After a weekend away from home, Jolene and I returned to an 85-degree house on Sunday evening. It was toasty. “We must have turned the AC off,” Jolene said, adding “Uff da!” Neither of us are Norwegian, but I knew exactly what she meant.
I checked the thermostat, and the AC was on and set at 75. I noticed an alert that said the batteries needed replaced, so I did that. An hour later, it was still 85.
So before I called for service repair, I decided to avoid the potential embarrassment and check the furnace filter. Uff da! That filter was totally clogged. It looked like a flattened cat, and we don’t even have a cat. On my way to haul that thing out to the garbage can on the curb, I held it up to the sky to see if any light would shine through. None. It was like one of those really good room-darkening shades.
I returned to the furnace and put in a new filter, and the temperature inside started dropping about a degree every 15 minutes. Problem solved. By bedtime, it was nice and cool inside.
Generally, I am quite good at making lists and getting things done on time. But, for whatever reason, I can’t seem to remember to change the furnace filter each month. I even labeled the filters by writing the month on each one. It doesn’t seem to matter, as I forget this task way too often.
I used to have a similar problem in remembering to put the garbage and recycling bins out on the curb on Sunday evenings. To address that forgetfulness, I put a reminder alert on my phone for every Sunday at 10 p.m., and I have not missed it since. Sure, I have had to crawl out of bed a few times and grumble and mumble my way to the curb, but I get it done. So, why have I never done the same thing with the furnace filter? I don't have a good answer, but this morning I added an alert on my phone, and I expect to have this situation resolved. No more 85-degree nights. And no more cats in the filter. Uff da!
How about you? How do you remind yourself to do ongoing tasks like these? Send me a note and let me know.
Have a terrific Tuesday, 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
Heat sticks around into Wednesday. We’ve got slight storm chances ahead today and tomorrow, with better chances coming Thursday. It gets cooler after.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
| Featured in the August issue of CITYVIEW | | | BUSINESS FEATURE
The cost businesses pay for convenience
By Colson Thayer
In 2024, accepting credit cards as a small business is a no-brainer. According to a Capital One Shopping Research study from June, 81% of shoppers prefer to pay with cards over cash. Credit cards make up 41% of in-store transactions, and cash stands at 12%.
Not to mention, shoppers spend up to three times more with credit cards. Merchants who accept cards see a more efficient cash flow, increased sales and an improved customer experience. However, accepting credit cards opens the door to the complex and costly world of credit card processing fees. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
|
|
|
New manual of style, in French. Grands Jours de Bourgogne, a famous week-long trade fair held every two years to highlight that famous French wine region, asked English-speaking writers to use that French name rather than the anglicized “Burgundy.” They are sensitive about this because Burgundy translates back into French as “Bordeaux” which is an entirely different thing. (WaPo)
Tuesday Touts - "The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo García" by Laura Tillman won the James Beard Award this year (best literary writing) for very good reasons. Tillman spent five years immersed in the background of the legendary Mexico City chef — from the onion fields of Vidalia, Georgia, to Dubai’s first high-end Mexican restaurant, to Lalo’s hometown of San José de las Pilas on the Guanajuato side of the border with Michoacan.
Eduardo “Lalo” García Guzmán and his family left for the United States when he was a child, picking fruits and vegetables on the migrant route from Florida to Michigan. He worked in Atlanta restaurants as a teenager before being convicted of a robbery, imprisoned, and eventually deported. Lalo landed in Mexico City as a new generation of chefs was questioning the hierarchies that had historically privileged European cuisine in elite cafes. At his now famous Máximo Bistrot, he began to craft food that narrated his memories and hopes. This is the story of the chef's life.
Deals today
• Bianca’s Grill & Vineyard (410 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny) has "family specials" on Tuesday with spaghetti, chicken Alfredo and Cajun Alfredo meals for $25, meatballs extra.
• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers a Tuesday burger and a pint deal for $10.
• Beaver Tap has $7 burgers including a side on Tuesdays.
• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today of a burger with fries and a beer for $10 until 4 p.m.
• Hy-Vee stores are promoting $6 Tenderloin Tuesdays with a BPT and tots bargain priced.
• Kelly’s Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers really good tenderloins with a side and drink for $11.50 on Tuesdays.
• KFC has a Tuesday special of eight pieces of bone-in chicken for $10. They also have a new two-piece dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and a biscuit for $4.99.
• Mickey's in Yale (217 Main St., Yale) offers breaded pork chop specials on Tuesdays.
• Abelardo's stores offer five tacos (hard, soft or fried) for $5.99 on Tuesdays.
• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) has a new Tuesday special - 2.5-pound live lobster with two sides $50.
• Kwik Stars offer $1.49 grilled cheese sandwiches on Tuesdays.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
| Featured home for sale | | |
$749,000 12662 McKinley Trail, Indianola, IA 50125
Discover a serene retreat on 20 acres, complete with a picturesque pond and a raised ranch-style home that combines comfort and modern amenities. With more than 2,800 square feet of finished living space, this property features a spacious finished walk-out basement, ideal for entertaining.
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
|
|
| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 2501 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARKWAY, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-05-31
SALE PRICE: $550,000
SELLER: ANDERSON, ARTHUR M
BUYER: RTH INVESTMENTS LLC
ACRES: 1.978
SQUARE FEET: 6,916 |
|
|
| From the August issue of Ankeny Living magazine | | | Meet Ann Lee
Teaching seventh-grade math is her “happy” place.
By Ashley Rullestad
Ann Lee has worn a lot of teaching hats during her career, but she’s happy to have found her happy place teaching seventh-grade math at Prairie Ridge Middle School.
“Ever since leaving my seventh-grade math position in Red Oak, I have known it is my favorite age group to work with. They are the best age of kids to joke around with while also providing them with a listening ear, love and acceptance.”
Lee received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa with a K-6 elementary education and K-8 mathematics specialization. She then taught seventh-grade math.
[...] | | | READ MORE |
|
|
FROM KCCI: Adel police investigate animal neglect leading to child endangerment charges. ADEL, Iowa — The Adel Police Department arrested two people on animal neglect and child endangerment charges after discovering poor living conditions in a home late Sunday night. ....READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Ankeny business in shambles after car crashes through storefront. ANKENY, Iowa — It’s every small business owner’s worst nightmare, and for Ryan Martin, it became a reality after a driver crashed into his storefront during business hours Sunday afternoon. ... READ MORE
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Des Moines police: Woman hospitalized in critical condition after shooting early Monday. - Officers say the shooting happened near Southeast 14th Street and Harriet Street, not far from Des Moines Animal Services....READ MORE |
|
|
ESPN: Danny Jansen appears for Blue Jays, Red Sox in same game ...READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Storm Honor Sue Bird by Dedicating Street Near Arena After Her ... READ MORE
CBS Sports: Top recruit Faizon Brandon sues North Carolina State Board of Education over ban of endorsement deals ...READ MORE |
|
|
1883: Krakatoa explodes with massive force. One of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa (also called Krakatau), a small, uninhabited volcanic island east of Sumatra and west of Java, on August 27, 1883. Heard 3,000 miles away—and believed to have produced the loudest sounds in human history—the explosions threw five cubic miles of earth 50 miles into the air, created 120-foot tsunamis and killed 36,000 people. ... READ MORE
2007: NFL star Michael Vick pleads guilty in dogfighting case. ... READ MORE
1976: Transgender athlete Renée Richards barred from U.S. Open. On August 27, 1976, the United States Tennis Association bars transgender athlete Renée Richards from competing in the U.S. Open as a woman, stating she must pass a chromosomal test. Richards fails the test, sues the USTA and wins the right a year later to compete via a New York Supreme Court ruling. ... READ MORE
|
|
|
| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy birthday Ellie Schwetz!
These celebrities were born on this date: Alexa PenaVega, Amanda Fuller, Aaron Paul, Chandra Wilson, Sarah Chalke, Bernhard Langer, Mase, Patrick J. Adams, Adam Oates, Ariana Greenblatt, Barbara Bach, Breanna Stewart, Tom Ford, Alex Lifeson, Blake Jenner
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why was the coffee shop worker fired? He kept wearing a TEA-SHIRT! Or, He stole coffee so there were grounds for firing him! Gail Tomlinson. Or, He spilled the beans! - Rex Post. Or, Because there were no grounds for the celebration! - William Snyder. Or, Because they complained they were tired of the daily "grind"! - Carolyn Rogers
Today's riddle:
What do you call a boat full of salmon eggs?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:
Megan Pugh
Account Executive
c: 515-360-1225
megan@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! |
|
|
This email was sent to:
email@example.com
Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131
|
|
|
|
