March 2014

Ames Sesquecentennial

March 31, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Originally broadcast 03/31/2014
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We host three guests active in promoting the celebration of the Ames Sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ames. State Senator Herman Quirmbach kicked off the program with a report about Ames Day at the Iowa State Capital when the Resolution in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ames. Then Carolyn Klaus, chair of the Chautauqua Committee, and Iowa Artists, and executive director of the Ames History Center then reported on the work of the Sesquicentennial committee. Carolyn gave us a preview of the many events we can expect, and Casey described the exhibitions and events being prepared by the AHC including the 150 featured people, places, and events from the history of Ames.

In closing, Jeanine Strodtman told us about the Iowa Artists Region 6 Show, which will consist of works from Iowa Artists members from Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, and Story Counties. It will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on April 5, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Ave. in Ames.

Prairies With Carl Kurtz

March 28, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Originally broadcast 03/28/2014
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The program discusses Prairie planting by conservationist Carl Kurtz. Graduate student Lauren Sullivan explains her graduate level prairie project and the environmental outreach built in to its design. Lloyd Crim provides a synopsis of his scheduled prairie walks this summer at Doolittle Prairie Preserve south of Story City. And Rebekka Brown continues her travel series interviewing three faith based organizations in Ames. Sources for local ecotype prairie plants and seeds is located at Ion Exchange Iowa.

ACLU of Iowa and Campustown Update

March 26, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Originally broadcast 03/26/2014
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This program featured Veronica Lorsen Fowler talking about the work of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and introducing Dan Johnston, the recipient of this year’s Louise Noun award from the organization, who told about a lifetime of work as a civil liberties lawyer. Then Kim Hanna, from the Campustown Action Association, told us about the many changes taking place in Campustown.

SCYP and the Minimum Wage

March 24, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Originally broadcast 03/24/2014
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We spoke with people involved with Story County Youth Philianthopists, (SCYP) who recently announced the ten winners of their annual awards. We learned the history and purpose of this organization as well as the kinds of activities it fosters. Two of these young philanthropists told us about the grants they recently awarded and Suzie Shierholz of Ames Community Foundation rounded out the story.

The second part of the program was a live discussion with Betsy Mayfield who collected 500 signatures promoting a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour by means of social media. This action began with a house party instigated by Democracy by American to watch Robert Reich's film, Inequality for All. Her discussion of her worldwide experience visiting countries with greater or less economic inequality was followed by the presentation of the petition to State Senator Herman Quirmbach.

Ackerlund-Burke Coal Mine

March 21, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Listen Here Now Originally broadcast 03/21/2014
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County Reporters Paul Wierson and Susan Franzen visited Madrid Historical Museum for a tour of the Ackerlund-Burke Coal Mine, a replica of a coal mine dug out from the crawl space under the large museum building. We talked with local citizens about their knowledge and memories of the coal town and the coal camps surrounding it, as well as the local economy during the coal mining era.

Australian Chamber Orchestra & ARC

March 19, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Listen Here Now Originally broadcast 03/19/2014
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The upcoming performance of the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Ames was the focus of Wednesday’s Local Talk program. Peter Riley, a board member of the Ames International Orchestra Festival (AIOFA), which is sponsoring the ensemble’s visit to Ames, said the group is comprised of relatively young musicians, most of whom perform standing up. The curtain goes up Monday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Also on Wednesday’s Local Talk show, KHOI reporter Roxanne Thompson talked to Kathy Schnable about the work of the ARC of Story County, which provides support and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

An interview with ACLU honoree Dan Johnston originally scheduled for Wednesday will be aired at a later date.

KHOI Studios Nearing Completion

March 18, 2014 - 5:00pm -- ron

 platoon of volunteer Rembrandts spent a weekend in March turning KHOI’s nearly completed suite of studios into colorful spaces. The painters were recruited and supervised by KHOI board member Chris Lyng, who rolled his share of stem green onto studio walls while coordinating the efforts of the volunteers.

Pictured above: Chris Lyng and Zach Nizzi

Ostara

March 18, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Listen Here NowHeart of Iowa program originally broadcast 03/18/2014
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Spring is here at last!  Thursday, March 20, is the first official day of Spring, the Vernal Equinox. Equinox comes from  the Greek language and means “equal night”, it is the day when there are 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night, the whole world over.  There are 2 equinoxes each year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The Vernal Equinox is the one where the balance between day and night is tilting toward the day, and the days are getting longer.

Earth centered traditions celebrate the Vernal Equinox as the holiday Ostara.  Reverend Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin describes the holiday thusly, “Vernal Equinox, also known as Ostara, occurs in the middle of March. It marks the beginning of Spring and the time when days and nights are of equal length. The colors associated with the Ostara festival are yellow, for the strengthening sun and the celebration of this holiday at dawn, and green because it represents the sprouting of new plant life. This is a festival of rebirth and reawakening from Winter’s slumber: the first official day of spring!

Bees and the Uillean Harp

March 17, 2014 - 7:00am -- ron

Listen Here Now Originally broadcast 03/17/2014
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On St. Patrick's Day we talked to Glen Stanley, 5th-generation beekeeper and former state apiarist, and to ISU extension entomologist Donald Lewis, about the crisis with honey bees and how Iowans can provide flowers for bees to help them survive. Music by Tim Britton of Fairfield, Iowa on the Uillean harp, and Black 47 of New York.

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