Valley News
AUGUST 15, 2019
www.grainvalleynews.com
Vol. 2, No. 33
FREE
Board Of Aldermen Good News: Approve Police Labor First Day Of School Agreement, Pavement Maintenance The City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen heard, discussed, and voted on numerous resolutions and ordinances during their August 12th meeting. Resolutions passed included annual street maintenance as well as the adoption of a labor agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the city. The board voted unanimously to authorize the use of Jackson County’s 2019 Pavement Maintenance Phase I contract for city street maintenance. City Administrator Ryan Hunt commented to
the board that the $200,000 budget for the maintenance to be done was compiled from a previous street survey index. Resolution R19-34 is to provide an edge mill and overlay to Greystone Blvd., NE Erin Ct., NE Mary Ct., NE Katie Ct., NE Kim Ct., NE Jaclyn Dr., NE Hannah Ct., NE Amanda Jean Way, and to provide patch work on NW Woodbury Dr. Hunt shared that the street work would likely be wrapped up by the end of this September.
see BOARD on page 2
Police Chief James Beale reported August 12th to the Board of Aldermen on the activities conducted by the police department the past several weeks, including the National Night Out event and active shooter trainings. Beale (center, facing group) and Grain Valley Police Department staff conducted active shooter training with 600 Grain Valley Schools teachers and staff prior to the start of the school year. Photo courtesy City of Grain Valley
Grain Valley students returned to school Wednesday, August 14th. Thanks to the parents, grandparents, and teachers who shared their photos of the first day of school. See page 6 for additional first day of school photos.
Local News
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BOARD
continued from page 1
The labor agreement reached between the City of Grain Valley and its sworn officers will run from 2019 through 2021. It’s the result of four years of labor negotiation and was unanimously approved by the board as well as being adopted by the Fraternal Order of Police on August 1st. “The meat of this agreement is the discipline and grievance policy. There are two steps to the grievance policy. The first step is the Chief of Police and the second step is the City Administrator. An appeal past that would go to arbitration. It’s a good negotiated contract,” Hunt said. Chief of Police James Beale also shared his thoughts on the resolution. “In my opinion, this agreement holds both sides accountable, both officers and the chief. Officer salaries when considering our cities size and economic base is fair compared to other local
municipalities. Allowing officers to bid for shift is also an important ingredient of this agreement,” Beale said. The Grain Valley Police Department was also recognized during staff reports as completing a busy and productive last few weeks. Chief Beale thanked the Board of Alderman for their participation during the recent National Night Out on August 6th at Armstrong Park. The official head count for the event was 534 people. The purpose of National Night Out is to promote crime awareness programs and work to build strong relationships between the police department and its community. Also mentioned during the staff reports was the recent Active Shooter Training that the Grain Valley Police Department provided for the Grain Valley School District. 600 teachers and staff went through the training prior to the
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: Essex of Grain Valley 401 Southwest Rock Creek Lane No towels at the handwashing sink. Vent in the storage room has an accumulation of dust. Dried/sticky spill in the kitchen area by the refrigerator. The handles on the tops of the drawers have accumulation of dried food debris/ crumbs. Correct by 9/16/2019. Casey's General Store #2808 101 S. BucknerBuckner -Tarsney Rd. Boxes of food stored on the floor in the kitchen walk-in freezer. Ceiling vents in the kitchen area have accumulation of dust. Repeat violation. Walls and baseboards behind equipment in the kitchen area have accumulation of dried splatters/residue. Handles on the equipment in the kitchen area have accumulation of dried food/residue.
Bottom shelf of the pizza condiment reach-in has accumulation of food/ debris/crumbs. Bottom shelves in the cabinets below the drink station storing cups and lids has accumulation of dried spills/residue. The tray at the bottom of the bread oven has accumulation of residue build-up. Missing ceiling tile in the sandwich-making area of kitchen. Correct by 9/28/2019. Sonic Drive In 706 N. Main St. Cold potentially hazardous foods were not held at 41*F or below. Some of the foods held in the walk in cooler were as follows: Tomatoes 55*F, eggs 51*F, cheese 52*F. All out of temp foods were discarded. Re-inspection required; correct by 8/15/2019. There was a strong odor in the front near the ice cream machine. Missing tiles appeared to be holding dirty liquid that may be the source of the odor. The floor drain near the front under the soda machine was sinking into the floor and holding a large amount of liquid and debris. Correct by 10/1/19.
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 Diana Luppens, Switch Focus Studios | Contributing Photographer John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer
Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Sign up for our weekly emails and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @grainvalleynews).
start of the school year. Participants went through lecture and scenario based professional development in efforts to ingrain reactions and thought processes into staff. In other business, the board passed City Ordinance 2472 amending the Code of Ordinances by adopting one new title regulating medical marijuana within the city limits of Grain Valley. Alderman Nancy Totton again expressed concern
during discussion about the police having to deal with this situation and was the only dissenting vote. Hunt explained that this ordinance would treat medical marijuana as a pharmaceutical and be regulated in line with the Missouri constitutional amendment. The next City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, August 26th at City Hall.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of July 24-30, 2019. July 31, 2019 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 300 Block NW Jefferson 700 Block Main Street
Citizen Contact Stealing Alarm Citizen Contact
August 1, 2019 700 Block Main Street 1300 Block Ashley Lane 1400 Block Eagles Parkway Graystone Dr/Laura 700 Block Main Street 1300 Block Graystone Cir 700 Block Foxtail 6000 Block Bucker Tarsney 700 Block Main Street Shorthorn/Foxtail 900 Block Long Montana Ridge 1400 Block Mary
Motor Vehicle Accident Property Damage Agency Assist (CJC) Area Check Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Agency Assist (MSHP) Citizen Contact Area Check Area Check Area Check Check the Well Being
August 2, 2019 600 Block Yennie 1200 Block Walnut Ct 700 Block Main Street 1300 Block Valley Woods Ct Main/I 70 1600 Block Eagle Ridge Dr 200 Block Front Street 700 Block Main Street Monkey Mountain Park 200 Block Front Street 1300 Block RD Mize 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street
Stand by to Prevent Residence Check Citizen Contact Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident Suspicious Person Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Area Check Check the Well Being Trespassing Assault Citizen Contact
August 3, 2019 700 Block Main Street 600 Yennie 700 Block Nelson Main/Jefferson 700 Block Main Street 1900 Block Elmwood 700 Block Main Street McQuerry/Main 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street Community Center Pavillion
Citizen Contact Check the Well Being Parking Complaint Area Check Ex Parte Service Stealing Stand by to Prevent Motor Vehicle Accident Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
1000 Block Foxtail Dr 1000 Block RD Mize Cross Creek/August Minter/Eagles Parkway
Disturbance Disturbance Suspicious Auto Motor Vehicle Accident
August 4, 2019 500 Block SW Oakwood Laura Ln/Sandy Ln 1600 Block Hilltop 1200 Block Foxtail Dr 700 Block Main Street 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney 1300 Block NW Jefferson 1200 Block AA Monkey Mountain Park 1400 Block NW Red Oak Ct 1500 Block NW Pecan Place 300 Block NW Jefferson
Suspicious Person Suspicious Auto Check the Well Being Agency Assist (CJC) Area Check Suspicious Person Alarm Check the Well Being Area Check Agency Assist (CJC) Area Check Alarm
August 5, 2019 1100 Block Willow Main/I 70 1400 Block Willow 700 Block Main Street 1500 Block Nicholas 600 Block Yennie 600 Block Yennie 900 Block Magnolia Ln 1600 Block Pin Oak 600 Block Cross Creek 200 Block Barr Rd 1300 Block Sycamore 1300 SW Eagles 200 Block Cross Creek Lane 300 Block Concord Cir 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street
Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Parking Complaint Parking Complaint Area Check Citizen Contact Alarm Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Stand by to Prevent Abandoned Vehicle Stealing Agency Assist (KCPD) Disturbance Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Missing Juvenile
August 6, 2019 1200 Block Pamela Blue Springs PD 700 Block Cross Creek RD Mize 700 Block Main Street 1200 Block Phelps Dr
Stand by to Prevent Prisoner Transport Property Damage Agency Assist (BSPD) Stand by to Prevent Stealing
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Looking Back: Historical Cemeteries In This Area by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Within an 8-mile radius of Grain Valley there are no less than sixteen cemeteries of which I am aware. In addition, there are a few family plots which I’ve only heard about in conversations with some of the longtime “locals.” About half of the cemeteries are fairly large, but some are quite small. I suspect the smaller ones were originally family plots with a few neighbors or close friends among the gravesites. Except for two, all of the local cemeteries have graves which date back to the mid-1800s. Therefore, they would all be “historical,” as early pioneers are buried within their gates. In Pearl Wilcox’s book, Jackson County Pioneers, one can learn about the early settlers to this area. They came mostly from North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky to settle in spots like Sibley, Pink Hill and Stony Point. Green’ Green’s Chapel Cemetery is located northeast of Grain Valley on Steinhauser Road. Established in 1834, I believe it to be one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. It was established adjacent to Green’s Chapel Methodist Church which existed more than 40 years before the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Pink Hill. The original stone church was falling down so it was replaced in the late 1800’s. When the property was sold, the church was moved to a location on the south side of Highway 24 just east of Fort Osage High School. The current owner of the property, Mr. Stanley, was told that slaves were buried in unmarked graves next to the stone
wall on the east side of the cemetery and across the road by the church on the south side of the cemetery. Samuel Dickinson appears to have been the first person buried at Green’s Chapel Cemetery in 1834. He was born in Virginia in 1797 and came to Missouri with his wife Nancy (Pollette) in 1820. After his death Nancy, and their six children moved to California. Other gravesites in the cemetery bare the names of some of Jackson County’s earliest pioneers. Among the names are Adams, Campbell, Harra, Grubb, Hanna, Neer, and Murphy. St. Clair Cemetery is in a field at the top of a hill on East Holloway Road, north of Grain Valley. The little cemetery is no more than 20 feet square and appears to have fewer than 20 gravesites. The first grave is that of Mary Elizabeth St. Clair McFarlane (1833-1853) who died from childbirth. She was the eldest child of Robert and Elmira St. Clair. Robert St. Clair (1807-1869) and his wife Elmira (Hewett) were married in Bedford Virginia in 1832. The St. Clair family (Robert, Elmira, and six children) drove from Roanoke County, Virginia, to Jackson County in the fall of 1843. They located in a one-room log cabin with a loft where the children slept. Eventually St. Clair obtained five land patents totaling 1000 acres one mile north of Pink Hill. They increased the family to 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) and built a 12-room house which was destroyed by fire when the Kansas Red Legs burned most of the town following Order No. 11.
Green’’s Chapel Left to right: The gravesite of Rachel Ann Grubb and John B. Campbell in Green Cemetery northeast of Grain Valley; gravesite in the St. Clair Cemetery on East Holloway Road. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society Three of the sons, Charles, J. H. and Harvey, served with the Confederate army during the Civil War. Harvey was killed during the Battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi. Mrs. St. Clair died in 1865, just one day after the elder two sons returned home from the war.
Mr. St. Clair died on April 10, 1869 from gangrene. His arm had to be cut off after he was shot just above the elbow. Perhaps that’s a story for another time! Next Week: Is William Quantrell’ Quantrell’s wife buried near Grain Valley?
Census Workers Begin Work In Kansas City Region The U.S. Census Bureau currently has staff in the field in the Kansas City region working to verify addresses in advance of the 2020 census that will take place next spring. If homes in your area are visited by someone from the Census Bureau, here are some ways to verify the individual is a Census Bureau employee. The field representative: Must present an ID Badge, which contains a photograph of field representative, Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date. Will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the regional office phone number for verification, if asked. Will provide you with a letter from
the director of the Census Bureau on U.S. Census Bureau letterhead. May be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the decennial electronically. The move to online forms offers many benefits, including significant cost savings. However, many people have concerns about privacy and the possibility of fraudulent activity. The Census Bureau is taking many measures to protect your information, but there are also ways you can help protect yourself. First, remember that official census workers will never ask for: Your full Social Security number Money or donations Anything on behalf of a political party
Bank or credit card account numbers Your mother’s maiden name If you get an email request that you’re not sure about: Do not reply, do not click on any links and do not open any attachments. Forward the e-mail or website URL to the Census Bureau at ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov Delete the message. The Census Bureau will investigate and notify you of the findings. If you get postal mail that causes you to suspect a scam: Check that the return address is Jeffersonville, Indiana. Call the Regional Office for Missouri (1800-865-6384) to verify whether it is legitimate.
Read Valley News online weekly at www.grainvalleynews.com.
US Census Bureau staff will begin work in the field to verify addresses in advance of the 2020 census that will take place next spring. Photo credit: United States Census Bureau
Business News
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Commercial Roofing Continues Growth In Grain Valley A good roof over your home or business protects your investment in many ways. A healthy roof shelters you from the elements along with preventing unwanted rot and mildew. Using quality products to assemble your roof that provide ventilation and insulation adds value to your property along with saving money on heating and cooling costs. Your roof is something that may be rarely thought of but is one of the most important components of any building you own. Jeff Butler is the President of Commercial Roofing in Grain Valley. He’s been in business since 1992. Butler is proud that his address and phone number has stayed the same during the duration of his business over the last 27 years. Clients originally sought out Butler as a construction consultant until they also kept asking him to do the roofing work as well. Butler eventually decided to go the construction route and the rest is history. Commercial Roofing provides services to the perimeter of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. From St. Joseph and Chillicothe to Marshall, Sedalia, and Warrensburg along with Jackson County, Butler has done numerous jobs in many areas over the years. Butler and his family call Eastern Jackson County home. “This (Eastern Jackson County) is home. It would be better for us to be centrally located in downtown Kansas City. I like the small-town feel though. I grew up in a small town near farm fields in State Center, Iowa. The Blue Springs and Grain Valley area is home and makes sense. I’m not a big fan of traffic either. It’s nice to have ten-minute drive to work,” Butler said. Commercial Roofing emphasizes value and purpose. Cutting corners to attain being the lowest price offered is not of interest to Butler. He also does not want to be the highest bid either. Understanding the purpose of delivering what people pay for is a goal Butler has for his team. Doing the job right the first time and leaving the structure better than it was initially or something that will last is what Butler strives for with his business. Underscoring that you get what you pay for is the message that Commercial Roofing shares with its customers. Butler cited Duro Last, GAF Corporation, John Mansville Roofing, and Atlas Shingles among products of value used by his business. “Atlas Shingles contain more copper than limestone filler. Atlas has also teamed up with 3M and added Scotch Guard to their product to help protect against some of the weathering marks or stains you see on roofs from limestone filled shingles,” Butler said. Any business venture that has lasted
for nearly three decades has faced its share of successes and challenges. Commercial Roofing is no exception. Butler indicates that finding room for expansion and the economic downturn of 2008 as challenges they have had to overcome. Butler credits the City of Grain Valley for being cooperative in supporting expansion of his business after considering the Blue Springs area as a place for growth. “We ran into the logistics of just not having enough room and Grain Valley was accommodating in allowing us to purchase land behind us and the building next door so we could expand. Making sure you have the room you need to grow is important,” Butler said. “Business was good prior to 2008. Even 2008 and 2009 were not that bad for me. The recession then kicked in and caused the coffers to dwindle. Luckily, we had saved and were able to get through that period prior to the business getting back to growing.” Commercial Roofing’s longevity and success have been built on hiring quality people. Butler does not hesitate in the slightest when describing how important they are to the wellbeing of what he does. “You try to do right by your clients. Word of mouth is the best advertising. If you do something poorly, people are going to talk. Ten percent of people will compliment for what you do well. Ninety percent of people aren’t going to hesitate to talk if they have a bad experience. You don’t want people in your community, family, and church to be talking about a bad experience with their roof,” Butler said. “We want to treat people like family. How you treat people matters. I tell our team members all the time to be aware that they are wearing our shirts and driving our trucks whether they are on or off the clock. We emphasize who you are and how you act matters. Do the job like you are doing it for a member of your family. Hopefully, we have delivered what the customer has paid for. That’s important.” Not ignoring leaks and taking preventative measures are two ways to make your current roof last according to Butler. He encourages people to keep their gutters clean as well as being aware of any vegetation growing in or around their gutters. Trees overhead left untrimmed can provide a bridge for animals to have access to your roof as well. Annual inspections of your roof, especially if you’ve experienced a storm with hail or high winds, are also a way to avoid costly headaches later on. Commercial Roofing Services is located at 315 James Rollo Dr. in Grain Valley, MO. You can reach them via phone at 816-2285588 or www.commercialroofingsvc.com.
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Jeff Butler, President of Commercial Roofing Services, has served customers from his Grain Valley location for the past 27 years. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Community Voices
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Wayne’s World Use The Magic Words by Wayne Geiger
“You gotta use the magic words, papa!” my grandson said as he defiantly blocked the doorway into the dining room—his arms and legs spread to prevent my access. “I don’t know the password,” I protested. “You have to guess,” he said.” Somewhat frustrated, I tried several phrases to no avail until eventually, upon my continual prodding, he surrendered the secret information and allowed me in. When I was a kid, like most kids, I was fascinated with magic shows and magicians. I even learned various card tricks, mastered some sleight of hand with coins, and even bought a fake fingertip and colored handkerchief to amaze my friends. For a while, I even dreamed of becoming a magician when I grew up. For some reason, every magician needs to use the “magic words.” These words vary from person to person. According to sources, magic words have been around for many years and there are many variations of words that are used. Probably the most famous of them all is abracadabra. Its usage can be traced back to the second century. Although the study of the word is fascinating, no one really knows how it came into being. There are also magical words or phrases that must be uttered to gain access to secret places. In the story, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” for example, the secret phrase that opens the mouth of a cave to reveal hidden treasure is the phrase, “Open Sesame.” That’s the first one I tried when my grandson blocked the doorway. In Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring sought entrance into a secret passage that opened the West Gate to Moria. Gandalf was able to remember the
phrase, "Mellon", which means friend in Sindarin, and the Doors opened. All you need are the magic words. I could not guess the magic words from my grandson. However, my grandson knows the magic words. He simply needs to remember a simple, two syllable word in order to gain immediate access. The word is “papa”. Sometimes, he says, “my papa.” That simple phase unlocks my home and my heart. When he utters the phrase, my heart melts. I am currently training for a longdistance run. Last Saturday, I was lying on the couch. I had just finished a 15-mile practice run, showered, and was chilling out. My body and mind were spent. I had no energy to do anything. My grandson said, “Papa, I want a red juice.” He was making reference to a cardboard boxed drink in a red box. He has his own little drawer in the kitchen which contains drinks and snacks. My wife makes sure these are accessible and healthy. She also counts them to make sure I don’t take any. “Go get one,” I said. And the verbal ping pong game began. “I’m afraid,” he protested. “What are you afraid of?” I asked. “It’s dark in there,” he said, making reference to the kitchen that was about twenty feet away. For the next several minutes, I tried to convince him that it was the middle of the afternoon and it was daytime. I also reminded him that the kitchen has windows, there is no such thing as monsters, and I would be right here to help if I was wrong on the monster thing. Nothing worked. He wouldn’t budge and he wasn’t giving in. “Please Papa,” he pleaded helplessly, “I’m scared.” I peeled my broken and depleted body off of the couch and
limped slowly into the kitchen. I couldn’t help it. “Thank you, my papa,” he said. I smiled and said, “You’re welcome.” One of the most famous prayers in the Bible is the “Our Father” prayer. The prayer is not intended to be a magic formula, nor was it intended to be uttered repetitiously or indiscriminately. But it does remind us of a few important things. The first line, from the old poetic, King James, says, “Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name.” It provides us with the who, where, and what. God, of course, is Father. The phrase, “who art in heaven” reminds us of God’s strategic location, sovereign dominance, and spatial separation. The term “hallowed” means “holy,” “sacred,” or “revered.” The most important phrase in the prayer is “Our Father.” If you can’t get past the “Father” part, you can’t pass go and collect $200. The word, Father, both demands and invites a relationship. It’s a relationship based upon love, intimacy, and divine mercy. One of the interesting things about Jesus’ prayer is that in the Old Testament (Before Christ), although God is referred to in various ways, the Jews would never refer to God as Father. The concept was unheard of. He of most often referred to as Lord. But the rabbit hole goes a little deeper. If you gloss over some biblical passages that refer to God as “Lord”, you’ll find something very interesting. There are two variations of the word. Sometimes God is referred to as “Lord” (capital L, but lower caps). This is the Hebrew term, “Adonai”, and is descriptive. We might translate it as “master.” At other times, God is referred to as LORD (all caps). This is known as the Tetragrammaton and is the four-letter biblical name of God translated into the English as “Yahweh.” The fascinating thing about the name of God in the Old Testament is that the Jews felt that God’s name was so holy that they would never completely write
it out—nor would they say it. So, they handed it down in print, but unfortunately with no vowels or YHWH. Even today, there are some who write God’s name as G-D. This is done, generally by those of Jewish origin, out of respect for God’s name. So, when Jesus used the phrase, “Our Father”, it was extremely forward and radical. What Jesus was saying is, the scary God who manifested Himself in fire and smoke upon the mountain—is not as scary as you think, and He wants to be your Father. This truth is reiterated in the Bible in Galatians 4:6 which says, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” The word, “Abba”, is not meant to reference the Swedish singing sensation of the ‘70s. Instead, Abba, is an Aramaic term of endearment from a child to a father. It only has four letters and two syllables and would be easy for a child to say and, indeed, that’s the case. Abba can be translated as dada or even papa. In my personal relationship with God, I try, respectfully, to think of my relationship with God in human terms— in some ways like my relationship with my grandson. I want my grandson to honor and respect me and to treat me properly. On the other side of the coin, I want him to know that he has immediate and full access to his papa— merely for the asking. There are no magic words when it comes to a relationship with God. It is meant to be a relationship based upon deep reverence, utter dependency, intimacy, and transparency. Once that happens, a beautiful door opens wide and the shift in mindset can be made from “Our Father” to “My Papa.”
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer. He can be reached at waynegeiger.com.
Community Voices
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continued from page 1: First Day Of School
Celebrations & Transitions Editors Note: The owners of this humble paper, John and Cory Unrein, are celebrating their 20th anniversary on August 21st. Cory’s mom forced us to put this announcement in the paper, and we’ve learned over the years to do what Grandma tells you to do. Well, mostly. She gave us another photo to include, but we prefer this photo. We assure you, we look just as young and thin as we did all those years ago. Two kids, two dogs, too many fish, four houses, many cars, crazy careers and a fun business where we get to meet our neighbors and help build community in our little corner of the world. Not bad for 20 years. Here’s to 20 more. "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand Who saith 'A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all nor be afraid!" - Robert Browning Have an anniversary, birthday, graduation, engagement, wedding, or other celebration to share? Submit your photo and information to news@grainvalleynews.com.
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Immunizations Not Just
For Back To School Crowd An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 adults in the United States die from vaccinepreventable infectious diseases or their complications each year. During August’s National Immunization Awareness Month, the American Lung Association reminds adults of the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for vaccination against potentially serious lung diseases such as influenza (the flu) and pneumococcal pneumonia. As a preventive healthcare measure, vaccines work by teaching the body's immune system to recognize and defend against harmful viruses or bacteria before getting an infection, and reduce the chance of getting certain infectious diseases. Most vaccine-preventable diseases are spread from person to person, which means that if one person in a community gets an infectious disease, they can spread it to others. Different than a bad cold, influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia are potentially serious infectious diseases that may be prevented by vaccines. Pneumococcal Pneumonia, the most common type of bacterial pneumonia, is often spread through coughing. The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia can come quickly and may include high
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At The Grain Valley Fair Valley News is proud to once again serve as the Schedule Sponsor for this year’s Grain Valley Fair. Stay tuned to Valley News for the full schedule of events and pick up a copy of our September 5th edition at the Fair. Valley News will have a booth at the Grain Valley Fair September 6th and 7th and look forward to meeting our
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fever, excessive sweating and shaking chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious virus that is usually spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms can impact the entire body and may include fever, headache, muscle aches, a dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.13 “Older adults and those with weakened immune systems or certain chronic health conditions—like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—are especially vulnerable to infectious disease,” Albert Rizzo, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association said. “In fact, for adults 65 and older living with COPD, the risk for contracting pneumococcal pneumonia is 7.7 times higher than their healthy counterparts, and those with asthma are at 5.9 times greater risk.” The American Lung Association, in partnership with Pfizer, is urging adults to talk with their healthcare provider about pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations, with more information available at Lung.org/pneumococcal and Lung.org/influenza, or call the American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1800-LUNGUSA.
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Home & Garden
Making Fruits and Vegetables Enticing for Children by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County
If your garden or fruit and berry orchard has been successful, now is the time of the year that you have an abundance of fresh produce to feed your family and friends. Maybe the local grocery store or farmers market is keeping you supplied with fresh produce this summer. How do you encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables? I asked three University of Missouri Extension Nutrition Program Associates (NPA) in our Blue Springs, MO office for advice:
trying foods when they understand why they are important for their bodies. Through the University of Missouri Extension Family Nutrition Education Program, we teach nutrition education, gardening and cooking skills to children and adults in Jackson County. For information on getting Nutrition Education programs at your school or facility contact Ara Staab, Nutrition Coordinator, 816-482-5861 or Andrea Wikiera, Nutrition Program Manager, 816-482-5859.”
tomato or 1 cup of chopped cherry tomatoes) 1 avocado, chopped
First, from Jennifer Backlund, NPA: “Kids love to get involved and are more likely to try new things if they helped to prepare it. Even very young children can help wash veggies or gather ingredients. They love seeing the process of growing something in the garden then bringing it into the kitchen to be prepared. If you do not have your own garden space, going to a local farmers market or you-pick farm can help connect them to where their food comes from. Make sure to season and prepare veggies to make them tasty and interesting or add them to dishes kids already enjoy. Often, we serve them on the side and plain, which is not appealing to anyone. The Seasonal and Simple app https://seasonalandsimple.info/ recipedetails.aspx?RecipeID=849 is free and a great resource for simple, tasty ways to enjoy produce! We find that kids like learning about why foods are healthy for them and are more open to
Next, from Dalton Guess, NPA: “Kids prefer food with bright colors. It is important that they have foods, especially fruits and vegetables that come in a variety of colors as different colors help different parts of their bodies. Try the tasty ‘Cowboy Cowboy Caviar’ Caviar’ recipe below that highlights vegetables that will attract their eyes and their taste buds:”
Last, but not least, here is some excellent advice from Paige Shoemaker, NPA: “Smoothies are an easy and fun way to get kids excited about fruits. This recipe only takes three ingredients and uses fruit in season now.”
Ingredients: 1-tablespoon oil (canola, olive, or vegetable) 1-tablespoon cider vinegar 1-tablespoon lemon juice ½-teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 can (15 ounces) beans (drained and rinsed) ¾ cup frozen corn, thawed or fresh sweet corn cut off the cob ½ cup onion, diced ½ cup bell pepper, diced 1 cup tomatoes, chopped (1 medium
Instructions: 1. Whisk oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and mustard in a small bowl. 2. Stir beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes in a medium bowl. 3. Pour liquids over bean mixture. Cover and refrigerator until ready to serve. 4. Add avocado just before serving. Gently stir to combine.
Blueberry Smoothie ¾-cup blue berries (substitute red raspberries, black berries, or peaches, if blue berries are not available) ¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt ¾-cup skim milk Pinch of cinnamon (if desired) Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Contact Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County, at the Blue Springs office, 816-252-5051, if you have any questions about this article or about vegetable, fruit, or ornamental gardening.
Better For You After-School Snacks by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD
We have all been there; we get home from a day of work and the first thing we think of is “What can I snack on before it’s time for dinner?” Like many adults, kids may be having the same thought after getting home from a long day of school. Snacking consumption among kids is on the rise. It has been estimated that more than 27% of a child’s daily calories are coming from snacks, so providing the right kind of snacks is not only important but necessary in helping meet a child’s daily nutrition requirements. The first thing the child may need when he or she gets home is a small source of fuel. The best way to get that is by snacking on carbohydrates. Our brains’ preferred source of fuel is sugar and, luckily, all carbohydrates break down into sugar. So having different sources of carbohydrates available for kids to snack on when they get home is a great way to give them a burst of energy so they can be active and alert before their next meal. But there are different sources of carbohydrates, so it is important to choose the right ones. Look for whole grains such as whole-grain crackers and bread to give them energy but also provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. Of
course you can never go wrong with a piece of cut-up fresh fruit. Leave the skin on for the added fiber bonus! For those chip cravings, try bean chips to get more nutrition such as fiber and protein from chips. One important nutrient to always have on hand for after-school snacks is different sources of protein. Protein builds, maintains and repairs the tissues in your body such as muscles, which is important for active kids. Protein also requires a longer time to digest than carbohydrates, so putting a protein in your snack can give you just enough energy to get to the next meal, without overeating and spoiling dinner. A child’s protein needs vary by his or her weight: an average of 1 gram of protein for every 2 pounds the child weighs. So simply take your child’s weight and divide by 2 to find his or her protein needs. With snacking on the rise, it is important to fit protein sources into those in-between-meals snacks to help kids meet their needs. Quick sources of protein can be a cheese stick (about 7 grams), a glass of milk (8 grams), turkey slices (2 ounces, about 10 grams) a hardboiled egg (6 grams) or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams.)
“Smoothies are an easy and fun way to get kids excited about fruits. This (blueberry smoothie) recipe only takes three ingredients and uses fruit in season now,” now,” Paige Shoemaker, NPA Photo credit: iStock photo
Pairing carbohydrates and protein together in a snack is a perfect combination of providing enough energy without overdoing it. It is always important to factor in your child’s hydration when he or she gets home from school. Children require 5 to 11 glasses a day of total water (coming from liquids and food) to meet their needs. With this in mind, stock your refrigerator with water flavored with fresh lemon or other fresh fruit for your children to grab when they get home. It will help meet those needs and avoid the calories and sugar that come from juice or other sugar-sweetened beverages. Of course you can always prepare fun and different snacks for the kids to grab when they get home. Chickpeas provide a great source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein, while still staying low in fat. Try this Spicy OvenOven-Roasted Chickpeas recipe for a new snack.
Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian at the Blue Springs Hy-Vee. She can be reached at tshaffer@hy-vee.com. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
Spicy Oven Roasted Chickpeas 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, thoroughly drained and rinsed (about 3 cups) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon sea salt Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients until evenly coated. Spread the chickpeas in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 30 to 40 minutes. Source: Chowhound
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MDC Requires Nontoxic Shot On Many Public Hunting Areas by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters using shotguns that shells with nontoxic shot are now required to be used on many public conservation areas. Waterfowl hunters have used nontoxic shot since 1991 because the requirement has been shown to reduce the incidences of lead poisoning in wildlife. New regulations approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission became effective this year that add more conservation areas to the requirement. Several conservation areas in the Kansas City and northwest regions are included in the new regulations. The use or possession of lead shot is now prohibited for dove hunting at MDC conservation areas in those regions, including: Bilby Ranch Lake, Harmony Mission Lake, Guy B. Park, Pony Express Lake, James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, and Truman Reservoir
Management Lands. In addition, the use or possession of lead shot is now prohibited for all hunting with shotguns for all wildlife species on several conservation areas. These are commonly conservation areas that are flood prone. Among those in the Kansas City and northwest regions: Aspinwall Bend, Bob Brown, Cooley Lake, Corning, Deroin Bend, Fountain Grove, Four Rivers, Grand Pass, Little Bean Marsh, Lower Hamburg Bend, Montrose, Nishnabotna, Nodaway Valley, Ralph and Martha Perry, Platte Falls, Plowboy Bend, Schell Osage, Settles Ford, Thurnau, and Wolf Creek Bend. MDC provides some of the best public hunting opportunities in the nation on conservation areas. Many areas do have specific regulations on what type of hunting is allowed, where hunting is allowed, what type of archery or firearm methods may be
used, and shotgun shell shot requirements. Hunters should check out the regulations and boundaries ahead of a hunt for each area they visit. Useful information is also available on what types of habitat and wild game are found on an area. MDC also offers free Effective Wingshooting workshops that can help hunters best use the various types of nontoxic shot. These classes teach the safe and accurate handling of shotguns for hunting wild game. But the workshops also provide information about the various types of nontoxic shot, shot sizes, gauges, and shell loads for hunting various types of game. Nontoxic shot is safer for wildlife and the natural areas that people enjoy. For more information about MDC’s new nontoxic shot regulations, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Zgt.
Upcoming Events at Lake City Range Lake City Shooting Range, located at 28505 E Truman Road, is offering a number of educational programs over the next few weeks. Programs include: Shotgun - Trap Saturday, August 24, 2019 8:00am to 11:30am Register by August 22nd Shotgun – Skeet
Saturday, September 14, 2019 9:00am to 11:30am Register by September 12th Handgun: Handgun Basics Saturday, September 21, 2019 8:00am to 11:30am Instructors will provide information on the different types of firearms, ammunition, marksmanship skills and care and cleaning, plus much more. There will be a live-fire session; registrants may bring their own firearm
or use one of the range’s firearms. Archery: Archery Basics Saturday, September 28, 2019 9:00am to 11:00am Register by September 5th Shotgun: Huntsman Saturday, September 28, 2019 12:00pm to 4:00pm For more information and to register for any of Lake City Shooting Range’s
Missouri's dove hunters will go afield when the season opens Sept. 1. They should be aware that new regulations require that they use nontoxic shot on many MDC conservation areas. This will reduce lead in the environment to benefit people and wildlife. Photos by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation programs, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/ events-s3? field_event_activity_location_tid=Lake% 20City%20Shooting%20Range.
Sports
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Chapman Will Be A Wichita State Shocker by John Unrein
Grain Valley High School Senior Max Chapman recently decided to continue his career as a student athlete with the Wichita State Shockers. The Sunflower State and perennial powerhouse NCAA Division One baseball program has some of the best facilities in the nation. The Eagle southpaw pitcher is planning to major in education in the fall of 2020 at Wichita State due to his love for helping kids. Chapman credits an abundance of teachers who have influenced him, and he would like to be someone that students eventually look up to as well. Eagles Head Baseball Coach Brian Driskell was quick to offer praise of both Chapman brothers he has coached as skipper of the Eagles. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching both Chapman brothers (Max as well as his brother Mitch who graduated with the Class of 2017). Their character and work ethic are of the highest level. Anytime I needed help, they were the first to respond. You won’t find anyone who has anything but positive things to say about them both. That says a lot about the way they were raised.” “Max has an ability to work hard and be funny with his teammates. He is usually at the center of hard work and having fun. He will certainly be missed a year from now,” Driskell said.
Chapman drew the attention of local college coaches who watched him pitch and play for the Eagles this spring. It would not be uncommon to see a coach with a radar gun behind the fence at home plate when Chapman was pitching, or timing Max with his speed from the batter’s box to first base when up to bat. The velocity Chapman possesses with his fastball and where he can place it in the strike zone consistently were on display. Both Driskell and Chapman have appreciated the moment. However, they have not lost sight of the upcoming season. Chapman has established a goal he would like to see come to fruition. “An area I’d like to improve in is being able to throw all three of my pitches for a strike 80% of the time. I’ve had successful outings this past year. I need to take my game to another level,” Chapman said. Driskell’s enthusiasm was apparent when asked about Chapman’s growth and what it meant to have a student athlete from the team recruited to a program the stature of Wichita State. “He has grown a lot. Most of that growth has just naturally occurred from his maturing as a baseball player and as he has gotten older. We recognized as a coaching staff his abilities the first time we saw him a few years ago. The tools were there, and he has definitely put in the work to
develop those tools. It’s been fun to watch and be a part of.” “Honestly, I’m excited for any of our guys that get an opportunity to play after high school. What it means to me is that we were fortunate enough as a program to have Max be an Eagle while he got to realize a dream of reaching his goal of playing college baseball,” Driskell said. Having the ability to graciously reflect on those who have been of support is a humbling attribute for a teenager to possess. Chapman was quick to offer praise for those who have helped him get to this point along with what it means to him to be a student athlete at Grain Valley High School. “There’s been so many people who have helped me get where I am today. I can’t credit just one person but to name a few: My parents, Blair Johnson my pitching coach, Coach Driskell, and my teammates and friends who believed in me.” “Being a student athlete at Grain Valley can be challenging. Our staff here is always trying to push us (academically) to our full potential and get the most out of all of us. It’s also nice because they understand the workload we take on during our season. You really can’t complain about our staff as they’re some of the best,” Chapman said.
Max Chapman has decided to continue his career as a student athlete at Wichita State University. Photo credit: John Overstreet The Eagles baseball program will begin year two of competing in the Suburban Conference in 2020. The team returns a roster abundant with talent after only losing Christian Lynn and Jesse Scholtz last season to graduation.
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Eagles Boys Swim And Dive Looks To Seize Momentum In Second Season by John Unrein
Five o’clock in the morning may come awful early for some. It’s just another start to practice for the Eagles Boys Swimming Team. Sixteen student athletes complete laps in the pool and attempt complex twists and turns from the diving board at the Blue Springs YMCA in preparation for the upcoming season. The Grain Valley High School Swim and Dive program is led by head coach Kara Liddle. “I’m super excited that we are starting the season with a group of kids that have swam a year. Building good habits in the pool by correcting little things that will allow us to go faster is our focus. We are weeks ahead of were we were last year at this time,” Liddle said. “Swimming is a mental sport. You are in your own head a lot. Learning how to push yourself to get past pain is significant. Same goes with diving. I couldn’t get up there and throw myself off the board the way they do. I think in both arenas of this sport you have to be mentally tough.” A third-place finish in the Suburban Conference last season, along with three state qualifiers is the momentum the program would like to seize and build upon. Eli Hendricks finishing 4th in Class I Diving along with Wyatt Huffman in the 100-meter finishing 14th breaststroke were positive catalysts for a new program. Senior Swimmer Jase Tipton along with fellow Senior Diver Jonathan Bailey are excited about the possibilities of the new season. “Many of us were on the State cut by only being points or seconds off last year. That’s a big motivator for our team is to have as many of us as possible make State cut this year,” Tipton said. Bailey agreed with Tipton’s assessment. “We are here to improve from last year and our coaches are pushing us harder,” Bailey said. Both Tipton and Bailey are enjoying the friendships and the insights gained
through swimming and diving. “You get to meet a lot of new people and can make lifetime friends. I have buddies that swim at Park Hill that I met at a meet. We’ll go work out or get a burger together,” Tipton said. “I like how we can get tips on diving from other competitors. Someone may have more experience than you and they will usually share,” Bailey said. Encouragement can be heard both by coaches and fellow teammates during practice over the multitude of splashes and movement of feet on both the concrete and diving board. It seems to provide a sort of serene chaos for those who compete in this arena. Getting up at 4:30 am or practicing multiple times a day are all challenges that roll like water off a duck’s back. “I love getting to share my love for the sport. I went to Grain Valley and this is what I grew up doing. Being able to start and continue this program is a joy. We get to spread the love for being in the water,” Liddle said.
Top left: Head Coach Kara Liddle works with swim team members during practice on August 13th. Top right: Boys Dive team begins second season of practice. Bottom: Swim team members practice daily at the Blue Springs YMCA. Photo credit: Valley News staff The Grain Valley High School Boys Swim and Dive Team will kick off their
season with their first Wednesday, September 4th.
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Fall Activities Kickoff With GVHS Blue and White Day Grain Valley High School’s (GVHS) Blue and White Day will be held Saturday, August 17th at the high school. Fall sports activities will hold scrimmages, team pictures, and parents meetings. The GVHS Booster Club will host a pancake breakfast by Chris Cakes from 7:00am to 10:00am for $5 (includes pancakes, sausage and drink). The booster club’s first general meeting will take place at 11:00 am in the high school auditorium. Grain Valley spirit apparel will be available for purchase during the event. Heading into their second year in the Suburban Conference, GVHS Athletic Director Brandon Hart is looking forward to building on last year’s successes. “I think what I look forward to the most is seeing our growth within the
Suburban Conference. We had a successful 1st year in the conference, but I am excited to see what kind of gains we will make between year 1 and 2,” Hart said. “Last year was our first year in the conference, and everything was new. We were playing larger schools in new venues, and our learning curve was fairly steep for many of our programs. With a year of experience under our belts, I think our programs will be more prepared this year. I expect they to be more familiar with the level of competition and have a better understanding of what it will take to be successful in the Suburban Conference.”
Fall sports and activities, including Girls Tennis, will participate in Blue and White Day on Saturday, August 17th at Grain Valley High School. Photo credit: Valley News staff
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Community Calendar Saturday, August 17, 2019
On the Road with the Royals Hall of Fame Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley Branch 10:30am—Noon Royals Hall of Fame Manager Jill SeibSchaub brings a bit of the Royals Hall of Fame Collection to the Library! Registration: www.mymcpl.org/events
Monday, August 19, 2019
Senior Coffee Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 9:00am—11:00am Time to visit with friends and make new ones. Free. Senior Yoga Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 10:30am—11:15am $2 or Free for SilverSneakers, Silver & Fit, and Renew Active Members
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Tools for Job Seekers: Online Presence Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley Branch 10:30am—11:30am Registration: www.mymcpl.org/events
Park Board Meeting Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 7:00pm
Monday, August 26, 2019
Board of Aldermen Meeting Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S. Main 7:00pm Senior Coffee Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 9:00am—11:00am Time to visit with friends and make new ones. Free. Senior Yoga Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 10:30am—11:15am $2 or Free for SilverSneakers, Silver & Fit, and Renew Active Members
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Tools for Job Seekers: LinkedIn Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley Branch 10:30am—11:30am Registration: www.mymcpl.org/events
Add your community event online at www.grainvalleynews.com.
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Employment Opportunities The City of Grain Valley is now hiring for a Public Works Maintenance Worker. Worker Apply online at https://www.cityofgrainvalley.org/employment/. https://www.cityofgrainvalley.org/employment/.