7/20/2023: An Espresso A Day ☕
PLUS: Through the Roof; Lionel Richie’s New Scent; and Meghan’s “tacky Tinseltown world”
Today is Thursday, July 20, 2023.
It is the 201st day of the year.
164 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Some potential shakeups at Disney leave staffers nervous and a man of the cloth brokers peace in Haiti. More in HIT LIST.
DOGSTAR announces new music and a tour, while JELLY ROLL shares some regrets. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Barbie” is on track to set a new record in pre-sale tickets. More in CASTING CALL.
SKIMS is a unicorn company four times over. More in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY might have signed up for more than he bargained for in California. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Researchers at the University of Verona in Italy found that an espresso a day might just help keep some neurodegenerative diseases at bay. (With a more scientific sounding hypothesis, of course.)
In the study, published this week in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers isolated compounds from store-bought espresso -- caffeine, trigonelline, genistein and theobromine -- to see how they affected tau proteins, which are believed to aid in the development of Alzheimer’s.
The findings showed that the compounds each affected the proteins in a way that could potentially slow or even halt the progression of Alzheimer’s; together they showed “the most dramatic results” against the disease.
What this means is everyone should learn how to make a decent martini espresso. [via The Independent]
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DISNEY head BOB IGER is scrambling to reassure executive staff after making moves in recent days to sell off some of its TV business. The package of networks would include ABC, the Disney Channel, Nat Geo, and FX, among others.
Staffers tell CNN they haven’t received any formal memos about plans for a sale, and have relied on Iger’s public remarks to get any details.
In a CNBC interview last week, Iger suggested that these traditional TV assets might not be at the core of Disney’s business in the future. He was brought out of retirement after his successor, Bob Chapek, was ousted by the board late last year. Iger only plans to stay on through his current short-term contract. [via CNN, CNBC]
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APPLE is preparing to roll out its own chatbot program, like Google’s BardAI and ChatGPT.
The technology is largely completed, but the company is figuring out where and how to roll it out to customers.
News of the offering sent Apple’s stock to a record high on Wednesday, to $198.23. [via Bloomberg]
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Have you heard the one about the priest and four gang leaders?
Father Tom Hagan, originally from the Philly area, has spent decades doing mission work in Haiti. Most recently, he’s lived in a slum that the United Nations designated as the most dangerous and destitute in the world, with poverty and gang violence running rampant.
Hagan says that in order to protect children caught in the literal crossfire, he was able to broker a peace between four rival gangs in the area. The head of each gang signed a peace treaty written by Hagan.
The agreement went into effect about two weeks ago – so time will tell how well it plays out. [via 6ABC]
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Getting a new roof can be one of a homeowner’s biggest expenses and headaches. It’s even worse when the contractor tears off your neighbor’s roof instead.
In this case, that neighbor owned a rental, whose tenants called him to ask why there were men working on the roof early one morning. When the owner came out to investigate, he found half of the shingles removed and a crew continuing their work. They were working on the wrong house, just one address away.
The owner of the roofing company blames the subcontractors, who he ensured he had given the correct address to.
Now, the original owner is stuck with a nearly $10,000 bill to get the roof quickly put back together by a different company.
The owner of the roofing company that made the mistake says he offered to put everything back, but that the homeowner refused. The homeowner says that conversation never happened. Now, he’s getting lawyers involved, but says the whole fiasco can go away if the original company just pays the repair bill. [via WAVE]
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DEATHS
Former baseball player ED BRESSOUD has died.
He passed away last week from cerebellar ataxia, according to a statement from his son.
Bressoud is one of only two men to play for the New York Giants and Mets; the other was WILLIE MAYS.
He was 91.
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BABY NEWS
Musician LOGIC and his wife, fashion designer BRITTNEY NOELL, have welcomed baby #2.
The newborn, named Leo, joins 3-year-old big brother Bobby.
No further details on the arrival have been shared.
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“Barbie” director GRETA GERWIG quietly gave birth to her second child, a baby boy, with fiance, filmmaker NOAH BAUMBACH four months ago.
The couple are already parents to 4-year-old son Harold, while Baumbach shares 14-year-old son Rohmer with his ex-wife, actress JENNIFER JASON LEIGH.
No other details about the birth have been shared.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 109 points (0.31%) to close at 35,061 on Wednesday. The S&P was up 10 points (0.24%) to close at 4,565 and the NASDAQ added 4 points (0.03%) to close at 14,358.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $75; BRENT CRUDE at $79.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.59 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN regained some ground yesterday, up half a point and barely trading over $30,000 Wednesday evening.
🛩 There were more than 3,810 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 308 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $720 million jackpot or a $369.6 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
SHERYL CROW is jumping on the backlash bandwagon against JASON ALDEAN and his new song “Try That in a Small Town.”
Crow, an outspoken gun-control advocate, tweeted at Aldean, writing, “I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence.”
As previously reported, Aldean addressed the backlash, saying the song is about growing up in a small town “where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief.” [via People]
WORTH ASKING: Where is the backlash for all of the other songs promoting actual violence -- specifically gun violence -- like those from rapper KING VON?
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW: Von, who was implicated in multiple crimes -- including murder -- was killed in a gang shooting in 2020. There has since been speculation that Von was a serial killer, which was the focus of the documentary, “King Von: Rap’s First Serial Killer.”
But sure…Jason Aldean’s song about neighbors looking out for each other despite differing opinions on things is the issue.
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TIGER WOODS’ ex-girlfriend ERICA HERMAN has dropped the $30 million lawsuit she filed against the golfer over claims that he plotted to kick her out of the house.
Herman filed the suit in March, after she says Woods “tricked” her into leaving his Florida mansion and then changing the locks while she was away.
She had resided in Woods’ home for the six years they were in a relationship, and claims they had an “oral tenancy agreement.” The alleged agreement extended for five years beyond their 2022 breakup, which is why Herman says she is owed $30 million; or what she calls it, “reasonable rental value” for those years.
Woods has denied ever making such a pact, saying Herman is nothing more than a “jilted ex-girlfriend.” [via TMZ]
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TAYLOR SWIFT has surpassed 100 career hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart thanks to her album “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”
Thanks to the 22 songs from the re-recorded album, Swift now has 108 career entries, leaving her two shy of DOLLY PARTON’s record of 110 entries.
“Speak Now” is Swift’s third of six planned re-recorded albums. [via Billboard]
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DOGSTAR, the alternative rock band featuring actor KEANU REEVES, announced they are releasing their first album in 23 years called “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees.”
They have also released a new single, titled “Everything Turns Around,” and have plans to tour starting in August.
Reeves is a bassist in the band, alongside vocalist BRET DOMROSE and drummer ROB MAILHOUSE. [via Deadline]
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LIONEL RICHIE has launched his second fragrance, Easy Like Sunday Morning. The all-gender scent features notes of strawberry, grapefruit and almond blossom.
His first fragrance, Hello, was released in 2019.
Both of the names were inspired by Richie’s hit songs. [via People]
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Heavily-tatted country-rock singer JELLY ROLL says he regrets “96 percent” of his tattoos.
Speaking to Jason Bailey on the “Audacy Check In,” JR said, “I have more tattoo regrets than I do ‘Man I’m glad I got this.’”
An example of one such regret, is a “Gerber baby smoking a joint” that he has tattooed on his arm, of which he said, “I don’t know who authorized this in my life or who was around me at this moment, but I hate them.”
No word on if he plans to have some of the ink removed. [via CircleAllAccess]
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LAMAR ODOM is partnering with Regency Palms Senior Living to create affordable and luxurious care for seniors living in California.
The Odom Senior Center was inspired by the former NBA player’s 96-year-old grandmother, who is struggling to find an affordable assisted living home.
Odom says he hopes to have affordable senior living homes in 1,000 communities by year’s end.
The newest venture comes after Odom successfully launched the Odom Recovery Group for those seeking sobriety. [via TMZ]
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SHAQUILLE O’NEAL was filmed entertaining a group of kids at a hotel pool, by pretending to drown and having them rescue him.
The clip, which has gone viral on TikTok, shows the 51-year-old telling the kids “I’m drowning” before sinking underwater. The group quickly surrounds him and does their best to lift all 7-plus-feet of him. After the rescue mission, Shaq high-fives the kids for their effort.
O’Neal was vacationing in Hawaii last week where he also performed as DJ Diesel at The Republik in Honolulu. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
“This Is Us” star MANDY MOORE is showing solidarity with the actors’ strike, by revealing the measly payout she gets as streaming revenue for the hit show.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Moore said she gets anywhere from “a penny to 81 cents” from Disney’s streaming deal with Hulu.
After the interview, Moore took to Instagram to explain further, writing “Striking isn’t fun. No one hoped it would come to this and I know everyone involved is hopeful for a resolution soon so folks can get back to work.” [via Hollywood Reporter]
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: Moore made $85,000 per episode during Season 1. By Season 6 she was taking home $250,000 per episode.
MEANWHILE: WWE star SETH ROLLINS says that while he supports the striking writers and actors, he also sees the “silver lining” in that more people can watch wrestling. [via TMZ]
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“Barbie” has sold the most presale tickets since JAMES CAMERON’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” hit theaters last December.
Projections had the movie opening to at least $90 million, though now it is estimated that it could earn as much -- or more -- than the “Avatar” sequel’s $134 million opening weekend.
Due out on Friday, the film is up against CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’s highly anticipated flick “Oppenheimer.”
WHAT’S MORE: “Barbie” has a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes; “Oppenheimer” is at 93%. [via Deadline, Rotten Tomatoes]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN’s SKIMS line is now valued at $4 BILLION. That is up from the $3.2 BILLION valuation it was given last year.
The increase comes after the apparel company raised $270 million in new funding.
SKIMS launched in 2019. [via The Independent]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
A source tells RadarOnline that PRINCE HARRY’s life in California with wife MEGHAN MARKLE isn’t what he thought it would be. “Harry doesn’t fit in Meghan’s tacky Tinseltown world,” the insider says, and he’s taking on projects that will get him out of the house to “find himself” again.
MEANWHILE: Meg is now working overtime to establish her own brand with the help of high-powered agents.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Harry and Meg tried leaning into their “Sussex Royal” brand through a website and social media that never quite took off the way they had hoped. [via RadarOnline]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Moon Day
World Jump Day
Space Exploration Day
National Lollipop Day
International Chess Day
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ON THIS DATE
1807 - Two French brothers successfully patent the world's first internal combustion engine, granted by Napoleon Bonaparte.
It was called the "Pyreolophore" (PEE-ray-oh-lo-fore), which is an amalgamation of the Greek words fire, wind, and produce.
A series of controlled explosions of experimental fuels made from finely crushed coal dust and resin powered the engine.
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1810 - Bogota, Colombia declares its independence from Spain.
The Spanish governor buckled to pressure from locals unhappy with their overseas monarchy, especially after Napoleon had toppled the Spanish throne two years earlier and installed his brother.
After a riot of angry locals pushed the governor to surrender power to the creoles. Though many Spanish provinces had declared their independence around this time, they did not unite. Local conflicts would continue for years.
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1877 - Workers on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad are killed by state militia after striking for six days.
The strike was started after the owners of the railroad had reduced their wages twice that year.
As the strike spread between Maryland and West Virginia, the governor ordered the state militia to put down the rioters.
After 11 died, sympathy strikes in Pittsburgh mourned the deaths.
SIDE NOTE: The railroad may be better known as the Monopoly spot "B&O Railroad"
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1932 - More than 43,000 protesters gather in Washington, D.C.
Most of the marchers are World War I vets demanding immediate cash-payment for the service certificates they were granted at the end of their tour.
Police fired tear gas onto the crowd, which called itself the Bonus Expeditionary Force.
After two marchers died, President Hoover ordered the army to clear the marchers' base camp. The marchers and their families were driven out.
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1939 - FDR approves the Hatch Act.
It limits the extent to which civil servants working at the federal level can engage in partisan political activity.
Federal workers were banned from membership in any political organization advocating the overthrow of the constitutional government in the U.S.
It particularly applied to marginalizing fascist and communist organizations.
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1969 - The Eagle lander puts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. They're the first men to walk on its surface.
The crew almost spent 24 hours on the lunar surface before completing a rendezvous with the orbiter.
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1976 - Hank Aaron slugs the final home run of his career -- his 755th -- which also marked a career home run record for the MLB. That record would stand until Barry Bonds surpassed it in 2007.
Aaron would be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1982.
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2012 - Twelve people are killed and 70 injured at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado after gunman James Eagan Holmes opens fire during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."
The incident marked the deadliest shooting in Colorado history since the Columbine High School Massacre in 1999.
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2020 - A COVID-19 vaccine is developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca.
The announcement stated that the vaccine is able to “trigger immune response and antibodies,” according to early clinical trial results.
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BIRTHDAYS
Ben Simmons - basketball player - 27
Joey Bragg - actor, “Liv and Maddie” - 27
Alycia Debnam-Carey - actress, “The 100” - 30
Julianne Hough - dancer, “DWTS” - 35
Gisele Bundchen - model - 43
Ray Allen - basketball player - 48
Judy Greer - actress, “Arrested Development” & Tomorrowland” - 48
Omar Epps - actor, “House M.D” & “Love & Basketball” - 50
Sandra Oh - actress, “Grey’s Anatomy” & “Killing Eve” - 52
Terri Irwin - naturalist & wife of the late Steve Irwin - 59
Carlos Santana - guitarist, Santana - 76
Born On This Date
Pop Smoke - rapper - 1999 (d. 2020)
Chris Cornell - rock singer, Soundgarden - 1964 (d. 2017)
Billy Mays - entrepreneur, Oxiclean - 1958 (d. 2009)
Natalie Wood - actress, “West Side Story” - 1938 (d. 1981)
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