​     After a soft opening for Founding Members on Saturday, March 14th, Iron Kettle Brewing, located at 508 N Main, opened to the public on Wednesday, March 17th.
     The brewery features a number of house-made beers, and a selection of beers from local breweries. The menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, twice baked potatoes, and a variety of baked mac and cheese.
     In addition to the renovated downstairs space, an event space is located upstairs, and a patio area offers outdoor seating in the alley between the brewery and the Historical Society building.
     Jason Fenstermaker, Archduke of Operations, said the team involved in the brewery is thrilled to share their hard work with the community.
     “It is exciting to be able to share this dream with the community that has given so much to us.  We all have worked so many hours to be able to share this with Grain Valley.  We wanted to bring something special to Grain Valley, something they can call their own.  This is more than a brewery and a restaurant, it is a true public house,” Fenstermaker said.
 
Iron Kettle Brewing
508 N Main, Grain Valley
Hours of operation:
Monday-Closed
Tuesday-Closed
Wednesday-11am-10pm
Thursday-11am-10pm
Friday-11am-11pm
Saturday- 11am-11pm
Sunday- 11 am-6pm
     For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website, www.ironkettlebrew.com.
 
 

     The Eastern Jackson County Yard Waste Collection Center, located at
37910 E Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075, opens Saturday, April 3rd. The center is open each Saturday April through November, 8:00am—4:00pm.
     Yard waste only is accepted at the center, with the following fees for residents applying:
     Pick-up trucks and small trailers: $15
     Large trucks and large trailers: $10 per 
     cubic yard
     Bags: $1

     Items not accepted:
     Aluminum Cans
     Glass
     Hazardous Waste
     Metal
     Plastic Bottles
     Tires
     Trash
     Visit https://www.jacksongov.org/495/Yard-Waste-Collection-Center for more information.
 

     The Kansas City Royals have been a small market baseball franchise since their inception in 1969. Ewing Kauffman, the original owner of the Royals was aware from the outset of the unfair nature of the economics affiliated with baseball. Kauffman insisted that the Royals would find long term success through building the organization from the foundation up. The anchor for this endeavor would be the development of a strong farm system by investment in scouting, player development, and avoiding adding an abundance of older veteran players to the original rosters.
     The Los Angeles Dodgers provided Kauffman a blueprint that he would use to find triumph. An emphasis would be placed on accumulating pitching talent and athletic position players through the Major League Baseball draft. The borrowed model worked as the Royals had their first winning season in 1971 with a record of 85-76, good for second place in the American League West. That same year the Royals selected George Brett in the first round (29th overall) of the MLB amateur draft.
     Kansas City would make its first playoff appearance in 1976. The roster was abundant with homegrown talent. Names like Brett, Frank White, John Wathan, Paul Splittorff, Dennis Leonard, Jamie Quirk, Al Cowens, and Steve Busby littered the lineup with talent, marking the investment Kauffman had made from the outset in finding and growing young players with ability. A process that has repeated itself throughout the history of the Royals.
     The Royals would make World Series appearances in 1980, 1985, 2014, and 2015, winning the Commissioner’s Trophy in 1985 and 2015. Those titles were savored by former Royals farmhands with the names of Bret Saberhagen, Dan Quisenberry, Danny Jackson, Mark Gubicza, Bud Black, and Buddy Biancalana during 1985. Thirty years later it would Alex Gordon, Jarrod Dyson, Mike Moustakas, Aldaberto Mondesi, Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Yordano Ventura, and Greg Holland who had made the trip down Interstate 29 from the club’s AAA affiliate in Omaha to One Royal Way in Kansas City.
     History appears ready to repeat itself with a plethora of homegrown talent emerging in the Royals farm system. The Royals are currently ranked with the 10th best minor league talent in all professional baseball per MLB Network as of March 15th. The organization has three players ranked in the Top 30 prospects by MLB, with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (Number 7), left handed pitcher Daniel Lynch (Number 29), and left handed pitcher Asa Lacy (Number 30). General Manager Dayton Moore and his staff have found success again turning draft picks into prospects knocking on the proverbial big league door for the Royals.
     The following is a breakdown of player ratings, how the players were acquired, their position, and estimated ETA for the Royals Top 100 prospects as first reported by Anne Rogers for MLB Pipeline.
 
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
 
Hit: 60 -- Witt Jr.
Power: 60 -- Witt Jr.
Run: 65 -- Brewer Hicklen
Arm: 70 -- Seuly Matias
Defense: 70 -- Nick Pratto
Fastball: 75 -- Samuel Valerio
Curveball: 60 -- Alec Marsh (Austin Cox, Noah Murdock)
Slider: 60 -- Lynch (Lacy)
Changeup: 70 – Jackson Kowar
Control: 60 -- Jonathan Bowlan
 
How they were built
Draft: 20 | International: 8 | Trade: 2
Breakdown by ETA
2021: 9 | 2022: 11 | 2023: 6 | 2024: 3 | 2025: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | SS: 5 | OF: 6 | RHP: 12 | LHP: 5
 
     What does all of this mean for the Royals heading into the 2021 season? Confidence is high among the team and smiles are plentiful. Both Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy have been quoted by the media in saying that they are having a blast competing again and that this is the most confidence they have seen by a Royals team since 2014 and 2015. This leaves Royals fans with something to look forward to as the home opener on April 1st approaches against the Texas Rangers.
 

     With March seeming to come in like a lamb, most likely seasonal allergy symptoms will flair up sooner than later. There are several things that can be done to help mediate these symptoms, from antihistamines, prescriptions, barriers, supplements, to shots. Which ones to use, or combine, depends upon what the trigger is and the severity of your body’s response. 
     Barriers – The best barrier is being inside without open windows, but as 2020 showed us, we need to be outside at times. One of the few benefits of COVID is the current requirement to wear a mask outside. This not only will prevent a person from spreading the COVID virus, the mask will also filter out most of the triggers floating around in the air (pollen, dander, dust, etc.) so once you venture outside make sure to mask up as well. It is a good idea to wash your reusable masks at least once a week to make sure the filtering mechanism is fully functional. 
     Something else that is helpful when you are inside is the filter on your HVAC system and how clogged full of stuff it is. This “mask” for your house needs to be replaced every three months; so, if you do not recall changing it when your family’s holiday celebration was happening, then it is time to replace it. 
     The basic concept of the rest of the treatments is to reduce the natural inflammatory process once the triggers attempt to enter the body.   
     Supplements – These items have a few studies that show they do provide some benefit to the stopping of allergy symptoms:
     Stinging Nettle – There are a few studies that show that the above ground parts of this plant can provide some antihistamine response in the body but does not improve response when given with antihistamines (do not use while pregnant)
     Quercetin – There are also a few studies that show that this compound in red wine, yellow onions, black tea, black currant juice, and apple juice can boost the therapeutic effect of asthma medications when taken concurrently
     Bromelain – The studies that have been published show there is some positive effect from taking this compound, which is found in pineapple, alone to reduce the swelling of the nasal passages, the studies in combination with medications are inconclusive.
     Antihistamines – These Over the Counter (OTC) items work by reducing the effect of the body’s response to the triggers. When triggers enter the body by some means (mouth, nose, eyes, throat, skin) the body’s response is to release a hormone called histamine.  
     This compound drives several responses throughout the body (swelling of the throat, nasal passages, tongue, skin, and eyes, watering of eyes and nose, increase mucus production, increase stomach acid production, itching in areas of contact, etc.). All of these are forms of self-defense the body has used effectively to stop the further invasion into the body and are necessary. The issue lies in the severity, or duration, of the response.  
     Antihistamines work by blocking the histamines from binding to the receptors on the cells that trigger the response. Once blocked, the cells cannot release the histamine thereby reducing the severity and duration of the response to a level where that person feels they can still function in society.
     Prescriptions – If the OTC items do not help you keep your symptoms at a reasonable level, a prescriber can authorize several different options from tablets/capsules, inhalers (puffers), to solutions for a nebulizer. These items either stop the body’s ability to respond to the triggers or decrease the effect of the triggers on the body. 
     Shots – This type of therapy requires a consultation with an allergist who may run reaction tests (small amount of the trigger injected under the skin of your back) of the most common allergens in your area and once true triggers are identified, a very diluted amount is injected into your system and gradually increased until your body does not adversely react to the exposure.
     If you decide to try one of these supplements, OTC items, or prescriptions, please discuss with your care provider or pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions with your complete current regimen (prescribed, OTC, and supplements).
 
     Sean M Crosetti, MBA, PharmD, is Pharmacist in Charge and Owner of Crosetti Health & Wellness in Grain Valley. Crosetti Health & Wellness is located at 510 N. Main in Grain Valley. www.crosettis.com
 
 

     Graham Norton has a great show.  If you haven’t seen the wily Irishman interview celebrities, you are missing out. He is a comedian by trade and about half of what he says is innuendo, the kind you need to be able to play on loop because you are not sure you actually heard him say something so borderline daring.
     The set of the show is pretty cool and all Austin Powers looking, with velvet couches and settees in reds and purples and oranges.  Guests recline on the pillowy surfaces, openly enjoying cocktails. There are no Oprah induced tears, fake or otherwise, during filming; it is all side-splitting humor, pop culture references, and dishing on movie co-stars and spouses.
     I really want to be on the Graham Norton show.
     The funfest airs on the BBC, but I first got hooked by watching little clips that came up on my social media feeds.  One of the first times I watched, Minnie Driver was a guest. She was just coming off the Will and Grace tv series, where she played Lorraine Finster, a sinewy albeit skanky mistress, a character I just loved.
     After some small talk with Driver and the other guests, Norton talked her into reading horse names that the British Racing Commission had denied, due to the names having hidden meaning or innuendo. Most of the names are ones not fit for print, but when Driver read the name ‘Hoof Hearted’ in her British accent, and Norton about fell out of his chair laughing, I was hooked.
     Apparently Hoof Hearted actually got past the commission, as Norton next played a clip of a race in which Hoof Hearted came on in the last lengths to win the race.  Driver was nearly hysterical as the track announcer called the end of the race, saying, “Pretty Lady leads down the stretch by a neck, with Summer’s Passion close behind. But… here comes a horse on the outside. Oh, this is a close one, folks.  Wait. Hoof Hearted!  Hoof Hearted!”
     When Cher was on his show, Norton told her he was so scared she couldn’t make it to the filming. She pretended at first she didn’t know what he was talking about but finally broke.
     “Oh, you mean because people thought I was dead?”  Turns out that when Margaret Thatcher died, the hashtag #nowthatchersdead was trending in Britain, but Americans assumed it read ‘now that Cher’s dead’ and Twitter went into a frenzy of RIP’s and memories of the star.
     For my appearance, I don’t need to be paired with Helen Mirren, who appeared with Paul Rudd and demonstrated a kiss to mock a former co-star, or Tom Hanks, who shared a really great Clint Eastwood impression. I am willing to appear with Academy Award runner ups, faded pop stars, just anybody whose name someone might recognize.
     I would wear all black and probably have my hair styled to look effortlessly beautiful for my debut.  I am sure they have makeup artists, and I would provide them a canvas in need of repair.  I would likely color my water or use tea in my highball glass to appear to share in the Happy Hour atmosphere but would be too scared to have a drop that might loosen my tongue.
     I am guessing Graham might start with a better known celebrity, not realizing I was once the Lexington, Kentucky 12 year old city tennis champion and that I am successfully able to wash and fold up to eleven loads of laundry a week.
     When the attention finally shifts to me, Graham asks me about my weekly errand day, where I cram a week’s worth of everything my family needs done into the eight free hours I have from Sunday to Sunday.  He says, ”Well, I hear you have been running errands,” and I nod and smile broadly, ready to tell a little ditty about a mishap at the dry cleaners.
     But then he continues, “When I hear someone say they are running errands, I assume they ran one errand then went to get a coffee and walk around Target,” he jokes.  And I freeze.  How does he know?
     He is lightning fast and moves on to another topic from my survey card.  “I understand you are starting a stationery company,” he says.  Despite the carefully curated camera angle, the audience can tell I am confused. 
     “I don’t understand,” I say. My fifteen minutes of fame is rapidly shrinking to be about 15 seconds.
    “It says right here on my cue card stationery company,” he probes, hoping to save the whole segment.
    “Ohhhhhh!  No, I told them I like to just be stationary unless I have company coming over,” I explain. The audience groans.  Graham segues into commercial, “Well as an Irishman myself, I love a good couch potato. We’ll be right back to talk with our favorite C-list celebrity, Elizabeth Olsen, sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley, who has a new clothing line for you guessed it—TWINS!”
     As we cut to break, Graham smiles at me and offers a little more tea. “Well,” I think.  “It was a good try. Maybe I should have stuck with Oprah and just used Visine for fake tears.”
 
     Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer. 
 
 

     Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days:
 
Grain Valley High School
551 AA Hwy
No Violations
 
Dollar General Store #9597
105 E. Rock Creek Lane
Observed no drying provision provided in both restrooms. Corrected. Paper towels were placed in restrooms.
Observed damage to walls in the back storage area with sharp edges.
Correct By:4/24/2021
 
Domino's
451 NW Eagles Parkway
1. Bottle of dish soap was stored on clean dish rack. Corrected. 2. Chemical spray bottle was stored on prep counter with dressings. Corrected.
Food stored in the top of the pizza prep table was not held at 41*F or below. Re-inspection required. Out of temperature food was discarded because it had been in the table over 2 hours. Some of the food in the table had a temperature as follows: Chicken 51*F, Salami 54*F, Pineapple 51*F.  Correct By:  2/26/2021
Screens used to cook chicken wings on had dry food debris and were stored on a dirty rack. Corrected. Screens were cleaned immediately.
In-use utensils such as pizza peel & pizza cutters were held at room temperature and not cleaned at least every 4 hours. Corrected. Cleaned immediately.
1. Wire rack near prep table had dry food debris on it. 2. Spice holder attached to side of prep table had an accumulation of dry food debris. Corrected. 3. Blue containers at pizza cutting table had dry food debris on them and inside the bins.  Correct By:4/25/2021
Establishment did not have a working thermometer to check the temperature of food.  Correct By:4/25/2021
Failure to Secure Food Handler Permit.  Correct By: 3/26/2021
 
 
Captain's Sports Lounge
301 SW Eagles Parkway
Cooked ground beef located at make ready was out of temp. (Corrected on site). Employee discarded the beef.
Linens were kept on the floor in the furnace room. Corrected. Employee moved linens.
Coffee in a carboard box was stored on the ground in the kitchen. Corrected. Employee moved the coffee.
Multiple employee cups without lids located in the kitchen area. Corrected. Employee discarded cups.
Failure to Secure Food Handler Permit. Correct By:  3/28/2021
 
Casey's General Store # 3325
1111 Buckner Tarsney Rd.
Walk in freezer where the bag of ice had food debris under the racks.  Correct By: 5/2/2021
Make ready table had food debris on the bottom inside. Kitchen drawers with the clean utensils had food residues in the pizza area.  Correct By: 5/2/2021
 
Comfort Inn
210 NW Jefferson St.
No violations recorded.
 
MO Country
401 East South Outer Belt Road
No violations recorded.
 
Casey's General Store # 3325
1111 Buckner Tarsney Rd.
No violations recorded.
 
Grain Valley Marketplace 8
1131 NE McQuerry Road
No violations recorded.
 
MO Country
401 East South Outer Belt Road
Dishwasher was not sanitizing. Corrected on site. Manager fixed the bucket so that sanitizer could come out.
 
Casey's General Store #2209
1251 AA Hwy
No violations recorded.
 

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of March 4-8, 2021.
 

​     Using Ancestry.com, I often do research on Grain Valley citizens from the late 1860s through the early 1900s. The United States Census from those years can reveal quite a bit of information.  It can also leave me very confused.
    For some time now, I have been totally confused when I find early families living on Cahill Street. There isn’t, nor has there every been a Cahill Street in Grain Valley. I finally found a resident of Cahill Street that I recognized, a family that lived on Capelle Street.
     Unfortunately, Mr. Millard Campbell did the census in 1920 and while his penmanship is generally quite legible, his cursive “p” does look like an “h,” it is difficult to distinguish his “e” from an undotted “i,” and several years of research has taught me that Capelle is often misspelled. Sometimes it has a final “e” and sometimes it doesn’t.
     This week I was seeking information on the Charles Warren Harris family who lived in a house on “Cahill” according to the 1920 U. S. Census. By the 1930 census they lived on South Main Street, 2 blocks south of the railroad.
     In 1930, Front Street was known as North Main Street and Main Street was Broadway. Are you now totally confused?
     Today, South Main Street is Harris Street, presumable named for the Harris Family. North Main is Front Street, Broadway is Main Street, and on farmland just south of Harris Street we find Broadway!
     Sometime soon when you are enjoying a Saturday lunch on the patio at Iron Kettle Brewery, drop in next door at the Grain Valley Historical Society and look at our 1924 hand-drawn map of The City of Grain Valley, when Front was  N. Main and Harris was S. Main, and…..you get the picture!
     Next week, learn more about the Harris family. There is a two-year old I know that is living just south of Grain Valley. Charles Harris was  his maternal great, great, great, great, grandfather.
 

​     The official state flower and state tree of Missouri can be confusing. Our state flower blooms on a tree and our state tree has flowers! 
     On March 16, 1923, Governor Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the white hawthorn blossom, (Crataegus,) the official state floral emblem of Missouri. Though a specific variety of hawthorn is not named in the legislation, the Missouri Department of Conservation asserts that the downy hawthorn, (Crataegus mollis,) is the species deserving of the recognition. 
     In 1955 the state legislature designated the Flowering Dogwood as the State Tree of Missouri.
 

     Governor Mike Parson announced a special cycle of the Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP), making $21.8 million available to assist nonprofit organizations and other entities providing services to at-risk youth.
     “Missouri nonprofits have been a lifeline for many Missourians throughout the COVID-19 crisis, providing critical services during times of uncertainty,” Governor Parson said.  
     “This program will help ensure that these organizations can continue providing Missouri’s at risk-youth with the support and resources they need throughout the recovery process.”
     COVID-19 has had a massive impact on mental health for all citizens, including children. Anxiety, stress, and other negative conditions have been on the rise, and these organizations provide resources and services that help children deal with these issues.
     Up to $8 million of NAP tax credits and $6 million of YOP tax credits will be reserved for nonprofit organizations and other entities providing critical services to at-risk youth. Additional NAP and YOP credits are available for nonprofits addressing other pressing community needs with priority for job training programs and services directly resulting in crime prevention.
     Nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, Missouri businesses, local governments, and schools are all eligible entities for this program.
     “Community organizations have played a huge role in supporting hard working Missouri families throughout the pandemic,” Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon said. “We’re proud to be able to use these funds to bolster these great organizations.”
     NAP and YOP are contribution tax credit programs. Approved applicants are awarded state tax credits to help attract eligible donors to fund an approved community development or youth opportunity project. Organizations approved for tax credits engage in fundraising activities and offer tax credits as an incentive to donate, raising the dollars necessary to complete the proposed project and address a critical community need.
     The application cycle for the NAP/YOP Special Cycle will be held from March 31 to April 22. There will be an application workshop on April 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. to answer applicant questions and help fill out required documentation. 
     To learn more about the NAP/YOP Special Cycle, visit
https://ded2.mo.gov/nap-yop-special-cycle.
 

Mid-Continent Public Library’s Square One Small Business services will present the following virtual events in April:
 
Business Model Canvas Workshop
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
6:00pm—7:30pm
Virtual via Zoom
     Is your business model working? Join Kimberly Beer to learn how to stop the chaos and create meaningful direction in your business while ensuring your business idea is solid. Ideal for new entrepreneurs looking to define their concept and seasoned business owners who want to prevent the dreaded three- and five-year business slumps.
     You will leave this experience with a business skill you can apply to current and future growth projects, a better understanding of your customer's pains and gains to use in marketing, and insights on how to improve and expand your current and future business ideas.
     Warning: This is a visual workshop style class that requires provided sticky notes and large poster. Registration with email is required. Each student will receive a packet with supplies for the class.
     Viewing Format: Zoom (link will be sent to registered students before the class).
 
Food Trucking 101
Sunday, April 11, 2021
10:00am—Noon
     Want to start a food truck? Not sure where to start, or maybe, how to finish what you’ve started? Join us for this 2-hour event designed to give you the groundwork to plan your cuisine, equipment, business model, brand, financials (including funding), and of course, to answer your questions. Your menu can be all about your personal style, but when it comes to running a profitable food truck, make sure you get the facts.
     Hosted by Xander Winkel of the Ennovation Center, featured guests include Brandon Simpson of Jazzy B’s Food Truck, Kim Niebaum and Michelle Ferguson of CoffeeCake KC, and August Spallo of CiaoBella.

Participant Take-aways:
• Identify your next steps for starting your food truck
• Find out what information you need to gather so that you can take those next steps
• Explore follow up opportunities to build your skills in digital marketing, book keeping, and business strategy
     To view this class, visit the Business of Food Trucks Facebook Account at https://www.facebook.com/foodtruckbiz
 
For more information on Square One events and to register, visit www.mymcpl.org/square-one/events. 
 

     When you think of cybercriminals, I'm sure the image that pops up in your head is a couple of geeks or nerds in the basement wrecking havoc by clicking a series of keys and hacking into you or your business's computers and network. 
     Cybercrime has evolved over the years from geeks having fun to criminal organizations taking advantage of the reach of the Internet.  During this pandemic, there is a new breed of criminals that have emerged - drug dealers. They are using the power of social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to target anyone who wants illegal drugs, especially the 13 - 29 age group. 
     How can you keep your family safe?  Check out these tips.

     With kids forced to do distanced or hybrid learning during the pandemic and with seven out of ten people on social media, you can see why dealers have turned to social media. Dealers like selling drugs on the Internet because it offers a convenient and fast way to sell drugs. Also, online illegal drug deals help them avoid law enforcement.
     There are policies that prohibit the sale of illegal drugs on social media sites, but this doesn't stop drug dealers from finding ways to find buyers and continue their illegal distribution. Part of finding buyers includes the use of the algorithms built into social media platforms.
     With the use of emojis, code words, and hashtags, they can direct people to specific drugs, such as Molly (MDMA),  Percocet, or Prescription Pain Killers.  Even if the sale is made via social media, the delivery of the substances can easily take place at any public place or be delivered to your home.

     To help you stay informed, here are some of the most popular emojis teens and adults (and dealers) use for drugs:

Cocaine: snowflake, skier, snowman, blowing nose, and 8 ball;
Crystal Meth/Methamphetamine: diamond;
General drug emojis: flowers;
Heroin:  syringe, arrow-in-target;
Marijuana: The maple leaf is the universal symbol for marijuana. However, any green leaf or tree can be used to represent marijuana;
MDMA/Ecstasy/Acid:  drooling face, angry guy, pill, candy;
Vaping or getting high:  puff of smoke/wind.

     The pandemic has forced many kids to retreat to an online existence. Education on this topic is an important step to help stop the spread of this practice.
     1. Stay Up-To-Date. Keeping up with technology is hard, but the Internet has a wealth of resources to help you keep up with the latest slang, hashtags, and emojis that are used to keep the sale, purchase, and use of drugs under the rear.
     It's good to talk with people you know such as parents, teachers, and drug and alcohol treatment providers to stay informed on the latest trends. A good resource is the American Addiction Centers at (https://americanaddictioncenters.org/)
     2. Monitor Money Exchanging Apps.  Follow your kids on money exchanging apps like Facebook Messenger, Venmo, Apple, or Android Pay. These apps come in handy for online purchases and purchases between friends.  Look out for payments that don't make sense to you.  
     3. Get Access To Your Teen’s Gadgets and Apps. You need to have the password to your tweens and teen’s devices and the apps they use. Do a random check for any new apps and communication activity you don’t recognize.
     4. Follow Your Kids Social Media Accounts. It's a good practice to follow your kids on their social media accounts.  It shows you're interested in them and it also helps you get familiar with the social media platforms and technology they are using. 
     Yes, they can create new accounts, which is why it's important that you take a look at their devices from time to time.
     5. Talk To Your Teen. Talking and communicating with your tweens and teens is never a bad idea. Kids sometimes don't see the ends to the means, but a good conversation could be the spark that let them know you care about their well being and help them see the dangers of purchasing illegal drugs online and in person.
​
     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. 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 or technology help? 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 at Integral. Reach out to us at www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 
 

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 22nd—26th:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316536914856
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316088814857
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
 This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325011127840
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
 This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316182714851
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325192814853
 

     Munch madness is upon us as one of the biggest tournaments in college basketball approaches, and with that comes all of our favorite game day snacks.
     It can be easy to overindulge on days like this, but it is important to remember it is only a few days out of the year. And for those trying to reach certain health goals, munching doesn’t have to set you back.
     Overindulging on game day food can upset blood glucose levels; for those trying to manage them, it can lead to high consumption of sodium and saturated fat, and next-day guilt.
     If you are looking for some healthier switches to make to your favorite foods, here are some of your Hy-Vee dietitian favorites:
 
     Add a vegetable platter with a high-protein dip. Our go-to is plain Greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning; it tastes the same as popular veggie dips but has much greater nutritional value.
Use low-sodium substitutes when making your game day foods. Easy switches include low-sodium barbecue sauce, low-sodium chips and low-sodium seasonings.
     Use cookie cutters to cut up your favorite fruits to add a fun twist and a more appealing look. This may entice you to reach for that fun shaped fruit over a cookie.
     Try the ever so popular air fryer. Air fryers are great for giving you that great fried taste without soaking the food in oil which leaves a greasy taste.
     Swap out sugary drinks for flavored water. Consuming sugary drinks can greatly increase your blood glucose and may cause you to consume more food than what your body really needs. It is also important to stay hydrated and not confuse hunger with thirst.
     We shouldn’t have to stress over the foods we eat on game days when we are having fun with friends and family. To make this easier, add healthier alternatives and enjoy.
 
     The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
     Megan Callahan is one of your Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitians. She is dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Megan received a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Missouri State University. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she also received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition. Megan has been working with Hy-Vee full-time for 10 years. Megan lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband Matt, and their 2 children Kennedy (4) & Carsyn (2).
 

     I decided to take a step away from my comfort zone with this month’s installment of Plants on Your Plate and reached out to some of my southern-rooted friends for some insights. Growing up on a dairy farm in south-central Kansas, green beans, corn, and carrots were the most common vegetables at our table.
     The only kind of ‘greens’ I encountered happened at school lunch in the form of canned spinach, which I usually tried to sneak into my empty milk carton. Grown-up me still isn’t a fan of canned spinach, but I do love a good spinach salad. I have also discovered that my family likes kale and swiss chard, so I decided it was time to try something new…and chose collard greens!
    In the south, the term ‘greens’ refers to vegetables whose leaves are eaten when cooked until tender and can include mustard, turnip, beet, and collards. Collards are a member of the brassica family and a ‘cousin’ to cabbage and is sometimes referred to as tree-cabbage or headless cabbage.  
     Most historians agree that collards originated in Greek and Roman gardens around 2000 years ago, though some will go as far back as 5000 years. British settlers brought seeds to the colonies in the 17th century. Today, South Carolina is the top producer of collard greens in the United States and in 2011, declared them the state vegetable.
      Collards, like most leafy greens, are full of powerful nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, and folate, as well as the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium, and of course dietary fiber.
     These key nutrients show promise in the risk reduction and prevention of heart disease and certain cancers, as well as beneficial to eye health, digestive health, healing damaged tissues and preventing neural tube defects in developing fetus’.
     Collards can be grown year-round, but the best quality crops appear in the cooler temperatures in early spring and late fall. When selecting collard greens, look for deep green leaves that are sturdy and free of any wilt or yellow areas, indicating lack of freshness. 
Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to a week for optimal freshness.
     Prior to cooking, fresh greens should be soaked and swished several times in cold water to remove sandy grit. Collards can be cooked in a variety of ways, and usually starts with trimming out the tough center vein. Leaves can be blanched and stuffed, like stuffed cabbage rolls, or finely chopped and added raw to salads.
     For a truly southern flavor, greens are cooked ‘low and slow’ for several hours with a smoky meat like ham or bacon. The recipe that follows has a shorted cooking time and uses a leaner meat choice, but still produces a delicious flavor. I hope you will step outside of your comfort zone and give it a try!
     Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, programming in Jackson and Platte Counties. For research-based nutrition and food safety information and programs, visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/jackson