Originally broadcast 03/22/2021  Listen to the entire episode now!

Dennis Hart gives a summary of Iowa news from the past week.

Neil Upadhyay, Director of Hotel Operations and Assistant General Manager of Gateway Hotel and Convention Center, describes the struggle to stay afloat in the hotel business with little clientele due to reduced travel and drastic staff reduction  Although some other area hotels have had trouble, the Gateway is positioned to remain open despite operating at a loss during the pandemic. Also, Upadhyay, who is 24 years old, tells a little bit of his own story as an Inian-American from Chicago who moved to Story City as a teenager and eventually ended up a manager of the Gateway.

Sudhanva Kashyap, award-winning landscape photographer, describes his process and artistic mission. His work, which features landscapes in extraordinarily beautiful color and design, is currently being exhibited at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters  on Main street in Ames. Kashyap is a postdoctoral researcher at ISU in science, from Bangalore India. 

Nadav Mer, owner of Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, talks about the meaning of art work displayed at the coffee shop, which has taken on even more importance in Pandemic times. Mer assures us that Morning Bell Coffee Roasters is surviving the pandemic.

Originally broadcast 03/16/2021  Listen to the entire episode now!

Gary Guthrie planting over 1300 trees on 2 acres with help from Luke Gran (Prudenterra of Iowa) to design a tree labyrinth.

Gary defines what a labyrinth is and the purpose and numerous benefits derived spiritually and environmentally.  Luke shares his knowledge used to determine the best species of trees and understory plantings for the site. 

Andrew Kleeman, Nevada High school’s social studies instructor and head Football coach is one of the advisors for the school’s Ethics Team.  Mr. Kleeman describes the history and origin of the club and the difference compared to a formal debate team. The Nevada Ethics Team is made up of students from each class year. We learn how discussion subjects are selected, the training involved for the Team members, and benefits derived for society when the diplomatic art of civil discourse and persuasion are practiced.  The Nevada Team has reached the National finals and are currently preparing for competition to be held later this spring.

Deb Schildroth Assistant City Manager, shared some upcoming city events and then introduced Jahmai Fisher and Madesh Samanu, board members of the Ames Human Relations Commission who reviewed their rolls associated with the commission and described upcoming awards; the Humanitarian Award and A Home For Everyone award.  Also reviewed procedures on how to file a concern/complaint if it is warranted.

Offers Poems, Music, and a review of Tuesday programs: All Things Piano, Donna-Lana Kitchen, Science Bytes, and Heart2Heart along with a sneak peek of  Thursday’s, You Name It.

Originally broadcast 03/15/2021  Listen to the entire episode now!

Dennis Hart gives a summary of Iowa news.

We take a moment to recognize the contribution made by Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, researcher at the National Institute of Health who worked with the pharmaceutical company Moderna and discovered the necessary formula for the Moderna COVID19 vaccine.  

We also recognize Dolly Parton's donation of a million dollars for this research and hear her receiving her vaccine shot on Twitter, including her newest rendition of "Joline," now called "Vaccine."

Ames native Marilyn Gibbs-Alger, former owner of the Cranford Apartment Building on the corner of Lincoln Way and Stanton Avenue in Ames, tells the history of this distinguished building. It was built by a business developed by Female ISU professors and researchers in 1922 and whose construction was supervised by the female architect, and graduate of ISU, Alda Wilson.

Liz Zuercher, Executive Director of the Story County Community Foundation introduces Childserve, one of the recipients of the SCCF community grants, last November, supporting human services in Story County. Childserve's Director of Development, Sarah Mowery, describes their services offered, and the Respite Program in Ames that was funded by the SCCF, giving care-givers for children with disabilities some opportunities for time off and rest. "Anna Banana" Magnusson, who directs Able Up Iowa describes her first-hand experiences with parents of children with special health needs.

Originally broadcast 03/10/2021  Listen to the entire episode now!

Following Leanne Harter's Story County Report, we heard from Wayne Friedrichs, from the American Soybean Association telling us how he discovered farming practices that not only enhances his ability to farm in difficult weather conditions, greatly improved his bottom line, and dramatically improved soil health.  Poet Jennifer Knox re-introduced us to her crowdsourced "Bird of Mouth," and read from her new book, Crushing It. Finally, we covered the first two days of the trial of Andrea Sahouri, the Des Moines Register Reporter who was arrested for covering a Black Lives Matter protest in Des Moines on June 20, 2020.