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Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Good morning to you!

With the severe weather lately, I was reminded of my mother’s insistence that nobody talk on the telephone during a thunderstorm, as that person could be electrocuted. As kids, we filed this one with the “don’t cross your eyes or they will stay that way” threat. But, apparently, Mom was right on the telephone rule, at least with corded, landline phones, as lightning really can travel through the phone lines.

About 300 people in the United State are struck by lightning every year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Yes, the vast majority survive, but one in 10 don’t. To avoid being one of the 30 who perish, you might want to heed my mother’s thunderstorm warning, as well as others I found from America’s most trusted source, Bob Vila.

Do not take a bath or a shower during a thunderstorm. “If lightning strikes near you, electrical currents could travel through the pipes in your home, putting you at risk of electrocution.” Yikes. I guess I will need to find somewhere other than the shower to sing during a thunderstorm.

Don’t wash the dishes. “You shouldn’t wash dishes during a thunderstorm for the same reason you shouldn’t bathe during a thunderstorm: Lightning can travel through pipes, electrify your faucet, and cause injury. The dishes can wait.” You don't have to tell me twice on this one, Bob.

Don't leave your tech devices plugged into outlets. “If an electrical storm has been forecast, unplug your computer, laptop, and other devices, and consider unplugging appliances. At the very least, plug appliances into a surge protector if they aren’t already, but understand the surge protector probably can’t stand up to a lightning strike nearby.” I used to unplug my stereo each time we had a storm, but I have not done that in years. If I lose my current stereo now, it isn’t that big of a deal. But, at age 15, I had my life savings invested in my Pioneer receiver, dual cassette deck and equalizer. The greater loss today would be my computer, and Bob’s advice has me thinking I need to unplug that more often.

Don’t do laundry. “Your washer and dryer are plugged into the wall, which is the first strike against them. The second strike is that they are metal, so lightning can run through them the same way it can your toaster or blow dryer.” This is just one more reason to never trust the washing machine.

If you find this stuff interesting, be sure to check out all 15 things you should never do in a thunderstorm and let me know what other activities you avoid when lightning strikes.

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.

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Beautiful weather is ahead, with dry conditions and comfortable temperatures into the weekend.

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

 
 
From the July issue of CITYVIEW
 

CENTER STAGE
The Wiz, a Dream, and a whiz

By John Busbee

Wiz
One of the most beloved stories to hit the stage is L. Frank Baum’s adaptation of his initial Oz book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” published in 1900. This story was first produced on stage in 1902 and ran on Broadway for 293 stage nights. This story was very different from the version popularized 36 years later in the landmark 1939 MGM cinematic version that shot its star, Judy Garland, to instant fame. Baum was a prolific, if not controversial, writer of his day, creating 14 Oz books and more than 400 other works.

[...]

 
READ MORE
 
 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines®
 
The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!

 

Best Local Place To See Beautiful People

1. Coachlight Clinic & Spa

2. Saint Blonde Salon

3. Gastro Grub & Pub

Read all the results now!

 
 
Explore Des Moines
 

CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa

EXPLORE: Walk 'n' Shop

By Cyote Williams

In the mood for strolling through a shopping district where walkability and unique storefronts abound? These junctions, villages and town centers are perfect for you.

 
READ MORE
 
Film review
 

“Bad Boys Ride or Die” (in theaters)
The third sequel (thus, the fourth film) in the Bad Boys series has Will Smith and Martin Lawrence again leading the cast. Smith does what he needs to do, but Lawrence is the reason to see the movie. He is hilarious. Otherwise, this is an above-average, run-of-the-mill action story — pretty much what you would expect. In this case, that’s not all bad. Grade: B+

By Michael C. Woody. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. You can follow him on Twitter @MrMovieDSM. 

 

Woebegone Wednesday. "You say it best when you say nothing at all." In 1931, Albert Einstein met Charlie Chaplin at the premiere of "City Lights" in Los Angeles. An exchange from their conversation was shared by the Nobel Prize committee on Instagram: "Einstein: ‘What I most admire about your art is your universality. You don't say a word, yet the world understands you!’ Chaplin: ‘True. But your glory is even greater. The whole world admires you, even though they don't understand a word of what you say.’ ” 

A whole lot of prime rib. In the resurrected Highlander Hotel and Supper Club Iowa City, a retro sunken bar has been resurrected. The place had fallen into neglect by its previous corporate owners but now one can drink with the ghosts of former guests like Mickey Mantle and Arnie Palmer. Local independent owner Angela Harrington told Kitchen Insider that 80 of 100 supper orders are for prime rib.

Sinatra haunts, part IX. The historic Morelli House in Las Vegas once belonged to the Sands bandleader Antonio Morelli who regularly hosted Frank, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole for parties and rehearsals. The house was moved and renovated in its current location in 2001 and is available to view through pre-arranged group tours, offering a rare glimpse into one of the mid-century modern homes where the Rat Pack spent their spare time.

Deals of the day. Kids eat free on Wednesday at Who's on First (810 E. First St., Ankeny)... It's $1 wing day at Basic Bird (2607 Beaver Ave., Des Moines)… Kathy’s East 14th Street Pub (3418 E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers a Wednesday special on "grilled cheese four ways" for $5.95-6.95... 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... Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a Wednesday wings special — three free boneless wings when you buy 12... Bottles of wine are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel’s Greenbriar (5810 Merle Hay Road, Johnston)... Kwik Star stores offer $9.99 eight-piece packs of their excellent bone-in fried chicken today... Mickey’s in Yale (217 Main St., Yale) has spaghetti night specials on Wednesday... Opa! (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers steak de Burgo, steak Opa!, steak Diane, steak Marsala, creamy steak de Burgo and bisetecca cremosa dinners with salad for $14.99 on Wednesdays… Waterfront stores have lobster roll dinners as this week's Wednesday special.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured home for sale
 
Attention, Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$699,900                                                         17692 Townsend Drive, Clive, IA 50325

The Fulton plan offers modern farmhouse charm with more than 3,200 square feet of living space. Who doesn't love a front porch! The great room is bright and open with lots of light and a vaulted ceiling, large windows and floor to ceiling accent fireplace. Open concept with a huge 13-foot island in the kitchen, 60 fridge/freezer and walk-in pantry!

See the listing here.

 
See More Homes For Sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
7901 DOUGLAS AVE., URBANDALE
SALE DATE: 2024-05-01
SALE PRICE: $475,000
SELLER: BMKAR LLC
BUYER: URBANDALE FOOD PANTRY
ACRES: 0.889
SQUARE FEET: 7,200
 
From the July issue of Waukee Living magazine
 

Waukee Arts Festival
Enjoy art, music, 5K and more at Centennial Park, July 19-20

By Jackie Wilson

One of Waukee’s favorite annual events is back for its ninth year. The Waukee Arts Festival returns July 19-20 at Centennial Park in Waukee.

This year’s free event is the biggest yet as 120 artists will display their works. Last year, approximately 8,500 folks visited the festival during the two-day event. Jenn Hoffmann, board president for the Waukee Area Arts Council, hopes to draw 10,000 visitors this year.

[...]

 
READ MORE
 
Headlines

FROM KCCI: These 3 Iowa State Fair menu items will compete for title of best new food  ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV:  Urbandale neighborhood cleaning up damage from EF-1 tornado  ... READ MORE

FROM WOI-DT Local 5:  4 more Iowa Hawkeyes selected in 2024 MLB Draft  ...READ MORE

 
Sports headlines
ESPN: Inside Nate Robinson's silent battle -- and his fight to live   ...READ MORE 
 
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:  Red Sox Take David Ortiz's Son D'Angelo in 19th Round of MLB Draft    ... READ MORE
 
CBS Sports:  Rory McIlroy's golf will be immense, but his emotional journey at The Open will be far more compelling  ...READ MORE
 
1955: Disneyland opens.   ... READ MORE
 
1941: Joe DiMaggio ends 56-game hitting streak.  ... READ MORE
 
2014: Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shot down over Russian-controlled area of Ukraine. On July 17, halfway through a flight from Amsterdam to Malaysia, a passenger plane was shot down in Eastern Ukraine, near the war-torn border with Russia. All 298 people on board, most of whom were citizens of the Netherlands, died in the explosion. It was the second Malaysian Air flight to disappear in 2014, after flight 370 crashed over the Indian Ocean on March 8.    ... READ MORE
 
 
Birthdays and notables
 

These celebrities were born on this date:  David Hasselhoff,  Luke Bryan, Billie Lourd, Angela Merkel, Camilla Parker Bowles, Craig Morgan, Summer Bishil, Heather Langenkamp, Kali Uchis

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What did burglars steal from the music store? THE LUTE (LOOT)! -Gail Tomlinson. ALL THE QUARTER NOTES! - William Snyder. Or, A KEY! - Rex Post

Today's riddle

What’s a breakfast’s favorite Elton John Song?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Iowa Living magazines, contact:

Jolene Goodman
Vice President
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 319
Mobile: 515-326-0082
jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com

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