In Today’s All About Ames Issue…

💭 Trivia Corner

📰 Local Ames Food Pantry, Library, and Schools Support Families During Summer

🕊️ Willie Howard Mays Jr. (1931 - 2024)

🏅 Eight Cyclone Student-Athletes Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

🗓️ Happening Today in Ames

🏡 Real Estate Update

🗓️ Calendar of Events

🐕 Dog of the Day

🌟 Positive Affirmation

🎥 Video - The College Tour: City of Ames and CyRide

🧠 Answer to Trivia Question

⚡️Spark for the Day

Start your day with a positive mindset and watch how it transforms your experiences. A positive attitude can turn obstacles into opportunities and challenges into triumphs.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

💭TRIVIA CORNER

Question: Which department, created in 1913, is headquartered in Ames, Iowa?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

Local Ames Food Pantry, Library, and Schools Support Families During Summer

United Way of Story County partners with local organizations to address hunger needs throughout the summer. In 2022, Story County had a food insecurity rate of 9%, and 27% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-24 school year.

Summer Meal Programs:

• Ames Community School District: Offers the Summer Food Service Program at three sites through July 18.

  • Bethesda Lutheran Church: Lunch (Boys and Girls Club), 11 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday.

  • Mitchell Elementary School: Breakfast and lunch, Monday to Thursday.

  • Sawyer Elementary School: Breakfast and lunch, Monday to Thursday.

• Ames Public Library: Provides free lunches for kids and teens on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the library auditorium. Meals for adults cost $3.50.

Ames Emergency Food Pantry Receives Grant:

The Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Food Pantry at 230 SE 16th Street recently received a $9,000 grant from Bayer Fund to purchase and deliver food and support operational expenses. The pantry is available to any Story County resident and provides one emergency food box per month, containing three to five days of food.

Food Pantries and Programs in Ames:

1. Ames School District Food Pantries: District Office, Edwards Elementary, Mitchell Elementary – Contact: 515-520-2520.

2. Ames Pet Food Bank: 915 N. 4th Street, Ames. Contact: Facebook: @amespetfoodbank.

3. Bethesda Community Food Pantry: 1517 Northwestern Ave, Ames. Contact: 515-232-6256.

4. Calvary United Methodist Food Pantry: 1403 24th Street, Ames. Contact: 515-232-6329.

5. Food At First Meal Site & Free Market: First Christian Church, 611 Clark Avenue, Ames. Contact: 515-344-HELP.

6. Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance Emergency Food Vouchers: 613 Clark Avenue, Ames. Contact: 515-296-1449.

7. Harvest Vineyard Church Food Assistance Program: 320 S. 17th Street, Ames. Contact: 515-290-6881.

8. Heartland Senior Services Senior Commodity Food Program: Contact: 1-877-288-3655 or 515-233-2906.

9. Heartland Meals on Wheels: Contact: 515-357-4573.

10. Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Food Pantry: 230 SE 16th Street, Ames. Contact: 515-956-3333.

11. Primary Health Care Farm to Clinic: 3510 Lincoln Way, Ames. Contact: 515-232-0628.

12. Romero House Meal Site: 709 Clark Avenue, Ames. Contact: 515-337-8088.

13. Shared Blessings at Northminster Presbyterian Church: 1416 20th Street, Ames. Contact: 515-233-2540.

14. The Salvation Army Food Pantry & Doing The Most Good Market: 703 East Lincoln Way, Ames. Contact: 515-233-3567.

15. The SHOP Student Food Pantry at Iowa State University: 1306 Beyer Hall, ISU campus, Ames.

These programs are vital in ensuring that Ames residents have access to nutritious meals and support during the summer months.

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Ames Animal Shelter Achieves No-Kill Status Again in 2023

The Ames Animal Shelter, located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, has once again been recognized by Best Friends Animal Society for achieving no-kill status in 2023. This prestigious designation is awarded to shelters that save 90 percent or more of the dogs and cats they take in each year.

“I am extremely proud of this achievement as well as the compassion and dedication of our team at the Ames Animal Shelter,” said Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards. “We strive every year to meet the needs of any animal arriving at our shelter. Our live release rate for all domestic animals in 2023 was 98.2 percent.”

Achieving a 90-percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark for no-kill status. This rate accounts for the reality that about 10 percent of animals entering shelters may have medical or behavioral issues that necessitate humane euthanasia, rather than being euthanized due to space constraints.

“Our shelter uses the most unfiltered, transparent formula available when calculating our live release rate,” Edwards said. “In the past year, the shelter experienced an outbreak of feline panleukopenia. This virus has a high mortality rate, but our team worked long, hard hours to save every life we could. Our mortality rate was far lower than the average for this virus. This award reflects the incredible dedication of this team.”

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in American shelters.

The Ames Animal Control and Ames Animal Shelter, a division of the Ames Police Department, is committed to the compassionate treatment of animals in their care, reuniting pets with their owners, and educating the public on responsible pet ownership and urban wildlife management. For more information on the Ames Animal Shelter and to view animals available for adoption, please visit www.AmesAnimalShelter.org.

Willie Howard Mays Jr. (1931 - 2024)

Eight Cyclone Student-Athletes Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

Eight student-athletes from Iowa State's track and field/cross country teams have been named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, as announced by College Sports Communications on Tuesday.

The honorees are Dana Feyen, Madelynn Hill, Rachel Joseph, Finley Mclear, Quinton Orr, Maelle Porcher, Janette Schraft, and Gable Sieperda. This accolade recognizes their outstanding academic and athletic achievements, requiring a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and a top-50 national performance in indoor or outdoor track and field, or a top-50 finish at a regional cross country meet.

Dana Feyen: Feyen advanced to the NCAA West Prelims in the 10,000m for the third time and earned All-Region honors in cross country. She won the 10K at the Drake Relays and secured two All-Big 12 honors at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. This is her second Academic All-District recognition.

Madelynn Hill: Hill qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the 5,000m this season and earned All-Region and All-Big 12 honors in cross country. She set three top-10 ISU performances in the outdoor 5K, indoor 5K, and indoor 3K. This is Hill's second Academic All-District honor.

Rachel Joseph: Joseph earned Second Team All-America honors in the 400m for both indoor and outdoor seasons, becoming the first woman in school history to achieve this in the indoor 400m. She set school records in the indoor 400m and outdoor 200m and 400m. This is her first Academic All-District honor.

Finley Mclear: Mclear placed top three in the 800m at both indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships, making him the only 800m runner in the nation to achieve this. He set top-10 ISU performances in the indoor and outdoor 800m, with a personal best of 1:45.66 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. This is his first Academic All-District recognition.

Quinton Orr: Orr advanced to the NCAA West Prelims in the steeplechase, achieving the No. 9-ranked ISU performance in this event. He also placed sixth in the steeple at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. This is Orr's second Academic All-District honor.

Maelle Porcher: Porcher earned her first All-America honor by placing 21st in the 5,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In her first year as a Cyclone, she set top-10 ISU performances in three individual events. This is her first Academic All-District honor.

Janette Schraft: Schraft earned a bronze medal in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships, breaking her own school record by 14 seconds and meeting the automatic U.S. Olympic Trials standard. She also earned All-Region and All-Big 12 honors in cross country. This is her first Academic All-District recognition.

Gable Sieperda: Sieperda also earned a bronze medal in the steeplechase, resetting his school record and meeting the auto U.S. Olympic Trials standard for the second time this season. He earned All-Region honors in cross country. This is his second Academic All-District honor.

All eight honorees will now move on to the Academic All-America ballot.

Willie Harvey Jr. signed by Dallas Cowboys after standout UFL year

Following an impressive performance with the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks, former Cyclone linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. has signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday. This signing marks a significant milestone in Harvey’s career, showcasing his journey from undrafted free agent to a potential key player in the Cowboys' defense.

Harvey Jr. was brought in for a workout with the Cowboys after a stellar season in the UFL, where he led the league in tackles and led all linebackers in tackles for loss, passes defended, and forced fumbles, earning All-UFL honors. His remarkable stats included a league-leading 79 tackles, a career-best number regardless of the league he played in, along with four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and six pass break-ups.

The 28-year-old Iowa State alum is no stranger to the NFL. Harvey signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019, shuttling between their active roster, practice squad, and free agency over the next three years. During his time with the Browns, he appeared in four regular-season games, recording a total of two tackles.

After being waived by the Browns in August 2022, Harvey revived his career by joining the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL in 2023. He continued to elevate his performance in the UFL in 2024, leading to his recent opportunity with the Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of linebacker depth following the retirement of Leighton Vander Esch. They have signed veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks to start alongside Damone Clark, but the depth behind them consists primarily of young, inexperienced players like 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown and 2024 third-round pick Marist Liufau.

Harvey’s signing comes on the first day UFL players were allowed to sign with NFL teams. His standout season with the Battlehawks not only earned him a tryout with the Cowboys but also a spot on their roster, where he aims to carve out a role in Dallas' defense.

Dallas’ willingness to explore talent from the UFL has been influenced by their successful signing of kicker Brandon Aubrey from the USFL. Aubrey, who joined the Cowboys after excelling with the Birmingham Stallions, made 36 of his 38 field goal attempts in his rookie NFL season and earned Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. If Harvey can deliver a fraction of Aubrey's impact, the Cowboys will undoubtedly be pleased with their decision.

In related news, fellow former Cyclone Hakeem Butler had a tryout with the Carolina Panthers last week, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering signing the UFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. This wave of UFL talent entering the NFL highlights the increasing recognition of players excelling in spring football leagues.

Little Cyclone Girls Golf Team Finishes 6th at IGHSAU Championships, Best Since 2010

In a remarkable performance, the Little Cyclone girls golf team finished 6th at the IGHSAU Championships held at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny, marking their best finish since 2010. This comes just a week after the team clinched their first regional championship in 14 years.

At the Ames IGHSAU Regional, the Little Cyclones dominated the competition, winning by 22 strokes over No. 8 Linn-Mar. The team shot a 334 at Veenker to secure the top spot in the 10-team regional leaderboard.

During the IGHSAU Championships, the Little Cyclones shot a 331 on the first day, placing them in fifth. On the final day, they improved slightly with a 329 but ended up in sixth place in the final team standings.

Leading the Ames team, Emersen Motl placed 17th overall with a two-day score of 157 (78/79). Macy Button finished 32nd, scoring an 82 on both days for a total of 164. Elizabeth Duncan recorded an 82/83 split, finishing with a score of 165 and placing 36th individually. Leah Becker rounded out the scoring with a 45th-place finish and a total of 176. Jessie Lohman (182) and Estelle Wong (184) also contributed to the team's effort.

This sixth-place finish represents significant progress for the Little Cyclones, who improved three spots from their ninth-place finish in 2023. Additionally, they are the first back-to-back Ames teams to qualify for the championships since the school won consecutive state titles in 2009 and 2010.

Happening Today…

1. FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS AND TEENS

2. Iowa State Bacon Expo

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 9:30am

Location: Jeff & Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center

3. Toddler Storytime

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 10:30am

Location: Ames Public Library

4. Read with APL-Y

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 2:00pm

Location: Ames Public Library

Ready to showcase your property to potential buyers? Share your upcoming open house details with us at [email protected] and we'll help spread the word in our newsletter!

Ames, IA Recently Sold Properties

2310 Hayes Ave Ames, IA 50010. Sold Price: $255,000; Date Sold: June 18, 2024

911 Maxwell Ave Ames, IA 50010. Sold Price: $201,000; Date Sold: June 18, 2024

2435 Aspen Rd #104 Ames, IA 50010. Sold Price: $195,000; Date Sold: June 17, 2024

4116 Welbeck Dr Ames, IA 50010. Sold Price: $330,000; Date Sold: June 15, 2024

2810 Eisenhower Ave Ames, IA 50010. Sold Price: $368,500; Date Sold: June 14, 2024

1414 Kentucky Ave Ames, IA 50014. Sold Price: $300,000; Date Sold: June 14, 2024

2175 Ashmore Dr Ames, IA 50014. Sold Price: $540,000; Date Sold: June 14, 2024

Sponsored Ad

Permanent Christmas Lights LED

Christ Community Church Events

SUMMER FM 2024 - June 19 & 26, 2024 | 6pm – 8pm (CDT) | Christ Community Church Ames 5501 George Washington Carver Ave. Ames, IA 50010

CAN-DO CORPS 2024 - June 20, 25 & 27, 2024 | 10:30am–2pm (CDT) | Christ Community Church Ames, 5501 George Washington Carver Ave Ames, IA 50010

Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Ames, IA in the coming week. Outdoor events may be subject to change due to weather.

June 19th (Wednesday)

CHILDSERVE’S LAUNCH + LEARN | Reiman Gardens | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

June 20th (Thursday)

JUNETEENTH LECTURE: IOWA AGRICULTURE – 1862 | Ames Public Library | 9:00 am - 10:30 am

OCTAGON PARTY ON THE PATIO | Octagon Center for the Arts | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

SUMMER DAZE AT THE PARC | The Parc | 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

THIRD THURSDAY MILES & PINTS RUN / WALK | Fitness Sports Ames | 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm

CELTIC MIDWESTERN W/ TONY JAMES SHEVLIN & SCOTT STILWELL | Alluvial Brewing | 7:00 pm

AMES MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT | Bandshell Park | 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Introducing Charlie, a joyful 2-year-old Dachshund with a big personality. Charlie loves burrowing under blankets, chasing after his favorite squeaky toys, and exploring the garden for hidden treasures. His playful antics and loyal nature make him a cherished friend. Let's give a warm cheer for Charlie!

If you have a canine companion who deserves a moment in the spotlight, don't hesitate to reach out to us at allaboutames.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Today’s Affirmation

"Today, I affirm that I choose positivity. I focus on the good in every situation and let my positive attitude lead me to success and happiness."

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Densmore Insurance Strategies, Inc. Bondurant, IA

The College Tour: City of Ames and CyRide

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The Answer to the Trivia Corner Question  👇👇👇

The Iowa Department of Transportation (formerly known as the Iowa Highway Commission) is headquartered in Ames, Iowa. Established in 1913, it oversees the state's transportation infrastructure, including highways, railways, and public transit systems.