Most of our staff are not working today, as our office is closed today in recognition of the New Year’s Day holiday. Even so, as we have done every other weekday this year, we are bringing you this free weekday newsletter. All our printed publications are publishing as scheduled as well.

The Des Moines Register, which has been a daily newspaper in Des Moines, published a note in its Wednesday edition stating that, “Due to the weekend holiday, Thursday’s edition will serve as a combined edition for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.” And just for clarification, they also stated, “No newspaper will be delivered Friday or Saturday.”

“Due to the weekend holiday?” What does that mean?

One might assume that there is not enough advertising revenue to justify the costs of printing and delivering papers on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Or maybe the paper doesn’t have enough staff working through the holidays to put a newspaper together. Or could it be that there just isn’t anything newsworthy going on during those days to dedicate the ink or paper? It’s hard to tell, at least by the newspaper’s explanatory note.

But, you can rest assured knowing that you will be able to find “the latest news on our website and our mobile app and you will find Friday’s and Saturday’s comics, puzzles and games in the Friday and Saturday e-editions.” Thank goodness.

I am curious what message this sends to the Register’s readers and advertisers? Many longtime Register readers continue to be baffled by their management’s decisions to further alienate what is left of their subscriber base — the people who advertisers are paying to reach. It is almost like the Register brass wants people to quit paying for print subscriptions, and maybe they do.

Decisions like this raise even more questions. Do paying subscribers receive some form of credit or refund for the missing days? Will this lapse continue in the future “due to weekend holidays?” How long will a printed edition of The Des Moines Register continue to be available?

Time will tell. Meanwhile, according to the same explanatory note, normal delivery — whatever that is — will resume on Sunday.

Happy New Year, and thanks for reading.

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

If you enjoy receiving the Daily Umbrella, you may also enjoy one of our weekly emails, with updated news, features, weather and much more, delivered to your email for free. Unsubscribe at any time with one click. And, as always, unlike others, we will never sell your information.

Friday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
DES MOINES SYMPHONY - NEW YEAR’S EVE POPS: THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN
At: Des Moines Civic Center
Info: Ring in the New Year with the Des Moines Symphony. The New Year's Eve Pops brings the Symphony together with The Music of Elton John, starring Michael Cavanaugh and his band. The high-energy celebration will have you singing along to classic hits and rock favorites. The Civic Center is located in downtown Des Moines at 221 Walnut St. For more information, visit www.dmsymphony.org.

Hope prayer path: Alton Ladd completes work on Eagle Scout project

By Jackie Wilson

Alton Ladd, 14, joined Boy Scouts when he was in first grade. Over the years, the ninth-grade Valley Southwoods student began setting his sights on his Eagle Scout ranking, the highest achievement available in Boy Scouts. He asked folks for recommendations, including those in the church he attends,

Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.
They suggested he work on a prayer path in an area just outside of the church serving as a quiet area for parishioners. The church wanted to complete the area with pavers, landscaping and benches, and Alton agreed.
His first responsibility was to obtain project funding. He asked the church, family members and neighbors for donations. Enthusiastic folks donated $3,900 for materials.

[...]

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 ...

Adel Living Weekly newsletters are published each week online and delivered for free via email to those who have subscribed. Enjoy the monthly Adel Living magazine — delivered monthly to homes in those communities — with its engaging feature stories and informative articles and advertising, and receive the weekly newsletter for additional community news that complements the magazine! COMING SOON: All the Iowa Living magazines will have a weekly newsletter. For more information visit www.iowalivingmagazines.com. To subscribe to the issues of your choice, click the link below! Unsubscribe at any time with one click.

Happy Birthday to Jason Wilson on Jan. 1 and Amy Welp on Jan. 2!

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Anthony Hopkins, Val Kilmer, Ben Kingsley, Donald Trump Jr., Nicholas Sparks, James Remar, Bebe Neuwirth, Gabby Douglas, Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Rodriguez

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