Sept. 17 Daily Umbrella: Whitver announces he won’t seek reelection; Ankeny police investigating Tuesday death; what do cows rea

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Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Good morning to you!

There are two types of men in this world: those who wear undershirts and those who don’t. I have been both.

As a youth, I never understood the need to wear one shirt underneath another shirt. Seemed silly. Too many layers. Too hot. And too much laundry.

My dad always wore an undershirt. White. Short sleeve. And 100% cotton. He should have been featured in a Fruit of the Loom commercial. The weather or the outerwear of the day didn’t matter. Dad wore an undershirt. Always. We once had a conversation about long john underwear, and he stated how, once you start wearing them, you feel naked without them. He must have applied that same logic — and to an even greater degree — with undershirts.

As a young adult, I began to understand the undershirt code. It could have been a rite of manhood, or something like that. For me, it began when I started regularly wearing button-down dress shirts and had a desire to have a layer between me and that costly shirt. I rationalized that I could have armpit stains in my undershirt, but I didn’t want them on my dress shirts. That extra layer helps avoid the transparency issue that happens with some shirts, too.

Apparently, there are other reasons to wear an undershirt, too. The Tommy John website says you should do so because they absorb sweat, they protect your dress shirts, they keep you warm in winter, they hide body hair, they provide support, they help with body odor, they can be stylish, they are comfortable, they are easy to care for, and they are affordable. Fair enough.

My mother had a fascination with bleach, and our undershirts were soaked in it. If a white piece of laundry was being washed, bleach was used. It kept the whites white, she said. And our undershirts needed all the brightening they could get.

So, I wear undershirts, and I use bleach. When my white undershirts begin to turn a shade of grey, I buy a package or two of new ones. For some odd reason, I really look forward to those purchases.

I realize I am in the minority with this undershirt obsession, but I am not alone. Studies show that about 30% of men in the United States wear undershirts regularly to “enhance comfort” and “maintain a polished appearance.” Or, more than likely, because their dad wore them.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

FROM KCCI: Iowa woman's quilt to be featured in Smithsonian's state fair exhibit. An Iowa woman is getting the chance to see one of her creations hanging in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's newest exhibit, State Fairs: Growing American Craft. The exhibit is described as a culmination of five years of work and research dedicated to artists' crafts at state fairs across the nation. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa Senator Whitver announces he won’t seek reelection. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver announced that he won’t be seeking reelection in 2026. Whitver made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Ankeny police investigating Tuesday death following 'unknown medical issue.' The Ankeny Police Department is investigating after an "unknown medical issue" led to the death of an adult Tuesday afternoon. At close to 1 p.m., officials say first responders were dispatched to a home at the 800 block of SE 3rd St. Officers found the body of the deceased inside. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Israeli military begins its ground offensive in Gaza City as thousands of PalesIsraeli troops press forward into Gaza City as Palestinians flee. Israeli troops and tanks were pushing deeper into Gaza City on Wednesday, the second day of a ground offensive that was widely condemned internationally, as Palestinians fled the devastated area en masse. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: As officials searched for Charlie Kirk’s shooter, suspect confessed to his partner, prosecutor says. As authorities worked feverishly to find the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week, the 22-year-old man now charged with the crime was texting with his romantic partner and acknowledging he was the shooter, court documents revealed. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Three teens arrested in Cascade High School AI photo case. Three juveniles are now facing charges in connection to an incident involving AI-generated nude photos targeting girls in the Western Dubuque school district. The Cascade Police confirmed the charges and stated that the juveniles involved have not been identified. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Shower and storm chances move in by midday today. Intermittent rain chances will then be with us through Sunday and possibly into Monday. Temperatures will cool.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Pollen tracker

Tree pollen: None

Grass pollen: None

Ragweed pollen: Moderate

The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Local Place to Bowl

1. Spare Time Entertainment

2. Val Lanes

3. Air Lanes Bowling

See all of the results

Woebegone Wednesday
Conagra sold its Chef Boyardee line off in June to Hometown Brands. Hometown does not even list Chef Boyardee on the "Our Products" link on their website. A "likeness" of Chef Boyardee is immortalized with a statue in Omaha, Conagra's original hometown. The statue has been moved though from the river walk to the Product Development Headquarters of Conagra in Omaha. The chef himself, nee Ettore Boiardi, is largely forgotten in Cleveland where he rose to fame in the restaurant world before making a deal with the devil.

Chinese buyers haven’t booked any U.S. soybean purchases, turning instead to Brazilian suppliers. The country imported nearly $13 billion of soybeans from the U.S. last year, compared with about $2 billion two decades ago.

Deals today
• Fareway is offering $5 rotisserie chicken on Wednesdays. Other days they cost about $9.

• Whatch Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a brisket burnt ends special on Wednesdays.

• The Bistro at Iowa Culinary Institute is open for its fall season in Building 7 of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. Lunch will be served Wednesdays through Fridays till Dec. 5. $17 for a buffet or three course a la carte with a drink. 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers any burger with a side for $10 on Wednesdays.

• 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.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) has a $10 classic burger and beer all day.

• Paula's (524 Elm, Valley Junction) has a Wednesday special beef stew with biscuit $13.50.

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) has all you can eat fried chicken dinners on Wednesdays, $23.99 after 5 p.m. Chris Powell will play on the patio there from 6 p.m. tonight.

• Haiku (1315 31st St., Des Moines) lets kids 11 and younger eat free with adults on Wednesdays. Hot sour soup and egg rolls are comped today with lunch entrees.

• 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.

• Curbin' Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny) offers traditional gyros for $7 Wednesdays.

• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston). The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) also has half priced bottles on Wednesdays.

• G Mig's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a special cheese manicotti and meatballs dinner today with 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.

• Tacos Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) and The Station (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) have specials on tacos today.

• 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).

• Panka Peruvian (2708 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has live jazz Wednesday.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $5 off pizza on Wednesdays.

• Curbin Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor, Ankeny) has $7 gyros on Wednesdays.

• Bordanaro's (6108 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday-Thursday only special on carryout pizza. They start at $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie. Each ingredient added is an extra charge, but this pretty much adds up to half-price pies.

• Kwik Stars' Wednesday special is eight pieces of fried chicken for $10. Their fried chicken is ridiculously good for a convenience store.

• On Wednesdays you can get any burger with fries for $10.99 at Tito's Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Dive, Urbandale).

• Jethro's have $9.95 BPT sandwiches, including a side of choice, on Wednesdays.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are offering a cheeseburger and fries Wednesday special for $8.

• Andrew Hoyt plays Either/Or tonight at 6 p.m.

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) begins a week-long sale on avocados at 88 cents, celery, cauliflower and green beans at 99 cents, and lobster tails at $5.99.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

CARS IN THE CITY
This isn’t your parents’ Ford Maverick

By Jackie Wilson

When I heard Ford was coming out with another Maverick vehicle, I groaned. As a child, I grew up riding in a brown Maverick four-door, a barebones vehicle for a family of five. With no air conditioning and a small backseat, I fought my siblings for a window seat. But, as the baby of the family, I often ended up smack in the middle. That hot center seat meant little airflow. When I finally scored the window seat, my mom complained about the wind noise and made us shut the window.

Today’s Ford Maverick is remarkably different than the 1970s version, which discontinued in 1977. ...

Featured home for sale

Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$444,90

1416 S. 91st St.
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Welcome to this prime West Des Moines locationt just minutes away from Jordan Creek Town center and so much more! The Hansbury Plan is a new and spacious home by Destiny Homes! With 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a 2-car garage, and 2,163 sq. ft. of well-designed living space, this walk-out model has everything you need. The open-concept main floor includes a stylish kitchen with quartz countertops, tile backsplash, a large island, walk-in pantry, and an adjacent mudroom for added convenience. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

401 E. ARMY POST ROAD, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-05-07
SALE PRICE: $2,500,000
SELLER: YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOC OF GREATER DES MOINES
BUYER: CITY OF DES MOINES
ACRES: 11.049

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Norwalk Living magazine

Room for improvement
Residents share their home renovation experiences.

By Rachel Harrington

Live in a home for a while, and one is likely to start thinking, “If only….” If only the bathroom had a walk-in shower…. If only the kitchen had new cabinets.… If only the old flooring could be replaced.… If only the basement was finished…. If only a room could be added…. If only that longed-for home improvement project could be completed … then the house would be just right. Residents who have taken the leap from thinking about it to tackling their dream projects share their experiences.

Adding beauty to beauty
When Jessica Rivera and Trent Himes bought their Norwalk home, the interior style showcased elements common in the 1990s. Nothing in the house had been updated since that time except the kitchen. Rivera and Himes decided to remodel the whole house, and the basement is still in the process. However, Rivera’s favorite update is the master bathroom. ...

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Tom Brady's role with Raiders drawing scrutiny from across NFL world. Everyone seems to have an opinion on Tom Brady's role with the Las Vegas Raiders. On Monday night, ESPN's cameras caught Brady sitting in the Raiders' coaches' booth with a headset on. The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback officially became a minority owner of the franchise in October of 2024, which some felt could conflict with his position as a color analyst on Fox's lead NFL broadcasts. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Raleigh hits HRs No. 55, 56 to pass Mantle, tie Mariners' mark. Cal Raleigh broke Mickey Mantle's record for homers by a switch-hitter and tied the Mariners record set by Ken Griffey Jr. when the Seattle star hit his 55th and 56th of the season in consecutive at-bats against the Royals on Tuesday night. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Shorthanded Fever wallop 3rd-seeded Dream, force winner-take-all Game 3. The Indiana Fever aren't done yet. After blowing an early 9-point lead in a Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, the Fever rebounded for a dominant 77-60 win over the Dream in Game 2 Tuesday night. The playoff win is the first for the Fever since 2015. ... READ MORE

1967: The Who literally spark an explosion on national television. ... Keith Moon was already in the habit of placing an explosive charge in one his two bass drums to detonate during Pete Townshend’s guitar-smashing at the end of each Who performance. But for their Smothers Brothers appearance, Moon packed several times the normal amount of explosives into his drum kit, and when he set it off, a gigantic explosion rocked the set as a cloud of white smoke engulfed Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey. ... READ MORE

2011: Occupy Wall Street begins. On Sept. 17, 2011, hundreds of activists gather around Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan for the first day of the Occupy Wall Street Movement—a weeks-long sit-in in New York City’s Financial District protesting income inequality and corporate corruption. While the movement failed to see any of its goals or policy proposals come to fruition, years later, Occupy Wall Street is still considered a blueprint for decentralized activism. ... READ MORE

1983: Vanessa Williams becomes first Black Miss America. On Sept. 17, 1983, 20-year-old Vanessa Williams becomes the first Black woman to win the Miss America crown. Less than a year later, on July 23, 1984, Williams gave up her crown after nude photos of her surfaced. Despite the scandal, Williams later launched a successful singing and acting career, including a featured role on the television sitcom Ugly Betty. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

Happy birthday, Laura McClatchey and Jeromy Robb.

These celebrities were born on this date: Patrick Mahomes, Mia Talerico, Bobby Lee, Ella Purnell, Auston Matthews, Scott Hoying, Esteban Ocon, Lil Kayla, Jordan Connor, Kyle Chandler, Danielle Brooks, Anastacia

SUBMIT: Send your local birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle: What did the drummer name her twin daughters? ANNA 1, ANNA 2! Gail Tomlinson. Snare and Cher! - Irving Stone. Or, badaboom badabing! - Rex Post.

Today's riddle: What do cows read the most?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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