The Daily Valet. - 2/1/23, Wednesday
✔️ Not So Ancient History
Wednesday, February 1st Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
I'm all for camping, if it comes with a luxury trailer.
Today’s Big Story
Black History Month
There’s plenty to celebrate ... and still plenty to learn
The first of February means that Black History Month officially kicks off today. Did you know it has been celebrated in one way or another in the United States for nearly a century now? Leaders like Carter G. Woodson created the annual observance to ensure that the history of Black people in America received the importance and scholarly attention it deserves.As President Biden mentioned in his official proclamation Tuesday, part of celebrating the legacy of Black Americans means acknowledging that America has never lived up to its promise that all people are treated equal. “Black Americans have made a way not only for themselves but have helped build a highway for millions of other historically marginalized communities, and all Americans to more fully experience the benefits of our society.”Yet Black history is often still a contentious subject today—whether in school board meetings and in state legislatures or even on library shelves. To say that my own education in the ’90s and early aughts was overly simplified while in school would be an understatement. Which means, we're now on our own: Resources like BlackPast.org and the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer several ways to expand on your knowledge.When we look at black-and-white images from the Civil Rights Movement, it's easy to consider it a long-lost period in American history. But some of our parents and grandparents watched these events unfold. And it wasn't until 1976 that Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford.Of course, there are other more entertaining (and just as enlightening) ways to learn and celebrate. Rotten Tomatoes has an impressive lineup of TV series, movies, documentaries and specials rolling out over the course of February. AMC Theaters is offering $5 movie tickets for films from Black actors and creators all month long. And for kids, there is a new line of books that help teach local Black history for several cities around the U.S.
Dig Deeper:
The History Channel has an exhaustive timeline of Black history milestones in America, dating all the way back to the summer of 1619.
A More Affordable Whole Foods?
The Store asks suppliers to cut prices
Whole Foods Market is looking to cut prices, which could help it shake its longtime nickname “Whole Paycheck.” After more than a year of price increases, shoppers have been cutting back on purchases, buying cheaper versions of groceries and seeking out deals across supermarket aisles.Now the Amazon-owned grocery store chain is asking its suppliers to help cut costs on packaged groceries as consumers continue to deal with inflation, the Wall Street Journal reports. The meteoric rise in food prices slowed slightly in December, per a new Axios analysis — but prices were still up more than 10% year-over-year. You might remember that when Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017 (for $13.7 billion), the companies said in a joint statement at the time that there was a “vision of making Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food affordable for everyone.”
Meanwhile:
The store is making strides with ‘Just Walk Out’ shopping. It's not for everyone, but but it's likely to grow.
When things don’t go their way, most fans are content to sulk. But for some, the thing to do is to destroy their TV. And then post about it online. ”
- The Atlantic on a new breed of football fans
Instagram Founders Introduce a New Text-Based App
The Artifact app is being released based on TikTok's algorithmic approach
Instagram's two co-founders finally lifted the veil on a new app they've been working on since they left the social media giant four years ago. On Tuesday, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger introduce an app called Artifact, described as “a personalized news feed using the latest AI tech.”The name represents the merging of articles, facts, and artificial intelligence—just opened up its waiting list to the public. The simplest way to understand Artifact is as a kind of TikTok for text, though you might also call it Google Reader reborn as a mobile app or maybe even a surprise attack on Twitter. When users click on certain stories, the feed will automatically show similar articles, posts, and stories the user might be interested in.According to The Verge, an added feature will show a feed of articles posted by people that you chose to follow and will include commentary on the posts. A second feature is a direct-message inbox so users can talk about the posts privately with friends. Of course, if you don't need another algorithm feeding you content, you can stick with your favorite reliable morning newsletter.
Bowlus Unveils an Entry-Level Trailer
The sleek Silver caravan is light enough to be towed by an EV
If you're not familiar with a Bowlus travel trailer, you might confuse it with an Airstream. But Bowlus is like the bougie cousin to the more well-known silver trailer. Their campers, Gear Patrol says, are more like luxury apartments with wheels and a trailer hitch.There's a door in the front (rather than the side, like the Airstream), and the rear tapers to a point. They're sleek, comfortable and incredibly aerodynamic. But the rub has been that those trailers are more than a bit pricey, with the most popular models starting at $285,000.On Tuesday, the California-based company unveiled a new entry-level model called the Heritage Edition. The trailer is based on the first one they ever built, way back in 1934. Despite the retro inspiration, the caravan comes loaded with a slew of modern features and is so light that even an EV could tow it without completely killing the battery. Plus, you can finance it for just $1,027 per month—if you're okay with a 240-month financing agreement.
meanwhile:
Potenital Motors' new Adventure 1 is an electric all-terrain RV with cool, convertible interior for camping.
In Other News
Here’s what leading economists think.
Have you heard about ...
Worth a Listen
An Intriguing, Artistic True Crime podcast
If you're in a bit of a podcast rut lately and want something new to listen to, dig into this podcast (where all episodes and an epilogue are available to hear). An intriguing mix of art world intrigue and true crime, the series from Pushkin Industries explores the life and untimely death of Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta. There's intel on her provocative art, along with an investigation into the long-held rumor (among those in the art industry) that she was murdered by her partner and minimalist art legend, Carl Andre. Vulture calls it a “window into another world” … the world in question is the New York art scene of the ’70s and ’80s, which was definitely an interesting place to be.
Listen:
Shopping
What We’re Buying
A Zip-Up Cardigan
This beautifully-made zip cardigan from Mr P. is knit from 70% wool and 30% silk in a unique diagonal pattern. The result lets you see each shade of mélange yarns, and the relaxed shape has a ribbed collar so you can turn it up against the cold.
Get It:
Mouline wool/silk-blend zip-up sweater,$355 / $177.50 by Mr P.
Morning Motto
Hang in there.
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