Good morning Ames! As you may know, the Cyclones are out. We're not ready to talk about it, but the city still needs us. At least we have each other.

In today’s scoop:

Lets get started.

— Chance

If U.S. 30 is part of your daily routine, pay attention. A stretch of nighttime construction over the South Skunk River bridge is kicking off this week.

This is a continuation of last year's work between Duff and Dayton. I knew they couldn’t have been done with how they left it. This season's big task: replacing the eastbound bridge over the Skunk River, adding new box culverts on both sides, and throwing in an extra eastbound lane between the interchanges. Isn’t there a quote about pain being temporary??

You know that corner of your yard. The one with the sad pile of leaves that survived winter? Well, Spring has arrived, and it's time to deal with it. Spring No-Charge Yard Waste Day is Saturday, April 18, from 8am to 4pm at a new location this year: 309 Carnegie Ave. Grass, leaves, all of it. Time to get that yard you’ve been dreaming about since February.

Building stuff is expensive. Building stuff in 2026 is somehow even more expensive. The city budgeted $16.8 million. The bids came back at $19.6 million. Not exactly couch cushion money.

Staff reviewed 41 potential cuts and landed on 20 modifications that trim $1.56 million without touching anything critical. Nothing was affected that actually makes a recycling facility run. Just might have slightly boring break room walls.

LVL Construction specializes in trim work and detailed carpentry that makes a home feel finished. From baseboards and door casings to custom carpentry and remodels. If you care about the details, and want it done once; LVL Construction is a name worth knowing. Check out their website here.

No, not those Vikings. Well, actually'; yes, kind of those Vikings.

Ames High School is launching a girls flag football team this spring, and it wouldn't be happening without a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Vikings. The team will compete in the Des Moines Public Schools Flag Football League alongside seven or eight other metro schools, with all games played at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines.

It started with Athletic Director Lyle Fedders doing a simple interest survey with the girls at Ames High. Turns out there was interest. One conversation with the Vikings later, and the Little Cyclones had jerseys, flags, footballs, and a brand new program.

JS Streible @ London Underground | 7PM

Corbett Reeves @ Cornbred BBQ | 6-9PM

Erf & Alleygrass @ Alluvial Brewing | 7PM

Paint Your Own Pottery @ Memorial Union Workspace | 2-9PM | This is actually an all week event.. I just decided it would be a good fit for a Tuesday night. $10 to paint yourself a new coffee cup! (Details) 

April Fools Day Trivia @ Della Viti | 7PM | Show up for the laughs, the Wednesday night specials, and the snacks. (Details) 

Focus Grant Exhibit @ Memorial Union Art Gallery | 6-7:30PM | Iowa State students have been turning Focus Grants into creative work since 1972, this reception you can see what this year's group came up with. Free admission to view painting, mosaics, cyanotype, music, and a whole lot more. (Details) 

Over The River & Through The Woods @ Ames Community Theater | 7:30PM | Over the River and Through the Woods is a funny, heartfelt story about family, love, and the bittersweet reality of growing up and growing apart, basically the show that will make you laugh until it sneaks up and punches you right in the feelings. (Details) 

Intro To Foraging @ Reiman Gardens | 6-8PM | Local forager and neuroscientist Crystal Jewell is leading a beginner-friendly deep dive into the history, ethics, and legality of foraging for wild edible plants in Iowa, and there's a foraged tea tasting at the end. (Details) 

Escape Dinner Show @ Clouds | 5:30PM | Dinner turned into a full-on magic and mystery experience where nothing is what it seems and every detail might be hiding something. Reservations required, gullibility optional. (Details) 

Perfume Blending Workshop @ Life Distilled | 5:15-6:15PM | My girlfriend is going to want to do this so I figured some of you would enjoy it. Create your own all-natural perfume while learning scent groups, and layering notes. It might take you back to chemistry class. (Details) 

Peter Pan @ Stephens Auditorium | 6PM | The School of Classical Ballet and Dance is taking the whole family to Neverland with a full production of Peter Pan at Stephens Auditorium. It’s a great excuse to drag the kids out, but let's be real, you want to go too. (Details) 

Feed The Need @ Reiman Gardens | 8AM | Whether you've got a sprawling backyard or a single windowsill, there's something here for you. A full day of workshops, hands-on learning, and community gardening goodness. (Details) 

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who calls it "spring cleaning" but just moved everything to the garage.

See you next week,

Chance