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Monday, June 16, 2025
Good morning to you! 

Flag Day was Saturday, and I proudly flew the red, white and blue at my home. My flag is still flying. Maybe yours is, too. I hope so.

The American Flag means something to me, and it’s not about politics; it is about patriotism.

As an elementary school child, the appropriately named Sister Joy taught our music class to sing many patriotic songs including “America The Beautiful,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” She not only taught us the words, but she also taught us the meanings. Most importantly, she taught us to respect those words — and the American flag.

Admittedly, that was a different time. It was 1976, and most every American was celebrating our country’s bi-centennial by paying tribute to the historical events that led up to the creation of the United States of America. Even so, what we learned about our nation — and the need to respect it — stuck with me.

As an athlete, I continued to show that respect to the flag and to our fallen soldiers. Our national anthem would play at every dual meet I wrestled in, and I would get goosebumps each time I heard “our flag was still there.” I don’t know why. I just did. I still do.

Yes, I fly the American flag. Not because I belong to a certain political party (I don’t) or served in the military (I didn’t) or want to push a personal agenda (I won’t). It is because I am thankful for my rights.

I appreciate that I have freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble, and to be able to petition our government. I cherish that I can openly practice my religion, and that others can, too. I value that I have the right to keep and bear arms, even though I choose not to. I revere the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. I hope I don’t ever have to justify these rights or the many others I am afforded as a United States citizen, but I rest peacefully knowing I can.

Some of my friends tell me they refuse to fly the American flag because it would appear they are supporting President Trump. I don’t understand that logic. Since when does the American flag belong to one politician or one party? If I were a Democratic candidate running for office, I would make it a point to promote the flag every chance I had. I would tell my opponents that they don’t own it, and that the flag belongs to every American regardless of any political affiliation. The stars and stripes should bring us together, not separate us.

So, even with Flag Day now behind us, my flag will continue to fly, I will continue to cherish my freedoms and my rights, and I look forward to the next round of goosebumps.

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

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

 
 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: First responders searching for missing swimmer at Raccoon River Park. First responders are searching Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines for an 18-year-old man who went under the water and never resurfaced. The West Des Moines police and fire departments were called out to Raccoon River Park just before 5:30 p.m. Sunday. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: One injured during shooting incident, DMPD investigatesThe Des Moines Police Department is investigating after one person was injured during a shooting incident on Sunday evening. According to a DMPD post on X, DMPD and DMFD officers were called to the 6400 block of Southeast 3rd Street just after 10:30 p.m. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker arrested after 'largest manhunt in state history.' The man accused of killing a lawmaker and her husband and wounding another lawmaker and his wife has been arrested. 57-year-old Vance Boelter has been arrested alive in a field near his home in Sibley County, where the search concentrated Sunday. Officials said no "use of force" was used in the arrest. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

More storms are possible through Wednesday this week, with heavy rain and stronger storms a possibility. Temperatures 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: None
Grass pollen: Very High
Ragweed pollen: None
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 

Best Local Shoe Store

1. Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

2. Fit To Be Tied Shoes

3. Fleet Feet

 
See all of the results
 
 

Back to the Biz
Sundale Farms, a 3,500-acre grape vineyard in California’s Central Valley, is in the late stages of transitioning completely from wine grapes to table grapes. This is most unusual because wine, like vinegar, is a time-tested crisis control method for preventing waste. One likely reason for the transition is a reaction to California environmental laws which have reduced the amount of water that can be sprayed from irrigation systems at one time. That inspired rethinking trellis systems, and table grapes suddenly looked like the best way to react. Sundale customers include Whole Foods, Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club. (Fruit Growers News) 

The junk food empire strikes back, part II. Snack food makers are doubling down on the notion that people will get over the new, U.S. Health and Human Services-led movement to get rid of additives and chemicals in their food. Maybe they are just desperate since Ozempic and other diabetes drugs have people losing weight and appetites for junk. Whatever the reason, Lay's introduced three new flavors of overly processed potato chip in April - bacon grilled cheese, Valentina & lime flavored and wavy Korean-style fried chicken. Then May saw the debut of Thai red curry chips, made with potatoes, vegetable oil (canola, corn, soybean, and/or sunflower oil), skim milk, salt, spices, sugar, tomato powder, dextrose, corn maltodextrin, onion powder, natural flavors, paprika, potassium salt, corn syrup solids, citric acid, paprika extract (color) and garlic powder. 

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 Ave., 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 smashburger 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 have a Monday mac and cheese special called hog wild this week.

•  Fareways have specials through Saturday on Michelina's frozen entrees at $1, 5-ounce pork ribeyes at $1 each and extra meaty pork ribs at $3.99/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. Those are good, generously sized burgers, too.

• 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
 

DES MOINES FORGOTTEN
Mike Pace

By Kristian Day

In 2009, I was an arrogant 24-year-old who was cutting my teeth in the film industry and getting to know the lay of the land in the Des Moines market. One name that came up constantly was Mike Pace. I even saw his name on a building that read “Mike Pace Enterprises,” which he would later tell me was just a desk and a telephone. He was the only name I knew of prior to moving to Des Moines in 2007 because of the Iowa Lottery and Powerball broadcasts I would see back in the 1990s when I lived in the Quad Cities.

Pace graduated from Norwalk High School and attended Iowa State University during a time when 50,000 people were getting drafted to serve in the Vietnam war. Like other soldiers of the day, he attended basic training but then went to music school. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$550,000

22999 Raccoon Road
Dallas Center, IA 50063

Discover the perfect escape in this one-of-a-kind 4-bedroom nature lovers retreat nestled in a serene, wooded setting with private access to the scenic Raccoon River. Ideal for hunters, hikers and anyone who cherishes the outdoors, this unique property offers 5.6 acres of mature timber teeming with wildlife, creating your own private nature sanctuary. ...

 
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
2923 S.W. NINTH ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-02-03
SALE PRICE: $185,000
SELLER: MCDONALD'S CORP
BUYER: QSA LLC
ACRES: 1.178
SQUARE FEET: 4,193
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Johnston Living magazine
 

Green Days
Summer fun for the entire family, June 19-21.

By Ashley Rullestad

Johnston’s largest community celebration, Green Days, returns June 19-21, and everyone is invited to come together for fun and family-friendly events at Terra Park.

The Johnston Chamber of Commerce launched Johnston Green Days a couple of decades ago to offer residents a community event and to showcase the businesses in the community. The festival was named Green Days in honor of the greenhouses and landscaping businesses as well as Pioneer (now Corteva) and John Deere Financial. The chamber is responsible for the event, with various businesses and many volunteers lending their assistance. ...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: J.J. Spaun wins wild U.S. Open with iconic, 64-foot putt on his final hole. Usually, the British Open is the major championship in which the weather is the biggest factor, but this year’s U.S. Open might be able to claim that title. It also possesses perhaps the greatest major-clinching putt ever. ... READ MORE
 
FROM ESPN: Red Sox trade All-Star slugger Rafael Devers to Giants. The Giants acquired three-time All-Star Rafael Devers from the Red Sox on Sunday in a stunning trade that sent a player Boston once considered a franchise cornerstone to a San Francisco team needing an offensive infusion. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Angel Reese posts first career triple-double in Sky's 78-66 win over Sun. Angel Reese scored the first triple-double of her WNBA career in the Chicago Sky's 78-66 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The second-year star tallied 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the victory, adding three steals and two blocks. She got the triple-double with her 10th assist on a jumper by Ariel Atkins with 2:46 remaining in the game. ... READ MORE
 
 

1858: Lincoln warns that America is becoming a “house divided.” On June 16, 1858, newly nominated senatorial candidate Abraham Lincoln addresses the Illinois Republican Convention in Springfield and warns that the nation faces a crisis that could destroy the Union. Speaking to more than 1,000 delegates in an ominous tone, Lincoln paraphrased a passage from the New Testament: “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” ... READ MORE

1884: First roller coaster in America opens. On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country. ... READ MORE

1963: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space. On June 16, 1963, aboard Vostok 6, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to travel into space. After 48 orbits and 71 hours, she returned to earth, having spent more time in space than all U.S. astronauts combined to that date. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

These celebrities were born on this date: John Cho, Daniel Bruhl, Laurie Metcalf, Eddie Cibrian, Diana DeGarmo, Olivia Hack, Fred Koehler, China Shavers, Sibel Kekilli

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle:  What do you get when you cross an ornery sheep with a crabby cow? A BAAAAA-D MOOOOOOO-D!  - Gail Tomlinson. Or, a tough, wooly mean steak! - Rex Post.

Today's riddle: What do you call a dinosaur with no eyes?

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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8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

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