June 9 Daily Umbrella: Child endangerment; burger up 10%; a ring made of a glass eye

Monday, June 9, 2025

Good morning to you!

Some objects of the past bring back great memories. Others, you may be glad to see erased from history. And, a select few are actually both. The clasp-top cigarette case my mother had from the 1970s, like the one pictured here, fits in the last group, at least to me.

Like many people of her day, Mom was an avid cigarette smoker — until she truly realized the harm while in her retirement years and, to my joy, gave up the habit. She would tell me how she would vomit while forcing herself to learn how to smoke cigarettes as a young woman so she could simply fit in. Sad, but true.

For Mom and many people of her generation, smoking was more than a habit, though. It was a fashion statement. The brand. The environment. And, yes, even the cigarette pack holder.

I can still envision Mom’s. It was a light-blue, faux-leather case with a metal clasp at the top. On the side was a small pouch to store change. A dual purpose! Mom would stow that case away in her purse to keep her smokes and coins at an arm’s length away — and she wasn’t alone.

Much like today’s cell phone cases, these cigarette pack holders came in a variety of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes. Some had a spot for a lighter. Others were embroidered. In my recent research, I even found some made of wood. But most all of them had that simple clasp at the top to keep them closed — and, of course, they smelled like cigarettes.

These cases were seemingly unique to women, at least from what I recall. Men apparently didn’t need such fashion statements. Of course, they learned that stuffing a pack in their back pocket would result in crushed cigarettes, so most men simply stashed their packs in their front shirt pockets, which even the T-shirts of the day had. When my dad would wear a sweater, his preferred choice was a cardigan so he could easily reach for his cigarettes. Smokers were practical, too.

Back to my memories of that light blue, faux-leather cigarette case. Mom didn’t throw many things away, but I am guessing she was pleased to finally toss that item in the garbage once she finally kicked the smoking habit. Those cigarette cases are erased from history, you might say, other than a few memories here and there… and the surprising (or maybe not surprising) option to still be able to buy them today at Walmart.

Have a magnificent Monday, 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: Calhoun County woman charged with endangerment after baby suffers skull fracture, stroke and seizures. A Calhoun County woman is accused of not giving her newborn baby proper food and health care for months. Emma Swanson is charged with child endangerment. According to court records, in 2024 her baby experienced seizures, was underweight and diagnosed with failure to thrive. Swanson allegedly took a video of one of the seizures, but did not seek medical care. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Ironman takes competitors 70 miles around Des Moines. The Ironman 70.3 kicked off early in downtown Des Moines on Sunday and took competitors on a long journey through the city. The event started at 6:30 a.m. with a 1.2-mile swim in Gray’s Lake, followed by a 56-mile bike ride, and ending in a 13.1-mile run. This totals 70.3 miles, and competitors have 8 and a half hours to finish. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: After community feedback, DMPS plan for 'Signature Schools' taking shape. After a community survey, Des Moines Public Schools expanded on its Reimagining Education plan during its final school board meeting of the year, building out the previously proposed idea for "Signature Schools." ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

There’s a slight shower chance in northern Iowa today, then we heat up into midweek. The next rain chance comes Thursday.

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: Very High

Ragweed pollen: None

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

Best Ingersoll Area Store

1. Tandem Brick Gallery

2. Renovation Jungle

3. Zzz Records

See all of the results

The legendary Fog City Diner in San Francisco closed permanently. It was the inspiration for the Drake Diner in Des Moines which endures marvelously. Read more here.

Year over year price increases as of April included steaks up 7%, burger up 10%, chicken up 2.7% and ham up 4.3%. Beef prices reflect the dwindling size of herds which are smaller than in 1952, when the population of the U.S. was less than half what it is today. Chicken, too, is recovering, from bird flu, but that happens exponentially faster than with cows. (Omaha Steaks CEO Nate Rempe)

Deals today

• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free egg drop soup and crab Rangoon with lunch entrees today.

• G Migg's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today with a side.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll, Des Moines) has a Monday special Graziano grinder with a side for $12.

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) offers a Monday special double smash burger and shoestring fries for $12.

• Bad Dog Burgers include three 1/3-pound patties, six pieces of bacon, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion for $10.95 on Mondays. At Kathy’s East 14th Street Tavern (3418 E. 14th St., Des Moines).

• Jethro's in Altoona and West Des Moines has a Monday mac and cheese special called hog wild this week.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on local asparagus at $2.88/pound, whole watermelons at $5 and St. Louis ribs at $2.99/pound.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has specials on chicken Parmesan and lasagna today, $11.50 with garlic bread and salad.

• Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Monday special is a burger with domestic beer, soft drink or well drink for $10.

• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.

• Who's on First (810 E. First St., Ankeny) has steak night on Monday, and it's an 8-ounce filet with salad, mashed potatoes and beans for $22.95

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 until 4 p.m.

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays.

• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).

• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.

• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle on wine.

• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9.

• Red Lobster's Monday special is lobster and shrimp scampi with a side for $20.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich for $12.50.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a Monday steak night special, sirloins and truffle fries for $18.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $14 calzone specials with up to three ingredients on Mondays.

• Price Chopper delis offer two-piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners, with two sides and a roll, for $6 on Mondays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

BUSINESS FEATURE
Custom-made

By Lindsey Giardino

In today’s highly competitive retail world, customer service can make the difference between keeping customers or losing them to a competitor. Businesses wanting to go the extra mile to satisfy their customers find ways to individualize their services, which may include customizing their products. Whether it is a sharp, custom suit or a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, these two locally owned businesses are helping Iowans express their personal style with craftsmanship and care. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$1,429,000

2974 133rd Court
Van Meter, IA 50261

Experience timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship in this stunning Tuscan-style estate nestled on 6 private acres in the exclusive Woodland Valley Estates of Van Meter. Boasting over 7,000 square feet of meticulously designed living space, this 1.5-story walkout offers an unmatched blend of Old World charm and modern luxury. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

5615 HICKMAN ROAD, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-01-29
SALE PRICE: $345,000
SELLER: HEART OF THE HAWKEYE COUNCIL OF CAMP FIRE INC
BUYER: FEST PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.795
SQUARE FEET: 3,290

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Ankeny Living magazine

Meet Alex Louden
Ankeny student returns to Parkview as educator.

By Ashley Rullestad

Alex Louden completed his first year of teaching in Des Moines Public Schools before coming to Parkview Middle School three years ago. However, along his journey to becoming a teacher, he worked for about three years as an associate in the school where he now teaches seventh-grade math.

“It was certainly a role that laid the foundation for my career in education,” he said. “It's wild to think that I have gone from walking these halls as a student to then as a paraprofessional, and now as a teacher.”

Of course, for Louden, Parkview is like home.

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Carlos Alcaraz mounts furious comeback to win 2025 French Open, fifth major title. World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz appeared primed to fail in his title defense on Sunday at Roland Garros against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. In fact, so much so that Alcaraz had to fight off three championship points to extend the match in the fourth set. Alcaraz, who lost the first two sets 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), won the third set 6-4 but looked like he was about to fall short. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Sky's Courtney Vandersloot tore ACL, will miss rest of season. WNBA great Courtney Vandersloot will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after tearing her right ACL on Saturday, the Chicago Sky announced Sunday. The point guard went down with the injury while driving to the basket early in the Sky's loss to the Indiana Fever and had to be carried off the floor. The team said that she underwent an MRI that revealed the tear, and that she will undergo surgery to repair it. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: OKC dominates NBA Finals Game 2 behind big game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Tyrese Haliburton fades. There was no Game 2 miracle for the Indiana Pacers. The Oklahoma City Thunder seized early control of Sunday's Game 2 of the NBA Finals and never let go en route to a 123-107 win. With the win, the Thunder tie the series at 1-1 and avoid digging an 0-2 deficit on their home court before the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3. ... READ MORE

1893: 22 die in collapse of Ford’s Theatre, site of Lincoln assassination. In Washington, D.C. on June 9, 1893, the interior of ramshackle Ford’s Theatre collapses, causing the deaths of 22 people. The building—where President Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865—houses hundreds of clerks employed by the War Department’s Records and Pensions Division. An investigation determines the cause of the tragedy was a pier that had given way during excavation in the basement for an electric-light plant. ... READ MORE

1973: Secretariat wins Triple Crown in breathtaking style. With a spectacular victory at the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat becomes the first horse since Citation in 1948 to win America’s coveted Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. In one of the finest performances in racing history, Secretariat, ridden by Ron Turcotte, completed the 1.5-mile race in 2 minutes and 24 seconds, a dirt-track record for that distance. ... READ MORE

1856: Handcart pioneers depart for Salt Lake City. In an extraordinary demonstration of resolve and fortitude, nearly 500 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often informally known as Mormons) leave Iowa City and head west for Salt Lake City carrying all their goods and supplies in two-wheeled handcarts. Of all the thousands of pioneer journeys to the West in the 19th century, few were more arduous than those undertaken by the so-called Handcart Companies from 1856 to 1860. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

Happy birthday, Jay Mathes and Mike Schoville!

These celebrities were born on this date: Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman, Michael J. Fox, Aaron Sorkin, Mae Whitman, Gloria Reuben, Josh Hamilton, Lucien Laviscount, David Koepp, Michaela Conlin, Xolo Maridueña, Dick Vitale, Matthew Bellamy

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

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: If H20 is in the inside of a fire hydrant, what's on the outside? K9P - Gail Tomlinson. A variety of other answers from Donna Willems, Rex Post, William Snyder, Irving Stone

Today's riddle: Why did the boy take a bicycle to bed with him?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona or Bondurant Living magazines, contact:

Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

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