DU July 13: Hot air balloons over DM Monday; Sen. Lindsey Graham dies; what word looks the same backwards and upside down?

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Monday, July 13, 2026

Good morning to you!

I like honey. I do not like allergies. So when I learned that eating local honey might help ease allergy symptoms, I was sold. I buy honey from local producers, and I feel good about supporting them. I am still waiting for convincing evidence that it helps my allergies, but I can confirm that it tastes terrific on my toast and in my coffee.

Steve Miller agrees. Yes, that Steve Miller, the founder and lead singer of the Steve Miller Band, who gave us classics like “The Joker,” “Abracadabra” and “Rock'n Me.” Some of you may also remember “Wild Mountain Honey” from the 1976 album “Fly Like an Eagle.” It was never a hit single, but back when we bought entire albums and actually listened to every track, plenty of us knew it anyway.
The phrase "wild mountain honey" in the song has long intrigued listeners. It may not refer to a specific product or even literal honey, but it certainly paints a vivid picture. The chorus says: "You run for the money / You don't even know about wild mountain honey."

Most music critics interpret "wild mountain honey" as a symbol of life's simple, natural pleasures, the kind people overlook while chasing bigger paychecks, fancier cars and shinier toys. The song contrasts material success with a more authentic life rooted in nature, love and personal fulfillment.

Of course, there could also be a literal inspiration. Wild mountain honey is produced by bees that gather nectar from wildflowers in mountainous regions. Because those bees visit a variety of native blooms instead of cultivated crops, the honey often develops a rich, layered flavor. Miller may have chosen the phrase because it sounds rare, pure and untouched by modern life.

The rest of the lyrics reinforce that idea. "Grow the tree of wholeness in this desert land" and "Don't trade your love and goodness for the golden machine" encourage listeners to value love, goodness and a connection to nature over money and technology. Those are worthwhile reminders, even when they come from a millionaire rock star with a “big old jet airliner.”

So, perhaps, "wild mountain honey" is simply a poetic reminder that life's sweetest rewards cannot be measured by a bank account. Or, perhaps, like many rock songs from the 1970s, it is really about drugs or sex, and generations of fans have been overthinking it.

Either way, I will keep buying local honey. If it cures my allergies, that is a bonus. If not, at least my toast and coffee are living their best lives. Sometimes life's sweetest rewards really do come in a jar.

Have a memorable Monday, and thanks 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: Hot air balloons to launch over Des Moines Monday morning. Hot air balloons will take flight over the Des Moines metro area Monday morning, offering a preview of the upcoming National Balloon Classic in Indianola. The balloons are expected to launch between 6:30 and 7 a.m. from Des Moines Water Works Park. Organizers said as many as 25 balloons could be in the air. The early morning flight will give commuters and balloon fans a chance to spot balloons over the city. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa lawmakers mourn the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Several Iowa lawmakers have shared statements following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. On Sunday, Sen. Graham’s office announced that that the 71-year-old Republican, of South Carolina, had died July 11 from a “brief and sudden illness.” Sen. Graham was a well established member of the chamber, who was seeking a fifth Senate term in November and served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Police search for suspects after 1 person hospitalized in Clive stabbing. Clive police are searching for three suspects after a stabbing Saturday night.
Just before 9:45 p.m., officers responded near N.W. 82nd Street and Alice Avenue where they found someone who had been stabbed. Officers and medics began life-saving measures for the victim on scene and he was taken to an area hospital. Officials do not know his condition. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: US and Iran vie for Strait of Hormuz, waterway key to global energy supplies, in latest attacks. The United States and Iran each asserted Monday they controlled the Strait of Hormuz after a weekend of attacks stretching across the wider Middle East, further threatening any diplomacy to end the war. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Lindsey Graham’s journey from a pool hall to the heights of political power. Lindsey Graham, the garrulous son of South Carolina pool hall owners, rose to become a fixture on the global stage and one of the most prominent advocates of American military might in the U.S. Senate. A former military lawyer who reached the rank of colonel in the Air Force, the wisecracking Graham was known for his Southern drawl, political flexibility and reliably hawkish stance on foreign policy. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Man airlifted after being pinned under UTV during Iowa crash. A northern Iowa man was airlifted after he became pinned under a UTV during a crash on Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday near Mitchell Line Street and Foothill Avenue, in southern Mitchell County. Authorities say a 2018 Mahi Roxor, a large UTV, was traveling along the road when it moved over for an oncoming vehicle and drove off the roadway. ... READ MORE

Monday, July 13

Hot and sunny

High: 90

Low: 68

Rain chance: 0%

Tuesday, July 14

Sunny and hot
High: 92
Low: 70
Rain chance: 0%

Wednesday, July 15

More of the same
High: 92
Low: 72
Rain chance: 20%

Allergy alert

Today: 4.4, low range

Top allergens:

Dock weed

Cattail

Grasses

See more: https://www.pollen.com/forecast/current/pollen/50301

The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Downtown Bar
1. The Stuffed Olive
2. Hello, Marjorie
3. The Lift

See all of the results

Back to the Biz

Green Olive expanded to a third location at 524 S.W. Ninth St.

Tom Archer's Supper Club closed over the weekend. It hopes to reopen Sept. 11.

Fishback and Stephenson, a cider house with a great kitchen, closed in Fairfield after 11 years. It will continue only as a venue for special events.

In Pella, Jerry Roorda sold In’t Veld’s Meat Market and its adjacent restaurant Butcher’s Brewhuis to employees Tate Stursma and Andrew Franklin. The only USDA licensed abattoir in America with a license to sell alcohol will go on.

Nevada’s historic Old Lincoln Highway icon Starbuck’s Diner burned into “total loss” status by “an accidental fire caused by overloading electrical services in the south food storage portion of the structure.”

Deals today
• Food Truck Mall Mondays, 4-7 p.m., begin at 5299 East University Ave., Pleasant Hill.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 quarts of prepared soup on Mondays.

• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Monday special is spaghetti Alfredo with grilled chicken for $10.

• Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers tacos for $1.50 Mondays during the World Cup.

• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.

• Cowboy (1234 E Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has a Monday special fajitas lunch for $11.99.

• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has British pies on sale Mondays for $10.

• District 36 (1375 S.W. Vintage Parkway, Ankeny) has a Monday special $60 dinner for two. Two entrees starring sea bass and NY strip de Burgo with soup or salads, a bottle of wine and a dessert to share.

• Some Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer chicken fried steak specials on Mondays for $8.

• The Key (360 Sixth St., Waukee) offers a half-pound sirloin dinner for $19 Mondays 5 p.m. till sold out.
• Cottontail Lounge (3700 Dennis Drive, Urbandale) offers first Monday sirloin, filet and prime rib dinner deals.

• Today is shrimp Alfredo day at Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni).

• It's catfish night at Waterfront stores. Dinners cooked any way you like it for $19.99.

• It's Meat Loaf Monday at Mickey's in Yale.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) Monday special is three for $25 on all appetizers.

•  Bubba (200 10th St., Des Moines) has a Monday night sirloin dinner special for $20.

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Monday grind" special grinder and fries basket for $9.50.

• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).

• Trostel's Greenbriar (Merle Hay Road, Johnston) has a Monday burger with a side and beer deal for $14.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) has $8 omelets and $10 hot beef sandwiches or Mexican bowls on Mondays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken de Burgo special on Mondays before 4 p.m., $14 including beverage.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts Shelby Smokehouse Soul Food on Mondays, 5-9 p.m.

• G Mig's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today including a side.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll, Des Moines) has a Monday special Graziano grinder with a side for $12.

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) offers a Monday special double smash burger and shoestring fries, $12.

• Jethro's have a Monday chicken tenders and fries special $9.95 in Altoona and West Des Moines.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has specials on chicken Parmesan and lasagna today, $15 with garlic bread and salad.

• Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Monday special is a burger with domestic beer, soft drink or well drink for $10.

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 all day.

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays.

• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.

• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle of wine.

• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9.

• Red Lobster's Monday special is lobster and shrimp scampi with a side for $20.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special loaded chicken on a croissant sandwich for $14.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a Monday steak night special, sirloins and truffle fries for $18.

• Price Chopper delis offer two-piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners with two sides and a roll for $8 on Mondays.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on chicken wings at $2.99/pound, 5-ounce pork ribeyes at $1.25 and top sirloin for $9.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW Living magazine.

DES MOINES FORGOTTEN
Gary Monte signs off

By Kristian Day

In the late 1990s, I discovered the late-night talk show “Coast to Coast,” hosted by Art Bell. It was more personal than watching television because it felt like it was just me and the host. He was filling me in on what was going on around the country in the world of paranormal and extraterrestrial life on this planet.

Then, in the 2010s, I began listening to KCRW out of Los Angeles via its internet stream, with Henry Rollins playing his punk and funk playlists on Sunday afternoons. My days of pursuing music projects were behind me, as filmmaking had become my full-time career. However, radio was still calling. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$414,990
3036 Sweetwater Drive
Des Moines, IA 50320

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath ranch-style home offers 2,452 square feet of comfortable, functional living space designed for every stage of life. The open-concept layout makes entertaining a breeze, with a spacious living room featuring a beautifully crafted electric fireplace. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

4270 N.W. SIXTH DRIVE, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-12-19
SALE PRICE: $845,000
SELLER: FORRET, MICHAEL J
BUYER: TRIPLE CIRCLE L LIMITED COMPANY
ACRES: 0.780
SQUARE FEET: 8,028

More transactions

FROM ESPN: Michigan regents to discuss investigation Thursday. The University of Michigan's regents are expected to discuss an investigation into the culture of its athletic department on Thursday, sources told ESPN. As part of the review, a decision on the future of athletic director Warde Manuel is anticipated in the coming days. A university spokesman told ESPN on Sunday that the school had nothing to report and declined further comment. ... READ MORE

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: How Jannik Sinner mounted comeback to defeat Alexander Zverev for repeat Wimbledon title. Jannik Sinner is the last man standing at the All-England Club once again. The Italian absorbed the very best Alexander Zverev had to give for three hours and 48 minutes but had all the answers in the end. Here’s how Sinner prevailed over Zverev after losing the first set. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: As Conor McGregor came crashing down at UFC 329, so did so many flights of fancy. Oh yes, the art of the buzzkill. For a minute there, when the lights went down in Las Vegas, and the fascia ring lit up with the familiar Irish colors at the T-Mobile Arena, everyone stood on their feet to catch a glimpse of Conor McGregor making his way to the Octagon. You can say what you want about McGregor's many inconvenient truths, the hysteria of his fight nights is next to a religious experience in the game. ... READ MORE

1930: First World Cup tournament begins. On July 13, 1930, France defeats Mexico 4-1 and the United States defeats Belgium 3-0 in the first-ever World Cup football matches, played simultaneously in host city Montevideo, Uruguay. The World Cup has since become the world’s most watched sporting event. … READ MORE

1955: Last woman hanged for murder in Great Britain. On July 13, 1955, nightclub owner Ruth Ellis is executed by hanging for the crime of murdering her boyfriend David Blakely. Ellis was the last woman in Great Britain to be put to death. … READ MORE

2013: The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter first appears, sparking a movement. Outraged and saddened after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the Florida man who killed a Black teenager in 2012, Oakland, California resident Alicia Garza posts a message on Facebook on July 13, 2013. Her post contains the phrase "Black lives matter," which soon becomes a rallying cry and a movement throughout the United States and around the world. … READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Patrick Stewart, Harrison Ford, Roger McGuinn, Gil Birmingham, Cameron Crowe, Tom Kenny, Ken Jeong, Deborah Cox, Will Champion, Fran Kranz, Yadier Molina and Colton Haynes.

Key historic birthdays

Julius Caesar (100 BC) – Roman general and statesman.

Ferdinand III (1608) – Holy Roman Emperor.

John Dee (1527) – Renowned English mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer.

The answer to the last riddle: In which direction does a chicken swim? CLUCK-WISE! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, as the crow flies! - Rex Post. Or, none. Chickens can't swim! - Bill Snyder.

Today's riddle: What word looks the same backwards and upside down?

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

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

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 as Spam