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.

“Shane, great column with some worthwhile things to consider for a small town (Chicken or the egg, Feb. 3, 2025). I forwarded this to our growth alliance director.” - Pete

I imagine many folks may agree with the thoughts, but few will actually follow through. - Shane

“Shane, I just read your article about chickens, eggs and chambers of commerce (Chicken or the egg, Feb. 3, 2025). We need all chambers to search the state for flocks of chickens with natural immunity. Get them going and growing, and we soon will have eggs to cover the projected shortfall. Just saying.” - Dennis

I say, I say you might be on to something, Foghorn. - Shane

“Shane, I sympathize with Rachel Peterson on receiving donations that will help and not hinder a nonprofit (Donations, Feb. 4, 2025). I serve on two food pantry boards, and you cannot believe what people think we ‘want’ as a donation. They clean out a loved one’s kitchen cupboard and make a huge donation of non-perishables, but when we review the items, many are opened or, worse yet, expired. This means we have to throw the items away and cannot use them. Please look your donations over before you bring them by. We also have received home goods, and we do not have the space for the items. This means a volunteer needs to take them to a thrift store to donate. The thing I tell people when they ask what donations we take is to go to the organization’s website and see their needs list. If you do not see one on the website, contact them beforehand. It might require you to make a couple of stops to donate things, but then the items will end up in the hands of those who need them.” - Lu Anne

Great suggestions, Lu Anne. Thank you. - 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
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

Tune in to KFMG Saturday at 10 a.m. when Kitchen Insider welcomes Steve Vasquez and Kevin Fifo to discuss all things wine, barbecue and blues, including the by products of wine and their role in BBQ.

Weekend deals

• 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). Lent dinners don't begin until March 5.

DES MOINES FORGOTTEN
The Negro Motorist Green Book

By Kristian Day

I was in Memphis between Christmas and New Years for the very first time, and I fell in love with the city. It didn’t feel much bigger than Des Moines, and the current music scene had it going on. As far as historical landmarks, I was able to visit both Sun and Stax Records (Stax > Sun), Beale Street and simply embrace the vibes. I also walked through the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

A special bond
Local grandparents share why living close to their grandkids is so important to them.

By Ashley Rullestad

These days, kids often grow up, move away and start family and careers far from where they grew up. Siblings are often scattered across the country and even the globe. Dinners with the extended family is now regulated to the holidays, when those who are able make the trip “back home.” But there is something about grandkids that brings about another family shift. Many young families decide their kids would benefit from having family close by, and many grandparents find retirement is the perfect time for making a move closer to family. Some of those grandparents who live close to their grandkids share what it means to them to form the special bonds that come from time spent together.

Johnston generations
Kelly Brose moved to Johnston when she was a freshman in high school. She then met her now husband, Mike, who has lived in Johnston since he was 4 years old. His mom still lives in the same house they did when he was young. In fact, his parents are long-time residents of Johnston; the Kinseys have been part of the town since the 1930s.

Happy Birthday Eric Smith on Saturday!

These celebrities were born on this date: Ashton Kutcher, Chris Rock, Essence Atkins, Garth Brooks, James Spader, Eddie Izzard, David Bryan, Deborah Ann Woll, Isaiah Thomas, Steven Stamkos, Tina Majorino, Tom Blankenship

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

The answer to the last riddle:What do you call the little rivers that flow into the Nile? Juve-Niles! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Streams of de Nile (denial)! - Shane Goodman

Today's riddle: What do you call a psychic gnome who escaped from prison?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:

Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.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!