Nov. 18 Daily Umbrella: Johnston’s stalled Ignit development facing foreclosure; this week's wonder bargain; what would you get

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Good morning to you!

Compared to today’s electronic tablets, it may seem archaic. And, it kind of is. But, in its day, this flat gray screen in a red plastic frame with two white knobs on the front was mind-blowing.

I am, of course, referring to the popular Etch A Sketch. And, with Christmas quickly approaching, this seems like a good time to look back at this wondrous toy.

André Cassagnes of France invented the Etch A Sketch in the late 1950s and called it “L’Écran Magique,” which means the magic screen. And, how magical it was. This mechanical drawing toy was later manufactured by the Ohio Art Company and is still being produced and sold today, now by Spin Master of Canada.

Turn left. Turn right. Shake to erase. I would like to claim that I mastered this and created works of art with my Etch A Sketch. I didn’t. I knew the left knob would move the stylus horizontally, and the right one would move it vertically. And, I figured out that turning both knobs simultaneously made diagonal lines. Still, all I could muster were stairs and squares. This toy was clearly created for kids with more patience than I had. For some reason, though, I really enjoyed the shaking process to erase everything, except when it happened accidentally.

Have you ever wondered how an Etch A Sketch works? Much like the answer to how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know — unless you took one apart as a child, like my brother and I did. We found a stylus in there, along with some aluminum powder and 10 pulleys, six cables and two rails. Putting it back together didn’t go as planned.

The Etch A Sketch was introduced in 1960 and sold for $2.99 with more than 600,000 units sold that year. Its accolades continue to this day. In 1998, it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 2003, the Toy Industry Association named it one of the 100 most memorable toys of the 20th century. In total, more than 100 million units have been sold worldwide, and they are still going.

If you are old enough, you may have had an Etch A Sketch with a glass screen, which was apparently easily broken and a danger to children and barefooted parents. By 1970, the toy was redesigned, replacing the glass plate with, you guessed it, plastic.

I am not sure how popular the Etch a Sketch would be with today’s kids, but I know it kept my attention for short periods of time while drawing those stairs and squares, and it continues to make me smile today.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thank you for reading.

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

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

News headlines

FROM KCCI: Johnston’s stalled Ignit development now facing foreclosure as bank sues for $3.56M. A major Johnston development that had promised a massive new sports facility is now at risk of being taken over by the bank. New court filings reveal the Ignit Johnston project has fallen more than $3.56 million behind on its loans, prompting Lincoln Savings Bank to pursue foreclosure. The filing raises serious questions about the future of the long-delayed project along Merle Hay Road. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines police chief addresses video showing rifle left on roof of patrol car. The Des Moines Police Department’s Chief of Police has released a statement regarding a viral video on social media showing a rifle on top of a patrol car. The video made its rounds on social media over the weekend, with the Iowa Firearms Coalition resharing the video on Facebook. The video appears to show a rifle sitting on top of the roof of a patrol car while it was driving around in Des Moines. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa State Trooper recognized for saving cyclist’s life during RAGBRAI. An Iowa State Patrol trooper is being honored for his lifesaving actions during RAGBRAI. The Iowa State Patrol announced that Trooper Darren Flaherty received the Chief’s Commendation for his response on July 20, 2025, while directing traffic near Granville. According to the patrol, Trooper Flaherty was called to help a cyclist in distress. When he arrived, bystanders had been performing CPR on the rider for nearly 10 minutes. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Zelenskyy, US envoy will visit Turkey in a new bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he will travel to Turkey this week in an attempt to jump-start negotiations on ending Russia’s invasion, which began nearly four years ago. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will join Zelenskyy in Turkey, a senior Turkish official told The Associated Press, but the Kremlin said that Russia won’t be sending anyone. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Federal immigration agents will expand enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh, mayor says. Federal immigration authorities will expand their enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh as soon as Tuesday, the mayor of the state’s capital city said, while Customs and Border Protection agents continue operating in Charlotte following a weekend that saw arrests of more than 130 people in that city. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Jury finds Luke Truesdell guilty in Linn County quadruple murder case. A jury on Monday found Luke Truesdell guilty of three courts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. Luke Truesdell faced four first degree murder charges in the deaths of Romondus Cooper, Keonna Ryan, Amanda Parker, and Brent Brown. In the death of Romondus Cooper, the jury found Truesdell guilty of second-degree murder. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Rain chances linger this morning. Dry Wednesday and Thursday. More rain chances late Thursday night into Saturday.

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: Low

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

Best Local Pediatric Clinic

1. Waggoner Pediatrics

2. Des Moines Pediatrics

3. The Iowa Clinic

See all of the results

Tuesday touts
Lunch is thriving again at the Des Moines Art Center. La Mie is running the show, and owner Joe Logsdon is personally in charge. Des Moines' best desserts and pastries complement homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Their croissants are as good as any, anywhere — laminated a dozen times and priced at $2.50. That's this week's wonder bargain.

"Steak," a book by Mark Schatzker, is a great gift for red meat eating humans with curiosity. The writer tours the world trying to find out what makes a great steak great. What a fine calling.

Deals of note
• Cheba Hut thinks sandwiches are cause for thanks giving. The counterculture toasted sub brand are for everyone.

• Vegan dinner night is tomorrow at the Wallace House (756 16th St., Des Moines). $75.

• Curbin' Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Suite 200, Ankeny) offers a cheeseburger and fries for $7.99 today.

• 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 $7 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.

• 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 $10 on Tuesdays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.

• 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.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special hot beef sandwich for $13.50.

• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).

• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines), La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines), all Taco John's, all Abelardo's, all Fernando’s, 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) and Faustino's.

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

• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) has happy hour all night Tuesdays. That means super deals on oysters, shrimp, duck frites, poutine, charcuterie, cheese boards, beers, wine and classic martinis.

• Sully's (806 First St., West Des Moines) has a burger basket special for $12 today.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) hosts a Tuesday Burger and Beer special, half-pound burger, chips and dip, with a tap beer of choice $15.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a tenderloin Tuesday special with BPT and fries for $10.

• Curbin Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Drive, Ankeny) offers cheeseburgers and fries for $7.99 on Tuesdays.

• G Mig’s (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Tuesday special 8-ounce prime sirloin, baked potato, mixed vegetables and garlic bread for 19.95.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) has $10 burger and a side plus a pint on Tuesdays.

• Ruby Tuesdays offers $5.95 burgers with fries on Tuesdays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Where’s my toast?

By Joe Weeg

We are in that dreaded in-between time — that dead time caused by making it through airport security way too fast and having two hours before our plane departs. A harrowing situation for my wife who generally likes to hook a wool rug, send instructional messages to our middle-aged kids, and maybe pave the driveway, all before breakfast. One is either doing SOMETHING at all times, or one is in the grave.

But, here we are. In the airport. Trapped until departure. Of course, she could read one of the 15 hardback books she has brought. Nope, that won’t work. Or she could play one of the 75 word puzzles she downloads daily on her phone. Hmmm… probably not. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$420,000

400 S.W. 7th St. Unit 210
Des Moines, IA 50309

The home you have been waiting for: the entire second floor of the building facing Tuttle Street is the condominium. With direct skyline views and 36 windows, you have to see it to believe it. This spectacular layout juts out from the community hallway creating a one-of-a-kind space where 3 walls are floor to ceiling windows and no walls are shared with neighbors. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

1702 KEOSAUQUA WAY, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-06-26
SALE PRICE: $311,000
SELLER: PAVEMENT PLUS LLC
BUYER: SOLID CONCRETE DESIGNS INC
ACRES: 0.631
SQUARE FEET: 5,548

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Winterset Living magazine

Hometown holidays
Residents prepare to enjoy the festivities.

By Rachel Harrington

The calendar page has turned to November and thoughts to the holiday season. A chill is in the air, and the aroma of pies, cookies and turkey dinners waft from the kitchen. Halls are being decked, mantles decorated and mistletoe hung. Indeed, the holiday season is upon us, and how better to celebrate than with family gatherings and hometown festivities?

Home for the Holidays
Indianola Main Street and City State Bank announce the Indianola Home for the Holidays event Saturday, Nov. 22 from 4-8 p.m. The theme is to capture the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Community favorites will be held at the Indianola Square throughout the evening. Highlights include the annual tree lighting, as well as a community choir performance on the steps of the Justice Center. ...

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: LeBron James says he won't return for Lakers until he has 'Grown Man’ lungs. Lakers fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of LeBron James, who has yet to make his 2025-26 season debut while dealing with sciatica. Last week, James was assigned to the G-League to participate in 5-on-5 practice with the South Bay Lakers as he continues to ramp up ahead of his return to game action. On Monday, he returned to practice with Los Angeles, another key step in his rehabilitation process. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Bengals' Chase suspended one game for spitting on Steelers' Ramsey. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been suspended one game without pay for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the league announced Monday. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' house reportedly broken into during Sunday's game vs. Ravens. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders' house was reportedly broken into on Sunday, while Sanders was making his NFL debut. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio first reported the news on Monday, with Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot confirming the report shortly afterwards. It is unclear whether anything was taken from Sanders' home during the break-in. Reportedly, no potential suspects have been identified. ... READ MORE

1883: Railroads create the first time zones. At exactly noon on this day, American and Canadian railroads begin using four continental time zones to end the confusion of dealing with thousands of local times. The bold move was emblematic of the power shared by the railroad companies. ... READ MORE

1987: Congress issues final report on Iran-Contra scandal. After nearly a year of hearings into the Iran-Contra scandal, the joint Congressional investigating committee issues its final report. It concluded that the scandal, involving a complicated plan whereby some of the funds from secret weapons sales to Iran were used to finance the Contra war against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua, was one in which the administration of Ronald Reagan exhibited “secrecy, deception, and disdain for the law.” ... READ MORE

1999: 12 die while building a bonfire at Texas A&M University. On Nov. 18, 1999, thousands of logs stacked 59 feet high for a massive pre-football game bonfire collapse at Texas A&M University, killing 12 and injuring nearly 30 in an avalanche of timber. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

Happy birthday, Jim Jacobsen!

These celebrities were born on this date: Nathan Kress, Owen Wilson, Kirk Hammett, Chloe Sevigny, Damon Wayans Jr., Mike Epps, Mekia Cox, Fabolous, Michael Ward, David Ortíz, Han So-Hee, Henry Martin

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

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Why do turkeys gobble? Because they don't have table manners! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Because it's a "bird eat bird" world! - Carolyn Rogers

Today's riddle: What would you get if you crossed a turkey and an octopus?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella, Johnston Weekly or the Johnston Living magazine, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

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