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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Good morning to you! 

Welcome to an extra edition of the 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.

“Shane, I always remind folks to take a paper copy of their airline tickets with them as their phones can snafu on them, or, as in a recent case, my brother in law lost his phone overseas on a bus (Paper bills, Sept. 2, 2026). Luckily, a person on the same bus had it and returned it to him. I also suggest insisting friends and family make copies of their passports and exchange them with fellow travelers in their party and to leave a copy or two with someone back home. If they lose a passport overseas, this will save them a day or three in getting a new one. I also keep all my receipts and stuff them away each month in case I need them for some reason on exchange or proof to get a refund.” - Rex

I am willing to bet that you make your bed every morning, too. - Shane

“I have always enjoyed your columns, but I was disappointed in your comments regarding home improvements and YouTube (Urbandale Living, September 2026). I admit that there are a few people who should not try, and (without trying to be rude) you are apparently one of the few that fall into this category. I have absolutely no training in electrical, plumbing, carpentry and even HVAC, but I’m willing to tackle any job in order to save money. There is something about accomplishing a job and realizing that it wasn’t that hard. When you hire out, you only have a lower balance in your bank account. I am a firm believer in being self-efficient. I work building maintenance (keep in mind ‘no training in any field’), and I save the city thousands of dollars every month. Have I made mistakes? You bet I have, but I learned something in to process. Your comments about three trips? Apparently, you watched one video. The secret is to watch multiple videos and buy too much when you are purchasing materials. Then you only have one more trip to return what you didn’t need or use. And when you see what material really cost compared to the mark up that contractors charge, it really adds up in savings.” - Gary

There is nothing wrong with being self-efficient (especially while you are being compensated to do so), but I choose to support the professionals who are employing people and paying taxes, too. And, for many of us, time is money, and I feel my time could be better spent doing things that make me money. Meanwhile, thank you for saving us taxpayers some cash. - Shane

“I read your column titled ‘Turn off the YouTube Video’ (North Polk Living, September 2026). I wanted to reach out and say thank you. Thank you for pointing out it is OK we do not do it all. Thank you for pointing out it is OK to get help. Thank you for pointing out that electronics do not have all the answers. At least those were several points I got out of your simple, straightforward piece. Just wanted to say it was appreciated.” - Adriane

I learned a long time ago that most all of us tend to gravitate to (and make time for) the things we like to do and avoid the things we don’t. That goes for DIY, too. - Shane

“But what does it say about the psychological makeup of people who cut their hamburgers in half (How you cut your sandwich, Sept. 14, 2026)? Do they just love semi-circles? Are these tests we should be giving would-be employees? Inquiring minds want to know! And, while you're doing in-depth research, what are we to make of people who split their hot dogs length-wise? I mean, really? Thanks for livening up a Monday.” - Brad

And this, Brad, is why we have mental institutions. - Shane

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 

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

 

FROM KCCI: Iowa judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer. A judge on Wednesday dismissed Donald Trump's lawsuit accusing The Des Moines Register and its former pollster of misrepresenting the state of the 2024 presidential race, rejecting the president's claim that the newspaper's poll coverage violated Iowa's consumer fraud law. Calling the case extraordinary, Iowa District Judge Scott J. Beattie said that the argument could have a chilling effect that “can discourage others from reporting on and debating public affairs." ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Three major steps parents should take to protect children on social media. The CEO of a national nonprofit focused on social media safety says a substantial amount of work still needs to be done to protect the millions of children who are online. Marc Berkman, CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety, says social media has made it easier for predators to target young people. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Child's body recovered from Coralville Reservoir following search, both victims identified. Two bodies have been recovered after a water incident during a school field trip in eastern Iowa, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said in an update Wednesday.  The two victims have been identified as 24-year-old Hannah Jorgensen of Tiffin and 10-year-old Ahmed Osman of Iowa City. ... READ MORE

 
 
FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Russian strikes kill 8 in Ukraine as the UN debates how to end the war. Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine overnight killed at least eight civilians, officials said Thursday, as Moscow’s 4½-year-long invasion of its neighbor grinds on despite renewed appeals for a settlement at this week’s U.N. General Assembly. A strike on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region killed six agricultural workers and wounded 12 others, Interior Minister Ihor Vyhivskyi said. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Judge orders White House to restore access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s ban of three news outlets from the White House grounds, ordering early Thursday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico must have their access restored. The ruling hands the outlets at least a temporary reprieve in what has been an extraordinary showdown between Trump and media outlets whose coverage he dislikes. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa DCI investigating officer-involved shooting in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has confirmed they are assisting an investigating of an officer-involved shooting in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids Police say the shooting occurred at the intersection of H Avenue NE and Oakland Road on around 3:05 p.m. One person was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. No police officers were injured. ... READ MORE

 
 
Weather forecast
Thursday, Sept. 24
 
Mostly cloudy
High: 67
Low: 56
Rain chance: 20%
Friday, Sept. 25
 

Scattered showers
High: 66
Low: 59
Rain chance: 60%

Saturday, Sept. 26
 

Scattered thunderstorms
High: 67
Low: 60
Rain chance: 70%

 
 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 5 medium range
 
Top allergens:
Nettle
Chenopods
Ragweed
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Farmers Market
1. Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market
2. Valley Junction Farmers Market
3. Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market
 
See all of the results
 
 

Des Moines Symphony. “Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story.” Sept. 26-27. There are a few especially unique elements to this concert: Harry Smith returns to Des Moines to narrate Peter Boyer’s “American Mosaic,” and both Boyer and the work’s visual artist, Joe Sohm, will be at the performances. Iowa composer Linda Robbins Coleman will also be in attendance as the program features her work, “In Good King Charles’s Golden Days.” 

The Sherman Hill Historic Home Tour returns Sept. 26 and 27 for its 50th celebration. 

Iowa Storytellers Project
Presented by Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation in partnership with The Des Moines Register, “Voyages,” Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
 
Final weekend - Tallgrass Theatre Company. “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition.” Through Sept. 27.
 
Only two weeks remaining - Des Moines Playhouse. “Come from Away.” Through Oct 4.

 

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz
 

Betcha didn't know...
Price Chopper has instigated a double specials Tuesday. Their advertised specials now run Tuesday through Tuesday, making two weeks of special prices valid on Tuesdays. 

In ancient Rome’s orgies, it was common to eat the vulva of a sow either after it miscarried or had given birth. Womb was considered best eaten when it was sterile, so sows were spayed for that purpose. Apicius tells us that the full udder, with the paps still on, should be stuffed with spiced, ground sea-urchin, sewn up and cooked, then served with a mustard sauce.

The soccer World Cup match between Mexico and England drew a combined 44.9 million viewers across Fox and Telemundo/Peacock — just 1 million viewers shy of the record audience for USA-Belgium. Surprisingly, the English-language audience accounted for 48% of the viewers for the Mexico game. 

Deals today
• Crouse Cafe (115 East Salem, Indianola) has ham balls on special today.
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers pasta and meatball dinner specials for $22 Thursdays.
 
• High Life Lounge (200 Second St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special spaghetti and meat balls for $10.99.
 
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Thursday special is baked spaghetti for $10.
 
• Thursday is $10 kebabs and wings day at Desi Bites (3828 100th St., Urbandale). 
 
• Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers pastor tacos for $2 Thursdays.
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has two deals Thursday: jambalaya dinner for $15, lasagna for $10.
 
• Cowboy (1234 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has ribs on special today, $2.99/per rib.
 
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has jacket potatoes on sale Thursdays for $10.
 
• The Waveland (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) has Italian sausage grinders on special today.
 
• B&B (S.E. Sixth and Hartford, Des Moines) has a Thursday special Killer's double hot Polish with fries and a soda for $12.95.
 
• Thursdays are triple decker Reuben day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
• Quarter pound cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches are $3.39 each on Thursdays at Kwik Star.
 
• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special breaded pork tenderloin with fries and soda for $12.
 
• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering hot beef sandwich specials today.
 
•  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has an 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.
 
• Chelsie's Courtyard Diner (100 MLK, Des Moines) has buck burgers Thursdays. $1!
 
• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur. 
 
•  Turkey club melt on garlic focaccia with fries for $12.99 are a Thursday special at Club 2000. 
 
• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.
 
• 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.
 
• Steak Nights: 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 $12 ribeye sandwich special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
 
• Kids eat free at Scorno’s Pizza & Pasta (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays with every $15 order.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings 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.
 
• 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.
 
• Buffalo Wild Wings offers two orders for the price of one Thursdays on orders of six, 10 and 15 boneless wings.
 
• Price Choppers have sales through Tuesday on jalapenos at $1.49/pound, perch filets at $4.49/pound and cauliflower at $1.99.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on pumpkins at $3.95, caramel apples at $2.99/three pack and raspberries at $1.49/6 ounces.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running sales through Tuesday on Atlantic salmon at $7.99/pound, avocados at $2.99/six and chicken thighs at $1.49/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Exclusively at www.dmcityview.com
 

PEOPLE & PETS
From pack leader to perfect pair

By Jackie Wilson

When Allison Kaiman moved back to Iowa with her dog, Bandit, a corgi, she admits her mischievous dog got away with “bloody murder.”

“I felt bad for Bandit with all the changes he encountered. He was running the show, where he was the pack leader,” she said. “I wasn’t the pack leader.”

One of her friends suggested dog trainer Kim Smith, who helped with Bandit’s behavioral issues. Smith also runs a pack dog training program, Chasing The Wild, where she takes dogs on hikes, including Bandit. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$325,000
3035 S.W. 39th St.
Des Moines, IA 50321
Southwestern Hills Neighborhood
  
Located in a tree-lined, Greater Southside neighborhood just off Park Avenue and less than 10 minutes from the airport and downtown, is this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom Dutch Colonial home on a shady lot. Pull into the long driveway and admire the detached two-car garage with plenty of room to park and store all your toys and tools. Step inside to the open-concept living room with great natural light and adjacent to the dining room that can comfortably seat six people for family dinner. ...
 
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
8801 NORTHPARK COURT, URBANDALE
DATE: 2026-04-17
SALE PRICE: $13,100,000
SELLER: NORTHPARK REAL ESTATE INVESTORS LLLP
BUYER: NORTHPARK PROPERTY LLC
ACRES: 9.393
SQUARE FEET: 82,952
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Giants' Dart to have knee surgery, out rest of regular season. New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo surgery on his left knee and sit out the rest of the regular season, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. Harbaugh did not rule out the possibility Dart could return if the Giants were to make the playoffs. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Heisman rankings after Week 3: A clear favorite emerges for college football’s top honor. Ole Miss’s win over LSU was an early candidate for college football’s game of the year. Along with Week 2’s Texas comeback against Ohio State, it has helped shape some of the early narratives about the season as a whole. It also gave us a clear-cut Heisman Trophy front-runner. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Arizona State hockey coach declines repeatedly to talk about workout that left Matthew Mayich in a coma. Arizona State men's hockey coach Greg Powers did not want to talk Wednesday about the workout that left sophomore Matthew Mayich on life support. Speaking for the first time publicly since Mayich was hospitalized more than a month ago, Powers insisted Arizona State is still "a great place to be" while refusing to address the incident repeatedly when speaking with reporters during the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's media day. ... READ MORE
 
 

1789: The first Supreme Court is established. The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison and James Wilson to be associate justices. On Sept. 26, all six appointments were confirmed by the U.S. Senate. … READ MORE

1968: First episode of “60 Minutes” airs. On Sept. 24, 1968, CBS airs the first episode of 60 Minutes, a show that would become a staple of the American media landscape. A pioneer of the “newsmagazine” format, 60 Minutes is the longest-running primetime show in American television history. … READ MORE

2016: The National Museum of African American History and Culture opens. More than 15 years after it was first established, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opens on the National Mall on Sept. 24, 2016. Barack Obama, the nation’s first African American president, leads the ceremony and officially opens the museum by ringing the Freedom Bell, a bell from an African American Baptist church founded in 1776. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Weekly fuel report
 

The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 23 cents from last week's price and is currently averaging $4.34 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are up $1.42 from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $4.74, up 38 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 16 cents this week with a statewide average of $6.28. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.51 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 24 cents lower than the national average of $6.52.

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $3.33 for U87-E10, $4.29 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $5.11 for ULSD#2, $5.38 for ULSD#1, and $2.71 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Natural gas prices were up 5 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.00 MMbtu.

 
Cheapest fuel in the metro. www.gasbuddy.com
Maverik in Des Moines (4960 E. Broadway Ave.) - $4.12
Murphy USA in Altoona (3405 Eighth St. S.W.) - $4.12
Sam's Club in Ankeny (4625 S.E. Delaware Ave.) - $4.14
 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy birthday, Eleni Upah and Jayde Vogeler!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Joe Locke, Erik Stocklin, Kevin Sorbo, Ian Bohen, Jackie Sandler, Ben Platt, Grey Damon, Kate Fleetwood, Harriet Walter
 
Historical birthdays
1755: John Marshall was an American statesman, jurist, and Founding Father who served as the fourth chief justice of the United States from 1801 until his death in 1835.
 
1898: Howard Walter Florey, Baron Florey of Adelaide and Marston was an Australian pharmacologist and pathologist who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 with Ernst Chain and Sir Alexander Fleming "for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases."
 
1896: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, widely known as F. Scott Fitzgerald or simply Scott Fitzgerald, was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? SUPPLIES! - Judy Anderson, Gail Tomlinson, Anne Lentz, Sharon Hill Watkins. Or, Is it lunch time yet? - Rex Post. Or, I just polished another thing off my bucket list! - Carolyn Rogers.

 Today's riddle: What’s more unbelievable than a talking dog?

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

 

To advertise in the Guthrie Center Times, Panora Times, Lake Panorama Times and the Guthrie County Times Vedette, contact:

KERRY JACOBSEN
Account Executive
Office:  641-332-2707
Mobile: 515-619-2788
kerry@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

 

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