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Listen to Chris Enbom, CLFP: Rough Time Ahead
By Kit Menkin, Editor

Christopher A. Enbom
2023 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award

The Equipment Finance industry is about to go throug a big shock - Chris Enbom posted on LinkedIn.

The CEO at AP Equipment Financing, Work Truck Direct, FMI Equipment and Tokyo Century (USA) went on to warn:

“- Banks are shrinking balance sheets and the wholesale loan market is drying up

- Independents are having a difficult time renewing funding lines...wholesale lenders want more money and are much more selective.

- Credit boxes are about to tighten significantly.

- Class 8 defaults are a mess for many companies.

- If you cannot hedge borrowings that are short-term indexed, you are in big big trouble.

AP Equipment Financing is well positioned in the current environment with an investment-grade rated parent (Tokyo Century Corporation / 東京センチュリー) and strong funding and management,” he wrote.

“Put on your seat belts - things are going to get rough for many,” Chris warned.

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My observation is the industry has been through this several times. It means you work harder and smarter! Attend association conferences. It is the best use of you available cash and credit.

Attend. Participate.

Chris is an excellent example of this. I have known him since he went into the leasing/finance business, attended all local WAEL regional meetings when I was Chairman and saw him at conferences. He became very active in many groups, including the CLFP Foundation where he was an early member: winning many awards, meeting many leaders, brokers, sales people, executive, not only made contacts, grew, learned and is the success he is today.

It started with him getting involved in leasing associations, learning, Growing, enjoying building, celebrating his staff at AP Equipment Financing, Work Truck Direct, FMI Equipment and Tokyo Century (USA).

Make more than an effort, in fact, join. Many associations give free conference access or discounts for new members who join.

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Six Month Membership Count: ELFA
Learn by the Makeup of their Members

Leasing News twice every year reports the previous year-end And six-month membership makeup of the top Leasing-Finance Associations. This report will do one association at a time, followed by a summation, including the previous year’s memberships.

Company Type	Number
Accounting	8
Bank	135
Broker/Packager	16
Captive	54
Collection Agency	5
Consultant	32
Equipment Management	40
Executive Search	4
Multi-line Commercial Finance Company	32
Investment Bank	13
Insurance Company	6
Independent Finance Company	167
Law Firm	70
Publisher	2
Software Provider	29
University/government	5

Total	618

It is important to note that this is the company count, not the membership count. As the Membership form notes

“You may already be a member! If your company is an ELFA member, YOU are an ELFA member. If you are with an ELFA member company:

ELFA Membership information is here:
https://www.elfaonline.org/membership/request-application

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Solidifying 2023 Success
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP, Wheeler Business Consulting

Commercial equipment finance and leasing originators are focused on solidifying their 2023 results. Originators must have a plan for the coming 100 days (from now until Thanksgiving). They must be focused on those activities which will produce the greatest results. Originators must be focused on opportunities that can be approved, won, and funded. Originators must be focused on the present and the future rather than the past.

A strong 90-day plan will allow top producers to accelerate their current success; a strong 90-day plan will allow average originators to elevate their production status to superior results; and a strong 90-day plan will allow originators that have fallen behind to not only catch-up, but to end the year as a top producer. Therefore, the following questions must be asked:

1) Do you have a 90-day plan?

2) Have you put your plan in writing?

3) Is your plan forward thinking?

4) Does your plan include specific actions which are focused on
specific results?

5) Are you committed to aggressively executing on your plan?

Originators control their own destiny and having a plan allows originators to succeed in all economies and all competitive environments.

There have been many changes in the market over the past year. Change creates opportunities for originators who are willing to adapt and focus on success.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now!
www.topmarkfunding.com/careers

Redefining Winning:
A Path Towards Collective Success
By Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

The concept of winning has transcended traditional boundaries and taken on a more progressive meaning. Today, achieving success requires a shift in mindset, embracing inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration. By adopting forward-thinking strategies, we can redefine what it means to win and create a more equitable and impactful path towards collective success. How can this approach make winning not only easier but also more meaningful and transformative.

Cultivate Empathy and Collaboration: Central to this approach is cultivating empathy and embracing collaboration. Rather than perceiving others as competitors, we recognize the value of collective intelligence and diverse perspectives. By empathizing with different experiences and working together towards shared goals, we can achieve more significant and inclusive victories. Collaboration fosters innovation, encourages creativity, and builds strong support networks, thereby increasing our chances of success.
Embrace Ethical and Sustainable Practices: True success goes beyond immediate gains and considers the long-term consequences of our actions. Embracing ethical and sustainable practices is an integral part of this progressive mindset. We must be mindful of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our choices. By aligning our goals with sustainable practices, we create a win-win situation, benefiting both ourselves and future generations.
Champion Diversity and Inclusion: Progressive winners understand the power of diversity and inclusion. We embrace and celebrate the richness that comes from diverse perspectives, regardless of race, gender, age, or background. Inclusive environments foster creativity, equal opportunities, and drive innovation. By actively seeking out diverse voices and ensuring equitable representation, we build a stronger foundation for success.
Foster Lifelong Learning: A progressive approach to winning recognizes that learning is a lifelong journey. We cultivate a growth mindset, embracing continuous learning and personal development. We seek out new knowledge, acquire new skills, and remain open to feedback. By constantly expanding our horizons and adapting to new challenges, we position ourselves for ongoing success in an ever-changing world.
Empower Others: Progressive winners understand the importance of empowering others. We uplift and mentor individuals, creating opportunities for their growth and success. We actively support and amplify the voices of those facing systemic barriers, providing them with a platform to be heard. By empowering others, we contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society, while increasing our collective chances of achieving impactful wins.
Measure Success Beyond Traditional Metrics: Redefining success requires expanding our metrics beyond conventional measures such as wealth or status. We consider the impact of our actions on individuals, communities, and the planet. We strive to bring about positive change and improve the lives of others. By broadening our definition of success, we discover new avenues for winning and find greater fulfillment in our endeavors.

By adopting a new approach to winning, we pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful path towards collective success. Through empathy, collaboration, ethical practices, diversity and inclusion, lifelong learning, empowerment, and redefining success, we can achieve victories that have a positive impact on ourselves and the world around us. Let's embark on this transformative journey where winning becomes not only easier but also more fulfilling and impactful for all.

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin

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

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

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Monterey, California, Famed Vintage Car Week
Ended with the Third Win for the Winning Mercedes-Benz

Jim Patterson’s 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster'
(Mason Bloom — Herald Correspondent)

Sunday, Patterson's 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster was crowned Best of Show at this year’s Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance nearly 90 years after it was originally built for Shah of Afghanistan King Mohammed Zahir. The car is one of only three of its kind with a covered spare tire still in existence. The win was the third for Patterson who also captured the Concourse crown in 2010 and 2015.

Car Week in Monterey, California, which began on Monday, August, 14, 203.. During the time period 85,000 people poured into the area, according to the Monterey County Convent and Visitors Bureau.

The face of a 1932 DeSoto —in the mood for Car Week.
Photographed with an iPhone 12 Pro by Todd Howerton

There were four cars last year that sold for over $5 million on opening day, while none went for that much this year. The highest sale price on Thursday was $4.24 million for a 1995 Ferrari F50. The average sale price for the day was $271,668.

Source: Monterey Herald

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Latino Homeownership Rates Surpassed
50% Nationwide in 2021 - MReport

A new analysis from the Urban Institute details the priorities and measures experts are taking to help expand and sustain Latino homeownership nationwide. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the Latino homeownership rate was 50.6% in 2021, representing the highest rate for Latinos since 2009.

Latinos account for an increasingly large share of the population, particularly in younger generations poised to form households and enter prime home buying years.

Urban Institute's Laurie Goodman and Jun Zhu estimated in 2021 that between 2020 and 2040, approximately 70% of net new homeowners will be Hispanic, and no net new homeowners will be white. They also projected that by 2040, more than 20% of younger households—defined as households headed by those younger than 65—will be Hispanic.

"About 50 to 75% of the actual homeownership gap between white and Hispanic households can be accounted for by 'endowments'—location, income, marital status, family composition, for example," said Paul E. Carrillo, Professor of Economics at George Washington University. "To close the gap, we have two possible approaches. If income and education are a constraint, then we must go into those communities and fix those things. [And] we have to solve the remaining 25% of the gap that is unexplained."

For the momentum in U.S. homeownership to be sustained by Latinos, the finance, housing, and urban planning ecosystems need to adapt. Recognizing the importance of this inflection point and the potential for Latino families to realize homeownership’s promises and advantages, UnidosUS launched the Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) initiative to increase the Latino homeownership rate.

Full Report:
https://themreport.com/news/data/08-18-2023/latino-homeownership-rates

Watch at Home
by Fernando Croce, Leasing News Movie Reviewer

Never one to shy away from controversy, Oscar-winning director William Friedkin (1935-2023) left behind an oeuvre brimming with (often literally) bedeviled visions. So check out our list for some of his most famous, subversive, and uncompromising titles.

The French Connection (1971): After trying his hand at various genres, Friedkin scored a breakthrough (as well as a handful of Academy Awards) with this gritty, New York-set procedural. Based on a true story, it chronicles the efforts by the American police to nab a heroin network run by a wealthy French smuggler, Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). Planning a major drug deal in the U.S., Charnier is trackedby a couple of truculent police detectives, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman, who scored a Best Actor Oscar) and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider). In sharp contrast to the suave villain, nominal good-guy Doyle is depicted as brutally lowdown, casually bigoted, and willing to go to any lengths to get results. Still exciting, particularly a famous chase between a car and an elevated train.

The Exorcist (1973): Friedkin followed the Oscar-winning “The French Connection” with an even bigger smash, atitle that repeatedly pops up nearthe very top of most lists about the most terrifying movie ever made. The story follows the ordeal of 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair), whose strange and increasingly disturbing behavior leads her mother, Chris(Ellen Burstyn), to go beyond scientific explanations and seek the help of Father Karras (Jason Miller), a troubled priest. It soon becomes clear that the girl has been possessed by a demonic spirit, and veteran Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow), is called in to help perform an exorcism. Friedkin directs with all the stops out, creating a legendary shocker that, after decades of sequels and rip-offs, has lost little of its power to disturb.

Sorcerer (1977): Following the double whammy of "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist," Friedkin was one of New Hollywood's hottest names. That's when he tackled his most ambitious project, this remake of the French classic "The Wages of Fear." Set in the treacherous jungles of South America, the story follows a group of outcasts from various different countries united by their shady pasts and desperation to stay alive. Led by ex-American gangster Scanlon (Roy Scheider), they accept a deadly mission to transport a cargo of explosives to an oil-drilling station, a voyage so dangerous that any wrong move will lead to death. Though the movie derailed Friedkin's career at the time, it has come to be respected as one of his boldest works, an uncompromisingly dark view of the world.

To Live and Die in L.A.(1985): Friedkin is in ruthless top form in this stylish snapshot of the sleek and soulless Eighties, which may be the greatest of his crime tales. When his partner is killed, Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) scours the seedy side of Los Angeles obsessively seeking revenge. His target is Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe), a counterfeit artist who is not so much the hero’s clear-cut counterpart as his troubling mirror image. With only the law differentiating the two men, these lethal opponents race toward an incendiary confrontation. Gleefully capturing the streak of nastiness under the city’s shiny patina, Friedkin fills the story with a vivid supporting cast, including John Pankow as the protagonist’s straight-arrow new partner and Darlanne Fluegel as the villain’s zonked-out moll.

Killer Joe (2011): Showing no sign of mellowing with age, Friedkin brings Tracy Letts’ darkly comic play to the screen with exuberant luridness.The story focuses on the Smith family, a clan of trailer park dwellers so dysfunctional that nobody bats an eye when elder son Chris (Emile Hirsch) puts a hit on his mom's life in order to collect insurance. Enter Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey, in a marvelously disturbing turn), a sheriff who doubles as a killer for hire, and soon he's circling the Smiths, particularly young Dottie (Juno Temple), like a suave shark. The sardonic blend of humor and violence may be too strong for some viewers to stomach, but there's no denying the top intensity of the cast (which also includes Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gershon).

News Briefs---

Loan Volumes Strong, Approvals Cautious
in Small Business Finance Space
https://debanked.com/2023/08/loan-volumes-strong-approvals-cautious-in-small-business-finance-space/

Nvidia Revenue Doubles on Demand for
A.I. Chips, and Could Go Higher
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/technology/nvidia-earnings-chips.html

Macy’s sounds the alarm on credit card delinquencies
"evidence of mounting financial stress on consumers"
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/23/business/credit-card-debt-macys/index.html

Housing market affordability is worse now
than at the height of the housing bubble in 2006
https://fortune.com/2023/08/22/housing-market-affordability-is-worse-now-than-during-the-housing-bubble-homes-prices

Ford Confronts Strange, Ear-Piercing Static in F-150 Trucks
Drivers have complained of abnormal noise coming from vehicle’s speakers
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/ford-confronts-strange-ear-piercing-static-in-f-150-trucks-7551ba24?st=pweq99s7hem5fre&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Goodbye Bathtub and Living Room. America’s Homes Are Shrinking
cost-constrained Americans are embracing smaller homes
https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/home-prices-mortgage-rates-smaller-houses-34e06123?st=e81xapkiwkbbrqh&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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In a Hot Job Market, the Minimum Wage
Becomes an Afterthought
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/business/economy/minimum-wage.html

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Sports Briefs---

Trey Lance not at 49ers practice after
Sam Darnold named backup
https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-trey-lance-exploring-options-trade-darnold-18327049.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

Lionel Messi is playing for a soccer trophy
once won by an San Francisco taqueria
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/messi-us-open-cup-el-farolito-soccer-18326484.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

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California News Briefs---

Shadowy group that owns 52,000 San Francisco
Bay Area acres may be planning to build a new city
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/mystery-bay-area-buyer-poll-new-city-18311007.php

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Gimme that Wine

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

$10,000/night winery stay? For high-end travelers
visiting Sonoma County, the sky’s the limit
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/heres-some-of-the-ways-sonoma-county-wine-destinations-are-catering-high-e/

Report: Vintner adds 128 Napa Valley acres
to growing North Coast wine holdings
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/industrynews/vintner-adds-128-napa-valley-acres-to-growing-north-coast-wine-holdings/

Dutton Goldfield, 2022 Shop Block Dutton Ranch,
Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Pinot Blanc
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wine-of-the-week-dutton-goldfield-2022-shop-block-dutton-ranch-green-val/

An Arizona malbec? How the arid state
became America’s newest wine country
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/22/arizona-wine-industry-drought-climate-crisis

Gamay finds its groove in Oregon
It grows well in acidic soils
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/275712

Revino Launches Groundbreaking End-to-End
Refillable Glass Bottle Reuse System
https://www.revinobottles.com/revino-launches-groundbreaking-end-to-end-refillable-glass-bottle-reuse-system/

Wine & Spirits Announces the Top 100 Wineries
Invited to Pour at Its 20th Annual SF Tasting on Oct 11
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/275731

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This Day in History

    1680 - Pueblo Indians took possession of Santa Fe, N.M., after driving out the Spanish. They destroyed almost all of the Spanish churches in Taos and Santa Fe.
    1781-The jury in Great Barrington, MA granted Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mum (or Marm” ) Bett, her freedom, thus becoming the first slave to be emancipated in the so called free world. The wife of her owner, Colonel John Ashely of Sheffield, MA, tried to hit her own sister with a hot iron and Elizabeth Freeman interfered and received the blow on her arm, where she was scared for life. She ran away to the home of lawyer Theodore Sedwick, whom she had seen at the Ashley house discussing the rights of man with a group of Sheffiled notables, and obtained his help in suing for her freedom. She died December 28,1829, and was buried in the Sedgwick family plot
    1831- You probably read about this in history as there were many such rebellions but one of the first on this large scale took place in Southampton County, VA. It was led by Nat Turner, an African-American slave and religious visionary who believed that he was divinely chose to lead his fellow slaves to freedom. With seven accomplices, Turner killed his owner Joseph Travis, and the Travis family in their sleep, then led more than 70 followers in a two-day revolt in which 55 to 60 whites were killed. State militiamen and armed whites confronted the rebels near Jerusalem, VA, and killed as many as 100 slaves, a number of whom had not taken part in the rebellion. Turner escaped, but was caught six weeks later and hanged on November 11.
    1863-Confederate raider William Clarke Quantrill launched a predawn terrorist raid on Lawrence, Kansas, leaving 150 civilians dead and much of the town ruined. Quantrill had been denied a commission in the Southern army for his barbaric approach to war. Many say he was a “bandit,” and was in the war for what he and his men could steal and pilferage.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/QQ/fqu3.html
http://jessejamesvirtualmuseum.com/quantrill.htm
    1863-Paper money fractional currency was issued from this date to May 27, 1863, in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. They are collection items today. The bills were originally issued with perforated edges, but later were cut plan. They were also known as “postage currency,” as they depicted postage stamps. They were receivable in payment for all dues to the United States less than $5 and were exchangeable for United States notes by any assistant treasurer or designed U.S. Depository in sums not less than $5.
    1866-Birth of Civilla D. Martin, teacher and songwriter, in Nova Scotia. A pastor's wife, she penned in     1904 the hymn, "Be Not Dismayed, Whate'er Betide" (a.k.a. "God Will Take Care of You").
    1874- Popular 19th century preacher Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was accused by Theodore Tilton of committing adultery with his wife. The resulting trial ended in a 9-3 hung jury decision, in Beecher's favor.
    1878- The American Bar Association was founded in Saratoga, New York to store all the attorney jokes. They ran out of room a few years later, giving birth to other state and local bar associations to store their records; now available on CD Rom. Also available at
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/att_jokes.htm
(These are mostly from attorneys, including the great, late stand-up comic, leasing law expert Jeff Wong, Esq.)
    1879- The first telephone exchange opened for business, Galveston, Texas.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/print/TT/egt2.html
    1883-Rochester, MN was hit with an F5 tornado killing 31, injuring 200, and wrecking 1351 dwellings.
    1896 -- Author Roark Bradford born Lauderdale County, Tennessee. He wrote fiction & folklore based on childhood contacts with African-American preachers, musicians, & storytellers on the plantations.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rbradf.htm
    1904- William (Count) Basie, who led one of the top big bands in the world for more than 45 years, was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. Basie became stranded in Kansas City while touring with a vaudeville show in 1927. He was originally a drummer. When the pianist was sick, he sat in. He was known for playing short riffs, called in the trade, “composer piano,” and brought his drum, rhythm skills to the piano. He the joined the Blue Devils led by bassist Walter Page. (Page became part of the Basie famed rhythm section: Freddie Green on guitar and Jo Jones on drums. While the drummer changed during the years, Green and Page were with the band until they died. ) Kansas City was where jazz was “hot”. He then joined the best band at the time led by the famed Bennie Moten, a “riff band” of renown. When Moten died in 1935, Basie took over. By 1937, when the Count Basie Orchestra made its New York debut, its personnel included such jazz stars as tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeter Buck Clayton, Basie's former employer Walter Page on bass, drummer Joe Jones and singer Jimmy Rushing. Originally there was no music written and the “riffs” were improvised per sections, very similar to Dixieland music, but in saxophone, trombone, trumpet sections. Most of it was “ad lib.” In the late 1940's, when big band jazz was over, Basie scaled down to seven men. In the early 1950's, with the help of new composers such as Quincy Jones, Frank Wes, and singer Joe Williams, the big band started up again. He was perhaps Frank Sinatra's favorite band and the new generation of musicians was the finest in the land. Lambert-Hendricks-Ross had many hit records with Basie tunes put to words. The Count from Red Bank, New Jersey led his band almost continuously until a few months before his death of cancer on April 26th, 1984. Please see: “postscript..” )
http://www.harlem.org/people/basie.html
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_basie_count.htm
http://www.countbasietheatre.org/
    1912- Arthur Rose Eldred of the Oceanside, NY, troop became the first American Eagle Scout.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug21.html
    1918 - A tornado struck Tyler, MN, killing 36 persons and destroying most of the business section of the town resulting in a million dollars damage.
    1928 – Birthday of Art Farmer (musician: trumpet, flugelhorn: worked w/Horace Henderson, Johnny Otis, Lionel Hampton Band; recorded be-bop classic Farmer's Market; developed musical instrument called ‘flumpet'; died Oct 4, 1999)
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/farmer.html
    1928-Birthday of bassist Addison Farmer, Council Bluffs, IA.
    1931- Babe Ruth hits his 600th HR (Yanks beat Browns 11-7)
    1935- Benny Goodman opens at Palomar Ballroom, Los Angeles: regarded as the birth of the Swing Era!!! The Goodman Orchestra played an ecstatically received concert at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles. Until then, the band had been playing the commercial sweet music of the day. But for the Palomar date, Goodman decided to go for broke, playing hot numbers like "Just You, Just Me" and "Air Mail Special." The concert is generally regarded as being the start of the Swing Era, and by the end of the 1930's, Goodman was known as the "King of Swing."
    1936-Birthday of Wilt Chamberlain, Basketball Hall of Fame center, born at Philadelphia, PA. NBA MVP Award: Philadelphia Warriors [1960], Philadelphia 76ers [1966, 1967, 1968 Died October 12, 1999 at Los Angeles, CA.
    1938-Birthday of singer Kenny Rogers, Houston, TX, considered one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world in his “hey day.” A 1980's tour with Dolly Parton netted him more than $200,000 a night and two of his palatial homes were once valued at nearly $15 million. After singing folk with the New Christy Minstrels and rock with the First Edition, Rogers began his solo career in 1975. His breakthrough came two years later with "Lucille," which sold millions to both pop and country music fans. Rogers has continued to score million-sellers with his middle-of-the-road country style. Grammy and CMA Award-winning singer: She Believes in Me, Lady, Lucille, Islands in the Stream [w/Dolly Parton], What are We Doin' in Love [w/Dottie West], Through the Years, We've Got Tonight [w/Sheena Easton], You Decorated My Life, Coward of the County, The Gambler; groups: The Kirby Stone Four, The New Christy Minstrels, The First Edition; actor: The Gambler series).
http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/Kenny-Rogers.htm
    1942--SMITH, JOHN LUCIAN Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Fighter Squadron 223, Place and date: In the Solomon Islands area, August-September 1942. Entered service at: Oklahoma. Born: 26 December 1914, Lexington, Okla. Other Navy award: Legion of Merit. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 223 during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area, August-September 1942. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive and daring attacks, Maj. Smith led his squadron against a determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally shooting down 16 Japanese planes between 21 August and 15 September 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of a total of 83 enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly attributable to the thorough training under Maj. Smith and to his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, and the valiant and zealous fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the enemy's attacks ineffective and costly to Japan, but contributed to the security of our advance base. His loyal and courageous devotion to duty sustains and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1944—Birthday of Jackie DeShannon, singer, songwriter, born Hazel, KY. Her 1965 recording of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" earned four Grammy nominations. And in 1969, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," a song which DeShannon co-wrote, sold two-million copies. “What the World Needs Now is Love” was another of her big hits. Although her recording career was not successful after the early '70s, DeShannon continued to score as a songwriter. She is co-author of Kim Carnes's 1981 hit, "Bette Davis Eyes."
http://www.swinginchicks.com/jackie_deshannon.htm
    1947-- The first Little League World Series tourney is held at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With a .625 team batting average, the hometown Maynard Midgets easily win the tournament, 16-7.
    1956---Top Hits
My Prayer - The Platters
Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter & Eddie Haywood
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
    1956--Comics Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman have the number three song in America with a novelty tune called "Flying Saucer". The premise of the record was two radio news reporters who ask questions which are then humorously answered with snippets from mid-'50s hits. Buchanan and Goodman were sued by 17 different record companies for copyright infringement, but all were dismissed by a ruling that said the parodies did not infringe on the sales of the original hits.
    1956-Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" and The Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe in Magic" are released.
    1957-In 1953 Congress adopted a proposal to terminate assistance to non-recognized Indian tribes. Seminole leaders and tribal members began to fight the proposal by drafting a constitution and charter for the Seminole Tribe. These were later approved by the Secretary of the Interior. On this date, a majority of tribal members voted to establish the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Today, 2,200 Seminoles live on five reservations in Florida.
    1959-President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii to the United. States. The statehood bill had passed the previous March with a stipulation that statehood should be approved by a vote of Hawaiian residents. The referendum passed by a huge margin in June and Eisenhower proclaimed Hawaii the 50 state today in 1959. The president also issued the order for a new flag of 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five 6-star rows and four 5-star rows, the flag to become as it is today. In March of 1959, the statehood bill had been passed; but it contained a stipulation that the residents of the Hawaiian Islands would have to give their vote of approval. Three months later, they did so -- and by a huge margin. Hawaii, the Aloha State, finally became the 50th state of the United States of America. Although the Aloha State is made up of a chain of 122 volcanic islands spread out over 1,600 miles, only seven, at the southeastern end of the chain, are inhabited: Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui (the Valley Isle), Lanai (the Pineapple Isle), Molokai (the Friendly Isle), Kauai (the Garden Isle), Niihau (the Forbidden Island), and Oahu (the Gathering Place). Oahu is the home of the state capital, Honolulu, and about 75% of the state's population ... a population that is truly a melting pot of all races and religions. The yellow hibiscus is the Hawaii state flower. The nene or Hawaiian goose is the state bird and the humuhumunukunukuapua'a is the state fish. The state motto of Hawaii is: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono. = The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
    1964---Top Hits
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin
Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes
Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons
Dang Me - Roger Miller
    1965-The Rolling Stones album, "Out of Our Heads," is number one on the U.S. album chart. Songs off the LP include, "Satisfaction," "Play With Fire" and "The Last Time."
    1965- A “trick answer:” Lieutenant Colonel Leroy Gordon Cooper, who's first trip was on Faith 7, made his second flight on August 21-29, when he and Lt. Commander Charles Conrad, Jr. made the two man space flight of 120 orbits in 190 hours 55 minutes 14 seconds in Gemini 5. The first to do this. It was not John Glenn. Cooper was the first astronaut to make two trips into outer space.
    1968--YOUNG, MARVIN R. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Ben Cui, Republic of Vietnam, 21 August 1968. Entered service at: Odessa, Tex. Born: 11 May 1947, Alpine, Tex. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Young distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a squad leader with Company C. While conducting a reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Ben Cui, Company C was suddenly engaged by an estimated regimental-size force of the North Vietnamese Army. During the initial volley of fire the point element of the 1st Platoon was pinned down, sustaining several casualties, and the acting platoon leader was killed. S/Sgt. Young unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and immediately began to organize and deploy his men into a defensive position in order to repel the attacking force. As a human wave attack advanced on S/Sgt. Young's platoon, he moved from position to position, encouraging and directing fire on the hostile insurgents while exposing himself to the hail of enemy bullets. After receiving orders to withdraw to a better defensive position, he remained behind to provide covering fire for the withdrawal. Observing that a small element of the point squad was unable to extract itself from its position, and completely disregarding his personal safety, S/Sgt. Young began moving toward their position, firing as he maneuvered. When halfway to their position he sustained a critical head injury, yet he continued his mission and ordered the element to withdraw. Remaining with the squad as it fought its way to the rear, he was twice seriously wounded in the arm and leg. Although his leg was badly shattered, S/Sgt. Young refused assistance that would have slowed the retreat of his comrades, and he ordered them to continue their withdrawal while he provided protective covering fire. With indomitable courage and heroic self-sacrifice, he continued his self-assigned mission until the enemy force engulfed his position. By his gallantry at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, S/Sgt. Young has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Honky Tonk Women," The Rolling Stones.
    1972---Top Hits
Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) - The Hollies
Bless Your Heart - Freddie Hart & The Heartbeats
    1973-Although it attracted 41% of the time share, the re-run of the episode which had 47-year-old Maude (in the TV sit-com *Maud*) opting for an abortion did not have one single commercial sponsor. Several organized religious groups protested the episode and convinced almost 40 TV stations not to carry the show.
    1979 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "My Sharona," The Knack. Billboard ranks the song the No. 1 single of the year.
    1980---Top Hits
Magic - Olivia Newton-John
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Take Your Time (Do It Right) - The S.O.S. Band
Tennessee River – Alabama
    1980-Linda Ronstadt debuted on Broadway in the production of Gilbert and Sullivan's, The Pirates of Penzance.
    1980-"The Pirates of Penzance" co-starring Linda Ronstadt, moves to Broadway.
    1982- Relief pitcher Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers became the first pitcher to record 200 saves in his career as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.
    1982-Relief pitcher Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers became the first pitcher to record 300 saves in his career as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.
    1983-record high for the state of North Carolina was set when temperatures reached 110 at Fayetteville.
    1984 - Clint Eastwood contributed a hand print and the words, “You made my day,” to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Mann's Chinese Theatre.
    1986 - The Boston Red Sox made history against the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox whipped the Indians 24-5 in the worst loss in the Tribe's 85-year history. Greg Swindell made his major-league debut on the mound for the Indians. Dennis ‘Oil Can' Boyd got a 17-run lead for Boston and, luckily, held on for the win.
    1987 - Early morning thunderstorms produced severe weather in eastern Iowa and west central Illinois. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 82 mph at Moline IL, and tennis ball size hail at Independence IA. Rock Island IL was drenched with 3.70 inches of rain. Total damage for the seven county areas of west central Illinois was estimated at twelve million dollars.
    1988---Top Hits
Roll with It - Steve Winwood
Monkey - George Michael
1-2-3 - Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Bluest Eyes in Texas - Restless Heart
    1989 - Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather from Kansas to Minnesota and North Dakota. Thunderstorms in Minnesota produced baseball size hail from Correll to north of Appleton. Thunderstorms in north central Kansas produced wind gusts higher than 100 mph at Wilson Dam. Thunderstorms around Lincoln NE produced baseball size hail and up to five inches of rain, and Boone NE was deluged with five inches of rain in an hour and a half.
    1992-Sacramento, CA hits 90 for the 40th straight days, a record for that city.
    1993 - The soundtrack from "Sleepless in Seattle" hit number one on the "Billboard" LP chart. Other hit albums: #2 "Black Sunday" (Cypress Hill), #3 "Janet." (Janet Jackson), #4 "Zooropa" (U2), #5 "Core" (Stone Temple Pilots).
    1994- Bruce Springsteen was a surprise participant in a jam session at a 400 seat club in Long Branch, New Jersey. Dion showed up later in the evening to sing his hit "The Wanderer." Springsteen got his start in the early '70s by playing in bars along the Jersey shore. Thus began a new tradition of Springsteen appearing at his old haunts, and today with much citizenship, trying to revive commerce in Ashbury Park, New Jersey.
    1995 - Seal's single "Kiss From A Rose" tops the Billboards Hot 100. The "Batman Forever" tune is the second Batman movie single to top the charts. Prince went all the way with "Batdance" from the film "Batman" in 1989.
    1999 - Hua Mei, the giant panda cub, was born at the San Diego Zoo weighing a not-so-giant 4-5 ounces. Her parents are Bai Yun and Shi Shi (they arrived at the zoo on Sep 10, 1996 on a 12-year conservation study). Hua Mei was the first panda born in the U.S. in ten years.
    2002-- In longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville, Kentucky beats Fort Worth, Texas in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting with 49 strikeouts is recorded as Fort Worth's Walker Kelly strikes out 21 in nine two-hit innings and Louisville's Aaron Alvey fans 19 batter over nine no-hit inning.

* Post Script : the Count Basie Band was my favorite since discovering jazz in 1955 with "Joe Williams Sings, Count Basie Swings." I took my kids to all his concerts, and when younger, waited outside restaurant kitchens to hear him play. Often they would like us "white boys" in and we got to know some of the players. My kids and I shook his hand at his last performance here at the Circle Star, San Carlos, California. I will never forget it. My son, who was the oldest, talks about it to this day. He became a rock ‘n' roll drummer, had great hands and rhythm, although he has all Buddy Rich's CD's and also listened to big band music, such as Basie. My oldest daughter is a big jazz fan with pictures of Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and others in her living room. My youngest daughter, who was too young to go to the concerts, lives in Nevada and is a big country and western fan. Sue's oldest and middle daughter likes Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and others we played the most, and the youngest “rap,” although she likes “Barry Malinow” and “Harry Connick,” that we play all the time. I think kids later enjoy the music they heard when young, one of the reasons to expose them early to classical music ( in fact, they have records to play for babies they say the harmonies not only relax them, but later in life, they appreciate Bach and Brahms ). Kit Menkin

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