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Thursday, April 4, 2024
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.

“The community Easter Egg hunts remind me of an episode from my childhood. I was 5 years old and my aunt took me to the Easter Egg hunt that was held on the grounds of the courthouse. I was so stressed out and found NOTHING while the bigger kids were filling their baskets with candy, So, of course, in my 5-year-old fashion, I proceeded to melt down, totally throwing a fit with my empty Easter basket getting tossed to the ground and everybody staring at the little brat throwing a temper tantrum. Of course, in her ‘best aunt in the world’ fashion my aunt immediately walked me to the five and dime store and filled my basket up with an assortment of Easter goodies, straightened my Easter dress, wiped my eyes and nose, and walked me back to my grandparents’ home, and no one was the wiser — though I’m sure she told everyone later what happened.” - Lori

Everyone deserves an aunt like her. - Shane

“Shane, this sounds like a personal problem to me (Stainless steel tumblers, March 27, 2024). My limited collection of stainless steel cups/tumblers (one each, six sizes) are all YETI brand, and I don't have any leaking problems. For a while, I even shared the same magnet lid between a couple of them, but I finally bought an additional magnet lid. Before discovering that the YETI higher price buys quality, I had a couple of less expensive cups that leaked. I don't have them anymore. I constantly have a YETI tumbler or cup in use. My wife has two YETIs, but she uses a different brand metal tumbler for her university alma mater. Her usage is limited, and she hasn't complained of leaking problems. The shift to stainless steel (or look alike) has caused some realignment in our inventory of drinkware. Have great day!” - Chuck

You know what YETI stands for, Chuck? You are easily taken in. - Shane

“Will tomorrow’s topic be, ‘Does anybody really care?’ That was the next line in the song (Watches, April 1, 2024). I enjoy your topics. Sometimes they make me think; mostly they just make me smile. Have a blessed day.” - Donna

Thinking and smiling are both good. - 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.

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

It stays breezy, but less so, today. Decent days Friday and Saturday, though breezes kick in again to start the weekend. A decent rain chance Sunday, and hopefully breaks in the clouds for the partial eclipse Monday.

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

 
 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines®
 
The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!

 

Best Local Korean Food

1. DZÔ Korean BBQ

2. Sook’s Korean Kitchen

3. Naughtea

Read all the results now!

 

"Beautiful: The Carole KingMusical," April 5-21. "You’ve Got a Friend," "One Fine Day," "Natural Woman" — hear all these hits and more in the Des Moines Playhouse show about the prolific singer-songwriter. 

First Friday at Mainframe Studios. April 5. "Body of Work" features several dance performances by Hurley & Dancers, inspired by the artwork and architecture.

"Beauty and the Beast." School of Classical Ballet + Dance presents a brand-new classical ballet production of this classic fairytale, choreographed by Lori Grooters. At Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre April 6 and 7.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

 
Featured home for sale
 
Attention, Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$599,900                                                           2257 Green Leaf Cir, Norwalk, IA 50211

Flynn Development brings you this amazing modern walkout ranch. This home features 1,708 square feet on the main level, with two bedrooms (guest bedroom has an attached en-suite half bath for the guests), walk-in pantry, large quartz island, covered deck, and the master is tucked behind the living room with a large walk-in closet and tiled shower.

See the listing here.

 
 
See More Homes For Sale
 
From the April issue of CITYVIEW magazine
 

FEATURE STORY
Out of the park

By Cyote Williams

Friday night fireworks. Bobblehead nights. B-Bops burger races. The family-friendly fountain in right field. Win or lose, the Iowa Cubs continue to attract fans with as much entertainment as the biggest brand names in baseball across the entire country.

Yes, the Iowa Cubs are a big draw in central Iowa. One of the reasons is history, as few teams have been associated with the same major league program for as long as the I-Cubs have with the Chicago Cubs. Another reason is that the team wins. The I-Cubs narrowly missed out on the AAA MiLB playoffs in the 2023 season.

 
READ MORE
 

The edible commodities report. "While corn, wheat, coffee beans and chicken have gotten cheaper, prices for sugar, beef and French fries are still high or rising," writes Wall Street Journal... Ecuador, where the world's most expensive cacao grows, is about to become the No. 2 world leader in total cacao production. Swollen Shoot Virus and longer monsoon/drought cycles are thwarting cacao production in West Africa where five countries have produced an overwhelming majority of world cacao beans for decades. Chocolate will surely continue to become more expensive. (Reuters)

The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame's induction celebration will be Sunday. As always, blues go best with great barbecue. Sumpin’ Doo will be the host band, Flying Mango will bring the Q and Steve Vasquez will bring the pies. That's as good as it gets in Iowa. The 2024 class to be inducted includes Tony Brown, Jeff Wagner, Don “T-Bone” Erickson, Lynette Webster, Tom Gary and Tina Haase Findlay. At River Center Emporium.

Thursday specials. Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays... Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers Tito’s martinis and cosmos for just $6 plus half-priced firecracker shrimp, fried calamari, spread platters, and fried pickles... Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers skewers of both scallops and shrimp with rice and side for $17.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Headlines

FROM KCCI: Demolition of groundbreaking metro art installation facing backlash from art lovers

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Crews could begin ripping out a groundbreaking art installation bordering a Des Moines pond as early as next week under plans announced by a local art museum Wednesday, saying the artwork is hazardous and would be too expensive to repair.....READ MORE FROM KCCI

FROM WHO-TV: Body pulled from Mississippi River 46 years ago identified as missing Iowa teen

TROY, Mo. — Lincoln County’s last-remaining Jane Doe has been identified after more than four decades. The breakthrough is thanks to teamwork, modern science, and some sleuthing students..READ MORE FROM WHO-TV

FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Webster County Attorney: Officers involved in deadly shooting of armed man used 'reasonable    force'

The department will now focus on helping all four officers return to their normal duties.......READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5

 
Weekly fuel report
 

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 6 cents, averaging $3.27 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 3 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.55, up 1 cent from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $3.77. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.84 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.03.

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

Natural gas prices rose 12 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently prices at $1.84/MMbtu.

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy Birthday Bruce Young!

These celebrities were born on this date: Aliyah Royale, Amanda Righetti, Barry Pepper, Christine Lahti, Constance Shulman, Craig T. Nelson, Robert Downey Jr, Jamie Lynn Spears, Austin Mahone, Todrick Hall, Graham Norton

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What did the alien ask its shipmate that just returned from vacation? WHERE ON EARTH HAVE YOU BEEN? Or, Did your vacation spot have atmosphere? - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Where in the world did you get that tan and those stickers onyour spacesuit? - Rex Post. Or, How was your "Star Trek" - did you get "Lost in Space"? - Carolyn Rogers.

Today's riddle

What happened at the impromptu party at the Chinese zoo?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant Living magazines, contact:

Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

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