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Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026
Good morning to you! 

I realize I may be one of the last people on Earth who still gets excited about a paper bill. Not excited in the way you get excited about a winning lottery ticket. More in the way a person gets excited when the garage door opener works on the first try.

I get a paper bill. I pay it with a paper check. That is how it works in our company, with a careful review and approval process in between. I have been doing it this way for decades in the businesses I have run. Our business office manager prepares the payables and brings them to me once a week. I review them, ask questions and sign off.

Most are recurring invoices I know all too well. But every once in a while, one catches my eye. “I do not recall ordering this.” And that is when the investigation begins. Who ordered it? Why did we order it? Do we need it? And, perhaps most importantly, who thought I would not notice? It is not exactly the FBI, but it can involve some surprisingly serious detective work.

The most tedious part of the process is matching credit card receipts to the monthly credit card statements. I am a stickler about this, too.

I know I am in the minority. Much of the world has moved to paperless billing, automatic payments and subscriptions that renew themselves. Click a button once, and suddenly you are paying $14.99 a month for something you do not remember signing up for and cannot figure out how to cancel. With all the automatic payments — and all the credit card fraud that comes with modern life — I find comfort in having a paper receipt that matches every charge.

When I am forced to pay online to avoid an additional fee, I simply print the receipt. Yes, I realize this defeats the purpose of paperless billing. I prefer to think of it as paperless billing with a paper chaser.

I used the same system at home for much of my early life. Of course, back then, bills actually arrived in the mail. You opened the envelope, wrote a check, put the check in another envelope and put a stamp on it. Then I got married. My wife took over the household bill-paying duties, and I have volunteered several times to take the job back. She has declined. I have to assume she does not want me reviewing all our household expenses. To be honest, she could have a fully loaded offshore account somewhere, and I would probably never know it.

Meanwhile, she has embraced automatic payments. And, every so often, I hand her my carefully saved pile of credit card receipts. She looks at them. She looks at me. Then she throws them in the trash. I suppose that is marriage in a nutshell. One person wants to preserve every receipt ever printed, while the other wants to eliminate every piece of paper in the house.

So, yes, I may be old-fashioned, but I like paper. I like seeing what I owe. I like knowing what I paid. And I especially like knowing that, when something looks suspicious, I have a piece of paper to prove it.

In a world where everything seems to disappear into the cloud, I will keep my feet planted firmly on the ground — preferably next to a filing cabinet, a checkbook and a stack of receipts. Call it old technology if you want. At least I know where my money went.

Have a watchful Wednesday, and thank you 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: Urbandale City Council rejects land use change for proposed Buc-ee's. The Urbandale City Council has rejected an amendment to change the land use for a field near Northwest 100th Street and Northpark Drive, where a Buc-ee's travel center was proposed to be built. The 20-acre property is owned by former Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, who plans to sell it to Buc-ee's. Traffic concerns were among the council's biggest issues with the proposal. Buc-ee's Real Estate Director Stan Beard said the company’s engineers would address the matter. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa officials target kratom as state reports 45 related deaths since 2024. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and state health officials are raising concerns about kratom as officials report an increase in kratom-associated deaths and exposure calls across the state. State leaders, including Gov. Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), gathered to bring attention to the substance and its growing availability at gas stations, smoke shops and other retailers. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa libraries facing cuts as cities seek to lower budgets. Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders proposed $750,000 in cuts to the Des Moines Public Library last week. The proposal was one of many suggestions Sanders delivered to the city council in response to the anticipated $12-17M budget shortfall across the next two years.
The shortfall comes in part due to the recent property tax law the Iowa legislature passed this year which capped property tax hikes at 2%, year to year. 
... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Iran fires on its Gulf neighbors after US military strikes Iran after a month-long lull. Iran fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf early Wednesday following a night of American bombardment that Iranian officials say included a deadly strike on a wedding party. The latest violence has ended a monthlong lull in fighting between the U.S. and Iran and raised new questions about how to end a war that has led to a spike in oil prices, roiled the global economy and is posing increasing political problems for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party ahead of November midterm elections. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Pennsylvania police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in killing of college student. A Pennsylvania police officer was charged Tuesday with voluntary manslaughter for last week’s fatal shooting of a college student who was looking for his friends late at night and went to the wrong house Police body camera video reviewed by investigators shows the officer yelled “Drop to the ground,” then “Stop or I’ll... .” Before he finished the sentence, he fired two shots at the man who was unarmed and had his hands in the air. He hit 22-year-old Glenwood Earl Pysher IV twice in the chest, killing him. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa City council delays vote on adding downtown police patrols.  The Iowa City Council on Tuesday deferred a vote on a police department plan to add three full-time officers to patrol downtown. The vote was deferred four to three. The plan follows months of discussion about safety downtown after the Ped Mall shooting injured five people in April. The three additional officer positions would cost the city about $370,000. The city would save about $88,000 in overtime once the positions are staffed. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Wednesday, Sept. 2
 
Partly cloudy
High: 94
Low: 75
Rain chance: 20%
Thursday, Sept. 3
 

Partly cloudy
High: 93
Low: 74
Rain chance: 20%

Friday, Sept. 4
 

Partly cloudy
High: 92
Low: 72
Rain chance: 30%

 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 11.6, high range
 
Top allergens:
Nettle
Chenopods
Ragweed
 
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Band
1. Damon Dotson Band 
2. The Nadas
3. The Sierra Griggs Band
 
See all of the results
 
 

Woebegone Wednesday
Edible seed oil crisis. In the last 30 years, India has gone from exporter to importer of edible seed oils. They got used to buying cheap oils from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine. This month, Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation released a report saying the nation’s high reliance on imports (56% now versus 15% in 1995) gives it little room to negotiate prices in the face of supply chain bottlenecks brought by geopolitical shocks.

The Indian government went all-in on becoming self sufficient again, calling for expansion of cultivation acreage to 33 million hectares from 29 million. Then the monsoon didn't show up. India is having its weakest rainfall in eight years, just as prices soar for palm, soybean and sunflower seeds, kitchen staples across the country. This has prompted economists to lower this year’s GDP forecast to 6.6% from 7.7%. (WSJ)

Deals today
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers walleye dinner specials for $21 Wednesdays. 
 
Fareways have a Wednesday-only half-priced sale on King Hawaiian sandwich trays, $9.99/16 count.
 
• High Life Lounge (200 Second St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday special chicken fried steak for $11.99. 
 
 Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 half slabs of ribs on Wednesdays. 
 
Sale Barn's (Lamoni) special today is chicken cordon bleu with potato salad.
 
The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Wednesday special is meatball sandwiches for $9.
 
• Wednesday is biryani day with two for $20 at Desi Bites (3828 100th St.,, Urbandale.
 
Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers asada tacos for $2 Wednesdays.
 
Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a rib dinner deal Mondays, half slabs for $12, full racks $16. 
 
The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has hamburgers for $7 on Wednesdays.
 
B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has Philly cheesesteak on special today. 



• Waterfont's Wednesday special this week are Icelandic cod, Arctic char and wolffish.
 
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a wiener Wednesday special today. 
 
• Wednesdays are Chicago Italian beef sandwich day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has a new early bird menu on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Half-pound burgers with frites $15, pasta and chicken dinners, $20-22, seafood and steak dinners $27-30. Prime rib dinners for $30 all night. 
 
• Hy-Vees offer second sushi rolls for half price on Wednesdays.
 
• Paula's (Elm Street at Sixth, Valley Junction) has a Wednesday Cuban sandwich special.
 
Jack’s Place (6112 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) has 10 wings for $10 Wednesdays.
 
• Wednesday at Short E's BBQ (8805 Chambray Blvd., Johnston) the special is ribs - $15 full racks, $10 half racks and $5 off rib dinners.
 
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a brisket burnt ends special on Wednesdays.
 
• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers any burger with a side for $10 on Wednesdays. 
 
• Toad's (302 State Ave., Des Moines) special today is wings with two sides for $12.
 
 Exile (1514 Walnut St., Des Moines) offers a $12 burger basket with fries and a beer on Wednesdays. 
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $8 French toast or pancake breakfasts and $2 tacos, $9 wraps and $10 half pounds of wings on Wednesdays. 
 
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken Madeira special on Wednesdays before 4 p.m., $15 including beverage.
 
• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) offers 10 wings for $10 on Wednesdays and steak night, too.
 
Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) has a $10 classic burger and beer all day. 
 
• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) has all you can eat fried chicken dinners on Wednesdays, $23.99 after 5 p.m. 
 
• Wednesdays bring steak night to Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines). Steaks are cooked to order with salad, potato and bread, $14.99.
 
 Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $11.50 on Wednesday. It's also hot beef sandwich day at Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave.) where the gravy is made with pan drippings.
 
• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston) and The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines). 
 
• G Mig's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Wednesday special five cheese macaroni with carnitas, bacon and ham, plus salad and garlic bread for $19.25.
 
• Barntown's (9500 S.E. University Ave., West Des Moines) Wednesday specials are a pound of chicken tenders with fries and two sauces for $11.99, plus $13 core pitchers of beer.
 
• Wednesday is Biryani Festival at Chowrastha (5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines). Buy two and a third is free.
 
• Village Inns offer free pie with entrees on Wednesdays. 
 
• It's lasagna day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) and breaded pork tenderloin day at Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines).
 
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $5 off pizza on Wednesdays.
 
Kwik Stars' Wednesday special is eight pieces of fried chicken for $10. Their fried chicken is ridiculously good for a convenience store.  
 
• On Wednesdays, flatbreads are $10 at Tito's Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale). 
 
 Jethro's have $9.95 breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, including a side of choice, on Wednesdays.  
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Wednesday special of chopped cheeseburger with a side for $12.

• Price Choppers have sales through Monday on frozen catfish nuggets at $1.99/pound, baby back ribs at $2.99/pound and beef ribs at $8.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of Bondurant  Living magazine.
 

CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Local photographers find beauty in everyday life and unexpected places.

By Sean Dengler

For some, photography is a way to preserve memories. Others find it a creative outlet or even an adventure into the unknown. For local photographers, it is all of that and more. From capturing everyday moments to embracing the beauty of nature and the cosmos, each has found a unique perspective through the lens.

A lifetime of pictures
Animals were Jim Andersen’s entry into photography in 1951.

“I first started taking pictures with little black-and-white film camera when I was in 4-H, taking pictures of my 4-H projects, which were animals, pigs and cattle, dairy cattle,” Andersen said. “I think that’s what got me started. When I was in high school, I ventured out and bought a slide camera so I could take color slides. I do have color slides of some of our high school activities.” ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$350,000
6801 Washington Ave.
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
  
Well-kept three-bedroom, three-bath ranch in a quiet, mature neighborhood, priced below assessed value! Major improvements include a new roof with 30-year shingles in 2023, Andersen windows, updated electrical, newer doors, Carrier furnace, gutter guards installed by JF Master Elite, and a professionally installed dry basement system. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
115 EUCLID AVE., DES MOINES
DATE: 2026-03-25
SALE PRICE: $1,275,000
SELLER: BERCH PRINCETON HOLDINGS LLC
BUYER: CELEBRATE HOLDINGS HIGHLAND PARK LLC
ACRES: 1.056
SQUARE FEET: 4,946
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Tennessee chancellor says SEC 'will not budge' on NFL rule. The president of the SEC's executive committee, Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman, told ESPN on Tuesday that the league "will not budge" on its rule that NFL players cannot return to college. Speaking on behalf of the SEC's presidents and chancellors, she made clear that the SEC is "prepared to defend our rules" and wants commissioner Greg Sankey to feel empowered to levy significant penalties. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: 10 things LeBron James is chasing in his 24th NBA season. LeBron James accomplished just about everything he possibly could in his first 23 seasons in the NBA. In a few weeks, he’ll be back for Season 24 donning some new colors in Philadelphia. James is the NBA’s all-time leader in games and minutes played as well as points scored—in both the regular season and playoffs. He is a four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP with a record 13 All-NBA first team selections. Heck, LeBron raised three kids and has already tossed one of them an alley-oop in an NBA game. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Rams owner Stan Kroenke enters agreement to buy Angels from Arte Moreno for reported MLB record $4 billion. The Los Angeles Angels are the latest professional sports team to be sold in 2026. The Angels have been purchased by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, his company announced Tuesday. The Angels confirmed the news Tuesday, with Kroenke saying the team has an "exciting future." Outgoing owner Arte Moreno also issued a statement, saying his family "has been honored to steward the Angels for 23 years." ... READ MORE
 
 

1945: Japan surrenders, bringing an end to WWII. Aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II.
By the summer of 1945, the defeat of Japan was a foregone conclusion. The Japanese navy and air force were destroyed. The Allied naval blockade of Japan and intensive bombing of Japanese cities had left the country and its economy devastated. … READ MORE

1995: Michael Jackson earns his 12th and final solo No. 1 with “You Are Not Alone." On Sept. 2, 1995, pop star Michael Jackson's song “You Are Not Alone” reaches no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — his 12th No. 1 hit. Jackson’s incredible run of chart-topping hits began in 1972 with the release of his fifth single, “Ben,” from the motion picture of the same name. A touching ballad about a sensitive boy’s devotion to a rat, “Ben” may seem a strange pop-cultural artifact in retrospect, but it raised few eyebrows at the time, when it made Jackson the third-youngest recording artist (after Stevie Wonder and Donny Osmond) to earn a solo No. 1 hit. … READ MORE

2013: Diana Nyad, 64, makes record swim from Cuba to Florida. On Sept. 2, 2013, 64-year-old Diana Nyad becomes the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage for protection. Nyad completed the 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West, through the jellyfish-and shark-infested waters of the Straits of Florida, in approximately 53 hours. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy birthday, Gloria and Georgia Davis!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Jack Dylan Grazer, August Alsina, Adam Jones, Charlie Sheen, Christian Anthony, Gareth Southgate, Shaun White, Eileen Gu, Garrett Hedlund
 
Historical birthdays
Liliʻuokalani (1838) – The last sovereign monarch and only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
 
Albert Spalding (1850) – Hall of Fame baseball pitcher, manager, and entrepreneur who co-founded the Spalding sporting goods company.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What do you get when you throw a billion books into the ocean? A TITLE WAVE! - Gail Tomlinson, Rex Post, Irving Stone, Ceci Jackson. Or,  A literal sea change! - Joan 'Ski' Sieczkowski. Or, Well-read fish! - Bill Snyder. Or, A library for schools of fish! - Anne Lentz.

Today's riddle: What did the bottled water tell the spy?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Johnston Living magazine, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

 

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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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