Rent by the Room: Female units available:

3732 Tripp St #521 and 4709 Steinbeck St #8

$340/ month - individual liability

All inclusive: Utilities, cable, internet, and Ames Racquet and Fitness

Available: Now (Not pet friendly)

call our office, 515-233-2752

 Rent by the Room: Male units available:

3910 Tripp St #124

$340/ month - individual liability

All inclusive: Utilities, cable, internet, and Ames Racquet and Fitness

Available: Now (Not pet friendly)

call our office, 515-233-2752

Units Available for sublease:

1307 Coconino Road #213

Lea: 641-226-3356

1 bedroom, 1 bath

$620/month

Available: May 6th (Lea will pay May rent)

1221 Mayfield Road #105

Lacy: 307-290-1080

1 bedroom, 1 bath

$660/month

Available: End of February

4717 Mortensen Road #104

Danielle: 515-205-6597

2 bedroom, 2 bath

$730/month

Available: ASAP

1210 Walton Drive #105

Call Our Office: 515-233-2752

3 bedroom, 2 bath

$995/month

Available: ASAP

1312 Walton Drive # 101

Payton: 515-708-2474

2 bedroom, 2 bath

$775 (garage also available for $60)

Available: ASAP

• Go used – Check out thrift and second-hand stores around Ames. Many not only have furniture that’s still in great condition, but also items for your kitchen (dishes, silverware, glasses) and more.
• Ask your friends – Who knows, one of your best friends may have an extra couch or kitchen table that’s just sitting in storage. Asking friends and family is one of the best ways to furnish your apartment for cheap.
• Check the sales – Sometimes, stores like Target and Wal-Mart have pretty great deals on apartment furniture. Check their ads and you may be surprised at how affordable it can be.
• Check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace – Each of these sites usually have furniture and other home furnishings for fairly cheap. Check these to see what’s available and you could be pleasantly surprised.
• Be flexible – If you can’t afford a brand-new couch, there’s no use in stretching your budget to find the best available. Even if you find one with a small hole in it, or fabric that you don’t really enjoy, you can always cover it up with a slipcover.
• Add accessories – If you don’t like the color of your furnishings, there are several things you can do to cover them up. Use bright fabric or pillows to accent your room and take away from the drab color of your furniture.

And there you have it! Considering the above tips before buying brand-new furniture could save you hundreds of dollars – and much stress.

The business was opened by Chris Pellack, a 12-year Ames resident. The collection started as a hobby many years ago, but soon grew into a passion – and from that passion came Old Curmudgeon Comics. Chris also spends some of his time talking with students in human development and family science classes, letting them know the importance of introducing comic books to children.

If there’s a certain comic book series you’d like to see, stop in and talk with Chris. He’ll give you 20 percent off for requesting the series.

Watercolors in the Garden
9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays through October 4
Reiman Gardens

Join Jo Myers-Walker and learn how to paint beautifully with watercolors while being inspired by the landscapes throughout Reiman Gardens. The 10-week class begins on Tuesday, August 2 and will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students will focus on taking inspiration from trees and bonsai throughout the area. All students will showcase their work at the Bonsai Show on Saturday, October 8. For more information, contact Reiman Gardens.

Pooches in the Park
1 p.m. on Saturday, August 13
McFarland Park

Bring your furry friend and enjoy the beauty of McFarland Park from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The hike will go throughout the park and finish with refreshments and treats for the dogs. Pre-registration is required by Friday, August 12, and you must show proof of a current rabies vaccination. You can register by calling the Story County Conservation Office at (515) 232-2516.

Reiman Gardens Sidewalk Sale
All day Saturday and Sunday, August 20 and 21
Reiman Gardens

Browse through the gift shop at Reiman Gardens and find a variety of gift items and sales on select plants. The sale runs Saturday and Sunday and is open throughout the day. Reiman Gardens is located at 1407 University Boulevard.

Dueces Wild Dueling Pianos
Friday, September 2
ISU Knapp-Storm Dining Complex

Hosted by the Ames Foundation, Dueces Wild Dueling Pianos will perform in the Knapp-Storm Dining Complex at 8 p.m. The Las Vegas-style show will feature parodies, comedic acts, and a variety of audience participation. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information or to buy tickets, contact the Ames Foundation.

To prepare for the closing, the Ames location at 1200 South Duff has a huge sale going that offers many of their products at 40 percent off. They’re currently open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

If you’re still looking for a place to purchase book in Ames, there are several other options available including Firehouse Books, Campus Book Store, the Iowa State University Book Store, and The Little Bookroom. Or, check out one of the cities’ libraries including the Ames Public Library or Parks Library on campus.

That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a list of tasks you should be sure to take care of before moving into your new space:

• Sort and throw away – First, go through your current apartment and decide what to keep and what to throw away. If you’re on the fence about something, think if you’ve used it in the last six months. If you haven’t (with the exception of out-of-season clothing), donate it to charity or throw it away.
• Plan your moving help - If you don’t want to rely on family and friends, get a few quotes for moving companies. Here, you have three basic options – hire a team of packers and movers, hire just the movers, or reserve a rental truck and do all the packing and heavy lifting yourself. Make sure to have this solidified at least 3-4 weeks before your move. A great place to start research is a site like Yelp that reviews moving companies. If you’re on a budget, also consider checking places like Craigslist or Angie’s list to find at-home professionals who can help.
• Find packing supplies – Go to grocery stores and gather boxes they’re not going to use. Then, head to a place like Lowe’s or Target to get packing tape, bubble wrap, a Sharpie marker, and tupperware totes.
• Pack and label – Now comes the most dreaded part. Pack all of your belongings in cardboard boxes and mark which room they should go in with a Sharpie marker.
• Do a change of address – About two weeks before the move, visit the USPS website and submit your change of address form. You can specify when you’d like it to take place, so doing it earlier is better – just to make sure it’s taken care of.
• Let others know about your move – Talk with your bank, credit card company, utility companies, and insurance firm about your move and make sure they have your new address. If you have any magazine and newspaper subscriptions, it’s also helpful to talk with them.
• Cancel (and reactivate) your utilities – Cancel your current water, trash, electric, and Internet companies (effective on your move date) and set them up for your new apartment, if needed.
• Double-check details – A few days before the move, call your movers or moving van company and confirm your appointment on moving day. You should also call your property manager and confirm what time they’ll be by to do a walk-through of your apartment.

And there you have it – make sure to consider the above tips for a happy and less stressful move into Jensen Group apartments.

Which plants are most affected?
The flowering plants and vegetables you planted in the spring are most sensitive to heat. Why? Because their roots aren’t fully developed and they haven’t had time to adapt to the local weather.

What happens during a drought?
If temperatures are in the triple digits and there’s a lack of rainfall, the plant’s growing process will slow significantly – perhaps even stop – and enter a dormant phase. During this time, the blooms will die and the leaves will curl up and fall off the plant.

How can I help my plants survive?
Luckily, there are several ways you can help your plants survive in the summer heat:

• Check the forecast often. This will help you know how hot it’s going to be in the coming weeks and if there’s a chance of rain. Before a heat wave arrives, give your plants plenty of water – especially the young ones. Make sure to soak not only the top soil but the sub soil as well.
• Add mulch. After you water your plants, add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch out to the drip line.
• Don’t use fertilizer. During this time, as any left around the base could harm it.
• Watch for signs of stress. If your plant’s leaves wilt, they change color, or their blossoms start drooping, give them additional water. Leaf curling may actually be an indication of your plant’s health – if the leaves open back up in the evening, your plant is just fine, and just works to reduce its leafy area during the day.
• Create a shady place - If you know there are certain plants that are going to have a difficult time, create a temporary shield or wall on the south side of the plant so it will be shadowed throughout the day. Burlap is a great solution, as the mesh material allows air to pass through while protecting it from the sun. This can be purchased at many local nurseries like Earl May.

Keep in mind the above tips when the weather gets hot to help your plants survive the summer and grow into beautiful blossoms.

The Main Street market features Iowa-grown produce, wine, and meats. It will also have arts and crafts, live music, children’s activities, and prepared food so you can enjoy breakfast while shopping. Currently, there are about 30 vendors signed up for the farmer’s market.

The other downtown farmers market is located at 526 Main Street, while the North Grand farmers market is located in the mall parking lot. For more information about the new farmer’s market, including a list of vendors and entertainment options, visit their website.

The LANE4 initiative was introduced last fall and aims to revamp Campustown, including Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way. Plans include everything from a new grocery or drug store to a high-tech movie theater that plans to seat up to 300 people. Along with the initiative comes general clean-up of the area. This spring, students gathered together to clean up Welch Avenue, ridding it of trash, cigarette butts, and more.

In the future, LANE4 will help bring in brand-new restaurants to Campustown and provide stores designed for everyday needs like a pharmacy or grocery store. It will also include open space that can be used for public events like art fairs, speakers, and outdoor concerts. Although many of these projects are still in the negotiation stages, LANE4 plans to be completely finished in 3-4 years at a cost of about $50 million.

5k on the 4th
Ada Hayden Park
Tuesday, July 5th at 8 a.m.

Even though it’s called 5k on the 4th, this race actually takes place on Thursday, July 5. Grab a group of friends and enjoy this 3.2-mile race through beautiful Ada Hayden Park. You can sign up here and email mnelson1@iastate.edu with any questions.

Hope Run for Hospice
Ames Middle School (3915 Mortenson Road)
Saturday, June 11 at 8 a.m.

Get out and run for a good cause at the Hope Run for Hospice Race, where you can choose from a 10k, 5k, or one-mile race. Partial proceeds go toward the efforts by the staff and volunteers at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. For more information, visit the Hope Run for Hospice website.

Midnight Madness
Downtown Ames, IA
Saturday, July 9

Grab your friends to participate in this fun race that runs through the beautiful city of Ames and ends with live music. The race starts in front of the Ames City Hall on 5th Street and winds through the roads of downtown. There are two options to choose from – the 5k starting at 7:30 p.m. and the 10k starting at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Midnight Madness website.

According to the Wall Street Journal, many college business students are being criticized for their lack of writing skills. This may be in part due to the rise of technology – sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as the increased use of smart phones for a quick text message. The staff at the Gerdin Business School feels the ability to communicate concisely and clearly with your audience is a skill that’s essential to becoming successful in business, which is one of the reasons they opened the center.

The center’s staff is available to help students with a wide variety of projects, from business plans to presentations. They’ll help students develop their communication skills for use both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes the ability to evaluate, analyze, and comprehend the designated communication topic, and also involves skills like proper grammar, writing styles, and document design.

The Communications Center is located in Room 2140 in the Gerdin Business Building and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.

When to get keys/move in:  August 1^st after 12PM

1. *unless you signed up for early check in, then you can move in on July 31^st from 4-5pm*
2. Know your correct address when coming to pick up keys!
3. All apartment keys will be given to the first person that comes to the office.

Carpet Cleaners: need to be scheduled before you check out

1. Klean Rite- 515-233-5555   http://kleanrite.net  
2. ServiceMaster- 515-232-1776 
3. Heaven’s Best- 515- 233-9940 

**This is just an example of several places in Ames- you may use any company

Paint: can be purchased in the office ($10/quart) or at Sherwin Williams

Office hours during turnover (July 31^st and August 1^st):    8am- 5pm (Sunday and Monday)

Rent: August rent is due on August 1^st (please make 1 payment all at once for whole apartment)

Utilities: need to be put into your name and new address by July 15^th! Have them activated for August 1^st. (Or if you are doing the early check-in they need to be activated July 29th)

1. City of Ames (Water and Electric): 515-239-5120
2. Alliant Energy (Gas): 1-800-ALLIANT (255-4268) 

Check out time: DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE- CHECK OUT TIMES WILL BE PRE-DETERMINED. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON BUILDING DOORS AND MAILED TO YOU.   

Check out: All keys, carpet receipt, and forwarding address (for deposit) need to be on your counter at time of check out (or turned in to office beforehand).  

ACH’s/Credit Card Withdrawals:  Will automatically be cancelled on July 31^st 

If you wish to continue your automatic withdrawals for rent you will need to fill out another form by July 15^th in order for it to start August 1^st.

No garages or storage units available for temporary use during turnover.No early check-ins; earliest check in is July 31^st between 4-5pm (with signed early check in form).

The City of Ames recently launched a brand-new website that’s designed to be much more user friendly and have tons of information for new and current Ames residents.

With the new site, users will enjoy a community calendar, a guide for Ames newbies, weather updates, and more. The site also has a link to area news channels so you can keep up on current events.

If you’re used to paying your utility bills, parking fines, etc. online, don’t worry – the process has stayed just the same as the old site. For more information about the City of Ames or to view their new site, visit http://www.cityofames.org.

Nearly all dishes are made at the cafe, including a selection of desserts and their signature Arcadia Dog that resembles a Coney Island Dog. The owners have been planning the cafe for more than five years and have a diverse background – and family recipes – that make them excited to serve students and the local community. Recent favorite menu items have included pineapple crepes, strawberry decadence cake, Boston cream pie, and apple pecan bread.

The space will also feature local artists on its walls, to help them gain exposure throughout Ames. Arcadia Cafe is open Monday – Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will also be open longer hours during Dead Week and Finals Week so students will have a quiet place to study.

For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.

Some plants are better suited for an indoor environment than others, and even bloom regularly. Take a look at some of the plants that will do well in an apartment – just be sure to place them in the right environment where they can thrive.

Orchids
Orchids are beautiful (& dainty) flowering plants known for their gorgeous blooms. They are a diverse group of plants with over 20,000 species recognized over the world. Orchids need special attention but with careful maintenance, you can keep their blooms coming one after another. If you want detailed information on keeping your orchids looking great, visit Beautiful Orchids online. The site includes tips on how often you should water them, how often they should be fertilized, the most common Orchid pets, and more.

Tropical Bonsais

The artful practice of cultivating Bonsai trees originated with Japan and China and was used primarily for contemplation by those viewing the specimen. Typically, the Bonsai is carefully shaped by pruning, nipping, and limb manipulation by bending branches into desired positions. Some species of Bonsai trees are suited only for the outdoors, while the tropical varieties can thrive indoors. The Oriental Ficus and the Japanese Kingsville Boxwood are great for indoor living and can be a beautiful addition to your living room or bedroom.

Ponytailed Palms
Ponytailed Palms require a lot of light, so its definitely one you should leave in the brightest room of your apartment – and as close to the window as possible. If you can manage the lighting situation, the rest is easy. These plants are low-maintenance plant all the way.

The Ponytail Palm also requires very little water; it is even advised that you allow its surrounding soil to dry thoroughly before watering again. What does that mean for you? If you forget to water your little palm baby, it won’t make a fuss – and you’ll be fine tending to it the next day.

Snake Plant/ Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
This is the ultimate plant for beginners, as the snake plant (known as the Sansevieria species in the scientific world), needs little light or water.  Its long, sturdy leaves and distinct color pattern make for visually striking plant. Soil should be changed periodically and watering should only happen once a week. If your plant begins to look droopy, it’s probably because you’re overwatering, not underwatering your snake plant.

Luckily, Ames is filled with many places you can find these plants. Check out Country Landscapes, Skycrest Gardens, or Holub Garden & Greenhouse – all within miles of Ames.

The conference is free to attend upon registering; call (515) 232-2516 or e-mail conservation@storycounty.com to make your reservations.  Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch, as the conference committee will provide the main course.

The event begins at 10:00 a.m. with opening remarks from seasoned bluebirder Dean Biechler followed by talks from Bluebird photographers Don Poggensee and Carl Kurtz. Jaclyn Hill will cover the bluebird directory, and the Wild Turkey Federation will comment on the placing and monitoring of bluebird nest boxes.

Topics to be covered will also include issues and challenges faced by the bluebird population in relation to its environment. The conference will conclude with a field trip to enjoy the wildlife efforts at Dean Biechler’s property as well as observe the Bluebird in its habitat.  This outdoor venture would be a great way to get outside and enjoy the outdoors with wildlife enthusiasts.

For more information call the Story Country Conservation Center at (515) 232 2516 or visit their website.

The cafe, located at 2320 Lincoln Way, plans to serve natural foods, including vegetables, coffee, grains, and spices – most of which are organic. They’ll also feature many local foods, including meat, dairy, and eggs. One of the most exciting parts is the wide selection of ethnic foods, ranging from Caribbean to Thai and everything in between.

Menu items include cheeseburgers, salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, smoked beef, a variety of vegetarian dishes, and much more. Guests can order at the counter, then sit down in the restaurant or take their order to go. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10:30 a.m. – and students can grab lunch or dinner items as well.

For more information about the cafe, check out the Iowa State Daily’s article.

In 2010, the company reported $6 billion in sales, with 226 new franchise commitments and 574 new locations throughout the world. To help spread the word in Iowa, the company plans to offer incentives to those who try to expand in certain areas of Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, and Des Moines.

Currently, there are 9,700 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in 31 countries. But, these aren’t all free-standing buildings. Many are in gas stations, kiosks, and other retail venues. The company is known for its selection of donuts, and more recently, it’s freshly brewed coffee which is now being sold in stores across the nation.

The opening will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., and the restaurant will be open to the public at 11 a.m. Stop in and check out the restaurant’s happy hour specials that feature $3 appetizers and specialty drinks, or try out their combo platters for $12.99. The manager, Bryant Arns, said they’ll strive to create the ultimate sports bar experience, with several large televisions, trivia nights, poker nights, and more.

To prepare for the opening, Buffalo Wild Wings hired 120 employees, 80 percent of which are college students. As a company, BWW has more than 750 stores across the nation. The Ames location plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.

The Lincoln Way location will offer the same services as the original Alpha Copies, but allows the business to expand its customer base, as jobs can get done at an even faster turnaround. This location will also offer offset printing that is great for letterhead reprints and similar items. Additionally, it will feature an expanded area for their vehicle graphics, which includes everything from a small sign to a full vehicle wrap.

The new Alpha Copies will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It also offers free delivery service to places within central Iowa. The owner, John Crawford, and his wife opened Alpha Copies in September of 2005. Since then, they’ve added Omega Marketing that assists companies in brand identification for items like pens, apparel, and more. For more information about Alpha Copies, visit their website.