FACETS
NOVEMBER 2019 The magazine for women.
Kinne donates $40k to bridge repair Ames High student wins youth advocacy award
ISU senior chosen for Team Blake on The Voice
FACETS 2 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
The magazine for women. Contributors
RONNA FAABORG DAVID MULLEN KYLEE MULLEN ROBBIE SEQUEIRA KILEY WELLENDORF Design
ADVERTISERS To advertise in Facets magazine, contact Mary Beth Scott at (515) 663-6951 PHONE (515) 663-6923
CHELSEA PARKS
ADDRESS 317 Fifth St. Ames, IA, 50010
Tribune Editor
EMAIL news@amestrib.com
MICHAEL CRUMB
ONLINE www.amestrib.com/sections/ special-sections/facets Facets is a monthly publication of GateHouse Media Iowa Holdings.
Juniper sits comfortably in the Caroline’s Cart during a shopping trip. Photo submitted by Amy Dawson
see PAGE 8
ON THE COVER
Malika Davis, of Ames, was announced the winner of the 2019 Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award by the ACLU of Iowa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
see PAGE 16
FACETS Table of Contents Features 6
Kinne donates
Story City bridge repair
10 Barb Neal
Cyride Director
14 C&M Acres
Alpaca farm
Spotlight 4 Story City Woman’s campaign collects 7,000 pads and tampons 8
Creating accessibility: Caroline’s cart
9
Fresh mini donut shop now open
12 ISU senior chosen for ‘Team Blake’ on The Voice 16 Ames High student wins youth advocacy award 17 Ames Community School district welcomes new Human Resource director 18 Bird populations are crashing
Savor 20 A pumpkin spice treat Fall is upon us
22 Heighten wine’s flavors Find the right glass
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 3
Spotlight
When Megan Gustafson discovered local girls were missing school due to lack of pads and tampons, she started a campaign to help. PHOTO BY RONNA FAABORG/GATEHOUSE IOWA
Story City woman’s campaign collects 7,000 pad and tampons to battle ‘period poverty’ By Ronna Faaborg GateHouse Iowa
M
egan Gustafson was volunteering at the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Story City several months ago, when she learned that some families have a need for more than food. Gustafson escorted a mom through the food pantry as the volunteers there customarily do. When they came to the shelves of paper products and toiletries, the mom asked if it would be possible to get some extra tampons and pads. “I was shocked to learn that the girls in the family were missing school because they couldn’t afford for each of them to have enough tampons and pads,” Gustafson said. “You hear about that being a problem in places like Africa, but I didn’t know it was a problem in Iowa and even right here in Story City.” It’s a topic that makes a lot of people uncomfortable, but Gustafson didn’t let that stop her from talking about
4 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
“period poverty.” Gustafson is a master of divinity student at Wartburg and has a passion for social justice. “I figured if I can stand in front of my church and talk about the need for tampons and pads, I can talk to anyone about anything,” she said. And her church and her community responded in a spirit of great generosity. Gustafson put drop boxes in four locations — St. Petri Lutheran Church, Bergen Lutheran Church, Tiffany and Co. Salon, and It’s Sew Tempting. She started her campaign on Aug. 1. “I had pretty low expectations. I hoped to collect 20 or 30 packages,” Gustafson said. “Pads and tampons make people feel uncomfortable, and they are expensive.” The campaign quickly “went crazy,” she said. Setting the first goal at $100, Gustafson passed this
Spotlight STORY CITY WOMAN’S CAMPAIGN, continued from page 4
goal and a second one with 24 hours of creating the fundraiser. Over the month, she continued to post facts and figures telling people why it was important that pads and tampons are donated. “One in five girls in this country will miss school this year due to a lack of access to these items,” she said. “SNAP and WIC benefits don’t cover pads and tampons, as these are considered to be luxury items.” By the end of the month, Gustafson had collected more than 200 packages — totaling to more than 7,000 pads and tampons. More than $1,000 was donated to the cause and also about 45 makeup bags to make first-period kits for girls. Gustafson is considering holding another campaign in the spring. For now, she’s thrilled with the results of this one. “We repackaged 168 bags to take to one food pantry, filled four other containers to take to the middle school, the high school, and two other food pantries,” she said. “I’m so grateful for everyone who has had a role in the success of this project!”
“I figured if I can stand in front of my church and talk about the need for tampons and pads, I can talk to anyone about anything,” she said. Megan Gustafson, of Story City, collected more than 7,000 tampons and pads to donate to local food pantries and schools. PHOTO BY RONNA FAABORG/GATEHOUSE IOWA
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 5
Feature
Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne
During flooding in March, large chunks of ice caused substantial damage to Story City’s historic Swinging Bridge. Built in 1936, the suspension footbridge is an important community landmark, and city officials are determined to do what is necessary to save it. PHOTO BY STORY CITY MAYOR MIKE JENSEN
Kinne donates $40k to bridge repair By Ronna Faaborg GateHouse Iowa
A
proud Story City native sent a major donation to help repair the community’s beloved Swinging Bridge, which was damaged by large chunks of ice during flooding last spring. Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne sent a $40,000 check to the city on Sept. 11, along with a letter describing her love of Story City and Iowa in general. “As a loyal supporter of Iowa, and specifically Story City, it is a pleasure for me to assist in recognizing the importance of the well-known Swinging Bridge,” Kinne wrote. “I became very concerned with Mayor Jensen informed me of the damage. As a Military wife, my life has taken me through ten years in four countries, and I was always teased about ‘bragging of the best state and home town’ on every occasion in which I could manage the opportunity to do so. Obviously, the Swinging Bridge is an important attraction for all of us.” Mayor Mike Jensen said the city was determined from the outset of the damage to repair the historic bridge, which was built in 1936 and was one of the New Deal projects constructed under Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). Insurance is covering about $90,000 of the repairs,
6 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
leaving the city about $80,000 to pay out of pocket. But Kinne cut that amount in half with her donation, which Jensen called kind and generous. “This is just like something that Fran would do,” he said. “She is such a supporter of the community of Story City. She’s a wonderful person, and even though she’s been very successful in her life, she’s very down to earth. Fran is someone that can sit down and have a conversation with anyone.” Frances, who is fondly known in the community as Fran or Frannie, is a glass-ceiling breaking woman. At age 102, Kinne is still working full-time with both Mayo Clinic and Jacksonville University. She is retired President and Chancellor from Jacksonville University; she’s also a Staff Member for Mayo Clinic. “Every time I get to Iowa, I have doctors and nurses from Mayo join in the visit — not because I need medical care,” Kinne wrote. “It is because they say they want to find out what I am ‘talking about all of the time about Iowa and Story City.’ “Of course, I must always speak about the Bertha Bartlett Public Library and the Story City Historical Society. Also, I am impressed by the fine leadership you all have provided,
KINNE, continued from page 6
Feature
and we know that is one of the main reasons for Story City and Iowa to be so special.” Work is underway on the bridge repair, and Jensen said the goal is to have it ready for Christmas lights for the holiday season. A small plaque honoring Kinne will be installed on the bridge, near the existing plaque that names past donors to the bridge preservation. The bridge will also be about a foot higher than it was before the flood damage, in an effort to keep this type of damage from happening again. “I hope my gift will be of help to you. I know this would have pleased my father, Charlie Bartlett, my mother, Bertha Bartlett, and my brother, Charles Bartlett,” Kinne wrote. “I look forward to seeing the results on my next visit to my home town.” Workers from Woodruff Construction are suspended by boom lifts over the Skunk River as they make repairs to Story City’s historic Swinging Bridge in early October. PHOTO BY STORY CITY MAYOR MIKE JENSEN
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 7
Spotlight Feature
Creating accessibility: Local stores introduce Caroline’s Cart By Kiley Wellendorf GateHouse Iowa
W
hat started as an interview for a job at Sam’s Club for Amy Dawson ended in the store purchasing Caroline’s Cart, a shopping cart created to assist those with special needs. Caroline’s Cart — created by Drew Ann and David Long, founders of Parents Solution Group, LLC. — is a shopping cart designed to help parents and caregivers safely navigate those with special needs without having to use a wheelchair. Last year, Dawson learned of “Caroline’s Cart” from a Facebook support group for mothers of children with holoprosencephaly, Dawson said. Juniper — Dawson’s 2 ½-year-old daughter — has the lower end of holoprosencephaly, a birth defect that affects her gross motor functions. According to Dawson, Juniper’s brain is fused, where it would normally split into the right and left lobe. “It has her share of challenges, but we like to say it comes with accessories,” Dawson said. When finishing her interview for a position at Sam’s Club in Ames, manager Rod DeReus asked the same question that he closes down each interview with: “Do you shop at Sam’s?” To his surprise, Dawson did not. “No, because we’re unable to come to the store,” Dawson told DeReus. To navigate the world, Juniper uses a wheelchair, but does not have the body support to safely sit in a shopping cart when Dawson needs to run to the store. Shopping isn’t necessarily easy for the family, Dawson said. “I (either) have to take the wheelchair in with me and get my other two children to push the shopping cart, or we don’t go at all — which is usually what happens,” Dawson said. When using Caroline’s Cart, the arms fold up to gain access — making it easy for Dawson to put Juniper into the cart. Additionally, the cart is equipped with a five-point harness that keeps Juniper upright and comfortable, and it allows Juniper to face Dawson while shopping. While it’s easier, some stores don’t have the cart — including Sam’s Club before the interview. Pulling out his phone, DeReus asked Dawson to explain Caroline’s Cart, and then asked her to verify the photo of the cart to her. “It was very important to him right then and there to figure out what I was talking about because he felt like he was alienating a whole group of people,” Dawson said. After Dawson left the interview, DeReus thought of all the shoppers who skipped over the store because the Caroline’s Cart was not available for use, he said, making the trip an overall inconvenience. “When she said, ‘I can’t shop here,’ I thought about how many people are not shopping here because we don’t have the right equipment (for them),” said DeReus, the store’s manager since 2017. The store was able to order the parts from Sam’s Club, but did not have the cart. According to DeReus, the cart was secured after he reached out to a supervisor from the
8 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
Juniper sits comfortably in the Caroline’s Cart during a shopping trip. Photo submitted by Amy Dawson
Wal-Mart side of headquarters and told him of Dawson’s story. Later, the store was able to order the cart from Wal-Mart. “We’re so thankful for managers, like Rod, who make Sam’s Club a special place to work and shop,” Sam’s Club said in a statement to the Ames Tribune. “We’re thrilled that Amy is now both a Sam’s Club associate and a member. We look forward to her having a great career with us — and hope she and her daughter have fun shopping with us, too.” DeReus felt he was doing what was right, he said. “We have a motto as Sam’s Club, ‘Happy to Help,’ and if I can’t help a member even shop here, then I’m not doing the right thing for everybody,” DeReus said. In addition to Sam’s Club, both Lowe’s Home Improvement and Target in Ames have Caroline’s Cart. According to a spokesperson from Target, the cart was brought into all Target stores in March of 2016. “At Target, we embrace diversity and inclusion and strive to give everyone access to the same opportunities for all, we can better understand and serve our guests, connect to the communities we serve and build a stronger team,” Target said in a statement to the Ames Tribune. “We’re proud to offer Caroline’s Carts and always want our guests to feel welcomed, valued and respected when they shop at Target.” The cart will help not only Dawson’s family, but other families in the area who have loved ones with special needs, Dawson said. “Not only (are there) parents (of) children with handicap needs, but there is a whole group of adult handicap people who are not able to fulfill basic needs in their life because they can’t get to these stores,” Dawson said. “I’m not the only person who feels this frustration.”
Spotlight
Fresh mini-donuts shop opens its doors to Ames By David Mullen GateHouse Iowa
S
ince 2012, Orange Leaf, the popular frozen yogurt shop, has been at the corner of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue. It was joined a few years later by Sweet Mini’s donuts. Sweet Mini’s is gone, and its replacement is Humble Donuts, which held its grand opening Sept. 13. Humble Donuts is a chain that specializes in cake battered mini-donuts rather than the traditional yeast base, but also having a wide variety of options for its customers. To some in the community, it brings something that Ames has been missing. “(We) haven’t been able to get mini-donuts in Ames really,” said customer Jean Bessman. “So, I’m really pleased it’s here for that reason.” Bessman and her husband heard about the new cake based mini-donut shop and were eager to try them out, and as they walked through the doors for their first time Friday they were greeted by a sweet smell of donuts and sugar. “Right when I walked in, I knew it was a good place to start my morning,” she said. DK Ajiri and his mother Eileen took over owning the
business in February and knew from the get-go that Humble Donuts would soon be a part of their business. “Froyo is great in the summertime, and for some reason people don’t like frozen yogurt when it’s 10 degrees outside,” DK Ajiri said. “The mini donuts happened to be a great concept and we just happened to stumble upon (Humble), which is a newer franchise, so it all worked out.” Ajiri describes his family as “business centric.” They have been part of multiple businesses, from water filtration to junk removal. Although the shift to the food industry has been a change for the family, it’s been a good change, Ajiri said. “This is my first restaurant, it’s different and eye opening,” he said. “But I love getting a more immediate satisfaction of taking care of customers. For the Ames community, Ajiri and his mom both agreed with Bessman, that the shop will fill a void as they nearest mini donut shop is in Des Moines, or not warm and ready to go in a store. With the rebranding of the store, it now opens at 7 a.m. each day.
A few of the donuts offered by Humble Donuts, which opened Friday in the space shared with the Orange Leaf frozen yogurt shop. PHOTO BY DAVID MULLEN/GATEHOUSE IOWA
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 9
Feature
From interim to permanent, Barb Neal named CyRide director By Robbie Sequeira GateHouse Iowa
A
fter taking the reins from retired CyRide director Shari Kyras in late March in an interim capacity, Barb Neal will now assume the role full-time, having accepted the position on Oct. 1. “I am extremely humbled and honored to be selected for the position,” she said. “Clearly I am passionate about CyRide and deliver excellent service to the citizens of Ames and university students who ride CyRide. The timing is right for me to continue to build strong relationships, and I think the time is right for me to take the opportunity to lead CyRide.” Neal, who has been with CyRide since 1991, was a finalist in nationwide search to find Kyras’ permanent replacement — beating out fellow finalist Roy Rickert who serves as the executive director for North Dakotabased Bis-Man Transit/CND Inc. “Selecting a creative, smart, progressive director was
Barb Neal, who has worked in CyRide since 1991 and named interim CyRide director in the spring, will fill the role on a permanent basis. Submitted photo
our board’s mission, and we are delighted to have Barb guiding CyRide into the future,” said Ames Transit Board Vice President Liz Jeffrey in the city’s press release announcing the move. “Barb’s dedication is evident in her decades of experience. She brings so much to the organization, and we look forward to working together for the betterment of public transit.” The roles and responsibilities for the transit director include planning and coordination of all fiscal,
10 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
BARB NEAL, continued from page 10
operational, maintenance and personnel activities for CyRide. CyRide, currently operating 13 fixed routes, is moving toward an energy-efficient service after receiving a $1.6 million grant in August to help them buy two electric buses to replace diesel buses that are currently in its fleet. A priority focus on sustainability, will continue, under Neal. “We are still working on our further efforts for sustainability, as well as implementing new technology to increase our access for customers,” Neal said. “We’re excited to have moved forward with automatic voice enunciation which helps give riders better access and make improve their riding experience.” Recently, CyRide was named third in the nation for ride per capita, by the American Public Transit Association in their 2019 Fact Book — a distinction that Neal plans to carry into the upcoming new year. “I feel like CyRide is going to continue toward the path of excellence, set out by the directors before me, and that I learned from,” Neal said. “CyRide is a good organization, and as we continue to operate, we will continue to be a good organization.” Prior to taking on the interim position, Neal served as the Assistant Transit Director since 2016. From 2004 to 2016, Neal was the CyRide Operations Supervisor, and from 1991 to 2004, she was the Assistant Operations Supervisor.
“Selecting a creative, smart, progressive director was our board’s mission, and we are delighted to have Barb guiding CyRide into the future ”
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 11
Spotlight
ISU senior chosen for Team Blake on ‘The Voice’ By Kiley Wellendorf GateHouse Iowa
EllieMae Millenkamp is a contestant on Season 17 of “The Voice.” Photo courtesy of Chris Haston/NBC
P
erforming in front of famous people was what Iowa State University senior and “The Voice” contestant, EllieMae Millenkamp of Jerome, Idaho, was most worried about leading up to her on-screen audition. She sang Kacey Musgraves’, “Merry Go Round,” a country tune her band, “EllieMae” often performed in shows around the Ames area. It was a comfortable choice, one she practiced numerous times before, but the anticipation of performing in front of Blake Shelton, John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson brought along a new edge. Shelton is one of her idols, Millenkamp said, and, if chosen, she was hoping it would be by him. During the final notes of her audition — to her surprise — Shelton’s chair turned around, revealing she was chosen to be part of his team. “I didn’t think anybody would turn around,” Millenkamp said in a recent interview with the Ames Tribune. “It made me really emotional.” She began to cry as Shelton gave her a standing ovation. “We’re supposed to hear somebody we like and coach them, and I heard enough — I wanted you on my team,” 12 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
Shelton said to Millenkamp following her audition. “Welcome to Team Blake.” Although Shelton’s chair was the only chair that turned, Millenkamp’s voice earned praise from Clarkson. “I think you’re really great,” Clarkson said. “I love your tone, I love your song selection and you have the best coach.” Growing up, Millenkamp’s roots are tied to her family’s dairy farm, where her parents lead a successful business, she said. While the opportunity to take over the family business is a possible career move for the agriculture business major at ISU, Millenkamp wants to pursue music. “I just have a big heart for music and have always wanted to do music,” Millenkamp said. “‘The Voice’ is a big leap for me. I knew it would give me a big platform.” Although Millenkamp made it onto television screens across America during her performance, this wasn’t her first time auditioning for the NBC show. Prior to her on-screen debut, she previously auditioned at an open call and had not made it through. Later, she was invited back to audition another time, which led to the taping of the “blind audition” this summer, she said. Although Millenkamp has performed in shows around Ames and sang at last year’s ISU Homecoming Parade, the “The Voice” audition was the largest career-move she’s made, she said. “This is the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” Millenkamp said. The self-taught artist now has connections to the country singer who she can look to as a mentor, she said. “It’s really humbled me as a musician, just getting this opportunity,” Millenkamp said. While the experience placed Millenkamp in front of thousands of viewers, she encourages those interested in music to share their voice with any crowd — no matter the size. “I know this sounds (cliché), but put yourself out there,” Millenkamp said. “Don’t give up; keep pursuing that dream — the right doors will open up at the right time.” “The Voice” airs on NBC on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. central. “I would just like to say thanks to everybody that’s been supporting me on campus and from (the state of) Iowa,” Millenkamp said. “It’s been really cool to see all of the people supporting (me).”
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 13
Feature
Christian and Michelle Davies’ alpaca farm is home to many sizes and colors of the animals. PHOTO BY KYLEE MULLEN/GATEHOUSE IOWA
C&M Acres alpaca farm also features fiber mill By Kylee Mullen GateHouse Iowa
A
Story County alpaca farm and fiber mill celebrated National Alpaca Farm Days earlier this fall by opening its doors to the public for an opportunity to meet, pet and learn more about the unique animals and the fiber they produce. C&M Acres Fiber Mill and Alpacas, located southeast of Maxwell at 33707 663rd Ave., hosted the event is part of a coordinated effort by the Alpaca Owners Association to introduce alpacas and their fiber products to communities across the United States and Canada. Christian and Michelle Davies bought the farm in 2001 and started with a couple of horses. However, they soon realized they wanted a smaller animal that wouldn’t affect Michelle’s allergies. Eventually, they found alpacas. “Michelle is a pure city kid, and I’m a pure country kid,” Christian Davies said. “We realized we wanted something different, and we found alpacas in 2006. We started raising them and really got into them.” Davies described the alpacas, which grow to be between 150 and 200 pounds when full grown, as having “the
14 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
intelligence and attitude of a cat, which is both fun and can drive you crazy.” They can live into their mid-20s, have two toenails per foot that are trimmed with dog clippers, and the animals stand at about 36 inches at the shoulder. Davies said the farm is home to both alpaca breeds, the Huacaya and the Suri. Though their herd started out with four bred females and two herd sires in 2006, it has grown and fluctuated over the years. They have had as many as 104 alpacas at one time, and as few as 30. As the herd grew, Davies said, they found themselves overwhelmed by the amount of fiber and the expenses created by sending it elsewhere to be processed. They learned how to process the fiber themselves and started hand-spinning it, but still could not keep up. “We decided that, if we bought our own equipment, it wouldn’t take that many years to pay back our own stuff. What we found out was that within three months, we had to quit our jobs and just process,” he said. “Seven years ago, we opened up a commercial fiber mill.” Through the fiber processing mill, the Davies’ process
Feature
C&M ACRES, continued from page 14
various breeds of sheep, rabbit, goat, buffalo, llama and alpaca from farms across the country. They take the fleece from its raw state and turn it into yarn. Christian then weaves the finished product into rugs, scarves, blankets or shawls. Christian said a lot of work goes into creating the products sold in their farm store. Though the majority of their business comes from processing fiber from farms across the country, new products are being produced all the time from the Davies’ herd. In addition to fiber processing and fleece products, C&M Acres provides brokering and farm set up services, and offers classes for those interested in owning alpacas or weaving fiber. The couple enjoys people’s reactions when meeting alpacas for the first time and answering the sometimes quirky questions that aren’t relevant to the animal. “It’s everywhere from ‘Oh my God, how cute,’ to ‘What do you do with the eggs?’ Some people have a lot of background, and some people have no idea. But everyone wants to hug them, which usually is not very well received by the alpacas,” he said. For the record, alpacas don’t lay eggs.
Christian and Michelle Davies’ alpaca farm is home to many sizes and colors of the animals. PHOTO BY KYLEE MULLEN/GATEHOUSE IOWA
Christian Davies discusses the features of the full-service fiber mill that is part of C&M Acres, a business he runs with his wife Michelle. PHOTO BY KYLEE MULLEN/GATEHOUSE IOWA
C&M Acres Fiber Mill and Alpacas, located southeast of Maxwell at 33707 663rd Ave., features a giftshop with alpaca-related products. PHOTO BY KYLEE MULLEN/ GATEHOUSE IOWA
C&M Acres owners, Christian and Michelle Davies, raise alpacas and also run a full-service fiber mill on their farm, located southeast of Maxwell. PHOTO BY KYLEE MULLEN/GATEHOUSE IOWA
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 15
Spotlight
Ames High School student wins youth advocacy award By Kylee Mullen GateHouse Iowa
A
n Ames High School student is being honored for her passion and advocacy for civil liberties, as the recipient of the 2019 Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award, the ACLU of Iowa announced recently. Malika Davis, a transgendered woman of color, “has a long history of advocacy and helping others,” an ACLU of Iowa media release said. She is being recognized for advocating for LGBTQ issues, and for “transforming the hate she’s experienced into compassion and forgiveness.” “I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say it’s a cakewalk, but it’s a road that I’m walking and still walking. I’m taking it day by day,” she said in the release. When Westboro Baptist Church visited the high school this past April, the group’s first visit to Ames in nearly a decade, Davis organized a peaceful response, showing solidarity for students to feel safe and welcome rather than engaging in an “anti-protest.” When three members of the church arrived at the high school — equipped with signs inscribed with inflammatory language and threats of damnation — Davis and the Ames community responded with messages of love and unity. According to the media release, community members
handed out food, covered the sidewalks with displays of positivity and welcomed everyone who entered the school. Davis, a youth board member at Ames Pride, has also helped plan panels, lectures and youth-led session for parents and transgender students, such as the All Ages Drag Shows at Ames Public Library, the release said. In addition, Davis is involved in the high school’s trial and debate team, which she hopes will give her skills needed to one day become an attorney for undocumented youth. “I want to use any platform I can and any tools I can to help advocate for marginalized communities,” she said in the release. Davis was recognized for demonstrating “passion and advocacy for civil liberties” at the ACLU of Iowa Bill of Rights Brunch on Oct. 12 at the Hilton Downtown in Des Moines. She was given a $500 cash prize. “Malika is a bold young leader whose willingness to name injustice and to advocate for compassionate and community-minded solutions is an inspiration. We are proud to honor her with this award,” said Mark Stringer, ACLU of Iowa executive director.
Malika Davis, of Ames, was announced the winner of the 2019 Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award by the ACLU of Iowa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
16 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
Spolight
Ames school district welcomes new human resources director By Kiley Wellendorf GateHouse Iowa
T
he Ames Community School District welcomed Kristin Johnson as the district’s new human resources director during the Oct. 7 school board
meeting. “We’re excited to have Kristin on board with us,” Superintendent Jenny Risner said during meeting. “She started a few weeks ago, and so she hit the ground running (and) she’s a great resource for us.” Originally from Newton, Johnson attended the University of Iowa before graduating from law school cum laude from Iowa. In Johnson’s career, she began work for a law firm in Des Moines, and then moved to the State’s Personnel Department, where she gained collective bargaining work experience. Additionally, Johnson worked as a labor arbitrator and later joined the Civil Rights Commission, of which she became the director in 2015. “It was an excellent opportunity,” Johnson said about the Ames school district’s human resources position during an interview later in the week. “Their efforts in equity and inclusion and diversity are really ramping up, and I think that’s a great fit for me.” While Johnson had not previously held roles in education, she believes public education is important, she said. “I’m a very strong believer in public education — educators are my heroes,” Johnson said. “I always wanted to be involved in that area, and I thought that I could help make a difference and help Ames accomplish the goals that the board and the superintendent have set for the district.” As the director of human resources, Johnson is responsible for collective bargaining negotiations as the spokesperson on behalf of the board, she said. As chief negotiator, Johnson will administer contracts and ensure the intent of contracts are met and complied with. Additionally, Johnson is responsible for the human resources budget, oversees maintenance of employee records, prepares and maintains the employee handbook and conducts and oversees training of administration, staff and teachers on employment laws and regulations. “If there are questions of contract interpretation — it’s all new, and I wasn’t sure here during this negotiation, but this is what I did as a labor arbitrator,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of times similar language; there are principles, construction of contracts you use to be able to determine what the language means, and what the people who are covered by the collective bargaining agreement can do, what they’re entitled to, and what the employer can do.” While Johnson transitions into her new role, she looks forward to working with the department and district.
Members of the school board welcomed new hire Kristin Johnson to the district during Monday’s meeting. Photo submitted by the Ames Community School District
“I just want to continue the efforts that they’ve been making on hiring the equity director and working toward a 21st century school district that meets the needs of all of the students where we have employees who match the demographics of the students,” Johnson said.
“We’re excited to have Kristin on board with us,” Superintendent Jenny Risner said during meeting. “She started a few weeks ago, and so she hit the ground running (and) she’s a great resource for us.” FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 17
Spotlight
Bird populations are crashing, but we can mitigate the losses By Adrian Higgins The Washington Post
T
he arrival of crisp fall weather has gardeners thinking about the winter, a period of retreat in the garden but not of death. The plants’ withdrawal from the cold invites close examination of the leafless world. But if you need something beyond the display of holly berries, the smooth silver bark and latent buds of the magnolia, or the black silhouette of an old walnut tree, there is another, more vivid reminder that life goes on outdoors. We have the birds. Or do we? A study by ornithologists and other scientists released last month told us bird populations have crashed. Since 1970, the United States and Canada have lost nearly 3 billion, close to 30 percent fewer individuals. The losses are across habitats and species, though hardest hit are birds that inhabit the grasslands from Texas north into the Canadian prairie. The suspected causes? Habitat loss, more intensive agriculture and greater use of pesticides that kill the insects birds eat. For those of us who see the garden not just as a living expression of beauty but a place where we embrace nature, the news is a reminder that we have some power to mitigate this distressing loss. First and foremost, keep the cat indoors. Ask your neighbor to do the same. Cat predation is a major cause of bird mortality, according to the American Bird Conservancy. This is not just from pets but all the alley cats out there, themselves the product of people throwing unwanted, unsterilized felines to the four winds. The cats are the instrument of bird death, but we are the cause. Songbirds also die in large numbers by flying into windows. If this is a problem where you live, you can attach decals to your glazing. Another tactic is not to use pesticides, even sprays against mosquitoes, a pest
The type of trees and shrubs you choose can also make a big difference to birds. Shown is a cedar waxwing eating a chokeberry. PHOTO BY JANE GAMBLE 18 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
best countered by removing sources of standing water, especially in the spring. You might think the greatest step you can take for the birds is to feed them. This is, after all, the time of year our thoughts turn to nourishing birds through the chillier months ahead. Do the birds need this buffet? Perhaps not, but bird feed can help at key moments in the year, in April and May and September and October, when migrating birds need all the fuel they can get. “These movements mean a high expenditure of energy for what are often tiny animals,” said Emma Greig, program leader of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project Feeder Watch. “To have places along the way for them to rest and feed, that’s really important.” The other moment is in winter during periods of extreme cold. These sudden Arctic blasts can lead to a lot of bird death. Suet blocks work for insect-feeding birds “and are used by a wide variety of species,” Greig said. “They’re ideal for cold weather, the time when bird feeders actually enhance survival of some species.” The greatest value of bird feeding is to bring wild birds in proximity to us, so we can develop an affinity for them. Not all mixes are equal; striped sunflower, for example, is not favored by as many bird species as black-oil sunflower or hulled or chipped sunflowers, according to a three-year study, Project Wildbird. Project FeederWatch (feederwatch.org) has put together an infographic on common feeder birds and what their preferences are. Placement of feeders can be important — near shrub cover, but not where a stalking cat can hide, and close to a window, which will actually minimize window-strikes when birds seek cover from a swooping hawk, Greig said. If you really want to help birds, though, the way to do it is to mindfully develop your garden as a habitat where birds can find what they need to nest and raise young: food, cover and water year-round. One element of this is to not use pesticides. Another is to reduce the area of lawn in favor of bird-friendly plants. At the Audubon Naturalist Society’s 40-acre Woodend Nature Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Maryland, various projects in recent years have been implemented to improve avian habitats. A signal project is the conversion of a quarter-acre field of orchard grass into a native plant meadow of grasses and wildflowers. This draws and harbors insects, which many birds need to feed themselves and their young. Another display is the Blair Native Plant Garden, which shows garden-worthy plants found in the Appalachian Mountains, the piedmont and the coastal plain. Another approach is to layer plantings — ground covers, shrubs, trees — in a way that mimics natural areas and provides birds with the undergrowth they need, said Alison
BIRD POPULATIONS, continued from page 18
Pearce, the society’s director of restoration. In such gardens, expect to see wood thrushes and eastern towhees. The society has put together a guide for homeowners to build their own habitats at ANShome.org. Pearce encourages interested individuals to visit the sanctuary. The type of trees and shrubs you choose can also make a big difference to birds. Winterberries, American hollies and other Ilex provide important sources of winter berries. I used to have a February flock of cedar waxwings on my hollies; later the same trees drew plundering flocks of robins. In the dead of winter, the robins provided their own form of vital entertainment but also a sense that nothing is static in the garden, that one season is always foreshadowing the next.
A clutch of blue-gray gnat catchers awaits a meal of insects. PHOTO BY JANE GAMBLE
A Carolina wren sits on a redbud tree; redbuds support numerous insect species. PHOTO BY JANE GAMBLE
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 19
Savor
Roasted Pumpkin Loaves with Salted Breadcrumbs. Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times/TNS
A pumpkin spice treat you won’t be embarrassed to love By Ben Mims Los Angeles Times TNS
T
he idea of another pumpkin loaf either makes you excited or makes your eyes roll out of your head. If you’re in the latter camp, I implore you to give my iteration a shot. Because I like the idea of pumpkin spice things but not their execution, I developed this loaf to be about all the good qualities of the flavor — cloying lattes notwithstanding. I take real pumpkin and roast it with olive oil, salt and pepper to give the puree an umami edge. The loaf gets a crown of salty bread crumbs, perfumed with the usual “spice” suspects; it’s the ideal contrast to the tender loaf cake. Freshly ground spices do make a difference, but use the pre-ground kind if that’s what you have (but please don’t use preground nutmeg; the flavor is acrid and bitter). It’s a lightly sweet, kinda savory loaf, at home with butter slathered over the side with a drizzle of honey or with a thwack of ricotta and some chopped thyme. Best part: It’s the type of “PSL” treat where the spices accent the pumpkin flavor, not overwhelm it. ———
20 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
ROASTED PUMPKIN LOAVES WITH SALTY SPICED BREAD CRUMBS 1 hour 15 minutes. Makes 2 loaves. Why such a strange amount of pureed pumpkin? Because it’s the same amount as one can of pumpkin puree, and if you insist on using canned, I want you to be able to swap it for the homemade version here. In that same vein, you can swap all the spices used in the bread crumbs here for 1 1/2 tablespoons premixed pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have all those called for. Don’t want to mess with the bread crumbs at all? Omit them and the olive oil, and add the spices directly to the batter by whisking them with the flour in Step 3. Because this is a loaf in which I want the flavor of pumpkin to shine through most, I opt for using neutral-flavored vegetable oil in the cake, since olive oil would overwhelm it (and there’s already enough background flavor of it in the pumpkin puree and bread crumbs). Lastly, this loaf is a flatsy-tatsy on purpose. High-domed loaves are beautiful but to achieve them, the texture always suffers for me. I prefer these flat-top loaves, which have a very tender,
PUMPKIN SPICE, continued from page 20
moist crumb more akin to cake than bread. 1 tablespoon everyday olive oil, plus more for greasing the pans 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting pans 1/2 cup panko or plain bread crumbs 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil (see note) 2/3 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large eggs 1 3/4 cups pureed Roasted Pumpkin (see recipe below) or one 15-ounce can pureed pumpkin Flaky sea salt (optional) 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-by-5-by-3inch loaf pans with some olive oil and dust with flour, tapping out any excess. 2. Make the bread crumbs: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted, one to one and a half minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves and three-quarters teaspoon salt. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and remaining one teaspoon salt. In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla and eggs until smooth. Whisk in the pumpkin. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Savor 4. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, then sprinkle each with half the spiced bread crumbs; if you like, sprinkle each with a pinch of flaky salt. Bake the loaves side by side until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of each loaf comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. 5. Transfer the pans to racks and let cool completely. Unmold and slice or wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to one week. ROASTED PUMPKIN 2 hours. Makes about 4 cups. 1 whole sugar pumpkin or kabocha squash (3 1/2 to 4 pounds) 2 tablespoons everyday olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. 2. Split the pumpkin from stem to blossom end. Scoop out and discard all the seeds and fibrous strings. Place the halves cut side up on the baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil, using your fingers to rub it all over the exposed flesh. Season the pumpkin liberally with salt and pepper. Bake until the pumpkin is very tender and lightly caramelized at the edges, about two hours. 3. Remove the sheet from the oven and let the pumpkin cool. While it is still slightly warm, scoop the pumpkin flesh from the skins and either mash it or puree it in a food processor. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freezer for up to two months; thaw before using.
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 21
Savor
A selection of wines in different wine glasses. Photo for The Washington Post by Deb Lindsey
To heighten wine’s flavors, you need the right glass. But you only need one. By Dave McIntyre Special to The Washington Post
L
ast week, I discussed the debate over whether decanting benefits wine by allowing it to breathe when exposed to air. The verdict was mixed. Decanters can be expensive and unwieldy, and difficult to clean. They are useful for pouring older wines off their sediment, and the ritual of decanting can add to our enjoyment of wine, especially in more formal settings. For improving a wine’s flavor, however, the glass is more important than a decanter. The size and shape of a wine glass will affect the aromas and flavors, not just as you swirl and sip, but throughout your meal. This doesn’t mean you need to invest in expensive crystal stemware, or a variety of differently shaped glasses. “You don’t really need any other type of wine glass beyond an allpurpose glass,” writes Maryse Chevriere, a sommelier and the James Beard Award-winning wine satirist of Fresh Cut Garden Hose on Instagram, in her new book, “Grasping the Grape: Demystifying Grape Varieties to Help You Discover the Wines You Love.” “Especially, if you’re just starting to get into wine.” So, if you are new to wine, or considering a gift to someone who is, what should you look for in an all-purpose
22 | FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019
glass? Chevriere lays out a few basic criteria. “If you only get to pick one, a clear, thin-lipped, ‘cut rim’ all-purpose glass should be it,” she writes, describing it as “a stemmed glass with a U-shaped bowl that is wider at the stem and narrows slightly as it gets up to the rim.” She adds: “It’s the wine glass equivalent of the perfect pair of jeans.” That U-shaped bowl is often called a tulip, because of its resemblance to the flower. The narrower rim focuses the aroma and guides the wine to your palate rather than down your shirt. The thin “cut rim” is favored over a thicker “rolled rim” for the same reason. Different sizes, with glasses for white wines smaller than those for reds, evolved for a reason. White wines, such as a riesling or sauvignon blanc, tend to be acidic, and a smaller, narrower tulip will direct them toward the tip of your tongue, while a bigger, wider glass will direct fleshier, tannic reds, such as cabernet sauvignon, to the middle of your palate - all in the hopes of balancing the wine and showing it at its best. Those bigger glasses may be ideal as well for full-bodied white wines, such as oaky chardonnay or skin-fermented “orange” wines.
WINE GLASSES, continued from page 22
Some stemware is marketed as all-purpose. “The One,” by master sommelier Andrea Robinson, is actually two, with a white-wine version and a slightly larger red-wine glass. They sell for about $15 a stem on Amazon. A fancier glass by British wine writer Jancis Robinson and glass blower Richard Brendon goes for $112 a pair. It’s delicate, precisely balanced and intended for use with sparkling and fortified wines as well. But, of course, you can find your own “all-purpose” wine glass. Find one you like, with the specifications above for best results. You’ll want something that not only fits your budget, but also feels good in your hand as you swirl the wine and tip the glass to your lips. That’s not as silly or pretentious as it sounds: I’ve used glasses that felt top-heavy, when swirling seems dangerous and the glass less steady on the table. These are most likely inexpensive department store stemware. If you drink a lot of sparkling wine, be it champagne or prosecco, I suggest investing in a set of special glasses for bubbly. It’s perfectly acceptable, even trendy, to drink sparkling from a regular glass, but smaller tulip-shaped stems, or even straight and narrow flutes, focus the bubbles - which, after all, put the sparkle in sparkling wine. They also help with portion control - important, given the price of champagne. I’m not dismissing fancy, expensive wine glasses. They have elegance, and can help express the nuances of fine wine.
Savor And different-shaped glasses can draw out fruit flavors or emphasize oak. As with many aspects of wine, there’s a lifetime of exploration for all of us. If you’re just starting out on your wine quest, find an allpurpose glass that suits you. Then branch out. As your love of wine develops, you’ll want to explore different glassware, too. It can get expensive. But it doesn’t have to be.
FACETS | NOVEMBER 2019 | 23