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Dozens attend ‘wet-down’ ceremony for new fire trucks
Photo by Kris Collins Raytown Fire Protection District Board of Directors President Bob Palmer sprays down Pumper 52, one of two new trucks the district recently bought, June 18 at Fire Station No. 1. The “wet-down” ritual is symbolic of the 1800s practice of washing horses and pumpers when they arrived at new fire houses for service.
Raytown Fire Protection District personnel push the two new pumpers into Station No. 1. Handpushing the apparatus dates back to firefighter practices in the 19th century when horse-drawn pumpers were used.
By Kris Collins
century practice of hand-pushing pumpers. The trucks, from Ferrara Fire Apparatus, cost the district $1,025,000. The district is financing the purchase through Blue Ridge Bank & Trust at a 1.75 percent interest rate. In April, the board decided, as a result of the good interest rate and working relationship, to move its assets to the bank. Alderwoman Janet Emerson,
Dozens of people were at the Raytown Fire Protection District’s Station No. 1 Friday evening for the unveiling of two new fire trucks and the traditional “wet-down” ceremony practiced by many departments around the country to bring new fire apparatus into service. Fire board directors Richard Tush, Bob Palmer and Barb Schlapia
anointed the new trucks with water sprayed from the retiring pumper’s tank, a ritual that dates back to the 1800s when fire departments used horse-drawn pumpers. When a new horse was commissioned for service it would be washed with the pumper at its newly assigned fire house. Raytown fire personnel then pushed the new trucks, Pumper 51 and Pumper 52, into the station, again symbolizing the early 19th
mayor pro tem, briefly spoke at the event in place of Mayor Mike McDonough, who could not attend. Emerson thanked the fire district for its crucial emergency service and congratulated the district on the addition of the pumpers. Aldermen Steve Meyers, Steve Mock, Mark Moore, Bill VanBuskirk and Alderwoman Karen Black also attended the event.
Park board considers $4.7M Super Splash renovation
By Kris Collins The Raytown Parks Board is considering if it should pursue a $4.75 million renovation project to Super Splash USA, and how the flagship park fits into the parks department’s future. Consultants Jeff Bartley and Jeff Bransford met with the board June 20 to discuss the master plan, the umbrella document that guides parks services and operations, and present funding options for a renovation of Super Splash. The parks board has been discussing for some time what to do with the water park. Some board members have suggested the park stay open because it has been a part of the community since its construction in the ‘60s. Renovations and improvements are costly, but most board members agree the park cannot remain in its current state because of high maintenance costs and declining attendance over the years (It should be noted attendance was, as of June 20, up to 10,850 from 3,605 during the same time frame in 2015). The renovation plan would leave the standing buildings intact and have them renovated. Catalina Cove would
Sales Tax Revenue Analysis Scenario
Amount
Remaining After $325,000 (3-yr avg; no pool reno.)
Remaining After $610,000 (“Fully Funded” incl. pool reno.)
1/8 cent (current)
$280,000
n/a
n/a
1/4 cent
$560,000
$235,000
n/a
3/8 cent
$840,000
$515,000
$230,000
1/2 cent
$1,120,000
$795,000
$510,000
Current Stormwater Assessment = $80,000
be untouched. Pebble Beach would be demolished and replaced with a wet deck and an accompanying play structure. The wet deck plans also include a large bucket that would fill and eventually tip, dumping water onto the play structure and kids below. The design calls for the main pool and lap pool to be downsized. The plunge pools would remain in place for the slides. Barley, of Water’s Edge Aquatic Design, said construction could be completed in the off-season and the new features would be open for the following season. The plan did not include the avalanche water slide. Bartley said he left it out because he was unsure of how popular the slide was, and because it has a high maintenance cost. Phase 2
of the project includes a lazy river and a diving basin. The renovation would decrease total water feature squarefootage from 24,000 to 20,000. Though opinions have been split on the complex issue, the one fact each board member agrees on is that the renovation will not be paid for out of pocket. The future of Super Splash and the master plan become inseparable in consideration of the park’s future because the waterpark is not only obviously under a park system guided by the master plan but the decision to renovate Super Splash could affect the level to which the parks department’s capital improvement plan is funded in the coming years, or the level of a potential tax increase.
The three moving pieces are: the Super Splash renovation, a fully funded parks system and maintaining the current and underfunded parks system. The board spent an average of $325,000 in capital expenditures from 2012 to 2014. Bransford said a fully funded capital improvement plan would cost the department $549,000 annually until 2021. Bransford, of PROS Consulting, recommended the board pursue an increase from the current 1/8-cent sales tax to a 3/8-cent tax, which would generate approximately $840,000 annually, and take out a $4 million general obligation bond if the board wished to renovate Super Splash. Bear in mind part of the sales tax revenue goes toward the city’s stormwater needs. An increase to a 3/8-cent sales tax, Bransford said, would allow the board to operate a fully funded parks system with slightly more than $500,000 at its disposal. Renovating Super Splash and operating a fully funded park system would leave $230,000 remaining. Chris Rathbone, park board member, expressed serious doubt about the board’s ability to pass such a tax increase. The final draft of the master plan is expected to be ready for review by the board’s July meeting.
Following the February fire at Somerset Village Apartments that killed two Raytowners, the Raytown Fire Protection District has been looking into ways to improve fire safety at residential buildings in town. The obstacle, fire personnel say, is that the city of Raytown, as fourth-class city, cannot under state law require business licensing for apartment complexes, which has essentially declawed the city and fire district in codes enforcement. “The biggest enforcement authority we have for businesses to comply with fire code is the threat of pulling the business license,” said Raytown Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Mike Hunley. “If
we go into these apartments and do inspections and tell them they’ve got to fix all these things and spend money, we have nothing to say we’re going to do if they don’t.” Many of the 23 apartment complexes in town were built in the 1960s and lack proper contemporary fire safety features, like interconnected alarm systems or top-tobottom sprinkler systems. Somerset Village Apartments didn’t have either, Hunley said. A fire at the complex on Feb. 7 killed 4-year-old Jeremiah Roberts and his grandmother, 59-year-old Cherri Roberts. Though state statute does not prohibit fourth-class cities from implementing such licensing, it does not grant them permission to do so, according to the Missouri House of Representatives research depart-
Refurbishing Trails Page 2
ment. The state and county do not perform inspections on multi-unit residential buildings. The county’s environmental health division inspects hotels and motels but not apartment complexes. A Missouri statute exists that gives fire districts the authority to pass ordinances for all things fire safety, but the fire district’s attorney, Christine Waldschmidt, said it may not be the best option for the district to adopt and enforce an ordinance requiring business licenses for the complexes. “It’s kind of like if the school board was trying to regulate the behavior of a business,” she said. “It’s a bit questionable. I think it’s much more meaningful and appropriate for that legislation to come from the city in which that entity is doing
National Debaters Page 2
Jackson County is hosting its fifth Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Longview Lake Shelter No. 13 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday. More than 15,000 people attended last year’s event. The event includes two free concerts featuring The Romantics, perhaps best known for the hit “What I Like About You,” and local country rock group Barbwire Revolt. There will be food trucks, a kids’ play area with inflatables and games, and a military salute leading up to the fireworks show. There is no charge for admission. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. More information on the event is available at www.MakeYourDayHere.com. In preparation for the event, Longview Lake Beach will be closed July 4. No grills, pets or coolers will be allowed into the event. Jackson County offices and courthouses will also be closed in observation of Independence Day. Longview Lake Shelter No. 13 is located at 9890 Longview Road, Kansas City.
Mid-Continent Public Library seeking levy increase
business.” Furthermore, Waldschmit said, the city’s ability to enforce codes is greater than that of the fire district. “If the fire department shows up, we’re going to get told to get the hell out,” she said. She suggested the city could adopt an ordinance requiring all apartment complexes to comply with the fire district’s fire codes. Mark Loughry, finance director and main point of contact as City Administrator Mahesh Sharma leaves the city on Friday, said the city has discussed the issue. “We’d like to do it, but so far haven’t found an avenue that allows us to,” he said. “That was something John Benson (former
The Mid-Continent Public Library is seeking an eight-cent levy increase in the November 8 election to replace aging libraries and renovate other branches. The library board of director voted July 21 to raise the tax for the first time in 33 years. “Our 30-plus libraries offer lifetime learning opportunities for all ages and all interests,” said library board member Brent Schondelmeyer. “We have an outstanding library system that has grown, adapted to technology, and responded to new community needs, and has done so without a tax increase in 33 years. This levy increase will allow us to continue what we do, improve our aging existing facilities, build new libraries in high-growth areas and increase high-demand services.” The current library levy is 32 cents. Since the last levy increase in 1983, the library’s district has increased in population by 60 percent and is predicted to increase an additional 25 percent over the next 15 years. Jim Staley, community relations and planning director for the library system, said the Raytown branch of the library would be renovated and services expanded should the
Fire continued on page 4
Library continued on page 4
Raytown fire, city consider safety requirements for apartment complexes
By Kris Collins
Jackson County Fourth of July celebration Monday
Kid-approved Mini Pizzas Page 7
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Friday, July 1, 2016
Annual Kiwanis golf tournament raises $20k
Photos courtesy Al Maddox (From left) Bob Kendrick, Granville Morgan, Dan Maddox, Al Maddox, and Don Toler pose for a photo during the annual Joe Herndon Memorial & Benefit Golf Tournament.
Nick Adkins, left, accepts a golf trip for two to Pebble Beach from Al Maddox. Adkins won the trip by making a hole-inone on No. 7.
More than 100 golfers turned out for the Raytown Three Trials Kiwanis and Raytown Schools Alumni’s annual Joe Herndon Memorial & Benefit Golf Tournament at Hillcrest Golf &
B flight • First place: Steve Mullally, Jim Finley, Dave Adams, and Jeff Kyle — 64 • Second place: Jim Bradshaw, Jim Lynch, Jerry Stover, and Mike Crawford — 65
Country Club on June 17. This year’s event netted approximately $20,000 to benefit the students in the Raytown C-2 School District and Youth Sports Program. Results
Volunteers log 300 hours at Cave Spring, refurbish trails
Photos courtesy Al Maddox
Fifteen members of the Youth Volunteer Corp of Greater Kansas City were at Cave Spring this past week completing more than 300
hours of work on the parks’ trails. Volunteers refurbished several trails and built a new one north of the lake.
A flight • First place: Josh Hustad, Carl Calcara, Dan Porter and Nick Adkins — 56 • Second place: Dustin Ulam, Madi Maddox, Doug Greene and Mike Neu — 56
The first and second place teams in the A flight were tied and played it off the card to decide a winner. Adkins, football coach at Raytown South High School, also won a trip for two to Pebble Beach
Golf Links for making a holein-one on the seventh hole at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club. The 2017 tournament is scheduled for the third Friday of June.
Raytown High debaters achieve a high-ranking finish at national tournament
Raytown High School debaters Israel Hanke and Romeo Bagunu finished second in the U.S. bracket and third in the International bracket of the Public Forum Debate competition at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah in mid-June. Hanke and Bagunu, among seven other pairs, were undefeated in the preliminary rounds and were victorious in two out of three elimination rounds in the U.S. bracket before losing in the final elimination round. They beat teams from Cali-
fornia, Texas, Japan, China, Maryland, and Pennsylvania “There is a banner at the front of our debate room,” said speech and debate coach Mark Harris. “It says, ‘Championships are won with practice and preparation. The trophies are picked up at the tournament.’ Israel and Romeo took this seriously. I have rarely seen a debate team work so hard to achieve their goals.” This is the second time Hanke and Bagunu have competed in the national tournament.
Kim LeSage, of the Raytown Rotary Club, was installed as District Governor for Rotary District 6040 during a dinner June 18 at the
Adam’s Mark Hotel & Conference Center. This is the first time in the Raytown Rotary Clubs 54-year history to have one of its members hold the position of district governor. In her new role, LeSage will work with 57 clubs in the northern part of Missouri from Kansas City area north and east just beyond Kirksville. Her leadership will determine many of the projects Rotary is known for — implementing local, district, and international projects al-
Photo courtesy of Raytown C-2 School District Israel Hanke, left, and Romeo Bagunu at the 2016 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Raytowner named head of Rotary District 6040
Kim LeSage
leviating poverty, improving health, encouraging education, working for better economic conditions. The largest international project is eradi-
cating polio from the world. After being installed as district governor, LeSage installed the new officers and service chairs for the Raytown Rotary Club: Pat Ertz, president; Lynn Durbin, presidentelect; Janell Neal, secretary; Ed Oman, treasurer; DeeAnn Stock, director. Incoming Directors George Koepp and Tom Murray were unable to attend the dinner. Raytown Rotarian Mike Watkins was appointed a district assistant governor.
Jackson County promotes first Hispanic female to captain in corrections dept.
Nilda Serrano recently became the first woman and first Hispanic to be promoted to captain within the Jackson County Department of Corrections. “I know there were a lot of other candidates for this position, and that we were
all qualified,” Serrano said. “I am humbled. I am excited to accept this position. Whatever’s for the betterment of the department is what matters most, as usual.” Serrano’s promotion was announced during a brief ceremony held at the Jackson
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Photo courtesy Jackson County Department of Corrections Nilda Serrano was recently promoted to a captain in the Jackson County Department of Corrections, becoming the first female and Hispanic to earn the rank.
County Detention Center on June 24. Serrano is one of three captains in the detention unit. After serving in the Army eight years, Serrano began her career with Jackson County corrections in 1992. Serrano was promoted to sergeant eight years ago and was again promoted two years ago to lieutenant. Her other duties have included translating visitation policies and inmate rules into Spanish, supervising the inmate workers program, and teaching inmate supervision classes in the academy Jackson County recently launched for correctional officer recruits. “We had exceptional candidates for this captain’s position, both internally and externally,” said Joe Piccinini, Jackson County Department of Corrections director. “Nilda was the ideal candidate. She has the experience, the knowledge, the respect of her peers and of the inmates. She has a passion for her job and performs her duties with compassion.”
Friday, July 1, 2016
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New Jackson Co. chief deputy prosecutor sworn in
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Lee’s Summit woman filed to run against Cleaver Roberta Gough, a Democrat out of Lee’s Summit, has filed for the Fifth Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. Gough said in a statement she wish will focus on ending the culture of corruption in Congress. “I will clean up the mess by banning gifts from lobbyists, closing the revolving door between legislators and lobbyists, and applying term limits to Congress
members,” she said. “We can improve education for all Americans. I believe every child has the right to a first-rate education. Too many children and parents are trapped in failing schools. Kansas City has several failed schools. I will lead efforts to provide more choices and opportunities for kids who need it most.” Gough is a former high school teacher, an Army veteran and is a member of American Legion Post 189.
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KC Man Sentenced for Throwing Molotov Cocktails at Congressional Office A Kansas City man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on June 28 for throwing Molotov cocktails at the local congressional office of U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. According to a statement from Tammy Dickinson, U. S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Eric G. King, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 10 years in federal prison without parole. On March 3, King pleaded guilty to using explosive materials to commit arson. On Sept. 11, 2014, at approximately 3 a.m., a window was broken and two Molotov cocktails were thrown at Cleaver’s congressional office located at 101 W. 31st Street, Kansas City. The office was unoccupied at the time of the incident. A hammer used to break the window was recovered from the scene, as well as two broken Molotov
cocktails. There was no fire damage to the building. Video footage shows King, wearing a large backpack, walking to the congressional office. King retrieved two Molotov cocktails from his backpack, then walked around the parking lot for a few minutes in an apparent effort to hide from cars that were passing by. The video footage shows King throwing a hammer through the west window then lighting the two Molotov cocktails. The first Molotov cocktail bounced off the side of the building. King threw the second Molotov cocktail through the window then sprinted away from the office. Detectives with the Kansas City Police Department were investigating King in connection with a series of anti-government related incidents of vandalism in the immediate vicinity of the congressional office.
Women’s groups hails Supreme Court ruling on abortion Pro-choice advocates around the state are hailing a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that strikes down key parts of a Texas law that restricts how abortion clinics could operate. “The Missouri legislature has repeatedly enacted abortion regulations that have no medical benefit for patients—all under the guise of purporting to protect women’s health,” said Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director of ACLU of Missouri. “Today’s Supreme Court decision means that courts will no longer play along with the legislature’s disingenuous game of pretending to help women
by erecting unnecessary barriers to abortion care. It should mark the end of Missouri’s campaign to impose unnecessary and burdensome regulations on abortion providers for the purpose of making abortion care more difficult to obtain.” The ruling removes medical practice regulations placed on abortion clinics were restrictive enough to close approximately half of the clinics in Texas. The court found the Texas law placed an “undue burden” on women seeking an abortion and that such measures were unconstitutional.
Work will close ramp from EB I-470 to EB Route 50 July 5 Crews will close the ramp from eastbound Interstate Highway 470 to eastbound Missouri Route 50 nightly from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. July 5 and 6 for full depth pavement repairs. All work is weather dependent. The Missouri Department of Transportation urg-
es all motorists to be alert, obey warning signs and use caution when driving through work zones. More information about MoDOT news, projects or events, is available online at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.
MCC names new vice chancellor for academic affairs Metropolitan Community College recently named Carlos G. Penaloza as its new vice chancellor for academic affairs. Penaloza’s appointment was approved by the college’s Board of Trustees June 23. Penaloza, who is expected to start at MCC on Aug. 1, comes to Kansas City from Schenectady County Community College, part of the State University of New York system, where he currently serves as assistant vice president of academic affairs and acting dean of mathematics, science, technology and health. “We are looking forward to welcoming Dr. Penaloza, with his strong academic background, to assume the role of MCC’s chief academic officer,” said MCC Chancel-
Photo courtesy Metropolitan Community College Carlos G. Penaloza was chosen as Metropolitan Community College’s vice chancellor for academic affairs on June 23.
lor Mark James. “He will work closely with our faculty to ensure we remain a highly regarded higher education institution with a strong academic reputation.” Penaloza will replace Michel Hillman, who has served as MCC’s interim vice chancellor for academic affairs since January 2015.
Daniel Nelson was sworn in as the new chief deputy prosecutor of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office this week. “Dan Nelson has had a distinguished career, marked by many high profile cases as both a federal prosecutor and a private litigator,” said Jean Peters Baker, Jackson County prosecuting attorney. “Dan has demonstrated a fair-minded approach to prosecution and is a welcome addition to this office.” Nelson fills the vacancy created earlier this year when
W. Page Bellamy left the chief deputy position to become an associate circuit judge in Saline County. Nelson most recently served as an assistant U.S. attorney for Western District of Missouri for 12 years. There he tried cases to juries and represented the United States in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. He served in a variety of roles, including securities fraud coordinator, elections officer and executive assistant U.S. attorney. At trial, Nelson has convict-
ed businessmen and women, bank robbers, a mayor, and tax criminals. He was recognized by a panel of state and federal judges and the Missouri Bar Foundation with the 2014 Lon Hocker Award for trial excellence. Nelson earlier worked as a business litigation associate in the Washington D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis. He instructs on trial advocacy, ethics, securities law, and cyber law. He has guest-lectured at the University of Missouri and The University of Kansas, and he
co-teaches federal trial practice at The University of Missouri – Kansas City Law School. Nelson is board president of The Child Protection Center, an accredited child advocacy center serving Jackson and Cass counties. He is past president of Impact KC, a giving circle that since 2004 has awarded nearly $1 million to Kansas City charities. A sixth-generation Missourian, Nelson is a graduate of Mizzou’s School of Journalism and the University of Virginia School of Law.
Education bill to get more Missouri students degrees, reduce cost
While at the University of Central Missouri on June 16, Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 997, a higher education bill that aims to help Missourians complete undergraduate degrees and lower the cost of earning them. The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, will enable more students to take dualcredit courses while they are in high school, make it easier
to transfer college credits between public colleges and universities, and require the development of additional policies and pilot programs to encourage degree completion. “Over the last several years, Missouri has become a national leader to enable students to complete their higher education degrees, and this bill helps us continue to lead,”
Nixon said in a statement. “These provisions are good for students, they’re good for our colleges and universities, and they’re good for our economy – because education is the best economic development tool there is.” The bill also calls for the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to work with public colleges and universities to develop a
42-credit-hour block of foundational courses that can be transferred to any other public higher education institution in the state. This will help students in getting credit for classes they’ve already taken, the governor said. Additionally, the bill also creates a scholarship fund to help lowincome students take dualcredit courses while they are still in high school.
Gov. Nixon signs bill to further reform municipal courts By Kris Collins Following the approval last year of Senate Bill 5, which aimed to remove traffic fines and citations as a source of revenue for municipalities, earlier this month Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 572 into law. The bill is designed to further reform municipal courts statewide by addressing non-traffic fines and citations. “The practice of budgeting more for traffic tickets and fines was something very real last year,” Sen. Eric Schmitt, the bill’s sponsor, said during a committee
hearing on the legislation in early 2016 “and the idea of budgeting more for nonmoving violation from one year to the next and sending out, essentially, a police force to try to round up that revenue is wrong, and antithetical to our republic.” SB 572 caps court fines and fees for certain nontraffic ordinance violations at $200 for the first offenses and cities are barred from jailing defendants for nonpayment. Under the bill, a defendant will not pay more than $450 on a fourth offense within a 12-month period, and the bill tosses out fines if a case
is dropped or a defendant is found indigent. Additionally, the bill reduces the maximum fine for a minor traffic violation at $250. According to the Raytown Municipal Court, the city does not have any existing fees that exceed those caps. Raytown Finance Director Mark Loughry said it’s unclear how much of an impact the legislation will have on the city. “At this time we don’t see any additional (impacts) above what changes they made in traffic fines,” he said in reference to SB 5. “Obviously, that made a difference
to us.” The city experienced a decrease in revenue, though Loughry said it’s impossible to prove it’s directly or solely a result of SB 5. Opponents of the bill argue one of its provisions barring cities from holding people in custody for fines eliminates a city’s ability to collect any assessed fines or make people show up for court appearances. In 2015, the city collected $878,470 in traffic and nontraffic fines. The RaytownBrooking Eagle could not confirm by press time what percentage of that sum came from non-traffic citations.
careers focused on community service. After co-founding Sunshine Center, Betty served as executive director for 28 years. During this time, thousands of physically challenge preschool children were served and received a boost in their early education years. Betty is a sustaining member of the Junior Service League of Independence and has volunteered in numerous leadership roles for The Community Services League, Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity and the Stone Church, to name a few. Terry has served the community throughout his career in roles including vice president for advancement at Park University, executive director of Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation and executive director of Share. He was recognized as the Fundraiser of the Year by the local Association for Fundraising Professionals in 2008, and is currently passing on lessons learned from his many years of experience to guide other nonprofit organizations as a consultant with Hartsook Companies. Terry has also served in numerous volunteer leadership roles on Independence Commissions and nonprofit boards such as Outreach International and Camp Quality USA. Terry was also one of the founding board members of your community foundation more than 30 years ago. The Missouri Mavericks will also be celebrated at our “Toast to Our Towns Gala” as our Corporate Citizen of the Year. They support the community through many programs including hosting the Boys and Girls Club’s Dinner on Ice, providing in-kind donations for charitable causes and sponsoring local events. Their dedicated fans experience their
community commitment and join in at every home game with the very popular “Chuck a Puck” fundraiser. Since their inaugural season in 2009, the Mavericks have helped raise more the $1 million for charitable organizations throughout Jackson County. During the 2015-2016 season, they partnered with more than 120 local nonprofits, including Community Services League, Hope House, and Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Community Services League (CSL) will receive our Heartland Service Award at our event. A women’s bible study group that included First Lady Bess Wallace Truman founded the organization in 1916, making this their 100th anniversary year. CSL has served families in need from the Great Depression through the Great Recession and beyond. They currently have 11 service locations in eight Eastern Jackson County Communities and assist more than 15,000 annually. Yes, they provide emergency assistance but they also work with clients to provide access to jobs through their Work Express Program, provide Housing Counseling and provide a Financial Opportunity Center. Through creative partnerships with credit unions they are working to provide access to banking services and credit in order create some financially stability in the lives of those they serve. In addition to these three honorees, seven area mayors will also be recognizing their Citizen of the Year. Mayor Mike McDonough has chosen Chris and Stacey Payne as Raytown’s Citizens of the Year. The Paynes, although relatively new to Raytown, have immersed themselves in the community.
They have a special devotion to education and established the Aspire Scholarship for graduates of Raytown and Raytown South who will be the first in their families to attend college. They are also active supporters of Midwest Animal ResQ and helped facilitate a partnership between the city of Raytown and Midwest Animal ResQ to promote animal adoptions. They partnered with the school district to turn a closed YMCA building into the newly renovated Raytown School District Wellness Center, which is open to the community and district employees. Honorees from other communities are: David Smith recognized by Mayor Carson Ross, city of Blue Springs; Darryl Jones recognized by Mayor Mike Todd, city of Grain Valley; Donna Pittman recognized by Mayor Eileen Weir, city of Independence; Richard Williams recognized by Mayor R.L. Scharfen, city of Lake Winnebago; Nick and Jennifer Swearngin, recognize by Mayor Randy Rhoads, city of Lee’s Summit; and Bob Buckley, recognized by Mayor Matt Mallinson, city of Sugar Creek. Keep your eyes open for your own opportunities to create a positive news cycle, even if it’s just with your family or circle of friends. Let’s talk more about people who are doing things right in contrast to tearing people down. And save the date on your calendar for our 21st Annual “Toast to Our Towns Gala” on Sept. 17 at the Sheraton Hotel at Crown Center. Please make plans to join us as we celebrate the impact these individuals and organizations are making in our community and will continue to make for years to come. That’s personal character worth talking about.
Join in creating a positive news cycles
By Phil Hanson Truman Heartland Community Foundation president and CEO
There is a seemingly endless stream of bad news, as our 24-hour news cycle moves from one crisis to the next; the latest shooting, airplane crash, or government budget crisis. And personal attacks on people’s character seem to be the latest trend particularly in this election year. I want to share some thoughts this month on the personal character of some people who make our community such a great place. Join me in celebrating people of great character and creating a positive news cycle. At your community foundation’s “Toast to Our Towns Gala” on Sept. 17, we will be celebrating some of the people who make our community great. You certainly won’t hear the stories of our honorees on the evening news which is all the more reason for us to come together to celebrate the positive force for good in our community that our honorees represent. Terry and Betty Snapp will be recognized as our Humanitarians of the Year. The lives of this dynamic duo have been focused on service to our community. The Snapp’s positive impact, both as professionals and dedicated volunteers, has elevated the level of service to our areas most vulnerable populations for decades. Together they founded and serve as chief organizers of the Neighborhood Dinner Program hosted by Stone Church Community of Christ. Hundreds of community volunteers are involved in serving 10,000 warm meals annually as a result of their leadership and service. Both Terry and Betty had
Police look for 4 suspects in attempted burglary at Blue Steel Guns & Ammo
By Kris Collins
The Raytown Police Department continues to search for four men who attempted to break into Blue Steel Guns & Ammo in the early morning hours of June 21. James Brafford, communications director for the police department, said the investigation is ongoing and detectives are following up on leads. He
had no new information to offer. Blue Steel Guns & Ammo owner Steve Brackeen got a lot of media attention this past week after he posted surveillance footage of the attempted burglary on the business’ Facebook page. “They ain’t going to get it. They never have,” Brackeen said. “That was the fifth time — four at the old place, one here.”
The video shows some of the men attempting, in a somewhat tenderfoot fashion, to shoulder or kick down the front door in sync. One of the men is wearing a long wig and the others have their faces partially covered by cloth or tightly synched hooded sweatshirts. Brackeen moved his business to 6326 Raytown Road earlier this year. He said while the burglary attempts have
been only such, he has to pay out of pocket for repairs because his business never sustains enough damage for an insurance claim. He spent $1,000 on repairs this time. “So what do you do?” he said. “You buy good HD quality cameras like we got.” The surveillance footage may be found at www.youtube. com/watch?v=UYbJJU5NLX8.
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Fire continued from page 1 director of development and public affairs) worked on when he was here.” Another consideration is defining what constitutes a reasonable safety improvement for 60-year-old buildings. Requiring business owners to retrofit buildings with a sprinkler system or interconnected alarm system, as if required under current fire code, isn’t reasonable, Hunley said. “The city inspector and I were and inspecting a build-
Library continued from page 1 tax pass. On the other hand, he said, services could be reduced if the tax increase fails. The levy increase will be noted on the ballot as Proposition L. If Prop L passes, it will allow for the construction of six new or replacement Library buildings and the renovation of 28 branches. Passage of the tax could also lead to extended operating hours, improved internet service and a better collection
ing over here on 63rd Street and I had a two-page list of things they needed to correct,” he said. However, Hunley rates requiring 10-year smoke alarms in hallways and common areas a reasonable fire safety upgrade, and that may have to do for the moment. “It’s still a work in progress,” he said. “We’re learning more and trying to make some decisions before we hit all the apartment buildings.” The city’s attorney, Joe Willerth, did not immediately return a call for comment to The Raytown-Brooking Eagle. of physical books, eBooks, research tools and other media. The additional cost in property taxes per year from the levy increase would amount to $22.80 for a home valued at $150,000. The library is 95 percent funded by a local property tax levy, and the remaining 5 percent is made up of private fundraising dollars, state aid, and fines and fees. More information on the proposed levy increase and the library’s plans for the future are available online at www.mymcpl.org/election.
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Friday, July 1, 2016
The day I officially realized I was home
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The school is sleeping Shades cover its window eyes. The doors, now fingerprint free refuse to open. The floors gleam from a coat of wax, footprint free. Books lean against each other for support and sigh. A lost cricket tries to sing and break the silence. Bulletin boards, pinless and signless, yawn with boredom. Cries of “school’s out school’s out!” still reverberate in the humid air. But… the school’s not listening; It’s naptime.
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Jason Offutt I grew up in a town so small the only time we saw a stranger was when somebody got lost. We could recognize people by their car (pickup, usually) and knew who would invariably stop in the middle of the street to gab. They were like those talkers who block an entire aisle at the grocery store to chat with someone they’d just had coffee with at the café that morning. The only difference is these carts were bigger and smelled of cow manure. The only people who didn’t know the subtleties of life in a small town were the New People. New People moved to town from Somewhere Else, a faraway land filled with monsters and socialists. The New People might be nice enough, but they were different and had strange ways. Small towners might be friends with New People, but they never cozy up to them all the way. Not for years. For those who’ve moved to a small town from Somewhere Else, the kicker is you may live in that town 20 years and you’ll still be the New People. That’s the reality I grew up in. As a boy, I remember the community warmly accepting the foreign exchange students from Sweden and Germany – about as far away from small-town Missouri as you can get. But I’m pretty sure that was easy to do because these foreign high school students would go home soon. Not like the family that moved to town from the distant dark land
of Kansas. They might stay awhile and rumor had it they were Lutheran. Moving to a city (even a suburb) was easy. I wasn’t supposed to know most of the people I encountered outside my apartment. I got to know a few bartenders and waitresses and people at work, but that was about it. So moving back to a small town (a new small town), my family and I were suddenly the New People. I knew it would take years for us to fit in, maybe never. That was 11 years ago. Then something unexpected happened. Driving to the lumberyard to get enough material to build a gate on the back deck (the Toddler is a bigger escape artist than most magicians) I passed cars filled with people I didn’t know – a sure sign I was in no way a full-fledge member of the community. I didn’t recognize the clerk at the lumberyard, or the manager, although I’d bought building supplies there for years. It was the guy in the yard who changed everything. It was a Sunday and as I pulled into the yard, I realized I not only knew the guy walking up to my truck, I knew his son had received a number of awards at the end-of-school assembly. I’d heard about it that morning at church. “Hey,” I said. “I bet you’re proud of your boy.” He nodded, grinning. “Yeah, I am.” Lumberyard, school, church. That was my big Small Town moment. I think I finally fit in. Jason Offutt’s latest book, “Across a Corn-Swept Land: An epic beer run through the Upper Midwest,” is available at amazon.com. A native of Missouri, Jason currently teaches journalism at Northwest Missouri State University and has earned many humor writer awards throughout his career. His racy first novel, “A Funeral Story,” is available at amazon. com. Jason’s parody survival guide, “How to Kill Monsters Using Common Household Items,” is also available at amazon.com.
Phyllis Diller, First Lady of Laughter, Part IV
By George Michaud As many years as I knew Phyllis Diller, every time we ran into each other it was like a homecoming to her. At least she made us feel that way. She was always dazzling, upbeat and happy as could be. She would say, “Let’s go somewhere tonight after the shows.” The last time we ran into Phyllis was the most fun we had ever had. It was as though she knew we wouldn’t see each other again. Before we get into this fabulous last get-together, I wanted to let you know some of Phyllis’ accomplishments throughout her many years in show biz, with some of her ups and some of her downs. She had six children (one died in infancy). By 1955, Groucho Marx had a game show called “You Bet Your Life” and Phyllis went on as a contestant. Her appearance on Groucho’s show got so many laughs that the owner of the Purple Onion in San Francisco asked her to appear there. This was perfect for her because it was a club just for comics, like The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Her biggest exposure to a national audience was when she was asked to appear on
Producer’s continued on page 5
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“The Jack Paar Show” while she was playing at The Blue Angel in New York. She developed funny characters in her routines that would stay with her for the rest of her professional career, along with the infectious cackle laugh she developed. People would say, “Oh, yeah that lady with that funny laugh.” That was Phyllis Diller. She fired off oneliners nonstop and she always had the cigarette holder in her right hand, both were trademarks of hers (She never smoked once in her life). Her fictitious husband by the made-up name of “Fang,” her ridiculously oversized costumes and the hairdo that looked like she just stuck her finger into a live electric socket turned a housewife (which she just hated to do) into one of our National Treasures. She became a household name in a short time once she got the national exposure from that magic box called the television. Her very first role in film was a minor one as Texas Guinan in Elia Kazan’s “Splendor in the Grass,” a performance followed by a few very low-budget films with her longtime friend Bob Hope, with whom she costarred from 1967 through 1968. She was always a guest on Bob Hope’s annual NBC Christmas Special through 1994. Her first stage appearance was in “The Dark Top of the Stairs” in 1961 and she wouldn’t return to the stage until her tremendous role starring in “Hello Dolly” on Broadway, replacing Carol Channing. This was her most notable role. Her final stage role was in 1988 as Mother Superior in “San Francisco’s
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weeklyBLOTTER From Raytown Police Department
Incidents from 6/22/16 to 6/29/16 06/22/2016 02:25:16 569.080H - TAMPERING 1ST/ TRUCK/BUS/STOLEN ELSWHERE & REC. 9700 block E 79 ST
06/23/2016 00:58:55 28.139.e - CITY, STEALING SHOPLIFT 10300 block 350 Hw 06/23/2016 10:24:55 570.090 - FORGERY (F) 6300 block HEDGES AVE
06/22/2016 05:59:25 Gen Info - Non-Criminal General Information Report 5900 block CRESCENT AVE
06/23/2016 10:48:28 569.080D - TAMPERING 1ST/AUTO/STOLEN ELSWHERE&RECOVER. 9800 block E 80 TER
06/22/2016 14:53:13 570.030E - STEALING/OVER $500/PURSE SNATCHING (F) 9000 block E 350 HWY
06/22/2016 19:57:11 570.030A - STEALING/OVER $500/ALL OTHER THEFTS (F) 5300 block Raytown Rd 06/22/2016 22:00:57 569.020E - ROBBERY 1ST/ WITH FIREARM/ MISCELLANEOUS (F) 59 ST
06/23/2016 21:07:15 28.103 - CITY, VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION 10400 block E 83 ST
06/24/2016 16:18:10 570.030N - STEALING/ EMBEZZLEMENT/ $150 TO $500 (M) 10300 block 350 Hw
06/24/2016 08:20:00 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 8300 block E 85 TER
06/24/2016 18:00:13 Recov. Prop. - Recovered Property 10000 block E 78 ST
06/24/2016 13:17:28 Gen Info - Non-Criminal General Information Report 11200 block E 74 ST
06/23/2016 19:49:53 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 9700 block Plymouth Ln
06/22/2016 19:27:57 570.030A - STEALING/OVER $500/ALL OTHER THEFTS (F) 5300 block Raytown Rd
DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION 8800 block E 85 TER
06/24/2016 09:04:18 28.139 - CITY, STEALING/ FRAUD BY DECEIT PROPERTY OR SERVICE 8700 block E 63 ST
06/23/2016 12:32:16 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 10600 block E 63 ST
06/22/2016 17:55:59 warrant - Warrant Service 10000 block E 59 ST
HOL 10000 block E 59 ST
06/23/2016 20:15:53 565.050A - ASSAULT 1ST/ WITH SHARP INSTRUMENT (F) 8700 block E 87 ST 06/23/2016 20:30:51 28.139 - CITY, STEALING/ FRAUD BY DECEIT PROPERTY OR SERVICE 8700 block E 63 ST
06/24/2016 13:39:18 565.050B - ASSAULT 1ST/ WITH OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPON (F) 10100 block E 79 TR
06/23/2016 20:44:15 28.333.a - CITY, DWI-ALCO-
06/24/2016 16:05:44 28.137 - CITY, PROPERTY
06/24/2016 15:01:44 570.030N - STEALING/ EMBEZZLEMENT/ $150 TO $500 (M) 10300 block 350 Hw
Man facing felony for threatening Jackson Co. judge Editor’s note: This story contains vulgar language. An Independence man is facing a felony charged for sending threatening messages to a Jackson County judge. Timothy D. Graves, 58, was charged this past week with tampering with a judicial officer, a class C felony, according to online court records. According to court documents, Graves sent electronic
messages to a court email address on June 20. The message
in part stated, “Come to my house P---! I triple dog dare u. f--- U. I’ll f--- you up.” Police filed a subpoena for the telephone number that sent the messages and found the number to be associated with Graves. Police documents state Graves has had numerous court cases before the 16th circuit. Graves is being held on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled for a court appearance July 8.
A Kansas City man is charged with five felonies in connection to a rape and series of thefts this past week that ended in a police pursuit into Wyandotte County. Ricardo D. Staley, 32, was taken into custody and jailed in Wyandotte County on June 20 after he led police on
a chase from Kansas City, police documents state. Police attempted to stop the 2012 GMC Terrain he was driving after it was reportedly taken without the owner’s permission. Staley reportedly drove with “reckless abandon” for the safety of others, swerving in and out of traffic and nearly caus-
ing several collisions, police documents state. The pursuit ended after Staley went down a dead-end road. Police documents state Staley spoke with the victim after he took the vehicle and told her he would not stop for police if she called them and that he would wreck her car
Timothy Graves
06/24/2016 18:20:06 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 6500 block RAYTOWN RD 06/24/2016 20:30:51 28.139 - CITY, STEALING/ FRAUD BY DECEIT PROPERTY OR SERVICE 8700 block E 63 ST 06/24/2016 20:38:31 28.139.e - CITY, STEALING SHOPLIFT 10300 block 350 Hw 06/24/2016 23:28:58 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 5500 block WILLOW AVE 06/25/2016 02:54:49 28.331 - CITY, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA 10300 block E 350 HW
06/25/2016 07:34:33 565.074 - Domestic Assault 3rd degree 7600 block ARLINGTON AVE 06/25/2016 16:07:29 Gen Info - Non-Criminal General Information Report 10000 block E 59 ST 06/25/2016 16:24:19 28.137 - CITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION 5700 block BLUE RIDGE BV
06/26/2016 02:26:13 28.330.b - CITY, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 9400 block E 81 TR 06/26/2016 04:13:54 Run Away - Runaway-Persons Under 18 8900 block E 73 ST 06/26/2016 08:10:28 28.137 - CITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION 7400 block OVERTON AVE
06/25/2016 16:42:50 570.120A - PASSING BAD CHECKS/ OVER $500 (F) 10300 block E 350 HW
06/26/2016 21:58:14 42.79 - CITY, TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, OBEDIENCE TO E 55 ST
06/25/2016 16:43:28 570.120A - PASSING BAD CHECKS/ OVER $500 (F) 10300 block E 350 HW
06/27/2016 00:37:53 28.243 - CITY, RESIST OR INTERFERING WITH ARREST E 67 ST
06/25/2016 18:38:26 28.137 - CITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION KENTUCKY AV 06/26/2016 00:38:31 28.139.e - CITY, STEALING SHOPLIFT 10300 block E 350 HW
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Man charged in murder of sister over weekend A Kansas City man was charged Sunday in the murder of his 57-year-old sister, whose body emergency medical services found stabbed in a home in the 5500 block of Paloma Avenue. Michael L. Mathews, 49, is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his sister, Ayishia Shakir, according to police documents. Witnesses told police the
victim had been in an argument with Mathews on the evening of June 24. Police documents state she was refusing to share drugs with him. Another witness reported hearing Mathews say, “I’m so tired of you b----,” before Shakir was killed. Police documents state she had wounds on her upper chest, neck, back of the shoulder, behind her right ear, on the bottom of her left foot and
defensive lacerations on both hands. Mathews was arrested when he arrived at the home on June 25. Witness told police he had lived there for approximately one year. Mathews reportedly denied having a verbal or physical argument with Shakir. He is in custody of Jackson County on $200,000 cash bond. He was scheduled for a court appearance Monday.
KC man charged in rape, police chase to Wyandotte County if she called the police. When asked by police why he failed to stop Staley said he doesn’t stop for police. Staley is also accused of stealing a woman’s purse and cellphone from the parking lot of a Wal-Mart on June 19 and raping a woman at a home in the 1100 block of Euclid Av-
enue on June 17. Police documents state Staley threatened to kill the woman and her family if she resisted him or told anyone what had happened. He told the victim he would return in two days to rape her again, and that she had better answer his phone calls. Staley is charged with
first-degree rape or attempted rape, first-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest, all felonies, according to online court records. His warrant in Jackson County calls for a $100,000 bond.
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GARAGE/ESTATE SALE Formal dining room set, desk, cabinets, chairs, dishes, lots of misc. household items, games, child’s bicycle, Xmas decorations, senior walkers. Sale will be July 1-2, 9 am to 5 pm at 5810 Blue Ridge Cut-Off. 1973 HONDA 350F FOR SALE - Two red 1973 350F motorcycles all intact and original except exhaust systems. Chrome fenders, mirrors, working tail lights and turn signals, original seats (one has tiny hole), working handlebar switches, levers and master cylinder, clean speedo & tachometers. Imperfections in chrome and paint so needs spit and polish but we can help you get replacement parts at cost. Both come with historic license plates and clear titles.
This highly sought after four-cylinder, fourstroke, 347 cc model was manufactured from 1972-74. Sold separately at $1,500 each. Call 816313-0202. (Pictures online at RaytownEagle. com/news under Classified Ads) POOL TABLE with near new felt top. 4 ft. X 8 ft. for a home or recreation room. Perfect for the kids or adults to play pool on. Heavy
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GARAGE SALE LEFTOVERS? SPRING CLEANING? Raytown Main Street Association is holding a Let Our Light Shine Fundraising Auction on July 9. We need your help to raise money to buy new holiday lighting for downtown with donations of gently used or new items for the auction: furniture, lawn and garden items, fishing, hunting, camping, lawnmowers or tools, sports, jewelry, vehicles with clear titles, etc. Drop off your donations to Sue Frank State Farm; Clark’s Appliance; Irish Pub; Raytown–Brooking Eagle office. Please no donations of bedding, clothing or used electronics or books! Call 816-353-4400 or visit www.raytownmainstreet.org. for more information. We hope you’ll attend the Auction on July 9 at 6250 Raytown Trafficway (behind Wendy’s). Doors open at 9 a.m.
Producer’s Corner continued from page 4 Nunsense.” Her first professional booking as a standup comic started out as a two-week engagement and turned into a super successful 89 weeks. Phyllis had no female role model to follow because there weren’t any. She worked hard developing her characters, using her educational background. She wrote all of her own jokes and gags, using props from her prior jobs and musical experience as a concert pianist to create the satire she needed. Before she knew it she had a cabinet full of jokes and even wrote for Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and others. All this work paved the way for Totie Fields, Ellen DeGeneres, Joan Rivers and other
female comedians. Phyllis made several record albums. They sold out fast so she did a few others and they went over very well. Before you knew it all the other females that followed her did the same thing. Her popularity grew so fast and big in show biz that she was wanted on every TV show there was, from “What’s My Line,” “Hollywood Squares,” to “Match Game” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.” They all wanted Phyllis Diller. She was on “The Drew Carey Show” numerous times, “The Gong Show,” “Night Gallery,” “Love, American Style,” “The Muppets” and “The Love Boat.” That’s just a short list of the many, many TV shows she did. She kept busy until she
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decided to retire from standup comedy in 2002. She settled down in her home in Brentwood, California to enjoy life, paint and write her autobiography. She even had an invitation-only party where she actually sold some of her paintings at a very high price. Phyllis told me, “I attributed most of my success by reading a book by Claude M. Bristol called ‘The Magic of Believing’ which gave me tremendous inspiration to move forward in my life in a positive manner, and it worked.” On July 11, 2007, she fractured her back in a fall and cancelled an appearance on “The Tonight Show”. Her final appearance was with a panel of comedians with Anderson Cooper on CNN.
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The last time we saw Phyllis was in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was invited to perform a private show in their largest ballroom which sat around 2,500 people. She called us the day before and wanted to get together because she was thinking of retiring from stand-up work. She was doing less and less of it. After her show she came back on stage and gave an introduction to Lindroth and the audience had already been in town for a week and seen his concerts at the Cascades of The Opryland Hotel. They gave him a standing ovation. That was really thoughtful of her to do. Later that evening she came over to the Harpland Estate and had dinner with us. We talked about old times and laughed all throughout
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dinner. She visited for about an hour afterwards and said goodnight and to me she said, “George, you stay happy. I love your saying that to everyone like you do.” She gave us hug and away she went back to the hotel because she was leaving in the morning. This was late in 1984. It was a warm and heartfelt visit that we will never forget. Phyllis passed away from natural causes on Aug. 12, 2012 and her family said she died with a smile on her face. When I heard the news I cried because I knew her so well and remembered that laugh of hers and how gracious she was. I’ll forever miss this lovely lady of laughter, another National Treasure. Next week we will get
into the life of Ann Margaret, another lady who was so thoughtful and giving to all. And, we’ll learn more about her husband, Roger Smith. See you all next week. Until then, as always, stay happy. George Michaud was a talent agent/manager in Burbank, California for nearly four decades with his own talent agency, GMA. Michaud booked hundreds of actresses and actors/ musicians, major concerts around the world and has been responsible for launching the careers of many notable names in television, motion pictures and on the Broadway stage. Michaud currently is semi-retired, still has a hand in show biz projects from New York to Las Vegas as consultant to entertainment venues and new talents as well as seasoned professionals.
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Obituaries Evelyn Jean Allen Evelyn Jean Allen, passed away June 27, 2016. A visitation was at 10 a.m. Friday, July 1, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Missouri Funeral Care, Raytown, Mo. Burial took place at Brooking Cemetery following service. Jean was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo. She was a graduate of Central High School in 1942. Jean was a member of Wagon Trail Chapter ABWA and also Silver Streaks. She was a member of First Baptist Raytown and was employed at Stuppy Floral Supply Co. from 1942 to 1946. She was also a bookkeeper for Barbe Florist for 28 years, retiring in 1986. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ray L. Allen and son, Richard Ray Allen. Jean is survived by her loving daughter-in- law, Diana; grandson, Rocky and wife, Rachael; great grandsons, Evan Ray, Joshua Link, Elijah Lee and Joseph James, all of Lee’s Summit; and many cherished and beloved nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to send an extra special thank you to Dr. Salanski and his loving staff for all their years of extra special care and concern for Jean. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Raytown. Arr.: Missouri Funeral Care, (816) 353- 1700. Missouri Funeral Care, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133, (816) 353-1700.
William Robert Doane William Robert Doane, 69, of Raytown, passed away June 21, 2016. He is survived by daughter, Lee Anne Doane of Jacksonville, FL. In keeping with “Mr. Bill’s” wishes there will be no funeral service. Contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Heartland Cremation & Burial Society. Maryann (Vonderahe) Nickols Maryann (Vonderahe) Nickols passed away peacefully June 25, 2016, at North Kansas City Hospital after a short battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 21, 1948, to Herman and Hazel Vonderahe in Kansas City, Mo. She attended and graduated from Raytown South High School in 1967. Maryann was preceded in death by parents, Herman and Hazel Vonderahe, father-in-law, Gus Nickols, brother-in-law, Paul Nickols, and son-in-law, Jon Finch. She is survived by husband, Ted Nickols, mother-in- law, Eudora (“Doodi”) Nickols, children, Angela Nickols, Andy (Sheri) Williams, Andrea Finch and Paul Nickols, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Family received friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at McGilley State Line Chapel, with service at 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, also at McGilley State
Line. Condolences may be left at mcgilleystatelinechapel. com Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145 (816) 942-6180. McGilley State Line Chapel, Dignity Memorial. John O. Schiltz John O. Schiltz, age 91, of Raytown, MO, passed away on June 21, 2016, to be with his loving wife of 69 years, Jackie. Funeral was at 2PM on Monday, June 27, with visitation following until 4PM, at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, KCMO. John is survived by his children Cary Schiltz, Sherry Ryan, Ann Boulware, and Jona Lowrey, six grandchildren, seven greatgrandchildren, and one on the way. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www. floralhillsfuneralhome.com Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, Dignity Memorial. Clarence Dillon Smith Clarence Dillon Smith, 90, of Kansas City, died June 25th, 2016, at St. Luke’s East Hospital. He was born in Flemington, Missouri to Clarence B. Smith and Bertha A. Marsh. He graduated from Humansville High School in Humansville, Missouri in 1944. After graduation Mr. Smith served in the Army during WWII. He was stationed in the Philippines and Yokohama Japan as a Technical Sargent First Class in the 179th Finance Distributing Section. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Expert Rifleman Badge. After discharge he re-enlisted
in the Reserves. Mr. Smith returned to Kansas City and worked for Commerce Bank until he retired after working there for over 30 years. He married Shirley Marie Penechar in 1949 and was married for 46 years. He adored his grandson, and loved to travel, read westerns, and watch the Kansas City Royals. He was a member of Graceway/Kansas City Baptist Temple for over 65 years. Survivors include son, Ronald Smith, Raytown, daughter, Sherri Anderson (husband Brian), Independence, grandson, Jesse Anderson, nieces, Gwen Long, Pam Taylor, Karla Penechar, and nephew, Dale Penechar. Friends may call from 9:00-10:00am on Wednesday June 29, at Floral Hills, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133. Funeral service will be 10:00a.m. and burial will be immediately following in Floral Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Disabled American Veterans. Florence “Flo” Stephens Flo Stephens, 78, Raytown passed June 22, 2016. Celebration of Life was 12-4pm Jun 25, Wilbur Young Park, Shelter 1, 1200 Adams Dairy Pkwy, Blue Spgs. Arr. Heartland 816-3131677. Lester Weston Jr. Lester Weston Jr., 88, Raytown, MO, passed away June 20, 2016. Visitation was at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday, June 27, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 8812 East Gregory Blvd., Raytown, MO, where Lester was a
member and usher. Interment with military honors followed in Memorial Park Cemetery. Lester was born Aug. 4, 1927, in Kansas City, MO, to Lester and Mary (Bauman) Weston Sr.; they preceded him in death as well as his wife, Rosemary Weston and sisters, Margaret Brown and Virginia Albin. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army and for many years was a self-employed general contractor. Survivors include his brother, John Weston; children, David Weston (Brenda), Pamela Kane (Richard); grandchildren, Stephanie Greathouse, Angela Humphrey and five great grandchildren. Arr.: Park Lawn Funeral Home, (816) 5231234. Edith June (Cummings) Wiley Edith June (Cummings) Wiley, 93, of Independence, MO went to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, June 27, 2016 at her home. Edith June was the 6th child born of 13 children to parents Vincle and Grace Cummings, born on February 9, 1923 in Harrison County, MO. She was a life long member of the Christian Union Church and a charter member of the Hidden Valley Christian Union Church of Independence, MO. A visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday July 2, 2016 at Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39 th St, Independence, MO, 64055. A service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel. Interment will take place after the service at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. Edith June is survived by her daughter Greta (Wiley) and husband Rev.
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Friday, July 1, 2016
Stephen Ferguson; two sisters Maxine Turley Hendricks of Liberty, MO, and JoAnn Hillyard of Kearney, MO; brother Larry Cummings and wife Melva of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren Stephen Ferguson II, Gretchen Reno and husband CV, Kim Cole and husband Bill, Tonya Rains and husband Mike, Edith Payne, and Johnna Freeman. Fourteen great grandchildren; twelve great-great grandchildren; sister in laws Dixie Cumming of Raytown, MO, Evelyn June Cummings of Independence, MO, and Delores Cummings of Stillwell, KS; and many nieces and nephews that were very special to her. She will also be remembered by her extended family at Regency Manor, her apartment complex of 16 years. She married her husband Delmer C. Wiley in Tacoma, WA on July 18, 1942 while he was in the Army. Later they moved to Richmond, MO then to Independence in 1953. She worked at a factory that made coats; a grocery store named Creeds, Katz on The Square that turned into Skaggs, for 27 years until she retired. Edith had an unconditional love even if she didn’t agree with what was going on. She was always there for you no matter what. You couldn’t have asked for a more loving, caring mother, grandmother and sister. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816373- 3600) Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816373-3600.
Raytown Community Calendar EVENTS Raytown Farmers Market July 2, 9 am to 1 pm July 7, 3 pm-6 pm Located at 6210 Raytown Road Chess Free Play July 2, 1-3 pm MCPL Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Road Play chess, learn the basics, brush up on your chess skills, challenge other players at Free Chess Play at the library. The Raytown Branch, in collaboration with the Raytown High School Chess Team coaches, will be hosting chess on the second Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m. Chess boards and chess pieces will be provided. KC Magic Man July 7, 7- 7:45 pm MCPL Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Road Take a magical journey into the world of illusions and tricks with cards, coins, cups, balls, ropes, and more with KC Magic Man Brad Lynn. Be prepared to join in the magic. Let Our Light Shine Auction July 9th, 9 am Center 63 Shopping Center, 6250 Raytown Trfwy. Auction hosted by Raytown Main Street Association. Cash & Carry, Furniture, Tools, Fishing & Outdoor, Antiques & Collectibles. Proceeds to purchase commercial LED holiday lights for downtown Raytown. The Rockin’ Rob Show July 12, 2-3 pm Join Rockin’ Rob Mathieu for a completely interactive and educational rock concert that will have everyone singing, dancing, and learning. “The Music Man” July 22-23 & 29-30, 7:30 pm July 24 & 31, 2 pm Robert B. Atkin Performing Arts Center @ Raytown High
School, 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd. Tickets on sale at Raytown Hy-Vee, 9400 E 350 Hwy. or purchase online at RaytownArts.com. $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Vacation Bible School Deep Sea Adventure! Aug. 3-5 pm St Paul’s Church of the Nazarene, 8500 E 80th Terrace, Kansas City Children ages 3 yrs. (potty trained) thru 6th grade. VBS program Sunday, Aug. 7, 10:30 am. Call Christy for more information: 816-806-1263 Raytown Arts & Music Festival Aug. 29. 12:30-7 pm C. Lee Kenagy Park, 79th & Raytown Rd. Mark your calendars. Beatles tribute band, Liverpool, will be headlining. Lineup includes Barbwire Revolt, Linda Shell and Blues Thang and Eagles tribute band, Lying Eyes from St. Louis. Festival will open with Raytown’s own Wildwood Boys. More information to come. ORGANIZATION MEETINGS Candlelight Quilters of Raytown Monthly: Third Thursday at 7:00-9:00 pm Show-Me Quilting, 6221 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown Plaza Open to all quilters. Call 816353-9366 for more information KIWANIS Club of Raytown Three Trails http://moark4.com/raytown/ For meeting dates and location, call 816-737-9955 Marguerite McNair DAR Chapter http://www.mssdar.org/mmcnair Monthly:Second Monday at 6:30 pm (Sept.–June) Raytown Al-Anon Family
Group Weekly: Mondays at 7:00 pm Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd. (west side door, lower leve) Have you been affected by someone else’s drinking? We can help you find solutions that lead to serenity. Raytown Amateur Radio Club http://k0gq.com Monthly: Fourth Thursday at 7:30 pm Community of Christ, 6231 Manning Avenue
and allow participants to visit local breweries. “We want to enhance a yoga community where everyone feels welcome and look forward to celebrating the relationships that are built through these yoga and beer events,” Trowbridge said. The tour, which kicked
Raytown New Day AL-Non Weekly: Wednesdays at 10:00 am Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church, 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd. Enter at the back door. Everyone welcome! (816) 353-5446
RAYTOWN TOPS - Chapter #0255 Weekly: Tuesdays at 9:00 am-10:45 am Loma Vista Baptist Church, 8622 Blue Ridge Blvd. All are welcome to TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly. For more information, call Betty at 816-356-6788 or Faye at 816-358-4350 Raytown Women of Today Monthly: Third Monday at
7:00 pm http://raytownwot.wix.com/ raytownwomenoftoday First Presbyterian Church at 8301 James A. Reed Road. For more information, call 816-358-7952. Add your own event by registering for Events Calendar access at www.RaytownEagle. com or email Events@ RaytownEagle.com
Raytown Artists Association Monthly: Third Thursday at 6:00 pm St. Paul’s Church of the Nazarene Gymnasium, 8500 E 80th Terr. All artists (over 18) welcome. Raytown Arts Council http://raytownarts.org Raytown Community Symphonic Band rehearsals: All musicians welcome! Weekly: Thursday from 6:45 pm-8:15 pm St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 9349 E 65th St. Contact: RaytownCmmunityBand@gmail.com Raytown Chamber of Commerce http://raytownchamber.com/ 5909 Raytown Trafficway (816) 353-8500 Raytown Democratic Association Monthly: Third Thursday at 7:00pm Come early (at 6:00 pm) to dine and make new friends! Las Chili’s, 6210 Raytown Trfwy Raytown Garden Club Monthly: First Tuesdays at 10:00 am (Feb.-Nov.) Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd. Visitors welcome Raytown Historical Society http://raytownhistoricalsociety.org
Raytown part of Beer Yogis month-long national tour Certified yoga teachers Melissa Klimo-Major and Mikki Trowbridge will be stopping in Raytown in early July as part of a national Beer Yogis tour in which they aim to promote the benefits of yoga inside some of the country’s major craft breweries. The yoga sessions are designed for all levels of skill,
Monthly: First Monday at 10:00 am Raytown Historical Museum, 9705 E. 63rd Street.
off on June 29 in Ohio, stops at Raytown’s Crane Brewing Company from 6 to 7 p.m. on July 12. The $25 cost to participate includes one pint of beer. More information on The Beer Yogis tour, including a full schedule of tour dates and locations, at www.TheBeerYogis.com.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Acquired knowledge of 7. Brief appearances 13. Owns a ranch 14. Goes by 16. Potato state 17. Inappropriate 19. Millihenry 20. Treasuries 22. Crony 23. Norse god 25. Accidentally lose 26. Allied H.Q. 28. Shiva’s first wife 29. Earth System Model 30. Sandy island 31. Cam Newton’s dance 33. Nigerian people 34. A ridge on nematodes 36. ___ Creed: profession of faith 38. Gulf of, in the Aegean 40. Expresses anger 41. Emerges 43. WWII battle 44. Wrestlers work here 45. Not happy 47. Measure of speed 48. A way to communicate (abbr.)
51. Gemstone 53. Metric weight unit 55. Region 56. Guides projectile’s motion 58. Not involved with 59. Cosmetics giant 60. Exclamation of surprise 61. No fighting 64. Tantalum 65. Optimistic 67. Herbs 69. Categorized 70. A famous street CLUES DOWN 1. Madames 2. Printing measurement 3. Being in a position 4. Genus 5. Post-deduction amount 6. Champs get this 7. Single-__ organisms 8. Greatest boxer ever 9. Buddhist concept 10. Fencing swords 11. Operating system 12. Musical interval 13. Soldier’s tool 15. Places of worship 18. Supervises flying
21. Offers help 24. Precaution 26. Car mechanics group 27. Devotee of sports 30. Detectives get these 32. Coming into existence 35. Loss of signal (abbr.) 37. Feline 38. Decorative tea urn 39. Native Americans from Colorado 42. Resembles a pouch 43. Type of home (abbr.) 46. Cut a rug 47. Devil rays 49. Simmer 50. Veranda 52. Outcast 54. Famed aircraft engineer 55. Realm 57. Chair 59. Music awards show (abbr.) 62. Did not starve 63. Was once liquid 66. Former Cardinal Taguchi 68. Trademark
Solution on page 8
Friday, July 1, 2016
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7
Entertainment Guide
A Summer Tour de Suck
By Livingston Brees At the risk of sounding like a cantankerous old man, I have to say I sure do miss going to the picture show during the “Summer Blockbuster Movie Season.” Remember back in the day when there were so many “must-see” movies that the decision of what to see was almost agonizing? Take 1986 for example. If you went to the cinema during the first weekend in July, you had your choice
of watching the timeless “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Rodney Dangerfield’s classic “Back to School,” Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san in “The Karate Kid, Part II,” David Bowie’s creepy and fun “Labyrinth,” a teen sex comedy starring the “Brat Pack” with “About Last Night” or one of the greatest, funniest, most misunderstood and underrated classics of all time, John Carpenter’s “Big Trouble in Little China,” starring Kurt Russell. Some pretty cool
stuff, am I wrong? Flash forward to 1996, we had the awesomeness of Michael Bay’s “The Rock,” Eddie Murphy’s first comeback with “The Nutty Professor,” Demi Moore “exposed” in “Striptease,” Jim Carrey’s black comedy “The Cable Guy,” Arnold being Arnold in “Eraser,” and one of the year’s biggest hits and the film that really solidified Will Smith as a bona fide star, “Independence Day.” Here we are 20 years into
Home for dinner | executive chef: mom
Kid-approved mini pizzas
By Jacqui Duran I firmly believe that when you get kids involved in the kitchen with the food and dinner preparations they are more excited about food and happier to eat it. As a mom, that’s the dream, right? When my two oldest children were young, I made my one, huge rookie mistake. I caved in like a pile of mush if they didn’t feel like eating vegetables and rice for dinner and I would make regular dinner and then a kid dinner. I would make two dinners every single night. After you do that the first time, you’ve opened the window to them asking for it every single
Kid-approved mini pizzas night thereafter. Every. Single. Night. To this day, they hardly eat any vegetables. When our youngest was born, I knew from the first time I met her she would eat vegetables. I’ve shared my passion of cooking with my youngest since she could walk. She grew up testing my recipes over the years and as she gets older she is quickly creating her own passion for food and ingredients. I have involved her in the kitchen as much as I could to help her become a part of the food experience. Some weeks, she helps me do the meal planning, while other weeks I choose different meals and let her pick her favorites. This way she is not only excited about cooking dinner but she is also excited to eat it. I got one
out of three kids to actually like to eat vegetables. For me, that’s a total mom win. This week, in honor of my youngest and her budding executive-chef-in-training adventures, we are going to share with you her top pick for a kidapproved dinner. The infamous mini pizzas. You (and your kids) will need: • Hoagie buns • Shredded mozzarella cheese • Pizza sauce • Mini pepperonis • Additional toppings if desired Start off by pre-heating the oven to 375 degrees and then grab your hoagie buns and split them, giving you two perfect “boats,” as my youngest calls them. Cover them with pizza sauce and add the cheese and toppings. We have tried out a couple variations over the years with this fun kid dinner, including using garlic bread instead of hoagie buns for added flavor. We’ve made them using Alfredo
every single one of them was bad. We’ll begin this week’s “Tour de Suck” by ranking the films from least sucky to get-up-and-getout-of-the-theater awful. “The Shallows” This small film stars Blake Lively as a young, hot surfer still reeling over the loss of her mother. As some sort of therapy, she travels to a secret, secluded beach her mother often mentioned.
the future and, aside from excellent fare like “Finding Dory,” and “Captain America: Civil War,” which has been out for nearly two months and deserved inclusion in this list simply because everything else playing now is so awful, the options for quality movies are thin. “Civil War” is still drawing money. Why? I’m so glad you asked, because there is not really anything else worth a damn playing. In fact, I saw three movies this weekend, and
Movie continued on page 8
Bobby Simkins does Elvis justice By George Michaud The audience was there because they were all fans of Bobby Simkins, Elvis impersonator, and that was obvious. The show he put on at the Masonic Lodge in Independence on Sunday which began at 7 p.m. sharp started with an introduction by his wife, who sat right in front to take care of all the little things like replenishing the scarfs that Elvis was famous for giving out to the audience. One thing that stood out was that Bobby was super great at going out into the audience and interacting with folks, telling a joke or two and making them feel like part of the show. I’ve probably seen nearly a hundred Elvis impersonators in my years as a talent agent and manager and none of them had that ability to go out into the audience and feel as comfortable out there mixing with fans. They loved it. With closed eyes, one would think Elvis were in the room. He does a fast-paced mu-
sical selection of Elvis tunes, starting off with a rendition of “2001: Space Odyssey” to bring him on the stage and he segued right into a version of “CC Rider” which showed off his Elvis-sounding voice. He has that country twang down perfect and really does sound like Elvis which is the main thing if one wants to see an Elvis tribute show. He truly looked like “The King,”his wardrobe was perfect. He starts off shaking his right leg just as Elvis did, and Bobby didn’t overdo it. The next tune was “Johnny B Good,” then on with “Time Slips Away” to “Let It Be Me.” I was looking for “Love Me Tender,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” I even wore my blue suede shoes for the show. Bobby’s phrasing was right on the money and his intonation was right on. He moves like Elvis did, and I’ll bet he practiced that a lot. This show was put on by request of fans who came from all over the area. One woman flew in all the way from Iowa and she had a great time.
JULY 4 Pizza continued on page 8
Photo by George Michaud Bobby Simkins performs as Elvis Presley at the The Masonic Lodge in Independence on June 26.
If anyone wants an Elvis tribute show, this is the one to call. Karen Raymer, who is his manager and public relations head, may be reached for bookings at 816-591-0355. The show is ready to go down the road, or as Karen told me, “He does a lot of private parties in this area.” He closed his show with “Viva Las Vegas,” “Dixie,” and “Falling in Love with You.” It was a show worth the $20. You won’t be disappointed. As always, stay happy.
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8 Movie continued from page 7
Alone, in a foreign country on a secret, secluded beach, a great white shark suddenly attacks, forcing her to swim to a giant rock for safety 200 yards from shore. Stranded and left for dead, Blake must go head to head against the shark for her survival. While it was not the worst of the “Trifecta of Suckitude,” it was pretty bad. If you don’t mind seeing a similar story that’s been told several times
before and in better movies, then by all means go see “The Shallows,” but remember: I saw it so you wouldn’t have to. “Free State of Jones” As much as I love the Matthew McConaughey, this one really hurt. In 1863, a Mississippi farmer played by McConaughey decides to leave his service as a medic for the Confederate Army, as he is morally opposed to slavery, and would rather help the wounded than fight for plantation owners to get rich. The McConaughey returns home to Jones County, but is soon branded an outlaw deserter and is forced to take refuge with a group of runaway slaves in the swamps. The McConaughey forms an alliance with the slaves, farmers and other deserters to begin a revolution that would change the world, and more than 150 years later, put moviegoers to sleep. It was very dull and unfulfilling. All the cool parts were featured in the trailers,
and there was good reason for it. All I wanted was the McConaughey to be a movie hero and go “Outlaw Josey Wales” or “The Patriot” upside some ignorant folks trying to tell free men how they could live and die. Instead, we got a bad drama full of white guilt, an ill-advised “flash forward” storyline and a screen full of bad teeth. There isn’t anything sadder than when “Oscar bait” movies turn out bad.
chised by this flick that I can’t even write a summary. All you need to know is that it takes place 20 years after the original “Independence Day,” Will Smith’s character is dead and every other cool person in the original (Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum) are horribly written and misused. In nearly 40 years of life I have never walked out of a movie before it was over, but I came awful close during this piece of trash. I couldn’t have cared less about anything happening on that screen, and I was a big fan of the original. Was the original “Independence Day” a masterpiece of filmmaking, or even a good flick? No, but it was a whole lot of fun and a perfect summer movie. That being said, “Independence Day: Resurgence” was so bad in made “Independence Day” look like “2001: A
Pizza continued from page 7 sauce instead of pizza sauce and even added spinach to them. The possibilities are endless and it’s one of the reasons that this is Little Miss’ top pick. It truly allows everyone to choose their own pizza and make it themselves. This kid dinner is about setting up the ingredients and letting the kids just have fun. You can check out Little Miss making hers on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/HomeForDinner.Mom/ Once you have your masterpieces complete, place them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until your cheese is completely melted and you have slight browning bubbles. Allow the pizzas to cool for about five minutes, then slice and serve. Little Miss enjoys hers with a side of carrots, (yep, vegetables for the
Photo by Sharon Propst, RAC Publicity Pictured are Erik Dancy as Harold Hill and Melissa Nichols as Marian in a scene from the show.
that a boys’ band will put an end to the moral corruption resulting from the presence of a pool hall in the community. He sells instruments and uniforms to River City parents with the understanding that he will organize a band and teach the children to play; however, he intends to abscond with the money before the arrival of the instruments. RAC’s Eric Eckhoff will conduct the orchestra
through performances of “Rock Island,” “Iowa Stubborn,” “Trouble,” “Piano Lesson,” “Goodnight My Someone,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Sincere,” “The Sadder-but-Wiser Girl,” “Pickilittle,” “Goodnight My Ladies,” “Marian the Librarian,” “Being in Love,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” “It’s You,” “Shipoopi,” “Lida Rose,” “Will I Ever Tell You,” “Gary, Indiana,” “Till There Was You.”
win!), and I like a nice side spinach salad. Enjoy and, most importantly, have fun with your kids in the kitchen. Jacqui Duran lives in Raytown, Missouri with her husband and
three children. Jacqui shares her passion for food and cooking on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homefordinner.mom and on her blog at http://executivechefmom.blogspot. com. Follow her on Instagram @ jduran1313.
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18. Supervises flying
Solution continued from page 6
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“Independence Day: Resurgence” I was so disappointed, disgusted and disenfran-
RAC presents “The Music Man” The Raytown Arts Council will present its 2016 summer musical, The Music Man, by Meredith Willson at the Robert B. Atkin Performing Arts Center of Raytown High School located at 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd. Performances will take place over two weekends this year: July 22-23 and 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees on July 24 and July 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Raytown Hy-Vee at 9400 E. 350 Hwy. or can be purchased online at RaytownArts.com. Ticket prices are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Julie McDaniel (Hello Dolly, 2011) with her music director, David Rogers, has returned to direct this ever popular musical about a fasttalking traveling salesman, who schemes to take money from the citizens of River City, Iowa, in the summer of 1912, by convincing them
28. Shiva’s first wife 29. Earth System Model CLUES DOWN 30. Sandy island 1. Madames 31. Cam Newton’s dance 2. Printing measurement 33. Nigerian people 3. Being in a position 34. A ridge on nematodes 4. Genus www.raytowneagle.com | Friday, July 1, 2016 36. ___ Creed: profession 5. Post-deduction amount of faith 6. Champs get this 38. Gulf of, in the Aegean 7. Single-__ organisms Space Odyssey.” Be sureboxer and check 40. Expresses anger 8. Greatest ever in with this one at all cost. 9.me next week when we’ll try 41.Avoid Emerges Buddhist concept It43. really could and improve my mood, and WWII battlebe in the run- 10. Fencing swords ning for the worst sequel of movie luck with 44. Wrestlers work here 11. Operating system“The Legend of Tarzan.” all as it is way worse 12. 45.time, Not happy Musical intervalSame “Batthan “Speed 2” ever thought 13. time,” same “Bat-channel.” 47. Measure of speed Soldier’s tool about being. 48. A way to communicate 15. Places of worship
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