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Friday, Aug. 22, 2025
Good morning to you! 

Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Good one (GSD, Aug. 13, 2025). Those folks are harder to find, but they are out there. I've found that thanking employees is really, really important. And I usually thank them for doing something, and then I thank them for GAR (giving a rip) about the business and others.” - Brad

A GAR for a GSD. I like it. - Shane

“The movie ‘Mash’ first aired in March 1970 (Mailbag, Aug. 14, 2025). The TV version was the later date. FYI.” - Alan

Thank you, Alan. I think we have that cleared up now. - Shane

“Between our pickup and car, we have had brown, black, beige, maroon and, just now, white (What the color of your car may say about you, Aug. 12, 2025.) White could possibly be any future color as well. We live on a short strip of gravel, and white sure makes gravel yuck a lot less noticeable between washes than the other colors. That is, unless your gravel is that yellow clay stuff, and I cannot think of any color that would work!” - Diane

You may have just uncovered the hot, new color — yellow clay! - Shane

“Good morning, Shane. It was great to have the Daily Umbrella in my inbox this morning again (Freedom of the press belongs to… Aug. 19, 2025). I appreciated your ‘Freedom of the Press’ commentary, too. Two vital reasons that CITYVIEW and its family of publications have such a strong place as part of our region's information network are: dependability, trust. Your business strategy has these two elements infused into every aspect of what the public and the advertisers you serve receive. In today's world, finding long-term sources that can be trusted and relied upon is becoming rare. CITYVIEW readers don't have to agree with every story, opinion or perception presented, but they will understand from where they originate: a stellar regional leader that proves that print publications and their iterations are not only viable but very engaging. Many thanks for this.” - John

Well, we certainly strive to be dependable, and we want to be trusted. Thanks for the kind words, John. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, 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: Charges won't be filed in death of child left in a car in West Des Moines. West Des Moines police say no charges will be filed following a child's death after being left in a vehicle last month. KCCI did reach out to the Polk County Attorney's Office and is waiting to learn more. Due to being busy in court Thursday afternoon, the prosecutor who KCCI was referred to was not able to speak at the time. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Lincoln High School unveils $4.5 million track and field. Des Moines Public Schools and Lincoln High School staff, students and families gathered at Lincoln High’s new $4.5 million track and field for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Praveen Bannikatti, Lincoln High School Principal, said that the new stadium is the perfect way to kick off the school year. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Record-breaking corn production expected to impact farmer profits amid rising costs. The start of harvest is about a month away, and farmers are expected to see the highest corn production totals ever recorded. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting breaking the record by over a billion bushels of corn. ... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Famine grips Gaza’s largest city and is likely to spread, authority on food crises says. The world’s leading authority on food crises said Friday the Gaza Strip’s largest city is gripped by famine, and that it is likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Privacy and civil rights groups urge U.S. colleges to end campus surveillance to protect protesters. A coalition of more than 30 privacy and civil rights groups called on U.S. universities Thursday to dismantle campus surveillance and data collection, to protect student protesters and others from government retaliation. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 90-year-old killed in northwest Iowa crash. A 90-year-old Wall Lake man was killed Thursday morning when a car trying to pass a semi crashed into him on a Sac County road. The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Union Avenue in Sac County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2013 Dodge Ram driven by a 37-year-old Carroll man was driving northbound when the driver attempted to pass a semi. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Warm and dry through early afternoon. Storms late today into very early Saturday morning. Cooler temperatures after that.

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 Party/Event Transportation
 
1. Your Private Bar
 
2. Majestic Limo & Coach
 
3. Royal Rides
 
See all of the results
 

Human baby carnivores
 
Wall Street Journal reports that carnivore diets are catching on — with babies. Doctors who have carnivore diet websites are getting a million hits. One such baby eats “bits of egg, shredded cheese, yogurt and puréed ground beef and chicken liver. She licks butter off a spoon and gets bone broth in her bottle. The toddler, who has four teeth, likes to gum rib-eye and lamb bones.” Carnivore babies almost always have carnivore mommies. 
 
Lose a dog, save the planet. Minnesota Public Radio listed "living without a dog" as one of the top three things an individual can do to save the planet from eco horror. Why? Dogs eat meat thereby adding to their carbon footprint.  

Weekend deals
Restaurant Week continues through Sunday. Check out the special menus here - https://dsmmagazine.com/dsm-dish-restaurantweek2025/

• Waterfront stores' Saturday specials includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.

• The Station on Ingersoll has a Friday special Baja chicken salad with scratch made pico de gallo. $14.

• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Friday special chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy for $10.

• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.

Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a ten for $10 wings deal on Sundays. 

Irina's Steak & Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, Unit 100, West Des Moines) has a four-course Chef's Sunday dinner through August. 

• Friday is Soul Food day at Joppa Experience (1829 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) with fried chicken and oxtail stew joining the usual menu. 

• Because Friday and Sunday are Indiana Fever game days, the West Des Moines Jethro's will have a "Fever Reliever" special of any two appetizers on the Happy Hour menu and two pints of domestic beer for $22. All Jethro's Sunday special is papa cheeseburgers and side for $9.95. Today they have BBQ melt and side deal for $9.95. 

• G Mig's has Friday prime rib dinners for $29.75 or walleye and orzo with asparagus for $25.95. 

• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) offers a Sunday supper with a roasted half chicken as the main course. The meal includes house salad with red onion, apple, Roquefort, and candied walnuts; fresh baguette with whipped butter; roasted fingerling potatoes with fresh herbs; and sautéed haricot verts with caramelized onions and lardons, $30  

• Table 128 (220 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) features a Saturday tasting menu for $58. This week's menu: a wedge of gem lettuce, smoky blue and buttermilk dressing, pork belly, heirloom tomato, haricot vert and crispy shallot; a bone-in pork chop, okra, sweet corn and lima bean succotash, Dijon vinaigrette, and scallion oil; and spiced rum cake with crushed pecans, crème fraîche Chantilly, and grilled peaches.

• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.

• Fish Fry Friday specials can be found at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale), Johnny's Italian Steakhouses, Red Lobster (3838 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), Cracker Barrel (11701 University, Clive), Hy-Vee stores and Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines). Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers $3 off fish dinner or sandwich in Fridays. 

• Bawarchi (6630 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) has Friday-Sunday specials on paneer kebabs, chicken curry and goat curry.

•  Westown Tap (3530 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers $12 flatbreads on Fridays.

• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) offers BBQ beef and marinated roast beef sandwiches on special for Friday lunch.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday. 

• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.

• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free tom ka kai and fried won tons with lunch entrees today.

 Maxie's Supper Club's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Friday special is chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes, $16.95 all day. They also have prime rib on Friday and Saturday for dinner only, $30-38.   

•  Fareways have specials through Saturday on St. Louis ribs at $2.99/pound, 8-ounce bags of spinach at 99 cents and whole seedless watermelons at $4.99. 

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on USDA prime ribeyes at $17.99/pound, sweet corn at two for $1, and ahi tuna or swordfish steaks at $10.99/pound through Tuesday. 

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on red grapes at $1.29/pound, peaches for $1.49/pound and avocados at 59 cents.

• Hy-Vee stores have sales on Hy-Vee pasta for 99 cents, black or green grapes at $1.99/pound and Hormel spareribs at $2.99/pound through Sunday.

Music


Wayne Page/Nick Rueckert Duo  plays Louie's Wine Dive (4040 University Ave., Des Moines) on Sunday at 5 p.m. El Toreador Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m. Willie James Shay plays Sonny’s Pizza Bistro Friday at 5:30 p.m. The Drama Kings play Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday. Saxman Trio plays Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 5 p.m. Friday and Savage Freds & Hometown Heroes plays there Sunday at 2 p.m. Fred Gazzo Quintet plays Anna Dolce Ristorante, West Des Moines, at 6 p.m. Saturday. Casey Joe Collins will be at Exile Brewing - patio Sunday at 5 p.m.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

DES MOINES FORGOTTEN
Stella’s Blue Sky Diner

By Kristian Day

When I was a kid, my mother took me to one of those throwback diners where the schtick was to be rude to the customers and make a scene. She had this habit of NOT ordering desert and instead would have me order the largest milkshake that was available. Then, over the course of the meal, she would help herself to as much as she wanted. On one of these visits, the rude waitress called her out on it in front of the whole restaurant. It never happened again.

Stella’s Blue Sky Diner opened in 1988 at the skywalk level of Capital Square. Americans loved to be nostalgic about the 1950s back in the 1980s. Stella’s embraced it. It had an Elvis Jukebox, and classic comfort food like chicken fried steak and meat loaf were on the menu. A soda fountain topped it off. The waitresses weren’t rude like the one who called my mom out for drinking my milkshake, but they did style in the classic diner outfits. The restaurant was co-owned by the late Linda King and Rich Murillo. The two met while working at Spaghetti Works in Omaha in 1978. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$610,000

4651 Oakwood Lane
West Des Moines, IA 50265

Step inside to discover a newly remodeled kitchen with abundant storage and modern finishes, perfectly situated to overlook a beautifully landscaped yard — ideal for seamless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. The main floor offers a flexible den or office space, providing options for a dedicated workspace, play area, or guest room. ...

  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
2509 DOUGLAS AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-04-11
SALE PRICE: $820,000
SELLER: LAM BROTHERS PROPERTY LLC
BUYER: MONSOON ASIANS & PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN SOLIDARITY
ACRES: 0.760
SQUARE FEET: 7,488
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Grimes/Dallas Center Living magazine
 

Camping in style
Residents share the joy of traveling with the conveniences.

By Ashley Rullestad

Sitting around a campfire, toasting s’mores, telling stories and visiting with friends and family after a day of enjoying nature and exploring the big outdoors. Ah, the joys of camping! And you don’t have to hike into the woods — covered in bug spray — and pitch a tent to partake in the fun. Those who prefer to make the trip with a camper share why they like to have some of the conveniences of home — bed, bathroom, air conditioner and more — on the trip with them.

On the road
Donna Kluss and Mike Brinker are longtime campers. They have had their own RV for the last 13 years and enjoy exploring the country in it. This year, however, they are off on a new adventure. They purchased a new RiverStone Legacy fifth wheel and will be living in it as they tour the country beginning this fall. They have sold their house, and the purging of items has begun.

“We love to travel, and the RV was a bucket list item for us,” Donna says. “Meeting new people and exploring the U.S. is the best part. There are many things to see and so little time after retirement to get the job done.”  ...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Punches were thrown during Packers and Seahawks joint practice. The Packers and Seahawks' joint practice on Thursday got off to a heartwarming start as the visiting team joined in the Green Bay tradition of riding children's bicycles to the practice field. It was the kind of moment that reminds you what organized sports are all about. And then the teams had a brawl. ... READ MORE
 
FROM ESPN: WNBA breaks single-season attendance mark. With 2½ weeks left in the WNBA's regular season, the league has already broken its single-season attendance record. League officials announced Thursday that the league's 13 teams have drawn a total of 2,501,609 fans over 226 games this season, surpassing the previous mark that was set in 2002 when the league had 16 teams. It also took the WNBA 256 games to reach the milestone in 2002. ... READ MORE
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Legendary NASCAR track promoter Humpy Wheeler dies, aged 86. Humpy Wheeler, a native of Belmont, North Carolina, ran Charlotte Motor Speedway for 33 years, and became famous for revolutionizing the way NASCAR events were promoted. His pre-race shows were the stuff of legend, including bringing in Robosaurus, which is a giant, mechanical fire-breathing robot that eats cars. ... READ MORE
 

2025 Cloris Awards Show this Sunday
Forty-one shows produced by 11 regional theatre companies will vie for top honors at the 2025 Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Arts Awards at Hoyt Sherman Theatre on Sunday Aug. 24, beginning at 5 p.m. This inclusive celebration brings performers, technicians and patrons together for a free evening of recognition for a year of stellar performing arts. Enjoy several musical theatre performances during the awards show. Check out the nominees and shows on the Cloris Facebook page.
 
Heart performs at Des Moines Performing Arts
The legendary rock band Heart brings its Royal Flush Tour to the Civic Center Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. Here is an exclusive interview with Nancy Wilson who, with sister, Ann, are the creative brain trust for this iconic band.
 
Restaurant Week
Savor exclusive dishes and special deals through Aug. 24. Try a new spot or revisit an old favorite with prix fixe menus starting at $15 for lunch and $40 for dinner.
 
Ingersoll hosts ‘ultimate neighborhood block party’
Ingersoll LIVE features live music and family-friendly fun on Aug. 23.
Get ready to celebrate at the ultimate neighborhood block party! Ingersoll LIVE, presented by Bankers Trust, will take over the 2800 block of Ingersoll Avenue with two stages of live music, family-friendly entertainment, local food and drinks and community vendors from 3-10 p.m. To see the full entertainment line-up and schedule, visit here.
 
Iowa Stage Theatre Company – Scriptease
Monday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.
The Bank at the Little Book, 566 Euclid Ave., Highland Park, Des Moines
“Killed with Dahmer” is an original by Resident Artist Matt McIver and long-time supporter and board member, Jerry Patterson. Jeffrey Dahmer, known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” is one of the most famous American serial killers. But the story around him goes beyond gory headlines, and when he was murdered in prison, he didn’t die alone. From teens trying to survive growing up, to a couple whose problems turn fatal, to the dark secrets of the Northridge Mall, “Killed with Dahmer” looks at the forces and people who swirled around one of the most famous stories that Americans don’t really know.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

 

1851: U.S. wins first America’s Cup. On August 22, 1851, the U.S.-built schooner America bests a fleet of Britain’s finest ships in a race around England’s Isle of Wight. The ornate silver trophy won by the America was later donated to the New York Yacht Club on condition that it be forever placed in international competition. Today, the “America’s Cup” is the world’s oldest continually contested sporting trophy and represents the pinnacle of international sailing yacht competition. ... READ MORE

1911: Theft of “Mona Lisa” is discovered. An amateur painter sets up his easel near Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre in Paris, only to discover that the masterpiece is missing. Earlier in the day, in perhaps the most brazen art theft of all time, Vincenzo Peruggia had walked into the Louvre, removed the famed painting from the wall, hid it beneath his clothes, and escaped. ... READ MORE

1972: Demonstrators disrupt Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. Delegates entering the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach are harassed by 3,000 antiwar demonstrators, many painted with death masks. The rest of the convention is marked by demonstrations outside the meeting hall; hundreds of protestors are arrested and many are injured when police use riot-control agents. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy birthday, Stormy Miller! Happy birthday, Alysia Webster on Saturday!

These celebrities were born on this date: James Corden, Kristen Wiig, Carl Yastrzemski, Dua Lipa, Ty Burrell, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Giada De Laurentiis, Howie Dorough, Tori Amos, Paul Molitor, GZA, Rick Yune, Bill Parcells, David Marks, Diana Nyad, Paul Doucette, Richard Armitage, Ari Stidham

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

 
Morning chuckle

Correction: My apologies to Bill Snyder for the spelling error in his riddle answer yesterday.

The answer to the last riddle: Where did the tennis players go on their date? The Tennis Ball! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, A Raquet Club! - Irving Stone. Or, They went on a "doubles" date to a restaurant on Court Avenue! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, “Out.” (As in the line judge’s call.) - Bill Snyder

Today's riddle: Why is there gold blowing through the wind?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:

Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com

 

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