Delivery systems are not perfect. The United States Post Office does amazingly well, but, unfortunately, some items do get “lost in the mail.” I often joke about how much work goes into publishing a newspaper only to have it put in the hands of a 12-year-old in hopes that it is delivered to the customer properly. Again, it usually is delivered, although not by kids as much today. Even the almighty Amazon errs in the delivery of some items from time to time. Will delivery drones make that process even better? Time will tell.

All this leads me to the fact that email delivery isn’t perfect either. It’s darn good, but not without flaws from time to time. We have a back-up plan for if and when any email delivery problems of this newsletter occur. Simply visit our website, www.thedailyumbrella.com, and you will find that day’s full version, along with all the archives from the day we first started this newsletter. Click the link and bookmark it on your computer or phone now.

If you are using an iPhone, you can simplify this process by visiting the website, clicking on the share button (the one at the bottom with the arrow pointing upward in a box), scrolling down, and selecting “Add to Home Screen.” This will create an icon image on your phone screen that will take you directly to the site. Give it a try. You can always delete the bookmark icon later if you want do. …

In my Nov. 8 Tootsie Roll Pop column, I wrote that I would share any response I received from the company about my request for a free sucker. If you care to read the lengthy response and the legend of the star wrapper, here is what they sent: http://www.dmcityview.com/uncategorized/2021/11/16/tootsie-roll-pops/. Bottom line, no free sucker. …

Yesterday’s column about doing the dishes brought about some humorous responses from several of you. Gail said I was welcome to do her dishes anytime. I replied that as long as she cooks, I am good with that. Martha told me that as the shortest of seven kids, she was also spared from much of the dishwashing duties. Nancy shared that a well-timed bathroom call could get her out of washing dishes. And Aaron admitted that he would often put the dishes away in the wrong spots to frustrate his mother so she wouldn't ask him to do it again.

This all shows how creative we can get when we have a mission. Now imagine if we all worked this hard in completing tasks as we did in avoiding them. Hmmm. …

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

Thursday, Nov. 18, 5-9 p.m.
Mingle & Jingle in the Junction
At: Valley Junction, along Fifth Street in West Des Moines
Info: www.valleyjunction.com

Nearly 14,000 votes were cast in the 2021 CITYVIEW Best Of Des Moines readers' poll.

Best Local Hibachi
1. Ohana Steakhouse
2. Taki Japanese Steakhouse
3. Samurai Sushi & Hibachi

[...]

Dirt bikes therapeutic for veteran: Avila
Enjoys riding and the camaraderie he finds

By Rachel Harrington

In his youth, Roman Avila participated in football, baseball and wrestling. Dirt bikes were not a big part of his growing up years, though he had a friend who took part in the sport. However, Avila says, “I’m super competitive, and I always have been.” So, when the woman he was dating 14 years ago had a son that was into dirt bike racing, the sport began intriguing him.

“Dirt bike racing seemed fun and was a challenge,” he recalls. “I loved it even though the military didn’t think it was a good idea at the time.” Avila served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 21 years. He has now been racing since he was 32 years old. “I like that it is an individual sport like wrestling,” he says. “I stopped wrestling when I was 25 years old, and this seemed like a great new challenge.”

[...]

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Owen Wilson, Chloë Sevigny, Megyn Kelly, Linda Evans, Mike Epps, Kirk Hammett, Nasim Pedrad, Elizabeth Perkins, Fabolous, Damon Wayans Jr., Nate Parker

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