The Grain Valley Mayor's Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival will begin at 6:00pm on Thursday, December 5th at Armstrong Park. 

Activities include:
- Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Christmas carols by GVR5’s Fifth-Grade Choirs
- Visit with Santa and a live reindeer
- Free holiday movie in the park
- Complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, and more.
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Nominations are also being accepted for a Grain Valley child to assist the mayor in flipping the switch to light up the tree on December 5th. To nominate a child for the task, email [email protected] with the following information:

• The child's full name
• Parents/guardian's contact information
• A short paragraph (3-5 sentences) telling who the child is and why they would love to help flip the switch in Armstrong Park. 

A nominee will be selected Monday, December 2nd.

For more information on the event, visit Holiday Festival | Grain Valley

The Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC), an affiliate of the Community Services League (CSL) headquartered in Independence, will transition operation of the Grain Valley site to CSL at the end of the year. Donna Compton, current site manager for the Grain Valley location, will end her tenure on December 31st.

Doug Cowan, President & CEO of Community Services League, said the long-standing partnership between the two organizations will ensure a smooth transition.

"The GVAC approached us a while back and said they have discussed their future as an organization and asked if CSL could carry on in Grain Valley. My response was that we would be thrilled to continue providing services in Grain Valley," Cowan said.

"Since the CSL-GVAC partnership started, CSL has covered most of the operational expenses and infrastructure in Grain Valley. We employ the Site Manager, maintain all the technology and communication infrastructure, keep the relationship with Harvesters for food distribution and compliance, and much more. That has complemented the work that GVAC does in engaging the Grain Valley community in supporting the work with gifts of time, talent, and treasure, along with helping the community understand the needs of local residents."

Cowan said CSL plans to continue operations at the Grain Valley office on Wednesdays. 

"Community trust is earned by being consistent and doing what we say we’re going to do. With that in mind, we intend to stay reliably open on Wednesdays. If that ever changes, it will be after we have spoken to the community and engaged them in the decision-making process," Cowan said.

CSL employs approximately 80 staff in six major program areas: Basic Needs, Workforce Development, Financial Coaching, Housing Services, Community Development, and Family Stability. Cowan said each of their location's site managers are skilled in delivering basic needs to families and connecting them to other helpful programs at CSL. For more information on CSL, visit www.cslcares.org. 

One of the most beloved traditions in Grain Valley returns this holiday weekend, as the Santa Bus begins its weekly rounds throughout the City. An annual tradition, the Santa Bus travels throughout Grain Valley neighborhoods to visit with children and take photos. There is no cost to participate, and children of all ages are welcome to visit Santa.

The 2024 schedule is provided below. Santa's helpers ask that you not message asking about timing of their arrival in your neighborhood, as timing greatly depends on the number of young people visiting with Santa. 

Parents of young babies who cannot come out in the cold or other children with special needs may come to the bus and ask Santa to come inside. 

(Yellow) Nov. 30th 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (First Saturday after Thanksgiving)
Grayleigh Park, Rosewood, Whispering Park, and Whitney Hills
(Green) Dec. 1st 10 AM until approx. 7 PM (First Sunday after Thanksgiving) 
Woodbury Sub-Division
(Orange) Dec. 7th 9 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Saturday after Thanksgiving) Everything between 40 Hwy and I-70
(Purple) Dec. 8th 10:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Sunday after Thanksgiving) 
Everything between 40Hwy and Eagles Pkwy including Cypress St & Broadway East of Buckner-Tarsney,  and Winding Creek Subdivision
(Blue) Dec 14th 9 AM until approx. 7 PM (Third Saturday after Thanksgiving)
Everything bordered by Buckner Tarsney on the east, Sni A Bar on the north, and Cross Creek Dr on the west.
(No Color) Dec. 15th 10:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Third Sunday after Thanksgiving )
Everything bordered by Buckner Tarsney on the east, by Sni A Bar on the south and west, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north.
Dec. 20th 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM Brass Armadillo 
(Red) Dec. 21st 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Saturday before Christmas)
Everything bordered by Cross Creek Dr on the east, Sni A Bar on the northeast, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north
(Dark Grey) Dec. 22nd 11AM until approx. 7 PM (Last Sunday before Christmas) 
Graystone Estates, Hoot Owl, Creekside and Eagles Ridge subdivisions, as well as any areas that were missed due to time constraints or weather.

The City of Blue Springs invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season at the inaugural North Pole Trail of Lights and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This festive celebration takes place at 5:30pm Tuesday, December 3, at Rotary Park, located at 600 NW Vesper Street.
 
The light display runs 5:30-10:00pm nightly through December 30. And Santa Claus will be at the Rotary Park Gazebo 6-8 p.m. each of the following nights to hear Christmas wishes: December 3, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21.
 
Once the switch is flipped, more than 250,000 lights will sparkle throughout the park with the highlight of the evening being the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, providing an animated display that synchronizes music and lights. The tree has more than 22,000 lights and stands more than 28 feet tall. Guests can explore the illuminated North Pole Trail of Lights, featuring larger-than-life walk-through ornaments, glowing archways, and vibrant, twinkling trees throughout the park.
 
“This event is a magical way to bring our community together and celebrate the spirit of the season,” Blue Springs Mayor Chris Lievsay said. “We’re thrilled to introduce the North Pole Trail of Lights as a new holiday tradition for Blue Springs. Whether you’re young or young at heart, we hope you’ll join us for a night of joy and wonder.”
 
The festivities will include holiday entertainment from Chapel Lakes, John Nowlin and Voy Spears Jr. elementary school choirs. During the evening, visitors can enjoy complementary hot dogs courtesy of Blue Springs Parks & Recreation, cookies and hot chocolate provided by Cosentino’s Price Chopper Blue Springs South, and visit with Santa. Additionally, Mayor Lievsay will recognize residents living along SE Alger Drive in the Lake Village neighborhood with a proclamation for transforming their street into “Santa Claus Lane,” with large inflatable Santas.

Jackson County Public Health (JCPH) is offering free holiday boxes filled with seasonal essentials on Wednesday, November 20th thanks to a partnership with Harvesters. Each box is packed with everything needed to make beloved Thanksgiving side dishes - all that needs to be added is a turkey!


Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, November 20th
• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m.)
• Location: Jackson County Public Health, 3651 NE Ralph Powell Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
• Availability: First-come, first-served. Limit one box per family. Please call (816) 447-0421 ahead of time to check availability.

Additional pantry staples and fresh produce will be available alongside the holiday boxes.

“We know the holidays can be a challenging time for many, and we’re excited to share a bit of comfort and joy with our community through these holiday boxes,” Lauren Allen, Supervising Case Manager at Jackson County Public Health said. “With everything from stuffing to sweet potatoes, we’re helping families create special Thanksgiving meals without added worry.”

Since launching its partnership with Harvesters in December 2023, JCPH has distributed thousands of pounds of food to families in need. For more information on this program, visit Food Distribution at JCPH - Jackson County Public Health. 

During the month of December, a traveling recording booth called the “Tell Me a Story Pod” will arrive at Mid-Continent Public Library’s Grain Valley Branch (400 SW Buckner Tarsney Rd., Grain Valley). The pod, which is traveling from the Library’s Midwest Genealogy Center will offer customers the opportunity to tell and record a short story about themselves and receive a free copy. Users can also elect to have their recording archived to MGC’s Tell Me a Story Oral History Collection.
 
The pod is one piece of MGC’s Tell Me a Story initiative, which launched in 2010 with the installation of recording equipment at the Center, as well as the creation of “kits” that customers can check out and take home. Both the in-branch equipment and kits are used by customers to record themselves and their loved ones as they recount cherished memories. The initiative aims to help metro residents collect, preserve, and share oral history with future generations.
 
“At its core, Tell Me a Story is about capturing your memories in your own words,” said MGC Assistant Manager Emily Wildhaber. “The Midwest Genealogy Center helps connect people with their past, but we also want to save stories for future generations to listen to and enjoy. It’s one thing to read about an event in a history book, and it’s another to hear your ancestor speak about experiencing that event themselves. We hope residents of all ages will come share their stories with us, whether it’s in the pod, using one of our kits, or in person at MGC.”
 
The Tell Me a Story Pod seats two adults, and anyone is welcome to come and use the service during Library hours at no charge. Upon entering the booth, there are instructions to navigate through the recording process as well as release forms to allow the Library to process, archive, and/or publish the story (users under 18 must have their parent or guardian sign). After the recording is complete, users can elect to receive a free copy of the story via mail or email. 
 
Find where the Tell Me a Story Pod will be each month on the Midwest Genealogy Center’s website. Tell Me a Story kits can be reserved via the Library’s online catalog and picked up at any of MCPL’s 34 branches. The oral history recording room at MGC can be reserved by calling the branch at 816-252-7228 to make an appointment. During the appointment, a trained staff member will sit in to operate the technology. 
 
Additional information about the Midwest Genealogy Center, its Tell Me a Story initiative, and other services, can be found at mymcpl.org/Genealogy.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial will offer free admission to the Museum and Memorial for veterans and active duty military personnel from Friday, Nov. 8 through Monday, Nov. 11. 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 three new exhibits in the Main Gallery – a field hospital, new and immersive crater and updates to the FT-17 Renault Tank. These Main Gallery exhibits open on Thursday, Nov. 7.

• A new, fully-themed display will give guests a peek into the workings of a field hospital and the realities and innovations of battlefield medicine during WWI. The field hospital, evocative of a bombed-out church that would have been repurposed for treating the wounded, will draw in guests to further investigate the scene. As the guest approaches the display, they are presented with stories from WWI, interactive displays and a visual representation of the chaos in a working field hospital. One scene, inspired by John Singer Sargent’s painting, “Gassed,” shows a line of soldiers blinded by a gas attack following an uninjured guide into the field hospital for treatment.
• A newly-produced immersive film will be projected onto the inner surface of a recreated battle crater, allowing visitors to access deeply affecting scenes that graphically depict the horrific reality of WWI artillery. Using narration, light and sound, guests’ senses will be heightened by what they see, hear and feel.
• The Renault FT17 Tank will be repositioned for a more complete view, including the ability to see real-life battle damage on its side. Guests will be able to inspect the tank up close, only separated by an exhibit rail featuring associated content, artifact cases and interactive media monitors. At two interactive stations, guests will learn more about the Renault FT17 through a 3D model of the tank. Onscreen buttons will let users rotate the model to examine it from all angles and even view inside the tank.

 
The final update to the Main Gallery, Encounters, will open in spring 2025 and features 16 immersive and interactive stories from first-hand WWI accounts.
 
VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES
 
WORLD WAR I RESEARCH STATIONS
When: Friday-Monday, Nov. 8-11 | 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.
 
VINTAGE MILITARY VEHICLE DISPLAY
When: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 9-10 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Southeast Lawn
What The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Availability subject to weather. FREE to the Public.
 
VIETNAM ERA BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER DISPLAY
When: Saturday-Monday, Nov. 9-11 | 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.
 
WARRIOR POSE: YOGA WITH VETERANS
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 | 8:45 a.m.
Where: Glass Bridge
What: Founded in 2010, the Veterans Yoga Project offers restorative self-regulating practices to help veterans, service members and military families recover from PTS(D). Bring a mat and a friend for a low-impact regimen that quiets the mind and develops flexibility for any level of fitness. Participants will each receive a free bottle of cold-pressed juice from Ruby Jean's Juicery. Regardless of military service status or yoga knowledge, all are welcome. Free with RSVP.
 
CHILDREN'S STORY TIME: “WHERE THE POPPIES NOW GROW”
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 | 10:30 a.m.
Where: Auditorium Lobby
What: A yearly tradition across the world is to wear poppy pins on Armistice Day – known in the U.S. as Veterans Day. Why is this flower so important? Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, join Museum and Memorial educators for a family-friendly craft and reading of “Where the Poppies Now Grow,” a WWI story for young audiences by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey. Hosted in conjunction with the exhibition The Little War. Free with RSVP.
 
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
When: Monday, 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 Rear Admiral Larry Watkins, Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
 
MAKE YOUR OWN POPPY PIN
When: Monday, 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 a friend! 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.
 
SUNSET SALUTE: VETERANS DAY CONCERT
When: Monday, Nov. 11 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Memorial Courtyard
What: Start off Kansas City Navy Week with an outdoor concert with Navy Band Great Lakes. Bring a chair (and a friend) to enjoy the fanfare of the Premier Navy Brass Band and Woodwind Quintet. Learn more about Navy Week here. FREE to the Public.

by Addie Rainbolt


The first meeting of the Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group was held on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 5:30pm in the Burgess Room in the Grain Valley Community Center to evaluate the need for a new City Hall, Community Center and outdoor Aquatics Center. 

Over the next few months, the Focus Group will consider and guide the programming and design processes for these facilities and present their recommendations to the Board of Aldermen by Jan. 28. The Board will then decide if this project should be placed on the ballot as a bond issue to be voted on by Grain Valley residents in April 2025.

A similar bond issue, which involved rebuilding of the City Hall, Community Center, Aquatics Center and Police Station at the former Sni-a-Bar farms site, failed in April 2020. After this bond issue failed, the city took a poll to learn residents’ concerns that kept them from passing the bond issue. 

Ken Murphy, city administrator, said the city has studied this poll, considered these concerns and is prepared to take the next step in proposing a new bond issue to rebuild the City Hall, Community Center and Aquatics Center at the former Sni-a-Bar farms site. The Focus Group will assist in taking this step.

The Focus Group consists of seven residents; from Ward 1: Mike Cassidy and Bruce Neer; Ward 2: LaTisha Robinson and Lisa Limberg; Ward 3: Catrina Brunk and Dan Strader; and an at-large resident: Ryan Schinstock. All members, except Brunk, were in attendance.

Murphy said, “the decision that the Board has made to this point is that [the city] will get a contract with Hoefer Welker” to plan the rebuilding of the City Hall, Community Center and Aquatics Center. 

After Hoefer Welker creates a plan for this rebuild, with the assistance of the Focus Group, it will be recommended to the Board, Murphy said. Then, the Board will decide whether or not to proceed with a bond issue.

Murphy said the Board is only looking at options that will not increase the current levy.

Steve Wolf, meeting facilitator, said the Focus Group was assembled to ensure the project “reflects the priorities and values” of the community of Grain Valley. The first step to fulfill this purpose was to discuss the Focus Group’s goals. 

Schinstock said the Focus Group must begin with an “honest evaluation of what we have and prioritizing from there.” 

Limberg said the Focus Group must prioritize “the best interest of the community and the city,” not just one or the other.

These separate interests must be balanced, Cassidy said.

Another goal of the Focus Group is to “represent different segments of the community,” Cassidy said, to ensure all interests are considered.

Three priorities, according to Robinson, are that the community will continue to be “happy, healthy [and] thriving” with the addition of new facilities.

Ken Henton, Hoefer Welker partner, is doing the architectural programming and design for this project, and said sustainability and longevity of these facilities should also be a priority.

Henton then explained the considerations Hoefer Welker will make during the design process including analyses of the former Sni-a-Bar farms site, needs for the space, the best execution to meet all needs, cost, sustainability, reactions of city officials who will work in the facilities, etcetera.

The Focus Group then toured the current Community Center, Aquatics Center and City Hall to understand the need for new facilities.

Shannon Davies, parks and recreation director, conducted the tour of the Community Center and Aquatics Center. 

During the tour of the Community Center, Davies pointed out the non-regulation size basketball court in the gymnasium that lacks sidelines, the small and unsecured lobby and front desk area, the single janitor closet and the small fitness center with minimum walking area in between equipment.

During the tour of the Aquatics Center, Davies brought the focus group’s attention to the pipes that have burst in the outdoor bathrooms because they do not have heating, the outdated technology and mechanical systems, lack of break room for lifeguards and first aid station for patrons.

Murphy then gave a tour of City Hall, explaining the need for new HVAC, plumbing and mechanical systems, as well as roofing and windows. 

Even if the bond issue passes, Murphy said, the project would not be completed for around 18 months. Considering this, the city staff is “making do with the space they have” and trying to renovate without spending much money, Murphy said. 

Ultimately, though, Murphy said the current City Hall no longer fits the city staff’s needs while the former Sni-a-Bar farms site offers space to expand with the city and the staff’s needs.

The Community Center, Aquatics Center and City Hall were built in 2000, Murphy said, when the population of Grain Valley was around 5,500. The population is projected to reach around 40,000 by 2050, Murphy said, and the city must begin preparing for this growth.

The focus group’s meetings will be Nov. 19, Dec. 17 and Jan. 7. A public open-house meeting, led by the focus group, will be held on Feb. 4. 

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