The Daily Valet. - 4/29/21, Thursday
✔️ Last Night's Declaration
Thursday, April 29th Edition
Is a hot dog still a hot dog when there’s no meat in it?
Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Biden’s Declaration
Democracy ‘is rising anew’ and other highlights from his first address to joint session of Congress
President Joe Biden delivered his first joint address to Congress on Wednesday, outlining his vision for the country and speaking to what he sees as his administration's initial accomplishments as he approaches 100 days in office.
The address, which lasted just over an hour, was held in the House chamber and due to security concerns following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and COVID safety measures, only about 200 people were in attendance. But for the first time in history, the two seats behind the president were filled by women: Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Biden used his address to make the case for huge new investments and tax reforms to overhaul the U.S. economy. Aiming to strike a balance between optimism and pragmatism, he celebrated the progress in the battle against COVID-19, attributed to the widespread availability of vaccines and economic aid to struggling Americans, while emphasizing the magnitude of the task that lies ahead.
“We have to prove democracy still works. That our government still works and we can deliver for our people,” said Mr. Biden. He appealed to Republicans to work with him. But this won't be easy to pass, as GOP lawmakers unify in opposition and Democrats hold razor-thin margins in both the House and the Senate.
Biden continued to walk a fine line between encouraging bipartisan discussions about alternatives or changes to his American Jobs Plan and making it clear that he believes an aggressive approach is necessary. “The rest of the world is not waiting for us. ... Doing nothing is not an option.”
Biden followed that by selling his American Families Plan, emphasizing its new spending on community college, child care and paid family and medical leave and its proposal to make the annual $3,000-to-$3,600 cash allowance per child for raising kids through 2025 permanent. CNN's Jake Tapper called the agenda, “perhaps the most progressive agenda since LBJ or even Franklin Roosevelt.”
↦ Fact Check: Biden was on mostly factual ground when he stuck to the script. But he got in trouble when he ad-libbed some lines that stretched the truth.
Like Shooting Stars?
Bits of Halley’s comet are burning up in the atmosphere right now
Each spring, the Earth passes through the debris trail from the iconic Halley's Comet, and as the bits of ice and rock enter our atmosphere, they burn up as meteors.
During the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, the shooting stars seem to emanate from the constellation Aquarius (which is how the event got its name). And this year, all you need is your own wide eyes—and clear skies—to see them.
The source of this natural light show is Halley's Comet, perhaps the most famous space snowball around—especially for Gen Xers and older millennials who might remember its last tear through the inner solar system in 1986.
This year, the meteor shower will last from April 19 through May 28, with the peak—the night it's really worth going out and looking for meteors—landing the night of Cinco de Mayo, May 5. That means you can conclude your celebrations with a stunning display in the night sky.
↦ FYI: Forbes offers up some tips on how best to view the meteors. Did you know night vision takes about 30 minutes to nurture.
Netflix Has a New Feature
The company is working to solve one of its biggest threats: decision fatigue
You know the feeling ... you want to watch something and fire up Netflix. Nothing jumps out at you so you start scrolling, and scrolling and scrolling.
In an effort to get you watching in a hurry, Netflix is launching “Play Something,” which picks a TV show or movie based on your previous watching habits.
According to Variety, it's something the company has been testing in various forms for two years. If whatever pops up isn’t to your liking, you can click on “Play Something Else.” The titles surfaced will be either something you has never watched before; a series or film they were already watching; or a title on their watchlist.
It will help Netflix mimic a more traditional cable experience where something is already playing. Initially available on TVs, Netflix says it will launch the feature on its Android mobile app soon. For now, Netflix doesn’t have details on when Play Something will be available on iOS devices, nor does it currently have plans to intro the feature for web browsers.
↦ Dig Deeper: Ten years ago, Netflix got the idea that its app should work more like regular TV. Vulture examines the process.
A Twist on a Summer Classic
New York’s iconic Nathan’s Famous introduces its first vegan hot dog
Nathan's Famous, one of New York's most famous hot dog venues which first began distributing its iconic hot dogs on the renowned Coney Island in 1916, has introduced its first vegan hot dog.
A partnership between Nathan's Famous and Meatless Farm, the meatless dogs feature a pea protein-based sausage spiced with Nathan's Famous 100-year-old secret seasoning blend. They're now available online and within the next few weeks, they will be available in Nathan's Famous shops.
It certainly seems like this is part of a growing trend of vegetarian and vegan options popping up at fast food restaurants across the country. But a hot dog really makes sense to me. Like, they're already made of ground up stuff. Whether that's meat or meat-adjacent, I don't think you could tell. And if this uses less animals and is even mildly healthier, I'll give it a try.
Florence Fabricant, the food and wine writer for The New York Times, was impressed when she tried it, saying that while it was a bit different than the original, “in a classic bun, piled with sauerkraut and slathered with mustard, it passes muster.”
↦ Meanwhile: Legendary Los Angeles meatpacker Farmer John is no longer making the stadium's beloved Dodger Dogs.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Weekend Shopping Plans
From good vibes for your home to cozy weekend wear, our picks from three can't-miss sales going on this weekend.
Up to 50% off clearance items
Ona essential oil diffuser, $79.95 / $59.97
Up to 40% off new markdowns
Parks Project hoodie, $78 / $39
Up to 70% off select items
+J Dry sweatpants, $49.90 / $39.90
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A Proven Way to Look Rested
Think of this handy tube as a preventative tool that can combat all the stress we put ourselves under—the kind of conditions that make skin look tired, dull and puffy. Port Products' popular Under Eye Recovery Gel is clinically proven to help decrease the intensity of dark circles, brighten the eye area and reduce those dreaded eye bags when used twice daily for at least 28 days. Packed with red algae, kelp and other marine botanicals it’s a small grooming addition with a big impact. What's more, get $20 off with the exclusive code VALET20.
↦ Get It: $42 / $22 w/code VALET20 at Port Products
Morning Motto
Maintain your balance.
↦ Follow: @realfunwow
That’s all for today...
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