Welcome to an extra edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.
Good morning, Shane. I enjoy reading your columns (How do you roll?, Oct. 16, 2024). I prefer the ‘over’ position, but in the ‘end,’ it doesn’t really matter! Here is a little tidbit. Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end it gets, the faster it goes!” - Larry
How true. Thank you, Larry. - Shane
“I learned long ago, with little kids, 'under' was a necessity (How do you roll?, Oct. 16, 2024). When they would take those little hands and flip their fingers on an 'over' roll, all of a sudden it was all over the bathroom and SO MUCH FUN! They could flip that 'under' roll forever, and it would not unroll! Fast forward and pretty sure when our daughter comes home for Christmas, it's almost a game. She puts it over, I put it under, multiple times a day!” - Diane
At least nobody is unrolling it all over the bathroom now. – Shane
“Shane, as I read the comments, I think where the roll is located can be more of an issue than over/under (Mailbag, Oct. 18, 2024). Side-mounted on the wall at the same height as the user’s legs in many cases creates space relations issues. Raising the roll placement a few inches will still be in reach of users. One can still ponder over/under. Oh, the things we obsess about.” - Chuck
I believe you are correct, Chuck. I have also noticed a difference in over/under preference if the roll is wall-mounted or on a floor stand. - Shane |
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“Here is the answer for you — a vertical approach (Mailbag, Oct. 18, 2024). The first is Kohler, and so not inexpensive. The second is Amazon, under $10. Now, you can fight about whether the paper rolls to the right or left. I wonder if there would be much conflict on that?” - Ann
Once again, you are my hero. - Shane
Have a thoughtful Thursday, 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 other columns here. |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
Clouds increase today, with rain chances late and into the night. 60s this weekend. Breezy and warmer Monday and Tuesday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. "Peter and the Star Catcher." Oct. 25-Nov. 3.
CAP (Class Act Productions) Theatre. "Anastasia – Youth Edition." Oct. 25-Nov. 10.
Des Moines Symphony – second concert in its Masterworks Series. Lewis Plays Brahms, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.
Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. Second City’s 65th Anniversary Tour. Oct 29-Nov 3.
Des Moines Playhouse – Final Act Ensemble. Halloween Show. Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Documentary premiere, The Negro Artist. Friday, Nov. 1, 3:30 - 6 p.m. at Drake University. a collaboration spawned from the hyper-creative atmosphere of the famed Okoboji Writers Retreat by two of its presenters, Nik Heftman (Emmy Award-winning journalist) and Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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| Pick up your October CITYVIEW magazine, available on racks across the metro. | | | FEATURE STORY
Fast. Relentless. Disciplined.
By Cyote Williams
The Iowa Wild ended last season with a 27-37 record and 62 points, second to last in the Central Division, and missed out on the playoffs. This was the first season under head coach Brett McLean, who took over for longtime Wild coach Tim Army. The 62-point season and missed playoff berth is a setback from the season before when the Wild had 76 points and earned a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs before bowing out in the first round.
The Wild showed how good they could be in the back half of the season. After the trade deadline in early March, the Wild went over .500. | | | READ MORE |
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Yokohama’s experiment selling leftover bakery products in high traffic vending machines is a huge success. As reported here this summer, the city determined to fight food waste by giving bakeries an opportunity to unload their leftovers after 5 p.m., in vending machines, many in high-trafficked train stations. Not only were the leftovers selling out in two hours or less, but bakeries reported customers coming in for the first time — either because they liked the breads they discovered in the machines or because the machines were sold out. (NHK)
You can take the cowgirl out of the rodeo, but you can’t take the rodeo out of the cowgirl. Cyd Koehn, of Catering by Cyd, woke herself up at 4 a.m. on a Monday earlier this month to drive alone to the Mayo Clinic for surgery. After recovering a few hours later, she drove herself home — in time to cater three parties. “No big deal. I didn’t need to bother anybody for a ride.” Cyd was a rodeo barrel racer in her younger days. “Because they wouldn’t let girls ride broncos or bulls back then.”
Thursday specials
• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) offers a steak special with choices on Thursdays. Choose one: prime filet mignon, New York strip or baseball cut sirloin, plus one selected side, $25
• Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines), Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive), and Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola)
• Thursday nights, Moroccan couscous — lemon chicken, beef keftas, five vegetables, harissa — are $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines)
• Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Thursday special is a hot beef sandwich with green beans, $10
• Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99
• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays
• Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays
• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers ahi and swordfish steaks for $10.99/pound today until they are gone.
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) has karaoke tonight from 6 p.m.
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
• Cyd's Catering has a football "pre-game meal deal" that includes crudité with tomatoes, shrimp cocktails, corn chips and three dips, bourbon meatballs, dry rubbed chicken wings and fudge brownies to feed four - $100.
• It's prime rib night at Flying Mango (4345 Hickman Rd.) and burnt end pork belly night at Whatch Smokin (Luther, Iowa).
• Fareway stores have a sale on Johngold apples at $.77/pound through Saturday.
• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays 5:30-9 p.m. $18.95.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Local Tanning Salon
1. Bronze515
2. Tanique
3. Sun Tan City
Cast your votes in the 2025 Best Of Des Moines Poll now! Open until Nov. 22. Results to be published in the February 2025 issue of CITYVIEW. |
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$225,000. 3904 69th St., Urbandale, IA 50322
You're going to love everything about this fantastic 2-bedroom ranch located in the heart of Urbandale. It starts with wonderful curb appeal including mature trees, a lush lawn, and an inviting front porch. When you step inside you'll discover a spacious living room with a beautiful hardwood floor and plenty of windows to bathe the space in natural sunlight.
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 116 34TH AVE. S.W., ALTOONA
SALE DATE: 2024-07-17
SALE PRICE: $1,100,000
SELLER: COLE, WILLIAM A ESTATE
BUYER: TJL INVESTMENTS LLC
ACRES: 6.595
SQUARE FEET: 14,474 |
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| Featured in the current issue of Johnston Living magazine | | | Mattis has been racing since a teen
Finds autocross exciting and, better yet, legal
By Jackie Wilson
Scott Mattis likes driving fast — and now does so legally. But that wasn’t always the case.
As a teenager, he drag raced with his friends. One time, when he got home, his mom presented him a card from a state trooper’s visit. He had received a speeding ticket for driving 112 mph in a 55 mph speed zone.
“It wasn’t a good idea,” Mattis recalls. “Now I can do it legally.”
He took his drag racing to the track and eventually began racing autocross. Autocross is where drivers race against time on a closed, controlled course, outlined by cones. | | | READ MORE |
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FROM KCCI: City denies proposal for new bar in former Spaghetti Works building. DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment has denied a proposal to open a new bar in the former Spaghetti Works building on Court Avenue. “Court Avenue district is at a critical mass. It's at a tipping point. And that is not in a good way,” said Mel Pins of the Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment......READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: ARL transforms barn into new Second Chance Ranch location. DES MOINES, Iowa– The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is moving into a bigger area to house the rescue’s largest animals in need. The 21-acre property is a game changer for the ARL regarding barn animals, specifically their horses. The barn allows for larger pastures, paddocks, and even an indoor arena for rehabilitation. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Iowa Secretary of State's noncitizen voting audit findings, what we can gather. Local 5 breaks down what the audit numbers show and what still needs confirmed....READ MORE |
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| Weekly fuel report | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 5 cents, averaging $2.96 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 35 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.16, down 4 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $3.43. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.62 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 16 cents lower than the national average of $3.59.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16. The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.04 for U87-E10, $2.28 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.27 for ULSD#2, $2.55 for ULSD#1, and $1.85 per gallon for E-70 prices.
Natural gas prices fell 10 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.31/MMbtu.
Propane prices averaged $1.54 per gallon in Iowa.
Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $2.86 per gallon. |
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ESPN: Pelicans' Dejounte Murray broke hand in opener, sources say ... READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: How the Yankees Bounced Back From Their Worst Season in 31 Years ... READ MORE
CBS Sports: College basketball coach rankings: UConn's Dan Hurley bumps Kansas' Bill Self for No. 1 in Top 25 And 1 poll ...READ MORE |
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1901: First barrel ride down Niagara Falls. On October 24, 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to successfully take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. ... READ MORE
1997: Marv Albert faces sentencing in sexual assault case. Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Kendrick announces that he will dismiss the sexual assault case filed against Marv Albert by 42-year-old Vanessa Perhach if the sportscaster agrees to get counseling and stays out of trouble for a year. Albert faced up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. ... READ MORE
1921: Unknown Soldier is selected. On October 24, 1921, in the French town of Chalons-sur-Marne, an American sergeant selects the body of the first “Unknown Soldier” to be honored among the approximately 77,000 United States servicemen killed on the Western Front during World War I. ... READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Sammy Jordan and Amelia Lewton!
These celebrities were born on this date: Kevin Kline, Drake, BD Wong, F. Murray Abraham, Bill Wyman, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Casey Wilson, Eliza Taylor, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Ashton Sanders, Doug Davidson, Zahn McClarnon, Hudson Yang, Jaylen Brown, Kyla Ross
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What type of horse does a ghost ride? A NIGHT-MARE! - Brent Antisdel, Gail Tomlinson. Or, A "SPIRIT"-ED HORSE! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, PALE o mino! - Rex Post
Today's riddle:
What do you call zombies in pajamas?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:
Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com
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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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