James Wright has spent the last 30 years in show business.

This past year was filled with a number of accomplishments for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, from recording-breaking attendance and participation at nearly all of its annual events, to increased engagement from volunteers, merchants and investors, to the establishment of new committees, new endeavors and new collaborations.

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City has won a $162 million judgment against Hospital Corp. of America, owner of the largest hospital system in the Kansas City area.

910 NW Blue Pkwy

The United States over all has failed to reach almost every goal set for women’s health, according to a report entitled “Making the Grade on Women’s Health: A National and State-by-State Report Card,” a report published by the National Women’s Law Center and Oregon Health Sciences University.

The simple answer is yes. It has been scientifically proven that obesity, exercise behavior, cardio-respiratory fitness, and even eating patterns are highly influenced by our genes but it is still unclear just how large of a role genetics play. Since twins have identical genetic make-up but live in different environments, researchers have been able to determine how much of their body weight is due to genetics and how much is due to individual lifestyle choices. Participation in physical activities and other exercise can significantly lower body fat regardless of genetic makeup.

1209 NE Rice Rd.

A national study reported that 60 percent of adults appreciate classical music and 35 percent listen to it regularly, but only 5 percent regularly attend classical concerts. Why is this? The two leading reasons were lack of time and money. But there are other excuses, too.

Craig McCord took a special interest in photography while seeing the magic of the photo develop in a dark room. That passion continues today as he travels around the United States to photograph what he believes are some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in the world. Some of his favorite landscapes stem from the pacific coast as well as the desert and even some territories closer to Lee’s Summit.

Kiera Griffith, Lee’s Summit North High School, with her first place artwork, “Worn”, at the Lee’s Summit Fine Arts Challenge. About 150 guests attended the opening Feb. 24.

A Lee’s Summit photographer is one of the artists with work on exhibit at Washington Dulles International Airport as part of its arts program.

815 SE Third St.

We are half-way through the first month of the New Year and some of us are still working on our goals or New Year’s resolutions. For most of us, there is one goal that shows up year after year and that is to lose weight and or live a healthier lifestyle.

Because it is a new year does that mean there has to be a new you? What’s wrong with the old you? You made it this far, so why do you have to change so much? We can all use a little tweaking now and again, but do you really need to make resolutions? I understand making goals, but if you make goals on a regular basis some of them will be for a whole year, but a lot of them will be shorter. So what happens when you achieve that goal, do you have to wait for a new year to make more goals? The answer is no.

305 NE Todd George