We may not have had a white Christmas, but we do have a white Jan. 9. Iowa sparkles beautifully with snowflakes a few months each year. Many of us have learned to enjoy its beauty — and its challenges. This is Iowa, and it snows. Fortunately, the snowstorms are typically quite predictable. So, like most things in life, dealing with snow requires planning. Here are six tips for those who are committed to getting to work or getting most anything done while the snow falls.
1. Buy a shovel. It is an essential tool for Iowa living, whether you live in a house, an apartment or your parents’ basement. It doesn’t require any training, and it comes in quite handy when dealing with several inches of snow. Learn to use one.
2. Get up earlier. This is good advice in general. But when snow falls, people drive slower, some accidents happen, and it takes longer to get to work. Plan on it and set your alarm earlier.
3. Take the bus. If you are not comfortable driving to work, then seek alternative transportation. If you live in the metro, hop on the bus. But if you do, refer to point No. 2.
4. Purchase snow boots, a stocking hat, insulated mittens and a winter coat. I am amazed how many Iowans don’t own these things. They have clearly never had to walk in a blizzard.
5. Own a vehicle that can operate in the snow. Tin-can cars have their benefits, but driving in snow is not one of them. Some people think paying for four-wheel-drive is a waste of money when it is only needed a few times a year. Those people are not getting much done today. I used to work with a guy who drove a snowmobile to work during blizzards. He knew he was needed, he took his job seriously, and he never missed a day because of snow.
6. If all else fails, ask a coworker or your boss to pick you up. Most small businesses don’t shut down because of a few inches of snow. Tasks still need completed. Work still needs to be done. And “working from home” isn’t ideal. I picked up many co-workers through the years who said snow was preventing them from coming to work. Ironically, they never asked me a second time. Some miraculously got out of their driveways once they knew I was showing up.
Those who were raised in rural Iowa are often known for having a solid work ethic and being reliable. I am convinced much of that comes from working on farms, where the daily chores had to be completed, regardless of weather conditions. Snow happens, and it disrupts our regular schedules and challenges our work ethic, but it looks pretty, too. Enjoy it… and plan accordingly.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
See Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The polls have closed and a record number of readers have 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! |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Snow looks to continue until late afternoon today, along with strong winds through early evening. We have more light snow chances this week as fast-moving systems slide by late Wednesday, early Friday and late Saturday. It gets much colder after that.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$290,000
866 40th St.
DesMoines, IA 50312
Adorable home in the Roosevelt area. Location is one of many great things about this home! Easy access to I-235, very close to the pedestrian bridge, walkable to the Shops of Roosevelt, and walkable to elementary and high school. Once inside, you'll fall in love with the many updates, and you'll notice the meticulous care the last two sellers have given this home. Just sit on the front porch swing and take in all this home has to offer! Large living room and dining area with newer hardwood floors.
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Greg Ip wrote in the Wall Street Journal that "the future is bright if you know where to look." He reminded doomsayers that innovation's true value, though, isn’t in raising gross domestic product or stock prices but in improving human welfare. He mentioned that the Food and Drug Administration approved, and Medicare agreed to pay for, lecanemab, the first drug shown to slow the advance of Alzheimer’s. Another, donanemab, could be approved soon. They represent “a breakthrough for which neuroscientists have strived for decades,” wrote Jeffrey Cummings, an Alzheimer’s expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Also last year, Ozempic and other drugs that mimic GLP-1, a hormone involved in regulating hunger, revolutionized the treatment of obesity. Just last month, the FDA approved the first cell-based gene therapies for sickle-cell disease, an inherited blood disorder most common in Black Americans that can lead to disability or death. |
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Hershey's kisses are being given a makeover for Valentine's Day.
Tuesday means hot beef sandwich specials at Paula's (524 Elm St., Des Moines).
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: 8 snowstorm reminders your mom would want you to know
AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Transportation has reminders for Iowans anytime temperatures drop and snow falls — conditions that make it very dangerous to be stranded in your vehicle. So here are some tips you need to know if you need to drive in winter conditions ...READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: At least 21 people hurt in explosion at historic Fort Worth hotel, authorities say
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — An explosion at a historic Texas hotel in Fort Worth on Monday blew out windows, littered downtown streets with large sections of debris from the building and injured 21 people, including one who was in critical condition, authorities said.... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Iowa students walk out of school, demand action on gun violence at Iowa State Capitol
The rally comes just four days after last week’s shooting at Perry High School, which left one student dead and several others injured....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| From the Iowa Living magazines | | |
Class act
Residents share why they continue to expand their horizons through learning.
By Chantel Boyd
You learn something new every day. Sometimes it’s by accident, but sometimes it’s intentional. Some continue their education out of necessity — to maintain a license, for example — while others enroll to further their career or launch a new one. Still others simply want to learn a new hobby or expand their horizons. Whatever the case, the thirst for knowledge knows no age limit or bounds. And plenty of opportunities — in person and online — are out there to quench it.
Expanding expertise
Carly Marie Parker, a nurse practitioner, has continued to expand her knowledge of the medical field by taking additional courses.
"I have taken classes to further my knowledge as a nurse practitioner. This year, I took functional medicine, men's testosterone, women's health and bioidentical hormone replacement and thyroid optimization," she says.
Carly has been a nurse practitioner for three years. She started her career after completing her family medicine degree as a family nurse practitioner. Then, she received her Obesity Medicine Certificate in 2021. She has since a wellness and weight loss clinic called Revival with Elisabeth Hensley, A.R.N.P.
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Nina Dobrev, Flo Milli. Sean Paul. Toosii, Princess Kate Middleton, Nicola Peltz, J.K. Simmons, David Johansen, Chad Johnson, AJ McLean, Jimmy Page, Imelda Staunton, Anais Lee, Omari Hardwick, Dave Matthews
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why are giraffes so slow to apologize? It takes so long to swallow their pride! - Judy Anderson, Carolyn Rogers, Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml. Also sending answers: Rex Post, Donna Willems, George Cockayne, Peri Van Tassel.
Today's riddle
Why shouldn't you be sad if your flashlight battery dies?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
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