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In California, Maybe It’s Not Such Good Business After All: Meghan Markle And Spotify Officially Part Ways

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In California, Maybe It’s Not Such Good Business After All: Meghan Markle And Spotify Officially Part Ways


The writing, in the form of high levels of doubt within the industry and without as to whether the “Archetypes” Spotify podcast put together and hosted by Meghan Markle had any legs, is now officially on the wall: Spotify and the Archewell principals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, are walking away from their reported $20-million contract. No word yet on how much or how little Meghan Markle actually got for her dozen episodes over three years since the inking, but it is a fair bet that it does not begin to approach the reported contractual sum.

It also has been reported that the decision was a “mutual” one. The Windsors of Montecito and their several new eagle-eyed public relations representatives would have insisted on that bit of presentation for this news byte, so as to avoid the widely-held impression across broad swaths of the public and on the many backlots of Hollywood that the dozen lackluster and occasionally downright stultifying episodes of the thing had no driving magnetism or spark, much less the kind of entertainment valence that would grow a steady audience.

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In the 18 months after the celebrated 2020 inking of the now-discarded paper, there was clearly a conceptual problem with the production, or more pointedly expressed, perhaps several of them. Behind the scenes, meaning, in the Montecito mansion and/or as the Archewell offices got up and running, there may well have been this or that idea floated, or this or that celebrity friend of the couple rung up and asked for an appearance. But the fact remains: For the first 18 months of the reported 3-year contract, nothing was aired.

In fairness to the Archewell principals, good things do take time, and in that particularly harsh, cutthroat terrain of content-land in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle operate, namely, that of the personal narrative, finding the right tack for a bully pulpit such as an ‘issues-oriented’ podcast can be tricky. The whole notion behind the thing was to upend the conventional thinking on all sorts of ‘archetypes’ under which we labor.

The results we have in the episodes that were produced feel distinctly rushed and not well thought through, but it also can be that there was appropriately deep, thoughtful debate between Meghan Markle and her producers. We can certainly at least hope that it happened. But it doesn’t seem like it.

Nevertheless: Whether the prospective chat-show host Meghan Markle was aware of it or not, the year-and-a-half delay until any bit of product landed left Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with a great, Hydra-headed showbiz-startup disadvantage. That was: By beginning their Spotify odyssey at that late point, they severed their own audience-building ramp of time literally in half. Said another way, they left themselves with 50% less room for experimentation and, perhaps more critically, nuanced course-correction in the always-uncertain search for audience.

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The corollary disadvantages emmanating from that Hydra head of having less time were, and are, deadly. If there’s no time to find an audience, it can engender that the producers then lurch in all directions at once, madly casting broad nets of topics out of the boat in an effort to rope in the greatest number of fish, fast, so that it at least looks on paper as if somebody has been successfully fishing. Which then leads to the problem as embodied by the episodes of ‘Archetypes’ that did make it to air: Since it is about everything, all at once, the vehicle doesn’t travel. It goes nowhere. Its purported journey becomes about nothing.

Word has somehow seeped out that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would like to ‘diversify’ — in the sense of broadening — the platforms upon which they offer audio content. However much of a Band-aid that may be on the current state of affairs, that’s fair. They may have at any platform that they like — who knows, Lauren Sanchez may step off the Bezos superyacht in Portofino, decide to come out of retirement and rope ‘em in for Amazon.

But the second, rather deeper and more enduring architectural problem with “Archetypes” is one that, first, Britain and the British press — and increasingly, with the release of his as-to-to-‘autobiography’ Spare, the American press — have had with Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s content for some time, namely, that quite a lot of the content that they commercially market is about them. There’s a distinct limit to that narrative — of oneself — and it is a highly nuanced one. If you’re going to make a business talking about yourself, you have to make sure that the door-policy of the nightclub you’re opening is quite a liberal one. You can’t afford to cherry-pick your clientele, at the very least not until things are up and running. Short and sweet: You have to be generous, and invite everybody in. Meghan Markle didn’t do that with the episodes she managed to produce of ‘Archetypes.’



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What it’s like to live on California’s “Christmas Tree Lane”

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What it’s like to live on California’s “Christmas Tree Lane”


What it’s like to live on California’s “Christmas Tree Lane” – CBS News

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Every year, the residents of one block in Alameda, California, pull out all the stops when it comes to holiday decorations. Itay Hod shares the story of what’s been dubbed “Christmas Tree Lane.”

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7 Most Eccentric Towns in California

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7 Most Eccentric Towns in California


California is replete with beautiful places—think Palm Springs, Beverly Hills, and Laguna Beach. But when you have a sliver of time and only a handful of touristy towns pop into mind, see what some of the most eclectic towns can do for your next memorable getaway in the Golden State. From a guarded community of artists, fishermen, and surfers to a popular island escape, each keeps it real. La Jolla is an intriguing town to visit if you enjoy the Carmel-by-the-Sea vibe.

Guaranteeing the small-town charm and experiences you are after, dive into the local lifestyle to discover something offbeat like a local folk language. Culver City keeps its entertainment legacy close to heart while moving at light speed with innovations. Enjoy a romantic beachside picnic and camping by the shore in Two Harbors, where you can walk among bison on the wild side of the beautiful Santa Catalina Island. Set out on an adventure to the most eccentric towns in California.

Bolinas

The village of Bolinas on the Pacific coast in California.

Obscure doesn’t even begin to cover this hippie community’s remote feel. Just 30 miles northwest of San Francisco, on the Pacific coast, the journey often takes a good hour via the winding roads around Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It’s the kind of NorCal town that most people overlook, and the locals intentionally and repeatedly remove road signs, warning off visitors from the pristine beaches, a thriving organic farming scene, and a laid-back atmosphere. Bolinas has an indiscernible pull on the curious—plus the scenic drive along eucalyptus groves, letting the heavenly scent blast through your rolled-down windows. Turn down the music as you enter the village that values its peace and serenity.

The picturesquely shabby surf and fishing homes over Bolinas Lagoon frame your adventures, like kayaking in the calm waters of the lagoon. Bolinas Beach is great to watch the surfers on a stroll along the silky sands, where you can practice stand-up paddleboarding or surfing. Across town, Agate Beach County Park offers two miles of shoreline, with wildflowers and tide pools filled with fish. Pack a picnic from the local health food market for a hike to a hilltop overlook. You can also hike to the nearby Point Reyes National Seashore. Learn more about the area at the Bolinas Museum, and maybe a secret to befriend this secluded artist community, a lifetime reward.

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Boonville

Shops in Boonville, California.
Shops in Boonville, California. Image credit Henry Zbyszynski – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Home to an eclectic mix of some 1,000 residents, this NorCal town in the picturesque Anderson Valley showcases a fascinating cultural dynamic. Among longtime residents and new wine industry arrivals, Boonville is a retirement destination, thanks to its robust healthcare and temperate climate year-round. Tourists enjoy a reinvigorating escape in Mendocino County, some 65 miles north of Santa Rosa and 160 miles northwest of Sacramento. Calming yet offbeat, Boonville enchants you with its quirky vibe, scenic rural lifestyle, and an expensive taste in drinks. It is a fun change in pace from the city, just an hour from the coast, in the valleys and forests of California. The burgeoning wine scene encompasses many vineyards and tasting rooms accentuating Pinot Noir and Alsace varietals.

Seek shade on a picnic at Anderson Valley Wildlife Reserve with birdwatching trails. Right in town, the picturesque Pennyroyal Farm is next to Anderson Valley Brewing Co., a vibrant brewery and taproom crafting beers with picnic areas and tours. Indulge in local cuisine and hospitality at the Boonville Hotel, a modern roadhouse showcase of the thriving valley’s farm-to-table cuisine. From local festivals and cultural events to art galleries and music venues, stop by the Anderson Valley Historical Museum to learn about “Boontling,” in time for the annual Boonville Beer Festival to hear this local dialect come out.

Crockett

Reflections of the Carquinez Bridge at sunrise.
Reflections of the Carquinez Bridge at sunrise.

Overlooking San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait, Crockett is a great day trip some 62 miles southwest of Sacramento. This one-of-a-kind Bay Area town boasts a historic downtown and mild weather with plenty of ways to soak up the sun year-round along the coast and through the hills of Northern California. Embark on a 2.4-mile hiking loop near the John Muir house, a historical site, with scenic mountain views. Crockett Historical Museum showcases artifacts from the early 20th century in the area. Just east, Eckley Pier is popular for fishing with access to Garden City Wreckage. Or head to Crockett Hills Regional Park, with picnicking and multiuse trails along grassy fields and ravines of a former ranchland.

Its recent burst in population to 3,654 today tells of an ideal spot for the outdoorsy tied with a homegrown vibe. Many enjoy the wildlife trails for hiking and biking through Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, plus fishing along the picturesque strait. Known for C&H Factory next to the Carquinez Bridge (Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge), the out-of-staters enjoy access to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 11 minutes north, and 16 minutes south to the pastoral 6,255-acre Briones Regional Park over rolling hills with scenic trails, wildlife, and campgrounds. After admiring the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge, stop next door at the Dead Fish, a swanky seafood eatery. You can stroll along the coastal train track through the overgrown Alfred Zampa Trail to Vista Point at sunset, when the city lights take the main stage.

Culver City

Entrance to the Sony Pictures Entertainment complex in Culver City, California.
Entrance to the Sony Pictures Entertainment complex in Culver City, California. Image credit CLS Digital Arts via Shutterstock

Mirroring LA’s old Hollywood vibe, innovation, and trendy neighborhoods, Culver City is like a condensed version wrapped in small-town charm. Its proximity to downtown Los Angeles and adjacent to Beverly Hills appeals to out-of-state visitors. Originally inhabited by the Tongva (Gabrielino) Indians, the Spanish settled the area in the late 18th century upon dividing it into land grants. Formed in 1914 from parts of Rancho La Ballona and Rincón de Los Bueyes, the honorary Harry H. Culver cast a line in the LA area “waters” by promoting the city as a site for motion-picture production. The first catch was grand: Thomas Ince moved his studios, while his lucky hand prompted others to follow, like the iconic Goldwyn Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

The city’s cultural life expanded to the Rollerdrome skate park (Tellefson Park), horse tracks, and auto racing. Turning to a more serious petroleum and technology industry after these closed, the legacy persists through tourism: packing LA’s film history and modern tech industry into a walkable urban center is an attraction in itself. At only some 5.1 square miles, Culver City is home to Sony Pictures Studios since the 1990s, operating on the former MGM lot, a community college founded in 1969, and emerging tech companies. Strolling along the revitalized downtown area, see what catches your eyes between the restaurants and galleries. From Robert Frost Auditorium to Culver City Stairs, the nearby Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area boasts a Japanese garden, a workout course, and scenic trails.

La Jolla

Torrey Pines State Reserve beach in La Jolla, California.
Torrey Pines State Reserve beach in La Jolla, California. Image credit Debbie Ann Powell via Shutterstock

La Jolla’s beauty and style inspired artists and world travelers for decades with easy access in San Diego County. A pretty name comes with a cute face and an angelic soul in a picturesque frame of a rugged coast to explore under SoCal sunrays along the crashing waves, a hop from charming villages filled with galleries, shops, and cafes along the Pacific coast. The Village of La Jolla is surrounded by La Jolla Shores to the north and La Jolla Alta to the south. Although infused with an upscale feel, this smart seaside area offers many free experiences in the outdoors, like the sprawling Kate Sessions Memorial Park, perfect to play with your pet or catch up over a picnic along the grassy recreation area with sweeping hillside views, sports fields, and a playground.

Afterwards, experience its hospitality with an award-winning culinary scene that tastes like casual luxury and a number of signature seaside hotels perfect for a romantic escape, like the revamped, historic La Valencia, aka “The Pink Lady.” The adventurous couples can soak up the bliss on a stroll along seven breathtaking miles of SoCal coastline, guaranteeing dramatic views and pockets of intimacy. From surfing in the cove to the rugged terrain of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, its trails wind past pine trees and sandstone canyons. La Jolla Underwater Park is one of the world’s best snorkeling spots. Families enjoy tidepooling among seals and sea lions at Children’s Pool Beach. Birch Aquarium is minutes north with interactive tide pools and exhibits of all things under the sea.

San Juan Capistrano

The lovely mission at San Juan Capistrano, California.
The lovely mission at San Juan Capistrano, California.

This larger town in coastal Orange County has an uncanny ability to transport you into the past. Dating back to the 18th century, San Juan Capistrano boasts one of the state’s most well-preserved Spanish missions, established by Junipero Serra in 1776 that served to convert the Indigenous Acjachemen people to Christianity. These vulnerable native communities, left helpless from disease and scarcity of resources, had no choice but to oblige.

As a stop on Amtrak’s Surfliner, it is easy to get here for a weekend getaway, where you can stay at the gorgeous 125-room Inn at the Mission, Marriott’s Autograph Collection, designed hacienda-style, and snag a bottle of their handcrafted olive oil. After a shakshuka, an egg dish for breakfast, or an eggplant toast at Mayfield, tag along on an engaging guided tour. The missionaries’ quarters, called padres, retain dozens of fascinating historic artifacts, while kiichas are traditional dome-shaped dwellings made with willow branches of the Acjachemen people. Rancho Capistrano Winery promises a relaxing evening over some terrific reds to share your impressions on the iconic Mission San Juan Capistrano, a testament to its Spanish colonial roots in one of the Golden State’s most casual towns.

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Two Harbors

Sailboats at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island.
Sailboats at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island. Image credit Larisa Grib via Shutterstock

West of center on an isthmus along beautiful Santa Catalina Island, Two Harbors is reachable by a high-speed boat, a one-hour ferry, or a helicopter. Like an odd brother to the world-famous port town of Avalon, on the island’s easternmost edge, there’s undeniable charm to this rustic town of 298 locals tucked into Cat Harbor, a State Marine Conservation Area, where bison roam free on the wild side along the seaside bluffs. Take the reinvigorating Cat Harbor Overlook Trail in the morning, since there’s no shade, to the rewarding views of the magnificent turquoise harbor. To the north, the top-rated Camp Cherry Valley offers views of the cobalt blue waters in the cove with white boats in the marina and access to kayaking and snorkeling in paradisiacal scenery.

Comfort creatures enjoy the craftsman style of Banning House Lodge just south of Harbor Reef Restaurant & Bar, serving surf-n-turf, plus brews on a patio over harbor views next to the visitor center. Before embarking on a 6-mile one-way trek west to a remote beach, stop for picnic provisions at Two Harbors General Store, which also sells camping gear. You will be soaking up the coastline views along the way and have a luxurious spread of gourmet cheeses to enjoy at the pebbled Frankie’s Beach. From ziplining to kayaking the calm waters, the remote vibe, void of tourists, is perfect to pick up a new skill like stand-up paddleboarding or scuba diving with rentals from Two Harbors Dive Shop.

While larger cities and more popular destinations may have lost the intrigue in a whirlwind of tourism, these seven preserve a sense of authenticity and charm that you can only comprehend on a local level. Whether it’s the unique history and peculiar architecture of San Juan Capistrano or the extraordinary coastline, each offers something you won’t forget.

Boonville boasts a quirky cultural dynamic in a rich wine country, while Crockett’s one-of-a-kind attractions are framed with ideal geography. Showcasing California’s rich history and diverse landscapes, these lesser-known places let you dive deep into the region’s treasures, indulging along the way and bonding over truly memorable experiences.



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2 dead, 3 injured in shooting in Louisville’s California neighborhood

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2 dead, 3 injured in shooting in Louisville’s California neighborhood


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Two men are dead and three others injured in a mass shooting in the California neighborhood Saturday night, Louisville Metro Police said.

Second Division officers initially found four men with gunshot wounds in the 2200 block of Garland Avenue when they arrived at 7:30 p.m., LMPD spokesperson John Bradley said in a statement.

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Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. As of Sunday, one man was in “critical but stable condition,” while the other was in stable condition, Bradley said.

A fifth man was later found in the area, Bradley said Sunday. He was also taken to UofL Hospital, but his condition was unknown.

Police had not located a suspect Saturday night. LMPD’s homicide unit is investigating, Bradley said. Anyone with information about the shooting could call LMPD’s anonymous tip line at 502-574-5673.

The two men who died have not yet been identified.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

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This story has been updated to add video. 



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