Lawrence Welk, Lisa Loeb, Target
...not my house, but I know my way around.
Hello, dear readers,
There’s something about spring — longer days, blooming flowers, chirping birds and that feeling of renewal in the air itchy eyes, congestion and a very committed relationship with my tissue box.
Every year, I think it’ll be different… and every year, pollen laughs in my face.
Literally.
So, if you're also spending your spring sniffling and sneezing while everyone else is out basking in the sunshine roller coaster ride of 40s to 80s and rain to sunshine, I see you and I’m right there with you.
Here’s to surviving spring allergy season with a little patience and a lot of antihistamines.
🍒
Easter/spring-themed songs
In the days leading up to Easter, my Apple Music playlist adjusts slightly from nonstop Taylor Swift to slightly less Taylor Swift and some Easter/spring-themed songs.
From Judy Garland to Lawrence Welk, these songs never fail to put a smile on my face.
And my personal favorite? “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from “Hello, Dolly!”—a true Broadway showstopper.
If you’ve never seen the Broadway/touring version, a massive train appears during this number.
The choreography, the costumes and the magic of the set—it’s unforgettable.
And I think about the three shows I saw in Pittsburgh in 2019 starring Betty Buckley.
These are some of my go-to songs for spring. If you're like me and love a little springtime nostalgia with your seasonal allergies, give them a listen.
"Easter Parade"
Judy Garland & Fred Astaire (YouTube link)
“The Lawrence Welk Show” (YouTube link)
"Here Comes Peter Cottontail"
Gene Autry (YouTube link)
Lisa Loeb (Apple Music link)
"The Bunny Hop"
Ray Anthony (Apple Music link)
"Put on Your Sunday Clothes" from Hello, Dolly!
Michael Crawford, Barbra Streisand (Apple Music link)
Charles Nelson Reilly, Carol Channing and the 1964 original Broadway cast recording (Apple Music link)
Gavin Creel, Bette Midler and the 2017 Broadway cast recording (Apple Music link)
Target CEO meets with Rev. Al Sharpton
Target CEO Brian Cornell met with civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday to talk about Target’s decision to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The company has seen steep declines in foot traffic since January, when Target caved to Republican pressure.
Sharpton has not called for a boycott of Target — yet. But he has supported efforts by others to boycott the company.
“You can’t have an election come and all of a sudden, change your old positions,” Sharpton told CNBC in a Wednesday interview ahead of the meeting. “If an election determines your commitment to fairness, then fine, you have a right to withdraw from us, but then we have a right to withdraw from you.”
Target requested the meeting with Sharpton.
Sharpton is seemingly the first person with meaningful influence to push back against Republican operatives who are trying to dismantle diversity and inclusion. He has also met with PepsiCo executives, including its CEO.
Sharpton’s civil rights organization, the National Action Network, has encouraged so-called “buy-cotts” at retailers like Costco, which has pushed back against Republican pressures and has seen foot traffic increase.
And, finally…
it’s true.
