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Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
 
Good Tuesday Morning to You!

Jim Croce asked for help from a telephone operator to place a call in his 1972 hit song "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels).” And in 1972, using a telephone operator for assistance was common. But what about today? When was the last time you spoke with an operator? Even the term operator seems antiquated now. Sounds more like a surgeon.

Do you remember when 1-800 numbers became mainstream? They launched in 1967, according to ringcentral.com, with a goal to cut down on labor-intensive collect calls that often required live operators. By the 1980s, every company seemingly had a 1-800 number, and my childhood buddies and I enjoyed dialing as many of them as we possibly could. We spent countless hours searching for and calling the 1-800 numbers on household products and telling the company representatives that we were doing a science fair project and were wondering if they would send us some free samples. We then provided our friend Dave’s name and address. His parents’ mailbox overflowed with samples and promotional materials every day, leaving his mother to wonder what in the world was going on. I can’t remember my own zip code today, but I can tell you Dave’s exact and complete home mailing address.

The practical jokes intensified. Most every TV infomercial back then had a heavily promoted 1-800 number to call and order products and have them shipped COD (cash on delivery). No pre-payment or credit cards were required, and there was no ability (that we knew of then) to track where the orders came from. So, the orders to Dave’s home started. Ginsu knives. Armourcote pots and pans. The Pocket Fisherman. Chia Pet. Mr. Microphone. But wait, there’s more. The Egg Scrambler. Time Life books. The Abdominizer. The Thighmaster. And a wide assortment of feminine hygiene products, gold coin collections and K-tel Records. We thought it was funny. Dave’s mother didn’t.

I realize now that ordering these types of products under another person’s name is illegal, immoral and some other things that start with an “i.” I am also not sure if a statute of limitations applies, so let me be clear: I was appalled that my friends Ian, Tommy and Mark would engage in such activity.

With that in mind, I close this column with the words of Jim Croce: “Oh, operator, let's forget about this call. There's no one there I really wanted to talk to. Thank you for your time. Oh, you've been so much more than kind. You can keep the dime.”

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

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

 
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

Light freezing rain, sleet and light snow could make for slippery conditions on this colder and blustery Tuesday. Wednesday will be dry… expect a high only near 17. Light snow looks likely again on Thursday. We climb back into the 30s for the weekend.

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

 
Things To Do

Iowa Wild Hockey home game
Tuesday, Feb. 22 vs. Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Enjoy hockey at the American Hockey League level, with players that regularly go on to play for the Minnesota Wild. For more information, visit www.iowawild.com.

 

 
 
Featured Home For Sale
 
Attention Realtors, post your listings here for $50. Contact pat@dmcityview.com for details.
 
1120 45th St,
Des Moines, IA 50311
$289,900
 
Welcome to Waveland Park! This 4 bedroom craftsman is loaded with character. You will feel right at home from the moment you set foot on the front porch. Hardwood floors, fireplace, and built-ins give charm to the large living and dining space. The kitchen offers plenty of space for preparing meals, and entertaining. ... SEE MORE ABOUT THIS LISTING
 
See More Homes For Sale
 
Headlines

THE SCORE: With less than a week to go in regular seasons, Drake's men won 74-58 to stay one game off the lead, but with the tie breaker in their favor.
Hawkeye women beat number 10 Indiana 88-82, for the second time in three days and are now a half game off the Big Ten lead.

FROM KCCI: Iowa DNR lists more than 700 waterways as impaired

DES MOINES, Iowa — Are your favorite waterways not meeting state quality standards? The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released its list of impaired waters. There are more than 700 state lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or wetlands on the DNR's Impaired Waters Listing. That includes Lake Petocka, on the north side of Bondurant. It made the list because of a fish kill caused by chlorine. ...READ MORE FROM KCCI

FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines police see common thread in violent weekend incidents

DES MOINES, IOWA — Over the weekend Des Moines police officers responded to six shootings and five other reports of gunfire. Early Sunday, police discovered one person with gunshot wounds in the 100 block of Water Street. Around the same time, two men checked themselves into Mercy Medical Center for gunshot injuries. Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Sunday, another man was shot in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue.  READ MORE FROM WHO-TV

FROM WOI-DT Local 5: City Council approves repairs to Des Moines Police Department building due to safety concerns

The move faced criticism because it wasn't open to public comment. ... READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5

 
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines 2022

CITYVIEW announced its 2022 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Feb.1. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Delicatessen
1. Hansen’s Manhattan Deli
2. Palmer’s Deli & Market
3. B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli

 
Personalities
 

Taking care of the community: Indianola Community Free Clinic offers hope and health.

By Becky Kolosik

When Michelle Hunerdosse was approached by Free Clinics of Iowa (FCI) about starting a free clinic in Indianola, she was all in. Even though finding a location might be a difficult, she started by asking her church.

“I approached Pastor Barry Hill at Assembly of God about whether the church might have space,” Hunerdosse says. “Without hesitation, he replied ‘yes,’ but said I must talk to Amira Seemann because he and Amira had been talking and praying about a free clinic.”

Amira and Michelle knew God was at work — and even more so when FCI shared that Robyn Witte had been looking to secure a location for a free clinic in Indianola, too.

[...]

 
Read more
 
Jobs

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.

Automotive Refinish Technician ...

Child Care ...

Delivery Driver ...

 
See all jobs listings
 
Snapshots
The student section cheers classmates to victory at the regional wrestling meet held at Winterset High School on Feb. 8. Photo by Kristine McDonald
 
HELP Tammy out by sending your photos to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com!
 
 
Digital Editions
 
Urbandale Living magazine is published each month and mailed to every household in the community. In the February issue cover story, "Budding Romance," residents share how their romances blossomed over time. 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 February issue here.
 
Receive more Urbandale news for free via email each week. Subscribe at www.iowalivingmagazines.com
 
 
Birthdays and Notables!
 

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Drew Barrymore, Julie Walters, James Blunt, Thomas Jane, Kyle MacLachlan, Jeri Ryan, Iliza Shlesinger, Julius Erving, Zach Roerig, Rachel Dratch, Clinton Kelly

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

 
Poll of the Week

How do you feel about a 4% flat tax on income?

Like it
Hate it
Not sure

 

How often do you exceed the legal speed limit when driving?

Every time - 12%
Most all the time - 66%
Rarely - 22%
Never - 0

 
Morning Chuckle
 
YESTERDAY'S RIDDLE:
What musical instrument is found in the bathroom?
A TUBA TOOTHPASTE! Thanks for sending answers Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml, Gail Pecht
 

TODAY'S RIDDLE:

What's an avocado's favourite kind of music?

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.

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