The Daily Valet. - 1/10/23, Tuesday
✔️ Well, We Didn't See This Coming
Tuesday, January 10th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Do you have a signature scent? A go-to drink? If not, let me make the case for one at the bottom of this newsletter.
Today’s Big Story
A Vaccine for the Bees
The drug could protect Honeybees from a bacteria that can devastate entire colonies
It hasn't been easy for the honeybee lately. You've probably heard, but between climate change, habitat destruction, pesticide use and attrition from diseases, one of the planet's most important pollinators has seen its numbers decline dramatically in recent years. Not great for the little buzzers, but not so good for us either. In the U.S., honeybees are essential to about one-third of the fruit and produce Americans eat.But the good news is that a solution to one of the serious problems affecting honeybees is making its way to farmers. This week, for the first time, the USDA granted conditional approval for an insect vaccine. A biotech firm has developed a prophylactic vaccine to protect honeybees from American foulbrood disease.Thankfully, the vaccine doesn't require teeny tiny syringes. Instead, administering the drug involves mixing it in with the queen feed worker bees eat. The vaccine then makes its way into the “royal jelly” the drones feed their queen. Her offspring will then be born with some immunity against the harmful bacteria.The treatment represents a breakthrough for a few reasons. As the New York Times explains, scientists previously thought it was impossible for insects to obtain immunity to diseases because they don't produce antibodies like humans and animals. However, after identifying the protein that prompts an immune response in bees, researchers realized they could protect an entire hive through a single queen.The company says it hopes to use the vaccine as a blueprint for other treatments to protect bees. The plan is to distribute the vaccine “on a limited basis” to commercial beekeepers, and soon the product will be available for purchase later this year.
Big Money:
According to the USDA, honey bees make around 157 million pounds of honey a year. With the cost of honey at $1.97 per pound, that’s a value of a little over $339 million.
Classified Docs Found at Biden’s Post-VP Office
The case echoes the investigation into Trump’s documents, but details suggest key differences
President Biden's special counsel confirmed Monday that they found classified documents from his time as vice president while closing out a DC-based office that Biden periodically used from mid-2017 until the start of his 2020 campaign. They were turned over to the National Archives in November.Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked the U.S. attorney in Chicago to investigate the matter, a source told CNN, and congressional Republicans are also taking notice.The White House confirmed the ongoing inquiry and said it's cooperating with the Justice Department. Roughly 10 documents were found, and the National Archives and Records Administration—the agency tasked with handling presidential records—took possession of the documents the next day. By comparison, in Trump's case, Archive officials pressed for material to be returned, and then Trump's office had to be served with a grand jury subpoena. And that's before an FBI search recovered more than 100 additional classified documents (including those with the most sensitive Top Secret clearance) that were not turned over to the authorities. But this still raises the question: How secure are these classified documents, right?
What will the rest of 2023 bring? We can’t see into the future, but let’s try. Here are some of our best guesses for what’s in store this year. ”
- The New York Times Styles Desk
What’s Uphilling?
It's How to Ski Free (or Nearly Free) All Season Long
It sounds too good to be true. Ski all winter long without spending a liftload? For less than a round of après drinks, you can ski as much as you want. Skip the lift lines, clear your head, and get in a killer workout. The only catch? You need to ski uphill, to the top of the mountain, before schussing down.Are your quads and glutes ready? Uphill skiing is not new, but there has been an increase in interest the past couple years. A 2022 report by the National Ski Areas Association found that 62% of U.S. ski areas now allow uphill access. That's a 30% increase from the 2012-13 season, when the survey first asked about uphill policies.According to Thrillist, uphill skiing is booming, and not just among ski mountain locals. The sport is gearing up to take to the biggest stage in the world, too. That's right: the Winter Olympics. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will have three medal events for ski mountaineering—or simply, skimo—a variation of uphill skiing that includes traversing ungroomed backcountry snow.
Gear Up:
The Wall Street Journal offers up some tips along with the necessary gear to uphill properly.
Krispy Kreme Has an Upscale Collab
They're bringing Biscoff-inspired donuts to the U.S.
Biscoff has landed at Krispy Kreme. Everyone's favorite in-flight cookie is the star of a collection of donuts that just launched this week. While some of the donuts have been featured in other countries around the world, this will be the first time Biscoff donuts will be available in the U.S.The range includes an original glazed donut dipped in Biscoff Cookie Butter icing, along with the Biscoff Cookie Butter Cheesecake Doughnut, which is a glazed donut dipped in the cookie butter and topped with cream cheese buttercream and Biscoff cookie crumbles. Lastly, you can pick up a Biscoff Cookie Butter Kreme Filled Doughnut, which is a shell donut filled with a Biscoff cookie butter cream filling and dipped in the cookie butter icing before getting topped with dark chocolate icing and a sprinkle of cookie crumbles. Too much? I hope not.Because to celebrate the arrival of the new treats, Krispy Kreme fans who fly into participating shops and purchase any of the specialty donuts will also receive a free Biscoff cookie packet, just like we get on the plane, while supplies last.
Dig Deeper:
How did these delicious spiced cookies become so desirable on planes? Condé Nast Traveler finds out.
In Other News
But the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate.
Have you heard about ...
Embrace Your Personal Signatures
A man should have a few
Life is full of so many choices. Some are big and challenging, others are more mundane. But one thing is clear: How your life plays out is often determined entirely by the decisions we make. Of course, there are some things a person should figure out and then stick to—if for no other reason than to simply take that decision off his or her plate.I'm talking about personal signatures. Those items in your life that you've tried, tested and found work for you. They're perfect—just what you want—so why mess with a good thing? You may not have all these figured out just yet, but that's part of the work that must be done. Because once you have these figured out, your life is suddenly much easier.Not only that, but having a reliable signature instantly conveys confidence to the world around you. You don't have to waffle about your choice. You know exactly what you want because you have it figured out. Let's say you belly up to the bar. If you're feeling adventurous or the place is known for a specialty cocktail, then by all means, peruse the drink menu. But you should always have one cocktail that you know works for your palate. You should even be able to explain how to make it to a hapless bartender. Read on to find all the ways you should develop and rely on your personal signatures.
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Shopping
What We’re Buying
The Moto Boot
A rugged handmade boot ($348) that’s cut from sturdy leather and will last for years to come. The triple-needle lockstitch construction and a lined leather insole give this boot extra durability.
Want more?
20 of the best boots for this winter
Morning Motto
The good stuff takes time. Stick with it.
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