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.

“Longtime reader, first-time writer. Great read and congratulations! I am trying to see the good in this, and it appears that the Convention and Visitors Bureau is trying to mimic what you have going on (Des Best? Jan. 31, 2024). Kudos to you and your team for setting the bar that others want to reach. This happens in a lot of industries but most noticeably in athletics, whether it was a play, formation, shift or a wrestling move. Whether it was Horatio Nelson or Bobby Nelson, someone invented the half nelson that has been used by so many over the years. I am sure it was the ‘best’ move when it was invented.” - Jimmy

What about Willie Nelson? - Shane

“Shane, your points on selling are good (Soft selling, Feb. 5, 2024). Excluding part-time retail sales as a student, I have only had one encounter with professional sales late in life. My conclusion was that I was a pretty good pitch man but not a closer. In either case, building relationships was a key to success!” - Chuck

You should have met my friend, Gary. - Shane

“Hey, Shane, it’s funny that you published this column today, as a very patriotic American, Toby Keith, passed last night of stomach cancer at age 62 (Patriotism, Feb. 6, 2024).” - Lori

We all should have been cowboys. - Shane

“It does seem right now to be patriotic, one must do the things you say in your column (Patriotism, Feb. 6, 2024). If one doesn’t, you are subject to abuse and accusations as strong as being a traitor. Patriotism is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. For example, the furor that was raised over athletes taking a knee during the National Anthem illustrates the problem. Unfortunately, the talking heads set the tone by accusing those who knelt of being insulting and not being respectful to veterans and the flag. This moved the discussion away from the intent, which was to point out that our national ideals were not extended to or enjoyed by a significant number of our citizens. I consider myself a patriot, and I think the following quote attributed to Adlai Stevenson is an excellent description of a true patriot: ‘Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.’ ” - Dennis

Dennis, you make excellent points in a non-confrontational way. Thank you. As for me, I will continue to remove my hat when the flag is present, thank American soldiers for their service, respect our president and commander of our Armed Forces, and proudly sing our national anthem — every chance I get. - Shane

“Awesome column (Patriotism, Feb. 6, 2024)!” - Doug

It was easy, because America is awesome. - 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

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Bad luck as… comedy?
By Joe Weeg

Bad luck is bad luck. True enough. But there are certainly different types of bad luck. There’s the really bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it’s a matter of life or death. Like getting trapped by a falling boulder and having to cut off your arm to survive. Ouch, that’s what happened to motivational speaker Aron Ralston. Or the bad luck of being caught out in a winter storm with no visibility and freezing winds and having to hold onto an ice-covered rope to get from the barn to the house, aka “Little House on the Prairie.” Who wants that? And it is certainly bad luck to stumble upon a bull shark that travels 700 miles up the Mississippi River only to snack on you during Shark Week. That’s such bad luck that it weirdly seems like just desserts — for the shark.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $2.83 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 47 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.15, up 1 cent from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.54. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.22 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 40 cents lower than the national average of $3.94.

Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.

Home heating oil prices averaged $2.94 per gallon statewide.

Natural gas prices fell 15 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.97/MMbtu

Happy Birthday Vern Adams, Amy Mueggenberg and Ruth Wallace

These celebrities were born on this date: Surfer Bethany Hamilton, basketball player Klay Thompson, wrestler Paul Wight, actor Kathryn Newton, soccer player Alessia Russo, R&B singer Anderson Paak, metal singer Vince Neil, actor Seth Green, football player Julio Jones

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What happened when the pirate with one leg had to walk the plank? HE WENT OUT ON A LIMB! Or, The knothole got plugged! - William Snyder

Today's riddle

What is the difference between a thief and a church bell?

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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