Valley News: January 21, 2021 by grainvalleynews

January 21, 2021 Vol. 4 No. 3

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Exclusively Dogs celebrates Good News: two years in business, Missouri COVID-19 case numbers credits its people for success down as lawmakers begin work successful without her It’s tough to join Exclusively Dogs will soon celebrate on pandemic-related bills a new business when they are building its second year of business, and while their daily focus is on our four-legged friends, owner Michelle Toczek knows the key to their success is the people who work with her. “It’s a really great group. For me, it’s more about culture. We have plenty of business for however many dogs our groomers want to take on. I think that’s what makes it really fun and special here. There’s not that pressure of having to complete a certain number of jobs per day. That gives them some flexibility with their schedule, which is important,” Toczek said. “When I opened this business, that was my dream. One, of course, was to be around dogs. But, second, was to be able to offer a place where people like to work.” Toczek’s team includes Margarita Giannoutsos, who has been with Toczek since the business opened. “I feel like we wouldn’t have been

up clientele, and she stuck it out with us,” Toczek said. Groomer William Kessler has been with Exclusively Dogs for about a year, bringing ten years of experience to the business. While grooming a very well behaved client, he said the hardest part of grooming is “not taking them all home.” When groomers were closed last spring due to COVID-19 related shutdowns, many dog owners were forced to tackle grooming on their own, and many gained a newfound respect for the work of professional groomers. “I quickly learned when I was learning that groomers make it look easy, but it is much harder than it looks. If you’re cutting a person’s hair, you can ask them to move their head and they can communicate their needs. With dogs, it’s a bit more of a negotiation sometimes,” Kessler quipped.

see GROOMING on page 5

by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Amid signs that COVID-19 is loosening its grip on Missouri, the state Senate this week will hold hearings on coronavirus liability protections while the state House is home as leaders attempt to control a Capitol Building outbreak. The Department of Health and Senior Services on Tuesday reported 1,357 new COVID-19 infections and it marked the third consecutive day of reporting fewer than 1,500 cases since the ﬁrst week of October. And the 7-day positive rate on tests, 12.7 percent, is down 4.7 percentage points over the past week. Republican leadership in the House didn’t detail how many lawmakers are sick or in quarantine from exposure when they canceled this week’s session. There were 11 members absent last week during a roll call vote that defeated a proposed rule change to require masks in the House chamber. The leadership has not stated whether regular sessions will resume next week.

On the Senate side of the building, the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold hearings Tuesday on two bills shielding employers and business owners from lawsuits alleging they allowed exposure to COVID-19. That will be followed Wednesday with hearings in the Senate Health and Pensions Committee on bills limiting the scope and duration of local health orders. One bill, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, scheduled for a hearing Wednesday would exempt religious worship services from health restrictions and barring lawsuits from people who contract COVID-19 during services. Senate hearings will have audio streaming but no online video. The indicators that the pandemic is easing in Missouri as it rages elsewhere have been visible in several indicators in recent weeks. The lower daily counts are driving down the 7-day average of reported cases, which fell

see COVID-19 on page 2

Exclusively Dogs will soon celebrate its second anniversary in Grain Valley. From left: William Kessler, Vanessa Carnes, owner Michelle Toczek, and Margarita Giannoutsos. Photo credit: Valley News staff

In This Edition: Looking Back: The Grain Valley Herald

Business: Crosetti Health and Wellness set to open in Grain Valley

Your Health: Plants on your plate: Citrus

Sports: Lady Eagles win Pleasant Hill basketball tournament

Cover Photo: Several new businesses are taking shape downtown. Photo credit: Valley News staff

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. received the ﬁrst dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Truman Medical Centers/University Health on January 18th. Photo courtesy: Jackson County

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COVID-19 continued from page 1

Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department

below 2,000 per day for the first time since late October. There are also fewer local health jurisdictions reporting new cases. Of 117 local jurisdictions listed on state reports, there were new cases in 89 on Tuesday, the second day with new cases in fewer than 100 health departments since early October. Missouri’s rate of new cases has been below the national average for eight consecutive weeks. The result is that the overall per capita infection rate in the state, which rose above the national average on Oct. 10, fell below the national average on Saturday. As of Monday, Missouri had an overall infection rate of 7,150 cases per 100,000 residents. The national infection rate was 7,244 per 100,000 people. The vaccines being administered are already having a positive effect for the health care workers who were first in line, Springfield’s CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards wrote in a Monday tweet. He reported that 6,658 of the

company’s 12,500 health care workers had received a first dose and those employees would start receiving their booster shots on Tuesday. “Total daily employee infections are already down 50%!” Cox wrote. According to data from the CDC, Missouri has administered about onethird of the 528,000 doses received so far, with about 153,000 people receiving a first dose. Hospitalizations, which health experts consider a lagging indicator, are also showing some improvement. The total number of inpatients stood at 2,392 on Saturday, the first time the tally has been below 2,400 since Nov. 10. Rudi Keller covers the state budget, energy and the legislature. He’s spent 22 of his 30 years in journalism covering Missouri government and politics, most recently as the news editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune. Keller has won awards for spot news and investigative reporting. www.missouriindependent.com

daily calls for service log for the week of January 6-12, 2021. January 6, 2021 700 Block Main St 1600 Block Eagles 600 Block Walnut 1200 Block Sawgrass 700 Block Eagles Dr

Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Agency Assist (CJC) Suspicious Person Citizen Contact

January 7, 2021 1300 Block Brentwood 300 Block Front St 200 Block Jefferson St 600 Block Muriel Dr 800 Block Highland

Abandoned Vehicle Residence Check Alarm Harassment Agency Assist (SPD)

January 8, 2021 1200 Block Pamela Blvd 1400 Block Maple Dr 600 Block Walnut 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 500 Block Centurion Ct 1400 Block Persimmon Dr 200 Block Cypress St 1700 Block Helen Ct 900 Block Minter Rd 1200 Block Phelps Ct 1100 Block Main St 1100 Block Willow Dr 1400 Block Hickory Ridge

Stealing Check the Well Being Parking Complaint Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Check the Well Being Citizen Contact Disturbance Open Door Alarm Suspicious Vehicle Stealing Suspicious Activity Suspicious Person

January 9, 2021 2200 Block Hedgewood 1100 Block Scenic 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney

Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Person Disturbance

January 10, 2021 1000 Block RD Mize Rd 700 Block Meadow 500 Block Whitestone 18000 Block 39th St 300 Block Front St

Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Juveniles Motor Vehicle Accident Agency Assist (Metro Wide) Disturbance

January 11, 2021 500 Block Woodbury Dr 400 Block Rust Rd 300 Block Front St 600 Block Valley Ridge Ct 1200 Block Valley Ridge Dr 700 Block Main St 800 Block Harvest 600 Block Shorthorn 700 Block Greystone

Agency Assist (CJC) Citizen Contact Civil Standby Stealing Stealing Suspicious Activity Alarm Alarm Animal Neglect

January 12, 2021 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 400 Block Oakwood Ln 100 Block Yennie Meadow and US Hwy 40 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney 700 Block Main St

Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Civil Standby Motor Vehicle Accident Stealing Prisoner Drop Off for Court Citizen Contact Shots Fired Fraud Suspicious Vehicle

1100 Block Ephraim 500 Block Nelson Dr 1700 Block Helen Ct 600 Block Valley Ridge Ct

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Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @grainvalleynews

Looking Back

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Looking Back: The Grain Valley Herald by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The Sni-A-Bar Voice offered limited national and state news along with the local news to Grain Valley beginning in 1901. D.C. Herrington, the founder and publisher sold his interest in 1912 to W. L Hall and his wife, the paper’s editor at the time. Records indicate this newspaper continued to be published in Blue Springs until 1923. In 1913 a separate newspaper, The Grain Valley Herald, was introduced to the citizens of Grain Valley. Information from the mast head revealed the paper was published every Friday by W. L. Hall & Son of Blue Springs, Missouri. The owner and editor of the paper was J. W. Snodgrass of Grain Valley and he received a mailing permit on June 20, 1913. Volume 1, Number 1 would have been published at that time. This information came from Volume 4, Number 29, which was published on January 4, 1918. Robert and Earlene Mueller, long-time residents of Grain Valley had the edition put under Plexiglas and gifted it to the Historical Society. Here are some highlights from the edition:

The cost of a subscription was $1 per year or $ .50 for six months. Evidently, when people subscribed, it was printed in the paper, as I learned that “Miss Grace Johnson (later Mrs. Ellis Storms) left a renewal dollar at the Herald ofﬁce on New Year’s Day with instructions to send our paper during the year 1918 to her uncle, J. H. Daniels at Tempe, Arizona.” I wonder who paid to mail the newspaper and if the cost of postage would not have been greater than the price of the newspaper! “The Red Cross Christmas drive for membership resulted in about 300 new members in and near Grain Valley.” This may have been part of the war effort. “There are a few cases of smallpox in Grain Valley, but all are under strict quarantine and it is not believed that the disease will spread further. The contagion appears to be in a very mild form, as no one has been seriously ill with it.” The year was 1918, however, there was no mention of the flu pandemic which was making headlines through

Missouri Trivia by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) was the great-great uncle of Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) the painter from Neosho, Missouri. His paintings were part of several movements including Realism and Modern Art, but he was at the forefront of the Regionalist Art movement.

The fluid, sculpted ﬁgures in his paintings showed everyday people in scenes of life in the United States. His art hangs in museums including The Met in NYC and on murals at UMKC, the Kansas City Library and the NelsonAtkins Museum. But, did you know that in 1939, 20th Century-Fox commissioned Benton to design and paint the promotional poster art for their motion picture Gone With

the Wind?

the U. S. A dinner was held at the Busy Bee Café following an event at the Grain Valley Masonic Lodge which was attended by Masons from Mount Washington and Blue Springs. One headline read “Two More Boys Across” and stated cablegrams had been received by the parents of Thomas Storms (stationed in England) and Hurst Shrout (stationed in Paris, France) letting them know both boys had “reached the other side of the Atlantic.” “Otis Williams, Riley and Mark Lynch are training near London, England. Joe Graham was last heard from near Morrison, Virginia. These four boys are members of aviation squadrons.” The newspaper also has wedding announcements, a birth announcement and some obituaries along with a page of agricultural news (mostly about sheep and fowls), and a chapter from a book which I can only assume was a weekly feature. I found it interesting that along with the Spanish Flu, there was also no news regarding WW I. I’m guessing at least

some citizens must have subscribed to The Kansas City Times and/or The Kansas City Star for state, national and world news. And one ﬁnal note, from The Kansas City Times, Saturday, December 7, 1918: The Grain Valley Herald Quits

The Grain Valley Herald, a weekly newspaper at Grain Valley, has ceased publication. R. C. Hague, editor and proprietor, gives two reasons—the high cost of white paper and the fact he is ill of influenza. He has sold his subscription list to The Oak Grove Banner and will edit a “Grain Valley page” in that paper. The Herald was established ﬁve years ago by J. W. Snodgrass, who four months ago sold it to Mr. Hague, a mail carrier. Next week: Highlights from the Grain Valley page in The Oak Grove Banner Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at ww.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).

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Business

Crosetti Health and Wellness set to open in Grain Valley A recent drive down Main Street in Grain Valley will reveal a new blue store awning. Crosetti Health and Wellness is set to open in February at 510 N. Main St. Prescription medication, over the counter drugs, medicine delivery, adjunctive therapy, a lactation support room, and attracting health specialists (from podiatry to dermatology) to work out of his store is the goal for Dr. Sean M. Crosetti. A Grain Valley resident, Crosetti earned an MBA (Master of Business Administration) and worked in the mutual fund industry for 20 years prior to heading back to school to learn the pharmaceutical industry. His motivation for the career change came out of a desire to help people in a meaningful way and the influence of his parents. Both Crosetti’s father and mother worked in the health care system. His Dad was a dentist for the VA (Veteran’s Administration) for 39 years. His mother worked in hospital administration for the VA prior to being appointed to a government position near retirement. “With my Dad being a practitioner and Mom being in administration, I came to understand both sides of health care. It definitely made dinner conversations interesting growing up. Both of my parents were proud of their profession and wanted good things for people,” Crosetti said. Upon graduating from UMKC in 2014, Crosetti spent five years as the Pharmacy Director at Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington, MO. Crosetti’s interest in retail pharmacy grew during that time along with the idea of being a small business owner. As Crosetti considered locations for his business, Grain Valley came to the forefront through his work at Hil’s Pharmacy prior to their closure. “The friendly nature of people I encountered through my work at Hil’s Pharmacy was nice. Residents in this community praised the school district and seemed willing to take the time to talk and get to know people,” Crosetti said. “My conversations with people from city government led me to believe that they were focused on the development of community, instead of just economic growth.” “There is a definite need for a pharmacy in Grain Valley. I chose to become a pharmacist over being a

doctor because it would lead for the potential of having non time constrained interactions with customers.” Crosetti concluded, “Being a clinical pharmacist compared to a retail pharmacist are two different creatures. It is like an eagle being compared to a penguin. They are both birds and that is about it. I know what I’m getting into and hope to build relationships with patients so that continuity of care may be provided.” Attention to detail has been paid to the layout and design of Crosetti Health and Wellness. Reclaimed 100 year old pine shelving is being used for product demonstration. Consideration has been given to ease of movement for the customer with an open floor plan, wide counters, and 360 degree displays. Bright fluorescent lighting makes things easy to see and find. Dr. Sean Crosetti will open Crosetti Health & Wellness at 510 N Main ST in February. The blend of light blue paint and dark Below: The interior of the pharmacy; reclaimed pine shelving holds products. stained wood provide a color contrast Photo credit: Valley News staff that is warm and inviting. Much akin to the one point place of care pharmacies you would find during the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s. Time and elbow grease have been provided by Crosetti and his family in trying to make their vision come to life. Business hours will be 9am-7pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-1pm Saturday. Crosetti Health and Wellness can be reached by phone at 816-8476930. “The idea behind our store hours is so that people who live in Grain Valley but commute out of town to work may get their prescription needs fulfilled without breaking the law by speeding to get home. We will have an emergency phone number as well so that if a customer makes an unintended late night trip to the emergency room, they can get the prescription they need without having to wait,” Crosetti said. “This journey (opening a business) has taught me patience I didn’t know I had. I continue to try and find win, win situations for myself and others as we go through the hurdles of trying to open a pharmacy during a pandemic. I am looking forward to the reward of helping people make educated decisions for accurate, evidence based care.”

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GROOMING continued from page 1 Giannoutsos agreed. “A lot of clients after the shutdown ended would tell us, ‘We tried grooming our dogs at home, and we have so much more appreciation for you now’.” Vanessa Carnes recently joined Exclusively Dogs as a groomer, having completed her training recently with The Grooming Project. Carnes and Giannoutsos both received their training with The Grooming Project, a Kansas City based nonprofit which helps families in poverty by providing job training in the high demand trade of pet grooming. The grooming school program includes 644 classroom hours and three internships in local grooming salons. Students are paired with a volunteer mentor who they meet with regularly to work through household budgeting and parenting questions. The Grooming Project also coordinates with many local organizations to address medical service and mental health needs, life skills courses, and parenting and budgeting support. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. Their training is challenging, but it is a good program. They offer great assistance in placement,” Giannoutsos said. Carnes was referred to The Grooming Project by a local nonprofit, Journey To A New Life. “I went down a wrong road in my life, and came to Kansas City for something new. Journey to a New Life recommended The Grooming Project, and their employment specialist helped me find this position. Michelle was really welcoming and really great about giving me a chance,” Carnes said. “I’ve always felt at ease working with dogs, and it is a great career. Many people who have made mistakes in their lives don’t think that they can ever have a career. I definitely think grooming is a great skill to develop, and there are many great opportunities.” According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018), employment for animal care and service workers is projected to grow 22% through 2026, faster than the average for other occupations. Exclusively Dogs has certainly

COVID-19 Testing Opportunities Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing clinics the week of January 25—29th: Monday, January 25, 2021 Lee’s Summit Drive Thru Clinic 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lees Summit Registration link: https:// form.jotform.com/210105060591138 Tuesday, January 26, 2021 The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Road, Grandview

Vanessa Carnes joined Exclusively Dogs as a groomer after graduating from The Grooming Project’s program. Photo credit: Valley News staff experienced this growth, and according to Toczek, the key to their success is their team. “The biggest challenge is ﬁnding the right ﬁt when recruiting groomers. It’s always your people that make the difference,” Toczek said. “We all get along really well and work really well together,” Kessler said. “We all enjoy each other and joke around a lot,” Giannoutsos said. At the end of the day, Giannoutsos says it’s the reaction of their human customers that makes their work so enjoyable. “I love dogs and I love being creative. I really enjoy making the customers happy, and I enjoy seeing their reaction when they see their puppies when our work is done.” This is a great industry to be a part of,” Carnes said. “People just really love their pets, and it makes it fun.” Exclusively Dogs is located at 1060 NE McQuerry Road, Ste. F, Grain Valley. For appointments, call 816-721-5486 or visit www.exclusivelydogskc.com. For more information on The Grooming Project, visit www.thegroomingproject.org.

Registration link: https:// form.jotform.com/210135771543147 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper ST, Blue Springs Registration link: https:// form.jotform.com/210104427339144 Thursday, January 28, 2021 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lees Summit Registration link: https:// form.jotform.com/210105174733142

Community Voices

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Musings From The Middle: Curiosity killed the cat, but not Cathy by Cathy Allie I am naturally a very curious person. I don’t remember myself as a child besides through pictures in which I mostly have very bad haircuts, but I am guessing I about drove my folks crazy with questions. And to this day, I love a good question and answer session. I am not dangerously curious. You won’t ﬁnd me ambulance chasing, rushing into a ﬁre to determine the cause, looking too far over the edge of a cliff, or deep sea diving to open a treasure chest (although I might wait on the shore just to see what they brought up). There are some very positive things about being curious. I read once that curious people are more intelligent, and that asking questions which connect people might just be the glue that holds our society together. Not to be a martyr, but can you imagine if my good-natured cross-examination was somehow saving the world one inquiry at a time? Admittedly, I am a relentless speculator. Good or bad, I always have a question. When my brother and a friend visited at Christmas, we decided to get out of the house for a minute and drove around a new housing development in my neighborhood. “Wonder why they angled that house so that the front door is not facing the street?” I asked. They both shrugged their shoulders. “Hadn’t thought about it,” they said, nearly in unison. Clearly not curious. When I watch a movie with my husband, I am constantly analyzing a character’s motivation or what will happen next. While I am wondering if Julia will return to the site of the

murder or why she can’t stop her love of bad boys, I can guarantee you my husband is thinking more about whether I stole the last piece of buttered popcorn. Case in point was when we watched a war movie on a chilly COVID Friday night from the comfort of our couch. “It seems strange to me that the other guys in his unit didn’t notice the same things he did. Do you think maybe they really did know what was going to happen but just couldn’t bring themselves to talk about it?” I say to the hubs. “Hmmm,” he grunts. “Don’t know.” That’s it? You don’t know? Aren’t you curious? It doesn’t get a lot better with the next generation at our house. My daughter likes Star Wars movies, and I don’t. I have tried to sit down and watch with her, but she doesn’t appreciate having to talk me through all the questions I have. “What was the problem between the Jedi and the Dark Side Force to begin with?” I ask, secretly sort of proud of myself for even remembering some of the names. “I am not sure; we just know that they fought, the Jedi won, and the Dark Side wants revenge,” she said fairly patiently. “But isn’t the whole thing sort of based on that feud from long ago?” I try again. “Hard for me to believe it would just carry on all these years and through all these generations and galaxies without it being something big.” “Probably,” she says, dismissing me and my curious mind. I didn’t even get to ask about the whole Luke and his

father thing I saw in a meme. I have tried to build some curiosity into others. At family dinners, when there is a conversation lull, I coax them into playing Rapid Fire. This is not a food fight, but a question game, where you ask a question, and the person answering has only ten seconds to answer. My family has begun calling the person answering the question The Victim, so you now have an idea of their enthusiasm level. The last time we played, I offered them the chance to go first, but neither of them could think of a question. What? There is no burning unanswered inquiry you just have to make? Undeterred, I volunteered to go first. “Do you think aliens exist?” I asked my daughter. And she replied immediately, no hesitation. “Yes!” “Wow! Why do you think that?” “Well, to be honest, I think they may have taken over your body, with all your weird questions,” she said. Hateful, just hateful. My husband smiled at me sympathetically and told me he would play, but I didn’t fare a lot better with hm. “Okay,” I said and leaned in toward him to show my interest, one of my favorite questioning postures. “What is your favorite song ever?” “From what genre?” he replied. “Any genre. Just your favorite song.” “Could it be something from a long time ago, or do you mean something newer?’ “From any time period.” “Do you mean from a soloist or a band?” At this point, I was ready to try the hateful kid again. I am pretty persistent with my

pursuit of turning my family into inquisitors. I have unashamedly purchased 20 Questions books or Would You Rather card games for our vacations and long car rides and used them as stocking stuffers. They would rather have candy or socks. I have been known to ask new couples friends how they met or what their first apartment or home was like. Once when I was interviewing for a job, they asked if I had any questions, and I pulled out a list. Probably not what they anticipated, but I got the job. I don’t consider myself nosey or snoopy, like the stock characters on TV, who are just all up in somebody else’s business. I don’t really meddle or intrude…most of the time. I can, however, tell you where my neighbor went to college and where she grocery shops, how much the parking lot attendants at a local event center make per hour, and whether the ladies at my favorite craft store have to supply their own scissors when they work or if the store graciously provides them. You would suppose that a person as curious as me would have inadvertently discovered a disease cure or made a scientific advancement with all my questions, but thus far, I have to admit I have not unearthed anything of much significance. I am not stopping, though. Wanna’ know why? Did you know that “Curiosity killed the cat” is only the first part of that familiar phrase? The second half is ,“And satisfaction brought him back.”

Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Ofﬁcer.

Puzzle

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THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. *Starr of Super Bowl I and MVP 5. Epsom or Évian-les-Bains 8. Mexican money 12. Gulf V.I.P. 13. Biblical pronoun 14. Competitive musher, e.g. 15. Saintly glow 16. From the sky and often damaging 17. Early anesthetic 18. *Halftime show performer 20. Photo editing option 21. T. S., poet 22. Chi forerunner 23. *Team with most consecutive Super Bowl appearances 25. Swindles 29. Even, to a poet 30. Slanting characters 33. Cough syrup balsam 34. Travels by air 36. "What's up ____?", asked by Bugs Bunny 37. Southeast Asia org. 38. German currency 39. Wb, pl. 41. 9 to 5, e.g. 42. Substitute, two words 44. Express a thought 46. Hitherto 47. Winter "fever"? 49. Brown on "Doctor Who" 51. *He has most Super Bowl appearances as a coach 55. Plural of #38 Across 56. Norse deity 57. Joie de vivre 58. *3-time Super Bowl champ, Russ ____ 59. Pasturelands 60. Ready for picking 61. Black and white treat 62. *Another form of Super Bowl entertainment 63. Command, with "at"

DOWN 1. Thai currency 2. Wet nurse 3. Rub the wrong way 4. Gardener's little helper 5. British soldier's parade hat 6. *P in PAT 7. "____ Lang Syne" 8. *Team with most Super Bowl appearances 9. Reverberating sound 10. Slowly leak 11. NHL great 13. Opposite of atheist 14. Short version 19. ____ Island off Manhattan 22. Nervous twitch 23. Knockout 24. Below, preﬁx 25. *Player with most Super Bowl points scored 26. Warm down-slope wind 27. Distress signal 28. Phoenix team 29. Flock members 31. Port of Yemen 32. Tennis shot 35. *Jim Nantz's partner 37. Savory jelly 39. A must for a comedian 40. Williams and Wright 43. Natural theology 45. Answer to "Where are you?", two words 47. Surrendered land 48. Spy's other name 49. Feline vibration 50. Albany-Buffalo canal 51. Cowboy's necktie 52. Pelvic parts 53. Big letters 54. Proposal joint 55. "I" mania

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Your Health

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Brown Rice and Orange Salad

Plants on your plate: Citrus

(Makes 8 servings)

by Denise Sullivan, Nutrition & Health Education Specialist, University of Missouri Extension As my husband and I completed the end-of-season garden clean-up, I found myself a little sad that our little garden plot had come to an end. Granted, I still have plenty of spaghetti squash in the basement and a pantry full of pickles and salsa that are the evidence of our efforts, but I will miss the goodness of a just-picked tomato or cucumber. As I found myself pondering the fresh produce options over the coming months, I decided to ask my Facebook friends for their ‘go-to’ fruit and vegetable choices during the winter. Some of the responses were humorous, others were inspiring, but I saw a theme when it came to fruit choices. By far, the most common fruit was some form of citrus…and why not? Though not a local food option, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are easy to ﬁnd year-round, even during a Midwest winter. Citrus fruits are a rich source of Vitamins A and C, antioxidants that may reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers. Vitamin A is also beneﬁcial for eye health and Vitamin C aids in wound healing and helps the body’s absorption of iron. Vitamin C

supports the function of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Though popularly thought to prevent the common cold, research does not support this theory. However, taking increased doses of vitamin C during a cold can slightly reduce the length of the illness, typically by about one day. As a water-soluble vitamin, Vitamin C is readily absorbed into body tissues for immediate use. Because they are not stored in the body, water-soluble vitamins need to be replenished regularly in our diet. Any excess of water-soluble vitamins is excreted in urine. The Linus Pauling Institute, a lead Vitamin C research institute at Oregon State University, recommends that generally healthy adults consume 400 milligrams of vitamin C daily. Oranges and orange juice are usually the ﬁrst foods thought of when Vitamin C is mentioned. One large orange contains about 100 milligrams of Vitamin C and has about 65 calories, while 6 ounces of orange juice has about the same about of Vitamin C and contains about 100 calories. About 70% of the oranges in the US

1 cup brown rice 4 small clementines are grown in Florida. The ﬁrst citrus 3 green onions was planted by early explorers in the 1 large lemon 1500’s, perhaps even by Ponce de Leon, ½ cup slivered almonds and have been grown commercially 1 cup frozen shelled edamame (green soybeans) since the 1800’s. But there are even ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup dried apricots, chopped options within the family of oranges. 1 Tablespoon honey According to US Citrus, the main ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper types of oranges are Blood oranges, with a deep red flesh; Valencia oranges, 3 Tablespoons canola oil

which are sweet and juicy (and grown in California); Bergamot oranges that are used for Earl Grey tea as well as perfumes, Navel oranges, which are the most common variety though not the sweetest; and Mandarin oranges, the small, sweet, easy to peel variety popular among children. I guess I’m a big kid, because I prefer clementines, a speciﬁc type of mandarin. They are very common in the winter months and their easy peel skin and sweet-tart flavor make them a favorite for many people. Not only are they a quick and healthy snack, they are a great addition to salads. The recipe that follows is a popular one with my family and our cooking class participants.

Foods that ﬁght high blood pressure by Megan Callahan, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian If high blood pressure has you down, do yourself (and your heart) a favor and ﬁght for better readings. According to the American Heart Association, almost half of American adults live with this condition, yet don’t even know it. A reading of 130/80 and higher is considered elevated, and since symptoms can be silent, it’s often left untreated. In turn, this can cause severe damage to our circulatory systems and lead to serious issues, such as a heart attack or stroke. Many of us can bring our blood pressure within a healthy range without conforming to a boring diet. Remove the images of unseasoned egg whites and limp steamed veggies from your mind. Bringing your blood pressure into a healthy range is more than just doable – it’s downright delicious. Fortunately, some of the most flavorful foods that regulate a healthy blood pressure are

filled with cold-fighting vitamins and great for weight management, too. (New Year’s resolutions, anyone?) Let’s break it down. Fish: Most high-fat foods won’t make the blood pressure fighting meal plan, yet fatty fish, like salmon, is a major exception to that rule. Loaded with heart -healthy omega-3 fats, salmon has been shown to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure, making this lean source of protein a must-eat for anyone who has seen blood pressure creep up into a concerning range. Aim for two servings of seafood per week, or ask a Hy-Vee dietitian for help in selecting a suitable supplement. Potatoes: Put spuds on your grocery list and lower your blood pressure at the same time. Both white and sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium – a triple threat in fighting hypertension. Need a quick cooking tip? Poke a potato with a fork and microwave for seven minutes. Serve

with a lean piece of protein and a side of veggies for a delicious, nutritious dinner that will make not only your tummy happy, but your heart, too. Fruit: Replace those sugar-heavy treats for a naturally sweet pick, like fruit, and watch your blood pressure fall into doctor-approved territory. Snack smarter by choosing a high-ﬁbrous fruit such as cherries, citrus, apples or strawberries, and lower your readings – and your chances of a sugar crash – in one fell swoop. Leafy Greens: Make like Popeye and add spinach to your daily routine to blast your blood pressure numbers back to normal. Spinach is one of the easiest foods to “sneak” into every dish. From smoothies to eggs to casseroles and sauces, this green produce pick should be a go-to for even the pickiest of palates. With an ample amount of potassium, folate and magnesium packed within its leaves, it’s a recipe for success when spinach makes the plate.

1. Cook rice following package instructions. Remove from heat. Let stand covered for 10 minutes. Scoop out into a large bowl to cool. While rice is cooling, prepare rest of salad. 2. Peel clementines and separate into segments. 3. Wash and chop green onions. 4. Rinse lemon and cut in half. In a small bowl, squeeze juice from both halves. Discard seeds. 5. Lightly toast the almonds in a heavy skillet. Watch closely so they do not burn. 6. Fill a small pot with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Add edamame. Cook for 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside. 7. Add clementines or mandarin oranges, edamame, green onions, almonds, dried cranberries, and dried apricots to bowl with rice and mix. 8. In a second small bowl, use a fork to whisk together lemon juice, honey, and ground black pepper. While still whisking, slowly drizzle in the oil until combined. 9. Pour the dressing over the salad. Mix well. Let salad rest at room temperature for 10 minutes so flavors can combine. Nutrition information: Calories: 237, Total Fat:11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 6mg, Carbohydrates: 29g, Fiber: 4g, Protein: 6g Recipe adapted from Cooking Matters, analyzed by verywellﬁt.com

Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed with this condition or are just being proactive, keep in mind the importance that diet plays in managing high blood pressure. Colorful produce, fewer salty snacks, and more ﬁlling ﬁbrous foods make for a tasty day. In turn, you’ll be pleased with your blood pressure numbers. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. Megan Callahan is one of your Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitians. She is dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Megan received a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Missouri State University. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she also received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition. Megan has been working with Hy-Vee fulltime for 10 years. Megan lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband Matt, and their 2 children Kennedy (4) & Carsyn (2).

Outdoors & Recreation

Page 9

MDC partners with Deep Roots KC for free native plants by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is partnering with the Deep Roots KC organization to promote the use of native plants in home and business landscaping. During 2021, Deep Roots will host Native Plants at Noon, a series of free virtual educational tours of the native plant gardens at MDC’s Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. The webinar tours will be held live on Zoom and Facebook at noon on the third Thursday of each month. The ﬁrst Native Plants at Noon webinar will be at noon on Thursday, January 21st Registration is required. To register, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZEF. These sessions will feature a live look at native plants used in landscaping as the gardens change through the seasons. Leading the sessions will be Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, MDC native landscape specialists, who lead the care of the Discovery Center native plant gardens. They will provide helpful tips for what wildflowers and prairie grasses

will meet a gardener’s goals. Native plants are hardy to western Missouri’s soil, sunlight, and moisture conditions. But some species need speciﬁc care or seasonal trimming. Native plants add beauty to landscape plantings. They also host beneﬁcial insects, such as butterflies, and various insects that are food sources for songbirds. Insects adapted to native plants are especially important when nesting adult pairs are carrying food to young birds. Deep Roots KC is a collective impact organization working with partners to increase native plant landscapes on both large and small scales. The organization also has partnered with MDC to plant and maintain native wildflowers and grasses in a demonstration landscape garden at the southwest corner of the Discovery Center campus. For more information on Deep Roots KC, visit https:// deeproots.org/. Deep Roots was founded by The Westport Garden Club, a 70-year-old

Cydney Ross (left) and Alix Daniel, MDC native landscape specialists, will lead the Native Plants at Noon webinars hosted by Deep Roots KC the third Thursday of each month. Photo credit: MDC organization with a long history of supporting conservation. The club has partnered with many stalwart Kansas City organizations including the Linda Hall Library, Powell Gardens, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. For more information on the club, visit https:// thewestportgardenclub.org/.

MDC’s Gorman Discovery Center is at 4750 Troost Ave., east of the Country Club Plaza. Discovery Center hosts educational conservation programs for all ages and interests throughout the year. For more information, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Z6s.

Exercise tips for seniors (BPT) - By now, most seniors are aware that they're among the most vulnerable demographic groups when it comes to contracting COVID-19. That said, a recent nationwide poll by Tivity Health, a national provider of senior fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle solutions, including SilverSneakers, a community fitness program designed for older adults, indicates many are probably not getting the exercise they need to maintain optimal health. In the poll, 46% of adult and senior respondents said the pandemic is preventing them from attending inperson exercise classes at local gyms, although 84% noted they'll return within a month once attendance is deemed safe by authorities. A core challenge is reduced gym access, as quarantines prove problematic for many older Americans trying to continue exercise regimens. Exercise remains critical for seniors to maintain a healthy immune system that's able to fight off disease. Regular workouts can also increase balance and strength and help prevent falls. For seniors, falls are an all-toocommon threat and crisis; Johns Hopkins University reports that 25% of adults 65 or older fall, and three million are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries caused by falls. "This pandemic has brought great challenges and stress for seniors. But the good news is, there are ways to exercise safely and maintain an active lifestyle," says Tivity Health president and CEO Richard Ashworth. "Exercise is vital for maintaining optimal health, and through easy-to-access digital and in-

person options, it is our hope seniors can continue or renew exercise regimens quickly and safely." Maintaining regular exercise during COVID-19 need not be difficult. If you're a senior wanting to maintain effective workouts each day, here are some tips you can follow even if you're practicing social isolation. 1) Start slowly. If you haven't been exercising, you'll want to ease into your new routine gradually. Studies indicate just two weeks of inactivity (or a 75% reduction in daily steps) can decrease your muscle strength by 8%, while dropping 1,000 to 1,500 steps each day can raise inflammation and blood pressure. Jump-start your new regimen with safe exercises like squats, wall push-ups, light weightlifting regimens and taking walks (keeping distance from others for safety). 2) Subscribe to a digital exercise program. You do not need to leave your home to exercise each day. That's especially true if you sign up for a highquality digital regimen that fits well with your exercise goals and preferences. In fact, 56% of seniors responding to the poll said their future workout plans call for participating in online classes two to three times per week. Instructorled online exercise sessions are being offered to all SilverSneakers members. In addition, free Facebook Live classes led by SilverSneakers national trainers are broadcast multiple times a week. The national fitness membership organization designed the virtual series to help seniors stay in shape while still following precautions during the pandemic.

3) Avoid prolonged sitting. Even if you must set a timer to remind yourself, take frequent breaks from sitting and engage in rejuvenating strolls - or simply take part in activities that involve standing. The point is to avoid being sedentary for long intervals of time. 4) Use others as motivation. In the poll, 44% of responding seniors said they're motivated to return to their fitness centers to see and socialize with friends. If you feel more motivated when not exercising all by yourself, you might optimize FaceTime, Zoom or even a quick phone call to interact with fitness-minded others as you work out at home. 5) Check out local fitness centers. Before attending local gyms, learn what they're doing to keep their customers safe and to align with recommended CDC guidelines. If you feel safe enough to participate, exercise in open spaces where you can maintain six feet of distance from others. You might also check out low-intensity options such as water exercise classes, yoga or Tai Chi.

iStock Photo

Whether you're staying at home or practicing safe social distancing while out and about, there's no need to give up the exercise that can help you maintain optimal health during the pandemic. Take steps now to ensure you're taking good care of yourself through age-appropriate workouts and movement. For more information, visit silversneakers.com.

Sports

Page 10

Lady Eagles win Pleasant Hill basketball tournament by John Unrein The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team (7-3) wrapped up a busy week with a 63-43 win over the Grandview Bulldogs on January 15th. The Lady Eagles reeled off three straight wins during the 34th Annual Pleasant Hill Basketball Tournament, permitting them to hoist the ﬁrst place plaque. The Grain Valley girls had previously been tournament champions in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2016. The victory was impressive for Grain Valley in several facets. First, it took the Lady Eagles overtime last February to beat the Bulldogs, who are led by junior point guard Cierra Smith. Grain Valley struggled at home to contain Smith during that matchup as she racked up 41 points. Grain Valley Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper diligently prepared his team for the heavy pick and roll offense that Grandview likes to use with Smith. Draper’s squad consistently came under the screen set at the top of the key to stay centered in front of Smith. Hustle continued as the Lady Eagles denied the passing lanes to the wing once Smith moved past the pick. The strong containment effort by Grain Valley held Smith to 18 points in the contest. Next, was the determination displayed by Grain Valley from the opening tipoff. The Lady Eagles jumped out to an 11-0 lead by pushing the ball in

transition, moving unselﬁshly without the basketball, securing rebound positioning through boxing out (leading to 34 total team rebounds), and avoiding turnovers. Those ingredients forced Grandview to burn an early timeout and regroup. It was a deﬁcit that the Bulldogs could not overcome as the game unfolded. Finally, the Lady Eagles continue to mature against man and zone defenses when on offense under the direction of Draper. Grain Valley has become adept at running “overload” offensive sets that create mismatches against defenses. Furthermore, attacking zone defenses through centering a player at the elbow on the key has become a hallmark of Draper’s. Passing the basketball to that player settling in open space at the elbow collapses the zone before that player sends the basketball back out the wing or to a cutting scorer if no opportunity exists at the elbow. Freshman Emma Jane Ogle has displayed good decision making at the elbow against zone defenses for the Lady Eagles. Ogle’s 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal against Grandview speak strongly to her growth. The only thing as big as Ogle’s smile after the win was the purple welt on her leg. “Coach Draper pushes us to be aggressive and that keeps us from thinking too much. We are reminded by him that basketball is not Algebra,” Ogle

Gabbi Keim maneuvers through the lane to score a basket. Photo credit: Valley News staff

The Lady Eagles display their ﬁrst place Pleasant Hill Tournament plaque. Photo credit: Valley News staff said. “Tonight, was so much fun. This is a memory I will probably never forget. I am excited to keep going and see where this team ends up. The freshman on this team have been welcomed and it feels like a family environment.”

Lady Eagles point guard Grace Slaughter led all scorers with 38 points in the contest. Slaughter continues to show a scoring pension as a triple threat through driving the lane, shooting

see EAGLES on page 12

Grace Slaughter sets up the Lady Eagles offense after passing mid-court. Photo credit: Valley News staff

Sports

Page 11

Eagle Bailey becoming a Hawk by John Unrein Jack Bailey has started along the offensive line for the Grain Valley Eagles football program since he was a sophomore. He earned his stripes in the Suburban Conference with the bumps and bruises that come from being an underclassman starting at the varsity level. The 6’ 2” 260 pound senior has since grown into a conﬁdent student athlete that was selected homecoming king by his peers and a 1st Team AllConference offensive guard by coaches in the Suburban Conference. Bailey has recently announced his verbal commitment to continue his career as a student athlete at Quincy University. The private liberal arts university in Quincy, Illinois reported an enrollment of 1,148 students in 2020. As part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Quincy University Hawks compete at the NCAA Division II level. Gary Bass is the head football coach at Quincy University and has made it a point to recruit players from the ShowMe State. Bailey will join 39 players who are currently on the Hawks roster from the state of Missouri. All games on the 2020 football schedule were cancelled for Quincy University due to the current pandemic. Bailey is looking forward to what lies ahead for him in the next step of his educational journey. “The coaches at Quincy were welcoming and my visit went well there. It was a small school with a big town

feel that I liked,” Bailey said. “The biggest difference between high school and college football will be that I am living away from home and I don’t have two other sports, basketball or track to play.” “I have enjoyed that I already have future teammates reaching out to me and making me feel like part of the family already.” Among those that will be missing the contributions made by Bailey on and off the field are his position coaches, Gavin Grillo and Mike Tarrants. Both watched Bailey ascend to being a prominent part of the Eagles 10-2 record this season to coincide with a birth in quarterfinal state playoff round. Tarrants gruff voice could often be heard offering both constructive criticism and praise for Bailey as he worked through hitting the sled, shuffling through the steel chute, or perfecting a hook block against a hand shield during practice. “The thing that I am most proud of for Jack is that he is an awesome example of doing things right is always the right thing to do. Jack is a great person, a dedicated student, a hard working athlete, and a role model for others,” Tarrants said. “Other than being a terrific athlete, I believe Jack’s greatest attribute is his coachability. He is a true student of the game, who wants to be the best at his craft and can take coaching to learn. As a

three-year starter at the right guard position, Jack always wanted to improve his technique, his football IQ, and his knowledge of line play.” “Jack is a protector. Jack is a very laid back, caring, kind and loyal person. He has a wonderful personality that shows some of the best qualities of humanity. However, on the football field, Jack assumes the role of protector or guardian. ‘Between the whistles,’ Jack taps into his protector role and is a very physical player.” “Someone who knows Jack outside of football would never guess the ability he has to physically dominate an opponent on the field. Jack is one of those players who will lay someone out and without a word, reach down and help them up after the play is over. In addition, Jack is one heck of a crappie fisherman,” Tarrants quipped with a smile. Bailey becomes a growing number of his senior class to choose pursuing college football after high school. His leadership and smile will no doubt be missed in the Eagles locker room. Among those to pick up the torch Bailey passes will be Cooper Terry and Connor Heitman. Terry is Bailey’s best friend and started along side him last fall at right tackle. Heitman saw his first taste of varsity football as a sophomore at left tackle this season.

Senior Jack Bailey has verbally committed to continue his football career as a student athlete at Quincy University. Photo credit: Valley News staff

Jamaal Charles belongs in Pro Football Hall of Fame by John Unrein The Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio first opened in 1963. It houses 346 enshrined members as of 2020. To be eligible to be nominated into the National Football League’s Hall of Fame, a player must have been retired five years. Per the National Football League, fans may nominate and player, coach or contributor by simply writing via letter or email to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Selection Committee is then polled three times by mail (once in March, once in September, and once in October) to eventually narrow the list to 25 semifinalists. In November, the committee then selects 15 finalists by mail balloting.

The 2021 Modern-Era Player Finalists include the following: Jared Allen, Defensive End Peyton Manning, Quarterback Ronde Barber, Defensive Back Clay Matthews, Linebacker Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle Sam Mills, Linebacker LeRoy Butler, Safety Richard Seymour, Defensive Line Alan Faneca, Offensive Guard Zach Thomas, Linebacker Torry Holt, Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver Charles Woodson, Defensive Back John Lynch, Safety The Selection Committee meets on

“Selection Saturday,” the day before each Super Bowl game to elect a new class. To be elected, a ﬁnalist must receive at least 80 percent support from the Board, with at least four, but no more than eight candidates being selected annually, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 48 person committee consists of one media representative from each pro football city—with two from New York and Los Angeles, as those cities each have two teams in the National Football League. There are 16 at-large selectors, who are active members of the media or persons intricately involved in professional football, including one representative of the Pro Football Writers of America. Terez Paylor from

Yahoo Sports, for example, is the committee representative for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jamaal Charles formally announced his retirement from professional football in 2019 after a stellar 11 year career. Charles received the ﬁnal ceremonial handoff of his career in suit and tie from Patrick Mahomes at the Chiefs practice facility on May 1st, 2019. Charles ﬁrst year of eligibility to be inducted will be 2024. The following are the Top 5 reasons why running back Jamaal Charles belongs in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. 1. Charles outplayed being selected in the 3rd Round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Five times over the 1,000 yard rushing mark and 7,563

see CHARLES on page 12

CHARLES continued from page 11 total rushing yards by Charles would be evidence of being underrated coming out of the University of Texas. 2. Charles is 4th all-time in NFL yards per carry average. That is elite company. 1stMichael Vick: 7.0, 2ndRandall rd Cunningham: 6.4, 3 - Marion Motley: 5.7, 4th- Jamaal Charles: 5.4, 5th- Jim Brown: 5.2. 3. Few had the burst of speed displayed by Charles accepting handoffs and running outside zone plays. The 5’ 11” and 199 pound Charles also displayed toughness in his career carrying the football 190 times or more in a season ﬁve times during his career. 4. Twenty career receiving touchdowns and 2,593 receiving yards underscore the hands and receiving ability displayed

by Charles during his career. Further underscoring the point is the 27 times Charles caught the football for a 20+ yards. This was for a Chiefs franchise that averaged 7.5 regular season wins from 2008-2016 while Charles played at times without the strongest supporting cast around him. 5. Charles came back from numerous knee injuries during his career to perform at a high level. September 2011 witnessed Charles have knee surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee. That would be followed by surgery in 2015 to repair the ACL in Charles right knee. 2016 continued to see Charles have arthroscopic surgery on both knees. The toll of these injuries would limit the play of Charles in his ﬁnal two seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.

EAGLES continued from page 10 accurately from behind the arc, and pulling up in the lane to drain a basket if given space. The sophomore would also add 8 rebounds and 2 steals to her stat line in a stellar effort. “Our floor spacing against zone defenses continues to yield us points in the paint and on the wing. Our rebounding on defense and outlet passes definitely sparked our success in transition,” Slaughter said. “The IQ of the basketball team continues to grow. These freshmen have played basketball all their lives, just like me. Seeing them mature at the varsity level has been exciting. I am happy for our seniors to be tournament champions, especially against a talented team like Grandview.” Tenacity is required to secure defensive rebound positioning in the paint. To find the nearest opponent and pin your backside against them so that they cannot get to the basketball first takes as much determination as it does strength. Grain Valley senior forward Gabbi Keim continues to be a stalwart under the basket for her team. Keim would score 9 points and pull down 12 boards to go with her 2 assists in an effort just one point shy of a doubledouble. The senior would add 3 personal fouls for good measure in not allowing the opposition easy looks in the post. “I hear ‘block out’ during practice, I hear it during the game, we drill it to

the point it is second nature to us during a game. It is deﬁnitely engrained in my brain,” Keim said. “I have not done this before (winning this tournament), being new to the team. To have this experience with this group of girls is awesome.” Draper admitted that he had a list of concerns prior to the matchup against Grandview. Rebounding and containing the scoring of Smith was among them. Draper was quick to share with his team that their reward for managing both would be their team being printed on the back of the program as tournament champions moving forward. “Our attention to detail tonight was so good. The gap from us not having a summer (due to the pandemic) to work as a team is closing right now. Playing was the only way to ﬁne tune our lineups. Winning sticks with you,” Draper said. “Ogle’s athleticism, Slaughter’s scoring, and Keim’s rebounding were special. Ogle relaxed and let her talent take over tonight. Keim was a force in the paint as well.”

Community Calendar Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Discover Nature: Naturalist Hour 2:00pm to 3:00pm Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs. Register by January 26 To register for programs, call 816-2283766. Go on an adventure with a Naturalist to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail close to the nature center.

Thursday, February 4, 2021 Virtual Teen Book Club: Between Two Titles 4:00pm—5:00pm Join us for a virtual teen book group. With two titles to choose from, there are options for everyone.

Minimalism: Enhance your life with less 7:00pm—7:45pm Decorating magazines and blogs can show us great examples of minimalist design. www.mymcpl.org/events

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Business Model Canvas Workshop 6:00pm—7:00pm via Zoom Is your business model working? Join Kimberly Beer to learn how to stop the chaos and create meaningful direction in your business while ensuring your business idea is solid. www.mymcpl.org/events

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 COVID-19 testing—Jackson County Health Department Blue Springs Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper ST Registration link: https:// form.jotform.com/210104427339144 Virtual Storytime 10:00am—10:20am 6:00pm—6:20pm Join library staff for virtual storytimes for your littles (and maybe for you too!). We will have stories and songs, brought directly to your home. www.mymcpl.org/events Monday, January 25, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Virtual meeting via Zoom

Monday, February 8, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Virtual meeting via Zoom

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall Friday, February 12, 2021 Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am -10:20am Join library staff for virtual storytimes for your littles (and maybe for you too!). We will have stories and songs, brought directly to your home. www.mymcpl.org/events Monday, February 15, 2021 President’s Day City ofﬁces closed

Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com/ eventscalendar