Free school lunches to continue for 2021-22 school year
GVPD Hosts Drug Take Back event Saturday, April 24th The Grain Valley Police Department will host a Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 24th as a part of the national Drug Take Back effort. This annual event is a great reason to clean out your medicine cabinet and keep loved ones safe. Unused prescription drugs can often find their way into the wrong hands, resulting in
dangerous and often tragic situations. Residents are encouraged to come to this free event in the parking lot of the Grain Valley Police Department on Saturday, April 24th from 10:00am— 2:00pm to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications. No syringes will be accepted.
Blue Springs man dies in Sunday crash An accident, resulting in the death of a Blue Springs man, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 18th in the area of R. D. Mize & Stillhouse Rd in eastern Jackson County is being investigated by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives and troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Richard Allen Hearn, Jr., 20, of Blue Springs was killed in the crash.
According to a spokesman for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was said to have lost control in the area of the accident. There were four occupants, and one subsequently was killed as a result. The investigation is yet ongoing and details will be made available by the department as they are uncovered.
The USDA announced April 20th it would extend universal free lunch through the 2021-22 school year to reach more than 12 million children at risk of food insecurity. Grain Valley Schools will continue providing free lunches next school year as a result of this decision. Dr. Brad Welle, Grain Valley Schools Deputy Superintendent, Student and Community Services, reported that in March 2021 the school nutrition services department served more than 75,000 meals, the highest volume ever served in one month in the district. “We would expect that any continuation of the USDA program through the next school year would lead
to similar participation by our students,” Welle said. “States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. USDA answered the call to help America’s schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their local needs as children safely return to their regular routines,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “This action also increases the reimbursement rate to school meal operators so they can serve healthy foods to our kids. It’s a win-win for kids, parents and schools.”
Good News: Rucinski recognized for animated film in competition
Missouri Trivia by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Swope Park, at 1,805 acres, is more than twice the size of Central Park in New York City. Created in 1896, the land was donated to Kansas City by Thomas H. Swope, a real estate magnate. The park is home to Starlight Theater, the Soccer Village Sports Complex, the Swope Park Golf Course and the Kansas City Zoo. The 202-acre zoo was founded in 1909. It is home to more than 1,300 animals. In 2008, the Kansas City Zoo was voted one of America's best zoos.
It was ranked number one in the nation for “African Animals and Exhibits,” The Zoo was also ranked among the top 10 in the nation for “Australian Animals and Exhibits” and for “Pachyderms: Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos”. “America’s Best Zoos 2008” ranks the Kansas City Zoo as the number one zoo in the nation for viewing both chimpanzees and kangaroos. As we celebrate this bicentennial year, perhaps you will make the Kansas City Zoo a destination for a great summer outing.
In This Edition: Looking Back: Photos on file
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Bill banning trans students from sports teams by gender wins support of House
5
Musings from the Middle: Big Bucks
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Your Health: Lets go on a picnic!
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Sports: Castle And Weems Sign Letters Of Intent For New College 10 Track Homes Cover Photo: Junior first baseman Kaden Jeffries looks to make contact at the plate. See story on page 11
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S Online weekly at www.grainvalleynews.com
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Crosetti Health and Wellness celebrates grand opening Sean M. Crosetti, MBA PharmD, and coowner B. Michelle Crosetti, celebrated the grand opening of Crosetti Health and Wellness last week with the Grain Valley Partnership. The full-service pharmacy offers a variety of services, including the ability to create compounded topical medications, and is available for after hours fulfillment of prescriptions or over -the-counter emergency needs. The business also offers a lactation support
area, and is the first non-hospital in the nation to offer Ni-Q human donor milk. Crosetti is also working with Dr. Justin Meier (consulting), and Betty Stowell (Nutrition Health Coach). Crosetti Health and Wellness is located at 510 N. Main in Grain Valley, is open 9:00am—7:00pm Monday—Friday, and 9:00am—1:00pm on Saturday, and can be reached by phone at 816-8476930 or online at www.crosettis.com.
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of April 7-13, 2021. April 7, 2021 40 HWY & Main 400 Block of NW Woodbury 500 Block of Cross Creek 1100 Block of Buckner Tarsney
Motor Vehicle Accident Harassment Traffic Complaint Welfare Check
April 8, 2021 1100 RD Mize BB South of Rock Creek Jaclyn & Jensen 1300 Block of RD Mize 800 Block of Willow DR 700 Block of Montana Ridge 700 Block of N Main 400 Block of Hamilton 600 Block of Valley Ridge Cir 1500 Block of Jaclyn
Agency Assist-CJC Agency Assist-JCSD Area Check Agency Assist-CJC Citizen Contact Verbal Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident Welfare Check Alarm Welfare Check
April 9, 2021 500 Block of Montana Ridge 2100 Block of Sweetgum 5300 Block of Barr Road 100 Block of SW 19th ST Grove PD 1200 Block of SW Hillsboro 1000 Block of Dean DR Sni A Bar & Hamilton 500 Block of Woodbury BB & Yennie 200 Block of Jefferson 500 Block of South ST 1800 Block of NW Hedgewood DR 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main Creekside Village April 10. 2021 1300 Block of NW Jefferson 1100 Block of McQuerry RD 700 Block of Main 800 Block of San Kar 40 & Main
Citizen Contact Harassment Area Check Agency Assist-Oak Area Check Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Trespassing Traffic Complaint Stealing Parking Complaint Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Parking Complaint
Alarm Stealing Disturbance Disturbance Verbal Disturbance
1400 Block of Jaclyn 700 Block of Main 1500 Block of NW Broadway 1200 Block of Willow 900 Block of Ryan RD 1600 Block of Eagles Main & I 70 1300 Block of SW Blue Branch DR 900 Block of Ryan RD 2600 Block of Prospect
Vandalism Citizen Contact Alarm Burglary Alarm Area Check Area Check Dog at Large Alarm Agency Assist- KCPD
April 11, 2021 1100 Block of Graystone 400 Block of Woodbury 200 Block of NE KM CT 900 Block of Deer Creek DR 600 Block of SW Crest View DR 1200 Block of NW Willow DR 100 Block of NE McQuerry RD Meadow & Long 4500 Block of S Buckner Tarsney 700 Block of Main 1300 Block of NW Lindenwood 700 Block of Main
Dog Bite Citizen Contact Property Damage Area Check Area Check Welfare Check Alarm Suspicious Person Agency Assist-JCSD Citizen Contact Dog Bite Citizen Contact
April 12, 2021 1200 Block of Ashley LN 200 Block of Concord Cir 200 Block of NE Kim CT 1200 Block of NW Pamela 700 Block of Main
Suspicious Person Dog at Large Ex-Parte Service Stealing Agency Assist-BSPD
April 13, 2021 500 Block of NW Woodbury 1300 Block of NW Highview DR 400 Block of Woodbury 1400 Block of Hilltop 700 Block of Main 400 Block of Front 700 Block of Main 1000 Block of RD Mize RD 1400 Block of NW Highview DR
Area Check Stealing Missing Person Stealing Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Recovered Property
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While not an official City event, the City-Wide Garage Sale is one of the most talked about spring events in Grain Valley. Held annually on the third Saturday in May, this year’s sales will be held Saturday, May 15th Valley News will once again provide a Garage Sale Directory for residents who
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Looking Back
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Looking Back: Photos on File by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Over the next few weeks I thought I might share some old photographs with you. Unfortunately, we do not have a great variety of people because most of the photographs have been shared by only a few individuals. Each week I will tell you about the person(s) who gifted the photo to the historical society and what I know about the people in the photo. If you know more about anyone in these photos PLEASE share it with us! This week I am sharing a photo from Karen Carmack, the greatgranddaughter of Edward Williams, the granddaughter of Laura (McQuerry) and Otis Williams, and the daughter of Peggy (Williams) & Dale Carmack. The photograph, taken in 1939, is believed to be the Glee Club. I was attracted to the picture because of the matching dresses, but mostly because of the shoes and socks. I learned that nylon stockings made their grand debut in a splashy display at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. They were not released for sale to the public until May 15, 1940. During this postdepression, pre-WWI period silk stocking were far too expensive and
probably difficult to find! Thus, we have socks! While I do not recognize everyone in the photograph, I will point out those I do know. According to the 1939 yearbook, the music teacher is Mrs. Raymond Scott. Row one: Norma Jean Williams (aunt of Karen Carmack who gave the photo to the historical society) is the first student and next to her is Eugenia Williamson. The fifth girl in the front row is Benola Tate, followed by Sue (Caldwell) McBroom, Elouise (Stumpp) Shrout and Earlene (Tate) Mueller. In the second row, I believe the fourth girl is Dorothy Savage followed by Susie Reeder. As far as the men, the third row starts with Herbert Sebolt. The third boy is Norman McBroom, followed by Robert Wolfe. On the back row, I recognize the second and third boys as Jack Mueller and Keith Shrout. Others appear in our copies of the 1940 and 1942 yearbooks but I hesitate to assign names, as I would be guessing. If you recognize anyone in the photo, we would love to have their name. If you wish to know more about any of the individuals I have named,
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A 1939 photo of what is believed to be the Grain Valley High School Glee Club. Photo courtesy Grain Valley Historical Society. drop by the Historical Society any Wednesday and I will be happy to tell you “the rest of the story!”
Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays from 10am—3pm and Saturdays from 11am—3pm, or online at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
Business
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Youth Philanthropy by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation Philanthropy is not innate. We are not born with it and children do not wake up one day and choose to be charitable any more than they wake up and decide to eat their green-leafy vegetables without complaint. Philanthropy is learned by modeling the charitable behavior of the caring adults in their lives, learning why it’s important to give back. The concept of youth philanthropy has really taken hold in the nonprofit sector since the early discussions of the concept in the late 80’s. As children move into their teen years, they begin to develop a sense of society, social justice, and self-purpose. They recognize they have a role to play in their community and understand they can have meaningful participation and impact. And when young people get involved with community service and giving at an early age, they tend to continue those charitable behaviors into adulthood. (Agard 2002). The Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) teaches local high school students how to engage in philanthropy. The program started in 1998 under the leadership of Henri Goettel who served as the Director of YAC until her
retirement in in 2020. Hundreds of YAC students from a dozen area High Schools come together for various activities centered around volunteering, grantmaking, and leadership. Our “School of Philanthropy” as I often refer to YAC is unique. It’s the only program I know of where students from area high schools come together when the focus is not competition (e.g. sports, forensics, debate, science bowl). Instead, their focus is on how they can work together to build a better community. YAC students provide genuine insight into the problems impacting children and teens in Eastern Jackson County. Through reviewing grant requests, nonprofit site visits and impact discussions, students learn how to actively listen, respect other people’s opinions, and view their community through a leadership lens. The input these student leaders provide to our grants committee is truly valued and enables us to make better decisions on how to allocate our grant resources. And through their annual fundraiser, our YAC students have built up their own endowed fund which now has over $89,000. They solely make the decisions about grants to area nonprofits from the earnings of their fund. On April 10th, YAC students organized
March Jobs Report Missouri non-farm payroll employment recovered strongly in March 2021 after a loss in February, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 15,400 jobs over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in March 2021, down from 4.3 percent in February 2021. Job losses over the year, while still severe, decreased from 130,100 in February 2021 to 100,500 in March 2021. Further improvement is expected in the spring as weather conditions improve and as COVID-19 vaccinations become more widely available. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point in March 2021, dropping to 4.2 percent from the February 2021 rate of 4.3 percent. Due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the March 2021 rate was 0.5 percentage points higher than the March 2020 rate. The rate had reached a low of 3.1
percent starting in July 2018, before gradually edging up to 3.5 percent by the end of 2019, and then to 3.7 percent in March 2020. The COVID-19 effect hit in April 2020, spiking the rate to 12.5 percent for that month. The state’s unemployment rate has declined or remained steady each month since April 2020 and was below the U.S. rate of 6.0 percent in March 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 128,920 in March 2021, down by 3,618 from February’s 132,538. Improved weather helped to push the state’s not-seasonally-adjusted rate down to 4.4 percent in March 2021, eighttenths of a percentage point lower than the February 2021 not-seasonallyadjusted rate of 5.2 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for March 2021 was 6.2 percent. A year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 3.7 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 4.4 percent.
an eight-hour food drive to help local food pantries meet increasing demands. The goal was to fill four box trucks with non-perishable food and household items. And although the day was cold, rainy, and generally miserable, the weather did not dampen the student’s enthusiasm or the public’s charitable nature. At least 40,000 items were collected at participating area Hy-Vee locations and then distributed to THCF nonprofit partners: Community Services League, Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, and Lee’s Summit Social Services. Even in the pouring rain, the generous spirit of our YAC students shone. YAC students are active in their
communities and are truly valued assets for our future, and tomorrow’s community leaders.
Agard, Kathryn A. “Learning to Give: Teaching Philanthropy K-12.” New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, 2002. 36: 37-53. Phil Hanson is the president and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through partnerships with donors and community members. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816-836-8189.
State News
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Bill banning trans students from sports teams by gender wins support of House by Tessa Weinberg, Missouri Independent After hours of fierce debate that spanned the course of two days, the Missouri House on Wednesday signed off on a prohibition on transgender students participating on the sports teams that match their gender identity. The provision, offered as an amendment by Rep. Chuck Basye, RRocheport, to House Bill 1141 was adopted by a vote of 100 yes to 51 against, with one member voting present. Yet for the second time in two days, the underlying bill was tabled before it could be granted initial approval by the House. This time, debate stalled over an amendment that would have barred school districts from teaching curriculum on critical race theory or the 1619 Project by The New York Times, that detailed the United States’ legacy of slavery. Lawmakers in support of the measure insisted the move was not intended to discriminate against transgender youth, while those in opposition became emotional as they shared the experiences of their own transgender family members and warned the provision would cost lives. Rep. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis, cited a 2015 study that found 40 percent of transgender people surveyed had attempted suicide. “Can we agree that people in our state deserve dignity and respect, especially under the color of law, and on a topic that is so unfamiliar to us,” Mackey said, noting there are no transgender lawmakers in the House. Basye has sponsored a version of the language as a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to decide the issue. House Joint Resolution 53 was passed out of the rules committee earlier this month, but has yet to be heard on the House floor. “I’m not a homophobe. I’m not a transphobe,” said Basye, who shared that his younger brother is gay. Basye argued it comes down to protecting the integrity of women’s sports and stressed that transgender students could still play in co-ed sports leagues. “I care about everybody. I love everybody,” Basye said. “This is not about ill feelings. This is about doing the right thing and protecting girls.” House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said she had been assured the amendment would not resurface
Wednesday afternoon after the House had voted to expel a Republican member who had been accused by his adult children of sexual and physical abuse. With less than a month left in the session and after conversations with the Senate, “we all know in this body this bill is not going to become law,” Quade said. Instead, she said, the conversation was spanning the course of two days for the sake of political futures and upcoming elections. “I ask that you think about the children who are listening, the same children that we voted to protect this morning who are deeply at risk,” Quade said. Transgender youth and their family who testified against the bill last month said it was a solution in search of a problem — noting that the Missouri State High School Activities Association already has a policy in place outlining requirements for transgender youths’ participation. The association requires an approved application and transgender girls must go through one year of “documented” hormone therapy before they may participate on girls’ teams. And once granted, transgender girls must document that “the appropriate hormone levels are being maintained,” according to the policy. Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, said he disagrees with Basye’s amendment and asked if Basye planned to still offer the language as a constitutional amendment, which would put the question on the statewide ballot for voters to decide. “I would like to do both,” Basye said. Dogan warned of the potential economic impacts, citing the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s threat that it may move to pull championship tournaments from states that pass such bans. A wave of anti-trans legislation has been filed in statehouses nationwide this year, with similar bills restricting transgender youths’ participation recently signed into law in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Dogan urged lawmakers to put themselves in others’ shoes, noting that for many of the lawmakers — who are straight, white males — they are in the majority.
“I wonder how many of you have ever walked into a room and been the super minority among people who look like you? Certainly doesn’t happen in this chamber,” Dogan said. “Have you ever been a super minority in terms of the color of your skin, particularly in a room of powerful people? Have you ever been a super minority in terms of who you love? Have you been the only straight person in a room full of gay people? Have you ever been the only super minority in terms of how you express your gender?” At times amid the debate some Republican lawmakers alluded that allowing transgender youth to participate on teams that match their gender identity would lead to increased sexual assault or indecent exposure in locker rooms. “As a female, a God-given (gender) that was assigned to me at birth… I represent all the females in Missouri that want to compete and not be forced to be subjected to unpleasant views of male genitalia or anything like that,” said Rep. Suzie Pollock, R-Lebanon, who has sponsored a bill that would prohibit medical care for transgender youth for the purpose of gender confirmation. “Women’s rights are something that we have fought for for years and I think this is a regression on those women’s rights.” Lawmakers with transgender family members of their own urged their colleagues to consider how the legislation would affect them personally.
Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, presents HJR 53 before the House Emerging Issues Committee on March 3, 2021. (Photo credit: Tim Bommel/House Communications) “I will look at you. I’ll remember. This is about human rights. It’s about fair treatment. It’s simply being good policymakers. That’s all we’re asking here,” said Rep. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, whose brother’s child is transgender. “I get where you’re coming from. I just ask you to have an open mind and learn before jumping to writing something in the law books or changing our constitution for God’s sake.”
This story has been updated since it was first published. Tessa Weinberg covers education, health care and the legislature. She previously covered the Missouri statehouse for The Kansas City Star and The Columbia Missourian, where her reporting into social media use by the governor prompted an investigation by the Attorney General’s office. She most recently covered state government in Texas for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. www.missouriindependent.com.
Community Voices
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Musings from the Middle: Big Bucks by Cathy Allie For those of you expecting a column about deer from reading the title, sorry to disappoint. The closest I could come to writing about deer is the time someone tricked me into eating venison sausage. My intestines and bowels were not as easily fooled. Now moving along, pardon the pun. The bucks I am referencing are the ones us shoppers get when we frequent some of our favorite retailers, and they attempt to entice us back in with the promise of a future discount. In my purse right now, I have no less than five awaiting offers. They are colorfully eye-catching and the size of real money. I like the feel of the slick, magazine quality paper, but I also have them on my app, through text, via a network of neighbors reminding me, pop up email alerts, and carrier pigeon. Part of the trick to unlocking all these fantastic bucks and cash deals is commandeering dates for their use. I haven’t reached the point of planning my work schedule around how I can get to all those places and get those bucks spent before they expire, but I am guilty of clipping them to my weekly to do list (and yes, by confessing to having a weekly to do list, I realize I am aging myself right before your eyes). When you get them, they are usually three to four weeks out before they can be used. Do you realize what can happen in three weeks? I could have changed purses, vacuumed my car, put away my winter coats! Maybe even slept?! I have forgotten a good friend’s birthday and two dentist appointments--and almost Easter, but due to a grocery store Peeps display, I was saved that embarrassment-- all in the last three months. No way I am remembering exactly when to start saving. But retailers have gotten smarter. They know we will forget. Now they
remind me the week before, two days out, and at midnight on the day the cash savings start. Once in the storefront or online store, I now really test my smarts when I try to remember the sets of rules accompanying each discount. Do I apply it on top of other discounts? Do I need that total before I try to get free shipping? If I order from the kiosk and pick up in the store, will it save me even more? I get very confused, kind of like when I was in school and they talked about the Prime Meridian. All the other kids seemed to understand. Why couldn’t I? If I had time, I would petition the Retail Federation of America, which I hope is a thing, to regulate these extra cash options. Moms would lobby the decisionmakers to come together. “Learn how to use them at one place, and it covers them all,” we would say, in impassioned speeches before the Federation. It would really help those slow on the uptake like yours truly. Besides the obvious savings, there are some other perks to being a financial wizard. Hardly anyone ever touts one of the benefits of mad money as vocabulary improvement, but I have learned you almost have to speak another language to use them. Should I stack the savings? Can my cash accrue? How do I multiply my earning? Is today the right day to redeem them? Have I accumulated points? And there is no way your math skills don’t improve as you apply the 20% department rebate, then calculate the cash reward, prior to applying the app discount to see if you still have enough for free shipping. Like with any really good thing, there are also some pitfalls to pursuing these paybacks. I inevitably get to the register or to the online checkout only to find I am about three dollars short of what I need to get my dividend. I own an
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inordinate amount of headbands, tiny mirrors, notepads, and socks, all of which cost about three dollars, items that helped me reach that next level of currency. In addition to the small things I invested in to reach exorbitant spending levels, I may have also made some advance purchases that didn’t quite work out, just to use those free dollars. Guessing jeans and tennis shoe sizes for a growing child is no game. I gambled on some 6x’s for my daughter back in the day and also some ‘desirable size’ clothes for me that never got worn. Bargain-seekers have a heyday with clothes that still have tags on them at our annual garage sale, evidence of my bad guessing attempts. Another time, I started a near Facebook riot when I offered my savings to friends. “I have some free bucks I can’t use, “ I posted, feeling generous. Within minutes, maybe seconds, three friends had spoken for them. I literally had to toss a coin because two of the time-stamped replies came in the same minute. The one who lost was a good friend. Note the past tense. People are serious about discounts. An additional pitfall is running the risk of being in line behind someone who is really, really good at this spending and saving game. Take a recent example from Bold Gravy, retailer’s name disguised to protect the innocent. Please read this next part using the voice of a Dateline correspondent like Keith Morrison or Lester Holt to create the intrigue it truly deserves. “How did Sara get the big discounts? It surprised even the savviest of retailers and many people around her, who knew nothing about this part of Sara’s life. Watch this store surveillance video of her clever, nearly criminal, operation on a recent Saturday morning.” I was behind said Sara recently, proud of myself for having just the right amount of items tabulated to use my accrued cash. She pulled her carts (plural) to the register and produced her impressive stack of mad money to show the cashier, who blinked nervously and called for backup. This was clearly gonna’ be big.
Sara neatly piled her items onto the counter, seemingly already having sorted them into categories. She watched the tally on the register intently. She nodded occasionally with approval. At one point she tilted her head to the side as if to question the clerk’s entry. But the near crisis was averted when the register applied the anticipated discount and the next item was entered. At the end, the now heavily sweating clerk scanned and applied the multiple discounts, save one, which the register rejected. The supervisor stepped in and tried again to no avail, and the drama escalated. Sara’s total surfaced. By now she had drawn a crowd, and we were elbowing each other as we saw that she was just $1.58 short of being able to use her full stack of moola. She triumphantly grabbed a lip gloss from the teaser rack in front of the register, opened it, slicked it across her lips for effect, and tossed it on the counter to be applied to her total. We gasped. Sara took what looked like a small bow as the clerk announced her total after applying the discounts. She owed $8.37 cents for a pile of clothes that looked like it would easily have dressed a small country. “Can you break a $50?” she said, smiling. Smart aleck. Nothing like a Sara to make you feel bad about your own saving skills. Store staff escorted her to her car as the rest of us schlepped our own bags. If surveyed, I suppose most of us cash collectors would tell you that the benefits outweigh the problems of playing this game of big finance. The high of having bragging rights when we have finally reached the pinnacle of profit is a good one. Oh, these shoes? “Five bucks, “ I say, completely ignoring the other $100 I spent to get my cash, disregarding the five hours of work I spent attempting to use it, and hoping no one else has witnessed Sara’s recent triumph.
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
Your Money
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Retiring single: 5 strategies to consider (StatePoint) Planning on retiring single? You aren’t alone. Nearly 22 million Americans age 65 and older were unmarried in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, representing 41.5% of those in that age category. And for women, it’s more likely to be the case. According to the Administration on Aging, 54% of older women are unmarried, as compared to 30% of older men. “Retirement planning can be especially challenging for singles, who need to prepare without the decisionmaking and income support of a partner,” says Scott Pedvis, financial advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors. For those setting a course for solo retirement, Wells Fargo Advisors offers these five tips: 1. Create a fallback plan. Retirees commonly discover a gap between what they thought they’d need for retirement and what’s actually needed. And if you’re single, you may not have a second income stream to rely on should finances become unexpectedly disrupted. Periodically review your investment portfolio and build backup
plans. Such contingency planning could involve more emergency savings and more robust disability and long-term care insurance protection than couples. You could also choose to take a parttime job for extra income. 2. Build a network of advisors. With autonomy sometimes comes a reluctance to seek advice. Consider forming a team of trusted professionals, including a financial advisor, accountant, attorney and healthcare providers. 3. Count on loved ones—to a point. Friends and family can be a lifeline in good times and times of need. However, ensuring they don’t take advantage of your independent status or create serious financial burdens for you is essential. For example, you should take extreme care before turning over financial matters to others. Stay actively involved and work with a trusted team to help make decisions in your best interests. Evaluate the possibility of engaging a corporate trustee to manage finances, should you become incapacitated.
4. Prepare key documents. According to Caring.com, more than half of American adults don’t have estate planning documents such as a will or trust. Don’t wait. Even if you’ve put some documents together, they may not ensure your wishes are carried out. Here are the key documents forming the foundation for most estate plans: • Will • Power of attorney (POA) for financial matters • Durable power of attorney for health care • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) release authorization • Living will • Revocable living trust To prevent confusion and misdirected bequests, carefully designate beneficiaries of IRAs, employersponsored retirement plans, insurance policies and annuities. Lay out clear directions for the distribution of remaining assets. Also, don’t forget about digital assets and accounts. Will your executor or trustee have proper authority to access and manage those items? Talk to your
attorney about keeping digital planning secure and up-to-date. 5. Plan for change. Entering into a committed relationship could mean making adjustments. Look at your insurance coverage, emergency fund and future income plan. Think about having a frank discussion with your new partner about how you’ll divide assets in the event of divorce or death. If ex-spouses or children are in the picture, consider managing finances and estate plans separately. With the assistance of your financial advisor and estate-planning attorney, you can establish a basic estate plan, and, as appropriate, discuss other strategies for preserving wealth. For more expert retirement guidance, visit wellsfargoadvisors.com. “Planning for retirement is part of the financial journey. Key planning strategies can help you feel confident as you approach your golden years solo,” says Pedvis.
Your Health
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Let’s go on a picnic! by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD
Mediterranean Pressed Picnic Sandwich 1 18” loaf of sturdy bread such as ciabatta, French, Italian, focaccia or sourdough ¼ cup sun dried tomato pesto 6 slices mozzarella cheese 2 cups fresh spinach, lightly chopped 2 plum tomatoes, sliced 2 slices of canned, roasted red peppers, drained and chopped 2 tbsp. chopped black olives 1 tsp olive oil 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar ¼ tsp dried basil Salt and pepper, to taste
National Picnic Day is celebrated on April 23. Whether it’s an outdoor family excursion or a romantic day in the park for two, picnics make being outdoors just a little more special. And if the weather isn’t ideal just have a picnic on your living room floor! To plan a perfect picnic, you will want to choose foods you can make ahead of time that store well and are easy to eat.
in an insulated thermos. Don’t let food set out for more than two hours or more than one hour if the temperature outdoors gets really hot. Keep it clean. Keep both your hands and the environment clean. Bring some napkins, wet wipes and some trash bags to keep things tidy. Don’t forget the beverage. Iced tea, fruit infused water or a bottle of wine are all good choices. Make it healthy. Sandwiches make an easy-to-pack picnic food. To keep your sandwich healthy, choose wholegrain bread and pack a healthy dip such as guacamole or hummus to dip some fresh cut veggies. Fresh fruit packs easily. Some good choices are grapes, strawberries and fresh cut melon. Don’t forget the treat. A cookie or other sweet treat can make your picnic complete without feeling deprived. Try this Vegetarian Mediterranean Pressed Picnic Sandwich at your next picnic. Add some grilled chicken if you want to add a non-vegetarian protein source.
Tips for a perfect picnic Pick a good container. A good insulated cooler is the best option to keep foods cool enough to avoid food borne illness. Make sure to add ice or freezer packs. Keep hot foods hot by keeping them
Tracey Shaffer is a registered dietitian and certified health coach and owner of KC Nutrition Coach in Eastern Jackson County. She can be reached at tracey@kcnutritioncoach.com. You can visit her website at kcnutritioncoach.com.
Recipe Source: nutricionalgrano.com
Instructions: Cut the bread in half lengthwise Spread both halves of bread with sun dried tomato pesto Place the cheese slices on both halves. Add tomatoes, red peppers and olives Prepare the vinaigrette: Mix the olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt and pepper well. Coat the vegetables a little with this mixture, taking care not to add too much to prevent the bread from becoming soggy Join the two halves of the sandwich and wrap well in parchment paper, plastic wrap or aluminum Place the sandwich between two cookie sheets or other flat objects, and on top add a heavy object that distributes the weight evenly. Examples: pots; gallons of water, juice or milk; cans; etc. Store this in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight Pack the sandwich up nicely wrapped, and when your reach your destination, cut it into 3-inch pieces. Enjoy with good company!
Why it’s never too early to make a long-term plan (StatePoint) Americans are living longer than ever before, and with continually rising health care costs, the need for a long-term care solution becomes more of a “when” than an “if” situation, according to financial experts, who warn that Americans are largely waiting too long to plan and prepare. “Many people wait until they’re in their 50s or 60s before beginning longterm care planning, but with costs rising, it’s important to start planning when you’re younger and healthy,” Heather Deichler, senior vice president, MoneyGuard product management, Lincoln Financial said. To get prepped, consider these tips from Lincoln Financial: • Plan early: Only about 7.5 million people in the U.S. have policies that pay long-term care benefits, according to the
American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, but more than half of Americans turning 65 are projected to need some type of long-term care in the future. This disparity could be due to the fact that many underestimate long-term care costs and expect to rely on savings or Medicare and Medicaid to cover them. Those in the know -- financial planners -- see medical/healthcare costs and long-term care expenses as bigger risks to retirees’ savings than spending too much, inflation or the economy. Indeed, a majority of consumers in a recent survey conducted by Versta Research on behalf of Lincoln Financial guess that a private room in a nursing home costs less than half the realistic estimate. Others may simply feel their good health exempts them from the need to
plan at all. But living a healthy lifestyle could mean you’ll live longer and face health-related risks associated with aging. Being realistic about the possibility your future could involve long-term care and the true costs associated with it can help you plan accordingly and motivate you to get started early. • Get on the same page as your family: Having a long-term care conversation with loved ones can help you feel confident about your future and help avoid conflict among family members. Share your expectations for daily living, such as how and where you want to receive care. This is a good time to identify who will be responsible for your financial and medical affairs should you become unable to manage them. • Consult a financial professional: A
financial professional can help you get a handle on your financial future and make you aware of all your options, including those that evolve with your needs. They may point you to solutions that can help cover qualified long-term care expenses. Some solutions can offer more options and flexibility with a guaranteed level of protection and the possibility for investment growth. For example, in addition to obtaining care in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you could have the flexibility to receive care at home, including from family members. Comprehensive long-term care planning with family members and a financial professional now can help ensure everyone is prepared for the emotional and financial decisions that may need to be made in the years ahead.
Outdoors & Recreation
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Free Get Outdoors event April 24th in Blue Springs by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Dip a paddle on the water or watch a bobber float on top, enjoying nature will be celebrated at a Get Outdoors event from 10:00am—3:00pm on Saturday, April 24th at Lake Remembrance in Blue Springs. This free event is offered in partnership by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, and Jackson County Parks and Recreation. Activities will be on the shores of Lake Remembrance at Gregory O. Grounds Park, off Interstate 70 and Adams Dairy Parkway. Visitors can learn an outdoor skill or simply celebrate springtime in Missouri.
Connect with nature through outdoor skills taught at this event. Activities will include kayaking, fishing, target archery, atlatl, and outdoor yoga. Experts will also teach about wild edible plants. This event is open to all ages and families are welcome to attend. Registration is not required. MDC and partners will provide gear required for the activities, or participants can bring their own. COVID19 protocols such as physical distancing and face masks will be observed. For more information, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Zz8.
MDC offers easy ways to learn about fishing by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Fish are mysterious creatures, living as they do under water, often in or near sunken hiding places. Catching them with a fishing pole is a journey into nature’s world. Fish fillets cook up nicely, too. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) connects people with simple and affordable ways to go fishing. MDC’s free Discover Nature — Fishing classes provide hands-on instruction and actual fishing time with help from teachers. Four class sessions in the program give participants the experience and confidence to be successful. MDC also provides a variety of online tips such as how to rig a fishing pole or where to go fishing. “It’s very easy to learn about fishing, especially with our four-lesson plan,” said John Rittel, MDC community education assistant. “We take anglers from the basic fishing skills to some pretty advanced methods. We give instruction, then we go fishing and we make sure everybody catches fish.” Discover Nature — Fishing classes are held where a pond or lake is available for fishing. MDC provides all the necessary tackle and bait. Simple fishing tackle works fine and is affordable. Spin casting rods and reels are easy to use and effective. Good quality fishing poles are available in the $20 to $25 price range, Rittel said. “You can find some pretty decent gear cheap at garage sales,” he said. “Many people start out by borrowing from grandpa’s tackle box.” MDC also partners with libraries and communities to provide free loaner fishing gear. Fishing poles and tackle boxes are available for check out at partner locations and some MDC offices. To find a location with loaner fishing
equipment, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZJq. Missouri offers lakes and rivers big and small that are open to the public for fishing. Fishable waters are often close to home. MDC partners with communities to stock urban fishing lakes in parks. MDC conservation areas such as the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit offer well-managed lakes for fishing. Some conservation areas offer river access, such as the Platte Falls Conservation Area bordering the Platte River in Platte County. Good fishing spots with easy access to shores are found throughout the Kansas City and northwest regions. Some have docks or jetties accessible for those with mobility challenges. Spring is a good time to go fishing. Species such as crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish frequent shallow waters within casting distance. MDC’s digital MO Fishing app lets anglers connect with information about regulations, permits, and places to fish. Connect with the app at https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZJZ. Discover Nature — Fishing classes will be offered in a variety of locations through spring and summer and into autumn. MDC’s web page for the program has links to class offerings and links to pages with tips about fishing and how to prepare and cook fish. To connect with fishing, visit Discover Nature - Fishing | MDC Hunting and Fishing (mo.gov).
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Celebrate spring and nature with MDC at the free Get Outdoors event from 10:00am—3:00pm on Saturday, April 24th, at Lake Remembrance in Blue Springs.
Photo credit: MDC
Sports
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Castle And Weems Sign Letters Of Intent For New College Track Homes by John Unrein A rainy day on April 16th pushed Lady Eagles track practice indoors. Head coach Brian Winckler assembled his squad in the commons of the high school prior to start of practice. Winckler is mindful of the balance between giving the needed instructions and the willing attention span of student athletes eager to complete their workouts. The pride on Winckler’s face in the form a smile from ear to ear is unmistakable as he requested that seniors Abby Castle and Jordyn Weems provide an interview before they start training. “Jordyn and Abby have both been very successful in our program for many reasons. They are great kids, great athletes, and are both tremendous leaders. Jordyn and Abby both showed that they were tremendous athletes early on in their freshman year, but they way have both grown as leaders and people in what has helped propel them to the next level,” Winckler said. “Both of these young ladies have been great to coach because they understand when it is time to have fun and when it is time to dig deep and compete. A lot of kids struggle with the ability of when to ‘turn it on’ in competition. However, both young ladies do a tremendous job of this. This attribute, along with their dedication to practice and the classroom is the primary reason why I know they will be very successful at the next level.” April 14th witnessed both Castle and Weems sign their letters of intent to continue their careers as student athletes at Missouri Southern University and Ottawa University, respectively. Castle has excelled as a pole vaulter, recently taking first place in the event at the Fort Osage Invitational. Furthermore, Castle has shattered the previous school record this season of 9’ 9” set in 2019 by pole vaulting an eye popping 10’ 6” at the Gary Parker Blue Springs Invitational. An impressive feat as Castle achieved full extension while narrowly clearing her feet, back, and head while only
nudging the bar. Castle also uses her legs as springs to compete in the high jump. The event is usually filled with contestants that are strong, fast, and flexible. Castle has been able to successfully convert her speed into ankle flexion and leaping from her toes to represent Grain Valley. Both the pole vault and high jump are field events that require extreme focus and a short memory. “Being a student athlete has led me to be more responsible in knowing that I have people counting on me. I do not like letting people down, even it means more work on my end. More importantly, I do not want to let myself down. I have worked really hard to get where I am right now. I do not know if everyone is aware of what is needed in being a student athlete. I want respect and I am willing to do the work needed for that,” Castle said. “Pole vault is scary to learn at first. You are propelling yourself into the air with a stick and trusting that you will land on the mat. Track and field requires you to be mentally tough.” Castle continued, “I was terrified the first time I pole vaulted. Falling has not kept me from doing what I love. The point at which you know the pole is going to lift you over is super thrilling. You look down and see the ground pass by you at a high rate of speed. It is so fun.” “I am going to miss seeing my teammates the most every day as I reflect on my career here. They are the ones who helped me get to where I am today, even when I wanted to give up or needed encouragement.” Weems competes in a host of events for the Lady Eagles on the track. The 100 meter, the 200 meter, the 4 x 200 meter relay, the 4 x 400 meter relay, and long jump are the five events Weems is familiar with in the spring. A focus on fundamentals is a nuance that Weems commits to in supporting her team. Weems has joined teammates Huffman, Ogle, and Rogers to form an
Correction: An April 15th article on GVHS Signing Day incorrectly stated the college Abigail Castle will attend. Castle
will head to Missouri Southern State University for track.
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Seniors Jordyn Weems and Abby Castle signed letters of intent to continue their track careers at the college level. Photo credit: Valley News staff impressive 4 x 200 meter relay team. The anchor leg has often been given to Weems to hold a lead or make up needed ground at the end of the race. The quartet received third place medals at the Gary Parker Invitational in the event. Being called on to run the end of one of the most competitive events in track and field is something that Weems takes in stride. “Being a student athlete leaves you with a lot of responsibilities. You must focus on so much more than just school. It makes you mature fast in that you have to learn time management,” Weems said. “Sprinting is more than just the natural ability to run fast. You have to
learn how to move your arms for example. Steps for a successful baton hand off during a relay race is another. Judging how fast another person is coming in is a big part of that.” “Maddie Rogers typically hands off to me. The read is on the person getting the baton. The person handing off says ‘ice’ when they extend the baton and the person receiving says ‘stick’ once they have secured the baton.” Weems finished, “I am going to miss the environment at Grain Valley. I also know I am headed to a good one as well (at Ottawa University). This is where I first started running track and I have been pushed to get better.”
Trio of Eagles selected to 2021 GKCFCA Missouri All-Star Team The Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association (GKCFCA) has traditionally let the All-Star game coaching staffs select players (with input from the association’s board of directors) for the summer classic clash between the best that Missouri and Kansas have to offer at the high school level. The 45 man All-Star roster for Missouri was announced via Twitter by GKCFCA on April 21st. The Grain Valley Eagles football program was fortunate to have three players selected to represent the Show-
Me State on June 10th for the contest at North Kansas City High School. The first day of All-Star game practice is scheduled to start on June 1st. Missouri currently leads the series with a 14-13 record against Kansas. The All-Star game was cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. Kansas won the last matchup by a score of 35-21 on June 13th of 2019. More details may be found at www.kcprepfootball.org Cole Keller Quarterback Donovan McBride Defensive Tackle Hunter Newsom Linebacker
Sports
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Eagles slug their way to win over Blue Jays by John Unrein The Grain Valley Eagles baseball team saw an early lead vanish only to come storming back against the Raytown Blue Jays on April 19th. Strong spring winds led to the baseball carrying well at Clyde Thompson Field on the campus of Raytown High School. The Eagles offense took advantage at the plate in generating 20 hits, including home runs by Parker Bosserman and Kaden Jeffries. The potent bats fueled Grain Valley’s 16-7 victory over a Suburban Conference opponent. The abundance of Eagles baserunners left head coach Brian Driskell providing frequent reminders from the third base coaching box. “Hey, line drive here, what are we doing? With a ground ball, make sure it is through before advancing,” Driskell said. All the extra guidance is something that Driskell does not mind as it means contact is being made in the batter’s box. Something that was not easy for Grain Valley to attain initially against Raytown starter Jonathon Stanley. The right hander features a twisting delivery with occasional pauses, a la Johnny Cueto. The occasional hesitation in the pitch to home plate made the Eagles adjust to waiting on the baseball. Grain Valley matched pitching talent on the mound as Riley Bown was summoned by Driskell to provide five and two-thirds innings of well-pitched relief. Bown would strike out 7 and give up 3 runs. The senior mixed his fastball with a late moving breaking ball to secure a significant amount of ground ball outs. Bown’s specialty continues to be throwing strikes. “Riley (Bown) has been essential for us. I do not like having to bring him in that early in the game on a day when he is not slated to do that. Bown has the lowest ERA (earned run average) on the team, and he showed why again today. He has been a big gamer for us,” Driskell said. “Teammates like Bosserman, Jeffries, (Blake) Prewitt, and (Parker) Stone helped our pitching today. Jeffries first at bat today was a bad approach. We talked about it and he corrected it throughout the game. When Jeffries stays middle with his approach at the plate, he is a tough hitter.” Driskell continued, “Prewitt is a kid who I think grew up in Raytown. For him to come back and do what he did today was special for him. Prewitt does a good job handling our pitchers behind the
plate as well. I also felt comfortable with him in the batter’s box today with the contact he made.” “Their (Raytown’s) pitcher did a good job of mixing up tempo early on. It was messing with our guys. They are a fast team that we had to contain. The primary leads we saw today were enormous. Raytown is lightning quick. They applied pressure in areas we have not been challenged in a lot yet.” The Eagles were able to find answers at the plate as the game progressed. Bosserman parked a 2-1 pitch with one out over the right field fence in the top of the 4th inning. The no doubt smash tied the game for Grain Valley at four apiece. Bosserman remains robust in the pulling the baseball for power. Jeffries would put his own home run trot on display in the top of the 7th inning. The sound made by Jeffries swing was distinct as the ball easily cleared the center field fence. Jeffries knock would drive in Cole Keller from first base and was the biggest of three hits on the day for the Eagles first baseman. It also drew a rare smile from Jeffries as Keller intentionally slowed down coming home from third base in an attempt to disrupt the running rhythm of Jeffries. Prewitt would add three hits and three runs batted in of his own. Right fielder Parker Stone complemented the offensive parade with three hits and five RBI’s. Bown would also provide four hits at the plate in supporting his own effort on the mound. The offensive outpouring witnessed an abundance of high fives in the Eagles dugout following the game. “I was trying to find a pitch I could hit. I knew I had to keep my weight back on what they were offering. It feels good to have the ball rolling as we begin to head down the stretch here,” Jeffries said. Bown added, “I got loose in a hurry. I came in and threw strikes. Blake (Prewitt) had a good game behind the plate in not letting anything by. My defense made plays behind me.” “I have also shortened up my approach at the plate lately and it has made a difference. Left-center to rightcenter is where the baseball is headed as a result. I am barreling everything.” Prewitt concluded, “I saw the ball well today. Shortening my swing has allowed me to stay through the ball more. Playing baseball with these guys continues to be a lot of fun.”
Grain Valley improved to a record of 11
-6 on the season. Several conference matchups loom for the
key
Community Calendar Thursday, April 22, 2021
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Copyright Basics 6:30pm—8:00pm Learn the basics of copyright law, what rights copyright holders have, the exceptions to those rights, and the proper application of fair use. www.mymcpl.org/events
Word Basics: Select Text 1:00pm—1:15pm Learn some of the basic ways to select text in a document. Registration is required. www.mymcpl.org/events
Children’s Day and Sheep Sheering 9:00am—4:30pm Missouri Town 1855, 8010 East Park Road, Lees Summit 64064 Adults: $7; Children (5-13): $4; Seniors (62 and older): $4; Children 4 and under— Free Spring has sprung and it is time to celebrate! Visit Missouri Town 1855, an open-air living history museum spread across 30 acres, and learn about life in the 19th century. Children will delight in the time-honored games and crafts typical of the mid-1800s including stilts, egg races, tin punching, log sawing, and more. The whole family will enjoy listening to period music, touring the heirloom plant gardens, and meeting our heritage breed livestock, including our team of oxen – Studebaker and Weber!
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Friday, April 23, 2021 Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am -10:20am www.mymcpl.org/events
Drug Take-Back event 10:00am—2:00pm Grain Valley Police Department parking lot, 711 Main Street Free to all for safe disposal of prescription and non-prescription medications. NO syringes.
Thursday, April 29, 2021 Getting Creative with Canva Noon—12:45pm Canva is the graphic design platform you never knew you needed! We know that not all business owners are also graphic designers, so we want to help you get started using this amazing tool. www.mymcpl.org/events
Monday, April 26, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
Friday, April 30, 2021 Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am -10:20am www.mymcpl.org/events
“City Wide” Garage Sales The city wide garage sales are held the 3rd Saturday in May. This is not a citysponsored event. Add your garage sale to Valley News May 13th directory for only $5. https://www.grainvalleynews.com/ store/p2/garagesale.html
Saturday, June 5, 2021 City Wide Clean Up event 8:00am—2:00pm 405 James Rollo DR, Grain Valley City Wide Clean Up is a free annual service by our Public Works division. It is an opportunity for Grain Valley residents to dispose of unwanted items. Items that are not accepted include: tires, paint, oil, refrigerators, household cleaners/chemicals, air conditioner units, bagged trash, yard waste or clippings. Proof of residency is required. Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com/ eventscalendar
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