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Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Good morning to you!

In the days before plastic bags were the go-to choice to have groceries “sacked” in, we relied on brown paper bags. We appreciated how neatly they folded. We didn’t appreciate how easily they ripped — and the pickle jars crashing to the ground. Those little paper handles were certainly not reliable.

Brown paper bags had other purposes, too. Many of you recall using them as book covers for your textbooks at school. My teachers would request that we students bring our brown paper sacks to class. We all had a stash of them at home. They would then instruct us on how to properly cut and fold them to get the perfect fit and keep our books from becoming beat up from the daily wear and tear.

I don’t know if these book covers are still being created and used today or not. Paper bags are more difficult to find, and, for that matter, so are textbooks.

Regardless, I realized I have not made one of these book covers in decades, and I wondered if I still knew how. I needed a little help from the Internet, but I rediscovered how great these paper bag book covers truly are. If she were still alive, Betty Lou Varnum from “The House With the Magic Window” would be proud of me. The process is quite simple:

• Prepare your paper bag
• Cut the paper to size
• Fold the top and bottom edges
• Wrap the jacket evenly around the book
• Slide the book securely into the paper bag book cover
• Use your artistic talent and scribble all over it

The trick, as you may remember, is in the folding of the top and bottom, which creates the sleeve for the hard cover to slide into without the need of any tape. If you learn better with pictures, check out this site.

I recognize that most of you are saying, “Shane, I no longer have textbooks. Why would I need to wrap a book at this stage of my life?” You probably don’t have much of a need to create brown paper bag book covers for yourself, but if you know a kid who needs to get off of his or her phone and work on something creative, this might be the ticket.

Of course, you will have to find a book. And a paper bag.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, 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.

 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: OSHA fines Iowa youth residential facility $37.5K in worker's death.  JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed its investigation into the May 8 death of employee Kathleen Galloway-Menke is complete. OSHA cites three violations, two being serious. The youth group home serves some of the state's most troubled teens and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Boys State Basketball tournament making big move in 2027.  DES MOINES, Iowa — A change of location is on the horizon for the Iowa Boys State Basketball Tournament, starting in 2027. On Tuesday, the Iowa High School Athletic Association an agreement with Iowa State University to move the boys basketball tournament to Hilton Coliseum in Ames. A five-year deal has been reached, with support from Discover Ames.  ...READ MORE

FROM WOI: Shots fired in Columbus Park neighborhood, DMPD says. DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police are investigating a shots fired incident in the Columbus Park neighborhood Tuesday night. Multiple calls to DMPD reported gunfire in the area of SE 2nd Street and Edison Avenue around 7:15 p.m., according to a news release.. ...READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

We'll start off with rain developing through early Wednesday in central Iowa and the Des Moines area. Snow is expected in western and northwest Iowa on Wednesday. A Blizzard Warning and Winter Storm Watch go into effect this morning. We could see 6-10"+ in the north and west sections of Iowa. A High Wind Warning will also be in effect across much of Iowa, including Des Moines today. Winds will gust over 50 mph during the day and and especially in the afternoon. Rain in Des Moines will transition to some snow this afternoon. Less than an inch of slushy accumulation is expected in the Des Moines Metro.
The rest of the week will be cooler with highs in the 40s and 50s. We may see a few showers Friday evening and on Sunday.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

 
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 

Best Local French Fries
1. B-Bop’s

2. 2nd Ave Sandwich

3. Francie’s Bar & Grill

 
See all of the results
 
 

Woebegone Wednesday
CBS reports that perhaps the most destructive illegals crossing the U.S.-Canada border are “super pigs” spreading their wanton lust for crops south from Saskatchewan to North Dakota and Montana. They are doing multi billions of dollars of damage to U.S. crops and have even killed Americans.
 
Terra Cafe closed over the weekend. Terra Grill still thrives.
 
Woebegone quote of the month. This is from Gary Indiana’s "Vile Days," a collection of his Village Voice columns from the 1980s: “I have avoided New York nightlife for years. Everything always looks to me like a stale parody of something else. Sexual opportunity is dead. So is romance. All anyone does any more is eat dinner, take meetings and die.”

Bargains today
• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston). 
• Barntown's (9500 S.E. University Ave., West Des Moines) Wednesday specials are a pound of chicken tenders with fries and two sauces for $11.99, plus $13 core pitchers of beer.
• Wednesday is Biryani Festival at Chowrastha (5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines). Buy two and a third is free.
• Wednesdays bring steak night to Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines). Steaks are cooked to order with salad, potato and bread, $14.99.
Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $11.50 on Wednesday. 
• Kids eat free with every paying adult on Wednesdays at Chuck’s (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines).
 Rangemasters Training Center (10520 Hickman Road, Clive) has a Wednesday ladies day special of $13 per person for live firing range and one target. $10 handgun rentals or BYOG.
• Price Chopper stores have sales on strawberries, the best I have purchased since last summer, at $1.99/pound, tuna steaks frozen at $7.99/pound and steamable frozen vegetables at 99 cents through Monday. 
• Bordanaro's (6108 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday-Thursday only special on carryout pizza. They start at $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie. Each ingredient added is an extra charge, but this pretty much adds up to half-price pies.
• It's lasagna day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines), breaded pork tenderloin day at Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St.,Des Moines), and barbecue ribs evening at G Migg's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction).
• Panka Peruvian (2708 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has live jazz Wednesday. 
• Jethro's offers breaded pork tenderloins for $9.99 on Wednesdays.
• Tonight is walleye night at Waterfront.  
 Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) begins a week long sale today on coho salmon fillets at $5.99/pound, 41/50 sized shrimp at $3.99/pound and all bulk nuts at 25% off. 
 
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

PEOPLE & PETS
Saving lizards and snakes

By Jackie Wilson

Reptiles. Most people cringe or back off when encountering a slithering snake, a prehistoric-looking lizard or any other sticky-toed reptile.

Other folks keep these animals as pets but find they can no longer care for the reptiles.

That’s where Cam and Cole Reiman come in. They established Spock’s Sanctuary, a place where pet owners can surrender and adopt reptiles.

At the sanctuary, snakes, geckos, lizards, frogs and more all coexist in their cages and enclosures.

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$750,000

8377 Illinois St.
Indianola, IA 50125

This country home is a dream come true, offering peace, space, and a lifestyle that’s very different from city living. Many compelling reasons to consider this home including an exceptional country setting. Just under 10 acres located west of Indianola and less than 1/8 mile off paving. Minutes from Indianola and easy access to Des Moines and  1-35 for your commute....

 
See the listing here.
 
See More Homes For Sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
4995 MERLE HAY ROAD, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-11-29
SALE PRICE: $305,000
SELLER: ADI LAKSHMI LODGING INC
BUYER: MIDWEST CHEERS INC
ACRES: 1.848
SQUARE FEET: 4,442
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Indianola Living magazine
 

Who let the dogs in?
Therapy dogs boost mental health and academics.

By Becky Kolosik

Emerson Elementary welcomed a new staff member this year. But she isn’t your typical school employee. Sadie happens to be furry… and has four legs. A 6-year-old goldendoodle, Sadie greets students in the morning with excitement and then moves between classrooms throughout the day providing comfort to students who might need a little extra support.

Emerson Principal Brittany Murillo is no stranger to therapy dogs, having implemented a program at her previous district.
“Whether it’s a student who’s feeling sad or stressed, or one who simply needs a calming presence, Sadie is there to help,” says Murillo.

“She also gets to celebrate student achievements and be a part of a classroom celebrations. Teachers and staff have embraced her wholeheartedly, and she’s become an integral part of our school.”

 
READ MORE
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN.COM: Predicting 10 women's March Madness early-round NCAA upsets  ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: March Madness Brackets: Expert Predictions for the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament.  ... READ MORE
 
FROM Yahoo Sports: Murder charges filed against suspect in death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano during Super Bowl week  ... READ MORE
 

2003: War in Iraq begins. On March 19, 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S. President George W. Bush announced in a televised address, “At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.” President Bush and his advisors built much of their case for war on the specious claim that Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of building weapons of mass destruction.. ...READ MORE

1999: Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case. On March 19, 1999, law enforcement officials discover the charred bodies of forty-two-year-old Carol Sund and sixteen-year-old Silvina Pelosso in the trunk of their burned-out rental car, a day after the vehicle was located in a remote area several hours from Yosemite National Park. Cary Stayner, a handyman at the lodge where the women were last seen a month before, later confessed to their murders as well as those of two other women.. ... READ MORE

1935: Harlem riot of 1935. A riot breaks out in Harlem when local residents suspect that a Black boy has been beaten, and possibly killed, by a white business owner. Although the rumors turn out to be false, the riot highlights the struggles of Harlem's historically Black community against discrimination during the Great Depression. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy Birthday Wendy Goodale!

These celebrities were born on this date:  Bruce Willis, Garrett Clayton, Theo Von, Andy Reid, Glenn Close, Jake Weber, Hakim Ziyech, Madhulika Krishnan, Hector Bellerin, Bun B, Clayton Kershaw, Mary Scheer, Caylee Cowan

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Where do bunnies live? IN THEIR NATURAL RABITAT! - Gail Tomlinson. Other answers from Irving Stone.

Today's riddle:  A joke from Chuck Golliher: What do you get when you cross a rabbit with a frog?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:

Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com

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