City of Ames’ Podcasts

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., hosts Kacie Schumann and Bailey Dingfield are joined by Nancy Shaw, Wellness Program Manager for the City of Ames.

Nancy reflects on her journey into the wellness field and the path that eventually led her to the City of Ames. Throughout the conversation, she shares insights from her long career helping people improve their health and well being.

The discussion explores how fitness and wellness trends have evolved over the years, common misconceptions people have about working out, and the many ways that well being can look different for each person. Nancy also talks about how our approach to wellness often changes as we age and why finding balance is an important part of maintaining lifelong health.

As Nancy prepares for her upcoming retirement, the conversation also highlights the impact she has had on wellness programming and the many people she has supported along the way.

Episode Highlights

Nancy’s Path to Wellness
Nancy shares how she became interested in fitness and wellness and what led her to a career focused on helping others live healthier lives.

How Fitness Has Changed Over the Years
From workout trends to changing perspectives on health, Nancy reflects on how the wellness industry has evolved during her career.

Breaking Common Wellness Myths
The conversation addresses misconceptions about exercise and well being, and why wellness is about more than intense workouts or strict routines.

Wellness Through Different Stages of Life
Nancy discusses how our needs and goals change as we age and how people can continue prioritizing wellness at every stage of life.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?
Send suggestions to [email protected]

Wellness can sometimes feel like a buzzword. In reality, it is about the everyday choices, small habits, and community connections that help people live healthier, fuller lives.

In the first episode of Live Well. Be Well., meet your hosts Kacie Schumann, Health Promotion Coordinator for the City of Ames, and Bailey Dingfield, Health Promotion Intern. They share their backgrounds, what sparked their interest in health and wellness, and why they are passionate about helping people find practical ways to live well.

This new City of Ames podcast focuses on what wellness looks like in real life. Through conversations with local guests, the series will highlight resources available in the community, explore different aspects of well being, and offer simple ideas listeners can try in their own lives.

Whether you are looking for inspiration, practical tips, or ways to connect with wellness resources in Ames, this podcast aims to make wellness feel approachable and achievable.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?
Send suggestions to [email protected].

Episode Highlights

Getting to Know the Hosts
Kacie Schumann and Bailey Dingfield introduce themselves and share how their personal and professional journeys led them to focus on health promotion and community wellness.

What Wellness Really Means
The conversation explores how wellness goes beyond trends and focuses on everyday habits, supportive communities, and accessible resources.

What to Expect from the Podcast
Future episodes will feature local guests, highlight programs and services available in Ames, and offer ideas listeners can try to support their own well being.

Spring is on the way, and the Ames Public Library is helping the community get growing. In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart talks with Megan Klein-Hewett, Adult Services Manager at the Ames Public Library, about the Seed Library program.

Megan explains how residents can “check out” seeds, grow them at home, and return seeds from their harvest if possible to help keep the program thriving.

The conversation explores how the Seed Library supports food access, sustainability, lifelong learning, and community connection.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or someone planting your first herb in a container on the patio, the Seed Library offers a welcoming way to try something new this spring.

Episode Highlights
🌱 What Is a Seed Library?
Instead of books, visitors can take home packets of seeds such as vegetables, herbs, flowers, and pollinator friendly plants to grow in their own gardens.

🌼 Accessible Gardening for Everyone
The program is designed for all experience levels. Even beginners or people with limited space can participate through container gardening.

🌎 Why the Library Started the Program
The Seed Library supports sustainability, food access, and hands on learning while building community connections.

🌿 What You Can Grow
Available seeds may include vegetables, herbs, native plants, and flowers that support pollinators.

📚 How to Participate
Stop by the Ames Public Library, browse the Seed Library, and take a few seed packets home to plant. If your plants produce seeds later in the season, you can save and return some to help the program continue.

🤝 Community Involvement
Residents can contribute by donating seeds, volunteering with sorting and organizing, or sharing their gardening successes with the community.

Spring Gardening Tips

Start simple. Herbs and easy vegetables are great first plants.

Container gardening is a good option if you do not have yard space.

Spring is the perfect time to experiment and learn as you grow.

Visit the Ames Public Library to explore the Seed Library and find upcoming spring programs, including gardening workshops and other seasonal events.

If you have been thinking about starting a garden, or simply want an excuse to get outside and try something new, the Seed Library offers a simple place to begin. A few seeds, a little soil, and a bit of curiosity can go a long way.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda is joined by Ames Mayor Pro Tem Anita Rollins to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, March 10 Ames City Council meeting. Mayor John Haila was out of town for the meeting, so Mayor Pro Tem Rollins stepped in to help walk through the evening’s agenda.

Their conversation highlights several policy discussions, contracts, and funding decisions that will shape projects and services across the community. Susan and Mayor Pro Tem Rollins discuss what Council considered, why these items matter, and what residents can expect moving forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The process to recruit and hire Ames’ next City Attorney.
• A proposed letter from the City to state legislators regarding issues affecting local government.
• Council approval of a contract for the new curbside recycling program and what it means for Ames residents.
• Funding for local climate action grants that support sustainability initiatives in the community.
• Allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding to support housing and community development projects.
• The bids received for construction work related to the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) project.
• A rezoning discussion involving the Ames Community School District and how the change supports future district plans.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:

Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube
View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode?
Email [email protected]

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Electricity powers nearly every part of our daily lives, but many residents do not realize that when we use electricity can matter just as much as how much we use. In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Layne Fober, Energy Services Coordinator with the City of Ames Electric Services, to break down the concept of Time-of-Use (TOU) electric rates.

Layne explains how electricity demand changes throughout the day, why peak usage times put pressure on the electric grid, and how shifting certain activities such as running dishwashers, doing laundry, or charging electric vehicles can help residents save money. The conversation also explores how TOU rates benefit the broader community by improving grid efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting long-term energy sustainability.

Whether you want to lower your electric bill or simply understand how Ames manages its electric system, this episode offers practical insights and easy-to-follow tips.

 

Episode Highlights

What Time-of-Use electric rates are and why they exist

Why electricity costs vary depending on time of day and demand

How peak hours affect the electric grid and infrastructure

Simple ways residents can shift energy use and save money

The role of electric vehicles and overnight charging

How Time-of-Use rates help keep Ames’ electric system efficient and affordable

Common misconceptions about TOU rates and how they actually work

Key Takeaways

Time matters. Electricity is typically more expensive during high-demand periods and less expensive during off-peak hours.

Small changes add up. Running appliances or charging devices during off-peak times can help lower your bill.

Flexible households may benefit most. Residents who can shift energy use such as charging EVs overnight or running appliances later in the evening may see the biggest savings.

Community impact. Managing demand helps the city avoid costly infrastructure expansion and keeps the electric system reliable.

 
Learn More
Interested in exploring Time-of-Use electric rates for your household?

Visit www.CityofAmes.org/TOU-Rates for details about peak hours, pricing, and tools to help determine if Time-of-Use rates are right for your home.