Valley News: August 13, 2020

Valley News www.grainvalleynews.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

Vol. 3, No. 32

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Board Approves Additional Grain Valley Officers ‘Feel The Love’ From The Community Food Truck Fridays A request by the Grain Valley Fair and Grain Valley Partnership to continue their Food Truck Fridays event through September 12th was the most discussed item on a light August 10th Board of Aldermen agenda.

Mike Todd, representing the Grain Valley Fair committee, and Tasha Lindsey, Executive Director of the Grain Valley Partnership, requested an extension of the Food Truck Friday event, which originally ended Friday, August 7th.

The event has proven popular, with the organizers receiving many requests to continue the event. The pair requested the Food Trucks be allowed to resume Friday, August 21st and run each Friday through the Grain Valley Fair, which will be held Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th.

Additionally, the organizations requested the use of the parking lots behind the community center to allow more space for food trucks and patrons.

The Board approved the request.

Todd also updated the Board on revised plans for the Grain Valley Fair.

The parade and carnival have been canceled, as have much of the non-food related vendors and activities. An expanded Food Truck Friday event will be held on Friday, September 11th. A beer

garden, sponsored by the Grain Valley Partnership is being considered if proper social distancing protocols can be ensured. Food trucks will return on Saturday, September 12th with a small number of non-food vendors, spaced in separate tents throughout the original fair grounds.

In other business, the Board approved an ordinance approving the final plat of the Bush Business Park Re-Plat as well as an ordinance approving the final plat of Greystone Estates Phase II. The Board also approved a resolution to enter into a funding agreement with STAR Acquisitions, Inc. to provide funding in the amount of $20,000 for costs incurred by the City to research and establish a Community Improvement District (CID), Transportation Development District (TDD), and other services to administer Development Incentives applications for the property located at the NW corner of Jefferson and MO BB Highway.

Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies reported 350 registrants have signed up for fall sports programs.

The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held Monday, August 24, 2020.

Good News: Free Face Masks At Community Center Free disposable face masks may be picked up at the Grain Valley Community Center, 713 Main Street, during their regular operating hours while supplies last.

Masks are provided as a courtesy of Jackson County and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

In recent weeks, demonstrations and protests across the country resulting from the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have once again highlighted incidents of police brutality and increased tensions and feelings of mistrust between officers and citizens.

Grain Valley’s police department has seen the opposite type of attention from residents in recent weeks, and Grain Valley Police Chief James Beale believes his department’s focus on transparency and connecting with the community is one of the main reasons for the outpouring of love.

In recent weeks, residents have stopped by to drop off notes of support, purchased dinners, provided gift cards for officers, and delivered regular treats.

One woman delivers cinnamon rolls on a weekly basis.

“It is a reflection of the type of department that we sought out to be,” Beale said.

“I know you have to be very transparent and we have to be able to connect with the community. I think that sets the tone for this department.

We encourage our officers to speak to the citizens when they are out on patrol.”

“Our captains and I continue to talk with our officers about the importance of bridging the gap with the community, and they have just really taken off with it. They have gotten so creative with ways to connect, from making a point to interact with kids while on patrol, passing out Halloween candy, to formal programs,” Beale said.

“The effort that we put into this 24person department, the way we mesh with our community is amazing. And this is our community showing us their thanks, and them letting us know ‘it’s not you’. The gifts and kind words that we get is a result of that.”

When a group reached out to Chief Beale in late May requesting permission to hold a protest to support the Black

Photo credit: iStock Photo

An anonymous group of well-wishers taped hundreds of heart-shaped notes at the employee entrance of the police department this week, thanking officers for their service. Chief James Beale said actions such as these speak to the department’s continued efforts to be a transparent department that is connected to the community.

Photo credit: City of Grain Valley Lives Matter movement, Beale made the decision to welcome the group and use the protest as an opportunity to interact with residents and let them know he and his department understood their concerns.

“I had two choices. I could say ‘No, we don’t want that’, or I could embrace it and show the organizers that their concerns are our concerns,” Beale said.

Beale, along with Captains Hedger and Palacek, and the department’s school resource officers attended the event and talked with the group. Beale also invited a local congregation to join in the event held at Armstrong Park.

“We want to be approachable. We want our citizens to ask us questions.

see FEEL THE LOVE on page 2

3rd Annual Grain Valley Fair 5K Saturday, September 12, 2020 | 8:00am | Virtual 5K option.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which donates money to local charities at Christmas time.

Register online at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/GrainValley/GrainValleyFair5K

Local News

Page 2

Police Blotter

FEEL THE LOVE continued from page 1

The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department

We like to laugh, we have emotions just like everybody else. When the community gets to know us, they understand that we are also moms, dads, sisters, and brothers. We are regular people.. When people know they can approach you, it makes our job easier and it makes them more acceptable of us.”

Even though the issues raised nationally have not directly impacted Grain Valley, the ripple effect is felt locally.

Grain Valley is similar to other departments in finding it difficult to recruit candidates for open positions.

The department has had an opening for a police officer for several weeks with little to no response. Beale understands that national events have an effect on recruiting, but encourages anyone interested to consider a job in law enforcement.

“If you want to get rich, this is not the

job for you. But if you care about your community and want to make a difference, it is a great career. There are so many opportunities in policing and law enforcement. You get an insight into people that the average citizen does not have. It is challenging and no day is the same. There’s nothing in this world that I would rather do,” Beale said.

And Beale emphasizes that his department’s officers are able to do their job with honor because of the relationship they have built with the community.

“We are able to hold our heads high and go out and serve our community.

And that’s because the community made us feel that way. This community is what keeps us going,” Beale said.

“They are affected by the things they see in the media, and we are too. But, they know that this is not this community. And they keep us going.”

MDC Reopens Kansas City Regional Office In Lee’s Summit

by Bill Graham The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has reopened the Kansas City Regional Office to the public.

Visitors can once again ask questions or buy permits at the front desk. But precautions such as social distancing are strongly encouraged, and the public should follow city or county requirements regarding face masks.

The regional office is at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, 12405 S.E. Ranson Road in Lee’s Summit. MDC staff members that provide conservation services for the region are based at the office. The office is on the entrance road to the wildlife area.

The building is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 10:00am— 4:00pm Only one visitor at a time may enter the building. Telephones are answered at the office from 8:00am—5:00pm.

Reed Area maps, weekly fishing reports, and blank landowner permit applications are available at the covered kiosk next to the flagpole.

For more information about the Reed area, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZxU.

daily calls for service log for the week of July 29—August 4, 2020.

July 29, 2020 700 Block Meadow Eagles & Royer 100 Block Parker WB US 40 Hwy & Sni-A-Bar 300 Block 1st St 1400 Block Red Oak Ct 700 Block Main St Duncan Rd & Woodbury Rd 100 Block Lee 600 Block Tisha Ln July 30, 2020 900 Block Dogwood Dr 1000 Block McQuerry Rd Main St / I-70 Underpass 2400 Block Harding WB I-70 1400 Block SW Eagles Pkwy 700 Block RD Mize Rd 1400 Block Amanda Jean Way 1100 Block Willow Dr 1400 Block Minter Way July 31, 2020 700 Block Main St 1400 Block Amanda Jean Way Eagle Ridge / High View Dr 1400 Block Amanda Jean Way 800 Block Albatross Dr 700 Block Misty Glen 700 Block SW Ridgeview Dr 1200 Block Ashley Dr August 1, 2020 200 Block Hoot Owl 1100 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1000 Block Dean Dr 1100 Block McQuerry Rd 100 Block Nelson Dr Main St / I-70 Underpass 1300 Block Jefferson St 100 Block Hudson

Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Area Check Motor Vehicle Theft Stealing Alarm Property Damage Area Check Agency Assist (BPD) Noise Complaint

Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident Motor Vehicle Accident Agency Assist (OGPD) Medical Emergency Warrant Service Business Contact Parking Complaint Stealing Alarm

Harassment Parking Complaint Found Juvenile Citizen Contact Check the Welfare Alarm Area Check for Traffic Congestion Agency Assist (KCPD)

Property Damage Alarm Citizen Contact Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident Noise Complaint Disturbance Suspicious Vehicle Agency Assist (BPD)

2100 Block Hedgewood Dr Main St / I-70 Underpass 700 Block Main St 1400 Block Willow Dr 800 Block San Kar 100 Block Sunny Ln

Verbal Disturbance Suspicious Person Citizen Contact Online Scam Attempt Stealing Citizen Contact

August 2, 2020 700 Block Main St 200 Block Hoot Owl 700 Block Main St 800 Block Country Hill Dr 200 Block Barr Rd US 40 Hwy / Main St 700 Block Main St 1300 Block Brentwood

Harassment Parking Complaint Citizen Contact Civil Standby Trespassing Motorist Assist Citizen Contact Civil Issue

August 3, 2020 1400 Block Persimmon 700 Block Main St 1300 Block Jefferson St 1600 Block Hilltop 1100 Block McQuerry Rd 1300 Block Stoneybrook 100 Block Eagles Parkway 500 Block Shorthorn Dr 700 Block Main St

Follow Up Check the Welfare Alarm VIN Check Citizen Contact Disturbance Alarm Noise Complaint Citizen Contact

August 4, 2020 1100 Block Casey Blvd 1400 Block Persimmon 1300 Block Broadway 700 Block Crestview Terr EB South Outer Belt Rd WB I-70 and BB Hwy Old 40 Hwy 100 Block Eagles Parkway 400 Block Graystone Dr 1200 Block RD Mize Rd 900 Block Stonebrook Ln 700 Block Main St

Dealer's License Follow Up Dealer's License Leaving the Scene of an Accident Agency Assist (MSHP) Agency Assist (MSHP) Disturbance Citizen Contact Disturbance Residential Fire Area Check Animal Control

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 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

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Page 3

Looking Back: Herschel Elliott

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society If you have watched any television news over the past couple of week, you are no doubt aware it is the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II. D-Day, June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the Battle of Normandy which lead to V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8, 1945.

But it wasn’t until the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 8, 1945) that Japanese Emperor Hirohito knew defeat was inevitable. The fighting ended on August 15 however, the Japanese delegation did not officially sign the document of surrender until September 2, 1945.

Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu, representing the Emperor of Japan, signed the Instrument of Surrender. He was followed by the Chief of the Army General Staff, General Yoshijirō Umezu, who signed for the Japanese Army.

After this, General Douglas MacArthur signed the Instrument of Surrender as the Supreme Allied Commander. His signature was followed by that of 8 more gentlemen representing the other allied countries.

The Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard the USS Missouri, a battleship now enshrined at Pearl Harbor. I believe Missourians have always seen the significance of this ship being chosen because the haberdasher from Independence, President Harry Truman, made the decision to drop the bombs, thus ending the War. The Historical Society recently received a gift from Blake Elliott, a book

compiled by his brother, Terryl Elliott entitled Until I See You Again. It is a collection of World War II correspondence between his parents with a few letters from his grandmother and other relatives included.

While his mother, Vivian was from Independence, Missouri, his father was born and raised in Grain Valley.

Herschel’s parents were Walter and Lula (Sanders) Elliott. His older sister was Anna Maude Caldwell and his younger sister was Naomi Graham.

Herschel attended 12 years of school in Grain Valley, graduating in 1929. He was on the 1928 Football Team, the only undefeated team in the school’s history.

The team was placed in the GVHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Before going into service Herschel lived with his family in a house near the corner of Main Street and U. S. 40 Highway, now Eagles’ Parkway. It was torn down in the mid 1950’s, never having anything so “modern” as running water, indoor plumbing or central heating.

The letters reveal a simple life in a much simpler time. They reveal the hardships of the War following the Great Depression. In their daily, yes daily, correspondence readers can learn about sugar rationing, gasoline rationing, and scrap metal drives; family members and friends being laid off from General Motors and others working long hours at Lake City Arsenal.

Readers can also learn about other “local boys” serving in Europe or the Pacific. And we can also learn about the

Herschel Elliott is one of 146 names on the old honor roll. (and it was misspelled) The six stars represent men from Grain Valley who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society eagerly awaited PX rations, which included cigarettes, candy bars, soap and razor blades.

And then, there was personal information, some good news like the birth of a nephew and some not so good like the death of Herschel’s mother.

From the first letter home written on May 5, 1941 to the final letter written on October 18, 1945 one can better understand the hardships endured during World War II. While Herschel was an airplane mechanic who never saw combat, he did serve his country. The following is from a short newspaper article that fairly well

sums up his experience. “Cpl. Herschel T. Elliott, husband of Mrs. Vivian Elliot, 1407 West Alton, arrived home, Tuesday evening (November 13) from the European Theater of War, after thirtyfive months overseas. Cpl. Elliott has received his honorable discharge. He served in North Africa, (Sardinia), Corsica, Southern France and Germany.”

Herschel and Vivian returned to Grain Valley where they lived with his widowed father and their two sons (Terry, who arrived in 1946 and Blake in 1949) until moving to Blue Springs in 1952.

Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at www.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).

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Business

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“The Magic Of The Movies” Returns To Grain Valley Cinephiles who have spent the last several months surviving on TV and streaming services on the small-screen will be thrilled to hear the Grain Valley B&B Theatre is excited to welcome back movie lovers to newly renovated theaters on Friday, August 14th.

Movie goers will see a new fullservice bar in the lobby, new carpet, and new marquee signs as they enter the theatre. The theatre now features reserved seating, and patrons will notice a difference inside the theatres as well, with each theatre featuring heated reclining seats. Social distancing and cleaning protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of employees and customers.

The theatre had planned a renovation prior to the closures imposed on movie theatres due to the COVID-19 pandemic..

These shutdowns have temporarily crippled movie theatres, and B&B has been no exception.

B&B Theatres, headquartered in Liberty. MO, prides itself on being a small, family-owned business, whose employees are like family as well.

“This has not be a pleasant time for us.

We’ve been affected financially of course.,” Paul Farnsworth, Director of Public Relations for B&B Theatres said.

While the company works through the challenges of maintaining the business and still waiting on COVID-19 related financial assistance, Farnsworth says the support felt from the community has been encouraging.

“Specific to this market, we’ve received immensely positive feedback on social media. They’ve been really supportive at this and other locations by way of gift card purchases online. It’s been very heartening and encouraging.”

“Operating these community theatres is tremendously important to us. This renovation has been a great opportunity

to indicate our re-investment in this location, but also our commitment to these new protocols to make sure people coming back are comfortable and accommodated when they revisit us.”

While theatres across the country wait for Hollywood to release new titles, B&B will feature favorite classic movies.

Movies on the schedule for opening weekend at the Grain Valley location include Beauty and the Beast, Bohemian Rhapsody, Grown Ups, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Iron Man, Jurassic Park, The Goonies, and Wonder Woman.

“The hope of course is that Tenet, a new film from Warner Brothers, slated to release internationally on the 26th and then domestically on September 3rd, holds. We’re leaning into that and if it does and performs really well, the hope beyond that is that some of the studios will begin to backfill some of these other dates in the fall with some of the content that they have ready,” Farnsworth said.

“Lots of things remain up in the air, but in the meantime, we’re doing all we can to bring back the ‘magic of the movies’, as we say.”

The theatre is also offering private rentals for small groups or families who would like an exclusive showing of a favorite film.

Jeremy Weikel, General Manager of the Grain Valley B&B Theatres, Is excited to open the doors on August 14th and see familiar faces. He encourages patrons to “arrive early, take a look around, and see all of the great changes.”

B&B Grain Valley Theatres, located at 1131 NE McQuerry Road, opens Friday, August 14th. Details regarding showtimes, tickets, and COVID-19 safety protocols can be found at www.bbtheatres.com.

Recliner seating in each theatre at the Grain Valley B&B location is just one of many improvements completed during a recent renovation. Customers may reserve seats in advance or at the theatre. Photo credit: Valley News staff

New marquee signs, a full service bar, and heated recliner seats will greet guests when the theatre reopens on Friday, August 14th.

Photo credit: Valley News staff

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Community Voices

Page 5

Wayne’s World Why I Don’t Go To Church

by Wayne Geiger

I don’t go to church. I don’t need to go.

Although, as a pastor, some people think I go to church or even expect me to go, I refuse. I’m not rebellious, just redeemed.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Putting God in a box.” I’m sure you understand the gist of the phrase.

What’s more fascinating is the etymology and theology. The easiest way to explain it may be to go back to Indiana Jones.

In the 1981 George Lucas film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford plays Dr. Indiana Jones. Dr. Jones, an archaeologist, is searching for the ark of the covenant. Essentially it was a box.

But not just any box as he, and the Nazi’s, found out. It represented the power of God. Before I talk about the box, let me talk about the place where the box was kept. For that, rather than the drama of Hollywood, we need to go back to the actual story in the Bible.

The Israelites suffered bondage in Egypt. God brought them out with a mighty hand. After he did, God commanded the Israelites to construct the tabernacle, basically a large tent. It would symbolize His presence.

Eventually, when the Israelites established themselves, the concept of the tabernacle morphed into a permanent structure called the temple.

The main difference between the two was that the tabernacle was movable (used in the wilderness wanderings)— the temple was permanent and located in Jerusalem. Both tabernacle and temple represented the same thing.

The most important element of the Jewish temple was an area inside the temple known as the “holy of holies” or the “most holy place.” Within this area was kept the ark of the covenant—"The Box.” The actual dimensions of the ark came from God. It was measured in cubits. That’s about the distance from your elbow to your fingertips—or about 18”. But since our tape measures don’t include cubits, the English translation would be a rectangular box about 52

inches long, 31 inches high, and 31 inches wide.

The ark was covered in pure gold. But its value was not measured monetarily.

The ark had a lid on it, called the mercy seat. The mercy seat featured two angels, called cherubim, who were at opposite sides with their wings stretched toward the middle. It was the middle part that was the most important. That was God’s spot.

God said, “And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark… There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” (Exodus 25:21-22).

God promised that His presence would be there upon the mercy seat on the ark. There was no image on the mercy seat for a reason. “God is spirit” (John 4:24). Any attempt to assign an image to the invisible God was considered idolatry. No image would suffice.

The temple was a critical part of worship for the Jews. At the temple, people would come to pay homage and seek forgiveness. Through the intermediary of the priests, they would offer sacrifice to the invisible God. Not only was God invisible, but He was also inaccessible. His majestic presence was relegated to the sacred area of the holy of holies and the mercy seat. Only the high priest could go in there and he could only enter once a year—on the day of Atonement when he would offer sacrifice for the sin of the nation. As a visible reminder, there was a large curtain that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple area.

Although God chose to meet with the Jews at the mercy seat, He could not be contained. The Bible reveals that he is omnipresent. That means he is everywhere—all at the same time. God does not dwell in a temple made with hands (Isaiah 66:1). You can’t put God in a box.

Back to my initial discussion of why I don’t go to church. As I said, on the

mercy seat of the ark of the covenant, there was no form. We don’t have enough crayons in the box.

However, God chose to reveal Himself through the Person of Jesus who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). The Bible says, [God] “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14).

Interestingly, the word “dwelt” in that sentence is the Greek word for tabernacle. It’s not a coincidence but divine providence. Jesus tabernacled among us.

Thomas, one of the disciples, said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father.” Jesus responded, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me…?

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:8-9).

Jesus, the very God who manifested Himself on the mercy seat, came to put His portrait in the center of the cherubim. He also came to do a little temple maintenance.

While in Jerusalem, at the temple, Jesus said to His adversaries, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). A strange statement, indeed. They responded by saying, “it took forty-six years to build this temple and you are going to raise it in three days?” (John 2:20).

Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about the physical temple—although He certainly could have done that if He wanted. The temple He was talking about was spiritual—His own body (John 2:21).

This was illustrated vividly at the crucifixion. The Bible records that when Jesus died, the huge curtain that separated the temple area from the holy of holies—where the ark of the covenant was—was torn in two from top to bottom as if God Himself ripped the curtain from above.

The symbolism is clear. No longer was there a separation between God and people. People no longer would go to the temple to find atonement and reconciliation.

The temple became just another building. Jesus Himself, the perfect sacrifice, became the temple, the door, the access, and the way to God. He is the

mediator, the high priest, and the perfect lamb.

His death on the cross fulfilled the Law and obliterated the need for a continual sacrificial system in a physical location. His body replaced the temple.

He did it once, for all (Heb 7:27). A proper understanding of Christianity means that, upon salvation, God Himself, through the person of the Holy Spirit, comes to live in the life of the believer.

The miracle and majesty of the New Testament is that Christians don’t go to church. Christians do get together in buildings we call often call churches.

We’re reminded, don’t neglect “to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Heb 10:25).

But the building doesn’t make it a church. The people do. For example, in the Bible, the Apostle Paul sends greetings to the church in Corinth. He writes, “The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord” (1 Cor 16:19).

Notice, the “church in their house.”

Also, he writes to the church at Colossae saying, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house” (Col 4:15). It says very clearly, again, the church in her house.

Christians don’t go to church. We are the church. The church is not a building, but a body. It is not an organization, but an organism. God lives in us. The Bible reminds us, “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? (1 Cor 6:19).

That’s why I don’t go to church. I don’t go to church because I am part of the church. Where I go, the church is.

If you remember, in the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones does find the ark and it ends up in a warehouse somewhere. Probably for the best. We don’t need it anymore. You can’t put God in a box.

Dr. Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.

Page 6

August Programming At Burr Oak Woods Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center’s August calendar offers a number of free family-friendly events.

To register for any of these programs, visit www.mdc.mo.gov or call Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center at (816) 228-3766.

Insects: Butterflies, Bees & Beetles-Oh Boy! Register by August 18 Wednesday, August 19, 2020 10:30am to 11:30am Registration required (all ages) Native pollinators are amazing and vital parts of nature! Join a naturalist to search for these cool critters around the nature center, play a game to learn the 3 key parts of great bee habitat and take a native plant home (1 per household).

Fishing Skills: Let's Go Fishing!

Register by August 19 Thursday, August 20, 2020 9:00am to 10:30am Registration required (ages 8-11) Fishing is a great way to spend time in nature, and Missouri has lots of great places to go fishing and lots of cool fish

Answers to last week’s crossword puzzle:

to catch. Join us at our Education pond for a morning of fishing fun. We will go over the basics of rod-and-reel fishing then head down to the water to see how many we can catch. Fish on!

Program is at the W. Robert Aylward Educational Pond.

Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 2: Register by August 19 Thursday, August 20, 2020 6:00pm to 8:30pm Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with handson fishing to teach young anglers and families intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure bait on hooks. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Program limited to children ages 5 and above. All children ages 5-15 must be Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Program is limited to ages 5 and above. All children ages 5 -15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Discover Nature: Backyard Busters Register by August 21 Saturday, August 22, 2020 10:00am to 11:00am Registration required (all ages) While working in your gardens, have you ever seen something disappear into the grass or scurry beneath your mulch pile? More than likely, it was a member of the backyard buster squad - a multitude of 100% all-natural pest controllers. Come on in and learn who’s who.

Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 3 & 4: Register by August 26 Thursday, August 27, 2020 6:00pm to 8:30pm Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri FishTheir Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs.

Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. All children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lesson 3 & 4. Participants do not need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Participants who attend all four Discover Nature-Fishing lessons together with family members will each receive a 25.00 Bass Pro Shop gift card from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Participants will be asked to maintain safe social distance from staff and other participants who are not their family membersembers during this program.

Mammals: Not Lions or Tigers, But Bears-Oh My! Register by August 28 Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:00am to 11:00am Registration required (all ages) Predators are natural and necessary to have in the wild. Join us in learning about what predators are native to Missouri past and present and what to expect in the future. The native animals of Missouri exist in harmony and balance when all components are involved.

Fishing Skills: Utilizing Missouri's Abundant Rough Fish Register by August 29 Saturday, August 29, 2020 6:00pm to 8:30pm Bank to table, after this program you'll never look at rough fish the same again!

Learn about harvesting, cleaning and preparing some of our states most abundant "trash fish".

We'll spend a little time talking about methods and local hot spots for harvesting various species of rough fish.

Then we'll demonstrate some of the best and easiest methods for cleaning gar, buffalo, drum and silver carp. We'll end the program with a cooking demonstration where we will prepare the fish we clean using some favorite methods and delicious recipes to produce samples for everyone to try.

Automotive

Page 7

10 Tire Rules To Follow Before Hitting The Road (BPT) - Every time you drive, you trust your tires with your safety.

Tires may seem simple, but they're more complex than many drivers realize.

That begs the question: What do you need to know about them in order to stay safe on the road?

Here are 10 Rules of Tires - core principles drivers should know before they turn the ignition or walk inside a tire shop. Follow these important guidelines and you can have peace of mind when you hit the road. To read more about each rule, visit NokianTires.com/TenRules.

Purchase tires that suit your climate Even the best set of tires could be the wrong fit for where you live. If you get lots of snow and ice each winter, then winter tires are likely your safest option, which means you'll need to switch to all-season tires in the other three seasons. If you don't get any winter weather, all-season tires are a good choice for year-round use.

If your winter weather is unpredictable or you live near the mountains, all-weather tires provide a great compromise: winter safety in a tire you can drive all year long.

NokianTires.com/Weather has more information about all-weather tires.

High-quality tires are worth the investment The tire shop is one place where price should not be your top priority.

There are many factors - such as grip, responsiveness to the road and low rolling resistance - that make highquality tires worth the purchase and could actually help save you money in the long run.

Tires can be sustainable without sacrificing safety High-quality tires aren't just about safety; good tires can also help you minimize your environmental footprint.

Many tiremakers are lowering their products' rolling resistance, using ecofriendly ingredients and introducing sustainable production processes.

Rewarding them for their efforts can also help protect the planet.

Tires are only as safe as their maintenance Even the best tires depend on you.

Keeping them up to speed gives you a better chance of staying safe on the road. That means inflating them to the proper pressure level, regularly checking for damage and rotating them frequently.

Winter tires don't belong on spring and summer roads The qualities that keep you safe on snow and ice make winter tires a bad fit once weather warms. Fortunately, there are other solutions crafted to keep you safe when the mercury rises, such as driving all-weather tires year-round or switching to all-season tires.

Much of a tire's quality is determined before it touches the road Want to know what you'll get out of your tires? Pay close attention to what goes in them. High-quality rubber and state-of-the-art technology set great tires apart from the rest. For example, Nokian Tyres reinforces many of its products with Aramid - the same fiber used in bulletproof vests - to help protect against road hazards.

When you're choosing tires, trust the experts Tire dealers work hard to help keep drivers safe. They can help you see past marketing gimmicks and understand which tires are best for you.

Make sure your tires fit your vehicle The right-sized tires are more likely to provide you with safety, fuel efficiency and comfort. Make sure your tire size matches your vehicle's recommendation, which you can typically find in your door jamb.

Photo credit: iStock Photo

Put stock in the features that actually matter Low price and high mileage warranties can be overrated. To choose the right tires, pay attention to other details - such as ingredients, rolling resistance, and whether the tires match your typical road conditions.

Treat road trips differently than the daily commute Road trips place unique demands on your tires. Before you leave for a long trip, check your tires' inflation level and tread depth, inspect for visible damage and have them rotated.

Following these rules goes a long way toward keeping you safe on the road. To read about each rule in more detail, visit NokianTires.com/TenRules.

4 Driving Tips To Save Lives And Lower Your Insurance Rate (BPT) - Bad driving habits aren't just obnoxious, they're also dangerous motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 38,000 people having lost their lives and nearly 4.4 million injured in collisions in 2019, according to the National Safety Council.

"Many car collisions are entirely preventable," said Kevin Quinn, vice president of claims and customer experience at Mercury Insurance. "The simple solution is for drivers to be responsible, obey traffic laws and stay focused on the road. Don't play with your phone while you're driving, don't speed and don't drink and drive. And if you practice these things regularly and keep your driving record free of accidents and traffic violations, it could lower auto insurance rates. " Quinn recommends the following four tips to stay safe behind the wheel.

1. Remove distractions- The majority of crashes are caused by distracted drivers. Driver distractions extend beyond texting - anything that takes your attention away from the road is a distraction. While you should put your phone away when behind the wheel, some driving tech can actually help improve your driving habits, such as a usage-based insurance program that comes with a virtual coach to let you know how you can improve behind the

wheel.

2. Maintain proper following distanceFollowing a car too closely reduces the time you have to react if the car you are following suddenly slows or stops. This can lead to a rear-end collision, which is the most common auto insurance claim, according to Mercury Insurance. Make sure you give yourself enough time and distance to react to the car in front of you. You should always maintain at least three seconds of space in between your vehicle and the car in front of you - and during bad weather conditions, five seconds of space is recommended.

3. Be aware of your speed- Speeding is one of the most common causes of traffic-related deaths, so pay attention and stick to posted speed limits they're there to keep you safe. Give yourself some extra time for your drive so there's no need to rush and be sure to exercise extra caution while driving in bad weather.

4. Pay attention to other drivers- Safe driving isn't just about your behavior, but also depends on those around you.

Don't assume other drivers are being attentive - they may be distracted and not see the stop sign or traffic light ahead of them. Use caution when entering and exiting parking spots, turning, entering intersections and changing lanes on the freeway, especially if you're driving in heavy traffic or late at night when other

drivers may let their focus wander.

"Drivers may also want to consider enrolling in a usage-based insurance program to help improve their driving skills," adds Quinn. "These apps and devices allow drivers to get a crystalclear view of their behavior and see which areas need some improvement.

Plus, auto insurance customers who enroll in these programs may even qualify for a discount."

Photo credit: iStock Photo

Page 8

Sports & Recreation

Racing Is A Family Affair For Austin Charles

by John Unrein Former Olympic gold medalist and figure skater Scott Hamilton is noted for saying, “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”

Austin Charles, Grain Valley resident and points leader for the Sport B Mod class at Valley Speedway heading into competition on August 8th, has a zeal for racing and family. His ability to read lips is equally as impressive as is the way he negotiates turns on a dirt track. If you didn’t already know, you might not be able to figure out initially that Charles is deaf.

“I have been racing since 2013.

Spending time with family and the relationships built in the pits is the best part of racing for me,” Charles said.

“I was born deaf. When I get in my car, I have one advantage over others. I can feel the car. Other drivers can hear cars behind them. I am not able to do that. However, I am tune with the drive train extremely well. That combined with my eyesight helps me plot a good course on the racetrack.”

There are notable differences racing on a dirt track compared to the asphalt ovals fans see in NASCAR. Racing on a hard surface typically means going to the outside of a turn so the driver can use that momentum and angle back to an inside route out of the turn.

Pavement on asphalt courses grips tighter which means drivers must go slower at times and steer more when heading into a turn. That tends to be the opposite in modified dirt track racing.

Shaving the corner, as it’s known in dirt track racing, is all about timing.

Drivers must be aware of how hard they are going to throw their car into the corner. The driver’s speed during a dirt track turn determines how much the tires will skid, allowing negotiating the throttle correctly to come out in a direct line along the straight away.

Charles is not shy about sharing his sense of humor in the biggest differences between dirt and pavement track racing. He’s also candid about the strategy he uses to be successful.

“Pavement will get you to the dirt track,” Charles said with a chuckle, showing his preference for racing on soil.

Pictured (L to R): Jesse Johnson, Crystal Johnson, Austin Charles, Dan Charles, and Tom Charles.

Photo credit: Valley News staff “Dirt racing is all about strategy, especially when it comes to turning.

How much throttle you are going to give to the car when you throw it in the corner (turning hard and making the car skid along the dirt so that you don’t have to apply the brake and slow down) is all about timing.”

“The straighter you can get your car in the corner, the faster you are going to come out of it. Because if you go in low and then turn, you have to slow way down and turn harder.”

Austin is the third generation in the Charles family to adore racing. His grandfather, Tom Charles was an accomplished racer, as is his father Dan Charles. Second place in the Sport B Mod class at Valley Speedway just happens to belong to Dan Charles.

The middle Charles is noticeably proud of his son and his abilities as a racer. Talk to him long enough about Austin, and he will pull up pictures of his son as a toddler in a pedal go cart racer.

He does not cut him a break on the track though. The value of competing to win has been successfully learned and passed down through the Charles lineage.

“Valley Speedway is where my

parents met. It’s a short track here and I love short tracks. This place is challenging with great competition,” Austin Charles said.

Crystal Johnson is Austin’s mother and a graduate of Grain Valley High School. Johnson still has nerves at the start of every race that turns to joy as she watches her son compete.

“I enjoy watching him. He’s got natural ability when it comes to racing.

I’m still nervous. Especially, during the first few laps of races. It’s fun to watch him learn how to set the car up and get better at his craft over time,” Johnson said.

One thing the Charles family and Valley Speedway track announcer Greg Clemons are willing to do as ambassadors for racing is educating the public on the importance of point racing.

It’s hard for drivers to hide who they are as people and their work ethic when it comes to point racing. They must show up to work and be consistent in every aspect of how they compete to earn points.

Drivers may earn points by finishing races, place earned at the end of a race, and passing cars during a race. A racing season, just like a race itself is about

how long drivers can endure preparing their car successfully, avoiding crashes, and improving their skills as a racer through endless concentration.

“Point racing means you show up to the same track weekly. It is also about consistency in finishing. I mean, I’ve seen my grandpa win a points championship without any feature wins.

He would consistently finish in the top five at the end of each race. He built up his point this way,” Austin Charles said.

“Grandpa also respected his car and didn’t tear it up on the track. You tear up your car and have to make long repairs, you’re not going to be on the track the next week.”

Clemons agreed, “Points racing is important. Some racers are points racers, and some of them could care less. Some are more interested in a win any given evening.”

“Drivers like Gene Claxton, Jeremy Curless, and the Charles family are in it for points. The lineup each night is determined by points with the number drawn. Points competition is a somewhat complicated thing that may not always be easy to understand as spectator, but it makes the contest on the track much better.”

see SPEEDWAY on page 11

Photo credit: Valley News staff

Sports & Recreation SPEEDWAY continued from page 10 “It motivates the drivers and keeps them coming back here to Valley Speedway each week. It’s similar to NASCAR except we do not have the ‘chase’ at the end of the year. Points racing is more of a marathon than a Super Bowl. Sometimes a driver has one more than one championship at more than one track during a year. In 2020, that’s a unique situation though.”

Here are the results from racing at Valley Speedway on August 8th.

8/8/2020 at Valley Speedway B Modifieds A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 81X-Dan Charles[1]; 2. 0-Chase Galvin[5]; 3. 81A-Austin Charles[4]; 4. 73M-Charles McCartney[7]; 5. 21T-David Towers[10]; 6. 13M-Kraig Maple[11]; 7. 55-Ryan Medeiros[3]; 8. 81Jesse Johnson[9]; 9. 02-Donald Johnston [14]; 10. (DNF) 29-Bobby Cochran[13]; 11.

(DNF) 23-Danny Thompson[2]; 12. (DNF) 42 -Gene Claxton[6]; 13. (DNF) 11-John Murray [12]; 14. (DQ) 22-Steve McDowell[8] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 23-Danny Thompson[2]; 2. 0-Chase Galvin[1]; 3. 42-Gene Claxton [4]; 4. 55-Ryan Medeiros[7]; 5. 81-Jesse Johnson[6]; 6. 02-Donald Johnston[3]; 7.

11-John Murray[5] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 81X-Dan Charles[3]; 2.

81A-Austin Charles[2]; 3. 22-Steve McDowell[1]; 4. 73M-Charles McCartney [6]; 5. 21T-David Towers[4]; 6. 13M-Kraig Maple[7]; 7. 29-Bobby Cochran[5] E Mods A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 74-Justin Asher[3]; 2. 28-Shawn Burns[4]; 3. 86-Doug Brisbin[1]; 4. 42-Dalton Krysa[5]; 5. 33Jeremy Curless[2]; 6. 59-Alex Crawford [11]; 7. 666-John Snyder[7]; 8. R23-Austen Raybourn[10]; 9. 81-Jeff Jackson[9]; 10.

18R-Billy Roberts[12]; 11. 75-Rayce Martin [6]; 12. 97-Ashlyn Piburn[13]; 13. (DNF) 66Keith Bowman[15]; 14. (DNF) 1M-Mike Ryun [8]; 15. (DNF) 64-Jason Smith[14]; 16. (DNS) 14P-Josh Paul Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 33-Jeremy Curless[3]; 2.

75-Rayce Martin[2]; 3. 28-Shawn Burns [6]; 4. 42-Dalton Krysa[8]; 5. 81-Jeff Jackson[4]; 6. 59-Alex Crawford[7]; 7. 97Ashlyn Piburn[5]; 8. 66-Keith Bowman[1] Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 74-Justin Asher[2]; 2.

86-Doug Brisbin[8]; 3. 666-John Snyder

[1]; 4. 1M-Mike Ryun[3]; 5. R23-Austen Raybourn[4]; 6. 18R-Billy Roberts[6]; 7. 64 -Jason Smith[5]; 8. (DNF) 14P-Josh Paul[7] Pure Stocks A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 14-Bobby Ohrenberg[1]; 2. 10-David Schrills[2] Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 14-Bobby Ohrenberg[1]; 2. 10-David Schrills[2] Dirt Demons A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[3]; 2. 11-Gene McCaulley[1]; 3. 5-Nick Deoliveira[7]; 4. 10B-Jeremy Byfield[9]; 5.

(DNF) 2R-Robert Chase[6]; 6. (DNF) 2CCody Munkers[4]; 7. (DNF) 14-Mikel Solberg[2]; 8. (DNF) 8-Matthew Phillips [5]; 9. (DNS) 1-Jason McCaulley Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[1]; 2. 2CCody Munkers[3]; 3. 11-Gene McCaulley[7]; 4. 14-Mikel Solberg[9]; 5. 8-Matthew Phillips[4]; 6. 2R-Robert Chase[2]; 7. 5Nick Deoliveira[6]; 8. 1-Jason McCaulley [5]; 9. (DNS) 10B-Jeremy Byfield Valley Powri Outlaw Sprints A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 12-Wesley Smith [1]; 2. 77-Jack Wagner[4]; 3. ST1-Lane Stone[11]; 4. 37-Brian Beebe[2]; 5. 63-Trey Burke[5]; 6. 65-Chris Parkinson[6]; 7. 73Samuel Wagner[8]; 8. 69-Zach Sanders [10]; 9. 9-Casey Baker[9]; 10. 15E-Dakota Earls[13]; 11. 41-Brad Wyatt[14]; 12. 88-Chad Tye[15]; 13. 23-Brent Fasse[18]; 14. 82Christie Thomason[16]; 15. 85C-Casey Lewallen[12]; 16. (DNF) 14M-Michael Moore [3]; 17. (DNF) 12X-Andy Helm[17]; 18. (DNF) 28-Kory Schudy[7] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 65-Chris Parkinson[1]; 2.

77-Jack Wagner[4]; 3. 63-Trey Burke[6]; 4. 15E-Dakota Earls[2]; 5. 41-Brad Wyatt[3]; 6. 82-Christie Thomason[5] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 28-Kory Schudy[1]; 2. 12Wesley Smith[5]; 3. 9-Casey Baker[2]; 4.

ST1-Lane Stone[4]; 5. 85C-Casey Lewallen [6]; 6. 23-Brent Fasse[3] Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 14M-Michael Moore[2]; 2. 37-Brian Beebe[5]; 3. 69-Zach Sanders [1]; 4. 73-Samuel Wagner[6]; 5. 88-Chad Tye[3]; 6. 12X-Andy Helm[4] ATV Open Amateur A Feature 1 (6 Laps): 1. 2-Danny Pliler[1]; 2.

9115-Chris Shelton[2]; 3. 23-Zach Kilber[3]; 4. 18-Brandon Taber[4] Heat 1 (5 Laps): 1. 2-Danny Pliler[3]; 2. 9115Chris Shelton[1]; 3. 23-Zach Kilber[4]; 4. 18 -Brandon Taber[2]

Page 9

MDC Suggests Evaluating Late Summer Habitat To Help Quail

by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Bobwhite quail need quality places to feed, rear young, and hide from predators. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) suggests late summer is a good time to evaluate quail habitat on farms and acreages. For more quail, or to keep “bob-white” whistles as a summer sound, check to see if vegetation meets quail needs now and for the winter to come.

Be cautious about mowing grassy or weedy spots in field edges and pastures, as some may conceal young birds that will mature in winter. Avoid or postpone unnecessary mowing to boost quail numbers.

“Oftentimes, it is this late summer season when people start mowing odd areas, and they wipe out decent cover,” Kyle Hedges, MDC wildlife management biologist said.

Missouri quail research has shown that more than 35 percent of all quail nests are set to hatch in August. August is critically important for those adult birds that had a previous failed nest, or for whatever reason, they didn’t get around to nesting until late summer.

Furthermore, many young broods from nests that hatched in July are feeding and growing.

Late summer is a good time to evaluate the plant mix, whether it is a cover strip beside a field or an entire pasture. Does habitat have a good mix of forbs such as native wildflowers as well as grasses?

The wildflowers host insects and provide seeds that broods and coveys need for food. They also provide openness at ground level that helps birds easily move around to feed or escape predators.

“If the fields are all rank grass and lacking forbs, landowners can make plans for some dormant-season disking to improve the forbs next summer,” Hedges said.

If both forbs and grasses are growing too thick for ground-dwelling birds to easily move about, late winter burns can create better conditions and boost brood survival the following summer. Late summer is also a good time to spot spray and eliminate invasive species such as sericea lespedeza. Landowners can note encroachment into grasslands of unwanted trees and make plans for removal.

Another summer check is walking

Bobwhite quail need habitat with a mix of grasses, wildflowers, and shrubby thickets to provide the food and shelter they need to thrive. Good brood rearing cover with insects to feed on and open ground for movement are especially important for brood rearing.

Photo credit: MDC fields to see if the plant mix is hosting insects that quail feed upon.

“If you walk through a field and don’t have insects bouncing off your pants, it’s probably no suitable brood rearing habitat,” Hedges said. “Almost always, the lack of insects is due to a lack of forb numbers or plant species diversity.”

A late summer need for quail is thickets with shrubs that provide both shade and air flow at ground level, such as wild plum, sumac, rough-leaved dogwood or blackberry.

“Quail need to escape the brutal temps of midday, and they need thickets or some surrogate like edge feathering to do that,” Hedges said. “Just having thickets isn’t enough, you need to look at those thickets and make sure they don’t have an understory of fescue or some other non-native making them worthless. I want bare ground under there, so the birds can get some shade, but also have some air flow.”

MDC staff can help private landowners with quail habitat. In some cases, cost share programs for habitat improvement are available.

“I would much rather see a farm now than in December,” Hedges said. “I can get a better feel for what is lacking, which 99 percent of the time is good brood habitat.”

To learn more about how MDC can help private landowners with wildlife habitat, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/ property. For tips on bobwhite quail habitat management, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8Q.

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Community Calendar Friday, August 14, 2020

Monday, September 7, 2020

5-Stand Friday Lake City Shooting Range 28505 E Truman Road Buckner MO 64016 (816) 249-3194 What is 5-Stand? It’s a great way to improve on your shotgun shooting skills!

This combination of trap, skeet, and sporting clays affords the challenge of all three games but with less walking.

Bring your friends and your favorite shotgun and experience the fun of this game. No registration required.

Labor Day

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Jackson County Health Dept.

Back-to-School Immunizations Fort Osage Fire Department Appointments required. www.jacohd.org

Thursday, August 20, 2020 Stay at Home Book Club Mid-Continent Public Library 7:00pm—8:00pm via Zoom www.mymcpl.org/events

Monday, August 24, 2020 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S Main

Answer Key to last week’s Sudoku puzzle.

Play online puzzles for free at www.grainvalleynews.com/online-puzzles.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 First Day of School Grain Valley Schools

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30pm Visit www.cityofgrainvalley.org for meeting location/dial-in information.

September 11—12, 2020 Grain Valley Fair www.grainvalleyfair.com

Saturday, September 26, 2020 City Wide Clean Up Event www.cityofgrainvalley.org

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 General Election Polls open 6:00am—7:00pm Visit www.jcebmo.org to request a mail-in or absentee ballot.

Trucks scheduled for August 7th:

Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com.

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