Valley News
January 10, 2019
www.grainvalleynews.com
District to Place $7.5 Million Bond Issue on April Ballot
The Grain Valley School Board adopted language during a January 3rd workshop which will place a $7.5 Million bond issue on the ballot in April to allow for an addition of 1 ½ classroom wings onto North Middle School and for other possible improvements in the school district. An eventual addition was planned for North Middle School when it was built in 2010. If the bond issue passes, the addition will add at least 17 classrooms, another set of student restrooms, and more parking at the school. Passage of this bond issue does not require raising the district tax levy rate of $1.7000 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property. The approved ballot language states: "Shall the Board of Education of the Grain Valley R-V School District of Jackson County, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Seven Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) for the purpose of providing funds for the site development, construction, renovation, equipping, and furnishing of a middle school addition; to complete other repairs and improvements to all school facilities; and issue bonds for the payment thereof?” If approved, construction on the middle school addition would begin in the summer of 2019 and would open by fall 2020. Additional repairs and improvements at all school facilities are mentioned in the ballot language and the district has begun to develop a list of proposed projects. “We plan to list the replacement of the artificial turf at the high school stadium as an alternate bid on this bond issue and are getting estimates on other projects that could be added to the list of alternate bids yet this spring,” Dr. Brad Welle, Deputy Superintendent, Student and Community Services said.
Vol. 2, No. 2
Good News
Grain Valley Special Olympics Brings Home Gold The Grain Valley Special Olympics 5v5 basketball team and 3v3 basketball teams brought home gold medals, and Christopher Hernandez received Gold in
the Individual Skills Competition on Saturday, January 5th during the Area Competition held in Belton, Missouri.
Assistance Council Serves Needs Year-Round Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) completed its Christmas Store in December, serving 41 families who were able to shop for presents for their children. GVAC also delivered 64 Christmas food baskets. The needs of low-income families in Grain Valley do not end at the holidays, however. Donations of boxed dinners, canned meat, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix, canned meals canned vegetables, and personal care items are always needed. Donations can be
dropped off in containers near the entrance of the Grain Valley Cosentino’s Price Chopper or delivered to GVAC. According to Site Manager Donna Compton, GVAC is planning to move to a new location in the old Nichols building near their current location at First Baptist of Grain Valley. The Nichols building was purchased by the City of Grain Valley in 2018, and GVAC will lease and renovate two units at the end of the building.
FREE
Pictured: 3v3 Grain Valley Special Olympics Basketball Team Left to Right: Coach Amanda Chrisman, Adien Chrisman, Kaleb Miller, Ashton Qualkinbush, Easton Albertson, Trinity Keel, Coach Brooke Scollin Photo credit: Amanda Chrisman
Local News
Page 2
Officers Show Up In Force to Grant Birthday Wish By all accounts, Brayden Williams is a hero. By definition, a hero is a person who is admired for courage, or noble qualities. It seems fitting then, that the very heroes he admires for their courage took a moment to celebrate his 7th birthday with him. Brayden, a first grader at Prairie Branch Elementary, has been fighting since birth. Born at 31 weeks, he endured a host of issues before his first birthday. At the age of one, an inoperable tumor was discovered and Brayden has endured multiple rounds of chemo, surgery at the age of 5, and a clinical trial which began in October. Brayden has endured all known treatments, and the family remains hopeful this clinical trial will yield positive results. Through it all, Brayden’s family focuses on enjoying fun activities as a family. “Going through something like this changes your whole outlook. None of the small stuff, like having a spotless house, matters. We focus on fun and try to spend a lot of quality time together as a family,” Julie Williams, Brayden’s mom, said. Trying to add a little fun surprise to Brayden’s birthday, Julie reached out to a family friend who is a detective in Lee’s Summit, to invite him to Brayden’s party to have cake. Brayden loves the police and Julie knew he would love to have a visit from a police officer at his party. Julie did not anticipate what would come of her simple request. Her friend made a few calls to fellow officers, and on the sunny Saturday afternoon of Brayden’s party,
Brayden Williams, a 77--year old Grain Valley resident battling brain cancer, checked out one of the vehicles local police units brought to celebrate his birthday on January 5th. Photo credit: Jackson County Sheriff’ Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies, a K-9 officer, the Sheriff’s Office tactical vehicle, representatives from Grain Valley and other local police departments, and a parade of motorcycles arrived. “We had a few neighbors either walk down or drive by to see what was going on. I think they were expecting something bad was happening,” Julie said. Brayden greeted his unexpected guests with great enthusiasm, and enjoyed checking out all the vehicles and tactical gear. After the party, one set of heroes dispersed to return to their duties and another returned inside to enjoy cake, some Xbox, and treasured time with his family.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of December 26—January 1, 2019.
December 26, 2018 1000 Block Scenic Dr 100 Block Rock Creek Ln 300 Block Front St 700 Block Main St 300 Block Rock Creek Ln 1000 Block Hickory Ct 1300 Valley Woods Ct 700 Block Main St 1000 Block Sandy Ln 700 Block Main St 400 Block Orion
Area Check Alarm Animal Transport Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Citizen Contact Noise Complaint Alarm Found Property Stealing Check the Well Being
December 27, 2018 1000 Block Sandy Ln 1600 Block High View Dr 1000 Block Sandy Ln 1200 Block RD Mize Rd Smith & Walnut Sts 100 Block Main St 100 Block Main St RD Mize/Tyer 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 100 Block Jackie Ave
Check the Well Being Burglary Check the Well Being Animal Complaint Animal at Large Area Check Disturbance Found Property Citizen Contact Fingerprints Alarm
December 28, 2018 I 70 Hwy WB 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1600 Block Nicholas 100 Block Rock Creek 1000 Block Sandy Ln 500 Block Main St 1100 Block Golfview 900 Block Stonebrook Ln 1200 Block Phelps 600 Block Yennie
Suspicious Vehicle Prisoner Transport Citizen Contact Trespassing Alarm Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Suspicious Activity Citizen Assist Suspicious Activity Alarm
December 29, 2018 100 Block SW Eagles Pkwy Greystone/Jaclyn 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Valley Ridge Jefferson/Main St 1000 Block Foxtail Dr 800 Block San Kar 7th/Broadway
Alarm Parking Complaint Citizen Assist Alarm Motorist Assist Disturbance Agency Assist (CJC) Agency Assist (OGPD)
December 30, 2018 1600 Block Nicholas 1100 Block RD Mize Rd 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Graystone 700 Block Meadowood 1200 Block Sawgrass 10th/Park
Civil Stand By Agency Assist (CJC) Citizen Assist Suspicous Vehicle Stealing 911 Hang Up Agency Assist (OGPD)
December 31, 2018 1200 Block Ashley Ln 700 Block Main St 700 Block Crestview 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 200 Block Front St 200 Block Rock Creek Dr 1100 Block Baytree Lee Ann/Gateway 1200 Block Phelps Dr 1200 Block NW Burr Oak Ln 400 Block Europa 700 Block Main St
Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Citizen Assist Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Suspicious Activity Fireworks Suspicious Vehicle Fireworks Burglary Alarm Disturbance Citizen Contact
January 1, 2019 1600 Block NW Hilltop 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1400 Blcok NW Willow Dr 700 Block Main St 100 Block Buckner Tarsney
Alarm Citizen Contact Warrant Service Citizen Assist Citizen Contact Alarm
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 Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com
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Page 3
Local Wedding Vendors Offer Advice to Newly Engaged Couples The festive, family-filled holiday season is an increasingly popular time to pop the question, resulting in the new year rush to plan the perfect nuptials. According to WeddingWire’s 2018 Newlywed Report, Christmas Day is the most popular day for engagements, with Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve following closely behind. Throughout the year, the study shows proposals ranging between 7%-9% per month, but in December, the number spikes to 16%. Once the excitement of the engagement wears off, couples begin the equally exciting but often overwhelming task of planning the perfect wedding day. Valley News recently talked with two local wedding experts to seek their advice for newly engaged couples. Laurie Hatfield, Owner and Event Planner of Acquaint Gathering, a historic wedding venue in Grain Valley, emphasizes that “communication is key”. “Before you visit with a wedding venue or vendor, make sure you have a list of questions and discussion points, and a budget worked out,” Hatfield said. Diana Luppens, photographer and owner of Switch Focus Studios, agrees that communication between the couple and with vendors is essential. “I would encourage newly engaged couples to talk with each other and make this your day. It is the one day that is all about them, and there will be a lot of people trying to suggest things for the wedding. They need to do what they want to do and have the entire day represent their love,” Luppens said. Part of the planning process is deciding on the type of wedding the couple envisions. Both Hatfield and Luppens advise couples to tread carefully when looking to Pinterest for inspiration. “Every wedding planner loves and loathes Pinterest. Pinterest can provide great vision, but people often believe
that they or their vendors can recreate elaborate themes and decorations. Brides also tend to think that they can pull off a DIY wedding and do a lot of the work.” “This can create a lot of stress and brides often underestimate the cost and time involved with DIY projects. Brides need to be realistic about what is going to work, and also realize that many of the small details they obsess over will not be noticed by your guests,” Hatfield said. “There are a lot of DIY ideas on Pinterest. Some turn out great and others do not turn out so well. Pinterest boards can be a great peek into a vision for a wedding but sometimes cannot be duplicated very well,” Luppens said. Once couples decide on the type of wedding they envision, and the budget is set, the search for a venue and vendors can begin. Hatfield encourages couples to focus on their photographer and DJ once the venue has been secured. “The DJ and photographer are the most important vendors to consider if you want to have a good reception. I really advise against leaning on a friend or relative to handle photography. I have seen this not work out many times, and you cannot recreate the memories a good photographer will capture.” “And if you want to have a good reception, get a good DJ. They really help move the party along and skimping on this by leaning on a friend or just plugging in a playlist can really backfire,” Hatfield said. In looking for a photographer, Luppens suggests couples ask for references or read reviews from other couples and book a photographer well in advance. “Book your venue then your photographer before they get booked with someone else. Many photographers are booked out a year in advance,” Luppens said.
Photo credit: Diana Luppens, Switch Focus Studios Luppens also cautions couples who are thinking about enlisting a family member or friend to photograph their wedding in an effort to save money. “You don’t get do overs in a wedding, and you’ll want these pics for years to come. I can’t tell you the number of times I hear stories about devastated couples hating their wedding pictures because they decided to let someone inexperienced save them some money. There are ways to cut costs in weddings but do not cut photography,” Luppens said. In addition to the DIY trends, Luppens said she is seeing an increase in the number of couples who are looking outside of the popular Saturday time slot to save on reception costs. “A recent trend I’ve seen is choosing a Sunday or some Friday dates and getting small discounts for non-peak dates from vendors,” Luppens said. Beyond the DJ and photography, Hatfield said the venue can recommend vendors for catering, decorations, and other reception needs.
Cap Collection Continues for Community Benches
Photo credit: Green Tree Plastics A community wide effort to transform caps and lids headed for the landfill into community benches is off to a strong start. D.A.R.E. Officer Daniel Iiams launched the program in October and plans to continue the program with D.A.R.E. students this semester. At last count, Iiams said students and
residents have collected over 175 pounds of caps and lids. Iiams anticipates he will have enough collected to have a bench made in the next month. Green Tree Plastics outside of St. Louis offers the program and works with schools and youth related groups across the country through their ABC Program, to teach children about caring for the earth and green living. Students collect plastic lids and caps which are generally not recyclable through traditional residential and business recycling services. These lids and caps are delivered to Green Tree to be transformed into benches for parks, schools, and community use. This project is no small feat. One bench takes hundreds of pounds of collected caps and lids. Iiams hopes to use this project to show students how small changes can add up to something positive. D.A.R.E. students at each of the
district’s elementary schools will be collecting caps and lids for the project. Additionally, residents may also support the program by dropping of caps and lids to the Police Department Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Iiams would like the project to continue beyond this school year, providing benches to schools, churches, and community sites throughout Grain Valley. D.A.R.E., a nationwide program that introduces elementary school children to the dangers of drugs and alcohol, along with exposing youth to a positive interaction with law enforcement officials, is supported by Jackson County COMBAT. The Community Backed AntiCrime Tax (COMBAT) is utilized to fight substance abuse and drug-related crime in Jackson County. Jackson County voters first approved the tax in 1989.
“The Knot (theknot.com) is a great resource and will help couples find vendors,” Luppens suggested. Hatfield also advises couples to remember gratuities to vendors in their budgets. “Couples remember to tip the typical vendors such as DJs, limo drivers, and a gift for the officiant, but often don’t realize that vendors such as the catering staff do not include gratuity in their invoices. It is important to remember to budget for a tip for these important vendors,” Hatfield said. Laurie Hatfield with Acquaint Gathering can be reached at 816-5986001 or laurie@acquaintgathering.com. Acquaint Gathering is located at 512 Capelle. More information on the venue can be found at www.acquaintgathering.com. Diana Luppens with Switch Focus Studios can be reached at 816-8098868 or online at www.switchfocusstudios.com.
ACCEPTABLE CAPS- Caps with
recycle #’s 2, 4, or 5, medicine
bottle caps, drink bottle caps (soda, water, juice, sport drinks, milk jug caps), flip-top caps (such as lids
from ketchup bottles), detergent
caps, spout caps (found on mustard
bottles), hair spray caps, spray paint caps, toothpaste caps, ointment
tube caps, deodorant caps, baby
food caps, apple sauce pouch caps, shampoo/conditioner caps.
ACCEPTABLE LIDS- Lids with recycle #’s 2, 4, or 5, cottage cheese
container lids, whipped topping
container lids, plastic jar lids, coffee can lids, yogurt lids, peanut butter jar lids, butter container lids, ice
cream bucket lids under 8", plastic chip cannister lids.
Business News
Page 4
Business Profile:
Grain Valley Chiropractic
Dr. Cathy Dowd, owner of Grain Valley Chiropractic, has seen tremendous growth of her business since she first decided to test the market in Grain Valley in 2017. After initially taking a portable table to clients’ homes, she found herself needing a dedicated office space within months. She now finds herself looking to expand again, and her office is currently being expanded into a recently vacant storefront next to her current office. The new space will allow for a larger waiting room, dedicated office space for front line staff, and an office for an additional chiropractor. Dowd became a chiropractor as a mid-career move brought on by the recession. “I had always wanted to be a chiropractor, but it involves eight years of additional education. As a single mother, this wasn’t an option, so I got a job as an associate actuary,” Dowd said. When the recession hit, Dowd lost her job and took the opportunity to pursue her dream. She completed her degree from Cleveland University – Kansas City, and took the leap to start her own practice in Grain Valley in 2017. Dowd’s daughter is also a chiropractor, and recently opened her own practice in Oak Grove. Dowd specializes in spinal decompression, which is a manual chiropractic technique designed to reduce pressure on the spine by a gentle, hands-on manipulation of the spine using the flexion distraction spinal decompression technique. This non-surgical method uses a speciallydesigned flexion distraction table to help the doctor manipulate the spine to aid in decompression. Dr. Anschutz, an experienced chiropractor and mentor of Dr. Dowd’s, has joined her office and brings expertise in functional medicine. Dowd is focused on working with patients to find the causation of their symptoms and/or pain, so she can not only administer treatments but help determine what patterns to change to keep the issue from continuing. Dowd explains that patients of all ages can benefit from chiropractic treatment, and she speaks with enthusiasm about the variety of conditions that can be improved naturally through chiropractic care. From back pain, neck pain, headache, pain in the extremities, and problems brought on by injuries such as whiplash, chiropractors are trained in nutrition and exercise, and offer a range of services and advice to alleviate symptoms and help patients get to the root cause of the problem.
Business News is provided weekly by the Grain Valley Partnership, whose mission is to be a leader in the growth of Grain Valley. The Grain Valley Partnership is located at 1450 SW Eagles Parkway, and can be reached by phone, 816-443-5162 or via email at info@growgrainvalley.org.
Learn more about the Partnership: www.growgrainvalley.org
Upcoming Partnership Events: After Hours at Andrist Agency Thur Jan 10 2019, 5:00pm—7:00pm K9 Diversity Grand Opening Sat Jan 12 2019, Noon—12:30pm 515 Main Street Dr. Cathy Dowd, owner of Grain Valley Chiropractic LLC, began her practice in Grain Valley in 2017. Her practice has quickly grown, and an office expansion currently underway will allow for additional office space and additional services for patients. Grain Valley Chiropractic is located at 203 South Main in Grain Valley and can 816--443 443--5485. be reached by phone at 816 For more information, visit www.grainvalleychiro.com. www.grainvalleychiro.com.
January Coffee Connection Fri Jan 18 2019, 8:00am—9:00am Cosentino’s Price Chopper
Exclusively Dogs KC Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Wed Jan 30 2019 11:00am 1060 NE McQuerry Rd, Ste. F February Luncheon Tue Feb 5 2019, 11:30am - 1:00pm After Hours at Sandra Dee’ Dee’s Gifts Thur Feb 21 2019, 5:00pm—7:00pm
For more information on membership and upcoming Partnership events, visit www.growgrainvalley.org or call Tasha Lindsey, 816-443-5162.
Dowd also treats several student athletes and has seen positive results for her patients who run track, cross country or compete in sports such as volleyball. Dr. Dowd understands how terrifying it can be to make the leap to start a business and advises entrepreneurs to do their research, study their market, and work on making connections. “The Grain Valley Partnership has been an amazing resource for my business, and it is a great way to meet people and market your business,” Dowd said. Grain Valley Chiropractic is located at 203 South Main in Grain Valley and can be reached by phone at 816-443-5485. For more information, visit www.grainvalleychiro.com.
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Partnership Members:
As a member, you are entitled to a sponsored article on your business and a 10% discount on Valley News advertising. To request an article or for more information on advertising opportunities, contact Cory Unrein, 816-809-7984 or news@grainvalleynews.com.
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Community Voices
Page 5
Musings from the Middle
The Search by Cathy Allie
I am going to start logging the hours I spend searching for things I have lost. There is a good chance I will lose the log and also have to search for it, but a morbid curiosity makes me want to know just how much time I have rummaged through drawers, retraced my steps, sorted through stacks, scoured memories, and finally mourned the losses. Most of the misplaced items are things that should be somewhere logical, where I should have put them, when I should have been tidying up. A cherished sorority sister’s address is floating around my house right now, not tucked neatly in my fastidiously kept address book. I will find it weeks from now, perhaps used as a book mark or nestled in with some recipes or coupons I thought I needed clipped out. By then I will have lost the card I intended to send her. Other lost items are things I use infrequently, so I have determined the perfect place for them so that the next time I use them, I can find them readily. Except that they are not ever in the place where I would have put them. I am not above blaming the ones who live with me. “Did you move the pineapple corer?” I say. “It is not in the utensil cabinet.” Most of the time they don’t even justify the question with a response. Neither of them have never cut a pineapple, nor would they have the foggiest notion how.
My favorite phrase to mutter when I can’t quite put my hands on a lost something is, “I swear it was just right here!”. My least favorite phrase to hear in response to not being able to find something is, “Well, where is the last place you had it?” My highest percentage of losses are receipts. Thankfully, many of them are now emailed or texted to me, and the snowy white pile of paper is lessening. I heard someone complaining about all the information they ask you for when you make a purchase now, but not me. “Can I have your phone number? Can I send you an email receipt? Can you share your first born’s eating habits? Can you tell me what cabinet you are most likely to hurriedly stick things into when company is coming so I can later help you find lost items?” Yes, yes, yes, yes. Some of the things I have misplaced are names and dates and faces. Having taught school for many years, I interacted with lots and lots and lots of students and their families. For many years, I would see a familiar face at the movies or the grocery store and in a hot minute the student’s name, and often the names of siblings or where dad worked all came back to me. As of late, I will sometimes feel someone smiling at me, or see someone waving, and I know I should know him or her, but the old synapses just aren’t clicking as quickly, and I search for the
name to match the face. It has made for some joyous reunions when I figure it out, and likewise, some embarrassing moments when I can’t. “I was surprised to hear your brother had married Brooke with all the tiffs they had when they were young,” I said recently, to a handsome young man who had embraced me at a store. “It was actually me that married Brooke,” he said. “We just celebrated our anniversary with our three kids by taking a cruise.” Sometimes it is okay not to remember who is who. Other things I have lost and still search for once in a while are a little bit more metaphorical—a sense of wonder, a sense of adventure, and my youth to name a few. I have a friend who will be riding with me in the car and will say things like, “I wonder how they got that steeple up on that church?” or “I wonder how many chicken nuggets that place serves a day?” I turn the radio up a little louder so she cannot hear me say I couldn’t care any less. My husband’s sense of adventure is still relatively settled in place, as evidenced by his recent Google search. He seriously said to me the other day that he had been looking for hiking trails in or near Mount Rushmore for us. He is a prankster of sorts, so I laughed and asked for the punchline, only to find out he really had been looking.
I have longevity on my side of the house, so my only logical thought is that he intends to take me on a hike, where I will die from exertion, and he will inherit… all our debt, I suppose. “Where is your sense of adventure?” he says. I just tried a different menu item at our favorite Mexican food joint last week, I think, but down deep, I know I have lost that sense of adventure. I only need the mirror to remind me that I have lost my youth, replaced by a wizened old gal who should have known on a recent outing with girlfriends it wasn’t smart to dance until late into the night, much less have a hearty wee hours of the morning greasy spoon breakfast after our night out. Some people and many hymns talk about reuniting with family and friends in Heaven, and I am down for that for sure (just hoping I am having a good hair week when my call comes). But how cool would it be if you could also just walk up to a sort of oldfashioned library card catalog and see all your lost items, neatly arranged via the Dewey Decimal system, and crossreferenced just for good measure. Lost Candle Holders: see also Holiday Décor, Mostly Never Used, Items, and Fancy Stuff. Wouldn’t it be delightful? Excuse me now. I have to search for the email address to send this column. Can’t seem to find it, but it seems like it was just right here.
Looking Back: Kirby Road and E.E. Kirby Road: Two Generations in Jackson County by Marcia Napier Grain Valley Historical Society
Several descendants of the Kirby family settled in Jackson County during the mid-1800s. They immigrated here from Warren County Kentucky. William Robert Kirby (May 6, 1831-January 7, 1907) left Kentucky in 1854 and spent three years in Texas before coming to Fort Osage Township in 1857. He remained for a few years before gold fever enticed him to spend three years in California from 1865 to 1868. He returned to Pink Hill and on October 7, 1868 he married Susan Rebecca Capelle (April 29, 1841-January 25, 1918). The Kirby family lived on a 120-acre farm on Kirby Road which runs north and south and crosses Pink Hill Road 2 ½ miles northeast of Grain Valley. Mr. Kirby was a successful farmer and for many years a school board director, presumably for the Pink Hill School. William and Susan raised four children;
Durwood Britton, Truston, Edward Early, and Sally. They were charter members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church at Pink Hill. Edward E Kirby (1870-1937) moved from Pink Hill to land acquired land from his maternal grandfather, Britton Capelle near the present-day East Kansas City Airport. When the town of Grain Valley was surveyed in 1878 his land was on the western edge, so the road in front of his home became E. E. Kirby Road. On April 4, 1898 Eddie married Hattie Moss Smith (Smith Street is a few blocks to the east of the airport). They had two children: Lena Rue in 1901 and Charles E. in 1905. By 1920 the E. E. Kirby family had moved to Independence as E. E. Kirby was the Jackson County Clerk. Later they had had a small fruit orchard on Blue Ridge Boulevard in Brookings Township (Raytown).
Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society Front Row: William Robert Kirby, Susan Rebecca (Capelle) Kirby Second Row: E. E. Kirby, Durwood Britton Kirby, Truston Kirby, Sally Kirby (Slaughter)
The next meeting of the Grain Valley Historical Society will be held January 24th beginning at 6:00pm with a potluck dinner.
10am— Society’’s website, The Grain Valley Historical Society Museum, located at 510 Main Street, is open Wednesdays from 10am —3pm and by appointment. Visit the Historical Society www.grainvalleyhistory.com, and follow the Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@grainvalleyhistory).
Community Voices
Page 6 Wayne’s World
The Downsizing of Wayne’s World by Wayne Geiger
I may be dating myself, but in the mideighties, John Cougar Mellencamp sang a song called, “Small Town.” It was a catchy tune, but for me it was melody with meaning. I wasn’t born in a small town, but rather the big city. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Home of year-round sunshine, great beaches, big buildings, and the state bird, the mosquito, the Sunshine State was my home until I went away to college in New Orleans in my upper 20s. The big city was all that I knew. I didn’t know that I didn’t know any different. It’s just the way it was. In Miami, there were always things to see and places to go, and they were open twenty-four hours a day. Of course, getting to those places quickly was a problem. There was always traffic—even late at night. Miami was a popular place. I was always amazed to see so many out-oftown license plates clogging up the roads. Snowbirds, we called them. These people owned two homes. “One up north and one down south” they would say. I had never actually seen snow or experienced cold temperatures, so it really didn’t make sense to me. I secretly wanted to get a bumper sticker that read, “when I retire, I’m going to move up north and drive slow.” I have since relented, sympathize
with their dilemma, and understand their decision. Moving to New Orleans in 1990, Kansas City in 2001, and my eventual migration to Grain Valley in 2015 unleashed a seismic culture shock in more ways than one. One of the first things I noticed when I moved to the Midwest was that people were so friendly. That may sound weird if you’ve never lived anywhere else. But I was used to going out, ignoring others, and being ignored. It’s just the culture of the way it was. I remember, after moving to the Midwest, being in a local store and having a complete stranger make small talk with me while waiting in line. I was shocked and a little unnerved. I later relayed the story to my wife saying, “this complete stranger talked to me and I didn’t even know them!” I’ve now made not only the physical move, but also a mental and emotional shift. I’ve put down some roots now. The lure of bright lights and endless concrete has since faded into obscurity. I’ve become immersed and ingrained in the culture. To be honest, I love living in the “small town” of Grain Valley. I can sing along with Mellencamp with clarity and conviction. A small town is like a family, and every family has triumphs and trials. We have a chance to get up close and personal. We get to know our leaders
and our neighbors. We have our high points like the yearly carnival and parades. I especially love fall Friday night football games in the “Valley of the Grain.” We come together to cheer on the Eagles, see our kids play in the band, and dance their hearts out on the field. We lay aside our petty differences and come together for something greater—a sense of community pride. Every family has its problems, too. We have our politics, pollution, and potholes. Thanks to social media, we have a closeup, play-by-play description of the latest backbiting, bitterness, and brawls. We have plenty of time to read these posts on our mobile devices while waiting for the train to move. These disagreements should remind us of something greater—a passion for our community. Unfortunately, at times, when we care about something so passionately, we can also disagree vehemently. Community is built upon the marriage of history and camaraderie. According to archival records with Jackson County, the name Grain Valley is “descriptive of its location in a fertile grain-growing valley.” Our city came into being because of the railroad. In the document, “A History of Grain Valley,” by Michael Gillespie, Grain Valley, like neighboring cities, “came into being as land speculators platted
townsites at each of the planned station locations along the C&A right-of -way. The C&A had a say in naming most of the new towns along the line, including Grain Valley.” How interesting. The same train that we complain about when it stops on the tracks hindering our forward progress is the same entity that birthed our city and gave us a name. As Morpheus said in The Matrix, “Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony.” Having lived here for just over three years, I have very little actual history here. However, in this short amount of time, I do have a deep sense of community and camaraderie. This small town is my home. Where else can you see chickens hanging out at Sonic, goats running down the road on Dean off Sin-a-Bar, and a local alderman, dog in tow, patrolling the neighborhood of the city she loves so passionately? In the big city that’s big news. In our community, it’s just another day in the Valley of the Grain. Having lived elsewhere, I recognize that life is not perfect, but life in the Valley is good.
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Church Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech at Johnson Country Community College, and a freelance writer.
4 Ways to Make Your Holiday Tech Gifts Last Forever
by Burton Kelso, Chief Technology Expert, Integral Computer Consultants I'm sure you got some cool smart devices from Santa and your loved ones this Christmas and Holiday season. For most of us, smartphones, tablets, laptops and other smart devices have become an integral part to our home, school, and work lives. It's safe to say that we are dependent on them, and it can be very stressful when they stop working. Our tech devices are a big investment, so it's best to take steps to keep them working and out of your basement or junk drawer. To get the most out of your holiday tech gifts, it makes sense to protect your gadgets from avoidable damage and breakdowns. These helpful tips will help you extend the life of gadgets. 1. Understand the life of your device versus the life of the battery. Did you know the average life of a
smartphone, tablet or laptop is 4 to 5 years, but the average battery life is 2 to 3 years? Many people will sell their tech devices when they fail to hold a charge. Save hundreds on spending money on a new device when you can replace the battery. Check out Amazon's Cell Phone Replacement web site to get replacement batteries. Keep in mind some tech devices need to have the expertise of an expert to replace the battery, but even if you have to pay labor for the replacement for a battery, it's still cheaper than buying a new device. 2. Get a Protective Case or Bag. I like the sleek look of Android and iPhones and never get a case for mine. I know how to replace the screens on these devices, so it's not really a big deal if I drop mine. Do as I say and not as I do and get a protective case for your smart device. Otterbox (www.otterbox.com) offers a wide variety of cases from sleek to bulky. Need protection for your laptop, checkout Swissgear
(www.swissgear.com) for bags that not only fits your laptop but also provides padding for bottom, side AND top as well as a waterproof outer. 3. Don't Keep Your Devices in Extreme Temperatures. All device manufacturers have optimal operating temperatures for all of their devices. Most tech manufactures recommends using your gadgets between 32 and 95 degrees. Extreme temperatures can shorten the life of your devices, so don’t leave that laptop, tablet or smartphone locked in a hot car and don't store your devices for an extended period of time in an unheated car. Also, laptops should not be placed for very long on your lap, bedding or pillow. This will block the cooling vents and cause the laptop to overheat. Visit Lapdesk (www.lapdesk.com) to get items that will give you a flat, even surface to work. If you have to work out in the extreme cold with a smartphone or tablet, keep them close to you to be warmed by your body. Extreme cold can make your batteries drain quickly and screens are much more likely to
crack. 4. Don't purchase Generic Chargers. That charger you purchased for your device could be killing your device. Generic chargers are usually made with shoddy parts and don't have regulators built into them that can sense when your laptop, smartphone, or tablet battery no longer needs charging. When you need to get a new charger, only purchase one from the manufacturer of your device. If you have any questions about your technology and your devices, please feel free to contact us. Our friendly tech experts at Integral are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. I'm the Chief Technology Expert at Integral. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn , and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I can be reached by email at burton@integralcomputerconsultants.com
Sports
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Slow Start and Injuries Lead to Eagles Loss Versus Hornets by John Unrein
The Eagles Boys Basketball Team dropped a home game against the Hornets of North Kansas City Friday, January 4th by a score of 38-59. Missed baskets and turnovers hurt Grain Valley in the first half. The Eagles were able to capitalize on transition baskets as well as driving to the hoop during the first two
quarters of action making the half time score 11-27 in favor of the Hornets. North Kansas City capitalized on a pick and roll offense at the top of the lane that yielded open looks at the basket. They were also successful at contesting Grain Valley’s shots. One of these occurred under the goal early in the first quarter,
Junior Forward Gavin Oyler contributed with his strong hustle and defense throughout the game. Photo credit: John Overstreet
leading to the Eagle’s Kevin Gutierrez injuring his leg and exiting the game. Junior Guard Danthony Pennington opened the second half with a torrid display of scoring. His trio of three pointers as well as a goal after a determined drive to the lane maintained the Hornets lead at the end of the third quarter, with a score of 27-44. Grain Valley Sophomore Forward Cole Keller was active during the second half, including a basket under the goal off an inbound pass. He was joined by Junior Forward Josh Kilpatrick whose aggressive play allowed for a successful coast to coast drive with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Kilpatrick was not done, as he continued to surge toward the basket resulting in two made free throws on a foul and a fruitful two-point drive with five and three minutes left respectively in the final quarter. Caden Matlon did yeoman’s work as the Eagles primary point guard on the night after the injury to Gutierrez. He was effective in getting the ball up the court, finding the open man on offense with his passing, and adding scoring off drives and jump shots. Matlon went on to hurt his foot in second half and was unable to continue. Junior Forward Gavin Oyler also contributed with his strong hustle and defense throughout the game.
Eagles Boys Basketball Head Coach Andy Herbert offered his thoughts after the game. “North Kansas City is well coached and played well. We didn’t start the game the way we wanted to. Obviously, the injuries to both of our point guards took us out of our rhythm. Hopefully, we’ll get them back soon and we can continue to gather momentum as we head into the Pleasant Hill Tournament.” The boys basketball team will head to Pleasant Hill to face off in their tournament starting Tuesday, January 8.
Junior Josh Kilpatrick secures the basketball under the Eagles goal. Photo credit: John Overstreet
Wylie has been an Anchor along the Chiefs Offensive Line by John Unrein
It’s been said that it doesn’t matter how you get to the NFL, just that you seize the opportunity provided upon your arrival. Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Lineman Andrew Wylie has done just that. The second-year guard broke into the National Football League in 2017 after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens before bouncing to the Indianapolis Colts roster prior to ending up with the Chiefs. Wylie’s effort has been impressive this season. He was one of the stars of Chiefs training camp. He’s played in all sixteen games and has started at right guard during the final ten weeks of the regular season after the leg injury to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Furthermore, Wylie was recently recognized by the Chiefs as their Rookie of the Year, winning the prestigious Mack Lee Hill Award. This recognition holds a special place in Chiefs lore. Mack Lee Hill played two seasons at running back for Kansas City (1964-1965) prior to passing away after knee surgery in December two days after a game against the Buffalo Bills. Wylie’s recognition in winning this award was determined by a vote of his teammates, not a token of respect to be
held lightly. Wylie is currently ranked as the 38th best guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. The 24-year-old has proved durable throughout the season, adding to the phrase that your best ability is often your availability. The 6’ 6” three hundred- and ninepound lineman may not be playing his best position along the offensive line either. Wylie starred collegiately at Eastern Michigan as an offensive tackle and was used primarily at that spot as a reserve for the Chiefs prior to Tardif’s injury. Surprisingly enough, Wylie was not invited to the NFL combine, despite being recognized with All-MAC Conference Honors and starting 44 games at Eastern Michigan in helping to propel his alma mater to its first bowl game in 29 years during his senior campaign. However, NFL teams could not ignore the numbers Wylie put up during his pro day in the spring of 2017. His numbers turned the heads of professional scouts. He bench pressed 340 pounds, along with posting a 4.5 second 20-yard shuttle, a 9-foot-7-inch broad jump, and a 34-inch vertical leap. This performance would have placed him near the top of all offensive
lineman at the NFL combine. Wylie’s tenacious play in the trenches is what has been most impressive. He plays to the end of the whistle, often getting under the skin of his opponents. This was apparent during the Chiefs Week 14 matchup at Arrowhead against Baltimore during the regular season. The Ravens defense was unnerved by Wylie’s use of leverage in the run game as well as his final hand placements in pass protection. Usually it’s the Ravens’ opponents that take exception to their physical play, not the other way around. No one has accused Wylie of being a dirty player. On the contrary, the pushing and shoving that occurs with Wylie after the play has been because they know its going to be a long day against number 77 for the Chiefs. Wylie’s emergence could not have come at a better time for
Kansas City. The interior offensive line has seen it’s share of injuries this season. Mitch Morse has missed time with a concussion. Cam Erving recently has been in and out of the lineup due to a knee injury. Tardif was on his way to a potential pro bowl season prior to breaking his fibula. The Kansas City Chiefs need Wylie to continue to be an anchor of continuity to help propel the team through the playoffs.
Community Calendar January 14, 2019 Board of Alderman Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main
January 28, 2019 Board of Alderman Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main
January 15, 2019 Park Board Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main
February 2, 2019 Father/Daughter Valentine Dance 7:00pm—9:00pm Grain Valley Community Center Tickets are limited and must be prepurchased online at https:// grainvalley.recdesk.com. The last day to register is Monday, January 28th. Registration is $18 for father and daughter; additional daughters are $7/each.
Winter Reading Challenge Mid-Continent Public Library Registration begins January 15th. Register online at www.mymcpl.org. January 19, 2019 Firearms Basic Care and Cleaning: Pistol Only 9:00am—11:30am Lake City Shooting Range, 28505 E Truman Road 816-249-3194 January 21, 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day City Hall closed; Grain Valley Schools closed. January 24, 2019 Grain Valley Historical Society Meeting 6:00pm potluck; program follows. Grain Valley Historical Society Museum, 506 South Main www.grainvalleyhistory.com
February 4, 2019 Book Group Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley 6:30pm—7:30pm www.mymcpl.org February 5, 2019 Stranger Reads Book Club 6:30pm—7:30pm www.mymcpl.org February 11, 2019 Board of Alderman Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main Add your community event online at www.grainvalleynews.com.
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