'Survivor 51' has got me in a mood, so we're watching 'Survivor Philippines: Palau'
Season 51 of Survivor premiered this week, which sent me down a rabbit hole. (I’ve written about my love of Survivor previously in the newsletter) There are a few states that haven’t been represented on the US platform, Alaska included. But on Survivor Philippines: Palau, season 2's winner resides in Fairbanks, so it feels fitting we watch her season.
Out of Survivor Philippines' four seasons, Amanda Coolley Van Cooll is the only woman to win. She outwitted, outplayed and outlasted 15 other players over 39 days. She flew under the radar for the first half of the game, and was a beast in challenges when she needed to be. This season was not easy to find online, and that comes from someone who can find just about anything. I did find it, but the quality is rough.
Amanda lived in the Philippines until she was 16, and graduated from West Valley High School in Fairbanks. She competed on Survivor: Philippines when she was 25, in 2009, and took home the majority of jury votes compared to her other two cast mates – with 4 votes, compared to the runner up with 3 and the other finalist with none.
Amanda won $3 million pesos, which converts to around $63,000 US. When she was on the show, she was a construction worker. Amanda married and took her husband's last name, Yates. In 2013, she bought a well-known Fairbanks business, Asian Food Market, with her parents, and ran it for 13 years. At the end of July, Asian Food Market shared on Facebook that they were closing, and opening The Traveler's Market – a new store on College Road.
Since opening in 1996, Asian Food Market has served the Fairbanks community through different owners and locations. Over the years, it became one of Fairbanks' hidden gems—a place where people discovered unique foods, familiar favorites, and often something new to try. We are grateful to have been part of that story. To everyone who has shopped with us over the years, thank you. Every visit, every conversation, every recommendation, and every smile has meant more to us than you know. It has truly been a privilege to serve this community.
Hey I know that name... that's my name 🧍🏼
I put on a random season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills while cleaning this morning. My head whipped around 180 degrees when I heard my middle and last name listed off as an attendee of Kyle Richard's White Party.
Davenport is uncommon, but not a rare name. Turns out Brooke was well-known in the LA scene, with hundreds of Getty Images tagged of her name.
Dallas Intern
From PaperCity Mag: Miss Davenport moved back to Dallas in late 2016 after a decade-long stint as one of Los Angeles’ It-girls, assembling a coterie of confidantes that included Tom Ford, the late Betsy Bloomingdale, and Kathy Hilton. She and gorgeous husband, Blake Davenport, had relocated to the Left Coast to run one of his family businesses.
Mentioning magpies for the third time this week
Last week, I wrote about our neighborhood magpie that I have been slowly developing a rapport with. I've been leaving out little trinkets for him, old pieces of keychain, some snacks too. Then in this week's TLDW, I mentioned Hecate, a magpie from Ladies of London. My friend Windy texted me this week and shared an anecdote about her own nearby magpie.
My kids think that Cris is a magpie, there’s been one hanging out by our house since he passed, Windy wrote. Super friendly and gets really close. Even followed us to the playground one day. I just read your email and had to share.
