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, come over. We can set up the track and let them rip (Hot Wheels track, Jan. 29, 2025). Also have the wide track, too!” - Steve
I hope you mean it. See you at 7. - Shane
“While in Florida, we visit a couple different flea markets. It’s amazing how many Hot Wheels cars are available at those market — literally hundreds of all sizes, shapes and styles (Hot Wheels track, Jan. 29, 2025). But now that you mention it, I don’t recall ever seeing any track to go with them. I’ll have to take a closer look next time to see if I’m just missing it. After all, what good is a Hot Wheels car without the Hot Wheels track?” - Chuck
The track is only important if you appreciate speed. And who doesn’t appreciate speed? - Shane
“The Hot Wheels track. So simple yet so much fun — and not just for racing cars (Hot Wheels track, Jan. 29, 2025). My mother discovered they made excellent swatting tools for when my brother and I got out of line. Those tracks had a sting when they hit your fanny. Ouch! Sure do enjoy reading the Daily Umbrella!” - Debbi
I can relate. Mom didn’t use them, but my brother seemed to like smacking me with those things. - Shane
“Jobs will bring workers and should be first (Chicken or the egg, Feb. 3, 2025). Remember the major employer parking lot surveys around the nine central Iowa counties where you could find license plates from every other county and beyond? New workers will settle in and migrate to the job location as comfortable before workers will move to a promise of jobs they don't have. Sort of a ‘bird in the hand’ response. Working with existing employers to build business expansion, or even to sustain present success, is a vital parallel activity. I don't see new business attraction and current business retention as mutually exclusive. That is from my years of experience where I essentially worked all sides of the equation at one time or another.” - Chuck
Makes sense to me, Chuck. My simple point is to reach for the low-hanging fruit first. - 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 more of Shane Goodman's columns here. |
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FROM KCCI: Iowa lawmakers work to 'fix' school attendance policy passed last year. Current law requires Iowa schools to take action if students are chronically absent. Education experts, parents and state lawmakers said the law is too restrictive and said Senate Study Bill 1077 would give schools more flexibility and more guidance on how to comply. ....READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Iowa schools could start as early as day after state fair under new bill. The Iowa Senate Education Committee advanced SF 205, which allows both public and private schools in the state to start earlier. The bill states school calendars can begin as early as the second to last Monday of August and no later than the first Monday of December. That means there would be years where school starts the day after the fair has ended. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI: Iowa bill targeting PBMs advances, amid rising state pharmacy closure concerns. The bill would allow pharmacies to decline dispensing prescriptions to people if that pharmacy would be reimbursed less than its acquisition cost for that drug. ...READ MORE |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
Quiet today and Friday. Light snow is possible Saturday. More snow chances 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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| The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines® | | | Best New Local Restaurant
1. Oak Park
2. HiFi Brew Lounge
3. Zavy Kitchen
| | | See all of the results |
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More chicken: Just when you thought the chicken sandwich fast food business was saturated in Des Moines, Wichita-based Chick N Max announced plans to open "five to seven restaurants across Iowa." The fast-casual chain that refers to itself as the “Home of the Better Chicken Sandwich” announced plans to expand by as many as 50 locations along the I-35 corridor from Dallas-Fort Worth to Minneapolis, according to founder and CEO Max Sheets.
Harbinger GM Greg Moore is moving on to new endeavors outside the restaurant industry.
Thursday specials
• 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. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a ribeye special on Thursdays.
• 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.
• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.
• Price Choppers have a sale through Monday on frozen perch fillets at $5.49/pound, frozen catfish nuggets at $2.49/pound and Sugardale's excellent bacon at $3.99/pound.
• Aldi has a sale on Super Bowl party foods: Mama Cozzi pizza for $4.99/5.99 per 16-inch pie; avocados for 79 cents and chicken wings for $2.99/pound, through Tuesday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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| Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW | | | POLITICAL MERCURY
President Jimmy Carter taught my late father — and me — about ‘they say’ sourcing in journalism
By Douglas Burns
The conversation came rushing back to me sometime between the Carter grandchildren’s heart-tugging memories and Andrew Young’s magisterial closing eulogy during the funeral for President Jimmy Carter. | | | Read more |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$439,900
34311 Old Portland Road
Adel, IA 50003
This one of a kind property situated in esteemed Van Meter Schools offers a rare opportunity to have the quiet rural setting with starry skies, room to move and no convenants but be located less than 5 minutes from town! Step into this dreamy, story and a half with custom white woodwork, beautiful hickory floors and timeless finishes, like original leaded glass door and knobs and custom in floor lighting. ...
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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Mainframe Studios First Friday – Group Exhibition
Friday, Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m., 900 Keo Way, Des Moines.
Des Moines Playhouse. “Men on Boats.” Feb. 7 - March 2.
Ankeny Community Theatre. “Harvey.” Feb. 7-16.
AUDITIONS. Ankeny Community Theatre. “Witness for the Prosecution.” Feb. 8, 1 p.m.; Feb 10, 6:30 p.m.
Des Moines Symphony. Chicago’s Mei-Ann Chen leads the Orchestra. Feb. 8-9.
Appearing at Beaverdale Books, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Charles R. Kniker and Dianne Prichard joined forces in this meticulously researched and developed handbook for democracy and freedom, “Raising America: Building a More Perfect Union.”
Writing Workshop
Brooke Van Sickle, “Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Book that Sells to Publishers (and Readers)”
Feb. 18, 6 - 8 p.m. at Beaverdale Books
Join us for a free writing workshop hosted by Brooke Van Sickle (“This Is My Castle,” the 2020 Distinguished Favorite Preschool Picture Book), owner and founder of Journey to Kidlit.
Feb. 8 - Tea at Terrace Hill presentation
Michael Morain, Business Publications Corporation, Inc.
“Headlines from History: Seven Stories from Iowa’s Past”
Michael Morain shares seven fascinating stories from Iowa history that he wishes he could have covered as they happened.
allison.wergeland@governor.iowa.gov | Phone: 515-281-7205.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 601 S.W. THIRD ST., ANKENY
SALE DATE: 2024-10-28
SALE PRICE: $200,000
SELLER: MCCLURE & ASSOCIATES INC
BUYER: WE LLC
ACRES: 0.129
SQUARE FEET: 1,280 | | | More transactions |
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Featured in the current
issue of Clive Living magazine | | | An unforgettable ride
Residents share the joy of their first car.
By Sean Dengler
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.
Driving luxury
Kurt Flood worked hard for the first vehicle he owned.
“The first vehicle I owned was a 1989 Mercedes 300 E. I say ‘owned’ because it was the first vehicle I purchased with my hard-earned money working various odd jobs over the summer while studying at the University of Northern Iowa.”
He bought the Mercedes in 2012, and this Dowling Catholic social studies teacher loved it. | | | READ MORE |
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| Weekly fuel report | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 2 cents, averaging $2.97 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are up 13 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.13, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.47. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.53 in Iowa.
The current Iowa diesel price is 20 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 $.16 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.28/MMbtu.
Propane prices averaged $1.68 per gallon in Iowa.
Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.03 per gallon.
Lowest metro gas prices
From GasBuddy
• Kwik Star, 16050 Hickman Road, Clive, $2.63
• Sam’s Club, 4625 S.E. Delaware Ave., Ankeny, $2.63
• Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 1710 S.W. State St., Ankeny, $2.64
• Costco, 4000 N.E. Spectrum Drive, Ankeny, $2.66
Anken |
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FROM ESPN: Colorado's Deion Sanders says he 'couldn't coach pro ball' ... READ MORE
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Warriors Acquire Jimmy Butler in Blockbuster Trade With Heat ... READ MORE
FROM Yahoo Sports: As LIV Golf season begins, U.S. Open creates a new opportunity for LIV players ... READ MORE |
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1952: King George VI dies; Elizabeth becomes queen. On February 6, 1952, after a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the older of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death; she was officially crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27. ...READ MORE
1993: Tennis great Arthur Ashe dies of AIDS. On February 6, 1993, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, the only African American man to win Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Opens, dies of complications from AIDS, at age 49 in New York City. Ashe’s body later laid in state at the governor’s mansion in Richmond, Virginia, where thousands of people lined up to pay their respects to the ground-breaking athlete and social activist. ... READ MORE
1998: Mary Kay Letourneau goes back to prison. A judge reinstates the suspended sentence of schoolteacher Mary Kay Letourneau and sends her back to prison for seven years after she is caught violating a no-contact order with her former student Vili Fualaau, when she is found in a vehicle with the boy. ... READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Terrie Price and Barry Brown!
These celebrities were born on this date: Axl Rose, Rick Astley, Crystal Reed, Kathy Najimy, Amy Robach, Anna Diop, Mike Farrell, Richie McDonald, Tinashe, Tom Brokaw
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to the last riddle: Why does it cost big bucks to get a new rocket off the ground? BECAUSE THERE'S NO FREE LAUNCH! - Gail Tomlinson. And, to Randy Lagerblade, my apologies for the name change!
Today's riddle: What do you call the little rivers that flow into the Nile?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:
Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com
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