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.

“A tie was standard dress for men or jocks on game day with a special blazer (Neck ties, May 15, 2024). Certain types wore bow ties, but you can't fit them in any sort of easy category to label. I have four or five coat hangers full of ties from all over the world — bought ones, gift ones, gross ones, clever ones and several from Dad and Granddad. The two that are memorable are the pheasant tie that would be short on a third grader — silk, wide and a lovely bird flying in the woods. The other, at first glance, was a silk, wide, shorter tie from the 1950s or 1960s with a touch of style. But flip it up and show the underbelly and — OH ME, OH MY — a pinup girl in a swimsuit.” - Rex

I dare you to wear the pinup girl tie into an Abercrombie & Fitch store. - Shane

“Oh, drivers education – before seat belts, a vehicle with a gear shift and an instructor with his own set of ‘pedals’ (Ditch magnets, May 16, 2024)! Small town, residential street, approaching an intersection, out of the corner of my eye a car coming to the right. I slammed on the brakes (but not the clutch) and about threw the instructor through the window. From what I remember, his comment was, ‘You got really good reflexes!’ My problem became getting that stick shift car started and moving up that small hill. Oh, what we remember!” - Diane

I would love to read a book about the experiences of drivers ed instructors. Or maybe an upcoming story in CITYVIEW? - Shane

“My first driving experience was in the summer of 1967 (Ditch magnets, May 16, 2024). Gym teachers taught driver's education during the summer for Hackensack High. After an eternal wait of a whole month, I finally got an appointment to test drive. (My brother had a shorter wait as a friend of my dad knew a guy who arranged that, if a bottle of Four Roses was placed in an inspector's car, the line was considerably shorter). Part of the test included stopping on a hill and then proceeding without stalling the car, a holdover from standard transmissions. The student before me stalled the car, and the inspector left her there to resolve her dilemma. As he walked back several hundred yards to the station, I felt increasing anxiety due to his angered look. I was safe, as our Ford Falcon had an automatic transmission. Thanks for a thoughtful morning.” - John

I had a classmate who was in drivers education, and the instructor had her drive down a hill and use the emergency brake to stop. She pulled the hood release instead. It didn’t end well. - 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.

CARS IN THE CITY
Mazda PHEV CX-90

By Jackie Wilson

While automotive manufacturers continue to create fuel-efficient cars, more electric cars are hitting the market. However, frigid temps this past winter meant EV owners struggled to charge their car batteries.

A solution might be to move to San Diego, where temps are consistently in the 70s. But since that’s not likely an option, a hybrid vehicle offers the best of both worlds.

[...]

Finding hope and healing through horses
Tolle says Rhythms of Grace changes lives — including his.

By Lindsey Giardino

Paul Tolle firmly believes Rhythms of Grace has changed his life.

The nonprofit organization, located in Dallas Center, was founded to help individuals, particularly children and adults with physical or mental special needs, find hope and healing through equine-assisted services.

Tolle signed up for riding lessons at the ranch after meeting the founder, Dawn M. Carlson, while working at his full-time vehicle service center job. They had a conversation about riding horses, and it just so happened Tolle was at a spot in his life where he needed to focus his energy on something.

[...]

The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 6 cents, averaging $3.30 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 10 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.61, unchanged from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 6 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.60. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.74 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 31 cents lower than the national average of $3.91.

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

Natural gas prices rose 30 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.69/MMbtu.

Happy Birthday Martha Munro!

These celebrities were born on this date: Jewel,  Trinidad Cardona, Lena Meyer-Landrut, Drew Carey, Melissa McBride, Aaron Donald, Isaac Cruz, Joan Collins, Ken Jennings, Ramona Young

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What did the apartment sing to the landlord? PLEASE RE-LEASE ME! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, "Landlord" (by Gladys Knight and the Pips) Or.... "Rent" - from the Broadway show of the same name. -Carolyn Rogers. Or The Theme to the moviethe Apartment," Im just a Room with a View!" or "Rent" Musical. - Rex Post

Today's riddle

Which kind of pie is the favorite of ghosts in Australia?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Indianola, Clive or Urbandale Living magazines, contact:  

Gina Chandler
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 323
Mobile: 641-750-6485
gina@iowalivingmagazines.com

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