The Daily Valet. - 6/30/23, Friday

✔️ Dog Days of Summer

A programming note ... We will be off for the long weekend, celebrating the Fourth of July. We'll see you back here on Wed., July 5th.

Friday, June 30th Edition

By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor

I don't think anything is going to stop me from eating hot dogs.

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Today’s Big Story

Are Hot Dogs Really Bad?

It’s Grilling season. How many dogs are too many dogs?

Hot dogs: Are you for or against? I'm firmly in the “pro” camp—perhaps due to my Midwest upbringing. And as we head into a long weekend celebrating America's 247th Independence Day, those long lazy days in the sun are often accompanied by the smoky aroma of hot dogs on the grill.Despite roots that go back to the wursts and sausages of Europe, hot dogs are a uniquely American phenomenon. According to the Smithsonian, a Coney Island vendor named Charles Feltman is credited with being the first visionary to fork a warm sausage into a split roll and offer it dressed with the condiments of your choice.Americans will eat an estimated 7 billion hot dogs this summer—150 million on July 4th alone, reports the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Of course, such tubular meats have never been seen as particularly healthy, but they've recently come under new criticism. The World Health Organization has determined that processed meat is a major contributor to colorectal cancer (the third deadliest cancer), classifying it as “carcinogenic to humans.” It's been found to increase your cancer risk by 18%—but only when eaten daily.USA Today spoke with noted nutritionist Mary Saba to find out, really, if hot dogs are healthy or unhealthy. The answer: It's complicated. One benefit, she says, is that they do have decent protein—two dogs have around 10 grams of protein. But, they're also high in sodium and the quality of meat isn't always the greatest. “But the biggest concern is the presence of nitrates and nitrites—additives used to preserve and enhance the color of processed meats,” Sabat says. “During the cooking process or digestion, they can form nitrosamines, which are compounds that have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.”So how many is too many? Registered dietician Maggie Michalczyk says there's no specific number, but try to think of a traditional hot dog as a “once in a while” food instead of an “everyday” or “every week” food. In other words, it's summer ... have a couple dogs, wash 'em down with a beer and cover your troubles with a little relish.

Pro-Dog:

Here are five hot dog chains that use the highest quality ingredients and debunk the “mystery meat” stereotype.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action

The historic ruling will force dramatic change in how universities select students

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. The Washington Post called it “a historic ruling that rolls back decades of precedent and will force a dramatic change in how the nation's private and public universities select their students.”The votes split along ideological grounds, with Chief Justice Roberts writing for the conservative members in the majority, and the liberals dissenting. And while the ruling examined just the two schools, its impact will be felt across the country. Hours after the decision, civil rights leaders warned that the ruling will enforce systemic racism and prevent colleges and universities from having diverse students.Some universities predicted that there would be less emphasis on standardized metrics like test scores and class rank, and more emphasis on personal qualities, told through recommendations and the application essay. Other college officials are predicting that the decision will lead to an immediate drop in the number of Black and Hispanic students at selective universities, echoing the experiences of California and Michigan after those states adopted bans on affirmative action at their public universities years ago. Later today, the court expected to announce major decisions on President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program and a case that impacts gay rights. It's the final day before the justices go on summer break.

Dig Deeper:

Read the key excerpts from the Supreme Court's affirmative action opinion and dissents.

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Save on Some Real Sparklers

John Hardy's hardwearing jewelry offers a touch of flash, yes, but a foundation of real, wearable everyday style.

Luxury Watch Prices Fall to Two-Year Low

The crash of cryptocurrencies haven't helped the pre-owned watch market

Anyone who's even passingly familiar with watches knows that buying a Rolex at retail is near-impossible right now and that the coveted watches demand a ridiculous premium at resale. The aftermarket, grey market, second-hand market, whatever you want to call it—has been totally bonkers. Or, at least, it was.According to Robb Report, prices for timepieces by Swiss luxury watchmakers are near their lowest levels in almost two years on the resale market. A slowing economy, higher interest rates, and the crash in cryptocurrencies all factor into the slump.The Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index now sits at $36,263, down more than 19% in the last 12 months and dipping nearly 7% from June 2021. Subdial tracks the 50 most traded pre-owned luxury watches by value, acting as a barometer for the resale market and right now it looks much softer than a year ago. If you purchased a pre-owned watch during the heights of 2022, chances are you've lost money on your investment piece. On the upside, you still have an amazing watch.

FYI:

Grail watches—the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Rolex Daytona models—were among the worst performers.

A Weekend Pairing

‘Muscles & Mayhem’ + a Canned Espresso Martini

If you're an elder millennial like me, you might remember watching American Gladiators as a kid. Perhaps you and your older brother also went to your bedroom after and began dueling with makeshift jousting sticks. In any case, the spandex-and-steroids phenomenon was peak ’90s excess. Last month, ESPN’s 30 for 30 explored the show, and now, Netflix is getting into the game.The five-part docuseries, streaming now, dives into the hit, chronicling the meteoric rise and sweeping impact the superhero-like Gladiators had on both fans across America and their “average Joe” competitors. Deadline says the show (which dives into the injuries, behind-the-scenes drama and wardrobe malfunctions) reminds us that TV’s first big reality stars were just pumped-up athletes who donned patriotic colors. “Even after all those painful hits in the ring and to their pocketbooks, they were still grateful for the experience.” The Hollywood Reporter says the series feels “truth-adjacent more than true.” But what would this show be without a little mythology, right?

Pair It With

Maybe it’s the can’s wild design or the fact that this is caffeinated booze, but a canned espresso martini just makes sense for this pairing. And Golden Rule’s version is crafted from Equator Coffee espresso, cinnamon, vodka, vanilla liqueur, and chicory root, for a surprisingly sophisticated cocktail.

Also Worth a Watch:

‘Warrior’ season 3 on Max; ‘M3gan’ on Prime Video

In Other News

South Koreans Grow Younger Overnight

The country just changed how it counts people’s ages.

Jury Acquits Deputy Who Failed to Confront the Parkland School Gunman

OpenAI Is Being Sued for Training ChatGPT With ‘Stolen’ Personal Data

The Heat Is Making Squirrels ‘Sploot’. But the Goofy Act Is Actually Serious.

Have you heard about ...

Pixel Fold screens breaking

Aspartame is in trouble again

These sad kings

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John Hardy Offers 4th of July Savings

John Hardy's hardwearing line of sterling silver jewelry embodies the very best of contemporary menswear. There's a touch of flash, yes, but a foundation of real, wearable everyday style. It's luxurious yet entirely comfortable. Built to make an impression without screaming. It's understated and timeless. What's more, these are pieces that are meant to be worn day after day. This means, when there's a sale, you should take advantage and invest while you can.