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Good Tuesday morning to you!
 

When I was a young man working at The Des Moines Register, I was planning a vacation and told Denny Cook, a customer of mine at Crescent Chevrolet, that I would be off work and explained how I planned to cover the bases. He looked at me with a stern face and said, “Vacation? You don’t work Sundays, do you? That’s 52 days of vacation a year.” He continued, “Wait, you don't work Saturdays either, do you? That’s another 52 days. That’s 104 days of vacation per year. How much vacation do you need?”

I was without words. Denny was having fun with me, but there was also some truth to what he was saying. Some people I know seem to be continually talking about their next vacation, even though they just got back from one. That time off is supposed to make them happy, recharge them, and have them ready to take on the tasks of life again — but it doesn’t seem to do that. They just want more vacation time.

As a teenager, I worked at a local gas station/convenience store that was open 24/7. Even in the 1980s, staffing was a challenge, especially on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. But when the opportunity came to earn time-and-a-half for holiday pay, I was the first to sign up. I enjoyed working those days, as the store traffic was lighter, and the customers who stopped in were quite cheery — and I liked the paycheck.

When I worked at the Register, we were told in no uncertain terms that we would not be allowed to take vacation between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those were the newspaper’s busiest times with advertising, and we were to be there to make sure of it. We are not as strict today in our company, but a holiday does mean that we have to complete five days of work in four days. The presses keep running.

Author, entrepreneur, public speaker and Navy veteran Rob Hill, Sr. said, “My goal is to build a life I don’t need a vacation from.” Now that makes sense to me. But like most things in life, I have learned that there truly are different strokes for different folks. Some people love to travel and spend time on a beach; I get sunburned and have two days of diarrhea. Others want to take a week off and ride a bicycle 468 miles across the state in 90-degree weather while sleeping on the ground each night; that’s not my idea of a vacation. And a select few enjoy time at home working on a list of projects and relaxing with friends and family; that’s more my style. But, again, to each his or her own.

Regardless of how you spend your vacation time, I hope that you enjoy it and are ready to take on the new year with enthusiasm, vigor and gusto. The world needs you.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

 

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

A rain and snow mix moves across Iowa today. Only light accumulations are expected around the Des Moines metro area. Flurries are possible Wednesday with colder temperatures for the rest of the week. A chance of snow late Friday into Saturday and a COLD weekend ahead.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

 
Things To Do
 

Tuesday, Dec. 28
Santas Rock n Lights at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Info: The 1-mile-plus route will feature hundreds of thousands of lights, miles of cords, and tens of thousands of zip ties, all to spread holiday cheer. Open through Jan. 2. Paid online reservation is required. Peak hours for this event are from 6-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Lines to drive through the show may be long. The show takes approximately 20-25 minutes at 3 mph. santasrocknlights.com 

 
Featured Home For Sale
 
Attention Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact pat@dmcityview.com for details.
 
208 S 52nd Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
$220,000
 
Let us introduce to you 208 S 52nd Street in West Des Moines! Ranch townhome with walkout lower level features 3 bedrooms and 3 baths! Enjoy your morning coffee in the sunroom off the living room. All appliances included in the kitchen! First floor master bedroom boasts walk in closet as well as private, full bath...
 
Find Out More!
 
Headlines

FROM KCCI: Iowa State fans pack airport headed south for Cheez-It Bowl

DES MOINES, Iowa — Fans of the Iowa State Cyclones football team packed the Des Moines International Airport Monday, flying south to attend Wednesday's Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando. The Cyclones will take on Clemson that afternoon. ...READ MORE FROM KCCI

FROM WHO-TV: Broadlawns expands Mobile Crisis team to assist children with mental health

DES MOINES, Iowa — It’s been nearly two years of living through the pandemic, and in early December, the U.S. Surgeon General warned it is taking a toll on the mental health of children and teens. Broadlawns Medical Center is now expanding its Mobile Crisis Mental Health Response Team to assist children and teenagers experiencing a mental health crisis.  READ MORE FROM WHO-TV

FROM WOI-DT Local 5: 'We're all very concerned about her': Ankeny residents support neighbor after car accident destroys home

ANKENY, Iowa — It's been exactly one week since a car accident in Ankeny led to a tragic fire that cost one woman her home, and we are starting to get a clearer picture of what led up to the accident.. ... READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5

 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines 2021
 

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

Best State University in Iowa
1. Iowa State University
2. University of Iowa
3. University of Northern Iowa

[...]

 
Read more
 
Personalities
 

Meet Kim Arndt: 
Keeping young bodies and minds healthy


By Becky Kolosik

Kim Arndt enjoys being active… and being around kids. As a P.E. teacher and coach, Arndt gets to enjoy the best of both worlds and has been making an impact on the lives of her students and student athletes.

It is no secret that physical activity is essential to a student's overall wellbeing — not only their health, but also their academic performance. These days, P.E. class is more than just running around a track or kicking a ball.

“There are a lot of life skills learned in P.E.,” says Arndt. “My job is to promote a positive mindset about exercise in hopes that the kids will take what they have learned and strive to be healthy as they move on in life.”

[...]

 
Read more
 
Jobs
 

Place your help wanted ad in the list below for FREE! Email to pat@dmcityview.com. And ask us about upgrading your FREE ad with a display ad in any of our publications.

EXECUTIVE CHEF...

DELIVERY DRIVER ...

MACHINE OPERATOR ...

 
See all jobs listings
 
Snapshots

A car came straight across Delaware and struck this townhome in Mallard Creek. Occupants of the vehicle ran off. No one was injured in the home. Photo by J. Frank (See story above)

SEND YOUR PHOTOS!

 
Email to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com to be included in an upcoming Daily Umbrella!
 
 
Digital Editions
 
Bondurant Living magazine is published each month and mailed to every household in the community. The December issue cover story, "Christmas Then and Now" shares residents' perspectives on how their holiday traditions have changed. Also included are other features, informational articles and local photos. Each edition, as well as the archives, may be viewed at www.iowalivingmagazines.com. Read the November issue here.
 
 
Birthdays and Notables!
 

Happy Birthday to these celebrities:Denzel Washington, Maggie Smith, John Legend, Joe Manganiello, Sienna Miller, Noomi Rapace, Seth Meyers, Paris Berelc, David Archuleta, Gayle King, Adam Vinatieri, Mackenzie Rosman

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

 
Poll of the Week

When do you take down your Christmas tree?

The day after Christmas
A week after Christmas
Two weeks after Christmas
Three weeks or more after Christmas
Don’t have a Christmas tree

 

What is atop your Christmas tree?

An angel - 40%
A star - 33%
A bow - 12%
Nothing -15%

 
Morning Chuckle
 
YESTERDAY'S RIDDLE:

What is the difference between a circus master and Caesar's barber?

ONE IS A RAVING SHOWMAN AND THE OTHER A SHAVING ROMAN. Tough one there!

TODAY'S RIDDLE

What happened when the woman accidentally swallowed a bunch of Scrabble tiles? HINT: Her next trip to the bathroom .......

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com 

 

If you would like to advertise in this daily newsletter, please contact Pat Checketts at pat@dmcityview.com, or call 515-953-4822 xt. 311.

P.S. As a free newsletter, we rely on readers like you to grow our subscriber list. If you have a friend or coworker who you think would enjoy waking up to The Daily Umbrella each weekday morning, please share our newsletter sign-up page with them! Visit www.thedailyumbrella.com and click on the SUBSCRIBE link on the upper right-hand side!

 

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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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