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Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
Good morning to you! 

If you have not yet decided on a Halloween costume, you might want to hurry up. You can’t wear that Elvis costume every year.

In our Iowa Living magazines this month, we will be sharing stories about homemade Halloween costumes. That may bring back a few memories for some of you — as kids and as adults.

Choosing a costume as a kid was not high pressure, as I simply wore whatever Mom had for me, which was usually a hand-me-down from my siblings. I really didn't care what it was. As an adult, though, the pressure in choosing a Halloween costume intensified. I could no longer slip on the Frankenstein mask and call it good.

Through the years, Jolene and I had some costume hits and some costume misses. The biggest miss was in our younger years when we dressed as mummies, wearing white long underwear tops and bottoms and covering each other with strips of white bed sheets. It seemed like a great idea — until we had to go to the bathroom.

Another year, we went with a group and dressed as the Gilligan’s Island crew. Jolene and I were Mr. and Mrs. Howell. And, yes, I carried the teddy bear.

Speaking of bears, a few years later, we tried Goldilocks and the three bears with another couple. It didn’t work. We looked like a little girl and three giant mice.

Jolene and I also did stints as the farmer and the cow, the hunter and the deer, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. One year, when she was pregnant, we went as a priest and a pregnant nun. In hindsight, that was not a good idea.

The best costumes we ever had, though, were when we dressed as the couple that was throwing the party. We pulled that one off twice.

I encourage you to get into the Halloween spirit this year. Attend a costume party or event, or just dress up and entertain the kids who are trick-or-treating.

And if you struggle to come up with a costume, well, there is always Elvis.

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.

 
 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: 3 injured in crash between car and school bus carrying Waukee student athletes. Three people, including two high school students, were injured Tuesday evening when a bus carrying students from a swimming meet collided with a car in Clive. Clive police say the crash happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. at Country Club Boulevard and University Avenue in Clive. The school bus was carrying Waukee students who were returning to Waukee High School after a swim meet in Johnston. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Student found with handgun at West Des Moines school, police say. A student at Valley High School was found with a gun on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Police Department said. At around 2:12 p.m. a school resource officer at the high school was told about students possibly vaping in one of the school restrooms. According to WDPD, the SRO and school officials tracked down the students and discovered that one of them had a handgun. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: ‘Not a lot of research backing it’: Iowa experts dispute claims that autism is tied to Tylenol. Experts say President Donald Trump's recent comments on the causes of autism lack sufficient evidence. The President on Monday stated pregnant women who use Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, are at an increased risk of their child having autism. He advised the Food and Drug Administration to notify doctors that using the drug “can be associated” with the neurodevelopmental condition. ... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Typhoon Ragasa batters Hong Kong and south China after killing dozens in Taiwan and Philippines. Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest in years, whipped waves taller than lampposts onto Hong Kong promenades and turned seas rough on the southern Chinese coast on Wednesday after leaving deadly destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Emotional Jimmy Kimmel says in late-night return he never intended to make light of Kirk’s killing. Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension and, in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, said that he wasn’t trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Bird flu detected in northeastern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says bird flu has been detected in Dubuque. H5 avian influenza has been confirmed in Canada geese from two places in Dubuque, with other reports from Bergfeld and Heritage Ponds. Canada geese are the most impacted species, including mallard, red-tailed hawk, and possibly wood duck and American white pelican. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

We’ve got a great stretch of warm fall weather ahead!

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 Have an Adult Birthday Party
 
1. Your Private Bar
 
2. AJ’s on East Cour
 
3. Smash Park
 
See all of the results
 
 

Woebegone Wednesday
Bar Louie closed down its Jordan Creek store after 11 years. This local store had not previously been included in the Texas chain’s bankruptcy filing last March. But, when things start falling apart, they get worse more often than better. 

The Hall lost its West Des Moines liquor license because of the newish owner's past problems. The Hall was one of the OG victims of COVID shutdowns. Unlike R/I, Broken Arrow and other wind-grieved victims, The Hall has been hanging on.

Deals today 
• This Wednesday, Waterfront's special is sablefish. This is a rare fish in the U.S. because most of the catch goes to Asia where it is called black cod (it's not a cod) and prized.  

The Cheese Shop renews their Cellar Series tonight with an event featuring one of the best grand cru pinot noirs in all of Champagne, Paul Bara, and a few other treats. $80 per person gets you a seat for the wines and noshes.

• 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.

BURGERS
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. Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) has a $10 classic burger and beer all day. On Wednesdays you can get any burger with fries for $10.99 at Tito's Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Dr, Urbandale). Hy-Vee Market Grilles are offering a cheeseburger and fries Wednesday special for $8.

• 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.

• 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. Joshua Sinclair 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 eggrolls 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 five-cheese, three meats mac and cheese 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.).

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

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

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

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

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

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) begins a week long sale on red, green or black grapes at $1.49/pound, avocados at six for $1.99, and 16-20 jumbo shrimp at $4.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

FEATURE STORY
Traveling Highway 44

By Joe Weeg

I pull off Highway 44 on a chance, turn off the car on a whim, step into a farmyard of swarming chickens with trepidation, and listen to an old man weave his stories.

“Meryl Streep rode that bicycle right there.”

The weathered, sober-looking man, straight out of a Grant Wood painting, points into the distant dark corner.

I look around the massive pole barn — past the buckets and tins and tools and lamps and trunks and tractors and ladders and sleds and tires and even past the obliging owner, Jimmy Boll. Where is that bike? And is that rooster that followed us into the barn going to attack me? ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$414,900

2420 S.E. Maxwell Drive
Waukee, IA 50263

Like-new ranch in Waukee Kettlestone Heights neighborhood! Entering in, you'll find spacious front bedroom with a large window and generous closet space. Off the entryway, you'll find the full hall bath, and coat closet conveniently located near the front door! Continuing on, walk into the spacious open concept kitchen, dining, and living room with luxury vinyl plank and vaulted ceiling throughout. ...

  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
1428 E. OVID AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-05-19
SALE PRICE: $1,095,000
SELLER: EASTGATE HOLDINGS LLC
BUYER: F5 HOLDINGS EG LLC
ACRES: 1.544
SQUARE FEET: 13,000
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Ankeny Living magazine
 

ACSD Foundation turns 25

Support the organization with an anniversary gift to help Ankeny teachers and students.

By Ashley Rullestad

The Ankeny Community School District Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for ACSD students, is turning 25 this year. The foundation provides funding and grants to support innovative and impactful programs, projects and resources that are not covered by the regular school budget, aiming to enrich the learning experience for all students in the district.

Established in October 2000, the Foundation supports and enhances educational opportunities at ACSD. It is the only community volunteer organization that serves all schools in the district and provides a way for the community to support all educators, volunteers and students.

For 25 years, the Ankeny Community School District Foundation has been dedicated to furthering educational excellence and expanding opportunities for students across the district. ...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Oklahoma State Fires Mike Gundy, program's winningest coach. Oklahoma State is firing coach Mike Gundy, the school announced Tuesday. Gundy, 58, had led the Cowboys — for which he starred as a quarterback in the 1980s — since 2005. He is by leaps and bounds the program's all-time winningest coach, with 108 more wins than Pat Jones — his own coach. ... READ MORE
FROM ESPN: Yankees clinch playoff spot with walk-off win, close gap in AL East. A Yankee for all of 54 days, José Caballero proudly carried a championship belt -- given to the player of the game after every New York victory -- around his left shoulder as alcohol-soaked chaos raged around him in the home clubhouse Tuesday night. ... READ MORE
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: A'ja Wilson, Aces roll to blowout win over Fever to even series 1-1. The Las Vegas Aces once again look like the best team in the WNBA. The Aces, after a shocking blowout loss on Sunday night, returned the favor on Tuesday at Michelob Ultra Arena, cruising to a dominant 90-68 win over the Indiana Fever in Game 2 of their semifinals series. A'ja Wilson, fresh off her fourth MVP win, is now just the fourth player in WNBA history to put up 25 points and five steals in a playoff game. The win tied the series up 1-1 as it shifts to Indianapolis. ... 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 September 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

 
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

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: How did the barber win the race? HE KNEW A SHORT CUT! - Vicky Hansen, Irving Stone, Bill Snyder. OR, BY A HAIR! - Kristopher L. Laurson, Gail Tomlinson, Rex Post, Judy Anderson.

Today's riddle: Where was King David’s temple located?

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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