“In early Des Moines the actual buildings were lathered with heavy paint for signage, the remnant of which can still be seen, although weathered and faded for more than 100 years, on today's downtown living lofts converted from old factories. I suspect those sales representatives in the day for such advertising had to get it right since it was made to be displayed with a certain degree of permanency.”

Where was plastic when we needed it?

“With all things so visual, one needs to think of the unintended consequences,” Rowley wrote. “For instance, what will out-of-towners and local wisecrackers come up with for the alternative meaning of DSM?”

As long as we keep the B off DSM, I think we will be fine, Mike.

And he finished with, “By the way, is the color of the letters at the Des Moines Airport a little too close to that used by Drake University?”

That’s a good question for the DMACC lawyers, Mike.

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

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

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

FROM KCCI: Beloved water buffalo 'Phill' in critical condition, Iowa Farm Sanctuary says. OXFORD, Iowa — Phill, the beloved water buffalo who led Pleasant Hill police on a dayslong hunt last year, is in critical condition at the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital, his new owners say. ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa House Republicans pass 2.25% funding increase for schools; Democrats warn of staff, tax implications. DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Senate Republicans passed the caucus’ proposed 2% increase to public school funding for FY 2026 earlier this week; and to end the fourth week of the session House Republicans cleared a 2.25% increase through the chamber. ...READ MORE

FROM WOI: Polk County Attorney: DMPD officers who killed suspect will not be charged. In a letter to Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart, Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham outlines the events leading up to the shooting of Charquan Hargrove.....READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Snow will fall during the afternoon commute today, making travel tricky. It appears a half inch to two inches may fall in the Des Moines area. More snow is possible during the day Saturday, with totals of 1-4" looking likely. A third chance of what appears to be light snow comes Monday as temperatures again plummet.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

The MAHA news
Arizona took legislative action this week to rid school lunches of any products that contain any of 11 chemicals. We found out what and why: Potassium bromate is a “2B carcinogen” that makes flour fluffier; probylparaben gives junk food and cosmetics longer shelf life but has been linked to hormonal disruption in animals; titanium dioxide is a pigment in ink and paint but is banned in Europe as a carcinogen; brominated vegetable oil is an emulsifier that keeps artificial flavors from separating but also is linked to nervous system damage, headaches, skin and mucous membrane irritation, fatigue and loss of muscle coordination and memory; yellow dyes 5 and 6 give Mountain Dew and Toaster Strudel color but are linked to ADS and hyperactivity in children; blue dyes 1 and 2 give foods color but are toxic to rats and mice; green dye 3 gives color to cereals but causes skin rashes, hives, flushing, itching, respiratory difficulties, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headaches; and red dyes 3 and 40 give sports drinks and popsicles color but can harm the thyroid and brain.  The brain! Schools have been feeding kids crap that can hurt their brains? And the U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has allowed these chemicals in our kids’ food?   

Weekend deals
• Opa! (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) hosts the Animal Rescue League’s spay and neuter awareness fundraiser “Spay-ghetti & No-Balls” dinner, Sunday 4:45-8 p.m.

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has all you can eat fish and shrimp Fridays through Good Friday, $15.49.   

• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice. $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.

• Fresh Thyme's (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on Coho salmon fillets at $4.99/pound, Sumo tangerines at $2.99/pound and snow crab clusters at $7.99/pound through Tuesday.  

• Fish Fry Friday night specials can be found at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale), Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), Cracker Barrel (11701 University, Clive) and Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines).

• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) offers BBQ beef and marinated roast beef sandwiches on special for Friday lunch.

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) now has brunch on Fridays as well as Saturdays and Sundays. 

• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.

• Maxie's Supper Club's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Friday special is chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes - $16.95 all day. They also have prime rib dinners on Friday and Saturday for dinner only, $30-38. 

• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) has a beef Bourguignon Sunday special for $28.

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a  sale on avocados at six for $2.99, bacon at $3.99/pound and various scallops and seafood medleys at $7.99/pound through Tuesday.

•  Westown Tap (3530 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers $12 flatbreads on Fridays.

•  El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill (3751 EP True Parkway, West Des Moines) has live music on Friday from 6 p.m. with The Juan & Only. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com