June 11 Daily Umbrella: Second Iowa measles case; poison hemlock; a therapist for cyclists?

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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Good morning to you!

One of the things I really enjoy about the month of June — other than Father’s Week — is how great my grass and yard look. The natural rainwater and the mild temperatures give nature’s growth a wonderful shade of green. Then, along come July and August, and most everything is browned by the sun. But, for now, I enjoy the plushness of this green growth.

I have noted in past columns how I don’t exactly have a green thumb, but I do enjoy mowing and trimming and watering and weeding. You may say this is odd, and I get that, but there is something truly satisfying for me about seeing instant improvements when I roll up my sleeves and put in the work. Painters feel this. So do barbers. And I receive a similar satisfaction when I wash my car. Before and after. I love it.

Where I struggle in the yard is knowing the difference between a weed and a plant. As a child under my mother’s demands to care to the lawn, I had a simple solution: I mowed over everything. Mom didn’t approve of my solution back then, and my wife doesn’t approve of it today either. So, I am slowly learning the difference between weeds and plants. Did I mention, slowly?

Near the entry to our garage, I mulched an area that was challenging to mow. And in that space, Jolene planted a variety of things I can’t pronounce or spell. One, in particular, was growing right by the entry door. It stood out from the others as it grew like Jack’s beanstalk. Seemingly overnight, it was as tall as me, which is about 6 foot. OK, more like 5 foot, 9 inches. Either way, it was tall. Jolene wasn't exactly sure what it was, especially as it expanded. Despite my desire to chop it down, she wanted to give it some time. So, we did.

This past weekend, my great niece asked me what kind of plant that was. I told her I didn’t know, and she grabbed her dad’s phone, scanned it with some sort of plant-identifier app, and told me it was “conium maculatum.” In more common terms, it is poison hemlock. Through a basic internet search, I learned that this weed is toxic to humans and animals. Great. Apparently, it is also an invasive plant, which explains the rapid growth.

To be fair, poison hemlock is evidently not easy to identify because its appearance changes and other non-toxic plants look like it. I also learned that its white umbrella-like flowers resemble Queen Anne's lace, whatever that is. In addition, I discovered that the hollow, hairless stems have telltale reddish-purple streaks and spots. Yes, we had an exact match.

The solution? Well, the website I read said the seedlings are easy to remove, but an infestation takes more diligence by mowing and using chemicals to weaken the plants. Poison hemlock is not to be burned or composted, and it should be properly disposed of in a sealed garbage container. Wonderful.

Once again, my instinct to mow over this thing in its early stage was correct. Meanwhile, I live and learn and enjoy nature’s beauty — and challenges.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, 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: Second measles case reported in Iowa. A second person in Iowa has now tested positive for measles. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case on its website on Tuesday. This comes after the first case in Iowa since 2019 was reported last month. The May case was a woman from central Iowa who was not vaccinated and had been traveling. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Vehicle crashes into southside Des Moines home. Police are investigating after a car crashed into a house Tuesday afternoon on Des Moines’ south side. The crash happened around 12:15 p.m. at the T intersection of Army Post Road and SW 18th Street, just east of the Des Moines International Airport. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa DNR investigating Des Moines lake after reports of dead fish. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to avoid certain bodies of water in Des Moines as it investigates a fish kill at the city's Dean Lake. In a press release, the DNR said its field office began receiving reports the week of June 6. Officials reportedly found dark-colored water and a strong, septic odor at the lake, which is located just off East Market Street. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Hot today. Storm chances return to the northern half of the state late this afternoon and persist intermittently into Friday. Temps stay warm.

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 Local Home Decor Store

1. Huckleberry Home

2. Homemakers

3. Real Deals – Ankeny

See all of the results

Woebegone Wednesday
Campbell’s Co.’s quarterly report showed the food giants’ strengths and weaknesses. Sales at their salty-snacks unit fell, even as its stronger-than-expected third-quarter profit benefited from consumers eating at home more often than at any time since early 2020. Campbell’s said its third-quarter results were lifted by results from its food and beverage unit. In the face of tariff uncertainty and financial-market volatility, as well as headlines about government layoffs, consumers held off on eating in restaurants and instead cooked for themselves more often to save money. Campbell’s recent acquisition of Rao’s is paying off big there, as are its Chunky soups, Pacific Foods organic soups and Homestyle ready-to-eat soups. All gained market share in the quarter. However, sales at its snacks division fell 8% to just over $1 billion.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council’s 2024 Iowa’s best burger contest winner closed its doors - JJ’s Tavern & Grill in Ankeny is no more.

Deals today
• Haiku (1315 31st St., Des Moines) lets kids 11 and younger eat free with adults on Wednesdays. Hot sour soup and eggrolls are comped today with lunch entrees.

• Wednesdays bring steak night to Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines). Steaks are cooked to order with salad, potato and bread, $14.99.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $11.50 on Wednesday.

• Curbin' Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny) offers traditional gyros for $7 Wednesdays.

• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston). The Continental (407 East Fifth St.) also has half priced bottles on Wednesdays.

• G Migg's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a special lasagna dinner today with salad and garlic bread for $19.25.

• Barntown's (9500 S.E. University Ave., West Des Moines) Wednesday specials are a pound of chicken tenders with fries and two sauces for $11.99, plus $13 core pitchers of beer.

• Wednesday is Biryani Festival at Chowrastha (5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines). Buy two and a third is free.

• Tacos Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) and The Station (3124 Ingersoll, Des Moines) have specials on tacos today.

• Village Inns offer free pie with entrees on Wednesdays.

• It's lasagna day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines), breaded pork tenderloin day at Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines), and barbecue ribs evening at G Migg's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction).

• Panka Peruvian (2708 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has live jazz Wednesday.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $5 off pizza on Wednesdays.

• Bordanaro's (6108 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday-Thursday only special on carryout pizza. They start at $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie. Each ingredient added is an extra charge, but this pretty much adds up to half-price pies.

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) has fried chicken specials tonight.

• Kwik Stars' Wednesday special is eight pieces of fried chicken for $10. Their fried chicken is ridiculously good for a convenience store.

• On Wednesdays, you can get any burger, wrap or sandwich with fries for $10.99 at Tito's Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale).

• Jethro's has $9.95 BPT sandwiches, including side of choice, on Wednesdays.

• Price Choppers have sales on whole watermelon at $3.99. pineapples for $2.50, chicken wings for $3.69/pound and red mangos for 78 cents through Monday.

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) begins a week long sale on South Carolina peaches at 69 cents, lobster tails at $4.99 and large cherries at $4.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

FILM REVIEW
‘Friendship’ is equal parts unsettling and hilarious

By David Rowley

“Friendship”
R | 100 minutes
Director/Writer: Andrew DeYoung
Stars: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara

As adulthood unfolds — spouses, careers and responsibilities consume our time — forging new friendships feels less like an inevitability and more like an absurd social experiment. Andrew DeYoung’s “Friendship” leans into that absurdity with the unhinged comedic brilliance of Tim Robinson, delivering a cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud exploration of male connection (or the lack thereof). Equal parts hilarious and unsettling, the film is a reminder that it is still OK to laugh at people who just can’t get it right — no matter how hard they try. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$418,900

1409 Timberview Drive
Adel, IA 50003

Destiny Homes presents the new and spacious Hansbury plan in the prestigious Timberview West Development of Adel. The Hansbury features a sunroom, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and more than 2,350 square feet of living space. Enter into the formal foyer and see the private office/study. Family size living will be found in the kitchen/great room and sunroom. Discover the oversized windows, tray ceiling, shiplap fireplace, Legacy soft close cabinets, quartz countertops, tile backsplash and walk in pantry. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

2101 DELAVAN DRIVE, SUITE 154, WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-01-30
SALE PRICE: $1,554,690
SELLER: NEXT PHASE DEVELOPMENT 2101 DELAVAN DRIVE LLC
BUYER: DELAVAN DRIVE STORAGE LLC
ACRES: 0.250
SQUARE FEET: 10,884

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Urbandale Living magazine

Brick plaza, flagpole and more celebrated
Urbandale Alumni Association to also present awards.

By Joe Barmgarten

Many things at the Olmsted-Urban House are at least 100 years old. As you walk through the Urbandale Historical Society’s museum, you will see an antique piano, a table-top radio, and even one of the dial-less phones that hung on the wall and connected to an operator when you picked up the receiver. Try explaining that concept to your I-have-to-have-my-own-cell phone kids.

One of the most celebrated items, however, is not even in the house: It is in the backyard. It is the 100-year-old flagpole that stood on the roof of the first Urbandale K-12 building. It is fashioned out of three separate cast-iron pipes that will still be standing proudly for the 200-year anniversary. ...

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Knicks denied permission to speak with two Western Conference coaches regarding vacancy.The New York Knicks—somewhat surprisingly—fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after being eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals in six games against the Indiana Pacers. Since then, a coaching search has commenced, with names such as Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka circulating as potential candidates for the open gig. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Aaron Rodgers joins Steelers, says it was them or not play. For Aaron Rodgers, continuing his playing career and signing with the Steelers was a decision that was "best for my soul." After officially signing his one-year, $13.65 million contract Saturday, the 41-year-old began his 21st season Tuesday by attending the first day of mandatory minicamp at the Steelers' practice facility. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: With 2026 World Cup a year away, the USMNT is directionless. The 2026 World Cup has been billed as the opportunity of a lifetime, as a chance for the U.S. men’s national team to “change soccer in America forever.” It will be a monthlong moment to captivate a country and lift an entire sport; a moment that everyone, for years, assumed a rising USMNT would seize with pride. ... READ MORE

1776: Congress appoints Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence. On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress selects Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and Robert R. Livingston of New York to draft a declaration of independence. They have come to be known as the Committee of Five. ... READ MORE

1944: John F. Kennedy receives medal for gallantry. Lieutenant John F. Kennedy receives the Navy and Marine Corps Medal—one of the Navy’s highest honors for gallantry—for his heroic actions as the commanding officer of a motor torpedo boat during World War II on June 11, 1944. The future president also received a Purple Heart for wounds received during battle. ... READ MORE

1963: University of Alabama desegregated. Two African American students, Vivian Malone and James A. Hood, register for classes at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on June 11, 1963, after federalized Alabama National Guard troops force Alabama Governor George Wallace to halt his blockade and submit to a judge’s order ending segregation at the university. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Adrienne Barbeau, Diana Taurasi, Graham Russell, Hugh Laurie, Jackie Stewart, Joe Montana, Joshua Jackson, Frank Beard, Claire Holt, Peter Dinklage, Shia LaBeouf

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

The answer to the last riddle: Did you hear about the environmentalist who went down the same bicycle route twice? HE RE-CYCLED! - Peri Van Tassel, Carolyn Rogers, Gail Tomlinson.

Today's riddle: What do you call a therapist for cyclists?

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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