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Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Good morning to you!

Pick it up. That’s good advice, from a number of perspectives. But as the snow falls and melts — and falls again and melts again — we see the aftermath of plastic bottles, Styrofoam cups, construction debris and other litter. It’s the kind of stuff that made the Native American cry in that famous 1970s commercial from Keep America Beautiful.

Well, as the old saying goes, change starts at home. For most of you reading this, that means right here in our wonderful state of Iowa. I have long admired the efforts and accomplishments of a group called Keep Iowa Beautiful, an affiliate of the national Keep America Beautiful program. I was asked to speak at one of the organization’s meetings years ago, and I have followed them ever since.

Keep Iowa Beautiful began in 2000 through an effort by former Gov. Robert Ray, and an incredible civic leader, Donald Lamberti. The mission of Keep Iowa Beautiful is to enhance the image and appearance of the countryside and Iowa communities, thereby improving their economic health and cultural vitality — and it is working. The Pick-Up Iowa program is a great example of the progress this organization has made. Over the past four years, participants have hosted more than 150 clean-up events with an average of 2,000 volunteers annually.

Even with that progress, we can do better. Keep Iowa Beautiful is now calling on Iowans to help achieve a statewide goal of 2,500 volunteers to clean up litter across the state. Iowans are invited to host a 2025 Pick-Up Iowa event in their communities from April 1 through June 30. Volunteers clean up trash along Iowa’s roadsides, neighborhoods, streets, school grounds, parks, forests and streams.

Andy Frantz is the executive director of Keep Iowa Beautiful, and he believes the benefits of being involved in Pick-Up Iowa go beyond collecting litter.

“Pick-Up Iowa is more than just a clean-up initiative; it’s a chance to build local leadership through volunteer work that brings people together to make their community shine," he said. “When residents team up to beautify their town, they’re not just improving public spaces, they’re strengthening civic pride, too.”

If you share this passion and want to “pick it up,” you can learn how to get involved at https://keepiowabeautiful.org/get-involved/community-outreach-opportunities/pick-up-iowa/

Have a terrific Tuesday, 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.

 
 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: Catholic parish says Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday events will go on despite winter weather. DES MOINES, Iowa — A Catholic parish in Des Moines says winter weather will not cancel their plans to commemorate Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday this week. St. Theresa Catholic Church will have a Mardi Gras celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall Tuesday night. It is free and open to the public. ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa bill that bans administrating mRNA vaccines advances out of subcommittee. DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Senate Republicans advanced legislation at the beginning of the first funnel week that would prohibit a person from administering a gene-based vaccine to another in the state. ...READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa bill could determine what SNAP recipients can and can’t buy. The bill also includes an additional $1 million appropriation for a program allowing families to get double the amount of produce with their SNAP benefits. ...READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Showers and storms will soak the state today while temperatures stay mild. Rain changes to wet snow during the early morning hours on Wednesday. Look for 0.5" - 3" in the Des Moines area. Winds will blow the snow around, with gusts in excess of 40 mph. Winds die down Wednesday evening. Another, lighter round of rain and snow could come on Friday.

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

 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 

Best Local Mediterranean Food

1. Fresh Mediterranean Express

2. The Green Olive

3. OPA! Italian & Greek

 
See all of the results
 
 

Tuesday Touts

Harvestville Farm in southeast Iowa operates special farm-to-table dinners from April to September. They announced the chef lineup for 2025 this week and that tickets ($60 each) will go on sale Sunday, March 9. Last year, these sold out in one day. The reservations website  also offers some discounts at Fort Madison and Burlington hotels, including the historic Kingsley Inn in historic Fort Madison.

Local Hive Honey hot sauces impressed us in rum, gin and vodka cocktails ("Bee's Knees" "Doc Chilton"). We also use them to sweeten our favorite hot wings sauces.

Deals today
• Jethro's has raised the stakes for anyone who breaks the Emmenecker Challenge world record (3 minutes 1 second) from $10K to $25K. 
• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy and drink for $13.50 till Memorial Day. 
• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) offers live lobsters at half price on Tuesdays. 
• Opa! (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a buffet featuring fried shrimp, manicotti, chicken piccata, chicken meatballs, garlic knots, pasta alfredo, lamb and chicken, pizza, and all-you-can-eat dessert for $22.99 tonight till 8 p.m.
• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).
• Hy Vee Market Grilles have $6 chicken tenders dinners on Tuesdays.
• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines), La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines), all Taco John's, The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines), all Abelardo's, all Fernando’s, Malo (900 Mulberry St., Des Moines), Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) and Faustino’s (4944 Franklin Ave., Des Moines). 
• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).
• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) has happy hour all night Tuesdays. That means super deals on oysters, shrimp, duck frites, poutine, charcuterie, cheese boards, beers, wine and classic martinis.
• Sully's (806 First St., West Des Moines) has a burger basket special for $12 today.
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a tenderloin Tuesday special with BPT and fries for $10.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

BELLY UP TO...
Striking Sparrow Lounge

By Jackie Wilson

When entering the Striking Sparrow Lounge, it is like taking a step back in time. Setting the vibe are vintage beer signs such as the Hamm’s Beer flowing lake, which suggests the beer was born in the land of sky blue waters.

Wood-paneled walls and orange-green wallpaper are reminiscent of the 1970s. Black bucket bar stools with dolls perched in random spots resemble a rec room basement. For some, this is how you, your parents, or even your grandparents’ home décor looked decades ago.

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$848,900

8536 N.W. 33rd Court
Ankeny, IA 50023

Beautiful walkout ranch backing to woods in Camden Country Estates in southwest Ankeny. Near Saylorville Lake and the Visitor Center as well as minutes from Prairie Trail amenities. First floor holds a primary bedroom suite, office with built in shelving, formal and informal dining perfect for hosting and entertaining, mudroom, laundry room 1/2 bath and beautiful kitchen. ....

 
See the listing here.
 
See More Homes For Sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
6079 S.E. 14TH ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-11-15
SALE PRICE: $2,340,000
SELLER: PARAGON INVESTMENTS LLC
BUYER: 1726 NC LLC
ACRES: 1.076
SQUARE FEET: 3,270
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Ankeny Living magazine
 

Home tailored to lifestyle
Building offers all the amenities the Rikers enjoy.

By Lindsey Giardino

Cheryl Ross-Riker and her husband, Bob Riker, are longtime residents of Ankeny and have built a life around enjoying their community.

After relocating from Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1999, the couple quickly found themselves drawn to Ankeny’s welcoming atmosphere and budding amenities.

The Rikers moved to Ankeny when Bob accepted a job offer with Snyder & Associates. Their decision to relocate was also influenced by friends who had previously moved to Ankeny and shared glowing recommendations about the area. Bob and Cheryl quickly realized they had found the right place to settle down and have never looked back.

 
READ MORE
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN:  Gilgeous-Alexander powers Thunder to 50th win with latest 50-point night ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Discouraged Jason Kidd Reacts to Kyrie Irving Injury After Slew of Bad Luck for Mavs   ... READ MORE
 
FROM Yahoo Sports: TGL: Los Angeles GC claims No. 1 playoff spot, Rory McIlroy's Boston Common team eliminated   ... READ MORE
 

1960: Lucille Ball files for divorce from Desi Arnaz. After 20 tumultuous years of marriage, actress Lucille Ball files for divorce from her husband and collaborator, Desi Arnaz, on March 4, 1960. The breakup of the couple, stars of the hit sitcom "I Love Lucy" and owners of the innovative Desilu Studios, was one of the highest-profile divorces in American history at the time.  ...READ MORE

1994: John Candy dies. The comedic star John Candy dies suddenly of a heart attack on March 4, 1994, at the age of 43. At the time of his death, he was living near Durango, Mexico, while filming Wagons East, a Western comedy co-starring the comedian Richard Lewis. ... READ MORE

1966: John Lennon sparks his first major controversy. On March 4, 1966, an offhand John Lennon comment appears in the London Evening Standard. Months later, it erupted in the “Bigger than Jesus” scandal that brought a semi-official end to the giddy phenomenon known as Beatlemania. ... READ MORE

 
 
Birthdays and notables
 

These celebrities were born on this date: Tamzin Merchant, K Michelle, Draymond Green, Jacob Hopkins, Catherine O'Hara, AJ Tracey, Kay Lenz, Mykelti Williamson, Patricia Heaton, Margo Harshman

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle:  What did the fish say after swimming into a cement wall? DAM! - Rex Post, William Snyder, Gail Tomlinson. Or, I'm a wall-eye! - Carolyn Rogers. Thanks for sending the riddles, Rex!

Today's riddle: What kind of insect jumps over cups?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW magazine, contact:

Aaron Burns
Advertising Sales Manager
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 330
Mobile: 712-310-3860
aaron@dmcityview.com

 

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