Valley News: March 18, 2021

March 18, 2021 Vol. 4 No. 11

O n l i n e w e e k l y a t w w w. g r a i n v a l l e y n e w s . c o m

On the Ballot: Board of Aldermen Candidates Grain Valley voters will elect an alderman in each of the City’s three wards on April 6th. In Ward 1, current alderman Tom Cleaver is running for reelection. Dale Arnold is also running for the seat. In Ward 2, incumbent Nancy Totton faces challenger Darren Mills. In Ward 3, incumbent Shea Bass faces first -time candidate Kristen Rising.

Valley News reached out to each candidate to share information on their background, experience, and thoughts regarding the current challenges facing Grain Valley.

Ward 1: Dale Arnold Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): I have served the community for just over 30 years as a firefighter with Central Jackson County FPD. I have been active in many local organizations and boards. I have served as a member of the former Grain Valley Optimist Club, currently known as FOCUS and as a Past President. Also active with school programs as a member of the Band Parents Association of which I was a Past President.

I have served on the citizens advisory committee for the Grain Valley School District, as well as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Grain Valley. I help wherever there was a need. I have also been involved with the Grain Valley Police Dept. Night Out Against Crime, the Haunted Hayride, the Grain Valley Fair Days, Trail for Treats and the Historical Society. For this service I have been recognized as a Pillar of the Community in 2005 by the Grain Valley Chamber and as Citizen of the

Year by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation for 2010.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

With my experience in the community and knowledge of its history, I feel I have much insight to make informed decisions.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

Growth! How we meet the growth and how we shape it into what the community wants. Efforts on economic development needs to be refined and updated to meet the goals set by the community.

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

I have a vision that differs from some on the board. I agree there is a need, how to meet that need is up for debate.

My vision is that the Community Center and Library be located on the old Sni A Bar Farms. This would include a water splash park rather than a pool. Splash Parks give more opportunity for involvement and exercise. This vision also includes walking trails and picnic areas.

Also some basketball court, baseball, and soccer fields for local children to play games. Keeping that area as a park for family activities. This would not require all of the land available. Some of the land surrounding the park could be

FREE

Iron Kettle Brewing opens in downtown Grain Valley After a soft opening for Founding Members on Saturday, March 14th, Iron Kettle Brewing, located at 508 N Main, opened to the public on Wednesday, March 17th.

The brewery features a number of house-made beers, and a selection of beers from local breweries. The menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, twice baked potatoes, and a variety of baked mac and cheese.

In addition to the renovated downstairs space, an event space is located upstairs, and a patio area offers outdoor seating in the alley between the brewery and the Historical Society building.

Jason Fenstermaker, Archduke of Operations, said the team involved in the brewery is thrilled to share their hard work with the community.

“It is exciting to be able to share this dream with the community that has

given so much to us. We all have worked so many hours to be able to share this with Grain Valley. We wanted to bring something special to Grain Valley, something they can call their own. This is more than a brewery and a restaurant, it is a true public house,” Fenstermaker said.

Iron Kettle Brewing 508 N Main, Grain Valley Hours of operation: Monday-Closed Tuesday-Closed Wednesday-11am-10pm Thursday-11am-10pm Friday-11am-11pm Saturday- 11am-11pm Sunday- 11 am-6pm For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website, www.ironkettlebrew.com.

Photo credit: Valley News staff

Good News: Yard Waste Collection Center opens April 3rd

see CANDIDATES on page 5

In This Edition: Looking Back: Where the heck is Cahill Street

3

Business: Square One Virtual Events

4

Musings from the Middle: I Want to be on the Graham Norton Show

6

Your Health: Seasonal Allergies

9

Sports: Eagles grapple for greatness as Newsom wins championship

14

Cover Photo: Class 3 195 lb. MSHSAA State Wrestling Champion Hunter Newsom.

Photo credit: Newton County News. Story on page 14.

The Eastern Jackson County Yard Waste Collection Center, located at 37910 E Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075, opens Saturday, April 3rd. The center is open each Saturday April through November, 8:00am—4:00pm.

Yard waste only is accepted at the center, with the following fees for residents applying: Pick-up trucks and small trailers: $15 Large trucks and large trailers: $10 per cubic yard Bags: $1 Items not accepted: Aluminum Cans Glass

Hazardous Waste Metal Plastic Bottles Tires Trash Visit https:// www.jacksongov.org/495/Yard-WasteCollection-Center for more information.

Page 2

Police Blotter

Jackson County Food Inspection

The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of March 4-8, 2021.

March 4, 2021 1200 Block of Pavilion 300 Block of SW Eagles PKWY 1200 Block of Dean DR Woodbury & Cottonwood 1100 Block of Buckner Tarsney 1300 Block of SW Graystone Cir 1300 Block of NW Jefferson 300 Block of Eagles PKWY BB & Eagles PKWY 1400 Block of SW Hillside Dr 700 Blk of SW Montana Ridge 1200 Block of Willow 400 Block of Nelson 200 Block of E Broadway 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 1200 Block of NW Ashely DR 200 Block of Bar March 5, 2021 700 Block of Main 300 Block of Front ST 1200 Block of Ashley LN 700 Block of Main 600 Block of SW Lakeview 1300 Block of NW Jefferson 300 Block of Eagles PKWY 24 HWY & Buckner City Limits

Alarm Disturbance Verbal Disturbance Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Barking Dog Alarm Prisoner Transport Suspicious Activity Agency Assist Oak Grove PD Assault Suspicious Person Parking Complaint Agency Assist CJC Citizen Contact Agency Assist DFS Welfare Check Physical Disturbance

100 Block of Yennie

Citizen Contact Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact C & I Driver Alarm Area Check Agency Assist Buckner PD Agency Assist CJC

March 6, 2021 500 Block of Woodbury 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main

Agency Assist CJC Citizen Contact Citizen Contact

1100 Block of Golfview DR 300 Block of E Monroe Ave 1000 Block of Rock Creek LN 1400 Block of Amanda Jean 600 Block of Walnut ST 700 Block of Main Nebgan RD Ryan Rd & Cross Creek March 7, 2021 Kirby & Yennie Eagles & Jackie 100 Block of Walnut 1400 Block of Minter Way 700 Block of Albatross Dr Royer Sni & Lakeview 700 Block of Main 1400 Block of Minter Way 700 Block of Main 900 Block of SW Ray RD March 8, 2021 1300 Block of Graystone Cir 1400 Block of Eagles 1300 Block of Valley Woods 1200 Block of Ashley DR Woodbury & Aspen 700 Block of SW Eagles PKWY 600 Block of Yennie 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 1100 Block of N Main 1400 Block of NE Mary CT

Citizen Contact Agency Assist Buckner PD Area Check Alarm Alarm Citizen Contact Burglary Area Check

Disturbance Agency Assist Animal Control Alarm Alarm Citizen Contact Area Check Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Alarm Citizen Contact Area Check

Missing Person Suspicious Person Animal At Large Disturbance Area Check Citizen Contact Stealing Warrant Surrender Agency Assist Oak Grove PD Abandoned Auto Leaving the Scene

Sustaining Members

report Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days: Grain Valley High School 551 AA Hwy No Violations Dollar General Store #9597 105 E. Rock Creek Lane Observed no drying provision provided in both restrooms. Corrected. Paper towels were placed in restrooms.

Observed damage to walls in the back storage area with sharp edges.

Correct By:4/24/2021 Domino's 451 NW Eagles Parkway 1. Bottle of dish soap was stored on clean dish rack. Corrected. 2. Chemical spray bottle was stored on prep counter with dressings. Corrected.

Food stored in the top of the pizza prep table was not held at 41*F or below. Reinspection required. Out of temperature food was discarded because it had been in the table over 2 hours. Some of the food in the table had a temperature as follows: Chicken 51*F, Salami 54*F, Pineapple 51*F. Correct By: 2/26/2021 Screens used to cook chicken wings on had dry food debris and were stored on a dirty rack. Corrected. Screens were cleaned immediately.

In-use utensils such as pizza peel & pizza cutters were held at room temperature and not cleaned at least every 4 hours. Corrected. Cleaned immediately.

1. Wire rack near prep table had dry food debris on it. 2. Spice holder attached to side of prep table had an accumulation of dry food debris. Corrected. 3. Blue containers at pizza cutting table had dry food debris on them and inside the bins.

Correct By:4/25/2021 Establishment did not have a working thermometer to check the temperature of food. Correct By:4/25/2021 Failure to Secure Food Handler Permit.

Correct By: 3/26/2021

Captain's Sports Lounge 301 SW Eagles Parkway Cooked ground beef located at make ready was out of temp. (Corrected on site). Employee discarded the beef.

Linens were kept on the floor in the furnace room. Corrected. Employee moved linens.

Coffee in a carboard box was stored on the ground in the kitchen. Corrected.

Employee moved the coffee.

Multiple employee cups without lids located in the kitchen area. Corrected.

Employee discarded cups.

Failure to Secure Food Handler Permit.

Correct By: 3/28/2021 Casey's General Store # 3325 1111 Buckner Tarsney Rd. Walk in freezer where the bag of ice had food debris under the racks. Correct By: 5/2/2021 Make ready table had food debris on the bottom inside. Kitchen drawers with the clean utensils had food residues in the pizza area. Correct By: 5/2/2021 Comfort Inn 210 NW Jefferson St. No violations recorded.

MO Country 401 East South Outer Belt Road No violations recorded.

Casey's General Store # 3325 1111 Buckner Tarsney Rd. No violations recorded.

Grain Valley Marketplace 8 1131 NE McQuerry Road No violations recorded.

MO Country 401 East South Outer Belt Road Dishwasher was not sanitizing.

Corrected on site. Manager fixed the bucket so that sanitizer could come out.

Casey's General Store #2209 1251 AA Hwy No violations recorded.

Thank you to our first sustaining members for their support of local news. Join them in supporting YOUR local news at https://www.grainvalleynews.com/store/p7/sustainingmember.html.

Cathy Allie

Marcia Napier

Rose and Steve Brashears

Mike and Tosha Todd

Dennis and Deborah Ellsworth

Sarah and Jerry Vaughan

Shannon Grubb

Courtney and Jeff Williams

Phillip Hanson

Wesley Wolski

Chuck Johnston

Jeff Wolff

Leon Maberry

John and Cory Unrein

Katherine McCarthy

Valley News Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print.

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 Sign up at www.grainvalleynews.com to have Valley News delivered weekly to your inbox.

Looking Back

Page 3

Looking Back: Where the heck is Cahill Street?

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Using Ancestry.com, I often do research on Grain Valley citizens from the late 1860s through the early 1900s.

The United States Census from those years can reveal quite a bit of information. It can also leave me very confused.

For some time now, I have been totally confused when I find early families living on Cahill Street. There isn’t, nor has there every been a Cahill Street in Grain Valley. I finally found a resident of Cahill Street that I recognized, a family that lived on Capelle Street.

Unfortunately, Mr. Millard Campbell did the census in 1920 and while his penmanship is generally quite legible, his cursive “p” does look like an “h,” it is difficult to distinguish his “e” from an undotted “i,” and several years of research has taught me that Capelle is often misspelled. Sometimes it has a final “e” and sometimes it doesn’t.

This week I was seeking information on the Charles Warren Harris family who lived in a house on “Cahill”

according to the 1920 U. S. Census. By the 1930 census they lived on South Main Street, 2 blocks south of the railroad.

In 1930, Front Street was known as North Main Street and Main Street was Broadway. Are you now totally confused?

Today, South Main Street is Harris Street, presumable named for the Harris Family. North Main is Front Street, Broadway is Main Street, and on farmland just south of Harris Street we find Broadway!

Sometime soon when you are enjoying a Saturday lunch on the patio at Iron Kettle Brewery, drop in next door at the Grain Valley Historical Society and look at our 1924 hand-drawn map of The City of Grain Valley, when Front was N. Main and Harris was S. Main, and…..you get the picture!

Next week, learn more about the Harris family. There is a two-year old I know that is living just south of Grain Valley. Charles Harris was his maternal great, great, great, great, grandfather.

Missouri Trivia

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The official state flower and state tree of Missouri can be confusing. Our state flower blooms on a tree and our state tree has flowers!

On March 16, 1923, Governor Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the white hawthorn blossom, (Crataegus,) the official state floral emblem of Missouri.

Though a specific variety of hawthorn is

not named in the legislation, the Missouri Department of Conservation asserts that the downy hawthorn, (Crataegus mollis,) is the species deserving of the recognition.

In 1955 the state legislature designated the Flowering Dogwood as the State Tree of Missouri.

Support Local News: Become a Sustaining Member Sustaining members receive the following: Name listed in each weekly edition for one year.

20% discount on all advertising and Valley News products.

Valley News coffee mug and Roasterie coffee.

Each sustaining membership is valid for one year from the date of payment.

Join online at www.grainvalleynews.com.

Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society

Business

Page 4

Upcoming Square One Virtual Events Mid-Continent Public Library’s Square One Small Business services will present the following virtual events in April: Business Model Canvas Workshop Wednesday, April 7, 2021 6:00pm—7:30pm Virtual 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. Ideal for new entrepreneurs looking to define their concept and seasoned business owners who want to prevent the dreaded threeand five-year business slumps.

You will leave this experience with a business skill you can apply to current and future growth projects, a better

understanding of your customer's pains and gains to use in marketing, and insights on how to improve and expand your current and future business ideas.

Warning: This is a visual workshop style class that requires provided sticky notes and large poster. Registration with email is required. Each student will receive a packet with supplies for the class.

Viewing Format: Zoom (link will be sent to registered students before the class).

Food Trucking 101 Sunday, April 11, 2021 10:00am—Noon Want to start a food truck? Not sure where to start, or maybe, how to finish what you’ve started? Join us for this 2-

Parson announces special NAP and YOP funding cycle Governor Mike Parson announced a special cycle of the Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP), making $21.8 million available to assist nonprofit organizations and other entities providing services to at-risk youth.

“Missouri nonprofits have been a lifeline for many Missourians throughout the COVID-19 crisis, providing critical services during times of uncertainty,” Governor Parson said.

“This program will help ensure that these organizations can continue providing Missouri’s at risk-youth with the support and resources they need throughout the recovery process.”

COVID-19 has had a massive impact on mental health for all citizens, including children. Anxiety, stress, and other negative conditions have been on the rise, and these organizations provide resources and services that help children deal with these issues.

Up to $8 million of NAP tax credits and $6 million of YOP tax credits will be reserved for nonprofit organizations and other entities providing critical services to at-risk youth. Additional NAP and YOP credits are available for nonprofits addressing other pressing community needs with priority for job training programs and services directly resulting in crime prevention.

Nonprofit organizations, faith-based

organizations, Missouri businesses, local governments, and schools are all eligible entities for this program.

“Community organizations have played a huge role in supporting hard working Missouri families throughout the pandemic,” Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon said. “We’re proud to be able to use these funds to bolster these great organizations.”

NAP and YOP are contribution tax credit programs. Approved applicants are awarded state tax credits to help attract eligible donors to fund an approved community development or youth opportunity project. Organizations approved for tax credits engage in fundraising activities and offer tax credits as an incentive to donate, raising the dollars necessary to complete the proposed project and address a critical community need.

The application cycle for the NAP/ YOP Special Cycle will be held from March 31 to April 22. There will be an application workshop on April 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. to answer applicant questions and help fill out required documentation.

To learn more about the NAP/YOP Special Cycle, visit https://ded2.mo.gov/nap-yop-specialcycle.

hour event designed to give you the groundwork to plan your cuisine, equipment, business model, brand, financials (including funding), and of course, to answer your questions. Your menu can be all about your personal style, but when it comes to running a profitable food truck, make sure you get the facts.

Hosted by Xander Winkel of the Ennovation Center, featured guests include Brandon Simpson of Jazzy B’s Food Truck, Kim Niebaum and Michelle Ferguson of CoffeeCake KC, and August Spallo of CiaoBella.

Participant Take-aways:

• Identify your next steps for starting your food truck • Find out what information you need to gather so that you can take those next steps • Explore follow up opportunities to build your skills in digital marketing, book keeping, and business strategy To view this class, visit the Business of Food Trucks Facebook Account at https://www.facebook.com/foodtruckbiz For more information on Square One events and to register, visit www.mymcpl.org/square-one/events.

On The Ballot

Page 5

CANDIDATES continued from page 1 sold to developers for more homes and neighborhoods, recouping some of the cost of the park. With the move of the community center to the south it would allow for the old Community Center to be renovated with a small addition to the rear of the building to meet the needs of the police.

Now that the police are no longer occupying half of City Hall, the building is now large enough to meet their needs for a number of the coming years. There is much more that I envision, but there is not enough space here to share. This concept would reduce cost greatly and avoid abandoning the investment of past tax dollars.

There had been discussion to build a new police facility on the site of the baseball fields on James Rollo. While an option, it takes away from much needed youth activities fields that fall short of meeting our needs.

Tom Cleaver—Ward 1 Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): I have been in Business to Business sales for almost 30 years, working with Cities and MFG. Companies all over Kansas City. I volunteer once a month for the Grain Valley Assistance Council and have lived in Ward 1 for 15 years. I have served my first term of two years as Alderman Ward 1.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

I love our community and want to give back to it. I feel my experience in business will help guide our City forward for the future.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

The facility needs for City Hall, Police Department, Community Center, Streets and also attracting and retaining Police officers for a growing community.

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

This is a complex situation, one the current Board is exploring diligently. It is my job as Alderman to bring several good and different ideas to the voters that will both address our current needs and our needs for the long term.

Darren Mills—Ward 2 Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member):

I have been a resident of Grain Valley since 2012 and I also work in Grain Valley. I am employed at Lifestyle RV's where I have received the honorable award of Salesman of the Year back to back for 2019-2020. Selling fun and adventure to my fellow residents of Grain Valley is what I love.

I have been a member of the Grain Valley VIPS ( Volunteer in Police Service) for the last 3 years. I currently hold the position of President and I am one of five residents who were appointed to the Police Advisory Board. I enjoy my time as a faithful partner of Crossroads Church here in Grain Valley.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

I enjoy helping people, and learn from the things my residents have been going through. An alderman should be there to listen to a problem, find out how to help, and get back in touch with them. People call me at all hours, and I am happy to help them out.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

As your Alderman I will work hard to improve safety on Eagles Parkway by working with staff to find funding for much needed sidewalks that will also connect to the new trails. I will work for funding for additional streetlights in the Winding Creek subdivision and the newer parts of Ward 2 that are still without them.

I enjoyed my time serving our country in the United States Navy and I look forward to serving our community and being your voice for a better Ward 2 and continued growth in Grain Valley.

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

It is a complicated issue, and it is going to take a good bunch of us to figure out the problem. There is no doubt they need more space at City Hall and the police station. There is an officer with a little desk in a closet for an office, and that is ridiculous.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

Some of the biggest problems I feel facing Grain Valley is “division”. As a community and a small City we need to get find a common ground for our residents and elected officials. I want to be that voice for my Ward and work with whoever may be in office and push forward for a better Grain Valley from street repair, growth, better budget and focus on public safety retention.

Shea Bass—Ward 3

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

I feel this city has outgrown its current City Hall, Police Station and Community Center. If elected I would want to inform our residents of all options available and truly listen to the input and concerns of residents and city employees.

Nancy Totton—Ward 2 Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): I have served on the Board since 2010, and am very active in the community, helping families in need.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

The lack of residents learning about the issues and showing up to meetings to learn about things. More people need to get involved in their community.

Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): I have been privileged enough to serve on the board for a little over one full term (2+ years) as Alderman in Ward 3. Prior to serving on the board, I spent time on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city. I have volunteered my time in a number of organizations around Kansas City throughout the past few years as well.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

I want to serve on the Board of Aldermen to be an honest, truthful, and hard-working representative for the citizens in Ward 3. I enjoy interacting with members of the community and I want to help our city keep its strength as we grow. We have great citizens, fantastic employees, wonderful businesses, and strong schools. I’m excited for the next chapter of growth in our city.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

The biggest challenge right now is trying to nail down exactly what we are going to do with City Hall, the Community Center, Police Department, and other city departments for the next chapter of city growth. The issuance of city bonds for building the municipal complex in a single build failed on the last ballot, so figuring out exactly what the citizens want and balancing that

with facility needs, location, and overall schedule poses a challenge in the coming future.

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

As I eluded to a bit in the previous question, I unfortunately don’t think there is a clear cut answer on this yet.

The ballot measure for building a new complex in one single shot failed on the last ballot, so I propose the city gains more credible feedback from its citizens regarding what they would like to see in this manner.

I personally think there are multiple solutions that work well for city needs, including a hybrid scenario where we utilize both the Sni-A-Bar Farms site and the land the city currently owns at/near the existing City Hall and Community Center site.

Kristen Rising—Ward 3 Please share some brief information on your background, community service, (# of terms served if a current board member): I am a small business owner in the construction industry. Community service: participate with the Veterans Community Project to help homeless Veterans, provide educational serviceswe adopted a classroom to help offset the cost of a teacher. I have no past experience in politics. If I secure a seat, it will be the first one.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Aldermen?

To make a difference.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing Grain Valley?

Not having enough small business in our community, i.e. sit down restaurants.

The current board has met in recent months to discuss the best path forward to address facility needs following the defeat of the proposed community campus at the former SniA-Bar Farms site. How do you propose the City address its facility needs (City Hall, Police Department, Community Center)?

Honestly, not sure. I do not have the whole back story of those items and with out that information I can not provide my opinion. I do know that some changes need to take place because in my opinion, what we have working is not a well oiled machine.

Community Voices

Page 6

Musings from the Middle: I want to be on the Graham Norton Show

by Cathy Allie Graham Norton has a great show. If you haven’t seen the wily Irishman interview celebrities, you are missing out. He is a comedian by trade and about half of what he says is innuendo, the kind you need to be able to play on loop because you are not sure you actually heard him say something so borderline daring.

The set of the show is pretty cool and all Austin Powers looking, with velvet couches and settees in reds and purples and oranges. Guests recline on the pillowy surfaces, openly enjoying cocktails. There are no Oprah induced tears, fake or otherwise, during filming; it is all side-splitting humor, pop culture references, and dishing on movie costars and spouses.

I really want to be on the Graham Norton show.

The funfest airs on the BBC, but I first got hooked by watching little clips that came up on my social media feeds. One of the first times I watched, Minnie Driver was a guest. She was just coming off the Will and Grace tv series, where she played Lorraine Finster, a sinewy albeit skanky mistress, a character I just loved.

After some small talk with Driver and the other guests, Norton talked her into reading horse names that the British

Racing Commission had denied, due to the names having hidden meaning or innuendo. Most of the names are ones not fit for print, but when Driver read the name ‘Hoof Hearted’ in her British accent, and Norton about fell out of his chair laughing, I was hooked.

Apparently Hoof Hearted actually got past the commission, as Norton next played a clip of a race in which Hoof Hearted came on in the last lengths to win the race. Driver was nearly hysterical as the track announcer called the end of the race, saying, “Pretty Lady leads down the stretch by a neck, with Summer’s Passion close behind. But… here comes a horse on the outside. Oh, this is a close one, folks. Wait. Hoof Hearted! Hoof Hearted!”

When Cher was on his show, Norton told her he was so scared she couldn’t make it to the filming. She pretended at first she didn’t know what he was talking about but finally broke.

“Oh, you mean because people thought I was dead?” Turns out that when Margaret Thatcher died, the hashtag #nowthatchersdead was trending in Britain, but Americans assumed it read ‘now that Cher’s dead’ and Twitter went into a frenzy of RIP’s and memories of the star.

For my appearance, I don’t need to be paired with Helen Mirren, who appeared with Paul Rudd and demonstrated a kiss

to mock a former co-star, or Tom Hanks, who shared a really great Clint Eastwood impression. I am willing to appear with Academy Award runner ups, faded pop stars, just anybody whose name someone might recognize.

I would wear all black and probably have my hair styled to look effortlessly beautiful for my debut. I am sure they have makeup artists, and I would provide them a canvas in need of repair.

I would likely color my water or use tea in my highball glass to appear to share in the Happy Hour atmosphere but would be too scared to have a drop that might loosen my tongue.

I am guessing Graham might start with a better known celebrity, not realizing I was once the Lexington, Kentucky 12 year old city tennis champion and that I am successfully able to wash and fold up to eleven loads of laundry a week.

When the attention finally shifts to me, Graham asks me about my weekly errand day, where I cram a week’s worth of everything my family needs done into the eight free hours I have from Sunday to Sunday. He says, ”Well, I hear you have been running errands,” and I nod and smile broadly, ready to tell a little ditty about a mishap at the dry cleaners.

But then he continues, “When I hear someone say they are running errands, I assume they ran one errand then went

to get a coffee and walk around Target,” he jokes. And I freeze. How does he know?

He is lightning fast and moves on to another topic from my survey card. “I understand you are starting a stationery company,” he says. Despite the carefully curated camera angle, the audience can tell I am confused.

“I don’t understand,” I say. My fifteen minutes of fame is rapidly shrinking to be about 15 seconds.

“It says right here on my cue card stationery company,” he probes, hoping to save the whole segment.

“Ohhhhhh! No, I told them I like to just be stationary unless I have company coming over,” I explain. The audience groans. Graham segues into commercial, “Well as an Irishman myself, I love a good couch potato. We’ll be right back to talk with our favorite C-list celebrity, Elizabeth Olsen, sister of MaryKate and Ashley, who has a new clothing line for you guessed it—TWINS!” As we cut to break, Graham smiles at me and offers a little more tea. “Well,” I think. “It was a good try. Maybe I should have stuck with Oprah and just used Visine for fake tears.”

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

Tips to keep your family safe from online drug dealers

by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert When you think of cybercriminals, I'm sure the image that pops up in your head is a couple of geeks or nerds in the basement wrecking havoc by clicking a series of keys and hacking into you or your business's computers and network.

Cybercrime has evolved over the years from geeks having fun to criminal organizations taking advantage of the reach of the Internet. During this pandemic, there is a new breed of criminals that have emerged - drug dealers. They are using the power of social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to target anyone who wants illegal drugs, especially the 13 - 29 age group.

How can you keep your family safe? Check out these tips.

With kids forced to do distanced or hybrid learning during the pandemic and with seven out of ten people on social media, you can see why dealers have turned to social media. Dealers like selling drugs on the Internet because it offers a convenient and fast way to sell drugs. Also, online illegal drug deals help them avoid law enforcement.

There are policies that prohibit the sale of illegal drugs on social media

sites, but this doesn't stop drug dealers from finding ways to find buyers and continue their illegal distribution. Part of finding buyers includes the use of the algorithms built into social media platforms.

With the use of emojis, code words, and hashtags, they can direct people to specific drugs, such as Molly (MDMA), Percocet, or Prescription Pain Killers. Even if the sale is made via social media, the delivery of the substances can easily take place at any public place or be delivered to your home.

To help you stay informed, here are some of the most popular emojis teens and adults (and dealers) use for drugs: Cocaine: snowflake, skier, snowman, blowing nose, and 8 ball; Crystal Meth/Methamphetamine: diamond; General drug emojis: flowers; Heroin: syringe, arrow-in-target; Marijuana: The maple leaf is the universal symbol for marijuana.

However, any green leaf or tree can be used to represent marijuana; MDMA/Ecstasy/Acid: drooling face, angry guy, pill, candy; Vaping or getting high: puff of smoke/ wind.

The pandemic has forced many kids to retreat to an online existence. Education on this topic is an important step to help stop the spread of this practice.

1. Stay Up-To-Date. Keeping up with technology is hard, but the Internet has a wealth of resources to help you keep up with the latest slang, hashtags, and emojis that are used to keep the sale, purchase, and use of drugs under the rear.

It's good to talk with people you know such as parents, teachers, and drug and alcohol treatment providers to stay informed on the latest trends. A good resource is the American Addiction Centers at (https:// americanaddictioncenters.org/) 2. Monitor Money Exchanging Apps.

Follow your kids on money exchanging apps like Facebook Messenger, Venmo, Apple, or Android Pay. These apps come in handy for online purchases and purchases between friends. Look out for payments that don't make sense to you.

3. Get Access To Your Teen’s Gadgets and Apps. You need to have the password to your tweens and teen’s devices and the apps they use. Do a random check for any new apps and communication activity you don’t recognize.

4. Follow Your Kids Social Media Accounts. It's a good practice to follow

your kids on their social media accounts. It shows you're interested in them and it also helps you get familiar with the social media platforms and technology they are using.

Yes, they can create new accounts, which is why it's important that you take a look at their devices from time to time.

5. Talk To Your Teen. Talking and communicating with your tweens and teens is never a bad idea. Kids sometimes don't see the ends to the means, but a good conversation could be the spark that let them know you care about their well being and help them see the dangers of purchasing illegal drugs online and in person.

Want to ask me a tech question?

Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone.

Need computer or technology help? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Reach out to us at www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.

Community Voices

Page 7

Newspapers excel as your collective ‘eyes and ears’

by Jim Pumarlo My days of sitting behind an editor’s desk have passed, but I’ll never lose my newspaper blood. I regularly enjoy my first cup of coffee while scanning newspaper websites. It’s a great way to keep current on what’s happening in communities.

Public affairs have always been a passion, so I pay particular attention when the broad arena of issues is addressed. The role of newspapers as watchdogs of the dynamics in both the public and private sectors bears underscoring during Sunshine Week, March 14-20, and its theme, “Your Right to Know.”

Some recent headlines: From the Chanhassen Villager: “Build, invest or tear down are all options for some District 112 elementary schools.”

From the Rochester Post-Bulletin: “Court records show troubling past of Wabasha County administrator applicant.”

From the International Falls Journal: “Campus officials talk gap years, hopes for fall enrollment.”

From the Duluth News Tribune: “Do Duluth’s legislative priorities reflect the community’s?”

From the St. Cloud Times: “What are local economists expecting in 2021?”

These headlines, though from Minnesota newspapers, are representative of the breadth of public affairs reports delivered regularly by newspapers.

Some stories are firsthand meeting reports. Some reflect enterprise initiatives. Some are the result of digging beneath the initial set of facts.

Some take the additional step of offering editorial perspective.

And they all are delivering news that is valuable but not always readily available to readers.

The examples reflect a personal philosophy. Community newspapers, at their best, are stewards of their communities. The news columns are a blend of stories that people like to read and stories they should read. The advertising columns promote and grow local commerce. And the editorial pages are a marketplace of ideas.

The news media landscape has never been more fractured. Newspapers have never been more challenged due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Yet, the need for trained journalists

to gather, deliver and interpret the news – the need for citizens’ “right to know” – is more important than ever as we navigate the effects of the coronavirus. I remain a firm believer that local newspapers have an advantage in today’s crowded media terrain by being the premier clearinghouse of information in your communities. They deliver the news on a range of platforms from print to digital.

The value of trained journalists in collecting and interpreting information is especially important within the context of local public affairs.

Citizens are increasingly challenged to keep abreast of actions of a city council, school board, county board, or any of the numerous other local governing bodies.

Then they have to decipher what the decisions, singularly and collectively, mean in their personal and business lives.

You have an advocate in your community newspapers.

Make no mistake. Editors and reporters are challenged as well in gaining access to everyday sources during the pandemic. At the same time, they have the tools that others may lack.

Journalists have relationships with government officials and staffs.

Journalists have been trained in the routine. They know how to flesh out information that is not readily volunteered or available. They know who to contact. They know where to look.

They know the questions to ask.

Bottom line, journalists are undeterred in their role as your community’s collective set of eye and ears. They thrive on delivering the news; it’s their full-time job. Readers can rest assured that editors and reporters will continue to present a full menu of news during the ordinary and extraordinary times.

Sunshine Week is a great reminder that energized newspapers are at the foundation of energized communities.

Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in SmallTown Newspapers.” He can be reached at www.pumarlo.com.

Home & Garden

Page 8

Spring awakening: 5 expert tips to renew your lawn (BPT) - As a homeowner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about lawn care again. Spring is your first and best - opportunity to get your outdoor living space in top shape for the warmer months ahead. And depending on where you live in the U.S., that window begins whenever the soil starts warming.

To help you get ready for a healthy, lush green lawn this spring, TruGreen, America's #1 lawn care company, shares five things you should do.

1) Start with a spring cleanup: Spring cleaning isn't just for the inside of your home. Your lawn has collected fallen leaves, sticks and other debris over the winter months. Leaving behind this plant matter can smother the growth of your lawn and leave behind unsightly dead patches on the turf.

A cleanup will give your lawn room to breathe, so it can take in water and sunshine, as well as any fertilizer or weed control treatments.

2) Clean up the mower: Spring is also time to dust off the lawn mower, fill it with fresh fuel and get your first mow.

The first mowing of the season removes

dead blades of grass and encourages the lawn to start waking from its winter slumber.

lawn. After being dormant all winter, it will need a dose of food to help it spring back to life and start growing.

3) Get a step ahead of weed growth: The return of crabgrass is not something to look forward to, however, the good news is, you can get these and other unsightly weeds under control by applying a treatment before they start popping up around your lawn. But keep in mind, it's important to get the timing just right.

Because by summer, your turf will be facing many stresses - heat, drought, insects and disease.

A light application of fertilizer can help your lawn take full advantage of spring growth and have it at its best.

Don't forget your trees and shrubs, too!

The amount of fertilizer needed varies with the age and where your trees and shrubs are located, so contact a professional for expert treatment.

"Timing is critical when it comes to applying preventative weed treatments," says Brian Feldman, TruGreen's Director of Technical Operations - North.

"Treatment should be applied under very specific soil and temperature conditions.

Otherwise, it won't work and you'll end up wasting both product and effort."

To take the guesswork out of weed control, consulting with a lawn care professional - such as TruGreen - can bring you peace of mind and deliver desired results.

4) Nourish your lawn: Spring presents yet another important window of opportunity to achieve a thick, healthy

5) Set a simple watering schedule: Regular rainfall is optimal for healthy grass. But when the sun is beating down and it's been more than a week since the last rainfall, you'll need to supplement the lack of rain with a sprinkler. Luckily, you can keep it simple as most lawns will thrive and grow with one inch of water per week.

To keep track, set a few empty tuna cans around the lawn. When they get full - indicating an inch of water - you can move the sprinkler to a different section. Trees and shrubs also need some watering TLC; keep them hydrated

also, particularly when temperatures start to spike.

It's important to remember that every state and region has unique grass and plant types that present their own needs and challenges. Yet, a thick, green lawn you will feel proud of is closer than you think. Call your local lawn professional and they'll create a plan that's tailor-made for your outdoor living space to get it into great shape this spring.

TruGreen prides itself on designing a lawn-care experience founded on customer needs and rooted in science.

To find a professional in your region, visit TruGreen.com.

5 tips to spring clean your home inside and out (Family Features) Spring cleaning isn't just about purging dirt and grime. It's also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home.

As you tackle this season's cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you.

Consider these five ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring.

Make organizing easier. As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization. If your entryway always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the

area. If the kids' toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use. If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place.

Eliminate the excess. Spring cleaning is also an opportunity to declutter and make way for something new, either by donating or selling unused things.

Whether it's last season's fashion and accessories or unused tech and fitness gear, that item you never used - or haven't used in a while - may be exactly what someone else is looking for. Online platforms can make the process easy and be a way to earn extra cash or help fund other home upgrades.

Look for marketplaces that help you maximize your return; eBay, for example, is giving sellers 200 free listings every month, meaning you only pay after your items sell.

Reimagine your living space. If one area is becoming too crowded or doesn't serve your family's needs, consider items you can repurpose for another part of the home.

For example, move an unused chair in your living room into a bedroom to create a reading nook. Keep your focus on function as you make changes that accommodate your lifestyle.

Make smart additions. Once you've cleared your space, and sold things you no longer need, you can convert that extra cash into reliable home appliances and tech.

For example, purchase or upgrade items like vacuums, lawn mowers, power washers, drills and more to help take your spring cleaning to the next level. You can make your money go further by choosing certified refurbished products; some marketplaces like eBay offer inventory that has been professionally inspected by the manufacturer, or a manufacturerapproved vendor, to look, feel and work like new.

Commit to revisiting regularly. It's easy to let clutter and disorganization slide when you get busy with life's demands. Once your spring cleaning and reorganizing is complete, commit to reassessing your home on a monthly or quarterly basis so you can make small adjustments along the way, rather than

face a major project every year.

Shop Smarter. Considering refurbished products for your shopping list can expand your options and make it easier to purchase top-of-the-line brands without going over budget. From tech and small kitchen appliances to outdoor power equipment, you can discover a breadth of items often in like -new condition.

Shop for Multi-Purpose Items: When upgrading your arsenal of gadgets, tools and small appliances, look for items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, many vacuums can transform into steamers or include mop attachments and some pressure cookers can also be used as air fryers.

Feel Confident in Your Purchase: Sometimes upgrading means investing in a premium product you can count on to last longer than entry-level models.

With eBay's Certified Refurbished program, you can find popular, professionally inspected name brands at up to 50% off, all of which are backed by industry-leading two-year warranties for peace of mind.

Keep Sustainability in Mind: Keeping functionality in mind and buying likenew items not only saves you money now and in the future but can also help protect the planet by extending the life of products and reducing unnecessary waste.

Learn more about buying refurbished at eBay.com/CertifiedRefurbishedHub.

Your Health

Page 9

Seasonal allergies—will masks help, and what else can I do?

by Sean M. Crosetti, MBA, PharmD, Crosetti Health & Wellness With March seeming to come in like a lamb, most likely seasonal allergy symptoms will flair up sooner than later. There are several things that can be done to help mediate these symptoms, from antihistamines, prescriptions, barriers, supplements, to shots. Which ones to use, or combine, depends upon what the trigger is and the severity of your body’s response.

Barriers – The best barrier is being inside without open windows, but as 2020 showed us, we need to be outside at times. One of the few benefits of COVID is the current requirement to wear a mask outside. This not only will prevent a person from spreading the COVID virus, the mask will also filter out most of the triggers floating around in the air (pollen, dander, dust, etc.) so once you venture outside make sure to mask up as well. It is a good idea to wash your reusable masks at least once a week to make sure the filtering mechanism is fully functional.

Something else that is helpful when you are inside is the filter on your HVAC

system and how clogged full of stuff it is. This “mask” for your house needs to be replaced every three months; so, if you do not recall changing it when your family’s holiday celebration was happening, then it is time to replace it.

The basic concept of the rest of the treatments is to reduce the natural inflammatory process once the triggers attempt to enter the body.

Supplements – These items have a few studies that show they do provide some benefit to the stopping of allergy symptoms: Stinging Nettle – There are a few studies that show that the above ground parts of this plant can provide some antihistamine response in the body but does not improve response when given with antihistamines (do not use while pregnant) Quercetin – There are also a few studies that show that this compound in red wine, yellow onions, black tea, black currant juice, and apple juice can boost the therapeutic effect of asthma medications when taken concurrently Bromelain – The studies that have been published show there is some positive effect from taking this compound, which is found in pineapple, alone to reduce the swelling of the nasal

passages, the studies in combination with medications are inconclusive.

Antihistamines – These Over the Counter (OTC) items work by reducing the effect of the body’s response to the triggers. When triggers enter the body by some means (mouth, nose, eyes, throat, skin) the body’s response is to release a hormone called histamine.

This compound drives several responses throughout the body (swelling of the throat, nasal passages, tongue, skin, and eyes, watering of eyes and nose, increase mucus production, increase stomach acid production, itching in areas of contact, etc.). All of these are forms of self-defense the body has used effectively to stop the further invasion into the body and are necessary. The issue lies in the severity, or duration, of the response.

Antihistamines work by blocking the histamines from binding to the receptors on the cells that trigger the response. Once blocked, the cells cannot release the histamine thereby reducing the severity and duration of the response to a level where that person feels they can still function in society.

Prescriptions – If the OTC items do not help you keep your symptoms at a reasonable level, a prescriber can

authorize several different options from tablets/capsules, inhalers (puffers), to solutions for a nebulizer. These items either stop the body’s ability to respond to the triggers or decrease the effect of the triggers on the body.

Shots – This type of therapy requires a consultation with an allergist who may run reaction tests (small amount of the trigger injected under the skin of your back) of the most common allergens in your area and once true triggers are identified, a very diluted amount is injected into your system and gradually increased until your body does not adversely react to the exposure.

If you decide to try one of these supplements, OTC items, or prescriptions, please discuss with your care provider or pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions with your complete current regimen (prescribed, OTC, and supplements).

Sean M Crosetti, MBA, PharmD, is Pharmacist in Charge and Owner of Crosetti Health & Wellness in Grain Valley. Crosetti Health & Wellness is located at 510 N. Main in Grain Valley. www.crosettis.com

Jackson County Health Department COVID-19 Testing Follow Valley News on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join the conversation:

@grainvalleynews.

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 22nd—26th: Monday: Lee’s Summit This is a Drive-Thru 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063 Registration link: https:// jacohd.jotform.com/210316536914856 Tuesday: Grandview This is not a drive-thru clinic The View: Grandview- The View Community Center 13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.

Registration link: https:// jacohd.jotform.com/210316088814857

Wednesday: Blue Springs This is not a drive thru clinic Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs Registration link: https:// jacohd.jotform.com/210325011127840 Thursday: Lee’s Summit This is a drive-thru 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063 Registration link: https:// jacohd.jotform.com/210316182714851 Friday: Independence Not a drive-thru Independence Uptown Farmers Market211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050 Registration Link: https:// jacohd.jotform.com/210325192814853

Your Health

Page 10

Munch Madness

by Megan Callahan, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Munch madness is upon us as one of the biggest tournaments in college basketball approaches, and with that comes all of our favorite game day snacks.

It can be easy to overindulge on days like this, but it is important to remember it is only a few days out of the year. And for those trying to reach certain health goals, munching doesn’t have to set you back.

Overindulging on game day food can upset blood glucose levels; for those trying to manage them, it can lead to high consumption of sodium and saturated fat, and next-day guilt.

If you are looking for some healthier switches to make to your favorite

foods, here are some of your Hy-Vee dietitian favorites: Add a vegetable platter with a highprotein dip. Our go-to is plain Greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning; it tastes the same as popular veggie dips but has much greater nutritional value.

Use low-sodium substitutes when making your game day foods. Easy switches include low-sodium barbecue sauce, low-sodium chips and lowsodium seasonings.

Use cookie cutters to cut up your favorite fruits to add a fun twist and a more appealing look. This may entice you to reach for that fun shaped fruit over a cookie.

Try the ever so popular air fryer. Air

fryers are great for giving you that great fried taste without soaking the food in oil which leaves a greasy taste.

Swap out sugary drinks for flavored water. Consuming sugary drinks can greatly increase your blood glucose and may cause you to consume more food than what your body really needs. It is also important to stay hydrated and not confuse hunger with thirst.

We shouldn’t have to stress over the foods we eat on game days when we are having fun with friends and family.

To make this easier, add healthier alternatives and enjoy.

advice.

Megan Callahan is one of your HyVee 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 full-time for 10 years.

Megan lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband Matt, and their 2 children Kennedy (4) & Carsyn (2).

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual

Plants on your plate: Collard greens

by Denise Sullivan, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, MU Extension I decided to take a step away from my comfort zone with this month’s installment of Plants on Your Plate and reached out to some of my southernrooted friends for some insights.

Growing up on a dairy farm in southcentral Kansas, green beans, corn, and carrots were the most common vegetables at our table.

The only kind of ‘greens’ I encountered happened at school lunch in the form of canned spinach, which I usually tried to sneak into my empty milk carton. Grown-up me still isn’t a fan of canned spinach, but I do love a good spinach salad. I have also discovered that my family likes kale and swiss chard, so I decided it was time to try something new…and chose collard greens!

In the south, the term ‘greens’ refers

to vegetables whose leaves are eaten when cooked until tender and can include mustard, turnip, beet, and collards. Collards are a member of the brassica family and a ‘cousin’ to cabbage and is sometimes referred to as treecabbage or headless cabbage.

Most historians agree that collards originated in Greek and Roman gardens around 2000 years ago, though some will go as far back as 5000 years. British settlers brought seeds to the colonies in the 17th century. Today, South Carolina is the top producer of collard greens in the United States and in 2011, declared them the state vegetable.

Collards, like most leafy greens, are full of powerful nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, and folate, as well as the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium, and of course dietary fiber.

These key nutrients show promise in the risk reduction and prevention of heart disease and certain cancers, as well as beneficial to eye health, digestive health, healing damaged tissues and preventing neural tube defects in developing fetus’.

Collards can be grown year-round, but the best quality crops appear in the cooler temperatures in early spring and late fall. When selecting collard greens, look for deep green leaves that are sturdy and free of any wilt or yellow areas, indicating lack of freshness.

Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to a week for optimal freshness.

Prior to cooking, fresh greens should be soaked and swished several times in cold water to remove sandy grit. Collards can be cooked in a variety of ways, and usually starts with trimming out the tough center vein. Leaves can be blanched and stuffed, like stuffed cabbage rolls, or finely chopped and added raw to salads.

For a truly southern flavor, greens are cooked ‘low and slow’ for several hours with a smoky meat like ham or bacon.

The recipe that follows has a shorted cooking time and uses a leaner meat choice, but still produces a delicious flavor. I hope you will step outside of your comfort zone and give it a try!

Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, programming in Jackson and Platte Counties. For researchbased nutrition and food safety information and programs, visit https:// extension.missouri.edu/counties/jackson

Savory Collard Greens (makes 8 servings) 4 pounds collard greens 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups low sodium chicken broth 1 smoked turkey leg 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Clean collard greens by swishing in sink to remove dirt and grit, drain well. Trim center vein from leaves and chop into 2 x 2-inch pieces, set aside.

Heat oil in heavy Dutch oven and add garlic, onion and peppers and sauté until tender.

Add chicken broth and bring to boil. Add turkey leg and red pepper flakes, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add collard greens in bunches, allowing greens to wilt before adding more, until all greens are added. Bring back to boil and simmer covered for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat, add vinegar and sugar.

Nutrition information: Calories: 123, Total Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: .6g, Sodium: 150mg, Carbohydrates: 17g, Fiber: 8g, Protein: 9g

Recipe adapted from Seasonal and Simple, analyzed by verywellfit.com

Page 11

Make Daylight Saving Time work for you (StatePoint) Daylight Saving Time (DST) is here, which means you are operating on a brand new schedule.

Unfortunately, time changes can cause many negative physical and mental effects on the body -- and be a logistical nuisance to boot! To make DST work for you, consider the following tips: Wind down in the evening: A good night’s sleep can help you power through anything. A few hours before bed, avoid anything that wires you. This includes that post-dinner cup of joe, high-intensity workouts and blue light from electronic devices.

Good alternatives? Caffeine-free herbal tea, yin yoga and curling up with a great book.

Set dual alarms: Most people think that alarms are just for mornings, but you can use them to remind you when it’s time to go to bed too. The many features of Pro Trek watches make them a good choice of a tool for sticking to your schedule.

Plus, keeping your watch bedside, instead of your phone, can help you avoid messing with your shuteye by mindlessly scrolling right before light’s out.

Get to bed on time: DST, plus longer days, can make it tempting to stay up late. As much as possible, try to keep your bedtime consistent, especially on the weekdays.

Get more sunlight: Reap the benefits of sunlight and exercise in conjunction with one another for a powerful pick-me -up and mood booster. This will help you combat any negative mental effects associated with the new hours.

Whether it’s a short jaunt or a long hike, equip yourself with wearable tech that offers everything you need to navigate the terrain, such as a Pro Trek watch, that offers an altimeter, barometer, thermometer and compass sensors.

iStock photo

With a few simple strategies, you can help avoid any DST woes for a healthy, happy start to the season.

ACROSS 1. Great divide 6. World's oldest national broadcaster 9. Pasturelands 13. Chinese fruit 14. #9 Across, sing.

15. Clemency 16. One in advertising 17. "____ the land of the free ..."

18. Characteristic of birds 19. *Ongoing job in the garden 21. *Without synthetic fertilizers 23. 2nd tallest bird 24. Theatrical production 25. Curiosity killed it?

28. Additionally 30. Capital of Poland 35. Passage into a mine 37. Prefix in levorotary 39. Mid-century modern, e.g.

40. Toothy wheel 41. *Some are heirlooms 43. Make like a cat 44. Erasable programmable read only memory 46. Stanislavski's rifle, e.g.

47. Unwanted correspondence 48. Motionless 50. Catch-22 52. "Are you sure?" in a text 53. Freight horse cart 55. Opposite of don'ts 57. *6 or more hours of sunshine 61. *Radicchio or frisée 65. On foot 66. Negative vote 68. 2020 NFL MVP 69. Morrison's "The ____" 70. Hockey great Bobby 71. Respectable and quiet 72. Sports award 73. Affirmative response 74. Infernos

DOWN 1. Old bathtub foot 2. Opposite of seek 3. Ne plus ultra 4. *Opposite of #57 Across 5. Minimum, pl.

6. Influencer's journal 7. *Stinging pollinator 8. Holiday song 9. Bulgarian money 10. Julia Roberts' Academy Award-winning role 11. Popular smoothie berry 12. Update an iPod 15. Inhabitant of Hungary 20. Nothing, pl.

22. Like sashimi 24. Lack of money 25. *Tomato supports 26. Highly skilled 27. Miss America's headdress 29. Slowly leak 31. Moves at the gym 32. Monument to Buddha 33. Orderly arrangement 34. *Wiggly plowers 36. Faster than a walk 38. *Some plants and flowers emit a good one 42. *Type of digger 45. Centers, old-fashioned 49. French vineyard 51. *Last of 3 numbers on a bag of fertilizer 54. Be a pest 56. Washington, e.g.

57. Grow dim 58. Extraterrestrials' rides 59. Pilot's stunt 60. Type of parrot 61. "Musical" constellation 62. Russian mountain chain 63. *Type of garden hose that saves space 64. Goes with "odds" 67. Am is to I as ____ is to we

Page 12

Kid Scoop

Kid Scoop is sponsored by Yard deSigns Blue Springs

Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local.

R e a d Va l l e y N e w s o n l i n e a t w w w . g r a i n v a l l e y n e w s . c o m

Outdoors & Recreation

Page 13

MDC offers free aquatic ecosystem class on March 27th

by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Far more is alive in streams and ponds than just frogs and fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free introduction to underwater ecology on Saturday, March 27, at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. Participants will learn what swims, crawls, and grows beneath the ripples and waves.

This class has two starting times for the one-hour sessions, 10:00am or 11:30am, or 1:00pm. Participants will learn how to identify macroinvertebrates that can indicate water quality. Learn how some serve as predator and prey in an underwater world.

The class will also help participants understand life in streams and ponds

near their own neighborhood, and how human actions can affect water quality and that life.

The aquatics ecology session is for participants age 8 and older. Dress for the weather, the entire program will be held outdoors. All COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed including physical distancing and face masks.

Registration is required.

To register, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZDk. For information about MDC’s Gorman Discovery Center, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/ discoverycenter.

Learn about aquatic life in ponds and streams on March 27 at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City, like this stonefly nymph (pictured).

Photo credit: MDC

Invasive Zebra mussels discovered in commercially sold moss balls

by Francis Skalicky , Missouri Department of Conservation Zebra mussels, an invasive species that can cause habitat and economic harm if they get established in reservoirs and streams, have recently been found in a type of algae – known as “moss balls” – that are popular with aquarium owners.

Because of this, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), as well as fisheries experts across the country, are asking aquarium owners and pet store staff to examine moss balls for these troublesome mollusks.

Moss balls that contain zebra mussels have been found in Missouri.

Marimo is a filamentous algae that grows into green velvety balls – hence the name “moss balls.” In the wild, marimo is found mainly in Europe and Asia (primarily Japan). In recent years, their aesthetic appeal has made these plant-like organisms popular in the aquarium trade.

Recently, it has been discovered that some moss balls being commercially sold for aquariums in several states, including Missouri, contained zebra mussels. Experts don’t know how zebra mussels got inside the moss balls, but this discovery reveals a new way these non-native invasive pests can spread.

Any aquarium containing moss balls infected with zebra mussels also has the potential of having zebra mussel larvae (called veligers) in its water. When aquarium water is switched out or if the contents get dumped into a nearby creek or lake, this could introduce zebra mussels into a new body of water.

This further emphasizes what fisheries biologists in Missouri and other states say often: Never dispose of aquarium contents in a nearby body of water because of the harmful nonnative organisms this could introduce into local ecosystems. In the case of zebra mussels, the problems can be both biological and economical.

The huge clusters these fingernailsized mussels can form (sometimes as thick as a million mussels per square meter) can cause operational problems

for pipes and other water-intake equipment. Their clustering activities can also kill native mussels and disrupt aquatic food chains.

The discovery of zebra mussels in moss balls means aquarium owners play an invaluable part in preventing the spread of zebra mussels, too. If you find zebra mussels in your aquarium, remember these three words – destroy, dispose, drain.

Destroy in one of three ways: Freeze: Place moss ball into a sealable plastic bag and freeze for at least 24 hours.

Boil: Place the moss ball in boiling water for at least one minute.

Bleach/vinegar: Submerge the moss ball in a chlorine bleach solution at a rate of one (1) cup of bleach per gallon of water for 10 minutes or undiluted white vinegar for 20 minutes.

Dispose: Once one of the abovelisted “destroy” steps have been taken, dispose of the moss ball and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag in the trash. If vinegar, boiling water, or bleach was used, the liquid can be disposed down a household drain. Never pour into a storm drain where it could enter and damage local waterways.

Drain: Drain and clean the aquarium.

When draining and cleaning your aquarium, it’s important to follow these steps: Collect any fish or other living organisms and place them in another container, with water from a separate, uncontaminated source.

Remove contaminated water from the tank and sterilize the water by adding one (1) cup of salt for each gallon of water. Let the saltwater solution sit for 10 minutes and then dispose the treated water by pouring down a household drain.

Decontaminate the aquarium and accessories using one of the following methods, ensuring that the method you

Zebra mussels have recently been found in algae commonly referred to as “moss balls” Shown, moss balls are commonly sold as aquarium vegetation.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. choose is in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations: Hot Water Method: Flush and coat the aquarium and all accessories with hot water that is 120 degrees F for at least two minutes. After two minutes, allow the water to cool and then dispose in household drain.

Saltwater Method: Add one-half (½) cup of salt per gallon of water to tank and soak aquarium, substrate, rocks, décor, and filter media for at least 24 hours. Dispose of the treated water by pouring down a household drain and rinse all items prior to resetting up your aquarium.

Bleach Disinfection Method: Make a disinfection solution using one (1) cup of bleach per gallon of water. Soak the aquarium, substrate, rocks, décor, and filter media in the bleach water solution for at least 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, treated water can disposed of by pouring down a household drain. Rinse off all items prior to setting up the aquarium. Dispose of the previously used filter media and replace it with new media.

Once the decontamination steps are completed, allow tank and accessories to dry for at least 15 minutes before refilling with water. If the bleach disinfection method (see above) was used, add a dechlorinating product to neutralize any residual chlorine prior to reintroducing aquatic life.

It is recommended that aquarium owners do another water change within a week and continue to monitor the tank for any unusual or unexpected aquatic life. If needed repeat the above-listed steps.

This is an evolving situation, the latest information about how to take care of zebra mussel-infected moss balls and aquarium systems can be found at fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/zebramussel-disposal.html.

MDC thanks people and businesses for their help in preventing the spread of this invasive species and for helping to protect Missouri’s natural resources.

More information about how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels in Missouri can be found at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/ fishing/protect-missouri-fishing/zebramussels.

Sports

Page 14

Eagles grapple for greatness as Newsom wins championship

by John Unrein Hunter Newsom’s expression did not change throughout the day. The stone cold stare of attention that guided Newsom to four wins and the 195 pound championship during the 2021 MSHSAA Class 3 State Wrestling Tournament was unyielding. The fire alarm being pulled in the arena as Newsom was set to begin his final match had no effect on the mission that the senior had set out to complete. The perfect 41-0 record of Neosho’s Jeremiah Larson entering the tournament, who Newsom would defeat in the final match of their weight class did not faze the Grain Valley senior either.

Newsom would gain a one point lead with under a minute left in the final period by escape from the grasp of Larson. The strength needed after a full day of wrestling for Newsom to get to his feet and remove the grip of Larson was impressive to say the least. An attentive gaze turned to jubilance for Newsom as the final seconds ticked off the clock in the third period prior to the 6-5 win being announced over the public address system at the Independence Events Center.

Class was still in the forefront of Newsom’s mind after the victory in shaking Larson’s hand, nodding to the officials, and fist bumping the Neosho coaching staff before running to the arms of Grain Valley head wrestling coach Jeff Bowman for a hug. Newsom would then turn and face the Grain Valley crowd in attendance and flex his arms while giving an emotional yell that filled the arena. Newsom had just made history for Bowman’s program by being the second Grain Valley Eagle in the school’s history to win a State wrestling championship.

Waiting for Newsom at the entrance to the locker room was Grain Valley

126 lb. Eagle wrestler Dru Azcona applies pressure to the shoulders of his opponent to maintain leverage.

Photo credit: Valley News staff

alumnus Mavrick Alexander. It was 2015 when Alexander won the 132 pound weight class as a state championship wrestler for the Eagles, the first in school history. Newsom received his second hug of the evening from Alexander. The two kept their words short and meaningful during the exchange.

“Hunter photobombed me after I won the state championship. When I confronted him about it, he told me I could return the favor when he became a state champion. He held true to his word. All I said to him was how ecstatic I was and that he made all of us proud,” Alexander said.

Newsom simply replied with, “You are not alone anymore. It is not going to be lonely at the top for you.”

Newsom would go on to provide an interview for media outlets as he soaked in his win. His comments were given with reflection while being out of breath.

“The Grain Valley (wrestling room) is very interesting. We have a bunch of different characters. We love to have fun and get the work done. Coach Bowman helps us find the perfect balance in that.

I look forward to coming back and helping everyone underneath me (the underclassmen). I don’t know what else to say, I love that room. I have put all of my blood, sweat, and tears into it, and it is like my second home,” Newsom said.

Grain Valley would finish with 50 team points in the boy’s tournament, good for 8th place in Class 3. A strong showing that was aided by Newsom, Donovan McBride (4th place State finisher at 285 pounds), Gavin Parks (106 pounds), Dru Azcona (126 pounds), and Tanner Barker (138 pounds). The quintet entered competition on March 12th with a combined record of 95-11.

McBride would use his mammoth strength to throw two opponents late in his final two matches. The motivation was to break the stalemates and work to gain positioning that would lead to a pin or a win. The outcome of McBride’s bravery in going for the win did not work out to his advantage either time.

The senior wrestler explained his motivation was to avoid being penalized points for stalling.

“In those situations, I had already been hit with stalling, and I did not want to give up another point. I thought to myself, what is the difference in losing

Class 3 195 lb. MSHSAA State Wrestling Champion Hunter Newsom.

Photo credit: Newton County News

285 lb. Eagle wrestler Donovan McBride secures a win on his way to fourth place in the MSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Photo credit: Valley News staff by two points or a pin? I made the decision that he was either going to go to his back or I was going to go to my back. My hat is off to them,” McBride said.

“Whoever scores first in this tournament has the advantage. They get the decision if there is an overtime on having the choice of top or bottom positioning.”

Sevi Aumua would join her Eagles teammates in a proud showing by placing 3rd in the 151 pound weight class at the girls MSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament on March 9th. Aumua would claim 3rd place with a first round pin of her opponent in their final match.

Making the feat even more gritty was the ankle injury Aumua fought through during the tournament.

“I am glad I got to meet this senior group of wrestlers. My (wrestling) moves and mindset improved throughout the season,” Aumua said.

“My third place finish means that as a freshman, I will have time to get better.

Overall, this was a good season. It was a good feeling to fight through dealing with my ankle and end the tournament with a win.”

Head coaches typically have mantras they convey to burn in the memories of those they push. “The first 30 and the last 30” was repeatedly heard by Grain

see STATE on page 16

Sports

Page 15

Royals farm system entering elite status again

by John Unrein The Kansas City Royals have been a small market baseball franchise since their inception in 1969. Ewing Kauffman, the original owner of the Royals was aware from the outset of the unfair nature of the economics affiliated with baseball. Kauffman insisted that the Royals would find long term success through building the organization from the foundation up. The anchor for this endeavor would be the development of a strong farm system by investment in scouting, player development, and avoiding adding an abundance of older veteran players to the original rosters.

The Los Angeles Dodgers provided Kauffman a blueprint that he would use to find triumph. An emphasis would be placed on accumulating pitching talent and athletic position players through the Major League Baseball draft. The borrowed model worked as the Royals had their first winning season in 1971 with a record of 85-76, good for second place in the American League West. That same year the Royals selected George Brett in the first round (29th overall) of the MLB amateur draft.

Kansas City would make its first playoff appearance in 1976. The roster was abundant with homegrown talent.

Names like Brett, Frank White, John Wathan, Paul Splittorff, Dennis Leonard, Jamie Quirk, Al Cowens, and Steve Busby littered the lineup with talent, marking the investment Kauffman had made from the outset in finding and growing young players with ability. A process that has repeated itself throughout the history of the Royals.

The Royals would make World Series appearances in 1980, 1985, 2014, and 2015, winning the Commissioner’s Trophy in 1985 and 2015. Those titles were savored by former Royals farmhands with the names of Bret Saberhagen, Dan Quisenberry, Danny Jackson, Mark Gubicza, Bud Black, and Buddy Biancalana during 1985. Thirty years later it would Alex Gordon, Jarrod Dyson, Mike Moustakas, Aldaberto Mondesi, Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Yordano Ventura, and Greg Holland who had made the trip down Interstate 29 from the club’s AAA affiliate in Omaha to One Royal Way in Kansas City.

History appears ready to repeat itself with a plethora of homegrown talent emerging in the Royals farm system.

The Royals are currently ranked with the 10th best minor league talent in all professional baseball per MLB Network as of March 15th. The organization has three players ranked in the Top 30 prospects by MLB, with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (Number 7), left handed pitcher Daniel Lynch (Number 29), and left handed pitcher Asa Lacy (Number 30).

General Manager Dayton Moore and his staff have found success again turning draft picks into prospects knocking on the proverbial big league door for the Royals.

The following is a breakdown of player ratings, how the players were acquired, their position, and estimated ETA for the Royals Top 100 prospects as first reported by Anne Rogers for MLB Pipeline.

Photo credit: Kansas City Royals

Best tools

Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 7080 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 60 -- Witt Jr. Power: 60 -- Witt Jr. Run: 65 -- Brewer Hicklen Arm: 70 -- Seuly Matias Defense: 70 -- Nick Pratto Fastball: 75 -- Samuel Valerio Curveball: 60 -- Alec Marsh (Austin Cox, Noah Murdock) Slider: 60 -- Lynch (Lacy) Changeup: 70 – Jackson Kowar Control: 60 -- Jonathan Bowlan

Breakdown by ETA 2021: 9 | 2022: 11 | 2023: 6 | 2024: 3 | 2025: 1 Breakdown by position C: 1 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | SS: 5 | OF: 6 | RHP: 12 | LHP: 5 What does all of this mean for the Royals heading into the 2021 season?

Confidence is high among the team and smiles are plentiful. Both Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy have been quoted by the media in saying that they are having a blast competing again and that this is the most confidence they have seen by a Royals team since 2014 and 2015. This leaves Royals fans with something to look forward to as the home opener on April 1st approaches against the Texas Rangers.

How they were built Draft: 20 | International: 8 | Trade: 2

Follow Valley News on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Join the conversation at @grainvalleynews.

STATE continued from page 14 Valley wrestlers coming from the corner of the wrestling mat. Bowman would continually emphasize the statement to remind his team how important it is to score points at the beginning and end of each period. The reason being the points accumulated during those stages of the match tend to have the greatest impact on the outcome.

Grain Valley wrestlers paid heed to that advice and put it into action throughout the tournament. Bowman would also remind his wrestlers to “breathe” and look at him during breaks when he was speaking so that "wind" and the message he was conveying could be confirmed. Bowman was as proud of his team as he is methodical with the way he deploys his game plan for wrestling.

“It was heartbreaking to watch the way Parks, Azcona, and Barker competed hard only have to their day end. They had some tough losses. Azcona was like the ‘Energizer Bunny’ in that he did not stop (during his wrestleback matches).

He truly showed his mettle today,” Bowman said.

“We always want the first takedown (in a match). There is some astronomical number that the person who scores the first takedown usually has a 70 to 80 percent chance to win the match.

Having the chance to end the first period up 2-0 heading into the second (period) and get to choose the down position for securing an escape and potentially being up 3-0 changes the dynamic of a match.”

“The first and last 30 seconds of a period matter the most. If we are up, then we get to use our counters and change the style of our offense to our advantage. I am proud of this team.”

Bowman continued, “What Newsom did was the way we drew it up. We stuck to the game plan. For him to go as non-stop hard as he did with it being

Community Calendar Saturday, March 20, 2021 Spring Migration 10:00am—11:00am Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO Registration required (ages 8+) As spring approaches, learn why birds migrate and what they need to survive. Young birders will practice bird watching with a naturalist and complete a scavenger hunt to find out which birds may be leaving the area, which will stay and which will return from a winter away!

This is an all outdoor program so dress for the weather.

Grain Valley Eagle head wrestling coach Jeff Bowman hugs Hunter Newsom after his State Championship win. Photo credit: Valley News staff

Monday, March 22, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Virtual meeting via Zoom

his senior year and him going to play football next year in college, there was no carrot dangling. It was all his intrinsic values to compete and represent his team. We love seeing that.”

“People have scouted Newsom and know that he has a wing coming. That makes him go to the inside and circling his hips back down to the mat. From there we work by trying to get the arm out on the back. Hunter is so strong.”

Bowman finished, “The preparation, dedication, and willingness to listen is what highlights Newsom’s accomplishment. He never stops and that is my favorite thing about him. I have chills in that we get to put another name up on the banner at school. Who better than the two names (Alexander and Newsom) that will be present? They were always ‘yes coach’ in whatever we asked and their ‘buy in’ helped to make the difference.”

Thursday, March 25, 2021 Grain Valley Historical Society Membership Meeting 7:00pm www.grainvalleyhistory.com Saturday, March 27, 2021 Discover Nature: Aquatics 10:00am—11:00am Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center 4750 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64110 Registration required (ages 8+) Take a step off land and dive into the world of aquatic ecosystems. Learn how to identify macroinvertebrates and what they tell us about water quality. Discover the watershed you live in and how our actions can have an impact and get up close with aquatic wildlife. Discover Missouri's aquatic ecosystems and discover a world of wonder. This is an all outdoor program so dress for the weather. You will receive an e-mail from the instructor the day prior to the event if weather conditions indicate a need to cancel the program.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Park Board Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley Community Center Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am -10:20am www.mymcpl.org/events Friday, April 2, 2021 Easter Break Grain Valley Schools closed Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Municipal Election Polls open 6:00am—7:00pm Information on polling locations and ballot issues may be found at www.jcebmo.org.

Monday, April 12, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST Wednesday, April 14, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Park Board Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley Community Center Monday, April 26, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST

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

G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S Our advertisers support your local news.

Support Small Business. Shop Local.

w w w. g ra i n va l l e y n e w s . c o m