Short cuts. Most all of us seek them out on our daily paths, in one way or another. But do they really help save time?
When driving, we tend to look for the shortest path between Point A and Point B. But when we discover a not-so-well-traveled path that could potentially cut a few minutes off our time, many of us will take it, as the straight line may be the shortest distance but can often seem more time-consuming.
When time is of the essence (and when isn’t it?), I have learned to avoid stoplights, schools and semi-trucks.
If you are in a small town, stoplights may not be a concern. In the metro area, though, you can expect to sit at some stoplights for several minutes, often behind a driver who refuses to turn right on red. I truly appreciate roundabouts, as they keep traffic moving. As such, I avoid stoplights whenever possible.
If your daily driving takes you by schools during starting or ending times, you will be waiting for parent drop-offs, school buses and anxious teenage drivers. And rightly so. When possible, I avoid driving on roads by schools.
I appreciate truck drivers. Our economy relies on them to transport raw materials and finished goods to a variety of locations. We need truckers, and we need trucks and trailers. As long as I can safely pass them on the open road, all is good. When stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle for long stretches without the ability to pass, frustration sets in. With that in mind, I avoid roads where semi-trucks frequent.
I remember a driver’s education class from my youth when our instructor explained how those who do jackrabbit starts or speed typically do not get to their locations any faster than those who drive safely and within the speed limit. The same may be true with my efforts to avoid stoplights, schools and semi-trucks, but that doesn’t keep me from seeking out these and other short cuts.
I was driving recently and pulled up behind a car with a bumper sticker that said, “Go ahead and pass me. I left on time.” I chuckled. And passed him.
How about you? Any short cut recommendations? Or do you patiently deal with the traffic woes? Any advice is appreciated.
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. |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
We've got another great day ahead. Thunderstorm chances return on-and-off through Tuesday, with the possible exception of Sunday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| From the May issue of CITYVIEW | | | FOOD DUDE
Tumea & Sons is a veritable heirloom
By Jim Duncan
The meaning of “heirloom” has been extended this century in American vernacular. It’s not just for nouns anymore. I have seen it used to describe baseball fans, tomatoes, pigs, brand new wrist watches and stocks.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but here’s what Oxford now has to say: “heirloom: 1.) a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations. 2.) denoting a traditional variety of plant or breed of animal which is not associated with large-scale commercial agriculture.”
[...] | | | 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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Dispatches from the inflation war
Costco raised prices on many items (Kirkland Signature olive oil by nearly $8) but not their famous $1.50 Kirkland Signature quarter pound all beef hot dog and 20 ounce soda combo. Costco founder Jim Sinegalonce once famously said to CEO Craig Jelinek, "If you raise the [price of the] effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out." (Fox Business, Daily Mail). … Big increases in RV sales are being explained as hedges against hotel inflation. 85,941 RVs were sold in the first quarter of 2024, up 9.3% year over. (Fox Business) … A new European Union law to protect the world’s rain forests is expected to wreak more havoc on chocolate prices. Because the EU imports more than half the world's cacao, more than 70% of which comes from West Africa, the law effects everyone. Starting Jan. 1, chocolate makers that sell or produce in the EU will have to show that the cocoa they use wasn’t grown on land cut from forests since the end of 2020. Each morsel of cocoa will need to be linked to the five decimal deep GPS coordinates of the farm where it was harvested. Cocoa stockpiles this season are expected to be the lowest in 45 years. Mondelez said chocolate price increases could reach double digits this year, on top of a 12% rise in the price of U.S. chocolate last year and a 14% increase in 2022 (Circana). Farmers have traditionally responded to cocoa shortages by clearing forests to make way for more farmland. That’s not going to be an option under the new EU legislation. (WSJ)
Good deals. Thursday nights starting at 5 p.m. Morroccan couscous - lemon chicken, beef keftas, 5 vegetables, harissa - are $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave Des Moines)… Aussie pies, savory and sweet, at St. Kilda's Collective (333 Fifth St., Valley Junction) farmers market stall are fabulous deals at varying prices. Indoors Thursdays' happy hour brings $12 fried cod sandwiches, cheeseburgers, Cubanos, chicken sandwiches, and veggie burgers... Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Thursday special is hot beef sandwiches with green beans $10... Sprocket’s (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99... The Georgia Fruit Truck will be at Bomgaars Supply, 5049 N.E. 14th St., Des Moines on Friday, May 31, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Peaches are 20 pounds for $45; Pecans 12 ounces for $15.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$360,000 5001 Bel Aire Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
Welcome to this distinguished and meticulously maintained two-story home nestled in a serene, wooded family neighborhood. The home boasts generous living spaces, including large family and living rooms that are ideal for both relaxation and entertainment. The heart of this home is the remodeled, with plenty of storage, kitchen with eat-in area complemented by a formal dining room for special gatherings.
See the listing here.
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 5795 N.W. SECOND ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-02-20
SALE PRICE: $500,000
SELLER: LEA INVESTMENTS LLC
BUYER: FOR THE KIDS VIII LLC
ACRES: 0.888
SQUARE FEET: 6,000 |
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| From the May issue of Waukee Living magazine | | | Competing for time
Residents share how relationships are the “win” in sporting together.
By Jackie Wilson
Nancy Cullen of Waukee has spent a lot of time with her granddaughter, Ruthie Brockway. Before Ruthie attended kindergarten, the pair did crafts and other activities at home.
In first grade, Ruthie followed grandma to the tennis and pickleball courts, picking up a racquet or paddle. They counted how many times they could hit the ball over the net without missing. In second grade, Ruthie got better at hitting and practiced with a ping-pong ball against the wall.
“I went 280 times without missing,” she recalls. “We got a lot of practice during COVID.”
[...] | | | READ MORE |
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FROM KCCI: Iowa county attorney announces former fire chief accused of money laundering, arrested on multiple charges
PACIFIC JUNCTION, Iowa — The former Pacific Junction fire chief was arrested on several charges on Wednesday, according to the Mills County attorney's office. KCCI sister station KETV reports that Ernie Gencarelli, 67, was arrested for ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree theft, and money laundering. ...READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Attempted murder arrest made in Des Moines skatepark shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa — An arrest has been made in a shooting that critically injured a man at the Lauridsen Skatepark earlier this month. Tereall Green, 30, has been charged with attempted murder in the May 17th shooting, according to Sgt. Paul Parizek. Green was booked into the Polk County Jail Tuesday night.... READ MORE FROM WHO
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Attending the Principal Charity Classic? Here's what to know
DES MOINES, Iowa — It's almost tee time in Des Moines as the Principal Charity Classic kicks off this week. The Principal Charity Classic is a mainstay on the PGA Tour Champions schedule. This year, the highly-anticipated event will feature eight past champions and six World Golf Hall of Famers.......READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Weekly fuel prices | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 3 cents, averaging $3.27 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 11 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.58, down 3 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 2 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.58. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.70 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 30 cents lower than the national average of $3.88.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.71/MMbtu. |
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ESPN: Two animal cruelty warrants filed against Chiefs' Isaiah Buggs. ...READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Why It’s Time to Embrace a New Structure For College Sports. ... READ MORE
YAHOO! Sports: No. 1 Iga Swiatek battles back from match point to win French Open thriller over Naomi Osaka. ...READ MORE |
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1431: On May 30, 1431, at Rouen in English-controlled Normandy, Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who became the savior of France, is burned at the stake for heresy. . ... READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Cee Lo Green, Idina Menzel, Javicia Leslie, Tom Morello, Jake Short, Remy Ma, Steven Gerrard, Wynonna Judd, Mark Sheppard
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
How many altos does it take to change a light bulb? NONE. THEY CAN'T GET THAT HIGH! - Rex Post, Gail Tomlinson. Or, TENOR SO! - Brent Hoover
Today's riddle
Why did the computer sing "Hello" everytime somebody walked by?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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kerry@iowalivingmagazines.com
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