Welcome to the Friday mailbag, where I share comments, questions and ideas that were sent by several of you in the past week.

“I appreciated your article today (like I do most days), but especially today.” – Brian

Brian was referencing my column from Jan. 19 on why I prefer to buy from people I know. Thanks, Brian. I am grateful for your note (and for our many locally owned businesses… and you).

“I bought a VW panel truck/van in 1969 and drove it till I totaled it in a nasty head-on collision in 1979. It had a bed with drawers and even a closet. And yes, dark wood paneling. Thanks for making me remember.” - Jim

Thanks for sharing those memories, Jim. I would love to see some photos of that van. And for those of you who missed the ride down memory lane in a conversion van, check out the column here.

“I love looking at houses. Am I in the market? Not expecting to be, but you never know. But when I want to look further at the featured house, I am required to sign in? I do not need another login and/or password to remember just to look at pictures. What gives?” - Diane

Great point, Diane. We have now changed the link to a site where you are not required to log in. Meanwhile, be sure to support your local realtors.

“After a rough day, that made me laugh (“That’s not a rat” column, Iowa Living magazines, January 2022). Thanks.” – Gary

I am glad I could help, Gary. I was hoping others would find the humor as well.

“I see that your Fire & Ice pub crawl event is this Saturday in Valley Junction. Am I too old to have fun at this thing?” – Julie

You are never too old to have fun at a CITYVIEW event, and this one is a lot of fun. Discounted tickets of $20 are still available through Saturday morning, and you may even get a free Des Moines Bucs game ticket ($10 value) and a stocking hat if you order soon.

Have a fantastic Friday, and, as always, 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.

NEW: Ankeny Living Weekly and Indianola Living Weekly!

Go to www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com and click on SUBSCRIBE.

Florida's Department of Ag announced that the next orange crop from the Sunshine State (where juice oranges mostly come from) will be the smallest since World War II. Infectious diseases have ravaged that state's oranges for decades now. Texas oranges are coming back big time though from a late 2020 storm that took about 20% of that year's crop. California's (Navels, blood, and Cara Cara) winter harvest will be about 14% off of last year's. Pests are the problem there. — Jim Duncan

Pets of a different kind: What city ordinances and owners say about unusual pets

By Ashley Rullestad

Georgia Tallman's daughter, Claire, 10, has dreams of being an animal rehabilitationist one day. Along with those dreams comes the desire for a number of different pets. In April, 2020, the family added two degus — Marvel and Hawkeye — to the family. Degus are small rodents similar to a gerbil or chinchilla.


“Claire wanted a chinchilla, and, while reading some books from the library, she discovered degus. Chinchillas are nocturnal, and she liked the idea of the degus being awake during the day. She also read they are affectionate and intelligent. She has taught them to come to her by saying, 'Hey, babies.’ ”

[...]

EMPLOYERS: Place your help wanted ad on our Jobs Board for FREE! For information about placing your ad in our print products, email pat@dmcityview.com.

CITYVIEW MAGAZINE REPORTER ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF ...

DELIVERY DRIVERS ...

Happy Birthday Saturday to Samantha Goodman!

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Geena Davis, Plácido Domingo, Emma Bunton, Booboo Stewart, Jerry Trainor, Jack Nicklaus, Jackson Brundage

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