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Friday, June 10, 2022

Today's Leasing News Headlines

MY TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD MONTH
    By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor
New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted
    Working Capital Loan Brokers
New Searches- June 2022
    The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners
Startups are Still Surging
    420,000 new business applications per month
ELFA Announces Agenda for Emergence2022
    Leadership Program on July 14
Ivory Consulting Announces the Release
    of SuperTRUMP 22
Fred Ward (1942 - 2022)  Southern Comfort, The Right Stuff
  Remo Williams The Adventure Begins, Henry & June, Tremors
    Reviews by Leasing News Fernando Croce
Labrador Retriever
    Lincoln, California  Adopt-a-Dog
Matthew Fritz - 2019 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
    By Kevan R. Wilkinson, Leasing News Wine Reviewer
News Briefs---

"I'm So Much Strong Now: How Remote Work
    is Helping Women in the Workplace"
A Plea From German Brewers:
    Bring Back Your Empties
Mortgage rates move higher ahead of
    Federal Reserve meeting
Think Working From Home Won’t Hurt Your Career?
    Don’t Be So Sure

You May have Missed---
Sheryl Sandberg's Meta departure
     is the death knell for Lean In

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (wrilter's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months
www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org
Leasing News Icon for Android Mobile Device

Sports Brief----
 California Nuts Brief---
   "Gimme that wine"
    This Day in History
     SuDoku
      Daily Puzzle
       GasBuddy
        Weather, USA or specific area
         Traffic Live----
          Wordle

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release,” it was not written by Leasing News nor has the information been verified. The source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “byline.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.




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MY TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD MONTH
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor

Pictures from the Past
---2000---
Soracco-Ken Greene-Monosson

United Association of Equipment Leasing ACE Spring Conference
Chair Ken Greene, Esq. (center) with Lynn Soracco-CIT (left) and
Debbie Monosson-Boston Financial and Equity (right)
UAEL News Line, Fall, 2000

“Everything gives you cancer, there’s no cure, there’s no answer”
     Joe Jackson

Things don’t always go as planned. As my grandmother would say “Man makes plans and God laughs.” You wake up, grab your coffee, and go about your business, just like any other day.

Or not.

Clearly the blood I was unexpectedly passing was not a positive sign. To me, though, it was certainly no cause for alarm. I suspected an infection (UTI) and went to my doctor to get it treated. In fact, it was not a UTI, but whatever it was disappeared after two days. Still, following my doctor’s sound advice, I went to see a urologist.

The urologist confirmed that it was not an infection but did some tests to determine the underlying cause of the bleeding. What he found, instead, was a 13 cm (5 1/2 inch) tumor in my right kidney (which, amazingly, was not the cause of the bleeding). He was almost 100% certain that a tumor of that size was cancerous.

He was right. The dreaded cancer.

We’ve all heard these words before: “oh no, so and so has cancer.” Frightening. But when your inner voice speaks to you, solemnly, and says “I have cancer,” it’s a much different ballgame.”

Yes, I had cancer. I also have a wife, two children, a job, friends I love, and so much more that has defined who I am during the fascinating course of my 67 years on this planet. Yet, in my mind, I still had a full dance card ahead. There was no place on my life calendar for cancer.

Cancer doesn’t care.

After the disbelief and a mild panic subsided, my amazing wife and I went to work doing what we had to do. We found an excellent surgeon, we met, and he advised me to have my right kidney removed as soon as possible. The nephrectomy was set for a few weeks later on May 26.

The surgery was preceded by a procedure called embolization, in which they inject your kidney with something which essentially kills it. The kidney is the most vascular organ in the body and killing it in advance of the surgery was intended to minimize the blood flow to make it easier for the surgeons to see what they are doing.

The surgery itself took about four hours. Thankfully, I was unconscious. I woke up feeling bruised and weak, but the good news that the surgery was a success supplanted the pain.

I very happily checked out of the hospital after 5 days. In case you don’t know, hospitals are no place to get any rest. They wake you around the clock to make sure you are sleeping! A few days later I received my pathology report. The cancer was gone, negative margins, a very happy surgical staff, and an extremely grateful patient.

Now it’s periodic check-ups for a few years. No treatments unless something new pops up.

I learned a lot these last few weeks. Mostly, I became reacquainted with the concept of mortality. It changes a man.

What that means is difficult to describe. I have slowed down everything I do, recalling that life in fact is not a race to the finish line. The concept of “live your best life” is now a mantra. The things that matter – health, family, friends, love, have taken on sharper focus. The little things (and although it is difficult to believe, almost everything is just that) are relegated to the back seat and simply don’t have the same impact as before. My focus is on the present, the future, new ventures. A new perspective. Me 2.0. I am more grateful than ever for the good people around me and more appreciative of their love and support. I have learned who my true friends are. And reminded how important my family is.

It has been quite a ride, but I am on the other side. Wounds are healing (though my abdomen still looks like I was on the losing end of an encounter with Bonnie and Clyde), the pain is fading, and a return to normalcy is knocking at my door. Though I wouldn’t want to do it again, I feel I have learned more in this past month than in perhaps the last 30 years. I hope this helps some of you learn these lessons without having to endure the hardship of cancer, and helps you remain positive in conquering this terrible disease if it ever comes your way.

Ken Greene
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
ken@kengreenelaw.com
Alternate: kengreenelaw@outlook.com

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries


Shayan Adl was hired as Vendor Sales Program Manager, Dext Capital, Lake Oswego, Oregon.  He is located in Wilsonville Oregon. Previously, he was at Cintas, starting February 2015, Service Manager, promoted September 2020 Regional Service Manager. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayan-adl-b3313035/


Joshua Briggs was hired as Senior Vice President, Sweet Leaf Madison Capital, Denver, Colorado.  He is located in Erie, Colorado. Previously, he was Business Development Specialist, Tommy Chong Brands (September 2020 - June 2022); General Manager, Owner, CCBA, LLC (September, 2014 - June, 2020).
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-briggs-b02313a/


Tevor Gilmore was hired as Impact Executive, CoreTech, Newport Beach, California. He is located in Huntington Beach, California. Previously, he was Salesperson Cole Haan (August 2019 - June 2022).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gtrevorgilmore/


Kristina (Sherf) Matkowsky was promoted to Vice President, Servicing and Operations, Marlin Capital Solutions, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. She is located in Riverside, New Jersey. She joined Marlin Business Services Corp. February 2008, Broker Sales Support, promoted February 2007, Legal Administrative Assistant, promoted May 2017, Assistant Vice President of Customer Servicing promoted August 2012 Credit Verification/Documentation Analyst; promote (February 2014, Credit Operations Manager, promoted January 2016, Assistant Vice President Operations and Customer Care.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-matkowsky-87b6714/


Sean McCloskey was hired as Senior Sales Manager, Tandem Finance, Fort Collins, Colorado. He is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was Regional Sales Manager, PNC (July 2019 - May 2022).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccloskey-0453b410/


Michael Oliphant was promoted to Vice President of Direct Sales, Mitsubishi HC Capital (USA), Inc., New York, New York. He is located in Greater Cleveland. He joined the firm February 2022, Vice President of Sales. Previously, he was at Toyota Material Handling USA, starting August 2012, Dealer Support Manager, promoted March 2015, Dealer National Accounts Sales Manager. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-oliphant-78b57b11/


Shawn Passman was announced Vice President, Corporate Asset Finance, Mitsubishi HC Capital (USA), Inc, Jamison, Pennsylvania in March 2022, but announced June 2022. He is located in Jamison, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was Regional Manager, Technology Finance Corp (TFC) (January 2021 - March 2022). https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-passman-2960014/


Debbie Thomas was hired as Vice President of Credit, Accord Equipment Finance, Chicago, Illinois. She is located in Hartland, Michigan. Previously she was at Crestmark Equipment Finance, started August 2012, as Senior Credit Analyst, promoted October 2019, Credit Manager.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-thomas-0611a9b/


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Help Wanted Ads




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New Searches- June 2022

The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

As we head into the summer, there are no signs of slowing down. I am working with some great new clients that have the capital, growth plans and initiative to make a difference in the coming months and years. If you are looking to make a move and take your career to the next level, the time is now!

Below is the list of searches that we have been retained to fill. If you think you could be a fit or know anyone that could be, feel free to reach out to me at klubin@zrgpartners.com

  1. President: New subsidiary of a leading FinTech. Looking for someone with strong ops, credit and growth experience. This person will be responsible for starting a new FinTech from the ground floor with strong private backing. (National).
  1. Head of Vendor Finance Sales.  Global independent:  looking for a Leader to run the sales initiative of the strongest global vendor players in the world. This is a destination company. (Eastern US).
  1. Credit Professional.  Boston (area) based specialty finance company is looking for 1 possibly 2 strong credit/risk professionals. My client is the leading specialty firm that focuses in challenged credits, but can always get the deal done.
  1. Head of Credit/Underwriting.  Municipal Finance: this role will entail leading the credit and underwriting desk for one of the fastest growing municipal finance players in the US. (Northeast Based).
  1. Business Development, Distressed Debt.  Our client is an industry leading purchaser of distressed debt. They are looking for a high-level business development professional that is tied into the distressed debt network. The goal is to buy both commercial and consumer based distressed portfolios: (mortgage, auto, leasing, FinTech, ABL, etc...). They pay industry leading commissions (National).
  1. Chief Revenue Officer:  for a major arbitration and mediation player- they are looking for someone who can be a catalyst for growth and help take the company to the next level:  Amazing equity play. (NY Based or CA Based).
  1. Business Development (multiple). Equipment Finance - (Direct and vendor) A top tier storied credit player in the market. “There is no such thing as a bad credit, just a bad structure”. If you are an expert in doing storied credits or are missing the boat on deals your company won’t do, this is the place for you. (National).
  1. A top tier Bank Owned Equipment Finance company is looking for a number of key hires: 1. BD Municipal Finance, 2. BD Clean Tech/Renewable, 3. Clean Tech Sr. Underwriter 4. BD- 3rd Party Originations. They have become one of the strongest. (National).

The time is now to make a change going in 2022!



If you have any questions and would like to chat, email me at klubin@zrgpartners.com

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

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


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Startups are Still Surging
420,000 new business applications per month

Steve King from Small Business Labs reports that, though April, new business applications—meaning people applying for a federal tax I.D.—continue to be at historically high levels, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

There’s an average of about 420,000 new business applications per month, and King says that while this is below the all-time high we saw in 2020, applications are 40% higher than before the pandemic.

About 70% of the applications, King says, are from businesses that aren’t likely to have employees, “such as freelancers, independent contractors, and other types of solopreneurs.” Not surprisingly, the share of solopreneur applications has steadily increased over the past decade.

Leading the surge—retail continues to be the industry with the most applications, which has been the case since the startup surge began in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic first swept the globe. Professional services come in second, also consistently hanging on to their standing since the pandemic began.

All these applications don’t necessarily become actual businesses—Small Business Labs reported earlier this year that only about 20% of applications for tax I.D.s result in a new business starting. And King says they “expect to see business applications continue to decline over the next year.”

But still, the continuing surge means there will be “a corresponding surge in new employer small businesses, and solopreneurs.”

This is not only good news for cities and towns, many of which are still recovering from the pandemic, which decimated more than a few Main Streets across the country. But it also brings a hopeful outlook for businesses that serve startups, like accountants, lawyers, graphic designers, website developers and designers, consultants, etc.

And I’m sure we all agree—there’s no such thing as too many startups.

Source: SmallBusinessCurrents.com



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

ELFA Announces Agenda for Emergence2022
Leadership Program on July 14

Association Recognizes Members of
2022 Emerging Talent Advisory Council

Washington, D.C. – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association today released the detailed agenda for Emergence2022, a leadership development program for emerging talent in the equipment finance industry. The one-day event, to be held July 14 in Superior, Colorado, is designed to help up-and-coming employees from ELFA member companies to gain new leadership skills, devise strategies to shape their careers and develop a network of peers as they progress in their careers.


Martin Klotzman, CLFP, Chair of the Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC), Senior Manager Marketing and Product Management, Ivory Consulting Corporation, who is involved in planning and hosting the conference, said, ”Emergence2022 is a hands-on leadership workshop designed specifically for emerging talent. What leadership skills are necessary to excel in equipment finance? What tools do managers need to thrive in a rapidly changing world?

“We’ll be developing a toolbox and have a chance to interact and to role-play. We look forward to learning and networking with members of the emerging talent community on July 14!”

The agenda for Emergence 2022 will focus on the theme “Think, Act and Empower Like a Leader.” Pierre Quinn, a motivational speaker and author of two books on leadership, will serve as facilitator. The program will include:

  • Networking Breakfast
  • Ask a Leader Panel and Q&A featuring senior equipment finance leaders
  • Difficult Discussions: Where’s the Playbook? - Best practices for successfully navigating difficult conversations as a leader
  • Leading with CARE: Courage, Awareness, Resilience and Execution
  • U.S. Economic Outlook featuring economist Jeff Jensen of Keybridge Research, LLC
  • Networking Lunch
  • Navigating Uncertainty and Change in the Workplace
  • Now, It’s Your Turn: Attendees will work through real-life scenarios using the day’s learning to create actionable plans.
  • Emerging leaders evening networking event
  • Dine Around optional dinner outing

Planning Committee
ELFA recognizes the members of the 2022 Emerging Talent Advisory Council who are hosting Emergence2022, as well as the task force planning the event (marked with *):

  • Martin Klotzman*, CLFP, Senior Manager Marketing and Product Management, Ivory Consulting Corporation (Committee Chair)
  • Amanda Brubaken*, Senior Program Manager, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.
  • Eric Cable*, Director - Lender Finance and Capital Markets, CIT
  • James Cress, Vice President & General Manager, Flex Financial (Board of Directors Liaison)
  • Cole Farmer*, Chief Financial Officer, Blue Street Capital, LLC
  • Nicolas Goehring, SVP, Underwriting Manager, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
  • Steven Holben, CLFP, Director of Digital Sales Strategy, ENGS Commercial Finance Co.
  • Xiang Ji, Commercial Risk Senior Manager, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Inc.
  • Svetlana Kralik*, CLFP, Assistant Vice President - Credit Manager, U.S. Bank (Chair-Elect)
  • Sharon McGarvey, Business Development Manager, Odessa
  • Sean McKenna, National Sales Specialist, Great American Insurance Group
  • Will Mennesson, CLFP, VP of Credit, AP Equipment Financing
  • Zorina Olson, Web Operations Director, JDR Solutions, Inc.
  • Jordan Reeve*, Aftermarket Territory Manager, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
  • Harrison Smith, Vice President, Stonebriar Commercial Finance
  • Ryan van de Boogaard*, CLFP, Leasing Manager, Key Equipment Finance
  • Matthew Vazzana*, CLFP, National Account Executive, Huntington Technology Finance
  • Camtu Vo*, Commercial Technology Analyst, DLL

More Information
Details about Emergence2022 are available at https://www.elfaonline.org/events/2022/Emerge.

About ELFA

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the nearly $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. ELFA has been equipping business for success for more than 60 years. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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

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

Ivory Consulting Announces the Release
of SuperTRUMP 22

WALNUT CREEK, CA – Ivory Consulting Corporation, a leading provider of equipment lease and loan software, software customizations and consulting services for the equipment finance industry, announces the release of SuperTRUMP 22.

SuperTRUMP 22 provides general enhancements to SuperTRUMP on all platforms – Desktop, Salesforce, Web, and Server – as well as specialized upgrades to the new SuperTRUMP Desktop user interface released last year, and to SuperTRUMP for Salesforce.


Scott Thacker, CLFP, CEO, Ivory Consulting Corporation, said, “SuperTRUMP 22 represents the Ivory Consulting team’s determination to make the industry’s leading lease and loan modeling and pricing software even more robust.

 “With these new enhancements, we continue to deliver on the high-value capabilities and the Salesforce ecosystem-centric compatibility that drives demonstrable improvement in results for our customers – increased originations, improved analytics, and enhanced flexibility.”

SuperTRUMP 22 general enhancements include:

  • Combining two overlapping methods: “re-lease” and “original in-service date/tail-end depreciation,” so they can be modeled into a single re-lease function for transactions involving used equipment.
  • Creating the ability to show only the nominal values for yields on the Quick Screen and the Summary Report.
  • Implementing a table to capture the annual 20% drop in allowable bonus depreciation.
  • Adding a note to the Quick Screen and Summary Report when Canadian depreciation is used.

Specific to SuperTRUMP for Salesforce, the SuperTRUMP Pricing Quote is no longer constrained to the Opportunity object and can now be attached to most Salesforce objects, and even multiple objects, such as Accounts and Leads. Removing this limitation provides lessors with the flexibility to integrate modeling and pricing operations anywhere in their Salesforce workflow.

About Ivory Consulting

For over 35 years, Ivory Consulting Corporation has been the leading provider of equipment lease and loan software, software customizations and consulting services for the equipment finance industry. Ivory's flagship product, SuperTRUMP, is the proven solution for modeling and pricing complex leases and loans and is trusted by 7 of the Monitor top 10 companies. Ivory Consulting Corporation is privately held and headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA.

https://ivorycc.com/

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


 

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Watch at Home:
by Fernando Croce

Always dependable and equally comfortable in drama and comedy, Fred Ward (1942-2022) was a marvelous character actor whether as part of ensembles or as a lead. So check out our list for some of his best roles.

Southern Comfort (Walter Hill, 1981): Always a valuable player in large ensemble casts, Ward contributes an intense turn in this harrowing drama from action specialist Walter Hill (“The Warriors”). Set in the early 1970s in the Lou sisiana bayou, the film follows a group of National Guard soldiers taking part in military exercises that go terribly awry. Among the men is taciturn loner Hardin (Powers Boothe), jaunty Spencer (Keith Carradine), and Reece (Ward), a hothead who unwisely brings live ammunition to the proceedings. When they shoot at Cajun locals as a joke, the Cajun fire back and kill the sergeant (Peter Coyote), leaving the men to fend for themselves in a strange, increasingly perilous landscape. Moody, suspenseful, and filled with subversive symbolism, this remainsa powerful experience to the very end.

The Right Stuff (Philip Kaufman, 1983): Reaching for the stars has always been one of humankind’s greatest dreams, and few films capture it as exhilaratingly as this epic drama, based on Tom Wolfe’s bestseller. The sprawling narrative begins when Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard) breaks the sound barrier, and then follows the exploits of the group of astronauts comprising the Mercury 7 space program in the 1950s, a group that includes John Glen (Ed Harris), Gordon Cooper (Dennis Quaid) and Gus Grissom(Ward). As these men train for their journey into orbit, a rich mosaic of courage and determination materialize before our eyes. Directed by Philip Kaufman with a mix of irony and awe, this is an eye-filling panorama that thrills as much now as when it was first released.

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (Guy Hamilton, 1985): Ward scored a fun (and all too-infrequent) lead in this fast-moving, oddball action film, directed by James Bond veteran Guy Hamilton (“Goldfinger”). He stars as the title character, a New York City cop who, after disappearing in a car accident, wakes up to find himself part of a secret government agency. Given a new identity, he starts to train with the elderly Chiun (Joel Grey), master of a Korean martial art known as Sinanju. His skills are put to the test in his first mission, as Remo is sent to investigate a manufacturer of faulty weapons stationed within the U.S. Army. Originally planned as the first installment ina franchise that never took hold, the film benefits from Ward’s likability and humor.

Henry & June (Philip Kaufman, 1990): Re-teaming with “The Right Stuff” director Philip Kaufman, Ward had one of his juiciest roles in this sumptuous, mischievous drama, an unconventional romantic triangle set in the adventurous Europe of the late 1920s. Ward plays the Henry of the title, scandalous American writer Henry Miller, to be exact, author of “Tropic of Cancer” and an exuberant bon vivant. June (Uma Thurman) is his bold wife, with whom he shares a bohemian relationship with fellow writer Anais Nin (Maria de Medeiros). Enjoying the era’s sexual freedom, the trio soon goes from insouciant to contentious. The first film to be rated NC-17 for its adult themes, this is a frank, stylish, unabashedly intelligent biopic that celebrates its characters’ artistic boldness and carnal knowledge.

Tremors (Ron Underwood, 1990): Comedy and horror are rambunctiously braided in this bright throwback to old creature features, directed by Ron Underwood (“City Slickers”). Earl (Ward) and Val (Kevin Bacon) are handymen who decide to ditch their dull little Nevada town for more promising grounds. They decide to stay, however, when a series of mysterious deaths lead them to Rhonda (Finn Carter), a scientist concerned about what lies below the ground. In no time, they’re fighting for their lives against gargantuan, flesh-devouring worms, aided by a couple of survivalists (Reba McEntire and Michael Gross). Updating the Fifties monster plot with tongue firmly in cheek, the film maintains a light tone thanks largely to the chemistry between Ward’s game gruffness and Bacon’s keen impishness.

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Labrador Retriever
Lincoln, California Adopt-a-Dog


793- Red

Male
5 Years Old
Crate Trained
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
House Trained.

Red is a fox red male lab about 5 years old, weighing 80 pounds. Red was a stray that made his way to a very small rural shelter where chances are he was not going to be adopted. He is currently on antibiotics (for skin inflammation and ear infections) and we switched him to a high quality dog food to help as well. The hair loss on his back end suggests he was a kennel dog with nowhere soft to lie down and obviously he wasn’t fed the proper amount of food. We have rescued several of these types of dogs with skin issues and within a few months they look like different dogs with healthy skin and new hair coat growing in. Red is a sweet, happy, friendly, couch cuddlier who loves everyone kind of boy. He will your right hand boy and follow you everywhere. He knows sit and needs a little leash work but dogs like Red thrive after being rescued and turn out to be awesome dogs. Red is ready to go to his new home and he can finish his course of antibiotics in his new home.

Labs 2 Love Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 232
Lincoln, CA  95648-0232
https://labs2loverescue.org/contact-us/
adopt@labs2loverescue.org

About:
https://labs2loverescue.org/adopt/

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Matthew Fritz 2019 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
By Kevan R. Wilkinson, Leasing News Wine Reviewer

I recently went to my local wine shop on a mission to find an excellent value-priced Pinot Noir that I've never had. So, I perused the Pinot aisle, looked up quite a few Pinot reviews on my iPhone, and bought a bottle of the 2019 Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir for $15.

The story of the wine, not its reviews, is what piqued my interest. The winemaker grew up in Mendocino, where he spent a lot of time at his grandfather's winery and watched the winemaking process.

My wife Ana and I enjoyed this wine with roasted garlic and rosemary bread and some olive oil from Paso Robles, California. It was a simple pairing that worked out well.

The 2019 Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, full of ripe strawberries and cherries and a hint of chocolate bar and vanilla cream. The finish is superb, driven by a second helping of soft, lush berries. I completed my mission with success, and now I need to go back and buy another bottle or two.

The 2019 Mathew Fritz Pinot Noir retails for $15 online and in select wine shops and markets.

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News Briefs---

"I'm So Much Strong Now: How Remote Work
    is Helping Women in the Workplace"
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/09/business/women-are-climbing-corporate-ladder-remotely/

A Plea From German Brewers:
    Bring Back Your Empties
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/09/world/europe/germany-beer-bottle-shortage.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Business

Mortgage rates move higher ahead of
    Federal Reserve meeting
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/10/mortgage-rates-move-higher-ahead-federal-reserve-meeting/

Think Working From Home Won’t Hurt Your Career?
    Don’t Be So Sure
https://www.wsj.com/articles/think-working-from-home-wont-hurt-your-career-dont-be-so-sure-11654725511?st=sees8c9p72l40e2&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink



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You May Have Missed---

Sheryl Sandberg's Meta departure
     is the death knell for Lean In
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/09/economy/lean-in-sandberg-meta/index.html


[headlines]

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Sports Briefs---

PGA Tour suspends all players in Saudi-backed
     LIV Golf league
https://nypost.com/2022/06/09/pga-tour-suspends-all-players-in-saudi-backed-liv-golf-league/

Rams continue to lock up stars with receiver
    Cooper Kupp latest to get big bucks
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2022-06-08/rams-agree-new-deal-receiver-cooper-kupp?utm_id=57738&sfmc_id=1646692

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California Nuts Briefs---

California economy ranks 3rd-best in US, survey says
    For economic activity, California ranked No. 1.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/06/09/california-economy-ranks-3rd-best-in-us-survey-says/

They don’t even know this law exists’: A new alcohol
     rule hangs over state bars, restaurants
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-06-09/california-responsible-beverage-service-training-act

He was part of a ‘cabal’ that steered Anaheim City Hall.
    Now he has agreed to plead guilty
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-09/anaheim-disney-angels-fbi-investigation-chamber-todd-ament

$184 million in unpaid bridge tolls? Scores of Bay Area drivers
     face DMV liens under renewed crackdown
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/06/08/184-million-in-unpaid-bridge-tolls-scores-of-bay-area-drivers-face-dmv-liens-under-renewed-crackdown/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/san-francisco-district-attorney-chesa-boudin-faces-recall-election-11654603200?st=7ugx9ykixo9t4lm&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink


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"Gimme that wine"

This high-end Napa winery just acquired one
     of Sonoma’s treasure troves for Cabernet
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/article/napa-stewart-cellars-montecillo-vineyard-17226050.php

New winegrowing area proposed in Sonoma County’s
    Alexander Valley
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/new-winegrowing-area-proposed-inside-sonoma-countys-alexander-valley/

Texas Vineyards Face New Challenges in 2022
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/259541

E. & J. Gallo Winery Announced As Official Wine
    Sponsor of the National Football League
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/259604

This High-end Napa Winery Just Acquired
    One of Sonoma's Treasure Troves for Cabernet
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/article/napa-stewart-cellars-montecillo-vineyard-17226050.php


“Gimme that Wine”

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

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

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

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

[headlines]
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This Day in History

   1670 - A Virginia slavery act decreed that slaves who had become Christians before their importation were not liable to lifelong servitude. This law reflected the moral concern felt in America over the enslavement of Christians. 
    1697 - The husband of Hannah Duston was awarded the sum of 25 pounds (equivalent to today dollar about $10,000) for her heroic efforts, the first public award to a woman in America. On March 16 of the same year, in an attack on Haverhill, Massachusetts, Indians captured Hannah Duston and killed her baby, killing or capturing 39 others in addition. After being taken to an Indian camp, she escaped on April 29 after killing 10 Indians with a tomahawk and scalping them as proof of her deed. 
    1786 - The first ice cream to be made commercially was sold by Mr. Hall of 76 Chatham Street (now Park Row), New York City, who advertised its sale. 
    1789 - James Madison introduced twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution in the House.  By 1791, ten of them were ratified by the state legislatures and became the Bill of Rights.  Another was eventually ratified in 1992 to become the 27th Amendment. 
    1816 - Mary Lucinda Bonney’s (d. 1900) birthday, Hamilton, NY.  Educator and reformer who organized and headed a successful women's school in Philadelphia as well as the Central Indian Committee which campaigned for the U.S. to honor its Indian treaties. Under her leadership, the plan to allot land to individual Indians was developed and approved by Congress. 
http://www.school.eb.com/women/articles/Bonney_Mary_Lucinda.html 
    1851 - The "Alta" published a proposal for a citizens committee of safety following an outbreak of lawlessness and arson. 
    1852 - Chinese laborers on the three-story granite Parrott Building, first fireproof structure in town, went on strike in 1852, demanding more pay.  Since only they could read the characters on the building's granite blocks, which had been cut, dressed, and numbered in China, they got it. 
    1861 - Tennessee seceded from the Union in a two to one vote in the state.  (lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html ) 
    1862 - At the Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia, Confederate forces under Gen. Stonewall Jackson saved the Army of Northern Virginian from a Union assault on the James Peninsula led by Gen. George McClellan.
    1863 - Residents of Vicksburg flee into caves as General Ulysses S. Grant's army begins shelling the town. 
    1867 - The birthday of perhaps the greatest American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (d. 1959), born at Richland Center, WI. In his autobiography, Wright wrote: "No house should ever be on any hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other." http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun08.html 
    1869 - Ives W. McGaffey of Chicago, Illinois obtained a patent on a "sweeping machine," a light hand-powered suction device for surface cleaning. Although he did not coin the word "Vacuum Cleaner," he is credited with its invention. Melville Reuben Bissell of Grand Rapids, MI, in 1876 received a patent on a "broom action: variable pressure sweeper, responsive to different grades of floor covering. The first vacuum cleaner driven by a motor was invented by John S. Thurman of the General Compressed Air and Vacuum Machinery Company, St. Louis, MO, in 1899 for a "pneumatic carpet renovator." Vacuum Cleaner came into the American language as a shorter name of maker, it was a "Vacuum" cleaner. 
    1869 - Pioneer Japanese immigrants establish a tea and silk farm colony at Gold Hill, California. Americans of Japanese ancestry (Nisei) lived in this country and struggled courageously for freedom and equality. This heritage was attacked following Pearl Harbor as they were shipped off to concentration camps and their homes, businesses, and property were stolen from them. 
    1886 – Congress passed the first Civil Rights Act.
    1892 – In the act that triggered the litigation, Homer A. Plessy refused to go to a segregated railroad car (Plessy v. Ferguson). 
    1893 - Birthday of Dorothy Deming (d. 1972), New Haven, CT.  Author of the Penny Marsh books on nursing as a career. 
http://www.seriesbooks.com/demingdorothy.htm 
http://www.elliemik.com/helpwanted.html 
    1906 - Pianist Frank "Sweet" Williams, New Orleans…apparently still living in Chicago as of 2017. 
    1906 - Birthday of guitarist Willie Morris (d. 2002), Bolton, MS.  http://www.adelphirecords.com/video/JugBand.html 
    1906 - Birthday of Pianist Billie Pierce (d. 1974) was born Wilhelmina Goodson in Marianna, Florida.  Known best for performing with DeDe Pierce, she was a boogie-woogie piano player with a distinctive blues shouting style that was reportedly unforgettable. 
http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/showsearchresults.asp?&
OutletID=1&SearchField=a&SearchString=Pierce
 
http://music.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/cpc_150701_vtl_artist_c15332934.html 
http://www.enigmaterial.com/jazz/ph1966/ph66_bpierce.html 
    1906 – President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law, authorizing the President to restrict the use of certain parcels of public land with historical or conservation value.
    1909 – Clarence “Cack” Henley of the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast league threw the longest complete game shutout in professional baseball history. Henley threw 24 scoreless innings against the Oakland Oaks before finally winning, 1-0…guessing on his pitch count???! 
    1916 - Birthday of Canadian trumpeter and bandleader Johnny Holmes, in Montreal. 
    1917 – Walt Disney graduated from Benton HS.
    1917 - Birthday of Byron Raymond (Whizzer) White (d. 2002) at Fort Collins, CO.  Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US, nominated by President Kennedy Apr 3, 1962. White was an All-American halfback for the University of Colorado.   He also played basketball and baseball. After graduation, he signed with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) after they selected him in Round 1 of the 1938 NFL Draft, and he played the 1938 season. He led the league in rushing in his rookie season and became the game's highest-paid player. He won a Rhodes scholarship to the University of Oxford and, after having deferred it for a year to play football, he decided to attend.  After Oxford, White played for the Detroit Lions from 1940 to 1941. He led the league in rushing in 1938 and 1940, and he was one of the first "big money" NFL players, making $15,000 a year.  His career was cut short when he entered the Navy during World War II; after the war, he elected to attend law school rather than return to football. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
    1921 - Birthday of Alexis Smith (d. 1993), born Margaret Alexis Fitzsimmons Smith in Penticton, BC.  After moving to southern California as a child, she attended Hollywood HS and LA City College where she was discovered.  She was an actress who starred with many of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men including Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Errol Flynn in the 1940s and 50s. She won a Tony in 1972 for her sensational performance as the cynical and aging former showgirl in “Follies.” She was the patron for U.S. novelist Rita Mae Brown.  Her sole survivor was her husband of 49 years, actor Craig Stevens who played “Peter Gunn” on the TV series.
    1921 – LeRoy Nieman (d. 2012) was born Leroy Leslie Runquist in St. Paul, MN.  He was an artist known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events.    
    1925 - Birthday of Barbara Pierce Bush (d. 2018), former First Lady, born in NYC.  She met George Herbert Walker Bush at age 16, and the two married in 1945, while he was on leave during his deployment as a naval officer in World War II.  They had six children together, among them former President George H. Bush and former FL Governor Jeb Bush. 
    1925 – Eddie Gaedel (d. 1961) was born in Chicago with dwarfism.  On August 19, 1951 for the St. Louis Browns, he was called into pinch-hit against the Detroit Tigers.  Standing a mere 3’ 7”, he was walked on four pitches, was replaced by a pinch-runner, and never played again.  The owner of the Browns at the time was Bill Veeck.  His death was gruesome.  On June 18, 1961, the unemployed Gaedel, who had just turned 36, was at a bowling alley in Chicago. Gaedel was followed home and beaten. His mother discovered him lying dead in his bed.
    1933 – Comedian and writer Joan Rivers (d. 2014) was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn.  She died of cardiac arrest in an operating room September 4, 2014; age 81.
    1936 - Birthday of actor-singer James Darren was born James William Ercolani in Philadelphia, PA.  
http://www.jamesdarren.com/ 
http://celebhost.net/jamesdarren/ 
    1937 - Eight-and-one-half-foot giant Calla Lily blooms, New York Botanical Gardens. 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/06/05/MN182256.DTL 
    1939 - Soprano saxophone player Sidney Bechet records "Summertime," (Blue Note 6) 
    1940 - Birthday of singer Nancy Sinatra, was born in Jersey City, NJ. Graduate of University High School in West Los Angeles. After forming an association with producer Lee Hazelwood, she made number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 with "These Boots Are Made for Walkin". Nancy Sinatra also had several hit duets with Hazelwood, and one with her father, "Somethin' Stupid," in 1967. 
http://www.nancysinatra.com/ 
http://www.theveteran.net/nancy/ 
http://www.sinatrafamily.com/news/index.php 
    1940 – Neptunium (Element 93, Symbol Np, Atomic weight 237) was created at the University of California at Berkeley, CA, by Edwin Mattison McMillan and Philip Hauge Abelson. Neptunium was the first element created that was heavier than uranium, the heaviest naturally occurring element. 
    1942 - Chuck Negron, lead vocalist for Three Dog Night, was born in New York City. Three Dog Night, formed in Los Angeles in 1968, became one of the most commercially successful American rock bands of the 1970's. Negron had been a session vocalist before he was recruited by group founder Danny Hutton. Three Dog Night's first album in 1969 yielded a million-seller, "One," and after that they were seldom absent from the charts. Among their other hits were "Easy to Be Hard," "Joy to the World" and "An Old-Fashioned Love Song." The group also had a number of best-selling albums. Three Dog Night's commercial magic had waned by 1975, and the group gradually broke up. The three original vocalists of Three Dog Night - Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells - reunited in 1981. 
    1944 - Birthday of William Royce “Boz” Scaggs, singer, musician, songwriter (“Silk Degrees”, “Middle Man”), in Canton, OH. Following two albums with the Steve Miller Band in the late 1960's, he spent nearly a decade trying to make it as a solo act. Scaggs finally made it in 1976 with the album "Silk Degrees," which sold five-million copies. Singles from the LP, "Lowdown," made it to number three and “Lido Shuffle” to #13  on the Hot 100. 
    1944 - *PEREGORY, FRANK D., Medal of Honor 
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. Place and date: Grandcampe France, 8 June 1944. Entered service at: Charlottesville, Va. Born. 10 April 1915, Esmont, Va. G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1945. Citation: On 8 June 1944, the 3d Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcampe, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machinegun fire from a firmly entrenched enemy force on the high ground overlooking the town. After numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective, T/Sgt. Peregory, on his own initiative, advanced up the hill under withering fire, and worked his way to the crest where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main enemy fortifications 200 yards away. Without hesitating, he leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement. Encountering a squad of enemy riflemen, he fearlessly attacked them with hand grenades and bayonet, killed 8 and forced 3 to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he single-handedly forced the surrender of 32 more riflemen, captured the machine gunners, and opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion to advance and secure its objective. The extraordinary gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by T/Sgt. Peregory are exemplary of the highest tradition of the armed forces. 
    1945 - *LESTER, FRED FAULKNER, Medal of Honor 
Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 April 1926, Downers Grove, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with an Assault Rifle Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 8 June 1945. Quick to spot a wounded marine lying in an open field beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic Japanese hill position, Lester unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty under a concentrated barrage from hostile machineguns, rifles, and grenades. Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before he reached cover, he exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded himself to administer aid, he instructed 2 of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued marine. Realizing that his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused medical attention for himself and, gathering his fast-waning strength with calm determination, coolly and expertly directed his men in the treatment of 2 other wounded marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, Lester, by his indomitable spirit, outstanding valor, and competent direction of others, had saved the life of 1 who otherwise must have perished and had contributed to the safety of countless others. Lester's fortitude in the face of certain death sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. 
    1946 - Harmonica player, composer, band leader James Harman birthday, born Anniston, AL. 
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bxt6uaknk5m3v 
    1947 - Birthday of detective writer Sara Paretskey in Ames, IA.  She is best known as the author of the Chicago-based detective series featuring the opera singing, liberal feminist, V. I. Warshawski, who lacks house cleaning and cooking abilities, but is "hard boiled."  “Killing Orders”, “Burn Marks”.  
http://www.saraparetsky.com/ 
http://www.valueshop.com/bkgpparetsky.html 
http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/engl/marling/hardboiled/Paretsky.HTM 
    1948 - The first African-American officer commissioned in the Marine Corps was John Earl Rudder, a midshipman in the regular Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Purdue University, Lafayette, IN.  He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and he served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 24, 1943 to June 26, 1946. 
    1948 - Milton Berle starred on the "Texaco Star Theatre." He soon earned the nickname "Mr. Television", and he continued to be America's top TV comedian until 1956. In 1948, only about one percent of America's homes had TV. However, by 1956, thanks in large part to Berle, the percentage was much higher. When Berle was on, theatres often closed and neighborhood taverns noted a big decrease in business. 
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/miltonberle/miltonberle.htm 
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/berlemilton/berlemilton.htm 
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0040041/ 
    1949 - An FBI report named as Communists celebrities Helen Keller, Dorothy Parker, Danny Kaye, Fredric March, John Garfield, Paul Muni, and Edward G. Robinson.
    1949 – George Orwell’s “1984” was published. The novel is set in Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain), a province of the super state Oceania, in a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation, dictated by a political system under the control of a privileged Inner Party elite that persecutes individualism and independent thinking as "thought crimes."  The tyranny is epitomized by Big Brother, the quasi-divine Party leader who enjoys an intense cult of personality but who may not even exist. The Party "seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power.”
    1950 – The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Browns, 29-4. It was a one game baseball record for scoring. Al Zarilla of the Sox scored four doubles in the game. 
    1951 – Top Hits
“Too Young” – Nat King Cole
“On Top of Old Smokey” – The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
“How High the Moon” – Les Paul & Mary Ford
“I Want to Be with You Always” – Lefty Frizzell
    1951 – Birthday of rock singer Bonnie Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, near Swansea, South Wales.  Her biggest hit is the million-selling  “Total Eclipse of the Heart’’ in 1983. The single tops Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks. 
http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/bonnietyler.htm
http://www.bonnietyler.com/main.html 
    1953 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that restaurants in the District of Columbia could not refuse to serve blacks. 
    1953 - A 1/2 mile wide tornado struck Flint, Michigan. 115 people were killed making it the worst tornado in the state's history. This tornado, rated F5 on the Fujita scale, was the last single tornado in the U.S. to kill over 100 people.   116 were killed, 844 injured, and 340 homes destroyed.
    1954 - Record promoters officially began phasing out 78s and giving 45s to radio DJs instead.  How many under the age of 50 will understand this statement?
    1955 – The Brooklyn Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the minor league Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax who had been on the disabled list.  In 1954, during a tryout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Koufax's fastball broke the thumb of the team's bullpen coach. Branch Rickey, by then the GM of the Pirates, told his scout Clyde Sukeforth (of Jackie Robinson fame) that Koufax had the "greatest arm [he had] ever seen.”  Dodgers scout Al Campanis heard about Koufax from a local sporting goods store owner. After seeing Koufax pitch for Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, Campanis invited him to an Ebbets Field tryout. With Dodgers manager Walter Alston and scouting director Fresco Thompson watching, Campanis assumed the hitter's stance while Koufax started throwing. Campanis later said, "There are two times in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the second time, I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball."  The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 ($53,000 today) salary, with a $14,000 ($123,000 today) bonus. Because Koufax's signing bonus was greater than $4,000 ($35,000 today), he was forced to remain on the roster for at least two years before he could be sent to the minors.  
    1957 - Birthday of Scott Adams, cartoonist, creator of "Dilbert," born Windham, NY. 
    1959 - Top Hits
“Dream Lover” - Bobby Darin
“Personality” - Lloyd Price
“Quiet Village” - Martin Denny
“The Battle of New Orleans” - Johnny Horton
    1959 - "I Only Have Eyes for You" by the six man, Chicago vocal group, The Flamingos, enters the Billboard chart, where it will reach #11.  This is a doo-wop all-timer and one that was great for submarine race-watching!
    1960 - Roy Orbison released "Only the Lonely.”
    1961 - A Major League Baseball record was set when four Milwaukee Braves batters – Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, and Frank Thomas -  hit consecutive home runs in the game's seventh inning. They still lost to the Cincinnati Reds, 10-8. 
    1961 - Elvis Presley's seventh film, "Wild in the Country" premiers. 
    1962 - Birthday of Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran who was born Nicholas James Bates in England. 
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/duran_duran/bio.jhtml 
http://www.duranduran.com/ 
http://www.duranduran.co.uk/ 
    1963 - The Essex release "Easier Said Than Done," a song that will climb to #1 on both the US Pop and R&B charts.  Founding members Walter Vickers (guitar) and Rodney Taylor (drums) were members of the US Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  After being transferred to Camp LeJeune, NC, they enlisted fellow Marines Billy Hill and Rudolph Johnson as group members.  Next they added a female lead singer, Anita Humes, another Marine.
    1963 - The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" peaks at #3 on the Billboard Pop chart. The effort is the brain child of Phil Spector, who uses a multi-track recording system to build the song layer upon layer to achieve a result that will become known as a "wall of sound". Backing musicians include Glen Campbell on guitar, Hal Blain on drums, Leon Russell on piano and Nino Tempo on sax. 
    1965 - President Johnson authorizes commanders in Vietnam to commit U.S. ground forces to combat. 
    1963 - American Heart Association became the first agency to campaign against cigarettes 
    1965 – Major League Baseball held its first free agent draft and the Kansas City A’s chose Rick Monday as the first overall pick.  Picking second, the Mets picked Les Rohr and they waited until the 10th round to choose Nolan Ryan.  Johnny Bench was chosen by the Reds in the second round after they selected Bernie Carbo in the first.  Other notables:  Minnesota chose Graig Nettles in the 4th round, the Kansas City A’s chose Sal Bando in the 6th round, Tom Seaver was chosen by the Dodgers in the 10th round, Nolan Ryan in the 12th by the Mets.
    1966 - Merle James Smith, Jr. of Baltimore, MD, part of the class of 113 cadets who were graduated this day, became the first African-American Coast Guard Academy graduate. The ceremony was held at Jones Field, New London, CT. His commission was presented to him by his father, a colonel in the regular army. 
    1966 - A tornado ripped right through the heart of the capitol city of Topeka, KS, killing sixteen persons and causing $100 million damage. The tornado, which struck during the evening, cut a swath of near total destruction eight miles long and four blocks wide. It was the most destructive tornado of record up until that time. 
    1966 - The Elvis Presley film “Paradise Hawaiian Style'' premieres. 
    1967 - Top Hits
“Respect” - Aretha Franklin
“Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” - Engelbert Humperdinck
“Croquet Alley” - The Mamas & the Papas
“It's Such a Pretty World Today” - Wynn Stewart 
    1967 - Attack on the USS Liberty. At 2 PM local time, the unescorted US intelligence ship USS Liberty, sailing in international waters off the Egyptian coast, was attacked without warning by Israeli jet planes and three Israeli torpedo boats. She was strafed and hit repeatedly by rockets, cannon, napalm and finally a torpedo. Casualties: out of a crew of 294 Americans, there were 34 dead and 171 wounded. Israel apologized, claiming mistaken identity, but surviving crew members charged deliberate attack by Israel and cover-up by US authorities. 
    1968 - The Rolling Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash." 
    1968 - Don Drysdale, pitcher for LA Dodgers, lost his major league streak of scoreless innings pitched, when it was stopped at 58-2/3 by Howie Bedell, of the Philadelphia Phillies, who hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The Dodgers did beat the Phillies 5-3 that day. Until 1987, Drysdale's record stood, when it was broken by Orel Hersheiser, also of the Dodgers at that time. 
    1968 - During a meeting on Midway Island in the Pacific, President Richard M. Nixon and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu announce the imminent withdrawal of 25,000 US troops from Vietnam, and emphasize that all remaining US grounds troops will eventually be replaced by South Vietnamese forces. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy had sent the first large force of US military personnel to Vietnam to bolster the ineffectual autocratic regime of South Vietnam against the Communist North. Three years later, with the South Vietnamese government crumbling, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered limited bombing raids on North Vietnam and Congress authorized the use of US troops. By 1965, North Vietnamese offensives left President Johnson with two choices: escalate US involvement or withdraw. Johnson ordered the former, and troop levels soon jumped to over 300,000 as US air forces commenced the largest bombing campaign in history. Over the next few years, the extended length of the war, the high number of US casualties, and the exposure of US involvement in war crimes such as the massacre at My Lai, helped to turn many in the United States against the Vietnam War, and created a perilous national division. In the spring of 1969, as protests in the United States against the war escalated, US troop strength in the war-torn country reached its peak at nearly 550,000. In June, Richard Nixon, the new US president, announced the beginning of US troop withdrawal, but intensified bombing in an effort to salvage the embattled war effort. Large US troop withdrawals continued in the early 1970s, but President Nixon expanded air and ground operations into Cambodia and Laos in attempts to block enemy supply routes along Vietnam's borders. This expansion of the war, which accomplished few positive results, led to new waves of protests in the United States and elsewhere. Finally, in 1973, representatives of the United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement in Paris, ending the US military involvement in the Vietnam War. By the end of 1973, the US contingent in Vietnam had shrunk to only fifty military advisors. On 30 April 1975, the last of these and other US nationals were airlifted out of Vietnam as Communist forces launched their final triumphant offensive into South Vietnam. The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular foreign war in US history, cost fifty-eight thousand American lives, many more lives of Vietnamese soldiers from both North and South, uncounted lives of Vietnamese civilians, and long-lasting damage to the environment in Vietnam. 
    1968 - James Earl Ray, alleged assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr., was captured. 
    1968 – Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.  Immediately following the mass, Kennedy's body was transported by a special private train to Washington, D.C. Thousands of mourners lined the tracks and stations along the route, paying their respects as the train passed. The train departed New York at 12:30 pm.  The four-hour trip took more than eight hours because of the thick crowds lining the tracks on the 225 miles journey to prepare for the interment at Arlington National cemetery next to his slain brother, President John F. Kennedy.
    1969 - New York Yankees honored Mickey Mantle by retiring his number 7 in a ceremony preceding a double-header against the Chicago White Sox. 60,096 fans came out to salute Mantle and to watch the Yankees sweep the Sox, 3-1 and 11-2. The Yankees have retired 22 numbers in all, more than any other baseball team.  They retired #51 for Bernie Williams, #20 for Jorge Posada and #46 for Andy Pettitte in 2015.  Derek Jeter’s #2 and Paul O’Neil’s #21 will likely be retired in the near future. 
    1969 – The last episode of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” aired on CBS.  The series was a major success, especially considering it was scheduled against the major NBC television series, “Bonanza”, with content that appealed to contemporary youth viewership with daring political satire humor and major music acts.  Despite this success, continual conflicts with network executives over content led to the show being abruptly pulled from the schedule in violation of the Smothers' contract in 1969.  On April 6, 1973, the Federal court ruled in favor of the Smothers and ordered CBS to pay them $766,000. Despite the Smothers' legal victory, the show never returned to the air.  Despite this cancellation, the show won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy, Variety or Music Show.     
    1969 - Having already been fired for his worsening drug use, Brian Jones officially announced that he is leaving the Rolling Stones, saying that he "no longer see(s) eye to eye (with the group about) the discs we are cutting." In less than a month he will be found dead.
    1970 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Long and Winding Road,'' The Beatles. 
    1973 - After quarterbacking for the Baltimore Colts for 16 of the NFL's most exciting seasons ever, including back-to-back NFL Championships in 1958-59, Johnny Unitas signed a two-year contract to finish out his football career with the San Diego Chargers. He never did look right with bolts on his helmet instead of the horseshoes!!
    1974 - Severe thunderstorms spawned at least twenty-three tornadoes in Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening hours. One of the tornadoes struck the town Drumright killing sixteen persons and injuring 150 others. A tornado struck the National Weather Service office in Oklahoma City, and two tornadoes hit the city of Tulsa. Thunderstorms in Tulsa also produced as much as ten inches of rain. Total damage from the storms was around thirty million dollars. It was the worst natural disaster of record for Tulsa. 
    1974 - Paul McCartney and Wings had the top spot on the Billboard singles chart with "Band on the Run," a song on which Paul played bass, guitar and drums. 
    1975 - Top Hits
“Thank God I'm a Country Boy” - John Denver
“Sister Golden Hair” - America
“Bad Time” - Grand Funk
“Window Up Above” - Mickey Gilley 
    1977 – Kiss’ debut album was certified gold.
    1978 - Through the voice of its president Spencer W. Kimball, the Mormon Church reversed a 148-year-long policy of spiritual discrimination against African- American leadership within the denomination. The declaration extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church.  The Mormon attitude about Black church members is little understood outside their church, but here is a site chronicling a group trying to bring "fair" information concerning the LDS.
http://www.ldsblacks.com/history.html
The Official Decision as recorded by the LDSBlacks.com
http://www.ldsblacks.com/declare2.html
About this site:  http://www.ldsblacks.com/gordon.html 
    1982 - A re-united Simon & Garfunkel leave for a nine date European tour starting at the Hippodrome d'Auteuil in Paris. It ends June 19th in London. 
    1982 – The Ageless One, Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige (1906-82) died.
    1983 - Top Hits
“Flashdance...What a Feeling” - Irene Cara
“Overkill” - Men at Work
“Time (Clock of the Heart)” - Culture Club
“Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will)” - Waylon Jennings 
    1986 - In the longest nine inning game in American League history, the Orioles beat the Yankees 18-9 in four hours and sixteen minutes. 
    1986 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit:  “On My Own,'' Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald. 
    1988 - Overnight thunderstorms in Iowa produced 5.20 inches of rain at Coon Rapids. Thunderstorms in the Florida Keys drenched Tavernier with 7.16 inches of rain in 24 hours. Eleven cities in the central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. 
    1989 - After the Pirates take a 10-0 lead in Philadelphia by sending 16 batters to the plate in the first inning, Pirate broadcaster Jim Rooker announces if the Bucs lose the game he'll walk back to Pittsburgh. True to his word, the radio by-by-play man organizes a charity walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after the season as a result of the Phillies comeback win over the Pirates, 15-11. 
    1989 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather over the Central Gulf Coast Region during the day and evening. Severe thunderstorms spawned 17 tornadoes, including one which injured ten persons and caused a million dollars damage at Orange Beach, AL. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 90 mph killed three persons and injured four others at Mobile, AL. Thunderstorms also deluged Walnut Hill and Avalon Beach, FL, with eight inches of rain. 
    1990 - CDR Rosemary Mariner becomes first Navy woman to command a fleet jet aircraft squadron. 
    1991 - General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of Allied forces in Operation "Desert Storm", leads the National Victory Parade up Pennsylvania Avenue past the reviewing stand holding President George H.W. Bush and other dignitaries in the first such military parade held in the nation's capital since the end of World War I. Among the contingents of military units are composite battalions of Air and Army Guard personnel who served in theater. 
    1991 - Top Hits
“More Than Words” - Extreme
“I Wanna Sex You Up” - Color Me Badd
“Rush, Rush” - Paula Abdul
“Meet in the Middle” - Diamond Rio 
    1991 - Paula Abdul started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart with "Spellbound". 
    1991 - Bruce Springsteen married longtime girlfriend Patti Scialfa in a private ceremony at the couple's mansion in Beverly Hills, California. Bob Dylan was among the guests. It was the second marriage for Springsteen, who divorced model Julianne Phillips in 1988, and the first for Scialfa who used to sing in Springsteen's E Street Band. 
    1995 - The downed Air Force pilot Capt. Scott O’Grady was rescued by US Marines in Bosnia. 
    1998 - Former LA Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson's new late-night talk show averaged a 3 Nielsen rating in its opening night in 40 major cities. It dropped to a 2.1 rating the next two nights and was soon cancelled. 
    1998 - The National Rifle Association elected Charlton Heston its president. 
    2001 - For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the two Texas teams play one another in the regular season. The Astros beat their interstate rivals, the Rangers, 5-4 in the first game of the Lone Star Series played in Arlington, Texas.  
    2003 - Billy Joel won a Tony award for the orchestration of his musical, “Movin' Out.”  
    2004 - Tampa Bay holds off the Flames for its First Stanley Cup: Lightning 2, Flames 1 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23531-2004Jun7.html 
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/sports/hockey/08cup.html    
    2005 - Going yard twice in his 4-for-4 day, Alex Rodriquez becomes the 40th and youngest big leaguer to hit 400 career home runs. On the 316th day of 29th year of his life, the Yankee superstar third baseman, who surpasses Ken Griffey Jr. for the honor, connects for a solo shot off Brewers' southpaw Jorge De La Rosa in the eighth inning for the milestone marker.   
    2009 - New York's legendary Apollo Theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary with a concert featuring, among others, The O'Jays and Patti Labelle. During the proceedings, Labelle and Quincy Jones were inducted into the venue's Hall of Fame.
    2010 - Pitcher Stephen Strasburg made the most eagerly anticipated debut in decades before a sell-out crowd in Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The recipient of the largest signing bonus in history lived up to his advance billing, striking out 14 while walking none in seven innings.  The Nationals beat the Pirates, 4-2, for Strasburg's first major league win. 
    2010 - Old Man River, otherwise known as Tim Wakefield, rolled along to another milestone, passing Roger Clemens for most innings pitched in Red Sox team history with 2777. 
    2010 - The trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich began, facing corruption charges regarding his alleged attempt to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.  He would be convicted in 2012 and is now serving a 14-year prison sentence. 
    2013 - For only the second time in Major League history, two games went 18 innings on the same day. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Texas Rangers, 4-3 in 18 while the New York Mets lost to the Florida Marlins, 2-1 in 20.  

Stanley Cup Champions 
    2004 - Tampa Bay Lightning 

NBA Champions 
    1982 - Los Angeles Lakers, MVP:  Magic Johnson, L.A.  
    1986 - Boston Celtics, MVP: Larry Bird, Boston. 


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