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.
“Hi, Shane. I loved your story about driving (Ditch magnets, May 16, 2024). It brought back a memory from long ago: With my learner's permit freshly in hand, I got to drive my mom and dad to a destination 20 miles from home. We cruised along a state highway, the open road stretching out before us. As we approached a small town, I navigated under an overpass, feeling pretty confident about my driving skills. Suddenly, my dad, who was sitting in the back seat, broke the silence. ‘Did you see that sign back there?’ he asked, his tone serious. ‘Yes, sir, I did,’ I replied confidently. ‘What did it say?’ he probed further. ‘Welcome to Watervliet,’ I responded, feeling proud of my attention to detail. ‘Nice try!’ he exclaimed with a chuckle. ‘It said to reduce speed ahead!’ ” - Lee
I guess that is why it is called a learner’s permit. - Shane
“My husband and I have been discussing the same topic (Forever home, May 20, 2024). We met in college, so he is not from my hometown. He lived in Des Moines, Ankeny and Waterloo as a kid. Together, we have lived in a few places with the longest being Ankeny for 32 years where we raised our two kids. My husband and I have decided we’ll be buried in my hometown of Dyersville where my parents will be buried and where my grandparents are buried. While Ankeny is home to my kids, Dyersville is my home and my husband’s adopted home. It’s where my ancestors immigrated to 175 years ago. Rest in peace!” - Patty
There are some decisions in life that I never thought I would have to make. But, the reality is, someone has to. - Shane
“I get you (Forever home, May 20, 2024). When we retired, we decided on the cemetery, the ‘right’ plot within said cemetery and a headstone that reflected our interests (that was a deal). Then I emailed the kids to tell them we had purchased some land! Not sure they had a sense of humor about our new land, but I am sure they will appreciate it later, and we felt good knowing it was what we wanted.” - Diane
There’s nothing like a good real estate deal to get the kids’ attention. - 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
Storms this morning … some could be strong. The rest of today and Saturday look dry. Storm chances come back Saturday night into Sunday, with only a slight rain chance Memorial Day.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| From CITYVIEW | | | STRAY THOUGHTS
Live-streaming gov’t meetings should be the norm
By Randy Evans
You don’t often hear anyone extol the benefits of the Covid pandemic. But I did few weeks ago — when I stood before the Storm Lake Kiwanis club and talked about government transparency in Iowa.
I did not wade into the debate over masks, social distancing or vaccinations. It was a polite audience, but I was not silly enough to needlessly venture onto that thin ice.
What I said about the pandemic was this: State and local governments embraced, even if grudgingly, the benefits of live-streaming their board meetings during the pandemic so the public could watch from wherever they were.
[...] | | | READ MORE |
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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!
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$299,000 3612 38th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
If you're looking for the perfect blend of that well maintained Beaverdale home charm and modern updates throughout, then welcome home! All conveniently located just a block from the Ashby park and splash pad. Upon entering the home, you are greeted by beautiful hardwood floors throughout most of the main level, a large living space and dining room, and a sleek, bright eat-in kitchen that has been updated from top to bottom.
See the listing here.
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 3501 WESTOWN PARKWAY, WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-02-23
SALE PRICE: $2,000,000
SELLER: IOWA REALTY COMPANY INC
BUYER: HURD VALLEY WEST LLC
ACRES: 2.068
SQUARE FEET: 11,184 |
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| From the May issue of Altoona Living magazine | | | Competing for time
Residents share how relationships are the “win” in sporting together.
By Chantel Boyd
Christian (Jory) Houser from Altoona is active with his son, Kai, in family-fun outdoor activities. His wife, Linley, joins in at times, too.
The Houser family likes running, basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, ultimate frisbee and disc golf.
"We don't all do all those sports, but between us all, we participate in those," Jory says.
Jory admits that two are more out of the ordinary. The first nontraditional sport is gymnastics. The Houser yard is set up for Kai to train in gymnastics, and he trains with other athletes at a gym.
[...] | | | READ MORE |
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"The unprovoked and inexplicable war on food."
Howard G. Buffett is head of the foundation that bears his name and invests heavily combating food insecurity and human trafficking. He told Fox Business that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raised the price of a basket of survival groceries in Africa by 50% almost immediately and that Russia’s war has trashed the world’s richest breadbasket, unthinkably laying mines in prime farmland without any real military advantage.
Is Ukraine Russia's Vietnam? BBC tracked 1,000 prisoners who responded to a Russian offer of freedom if they served six months fighting in Ukraine. After 120 days, over half of them were dead. The “official” body count for Russian soldiers in Ukraine hit 50,000 last month. The total number of Americans lost in the Vietnam War is 58,220, and serious protests, that made LBJ opt out of running for a second term, began halfway into that toll. Why are there no student protests in the U.S. against unprovoked Russian aggression when it is starving the world?
CBS reported Republic of Georgia cities Tbilisi and Batumi are soaring in population and housing inflation. Russian antiwar (draft dodging) immigrants are leading that trend. PBS reported that Georgia's wine industry is the next new hot spot. In Des Moines, Ingersoll Wine and Liquor has the best collection of east European wines.
Weekend deals. Today and tomorrow is CelebrAsian, the Iowa Asian Alliance's annual street fair at Gateway West. Food wise, this is our favorite street festival of the year... Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Friday specials are chicken smashers or chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn for $10... Every Friday from 4 p.m. until sold out, Whatcha Smokin’? (403 Iowa Ave., Luther) serves prime rib dinner plates with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans... Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) is open till 2 a.m. for carryout on Fridays and Saturdays.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: NWS upgrades Greenfield tornado to EF-4, surveys still ongoing
GREENFIELD, Iowa — The National Weather Service in Des Moines has upgraded the deadly tornado that swept through Greenfield, Iowa, to an EF-4 following further damage surveys. The tornado had initially been rated an EF-3, but the NWS says the rating could be updated as additional damage is surveyed over the next several days. ....READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: 2 more teens die from injuries in stolen car crash in Des Moines
DES MOINES, IOWA — Three teenagers are now dead from injuries suffered in a violent crash on the south side of Des Moines and a fourth teen remains hospitalized. One teen was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the 600 block of Davis Avenue on Wednesday afternoon; two more teens have since died from their injuries at local hospitals, Des Moines Police report. Two of those killed were 15 years old, the third was 18. Another 18-year-old remains hospitalized.. .... READ MORE FROM WHO
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Willie Nelson concert, Heritage Carousel opening day | Local 5 Weekend Guide
DES MOINES, Iowa — It's almost Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer. If you're not on the road traveling, make the most of your weekend by exploring everything Des Moines has to offer. Local 5 rounded up five events taking place in Des Moines this weekend to kick off your busy summer....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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ESPN: NCAA, Power 5 agree to deal that will let schools pay players... READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Report: Ryan Garcia's B-Sample From Fight vs. Devin Haney Also Tests Positive for PED. ... READ MORE
YAHOO! Sports: Suspect arrested in shooting that critically wounded Auburn RB Brian Battie and killed his brother ....READ MORE |
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1964: Riot erupts at Lima, Peru soccer match, killing hundreds. A referee’s call in a soccer match between Peru and Argentina sparks a riot on May 24, 1964. More than 300 fans were killed and another 500 people were injured in the violent melee that followed at National Stadium in Lima, Peru. ... READ MORE
1797: Thomas Jefferson inquires about a former flame: On May 24, 1797, future President Thomas Jefferson writes to his friend Angelica Church, inquiring casually about their mutual friend, Maria Cosway, a woman who had once captured his heart and inspired a romantically themed essay. ... READ MORE
1941: German battleship, the Bismarck, sinks Britain’s HMS Hood. On May 24, 1941, Germany’s largest battleship, the Bismarck, sinks the pride of the British fleet, HMS Hood. The Bismarck was the most modern of Germany’s battleships, a prize coveted by other nation’s navies, even while still in the blueprint stage ... READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday on Monday to Jeff Pitts!
These celebrities were born on this date:Alfred Molina, Bartolo Colon, Bob Dylan, Brianne Howey, Cody Hanson, Dana Ashbrook, Eric Close, G-Eazy. Tommy Chong, Patti LaBelle, Jim Broadbent, Priscilla Presley, Tracy McGrady
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Which kind of pie is the favorite of ghosts in Australia? A BOO-MERINGUE! - Chuck Golliher, Gail Tomlinson. Other answers by Carolyn Rogers.
Today's riddle
What happens when you sing country music backward?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Johnston Living magazine or Weekly, contact:
Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com
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