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With the temperatures finally coming down a bit and the leaves starting to change color, the search for fall family fun begins. There are a number of opportunities to get your fill of fall festivities in the area as we countdown to Halloween.
Local high school students raising funds for Women for Afghan Women will present a movie in the park event at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 23rd at Faith United Methodist Church. Tickets are $3 and the Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be featured. Powell Gardens is partnering with Quixotic to present Dark Forest, an immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods. Dark Forest will be held October 22-24th and 28th – 31st from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. Gates open at 5:00pm for refreshments. Dark Forest invites you to journey through a magical and mysterious landscape brimming with enthralling performance, captivating music, and innovative creative technology where the channels of nature’s mortal realms are fiercely pierced by unexplainable paranormal forces and spellbinding supernatural beings. At Dark Forest, the universe’s most coveted secrets are freely revealed to all those who wander. Tickets are $28 and parking is $5. For more information on Dark Forest, visit www.powellgardens.org. The Pumpkin Pad, located at 35100 E Outer Belt Road, Lone Jack, is brimming with fall fun for all ages. Open Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween, more than 70 acres of activities welcome guests. Admission is $14 and includes unlimited rides and attractions, including the pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower field, in ground jumping pillows, corn pit, giant roller slide, tetherball, bounce house, kiddie barrel cow train, old-fashioned hay wagon rides, and much more. This weekend, the Pumpkin Pad will host two local clubs who are coming together to present an antique tractor show on Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Food trucks are on site each weekend, and kettle corn, chips, sodas, and water are available at the concession stand. This Saturday, featured food trucks include KC Concoctions, Grandma’s Mini Donuts, and ATE1SIX BBQ. Every Saturday night from 7:30pm – 10:00pm, a $10 reduced rate gets fun seekers access to food trucks, a local band, bonfires, and the corn maze. The Pumpkin Pad is owned by Vince and Melissa Moehle, and their 13-year old daughter Jayden is an integral part of the business as well. Jayden designed the social media themed corn maze, and there are five SnapChat filters located around the farm for guests to use in their social media posts. For more information, visit the www.thepumpkinpad.net or The Pumpkin Pad on Facebook. And to usher in Halloween weekend in Grain Valley, the City’s Trail or Treat event will be held once again at Butterfly Trail Park from 6:30pm – 8:30pm on Friday, October 29th. Local businesses and organizations will hand out treats along the trail. Costumes and flashlights are encouraged. Grain Valley residents may safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as unwanted documents in a free community drug take back and shredding event on Saturday at Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD), 711 Main Street.
The drug take back event, a part of a nationwide effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held Saturday, October 23rd from 10:-00am—2:00pm. All prescription and over-the-counter medications are accepted, but no syringes will be allowed. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained by family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. In addition to the drug take back event, GVPD is hosting a shredding event from 10:00am—1:00pm for resident businesses or individuals (proof of residency required). Participants may bring up to three bags or boxes for secure disposal. Securing a mortgage to buy a home can be a daunting process, whether it is a first-time purchase, a family seeking more space, or a couple looking to downsize.
WPL Mortgage Solutions, located at 115 S. Main in Grain Valley, has the experience and connections to make the process smooth for home buyers. President & CEO Will Lowen has more than 30 years experience in the industry, and started WPL Mortgage Solutions two years ago, in what has been an unprecedented time for the industry. “The last two years have been really good to us. We’ve grown, we’ve got a great team. We’ve got a great processing team, and each one of them have 20+ years of experience,” Lowen said. “We’re a broker, so we work with lenders all the way from local to worldwide lenders. We are a one stop shop. Tell me your hopes and dreams, and we tell you how to reach those hopes and dreams.” Lowen said one of the aspects of the process he and his team most enjoy is educating buyers on their options and steps they can take to ensure they are in the best position to complete the buying process. WPL Mortgage Solutions is hosting a seminar for First Time Buyers at Keller Williams Platinum Partners, 3751 Ralph Powell Road, Lee’s Summit, on Wednesday, November 3rd from 6:00pm—8:00pm. This in person seminar will address topics such as where to start, how much you can afford, down payment assistance options, and more (scan QR code below to register). For more information on WPL Mortgage Solutions, call 816-396-6001 or visit www.wplmortgagesolutions.com. Sponsored article. Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from August 2021 to September 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,500 jobs over the month, with job gains in service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in September 2021, down from 4.0 percent in August 2021. Recovery from COVID-19-related layoffs continued with an increase of 70,800 jobs from September 2020 to September 2021.
UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a two-tenths of a percentage point in September 2021, dropping to 3.8 percent from the August 2021 rate of 4.0 percent. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic now more than a year in the past, the September 2021 rate was 1.6 percentage points lower than the September 2020 rate. The rate had reached a low of 3.1 percent starting in August 2018, before gradually edging up to 3.5 percent by the end of 2019, and then to 3.7 percent in March 2020. The COVID-19 effect hit in April 2020, spiking the rate to 12.5 percent for that month. The rate decreased monthly for the rest of 2020, reaching 4.4 percent in December, and continued gradually downward through the first four months of 2021. The increase of two-tenths of a percentage point from April 2021 to June 2021 appeared to be related to a temporary shortage in the supply of semiconductor chips, which caused production slowdowns in some manufacturing industries. Due to benchmark revisions, Missouri’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point higher than the national rate in January and February of 2020, but has been below the national rate for every month since February 2020. The national unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in August 2021 to 4.8 percent in September 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 118,110 in September 2021, down by 4,992 from August’s 123,102. The state’s not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in September 2021, dropping by 0.6 percentage points to 2.9 percent from the August 2021 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 3.5 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for September 2021 was 4.6 percent. A year ago, the state's seasonally adjusted rate was 5.4 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 4.8 percent. EMPLOYMENT Missouri’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment was 2,846,000 in September 2021, up by 7,500 from the revised August 2021 figure. However, the August 2021 total was revised downward by 900 from the preliminary estimate, producing a revised increase of 6,400 jobs from July 2021 to August 2021 and a revised increase of 72,500 jobs from August 2020 to August 2021. Goods-producing industries lost 3,500 jobs over the month, with declines in both construction and manufacturing. In manufacturing, losses were concentrated in durable goods. Meanwhile, service-providing industries gained 11,000 jobs between August and September 2021, with increases in professional & business services (+4,500 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (+4,500 jobs), leisure & hospitality (+3,100 jobs), and education and health services (+1,500 jobs). Government employment showed a decrease of 1,100 jobs over the month. Total payroll employment increased by 70,800 jobs from September 2020 to September 2021, reflecting the recovery from COVID-19 related job cuts last year. Most of the major private-sector industry groups shared in the increase, with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+29,300 jobs), followed by professional & business services (+23,500 jobs), trade, transportation & utilities (+12,000 jobs), educational & health services (+11,100 jobs), manufacturing (+5,200 jobs), and mining, logging and construction (+1,300 jobs). Declines in private-sector employment were in financial activities (-7,900 jobs) and information (-2,500 jobs). Government employment decreased over the year, with a loss of 2,300 jobs concentrated in federal government. Grain Valley South Middle School has been listed as being among the best middle schools by U.S. News and World Report. In the publisher’s first year of reporting on the nation’s middle schools, South Middle School ranked #122 in Missouri middle schools, placing it in the top 30% of middle schools in the state.
For each state, schools were assessed on their students’ math and reading proficiency as measured on state assessment tests. According to U.S. News and World Report, half of the ranking formula are the results themselves; the other half was the results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. Grain Valley South Middle School Data is based on the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Recently I went through a box of “family treasures” to find memorabilia for Coffee with Classmates. I ran across my mother’s 8th grade Certificate of Attainment.
As always, I attempted to find more information about the certificate issued locally, but signed by the State Superintendent of Schools. My Google search revealed no helpful information on this historic document. Currently the state-endorsed credential is to provide school committees with the option of providing a certificate of attainment, based on specified criteria, to students who have completed local requirements but who do not yet qualify for the high school diploma. In 1928, the certificate was issued to students who had successfully complete the eight elementary grades. Since many students attended rural, one-room schools, the certificate allowed them to attend any four-year high school within the State of Missouri. The document left me with many more questions than answers. First, did my mother have an 8th Grade Graduation ceremony? When did 8th grade graduation begin? I remember my own 8th Grade Graduation in 1960. Our teacher was Mrs. Juanita Grayum. We spent weeks preparing and rehearsing for the big event. As the program demonstrates all 30 members of my class had a role in the ceremony. The boys wore suits, their own or a borrowed one. I remember buying a new white dress for the occasion. I also remember that for the girls in my class it was our first pair of high heels and probably our first time to wear nylon hose! We decorated the stage in the old auditorium/gym to resemble a rose garden. We put homemade red paper roses, our class flower, on the stage curtains and in the pots across the front of the stage. Naturally, we thought it was beautiful! When did Grain Valley stop having 8th Grade Graduations? Do families today recognize their daughter/son’s “graduation?” I do know the internet provides plenty of gifts to mark the milestone! Are you curious about events from Grain Valley’s past? Drop by the Historical Society Museum any Wednesday (10:00am – 3:00pm). If we don’t have the answer, we will try and help you find out. by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Fiber comes from plants like fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. We use fiber for energy as it is not digested in our bodies. There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble fiber. Think of insoluble fiber as the janitor picking up our body’s waste, putting it into a pile, and pushing it out the door. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, is the slow-rolling fiber that keeps us full and our blood sugar from rising.
Consumption of a fiber-rich diet can show benefits of weight management, diabetes control and bowel function. Fibrous foods can positively affect weight management by keeping you fuller for longer, making you less likely to overeat. Individuals with diabetes can find an ally among fiber-packed foods since they have been shown to lower blood sugars by slowing the release of sugar from foods into the bloodstream. Once the meal is over, fiber gets to work in the gut by increasing the bulk of our stools, helping it move through the body and pass with ease. Everybody and every body may need different amounts of fiber. According to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), adults and children over the age of 4 are recommended to have around 25 to 38 grams per day. It is recommended that young children ages 1-3 have around 19 grams per day. Here’s an easy label-reading tip for finding fiber sources: A high-fiber item will have 5g or more per serving and an item that is a good source of fiber will have between 2.5g and 4.9g per serving. If you are looking for more fiber-rich ideas, check out Hy-Vee.com for more recipes. Look into our Healthy Habits meal planning program or our monthly themed events for even more ideas. This recipe packs a heavy fiber punch of 21g in just 2 tacos. Take a look and try this fiber-rich Squash and Black Bean Soft Shell Tacos recipe. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. By now, I hope you've figured out social media, search engines, and everyone, in general, is trying to collect as much information as they can about you. Privacy online is a hard thing to have in this digital world.
Having a separate, anonymous email address is one of the best ways to keep a low profile online. When you have an anonymous email, it helps reduce the amount of spam you get in your inbox. It also allows you to shop online with electronic and brick-and-mortar stores and sign up for digital membership services without them collecting information about you or trying to sell you things you don't need. Also if you're dating online, it's best to have an email that can't be traced back to you. Check out these quick and easy tips to stay anonymous online. 1. Setup a Fake Account with a Free Email Service. When people consider setting up a fake or anonymous email account, they usually turn to a free email service such as Yahoo, Outlook.com, Gmail, or one provided by their Internet service provider and why wouldn't you? You can create countless email addresses with these services, but are you doing it right? Check out these steps to make sure you're keeping your identity safe. Use fake details. For starters, create an email address that isn't tied to you in any way. Avoid using your real first name or last name. Also, avoid using an email address that can be tied to your hobbies or interests. All free email account services require you to put in personal information like your name, date of birth, and sometimes address. You're probably thinking since your email name isn't tied to you, no one can find out who you are. Well, if you're entering your home address, it won't take someone long to put two and two together. Finally, don’t use any details in your password or security questions that someone could link to you either. Create an anonymous phone number. Some free email services, like Gmail, also ask for a phone number to set up 2 step verification for your new account. You can't just enter in a set of numbers, because your free email account service will call the number to verify it is real. Your best option is a virtual number when you set up new, anonymous email accounts. Services like Google Voice and WhatsApp let you set up free virtual numbers that can be used to keep your smartphone number safe. Enable Your browser's private mode for added protection. Many of the websites you visit track your cookies and keep a note of which IP address you're located. All browsers have an "incognito" or "InPrivate" mode that you can enable to keep them from tracking your cookies. As far as a VPN, consider switching to Opera (www.opera.com) or Tor (www.torproject.org). These excellent browsers allow you to block your cookies as well as use the built-in VPN to keep your location safe. 2. Use an Anonymous Email Service. It might take a little more effort, but the best way to keep your online identity safe is to use an anonymous email service. Most of these free services allow you to create an account that is separate from you. As an added bonus, email services encrypt your mail so no one can snoop with what's in your messages. Mailfence. Mailfence is based out of Belgian which puts your email under the protection of their privacy laws and not the laws of the US. This service allows you to send and receive emails anonymously. There are no third-party trackers or ads like you see in other free email services. Your emails are encrypted so no one can read what you've sent. ProtonMail. ProtonMail is based out of Switzerland which means your email is protected by its privacy laws. This means your email is protected even if law enforcement or a government agency wants access to it ProtonMail is usually the popular choice because it's available from any web browser or smart device. Using anonymous email is a great way to keep your identity safe online as well as to cut down that annoying spam that you get in your inbox. If you don't want to take the time to create a new email, you can keep your email safe by making sure you don't share your email with everyone and don't sign up for any online services that require your email. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.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 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. 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. The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of October 6-12 , 2021.
by Cathy Bylinowski, MU Extension Jackson County Horticulture Instructor Spring bulbs add a splash of color to our spring gardens and to the beginning of the new gardening season. They can be planted among groundcovers and perennials. As these plants grow in the spring, they will hide the fading bulb foliage.
Spring flowering bulbs need to be planted in the fall, in well-drained soil in areas that receive part shade to full sun. Planting the bulbs about 2-3 times the height of the bulb is a general rule for planting depth. The bulbs need exposure to cold winter temperatures in order to bloom next spring. You should have plenty of time to purchase and plant spring bulbs this month. Here’s a list of some of our favorite bulbs and tips for success: Daffodils Narcissus spp.- Ranging from yellow, to white, to orange, daffodils’ unusual and variable flower shape and wonderful scent made them a good addition to our gardens. Daffodils last a long time and can be used to naturalize in flower beds and lawns. They need full sun and well-drained soil. A fertilizer high in phosphorus such as bone meal, helps the bulb develop a healthy root system. Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep. Trim the old flower stems off. Daffodil foliage needs to photosynthesis to store food for next year’s growth. Do not cut off or bundle up the foliage. Tulips Tulipa spp- Some tulips bloom well for one year and gradually lose vigor in subsequent years. Sometimes landscape managers use them like an annual. If you want beautiful perennial tulips, select a variety such as Darwin hybrids or a species tulip; they live and bloom for many years. Crocus Crocus vernus- Crocus are diminutive and brightly colored flowers that surprise us with their blooms as early as February and March. Full sun and well-drained soil are essential for good performance. Wild hyacinth- Camassia scilloides- Looking for a Missouri native flowering bulb? Wild hyacinth is a good choice. The pale blue spike of flowers blooms in April and May in glades, prairies, and savannas in many parts of Missouri. They need part sun to full sun to thrive. Many nurseries that supply native plants grow and sell this species. Did you enjoy summer flowering bulbs and ornamentals this year? Cannas and caladiums were especially attractive this year. If you want to save money, try digging up cannas, caladiums, calla lilies, elephant ear caladiums, gladiolus, and dahlias after a light frost for next year. Let the roots or bulbs dry and then overwinter them in a cool, dark place, with good air circulation. A basement or room that does not get below freezing is a good place to store them. Trim off the foliage. Replant in late April or early May after the danger of frosts and freezes has passed. Plant in well-drained soil. Cannas- Cannas are tall and vigorous, with attractive foliage and vivid flowers all summer long. There are tall varieties that work well in the background and shorter varieties that can be planted towards the front of a bed. Cannas flower colors range from deep red to pink, to yellow. In zones 7-10, cannas are left outside all year, but in the Kansas City region, it is safer to lift them up for overwintering in a dry medium such as vermiculite or peat. Caladiums- Grown for their beautiful foliage, caladiums thrive in shade and part shade. They like moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or in flower beds. For more information on a wide range of herbaceous ornamental plants, check out this publication from the Master Gardener Core Manual- https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/mg9 If you need more gardening information, contact Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Hotline, 816-833-TREE (8733) or email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com. |
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