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As the year draws to a close, you may be starting to consider your end-of-the-year donations. Not only is December a critical time for many nonprofits to meet their financial goals, but smart planning now can yield significant tax benefits come year-end. With so many deserving causes out there, it's important to explore all your options to ensure that you're making the most of your tax savings while supporting the organizations and causes that matter most to you.
One popular way to save for retirement is through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This type of account allows you to invest funds that grow tax-free until you withdraw them during retirement. But did you know that your IRA can also be a powerful tool for your charitable giving? If you're over the age of 70 ½, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to a charitable organization. This is a tax-wise way to give, as the QCD counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), and you won't pay taxes on the withdrawal. It's a smart way to avoid income tax on withdrawals from your IRA while supporting your favorite charities. Another effective way to maximize your charitable impact is to donate appreciated non-cash assets such as stocks. By donating the asset, rather than donating the proceeds from the asset's sale, you can eliminate capital gains tax on the gift and get an itemized deduction for the value of the donation. This is a win-win for you and your charity of choice. If you're looking for a more structured approach to your charitable giving, you may want to consider a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). With a DAF, you can make tax-deductible contributions of cash or non-cash assets at any time, not just at the end of the year. Community Foundations are uniquely positioned to accept many different gifts to establish a DAF, including appreciated securities, cryptocurrency, and real estate. Plus, all donations to DAFs made by December 31 are eligible for a 2023 tax deduction. Once your DAF is established (with as little as a $5,000 initial contribution), you can start making grants immediately or wait until the timing is right for you. And if you manage all your charitable giving through your DAF, the only receipts you need at tax time are for the gifts into your fund. You won’t have to track down tax receipts from multiple charities to give to your tax preparer. With the standard deduction for 2023 of $27,700 (married filing jointly), 90 percent of taxpayers cannot itemize their deductions. If you are in this category, another strategy to save on taxes and assist with year-end tax planning is utilizing a charitable bunching strategy with your DAF. Charitable bunching is when you group the contributions you intend to make over a period of years into one large donation to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). In the year you make your "bunched" donation, you will be able to itemize your tax return and enjoy a larger deduction. In the years you do not bunch contributions, you will continue to make regular donations to your favorite charities through your DAF and claim the standard deduction on your taxes. This method allows you to continue to support your favorite charities while maximizing the tax benefit of your charitable contributions. Planning your year-end donations is a great way to kick off the holiday season. Many organizations truly depend on these donations, with December giving accounting for roughly 26 percent of annual nonprofit revenue. By utilizing tools like your IRA, a Donor Advised Fund, charitable bunching strategies, and more, you can maximize the impact of your year-end philanthropy while minimizing your taxes. Talk to your financial advisor to find out if there is something more you can do. Remember, smart planning now can help you make the most of your donations and ensure a brighter future for the causes closest to your heart. by Michael Smith It took just one throw from William Chrisman to light a fire under the Grain Valley football team. The Eagles scored on their opening drive to lead 6-0 after a failed 2-point try early in its Friday night game at home. Their Suburban White Conference foe was aggressive on the first play of their drive when Bears sophomore quarterback Connor Elliott took advantage of a broken coverage in the Grain Valley secondary for a 69-yard touchdown pass to senior Jamir Robinson-Smith, who caught the pass and ran untouched into the end zone. Chrisman led 8-6 after the play and a successful two-point conversion throw from Elliott to Robinson-Smith, but after that, it was all Grain Valley. “That woke us up,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “We don’t want that to happen. That did seem to get a fire under them. That was a pretty explosive half.” The Eagles scored a whopping 55 unanswered points en route to a 61-16 thumping of the Bears at Moody Murray Memorial Field. After the early Bears TD Grain Valley looked like an angry football team. It scored nine consecutive touchdowns, senior safety Gabe Storment recovered an onside kick when his team was up 20-8 in the first quarter. Senior wide receiver Anthony Greco didn’t mince words about how he felt after the Bears (4-4, 1-2) went up by two points. “Don’t do that,” Greco said. “Don’t go for (a two-point conversion). That will piss everyone off.” The win seals at least a share of the Suburban White Conference title and the No. 1 seed in the Class 5 District 7 tournament for Grain Valley. It has a big enough cushion in the district point totals between them and the current No. 2 seed Fort Osage. The Eagles have 47.35 points, while the Indians have 40.22. The Eagles also own the tie breaker over Fort Osage because of a 46-42 win over the Indians in the first game of the season. The No. 1 seed also comes with rewards– a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout districts. “Unfortunately, we have been bit by the injury bug,” Allie said. “Cam Nelson didn’t play because of a concussion. If we can get healthy, that bye week will help us. We have a pretty good team that has a chance to make some noise.” The Eagles (7-1, 3-0) got big performance from quarterback Sal Caldarella and running back Ty Williams as they ran away from the Bears early on. The Eagles led 34-8 after the first period and 61-8 at halftime. Williams continued his Simone Award worthy season as he totaled 204 yards on 23 carries and two scores on the ground. He also caught two passes for 73 yards and a TD. He scored Grain Valley’s first TD as he was wide open in the flat and Caldarella hit him for a 45-yard catch and run. He also had two rushing scores in the second period of 41 and 5 yards. The former came after he made one cut to evade a defender and stiff armed another on his way to the end zone. The latter came on a toss play in the red zone. “Ty Williams is a beast, man,” Chrisman head coach Michael Rose-Ivey said. “He’s going to play ball at the next level and do some really good things.” But Williams wasn’t the only Eagle to get over 100 yards rushing as Caldarella totaled 103 on the ground and two scores. He also connected on 7 of 8 passes for 201 yards and four more TDs through the air. On his two rushing scores beat the Chrisman defense on the right side as he went in untouched from 27 yards out in the first. In the same quarter, he ran a play action pass and scrambled for a 64-yard score. He did a pump fake that got a Chrisman cornerback to jump and he outran the defense the rest of the way. In addition to the scoring pass to Williams, he hit an open Jaxon Anderson for a 33-yard TD, rifled a 5-yarder to tight end Peyton Woodrome in the end zone and threw one deep to Greco for a 75-yard trip to pay dirt. “That was definitely the most touchdowns I have ever had in a game,” Caldarella said, “but honestly, my offensive line blocked great and executed perfectly.” Greco, who missed the first five games because of a leg injury, is starting to return to form and Caldarella is excited to have him back. “We have been talking about this for easily over a year,” Caldarella said of being able to play with Greco. “I am glad we can finally come true.” Added Greco of his first TD of the season: “I have been waiting way to long for this, man. It’s great to be back on the field with the guys.” The Eagles’ other score came on a 27-yard run from senior Tyler Wyzard. On defense, the Grain Valley defense held the Bears to just 270 yards of offense. Only 127 of those came against the varsity defense while the rest came against the backups. Junior Aaron Barr led the Eagles on defense with two interceptions of Elliott. “I think we got good chemistry with all 11 guys,” said Barr, whose defense has allowed just 17 points per game in their last five. “We have just been playing really good football lately.” Afteward, Chrisman head coach Michael Rose-Ivey had high praise for Grain Valley. “Grain Valley does a great job of getting their kids in the weight room,” Rose-Ivey said. “They really buy in. It’s a one high school town so that’s something that works to their advantage. That is a program I want to be like and emulate.” Photo credit: Clara Jaques
MODOT scheduled to close northbound and southbound Buckner Tarsney at I-70 Saturday, 10/1410/13/2023
MODOT crews will continue bridge replacement work along Interstate 70 at Route AA/BB in Grain Valley. This work will require the following traffic changes. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and be vigilant of work in the area. All work is weather permitting.
Saturday, Oct. 14 Beginning at 5 a.m. crews will close northbound and southbound Route AA/BB at I-70 until 4 p.m. to remove the bridge deck. This project will be constructed over the course of three phases in the next year. Phase 1 included bridge work and work within the median. Phase 2 will address the westbound side of the project and Phase 3 will address the eastbound side. The project is anticipated to be complete by winter 2023. Mid-Continent Public Library’s new Grain Valley Branch, located at 400 SW Buckner Tarsney Road, is now open. The brand-new 12,500-square-foot building offers a variety of upgraded amenities, including:
The former Grain Valley Branch was located in the shopping center a mile away at 101 SW Eagles Pkwy. and was 4,000 square feet smaller. Replacement of the Grain Valley Branch is part of the Library’s ongoing Capital Improvement Plan, made possible by an increase to Library funding through the passage of Proposition L by voters in 2016. Design was completed by Sapp Design Architects and Helix Architecture + Design, with JE Dunn assuming responsibility for construction contractor management. Photo credit: MCPL
Grain Valley High School's Speech and Debate team will be hosting their home tournament on Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21st, and need a few good volunteers to help out as judges. No experience is needed and a variety of shifts are open both Friday and Saturday. Scan the QR code on the flyer below or visit GVHS Invitational Judge Sign Up October 20-21st 2023 (google.com) to sign up to volunteer. Community Services League (CSL) and BlendWell Community Cafe invite the community for a panel discussion about National Disability Employment Awareness Month to stimulate awareness and conversation about the value and talent people with disabilities bring to the workforce. The event will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 10:00am - Noon at BlendWell Community Cafe, 10725 US 24 Highway, Independence, MO 64054.
Four panelists will share their stories and journeys of overcoming having a disability in the workplace. Featured employers include: Aaron Martin, President & CEO of Job One Carrie Dixon, Co-Director of Three Trails Camp & Retreat HR Manager, Lee’s Summit Hy-Vee Nancy Milgrim, Vocational Rehabilitation District Supervisor BlendWell Community Cafe is located at 10725 US 24 Highway, Independence, MO 64054. A fundraiser is planned for Sunday, November 19th from 11:00am - 6:00pm at the Elks Lodge in Blue Springs to support a young family fighting gastric cancer. Jessica Imler has been diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer, and the event is planned to raise money to support Jessica's family during this time and show support for Jessica as she faces this challenge.
Please see the flyer below for additional details on the event and how you may support Jessica and her family. Toast isn’t just for peanut butter and jelly anymore. You may have spotted more than a few decadently topped toasts while scrolling through your social media feed. It’s time to amplify the nutritional value of your toast with help from a Hy-Vee registered dietitian. I am here to help you take your traditional toppings from blah to WOW – all with ingredients that will help keep you full longer and sneak in a few extra vitamins and minerals you may otherwise be missing in your diet.
Let’s get started with the basics. Toast is quick and easy to prepare and, while traditionally served at breakfast, can be incorporated into your meals or – with a few toppings – create a balanced snack. Start building your nutrient-dense toast at the base by selecting a whole-wheat or whole-grain bread that not only will structurally support your delicious array of toppings but that packs in the fiber. Check the ingredients list to find breads with a first ingredient of “whole-wheat flour” or “whole-grain flour.” Then check the nutrition facts panel to find the fiber content. Fiber helps fill you up and keep you full longer. Plus fiber helps with blood sugar and cholesterol management, digestive regularity and more. Next – it’s time to find a creamy spread that will satisfy and hold your toppings in place. Try BelGioioso’s ricotta. As a dietitian, I recommend BelGioioso’s ricotta because it has whey as its first ingredient and does not use any gums, fillers or stabilizers like other ricottas on the market. Plus it is lower in sugar and higher in protein with 4g protein with just 2g sugar per serving. Now you can select your toppings – from savory to sweet the options are endless! Consider adding all macronutrients to your toast with your whole-wheat bread serving as your carbohydrate, BelGioioso’s ricotta for protein, and add healthy fats in the form of avocado slices or walnuts. Walnuts not only provide a satisfying crunch, but add a source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids to your toast to promote heart health. If you’re looking for extra protein, try adding an egg for the perfect breakfast toast. Eggs contain protein but they are also a source of valuable vitamins and minerals such vitamin D, iron, vitamin A, choline, vitamin B12 and more. Or perhaps you would rather satisfy your sweet tooth by topping with fresh fruit such as berries, bananas or pear slices and a drizzle of honey. Whichever way you prefer to top your toast, find ways to create balance and satisfy for the long haul. Try it out for yourself and let’s toast to breakfast with this deliciously satisfying recipe for Avocado, Egg Ricotta Toast! Avocado, Egg Ricotta Toast All you need: 1 slice Hy-Vee whole-wheat bread 2 tbsp BelGioioso Ricotta con Latte 3 slices of avocado 1 slice tomato 1 egg prepared to your liking (fried, scrambled, over easy Optional: Salt & pepper to taste, a sprinkle of BelGioioso freshly grated Parmesan All you do:
Recipe source: BelGioioso Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmAoiPNoGO/?img_index=1 If you’re ready to take your meal and snack routine up a notch, consider our Healthy Habits Menu Plan Program! Learn more today by reaching out to a Hy-Vee registered dietitian or visit https://www.hy-vee.com/healthnew/dietitians. This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. by Cathy Bylinowski, MU Extension- Jackson County Horticulture Instructor, bylinowskic@missouri.edu Spring bulbs add 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 photosynthesize 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. Some landscape managers use them like an annual flower. 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 have small, brightly colored flowers that bloom in early spring. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Crocus can be planted in a sunny lawn. 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 in your yard this year? Don’t forget to store summer warm season bulbs before a freeze! 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. Grow Caladiums for their beautiful foliage. They thrive in shade and part shade. They like moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or in flower beds. Caladium leaves supply a wide variety of colors. Image by Jan Haerer from Pixabay
For more information on many kinds of ornamental plants, check out this chapter, for free when viewing online, from the Master Gardener Core Manual- https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/mg9 If you need more flowering bulb or general gardening information, contact Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Hotline, 816-833-TREE (8733) or email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society As I continue to learn more about Downtown Grain Valley, this week I will lots 9, 10, 11 and 12; the West Side. I am curious as to why the original lots on the east side of Main Street were numbered from South to North, the lots on the east side of Main are numbered from North to South, another question that will probably never be answered! At some point, a General Store was built on lot 9. Although I had thought this photograph was taken much earlier, I now know that Worthmore Shoes were not manufactured until 1930. If it is 1930 or later, the lot was owned by first Luther and the Robert Majors (Majors Road). Lot 9 The General Store The general store was followed by several grocery stores. In the 1930s it was operated by Bill Minter, Clyde Fristoe, and Cecil & Anna Louise Poage. The last owner was Wayne Minter who closed the store in the early 1954. The building was vacant for several years. During the 1980s and early 1990s it was Campbell’s Gun Shop. In 1998 the building was purchased and renovated by the Grain Valley Historical Society. One of the features in the building is the original tin ceiling. Around 1910, Edward and Alma Williams owned lots 10 and 11 and a brick structure was built. It is believed that the bricks for the building came from their brickyard on Sni Creek just east of downtown. The building housed a store that sold new automobiles and a repair shop for autos and buggies! By 1929, the portion of the build on lot 10 was still a garage run by Ed Huff. Later it became the post office (near the entrance, on the left) and a restaurant. Fred Roberts purchased the building in 1971, but it remained vacant for many years. Today, it is owned by the Bank of Grain Valley and houses the Pottery Palace. Lot 11 was purchased from Mr. Williams by Edward Storms. He opened a drug store there. It was later operated by his son, Ellis Storms. James Casey owned and operated the drug store from March 1953 to December 1958. Later owners of lot 11 included Thomas J. Cartner (1958), Margaret Hutchinson (1961), Sara Rogers (1964), Floyd Johnston (1966) and the Bank of Grain Valley in 1972. Lot 10 & 11 Williams Auto Finally, lot 12 is home to the oldest business in town. The Bank of Grain Valley was established in 1905, by J. H. Cannon and William A. Warren. The Warren Family owned the Bank on lot 12 until 1972. In 1972, the property on lot 11 and 12 were sold to The Bank of Grain Valley (Alan Lefko). Lot 12 The Bank of Grain Valley
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