Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Shane, I too have that memory of the TV guide on my parents end table in the den (TV guide, March 15, 2023). Also, there would be hell to pay if it was lost in another room. I would love to see a TV column in the pages of the CITYVIEW. I may be the minority in this decision, but it’s a great idea. Let’s show the young readers what they’ve been missing.” - Donna

Based on the number of letters I received on this, you are clearly not alone. More to come. - Shane

“When it comes to dandelions, Shane, it’s too bad you weren’t adopted by my mom (Dandelions, May 1, 2023). When she could no longer mow her own lawn, she hired a lady to perform the task for her. In the spring, the lady would also thatch the lawn and offer to treat it to kill the dandelions. My mom actually told her, ‘But if you kill all my dandelions, I won’t have any flowers!’ ” - Bob

Then you know the old saying: One woman’s dandelion is another woman’s flower. - Shane

“You evoked a whole bunch of forgotten fond memories about summers. That hand trimmer is not one (Dandelions, May 1, 2023). Another torture device was a long-handled edger you pushed along the sidewalk and curb. The first pass of the season was tough. If you consistently edged each mowing, it was a thing of beauty to the obsessive-compulsive mind. Living in an association townhouse now, I miss those days for April and May. But as summer wears on and the brutal heat of August arrives, I feel for the fellows who still have to walk from tree to bush to garden edges, despite the high-powered gas trimmers they lug. May your socks shine brightly.” - John 

We didn't have that fancy edger. Mom would dig out the sidewalk edges with a spade, just wide enough for my bicycle tire to get stuck in. - Shane

“Nice column on hate, Shane (Hate, May 2, 2023). I also don't hate any person. I do hate shrink wrap. It often brings me to acts of violence against inanimate objects. I can't help it. That stuff really ticks me off. Take care.” - John  

Bingo! - Shane

“I have to agree about the H word (Hate, May 2, 2023)! I HATE when people use it! LOL! I encourage my kids, family and friends to not use the word because, as you said, it has such negativity to it and drains energy. I simply say that I ‘strongly dislike’ something instead of ‘hating.’ That being said, I do HATE liver!! The taste, texture…Yuck! Have a wonderful week!” - Kim

Mingo bingo! - Shane

“Loved your column on hate. Like you, I shy away from using the word and ‘hating’ others. 
We should love and forgive others (Hate, May 2, 2023). This does not mean you accept their behavior. It simply means not carrying hate in your heart, which leads to bitterness. Hate does not harm the hated but, it does harm the hater. God bless.” - Kevin

Bingo, bango, bongo! - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thank for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Tuxedo Shop

1. Skeffington’s Formal Wear

2. Backroom Clothing

3. Weddings By Design – The Tux Shop

SEE EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

We've got storm chances on tap through the middle of the day, with lingering rain possible this evening. Saturday looks dry in the metro area for the most part until nighttime, when we'll see another round of storms into Sunday morning. The pattern repeats itself Sunday night. Temps warm into next week.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

Meet Julie Cusack

Helping students think deeply and critically

By T.K. West

A Midwesterner through and through, Julie Cusack grew up on the south side of Chicago before relocating with her family to the Denver area when she was in high school. She received her undergraduate degree in Missouri and accepted her first teaching job in Omaha, where she also earned a master’s degree. Today, she teaches English for the Urbandale Community School District. Although this is her first year at the Urbandale High School, it is her 17th year as an educator.

“I love the students here. They are incredibly hard-working, respectful and genuinely appreciative of their teachers. I love Urbandale's small-town, community feel. I am used to teaching in much larger districts, and here, it feels like everyone knows each other,” Cusack says.

... Read more in the April issue of Urbandale Living magazine.

These celebrities were born on this date: Adele, Brian Williams, Chris Brown, Danielle Fishel, Henry Cavill, John Rhys-Davies, Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What did the baby robot say to its mommy? I LOVE YOU WATTS AND WATTS! - Gail Tomlinson, Rex Post; or "It’s time to change my batteries!" - William Snyder

Today's Riddle

What do you call a chicken that is staring at a lettuce?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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