Latest news with #AmesTribune
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campustown Showdown in Ames will feature cattle drive, live music, fashion show
Cattle will take over Welch Ave. this weekend as part of the inaugural Campustown Showdown. Presented by MaxAg in partnership with Discover Ames, the inaugural event, taking place on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, is a spinoff of the Aggieville Showdown in Manhattan, Kansas, which began in 2021. More: A cattle show is headed to the streets of the Iowa State campus. Find out when: The event aims to blend agriculture, entertainment and community 'in a way that's equal parts tradition and spectacle,' according to a news release. Attendance is free and will feature a "Grand Drive" cattle show on Welch and champion livestock from across the Midwest. More: McFarland Clinic is 1st business to break ground at Iowa State's CyTown district. What to know 'Campustown has never hosted an event like this before,' Kevin Bourke, president and CEO of Discover Ames, said in a news release. 'It's a chance to showcase our vibrant community and its rich agricultural heritage to a wide audience.' The cattle show starts 6 p.m. Friday at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, where exhibitors will compete to have the chance to show their cattle in the streets of Campustown. 'Our mission is to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities by hosting engaging livestock show events in entertainment districts, providing consumers with an immersive experience of the cattle industry's producer-to-consumer journey,' Christian Calliham, founder and executive director of Campustown Showdown, said in a news release. More: New renderings for CyTown revealed, including rooftop bar and The Cardinal hotel Exhibitors will compete at 6 p.m. Friday, April 25, starting with the showmanship competition at the Hansen Ag Center. At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, the competition resumes with market beef and breeding heifer divisions. The top competitors will advance to the Grand Drive on Welch Avenue in Campustown. The public is invited to both the Hansen Ag Center and the Grand Drive. The Grand Drive will begin its stroll at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 on Welch Avenue, between Chamberlain and Hunt streets. Visitors can watch the competition and enjoy vendor booths in the area. More: Making cheese is a 'gouda' thing for ISU Creamery. How a $25K grant will double production There will be live music, a western fashion show and an after-party at BNC FieldHouse. The champions will compete for more than $7,500 in cash prizes. Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@ This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: First-ever Campustown Showdown in Ames bridges urban-rural gap
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ada Hayden trail expected to close for 2 months. When does the $1.2M project begin?
A beloved shared-use trail in Ames may be completely closed for five to six weeks this fall while it undergoes a $1 million makeover. The Ames Parks and Recreation department is planning to replace Ada Hayden Heritage Park's 10-foot-wide asphalt trail with an expanded 12-foot-wide concrete path. The concrete surface will reduce the trail's long-term maintenance, and a wider trail will provide more space for users. More: The Ada Hayden trail is expanding in Ames. What to know about the $1.4M project In a special meeting on Tuesday, April 15, the Ames City Council agreed to close the trail completely during construction. The trail makeover is estimated to cost about $1.2 million, leaving about $111,400 of a surplus. The 'Upland Trail' will not be paved and will remain mostly open throughout the project, Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham said. More: ISU aims to encourage sense of 'civic duty' with new Center for Cyclone Civics. What to know: The current asphalt trail has issues with cracking, edges breaking off and tree roots growing through the path. Its width is also not meeting the needs of users. Concrete is more durable than asphalt as it is a harder material, and it's estimated to last over 30 years. More: No more 'bug love' What to know about Iowa State University eliminating its Insect Zoo Concrete is also a more cost-effective option: Because of its longevity, the long-term maintenance costs will be reduced. The overlays needed on the current asphalt path have cost over $50,000, which will be necessary with concrete. City staff said they understand concrete is not the best surface for runners, but feel it is the best surface for a majority of users. The city council has set aside $1.4 million to replace and widen Ada Hayden's trail The base bid will include the loop around both lakes and the trail section from the Harrison Parking Lot to the main trail. The repaving of the Edgewater Court, Fletcher, and Stone Brooke connectors will be bid as an alternate. More: Ames, Boone County featured in 'RV There Yet?' Here's how to watch the national premiere: Closing the entire trail was estimated to be the most cost-effective option with a base bid of $1.1 million. The project can also be completed in five to six weeks, whereas phased construction could take up to nine weeks, according to city staff. Even though the entire trail will close at the start of construction, city staff will speak with the yet-to-be-named contractor about possibly opening a section of the trail before the project is complete. Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@ This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: When and for how long is the Ada Hayden trail closing in Ames?
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A long-running joke is no more. Yes, Olive Garden is coming to Ames. What to know:
It might sound like a social media joke, but no, the news is real. Olive Garden is coming to Ames. 'We're thrilled to bring Olive Garden to Ames and can't wait to serve guests never-ending amounts of soup, salad and breadsticks when they dine with us,' Brittany Baron, communications manager for Olive Garden, told the Ames Tribune in an email on March 27. The popular Italian restaurant known for its endless breadsticks will be built on the northwest corner of Highway 30 and Dayton Avenue. When Olive Garden is opening hasn't yet been finalized, but the company's intentions are clear: Ames will be Olive Garden's ninth Iowa location, the fourth in central Iowa. Other Iowa locations include Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo and Dubuque. More: New renderings for CyTown revealed, including rooftop bar and The Cardinal hotel For years, the idea of Ames getting an Olive Garden was so preposterous, it became a running joke on Facebook. But now social media followers, such as members of the group Ames People, are going to need a new funny comeback. More: Ames is the new home of the boys state basketball tournament. How will it impact the economy? Ames getting an Olive Garden felt rather unlikely for many online users, motivating posters to respond to retail and commercial questions with the tongue-in-cheek answer 'Olive Garden.' But now those tongues are going to be on the restaurant's famous all-you-can-eat breadsticks. With more than $4.9 billion in annual sales, Olive Garden is the 'leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment' with nearly 900 restaurants and more than 99,000 employees, according to the Olive Garden's website. The publicly held company (NYSE: DRI) is a division of Orlando, Florida-based Darden Restaurants, which owns and operates more than 1,900 restaurants that generate over $10.5 billion in annual sales. More: Construction of the new indoor aquatic center in Ames is progressing. When will it open? With more than 190,000 employees, Darden puts an emphasis on giving back to the community, according to the website. 'As part of this commitment, Olive Garden restaurants have donated more than 49 million pounds of food to local community food banks across the country,' the website reads. Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@ This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Is Olive Garden coming to Ames? Yes, it's true. Find out where:
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Italian restaurant announces permanent closing of Ames location
A popular Ames Italian restaurant is closing, according to an announcement on Facebook Monday afternoon. Pasta Al Forno, located on East 13th Street, will close on Sunday. The owners indicated that staffing issues led to the decision. "Due to ongoing staffing shortages, we are unable to maintain the level of service and quality that you have come to expect from us," the social media post said. Pasta Al Forno is a family-owned restaurant that opened at 2601 E. 13th St. in Ames in the spring of 2023. The restaurant quickly became known for its scratch-made dishes, including delicious homemade rolls served complimentary to every table. "Reflecting on our journey together, we have cherished every moment spent serving you," the restaurant said in its announcement. "From our first day opening to the countless celebrations, we are grateful for the support you've shown for almost 2 years. Your loyalty has made our restaurant a beloved part of the community." Customers with gift certificates are encouraged to use them during their final days of operation. Pasta Al Forno's authentic, made-from-scratch Italian dishes are an ode to family recipes developed over 75 years in the restaurant business. Owned by chef John Kelmendi, his brother and head chef Visar Kelmendi, as well as their brother-in-law, chef Aron Dreshaj, the establishment is located at the east end of Quality Inn and Suites. The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 from Albania, where the Kelmendi family owned a restaurant near Italy, which they operated for several generations. 'Our family had restaurants always,' John Kelmendi said in a previous interview with the Ames Tribune in 2023. 'We grew up in the restaurant business with our parents and grandparents.' John Kelmendi practically has marinara sauce in his blood, he said, thanks to a 75-year history of family-owned restaurants. The local businessmen stay true to their heritage, delicately crafting each meal. 'We use the same recipes. We never have changed them. The tomato sauce, fresh marinara sauce, pretty much everything,' Kelmendi said. 'Each plate, each dish is started from scratch.' More: A new Ames store touts one-of-a-kind vintage and handmade products Kelmendi's family first settled in New York, then lived in Texas for several years before coming to Iowa. They've owned Pasta Bella in Mason City since 2014, a business that grew from a tiny space to a large, newly constructed building. More: This Ames surgery center closed recently, canceled all appointments and scrubbed its website 'We've been doing great in Mason City and have very great supporters there,' he said in 2023. 'We decided to open a second restaurant in Ames because it's a college town and there's a wonderful population here.' Pasta Al Forno, which translates from Italian to baked pasta, offers a large selection of dishes from northern Italy, though the menu is rounded out with selections from all over the country. Pasta Al Forno is closed on Mondays but opens at 11 a.m. every other day of the week. They'll stay open until 10 p.m. on Sunday. Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@ This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Pasta Al Forno is closing after two years in Ames
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Ames surgery center closed recently, canceled all appointments and scrubbed its website
A local cosmetic surgery center on the northeast side of Ames has abruptly closed for unknown reasons. Sturm Cosmetic Surgery, located at 1405 Baltimore Drive, is no longer accepting appointments, according to a notice that is pinned to the facility's front door. All upcoming surgical appointments have been canceled. It is unclear when the business officially closed. Its website ( is no longer active and has been scrubbed clean. "This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our gratitude for the trust and support of our patients," the notice, signed by Sturm and the Sturm Cosmetics Surgery Team, said. The center was operated by Dr. Lindsay Sturm, a licensed physician specializing in full-body cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery, according to the Iowa State Board of Medicine's website. Her license is still active as of Wednesday. Sturm graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University in 2012 and has been certified by the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Sturm was born in 1984, according to the Iowa State Board of Medicine. The Ames Tribune has been unable to verify how many employees worked at Sturm Cosmetic Surgery. The Tribune also reached out to the Iowa Workforce Development to inquire about possible layoffs but did not get a response. Twin Shores, according to the contractor's website, handled the construction of Sturm Cosmetic Surgery's new 6,300-square-foot facility in January 2023. "The office includes a beautiful lobby with modern decor, exam rooms and an independent surgery center," according to a Twin Shores testimonial. More: Ukrainian refugees in Ames fear losing humanitarian parole. How a volunteer group is helping The doors to Sturm Cosmetic Surgery were locked on Monday and no cars were seen in the parking lot. The message taped to the door mirrors an automated voice message that is heard after dialing the company's phone number. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by these cancellations," the signed notice said. "Please rest assured that we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. According to the company voicemail, current patients will be contacted with additional information. Patients in need of ongoing medical care have been told to contact another physician "to continue with appropriate medical care." Though there are no criminal charges against Sturm, she is entangled in a pair of malpractice lawsuits that have been filed in Story County accusing her of negligence, one of which allegedly led to death. A lawsuit filed on May 20, 2024, accuses the doctor of causing injuries to a patient during surgery, which allegedly led to a massive hemorrhage and her death. A response filed on July 10, 2024, denied the allegations. The Ames Tribune reached out to Sturm's lawyers on Tuesday but did not receive a response. More: New rock climbing facility in Ames is 'good for the body and brain' Sandra and Gary Quade, parents of a former patient, are suing Sturm by claiming that injuries the physician allegedly caused during surgery and the ensuing alleged "negligent" post-op care led to death. Sturm performed core liposuction and an abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, on Angela Kettwig, 50, of Colo, on March 29, 2023, according to court documents. The operation and liposuction went without complication, according to the medical records, and Kettwig was discharged later that day. At about 2 a.m. the following day, Kettwig's daughter allegedly called Strum to share that her mother was lightheaded when standing and "did not feel good." Sturm allegedly said the reaction was "normal" for an abdominoplasty and recommended she be given something to eat or drink to help with her blood sugar. At 6:30 a.m. the same day, Kettwig suffered a cardiac arrest. She was transferred to Story County Medical Center and then to Unity Point Iowa Methodist Center, where she subsequently died of acute blood loss. Dr. Nelson Goldberg, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Maryland Medical School, reviewed Kettwig's medical records, according to court documents filed on Jan. 3, and noted that Kettwig's signs and symptoms were indicative of hypotension and serious bleeding. He said it was a "preventable death" and, "to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, would have been prevented if Dr. Sturm had reasonably acted upon the first report of blood loss and dizziness." The Quades, on behalf of Kettwig's children, are seeking damages "for their loss of past and future consortium in a fair and reasonable amount." A jury trial has been set for Feb. 10, 2026, according to court documents. More: Authorities find more dogs on convicted puppy mill operator's Boone Co. property, revoke probation A United Arab Emirates resident who traveled to Ames for surgery at Sturm's practice filed a lawsuit in October 2023 for damages following a procedure. The lawsuit from Joseph Kaissi claims that Sturm was negligent "by performing a risky and unnecessary abdominoplasty when a less invasive and appropriate procedure was available." Kaissi claimed that Sturm did not use the "appropriate degree of acceptable surgical technique and medical expertise in performing the abdominoplasty. Kaissi said he's suffered "serious and permanent" injuries because Sturm's and Sturm Cosmetic Surgery's "negligent" care. No filings have been made in the case since October 2024. A jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 9. Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@ This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Sturm Cosmetic Surgery in Ames abruptly shuts down for unknown reasons
