Welcome to the Friday 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.
“Congratulations, I know you don’t want to be the person that writes about your grandchildren all the time (Grandparenting, Jan. 27, 2025). This one is the first and the most important. Thank you for taking the time to do so and the reminder to us all about the important things in life. Family and the time you get to spend with them. Blessings to you and your growing family.” - Jimmy
Thank you, Jimmy. - Shane
“Loved the photo of you and your grandson, and all your plans for future adventures with him (Grandparenting, Jan. 27, 2025).” - Susan
I am certainly looking forward to it all. - Shane
“This morning's column regarding food critics hit a sore spot with me (Words from Babe, Jan. 28, 2025). I worked for a few years in the food industry (is there anyone who has not?); the points you make are valid and usually overlooked. Thanks for shining a light on them. Going further, the food servers deal with a lot of pressure, from the kitchen (cooks, etc.) and then from the customers, many of whom are unfairly demanding and some can be downright nit-picking. And then they'll 'tip' a couple dollars on a $25 bill. For the past 40 years or so, my tips have been based on service quality, not the amount of the bill. If service is fantastic, I'll leave a $10 bill on a $15 check. In my view, customers should be as courteous to their servers as they would like the servers to be to them. We are all humans, after all!” - Steve
Excellent points, Steve. See you at dinner. - Shane
“As usual, I am laughing with the publisher’s message in Clive Living (January 2025). My husband’s first car was also a Mustang. Bright red and cool 1960s styling. Fun times.” - Sherry
His Mustang was certainly cooler than mine. My 1980 baby blue, 4-cylinder hatchback didn't turn a lot of heads, but it was good for a few laughs. - Shane
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks 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. |
|
|
| State Auditor Sand releases fraud investigation of CFI | | | Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand today released a special investigation of Children and Families of Iowa (CFI), a non-profit partially funded with federal tax dollars allocated by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). |
|
|
Sand’s investigation uncovered the misuse of $436,179 by CFI program Director Jodi Spargur-Tate. Spargur-Tate oversaw the Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Workers programs. The total amount of misused funds includes $324,586 of improper reimbursements to Spargur-Tate, as well as $102,250 diverted to family members for rent, cell phone service, utilities and daycare.
“This further emphasizes the importance of oversight and making sure someone is watching how tax dollars are spent,” said Sand. “For five of the last six years, our office’s audits of Iowa Workforce Development told them they needed to do more sub-recipient monitoring, looking more closely at the people getting these funds.”
Sand recommends that IWD establish policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal monitoring standards and that CFI exercise sufficient oversight, strengthen internal controls, and provide adequate segregation of duties.
Monetarily, the CFI investigation is the fifth largest misuse of tax dollars uncovered by the Auditor’s Office since Sand began serving in 2019. The complete report can be found on the Auditor of State website. Additionally, a video of Auditor Sand’s news conference is available on YouTube. |
|
|
FROM KCCI: How Des Moines Airport prepares for emergencies. DES MOINES, Iowa — After hundreds of first responders in the Washington, D.C., metro responded to Wednesday night's mid-air collision, KCCI spoke with officials at the Des Moines Airport about their emergency response plan. ...READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Blank Children’s Hospital ER sees record high visits. DES MOINES, Iowa — Blank Children’s Hospital’s emergency room has seen record high visits of children with winter illnesses this week. Dr. Amy Groen, an Emergency Room Physician at Blank Children’s Hospital, said that on average Blank has 72 patients a day visit the emergency room and that this past week the number of visits a day has topped 130. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI: House passes casino moratorium bill, Senate to debate next week. If the bill passes the House, Senate and receives the governor's signature by next Thursday, plans for a new, $275 million casino in Cedar Rapids will be halted. ...READ MORE |
|
|
Clear Mortgage meteorology
Rain ends this morning. Nice temps through the weekend, then chillier weather next week.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
| Read the latest CITYVIEW | | | BOOK REVIEW
‘The King Arthur Baking Company Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker’
Courtesy of Beaverdale Books
By King Arthur Baking Company
10/22/24
464 pages
$45
Simon Element
I love a challenge, so it’s not surprising that I joined with the many thousands who have tried to master bread baking over the last few years. It turns out, it’s both more complicated and blissfully simple than I ever could have guessed. Baking the perfect loaf has not become an obsession, and I can’t get enough. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
Cabbage inflation is a big story in Japan. This month, heads of cabbage cost a record $3.50 in Tokyo. That drove restaurants to take okonomiyaki (cabbage pancakes) off menus rather than pass the cost on. Crops are retarded this year and hot, dry weather is blamed. Japanese like cabbages to grow to three pounds or more before harvesting. If we had cabbage inflation in Iowa, would anyone notice? (Newsroom Tokyo)
Starbuck's returns to "customers ahead of homeless" interests. On Jan. 27 they rolled out a new code of conduct at its cafes across North America, aiming "to improve guests’ and staff’s safety and experience." Included is a reversal of a nearly seven-years policy allowing the general public to linger and use the bathrooms regardless of whether they buy anything. The new policies include adding signs banning harassment, violence, threatening language, outside alcohol, and smoking and panhandling in its stores. The new code of conduct for customers is part of the Seattle coffee giant’s effort to make its stores more hospitable to customers, as it seeks to reverse dwindling sales. (WSJ)
Weekend deals
• Vitis Distribution will be pouring wines from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Gateway Market (2202 Woodland Ave., Des Moines) and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon at Graziano's (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
• Creme (543 28th St., Des Moines) is a Lunar New Year pop up store Saturday in collaboration with Dumpling House, Meanz Chan and Jade Studio. Everything from tattoos and red envelopes to dumplings, sponge cakes and milk tea will be offered.
• Zombie Burger (300 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) hosts a pop up ramen shop until spring.
• Fresh Thyme's (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) winter open house is Saturday from 11 a.m. Samples, giveaways and exclusive offers are promised.
• Fish Fry Friday night specials can be found at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale), Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), Cracker Barrel (11701 University, Clive) and Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines).
• Brenda Trang offers a fabulous Friday buffets every Friday at Vietnam Cafe - Merle Hay Mall Food Court, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. - $18.95.
• Bawarchi (6630 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) has Friday - Sunday specials on paneer kebabs, chicken curry and goat curry.
• Mickey's in Yale (217 Main St., Yale) has hot beef sandwich lunches and all you can eat fish dinner specials today.
• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) offers BBQ beef and marinated roast beef sandwiches on special for Friday lunch.
• 801 Chophouse (801 Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers Sunday supper specials that deliver deep discounts on filet, prime rib and red king salmon dinners.
• Tito’s Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) now has brunch on Fridays as well as Saturdays and Sundays.
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.
• Friday night is paella time at Purveyor (505 E. Grand, Des Moines, officially, but really on E. Fifth), real Valenciana paella.
• Wendy's Fry Days mean free fries Friday with a purchase.
• Maxie's Supper Club's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Friday special is chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes - $16.95 all day. They also have prime rib dinners on Friday and Saturday for dinner only, $30-38.
• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) has a beef Bourguignon Sunday special for $28.00.
• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on avocados at six for $2.99, bacon at $3.99/pound and various scallops and seafood medleys at $7.99/pound through Tuesday.
• Westown Tap (3530 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers $12 flatbreads on Fridays.
• El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill (3751 EP True Parkway, West Des Moines) has live music on Friday from 6 p.m.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Place for Laser Hair Removal
1. Coachlight Clinic & Spa
2. Milan Laser Hair Removal
3. Skin Body Soul Spa
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 | | | |
$804,900
2319 N. Ninth Court
Indianola, IA 50125
This stunning, fully custom walk-out ranch, built in 2021, is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining! Featuring 4 beds, 3 baths, and upgraded finishes throughout, this home boasts a large open kitchen ideal for family dinners and two cozy fireplaces. The spacious lower level includes an amazing open bar, perfect for hosting get-togethers. ...
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
|
|
| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 204 12TH ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-10-25
SALE PRICE: $2,400,000
SELLER: NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
BUYER: CORDOBA HOLDINGS DSM LLC
ACRES: 0.455
SQUARE FEET: 39,885 | | | More transactions |
|
|
Featured in the current
issue of Grimes Living magazine | | | Meet Kari Traver
Special education associate helps all students feel loved.
By Ashley Rullestad
Kari Traver began working as a special education associate in 2009 and chose the job because it worked well with being a mom. She came to Dallas Center Grimes in 2017 and has been at South Prairie since 2020.
“I have been doing this job since my youngest went to kindergarten in 2009 in Topeka, Kansas,” she says. “My job is a one-to-one special education associate to help all students, not just special education students, become the best version of themselves academically, socially and emotionally. After realizing the positive impact I was having, I knew that this wasn’t just a job, but what I was meant to do.” | | | READ MORE |
|
|
FROM ESPN: Ravens' Justin Tucker says massage therapists' allegations 'false' ... READ MORE
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Sources: Investigation Underway Into Alleged Game-Fixing in NBA, College Basketball ... READ MORE
FROM Yahoo Sports: U.S. figure skating team members were aboard plane that crashed near Washington D.C. ... READ MORE |
|
|
1945: The execution of Pvt. Slovik. Pvt. Eddie Slovik becomes the first American soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion—and the only one who suffered such a fate during World War II. ...READ MORE
1950: Truman announces development of H‑bomb. On January 31, 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly announces his decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb, a weapon theorized to be hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. ... READ MORE
1968: Viet Cong attack U.S. Embassy. On this day in 1968, as part of the Tet Offensive, a squad of Viet Cong guerillas attacks the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. The soldiers seized the embassy and held it for six hours until an assault force of U.S. paratroopers landed by helicopter on the building’s roof and routed the Viet Cong. The Tet Offensive was planned as a massive, simultaneous attack on the major cities and provincial capitals of South Vietnam. ... READ MORE
|
|
|
| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Steve Goodman!
These celebrities were born on this date: Kelly Lynch, Anthony LaPaglia, Minnie Driver, Bobby Moynihan, Kerry Washington, Justin Timberlake, Marcus Mumford, Tyler Hubbard, Julián Álvarez, Nolan Ryan
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to the last riddle: Why did the archaeologist go bankrupt? HIS CAREER WAS IN RUINS! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Because she got buried in her dig! - William Snyder. Or, He couldn't make the mortgage payments on his "digs" (living quarters)! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, Because he could not dig himself out of the hole! - Kris Laurson
Today's riddle: What is the name of Darth Vader's corrupt brother?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
o advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk Living magazines, contact:
Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@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
|
|
|
|
