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Monday, July 6, 2026
Good morning to you! 

While working on the Daily Umbrella Podcast recently, I dug out a pair of Beats headphones that had not seen daylight in years. They are a nice set that came free with a laptop I bought a few years ago. The laptop is long gone, but the headphones keep hanging around.

They are not wireless, and that is perfectly fine with me. They sound terrific and still earn their keep on airline flights, especially when I need to drown out the chatty couple behind me or the energetic youngster practicing gymnastics across the aisle. Other than that, they mostly collect dust.

Despite their limited workload, these headphones are beginning to show their age, as the vinyl covering around the ear cups is peeling away. Apparently, imitation leather has an expiration date.

That got me thinking about every pair of headphones I have owned, beginning with the oversized, clunky set I bought as a 12-year-old at my hometown Radio Shack. If you remember Radio Shack, you probably remember its house brand, Realistic. That was the name proudly stamped on my headphones.

Those headphones had everything a kid in 1980 could want: giant ear cups, a coiled cord that looked like it belonged on a telephone and a quarter-inch plug that required serious commitment. I even bought a headphone extension cord so I could roam around my bedroom while wearing them. Looking back, I am not sure where I planned to go, but I was determined to have options.

Those headphones served one very important purpose. They allowed me to crank up “Alice Cooper’s Greatest Hits” as loudly as I wanted without driving my mother completely insane. That alone made them worth every penny.

A few years later, portable cassette players such as the Sony Walkman changed everything. Suddenly, lightweight headphones were all the rage. They could not match the rich sound of my bulky Realistic set, but convenience won the battle. Even so, I bought an adapter plug so I could still use my big headphones at home.

Eventually, the lightweight headphones took over, and my beloved Realistic pair disappeared. I probably sold them or gave them away. Then headphones kept shrinking until they became tiny wireless earbuds that somehow manage to vanish between the couch cushions on a regular basis. Of course, fashion has a way of coming full circle. Big headphones became cool again, and now they are everywhere.

Until recently, though, my closest relationship with headphones involved my hearing aids. They sync with my phone so I can answer calls, listen to music and even enjoy the Daily Umbrella Podcasts through them. And when I really want the full audio experience, I wear my Beats over my hearing aids. Alice Cooper has never sounded better. Or louder.

Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com 

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

 

FROM KCCI: West Des Moines police investigate deadly July 4 party shooting that left a juvenile dead. A person under the age of 18 was killed in a shooting late Saturday night at a party in West Des Moines, according to police. Officers with the West Des Moines Police Department were called around 10:35 p.m. July 4 to the 1100 block of 20th Place after receiving a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a large party and located a juvenile suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency responders provided life-saving measures at the scene before transporting the victim to a Des Moines hospital, where the person later died. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Urbandale police investigate gunfire at city’s July 4 celebration. Authorities say an investigation is underway after gunfire was reported Saturday during Urbandale’s July 4th celebrations. The Urbandale Police Department says the incident took place at Lions Park, where the city of Urbandale hosts its annual July 4th Carnival. Authorities say the gunshots were reported at approximately 10:22 p.m. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Dozens of families living in flooded east Des Moines apartments to remain displaced for month or more. Dozens of families at an east Des Moines apartment complex will not be able to return to their units after they sustained "significant" flood-related damage, Conlin Properties, Inc. said in a statement released Sunday. 144 families residing at Parkside East Apartments on East Douglas Avenue evacuated July 3 as intense rainfall flooded the adjacent Fourmile Creek. ... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Khamenei’s other sons appear at his funeral in Iran as new supreme leader remains in hiding. Iran’s top officials and brothers of the new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Their appearance projected unity, defiance and confidence in their safety as Iran pushes back on U.S. demands in negotiations to permanently end the war. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Trump mixes patriotism with partisanship as he celebrates America’s ‘joyous’ 250th anniversary. President Donald Trump mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals on Saturday as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 14-year-old girl dies after Clear Lake watercraft collision. A 14-year-old girl from Dyersville has died following a collision between two personal watercraft on Clear Lake, officials said. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday near the boat ramp at McIntosh Woods State Park. The teenager was riding as a passenger on one of the watercraft when it collided with another carrying three passengers. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Monday, July 6
 
Mostly sunny
High: 86
Low: 67
Rain chance: 0%
 
Tuesday, July 7
 

Plenty of sunshine
High: 88
Low: 69
Rain chance: 0%

Wednesday, July 8
 

Some clouds move in
High: 90
Low: 70
Rain chance: 30%

 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 4.3, low to medium range
 
Top allergens:
Dock weed
Cattail
Grasses
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Sports Bar
1. The Station on Ingersoll
2. Bix & Co.
3. Doc’s Lounge
 
See all of the results
 
 

Back to Biz
Graziano Brothers Inc. paid GBC Partners LLC $1.5 million for property at 36 Clark St. in Des Moines, including a 10,970-square-foot warehouse built in 1989. The warehouse had been owned by Golden Valley Supply, an independent distributor headquartered in Minneapolis.

Surety Hotel has transformed its downtown courtyard into a summer pop-up called Tiki Grove, serving tropical cocktails and vacation vibes Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 28. The patio features tiki drinks, live DJs, lawn games, DIY leis and other rotating activities. Surety has also partnered with Big Grove Brewery to serve double blackberry stout, the official brew of Tiki Grove.

AE Dairy recently unveiled two new products:   Parmesan garlic cottage cheese and hot honey sour cream dip. AE will roll out scotcheroo chocolate milk as a fall flavor.

Hi Fi Brew Lounge closed on June 26... Twisted Vine Brewery in Des Moines closed in early July... Osaka opened at 50th and Mills in West Des Moines offering convenience store sushi and snacks... Izumi Sushi & Hibachi opened an outlet just north of University in Clive... Toyo Ramen & Japanese Street Food opened in The District at Prairie Trail... Green Olive opened a new store on S.W. Ninth. 

Deals today
• Food Truck Mall Mondays, 4-7 p.m., begin at 5299 East University Ave., Pleasant Hill.
 
 Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 quarts of prepared soup on Mondays. 
 
The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Monday special is spaghetti Alfredo with grilled chicken for $10.
 
Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers tacos for $1.50 Mondays during the World Cup.
 
• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.
 
 Cowboy (1234 E Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has a Monday special fajitas lunch for $11.99.
 
The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has British pies on sale Mondays for $10.
 
District 36 (1375 S.W. Vintage Parkway, Ankeny) has a Monday special $60 dinner for two. Two entrees starring sea bass and NY strip de Burgo with soup or salads, a bottle of wine and a dessert to share. 
 
• Some Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer chicken fried steak specials on Mondays for $8.
 
The Key (360 Sixth St., Waukee) offers a half-pound sirloin dinner for $19 Mondays 5 p.m. till sold out.
• Cottontail Lounge (3700 Dennis Drive, Urbandale) offers first Monday sirloin, filet and prime rib dinner deals.
 
• Today is pork chops with mac and cheese day at Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni).
 
• It's catfish night at Waterfront stores. Dinners cooked any way you like it for $19.99.
 
• It's Meat Loaf Monday at Mickey's in Yale.
 
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) Monday special is three for $25 on all appetizers.
 
•  Bubba (200 10th St., Des Moines) has a Monday night sirloin dinner special for $20. 
 
• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Monday grind" special grinder and fries basket for $9.50.
 
• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Trostel's Greenbriar (Merle Hay Road, Johnston) has a Monday burger with a side and beer deal for $14.   
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) has $8 omelets and $10 hot beef sandwiches or Mexican bowls on Mondays.
 
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken de Burgo special on Mondays before 4 p.m., $14 including beverage.
 
Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts Shelby Smokehouse Soul Food on Mondays, 5-9 p.m.
 
 G Mig's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today including a side.
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll, Des Moines) has a Monday special Graziano grinder with a side for $12.
 
 The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) offers a Monday special double smash burger and shoestring fries, $12.
 
 Jethro's have a Monday chicken tenders and fries special $9.95 in Altoona and West Des Moines.
 
Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has specials on chicken Parmesan and lasagna today, $15 with garlic bread and salad.
 
Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Monday special is a burger with domestic beer, soft drink or well drink for $10.  
 
• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 all day. 
 
• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays. 
 
• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.
 
• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle of wine. 
 
• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9. 
 
• Red Lobster's Monday special is lobster and shrimp scampi with a side for $20. 
 
• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special loaded chicken on a croissant sandwich for $14. 
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a Monday steak night special, sirloins and truffle fries for $18.
 
• Price Chopper delis offer two-piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners with two sides and a roll for $8 on Mondays. 

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on boneless chicken hindquarters at $.99/pound, 5-ounce pork ribeyes at $1.25 and AE yogurts for $.68.

 — Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW Living magazine.
 

FEATURE STORY
Around the campfire

By Cyote Williams

We dedicate pages of ink to highlight the many ways to spend your free time in central Iowa. From concerts and community events to art festivals and sports, we cover them all in an effort to help you make the most of every season. But what about those who enjoy getting away in the great outdoors without traveling too far? We have you covered there, too.

In and around the metro, and just beyond, both private and public camping options are available for those looking to escape the bright lights of the city and reconnect with nature. At Cutty’s Camping Resort, those bright lights might follow you in the form of its renowned Fourth of July celebration. At Pine Lake State Park, they may come from the night sky, where stars shine brighter away from the city’s light pollution. And before you head out, you will need the right gear. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$635,000
1524 Park Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50315
 
Enjoy effortless living in this beautifully maintained ranch twin-home located in a gated community overlooking more than 140 acres of the scenic Wakonda Club golf course. Ideally situated just minutes from downtown Des Moines, the Des Moines International Airport, Grays Lake, and direct access to Central Iowa's 550+ miles of connected bike and walking trails, this home offers an unbeatable combination of convenience and tranquility. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
5705 MERLE HAY ROAD, JOHNSTON
SALE DATE: 2025-12-18
SALE PRICE: $11,801,500
SELLER: JOHNSTON MERLE HAY & 57TH LLC
BUYER: AT JOHNSTON GARDENS LLC
ACRES: 4.502
SQUARE FEET: 80,559
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: USMNT's Balogun has red card suspended; Trump asked FIFA to review. FIFA on Sunday suspended the red card U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received in the team's match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, making him available to face Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup. In a statement on its website, FIFA said: "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year." ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: MLB All-Star Game: American and National League Starters, Full Rosters. The 96th MLB All-Star Game is just over a week away and on Saturday, the moment arrived to meet the starters and reserves for the American and National League. Entering MLB's reveal on Saturday night, we already knew that Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement had secured spots in the starting lineup, having both accumulated the most votes in their respective leagues through Phase 1 voting. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: John Deere Classic purse, payouts: Chris Gotterup erupts on Sunday to grab third win of the season. Chris Gotterup has done it again. Gotterup erupted on Sunday in the final round at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, to claim the John Deere Classic. He posted a 9-under 62 to jump up 11 spots on the leaderboard, and then held on at 20-under to secure his win. ... READ MORE
 
 

1942: Anne Frank’s family takes refuge. In Nazi-occupied Holland, 13-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family are forced to take refuge in a secret sealed-off area of an Amsterdam warehouse. The day before, Anne’s older sister, Margot, had received a call-up notice to be deported to a Nazi “work camp.” … READ MORE

1957: Althea Gibson is first African American to win Wimbledon. On July 6, 1957, Althea Gibson claims the women’s singles tennis title at Wimbledon and becomes the first African American to win a championship at London’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. … READ MORE

1976: First women inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy. In Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Naval Academy admits women for the first time in its history with the induction of 81 female midshipmen. In May 1980, Elizabeth Anne Rowe became the first woman member of the class to graduate. Four years later, Kristine Holderied became the first female midshipman to graduate at the top of her class. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
These celebrities were born on this date: 50 Cent, Brian Posehn, Brian Van Holt, Chris “Woody” Wood, Jennifer Saunders, John Dickerson, Kevin Hart, Manny Machado, Ron Duguay, Sylvester Stallone, Tia and Tamera Mowry, The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
 
Key historic birthdays 
1907: Frida Kahlo - Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.
 
1747: John Paul Jones was a British-American naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy", Jones is regarded by several commentators as one of the greatest naval commanders in the military history of the United States.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What do you call a parrot that flew away? A POLLY GONE!  - Brian Kreps, Carolyn Rogers, Gail Tomlinson. OR A BYE-BYE BIRDIE! - Rex Post, Sharon Hill Watkins..

Today's riddle: Why would the boy only do the backstroke?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com BY NOON to be sure your answer gets included!

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

This email was sent to: email@example.com

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

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