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by Michael Smith The Grain Valley boys’ tennis team came close to winning a district championship last season. The Eagles made it to the finals of the Class 2 District 8 Tournament in 2023 after defeating Kansas City East and Kearney in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. However, they fell to Platte County 5-1 in the championship as they were going for their second consecutive district championship. This season, Grain Valley may have a good chance of winning districts as it returns four of its six starters from last year’s squad. Leading the way will be the No. 1 singles player, Ben Drinkwater, who finished with a 9-9 record in 2023. The other returns joining him are senior Carter Williams and juniors John Cassidy and Trace Compton. Those are four players who are expected to crack the starting lineup and help the Eagles with the varsity experience factor. “It helps with our confidence, especially since a team like Platte County only returned two guys and they graduated a lot of their (junior varsity) guys, as well,” Drinkwater said. “We definitely feel like we can make a run this year.” And that will start with Drinkwater as he will play against the other team’s best player every match as the No. 1. He said he’s been working on his serve and backhand in the offseason. “My second serve is something I have struggled with in the past,” Drinkwater said. “I used to not have one. If I have a stronger second serve, I have more control over the point from the beginning.” “I have also been working on being more consistent with my backhand. I think both of those aspects of my game I have improved.” As the No. 2 singles player, Williams hopes to take a leap and elevate his performance from 2023. Drinkwater noted a big strength for Williams is his aggressiveness. “He will go after volleys,” Drinkwater said. “He’s not passive, which is nice. He is not afraid to make a mistake, which makes him a good player. You see a lot of JV players and even some varsity players who are afraid to make a mistake. Carter isn’t.” Williams added he has been working on his serves and being confident on the court. “It’s about going out there and doing what you practice,” Williams said. “I have struggled with that in the past, but I have gotten better with that to a point.” While Drinkwater and Williams will lead the team as the top two players, the Eagles have a big strength with their depth. There are six players who could fill the remaining four spots on the singles and doubles teams. Some of those expected to compete for those spots include Cassidy, Compton, seniors Campbell Childers and Dominic Lunn and juniors Blake Galvan and Aidan Wilson. Those who will fill No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 spots have yet to be determined. “I am very confident in this team,” Drinkwater said. “We have so many guys who can play at the varsity level and two of them will have to play on the JV team. Any of those guys can play at the four spots.” Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said the depth is an advantage for his Eagles, but he said the team wins and losses will come down to who ends up in the No. 3 spot. He said if he can find players capable of winning the No. 3 and 4 matchups, his team will be a good shape in 2024. “It all comes down to if we have a lot of three and fours or do we have fives and sixes,” Draper said. “We will find out what we have when we start playing.” The depth part of the reason Drinkwater and Williams said they are confident the Eagles can win the district tournament this season. “We can easily beat them this year,” Williams said of potentially playing Platte County in the tournament this year. “Everyone has gotten better, and everyone is growing in their own ways. Grain Valley will play in its season opener at 4 p.m. March 19 at Staley High School. Seniors Carter Williams, left, and Ben Drinkwater will be the No. 2 and 1 singles players for the Grain Valley boys tennis team, respectively as they will aim for a team district title in 2024. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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by Michael Smith For the past two seasons, the Grain Valley boys golf team has been put on the map. The Eagles made the Missouri State High School Boys Golf Championships in 2022 and 2023 and finished seventh and sixth respectively. Those were the only times in the history of the program in which Grain Valley got to compete at the event. Now, the team is hoping to make it back for a third time this time with some new players entering the fold. “We used to have a lot of first-year golfers stumble in here who were athletes that we turned into golfers,” head coach Andy Herbert said. “Now we have some kids coming in as golfers and are ready to play.” Grain Valley is returning senior Charles Aldred and sophomore Eli Herbert are returning to the squad after getting to compete at state in 2023. Senior Jack Hileman likely will be promoted from junior varsity to the varsity squad. Sophomore Mason Smith and freshman Jacob Gorden are also expected to be a part of the lineup, as well. “I think we are going to be able to pick up right where we left off, just with different names,” Aldred said. The Eagles lost two-time, all-state placer Owen Hebert, who graduated in May 2023, along with Jaiden Wilson, who also got to compete at state. The Eagles will still have a seasoned golfer in Aldred, who got to compete at the state tournament the past two seasons. In 2023, he finished just five strokes off the score needed to be named an all-state selection, which is awarded to the top 15 finishers. He took 29th last season with a total score of 155. In 2022, he was 68th with a score of 173. Last season, he admitted he sometimes struggled handling bigger tournaments and dealing with the pressure of playing in them. He said he’s gotten better in those situations and it showed with his stark improvement at state. “I want to keep the momentum going that I had last year. When it came down to state, a little bit of the pressure got to me. I could have played a little better. “I feel like I am getting better in those big moments. Playing more golf helps and staying as locked in as I can.” Herbert, whose primary sport is basketball, had an impressive freshman season in 2023. At state, he finished tied two other golfers in 49th place with a 162. At the Class 4 District 4 tournament, he was a huge part of the team success as he took fifth by shooting a 76 (+4). He admitted he didn’t pick up a golf club during basketball season but is starting to get back into the swing of things now that the spring sports season is here. For him, the key is having a strong mentality. “You are not going to have your best every day,” Herbert said. “My main goal is to be a competitor and just win the hole and win the swing and grit out my rounds. “I don’t want to let one bad hole lead to two or three. I want to keep that laser focus and not getting too high or too low.” As far as the newcomers go, Hileman said he’s stoked to get his first varsity season started and will aim to strike the ball better and more accurately with his iron clubs. “I am just ready to be a part of the ride,” Hileman said. “There are no pictures in the scorecard.” So are Gorden and Smith, whom Andy Herbert said will be some key contributors. “Jacob was our next door neighbor for a few years, and he really got into golf at that time,” Andy Herbert said. “I think he was in the fifth or sixth grade when he started. He played a lot of competitive golf. He’s going to be a good player.” Grain Valley will kick off the season in the Oak Grove Invitational at 8:30 a.m. today at Adams Pointe Golf Club. From left, Eli Herbert, Charlie Alfred, Jack Hileman and Jacob Gordon will be a part of the Grain Valley boys golf team which will aim for a third consecutive state tournament appearance in 2024. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, March 11 for a lengthy meeting consisting of a proclamation, six new resolutions, and three ordinances. Mayor Mike Todd read a proclamation officially making the month of March Arts in Our Schools Month. The first resolution the board discussed was over the updated employee handbook. There are three sections where updates have been made. The updates come from human resources, department heads, and the Workplace Improvement Committee. Following discussion of this resolution, Alderman Skinner made a motion to amend maternity/paternity leave to six weeks and family leave to four weeks. The motion for the amendment passed, as did the resolution as a whole. The next resolution the board passed was allocate $14,333 from the city’s emergency management contribution to the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. This was passed unanimously. Next up, the board passed a resolution allowing the city to purchase patrol rifles from Sionics Weapons Systems. Police Chief Ed Turner said that currently the department uses surplus weapons from a government agency that are pretty aged and this would give the department a much-needed update. Next, the board passed a resolution to establish the need to amend the 2024 budget to allocate funds from the park reserve funds to design and engineer the SW Eagles Parkway trail. Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies said that originally the department had allocated $55,000 for the project but they have since changed engineering firms and the cost is now $78,225. The next resolution the board passed allows the city to execute a contract with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. for the design and engineering of the SW Eagles Parkway trail. This was passed unanimously. The final resolution the board passed allows the city to sign a tow agreement with Hookers Tow LLC. This agreement will provide towing service for the police department and will run from March 12, 2024 to March 12, 2027. This resolution was passed by a vote of 4-2. Following resolutions, the board moved into ordinances. The first bill the board passed was the second reading of a bill amending the sections of city code regarding Board of Aldermen meeting procedures. With the passage of this bill, Board of Aldermen meeting times will be moved to 6:30pm and the board would have the ability to discuss if they want to cancel or reschedule a meeting that is scheduled to occur on a holiday. The next bill the board passed was the second reading of a bill to amend the sections of city code regarding alcohol-related traffic offenses to include regulations for operating motor vehicles without an ignition interlock device. This was passed unanimously. The final bill the board discussed came from earlier in the meeting where the board passed a resolution establishing the need to amend the 2024 budget to allocate funding from the park reserve fund for the design and engineering of the SW Eagles Parkway trail. This bill officially allows the city to allocate these funds. The first read of this bill was approved and it was brought back for its second read by title only and was passed unanimously. Mayor Todd discussed the new playground project at Armstrong Park. Todd asked Davies if the Parks and Recreation Department had an idea of when the project would be completed. Davies said that much of the project relies on weather and vendor availability, but they are currently looking at April for a completion date and are also making plans for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at City Hall on March 25th at 6:30pm. by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert
If you're like me, you're probably always on the lookout for low-cost options when it comes to your streaming services. Traditional streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ are seeing skyrocketing price increases which are putting a strain on your budget. If you are looking to lower your streaming expenses you need to look at some of the free streaming services that are emerging as a popular option to replace subscription streaming services. Now there is a trade-off, instead of a monthly bill, you’ll have to endure advertisements. That’s how these free services make their money. If you're looking to find a good free streaming service for your family, check out these options. As of this writing, there is no one-size-fits-all replacement for live TV streaming services other than a digital antenna, but the right free service could help you stay entertained while keeping your wallet happy. There are a couple of dozen free streaming services on the web. Here are a few services I recommend: Pluto TV. Pluto TV is owned by Viacom and runs over 100 free channels. It runs on Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku and PlayStation. Apps are available for Apple and Android devices. Sony Crackle. Crackle is owned by Sony, so it has a lot of Sony original content, plus programs and movies from other companies. You can watch some of your favorite TV shows, original programming and movies. It can be connected to a large variety of platforms such as TVs, mobile devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and online. Tubi. A long favorite of mine, Tubi streams more than 12,000 titles. You can Stream anywhere and the service includes content from a plethora of other sources for kids of all ages and content that’s not streamed anywhere else. Freevee (formerly IMDb TV). Freevee is owned by Amazon and contains a lot of content -backed by Amazon. It offers on-demand movies and TV shows, live-streaming channels, and a small collection of original content. Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is an app for watching movies and TV shows that is attached to popular Roku streaming devices. Roku streaming devices and televisions come preloaded with applications that include the Roku Channel, but you also can get access to the content through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Hopefully, this article will help point you in the right direction as far as streaming services. There are more free streaming services out there. If you have time, check out some of the other services out there to see if it will be worth your time. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. Good News: Grain Valley Swim and Dive team offering youth swim lessons starting March 25th3/14/2024 The GV Swim and Dive Team will be providing swimming lessons again this year at the Blue Springs South Aquatic Center. They will start on the week of March 25th and last for 4 weeks. The cost is $60 for 4 semi-private lessons. Student athletes from the boys and girls high school team will be providing the instruction and funds raised will support the team.
Utilize the QR code in the flyer below to register or e-mail grainvalleyswimdive@gmail.com with questions. When I think about Easter, I think of ham … but also all the sides! From green bean casserole to mac and cheese, there are so many options to include. While our Easter plate is composed mainly of sides, sometimes we may lack a variety of vegetables. Think about what you usually put on your plate during Easter… how many of these dishes include vegetables? If the answer is none or not very many, below are some tips and tricks to add vegetables to your Easter in a fun and unique way! Start by visualizing your plate before the big Easter meal happens. Your plate should consist of ½ plate vegetables, ¼ plate protein, and ¼ plate of carbohydrate. Looking at the different food choices available can help you mentally pick your plate to make sure you are getting enough veggies. Another tip: Try to eat your vegetables first. All veggies are chock full of fiber! Fiber helps slow down the digestion of food in your stomach, leaving you feeling fuller for longer. After you have your fill of veggies, grab a protein option, like turkey or ham. This can help prevent overeating or feeling “stuffed” after a big meal. Vegetables can come in many different forms including salad, roasted vegetables, or raw vegetables with a dipping sauce. The texture of different vegetables can either encourage or discourage individuals from trying them. Here’s a recommendation: If there’s a vegetable you have tried before and it has not been your favorite, try roasting it! Roasting vegetables lightly tossed in olive oil and your favorite seasonings at 450 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes brings excellent flavor and texture to the table! Finally, if you have any kids who are picky about vegetables, try getting them involved in the kitchen! Making a veggie tray in the shape of a bunny head and serving with their favorite vegetable dip can make food “fun” and can help kids try to accept new foods and food groups. One of the easiest ways to add a vegetable to your Easter table is through a salad! Salads can be served as an appetizer, giving you something to satisfy your stomach before the main meal. They can also help subdue cravings throughout the day. But salads don’t just have to be a pile of leafy greens! One of my favorite salads is Shaved Asparagus Garden Salad. This salad combines sweet and savory flavors together while also packing in nutrients. Plus, asparagus is one of the first spring vegetables to come in season! Some of asparagus’ nutrients include antioxidants, fiber, vitamin K and folate, which in turn can help with our immune function, inflammation and much more. Try serving this at your Easter table to impress your guests and your taste buds! Shaved Asparagus Garden Salad Serves 6 (1 cup each) All you need: 12 oz asparagus spears 2 cups tightly packed baby arugula ¾ cup thinly shredded purple cabbage 2 whole red radishes, thinly sliced 1 tbsp finely chopped basil 1 tbsp finely chopped mint ½ cup blackberries ¼ cup honey-roasted sliced almonds ¼ cup Soiree traditional feta crumbled cheese ¼ cup Brianna’s champagne style vinaigrette dressing All you do:
Recipe source: March/April 2024 Hy-Vee Seasons magazine Are you ready for more tips and inspiration to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your diet? Not only are vegetables good for you, but they can help stabilize your blood sugar. If you’re ready to take a deeper dive when it comes to regulating your blood sugar, check out our Balancing Your Blood Sugar program, an action-based group program for those with prediabetes or diabetes, but also for individuals looking to lower inflammation, reduce their sugar intake and control their cravings. To learn more, reach out to your Hy-Vee dietitian today or head to https://www.hy-vee.com/healthnew/dietitians. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation
Connecting with nature can boost physical and mental health, science has shown. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) helps people deepen their connections with nature with a series of Nature Rx programs at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Next up in the series is a Mindfulness and Sensory Stroll from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. A key component of the Nature Rx series is when Lisa Richter, MDC naturalist, points out new things people can see, hear, touch, and smell in the outdoors. Experiencing nature with heightened awareness is the goal. Scientific studies have shown that nature contact can provide health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and boosting immunity. The Mindfulness and Sensory Stroll down a Burr Oak Woods trail provides an experience but also a guide to how people can experience nature on their own. Nature Rx events are held regularly at Burr Oak Woods year-round. Some upcoming programs will include nature themes such as wildflowers as well as activities such as archery and kayaking while immersed in nature. The Nature Rx programs are open to participants ages 18 and older. Registration is required. To register for the Mindfulness and Sensory Stroll, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Xo. Upcoming Nature Rx programs can be found on MDC’s events page for the Kansas City region at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4X3. For more information about the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center and the area’s hiking trails, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods. Missouri House to hold public hearing on governor’s $52.7 billion budget proposalby Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent The first – and perhaps only – chance for the public to tell Missouri House members what they think of Gov. Mike Parson’s $52.7 billion budget proposal will be Thursday. The timing is upsetting Democrats on the House Budget Committee, who said public input should have occurred weeks ago. Scheduling one hearing on all 17 spending bills for the day before lawmakers take a week-long spring break doesn’t allow for adequate deliberation, they argue. “Because we are so far along in the process, for anything to change in the budget because of public testimony would be highly unusual,” said Rep. Deb Lavender, a Manchester Democrat who began pushing for hearings at the end of January. At the hearing, Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith will reveal how he wants to change Parson’s spending plan. Votes on the budget will be held the week of March 25 with floor debate tentatively scheduled for the following week. Smith defended the timing of the hearing. He’s heard from advocacy groups, other lawmakers and individuals in one-on-one meetings and will allow for more testimony after spring break if the Thursday hearing isn’t enough time for everyone who wants to speak, he said. “If we had an objection or concern raised in my office about the opportunity to testify publicly, and the short notice about that, I would be open to making more time for that,” Smith said. Parson’s budget includes raises for teachers, a 3% increase for higher education budget and childcare and funding to study improvements on Interstate 44. He’s also asking for a 3.2% pay raise for state workers, $1.5 billion in federal funds for broadband expansion and $314.7 million for new construction on college campuses. The state is in a strong financial position. While the record surplus that has built up over the past three years is down from its peak of $8 billion, the treasury is holding $4.6 billion in surplus general revenue, with another $2 billion in funds that can be spent like general revenue. Surplus general revenue, under House rules, is off limits for budget committee members who want to push new or increased spending items. And Smith, who in past years has cut large sums from Parson’s spending plan, said he will do so again in his proposals coming tomorrow. “I’m going to be looking to limit as much spending as I can and the management of general revenue certainly will be a part of the committee substitute process,” Smith said. Smith has frustrated Democratic spending proposals in past years because they must cut in one place of the budget to increase spending on another line. “I have no reason to think he hasn’t continued to excel at his skills to lock all of the money behind doors I don’t have access to,” Lavender said. The timing of Thursday’s budget hearing isn’t unusual compared to past years, but it does represent a failure of an ambitious plan to move the budget along earlier in the year. House appropriations subcommittees began looking at department requests in December, with a stated goal of holding votes in the full House this week. With factional fights tying up the Senate, timing could become critical. Lawmakers must pass spending bills through both chambers no later than May 10. Last year, the budget was finished only on the final day allowed by the constitution. Members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, a group of six conservative Republican senators, have vowed to debate the budget line-by-line on the Senate floor. “That’s why they wanted to (finish earlier in the House) because everybody knows that there is a real risk that this has a problem in the Senate this year,” said state Rep. Peter Merideth, a St. Louis Democrat. “And we may find ourselves in a special session for the budget.” Smith, however, said he’s confident that the potential embarrassment of missing the constitutional deadline will help move the budget in the Senate. “Everyone on all sides of the warring factions within the Missouri Senate agree broadly that we should finish the budget on time, that that’s our one responsibility,” Smith said “That’s my impression.So, I’m hopeful that they’ll be able to get things together well enough to pass the budget on time.” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough said he will be rushed but will get a budget to the Senate floor in time to hold the debate if it proves lengthy. “With the House taking the amount of time that they’ve taken,” Hough said, “it puts us in a little bit of a jam on the Senate. So we’ve got to work a little more feverishly than I would really like to once we get their bills.” Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and Twitter. Metropolitan Community College-Blue River’s 13th All for the Children family resource fair and egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. and run to about noon on Saturday, March 23. The MCC-Blue River campus is at 20301 E. 78 Highway, Independence.
The event starts with carnival-type activities, a variety of costumed characters, giveaways, a caricature illustrator and spray-on tattoos created by artists with BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). The fair culminates in a massive “eggstravaganza” for children with 10,000 candy-filled eggs. Family resources will include child ID kits, dental screenings for the whole family provided by University Health, and information and entertainment booths staffed by MCC students. “Each spring we look forward to inviting the community to our campus to enjoy this fun-filled event that celebrates children,” says MCC-Blue River President Sue Gochis. All for the Children is free and open to the public. Started by Blue River psychology instructor Kimberly Glackin, All for the Children aims to improve the quality of life for children and families through education, community engagement and celebrating the magic of childhood. Learn more at mcckc.edu/events/all-for-the-children.aspx. The University of Central Missouri is now offering several new online certificate training programs designed to prepare adult learners for careers in Missouri’s rapidly growing cannabis industry. In collaboration with Green Flower, a national leader in cannabis education, UCM’s three certificate courses will start in April.
The programs, which can be completed in nine weeks, cover advanced dispensary associate skills training, cannabis manufacturing and cultivation. Courses are currently open for enrollment, and students can register online for classes starting April 15. Fee for each course is $750, and adult learners registering for an April course will receive a $150 discount by using the code UCMFIRST. “Many Missourians are using CBD and THC products as holistic solutions for addressing challenges like insomnia, depression and pain management,” said Clarinda Dir, UCM Center for Workforce and Professional Education program manager. “It is essential that these products are of the highest quality and that the professionals assisting these individuals offer accurate guidance on both products and their usage. Our three comprehensive certificate programs, available online and self-paced, allow individuals to enhance their expertise in the cannabis field at their own pace, offering flexibility in learning and application.” Since Missouri initiated adult-use cannabis sales on Feb. 3, 2023, more than $1.4 million worth of marijuana has been sold through dispensaries, according to Greenway magazine, with new opportunities emerging in fields such as cultivation, retail, extraction and product. Daniel Kalef, Green Flower’s chief growth officer, said his company is excited to work with UCM to offer the cannabis courses to the public. "Green Flower is thrilled to be partnering with the University of Central Missouri to offer our three cannabis industry training certificate programs,” Kalef said. “As stated in their mission, UCM 'disseminates knowledge that transforms students into leaders who possess the aptitudes, skills and confidence to succeed.' We believe with such a mission and focus on student success, the university is uniquely positioned to help people enter and grow in the ever-expanding and rapidly growing cannabis industry.” Upon completion of each course, graduates earn a certificate from UCM and a digital badge from Credly as well as receiving access to Green Flower’s employer network. “Like other highly regulated industries, the need to have expertise in material handling, quality control, patient care, security, transportation, horticulture and more is vital to the success of all aspects of the industry and all things people will learn in these programs,” Kalef added. These new online courses are each priced at $750 and include:
To learn more about UCM’s new cannabis certificate programs, visit this webpage. |
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