The Mid-America Regional Council' recognized four communities, including Grain Valley, as Communities for All Ages during a presentation on February 7th. Grain Valley earned the "Bronze Level" which focuses on awareness. To receive the Bronze Level designation, Grain Valley approved a resolution to demonstrate their cities’ commitment to participate in the program and implemented a variety of education and awareness activities with elected officials, city staff, commissions, civic groups and residents on how their city can increase age-friendliness.
     The Communities for All Ages recognition program was developed by the First Suburbs Coalition and KC Communities for All Ages — two groups convened by MARC to develop programs and tools to support first-tier suburbs, help communities respond to a rapid increase in the older adult population, and make communities more welcoming for all age groups. The program is available to all jurisdictions in the nine-county MARC region.
     

Grain Valley families celebrated a Super Bowl win on Sunday, February 2nd , including  these four generations of Chiefs fans. For more photos submitted by Grain Valley residents, see page 3 of this edition.
 

​     The STEAM Team, a first year FIRST Lego League team, recently participated in the City Shaper Robotics Challenge.  The STEAM Team consists of girls who belong to Cadette Girl Scout Troop 744 from Grain Valley, MO.  There are 3 parts to the Competition – an Innovation Project, CORE Values, and the Robot Challenge. 
     The girls worked together and achieved the City Shaper Project Award-Research for their Innovation Project. They also received very high marks on their CORE Values Presentation and exemplified exceptional teamwork.  During the robot challenge, they were given a series of missions and programmed the robot to score points and then completed their missions three times. 
     The team was a Qualifying Tournament Winner and is advancing to the FIRST Lego League Championship for the Greater KC Region. 
 
Photo credit: Michelle Hunt

​After months of practice, GVHS band students selected for the District Honor Band traveled to University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO to play at Hendricks Hall on Saturday, January 4th.
 
Pictured left to right:
(Front row) Emily Knowles, Ezra Whitaker, Zack Jenkins, Emily Stokes
(Middle row)Braden Fulk, Brooke Florida, Jack Martin, Jack Temples
(Back row) Michael Cluney, Shane Pence, Alex Clements, Tristan Spooner
 
Photo by Mr. Daniel Berard, Director of Bands GVHS
 

 The Prairie Branch Elementary Student Council attended their 8th annual Toys for Tots field trip on November 26th. This year, the group raised $2,300 from a variety of events, including hat days, trunk or treat, and Easter egg sales. Funds raised were used to buy 232 toys for the US Marines Toys for Tots program.
     Students shopped together at Wal-Mart in Blue Springs and then traveled to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, Missouri to deliver the toys to Marines at the Toys for Tots Distribution Facility. 
 

 The Prairie Branch Elementary Student Council attended their 8th annual Toys for Tots field trip on November 26th. This year, the group raised $2,300 from a variety of events, including hat days, trunk or treat, and Easter egg sales. Funds raised were used to buy 232 toys for the US Marines Toys for Tots program.
     Students shopped together at Wal-Mart in Blue Springs and then traveled to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, Missouri to deliver the toys to Marines at the Toys for Tots Distribution Facility. 
 

     The December Senior Citizens’ Luncheon will be held Wednesday, December 4th at the Grain Valley Community Center. Menu will include BBQ brisket, roast chicken breast, scalloped potatoes, green beans, hot roll, and assorted desserts.
     Allen Lefko of Bank of Grain Valley and Jan Reding are the hosts of this month’s luncheon. Reservations are requested by Friday, November 29th by calling 816-847-6293 or emailing info@cityofgrainvalley.org. A suggested donation of $3 is welcome.
     Bingo will follow the luncheon; bingo cards are $1 for the first card, $.50 for the second card.
 

Photo credit: Valley News staff

     An evening of spooky fun is promised for trick or treaters at the annual Trail or Treat event sponsored by the City of Grain Valley on Friday, October 25th at Butterfly Trail Park. 
     The free event will be held from 6:30pm—8:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and personal care items for the Grain Valley Assistance Council.
   According to Grain Valley Assistance Council Site Director Donna Compton, the organization is in need of the following items:
 
shampoo/conditioner
body wash
deodorant
shaving cream
paper products, including
paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex. 
jelly in plastic jars
canned meat
boxed dinners
canned fruit
 
     More than 30 local businesses and organizations will be stationed along the trail distributing treats. Attendees can also enjoy a haunted hayride, silly slides, the gruesome graveyard, and more.
     Parking is available in several areas at the trail site. In addition, overflow parking is available at OOIDA (see page 5 for event parking map).
 For more information on the Grain Valley Assistance Council, visit www.grainvalleyassistancecouncil.org.