point of view

Solar flares are causing a geomagnetic storm that should make it possible for KC & other cities in the middle of the country to see the aurora borealis, which can usually only be glimpsed in northern latitudes. NOAA reported that a “large sunspot cluster," 16 times the size of Earth's diameter, is producing strong solar flares this week, along with what are called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Those events are “explosions of plasma & magnetic fields from the sun’s corona," NOAA says. The resulting geomagnetic storm is ranked as G4, a "Severe" category. NPR reports this is the first G4 storm to hit Earth in nearly two decades.

The storms may disrupt communications & navigations equipment, cause power outages & even hurt satellites. But it's also what will give us the nighttime display. “Stronger disturbances around the sun can pull Earth's magnetic field away from the planet, & when the magnetic field snaps back, it causes Alfvén waves, which electrons sometimes cling to,” NPR reports. “When those electrons reach Earth's atmosphere, they mingle with nitrogen & oxygen molecules, causing visible light that manifests as the aurora borealis.”

Sunday - Mother's Day

Tuesday, 4PM - Municipal Court; 6PM - Friends of the Wells

Wednesday, noon - Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Thursday, 6PM - Pizza & Planning

Friday, 7:30AM - Council Work Session

Celebrating this week's work anniversaries - Kathryn Stewart, Firefighter/EMT & Johanna Craven, Bus Driver - 3 years; Tabitha Roberts, 911 Communications Officer - 2 years.

Highlighting community leaders serving on Historic Preservation Commission - Susan Blaser (Construction), Rick DeFlon (Architect), Anna Sue Spohn & Jason Van Till (Realtors), Betty Bissell, Darryl Couts, & Dennis Hartman (Historians). Thank you for your leadership & preservation of our heritage. Your work has returned economic value to our oldest neighborhoods & Central Business District.

Historic Preservation Awards were given this week for the most exceptional preservaton projects. Awards winners were Jody & Linda Pasalich for Other Trails @ 115 E. Broadway & Fizer's Garage, the Historic Preservaton Champion recognition goes to Sonya Morgan.

Chamber of Commerce will be bringing guest speakers to the luncheon to share timely information, useful tips, & insightful news to help you & your business.

Pizza & Planning Session to discuss new comprehensive plan. The comp plan guides decision-making, growth, & development for the next 15 years. It is important that the plan reflects the current needs & aspirations of the community. The 1st session was on April 30th.

City Council agenda items under development include annual report from City Hospital, Park Board appointments, recommendations from Planning & Zoning to revise Chapter 403, Sign Regulations & denial to rezone C3 property @ 1114 Tracy Ave to R3 requested by Eden Village; recommendations from Police Department regarding Chickens; & purchase of boiler for Hall of Waters.

• We are getting the outdoor pool ready for the summer & swim team. Lifeguard training & in service is underway
• Community Center experienced internet & phone outage this week, sorry if we missed your call
• Bricks have been ordered for our recent retirees; bricks sales support the Park Foundation & provide a lasting memory. Visit the Splash Park to find your brick.
• EPA & KSU TAB will be conducting a market assessment of 410 Superior, the old hospital property; removal of hazardous materials is estimated to cost $320,000; seeking grant funds to cover this expense so the property can be redeveloped.
• Work has been scheduled for repairs to Cameron Road.
• The Museum is assisting the City with a few projects, one is to research those buried in the Crown Hill Mausoleum to identify next of kin to provide a discussion group as to how to make improvements to the building. The second project is to provide a history of planning & development in ESMO for the comprehensive plan document. Both projects are pretty interesting.

We all know KC is synonymous with barbecue. One of the area's bucket list locations will be showcased before a national audience. Wabash BBQ, will host a visit from America's Best Restaurants from 2-5pm on May 21st. The barbecue restuarant is housed inside the former Wabsh train station & has been open since 1997.The restaurants' finished episodes premier date will be announced on America's Best Restaurants' Facebook page & will be featured on its website. KCTV5