Community event helps "Energize the Zone"

Tom Joyner (left) was greeted by Councilwoman Cindy Circo, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and Councilman Terry Riley.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Green Impact Zone welcomed more than 500 people to "Energize the Zone, Impact Your Home," a community event and information fair held at Paseo High School.

The free event offered zone residents an opportunity to learn more about the Green Impact Zone initiative and visit more than 50 booths where area service providers shared information about weatherization, home ownership, energy efficiency, jobs and job training, youth programs and more. Several workshops were also offered as part of the event. Entertainment included special guest Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. Full story>

Paseo students gain valuable experience at event

The Green Impact Zone's Dec. 5 community event offered several Paseo High School students an opportunity to put some of the skills they have learned in class to work in a real-world situation. Four students provided technical assistance with lighting, sound and equipment for workshops and entertainment in the school's auditoriums, and five students conducted on-camera interviews with participants. The students not only gained valuable experience, but also enjoyed taking part in the Green Impact Zone initiative. "This really showed me how a group of people working together can make a better community," said Sergio Gonzalez. Full story>

SmartGrid coming to the Green Impact Zone

Energy efficiency in the Green Impact Zone took a big step forward in November with the announcement of a $24 million grant to implement KCP&L's five-year SmartGrid demonstration project in and around the zone. The project, funded with federal stimulus dollars and a matching contribution of $24 million from KCP&L and its partners, will modernize the energy infrastructure in the zone.

The SmartGrid will introduce advanced technology that allows real-time, two-way communication between KCP&L and its customers living in the area bounded by Main Street, 37th Street, 52nd Street and Swope Parkway — encompassing all of the Green Impact Zone. Full story>

Census job testing held at Green Impact Zone office

In preparation for the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting workers for temporary jobs nationwide. Locally, the Green Impact Zone office at 4600 Paseo will serve as a testing center for people interested in census jobs.

Census takers work in their own communities, locating households, explaining the purpose of the census and helping neighbors complete the 2010 Census questionnaire. Federal, state and local governments often rely on census population numbers to determine how much money is spent on infrastructure and other services, so ensuring that everyone is counted accurately is important to the future of the neighborhoods in the Green Impact Zone. Full story>