Good morning Ames! Yesterday I learned that the guy who created Paw Patrol also created Bob the Builder. His name is Keith Chapman and that puts him on the Mount Rushmore of kids’ entertainment as far as I’m concerned. Right up there with Mr. Rogers, Walt Disney, and Ed Catmull (Pixar).

Lets do it.

— Chance

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La Casa Maya Is Back

If you missed the news earlier this week, La Casa Maya reopened Monday at their new location which was formerly known as Old Chicago (1610 S. Kellogg Ave). The beloved Ames restaurant is back in business and ready to see familiar faces. Go check out the new spot and welcome them back!

Your Alley and Your Recycling Cart Have a Problem

If you live on a property that backs up to an alley in Ames, you may have noticed something frustrating since curbside recycling launched July 1 — your service isn't quite working the way everyone else's is. The automated recycling trucks simply can't navigate most Ames alleys safely. Power lines run too low, widths are too narrow, and dead ends make turning around impossible. About 1,000 alley-adjacent properties are caught in this situation, 27 residents have formally complained, and 8 have opted out of the program entirely.

The city presented the council four options ranging from keeping curbside-only service; all the way to adding full alley service across all 82 alley blocks at an extra cost of $80,000 per year. No decision has been made yet, but one is coming.

 More US 30 Is Getting Work Done

Start planning now. Iowa DOT is closing westbound US 30 ramps at Duff Avenue from January through April 2027, and the Dayton Avenue ramps from January through September 2027 all for pavement replacement work.

SE 16th Street will serve as the detour route. The Iowa DOT will maintain the detour and compensate the city for any damage caused by increased traffic. The agreement has been approved and the timeline is set. It's a few months away but worth knowing early. January will be here faster than you think. (more)

These Ames Streets Are Getting Repaved

A $4.5 million paving contract was awarded to Manatt's Inc. for asphalt improvements on the following streets: Hillcrest Ave, Ellis St, Kentucky Ave, Illinois Ave, Indiana Ave, Oklahoma Dr, and Delaware Ave. If you live on any of these streets, construction is coming. No specific timeline has been announced yet. (more)

Poster Sale @ ISU Memorial Union - The annual fall poster sale continues in the Campanile Room, with prints, postcards, and tapestries benefiting the Memorial Union Art Gallery. Last day is the 28th. 10-6pm

Taste of Campustown @ Campustown - Dozens of Campustown restaurants roll out samples, specials, and sidewalk sales in one big crawl through the neighborhood. 4-8pm

Lincoln Highway Days @ Nevada, Iowa - A 5K, a parade, a rodeo, and a full weekend of small-town celebration commemorating the Lincoln Highway. Runs through Sunday.

August Planetarium Show: The Sun @ ISU Planetarium - An interactive look at our home star, with showtimes at 5:30, 6:15, 7, and 7:45pm. Arrive early, latecomers can't be seated.

Nevada Truck and Tractor Pull @ Story County Fairgrounds - The famous pull returns with more to see, pull, and eat than ever. 6pm

Tiny Deck Concert Featuring Doomed Pioneers @ Wheatsfield Co-op - An Ames-based vocal-and-guitar duo drifts between Bossa Nova and folk on the east deck. 6-7:30pm

Never Come Down w/ Ella Voloshen @ Alluvial Brewing - A Portland folk-and-bluegrass favorite returns with Ella Voloshen opening. 7pm

Ames Main Street Farmers' Market @ Downtown Ames - Meyer's Pony Rides joins the vendor lineup this week. 8am-12:30pm

Monarch Magic @ Ada Hayden Heritage Park - A pollinator-themed family event with conservation groups, crafts, an obstacle course, and a bioblitz. 10am-1pm

Nature Ink @ McFarland Park - Forage for plants, berries, and nuts to make natural inks, followed by a hands-on ink-making demo. 10-11:30am

Craft Market @ The Dot Cafe - Local artists and creatives set up outside the coffee shop with handmade goods. 10am-2pm

Iowa Vintage Fest @ North Grand Mall - 50+ vendors from across the Midwest bring vintage clothing, jewelry, and collectibles.11am-5pm

🎸Jenny Kohls Band @ Cornbred BBQ - 6-9pm

Nevada Community Rodeo @ Story County Fairgrounds - The reigning Rodeo of the Year (2019-2025) rides again. 6:30pm

Family Movie Night: Disney's "A Bug's Life" @ Reiman Gardens - Crafts and bug encounters lead into an outdoor screening under the Bald Cypress Allee. 7-10pm

Mother's Pub Flea Market @ Mother's Pub - Vintage finds, handmade crafts, and resale treasures from local vendors. 12-4pm

Sunday Music Series @ Prairie Moon - Opus Taylor takes the vineyard stage for wine, pizza, and live music. 3-6pm

Roosevelt Summer Sundays: Southbound @ Roosevelt Park - The 23rd season closes with an Allman Brothers tribute band, plus the annual night-of-giving donation drive for Food at First and MICA. 7-8:30pm

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who needs a multi-week fly fishing trip each year to reset.

See you next week.