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.

“Having lived most of my 79 years in ‘Tornado Alley,’ I have long been interested in twisters but have never knowingly seen one (Tornado sirens, May 22, 2024). I have been in Spotter training several times. It has been interesting to see the advances in technology that help professional meteorologists predict and track such storms. The challenge remains getting the information to a public that all too often isn't paying attention. And then having them respond. Many of us make note, perhaps go to the window and look outside, or even go outside. I have a friend who was standing at his slider doors with an adult beverage in hand watching the storm when suddenly his deck came up off the ground toward the house. He dove head first down a nearby stairway to the basement. He had chased such storms for years thinking he was invincible.” - Chuck

That might be the same guy I knew who took his young son on top of their garage to see the tornado. - Shane

“ ‘Doggone it’, I think to myself as I pull up alongside them (Short cuts, May 30, 2024). ‘They beat me to the stoplight again.’ ” - Brent

There is always next time, Brent. - Shane

“Shane, I learned from being in radio and working with traveling shows, if you are 10 minutes ahead of your appointment, you are technically late (Short cuts, May 30, 2024). Too much driving in major metros teaches you to leave 15 minutes or so before you thought you needed to leave. Same for arrival at airports. Thirty-plus years ago with team travel on airlines, we had to get there at least two hours early to get 30 to 60 folks checked in. Now, it's habit. I can relax and not sweat about being late to the gate. Plus, people-watching is more delightful when you have plenty of time. Travel agents, pilots and flight attendants shared these two rules: 1) Planes don't wait for you, you wait for the plane. 2) Airplane mechanics don't report at 35,000 feet if there is a mechanical issue with a plane; you wait on the ground till it’s fixed.” - Rex

American entrepreneur Aaron Levie said it is better to be too early and have to try again than be too late and have to catch up. And I agree. - Shane

“I'm a railroad fan. My favorite railroad is the New York, Susquehanna and Western in Northern New Jersey and Southern New York (Outage, June 3, 2024). They caused a complete electrical outage at my high school when a crew working on the tracks took out wires with a crane. Since it was a sunny day, and it was in the 1960s, the large glass windows illuminated the classrooms so our primitive non-technical teaching practices could continue. It was late morning, and we had four or five hours of the school day left. The power company would not restore electricity until school was over. The one bit of technology we needed was the fire alarms. Thanks, NYS&W, for early dismissal.” - John

Some jokers from my high school placed a dead skunk by the input of the cooling units, and the odor filled the building. It was certainly not as serious as a lack of fire alarms, but school was cancelled all the same. - Shane

“Once a month, family dinner at Gramma's house included killing a couple chickens (Scents of summer, June 4, 2024). She used a tree stump as a butcher block, and, in summer, the blood smelled strong, sort of like rotten eggs. It didn't smell much at all in winter.” - Jim

That doesn’t sound as pleasant as coconut suntan lotion. - 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.

FEATURE STORY
Liquor trends in central Iowa

By Cyote Williams

It’s no secret that Iowans enjoy an adult beverage. Or two. While alcohol can have its drawbacks, and should be consumed responsibly, drinking has become ingrained in Iowa culture.

Iowa State football fans have made a habit out of drinking mass quantities of Busch Light at bars in whichever cities host their bowl games. Their Liberty Bowl game against Memphis in 2017 caused future venues to stock up on extras. Iowa women’s basketball fans drank one of the city’s most popular bars, Brothers, out of the same hoppy beverage during the Elite Eight game against LSU in Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking run just a few months ago.

[...]

‘Paint the town green’
Annual Green Days community festival offers live music, a parade, carnival rides and much more June 13-15.

By Ashley Rullestad

The biggest and best community celebration in town, Green Days, is back this year June 13-15 with the theme “Paint the Town Green.” The public is invited to come together and celebrate at Terra Park with lots of fun and family-friendly events for all.

Pam Kucera, who has served as event chair for years, says the event supports the businesses and organizations in the community and offers a variety of festivities.

“It is a free event for the community to attend. The funds that are raised at Green Days are to help support future events and to give back to the community.," she says.

[...]

Happy Birthday Saturday to Beckham Miller and on Sunday to Jay Mathes and Mike Schoville.

These celebrities were born on this date: Bear Grylls · Bill Hader · Colleen Camp · Dave Navarro · Emily Ratajkowski · Fetty Wap · Gordon Gano · Iggy Azalea • Liam Neeson • Michael Cera • Allen Iverson • Tom Jones • Christian McCaffrey • Bill Hader • Jordan Clarkson • Kym Whitley • Karl Urban

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Who did the hotel owners call when they found a ghost? AN INN-SPECTER! - Gail Tomlinson. They may also have called GHOST BUSTERS! - Mike Chiston, Rex Post. Or CASPER GRASPER! - John Zeitler. Or, They called the fitness center manager, who was in charge of exorcise [exercise] equipment! - Carolyn Rogers.

Today's riddle

What did the snail who was riding on the turtle's back say?

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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