July 22 Daily Umbrella: The sump pump hum; one dead after overnight shooting; what kind of jokes do shoelaces tell?

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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Good morning to you!

Do you hear that noise? That motor humming every few minutes? The sound of water gushing out of a hose outside your home? Yes, those are the all-too-familiar sounds of water being ejected from sump pumps out of the basements of many homes that are dealing with a deluge of rain water right now.

With all the talk of nitrate levels and lawn-watering bans, we sometimes forget about the simpleness and immense power of water. We need it to live. In fact, our bodies are made up of about 60% water. We drink it, bathe in it, swim in it. Many of us are even baptized in it.

But when too much water falls from the sky into this saturated earth, it becomes quite a problem. In this case, too much of a good thing can truly be a bad thing.

Homeowners in Winterset and other areas of the state are taking the brunt of the extreme water right now. I can’t help but think of the flood my hometown of Algona experienced just weeks after an F3 tornado tore through the town in 1979. The wreckage from one disaster was still being cleaned up while residents rolled up their sleeves and dealt with another.

I also vividly recall the flood of 1993, as Jolene and I were living in Des Moines at the time. It was simply surreal. We were both working at The Des Moines Register at the time and stepped our way up to the seventh floor many times each day, as the elevators were out — and the presses, too. Our apartment was in the last zone to have water restored, and it was a long eight days. When driving, we felt like mice in maze as we maneuvered through Des Moines’ closed streets. All the sandbagging. Showering at friends’ places in the suburbs. And that awful stench.

As such, I am grateful today for all of the humming sump pumps that are keeping water out of our basements. I am also reminded of the reason why basements exist. They were not intended to be used for rec rooms, bedrooms or even storage areas. They were cellars, and they were expected to get wet from time to time. We now act surprised, even angry, when below-ground spaces get water in them. I get it. Drenched carpet is not fun.

So, keep on humming, sump pumps. Your sound is welcome, and your services are appreciated.

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

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

FROM KCCI: Iowa State Patrol trooper saves rider's life on RAGBRAI. RAGBRAI LII Day 2 began early Monday morning as cyclists departed Milford, heading toward Estherville through misty conditions. However, the event's first day brought a life-threatening moment when a cyclist collapsed along the route, only to be saved by the quick actions of an Iowa State Patrol trooper. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: CIWW allowing residential lawn watering to resume. Due to the heavy rainfall, nitrate levels are falling in the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River, allowing a partial lifting of water restrictions. Back on June 12, lawn watering ban restrictions started when nitrate concentrations were 50 percent higher than what is considered safe in the rivers. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: One dead after overnight shooting in Des Moines, police say. Des Moines police say one person is dead after a shooting on the city's south side. Officers responded to a house near Bell Avenue and South Union Street at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday morning. Sgt. Paul Parizek with DMPD says in a press release, first responders found a 38-year-old male shot and dead at the scene. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: 25 countries sign statement calling for end of war in Gaza. Twenty-five countries have released a joint statement calling for the immediate end of the war in Gaza and accusing Israel of not allowing sufficient aid in, demanding it must do so to comply with international humanitarian law. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Second suspect arrested in CBP officer shooting has lengthy criminal past, DHS says. The second illegal immigrant suspect arrested Monday in the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer in New York City over the weekend has a lengthy criminal background, officials said. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Federal charges released for “unruly passenger." A man has been charged in federal court in addition to Linn County charges after causing an emergency landing at the Eastern Iowa Airport last Thursday. Mario Nikprelaj, of Nebraska, has been charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants in federal court after causing an emergency landing on a flight diverted to Cedar Rapids. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A few storms are possible today. Hot and dry Wednesday. Storm chances return Thursday and Friday.

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: High

Ragweed pollen: None

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

Best Local Bloody Mary

1. Mullets

2. Early Bird Brunch

3. Jethro’s BBQ

See all of the results

Tuesday Touts
Aposto at Cafe di Scala turns 20 this week. The city's only Victorian mansion housing a restaurant is also one of Iowa's best Italian fine dining and garden-driven menu experience.

Chef Ryan Skinner will prepare a five-course Vietti (Barolo) paired with scratch pasta dinner at the Cheese Shop this coming Sunday. $200 per person plus gratuity. Reservations: 515-528-8181.

Deals today
• Tuesday means Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) offers its legendary pan-fried chicken.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $7 breakfasts and $8 burgers Tuesdays.

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) offers a special smashburger with cheese, fries and a draft beer for $10 on Tuesdays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.

• Felix & Oscar's is celebrating its 50th anniversary with buffets all July. $18 or two for $30. Kids $10, under 4 free. Tuesday is a taco bar.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.

• Gateway Market will sample wine 4-6 p.m. for a free tasting on Tuesday.

• Red Robin stores are advertising a $10 cheeseburger with an "endless side" on Tuesdays.

• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one. Because tonight is an Indiana WNBA game night, the West Des Moines Jethro's has a "Fever Reliever" special of any two appetizers on the Happy Hour menu and two pints of domestic beer for $22.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special pulled pork sandwich with fries and drink for $13.50 till Labor Day.

• 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, 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), Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) and Faustino’s (4944 Franklin Ave., Des Moines).

• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's 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 BPT and fries for $10.

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

• G Mig's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Tuesday special 8-ounce sirloin, baked potato, mixed vegetables and garlic bread for 19.95.

• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free fried tofu/miso with lunch entrees today.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has $10 burger with fries and a drink on Tuesdays.

• Hy-Vee grilles are offering a tenderloin Tuesday special with potato salad for $7.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

FEATURE STORY
Buffalo Bill, Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair

By John Busbee

By the time the shows ended their 33-year run, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West had played to more than 50 million people. It was the spectacle of the era, performed for European royalty to salt-of-the-earth people in America’s Heartland. With its popularity, William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody became the most recognized figure of his time. He headlined his Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Exposition in more than 3,000 locations. One location was Des Moines and, once, the Iowa State Fair, was significant.

He returned to his Iowa birth state many times, presenting his spectacle show in 36 Iowa communities. His show, including its predecessor, Buffalo Bill’s Combination Acting Troupe, regaled Des Moines throngs 13 times between 1879 and 1916. Specters of those unforgettable times still reverberate in the capitol city’s legacy. ...

Featured home for sale

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

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Ankeny, IA 50023

Welcome to this beautifully maintained 1.5 story home offering more than 3,000 square feet of finished living space, nestled on a serene and private lot that backs to a tranquil creek. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac within highly sought after Westwood School District, this home has it all! ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

390 N.E. GATEWAY DRIVE, GRIMES
SALE DATE: 2025-03-12
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SELLER: GRIMES HERITAGE PARTNERS LLC
BUYER: FREITAS FAMILY PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.933
SQUARE FEET: 2,488

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Adel Living magazine

Teaching with heart
Reicther’s “why” for teaching

By Lindsey Giardino

Hope Reichter has her parents to thank for inspiring her to pursue a career in education.
“My dad instilled in my sister and me a deep appreciation for education early on,” she shares. “I’ve always had a passion for working with children and find so much joy in watching them grow and succeed.”

For Reichter, teaching provides the opportunity to be a positive role model and help create a safe, supportive environment where students feel encouraged and empowered to reach their full potential. ...

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cowboys' Micah Parsons makes training camp decision amid contract standoff. The Dallas Cowboys will begin training camp this week ahead of the 2025 NFL season and have yet to sign Micah Parsons to an extension. The All-Pro defender is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has made it abundantly clear he expects a big new contract finalized before the season kicks off. With the roster slated to report to camp on July 21 it was a real question as to whether Parsons would attend or if he would hold out as part of a negotiation tactic. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Chris Paul reuniting with Clippers for 21st NBA season. Free agent point guard Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the LA Clippers for his expected final, 21st NBA season, CAA's Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan and Jessica Holtz told ESPN. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Fever's Caitlin Clark ruled out of game vs. Liberty due to groin injury after missing WNBA All-Star festivities. Caitlin Clark's status remains in question as the second half of the WNBA season is set to begin on Tuesday. After the WNBA All-Star festivities in Indiana, Fever coach Stephanie White said that there are no updates on Clark's groin injury. She noted that Clark will meet with doctors on Monday, and she'll travel to Brooklyn with the team for their game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday. ... READ MORE

1862: Lincoln tells his cabinet about Emancipation Proclamation. On July 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln informs his chief advisors and cabinet that he will issue a proclamation to free enslaved people, but adds that he will wait until the Union Army has achieved a substantial military victory to make the announcement. ... READ MORE

1894: First-ever automobile race runs from Paris to Rouen. On July 22, 1894, the world's first-ever automobile race takes place, with 17 of 21 entrants completing the route from Paris to Rouen, France, covering a distance of 126 kilometers, or 78.3 miles. The Concours Paris-Rouen—better known as the Paris-Rouen Trial—paved the way not only for Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and all the car races to come, but also heralded the dawn of the motor age by showcasing the automobile’s reliability. ... READ MORE

2005: “March of the Penguins” released widely in the U.S. On July 22, 2005, March of the Penguins, a French-made documentary about emperor penguins in Antarctica, opens in theaters across the U.S. March of the Penguins went on to win numerous awards, including an Oscar, and became one of the highest-grossing documentaries in movie history. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Danny Glover, David Spade, John Leguizamo, Selena Gomez Willem DaFoe, Albert Brooks, George Clinton, Don Henley, Keegan Allen, Keith Sweat, Rufus Wainwright, Emily Saliers, Madison Pettis, Rhys Ifans

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

The answer to the last riddle: What kind of shoes do airplanes wear? Parashoes! - Irving Stone. P.F.Flyers! - Gail Tomlinson. Air Jordans! - Bill Snyder. Or, High Heels!

Today's riddle: What kind of jokes do shoelaces tell?

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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