“Shane, I just want you to know I enjoy your articles.” - Donna

And my ego appreciates your flattering comments. Thank you, Donna. - Shane

“A 1957 black Mercury wagon with three boys (11, 10 and 6), Mom, Dad and dog, driving from Massachusetts to Montana to visit grandparents, uncles and cousins (The station wagon, April 7, 2026). Five days. Pennsylvania and Ohio toll turnpikes with only Howard Johnson restaurants in the middle of the turnpike roads. Up into Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South and North Dakotas and finally to Billings, Montana. Two weeks there with a trip to Yellowstone in between and then back to Massachusetts. Middle of summer. No car AC. Doris Day singing ‘Que Sera Sera’ on the radio.” - Terry

The station wagon may be gone, but the memories are forever. - Shane

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
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: Iowa State to make major wrestling announcements. Something "major" is about to happen with Iowa State's wrestling program. In fact, it's more than one thing. The school sent the following to the media on Wednesday: "Iowa State will be holding a press conference with major announcements regarding Cyclone wrestling on Thursday, April 16, at 10 a.m." The press conference, which is at Hilton Coliseum, is open to working media members only. Stay tuned to KCCI for updates from Ames on Thursday. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: More than 200 jobs being eliminated at UnityPoint Health. More than 200 jobs are being eliminated at UnityPoint Health later this year. UPH announced on Wednesday that the elimination of jobs is specific to its Information Technology (IT) and Revenue Cycle functions, and is part of its efforts to “strengthen long-term financial sustainability and ensure continued access to local, high-quality patient care.” ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Gov. Local small businesses scrambling after closure of Painted Tree in Clive. Small business owners across the country are reeling after Painted Tree Boutiques announced it is filing for bankruptcy and closing locations, including its marketplace in Clive. For many local vendors, the sudden shutdown has left them scrambling to recover inventory, and bracing for financial losses. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: How a US blockade on Iran has sanctioned ships turning around. The U.S. Navy’s sea blockade against Iran appears to be working. Iran-linked or sanctioned vessels that have left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz have stopped or turned around, shipping data firms say. They appear to have jammed or faked their locations in some instances, complicating an uncertain and risky shipping situation. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Homeland Security worker and another woman are killed in a series of Atlanta-area attacks. An Atlanta man has been charged in a string of attacks over a matter of hours that left two women dead and a man in critical condition, drawing the Trump administration’s attention after one of the victims was identified as a Department of Homeland Security employee who was walking her dog. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Plymouth, Palo Alto, Clay counties part of disaster declaration from Iowa governor following Monday’s severe storms. Three Iowa counties are among five included in a disaster proclamation issued by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Wednesday. This disaster proclamation comes from a round of severe weather that moved through Iowa Monday evening, April 13. Plymouth Palo Alto, Clay counties in Northwest Iowa, along with Buchanan and Henry counties, each saw severe storms and tornadoes cause significant damage. ... READ MORE

Des Moines Performing Arts – Wellmark Family Series at the Temple Theatre. "Doodle Pop." April 15-18. 

CAP Theatre. J.M. Barrie’s "Peter Pan." April 17-19. 

Des Moines Playhouse. "Crazy for You." April 17-May 3.  

Des Moines Symphony. Copeland & Gershwin. April 18-19. 

Community Jazz Center. Jazz Appreciation Month Festival. April 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Turner Jazz Center, Drake University. 

Des Moines Playhouse. Improv theatre – “Runaway Twain.” April 19. 

Ankeny Community Theatre. "Enemy of the People." April  17-26..

Author Event at Beaverdale Books
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m. Paula Sevenbergen’s new book, "Flow," explores a rite of passage through the eyes of a sheltered young girl and the rage that boils up when she is betrayed by those around her. 
 
Art at The Fremont. “Dungeons & Dragons Art Show” Saturday, April 18, 6-10 p.m. 
 
AUDITIONS: Des Moines Playhouse. "Legally Blonde." April 20. 
 
AUDITIONS: Ankeny Community Theatre. "August: Osage County." Virtual auditions only, submissions accepted through April 21. See link for full details. 

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

Good deals, or not?
We often write about rip-off prices at major sports events. This is the opposite story, sort of: At last weekend's Masters, pimento cheese or egg salad sandwiches cost $1.50, beers $6 and Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches $3.  

However, renting a house for Masters week in Augusta will run more than $100,000. People rent them out to cover their whole year's mortgage payments. And the merch shop at The Masters sold T-shirts for $100-200 each.

It is a Master's tradition that the Sunday night dinner features food chosen by the winner. Rory McElroy turned down menus from his native Ireland saying, "I want to enjoy my dinner."
 
Deals today
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has jacket potatoes on sale Thursdays for $10.
 
• The Waveland (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) has chipped beef on biscuit on special today.
 
• B&B (S.E. Sixth and Hartford, Des Moines) has a Thursday special Killer's double hot Polish with fries and a soda for $12.95.
 
• Thursdays are triple decker Reuben day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
• Quarter pound cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches are $3.39 each on Thursdays at Kwik Star.
 
• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special breaded pork tenderloin with fries and soda for $12.
 
• Bennigan's (4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale) has a $10.99 burger, fries and a pint deal on Thursdays.
 
• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering pulled pork sandwich specials today.
 
• Liver and onion sis today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola).
 
•  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has an early bird menu on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Half pound burgers with frites, $15; pasta and chicken dinners, $20-22; seafood and steak dinners, $27-30. Prime rib dinners for $30 all night.
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moine) offers spaghetti dinners with 8-ounce meatballs and salad for $22 on Wednesdays.
 
• Chelsea's Courtyard (100 MLK, Des Moines) has buck burgers Thursdays. $1!
 
• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur. 
 
•  Hot beef sandwiches are a Thursday special at Club 2000. 
 
• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.
 
 
• Mullets Norwalk offers two, two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close.
 
• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.
 
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.
 
• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.
 
• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a $12 ribeye sandwich special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
 
• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special — buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
 
• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.
 
• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16
 
• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.
 
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.
 
• G Mig 's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) hosts taco night tonight.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on avocados at $.49, chicken wings at $1.89/pound, and pork belly $2.99/pound.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on lobster tails at $6.99 and all deli bacons at $3.99/pound.
 
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

2007: Virginia Tech shooting leaves 32 dead. On April 16, 2007, 32 people died after being gunned down on the campus of Virginia Tech by Seung-Hui Cho, a student at the college who later died by suicide … READ MORE

1943: Hallucinogenic effects of LSD discovered. In Basel, Switzerland, Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist working at the Sandoz pharmaceutical research laboratory, accidentally consumes LSD-25, a synthetic drug he had created in 1938 as part of his research into the medicinal value of lysergic acid compounds. After taking the drug, formally known as lysergic acid diethylamide, Dr. Hofmann was disturbed by unusual sensations and hallucinations.. … READ MORE

1947: Fertilizer explosion kills more than 500 in Texas. A giant explosion occurs during the loading of fertilizer onto the freighter Grandcamp at a pier in Texas City, Texas, on April 16, 1947. Nearly 600 people lost their lives and thousands were injured when the ship was literally blown to bits. … READ MORE

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