‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
View as Web Page
Forward Email
Good morning to you! 
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

Blustery. It is a word I don’t use very often. And when I do, there is a decent chance I am using it incorrectly, as I often confuse it with blistery.

Blustery describes rough, windy weather, often accompanied by rain and gusts that seem determined to rearrange your yard. It can also describe a person who is loud, domineering and full of hot air. In other words, it works for both Iowa weather and certain people we encounter in everyday life.

Blistery, meanwhile, describes something covered with blisters or conditions so hot they could raise them. Think blistery heat, blistery skin or that blistery sun that makes us question why we ever left the air conditioning.

The words are not alike in meaning in any way. Yet, somehow, I continue to mix them up. I blame Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood.

Many of you remember Winnie-the-Pooh from the cartoons, movies and books. The lovable bear was created by author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard. Pooh first appeared by name in a children’s story published in London’s Evening News on Christmas Eve 1925. That makes the famous bear more than a century old.

I was never especially fond of Pooh himself. Nor was I particularly interested in Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga or Roo. They were all a little too slow-moving for my taste. They seemed perfectly content to spend their days wandering around the woods, discussing their feelings and looking for honey. I wanted something with a little more energy. Enter Tigger.

Tigger bounced into every situation as if the ground were a trampoline and gravity a suggestion. He was loud, enthusiastic and seemingly incapable of sitting still. He also had one of the catchiest theme songs in cartoon history: “The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things!” I could relate to that kind of enthusiasm. Although, in retrospect, Tigger probably would not have been much help with my vocabulary problem.

Every fall, when the Iowa winds pick up and leaves begin swirling through the air, I think of the Hundred Acre Wood and Pooh and his friends trying to survive another blustery day. There is even that wonderful description of the weather: “The wind is lashing lustily and the trees are thrashing trustily and the leaves are rustling gustily.”

It sounds delightful when Christopher Robin and his friends experience it. Less delightful when I am trying to retrieve my copy of CITYVIEW from the parking lot while the wind sends it halfway to Nebraska.

And after our recent record-breaking heat, I should probably be thinking about blistery weather instead. We have certainly had enough sunshine to make a sidewalk feel like a skillet. But autumn is coming into its own. Soon, we will be digging out sweatshirts, chasing leaves and wondering whether the patio furniture will survive the night.

So bring on those crisp mornings and gusty afternoons. Let the trees thrash trustily and the leaves rustle gustily. Just remember: If the wind is howling, it is blustery.

If the sun is scorching, it is blistery. And if you see me bouncing through the leaves like Tigger, don’t worry. I haven’t lost my mind. I am simply trying to keep my vocabulary straight.

Have a terrific Tuesday, 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: Microsoft purchases over 600 acres in Woodward to build a data center. In a residents-only community meeting Monday night, Woodward’s mayor and Microsoft representatives unveiled plans for the company to build a data center within city limits. More than 200 residents gathered in the auditorium of Woodward-Granger High School to hear details about the project and express their opinions. It comes as Microsoft purchased over 600 acres of land in Woodward late last week. The land was purchased from an independent seller, not from the city. It’s already zoned for industrial use, which includes data centers. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Legendary ISU basketball coach Bill Fennelly sets retirement for end of 2026-27 season. Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly announced he will retire following the 2026-27 season. Fennelly, who has served as the Iowa State women’s basketball head coach for 32 years, made the announcement that the 2026-27 season would be his last on Monday. He led the Cyclones to 24 NCAA Tournament appearances and 26 postseason appearances overall. He has a 656-335 (.662) career record with Iowa State. Fennelly is the winningest coach in Iowa State Athletics history and ranks 15th all-time among NCAA Division I women’s basketball coaches with 822 overall wins. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Des Moines Public Schools, former principal settle for $24K in discrimination case. Des Moines Public Schools and one of its former principals have settled in a case that was set to go to court this November. Dr. Fairouz Bishara-Rantisi Martinez — who served as Hoyt Middle School's principal from July 2022 to October 2024 — alleged discrimination and retaliation from the district in a lawsuit she filed in December 2025. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Drones hit ships in Black Sea, sinking 1 and prompting rescue operations, Bulgaria says. Drones struck two ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Tuesday, sinking one and prompting emergency rescue operations, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank after it was hit by a military strike. Five sailors were rescued, while a search for the other 11 crew members continues, Varna district governor Mario Smrkov said. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Six Flags closes 9 rides after 1 person dies in an incident involving a roller coaster in Georgia. Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks on Monday after one person died and several others were injured in an incident involving a coaster in Georgia. Officials did not confirm how the person died, nor how the others were injured or their medical conditions after the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Hundreds in Dubuque urge pause on school closure decision. A decision on school closures in Dubuque is expected in November as the district says it needs to cut about $14.8 million over the next four years. More than 600 people have signed a petition, telling the school board to wait. At a Monday night school board meeting, leaders of the Before We Decide group said nearly 700 people signed a petition asking the board to pause before deciding what closures are needed. ... READ MORE

 
 
Weather forecast
Tuesday, Oct. 13
 
Partly cloudy
High: 74
Low: 58
Rain chance: 40%
Wednesday, Oct. 14
 

Mostly cloudy
High: 67
Low: 56
Rain chance: 20%

Thursday, Oct. 15
 

Showers
High: 62
Low: 46
Rain chance: 60%

 
 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 4 low-medium  range
 
Top allergens:
Ragweed
Sagebrush
Chenopods
 
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Running Event
1. Des Moines Marathon
2. EMC DAM to DSM
3. Drake Relays
 
 
See all of the results
 
 

Tuesday Touts
At Urbandale's MinGaLaBar, zakaw htamin ($16.95) is served on a banana leaf on a bamboo tray and includes chicken, crispy beef, pork belly slices, eggplant, rainbow salad, fried tohu (like tofu but made with chick pea and split pea flour instead of soy beans), rice and soup. That's a Wonder Bargain.

Bali Bulay Indonesian Satay restaurant is now open in the Local Bites Food Court on Locust Street downtown. The business was a popular pop-up at farmers markets and operated through the Mickle Center’s shared kitchen. Now in its own spot, the Indonesian kiosk is open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. It also sells its sauces by the bottle.

DMACC’s Iowa Culinary Institute is the subject of a new documentary project by Nash Roe. "Degree of Flavor" follows students and instructors during a semester that includes the French Chef Exchange, Iowa Pork Producers Student Chef Competition, Gourmet Dinners and the Bistro. Roe is a senior at Valley High School and finished his third season this summer as director, host and runner for another TV show about food at channel 9. 

Today's deals
• It's My Jam (7015 N.E. 14th St., Ankeny) has blueberry and peanut pies and hot beef sandwiches today.

• Price Choppers now run weekly specials Tuesday through Tuesday, meaning Tuesday is double ad day. 
 
• Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem Ave., Indianola) features ham and beans with cornbread specials today.
 
• High Life Lounge (200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special tenderloin, tots and tang pie for $12.99.
 
• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 quarts of prepared soup on Mondays. rotisserie chickens on Tuesdays. 
 
• Hy-Vees offer pork tenderloin sandwiches for $4.99 Tuesdays.
 
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Tuesday special is chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes for $10.
 
• Flamingo Lounge (3089 North Ave., Norwalk) has half-priced flatbreads on Tuesdays.
 
• Tuesday is $5 chats day at Desi Bites (3820 100th St., Urbandale).
 
• Spaghetti and meatballs are today's special at Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni). 
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a deal Mondays on fried beef tacos, $3.
 
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers half-priced appetizers on Tuesdays.
 
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (150 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines) celebrates Tomahawk Tuesday with a choice of 35-ounce prime tomahawk or 34-ounce prime porterhouse, two salads, two sides and two desserts. $162.
 
• B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special Killer's grinder with fries and soda $11.95.
 
• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St.) has a $12 double smash with fries and soda every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
• All pizzas are half priced at Maggie's Rumble Room (1432 Second Ave., Des Moines) 5-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
 
• It's steak night at Grand Junction (1970 Grand Ave., West Des Moines). Steak, salad and potato $13.99. 
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers fried chicken dinner special on Tuesdays, $17-23, plus half-priced whiskey pours.


• Mullet’s Norwalk offers a free kids meal per adult meal on Tuesdays 4 p.m. to close.
 
• Mickey's Irish Pub (50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee) has a special $10 half-pound burger with a side all day Tuesday. 
 
• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Tendy's Tuesday" pork tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special pork tenderloin with a side for $10.
 
• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special cheeseburger with fries, tots or salad and a drink for $10.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $7 breakfasts and $8 burgers Tuesdays.
 
• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) offers a special smashburger with cheese, fries and a draft beer for $12 on Tuesdays.
 
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.
 
• Baklava is half priced Tuesdays at Istanbul Cafe and Bakery (3281 100th, Urbandale). 
 
• Red Robin stores are featuring a $10 cheeseburger with an "endless side" on Tuesdays.
 
• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one. 
 
• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).  
 
• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines), Tropicana (2743 86th St., Urbandale), Rancho Escondido (1106 Army Post Road), all Taco John's, all Abelardo's, Pancho Villa's (Madrid), all Fernando’s, Baja Cocina (1938 S.E. Sixth, Des Moines), Malo (900 Mulberry St., Des Moines), Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines), The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines), Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines), Paula's (Elm Street at Sixth, Valley Junction) and both Faustino's. 


• Most Hy-Vees offer $6 two entrees Chinese deli meals on Tuesdays. 
 

• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

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

Volume Zoo connects creativity and math
Pickering and Huston lead fifth-grade project.

By T.K. West

Winterset educators Corry Pickering and Karly Huston work together each year to make sure all fifth-grade classes can participate in the annual Volume Zoo project. The project is all about volume and creating animals using boxes. Students not only have to build and construct their animals, but they also must calculate and share their volume.

“I love being able to see the students be creative, but also, they are able to connect their creativity to math skills. They learn so many outside skills like wrapping boxes, but also problem solving and reflecting on what they did,” Pickering said.

To enter their animal in the zoo, students must follow a checklist. Each student first determines which animal to build and fills out a planning page. The planning page not only helps students envision what their animal will look like but also helps educators determine the supplies needed to create each animal. Some favorite animals students like to create are turtles, giraffes and monkeys. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$225,000
402 S. 11th St.
Adel, IA 50003
  

Nestled on a spacious lot in a quiet neighborhood, this beautifully maintained home offers both comfort and peace of mind. Step inside to a bright living area that flows seamlessly into an updated kitchen featuring white shaker-style cabinetry, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and modern lighting. ...

 
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
3330 109TH ST., UNIT 213, URBANDALE
DATE: 2026-04-30
SALE PRICE: $365,000
SELLER: GREENSPON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC
BUYER: TIMOTHY W ANNETT TRUST
ACRES: 0.154
SQUARE FEET: 32,500
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN:Bills QB Josh Allen earns first overtime win of career vs. Rams on MNF. That's one monkey off Josh Allen's back. Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a 37-34 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams on "Monday Night Football," breaking his careerlong winless streak in OT. Before Monday's game, Allen was 0-7 in overtime, including three season-ending playoff losses despite him averaging 292 passing yards, 75 rushing yards and a couple of touchdowns per game. ... READ MORE
FROM FOX SPORTS: Crew puts the Dodgers on the ropes: 5 takeaways from the Brewers' NLCS Game 2 win. In Game 1, the Brewers defeated the defending two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. In Game 2, they exhausted the reigning World Series MVP. And as the National League Championship Series moves to Los Angeles, the Brewers have the reigning champions on the ropes with a 2-0 series lead after a 7-4 Game 2 win. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Guardians silence Rays in ALCS Game 1, enough for 'José' chants to ring out at Tropicana Field. Hosting its first American League Championship Series since 2008, Tropicana Field, the oft-maligned home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was ready to rock on Monday. Although not quite as packed as it was during the ALDS against the Yankees, the Trop still felt quite full and was indisputably quite loud. It was clear the fan base recognized what this team has been building toward all year and was eager to cheer their push for a World Series berth. ... READ MORE
 

1999: Grand jury dismissed in JonBenét Ramsey murder case. The Colorado grand jury investigating the case of child beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey, who was murdered in December 1996 is dismissed and the Boulder County district attorney announces no indictments will be made due to insufficient evidence.  … READ MORE

2010: Chilean miners are rescued after 69 days underground. On Oct. 13, 2010, the last of 33 miners trapped nearly half a mile underground for more than two months at a caved-in mine in northern Chile, are rescued. The miners survived longer than anyone else trapped underground in recorded history. … READ MORE

2021: William Shatner goes to space. On Oct. 13, 2021, Canadian actor William Shatner — best known for his iconic “Star Trek” role as Captain Kirk — boards Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle with three other people, and becomes the oldest living person to travel into space at age 90. News stations broadcast the historic launch. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
Happy birthday to Tom Foldes and Grant Jacobson!
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Marie Osmond, Kate Walsh, Sacha Baron Cohen, Paul Simon, Sammy Hagar, Ashanti, Caleb McLaughlin, Rhett Akins, Joey Belladonna, John Ford Coley
 
Historical birthdays
1754 – Molly Pitcher (Mary Ludwig Hays), an American Revolutionary War heroine renowned for carrying water to soldiers and taking over her husband’s cannon after he collapsed at the Battle of Monmouth
 
1890 – Conrad Richter, an American novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel "The Town."
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What’s a firefly’s favorite dance? FLASHDANCE! - Dan Rogers. Or, THE GLITTERBUG! - Gail Tomlinson. Other answers: Bill Snyder.

Today's riddle: Why was the politician out of breath?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella, CITYVIEW, SENIORVIEW, HOMEVIEW, Explore DM or Relish DM, contact:

Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com

 

 

This email was sent to: email@example.com

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

Edit Profile

Unsubscribe

Report Abuse

Logo