Valley News
APRIL 23, 2020
www.grainvalleynews.com
Murphy Appointed City Administrator; Osenbaugh Promoted To Deputy City Administrator Ken Murphy has been named City Administrator for the City of Grain Valley, a position he has held on an interim basis since former City Administrator Ryan Hunt’s departure last fall. Additionally, Theresa Osenbaugh has been named Deputy City Administrator after serving in an interim role for the same period. The Board of Aldermen authorized Mayor Michael Todd during the March 9th Board of Aldermen meeting to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Murphy. “They gave me parameters as to what they were okay with. This is different than what we have done in the past because in the past we had contracts with our City Administrators. This is like what we do with most employees when we hire them in and we negotiate a salary. So Ken does not have a contract and the MOU lays out his salary and his requirement to move to Grain Valley,” Todd said. “Since the Board authorized me to negotiate the MOU and we were within the parameters, we came to the agreement and removed the interim title.” The Board will vote to ratify the MOU
at a future board meeting. The process has been delayed due to meeting cancellations caused by the COVID-19 related stay at home orders. Osenbaugh was promoted by Murphy to Deputy City Administrator, removing the “interim” title once he was appointed City Administrator. Osenbaugh’s position is not a board appointed position. “I can tell you that she has really been an asset to the City since she came on as City Clerk and she has taken on a lot as she has moved up,” Todd said. An outside search for candidates was not conducted for both positions. Mayor Todd noted the cost of such a search and the background and qualifications of Murphy and Osenbaugh as primary reasons behind the decision not to open the positions to other candidates. “Those searches run north of $20,000, and Ken has been with the City for a number of years in several positions. He has shined in every position he has been in and the Board has always been very happy with his job performance. He has a Master’s degree in City Planning and we felt that we didn’t need to spend the money to look outside the organization when we knew
see MURPHY on page 12
Small Businesses Seeking Assistance To Stay Afloat Finding Frustration Instead Of Lifeline
Local businesses facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related stay at home orders were hopeful for a lifeline through Small Business Administration programs authorized through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law on March 27th. Two programs, the Economic
Disaster Injury Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), promised emergency funding for small business owners and independent contractors/freelance/gig workers. As of April 16th, PPP funding was exhausted and EIDL funds were depleted. Local small business owners faced confusion over how to apply and the
see ASSISTANCE on page 2
Vol. 3, No. 16
FREE
Good News
Social Distance Cruise Entertains Neighbors During Stay At Home Order
Photo credit: Valley News staff A local car enthusiast has found a way to mobilize his fellow hobby car peers to bring a bit of joy to neighbors during the stay at home order. While a traditional car show is not possible, David Maxon organized the first in what he plans to be a weekly rolling car show through neighborhoods in Grain Valley and neighboring communities. “I wish I could take credit for this. My wife and I previously participated in one in another city, and we were both touched by the excitement it seemed to bring to that community. We decided that we would like to see that same excitement in our own community. I have personally been a car enthusiast my entire life, and I have owned my own hobby car (a 1980 Malibu) since I was 16. My wife and son are now also a part of my enthusiasm; they both now have hobby cars of their own. When I brought the idea to my friends and owners at Kustom Cruzers in Grain Valley, they didn't hesitate to volunteer to be a part of the planning process,” Maxon said. Approximately 70 cars and
motorcycles participated in the first show on Sunday, April 19th. Grain Valley’s Santa Bus led the way, sounding its familiar siren to alert neighbors of the show’s arrival. Residents lined the streets in Grain Valley’s Woodbury and Rosewood Hills neighborhoods after 4:00pm on Sunday to admire and wave at the many vehicles on display. “I was shocked and excited about the number of people who joined in on the fun,” Maxon said. “We are planning on doing others. I would like to do them every Sunday, weather permitting of course. We are looking to travel through more of Grain Valley, Blue Springs, and other areas in the future.” Residents can search for event information on Facebook under David Maxon/Kustom Cruzers Social Distance Cruise. “The idea has personally given me joy in seeing the smiles on faces young and old. I also hope it teaches my 17year-old son that car and motorcycle enthusiasts coming together can create joy in a time of uncertainty,” Maxon said.
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G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S
LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Page 2 ASSISTANCE continued from page 1 information needed to complete the application process. Banks also faced confusion as rules continued to change as the program was rolling out. Businesses were asked to work with their local banks to complete the process, and success for hopeful business owners has been mixed. “Due to the overwhelming demand for these SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans, the State Bank of Missouri, unfortunately, had to limit applications to only existing State Bank customers. To date, our bank has provided close to $2.8 million dollars in PPP loans to assist our small business customers,” State Bank of Missouri President Mark Heins said. The $2.8 million dollars provided by State Bank represents 53 loans to local businesses. National news stories have focused on large loans granted to large chain businesses, such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Shake Shack, seemingly pushing out small “mom and pop” businesses from accessing funds intended to assist in their survival. Congress is currently ironing out details to pass additional aid while many small business owners wait to see if the next round will provide any relief to the daily reality they face. Snowie Shaved Ice of KC owners Jeff and Corrie Wolff are usually gearing up for a busy season of serving up shaved ice to local school carnivals and parties, baseball tournaments, 5Ks and athletic events, and area festivals. Instead, the Grain Valley company is facing an uncertain future. “Snowie is essentially shut down right now at what should be the start of our season. We have a concession stand at the Independence Events Center that has been shuttered for the last 6 weeks and has no opening date in sight. We still have costs associated with keeping that stand in place there. For the Snowie bus, our main concern is that our business model is not aimed at driving around in subdivisions all day; my wife (Corrie) and I both work full time jobs and we are now teachers to three elementary and middle-school aged boys,” Jeff Wolff said. The community, sporting, and school events Snowie Shaved Ice of KC depends on have disappeared due to the pandemic and their return in the foreseeable future is uncertain. “We will likely have zero income from the Snowie bus for at least the first half of our season. We have monthly expenses that must be met regardless, such as payments on our equipment, insurance, food handlers permits and inspection fees, business license fees, property taxes, sponsorship agreement installments, etc. Since all of our income is earned during the summer months and has to provide us with a nest egg
that can last us through the winter billing cycle, we could be in really bad shape if we can’t do business this year,” Wolff said. “I applied for the EIDL program on the morning it was announced as being available. My application for an immediate cash infusion of $10,000 was submitted and I was told I would get a response within three days. I have heard absolutely nothing since, and as of April 20th the SBA says it has funded 210 loans in the entire state of Missouri, so I’m pretty confident that I won’t be receiving any help.” Jayci Stratton, owner of Studio Five Beauty Boutique, has likewise been unsuccessful in securing small business emergency funding. “I applied for the $10,000 SBA loan about two weeks ago and have not received any communication back.” “There are nine of us in our salon. Each of us has filed for unemployment and no one has received anything. In fact, everyone was initially denied except for me, and that is because of how I file as a business. But my coworkers keep getting told that the system isn’t set up for self-employed people yet and to keep checking back,” Stratton said. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DOLIR’s) Division of Employment Security (DES) announced April 20th it is now processing unemployment claims for the self-employed, gig workers, independent contractors, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and have been impacted by the coronavirus. Under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, those who qualify will be eligible for weekly benefit payments of between $133 and $320 per week plus a $600 federal supplement available under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. The federal guidelines provide the $600 federal supplement only applies to weeks that are payable from March 29, 2020, through July 25, 2020. These two programs are not regular unemployment insurance but are new, fully federally funded assistance programs. To be eligible for a PUA claim, individuals must first file a regular unemployment claim and be found ineligible. Most self-employed individuals who file a claim will receive a notice that they are not an insured worker. This is because they are not covered under the regular unemployment insurance system. Individuals in these groups who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus, and have not already filed a claim, are encouraged to file online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police
Department daily calls for service log for the week of April 8-14, 2020. April 8, 2020 600 Block NW Whitney Dr 100 Block Sunny Ln 1300 Block NW Hickory 700 Block Main St 900 Block Persimmon Ct 700 Block Main St 200 Block Cypress
Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Alarm Stealing Assault Citizen Contact Disturbance
April 9, 2020 1000 Block Sandy 400 Block Jefferson 600 Block Jefferson 1200 Block Buckner Tarsney 1100 Block Meadow Ct 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 200 Block Parker
Agency Assist (CJC) Alarm Citizen Contact Harassment Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Citizen Assist Citizen Contact
April 10, 2020 700 Block Main St 3100 Block Chrystal Aire Ct Cooper/24 Hwy 400 Block Rust Rd 400 Block Rust Rd 200 Block Cypress 700 Block Main St 1300 Block Tyer Rd 800 Block Capelle Stoney Point/Ryan Rd Cannon/Young St
Identity Theft Agency Assist (JCSO) Agency Assist (Buckner PD) Citizen Contact Nuisance Animal Civil Stand By Citizen Contact Fraud Burglary Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Activity
April 11, 2020 600 Block Yennie 2100 Block Sweetgum 700 Block Main St 500 Block Woodbury 100 Block Nelson BB Hwy/Woodbury 900 Block Ryan Rd 900 Block Dogwood
Disturbance Suspicious Vehicle Citizen Contact Citizen Assist Citizen Assist Disturbance Alarm Agency Assist (CJC)
April 12, 2020 BB Hwy/Greystone Greystone/Erin Ct 1100 Block Ephraim 1300 Block Jefferson 1100 Block Pamela Blvd 700 Block Main St
Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Vehicle Suspicious Person Alarm Alarm Runaway Juvenile
April 13, 2020 700 Block Main St Accident 500 Block Cross Creek 900 Block NE Deer Creek 1100 Block Buckner Tarsney Rd 100 Block N Hudson
Private Property
700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St
Citizen Contact Disturbance Recovered Stolen Vehicle Agency Assist (Buckner PD) Agency Assist (DFS) Warrant Confirmation Suspicious Juveniles
April 14, 2020 1300 Block Ashley Ln 800 Block SW Country Hill 1000 Block Ephraim Dr I 70 Hwy/Main St
Disturbance Suspicious Person Agency Assist (CJC) Citizen Contact
Valley News
Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print. Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader Diana Luppens, Switch Focus Studios | Contributing Photographer John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer
Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @grainvalleynews Have Valley News delivered weekly to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly email at www.grainvalleynews.com.
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Looking Back: Frantz Grocery by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
If you are a regular reader of The Voice, my monthly newsletter from the
Historical Society, you will no doubt remember many references to grocery stores in Grain Valley. From the beginning, the Cannon Mercantile and Jacob Gregg’s grocery store supplied canned and dried foods, fresh meat, produce and farm fresh eggs in a crate to the residents of Grain Valley. Other stores supplied groceries to Grain Valley over the years. Bill and Addie (Cannon) Minter took over the Cannon Mercantile and later relocated a few stores to the north in the current Historical Society Building. For a while Anna Louise (Perkins) and Cecil Poage ran the store and lived in the back. Wayne Minter owned the store when it closed in the late 50s. Clyde Fristoe moved his grocery business from Sni Mills to Grain Valley in the late 1930’s. And the Crull’s had a mercantile store in late 1940’s and early 50s. Perhaps the longest run, as grocery stores go, was the Frantz Grocery Store on the east side of Main Street. Roland Frantz, younger son of Ray and Ella (last weeks’ story) and Louise (Huff) Frantz operated a store there for 25 years. It closed in 1973. Frantz Grocery was one of the last old -time stores of its kind, offering
services that slowly died out with the introduction of modern supermarkets. The grocery store specialized in highquality meat and Mr. Frantz and his butcher, Otis Williams, cut it for the customer’s needs. If Mom needed a 3pound roast, that’s what she got! If company was coming it might be 4 or 5pounds. If you ordered hamburger it was ground just before it went into the wrapper and a variety of lunch meats could be bought by the slice. When the store closed, Roland Frantz reminisced about his stores’ past. He recalled Saturday’s when as many as 25 customers would drop off their grocery list; he would fill their orders and deliver the food to their homes. On Saturday evening, he remembered “...the farmers would come to town to buy groceries, gather around the old coal stove and talk” until he had to kick ’em out at midnight. Behind the check-out counter were the “ticket” books. Like other stores in Grain Valley, Frantz’s Grocery extended credit. I don’t recall my family having a “charge account” at the store, but my grandmother did and occasionally she allowed me to get a candy bar or my favorite Hostess cupcakes and put them on her ticket! Does anyone recall the grocery delivery van? I remember it was usually
Frantz Grocery Store on the east side of Main Street operated by Roland Frantz. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society parked in the alley behind the store, and I think it was some type of brown panel truck, but I can’t be sure. My family only rarely got deliveries, but I can remember Mom buying groceries for Grandma and having them delivered. After the grocery store closed Grain Valley residents only had a convenience store for several years. The population in 1973 was probably less than one-tenth
of our current size. Now we have not only Price Chopper, but 4 gas station convenience stores. And, just for the record, you can only charge with “plastic,” the eggs are in cartons, and there are no home deliveries!
Visit Grain Valley Historical Society online at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
Help For Those Unemployed Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation In the past few weeks, efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus has had an unprecedented impact on nearly every aspect of our lives. As we work together to navigate these challenging times, please know that Truman Heartland Community Foundation is here to help. Our team is working hard to help the community endure this crisis, this includes creating a new section on our website focused on the nonprofits serving Eastern Jackson County during COVID-19 and fast -tracking our 2020 competitive grants cycle to offer flexibility and funding to nonprofits when they need it most. We are also reaching out to food pantries and church programs throughout the area in a coordinated effort to support people laid off due to the coronavirus. As nonessential businesses shuttered to observe stay-at-home orders and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, millions of Americans lost their jobs. In Missouri, nearly 238,000 people filed new unemployment claims in the first three weeks after the coronavirus crisis began. And according to estimates released in early April by the Economic Policy Institute, the unemployment rate may hit nearly 16 percent by July – higher than at any point since the Great
Depression. There is a lot of uncertainty in our lives right now. It’s disruptive and unsettling. Hardworking people throughout Eastern Jackson County are struggling to provide basic essentials for their families and are navigating the unemployment system for the first time. Our recently launched Job Skills for New Careers initiative can help. A collaborative partnership with Community Services League (CSL), Herndon Career Center, Mid-Continent Public Library and University of Central Missouri (UCM), the new Truman Heartland Community Foundation community initiative will provide tuition -free job training and support to help people get on the path to higher paying in-demand careers and break the cycle of poverty. Through this initiative, participants will be matched with support services through CSL, community resources through Mid-Continent Public Library and opportunities for trainings available through Herndon Career Center and UCM’s Lee’s Summit campus in fields that pay living wages and are in high demand in the region, including healthcare, other medical fields and skilled industrial trades. These services
will all be provided at no cost to the participants. We are committed to this work now more than ever, but it would not be possible without community support. Support from generous Community Foundation fundholders who have contributed nearly $110,000 to provide trainings in 2020. It’s possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, who has provided a $60,000 grant so that participants will receive wraparound support services, such as public benefits counseling and financial coaching that will help remove barriers that may prevent program participants from reaching their goals both during the program and for the future. So, while we cannot predict how things will unfold in the weeks and months to come, this program will provide an opportunity for hard-working people who are struggling to get ahead build new skills and connect with resources that will help them withstand this trying time and get back to work in a better paying job. The stay-at-home orders have put the training that would be happening right now on pause. On April 29, we will meet over Zoom with our collaboration partners to chart our path forward. Learn more about the Job Skills for New Careers initiative and how
you can support this effort at www.thcf.org/job-skills. Each of us already know or will soon know someone who is unemployed because of this crisis. Our program can particularly benefit those working in low paying retail or restaurant jobs who have been laid off in huge numbers. Please share this information with them and encourage them to visit newskills.cslcares.org and complete a simple application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with trainings starting as soon as possible. Help us spread the word about this program while containing the spread of the virus.
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.
Business
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Valley News is pleased to provide a free business directory to encourage our readers to support local businesses in this unprecedented time. Listings are provided at no cost to businesses and all local businesses are welcome to add their information. Visit www.grainvalleynews.com to view the Business Directory and/or add your business listing.
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS. SHOP LOCAL. AD SPECIALTIES/EMBROIDERY/ SCREEN PRINTING Jeff Barnard Barnard Sports & Apparel 617 NW Valley Ridge CT 816-355-0297 barnardsports@comcast.net barnardsportsandapparel.com Screen printing, Custom Embroidery, Advertising Specialties and uniforms Hours open: 9 to 5 M - F We have been in business since 1999, family owned and operated. We do embroidery and screen printing in house. Come by and see us for your company, team sports or organization needs. We would appreciate your business. Hilary Rider HD Graphics & Apparel 1436 SW Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley 816-847-7600 hdgraphicsandapparelllc@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ hdgraphicsandapparel Screen printing, embroidery, graphic design, sublimation, custom vinyl, promotional items Normal hours of operation: Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm Ordering available via phone or email with curbside pick up option available.
ATTORNEYS Lorri WilbeeWilbee-Kobe Law Office of Lorri L. WilbeeWilbee-Kobe, LLC 510 Main Street, P.O. Box 309, Grain Valley MO 64029 Lkobe@lwklaw.com Www.lwklaw.com Law Office: Family law, Custody, Divorce, Support, Mediation, Traffic, Municipal Court matters, Powers of Attorney,
Health Care Directives Hours open: Normal hours are M-Th 8:30 to 6 and Friday 8:30 to 3. During the Order, we are handling new consultations by phone only and are accepting most payment by credit card (except initial deposits on hourly matters). Due to the significant need for Health Care Powers of Attorney and Directives, we are drafting them with phone consultations for $100.00. We are also accepting credit cards, temporarily, for attorney fees, fines and costs on traffic and municipal court matters. We have been your hometown lawyer’s office since 2006!
AUTOMOTIVE Absolute Automotive LLC 104 E AA Hwy sam@absoluteautomotive.net https://absoluteautomotive.net/ https://www.facebook.com/ AbsoluteAutomotiveLLC/ Auto Repair Hours open: Monday - Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Hight Automotive, Inc 103 Armstrong Dr 816-229-9919 hightauto@sbcglobal.net Facebook: @Hight Automotive Auto Repair and Machine Shop Hours open: 8am - 7pm Monday thru Thursday Missouri State Inspections by appointment only. We have a drop slot with envelopes provided for dropping off keys with area to specify problems to examine on vehicle. We can take credit card info for payment over the phone and lock keys in vehicle if preferred.
Justin Nicholls Nicholls Performance Transmissions 1200 D Nw Pamela Blvd Grain Valley Missouri 64029 816-522-7227 NPT7227@gmail.com Automotive transmission repair Hours open: 7am-6pm Monday-Thursday We’re open! Valley Synthetics David Abrams, Independent Dealer 816-699-2563 djaabrams@gmail.com www.valleysynthetics.com Walker Tire Truck & Tow Service 403 Action Road, Odessa 816816-230230-5752 Facebook: Walker Tire Truck & Tow Towing Company & Tire Store Hours open: 8-6 M-F 8-2 SAT / TOWING & ROADSERVICE 24/7
AWARDS AND ENGRAVING Melonie Hale MVP Awards & Engraving 805 C West Main, Blue Springs 816-224-6687 mvpawards@sbcglobal.net www.mvp--awards.net www.facebook.com/mvpawards www.facebook.com/ Awards and Engraving engraved gifts, plaques, trophies and sublimation Hours open: Mon, Wed, Fri 10-5 Tues, Thurs 10-6 Sat 10-1 Temporary hours 11-3 Tues & Thurs. Phone answered at all times. Curb side service.
BALLOONS Funtastic Balloon Creations 1103 NW Casey Blvd. Grain Valley, Mo 64029 816-598-0690 Info@funtasticballooncreations.com
Arches, columns, bouquets, balloon creations, party twisting, helium Hours open: Currently closed to walk in service. No contact delivery provided. During the stay at home order, you may order balloons online ( please give a 24 hour notice) and pick up at the store or we can do porch delivery.
BEAUTY SALONS/NAIL SALONS Studio Five Beauty Boutique 1440 SW Eagles Parkway 816-443-5193 Facebook: @Studio Five Beauty Boutique, Instagram: @Studio Five Beauty Boutique Hair salon, lash & makeup boutique, airbrush spray tan Hours open: Tuesday-Saturday While we currently cannot perform any services, we are still able to get your favorite Kevin Murphy & Unite products to you! Just contact us via Facebook and we will get you taken care of. Fredericos Nail Bar 512 Main St. Suite A 816-288-6449 Ffredericosnailbar18@gmail.com www.vagaries.com/fredericosnailbar Facebook: @Fredericos Nail Bar, @ Instagram: @fredericosnailbar Nail salon Hours open: 10:30-8 Closed for services but gift certificates are available website.
Business CBD PRODUCTS CBD American Shaman 1402 SW Eagles Parkway816-726-4615 kcbdamericanshaman@gmail.com https://cbdamericanshaman.com/ grainvalley https://www.yelp.com/biz/americanshaman-grain-valley-grain-valley Retail store specializing in CBD products Hours open: Sun 12-6 M-F 10:30-7 pm For home delivery please order at https://cbdamericanshaman.com/ grainvalley Feel free to call our store 816.726.4615 for curb side pick up and to check as we may flex our hours for the short term.
CHILDCARE Eagles Academy 1438 S Minter Way 816-355-0663 eaglesacademy.gv@gmail.com https://eaglesacademygv.wixsite.com/ website Facebook: @eaglesacademyllc Childcare Provider Hours open: Monday thru Friday 6am to 6pm We are remaining open so essential employees can have care for their children during this time. We are a state licensed facility and the state has asked us to remain open so those on the front lines can still receive quality care. We are waiving all enrollment fees until May 1st for all essential workers. Milestone Academy Child Development Center 1401 Buckner Tarsney Rd Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-847-0204 milestoneacademy@gmail.com milestoneacademycdc.com Child care services Hours open: 6:00am-6:00pm Hours reduced to 6:30am – 5:30pm during stay at home order.
CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Catherine Dowd Grain Valley Chiropractic, LLC 203 South Main Street 816-443-5485 grainvalleychiro@gmail.com www.grainvalleychiro@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/ grainvalleychiro/?ref=bookmarks Chiropractic We are reaching out to ensure your patient care and safety is our highest priority. We are going above and beyond CDC guidelines to safeguard your health and safety. During this time, we have arranged appointments to help with social distancing and limit patient exposure. As you arrive for your
appointment, we are asking that you remain in your vehicle and we will contact via text or phone call when you may enter.
CHURCHES crossroads Church 900 NW Jefferson ST 816-847-7621 http://direction4living.com First Baptist Church Grain Valley 207 W. Walnut www.grainvalleyfirst.com Faith United Methodist Church 1950 SW Eagles Parkway 816-847-0008 www.valleyfaith.church Valley Baptist Church 110 Front Street 816-810-6063 vbcgrainvalley@gmail.com www.vbcgrainvalley.org www.facebook.com/vbcgrainvalley www.instagram.com/vbcgrainvalley Sundays 9 and 10:30am; Wednesday at 7:00pm We stream live on YouTube Sundays at 10:30am https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCNJTxqtlbcDKf3689CMbVPg Small friendly church meeting in the old Mid-continent Library building right off Main on Front Street.
CLEANING SERVICES Kade Cleaning Systems, LLC 500 James Rollo Dr 816-888-9653 kadecleaningsystemsllc@gmail.com kadecleaning.com https://www.facebook.com/ kadecleaning Emergency Water Damage/Clean-up, Fire Damage and Mold Clean-up 24 hours for emergency services We are available 24/7 for any emergency needs you have.
DENTAL Guthrie Family Dental 1203 S Buckner Tarsney Rd guthriefamilydental@gmail.com Guthriefamilydental.com Dentist Hours open: Monday 8-7, Tuesday 9-4, Wednesday 85, Thursday 8-5, Friday 7-12 Emergency treatment only all other nonurgent appts will be rescheduled.
DIRECT SALES Catrina Brunk Scentsy Consultant
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816-769-0485 mombrunk3@gmail.com www.whoiswickless.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/ CatrinasVIPgroup/ Scentsy warmers, wax, oils , diffusers, and more You can shop online anytime. I am available for pick up or shopping from my home by appt. Courtney Williams ThirtyThirty-One Gifts - Independent Senior Consultant 913-548-7297 criceproverbs31@gmail.com www.mythirty-one.com/williamsc http://www.facebook.com/groups//toteallyblessed All orders will be shipped directly to your door. New Insider Rewards and Flat Rate Shipping. Online parties available.
DOG GROOMING Exclusively Dogs KC 1060 NE McQuerry Road, Suite F 816-721-5486 www.exclusivelydogskc.com Lodge of the Four Paws 511 James Rollo Dr 816-847-7777 Facebook: Lodge of the Four Paws Dog & cat grooming & boarding Hours open: M-W 8-6, Th 8-4, F 8-6, Sat 8-3, Sun 5-6
DOG TRAINING K9 Diversity Dog Training 515 Main St k9diversitydogtraining@gmail.com k9diversitydogtraining.com facebook.com/K9DiversityGrainValley Dog training Hours open: 4-8pm during the week 10-8 on Saturday Open for phone consultations during the stay at home order.
EDUCATION Crider’ Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology 300 NW Jefferson ST ciwt.mo@gmail.com cridersinstitute.com Welding School Hours open: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Tasha Lindsey Grain Valley Partnership 1450 SW Eagle Parkway 816-443-5162 info@growgrainvalley.org
growgrainvalley.org Facebook: @growgrainvalley, @ValleyGrain (Twitter) Hours open: 9 am - 5 pm Even though I am splitting time spent working between my office and my home, I am still working to bring as much information regarding this COVID19 crisis to our business community. I am available to help in any way that I can. The Grain Valley Partnership is committed to supporting Grain Valley's business community to ensure growth, creating a positive atmosphere and as a connector to available resources. Promotion, Networking, Advocacy, Credibility, and Education are the top services that we offer year-round!
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR A&A Electrical Inc. 705 Squire Court ADMIN@AAELECTRICALINC.COM WWW.AAELECTRICALINC.COM https://www.facebook.com/ aaelectricalinc Hours open: 6 AM TO 3 PM We have been in business in Grain Valley since 1994. Residential service calls, commercial small to medium projects, swimming pool equipment, bucket truck work.
EVENT FACILITIES Acquaint Gathering 512 Capelle St hatfieldl87@gmail.com www.acquaintgathering.com Facebook: Acquaint Gathering, Instagram: Acquaint Gathering_kc Weddings and special events
GARAGE DOORS Andrew Powell State Line Door & Lift 816-616-8352 Statelinedoorlift@gmail.com www.statelinedoorlift.com www.facebook.com/statelinedoor Garage door supplier Business as usual. Taking precautions with necessary PPE while in your home. We have a no contact service, for your safety, if you wish. See our Facebook page for more information.
GROCERY Cosentino’ Cosentino’s Price Chopper 1191 NE McQuerry Road 7:00am – 8:00pm 7:00am – 8:00am reserved for seniors, expectant mothers, and customers with compromised immune systems. Mactan Asian Market 1438 SW Eagles Parkway mactanasianmarket1438@yahoo.com Facebook: Mactan Asian Market Hours open: 9:30 to 7:00 Monday thru Saturday Open during stay at home order.
Business
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FOOD MANUFACTURER
Nins Ward KC Classic Gourmet Foods LLC 1119 NW Valley Ridge DR 816-506-9023 nina@kcclassicgourmetfoods.com www.kcclassicgourmetfoods.com Food manufacturer Wholesale only
HOME INSPECTION Lawrence Baker Homesweet Home Advisor, LLC hshadvisor@gmail.com www.hshadvisor.com Home Inspection Hours open: Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to noon. $275.00 home inspection (up to a 2,500 sq/ft home) - valid thru June 30, 2020. 10% Discount Mold testing and reporting; Radon testing and reporting; Asbestos testing and reporting; Termite inspection and reporting; Sewer Scope inspection and reporting.
INSURANCE Andrist Farmers Insurance Agency 203 A S. Main St, Grain Valley MO 64029 816-759-8640 mandrist1@farmersagent.com https://agents.farmers.com/mo/grainvalley/margie-andrist Facebook: Margie Andrist Agency, Farmers Insurance Home, Auto, Life, Umbrella, Motorcycle, RV, Business Hours open: 8:30-5:30 M-F Please call my office at for help with any insurance needs. Farmers Insurance - Brown Agency 630 NW Jefferson Street 816-220-3637 jbrown5@farmersagent.com https://agents.farmers.com/mo/grainvalley/janette-brown Facebook: @tylerbrownfarmersagent Insurance for Life, Home, Auto, Umbrella, etc. Hours open: Working remotely from 8:30-5:30 Tanna is answering the phones and can answer most of your policy questions as well as making changes to your policy if necessary. This is a great time to give her a call and review your insurance with her. There may be some adjustments that we can make to help with your rates. If you are not our customer, this is a great opportunity to get a review of your current insurance policies and discover any risks and/or savings.
MASSAGE Ananda Therapies 816-943-9157 www.massagebook.com/biz/ anandatherapies
sign work orders. Many common pests carry disease and viruses. Control is recommended in all times but stressed during current health concerns. We do have access to disinfectant sprays that are labeled to kill bacteria and viruses.
Meinershagen & Co. Certified Public Accountants, Accounting and Tax Services 107 SW Eagles Parkway 816-847-0536 www.floydmeinershagenandco.com
MEDICAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
SERC Physicial Therapy 103 SW Eagles Parkway 816-443-2375 tkrska@serctherapy.com Physical Therapy Hours open: 7:00am – 6:00pm M-F
Diana Luppens Switch Focus Studios 816-809-8868 diluppens@sbcglobal.net www.switchfocusstudios.com Facebook/Instagram: Switch Focus Studios Photography: Family, Newborn, Seniors, Wedding Hours open: Appt only
Valley Tax Service 210 Cannon Street 816-847-2180 valley210@sbcglobal.net www.ValleyTaxService.tax Tax Preparation all year, Notary and Fax services during off season Hours open: January-May 9:00am – 5:00pm., June December 9:00am – 4:00pm Office is open for clients to come and leave documents to file taxes. Clients will be called when tax returns are completed for signing and pickup. Office is cleaned between visits.
MERCHANT SERVICES Ed Thomas Blue Payment Systems Bluepaymentsytems@gmail.com www.BluePaymentSystems.com https://m.facebook.com/EdtheCardMan https://Twitter.com/Edthecardman We are a full-service merchant service brokerage we offered a better way to get paid call for details 816833097 Hours open: Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 7 PM call 816-833-0975
PEST CONTROL Ben Stowe Echo Pest Control 1251 NW Pamela Blvd suite A ben.moxie@gmail.com www.echopestcontrol.com https://www.facebook.com/echopestkc/ Pest Control Hours open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-12pm Echo Pest control offers service to all homes and businesses during the stay at home order. We will be limiting inside treatments on a case by case basis. Technicians will practice safe distancing and not have customers shake hands or sign work orders. Many common pests carry disease and viruses. Control is recommended in all times but stressed during current health concerns. We do have access to disinfectant sprays that are labeled to kill bacteria and viruses. Kevin Girtz Moxie Pest Control 1251 NW Pamela Blvd Suite A kevin.moxiemo@gmail.com www.killbugsfast.com https://www.facebook.com/ MoxiePestControlKansasCity/ Pest Control service Hours open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat- 8am-12pm Moxie Pest control offers service to all homes and businesses during the stay at home order. We will be limiting inside treatments on a case by case basis. Technicians will practice safe distancing and not have customers shake hands or
RENTAL SERVICES Dave Kennedy Grain Valley Rental, Inc. 209 James Rollo Drive gvalleyrental@aol.com www.grainvalleyrental.com Lawn Mower Sales and service / Equipment Rental, Propane Hours open: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm Subject to Change Open with shortened hours. Mon-Fri 8-4 no weekends.
RESTAURANTS El Maguey 102 S Main ST 816-443-2794 Available for carry out orders. El Tequilazo 522 S Main ST 816-355-0258 Available for carry out orders. www.eltequilazorestaurant.com
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR The Small Engine Shop 311C James Rollo Rd, Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-215-8766 https://www.facebook.com/ SmallEngineShop Small Engine Repair Shop Hours open: M-F 8 AM-5 PM, closed 11:30 AM-12:30 PM for lunch + Sat 9 AM-Noon
TAX SERVICE Gail Boyson Boyson Tax Service. LLC 1000 SW Cross Creek Dr gail@boysontaxservice.com Tax preparation for individuals and businesses
TRAFFIC SAFETY PRODUCTS J A Traffic Products LLC 627 NW Valley Ridge Circle 816-220-0450 amindham@jatps.com www.jatps.com Traffic Safety Products/ Road Construction Products Hours open: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Please contact via phone or email if you are interested in placing an order.
VENDING SERVICES David Carter Carter’ Carter’s Sales LLC Vending Company 649 SW Gateway Ct 816-876-7998 Carterd2004@yahoo.com Food and drink vending machine company Hours open: 5:00 am — 5:30 pm We own and operate a full service vending machine service for local businesses. We place vending machines in local businesses and keep them fully stocked at your convenience. Our goal is to offer on-site food and drinks at a fair price to help keep employees and customers happy.
Community Voices
Page 7
Wayne’s World
The Times Are A Changin’ (Part 2) by Wayne Geiger
As I noted in my last article, we are living in an amazing time in history. In my opinion, what we’re experiencing now will leave an indelible mark upon our world, our nation, and our families. Some of the changes on the horizon will be good. Others will not. Last time, I talked about the resurgence of self-reliance and minimalism. In this article, I want to discuss our changing communication landscape. We tend to assume that communication is what it is and has always been this way. Some kids nowadays cannot imagine a world without a device. Here, hold my cell phone and travel back in time with me for a bit. In times past, most people could not read. They communicated by talking. In these “oral societies,” people talked more. They entertained each other with songs, poems, interesting stories, and humor. In these oral societies, people’s brains processed information differently. They had better memories. For example, in the Old Testament times, many of the Jews had memorized all five books of the law (called the Pentateuch). That’s basically the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. I can’t even remember my wife’s phone number and am absolutely dependent upon my speed dial. I used to think there was something wrong with me because I had a bad memory. But then I realized, we all do. We are all products of our environment. While doing research on oral societies and communication theory, I realized that in an oral society people listened “better” and they remembered better. Their brains were wired to do so. With the introduction of written language, and symbolic convergence, came the ability to immortalize and verify communication. But, because reading and writing were considered a luxury, they were exclusively utilized by the ruling class who had power and wealth. In addition, scrolls were very expensive, and documents had to be copied by hand (monks didn’t just pray all the time you know). The Gutenberg printing press changed everything. Documents could be mass produced and shared with a larger audience. Written material could be widely disseminated. All kinds of information could be mass produced. This changed everything. One of the results of the printing press was the Protestant Reformation as the common people were able to read the Scriptures for themselves. But all of this information was big and bulky and had to be carried by
mouth or by hand. Not only was it bulky, but it was slow. For example, in 1760, it took six weeks for news of King George II’s death to reach the colonists in America. Some advances were made by the Pony Express and eventually, the train, but it was still too slow. The telegraph, introduced in the mid1800s, gave birth to the electronic age. Samuel Morse’s first message sent was, “What has God wrought?” The bigger question was, perhaps, what would this mean? This shift changed everything. Information could now be sent over a wire and opened up the door for immediate information to travel coast to coast. But the problem was the wire. Nobody likes to be tied to a wire. Wireless technology led to the invention of mass communication technology like radio and television. Not only was communication instant, but it was also primarily a visual medium. Reading was one thing. Seeing it was quite another. Communication research has constantly shown that we believe what we see over what we hear as nonverbal communication is about 70% of our communication. But, radio and TV demanded a venue. Who has time to sit in front of the radio and wait for the Lone Ranger to come on? The digital age was born. This was the age of the computer and computerbased technology which led to personal computers, phones, and tablets. Connected to this technology was the ability, not only to view things, “live and in color,” we could also record audio and visual images in a digital environment, share them forever in cyberspace, and listen on demand. With every age, communication methods changed--and those methods changed everything. So, what does that have to do with us and COVID-19? Well, one of the things that this time period has taught us is that we desperately need one another. Or, at least we need a segment of the population. At this time, our communication has gone from being “wide” to a little “deeper.” We have become aware of what is most important—our family and friends. We’ve also learned that we need to be cognizant of various methods of communication. Zoom was not a part of my vocabulary until recently. I’m not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I sense that communication and delivery systems will change the way we do just about everything. Let me mention four: First, I believe, that in the days ahead, we’ll realize how valuable face-to-face communication is, but we’ll be on the lookout for alternate ways to communicate. We don’t want to be caught off guard, again. Maybe they’ll
invent smell-o-vision and virtual environments where you can digitally reach out and touch someone (the technology is already here). In other words, we will spend more F2F time with the people we love and look for alternate means of connecting with other people and entities on a deeper level. Second, we will question our need to go “out” more than we have to— especially in flu season. Recently, my family has done some shopping online and had groceries delivered to our home. My wife, who has always been reluctant to allow strangers to pick out our tomatoes, has seen the value. She orders, uses an app to follow the person who is shopping for us (and knows exactly how long that milk has been sitting in the cart), and texts back and forth with our shopper. Why go to the store when the store will come to you? And while we’re on that, does that store need to be down the street or could it be a warehouse in a centralized location? Amazon saw this shift many years ago. Now if we can just get those drones to work. Third, larger businesses that have been forced to close their doors and have employees work from home will fervently look for ways to minimize brick and mortar costs and conduct business in a virtual environment. They have learned how fragile our economy is and how a virus can change everything. They are making plans now to ensure their survival and that survival may not be in a building. Finally, although it may not be immediate, our educational landscape will change. I see two major changes. First, educational facilities, who in my estimation reacted brilliantly to the need to conduct education in an online environment, will be proactive about the future of online education. Because of governmental oversight and funding, this shift will involve measures of control, but it will happen—eventually. In addition, parents will change. During this epidemic, many parents discovered that they appreciated the opportunity to better guide the education of their child and worked in cooperation with their local child’s teacher in a digital environment. True, some parents simply cannot wait until their kids go back to school. They need to get back to work and just need their kids to be in a structured learning environment. However, some parents have seen the value of personally guiding their child’s educational destiny. I believe there will be a slow shift to more parents who homeschool and those who choose a virtual education hybrid. These parents are beginning to think about some important issues and
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S
LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
have noticed some inequities in education. For example, some parents from different cities and regions have talked on social media about the educational expectations for their child. Some kids have structured learning while some kids were told to read several books. Some parents, not wanting their child to fall behind, have chosen to supplement their child’s education. They are now asking some deep questions. They recognize that, simply put, a child’s education is a relationship that is dependent upon the parent, the child, the educational facility, and the local teacher (and, of course, governmental standards and oversight). Some parents want more control and don’t want to limited to a particular brick and mortar building. In the digital future, it could be, that, for some students, education will not be tied to a city or zone. They will cut the wire. They will not go to school. School will come to them. The focus will be upon completing required educational objectives, but also specialization. Maybe you’ve noticed, in recent years, that parents are “into” early and targeted learning. Naturally, they want their children to “succeed” and they’re watching education programs and having their children play learning games on their devices. On the horizon, it could be, that parents will integrate home learning with some sort of digital educational facility that is designed to empower their child’s individual needs and learning styles to produce a targeted product. Why sit in a classroom when you can gain individualized learning in a synchronous (live) or asynchronous (Memorex) learning environment? The goal is not education, but assimilation into the workforce. To illustrate, if your fifth grader wants to be an architect, we’ve got a learning track for that. We teach you the required stuff and also integrate targeted learning from professionals in the field. This learning will not be by location, but tied to financial means. Naturally, all of this is speculation and off in the distance. And, of course, it will be dependent upon the health of our economy and governmental oversight and control. While I’m on that topic, next week I’ll finish up my thoughts on this time in history by talking about Big Brother, religion, and the Mark of the Beast.
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.
Community Voices
Page 8
Musings From The Middle:
I May Need Reinforcements by Cathy Allie
We are on week 78, or thereabouts, of our COVID-19 isolation. I have had a lot of time to clean house (and point my finger at projects my husband needs to do). And I would like to say that my cleaning style could best be described as, “There appears to have been a struggle.” I have been scouring counter tops, polishing sink handles, mopping floors, brushing toilets, and sanitizing door knobs. My fingertips have an eerie white glow from where bleach has seeped through my gloves. We are clean over here. But I have lost the Stacks and Clutter War. And I don’t mean just narrowly lost, like a closely contested ball game. I got decimated, ruined, undone, whipped, destroyed, wasted, ravaged. Are you following me? The first part of the defeat and carnage came in the form of work spaces. When we all came home to work and go to school, we all needed a place to put our “stuff”. I mistakenly thought that each night, folks would just gather up their stuff and put it away. “But we will be using it again in the morning,” they said. “Seems silly to completely put it away! Here! We will just stack it neatly.” In hindsight, I should have emptied a drawer, carried in a backpack, or even a milk crate and firmly said ,”Let’s start storing it here.” But I was weak from shopping everywhere for toilet paper, and I caved in. At first the stacks looked pretty neat and tidy. But after a few days, they literally looked more like burial mounds. I did an about face and waved the white flag. The next phase of the loss was closer to the front lines, in the form of counter tops. When we all came home to work and go to school, we all came home to eat as well. No more neatly packed lunch boxes heading out the door and then refreshed each night to head out the door the next day again. Instead, we
grocery shopped, and our pantry became full and the counter tops held the overflow. The super-giant bag of tortilla chips took up one corner. There were now two fruit bowls instead of one. Seemed silly to carry the soldier-like lines of bottled water all the way to the garage, so they found a counter top seat. Before I knew it, and literally overnight, there was no place for my important things like a bag of caramels, coffee pods , and nail polish colors I am choosing from the much needed pedicure I can’t have. What room was left went to devices and chargers. I think I counted five computers, two I-pads, a Kindle, and four phones all lined up on the counter. Anarchy! Then I lost the Battle of the Blankets. People who have come home to work and go to school, and then eat, often land on a couch or chair to watch TV. The 70 degree days have been few and far between, so the blankets have gotten used. But late night movie binging means they don’t get folded or put away where they normally are, so when the next person goes looking for one, it is much easier to just grab another one. Exactly three of us live here (unless you count the dog, who as I shared last week is the only one I still like), and there were 11 blankets. Eleven! I called a cease fire, and we spent about five minutes folding the ones that didn’t need a thorough de-lousing. My water bill will be five million dollars this month at this rate, as I am laundering everything in sight. Sadly, I also lost the Battle of the Bedside Table, one of my usual strongholds. The offensive launched when Dr. Fauci said I would need to take my temperature, so I placed the thermometer there, nestled in next to a tank-sized box of Kleenex I was forced to buy at a warehouse store when my little square packages weren’t available. I have recommitted to reading, so
two novels joined all the medical supplies. I can’t sleep because I am worrying about the mess we are in, so I added a couple of crossword puzzle and sudoku books to the already crowded space. None of the pens I picked up worked, but instead of throwing them away, as is my habit, I left them on the table to try repeatedly in the wee hours of the morning. I want my phone to be fully charged and not miss an important call during this insurrection, and I am now so desperate for adult conversation that it bunks on the bedside table also. On Sunday night, right before I went to sleep I propped the phone against the books, and sometime in the night, everything toppled over, making a great noise. My husband jumped up and grabbed a baseball bat from his side of the bed, ready to swing at whomever was trying to steal our thermometer…that is after grabbing his reading glasses to make sure he didn’t miss. Now the baseball bat has joined the mess on my side of the bed, along with a nail file, in my own weapons cache, because Lord knows I don’t trust him with it. Perhaps my final humiliating defeat came in the form of the stairs in my two story home. Something always needs to go back upstairs when you live on multiple floors. My mom made us an adorable staircase basket into which you are supposed to put things during the day, carry them up at night, and begin the process over again the next day. But our basic training failed, and we cannot seem to do that. Items are stacked on the stairs like a crazy Jenga game, ready to roll all the way back to the bottom step when someone treads near them. I have been carrying up a load each time I go, and I encouraged the savages that live with me to do the same.
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
At first I thought it was my imagination, when I noticed things being moved up one or two stairs, however not all the way to the top. Hmmm. Wasn’t that on the third step yesterday, and now it is on the 5th? I spied on the members of my unit. My suspicions were confirmed when I got to the second stair from the top last night and there sat two items. Are you kidding me? You couldn’t have carried them up just One. More. Step? No one has confessed to the insolent stair moves, but I was reminded of an Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Debra and Ray wait each other out. They both know they have to put away a suitcase sitting in the middle of the stairs, but rather than taking the initiative, they wait to see who will finally cave and do it. Hey, I am on Corona lockdown. Like a gunner with her howitzer, I can wait. And wait. And wait.
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
April 17th was National Haiku Day. Day We asked our readers on Facebook to share an original haiku and we are pleased to share their prose:
Jumping jubilee, Rushing, running, spinning ‘round, Dancing merrily. - Theresa Faulk My car is going My head still sleeping at home Oh work, here I come - Lenora Hutchison Marler
Home & Garden
Page 9
Give Your Old Vehicle A Makeover (BPT) - If you're at home with time to work on a project, one of the things you can do is give your vehicle an updated look. The automotive aftermarket offers a variety of special products and accessories that will enable you to transform the appearance of any vehicle quickly, easily and affordably. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), thousands of specialty parts are available that can give an older vehicle a completely new appearance. Whether your goal is to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece or simply give a vehicle a fresh new look, a few simple upgrades is all it will take. Start with the interior. Numerous products are available to update the inside of your vehicle, including aftermarket steering wheels, seat covers, instrument panels and dash kits. It's easy and inexpensive to get a new steering wheel cover, or you can spend a bit more to replace it entirely with a more sporty or luxurious one. Custom steering wheels come in a variety of shapes and styles, and are available in wood, leather or a high-tech material.
Similarly, seat covers are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and are one of the most dramatic ways to impact the interior. Perhaps best of all, they come in thousands of colors and fabric combinations. Seat covers can also be ordered with emblems or logos on them. Continue with the exterior. For a new look outside the vehicle, consider a new grille, taillight surround, bumper, hitch or ground-effects kit. Wheels and tires, both of which are among the most popular vehicle accessories, instantly update the look of a car or truck. Prices, styles and finishes vary greatly. Go high-tech. If your vehicle is a few years old, consider modernizing it with electronics. Bluetooth-enabled devices, including navigation, video and audio systems, can be installed in just about any car or truck, regardless of its age. Have good clean fun. Don't underestimate the impact that a good cleaning can have on a vehicle. Wax and car care science is constantly evolving, allowing for a restoring program for almost any type of finish. Car care
companies even offer special polishing tools that make giving your vehicle a professional facelift easy. Add some color. If your paint is damaged and in need of a touch-up, automotive paint companies offer a robust color palette that makes color treatments a cinch. Another option is to go with a wrap, which will give your vehicle a new-paint look. Wraps come on rolls in a variety of colors and patterns, and when properly applied it does not damage the original surface of the car. In the future if you decide to change it, you can simply peel it off and lay on a different wrap. The installation of many types of restyling parts is designed to be simple and can often be handled by anyone who approaches the job with reasonable care. But for best results, more involved makeovers - including those that require paint or bodywork or replacing components that have safetyrelated features, such as seat assemblies - should be done by professionals who have the tools and experience for that kind of work.
Photo credit: iStock Photo SEMA represents the $44.6 billion specialty automotive industry, which provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. In addition to offering market research, legislative advocacy, training and product development support, SEMA helps businesses manage product data, such as weights and measures, descriptions, pricing, and UPC codes or application data, through its SEMA Data Co-op program. To learn more about SEMA Data Co-op, log on to www.semadatacoop.org.
May Gardening Calendar
by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension—Jackson County
It has been a wild spring so far with temperatures all over the place, from freezing to hot. Snow, rain, wind, we have experienced it all. Despite these extremes, I hope you are able to get outside and start gardening during the stay at home precautions and enjoy the spring activities in your yard and garden. Contact University of Missouri Extension in Jackson County, if you have any questions about plants, insects, or any garden related activities. We are glad to help! Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, bylinowskic@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County, 816-252-5051. Ornamentals Apples, crabapples and hawthorns susceptible to rust disease should have protective fungicidal sprays applied beginning when these trees bloom. Pinch azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade. Double flowered azaleas need no pinching. If spring rains have been sparse, begin irrigating, especially plants growing in full sun. Fertilize azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation which has an acid reaction. Canker worms (inch worms) rarely cause permanent damage to ornamentals. Use Bt if control is deemed necessary. Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline. Continue monitoring pines, especially Scotch and mugo, for
sawfly activity on new shoots. Begin planting gladiolus bulbs as the ground warms. Continue at 2week intervals. Plant hardy water lilies in tubs or garden pools. Scale crawlers are active now. Infested pines and euonymus should be treated at this time. Plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, dahlias, cannas and elephant ears. Begin planting warm-season annuals. Begin fertilizing annuals. Continue at regular intervals. Trees with a history of borer problems should receive their first spray now. Repeat twice at 3-week intervals. Pinch back mums to promote bushy growth. Lawns Keep bluegrass cut at 1.5 to 2.5 inch height. Mow tall fescue at 2 to 4 inch height. Mow zoysia lawns at 1.5 inch height. Remove no more than onehalf inch at each mowing. Apply post-emergence broadleaf weed controls now if needed. Zoysia lawns may be fertilized now. Apply no more than 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Watch for sod webworms emerging now. Vegetables Place cutworm collars around
young transplants. Collars are easily made from cardboard strips. Growing lettuce under screening materials will slow bolting and extend harvests into hot weather. Slugs will hide during the daytime beneath a board placed over damp ground. Check each morning and destroy any slugs that have gathered on the underside of the board. Plant dill to use when making pickles. Keep asparagus harvested for continued spear production. Control asparagus beetles as needed. Begin planting sweet corn as soon as white oak leaves are as big as squirrel ears. Isolate sweet, super sweet and popcorn varieties of corn to prevent crossing. Thin plantings of carrots and beets to avoid overcrowding. Control caterpillars on broccoli and cabbage plants by handpicking or use biological sprays such as B.t. Set out tomato plants as soils warm. Place a stake by seeds of squash and cucumbers when planting in hills to locate the root zone watering site after the vines have run. Remove rhubarb seed stalks as they appear. Watch for striped and spotted cucumber beetles now. Both may spread wilt and mosaic diseases to squash and cucumber plants.
Set out peppers and eggplants after soils have warmed. Plant sweet potatoes now and into early June. Make new sowings of warmseason vegetables after harvesting early crops. Fruits Mulch blueberries with pine needles or sawdust. Don't spray any fruits while in bloom. Refer to local MU Extension publications for fruit spray schedule. Fruit Tree Spray Schedule for the Homeowner - https:// extension2.missouri.edu/g6010 Miscellaneous Birds eat many insect pests. Attract them to your garden by providing good nesting habitats. Herbs planted in average soils need no extra fertilizer. Too much may reduce flavor and pungency at harvest. Take houseplants outdoors when nights will remain above 50 degrees. Most prefer only direct morning sun. Watch for fireflies on warm nights. Both adults and larvae are important predators. Collecting may reduce this benefit.
Gardening Calendar supplied by the staff of the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening located at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. (www.GardeningHelp.org)
Sports
Page 10
Honoring 2020 Grads With Senior Send Off Profiles Jake Sanders
Sports: Cross Country & Track Plans after high school: I plan to continue to run cross country and track at central Methodist for two years then pursue an engineering degree at K-State. Highlights of your career as a student athlete: Team trip to Colorado last summer.
To say this has been an unusual and disappointing end to the 2019-20 school year would be quite the understatement. With the cancellation of the spring sports season and the postponement or cancellation of many of the traditional year-end activities to honor the senior class, Valley News wanted to highlight some of the wonderful student athletes who make up the Class of 2020. In the coming weeks, we will
highlight senior athletes in our Senior Send Off Feature and give them the spotlight they deserve. Seniors: You should receive information from your coaches with a link to submit your information for our Senior Send Off profiles. If you have not received this information and would like to participate, please send us an email to news@grainvalleynews.com. We will publish profiles in the order received.
What were some of the biggest lessons you learned as a student athlete? The importance of dedication and work ethic.
Photo courtesy Jake Sanders
Thank You: Thank you to my coaches and teammates. I’ve really loved being a part of this team. It’s been a memorable experience and though it ended sooner than we expected, we had a good run and I’ll never forget it.
Alexis Parra Sport: Softball
Plans after high school: I am attending MCC-Maple Woods to play softball. I want to major in either Sports Management or Sports Medicine. Highlights of your career as a student athlete: One highlight from softball would have to be this fall season our team had over 20 wins with less then 10 losses. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned as a student athlete? One of the biggest lessons I learned as a student athlete was that school had to be my main priority before softball. In order to succeed in softball I had to excel in school. Thank You: I want to give a big thanks to my parents for spending all their free time taking me to games or practices 24/7, but also being my biggest supporters throughout my career. I also want to thank my brothers for helping me here and there to make me better and better each day, but also supporting me. Thanks to all my coaches throughout high school and competitive ball for believing in me and pushing me every practice and game to be a better athlete. I would also like to thank all my teammates for supporting me on and off the field and not only being teammates but being a family. And last but not least, I would like to thank Coach Kankey for giving me the opportunity to further my softball career at the next level.
MSHSAA official and Grain Valley resident John Kilmer officiates a high school basketball game. Photo credit: John Overstreet
Sports
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Grain Valley Working Through Changes To MSHSAA Summer By-Laws The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors voted to grant relief of portions of the MSHSAA By-Laws that include summer limits on contact between coaches and student-athletes, at its April meeting on Thursday, April 16th. Dependent upon approval from local and state health officials, the MSHSAA Board voted to make the summertime dead period and the summer limits on contact optional for the summer of 2020. MSHSAA By-Law 1.5 requires member schools to establish a period of nine consecutive days beginning on a Saturday and lasting to the second following Sunday, in which no contact takes place between school coaches/ directors of MSHSAA-sponsored activities and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled in the member school during the next school year. With Thursday’s decision, a school may choose to comply with this “dead period” or to allow teams to hold
activities. This decision also relieves portions of By-Law 3.15.3 and 3.15.4, which limits teams to 20 days of contact during the summer. Member schools may allow teams to have more than 20 days of contact in which any coaching or instruction in the skills and techniques of any sport takes place. “The abrupt changes that took place to our normal system of education this spring, have our schools pleading for access to students this summer,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn. “The membership asked about what possible flexibility and modifications to by-law restrictions that could be offered. If there is no local, state, or national clearance for safe contact with students, then any allowances dealing with summer will be moot. But, in an effort to be prepared for what we hope is possible, this action was taken to grant some relief for the member schools.” In other action, the Board of Directors voted to allow seniors to be viewed as enrolled students through the summer,
“I know everyone is going to be ready to work hard this summer after being cooped up all Spring. MSHSAA voted to remove the mandatory 20 day contact limitations and summertime dead period. Grain Valley will eliminate our dead period the first week of July, because we understand until we have a better idea about the timeline of ‘opening up,’’ it is difficult to know what back up, have,”” Brandon type of impact this will have, Hart, GVHS Activities Director. which allows them to represent their high schools in summertime interscholastic competition. This relief of By-Law 3.15 is designed for this summer only. “Hopefully, this will allow schools to play contests against other schools to provide closure and recognition for students and allow teams and kids to play together this summer,” said Urhahn. At this point, no action was taken to alter any other sections of By-Law 3.15, or the fall no contact period (3.15.1.b) that is scheduled to take place between August 3, 2020 and August 9, 2020. All summertime activities remain optional for students, attendance or participation could not be required. “The first thing that needs to be clearly understood is that all decisions about anything summer-related – be it contact, access, practice, games, conditioning, etc. - must first be approved, cleared and deemed safe by the CDC, State and Local Health Departments, the Governor, and local Mayors” Urhahn concluded. “The end of social distancing and ‘safe at home’ is still not clearly visible yet, and summer activities may not be possible due to the covid-19 pandemic and its own timeline.” Grain Valley High School Activities Director Brandon Hart acknowledged it is difficult to explain what MSHSAA’s press release exactly means with so many unknowns still left in the air. “I know everyone is going to be ready to work hard this summer after being
cooped up all Spring. MSHSAA voted to remove the mandatory 20 day contact limitations and summertime dead period. Grain Valley will eliminate our dead period the first week of July, because we understand until we have a better idea about the timeline of ‘opening back up,’ it is difficult to know what type of impact this will have,” Hart said. “This action does give schools more flexibility though, assuming we can resume normal activity this summer. Last week, I communicated with our coaches that we will discard our current summer calendar, and we will create a new summer calendar when we have more information about timelines. It is important that every program get equal opportunities for summer participation so we will have to get back together and create a master schedule that strives to work around the needs of the various programs.” “Dominoes start to fall when you have multiple athletic programs. Grain Valley has a lot of multi-sport athletes, so we want to make sure to eliminate as many conflicts as possible. I would be shocked if a sport is able to have more than 20 contact days, especially if we lose any days this summer.” “Summer weights is probably the biggest challenge. Historically, we have opened the weight room four days a week in the summer, so hopefully we can open back up as soon as possible. Coaches may have to reduce the playbook this Fall, and kids will be a little further behind when we start back up, but everyone is in the same boat. We will work as hard as we can to have a strong summer program, but our main priority is protecting the health and well -being of our families.” Hart concluded, “In other action, MSHSAA also voted to allow seniors to be viewed as enrolled students through the summer so they may represent their high schools in summertime interscholastic competition. I still have many questions and need more guidance from MSHSAA. Typically, summer is used for development, and any competition is controlled.” “That being said, schools understand this summer may be different. Will schools try to play baseball and girls soccer games this summer to provide closure for seniors? Will kids have to choose between their summer competitive team and their high school team? Only time will tell, as we are in unprecedented times. I will be interested to see how this evolves.”
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MURPHY
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we had someone inside that was more than qualified,” Todd said. “I’ve worked for the City in some capacity for almost fourteen years and I’ve enjoyed being a part of the growth that we’ve seen. I am extremely grateful and humbled that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen have shown the faith in me to name me the next City Administrator. A City Administrator is only successful if they have a great staff around them and I think we have a great staff that will guide us into the future,” Murphy said. One of Murphy’s immediate challenges will be guiding the City through the aftermath of the COVID-19
pandemic and related stay at home orders. “As far as COVID-19 and its effect on the economy and our budget, it is very early, and we won’t know the full effect for some time. We are limiting spending on any non-essential purchases to make sure we are in as good of a place as possible. We have our finance team and financial advisors monitoring the economic climate as well as our revenue sources. With our fiscal year being the calendar year we aren’t faced with the challenge some other communities are in trying to forecast revenues for a new fiscal year at this point,” Murphy said.
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