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.
“Here are some scents that remind me of summer (Scents of summer, June 4, 2024). The fresh rain drops kicking up the dirt. County fair scents from corn dogs to cotton candy to the cattle barns. Smoking hot engines and dirt flying from the stock car races at the county fairgrounds. Boat engine exhaust on West Lake Okoboji on the Fourth of July from all those mooring out in front of Arnolds Park. Fresh-cut grass. Farmers baling hay.” - Rex
Wow. Throw in a dead skunk, and you summed up the aromas of an Iowa summer. Thanks, Rex. - Shane
“And then there is Iowa where voters not claiming a party are called NO PARTY (The deciders, June 25, 2024). That may imply independent but is not necessarily so. In the end, the only poll that counts is the voting poll that used to be Election Day.” - Chuck
That voting poll still counts, but with all the early voting, Election Day doesn’t seem to be as important as it used to be. - Shane
“Flying to Jacksonville via Minneapolis, I received word that our flight from Des Moines to Minneapolis would not get us to Minneapolis in time (Boom!, June 26, 2024). Change the arrangements yourself? Nope. It took the Delta agent a half-hour to cancel the DSM to MSP leg. Then he proudly said we were all set, except our return flight JAX to DSM would leave our car in MSP. To the point of all the charges, we got no refund for the DSM to MSP leg. I told him it wasn't right, but since we had to drive to MSP, I had no time to argue.” - John
We all have 24 hours each day, John. If you want time to argue, you have to make time for it. Keep smiling! - Shane
“Good morning, Shane. Having been a street cop and now a dispatcher, I knew what the officers liked from the dispatcher (Dig deeper, July 1, 2024). My colleagues asked me to stop giving the extra effort because ‘then they'd expect us to all do that.’ My efforts were guided by the line from the movie, ‘A Few Good Men’: ‘Because they stand on a wall and they say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you, not on my watch.’ ” - John
Imagine how much progress could happen if everyone simply gave their best. I know, some people say they don’t get paid enough to give their best. Sigh. - 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 Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
Isolated thunderstorms look to pop up during the heating of the day today and diminish after sunset. Saturday will also bring a chance of afternoon storms that will linger into early Sunday morning.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| From the July issue of CITYVIEW | | | FEATURE STORY
Complex crazy
By Cyote Williams
The indoor field at the RecPlex has hosted youth sports tournaments ranging from basketball to volleyball, wrestling and more.
Since 2021, several Des Moines suburbs have opened massive, multi-million-dollar, multi-use sports complexes. In West Des Moines, development costs for the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex were close to $60 million in 2021, according to the Business Record. Waukee launched Triumph Park in cooperation with Confluence and received positive shoutouts from Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2022. In 2023, two more suburbs opened their sports complexes. The development costs for GrimesPlex in Grimes, which was initially a private venture that became a public one, and the Gregg Young Sports Campus in Norwalk were both upwards of $30 million.
[...] | | | 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!
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| Explore Des Moines | | | CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa
EXPLORE: Patio Palooza
By Cyote Williams
The summer weather gives plenty of reasons to go outside, and these bars and restaurants offer you a place to soak it all in while enjoying a drink in hand or a meal with friends. | | | READ MORE |
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Tequila conquers America. Tequila production has boomed, rising 164% between 2013 and 2023. The growth is in part due to surging demand in the U.S. for margaritas and shots, but more recently to higher-end tequilas intended to be sipped or drank with soda. LeBron James, George Clooney, Kendall Jenner, Nick Jonas and The Rock all have their own brands. Tequila is forecast to overtake vodka and U.S. whiskey to become the most valuable spirit in America. (WSJ)
This year's James Beard Award (JBA) for best chef in our district (Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas and Missouri) went to Minneapolis' Christina Nguyen of Hai Hai. I've been there and was not that impressed. Nguyen is the second Asian (after Ann Kim of Young Joni) from Minneapolis to win. Iowa has never had a winner other than American Classics, which are honorary. Minneapolis has dominated these awards far out of proportion to its merits. Des Moines and Omaha are both disregarded. Both have better Asian restaurants and pizza specialists (both Hai, Hai and Young Joni specialize in pizza) than any I have tried in the Twin Cities. I spent nine years as a JBA judge for our region and pushed Iowa nominees relentlessly. Since I retired, we rarely even get a nominee. For many years, we averaged more than three. It's just wrong. Rodney Dangerfield knows what I mean.
Weekend specials. Hugo's Wood Fired Kitchen (3206 University Ave., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza on Sundays, 2-4 p.m... Fish Fry Friday night specials can be found at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale), Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), and Cracker Barrel (11701 University, Clive)... Friday is paella night at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines). It's special paella, too... Half-price oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp are offered until 4:30 p.m. Saturday at both Waterfronts and also on Sunday at the Ankeny store... Rangemasters Training Center (10520 Hickman Road, Clive) has a Date Night Special - $25 for two in the live firing range with one target, extra targets $1. Gun rentals $10 or BYOG... Sunday is chicken fried steak day at Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola)… Whatcha Smokin’ (403 Iowa Ave., Luther) serves smoked prime rib on Fridays and Dino beef ribs from 4 p.m. on Saturdays till they are sold out… Pizza on the Prairie at the Wallace Farm combines brick oven pizza with toppings straight from the garden, along with sides, desserts and a signature cocktail. Live music. BYO lawn chairs and reusable water bottles. July 5, 12, 19 and 26.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$245,000. 1807 Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50314
Beautifully remodeled 1.5 story historic home featuring 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and brand new appliances. Enjoy significant savings with a 10-year tax abatement. This charming home boasts gorgeous wood floors, a spacious living area and a cozy atmosphere.
See the listing here.
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 5408 N.W. 88TH ST., JOHNSTON
SALE DATE: 2024-04-16
SALE PRICE: $1,400,000
SELLER: LAINSON PROPERTIES 1031 LLC
BUYER: WALNUT RIDGE PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.684
SQUARE FEET: 7,986 |
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| From the July issue of Adel Living magazine | | | Meet Leslie Banwart
Reading interventionist enjoys teaching at the middle school level.
By T.K. West
A 1998 graduate from the ADM Community School District, Leslie Banwart has fond memories of growing up in Adel. After graduating from Drake University, she returned to the area with her family, and her children have also attended her alma mater. She recently completed her first year as a reading interventionist at the ADM Middle School. She previously substitute taught in the district for many years.
“I came to ADM because of the quality individuals who make this place special. The staff and the students make ADM a wonderful place,” Banwart says. “I like my students, my co-workers, and the content I teach. I am supported by the administration and my colleagues. I can be authentic and live in my strengths while also being challenged to become the best version of myself as a teacher.”
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ESPN: Best and worst NFL diets: Rams, Bengals, Dolphins dish it all. ...READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Joey Chestnut Still Reigns Supreme No Matter Where He Eats ... READ MORE
CBS Sports: ACC coach rankings 2024: Clemson's Dabo Swinney remains on top as Florida State's Mike Norvell climbs. ...READ MORE |
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1946: Bikini introduced. On July 5, 1946, French designer Louis Réard unveils a daring two-piece swimsuit at the Piscine Molitor, a popular swimming pool in Paris. Parisian showgirl Micheline Bernardini modeled the new fashion, which Réard dubbed “bikini,” inspired by a news-making U.S. atomic test that took place off the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean earlier that week. ... READ MORE
1921: Trial starts for Chicago White Sox players accused of throwing 1919 World Series. After Judge Hugo Friend denies a motion to quash the indictments against the major league baseball players accused of throwing the 1919 World Series, a trial begins with jury selection. The Chicago White Sox players, including stars Shoeless Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver and Eddie Cicotte, subsequently became known as the “Black Sox” after the scandal was revealed. ... READ MORE
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| Weekly fuel report | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 1 cent, averaging $3.32 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 2 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.51, up 2 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 8 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.59. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.59 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 25 cents lower than the national average of $3.84.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Natural gas prices fell 33 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.43/MMbtu. |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: ShoheiOhtani, John Marshall Jones, Jason Dolley, Edie Falco, Louis Herthum, Don Stark, Megan Rapinoe, Huey Lewis, Kathryn Erbe, Adam Young, Kevin Miles, RZA
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
How do you weigh Gen Z-ers? IN INSTA-GRAMS! - Gail Tomlinson. Other answers from Rex Post and Mark Arends.
Today's riddle
How do the Malfoys of Harry Potter fame get into bed?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant Living magazines, contact:
Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com
©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.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! |
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