May 22 Daily Umbrella: 375,000 new workers; 2,500 pounds of crayons; cheapest gas in the metro

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Good morning to you!

Welcome to another edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Just read your article about school mascots (High school mascots, May 12, 2025). Next time maybe focus on the weird and obscure ones. My first journalism job after Iowa State required taking sports scores on Friday nights, and we had to learn the school mascots. This was back when adding an ‘ette’ made something feminine, although that wasn’t always the case. Arnold’s Park boys were Wild Cats, and the girls were the Wild Kittens. Webb’s teams were the spiders (although that was way before my time.)Yes, Spencer was, and is, the Tigers, but the girls used to be Tigerettes. And, of course, there are the Everly Cattlefeederettes and the Sheldon Orabettes. (Orab was an acronym for orange and black, the school colors. There’s probably a book in all this, but I’ll let you write it.” - Lori

I think you wrote it quite well. Thank you, Lori(ette). - Shane

“Good morning, Shane. I have some observations about chores (Hose headaches, May 14, 2025). Briefly, if you have to put in or remove screws, the last one will not go in smoothly and end up stripped. Likewise, the last screw will require torque in excess of the quality of the steel and strip. I have one of those expanding hoses that has lasted a few years now. My first few of them burst after a few months. Now, as I jinx myself, this one serves me well. Tomorrow, it will burst. Today, I used it, and I drained it into a watering can so I could coil it. My next chore rule is that a rope, extension cord or hose will find an object — in this case, the pipe holding my satellite dish — to get stuck on. The handle of the nozzle took a death grip, and no whipping would free it. I was forced to return along the path and release the nozzle so I could finish coiling the hose — and answer another call about Medicare supplemental opportunities.” - John

Hose handle death grip. That sounds like a great name for a heavy metal rock band. - Shane

“God bless Keith Christie (Put your head down and plow forward, May 13, 2025). RIP, Coach. Coming from the halls of Bulldog football of days of yore, Coach had words of wisdom for us – the Class of 1972 as well. It began the season before when he started the mid-practice tradition of running Harveys (Harvey Hardasses, to be specific). Extra laps and gut busters, etc. The concept was the extra training in the middle of regular practice would make us better conditioned, thus ensuring the fourth quarter was ours. We did win many games my senior year because Coach pushed us and quietly insisted we not brag or boast about how good we were. ‘Let’s show them,’ he said. Thanks, Keith Christie, for the push. I believe I have the old ways instilled — work harder than the rest and finish strong at the end.” - Rex

Like many great coaches, he taught his athletes about the lifelong importance of discipline. - Shane

Have a thoughtful Thursday, 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: Des Moines house fire claims three lives, leaves family devastated.A fast-moving house fire on Des Moines' Southside early Wednesday morning resulted in the tragic deaths of three family members, leaving the surviving relatives in shock and mourning. It happened on Three Lakes Parkway just south of Easter Lake. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Downtown ride honors nearly 400 Iowa cyclists injured, killed in last year. The 21st Ride of Silence brought together cyclists who honored the 395 injured or killed cyclists in Iowa over the past year. The ride originated in Texas but was brought to Iowa by several organizations that saw a need to honor the individuals involved in cycling accidents each year and raise awareness for needed safety regulations. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: AT&T to acquire Lumen, CenturyLink fiber internet business. In a move AT&T says is part of its commitment to invest in local communities with high-speed internet connectivity, the company announced on Wednesday it has reached an agreement to purchase most of Lumen Technologies' fiber internet business. Lumen, which offers internet in Iowa under the CenturyLink namesake, reportedly agreed to the deal for a total of $5.75 billion. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A few spotty showers are possible this morning and again Friday evening. Rain chances then return late Saturday into Sunday morning. Monday’s daytime hours look dry.

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

Pollen tracker

Tree pollen: High

Grass pollen: High

Ragweed pollen: None

Beaverdale Books – Open Mic Poetry Night. Kelsey Bigelow, emcee. May 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Do you love to write poetry? Or read poetry? If so, grab a friend and head to Beaverdale Books for a free, fun and informal evening of open mic poetry. Participate or observe.

Vagrant Fear – Variety Show
Vagrant Fear Productions is holding its fourth variety show at the Ames City Auditorium May 24, 7 p.m. $30. All ages show.

Every twist and knot tell a story in "The Ties That Bind"
Join professional dance company Hurley & Dancers for a modern dance milieu on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at Des Moines DanzArts Studio, 2150 Delavan Drive, No. 8, West Des Moines. Suggested donation $20/$10. Original choreography by Julie Betts, Elizabeth Ferreira, Alissa Hamer, Kathleen Hurley, Lisa Lewis and William Schneider. For more information, email hurley.kathleen@gmail.com.

Mainframe Studios
The powerful group show, “The Environment,” at Mainframe Studios. Curated by painter and ceramic artist Diane Kunzler, this show features more than 70 artists on three floors. The show is up until May 28.

Polk County Heritage Gallery – Iowa Exhibited
One of this dedicated group’s signature exhibitions runs through June 26 in the Beaux Art magnificence of the former Des Moines Post Office lobby in the Polk County Building.

Final week to play on the Plaza
Optik Interactive Installation at Cowles Commons
An interactive installation featuring 20 6-foot-tall gyroscope-like forms is at Cowles Commons through May 26. The installation invites users to manipulate the movement and reflection of light, while each unit becomes a different musical instrument. Part of Des Moines Performing Arts outdoor events free programming for families.

CelebrAsian anchors downtown events this weekend.
Spend a day at Western Gateway Park celebrating Asian cultures. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Iowa's largest Asian American event will showcase authentic food, cultural exhibits, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

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

Best Local Place to Purchase a Musical Instrument

1. Rieman Music

2. Uptempo Music

3. Becker Fine Stringed Instruments

See all of the results

Summer trending

~ Delish, whose staff does such things quite well, has named the Naked & Famous as “The Cocktail of 2025 Summer.” Originally created in 2011 by bartender Joaquín Simó at NYC East Village club Death and Co, the drink is a mix of mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and fresh lime juice. It’s citrusy, smokey and totally summer-ready.

~ McDonald's announced it will hire 375,000 new workers this summer.

~ Busch has revived its Busch Light Apple beer for summer.

~ Cruise lines report record bookings this summer-fall. (Fox Business)

Deals today

• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with its decadent RBAR burgers going for $16.

• Steaks: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola), and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. Gilroy's has both sirloin and NY strip specials. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave.) has a ribeye special on Thursdays.

• Thursday nights, Moroccan couscous — lemon chicken, beef keftas, five vegetables, harissa — are $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines).

• Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99.

• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays

• Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) has karaoke tonight from 6 p.m.

• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.

• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.

• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.

• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays 5:30-9 p.m. $18.95.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten-free spin on DSM's classic. $16

• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.

• Aldi is selling blueberries for $2.29/pint, strawberries for $1.69/pound and whole watermelons for $4.65.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

YOUR NEIGHBORS
More than 2,500 pounds of crayons, courtesy of Norman Wrigley

By Cyote Williams

Crayons are a staple in art education for those in elementary school. The coolest kids and classrooms had the best colors, a sharpener and more crayons than one knew what to do with. What is often forgotten is what becomes of crayons near the end of their lifecycle — but not for Norman Wrigley.

Wrigley is the instructor at East Coast Tae Kwan Do in Altoona. Since 2017, he has been collecting crayons for the Crayon Initiative, an organization that takes used crayons and recycles them to be used in children’s hospitals across the U.S. Blank Children’s Hospital, MercyOne Children’s Hospital, ChildServe and the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital are hospital partners. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$319,900

37 Keeneland Court
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Discover your new home in Lexington Park, the newest community in Pleasant Hill. Built by Paramount Homes, this twin home comes with an impressive list of standard features and offers tax abatement along with a great location just minutes from anywhere in the metro via nearby Hwy 65 Bypass. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

805 S.W. 37TH ST., GRIMES
SALE DATE: 2025-01-10
SALE PRICE: $1,930,000
SELLER: PREMIER CONCRETE PUMPING LLC
BUYER: ELLIOTT MOUNTING FACILITY LLC
ACRES: 2.566
SQUARE FEET: 10,400

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Adel Living magazine

Rooted in Adel
A place the Wheelers proudly call home

By Lindsey Giardino

Casey Wheeler has hometown roots in Dallas County.

She grew up in De Soto and graduated from ADM in 2012. Years later, in 2019, she and her husband, John, moved to Adel to be closer to family.

The Wheelers purchased their home in the spring of 2020, in the midst of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This house checked all of our boxes to fit our family of five, including a quiet neighborhood and a short distance from Adel Elementary, Meadowview Elementary and Evans Park,” Wheeler explains. “We adore our three-seasons porch that has turned into our children’s play area. We love that they have their own space, but it is right off the kitchen, so they are easily supervised.” ...

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Pacers mount incredible OT comeback over Knicks behind heroic efforts from Nesmith, Haliburton. The Indiana Pacers narrowly took down the New York Knicks in an overtime thriller on Wednesday night, kicking off the 2025 Eastern Conference finals with a 138-135 win at Madison Square Garden and taking a 1-0 series lead. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Tempers flare as Eagles defend tush push in heated debate. Debate over the tush push led to a heated exchange between NFL owners and league executives Wednesday morning during the league meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, multiple sources with firsthand knowledge told ESPN. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Tim Cindric, two other executives ousted by Penske in rules breach fallout. The consequences from Team Penske's Indy 500 qualifying scandal are still unfolding several days later. Josef Newgarden and Will Power have already been sent to the rear of the field, the team has been fined a total of $200,000, and race strategists for each driver were suspended. ... READ MORE

Weekly fuel report

The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 3 cents, averaging $2.93 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 31 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.18, steady from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.34. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.61 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 21 cents lower than the national average of $3.55.

Natural gas prices were down $.12 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.38 MMbtu.

Cheapest gas in the metro. www.gasbuddy.com

Sam's Club in Ankeny (4625 S.E. Delaware Ave.) - $2.64

Multiple Kum & Go and Casey's stations in Ankeny. - $2.67

1455: The War of the Roses begins. In the opening battle of England’s War of the Roses, the Yorkists defeat King Henry VI’s Lancastrian forces at St. Albans, 20 miles northwest of London. Many Lancastrian nobles perished, including Edmund Beaufort, the duke of Somerset, and the king was forced to submit to the rule of his cousin, Richard of York. The dynastic struggle between the House of York, whose badge was a white rose, and the House of Lancaster, later associated with a red rose, would stretch on for 30 years.ovide humanitarian aid to victims of wars and natural disasters in congruence with the International Red Cross. ... READ MORE

1843: A thousand pioneers head West as part of the Great Emigration. The first major wagon train to the northwest departs from Elm Grove, Missouri, on the Oregon Trail. ... READ MORE

2004: Controversial documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” wins Palme d’Or prize. On May 22, 2004, Michael Moore’s documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11 beats out 18 other films to win the coveted Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It became the first documentary to triumph at Cannes since The Silent World, co-directed by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle, won the Palme d’Or in 1956. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Anna Baryshnikov, Apolo Anton Ohno, Camren Bicondova, Dana Williams, Johnny Gill, Maggie Q, Mark Christopher, Naomi Campbell, Novak Djokovic, Ginnifer Goodwin, Morrissey

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

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What did Miss Piggy say when asked on a date? SHE WAS IN A KERMIT-TED RELATIONSHIP! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: What did Fozzie take on vacation?

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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