Month: March 2021

Severe cold weather causes many problems

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

I have some good friends who moved from Kansas City, Kansas, to Houston a few years ago. They wanted to be closer to their family. They like Texas, but didn’t expect to be without electricity for four days. They survived in better shape than some of the natives of the Republic of Texas during the recent cold snap.

Being without electricity isn’t fun for anyone. I recently lost electricity for about two hours. That was inconvenient, but nothing like what Texans suffered. I am glad that the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities was in good shape to deal with severe cold weather.

The BPU is part of the Southwest Power Pool, a consortium of utilities in some 14 states that offers a supporting grid during an emergency such as the one suffered last month. Each member utility reduced its power output with selected shutdowns such as the one I experienced with BPU. This was the first time that the Power Pool conducted such an extensive operation—called Level Three.

Texas is not part of the Southwest Power Pool. In typical Texas style, it has its own grid — but that proved ineffective. The problem was not an excessive turn to green energy. Despite warnings from experts, Texas was not prepared for such an emergency. Extreme cold weather caused equipment to malfunction. Now, an independent agency has said the grid has overcharged utilities an estimated $16 billion. The largest power cooperative in Texas has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing high invoices from the grid.

The Kansas Legislature is providing $100 million in low-interest loans to help cities that would risk losing their electricity if bills were not paid.

Here in Kansas City, Kansas, the BPU will not disconnect utility service for non-payment for those facing hardship, through March 31, because of the coronavirus pandemic. BPU reminded customers to take advantage of the Kansas Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. The telephone number for LIEAP is 1-800-432-0043.

Murrel Bland is former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is executive director of Business West.

Fundraiser planned March 26 for Grinter Place Friends

An arts and crafts workshop is planned from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

The event, which raises funds for the Grinter Place Friends, has a $25 fee. The workshop will be limited to 16 persons who preregister. Face masks and social distancing will be required.

Participants will paint wooden blocks with team names on them that are arranged in a design that can be displayed on a shelf. On one side of the blocks will be the word “Royals” and on the other side, “Chiefs.”

According to Pat Spencer of the Grinter Place Friends, all the supplies will be furnished. The finished item is about 17 inches long, 6.5 inches tall and about 1.5 inches deep, she said. Angie Kaminski will lead this project.

Previously, the Grinter Place Friends held fundraiser events where porch boards were painted, some that said “Welcome,” Spencer said.

Wine from Rowe Ridge Winery will be available for purchase during the March 26 event. Also, Poppin KC will have snacks available, including non-kernel popcorn and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Spencer said the Grinter Place Friends are trying to keep going through fundraisers and through rentals of the Grinter Barn. They have held some wedding receptions and other events, including drive-through receptions in their parking lot, she said.

Preregistration to the March 26 event is required to [email protected] or call 913-334-2500 for information.

Student from KCK selected as strengths coach

Abbie Grimm of Kansas City, Kansas, has been selected as a new strengths coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Grimm is one of 50 students at the College of Business’ Clifton Strengths Institute. Grimm is a sophomore accounting major.

Each strengths coach will lead a team of 10 students in a course required for all first-year business students. The coaches will hold weekly meetings, facilitate one-on-one sessions and help coordinate discussions. The course demonstrates how to take one’s top strengths from the CliftonStrengths assessment, develop and apply them to achieve academic, personal and professional success.