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Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023
Good morning to you!

Welcome to an extra edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Very enjoyable column on the shoe shine stands (The Shoe Shine Man, Oct. 5, 2023). I seldom walked by one in airports that I did not stop and get a shoe shine. It always seemed the attendants had a little prescription for life and living. I also would stop at the stand at the downtown Des Moines Marriott. Always a nice visit with the attendant. Keep up the good work.” - Dan

The shoe shine had a fee. The prescription for living? That was free. - Shane

“Loved the Steve Miller Band reference (A banana a day, Oct. 20, 2023). Well done, Maurice.” - Joni

Some people call me the Space Cowboy. - Shane

“I, too, prefer bananas over any other fruit, especially in my Rice Krispies (A banana a day, Oct. 20, 2023). However, you should have had a follow-up question of ‘How do YOU peel your banana?’ Do you ‘Monkey see, monkey do?' or do you see monkey do but don't?” - Diane

That’s getting kind of personal, Diane. – Shane

Hi, Shane. I read your column with interest, as this seems to be one of my biggest pet peeves in our modern culture (Self-checkout kiosks, Oct. 23, 2023). I am a Gen Xer and am computer savvy and of above average intelligence. However, using these self-check-out lanes almost always reduces me to a babbling idiot in search of a bottle of Prozac. What was supposed to prove more efficient and cost effective has proved none of the aforementioned according to almost every article I have read on the subject. Lines seem to have become longer as we wait for registers to either reset, an item to be rescanned or corrected, or a store employee to check an ID on an adult beverage purchase. Of course, fewer employees out front means fewer people to do these tasks, again adding to the already lengthy wait times and the frustration of customers and staff alike.” - Lori

Welcome to self-checkout kiosks, brought to you by Prozac. - Shane

“And bats poop and pee like every other creature (Bats, Oct. 31, 2023), so it's best to keep them out of your attic, walls, etc. From a longtime old house owner and veteran bat removal expert.” - Brad

Well, there’s that, too. - Shane

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here.

 
 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines®
 
Join the more than 22,200 who have already cast their votes in the latest CITYVIEW'S Best Of Des Moines readers' poll — the metro's original and largest poll of its kind.
 
Winners will be announced in the February 2024 issue of CITYVIEW!
 
Vote Now
 

Your Clear Mortgage forecast

Cool and dry weather continues into the weekend. Yet another nice warming trend then takes us into next week.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

 
 
Featured home for sale
 
Attention, Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$254,000
544 28th St.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
 
Well maintained ranch home in a prime West Des Moines location. This home features three bedrooms, a formal dining area, and partially finished lower level with a family room, separate game room, bathroom and plenty of extra storage. Enjoy the covered deck, fully fenced backyard, shed, and two car garage.
 
 
See More Homes For Sale
 
Headlines

FROM KCCI: Iowa Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal regarding 'fetal heartbeat' law

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal regarding Iowa's "fetal heartbeat" law. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a brief Wednesday asking the Iowa Supreme Court to review a Polk County District Court ruling that put the law on hold. The court agreed to hear the case.... READ MORE FROM KCCI

FROM WHO-TV: How much water do Iowa data centers use?

DES MOINES, Iowa – To the unknowing eye, the large, unassuming buildings on the northwest side of Altoona look like regular warehouses. But the monolithic structures, known as data centers, take in hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day to cool the servers they contain. That surprised some Iowans when we asked them to guess how much water is used...READ MORE FROM WHO-TV

FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Pella Public Library keeps freedom amid book ban challenge

The Pella Public Library will continue to man itself after residents voted Tuesday to stop the city council from overseeing the library board.. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5

 
Veterans Day is Nov. 11
 
Sports Notes
 
From ESPN.com:
 
Nuggets prevail after Klay Thompson fails to get shot off as time expires
 
 

UN Anti Crime Agency reported that Afghanistan's opium harvest plunged 95% compared to a year ago. The government is encouraging farmers to switch to wheat, which has tiny profits compared to poppies. The big winner here — fentanyl dealers.

Taco John's Apple Grande dessert is back for the holidays, and they will also be selling a “festive” sweater, a Taco John’s tree ornament, and a candle to fill your home with the scent of an Apple Grande long after the new year.

Thursday brings chipped beef on toast special to Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines).

- Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 

Tallgrass Theatre Company opens “Wicked Queen” — Alternate worlds collide in this fanciful tale about an 11-year-old girl at a new school. Tallgrass' Seedlings Company presents its inaugural full-length, mainstage play.

International jazz artists perform in central Iowa — The dynamic and talented producers Abe Goldstein and Jackie Garnett present “Sparks" (William Parker, bass; Eri Yamamoto, piano; Chad Fowler, sax; Steve Hirsch, drums). William Parker is considered one of the most inventive bassists since Charles Mingus. Eri Yamamoto has established herself as one of jazz’s most original and compelling pianists. Chad Fowler has made a name for himself as a respected software developer as well as a sought-after saxophonist. Steve Hirsh is known for creating a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and moods on the drums. Together, they call themselves Sparks, and that is what will fly when this ensemble takes the stage at Caspe Terrace. This concert is presented in conjunction with South Arts’ Jazz Road Tours Initiative. All concerts are followed by a meet-the-artist dessert reception. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. Tickets, information: Abe Goldstein, Jackie Garnett. 515-279-6452. abegold1951@gmail.com

2023 Art on the Prairie, and Poetry on the Prairie, Perry Iowa —  Now an established destination fall event in central Iowa, this two-day immersion in the arts offers visitors exceptional experiences, artwork, and more in a Main Street Iowa town setting.

For Carol Roh Spaulding, reading is a vital form of understanding culture. The act offers insight into experiences different from our own. It expands our perspectives. It helps us travel the world as we sit in place. Join us to celebrate Carol's new release, "Waiting for Mr. Kim and Other Stories," at Storyhouse Bookpub on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Carol will read from her collection, which explores the perspective of living at the intersection of multiple identities. These linked stories explore the shifting definitions of what it means to be an American and the dynamics of a family across generations. Enjoy drinks and dessert in Storyhouse before heading upstairs to Raygun to hear Carol read and discuss her work. For more information and ticket purchases ($8), visit here.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

 
Birthdays and notables!
 

These celebrities were born on this date: Bille August, Donnie McClurkin, Eric Dane, Lou Ferrigno, Susan Tedeschi, Whitey Herzog, Analeigh Tipton, Barry Knox, Chris Lane, Emily Tyra, Nick Lachey, Pepa

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Which famous rabbit was an anesthesiologist? THE ETHER BUNNY! - Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml, Craig McCann. Or, Bugs Bunny - What’s up doc? - Sara Kinley

Today's riddle

How are rabbits like calculators?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.

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