‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
Monday, Aug. 10, 2026
Good morning to you! 

An Iowa August never really feels like August until the Iowa State Fair officially kicks off. Fortunately, we do not have long to wait. The fair starts this Thursday, Aug. 13, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 23. More than 1 million people typically attend this 11-day celebration, making it one of the largest state fairs in the nation. The attendance record was set in 2024, when 1,182,682 fairgoers streamed through the gates.

That’s impressive for any event, let alone one that has been trying to outdo itself since 1854. The fair has called its current east-side Des Moines location home since 1886, proving that some traditions really do stand the test of time.

Growing up in far northern Iowa, my family never made the pilgrimage to Des Moines for the fair. In fact, I did not experience my first Iowa State Fair until 1990, when I moved to the capital city. It didn’t take me long to understand why so many people mark the fair on their calendars months in advance.

The butter cow. Food on a stick. Giant vegetables. Livestock competitions. The weighted rubber chicken toss. (Yes, there is a reason they use weighted rubber chickens. The original rolling-pin contest reportedly ended after someone accidentally launched one through a police car windshield. Every great tradition has a backstory.)

The Iowa State Fair is one of the few places on Earth where you can eat a deep-fried pickle for breakfast, pet a prize-winning bull before lunch, admire a sculpture carved from butter in the afternoon and finish the day singing along with thousands of strangers to a song released before many of them were born.

The concerts alone have provided enough memories to last a lifetime. I have seen everyone from Def Leppard to Kenny G, along with a bushel basket of country artists including Alan Jackson, Clint Black, George Jones and the Zac Brown Band, to name a few. Not every concert choice was intentional. One year, I thought I was joining my wife and friends to see the magic-performing duo, Penn & Teller. Instead, I ended up at an a cappella Pentatonix concert. I spent the first half waiting for someone to make a tiger disappear.

Then there are the smells. Depending on the direction of the breeze, you might catch the irresistible aroma of funnel cakes and smoked turkey legs — or the unmistakable reminder that several hundred farm animals are also attending the fair. It is all part of the experience.

And, of course, there is the weather. One day it is 98 degrees and everyone is searching for shade. The next day people are pulling sweatshirts out of souvenir bags and wondering whether summer quietly packed up and left overnight.

Still, my favorite attraction has nothing to do with food, rides or concerts. It is the people. Grandparents introducing grandchildren to a lifelong tradition. Friends gathering for their annual reunion. Families making memories that will be retold for decades. For 11 days every August, the Iowa State Fair reminds us that the best part of Iowa has never been what is on display — it is the people walking through the gates together. I will be there, and I hope to see you, too.

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: Bayard man arrested after Fort Dodge stabbing. A 45-year-old Bayard man has been arrested following a Saturday night altercation outside a Fort Dodge convenience store that left an 18-year-old man injured. Fort Dodge police said the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a report shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday of an altercation between two men outside the Star Convenience Store, 1601 Fifth Ave. S. Fort Dodge police officers and Webster County sheriff’s deputies responded. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Marshalltown man convicted of possession, intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Earlier this week, a Marshalltown man was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office says a Des Moines federal grand jury convicted 55-year-old Christopher James Moore of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on Wednesday. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: 1 hospitalized after shooting on Des Moines' south side. One person has been been taken to the hospital after a shooting on the south side of Des Moines, police confirmed to Local 5. The shooting happened near East 14th Street just south of East Army Post Road. Investigators were unable to locate a suspect, but Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said the shooting was isolated to the people involved. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Israel rejects Trump’s Gaza plan, more details emerge on the Strait of Hormuz and other Mideast news. Israel on Sunday rejected a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump for Gaza. Details emerged on the potential deal between Iran and Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran suggested that vessels linked to “hostile countries” would be barred. Iran also shuffled its top security post. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Wildfires burn across western US and Canada as residents are evacuated.  Wildfires burning across the western U.S. and Canada on Sunday left some residents keeping a weary eye out for possible evacuation orders while others already forced to flee their homes waited to see what would be left on their return. In western Canada, over 20,000 people were forced to flee communities along Okanagan Lake in British Columbia over the weekend as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and dozens had to be rescued by aircraft. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Driver killed in Delaware County crash identified as Dubuque man. Iowa State Patrol has identified a driver killed after they were struck on the shoulder of Highway 20 in Delaware County early Saturday morning. Iowa State Patrol says a Toyota Prius and a Honda CRV were parked in the eastbound shoulder of Highway 20 at mile marker 286 around 2:00 am Saturday when a Chevy Equinox hit both cars and the driver of the CRV. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Monday, Aug. 10
 
Hot and humid
High: 89
Low: 72
Rain chance: 30%
Tuesday, Aug. 11
 

Slight chance of storms
High: 89
Low: 71
Rain chance: 20%

Wednesday, Aug. 12
 

Mostly sunny
High: 87
Low: 67
Rain chance: 20%

 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 9, medium-high range
 
Top allergens:
Nettle
Sagebrush
Grasses
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Distillery
1. Iowa Distilling Company
2. Revelton Distilling Company
3. Foundry Distilling Company 
 
See all of the results
 
 

Back to the Biz
Jungle Tea opened on Douglas Ave. with a menu of freshly pressed sugarcane drinks, milk teas, smoothies, croffles and bingsu.

Stellar Snacks, a national pretzel brand, is launching a new Jalapeno Ranch flavor coming to all Hy-Vee locations Aug. 15. Mainframe Studios artist Ashley Marie designed the packaging.

El Bait Shop was named one of the best bars in America by USA Today.

Ventica Woods opened Mama Africa in the food hall on the lower level of the Greater Des Moines Partnership building at 700 Locust downtown.

El Rincón Catracho 2 is up and running seven days a week from 10 a.m.. This family owned Honduran cafe comes with rave reviews from top local chefs Phil Shires (Masao) and Tony Lemmo (Aposto). Try it at 910 Hull Avenue.

Mezze Mediterranean Kitchen will open soon the Temple for Performing Arts, next to South Union Bread Cafe and Centro. The place will offer a fast-casual Mediterranean menu, led by Zombie Burger top chef Tom McKern.

Mike LaValle's Atlas Cafe opened in the Atlas Building on Westown Parkway.

Narwhal's Crafted, a Midwest bar chain known for its frozen cocktails, fishbowls and drink flights, announced plans to open later this year at 418 E. Grand Ave.

Deals today

• Food Truck Mall Mondays, 4-7 p.m., held 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 carnitas tacos for $2 Mondays.
 
• 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. 
 
The Key (360 Sixth St., Waukee) offers a half-pound sirloin dinner for $19 Mondays 5 p.m. till sold out.
 
• Today is bang bang shrimp 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.) 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 pork steak at $1.99/pound, cucumbers and green peppers at $.77 and chicken hindquarters for $1.39/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW magazine.
 

BUSINESS FEATURE
Don’t trash your tech

By Gracie Kayko

Old electronics are donated to Metro Waste Authority. Photo courtesy of Metro Waste Authority.
When it’s time for small businesses in the Des Moines area to upgrade their technology, what should they do with their old electronics?

The answer is not to throw them away.

Electronics do not belong in landfills, and the sensitive data stored on the hardware should never end up in someone else’s hands. Knowing how to properly dispose of both electronic devices and the information they hold is critical to protecting businesses and the environment. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$179,000

5408 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266

 
Welcome to easy living in this well-maintained ranch-style townhome in the desirable Vista Drive community of West Des Moines—where neighbors tend to stay for years thanks to the comfortable lifestyle and convenient location. This move-in ready home features 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, including a recently updated en-suite bathroom in the spacious primary suite. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
2501 S.E. CREEKVIEW DRIVE, ANKENY
SALE DATE: 2026-01-13
SALE PRICE: $1,643,161
SELLER: DES MOINES CHILDCARE HOLDINGS LLC
BUYER: NNN REIT LP
ACRES: 1.328
SQUARE FEET: 6,522
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Teddy Bridgewater leaves Lions to retire again, coach says. Detroit Lions veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has decided to step away from the team amid training camp and was officially placed on the reserve/retired list ahead of Sunday's practice. Head coach Dan Campbell said he believes that this retirement could stick for Bridgewater, who had previously retired after the 2023 season only to return to the Lions the next season. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: WNBA changes controversial call on Caitlin Clark shortly after Fever-Sky game. The WNBA news cycle always seems to churn a little faster when Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are playing. In the Fever’s 90-86 victory over the Sky on Saturday, Clark finished with 26 points and 11 assists, logging her ninth double-double this season. She also made some cool history alongside backcourt mate Kelsey Mitchell, who put up 27 points on 11-of-22 shooting. It marked the eighth game this year in which Clark and Mitchell have both finished with 25-plus points apiece, good for the second-most 25-plus point games by a duo in WNBA history. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Jacob Misiorowski becomes second-fastest pitcher in history to tally 200 strikeouts in a single season. Milwaukee Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski became the second-fastest pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in a season on Sunday. The Brewers ace managed the feat in 129 1/3 innings this season. He entered Sunday's start against the Minnesota Twins with 195 strikeouts. ... READ MORE
 
 

1793: Louvre Museum opens. After more than two centuries as a royal palace, the Louvre is opened as a public museum in Paris by the French revolutionary government. Today, the Louvre’s collection is one of the richest in the world, with artwork and artifacts representative of 11,000 years of human civilization and culture.   … READ MORE

1939: “The Wizard of Oz” movie premieres in Green Bay, Wisconsin. On August 10, 1939, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland and featuring words and music by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg and Harold Arlen, receives its world premiere in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It would open widely in U.S. theaters some two weeks later. … READ MORE

1993: Ruth Bader Ginsburg sworn in as Supreme Court justice. On August 10, 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes the second woman—and first Jewish woman—to serve on the Supreme Court. Already a champion for women’s rights, Ginsburg becomes a pop culture icon during her 27 years on the court. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy Birthday Lisa Miller and Judy Walters!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Antonio Banderas, Rosanna Arquette, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Bivins, Ryan Eggold, Justin Theroux, Angie Harmon, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Riddick Bowe, Devon Aoki, Britney Spears, Jenna Fischer, Andre Drummond, Brenton Thwaites
 
Historical birthdays
1814: Henri Nestlé, German-Swiss industrialist and founder of the Nestlé company.
 
1856: William Willett, English builder who pioneered British Summer Time (daylight saving).
 
1874: Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What's a plumber's favorite song? "SINGING IN THE DRAIN!" - Gail Tomlinson. Or, "Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath!" - Rex Post. Or, Pipe organ music! - J. Becker. Or, "I got you under my sink!" - Irving Stone. Or, "Danny Boy" because “The pipes, the pipes are calling!" - Anne Lentz.

A note from Carolyn Rogers about  Thursday's question, What was the pilgrim's favorite type of music? "I was going to suggest a pipe organ, which many say is the most magnificent musical instrument ever invented. As you probably know, the world-renowned Dobson Pipe Organ Builders is located in our very own Lake City, Iowa. It's an amazing place to tour!"

Today's riddle: Why are frogs good at baseball?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW magazine, contact:

Aaron Burns
Advertising Sales Manager
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 330
Mobile: 712-310-3860
aaron@dmcityview.com

 

 

This email was sent to: email@example.com

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

Logo