Good morning Ames! TIL Jason Derulo has a tank full of sharks in his living room. The only way I can ever think knowing this might be useful is if it comes up on Jeopardy! so on the off chance you get on the show and it happens to be a question on that episode, you’re welcome.

In today’s scoop:

Lets get started.

— Chance

Ames Kids Are Getting a New Way to Learn to Read

The Ames School Board unanimously approved a new elementary literacy program last week, signing a $700,000 contract with Magnetic Literacy that covers five years of materials, tools, and licenses.

The program is designed to build reading, writing, and speaking skills together rather than in isolation. The idea being that decoding, comprehension, and language development work better when they're taught as connected pieces rather than separate subjects.

Community feedback was mixed. One parent called it a rehash of old curriculum with some digital content added. Others who dug into the research felt the data backed the program up. The board heard all of it and voted yes unanimously anyway. (source)

Ames Got Its Moment

If you caught John McGivern's Main Streets recently, you already know… Ames got the spotlight, and it delivered.

The feature painted Ames as exactly what most of us already know it to be: a dynamic little city punching well above its weight. A college town, sure, but one with genuine character, deep roots, and a local business scene that holds its own against anywhere in the Midwest.

A few highlights that made the cut: The Campanile, still ringing daily after 125 years. The M-Shop, which went from fixing bikes to hosting The Smashing Pumpkins. Reiman Gardens, home to Elwood (the world's largest concrete gnome) in case you needed a conversation starter. Hickory Park moving 20,000 pounds of meat every single week. Dog-Eared Books running 14 different book clubs under one roof. And Piece & Freedom Bakery, a Ukrainian-owned gem that's become a community favorite faster than almost any business in recent memory.

The feature also touched on the Student Innovation Center, where ISU students are somehow working on both culinary arts and lunar soil mining robots in the same building. Only in Ames.

It's easy to take this city for granted when you live here. Sometimes it takes an outsider pointing a camera at it to remember how genuinely good we've got it. (video)

Ames Is Building a New Park

Fifty acres of land on the north side of Ames is about to become something great. The city just needs to know what you want it to be.

The City of Ames is hosting an open house for Ontario Park on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 5658 Ontario St. Show up, walk the property, and tell Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham what you'd like to see built there. Off-street parking is available.

The city purchased the 50-acre site back in fall 2023 and has been planning ever since. Phase one is already taking shape; demolition of existing buildings, a new parking lot, a bridge over Clear Creek, and an initial path connecting the two. The rest gets built out in future phases, which is exactly why your input now actually matters.

Fifty acres is a lot of park. Go help decide what Ames does with it. (source)

The Olive Garden we have all been waiting for

Ames has been waiting for an Olive Garden for what feels like forever, and the question on everyone's mind is the same.. when does it actually open?

No official date yet, but the rumor making the rounds is June 1st. Take that with a grain of salt — and maybe a breadstick — but if it holds up, never-ending pasta season is almost here.

We'll report back the second we know anything official.

The Toasted Cone @ The Parc -  A sweet treat night you don't need an excuse to attend. Grab something delicious, enjoy the weather, and call it a very good Thursday. 6-8pm (info)  

🎸Tom Box @ London Underground - 7-9pm

Bingo Night @ Torrent Brewing - Head to the taproom early, grab a seat, and get ready for a free family-friendly bingo night with great prizes and even better beer. It's a great excuse to spend your evening at a brewery. 7-9pm (info)  

🎸Sarah Routh & Wally Neal @ Alluvial Brewing - 7pm

AFP Kick Off @ Ames Ford Lincoln - Walk around and see hundreds of makes and models from all over the area. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the view. 6pm (info)  

🎸The New Sincerest @ Mary Jane’s - DJ set at 9pm

Food Truck Friday @ The Parc - Pho Wheels & Sushi bringing the Asian fusion heat or Mulberry Farm serving up fresh tacos. If you can’t choose between the two, getting both won't hurt. 6-8pm (info)

Sourdough Contest @ Farmers Market - Whether you've been nurturing your starter for years or just caught the sourdough bug last month join in on the sourdough competition and take your shot at glory. Pre-register today (May 7th) by 5PM and let the bread do the talking. 9am (info)  

🎸Roman Hart @ Mary Jane’s - 8pm 

Bird Fest @ Wild Birds Unlimited - A full day of bird walks, a live owl program, expert talks, free kids bird bags, and prize giveaways. Starting with an early bird warbler walk at 6AM for the truly dedicated and wrapping up with an urban bird walk at 7:30PM for everyone else. More information on Bird Fest events here

🎸Robbie Michael @ Sam’s Place - 9pm 

🎸Grainne Hunt & Jules Stewart @ Alluvial Brewing - 7pm

Twelfth Night @ Tye Recital Hall - Twelfth Night, a celebrated early music ensemble out of New York City, is bringing their harpsichord, violin, and theorbo for an intimate evening of 17th and 18th century music that's equal parts concert and living history lesson. 7:30pm (info)

Mother’s Day High Tea & Terrarium Workshop @ Life Distilled - A cozy afternoon of tea, treats, and building your own whimsical air plant terrarium that's a whole lot more memorable than flowers that'll be dead by Wednesday. Bring your mom, bring your kids, or bring whoever deserves a really lovely afternoon. 4-5:30pm (info)  

Mother’s Day 5k Fun Run @ Alluvial Brewing - Take mom for a Mother's Day 5K around Alluvial Brewing and Prairie Moon Winery, then celebrate at the finish line with a cold craft beer or a glass of wine. Run it, walk it, jog it, just make sure you're there when the drinks are poured. 11am (info)

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who tried to put up their own wallpaper and ended up calling a professional two days later. It’s me. I call the pro and I’m not ashamed of it.

See you next week.