YOUR COMMUNITY WEEKLY
STORY COUNTY
INSIDE: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 35 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Ames Children’s Choirs Holiday Concert Dec. 4 at Bethesda The Ames Children’s Choirs will present their annual Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave. The program will feature a variety of music accompanied by piano, harp and percussion. The Ames Children’s Choirs program consists of three choirs of boys and girls ages 7 to 18 from the following communities: Ames, Boone, Colo, Huxley, Nevada, Ogden, Radcliffe and Slater. Tickets are on sale at Rieman Music in Ames or at the door: $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. For more information, contact Shon Stephenson at info@ameschildrenschoirs. org or (515) 290-1422.
The Ames Children’s Choirs will present their annual Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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The Story County Sun is published weekly on Wednesdays by GateHouse Media, at 317 Fifth St., Ames, IA, 50010. (515) 233-3299 Mary Beth Scott, sales manager, (515) 663-6951, MScott@amestrib.com. Ali Eernisse, RE Weekly, (515) 663-6956, AEernisse@amestrib.com. Megan Wolff, content coordinator, (515) 663-6920, news@midiowasun.com.
Publisher: Scott Anderson Advertising Director: John Greving
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TUBACHRISTMAS returns to Ames A MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS concert will return to Ames on Saturday, Dec. 10, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave. There is no admission charge for this unique hour-long concert performed by more than 100 tubas and euphoniums. Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged for tubas and euphonium. The warm, rich, organlike sound of the tubaeuphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience.
This year, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS concerts will be presented in more than 250 cities throughout the United States and in several
foreign countries. Michael Golemo, director of bands at Iowa State University, serves as the coordinator and conductor of the Ames TUBACHRISTMAS. According to Golemo, “This will be our seventhannual TUBACHRISTMAS. We’re hoping to again have over 100 tuba players participate. “New this year, and due to audience demand, we will present two performances. The first concert will be at 11 a.m. and the second at 1:30 p.m. It is a fun, festive and familyfriendly concert.” First United Methodist Church will offer a
community-wide lunch on Dec. 10, the same day as TUBACHRISTMAS. Soup, sandwiches and dessert will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free-will donation with the monies raised going to Food at First. If you play the tuba or euphonium and you wish to participate in these Dec. 10 concerts, go to www.amestuba christmas.com or contact Mike Golemo at mgolemo@mchsi.com or (515) 291-9341. For more information about TUBACHRISTMAS, visit www.ames tubachristmas.com.
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Members from the BCPAA annual meeting.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ballard Community Performing Arts Association receives grant Ballard Community Performing Arts Association (BCPAA) received a $250 Thrivent Choice Dollar award to aid BCPAA in purchasing music and supplies for their band and chorus. BCPAA is a 501 3c nonprofit group. During the 2016 summer season, both groups performed at Cambridge Fireman’s Festival, Slater Community Fourth of July and Huxley Prairie Fest. The band provided a pre-concert to the July 7 Ames Community Band performance at the Ames Bandshell. These concerts were directed and accompanied by Brandon Weeks, band director and Dianne
STORY COUNTY SUN CALL233-3299 TO ADVERTISE
Jordan, chorus director. Band and chorus members are from the Ballard community and other cities. BCPAA welcomes new members at any time and there are no auditions — just a desire to play and/or sing with the group. Rehearsals are on
Monday nights with band at 6:30 p.m. and choir at 7:30 p.m. in the Ballard HIgh School band/choir room. BCPAA’s next performance owill be on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Ballard High School for their annual winter season concert. All are welcome.
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Ames Middle School mock trial team third at state Ames Middle School’s mock trial Team Black won first place in the regional competition held Oct. 28 in Marshalltown, and then finished third at the state competition held Nov. 14-16. This is the first time both Ames Middle School Mock Trial teams — Black team and Orange team — advanced to state and the first time in 23 years since an Ames Middle School team made it to the final four teams in the state. The Orange team took second place at the regional. Mock Trial is designed to introduce sixth-, seventhand eighth-graders to the courtroom and legal system, and enhance their public
Black Team State, front row, from left, Matthew JacobsonFisher, Leslie Kim, Annabella Marquez and Emma Dorhout; back row, from left, Daniel Lee, Malik Davis, Sophia Cordoba, Mariam Mkhitaryan, Erin Yoon and Suya Que. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
speaking and critical thinking skills. Ames Middle School
mock trial teams, led by teacher Shannon Fitchko, have worked hard preparing questions and memorizing courtroom procedures. “This year was extra special because our teams were led by Peggy Michelotti, a practicing attorney who gave these children no less than a college law course,
Orange Team State, front row, from left, Angelina Chen, Michael Huang, David Lee, Peter Marshall-Gilbert and Elaina Johnson; back row, from left, Yujie Chen, Alicia Nicolas, Mia O’Connor-Walker, Amy Zhang, Elizabeth Burras and Adrian Guan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
donating her free time to our kids,” Fitchko said. During the competitions, school teams from different cities were paired against each other in separate courtrooms. The teams were judged on their memorization, their acting ability, their teamwork and other criteria.
Daniel Lee, an eighthgrader and third-time attorney, said during the state competition, “The tension as we entered the courtroom was substantial, but the excitement when the trial started was even greater. Ultimately, the semi-final round was a mesmerizing experience.”
Mock Trial Team Regional results: Black Team — First Place: Daniel Lee, Malik Davis, Erin Yoon, Annabella Marquez, Emma Dorhout, Mariam Mkhitaryan, Sophia Cordoba, Suya Que, Matthew Jacobson-Fisher, Leslie Kim. Orange Team— Second Place: Mia O’Connor-Walker, Alicia Nicolas, Amy Zhang, Elizabeth Burras, David Lee, Yujie Chen, Michael Huang, Adrian Guan, Peter Marshall-Gilbert, Elaina Johnson, Angelina Chen, Daniel Yakobson. Mock Trial State results: Congratulations to Black Team for its thirdplace finish at State Mock Trial — Daniel Lee, Malik Davis, Erin Yoon, Annabella Marquez, Emma Dorhout, Mariam Mkhitaryan, Sophia Cordoba, Suya Que, Matthew Jacobson-Fisher.
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Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) President Rob Denson, left, recently presented a custom-made medallion created by DMACC’s Tool and Die students to General Xhavit Gashi, the consul general of Kosovo in Iowa CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
DMACC’s Denson presents medallion to Kosovo’s consul general Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) President Rob Denson recently presented a custom-made medallion created by DMACC’s Tool and Die students to General Xhavit Gashi, the consul general of Kosovo in Iowa. This special medallion recognizes the dynamic partnership between Iowa and Kosovo in Des Moines and can be used by the Consul General to show appreciation to those who have made this partnership possible and work for its success. DMACC has had a growing relationship with Kosovo for years. Several
delegations from Kosovo have visited DMACC and toured the DMACC Urban Campus, Ankeny Campus and Southridge Center, as well as enjoying DMACC Culinary Dinners. Denson and officials from Kosovo have discussed how Kosovo might benefit from DMACC’s
model of higher education. In 2013-14, DMACC selected Kosovo as its “Country of the Year” to celebrate it as part of its annual program to honor and study countries around the world. DMACC has already had one Kosovo student graduate and it looking forward to an active student exchange. DMACC Tool and Die Professor John Neumayer and his students have made customized medallions which President Denson has presented to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other political and business leaders across the nation.
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Roland-Story agriculture mechanic students Caleb Schlatter and Kyle Cassels work on labs where they are learning skills sets in the area of electricity and wiring. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Electrical wiring training continues at Roland-Story ag mechanics class Agriculture mechanic students Caleb Schlatter and Kyle Cassels are two of the students enrolled this semester in the class and have recently undertaken working on labs where they are learning skills sets in the area of electricity and wiring.
In their latest lab, they are demonstrating collaboration while undertaking one of their medium level electrical wiring labs. According to Brad Taylor, agriculture instructor, “this lesson was designed to evaluate the students ability to productively work
with another student while at the same time demonstrate the ability to read and follow blueprints on a wiring scheme.” The students have one final set of wiring labs remaining which will pertain to three-way switches.
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Twenty-five members of the Gilbert FFA Chapter enjoyed their recent activity as part of the ISU Cyclone FFA Hockey Night. Chapter members and officers were able to see a great hockey game and then received skate rentals and ice time following as part of their admission. Gilbert plans recreational activities for members as part of the Healthy Lifestyles committee. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ballard Cub Scouts Pack 163 held its November Pack meeting down at Skyzone in Grimes. Fifty-eight scouts and family members spent an hour at the facility having a lot of fun. Pack 163 holds its Pack meetings once a month in the local area and are centered around scouting activities, skills, and fun for the entire family. To learn more about Cub Scouts in the Ballard area (Huxley, Slater, Cambridge, Kelley) please contact us at ballardcubscouts@hotmail.com. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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Roland-Story FFA members work with second-graders packaging 5,200 meals that will be shipped to a school in rural Tanzania. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Roland-Story FFA sponsors ‘Kids Against Hunger’
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Roland-Story agriculture students and FFA members, headed by program chair Jade Elliott, Wyatt Origer and Jon Sansgaard sponsored a program to advocate and educate all the RolandStory second-grade students about world hunger. The program they coordinated is titled ‘Kids Against Hunger (KAH)” and focuses on the worldwide poverty problems that exist within the undeveloped countries, especially in Africa. The second-graders with assistance from the FFA members packaged 5,200 meals that will be shipped to a school in rural Tanzania. According to Brad Taylor, agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor, “The program that Jade, Wyatt and Jon organized is
a very meaningful program that can have some instant impacts on families in several African nations. “Our research indicates that over 30,000 people die daily from poverty related problems, with a large number being children from these underdeveloped countries. We hope to make a small dent into this problem by educating others and becoming an advocate for this problem.” In addition to the FFA members food packaging imitative, Floyd and Cathy Hammer, of Outreach International, made presentations to the students on their firsthand experiences in rural Tanzania. Pictured are FFA members working with second-graders packaging the meals.
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VOLUNTEER CENTER OF STORY COUNTY The Volunteer Center of Story County connects people of all ages with volunteer opportunities, promotes volunteering and recognizes volunteers. Visit www.vcstory.org for additional information, to volunteer, or to list volunteer needs. Or call (515) 2685323, email volunteer@ vcstory.org or visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 110 Crystal St, Ames, Iowa 50010.
#GIVING TUESDAY BLANKET MAKERS
CENTRAL IOWA PROJECT LINUS Make a Blanket for Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29. These blankets will be delivered to children in need before the end of the holiday season. We will congregate at Ames Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m.
#SERVICE HAT KICKOFF
VOLUNTEER CENTER OF STORY COUNTY The community is invited to join the VCSC in starting a new campaign and making a pledge of service and support to our community. Information about opportunities and a project will be available at the VCSC Office from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES The Department of Human Services is in need of individuals to help make
this holiday season special for local families in need. Your company, family, or organization can make a difference by purchasing gifts for those who need help this year. Let’s make this holiday season extra special!
BOOK SORTER
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE We are in need of people who love books and know books, to sort the many many many donated books we receive weekly. We sort books into two categories - books we can sell, and books we transport to Half Price Books for recycle. We then sort the books we keep into genre to be placed in our “library” for sale in the store. For the right person,
this is a dream volunteer position. Your hours are flexible; come in whenever you have an hour (or four) to sort.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES The Department of Human Services is in need of individuals to help make this holiday season special for local families in need. Your company, family, or organization can make a difference by purchasing gifts for those who need help this year. Let’s make this holiday season extra special
DONATION RECIEVER/ SORTER
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE Volunteers help sort donations received at the store. May include light cleaning of items and pricing. Can also include stocking items in store.
BELL RINGERS
THE SALVATION ARMY — STORY COUNTY The Salvation Army is in need of more than 3,000 hours of Red Kettle Bell Ringers this Christmas season. Families are welcome. Must be at least 16 years old to ring alone.
Please go to www.ringames. org to find shifts available in Ames, Nevada and Huxley.
HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION
YSS Three days — major gift collection/drop off days for our Holiday Giving Program
(sponsor-a-family). We need volunteers to ensure collect gifts, thank donors, give them donation receipts, help us move gifts when it gets full and sort/organize gifts by family code for pickup (if needed).
See page 18
Dining
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VOLUNTEER CENTER OF STORY COUNTY Continued from page 17
TOY SHOP ELF
THE SALVATION ARMY — STORY COUNTY The Salvation Army provided Christmas gifts to 496 children across Story County last year and 245 families received a Christmas meal. We are looking for your assistance on distribution day, Tuesday, Dec. 20. Volunteers will need to be friendly and compassionate, able to lift up to 20 pounds, and bend and carry toys around the toy room. Spanish language speaking volunteers are welcome. Flexibility with time shifts. There is also a need for volunteers to help set up the shop on Dec. 19.
FADD’S PARTY
YSS This party will be on Dec. 12. We especially need volunteers or a group who is willing to come up with a craft/activities for the kids and lead them during the event. Volunteers are provided with a meal.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND FOOD SIGN-UP
THE SALVATION ARMY — STORY COUNTY The Salvation Army needs your assistance in signing up families for our annual Christmas Gifts & Food Sign Up. Last year, we gave away 496 gifts to children across Story County.
This year, we anticipate that number to go up. Sign up will be from Nov. 7-11 at our service center at 703 E. Lincoln Way. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Spanish-speaking language skills are welcome.
HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION
YSS Three days — major gift collection/drop-off days for our holiday giving program (sponsor-a-family). We need volunteers to ensure collect gifts, thank donors, give them donation receipts, help us move gifts when it gets full and sort/organize gifts by family code for pickup (if needed).
CLOTHING DONATION LEAD ASSISTANT
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE This team is dedicated
to working on the clothing donations that come to the store. Clothing sorters work independently to sort good, sellable clothing from the items that can not be sold due to rips, stains and other items. We sort, price, clean, steam, hang and otherwise get the clothing ready for sale. This is a fun task as it involves getting the first look at all the clothing that comes into the store. This might be great for textiles and design majors at ISU and anyone who loves clothing.
DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDRAISING
KHOI COMMUNITY RADIO KHOI is seeking volunteers to assist with the development and fund raising. Volunteer tasks include organizing, event planning and set up, develop invitations and mailers, photographing,
taping, fund drives and donor relations.
READING AVENUE
COMMUNITY HOUSING INITIATIVES Reading Avenue is a program that incorporates literacy with fun activities such as reading games and reading sessions with a trained animal assisted therapy dog. Reading Avenue occurs at Eastwood of Ames. We are seeking a few regular volunteers to assist us with staffing the reading sessions. Reading Avenue is from 3 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
RECYCLING BOOK DRIVERS
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE Do you frequently travel to Des Moines for work or errands or shopping? We would love your help occasionally. We have books and media items to recycle
at Half Price Books and are looking for people that can take a couple boxes as they go to Half Price Books to sell and, of course, return the funds back to the store. This helps us increase our bottom line, but also helps keep things out of the landfill.
FRONT DESK HOST AND HOSTESS
AMES HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Ames Historical Society is looking for volunteers to operate the front desk from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The front desk volunteer is in charge of meeting and greeting patrons, answering the phone,and assisting patron’s needs including but not limited to: donations, research needs, and brief tours. See page 19
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VOLUNTEER CENTER OF STORY COUNTY Continued from page 18
BRAIN BOOSTERS MATH ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY HOUSING INITIATIVES Brain Booster is a program that supports a child’s understanding of numbers and math. Each activity we use different tools to explore math and numbers. Commonly used tools are food, Legos and games. We are seeking consistent volunteers to help staff math sessions. Duties include setting up the room, assisting kids with the activity, encouraging positive behavior and clean up. Brain Boosters is from 3 to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month
materials, email blasts, web site content, social networking, Membership — database management, on-air pitching, phone banks, Event and speaking engagements
MENTORS
BUTTERFLY FREEDOM HOUSE Mentors for program participants are needed. Training and support is provided.
COMMODITY DELIVERY
POLK COUNTY SUPPLEMENTAL FOODS
A volunteer is needed to deliver commodities to seniors in Story City and OUTREACH & PUBLIC Ames once a month as part RELATIONS of the commodity supplemental food program. We are willing to be flexible with day and time of deliveries. Interested volunteers must complete an application, criminal and offender background checks and KHOI is seeking volunteers to assist with outreach motor vehicle report. Volunteers will be reimbursed for and public relations. The their mileage as part of this tasks include: Marketing — writing, editing, newsletter, program. mailings, flyers, brochures SCIENCE, SCIENCE! and other promotional
KHOI COMMUNITY RADIO
COMMUNITY HOUSING INITIATIVES Science, Science! is an enrichment activity for preschool and school age children at Eastwood of Ames. We explore the various areas of science by helping the children conduct fun experiments. This activity engages all participants to be active learners. Science, Science occurs the first and third Thursdays of the month.
PEN PALS
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE We have 15 children in Uganda we support and they love receiving letters from people here in the states. We need kids (or adults) to help us write letters to them and send pictures. We have the paper, crayons, pens, markers and the like in the store so kids
or families can come in once a month or once a quarter and write to the kids we support.
multiple days per week or stay for longer if their schedule allows.
FOOD PANTRY/FAMILY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
EXCHANGE STUDENT HOST FAMILIES
MID-IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION
IOWA OVERFLOW RESOURCE FOR THRIFT STORE INTERNATIONAL Are you skilled in fixing things? We sometimes need SERVICE help with some mainte-
Volunteers at MICA’s Family Development office primarily help with the food pantry — everything from receiving and tracking donations to sorting and packing them into food boxes ready for different sized families to pick up. Some volunteers also help at the front desk with answering the phone, greeting visitors, scheduling appointments, giving out food boxes, and helping connect families with the appropriate staff person for their question. Volunteers come in at a regular time on an ongoing basis — usually an hour or so per week on the same day/time, but some volunteers come
IRIS works with the U.S. Department of State to implement the Youth Exchange & Study (YES) Program in Iowa. Host families are needed for one semester or full school year commitments. Students live as a member of your family — chores, meals, church, activities, and other family expectations. Families receive a small stipend to offset school and activity
registration and fees, and students are provided with monthly stipends to cover some of their personal costs.
MAINTENANCE & REPAIR
nance and repair … some on the building, some on things we receive. Sign up for a once a month time to help us and we’ll keep an ongoing list of things needing repair.
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Five men from the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity worked alongside Northcrest residents in preparing the gardens for winter on Saturday, Nov. 11. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Bingo is held at Heartland Senior Services at 1 p.m. every Thursday. From left, Howard McPhail and Beth Swanson, bingo volunteers; Sadie Wilson, one of the Bingo callers, and Marilyn Ingham, the jackpot winner in November. Join us any Thursday for fun. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO