May 20 Daily Umbrella: Laurel and Hardy; Reynolds signs 25 bills; plants hate math?

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Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Good morning to you!

“Well, here’s another nice mess you have gotten me into.”

That’s the phrase Oliver Hardy so famously delivered to Stan Laurel in many of the duo’s short movies during the early era of film — although many of you will swear the words are “another FINE mess.” They aren’t, although Laurel and Hardy did have a 29-minute film with that title in 1930.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy made more than 100 films together from 1921 to 1950, and I saw many of them on the screen of my hometown theater as a kid. The movie house owners must have purchased copies of the films, as they played them every summer on weekday afternoons. This gave us kids something to do for a low price (a free admission coupon ran in our local paper), and the theater made a few coins on concessions. Best of all, we all learned about the comic duo of Laurel and Hardy.

Some of you may recall how Stan Laurel was a slender man, and Oliver Hardy was… not. That contrast in size was part of what made their schtick work, and they built the model for others to follow.

Abbott and Costello fit the part. So did the Skipper and Gilligan. David Spade and Chris Farley nearly mastered it. Don't forget Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito; Timon and Pumba; Jake and Elwood. Even R2-D2 and C-3PO made it work.

This big person/little person theme seemed to only be reserved for men, though. Even if you could name a few plus-sized/small-sized female comic duos, I am not pointing out that contrast here. Oliver Hardy was fine with being called husky. Rosie O’Donnell? Not so much. OK, I won’t mention another one.

I will share a few more of the contrasting male duos, though, and they don’t all include one chubby guy. Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble were both on the heavy side. Felix and Oscar had many unique contrasts other than weight. So did Tom and Jerry.

But, if we are being honest, few nailed it like Laurel and Hardy. And they did so in some films that were silent and all films that were black and white — without sexual innuendos, vulgar language or a staff of professional writers to develop punch lines. Their movies were certainly not from my era, but I enjoyed them all the same. I still do. Watching Laurel and Hardy movies at the theater kept my friends and me out of trouble for at least a few afternoon hours. Or, as you might say, it was another nice mess they kept us from getting into.

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.

FROM KCCI: Gov. Kim Reynolds signs 25 bills, including fireworks and school funding measures. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed 25 bills into law Monday, including measures related to fireworks, school funding and First Amendment rights. The slate of bills signed is the first action on legislation Reynolds has taken since the 2025 legislative session adjourned Thursday. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines police investigating shooting in gas station parking lot. The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a shooting on the city’s southeast side. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Ankeny Schools moves away from DEI practices. Ankeny Community Schools is doing away with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The school board on Monday voted unanimously to remove DEI curriculum and any mention of the term in board policy. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Storm chances today. Rain continues much of the week with a break possible Friday.

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

Pollen tracker

Tree pollen: Low

Grass pollen: Low

Ragweed pollen: None

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

Best Local Flower Shop

1. Boesen the Florist

2. Wildflower

3. Bellflower Florist & Gifts

See all of the results

Art on the walls can add to a dining experience. Lucca owner Steve Logsdon is an excellent painter who recently began hanging his unframed canvasses on his restaurant's 140-year-old brick walls. They are selling, too.

Tullpa uses Peruvian art to enhance dining — or dancing when they transition into a dance club.

Tuesday Touts

New York cheese guru Alex Armstrong will guide a tasting and discussion of the different profiles of five Gruyeres with wines at Cheese Shop’s next cheese class "Maker to Monger, King of the Alps: An Exploration of Gruyere” on Thursday. $60. Call the shop to reserve your spot: 515-528-8181. Reception 6 p.m., class begins at 6:30. The Cheese Shop, 833 42nd St., Des Moines.

Deals today
• Red Robin stores are advertising a $10 cheeseburger and "endless side" on Tuesdays.

• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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), Los Laureles (1518 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines), The Continental, (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) and Faustino’s (4944 Franklin Ave., Des Moines).

• Today is beef and noodles day at 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.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) hosts a Tuesday Burger and Beer special - half-pound burger, chips and dip, with a tap beer of choice $15.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a tenderloin Tuesday special with breaded pork tenderloin and fries for $10.

• Curbin Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Drive, Ankeny) offers cheeseburgers and fries for $7.99 on Tuesdays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

COLLECTIONS & HOBBIES
Capoeira combines several art forms into one

By Cyote Williams

Capoeira is defined as an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality. The combination may sound too good to be true. But, for Juan Loruido, it is his hobby and passion. He originally came across the art form while at Huntington Beach with a group of friends.

“We started to hear music and clapping and a sound we hadn’t heard before. As we got closer, that’s when I got to see what capoeira looked like. And it was very different. It captured my attention,” Loruido said.

That was enough to get Loruido to attend classes. He was apprehensive at first, sitting on the side of the studio for the first month he attended. ...

Featured home for sale

Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$430,000

629 Mallard Pointe Drive N.W.
Bondurant, IA 50035

Welcome to 629 Mallard Pointe Drive N.W. —a stunning, move-in ready home nestled in one of Bondurant's most desirable neighborhoods. From the moment you arrive, you'll be impressed by the curb appeal, spacious layout, and serene setting that make this property truly stand out. Step inside to discover a beautifully designed open floor plan that's as functional as it is inviting.....

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

3304 CRESCENT DRIVE, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-01-08
SALE PRICE: $225,000
SELLER: LEHS, BEVERLY
BUYER: BTB INVESTMENTS 2 LLC
ACRES: 0.167
SQUARE FEET: 1,824

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Winterset Living magazine

Where roots run deep
Eller helps Winterset thrive.

By Lindsey Giardino

Rachel Eller has lived in Madison County her whole life and Winterset, specifically, for the past 31 years.

It all started with her parents, who lived in Saint Charles. Later, Eller’s dad moved the family to Winterset, a place that quickly became home.

What Eller likes about her current home is that all five bedrooms are on the main level, which gives each of her four kids a space of their own. She also enjoys the large formal dining room and sunk-in living room with an original wood fireplace, especially because she hosts family holiday gatherings at her house. Additionally, the spacious corner lot and large yard are ideal for gatherings and kids running around outside. ...

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: SEC weighing nine-game league schedule amid college football playoff tweaks. The format would include three annual opponents and a rotating group of six more teams with the possibility to reevaluate the permanent teams for competitive equity. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Early WNBA takeaways: Fever defense impresses, Cloud boosts Liberty. Eight games. Three days. The 2025 WNBA season is off and running. And so far we've seen the defending champion New York Liberty open strong, the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark record a triple-double and the Washington Mystics – perhaps better than most predicted – start 2-0. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Cubs reportedly calling up top prospect Matt Shaw after early season minor league demotion. Nearly two weeks after calling up top minor league pitcher Cade Horton, the Chicago Cubs are bringing back their No. 1 position player prospect as well. ... READ MORE

1873: Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive patent for blue jeans. On May 20, 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis are given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans. ... READ MORE

1969: Battle for “Hamburger Hill” ends after 10 grueling days. After 10 days and 10 bloody assaults, Hill 937 in South Vietnam is finally captured by U.S. and South Vietnamese troops. The Americans who fought there cynically dubbed Hill 937 “Hamburger Hill” because the battle and its high casualty rate reminded them of a meat grinder. ... READ MORE

1996: Supreme Court defends rights of gays and lesbians in Romer V. Evans. In a victory for the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, the U.S. Supreme Court votes six to three to strike down an amendment to Colorado’s state constitution that would have prevented any city, town, or county in the state from taking any legislative, executive, or judicial action to protect the rights of gays and lesbians. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Cher, Josh O'Connor, Busta Rhymes, Rachel Platten, Omar Apollo, Jon Pardi, Tony Goldwyn, Timothy Olyphant, Olivea Morton

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

The answer to the last riddle: What’s the easiest way to stop a dog from digging in the garden? TAKE AWAY ITS SHOVEL! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: Why do plants hate math?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Winterset Living magazines, contact:

Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

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