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In commemoration of Veterans Day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to honor those who have served — and continue to serve — our country. To recognize these men and women, admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active duty military personnel from Friday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 12. General admission for the public is half-price.
Visitors celebrating Veterans Day at the Museum and Memorial will be some of the first to view four major upgrades to the Main Gallery. “Prologue: Grand Illusions,” “Interactive Touch Tables,” “America Mobilizes” and “Move 'Em Out and Bon Voyage” reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 7 and feature new technology and stories showcasing the enduring impact of WWI. This phase of construction follows the recent renovation to the Lower Level that opened in May, featuring the Berman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center, and precedes additional upgrades to the Main Gallery that will take place through 2025. VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES IN CONVERSATION: VETERANS BENEFITS When: Thursday, Nov. 9 | Reception 5:30 p.m., Panel 6:30 p.m. Where: Auditorium and Online What: Join us for a reception and a panel discussion examining the myths and dispelling the rumors of veterans benefits, moderated by Lt. Col. (ret.) Nikki Dean. Whether a veteran, a family member or a member of the public who recognizes the importance of military service, we welcome your presence and support. Register for this free program SABATON'S "THE WAR TO END ALL WARS - THE MOVIE" SCREENING When: Friday, Nov. 10 | Reception 5:30 p.m., Film begins at 6 p.m. Where: Auditorium and Online What: An animated musical motion picture featuring songs from Sabaton’s album “The War to End All Wars,” the film’s screening is part of the Swedish heavy metal band’s worldwide museum project “History Rocks.” Register for this free program VETERANS DAY CEREMONY When: Saturday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m. Where: Auditorium and Lobby What: Join us for a moving ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans. The formal public program will include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address, as well as special music. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the public. This year's keynote speaker is Lieutenant General Milford H. Beagle Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. VIETNAM: A COMBAT PHOTOGRAPHER'S VIEW OF THE WAR, 1967-1968 When: Saturday, Nov. 11 | 1 p.m. Where: Auditorium and Online What: Peek behind the lens of Vietnam veteran Chip Osborn, who led the U.S. Army Combat photographic team in telling stories from the rice paddies to the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone, as he recounts his role of capturing history through images. Register for this free program WORLD WAR I RESEARCH STATIONS When: Friday-Sunday, Nov. 10-12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby inside the Museum and Memorial What: Find your connection to World War I during Veterans Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases – including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives – discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the public. MAKE YOUR OWN POPPY CRAFT When: Saturday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Near the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge What: Create your own poppy craft to keep for yourself or give to the Museum and Memorial! If you miss the craft table before it closes, you can make your own poppy at home with this Cut-Out Poppy or the instructions for this 3D Poppy. FREE to the public. VIETNAM ERA BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER DISPLAY When: Friday-Sunday, Nov. 10-12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: U-shaped drive outside the Museum and Memorial What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the public. Truman Heartland Community Foundation to award more than $450,000 in local competitive grants11/9/2023
Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) will award 62 grants totaling $453,733 in grant funding at the 28th Annual Grant Luncheon. This year, THCF received more than $1.1 million in grant requests from local nonprofits seeking funding for projects and programs impacting Eastern Jackson and Cass County communities. However, THCF only has $413,199 available through endowed community grantmaking funds to award. Grant awards will be presented at a special luncheon on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Adams Pointe Conference Center located at 1400 NE Coronado Drive in Blue Springs, Missouri, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
In addition to the grants provided by endowed funds held at THCF, the Foundation’s current fundholders and other partners are given the opportunity to “Fill the Gap” and provide additional funding for grants that were approved by the Foundation’s Grants Committee but were not able to be fully funded at the level requested. This year, more than $40,000 was added to the competitive grant pool, increasing the total amount of funding provided to $453,733. "I am always heartened by the generosity of our fundholders," explains Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grants and Donor Services. "Each year, I have a number of them chomping at the bit for our Fill the Gap list to be published so they can see which organizations they can give to and help them reach their goal. The looks of surprise on the nonprofit staff member's faces at the Luncheon when they realize they are getting a bigger grant check than they thought, it is just so moving." For more information about THCF’s grant program or how to apply, please visit www.thcf.org/grant-seekers. Winter is nearly here, which means you and your family will probably be spending more time inside huddled around your gaming systems and smart devices. Cyber crooks understand people young and old are playing games on their devices and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to trick you and your family into falling for a variety of scams.
It doesn't matter if you're playing 'Words with Friends, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Wordle or Roblox, you need to follow these best practices to protect your information. Check out my recommendations for keeping sensitive information secure and protecting yourself while playing online games. You probably didn't know this but online gamers are common targets for cybercriminals. You always need to have your guard up, because anyone you or your children encounter in an online video game could be a cyber crook who may try to steal your sensitive information. Here are some of the threats to your data security and safety that you may encounter while playing games online. Stolen accounts. Video game accounts are targets for cybercriminals because they are often linked to credit cards and contain important personal information. They are also valuable for the achievements and rare in-game items you earn while playing. These achievements make your gaming accounts valuable and can be sold to others. Doxxing. This occurs when crooks and other malicious players publish your home or office address publicly and usually with malicious intent. People will then use that to harass and target you, Swatting. Sometimes cybercriminals use your leaked personal information to send the police a false tip about a crime, which prompts them to send emergency services – such as a SWAT team – to your house. Harassment and cyberbullying. You aren't always at risk from cybercriminals. There are malicious people in gaming communities who commit acts of stalking and sustained harassment, which means incidents of harassment that originate from online gaming and can move into real-life environments. How You Can Stay Safe While Online Gaming Luckily, the risks of online gaming can be minimized with simple, but effective tips 1. Is your personal information floating on the dark web? There have been many online gaming sites that have suffered data leaks. In 2022, the companies that make Roblox, Elden Ring, and Dark Souls suffered data breaches. Do a quick check to see if your gaming credentials have been leaked on www.haveibeenpwned.com If your information has been leaked, immediately change the passwords for the gaming accounts that have been leaked as well as ones that were using the same password as those that were leaked. 2. Start using passphrases on your gaming accounts. If you stick to the old practice of using passwords, your accounts will continue to get hacked. A passphrase is a password created with two unrelated words that are combined to create secure protection for your gaming accounts. Using a unique, random passphrase with at least 8 characters for each of your gaming accounts can protect you from many online gaming threats. Need help creating one, visit www.useapassphrase.com 3. Use a Password manager. You might be reluctant to use a password manager for your gaming accounts because of the 2022 LastPass breach. Remembering all of your unique passwords is a nearly impossible challenge, so we recommend using a password manager to remember them for you. Whatever web browser you use, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Brave or Edge is great for saving all of those hard-to-remember passwords. 4. Enable 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) 2FA requires an additional method of authentication – usually a code sent to your email address or smartphone which helps prevent an attacker from getting into your account with just your credentials. Most online gaming platforms offer sophisticated 2FA options, as cyberattacks in online gaming are common. 5. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while playing online games. A VPN is worth it for online gamers because threat actors who encounter you on a live gaming platform may be able to see your IP address, which can give away your location. Because a VPN hides your traffic, it also hides your location. Knowing your location is the first step in attacks like doxing and swatting. 6. Keep your gaming software updated. Don't ignore those updates, they are released because there's a credible vulnerability in the game you're playing. Software updates contain security patches that fix known vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often target users shortly after the security patch is released in hopes of exploiting a vulnerability before users have a chance to update and fix it. 7. Pick an anonymous username. Never use your real name when playing games online. When you share your personal information like birthdays, names (including middle names), and age, a cyber crook actor can use any tiny piece of information to target you online. 8. Use a credit card to make purchases. Credit cards have more protection against fraudulent charges, so it’s recommended to use them instead of debit cards to make purchases online – including in video game stores like Steam. I hope you can use these tips to keep safe when gaming online. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to help. Looking for More Useful Tips Tips? My Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Technology product reviews are posted every Thursday. You can view previous episodes on my YouTube channel. The Kansas City Chiefs head to Germany this weekend to face the Miami Dolphins in an early morning game on Sunday. A fundraiser planned for the Good People Cafe, opening next year in Grain Valley, will allow you to enjoy a full catered breakfast while watching the game and support the cafe at the same time.
Sinclair's Restaurant will cater the event, hosted at Valley Moments, 517 Gregg ST. Breakfast begins at 8:00am; kickoff is at 8:35am. A suggested donation of $10 per person is requested ($5 for those 5 and under). Funds raised from the event will help the cafe with new construction and build-out expenses. (Event flyer provided below for additional information). 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. 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. Blue Compass RV, formerly Lifestyle RVs of Grain Valley, celebrated its brand rollout with a ribbon cutting on September 19th. Lifestyle RVs was the 31st dealership purchased by RVR (RV Retailers) in October 2020. The Grain Valley company celebrated its rebranding with a ribbon cutting celebration and a flyover on the 19th.
Blue Compass was named to the Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America. Blue Compass RV is located at 1100 NW Pamela Drive, Grain Valley. For more information, visit www.bluecompassrv.com. In today's ever-changing job market, it's more important than ever to have the skills and qualifications necessary to succeed in a high-paying career. Unfortunately, many hardworking adults in suburban Eastern Jackson County are struggling to make ends meet while also trying to gain the education they need to qualify for better jobs. That's where Job Skills for New Careers comes in.
This collaborative community initiative, launched in early 2020, is focused on helping adults gain the skills they need to succeed in in-demand careers like Certified Nursing Assistants, Computer Support Specialists, EKG technicians, CDL drivers, Phlebotomy technicians, and many, many more. By utilizing adult education funding available through numerous local programs, individuals can gain critical career skills that can make a remarkable impact on their lives in the long term without going into debt. What sets Job Skills for New Careers apart from other education programs is the comprehensive wrap-around services provided by Community Services League. These critical services provide individuals with support for everything from utilities and rent assistance, purchasing scrubs and stethoscopes for the first day of work, to offering personal finance coaching and resume writing. These critical programs and services allow people to navigate beyond life's barriers to achieve their career goals. The success rate of Job Skills for New Careers is truly impressive. In 2020, 53 individuals completed training programs. This year, more than 200 individuals are expected to complete their certificate programs and will be well on their way to a better career and life for themselves and their families. They will go far in new careers that pay living wages and are proven to be in high demand in the region. One of the key factors contributing to the success of Job Skills for New Careers is its collaborative approach. With organizations like Community Services League, Mid-Continent Public Library, KC Scholars, the University of Central Missouri, the Independence Council for Economic Development, and the Mid-America Regional Council, Job Skills for New Careers offers a pathway to success at every level, from high school GED to landing that dream job. By working together, our partners can offer a wide variety of readily available solutions to some of the most common barriers to adult learning. KC Scholars received a $50 million grant from The Kauffman Foundation to provide adult-learning tuition assistance, and they have lofty goals for participation and completion rates. KC Scholars provides tuition assistance for approved training programs that lead to careers with salaries between $45,000 and $85,000. More than 60% of our participants will have their tuition paid by KC Scholars through the Great Jobs KC program. The Truman Heartland Community Foundation fundholders also play a critical role in the success of Job Skills for New Careers. They provide financial support for the wrap-around services that make this initiative so effective, donating nearly $600,000 since 2020. Unlike other partner funds that are restricted to tuition reimbursement, the flexibility of our fundholder dollars is unique. Their gifts immediately go out to help our hard-working neighbors stay on the road to financial stability with a better career. If you're interested in taking part in this program as an adult learner, start your journey with our friends at Community Services League (www.cslcares.org/newskills) or KC Scholars (www.kcscholars.org/great-jobs-kc-scholarship). They will walk you through the process and help you find the right career path for you. And if you would like to learn how you can use your donor advised fund or some other charitable vehicle to support Job Skills for New Careers or other Foundation initiatives, contact THCF (www.thcf.org or 816.836.8189). With the support of our community, we can help hardworking adults gain the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in today's job market. Missouri non-farm payroll employment decreased by 13,700 jobs in August 2023, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Private industry employment decreased by 16,100 jobs, and government employment increased by 2,400 jobs. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in August 2023, up from 2.7 percent in July 2023. Over the year, there was an increase of 51,700 jobs from August 2022 to August 2023, and the unemployment rate increased by four-tenths of a percentage point, from 2.4 percent in August 2022 to 2.8 percent in August 2023.
UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in August 2023, increasing to 2.8 percent from the revised July 2023 rate of 2.7 percent. The August 2023 rate was four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the August 2022 rate of 2.4 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 87,958 in August 2023, up by 3,777 from July's 84,181. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in August 2023 at 3.4 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 2.8 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for August 2023 was 3.9 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.7 percent in August 2023, nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.8 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61.9 percent in August 2023, 1.5 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60.4 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in August 2023, one point lower than the national rate of 3.8 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than eight years. EMPLOYMENT Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,988,700 in August 2023, down by 13,700 from the revised July 2023 figure. The July 2023 total was revised upward by 1,200 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries decreased by 7,100 jobs over the month, with decreases of 6,500 jobs in manufacturing and 600 jobs in mining, logging, and construction. Private service-providing industries declined by 9,000 jobs between July 2023 and August 2023. Employment in private service-providing industries decreased in trade, transportation, and utilities (-7,800 jobs); professional and business services (-900 jobs); financial activities (-900 jobs); and private education and health services (-500 jobs). Employment increased in leisure and hospitality (800 jobs) and information (300 jobs). Total government employment increased by 2,400 jobs over the month, with increases in local (2,100 jobs), federal (200 jobs), and state government (100 jobs). Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 51,700 jobs from August 2022 to August 2023. The largest gain was in leisure and hospitality (15,600 jobs); private education and health services (12,300 jobs); professional and business services (9,300 jobs); other services (5,800 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (2,100 jobs); financial activities (1,700 jobs); and manufacturing (600 jobs). Employment decreased in mining, logging, and construction (-2,500 jobs) and information (-1,100 jobs). Government employment increased by 7,900 jobs over the year, with increases in local (5,700 jobs), federal (1,200 jobs); and state government (1,000 jobs). When it comes to estate planning, many people focus solely on legal documents, such as wills and trusts. However, there is another key component that is often overlooked: the family letter.
A family letter is a personal document that allows you to communicate your wishes, thoughts, and feelings to your loved ones. It can be a valuable tool for your family members during a difficult time, as it provides important information and guidance on a variety of topics that are important to both you and your loved ones. One of the main benefits of a family letter is that it allows you to express your gratitude and appreciation to your family members. This can be especially meaningful for those who may not have heard those words from you before. Additionally, a family letter can provide comfort and reassurance to your loved ones during the grieving process. It is your opportunity to say “I love you” one last time. In terms of practical information, a family letter can cover a wide range of topics. For example, it can include details about your estate planning choices, such as who your attorney and financial advisors are and where your important documents are located. It can also let them know where they can find information on all of your assets and financial information, as well as any online accounts and passwords. Another important aspect of a family letter is the inclusion of family history. This can provide valuable context for your loved ones and help them understand their own place within the family. Additionally, a family letter can include information about your wishes for the care of children, grandchildren, or pets, as well as any memberships or other obligations you may have. Your family letter can also include your final words of wisdom or a blessing for your family members. This is a powerful way to leave a lasting impression on those you care about most. A family letter is an important part of every estate plan, regardless of the size of the estate. It allows you to fully communicate your wishes and feelings to your loved ones, while also providing practical information and guidance. If you still need to create a family letter, now is the time. Your family will thank you for it. |
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