North Mill Equipment Finance - Meet the Funder
Free Webinar, Wednesday August 30, 3:00 pm (ET)

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Charts Show ELFA July Business Down 9%
From June, Down 2% Year-over-Year

(Leasing News Chart)

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index showed their overall new business volume for July was $9.9 billion, down 9 percent from $10.9 billion in June.

(ELFA Chart)

 

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “In the current relatively high interest rate environment in which the industry finds itself this summer, new business volume is holding up pretty well for the month of July. However, compared to the same period last year, respondents to the MLFI are reporting some softness.

“This coincides with expectations by economists that overall investment in equipment and software will slow down in the second half of 2023. Is this the canary in the coal mine indicating a modest recession is around the corner?

“Only time will tell. But, in the meantime, equipment finance companies will continue doing what they always do—provide necessary capital to businesses seeking to acquire productive assets to run their businesses.”    

Craig Ault, Chief Revenue Officer, Honour Capital, said, “Rising interest rate environments will slow consumer spending. Cheap money notes that begin to expire will be replaced by more expensive money, and I expect new investments will be reduced. These are excellent conditions for companies with expiring portfolios. Proposing a diversified capital structure will provide company flexibility.

“ We have reason to be optimistic because equipment finance remains an attractive solution for borrowers and lenders. It is worth repeating that fair market value leases provide a flexible solution that reduces monthly payment.”

Full ELFA Press Release:
https://www.elfaonline.org/knowledge-hub/mlfi-25-monthly-leasing-and-finance-index/view-mlfi/monthly-leasing-and-finance-index-july-2023

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

Believing in Your Products

Sales Makes it Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Top commercial equipment finance and leasing originators believe in their products 100%. They have confidence that they personally offer superior service in the market and that they offer a unique buying experience for their vendors and end-users. Top originators fully understand the power of their products in helping businesses grow and prosper.

In the last few months, I have spoken to originators (especially newer originators with less than five years of experience) who are doubting their products because of multiple internal and external changes over the past year.

Snap out of it.

• Small and medium sized businesses need your services now more than ever.
• Vendors and end-users want financial partners who can help them navigate a changing market. They need professionals who are equipment experts and can offer cash-flow solutions.
• Stop dwelling on that one transaction that you lost in April; and start working on the unlimited opportunities that are currently developing in today's market

I recently spoke with a ten-year veteran that is having one of the best production years of his career. He has already exceeded his annual budget and has one of the best pipelines in several years. I asked about his success. His answer was simple. He believes in his products and aggressively sells them every day.

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
Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

Sales Makes it Happen articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.htm

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Why I Became a CLP - 2013 (Archive)
Scott Wheeler, CLP

Becoming a CLP in 1999 was an additional step in my continuous career development. I have always viewed the process of becoming a Certified Leasing Professional as another mean of committing to and advocating for the commercial equipment leasing and finance industry.

Preparing for and taking the CLP exam is an excellent process for seasoned professionals to quantify their personal knowledge in multiple aspects of the leasing business. I am delighted to be part of a group of commercial equipment leasing and finance professionals (mostly in the small ticket arena) who have taken the extra step of studying their industry and completing a test which is written, proctored and graded by their peers.

As with any organization, the Foundation provides the most benefit to those professionals who fully participate in the Foundation. I have served on the board of the CLP Foundation twice in the last fourteen years, and am currently a board member representing the National Equipment Finance Association.

I have helped to grade CLP tests in the past; have participated in one of several re-writes of the CLP exam in the early 2000s; assisted in CLP training classes and participated in a conference sponsored by the CLP to a delegation of leasing companies from China in 2009. Interaction with other CLPs has always been and continues to be of great professional benefit.

I invite others in the industry to explore the process of becoming a CLP, to sit for the exam and to be more fully engaged with the industry.

2023
Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals
https://clfpfoundation.org/academy-for-lease-and-finance-professionals/

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For What Do You Want to be Known?
Personal Branding and Networking: Your Path to Success
By Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

With an interconnected professional landscape, building a strong personal brand and expanding your network have become crucial components of career advancement. Your personal brand is the unique combination of your skills, experiences, and values that sets you apart from others. When combined with effective networking, it can propel you towards new opportunities and heightened visibility. Personal branding and networking work hand in hand to unlock doors to success.

The Power of Personal Branding: Your personal brand is your professional identity – how you present yourself to the world. It goes beyond a simple resume or job title. A compelling personal brand communicates your strengths, passions, and what you bring to the table. Here's why it matters:

Differentiation: In a competitive job market, a well-defined personal brand distinguishes you from the crowd. It helps you stand out and become memorable to potential employers, clients, and partners.

Credibility: A strong personal brand establishes your expertise and builds trust. People are more likely to engage with someone who has a clear and consistent online presence that showcases their knowledge and accomplishments.

Attracting Opportunities: When your personal brand aligns with your career goals, it attracts opportunities that resonate with your aspirations. Employers and collaborators seek individuals who align with their values and objectives.

Crafting Your Personal Brand: To create an impactful personal brand, follow these steps:

Self-Discovery: Reflect on your strengths, values, and passions. What sets you apart? For What do you want to be known?

Identify your unique selling points.

Consistent Messaging: Your brand should be consistent across all platforms – from your LinkedIn profile to your personal website and even your social media accounts. Use a clear and compelling bio, professional photos, and consistent language.

Content Sharing: Share valuable insights, articles, and thoughts related to your field. Creating and sharing content establishes you as a thought leader and reinforces your expertise.

The Art of Networking: Networking is the art of building and nurturing relationships within your professional circle. It involves both online and offline interactions. Here's why networking matters:

Opportunity Expansion: A strong network exposes you to a diverse range of opportunities, including job openings, collaborations, and mentorship.

Learning and Growth: Interacting with professionals from various backgrounds exposes you to new ideas and perspectives, fostering personal and professional growth.

Support System: Networking provides a support system of like-minded individuals who can offer advice, guidance, and emotional support throughout your career journey.

Building Your Network: To enhance your networking efforts, consider these strategies:

Attend Events: Attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and industry events to meet professionals in your field. These events offer valuable face-to-face interactions.

Utilize Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Instagram can help you connect with professionals globally. Engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and showcase your expertise.

Offer Value: Networking is a two-way street. Offer assistance, share your knowledge, and provide help whenever possible. This reciprocity strengthens relationships.

Personal branding and networking are intertwined forces that can accelerate your career growth and open doors to a world of opportunities. By crafting a strong personal brand that communicates your unique qualities and values, and by actively expanding your professional network, you position yourself as a desirable candidate for new ventures and collaborations. Remember, success is not just about what you know, but also about who knows you. Start building your personal brand and expanding your network today to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

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

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

In its latest annual report, Swiss bank UBS reveals there has been a slight downtick in global wealth inequality, with the share of wealth held by the world's richest 1 percent falling to 44.5 percent in 2022, from 45.6 percent in 2021. Notably, the number of U.S. dollar millionaires worldwide has fallen by 3.5 million in 2022, to 59.4 million (based on global wealth).

As the study's authors note, this figure does not take into account the 4.4 million "inflation millionaires" who would no longer be eligible if this wealth threshold had been adjusted for inflation in 2022. "While inflation has eroded the real value of wealth this century (and made it easier for adults to become dollar millionaires), it has not greatly distorted the year-on-year wealth growth comparison, at least not until recently," they write.

As the following chart shows, the number of U.S. dollar millionaires has risen sharply since the beginning of the 21st century. In 2000, there were 14.7 million millionaires worldwide, a fourfold increase in twenty years (300 percent). If we compare this figure with the fight against extreme poverty, the number of people below the global poverty line - which today stands at $2.15 a day - has declined at a much slower rate. At the turn of the century, there were 1.7 billion people living in extreme poverty, compared with around 700 million today, a drop of around 60 percent.

The United States is home to by far the largest contingent of dollar millionaires: 22.7 million in 2022, representing 6.7 percent of the country's population. Next on this list is China with 6.2 million (0.4 percent of the population), while France completes the podium with 2.8 million (4.2 percent of the population).

 

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

Channel Makes 11th Consecutive Appearance on
Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies List

Minnetonka, MN,  – Channel announces the company has earned a place on the Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for an 11th consecutive year. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses.

Cindy Fleck, Managing Director, said, "Our ability to continue achieving remarkable growth heavily relies upon our unwavering commitment to attract and nurture exceptional talent. The incomparable blend of skill and character within our team serves as the cornerstone of our sustained success and propels us forward year after year."

Adam Peterson, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Channel, said
"Cultivating a positive and inclusive culture, particularly amidst rapid expansion, is a distinctive skill that holds great significance for us. Each person and role intricately contributes to the overall success of our business. We equally appreciate our extraordinary partners and relationships, whose steadfast support and collaborative engagement play a vital role in driving our growth to these impressive heights," says

The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

Inc. Editor-in-Chief Scott Omelianuk, said, “Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic.

“To make the Inc. 5000—with the fast growth that requires—is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that may be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria may be found at www.inc.com/in

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

Terrier/Labrador Retriever
Salt Lake City, Utah  Adopt-a-Dog

Bellatrix Lestrange
Female
Black
Estimated Birthday: June 6, 2023
Not ready to adopt? Help care for
Bellatrix Lestrange with your donation

 

She is currently in a foster home and will be available for adoption on August 31. Please email utahadoptions@bestfriends.org if you are interested in pre-adopting Bellatrix Lestrange.

Bellatrix Lestrange is a super smart little girl! She loves to trick her brother into stealing his toys. She loves ropes, balls, chew toys, and ice cubes. She is busy but will stop for head scratchers and cuddles. She has learned to sit for treats and is food-motivated. She has done well playing with adult dogs, as well as small children.

https://bestfriends.org/salt-lake-city/adopt

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Investing in America Webinar
Celebrating Black Business Month
Thursday, August 21, 1pm ET

Join SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) for a webinar on August 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. ET to learn about small business tools and resources in recognition of Black Business Month. This event is part of a webinar series aimed at connecting small businesses to SBA resources, as well as other government agencies, philanthropies, and other small business community resources and networks.

Speakers include:

• Tara Murray, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, White House OPE
• Kendall Corley, Deputy Chief of Staff of External Engagement, SBA
• Ted James, Regional VI Administrator, SBA
• Shalei Holway, Senior Advisor, Office of Investment and Innovation, SBA

Register

News Briefs---

Lane watch: Looming UAW strike already
    influencing Vehicle Auction Action
https://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/lane-watch-looming-uaw-strike-already-influencing-auction-action/?

Why Teamsters allowed 22,000 union jobs
    to Vanish
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-teamsters-allowed-22-000-110000879.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall

Subway Sandwich Chain Agrees to
    Sale to Roark Capital
https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/subway-sandwich-chain-agrees-to-sale-to-roark-capital-11812c1f?mod=business_feat1_deals_pos3

As tech cracks down on workers,
    these Bay Area companies aren't giving up their 4-day workweeks
https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/bay-area-four-day-workweek-18331402.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

Maui residents consider the unthinkable:
    Las Vegas, the ‘ninth island’
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-08-29/hawaii-fire-migration

Every cell phone and TV in America
    to blare with nationwide alert
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/cellphone-tv-nationwide-emergency-alert-18333122.php

Alaska Airlines launches mobile
    passport verification
https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/travel/2023/08/29/alaska-airlines-launches-mobile-passport-verification-for-international-travelers/

The 122-year-old US Steel is
    reviewing ‘numerous’ buyout offers
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-us-steel-acquisition-ap-20230829-iot4i7quqbgxfef47nntpdf6mi-story.html

PayPal gives $1 million for new
    Black entrepreneur academy in Atlanta
https://www.ajc.com/news/business/paypal-gives-1-million-for-new-black-entrepreneur-academy-in-atlanta/KGYMNWJR3BFCBBVDVT44YWTWCQ/

FBI says it dismantled a botnet that hacked
    hundreds of thousands of computers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2023/08/29/fbi-duckhunt-qakbot-ransomware

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New PNC Bank Survey of Employers, Employees Finds U.S. Business 
Productivity is Unexpected Casualty of Inflation
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-pnc-bank-survey-of-employers-employees-finds-us-business-productivity-is-unexpected-casualty-of-inflation-301909258.html

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Sports Briefs---

Mays, Posey, Sinatra and more:
     Mike Murphy’s lifetime of Giants stories
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/mike-murphy-wall-fame-18310992.php

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California News Briefs---

California Senate to get first new leader in 5 years.
Here’s who will take over
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article278712214.html

San Francisco workers have the most expensive commute
    in the country, new study says
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/san-francisco-most-expensive-commute-18335172.php

Map shows every crash involving
     driverless cars in San Francisco
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/self-driving-car-crashes/

A California Land Mystery Is Solved.
      Now the Political Fight Begins.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/29/business/economy/california-land-solano-county.html

The hits keep coming: Beyonce, Swift and Ed Sheeran
    shows raise big bucks in Bay Area
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/08/29/the-hits-keep-coming-beyonce-swift-and-ed-sheeran-shows-raise-big-bucks-in-bay-area/

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Napa Valley icon Rombauer Vineyards
     sold to wine giant E.J/ Gallo Wine
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/napa-valley-rombauer-vineyards-sold-18336242.php

It’s Official, These Two Wines Have Officially Replaced
Rosé As the Official Wine of Summer
https://www.foodandwine.com/barbera-and-gamay-trend-7866995

Cruise, Country Music Awards tickets, Wimbledon trip
up for grabs at Sonoma County Wine Auction
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/cruise-country-music-awards-tickets-wimbledon-trip-up-for-grabs-at-sonoma/

This Day in History

 

     1637 - The first Synod was held at Mr. Shepard's church, Cambridge (then Newtowne), Massachusetts to condemn the preaching of Anne Hutchinson, the first female religious leader in the American colonies. Eight-two errors in her teachings were enumerated and condemned. The synod adjourned on September 22, 1637. Hutchinson was bought to trial on the strength of this condemnation and was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Moving the following year to Rhode Island, then to New York, Anne and her family were killed by Indians in 1643.
    1645 - Dutch and Indians signed peace treaty in New Amsterdam (NY). 
    1770 - Anglican clergyman and hymn writer John Newton wrote in a letter: 'The exercised and experienced Christian, by the knowledge he has gained of his own heart and the many difficulties he has had to struggle with, acquires a skill and compassion in dealing with others.’
    1776 - A few days before, in the Battle of Long Island, N.Y., American forces commandeered by Gen. Israel Putnam and Gen. John Sullivan were defeated by the British under Gen. Sir William Howe and Gen. Sir Henry Clinton. Howe took Gen. Sullivan prisoner. On Aug 30, the Americans evacuated Long Island and crossed to Massachusetts. General Washington took advantage of a heavy fog to evacuate Long Island after a defeat. Adverse winds kept the British fleet from intervening.
    1778 - American forces withdrew from Rhode Island after an unsuccessful attempt, led by John Sullivan, to recapture Newport from the British.  In New Hampshire, a band of four hundred men, suddenly assembling in arms, and conducted by John Sullivan, an eminent lawyer and a man of great ambition and intrepidity, gained possession by surprise of the castle of Portsmouth, and confined the royal garrison till the powder-magazine was ransacked and its contents carried away.  Extremely controversial in his day, Somersworth's John Sullivan became the first "president" of New Hampshire. He served three terms in the role we now call governor. Sullivan cut his teeth as a young lawyer in Portsmouth, NH and became the first attorney in Durham. His goal in life was to be wealthy and his litigious pursuit of debtors in his hometown led to angry mobs surrounding his house. He served courageously, some say brazenly, in Revolutionary War battles, though he had been a friend of exiled British NH governor John Wentworth, whom he later replaced. Captured by the British, Sullivan became a courier between the two sides for which he was severely criticized. Sullivan joined the Seacoast NH uprising at Fort William and Mary in 1774, then served in a number of failed battles. George Washington was not fond of Sullivan, but called on him often. Major General Sullivan was among the troops at Quebec, and a leader at Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown. Washington called on him again in 1779 to literally wipe out all Native American settlements that threatened colonists in New York and Pennsylvania. Sullivan's March, as it was called, devastated Indian populations there as his troops destroyed all native housing and crops. He served in both the first and second Continental Congress. After the war, he returned to his law practice and was made a federal judge, though he was often too ill, often from alcohol, to serve. The NH town and county of Sullivan are among the many places dedicated in his name.
    1780 - General Benedict Arnold betrayed the US when he promised secretly to surrender the fort at West Point to the British army. Arnold, whose name has become synonymous with traitor, fled to England after the botched conspiracy. His co-conspirator, British spy Major John Andre, was hanged.
    1781 - The French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake Bay to aid the American Revolution. The fleet defeated British under Admiral Graves at battle of Chesapeake Capes.
    1800 - African-American Gabriel Prosser's major slave revolt is disclosed by Mosby Sheppard’s two slaves Tom and Pharoah, who told him of the plot. Virginia Governor Monroe, who had heard earlier plans of slaves making swords, bullets, and organizing for an attack on Richmond, realizing secrecy was now impossible and worried others would join Prosser, acted quickly and openly. He appointed three aides for himself, asked for and received the use of the federal armory at Manchester, posted cannon at the capitol, called into service well over six hundred and fifty men, and gave notice of the plot to every militia commander in the State.  As a contemporary declared, “…upon that every evening just about Sunset, there came on the most terrible thunder accompanied with an enormous rain, that I ever witnessed in this State. Between Prosser's and Richmond, there is a place called Brook Swamp which runs across the high road, and over which there was a bridge. By this, the Africans were of necessity to pass, and the rain had made the passage impracticable.”
Nevertheless about one thousand slaves, some mounted, armed with clubs, scythes, home-made bayonets, and a few guns, did appear at an agreed-upon rendezvous six miles outside the City but, as already noted, attack was not possible, and the slaves disbanded.  Over the next few days, the mobilized might of an aroused slave State went into action and scores of Negroes were arrested. Gabriel had attempted to escape via a schooner, Mary, but when in Norfolk on September 25, he was recognized and betrayed by two Negroes, captured, and brought back, in chains, to Richmond. He was quickly convicted and sentenced to hang, but the execution was postponed until October 7, in the hope that he would talk. James Monroe personally interviewed him, but reported, "From what he said to me, he seemed to have made up his mind to die, and to have resolved to say but little on the subject of the conspiracy." Along with Gabriel, fifteen other rebels were hanged on the seventh of October. Twenty-one were reported to have been executed prior to this and four more were scheduled to die after October 7. A precise number of those executed cannot be given with certainty, but it appears likely that at least thirty-five Negroes were hanged, four condemned slaves escaped from prison (and no reference to their recapture has been seen), while one committed suicide in prison.  The chasm between slave owners and their “property” widen with both becoming extremely “fearful” of each other. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was to point out in the next century, “violence begets violence.”
http://www.blackhistory.eb.com/micro/223/96.html
http://www.co.henrico.va.us/rec/gabriel.htm
    1813 - Creek Indians massacred over 500 whites at Fort Mims Alabama. 
    1820 - Birthday of George F. Root (d. 1895), Sheffield, MA.  American sacred music editor and composer. Root helped edit 75 musical collections, as well as composing several hundred original sacred melodies. One of these, “JEWELS,” is the tune to which is commonly sung the hymn, "When He Cometh."
    1838 - The first African-American magazine, “Mirror of Freedom,” begins publication in New York City.
    1839 - A hurricane moved from Cape Hatteras, NC to offshore New England. An unusual feature of the hurricane was the snow it helped produce, which whitened the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Considerable snow was also reported at Salem, NY.
    1850 - Honolulu was incorporated as a city.
    1856 - Wilberforce University was established in Xenia, Ohio under auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1863, the university was transferred to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
    1862 - At the Second Battle of Bull Run, the maneuvers of Gen. Stonewall Jackson and his teamwork with Gen. Lee were too much for the 45,000 Union troops under Gen. John Pope, who broke and retreated to Washington, D.C. Union losses were 1724 killed, 8372 wounded, 5958 missing. Confederate losses stood at 1481 killed, 7627 wounded, 89 missing. It is believed the almost 6,000 soldiers missing deserted and fled from the army. 
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug30.html
((http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cwar:@field
(NUMBER+@band(cwp+4a40399 ))
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan21.html
    1890 - Congress approved the inspection of meat. It provided for the inspection of salted pork, bacon intended for export, and export swine, cattle, sheep, and other ruminants, due primarily to complaints of foreign buyers. It did not apply to meat in the United States. Importers of American meat were objecting to not only the quality, but to the “disease” brought by American meat products. Upton Sinclair's book, “The Jungle,” 1905, exposed the horror of meat packing in Chicago, which led the Pure Food and Drug Act and inspection of meat facilities and quality standards.
    1893 - Frances Folsom Cleveland, Mrs. Grover Cleveland, was the first First Lady to have a baby at the White House when she gave birth to a baby girl, Esther.  The first child ever born in the White House was a granddaughter to Thomas Jefferson in 1806.
    1893 – Birthday of the Kingfish, Huey P. Long (d. 1935), Winnfield, AL.  Longtime titan of Louisiana politics, elected governor in 1928 and US Senator in 1930.  Dictatorial and flamboyant, Long became a presidential hopeful with his promise of “Share Our Wealth: Every Man a King” plan that would have guaranteed every family $5000 a year, confiscated personal annual income over $1 million, and inheritances over $5 million.  He was a populist southern Democrat who rose to national prominence during the Great Depression for his vocal criticism of President Franklin D Roosevelt and his New Deal, which Long deemed not radical enough. As the 1936 election approached, the Roosevelt Administration grew increasingly concerned by Long's popularity. On September 8, 1935, Long traveled to the State Capitol to pass a bill that would gerrymander the district of opponent Judge Benjamin Pavy, which he had held for 28 years.  After passage of the bill effectively removing Pavy, Pavy's son-in-law, Carl Weiss, approached Long, and, according to the generally accepted version of events, fired a single shot with a handgun from four feet away, striking Long in the torso. Long's bodyguards then fired at Weiss with their pistols, killing him. An autopsy found Weiss had been shot at least 60 times.  Evidence later surfaced that suggests Long was accidentally shot by his bodyguards. Proponents of this theory assert Long was caught in the crossfire as his bodyguards shot Weiss and a bullet that ricocheted off the marble walls hit him.     
1894 - Independent Christian evangelist and educator Bob Jones, Sr. was converted at age 11 to a vital Christian faith. Licensed to preach by the Methodists at 15, Jones maintained a lifelong fundamentalist view of the Bible. In 1926, at age 32, he founded Bob Jones University.
    1901 - Birthday of Roy Wilkins (d. 1981), grandson of a Mississippi slave, St. Louis, MO. Civil rights leader, active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), retired as its executive director in 1977. 
http://www.tccom.com/wilkins/
    1905 – Ty Cobb made his Major League debut with a double off New York Highlander Jack Chesbro.  He finished with 4,191 hits, second-most in history.
    1907 - Birthday of actress Shirley Booth, born Marjory Ford (d. 1992), Brooklyn. She won the 1950 Tony award for her work in “Come Back Little Sheba” and the 1953 Tony for “Time of the Cuckoo.” Her later years were spent as Hazel on the TV sitcom of the same name.
    1908 - Birthday of singer-leader Willie Bryant (d. 1964), New Orleans, LA. Once employed Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, and many others.  As a disc jockey, he was known as the "Mayor of Harlem.”
    1918 - Birthday of Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, Theodore Samuel “Ted” Williams (d. 2002), San Diego, CA.  He played his entire 19-year Major League career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to 1960, excepting service time during World War II and the Korean War, as a Marine fighter pilot.  Nicknamed "The Kid," "The Splendid Splinter," "Teddy Ballgame," "The Thumper," and "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived," Williams is regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history.  Williams was a seventeen-time All-Star, a two-time AL MVP, a six-time AL batting champion, and a two-time Triple Crown winner. He finished his playing career with a .344 batting average, 521 home runs, and a 0.482 on-base average, the highest of all time. His batting average is the highest of any MLB player with 302 or more home runs.  In 1957 and 1958 at the ages of 39 and 40, respectively, he was the AL batting champion for the fifth and sixth time.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, in his first year of eligibility.  In his induction speech, Williams included a statement calling for the recognition of the great Negro Leagues players: "I've been a very lucky guy to have worn a baseball uniform, and I hope someday the names of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson in some way can be added as a symbol of the great Negro players who are not here only because they weren't given a chance."  This powerful and unprecedented statement from the Hall of Fame podium was "a first crack in the door that ultimately would open and include Paige and Gibson and other Negro League stars in the shrine."  Paige was the first inducted in 1971. Gibson and others followed, starting in 1972 and continuing off and on into the 21st Century.
    1924 - Trumpet player Kenny Dorham was born McKinley Howard "Kenny" Dorham (d. 1972), Fairfield, TX.
http://www.jazztranscriptions.com/dorhambio.html
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/dorham_discography.html
    1935 – Birthday of singer John Phillips (d. 2001), Parris Island, SC. Lead singer of The Mamas and The Papas: “Monday Monday,” “California Dreamin',” “Creeque Alley;” songwriter: “California Dreamin',” “San Francisco [Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair];”  actress MacKenzie Phillips' father.  The Mamas and The Papas were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Vocal group Hall of Fame in 2000. 
    1943 - WALSH, KENNETH AMBROSE, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron 124, U.S. Marine Corps. Place and date: Solomon Islands area, 15 and 30 August 1943. Entered service at: New York. Born: 24 November 1916, Brooklyn, N.Y. Other Navy awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with 5 Gold Stars. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron 124 in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. Determined to thwart the enemy's attempt to bomb Allied ground forces and shipping at Vella Lavella on 15 August 1943, 1st Lt. Walsh repeatedly dived his plane into an enemy formation outnumbering his own division 6 to 1 and, although his plane was hit numerous times, shot down 2 Japanese dive bombers and 1 fighter. After developing engine trouble on 30 August during a vital escort mission, 1st Lt. Walsh landed his mechanically disabled plane at Munda, quickly replaced it with another, and proceeded to rejoin his flight over Kahili. Separated from his escort group when he encountered approximately 50 Japanese Zeros, he unhesitatingly attacked, striking with relentless fury in his lone battle against a powerful force. He destroyed 4 hostile fighters before cannon shellfire forced him to make a dead-stick landing off Vella Lavella where he was later picked up. His valiant leadership and his daring skill as a flier served as a source of confidence and inspiration to his fellow pilots and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. 
    1949 - Top Hits
“You're Breaking My Heart” - Vic Damone
“Room Full of Roses” - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Don Cornell)
“Some Enchanted Evening” - Perry Como
“I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl that I Love)” - Eddy Arnold
    1952 - Captain Leonard W. Lilley of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing scored his first aerial victory. He went on to become an F-86 Sabre ace.
    1956 - White mob prevents enrollment of blacks at Mansfield High School, Texas, as school busing and desegregation comes to major conflicts across the nation.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/MM/jcm2.html
    1957 - Top Hits
“Love Letters in the Sand” - Pat Boone
“Tammy” - Debbie Reynolds
“Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On” - Jerry Lee Lewis
“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” - Elvis Presley
    1959 - Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" debuts on the pop charts. The song from the "Three Penny Opera" will be Darin's biggest hit.
    1961 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Michael," the Highwaymen. The five members were all freshmen from the same fraternity at Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn. The song debuts at No. 100 on the Hot 100.
    1961 - 24-year-old Gene Chandler records "Duke of Earl" for Vee Jay Records. It will become the label's first number one and first million seller next February. 
    1962 - A presidential hot line was installed between the White House, Washington, DC, and the Kremlin, Moscow, during the administration of President John F. Kennedy.
    1963 - Two months after signing an agreement to establish a 24-hour-a-day "hot line" between Moscow and Washington, the system goes into effect. The agreement came just months after the October, 1962 Cuban missile crisis, in which the United States and Soviet Union came to the brink of nuclear conflict. 
    1965 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Help!" The Beatles. The song is released in the U.S. two weeks before the film "Help!" opens in New York.
    1965 - Top Hits
“I Got You Babe” - Sonny & Cher
“Help!” - The Beatles
California Girls - The Beach Boys
“Yes, Mr. Peters” - Roy Drusky & Priscilla Mitchell
    1965 – Casey Stengel’s Hall of Fame managing career ended when he resigned as manager of the New York Mets on doctors’ orders.  Stengel managed 25 years in the Majors, highlighted by 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees in the 1940s-1950s.
    1967 – Thurgood Marshall was confirmed as the first African-American Justice on the Supreme Court.
    1968 - The Beatles' "Hey Jude" is released.
    1968 - The Democratic Convention comes to an end. Reportedly Chicago's Finest invade McCarthy's headquarters, dragging staffers from their beds and beating them. CBS TV-anchor Walter Cronkite tells prime-time television viewers, "I want to pack my bags and get out of this city." On August 29, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey was nominated for president and Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine was named the vice-presidential candidate. The convention, which began August 26, was the most violent in U.S. history. Antiwar protestors clashed with police and national guardsmen. Hundreds of people, including bystanders and members of the press, were beaten by police, some in full view of television cameras. George Wallace and Gen. Curtis E. LeMay would become third party candidates. On November 5, Richard M. Nixon would be elected president along with Spiro T. Agnew as vice president. The popular vote was Nixon 31,785,480; Humphrey, 31,275,166; Wallace 8,906,473. The actual decision was by the electoral vote with Nixon 302; Humphrey, 191 and George Wallace, 45. The Republicans gained four seats in the House, five in the Senate, although Democrats still held majorities of 58-42 in the Senate and 2453-192 in the House. The Republicans gained five governorships in the election.
    1972 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono were joined by Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and Sha Na Na at a fund-raising concert for the One To One charity at New York's Madison Square Gardens. Several of the performances were later included on Lennon's, "Live in New York City" album. 
    1973 - Top Hits
“Brother Louie” - Stories
“Live and Let Die” - Wings
“Let's Get It On” - Marvin Gaye
“Everybody's Had the Blues” - Merle Haggard
    1974 - The last episode of the regular TV series “The Brady Bunch.” The first show was aired September 26, 1969, starring Robert Treed as widower Mike Brady who has three sons and is married to Carol, played by Florence Henderson, who has three daughters.  Housekeeper Alice was played by Ann B. Davis, Sons Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight) and Bobby (Mike Lookinland) and daughters Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb) and Cindy (Susan Olsen) experienced the typical crises of youth. The programs steered clear of social issues and portrayed childhood as a time of innocence. The program continues to be very popular in reruns in after-school time slots. There were also many spin-offs: “The Brady Kids,” (1972-74), a Saturday morning cartoon, ”The Brady Bunch Hour” (1976-88), a variety series, “The Brady Brides,” (1981), a sitcom about the two older daughters adjusting to marriages and the “Bradys” (1990), a short-lived dramatic series. “A Very Brady Christmas” (1988) was CBS's highest rated special for the season. In 1995, “The Brady Bunch Movie” appealed to fans who had watched the program 25 years before.
    1975 - James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" peaks at #5 on the pop singles chart.
    1975 - KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight" tops the Billboard chart.
    1975 - Orleans enters the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time with "Dance with Me," which would climb to #6. They would return a year later with "Still the One" (#5) and again in 1979 with "Love Takes Time" (#11).
    1980 - Pat Benatar's "You Better Run" peaks at #42 on the pop singles chart.
    1989 - Billy Joel fired his manager and former brother-in-law Frank Weber after an audit revealed discrepancies. Joel later took him to court and sued for $90 million. 
    1981 - Top Hits
“Endless Love” - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
“Slow Hand” - Pointer Sisters
“Stop Draggin' My Heart Around” - Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
“(There's) No Gettin' Over Me” - Ronnie Milsap
    1981 - Jockey Bill Shoemaker rode John Henry to a nose victory to win the inaugural running of the Arlington Million, the first $1 million horse race, at Arlington Park in Illinois.
    1982 - A tropical depression brought torrential rains to portions of southern Texas. Up to twelve inches fell south of Houston, and as much as eighteen inches fell southeast of Austin. The tropical depression spawned fourteen tornadoes in three days. (David Ludlum) Record cold gripped the northeastern U.S. Thirty-one cities in New England reported record lows, and areas of Vermont received up to three inches of snow
    1983 - Colonel Guion Bluford, mission specialist on the third flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger, became the first African-American astronaut to fly in outer space.
    1986 - Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" hits #1 on the singles chart; Mick Jagger's "Ruthless People" peaks at #51 and David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" peaks at #16.
    1987 - Eight cities in California and Oregon reported record high temperatures for the date, including Redding, CA and Sacramento, CA where the mercury hit 100 degrees.
    1988 - Thunderstorms drenched Georgia and the Carolinas with heavy rain, soaking Columbia, SC, with 4.10 inches in three hours. Fresno, CA was the hot spot in the nation with a record high of 109 degrees. Duluth, MN tied their record for the month of August with a morning low of 39 degrees
    1989 - Top Hits
“Right Here Waiting” - Richard Marx
“Cold Hearted” - Paula Abdul
“Hangin' Tough” - New Kids on the Block
“Are You Ever Gonna Love Me” - Holly Dunn
    1990 - Paul Anka, who was born in Ottawa, Canada, is naturalized as an American citizen in Las Vegas. During the ceremony, his illegally parked car was towed away. 
    1990 - Seattle Mariners become the first Major League team to have father-son teammates, signing Ken Griffey to play with son, Ken Griffey Jr .
http://bigleaguers.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4/4305/
http://www.griffeyjr.com/ 
http://griffeyjr.com/biography
    1993 - "Late Show with David Letterman" debuted on CBS-TV. CBS remodeled the Ed Sullivan Theater (on 54th Street in New York City) for Letterman, who had just spent over a decade on NBC ("Late Night with David Letterman"). The first musical guest to appear on the new show was Billy Joel. The show first started February 1, 1982 with the top ten lists, mail bag, stupid pet tricks, participation by the TV crew, neighbors, and on the new show, this was carried forward along with surprise people in the audience such as Paul Newman with his two gun salute, Martha Stewart. The show also featured his Canadian sidekick and very popular “hip” musician Paul Shaffer.  The final show aired on May 20, 2015.  
    1994 - Top Hits
“I’ll Make Love To You” - Boyz II Men
“Stay (I Missed You) (From "Reality Bites") - Lisa Loeb
“Wild Night” - John Mellencamp with Me Shell Ndegeocello
“Fantastic Voyage” - Coolio
    1997 - The Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty, 65-51, to win the first WNBA title. Houston was led by the new league's Most Valuable Player, Cynthia Cooper, who scored 25 points.  
1999 - Top Hits
“Bailamos” - Enrique Iglesias
“Genie In A Bottle” - Christina Aguilera
“Summer Girls” - LFO
“Unpretty” - TLC
    2000 - As Braves come to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Reds, 4-2, a power spike causes most of the lights to go out at Turner Field causing a 12-minute delay. As the Atlanta crowd waits for play to resume it is treated to a rendition of the song, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia."
    2002 - After marathon negotiation sessions to avoid a players' strike just hours away, Bud Selig announces the players’ union and owners have reached a settlement on a new four-year CBA without the need of a work stoppage. The new agreement, called 'historic' by the commissioner, gives the owners the economic restraints they wanted as the players are assured no teams will be contracted until 2007 season with a revenue sharing plan will gradually be implemented during the span of the contract.
    2002 - Bruce Springsteen fans flock to stores for the release of "The Rising," the Boss' first album with the E Street Band since 1987.
    2003 - Top Hits
“Shake Ya Tailfeather” - Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee
“Crazy In Love” - Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z
“Right Thurr” - Chingy
“P.I.M.P.” - 50 Cent
    2005 - In the long tradition of Bronx Bombers, Alex Rodriguez becomes only the second right-handed batter in Yankees history to hit 40 homers in a season. The Yankee's third baseman joins Joe DiMaggio, who hit 46 homers in 1937, the only time ‘Joltin' Joe' reached the 40 mark. 
    2011 – Vermont suffered the worst floods in 100 years.
    2014 - California passed a ban on disposable plastic grocery bags; the ban will be the first implemented across a state, though many cities across the U.S. already have such bans in place.