Birds, Songs and Books

1) Backyard Birds

You don't even have to leave your house for this one. The Great Backyard Bird Count started Friday and lasts until Monday. It only takes 15 full minutes, but you can do it as often as you want. Count the greatest number of individual types of birds you see at any one time.

2) Jungle Book

Performances of Story Theater Company's Jungle Book take place today and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Ames City Auditorium. Tickets are $6 in advance or $6 for children and $8 for adults at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at all Fareway Stores. For more information go here.

3) Cyclone Pet Partners

Read to your favorite dog at the Ames Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Davidson Storytelling Room. Each child can drop in and read for 15 minutes.

4) Trek the Trails

Story County Conservation will host its fourth annual Trek the Trails Race starting at 10 a.m. in McFarland Park, at 56461 180^th St., just northeast of Ames on Saturday. An awards ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. For more information go to www.storycounty.com.

5) Music at Milo

Echo 18 will perform free live music at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cafe Milo. Echo 18 describes themselves as a Blues Rock band. Their facebook page says they play original songs written by Echo 18 and Ice Skating with Mannequins.

For more events check the Ames.Patch.Com calender and click browse. See an event that is missing? Create an account and add it here.