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Hello Ames! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Corridor upgrade plans, storybook S.T.E.M., and pony pioneers camp + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Ames help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Expanding its Midwest footprint: UHY acquired Bettendorf-based Anderson, Lower, Whitlow, extending its reach to Des Moines and Ames as founders Barry Anderson, Donald Lower, Todd Whitlow, and Matthew Brumfield will join UHY -- see the Iowa acquisition details.
Major corridor upgrade planned: Ames will add turn lanes, a new signal, and a shared-use path at 13th and Grand, with work set for 2028 as the city buys 12 nearby properties -- read the full story.
Academic excellence on the course: Four Cyclone men’s golfers were named GCAA Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars on Monday, including Beauvy and May. Iowa State was among 81 Division I programs with four honorees -- read the full story.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Look sharp this week: Built for guys who want the barbershop tradition without the pretension, The Groom Room Men's Hair Co. delivers clean, classic cuts, beard care, and straight-up shaving in a comfortable, masculine space. Swing in for a trim, tame the beard, then walk out feeling like you got your swagger back.
Get above it all: Clouds brings European-cafe comfort 100 feet up with proper coffee, flaky pastries, and an all-day menu. Rally the crew for a private event or one of their themed brunches, wine nights, high teas, or playful dinners, then soak in the views that make Ames feel delightfully Continental.
Ames time-travel fix: Make it your this-week wander. The Farm House Museum lets you explore Iowa State’s original 1860 farmhouse, a National Historic Landmark where 17 families lived and James “Tama Jim” Wilson stayed before serving three presidents as Secretary of Agriculture, with America 250: Prairie, Plows, and the People's College tying it all together.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍽 Free Sun Meals for Kids and Teens @ Ames Public Library | Thursday (8/6) at 11:30 AM – Weekdays this summer, Ames Public Library is dishing out free, nutritious meals and snacks for kids and teens 18 and under. Consider it a lunch break with books, new friends, and blessedly zero dishes, while your grocery bill takes a brief, well-deserved vacation.
🎸 8th Annual Rock The Block @ Stonebridge Church (Boone) | Thursday (8/6) at 6:00 PM – Bring the kids to the 8th annual Rock the Block for free food and even freer school supplies, because those lists never get shorter. Preschool through high school in the Boone Community School District only, and kids must be present, with attendees getting first crack.
🧪 Storybook S.T.E.M. @ Ames Public Library | Friday (8/7) at 10:00 AM – Bring the kids or the grandkids for Storybook S.T.E.M., where a quick read turns into hands-on tinkering for all ages. Think simple science, curious minds, and zero pressure. You supervise, they learn, everyone goes home with a little glue on their sleeve, and oddly proud.
🇺 Nights on the Green @ 8th & Story Greenspace (Boone) | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – America turns 250, so the downtown Boone greenspace is throwing one big birthday party, free and festive. Kennedy Station Band keeps the lawn chairs swaying, kids get their wiggles out, and the trucks serve Smokin' Big Dawgs, Clare's Tenderloins by Mya, and Outside Scoop sweets.
🥕 Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market @ Farmers' Market Main Street | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Main Street market mornings just feel right here. Stock up on produce, let the kids get Joyful Colorz face paint, browse the Ames Bookmobile, and catch Asphalt & Stained Glass. Feeling spicy, the salsa contest will settle bragging rights, preferably over fresh peaches.
🎶 Music on the Porch 2026 @ Evergreen Lane (Nevada) | Sunday (8/9) at 2:00 PM – Bring a chair and wander up to Briggs Terrace at Evergreen Lane Historical Complex for porch tunes from JD’s Trio, Deb, Steve, and Jack. Low-stress, high-charm, and thoroughly local, it’s the rare outing where a blanket, good company, and small talk qualify as multitasking.
🐴 Pony Pioneers Camp @ Stagecoach Stables | Monday (8/10) at 9:00 AM – Locals know horsepower is not just in the driveway. This camp gets ages 6-12 off screens and into stirrups with ponies, stories of the Pony Express and the Wild West, and practical horse skills that build confidence, curiosity, and actual horse sense.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Ames report Weather forecastToday — High: 73°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 43%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. East northeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. This house is wildThis exceptional ranch in the Gilbert school district offers 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and more than 3,200 square feet of well-planned living space. The open main floor features engineered wood floors, granite-and-stainless kitchen finishes, a floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace, and a bright 3-season sunroom. A finished lower level adds a wet bar, two bedrooms, and abundant storage.
Take a peek inside → |
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