A Twist on New Year's Resolutions

By Jenny Johnston

Many New Year’s resolutions seem to revolve around stopping a bad habit or some kind of negative action.  The common resolutions – quit smoking, quit drinking, lose weight, get out of debt – are also the most broken resolutions. Instead of focusing on removing the negative in your life, start the New Year by adding the positive to your life. Here are some optimistic resolutions for you to try that will hopefully improve your overall happiness and quality of life.

1.  Start a blog. It’s free, simple and takes little time to create and update. The best part is, you can blog about whatever you want – cooking, entertainment, sports, your personal life – and it doesn’t have to be public for the whole world to read. Blogging is a great way to relieve stress by writing out your feelings and frustrations without harming others. There are no rules to blogging so you can update as often as you wish and write as little or as much as you desire. Plus your previous posts can be really fun to read down the road.

2. Volunteer. Giving back to the community can be rewarding in so many ways. However, even the most compassionate among us can fall back on our commitments. The main reason why people don’t volunteer is lack of time. People don’t realize there are many opportunities to help others that won’t add extra stress to their already hectic schedule. Does your child play sports? Volunteer to keep score, help coach, referee the game or take pictures.

3. Get a new hobby. Don’t confuse this with another commonly broken resolution – learn something new. Learning something new sounds ambitious but most people don’t follow through with it. They’ll try to learn a new language, play a new instrument, master the art of cooking, and it will quickly fade once they think it’s too hard or too time consuming. Instead, get involved in new activities that you don’t have to rediscover. Do you love football? Join a fantasy football team. Do you love to read? Start a new book series or join a book club. Love to socialize? Attend your neighborhood or church social events – wine tastings, restaurant reviews, boutique crawls, etc.

4. Spend more time with family and friends. No one can argue with this one. It’s true, everyone is busy these days, but there is no excuse for not spending time with the people you care about and having a good time. Plus, the list of things to do is endless – see a movie, have a game night, go shopping, explore the attractions, enjoy happy hour with your best friends. It just takes a car crash, cancer diagnosis or sudden heart attack to take away our loved ones. Life is short, so don’t put off your family and friends ‘til later.

5. Get a Facebook and Twitter account. Yes, you read that right. Being connected with social media has an infinite number of benefits. In addition to following your friends and family, social media has infiltrated the business world so you can now follow your favorite businesses, organizations, causes, groups, etc. Many companies and non-profit organizations have social media pages that it’s considered detrimental if a business doesn’t have one. Businesses use social media to offer up-to-date news, daily promotions, exclusive giveaways and information on upcoming events, products and services. Many public figures like talk show hosts, commentators, political figures, celebrities and athletes also have social media accounts. Social media allows you to stay up to speed on just about everything including U.S. news, world politics and the status of Kim Kardashian’s marriage.  

6. Exercise. Don’t mistake this resolution for buying a gym membership that you’ll use three times a year, or feeling the need to pump iron and get a body like Jillian Michaels. Exercising doesn’t have to be a dreadful activity. There is no need to torture yourself to stay healthy. The best exercise for your body and overall health is walking. It’s safe, simple and doesn’t require practice. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can help you lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk or management of type 2 diabetes, manage your weight, reduce your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), raise high-density lipoprotein (the good cholesterol), improve your mood and stay strong a fit. Research also shows that regular, brisk walking can reduce the risk of heart attack by the same amount as more vigorous exercise, such as jogging.

7. Eat healthier. After consuming eggnog, cheese balls, mashed potatoes, chocolates and other fattening foods during the holidays, it’s natural to want to stop eating all the bad stuff. We make resolutions to go on a diet, only eat healthy foods, quit drinking pop and alcohol and switch to an organic, fresh food regimen. It all sounds so good and possible on January 1. However, it’s pretty much a guarantee that by St. Patrick’s Day, we’re indulging ourselves in hot wings, nachos and pancakes. The problem is that people force themselves to be miserable by going on impossible diets cutting out all foods they love. There is nothing wrong with eating those unhealthy foods as long as it’s in moderation. You should at least attempt to eat healthy for the sake of your overall health and well being, but reward yourself every now and then. Hence, this resolution is to eat healthier. 

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

By Jenny Johnston

Halloween is such a fun night of the year, but careless behaviors can ruin the excitement for kids and adults. By following these precautions, Halloween is sure to be a safe and enjoyable evening for the whole family.

For trick or treaters:

- Wear appropriate shoes. While certain shoes may look adorable with costumes, they aren’t always practical for walking. Avoid shoes with a high heel or slippery bottom.

- Choose a comfortable costume. Plan costumes according to weather and avoid ones that drag on the ground that can trip feet or get caught on bushes.

- Children should carry or wear something lit like a flashlight, glow bracelet or light-up shoes.

- Only trick or treat at houses that are lit. Some residents don’t want to be bothered so it’s polite to respect their wish and move on to the next house.

- An adult should always accompany children while trick or treating. If young teens want to trick or treat without an adult, have them travel in a large group, give them a cell phone in case of an emergency, set firm rules and require a deadline for returning home.

- Don’t go inside a stranger’s house, even if they ask you to come in while they go and get candy.

- Watch out for cars. Don’t assume that drivers will see kids and stop.

- Inspect all the candy before letting children eat it. Check for goodies that are expired, unwrapped or homemade.

For residents handing out candy:

- Never let strangers inside your home. This is the most common cause of crime on Halloween. You can never be too sure!

- Clear away any objects on your driveway or sidewalk. Objects such as tools, hoses or extension cords can create safety issues if they’re left in the way.

- Secure your pets. Some pets don’t respond well to doorbells ringing and strangers arriving at their house. They can become aggressive and territorial which can frighten trick or treaters.

- Choose safe decorations. Opt for a battery powered candle in your jack-o-lantern instead of a real one. It’s perfectly okay to go for a spooky theme as long as trick or treaters aren’t in harm’s way.

Kansas City launches targeted recycling program

By Jenny Johnston

The City of Kansas City provides free curbside recycling each week. In order to increase the rate of recycling, the City recently began an outreach program to certain neighborhoods. All neighborhoods in Briarcliff on the east side of 169 Hwy are in the targeted region.

Northland Neighborhoods Inc. held an information workshop for all neighborhoods to teach what materials can and cannot be recycled, and additional information about the recycling program. Sustainability Manager Tonya Davis gave helpful insight into certain rules and regulations about curbside recycling that people may not already know.

-          Even though your neighbors have blue recycling bins, you don’t need to use the standard blue recycling bin for your recyclable materials. You can simply use a tote bag or cardboard box and the materials will still get picked up.

-          You don’t have to sort your recyclables in each bin. Feel free to mix and mingle paper, cardboard, plastic, newspaper and any other recyclables together.

-          If you are elderly and are unable to get your bins to the curb, you can call 3-1-1 to request a disability stop. Town and Country will pick up your bins at your front door or garage door.

-          The trucks are commingled so the trash and recycling are dumped in the same truck, but are separated inside.

In addition, the City is offering an incentive to neighborhoods with high recycling participation rates. If 70 percent of residents in a neighborhood put out recycling bins, the City will give that neighborhood a free roll-off dumpster. They will drop it off at the neighborhood leader’s discretion at any convenient place within their neighborhood limits. The dumpster can be used separately for yard waste, bulky items or anything else the neighborhood chooses.

Because Briarcliff is one of the targeted areas, the City will be doing a sweep of the area starting October 1^st to record the recycling rates in our community. They will do this in a three week rotation and document each house that is taking advantage of curbside recycling. If you are not recycling, the City will actually come by your house and have a one-on-one meeting with you to figure out why you aren’t participating and to encourage you to recycle. The City has done this in previous neighborhoods and found this method to be successful.

“Whenever we meet with residents who don’t recycle, we are finding out that they aren’t doing it because they either don’t have a bin, they didn’t know when their pick up day was, or they didn’t realize it was a big deal,” said Tonya. “There is so much room for improvement and all we need to do is just give them a little nudge. Every home that recycles diverts 300 tons of waste from landfills. It’s important for residents to understand this and realize that recycling can go a long way.”  

For trash or recycling questions, information about the targeted recycling program, or to find out your neighborhood’s recycling participation rate, please call Tonya Davis at (816) 812-3892 or email her at tonya.davis@kcmo.org.

Musical sensation graces Briarcliff

Musical Sensation Graces Briarcliff

By Jenny Johnston

     Step aside Dolly Parton! The next big musical star has landed in Kansas City. Singer and musician Tiffany Miller has graced the stage with her remarkable talent. She has performed at numerous venues around town including the Gladstone Amphitheater, Corbin Theater, Liberty Jazz on the Square, Knuckleheads Saloon and other locations. Fortunately, Briarcliff is lucky enough to have this blonde hair beauty as the featured entertainer at the Piropo’s Piano Bar in Briarcliff Village.

     Tiffany’s musical talents stretch far beyond singing. She can play the guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and of course, the piano. Her interest in music sparked at a very young age.

     “My older brother played guitar and I just had to do everything he did,” says Tiffany. “So when I was seven and he was twelve, I got a little guitar. Together we sang in churches and various jamborees. Then I got the (music) bug. We were in a country band when I was 11 years old and were actually hired on for singing jobs.”

     Growing up, her mother was deaf and was always unable to hear her daughter’s angelic voice. Remarkably, her mom received a cochlear implant in her ear less than three years ago, which made her able to retain some hearing. The first song she requested

Tiffany to sing was “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.”

     Tiffany was born in Arkansas but immediately left the state right out of high school and moved to Camdenton, Mo – a small town near the Lake of the Ozarks. There she spent her time singing and playing at local piano bars and lodges. She performed mostly at Arrowhead Lodge and around the Osage Beach area. She also played at the Brass Door, Casablanca and Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry.

     Like most musicians and performers, Tiffany took a leap of faith and headed to Las Vegas in her mid 20’s. She got several gigs at the Frontier Hotel and lounge’s in various hotels. Tiffany performed in the opening show for Don Rickles and also played in the piano bar next to the showroom for Sigfried and Roy while learning everything she needed to know about the art of entertainment.

     “I would play all night and not take a break,” says Tiffany. “I had to create a party atmosphere since everyone was sitting right there next to me. It was my job to entertain them. I also learned a lot about proper etiquette rules. I would always make sure to remember people’s favorite songs and their name so they feel special when they walk in.”

     As one can only imagine, there is an abundance of popular songs that frequently get requested as well as a long list of others that people want to hear. It’s no easy task to memorize a whole library of songs.

     “Oh yes, there are times when people request a song I’m not familiar with, or I just haven’t played it in a while so I’ve forgotten it,” says Tiffany. “I feel like I’m challenged with new requests and I always enjoy a challenge. If someone requests a song that I don’t know, I’ll go home and start plugging away at it!”

     “That’s one of the advantages with more than one entertainer at a piano bar. The chances of one of us knowing a song are pretty good, so we can tag team.”

     After her stint in Vegas, she moved back to Camdenton for a short time before heading to St. Louis for 3 ½ years to take care of her younger sister who is developmentally disabled, and attained guardianship of her after her high school graduation. While she was there she played at an Italian bar/restaurant called Yacavelli’s until she was six months pregnant. Afterwards, she moved back to Camdenton and got out of music for a while and ran a propeller shop with her husband where they repaired and sold propellers, boats and cars.

     “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” says Tiffany. “I was grinding, greasing, sandblasting…it was tough, but we did what we had to do to get by.”

     Sadly her first husband passed away, so she got back into music. She performed in a trio at Backwater Jack’s and other various lake bars. Her last regular gig was at the prestigious Bullpen Club on HH on the way to the Lodge of the Four Seasons. She switched to gospel music for a while and recorded with her trio, Color of Mercy. Together they performed more than 500 times in five years. They would easily book three or four concerts every weekend.

     Tiffany then married her second husband and became a real estate broker where they built homes and developed neighborhoods. Together they got into aviation, bought airplanes and owned a charter company. They ran the Camdenton airport before coming to Kansas City. She is still a student pilot and is far enough along in her hours to fly solo.

     “We used to visit Kansas City in our free time and search for a show or a different venue to attend,” says Tiffany. “We always stayed in the President Hotel downtown, but chose a different area of the City to explore each time. We fell in love with Kansas City and came here every chance we got to explore.”

     They decided to move to Kansas City two years ago and while searching for different neighborhoods around the area, they were immediately attracted to Briarcliff. Her daughter Laura, a senior at Park Hill High School, was particularly enamored with the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Briarcliff Hills.

     “We absolutely fell in love with Claymont and the old Briarcliff area,” says Tiffany. “We looked and looked, but nothing else compared. That’s also part of the reason why we chose the downtown airport for our business. We also looked at others, but they were no competition.”

     She came to Piropos when her dear friend Mina Elliot introduced her to owners Gary and Cristina Worden. They asked her to play for Valentine’s weekend when the piano was still upstairs. The piano bar opened in April and Tiffany became the Music Coordinator and Booking Agent.

     “I really wanted a steady gig, but those are very hard to come by,” says Tiffany. “With this opportunity, I hit it perfect because I’m able to give it 150 percent. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”

     Currently, the piano bar is in the process of expanding its hours and entertainers. It’s open Thursday from 7 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

     “I would really like to thank all the wonderful neighbors for coming in,” says Tiffany. “One of my favorite things about working there is getting to know the regulars. I love talking with them and knowing what songs they like, or hearing about the trip they just took, just the whole social aspect of it.”

     “I play what people ask for, which is mostly jazz standards and popular music. I like to throw in a little comedy too,” she says as she giggles. “My very favorite genres of music are blues and jazz, but I also have a soft spot for old country too. I can pull out

Patsy Cline if anyone wants me to!”

     What makes her such a wonderful entertainer isn’t just her bubbly personality, her warm smile or her wealth of talent. It’s her strong, undeniable passion for music.

     “A woman came into the piano bar not too long ago and watched me sing and play for a while, and when I was taking a break she approached me and said, ‘I’m having a problem finding an outlet for my creativity. But it’s lovely that you entertain three nights a week as an outlet for your creativity.’ I was thinking about what she said because it really stood out to me, and I realize that I’m very fortunate to have that gift. I’m very thankful that I’ve been blessed with music.”

Special Education teacher touches lives of special children

By Jenny Johnston

A sea of shapes and colors surrounds the room. Dimly lit candles replace the harsh fluorescent light to give the room an intimate aroma. On one side is a long shelf filled with hundreds of exciting toys, waiting patiently to be played with. Pinto beans, building blocks, sidewalk chalk and paints. Picture books, coloring books, bubbles and games. It’s a Playskool and Fisher Price heaven.

            Piano music is softly playing in the background. Wooden crosses and pictures and paintings of Jesus decorate the walls.

            A young girl slowly walks in the room. Her name is Paige. She has a toothy grin and gives an adult a big squeeze hug. She makes her way towards to the shelves and gets out a container with a million crayons inside and a coloring book. When she opens the bin, the smell of wax penetrates the air as she digs among the thousands of colors to find her favorite one. The kids start to arrive.

             Finally the last man comes in. The teacher. He has been setting up a fun game of bubbles outside for the kids. He looks around at his students and is pleased he had a big turnout.

            This man is Jim Cleary. The students all have special needs. Cleary is the instructor of the SPRED classes, Special Religious Education for the Developmentally Disabled, at St. Charles Borromeo Parish.

A SPRED class

            The SPRED class is designed to provide a personal, religious experience to people with developmental disabilities. At St. Charles, the SPRED class serves kids ages six and up and is the only diocese in the whole metropolitan area to serve a large group of mixed ages.

Cleary spends a significant amount of preparation for his SPRED class. He and the aids meet the night before class to set up and go over lesson plans. He is also the photographer for St. Charles and photographs SPRED and other church functions. The SPRED class meets every other Thursday night during the school year.

All of the kids have arrived. Some older, some really young. Some of them can’t talk. Some of them can’t walk. Some are shy and some are aggressive. Between their differences, they all acknowledge each other in a friendly manner.

            Cleary welcomes his students and surprises the kids with the containers of bubbles outside. The kids are ecstatic as they rush out.

            Eight kids have attended class this evening. Paige, 20, Kristin, 17, Henry M., 15, Vincent, 18, Henry, 13, Nick, 27, Caleb, 10 and Ann, middle-aged adult. Four additional teacher aids also help Cleary with the kids.

            The kids are enjoying the bubbles as if Christmas came nine months early.

            “I POP IT!”

            “Oh dats a nice one Jhem!”

            “AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”

            “Look at mine look at mine! It’s, it’s it’s *gasp* SOO BIG!”

            “I got money in my wallet from my birthday. You wanna blow bubbles with me?”

            “Hey hey who’s blowing bubbles?” says Cleary.

            When Cleary is around the kids in his SPRED class, his inner child is revealed.

            “I can be five up there,” says Cleary. “I’ll sometimes come home covered in play-dough or they will stick pieces of paper in my glasses. I can be a kid again.”

Cleary and the kids continue to blow bubbles on each other, chase them and see who can make the biggest one. Cleary multi-tasks as he blows bubbles and takes pictures of the kids in action. The kids are vigorously waving and smiling. They are so happy they can barely speak, only laugh and giggle.

The kids of SPRED

The kids in Cleary’s SPRED class all have a special place in his heart despite their physical and mental disabilities.

            “My kids have all sorts of things,” says Cleary. “Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Autism, Cerebral palsy, some have speech and others have to sign.”

            Cleary is understanding of each kid’s disability and therefore molds his lessons and activities around their wants and needs.

            “They are so creative,” says Cleary. “I use a lot of sensory objects, something touchy-feely for them like play-dough. It’s good for them and they have so much fun. It usually gets loud in there. I don’t care. The rules say we have to be quiet…psh.”

Cleary decides it is time to take the kids inside and calm them down before they start their lesson. Calm down time for the kids involve each kid sitting at the table with an individual activity.

            Henry gets out the Super Bucket of play-dough and makes shapes out of stencils and cookie cutters. Kristin is building the tallest tower ever with brightly colored building blocks. Paige is making designs in sand art. Caleb took matchbox sized cars and trucks, buried them in a bin of pinto beans and is digging them up. Nick is playing with Legos, Henry M. is playing with magnets, Ann is looking at SPRED pictures, and Vincent is trying to sign that his Spring Break starts on Friday.

            “TOMMIYOW” he finally shouts.

            Once the kids are calmed down, Cleary begins his lesson. He blows out the candles around the room and dims the lights. He then lights 13 individual candles and hands each one to the kids and the aids. He opens his laptop with a Royals cover on the back and plays ‘Carry your candle’ while the kids are suppose to be quiet in prayer.

            The silence is short lived. Giggling, laughing and smiling eventually claim the kids.

            “I so happy,” says Kristin.

What Cleary teaches the kids

Cleary tells the kids to get up with their candles and carry them over to the Holy Room. The kids obediently follow directions, carry their candles and place them on flat mirrors so they will all reflect. The Holy Room is right behind the table. It is a small circle with couches and chairs. Each is lined with poufy pillows. In the center is a small table with a bible, an Easter candle and two branches. One branch is a plain stick. The other has buds and is almost ready to bloom.

            Cleary explains to the kids how spring is approaching by showing them the two branches. He takes the dull stick and connects it with Lent.

            “Right now in church, all the colors are dull, and there is no holy water, only dead sticks like this,” says Cleary. “Soon we will have Easter! At Easter time, on the beginning of Holy Saturday service, we will light the Easter candle.”

            He takes the Easter candle from the table and lights it.

            “Then Father Ken is going to take this candle and lift it high above his head and walk in just like we did earlier with our candles,” says Cleary. “The music is happier and we will sing the hallelujahs.”

            All eyes are fixated on Cleary with admiration and curiosity. He plays part of the hallelujah for the kids to hear.

            “That’s what we hear in church,” says Cleary. “Now let us all hold hands and pray.”

            Cleary says a prayer and then goes around to everyone in the circle, holds both of their hands and says:

            “Jesus says to you tonight: You are my light.”

            Cleary has gone the extra step to be accommodating towards each kid. He shows them the importance of God and how they can become involved with the church. He has had special needs kids help serve mass and become Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Boys. Cleary also helps kids through the process of receiving their sacraments such as First Communion, Confirmation and Baptism.

            “They are all God’s children,” says Cleary. “Whether they are disabled or not.”

The kids start to grow antsy from sitting too long, so Cleary plays more church music and the kids get up and start dancing. They all clap when the song ends.

Seeing how passionate and understanding the kids are about God and Jesus is inspiring to Cleary.

            “Seeing them pray has increased my prayer life,” says Cleary.

“I get an overall satisfaction knowing that they understand there is a god who loves them just as much as anybody else and they are just as important,” says Cleary. “They are normal to me. I don’t see any difference. Sometimes you don’t know what they are going to say and some of the time they just don’t know any better.”

He makes it his own goal for the kids to understand religion and realize how special they really are. His SPRED class is organized and laid back. He creates an environment so the kids are learning and having fun at the same time.

            It is almost time to go, but Cleary has one more surprise for the kids. He has ordered pizza. For the remaining time, the kids chomp on their pizza and play more games until their parents or relatives show up and they have to leave.

“It’s their own special place,” says Cleary. “No brothers and sisters are allowed. We rarely get out on time…I don’t care. I lead a simple life with them and like to keep things simple.”

Cleary is once again busy serving pizza, cleaning up, getting Kleenexes for runny noses, greeting the parents and telling the kids good-bye. His dedication and hard work made for a fun and successful SPRED class.

How Cleary got involved with SPRED

            Cleary’s hard work has been much appreciated with the program. He has been at SPRED for 15 years and 10 of those years he was in charge.

            “I get more out of it than what I put in,” says Cleary.

            He has been with St. Charles for 22 years. Back in the day, St. Charles was a test site for the SPRED program. The Knights of Colombus is the only religious charity which funds the program. Cleary is pleased how supportive the parish and the school is towards the program.

            “People are afraid to work with children with disabilities,” says Cleary. “Our pastor, Father Ken is very supportive. He is a great pastor and is just wonderful with the kids.”  

            SPRED believes developmentally disabled people have the God-given right to nourish their spiritual life, as well as the opportunity to share their gifts and give glory to God. The program also provides for sacramental preparation.

Cleary’s own disabilities

What makes Cleary even more qualified for being in charge of SPRED is because he has disabilities of his own which have challenged him throughout part of his adult life.

            Cleary has had to go through numerous surgeries for multiple problems. He had to have back surgery because his back is full of arthritis. He also had no spinal fluid.

            “I couldn’t bend or do anything,” says Cleary. “Now, overall is good. I am able to move, bend and actually do things.”

            Additionally, about 10 years ago Cleary was diagnosed with Menieres Disease. According to Webmd.com Menieres Disease is a “disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance. It causes sudden attacks of vertigo, (a spinning sensation), tinnitus (a loud ringing in the ears), and a loss of hearing which may become permanent.”

            “I got it at work one day,” says Cleary. “All of a sudden I was experiencing vertigo. The floor was up and the ceiling was down.”

            Cleary had a bad left ear. He continued to have attacks at work, the mall even more frightening, several times when he was driving. Not knowing what it was, he went to see a doctor and got a shunt put in his ear, hoping the attacks would stop.

            During an ice storm the attacks started happening again, so Cleary gave the go ahead to the surgeon to cut off the 8^th nerve. It’s the balance nerve outside the brain which would ultimately cause him to lose all hearing in his left ear. Cleary also has no balance on his left side and walks sideways.

            Currently Cleary wears two hearing aids, but does not let his disability negatively affect him.

            “It hasn’t stopped me from doing something,” says Cleary. It doesn’t bother me at all. It’s all a part of me being me.”

What the kids learn from Cleary

Just like Cleary doesn’t let his disabilities stop him from doing anything, his special needs kids don’t let their disabilities stop them from doing what they want.

            “They are capable of anything, just like we are,” says Cleary. “They love to play and have fun, sit around and tease each other and laugh just like anybody else.”

            The kids look up to Cleary and admire the attention he gives them. They actually do learn and retain information in SPRED class. The kids equally have as much fun as Cleary and appreciate everything he does for them. Cleary has made a strong impact on these kids’ lives in religion and by just being a best friend to them.

“I love him,” says Paige. “He’s my buddy. My Uncle John died. Jim said he was in heaven. He told me about Jesus and God and I pray for them every day. And my Uncle John. I love him too.”

            “Oooh I luhb him,” says Kristin. “Hes my best priend…because he likes me! Aaand we do prayers, aaand bubbles, aand bwocks, aaand have pudding. I think Jhem is hiiigh maintenance! And full of hops”

Kid’s impact on Cleary

            The kids have made a strong impact on Cleary’s life as well. He feels rewarded by spending time with them.

            “There is a different amazement with them each week,” says Cleary. “They have taught me patience, how to have fun, laugh…simple things. They are always smiling. I can have the most horrible day at work, walk in and not have a worry in the world. “

            He elaborates on how much society can learn from such special kids. They teach important life lessons, give people hope and inspiration, and show how nothing is impossible.

            “Just wait for them,” says Cleary. They don’t want to give up on what they’re doing. They operate on their time.”

Kids with special needs aren’t so different

            Just like non-disabled people, special needs kids carry on regular routines and do the same chores and activities.

            “Paige and Ann both work at a rehab shelter in Liberty,” says Cleary. “Since Paige is still in high school she only works four hours a week, but adults like Ann work a regular 40 work week just like most people. They build pens, help out with mailing and mostly are assigned to put things together and work with their hands.”

            Cleary explains how if you don’t make the time to get to know special needs kids, people are really missing out.

            “People who don’t associate themselves with disabled kids don’t understand them and therefore will not understand SPRED,” says Cleary.

            Cleary is a man who has traveled down the road less traveled. He interacts with his kids in a special way and takes on challenges most people could not handle.

Life outside of SPRED

When Cleary isn’t focused on SPRED, he travels down the road most taken by society.

He has a regular job as the Accounting and Network Manager for BMD Siding Distribution and Window Manufacturing.

Cleary also runs the NRSA, Northland Rotational Softball Association where he is heavily involved. He serves as a board member, registrar, treasurer, league administrator, manager, coach and umpire.

“I work with preschool, elementary age, youth, middle school and high school ages,” says Cleary. “I have a lot of fun doing it.”

It’s no surprise to find out Cleary is a huge baseball fan.

“I’m a big Royals fan,” says Cleary. “I was actually born and raised in Chicago, so I was brought up as a White Sox fan, and then I moved to Kansas City and decided I liked the Royals better. I guess I still have a small place in my heart for the White Sox, but I would never tell my dad that. He gave me such a hard time when I favored the Royals over the Sox.”

Cleary thinks of his SPRED students as his kids, but he does have a wife and kids of his own.

“I met my wife Fran in college,” says Cleary. “We dated for a few years and have been married since September 1978.”

Cleary also has two kids. His daughter Meghan volunteered for SPRED for three years. She was a Special Education major and is now a teacher down in the Springfield area. She is also married. His son Kevin is a first year grad student at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

In his spare time, Cleary loves to spend time with his family, attend baseball games and go bicycling and walking. He is a college basketball, football, baseball and soccer fan.

Walking out of the classroom, there was something deeper beneath the surface. This wasn’t the usual religion class in an ordinary classroom. The teacher, Cleary, was an involved and passionate teacher.

Most of all, the kids were a real treat.

“The kids are my heroes,” says Cleary. “I would do anything for any of them.”

Riverside crime reports available online

By Jenny Johnston

    Tracking crime in Riverside can easily be done from your own computer. The Riverside Police and Fire Department recently partnered with CrimeReports to transmit daily crime activity for the public to follow. The Crimereports.com website allows citizens to track police activity in and around Riverside. It’s the largest and most comprehensive crime-mapping network in the world. All but two states utilize this service.
    CrimeReports is a free service for residents and other members of the public. The website uses Google Maps to display the crimes in Riverside. Users can personalize their may by choosing specific crime types they want displayed, as well as a timeline of all the incidents. For example, people may choose to look at all the burglaries and thefts within the past two weeks.
    The map is beneficial for residents to track crime, but it’s also a useful tool for businesses.
    "People looking at Riverside to locate their business can use this website to see what the police activities are," said Operations Support Director Mike Shelton. "You can zoom out and see how the crime in Riverside compares to other communities in the Kansas City area."
    Since CrimeReports is a nationwide service, residents also have the ability to look up crime in other parts of the country.
    "It’s helpful if you have a child away at college because you can get on this website, type in their
address or location and follow the crime happening in that area," said Shelton.
    Anyone can look up crimes on the map, but if you register online, you can sign up to receive free e-mail updates for crime alerts in Riverside or another designated area of the country. Users can also download the CrimeReports application to receive real-time updates. For additional questions about the service, call Mike Shelton at 816-741-1191.

How to Use:
Go to www.crimereports.com
Click the State of Missouri on the map and then click "Riverside Public Safety" on the menu, or
Type in your exact address in the "Enter Location" box.

Briarcliff Nature Trail revamped for spring

By Jenny Johnston

    The nature trail behind Briarcliff Elementary was re-designed and lengthened last fall. The original mulch trail was established in the mid 90’s, but the upkeep was difficult as the mulch deteriorated and washed away during storms. The trail was also overtaken by brush, to where it was only a foot wide, and in some places even difficult to follow.
    Briarcliff Community Alliance in cooperation with the Kansas City Park’s Department, secured the funding for this brand new trail. It was widened to more than five feet wide and nicely paved with asphalt. The nature trail connects to the existing walking trail around Briarcliff Elementary and can be accessed by the new outdoor classroom and the 41st Terrace cul-de-sac. The goal is to eventually lengthen and connect the trail throughout different parts of the community.
    The school children are very excited to use this trail for nature walks and as a way to walk safely to school. Now that winter is over, residents can also enjoy the trail and sit comfortably on the benches while watching the wildlife.
    Many thanks to residents Meg Conger, Tim Johnston and City councilmen Ed Ford and Russ Johnson for their involvement in seeing this new trail established in our community. A special thanks to the Kansas City Parks Department and Landscape Architect Richard Allen for their hard work in reconstructing the trail to make it walker-friendly.

Best and Worst TV reviews

By Jenny Johnston
Editor

As they say in the broadcasting world, sweeps week is coming up. Our most beloved TV shows are winding down for the summer and preparing to launch their most exciting finales. While we’re sad to see most shows leave for break, there’s other shows we can’t wait to forget. Check out the best and worst shows of the 2010-2011 season.  

Best Reality Shows
“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” The Real Housewives series on Bravo! have blasted the ratings since its original showing of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Since then, the series has followed housewives all across America, giving the average middle-class viewer a peak at the lives of the rich and famous. Even though there wasn’t any table flipping or White House break-ins, the ladies of Beverly Hills had exceptionally great TV moments. Viewers witnessed the fall out of Kelsey and Camille Grammar’s marriage, the drama between Paris Hilton’s two aunts, Kyle and Kim Richards, and two dinner parties from hell.

“Bethenny Ever After.” Creator of Skinnygirl Margarita, Bethenny Frankel never fails to entertain. She had such a following from her role on The Real Housewives of New York, that Bravo had no choice but to create a show centered around her. “Bethenny Ever After” is a follow-up to her first show “Bethenny Getting Married.” Her witty humor and quotable one-liners make this show a must-see on Monday nights. I love to watch her just as much as I love to drink her diet Skinnygirl Margarita, available in all local grocery and liquor stores. Who doesn’t want to drink without gaining calories?


Worst Reality Shows
“Real Housewives of DC.” Normally, I’m a huge fan of the housewives shows on Bravo.Yeah, they’re ridiculous to watch, and a colossal waste of time, but they’re entertaining and dysfunctional--which seems to be the kind of shows I love to watch. This series, however, hit an all time low. The show was in the spotlight before it even aired because of the incident at the White House where one housewife and her husband snuck into the dinner and got their pictures taken with Joe Biden, Katie Couric and other famous politicians and media personnel. Bravo was filming while it took place, so viewers got a firsthand look at how easy it is to sneak past the secret service. The fall out was nasty: White House security is still in question and it’s no surprise this series has been banned to return.

“Kate Plus 8.” As predicted, the break-up between Jon and Kate created such a buzz that tabloids, media, classmates and colleagues wouldn’t shut up about it. Fortunately, once the hype died, so did the ratings for the spin-off show. The break-up is over, and there just isn’t any reason to watch anymore. TLC tried to revamp it by bringing Kate and her kids on an episode of Sarah Palin’s Alaska where the two families were supposed to go camping in a remote area. Let’s just say, Kate made Sarah look like a sane, normal person. When Sarah Palin is pointing out how whiney and pathetic you act, you know it has to be bad.

“16 & Pregnant.” I’m not sure what is more disturbing: the fact that this show exists, or that people actually watch it. Obviously, teen pregnancy has been such an epidemic in America that it warranted its own show. I just don’t understand why people in college want to watch miserable teenagers trying to work through the struggles of being a teen mom. At least the cast of “Jersey Shore” knows how to use birth control.

Best Game Shows
“American Idol.” Before the current season started, I never imagined myself putting the show in this category. The previous season was hard to stomach and I had my doubts about the new judges and the talent pool. Fortunately, the offseason changes paid off, and “American Idol” has once again turned into a successful hit. The new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, gave the show the fresh boost it needed. They add humor, constructive criticism and did a hell of a job picking the talent. The show’s high ratings can also be credited to the performers. The singers this year have unbelievable talent and never fail to give an outstanding performance every week. It’s a tough call who the winner will be, but you can bet America will be watching and judging every episode.


“The Bachelor.” This is another show I’m surprised I’m putting in this category. It technically isn’t a “game” show, but it’s definitely set up like one. Normally, these shows are destined to fail. Once the couples are off camera, they find out they have nothing in common and don’t have the spark they have on the show. Anyone can fall in love on the side of a mountain or a remote beach. I suggest their dates should be a trip to Target, McDonald’s and other places most couples go on a regular basis. This season’s bachelor, Brad Womack, was previously on the show and didn’t pick any ladies in the end. After some much needed therapy sessions and soul searching, Brad came back and picked fan favorite, Emily Maynard. He came back as a reformed man, and chose the North Carolina sweetheart with a heartbreaking past. I’m sure Brad felt pressured to actually pick a woman this time around, or else ABC would have his head on a platter for wasting another season on his fear of commitment.                                                                                                                                                                 

Worst Game Shows
“Skating with the Stars.” Just because a show is a hit, it doesn’t mean a spin-off should be required. This was the case with “Skating with the Stars.” Some out of touch producer came into work on a Monday morning, looked over the ratings of “Dancing with the Stars” and thought “hey, let’s make a similar show so we can really dominate the primetime lineup.” Some networks and producers don’t learn their lesson. They did this show several years ago. Remember “Skating with Celebrities?” The show was a disaster and quickly pulled from the air. “Skating with the Stars” was the same story. It was a lackluster show (no offense, Bethenny) and didn’t give audiences a reason to watch.  

“The Apprentice.” I like Donald Trump, and I hope he actually runs for President like he says he will, but his show needs to go. I don’t think Donald is the one who’s bringing the show down, instead, I think it’s the contestants. The apprentice selection isn’t thought out and it leads to awkward behaviors and forced humor. Personally, I think it’s embarrassing to watch these people act like fools in a monkey suit. If you want to know what’s wrong with the leaders of our country, just watch this show. Donald needs to quit messing around with this circus and take on Congress. Oh wait, what’s the difference?

“The Bachelor Pad.” This show is “Temptation Island” on steroids. “The Bachelor Pad” takes the rejects from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” and puts them in a mansion for a second shot at love. If I want to watch shallow men and women fool around, I’d watch “Jersey Shore.” At least their cast is emotionally stable. I’ve never seen so much crying, backstabbing, cheating, and immature behavior on any one show. Unfortunately, ABC is bringing this show back, so just flip the channel if you happen to run across it. You won’t regret it.

Best Documentary Shows
“Ax Men.” Strap up your boots and grab a chainsaw. Ax Men takes you coast-to-coast to see one of the continent’s most rugged careers: logging. This show features a variety of logging styles. The logging crews in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Canada practice traditional downhill logging in the forest. The crews in Florida pull logs from the bottom of a black-water river. And one brave soul swims with alligators to pull 100-year old logs from the bottom of the Louisiana swamp. This show takes you somewhere you probably will never go, shows you where the wood to build your house came from, and features plenty of grown-man drama.

“Pawn Stars.” It’s boom or bust in Sin City. Pawn Stars features a family-owned pawn shop in Las Vegas. The appeal of this show is the incredibly unique items patrons bring to sell to the store. Whether it’s a fighter jet ejection seat or a document with Thomas Jefferson’s signature, there’s a history lesson in each piece. The shop owners explain each piece in great detail and often bring in experts to share additional information, verify that the piece is authentic and help establish a value. The most entertaining part of the show is the negotiations. People always want top dollar for their old junk, but many end up taking what they’re offered--there’s a whole city of fun to be had with cold hard cash, after all.

“Swamp People.” This is hands down one of the most fascinating shows I’ve ever watched. “Swamp People” is centered around swamp dwellers who capture and kill 12+ foot alligators by hand. The alligator population is out of control, so these rednecks hunt the alligators to keep the Louisiana Bayou as safe as possible. How they catch the alligators is the amazing part. They hang lines of stink bait and wait for the alligators to get caught up on the line. The hunters then drive up in their little fishing boats, pull up the line and dangerously wrestle with the alligator to try and pull it in the boat. The only way to kill an alligator is to shoot it’s quarter size kill spot on the back of their head. This is a show you definitely don’t want to miss.

Parkville Homicide

By Jenny Johnston

Parkville experienced it’s first homicide in more than 15 years July 30. Seventeen-year-old Spencer J. Crosthwait was murdered around 1 a.m. July 30 at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 45, just minutes away from Park University. Crosthwait was driving his black Ford Thunderbird with a friend when someone from another car pulled alongside and fired a shot hitting him in the chest.
    The passenger in Crosthwait’s car managed to drive the vehicle to Price Chopper to call for help. Crosthwait died after emergency crews tried to perform CPR for more than 15 minutes.
    Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd charged Stephen L. Ellis, 19, and Justin L. Dougan, 19, with second-degree murder. A third person in the car is also in custody. Ellis, who was allegedly driving the car, was also charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Dougan, the alleged gunman, faces charges of armed criminal action. Both will face life in prison if convicted.
    According to authorities, the cause of the incident was a dispute over a girl involving Dougan and Crosthwait’s passenger who, they say, was the intended target.
    "There are other avenues that young people can take to resolve issues, and I wish in this case other methods would have been chosen," said Parkville Police Chief Kevin Chrisman.
    Crosthwait would have been a senior at Park Hill High School this fall.

NKCH Employee of the Month

By Jenny Johnston

Shows like Grey's Anatomy, ER and the new show Trauma are all popular medical soap operas. They all take place in hospital emergency rooms where extreme cases are always flowing in. Patients are missing body parts, have a tree limb sticking out both sides of their chest or just got in a ferry boat accident and had a concrete pillar fall on their face. As intense and exciting as this may sound, TV tends to exaggerate.

North Kansas City Hospital's new Emergency Room manager, Stephanie Dropplemann deals with the stress of operating an ER in a more realistic way than what television would depict. Stephanie started working at NKCH in 2002. She became the Emergency Room supervisor in 2007 and was recently promoted to ER manager in July.

Stephanie grew up in northeastern Missouri in a small town called Memphis. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and then went to Independence Regional for six years. Stephanie never thought she would wind up in the health care field. "It was the last thing on my agenda," says Stephanie. "In my 1st year of college my grandma had open heart surgery and that's when I really became interested in the whole surgery process and interested in health care."

Stephanie has a lot on her plate being the manager. "I'm usually pretty busy back here," says Stephanie. "Everyday is always exciting, changing and chaotic. It's my job to keep the flow of the ER going. I work with the staff and act as a liaison between the nursing staff and physicians."

Stephanie explains some of the differences between reality and what's shown on cable. "On TV there is never a wait," says Stephanie. "They don't go in depth about cardiac and the whole medical side of issues." NKCH is the busiest adult ER in the city. The ER brings in over 65,000 patients a year and 1,000 of those are actual medical traumas.

Stephanie is married and has two daughters, Madison, 9 and Alyson, 6. She loves spending time with her girls and going out and enjoying activities together with her family such as skiing and traveling to the beach. Her family are Wizards' fans and big NASCAR fans. She and her family love going out to the races at Kansas Speedway and they closely follow Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt. Jr.

Alice in Wonderland review

By Jenny Johnston
 
     We loved him in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” discovered his musical talent in “Sweeney Todd” and thought he was a bit kooky in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Johnny Depp steals the show as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.”
     Depp’s off the rocker performance mixed with a dark, Burton-esque style, turns this film into a twisted fairytale that is sure to impress fans.
Those of you who, like me, grew up watching Disney’s animated version of Alice in Wonderland, should expect something completely different. Burton took the original story and mashed it with Lewis Caroll’s sequel to Wonderland, “Through the Looking Glass.”
     In this version, we’re introduced to 6-year-old Alice, (Mia Wasikowsa) who is having funny dreams of a world with talking rabbits, caterpillars and other strange creatures. Fast forward 14 years and grown-up Alice is at her pre-arranged engagement party. She is reluctant to get married and live a life to please everyone. At the engagement ceremony she notices a large rabbit in the garden. She curiously follows it to a large hole under a tree. She falls in the hole into the world of Wonderland. Alice soon realizes this is the same world she has been dreaming about, complete with odd creatures, colorful shrooms and lots of drugs.
     In the infamous “eat me, drink me” scene, Alice takes multiple drugs which enlarges and shrinks her, leaving her naked every time she changes size. She then meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the dormouse, the white rabbit and an electric blue caterpillar who is literally smoking hookah. The caterpillar so oddly enlightens Alice that her fate is to defeat the Red Queen by killing her Jabberwocky to bring about the Frabjous Day, which I’ve concluded is a day of peace celebrated with even more drugs.
     At the point when Alice is completely confused and unsure of herself, the creepy Cheshire Cat appears out of smoke and leads her to a tea party with sworn enemies of the Red Queen who can assist her in her journey.
    This is our first glimpse at Depp as the Mad Hatter. He, the dormouse and the white rabbit are having a “tea” party where they’re smashing dishes, destroying the tables and acting like they’re hyped up on anything but tea. Alice grows fond of the half mad, half sane Mad Hatter and is now determined to set off on her quest.
     Depp has an astounding ability to bring a unique quality to each character he portrays, including the Mad Hatter. His constant switch from a sane Scotsman to a loopy, over-the-top hatter is brilliant.
     Another key element to this twisted film is Burton’s wife, Helena Bonham Carter playing the Red Queen. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a Burton-Carter-Depp combo and it certainly won’t be the last. It’s evident that Carter had a little too much fun playing the outrageous Red Queen with an oversized head. Carter made the Red Queen one of my favorite characters to watch. Her signature phrase “Off with his head!” was all too perfect.
     Carter’s counterpart, the White Queen, was my least favorite person of the film. The White Queen is an odd character, who was oddly played by Anne Hathaway. Her dreamy, good witch of the east behavior was a little exaggerated for my liking. The horribly black accented lips and eyebrows against her white face and hair didn’t help and shouldn’t be adopted as a fashion trend.
     Seeing the film in 3-D isn’t necessary. I know everyone is on a 3-D hype after “Avatar,” but the effects won’t be the same and here’s why: James Cameron filmed the 3-D during production and Burton converted to 3-D in post-production. Thus, the 3-D effects in “Alice in Wonderland” are confusing and even nauseating to watch. Students can save the extra $8 by going to the regular 2-D version on a weeknight when tickets are only $5. With theaters being less than 10 minutes away, it’s a fun and cheap night out.
     Overall, the movie was fantastic. Every time a preview of it comes on TV, I always hear “it looks so creepy!” or “it doesn’t even look like the Disney movie!” Anyone who saw the Disney version on VHS will remember the original movie having a twisted plot with unusual elements. Burton successfully captured the odd fantasy and created a dark, fairytale masterpiece.

Bringing comfort to patients battling cancer

By Jenny Johnston

 
Jennifer Ireland, 27, a wife and mother of two daughters passed away from a rare form of aggressive colon cancer on Feb. 4, 2007. At 3 am, in a tribute to Jennifer, the 5th floor staff lined the hallway as she was transported from her room. The cancer claimed her body, but her heart, soul and spirit still lives on.
     Fast forward to July 16, 2009, Jennifer’s mother, Jan Velander and Monika Totoraitis, Pharm. D on the 5th floor of the Northland Cancer Center, are delivering a care basket to a patient, Anna Summa, on behalf of the Jennifer Ireland Foundation. Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer at 25 and recently with leukemia at 30.
     The Foundation creates care baskets for patients and their families who are undergoing similar procedures as Jennifer’s. "Donations don’t go to cancer research, but instead directly to patients and their families," says Jan. "I am honored to be her mother and keep her memory alive."
     A typical basket contains all the essential wants and needs for a family in the hospital. Snack food, notepads, granola bars and bottled water are a few of the popular items. Attached to the basket is a card with Jennifer’s picture and a note from Jan which says, "Please accept this basket from a mother who realizes the need to stay close to your loved ones when they are hospitalized."
     Since April 2007, the Foundation has helped over 20 families with baskets. Monika is a member of the Foundation and helps prepare and deliver baskets. "It is all volunteers," says Monika. "We provide the baskets and supplies at our expense."
     The Foundation represents Jennifer’s spirit and loving heart. "Jennifer was a completely selfless person," says Monika. "She was very giving and the type of person who would give the shirt off her back to a person in need." Jennifer’s love and care represents the Foundation’s logo of a heart. "It is a symbol of love and it reminds people to give from their heart just as Jennifer did," says Jan. "She can’t be here to pay it forward and give back, so we do it for her."
     To learn about the program, visit www.jenniferirelandfoundation.com to read Jennifer’s story, find information regarding the Foundation’s future events and how to donate or contribute to the baskets. Jan wants the Foundation to be the support for the patients and families just how the staff, family and friends were supportive to her.
     Jennifer’s road after diagnosis was tough, but she didn’t let the cancer get in the way of living her life. She went out with her friends and spent a lot of time with her daughters. "She handled it with grace and dignity," says Jan. "She was always so full of hope and laughter.
     Monika and the rest of the 5th floor staff helped with the process by giving Jan all the support, care and attention she would need. "I have never experienced such love and care before," says Jan. "The staff is so loving, caring and tender and I would really like to extend a thank you to NKCH, 5th floor staff, the patients on 5 and everyone who sits by their patients and loved ones." "We get very involved with our patients," says Monika. "It’s important to them and their families."
      Anna and her mother were gratified when they received the basket. "This is absolutely perfect," says Anna. "You really don’t think about the things you want or need." Everything in the basket was something of value to Anna and her mother.
     The Jennifer Ireland Foundation continues to support patients and families who are struggling through the difficulty of cancer treatments. "She lived her life as if she didn’t have cancer," says Jan. "There are miracles here on earth, and unless you have your eyes open, you miss them. She will never be forgotten."
 

Art Therapy

By Jenny Johnston


    A freshman girl in high school is cleaning her room and listening to music. The song ‘With Hope’ starts playing and the girl suddenly breaks into a meltdown, sits in the corner and hysterically cries. She has just lost both grandparents.
    Now, almost eight years later, this girl is smiling from ear to ear, running her fingers through her flaming red hair and sporting a bright purple blouse, tan moccasins and a big, silver peace sign necklace. She has discovered what she thinks is  her life purpose of becoming an art therapist.
    Danielle Green, a Park University sophomore, is majoring in psychology with a minor in art.
She wants to turn her degree into art therapy by studying the psychology of humans and integrating art into it to help people through a bereavement period.
    “It opens up such a world of opportunities,” says Green. “It is so fascinating studying the human mind and how coping with things worked for me. What better way to teach them through art and helping people through the bereavement process?”
    For Green, her turning point came at a tough age. Between her 8th and 9th grade years Green lost both of her grandparents.
    “I was very close to my grandparents, just like I am with my parents,” says Green. “They only lived five blocks away. I was also an only child so it was always the five of us together a lot of the time.”
    First, her grandfather passed away from lung cancer.
    “I was actually named after my grandfather,” says Green. “I was very close to him. He was really affectionate, caring and supportive of me. He is the reason I am into art. He loved to sketch and we would always sit on the floor and draw and talk. Gosh, we would also cut out models and do tracing. We would even get out the Crayola water colors and make a huge mess!”
    Green’s grandmother soon passed away after her grandfather’s death.
    “I know there isn’t really any scientific reason for this, but I truly believe she passed away from a broken heart,” says Green. “She was a very strong woman, kind of like Rosie the Riveter. She was so beautiful, classy and elegant. She was my pillar of strength…a very strong woman who taught me so much; you didn’t get in her way! She was a ballsy broad!”
    Losing both her grandparents so close together was rough time for Green.
    “I was very angry with God,” says Green. “I was pretty much angry at anything and everything. I felt like I had the right to be.”
    On top of her grief, it was also a tough time in her life making that transformation into high school and being stressed with the normal, early teenage struggles.  
    “It was a traumatic experience,” says Green. “I felt very lost, like I didn’t know what I was doing. Everything in my life was mixed up. I was even confused about my faith; I was very angry at the world.”
    When Green started her freshman year at Truman High School she became involved with debate, theatre and visual arts.
    During this time, she acquired her first manual camera: a Pentax K1000. She began taking hundreds of pictures and found it as a cure for her grief. She also indulged in hands-on artistic projects which helped her release her emotions.
    “I surrendered my eyes and myself through the lens,” says Green. “Taking pictures, painting, sculpting was all me coping and getting through it.”
    Art was also something Green and her grandparents shared. She has many fond, childhood memories of their fun, artistic times.
    “One of my earliest memories is of me and my grandpa on a morning where my grandma had to go to the beauty shop,” says Green. “ I was in my high chair which I was almost too big for and we made all sorts of animals out of play dough then let them dry.”
    Letting out her emotions, anger and feelings into forms of art helped Green’s emotional and mental stability. She made the decision to help other people like her, with similar experiences. She wanted people to feel what she felt and have an outlet for their troubles, and thought art therapy was the best way.
    “I really want to help people like me who have gone through the same thing I did, but I also don’t want to limit myself to just that,” says Green. “I want to reach out to all ages, like help the elderly and their families who have a terminal illness, women and young teenage victims of sexual abuse, and children who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I want to help people going through any sort of tragic or traumatic experience…not just death.”
    Green wants to capture the emotions and feelings by using art therapy as an emotional release. It has worked well for her and people she has worked with.
    “It is about using passion to glorify something you lost,” says Green. “It is not just about letting out, but letting in these feelings and allowing your mind to go where it needs to go.”
    Green has several tools and techniques which helped her and what she wants others to experience as well.
   “Brush strokes, the clicking of a camera, the smell of the chemicals in the dark room…it is all very soothing and relaxing for me,” says Green. “It brings back good memories.”
    Green used multimedia outlets and fun hands-on activities to calm her and physically express herself. Painting canvases, ceramics and pottery are some of the things Green wants to share with other people so it can help them.
    Every event in her life after her loss fell in place and she began putting her dreams in action.
She was already volunteering for hospice as a caretaker, but left after her loss. She volunteered at the Riverside Nursing Home helping with Alzheimer’s couples.
    Green also volunteered for the Kansas School for the Blind. She worked with 10 kids in an after school art program and helped the blind and autistic kids create pottery wheels and bean art.
    She was also an Art Director for a Girl Scout Camp and is currently a grant writer for the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
    When Green graduates from Park, she is planning to go to graduate school at either Emporia State or Avila and join their art therapy programs. After that she would like to find a place where she can settle down and fulfill her dream of helping others…possibly, Children’s Mercy Hospital.
    “They have what is called a Child Life Specialist who helps kids with fun art projects to distract them and take their mind off their worries and struggles,” says Green. “It gives my life purpose. If I can help them, it is just as therapeutic to me as to them.”
    Green doesn’t just hope for this dream to help others, she says she knows it will happen.
    Her dream fits into her happy, easy-going “hippie” personality. She loves to play the guitar and sing. She loves all sorts of music but mainly the old stuff - Motown, 60’s music. She is also big into theatre and loves “Les Miserables” and “Wicked.”
    Green says she enjoys spending time with her family and writing random things. She still wears her grandma’s ring on her finger.
    Currently, Green is working on a huge canvas multi-media project of her grandparents. She is going to include the lyrics to their favorite songs and tons of pictures of them, and some objects they cherished like her grandpa's rosary.
    “Grieving is great…everyone needs it,” says Green. “Life has to go on and eventually I know I will see them again.”