Boxing promoter Don King once said, “Only in America will you see people circling the parking lot looking for a close space at a gym.” How ironic, and, unfortunately, how true.

I read another quote about how people will walk for miles inside big box stores but are too lazy to push their shopping carts into the cart corrals in the parking lots. Yep.

If we are being honest, we all have parking habits. Some of us will take the closest spot to the store, regardless of how long we have to wait or how tight the space may be. Others of us will park in the middle of the lot away from all cars, even in a rainstorm. Some of us even park under lights each time to minimize break-ins. Not a bad idea.

Many of us learned the hard way to not park by shopping cart corrals, as a few loose carts and a strong wind gust can create quite a demolition derby — and, surprisingly, those tiny wheels can really pick up speed.

My parking habits changed throughout my life, depending on what I was driving. When I had an old, beat-up car, I would park in the tightest of spots. One more door ding wouldn't even be noticeable, I rationalized. But when I had a newer vehicle, I would carefully select a spot to minimize the door ding risk.

I am continually amazed that an F-350 pickup can fit in one parking spot but a tiny foreign sports car seems to always take two — and then the driver acts shocked when noticing someone keys the paint.

When I was a kid and my dad and I would go to a grocery store, he would park out in the middle of the lot. I would ask him what was wrong with the spots up front. He would tell me, “We will save those for the old people.”

We don’t have a lot of cars in our parking lot at work. As such, we tend to park in every other space, kind of like how teenage boys sit when they go to a movie together.

When my aging father-in-law was still alive, I would notice how he would push open his car door with his feet, and how the door would bang into the car next to it each time. Ever since that observation, I avoid parking next to Buicks… and going to the gym.

How about you? What parking habits do you have? Send me a note and let me know.

Have a magnificent Monday, 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.

FILM REVIEW
‘Fly Me to the Moon’ combines historical events with romantic and comedic elements
By David Rowley

7/31/2024

“Fly Me to the Moon”
PG-13 | 132 minutes
Director: Greg Berlanti
Writers: Keenan Flynn, Bill Kirstein, Rose Gilroy
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson

“Fly Me to the Moon” is a clever, high-concept screwball comedy set against the backdrop of one of the most significant moments in American history — the Apollo 11 mission. Directed by Greg Berlanti, the film presents a refreshing and comedic take on the events leading up to the moon landing, focusing not just on the scientific achievements but also on the behind-the-scenes PR strategies that were crucial to its success. With performances by Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson, this film combines historical events with romantic and comedic elements, making for an entertaining cinematic experience. ...

Building a therapy dog supply
Training, certification provides for more opportunities to engage kids.

By T.K. West

The Winterset High School has welcomed a therapy dog for the past 11 years, beginning with a golden retriever named Kiowa, who was owned by Cari Davis. Throughout the past decade, many other dogs have joined the special education and at-risk classrooms, including a black lab named Snoop, a yellow lab named Dodge, and a second golden retriever named Marshall. Three years ago, Davis also began a training program within the district. The program aims to encourage other teachers and their dogs to become certified.

“I have trained dogs since I was a kid in 4-H and have volunteered as a trainer for the Madison County 4-H dog project for the past 14 years. I began by the process of certifying my dog Kiowa so he could volunteer

[...]

Happy Birthday Geno Nelsen and Joseph Thatcher!

These celebrities were born on this date:  Lennon Stella, Sebastian Stan, Dawnn Lewis, Lena Waithe, Talia Balsam, Ahna Mac, Dior Goodjohn, Corey Fogelmanis, Ray Diaz, Reece Bibby, DeMarcus Cousins, Alan Shearer

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

How do you turn a boat into a hat? Flip it over so it is CAP-sized! Shane Goodman, Kris Laurson, Rex Post, Gail Tomlinson. Or, Add an "er" to the end! - William Snyder.

Today's riddle

Where was the one-armed man’s favorite place to shop??

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
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kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

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