City of Ames’ Podcasts

Protecting yourself from the sun is about more than avoiding a painful sunburn. Sun exposure can have long-term effects on your health, including increasing your risk of skin cancer.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann continues our two-part series on sun safety with Michelle Richert, a nurse and resource coordinator at the Bliss Cancer Center at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Michelle brings a health care perspective to the conversation, sharing information about skin cancer prevention, sun protection, and recognizing when something on your skin may need a closer look.

The conversation explores who is most at risk for skin cancer, steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, and what to consider when choosing and using sunscreen. Michelle and Kacie also tackle some common misconceptions about sun exposure, including whether you can get burned on cloudy or winter days and whether a "base tan" actually provides protection.

Episode Highlights
Sun Safety and Skin Cancer
Michelle discusses her work at the Bliss Cancer Center, how skin cancer impacts Iowans, and programs available to help educate people about sun safety.

Who Is Most at Risk?
While sun protection is important for everyone, some people face a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Michelle explains some of the factors that can increase that risk.

Protecting Yourself from the Sun
From sunscreen and SPF to other ways of limiting sun exposure, the conversation covers practical steps people can take to protect their skin while still enjoying time outdoors.

Sun Safety for All Ages
Kids, older adults, and other populations may have different needs when spending time outdoors. Michelle shares considerations for keeping everyone safer in the sun and heat.

Sun Safety Myths and Misconceptions
Can you get a sunburn when it's cloudy? What about during an Iowa winter? Does a "base tan" help protect you? Kacie and Michelle sort through some common beliefs about tanning and sun exposure.

Knowing What to Look For
Early detection matters. Michelle discusses warning signs of skin cancer and walks through the ABCDEs of melanoma, helping listeners understand changes in their skin that may warrant a conversation with a health care provider.

This is part two of our two-part series on sun safety. Whether you're working outside, spending a day at the pool, enjoying a park, or just going about your daily routine, protecting your skin is an important part of staying healthy.

For more information and resources about melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment, visit the AIM at Melanoma Foundation.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org

When you picture a police officer, you may have a certain image in mind. But there’s no single background, personality, or career path that makes someone a good fit for law enforcement.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Police Department Major Dan Walter to talk about what it takes to become an Ames Police Officer and why people who may have never considered a career in law enforcement might want to take a closer look.

Dan shares his own path into law enforcement and what has kept him with the Ames Police Department throughout his career. Then, the conversation turns to recruitment, including the qualities the department looks for in applicants, the importance of communication and problem-solving, and why a criminal justice degree or previous law enforcement experience isn't necessarily required.

Bill and Dan also walk through the hiring process, from applying and completing testing to the background investigation and physical requirements. They explore what happens after someone is hired, including academy training, field training, and the process of preparing a new officer to work independently in the Ames community.

The conversation also looks at what makes policing in Ames unique, how the profession continues to change, and the variety of assignments, specialties, training, and advancement opportunities available throughout an officer's career.

In this episode:

Major Dan Walter's path into law enforcement and the Ames Police Department

What qualities make someone a good police officer

Why communication, judgment, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving matter

Basic qualifications for becoming an Ames Police Officer

Why applicants from different educational and professional backgrounds should consider applying

What to expect during the hiring and background investigation process

Physical requirements and preparation

What happens after an officer is hired

Academy and field training for new officers

What makes policing in Ames unique

Career opportunities, specialties, and advancement within the department

Ways to learn more about law enforcement before deciding to apply

Advice for someone considering a career as an Ames Police Officer

You might be surprised by how many skills you've developed in other jobs, classrooms, or life experiences that could translate to a career in law enforcement.

If you're interested in learning more about becoming an Ames Police Officer, including current openings, qualifications, benefits, and the application process, visit CityofAmes.org/Jobs.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications Specialist Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Sept. 8 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with urban deer management, as City Council approved a new approach to managing the deer population within Ames. Mayor Haila explains what was approved, why the issue has become a concern, and what residents should know moving forward.

The conversation then turns to a proposed Sip and Stroll Social District in Ames. Bill and Mayor Haila discuss what a social district is, how the proposal would work, and what Council considered. The proposal will return to City Council at its next meeting for the first reading of the ordinance.

They also look at several planning and housing items aimed at moving housing development in Ames forward. The discussion explores some of the steps the City is taking to encourage new housing opportunities and address barriers to development.

From managing the urban deer population to considering a new way to experience parts of Ames to creating more opportunities for housing, this episode takes a closer look at how City Council decisions and discussions can shape the community.

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 page
• View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

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.

Spending time outdoors can be great for your health and well-being, but when the temperatures rise and the sun is beating down, staying safe becomes just as important as staying active.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann sits down with City of Ames Public Works Director Justin Clausen for part one of a two-part series focused on sun safety. Justin shares a perspective familiar to many Public Works employees whose jobs require them to spend long hours outdoors, even during the hottest days of an Iowa summer.

The conversation explores the challenges outdoor workers face, how employees prepare for hot weather, and the steps they can take to protect themselves from heat and sun exposure. Justin and Kacie also discuss recognizing the warning signs of heat-related illness, responding when someone begins experiencing symptoms, and practical precautions anyone can use when spending extended time outdoors.

Episode Highlights
Working in the Summer Heat
For many Public Works employees, staying inside when temperatures climb isn't an option. Justin discusses some of the unique challenges employees face while working outdoors.

Putting Safety First
How do you keep employees safe when the work still needs to get done? Justin talks about the practices used to help employees manage heat and sun exposure on the job.

Recognizing Heat Illness
Knowing the warning signs can make a difference. The conversation covers symptoms outdoor workers should watch for and how employees can respond when someone begins experiencing heat-related illness.

Preparing for Time in the Sun
Justin shares some of the ways employees protect themselves and discusses items and precautions that can also help anyone planning to spend an extended period outdoors.

Sun Safety Myths and Misconceptions
From sunscreen to hot weather, Kacie and Justin discuss some of the common misconceptions surrounding heat and sun safety.

Lessons for All of Us
You don't have to work outdoors for a living to benefit from the practices used by people who do. Whether you're working in the yard, exercising, attending an outdoor event, or simply enjoying a sunny day, planning ahead can help you stay safer in the heat.

This is part one of a two-part series on sun safety. Stay tuned for part two as Live Well. Be Well. continues the conversation about protecting yourself while enjoying the outdoors.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what happens after we turn on the faucet or flush the toilet. And really, that’s probably a good thing.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart is joined by Ames Municipal Engineer Mindy Bryngelson to explore two essential systems working beneath our feet every day: Ames’ water distribution system and sanitary sewer collection system.

Mindy breaks down how these underground networks deliver water to homes and businesses and carry wastewater away for treatment. But keeping those systems working reliably takes much more than pipes in the ground. Aging infrastructure, maintenance, replacement projects, funding, and a growing community all play a role in planning for the future.

The conversation also tackles an important distinction residents may not always realize: where the City’s responsibility ends and a property owner’s begins. Mindy explains service lines and sewer laterals, some of the common problems homeowners can encounter, and what residents should know about lead service lines.

In this episode:

How Ames’ water distribution system works

What happens after wastewater leaves your home

The challenges of maintaining aging underground infrastructure

How the City prioritizes maintenance and replacement projects

Where City responsibility ends and property owner responsibility begins

Common problems with private water and sewer service lines

What Ames residents should know about lead service lines

How water and sewer infrastructure improvements are funded

Planning for growth while maintaining the systems Ames relies on today

The “unsung heroes” of Ames’ underground infrastructure

The next time you turn on the tap or flush the toilet, remember there’s an entire network working behind the scenes to make something remarkably complicated feel incredibly simple.

Learn more about City services and infrastructure projects at CityofAmes.org.