Miami Heat Sprint Center Kansas City NBA Game News

Miami Heat at The Sprint Center in Kansas City NBA Game October 8th

NBA basketball hits Kansas City next Friday October 8th at The Sprint Center when The Miami Heat take on The Oklahoma City Thunder.  Yes, that's right, I said The Oklahoma City Thunder - appearantly they have an NBA team.  Anyway, this will be a very big night at The Power and Light District in downtown KC and if you're coming in from out of town you'd better reserve your hotel rooms now.

The most exciting thing for most at this event will be watching the Miami Heat "SuperFriends" LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh mop up the court with the poor Oklahoma High School team or whoever they are.  I'm pretty sure that this game will be over by the first period.   The story behind The Miami Heat is that they came into the 2010 NBA season with 45 million dollars in their salary cap pocket ready to spend money on big players.  With this giant wad of cash they were able to keep star player Dwayne Wade and the add LeBron James and Chris Bosh.  LeBron James made a mockery of the Cleveland Cavaliers when he televised his decision to go to Miami, turning the decision into a media frenzy.  LeBron signed for a mere $110 Million and Wade and Bosh both signed for a measly $107 Million. - Kansas City News

I have to think of the New York Yankees when I think of the Miami Heat as they have both pretty much bought their way to the top.  The NBA, like the MLB is already pretty one sided as far as the teams go, but hopefully it won't get as bad as the MLB.  Coming from a city like Kansas City it's difficult to watch our poor Royals struggle because our owners would rather build a shiny fancy new stadium that is pretty much like a giant BAR now than to spend money on actual players - or at least keep around the good ones.  Just think, in 1985 when the Royals won the World Series the highest paid player on the team only made $1 Million per year (George Brett) and winning series pitcher Bret Saberhagen only made around $800,000.  Times, they are a changing'. - Kansas City News

Tickets for the Miami Heat game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City are on sale at Ticketmaster, and if you want some really incredible tickets, visit the cranky guy at the Sports Memorabilia Store at Oak Park Mall - he's probably got a couple floor seats for around $750 a pair.  After the game The Power and Light District is featuring live music from local Kansas City favorite dance band "The KC All Stars" at 10pm.

Kansas City Economy Continues to Struggle

Recent reports indicate that while the US economy is slowly getting better, Kansas City is still struggling. Employment is down by 1.4% compared to last year, andthere are more active job seekers as a whole. The report did indicate that experts expect job prospects to improve soon, so hopefully we see a rebound in the near future.

While Kansas City is struggling, some cities nearby are doing well. Both Manhattan, KS and St. Joesph, MO have seen an increase in employment. The demographics of Kansas City could be to blame, or it could merely be a coincidence that these other areas are improving. However, it seems odd that smaller cities are getting better while the area with the most jobs and job opportunities continues to struggle.

The Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area, Boston, MA and Austin, TX had the best improvement in the nation. It is important for Kansas City to examine how these cities have created job and fought unemployment rates. The ratio of job-seekers and open jobs continues to be extreme in Kansas City, and soon residents of the city may have to check out greener pastures elsewhere.

Shawnee Mission School District Boundry Changes Anger Some

Shawnee Mission School District Boundry Changes Anger Some

Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Gene Johnson's plans to close several schools has lead to some redistricting as well. Brookwood Elementary School will now be located in the SM South boundary (Students attending Brookwood will eventual attend South) - currently it is in the SM East region. It also appears that new lines drawn directly through a subdivision has drawn some criticism as well. It would seem obvious to some that a district with shrinking enrollment (and a shrinking budget)must make some tough choices. Population shifts have made previous boundaries obsolete. South currently has 400 fewer students than East. With a disparity like that it is hard to offer equal services among schools.

Some change is required to more evenly distribute students among the high schools. These are always emotionally charged situations for parents when it involves their little babies. One look at the district map would indicate the logic in making the decision they did. The area in the far southeast corner of the district is MUCH closer to South than it is East. Students also would likely be able to finish their high school careers at East if they have already started there.

I contend parents should focus on making this a positive for their kids. What about turning this into an opportunity to meet new people. These kids likely have friends and neighbors that go to several different schools - diversity is a good thing, and these parents are sending the wrong message to their children. Is it OK to find answers to their questions? Sure it is, but the problem is - no answer is good enough for them if it's not the answer they are looking for. After all, there are so many things in this world we have little control over.

Bed Bug Problem Comes to Kansas City Area

Bed Bug Problem comes to Kansas City Area

Everyone has heard the old saying "Sleep Tight, don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!" Apparently that is great advice, maybe now more than ever. It seems there is a bit of a bed bug problem sweeping across the country. The problem seems to be centered on the Eastern Seaboard, but is rapidly spreading to areas that rarely see the problem. According to www.bedbugregistry.com , a website where people can report bed bug sightings at hotels, There have been several sightings in the Kansas City Area, including some very nice hotels. This isn't just a problem for the Super 8s of the World.

Bed Bugs are small (4mm) insects that feed exclusively on the blood of mammals. They get the name "bed bug" for their tendency to live in human beds. This obviously lends itself to feeding on human blood during the night hours. Though Bed bugs do not spread disease like other insect bites, their bites can cause rash, and are uncomfortable physically and mentally disturbing. They can be difficult to spot (though they can be seen with the naked), and are very difficult to get rid of.

The problem is bad enough that the first ever "Bed Bug Summit" was held in Chicago last week. Four hundred people, including exterminators, government agencies, and researchers, turned out to share ideas on detection (including bug sniffing dogs) and eradication. New industries are literally popping up to combat the growing problem. A popular method of killing the bugs includes heating your furniture to 180 degrees to kill the creatures. Locally, a Plaza highrise used this method to exterminate bed bugs. Residents were displaced for three days.

Tamba Hali Key to Chiefs' Success

Forget about the potent rushing attack from Jamal Charles, big play ability from Dexter McCluster or the occasional decent play from Matt Cassel. Tamba Hali is the most important piece to the forming Kansas City Chief playoff picture. The former first round pick is entering his fifth season, and after steady production in his first four years, the OLB/DE hybrid is ready to break out and become a star. He will need to, as a pass rush will be sorely needed for the Chiefs if they want to seriously contend for the AFC West title and make a run at the postseason.

Having a game-changing pass rusher is important for any team, and it can be the difference between a team going 7-9 and watching the postseason from home or making it into the NFL playoffs. Growing up in a Packer household, I remember watching Reggie White terrorize defenses during Green Bay’s Superbowl runs in 1996 and 1997. In the title game alone, White sacked Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe three times and was in the backfield all game, ultimately swaying the game. If Hali can step up in big moments and take down the quarterback – as he did against the 49ers on Sunday with three sacks and countless hurries – the Chiefs may be able to sway some big games in their favor.

Hali’s value isn’t only just bringing down the opposing QB for a loss. His presence helps the entire defense, most notably the secondary. With young cornerbacks and rookie safeties, it will be important for the Chiefs to not allow opposing QBs and WRs all day to operate. With a pass rush, playmakers like Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry can make big plays in the secondary and not get burnt on deep routes. The Chiefs are extremely young on defense, and Hali’s presence can help mask that youth and avoid putting young players in difficult situations.

Tamba Hali will likely never be as dominant as Reggie White, or even as feared as today's star pass rushers like Mario Williams.His presence is important for a young Chief defense that keeps improving every week., and his ability to pressure the QB could help the Chiefs win some more games. If Hali can build on what he has done already this season and continue to be a force, the Chiefs could find themselves playing in January.