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Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Good morning to you! 

Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Hi, Shane. I was so happy to hear that Urbandale was possibly going to get a Buc-ee’s, and now I am so disappointed to hear city council did not approve (Urbandale City Council rejects land use change for proposed Buc-ee's, Sept. 2, 2026). I no longer live in Des Moines. I now live in the New Orleans area, and let me tell y’all that Buc-ee’s is a destination. The closest one to us is 75 miles in Mississippi, and we drive all the way over to take our granddaughter there. They are sporadically placed in a few major cities along I-10. You may worry a bit about traffic congestion, but let me tell you — you would never regret it. The people come in droves — in and out — and merchandise flows like crazy. You’d be missing out on an economic feast. Wake up and smell the roses, Des Moines area!” - Marilyn

I am assuming this is all part of the negotiation process. One thing is clear, though. Buc-ee’s will be here. - Shane

“You are not the only one who pays paper bills after verifying they are correct (Paper bills, Sept. 2, 2026). I even pay some of my bills with checks, but I do not put my outgoing mail for the porch thief to collect. I put the outgoing mail in the P.O. drop box inside the post office. I even used to balance my checkbook. You will have to explain that process to most of the under portion of your readership. I also really enjoyed your comments on city names (Geographical rebranding, Sept. 3, 2026). In your spare time, try to think of a better name for Lineville. How could any name fit the town better?” - George

Maybe Iowourri? You’re right Lineville is better. - Shane

“One of the largest private monuments in the state of Iowa stands in Woodland Cemetery with only a name marking it (Geographical rebranding, Sept. 3, 2026). Oliver Perkins. Closer to the cemetery entrance in block 22 is the family plot of the Thompson family. Stones from different generations of this family include Oliver Perkins Thompson as well as others with Oliver or Perkins in their name. There is an unsubstantiated legend that one of the writers of ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ had Iowa connections and remembered the large monument when coming up with the name for the character of Sheriff Andy Taylor's son, O.P. (Opie). True or not, once you read this it will be hard to not whistle the Mayberry theme song when you pass the monument and see the name Oliver Perkins.” - Mike

I am whistling right now. - Shane

“I used to have — and may still possess in a stored box somewhere — a book called ‘From Ackley to Zwingle.’ It was a book that solely dedicated itself to listing every town in Iowa and how it got its name (Geographical rebranding, Sept. 3, 2026). It was interesting, to be sure. Here's a sample from your home territory. Though more complicated than it sounds, a train lost a tank that rolled into a creek and got stuck in it between what are now Algona and Emmetsburg. A town cropped up in that neighborhood, and so, in order to name it after a landmark so the railroad folks could quickly identify the location, the tank in the creek was used, and that town became Cylinder. Now, did I believe all of those stories? Well, the eons of time tell us that naming rights and the stories that go with them seem to be at the whims of those in control at the time.” - Brad

Cylinder works for me. But Zwingle? This, I have to read. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, 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: Record high diesel prices squeeze Iowa farmers' budgets ahead of harvest season. Iowa farmers are grappling with record-high diesel prices, as the national average nears $6 a gallon. "I hope this is not the long-term new level of diesel fuel prices. I'm afraid it is, though," said Mark Mueller, a farmer and president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Mueller highlighted the financial strain, saying, "I have a 5,000-gallon diesel tank that is empty right now, and if I have to fill it up at over $5 a gallon, that's $25,000." That's almost double what he paid last year. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: 10 Des Moines residents sentenced in meth distribution conspiracy. Ten Des Moines residents were sentenced to various terms in federal prison for their parts in a drug distribution conspiracy, according to officials. The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa, announced Wednesday that ten men and women from Des Moines had been sentenced following their pleas in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine case from 2025. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: 72-year-old driver, dog injured after car strikes Des Moines home. A 72-year-old woman was hospitalized Thursday night after her SUV struck a home on the east side of Des Moines, injuring a dog inside. Around 6:30 p.m., Des Moines police said first responders were dispatched to the Valley View Village apartments at 2571 Guthrie Avenue, after a small SUV was reported to have crashed into an apartment. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: The US has made progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but the Iran war is far from over. In recent weeks, the United States has succeeded in loosening Iran’s grip over the Strait of Hormuz while virtually shutting down Iran’s own oil exports, accelerating its economic free fall. But the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February — intended to last a few weeks — is still far from over, and the stalemate is costly for both sides. An agreement reached in June quickly crumbled, with no sign of diplomatic progress since then. Low-level fighting persists, and the U.S. does not seem to have an exit strategy. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks. Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary will bring memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime, according to a new poll. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: GOP keeps Iowa’s First in the Nation status for presidential nominations. Iowa is maintaining its First in the Nation status with the national Republicans. Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann says the state will keep its First in the Nation status through 2028. This follows the Republican National Committee’s Rules Committee meeting Thursday in Dallas, Texas. This is the first time in years that Iowa will only be the first to nominate a presidential candidate with the Republican party. ... READ MORE

 
 
Weather forecast
Friday, Sept. 11
 
Mostly sunny
High: 84
Low: 67
Rain chance: 30%
Saturday, Sept. 12
 

Partly cloudy
High: 81
Low: 62
Rain chance: 20%

Sunday, Sept. 13
 

Scattered showers
High: 78
Low: 63
Rain chance: 30%

 
 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 10.5, high range
 
Top allergens:
Nettle
Chenopods
Ragweed
 
 
 
Reader submission
BRIDGE OPEN: Joe Powers sent this photo of the Lighted Bridge on the Raccoon River Valley Trail at Adel. The bridge, which had been damaged by fire, reopened in August.
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Place to Have a Kid’s Birthday Party
1. Animal Rescue League of Iowa
2. Let’s Slumber It
3. Iowa Wild
 
See all of the results
 
 

Iowa Restaurant Association announced its 2026 awards. The winners are: 
• Restaurateur of the Year — Simon Goheen, Simon’s, Des Moines 
• Chef of the Year — Chef Cory Barrett, Barrett’s Quality Eats, Coralville 
• Rural Operator of the Year — Gwen Page, Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther 
• Employee of the Year — Gretchen Lagerblade, Proudfoot & Bird, Des Moines 
• Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year — Bartholomis Manning, Martini’s Grille, Burlington 
• Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Award — Jerry Hope, Carlisle Watering Hole, Carlisle 
• Faces of Diversity Award — Brian Bruening and Frederique Boudouani, Schera’s Restaurant and Bar, Elkader 
• American Dream Award — Edgar Barrios, Hacienda Las Glorias, Cedar Rapids 
• Purveyor Employee of the Year — Brian Puhrmann, Ecolab, St. Paul, Minnesota 
• Legislator of the Year — Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House, Des Moines 
• Champion of the Year — John Ferguson, B-Bop’s, Des Moines 
• Sustainability Innovator of the Year — Molly Kirby and Connor Jenkins, Kindred Coffee, Iowa City 

Weekend deals
• AJ's at Prairie Meadows has a new all-you-can-eat prime rib and crab legs buffet from 4 p.m. Fridays. 
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers fish fry lunch specials $16.49-$21 including a pint or two shrimp Fridays. Saturdays feature $33 12-ounce prime rib dinners. 
 
• High Life Lounge (200 Second St., Des Moines) has a Friday special fish fry for $11.99.
 
• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers mandi rice on Fridays, with chicken, paneer and vegan choices. 
 
• Exile offers half-priced kids meals on Fridays. 
 
• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 buckets of eight pieces of baked chicken on Fridays. 
 
• Desi Bites (1475 S.E. Bishop Drive, Waukee) has weekend specials on nine biryanis and five pulavs. 
 
• Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers green enchiladas combos for $10 Fridays and Saturdays and four shrimp tacos for $12 Sundays.
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a steak dinner deal Friday $16. 
 
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has wings on sale Fridays for $8.
 
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers beef stir fry specials today.  
 
• Friday lunch special is $12 Italian beef with fries and soda, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines).
 
• Most Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Fridays, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering catfish and hush puppies specials today.
 
• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only. 
 
• Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola) reopens Saturdays with a creamed chicken on biscuit special. Sunday's is fried chicken.
 
• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers  "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday.
 
• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.
 
• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.
 
• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays. 
 
•  Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have Texas Dip - chopped Texas brisket with sauteed onions, Swiss cheese on a hoagie with fries and BBQJus. $13.95. 
 
• Paula's (Elm at Sixth, Valley Junction) has a Friday special Rachel (turkey Reuben) with fries for $14.
 
• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday. 
 
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.
 
• It's French dip Friday at Club 2000 (420 Indianola Road, Des Moines).

• Price Choppers have sales through Monday on frozen tilapia filets at $4.49/pound, boneless pork chops at $2.49/pound and through Saturday on 80/20 burger at $3.99/pound.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running sales through Tuesday on Coho salmon filets at $5.99/pound, boneless chicken breasts at $1.99/pound and raspberries at $1.99/basket.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on avocados  at $.59, green grapes at $1.29/pound in 40-ounce party packs, and navel oranges at $2.89/3-pound bag.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on Iowa pork chops at $1.99/pound, cucumbers and green peppers at $.88 and chicken legs for $1.38/pound.

• Hy Vee has specials through Sunday on boneless chicken breasts at $1.99/pound, chicken thighs at $1.79/pound, and two piece, two eggs, two meats and two pancake breakfasts at $5.
 
Dinner with a show
Jake Schrodt plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Nicholas Neibauer plays Exile Brewing Sunday at 5 p.m.... Fred Gazzo Quintet  plays at Anna Dolce at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW  magazine.
 

BUSINESS FEATURE
Des Moines butcher shops connect Iowa farms to the table

By Gracie Kayko

Some days they are accountants. On other days, they are recipe developers. One hour, they are marinating meat. And the next, they are in a marketing meeting. Through all their roles, they are always the consumer’s liaison.

For years, Des Moines didn’t need someone to bridge the gap between Iowa farmers and residents, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that.

Calvin Schnucker, the owner of The Good Butcher, believes the pandemic inspired people to cook at home and care about what they were putting on their dinner plates for themselves and their families. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$632,500
2848 Prairie Rose Drive
Norwalk, IA 50211
  
Looking for a 4 bedroom ranch near Echo Valley Golf Course with a finished basement, 3 car garage, and incredible outdoor living? This beautifully maintained 4 bedroom, 3 bath ranch was built in 2015 and offers an open layout surrounded by mature trees and professional landscaping. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
3430 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARKWAY, DES MOINES
DATE: 2026-04-02
SALE PRICE: $696,000
SELLER: ATERRA 1 LLC
BUYER: VANITY BEAUTY SHOP LLC PS UNITED
ACRES: 1.129
SQUARE FEET: 12,212
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: 49ers trounce Rams Down Under with 27-7 win. As San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner jogged on the field for warmups at local time Friday morning, he couldn't contain his excitement. Warner, who missed all but six games last season with a fractured and dislocated right ankle, repeatedly said to himself, "football, football, football" as he stepped on the field. In that moment it seemed that Warner was finally back. What took place after that was Warner's reminder writ large for the entire 49ers team. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Ranking the 12 best home field advantages in college football. There’s nothing quite like the lead-up to a big college football game. Whether it’s the sizzling smells of food cooking up on tailgate grills, the rowdy student sections ready to unleash pandemonium or the tried-and-true game-day traditions, the biggest football stadiums in America deliver some of the best atmospheres in sports. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: UConn gets commitment from 5-star point guard NaVorro Bowman Jr., son of former All-Pro 49ers linebacker. UConn landed a commitment from point guard NaVorro Bowman Jr., the son of All-Pro NFL linebacker NaVorro Bowman, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. A five-star recruit out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, Bowman is rated by Rivals as the No. 5 point guard nationally and the No. 11 player overall. The 6-foot-3 guard is the only five-star player in the Class of 2027 to commit thus far. ... READ MORE
 
 

1812: Russians dedicate Fort Ross, their first stronghold on the California coast. Staking a tenuous claim to the natural riches of California, Russians dedicate Fort Ross on the coast north of San Francisco on Sept. 11, 1812. … READ MORE

1851: The Christiana Riot. In Christiana, Pennsylvania, a group of African Americans and white abolitionists skirmish with a Maryland posse intent on capturing four fugitive enslaved people hidden in the town. The violence came one year after the second fugitive slave law was passed by Congress, requiring the return of all escapees to their owners in the South. … READ MORE

2001: Attack on America. At approximately 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy birthday, Brian Cheese!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Brian De Palma, Harry Connick Jr., John Hawkes, Laura Wright, Ludacris, Taraji P. Henson, Virginia Madsen, Moby, Tommy Shaw, Mickey Hart, Scott Patterson
 
Historical birthdays
Franz Ernst Neumann (1798) – Influential German mineralogist, physicist, and mathematician known for Neumann's law in electrodynamics.
 
John Ireland (1838) – Irish-born American prelate who served as the Archbishop of St. Paul, Minnesota.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Where do birds stay when they travel?  THE RED ROOST INN! - Rex Post. Or, at a NESTEL! - Irving Stone. Or, IN FLY BY NIGHTS! - Bill Snyder. Or, SOMEPLACE CHEEP! - Gail Tomlinson. Or AN AIRBNB! - Carolyn Rogers. Dianne Berry also got LIGHTHOUSE right for yesterday's joke!

 Today's riddle: What kind of bug can tell time?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:

Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com

 

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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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