JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC

With the Royals in free fall, the nation’s fourth-largest city under water, the North Koreans firing missiles over Japan and a lowbrow boxing match in Las Vegas serving as entertainment for the nation, I’m looking desperately for things to be positive about.

I’ve had to brainstorm mightily for signs of hope, but you knew you could count on me — Mr. Poztiv — to come up with a few things. Some are a bit parochial, but in desperate times, you have to narrow the frame of reference.

So, here goes…

:: Daughter Brooks and son Charlie safely completed a marathon, two-day drive to Las Vegas over the weekend, and Charlie successfully enrolled today at UNLV in what should be his last semester (or two) toward a master’s degree in environmental health physics. Not the least of our worries was the fact that they made the trip in Charlie’s 2000 Malibu, which we inherited from my father after his death in 2007.

The Malibu has given us a lot of intrigue the last few years. It’s got about 135,000 miles on it, and the air conditioning has gone out twice. We replaced the AC control panel several years ago, and I’ll be darned if the “new” panel didn’t start acting up recently. With temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees in Las Vegas these days, getting that AC fixed before Charlie went back was imperative. Last week, I bought a new panel at Midway Auto Parts in the East Bottoms, and our niece’s boyfriend, a car whiz, offered to install it.

Friday morning, then, westward-ho went the “kids” (he 27, she 29). They made it to Albuquerque — about 800 miles away — that night, and they arrived in Las Vegas — 575 more miles — Saturday night. They stayed at an Airbnb Saturday and Sunday, and today Brooks flew home.

What a relief to have them in their respective cities safe and sound!

:: The price per share in “the failing” New York Times (NYT in the market listings) is up 38 percent this year…I bought a considerable amount of that stock (and kept adding) after the Great Recession. Years ago, I read where Warren Buffett advised amateur stock-market players to “buy what you know,” and that was my guidepost. (I have to admit, though, that an earlier newspaper investment didn’t turn out so great. After I retired in 2006 — before the recession — I bought McClatchy stock, telling people my intent was to demonstrate my confidence in the newspaper industry. I bought at 50 and sold at 7. Ouch!)

:: Inversely proportional to the NYT stock price, my golf scores have been going down. I shot a 77 — my lowest score ever — a few weeks ago, and last week recorded a 78, even while missing a few putts of three feet or less. I back slid a bit yesterday, hitting an 87. But I think I’ve turned a corner because of a swing change. I watch a lot of golf on TV, you know, and I got intrigued by the swing of outstanding Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama. He pauses for almost a full second — very unusual — at the top of his backswing, before starting the club on its downward path. After adopting the pause, I have been hitting the ball farther and more accurately than ever. Thank you, Hideki, and good luck in the season-ending FedExCup series!

:: Great progress continues to be made on renovation of the Sea Horse Fountain at Meyer Circle, a couple of hundred yards from our house. The expected completion date is now mid-October, and we should see a few bursts of water from that majestic fountain yet this year. Late last year and early this year, retired KPMG executive Dave Fowler and I collaborated on a private fund-raising effort, aiming to generate at least $250,000 for a permanent endowment. (We ended up raising more than $350,000).

The Sea Horse Fountain, under repair

In return, the city agreed to shoulder the brunt of the renovation cost. The cost of repairs has jumped from an estimated $605,000 to more than $900,000, and I expect the total to come in at $1 million or more…Everyone who drives by that fountain should be grateful, as I am, for the KC Parks and Recreation Department’s determination to do this job right. By the way, more than 40,000 vehicles pass the fountain every day.

:: Finally, I am looking forward to the Romanelli West Homes Association annual picnic on Sunday, Sept. 10, at Arno Park. As usual, we’ll have barbecue from BB’s on 85th Street, and for the kids we’ll have Kona Ice and Grateful Bubbles.

I ask you, how can you be downcast when shaved ice cups and giant bubbles are being served up?

Grateful Bubbles