Oct. 7 Daily Umbrella: Claire Celsi, Iowa state senator and community leader, dies; the wonder bargain of the week; what did the

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Good morning to you!

It was avocado green. Two pieces. A 10-foot-long, straggly cord connecting them. And it was mounted on the wall in the kitchen of my childhood home.

That landline phone was a memorable part of my childhood. And when it rang, we answered it — without even knowing who was on the other end of the line. There were no robocalls. No telemarketing. No scams. Or, at least, none that I was aware of. I not only remember the phone; I remember our home phone number, too. It is cemented in my brain along with other vital stuff like my junior high gym locker combination.

If I recall, I don’t think my parents even owned our phone. It was the property of Ma Bell, and Mom and Dad paid for it as part of their monthly fee.

If I really dug deep into the memory bank, I could probably name every phone we had in our homes through the years. There weren’t that many. Of course, the rotary dial phone was eventually replaced by the push-button model, which was later replaced by the cordless phone with the giant antennae, and, eventually, those smaller handheld rechargeable ones.

If I was challenged to name the cell phones I personally have had throughout my adult years, the struggle would be greater. I really don’t know how many I owned. I know I started with one of those Motorola brick phones in the early 1990s. I had another one mounted in my car at one point. Many flip phones. A Blackberry or two. A Palm Treo, which was my favorite. And buckets of expensive iPhones.

Imagine if, like in my parents’ days, the phone companies provided these modern phones as part of our monthly package. And sent a repair person to our homes to fix them. All for a modest fee — and without the concern of being tracked by Big Tech every minute of the day or the fear of getting brain cancer from the devices.

We have all seen trends come and go… and then come back again. One has to wonder if the landline phone may reappear as a matter of necessity or, more likely, as a vintage or retro return. In avocado green. Harvest gold. Burnt orange.

No robocalls. No telemarketing. No scams. It sounds kind of nice. The 10-foot-long, straggly cord? Admittedly, not so much.

But, who knows? If those phones returned, we might even start answering them again.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
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: Claire Celsi, Iowa state senator and community leader, dies at 59 after weeks in hospice. Iowa Democratic leaders confirmed Monday evening that state Sen. Claire Celsi has died. Celsi, a Democrat from West Des Moines, entered hospice care in mid-September. She was 59. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: DMPS confirms it’s not enrolled in E-Verify after Sen. Grassley scrutinizes district for not using system. On Monday, Des Moines Public Schools confirmed that it does not utilize E-Verify after Senator Chuck Grassley announced that his office learned that the district wasn’t enrolled in the system when it hired now former Superintendent Ian Roberts and scrutinized the district on social media. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Pennsylvania school district pursuing legal action against Ian Roberts. Tensions continue to rise regarding former Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts, in light of recent findings that reveal discrepancies in his immigration and criminal background. This issue is not confined to Des Moines. It's gaining the attention of the districts across the county, who formerly hired Roberts as well. ... READ MORE

Teacher of the Year. Living History Farms proudly honors Janet Riordan as the 2025 Teacher of the Year for her exceptional contributions to education. As a kindergarten teacher at Four Mile Elementary in Pleasant Hill, she has been pivotal in organizing enriching field trips to Living History Farms for her students, helping them connect with Iowa's history. These visits enable students to experience firsthand how past generations lived and worked, fostering curiosity and a deeper appreciation for their heritage. Pictured: Laura L. Ingram, Chairperson, Board of Directors; Janet Riordan; Dan Jones, Program Director (Education and Camps). Photo by Paul Houston.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: 2 years into the war in Gaza, there is still no clear way out. Two years after Hamas’ attack ignited the war in the Gaza Strip, the militant group is weakened but not defeated, Israel has clobbered its enemies across the region but failed to achieve its main goals, and no one knows how it all will end. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Chicago and Illinois sue to stop Trump’s Guard deployment plan after Portland ruling. Illinois leaders went to court Monday to stop President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops to Chicago, escalating a clash between Democratic-led states and the Republican administration during an aggressive immigration enforcement operation in the nation’s third-largest city. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 93-year-old man identified as victim in eastern Iowa house fire. Officials have released the name of the man who was killed in a house fire in eastern Iowa over the weekend. At around 2:24 a.m. on Sunday multiple agencies, including the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a report of a house fire in the 200 block of Olson Court in Fairfax, just southwest of Cedar Rapids. When first responders arrived, they found the home engulfed in flames. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Scattered shower chances taper off early this morning. Gradual warming then commences into the weekend.

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: None

Ragweed pollen: High

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

Best Local Martial Arts Studio

1. Black Eagle Martial Arts

2. Triumph Martial Arts

3. Bishops Elite Martial Arts Academy

See all of the results

Tuesday Touts

Umbrella's wonder bargain of the week can be found at La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) on Tuesdays. Two tortilla tacos (pictured above with four salsas) of beef cheeks, rotisserie pork, barbacoa of lamb, and much more are just $2 each.

Pal Joey's (6224 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) has some advantages over other sports bars. 1.) No windows and hence no annoying light reflections during afternoon games. 2.) Free lunch on Saturdays. Usually chili dogs with chips and desserts. 3.) No $15 cocktails with umbrellas.

Deals today
• Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer a Tuesday special America's cut pork chop dinner for $8.

• Mullet’s Norwalk offers a free kids meal per adult meal on Tuesday’s 4 p.m. to close.

• 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.) offers a "Tendy's Tuesday" pork tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.

• 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.

• McDonald's is advertising its new $8 Big Mac meal (includes fries and medium drink) in an effort to bring back the Value Meal.

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

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

• Jethro's Tuesday special is two pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special hot beef sandwich for $13.50.

• 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), 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.

• 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 & Beer special with half-pound burger, chips and dip, with a tap beer of choice $15.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave.) 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 prime 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 and a drink on Tuesdays.

• Ruby Tuesdays offers $5.95 burgers with fries on Tuesdays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

BUSINESS FEATURE
A small business wellness program that is working

By Todd Razor

Wellness programs don’t have to be all “one-size-fits-all.”

If the head office in Windsor Heights is any indication, the signs at RE/MAX Concepts point to it being a nice place to work. There is plenty of natural light, private offices, accessible conference rooms and cubby holes. New paint and the recent addition of hardwood floors in the elevators and common areas provide a modern feel. Bold motivational prints with messages like, “Work Hard. Be Nice.” provide hints into the culture RE/MAX Concepts has built, and strives toward, at its locations as a professional real estate services organization. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$789,900

741 Richland Court
Van Meter, IA 50261

Welcome to your dream home, built by renowned Hickory Ridge Builders and nestled in the picturesque Trindle Ridge neighborhood of Van Meter. Backing to mature trees and scenic Trindle Park, this exceptional property offers 3,499 square feet of total living space. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

1814 S.E. FIRST ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-06-02
SALE PRICE: $1
SELLER: DONNA JO ANANIA TRUST
BUYER: ANANIA III, MICHAEL J
ACRES: 0.200
SQUARE FEET: 0

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Adel Living magazine

Meet Tiffany Banks
Banks champions literacy in Adel

By Lindsey Giardino

Tiffany Banks is rooted in the Adel community, where she both lives and works. For the past eight years, she has served as the librarian at Adel Elementary and Meadow View Elementary.

“Library jobs are not easy to come by, and I got so lucky to find such a great role in this district,” she shares.

Banks started teaching after earning her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in 2016 and her master’s degree in library science from the University of Iowa in 2019.
She says it is a career path that fit her because she is a social person and enjoys spending most of her day talking to others — especially kids. ...

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Mark Sanchez charged with felony battery for role in violent altercation. Mark Sanchez will be charged with a felony for battery resulting in serious bodily injury following a shocking incident early Saturday morning in Indianapolis. The Fox NFL broadcaster was involved in a violent incident outside an Indianapolis bar and ended up in the hospital after he was pepper sprayed and stabbed three times in the chest. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Jags' Trevor Lawrence stumbles, recovers for winning TD. Trevor Lawrence panicked. Liam Coen thought: Throw it away. Travis Hunter had no idea what was going on. It was a chaotic few seconds for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but by the time it was over Lawrence was in the end zone and the Jaguars had a 31-28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium on Monday night. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Division Series scores, updates as Brewers roll past Cubs again, Dodgers put Phillies on the brink. The Los Angeles Dodgers put the Philadelphia Phillies on the brink of elimination with a 4-3 win in the early game Monday, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NLDS. The Milwaukee Brewers then did the same to the Cubs in the nightcap, with a 7-3 victory in Game 2 of their NLDS. Both Game 3s are on Wednesday. ... READ MORE

1943: Japanese execute nearly 100 American POWs on Wake Island. On Oct. 7, 1943, Rear Adm. Shigematsu Sakaibara, commander of the Japanese garrison on the island, orders the execution of 98 Americans POWs, claiming they were trying to make radio contact with U.S. forces. ... READ MORE

1944: Hundreds of prisoners revolt at Auschwitz-Birkenau. On Oct. 7, 1944, in a bold act of resistance, several hundred prisoners incarcerated in the Nazi death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau stage the Sonderkommando revolt, destroying most of the gas chambers and crematoria where they were forced to work. While some of the inmates manage to kill a handful of Nazi officers and briefly escape the camp, the uprising is swiftly crushed and its perpetrators executed. ... READ MORE

2003: Arnold Schwarzenegger elected California governor. On Oct. 7, 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, the most populous state in the nation with the world’s fifth-largest economy. Despite his inexperience, Schwarzenegger came out on top in the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had earlier become the first United States governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger was one of 135 candidates on the ballot, which included career politicians, other actors and one adult-film star. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Simon Cowell, Kira Kosarin, Lewis Capaldi, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Toni Braxton, Holland Roden, Thom Yorke, Mookie Betts, Joy Behar, Shawn Ashmore. John Mellencamp, Josh Levi, Yo-Yo Ma, Lulu Wilson, Aaron Ashmore, Allison Munn

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

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What does a nosy pepper do? GETS JALAPENO BUSINESS! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: What did the nut say to the other nut in a game of tag?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:

Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com

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