Welcome to the Friday 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.
“In 1980, I started a career as a pharmaceutical representative covering most of Iowa (News headlines, Oct. 18, 2024). At that time, there were more than 80 independent drug stores just in Des Moines. Each was unique, with individual owners and personalities. To supplement the Rx business, some were also known as the go-to place for candy, greeting cards, perfumes, etc. I was trying to sell Amoxicillin. At 8 cents a dose, most doctors initially told me it was too expensive. There are some reasons to yearn for ‘the old days.’ ” - Mike
Like many things in life, we don’t seem to appreciate them until they are gone. - Shane
“I suggest we change election day to the Monday after the Super Bowl and declare it a national holiday (Early voting, Oct. 21, 2024). Polls open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Allow early voting the week prior. I voted absentee in 1980 while at Iowa State. I was sent a paper ballot that was about 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall. I had to return my ballot with an enclosed notarized statement that I was the one who voted. So I voted in an administrative office in Beardshear Hall in front of a notary. So did others. And people complain today about it being difficult to vote in Iowa? Gimme a break.” - Brad
I love the day after the Super Bowl voting idea, although I am not sure we need another Federal holiday. Maybe drop one and add this one? And I am with you on the difficult voting thing, too. Most worthwhile things in life are not easy, and, often, for good reason. - Shane
“I like early voting because it allows me to completely ignore all political campaign TV, newspaper, and mail ads after I have voted (Early voting, Oct. 21, 2024). Oh, by the way, I am not on Facebook, X, or any other social media, so my life is simpler and less stressful.” - George
Those are definite pluses. - Shane
“A newspaper guy advocating for shorter elections (Early voting, Oct. 21, 2024).? What has the world come to, Shane?” - John
As you know by now, I am not your typical newspaper guy. - 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 other columns here. |
|
|
Clear Mortgage meteorology
Temps in the 60s for the most part through the weekend. Windy and warmer Monday and Tuesday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
| Pick up your October CITYVIEW magazine, available on racks across the metro. | | | CIVIC SKINNY
Church of Hope removed from ELCA. High-price home sales. Lt. Governor Gregg is the first.
By CITYVIEW staff
Earlier this summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Association (ELCA) and the Southeastern Iowa Synod voted to remove the West Des Moines-based Lutheran mega-church, Church of Hope, from its roster of congregations. The Southeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods that make up the ELCA.
Bishop Rev. Amy Current said she recommended Hope’s removal from the roster because seven pastors currently serving on Hope’s staff are not on the roster of the ELCA or any of its “full communion partners,” and this conflicts with the ELCA constitution. The synod statement said the constitutions of Hope and the ELCA no longer align.
This came as a surprise to some, as Hope had been part of the ELCA and had used pastors not on its roster for more than 20 years. The split, while amicable and mutual, according to statements from both sides, caused rumors to swell. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
Washington Post ran results of an investigation as to how Chili's has outperformed main rivals Olive Garden, Applebee's and Red Lobster. Restaurant Business magazine and CNBC followed that up with their own stories about Chili's success. Key points: The company’s first national advertising campaign in three years showed that "Chili’s got its groove back NOT by leaning into the kind of veg-forward, cross-cultural, farm-to-market, sustainably-sourced trends that attract diners to full-service, sit-down restaurants in America’s major cities." Instead, Chili’s has gone in the opposite direction - chasing after lower-income customers who have given up on restaurants after discovering what inflation has done to their discretionary income. "Chili’s has challenged fast-food chains to a game of value meals, even though the company is in a whole different weight class than McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King. I suspect many of the challengers feel blindsided by the move, but it’s wicked smart," concluded Tim Carman of the Washington Post. Chili's outlets in Des Moines are featuring a "3 for Me" deal that includes beverage, appetizer and entree for $10.99, with premium upgrades. The regular deal can include the Big Smasher, a half-pound, loaded burger. They also advertise that kids under 12 eat free with an entree purchase for adults.
Weekend specials
• Olympic Flame (514 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) hosts belly dancers Friday nights.
• Vietnam Cafe (Merle Hay Mall Food Court) now has a weekly, not monthly, Friday buffet. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. $16.95 with pho included
• Bawarchi (6630 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) offers Friday through Sunday specials on paneer kebabs, chicken curry and goat curry.
• Mickey's in Yale (217 Main St., Yale) has hot beef sandwich lunches and all you can eat fish dinner specials today.
• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) offers BBQ beef and marinated roast beef sandwiches on special for Friday lunch.
• Bianchi’s Hilltop (2829 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines) has a lunch special on Italian roast beef sandwiches at $12.
• 801 Chophouse (801 Grand Ave., Des Moines) has Sunday supper specials that deliver deep discounts on filet, prime rib and red king salmon dinners.
• Lzaza (1409 23rd St., Des Moines) has a Sunday buffet including Punjabi khadi pakora, channa masala, aloo palak, mixed veggies, goat vindaloo, chicken korma, rice, two biryanis, chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, aloo chips, veggie samosas, salad, fruit truffles, seviyan, naan and chai.
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) has live music from the Charlston Trio from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday and with Sara Routh Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
• Whatcha Smokin (Luther) specials are prime rib dinners $29-39 on Friday night and full pound beef rib dinners $45 on Saturday.
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers pulled pork sandwiches with fries and a drink for $12 Fridays.
• GoodSons (2825 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) hosts a "Sweet Sixteen” Halloween Party Saturday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Local Waxing Salon
1. MetroWaxx
2. Pure Salon
3. Grass Orchid Skin Wellness Center & Sugaring DSM
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. |
|
|
| Featured home for sale | | |
$219,500 555 S.E. Laurel St., Unit 26, Waukee, IA 50263
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 |
|
|
| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 2300 S.E. WINTER PARK DRIVE, ANKENY
SALE DATE: 2024-07-19
SALE PRICE: $28,844,315
SELLER: SUN AUTUMN RIDGE ESTATES LLC
BUYER: AUTUMN RIDGE OWNER LLC
ACRES: 90.665
SQUARE FEET: 5,644 |
|
|
| Featured in the current issue of Indianola Living magazine | | | The race is on
Residents share their passion for reaching the winner’s circle.
By Becky Kolosik
For the Van Clarks, the joy they find in life is not a destination… it's a journey. Circle track racing isn’t just about the win, but more about setting goals and time spent with family and friends.
Both Alex and Amanda Van Clark grew up in Indianola hearing the sound of race cars coming from the Warren County track at the fairgrounds.
“We lived on the farm, so me and my brothers were always racing ATVs,” Alex says. “I guess you could say that is where my interest started.” | | | READ MORE |
|
|
FROM KCCI: Officials ID pedestrian killed after being hit by vehicle on Interstate 80. DESMOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Patrol has identified an Omaha woman as the pedestrian who was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Interstate 80 Thursday morning. ....READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Man who showed up at fire station with gunshot wound likely shot himself, DMPD says. DES MOINES, Iowa — Police say a man who sought treatment for a gunshot wound at a Des Moines fire station Wednesday afternoon, likely shot himself and charges are pending in the incident. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Fugitive arrested in Des Moines Thursday by U.S. Marshals.DES MOINES, Iowa — Kyle Boutchee, 25, who was wanted after escaping from house arrest back in August, was arrested by U.S. Marshals near 10th Street and Keosaqua Way Thursday afternoon......READ MORE |
|
|
NFL Thursday Night: Vikings 20 Rams 30
ESPN: South Florida basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim dies at age 43. ... READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Broncos Wide Receiver Josh Reynolds Shot Leaving Strip Club Early Friday Morning. ... READ MORE
CBS Sports: Ex-Clippers trainer suing team, alleges tampering and 'unsafe and illegal' injury treatment for Kawhi Leonard ...READ MORE |
|
|
1920: Greece’s King Alexander dies after being bitten by a monkey. On October 25, 1920, Greece’s King Alexander dies from wounds he received after a monkey attacked him earlier in the month. He was 27 years old. ... READ MORE
1964: Minnesota Vikings’ Jim Marshall runs wrong way with recovered fumble. On October 25, 1964, after recovering a fumble against the 49ers in San Francisco, Minnesota Vikings star defensive end Jim Marshall runs 66 yards the wrong way into his own end zone. The four-year veteran believes he has scored a touchdown, so he throws the ball out of bounds in celebration, resulting in a safety for San Franscisco and putting an exclamation point on one of the worst gaffes in NFL history. Despite Marshall's error, the Vikings win, 27-22. ... READ MORE
1994: Susan Smith reports a false carjacking to cover her murder. Susan Smith reports that she was carjacked in South Carolina by a Black man who took her two small children in the backseat of her car. Although authorities immediately began searching for three-year-old Michael and one-year-old Alex, they could find no trace of them or of Smith’s car. After nine days of intense national media attention, Smith finally confessed that the carjacking tale was false and that she had driven her Mazda into the John D. Long Lake in order to drown her children. ... READ MORE
|
|
|
| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Michael Gartner today and Lindsey Woody Sunday!
These celebrities were born on this date: Katy Perry, Ciara, Mia Goth, Dallas Young, Nancy Cartwright, Juan Soto, Antony Starr, Loren Jordan, Armani Jackson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Adam Goldberg, Craig Robinson, Chad Smith, Rylan Clark, Mia Wasikowska, Persia White, Aymeric Jett Montaz, Kevin Michael Richardson, Zeno Robinson
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What do you call zombies in pajamas? THE SLEEPWALKING DEAD! - Celeste Tilton, Gail Tomlinson. Or, ghouls up past their bedtime! - Rex Post
Today's riddle:
How does a ghost cow laugh?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:
Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.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
|
|
|
|
