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.
“Shane, my father collected mustache cups and had three to four dozen before he passed (Coffee cups, Jan. 7, 2025). Each of us children got our choice. I am trying to locate mine, which involved a lobster. Dad had a sense of whimsy.” - Chuck
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I have to get one of these. My mustache would be dry — and my life would be complete. Thanks, Chuck! - Shane
“Greetings, Shane. I've noticed the perhaps cultural thing while riding bicycles on the High Trestle Trail, Usually after dusk or dark and generally just with people who are walking (Cattle lines, Jan. 13, 2025). It does seem, at first blush, that it may be a cultural or nation-based thing. However, I'm not always sure which side of the road to walk on alone or in a group. Generally, walking the (gravel) roads, I face traffic, unless I know there is one approaching from the opposite direction, but I've been told that is wrong. It certainly seems wrong on a bike trail. So, as always, I'm not certain that there is a 'right' other than not left. As always, I enjoy and appreciate your efforts.” - Mark
I have determined that, regardless of the country or origin, many tourists are simply rude. - Shane
“My dad used to threaten to give me castor oil when I complained about not feeling well (Tried and true cold remedies, Jan. 14, 2025). That never happened, but it was something back in his day. Did you ever hear that?” - Pat
Never had it. Never will. Sounds too much like motor oil. - Shane
“Rest. More sleep. You can never go wrong with a day of napping and plenty of fluids (Tried and true cold remedies, Jan. 14, 2025). Mom’s go-to cure was 7 up, chicken noodle soup and some sugar sticks — plus plenty of motherly love. When I was still in grade school and home with cold/bug, Vicks was the answer. We had the steamer in the room, and my chest was slathered with vapor rub. I have used Alka Seltzer Cold plus tabs in my adult years, and those have worked. I have also relied on the Canadian fixer-upper — 222s with codeine. Neocitran and three fingers of scotch cures damn near anything, too.” - Rex
I would sleep for a week with those tried and true remedies. - Shane
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and 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. |
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FROM KCCI: Fire crews battle blaze at Saylorville Marina. Several fire crews are on scene of a large fire at Saylorville Marina on Wednesday evening. Around 6 p.m., a fire involving several boats was reported at the marina. ...READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: No injuries reported after explosion at Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. MIDDLETOWN, Iowa — An explosion was reported at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in southeast Iowa Wednesday morning. According to a post on Facebook, at around 9:30 a.m. an explosion occurred in the ammunition production area of the plant. No injuries were reported. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI: Pella community mourns after couple identified in Texas crash. PELLA, Iowa — A Pella couple have been identified as the victims of a Friday motorcycle crash in Texas. KNIA Radio reports Dale and Evelyn Baarda died from injuries suffered when a car struck their motorcycle Friday afternoon in McAllen, Texas. ...READ MORE |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
A chillier Thursday is followed by milder temperatures into the weekend and warming into next week.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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Poetry Palooza! Revives a Beloved Historic Program
Iowa Leaders Share “Favorite Poems” at the Des Moines Art Center Poetry Palooza’s “Favorite Poem” program, which premieres on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Des Moines Art Center. A diverse group of 12 leaders from Central Iowa will take the stage to present their favorite poem and express the importance poetry plays in their lives. The free event, from 3-4:30 p.m., is a collaboration between the Iowa Poetry Association’s Poetry Palooza! and the Art Center’s Art Bridges Foundation.
World premiere
Theatre Midwest, in collaboration with the Des Moines Playhouse, presents the world premiere play, “The Gull (A Tragicomedy for One, After Chekhov),” at the Playhouse through Jan. 25.
Des Moines Performing Arts, Jan. 28 - Feb. 2. The new musical comedy, “Shucked,” makes its national tour stop in Des Moines.
“…flat out hilarious!” – The Wall Street Journal
KHOI/Vagrant Fear Productions co-fundraiser
6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 622 Douglas Ave., Ames. VFP will recreate live an Inner Sanctum radio drama. Original air date was April 23, 1946. The goal is to raise funds for both nonprofit organizations to fund future projects.
Iowa Bird Rehabilitation’s Second Annual Gala - Wings of Iowa, A Celebration of Birds
The Iowa Bird Rehabilitation gala is seeking contributors for its silent auction. The gala, on March 8, features food, fun and entertainment while raising awareness of the importance of wild birds in Iowa and the impact on our communities, our environment and our future. The organizers hope to be a beacon of light, hope and inspiration as they share otheir future goals, dreams and stories during a magical night about the birds. Anne Shimerdla, CEO and president of the Blank Park Zoo, will be the keynote speaker. Enjoy music from Iowa’s own Chad Elliott, watch live art, bid on the silent auction, play games, connect and be inspired. The Monroe, 1805 90th St., West Des Moines, 6-9 p.m. Individual seats or a table of 8 can be purchased at: www.iowabirdrehab.org with Early Bird pricing until Feb. 8.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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| Read the latest CITYVIEW | | | CIVIC SKINNY
Tourism grants total $300,000. Great Iowa Treasure Hunt returns $386,701,365. Don’t speed in Des Moines. State Fair wins 21 awards. And Iowans love Tito’s.
Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek tells CITYVIEW the speed camera story is “challenging,” “long” and “complex.” And he is right.
A little background: In 2011, the Des Moines Police Department began its Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program, which included speed cameras and red light cameras. The legislature passed a regulatory bill in 2024 that applies to speed cameras only and states they can only be deployed at locations approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Prior to the legislation, three mobile cameras were deployed at different locations throughout the city during weekdays based on citizen complaints of speeding, proximity to school zones, and known problem areas. The mobile units were supplemented by three fixed speed cameras: the I-235 camera, one in the 1200 block of Grand Avenue (westbound one-way street), and one at Ninth Street and Grand Avenue (southbound one-way street). Of the fixed cameras, only I-235 was approved by DOT. | | | READ MORE |
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Revival is over. Revival was a great American restaurant with four stores in the Twin Cities. Their chef was a James Beard semifinalist. It was one of the key restaurants that Chris Diebel visited to inspire Bubba in Des Moines. On Tuesday, they closed all four stores notifying employees by email. That was two weeks short of their tenth anniversary. Expansion made the restaurant think they needed to expand their menu far beyond their signature fried chicken. Chicago beef and pizza were the last two bad ideas.
Well deserved kudos to Simon Goheen and Andy Schumacher for their James Beard Awards semifinalist recognition. Simon’s restaurant was cited as a top 20 U.S. restaurant in the outstanding hospitality category. Andy, of Cobble Hill in Cedar Rapids, is a protégé of Matt Steigerwald of Wilson’s Orchard and Lincoln Café. Andy had been noted for the same award 10 years ago.
Thursday specials
• "Aboon them a’ ye tak your place" at Burns Night in Des Moines. It's being celebrated two days early tonight, but the Scots’ No. 2 holiday will feast away at Moxie Kitchen & Events (4119 University Ave., Des Moines). 5:30 p.m. with tickets from $55 to $150.
• Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); and Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola).
• Southridge Hy Vee has a $10 steak dinner special on Thursdays with $1 going to Southside Cares.
• Thursday nights, Moroccan couscous — lemon chicken, beef keftas, five vegetables, harissa — are $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines).
• Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99
• 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 tonight from 6 p.m.
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
• Cyd's Catering offers a Romantic Dinner that includes charcuterie, crudité with hummus, shrimp cocktails, filet mignon on salt bocks, shrimp Parmesan penne, pierogies, caprese salad and chocolate-covered strawberries for two - $300.
• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.
• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. $18.95.
• Table 128 (220 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) is running a weekly chef's special that sounds pretty special. Rack of wild boar, with curried squash puree, warm bean salad, braised chard, natural jus and mustard caviar. $25 through Saturday.
• RoCa (208 Court Ave., Des Moines) holds a Sea Smoke five-course wine dinner for $165 at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Seared chicken with marsala and mushroom cream sauce is the entree.
• Aldi has a sale on navel oranges at $2.99/4-pound bag, cucumbers at 59 cents, and Baby Bellas at $1.29/half pound package through Tuesday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Local Museum
1. Des Moines Art Center
2. State Historical Museum of Iowa
3. Des Moines Children’s Museum
The 2025 Best Of Des Moines Poll is now closed. Results will be published in the February 2025 issue of CITYVIEW. |
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$484,900
2610 Abbott Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
Welcome to the Chelsea floor plan by Orton Homes, a refined two-story home that combines beauty and functionality. This stunning home boasts 4 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a thoughtfully designed layout perfect for modern living. The main floor includes a flexible space, ideal for a home office or playroom. Upstairs, enjoy the convenience of second-floor laundry, making daily tasks a breeze.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 2200 EP TRUE PARKWAY, WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-10-16
SALE PRICE: $17,670,000
SELLER: HAMLET RESIDENTIAL COOPERATIVE
BUYER: TRUE PARKWAY IA LLC
ACRES: 11.780
SQUARE FEET: 189,186 |
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Featured in the current
issue of Indianola Living magazine | | | An unforgettable ride
Residents share the joy of their first car.
By Becky Kolosik and Darren Tromblay
What kids, strapped into the backseats of their parents’ cars, gazing through the gaps between the front seats and watching the road ahead, don’t think how great it will be when they are in the driver’s seat? And not just any driver’s seat, but the seat of their very own car. The power of the machine in their control. The freedom to choose the destination. The total control over the stereo. It’s no wonder people’s memories of their first auto stay vivid, and the stories remain a thrill to be told.
First car symbolizes freedom and family
They say you never forget your first car. It can be life changing, offering unique experiences and adventure… like a first date or carpooling to and from school or work. Or maybe rolling up to the fast-food drive up for the first time just because you can.
When Monte Sones looks back on his first car, all of those things come to mind, but there was also another reason his car was so special. | | | READ MORE |
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FROM ESPN: Heat planning to suspend Jimmy Butler for two games, sources say ... READ MORE
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Jaguars Fire GM Trent Baalke Amid Disappointing Search for Next Head Coach. ... READ MORE
FROM Yahoo Sports: Jets reportedly hiring Lions' DC Aaron Glenn as new head coach. ... READ MORE |
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1957: Toy company Wham‑O produces first Frisbees. The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. ...READ MORE
1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree. At a graduation ceremony at a church in Geneva, New York on January 23, 1849, Geneva Medical College bestows a medical degree upon Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in the United States to receive one. Despite the near-uniform opposition of her fellow students and medical professionals, Blackwell pursued her calling with an iron will and dedicated her life to treating the sick and furthering the cause of women in medicine. ... READ MORE
1991: Videotaped murder leads to convictions in Texas. Darrell Lunsford, a county constable in Garrison, Texas, is killed after pulling over a traffic violator. His murder was remarkable because it was captured on a camera set up in Lunsford’s patrol vehicle. The videotape evidence led to the conviction of the three men who beat, kicked, and stabbed the officer to death along the East Texas highway. ... READ MORE
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| Weekly fuel report | | | • The price of regular unleaded gasoline held steady, averaging $2.89 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are up 20 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.13, up 4 cents from last week’s price.
•Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.44. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.58 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 23 cents lower than the national average of $3.67.
•Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
•Natural gas prices were up $.14 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.89/MMbtu.
•Propane prices averaged $1.67 per gallon in Iowa.
•Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.04 per gallon.
LOWEST GAS PRICES IN METRO: According to GasBuddy (www.gasbuddy.com), the lowest gas prices can be found at: Sam's Club, 1101 73rd St., Windsor Heights, $2.52; BP, 2635 ADVENTURELAND Drive, Altoona, $2.55; Costco, 7205 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, $2.56; Kum & Go, one Clive location and three Urbandale locations, $2.57. |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Mariska Hargitay, Tiffani Thiessen, Norah O'Donnell, Chesley Sullenberger, Richard Dean Anderson, Anita Baker
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to the last riddle: What’s the most popular children’s movie in Ancient Greece? TROY STORY! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Jason and the Argonauts. - William Snyder
Today's riddle: What do you call a medieval camera?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Winterset Living magazines, contact:
Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com
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