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Net Income 1st Quarter US $1.7 Million to
2021 1st Quarter US $6.3 Million
    Reports Chesswood, Parent of Several Leasing & Loan Companies

Chesswood Group Limited (TSX-CHW, Toronto, Canada, has two US subsidiaries, Pawnee Leasing and Tandem Finance, along with Blue Chip Leasing and Blue Chip Leasing in Canada. It has Vault Credit Corporation, leasing and loans, in Canada, Vault Pay and recently acquired Waypoint Investment Partners, Inc in Canada, an integrated asset management platform.

Their press release stated:

“The Company reported consolidated net income of $1.7 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 compared to a net income of $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. The Q1 2022 net income was significantly impacted by an accounting requirement to immediately recognize the full loss provision ($9.3 million) for Rifco's portfolio on the date of the acquisition through the consolidated statements of income. The adjusted net income1 excluding that one-time non-recurring item was $8.8 million, an increase of $2.5 million year-over-year. 

“The U.S. Equipment Financing Segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $30.6 million and ancillary and other income of $3.6 million, a total increase of $11.0 million year over year.  The increase is the result of the growing finance receivables portfolio, offset by an increasing mix of prime receivables.  

“The Canadian Equipment Financing Segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $11.0 million and ancillary and other income of $3.4 million, a total increase of $11.2 million year over year. The increase reflects the expansion of the Canadian Equipment Financing Segment as a result of the merger with Vault Credit Corporation in Q2 2021 and the tremendous portfolio receivable growth since then. 

"The Canadian Auto Financing Segment reported interest revenue on leases and loans of $8.3 million and ancillary and other income of $0.3 million. Excluding the $9.3 million initial provision for the purchased portfolio ($7.21 million tax adjusted); the segment would have contribution a total of $0.7 million of net income to the Company's consolidated net income after tax.

Full Press Release:
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/chesswood-announces-strong-first-quarter-2022-results-873500444.html

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No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business
plus Leasing Companies Out of Business

Companies with an * are no longer in business. The others are companies that were taking broker business, but announced that they no longer are accepting broker business. Many have also down-sized or are managing an existing portfolio. This does not include companies merged or acquired who are still in business.

Any updates or changes, please contact: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

Full List:
https://leasingnews.org/Pages/Out-of-broker-bus.htm

 

CLFP Foundation Adds 14 New Members
Photos Academy Graduates Hosted by Arvest Bank

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the commercial equipment finance industry. There are Certified Lease & Finance Professionals and Associates located throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, India, Africa, and Australia.

The Academy for Lease and Finance Professionals (ALFP) is a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already self-studied. A trend has begun in having virtual online sessions.

During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth. On the third day, the exam is offered but is not mandatory and may be taken on another day.

Students are strongly advised to have read and studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook prior to attending the class in order to ensure success.

The Private Hosting by Arvest Equipment Finance April 20 to April 23 added 14 CLFPs after for Lease & Finance Professionals (ALFP) in April. Upon completion of the class, the following individuals successfully passed the 8-hour online proctored exam.  They are:

 

Bryan Anderson, CLFP
Portfolio Manager
Northland Capital Financial Services, LLC

Roger Beil, CLFP
Regional Account Manager
Arvest Equipment Finance

Emily Blinzler, CLFP
Bank Sales Support Specialist
Arvest Equipment Finance

Michael Davis, CLFP
Asset Manager
Arvest Equipment Finance

Joshua Dickens, CLFP
EF Vendor Sales Support Specialist
Arvest Equipment Finance

Bradley Edwards, CLFP
Equipment Finance Specialist
Arvest Equipment Finance

Austen Hassebrock, CLFP
Team Lead, DLL

Conner Lenahan, CLFP
Sales Representative
Quality Leasing Co., Inc.

Patrick Lewis, CLFP Associate
Equipment Finance Specialist
Vice President, Arvest Equipment Finance

Joseph Mirch, CLFP
Senior Vice President Manager
Credit Administration
Arvest Equipment Finance

James Plummer, CLFP
Senior Sales Consultant
Quality Leasing Co., Inc.

Lisa Stadler, CLFP
Senior Account Manager
Entegra Capital LLC

Kara Szymanski, CLFP
Account Manager, DLL

Kristen Thompson, CLFP
Sales Coordinator
The Huntington National Bank

Roger Beii, CLFP, Regional Account Manager, Arvest Equipment Finance attended the first in-person Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals (ALFP) hosted by Arvest Bank and stated:

 “I wanted to earn the CLFP designation to set myself apart as an individual with integrity, ethics, and professionalism, who is viewed as an expert in the equipment leasing and finance industry.

“The CLFP designation, which is the pinnacle of our industry brings with it a higher level of creditability and commitment by mastering a comprehensive base of knowledge, combined with professional experience. “

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the commercial equipment finance industry. There are Certified Lease & Finance Professionals and Associates located throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, India, Africa, and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.CLFPFoundation.org.

For further information, please contact Reid Raykovich, CLFP, Chief Executive Officer, reid@clfpfoundation.org or visit: www.clfpfoundation.org

New CLFP "Frequently Asked Question" Guide:
https://clfpfoundation.org/faqs/

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Academy for Certified Lease & Finance Professionals
Updated - May, June, August, October

The Academy for Lease and Finance Professionals (ALFP) is a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already self-studied. A trend has begun in having virtual online sessions.

During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth. On the third day, the exam is offered but is not mandatory and may be taken on another day.

Students are strongly advised to have read and studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook prior to attending the class in order to ensure success.

AP Equipment Finance - Virtual
June 8 - June 10
Private

North Mill Equipment Finance Host Online Public ALFP
June 15 -17
North Mill Invites Attendance Open

U.S. Bank Host Online Public ALFP
August 1 - August 3
Public Invited

Great American Insurance Host – In Person
August 18 - 19
Public ALFP

Stryker Host Private ALFP
August 22 - August 23
Private

The National Huntington Bank Private
October 12 – 14
Private

Professional Handbook for Taking the Test in 2022
Eighth Edition:
https://clfpfoundation.org/
(Note: for taking test in 2023 Ninth Edition, available.)

About Academy
https://clfpfoundation.org/academy-for-lease-and-finance-professionals/

If you are interested in attending, please contact Reid Raykovich, Executive Director: Reid@clfpfoundation.org

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Help Wanted Ads

 Being Authentic: The Only Way To Succeed In an Interview

The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

When going on an interview, many people try to be the person they think the company wants to hire; the same often occurs when taking a personality assessment or going on a first date.  As humans we inherently think we know what the other person wants us to say, be, or do; this is a bad strategy. In my time in the recruiting business, I can’t tell you how many times a candidate tried to act their way into a job, it never works out. It is like the man behind the curtain, once they are found out, the game is up, and things don’t end well.

True professionals go into an interview being themselves, having “authentic confidence,” and they realize that the only way that they are going to be successful in a culture is to be accepted as they are. They take the guess work out of the meeting and show their true selves and, if the company doesn’t hire them for being their true selves, then they know it was never going to be a fit. When going on an interview, don’t act and don’t be afraid to be you, because you are the only thing you have.

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

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

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

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Top Ten Leasing News Read by Readers
May 9 to May 13

(1)  Updates on California and Nevada Commercial Laws
Kenneth C. Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_09.htm#ca

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_13.htm#hires

(3) Percent of Employees No Longer Working Remotely
Top 10 Metro Areas List Back at the Office
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_11.htm#percent

(4) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_11.htm#hires

(5)  Lesson of Time
Karma
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_11.htm#lesson

(6) ELFA Releases State-by-State Economic Impact
Equipment Finance Industry Ranking, Volume, Growth
California #1, New York #2, Texas #3
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_13.htm#elfa

(7) Funders Taking "New" Broker Business List
Four Do Not Require that Brokers Be Licensed
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_09.htm#funders_taking

(8) A Simple Exercise to Increase Business
Sales Makes It Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_13.htm#simple

(9) Archives---May 9, 2000
  Bad News from Cindy Spurdle,
Former Executive Director of NAELB
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_09.htm#bad

(10) A Simple Exercise to Increase Business
Sales Makes It Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2022/05_13.htm#simple

Mixed Breed
Bentonville, Arkansas   Adopt-a-Dog

Tallulah

ID: BNWA-A-1817
Female
Adult

Tallulah, or Lula for short, is exuberant about life in her foster home and ready for a forever home of her own! That smile says it all!

She revels at the chance for belly rubs and will roll over on her back, smiling wide with her tongue flopping around and tail wagging. She enjoys a good round of zoomies in the backyard (see photo) and is playful with the foster's older dogs, and she is responsive to corrections once the older dogs indicate they're done playing.

Lula is working on "sit" and although she hasn't quite mastered it, but she knows what the word means. She's potty trained and will sleep in the kennel with the door closed at night.

Her foster says Lula is pretty quiet and usually only barks to alert or notify her of another animal walking by or in the yard next door.

Lula is heartworm positive and will be undergoing treatment, which is included in her adoption fee. We'd be happy to discuss her treatment plan with you.

This dog is in a foster home and is not located at the center. If you are interested in adopting, please submit an application here: https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/BNWA/Dog

Bounty Picks it Up!
Bounty will be picking up all adoption fees from April 30 - May 31.

Best friends Animal Society in
Northwest Arkansas
210 Prairie Lane, Suite #6
Bentonville, AR 72712
adoptnwa@bestfriends.org
https://bestfriends.org/nwa

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Most Influential Lawyers
in Equipment Finance and Leasing

Andrew Alper
Julie Babcock
Bill Carey
Richard Contino
Jonathan Fleisher
Marshall Goldberg
Kenneth Charles Greene, Esq.
Michael A. Leichtling
David G. Mayer
Allan J. Mogol
Frank Peretore
John G. Sinodis
Mark Stout
Kevin Trabaris
Allan Umans
Mark Wada
Irwin Wittlin

 

Andrew K. Alper is a recognized influential attorney representing equipment lessors, funding sources, and other financial institutions since 1979. He is a longtime contributor to the Legal Column for the Monitor magazine. He has been a director of Western Association of Equipment Lessors and United Association of Equipment Lessors, now the National Equipment Finance Association, as well as being active with the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, including serving as instructor for its Principles of Leasing class. He has presented seminars on Equipment Leasing for the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Mr. Alper also sits on the Los Angeles County Bar Commercial Law Committee.

Julie Babcock has been practicing law in the leasing industry since 1993. Julie joined the Key Equipment Finance law group in 2002 and is currently legal counsel for the Specialty Finance, Vendor, and Syndications groups. For a brief period, Julie left Key Equipment Finance to provide legal counsel for KeyBank’s Commercial Lending Group, supporting commercial real estate, real estate construction, commercial loan servicing, healthcare, Native American lending, asset- based lending, letters of credit, SBA, multi-family, and middle market lending.

Prior to joining Key, Julie was the head of the Legal Department at Republic Financial Corporation, Assistant General Counsel at MetLife Capital Corporation, an associate with the law firm of Bogle & Gates, and an Independent Petroleum Landman. She has been a frequent speaker at the Legal Forum of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. She received the Award for the Article Making the Greatest Contribution to the Leasing Industry for her article, “Buyer Beware: Key Issues Related to Acquisitions,” Journal of Equipment Lease Financing, Vol. 13/No. 1, Spring, 1995.

A Colorado native and avid Colorado Buffaloes fan, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) and her Juris Doctor degree (Order of the Coif) from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. She lives in Windsor, Colorado with her husband and three dogs.

Bill Carey served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for USXL since it was founded in March 2004, and he continued in that position at Tygris Vendor Finance, now EverBank Commercial Finance. He has over 15 years of experience in the commercial finance industry, serving in leadership positions as an attorney with CIT, Newcourt Commercial Finance and AT&T Capital, and handling transactions in vendor leasing, commercial lending, fractional aircraft finance and venture leasing, M&A and other corporate finance matters. For a three-year period, Bill was the executive vice president and general counsel of a London-based technology publisher.

He also received two additional nominations:

"Bill Carey is the most effective leasing lawyer I have ever worked with—and I have worked with many! Bill is the perfect example of a legal business partner, akin to an HR business partner, or a Finance business partner. He provides timely, organized, and meaningful legal guidance to senior management regarding overall business matters, and to the sales teams regarding individual transactions and/or vendor program legal issues and opportunities."

"I worked with Bill for over 5 years while at *** and found him to be one of the best in the business for many reasons. In sales-driven organizations, in-house counsel often have to maintain a fine balance, managing risk by providing good sound legal advice while not being so conservative that they become an obstacle to the company achieving its mission. Bill always excelled at that; he understands the business. He was reasonable and creative in his approach to resolving problems, very accessible, responsive and balanced. He was always a gentleman in his dealings with customers and vendors, diplomatic and poised regardless of the situation.  In addition, Bill was a great coach to his Legal Dept. as well as to his internal “clients,” always making time for a teaching moment. Bill is well known in the industry. He has served as a past Chair of the ELFA Legal Committee and I’m certain he left his positive mark there as well."

Richard M. Contino is an internationally-recognized equipment leasing expert, with an extensive legal, business, marketing, tax, transaction structuring, financial and management background.  He is an advisor on all types of start-up and on-going equipment leasing business activities for lessors, lease lenders and syndicators, equipment vendors, lease investors and corporate lessees.  He is former General Counsel of De Lage Landen, Wayne, Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of The Rabobank Group, and the 14th largest equipment lessor in the U.S. Mr. Contino is the author of eight books on business, negotiating, and equipment leasing. He has conducted private on-site and publicly-held business success, communication, finance, and negotiation seminars throughout the United States for professional organizations (e.g., American Management Association, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, National Seminars Group, Practicing Law Institute, and University of California Graduate School of Law) as well as corporations (e.g., AT&T, EXXON Corporation, NYNEX, and Texas Instruments Corporation). He is a retired JAG Captain, US Air Force.

Jonathan Fleisher is a Toronto, Canada attorney whose practice
focuses on the commercial finance industry with a particular emphasis on innovative cross-border transactions and equipment and asset finance, where he has been recognized as a leading lawyer by the Canadian Legal Expert Directory and Best Lawyers. He has particular expertise assisting public and private US commercial finance companies with both establishing operations in Canada and purchasing and selling finance and lease companies, providing both legal and practical business advice.  He is also a prolific writer on topics related to equipment finance and cross-border transactions. Jonathan is the legal editor for Fleet Digest magazine and has completed both the Equipment Finance and Subordinated Debt chapters for Canadian Forms & Precedents. He has also drafted specific guides for US lenders expanding operations to Canada. He is a Director of the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association, Member of the Legal Committee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, member of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers.

Marshall Goldberg has been an active member and leader for many years in financial institution associations, including the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association ("ELFA"), and the National Vehicle Leasing Association ("NVLA"). For ELFA, Marshall has served on the Legal Committee, the Credit and Collections Management Committee and as a member of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Equipment Lease Financing. He is currently the Chairman of the Professional Development, Education and Information Sub-Committee for the ELFA Legal Committee. He is responsible for developing, organizing, managing and editing the Legal Website, which includes an online compendium of legal issues pertaining to the 50 States, "What's New in the Law," and the "Catalogue of Legal Information." He developed and now chairs and monitors the Legal Listserve, an daily online forum for attorneys to discuss pertinent legal issues. He is also the sole 2009 recipient of the annual "Excellence in Leasing Award," presented on behalf of ELFA and its Legal Committee.

Marshall is co-author and co-editor of the “Executive Guide to Remedies,” and the “Executive Guide to Lease Documentation.” He also speaks and instructs extensively within the legal and business communities. He has given numerous educational and strategic seminars throughout the United States on subjects including Loan and Lease Enforcement, and he provides annual legal update presentations for financial association lawyers, including written summaries of current case and statutory law.

Kenneth Charles Greene, Esq., was very active in the beginning years of the Western Association of Equipment Lessors (now the National Equipment Finance Association) as well as the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers. Well known from attending many of the early conferences of several associations. Key attorney in the early years for Leasing News: from potential lawsuits regarding Bulletin Board Complaints, lawsuits, "bully" letters, 1st amendment issues, competitive practice, Mr. Greene has protected Leasing News without a financial charge or complaint. Also, one time active in attorney speaker programs as well as author of a monthly law bulletin. In 2017, he took over as Legal Counsel on a part-time basis for the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, now the American Association of Commerce Finance Brokers. An active professional musician as well as service the music industry in Los Angeles today. He is Leasing News Legal Editor.

Michael A. Leichtling, is an attorney on corporate and financial matters, including complex mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, venture capital and private financing transaction, specializing in leasing. counseling lessors, banks, funds, investors, and other funding sources. Member of several leasing associations, including serving on the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Executive Committee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation. Co-author with the late Jeff Wong, now retired Barry A. Dubin, as editor of the Commercial Finance Guide, now updated and published by Matthew Bender. Member, Board of Editors, Equipment Leasing Newsletter (Law Journal Publications). Author and well-known speaker. Recipient of the 2007 ELFA Award for “Excellence in Leasing."

David G. Mayer, Perhaps best known as the author of "Business Leasing for Dummies" (September, 2001) as well as an online newsletter "Business Leasing and Finance News" (2002-2012) which had 6,000 subscribers in 33 countries. He has written other articles, primarily on business aviation, aircraft leasing and finance, for which he is known, especially involving international and cross-border transactions.  He started this specialty, rising to Senior Counsel, GATX Corp, then going as corporate counsel, primarily in transportation equipment, including aircraft, vessels, truck and trailers, including project financing and operation. He is active in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, as well as has been a contributing author to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation surveys. He is an Eagle Scout.

Alan J. Mogol, Over the last 40+ years, created a large volume of the middle market lease documentation currently used by the majority of the larger bank and finance companies in the industry, including standard forms of lease documentation for syndication, assignment, notice of assignment, participation and motor vehicle titling trust documents. Much of what Mogol has created is considered de facto industry standard in the bank middle market space. He is a frequent lecturer and author in the equipment financing area.

Frank Peretore has written many articles on leasing for the news media as a recognized expert on commercial lenders and lessors, including two books, "Workouts and Enforcement for the Secured Creditor and Equipment Lessor" and "Secured Transactions for the Practitioner: How to Properly Perfect Your Personal Property Lien and Assure Priority." He is currently the Secretary of the National Equipment Finance Association, serving on the board since 2009, as well as serving on many legal committees. He was also on the Board of Directors, Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors, and served on legal committees for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association. He brings his law experience to his writing and leasing association meetings and conferences. He is highly respected by his colleagues for his dedication to the finance and leasing industry as well as to law.

 

John G. Sinodis' practice emphasizes the representation of equipment lessors and funding sources in all aspects of equipment leasing including litigation, documentation, insolvency, and transactional matters. Besides representing equipment lessors and funding sources, Mr. Sinodis represents financial institutions and asset-based lenders in the areas of commercial litigation, secured transactions, asset recovery, loan restructure and business litigation. Mr. Sinodis is an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) and the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA). Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sinodis served as the president of General Leasing Co. and is presently a member of its board of directors.

 

"In just three days, Mark Stout helped me to locate, obtain and return a stolen truck to one of my lessees after the truck had been driven across the state of Texas by utilizing his expertise and relationships 6 counties away. This could have been a disaster for my lessee. I called Stout who called whoever it was he called and the truck was returned. Easy – and that’s what I like."

Mr. Stout represents in excess of thirty financial institutions and leasing companies.

Within the last four years, Mr. Stout has represented commercial lenders in excess of 150 state court proceedings. Mr. Stout handles an extensive trial docket that generally entails at least three court appearances each week in various courts in Texas. In conjunction with his state court proceedings, Mr. Stout frequently utilizes sequestration/replevin proceedings to quickly recover his client’s collateral. Mr. Stout has filed approximately 200 sequestration/replevin actions in Texas. Mr. Stout represents in excess of thirty financial institutions and leasing companies. Within the last four years, Mr. Stout has represented commercial lenders in excess of 150 state court proceedings. Mr. Stout handles an extensive trial docket that generally entails at least three court appearances each week in various courts in Texas. In conjunction with his state court proceedings, Mr. Stout frequently utilizes sequestration/replevin proceedings to quickly recover his client’s collateral. Mr. Stout has filed approximately 200 sequestration/replevin actions in Texas.

Kevin Trabaris has extensive experience representing banks, financial companies, equipment lessors, insurers, and other funding and intermediary entities and borrowers in connection with thousands of business financing matters.  He has handled everything from small ticket transactions to billion dollar syndicated loans, real estate financing to asset-based facilities. He is an active member of the Commercial Finance Association, LinkedIn Capital Equipment Leasing Group and Equipment Leasing Professionals Group. He has an excellent reputation among his colleagues.

Allan Umans is in charge of documentation and legal affairs at Pacific Rim Capital, reportedly the nation's largest independent lessor of material handling equipment. In his field, he has an excellent reputation. He previously served as General Counsel and Secretary of Relational Technology Services, Inc. and Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of El Camino Resources, Ltd., both independent technology leasing companies. Mr. Umans has a JD degree from Southwestern University Law School and a BA degree in Economics, with honors, from the University of Manitoba.

Mark Wada, founding shareholder of the Portland, Oregon law firm Farleigh Wada Witt, has been listed in Oregon Super Lawyers for the tenth consecutive year in the specialty area of banking and finance. And for the seventh consecutive year, Mark was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for banking and finance law. Mark has expertise in representing banks, commercial lenders, equipment lessors, private equity funds, lenders in commercial loans and leases to high tech companies, including intellectual property security agreements and warrant terms and other financial service providers; numerous commercial lenders and lessors in workouts, collateral liquidations, collection matters and sales of individual loans and portfolios. In 2010, he was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Legal Committee. He is past-president of the Oregon Law Foundation and Campaign for Equal Justice and has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section, the Board of Directors of the Multnomah Bar Association, as well as its treasurer, representative to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Irwin Wittlin is well-known in the leasing industry as he was past member of the Board of Directors of the United Association of Equipment Leasing (UAEL) at time of merger and formation of National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA). He is a past chairman of the legal committee and has spoken on a variety of legal issues at recent conventions, including the topics of, "Effective Lease Collections," “Working With Outside Counsel," "Fraud Prevention," "Maintaining Your Business Credit Line," and “Selected Issues in NorVergence." He is an instructor for the Certified Lease Program Foundation ("CLP") on the subjects of lease law, lease documentation, and collections. Mr. Wittlin is a frequent speaker on various legal and collection related topics for various professional organizations, with an emphasis on leasing, business litigation and collections.

News Briefs---

Oil giant Aramco reports record first quarter
    as oil prices soar
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/15/aramco-worlds-largest-company-reports-record-first-quarter-as-oil-prices-soar.html

Video rental pioneer Redbox of Oakbrook Terrace selling
   to Chicken Soup for the Soul for $375 million, including
its throwback storefront DVD kiosks (Subscriber-only)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-redbox-selling-dvd-rental-kiosks-streaming-chicken-soup-20220512-7u3ulem2qjbzxck57cemn4egki-story.html

A severe pilot shortage in the U.S. leaves
airlines scrambling for solutions
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/15/us-pilot-shortage-forces-airlines-to-cut-flights-scramble-for-solutions.html

[headlines]
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You May Have Missed---

El Salvador’s President Went All In on Bitcoin
Then It Tanked
https://www.wsj.com/articles/el-salvadors-president-went-all-in-on-bitcoin-then-it-tanked-11652540400?mod=hp_listb_pos4

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---

Drew Brees done at NBC after one season as NFL analyst
https://nypost.com/2022/05/15/drew-brees-done-at-nbc-after-one-season-as-nfl-analyst/

Steve Kerr returns to Warriors after testing
positive for COVID-19 last week
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/05/15/steve-kerr-returns-to-warriors-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19-last-week/

Vic Fangio on hand for 49ers’ rookie minicamp;
Trey Lance stops by to observe
https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/158189-fangio-hand-49ers-rookie-minicamp-lance-stops-observe/

Bears hit with bizarre NFL scheduling quirk that team
haven't seen in 58 years plus 10 other schedule oddities
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2022-nfl-schedule-winners-and-losers-vikings-eagles-benefit-while-falcons-raiders-get-tough-slate/

The Oakland Athletics--Loneliest Team in Baseball
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/sports/baseball/oakland-athletics-attendance.html

Warriors advance to Western Conference finals by
shirking famed small ball and deciding to get big
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/warriors-advance-to-western-conference-finals-by-shirking-famed-small-ball-and-deciding-to-get-big/

Observations as The Grant Williams Game gets Celtics
past Bucks in Game 7, on to Eastern Conference finals
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/15/sports/observations-grant-williams-game-gets-celtics-past-bucks-game-7-eastern-conference-finals/

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

California flush with cash amid unprecedented
    $97.5 billion surplus, Newsom says
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/05/13/california-is-flush-with-cash-amid-unprecedented-97-5-billion-surplus-newsom-says/

Snapchat co-founder pays off college debt of
new graduates at L.A. art and design school
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-15/snapchat-co-founder-pays-off-college-debt-of-new-graduates-at-l-a-art-and-design-school?utm_id=55610&sfmc_id=1646692

A First Look at Healdsburg’s New Madrona Restaurant
https://www.sonomamag.com/a-first-look-at-healdsburgs-new-madrona-restaurant/

[headlines]
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"Gimme that wine"

‘No longer hidden figures’: Association of African American
    Vintners celebrates 20th anniversary
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/no-longer-hidden-figures-association-of-african-american-vintners-celebr/

12 Unique Winery Experiences in Sonoma
    and Napa Wine Country
https://www.sonomamag.com/unique-napa-and-sonoma-winery-experiences/

“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/

This Day in History

             1771 - The Battle of Alamance, a pre-Revolutionary War battle between local militia and a group of rebels called The "Regulators," occurred in then-Orange County, now Alamance County, NC.  Historians have considered the battle to be the opening salvo of the American Revolution and locals agreed with this assessment.  Trouble had been brewing in the western counties for several years, but which had included only minor, scattered acts of violence, followed by refusals to pay taxes and fees, disruptions of court proceedings, and continued harassment of government officials.
    1775 - The first constitution in the Colonies adopted was that of Massachusetts by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts.  The motto of the colony was “Ense Petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (“with the sword she seeks peace under liberty”). The constitution was temporary. A new one was framed in Boston on September 1, 1779, was completed on March 2, 1780, and ratified by a two thirds vote. John Hancock served as the first governor under the permanent constitution.
    1735 - Birthday of Button Gwinnett, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born at Down Hatherly, Gloucestershire, England, about 1735 ( exact date unknown). Died following a duel at St. Catherine’s island, off of Savannah, GA, May 19, 1779. 
http://www.colonialhall.com/gwinnett/gwinnett.asp
    1801 – William H. Seward (d. 1872) was born in Florida, NY.  He was Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, and earlier served as Governor of New York and as US Senator. A determined opponent of the spread of slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War, he was a dominant figure in the Republican Party in its formative years. Although regarded as the leading contender for the party's presidential nomination in 1860, he was defeated by Abraham Lincoln.  He was one of the targets of the 1865 assassination plot that killed Lincoln, and was seriously wounded therein. Seward remained loyally at his post through the presidency of Andrew Johnson, during which he achieved the purchase of Alaska from Russia.  His contemporary Carl Schulz described Seward as "one of those spirits who sometimes will go ahead of public opinion instead of tamely following its footprints."
    1804 - Birthday of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (d. 1894), at Billerica, MA. Peabody opened a bookstore that quickly became the intellectuals’ hangout. With her own printing press, Peabody became the first woman publisher of Boston and possibly the US. She published three of her brother-in-law Nathaniel Hawthorne’s books. For two years, she published and wrote for “The Dial,” the literary magazine and voice of the Transcendental movement. Peabody’s enduring accomplishment was the establishment of the first kindergarten in the US, in 1860, at Boston. She created a magazine, “Kindergarten Messenger,” in 1873.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may16.html
   1836 - Edgar Allan Poe marries Virginia Clemm, his 13-year-old tubercular cousin.  (Possibly secretly married previously, on September 22, 1835.)  In January, 1842, she contracted tuberculosis, growing worse for five years until she died of the disease at the age of 24.
http://bau2.uibk.ac.at/sg/poe/poe.html
    1843 - The first major wagon train heading for the Pacific Northwest set out on the Oregon Trail with one thousand pioneers from Elm Grove, MO.  From the early to mid-1830s (and particularly through the epoch years, 1846–69) the Oregon Trail and its many offshoots were used by about 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, and businessmen and their families. Use of the trail declined as the first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, making the trip west substantially faster, cheaper, and safer. Today, modern highways, such as I-80 and I-84, follow parts of the same course westward and pass through towns originally established to serve those using the Oregon Trail.  This trip was to be the first whose intent was to complete the entire trip using the Trail. 
    1862 - General Benjamin Butler, military governor of New Orleans, issued what became known as the “Woman Order.” The text of General Order Number 28 read, in part, “As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subjected to repeated insults from women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans…when any female shall… show contempt for the United States, she shall be regarded as a woman of the town plying her avocation.” This order typified Butler’s attitude toward the captured city and its populace and, along with other controversial acts, set the stage for his dismissal as military governor in December of 1862. It was not uncommon for a stupid, rude person to be called a Benjamin Butler in New Orleans.  He was also known as “Spoons,” for reportedly stealing silver from estates in the area. He was also known as “Beast.” Jefferson Davis branded him an “outlaw” and put a bounty on his head. He then botched up his next assignment, resigned to run for Congress and was elected five times, serving once as Governor of Massachusetts.
http://7-12educators.about.com/blcwphmilfed18.htm.
http://www.swcivilwar.com/butler.html   
    1863 - After a standoff of nearly a year around the strategic Mississippi River city of Vicksburg, MS, Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant defeated Southern forces under General John Pemberton at Champion’s Hill, MS.  Pemberton’s forces withdrew into Vicksburg, and the siege of Vicksburg began. Gettysburg was only a few months away.
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ms009.htm
http://classicals.com/federalist/TheCivilWarhall/messages/32.html
    1866 - Issuance of the nickel, a new five-cent coin, was authorized by Congress. It was minted of copper and nickel with not more than 25% nickel.
    1868 - The U.S. Senate failed by just one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson of "high crimes and misdemeanors," as he was charged under the articles of impeachment. A second vote, taken on May 26, also fell short, by just one vote, of the two-thirds majority required to convict the president.
(Lower half of http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may16.html)
    1874 - The Mill Creek Disaster occurred west of Northampton, Massachusetts when dam slippage after rain caused a flash flood with the loss of 143 lives. Total damage was about $1 million
    1888 - Emile Berliner of Washington, DC publicly demonstrated before the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA the first modern disk he called a “phonograph.” Berliner’s “Gramophone” record was a flat disk in which the grooves were cut in a lateral spiral, making it much easier to duplicate for the mass market than Edison’s recording cylinder.
    1888 – Nikola Tesla delivered a lecture describing the equipment which will allow efficient generation and use of alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.  Tesla gained experience in telephony and electrical engineering before immigrating to the US in 1884 to work for Thomas Edison in New York City. He soon struck out on his own with financial backers, setting up laboratories and companies to develop a range of electrical devices. His patented AC induction motor and transformer were licensed by George Westinghouse, who also hired Tesla for a short time as a consultant. His work in the formative years of electric power development was involved in a corporate alternating current/direct current "War of Currents" as well as various patent battles.
    1891 - George A Hormel & Company introduces Spam.
    1892 - A Supreme Court decision permitting the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to give reduced rates to groups of 10 or more is a boon to Major League baseball teams, who can expect to save 25 percent on transportation costs.
    1893 - Herman L. Wagner of Brooklyn, NY obtained a patent on a typewriter, which produced a line of writing visible as it was being type. This machine went through an experimental period with the Wagner Typewriter Company and then was sold to John T. Underwood, who had been associated with Wagner’s father in the ribbon and carbon business of John Underwood and Company. The Underwood Typewriter Company, incorporated in March 1895, undertook the manufacture of Wagner’s machine in New York City.
    1902 - Two deaf-mutes faced each other for the first time in Major League history when Dummy Hoy led off for the Cincinnati Reds against Dummy Taylor of the NY Giants. The Reds won, 5-3, with a five-run rally in the 9th. Hoy went 2 for 4.
    1905 – Actor Henry Fonda (d. 1982) was born in Grand Island, NE.  He made his debut in 1935, and his career gained momentum after his Academy-Award nominated performance as Tom Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940). Throughout six decades in Hollywood, Fonda cultivated a strong, appealing screen image in such classics as “The Ox-Bow Incident,” “Mister Roberts,” and “12 Angry Men,” winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for “On Golden Pond” in which he starred with daughter Jane, his final film role.  Fonda was the patriarch of a family of famous actors, including daughter Jane, son Peter, granddaughter Bridget, and grandson Troy Garity. In 1999, he was named the sixth-Greatest Male Star of All-Time by the AFI.
    1912 - Due to his assault on Claude Luecker, a handicapped fan and a regular heckler, Ty Cobb was suspended indefinitely. Although today's game was rained out, the Tigers met in Philadelphia, voting to boycott future games if the "Georgia Peach" was not allowed to play.    
    1913 - Birthday of Woody Herman (d. 1987), Milwaukee, WI.
He had joined Isham Jones' band in 1934 and took over that orchestra two years later when Jones retired because of ill health. The band became the first Woody Herman Herd, and was known as "The Band That Plays the Blues." The band's fortunes began to grow following the release of their recording of "Woodchopper's Ball" in 1939. By the following year, the Woody Herman band was beginning to score in the popularity polls. Herman changed the direction of his band in the mid-1940's - its music became louder and more and more dependent on a screaming brass section. The change found favor with the public - the Herman Herd was number one in polls conducted by national music magazines. Woody Herman continued to lead a big band long after the swing era ended. In the 1960's, the band moved in a jazz-rock direction, but in the following decade moved to a purer jazz style. 
http://www.woodyherman.com/
http://www.nyjam.com/content/artists/herman.html
http://www-music.duke.edu/jazz_archive/artists/herman.woody/01/
    1914 - The Grand League of the American Horseshoe Pitchers Association was formed. The league set its first championship for October 23, 1915, at Kellerton, IA.
    1918 - The Sedition Act of 1918 was passed by Congress, making criticism of the government during wartime an imprisonable offense. It was repealed less than two years later.
    1919 - Pianist Liberace was born Wladziu Valentino Liberace (d. 1987) in West Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His overly sentimental pop tunes and frilly, condensed versions of the classics built him into one of the hottest show business personalities in the 1950's. Liberace's trademarks included candelabra on the piano and outlandish costumes that weren't matched until some of the rock groups of the '70s came along. His audience consisted mainly of middle-aged women, some of whom behaved much as rock groupies did a decade later. Liberace died from conditions related to AIDS.
http://www.liberace.com/liberace/bio.cfm
    1924 - The temperature at Blitzen, Oregon soared to 108 degrees to establish a state record for the month of May. The record was later tied at Pelton Dam on May 31, 1986.
    1928 - Birthday of Billy Martin (d. 1989), baseball player and manager, born Alfred Manuel Martin at Berkeley, CA. He was a member four (1950-53) of the Yankees’ five consecutive World Series championships.  He was MVP in the 1953 Series, batted .500 with a .958 slugging percentage and delivered with an RBI in Game 6 to clinch the series.  Martin’s career included managerial stints with five Major League teams, the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics. After a successful playing career, he compiled a record of 1,258 victories to 1,018 losses in his 16 seasons as manager. His combative style both on and off the field kept him in the headlines, and he will long be remembered for his on-again/off-again relationship with Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner, for whom he managed the Yankees five different times.
    1929 - About 270 people attended a dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles at which the first Academy Awards were given in 12 categories. It was hosted by Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Cecil B. De Mille. The silent film “Wings” won Best Picture. (The statuette we know so well as Oscar was not included in this first presentation for films made in 1927-1928. Oscar didn’t make an appearance until 1931.) Janet Gaynor was named Best Actress for her performance in "Seventh Heaven" which also won the Best Director/Dramatic Picture for Frank Borzage, and the Best Writing/Adaptation for Benjamin Glazer. Lewis Milestone was named Best Director/Comedy Picture for "Two Arabian Knights." Emil Jannings received two Best Actor awards, one for the 1927, "The Way of All Flesh", the other for "The Last Command" (1928). A second Best Film award was presented to "Sunrise" for Unique and Artistic Production. It also won for Best Cinematography (Charles Rosher and Karl Struss). A committee of only 20 members selected the winners that year. The first included 1927-28 awards plus some 1928 again and 1929, which also was splint into 1930. By the third year, the entire membership of the Academy voted. The Academy Awards were first televised in 1953.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0147914.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0147930.html
    1929 - Singer Betty Carter (d. 1998) birthday, Flint, MI. http://home.att.net/~timcramm/biograph.htm
http://www.jazzsingers.com/BettyCarter/
http://elvispelvis.com/bettycarter.htm#bio
http://park.org/Sponsors/NBC/carter.html
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/jazz/jazzahead/
    1932 - The Yankees recorded their fourth straight shutout to equal the record set by Cleveland and Boston in 1903 and 1906, respectively. Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffing and Lefty Gomez were the hurlers. It was New York's fifth shutout in seven games.
    1937 - Dizzy Gillespie records first solo with Teddy Hill’s band on King Porter Stomp, NYC (Bluebird B-69888) 
http://www.duke.edu/~fdp/bio.html
http://www.bowdoin.edu/~aboisver/jazz/dizzy.html 
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Square/9063/index/gillespie.html
    1943 - A major turning point of World War II occurred when the Royal Air Force Lancasters began bombing three dams in the Germany Ruhr Valley. This lasted two days and was the start of the strategic bombing effort to end the war. They dropped 4.5 ton bombs designed specifically for this mission. The Mohne and the Eder, the largest dams in Europe at the time, were both damaged. These two dams provided drinking water for four million people and supplied 75 percent of the electrical power for industry. Widespread flooding and many deaths resulted. The planned raid also greatly affected military production. It began the assault on Germany, whose population until this time was not as affected as France, England, Russia and other countries were experiencing from the Nazi's
    1945 - MULLER, JOSEPH E., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Ishimmi, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 15-16 May 1945. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Holyoke, Mass. G.O. No.: 71, 17 July 1946. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. When his platoon was stopped by deadly fire from a strongly defended ridge, he directed men to points where they could cover his attack. Then through the vicious machinegun and automatic fire, crawling forward alone, he suddenly jumped up, hurled his grenades, charged the enemy, and drove them into the open where his squad shot them down. Seeing enemy survivors about to man a machinegun, He fired his rifle at point-blank range, hurled himself upon them, and killed the remaining 4. Before dawn the next day, the enemy counterattacked fiercely to retake the position. Sgt. Muller crawled forward through the flying bullets and explosives, then leaping to his feet, hurling grenades and firing his rifle, he charged the Japs and routed them. As he moved into his foxhole shared with 2 other men, a lone enemy, who had been feigning death, threw a grenade. Quickly seeing the danger to his companions, Sgt. Muller threw himself over it and smothered the blast with his body. Heroically sacrificing his life to save his comrades, he upheld the highest traditions of the military service.
    1946 - The Irving Berlin musical, "Annie Get Your Gun," opened at New York’s Imperial Theatre. One of the most successful shows presented on a Broadway stage, the show ran for 1,147 performances. 
    1947 - Barbara Lee (d. 1992) of the Chiffons was born in The Bronx. The group had several hits in the early 1960's, including "He's So Fine," which went to number one in 1963. 
http://www.history-of-rock.com/chiffons.htm
    1951 – El Al Airlines began the first regularly-scheduled transatlantic flights between Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy International Airport) in New York City and Heathrow Airport in London.
    1952 - Top Hits
“Blue Tango” - The Leroy Anderson Orchestra
“Kiss of Fire” - Georgia Gibbs
“Blacksmith Blues” - Ella Mae Morse
“The Wild Side of Life” - Hank Thompson
    1953 - Bill Haley and His Comets made it to the "Billboard" music charts for the first time with "Crazy Man Crazy." The tune went to number six and became the first rock ’n’ roll record to make the pop music chart. 
    1957 - A group of Yankees celebrated Billy Martin’s 29th birthday in raucous fashion. A fight at Manhattan’s Copacabana Club led to $5,500 in fines and the eventual trade of Billy to Kansas City. Hank Bauer allegedly started the fight by hitting a patron, although Bauer denies it. The patron had been heckling singer Sammy Davis, Jr. with racial epithets, and continued after several of the Yanks told him to stop.  The Yanks fined Whitey Ford, Bauer, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Martin $1,000 each and Johnny Kucks $500.  Martin’s career was never the same after the trade.
    1959 - Sam Snead shot an 11-under-par round of 59 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. He became the first golfer to break 60 for 18 holes in a major tournament (31 out, 28 coming home), 11 strokes under par, in the third round of the Sam Snead Festival Golf Tournament. He had a score of 196 for 54 holes and won $4,500. The tournament was originally named the Greenbrier Open.
http://www.themasters.cc/samsnead.htm
http://www.golfeurope.com/almanac/players/snead.htm 
    1959 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Kansas City," Wilbert Harrison. The song debuts at No. 100 on the Hot 100.
    1960 - Top Hits
“Stuck on You” - Elvis Presley
“Cathy’s Clown” - The Everly Brothers
“Night” - Jackie Wilson
“Please Help Me, I’m Falling” - Hank Lockin
    1960 - Billboard reports Berry Gordy Jr, a songwriter and publisher in Detroit, is working on his own record label after successfully producing a bunch of hit records.  That label would become known as Motown.
    1963 - At this year's Grammy Awards ceremonies in Los Angeles, Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" wins Record of the Year and Best Male Vocal, while Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" is awarded Best R&B Recording. For some reason, Best Rock and Roll Record go to the Bent Fabric instrumental "Alley Cat."
    1964 - 21 year old Mary Wells led the Billboard Pop chart with the Smokey Robinson written "My Guy." The record was Wells' 9th Top 40 entry and would prove to be her highest charting US single. 
    1965 - "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd," a Broadway musical starring Anthony Newley, made its premiere at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. Cyril Ritchard appeared in the production which entertained audiences for 231 performances.
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=116
http://www.rhull.freeserve.co.uk/
    1965 - The Rolling Stones appear with Chuck Berry on the television show "Hollywood A-GO-GO." The Stones, trying to drive off in a Limo after the show, are attacked by a mob of fans. 
    1965 - The Beach Boys appear on the "The Ed Sullivan Show" performing their latest hit, "Help Me Rhonda."
    1966 - Frank Sinatra records "Summer Winds." 
    1966 - The Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds" was released. Although it only barely made the top 10, the album has since become regarded as a classic and the Beach Boys' best. "Pet Sounds" gained new fans through its 1990 release on CD.
http://www.epinions.com/musc_mu-81264
    1966 - Janet Jackson is born in Gary, Ind., the youngest of the Jackson family. She was married briefly in 1984 to James DeBarge of DeBarge. She signed a $32 million contract with Virgin Records in 1991.
http://www.janet-jackson.com/
http://missjanet.xs4all.nl/
http://www.askmen.com/women/singer/14_janet_jackson.html
    1968 - Top Hits
“Honey” - Bobby Goldsboro
“Tighten Up” - Archie Bell & The Drells
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” - Hugo Montenegro
“Have a Little Faith” - David Houston
    1968 - ROARK, ANUND C., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 May 1968. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 17 February 1948, Vallejo, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Roark distinguished himself by extraordinary gallantry while serving with Company C. Sgt. Roark was the point squad leader of a small force which had the mission of rescuing 11 men in a hilltop observation post under heavy attack by a company-size force, approximately 1,000 meters from the battalion perimeter. As lead elements of the relief force reached the besieged observation post, intense automatic weapons fire from enemy occupied bunkers halted their movement. Without hesitation, Sgt. Roark maneuvered his squad, repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire to hurl grenades and direct the fire of his squad to gain fire superiority and cover the withdrawal of the outpost and evacuation of its casualties. Frustrated in their effort to overrun the position, the enemy swept the hilltop with small arms and volleys of grenades. Seeing a grenade land in the midst of his men, Sgt. Roark, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself upon the grenade, absorbing its blast with his body. Sgt. Roark's magnificent leadership and dauntless courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and were the inspiration for the successful relief of the outpost. His actions which culminated in the supreme sacrifice of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army.
  1968 - BALLARD, DONALD E., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 May 1968. Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 5 December 1945, Kansas City, Mo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1970 - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's LP “Déjà Vu” hits #1
    1971 - An ounce of first-class mail rocketed to eight cents for delivery -- two cents more than the previous stamp
    1972 - Goal posts offset from the goal line to the end line, painted bright yellow, and with uprights 20 feet above the crossbar were made standard in the NFL.
    1976 - Top Hits
“Boogie Fever” - Sylvers
“Silly Love Songs” - Wings
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” - Elvin Bishop
“What Goes on When the Sun Goes Down” - Ronnie Milsap
    1980 - Dr. George C. Nichopoulous, known to his patients as Dr. Nick, was indicted in Memphis on 14 counts of illegally prescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. 
    1981 - "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, which climbed to the top spot of the pop music chart and stayed there for five straight weeks, took a week off (replaced by "Stars on 45 Medley" by Stars on 45) and came back to number one for four more weeks! It was, obviously, a gold record winner and was played over and over and over for 20 weeks before becoming an instant oldie but goodie. "Bette Davis Eyes", incidentally, was written in part by Jackie DeShannon, who had two top ten hits in the 1960s: "What the World Needs Now is Love" in 1965 and the million-seller, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," in 1969.    
    1984 - Top Hits
“Hello” - Lionel Richie
“Hold Me Now” - The Thompson Twins
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” - Deniece Williams
“To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before “- Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson
    1985 - Michael ‘Air’ Jordan was named Rookie of the Year in the National Basketball Association. Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was the number three draft choice. At the time, he was third in league scoring with a 28.2 average and fourth in steals with 2.39 per game. 
    1986 - The move "Top Gun" premieres, starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer.
    1988 – Surgeon General C. Everett Koop issued a report that stated that the addictive properties of nicotine are similar to those of heroin and cocaine.
    1990 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas to the Upper Ohio Valley. Thunderstorms spawned seventeen tornadoes, including a twister which killed one person and injured another north of Corning, AR. There were 128 reports of large hail or damaging winds. Strong thunderstorm winds killed one person and injured six others at Folsomville, IN, and injured another five persons in southeastern Hardin County, KY. In Arkansas, baseball size hail was reported near Fouke and near El Dorado.
    1993 - Top Hits
“That’s The Way Love Goes” - Janet Jackson
“Freak Me” - Silk 
“Love Is” (From "Beverly Hills, 90210") - Vanessa Williams/Brian McKnight
“Informer” - Snow
    1999 - Mia Hamm, the most recognized female soccer player in the world, broke the all-time international scoring record, for men and women, against Brazil in Orlando, Fla. with her 108th career goal.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/wwc/feature?id=276126 
    2000 - After a fan stole Dodgers C Chad Kreuter’s hat and hits him in the back of the head, many Dodgers, including coaches John Shelby and Rick Dempsey went into the stands and start fighting with the Wrigley faithful. When the melee ends, several fans are arrested as the game is delayed nearly ten minutes, and there is litter all over the field.
    2002 - Top Hits
“Foolish” - Ashanti
“What's Luv?” - Fat Joe Featuring Ashanti
“I Need a Girl” (Part One) - P. Diddy Featuring Usher & Loon
“U Don't Have To Call” - Usher
    2006 - After drawing a warning from home plate umpire Joe West for throwing a ball behind Barry Bonds, Astros hurler Russ Springer strikes the Giants slugger on the shoulder with the fifth pitch of the at-bat. This incident will cost the 37-year old right-handed reliever 4 games as he will be suspended by MLB for his action against the San Francisco superstar, who needs just one home run to equal Babe Ruth's career home run mark.
    2011 - The 25th and final flight for Space Shuttle Endeavour launched from the Kennedy Space Center.

NBA Finals Champions:
1980 - Los Angeles Lakers

Stanley Cup Champions:
1976 - Montreal Canadiens
1982 - New York Islanders