In this special episode of Up Close, Casandra Eames brings together three former guests—Bill Gallus, Sally Shaver Dubois, and Jen King—for a lively roundtable where personal stories and shared experiences reveal unexpected connections.

From growing up near Iowa State to finding purpose in service, the conversation flows through weather, music, healthcare, and community with ease and warmth. As their stories intertwine, themes of place, passion, and people rise to the surface.

It’s an episode full of laughs, discoveries, and the kind of real-life intersections that make Ames feel like home.

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This episode of Ames in Focus takes a heartfelt journey through the history and significance of Ames City Hall, located at 515 Clark Avenue. Host Bill Gebhart is joined by two special guests: Susan Gwiasda, Communications and Outreach Manager for the City of Ames, and Alex Fejfar, Exhibits Manager at the Ames History Museum. Together, they reflect on the building’s transformation from Ames High School to City Hall, share personal connections to the space, and preview the upcoming 35th anniversary celebration.

Highlights:

Susan Gwiasda shares her background in communications and her unique connection to the City Hall building

Alex Fejfar offers a historical deep dive—from the building’s 1937 origins to its adaptive reuse in 1988

Insight into preserved architectural features like vintage lockers and the repurposed school library

Reflections on how history shapes civic identity and public service

A preview of the anniversary celebration on Thursday, August 28, including cake, self-guided tours, and community engagement opportunities

Help others discover the stories behind our city! Like, share, and subscribe wherever you listen—and if you’ve got a minute, leave us a review. Your support helps keep the conversation going and brings more Ames voices into focus.

In this thoughtful episode of Up Close, Casandra Eames welcomes Jen King to the mic to talk about roots, family, and finding contentment in the quieter moments of life. Originally from Marshalltown, Jen shares how her journey—from college to a career in healthcare—ultimately brought her closer to what matters most: family and community.

They explore what it’s like to work in a field centered on care, how Jen’s sense of purpose evolved over time, and why she embraces the opposite of FOMO (fear of missing out). This conversation is a warm reminder that sometimes the best place to be… is exactly where you are.

Topics Covered:

Growing up in Marshalltown and finding her path

Moving closer to family post-college

A career rooted in healthcare and compassion

Choosing presence over pressure: the joy of missing out

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Navigating Ames just got easier. In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with City of Ames Traffic Engineer, Damion Pregitzer, to talk about the new wayfinding signs appearing along Ames’ trails and shared-use paths. From pointing you toward parks and neighborhoods to making routes safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and people who roll, these signs are part of a bigger vision for transportation in our community.

Damion shares the thinking behind the Walk Bike Roll master plan, explains how public feedback shaped the design and placement of the signs, and walks us through the phased rollout happening across the city. Whether you’re a daily commuter on two wheels or just someone who enjoys a weekend stroll, you’ll learn how Ames is making it easier—and safer—to get where you’re going.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What wayfinding signs are and how they help people navigate Ames’ trail network

How the Walk Bike Roll master plan guides transportation improvements in the city

The role of community feedback in shaping the signage system

How the signs improve safety and accessibility for all users

Where and when you can expect to see more signs installed

Resources & Links:

Learn more about the Walk Bike Roll master plan: www.CityofAmes.org/WalkBikeRoll

In this heartwarming episode of Up Close, Casandra Eames sits down with Sally Shaver Dubois to explore a life shaped by creativity, community, and a joyful spirit. Sally shares stories from her early days in Ames after her family moved for her father’s position at Iowa State, and how that move laid the foundation for her enduring love of the town—and its people.

From her deep passion for music to her work connecting with others, Sally reflects on the power of laughter, the meaning of service, and why she never quite outgrew her love of a little clowning around. It’s an episode full of heart, harmony, and a whole lot of humanity.

Topics Covered:

Growing up in Ames and the Iowa State connection

Finding purpose through music and community

The importance of joy—and a sense of humor—in everyday life

How a little clowning can bring people together

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In this heartwarming episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Joanna Muggli—devoted animal advocate, longtime supporter of the Ames Animal Shelter, and now the proud adopter of one of Ames’ most famous pups. You may know him as Good Boy—the injured dog who captured the City’s heart and became one of the faces of the shelter’s capital campaign. At home, he’s now known simply as Buddy.

Joanna shares the emotional story of Buddy’s transformation, the shelter’s critical role in his recovery, and what the future holds for animal care in Ames. As the shelter is in a bold campaign to build a new facility, this episode explores how community support can help give many more animals a second chance—just like Buddy.

Episode Highlights:

Buddy’s journey from injured and abandoned to beloved community icon

Joanna’s perspective on adopting from the Ames Animal Shelter and why she supports its future

The challenges of the current shelter facility and the vision for a more modern, humane space

Ways listeners can get involved—from donations to volunteering and adoption

Learn more and support the campaign: AmesAnimalShelter.org

In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames sits down with Bill Gallus, a man who’s been chasing storms—and his passion—since childhood. From choosing between the legendary meteorology programs at Penn State and Iowa State to following tornadoes across the Midwest, Bill shares how a lifelong fascination with weather shaped his career and his life.

He talks about the moment he knew the weather bug wasn’t going away, the thrill (and risk) of storm chasing, and why Iowa State ultimately became home. If you’ve ever looked at a radar map with curiosity or felt the adrenaline of a fast-moving storm, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

Penn State vs. Iowa State: The decision that changed everything

Early signs of a weather obsession

The science—and thrill—of chasing tornadoes

Building a career out of natural curiosity

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In this episode, we welcome back Vanessa Baker-Latimer to unpack the 2025–26 Annual Action Plans for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. These federal funding streams may sound bureaucratic, but they directly shape how Ames invests in affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and other community improvements. Vanessa helps demystify the goals, requirements, and opportunities for public input that make these programs impactful and responsive to local needs.

Episode Highlights:

What the CDBG and HOME programs are and why they matter in Ames

Key goals and proposed projects for 2025–26

The three core objectives that guide how funds can be used

Where residents can explore past and current projects

How community members can offer feedback and shape the plan

Take Action:

Join the conversation. Shape the future.

It’s a five-Thursday month—which means it’s time for a special Up Close conversation with your host Casandra and Producer Bill!

In this episode, they dive into the heart of what Up Close is all about: building relationships. Through thoughtful reflections and a few laughs, they explore how relationships often begin with something simple—making a connection. Whether it's borrowing a lawn tool or trading parenting advice, these everyday moments can grow into meaningful, lasting bonds.

Casandra and Bill share personal insights on the importance of both offering help and being willing to ask for it. Because in a strong community, connection goes both ways.

Tune in for a candid, encouraging conversation about how relationships are built one ask, one offer, and one shared experience at a time.

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In this episode, we sit down with Officer Nate Rivera of the Ames Police Department to talk about National Night Out—an annual summer celebration focused on building community, enhancing public safety, and fostering police-resident partnerships. Nate shares what makes this event so impactful, how his unique role as Community Resource Officer shapes his approach, and why you won’t want to miss this year’s festivities on August 5 at Ames Middle School.

Episode Highlights:

Officer Nate’s background and journey into community policing

What National Night Out is and why it matters

Sneak peek at this year’s event: games, food, emergency vehicles, and more

The importance of trust-building between law enforcement and residents

Shoe and sock giveaway for students and on-site signups for school supplies

Resources & Links:

📅 National Night Out: Tuesday, August 5 | 5:30–8 p.m. | Ames Middle School

🔗 CityofAmes.org

📱 Follow the Ames Police Department on social media for updates

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