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

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   


Leasing Funding Coordinator
Los Angeles, California


Visit: Recent Transactions
Visit: Leasing Program

Job Description

www.dakotafinancial.com
Asset-Based Direct Funding Source



Friday, August 3, 2018



Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Reactions to Inside Amur Financial Group
   By Christopher Menkin
New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
June, 2018 - The List
   "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"
Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
   Positions Available Today
Originator Compensation Results
   from over 200 Professionals
The Tesla Model 3 Is Blowing Away the Competition
   Chart, Article by Niall McCarthy, statista.com
Apple's Road to $1 Trillion---Chart
  By Felix Ricter, Statistics Portal
August 7 Free One Hour Webinar by ELFA
   2018 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity
Signature Banks to Come to California
 Receives New York State and FDIC to Commence Operations
Mission Impossible/Fallout/Don't Worry, Won't Get Far on Foot Annihilation
/Clair's Camera/Sex Lies, and Videotape

  Film/Digital Reviews by Leasing News' Fernando Croce
Labrador Retriever/Mix
  Grand Island, Nebraska  Adopt a Dog
Amembal-Halladay 4-Day Equipment Leasing School in Dubai
   October 29 - November 1, 2018
News Briefs---
Cisco in $2.35 billion deal to buy cybersecurity company Duo
  to close in the first quarter of Cisco’s fiscal 2019
Marlin Business Services 2nd Quarter Report
  Net Income of $6.5 Million
Wells Fargo to pay $2.09 billion fine
     in mortgage settlement
ICBA calls for a new FDIC moratorium
   on industrial loan charter applications
Finance Regulators Create New National Charter
   for Innovative 'Fintech' Companies
APRs Continue to Rise as Fed Passes on Rate-hike Chance
  New and Particularly Used Vehicles Especially
Tesla's 'Confidence Game'
     And $2.4 Billion Balance Sheet Hole
Brookstone Files For BK, Plans To Close 101 Mall Stores
  shift from brick and mortar retailers (and shopping malls in particular)
MGM reports 41 percent decline in 2nd-quarter earnings
  Other Casino/Hotels Report Business is Off

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Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

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[headlines]

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Reactions to Inside Amur Financial Group
By Christopher Menkin

 

Reactions were "off the record," but the comments can be made without attribution:

"Great Articles(s) on Amur"

"Will they ever learn?"

"May be a good time for us to place an ad similar to our last, perhaps capitalize on the AMUR departures.  Especially if their sales reps were only earning 30% commission and we pay 60% commission.  Should spark some interest."

There were more, but the above gives you an idea. A telephone call to the public relation officer on Thursday to Amur Financial Group was not returned.

The Inside on What is Going On
  at Amur Financial Group
By Christopher Menkin, Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2018/08_01.htm#inside

Delaware Appeals Court Affirms Judgement
   in Amur Finance Case
  By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2018/08_01.htm#deleware




[headlines]
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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries


John Buckley was hired as Senior Credit Analyst, DNB First, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was Credit Analyst, Wells Fargo (August, 2017 - July, 2018). He began his career at De Lage Landen Financial Services, May, 2005, as Customer Service Representative; promoted April, 2007, Senior Sales Support Representative; promoted August, 2011, Training Lead; promoted, November, 2013, Credit Analyst; promoted, February, 2015, Flow Credit Specialist. Community Service: Volunteer: Housing Makeover Support, ACHIEVEability (October, 2013); District Judge, DECA, Inc. (January, 2006 - Present). Education: Saint Joseph's University, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance, General.  Free Code Camp. Full Stack Web Development Certification, Computer Software Engineer. Penn State University, Bachelor's Degree, Economics.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjbuckleyjr/


Michael (Mike) Fitzsimmons was hired as Vice President, General Manager, Construction & Material Handling Division, Summitt Funding Group, Inc., Dallas, Texas. Previously, he was at Sumitomo Mitsui Finance & Leasing Co., Ltd, starting January, 2015, as Vice President, Regional Sales Manager; promoted June, 2015, Director of Commercial & Retail Finance. Prior, he was Vice President, Dealer Financial Services, Bank of the West (June, 2013 - June, 2014).  He began his career at GE Capital (fka CitiCapital), October, 1994, as District Manager; Promoted January 1996, Vice President, Marketing; promoted January, 2002, District Sales Manager, San Diego, Imperial & Yuma Counties; promoted March, 2004, Vice President, Western Region; promoted, October, 2004, Vice President, Remarketing Manager.  Community Services: Volunteer, Advocate, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (March, 2014 - Present.). Education: St. Mary's College of California, Bachelor of Science, Business (1987 - 1991). The Orme School (1984 - 1987). https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjfitz/


Matt Freeman was hired by Ampil, Costa Mesa as National Business Development Executive. "In this role, Freeman will address the increasing nationwide demand from technology manufacturers, SIs and MSPs, for customized financing programs that they can offer to their customers." He is based in Denver, Colorado.  Previously, he was Vice President, Development, CIT (April, 2012 - August, 2018); Vice President, Business Development, EverBank Commercial Finance (November, 2010 - April, 2012); Vice President, Key Equipment Finance (March, 2004 - November, 2010); Portfolio Sales Manager Compaq/HP Financial Services (1998 - 2003); Vice President, Business Development (1992 - 1997).  Education: University of Northern Colorado. B.S., Business Administration. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-freeman-bb75b91/


Kevin Kelley, CLFP, was promoted Vice President, Accounting and Finance, KLC Financial, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota. He joined the firm May, 2014, as Controller and Treasurer.  Prior, he was at Ecolab, starting August, 2012, as International Accounting Supervisor (August, 2011 - May, 2014); promoted August, 2012, Board of Directors (August, 2012 - 2016); Accountant, L-1 Identity Solutions (June, 2009 - July, 2011); Assurance and Advisory Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers (July, 2007 - June, 2009); Special Projects Intern, Sinclair Oil Corporation (October, 2006 - May, 2007); Assurance and Advisory Intern, PricewaterhouseCoopers (June, 2006 - August, 2006). Education: Brigham Young University, Master of Accountancy, Accounting (2000 - 2007). Activities and Societies: Member of Beta Alpha Psi.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkelly7117/


Scott Lund was promoted to Senior Vice Present, Manager, Crestmark Vendor Finance, a Division of MetaBank. He joined the firm April, 2012, as Vice President, promoted, August, 2014, 1st Vice President, Director of Program Management;  July, 2016, as 1st Vice President/Business Development; promoted, May, 2017, Small Ticket Leasing Division Manager; promoted October, 2017, Senior Vice President, Small Ticket Leasing Division Manager. Prior, he was President and CEO, Genesis Turnaround, LLC (June, 2008 - April, 2012); Area Director, Goyette Mechanical (August, 2004 - July, 2009); COO and  Owner, ReGroup Advisors, Inc. (March, 2003 - August, 2004); Chief Operations Officer, Ultra-Cast, Inc (June, 2002 - September, 2003); President/CEO, The Robert Carter Company (March, 1997 - April, 2002); President, Midwest Process Equipment, LLC (January, 1990 - March, 1997).  President & CEO, Lund Dasherboards (January, 1995 - December, 1995). Community Service: Volunteer: Past President, Michigan Chapter, Turnaround Management Association (June, 2015 - July, 2016). President of Men’s Group, Commerce United Methodist Church (2014 - 2016); President, Turnaround Management Association (July, 2015 -July, 2016); Member, Board of Directors, Turnaround Management Association (July, 2010 - June, 2017); Executive Board Member, Young Presidents Organization (January, 1998 - January 2002); Board Member, Entrepreneurs Organization (1991 - 1996); Class President, Leadership Oakland (1999 - Present). Education: Central Michigan University, Management (1978 - 1982).  Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Birthing of Giants Class of ‘99 (1996 - 1999). Villanova University, PMP Pre Certification Management (2007). https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotlund/


Joerg Obermeller was hired as Managing Director, Supply Chain Finance, CIT Commercial Services, New York, New York. "(He)...will be responsible for assembling a team, building new client relationships, developing strategies to address new target markets and ensuring outstanding customer service and satisfaction." Previously, he was Director, Supply Chain Finance, Deutsche Bank (May, 2007 - June, 2018); Sales Specialist, PB Factoring GmbH (April, 2004 - April, 2007); Assistant Vice President, Credit Risk Management, Deutsche Bank (October, 2000 - March, 2004). Languages: English. German. Education: Fachochschule Bielefeld, Business Administration (1993 - 1998). https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerg-obermueller-773840b/


Bob Rinaldi was appointed to P2P Lender FintruX Board of Directors https://www.fintrux.com/home/doc/whitepaper.pdf. He also chosen to serve as Managing Director Amembal & Halladay "...to complement and expand the knowledge and depth of its consultancy expertise." Previously, he was CEO, Commercial Industrial Finance, Inc. (January, 2014 - February, 2018); Senior Vice President, CSI Leasing (March, 2010 - December, 2013); Executive Vice President, National City Commercial Capital (Now a part of PNC) (May, 2004 -December, 2009); President, National City Commercial Capital, Canada (October, 2004 - July, 2009); Senior Vice President, Provident Bank (1996 - 2004); Executive Vice President and Principal, Information Leasing Corp. "ILC" (1986 - 2004); Equipment Leasing Sales, Computer Leasing, Inc. (1986); Equipment Leasing Sales (1985 - 1986); Sales, Xerox (1981 -1985). "Bob is a Past Chairman and Director of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing the $1 trillion equipment finance sector in the U.S.A.  He is also a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation’s Research Subcommittee and Development Committee.  He is a past Trustee of the Foundation and Past Chairman of Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s LeasePAC.  Rinaldi was the recipient of the Foundation Research Committee’s 2013 Steven R. LeBarron Award for Principled Research and ELFA’s 2014 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award.“
Education: Michigan State University, BS, Ag. Biochem and Animal Science (1977 - 1981).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobrinaldi/


Barry Steele was hired as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, CoreTech Leasing, Newport Beach, California. He is located in Charleston, South Carolina. Previously, he as President, Commercial Marketing Association (January, 2016 - July, 2018); Principal Owner, Capital-Fleet Consulting (October, 2014 - Present); Senior Vice President, Sales Development and Strategy, Donlen Corporation (May, 2001 - September, 2013).  He joined GE Capital, 1993, as Vice President, Sales Development; promoted, 1994, Vice President, Regional Business Center; promoted, 1995, Vice President, Sales, Western, United States; promoted 1997, Territory Manager, Western United States; promoted 1999, Senior Vice President. Prior, he was Vice President, Corporate Leasing, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (1991 -1994); Regional Manager, Mid Atlantic Coca Cola Bottling. Co. (1985 - 1989); Pre-Sales Representative, Mid Atlantic Coca Cola Bottling Co (1983- 1985); Sales Representative, Royal Crown Bottling Company (1981 - 1983). https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-steel-0262747


William Weeks was hired as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, LeaseTeam, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska.  He remains as advisory Board Member, Konnexe (September, 2016 - Present).  Previously, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, SquareTwo Financial (April, 2010 - March, 2017); Senior Vice President and CIO, Key Equipment Finance (Key Bank) (October, 2005 - April, 2010); Vice President, Information Technology Leader, Provident Bank (August, 2001 - July, 2004); Manger, Consulting Services, Business Integration Group (August, 1998 - August, 2001). He joined Makino, September, 1995 as Field Service Engineer; promoted October, 1996, Customer Support Information Services Engineer.  Prior, he was in the United States Marine Corps, serving as 6532 Avionics Technician "I" Level (October, 1990 - October, 1995). Community Service: Volunteer: Technology Advisor, Food for Thought, Denver (January, 2017 - Present). District Chairman, Executive Board Member, Boy Scouts of America, Denver Area Council (February, 2015 - May, 2018).  President, SIM Colorado, Society for Information Management (January, 2010 - December, 2011). Education: Colorado State University, Executive Master of Business Administration, MBA (in progress) (2017 - 2019).  University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business. Colorado Executive Development in Residence (CEDIR), Executive Management (2007 - 2008).  Naval Air Technical Training Center/Fleet Readiness Training Command. Aviation Electrical, Fixed Wing Aircraft (F/A-12 Hornet, AV-8 Harrier). US Marine Corps, Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician, "Honor Man"- Top Student (1991 - 1991). Naval Air Training Center.  Aviation Electricians Mate A!, Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamweeks/

Armando Yepez was hired as Senior Account Manager, Wintrust Commercial Finance, a division of Wintrust Asset Finance, Chicago, Illinois. He is based in Irvine, California. Previously, he had joined Summitt Funding Group, August, 2012, as Account Executive; promoted, June, 2013, Senior Account Executive; promoted, April,2014, Regional Business Development Manager. Prior, he was Director of Business Development, Mondo Environmental Solutions, Inc. (April, 2006 - August, 2012); Partner/Mortgage Consultant/Realtor, 12 Start Financial, Inc. (August, 2002 - January, 2007). Education: American River College, International Business (1999 - 2002). https://www.linkedin.com/in/yepezarmando/

@

 

[headlines]
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June, 2018 - The List
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"

 

Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas (06/29) Announces New Sales Office in Scottsdale, Arizona, Seventh Office in US
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_29.htm#asc

First American Equipment Finance, Fairport, NY (06/29) Makes Fortune Magazine 100 Best Workplace for Millennials for 2018 http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_27.htm#fae

CSI Leasing, St. Louis, Missouri (06/29) Change in CSI Leasing Board of Directors: Bill Gillula, CEO. Retiring. Current CEO Steve Hamilton to become Chairman http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_22.htm#change

Madison Capital, Owings Mills, Maryland (06/20) Announces No Longer in Cannabis Funding Business
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_20.htm#madison

Aquiline Partners, New York, New York (06/20) Paul Larkins was named Senior Advisor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_18.htm#paul

Stearns Bank Equipment Finance, St. Cloud, Minnesota (06/15) Very Active in Broker/Third Party Origination Market
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_15.htm#stearns

Amembal and Halladay, Portland, Oregon (06/06) Sudhir Amembal in China, "Our 40th Anniversary Celebration Conference in Beijing.” http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2018/06_06.htm#sudhir

 


[headlines]
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Help Wanted

Byline Financial Group
Bannockburn, Illinois

Positions Open
Customer Service Repesentative
 Credit Administrator
   Sales Coordinator
(Click on position to learn more)

bylinebank.com/byline-financial-group/

Byline Financial Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Byline Bank, Member FDIC


 

Leasing Funding Coordinator
Los Angeles, California


Visit: Recent Transactions
Visit: Leasing Program

Job Description

www.dakotafinancial.com
Asset-Based Direct Funding Source




 


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

Originator Compensation Results
from over 200 Professionals

In the Scott Wheeler, Wheeler Business Consulting Survey, 200 professionals responded. While not "scientific," the results were interesting from 54 bank originators, 100 originators from independent lessors/finance companies, 50 originators working for syndication/origination/broker companies and 7 originators from other participants in the industry (i.e. captives/cash advance).

The compensation survey reported “25% of the participants had less than five years of experience, 10% had five to ten years of experience, and 65% had ten or more years of experience. The survey consisted of: 76% small ticket originators, 20% middle market originators and 4% large ticket originators."

The report indicated "40% of the originators expect incomes over $200.0K in 2018; and 64% expect their incomes to be over $125.0K."

"57% anticipate production in excess of $10.0MM and 33% anticipate production in excess of $25.0MM."

Full Results in graphic results:
http://www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com/2018-compensation-survey.html

Scott A. Wheeler CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting LLC
Phone: 410-877-0428
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

 

[headlines]
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Tesla's efforts to ramp up production are paying off and the company produced more than 53,000 cars in Q1 2018, doubling its output compared to the same quarter in 2017. In a major landmark, production of the Model 3 (28,578) exceeded combined production of the Model S and X (24,671) with total deliveries to customers amounting to 40,740. The Model 3 is now outselling other small and midsize luxury car models in the U.S., according to an analysis conducted by CleanTechnica's Zachary Shahan.

He claims that the Model 3 is crushing its "competitors" in that segment with total sales of the company's mass market endeavor estimated at 16,000 vehicles. The Mercedes C-Class is the closest individual model to the Tesla Model 3 with Shahan estimating July sales of 6,029 units. Even when sales from multiple vehicle models produced by the same company are added together, the Model 3 remains untouchable. For example, July sales of the BMW 2, 3, 4 and 6 Series are expected to reach 12,811 at the end of the month while customers will get behind the wheel of 11,835 new Mercedes C, CLA, CLS and E-Class vehicles. All of that means that Tesla would command a 23 percent of the small and midsize luxury car market in July, ahead of 17 percent each for BMW and Mercedes.

By Niall McCarthy, statista.com

https://www.statista.com/chart/14921/the-tesla-model-3-is-blowing-away-the-competition/

 

[headlines]
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  By Felix Ricter, Statistics Portal

https://www.statista.com/chart/14953/apple-market-capitalization/

 

 

[headlines]
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##### Press Release ############################

August 7 Free One Hour Webinar by ELFA
2018 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity

WHAT: The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is hosting a free one-hour webinar to present findings of its 2018 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity (SEFA), the largest and most important source of statistical information on the $1 trillion equipment finance industry.

WHEN: Tues, Aug. 7, 2018, at Noon ET

HIGHLIGHTS:  The webinar is designed to help business leaders use the data in the 2018 SEFA to benefit their organizations. Topics will include:

  • Introduction to the 2018 SEFA
  • Key findings: New business volume; yield/cost of funds; financial statements; portfolio performance; and business processes (credit approval, remarketing/asset management and headcount)
  • A live demo of the new Interactive SEFA
  • Tips for using the data effectively
  • Q&A

WHO:  The webinar will be presented by Raymond James, Chair of the ELFA Research Committee and Senior Consultant at Ivory Consulting Corporation; Carol Ann Fisher, Consultant at PwC, which produces the report in partnership with ELFA; and Bill Choi, ELFA Vice President for Research and Industry Services.

WHERE:To join the webinar, please go to https://zoom.us/j/944814855 on Aug. 7 at Noon ET.Audio Dial In: 1-408-638-0968; Meeting ID: 944-814-855. For technical questions, call 888.799.0125. Add the webinar to your calendar.

###

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 580 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.

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

 

[headlines]
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### Press Release ############################

Signature Banks to Come to California
Receives New York State and FDIC to Commence Operations


Bank to Replicate its Successful Single-point-of-contact Relationship Banking Model on the West Coast

NEW YORK--- Signature Bank (Nasdaq: SBNY), a New York-based full-service commercial bank, announced today it has received approval from both the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) to commence operations in California.

The Bank opened an official accommodation office in early 2018 as it began preparations to introduce its proven single-point-of-contact banking model on the West Coast.


Signature Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph J. DePaolo, said, “What started with an accommodation office is quickly developing into a full-service private client banking office. We will now have a comprehensive banking presence and capabilities in the heart of downtown San Francisco. With the approvals from the NYSDFS and the FDIC, we will focus on swiftly appointing veteran banking teams and expanding our West Coast network in the same manner as we did across the metro-New York area.”

“There is significant talent on the West Coast, and our established single-point-of-contact approach has already been very well received since the Bank launched its presence in San Francisco. We look forward to expanding our footprint in California and bringing privately owned businesses the same level of client commitment, care and service for which this Bank has become known,” DePaolo added.

About Signature Bank
Signature Bank, member FDIC, is a New York-based full-service commercial bank with 30 private client offices throughout the New York metropolitan area, including those in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Connecticut. The Bank’s growing network of private client banking teams serves the needs of privately owned businesses, their owners and senior managers.

Signature Bank’s specialty finance subsidiary, Signature Financial, LLC, provides equipment finance and leasing. Signature Securities Group Corporation, a wholly owned Bank subsidiary, is a licensed broker-dealer, investment adviser and member FINRA/SIPC, offering investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services.

Since commencing operations in May 2001, the Bank has grown to $44.44 billion in assets, $33.25 billion in loans, $34.82 billion in deposits, $4.00 billion in equity capital and $3.66 billion in other assets under management as of March 31, 2018. Signature Bank's Tier 1 and risk-based capital ratios are significantly above the levels required to be considered well capitalized.

Signature Bank, with more than $44 billion in assets, is ranked the 40th largest bank in the U.S. from nearly 6,000, based on deposits (SNL Financial). The Bank recently earned several third-party recognitions, including: appeared on Forbes' Best Banks in America list for the eighth consecutive year in 2018; named Best Private Bank and Best Attorney Escrow Services provider and among the top three Best Business Banks for the eighth consecutive year by the New York Law Journal in the publication’s annual Best of Reader survey; and, cited in the top three of the nation's best private banking services providers in the 2017 Best of The National Law Journal reader rankings.

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

 

[headlines]
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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

A breathless blockbuster (“Mission: Impossible—Fallout”) and a sensitive biopic (“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot”) make for a box-office contrast of action and reflection, while DVD releases offer evocative sci-fi (“Annihilation”), wry humor (“Claire’s Camera”), and a fascinating filmmaker’s debut (“Sex, Lies, and Videotape”).

In theaters:

Mission: Impossible—Fallout (Paramount Pictures): The long-running blockbuster franchise achieves some of its most vertiginous moments in its breathlessly exciting latest entry, with Tom Cruise returning as secret agent Ethan Hunt. Following the events of “Rogue Nation,” the plot finds the members of the IMF team joining forces with CIA professional assassin Walker (Henry Cavill) to take on The Apostles, a gang of terrorists bent on nuclear destruction. When a risky mission ends up with three atomic weapons vanishing, Hunt and the others must race against the clock to prevent untold dangers. Director Christopher McQuarrie keeps the intrigue racing at a brisk clip, with a touch of wit that keeps these spy games from getting too serious. Most amazing of all are elaborate, audience-shaking stunts that could rival the best of James Bond.

Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (Amazon Studios): Known for bringing a personal oddball touch to even the most mainstream of projects, director Gus Van Sant (“Drugstore Cowboy”) takes a compassionate look at adversity and perseverance in this biopic about the late cartoonist John Callahan. The film follows Callahan (played with mischievous fire by Joaquin Phoenix) from his early roots as an Oregon slacker whose life is changed after he’s left paralyzed by a car accident. With the help of his girlfriend (Rooney Mara) and a dedicated sponsor (Jonah Hill), he enters rehab and discovers that he has a knack for drawing. His often risqué cartoons soon develop a following, and Callahan’s road to recovery gets a new direction. Plunging into its protagonist’s pain and humor, Van Sant’s film is a moving portrait.

Nextflix Tip: From teen idol to knowing comic talent, Tab Hunter (1931-2018) made his way through decades of Hollywood with wit and humor. So check out Netflix for some of his best roles, which include “Battle Cry” (1955), “Damn Yankees” (1958), and “Polyester” (1981).

On DVD:

Annihilation (Paramount Pictures): Following “Ex Machina,” director Alex Garland further cements his position as an engineer of acclaimed science-fiction visions with this starkly atmospheric adaptation of Jan VanderMeer’s novel. Set in the future, it stars Natalie Portman as Lena, a biologist who becomes obsessed with finding her missing husband, even if that means entering a strange, otherworldly zone known as Area X. She enlists as part of an exploratory team, which also includes a psychologist (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a paramedic (Gina Rodriguez) and a physicist (Tessa Thompson). As they venture deeper into Area X, they discover deadly creatures that seem to defy the very laws of Nature and threaten the characters’ identities. Offering surreally visceral moments and gripping psychological suspense, Garland’s film has reminded more than one critic of Andrei Tarkovsky’s classic “Stalker.”


Claire’s Camera (Cinema Guild): Tirelessly prolific and deceptively casual, Korean veteran Hong Sang-soo (“Right Now, Wrong Then”) sculpts miniature narratives that brim with wry humor and insight. In his latest film, he re-teams with redoubtable French actress Isabelle Huppert for a charming comedy-drama. Huppert stars as the eponymous Claire, a schoolteacher who stumbles into a romantic triangle while traveling to help a friend. Said triangle involves a film director (Jung Jin-young), his assistant (Kim Min-hee), and her former boss (Chang Mi-hee). Is Claire invested in these people, or is she moving them like pawns for her own benefit as an aspiring writer? Though Hong fans will notice many of the director’s airy trademarks, Huppert’s presence brings a warm and fresh new element into his portrait of unruly emotions. With subtitles.


Sex, Lies, and Videotape (Criterion): Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic”) got his start in this acclaimed indie drama from 1989, which helped put the Sundance Film Festival on the mainstream map. Andie McDowell stars as Ann, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to the materialistic lawyer John (Peter Gallagher), who’s having an affair with her sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). Into this tense situation steps Graham (James Spader), an old friend of John’s who has rejected his greedy ideals and is back in town after nearly a decade away. Introverted unless with a videotape camera in hand, Graham becomes an enigmatic presence in the other characters’ relationship. Balancing intensity with delicacy, Soderbergh’s superbly acted debut already displays plenty of quirky brilliance from this fascinating filmmaker.

[headlines]
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Labrador Retriever/Mix
Grand Island, Nebraska  Adopt a Dog


Max

ID #34616608
Male
Age: 9 Years, 9 Months
Size: Medium
Color: Black/White
Neutered
Declawed: No
Housetrained: Partially
Site: Central Nebraska Humane Society
Location: Dog 10
Intake Date: 3/1/2018
Adoption Price: $50

"Well hey there my name is Max. I love hanging out and sleeping. My fur is super soft and I'd love to sit next to you and watch TV or snuggle up. I'm a good boy who is calm; I do love a good walk and am protective of my human. My protective side makes my loud bark come out and can be scary to other dogs. I've been brought back to the shelter because my protective side has gotten me in trouble. I am scared of men and can lash out at them. I'd do best in a home without men and children. Stop by the shelter and lets spend some time together! What visitors have said about me: I'm very calm and will go where you tell me to. I playful and know how to sit when told."

Central Nebraska Humane Society
1212 Sky Park Road
Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
(308) 385 -5305
Contact: http://www.centralnebraskahumanesociety.com/contactus

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

[headlines]
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Amembal-Halladay 4-Day Equipment Leasing School in Dubai
October 29 - November 1, 2018

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend our finest four seminars: Managing for Success – Significance of Differentiation, Operating Leases – Maximizing Benefits, Minimizing Risks, Navigating the New Lease Accounting Standard, and Pricing Leases – How to Profitably Meet Customer Needs.

You will stand above your competition, embrace international best practices, increase your volume, and increase your profits!

If you are interested in retaining us for an in-house seminar or consultancy project; or, if you are interested in attending our Four-Day Leasing School in Dubai, please contact Kelly Farnham at kelly@amembalandhalladay.com

[headlines]
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News Briefs----

Cisco in $2.35 billion deal to buy cybersecurity company Duo
 to close in the first quarter of Cisco’s fiscal 2019
https://nypost.com/2018/08/02/cisco-in-2-35-billion-deal-to-buy-cybersecurity-company-duo/

Marlin Business Services 2nd Quarter Report
  Net Income of $6.5 Million
https://seekingalpha.com/filing/4121407

Wells Fargo to pay $2.09 billion fine
     in mortgage settlement
https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/01/investing/wells-fargo-settlement-mortgage-loans/index.html 

ICBA calls for a new FDIC moratorium
   on industrial loan charter applications
https://www.americanbanker.com/news/icba-draws-line-in-the-sand-on-industrial-loan-charters

Finance Regulators Create New National Charter
   for Innovative 'Fintech' Companies
https://cei.org/blog/finance-regulators-create-new-national-charter-innovative-fintech-companies

APRs Continue to Rise as Fed Passes on Rate-hike Chance
  New and Particularly Used Vehicles Especially
https://www.autoremarketing.com/subprime/aprs-continue-rise-fed-passes-rate-hike-chance

Tesla's 'Confidence Game'
     And $2.4 Billion Balance Sheet Hole
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4193710-teslas-confidence-game-2_4-billion-balance-sheet-hole

Brookstone Files For BK, Plans To Close 101 Mall Stores
shift from brick and mortar retailers (and shopping malls in particular)
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/02/635021251/brookstone-files-for-bankruptcy-plans-to-close-mall-stores

MGM reports 41 percent decline in 2nd-quarter earnings
  Other Casino/Hotels Report Business is Off
https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-reports-41-percent-decline-in-2nd-quarter-earnings/





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


You May Have Missed---

50 Highest Grossing Restaurants in America
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/07/31/50-highest-grossing-restaurants-in-america/2/


[headlines]
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Barry Bonds Hits his 700 the Home Run

By Kit Menkin

He swaggered to the plate, 
like Elvis Presley going on stage 
Joe Louis entering the ring, 
Taking care of business

The fans knew he would hit 700--- 
They stood as the Giants were leading 
in the first inning 
But the Pitcher hit Bonds in the chest

He shrugged it off, 
like Elvis Presley going on stage, 
Walking to first base, 
Knowing he would score a run.

The field was more lit up than Las Vegas, 
Bright, surreal, as if this was a movie set, 
The players moving in slow motion 
as the pitcher tried to take control.

The third inning the fans stood up again, 
This time the ball came in for a strike, 
as the pitcher had the guts with a fast ball, 
It happened so fast.

Bonds swung in stride, 
Moving in this baseball ballet, 
Knowing the ball was his, 
Taking care of business.

He ran the bases, 
Went back to the dug out, 
as the crowd went wild, 
699 was changed to 700, 
a new “legend” sign was revealed.

He did not come out again, 
until the new inning 
Walking to the right field, 
next to the new “legend” banner.

He threw the ball several times 
to the coach on the side line, 
As the crowd continued to roar, 
camera flash lights from the stadium.

He popped out the next time, 
almost as if he swung too soon. 
His run to first was fast than slow 
as he watched the ball tell him no.

He came up to bat one more time, 
Determined, seemingly angry, 
Ready to make up for the last time, 
It wasn't a swagger.

Don't treat me this way, 
I'm going to hit it far, 
Two strikes and he swung so hard, 
if he had connected, 
It would have gone to Treasure Island, 
The swing had so much power, 
You could feel it in the stands.

Afterwards he was happy, 
His team won Four to One; 
on Saturday he hit 701 
Taking care of business.


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


Sports Briefs---

Dwight Clark tribute: 49ers family gathers to celebrate a life
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Dwight-Clark-tribute-49ers-family-gathers-to-13124307.php

Peyton Manning visits Raiders’ practice, lauds Jon Gruden’s ‘passion’
https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Peyton-Manning-visits-Raiders-practice-lauds-Jon-13127898.php?t=28e05065fe

Packers, Aaron Rodgers make progress on contract extension
http://www.theredzone.org/Blog-Description/EntryId/71339/Packers--Aaron-Rodgers-make-progress-on-contract-extension

Lamar Jackson Is an NFL Quarterback,
  but He's Nowhere Near a Great One Yet
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2788555-lamar-jackson-is-an-nfl-quarterback-but-hes-nowhere-near-a-great-one-yet?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial


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


California Nuts Briefs---

California fires: Over 5 days, requests for 900 engines went unfilled
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Fire-season-shows-shortcomings-of-California-s-13124816.php

 

‘No one expected a fire tornado.’
   Jerry Brown says wildfires are going to get expensive
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article215852940.html

Fix California roads without the new gas taxes?
   Here’s what it would take
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article215645120.html

Supreme Court rules San Diego skipped key legal step
   in taking pension reform to voters
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-pension-ruling-20180802-story.html

San Francisco officials follow Mountain View
    with bid to ban free lunch for techies
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/01/san-francisco-officials-follow-mountain-view-with-bid-to-ban-free-lunch-for-techies/

He hugged Tim Cook, bought the iPhone X,
   then was homeless by the roadside, asking for a job

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/01/he-hugged-tim-cook-bought-the-iphone-x-then-was-homeless-by-the-roadside-asking-for-a-job/

 

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




“Gimme that Wine”

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

Napa County approves a castle winery for Martini family
https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/napa-county-approves-a-castle-winery-for-martini-family/article_698809ea-667b-5483-9a6f-d18d6a33716d.html

CNN Announces the Final 5 Episodes of Parts Unknown
http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/08/final-episodes-of-parts-unknown-will-air-this-fall.html

Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Vertical: 1979 – 2014
https://www.vinous.com/articles/dunn-cabernet-sauvignon-howell-mountain-vertical-1979-2014-aug-2018

Blue Wine Trend Hits France
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2018/08/blue-wine-trend-hits-france/

Putting Ice in Your Wine Is Totally Fine, Haters
https://www.thekitchn.com/ice-wine-is-acceptable-259966

Veraison arrives in Sonoma, Napa vineyards,
   signaling harvest is near
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/8564755-181/veraison-arrives-in-sonoma-napa


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

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

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

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

This Day in History

     1492 - Christopher Columbus set sail a half-hour before sunrise from the harbor of Palos, Spain. With three ships, Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, and a crew of 90, he sailed “for Cathay” but found instead a New World of the Americas, first landing at Guanahani (San Salvador Island in the Bahamas) on October 12. He returned 224 days later, on March 14, 1493, to Lisbon, where he dispatched two letters of identical content, one to Raphael Sanchez and the other to Luis de Santangel, to describe the new world he had discovered. While he never set foot on the mainland of the United States or even called it America, he described what he thought were
islands of China. He was to return to the area three more times. During his fourth and final expedition (1502-1504) Columbus, whose Italian name was Cristo Columbo, discovered Martinique, and explored the coasts of present-day Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
(lower part of http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug03.html )
    1492 - The first letter containing a description of America was probably written by the explorer Christopher Columbus. He dispatched two letters of identical content, one to Raphael Sanchez and the other to Luis De Santangel. The first use of the word “America” came from German mapmaker Martin H. Waldessmuller, who named the new land in a map in the honor of Italian explorer Amerigo Verspucci of his discoveries in South America. Other map makers took copies his maps
and names, including “America.”
    1610 - Henry Hudson of England discovers a great bay on the east coast of Canada and names it for himself.
    1678 – Robert LaSalle built the “Le Griffon,” the first known ship to be built on the Great Lakes.  “Le Griffon” was constructed and launched at or near Cayuga Creek on the Niagara River as a seven-cannon, 45-ton sailing ship that LaSalle hoped would take him to the Northwest passage to Japan and China.
    1795 -  The Treaty of Greenville was signed at Fort Greenville, now Greenville, OH.  It followed negotiations after the Native American loss at the Battle of Fallen Timbers a year earlier. It ended the Northwest Indian war in Ohio Country and limited strategic parcels of land to the north and west. The parties to the treaty were a coalition of Native American tribes, known as the Western Confederacy, and US government represented by General Anthony Wayne for local frontiersman. The treaty is considered the beginning of modern Ohio history.
    1804 - US Commodore Edward Prebble's squadron bombarded Tripoli, inflicting heavy damages on the city though this engagement would be indecisive. In the late summer of 1804, President Thomas Jefferson sent Preble and Captain Stephen Decatur with the Constitution, three brigs, three schooners, two bombs and six gunboats, manned by only 1,060 men to attack Tripoli. That Moorish city, at that time, was well walled, protected by judiciously constructed batteries mounting 115 pieces of heavy cannon, and defended by 25,000 Arabs and Turks. Besides, the harbor was encircled by 19 Moorish gunboats, two gallies, two schooners of eight guns each and a brig carrying 10 guns, forming a strong line of defense at secured moorings and extending more than two miles in length. Although energetically executed, Preble's attacks highlighted the difficulty of winning with bombardment. First, he had no intelligence on how the defenders were holding up under the attacks. More fundamentally, lacking any ground force to put ashore and compel capitulation, Preble had to hope that the enemy would decide to give in rather than endure. (My son Dash is a plank holder of the USS Prebble, named after the Commodore.) 
    1811 – Elisha Otis (d. 1861) was born in Halifax, VT.  Founder of the Otis Elevator Company and inventor of a safety device that prevents elevators from falling if the hoisting cable fails.  The 1854 New York World’s Fair offered a great chance at publicity.  Otis amazed a crowd when he ordered the only rope holding the platform on which he was standing cut.  The rope was severed by an axeman, and the platform fell only a few inches before coming to a halt. After the World's Fair, Otis received continuous orders, doubling each year. He developed different types of engines, like a three-way steam valve engine, which could transition the elevator between up to down and stop it rapidly.
    1852 – In the first US intercollegiate event in any sport, Harvard beat Yale in a boat race.
    1882 - Congress passes the Immigration Act, banning Chinese immigration for ten years.
    1900 - Ernie Pyle (d. 1945) was born at Dana, MN, and began his career in journalism in 1923. After serving as managing editor of the Washington Daily News, he returned to his first journalistic love of working as a roving reporter in 1935. His column was syndicated by nearly 200 newspapers and often focused on figures behind the news. His reports of the bombing of London in 1940 and subsequent reports from Africa, Sicily, Italy and France earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1944. He was killed by machine-gun fire at the Pacific island of le Shima, Apr 18, 1945.
    1900 - Central figure in a cause célèbre (the “Scopes Trial” or the “Monkey Trial”), John Thomas Scopes (d. 1970) was born at Paducah, KY. An obscure 24-year-old schoolteacher at the Dayton, TN, high school in 1925, he became the focus of world attention. Scopes never uttered a word at his trial, which was a contest between two of America’s best-known lawyers, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow. The trial, July 10—21, 1925, resulted in Scopes’s conviction. He was fined $100 “for teaching evolution” in Tennessee. The verdict was upset on a technicality and the statute he was accused of breaching was repealed in 1967.
    1900 – The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company was founded.
    1904 - Use of “American” as an adjective instead of “United States” was officially recommended by John Hay, secretary of state, who instructed American diplomatic and consular officers to adopt it.
    1907 – Federal Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis fined Standard Oil of Indiana a record $29.4 million for illegal rebating to freight carriers; the conviction and fine were later reversed on appeal.  Landis issued a subpoena for Standard Oil CEO John D. Rockefeller to testify as to Standard Oil's assets. The tycoon had often evaded subpoenas, not having testified in court since 1888.  US Marshals visited Rockefeller's several homes, as well as the estates of his friends, in the hope of finding him. After several days, Rockefeller was found at his lawyer's estate in northwestern Massachusetts and was served with the subpoena.  The tycoon duly came to Landis' Chicago courtroom, making his way through a mob anxious to see the proceedings. Rockefeller's actual testimony, proffered after the judge made him wait through several cases and witnesses, proved to be anticlimactic, as he professed almost no knowledge of Standard Oil's corporate structure or assets.  According to Landis biographer David Pietrusza, "much of the nation could hardly believe a federal judge had finally cracked down on a trust—and cracked down hard."  The verdict and sentence were reversed by the US Court of Appeals on July 22, 1908.  In January 1909, the US Supreme Court refused to hear the case and, in a new trial before another judge (Landis recused himself), Standard Oil was acquitted. 
    1911 - Danish woodcarver Charles Looff delivered the classic carousel to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California. A furniture-maker by trade, Looff began carving carousel animals as a hobby after immigrating to America. His first carousel was installed at Coney Island in New York in 1875. The Boardwalk carousel features jeweled horses and a 342-pipe Ruth band organ built in 1894. The carousel and the park’s Giant Dipper roller coaster were designated National Historic Landmarks by the US National Parks Service.  Wikipedia lists 47 carousels created by Looff, all across the US.
    1921 – Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned the eight Chicago Black Sox, the day after they were acquitted by a Chicago court.  Landis: “Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player who throws a ball game, no player who undertakes or promises to throw a ball game, no player who sits in confidence with a bunch of crooked ballplayers and gamblers, where the ways and means of throwing a game are discussed and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever play professional baseball.”  The Commissioner took the line that while the players had been acquitted in court, there was no dispute they had broken the rules of baseball, and none of them could ever be allowed back in the game if it were to regain the trust of the public. Comiskey supported Landis by giving the seven who remained under contract to the White Sox their unconditional releases. Those banned were:  Pitcher Eddie Cicotte, CF Happy Felsch, 1B Chick Gandl, LF Shoeless Joe Jackson, IF Freddy McMullin, SS Swede Risberg, 3B Buck Weaver, P Lefty Williams.  Also banned was Joe Gedeon, second baseman of the St. Louis Browns. Gedeon placed bets since he learned of the fix from Risberg, a friend of his. He informed Comiskey of the fix after the Series in an effort to gain a reward. He was banned for life by Landis along with the eight White Sox.
    1923 - Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th president of the United States, following the death of Warren G. Harding. It took several hours for the news of President Warren G. Harding's death in California to reach the small town of Plymouth, Vermont, where he was enjoying a short vacation, but by 2 a.m., Coolidge was told that Harding was dead. Traditionally, the president is sworn in by the chief justice of the Supreme Court--but he slept 500 miles away. At 2:30 a.m. on August 3, 1923, Coolidge's father, a notary public, administered the oath of office to his son by the light of a kerosene lamp.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug03.html
    1925 – Marv Levy, the only NFL coach to take his team to four consecutive Super Bowls, was born in Chicago.  He served as head coach in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes (1973–1977) and in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs (1978–1982) and the Buffalo Bills (1986–1997), coaching the Bills to four consecutive AFC championships and those Super Bowls (1990-93). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
    1926 - Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, NY.  As a teen, he was a teammate in sandlot baseball of Yankees Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.  After serving in the Army during the final year of World War II, Benedetto studied at the American Theater Wing where he was taught the bel canto singing discipline, which would keep his voice in good shape for his entire career.  He was discovered by Pearl Bailey who introduced him to Bob Hope who took him on the road and Americanized his name.  His first big hit was "Because of You," a ballad that started out gaining popularity on jukeboxes, then reached number one on the pop charts in 1951 and stayed there for ten weeks, selling over a million copies.  This was followed to the top of the charts later that year by a similarly-styled rendition of “Cold, Cold Heart," and the third number-one came in 1953 with "Rags to Riches” which topped the charts for eight weeks.  Later that year, the producers of the upcoming Broadway musical “Kismet” had Bennett record "Stranger in Paradise" as a way of promoting the show during a New York newspaper strike.  The song reached the top, the show was a hit, and Bennett began a long practice of recording show tunes.  "Stranger in Paradise" was also a number-one hit in the UK a year and a half later and started Bennett's career as an international artist. Also in 1962, Bennett released his recording of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”  Although this reached only number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, it spent close to a year on various other charts and increased Bennett's exposure. The album of the same title was a top 5 hit and both the single and album achieved gold record status, winning Grammy awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Solo Vocal Performance. Over the years, this would become known as Bennett's signature song.  In 2001, it was ranked 23rd on an RIAA/NEA list of the most historically significant Songs of the 20th Century.  He remains an active performer.  Bennett has sold over 50 million records worldwide.  "For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me. He's the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind and probably a little more." – Frank Sinatra, 1965.
http://www.jazzdiscography.com/Artists/Bennett/
http://www.tony-bennett.com/newsFr.html
http://www.tonybennettart.com/index2.html
    1936 – Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.  Owens went on to win three other gold medals.  He was the most successful athlete at the games and as such has been credited with "single-handedly crush[ing] Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy.
    1944 - WITEK, FRANK PETER, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: December 1921, Derby, Conn. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, during the Battle of Finegayen at Guam, Marianas, on 3 August 1944. When his rifle platoon was halted by heavy surprise fire from well-camouflaged enemy positions, Pfc. Witek daringly remained standing to fire a full magazine from his automatic at point-blank range into a depression housing Japanese troops, killing 8 of the enemy and enabling the greater part of his platoon to take cover. During his platoon's withdrawal for consolidation of lines, he remained to safeguard a severely wounded comrade, courageously returning the enemy's fire until the arrival of stretcher bearers, and then covering the evacuation by sustained fire as he moved backward toward his own lines. With his platoon again pinned down by a hostile machinegun, Pfc. Witek, on his own initiative, moved forward boldly to the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within 5 to 10 yards of the enemy position, and destroying the hostile machinegun emplacement and an additional 8 Japanese before he himself was struck down by an enemy rifleman. His valiant and inspiring action effectively reduced the enemy's firepower, thereby enabling his platoon to attain its objective, and reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Witek and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country
    1945 - An American communiqué announces that US B-29 Superfortress bombers dropping mines over Japan have now sealed off all of the main ports, leaving the country totally blockaded. In a report by the US 20th Air Force, it is noted that every harbor of consequence in Japan and all those in Korea have been mined and it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of tons of shipping have been sunk or damaged since the mining program began in March. 
    1946 - Top Hits
“The Gypsy” - The Ink Spots
“Doin’ What Comes Naturally” - Dinah Shore
“They Say It’s Wonderful” - Frank Sinatra
“New Spanish Two Step” - Bob Wills
    1946 – Santa Claus Land, the world's first themed amusement park, opened in Santa Claus, IN.
    1948 - Before 72,434 in Cleveland, ancient (42 year-old) Negro Leaguer Leroy “Satchel” Paige made his Major League starting debut, pitching seven innings against the Washington Senators before being relieved. Paige picked up the win, 5-3, which moved the Indians (56-38) into a four-way tie for first on the way to the 1948 AL pennant and World Series championship.  He went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 1948 and has been cited as a key contributor to that pennant.
    1949 – The Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League merged to form the National Basketball Association.
    1950 - Eight Corsairs of VMF-214, the famed "Black Sheep" squadron of World War II, led by squadron executive officer, Major Robert P. Keller, launched from the USS SICILY and executed the first Marine aviation mission in the Korean War in a raid against enemy installations near Inchon. After the F4Us delivered their incendiary bombs and rockets on their targets, the Marines concluded their greeting to the Communist troops with a series of strafing runs 
    1954 - For that time, a record divorce settlement was awarded to Mrs. Barbara (Bobo) Rockefeller when her ex, Winthrop Rockefeller, was ordered to pay $5,500,000 to his ex-wife. 
    1954 - Top Hits
“Sh-Boom” - The Crewcuts
“The Little Shoemaker” - The Gaylords
“Hey There” - Rosemary Clooney
One by One - Kitty Wells & Red Foley
    1958 - The submarine USS Nautilus began the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean under the polar ice cap. With a crew of 116 men, the Nautilus was commanded by William R. Anderson. The Nautilus was the world's first nuclear powered submarine. 
    1959 - "A Big Hunk of Love" becomes Elvis Presley's fourteenth straight Gold record. 
    1959 - Folk group The Kingston Trio is featured on the cover of Life magazine. 
    1959 - For the first time in Major League history, a second All-Star Game was played in the same season. The AL took a 5-3 victory at the Los Angeles Coliseum as the White Sox’s Nellie Fox singled in the decisive run.
    1962 - Top Hits
“Roses are Red” - Bobby Vinton
“The Wah Watusi” - The Orlons
“Sealed with a Kiss” - Brian Hyland
“Wolverton Mountain” - Claude King
    1963 - The college football all-stars beat the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers 20-17. It was a huge upset as the college team had been underdogs with odds of 50-1. 
    1963 - The Beatles appeared at The Cavern Club in Liverpool for the very last time. They had performed 274 concerts at the dingy, basement club since their debut there 2½ years earlier. Their first gig paid them £5 ($14) and their last brought in £300 ($840). 
    1963 - Capitol Records released The Beach Boys’ song, "Surfer Girl." It became one of their biggest hits, making it to number seven on the hit music charts on September 14, 1963. 
    1963 - Warner Brothers Records released comedian Allan Sherman’s summer camp parody, "Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter from Camp)." The song would go to number two on the pop charts on August 14, 1963
    1963 - The Tymes' "So Much In Love" hits #1
    1965 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “I'm Henry VIII, I Am,'' Herman's Hermits. The song was written in 1911 by Fred Murray and R.P. Weston and was popularized at the time by Cockney comedian Harry Champion. 
    1965 - CBS-TV news shows pictures of men from the First Battalion, Ninth Marines setting fire to huts in the village of Cam Na, six miles west of Da Nang, despite reports that the Viet Cong had already fled the area. The film report sparked indignation and condemnation of the U.S. policy in Vietnam both at home and overseas. At the same time, the Department of Defense announced that it was increasing the monthly draft call from 17,000 in August to 27,400 in September and 36,000 in October. It also announced that the Navy would require 4,600 draftees, the first such action since 1956.
    1966 - Lenny Bruce, 40, dies of a morphine overdose in his Hollywood, California bathroom. A tragic end to a mercurial comic/satiric genius. His death affected many in the Underground. The Bruce was an important influence on the Diggers with his searing commentaries that exposed social hypocrisy. Bruce had performed recently at the Fillmore. “Lenny” (1974) DVD Film with Dustin Hoffman, “The Lenny Bruce Performance” film DVD, “How to Talk Dirty and Influence People” by Lenny Bruce
    1967 - President Lyndon B. Johnson announces plans to send 45,000 more troops to Vietnam.
    1967 – On the way to the “Impossible Dream” season that would send them to the World Series, the Red Sox acquired Elston Howard from the Yankees in exchange for two minor leaguers.  Oddly, the Red Sox were the last team in the Majors to play an African-American and Howard was the first African-American to play for the Yanks.  Many credited Howard with stabilizing and nurturing the Sox’ young staff that took them to the Series.  Earlier in the 1967 season, Red Sox rookie Bill Rohr was pitching a no-hitter against the Yankees at the Stadium when Howard broke it up with a single in the 8th inning.
    1968 - "Hello, I Love You," recorded by The Doors, jumped into the top spot on Billboard's hit record charts, and stayed there for 2 weeks.
    1969 – The Everly Brothers headlined Fillmore West show, SF. Hear this performance free courtesy of Wolfgang's Vault. Once registered for free @ Wolfgang's Vault you are welcome to listen to the many rare, never-before-heard recordings of live concerts featuring Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Quicksilver Messenger and much more.
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/everly-brothers/concerts/fillmore-west-august-03-1969.html
    1970 - Hurricane Celia struck the coast of Texas producing wind gusts to 161 mph at Corpus Christi, and estimated wind gusts of 180 mph at Arkansas Pass. The hurricane was the most destructive of record along the Texas coast causing $454 million damage, and also claimed eleven lives
    1970 - Top Hits 
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” - Carpenters
“Make It with You” - Bread
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” - Stevie Wonder
“Wonder Could I Live There Anymore” - Charley Pride
    1971 - Paul McCartney announces the formation of Wings, his first band since the breakup of the Beatles. It features ex-Moody Blues singer Denny Laine and Paul's wife Linda.
    1971 - Ringo Starr receives a gold record for "It Don't Come Easy." He wrote the tune himself.
    1974 - Bad Company's Bad Company LP hits #1
    1975 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Jive Talkin','' The Bee Gees.
    1977 – Tandy Corporation announced the TRS-80, one of the world's first mass-produced personal computers.  By 1979, the TRS-80 had the largest selection of software in the microcomputer market.  Until 1982, the TRS-80 was the best-selling PC line, outselling the Apple II series by a factor of 5 according to one analysis.
    1977 – QB Tom Brady was born in San Mateo, CA.  Arguably the NFL’s greatest QB when measured by Super Bowl wins, Brady has been the Patriots’ signal caller in a record 8 Super Bowls.  He shares the NFL record for most Super Bowl wins, 5, with Charles Haley.  In two of the three Super Bowls the Patriots lost, Brady left with the lead only to see the opposition New York Giants win both in the waning minutes.  Brady has been honored with four Super Bowl MVP awards, the most ever by a single player, has won three league MVP awards, has been selected to 13 Pro Bowls, and has led his team to more division titles (15) than any other quarterback in NFL history. As of the end of the 2017 regular season, Brady is fourth all-time in total career passing yards, tied for third in career TD passes, and third in career passer rating. His career postseason record is 27–10, winning more playoff games than any other quarterback, and he has appeared in more playoff games than any player at any position. Brady has never had a losing season as a starting quarterback in the NFL. His combined regular-season and postseason wins are also the most of any QB in NFL history. 
    1978 - Top Hits
“Shadow Dancing” - Andy Gibb
“Baker Street” - Gerry Rafferty
“Miss You” - The Rolling Stones
“Only One Love in My Life” - Ronnie Milsap
    1979 - "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, appeared on the cover of the Burbank, California telephone directory. 
    1979 - The Knack hit the top of both the album and singles charts, with their LP, "Get The Knack" and the single, "My Sharona."
    1979 - Jai-alai player Jose Ramon Areitio threw the fastest ball ever recorded at a speed of 188 mph (301 kph). Jai-alai is a sport that originated in the Basque region of Spain and France, and it consists of throwing a ball with a long, curved basket against a wall. 
    1981 - United States air traffic controllers went on strike, despite a warning from President Ronald Reagan that they would be fired, which they were.
    1984 - At the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles, American Mary Lou Retton won gold in all-around gymnastics. 
    1985 - Mail service was reinstated to Paradise Lake, Florida, a nudist colony, after residents promised they would wear clothes or at least stay out of sight when the mailperson came to deliver. 
    1985 - Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" peaks at #5 on the chart, while Sting's "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" peaks at #3
    1986 - Top Hits
“Glory of Love” - Peter Cetera
“Papa Don’t Preach” - Madonna
“Mad About You” - Belinda Carlisle
“Nobody in His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her” - George Strait
    1987 - Joe Niekro got a 10-day suspension for throwing scuffed baseballs. At first, he denied the charge made by the home plate umpire, but changed his tune when an emery board fell out of his pocket during an inspection. 
    1987 - The Iran-Contra congressional hearings ended, with none of the 29 witnesses tying President Ronald Reagan directly to the diversion of arms-sales profits to Nicaraguan rebels.
    1987 - Def Leppard releases their "Hysteria" LP.
    1988 - Steve Winwood's "Roll With It" hits #1 on the chart. Billboard ranks this the top song of the year.
    1989 - Thunderstorms representing what remained of Hurricane Chantal drenched Wichita, KS, with 2.20 inches of rain in four hours during the early morning. Thunderstorms developing in Minnesota produced wind gusts to 85 mph at Baudette during the afternoon, and softball size hail at Lake Kabetogama, during the evening. Jamestown, ND, reported a record hot afternoon high of 103 degrees
    1992 – The Los Angeles Dodgers recorded their 3,000th win since moving from Brooklyn.  After winning one World Series in Brooklyn in 1955, the LA Dodgers have won 5 with 21 playoff appearances.
    1993 - Boston Ventures, the group to whom Berry Gordy had sold Motown in 1988 for $61 million, sells the label and its holdings to Dutch conglomerate Polygram for $325 million.
    2002 - In just the first four innings, Edgar Martinez ties the Major League record for sacrifice flies in a game with three. The Mariners' designated hitter becomes the 11th player in history to accomplish the feat doing it in his first three at-bats in Seattle's 12-4 victory over the Indians.
    2004 – The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty re-opened for the first time after the September 11 attacks.
    2006 - The 715th home run ball hit by Barry Bonds to pass Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time career list fetches $220,100 during a 10-day eBay auction. The money, which will go to Andrew Morbitzer, the fan who caught the ball, is much less than the $800,000 dished out in 2004 for the ball the Giants left fielder's hit for his 700th career homer.


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