🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: Primary Election

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: Second Harvest Community Food Bank

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: Remington Nature Center

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Animal Shelter

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Library reopens

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Chamber survey

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: Run/Walk for the Paws 5K

🎥Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Strong Virtual 5k

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph YWCA

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: National Library Week

🎥A virtual tour of the Remington Nature Center

🎥 Tuesdays Around Town: SJSD Teacher Darbie Valenti

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be part of putting on a virtual town hall meeting this week.

The Chamber and the Community Alliance are hosting the meeting, which can be viewed live on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephchamber/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> on Thursday.

Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says the meeting will include several community leaders giving an update on what's going on locally with the COVID-19 crisis.

“We know that things are changing daily here on the business side of things and people have a lot of questions," Bailey says. "We thought the best way to get those questions answered was to get all of these people on the same conference call at once."

The virtual town hall will include Mosaic Life Care CEO Dr. Mark Laney, St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray, St. Joseph School District Superintendent Dr. Doug Van Zyl, Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Lee Sawyer and St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patt Lilly.

The town hall meeting will be held at noon on Thursday and you can join into watch on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephchamber/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> then or view it later. 

If anyone would like to submit a question before the event, those can be sent to Tama Wagner, Director of the Community Alliance, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wagner@saintjoseph.com" target="_blank">wagner@saintjoseph.com</a>.

<p>by Sarah Thomack</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be part of putting on a virtual town hall meeting this week.</p><p>The Chamber and the Community Alliance are hosting the meeting, which can be viewed live on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephchamber/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> on Thursday.</p><p>Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says the meeting will include several community leaders giving an update on what's going on locally with the COVID-19 crisis.</p><p>“We know that things are changing daily here on the business side of things and people have a lot of questions," Bailey says. "We thought the best way to get those questions answered was to get all of these people on the same conference call at once."</p><p>The virtual town hall will include Mosaic Life Care CEO Dr. Mark Laney, St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray, St. Joseph School District Superintendent Dr. Doug Van Zyl, Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Lee Sawyer and St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patt Lilly.</p><p>The town hall meeting will be held at noon on Thursday and you can join into watch on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephchamber/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> then or view it later. </p><p>If anyone would like to submit a question before the event, those can be sent to Tama Wagner, Director of the Community Alliance, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wagner@saintjoseph.com" target="_blank">wagner@saintjoseph.com</a>.</p>

Several community leaders to participate in virtual town hall meeting

As churches comply with the shelter-in-place order in St. Joseph, Easter services will look different this year.

“One thing I feel like is really significant for this moment is that families will be together in their homes,” says Tim Doyle, Lead Pastor of Restoration Church. “There won’t be the pressure of ‘I’ve got to get ready for church!’ and ‘Get your dress on! Ah you’ve got grass stains on your pants!’ None of that stuff will be an issue anymore, we’ll be together in our homes, celebrating with the people that we care about and love the most.”

Doyle says they have been live streaming services on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/restorationstjoe/">Facebook page</a> or at <a href="https://restorationstj.com/">restorationstj.com</a> and being creative with connecting outside of services.

“I think the most important thing is for each pastor and church leader to recognize, what can I do to help my people have the most connectivity that we can in this limited and unconventional moment in history and still bring the hope, the joy, the anticipation that Easter brings for all of us," Doyle says.

Other churches in town have been creative in finding ways to social distance, but still see each other. The Keys Christian Fellowship Senior Pastor Richard Bradley says they came up with the idea for “drive-in” church, which is the same concept as a drive-in movie theater.

“God has created us to be relational people and in a time like this, it’s hard to be relational,” Bradley says. “So my thought was that if we can at least be in the same area together and still maintaining the social distancing ruling that has been given, at least people can see one another through their windshield or through the side glass on their car and my thinking was that might help them get over some of their inability to be social.”

Weather permitting, The Keys Christian Fellowship will hold a drive-in Easter service and they will live stream the service either way. You can find more details on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thekeyscf/">Facebook page</a> or <a href="https://thekeyschristianfellowship.snappages.site/">website</a>.

Holsey Chapel Senior Pastor Mary McDonald took a different approach to adapting services. McDonald says she wanted to offer an option for those who might not be as tech savvy.

“We’ve adapted for Sunday morning service, we call it Holsey Chapel Church On the Line and that we are open for God’s business.”

McDonald set up a service so people can call a number to join by phone to hear her preach from her office. 

“My congregation is a congregation that, when the preacher is preaching, the congregation talks back,” McDonald says. “They say, ‘Amen’ and ‘Praise the Lord,’ they wave their hands and they shout ‘Hallelujah.’ Because of the connection we’re having… we don’t get that feedback that we like to get when we’re preaching, so that is something that I miss.”

McDonald says it may be a very different experience but it's helped the congregation connect and be together during uncertain times.

"The connection points are so important just because of the power of relationship," McDonald says. "It's amazing to me that God can use a conference line to fill that need for folks who are in a place where there's some doubts, some fear, some challenges, but it's a great place for us to lift each other up."

You can find a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/203608387258171/">Holsey Chapel group on Facebook</a> to find out more about their church services. McDonald says they are planning to include video with their Easter service and to check their Facebook page or email holseyicm@gmail.com for more information.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586542249713.jpeg" alt=""Drive-in Church" is how one St. Joseph church is connecting with its congregation while still social distancing. Photo courtesy The Keys Christian Fellowship Pastor Richard Bradley. " />
                        <figcaption>"Drive-in Church" is how one St. Joseph church is connecting with its congregation while still social distancing. Photo courtesy The Keys Christian Fellowship Pastor Richard Bradley. </figcaption>
                    </figure><p>by Sarah Thomack</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>As churches comply with the shelter-in-place order in St. Joseph, Easter services will look different this year.</p><p>“One thing I feel like is really significant for this moment is that families will be together in their homes,” says Tim Doyle, Lead Pastor of Restoration Church. “There won’t be the pressure of ‘I’ve got to get ready for church!’ and ‘Get your dress on! Ah you’ve got grass stains on your pants!’ None of that stuff will be an issue anymore, we’ll be together in our homes, celebrating with the people that we care about and love the most.”</p><p>Doyle says they have been live streaming services on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/restorationstjoe/">Facebook page</a> or at <a href="https://restorationstj.com/">restorationstj.com</a> and being creative with connecting outside of services.</p><p>“I think the most important thing is for each pastor and church leader to recognize, what can I do to help my people have the most connectivity that we can in this limited and unconventional moment in history and still bring the hope, the joy, the anticipation that Easter brings for all of us," Doyle says.</p><p>Other churches in town have been creative in finding ways to social distance, but still see each other. The Keys Christian Fellowship Senior Pastor Richard Bradley says they came up with the idea for “drive-in” church, which is the same concept as a drive-in movie theater.</p><p>“God has created us to be relational people and in a time like this, it’s hard to be relational,” Bradley says. “So my thought was that if we can at least be in the same area together and still maintaining the social distancing ruling that has been given, at least people can see one another through their windshield or through the side glass on their car and my thinking was that might help them get over some of their inability to be social.”</p><p>Weather permitting, The Keys Christian Fellowship will hold a drive-in Easter service and they will live stream the service either way. You can find more details on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thekeyscf/">Facebook page</a> or <a href="https://thekeyschristianfellowship.snappages.site/">website</a>.</p><p>Holsey Chapel Senior Pastor Mary McDonald took a different approach to adapting services. McDonald says she wanted to offer an option for those who might not be as tech savvy.</p><p>“We’ve adapted for Sunday morning service, we call it Holsey Chapel Church On the Line and that we are open for God’s business.”</p><p>McDonald set up a service so people can call a number to join by phone to hear her preach from her office. </p><p>“My congregation is a congregation that, when the preacher is preaching, the congregation talks back,” McDonald says. “They say, ‘Amen’ and ‘Praise the Lord,’ they wave their hands and they shout ‘Hallelujah.’ Because of the connection we’re having… we don’t get that feedback that we like to get when we’re preaching, so that is something that I miss.”</p><p>McDonald says it may be a very different experience but it's helped the congregation connect and be together during uncertain times.</p><p>"The connection points are so important just because of the power of relationship," McDonald says. "It's amazing to me that God can use a conference line to fill that need for folks who are in a place where there's some doubts, some fear, some challenges, but it's a great place for us to lift each other up."</p><p>You can find a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/203608387258171/">Holsey Chapel group on Facebook</a> to find out more about their church services. McDonald says they are planning to include video with their Easter service and to check their Facebook page or email holseyicm@gmail.com for more information.&nbsp;</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/795610477&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe></div>

COVID-19 forces St. Joseph churches to get creative

This week,&nbsp; St. Joseph Animal Shelter Humane Educator Jennifer Lockwood talks about the&nbsp;Doggie Door Dash program and how the animal shelter is setting up appointments for pet adoptions since they are closed to the public.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoepost%2Fvideos%2F2665000766955957%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><p>This week,&nbsp; St. Joseph Animal Shelter Humane Educator Jennifer Lockwood talks about the&nbsp;Doggie Door Dash program and how the animal shelter is setting up appointments for pet adoptions since they are closed to the public.</p>

“Nobody handed us a manual on how to prepare for this… nobody says what to do when you have to socially distance yourself from others and you can’t interact together and businesses are shut down and it affects all industries. So we created the COVID Relief Fund so that when people’s needs started to appear, we could adapt and try to meet those very quickly.”

This week, we talk with United Way of Greater St. Joseph President Kylee Strough via Skype:

<p>“Nobody handed us a manual on how to prepare for this… nobody says what to do when you have to socially distance yourself from others and you can’t interact together and businesses are shut down and it affects all industries. So we created the COVID Relief Fund so that when people’s needs started to appear, we could adapt and try to meet those very quickly.”</p><p>This week, we talk with United Way of Greater St. Joseph President Kylee Strough via Skype:</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoepost%2Fvideos%2F1327108917476976%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph United Way

St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue set up a program to help anyone who needs food for their pet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kappy Hodges with the Friends of the Animal Shelter says she realized people may be facing unexpected layoffs and worried that some may feel they can't take care of their pets.

“I contacted the shelter and said, ‘Hey, what do you guys think about doing some kind of program where we get donations from the community?’ I was thinking businesses and then they can bring food to people if they find themselves in that situation,” Hodges says. “They really liked it and… they decided to call it Doggie Door Dash.”

With the shelter-in-place order, Hodges anticipates there may be more need for dog and cat food as people find themselves stuck with regular expenses, but not their regular income.

“So if someone can donate dog food for them, that takes away the problem of caring for the pet food and they can just use their dwindling resources for people needs," Hodges says. "Having your pet with you during times where there’s stress is better for people, we don’t want people surrendering some sweet little thing that they love that can keep their stress down too.”

Hodges says residents who want to help can <a href="https://www.petforu.com/donation1/">donate money</a> or buy an extra bag of pet food and bring it to the shelter or have them pick it up. Other options include ordering bags of food and having them sent to:

Contact St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue at (816) 271-4877 for more information about getting food for your pet or donating food. Visit the Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/FriendsoftheAnimalShelterStJoe/about/?ref=page_internal">Facebook page</a> for more information.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585258169001.jpeg" alt="Dog food donated by PetSmart for pet owners who need it. Photo courtesy Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter." />
                        <figcaption>Dog food donated by PetSmart for pet owners who need it. Photo courtesy Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>by Sarah Thomack</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue set up a program to help anyone who needs food for their pet during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>Kappy Hodges with the Friends of the Animal Shelter says she realized people may be facing unexpected layoffs and worried that some may feel they can't take care of their pets.</p><p>“I contacted the shelter and said, ‘Hey, what do you guys think about doing some kind of program where we get donations from the community?’ I was thinking businesses and then they can bring food to people if they find themselves in that situation,” Hodges says. “They really liked it and… they decided to call it Doggie Door Dash.”</p><p>With the shelter-in-place order, Hodges anticipates there may be more need for dog and cat food as people find themselves stuck with regular expenses, but not their regular income.</p><p>“So if someone can donate dog food for them, that takes away the problem of caring for the pet food and they can just use their dwindling resources for people needs," Hodges says. "Having your pet with you during times where there’s stress is better for people, we don’t want people surrendering some sweet little thing that they love that can keep their stress down too.”</p><p>Hodges says residents who want to help can <a href="https://www.petforu.com/donation1/">donate money</a> or buy an extra bag of pet food and bring it to the shelter or have them pick it up. Other options include ordering bags of food and having them sent to:</p><p>

Saint Joseph Animal Shelter</p><p>701 Lower Lake Road</p><p>Saint Joseph, MO 64504

</p><p>Contact St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue at (816) 271-4877 for more information about getting food for your pet or donating food. Visit the Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/FriendsoftheAnimalShelterStJoe/about/?ref=page_internal">Facebook page</a> for more information.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585257969789.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585258003869.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

"Doggie Door Dash" providing pet food for those who need it

All photos used in this video are courtesy of Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoepost%2Fvideos%2F660376464775490%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><p>All photos used in this video are courtesy of Second Harvest Community Food Bank.</p>

Tuesdays Around Town: Second Harvest Community Food Bank

🎥 The Gregg Lynn Radio Show: We're all in this together

Local businesses are among the many things dealing with changes as coronavirus concerns close schools and social distancing is encouraged.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce came up with a way to help local businesses get the word out on how people can still get food and other services as <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e7250c5afae0f4d5f5d6b1f">more restrictions have been put in place</a>.&nbsp;

Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says they've implemented the 'Couch and Click' program which is a list of local businesses offering carry out, curbside pickup or delivery and any special hours.

“All of our businesses are really working hard to make sure that they still have products they can get to the public to help them stay afloat in this crazy time and also help our residents that still need their products,” Bailey says.

You can view the list on the <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/couch-click/">St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce website</a>. 

Bailey says they are also working on a webpage devoted to local information for businesses including health updates and legal information related to the COVID-19 situation. They plan to have the page up at the end of this week.

<p>by Sarah Thomack</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>Local businesses are among the many things dealing with changes as coronavirus concerns close schools and social distancing is encouraged.</p><p>The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce came up with a way to help local businesses get the word out on how people can still get food and other services as <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e7250c5afae0f4d5f5d6b1f">more restrictions have been put in place</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says they've implemented the 'Couch and Click' program which is a list of local businesses offering carry out, curbside pickup or delivery and any special hours.</p><p>“All of our businesses are really working hard to make sure that they still have products they can get to the public to help them stay afloat in this crazy time and also help our residents that still need their products,” Bailey says.</p><p>You can view the list on the <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/couch-click/">St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce website</a>. </p><p>Bailey says they are also working on a webpage devoted to local information for businesses including health updates and legal information related to the COVID-19 situation. They plan to have the page up at the end of this week.</p>

'Couch and Click' lists local businesses offering pickup, delivery

The St. Joseph Public Library announced Tuesday afternoon they have decided to temporarily close all four branches in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from the library,&nbsp;at the recommendation of both the Missouri Library Association and American Library Association, they will be closing all four branches beginning Wednesday, March 18, until April 5.&nbsp; This includes all programs and outreach services.

"The decision was difficult as we care deeply about serving our community.&nbsp; The unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis is changing daily life for most of us and the evidence continues to point to the fact that lessening contact helps slow the spread of the virus."

According to the library, all checkout periods for items not yet due will be extended to April 10 and all pending holds will be frozen so no one will lose a book they couldn’t pick up or lose their place in line.

They encourage patrons to utilize electronic and downloadable materials via their website at <a href="https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/databases">https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/databases</a>.&nbsp;

For more updates, visit the St. Joseph Public Library's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjoepubliclibrary/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&amp;eid=ARDxHJkSt5LFVbxvWhQ14yMsTu4dWmwvWTz4ekOYSSaAnlw3r8wRqJHrsi-06_bDB5KsNuAa7D_rP_aG">Facebook page</a>.

<p>The St. Joseph Public Library announced Tuesday afternoon they have decided to temporarily close all four branches in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>According to a press release from the library,&nbsp;at the recommendation of both the Missouri Library Association and American Library Association, they will be closing all four branches beginning Wednesday, March 18, until April 5.&nbsp; This includes all programs and outreach services.</p><p>"The decision was difficult as we care deeply about serving our community.&nbsp; The unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis is changing daily life for most of us and the evidence continues to point to the fact that lessening contact helps slow the spread of the virus."</p><p>According to the library, all checkout periods for items not yet due will be extended to April 10 and all pending holds will be frozen so no one will lose a book they couldn’t pick up or lose their place in line.</p><p>They encourage patrons to utilize electronic and downloadable materials via their website at <a href="https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/databases">https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/databases</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>For more updates, visit the St. Joseph Public Library's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjoepubliclibrary/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&amp;eid=ARDxHJkSt5LFVbxvWhQ14yMsTu4dWmwvWTz4ekOYSSaAnlw3r8wRqJHrsi-06_bDB5KsNuAa7D_rP_aG">Facebook page</a>.</p>

St. Joseph Public Library temporarily closing all branches

St.
Joseph Chamber of Commerce officials have announced the Farm City Breakfast
scheduled for next Friday, March 20th, will be postponed.

An
email sent out by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce states the decision was
not made lightly, “but based on concerns expressed from those who had planned
on attending the event, as well as travel and meeting restrictions that have
been put in place for employees of some companies and agencies that limits out
ability to provide a quality program.”

The
Chamber says it also feels a responsibility to take the steps needed to keep
members and the community safe in light of the spread of the coronavirus.

<p>St.
Joseph Chamber of Commerce officials have announced the Farm City Breakfast
scheduled for next Friday, March 20th, will be postponed.</p><p>An
email sent out by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce states the decision was
not made lightly, “but based on concerns expressed from those who had planned
on attending the event, as well as travel and meeting restrictions that have
been put in place for employees of some companies and agencies that limits out
ability to provide a quality program.”</p><p>The
Chamber says it also feels a responsibility to take the steps needed to keep
members and the community safe in light of the spread of the coronavirus.</p>

St. Joseph Farm City Breakfast postponed

The K-Jo 105.5 Pound Plunge presented by Mosaic Life Care ends
its run on a high note.

The Pound Plunge, a weight loss program overseen by health
professionals, has wrapped up after a 15-year run with 1,200 participants
losing a total of 7,967 pounds. Thirty-six percent of the participants who
started on January 8th completed the program which ended last night
with a celebration at East Hills Mall. That is a record retention rate.

Over its 15-year run, participants in the Pound Plunge lost a total
of 165,000 pounds.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584030230870.jpeg" alt="K-Jo Pound Plunge celebration at East Hills Mall/Photo by Cyndee Campbell" />
                        <figcaption>K-Jo Pound Plunge celebration at East Hills Mall/Photo by Cyndee Campbell</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By BRENT MARTIN</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>The K-Jo 105.5 Pound Plunge presented by Mosaic Life Care ends
its run on a high note.</p><p>The Pound Plunge, a weight loss program overseen by health
professionals, has wrapped up after a 15-year run with 1,200 participants
losing a total of 7,967 pounds. Thirty-six percent of the participants who
started on January 8th completed the program which ended last night
with a celebration at East Hills Mall. That is a record retention rate.</p><p>Over its 15-year run, participants in the Pound Plunge lost a total
of 165,000 pounds.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584030490991.jpeg" alt="Crowd gathers at K-Jo Pound Plunge celebration at East Hills Mall/Photo by Cyndee Campbell" />
                        <figcaption>Crowd gathers at K-Jo Pound Plunge celebration at East Hills Mall/Photo by Cyndee Campbell</figcaption>
                    </figure>