I love springtime. I hate allergies. Unfortunately, for me, one comes with the other. And, if the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics are correct (and how could the CDC be wrong?), I am not alone.
First off, what exactly defines an allergy? The CDC says, “An allergy occurs when an individual’s immune system misclassifies typically harmless substances as harmful and has a specific and reproducible immune response.”
What that means to many of us is itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, lots of sneezing and difficulty concentrating. For others, it means hives or even life-threatening anaphylaxis.
The CDC report uses 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to describe the prevalence of seasonal allergies, eczema and food allergies in adults in the United States. Here are a few of the findings:
Nearly one-third of adults aged 18 and older (31.8%) had a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy. Of that total, about one-quarter (25.7%) of adults had a seasonal allergy, 7.3% had eczema, and 6.2% had a food allergy. And since those numbers don’t add up, I am assuming some had a combination. Regardless, seasonal allergies are at the top of the list.
Women (29.9%) were more likely to have a seasonal allergy compared with men (21.1%). Or men are less likely to admit it — or go to a doctor.
What about age groups? According to the data, about one-quarter (24.7%) of adults aged 18-44 had seasonal allergies. Of adults aged 45-64, 27.9% did. Adults aged 65-74 were at 26.4%, and 21.7% of adults aged 75 and older had a seasonal allergy in 2021. So there may be good news in aging, at least for allergy sufferers.
And race? Non-Hispanic White adults (28.4%) were more likely to have a seasonal allergy
compared with Non-Hispanic Black (24.0%), Hispanic (18.8%), and Non-Hispanic Asian
(17.0%) adults. There was no specific information for French-German-Irish-Native-Americans like me.
I don’t recall my grandparents having allergies. Or my parents. Or maybe they did and just dealt with it on their own. I am not sure, but I suspect our environment is changing, and this is one of the ways we are responding. I am convinced that more pills are not the answer, but I am not sure what is. Meanwhile, I just deal with the itchy eyes, runny nose, ongoing sneezing and difficulty concentrating — and I enjoy springtime! Please pass me a tissue.
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 Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
Our next best storm chance comes later today, with another rain chance on a cooler Thursday. Most of the weekend looks dry.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Flood-related closures | | | Due to recent heavy rainfall upstream, the City of Des Moines will be experiencing minor seasonal flooding over the next few days. Residents and visitors should expect road and trail closures until river levels fall.
Des Moines Public Works and Des Moines Parks and Recreation are monitoring river levels closely.
Road Closures
George Flagg Parkway from SW 30th Street to Park Avenue will be closing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Trail Closures
• Neal Smith (6th Avenue to Birdland Marina)
• Bill Riley
• Grand Avenue Bridge section on Walnut Creek
• Principal Riverwalk (bottom river trail sections between Water Street and Locust heading north, and from Rotary Riverwalk Park to Locust heading south) |
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| From the May issue of CITYVIEW | | | CIVIC SKINNY
Simonson’s contributions total $285,332. Baltimore bridge collapse impacts Iowa ag. Stowe would be smiling.
Connie Boesen began her term as mayor of Des Moines on Jan. 2, taking over for the city’s longest serving mayor, Frank Cownie. As a result, Boesen’s at-large seat on the city council needed to be filled.
Five candidates — Dr. Claudia Addy, Benjamin Clarke, Justyn Lewis, Mike Simonson and Rose Marie Smith — wanted the seat. Simonson, a 64 year-old architect, ended up winning the race with 56% of the vote and will serve out the remainder of Boesen’s term, which goes through January of 2024. Lewis came in second with 33%, with the remaining 11% for the other candidates. | | | READ MORE |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
Best Local Antique Store
1. Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
2. Raccoon Forks Trading Company;
3. Memory Lane
Read all the results now!
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$750,000 5518 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
Dreaming of the quintessential century year old home, located on over an acre on one of the most iconic streets and neighborhoods of all of Des Moines? This stately home with almost 3,000 square feet, has had more than $325,000 in updates completed by the current owner.
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 122 FIFTH ST., WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-02-20
SALE PRICE: $550,000
SELLER: COMMONWEALTH PROPERTIES LLC
BUYER: FOREST AVE PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.079
SQUARE FEET: 4,344 |
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| From the May issue of Winterset Living magazine | | | Meet Kara Henrichs
Morphology balloon parade, readers’ theater and other fun lessons.
By T.K. West
While growing up in Lenox, Kara Henrichs watched both her parents become involved in the school system as well as give back to the local community. This paved the way for her wanting to become a teacher. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, she taught third grade at Creston Elementary School before recently entering her first year with Winterset Community School District. She currently teaches fourth grade ELA.
“Everyone was so welcoming. Winterset is feeling more like home, and a huge part of that is due to getting to know the staff and their families. In addition, I love being in the same school district as my daughter, who is in preschool,” Henrichs says. | | | READ MORE |
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Wobegone Wednesday. Daniel Boulud, whose U.S. restaurants won four Michelin Stars last year, told “Broken Palate” that he has been living above his signature Daniel restaurant in Manhattan for more than 25 years. He said he still misses "21 Club in New York, not for the culinary but for the history, the most powerful dining room with the most powerful clients. All the CEOs had their own toys hanging from the ceiling." … The late Linda Bisignano lived above her Chuck's for a quarter century, collecting amazing art and special toys. Ms. Biz's magnanimous spirit will turn 75 this August. … The dearly departed Cub Club restaurant in Des Moines was called "the Club 21 local" by the late Mayor Dick Olson. It was quite arguably the most powerful dining room with the most powerful clients in Des Moines. Is there another such place today? Let us know.
Buy them and kill them, part II. J.M. Smucker, which bought the Dickinson's brand in 1979, has now discontinued production of all Dickinson's jellies, jams, and preserves. Smucker's said that the difference between their jelly/jams and Dickinson's was just that the latter were made with one type of fruit, like Oregon marionberries, rather than a blend. We think there was a lot more to it. Dickinson's had been making them their way since 1897. Online, jars of Dickinson's jelly are being offered at about 10 times their previous prices.
Specials. Kwik Stars offer $9.99 eight piece packs of their excellent bone-in fried chicken today... Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale) features all you can eat pork ribs tonight... Whatcha Smokin’? (403 Iowa Ave., Luther) serves brisket burnt ends as a Wednesday special... Kids eat free with every paying adult on Wednesdays at Chuck’s (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines)… RoCA (208 Court Ave., Des Moines) will hold a Roy Vertical wine tasting at 6 p.m. this Thursday for $165 per person. The four-course dinner includes side-by-side tastings of two vintages of each wine. Tickets at exploretock.com/rocadsm/
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: Iowa school districts weigh arming school staff with keeping insurance coverage
AUDUBON, Iowa — A western Iowa superintendent is explaining why one insurance provider's policy could be the deciding factor for whether he allows staff to be armed on campus. ...READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Rising water at Saylorville Lake causing closures
SAYLORVILLE LAKE, Iowa — Recent heavy rains are causing water levels to rise at Saylorville Lake and some facilities are being closed because of the high water. On Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced multiple closures to protect the public’s safety. ... READ MORE FROM WHO
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Building community: How one Des Moines family has helped refugees over the decades
The Leach family has offered a welcoming presence both inside their store, the Family Music Center, and at their own home. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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ESPN: Miles Wood wins it in OT as Avs come back from three-goal deficit for Game 1 win.. READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Sharks Win 2024 NHL Draft Lottery With Chance to Select Macklin Celebrini ... READ MORE
YAHOO! Sports: Indianapolis Star bars columnist Gregg Doyel from covering Caitlin Clark, Fever after inappropriate exchange ...READ MORE |
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1945: V-E Day is celebrated in America and Britain. On May 8, 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine during World War II. ... READ MORE
2010: Betty White becomes oldest “Saturday Night Live” host .... READ MORE
1988: Woman convicted of killing two in Excedrin tampering. Stella Nickell is convicted on two counts of murder by a Seattle, Washington, jury. She was the first person to be found guilty of violating the Federal Anti-Tampering Act after putting cyanide in Excedrin capsules in an effort to kill her husband. ... READ MORE
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| Movie Review: “Wicked Little Letters” | | | (In limited theaters)
I needed to see a movie to round out my radio show, and the pickings were slim. So I headed to the Fleur Theatre on the south side of Des Moines. For years, the Fleur has offered excellent arthouse and independent movies. I had no idea what this movie was or who was in it. Sometimes you stumble into greatness and have a fun time. Based on a true story, set in the olden days, this one tells the tale of an English woman accused of sending vile and vulgar notes to people in her small village. It is a mystery to the townspeople who is behind this. “Wicked Little Letters” is both shocking and laugh-out-loud funny. It’s probably already out of the theaters by the time you read this but look for it on the streaming services. You’ll be glad you did. Grade: A
By Michael C. Woody. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986 and can be heard talking movies every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on KXn0 106.3 with Keith Murphy and Andy Fales. You can also follow him on Twitter @MrMovieDSM. | | | Button |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: David Attenborough, Oliver Bearman, Ethan Wacker, Enrique Iglesias, Desmond Dennis, Stephen Amell, Matthew Davis, Corey Mylchreest, Corey Mylchreest, Adam Huber, Aiden Arthur, Anthony Field, Melissa Gilbert, Kemba Walker
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? TEN TICKLES! - Celeste Tilton, Brent Antisdel, Carolyn Rogers, Gail Tomlinson
Today's riddle
Why don't trees watch scary movies?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW magazine, contact:
Megan Pugh
Account Executive
c: 515-360-1225
megan@iowalivingmagazines.com
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