Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Do we know its Christmas?
()
Thanksgiving is fast approaching with Christmas not far behind. It's a time when people come closer together and join with friends and family to celebrate. One problem I have with this time of year is it seems that retail venues in particular are even more determined this year to make sure we know it's the holidays.
This was particularly evident as i visited my local Starbucks in Studio City recently. Yes, they have the damn Christmas decorations up already and its not even Thanksgiving. When I asked about this I was told that the compromise they made was not to have Christmas music playing until the day after Thanksgiving but to put up the decorations and get the place holiday friendly now. Great.
Also, i was recently at the Sherman Oaks Galleria for an event and they not only have Christmas decorations out in full force but they are playing Christmas music. Apparently, they feel the Starbucks' approach may be too subtle? My question for the Galleria management was similar to my question for Starbucks management. Why? It isn't even Thanksgiving yet. They had no comment except to say that it was "policy". Ok.
Support for LAist comes from
Do they think that somehow people will not realize that its November and they probably should be thinking about what to get Johnny for Christmas if there are no decorations and music to remind them? Are they worried that we are in such a daze from spending an hour to drive 12 miles on the 405 that we can't read a calendar? Are we just a bunch of Pavlov's dogs trained to shop given the right visual and audio cues? I'm starting to think that retail management may feel exactly that way.
To further complicate things, Thanksgiving really isn't next week anyway. When it was originally declared a holiday by President Lincoln in 1863, it was on the LAST Thursday of November. However, in 1939, FDR decided that people needed an extra week in order to make sure they could get all their shopping done in time for Christmas. So, he moved it to the third Thursday in November, thus giving us an extra week to shop and have to deal with the holidays. Thanks.
Don't get me wrong, I like Starbucks. I also don't begrudge retail people from trying to make a living. And, I like the holidays. I just don't like them quite so soon. Besides, Thanksgiving is an important holiday in its own right. It deserves a little time of its own so people can appreciate it before they get bombarded with Christmas. That's all I'm asking for. Just a little more time. And an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist