Events

To: Global Grant water partners for Menumu, Tanzania, GG2123113.

We, the Global Grants Team, at the Rotary Club of Ames, are continuing our tradition of having a partners meeting for the current water project. This meeting is for the Tanzanian village of Menumu. The construction started in March and is progressing with occasional rain delays.

The Rotary Club of Ames is partnering with the Rotary Club of Same in Tanzania for the fifth time to bring treated water to another village, Menumu. Giliard Mkumbwa is serving as project manager again and will be in Ames for the meetings.

The meeting will include a presentation by Giliard highlighting the progress of the project along with details of interest about the location and people of Menumu. This is your chance to ask questions of someone that is close to the project.

For those attending the partners meeting we have two meeting options:

Our regular club meeting with our Global Grants team meeting after our regular club meeting.

Or zoom meeting at an earlier time so our partners in Tanzania can attend too. The ZOOM meeting will be held at Sixty Forward, 205 South Walnut Avenue in Ames.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89950393289?pwd=B8j1kEAMiQNvVFmTodG5p8jnAYKWLH.1

Giliard will give a presentation at both meetings.

Please find the attached Save The Date document for dates and times.

There will be another notice sent out when we finalize the arrangements.

Frank Mirano, a personal trainer with Ames Fitness Center.

Stronger for Life

Everyone ages, and too often, the words “it’s just part of getting older” are said. A large part of my job is showing and helping people of all ages realize what they’re capable of and how to maintain or improve their health to improve the rest of their lives. I will also walk you through the planning process of integrating exercise into your life.

YouTube Live Stream - https://youtube.com/live/pqqnrMHon74?feature=share

Heather Bristow, Director of OLLI at ISU and Retirees, will share information about the OLLI program and its impact on lifelong learning and our community.

The Ames Regional Economic Alliance launched the “Live – Work – Play in Ames” website and social media channels that are designed as a digital platform to showcase the myriad opportunities that make Ames and its surrounding communities vibrant places to reside, pursue careers, and enjoy leisure activities. The new website serves as a centralized hub for residents, prospective movers, job seekers, and visitors, offering detailed insights into the unique aspects of living, working, and playing in the Ames region. By providing a user-friendly platform that encapsulates the essence of the region, the website aims to attract new residents, support local businesses, and enhance the overall community experience.

Andrew's presentation will include a brief history about how Reiman Gardens started, highlights from the first 30 years, and information about the official 30th anniversary celebration--The Botanical Bash, on September 13.

Lunch will be catered by Sweet Caroline’s – Breaded Chicken Sandwich, Potato Salad and a Cookie. 

Harrison Mwamtemi of Shighatini, Tanzania will join us to thank the club for our work with their milk processing plant.

50 Years of University Museums: Celebrating a Legacy of Culture and Community. Discover our history, explore one of the nation’s largest campus public art collections, and learn how our collections and educational programs connect art and community.

We also invite you to celebrate with us at the Brunnier Art Museum for our 50th Anniversary event on September 19, 2025.

The presentation will provide an overview of the Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance for Community Development (MIPA), a regional planning agency in central Iowa. MIPA works with cities and counties on a wide variety of community development activities such as transportation, housing, economic development, and workforce development.

Susie Petra will share an update from Public Schools Strong and share an invitation to a public meeting with the Ames School Board.

Join our effort to create a better place to support the animals in our community. The current Ames Animal Shelter building is 30 years old, small, inadequate, and inefficient - but with your help, we can give our animals the safe and loving environment they need. 

Hear about the new clay courts at the ISU tennis complex from Dave Carlyle 

Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into our everyday routines, shaping communication, work, security, and more. Dr. Joshua Waite, postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University’s Translational AI Center and founder of Asters (an early-stage physical security technology startup), will share approachable examples of AI’s role in daily life, address its limitations, and discuss how these technologies are being developed and applied.

Coffee farmers, service learning, and coffee immersion visits to Uganda and Honduras. Cafe el Zapote has been importing coffee to Ames since 2018, but the volume has grown exponentially over the last two years. Adding service learning trips and coffee immersion visits to the coffee imports is an exciting endeavor.

We will enjoy breakfast burritos and scones from the Filling Station and freshly brewed coffee from Cafe el Zapote. 

Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins will also join us with a few words about the Ames Fire Station #2 Relocation Project. The City of Ames is moving forward with plans to relocate Fire Station No. 2 from its current location on Welch Avenue to a new site along State Avenue. A bond referendum will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 4 ballot. This project is designed to: Enhance community safety with a modern, efficient facility; Improve emergency response times; Support redevelopment in Campustown.

Program Spotlight: Ames New Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus

The City of Ames is embarking on a new era for solid waste, recyclables, and yard waste management as it transitions away from the 50-year waste-to-energy operations. Join us to learn about the exciting construction and plans for the community's new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus.

We are excited to welcome Clayton Mooney, Co-Founder and Chief Farmer of Clayton Farms, as our guest speaker! Clayton will share his fascinating journey, detailing how he transitioned from growing up on an Iowa farm to successfully building innovative technology companies. As Chief Farmer of Clayton Farms, his mission is to provide "better food for more people." A proud alum of Iowa State University, Clayton enjoys pushing his limits by running ultramarathon trail races when he's not busy revolutionizing farming.

For lunch, you'll have the opportunity to taste the results of Clayton's hard work! We will serve delicious salads made with produce from Clayton Farms.

If you aren't able to join us in person, we will be streaming the meeting on our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/live/DqSqjvNJqfo?feature=share

We're excited to welcome Matthew O'Neal, Professor and the H.A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology at Iowa State University.

Professor O'Neal will share insights and data from the innovative Alliant Energy-ISU Solar Farm partnership. This 10-acre, utility-scale solar farm, built in 2024, is a living laboratory where ISU faculty and students conduct crucial research on agrivoltaics—determining which farming and conservation practices can be carried out in an environmentally and economically sustainable way alongside solar panels.

Having just completed their second field season, Professor O'Neal has interesting data and stories to share about:

• The possibilities for integrating conservation and agricultural activities at solar farms.

• The research into growing fruits, vegetables, and pollinator habitats in the modified microclimate beneath and between solar arrays.

• What these results mean for the expansion of solar developments in Iowa and the future of sustainable land use that values both agriculture and renewable energy.

Don't miss this fascinating look at what's possible when utility and agricultural interests align for the future! 

Watch the video recording at https://youtu.be/DDLC4E52bbE?si=8wltl61dpyJUqY2D

President-Elect Nominee Randy Olson will kick off our membership campaign for the year. Lisa Heddens will share details about a new social media campaign that everyone will participate in, and Karin Sevde will provide the annual Rotary Foundation update and present several Paul Harris Fellow recognitions.

Lunch will be Pyrizhky and Rolinni, from Piece & Freedom, and soup from Labyrinth Coffee.

If you are not able to join us in person, please tune in to watch our live stream on our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@rotaryclubofames

The Rotary Club of Ames is hosting a special off-site "Bring Your Own Brown-Bag Lunch" meeting on Monday, November 24th.

We're excited to visit and learn more about the incredible work being done at the Boys and Girls Club of Story County! This is a fantastic opportunity to see their new space and get a comprehensive overview of their program.

• Date: Monday, November 24th
• Time: Fellowship and Brown Bag Lunch begins at 11:45 am
• Program/Tour: Starts at 12:15 pm
• Location: Boys and Girls Club 210 South 5th Street, Ames, IA 50010
• ​Note: This is a Bring Your Own Brown-Bag lunch, so please remember to bring your own lunch for the fellowship portion!

We encourage all members to attend and support this vital community partner.

This Meeting will NOT be live-streamed.

Myrna Johnson, IPR's Executive Director, will talk about the outsized role ISU and WOI played in creating today's public radio system and what the future holds as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting closes its doors, and the public radio system goes it alone without state or federal support.

Lunch will be catered by Sweet Caroline's. Cider Glazed Roasted Chicken, Candied Sweet Potatoes & Festive Puppy Chow. 

If you are not able to join us in person, please watch on our YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/live/L15fXlTjA3Q?feature=share

ACCESS | Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support 

​ACCESS is a free, voluntary, and confidential agency that provides services to victims of homicide & all violent crimes.

View the recording of this meeting at https://youtu.be/NJI4qdYPFmI

Download the Accessing ACCESS document here

🎄 It's the Most Wonderful Meeting of the Year! 🎄

Get ready for some holiday cheer! The Rotary Club of Ames is taking a break from formal presentations to focus on what matters most: Food, Fun, and Fellowship.

Join us for our annual Holiday Luncheon! It's going to be a lively celebration of the season and our community.

❄️ Here is what we have planned:

• Dress to Impress (or Distress): Break out your best Ugly Sweater, your festive Christmas tie, or any holiday attire that brings you joy. 🧣

• Trivia & Prizes: Test your holiday knowledge and maybe walk away with a win!

• Holiday Songs: We'll be spreading cheer with some classic tunes. 🎶

• The Brag Bucket: Come prepared to share your holiday plans or favorite festive memories. All proceeds from the bucket will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Ames & Story County.

🗓️ When: December 15th
🕛Time: The fun starts at Noon
📍 Where: The Plex Community Center 

Music has always been a significant part of Paul Lasley's life, and after spending 40 years on the ISU faculty, he started taking fiddle lessons. This led to acquiring old fiddles from flea markets, antique malls, pawn shops, and garage sales, fixing them up, and donating them to the CY Stephens Instrument Drive to provide fiddles to grade school and middle school youth who aspire to become musicians. Restoring fiddles combines his woodworking skills and interest in music to help support public school orchestras in central Iowa.

Potters Shoppe & Eatery will serve our lunch buffet.

If you are not able to join us in person, please tune into our YouTube Channel for the Live Stream!

Iowa has a critical shortage of all health care workers, and it’s straining the state’s entire care system, from hospitals to nursing homes. It could also be impacting your health, especially if you’re in a rural area. For Ames residents, the shortage makes it more challenging to find a primary care provider or see a specialist, leading to a negative impact on their health and longevity. Dr. Kitchell will present a pertinent and practical talk about Iowa’s shortages of health care workers and what we are doing about it.

We will also hear an update from The Boys & Girls Club of Story County and The Salvation Army on the use of their Rotary Community Grant funds. 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7146949574?pwd=VYFiUqbGgSxjxEHgYJaCA4s6fqz3Cq.1&omn=85307008752

Meeting ID: 714 694 9574
Passcode: Rotary