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Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024
Good morning to you!
Welcome to another edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.
 

“Why isn’t Darlene Love’s ‘Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)’ on the top 25 list in CITYVIEW? It plays at the beginning of ‘Gremlins,’ and David Letterman had her come on every year to sing it until he retired. Now she comes on ‘The View’ every year to sing it. It is the greatest Christmas song ever written, and I will not hear anything to the contrary. Merry Christmas.” - Jay

It's certainly not Bing Crosby, but it will do in a pinch. Merry Christmas to you as well, Jay. - Shane

“Hi, Shane. I love this one! ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’ by Greg Lake of Emerson Lake and Palmer. Love all your work — CITYVIEW and Lake Panorama Times. We’re so fortunate to have you at the lake and in Des Moines. Thanks.” - Shawn

You are yet another fan of this great song, which I heard was not originally intended to be a Christmas song. Even so, I can’t argue with your choice. You even took me to Instagram, and I am thankful, as the video is great. I appreciate your kind words, too. Enjoy the holidays. - Shane

“Shane, when I was a kid, my parents had a Johnny Mathis album called ‘Merry Christmas.’ It is my favorite Christmas album of all time. Johnny has a fantastic voice. You should listen to the album. One song that always stood out to me was, ‘Merry Christmas To You.’ I think it would have made your list. I hope you, Jolene, and family have a merry Christmas.” - Rob

You inspired me once again, Rob, as I listened to that album (via YouTube) while working this morning. I am not sure if you were referencing “The Christmas Song” or not, but I listened to each one just to be sure, and I am all the better for it. - Shane

“Good morning, Shane! We have to remember Prince (Mononyms, Dec. 16, 2024). I have yet to see such a beautiful human that could rock so many instruments (including his voice) and all that PURPLE. The doves definitely cried the day he passed. I never start my day without The Daily Umbrella! Have a beautiful day and don't forget to dance in the purple rain.” - Angie

Prince was certainly one of a kind. Have you heard Dwight Yoakam’s version of ‘Purple Rain’? You will either love it or hate it. I love it… and Prince’s original. - Shane

Thank you 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 past columns here.

 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: Shooting investigation: Des Moines police say 1 killed, 1 critically injured. DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police are investigating a shooting on Christmas day. Officers responded to a home in the 2900 block of East 40th Court around 4:13 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a shooting incident. ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Forecast: More fog and drizzle, then showers. A dense fog advisory has been issued for the southeast and northwestern parts of Iowa into Thursday morning. I believe that we may see the area this advisory covers expand Wednesday night......READ MORE

FROM WOI: Local 5 Weekend Guide: Events to close out the last weekend of 2024. Local 5 rounded up five events taking place this weekend that are sure to help you end your year on a positive note.   ....READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Drizzle and mist and fog are possible through this morning. Rain chances move in this afternoon into Saturday afternoon. Temperatures stay mild through Sunday.

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

 
Read the latest CITYVIEW 
 

COLLECTIONS & HOBBIES
Weavers and Spinners Guild experiences a resurgence

By Cyote Williams

The halls of Franklin Jr. High lead to an array of organizations including Project Iowa, the Japan America Center of Iowa, the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and more. The Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild meets in one room, which it is quickly outgrowing.

The Weavers and Spinners Guild has been active since 1945. Guild President Cherie Maxson has a wealth of knowledge about the group and has helped lead it into a resurgence.

 
READ MORE
 
 

Another star for Iowa's most honored chef
Eric Ziebolt of Ames was awarded a Michelin star Saturday for his Kinship café in D.C. Eric, whose career began at Aunt Maude's before moving on to The French Laundry, Per Se and CityZen, had won James Beard Awards as Best Chef in both California and New York City. He still loves Anderson Erickson sour cream dips and has deconstructed steak de Burgo on his menus. 

Reckoning the year in food and hospitality

Irony of the year and hypocrisy of the year. Ivy League assassin Luigi Mangione professed to hate the evils of capitalism enough to convince New York City's super-soft-on-crime DA Alvin Bragg to try him for terrorism. Yet Mangione's undoing began with the screw up leaving his DNA at Starbucks and concluded with his being captured eating at McDonald's.  

Deals today
• Chelsie's Courtyard (300 MLK Blvd.) has $1 quarter pound burgers on Thursdays. That's not a missprint. 

• Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers a Thursday special of Maine lobster tail with shrimp scampi and a side for $20.They also launched a new permanent happy hour deal with $5 drinks and $2 off of some appetizers from 3-6 p.m. for dine-in on weekdays.

• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has fried chicken on special every Thursday with the ice-cooled salad bar.  
• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays

• Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays 

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) has karaoke with Sherryyoke tonight from 6 p.m.

• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.  

• It's prime rib night at Flying Mango (4345 Hickman Road) and burnt end pork belly night at Whatcha Smokin (Luther, Iowa).

• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special is a Graziano sausage sandwich with choice of side for $15.95.

• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13. 

• Aldi has a sale on avocados at $.65.each, USDA Choice brisket at $5.99/pound and Medjool dates at $.99/pound  through Tuesday.

• Fareway has a deal this week in which you can buy a 24 or 30 pack of domestic beer for a penny with a $60 purchase of seafood. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines®
 
Best Local Live Music Venue
1. Wooly’s
2. Hoyt Sherman Place
3. xBk
 
The 2025 Best Of Des Moines Poll is now closed. Results will be published in the February 2025 issue of CITYVIEW.
 

- Final 3 days of Playhouse's “Beauty and the Beast,” Dec. 27, 28, 29. 

- Explore art galleries, museums, even the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
$494,990
1013 55th St.
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Welcome to your dream home in the highly sought-after West Des Moines neighborhood! This stunning one-owner home boasts over 3600 sq ft of finished living space, showcasing true pride of homeownership. On the main floor, you'll be greeted by a spacious living room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace, perfect for those chilly Iowa nights.

See the listing here.

 
See More Homes For Sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
7500 S.W. 22ND ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-09-03
SALE PRICE: $4,000,000
SELLER: WIES BOIS DEVELOPMENT LLC
BUYER: IOWA EQUITY EXCHANGE PRKG 3001 LLC
ACRES: 2.636
SQUARE FEET: 24,000
 
Featured in the current
issue of Norwalk Living magazine
 

Kluever champions dementia-friendly communities

By Lindsey Giardino

Denise Kluever dedicated her career to helping others as an occupational therapist with a particular focus on assisting individuals with dementia. After retiring, Kluever’s commitment to the cause didn’t end. Instead, she took on a new role as a “dementia friendly champion,” advocating for education and change in communities across Iowa to make life easier and more respectful for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
As dementia rates rise, the need for dementia-friendly communities is becoming increasingly important, she says.

“It is estimated that, by next year, there will be over 70,000 Iowans living with dementia,” Kluever shares. “Most of these people are not in care facilities but are living in the community.”

 
READ MORE
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Legendary Eagles LB Bill Bergey dies at 79 after cancer battle. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:  Travis Kelce Reaches Major Milestone, Sets Chiefs Record in Win Over Steelers ... READ MORE
 
FROM Yahoo Sports: Mikal Bridges, Knicks spoil Victor Wembanyama's monster Christmas debut at Madison Square Garden. ... READ MORE
 

1943: Britain surprises German attacker in the Arctic. On December 26, the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst is sunk by British warships in the Arctic after decoded German naval signals reveal that the Scharnhorst is on a mission to attack an Anglo-American convoy to Russia.  ...READ MORE

1996: Body of six‑year‑old JonBenét Ramsey is found. On the afternoon of December 26, 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey is found dead under a blanket in the basement of her family's Boulder, Colorado, home. John and Patsy Ramsey, her parents, had called police at 5:52 that morning to report their daughter missing. Although police found a ransom note demanding $118,000, the money would never be necessary, because JonBenét had already been killed. The crime soon became a national sensation. .... READ MORE

2004: Tsunami devastates Indian Ocean coast. A powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004 sets off a tsunami that wreaks death and devastation across the Indian Ocean coastline. The quake was the second strongest ever recorded and the estimated 230,000 dead made this disaster one of the 10 worst of all time. ... READ MORE

 
 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy Birthday Jason Wiegert!

These celebrities were born on this date:  Drummer Lars Ulrich, Actor Jared Leto, Actor Beth Behrs, Actor Kit Harington, Actress Eden Sher, TV Host John Walsh, Humorist David Sedaris, Singer Chris Daughtry, Rapper Prodigy

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle:What did the English teacher call Santa's helpers? SUBORDINENT CLAUSES! - Gail Tomlinson, Carolyn Rogers

Today's riddle:What do you call a cat sitting on the beach on Christmas Eve?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Johnston Living magazine or weekly, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

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