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.
“It's my data, and I want paid for it now (The simple things in life, Jan. 22, 2025)!” - Brad
And get off my lawn now! - Shane
“As a frequent flyer in my past jobs, I can tell you that most airports have moved away from hand towels and to air dryers (The simple things in life, Jan. 22, 2025). What disturbs me is the percent of people that skip washing their hands because of the hand dryers. From my observation, when towels are present, a higher percentage of people wash their hands. This is by no means scientific but just my observation.” - Kevin
I believe your observations are correct, even after all the COVID concerns. - Shane
“Shane, I couldn't pass up the chance to add this quote from the great Vince Lombardi: ‘Perfection is unattainable, but chasing it we can catch excellence.’ (Good enough?, Jan. 21, 2025)” - James
And why not be excellent? - Shane
“Shane, I'm not only missing ‘real’ concert tickets, but the prices for them, too (The simple things in life, Jan. 22, 2025)! I am also missing restaurant receipts without tip percentages.” - James
That’s because you are good at doing math in your head. I, on the other hand, appreciate the help. - Shane
“Good evening, Shane. I want the paper towels back so that when I wash my hands I have the towel to use to open the door so I don't have to touch the door handle covered with cooties off the filthy unwashed hands of an unsanitary person (The simple things in life, Jan. 22, 2025).” - John
But aren’t you then putting your germs from the paper towel on the door knob? Just saying. - 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
See more of Shane Goodman's columns here. |
|
|
FROM KCCI: Metro elementary school to close Thursday and Friday due to spike in illnesses. JOHNSTON, Iowa — One metro elementary school is canceling classes for the remainder of the week because a large portion of its student body is sick. Johnston Community School District announced on Wednesday that Beaver Creek Elementary School would be closed on Thursday and Friday. More than 20% of the school's students are out with illness right now, the district says. ...READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Mayor Boesen talks difficult decisions as work to cut $17M from Des Moines’ budget progresses. DES MOINES, Iowa — The city of Des Moines is bracing for an extremely difficult financial year. Because of rising costs and limits on property tax growth, the city council must trim the budget by more than $17 million. That is a 9% cut to the annual budget. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI: What did Sen. Grassley ask RFK Jr. at his confirmation hearing? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. first appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, and will speak before the Senate Health Committee on Thursday. ...READ MORE |
|
|
Clear Mortgage meteorology
Rain moves in by evening and lasts until midday Friday. Mild through the weekend, then colder.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
I'll Make Me a World in Iowa
Celebrating the 2025 Heritage Legacy Award Honorees. The I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa Annual Heritage Legacy Awards are statewide recognition for Iowans and organizations that exemplify the organization’s mission, and, through their actions and community contributions, showcase excellence. Receiving honors are:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES:
• Ako Abdul-Samad
• Teree Caldwell-Johnson (posthumously)
• Dwight Jackson
EVELYN K. DAVIS YOUTH HONOREE:
• Hadley Harvey
Awards will be presented during the Embracing Excellence Grand Gala on Friday evening Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny. Tickets are available at https://www.worldiniowa.org/gala2025
EVENTS
Des Moines Performing Arts. “Shucked.” Jan. 28 - Feb. 2.
Tallgrass Theatre Company. “Ripcord.” Jan. 31 - Feb. 16.
Beaverdale Books – Local Author Fair featuring Lauren Joiner, Tiffany Killoren, Robbie Orr, Lacy Rose, Angela Younger. Saturday, Feb. 1, 1:30-3 p.m.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
|
|
| Read the latest CITYVIEW | | | YOUR NEIGHBORS
From grapes to seeds
By Cyote Williams
Stephen Volkmer-Jones has worn many hats throughout his life. He continues to wear plenty, but two appear to be his favorites: volunteering and grandparenting.
Volkmer-Jones went to school for architectural design but ended up working in the restaurant and wine business for several years. His original intention of getting into serving was to help pay for school. Well, after more than a decade at Guido’s as the maitre d’, wine distributor, and fine wine manager for Glazer’s distributing, it’s safe to say he enjoyed the career pivot.
“I hadn’t known anything about it till I started, because I was just going to work as a waiter so I could keep going to school, but, as it turned out… it was a wonderful career,” Volkmer-Jones said. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
America’s bourbon boom is over, and businesses are starting to hurt. Distillers are cutting jobs and shelving expansion plans. Why? Liquor sales soared during the pandemic as Americans were making more cocktails at home and drinking more frequently. Bourbon sales soared with the new millennium. Its comeback was helped by television shows like “Mad Men,” which featured 1960s advertising executives sipping on bourbon through the day. By 2015, the industry was so hot that barrels were in short supply, bourbon enthusiasts were stockpiling, and distillery workers routinely pulling 80-hour work weeks went on strike.
Today, drinkers are cutting back, plowing through bottles they accrued in pandemic years and turning to cheaper brands. Sales volumes of U.S. whiskey — including bourbon, Tennessee and rye — dropped 1.2% in 2023, marking the first fall since 2002, according to industry tracker IWSR.
Last year volumes were down 4% in the first nine months of 2024. In 2023, the volume of spirits sold in the U.S. declined for the first time in nearly three decades, according to IWSR. Makers of aged spirits added to their challenge by punting on future demand and laying down barrels to age years in advance.
However, American spirits production has continued climbing for 10 years. Kentucky alone produced 3.2 million barrels of bourbon in 2023 and had a record 14.3 million barrels aging at the start of last year, according to the KDA. (WSJ)
We don’t think this situation is changing anytime soon. Gen Z is the lightest drinking generation since Prohibition. The growing popularity of anti-obesity drugs, cannabis and low/no-alcohol drinks are increasingly hurting sales, too. The former U.S. Surgeon General recently suggested cancer warning labels on booze. The smart money says bourbon bargains for customers are coming soon.
Thursday specials
• Des Moines Historical Society hosts Historic Happy Hour at 5 p.m. this evening at Royal Mile (210 Fourth St., Des Moines). That pub's building has a ton of history.
• 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). The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a ribeye sandwich special at $12 Thursdays.
• 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 has 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.
• Southridge Hy-Vee has a $10 steak dinner special on Thursdays with $1 going to Southside Cares.
• Aldi has a sale on grapefruit at $3.99/5-pound bags. That's the best price we've seen all winter. They also have a sale on Mandarins and lemons both at $2.99/3-pound bag through Tuesday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Local Party/Event Transportation
1. 515 Party Bus
2. Your Private Bar
3. Majestic Limo & Coach
The 2025 Best of Des Moines Poll is now closed. Results will be published in the February 2025 issue of CITYVIEW. |
|
|
| Featured home for sale | | | |
$664,900
716 E. Bridge Road
Polk City, IA 50226
Welcome to the home you’ve been waiting for! This proposed new build offers you the unique opportunity to partner with Redwood Builders to design a home that suits your style and needs. With a thoughtful and flexible floor plan, this home is ready to be customized to your exact preferences. The proposed plan features 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and just over 1,700 square feet on the main level, with an additional 1,100 square feet in the finished basement. ...
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
|
|
| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 305 E. COURT AVE., UNIT 102, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-10-22
SALE PRICE: $563,000
SELLER: GSAR INVESTMENTS LLC
BUYER: SNOW PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.110
SQUARE FEET: 3,549 |
|
|
Featured in the current
issue of Grimes Living magazine | | | Lewis makes a difference
Dedicates time as a volunteer and board member
By Lindsey Giardino
For the past seven years, Dave Lewis has been a dedicated volunteer with Grimes Volunteer Support Services (GVSS), an organization he describes as “exceptional” in its mission and impact.
As a GVSS board member for three years and an active volunteer, Lewis has made it his priority to help community members stay connected and supported.
"My job primarily is picking up people and taking them where they need to go and back home safe,” he says.
While his involvement is more limited than it once was due to his full-time job, he still carves out time to give rides and support GVSS in other ways. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
| Weekly fuel prices | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 6 cents, averaging $2.95 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are up 19 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.12, down 1cent from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 2 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.42. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.57 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 25 cents lower than the national average of $3.67.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Natural gas prices were down $.77 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.12/MMbtu.
Propane prices averaged $1.68 per gallon in Iowa.
Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.03 per gallon. |
|
|
FROM ESPN: Georgia WR Colbie Young gets probation, fine in assault case ... READ MORE
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Utah Hockey Club Letting Fans Vote on Three Possible Nicknames After Yeti Moniker Rejected ... READ MORE
FROM Yahoo Sports: Bill Belichick wants the Super Bowl trophy named after Tom Brady: ‘He won 7 of them’ ... READ MORE |
|
|
1948: Gandhi assassinated. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the political and spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, is assassinated in New Delhi by a Hindu extremist on January 30, 1948. Born the son of an Indian official in 1869, Gandhi’s Vaishnava mother was deeply religious and early on exposed her son to Jainism, a morally rigorous Indian religion that advocated nonviolence. ...READ MORE
1972: “Bloody Sunday” in Northern Ireland. In Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 13 unarmed civil rights demonstrators are shot dead by British Army paratroopers in an event that becomes known as “Bloody Sunday.” The protesters, all Northern Catholics, were marching in protest of the British policy of internment of suspected Irish nationalists. ... READ MORE
1956: Martin Luther King Jr.’s home is bombed. On January 30, 1956, an unidentified suspected white supremacist terrorist bombed the Montgomery home of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No one was harmed, but the explosion outraged the community and was a major test of King’s steadfast commitment to non-violence. ... READ MORE
|
|
|
| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Logan Canova, Pete Gardner and Gary Bland!
These celebrities were born on this date: Abdullah II The King of Jordan, Ann Dowd, Carl Broemel, Christian Bale, Curtis Strange, Kylie Bunbury, Olivia Colman, Phil Collins, Vanessa Redgrave, Wilmer Valderrama, The King of Spain Felipe VI
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to the last riddle: What’s the greatest historical inaccuracy in any Indiana Jones movie? THAT HISTORY MAJORS LOOK LIKE INDIANA JONES! Other answers from William Snyder and Carolyn Rogers.
Today's riddle: Why did the archaeologist go bankrupt?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
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
Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE! |
|
|
This email was sent to:
email@example.com
Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131
|
|
|
|
