Since I fancy myself your favorite gas buddy, here’s your latest gas price update. First, apparently we have better quality gasoline in Platte County than they do in other areas of the Kansas City metro. Why? I don’t know. I’m just basing that on the local prices, which seem to be consistently above other parts of the metro. For the past several months gasoline prices in northern Platte County have been noticeably higher than the average price throughout the metropolitan area.
For instance, the average price in KC is $2.79 per gallon but on Tuesday afternoon the going price in northern Platte County–at least in the Platte City area and northward–is $2.89. Maybe it’s because we have so many fuel outlets alongside I-29 and the stations are taking advantage of the captive interstate audience? Just a thought.
Anyway, according to the website GasBuddy.com, which tracks such things, the lowest price in the KC metro is a station priced at $2.57 and the most expensive outlet in KC is at $3.15 per gallon. Gas prices in Kansas City are 4.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 83.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Here’s one expert’s take on the matter:
“Overall prices remained near the 2021’s peak price set in early August due to COVID-19 supply and demand imbalances,” says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “Relief in average gas prices has really only shown up west of the Rockies thus far, and may continue to be delayed by an active hurricane season which has prevented gas prices from their normal seasonal decline. While I am optimistic that we eventually will see a decline in price, the drop is not likely to be as noticeable as I had anticipated due to the above average hurricane season and as demand remains seasonally strong.”
Sometimes I get a hankerin’ for meaningless stats and like to pass them along to you. This is one of those times. No need to thank me.
Here’s a meaningless fuel stop tidbit for you: What time of day do you think is the most popular for filling up your gas tank? A new study by GasBuddy says that in Missouri and Kansas the most frequent time of day that motorists fuel up is 4 p.m. I’m more of an 8-9 a.m. filler upper, myself. It’s a cooler time of day for standing outside the car. Also, it paid off for me on Tuesday of this week, as the local price of gasoline was at $2.79 when I filled up Tuesday morning but the price had jumped to $2.89 by Tuesday afternoon. Thank you very much.
People in 24 states most frequently purchase gasoline between 5-6 p.m., another 23 states fill up most frequently between 4-5 p.m.
Also, what’s the most popular day of the week for drivers to fill their tanks? Friday, which gets 15.9 percent of weekly fuel sales, according to GasBuddy.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, Tech Man Schneider is in charge of everything related to The Landmark’s NFL Pickem contest (remember to get in–you can’t win if you don’t play).
Tech Man Schneider sends out the weekly notifications/results emails to those who have signed up as participants at plattecountylandmark.com. This week he told me he was making a Game of Thrones reference in his email blast and asked me what I thought. I indicated to him it’s a good thing he told me it was a Game of Thrones reference, because had he not told me I would’ve never known. I’ve never watched Game of Thrones. Just as I’ve never watched any of the Star Wars movies. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t say that as some kind of weird brag but rather as an explanation. If you and I are engrossed in conversation and you make references to sci-fi flicks, Marvel movies or fantasy films, I will have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.
Listen, I don’t look down upon anyone who enjoys those types of movies, just saying that I do not. I blame it on my profession. My newspaper background guides me to enjoy fact-based films and movies with at least some resemblance to things that could actually, you know, occur. I’m not into fantasy flicks about super heroes and such, though maybe I’d reconsider if Rihanna ever stars in a super hero film. In the absence of that, I’m gladly leaving the fantasy stuff to the Chris Kamlers and Tech Man Schneiders of the world and I bow to their expertise on those topics.
You be you. I ain’t mad atcha.
Remember, if everybody is thinking alike then nobody is thinking.
We’ve had a few 90 degree days recently but we’re due for a cool-down. The first two or three weeks of October are typically my favorite weather days of year. Some crispness in the air wakes up the senses, makes a person feel alive and energized, does it not? Windbreaker weather is the best. Don’t fight it. Embrace it.
Are you anxious to see fall colors? Hang in there, it’s getting close to time. As you probably know, the brilliance of fall color depends entirely upon weather. For the most vivid colors, there are certain weather conditions you need to be hoping for: sunny days and cool–but not frosty–nights are the optimum weather ingredients for brilliant fall colors.
Platte City lost a good man with the passing of Jack Coots, age 85, last Friday at his home. Jack was a highly respected man in the community and a legend in downtown Platte City, always pleasant, always professional and always fun. He worked at Wells Bank in Platte City for more than 60 years, starting as a cashier and working his way up to bank president before retiring. I plan to share one of my favorite memories of Jack in this column space next week.
Local historian Olin Miller says there have been a number of people over the years who have worked for a Platte City business for 50 years. “But Jack worked over 60 years for Wells Bank. William Giffee, who ran the harness shop, ran or worked for that business for 63 years. The only other 60-plus year business owner/employee is Ronnie Pine (Pine’s Barber Shop),” Miller says.
(Talk fantasy films with Foley anytime. He’ll ignore those emails at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)