The Daily Valet. - 7/14/20, Tuesday
✔️ Living Up to the Hype
Tuesday, July 14th Edition
Now, the waiting begins ...
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
The 2021 Bronco Is Finally Here
Shut up and take my money ....
The 2021 Ford Bronco is undoubtedly the year’s most-hyped new car. It had been a quarter century since the last one debuted and talk of its return had bounced around in auto circles for the better part of a decade. And on Monday night, Ford finally took the wraps off the new 4x4. And while there’s a lot to live up to, the new Bronco did not disappoint.
This is what so many of us were hoping for when Land Rover reworked the Defender. A design that took everything you loved about the old models and put it through a more modern filter. That’s why I was so stoked to see this retain the flat grill and boxy body of the beloved first generation Broncos.
“That squared-off design is one of the things that really cements it as a Bronco,” Ford’s David Pericak told Esquire. “It’s simplistic in many ways, but there’s interesting details when you really look at it.”
And it’s not just cool looking ... Car and Driver calls it “every bit like the Jeep Wrangler’s worst nightmare,” thanks to a laundry list of serious off-road goodies. The new Bronco comes with a choice of two engines, both EcoBoost turbos. There’s a desirable Sasquatch off-road package and over 200 factory-backed accessories.
And what seemed to get the most chatter online: a seven-speed stick-shift option—the only manual in Ford’s U.S. lineup that’s not found in a Mustang.
And to think ... it was almost never made. Turns out, a small group of Ford employees worked on the project in secret, and without any boss’s approval. They sketched in secret and modeled a reborn Bronco that played on its ’60s heyday. Bloomberg has the story of how they eventually begged for space in factories while trying to convince management that there was still life left in the brand. Boy, were they right.
↦ Reserve Yours: Ready to put down $100 to reserve a Bronco? You can do it now to be among the first to get behind the wheel in the spring.
Time to Flatten the Curve Again
States surge while others try to slow the spread
The number of COVID-19 cases globally surpassed 13 million early Monday evening, according to Johns Hopkins University. The grim milestone comes just five days after passing the 12 million mark.
And the United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 3.3 million diagnosed cases and at least 135,582 deaths, reports ABC News. And the numbers just keep going up and up, faster and faster.
Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday said the surge in cases is absolutely due to the country's failure to shut down completely, then a rush to reopen too soon. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced their reopening guidelines in April, relatively few states adhered to the agency's suggestions.
And those who did, like California, are pulling back on reopening amid a new surge in cases, reports the Wall Street Journal. A number of counties opened bars and other indoor establishments, even while cases were still rising. Case counts quickly shot up, and haven't slowed since.
↦ FYI: The Los Angeles Times reports that scientists say a plasma shot could prevent coronavirus. But federal officials have twice rejected requests to discuss the proposal.
Redskins Retire Name
The move comes less than two weeks after the team announced a review of the name and logo
Washington's NFL team announced Monday that it will change its name, long condemned as an anti-Indigenous slur, reports NBC News.
The move comes after pressure mounted from sponsors and less than two weeks after the team announced it would conduct a “thorough review” of the name.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that he was “supportive of this important step.” And Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez called it “a historic day for all Indigenous peoples,” offering up the name Code Talkers, to honor those tribal nations who used their sacred language to help win World War II.
Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, the spotlight is now shining on other teams such as the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Blackhawks to rethink their names as well.
↦ Got Any Ideas? The Swamp Monsters? The Washington Bureaucrats? There are plenty of names being offered up.
Look Up Tonight and See a Comet
It won’t be back around for 6,000 years
Every once in a while, large, icy objects pass through the inner Solar System. And when they get near the Sun, the ices sublimate, emitting volatile gases that cause a comet's signature tail.
And this week, Comet NEOWISE will be blazing across the sky just after sunset—a perfect time to slow down and look up. According to Forbes, this particular comet has a 6,800 year orbital period. Meaning the last time it appeared over Earth, the wheel hadn't been invented yet.
According to Earth Sky, the comet will be low on the northwest horizon. LifeHacker suggests using binoculars for a better shot at seeing it—though some people say that once you spot the comet with binoculars, you'll be able to see it without them once you know where to look. But, if you want to see the comet's split tail, binoculars are your best bet.
↦ FYI: The comet will pass at some 64 million miles from Earth.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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The World Is Drinking Less Coffee
About a quarter of demand comes from cafes and restaurants
Global coffee consumption is set to fall this year for the first time since 2011, reports Bloomberg. I have nothing to do with this, as my partner and I are currently brewing three pots throughout the day to power through our WFH schedules.
But even the huge surge in bean buying at grocery stores and online delivery services won't make up the difference. The shutdowns for cafes and restaurants— which typically account for over 25% of demand—were overwhelming, and it could be a while before things pick up again.
Coffee shops, which often depend on morning commuters and afternoon breakers, have been hit particularly hard. Researcher Marex Spectron estimates globally more than 95% of the out-of-home market was shuttered at some point during the pandemic. And many remain closed, likely to never reopen.
↦ FYI: Whether you take it black, with cream or require all-natural stevia sweetener and a splash of oat milk, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your coffee experience.
Sales We’re Eyeing
Shoe the Bear chukka$180 / $134.95
STAG has consistently been one of our favorite places to shop both online and in person. Right now, since most of us are solely shopping online, they've launched a massive summer sale. Whether you're looking for some lightweight shorts or some quality suede desert boots, it's all there. But they won't last long at these prices.
Battenwear tie-dye shirt $70 / $54.95
Katin shorts $68 / $54.95
Pendleton towel $50 / $39.95
Kardo denim belt $40 / $29.95
Universal Works chambray shirt $138 / $99.95
↦ Shop the Sale at STAG
Today’s Deals
Expires 7/17
Ongoing Sale
Ongoing Sale
↦ Want More? See all 60 sales
Morning Motto
Never stop learning.
↦ Follow: @johandeckmann
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