Welcome to the Friday 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.
“Good evening, Shane. Talking about the weather can be an opportunity to assess your family's welfare if they live outside of Iowa week (Weather talk, March 20, 2024). I talked to my brother today in Jackson, Wyoming. They've had a similar winter to us. We talked to our daughter tonight in Jacksonville, Florida. Their weather again has been similar to ours, but while we consider it a relatively mild winter, she complains of the cold 40s and 50s. They do not appreciate, like we do, the green lawns and palm trees.” - John
The truth is that I am right there with you on those conversations with my family members and others. I would just like to think that we have more interesting topics to discuss than raindrops. But, apparently not. - Shane
“My brother and I start each phone call with, ‘How is the weather?’ He lives 1,000 miles away, but we grew up on a farm in the 1950s, so weather conditions were part of almost everything we did each day, including the time we got up in the morning and the time we went to bed at night week (Weather talk, March 20, 2024). The weather conditions were so much a part of our lives that we have not gotten out of the habit of ‘What's the weather’ even after 70 years away from the farm.”- George
Habits — both good ones and bad ones — are difficult to break. And if talking about the weather is the worst habit you have, then you are a better person than I am. - Shane
Shane, why do we talk about the weather? In 1995, I submitted a humorous essay on that subject to The Des Moines Register. It was printed on the same page as Ellen Goodman, Mike Royko and David Broder, so it appeared in good company. Now, it’s quite dated; no one with today’s 30-seconds-and-not-a-minute-more mentality would take the time to read so much copy, let alone believe that people wrote letters! But you might find it amusing.” - Pam
I enjoyed it, Pam, and I posted it on our website for others who don’t have a 30-seconds-and-not-a-minute-more mentality to read it, too. Thank you. - Shane
“I really like your choices of news stories. My patience limit on watching the TV news is reached quickly, and your choices give me all the news I want. Thanks.” - George
You are not alone with your change in news-viewing habits, and I am glad you enjoy our efforts. - Shane
Have a fantastic Friday, 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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Clear Mortgage meteorology
Tiny rain chances around midday Thursday and late Friday. Otherwise warming. Better rain chances come late Saturday into Monday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
Best Local Restaurant Supply Company
1. Bolton & Hay
2. TriMark Hockenbergs;
3. Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.
Read all the results now!
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1979: Nuclear disaster at Three Mile Island: At 4 a.m. on March 28, 1979, one of the worst accidents in the history of the U.S. nuclear power industry begins when a pressure valve in the Unit-2 reactor at Three Mile Island fails to close. Cooling water, contaminated with radiation, drained from the open valve into adjoining buildings, and the core began to dangerously overheat. READ MORE
1983: First artificial heart patient dies: On March 23, 1983, Barney Clark dies 112 days after becoming the world’s first recipient of a permanent artificial heart. The 61-year-old dentist spent the last four months of his life in a hospital bed at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, attached to a 350-pound console that pumped air in and out of the aluminum-and-plastic implant through a system of hoses. READ MORE
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$950,000 1308 N.E. 31st St., Ankeny, IA 50021
Experience the epitome of luxury living in the coveted Briar Creek neighborhood with this massive home spanning over 7,000 square feet. The main level impresses with an executive office, perfect for remote work, and a main level bedroom with an en suite, offering convenience and privacy. Entertain in style in the two-story family room, complete with a cozy fireplace for gatherings.
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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| From the March issue of West Des Moines Jordan Creek Living magazine | | | Trip of a lifetime
Residents share stories of their dreams-come-true vacations.
By Jackie Wilson
For some people, vacationing is a part of their routine. They plan, take and enjoy numerous trips to see the sights and “get away” from the usual hustle and bustle of life. They enjoy good times and make fond memories. They share photos and stories, but it isn’t long before they are looking forward to their next excursion. For some others, a vacation turns out to be much more than that — it is a dream come true, and, no matter how many vacations may follow, none will ever compare. It is a trip of a lifetime.
Exploring new territory
To walk a mile, a brisk pace might take about 15 minutes. When Gina David of West Des Moines recently completed a one-mile walk, it took triple the amount of time. However, this one-miler was no stroll around the block. This climb was an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet, from 6,530 to 8,550 feet. The average grade (steepness) was 41%, and the highest grade at 68%.
The walk — the Manitou Incline — is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It was an adventure Gina David yearned for. | | | READ MORE |
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Bleach and ranch dressing — a recipe for success. Since Clorox bought Hidden Valley in 1972, it has become the biggest ranch dressing brand in the country. Sales of bottled ranch in the U.S. totaled $1.3 billion in the year ended Jan. 28, compared with about $1.26 billion for bottled ketchup and $969.9 million for BBQ sauce, according to Clorox. Hidden Valley now has 17 flavors of ranch and has partnered with: AMC to sell ranch pop corn in theaters; with Van Leeuwen for ranch-flavored ice cream; and with Burt’s Bees for a ranch flavored lip balm. That product resulted from an April Fools joke gone viral. (WSJ)
Canada Dry released yet another new flavor of ginger ale - fruit splash. As if something ails the original ginger, it joins cranberry, blackberry, lemonade and orangeade as CD "ginger ale" flavors. (WSJ)
Easter deals. Fareway is offering boneless USDA Choice rib roasts at $14.99/lb. and boneless pork loins for $2.88/lb... Fresh Thyme offers boneless lamb legs at $5.99/lb and jumbo (16-20 to the pound) shrimp for $4.99/lb. through Tuesday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: March Madness: Iowa State falls to Illinois in Not-So-Sweet 16
BOSTON (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 29 points and Illinois reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Region semifinal on Thursday night..READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Iowa National Guard, Iowa State Patrol to deploy to Texas again
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Thursday that the Iowa National Guard and Iowa State Patrol will be deployed again to Texas to support Operation Lone Star... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Fire at Johnston apartment building displaces 18 people
The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents find temporary housing.....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Steve LeWarne!
These celebrities were born on this date: Amy Sedaris, Bobby Kimball, Bud Cort, Earl Campbell, John Popper, Leah Williamson, Elle Macpherson, N'Golo Kanté
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Which journalist covered the story about the baby lions at the zoo? THE CUB REPORTER! - Clare Baker, Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml, Carolyn Rogers, Rex Post
Today's riddle
Why did they open a cocktail lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines (Jordan Creek), Waukee, or Norwalk Living magazines, contact:
Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com
©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE! |
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