‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2025
Good morning to you! 

Are you one who gets up early each morning and takes on a regimented exercise plan? Do you avoid the cookies and ice cream and stick to fruits and vegetables in your diet? Do you go to bed at a set time each night and get the necessary sleep so you can function to your utmost?

Hopefully, we are all working toward these plans, but, if we are being honest, we could most all improve our self-discipline. I am quite good at starting these plans. The problem, at least for me, is sticking to them. Lately, I have been researching ways I can work on this. I came across a great article on Calm.com that shared seven tips to work on motivation and discipline.

1. Define your goals with clarity. “Write down your goals and make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Having clear goals will give you direction and motivation to stay on track.” Writing down goals seems easy enough.

2. Be honest about your limitations. “If you know you're tempted to snooze the alarm in the morning, put it across the room so you have to get up to turn it off.” We certainly all have limitations. Mine will take two pages.

3. Prioritize and plan as best as possible. “Create a daily or weekly schedule that outlines what you need to accomplish and when, and focus on what's most important each day. Being disciplined in this way helps you make sure that the big things get done and don't get lost amongst less important tasks.” Another easy one.

4. Break down goals into smaller, actionable steps. “Large, daunting goals can feel overwhelming. To overcome this, break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps to make them less intimidating. It will also provide a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a step.” I do enjoy drawing lines through items on my to-do list.

5. Find accountability partners. “Having accountability partners can be a powerful motivator to stay on track. Find someone you trust who shares similar goals. Share your progress with them, and encourage them to do the same. When you share your goals and check in with each other, it is easier to stay on track.” This seems to take some of the “self” out of “self-discipline.”

6. Reward yourself for progress. “Choose rewards that are meaningful to you. Even small treats along the way can help keep you motivated and make your journey more enjoyable.” How about cookies and ice cream?

7. Have a plan B. “Sometimes, despite your best plans, things go wrong. Having a backup plan means you won't be thrown off course completely. If you can't go for that run because it is raining, maybe you can do a workout at home instead.” And, maybe a plan C, too.

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and 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' Pappajohn Sculpture Park begins renovation; 'Nomade' temporarily removed. A three-year effort to revitalize the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines is underway, beginning with the disassembly of a well-known art installation. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Altoona couple charged with stealing nearly $58K in Amazon packages they were supposed to deliver. An Altoona husband and wife have been arrested for allegedly stealing Amazon packages they were supposed to deliver. Brandon Kelderman, 26, and Madison Kelderman, 25, are each charged with one count of first-degree theft in the case. Sgt. Trevor McGraw of the Ankeny Police Department said they turned themselves in at the Polk County Jail on Wednesday morning. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa Department of Education to be audited amid Ian Roberts scandal after state senator's request. The Iowa State Auditor's Office will audit the Iowa Department of Education's licensing and background check procedures following a request by a state senator.  Sen. Tony Bisignano (D-Des Moines) made the formal request to Rob Sand's office, voicing concern about how former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was able to become licensed as an educator by the state.  ... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: U.S. strikes eighth alleged drug-carrying boat, this time in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. military launched its eighth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing two people in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, marking an expansion of the Trump administration’s campaign against drug trafficking in South America. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: What to know about the $250 million ballroom Trump is adding to the White House. Construction started this week on the $250 million ballroom that President Donald Trump is adding to the White House as construction crews began tearing down the facade of the East Wing, where the new space is being built. The 90,000-square-foot ballroom will dwarf the main White House itself, at nearly double the size, and Trump says it will accommodate 999 people. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 2,000 mink released from Woodbine farm in alleged terrorist act, officials say. The Fur Commission USA says attackers allegedly entered a Woodbine farm and released 2,000 mink into the wild on Monday. The incident allegedly happened between 9 p.m. October 20 and 8 a.m. October 21, when one or more individuals entered the rural Woodbine farm and cut fencing to animal housing, leading to the release of 2,000 mink into the wild, the Fur Commission USA shared in a release. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Mild fall weather with highs in the low 60s through Friday. Rain chances Monday night into Tuesday.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

 
Pollen tracker
 
Tree pollen: Low
Grass pollen: Low
Ragweed pollen: Low
Mold: Low
 
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Body Piercing Shop
 
1. Prysm Jewelry & Piercing
 
2. Mint Piercing Studio
 
3. Lucky Gal Tattoo and Piercing
 
See all of the results
 
 

CAP (Class Action Productions) Theatre. "Beetlejuice Jr." Oct. 24 - Nov. 9. 

Tallgrass Theatre Company. Comedy Xperiment. Oct. 24-25. 

Broadway Cabaret (produced by Michael Howland). "Always the Hero, Never the Villain." At St. James Celebrations, 9774 G24 Hwy, Indianola. Oct. 26.

GAIA II: The Pale Blue Dot Exhibition at Grand View University. Christine A. Curry joins Mary Kline-Misol for an extraordinary Climate Crisis Dialogue in the Prairie Meadows Gallery in the Rasmussen Center at Grand View University Oct. 20 - Nov. 21. Catered gallery reception Friday, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m.

Des Moines Performing Arts - The national touring production of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musicallands at Des Moines Performing Arts through Oct. 26.

 

"Nutritional idiocy" — it's real
“Are humans nutritional idiots? The very existence of Doritos, cronuts, deep fried Twinkie burgers, deep fried sizzle sauce, bacon themed desserts, cheddar smoked sausages, cheesecake, the very fact that there is such a thing as the Yale Food Addiction scale, that 69% of Americans are obese or overweight, that the American Heart Association recommends bariatric surgery as a viable option for patients who are severely obese, that 5-year-olds are getting diabetes because they eat too much, and that there is a plus sized coffin maker in Indiana called Goliath Caskets all appear to point to one irrefutable fact: Our palates aren’t just out of tune with our bodily needs. Our palates are out to kill us.” — Mark Schatzker, "The Doritos Effect."

Pepsi Co CEO Robert Laguarta announced his company will relaunch Gatorade this year with "lower sugar across the board" and no artificial colors, even blue. He also said that Doritos and Cheetos will remove synthetic colors in a new line called NKD as in naked. “They will be the color of corn.” He also said that Pepsi will launch a prebiotic version of the soft drink on Black Friday.  

Deals today
• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on caramel apples at $2.99/three-pack, Driscoll raspberries at $1.99/basket and St. Louis ribs at $2.39/pound. 

 Mullets Norwalk offers two two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close.

• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.

• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.

Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.

• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.

Steaks: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a ribeye special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99.

 Mullets has a Thursday pizza special: buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.

• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays.

Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays.

ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has loaded potatoes with a fountain drink $12 special Thursdays.

Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.

Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.

Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. $18.95.

Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten-free spin on DSM's classic. $16

The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.

The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.

Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free tom yum soup and edamames with lunch entrees today.

 Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on ahi, swordfish or snow crab clusters at $10.99/pound, bone-in ribeyes at $16.99/pound, and Clementines at $2.49/2-pound bag.

Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) new Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

YOUR NEIGHBORS
‘It’s a feel-good tired’

By Cyote Williams

10/1/2025

While the Des Moines Civic Center and Des Moines Performing Arts often take the spotlight for theatre in Des Moines, a few local community theatres are also flourishing in the metro. One of those is Tallgrass Theater Company in West Des Moines. Few have done more for the theatre’s advancement than Tom Perrine.

Perrine and his husband, Bob, own Frame Works in Johnston. While Perrine’s day job deals with hanging and framing art, his volunteer work allows him to help direct, act and set the stage for another kind of art. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$1,249,000

5930 Fairway Court
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Nestled on a serene cul-de-sac, this fully transformed walkout ranch blends timeless sophistication with refined European style. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated for luxurious, move-in-ready living. The main level showcases elegant marble floors, a sophisticated office with newly painted cabinetry, and an expansive great room with new fireplace surround, hand-painted built-ins, and floor-to-ceiling windows. ...

  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
1000 73RD ST., SUITE 23, WINDSOR HEIGHTS
SALE DATE: 2025-05-27
SALE PRICE: $145,900
SELLER: BROOKE FARM LLC
BUYER: DECATUR COUNTY PROPERTIES LLC
ACRES: 0.138
SQUARE FEET: 1,525
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of North Polk Living magazine
 

Meet Anne Sloan
Sloan makes move to school counselor.

By Lindsey Giardino

Originally from Decorah, she attended Iowa State University for her undergraduate degree. After college, she moved to Minnesota, where she landed her first teaching job at Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria. Over her 10 years there, she and her husband started their family. Before their oldest was ready to begin school, they faced a big decision: stay in Minnesota or move back to Iowa.

“We missed Iowa and our friends and family,” Sloan shares. So, the deal was sealed.
Her husband was the first to find a job, and, soon after, Sloan learned of an opening in the North Polk Community School District. She already knew people in the district and, as luck would have it, a PE/health teaching position became available right as their family decided to return. ...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Roger Goodell defends NFL choosing Bad Bunny as Super Bowl LX halftime performer. The NFL announced late last month that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, coming up next Feb. 8 from San Francisco's Levi's Stadium. Known as the "King of Latin Trap," Bad Bunny is both a three-time Grammy Award winner and an 11-time Latin Grammy Award winner. He's more than deserving of the Super Bowl halftime show nod — even if some have decided to deem it controversial. ... READ MORE
 
FROM ESPN: Victor Wembanyama returns with 40-point showing in Spurs win. Victor Wembanyama stood next to Julian Champagnie in front of the scorer's table at American Airlines Center, admiring his work. His conclusion? ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: MLB playoffs post best ratings since 2017 ahead of Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series. The 2025 MLB playoffs have not lacked for drama ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers-Toronto Blue Jays World Series. It hasn't lacked for viewers, either. Two days before the Fall Classic is set to begin, MLB announced that its playoffs games have averaged 4.48 million viewers across 40 games, making this the league's most-watched postseason since 2017 and a 13% increase over last year's numbers. ... READ MORE
 
Weekly fuel report
 

The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 7 cents from last week's price and is currently averaging $2.81 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are down 15 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.07, unchanged from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.41. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.44 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 22 cents lower than the national average of $3.63.

Natural gas prices were up 45 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.44 MMbtu.

Propane prices averaged $1.52 per gallon in Iowa.

Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $2.96 per gallon.

Lowest gas prices  in the metro. www.gasbuddy.com

Costco in West Des Moines (7205 Mills Civic Parkway) - $2.32

Sam's Club in Windsor Heights (1101 73rd St.) - $2.32

Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Urbandale (8607 Douglas Ave.) - $2.32

 

1850: The first National Women’s Rights Convention begins. Suffragist organizers hold the first-ever National Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts on Oct. 23, 1850. ... READ MORE

1958: Boris Pasternak wins Nobel Prize for “Dr. Zhivago,” later forced to refuse the honor. On Oct. 23, 1958, Boris Pasternak is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for Doctor Zhivago, his romantic novel set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. The book was banned in the Soviet Union, and the Soviet government forced the author to renounce the honor. ... READ MORE

1993: Toronto Blue Jay Joe Carter wins World Series with ninth-inning home run. On Oct. 23, 1993, Toronto Blue Jay Joe Carter wins the World Series for his team by whacking a ninth-inning home run over the SkyDome’s left-field wall. It was the first time the World Series had ended with a home run since Pittsburgh’s Bill Mazeroski homered to break a 9-9 tie with the Yankees in the seventh game of the 1960 series, and it was the first time in baseball history that a team won the championship with a come-from-behind home run. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy birthday, Jacque Lewton and Steve Jordan!

These celebrities were born on this date: Ryan Reynolds, Dwight Yoakam, Ang Lee, Amandla Stenberg, Sam Raimi, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Emilia Clarke, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Stroup, Briana Evigan, Masiela Lusha, Robert Trujillo, Chris Weitz, Dianne Reeves, Jon Huertas, Matt Shultz

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Two fish are in a tank. What did one say to the other? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE THIS THING?

Today's riddle: Why did the belt go to jail?

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

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE!

 

This email was sent to: email@example.com

Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

Logo