Good morning Ames! Anyone else think Olive Garden tastes better in Ames than anywhere else?

Lets get started.

— Chance

The Plaza Opens Monday

Mark your calendars. Steven L. Schainker Plaza opens to the public Monday, June 16. After a year and a half of chain-link fencing, we're choosing to celebrate that without any fine print in the headline. The plaza will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The splash pad runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Several repairs remain, a few nozzles in the splash pad are still being worked out, and some concrete fixes are scheduled for the week of June 15. The state still needs to give final approval for the splash pad before it can officially run, so there's a small chance that piece takes a day or two longer. The city is optimistic it'll be ready by Monday. (more)

Ames Is Helping Fight a Parasite Outbreak in Texas

A team from the USDA's national center here in Ames has been deployed to help combat a screwworm outbreak currently spreading through animals in Texas. If you've never heard of screwworms, consider yourself lucky. They're parasitic flies whose larvae burrow into the living flesh of animals, and they're as bad as they sound. The U.S. eradicated them decades ago, but they've been creeping back across the southern border and officials are moving fast to stop them from gaining a foothold. (more)

Mark Your Calendars Now For Fourth of July Fireworks

Ames is lighting up the sky on July 3rd and you won't need to fight for a spot on someone's roof to see it. The fireworks display will be launching from ISU Parking Lot G10, east of Jack Trice Stadium. The show kicks off at 10pm and runs 15 to 20 minutes. Grab a spot in the adjacent stadium parking lots, lay out a blanket, and enjoy. Rain date is July 5 if the weather doesn't cooperate; because this is Iowa and we always need a backup plan.

Duff Avenue Might Be Getting a Lane Diet

The Public Works Department has wrapped up its technical analysis of the Duff Avenue corridor and landed on an improvement concept worth talking about. The proposal would convert the current four-lane undivided road into a three-lane configuration — one travel lane in each direction with a center two-way left-turn lane in the middle. It sounds counterintuitive to reduce lanes on one of Ames' busiest corridors, but the idea is that a dedicated turn lane in the center actually improves traffic flow, reduces rear-end collisions, and makes the street safer and more walkable overall. It's a common approach in corridor studies and has worked well in similar cities.

The city wants to hear what you think before anything gets finalized. Fill out the online survey at duffavenuestudy.com by Friday, June 26. You've probably complained about Duff Avenue before. Here's your shot to do it when it matters.

Art Walk @ Downtown Ames - Dozens of painters, jewelers, photographers, woodworkers, potters, sculptors, and musicians all showing off what they've got. It's a free, easy stroll through the best of what the local creative community has to offer. 5-8pm (info)  

Kids Summer Blast @ Public Library - Kids in 1st through 5th grade are invited to the Junk Art Studio! A creative free-for-all where recyclables and art supplies become whatever their imagination decides, capped off with a mini speed art show to show off the masterpieces. It'll for sure end with very proud kids and very paint-stained clothes. 1:30 - 2:30pm (info)  

Footloose @ ACTORS - The classic story of small town rebellion, rock-n-roll, and a big-city kid who just wants to dance. Expect big energy, great music, and at least one moment where you're fighting the urge to get up and join them. Kick off your shoes and get your tickets before they're gone. 7:30pm (info)  

Sip & Savor @ Prairie Moon Winery - A dreamy vineyard picnic featuring a wine flight, custom charcuterie board, a vineyard tour, and a full luxury picnic setup among the vines. It's the kind of evening that feels like you left Iowa for a few hours, except Iowa is actually really beautiful and you didn't have to go anywhere. 6-8pm

🎸ERF @ Mary Janes - 9pm

Ames on the Half Shell: Bittersweet Nation - Bittersweet Nation on stage, Weinie Wonderland and StickyFingers handling dinner, and the beer tent doing what it does best. Five bucks gets you in for a great Friday night out. 5-8pm (tickets)  

🎸Roamin’ John @ Mucky Duck - 7pm

🎸Surf Zombies @ Alluvial Brewing - 7pm

Ames Fly In @ Ames Airport - All you can eat pancakes, live percussion from Omaha Street Percussion, giant vehicles to climb on, and $35 airplane rides if you're feeling adventurous. This is alll benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County and the Ames Police Benefit Association. 7:30am - 12:30pm (info)  

🎸Dogtown Rythm Trio @ Della Viti - 8pm 

🎸Tom Hummer @ Mary Jane’s - 7pm 

Annual Rose Show @ Reiman Gardens - Stop in after the morning judging to see award-winning roses in every form, color, and scent the state has to offer. Free for members and ISU students. 9am - 5pm (info)  

Midsummer Night Run @ Mcfarland Park - Flipping the trail race script with an evening start, golden hour miles, and a finish line that leads straight to a bonfire, s'mores, and Exile brews under the stars. Run a 5k or 10k and stick around after, because the post-race hang might be better than the race itself. 7:30pm (info)  

🎸No Time For Fame @ Alluvial Brewing - 7pm

🎸Jake Beaty @ Sam’s Place - 9pm

Pints & Pony Tails @ Torrent Brewing - Salon Bonita is teaming up with Torrent Brewing for Pints & Pony Tails. It’s a bring your kid for free step-by-step hair styling lessons while you enjoy a well-deserved beer. 1-2:30pm (info)  

🎸Luke Fox & Chris King @ Mucky Duck - Celebrate bloody mary Sunday while enjoying some tunes. 2pm (info)  

Roosevelt Summer Sundays Concert: Dickie - They are bringing their blend of raucous indie rock and thoughtful songwriting to for a free concert. Grab the family, find a spot on the grass, and enjoy one of your new and free summer traditions. 7-8:30pm (info)  

Summer Sundays Music Series @ Prairie Moon Winery - Burnin' Sensations is taking the stage! $5 gets you in, the vineyard views are free, and the brick oven pizza and wine are very much worth it. Grab a lawn chair, grab your people, and make it a Sunday ritual. 3-6pm

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has been complaining about the humidity this week.

See you next week.