Your Ames Voice

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

November 13, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Welcome to your weekly dose of community news!

This edition highlights the enriching opportunities available right here in Ames, from a lifelong learning program at Iowa State to the latest updates on university leadership.

Catch up on the City of Ames updates and start planning your week with a full schedule of events, including Diwali Night, Chicago and the Library Book Sale.


Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

Top Story

The Alliant Energy Solar Farm at ISU welcomed OLLI at Iowa State members to learn more about its public-private partnership during a tour in the fall of 2024. | Photo by OLLI at ISU

A lifelong learning opportunity in the community

by Michael Kitchell | Staff Reporter | Published on Nov. 4, 2025

Dave Splett moved to Ames after retiring to be closer to his grandchildren. The former minister heard about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

“I was immediately curious about the courses they offered,” said Splett, who has since taken two dozen classes, including History of Teddy Bears, Antarctica Exploration, and How to Play Pickleball.

“I can say every class has been a joy.”

 

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City of Ames

Public Library

Book sale so everyone can start a library

by Anthony Capps | Editor

Volunteers unloaded hundreds of boxes with books that span all genres — from science fiction to reference books and gardening to children’s literature on Wednesday.

 

More from City of Ames

Iowa State University

Presidential Search

David Cook, president of North Dakota State University, selected as next president of ISU

by Kyle Werner | Staff Reporter

The Iowa Board of Regents announced Cook as the 17th ISU president on Tuesday. He will start in March.

 

More about David Cook

Arts & Entertainment

Photo Gallery

Northern lights bring color to night sky

by Jared Larson & Kyle Werner

The Ames community saw the northern lights’ hues of bright green, pink and red in the night skies on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

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Events & Activities

Ongoing

 

📚 Library Book Sale
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday | Ames Public Library
Browse an auditorium full of books that cover a vast array of topics, genres and formats. There are also DVDs, Blu-ray, CDs, and everything is $1. There is admission on Thursday and Sunday, though on the latter, everything is free. 
$2 Thursday; $1 Sunday

 

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday | Ames Community Theater
This Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical centers on Diana Goodman, a suburban wife and mother who suffers from bipolar disorder.
$25

Thursday, Nov. 13

🏴‍☠️ How Pirates Saved the American Revolution
6 p.m. | 2630 Memorial Union
This lecture explores the daring exploits of American privateers and pirates who played a pivotal role in undermining British naval dominance during the Revolutionary War.
FREE

Saturday, Nov. 15

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Brunnier Art Museum
Activities and crafts for children and families will focus on the history of art and creativity. Learn about different periods of art by taking part in activities such as Andy Warhol-inspired crafts and mosaic creations.
FREE
 
🪔 Diwali Night
5:30 p.m. | Ames City Auditorium
Diwali Night is a grand celebration of light, culture and togetherness. Experience the rich traditions of India through dance and music, vibrant cultural showcases, and an authentic Indian dinner.
$12 non-ISU; $10 ISU faculty & staff; $8 ISU students

 

🎤 Laura Strickling & Daniel Schlosberg
7:30 p.m. | Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Music Hall
Soprano Laura Strickling and pianist Daniel Schlosberg highlight the history of “art song” by European and American composers. The program includes works from Strickling’s commissioning project, 40@40, for which the duo was nominated for the Best Classical Vocal Album Grammy in 2024.
$35

 

🎤 Chicago the Band
7:30 p.m. | Stephens Auditorium
The legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, performs songs from its 56-year history.
$85+

Monday, Nov. 10

🎻 ISU Symphony Orchestra
4:30 p.m. | Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Music Hall
The ISU Symphony will perform Pictures at an Exhibition by M. Mussorgsky. The featured soloists will be Mei-Hsuan Huang performing the first movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and George Work performing Pezzo capriccioso by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
$10; FREE for students and youth
 
🐮 World Without Cows
5:30 p.m. | Sun Room, Memorial Union
Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists and other experts in agriculture and environmental science, this documentary delves into the complex and often-surprising ways cows impact our world.
FREE

Upcoming events on our radar

🎤 Nov. 23: Matthew West: Don’t Stop Praying Tour, Stephens Auditorium
🎻 Dec. 5: Central Iowa Symphony: Strumming in the Season, Ames City Auditorium
🎤 Dec. 6: Lipstick Homicide & Bat Problem, Maintenance Shop
🎄 Dec. 13-14: Nutcracker Ballet, Stephens Auditorium