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THE REGULAR JOE

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Lets Get Small

Jay Kerner
Publisher/Philosopher

Saw a show on TV the other night about

the tiny-house phenomenon. Maybe youve
seen these wacky folks living in 200 square
feet or less.
While certainly less extreme, I thought
Id share our own experience on that subject.
For the first half of my adult life I wanted
everything bigger. Bigger jobs, bigger
houses, a bigger life.
As a child, our familys financial situation fluctuated between upper/lower class and
lower/middle class from year to year. A kid
without much, is subjected to the same desires as any other, but usually without
the means to do anything about it.
So I went the paper-route, route. I bagged groceries at the neighborhood
Hy-Klas. I scrounged around like a lot of kids, to get the things I couldnt live
without. An album from Lees Records. A pair of big-bell Levis from A.J.
August.
After high school I went to college because I couldnt think of a better option. (And thanks to an open-enrollment policy that meant anyone who could
make an X on the name line was in.)
But the work was boring, my attendance horrible, and I gave up a few
semesters in. I was also discouraged by my older friends who were graduating and starting their new careers as Assistant Managers at Rax Roast Beef and
other exciting places.
So I got married and joined the adult work force.
I was making real money. Sometimes over $200 per
week!
And money means credit. Once the financial
gods saw me deposit a handful of checks in a row,
the plastic started flowing. Monkey Wards was first.
I couldnt believe they would actually send a knucklehead like me a credit card. But they did.
My maiden credit voyage started when my
car needed a battery and I was broke until payday.
Whipped out the plastic, signed my name and drove
away!
Then the bill came and instead of asking for the
$39.95 or whatever it was back then, all they wanted
was a minimum payment of like 4 bucks. Sweet!
My faulty math skills keep me from knowing for
sure, but by the time I paid off that card, that battery
was long in a junkyard somewhere, and it had cost
me in the neighborhood of $600.
And of course, by then I had a pocketful of
plastic. Gas cards, discount store cards, right down
to the aptly named Master-card. I learned quickly
that credit was my master and did what it demanded.

Before long it was clear that I wasnt keeping up with its demands. I needed a
better job.
So I got one. Made more money. Bought a bigger house to store all the
stuff Id charged, and earned more credit.
I spent the next 20 years or so in an ever-expanding spiral of bigger jobs,
bigger houses and bigger debt.
My working theory was, if the banker oks it, it must be ok.
Until it wasnt.
We found ourselves in a giant house with both kids out of college and on
their own. And of course a mountain of debt.
What the hell were we doing?
It was time to get small.
Sold the big house. Moved to a much smaller house. Paid off some debt.
Sold off all the stuff that wouldnt fit in the small house. Paid off some
more debt.
Drove the cars longer without trading them in every other year like we used
to.
Cut up all the credit cards. Every damn one.
It was a slow turnaround, but as the months went by the debt got smaller.
We celebrated every closed account.
Today were quite happy with our smaller lives. We love our tiny house
(though it doesnt really merit the name). And we learned some important life
lessons.
Were not perfect. We still do dumb things with money, but when we do,
the amounts are much smaller. Like sometimes we splurge on a second movie
rental. Were crazy like that.

Dear Joe,
your paper does a great job of supporting and promoting locally
owned and operated businesses, so I hope you will see fit to run this
in your holiday issue.
Shopping season has hit us all in the face once again. The megamerchants have invested gazillions to entice you to spend your
holiday gift cash with them. (No cash? No problem! Just whip out
the plastic!)
Black Friday specials are hard to pass up. I used to plead in vain
for folks to not participate in the frenzy. But Ive got a new approach. Now, I say grab the big loss-leader item, whatever it is and
nothing else. Then, spend the rest of your money locally. That will
hit the big guys where it hurts.
Heres why:
A gift at the big box store sends most of the profit to corporate owners far away, while the local employees struggle to get by.
But a gift purchased by a locally owned and operated business,
keeps that profit local. Maybe it lets a local owner spend it in your

3
business. Maybe his wife gets new tires on the family car. Maybe
his kid gets braces.
How about patronizing local artists this holiday season? An original work of art is better than any stupid sweater made in China.
Dont forget recycled gifts. Your local antique malls and flea markets have something for the collector on your list. Aunt Betty likes
ceramic cats. Uncle Dave likes old rock posters.
Finally, dont forget restaurant gift cards. No! Not the swill put out
by the corporate eateries. Im talking about the places owned and
operated by your friends and neighbors. They work hard to create
unique meals in one of a kind settings. Youll never hear a complaint about the gift of delicious food.
I thank you for the opportunity to send out this seasonal reminder,
but dont forget, local is local all year long, Supporting your locally owned and operated businesses benefits everyone regardless
of the season.

Joe Music -5

From the Shelf: Christmas Edition

Danny R. Phillips
Regular Joe Music Guy
Christmas is not my favorite holiday. It is not
that Im the living, breathing example of Charles
Dickens yuletide hater, the one and old Ebenezer
Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Its also a safe
bet that Christmas joy and revelry doesnt ooze forth
from every fiber of my being. Id say for me, its
more indifference than indignation. Each year, I
grow wearier of the holiday as it encroaches earlier
and earlier into the year until now, the rush for the
all-powerful Christmas dollar begins the day after
Halloween or sometimes sooner.
The worst part of the hurry for Holly, for me
at least, is the music. Sweet Baby Jesus, the music.
Each year, we are bombarded with dogs barking Jingle Bells, Grandmas being murdered in hit and run
accidents perpetrated by woodland creatures and Little Brenda Lee rockin around the pagan symbol of
the holidays roots. For this installment of From the
Shelf, I will propose a list of acceptable Christmas
music for this years Winter Wonderland.
Father Christmas- The Kinks: The story of
flat broke hooligans robbing St. Nick. What better
way to spread holiday cheer than a good old-fashioned fist beating?
Jesus Christ- Big Star: A stand out track on
the genius Memphis, Tennessee groups experimental, boundary pushing third album titled 3rd. With
Jesus Christ, Alex Chilton sings the praises of the
Messiah entering the world to wash it clean.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!- Bad Religion: Why would a band like Bad Religion, fronted
by Greg Graffin, a devout atheist and Professor of
evolutionary biology at Cornell, record an entire album of Christmas classics, you might ask? Because,
my friends, there is nothing more punk rock than a
non-believer belting out Hark! The Herald Angels
Sing with all the conviction and reverence of a
preacher on Christmas morn.
I Wish it was Christmas Today- Julian Casablancas: Casablancas took a song written by comedian Horatio Sanz for a skit on Saturday Night Live
and turned it into a raucous, energetic and wild contemporary Christmas classic.
Christmas in Hollis- Run DMC: I am old
enough to remember Run DMC in all their Adidas
and gold rope chained glory. A shout out to their

home neighborhood in Hollis Queens, it is a story of

what the big man brought to their holiday. Plus, their
moms are cooking up collard greens, black eyed peas
and macaroni and cheese. I want to spend Christmas
at their house.
Fairytale of New York- The Pogues: Quite
possibly the greatest non-religious Christmas song
ever recorded, Irish group The Pogues spin a tale of
dreams dreamt and hope lost. The main characters
come to America for a wonderful life but all they find
is poverty, domestic violence, alcoholism and what
its like to spend Jesuss birthday in the drunk tank
of the NYPD.
Pretty Paper- Willie Nelson: This song
makes the list because, well, its Willie Nelson and
hes the Man.
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis- Tom Waits: Tom Waits is a truly great lyrist and
storyteller, Waits goes for the throat from the get-go
with words that nearly every man is scared to hear:
Charlie, Im pregnant.
There you have it snow bunnies, my list of
acceptable Christmas songs. Therefore, next time
you are in a department store, grocery or your dentist office and they are torturing you with Rosemary

Clooney for the hundredth time in the month, wipe

your mind clean like an Etch a Sketch, put a smile on
your wind burnt face and let The Vandals Oi to the
World take you to your happy place. Works every
time.

Panchos Villa in Parkville

David Marlins
Youre hungry and you want Mexican. Nothing else will do.
But youre sick of strip malls and
youve had it with the bland offerings
from the corporate places.
Heres what you do:
Go to Parkville.
You know the way.
Get to the river and follow it west.
Past picturesque Park College to
Main Street. Turn left and youll see
the former college power plant: an awesome brick structure repurposed as a
way-cool restaurant and bar space.
My first experience in the building
was back in the early 90s, when a brew
pub went in. Over the years a few different concepts came and went. Pay no attention to old signage with previous names.
Last December Alphonso Restrepo moved his popular Panchos Villa operation from the train car across the street where he first opened in 1992.
We stopped for a meal just after the noon lunch rush was winding down.
We seated ourselves in the bar area and were instantly reminded of earlier visits

to the unique location. High ceilings that once accommodated industrial turbines
and such, are a far cry from the cookie-cutter places.
The owner himself delivered the menus with a dazzling smile. He took our
drink orders and complimented our choices.
The chips came and were light, fresh and obviously homemade. The salsa
was good and hand poured from a carafe. No packets or tiny plastic condiment
cups here.
I had the pork burrito. Its kind of my go-to mexican order. The queen was planning to order the chimichanga till she
saw the listing for 4 mini chimis. Now she wouldnt have to
choose between the meat options. She ordered one of each.
My burrito was quite good and a perfect choice for those
who like their Mexican without the fire. I myself added a
healthy dose of their table salsa to make it was just the way I
like it.
The Queen made her yummy food noise after the first
bite, and we both sampled liberally from each others plates.
It was all delicious, but we were unanimous in choosing the
chicken chimi as our favorite.
(We saw all the non-Mexican items on the menu too, so
theres something for everybody in your dining party.)
Go to Parkville, wander the charming downtown streets
and shop their wonderful shops. Then stop for a terrific meal
in a former power plant. Its a far, far cry from the local stripmall!

Sustainability
Shannon Bond
I strap on my
helmet, slip into my
gloves, and sling my
hydration pack across
my shoulders. Its
time to find adventure. I swing my leg
over the saddle and
click my right shoe
into the peddle. A
lot of the time I find my adventure on the back of a
mountain bike, flying down all of the single track dirt
trails I can find. Rocky climbs, fast descents, quick
and flowing terrain, its all meditative.
Ive ridden for years, but since coming to the
EPA a few thoughts have lodged themselves into my
consciousness. One of those thoughts creeps into my
mind on every ride; as my muscles are screaming and
Im focusing on, well, my focus, I think about sustainability.
Merriam-Webster defines sustainable as, of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using
a resource so that the resource is not
depleted or permanently damaged.
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/
dictionary/sustainable)
Trails and parks are a perfect
example of sustainability. They not
only provide a refuge for wildlife,
they also provide a refuge for people.
These areas work well as an escape
from the daily barrage of work and
technology, a personal connection
with nature, or a great way to exercise. Sustainability isnt just about
our physical environment, though;
its about us, too. On the EPA website, it describes sustainability in the
following way:
Sustainability is based on a
simple principle: Everything that we
need for our survival and well-being
depends, either directly or indirectly,
on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony,

that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other

requirements of present and future generations.
(http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/)
I would say that these trail systems definitely
promote that productive harmony, as well as fulfill
some of our social needs. Ive come to understand
that these trails dont happen by themselves though.
Parks dont just sprout up for people to hike and explore, and bike-friendly urban environments dont
just happen, they are built. A lot of planning goes into
public use areas, and a lot of maintenance is required
to keep them going.
You dont generally think about Kansas City
and biking, especially mountain biking, but the scene
has grown. Its an exciting time for the bike community in Kansas City. According to the Earth Riders Trail Association (http://www.earthriders.org/)
we have at least thirteen maintained trail systems in
the K.C. metro area. I know from talking to some of
these dedicated individuals that there are even more
planned.
Now that I realize what it takes to maintain

these trails, I appreciate them even more, and the

folks who get out and work on them. Initially, there
has to be an agreement with the land owners. Those
owners can be county, federal, or state. Then it takes
coordination with the land managers to plan the trail
system in an environmentally-sustainable way. After that, a host of volunteers spend countless hours
on trail work days. Even after the trails are built,
those work days keep coming. All of this behindthe-scenes work is hidden from the everyday user.
To lend a hand, though, you can check the groups
websites and pick any number of maintenance days
to show up at:
http://earthriders.com
http://www.earnyourdirt.org/
http://www.kansascyclist.com/links/TrailMasonsAssociation.html
http://www.kansascyclist.com/

Live Music Hi-Lites

Brew Top Pub North
8614 N. Boardwalk
Fri 12/5 Retro Active
Sat 12/6 Noe Palma
Fri 12/12 Dissapointments
Sat 12/13 Stolen Winnebegos
Fri 12/19 Switch
Sat 12/20 Dolewitew
Fri 12/26 Wonder Fuzz
Sat 12/27 Wonderland

Fat Fish Blue

7260 NW 87th
in Zona Rosa

Fri 12/5 Brother Bagman

Sat 12/6 Az One
Sat 12/13 Da Truth
Fri 12/19 M80s

Pats Pub
1315 Swift in NKC

Every Wed nite Open Jam hosted by Rob

Gray

Sherlocks
Underground
858 S 291 in
Liberty
Every Wed at 8pm Oasis

across the

Northland
The Hideout 6948 N. Oak
Every Thursday is Bike Nite with
Dave HayesBand, Levee Town, and Blue 88
Open blues jam Sundays, 7 p.m.

Turmeric: The Mellow Yellow Spice that Fights Inflammation

Back in the 60s when it seemed that everyone was fascinated by all things Indian (India, that is-- think sitars and saris), Donovan wrote a catchy tune called
Mellow Yellow. In his song saffron is the spice that he metaphorically mentions (Im just mad about Saffron, Shes just mad about me), but the true mellow
yellow spice that everyone in natural health is talking about and studying
these days is turmeric, a key ingredient in curry and what makes American
mustard yellow.
And hot dog, it seems to have such promise that we might want to
consider eating or taking it to fight inflammation, the proverbial smoking
gun behind many chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer, arthritis
and even Alzheimers disease. In his book Secrets of Longevity, 100 Ways
to Live to be 100, Dr. Maoshing Ni a 38th-generation doctor of Chinese
medicine, says turmeric has been used for centuries in Asia as a pain reliever
for joints, a blood activator and liver cleanser. Some of the latest research
indicates that the active components in the spice known as curcuminoids,
in fact, have the ability to protect us from diseases ranging from colorectal
cancer to Alzheimers Disease.
BCM95, a patented turmeric extract produced in India, was recently
studied at Chinese University of Hong Kong. The study revealed that it
destroyed the beta-amyloid plaques in the brain that are associated with the
dreaded disease marked by cognitive decline. Another study conducted at
Baylor University showed the extract, which includes turmeric essential oil,
reduced the spread of colon cancer cells by interrupting the signaling between cancer cells and normal ones.
Indians, of course, eat turmeric in their curried foods nearly every day,
and interestingly, it is said that rural Indians have one of the lowest rates of
Alzheimers in the world (one would suppose they experience lower rates of
colon cancer as well).
We Americans, however, barely get any turmeric except when we
slather mustard on hot dogs in the summer. So for us, supplementation is the
superior way to get significant amounts of this mellow yellow spice into our
bodies. Quite Rightly.
Healthy Holidays!
James Fly, Certified Health Coach

11

Photos by
Matt Meier

An Expression of Grief
Reverend Ron
From my perspective as a pastor,
one of the toughest struggles people face
is when a mother and father lose a child
before it is born. We have words for
thismiscarriage, stillborn, spontaneously
aborted fetusbut these do not express
the depth of the experience. Theology and
cultural causes (prolife, prochoice) are of
little help. Grief is a journey of the heart,
not a conundrum for the head. I believe
what helps most in any grief process is when people share their stories. What
follows is the experience of our granddaughter, Madison, when her mother lost
Spenser, her pre-born child. Madison was only thirteen at the time. Siblings
are too often left out of the storytelling process, and this essay she wrote for
a college English class expresses how powerful these reflections can be. She
reminds each of us how fragile are our lives and how important it is to cherish
the people we love, each and every day.
The Life We Lost Too Soon
by
Madison Irwin
My brother was gone and my mom was being rushed to the ICU (intensive
care unit). In what seemed like an instant, everything went from happy to the
worst day imaginable. My mom was eight months pregnant. I had never been
more excited to have a baby brother on the way. I loved him more than I could
have imagined and I hadnt even met him yet. I was ready to protect him from
anything I possibly could. All of that hope and readiness was about to change
and turn into something I wasnt ready for. Something I had not fathomed could
even happen.
Tuesdays doctor appointment showed both my mom and her baby were
healthy; everything was going normal. Two days later, everything suddenly
changed; my mom became very sick. She was in pain and vomiting violently.
My mom called her doctor: Go to the emergency room immediately! he
exclaimed. We got into the car; what is happening? As my stepfather drove us
to the hospital, I couldnt understand what was going on. My heart was racing
faster than my mind and I couldnt catch up.
Once we arrived, she was taken to a room right away. I sat outside the
room as my mom was being evaluated. Waiting patiently, it felt as though each
minute was longer than [it should be].
A nice lady finally came in; her face was beautiful, but her eyes deep
with sadness. She was smiling, looking at me as if I was a wounded animal
that she was going to put back together. Then the words came falling out of her
mouth onto my heart, The ultrasound shows your brother didnt make it. Im
so sorry.
I finally got to meet Spencer, whose life was taken before it had started.
I walked into my moms room and there he was in her arms, he was the most

beautiful human being. Rose red cheeks, long brown hair, and he lay still. I held
him, butterflies in my stomach and as they worked their way up, my heart fluttered. You are precious to my heart and I will always love you. Youre an angel.
The tears flowed through unstoppable and I just stared him, why do things have
to happen?
To this day, we dont know what caused the loss of Spencer, but an autopsy report showed something was wrong with his heart. This terrible loss and
fear gave me a new outlook on how fragile each and every one of us are. Seeing
my mom this way opened my eyes to how easily life can be taken. Cherish the
ones you love as if there isnt going to be a tomorrow, because it may never
come. I still struggle to overcome the pain and sadness I feel for the loss of
Spencer; however, Im thankful every day that my mom is here with us. I know
he is watching over us.

Community Improvement District

Brings Downtown St. Joseph New Life
Having a downtown that is pedestrian friendly, clean, and aesthetically appealing to residents and tourists alike requires the efforts of countless
individuals and groups. From the required duties of the city employees to
the volunteer efforts of civic groups and individual citizens, there has been a
positive change in the landscape of Saint Josephs downtown. One organized
group of volunteers has had a huge hand in this positive change over the last
three years, and are beginning to be recognized for all of their efforts.
This all-volunteer board is The Saint Joseph Downtown Community
Improvement District. Formed on September 6th, 2011, the Downtown CID
is a special taxing district for our historic downtown. Funded by a one half
percent sales tax and a fifty cent per one hundred dollar valuation on property tax, the CID is able to operate on an annual budget of nearly $130,000.
Members of the CID board carefully select projects within the downtown to
fulfill their mission to create and promote economic and cultural opportunities within the district by providing businesses and residents a means to fund
new services and capital improvements.
What makes this board fit the needs of a growing and changing downtown community is that each board member has a vested interest in the downtown. All members are either downtown property or business owners, or
represent a business or not-for-profit within the downtown. Having the CID
being led by individuals who are already an integral part of the downtown
only helps to ensure its success and relevancy.
The contributions to the downtown by the CID are noticeable on every
block. Keeping with the 2001 Master Plan for downtown, the CID has
made beautification and cleanliness a priority amongst their past and current
projects. Each year the CID pays the upkeep and maintenance of Gateway
Park at 3rd and Edmond, the major entrance into downtown from the south on
I-229.
Perhaps the largest project that the CID helped to finance was the
downtown mural, visible along Edmond Street between 5th and 6th Streets.
Completed in the summer of 2014, the mural has improved the visibility of
downtown as well as helped to preserve the brick structures that have given it
a home.
Taking a short walk through the Saint Joseph Downtown has also been
made more enjoyable due to the CID contributions. In June of 2014, Allied
Arts of Saint Joseph unveiled The Downtown Sculpture Walk, a multi-piece
art exhibit positioned over numerous locations downtown. Simultaneously
improving the growing arts community as well as the tourist business, the
sculptures have helped to make the downtown a destination for people outside
of our area as well as for people that live in other parts of our own community. While Allied Arts secured funds from multiple sources, the CID was a
major contributor, allocating $15,000 for its completion.
As you walk or drive through our downtown this holiday season,
youll notice a multitude of new Christmas lights and decor around Coleman
Hawkins Park on Felix Street. The CID was the largest funding source of this
project, as well as the Christmas at the Square event that is taking place on
December 6th.
For the CID, its also about the seemingly smaller things that can really
make a visible improvement to the downtown. Any person that walks or

drives through the downtown during the warmer months will have noticed the
dozens of planters of live flowers spread out over the area. These were also
purchased by the CID, who also pays to keep them watered and weeded every
summer. In another effort for downtown beautification, the CID also paid for
the trash receptacles you see on nearly every street, as well as the more than a
dozen benches that have been placed in front of local businesses.
While all of the contributions of the CID have been more than worthy
of noting, it would be an injustice to not point out that the CID is also a major
funding partner for The Downtown Partnership. Along with the City of Saint
Joseph, Mosaic, Buchanan County, the Saint Joseph Area Metro Chamber,
and the Saint Joseph Downtown Association, the CID has been dedicated to
maintaining the much needed Downtown Partnership, whose collaborative efforts of businesses and organizations have been vital to the development and
promotion of the growing downtown.

Where to go...
When you come to St. Joe!

15

Bill
Quickly working his way
up the corporate ladder.
Travels to a different city
every other week.
Spends his spare time
checking off his to-do list.
On this weeks liststop
by Mosaic Life Care
during extended hours
for that physical.

Its just the health care

Bill ordered

EXTENDED HOURS

Seven Convenient Northland Clinics:

Shoal Creek, Kansas City
Highland Plaza, Kansas City
Excelsior Springs
Gladstone
Kearney
Parkville Commons
Smithville

For an appointment call:

800.447.6820

Just what the patient ordered

myMosaicLifeCare.org