The Daily Valet. - 2/21/23, Tuesday
✔️ A Surprise Visit
Tuesday, February 21st Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
I love short weeks like this. Look, it's already Tuesday!
Today’s Big Story
Biden Makes Surprise Ukraine Visit
The President swept in unannounced in a defiant display of Western solidarity
Well, how was that for a Presidents' Day surprise? President Biden visited Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion.Biden rode 10 hours by train from the Polish border to arrive in the Ukrainian capital. As air-raid sirens sounded, he strolled in the sunshine with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced $500 million in additional military aid— on top of the more than $50 billion already provided—for howitzers shells, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid but no new advanced weaponry.While American presidents have visited war zones before, Biden's visit to Ukraine was “historic and unprecedented” the White House said, as there has never been a visit by a president to an active war zone where the U.S. does not have a military presence.By the time the photos of this visit began to circulate online, the memes were already spreading. One features the president in various poses, appearing to visit local businesses in Ukraine. Much of the humor comes from Biden's expressions—donning his signature aviators and giving a thumbs-up.Now that Biden has left the country, new details on how Biden made his way to the Ukrainian capital are being reported. From reporters sworn to secrecy to some sneaky maneuvers with Air Force One. The Associated Press reports that the visit came at a crucial moment: Biden is trying to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine as the war is expected to intensify with spring offensives.
FYI:
The U.S. Air Force is looking to build a supersonic jet for Presidential travel that would shorten six hour flights to only 90 minutes.
Earth to Earth
Human Composting Is Changing the Landscape of Death Care—and It May Soon Be Legal Near You
If you're conscious about your energy usage and carbon footprint in life, you'd probably be interested in a greener burial. And you wouldn't be alone. Americans have never been more interested in “green” burials, and a new wave of deathcare startups are rising to the occasion.According to Gizmodo, a report from this summer revealed that 60% of people are now interested in having an eco-friendly funeral when they die. In some ways, human composting is an evolution of something people have been doing since the dawn of time: burying the dead and letting nature take its course.New York recently became the latest state to legalize composting of human remains. They joined Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Vermont as the only states to allow natural organic reduction—human composting. In addition to an interest in moving towards greener practices, the cost of a green burial is often significantly less that a traditional burial, which on average cost around $7,848 in 2022.
Compare:
From composting to natural burial to water cremation, here's everything you need to know.
Clumsy Art Lover Ruins Sculpture
Should they really serve wine at Gallery openings?
Like something straight out of a sit-com storyline, a guest at a contemporary art fair accidentally knocked over a $42,000 sculpture by artist Jeff Koons, which shattered into pieces once it hit the ground.Made of delicate porcelain, it was one of several balloon dog sculptures by Koons—whose balloon animal sculptures are instantly recognizable across the world. In 2013, a larger balloon dog sculpture sold for a whopping $58.4 million.The gallery's district manager, Cédric Boer, told CNN, “This kind of thing unfortunately happens, that is why the artwork was covered by insurance.” Some guests apparently thought that the fall could be part of a staged performance piece, until they saw the horror register on the clumsy guest's face. Still, another collector spotted an opportunity and asked the gallery if they were willing to sell him the broken pieces. That's the art world for you.
FYI:
Koons set a record for the most expensive work sold at an auction by a living artist: a rabbit sculpture netted $91.1 million in 2019
The Internet’s New Favorite Pasta
It's an Ingenious Riff on French Onion Soup
Social media food trends come and go. Some make sense (and sound delicious), while others are more sizzle than steak, you might say. But a clever hybrid dish, dubbed “French onion pasta” is newly internet famous. And, even better ... it apparently lives up to the hype.Carolyn Wong, who goes by @carolbeecooks on TikTok, combined two comfort foods—French onion soup (known for its deep, rich flavor and aroma) and creamy rigatoni pasta topped with some freshly shaved Gruyere cheese.What's not to like, right? You basically cook the pasta in a combination of broth and port until most of the liquid is gone, then add in an abundance of cheese. Wong admits that she's not the first to come up with the dish, but after 17 million views between Instagram and TikTok, it's clear she's helping get people on board the French onion pasta train.
Get the Recipe:
The Washington Post's Aaron Hutcherson got the recipe and shares how to make the dish.
In Other News
It came as crews are still responding to the catastrophic quake two weeks ago.
Have you heard about ...
Worth a Listen
The OG podcast for curious people
Feeling like you’ve listened to all the podcasts that interest you? If you want something new to listen to, try going back to some of the older, more established pods. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, a couple of guys who know a little bit about a lot of things, have been podcasting since the very beginning of podcasts. Stuff You Should Know has been going strong since 2008—and has covered everything from champagne and the Stonewall Uprising, to chaos theory and El Niño. Chuck and Josh’s easy friendship is apparent in every second of every episode, and they manage to find the interesting and funny in any topic ranging from pinball to probiotics. There are hundreds of episodes available so take your pick.
Listen:
Shopping
What We’re Buying
A Leather Jacket
This jacket isn't vintage. But it looks like it might be when you handle it up close. The leather is substantial yet soft. The edges around the seams are rubbed smooth. And yet it's in perfect condition because it's brand new ($600), from the mall label that just keeps getting better lately—Banana Republic. Modeled after the original G-2 jackets of the U.S. Navy, this design was pulled from the brand's early archives and it's as good today as it was at first release. Smart design details include a lightweight quilted lining for extra warmth and metal grommets at the underarms to keep you from overheating.
Want more?
The five stylish things you should be buying this week.
Morning Motto
Put your mind to it and don’t give up.
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