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Good morning to you! 
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
Author James Clear said, “The process of behavior change always starts with awareness. You need to be aware of your habits before you can change them.”
 
That sounds simple, but there’s a problem. We are often much better at noticing other people’s habits than our own. We notice that our spouse leaves the kitchen cabinet open. We notice that our co-worker takes 14 minutes to tell a two-minute story. We notice that our friend checks his phone every 30 seconds while supposedly listening to us. We notice all of that. What we don’t notice is that we have told the same story six times. That is where awareness comes in.
 
Think about one of your positive habits. You certainly have several, although you may have to think about them a little longer than you would your bad ones. Maybe you exercise regularly. Maybe you read every night. Maybe you call your parents. Maybe you are good about saving money, showing up on time or remembering birthdays. Pick one. Now ask yourself: How can I capitalize on that habit? How can I do more of it? Can I make it easier, more automatic or more enjoyable? Small improvements in a good habit can have a surprisingly large effect over time.
 
Now comes the difficult part. Think about one of your negative habits. Again, you probably have several. I certainly do. Some are obvious. Others have become so routine that we don’t even recognize them as habits anymore. Maybe you spend too much time on your phone. Maybe you eat when you are bored. Maybe you procrastinate. Maybe you interrupt people. Maybe you have developed the habit of saying, “I will get to that tomorrow.” Pick one. Now ask: How can I change that habit? How can I do less of it? What triggers it? What could I do instead?
 
That’s awareness. Or, at least, it’s the first step. The next step might be even more interesting. Ask those same two questions about your habits to someone who knows you well. Ask your spouse. Ask your children. Ask a close friend. Ask a co-worker. You could even ask your boss, although you might want to make sure you have plenty of vacation time available first.
 
Ask them: “What is one positive habit you see in me that I should do more of?” Then ask: “What is one habit I have that I should work on?” The really difficult part comes next. Listen. Don’t explain. Don’t defend. Don’t immediately respond with, “Yeah, but you should see what you do.” Just listen. Awareness isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes the person who knows us best can see something about us we have been too busy, too stubborn or too comfortable to see on our own.
 
Yes, changing a habit begins with noticing it, and sometimes the best mirror is not the one hanging on our bathroom wall. It is the person standing next to us.
 
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: Indianola crash kills juvenile pedestrian, police say. An Indianola juvenile died after being struck by a vehicle Sunday evening, police said. Indianola police and emergency crews responded shortly before 6 p.m. to the 400 block of West 18th Place for a vehicle-pedestrian crash. Officers took over CPR from bystanders who were already helping the pedestrian, and crews requested a LifeFlight helicopter because of the injuries. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: ESPN College GameDay returns to Iowa City for first time in 20 years. ESPN’s College GameDay is returning to Iowa City for the first time in 20 years as the Hawkeyes face Ohio State. The University of Iowa’s Athletic Department made the announcement Sunday. The University of Iowa (4-0, 1-0) vs. Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) matchup on October 3 will be played in a sold-out Kinnick Stadium. This is College GameDay’s second visit to Iowa City. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Local lawn care companies reeling after wet weather. Spring and fall is typically the busy season for lawn mowing companies, but they say the excessive rain has made it difficult to consistently work.  This September is already Iowa's second-wettest in recoded history, and it has a shot at becoming the state's wettest month ever. "It's been extremely frustrating," Adam Jones, owner of Warren Lawn, shared. ... READ MORE

 
 
FROM AROUND THE WORLD: British police investigate whether arrests near US-run air base foiled an Iran-linked attack. Police were holding five men on Monday and examining suspected explosives found near a U.S.-operated air force base in England, as counterterror detectives investigated whether the arrests foiled an attempted attack linked to Iran. The men were detained early Sunday after three vans were spotted near RAF Fairford, a U.K.-owned base that has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Powerful nor’easter floods Northeast again, causing problems from New Jersey to New England. Residents of coastal communities in the Northeast slogged through floodwaters for a second day as a powerful nor’easter pummeled the shoreline Sunday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes. Tidal surges swamped low-lying neighborhoods in New Jersey while wind gusts toppled trees on New York’s Long Island, damaging homes and bringing down utility poles. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa City School District aims to cut nearly $14 million by next year. The Iowa City Community School District says it needs to cut at least $13.8 million by consolidating school buildings, programs, and staffing. On Thursday the Iowa City school board started the process to help decide exactly what to do with the help of a consulting firm. At a board session, members agreed closing buildings is a real possibility and they should review all buildings during the process. ... READ MORE

 
 
Weather forecast
Monday, Sept. 28
 
Clouds clearing
High: 72
Low: 59
Rain chance: 0%
Tuesday, Sept. 29
 

Scattered thunderstorms 
High: 70
Low: 63
Rain chance: 70%

Wednesday, Sept. 30
 

Showers
High: 70
Low: 61
Rain chance: 60%

 
 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 5 medium range
 
Top allergens:
Ragweed
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Place to Have an Adult Birthday Party
1. Your Private Bar
2. Spare Time Entertainment
3. Let’s Slumber It
 
See all of the results
 
 

Back to the Biz
The Jordan Creek Parkway Hy-Vee in West Des Moines is undergoing a $4.8 million remodel that includes upgrades to produce, meat, seafood, deli and bakery areas.

Tanya Doyle is back. After sitting out the last five years to fulfill a Non Compete Clause following her sale of Whatcha Smokin, Doyle has broken ground in Slater on her next destination restaurant. Located on a 4.5-acre property bordering The High Trestle Trail just before it takes a hard turn west, Boxcar BBQ will cover more than Texas style smokehouse products. Old hands from Whatcha Smokin, Paul Babberl and Morgan Johnson, are joining her.

George the Chili King is coming back, without George. The new Chili King on the same lot on Hickman is being remodeled as a drive-in to open early in 2027.

Deals today
• Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers all-day happy hour prices Mondays. 
 
• High Life Lounge (200 S.W. Second St., downtown) has a Monday special tater casserole for $8.99.
 
• Fong's Pizza offers a free crab Rangoon with a pizza Mondays.
 
• 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.
 
• Cottontail Lounge ( 3700 Dennis Drive, Urbandale) offers first Monday sirloin, filet and prime rib dinner deals.
 
• Today is beef gyros 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 $1.44/8 ounces, pork ribeyes at $1.25/5 ounces and chicken hindquarters for $.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Exclusively in Grimes Living magazine at www.iowalivingmagazines.com.
 

From dream to reality
Residents reimagine their homes to fit their lives.

By Ashley Rullestad

Home improvement projects are often about much more than a few repairs, fresh paint and new appliances. They are about creating living spaces that fit the owners’ needs, style and desire for a home that is “just right.” Residents share how their renovations made their dreams into a reality.

Main floor makeover
Joe and Molly Sorenson purchased their home in November 2024. Though the layout of the house was just what they were looking for, they knew there were changes they wanted to make.

“The yard and the layout of the house were super appealing to us,” said Molly. “But, on our first walk through, we noticed the countertops in the kitchen were exactly the same as the ones we had just taken out of our previous home, and that made us laugh.”

When they first looked at the house, the Sorensons did not like that the sunroom was closed off from the rest of the house. They knew they wanted an open-concept kitchen with a big island, so the wall closing off the kitchen interfered with that vision. The primary bathroom had a beautiful clawfoot tub with a small corner shower, but that wasn’t practical for a family with a child. They knew the space needed to be updated to fit their needs. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$1,295,000
1601 S 43rd St.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
  
Stunning 5-bedroom Quail Park home offering over 5,600 SF of fin living space, including a private 1-bedroom apartment with its own garage, ideal for multigenerational living or extended family. The spacious 1½-story design features an open-concept living area, kitchen with hardwood floors, large office, bonus room, and a main-level primary suite with heated floors, soaker tub, double vanity, walk-in closets, and shower. ...
 
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
3611 S.E. 14TH ST., DES MOINES
DATE: 2026-04-20
SALE PRICE: $1,150,000
SELLER: VAQUERO IOWA DES MOINES PARTNERS LP
BUYER: PAR4 3611 SE 14TH LLC
ACRES: 0.891
SQUARE FEET: 2,168
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
pFROM ESPN: After Broncos' latest comeback, Payton pushes for stronger starts. Broncos coach Sean Payton had the relieved look Sunday night of a man who had just been pulled out of deep water after Denver rebounded from a dismal first half to score 30 points in the second in a 30-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Empower Field at Mile High. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: College football playoff and bowl projections after Week 4: Iowa enters CFP picture. The past weekend in college football was a massive one for a wide swath of teams, with some seeing their postseason trajectory change significantly (hello, playoff Iowa?) and others wonder where the wins are going to come from after a rough start to the season (sorry, Navy). ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Dodgers reach 100 wins in final game of regular season, setting record for manager Dave Roberts. The Los Angeles Dodgers finished off the 2026 MLB regular season by entering 100-win territory, making history for manager Dave Roberts in the process. With a 5-1 extra-innings win over the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers improved their record to 100-62, winning the NL West by nine games. It is the first time they've won 100 games since the 2023 season and the 12th time in franchise history. ... READ MORE
 
 

1918: Philadelphia parade exposes thousands to Spanish flu. On Sept. 28, 1918, a Liberty Loan parade in Philadelphia prompts a huge outbreak of Spanish flu in the city. By the time the pandemic ended, an estimated 20 million to 50 million people were dead worldwide. … READ MORE

1941: Ted Williams becomes last MLB player to hit 400. On Sept. 28, 1941, the last day of Major League Baseball's regular season, the Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams gets six hits in eight at-bats during a doubleheader in Philadelphia, boosting his average to .406. He becomes the first player since 1930 to hit .400. "I guess I'll be satisfied with that thrill out there today," he tells the Boston Globe about hitting .400. "... I never wanted anything harder in my life. … READ MORE

1965: Fidel Castro announces that Cubans are free to leave the island. On Sept. 28, 1965, six years after he led the Cuban Revolution and four years after the failed U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs Invasion, Fidel Castro announces that any Cuban who wished to leave the island was free to do so. With Cuban forces no longer blocking civilians from leaving, a massive wave of emigration ensued, bringing hundreds of thousands of Cuban immigrants to Florida. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy belated birthday to JP Pearson (Saturday)!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Hillary Duff, Momona Tamada, Marius De Saeger, Frankie Jonas, Benna D’Amico, Naomi Watts, Maria Canals Barrera, Ranbir Kapoor, Hana Mae Lee, Mira Sorvino, Michael Ronda, Bam Margera, Brigitte Bardot
 
Historical birthdays
551 BC: Confucius, the highly influential Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure whose tenets formed the foundation of Confucianism.
 
1836: Thomas Crapper, the English plumber and businessman who founded Thomas Crapper & Co. and pioneered major advancements in modern sanitary engineering.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What do you call a priest that becomes a lawyer? A father-in-law! - Wendy Den, Gail Tomlinson, Judy Anderson. Or, A lawyer specializing in confessing clients! - Irving Stone.  Or, Smart! He now gets paid to hear confessions! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, A Man of the Court! - Kris Laurson. Other answers from: Bill Snyder.

 Today's riddle: How do you stop a bull from charging?

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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