The Daily Valet. - 10/25/19, Friday
✔️ Wildfires and Shorter Workdays
Friday, October 25th Edition
Let’s make this quick. I’m trying to get out of here by 1 pm.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Monster Wildfires Scorch California
Thousands huddle in the dark, while others are forced to flee wine country
The raging wildfire burning through Northern California is expected to only keep growing, even after it scorched thousands of acres in just a matter of hours. Residents have been forced to evacuate parts of Sonoma County—the popular wine country north of San Francisco. It's an area of beautiful rolling hills that's still recovering from a deadly blaze two years ago.
According to firefighters, the flames burn hot and move fast—aided by powerful wind gusts. Like a blow torch blasting the landscape, walls of fire devour homes and jump across highways, leaving emergency responders little opportunity to stop or even slow down the blaze.
The Kincade fire is the largest wildfire to ignite this week, but according to the New York Times, it's just one of 600 wildfires currently burning in California. CNN reported that approximately 500 personnel were fighting the blaze, officials said, but it was still 0% contained.
The fire erupted the same day that California's largest utility provider started another round of intentional power cuts throughout the state to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires. And all of this is happening after three ;straight years of record breaking fires, which researchers say are likely to only increase in a warming world.
↦ Sobering: A new Pentagon report says that Americans could face a grim future from climate change involving everything from blackouts and droughts to the collapse of our military.
Young People Are Finally Eager to Vote
But voter suppression efforts are surging too
More college students are voting than ever before. "After decades of treating elections as an afterthought, college students have begun voting in force," reports the New York Times. "Their turnout in the 2018 midterms was more than double the rate in the 2014 midterms, easily exceeding an already robust increase in national turnout."
And because young people are typically more progressive, this is seen as a potential boon to Democrats. Which could explain why almost as suddenly, Republican politicians around the country are throwing up roadblocks between students and voting booths.
Not so coincidentally, the roadblocks are rising fastest in places like Texas where one-party control seems to be continually eroding. Honestly, it'd be sad if it weren't so underhanded. I'm in the camp that thinks Election Day should be a national holiday to make it as easy as possible to vote. These not-so-subtle tactics that make it more difficult seem wildly unpatriotic.
While Republicans have an increasingly unabashed pattern of leveraging voter ID laws for political gain, this is not solely a Republican problem. Even a deeply Democratic state like New York has some rather draconian practices that make voting a whole lot more difficult than it needs to be.
↦ FYI: According to Spread the Vote, 21 million eligible voters in the US do not have a photo ID.
Do You Promise to Be a Better Tourist?
Tourism “pledges” attempt to keep visitors on their best behavior
Global destinations from Aspen to New Zealand are seeking signed pledges from visitors, all in the name of easing the adverse effects of mass tourism, according to By The Way. And while these promises come without any real enforcement at the moment, many believe they're necessary for setting expectations for travelers and serving as moral reminders of proper, not to mention safe, behavior.
For example, Iceland—which has become a case study for the rapid rise of mass tourism—now urges its visitors to be responsible by heeding several rules. “I will take photos to die for, without dying for them,” reads the Icelandic Pledge. Also: “When nature calls, I won’t answer the call on nature.”
This seems smart. It's a subtle reminder to not be a jerk when you're essentially in someone else's home. Plus, these are essentially guidelines on how to travel like a local. And isn't this how we all prefer to explore these days?
↦ Travel Now: Today on Valet., we highlight why savvy travelers take advantage of what's known in the industry as "shoulder season."
Let’s Work Until Lunch and Then Go Home
A radical 5-hour workday gets put to the test
People, especially Americans, are working longer and longer these days. But what if there was another way? We all remember the hype around Tim Ferriss and his "four hour work week," but what about something a little more realistic? Like a five-hour workday?
An entrepreneur named Lasse Rheingans, who owns a German tech firm, cut his office’s standard workday down to five hours, and soon found the clipped hours made employees feel less overworked, while still being able to hit their productivity goals.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Rheingans acquired the company in 2017, and cut the workday nearly in half without touching anyone's salaries or benefits. The staff now works from 8 am to 1 pm. He says the team can deliver the same output during a focused 25-hour week as in 40 hours interrupted with distractions.
According to the boss, those distractions are what make the day drag. "We sit in the office, out of energy, reading newspapers online or Facebook, just in need of the little pauses to recharge, but you don’t really recharge,” he told the Journal. “My idea is focusing on the first five hours and then just leave, and have a proper break.” He makes a good point, doesn't he?
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Weekend Pairing
John Hodgman’s New Book + a Martini
Unflinchingly funny and deeply heartfelt, John Hodgman's new book, Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms, explores the strangeness of his career, speaking plainly of fame, especially at the weird, marginal level he enjoyed it. This relatable collection of essays tackles topics including his television appearances and struggles to maintain an elite airline frequent flier status after he stopped flying extensively for work. Huckberry recently sat down with Hodgman, who spoke of his well-documented love of martinis. "I am a gin martini drinker and I make no secret of it in my books, comedy and podcast," he said. "And Plymouth is the most balanced martini gin on earth, but also, plain ol' Beefeater is just great too."
↦ Make It: Chowhound has shared the ideal version of the iconic cocktail. It takes a nice smooth gin, a good amount of dry (not sweet) vermouth and finishes with the secret key ingredient: a dash of orange bitters.
What We’re Buying
For years, Old Navy has been well-known for its well-priced and durable workout clothing. Currently 25% off, now's the time to stock up on some staples, like this lightweight quarter-zip that keeps you warm on your walk to the gym or on that cool morning run before the sun rises. The soft, breathable and moisture-wicking stretch-knit pullover has a light-reflecting trim and handy thumb-hole loops. Essentially, every technical feature you'd find at any major fitness apparel competitor—but for less than $20.
↦ Get It $34.99 / $18.75 at Old Navy
Special Promotion
Dubbed “the ultimate business backpack and travel bag combo,” the Knack Pack has just been upgraded based on feedback from the customers who have taken the bag to work on a daily basis and traveled all around the world. New security features like lockable zippers and RFID blocking pockets protect your goods while a reengineered shoulder strap make it even more comfortable to carry. They’ve even added an anti-microbial treatment to the lining to keep you healthier on the road. Get a high quality bag today and receive free shipping w/code VALET
↦ Get It Starting at $165 by Knack
Morning Motto
Use the weekend to let go and look forward
↦ Follow: @katiecruz
That’s all for today...
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