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.

“I searched in vain for a website what would tell me what the CURRENT siren means (Tornado sirens, May 22, 2024). The TV stations serve more than a dozen counties, so they are not that helpful for me, personally, in Des Moines. How is that not a thing? Who would do it? Polk County has an emergency response element to their site, but it does not give this kind of right-now information. This sounds to me like a journalistic adventure and goal. Let’s get this started!” - Ann

It means run to the basement! Or run for the hills! Or run somewhere! - Shane

“Under-explained is the fact tornado sirens are intended as an alert and warning device for people who are OUTDOORS (Tornado sirens, May 22, 2024)! If one is indoors, he or she should be tuned to broadcast media, cell phone, NWS weather radio and similar devices. All of the above work best if people have paid attention to local weather forecasts and know when there is heightened possibility. Adding 70 mph and above winds to reasons for sounding the sirens confuses some people. It shouldn't. If the sirens sound, people need to pay more attention to their surroundings. By the way, when those sirens were first installed as Civil Defense sirens, we had drills in elementary school where we practiced sheltering in place under our student desks. Even at age 10, I was a skeptic of that practice!” - Chuck

Even in recent years, our government has asked us (and even required us) to do some things that will likely be looked back on as ridiculously unnecessary. - Shane

“I have never understood why people tailgate those of us that are going 5 mph over the speed limit (Short cuts, May 30, 2024). I’ve often thought about getting my old car rear-ended on purpose to be able to have their insurance company help pay for a new one. But then I thought about my gas tank exploding. As a truck driver for more than 50 years, I’ve seen it all… and then some. Drivers these days are way more aggressive than ever before. That is one reason I no longer ride a motorcycle also.” - James

I am with you on this one, James, as long as you truly are driving the speed limit. I think we should have the bumper sticker that says, “Go ahead and pass me; I left on time.” - Shane

“Good evening, Shane (Short cuts, May 30, 2024). North-south short cuts in Ankeny include Trilein Drive, S.E. Cortina, and, despite the speed bumps, Autumn Ridge Trailer Park.” - John

When driving, I am often seeking the short cut, too. Then I am reminded that there are no short cuts to any place worth going. - 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.

FEATURE STORY
The trailblazers who built Des Moines

By Jim Duncan

Des Moines was forged by God, chance and indefatigable human will. The city that would become Iowa’s capital was birthed by the divine coincidence of two life-supporting rivers harrowed by millennia of meanderings dictated by what poets call the unseen hand and believers call God.

The coincidence of those rivers meeting at a nearly perfect right angle decreed the future city’s place on Earth. It became the capital of the world’s greatest agricultural bounty by the fickle fate of human politics.

[...]

Curtain call
Residents share their experiences on stage.

By Chantel Boyd

For many people, public speaking is their worst fear. They recall suffering from butterflies in the stomach or worse before stepping out on the stage for their elementary school programs and the terror of having to speak in front of their peers in high school speech class. For them, the thought of performing before the public in a stage production sounds as appealing as being tarred and feathered. Others actually seek the spotlight, volunteer to memorize lines and create play props, and eagerly await the day the curtains are drawn back and the show begins. Some of these people share their reasons why center stage is the place they want to be.

34 productions and counting
Molly Longman, ADM English teacher and drama director, has overseen theatre in the community for 17 years. She has directed 34 shows on the ADM stage, with two productions each year.

Her theatre journey began as a student at Ames High School from 1998 to 2002. She performed and worked behind the scenes as an assistant director. Her passion for theatre continued to grow while she attended college at ISU.

[...]

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $3.23 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 12 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.50, down 8 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 4 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.54. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.67 in Iowa.
The current Iowa diesel price is 30 cents lower than the national average of $3.84.

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 $2.73/MMbtu.

Happy Birthday Pam Kucera!

These celebrities were born on this date:Marsha Blackburn, Harvey Fierstein, Sandra Bernhard, Bjorn Borg, Colin Quinn, Jimmy Jam, Steve Vai, Tom Araya, Jason Isaacs, Robert Englund, Paul Giamatti, DeAndre Hopkins

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What do call a criminal landing an airplane? A CON-DESCENDING! - Kris Laurson, Gail Tomlinson. Or, A JAIL BIRD! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, CON ON THE RUN(WAY)! - Rex Post

Today's riddle

Who did the hotel owners call when they found a ghost?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:

Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com

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