Valley News
MARCH 26, 2020
www.grainvalleynews.com
Residents Directed To Stay In Place, Schools Remain Closed Through April 24th An executive order by Jackson County directed residents to stay at home except for essential needs beginning Tuesday, March 24th. The order, similar to those being issued throughout the country, intends to help “flatten the curve” of coronavirus infections in the area. The order is in place for 30 days, at which time the need will be reassessed. Grain Valley Schools joined other area districts in extending their closure through at least April 24th. All school district facilities remain closed for
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Grain Valley Residents Give Back To Help Those In Need
student or community use for the duration of the school closure. All activities and practices are canceled during the school closure. The district stated the Valley Kids before and after school program remains closed, but they are exploring the possibility of providing daycare for children of parents and guardians in the medical professions and other first responders in the community. The district will begin its Grab and Go lunch program for families begins on Monday and will proceed as planned.
see ORDER on page 9
Board of Aldermen Meets Virtually, Approves Old Towne Rezoning It was business as usual for the March 23rd Board of Aldermen meeting, even though the Council Chambers was empty. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Aldermen for the first time conducted business via tele-conference, with public access to the meeting available through dial-in access. Despite the occasional dog bark, the meeting proceeded in usual fashion. The Board approved an ordinance changing the zoning on approximately 1.2 Acres from Downtown Transition Zone to R-3P (Multi-Family Residential District Planned Overlay District) and
approximately 1.9 Acres from C-1 (Central Business District) to R-3P (Multi-Family Residential District-Planned Overlay District), approving the preliminary development plan for the Lofts at Old Towne Marketplace. The development, located at 201 SW Eagles Parkway, will consist of 154 rental units and a mixed-use indoor amenity center. The development includes demolition of the building that previously contained the former Patricia’s Foods and Hardware store. A new four-story building (Building A)
see BOARD on page 3
Grain Valley residents have reached out in formal and informal ways in the past week to help those feeling the impact of the stay in place orders imposed as a result of COVID-19. For instance, Grain Valley Chiropractic presented the Grain Valley Assistance Council a check for over $500 on March 25th.
Fundraising from Grain Valley Chiropractic patients and the general public continues online via the business’s Facebook page. Photo L to R: Cathy Dowd, DC, and Donna Compton, Grain Valley Assistance Council. Photo courtesy of Grain Valley Chiropractic.
The Grain Valley Historical Society requests your assistance in documenting this historic time in our community. Your stories and photos are
encouraged via Grain Valley Historical Society’s Facebook page (@grainvalleyhistory) or may be sent by email to news@grainvalleynews.com.
A Request To Preserve Our History
Page 2
Jackson County Food Inspection Report Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days: Sushi Avenue 1191 NE Mc Querry Rd. The storage shelves that hold clean utensils had an accumulation of food debris. Correct by 4/24/2020 Valley Pub & Patio 640 NW Yennie St. Chemical spray bottle at the bar was not labeled. Corrected on site. Employee labeled the spray bottle. Several containers inside the make table cooler did not have a use by date. Corrected on site. Employee labeled the containers. The gaskets and the floor base of the reach in cooler are torn and in disrepair. Correct by 4/26/2020. Casey's General Store #2209 1251 AA Highway Container of opened egg salad had no date marking. Corrected on site. Manager placed expiration date on the egg salad. Clean utensils were stored while still being dirty with stuck on food debris. Corrected on site. Utensils were cleaned and sanitized by manager. The inside of the handles to the pizza reach in cooler at the make table had stuck on food debris. Missing ceiling tile in the back storage area. Correct by 5/5/2020. Cheezteak Company 1452 SW Eagles Parkway Mouse traps were uncovered. Corrected on site. Manager discarded all mouse traps. 1. Soda nozzles had a buildup of residue. Corrected on site. Manager cleaned and sanitized all nozzles. 2. All three can openers had stuck on food debris. Corrected on site. Manager cleaned all can openers. 3. Knife magnet had stuck on food debris. Corrected on site. Manager cleaned the knife magnet. 4. The meat containers in the pull-out drawer cooler under the grill has an accumulation of dried food debris. Corrected on site. The containers were taken out and cleaned and sanitized by
the manager. Uncovered vegetable containers in the reach in cooler. Correct by 5/5/2020. 1. The reach in cooler and the reach in freezer has an accumulation of dried food debris. 2nd repeat violation. 2. The reach in cooler to the make table that is not is use, has an accumulation of debris behind the lid, and soil residues in the bottom of the cooler. Manager stated they no longer use that reach in make table cooler. 3. The pull-out drawer coolers under the grill has an accumulation of food debris. Correct by 5/5/2020. The floors under all equipment has an accumulation of dust, dirt and other debris. Correct by 5/5/2020. Mactan Asian Market 1438 SW Eagles Parkway No violations recorded. Inspection date 3/6/2020. Essex of Grain Valley 401 SW Rock Creek Lane Shelled eggs were being stored above ready to eat foods in the fridge. Corrected on site. Employee moved the eggs to another fridge and placed them on the bottom shelf. Package of opened raw sausage was stored in the fridge without any date markings. Corrected on site. Employee was unaware of the open and thaw dates so the item was discarded. The handles on the tops of the drawers have accumulation of dried food debris/ crumbs. Repeat violation. Shelled eggs were being stored above ready to eat foods in the fridge. Corrected on site. Employee moved the eggs to another fridge and placed them on the bottom shelf. Opened package of raw sausage was being stored in the fridge without any date markings. Corrected on site. Employee was unaware of the open date of the food the food was then discarded by employee. America’ America’s Best Value Inn 105 Sunny Lane Drive Soap was not provided at the hand sink. Corrected on site. Single-service cups were being stored on the floor. Corrected on site.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police
Department daily calls for service log for the week of March 11-17, 2020.
1300 Block Brentwood 700 Block Main St I 70 Hwy 600 Block Gateway Main St/Broadway 800 Block Capelle
Agency Assist (Harrisonville PD) Missing Juvenile Citizen Contact Traffic Control for MSHP Unattended Death Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Activity
400 Block Laura Ln 600 Block Par 1400 Block Minter Way 1300 Block Blue Branch
Agency Assist (OGPD) Motor Vehicle Accident Stealing From Building Stealing From Motor Vehicle Check the Well Being Suspicious Person Alarm Civil Stand By
March 15, 2020 West City Limits 700 Block Main St 1300 Block Linwood 17000 E Truman Rd 600 Block Broadway 1300 Block Graystone Cir 700 Block Main St AA Hwy/Minter Rd
Prisoner Transport Recovered Stolen Vehicle Alarm Agency Assist K9 (IPD) Civil Stand By Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Activity Check the Well Being
March 13, 2020 1000 Block McQuerry 700 Block Crestview Terr BB Hwy/I 70 900 Bloc Deer Creek 600 Block EE Kirby 1400 Block Eagles Pkwy 800 Block Cross Creek Brentwood/Rosewood 1200 Block Golfview
Suspicious Person Suspicious Activity Motor Vehicle Accident Disturbance Suspicious Activity Suspicious Person Suspicious Person Suspicious Vehicle Shots Fired
March 16, 2020 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney Rd 2100 Block Dillingham 1200 Block Valley Ridge Dr 600 Block Broadway 700 Block Main St 200 Block Parker 1700 Block Nicholas 1300 Block Greystone Cir
Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Alarm Abandoned Vehicle Property Damage Civil Stand By Assault Disturbance Check the Well Being Parking Complaint
March 17, 2020 900 Block Magnolia Ln
Suspicious Vehicle
March 11, 2020 1200 Block Buckner Tarsney 1300 Block RD Mize 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Phelps Dr Cypress March 12, 2020 100 Block 4th St 500 Block SW Eagles Pkwy 600 Block Buckner Tarsney 700 Block Main St
March 14, 2020 100 Block Sunny Ln 700 Block Main St 2000 Block Yennie
Motor Vehicle Accident Stealing From Motor Vehicle Identity Theft Civil Stand By Parking Complaint
Agency Assist (CJC) Stealing From Motor Vehicle Suspicious Person
700 Block August
Valley News
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Page 3
Looking Back: Warren Webb Hardware by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
The back of this photo is dated “about 1900” and identifies the owners as William Warren second from the left) and Tommie Webb (lower front). The other gentlemen include Watson Hendricks (in front) Orie Morrison (3rd from left), Nob Alexander, Bill Brammer and two are unknown. In the 1910 United States Census, Thomas (Tommie) Webb was listed as 60 years-old, single, a merchant and living as a border with the Edward Williams family in Grain Valley, Missouri. After spending a couple of hours on the internet, I can only say this is my best guess. There are at least four Thomas Webbs in ancestry, all living in the area at that time; however, the Williams Home was just a block north of the hardware and he was the only one listed as a merchant. William A. Warren is much easier to identify. In 1900, he was already the third generation of the Warren Family living in the area. Benjamin and Lucinda Warren came from Tennessee in 1843. They settled at Tarsney Lakes with their children, including Zachariah. He married Nancy Terrance on March 24, 1850. William Andrew was the fifth of their eleven children, born May 20, 1856. William A. and his wife Mary were the parents of William Durwood “WD” Warren, founder of the Bank of Grain Valley. The Warren Webb Hardware was built on the north side of the railroad tracks on Broadway (now Main Street). Exactly when it was built is unknown to me, however Warren died in 1914.
Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society Perhaps that is when the name changed to Loring Hardware. William H. Loring and his wife Ada ran the store until his death in 1930. After that, Walter Hoehn ran the store. Other than a new roof and asphalt siding, the building had remained much the same when Charles and Mildred Napier purchased it from Cecil and Anna Louise
BOARD continued from page 1 includes the first-floor mixed use amenity level and 64-rental units in three additional floors. There will be three mostly identical three-story apartment buildings (Buildings B, C, and D) containing a total of 90 units on the vacant tract to the
west. COVID-19 concerns were on the agenda as well, with the Board approving an ordinance to establish procedures outlining processes for the City to declare a state of emergency in certain situations. This paved the way
Poage in 1949. The store no longer sold Askew Saddles as the sign on the right of the building advertised, but it did sell about anything else one might need. Sewing machine needles, baby clothes, dishes, garden seed, Cook’s paint, and nails. A garden plow, tools, window glass and washing machines. You name it, you
for a proclamation from the Mayor addressing the current state of emergency in the City of Grain Valley. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held April 13, 2020.
could probably find it at the hardware. In 1954 the name was changed to Napier Hardware, Plumbing & Heating. The store burned along with the old hotel, in the background, in December 1959. Since that time the property has been a parking lot.
City Settles With Hunt In a settlement agreement signed by former City Administrator Ryan Hunt and the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on February 24, 2020, Hunt was awarded $295,000 and received transfer of title for a City truck previously assigned to Hunt for use during his employment. The settlement includes $95,000 in alleged lost wages, $155,000 for alleged personal injury, and $45,000 for attorneys’ fees, payable to Hunt’s attorneys White Graham Buckley & Carr LLC. The City also agreed to transfer title for the pickup truck and ensure the vehicle is returned in the condition it was in before being stolen from Hunt’s driveway and later recovered. The agreement also stipulates that Hunt’s employment record be amended to reflect Hunt voluntarily resigned from the position and not terminated by the City, stating he is eligible for reemployment. Reached for comment, Mayor Mike Todd and the City of Grain Valley declined to comment on the matter. Hunt did not respond to a request for comment.
Business News
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Coming Together To Help Others During Challenging Times by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation
This is a very challenging time for our community. Acknowledging the health, economic and community crises we are all up against with COVID-19, I’d like to expand the conversation beyond cleaning your hands and practicing social distancing to how we as a community can help each other get through this crisis. There is a lot of uncertainty in our lives right now. It’s disruptive and unsettling. And while we cannot predict how things will unfold in the weeks and months to come, I have faith that we can count on each other. Our news feeds are flooded with coronavirus updates, but in the last week more and more stories of community outreach are emerging. Community Services League (CSL) rapidly redesigned its emergency assistance programs to continue serving their neighbors in need while doing everything they can to keep their staff safe. Each of the school districts in Eastern Jackson County have quickly organized a school lunch program where students
can pick up lunch to go. The Raytown Christian Church has mobilized a network of churches and volunteers in Raytown and revamped their summer lunch program, to provide food assistance now to their neighbors in need. People all over the community are stepping up to support nonprofits and families in the community. This is a critical time for nonprofits and agencies that serve those most vulnerable in our community. There is no doubt that increased spread of the virus and social distancing methods to limit the spread are having a big impact on our region. Local health clinics and hospitals may soon be at capacity with patients. Nonprofits working with individuals and families experiencing job loss will need increased support to provide access to food and supplement lost wages in order to make rent and mortgage payments. Many of these nonprofit organizations had to cancel fundraising events, creating even more strain during a time of increasing need for their services.
There will be financial support from the federal government, however, many people will be seeking help for the first time and will need the assistance of local nonprofits to navigate the process. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is continually assessing community needs during this challenging time. We are in communication with community leaders and organizations to learn how we can best support our community. During this unprecedented crisis, we are encouraging our fundholders with Donor Advised Funds to be generous with grants from their fund to nonprofit organizations who are battling to address the growing needs. We are ramping up our communication with our fundholders to keep them updated on where their support can make a big difference. Our community is very fortunate to have dedicated local governments, school districts, and health care providers working hard to ensure that our communities remain safe. And we are fortunate to have many strong
nonprofits and their supporters who are helping us reach out to our neighbors in need dealing with both the health challenges and the economic fallout of the crisis. The situation will continue to evolve and change daily. What remains the same is that we can count on each other. It will take us coming together as a community to overcome this challenge, but rest assured that we will. Stay safe and healthy.
Phil Hanson is the President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is a 501(c) (3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through cooperation with community members and donors. THCF serves the region with assets of more than $54 million and annual grants surpassing $4.8 million. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816.836.8189.
SBA Approves Disaster Declaration For Missouri The U.S. Small Business Administration approved Missouri’s request for assistance through the federal agency’s disaster loan program. This move makes low interest disaster loans available to small businesses and private non-profits severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for each affected small business or nonprofit. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID -19). Applicants will be able to apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download https:// applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster
assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 8778339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020. For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website at SBA.gov/Disaster.
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Business News is sponsored 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
Community Voices
Page 5
Musings From The Middle: Queen Corona by Cathy Allie
Every writer gets the gift of a topic once in a while, one that just falls right into her lap and practically writes the column itself. Sometimes the topic is a ridiculous politician (plenty of those for fodder), sometimes it is a speaker’s gaffe or facial expression which leaves us laughing, or sometimes it is fad or challenge that catches our attention. But in 2020, Enter Queen Coronavirus. Once we moved past the funny memes connecting the Queen to Corona beer and the funny songs to the tune of My Sharona, I got bored with the online stuff. Until we were encouraged to stay home, and suddenly things got interesting. First there was the viral thread where we were asked to tag our spouse, kids, or pet as a co-worker in our home office and describe their behavior. I couldn’t get enough. One friend posted that his ‘coworker’ had paraded into the room, not wearing pants and demanded that he hug him. He had taken his case to the director of Human Resources (his wife and not by chance the co-worker’s mother) and she had said just hug him and help him put his pants back on. Reasonable enough. Some co-worker reports are closely related to 7th grade boy humor. There was the co-worker who was reportedly licking his private parts and laying in the sun all day. Another co-worker believed he could handle ‘number two’ all on his own and got it all over the bathroom and himself. A very troubling report said the co-worker kept farting and asking for lunch and playing on his tablet while the adult co-worker did all the work. This time when the complaint went to HR, HR replied, “Leave my grandbaby alone.”
There were a number of posts (sometimes accompanied by pictures) of co-workers drinking on the job. Guilty as charged! But my personal favorite was the ‘co-worker’ who clipped her toenails on the carpeted stairs then brought ten clippings to her boss to prove she had picked them all up. It is possible I am related to this co-worker. Soon we had all the different ways people pronounced and mutilated the name of Queen Corona. I heard it called ‘coronaryvirus’ , ‘coronation virus’ (probably initiated in sadness about Harry and Meghan shedding royal titles) and then later ‘The Corona’, kind of like my grandmother used to say, “Can you take me up to The Walmart?” as though there was just one. Just in time, they grabbed a name which did not refer to any geographical location, animal, individual or group of people, COVID-19, which just simply means the coronavirus disease, discovered in 2019. But folks didn’t get the message. It became The Ghost Virus, the illness, the silent problem, the China virus, the Wuhan virus, the novel virus, the invisible threat and many others. In line at CVS, of course six feet away from the lady in front of me, I heard her say,” I am just picking up some supplies in case this cerveza virus gets a lot worse.” Now that is the kind of virus I could handle. Next came all the 20 second hand washing songs for practicing cleanliness during this time. We were tired of singing Happy Birthday two times through. Newsflash: We needed playlists of 20 second songs! I heard them all from Baby Shark to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. But how can I wash my hands to Sweet Caroline?
Aren’t my hands supposed to be swaying back and forth in the air during that time as I sing along? Some of them were not quite so funny—Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer, Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and Lizzo’s Truth Hurts, to name a few. My favorite 20 second handwash is a nod to my former career as an English teacher. Little known fact: If you recite Lady MacBeth’s Out Damn Spot speech at a measured pace, it fits the bill: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him." I realize just by letting you know I have this memorized, I run the risk of you never reading another of my columns. There was moment when I did not see the humor in any of this corona virus mess. One morning, I woke up in a sweat. I mopped my forehead, certain I had a fever, and charted the best course of action. If my fever was high enough, should I drive myself to the doc or risk my husband being exposed? It was a mere five minutes later when I realized the dog had bumped the controls on the electric blanket to high. Crisis avoided. Through this, I have learned some new tricks to working from home. For example, as long as you wear a different shirt, you can wear the same pants from the day before for teleconferencing. And since your family never paid any attention when you talked to them about work, they have no idea what you are doing. You can pop in ear buds and point to your computer as though you are very busy. Fearful they might be asked to help, they will surely stay away.
If you are able to find anything on the grocery store shelves except lime Jello and Tuna Helper, you can try any weird recipe and tell your family that you saw on TV it was good to eat this particular food during the pandemic. I have learned to appreciate reheated coffee—didn’t I just brew a pot this morning? We have reacquainted ourselves with family game night. The only difference from before is wash the dominoes in soapy water after our nightly game. And I now know why my dog is a nervous wreck when I come home at the end of the day—there are lots of suspicious noises on our street, and he has clearly been on patrol. Frankly this social distancing thing feels like Christmas break, where you lose track of days and wear a lot of flannel, but without the promise of presents at the end of it all. I know people are saying how much they like the time with their family. I admire those people. I think it is also possible they are liars, but I am not pointing fingers. Queen Corona has, however, given me one really good present. My best old person story used to be that we had to get up and walk across the room to change the channel on the television. But I am thankful that years from now, I will have some corona virus stories about this time to tell my grandkids and young co-workers, since I lost most of my savings in the stock market and am now on a fully retire at age 85 plan to recoup it all. Stay home, stay safe. Wash your hands, make some memories.
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
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Community Voices
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Guest Column: Mayor Michael Todd Grain Valley Has Always Stepped Up In Times Of Need For Each Other by Michael Todd, Mayor of Grain Valley
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy reading Marcia Napier’s articles each week from the Historical Society teaching us about the history of Grain Valley. Recently she shared with us excerpts from the local paper during World War II. It described scrap drives, the rationing of resources and food, and encouraging people to buy War Bonds. I loved how the city of Grain Valley came together in the 1940s to help in any way they could. The more I thought about it - the City of Grain Valley has always stepped up in times of need to come together. With the uncertain times we find ourselves in now, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I see the same great spirit in the citizens of Grain Valley. I love seeing neighbors helping neighbors. People offering up toilet paper to those who are down to their last roll. People sharing eggs, flour, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer. The people of Grain Valley are truly amazing. I am humbled by the generosity that I’ve witnessed already and am certain that this community will continue to help others in countless ways over the next few weeks. I encourage you to contact a
neighbor, family member or friend who may not have someone checking on them regularly. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance and you’re not sure where to find the resources they need, dial 2-1-1. This is a line, provided by the United Way, that provides access to thousands of resources from basic needs to educational information and health care. The city staff and our elected officials have been working to do everything possible to plan for these unforeseen circumstances. At last week’s first ever Board of Aldermen meeting conducted via teleconferencing we discussed how best to move forward, including an official proclamation, declaring our City exists under a State of Emergency. The meeting went well and can be viewed on the City’s website and our Facebook page. The proclamation was a formality at this point, as we had already made changes to comply with recommendations set forth by the CDC, Jackson County and Governor Parson. We have worked with and communicated with several agencies in order to get up-to-date health and safety information that we have shared
Wayne’s World
Wayne’s World will return next week.
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with the community. I would like to applaud the rapid and effective response of the Grain Valley School District. The Food Services Department is preparing meals for students who need them. The prepared lunches and breakfasts for the next day are available each weekday and can be picked up at the High School at 11:00 am. Families who are unable to travel to the school to pick up the meals can also make arrangements for delivery by contacting the school district at 816-847 -5006. Faculty has made accommodations for their students to continue their education remotely, including many teachers videoing themselves reading books aloud for younger kids. Some are engaging the older students with fun challenges via social media. School district counselors are still available via email and by phone if you have concerns about your children and how these unprecedented events and restrictions are affecting them emotionally. Their contact information can be found on the school district’s website: www.grainvalleyschools.org. You are all aware by now that all
residents in Jackson County are under a Stay at Home order until 11:59pm on April 23rd. The order requires residents to stay at home unless they are engaged in essential activities, including working in an essential business, obtaining supplies or necessary services, seeking medical care, caring for a family member or loved one, and exercising and maintaining personal health. There have been rumors circulating that police officers will be arresting people who violate the order. This is not true; however, I strongly encourage to STAY HOME to do your part to help stop the spread of this highly contagious virus. If you have any questions about COVID-19 call the Jackson County Health Department at 877-435-8411. We will get through this together, Grain Valley. I encourage you to stay upto-date by following the City of Grain Valley on Facebook and Twitter and our COVID-19 page on the City’s website: www.cityofgrainvalley.org. Stay safe and call or email me if you have concerns that you would like to discuss: 816-719-9436 or mayor@cityofgrainvalley.org.
Your Health
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Plants On Your Plate: Asparagus Extension--Jackson County by Denise Sullivan, Nutrition & Health Education Specialist, MU Extension
Asparagus grew abundantly along the ditch behind my childhood home. I am not sure why the previous owners chose to plant it there, but I remember my mother’s delight when it popped up out of the ground in the early spring. Unfortunately, I did not share her delight…then. But oh, how I wish my adult efforts to grow this lovely vegetable could result in as prolific a harvest! While green asparagus is by far the most common, you might also find it in purple or even a combination of the two, due to hybridization. White asparagus is also available due to a process called ‘earthing up’, which repeatedly covers the shoots as they emerge from the soil. Without exposure to the sun, no photosynthesis occurs, so the shoots remain white. Many people find white asparagus to be less bitter and more tender. With prime growing season from February through June, asparagus will begin to be more prevalent in the
produce section as we transition into spring. When shopping for asparagus, opt for spears that are crisp and round. Ideally, tips should be pointed and tightly closed. Avoid extra-large spears, as they will be more ‘woody’ and tough. Asparagus keeps for 2-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrapping the bottom ends of the stalks in a wet paper towel and storing in a plastic bag will maximize storage time. Asparagus is rich in Vitamins A and C, antioxidants that may reduce your risk of developing chronic disease. Vitamin C also aids in absorption of iron. Asparagus is a good source of vitamin K, potassium and folate. Asparagus is also a good source of fiber, an important nutrient for controlling cholesterol and keeping your digestive system healthy. To prepare, clean asparagus under cool running water. Rinse tips well, dipping in and out of water to ensure removal of dirt inside tips. Cut off any white or tough ends on the spears. Spears may be left in longer lengths, or
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cut into one-inch pieces. To grill, broil, sauté or stir-fry, drizzle with olive oil and fresh herbs. Cook until desired tenderness, about 5 minutes. To roast, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Follow the steps as if grilling/ broiling, roast for 5-8 minutes. If asparagus can be pierced easily with a fork but is not yet flimsy, the asparagus is done. Asparagus can also be microwaved or steamed with small amount of water, low-sodium seasoning and garlic. Microwave for 3-4 minutes in microwave safe container or steam over medium heat for 6-8minutes. To serve cold on a relish plate, plunge the asparagus into cold water to stop cooking. The main point to remember is do not overcook it to retain a tendercrisp texture and bright green color. For longer-term storage, asparagus is best frozen, as the desired color and texture is lost in the canning process. Asparagus can however pickled, like green beans or okra, and still have be a desirable tender-crisp texture.
Meditate. A practice that has been around for thousands of years may still be one of the best stress busters for hurried mornings. To start, find a place in your home that is free of noise and distraction. Practice sitting still, with eyes closed, and focus only on your breathing. Using deep, controlled breaths, try to steer your thoughts away from negative and stress-inducing thoughts.
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2 cups whole grain penne pasta ½-pound asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 cups fresh green peas 4 tablespoons basil pesto ½ cup grated parmesan (fresh if available) Cook pasta according to package directions. Add asparagus and peas during the last minute of cooking. Drain pasta and vegetables well. Transfer to serving bowl, add pesto and toss gently. Top with cheese and serve. Nutrition information (based on 6 servings): Calories: 292, Total Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3.5g, Sodium: 240mg, Carbohydrates: 37g, Fiber: 5g, Protein: 15g Recipe adapted from Seasonal and Simple, analyzed by verywellfit.com (Special thanks to Katie Davies, dietetic intern, for her research on this topic)
Wake Up Refreshed: Simple Ways To Begin Your Morning (Family Features) Ready, set, go. Just as you would set off at the starting line of a race, this hectic pace is how mornings begin for many men and women. Instead of waking with dread to face another hectic morning, consider these tips for a healthier way to ease into your daily rituals. While these activities may require you to allow extra time, you may be pleased with the productive results.
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Asparagus with Pesto Pasta
6--8 servings) (makes 6
Stretch. While the most health-conscious person may opt for a morning sweat-athon, working in some stretches can also be beneficial. When you awake, think about oft-used muscles and extend each one for 15-30 seconds. Activate. Give your brain some fuel in the morning while also doing something nice for your mind. For example, journaling is a gentle way to ease into your morning and get your brain firing. If you can’t think of a topic, simply write down a few affirmations for the day, revisit a pleasant memory from your past or scribble down a goal for the week. Journaling can be an uplifting way to engage the mind and express gratitude for the day ahead.
Your Health
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Preparing For Balance: Choosing Variety Amidst “Stay-Home” Foods by Amanda Moder, RD, LD It’s no secret that people have been stocking up on foods, paper products and other necessities. Over the past few weeks, many have found themselves running to the grocery store to prepare accordingly. Shelf-stable products are a natural first choice – items for which the expiration date is long enough to last the length of current cancellations and beyond. As we approach grocery store and online purchases with a mindset of preparation, nutritional value is another component to consider in order to prevent disease. Aiming for variety in food purchases can help in more ways than one – it can offer our bodies the balance of nutrients we need to stay healthy, and can also help prevent shelves from being “cleared out.” Items such as chips, cookies and frozen pizzas are easy to stock up on. But eating these options exclusively isn’t a sustainable way to prepare for staying well and promoting health (especially for kiddos, who are still growing). So what are some of the options we could consider instead? Whether you’re choosing from what you already have at home or purchasing through Hy-Vee’s Aisles Online, I recommend a mix of veggies, fruits, protein, whole grains and healthy fats to offer balance. I’ve included below some examples of foods from each category that have a longer expiration date but still offer nutritional value.
Vegetables and fruits: These are important for our bodies to get a variety of antioxidants to keep us feeling well. Frozen: Tip: check the ingredients list – your best choices are those where ingredients are just veggies or fruits, without added sauces or flavors. Ideas for use: Steamer veggies, microwaveable as an easy side Blend frozen spinach and frozen fruits in your favorite smoothie recipe to boost antioxidant intake Canned: Tip: Choose no-salt-added for veggies and options without added sugar or in their own juice for fruits. Fresh: Tip: Consider freezing fresh options such as berries or bananas (peeled). Opt for longer-lasting fresh choices, such as spaghetti squash.. Dried: Tip: Dried fruits (such as dried mango or raisins) and veggies (such as dry-roasted edamame or kale chips) can be nutrient-dense snacking options. Opt for unsweetened or minimally salted options, when available. Protein: Helpful for muscle repair, transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and regulating metabolism.
Canned or packaged chicken, tuna or salmon Canned beans Rotisserie chicken Pre-cooked frozen shrimp Prepackaged Greek yogurt Filtered milk (such as FairLife milk): Tip: This brand of milk is ultra-filtered, and the fridge-life on it is longer than most. Legume or lentil-based pasta Whole grains: Offer antioxidants such as vitamin E to help with immune health, soluble fiber for digestion/cholesterol management, and complex carbs for longer-lasting energy. Brown rice Oats/oatmeal Frozen quinoa steamers Whole-grain crackers Whole-grain cereal Whole-grain breads Healthy fats: Nuts or nut butters Olive oil Flax/chia seeds Frozen avocado How can you prepare to incorporate variety in your diet with limited access to the stores? Choose a mix of canned, frozen, fresh and dry goods. Prepare ahead in an intentional way, rather than a panicked, impulsive approach. This can
help by leaving variety for others in the community. Meanwhile, it can also help you maintain balance (in at least one way) during a season of so much uncertainty. Wishing you and your family wellness, safety and financial stability – wherever you find yourself in this challenging season.
Crunchy Chicken Salad Recipe Serves 2 -3 All you need: 4.5 oz canned chicken breast 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 tbsp mustard 1 tbsp diced fresh (or cooked from frozen) onion 1 tbsp chopped walnuts ¼ cup freeze-dried apples 1 tbsp celery All you do: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix evenly. Serve on whole-grain bread as a sandwich or with whole-grain crackers as a dip.
Hy--Vee Dietitian, Amanda Source: Hy Moder, RD, LD
How And Why To Keep Kids On A Schedule During School Closures (StatePoint) School closures have forced families nationwide to readjust to the current reality. However, a sense of structure is important for children’s developmental growth. To create a routine for your kids that sticks, consider the following tips: Just because there is no formal school day doesn’t mean kids should sleep in or stay up late at night. Keep the same bedtimes, wake-up routines and mealtimes you always maintained during a regular school week. Doing so will bookend the mornings and evenings with a sense of normalcy. Mimic a school day to the best of your ability. Use the distance-learning tools your child’s teachers offer as well as other educational apps and resources to have kids focus on different school subjects. This will help break up the day into little chunks just as would happen in the classroom. Be sure to build in time for art projects, exercise and music. Most importantly, don’t forget “recess.” If possible, allow children to play in the backyard where they can socially
distance from neighbors, or set up an area of your home for playtime. Evenings are a good time to relax and unwind together. Play board games, watch your children’s favorite movies or even use the many resources available online to enjoy a virtual walking tour of a museum, botanical garden or zoo. This is also a good time to allow children to connect with their friends using video chat or with family members they are not currently able to see in-person. For many children, screens are their greatest distraction. For this reason, one of the best ways to ensure your children stay focused on the schedule you create for them is by managing their screen time. One easy way to do so with less direct intervention from you (since you are likely busy yourself!) is by using a screen time monitoring and scheduling tool like the OurPact app. Get started by signing up for a free account and pairing your children’s devices. From there, you will be able to
manage devices remotely to create a schedule that keeps kids offline when they need to be focused on other things. It can also be customized to allow children to visit and use only certain learning sites or apps during particular hours of the day. Because this schedule lives on the children’s devices as well, you’ll be giving them the comfort of a routine. To learn more or download, visit
OurPact.com. During these challenging times, it can be tempting to let your family routine fly out the window. By using new tools such as distance-learning programming and schedule management apps, you can keep kids to a schedule that makes them ultimately happier and healthier.
Outdoors & Recreation
Page 9
MDC Waives Fishing Permit Requirements Through April 15th by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Commission announce they are temporarily waiving permit requirements for sport fishing and daily trout tags for Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended. The waiver of needing a permit or trout tag to fish will run from Friday, March 27, through April 15. MDC will
reassess the situation at that point. All season dates, methods, and limits will continue to apply and be enforced. “The current public-health emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) has many Missourians and others looking for safe ways to get outside in nature,” MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said. “Missouri’s rivers and streams offer high quality fishing as a way for people to connect with nature while still
complying with all health and safety recommendations. Fishing is also a great way to get some much needed physical and mental health benefits during this stressful time.” More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers. Get more info on Missouri fishing at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing
Pauley added that it is still critical for everyone to continue to heed all recommendations for hand washing, social distancing, and other publichealth measures while fishing and during other outdoor activities, including maintaining at least six feet of distance between all individuals who are not family members.
Grain Valley Parks and Rec Closes Playgrounds; Trails and Greenspace Remain Open The Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Department, in accordance with the Jackson County Executive Order to stay in place, has closed all park playgrounds, picnic shelters and restrooms to the
general public effective March 24, 2020. Parks, including trails and open greenspace, will remain open and available for patrons to utilize. In a statement, the Department stated it
“wants to make sure that during this challenging time, there are still outdoor opportunities available for your physical and mental well-being.” Residents are asked to practice social
ORDER continued from page 1 Any modifications that need to be made to this program will be communicated with those directly involved. Grain Valley City Hall, Community Center, and City parks are closed to the public in line with the County’s stay in place order. Utility customers are asked to pay their water bills online, over the phone, or by submitting payment to the drop box on the north side of City Hall. The City of Grain Valley has also announced it will not disconnect water service for non-payment through June 30th. The Grain Valley Police Department, in a tweet dated March 16th, stated officers would respond in person only to emergency calls for service. All other
calls/reports will be handled via telephone. For non-emergency calls, residents are asked to call Jackson County Dispatch at 816-795-1960. Street patrols will continue by officers. The City has established a page on its website to share information related to COVID-19:https:// www.cityofgrainvalley.org/covid-19community-information/. Numerous churches and community organizations as well as the MidContinent Public Library and YMCA have also announced closures. Valley News will continue to share cancellation information via social media and on our website, www.grainvalleynews.com, as it becomes available.
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distancing guidelines, keeping distance of 6 feet from others.
a
Sports
Page 10
Officiating Profile: Ken Holland by John Unrein
High school athletic events and activities are an extension of the classroom. Student athletes experience the lessons of competition and sportsmanship that come with representing themselves, their teams, school, and community. Knowledge garnered through winning and losing and the preparation it takes to be successful as a participant are truths that stick with us throughout life. Promoting that fair play exists in Missouri at the high school level are Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) officials. Men and women who give time to a sport they love and likely played during their teenage years. Nights and weekends away from home and families are typically the cost that comes with fostering rules and enforcing them. Ken Holland is a Grain Valley resident and MSHSAA official. Holland started his career as a teacher and coach at Concordia High School in 1985. Subsequent stops as a high school principal at Wellington-Napoleon and Crest Ridge High School in Center View Missouri rounded out his tenure. The retired Missouri public educator can be seen on softball fields and the basketball hardwood in our community. Holland has been officiating for the last six years since leaving education. His motivation for doing so has been the atmosphere of competition and getting to witness kids perform at a high level. “As a basketball coach, I taught my girls to play physical and be willing to give up fouls. As a referee, I have to officiate completely different,” Holland said. “I enjoy officiating and seeing people who work hard for kids by getting themselves in position (to make a call), work well in a three person team, are consistent, and communicate well with kids and coaches in a positive manner.” Holland continued, “I love being part of a team and my team now is the MSHSAA officials I work with.” Advice is not something that Holland is shy about sharing when asked what he would offer to those new to the job. “Officiating is about willingness to grow, not quitting, and taking constructive criticism from those who are elders in the profession. You can read a rule book three times and feel prepared only to have something come up during a game that’s not in the book. You never forget those lessons or experiences,” Holland said. Working games in the Kansas City suburban area has left Holland with some good stories to share. He paused momentarily to think of the best one to provide. “I was at Lee’s Summit High School after the third quarter on the sideline during a timeout getting ready to have a team inbound the basketball. A cheerleader doing a tumbling routine stuck the landing right in front of me with only inches to spare. I simply replied, ‘Good job’ and got the game started after she cleared the court,”
MSHSAA official and Grain Valley resident Ken Holland makes a call on the softball diamond. Photo courtesy: Ken Holland
Holland said. MSHSAA is active in supporting their officials to make them as prepared as possible. Officiating mechanics clinics are offered around the state of Missouri. Rule meetings as well so that professional development continues for those who wear the uniform. MSHSAA also puts out an annual officiating manual as a reference. Holland is pleased with what the Missouri State High School Activities Association does in teaching its football and basketball officials. Wanting to see that same level of training for other sports is an opportunity for growth in Holland’s eyes for MSHSAA. “Training for MSHSAA umpiring is top rate for football and basketball. I would like to see the same type of training for softball, volleyball, etc. Fostering learning at the same level for sports outside of football and basketball would be nice,” Holland said. It has been well documented throughout the United States that there’s a current shortage of high school officials. The average age of those refereeing sports is increasing, and concern is growing about who’s going to replace those individuals when they hang up their whistles and gear. The National Federation of State High School Associations has cited a study they conducted recently reporting that around 80 percent of new officials give up the avocation after two years. The
main reason listed for quitting is abuse by parents and coaches. Holland shared his thoughts about why the current officiating shortage exists and what can be done to promote drawing more people to the sideline as officials. “Fans being hard on young officials and the entitlement of kids. It’s a completely different mindset of our kids today with not wanting constructive criticism. Seasoned officials are getting out because they don’t want to put up with abuse from the fans. Young officials don’t want to put up with the verbal abuse either,” Holland said. “Many student athletes have been successful, and they should give back by helping the sport that was good to them in a manner they deem appropriate. Refereeing or umpiring is a good opportunity to do so.” MSHSAA has joined the movement in recent years in attracting new people to officiating. Kenny Seifert is the Director of Officiating for MSHSAA. The Trade Your Stripes program is a new initiative that has been promoted by Seifert and MSHSAA throughout the 2019-2020 school year. As a tribute to veterans and active military, MSHSAA is waiving first year registration fees. Seifert has shared on the MSHSAA website his thoughts about the Trade Your Stripes program. “We are asking veterans to trade their military stripes in for officiating stripes.
The Trade Your Stripes program was the idea of Mike Pereira, the former Vice President of Officiating for the National Football League and current rule analyst for Fox Sports,” Seifert said. “Pereira has initiated a national foundation named Battlefields to Ballfields. It will pay for uniforms, dues, equipment, training materials, insurance, and a mentor provided trainer that will follow you as you move up the ladder in officiating. Those interested in learning more may visit the Battlefields to Ballfields website.” “In some areas of high school officiating, retirements are happening faster than new licenses are being issued. Underclassman games are being postponed or cancelled in some parts of the country due to officiating shortages.” “Subtract the dedicated men and women who officiate high school sports and competitive sports would no longer be organized; they would be chaotic.” Seifert concluded, “Becoming a licensed official is a great way to become involved in your community. For those who played high school sports, officiating is a great way to stay close to the sport after their playing days have ended. Being an official expands your social and professional networks while allowing you to stay in shape.” For more information on how to become a MSHSAA official, visit https:// www.mshsaa.org/Officials/
Sports
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There Is Little “Off” in Offseason When Building A Football Program by John Unrein
The sign hanging above the exit of the Grain Valley Boys Football locker room reads, “All that is not given is lost.” The message is clear for the expectation of what is to be left on the field by those who play football for the Eagles. A labor of love keeps you pushing to be the best in a chosen field. Paying attention to details and working outside the defined parameters of a scheduled time period can be tiring. It may also pay future dividends as well. Thus, is the grind of being a head football coach toiling through the offseason. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius noted that “The secret to victory lies in the details of the non-obvious.” Time spent studying, evaluating, and changing based on what you’ve invested in learning can greatly aid your preparation. Grain Valley Eagles Head Football Coach David Allie and his staff put together a 9-4 campaign last season in the Suburban Conference, one that produced a six game winning streak from October 11th to November 15th in route to being crowned the Missouri Class 4, District 7 football champs. One might wonder what that preparation looks like for a successful football program who has not coached before or familiar with the sport. Allie took some time to share a glimpse of what that looks like with Grain Valley News. Studying film of yourself to identify if you have noticeable tendencies as on offense through formation, motion, or by the play you call on down and distance is a way you to reduce or eliminate your predictability to opponents. It’s can be tedious and timeconsuming work. “In the offseason we do a lot of selfscouting to help us determine the success and limits of plays we ran in 2019. HUDL (filming tool and data warehouse) provides a large number of areas for us to examine, and we try to use as many as we can to help our evaluation for obvious things like down, distance, field position, and hash when it comes to offensive play calling,” Allie said. “We can also get efficiency reports for individual plays, time of game scenarios, and quick change of possessions, etc. During the season, we also divide it into different parts or thirds, (non-conference games, conference games, and playoffs) and evaluate that way as well. Generating data allows us to be analytical when we break things down.” “Another area we examine is our success against different offensive and defensive schemes. We want to go into next season comfortable with a general game plan for each team on our schedule.” Allie added, “One of the challenges that has our coaching juices flowing this
offseason is that we are moving into a new conference division and only playing three schools we played last year. We are evaluating film of the other teams on our schedule so that we have a general idea of what we will be facing.” Football coaches also leave the comfortable confines of their home and families in the offseason to grow as professionals. Most of the major division one college football programs in the Midwest have a history of hospitality when it comes to hosting high school coaches during the spring months. The obvious motivation is that it’s good for recruiting and networking. Past that, knowledge is generally shared freely about how things are done by those who are willing to make a trip to campus. “As a football coach, we are on a different season schedule than the rest of the world – regular season, clinic season, offseason, and summer. Clinic season is always exciting because we either get to see new things to do or new ways to do things we currently implement,” Allie said. “We always get a staff pass for the Glazier Football Clinic series. Many of us went to the Kansas City and St. Louis sessions this year. We get to hear a variety of speakers from all levels (youth to NFL) talk about a variety of relevant topics. As a staff, we try to hear as many speakers as possible and then share what we learned with each other to maximize our exposure.” “The usual offensive, defensive, and special teams’ schemes are a big part of what we watch, but I also feel program culture and strength and conditioning are important topics as well, and we spend a lot of time looking for those subjects.” “We are lucky to live in Kansas City because we have a vibrant football culture. The Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association general meetings provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas through guest speakers and collaboration.” “Another thing we like to do is attend college spring practice. Meeting with coaches about schemes, watching film cut-ups, sitting in on position meetings, talking to staff, and attending practice always allows us to come away with something worthwhile to use.” Allie concluded, “We were really looking forward to going to Kansas State this month. However, the coronavirus thing has halted that possibility.” Only one varsity assistant football coach has left during Allie’s time in Grain Valley since he took the helm in 2015. Consistency among a football staff is important because the buy-in is noted by the players. It also allows peers to challenge one another in their thinking, affirm thoughts, ask each other questions, and be a trusted face in a
Eagles Head Football Coach David Allie celebrates with Junior Jack Bailey. Photo credit: John Overstreet demanding and unforgiving sport. Allie shared what he looks for in the coaches he works with on his staff. “Knowledge of the game is important, but you must possess the ability to build relationships with student athletes. That is probably the most important attribute I look for in a coach,” Allie said. “It should be a given that they (coaches) have to understand that we
have to be ‘all-in;’ they have to know they must put in a lot of work along with wanting to get better at their specific duties.” Allie most importantly wants someone who will put the kids first. “The key to all successful teams is the strong relationships between staff
see OFFSEASON on page 12
OFFSEASON continued from page 11 members, the players, and between the staff and players. Having a positive attitude or demeanor is also nice.” Grain Valley High School offers strength and conditioning classes during the school day. They are co-ed and have a mixture of athletes and general students. Furthermore, an advanced class is offered that is just made up of co-ed, upper class athletes. Enrolled students typically lift every other day due to block scheduling. Prior to the suspension of school due to COVID- 19 concerns, Allie was seeing 20-30 students work out after school. The classroom lifting focuses on core lifts while the after school program places more emphasis on supplemental exercises, functional power development, and agility/speed training. Eighth graders are also encouraged to ride a shuttle bus over to the high school to work out after school. Allie was pleased with the after school turn out he was seeing. “Coach (Pete) Carpino runs the strength program for the school and oversees the advanced group. He does a good job with our athletes,” Allie said. “We are also averaging about 30 eighth graders who are coming over to get ready for next season, which we are extremely proud of. The emphasis for those athletes is proper form, technique, and etiquette for how you communicate and act. This allows them to be ready to join the older kids when we start our summer program.” Allie summarized, “As most coaches understand, our biggest gains in the strength and power development happen in the offseason. The critical mass we build (no pun intended) with our players through the summer months is vital, both from an athletic
and teambuilding standpoint. I am glad we have the in season class opportunities, and I think it is possible to maintain, if not gain a little, during the school year. Not to mention having a better opportunity for rehabilitation of sore and injured muscles. But by far our most critical time is January through May and then May through July.” Balancing academic, social, and extracurricular activity can be a handful for a high school student of any age. Like a shepherd tending a flock, Allie has a big task in staying in touch with his players during the offseason. The classroom, social media, and face to face conversations are all ways to stay in touch and have a pulse in what’s going on in the lives of players. “Face to face conversations is what I prefer, and the best place I get to do that is in the hallways, classroom, or lunch duty that I usually have every other day,” Allie said. “Position coaches try and meet with players every other week that they don’t have previous commitments to stay in touch. We also utilize email, Twitter, Instagram, and text messaging platforms to get out needed communication.” “Many of us teach using Google Classroom. I have a class set up for our players and use this more and more to deliver paperwork, our monthly newsletter, and other initiatives (especially now). The good old-fashioned method of writing our players notes also works.” Much goes into building and maintaining a successful high school football program. Allie, his staff, and Eagle student athletes are hard at work paying attention to the non-obvious details.
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