10,000 Leases since 4/10/2011-Date on Factious Name Filing
caption from their web site: http://www.cobaltfunding.com/

Caption Reads: Partners Capital funds its 10,000th customer

Looks like Marcus Davin of MD Partners Capital, Newport Beach, California and Benchmark Financial Group, Aliso Viejo, California have adopted two more companies. One is Partners Capital Group, 75 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, California and when Leasing News called this number, they answered "Benchmark." Another is MD Partners Capital is Cobalt Funding Group, same address. When you call them both from their web site number, the telephone is answered “Benchmark.”

Neither has a BBB “F” rating as Benchmark has or the many web sites warning about doing business with Benchmark. (c)

Cobalt Funding Group recently had a Craigslist ad to begin the cycle of dialing for dollars:

“Leading Equipment Leasing Company expanding into the Mid Ticket Market seeking replacements immediately.

“Interview today, work tomorrow.

Immediate Positions Available:
Senior Account Rep: (4) Experienced Closers wanted for our Vendor Division. Signing Bonus and Compensation negotiable. 50+ % plus residuals.

“Junior Account Rep: (2) Leasing Trainees. Recent college grads welcome.

“Telemarketer: (4) Experienced telemarketers wanted. $600-$1,200/Week. 7- 4pm.” (1)

A fictious name filing shows this company as well as Cobalt Funding Group are both part of MD Capital Partners, Inc. 17 Boardwalk, Newport Beach, CA 92660, which appears to be the residential address of Marcus Davin. (a)

Partner Capital Group is not listed with the California Department of Corporation. Cobalt Funding Group is also not listed with the California Department of Corporations. Both web sites identify themselves as corporations. They may be new and the State of California behind in listing; however the dates come from the Factious Name Filing in Orange County, California and appear both are new, despite the web site claims.

MD Capital Partners, Inc. is listed as C2798643 filed 8/24/2005.

It's no secret from the many Leasing News Complaint Bulletin Board listings, including court records and web site complaints, Benchmark Financial Group has evidently not returned many "advance rentals."

One of his latest Benchmark product calls for a fee for processing a lease, plus a "Credit Review" program that charges the same lease fee of $595 (with "$37 Monthly Payments thereafter for each month that the Client chooses to participate in the program (2)

At the bottom of the document, "Pursuant to California law, Benchmark has established a $100,000 bond. If a court of competent jurisdiction concludes that Benchmark has violated the state's Credit Services Organization Act, you may have the right to proceed against the surety or the trust account. The surety bond is held by Mountain High Surety, Inc. 2007 Prestwick Court, Longmont, Colorado 80501 "(2)

However, Mountain High Surety says they never issued them a bond:

"I told them to get my name off that contract and I'm calling the Department of Corporations tomorrow and turning them in.” Pamela Goetsch Mountain High Surety, Inc.

Perhaps the most crucial is a 14 member class action suit brought by Quinox Networks et. al. that appears headed for a trial.

There was no comment on any of these issues from Benchmark Founder Marcus Davin, formerly owner of Blue Dot Funding, purchased by IFC Credit where its president reportedly dismissed him.

In this “class action” case, his comes from the court records themselves. His attorney was trying to get 14 separate trials, but the judge does not appear to be so inclined (3).

A status conference is scheduled for August 26, 2011.

Of the 14 named, only one of the eight Leasing News Bulletin Board Complaints is party to the complaint, Tony Williams, Enviro Ink, Fort Wayne, Indiana (5) Enviro state in the Leasing News Bulletin Board Complaint, the original application was for $90,000, which appears Benchmark split it into smaller leases, and one of the new issues was ACH, and when a small one was presented, the original request was ignored. Davin said he would be sending the advance rental back, but never did. It appears in the Benchmark Financial answer to the complaint "Enviro signed contract, and Benchmark obtained financing Enviro then cancelled claiming it got a better deal."

One of the many readers had questions of who was funding Benchmark leases after all these complaints, such as this one for a well-known person in the leasing industry:

"I am just shocked that he can keep doing business this way, the lenders keep buying the paper (the deals he actually funds) they are assisting in keeping him in business. This is bad for the industry and there are lenders helping him."

A California UCC search for secured parties found 19 with Lakeland Bank starting 4/26/2007 and ending 6/15/10 for Benchmark Financial Group and nine for both Benchmark Financial Groups and MD Capital Partners from 02/17/2009 to 06/02/2011, 11-7271754924, which showed a debtor in Fresno. There are D&B filings with LEAF Financial and Benchmark, but they are not current dates. It may be that the secured parties on other leases arranged by Benchmark are brokered to other leasing entities using their documents.

(1) CraigsList Advert
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/CraigsListAd.pdf

(2) Benchmark Credit Review Service Contract
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/BenchmarkCreditRepairContract.pdf

(3) Judge CourtRuling4 21
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/CourtRuling4_21.pdf

(4) Plaintiff Objection to 14 separate trials
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/BenchmarkPlanitiff4_8.pdf

(5) Enviro Ink
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/March%202009/03-02-09.htm#bbc

(a) fictious name filings
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/FactiousNameRegistration.pdf

(b) UCC Filings

http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkMDCapital.jpg
http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkSecued%20Party2.jpg
http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkSecurityParty1.jpg
http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkMDCapital.jpg
http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkSecued%20Party2.jpg
http://leasingnews.org/items/BenchmarkSecurityParty1.jpg
RecordsNameRecordsReport_BENCHMARKFINANCIALGROUPLLC_01122010025719.pdf
RecordsNameRecordsReport_BENCHMARKFINANCIALGROUPSLLCLIMI_01122010025715.pdf
RecordsNameRecordsReport_BENCHMARKFINANCIALINC_01122010025723.pdf
RecordsNameRecordsReport_BENCHMARKFINANCIALGROUPS%20LLC_01122010025716.pdf
RecordsNameRecordsReport_BENCHMARKFINANCIALGROUPS_01122010025718.pdf

(c)
BBB: Benchmark Financial Group, Aliso Viejo, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/Benchmark-Financial-Groups-LLC-100045720

http://www.benchmarkfg.info/ and others:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_08.htm#bbc_bench

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2010/12_08.htm#bbc_bench

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2010/4_07.htm#bbc_benchmark

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-29-09.htm#bbc

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://leasingnews.org/archives/December%202009/12-14-09.htm#benchmark

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://leasingnews.org/archives/September%202009/09-24-09.htm#Bulletin1

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://leasingnews.org/archives/September%202009/09-24-09.htm#Bulletin2

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202009/06-10-09.htm#BulletinBoard

Benchmark Financial Groups, LLC, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202009/04-06-09.htm#bbc

Classified Ads---Sales

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

Cherry Hill, NJ College grad seeking entry level sales position for equipment leasing and financing in small to mid-size ticket markets. Have 6 months experience in the industry and self-motivated. Contact Matt at 609-280-2178 or email at mkuzan@gmail.com

California Aggressive, competitive self-starter with vendor/direct equipment leasing and asset-based lending experience. Success in business banking sales and financial planning. Email: dsp559@hotmail.com | Resume

Colorado Award winning and strategic leasing sales professional with eleven years experience in Technology, Medical, Furniture, and Office Automation. Will consider positions with full benefits only. anderson_678@earthlink.net

Garfield, NJ 15 years experience small to large ticket sales exp. All types of equipment industries. Vendor & direct. Self motivated. Work with leasing company or broker. Tony Lio tonylio@optonline.net

Montgomery, AL Individual with 10 years advertising sales exp. & 7 years insurance sales exp. Wants independent contractor situation in Alabama. Work with leasing company or broker. 334-590-5133 E-mail: billmcneal2003@yahoo.com

Orange County, CA 20+ years in leasing sales & sales management. Have estab. existing remote office with Lessee /Vender following. Looking for a partnership w/funding source. shermbp@gmail.com

Pittsburgh , PA Aggressive self starter looking for leasing position w/10 plus yrs sales exp., plus banking experience 814-227-4592 mwiser500@hotmail.com

San Francisco Bay Area: Business Development “Hunter” with transferable book of business in multiple segments: commercial construction, technology, fitness, etc. Years of managerial experience: can also be a “player/coach”. E-mail: VdrPgmBizDev@aol.com

South Central, FL Years of exp in mid-ticket niched leasing. Seek entry or other position with direct lender. David34983@att.net

Texas/Oklahoma 15 year lease vet looking for plact to take business.great references. all major equipment types. open to compensation. please contact if interested. E-mail: bankingdallas@yahoo.com

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Hospital Report

1986 Western Association of Equipment Lessors President Ted Parker, Charter Equipment Leasing (left) admonishes 1987 President-elect Joe Woodley, Westover Financial, IN. to “ talk softly and carry a big stick” as he passes the gavel.

Ted Parker is reported in a Montana hospital. He has pneumonia, plus other systems which are of concern.

Chris Walker, CLP, president CLP Foundation, GreatAmerica, is fighting an inoperative pancreatic cancer. He appears still in a difficult period. He has a current up-date in his journal here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriswalker

Rosanne Wilson, CLP, P.B.P, former treasurer National Association of Equipment Brokers, on the Leasing News Advisory Board is fighting cancer. She recently wrong, "Thanks for spreading my story. The more people we can save by telling others the story and reminding them to have their colonoscopies..."

“I am home recuperating. I finished my last Cancer treatment on Wednesday, July 6th. I am very weak but I can now begin my recovery. The doctor thinks it might even be a month before I can work. But I am so anxious to get back into the saddle again, I have a feeling I will be back at work in a couple weeks. I miss this business more than you know. It is in my blood and I can't wait to get back out there! Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers over the past 2 months. It helped my journey.”

Rosanne
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rosannewilson/journal

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

Revised Story Credit Lessors List

As per Leasing News policy that companies who appear in the Bulletin Board Complaint are not listed in the Story Credit list (nor are they allowed to advertise in Leasing News and only stories that may appear as "hard news” may or may not appear here). The same policy now extends to those in the Evergreen Clause issue of not notifying lesses on initial term of their lease.

To qualify for the Story Credit list, the company must be a funder (as qualified by Leasing News and on the “Funder List” and not a "Broker/Lessor" or "Super Broker/Lessor", along with an acceptable Better Business Bureau Rating and no history of complaints at Leasing News, as well as notifying lessees in advance when a lease will fund, specifically not automating extra lease payments. We reserve the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications.

It is Leasing News position as expressed by its editorial that companies who automatically extend leasing payments, and who also do not require their discounters to abide by the same policy, are not reputable, in our editorial opinion.

Those listed below abide by notifying their lessee of the expiration of the lease, and require their discounters to also follow this policy:

Leasing News Editorial on Notification to Lessee
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2011/6_30.htm#editorial

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

Eric Gross Promoted to Senior Vice President, Bank of West

Long time leasing expert Eric Gross was promoted to Senior Vice-President for Bank of the West. He leads the business line out of Portland, Oregon with the bank that provides third-party servicing solutions to commercial finance and leasing companies.

Eric joined the bank in 2007. Prior he was Director of Sales and Marketing for Portfolio Financial Servicing Company (PFSC) from 2002-2008, Vice-President, ORIX (1992-2002), Senior Vice President-Director, Morgan Premium Finance, 1998-2001. He has a BA in Economics from Washington State University, College of Business and Economics, Pi Kappa Alpha. He is a resident of Beaverton.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-gross/9/264/919

“We’re pleased to have Eric Gross leading a business line that offers best in class services to start-up organizations and mature companies alike,” said Jerry Newell, Executive Vice President of the Equipment Finance Division at Bank of the West.

“Our Managed Services Group is well positioned to engage clients and demonstrate how instead of investing in costly technology and maintaining a large servicing staff, they can benefit from leveraging our state-of-the-art information technology, systems capabilities and professional staff plus have the comfort of working with a strong and financially stable organization.”

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

EQUIPMENT LEASING SALES Nationwide- Grand Island, Nebraska AXIS Capital, Inc. has immediate opportunities in Texas (Houston or Dallas based) for experienced customer direct leasing sales executives with established current end user relationships preferred. AXIS Capital Inc. is a National Independent Leasing company. Our ideal candidate will have the opportunity to utilize their industry expertise with the opportunity to grow their existing equipment lessee customer base. Position Requirements: • Candidates will possess exceptional verbal, written and    customer service skills. • Proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint. • Self-motivating and organizational skills. • Travel required Competitive salary, health insurance, 401K, life Insurance, paid vacations and holidays. If you possess the required experience and feel you have what it takes to succeed, please email your resume to hr@axiscapitalinc.com or send your resume to PO Box 2555, Grand Island, NE 68801. www.axiscapitalinc.com

Equipment Leasing Opportunities throughout the U.S. LEASING REPS – THROUGHOUT U.S. NEEDED FOR CLIENTS WITH IMPECCABLE REPUTATIONS • Producing Healthcare Leasing Mgr: Midwest • Vendor Sales Team: Anywhere U.S. info@riirecruit.com www.riirecruit.com

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

Joins Broker/Lessor List "A"

A - City Business License | B- State License | C - Certified Leasing Professional | D - State(s) sales/use tax license | E - Named as "lessor" on 50% or more of lease contract signed. |

Broker-Lessor List "A"
http://www.leasingnews.org/Brokers/broker_Lessor.htm

Broker-Lessor List “B”
http://www.leasingnews.org/Brokers/broker_Lessor_B.htm

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)

Letters?---We get eMail...

(Mostly chronological order)

Shawn Halladay Explains More on Ending of Leverage Leasing
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2011/7_18.htm#leverage

"I knew it was coming as well. However, for them not to grandfather the existing leases on the books is crazy!

Kyle W. Gilliam, CLP
President
Arvest Equipment Finance
KGILLIAM@arvest.com

Direct Capital, Gonor Funding, GreatAmerica Leasing
join Evergreen Notification List
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2011/7_15.htm#list

"Just want you to know I really admire the leadership you're taking in the industry on this topic. If there was ever a black and white issue in the world of ethics, this is it."

Michael J. Witt, Attorney
witt-law@live.com

“I think you should get an award for how you are spearheading the evergreen notification standard. Kudos.”

Jim Yokoyama
jyokoyama@mail.com

“Well done, Kit, and thank you for taking on this important issue. “
Barry S. Marks
Marks & Weinberg, P.C.

"The evergreen clause is a real relationship killer."

Brian Carey
Capital Resources

"I commend you on your advocacy as expressed...That is leadership. It was my hope that the associations to whom most, if not all, the offenders belong, would have taken similar stances, as evidence of their leadership. Perhaps some day…

Ralph Mango
comScore
rmango@comscore.com

“It is an unfathomable condition for a $1.00 / $101.00 purchase option lease. It just makes everyone look bad, including the leasing industry.”

(name with held)

"The courts define what is fraud, not you or anyone else”
by Bernie Boettigheimer, CLP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2011/7_15.htm#fraud

Bernie's article about the legalities and nuances of fraud got my attention. I have tried a few fraud cases in the last two years. I co-chaired (with top-notch litigator Tom McCurnin) a bankruptcy non-dischargeability action based on the fraud of the notorious lessee Vantage, LLC.

We prevailed against Vantage due in part to Tom's relentless and dogged cross-examination of one of the Vantage principals, Robert Vaughan, and a decent amount of circumstantial evidence. In two other recent cases, however, relief was denied to the creditor despite the fact that fraud seemed clear to everyone.

Therein lies the problem. Fraud often appears patently obvious with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight. The law requires, however, proof of intent from the outset. Since you can never truly know what anyone is thinking, intent generally must be established by circumstantial evidence. The laws of evidence can be tricky, however. In one $2 million fraud case my firm litigated before Judge Ernest Robles in the Los Angeles Bankruptcy Court, the only tangible circumstantial evidence we had was an email from the borrower to certain creditors promising substantial payments of money the borrower did not have at the time, but for the receipt of the loan proceeds, which were earmarked by agreement for specific uses, not repayment of old debt. The email was dated the day of the expected funding. Sure looked good going in. Unfortunately, as a result of procedural and evidentiary hurdles, the email was excluded from evidence. Although it was, at least hypothetically, high grade circumstantial evidence of the intent to divert loan proceeds, i.e., the intent to defraud, the exclusion from evidence of the mail left us with nothing else which directly reflected the borrower's intent. We lost the case.

I've seen this happen more than once. It's a fascinating and frustrating issue, but one that any party to a fraud suit should understand in advance.

Kenneth C. Greene, Attorney
kgreene@hamricklaw.com

Remembering Jeffrey Taylor, Age 60
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2011/7_13.htm#taylor

“I wanted to pass on to Toby my condolences about Jeffrey. I don't know if you are aware of this, but Jeffrey and I taught, and traveled, together, teaching for Euromoney.

"Jeffrey was a courageous and brilliant man. I will miss him. My heart goes out to Toby, a simply wonderful person."

Kenneth C. Greene, Attorney
kgreene@hamricklaw.com

"Jeffrey and I shared a love for the written (typed) word and near the end, we were both trying our hand at the 120 page paradigm: The Screenplay. I was constantly amazed by the number of various specialties to which Jeffrey somehow applied various quadrants of his complicated mind. I have a hard time focusing on Leasing by Day, and Perpetual Writer by Night (not-™), let alone delving into a dozen other seemingly unrelated industries like the cruise business, real estate . . .

Since news of his death, I have been sifting through stacks of books and screenplays to find my personally signed copy of A Gentleman Drunk. We exchanged books in 2008. Your readers can find a copy of this and other of his books at: http://www.amazon.com/Gentleman-Drunk-Jeffrey-Taylor/dp/097270471X

Jeffrey’s friendship, advice, and expertise will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to Toby.

Brian Huey
LeaseSource

(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

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

Al Schuler on the Housing Marketplace with Good News

Some good news: Total starts were up 14.6% - from 549,000 annual rate, to 629,000. This was driven by single family activity which was up 9.4% - from 414,000 to 453,000 annual rate, and multifamily activity (up 30%).

Permits, an indicator of future activity, were up 0.2% and 6.9% for single family and MF respectively. Not a bad report, but if one looks at the formidable issues facing housing, I’m not sure we’ve turned the corner yet.

Homeownership may be heading for 64%, compared with 69% before the collapse – this will impact builders and their suppliers (e.g., wood products). (note – homeownership is the percentage of people in homes that are owners versus renters).

The current debates over raising the debt ceiling are disturbing. Everybody knows the debt ceiling has to be raised - in fact, the USA has had only one or two balanced budgets in the past 20 years – i.e., we can’t seem to match spending with revenues. If we do default, and some people in Congress seem to think this would be OK, this would usher in a 2nd recession and throw the housing recovery back another 4 – 5 years. I for one, am starting to lose faith in our elected officials – never in my life have I seen so many elected officials forget that their main responsibility is the welfare of the USA – not the Republican party, not the Democratic party – not the next election - ….. But, the welfare of the USA and its citizens.

Would you believe some misguided members of Congress actually believe that a government default would have minor consequences. God help us!!

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

San Rafael, California-- Adopt-a-Dog

PJ is a black Lab & pit mix. He has the best disposition of both breeds: GENTLE, MELLOW, & ATTENTIVE. He also has good social instincts with other dogs. He is affectionate and we are told he will be a wonderful companion for a mature person who likes to go out for a walk. Keeping company with his favorite human is what he enjoys most in life. His new home should have a back yard with tall, secure fencing because he can scale fences with ease.

More information available, please email:
gumbear@pacbell.net

Application
http://www.allcreaturesmarin.org/index_002.htm

All Creatures
ANIMAL CARING SOCIETY
P. O. Box 3664 / San Rafael, California 94912
415-456-1941

http://www.allcreaturesmarin.org/

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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

News Briefs----

Leading Small-Business Lenders in U.S.
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/LeadingSBABusinessLenders.pdf

Bank of America's CEO Discusses Q2 2011 Results - Earnings Call Transcript
http://seekingalpha.com/article/280317-bank-of-america-s-ceo-discusses-q2-2011-results-earnings-call-transcript

Apple far exceeds earnings forecast
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18508231?nclick_check=1

Cisco to lay off 6,500 employees worldwide
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2011/07/19/Cisco-to-lay-off-6500-employees-worldwide/UPI-14401311088209/

BT&T Bank sue Georgia US Senator brother/son for $26.7 MM
http://www.ajc.com/business/isakson-relatives-sued-over-1026887.html

India HDFC Bank Q1 net rises 34%, beats forecast
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/HDFC-Bank-Q1-net-rises-34-beats-forecast/articleshow/9294087.cms

Lacking bidders, Borders to liquidate
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-lacking-bidders-borders-to-liquidate-20110718,0,2551112.story

Postmaster says days are numbered for Saturday mail delivery
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-07-19-postmaster--mail-delivery_n.htm

Boeing scrambles to avoid losing American Airlines deal to Airbus
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015662118_american20.html

U.S. to Close 800 Computer Data Centers
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/technology/us-to-close-800-computer-data-centers.html?_r=1&ref=business

You May Have Missed---

Rebooting the PC industry: Tablets force a shift
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2011/07/19/
rebooting_the_pc_industry_tablets_force_a_shift/

Sports Briefs----

New deal just in time to save NFL season
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110719/SPORTS/110719420/1350?Title=New-deal-just-in-time-to-save-NFL-season

California Nuts Briefs---

California redevelopment agencies sue state over budget deal
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/19/3778173/california-redevelopment-agencies.html

Study finds half million illegal immigrants in S.F. Bay Area
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_18509258?nclick_check=1

Century-old restaurants -- Tadich Grill, Hotel Mac and more -- continue to thrive in the 21st century
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_18485626

Yosemite rangers fear hikers swept over falls
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/19/3780294/yosemite-rangers-fear-hikers-swept.html

“Gimme that Wine”

Gallo's Growing Barefoot Brand Is No. 1
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&
|content=90156&htitle=Gallo%27s%20Growing%20Barefoot%20Brand%20Is%20No.%201&

Nichelini Family Winery's new stairs lead the way
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/15/TRIC1K86HL.DTL&type=travel

Sauvignon Blanc Lack of Identity---Eric Asimov
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/dining/reviews/sauvignon-blanc-from-northern-california-wine-review.html?ref=dining

Remembering Fred Koehler, pioneer winemaker
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-18/features/chi-remembering-fred-koehler-winemaker_1_christina-anderson-heller-illinois-wines-wine-lovers

Sweet Sweeney Canyon, Santa Rita, California
http://www.independent.com/news/2011/jul/19/sweet-sweeney-canyon/

Asian collectors fuel wine buying spree
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/19/us-wine-auction-idUSTRE76I1T520110719

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

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

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

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

  1591- Anne Marbury was baptized in Alford, England. America's first female religious leader, Anne Marbury Hutchinson was the daughter of an outspoken clergyman silenced for criticizing the Church of England. Better educated than most men of the day, she spent her youth immersed in her father's library. At twenty-one, Anne Marbury married Will Hutchinson and began bearing the first of their fifteen children. She became an adherent of the preaching and teachings of John Cotton, a Puritan minister who left England for America.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul20.html
    1848- the Seneca Falls Convention convened for a second day. On the previous day, convention organizer Elizabeth Cady Stanton had read the "Declaration of Sentiments and Grievances." In the process of reviewing a list of attached resolutions, a group united across the boundaries of gender and race to demand women's right to vote in the United States.
(second part of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul20.html )
    1858- Approximately 1,500 baseball fans were charged 50 cents each to watch a baseball game between the New York All-Stars and a Brooklyn team at Fashion Race Course on Long Island.  This is the first record “commercial” game of baseball. In a preclude to the next century, New York beat Brooklyn 22-18.
    1864 - General John Bell Hood's Confederate force attack William T. Sherman's troops outside of Atlanta, Georgia, but are repulsed with heavy losses. Twenty thousand Rebels assaulted the same number of Yankees, but the delay proved costly. The Confederates achieved some success, but could not drive the Union troops back into Peachtree Creek. After three hours, Hood ordered a halt to the advance. Hood was not deterred. Two days later, he attacked Sherman's forces again at the Battle of Atlanta.
    1874 --  General  George Custer and first official exploring expedition enters Black Hills with 110 wagons and 1,000 men, in direct violation of treaty of 1868 that barred whites from sacred hills.  He was out to make a name for himself in history.
    1881 - Five years after General George A. Custer's infamous defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Hunkpapa Teton Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrenders to the U.S. Army, which promises amnesty for him and his followers.
Sitting Bull was fatally shot and died within hours. The Indian police hastily buried his body at Fort Yates within the Standing Rock Reservation. In 1953, his remains were moved into Mobridge, South Dakota, where a granite shaft marks his resting place.
    1885-Birthday of Theda Bara, early Hollywood star whose blatant sexuality (for the time) as a "vamp" (a woman who uses men and throws them away instead of being used and thrown away) was the subject of many a Sunday church sermon. She made more than 40 silent films.
http://www.classicimages.com/1996/july/theda.html
http://www.tartcity.com/thedabara.html
http://silentladies.com/PBara1.html
http://www.bombshells.com/gallery/bara/theda_bio.php
    1894 - 2000 federal troops were recalled from Chicago with the end of the Pullman strike. Pullman and his cronies convinced the government that the strikes and boycotts were inhibiting the delivery of America's mail. Though Pullman's cars didn't carry any mail, the scheme proved effective: in early July, the government banned the boycotts and swiftly shipped troops to Chicago. Fighting broke out shortly after the government forces hit the scene; by the time the militia left Chicago on July 20, the "war" between the troops and the strikers had left thirty-four men dead. But, the damage had already been done to the Pullman strikers: their ranks and clout had been depleted, and, when American Federation of Labor chief Samuel Gompers' refusal to lend them any substantial support, the rail workers were forced to capitulate to management. In the wake of the settlement, many of the strikers were barred from working in the rail industry.
    1922---Alto/tenor sax player/arranger Ernie Wilkins born St. Louis, Mo., perhaps best known for his Count Basie arrangements Died June 5, 1999 
http://www.harlem.org/people/wilkins.html.
http://elvispelvis.com/erniewilkins.htm
    1930 - The temperature at Washington D.C. soared to an all-time record of 106 degrees. The next day Millsboro reached 110 degrees to set a record for the state of Delaware. July 1930 was one of the hottest and driest summers in the U.S., particularly in the Missouri Valley where severe drought conditions developed. Toward the end of the month state records were set for Kentucky with 114 degrees, and Mississippi with 115 degrees.
    1934--- 118ø F (48ø C), Keokuk, Iowa (state record)
    1939-Birthday of  Judy Chicago, artist who encourages women to do what she did, assimilate female imagery into their art work. She established educational programs for women, was one of the founders of the Los Angeles Feminist Studio Workshop which, among other things, opened the Woman's Building, and creator of a number of exciting woman-related images and sculptures.
http://www.indiana.edu/~scsweb/jchicago/chicago_cu2.jpg
http://www.judychicago.com/
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2002/oct/chicago/
    1940-The first pop music record charts for single songs were published by the music grade newspaper “Billboard.”  The first Number on was Tommy Dorsey's “ I'll Never Smile Again,” sung by Frank Sinatra.
    1944 President Franklin D. Roosevelt nominated for an unprecedented 4th term at the Democratic convention. Harry S. Truman of Missouri was nominated for
vice-president. In June the allied landed in Normandy and the Russian front was
in full battle, but in mid-June the Germans introduced a new weapon, the V-1 pilot less bombs;  they launched it against London and other British cities.  In September they followed it with the V-2, a supersonic rocket causing great destruction.  The end of June the Republican National Convention nominated
Thomas E. Dewey, governor of New York for the presidency, and Gov. John W. Bricker of Ohio for the vice-presidency.
    1945---Top Hits Dream - The Pied Pipers
The More I See You - Dick Haymes
Sentimental Journey - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima - Bob Wills
    1946-13 year old Petula Clark made her first appearance on British TV
    1947 Carlos Santana  born Autlan, Mexico
    1947--Guitarist/songwriter, Carlos Augusto Santana Alves born Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico;best known as the leader of the band called Santana. 
http://www.myspace.com/carlossantana 
http://www.facebook.com/carlossantana?v=box_3
    1948 - President Harry S. Truman institutes a military draft with a proclamation calling for nearly 10 million men to register for military service within the next two months. Truman's action came during increasing Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union.
    1950--LIBBY, GEORGE D. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Taejon, Korea, 20 July 1950. Entered service at: Waterbury, Conn. Birth: Bridgton, Maine. G.O. No.: 62, 2 August 1951. Citation: Sgt. Libby distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While breaking through an enemy encirclement, the vehicle in which he was riding approached an enemy roadblock and encountered devastating fire which disabled the truck, killing or wounding all the passengers except Sgt. Libby. Taking cover in a ditch Sgt. Libby engaged the enemy and despite the heavy fire crossed the road twice to administer aid to his wounded comrades. He then hailed a passing M-5 artillery tractor and helped the wounded aboard. The enemy directed intense small-arms fire at the driver, and Sgt. Libby, realizing that no one else could operate the vehicle, placed himself between the driver and the enemy thereby shielding him while he returned the fire. During this action he received several wounds in the arms and body. Continuing through the town the tractor made frequent stops and Sgt. Libby helped more wounded aboard. Refusing first aid, he continued to shield the driver and return the fire of the enemy when another roadblock was encountered. Sgt. Libby received additional wounds but held his position until he lost consciousness. Sgt. Libby's sustained, heroic actions enabled his comrades to reach friendly lines. His dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army. 
    1950- the “Arthur Murray Party” premiered on television. This ballroom dancing show appeared on all four networks (ABC, Dumont, CBS and NBC) and was hosted by Kathryn Murray, wife of famed dance school founder Arthur Murray. “Arthur Murray taught me to dance in a hurry. “ He is the uncle of
our good friend Bob Teichman  (Murray dropped his middle name for
as Teichman did not rhyme with very many things.)
    1953---Top Hits
Song from Moulin Rouge - The Percy Faith Orchestra
April in Portugal - The Les Baxter Orchestra
I'm Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher
It's Been So Long - Webb Pierce
    1953 - COLLIER, GILBERT G. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Cpl.), U.S. Army, Company F, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Tutayon, Korea, 19-20 July 1953. Entered service at: Tichnor Ark. Born: 30 December 1930, Hunter, Ark. G.O. No.: 3, 12 January 1955. Citation: Sgt. Collier, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Sgt. Collier was point man and assistant leader of a combat patrol committed to make contact with the enemy. As the patrol moved forward through the darkness, he and his commanding officer slipped and fell from a steep, 60-foot cliff and were injured. Incapacitated by a badly sprained ankle which prevented immediate movement, the officer ordered the patrol to return to the safety of friendly lines. Although suffering from a painful back injury, Sgt. Collier elected to remain with his leader, and before daylight they managed to crawl back up and over the mountainous terrain to the opposite valley where they concealed themselves in the brush until nightfall, then edged toward their company positions. Shortly after leaving the daylight retreat they were ambushed and, in the ensuing fire fight, Sgt. Collier killed 2 hostile soldiers, received painful wounds, and was separated from his companion. Then, ammunition expended, he closed in hand-to-hand combat with 4 attacking hostile infantrymen, killing, wounding, and routing the foe with his bayonet. He was mortally wounded during this action, but made a valiant attempt to reach and assist his leader in a desperate effort to save his comrade's life without regard for his own personal safety. Sgt. Collier's unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.
    1954-Elvis Presley performed on one what was probably the smallest stage of his career when he appeared on the back of a flatbed truck outside a Memphis drugstore for its grand opening. Elvis was then a member of The Blue Moon Boys trio with Bill Black and Scotty Moore, who took their name from a song they had recorded just two weeks previously, "Blue Moon of Kentucky". 
    1958- During the first game of a doubleheader Tiger Jim Bunning no-hits the Red Sox, 3-0. The future Hall of Famer will become the first modern pitcher to toss a no-hitter in both leagues when throws a perfect against the Mets in 1964.
    1961---Top Hits
Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis
The Boll Weevil Song - Brook Benton
Yellow Bird - Arthur Lyman Group
Heartbreak U.S.A. - Kitty Wells
    1963-Lesley Gore released "Judy's Turn To Cry", the follow up to her number one hit, "It's My Party". The record was a continuation of the original story and it too became a Top 5 hit in the US. 
    1965-Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is released by Columbia records. The disc turns out to be his biggest hit ever climbing to number two on the U.S. pop chart and number four in the U.K.
    1965-Kama Sutra Records releases the Lovin' Spoonful's first record, "Do You Believe in Magic." It will reach #9 on the pop chart.
    1965- Yankee pitcher Mel Stottlemyre hits an inside the park grand slam against the Red Sox en route to a 6-3 victory.
    1967-The City and County of San Francisco put up $200,000 to create a free medical clinic. Dr. Frederick Meyers (d.1998 at 80) helped found the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic 
    1968-One thousand mentally retarded athletes competed in the first Special Olympics at Solider Field, Chicago, Il.  Today more than one million athletes from 156 countries compete at the local, national and international level.   
    1968 - Iron Butterfly's album, In-a-Gadda-da-Vida, debuted on the United States pop charts. It featured its now-famous 17-minute title track, which in turn contained one of the longest drum solos in the history of rock music.     
     1968- Cream's "Wheels Of Fire" LP enters the chart. It hits #1 and features the single "White Room."     1968-Hugh Masakela's instrumental rendition of "Grazing in the Grass" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. A year later, The Friends of Distinction would take a vocal version of the song to number 3. 
    1969---Top Hits
In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans
Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat and Tears
Good Morning Starshine - Oliver
I Love You More Today - Conway Twitty
    1969 - American astronaut Neil Armstrong, nearly 240,000 miles from earth, spoke these words to millions listening at home: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." A moment later, he stepped of the lunar module Eagle, becoming the first human to walk on the surface of the moon. That first step was taken with Armstrong's left foot.     
     1973- White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood loses both ends of a doubleheader to the Yankees.    
     1973- Kunckleballer Wilbur Wood of the Chicago White Sox pitched both games of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees. No pitcher has done this since, but Wood lost both games.
     1975-Miami" Steve Van Zandt performs for the first time in concert as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band in Providence, Rhode Island.     1977---Top Hits
Da Doo Ron Ron - Shaun Cassidy
Looks like We Made It - Barry Manilow
I Just Want to Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb
It was Almost like a Song - Ronnie Milsap
        1978-Steve Martin's novelty tune "King Tut" became a Top Ten hit in the US. Some of the musicians on the track were members of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
     1984 - Ty Cobb's record was broken by baseball great Hank Aaron when Aaron appeared in game number 3,034 of his career. At age 40, Aaron, was already playing in his 20th major-league baseball season.    
     1985 - Treasure hunters began removing $400 million in coins and silver ingots from the ocean floor in the biggest underwater treasure hunt in history. The money came from the Spanish galleon, "Nuestra Senora de Atocha," which sunk in 1622, 40 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida.     
     1985-Sting's solo debut, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" enters the album charts. The LP features the hits, "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" and "Fortress Around Your Heart."     1985---Top Hits
A View to a Kill - Duran Duran
Raspberry Beret - Prince and The Revolution
Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
Dixie Road - Lee Greenwood
    1986 - The temperature at Charleston, SC, hit 104 degrees for the second day in a row to tie their all-time record high.
    1986- Carlos Santana celebrates his 39th birthday, as well as the 20th anniversary of his band, by playing a concert in San Francisco featuring all living members of Santana -- 17, to be exact.
    1987- Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly ties a major league mark as he is credited with 22 putouts in one game matching Hal Chase's feat of 1906.     1988—The Democratic National Convention nominated Gov. Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts for president and Sen. Lloyd M. Bensten,Jr., of Texas for Vice-President.
    1988 - The temperature at Redding, CA, soared to an all-time record high of 118 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms produced much needed rains from New England to southern Texas. Salem, IN, was deluged with 7.2 inches of rain resulting in flash flooding.
    1989 - Showers and thunderstorms in the Middle Atlantic Coast Region soaked Wilmington, DE, with 2.28 inches of rain, pushing their total for the period May through July past the previous record of 22.43 inches. Heavy rain over that three month period virtually wiped out a 16.82 inch deficit which had been building since drought conditions began in 1985. Thunderstorms in central Indiana deluged Lebanon with 6.50 inches of rain in twelve hours, and thunderstorms over Florida produced wind gusts to 84 mph at Flagler Beach.     
    1991-Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' "Into The Great Wide Open" LP enters the chart.