Valley News www.grainvalleynews.com
DECEMBER 5, 2019
Vol. 2, No. 49
FREE
Parents As Teachers Serves Entire Family Through Resources, Play What looks like just a fun sing-a-long of parents and toddlers on a sunny Tuesday morning is much more than just playtime. A monthly playgroup hosted by Grain Valley Parents as Teachers and Faith United Methodist Church seeks to serve both parents and children. But, Parents and Teachers is about more than just play. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free early childhood family education program that assists and supports families in preparing their children for success in school and in life. One of the cornerstone programs of the Parents as Teachers program are personal home visits by certified parent educators. In these monthly visits, parent educators visit families by appointment and focus on child development and parent interaction.
Parent Educators Pam Schmitt and Shannon Leap serve more than 60 families in the Grain Valley program. “We answer questions that the parents may have, and bring a developmentally appropriate activity and handouts. It gives them a glimpse of what most kids are going through at that time. We also do development screenings,” Leap said. While developmental screenings and activities are focused on the child, Parents as Teachers works to serve the entire family. “That’s exactly what Parents as Teachers does. It’s not just focusing on the child. It’s focusing on the family,” Schmitt said. Schmitt has been with Parents as Teachers for eleven years and has seen many changes in both the program and in the families she serves.
“The Parents as Teachers program used to be much more child-oriented, and now it is more family-oriented, which is good,” Schmitt said. In addition to personal home visits, Parents as Teachers hosts a number of activities throughout the year for young children and their families, including a popular “Wiggle, Giggle, and Jiggle” event and the monthly playgroup held on the first Tuesday of each month at Faith United Methodist Church in Grain Valley. While playgroups are often seen as a place to help wear a busy toddler out, Schmitt and Leap stress it is much more than that. “It’s for both. It’s for the kiddos to comes out and interact with other children. It’s also for parents to be able to get out and connect with other parents. Here they get to talk, perhaps
Everett Groover seeks some reassurance from his mom, Anna Groover, during a group activity at a playgroup hosted by Faith United Methodist Church and Grain Valley Parents as Teachers. Photo credit: Valley News staff
see PARENTS on page 5
Good News
Santa Bus Spreads Holiday Cheer In Grain Valley
Grain Valley residents who are middle aged likely remember being taken to the mall or some community gathering for the chance to visit with Santa Claus. One of Grain Valley’s unique and great traditions is that Santa Claus will come to your neighborhood. Thus was the case for Jack and Daley Philbrick. The Santa Bus came to their neighborhood over this past weekend. They were able to meet jolly old Saint Nick and share with him their Christmas wishes. It’s a lot to take in for a kid of any age. There’s the police escort by VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) making sure that everyone knows to be safe as Santa is seeing important guests traveling to the bus by foot. Not to
mention the bright red and green paint job of the bus, complete with a reindeer on the hood and wreath on the grill. And if all of that is not enough, there’s the festively decorated inside of the bus with Kris Kringle ready to greet and meet visitors with a warm smile and belly chuckle. Jack and Daley’s Dad, Scott Philbrick, enjoyed watching his kids go through the Santa Bus experience. “This is a great thing that’s done for the kids. We wake up on Saturday morning and they are as excited as they are on Christmas Day in getting to meet Santa. We don’t have to leave our neighborhood to see Santa now because of this. Getting to avoid braving the crowds and traffic is a blessing due
Photo credit: Valley News staff
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see SANTA BUS on page 2
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to the Santa Bus,” Philbrick said. “To have Volunteers In Police Service donate their time to make sure that this experience is safe is amazing in the peace of mind it provides to parents. It makes all the difference in the world to know I can stand and wait with an extra set of eyes looking out for us. I don’t know if you saw, but my kids ran across the street. They didn’t even look because they were so excited due to something else on their mind. This is just fun.” The Santa Bus originated with a few citizens and local businesses that wanted to make Christmas a little brighter for the children of Grain Valley. This Grain Valley Holiday tradition has grown to nine dates on the Santa Bus calendar from November 30th to December 22nd. The duration of dates will include four 12 hour Saturdays and two 10 hour Sundays. The Santa Bus currently sees about 4,000 kids a year and gives out about 2,000 donated stuffed toys, candy, and small toys (for the kids too old for stuffed toys). Making this endeavor even more special is that it’s manned entirely by volunteers and supported by donations from local businesses and friends of the project. You may find a complete Santa Bus schedule at www.gvsanta.com and follow Santa’s travels on Facebook.
Daley (left) and Jack (right) Philbrick with dad Scott Philbrick wait patiently outside the Santa Bus for their opportunity to visit with Santa.
Photo credit: Valley News staff
Filing Opens For City Election On December 17th Filing for open seats on the Board of Aldermen and Mayor position with the City of Grain Valley opens December 17th. The office of Mayor is open for candidates as are aldermen positions in each of the City’s three wards. In Ward 1, Jayci Stratton’s current seat is up for election. In Ward 2, Yolanda West’s seat is open, and in Ward 3, Bob Headley’s seat is open for election.
The election will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Candidates may file for such offices during normal business hours (8:00am— 5:00pm Monday through Friday) starting at 8:00am December 17th until 5:00pm on January 21, 2020 in the office of the City Clerk, 711 Main Street, Grain Valley.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of November 20-26, 2019. November 20, 2019 I 70/Main St 1000 Block Stonebrook Lane 1700 Block Helen Court 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1400 Block Hilltop 1100 Block NE McQuerry Rd 700 Block Main St 600 Block Yennie 1700 Block Helen Court 800 Block Capelle 200 Block Jefferson
Area Check Stolen Property Civil Stand By Stolen Property Fingerprints Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Citizen Contact Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident Area Check Check Well Being
November 21, 2019 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 100 Block Walnut St 600 Block Yennie 400 Block Orion 1100 Block NW Casey Golfview/RD Mize 800 Block NW Eagle Dr
Citizen Contact Identity Theft Warrant Arrest Stealing Check Well Being Area Check Suspicious Vehicle Alarm Area Check 911 Hang-up
November 22, 2019 700 Block Main St 100 Block SW 21st, Oak Grove 1600 Block NW Hilltop Lane 700 Block Main St 1300 Block Burr Oak Lane 700 Block Main St 600 Block Thieme 600 Block Tisha Lane 800 Block NW Eagle Dr 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney
Citizen Contact Agency Assist (OGPD) Disturbance Citizen Contact Alarm Agency Assist (DFS) Recovered Stolen Citizen Contact Animal at Large Citizen Contact
November 23, 2019 200 Block Harris 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1100 Block Willow 800 Block Capelle 1500 Block Jaclyn Dr 1500 Block Nolan Rd 1400 Block NE Mary Ct
Dealer License Renewal Recovered Stolen Warrant Confirmation Abandoned Auto Recovered Stolen Check Well Being Agency Assist (CJC) Area Check
200 Block SW 12th, Oak Grove 1200 Block Ashley Lane 100 Block Rock Creek Lane 600 Block Yennie 100 Block Main St 1900 Block Washam Ct
Agency Assist (OGPD) Noise Complaint Alarm Disturbance Found Property Ex Parte Service
November 24, 2019 800 Block San Kar 800 Block NW Willow Dr 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St Blue Springs PD 400 Block Minter Rd 1300 Block RD Mize 700 Block Shorthorn BB/Duncan Rd 600 Block Charlotte 700 Block Main St
Alarm Agency Assist (JCSO) Warrant Confirmation Disturbance Prisoner Transport Ex Parte Violation Disturbance Area Check Area Check Agency Assist (JCSO) Alarm
November 25, 2019 700 Block Main St 1100 Block McQueery 1400 Block Golfview EE Kirby/40 Hwy 1100 Block Foxtail Dr Welfare BB/Woodbury 400 Block Rust Ct 600 Block Yennie Ave US 40 Hwy/Barr Rd 1100 Block RD Mize 1400 Block Amanda Jean 1300 Block Valley Woods Ct
Motor Vehicle Accident Alarm Disturbance Check Well Being Burglary Alarm Disturbance
November 26, 2019 700 Block Main St 900 Block Sand Lane 700 Block Main St 800 Block Montana Ridge 1300 Block Jefferson 1300 Block Valley Woods Ct 900 Block Foxtail 900 Block Sandy Lane 1300 Block RD Mize
Prisoner Transport Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Alarm Noise Complaint Alarm Disturbance Disturbance
Identity Theft Suspicious Activity Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Endangering the
Valley News
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Looking Back:
Come Visit Me! (Researching The History Of Pink Hill) by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
On most Wednesdays you will find me at the Historical Society from 10:00am until 3:00pm. On a good Wednesday, I have a visitor. One Wednesday last spring, seven people came in to look around. That’s a record! About half of the time no one visits. We have tons of “stuff” we have been collecting at the Historical Society since the early 1990s. Shortly after we moved into this building we received the entire collection of artifacts from the Pink Hill Historical Society, so on the days when no one visits I do lots of sorting which means I do lots of reading. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing some stories about Pink Hill. With the exception of the old Pink Hill Methodist Church, only farmland and newer homes cover all signs of what was once the thriving town of Pink Hill whose residents awaited the coming of the railroad. The railroad never came but the Civil War did and those two events destroyed the small town. In the early 1850’s, the Chicago and Alton Railroad surveyed land in Sni-aBar township. Blue Springs was the only town until November 21, 1854, when George Love and David Neer filed an Abstract in the office of John A. Sea for an area of ten acres off the west side of
the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 49, Range 30. There they established a town of 40 lots with a Main Street and a Locust Street each 33 feet wide plus two alleys 16 ½ feet wide. The area was one mile south of the old Spring Branch Road, now Truman Road. The town was built on property belonging to R. G. Pinkard, but did not honor him with the name Pink Hill. The suggestion for the name came from Robert St. Clair, who settled in Jackson County about 1848. Meeting with a group of men, he is credited with saying, “The land is covered with pink roses and pink verbena, it should be called Pink Hill.” According to Abstract notes, the first of the 40 lots was sold to Rosamah Sanders. Asa Booker purchased some of the lots the following year. The town was placed on the map by the United States Post office department in the same year, 1854. One history stated the Pink Hill Post Office was the second in Jackson county preceded only by Independence. (Other towns have made similar claims.) The first mail carrier, Charles St. Clair, brought honor to the town when he brought the first load of mail. He met the boat at the Sibley Landing and rode
This week, Marcia Napier begins a series on the history of Pink Hill. The Historical 10:00am— 3:00pm Society museum is open Wednesdays from 10:00am —3:00 pm and visitors are welcome to stop by to explore the many exhibits on display. Photo credit: Valley News staff horseback overland to carry home the mail in a red bandanna handkerchief. Next Week: The citizens, their businesses and their homes.
The Grain Valley Historical Society Museum is located at 506 South Main Street and online at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
Jacomo Chorale Presents
Community Nativity Event December 7th at Faith UMC
The Jacomo Chorale will present "Making Spirits Bright" a concert of Christmas music on December 13th at 7:00pm at Mission Woods Community of Christ, 2800 NW Duncan Rd, Blue Springs. The concert will be repeated on December 14th at 7:00pm at The Groves, 1515 W. White Oak, Independence. The concert includes traditional Christmas music as well as newer
Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway, will host a Community Nativity Viewing on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00am— 2:00pm.
“Making Spirits Bright”
pieces, including compositions by local composer Nathan Smith. Free admission, donations accepted. The Chorale, directed by Dr. Helena Vasconcellos and accompanied by Michelle Proen, is a 501 c(3) organization, presenting music from Broadway to classical music for Eastern Jackson County audiences.
Enter The Valley News Holiday Cookie Contest
Valley News is seeking your best holiday cookie recipes! Send your favorite holiday cookie recipe to news@grainvalleynews.com for a chance to win a $25 Hy-Vee gift card. Please
include your name and phone number with your submission. The deadline for submissions is Monday, December 9th. We will print all submissions and select a random entry for the gift card.
The free event is open to all. Donations of canned food will be collected for the Grain Valley Assistance Council.
Business News
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The Hottest Holiday Tech Gifts This Year by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert
If you're like me, nothing makes you happier than being able to find that perfect holiday gift for friends and family members. Obviously I'm going to say technology is the best gift to give because it's the gift that keeps on giving ... because tech is so cool and useful. The challenge is there are so many technology devices out there, it's hard to find the right tech to get. Fear not, I've taken the time to pick out some of my favorite tech items for anyone on your list. Great Stocking Stuffers As a kid, I would sometimes get more excited about what was hiding in the stocking than what was wrapped up under the tree. Get your loved ones excited about reaching into their stockings by purchasing these cool tech items. Mophie 3 in 1 For years, I've always recommended people to get Mophie's Juice Pack as a backup charger for their Android and Apple smartphones. Now Mophie has stepped up their game and created the Mophie 3 in 1 which is a wireless charger pad that will allow you to charge up to 3 devices such as a smartwatch, wireless headphones, and a smartphone. Amazon Echo Buds These earbuds work with your Alexa to stream music, make calls, and they are wireless. As an added bonus, they also feature Bose noise reduction which means you can enjoy music without outside interference. Apple AirPods Pro Apple's second-generation AirPods are a vast improvement over the firstgeneration headphones. Better fit and
better battery life. The wireless charging case makes this a great gift. For The Kids In Your Life There's nothing more exciting to see your kids scream in delight at the awesome gifts they are about to get. These tech gifts are bound to be a hit with your kids. Kindle Fire Kids Edition The 10.1-inch version of this smart tablet is the perfect gift for your young kids. A 2-year warranty and protective case mean you don't have to worry about your clumsy kids in your life. Nintendo Switch One of the best things about the Switch is the fact your kids can play this device as a handheld or hook it up to a television. This means you can enjoy your TV and your kids and still enjoy gameplay. Robust parental controls mean you can limit how many rounds of Fortnite they play. Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition This device does everything the Echo does, but it's kid-friendly and has parental controls to block inappropriate content. You can also take advantage of the FreeTime Unlimited which offers educational activities, audible books, music, and games. For Your Smart Home If you haven't experienced the features of having a smart home, you're missing out. With the right devices, you can control your home with an app or your voice. Amazon Echo Show Yes, there is the Google Home View, but the Echo show offers the best features for your smartphone. The skills you can add to your Echo Show are endless which makes a great hub for your smartphone, allows you to easily monitor your house and can offer your
Breaking Ground
Roomba Smart vacuums These devices can make household chores much easier. They charge themselves and can avoid most obstacles.
family hours of entertainment. Ring Products Known as the company that makes smart doorbells, Ring now offers cameras, smart lights and alarm systems which quickly integrate into your smart home
Jitterbug Smartphone Have a loved one in your life who could use a smartphone? Consider getting them a Jitterbug. This easy to use phone offers all of the features of an Android phone, but with an easy to use interface.
Google Nest WiWi -Fi Google Nest is a mesh system that extends your Wi-Fi network throughout your house. I'm not a big fan of mesh networks, but Google's Next will help you get wireless in those hard to reach areas of your house.
Cool and Unusual Tech Gifts You might have people on your gift list all of the tech out on this list, but there are some cool and unusual tech items out there that will make them jump for joy.
Smartphones, Tablets, and Computers Everyone is on these devices all of the time, so why not choose the holidays to pick out a new gadget to help your loved ones stay productive and entertained.
Oculus Quest Do you have someone who is looking for a new way to game? Consider getting them this wireless headset doesn’t require a computer or a gaming system. It will allow games to interact with an immersive virtual reality gaming experience.
iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S10 These Apple and Android phones offer the best speed, screen size, battery life, and camera. Galaxy Tab S4 and iPad Air I hate to say it, Apple and Samsung make the best tablets on the planet. Give one as a gift and watch their eyes light up.
Ember Smart Mug This smart mug will keep your hot drink at the temperature you want. A charge lasts for up to an hour and a half on a single charge. Never worrying about drinking cold coffee or winter drinks again.
Dell XPS and MacBook Pro Want to pick a computer for a gift this year, Dell and Apple won't disappoint you. They are both a little pricey, but would you rather have a laptop that only lasts a year and a half or get one that will last 10 years or longer?
Husqvarna AutoMower Reclaim your weekends with this automower. This self-guiding mower will make sure that you don't have to spend long hours taking care of your lawn. It clips the grass short which will also fertilize your lawn as well.
For Those Who are Tech Challenged We all know someone in our lives who would use some cool technology, but they aren't too tech-savvy. Here are some items that will get them engaged in tech.
Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
Roku Box or Stick With streaming services becoming more popular, turn that dumb TV of your loved ones into a smart tv with a Roku. Roku devices are easy to set up and easy to use which will bring enjoyment to anyone regardless of their level of tech expertise.
Business
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whose mission is to be a leader in the growth of Grain Valley. The
Grain
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and can be reached by phone, 816-443-5162 or via email at info@growgrainvalley.org.
Construction has begun on the QuikTrip to be located on the north side of 11--70. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Learn more about the Partnership: www.growgrainvalley.org
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PARENTS
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make friends, and have someone to go out with or talk to,” Schmitt said. “I think this is a great place to model behavior with their peers, especially if they are not in school and have trouble with that. It’s a good place to learn important skills like taking turns and sharing,” Leap said. Parent Alison Cook of Blue Springs and daughter Audrey, 3, attended the December 4th playgroup. “It’s good to get out and do an activity and get out of the house. It helps the rest of the day go well,” Cook said.
Anna Grover of Grain Valley attended the playgroup with 3-year old son Everett. “The interaction with other kids his age is important,” Grover said. “Before I discovered playgroups, I went insane,” Grover joked. “It’s good for parents as well, to have interaction with other parents. It’s very beneficial.” There is currently a wait list of approximately 30 families for the Grain Valley Parents as Teachers program. For more information on Parents as Teachers, call 816-847-5011 or email Parent Educators Pam Schmitt, pschmitt@gvr5.net, or Shannon Leap, sryan-leap@gvr5.net.
Three year old Audrey Cook of Blue Springs creates a beaded masterpiece with her mom Alison Cook. Photo credit: Valley News staff
With the year coming to a close, the Missouri General Assembly is gearing up for the 2020 legislative session. There is much work to be done before the start of session, which is set to begin on Jan. 8, 2020. I’ve already started working on my priorities for the upcoming legislative session, and pre-filed several of them. Easing the tax burden, specifically property taxes, on hardworking Missourians and improving government accountability are my main goals for the 2020 legislative session. One of the biggest problems facing our community is the recent spike in property tax. I’ve heard from many of you that your property tax assessments and resulting tax bills were inaccurate and far too high. Some have seen their tax bills double, while others are expected to pay hundreds of dollars more than last year. Naturally, these sudden increases have left some Missourians scrambling to pay their bills with the holidays right around the corner. I believe taxpayers should not experience sticker shock when they receive their property tax bills. That is why I’m proposing legislation to limit how much property taxes can increase each year. By capping tax rate increases, I believe we can allow for property taxes to gradually adjust with changes to inflation, market value and other factors, without surprising Missourians with an unexpected and costly tax bill. Another legislative proposal I will be working on is a proposed amendment to Missouri’s Constitution to allow voters to elect the Jackson County Assessor. Jackson County is one of only two governments in our state that appoints an assessor, rather than elects one (the other is St. Louis City). I trust the people of Jackson County to select the person best able to serve them in public office, and the assessor’s office should be no different. While empowering voters, I believe this change will have the added benefit of increasing the office’s accountability and responsiveness to the people of Jackson County. If this proposal is approved by the Missouri General Assembly, it will have to be approved by Missouri voters statewide before going into effect.
In addition, I am proposing another constitutional amendment that relates to voter turnout and taxes. I am proposing that the state require local taxing jurisdictions to receive at least a 22 percent voter turnout rate in order to enact a tax increase. Too often, taxing jurisdictions propose tax increases, hold a quiet election for the measure and get it approved by a small segment of voters. Meanwhile, the vast majority of voters are now on the hook for the bill. By implementing reasonable, attainable turnout thresholds for enacting tax increases, I believe we can ensure adequate representation regarding taxation. This amendment will also need to be approved by a statewide vote in order to go into effect. I am also proposing a constitutional amendment to help end double taxation. Across the state, there are taxing jurisdictions that overlap, but generate revenue for similar services. There have been, and currently are, Missourians who are caught in the middle with double the taxes for the same services. My legislation would allow taxpayers to decide which district they pay into. This legislation empowers citizens by giving them an active role in deciding how their hard-earned money is spent, as well as helping reduce their overall tax burden. Lastly, I’ve pre-filed a bill to help Missourians cover certain medical costs. The Long-Term Dignity Act would allow Missourians to create long-term savings accounts to cover costs associated with Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases. By saving money early on, and with the power of compounding interest, Missourians with a family history of Alzheimer’s and similar diseases can be prepared for whatever life may throw at them. As you can see, I’m already hard at work preparing my priorities for the 2020 legislative session. I’m eager for the start of session and working with my colleagues to pass commonsense and fiscallyresponsible legislation. Please feel free to contact my office in Jefferson City at (573) 751-1464. For information about committees or sponsored legislation for the 2019 session, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/ Cierpiot.
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Community Voices
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Wayne’s World
Santa Got Run Over By A Power Wheel by Wayne Geiger
My first memory of Santa is having to wait in line to see the big guy at a makeshift workshop in my neighborhood in Miami, Florida. I don’t remember if I was frightened, but I do remember having to wait in line for what seemed like an eternity. I also remember not knowing what to ask for. Somehow, I always received stuff I wanted on Christmas morn. He always seemed to know. On Christmas Eve, my parents, attempting to get me and my sister to go to bed, would say that they could hear the rumblings of Santa’s sleigh several blocks over. So, with a sense of excitement and an element of fear, we would rush off to bed listening ever so closely for Santa’s arrival on our rooftop, before helplessly drifting off to sleep. The fact that we did not have a chimney was irrelevant. I was told that, somehow, he was always able to get in. The statement made me curious and left me a little unsettled. I was never being able to catch Santa in the act. But, on Christmas morn, I did see evidence of his handiwork. He always sampled my mother’s cookies and drank some of the milk. Why he just sampled several cookies and never ate the whole thing was puzzling. Did he not know there were starving people in China? No matter, Santa left glistening presents under the tree and I had a fear that questioning Santa’s ethics would have repercussions that would perpetually place me on the naughty list. I fully understood the naughty and nice list and, every December, I did my best to rectify my fearful dilemma. To me, it appeared that the list was not binary, but more of a spectrum. Santa had favorites. One Christmas morn, I looked outside at the neighbors’ house and saw the family across the street playing with their new toys. Investigating further, I found that Santa had brought one of them a Power Wheel’s car. They were on the nice list. I thought about the inequity and wondered why I did not get one. Perhaps, Santa’s list had been
compromised or maybe I had been exceptionally naughty that year (the latter would be closer to the truth). I’ll never forget the Christmas season when my sister and I were jumping on our parent’s bed and I rolled off. I was not hurt but was now at eye level to look under the bed. I noticed boxes of toys tucked away. One of them was a really cool jet that I really wanted to play with. I knew that I had found gold, but I was on someone else’s land so had to simply cover it back up and let it play out. My sister and I were hush hush and went about our daily lives until Christmas morning when, to my joy, I got the jet! Interestingly, it did not come from my parents. It came from a higher authority. It was my passageway into adulthood. From that point on, Christmas lost some of its sparkle. Santa got run over by a Power Wheel’s car. The mystery and magic faded into materialism and empiricism. I did not become a Christian until the age of 19. That first Christmas was nothing short of spectacular. It was the first time I truly understood what Christmas was all about. A lightbulb went on and the sparkle returned. After getting married, and having children, my wife and I struggled with the whole Santa thing. Like every family, it was a personal decision we had to make. But, for us, it didn’t feel right to tell our children that Santa and God were real—only to have them discover later that we had told them a partial truth. In addition, we wanted them to know that dad and mom worked really hard to try to provide something special for them at Christmas. We knew that one day they would realize that, in life, sometimes the neighbors get a Power Wheel and you get a skateboard. In our family, we wanted all the attention of Christmas to be upon Christ. We reached a workable compromise by focusing on Christ, being honest with our kids, and also creating an element of mystery and fun. The kids got presents from dad and mom, the dog, cat, and the parakeet. It was always fun and electric.
The presents were always put out Christmas Eve and were not hidden under the bed. Been there. We warned our kids not to “spoil” the fun for any of their friends or classmates whose family chose to celebrate differently. I’ll never forget one of the kids coming home from school and saying defiantly, “My teacher says that Santa is real, and he brings the presents.” This child’s face was serious, and their hands were firmly on their hips demanding a response. I think I commented back by saying, “We love you and want to be honest with you. Dad and Mom make Christmas a special time by getting the presents.” Our little one was not convinced. They folded their arms and blurted back, “Well my teacher says he’s real.” I concluded by offering to do an experiment. I said, “Okay, let’s do this. Dad and Mom will buy all the other kids presents except for you and we’ll see if Santa brings you anything.” After a few thoughtful moments, she changed her tune. As a pastor, I’ve done a great deal of research on the history of Christmas and could write extensively. In short, no one knows the exact day of Christ’s birth. We do know that in the fourth century AD, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth should be celebrated on December 25. The date merged Christmas with the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. It was an unholy compromise that began a slippery slope that led to Frosty the Snowman. If you look around at most Christmas celebrations nowadays, Christ is reduced to a small figure in a nativity set under the tree, hidden by the wise men, shepherds, and the little drummer boy, while Santa, reindeer, elves, snowmen, elf on a shelf, and a host of other holiday fixtures take prominence in the front yard and in the home. The true, historical celebration of the Messiah’s birth is easily lost, or worse veiled, through an endless array of holiday décor. But we don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s possible to have a Christ-centered, fun celebration.
My wife and I love the lights, colors, and the celebration of Christmas, but we also try to keep Christ as the central focus of our celebration. We also like to make it fun. All of our four children are grown now and each of them say that they appreciated our honesty and plan on taking the same approach with their own families. None of them needed counseling. So, here I am, shivering, fingers and toes frozen, nose running, attaching Christmas lights to the gutter of the house. My wife is inside trying to figure out where to put our six trees and the Christmas village. It’s best for me to stay out of the way. In the end, although under protest, my outdoor mission will be to try to rival the illumination of the Griswolds. I love Christmas time. If, for only a brief season, the world pauses to consider the whisper of the birth of Christ, I’m all for it. For me personally, Christmas is another day to celebrate what I know to be true all year long. Christ came into the world to seek and save the lost. Christmas is more than an event. The problem with viewing Christmas as an “event” is that in early January, the lights, tree, and Christmas village will all be put back in the garage on the shelf. The unfortunate thing is many people lose the Christmas joy because happiness that is found in a box is only temporary. The beautiful thing about seeing Christmas as a “season” which last all year is that even after the bling comes down, the joy remains. The difference is keeping Christ central. Because of Christmas, I have no fear of being on the naughty list. I know that my Redeemer lives, and life makes sense. I still have the sparkle of Christmas.
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.
Community Voices
Page 7
Musings From The Middle:
Where Have All The Good Toys Gone? by Cathy Allie
My baby hasn’t asked for any toys for Christmas again this year, not even any techy thing I could consider a toy, and I am heartbroken. Granted, she is almost 14 and hardly who anyone would consider a baby anymore, but some of the magic of Christmas morning leaves when there is nothing to steal the batteries from the remote for, argue with my husband about assembly directions, and then watch my daughter rush to it on Christmas morning. I was glad last year when llamas were all the rage because it gave me the opportunity to buy a stuffed one, which she snuggled on Christmas day then placed in a closet bin to bond with the other 6,304 animals residing there. Oddly, when we try to purge those, she can tell me where or who each one came from, pleading with me to spare the poly-filled friends, and yet cannot remember to grab her lunch from the refrigerator for school about three of five days. The year before, when she determined she was no longer interested in toys, I was determined to interest her in games again. I put together a basket with all my childhood favorites, like Uno, Candy Land (with funky looking bright colors and not the beautiful pastel candy I remember), Clue, Racko, and some newer game gang members like Left Right Center, Five Crowns, and Apples to Apples. I had visions of laughing teens at my kitchen table, merrily competing with one another, just like are pictured on the Mattel commercials. My daughter’s response to a basket
of fun was--well--best described as underwhelming. She was thankfully polite, and later in the day when I suggested some games, she suggested a movie. Her suggestion won. When she was 11, I tried craft kits as a sub for toys. She made several string bracelets, a couple of very odd smelling candles, and a beaded keyring, always a popular accessory for a middle school backpack. Later, I found the candle wax tangled up in some of the string when I vacuumed her room, successful clogging the vacuum hose. I guess we are done with crafts. Art supplies seem to be the one whimsical thing she loves. She feels about them the way I feel about office supplies, so I get it. But the marker pens I bought for her last birthday, with which you can blur lines and create shading the easy way, were the same cost as a root canal. I am currently busy squashing every artistic notion she has, to avoid bankruptcy. I have done the next best thing in my fervor to purchase toys, moving on to children of friends who are young enough to appreciate them. I have to be careful with my four present rule friends (something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read), so as not to interrupt their careful parenting. And maybe I won’t find anything for the kids anyway, because I long for toys of old. Where did the plastic vanity dresser complete with fake lipsticks and a styrofoam stool go? We converted the top of the vanity seat into an amusement ride, starting at the top of
Community Profile: Nina Grain Valley resident Dee Doll contacted Valley News with a recommendation for our Community Profile section. Doll’s neighbor, Nina, recently moved to Grain Valley and Doll wanted us to know about this fascinating lady. A puzzle master, expert gardener, and voracious reader, Nina has only lived in Grain Valley for a few months. After the recent passing of her husband, Nina moved from Arkansas to be near her nephew and his family. Doll has become a frequent visitor and the two enjoy regular visits and trips to the library together. Doll is amazed by Nina’s ability to cope with all of the change so well. “She’s the poster child for transition under that many life stressors,” Doll said. Despite being a lifelong teetotaler, Nina worked in the Coors plant in Colorado, running the machine that put the flip tops on beer cans.
“My husband always called me Carry Nation (after the famous temperance advocate). He didn’t drink either. He knew when we started going together, that if he was going to drink, he was going to have to go with someone else,” Nina said. Nina is quite skilled at puzzles, completing an average of one puzzle per day. Nina celebrated her 81st birthday this week. Happy birthday, Nina, and welcome to Grain Valley!
Photo credit: Valley News staff
the stairs and sliding all the way down. We could fly on that old olive green sculpted carpet. Where are the Baby Secrets of the world? She had a string on her side to pull, and her lips moved as she spoke to you. Granted, some of the phrases now seem a little weird in today’s world. “I want to sleep with you” and “ I know a secret!” may be the two most egregious. Never mind on Baby Secret. Don’t even Google her if you don’t want nightmares. I also had a Baby Tubsy, with two little teeth on her gum line and a big smile, who came complete with her own terry cloth hooded towel, washcloth, and plastic pink tub. And her arms moved up and down and splashed water everywhere. Great fun! The one flaw? The batteries to make her arms move were in a compartment on her bottom, which was submerged in water. After about two baths, Baby Tubsy began to leak battery corrosion, which appeared to be very baby-like diarrhea. What about a Rings and Things plastic toy and ring maker? The concept was very hot metal plates with molds, into which you poured colored plastic from bottles that looked like Elmer’s glue, then you cooked them at a high temperature to firm up the plastic. What could go wrong with that? The outdoor type? How about Jarts lawn darts? The really sharp, metal tipped missiles were fun to throw underhanded. That’s how we ALWAYS THREW them, I swear… Not into Jarts? What about a set of Clackers, acrylic orbs on a string that you banged together
and whipped around your head in patterns, like an Olympic ribbon dancer with much less safe equipment? Or maybe a Chinese jump rope, one continuous loop of incredibly strong elastic that hurt so bad when it snapped you cried. Made of the same thing as bungie cords, those jump ropes were wicked. I was pretty good at jump rope, and I suppose personal dexterity was not the reason. Pretty much everybody I knew either had a Go Go the Burro, which was a precursor to the western comeback of bull riding in the bars, where your ride was dictated by your ability to hang on and to bounce (and later in life how many Tequila Sunrises you had consumed), or a Radio Flyer horse, usually named Blaze, attached to crazy bouncing springs. I saw a version of Blaze at a big box store the other day, and they had carefully covered the huge springs which trapped many a sibling’s finger and either injured it badly or snapped it completely off when one rider wanted on and the other didn’t believe his or her time was up. One day I will be a grandmother, God willing. I can tell you right now my daughter will be mad at me all the time for the toys I am going to drag into her house to make really cool memories. Four present rule be damned!
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
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Diabetes-Friendly Dishes: Fitting In Holiday Favorites by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD
Holiday traditions and delicious food go together like mashed potatoes and gravy! So what’s a person with diabetes to do? As a registered dietitian, I have solutions. Simple ingredient substitutions and simple cooking techniques are all you need to save calories and carbohydrates throughout the season. These little changes add up to success managing your diabetes while you enjoy the best of food, family and friends at the holidays. Try these tips and side dish recipe to keep your favorites on the table as you enjoy the holiday season with diabetes. Your Hy-Vee dietitian’s tips & tricks – Use measuring cups as serving utensils. Think of them as a tool that gives you control and information about how much is on your plate. Assess the buffet before you start
filling your plate. Then select only those foods you truly enjoy and keep MyPlate in mind as a guide for balance and variety. This saves calories and carbohydrates from foods that don’t give you enjoyment, and saves room for those that do. Simply choose a smaller plate. You’ll automatically reduce your portion sizes and trick your brain into thinking you’re eating abundantly when you see a beautiful, full – yet smaller – plate of your favorites.
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.
Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Rich and creamy, mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes saves you 16 grams of carbohydrate, the same amount as a standard slice of bread, and 65 calories, per generous ¾-cup serving. Serves: 4 (¾ cup = 1 serving)
All you need: 8 cups cauliflower florets (approximately 1 large head of cauliflower) 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1/3 cup non-fat buttermilk
4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 tsp butter ½ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Snipped fresh chives, for garnish All you do:
Place cauliflower florets and garlic in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover and steam until very tender, 12-15 minutes. (Alternately, place florets and garlic in a
microwave-safe bowl with ¼ cup water, cover and microwave on HIGH power for 3-5 minutes or until soft.)
Place the cooked cauliflower and garlic in food processor. Add buttermilk, 2 tsp olive oil, butter, salt and pepper. Process until smooth and creamy.
Transfer to serving bowl. Drizzle remaining olive oil over top and garnish with chives. Serve hot.
Source: www.eatingwell.com Nutrition Facts per serving: 107 calories; 7 gm fat (1 gm saturated, 4 gm monounsaturated), 3 mg cholesterol, 10 gm carbohydrate, 4 gm fiber, 5 gm protein, 339 mg sodium. 150% daily value vitamin C.
Up Your Activity To Boost Your Immunity by Sally Whitaker
Although we can get sick any time of year, the winter months can be especially hard, leaving most of us looking for ways to avoid illness. Exercise can be beneficial to building your immune system and there are many forms of exercise to choose from. Walking During cold and flu season taking a walk is more than just exercise. It can also help protect you from getting sick. A Harvard Medical School study found that “of over 1,000 men and women [found that] those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.” All the more reason to add a walk around the neighborhood to your daily routine! Weight Training Consistency and moderation is key when it comes to strength training and the immune system. While a sporadic and/or an overly strenuous weight train-
ing program can be taxing to the immune system, a program of lifting several times a week and building at a gradual pace may have positive effects on your immunity. Moderate weight training reduces overall stress, allowing your body to produce more of the infection fighting white blood cells our bodies need to fight germs and stay healthy. Yoga Practicing yoga, even just once a week, can have positive effects on your immune system. As mentioned above, the stress relief builds germ-fighting white blood cells. Additionally, the breath work in yoga—emptying and filling the lungs—helps to keep stale air from lingering in the lungs, which promotes respiratory health. Deep breathing can decrease stress and increase energy levels, which in turn boosts the immune system helping you to get and stay well. Cycling A medical study published in “The Aging Cell” found that exercise, specifically cycling, can protect the immune system. The study compared the T-cell
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counts of 125 adult cyclists between the ages 55-79 to people the same age, and younger, who did not exercise regularly. T-cells are known to help the immune system fight infection and tend to diminish as we age. The cyclists not only had higher T-cell activity than people their age but were producing the same level of the infection-fighting cells as young adults.
You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other fitness program to determine if it is right for your needs. Do not start this fitness program if your physician or health care provider advises against it. If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain or shortness of breath at any time while exercising you should stop immediately.
Making time to add physical activity to your daily life is beneficial to more than just your waistline. Adding even 20 minutes of your favorite activity each day can help you fight infection and stay healthy.
Sally Whitaker is a Pilates and Yoga instructor with 15 years of experience teaching group classes and private clientele, primarily in Independence. During the summer months, you can find her teaching Sunset Yoga at Armstrong Park in Grain Valley.
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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: Price Chopper Kitchen /Deli/Salad Bar 1191 NE. McQuerry Rd. There is a build up of grease on the hood vents above the grills in the kitchen/deli area. The floor of the walk in cooler in the kitchen/deli area has an accumulation of food debris. Correct by 1/3/2020. Sushi Avenue/Price Chopper 1191 NE McQuerry Rd. There was a bowl without a handle inside the dried rice bin being used as a scoop. Corrected on site.
Country Oak Village 101 Cross Creek The interior of the microwave had an accumulation of stuck on food debris. Corrected on site. The spray hose to three compartment sink was below the flood line. Corrected on site. The manager was able to fix the issue and has put in a work order to have a new spray hose that is the correct length. The floor under the three compartment sink is in disrepair and missing floor tiles. The back door in the kitchen area has a gap leaving an outer opening to the outside. Correct by 1/12/2020. Sonic Drive-In 706 N. Main The soda nozzles to the drink station had an accumulation of stuck on debris. Corrected on site. There were containers of hot dogs and a container
Play free puzzles online:
www.grainvalleynews.com/online-puzzles This week’s theme: The 1950s
of grilled chicken in the reach in cooler next to the fryers that had no date marking. Corrected on site. There is an excessive amount of grease build up in between the fryers and the reach in cooler and on the side of the reach in cooler. There is trash/food debris on the floors of the walk in cooler and the walk in freezer. There is an accumulation of trash debris under most equipment. Correct by 1 /24/2020. McDonald’s 712 N. Main Nozzles on soda and coffee machine had a buildup on them. Corrected on site. Ice machine has a black buildup inside machine. Reinspection required. Grill vents are dripping grease onto grill. Repeat violation.
ACROSS 1. Bottomless pit 6. Banned insecticide 9. Exclamation of contempt 13. Start with a clean one? 14. Lennon's lady 15. Editing command 16. Feudal lord's property 17. Dunce 18. *Ayn Rand's "____ Shrugged" 19. *Record-breaking Oscar-winner 21. *TV's Jim Anderson 23. Immeasurable period 24. Editor's oversight 25. Fugitive's get-away 28. Vegas cube 30. Even smaller 35. "Rock of ____" 37. Cleopatra's necklace 39. Saddam Hussein's Islam 40. Surrender 41. Young Atlantic cod 43. Eastern ____ 44. Work the dough 46. Diamond Head island 47. Quarterback's downfall 48. Pollen producer 50. Charged particles 52. *"____ must I be a teenager in love?" 53. Sound of pain or pleasure 55. Us, in Mexico 57. *Levittown, e.g. 60. *Like one born in '50s 63. Like a private circle 64. Highest card in "War" 66. Sea near Australia 68. "The ____ Runner," pl. 69. *Cuban syllable 70. Musician's exercise 71. Heroic poem 72. Boy toy 73. Sterilize
Grain Valley Marketplace 8 1131 NE McQuerry Road There was liquid spill residue/debris under the slushy station. Repeat violation. There was liquid spill residue/ debris under all drink stations. In theaters 1,5 & 7 there were stuck on gum, food debris under the seats, dusty seats, and stuck on food debris on the arms of the seats. There was a missing ceiling tile in theater 7 in the back area. Repeat violation. There was a box of hot dog holder containers stored on the floor in the storage/ice room. Corrected on site. Repeat violation.
DOWN 1. Cigar residue 2. Blister 3. New Haven Ivy 4. Kidney problem 5. Modus operandi 6. Point of entry 7. *Crick/Watson/Franklin discovery 8. Toffee, alt. sp. 9. Trodden track 10. "Cast Away" setting 11. *"A ____ Is Born" with Judy Garland 12. "For ____ a jolly ..." 15. Jamaican vernacular 20. Yards and miles, e.g. 22. Address abbreviation 24. T in ATV 25. *Source of immortal Hela cells 26. *Occupation of Ian Fleming's protagonist 27. Mythological princess of Colchis 29. *Fashion designer who made a comeback in 1954 31. Small pieces 32. *Rose to Jackie 33. Methuselah's father 34. *Tenant of Fred Mertz 36. Clothing line 38. Type of salmon 42. "Beats me!" 45. Formal objections, in court 49. And not 51. Like Santa after coming down the chimney 54. Taken follower 56. Inflict a blow 57. Barber shop sound 58. To, in the olden days 59. Swarm members 60. Pinto or black 61. Outback birds 62. Was a passenger 63. *"We'll take ____ to Washington" 65. *Guevara's nickname 67. Tyrannosaurus follower
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Page 10
Girls Swim And Dive Looks To Build On Successful Inaugural Season While many students are just rolling out of bed to get ready for school, Grain Valley High School’s Girls Swim and Dive team were hard at work at 6:00am on December 3rd, practicing for their first swim meet in St. Joseph on December 4th. Head Coach Kara Liddle is excited to start the season and is pleased with how the team looks going into their second season. “We have a lot of returners, a couple of freshman, and a couple of new sophomores out as well,” Liddle said. There are seventeen swimmers and six divers out for this year’s team. “We have a really good group of girls. They’re just really awesome people. You get this many girls together and you can worry about drama. But, there’s none of that,” Liddle said. The closing of the Blue Springs YMCA has not impacted the team and their ability to practice. “Blue Springs has been really supportive in honoring our current contract, and for the foreseeable future until we have our own pool,” Liddle said. After a successful inaugural season, the team is even more prepared to face opponents this season. “We’re starting ahead of the game compared to where we were last year. Last year, 80% of our team was brand new to the sport of swimming and diving, whereas this year, most of our team is returning. I’m excited to see where we start. I think this season’s going to be really good,” Liddle said. Sophomore Diver Hayden Meyer is returning after a successful first year on the team. Meyer placed 5th at State last year. “My goal is to make it back to state again this year. Learning new dives is
always a goal, and I also have the goal of placing higher at State than I did last year,” Meyer said. Meyer was new to the sport last year, which makes her State visit even more impressive. “I did gymnastics for 10 years before this, and had about 9 months of previous diving experience before my freshman year, “ Meyer said. The challenge of early practices aren't’ an issue for Meyer. She emphasizes the mental toughness it takes to dive as the biggest challenge she faces. “Having to get over smacking really hard on the water and having to go again is probably the hardest part. It’s hard to tell yourself you can do it again. Once you know how to get off the board, you can really do any dive as long as you are mentally prepared to do so,” Meyer said. Senior swimmer Rachel Turpin is also coming back after a visit to State and has her eyes on a return trip. “My biggest challenge is trying to keep all my motivation for my last season. My goal is to return to State this year,” Turpin said. Turpin plans to head to Metropolitan Community College after graduation and then transfer to a four-year school. Turpin competes in the 200 IM, 100 Fly, and 400 Free Relay in St. Joseph on December 5th. As Turpin heads into her final year of swimming, she encourages younger students to enter the sport. “Swimming is not like any other sport. If you’re looking to try something new, you’ll never experience anything like swimming. And, we have a really good environment on the team,” Turpin said.
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Sophomore diver Hayden Meyer is working toward a return trip to State this season. Meyer placed fifth at State last year. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Senior Rachel Turpin returns with the goal of heading to State again this year. Turpin will compete in the 200 IM, 100 Fly, and 400 Free Relay in St. Joseph on December 4th.
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Sports
Page 11
Royals Revamped Roster May Include Rule 5 Selections by John Unrein
The Kansas City Royals recently chose not to tender Major League contracts to pitcher Jesse Hahn, infielders Cheslor Cuthbert, Humberto Arteaga, and Erick Mejia. This leaves the club’s 40-man roster at 36. It is not uncommon for Major League clubs to reduce their rosters at this point in the offseason in preparation for opening spots meant for additions that may occur through trade, free agent signing, or Rule 5 Draft selections. The Non-Tender candidates for the Royals are not surprising. However, they are of note as two of the players were developed within the organization and the other two were acquired via trade. Cuthbert was signed by the Royals as an international free agent from Nicaragua in 2009 for a $1.35 million signing bonus. The lifetime .250 major league hitter has struggled to stay healthy in recent years since debuting with the team in July of 2015. The club had high hopes for Cuthbert based on his swing, positive attitude, and athleticism. Arteaga also signed as an international free agent from Venezuela with the Royals in 2010. The utility player has been impressive with his glove and defensive acumen during his rise through the Royals minor league system. It’s likely the club did not view him as a piece of the puzzle moving forward due to his .197 batting average during the 2019 season. Hahn was acquired along with pitcher Heath Fillmyer from the Athletics in January of 2018 for Royals infielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Ryan Buchter. Hahn was once a promising prospect prior to experiencing UCL discomfort in his elbow with the Royals in the spring of 2018. The right handed starter battled back to appear in six games for the Royals down the stretch
in 2019 showing good velocity on his fastball. Mejia was part of the three team trade in January of 2018 that sent Royals pitchers Joakim Soria to the White Sox and Scott Alexander to the Dodgers. Mejia was valued for his switch hitting ability and defensive versatility in being able to play both second base and the outfield. The Royals apparently did not think enough of his bat and his .227 major league average during the 2019 season to keep him onboard. The Royals no doubt will turn their sights to filling out at least part of the four openings on their 40-man roster with Rule 5 Draft selections that will occur on December 12th. Team General Manager Dayton Moore has gone on record with saying he’s enamored by the affordability of cheap pitching talent that can be had during the Rule 5 process. Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller would be the most recent example of success had by the team with a Rule 5 selection. The 6-foot-5, 230 pound right hander was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in December of 2017 as a Rule 5 selection out of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization prior to being traded to the Royals for cash considerations. Keller produced some eye popping stats as a 24 year old during his second year as a starter for the Royals. The team ace would start 28 games across 165 innings before being shut down late in the season for precautionary measures as to not risk too much wear and tear on his arm. Keller would go on to strike out a respectable 122 batters with a 4.19 earned run average during the 2019 season. Not too shabby for someone who was pitching in Double A minor league baseball during the 2017 campaign. Keller highlights the low risk, high
reward scenario of the Rule 5 Draft process. According to Major League Baseball policy, any club with a spot on their 40 man roster is eligible to make a selection. Teams pick in reverse order of their record. Furthermore, baseball players on a team’s 40-man major league roster are protected from the Rule 5 Draft. To be eligible for selection, a player must either have spent four seasons in professional baseball after signing at 19 or older or spent five seasons in pro ball after signing at 18 or younger. A team that makes a selection pays a player’s previous team $100,000 and places the player on its 40-man roster. They must then keep the player on their 25-man roster or disabled list for the whole season. If the acquiring team removes the player from the big league roster, it must offer the player back to the former team for $50,000. The afore mentioned value that can be had in the Rule 5 Draft is apparent with the recent free agent signing of relief pitcher Jake Diekman. The southpaw reliever who will turn 33 next month just signed a two-year contract with the A’s good for $7.5 million guaranteed. He spent most of 2019 season with the Kansas City Royals before being traded to the A’s for two minor leaguers. Any big league team that could select a player in the Rule 5 Draft that might be able to fill the role of a player like Diekman walk away winners. Both financially and with a young player under team control for the foreseeable future. The following are three Rule 5 Draftees that the Royals could either select or trade for with another team. It’s not surprising that all three players are pitchers as the Royals need rotation depth and good young arms in their
bullpen, which was one of the worst in Major League Baseball last season. The player notes were compiled from Major League Baseball’s Prospect Pipeline and Scouting Tools. Eduard Bazardo, RHPRHP - Boston Red Sox Bazardo has been transitioned to a pure reliever at this point in his young career. His mid-90’s fastball and strong curveball are both becoming plus pitches for the young right hander. They were good enough to earn him a 2.78 ERA and 9.7 K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings) this past season in Double-A. Thomas Burrows, LHPLHP - Atlanta Braves Burrows is not an untypical minor league success story as a pitcher. He’s struggled with his command while missing bats (11.6 K/9 to go with 4.0 BB/9). The 6-Foot-1, 205 pound southpaw has something else going for him. He’s given left-handed hitters fits so far in his professional career. He’s a potential left handed specialist for someone’s bullpen. Sterling Sharp, RHPRHP- Washington Nationals Sharp has been touted the best athlete in Washington’s minor league system. He made nine starts in DoubleA ball last season prior to continuing to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Sharp’s appeal to teams is his ability to get outs and strikeouts while easily repeating his delivery. He has the strong potential to provide flexibility as a starting pitcher or bullpen depth.
Oak Grove Deer Hunter Bags Unusual Antlered Doe by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation
Brenden Marsh recently collected a lifetime-worthy tale to tell in future deer camps as well as venison and some unusual antlers. Marsh, 18, of Oak Grove, shot a doe with antlers in Lafayette County during Missouri’s November firearms deer season. Normally, only male deer, the bucks, have antlers. But genetic, hormone, and physiological anomalies occur in nature and occasionally the female does will have antlers. “There are not good percentages available for how common or uncommon does with antlers occur,” Kevyn Wiskirchen, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) private lands deer biologist said. But he added, they are “very rare.” Antlers can occur in females with
unusually high testosterone levels. In some cases, what appears to be a doe is not a true female but rather a hermaphrodite with female and male genitalia, or a male lacking external genitalia. The antlers on true females are usually still in velvet far past the time when bucks have hardened their antlers for fighting over does during the rut or mating season. Marsh’s doe had a female udder, and the antlers were still in velvet. That’s rare. But the non-typical antlers were also larger than what is usually found on a similar doe. “When I saw it, it was walking with four does, and a buck trailed 20 yards behind them,” Marsh said. When he began field dressing the deer, he noticed there was no male
genitalia. As family members arrived to help, they checked and found no sign of male glands. It weighed 165 pounds after field dressing. They counted 19 points on the antlers. Marsh has harvested a few other deer before, but not like this one. “This is definitely the biggest by far for me,” Marsh said. “It’s my first deer to take with a rifle. So, it’s quite an accomplishment.” Antlered does or anomalies such as white or albino deer occur in low numbers. But they possess poor genetic traits for survival in the wild, said Joe DeBold, MDC urban wildlife biologist. Harvesting such deer makes an unusual trophy for a hunter, but it also removes inferior genetic traits from a deer herd.
Brenden Marsh, 18, of Oak Grove, harvested this unusual antlered doe on November 24th in Lafayette County. Photo courtesy MDC.
Community Calendar Thursday, December 5, 2019
Holiday Festival Armstrong Park 6:00pm Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, visits with Santa. Free community event.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Community Nativity Viewing Faith United Methodist, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway 10:00am—2:00pm The free event is open to all. Donations of canned food will be collected for the Grain Valley Assistance Council.
Monday, December 9, 2019
Senior Coffee Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 9:00am—11:00am 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
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S. Main 6:30pm
Friday, December 13, 2019
“Making Spirits Bright” Bright” Jacomo Chorale Concert Mission Woods Community of Christ, 2800 NW Duncan Rd, Blue Springs. 7:00pm Free admission, donations accepted.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Music with Mar Monthly brain based music and movement program for children birth—5 years old. Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway 10:00am—11:00am $5/class for the family Park Board Meeting Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 7:00pm
Friday, December 20th— 20th—January 3rd Grain Valley Schools—Christmas Break
Board of Aldermen Meeting Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S Main 7:00pm
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Visit Santa Bus at First Baptist Church First Baptist Church Grain Valley 6:00pm—8:00pm
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