We all have seem to have plenty of interruptions in our days. Phone calls. Social media alerts. Text messages. Emails. People who just can’t stop talking. This newsletter may even be an interruption to your lunch hour. 

Some interruptions can be good and even welcomed, but most simply do one thing: interrupt. 

It is difficult now to imagine when we were not accessible at all times. For the younger readers of this newsletter, you never experienced those simpler days when you could truly unplug. For the rest of us, it really wasn’t that long ago. 

Do you remember when you could start a project and actually finish it without any rings, beeps, dings or alerts? Sounds soothing, huh?

I was driving my truck the other day and this all came to mind, remembering when being in my vehicle was a time of solace to get away from the hustle and bustle of the home or the office. It was a time when others didn’t know where I was or what I was doing, and that was OK. All those seemingly urgent things could wait. 

Somewhere along the line, something changed. We now suddenly feel the need to be accessible 24/7 and to share with others those seemingly important things like what we had for breakfast, a couple hundred selfies, and where we “checked in” at. And, of course, we have to learn what others had for breakfast, look at their couple hundred selfies, and see where they “checked in” at.

It’s an addiction, one that some would argue was perpetrated by Big Tech for corporate gain. And, like any addiction, it can be difficult to kick. Meanwhile, until Congress reins in the data-stealers, we need to try even harder to find time without interruptions, the solace that is required to keep our sanity.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and, as always, thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

When I talk with local business owners, most of them tell me that the No. 1 thing that is holding them back from growth is the inability to find people to work. 

As such, after the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment benefits were cut in hopes of getting the unemployed back to work. The results have not been what many had hoped for, as employers are still struggling to find people. Why didn’t the cut in unemployment benefits solve the problem? There are many theories to this, but one that makes sense is that some people are now choosing to “work by the job” with contract positions or “Uber”-type jobs. A growing number of people don’t want to work the traditional 40 hours per week, and some couples have even learned to get by on one income. Others are simply not concerned about having health insurance, retirement plans or other employee benefits. And still others prefer the non-employee types of jobs to avoid drug testing. These are all concerning, and they are all real, at least to some degree. Meanwhile, the jobs — many with good pay and benefits — are aplenty. So now what? Well, what if…

What if all unemployment payments and payouts were eliminated completely for a period of time? Maybe a test for a year, or six months, or three months. Would some Americans starve? Would our economy crumble? Or would our taxable revenues skyrocket with a full workforce, providing opportunities for better wages? Other social programs may need to step up to address child care and other issues, but what if?

What if young people were not allowed to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until age 26 and had to find full-time jobs to gain employee benefits? Would we have an abundance of unemployed and uninsured youth, or would they be readily employed with full-time jobs and insurance plans? Would they stick with jobs longer to keep their benefits? Or would they keep job-hopping? Could they go to college and work some at the same time? Or is that too much to ask? What if?

What if retired and disabled people who were capable could work more hours without risking the loss of health insurance and benefits? What if there was an incentive to work more, for both the employer and the employee?

What if it were easier for non-residents to become tax-paying Americans and not have to deal with the time and money currently involved in becoming a U.S. citizen? And what if their employers actually paid full taxes on what could be now-legal residents, too? What if?

Unfortunately, the solutions to these and most other problems all too often become political. In reality, building the economic engine of our country should be something we all support, as we all benefit from it. There are no easy answers, but that shouldn’t keep us from asking, “What if?”

Have a fantastic Friday, and, as always, thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

It’s official. In just two months, our total digital subscriber count for this Times Vedette newsletter has surpassed the total number of subscribers we had previously to the print edition —and that doesn’t even include our 3,181 online users and 10,292 page views at www.gctimesnews.com, or our 1,107 Facebook followers. I suspected this growth would happen, but it did so much faster than I thought it would. The pathway to growth has had a few bumps, but we keep plowing ahead. 

That’s good news for advertisers, who are now reaching more people for their marketing dollar. That’s good news for readers, who are now receiving this twice per week, providing more timely and accessible news. And that’s good news for us, as we continue to work at more modern and efficient ways to provide news and information to the people of Guthrie County. 

Change isn’t easy, as most all of you know. When I floated this idea to people six months ago, I was told it would never work. I was asked why I would give up that subscriber money. I was ridiculed by traditional publishers in the industry for forfeiting the legal revenue from the government entities they cling to for survival. 

Much of this change stems from my strong feelings that the paid publishing subscription model is outdated and broken, but there is another important and underlying reason: I don’t feel your tax dollars (or mine) should be used to fund the operations of traditional weekly newspapers. Some of you fully understand what I am referencing. Most of you don’t. Please allow me to explain.

If you ever wondered why paid subscription newspapers run the minutes and expenditures and other items from the board of supervisors, the city councils and the school boards in the small type in their back pages, the answer is simple — they get paid to do so. And thanks to the ongoing lobbying efforts of the Iowa Newspaper Association, paid subscription newspapers are the only options these government entities have. Many newspapers used to reach six or more households out of 10 in most every community they served, sometimes more. Today, most newspapers don’t reach two out of 10, some less than one out of 10. Meanwhile, your tax dollars are being used by government entities required to publish these public notices in paid subscription newspapers. Our free publications that reach every household don’t qualify. Neither does this digital email newsletter. Or internet postings. Or government websites. Or direct mailers. Or social media. Only paid subscription newspapers qualify. That’s it. 

The absurdity of this has been discussed in most every Iowa legislative session in recent years, and some laws have been changed to no longer require smaller communities to publish all legal notices in newspapers. But the absurdity continues. And you continue to pay for it. My newspaper industry colleagues hate when I bring this up, but they know it’s true, and they are simply hanging on to the legal revenue for as long as they can, fully realizing that the end is near — as it should be. 

Meanwhile, we will keep focusing on efforts to bring you the news and information you want in modern formats that reach a continually growing number of people. It is best for our advertisers. It is best for our readers. And, ultimately, it will be best for us, too. It’s what we do. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and, as always, thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

Employment services pioneer Robert Half said the eight words in the headline of this column, and most anyone who has hired or fired people would agree with him. Years ago, when jobs were scarce and applicants were aplenty, hiring was easier. The most difficult task was to sift through the stack of resumes and decide which ones to interview. Today, receiving a single application is a challenge. We recognize this, and we are making some efforts to help. 

If you are an employer, you are well aware of the high costs to advertise on digital job boards or to place ads in multiple newspapers or shoppers. And you also know the frustration in having few or no applicants. You know you need to reach people who are currently employed, but how?

If you are looking for a job, you know the annoyance in having to search multiple websites to find job openings, only to be disappointed by some national scam. 

If you are currently employed but want to see what’s out there for opportunities, you know how awkward this can be, especially if your current employer finds out. 

We have kept all this in mind while creating a series of opportunities for everyone, starting with our online job board, which is free to access and, for the immediate future, free to place help wanted ads on. Visit https://gctimesnews.com/job-board and place your ad now. It’s easy, and did I mention it’s free? The list of jobs will continue to grow in weeks ahead as we promote this more. Keep in mind that we are just getting started. 

We also now offer discounted full-color display advertising for help wanted ads in Lake Panorama Times, Guthrie Center Times and Panora Times, which are mailed to every household and business in their designated areas and available at dozens of single copy locations and in digital formats on the affiliated websites. Pricing starts as low as $106. 

We are even providing an option to advertise your open positions in this digital email newsletter, which is sent each Tuesday and Friday at noon. Pricing starts at $50 for two insertions. 

And, for the best results, we can package all of these options together for one low price. 

So if you are hiring, interviewing or just curious what’s out there, be sure to check out our job board, our publications and this email newsletter for openings and contact us to help.

Have a fantastic Friday, and  thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

Pajamas. Does anybody really wear them?

Apparently so, and the COVID-19 pandemic helped boost their sales. According to CNBC.com, online sales of pajamas surged 143% in April of 2020 compared with March, Interestingly, online sales of pants fell 13% during the same timeframe, as people turned to video conference calls where their lower halves were not visible. Some of that may have changed as the pandemic passed. Some. 

I have learned that the word pajamas is no longer popular, kind of like davenports (couches), slacks (pants) and wallets (billfolds). The proper term, I have discovered, is sleepwear. I am sticking with pajamas.

At our home, pajamas don’t exist. Now before you start thinking that I am offering too much information, you should know that an old T-shirt and boxer shorts are my choice while Jolene layers in sweatpants, wool socks and a hooded sweatshirt. And sometimes a parka. Sleepwear? Ha!

Was there a time when married adults dressed in pajamas? Mike Brady from the 1970s TV show “The Brady Bunch” seemed to always don a freshly ironed set of long-sleeved, light-blue pajamas. And Carol Brady wore a matching blue frilly nightgown that bared her arms but covered her ankles. It worked for them, but so did the wide-collared silk shirts, the bell-bottom pants and the white belts.

Coco Chanel apparently deserves credit for introducing “lounging pajamas” in the 1920s, according to thepajamacompany.com. These replaced the traditional long nightshirts and nightcaps.

Pajamas have come a long way. Before 1950, they commonly had a “drop seat” to make it easier to use the bathroom facilities. I tried that style a few years ago. I wouldn’t use the word “easier.”

And did you know that the footed pajamas were designed to protect people’s feet from bed bugs and termites? Yikes.

To be honest, I tried many pajamas through the years, but they all seemed to end up in a tangled mess by morning, and I looked like I was in a straitjacket. Unless, of course, the gal in the parka is restraining me. Regardless, I am sticking with my current sleepwear choice. Sweet dreams. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading. 

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

While watching the Panorama girls play in the state basketball first-round game on Tuesday, I marveled at the coverage of the game on the live stream — and, of course, the outstanding play of the Panthers!

Not too many years ago, fans had to rely on an area radio station that might be covering a state tournament game. And, of course, it was only audio. 

Some parents and fans shoot impressive video from the stands on their phones, but the coverage on the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is truly amazing. The video, the stats, the camera angles, the commentary and the instant replays provide a professional touch to high-school-level games. This technology has come a long way in a short time, and many of us simply take it for granted. 

It’s not all about the look either. Live streaming has catapulted the audience to new levels, as many fans watched Tuesday’s game from their computers, their tablets and their phones. We should all thank Panora Fiber for the massive investments they have made to allow us to stream content flawlessly. 

Of course, nothing matches watching the state tournament games in person, and the Panther fans show up. The pep bus was cheering all the way to Des Moines and back on Tuesday and is doing so again today! A special thanks goes out to the generous sponsors who funded the costs of the transportation and food. 

Today’s second-round game is underway right now (tip-off was at 11:45 a.m.) and will be just as exciting, as the Panthers (24-1) take on Westwood (22-0). If you didn’t go to the game, you can watch it right now from this link. 

This is an exciting time for these young women, Coach Boettcher and her staff, and all the families. Truth be told, it is an exciting time for everyone in the Panorama School District and beyond, whether you are a basketball fan or not. 

The Panorama girls are making us all proud not only of their accomplishments but also of how they have progressed this season with class.

So whether you attend in person and experience the excitement firsthand, or you watch the game at work or at home on live stream, be sure to put your hands together and cheer on the Panthers.

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115