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Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025
Good morning to you! 

What color is the vehicle you drive? And what does that color choice say about you?

The answer can be quite telling, but the choice you made on the vehicle you own today is not the only factor. The number of vehicles you have purchased in your lifetime, and the color of each one of them, says something about you during that stage of life, too.

I had to take off both socks to answer the question on the number of vehicles. I added up 19 that I have owned or operated in my 40-plus years of driving. I used the word “operated” because four of those 19 vehicles were owned by the company I worked for and were handed down to me when my boss got a new vehicle. So, I didn’t choose those cars. Of the 15 I did choose, 12 had four wheels and three had two wheels. The colors? Seven were red, three were white, two were blue, two were gray and one was black.

So, what does my primary choice of red say about me? According to driversdrift.com, “Red cars are often associated with passion and excitement. If you drive a red vehicle, it may indicate that you are bold, adventurous, and enthusiastic about new experiences. This color suggests a person who enjoys standing out and embracing challenges with energy and confidence.”

I like the way that sounds. But what about my second most popular choice of white?

“Opting for a white car often suggests that you value cleanliness and simplicity. It can indicate a person who strives for perfection and enjoys a sense of order. White is also a color associated with openness and approachability, making it a choice for those who are sociable and energized by interactions with others.”

Of course, none of the color choices on the site state that the person is likely to be a psychopath, but they do certainly show interesting trends and differing stages of life.

Which vehicle color would you guess is the most popular in America today? Well, according to Edmunds.com, the most prevalent purchases are white (25%), black (22%), gray (20%) silver (14%) and blue (9%). The great state of Iowa follows a mostly similar trend with white (26%), black (22%), gray (19%), silver (13%) and red (9%).

Today, I drive a white pickup, but I really want another red one. Clearly, this means I value cleanliness and simplicity, but I want passion and excitement. I better put my socks back on.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
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 arts council funding slashed as cities tighten budgets. Bravo Greater Des Moines, the regional arts council that grants millions of dollars to arts, music and heritage groups, faces $300,000 to $800,000 in less funding, says the organization's president. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Stuck boaters rescued from rushing Raccoon River in Des Moines. Boaters were rescued from the Raccoon River Monday afternoon after experiencing mechanical issues. At around 4:30 p.m. personnel from the Des Moines Fire Department and other agencies responded to a Raccoon River boat ramp near the Raccoon Valley Little League in Des Moines for a report of a disabled boat. According to DMFD Special Operations Captain Obie Meyers, a boat experienced motor malfunctions and was stuck up against a bridge with debris, a situation that Meyers said can be very dangerous. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Des Moines mother sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for child neglect. A Des Moines woman will spend up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to child neglect and child endangerment. On Monday, a judge sentenced 42-year-old Amanda Leigh Myers to two consecutive 10-year sentences. ... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: U.S. and China extend trade truce another 90 days, easing tension between world’s largest economies. President Donald Trump extended a trade truce with China for another 90 days Monday, at least delaying once again a dangerous showdown between the world’s two biggest economies. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Officials are still investigating the cause of a Pennsylvania steel plant explosion that killed 2. An explosion rocked a steel plant outside Pittsburgh on Monday, leaving two dead and 10 others injured, including a person who was rescued from the smoldering rubble after hours of being trapped. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Creston man dies in crash after leading officers on chase. A motorcyclist has died after leading Creston police on a chase Sunday afternoon, Iowa State Patrol said in a crash report. Creston police attempted to stop 55-year-old Tony Fizer of Creston on Highway 34 around 1:15 p.m. Sunday. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Scattered showers and storms again late this afternoon and evening. Dry Wednesday and Thursday. Another storm chance 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: Low
Ragweed pollen: None
 
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Dog-Friendly Bar
 
1. Paws & Pints
 
2. The Pelican Post Bar & Grille
 
3. Gastro Grub & Pub
 
See all of the results
 

Tuesday Touts

Masao is teaching in a class of its own. They import tomatoes from Japan as well as aodai, fatty blue fin, wasabi,  and daikon. Their foie gras is served Wellington style with balsamic macerated cherries on top. I could go on and on. Pictured: Masao dessert crepe with blackberry mousse.

Des Moines' Value Season begins Friday when Restaurant Week kicks off its 26th season of bringing fixed price lunch and dinner to the best restaurants in town at bargain prices. Three course lunches start at $20 and dinners at $40. Top end places like Ruth's Chris, Prime & Providence, Centro, Django, Bubba's, Splash, Harbinger and Trostel's Greenbriar are participating. Some of them show off. Check out the menus here.

Deals today
• Mickey's Irish Pub (50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee) has a special $7 half-pound burger with a side all day Tuesday. 

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a Tendy's Tuesday tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are running a breakfast special Monday through Friday of buy a breakfast, get one half-priced. 

• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special cheeseburger with fries, tots or salad and a drink for $10.

• 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.

• 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. 

• Jethro's Tuesday special is two 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 Dr., 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, Des Moines) has $10 burger and fries with a drink on Tuesdays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

CIVIC SKINNY
University coaching contracts surprise. Office space vacancies rise. KCCI viewership increases.

By CITYVIEW staff

University coaches are often the highest-paid state employees, which is true in Iowa. For example, the University of Iowa’s head football coach, Kirk Ferentz, is compensated $7 million a year before bonuses and incentives, making him the state’s highest-paid employee. Iowa State University’s head football coach, Matt Campbell, makes $4 million a year. Many of the other coaching contracts tend to not get the same attention. Consequently, Civic Skinny requests and shares some of these lesser-known coaching agreements from Iowa’s three state universities.   ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$499,900

6542 Washington Ave.
Windsor Heights, IA 50324

Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-story brick home on a double lot backing to a greenbelt and Cowles/Montessori. Custom-built with super-insulated wall construction for year-round energy efficiency. The main floor features an open layout with a spacious, updated kitchen, dining and living areas, family room with an efficient wood-burning fireplace, and a main floor primary suite with deck access. ...

  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
1955 S.E. DELAWARE AVE., ANKENY
SALE DATE: 2025-04-02
SALE PRICE: $358,828
SELLER: COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA NEWMAN LLC
BUYER: COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA DANIELS LLC
ACRES: 2.356
SQUARE FEET: 25,330
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of North Polk Living magazine
 

Dream yards
Residents share how they make the best of their outdoor spaces.

By Lindsey Giardino

Give 10 people the blank slate of a spacious yard, and you are likely to see those yards evolve into 10 different visions. Some will be a fenced-in oasis for dogs and kids to run, roll and play. Others will have pools and fire pits for summer fun. A few may even feature makeshift ballfields, sledding hills, playgrounds or ponds. And most all will provide a scenic setting for enjoying sunrises and sunsets. Whatever the vision, area residents share how their outdoor spaces have become their dream yards.

Room to roam
Kelsey Shortley and her family enjoy life on a couple of acres of land outside of Elkhart. But beyond those acres are fields and trees with no visible neighbors, so it feels even larger.
On the property, the family has a large shop full of four-wheelers, dirt bikes and a tractor. Their backyard — a large green space — features a play place, jungle gym, trampoline, tetherball pole, soccer net, fire pit and pool.

...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Texas holds top spot, Ohio State ranked No. 3 in initial AP Top 25 Poll. In its 90th anniversary season, the AP Poll continues to beguile and enchant college football fans. The rankings have virtually no bearing on the national championship race, but no one can deny the psychological power of a little number next to your team's name. ... READ MORE
 
FROM ESPN: Nevada high court sides with Jon Gruden in lawsuit over NFL emails. The Nevada Supreme Court on Monday sided with former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden in his lawsuit alleging the NFL leaked damaging emails to the media before he resigned from the team in 2021. ... READ MORE
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: How the UFC landed a $7.7 billion deal with Paramount after a whirlwind 48 hours, according to TKO execs. Just how big of a surprise was the UFC’s bombshell $7.7 billion deal with Paramount and CBS? So big that even UFC CEO Dana White didn’t see it coming. ... READ MORE
 

1676: King Philip’s War ends. In colonial New England, King Philip’s War effectively comes to an end when Philip, chief of the Wampanoag tribe, is assassinated by a Native American in the service of the English.  ... READ MORE

1941: FDR and Churchill meet on ship, map out Atlantic Charter. On August 12, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet on board a ship at Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, to confer on issues ranging from support for Russia to threatening Japan to postwar peace. ... READ MORE

1990: Skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex discovered. On August 12, 1990, fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson discovers three huge bones jutting out of a cliff near Faith, South Dakota. They turn out to be part of the largest-ever Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered, a 65-million-year-old specimen dubbed Sue, after its discoverer.  ... READ MORE

 www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy birthday, Michael Wunn!

These celebrities were born on this date: Bruce Greenwood, Cara Delevingne, Casey Affleck, George Hamilton, Imani Hakim, Khris Middleton, LaKeith Stanfield, Leah Pipes, Maggie Lawson, Mark Knopfler, Michael Ian Black, Pat Metheny, Pete Sampras, Peter Krause, Rebecca Gayheart, Roy Hay, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Yvette Nicole Brown.

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Why did the American make peach gelato?He had the right to freeze peach! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: Why did the ice cream truck break down?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Johnston Living magazine, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

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