YSS, Ames History Museum

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/20/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Today's program featured Andrew Allen, president and CEO of YSS, discussing the organization's purpose and programs designed to help children, teens, young adults, young mothers and others with mental and behaviorial health issues.

Also appearing was Alex Fejfar of the Ames History Museum, who discussed the museum's ongoing exhibit, "Uncorked: The Spirited History of Alcohol in Ames."  

Maggie Westvold also appeared, commenting on growing up in Iowa when television was in its black-and-white infancy.  

Interfaith Power and Light, Climate Strike, Arborfeast

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/18/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Matt Russell, executive director or Interfaith Power and Light, told us about the recent Pilgrimage on the Prairie and IPL's  work of empowering farmers to combat climate change.  He especially credited youth activists.  Appropriately Toni Sleugh and Brad Wisenmayer two of the leaders of ISU Climate Reality Corpps (part of the international Climate Strike inspired by Greta Thunberg) came in to tell us about the Climate Strike in Ames on Septeber 20.  Our next stop was  in Boone county talking with Mark Schneider about ArborFeast at the Iowa Arboretum.  We closed our show at the Boone Community Theatre's open house celebrating their upcoming production of Pirates of Penzance directed by Christopher Levi taking us backstage to talk with Kate Zimmerman.  

Healthy Life Center Loss

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/13/2019
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Today's program featured Ames Mayor John Haila, discussing this past Tuesday's $29 million bond election for the proposed Healthy Life Center.  Voters rejected it.  The bond needed 60 percent "yes" votes to be approved.  It received 48.5 percent. The mayor talked about possible reasons for the bond's failure, and what might be next.

Also appearing on the broadcast were Merry Rankin, who is the Director of Sustainability for Iowa State University and the Sustainability Coordinator for the city of Ames; and Bill Schmitt, Resource Recovery Superintendent for the city of Ames. They  talked about the city's pilot food waste diversion project.  

Remembering September 11, 2001

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/11/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!The hosts of Local Talk gathered to share their memories of September 11, 2001. Ursula Ruedenberg was in New York, literally at ground zero watching the Twin Towers Collapse and living in the city in the following weeks. Paul Wierson recalled the reaction in Des Moines -- gas lines. Susan Franzen was on an election board at the Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames, where a memorial service for the tragedy was held across from the polling station before the polls closed. And finally, Dennis Hart discussed the day as he experienced it from his home and newsroom in California. The show closed with a discussion of the  increased fear and uncertainty in the post 9/11 world.  

HOW TO EXTEND ACCESS TO CAUCUSES? PREPARING FOR LIGHTENING, SHOOTERS, AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 12/09/2017
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Dennis Jones give a summary of Iowa news from last week.

In the wake of the Democratic National Committee's decision last week to veto plans by the states of Iowa and Nevada to incorporate tele-caucusing by phone and virtual caucusing by computer, Douglas Jones,  a computer scientist at the University of Iowa who researches computer security,  explains why he was outspoken against these plans. He also discusses the intent and implementation of caucuses and proposes an alternative. Iowa and Nevada have been given the directive to make caucuses more accessible to voters and Jones proposes establishing proxy voters to do this. 

Story County Emergency Coordinator Keith Morgan discusses emergency preparedness month and how to prepare. There is also a lengthy discussion about the dangers of lightening. Did you know it is dangerous to take a bath or shower during a storm?

 

Healthy Life Center, Ames events

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/06/2019
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Today's program featured Ames Mayor John Haila, who discussed next Tuesday's (Sept. 10)  $29 million bond election for the proposed Healthy Life Center.  The mayor talked about why, in his opinion, Ames needs such a facility and how it would benefit residents.

The program also featured Deb Schildroth, the new Ames Assistant City Manager.  She talked about why she came to work for the city  after spending about three decades working in Story County government.  She also talked about upcoming events in Ames, including tomorrow's (Sept. 7) Pridefest celebration.  

Pufferbilly, Penzance and Pride

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/04/2019
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Alyssa Knudsen started our program by giving us a detailed rundown of the events of Pufferbilly Days 2019, with it's parade themed "Peace, Love and Trains," A feature of events was the Boone Community Theatre open house previewing its upcoming operetta, Pirates of Penzance.  Cast members Joe Zimmerman, David Michael, Coriann Westvold, along with La Homa Simmonds came in to tell us about preparations for the show.  We had recordings of from the ribbon cutting for the inclusive sidewalk at the corner of  Douglas Avenue and 5th Street.  Mayor John Haila, Dr. Reginald Stewart -Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Iowa State, Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, and nicci port all spoke to KHOI reporter Ursula Ruedenberg at the celebration.  Janet Vine and Sally Daub came in to the studio to invite people to Ames Pridefest this Saturday, and to discuss the importance of the celebration, especially for young people struggling for acceptance from their communities.  

Bethesda Lutheran Octoberfest, C-HOP at ISU, David Martin, Seed bombs

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 09/02/2019
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Dennis Hart gives a summary of Iowa news from last week.

Pricilla Franken, volunteer on the committee for the second annual Bethesda Lutheran Church's Octoberfest, describes this public even that celebrates the church's German heritage and homemade food from German family recipes. Torrent Brewing company has made a special custom-made "Octoberfest Marzen" beer recipe to be sold at the event and there will be family games, adult competitions, polka dancing with a live band, who will provide the music for their service at 4 PM. The Octoberfest will be on Saturday September 7 from noon until 4:30 PM on the Bethesda Lutheran grounds at 1517 Northwestern Avenue.

Tin-Shi TAM, Cownie Professor of Music at Iowa State University, University Carillonneur (she plays the Campanile) and ISU Keyboard Division chair, describes C-HOP Festial 2019, on September 6 & 7, which features carillon, harpsichord, Organ, and Piano concerts with guest performers and instruction from ISU professors and students, including a carillon concert at Central Campus at 2 PM on Saturday.

Ames City Council member David Martin gives an update on current issues before the city, including "vacation rental" laws, new Internet service to Ames, Healthy Life Center vote next week, and the permanent "Inclusive Crosswalk" to be painted at 5th Street and Douglas on Tuesday morning September 3, in anticipation of Ames Pridefest next weekend. 

Ioway Indian artist Syndey Pursel, who is currently exhibiting an artwork at Effigy Mounds National Monument, describes her work. It is a gum ball machine that sells "seed bombs" filled with prairie flowers and milkweed seeds. She explains how you can make seed bombs.  

Labor Day, Healthy Life Cente

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/30/2019
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Today's program featured an interview with Dan Homan, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Iowa Council 61.  He discussed the state of labor unions in the United States, the decline of union membership in the private sector, and why he believes unions are important to American workers.

Also appearing on the program was Tom Durkin, who is heading up the campaign against the Healthy Life Center bond referendum in Ames.  That election will take place Sept. 10, when voters will decide whether to approve $29 million in bonds for the proposed $49 million Healthy Life Center.  Durkin said the proposed HLC would prove to be a burden to Ames taxpayers.

Ames Police Dept. Commander Jason Tuttle also was on the program, discussing steps the department will take to handle the large crowd expected to attend tomorrow's Iowa State University home football opener at Jack Trice Stadium.  He also talked about the new $40 parking fines that will be instituted for illegal parking in neighborhoods near the stadium.

And regular contributor Maggie Westvold talked about playing 6-on-6 girls' basketball when she was growing up in Iowa.  

Zearing, Wildlife Center, Butterfies in Winter

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/28/2019
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Today's show picked up on stories from last week.  Martin Herr, mayor of Zearing, told us about the history and development of the small town next to Dakins Lake -- a story of civic pride and unique history.  Following a phenology on crickets with Pat Schlarbaum, Marlene Ehresman, director of the Iowa Wildlife Center, came in to tell us about the present work and future plans of the center, which is building a facility called Wild Way on 75 acres just south of Ledges State Park on land obtained through Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Our nature centered program ended with Donald Lewis, ISU extension etymologist telling us the ways butterflies survive, or migrate away from, Iowa winter.  

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