Good morning Ames! Are you ready for the fall? We mean autumn, of course. Not the total collapse of society.

Lets do it.

— Chance

Elevator Hidden in a Basement

When Dog-Eared Books started expanding into the historic Tilden's department store space at 203 Main St. this summer, co-owner Amanda Lepper knew she was working with an old building. She didn't know she was about to find Ames history buried in the walls.

Contractors have been peeling back decades of Ames life throughout the summer — chewing tobacco from the 1930s, a mid-century mannequin bust, beer glasses, and peanut shells leftover from That Place, the bar that occupied the building in the 1970s. A locksmith opened a Tilden's safe in the basement and found bundles of sales slips from the 1940s and 50s. A dress in 1948 cost $8.95.

But the biggest find came when contractors removed old heating ductwork and discovered something nobody expected. An elevator carriage originally installed in 1914. Dirty but intact, original mirrors still in place, it had been sitting in the basement untouched for over a century. It wasn't just any elevator. According to a 1914 Ames Weekly Tribune article, it was the first elevator ever installed in an Ames business.

Lepper's plan for it is perfect: a small sofa and drink table inside the cage, so customers can sit in a 112-year-old elevator and read a book. (more)

11 Historic Ames Buildings Are Opening Their Doors Next Month

"A Glimpse Inside," a free self-guided architectural tour hosted by the Ames Historic Preservation Commission, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 17. Eleven historic homes, businesses, and public buildings across downtown Ames, the Roosevelt neighborhood, and the Chautauqua and Ridgewood Addition Historic District will be open to the public.

The lineup includes some recognizable spots: Cornbred Barbecue, Back Alley House Plants, Ames City Hall, the City Auditorium, First Christian Church, and Lott Music Studio, alongside several private residences that rarely open their doors to anyone.

Start wherever you want, pick up a map at any of the locations, and work through the tour at your own pace. Hosts at each stop will share the history of the building, its connection to Ames, and the work done to preserve or update it. (more)

$25 Million Events Center Downtown

Ames has needed more event space for decades. Four separate feasibility studies over 30 years have all said the same thing. Discover Ames President and CEO Kevin Bourke presented the Ames City Council with a plan for a 35,000 square foot events center on the east side of Kellogg Avenue, as part of the larger Linc development near Lincoln Way downtown. The building would feature a main ballroom for up to 1,000 people, a large entry area, breakout rooms, and backstage space. Total cost: $25 million.

They want the city to cover half ($12.5 million) and own the finished building. Discover Ames would raise the other half through donors, Story County, state grants, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. A private company would manage the building day to day, which is how most Iowa event centers operate.

The case for it is straightforward. Ames hotels regularly turn away large groups because there simply isn't enough space in town. A new events center could bring more than 20,000 new visitors annually, with those visitors walking to nearby shops, restaurants, and hotels. The location near downtown is intentional (walkability being the selling point). (more)

🎁 Golden Ridge Lighting is giving one lucky homeowner $1,000 toward a professional Christmas light installation! They specialize in creating custom, professionally installed Christmas displays. You can skip the ladders, tangled lights, and hours of work and just enjoy the finished product.

Everyone who enters the giveaway will receive $150 OFF their Christmas light installation if they don’t win. That means there’s something in it for everyone. Good luck! 🎄✨ Just a few weeks remaining!

🎸Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames @ Maintenance Shop - 8pm

Central Iowa Junk Jaunt @ Throughout Central Iowa - The fall edition of the vintage road trip adds a new small town and fresh venues to the route. Runs through Sunday.

September Planetarium Show: Moon of the Solar System @ ISU Planetarium - An interactive look at moons beyond Earth, with hands-on activities from Physics and Astronomy volunteers before and after. Showtimes at 5:30, 6:15, 7, and 7:45pm (latecomers can't be seated).

Grand Re-Opening @ The Break Room - Sam's Place rebrands with 14 newly felted pool tables, dart boards, arcade and claw machines, a photo booth, and Main Street's biggest dance floor. 6pm

🎸Craig Swalwell Band @ Mucky Duck Pub - 7pm

Cyclone football vs. Utah @ Jack Trice Stadium - Cyclone football's third home game of the season.

Ames Main Street Farmers' Market @ Downtown Ames - The Hovick Family Petting Zoo joins the vendors and Patricia Holly handles the music. 8am-12:30pm

Ames Psychic & Paranormal Expo @ Quality Inn & Suites - The 14th annual expo brings 40+ vendors. Psychics, mediums, paranormal teams, tarot, reiki, and more, plus speaker sessions throughout the day. 10am-5pm

Reliable Street Vintage Market @ 4625 Reliable Street - Curated vintage men's and women's clothing plus bargain finds. 10am-2pm

Narly's Night of Horror Rock @ Mary Jane's Bar & Stage - A first for Ames: three horror-themed metal and punk bands, plus a special sideshow appearance from Sam Rezz. 21+, 7-11:30pm

🎸Madison Kolbet @ Sam's Place - 9pm

Ames Documentary Film Festival @ Ames Public Library - The debut edition of a new nonfiction film festival, held in conjunction with the Octagon Arts Festival, showcasing 12-18 short documentaries across Iowa Stories, Short Documentary, and Student categories.

The 55th Annual Octagon Art Festival @ Ames Main Street - About 100 Midwest artists line Main Street with ceramics, jewelry, paintings, and more, alongside live music, food trucks, and a kids' art area. 10am-4pm

38th Organist of Iowa @ Tye Recital Hall - Luther College's Alexander Meszler performs an organ concert. 4:30pm

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who is already counting how many Saturdays are left before Christmas.

See you next week.