2 Jackson County Food Inspection 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:: Country Oak Village 101 Cross Creek DR Microwave had a build up of food residue. Corrected on site. Manager clean the microwave. 2. Utensils plastic holder had a build up of food residue. Corrected on site. Manager clean the utensils and plastic holder. 3. Can opener had a build up of food residue. Corrected on site. Can opener was remove the manager stated that they do not using the can opener. The thermometer was missing in the small reach in cooler in the dining in area. Manager remove the yogurt in the reach in cooler it was only for drinks not food. Correct by 7/6/2021. QuikTrip 1110 N Buckner Tarsney The handle of the scoop in the macaroni and cheese was touching product, the scoop was removed and replaced with a clean and sanitized scoop. Corrected on site. The bottom of the reach in freezers have a buildup of food debris. Correct by Sept. 11. Taco Bell 1101 N Buckner Tarsney There was food in the reach in and walk in cooler without dates, all food was dated. Corrected on site. Casey’s General Store 1111 Buckner Tarsney Road The pizza make table is at 50*F and all product inside was ranging from 44-48*F, all product has been discarded. Re-inspection required. Provide valid food handler cards for listed employees within 30 days to avoid re-inspection & fees. Temp Stop 723 Main Thermometer inside the reach in cooler were missing. Correct by 9/2½021. Noticed a unlabelled spary bottle with chemicals. CORRECTED on site. Employee placed a label on the bottle. Correct by 7/2½021.Sanitized in the three compartment sink was too low. Employee change the sanitizer in the three compartment sink. Corrected on site.
America’s Best Value Inn Lodging 105 Sunny Lane Drive No violations recorded. Price Chopper—Starbucks 1191 NE McQuerry Road No violations recorded. Price Chopper—produce/dairy/grocery 1191 NE McQuerry Road Handwashing sign was missing by the handsink in produce. Corrected on site. Inspector gave the manager a sign to placed on the sink. America’s Best Value Inn 105 Sunny Lane Drive Soap was not provided at the hand sink. No towels provided at handwashing sink. Corrected on site. Food handlers were not provided for employees. Correct by 8/22/2021. Captain’s Sports Pub 301 SW Eagles Parkway Noticed that handsink at the bar was missing a handwashing sign. Corrected. Noticed a employees cell phone on single service items. Corrected. Noticed that the dishwasher sanitizer was testing low. Corrected on site. Manager replaced the bucket of sanitizer. Food was uncovered in the refrigerated truck. Corrected on site. Employee placed a cover on the food. Subway 101 AA Hwy Observed an air gap on the exit door in the back of establishment. Observed missing and damaged ceiling tiles in the utility closet. Correc by 9/26/2021. Canteen Vending Ave. C (Kohl's Dist. Center) 2015 NE Jefferson No violations recorded. Dollar General 105 NE Rock Creek Lane Observed damage to walls in the back storage area with sharp edges. Repeat Correct by 10/2/2021. The floors under reach in coolers in the back storage area and under storage shelving had build up of dirt and debris. Correct by 10/2/2021.
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of July 21=26, 2021. July 21, 2021 1300 Block of Eagle Ridge 500 Block of E Broadway 1100 Block of Ephraim 1300 Block of N Sycamore 1200 Block of Phelps 900 Block of NW Persimmon CT 100 Block of Rock Creek LN 1300 Block of NW Willow DR 1000 Block of Stonebrook LN 1300 Block of SW Minter Way 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 1800 Block of NW Rosewood
Citizen Contact Verbal Disturbance Agency Assist-JCSD Possible Burglary Citizen Contact Alarm Suspicious Party Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Alarm Citizen Contact Civil Standby Area Check
July 22, 2021 1100 Block of Bush Drive 100 Block of James Rollo DR Long Drive & Silverstone 1600 Block of SW Eagles PKWY 100 Block of SW Rock Creek LN 1000 Block of NE McQuerry 1100 Block of Sandy 1100 Block of Blue Branch LN 700 Block of Main 1000 Block of Sandy
Stolen Trailer Agency Assist-DFS Suspicious Vehicle Citizen Contact Alarm Citizen Contact Animal At Large Welfare Check Citizen Contact Suspicious Activity
July 23, 2021 100 Block of Sunny LN 400 Block of S Outer RD MM 23.4 EB I 70 Front & Main 700 Block of Main Nelson & Harvest
Motor Vehicle Accident Physical Disturbance Agency Assist-MSHP Area Check Agency Assist-JCSD Speeding Complaint
July 24, 2021 600 Block of Walnut Main Street 700 Block of Main
Agency Assist-BSPD Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
700 Block of Whitestone 900 Block of Deer Creek 700 Block of Main 100 Block of Sunny LN 1400 Block of NW Willow DR 2300 Block of NW Lindenwood 1200 Block of NW Golview DR 100 Block of Garden 900 Block of NE Deer Creek DR 900 Block of Sycamore CT July 25, 2021 1300 Block of Jefferson Buckner Tarsney & Duncan 1100 Block of Dean DR BB & Hoot Owl 1100 Block of Scenic 100 Block of E Old 40 HWY
Citizen Contact Verbal Disturbance Welfare Check Citizen Contact Suspicious Activity Suspicious Activity Welfare Check Disturbance Disturbance Trapped Animal
BB & McQuerry Meadow & Scenic Duncan & Rust 600 Block of SW Tisha Lane 100 Block of S Main 100 Block of NE McQuerry RD 200 Block of Barr RD
Alarm Area Check Civil Standby Area Check Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Animal At Large Welfare Check Suspicious Activity Alarm Suspicious Person Alarm Parking Complaint
July 26, 2021 500 Block of AA 100 Block of Jensen DR 1200 Block of SW Eagles PKWY 200 Block of Greystone Way 200 Block of Woodbury Ryan & BB 200 SW Rock Creek LN 1100 Block of S Buckner Tarsney 1400 Block of Golfview DR 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main
Area Check Suspicious Vehicle Disturbance Past Citizen Contact Area Check Possible DWI Driver Stolen Auto Area Check Suspicious Party Stealing Stalking Complaint
Road work planned for Jefferson Street, 1-70 Jefferson Street will be closed between the western side of Camping World to the eastern side of Big O's Equipment Rental & Sales from August 9th through September 17th. Drivers should travel East on Jefferson St. to S. Buckner Tarsney Rd. for access to I-70. MODOT Kansas City will be conducting
pavement work along portions of eastbound I-70 overnight beginning this Thursday. Eastbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane from MO Route 7 to Oak Grove from 8:00pm each evening until 6:00am the following mornings on both Thursday, Aug. 5, and Friday, Aug. 6. All work is weather permitting.
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 Michael Smith | Staff Writer, Sports Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com
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Looking Back
3
Looking Back: Winona Burgess, 1989 Citizen of the Year by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Nearly thirty-two years ago, August 14, 1989, was Winona Burgess Day in Grain Valley. Winona was named Citizen of the Year by then mayor, Kurt Hanneman. In his speech he noted that Winona had been a member of our community for more than fifty years. He shared a few of her community activities with those present; owner of two businesses, membership in ABWA (American Business Women’s Association), Regent of the Fort Osage Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), member and past president of WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service), Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star and vice-president of PTA. She was also on the Grain Valley Police Board, the Planning and Zoning Board and an Alderwoman in Ward I from 1981 to 1991. For 18 years, from 1971 to 1989, she was head librarian at the Grain Valley Branch of Mid-Continent Library. You may recognize her name even if you are “new” to Grain Valley. On August 7, 2002 at the Senior Citizens luncheon the conference room at the Community Center was dedicated to Winona Burgess. Born and raised in Oak Grove, Winona married Floyd Sharp in August 1935, and they made their home in Grain Valley, where Floyd owned the Grain Valley Grain Company. They had one son, David who graduated from Grain Valley High
Winona Burgess in 2002. Picture from the Buckner Villager Newspaper. School in 1959. Winona went to beauty school and opened Winona’s Salon of Beauty from 1957-1967. In 1962 she married Charles Burgess. I knew all about her community involvement, but I knew other things about Winona. I knew her as my intermediate (grades 3-6) Sunday School teacher at the Methodist Church. We had to memorize and repeat a Bible Verse each week at the beginning of our class. If we were successful, we got a gold star to place by our name on the poster in our classroom. Ten gold stars earned us a reward, usually one of her home baked cupcakes! I also knew her as one of my aunt’s good friends. On some of the days when I would stay with my aunt while mom was at the hardware store, we would walk the block and a half to Winona’s
Items sought for Missouri Bicentennial Time Capsule The Missouri Bicentennial Time Capsule is seeking submissions from clubs, schools, community groups, businesses and government agencies to commemorate Missouri’s bicentennial this year. The deadline to submit to the time capsule is Aug. 10, Missouri Statehood Day. All Missouri-based profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible to participate. The time capsule is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Saint Louis Ambassadors with a goal to collect items that document Missouri’s past, present and future. The two organizations are asking for public participation in this project.
Organizations and businesses are invited to participate by contributing three items: one to represent their past, one to represent their present, and a note to future Missourians. Items should measure no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches and combined be no more than a quarter-inch thick. All submissions need to be in printed form and not electronic. All participants will be notified of their successful submission and receive a certificate for participating in the time capsule. Contributions will be accepted through Aug. 10, 2021. Once sealed, the time capsule will be housed at the State Historical Society of Missouri until Aug. 10, 2046, when it will be reopened and shared with the public 25 years later.
Winona Burgess at the Historical Society Museum Dedication, 2002 Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society house for coffee or a glass of iced tea. Her living room and dining room were filled with flowers from her garden behind the house. Aunt Opal would always tell me to be careful when we went to her house. Everything was “breakable!” Today, a few of those fancy vases are on display at the Historical Society Museum. You see, at age 72, Winona was not ready to retire and knit or read books; although she loved to do both of those things. Winona was the force behind
starting the Historical Society and she served as the first president from 1991 to 1993. And when it was time to furnish the inside of our museum, Winona Burgess purchased one of our display cases. Mrs. Burgess remained active until her death in 2013. She was 95 years-old. When you visit the Historical Society Museum don’t forget to look for one of Winona’s vases. For more information on the Historical Society, visit www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
Business
4 Helpful Back to School Apps for Parents & Students by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert Back to school will almost be back to normal this school year. It doesn't matter if your kids are taking classes in person or virtually, it can be tough for parents to stay organized and help kids keep track of assignments. Students often have a difficult time with their class load. Thankfully technology can help parents and students alike stay on top of things this school year. Here are some useful apps that will help keep your family on track this school year. Acellus Academy. If you're looking to home-school your kids this year and don't want to worry about lesson plans, turn to Acellus. They offer Kindergarten through senior year accredited online learning program. Your student can take lessons for a Windows or Macintosh computer as well as Android and Apple devices. There's a parent mode, that allows you to easily check in on their progress. (www.acellusacademy.com) Khan Academy: Khan Academy promises free education for everyone. Parents can use this as a home school tool and students can use this resource to look up answers to homework assignments. (www.kahnacademy.com) Cozi Calendar App. This free family organizer app allows family members to keep track of their schedules. Each family member has their own calendar which they can share with everyone. It also works with every device. Windows and Macintosh computers and for folks who like to be mobile with their iPhone and Android smart devices. (www.cozi.com) Socratic. With all of the classes your students have this school year, it can be hard to keep up with and find answers to assignments. This app uses your camera phone or tablet along with Google search to find the answers to your questions for any subject you are taking in school. (www.socratic.org) BusyKid. If you're a parent who needs to keep up with the chores and assignments your kids should complete, check out this free app that allows you to create a schedule for your child, like setting up chores and assignments that need to be done by the end of the day.
More than just a scheduling app, this app teaches your kid the value of earning money and saving money. (www.busykid.com) Grammarly. This blog post with no spelling and grammatical errors comes courtesy of Grammarly. This helpful tool will scan your documents for common grammatical mistakes. It works with just about any web-based document creation tool such as Google Docs as well as Microsoft Word. (www.grammarly.com) myHomework. Keeping up with homework was always a problem with me, but your kids have no excuses with this app. It works on computers and smart devices alike to ensure your student knows what assignments are due. This app is super easy to use. (myhomeworkapp.com) LaLa Lunchbox. You don't have to worry about what your kids are taking for lunch this year. This app helps you plan healthy and easy lunches for your kids. If your child has special diet needs, this app can help with that as well. It will even keep a list of items you need to purchase at the store to prepare lunch. (www.lalalunchbox.com) I hope this list of apps will help you and your family stay organized and stress-free this year. I'm curious to know what apps you use to help you make it through the school year. Drop me a line and let me know. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.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 a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
For sponsorship opportuni es and to register, call Tasha at 816‐443‐5162 or email info@growgrainvalley.org. Silent auc on item dona ons are also welcomed. Please contact Tasha (816‐443‐5162) to do‐ nate an item for the silent auc on.
www.growgrainvalley.org
State News
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Capitol Report Representative Jeff Coleman, District 32 I hope you are staying cool and enjoying your summer. In this report I want to address the issue of CRT (Critical Race Theory) as I have received multiple phone calls and emails regarding this matter. CRT (Critical Race Theory) This is the latest endeavor to further the rift in our nation, to broaden the divide between the races. It is my humble belief that this new wave of ‘teaching’ our youth coaches them to demonize our country’s founding fathers, to look upon our constitution with an evil eye, and cast suspicion on Caucasians. This is wrong, plain and simple. Anytime a race, religion, gender, is blanketed and cast into a category is stereotyping. My wife and I have taught our children to judge individuals by their actions, to exercise caution, and remember the Golden Rule. Bottom-line, I oppose CRT and will fight on the House floor, on the school board, and anywhere else to keep this out of our children’s schools. Expanding Sunday Liquor Sales (SB 126) Governor Parson recently signed a bill into law that is meant to end the confusion and inconvenience to customers that has resulted from special hours of sale on Sunday for beer, wine, and other liquor. The new law will expand the hours these items can be sold on Sunday so they are available from 6 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. Monday. Current law limits Sunday liquor sales to 11 a.m. through midnight on Sundays. Supporters of the change put into place by SB 126 say it removes the inconsistency in the law and makes every day the same in regard to the hours that liquor can be sold. The legislation also permanently legalizes carry-out liquor sales. The to-go liquor option was temporarily authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic to help restaurants stay afloat while normal business lagged. With SB 126 signed into law, customers will continue to have the option of purchasing to-go drinks in leakproof, sealed containers as long as they also purchase a meal. Supporters say the to-go option during the pandemic was a huge boon to many restaurants in the state, and was extremely popular with consumers. The new law will give consumers increased choices while also decreasing regulatory burdens and helping businesses to remain profitable. Supporting Firefighters (SB 45) The Missouri General Assembly took a strong stand in support of the men and women who put their lives on the line each day as firefighters. Lawmakers approved legislation that creates a fund to provide relief to firefighters who develop cancer while on the job. The bill allows three or more political subdivisions to come together to create a “Voluntary Firefighter Cancer Benefits Pool”. The pool would then be allowed to provide payments to individuals who develop cancer as a result of their work as a firefighter. Inclusion in the pool is voluntary, and not mandatory. Under the act, any political subdivision
can make contributions to the pool. The pool may also accept or apply for grants or donations from private or public sources. Supporters say this is a way to support the men and women who receive little compensation as they put their lives on the line to serve Missouri communities. They note there is a higher risk of more than a dozen different types of cancer for those who have been exposed to burning chemical compounds. The benefits pool will help firefighters who develop cancer to get the care and treatment they need. Protecting Missouri from the Menace of Feral Hogs (HB 369) As Missouri continues to look for ways to protect landowners from the immense damage caused by feral hogs, lawmakers have taken action to help prevent the spread of these destructive swine. The General Assembly passed and Governor Parson signed legislation that will stiffen penalties for those who transport and release hogs into the wild. The feral hog problem has existed in Missouri since the late 1990s. Currently, more than 30 Missouri counties have established feral hog populations. The creatures can cause immense damage to farmland in a very short period of time. A group of ten hogs can destroy 10-20 acres overnight. The rooting and wallowing done by feral hogs contributes to soil erosion, reduces water quality, and damages agricultural crops and hay fields, as well as destroys sensitive natural areas such as glades, fens, and springs. It’s estimated that feral hogs have caused billions of dollars in damages across the country. Feral hogs are also highly adaptable animals that breed at an alarming rate. One sow can give birth to two litters of about six piglets twice per year. The result is a population growth rate of about 166 percent per year. While the state works to deal with the existing feral hog population, legislation passed this year is meant to prevent further spread of the animals. The bill creates a fine of up to $2,000 for anyone who recklessly or knowingly releases any swine to live in a wild or feral state. The bill also stiffens the penalty for repeat offenders who possess or transport feral swine through public land. Anyone found guilty of subsequent violations would be guilty of a class E felony. The goal is to deter individuals from releasing feral hogs onto Missouri land. Helping Missourians Afford the Cost of Broadband While the House Special Interim Committee on Broadband Development continues to look at ways to improve broadband internet access across the state, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working to make internet service more affordable for those who can access it. The FCC recently announced a new Emergency Broadband Benefit program to reduce the monthly cost of internet service for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. An eligible household can get up to $50
Celebrating 200 years of Statehood The summer is quickly coming to an end, and the school year is right around the corner. Soon, cold weather will be here, and for many families, so too will a busy school-related schedule. So why not get out and enjoy one last fun and educational event before the summer is over? Next week, Missourians all around the state will celebrate the state’s 200th anniversary of statehood with several special events scheduled at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. On Aug. 9, the Bicentennial Bridge will be dedicated at 2 p.m. The bridge is located just outside the Capitol, overlooking the Missouri River, and will connect pedestrians and bicyclists to Adrian’s Island when completed. Visitors can also explore the State Museum, located on the first floor of the State Capitol, which showcases both the natural and social history of the Show-Me State, as well as a Bicentennial Timeline. Tours of the Missouri Supreme Court building, which is across the street from the Capitol, can also be scheduled by calling 573-751-7331. On Aug. 10, Missouri Statehood Day formally begins with a ceremony at 9 a.m. on the front steps of the State Capitol. Later in the day, a bicentennial tree will be dedicated, and the famed Central Dairy will be providing free ice cream to the first 200 customers in line at the ice cream parlor’s parking lot trailer. The Missouri State Museum will also be open to visitors. Other exhibits on the first floor that day will feature a Bicentennial Mural painted by Missourians, a time capsule, student artwork and more. I look forward to celebrating our state’s bicentennial next week and meeting Missourians from across the
state, especially from the 8th Senatorial District. All in all, I know it will be a fun and educational day for the whole family. If you’re interested in learning more about Missouri’s Bicentennial and upcoming celebrations, please visit missouri2021.org.
per month off an internet bill. The benefit also provides a discount up to $100 per household toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop or tablet if the household contributes $10 to $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider. A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program; Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year; Has received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Has experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing lowincome or COVID-19 program. Internet service providers can help sign up eligible households until funding for the program runs out. More information about this program can be found through the Missouri Department of Economic Development at ded2.mo.gov/GETCONNECTED or by calling 833-511-0311. Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-7511487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov.
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Just as a reminder, Missouri’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 8. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from state sales tax. In addition to the state sales tax, local sales tax will also be waived in the cities, counties and special tax districts that choose to participate. Even if a local jurisdiction is not participating in the sales tax holiday, the state’s portion of the tax rate (4.225%) will remain exempt for qualifying purchases. For a list of cities, counties and districts that are not participating in the sales tax holiday, 2021 tax rate tables, frequently asked questions and more, please visit dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/taxtypes/sales-use/holidays/back-toschool/. I am honored to serve the citizens of the 8th Senatorial District. If there is anything I can do to serve you, please feel free to contact my office in Jefferson City at (573) 751-1464. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation for the 2021 session, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Cierpiot.
Community Voices
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Musings from the Middle: I think it will fit by Cathy Allie There are times in the life of each family that are so earthshaking and consequential that the best and perhaps only way to get through them is with careful planning and quite frankly, prayer. These moments come in waves, and when we crest the wave and can see the top again, we feel a relief that gives us just the energy we need to tackle the next difficult thing that comes our way. Recently the days surrounding these times have me wishing for strength. I think back to when I was younger and more resilient and able to handle things better on my own. But I push forward with what resolve remains, and I step in to lead my family. Lest you worry too much, and begin to organize a meal train or a Go-Fund me page for the Allies, I need to lessen your anxiety by telling you that the earthshaking and consequential event to which I refer is…rearranging the living room furniture. I live in a house which is great for parties, because you can pretty much see all parts of the main floor at one time from a centralized point. But illdefined shapes, no walls, and giant ceiling heights make it a furniture staging nightmare. Thus, settees and sofas, tables and trunks, arm chairs and armoires are in constant motion in my home. In addition to a weirdly designed house, there are multiple other reasons for moving furniture, despite the fact that many people are content to just set it and forget it. First, I cannot buy a new house. Scooting things around a bit to keep me interested is much cheaper than closing costs. I love to go to real estate open houses, honestly not because I am looking to move, but just to get ideas for furniture arranging. Second, It saves wear and tear on the carpet from having the furniture in one place for too long. Yes, we still have some carpeted areas, and I am saving for hard wood floors (maybe that Go Fund me page is not a bad idea after all), but see my first reason as reference: I cannot buy a new house, so I am looking for ways to make this old one seem new. Third (and this one is a little cruel), I
love to watch the dog the first few days after a furniture move. He strolls through the living room, looks left and right and finally spots his bed. It’s like a man in Target. He has to acclimate himself to where he is going. Lastly, I like to challenge myself with new schemas. Okay, this one is not exactly true. I think I read it in a Marie Condo book or a bathroom stall. Either way, change is good, right? At the very first moment the idea of another way to arrange or place the furniture comes to me, I start my plan of attack. Multiple days ahead of the proposed move, I make a minor complaint designed to get my movers thinking. “Wow! The summer sun kind of glinting through the window makes it hard to see the television from over here,” I might say. This is the appeal to my daughter, for whom television is a life-blood. I know she will feel bad if someone’s view is impaired. Or maybe I will say something like, “Since we scooted the couch over there, it seems like we just sit on that one end. It’s getting really beat up looking.” This is the appeal for my husband, because the one thing he hates worse than moving our current furniture around is shopping for new stuff. On that same day, I may just carry around a tape measure and randomly stretch it out across pieces in the room and jot it down on the notepad I have with me. Sometimes they are sitting in the spot I need to measure. I just go right over them, a lady on a mission. This is the visual aspect of my plan, as it foreshadows what may happen in the next few days. I leave the sketch for the new layout on the table at breakfast the following morning at my husband’s place. If it has a little scrambled egg or jelly stain on it, I know he is tracking. Then I start to follow the weather forecast. Furniture moving days need a certain kind of weather. Too sunny and it will get hot as we are working, too rainy, and it is better used as a nap day. The night before the perfect day, I prepare the family. “Would you guys want to go out to eat lunch after we move the furniture tomorrow?” is met with both excitement and dread, but at least they know they will be fed at the
end of the despised event. Death row prisoners would be jealous of some of the meals we have when I am rewarding them after a move. My daughter, who was such a willing participant in younger days, references a vague commitment to be somewhere else. I tell her we need her around to check the extension cord and to make sure all the technology is working post move. She agrees after negotiating the suggested lunch at her favorite steak place. My husband, who is the single most habitual and patterned man that ever existed, references a need to mow the lawn. I reply by saying we will start early, so that the dew can dry on the grass before he cuts it. He is trapped. After I check their feet to make sure they are wearing their gripper, rubber bottomed socks so they have good traction, we assemble to begin the moving. The irony of the earlier measuring tape explanation is that my best guesstimations are done by placing my feet very close together and stepping off lengths. I review the layout with my husband
like a lawyer practices a witness’ testimony. This will go here and this will go here and this will go here, I say, pointing with emphasis. Before we move the couch, he asks multiple times if it will fit. Smart man to ask! I nod emphatically, but behind my back I cross my fingers for luck. The only thing worse than moving a couch is moving it twice. And I know this because we have done it. Several times. Marriages and several third world countries have crumbled over lesser issues. As we move each piece of furniture, we become a cleaning crew at a crime scene, vacuuming away any evidence of where the chair sat, cleaning under and around cushions which somehow have crumbs on them, despite my plea to just eat at the table, and furiously wiping baseboards. It is tough being both the supervisor and one of the movers on these days. With a practiced HGTV designer stance, I stand back and look at the angle and placement of a piece we have just hoisted into place. Two or three inches
see MUSINGS on page 12
Community Voices BURNS continued from page 1 and study. “I thought middle school would be a fun grade to teach. I think middle schoolers are special. They are in a transition period where they need a little extra guidance in their life. I think that's a good point in their life to get interested in science.” Burns started her career teaching at Raytown Middle School for eight years before spending one year teaching at a middle school in the North Kansas City School District. After teaching for nine years, she wanted to teach in a smaller, tight-knit community. The Grain Valley School District fits that desire. “The Grain Valley School District has a really good reputation,” Burns said. “I heard really good things about it. My brothers attended Grain Valley schools and they liked it. “All the teachers are phenomenal and the administrators are awesome. This is the best school I have ever worked for. This is more of a small-town type of atmosphere than where I worked at
Raytown and North Kansas City. This feels like a closer community.” The science she teaches at Grain Valley North Middle School focuses on life science, biology and ecology. Burns said she likes to have her students do a lot of hands-on work. One of the more interesting projects she had her students do involved incubating and hatching chicken eggs. She’s also enjoyed some of the extra things she got to go during assemblies on the last day of school and playing games against the students. One of those game included egg roulette where Burns got raw eggs cracked on top of her head. “They do a lot of fun, team-building activities that I didn’t really get to do at other schools,” Burns said. And she hopes to be doing those type of activities at Grain Valley Middle School North for years to come. “Honestly, if I stay teaching, they are stuck with me. I am not leaving,” Burns said. “I feel like a part of the community.”
Transitions: Diana Lynn Johnston Diana Lynn Johnston, 73, of Grain Valley, passed away after an extended illness on Thursday July 29, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital. Memorial services will be held Friday August 6, 2021 at Royer Funeral Home 100 Royer Lane in Grain Valley, Missouri 64029. Visitation is from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and the Memorial Service will start at 7:00pm. Zoom video chat is available if you are unable to attend. Please contact family for details for zoom prior to 9:00pm Thursday August 5, 2021. (816)847-8333. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Grain Valley Assistance Council or Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Blue Springs, Missouri in Diana’s name. https://donate.jw.org
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Your Health
8 Hydration while working outside by Sean M. Crosetti, MBA, PharmD, Crosetti Health & Wellness With the heat advisories pinging your cell phone almost daily and the dog days heading this way; I felt talking about how to hydrate when active outside to be a good idea. First things first, no matter what you do, the need for at least eight 8 oz. of water a day to maintain the basic levels of hydration is imperative. Hydration maximizes your body’s functioning in every aspect. Dehydration (1-2% of total body water decrease) can decrease concentration, metabolism, endurance, removal of toxins, recovery, immune response, body temperature regulation, and other bodily functions. The standard of eight 8 oz. may need to change depending on several factors the person may have: medications, diet, activity, renal function, environment, illnesses, etc. A good rule of thumb is if your morning urine is darker than a pale yellow, or lemonade color, you are dehydrated and in need of more fluids. Other facts/ideas when outside: If you are hydrated before you venture outside in the heat, your ability to stay hydrated is enhanced; Drink before you are thirsty, if you wait for thirst to drink you are already behind in replacing lost fluids; Drinking a little bit frequently is much better than drinking a whole lot
infrequently; Make sure to rehydrate after work as well to reduce the chance of chronic dehydration; As long as you eat regular meals daily, your need for salt/electrolyte supplements (sport drinks/ salt tabs) are low unless you are having prolonged heavy sweating over several hours; Water consumption is the best means to rehydrate. For the people over 60, monitoring and ensuring proper hydration in even more important. Dehydration is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization with a 50% mortality rate within a year of hospitalization. Some of the reasons for this are as follows: Decreased kidney function due to aging and potentiated by lower water intake; Reduced sense of thirst leads to chronic dehydration as the drive to return to hydration is lost over the years; Lower total body water related to aging drives the body to steal from body tissues to effectively eliminate waste products; Ways to increase your daily fluid intake when not outside (little steps are better than no steps); Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go; Attempt to drink at least 16 oz of
water at all meals; Snack on fruits and vegetables; Fruit smoothies for breakfast or snacks as a change up; Begin lunch or dinner with vegetable soup; Drink a glass of milk after training or before bed; Have some herbal tea in the evening (the amount of caffeine in tea, coffee and soft drinks will not affect overall hydration). Energy drinks (frequent consumption daily) can lead to chronic dehydration and can increase the strain on the heart. Maintaining the reservoir of water inside your body high not only helps you stay out of the hospital, it also helps your body stay at its peak performance levels. So when you place a large drain in the reservoir by going outside in extreme heat or exercising in hot temperatures, it behooves you to place just as large of an inlet to the reservoir. This is done through not only rehydrating during the outside excursion, but also before and after to ensure complete return to stasis. Please feel free to reach out to us at Info@Crosettis.com, or your care provider, with any questions about this article. Let me know if you would like me to write about a topic of your interest.
Top three ways to focus on your child’s health by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian August is National Kids Eat Right month, which makes it a great time of the year to put a little extra focus on your child’s health and wellness. In addition, the kids will be heading back to school soon. This can make it even more important to start building healthy habits now, before other activities start to take over the family schedule. The things we learn and habits we develop as children can often stay with us into adulthood. Focusing on your child’s health and wellness now can have a positive impact, not just on their childhood, but also on their future adult selves. There are simple things that you can do to make positive changes within your family life.
Here are three tips to help you focus on your child’s health:
Family meal planning/prepping: Include the kids when you are planning and prepping weekly meals. Have them pick out produce items to include with lunch or dinner. Give them simple tasks in the kitchen based on their age and abilities. This will help your kids get more comfortable handling food. Hy-Vee also offers kids’ cooking classes each month called Little Chefs and Junior Chefs. This can be a great way to help your child feel more comfortable getting involved in the kitchen. Encourage physical activity: Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Placing limits on screen-time and encouraging activities outside of the house can help create healthy movement habits. Focus on suggesting fun and interesting activities; exercise does not have to be boring. Plan a family activity once a week to help strengthen relationships and get everyone moving. Join the Hy-Vee KidsFit program to get fun products and activity ideas for your little ones at home. You can also get access to online interactive workouts that the whole family can do together. Be the example: Whether your children admit it or not, they take notice of your own habits and choices. You don’t have to be perfect, but by actively making healthy choices from day-today, you can set a good example for
your children. This can also make them more receptive to healthy suggestions from you. No person or family is perfect. But by putting a little extra focus on the health and wellness of your children, you can improve their quality of life. You may even notice positive changes in yourself as well. If you have more questions regarding your or your family’s personal health and nutrition needs, contact your local Hy-Vee dietitian. You can find out more about the nutrition services available at www.hy-vee.com/health.
*The information in this article is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
Home & Garden
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Get help with gardening questions by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension University of Missouri Extension is the part of the University of Missouri System that brings information and programming from University Specialists and research, to the public. Areas of interest you will find include Agriculture and Environment, Business and Community, Health and Safety, and Youth and Family. There are many ways you can access this practical and reliable information on a wide range of topics. The main MU website is a good place to get started. Click on “Find your interest” to begin your explorationhttps://extension.missouri.edu/ There is a great deal of information on gardening, landscaping, plants, plant diseases, and garden insects from MU Extension. Try searching your topic in the search bar in the upper right-hand
corner. Here are links to some examples of helpful MU Extension Horticulture Publications: https://extension.missouri.edu/ publications/g6700 Cool-season grasses: Lawn Establishment and renovation https://extension.missouri.edu/ publications/g6201 Vegetable Planting Calendar https://extension.missouri.edu/ publications/g6800 Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees Have you heard about MU Extension Town Halls? These are free, online, hourlong sessions with MU Extension Field Specialists. Horticulture Town Halls cover gardening and small producer questions on Wednesday mornings. Do you or someone you know raise livestock and
maintain pastures? Try joining the Thursday Forage/ Livestock Town Hall to take part in the discussion. Here’s a link to free registration for either town hall- https:// ipm.missouri.edu/townHalls/ Want more free and reliable horticulture information? Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City staff the Gardeners’ Hotline. You can call the hotline or send an email: 816-833-TREE (8733) or mggkc.hotline@gmail.com When emailing, please include your county, phone number and any pictures that would help the Extension Master Gardeners assist you with your gardening questions and concerns. At the time of writing this article, it is late July and the temperature is 98
Photo credit: MU Extension degrees! Here are some timely tips to help your yard and garden survive heat and drought:
see GARDENING on page 12 THEME: TV THEME SONGS ACROSS 1. ____'s razor 6. Credit card-related acronym 9. Goes with rave 13. Garlic mayo 14. "Jack and the Beanstalk" exclamation 15. Echo sounder 16. Beauty shop 17. European Economic Community 18. Falstaffian in body 19. *"Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you? We got some work ____ ____ ____" 21. *"So no one told you life was gonna be ____ ____" 23. Pocket watch chain 24. Uncouth one 25. Place to get a massage 28. Boozer 30. Pie nuts 35. Sharpen 37. Orange powder drink mix 39. Tennis-affected joint 40. Bright thought 41. Reputation-damaging gossip 43. Symphony member 44. Famous Beethoven symphony 46. Microsoft browser 47. "Young Frankenstein" leading actor 48. Dines at home 50. Telephoned 52. Up to present time 53. Neat 55. Diamond stat 57. *"Gee, our old ____ ran great, those were the days" 61. *"Let's ride with the family down the street through the courtesy of Fred's ____ ____" 65. Loosen laces 66. Opposite of vend 68. Kind of artery 69. One Beatle 70. Recipe amt. 71. Opposite of atonal 72. *"Where the kisses are hers and ____ and his, Three's company too" 73. Sigma Alpha Epsilon 74. Rosetta Stone, e.g.
DOWN 1. Brewer's kiln 2. "Ta-ta!" in Italy 3. *"If you're out on the road feeling lonely, and so ____" 4. Remote in manner 5. S.S. ____ of "Gilligan's Island" 6. Not many (2 words) 7. *"Movin' on up to the east side, we finally got a piece of the ____" 8. Right-hand page 9. Schneider and Reiner 10. Afresh 11. Astronaut's insignia 12. Three pointer 15. Evening party 20. Sad newspaper notices 22. Goes with skip and a jump 24. Without a trace of moisture (2 words) 25. *"Everybody's got a special kind of story, everybody finds a way to ____" 26. Podium, pl. 27. Concerning, archaic 29. *"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your ____" 31. Heidi's "Magic Wooden Shoe" 32. The Beatles' "____ Road" 33. Not a soul (2 words) 34. *"Sunny day, sweepin' the clouds away on my way to where the air is ____" 36. "Good ____" cooking show 38. Lady née Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta 42. Extend subscription 45. Infamous German leader 49. Naught 51. Barley kernels 54. Financial woes 56. Where there's trouble? 57. Verdant 58. Initial stake 59. Hollywood Walk of Fame honor 60. A snob puts them on 61. Use a keyboard 62. Marine eagle 63. Bibliographical abbr. 64. *"Just sit right back and you'll hear a ____" 67. *"Oh boy it's swell to say, Good morning ____!"
Sports
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Student Athlete Profile: Wyatt in a rush for season to start by Michael Smith Quarterback Cole Keller and running back Jaxon Wyatt formed quite a formidable duo for the 2020 Grain Valley football team. Keller and Wyatt combined for 2,291 yards on the ground and were a part of a potent offense that averaged 34 points per game and helped the Eagles make it to the Class 5 state quarterfinals. Now that Keller, who will play for Washburn University this fall, has graduated, Wyatt will take on a bigger role on the Grain Valley offense, one that he has embraced. “I think it’s cool. I have never been this high as far as being a leader on a team,” said Wyatt, who is 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds. “This is my first year doing it and it’s kind of cool.” Wyatt, who was an all-Suburban White Conference team selection, rushed for 959 yards and eight touchdowns on 150 carries. Without Keller, Grain Valley head coach David Allie said Wyatt likely will see more carries, especially with junior Caleb Larson likely playing his first varsity season at quarterback. “We have some other guys who can run the ball, too, including some slot guys, so we’ll mix it up,” Allie said. “Jaxon is definitely going to take on a bigger load and he has been working hard. He runs hard and he kept getting better each game last year with his vision. He was making jump cuts and finding those open holes.” When it comes to running with the football, Wyatt has proven to be a solid all-around running back. “He’s a power guy, but he’s not slow,” Allie said. “When he gets into the open field, he can turn it on.” One area where Wyatt focused on improving was his ability to catch
passes. It’s an aspect of his game that he struggled with when he was a starter, but has since made a lot of improvements in that area. Allie recalls a time when Wyatt and his father came to Moody Murray Memorial Field at night and worked on Jaxon’s pass catching. Wyatt’s father turned on the lights of his car so his son could see the football when he threw passes to him. The football field has been like a second home for Wyatt as he’s often come there in his free time to work on his game. “I come here almost every night and do that kind of stuff,” Wyatt said. “I have been working on my 40-yard dash times out here and at college camps. I will just come out here and sprint and condition myself. “I think I have made a lot of progress. Two years ago, I could hardly catch it. I would sometimes catch it and sometimes not. Now I can catch it almost 100 percent of the time.” Allie has been impressed with the progress Wyatt has made in that area. Jaxon wasn’t blessed with great hands, so that’s a skill he’s had to work on,” Allie said. “It started in the spring when he would work on that after every track meet. He’s really been working on being multi-faceted. He gives 100 percent effort in everything he does.” Wyatt said it will also help that he’s developed a solid chemistry with Larson over the summer. Both should carry the football a lot this coming season in an Eagle offense that features plenty of plays that involve option runs. “Well, Cole Keller is very tall, so it was kind of hard to get a handoff from him,” Wyatt said. “A handoff from Caleb is almost perfect because he’s my size.” Going into the 2021 season, Wyatt has
“I want to rush for 1,000 yards and get at least one touchdown a game,” Wyatt said. “Most importantly, I want to be reliable for my team whenever they need me.” Photo credit: Michael Smith some big goals for himself. “I want to rush for 1,000 yards and get at least one touchdown a game,” Wyatt said. “Most importantly, I want to
be reliable for my team whenever they need me.”
Photo credit: Michael Smith
Sports
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Valley Speedway Results: July 31, 2021 Dirt Demons A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[4]; 2. 2-Robert Chase[1]; 3. 14-Mikel Solberg [5]; 4. 68-Darrick Brisbin[7]; 5. 0330-Chris Norton[6]; 6. 47CR-Rosie Peterson[3]; 7. (DNF) 10B-Jeremy Byfield[2]; 8. (DNF) 15Roman Stump[8]; 9. (DNF) 13JR-Nick Dangerfield[9] Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 2-Robert Chase[1]; 2. 47CR-Rosie Peterson[2]; 3. 121-Eric Schmidt[3]; 4. 10B-Jeremy Byfield[8]; 5. 14-Mikel Solberg[6]; 6. 0330-Chris Norton [4]; 7. 68-Darrick Brisbin[7]; 8. 15-Roman Stump[9]; 9. 13JR-Nick Dangerfield[5] E Mods A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 1M-Mike Ryun[1]; 2. 86-Doug Brisbin[6]; 3. 33-Jeremy Curless[9]; 4. 11M-Lane Mathews[4]; 5. 33D-Adam Dunwoodie[3]; 6. 07R-Kevin Rash[7]; 7. 21K-Coleman Browning[15]; 8. 75-Rayce Martin[11]; 9. 52B-Brandon Barnes[8]; 10. 33W-Kevin White[5]; 11.
(DNF) 00-Jason Ensley[12]; 12. (DNF) 28SZach Sanders[13]; 13. (DNF) 28-John Haynie[10]; 14. (DNF) 65-Jason Smith[2]; 15. (DNF) 10M-Dakota Mathews[14] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 65-Jason Smith[2]; 2. 11M-Lane Mathews[1]; 3. 07R-Kevin Rash [3]; 4. 86-Doug Brisbin[6]; 5. 28-John Haynie[4]; 6. 33-Jeremy Curless[8]; 7. 28S-Zach Sanders[7]; 8. (DNS) 21KColeman Browning Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 1M-Mike Ryun[3]; 2. 33W-Kevin White[1]; 3. 33D-Adam Dunwoodie[6]; 4. 52B-Brandon Barnes[2]; 5. 75-Rayce Martin[4]; 6. 00-Jason Ensley [5]; 7. 10M-Dakota Mathews[7] IMCA Northern SportMod A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 211-Tim Eaton[4]; 2. T25-Tim Stallbaumer[7]; 3. 81JR-Dan Charles[5]; 4. 81-Austin Charles[6]; 5. 2TTodd Luke[10]; 6. 03X-Lance Dixon[2]; 7. 42C-Clayton Stutesmun[9]; 8. 50-Gary Holthaus[1]; 9. 29-Stanley Boose[3]; 10.
(DNF) 68-Colby Burger[11]; 11. (DNF) 03Clinton Burger[8] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 211-Tim Eaton[2]; 2. 81Austin Charles[3]; 3. 50-Gary Holthaus[1]; 4. 42C-Clayton Stutesmun[5]; 5. 03Clinton Burger[4] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 81JR-Dan Charles[2]; 2. T25-Tim Stallbaumer[3]; 3. 2T-Todd Luke [5]; 4. 29-Stanley Boose[1]; 5. 03X-Lance Dixon[6]; 6. 68-Colby Burger[4] IMCA Stars Mod Lites A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty [5]; 2. 4K-Garrett Stonum[7]; 3. 64-David Raffurty[10]; 4. 34-Tyler Furrell[6]; 5. 41Michael Raffurty[8]; 6. 03-James Beebe [3]; 7. 75-Justin Raffurty[15]; 8. 5D-Dustin Dennison[2]; 9. 17-Kyle Guy[12]; 10. XDayton Kelley[14]; 11. 84-Joe Gunn[13]; 12. (DNF) 3XL-Josh Guy[11]; 13. (DNF) 73-Tony
Kerr[4]; 14. (DNF) 3-Nathan Wolfe[9]; 15. (DNF) 414-John Spitler[16]; 16. (DNF) 4-Jeff Raffurty[1] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 41-Michael Raffurty[7]; 2. 5D-Dustin Dennison[4]; 3. 34-Tyler Furrell [6]; 4. 4-Jeff Raffurty[1]; 5. 73-Tony Kerr [5]; 6. 3XL-Josh Guy[3]; 7. 84-Joe Gunn[2]; 8. (DNF) 75-Justin Raffurty[8] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty[5]; 2. 4K-Garrett Stonum[6]; 3. 3-Nathan Wolfe [7]; 4. 64-David Raffurty[8]; 5. 03-James Beebe[4]; 6. 17-Kyle Guy[3]; 7. X-Dayton Kelley[1]; 8. 414-John Spitler[2] Valley Speedway will next host the King of Kansas City Powri WAR Race on Saturday, August 7th. Visit www.valleyspeedway.com for more information.
Free Fishing Clinic at Burr Oak by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Fishing connects family with nature, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) can connect families with fishing. MDC will offer a free Family Fishing clinic from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. This event for all ages will give participants the knowledge and confidence they need to be successful fishing. MDC will provide all necessary
gear and bait. Experts will teach basic fishing skills. Then participants will go fishing with MDC staff and volunteers assisting. Children who attend will be entered in a drawing at summer’s end for a new fishing pole and tackle box. COVID-19 precautions will be followed at this event. Registration is required. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ Zjn.
by Michael Smith
A free fishing clinic will be held Saturday, August 14th at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center. Photo credit: MDC
GARDENING continued from page 9 Water trees and shrubs- Trees and shrubs play an important part in your landscape. They are also expensive additions to your yard. During prolonged droughts they need supplemental water to survive. Soaking them is a good way to get water to the roots. Here is a link to more information on watering trees and shrubs- https:// extension.missouri.edu/publications/ g6879 Water vegetable gardens and flower gardens. Most plants need 1-3 inches of water per week. Water around the roots of the plants. Watering the leaves does not help the plant survive droughts and hot weather. Water container gardens often. Be sure that container gardens have adequate drainage holes. Mulch- while sheets of plastic mulch
MUSINGS
can help control weeds and keep moisture in the soil, they do not add organic matter to the soil. Mulch, such as straw, composted leaves or cotton burr compost, helps control weeds, keeps the soil cooler and moist, and, as it decomposes, adds organic matter to the soil. Organic matter helps hold moisture in the soil and helps to improve soil texture. Here is a link to more information on mulches- https:// extension.missouri.edu/publications/ g6960 Contact Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension, bylinowskic@missouri.edu. 816-252-5051, if you have any questions about gardening or Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
continued from page 6
to the right I say, and the exhaled sighs from my own Two Family Members and No Truck crew practically bowl me over. I once made the mistake of just leaving instructions for the move. Imagine my horror upon returning to an altered plan. Almost every piece of furniture had to be scooted as much as three or four inches into place! They simply have no vision. Once everything is in place, I let them pick their new landing spaces. My husband can’t stand the thought of shaping a new piece of furniture to his backside, so he lands wherever the Dad chair landed and looks for the best footstool. My daughter is an equal opportunity lounger, so she finds the best angle for TV watching. They spend about the first two days griping about what I have personally determined is the perfect arrangement. “Okay, okay!” I say. “Let’s just move it back,” after which the new arrangement also becomes perfect for them, as well, as they would literally rather die than move it again. A few weeks ago, we had some
friends over to visit. One of the ladies said, “Oh my gosh! You moved the furniture since I was here last! Love it!” to which I was about to reply that I really did like it, too. But before I could jump in to accept the Decorator’s Association of America Award, my husband said, “Every once in a while I just like to change it up. I get bored with an arrangement after a time,” with no idea that I stood in the shadow of the recently relocated entertainment center hearing his whole lie. I am letting him have the credit this time because I finally got the couch into the perfect napping alignment, so I won’t be moving it for a very long time. And…I have been secretly sitting in his chair, gradually reshaping it to fit my much more generous backside, which will surely confuse him somewhere in the near future into thinking he is getting womanly hips. The dog and I will laugh. Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
Community Calendar Friday, August 6, 2021
August 14, 2021
Food Truck Fridays 4:30pm—8:00pm Behind Grain Valley Community Center www.grainvalleyfair.org
Cakes, Cops & Conversations 8:00am—11:00am Armstrong Park Join GVPD for all-you-can-eat pancakes from Chris Cakes! Get to know the officers that serve our community. Donations accepted to benefit GVPD outreach programs.
Monday, August 9, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
August 23, 2021 Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Grain Valley Historical Society Moonlight Ice Cream Social 5:00pm—8:00pm Join us on the patio between the Historical Society Museum (506 Main Street) and Iron Kettle Brewing (508 Main Street) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at the museum or from members of the society: Adults, $6. Children under 12, $4.
August 11, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
First Day of School Grain Valley Schools Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
September 6, 2021 Labor Day Grain Valley Schools closed Grain Valley City Hall closed
September 10-11, 2021 Grain Valley Fair www.grainvalleyfair.org Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com.
Grain Valley Community Calendar sponsored by
Crosetti Health & Wellness
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