reunited.
    1961 – NFL Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino was born in Pittsburgh.  Marino held or currently holds dozens of NFL quarterback records. He is recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Marino led the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs ten times in his seventeen-season career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.  He led the Dolphins to an AFC championship in the 1984 season, only his second season in the NFL. During that year, he threw a then-NFL record 48 TD passes, but the Dolphins lost Super Bowl XIX, 38–16 to the 15–1 San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana.  It was his only Super Bowl appearance in a distinguished career.  He was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, seven times as a starter, but due to injuries he only played in two of the games (1984, 1992). He was named first- or second-team All-Pro eight times and earned All-AFC honors six times.  Marino has won all three major individual awards: NFL MVP (1984); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994); and NFL Man of the Year (1998), which recognizes charitable work off the field.  In 1999, Marino was ranked number 27 on “The Sporting News list of the 100 greatest football players.
    1964 - Despite the fact that the US record charts are dominated by Rock ‘n’ Roll, crooner Dean Martin has the number one record with his biggest hit, "Everybody Loves Somebody." The song had been around since 1949 and had been previously recorded by several well-known artists without success.
    1964 - A race riot took place in Dixmoor, a suburb of Chicago, Ill.
    1965 - The Beatles' third North American tour kicks off at Shea Stadium in front of a record crowd of 55,000 fans and 2,000 security guards. It grossed $304,000, of which The Beatles' share was $160,000. At 8 pm EST, the Beatles take the stage at Shea Stadium in New York City, marking the very first time a rock band would headline a stadium concert and a major victory for promoter Sid Bernstein, who had arranged the gig after his gamble of booking the then-unknown group at Carnegie Hall had paid off. Tickets for the show, sold merely by word of mouth created by kids who asked Bernstein about the next Beatles show while he strolled in Central Park, sold out in just three weeks, beating the stadium's old seating record with 56,000 seats sold. Two thousand professionals were pressed into service for security. The concert, filmed for BBC and NBC both, also featured openers Brenda Holloway, The King Curtis Band, and Bernstein's new obsession, the Young Rascals.
    1966 - The Mamas and Papas cut short their act at the Forest Hills Stadium as some 20 teen-agers spoiled the show. In the midst of “Monday, Monday,” several teen-agers charged across the grass and attempted to leap on stage. They were deterred by a heavy detail of New York police. On the last note of the song, the group ran off the stage and did not return, even though they were called back for an encore.
    1966 – Bobby Darin stages a crossover, releasing “If I Were a Carpenter.”
    1967 - Top Hits
“Light My Fire” - The Doors
“All You Need is Love” - The Beatles
“A Whiter Shade of Pale” - Procol Harum
“I’ll Never Find Another You” - Sonny James
    1967 - At the San Francisco Fillmore Auditorium: Count Basie & His Orchestra, Chuck Berry, Charles Lloyd Quartet, The Young Rascals, Steve Miller Band, Hair.
    1967 - The Sundance fire in northern Idaho was started by lightning. Winds of 50 mph carried firebrands as much as ten miles in advance to ignite new fires, and as a result, the forest fire spread twenty miles across the Selkirk Mountains in just twelve hours, burning 56,000 acres. The heat of the fire produced whirlwinds of flame with winds up to 300 mph which flung giant trees about like matchsticks.
    1968 - The Beatles record "Rocky Raccoon."
    1969 - The Woodstock Music and Art Festival began on Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm in Bethel, New York, promising "three days of peace, love, and music." Featuring two dozen of the country's hottest bands, the festival draws over 450,000 hippies to the tiny town, causing unimaginable traffic and logistics problems but nevertheless impressing the ordinary citizens. Three deaths, two births, four miscarriages, and a wedding are all reported before Jimi Hendrix ends the festivities with his legendary rendition of the US national anthem. Also appearing were (in part) Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Santana, The Who, Credence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Canned Heat, Joan Baez, Santana, Melanie, Ten Years After, Sly and the Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Jefferson Airplane, Ravi Shankar, Country Joe and the Fish, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Arlo Guthrie. Among those who elected not to attend were Tommy James and the Shondells, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Jethro Tull, and The Moody Blues.
    1969 - Three Dog Night are awarded a Gold record for their self-titled debut album. The LP featured two modest selling 45s, "Nobody" and "Try A Little Tenderness" and the group had moved on to record their second album, "Suitable for Framing" when ABC Dunhill released a third single, "One". It shot to #5 in the US and subsequent copies of the LP were labeled "Three Dog Night - One".
    1970 - "Looking Out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival enters the Billboard Hot 100 on its way to #2. Although some fans speculate that the song is about drugs because of its colorful, dream-like lyrics, writer John Fogerty said it was actually written for his then three-year old son, Josh.
    1970 – Patricia Palinkas becomes the first woman to play professionally in an American football game.  She was a holder for her husband Steven Palinkas for the Orlando Panthers in the Atlantic Coast Football League.
    1971 – President Nixon completes the break from the gold standard by ending convertibility of the US dollar into gold by foreign investors.
    1972 – Ben Affleck was born in Berkeley, CA.  He won the Academy Award in 1997 for “Good Will Hunting,” co-written with Matt Damon.
    1973 - Baltimore, MD, declares today "Cass Elliot Day" in honor of the native singer for The Mamas and the Papas, who was born there September 19, 1941.
    1973 – US bombing of Cambodia during the Viet Nam War ends.
    1975 - Top Hits
“One of These Nights” - Eagles
“Jive Talkin’” - Bee Gees
“Please Mr. Please” - Olivia Newton-John
“Just Get Up and Close the Door” - Johnny Rodriguez
    1979 - After years of production and financial troubles, “Apocalypse Now” finally opens in American theaters, three months after its premiere at Cannes.
    1981 - Lionel Richie and Diana Ross saw their duet "Endless Love" rise to the number one position in the US for the first of nine weeks. Because of scheduling difficulties, the song was completed at a Reno, Nevada recording studio at 5 A.M., after one of Diana's concerts. Richie was dividing his time between the next Commodores album and work with Kenny Rogers.
    1983 - Top Hits
“Every Breath You Take” - The Police
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” - Eurhythmics
“She Works Hard for the Money” - Donna Summer
“Your Love’s on the Line” - Earl Thomas Conley
    1987 - Less than three months after they go to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 for the first time with "With or Without You," U2 return to the top of the chart with "I Still Haven't Found what I'm Looking For," the second single from "The Joshua Tree." (A birthday present for the Edge.)
    1987 - Thunderstorms developing ahead of a sharp cold front produced severe weather in the Upper Midwest during the afternoon and evening hours, with Minnesota and eastern South Dakota hardest hit. A thunderstorm in west central Minnesota spawned a tornado at Eagle Lake which killed one person and injured eight others. A thunderstorm in eastern South Dakota produced softball size hail at Warner.
    1988 - Thirty-five cities in twenty states in the north central and northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni, IA and Baltimore, MD, where the mercury hit 105 degrees. Temperatures 100 degrees or above were reported in twenty-two states. Pierre, SD was the hot spot in the nation with a high of 114 degrees. Bluefield, WV reported eight straight days of record heat.
    1989 - Evening thunderstorms in eastern New Mexico produced wind gusts to 66 mph at Clovis. Evening thunderstorms in West Texas produced baseball size hail around Hereford, Dimmitt, Ware and Dalhart.
    1990 – Actress Jennifer Lawrence was born in Louisville.  Her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook,” opposite Bradley Cooper, won her the Best Actress Oscar, making her the second-youngest Best Actress winner.  She followed that with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in “American Hustle.”
    1991 - Top Hits
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” - Bryan Adams
“P.A.S.S.I.O.N.” - Rhythm Syndicate
“Summertime” - D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
“She’s in Love with the Boy” - Trisha Yearwood
    1991 - Paul Simon gave a free concert in Central Park, New York in front of 600,000 people. The performance was released later in the year as "Paul Simon's Concert in the Park."
    1994 - Janet Jackson tied Aretha Franklin for the most gold singles by a female artist - 14 - when "Any Time, Any Place" was certified as having sold more than 500,000 copies. 
    1995 – Shannon Faulkner becomes the first female cadet matriculated at The Citadel (she drops out less than a week later).
    1995 - The Canadian stage production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" opened at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. At $17 million, it was the most expensive stage production in Canadian history.
    1995 - At request of the Mantle family, Bob Costas delivers the eulogy at Mickey's funeral in Dallas. The popular broadcaster, known for his love of the game and his admiration of the Yankee superstar, describes the Hall of Famer as "a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr-tcB3L3g4&feature=player_embedded
    1996 - A New York women's shelter refuses to take money raised by a recent benefit concert when they learn that one of the performers was James Brown, often accused of emotional and physical abuse of women.   
    2000 - Club owner Ted Turner and two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy are inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame joining Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn.
    2002 - A memorial to John Lennon was unveiled in the remote Scottish village of Durness, where Lennon had spent his holidays from age seven to fifteen. The lyrics from "In My Life" were inscribed on three stones.
    2006 - Deana Martin's album "Memories Are Made of This" was released. The album featured her versions of many of her father's hits and other hits by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
    2007 - The Osmond Brothers, joined by siblings Donny, Marie and Jimmy, took the stage for the taping of a 50th anniversary reunion show to be aired on PBS. A meeting of no less than seven singing Osmonds onstage hadn't happened in more than 20 years, although no one could remember the exact date of the last full family concert.
    2008 – Lehman Brothers filed a Chapter XI bankruptcy petition, the largest in US history with assets over $600 billion.  The bank had become so deeply involved in mortgage origination that it had effectively become a real estate hedge fund disguised as an investment bank. At the height of the subprime mortgage crisis, it was exceptionally vulnerable to any downturn in real estate values.  The bankruptcy triggered a drop in the Dow Jones of more than 500 points, the largest decline since 9/11.  All this occurred during the depth of what became known as the Great Recession and despite intense discussions among the Federal Reserve, US Treasury Department and major Wall Street investment firms.  The failure exacerbated an already tenuous economy.
    2011 - Jim Thome becomes the eighth player to reach the 600 career home runs plateau when he hits a two-run homer in the sixth (599), followed by three-run blast an inning later off Detroit's Daniel Schlereth. Needing fewer at-bats to reach 600 than anyone except for Babe Ruth, the 40-year-old Twins slugger accomplishes the feat in his 8,167th at-bat, compared to the Bambino's 6,921.
    2013 - The Smithsonian announces the discovery of the olinguito, the first new carnivoran species found in the Americas in 35 years.
    2014 - The U.N. removed peacekeepers from the Syrian side of Golan Heights after the recent capture and release of 45 U.N. troops from Fiji by Syrian rebel forces.  The U.N. has worked in the area for 40 years to keep peace between Syria and Israel.