My
wife and I are long-time fans of the Kansas City Royals, and we try to hit a
home game whenever we can; it’s one of our favorite family pastimes. Currently,
the Royals are sitting 4th overall in the MLB’s American League Central (AL
Cent), but their performance isn’t the only thing fans are talking about and
sportscasters are reporting on.
After
much speculation, it’s been confirmed that the Kansas City Royals are being
sold to local businessman John Sherman, for $1 billion. The official
announcement was made by the Royals’ current owner David Glass and his family
on August 30th. While Glass explained to Kansas City fans how difficult this
decision was to make, there are high hopes that John Sherman will make an
excellent addition to the team.
A
season-ticket holder, minority owner of the Cleveland Indians, and Kansas City
native, John Sherman will be the third owner of the franchise since it was
founded in 1969 by Ewing Kauffman. While the prospect of new ownership is
daunting to fans, teammates, and management, John Sherman is certainly the
right man for the job. This change in ownership could mean a whole new ball
game for the Royals, and one that exudes success.
I
believe that Sherman will truly be an asset to the Royals, as his experience
speaks for itself. As a former minority owner of the Cleveland Indians, Sherman
has seen the operations of major league baseball–he knows how the system works
and the types of strategies that will evoke prosperity for the team and the
franchise as a whole. However, there has been some speculation that Dayton
Moore steps away from the general manager’s office while Ned Yost might also
make an abrupt departure.
We
can only wait to see what the final outcome will be, but it’s important to keep
in mind that the Royals have always been a strong and stable franchise–more
than any other franchise within the last decade. As a long-time fan, I have
hope that this new deal will bring forth a new era for the Kansas City Royals.
Some people call it “Paris of the Plains,” – others call it
the BBQ Capital of the World – or simply K.C. There are a lot of different
names for Kansas City, Missouri but I just call it home.
From its early days as a settlement for traders and trappers,
Kansas City has been a burgeoning center piece in the American story. Today, the
metro area is home to over 2 million people, and is a major business sector and
logistical hub in the heartland of the country.
Allow me to give you a short history of this great city.
Founding and Early Days
Kansas City became famous as a waypoint for traders, trappers and pioneers making their way westward.
The area around Kansas City was initially inhabited by
Native American tribes (primarily the Kansa Indians and the Shawnee tribe) in
its early days before its development by French traders and Missouri’s later
inclusion into the United States.
Kansas City itself was founded heavily by the activity of
settlers and pioneers who made their way along the Kansas and Missouri Rivers –
scouting out the land in search of animals, farmland and strategic points for
traders. A prominent merchant and missionary named John Calvin McCoy opened up
a store for fellow travelers, sprouting neighboring settlements and what would
eventually become Kansas City.
By mid-century, Kansas City had emerged as a key port along
the Missouri River, and had established itself as a primary point of interest for
travelers as the great westward expansion was underway. The budding town was
eventually incorporated into Missouri, although half of the metro still remains
in Kansas state to this day.
The Boom
In the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s, Kansas City went through a
boom. Due to its prime location as a crossroads to the west, the city became a
destination for travelers and newly arrived citizens which brought in some of
its most defining qualities.
In 1881, the state of Kansas enacted prohibition laws for
its residents – barring the consumption and selling of alcohol. Luckily for
those residents located on the western side of the Kansas River, they could get
a drink just over the bridge in Missouri where alcohol was still legal. This created
a boom in taverns and saloons throughout Kansas City (especially along our
famous 12th street.)
The explosion of profitability from these saloons brought in
other forms of business (banks, manufacturing, hotels, etc.) and led to the
expansion of Kansas City’s influence. The city soon gave birth to its own
distinct form of Jazz, as well as placing itself on the map for the world’s
best BBQ.
Current Day
Kansas City, Missouri
After the mid-1900’s Kansas City continued to develop along
with the rest of the United States. Population growth has continued to climb as
the city remains an attractive site for businesses, young professionals and
families in the Midwest.
Today, we are the country’s 29th most populous
metro area. We are home to a multitude of fabulous schools and universities. We
enjoy a multitude of sports teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas
City Royals – and yes, our BBQ is still number one.
We have more boulevards than Paris, filled with places to
see and things to do. If you should be so lucky to find yourself in this part
of the country, make sure to visit some of our most notable locations, like the
National WWI Museum and Memorial or the famous Union Station.
I love learning about the latest trends and seeing where the
market is going at any given time, and you can learn a lot by observing
industry changes on a macro scale. Like all fields of business, real estate is
constantly shifting with the times and the last place you want to end up is
behind the curve.
Plus, it’s just incredibly interesting to see how the latest
tech is being used for the benefit of the owner and seeker. Every year it seems
like there is something new that comes out to potentially revolutionize the
industry.
Today, I thought I’d share some of the most exciting things
to keep an eye on in the next year.
1.) Virtual and Augment Reality
Virtual reality (or VR) used to be a fantasy of the
not-so-distant past. I remember several various attempts at producing a viable
concept throughout the 80’s and 90’s, but it seems is if the tech has finally
arrived.
Maybe you’ve seen the demos at your local mall, or maybe
you’re living an alternate life in the comfort of your home – at either rate,
VR is an emerging technology that could revolutionize real estate as we know
it.
From experiencing a virtual tour of your place prior to
move-in, or seeing your dream home before building – there are several
attractive possibilities for this tool. Sure, there are some digital programs
out there that let you play around with various design concepts, but imagine a
fully realized creative platform that lets you see the end product before your
very eyes.
Property owners and builders can host instant and
always-available walk-throughs for prospective buyers. And buyers will be able
to plan for their future by knowing how their home will look and feel once they
move in. This also opens the door to interior/exterior design.
2.) Drone Photography
Drones came onto the scene just a few short years ago and
multiple industries quickly found use for flying tech. In real estate, the
drone has been adapted primarily to be used for photography and video recording
that would have been impossible in the past.
There are some amazing feats being accomplished with drone
photography, from a bird’s eye view of the property or neighborhood, to gliding
through open rooms. Check out this amazing video, shot with a drone equipped
with slow-motion capture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrlusuwPvcs
These little machines are controlled by manual or digital
remotes and can go upwards of 400 feet – getting amazing footage of land
properties or homes for sale. Some drones can be outfitted with expensive, HD
cameras that capture hyper-detailed images/video. A professional level drone
can cost anywhere between a couple hundred dollars and several thousand –
depending on what specs or quality is needed.
This new tech is certainly a game changer for owners trying
to showcase their properties, but it will also open up a whole area for
business. Costing a couple hundred dollars per flight – drone pilots can make
good money, while also offering a fair price for stellar photos.
3.) Improved Data and Platforms
Since the arrival of platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com,
buying and selling platforms have completely changed the real estate business.
Having properties listed on these platforms has never been more important and
can mean the difference between success and failure.
For buyers and sellers alike, it’s important to tap into the
massive market looking for specific requirements. One of the great features of these various
platforms is the ability to nail down the exact specifications that home buyers
are looking for – allowing them to sort through thousands of listings to
compare the most suitable matches.
Gone are the days of “searching and hoping” to find a home
that you can tolerate. Now, you can get the home of your dreams curated to your
profile and neatly organized by filter options. This dramatically cuts down on
the need for a third-party, and will continue to do so as personalized
algorithms become more advanced.
These are just a few of the latest technological
developments in real estate. It will be interesting to see how these develop
and what other advancements come into the fold, but I would choose these as the
big winners in innovation.
Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with the
concept and details of Greek Mythology and how they directly reflect the values
of the ancient societies that they were crafted from. In a way, these mythic
tales about various gods and goddesses are really stories about the people of
Greece as they fostered the greatest society that the earth has ever seen.
Greek mythology dates back to the 8th century B.C.
and while the stories themselves are interesting and fun to read, if you take a
closer look, there’s a lot to be gleaned from their origins.
For example, we’re all familiar with Hades – the underworld
– where souls go after death and where their ruler (also named Hades) reigned
supreme. The creation of this fictional land of the dead indicates that the
Greeks held a developed concept of life after death and believed that there
were powerful supernatural beings that exist beyond man’s knowledge.
Another interesting insight into the Greek culture is
highlighted through the deity Dionysus, the god of wine, theater and
celebration. He was “the social god.” It’s curious to think of how important
these aspects were to a people who lived so long ago without the conveniences
of modern technology. I guess partying and the pursuit of joy is as old as
time.
It’s also intriguing that the gods/goddesses in Greek
mythology are flawed and have their own distinct personalities that leave them
open to error; whereas religious figures in modern beliefs are examples of
perfection and holiness.
It makes one thing about how drastically different the
ancient Greeks thought about the world compared with our views and
understandings today. And yet, what amazes me is that many of the same themes
and thoughts that originated from their society still persist all over the world
today.
These themes add a human element to the Greek myths and
highlight the unescapable qualities of human nature. While Greek gods were
certainly flawed, notions of good and evil and of consequences still resonate
within every culture on the planet. Later on, the Greeks would also lay the
foundations for Western philosophy with great thinkers such as Socrates, Plato
and Aristotle.
Whether it’s the ancient Greek myths or the classic epics of
Homer, we can learn a lot about ancient man (and ourselves) through these
stories. I would highly recommend anyone to spend a little time to explore this
vast area of knowledge.
I think you will find the works to be enriching as well as a
lot of fun!
It’s
essential that we give back to our environment in any way we can, and at
Eighteen Capital Group, we do this by incorporating cutting-edge “green”
technologies in all of our managed properties. Sustainability is key to the
preservation of our ecosystem, and we can practice this in a multitude of ways.
Homes that exude eco-friendly qualities will not only give back to our
environment, but they can also save you money in the long-run–certainly a
win-win in my book.
In
an effort to make our homes environmentally conscious, here are a few excellent
and cost-effective upgrades you can make:
Install a Smart Meter: One of the biggest culprits of energy
consumption in your home is your heating system. Especially true during the
cold winter months, your heating system uses an exorbitant amount of energy and
money. To solve this problem, you may want to consider installing a smart
meter. Smart meters can be programmed for maximum efficiency, they are an
excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint, and they will save you money on
your next energy bill.
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs: Cheap and easy to find,
energy-efficient light bulbs are another sure-fire way to promote
sustainability in your home. These bulbs use less electricity while lasting
much longer than the average bulb.
Window Treatments: While natural light can add the perfect aesthetic to a
home, too much natural light can make your house a bit warmer, requiring your
air conditioning system to work hard to keep your house cool. In turn, this can
cause significant increases in your energy bill at the end of the month. To
solve this problem, consider the various window treatments you can invest in
for your home. From glass tints to curtains, there are many cost-effective
options to keep the temperature of your house regulated properly.
Low Flow Shower Heads: Long, hot showers can lead to wasted
water and energy. Luckily, low-flow shower heads are the perfect solution for
individuals who enjoy 10-15 minutes of peace in the shower but don’t want to
waste money and water. Low flow shower heads can decrease water consumption by
40% or more. These shower heads exude sustainability by reducing water
consumption while decreasing your water bill at the same time.
While these are only a few small examples, there are a multitude of ways to practice sustainability in your home. This is a practice we take very serious throughout Eighteen Capital Group and in my own home. How do you practice sustainability in your home?
At Eighteen Capital Group, one of our most important principles is to ensure that managed properties benefit from added value components, such as integrating cutting-edge “green” technologies into the mix. For example, green-retrofit utility expense reduction and other efficiencies are key elements of the 18CG experience.
Why go green?
Many people believe that “green” simply means reducing our carbon footprint by using alternative sources of clean energy, such as wind or solar-generated power. However, green technologies can be applied to almost all areas of our daily lives and the benefits of using them extend far beyond responsible stewardship of our planet’s natural resources and protecting the environment.
Although it sounds complicated, green retrofitting is essentially
just taking what you already have and making it more efficient and more cost
effective. The process is relatively new, but the number of consumers and businesses
implementing it is expanding rapidly.
The process involves renovating commercial and residential properties
and upgrading/greening basic systems to produce more efficient water use,
better lighting, and better heating and cooling systems. These new technologies are not only more
efficient, but more cost effective. In commercial buildings, they not only save
money, but improve the work environment and therefore increase both the morale and
productivity of employees. The same holds true at residential properties, where
residents benefit by saving money on monthly utility costs. This is what I call a win-win – a win for the
environment and a win for businesses and consumers.
In California, a state that is challenged by serious droughts and
other environmental issues, new water technologies are helping to reduce
chronic water shortages by processing water more efficiently. The improved efficiency increases the volume
of re-usable water and reduces the time it takes to process and reintroduce
that water into the available distribution matrix. In a state like California,
that has significant implications for the entire population.
The skyrocketing financial costs and long-term environmental damage associated with relying exclusively on limited supplies of fossil fuels are no longer in doubt. More and more, fossil fuels are being replaced by natural energy sources that do not damage the environment and reduce costs.
Green retrofitting is the next step in this process of energy evolution, cutting down on waste and pollution, reducing costs and allowing all of us to contribute a more healthy environment.
With the September 8 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars just weeks away, I’m excited about the Kansas City Chiefs’ prospects for 2019. Like every other Chiefs fan, I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time – ever since our heart-breaking overtime loss to the New England Patriots in last year’s AFC Championship game.
Unless you were living in a cave last season, it would have
been impossible not to notice that second year-quarterback Patrick Mahomes lit
up the scoreboard all season long, becoming just the second quarterback in NFL
history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a single season. Mahomes
led the chiefs to an impressive 12-4 regular season record, a performance that
was good enough to earn Kansas City the AFC West title and home-field advantage
throughout the AFC playoffs – the first time the Chiefs reached the top seed in
the conference since 1997. It was also good enough to earn Patrick Mahomes the
NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Despite having the NFL’s best offense and home-field
advantage, I was still concerned the Chiefs might somehow find a way to snatch
defeat from the jaws of victory when they faced the Indianapolis Colts in the
divisional round. After all, the Chiefs
had lost the last six of their previous home playoff games and 4 of their last
playoff games against Indianapolis.
My fears proved to be unfounded. Mahomes picked apart the Colts secondary and
Kansas City’s unstoppable offense rolled up an impressive 31-13 victory to end
25 years of playoff drought.
Although the Chiefs fielded the best offense in the league,
the defense – which ranked second to last among NFL teams in total defense –
played inconsistently throughout the season.
Despite performing well against Indianapolis in the divisional round,
the defense collapsed in the second half of the AFC Conference Championship
against New England, allowing the Patriots to run the ball into the end zone
during the overtime period (and ending our dreams of Superbowl glory).
Following the conclusion of the 2018 season, the Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton and brought in Steve Spagnuolo, a veteran defensive guru who is known for running aggressive defenses and favoring unconventional blitzing schemes. Spagnuolo has a lot of experience coaching defense for winning teams, most notably the 2007 New York Giants Super Bowl team. He also worked previously as part of Andy Reid’s coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two years as a head coach with the St. Louis Rams.
In addition to changing the defensive coaching staff and
going from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3, the Chiefs let some marquee players go.
Gone are defensive lineman Allen Bailey, linebackers Justin Houston and Dee
Ford, cornerback Steven Nelson and safety Eric Berry. Given the disaster that was the Chiefs’
secondary last year – not to mention Berry’s chronic injury issues – those
moves should have come as no surprise.
Losing veterans Dee Ford and Justin Houston DID surprise a lot of
people, yet considering the move to a 4-3 defense, it may prove to be
justified.
Their likely replacements include defensive linemen Frank
Clark, a free agent acquisition formerly with the Seattle Seahawks and Alex
Okafor, acquired from the New Orleans Saints.
Along with linebacker Damien Wilson (Dallas Cowboys), all three of these
players have significant experience playing in the 4-3 scheme. Adding to the mix are free agent defensive
backs Bashard Breeland (Green Bay Packers) and Tyrann Mathieu (Houston
Texans). Bashard, a cornerback who
played with the Washington Redskins for three seasons, signed with the Packers
last September. Despite playing in only
7 games last season, he amassed 20 tackles, four passes defended, two
interceptions and a tackle for loss.
Tyrann Mathieu is a veteran safety who will provide leadership and
depth.
The new free agents will be joined by veteran stalwarts
Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland at linebacker, defensive tackle Chris Jones
(who just reported to training camp after a long holdout) and defensive backs
Daniel Sorenson (safety) and Kendall Fuller (cornerback). Juan Thornhill, a second- round pick in the
2019 draft, has impressed in training camp and will likely compete with
Sorenson for the starting free safety slot.
Will this makeover of the Chiefs defense be enough to take them over the threshold? No one can say for certain, but we will all know soon enough. One thing I do expect: a vastly improved Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Scott Asner 