The Daily Valet. - 9/28/22, Wednesday
✔️ Ian Takes Aim
Wednesday, September 28th Edition
Doesn’t it seem like the government is always on the verge of shutting down?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Hurricane Ian Takes Aim at Florida
Some 2.5 million Floridians have been asked to evacuate, while all of Cuba was without power after being hit
Hurricane Ian tore into western Cuba as a major hurricane Tuesday, knocking out power to the entire country of 11 million people, before churning on a collision course with Florida over the warm Gulf waters. Experts say it will strengthen into a catastrophic Category 4 storm (with winds up to 156 mph) before making landfall on Florida’s West coast just south of Tampa this afternoon.
“Ian is forecast to approach the West coast of Florida as an extremely dangerous major hurricane,” read the NOAA’s public advisory. Wind aside, the other major danger is flooding. In some coastal areas of the state, NOAA projects the storm surge could reach 12 feet. And isolated patches of heavy rainfall in Central West Florida could drop more than two feet of water causing flash floods.
In response to the incoming storm, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that an estimated 2.5 million people have been ordered to evacuate in the state, he said during a Tuesday press conference. He warned of severe effects across Florida, starting in Southwestern counties, and said that the storm would probably not exit the state until Friday morning. “This is a lot of nasty weather that we’re in store for over the next few days.”
According to NPR, the “cone of uncertainty” is the tool forecasters use to illustrate a hurricane’s likely path—and that title has been particularly apt for Hurricane Ian, whose predicted track has fluctuated by hundreds of miles. That’s partly because of the the massive scale of the storm. While a map tends to highlight the eye of the storm, Ian is spinning hurricane-force winds up to 35 miles out from its center, with tropical-storm-force winds four times as far.
President Biden spoke to DeSantis Tuesday evening to discuss federal support as the state prepares for what is expected to be major damage. State agencies were also working to help prepare and protect senior residents, conducting on-site visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the path of the storm.
Meanwhile, NOAA is planning to send a drone into the eye of the hurricane later today, as part of a “weather reconnaissance” mission. According to the weather and climate news outlet Currently, if they’re successful, the plan would be the first time the agency has deployed an aerial drone inside a hurricane.
↦ FYI: The hurricane has reignited panic for Florida’s strapped insurance market (which has lost six insurers this year alone).
Senate Advances Deal to Fund Government
The vote came after Senator Manchin agreed to leave out his contentious energy plan
Just days before federal agencies run out of money, it appears the government will be able to keep the lights on. The Senate voted on Tuesday to move forward with a temporary spending package.
The 72-23 procedural vote puts the stopgap bill on a path to passage, which would keep the government running until Dec. 16 while congressional leaders try to hammer out an agreement that would last through next September.
According to the New York Times, the funding package would punt difficult negotiations over the dozen annual spending bills until after the November midterm elections. It notably sidesteps the Biden administration's request for emergency funds to combat the coronavirus pandemic and monkeypox, because of Republican opposition.
Tuesday's test vote came after Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, backed down on his top priority for the legislation: a deal to overhaul the permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects. It's unclear when they will vote, but after the Senate passes the measure, the House will have to vote to send it to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature before government funding expires at midnight Friday.
Partner
It's time to really start dressing. After all, this is the season for getting serious, right?
Music Lovers Ditch Spotify
Some streaming service subscribers have ditched the cloud for DIY music formats
If you love music, then streaming services like Spotify offer an unlimited catalog of songs. But sometimes that infinite choice can be a problem. And the way we listen to music has changed in the streaming age.
So many of us throw on music for any and all situations now, because we can. And according to The Guardian, it's turned our tunes into more of a utilitarian tool that we rely on, rather than having music be its own experience.
Some dedicated music listeners were feeling like streaming made music feel disposable. Others are grappling with the unethical economics or engagement-obsessed, habit-forming business models of streaming companies. And so they're canceling their Spotify and Apple Music accounts to rediscover the love of iPods, vinyl and even their old, dusty CDs.
Part of turning your back on the algorithms and embracing albums again is an exercise in fortitude. Think of some of your favorite albums from the past. You didn't love every song the first couple of times you heard it, right? But they grew on you and helped balance out the collection of songs. That rarely happens in the streaming world. Now, I'm too lazy to give up the convenience of Apple Music, but I get where they're coming from and it's a reminder to make more of my own listening choices.
↦ Meanwhile: Pitchfork ranks the best songs of the ’90s. The tracks that defined the era include everything from Björk and Biggie, to Mariah, Aaliyah and 2Pac.
A Butter Shortage?
Ahead of the holidays, butter could be scarce on the shelves and more expensive
When the going gets tough, I usually turn to something with butter in it, from popcorn to pastries. But this essential ingredient is starting to cost a pretty penny, and right before its biggest time to shine, the holiday baking season.
The Wall Street Journal reports that in the past year alone the price of butter has gone up 24.6%. Furthermore, the U.S. currently has the lowest amount of butter in storage facilities within that same five-year period, so there's not a solid reserve to rely on.
There are several reasons for the price increase, including rising inflation costs. To make matters worse, due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, labor shortages continue to slow things down at processing facilities across the country while the demand for butter continues to outpace supply in the Midwest, for example, reports Thrillist.
Of course, butter's not the only staple in trouble. CNET reports that several grocery mainstays are experiencing shortages this year, including tomatoes, beer, sriracha and even Halloween candy. The good news is that both butter and mini candy bars can both be stored in the freezer to increase their lifespan.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Partner
Dressing Your Timepiece
We put together a fool-proof Fall outfit and paired it with a spectacular new timepiece
Autumn's welcome weather will soon be rolling in and with it, your chance to change up your wardrobe with some seasonal signatures—rich colors, warm fabrics and a slew of textures and patterns. And there's never been a better time to embrace them. After all, this is the season for dressing, right?
We partnered with MR PORTER, which not only stocks some of our favorite brands—big name labels and under-the-radar niche brands—but they're continually sourcing the best luxury watches on the market.
We put together a classic look, but modernized it for 2022. Layer a wool work shirt over a solid casual shirt, tucked into some pleated pants with a wider, relaxed fit. Finish the look with some suede loafers grounded by a substantial Vibram Vi-Lite lug soles. As for the timepiece, Cartier's new Pasha de Cartier Grille takes design cues from a gridded Cartier watch from the 1930s.
Tapered cropped cotton-twill trousers,$240 by Mr P.
Percey brushed wool-blend overshirt,$245 by Hartford
Grille automatic watchby Cartier Pasha de Cartier
Clerkenwell cotton shirt,$165 by Oliver Spencer
James Castorino suede loafers,$660 by Tricker's
↦ Want more? 3 inspiring Fall outfits
What We’re Buying
If you don't care for the heaviness of a terry cloth towel or want something a little lighter, try a Turkish hammam style. Made from strong yet soft long-fiber cotton, these are nearly half off.
↦ Get It: $45 / $24 by Turkish Towels
Morning Motto
Don’t rush it. Give yourself some time.
↦ Follow: @shawnmchavez
That’s all for today...
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