FEBRUARY 2020
612-567-9530 HALEPROPERTIES.COM
LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE
With In-Home Technology
Whether you’re planning on selling your home or living in it for the next 10, 15, or 20 years, it’s important to think about the big picture when it comes to what kind of technology capabilities you want in your house. There are plenty of in-home technologies that can help you customize your living space to your preferences. Do you want a space that’s sleeker and more modern? Or do you want a space that’s cozy and comfortable? Chances are that some sort of technology will aid you as you strive to make each room of your home just right. Smart technology is all the rage in homes right now. Whether you desire a simple thermostat that can be controlled remotely from your smartphone or a complex smart home platform that controls lighting, media, security monitoring, video, and climate, many options exist to fit your needs and budget. Before investing in smart home technology, it’s wise to consider the useful lifespan of your home’s mechanical systems. Water heater and HVAC technology hasn’t evolved as quickly as smart technology, but plenty of homes still run non-high-efficiency (non-HE) units. If your home doesn’t have an HE water heater or furnace, then it might be worth replacing, whether it’s for your own use or for the people moving in after you sell your house. HE mechanicals not only make your home more comfortable, efficient, and economical than traditional non-HE mechanical systems, but they also make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Smart thermostats, lighting, and entertainment systems are often key consumer focuses, but the advent of affordable cloud storage has caused an explosion in the home video-monitoring segment. Ring is the brand name for doorbells at the forefront of consumers’minds, but a host of new entrants to the space are revolutionizing the way we secure, monitor, and access our primary and secondary homes and properties. Commercial-grade security cameras that use power over ethernet (POE) connections are affordable for many consumers, and the modularity allows for property owners and even tenants to upgrade their video-monitoring systems as their budget allows over time. Although many home owners are still hesitant to start recording video in their home, exterior home video monitoring is nearly the standard of service for high-end and luxury homes. If you are serious about your home connectivity, then do not forget to budget for video monitoring.
If you’re planning on selling your home, you might think about in- home technology from a little bit of a different angle. Since the rise of the smartphone, smart technology has proliferated at a rate unheard of for any
other form of technology ever. That makes it difficult if you want to sell your home because you can’t just think about the technology you want right now— you have to think of the technology that the next homeowners might want.
Around 20 years ago, high-end homes all had massive media entertainment centers built right into the wall, and they were made obsolete by the invention of the flat-screen TV. Could designers have known that the flat-screens would be incompatible with built-in media centers? Maybe, maybe not — but you might be able to infer a few technology choices that potential homebuyers will want. For example, a lot of people like having the option to play music in different rooms of the house. If you don’t have your home set up to potentially house speakers, then it could be a good feature to implement for future residents. I know my family and I love our Sonos speaker system! For whatever you’re trying to achieve with your home —whether it be a place for parties and get-togethers or simply the perfect place to unwind after a hard day’s work — there’s the perfect technology to make it possible. What improvements do you want to make to your home?
-Fritz Soberay
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Meet the Women Who Pioneered Motor Sports
While Danica Patrick and Courtney Force are well known as modern faces in motor sports, they’re far from the first women to cross the finish line. Since the early 1900s, women have been a constant fixture of automotive racing, including the following three who each left their marks on the sport. SHIRLEY MULDOWNEY Shirley Muldowney is professionally known in the drag racing community as “The First Lady of Drag Racing.” In 1973, she was the first woman to earn a Top Fuel license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and, despite backlash from competitors, went on to win the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series an unprecedented three times. Twentieth Century Fox documented her trials and accomplishments in the 1983 biopic “Heart Like a Wheel.”Muldowney famously loathed her own characterization but still lauded the film as required viewing for anyone interested in the sport of drag racing. JANET GUTHRIE Janet Guthrie had her sights set on the stars from day one. A skilled aerospace engineer, she began her racing career in 1963. After taking home two class wins in the famed 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, Guthrie became a well-known figure among racing gurus. In 1976, she became the first woman to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series when she finished 15th in the Coca-Cola 600, then called the World 600. To date, Guthrie’s storied career has landed her in the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
CREATE YOUR OWN ODYSSEY Mythical Adventures Await in the Mediterranean
One of the oldest stories in Western literature is Homer’s “The Odyssey.” This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus’ travels were fraught with mythical monsters and magic, many of the places he visited are said to be inspired by real islands in the Mediterranean. Even today, travelers flock to these islands looking for peace, adventure, and epic stories of their own. SICILY, ITALY One of the most popular stories in “The Odyssey” is the tale of Odysseus rescuing his crew from Polyphemus, a man-eating Cyclops. It’s said that Polyphemus made his home on what is now modern-day Sicily. Fortunately, there are no Cyclopes in Sicily today; there are only cultural festivals, world-class golf courses, and delicious food. GOZO, MALTA While Odysseus’ journey was perilous, he did enjoy one peaceful stop. Odysseus spent seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso. Historians suspect that Ogygia was Gaudos, now modern-day Gozo, Malta. Gozo is home to the Ġgantija temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. In addition to exploring its archaeological marvels, Gozo’s visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, and other memorable adventures. ITHACA, GREECE If you want to chart your own odyssey, make your final stop Odysseus’ home, the island of Ithaca. Covered in lush greenery and quaint villages, Ithaca is a wonderful place to relax at the end of your trip. Visitors can enjoy their morning coffee by a seaside cafe before lounging on a secluded beach for the rest of the day. It’s no wonder why Odysseus fought so hard to get back to Ithaca! With dozens of other islands to explore, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to plan your own odyssey —minus the mythical monsters, of course.
DOROTHY LEVITT Dorothy Levitt is known for her driving skills on both land and water, setting the first water speed record and an early women’s world
land speed record. Her motor racing career started slow in 1904 due to illness and various car troubles, but Levitt eventually went on to garner a reputation for her speed and earn the nickname “The Fastest Girl on Earth.”When she wasn’t racing, she spent her time writing. In her book “The Woman and the Car,” Levitt recommended that women carry a small mirror with them for driving in traffic, effectively inventing the rearview mirror five years before it went into production.
If you want to learn more about these women and others in motor racing, pick up Todd McCarthy’s book “Fast Women: The Legendary
Ladies of Racing.”
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STICK A FORK IN IT Healthy Eating Habits From Around the World
In the U.S., there’s nothing we love more than our large meat-and-potatoes dinners, but, according to nutritional experts, American-style meals are expanding our waistlines and leading to chronic medical conditions. Push back against these
and turmeric can decrease inflammation in the body while curry powder can aid in digestion and strengthen your bones and heart.
You Try It: Using your own spices, have a spice-blending competition. Taste-test the creations and decide which recipes are good enough for a repeat and which ones will go down in family history as lofty experiments. Who knows? You may just discover your family’s next favorite meal.
unhealthy habits by checking out these healthier food traditions from around the globe that your whole family will enjoy. JAPAN: THE APPEARANCE In Japanese culture, an emphasis is placed on the look and color of the meal instead of the portion size. Japanese chefs opt for smaller portions of colorful fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish to create gorgeous, nutrient-packed meals. The result is a dish that is as beautiful as it is nutritious.
MEXICO: THE LUNCH Diners in Mexico often step away from the hustle and bustle of their busy days to enjoy their largest meal of the day: lunch. Though it may surprise you, this cultural tradition has surprising health benefits. Nutritional experts point to making lunch the largest meal of the day as the healthiest dining option, especially to
You Try It: Learn the art of making sushi and other Japanese meals with your family. See what creative combinations your family can create, and vote for the best one! As an added bonus, since portions are small, meals are easily transportable to school and work. INDIA: THE SPICE Delicious spices comprise the bold flavors in traditional Indian dishes, and many even boast health benefits. Common ingredients like ginger
control weight. More calories at lunch keep hunger at bay, which means less afternoon snacking and fewer daily calories overall, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. You Try It: Short of packing bigger lunches for your kiddos, try out this style of eating during the weekends. Enjoy large, family-style midday meals and smaller dinners with your loved ones on Saturdays and Sundays to reap the nutritional benefits of a large lunch. For more information and tips on how to transform your eating habits, visit DoSomething.org. EASY SHRIMP SCAMPI
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by The Blond Cook
Ingredients
Directions
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4 tbsp butter
1.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add shrimp and oregano, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp from skillet. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in remaining butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted. Add cooked shrimp to skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. In a serving bowl, top cooked linguine with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve.
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4 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp minced garlic
2.
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1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
3.
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1/2 tsp oregano
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1/2 cup dry white wine
4.
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1/4 cup lemon juice
5.
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8 oz cooked linguine
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1/4 cup parsley
Solution on Page 4
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1161 Wayzata Blvd. E, #210 Wayzata, MN 55391 HaleProperties.com 612-567-9530
INSIDE 1
What In-Home Technology Improvements Can You Make? Your Epic Adventure Awaits Fearless Women Who Pioneered Motor Sports International Eating Habits Every Family Will Enjoy! Easy Shrimp Scampi Meet the Dog Who Helped Take Down al-Baghdadi
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MEET CONAN The Dog Who Helped Take Down al-Baghdadi
On Oct. 28 last year, President Donald Trump tweeted a photo that quickly went viral. It showed an adorable snapshot of a bright-eyed Belgian Malinois, tongue lolling, still wearing
ultimately died. It’s unclear whether Conan was there to track al-Baghdadi or to spot improvised explosive devices that may have been planted on the route, but either way, he performed well. According to NBC News, Conan was injured by some live electrical cables during the mission, but he recovered quickly and was back on duty within the week. Meanwhile, President Trump invited the brave pup to the White House and tweeted out a doctored photo that showed him awarding Conan a Medal of Honor. President Trump captioned the photo “AMERICAN HERO!” and he’s not alone in his appreciation for the hardworking dogs that have been helping our military since WorldWar II. “To me, they’re the first line of defense,” United States War Dogs Association President Ron Aiello told Vox after the news about Conan came out. “They’re such a great asset to our military today.” Military dogs are put up for adoption after 6–8 years in the service, which means a lucky civilian could take Conan in as early as 2022! Meanwhile, dozens of other smart canine heroes are looking for homes. To learn more about military and other working dog adoptions, visit MissionK9Rescue.org.
its camo military vest. In the caption, President
Trump explained that the pup, Conan, was a national hero who was instrumental in taking down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
With four years in special operations forces and roughly 50 missions under his
collar, Conan was selected to be part of the team that pursued al-Baghdadi through a network of underground tunnels in northwest Syria, where the terrorist
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