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Mid-Continent Public Library’s 2024 Summer at MCPL program, Telling Tales, celebrates sharing and reading stories of all kinds. Kids and adults can also earn rewards and win prizes for daily reading and attending Library programs.
Summer at MCPL begins June 1st and will run until August 24. Summer at MCPL encourages families to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading or engaging with literacy. Readers will log each day that they read to receive a daily reading badge (print a reading log). When readers aged 0-19 complete 20, 40, and 60 days of reading, they will earn a prize book from their local branch. Readers who are registered in Beanstack will also be eligible to earn prizes from community partners. Adults aged 20+ can earn prizes, too. All adult readers who log 60 or more days will earn a Summer at MCPL: Telling Tales commemorative glass. Summer at MCPL | Mid-Continent Public Library (mymcpl.org)
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After nearly four years of planning and 18 months of construction, the wait is finally over as the City of Blue Springs and Blue Springs Parks & Recreation announce the opening of the new Blue Surf Bay Waterpark at 5:00am, Friday, May 24th to the public.
Prior to the grand opening, the city will host a dedication ceremony at 4:30pm, Thursday, May 23rd. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony as well as tour the facility from 5 to 7 p.m. that day. Nestled between 7 Highway and Adams Dairy Parkway on Mock Avenue, Blue Surf Bay offers family-friendly entertainment along with aquatic thrills. Boasting both an indoor and outdoor play area, the waterpark features an array of attractions and amenities for all ages. Features of Blue Surf Bay Waterpark include:
Blue Surf Bay Waterpark will include both swim lessons and aqua fitness classes. Hours for the waterpark are as follows: Indoor Aquatics Center Mon-Thurs: 5:15 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri: 5:15 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Outdoor Waterpark Hours Mon-Fri: Noon-7 p.m. Sat-Sun: Noon-6 p.m. Visit www.bluespringsgov.com/waterpark to view videos and learn more about the new waterpark and its amenities. The National WWI Museum and Memorial announced two Main Gallery exhibit areas that will open to the public on Tuesday, May 7. “Epilogue: A World Transformed” and “Into the Trenches” will reopen to feature new technology and stories showcasing the enduring impact of WWI. These renovations tell new and interesting narratives from WWI and create a richer and more immersive visitor experience.
Epilogue: A World Transformed “Epilogue: A World Transformed” is the final physical space visitors encounter in the Main Gallery. Projected using state-of-the-art technology on the back and side walls of the Epilogue room, a narrative environmental film surrounds guests with large-scale, floor to ceiling imagery, spoken word, sound design and music to provoke an understanding of the outcomes, continuing effects and challenges experienced in the 20th century and today, set off by the events of WWI. Into the Trenches Guests can now step inside the trenches and immerse themselves in five different trench settings. Additional cast figures and props, created using 3D scans of live models, have been added to enhance the experience. A new short, animated film details war plans like the Schlieffen Plan, which envisioned a quick-moving offensive leading to a rapid victory. A second video shows archival materials of destroyed trenches and the true terrors of trench warfare. Visitors celebrating Memorial Day at the Museum and Memorial will be some of the first to view these new spaces. From Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27, the Museum and Memorial will offer free General Admission for Veterans/Active-Duty Military (plus spouses and dependents with ID) and half-price general admission for the public. “We are thrilled about the reopening of “Into the Trenches” and the new immersive video in “Epilogue.” Visitors who have experienced these two exhibit areas in the past will be blown away by the upgrades to technology and the way that we tell the stories from WWI,” said Dr. Christopher Warren, Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The original designer of the Main Gallery, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, is also the designer for this newest round of Main Gallery updates. The exhibition designer and fabricator for "Into the Trenches" is Taylor Studios Inc. Donna Lawrence Productions is the creator and producer of the "Epilogue" film and RLMG is the creator and producer for the two films in "Into the Trenches." Electrosonic is responsible for the AV design and integration in both spaces. This phase of construction follows the updates that opened in Nov. 2023 to “America Mobilizes,” the interactives tables and more, plus the recent renovation to the Lower Level that opened in May 2023, featuring the Berman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center. The next projects scheduled to open (in fall 2024) are: Casualties (Hospital) A replica bombed-out church repurposed to treat the wounded will give visitors a peek into the workings of a field hospital and the realities and innovations of battlefield medicine in WWI. Battlescape (Crater) A new immersive film will be projected onto the inner surface of a recreated battle crater, allowing visitors to view deeply affecting scenes that depict the horrors of WWI artillery. The Renault FT17 Tank The Renault FT17 will be repositioned for a full walk-around view of the tank. At interactive stations guests will learn about it with a 3D model. Phased construction will continue into 2025. The Museum and Memorial will remain open and guest impact is anticipated to be minimal. The public is invited to join the Rotary Youth Camp in celebrating 100 years of service at a free open house from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. The Rotary Youth Camp is located at 22310 NE Colbern Road in Lee’s Summit. The open house will feature fun activities for the whole family including crafts, yard games, inflatables, an exotic animal petting zoo, entertainment, a food truck and a fire truck. Since the first camp was held in 1925, more than 300,000 campers have experienced life-changing moments at the Rotary Youth Camp. Supported by Downtown Kansas City Rotary Club 13 and Greater Kansas City Day, the camping experience is free of any cost to the campers’ sponsoring organizations. “We are so excited about the hundreds of thousands of young people's lives the camp has been able to positively impact,” says Rotary Youth Camp Board President Brent Worley. “Offering an outdoor experience for disabled and disadvantaged for the last 100 years, all at no charge to their community group, we live our slogan "Life. Changing." every day. We look forward to the next century of camping as part of the Greater Kansas City Community.” Located on 40-acres, the Rotary Youth Camp features a state of the art, wheel chair accessible pool, a paved nature trail, hiking trails, cabins, tent camping areas and a large dining/activity hall. To learn more about the Rotary Youth Camp, visit www.rotaryyouthcamp.org To learn more about the open house, visit the Rotary Youth Camp Facebook page at facebook.com/rotaryyouthcamp/events. The National Weather Service Kansas City storm damage teams have confirmed an EF-1 tornado hit portions of Blue Springs and Grain Valley approximately 11:30pm on Monday evening. Peak winds are estimated at 100/mph. No injuries were reported. Eagles Academy preschool on South Minter suffered roof damage and other exterior damage but was able to open as scheduled. Sni-A-Bar Plaza shopping center at the 1400 block of Eagles Parkway sustained roof damage and downed trees in the parking lot. Trailside RV near I-70 suffered damage to fencing and several RVs were either shifted from their original parked locations or knocked on their sides. To sign up for Central Jackson County Emergency Management Agency storm alerts via Everbridge, visit Central Jackson County EMA - Sign In (everbridge.net) Debris from the roof of Sni-A-Bar Plaza located in the 1400 block of Eagles Parkway was strewn on the ground behind the shopping center. Photo credit: Grain Valley News staff Image credit: National Weather Service Kansas City
A bright light in the Lanear family of Grain Valley was extinguished Wednesday, May 1st when 20-year old Christian Lanear died in a vehicle accident on Jefferson Road at Pamela Blvd. While the family is dealing with the devastation of losing Christian, they are also working to make the road where he died safer for drivers. Christian Lanear is being remembered by his family and friends as "larger than life” and a “bright light” who impacted everyone he met. “He was larger than life. (Christian) was bright and friendly and welcoming and anyone he was around he made feel happy, seen, and heard. And it did it so naturally, making people feel like they belong and It was ok to be themselves,” Christian’s mother Jessica Briggs said. Christian, a 2023 Grain Valley High School graduate, was a standout student and athlete. Briggs recalled the many activities he participated in at GVHS, including football, track and field, speech and debate, co-hosting the school’s Eagle Media broadcasts, and show choir. Christian was also selected prom king by his classmates. Briggs said Christian was attending Metropolitan Community College, studying mass communiciations, and was working for one of his best friends as a glazier at Elliott Glass. Christian was leaving work the afternoon of May 1st when the fatal accident occurred. Missouri Highway Patrol reported Lanear overcorrected after traveling off the roadway on Jefferson Road at Pamela Blvd. around 4:12pm Wednesday, May 1st. Lanear’s Chrysler was struck by an oncoming 2019 Ford on the passenger side. Lanear was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford was transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries. Briggs said Christian was a part of a Life 360 circle with several friends who received a notification from the app that he had experienced a hard break. Briggs began receiving messages and calls from friends asking about Christian and Briggs headed to the scene of the crash where she learned the unimaginable for any parent. Christian’s brother, William Lanear, quickly began to reach out to officials and the community to make the roadway safer for drivers. Jefferson Street is maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT). Lanear said he reached out to Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd, who explained that the city has communicated with MODOT about concerns regarding Jefferson Street, but that voices from the community would be helpful to initiate changes. William Lanear said he also contacted MODOT, who suggested he complete an online report to express concerns about the road. “It’s gotten really frustrating,” William Lanear said of the response he received from MODOT. “There have been multiple accidents on this roadway, and there needs to be a change.” “There have been multiple accidents in that area. The road is not wide enough. Christian was leaving work from over there, and the other individual was leaving work. There are many folks who travel that road every day. There needs to be improvements to make that area safer, and that’s really what we want to see changed,” Briggs said. William Lanear said he has been told by various elected officials that a meeting is planned for June to look into Jefferson and other roads in Grain Valley maintained by MODOT that are of concern. Grain Valley News reached out to Alderman Ryan Skinner, who said Todd is working with State Representative Jeff Coleman to plan an open house to get citizen feedback. Skinner plans to advocate for a committee to help investigate concerns and determine options to address issues. William Lanear began an online petition via Change.org after his conversation with Mayor Todd to call for MODOT to address safety concerns on Jefferson Street. The petition had resulted in more than 6500 signatures as of the weekend, William Lanear said. Ashlyn Frost, Christian’s girlfriend, said that the response to the petition is just another way of seeing how much of an impact Christian had on people. “I went to school in New York, and people who knew Christian from New York were also passing around the petition. It is one of the things that makes me feel better about all of this is seeing how he impacted so many people.” “There needs to be change and there needs to be improvement on that road. Christian was such a huge loss for our family and the community. We have received such an outpouring of love from coaches to teachers and his peers. Everyone who knew Christian knows what a loss it is to have lost such a bright light and someone who positively impacted so many people,” Briggs said. The family has scheduled a candlelight vigil at Grain Valley High School's Moody Murry Stadium on Sunday, May 5th at 8:00pm. A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, May 7th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Grain Valley Community Center, 713 Main Street, Grain Valley, and a visitation is planned for Wednesday, May 8th from 4:30pm - 7:00pm at Royer Funeral Home, 100 Royer Lane, Grain Valley. Petition to add guard rails/shoulders to Jefferson Street: Petition · Adding guard rails/Shoulders to Jefferson - Grain Valley, United States · Change.org Link to report a road concern to MODOT: Report a Road Concern | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org) GoFundMe campaign to support the Lanear family: Fundraiser by Brandon Lanear : Long Live Chris❤️ (gofundme.com) Photos courtesy Lanear family
Good People Café is a new 501c3 non-profit café in Grain Valley focusing on providing equal employment opportunities for individuals in the disability community.
The Café is hiring individuals looking to make a positive difference while having fun and working in a fast-paced environment all while learning new skills. “Our café believes that everyone should be given a fair opportunity when it comes to learning new skills and the ability to make money regardless of our differences,” Pastor Michael Cassidy, Founder of Good People Café said. “We are pleased to now offer this opportunity to people in Grain Valley who may have been overlooked while trying to find a job elsewhere, and we look forward to this community helping us support this initiative.” Even though the café is not open to the public, applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Café Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM or Saturday from 11-3 PM. The Café will foster an inclusive environment where all individuals always feel welcome. Located at 101 SW Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley, MO. The Café is expected to open for business by the end of March. The National WWI Museum and Memorial brings a full schedule of public programming to February’s event calendar including a program for special exhibition, Bespoke Bodies, scheduled to close in early April. The Gift of Perspective: An Evening with Lindsey Roy on Wednesday, Feb 7 will take place 6:30 p.m. online and onsite. Roy (Exhibition Honorary Chair for "Bespoke Bodies") will speak on adaptation and perseverance from her life experience with limb loss and lung transplants.
On Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., Dr. Nicholas J. Saunders will present Desert War, Desert Archaeology. Saunders will explore recent archaeological investigations that shed new light on the exploits of T. E. Lawrence, Emir Feisal and Bedouin warriors during the 1916-18 Arab Revolt. This program is free and online. Lincoln and Wilson both led the U.S. through wars with global impact, but their respective visions for democracy were vastly different – and both left promises unfulfilled. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Freedom Denied: The Unfinished Business of Democracy will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. RSVP is required. On Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m., guests are invited to learn more about Science in the Race to the South Pole. Amid early tremors of war in Europe, British captain Robert F. Scott set off for the South Pole. Historian Edward J. Larson shows how Scott’s expedition ushered in a new era of Antarctic, polar and climate science. This event is free with RSVP and will take place at Linda Hall Library. At the close of February, a new exhibition, The Little War, opens in Exhibit Hall. Created for children and their grown-ups to understand the Great War from a child’s perspective, The Little War uses imaginative play, original toys and games, photos and other artifacts from the time period that taught a clear lesson: loyalty and commitment will win the war. February National WWI Museum and Memorial events
To learn more, visit theworldwar.org. The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) has announced the 2024 honorees for the 2024 Heart of Grain Valley Awards. Six categories of awards will be presented at an awards dinner on Saturday, February 24th at the Grain Valley Community Center. Nominations were opened to the community on January 9th and concluded January 26th, with nearly 300 nominations received.
The following nominees represent the top three nominated in each category. The winner in each category will be named at the dinner which will highlight all nominees on Saturday, February 24th. Businessperson of the Year: Kayla Bass (Baking with a Bass) Jason Fenstermaker (Iron Kettle Brewing) Andrew Lenhardt (Collision Leaders of Grain Valley) Business of the Year: Culver’s of Grain Valley Iron Kettle Brewing Grain Valley Chiropractic Emerging Business of the Year: Baking with a Bass Valley Moments Valley Mattress Nonprofit/Community Group: Grain Valley Historical Society Bright Futures Faith United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year: Marcia Napier Michael and Tosha Todd Chris Early Unsung Hero: Marcia Napier Bill Althaus Theresa Osenbaugh The community is invited to attend the Heart of Grain Valley Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 24th from 6:00 – 8:30pm at the Grain Valley Community Center. Tickets may be purchased online at www.growgrainvalley.org. Community Blood Center (CBC) has joined blood centers across the country in an emergency plea for blood donors following a holiday season of low donor turnout and recent winter weather that resulted in widespread cancellation of appointments and blood drives. Additionally, a recent spike in seasonal illnesses across the region are preventing many from donating.
Last year, blood collections in the region were the lowest they’ve been in six years, down by nearly 18,000 donations since 2021 alone. Additionally, CBC has seen a nearly 40% drop in donations in the last three weeks, further crippling the inventory that was already in short supply. There is currently only a 1-day supply of types O-, O+, and B-, as well as a critical shortage of platelets. The Kansas City community is not alone; blood emergencies have been declared across the country, indicating that there is no national surplus of blood at this time. "In the midst of the nation-wide blood emergency, and in the wake of recent winter storms, we are calling on all who are eligible to make an immediate blood or platelet donation,” Chelsey Smith, Director of Public Relations at Community Blood Center said. “After a year of record-low donations across our region, the current blood supply is dangerously low, and donors are needed to ensure patients in our community get the lifesaving treatment they need." Blood donors can give every 56 days, and up to 6 times a year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, click here or call 800.688.0900. To make an appointment, call 877.468.6844, or visit savealifenow.org. |
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