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Good morning to you! 
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
A reader wrote in recently and asked me to write about sounds we no longer hear. He stated that he missed the sound of a wooden bat hitting a baseball. His note made me realize that I miss some noises, too. Not the sound of a smoke alarm at 2 a.m. Or the neighbor’s dog barking at an imaginary squirrel. Or a car alarm in a parking lot going off for 20 minutes. I miss the sounds that used to be part of many of our everyday lives — the little noises that quietly disappeared while we were busy upgrading seemingly everything.
 
Remember the sound of a busy telephone? Not the array of ringtones on your cellphone. I’m talking about the actual telephone. The old rotary phones. When you called and someone was on the line with another person, you heard a distinctive sound that reminded you to try again later. And later. And later.
 
Then there was the rotary dial itself. You put your finger in the little hole, turned the dial, released it and listened as it spun back. Nothing today matches that sound. And there was no “back” button. If you made a mistake, you started over. That was excellent preparation for adulthood.
 
Strangely, I also miss the sound of a modem connecting to the internet. That glorious series of screeches, beeps and electronic shrieks sounded like a robot having a nervous breakdown. And then, miraculously, we were online. Kind of. Of course, getting online meant tying up the telephone line. And if you wanted to use the internet, you had to announce it to the entire household first.
 
Then there was the sound of a VCR tape rewinding. You could hear the machine working its way through the tape while you waited. And waited. And waited. Today, we complain when Netflix takes three seconds to load.
 
I also remember the sound of a newspaper landing on the front step. There was something reassuring about that thump. It meant the world had arrived at your home, wrapped in paper and waiting for you with news, sports, comics, advertisements and at least one story you were convinced was completely wrong.
 
How about the clatter of a typewriter? Creating every letter was a physical event. You could “hear” someone writing.
 
Perhaps my favorite disappearing sound, though, is a cassette tape clicking off when it reached the end. There was no autoplay. No algorithm. No playlist designed specifically for you. Just silence.
 
And maybe that silence is what I miss most. We have created technology that has eliminated many annoying sounds, but, in doing so, we also eliminated some of the sounds that told us where we were, what we were doing and who we were with.
 
Today, most of our technology is designed to be silent. You may define that as progress, but, every once in a while, I would still like to hear a rotary phone ring, a typewriter clatter and a cassette click off. And then I would like to sit quietly for a moment and listen to absolutely nothing. Because, maybe ironically, silence seems to sound better when I have earned it.
 
Have a thoughtful Thursday, 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: Hinson, Turek trade immigration attacks in first Senate debate. Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek faced off Wednesday night in their first debate in the race to replace U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection. The candidates sparred over immigration, their records on bipartisanship, health care, and the war with Iran in their first head-to-head debate Wednesday night. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Carlisle to enter boil advisory, schools reopen Thursday. After nearly a week without usable water, Carlisle city leaders say they have found what they believe is the primary reason the city’s water system drained. The City of Carlisle announced at 5 p.m. Wednesday that they are preparing to enact a Boil Advisory and move out of the ongoing ‘Do Not Use’ order. The Boil Advisory will go into effect on Thursday, Oct. 8, and will remain in place until water sample testing confirms the water is safe. The ‘Do Not Use’ order remains in place through Wednesday evening until Thursday morning. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Polk County intersection receives pushback for high number of crashes, fatalities. The intersection of N.E. 56th Street and NE 94th Avenue has recorded five crashes in just the past five months — tallying two fatalities. The intersection north of Bondurant has no city jurisdiction, but does belong to Polk County.
Hollie Ohrt's mother, 73-year-old Linda Fristoe, was killed in an accident at the intersection last Wednesday, making her the most recent death at the site. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Police fire tear gas at a barricaded high school in Paris as school protests show no sign of ending. Dozens of students dragged rubbish bins into position outside a high school in northeastern Paris early on Thursday, erecting fresh barricades before police moved in with tear gas as France’s nationwide protests show few signs of ending. The Helene Boucher Lycee has been a flashpoint for clashes in the French capital, and is one of hundreds of schools disrupted by protesters Thursday. At least a dozen demonstrations in support of the high school students’ movement are planned around France later in the day. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Trying to execute Christa Pike again would push into uncharted legal territory, experts say. After Christa Pike survived Tennessee’s failed attempt to execute her, the unsettled question of whether the state will try again could push Tennessee into uncharted legal territory, experts say. Pike, 50, suffered burns and blisters to her arms and her prognosis remains uncertain after executioners tried to give her two lethal doses of pentobarbital, her legal team said Wednesday. She was sentenced to death for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Northern Iowa sheriff self-imposes fine after raccoon trapped at county site was left for over 24 hours. Kossuth County Sheriff Roger Fisher announced on Tuesday that he will be footing the bill for a fine after a raccoon was caught and left in a live trap at a county property for over 24 hours.
According to a statement made on the sheriff's office social media, Fisher said he had previously asked building maintenance staff to use live traps to help relocate animals that were digging under the foundation of a building at the sheriff's office impound lot. ... READ MORE

 
 
 
Weather forecast
Thursday, Oct. 8
 
Partly cloudy
High: 73
Low: 55
Rain chance: 30%
Friday, Oct. 9
 

Partly cloudy and warm
High: 81
Low: 64
Rain chance: 30%

Saturday, Oct. 10
 

Sunshine and warm
High: 81
Low: 63
Rain chance: 0%

 
 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 5 low-medium range
 
Top allergens:
Ragweed
Sagebrush
Chenopods
 
 

Metaphysical exploration
The 2026 Fall Spirit Seekers Fair happens Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Unity Center of Des Moines, 414 31st St., Des Moines. This free, family-friendly event invites the curious to explore what the diverse exhibitors and presenters have to share. Full details on the hyperlink above.

 

Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. "Hold on to Your Butts." Oct. 6-11. 
 
Woodland Cemetery Historical Tour by Archie Cook
Woodland Cemetery, 2019 Woodland Ave., Saturday, Oct. 10, 1-3:30 p.m.

Central Iowa Wind Ensemble - "UNDER THE BIG TOP"
Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. Staplin Performing Arts Center, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines. The fun begins before the concert with special pre-concert activities for kids and families. Tickets are free.

Beyond the Mic: Des Moines Conference Gives Iowa Youth a Voice and a Future
Award-winning voiceover artist Jessica Trinidad and Zuli Garcia of Knock and Drop Iowa will host BEYOND THE MIC, Iowa’s first Voiceover and Creative Careers Conference on Oct. 10 in Des Moines, offering Iowa’s youth free access to professional coaching, career guidance and hands-on voiceover experience. The event is 1-3 p.m. at Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines. The Beyond the Mic Voiceover conference was created to support, uplift, empower and inspire the next generation of artists to build a career through voiceover, acting, public speaking, writing and storytelling. It will provide emerging and underserved artists with access to professionals who have built successful careers in the creative industry.
christina@ptmediagroupdsm.com.com, 515-303-0093.
 
Final Weekend:
Iowa Stage Theatre Company. "Reefer Madness." Through Oct. 11. 
About Time Theatre. "Building the Wall." Through Oct. 11. 

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Place to Kickbox
1. Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping
2. Krave Gym
3. NLXF
 
 
See all of the results
 
 

Betcha didn't know...
Here is some news from Wallet Hub that I certainly never would have known: Scottsdale, Arizona, has the highest share of restaurants serving vegetarian options, which is 12.4 times higher than in Laredo, Texas, the city with the lowest... Scottsdale also has the highest share of restaurants serving vegan options, which is 59.7 times higher than in North Las Vegas, Nevada, the city with the lowest... San Francisco has the most community-supported agriculture programs ("per square root of population"), which is 26.8 times more than in Houston, Texas, the city with the fewest... Atlanta, Georgia, has the most salad shops ("per square root of population"), which is 17.15 times more than there are in Santa Ana, California, the city with the fewest.

Home dinner parties in America have lost 71% of their party goers since 1971... The number of Americans who play cards is down 62% since 1975. (American Time Use)

Deals today
• It's My Jam (7015 N.E. 14th St., Ankeny) has specials today on cherry and lemon meringue pie; chicken fried steak and fried chicken dinners; and potato soup today.
 
• Pelican Post (265 50th, West Des Moines) has meatball sub baskets on special today, $12.
 
• Crouse Cafe (115 East Salem, Indianola) has ham balls on special today.
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers pasta and meatball dinner specials for $22 Thursdays.
 
• High Life Lounge (200 Second St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special spaghetti and meat balls for $10.99.
 
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Thursday special is baked spaghetti for $10.
 
• Thursday is $10 kebabs and wings day at Desi Bites (3828 100th St., Urbandale). 
 
• Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers pastor tacos for $2 Thursdays.
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has two deals Thursday: jambalaya dinner for $15, lasagna for $10.
 
• Cowboy (1234 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has ribs on special today, $2.99/per rib.
 
• 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 Italian sausage grinders 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.
 
• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering hot beef sandwich specials today.
 
•  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.
 
• Chelsie's Courtyard Diner (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. 
 
• Turkey club melt on garlic focaccia with fries for $12.99 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 2 topping pizza
 
• Kids eat free at Scorno’s Pizza & Pasta (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays with every $15 order.
 
• 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.
 
• Buffalo Wild Wings offers two orders for the price of one Thursdays on orders of six, 10 and 15 boneless wings.

• Price Choppers have sales through Tuesday on chicken breasts at $2.99/pound, tilapia filets at $4.49/pound and russet potatoes at $3.99/10-pound bag.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on pumpkins at $3.99, pork belly slabs at $2.99/pound and caramel apples at $2.99/three-pack.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running sales through Tuesday on gala and Fuji apples at $.99/pound, green peppers at $1 for two and boneless chicken breasts at $1.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Exclusively in West Des Moines / Jordan Creek Living magazine at www.iowalivingmagazines.com.
 

A pint with a purpose
Local blood donors roll up their sleeves to help save lives.

By Jackie Wilson

A single blood donation takes only a short amount of time, but its impact can last much longer. Across generations, families and individuals continue to donate blood because they know their contribution could help someone they may never meet. It could even save a life. For some local donors, that simple act has become a lasting commitment to helping others.

Platelet donation
Mike Carstens donates blood at LifeServe Blood Center in West Des Moines on a regular basis. More recently, he began donating platelets, a lengthier process than a typical blood donation.

Carstens first donated blood in high school decades ago. When he and his wife moved to West Des Moines, he donated blood occasionally. After he retired a few years ago, he began donating about every three weeks.

“Now that I’m retired, it’s easier to find time to schedule it,” he said. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$199,000
6806 S.W. 15th St.
Des Moines, IA 50315
  

Located in a convenient South Des Moines neighborhood, this home offers the advantage of newer construction compared to many surrounding properties. Situated on an elevated lot, the property features an attached garage and a spacious yard with mature trees. ...

 
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
2325 DELAWARE AVE., DES MOINES
DATE: 2026-04-29
SALE PRICE: $1,350,000
SELLER: IOWA PLAINS SIGNING INC
BUYER: JJC HOLDINGS LLC
ACRES: 3.261
SQUARE FEET: 8,109
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Fan interference denies Yankees of game-tying HR vs. Rays. Fan interference was called in the sixth inning of Wednesday night's American League Division Series Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, altering a would-be tying two-run homer by second baseman Anthony Volpe into a run-scoring double. With the New York Yankees' George Lombard Jr. at first base, Volpe lifted a long fly ball to left field and Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. drifted backward to the fence, with the ball seemingly being pushed by a wind blowing from right field to left. Mesa jumped near the fence, and when the ball disappeared into the stands, Yankee Stadium erupted with cheers for what was initially ruled a tying home run. ... READ MORE
 
FROM FOX SPORTS: Nebraska's Matt Rhule is taking on everyone, from superheroes To Indiana. Preposterous, I thought. The sheer incredulity! In an empty room, I was positively vituperative in discussion with absolutely no one when I saw Nebraska coach Matt Rhule appear on my television Sunday in the season finale of HBO’s "Lanterns." As himself! Fictionally, recruiting and winning a five-star commitment from a character who is a member of cyborgs known as Manhunters. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Odell Beckham Jr. signs with Vikings' practice squad after release by Giants. Odell Beckham Jr. has signed with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, the team announced Wednesday. The 33-year-old was released by the New York Giants on Sept. 29. He played in three games after returning to the team that drafted him in 2014 and didn't record a reception. In those three games, Beckham was on the field for a total of 20 offensive snaps, with just six of those coming in his final game with the team, a 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. ... READ MORE
 

1871: Great Chicago Fire begins. On Oct. 8, 1871, flames spark in the Chicago barn of Patrick and Catherine O’Leary, igniting a two-day blaze that kills between 200 and 300 people, destroys 17,450 buildings, leaves 100,000 homeless and causes an estimated $200 million (in 1871 dollars; more than $4 billion today) in damages. … READ MORE

1945: First patent filed for the microwave. On Oct. 8, 1945, Raytheon Manufacturing Company filed a patent for what's now a staple kitchen appliance in homes around the world: the microwave oven. The appliance, invented by Raytheon employee Percy Spencer, now sits in more than 90 percent of American homes. … READ MORE

1956: The first enclosed shopping mall in the United States opens. On Oct. 8, 1956, the nation’s first enclosed shopping mall opens in a Minneapolis suburb. Southdale Mall, located in Edina, Minnesota, was created to lure shoppers during frigid winters. The concept took shape in 1952, when Donald Dayton — head of Dayton’s department store — sought a way to boost sales on cold days when shoppers typically stayed home. Dayton teamed up with Austrian-born architect Victor Gruen to develop an enclosed shopping center where stores faced inward. In this climate-controlled building full of amenities, people could shop comfortably and conveniently. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Weekly fuel report
 
Cheapest fuel in the metro. www.gasbuddy.com
Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Ankeny (1710 S.W. State St.) - $3.79
Sam's Club in Ankeny (4625 S.E. Delaware Ave.) - $3.86
Mega Saver in Des Moines (6304 S.W. Ninth St.) - $3.88
 
Birthdays and notables
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Chevy Chase, Bruno Mars, Sigourney Weaver, Matt Damon, Nick Cannon, Bella Thorne, Molly Quinn, Jesse Jackson, Darrell Hammond, R. L. Stine, Karyn Parsons, CeCe Winans, Kim Wayans, Ian Hart, Bill Elliott, Martin Henderson, Teddy Riley, Angus T. Jones
 
Historical birthdays
1585: Heinrich Schütz was a German early Baroque composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and one of the most important composers of the 17th century.
 
1872: Mary Engle Pennington was an American bacteriological chemist, food scientist and refrigeration engineer. She was an innovator in the preservation, handling, storage, and transportation of perishable foods and the first female lab chief at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Why was the man standing on one leg at the ATM? HE WAS CHECKING HIS BALANCE! - Judy Anderson, Anne Lentz, Carolyn Rogers, Gail Tomlinson. Or, To take the money out of his shoe! - Irving Stone.

Today's riddle: Why do we tell actors to break a leg?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Indianola, 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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8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

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