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Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Good morning to you!

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media in a way similar to what is mandatory on cigarette boxes, and I support him on this one.

Keep in mind, I am not a fan of excessive government regulation. At the federal level alone, more than 70 federal regulatory agencies currently exist, employing hundreds of thousands of people to write and implement regulations. They issue 3,500 new rules every year, and the regulatory code now is more than 168,000 pages long. So, do we need another one? In the case of social media, the answer is yes.

Think about it. Car seats and baby formula are regulated, and I still won’t tear the tag off my pillow because it says I cannot do so “under penalty of law.” Not everyone follows the rules, but many do. Warning consumers — including our youth — about the perils of social media will help, and we simply can’t trust the big tech companies to regulate themselves.

Here is what U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated in an advisory in 2023: “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And, for too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis — one that we must urgently address.”

And here is what he wrote recently in an opinion piece in The New York Times: “It is time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. A surgeon general's warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior."

Social media is used by most all young people, with up to 95% of those 13-17 years old reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.” Recent research shows that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media (and they nearly all do) face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Will a warning label cure all the problems? No. But I have no doubt it will help.

Have a terrific Tuesday, 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.

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Hot and breezy conditions will be with us again today. Scattered storm chances return tonight into Thursday and again Saturday and Sunday.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

 
From the June issue of CITYVIEW 
 

CENTER STAGE
From opera to chamber to children’s, stage music beckons

By John Busbee

Baritone Justin Austin (who debuts the role of Thomas McKeller in “American Apollo” in this world premiere) posing with the original John Singer Sargent sketches in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Photo credit: Ben Easter
Let the month of June be proclaimed as Cultural Adventurer Month for those seeking new works, spine-tingling performances and a diverse and immersive offering of stage works. The venerable Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO), with its world-renowned Summer Festival, has the opera world chattering about their boldly seductive season. Iowa Stage Theatre Company brings a new musical experience to its stage. And Pyramid Theatre Company returns with an irresistibly soul-searching world premiere. Fill your calendar with these and other productions that await.

The Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) has established an international reputation that few peer companies can match. National critics from publications like The Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times frequently travel to DMMO to review the lineup of operas for every summer festival season.

[...]

 
READ MORE
 
 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines®
 
The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!

 

Best Local Craft Beer

1. Exile Brewing Company

2. Confluence Brewing Company

3. Lua Brewing

Read all the results now!

 

The business. Diners are increasingly looking for deals with money stretching less each year this decade. For restaurants, the hope is that discount deals will bring in diners who will then tack on additional food and drinks. But does it work? Maybe so. A relaunched $1 margarita deal at Applebee’s has found that more than 90% of checks with a "Dollarita" also included other menu items. (Dine Brands' Global Chief Financial Officer Vance Chang)

Tuesday touts. Anybody who is serious about cactus spirits should have this book, "Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals," by Gary Paul Nabhan and David Suro Piñera (W. W. Norton & Company). Don't take my word, it just won a James Beard literary award... Tuscany wine treasure Badia a Coltibuono is in town for a wine dinner at Cheese Bar, Wednesday, June 19. Five exquisite courses and five wines -$125. 515-277-7828 to reserve... Wallace Farm (2773 290th St., Orient) hosts a dinner with the farm's historic field corn featured in each course. Doors open 6 p.m. Sunday, June 23 with service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early to walk the grounds, see this year's historic corn plot and view a prairie art exhibit. Wine, beer and signature cocktails available. Community seating. $75. 

Deals today. Tuesday brings $4.95 gyros to Opa! (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines)... Kids meals are half priced all day Tuesday at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale)... Tuesday brings $12 hot beef sandwiches to Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction)... All day happy hour prices, such as half-priced oysters, are in effect Tuesdays at Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines)... Kelly’s Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers really good tenderloins with a side and drink for $11.50 on Tuesdays... Cyd's Catering is offering a 4th of July special that includes Iowa fresh heirloom tomatoes, Iowa sweet corn, Cyd's Iowa pork ribs and her marvelous strawberry shortcake, among other things. $130 for four, pickup orders. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Movie review
 

“Unfrosted” (streaming)
I was never much of a Seinfeld fan, but I will give him credit for putting together an enormous cast of comedic actors and actresses in this dreadfully unfunny comedy about the creation of the Pop-Tart. What was most amazing is how unfunny some of these funny people can be. Seinfeld’s name obviously drew this great cast of actors and actresses, but it was all a waste with a dumb story and poor execution. It is just flat out not funny. Grade: D

By Michael C. Woody. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986 and can be heard talking movies every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on KXn0 106.3 with Keith Murphy and Andy Fales. You can also follow him on Twitter @MrMovieDSM. 

 
Featured home for sale
 
Attention, Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$382,500                                                             926 S.E .Allyn St., Ankeny, IA 50021

Modern elegance in Ankeny. Discover contemporary comfort in this stunning home nestled in the heart of Ankeny. This meticulously maintained 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence with an additional office or non-conforming bedroom offers an exceptional blend of style, convenience and functionality.

See the listing here.

 
See More Homes For Sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
3100 INGERSOLL AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-03-29
SALE PRICE: $394,000
SELLER: ODE REAL ESTATE GROUP LLC
BUYER: C&C HOLDINGS LLC
ACRES: 0.213
SQUARE FEET: 5,074
 
From the June issue of West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living magazine
 

Addressing food insecurity
Volunteering fills Crew’s cup.

By Lindsey Giardino

Since retiring in May 2022, Dan Crew has focused most of his volunteer work on addressing food insecurity in central Iowa.

He serves West Des Moines Human Services as an advisory board member and is a regular food pantry volunteer and an occasional food rescue fill-in. He also helps with the organization’s special events, like its winter coat and school supply drives, as well as the holiday adopt-a-family program.

“I knew I wanted to get involved with West Des Moines Human Services since West Des Moines has been my home for so many years,” Crew says. “It’s the pantry that serves the neighbors in our ‘backyard,’ and I’ve been proud of the work they accomplish and the help they consistently provide.”

[...]

 
READ MORE
 
Headlines

FROM KCCI: Crews at Iowa Speedway cleaning up from NASCAR Cup Series, gearing up for next big race

NEWTON, Iowa — Not even 24 hours after drivers crossed the finish line at the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series at the Iowa Speedway, crews are already gearing up for the next big race happening in less than a month. Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend starts July 12. Iowa Speedway president Eric Peterson said it's a quick turnaround for staff to make changes to the track and grandstand. ...READ MORE FROM KCCI

FROM WHO-TV: Zoning change may open up Valley West Mall’s future

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A small item on the West Des Moines City Council agenda won’t shake up the world, but it could lead to the next big development for the iconic Valley West Mall. Through all the changes, like Amazon and COVID-19, malls have fallen on hard times. At Valley West Mall some stores are still open, but there are many empty spots. The mall is in court-appointed receivership until the property can be sold. ... READ MORE FROM WHO

FROM WOI-DT Local 5: "Why not Des Moines, Iowa?" | 99th annual National Speech and Debate tournament bringing 10,000 people to Des Moines

Students say this tournament is the largest they have ever been to, and the tournament is already leaving an economic impact. ....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5

 
Sports headlines
ESPN: Payton Pritchard beats the buzzer with half-court heave as Celtics dominate Game 5 to win 18th title.  ...READ MORE 
 
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Offseason Takeaways to Wrap Up NFL Minicamps Across the League. ... READ MORE
 
CBS Sports: Chargers' Ladd McConkey signs historic rookie contract after impressing during offseason workouts, per report.   ...READ MORE
 
1812: War of 1812 begins: June 18, 1812: The day after the Senate followed the House of Representatives in voting to declare war against Great Britain, President James Madison signs the declaration into law—and the War of 1812 begins. The American war declaration, opposed by a sizable minority in Congress, had been called in response to the British economic blockade of France, the induction of American seaman into the British Royal Navy against their will, and the British support of Indian tribes along the Great Lakes frontier. A faction of Congress known as the “War Hawks” had been advocating war with Britain for several years and had not hidden their hopes that a U.S. invasion of Canada might result in significant territorial land gains for the United States. .... READ MORE
 
1983: Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.  ... READ MORE
 
1960: Arnold Palmer wins U.S. Open.  ... READ MORE
 
 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy Birthday Bob Wiley!

These celebrities were born on this date:  Paul McCartney · Carol Kane · Ray LaMontagne · Chris Van Allsburg · Dan O'Brien · Jeanette MacDonald · John Eaton • Josh Dun • Blake Shelton • Bailey Bass • Richard Madden • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang • Jack Barakat

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What do they call the new diuretic wine? PINOT MORE! - Mike Chiston, Carolyn Rogers, Randy Lagerblade, Gail Tomlinson. Other answers from William Snyder

Today's riddle

What kind of wine do they serve at the horse races?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Waukee, Norwalk or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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