Valley News
AUGUST 8, 2019
www.grainvalleynews.com
Dr. Welle Recognized As Citizen Of The Year Each year, mayors from each eastern Jackson County community select a Citizen of the Year to be honored at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Toast of the Towns Gala held in September. This year, Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd has selected Dr. Brad Welle in honor of the profound impact he has made in Grain Valley and in the lives of students across Eastern Jackson County. Welle is the Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Grain Valley Schools, but his passion for education and the community go far beyond his work. “Dr. Welle is the epitome of what you look for in a citizen of the year. When we were putting his bio together to list all the organizations and events that he is part of, we kept having to go back
Business Brief:
FREE
Good News:
Movie In The Park
Dr. Brad Welle was named Citizen of the Year for Grain Valley by Mayor Mike Todd. Photo credit: THCF because we would remember something we missed. I’m still not 100% sure that we got everything down, because you
see WELLE on page 2
Temp Stop Plans November Opening Despite repeated construction delays due to heavy rains this spring, the Temp Stop planned for the southeast corner of the 1-70 interchange is prepping for a fall opening. According to Terry Green with TempStop LLC, construction is moving along well and a November 2019 opening is planned. The company is in the process of hiring 25 employees for the Grain Valley location. Interested applicants may apply online at www.tempstop.com.
Vol. 2, No. 32
The new station will include 16 fueling lanes in front of the building and a separate canopy with 4 fueling lanes behind the building for RVs and light duty pickup trucks with trailers. The existing billboard at the north end of the property will remain. The convenience store will include a walk in beer cooler, convenience items, and two restaurants, Champs Chicken and BluTaco. The parent company for both restaurants, PFS Brands, is
see BUSINESS BRIEFS on page 4
A free movie night hosted by Grain Valley Parks and Recreation, featuring the Pixar movie Incredibles 2, will be held Friday, August 9th at Armstrong Park. Free, familyfamilyfriendly activities begin at 7:30pm with a bounce house, face painting, and games. 8:30--8:45pm). The movie begins at dusk (approximately 8:30 Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs; concessions will be available for purchase. Image credit: Grain Valley Parks and Recreation
Marching Eagles Car Wash-A-Thon Fundraiser Saturday at 7-C’s The Grain Valley High School Marching Eagles will hold a car wash to raise funds for the band program on Saturday, August beginning at 9:00am at 7-C’s Car Wash, 1320 SW Eagles Parkway. Students and parent volunteers with the Band Parents Association have a goal of washing 250 cars throughout the day.
Donations will be accepted, and all proceeds will benefit the Grain Valley High School Marching Eagles. For more information on the Car Wash -A-Thon fundraiser and the Band Parents Association, visit www.gvbpa.net.
Local News
Page 2
WELLE
continued from page 1
will be at an event and say, ‘Oh that’s right, Dr. Welle sits on this board’. He is extremely active when it comes to improving the quality of life for the youth in our community. We are extremely lucky to have him as part of Grain Valley,” Mayor Mike Todd said. In 2018, Welle received the Mary Strack Community Advocate Award for his instrumental role with Bright Futures
Grain Valley, a network of more than 1,200 regional businesses, civic and faithbased groups and individuals who work together to respond to the basic needs of children in Grain Valley. Under his leadership, Bright Futures served approximately 300 students in the last school year. Welle is an avid volunteer. He serves on the board of both Kansas City Young
Students Demand Action Leaders Attend Gun Sense Training Leaders from the recently formed Students Demand Action Grain Valley chapter attended Gun Sense University training in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. Students Demand Action is affiliated with the national Moms Demand Action organization. Grain Valley High School (GVHS) student Shaley Harper is the President of the new chapter in Grain Valley. “I decided to start this chapter because gun violence is an issue that I'm very passionate about. Emma Howell is our Vice President, and she also attended GSU with me. Addy Blackmore is our Secretary and Liberty Rogers is our Treasurer. Our Advisor at GVHS is Mrs. Dealy,” Harper said. “At GSU (Gun Sense University) Emma and I were able to meet student leaders like ourselves from across the nation. We were also connected with several Moms Demand Action leaders. Emma and I attended different classes so that we could gain as much new information as possible and afterwards we came together with what we had learned,” Harper said. The Grain Valley chapter plans to host a Voter Registration Drive at GVHS, attend school board meetings as a group, and work to educate their peers on gun violence. Harper and Howell were in D.C. with thousands of other members of Mothers Demand Action and Students Demand Action while the nation experienced back -to-back mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.. “Experiencing two mass shootings while at GSU was really heartbreaking. As the El Paso shooting started, all 2000 of us were in the ballroom having lunch. A lady come to the microphone to tell us what was currently happening. The entire
Left to right: Shaley Harper, President of the Students Demand Action Grain Valley chapter, Emma Howell, Vice President. Harper and Howell attended Gun Sense University in Washington DC the first week of August. Photo courtesy: Shaley Harper. room went cold and silent. All of the leaders from Texas were devastated, and they all left the ballroom so they could spend some time together alone. It was really scary in that moment, especially for them, because the shooting was still active. They were all trying to make sure their families were safe,” Harper said. “When the shooting in Dayton, Ohio happened, it was a different experience. We weren't all in the same room when it happened, so many of us learned about the shooting on our own. Sunday afternoon, Emma and I met a Moms Demand Action leader from Dayton. She and her family were unable to get ahold of her brother-in-law since the shooting had happened. Seeing the fear in her eyes was soul-shattering.” For more information on Moms Demand Action the Students Demand Action, visit www.momsdemandaction.org.
Audiences and Eastern Jackson County Youth Court, is on the steering committee of Grain Valley Youth Engagement Services, and is the President of the Grain Valley Parks Board. Brad also volunteers with the Grain Valley Assistance Council and serves lunch at the monthly community senior citizens’ luncheon. Welle and his wife, Karen, have been
married for 24 years and have two children, Brooke and Logan. The 24th Annual Toast to Our Towns Gala will be held on September 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Tickets for the Gala can be purchased at www.thcf.org/ Gala.
Police Blotter
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of July 24-30, 2019. July 24, 2019 700 Block Main Street 200 Block NW Jefferson BB/Rust Road 300 Block Harris 700 Block Main Street Minter Rd/Ryan Rd 100 Block 21st St, Oak Grove 700 Block Harvest Circle 1100 Block NW Golfview 1100 Block NW Golfview
Warrant Arrest Stealing Motor Vehicle Accident Area Check Disturbance Suspicious Person Agency Assist (OGPD) Area Check Disturbance Stand By to Prevent
July 25, 2019 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 40 Hwy/Sni-A-Bar 100 Block SW Eagles Parkway 1400 Block NW Persimmon Dr 700 Block Main Street
Found Property Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Check the Welfare Motor Vehicle Accident Check the Welfare Motor Vehicle Accident
July 26, 2019 100 Block E Old 40 Hwy 1200 Block NW Phelps Ct 700 Block Main Street 100 Block McQuerry 700 Block Main Street EB 40 Hwy/BB 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 300 Block E Old 40 Hwy
Stealing Burglary Forgery Alarm Forgery Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Civil Issue
July 27, 2019 Walnut/Main 900 Block Dogwood 900 Block SW Cross Creek 700 Block Main Street 100 Block SW Eagles Parkway 800 Block Misty Glen Ct 700 Block Main Street EE Kirby/RR Tracks 400 Block Graystone Dr Hickory Ridge/Woodbury 1100 Block NW Golfview 1100 Block NW Pamela
Area Check Stolen License Agecy Assist (CJC) Agency Assist (CJC) Citizen Contact Animal Welfare Check Citizen Contact Tampering Residence Check Area Check Agency Assist (CJC) Stealing
July 28, 2019 35000 Block E Old 40 Hwy 700 Block Main Street 500 Block Graystone Dr 900 Block Sandy 400 Block Elizabeth Public Works Garage 800 Block Thieme
Animal at Large Citizen Contact Suspicious Activity Disturbance Stealing Security Check Residence Check
July 29, 2019 800 Block Meadowood 1200 Block Pamela Blvd. 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 700 Block Main Street 600 Block Westview 700 Block Brome 800 Block Country Hill
Alarm Property Damage Property Damage Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Alarm Disturbance Area Check
July 30, 2019 1300 Block Minter Way 1600 Block Pond Ave 1500 Block Erin Ct 700 Block Main Street 900 Block Sandy Main/Jefferson 800 Block Lakeview Eagles/Garden 1500 Block NW Whispering Ct 1100 Block NW Golfview 700 Block Main Street Old 40 Hwy/Main 600 Block Woodbury 2100 Block S Dillingham 100 Block Armstrong 100 Block Main St 100 Block Main St 700 Block Main Street
Agency Assist (EMS) Alarm Suspicious Auto Citizen Contact Check the Welfare Motor Vehicle Accident Property Damage Area Check Missing Juvenile Property Damage Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Area Check Area Check Area Check Stealing Alarm 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 Sign up for our weekly emails and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @grainvalleynews).
Page 3
Looking Back: Who Were The Dillinghams? by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society In my primary years, Dillingham was merely a country road on my school bus route. From Buckner Tarsney Road the bus went west on Duncan to a crossroad. Rust Road went south and Dillingham Road went north. In 1952, I only recall one large farmhouse located on the east side of Dillingham before we reached Pink Hill Road. The bus stopped there to pick up the Turner children before proceeding across Pink Hill to pick up a classmate, Leona Lunceford. Long-time residents referred to their farm as “the old Dillingham place.” Later the John Hontz family lived there. I only remember one other house along the road before we reached Argo Road and turned west again. The road continued another half mile or so and ended at Truman Road. Vachel (1777-1840) and Elizabeth (17801856) Dillingham came to Layfette County, Missouri from Kentucky in early 1800s. Two of their nine children were Vachel Morgan and John Keith Dillingham. On February 15, 1851 40 acres of land was registered by Vachel on the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section 22 and John on the South
West quarter of the South West quarter of Section 9 in Township 49N, Range 30 W. Vachel (1828-1863) married Nancy Gibson (1828-1881) in Jackson County on March 11, 1847. They had seven children; two sons and five daughters. Vachel was killed in the Civil War in 1863 and buried in Texas. From various United States Census entries, I believe Nancy lived on the farm until her death in 1881. She is buried in the Slaughter Cemetery. John Keith (1824-1858) married Martha Ann Koger in Jackson County on April 12, 1849. They had one son, William Keith. As stated, John purchased land in 1851 but a few years later he moved his family to Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California, where he died in 1858. His wife remarried and she and their son remained in California. His land was purchased by his nephew, Silas Dillingham. The 1904 Jackson County Missouri Heritage Map shows the name, S V Dillingham on four pieces of land totaling 302 acres along Dillingham Road. Silas (1854-1927) was the fourth child born to Vachel and Nancy Dillingham. When the map was printed, he owned his father’s original 40 acres (today the southeast
Photo credit: Valley News staff corner of Dillingham and Pink Hill Road). He also owned his Uncle John’s original 40 acres plus 40 more north of Argo Road. And he had purchased two more farms long Dillingham; 40 acres on the west side near Argo Road, and 142 acres which began on the northeast corner of Dillingham and Pink Hill and continue north. Further genealogical research indicates his brother, John W. Dillingham (1853-1916) purchased 70 acres on nearby Slaughter Road. Silas and his wife, Julia Daniel Dillingham are buried in the Oakland Cemetery. They had three children, but two died as infants. The one surviving daughter Mary Elizabeth (1902 -1992)
remained single. She worked at the Smithsonian in Washington, D. C. most of her life. Mary is also buried at Oakland Cemetery. There were many Dillingham relations in the Blue Springs and Independence area. I have been unable to determine if any of them ever lived on any of the farms, when the farms were sold or to whom they were sold. I have reached out to three individuals on Ancestry that have Vachel Dillingham on their family tree. I’ll let you know if I learn anything about their family.
Was This Contrarian Correct? by Phil Hanson
The numbers are in on charitable giving in 2018, and I’m pleased to report that the sky is not falling. In my January of 2018 column, entitled “An Alternative Outlook on Charitable Giving Under the New Tax Law,” I shared my contrarian views on the impact that the 2017 tax law changes would have on charitable giving. At the time, there was a great deal of discussion and media attention given to a study conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy which predicted a $4.9 billion to $13.1 billion decrease in charitable giving. My column pointed out that in context of total charitable giving, the worst-case scenario from the study we could see a 3 percent decrease in 2018. A significant figure
but not a the “sky is falling scenario” that was being portrayed. According to Giving USA, total contributions actually went up slightly in 2018, totaling $427.71 billion. Yes, with the doubling of the standard deduction and the cap on state and local tax deductions there were many fewer households who itemized their deductions. Giving USA estimates the number of itemizers decreased from 45 million households in 2017 to 16 to 20 million in 2018. So, while not keeping pace with inflation, there was a .7 percent increase in total contributions. Total giving from individuals declined 1.1 percent to $292 billion dollars, representing 68 percent of total giving. However, giving by corporations increased by 5.4 percent to $20 billion, representing 5 percent of total giving. And giving by foundations increased 7.3 percent to $76 billion, representing 18 percent of total giving. It was not the doom and gloom
situation that so many predicted, but the decrease in individual giving, which clearly drives total giving, is concerning. However, the data supports a theory that there may have been a 2017 yearend bump in individual giving as people learned about the tax law changes and decided to go ahead and make some contributions in 2017 in order to get the maximum tax advantages. Additionally, the stock market volatility at year-end in 2018 may have decreased giving by individuals during this peak giving season. Both probably led to the 1.1 percent decline in giving from individuals. When we factor out these timing differences, I believe individual giving will be trending up on average. I was optimistic that corporate giving would increase more substantially. Though up 5.4 percent, the $20 billion contributed by corporations represents .9% of pre-tax profits. Hopefully, going forward we will see a significant increase in giving as
they adjust to the new considerably lower corporate tax rates. The bottom line is that it is not all about tax breaks. They are appreciated, but I believe in the generosity of the American people. Tax breaks don’t motivate people to give. People give because they care, and they believe in the mission of the charitable organizations they support.
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 $49 million and annual grants surpassing $4.4 million. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org of call Truman Heartland at 816.836.8189.
Business News
Page 4
Patriot Firearms Solutions Emphasizes Education, Personalized Service Patriot Firearms Solutions, 201 N. Main Street, recently moved to Grain Valley after three years in the Independence area. Robert Fjeld, Don Kaufmann, and Richard Snyder own the business and focus on customization, personalized service, and safety training. Despite the popularity of online gun sales, Snyder explains the benefit of shopping with a brick and mortar store. “Someone who goes to the range and shoots 10,000 rounds a month is going to need something different than someone who has never shot a gun before and is uncomfortable with firearms. When people come in, we walk them through the process, and help them find a product that is customized to their needs,” Snyder said. For those who are new to firearms and considering purchasing a weapon, Fjeld says the first step is to take a class from a certified trainer. “Take a CCW class. It will give you every fundamental you need to know. You will work with a certified trainer who will instruct you how to safely carry and fire a weapon,” Fjeld said. Patriot Firearms Solutions offers concealed carry (CCW) training monthly in Grain Valley. Fjeld and Kauffman are both veterans and the shop carries numerous veteran owned brands, including Black Rifle Coffee and General’s Hot Sauce. The store also carries bait for fishing enthusiasts. Laser engraving of firearms and items for businesses and events is a large part of Patriot’s business, and they specialize in creating one of a kind items for customers. A grand opening event, including a ribbon cutting, games for kids, visits Business
News
is
provided
weekly
Learn more about the Partnership: www.growgrainvalley.org
quick service restaurant featuring tacos, burritos, and other southwest inspired fare.
Temp Stop site plan courtesy of Temp Stop LLC
Above: Patriot Firearms Solutions specializes in custom laser engraving of firearms and a variety of specialty items for businesses and events. Photo credit: Valley News staff by
the
Grain
Valley
Partnership,
The Grain Valley Partnership is located at 1450 SW Eagles Parkway, and can be reached by info@growgrainvalley.org.
headquartered in mid-Missouri. Champs Chicken is a quick-service fried chicken restaurant. BluTaco is a
continued from page 1
with vendors, and drawings, is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th beginning at Noon.
whose mission is to be a leader in the growth of Grain Valley. phone, 816-443-5162 or via email at
BUSINESS BRIEF
Community Voices
Page 5
Wayne’s World Solving World Hunger by Wayne Geiger
I became keenly aware of intense poverty at about the age of seven. My tutor was my wise mother. My classroom was the dinner table. I don’t remember what the meat and starch were, but I remember the vegetable: lima beans. My mother had drawn a firm line in the sand. On one side, there were the lima beans on my plate. On the other side, my fork and close-lipped mouth. Her ultimate goal was for me to put those lima beans in my mouth. I was adamantly opposed to the very thought. It’s not that I had never tried them. I had. I vehemently hated lima beans and found them utterly disgusting! In the past, attempting to avoid eating them, I had tried to hide them under my plate, wrap them in my napkin, or give them to the dog. My mother, who would have been well-suited to serve as a detective, dismantled every secretive plot I concocted. In a moment of frustration, I pleaded, “But why do I have to eat my lima beans?” She looked at me sternly and yet with pity and said, “Because there are starving children in China.” The idea of starving children in China was a new revelation to me. I didn’t know where China was, much less that there were starving children there. In fact, I didn’t know what starving was. We were not rich, but we always had food to eat. But, somehow, even in the days before the Internet, my mother had this inside information. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand how me eating my lima beans would keep anyone from starving. In fact, I came to the conclusion that my eating my lima beans was only contributing to the problem. Starving children in China were hungry. I did not
want my lima beans. Two wires in my brain connected and there was a brief spark. I thought to myself, “We could put my lima beans in an envelope and mail them to the starving children in China! I was only seven, and yet I had solved world hunger. As an adult, I realize that the issue of poverty is a real and complicated issue. But, I’m not sure the issue is always a lack of resources. I attended an event a couple weeks ago that included a great buffet. All you can eat—and there was plenty of it. The question was not “Is there enough?” but rather, “Should I get a piece of pecan, chocolate, or coconut cream pie—or perhaps a sliver of each?” At the end of the meal, all of us were stuffed and I watched, as folks, just like me, scraped the leftover food into the garbage can. Please don’t misunderstand. Having enough to eat should not make us feel guilty. Instead, it should make us feel thankful. We should remember how incredibly blessed we are. We should eat heartedly and give thanks passionately. And, we should also share strategically and lovingly. The Bible says we should, “be ready to share” with others in need (1 Tim 6:17-18). Poverty is all around us. Sometimes, it’s just hard to see. Even in our community, there are children and families who struggle to survive. There greatest priority is finding enough food to eat or the resources to take care of their basic needs. If you get a chance, read a book by Matthew Desmond called, Poverty and Profit in the American City. It’s an eyeopener and provides great insight into the plight of poverty. One of the things Desmond illustrated was the difference in the way the social
classes perceive food. I’m paraphrasing here, but he noted that the lower class worries about the quantity of food—did you have enough to eat? The middle class worries about the quality of food— or did you enjoy it? The upper class is concerned with the plating and presentation of the food—did the meal delight you? For me, I look in the fridge and there’s nothing in there to eat. But, don’t feel sorry for me. It’s not empty. In fact, there’s lots of food in there. It’s just stuff that I don’t want. I, probably like you, am a middle-class kind of guy. Like you, I do want to help people, but often just don’t know where to look. Thankfully, we are blessed in our community with an organization known as, Bright Futures Grain Valley. Bright Futures is defined as, “A Grain Valley community network of schools, churches, businesses, civic organizations and residents, working together to respond to the basic needs of children in Grain Valley.” In short, as an organization, Bright Futures is not “a them.” Bright Futures “is us.” They are our students, our neighbors, our future, and our responsibility. Getting plugged into Bright Futures is simple. For one, from time to time, requests are sent out to the community through the Facebook page, BrightFuturesGV. At times, a student will need clothing or personal items or a family will need furniture, etc. It’s always a delight to see the community respond quickly with love and concern. The Facebook page is open to anyone who wants to connect. Once you like the page, look under the “following” tab make sure to check, “see first” so you will always see the update. You may also choose to serve as a
“lunch buddy.” The Lunch Buddy program strategically partners adults in the community with a child in the school system that needs a little extra love. It will cost you your lunch and about a halfhour a week. Oh, it will also require a piece of your heart. There are many other ways to get involved through one-time or ongoing financial gifts, gifts-in-kind, and sponsorships. In closing, I remember hearing a great story years ago of a man walking on the beach. In the distance, he saw a little boy running back and forth near the shore throwing something into the water. Intrigued, he walked in the direction of the boy and noticed hundreds and hundreds of starfish washed up on the beach as far as he could see. The boy, knowing the starfish would die, was franticly grabbing them one at a time and tossing them into deeper water. The man was intrigued and confused and asked the boy, “Son, why bother? Look at how many starfish there are. You’re only one little boy. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The boy picked up a starfish and looked the man in the eye saying, “It makes all the difference in the world to this one.” To solve world hunger, sticking our undesirable lima beans into an envelope and sending them off to China is probably not the best plan. And, maybe we can’t help everybody, everywhere. But, through Bright Futures, we can make a difference in the life of a child, a family, and ultimately, our community.
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer. He can be reached at waynegeiger.com.
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Community Voices
Page 6
Musings From The Middle: I Am A Dance Mom by Cathy Allie
My daughter Harper is a dancer, and by default, I am a dance mom. When Harper was about 2 ½, a friend encouraged me to enroll her in dance classes. In her best Montessori pre -school teacher voice, Donna explained that dance helped with left and right brain balance and confidence. I signed on the dotted line so quickly I almost lost my own balance. At first, it was fun to buy the frilly tutus, to shove Harper’s chubby little legs into blush pink tights, to sweep her wispy hair into a bun for class. And oh, how I laughed at her determined little face as she watched her teacher in the big studio mirror. In her first recital, Harper wore a green leotard and a bright yellow sunflower headband. She and her classmates popped up out of giant, plastic flower pots as the “farmer” watered them. Awwww, the audience said, when their little heads first popped up. The toddlers climbed out of the pots, did a few steps around the “field,” then headed back to the pots. That is when it all went wrong. Another dancer climbed into Harper’s pot. And in true toddler form, she didn’t handle it well. She stood through the next section of the dance with her hands on her hips, giving the other dancer the stink eye. When the dancemate headed back to the pots, Harper gave her a big ole forearm shivver and knocked her out of the way, so she could land safely in her own pot. The audience roared with laughter, and thankfully there were no arrests for assault. I am assuming by now that the statute of limitations on her offense has expired. My husband’s concerns that we seemed to be paying a lot of money for her to dance primarily in a circle like a peg leg pirate, and her obvious lack of rhythm, gave way to a little bit of a skill set, and the years in dance began to add up. Future recitals and then competitions took a slightly upward turn, and my dance mom fate was sealed. Currently, most of my dance mom life can be summarized by the slogans on the tshirts I wore for the week at our most recent national competition. Day One’s Competition t-shirt said, “Dance Mom Squad.” No, we are not like the Dance Moms of TV fame with designer purses or shoes, because we spent all our money on dance, and our sweat pants sometimes have holes. Most of the moms on my squad are much better at it than I am. They have color coordinated sewing kits, healthy, balanced lunches and snacks in insulated coolers for their dancer, and incredibly positive attitudes. Some of them are former dancers, born to the dance mom life, who speak Dancinese, a complicated language containing words like tuck,
lunge, prep, turnout, combination, leap, and bound. They memorize the order of dances, organize the costume on their hanging racks, and carry Command hooks with them for backstage quick changes. One mom has something that looks like a coal miner’s lamp, which she straps around her forehead and which allows her to see in the dark backstage. She is nothing short of a dance ninja, and I’m jealous.. I, on the other hand, have in a Ziploc sandwich bag with holes, a variety of pins, paper clips, a stapler (not kidding), double sided carpet tape, and a glue gun, all of which came from my kitchen junk drawer, to hold Harper’s costumes together. So far she has not had any Janet Jackson Super Bowl mishaps, so I will stick with my “janky” tools. For sustenance, I usually grab a can of Diet Dr. Pepper that I let Harper share for a caffeine boost, and I don’t worry about a breakfast or lunch with fiber, as I figure she’s ingested enough loose costume sequins that she will stay regular throughout the day. On a scale of 1 to 10 for dance moms, I am a solid five with extensive room for improvement. Day Two’s Competition t-shirt said, “I Can’t—My Daughter has Dance.” That summarizes our lives for about the last three years. I have missed happy hours, baby showers, planting flowers, and sometimes a personal shower, all due to dance. Would I like to go for a Girls’ Weekend? Yes, can you schedule that for about five years from now? I have to admit that we have used dance as an excuse from time to time as well. I have been conveniently unable to provide garage sale help, make an airport run for a friend, and work as a debate tournament judge. I have yet to cross the line of using dance as an excuse to miss a funeral or wedding. I do have a small remnant of a conscience left. Day Three’s Competition t-shirt said, “I got 99 bobby pins, and I Can’t Find One #dancemom.” Dance hair and makeup is a science. I can name by brand and identify by shade 7 of 10 red lipsticks with just a glance. I stock up on hair products, and I even ordered a package of grandma-like hair nets to corral Harper’s hair into a smooth bun. CVS greets me like they used to greet Norm on Cheers. I help them make monthly sales goals with purchases of packs of bobby pins, only to be one short when I need it. I have watched moms use accessories that look like kitchen scrubbers, old tube socks, and something I am pretty sure came from an auto parts store to create a hairdo to last all day. They ambidextrously apply mascara, carry on full blown conversations with bobby pins in their mouths, and stab relentlessly at the backs of their daughter’s heads to create a secure hold. Spritz, squirt, pin, swish, squirt, spritz. Harper’s long, thick, auburn hair most
closely resembles a full grown draft horse’s mane, and after one particularly brutal session wrestling with her hair, I knew she would run away from home if I ever tried again. Luckily a friend stepped up, and now I go get coffee for Heidi while she performs her dance bun miracles. Shampooing and make up removal following a performance are best done at a car wash. Just so you know I am not completely feeble, I have actually earned a rep for being able to apply eye-liner that has an almost Asian flare to it. Not exactly something I can add to my resume, but handy at competition time. Day Four’s Competition t-shirt said, “Never Dreamed I’d be a Cool Dance Mom, But Here I am Rockin’ It,” and some days I actually think I am. Just this week I correctly referred to a ballet position and did not endure Harper’s wrath when I mispronounced some French word. I remembered to wash her favorite of the five identical black leotards so she could wear it to pointe class, and I got a parking spot closest to the studio door, so when she dragged her exhausted body out, I was right there. I no longer gag at the smell of the costumes after the second or third wear, and I have learned to check Harper’s bag for leftover snacks which grow scienceexperiment-like mold. I have made friends with Danette, the sweet lady at the dance supply store, who calls to tell me when tights are going on clearance so I don’t have to take money from my 401K to buy them, and who talks about how to treat a dancer’s foot callouses with me. Danette also shared with me an old dry -cleaner’s trick of diluted vodka sprayed into costume underarms to keep away odors. I plan to try that with PART of the next 5th of vodka I purchase. Any dance mom who says she doesn’t drink is a liar. And I have adjusted our lifestyle to fit dance storage needs. Despite modern home trends, I have maintained a guest bedroom, not because we have guests (we can’t, we are always at dance), but to
serve as a costume storage-sewingstaging area. As if women don’t have enough trouble with our overstuffed closets--where we keep clothes that are our current size, one size before our current size, the size we were when we met our spouse, along with a couple of outfits for the dream date or party or cruise we have planned from browsing Pinterest--now we have to find a place for costumes to live. Problem solved if we never make any out of town friends who need to spend the night. Day Five’s Competition t-shirt said, “Not the Dancer, Just the Financier,” and Lord knows, we have dropped some bank on this dance stuff. Among the things I did not own a few years back are a special rolling duffle bag with a pop up clothing rack, a battery operated fan for hot days in the dressing room, a squatter’s camping stool, special felted costume hangers, a hand held steamer, and sample sizes of everything from baby powder to Superglue. For the cost of a typical community college education or a compact car, we have kept Harper in dance shoes. Seems silly to just have tan jazz shoes when you could also have black ones. Clearly tap shoes with cork inserts are superior, as the tone they make on the floor is so much sharper (read annoyingly loud). Pointe ballet shoes, which as far as I can tell are specially made to smoosh Harper’s toes together and break off her toenails for a feral child look, help create beautiful dancer lines and a classic ballerina style. They cost so much that I literally thought the clerk had added an extra zero when we bought her first pair. I suppose when Harper is done with dance, I will miss the constant movement of her feet under the dinner table as she memorizes steps during choreography season, her unabashed twirls and combinations down enticingly open grocery store aisles, the smile on her face when she sticks a turn, and late night bobby pin runs. I’ll let you know.
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
Add your community event to our free event calendar at www.grainvalleynews.com.
Sports
Page 7
Should Royals Consider Opener Concept? by John Unrein
The Tampa Bay Rays were the first
Major League Baseball team to use the concept of the opener on May 19, 2018.
with the middle of the lineup, not the
consideration for using an opener by
would warrant their consideration.
Kansas City Royals Manager Ned
argument with significant teeth. The
two innings and a starter go for the
League Baseball (the week of 8/5) for
that the team may only need to use
top.”
Sergio Romo was the initial opener to
Yost is somewhat of a purist when it
in relief according to MLB.com. The idea
manages. For example, Yost is not a fan
be used after his first 588 games came being that the opener allows you to
push back the starter coming into the game by an inning or two. There is strategy behind this concept.
Mike Petriello, who writes for Major
League Baseball, recently said “The
entire point of the opener is to still use a starter, just in a different way,
slightly delayed. It allows a good
pitching team to line up a good reliever
comes to baseball and how he
of the defensive shifts you see infields deploy based on hitting spray charts
the Royals would need to have an Royals currently rank 10th in Major
innings pitched by starters at just over 600 innings.
The team ranks 29 or next to last th
that expose the tendencies of batters.
in opponents batting average at .272,
he feels that a team should only be
the Royals in the first inning and the
Yost has gone on record as saying that able to deploy two infielders on each side of second base along with
requiring that each infielder have at least one foot in the dirt.
Yost has explained the reasoning for
with the opposition hitting well against third time through their batting order. Kansas City has not done much better in team ERA either. The starting staff currently boasts a 5.23 Earned Run
Average, good for 25th overall in Major
against the top of the opposing lineup,
his argument is that the base hit single
best hitters available. That’s part of the
opinion. Furthermore, the Royals
their bullpen who could be considered
slow to adjust their approach at the
righthanders Scott Barlow, Kyle
which should generally be three of the reason why the first inning has
traditionally been the highest scoring –
it’s the only inning the hitting team can guarantee who comes to the plate –
and it also helps alleviate the third time through the order problem, by making it so the third time through for the
pitcher who follows the opener begins
is disappearing from the game, in his skipper feels that hitters have been
plate despite the shift. Pull hitters are
refusing to go the opposite way or are attempting to the lift the ball over the
shift with their swing, often with poor results.
It would stand to reason that any
League Baseball.
The Royals do possess candidates in
as an opener for games. They include
Zimmer, and Josh Staumont along with southpaw Richard Lovelady. It would
Tournament Results: A Flight: 1st Place: (54) David Dykhouse, Ed Wells, Ryan Dykhouse, Sean Dycus 2nd Place: (57) Scott Taylor, John Maske,
Seth Rodgers, Dustin Reese
B Flight: 1st Place: (66) Megan Warner, Juliane Lewis, Scott Branton, John Brown 2nd Place: (67) Brad Harper, Charlie Brynac, Mark Hobson, Steve Cox C Flight: 1st Place: (73) Cathy Dowd, Matt Craig, Ken Graham, Scott Bloom 2nd Place: (74) Corey Devaul, Lou Giordano, Jim Pederson Last Place: (83) Pat Martin, Shannon
next five to six innings would mean one reliever at the back end of the game. This strategy also has the
potential to limit the wear and tear on bullpen arms as well, something that would be a welcome site with the number of young arms that exist behind the outfield wall.
The Kansas City Royals currently sit in fourth place in the American League Central Division. They are amid another rebuilding period with an abundance of young players on their roster. Any edge that could be gained by using an opener would be a slight one. It might be one worth considering though, as wins build the confidence of young players trying to find their footing in a highly competitive game.
less be about their experience as major league pitchers and more about the
stuff they possess in getting batters out at the beginning of games that
2019 Grain Valley Education Foundation Golf Tournament A record breaking turnout and beautiful weather contributed to the success of the The Grain Valley Education Foundation’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, August 2nd at Adams Pointe Golf Club. 23 teams participated in this year’s tournament, the most in its history.
Having an opener pitch for one to
Davies, Meyer
Khalilah
Holland,
Jim
Hole Contest winners included longest drive winners Steve Banks and Mindy Jacoby, putting contest winners Seth Rogers and Megan Warner, and Marc Snow with the longest putt. The event is a joint fundraiser of the Grain Valley Education Foundation, Eagle Booster Club and the GVHS Activities department.
A Flight 1st Place Team: David Dykhouse, Ed Wells, Ryan Dykhouse, Sean Dycus Photo credit: Grain Valley Education Foundation
Community Calendar Thursday, August 8, 2019
Using HeritageQuest Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley Branch 2:00pm—3:00pm Learn how to search thousands of resources with HeritageQuest online. Register online at www.mymcpl.org/ events
Friday, August 9, 2019
Movie in the Park: Incredibles 2 Hosted by Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Armstrong Park Activities begin at 7:30pm; movie begins at dusk (approx. 8:30pm) Free; concessions available.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Senior Coffee Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 9:00am—11:00am Time to visit with friends and make new ones. Free. Senior Yoga Weekly on Mondays Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main 10:30am—11:15am $2 or Free for SilverSneakers, Silver & Fit, and Renew Active Members
Meet the Teacher Night: Early Childhood Center Grain Valley Early Childhood Center 5:00pm—6:30pm Meet the Teacher Night: Elementary Schools Grain Valley Elementary Schools 5:30pm—7:00pm Board of Aldermen Meeting Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main Street 7:00pm
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Meet the Teacher Night: Middle School North and South Middle Schools 5:00pm—6:30pm
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 First Day of School Grain Valley Schools
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main 6:30pm—8:30pm
Add your community event online at www.grainvalleynews.com.
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Employment Opportunities The City of Grain Valley is now hiring for a Public Works Maintenance Worker. Worker Apply online at https://www.cityofgrainvalley.org/employment/. https://www.cityofgrainvalley.org/employment/.