“Look at what happened to the British pound when the world financial markets saw they were spending beyond their means (National debt, Oct. 6, 2022). The same thing will happen to the U.S. dollar when the world loses confidence that we can pay our bills.” - George

Paying our bills? Operating within a budget? By, George, that’s ingenious! - Shane

“Good morning, Shane. Excellent article today but also a very scary article (National debt, Oct. 6, 2022). How do we get politicians to address this? I know there is no easy answer, but I fear the future for my children and grandchildren, as I’m sure many people do. Hearing the numbers that are being spent today is unbelievable!” - Ann

We need to vote for people who understand how to work within a budget, and then we need to hold them accountable. Will it happen? Probably not, as too many people truly think a government should not operate financially like a business or a household. - Shane

“You forgot the Jonas Brothers (Boy Bands, Oct. 11, 2022).” - Samantha 

They are easily forgettable. - Shane

“I laughed many times while reading today's essay (Pulling a Wayne, Oct. 12, 2022). I think we've all had these things happen, and I'm guessing it happens to men more often than women. Decades ago, a now-famous pianist played a concert in my hometown, Shenandoah, on the Civic Music series. My brother, then 15 or so, was the backstage light and curtain guy. The pianist asked him, ‘What do all men ask before they go out on stage?’ My brother did not know what to answer. The pianist said, ‘Is my zipper up?’ For me, at 75, I do believe that some tactile sense is diminished in the belt loop deal. Have a great day!” - Roger


Thanks for the reminder, Roger. I just checked my zipper. It’s up. - Shane

“Life is hard enough to decide if it's blue or not (Pulling a Wayne, Oct. 12, 2022). My socks are either black or white. At least one aspect of life is simple. - Brad

That sounds a lot like a Three Dog Night song, with your own simple meaning. - Shane

“You wrote (Pulling a Wayne, Oct. 12, 2022): ‘There’s a solution to all this. Don’t wear shirts with buttons. Avoid wearing belts, or leave your shirt untucked to hide the belt. And make sure all your socks are black.” Or… join a nudist colony!” - Diane

Hmmmm. I’m speechless. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

Temperatures will continue to be warm into the weekend, reaching the 80s (!) on Saturday and on a windy Sunday. Chances for storms move in Sunday night into Monday, with cooler temperatures following.

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

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 Hair Salon
1. PURE Salon
2. La Vida Foundry
3. Neon Heart Salon

VOTE NOW FOR 2023!

Restoring Grandpa’s motorcycle

Lees has a little motivation to finish the job — his family is keeping tabs.

By Darren Tromblay

Nick Lees of Johnston is probably one of the most unique 40-year-olds you’ll ever meet.

Is it his youthful look or the fact that he has seven kids that make him so? No, although one could make a case for it. No, the truly unique thing about him is that he is the owner of a 1950 Jawa 350 motorcycle, a Czechoslovakian-made bike that was first owned by his grandfather Grail. 

Never heard of that brand have you? Most haven’t. But this one is special; it was grandpa’s.

“He rode around on this with Grandma,” Lees says of the bike, which is now in the middle stages of a big restoration job. “My uncle Greg, in Michigan, had it for the last 30 years, thinking he was going to restore it but never got around to it.”

... Read More In the October issue of Johnston  Living magazine.

Happy Birthday Oct. 22 - David Jordan and Oct. 23 - Jacque Lewton, Steve Jordan.

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Glen Powell, Ken Watanabe, Zack Greinke, Aaron Tveit, Will Estes, Judy Sheindlin

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

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