BPU offers discounted home energy audits to customers

For a limited time, the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities is again offering residential customers access to low-cost home energy audits, helping them improve the efficiency of their home while reducing overall energy costs. This is just one more way BPU is working to provide value to its customers while minimizing the impact on our environment.

Under the Energy Audit Program, BPU will arrange for a certified auditor to conduct an energy audit on a customer’s home, helping identify ways to improve energy efficiency, cut costs, and benefit the environment. While other energy audits can cost up to $500.00, BPU makes this service available to residential customers for only a $50 fee. And if a customer makes the recommended improvements to their home within 90 days, BPU will refund the $50 fee – so the homeowner ends up paying nothing.

On-site energy audits include: a blower test to identify costly air leakages; a Combustible Appliance Zone test; up to 10 free compact fluorescent bulbs; recommendations for energy efficiency improvements, and; development of an Energy Conservation Plan. Home Energy Audits are available only to homeowners who have at least 12 months of electric usage with BPU. The $50 appointment fee will be refunded when customers provide a Certificate of Project Completion.

BPU has created a video that walks viewers through the steps involved in an energy audit. It also emphasizes the cost-saving benefits that help customers discover ways of protecting their investment. To see the video, go to BPU’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/kckbpu.

To schedule an appointment, call 913-573-9997 or email [email protected]. Appointments are limited and available on a first come, first served basis, so act quickly before this opportunity expires.

Iraqi journalist to speak at KCKCC

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

A renowned Iraqi photojournalist who was born under the regime of Saddam Hussein and who spent two years imbedded with the U.S military will be sharing his experiences and photographs at Kansas City Kansas Community College this week.

Haider Hamza Newmani, who has been featured on Showtime, NPR and numerous other news shows, will present “From the Front Line.” The presentation is at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. March 31 in Room 2325 on the KCKCC Main Campus, 7250 State Ave. Admission is free and open to the public.

During the event, Newmani will share his unique perspective as not only a journalist, but as an Iraqi citizen, activist and family man. He has lived through four major wars, including the Iran/Iraq war, the Persian Gulf War and the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He witnessed even more conflict as a journalist, spending time as a war journalist during the U.S. “War on Terror” and covering the perspective of armed resistance in the Middle East as a freelance journalist.

It was during this time that Newmani was arrested, injured and kidnapped, losing several family members and friends. After graduating from Baghdad University, he received a Fulbright Scholarship and moved to the United States, where he finished graduate school majoring in Global Security and Conflict Resolution.

Among the events Newmani has covered are conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, the trial of Saddam Hussein, the killing of al Qaeda leaders and the violence and civil wars in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. His presentation will not only touch on his experiences, but will include photos and other visuals from his time as a war journalist and as an Iraqi citizen. He not only examines the losses of both sides involved in war, but also helps the audience understand what it is like living in a war zone from the perspectives of civilians, soldiers, rebel fighters and journalists.

For more information, contact Barbara Clark-Evans at 913-288-7504 or by email at [email protected].

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.

NAACP to meet April 5

The Kansas City, Kan., Branch NAACP will meet Tuesday, April 5, at the Bethany Medical Building, second floor meeting room, 21 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kan.

The executive meeting will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the general membership meeting at 7 p.m.

The Veterans Committee will present the Kansas Vietnam Era Medallion Program at the 7 p.m. meeting.

All members are encouraged to attend.

The Women in NAACP (WIN) committee is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. in the same place.

For more information, call 913-281-7900.