PicoBlog

Two weeks ago, The Bear Cave published on problems at The Joint (NASDAQ: JYNT — $1.20 billion), a franchisor of chiropractic clinics, concerning its franchise health and aggressive customer billing. Some smart investors in The Joint pushed back and argued that the franchise base is actually healthy. For example, The Joint’s own Franchise Disclosure Document seems to show that the median clinic makes between $70k-$150k in net profit. The Joint bulls also argued that the aggressive franchisor-franchisee terms The Joint uses are commonplace and that The Joint improves the standard of chiropractic care for patients.

Two years ago I wrote this story for Cascadia Sports Network covering the loss of the Seattle SuperSonics back in 2008 and the journey we’ve been through over the past 11 years. Today, July 2nd, 2021, now marks the 13-year anniversary of that horrible day where Seattle lost our NBA franchise. I know there are many Seattle Storm fans out there. Some were huge Sonics fans as well. Others didn’t mind that the Sonics were stolen away as long as the Storm stayed.

EDITOR’S NOTE 9/16/23: This is why we can’t have nice things. Comments are shut off again temporarily due to abusive comments and stalking. Check back soon for when they’re reopened. Remember, shutting down comments also temporarily hides all previous ones, but they’ll pop back up when I open up again. Trigger and content warning: mentions of suicide and rape of adults and children Note about comments: Due to stalking and abuse, I often shut off commenting for several days.

Daily financial markets commentary & analysis from a former 35 year Member of the NYSE, Managing Partner at Kace Capital Advisors, Chief Market Strategist at a $1.2 Billion Independent Advisor and media personality/ market analyst for a range of media out No thanksncG1vNJzZmijlaO7urzOpZqaqpljwLau0q2YnKNemLyuew%3D%3D

The world is awash with Kremlin disinformation and undercover operations aimed at undermining democracies, societies, and war efforts. This month, revelations about a gigantic espionage ring across Europe rocked the continent, but Russia also cripples the United States. Donald Trump and his chief Republican spear carrier, Marjorie Taylor Greene, are active “assets” for Russia and constantly spew its talking points. Trump enables and praises the enemy, describing Putin’s Ukrainian 2022 invasion as “genius”, suggesting that Ukraine should surrender, and pledging that he will let Putin do “whatever the hell he wants” to NATO members in Europe if they are behind in military commitments.

Hello Bar-Setters, Over the past two weeks, I’ve tried to spell out some of my most foundational beliefs about what is causing our cultural devolution and how we should prepare our kids to live well in a world of supernormal temptation. This week, I want to take a step back and point to a specific, related topic that has begun to get a lot of press… I’ve certainly found this to be the case over my decade plus working at a high school.

On April 20, 1989, a month after the release of their debut EP Shine, Mother Love Bone played a small bar named Tommy’s in Dallas, Texas. The young Seattle band had just gotten signed to a major label after a bidding war. Three of its members had defected from the influential rock band Green River because their style became more hairspray than the other guys hardcore. Love Bone sounded kind of hard rock, kind of glam.

I’m giving away a Zoë Bakes Linen Apron, a signed copy of Zoë Bakes Cakes, and a YEAR-long subscription to my “Extras” newsletter! Win it for your mom and/or bake her a cake! To enter, you just need to be signed up for my Substack newsletter (good on you for already having it done!). The contest ends May 4 at 12 noon CT. We’ll contact the winner via email. Since you’re already a subscriber, why not refer a friend?

“Babe. To the hot mama who makes it look so easy and does it all while looking like a smokeshow. I have no idea how you do it, supermom, and we could not keep this crazy ship afloat without you.” This is my second marriage. I thought it would be fun and now I have to listen to a whole new set of toddlers scream while I look at Barstool Sports on my phone.