Meeting Recap - February 2, 2016
Posted by Rick Davis
on Feb 04, 2016
Ideas lead action, they say. No one exemplified the point more than did our guest speaker this week.
Ably introduced by member Elena Naderi (Family CEO), Mr. Ali Youssefi, Vice President of CFY Development, enjoys a reputation for both creative ideas and energetic commitment to our community. In a clear, eloquent presentation he described his family-owned company's approach to infill development. The idea is to create "neighborhoods that are connected" and to pursue "high-density (growth) in a sensitive way." Tax credits help them make it so.
CFY has completed or is working on affordable housing projects for seniors, families and professionals throughout Central California, from Crescent City to Galt to Mojave and Arvin. (This author had to look up the last one: It's in Kern County.)
In Sacramento, Mr. Youssefi described in depth CFY's recent Warehouse Artist Lofts project in the R Street Historic District. Reusing the old Lawrence Warehouse at 12th & R, the $41.5 million project provides a mix of warehousing, retail, luxury housing, and a boutique hotel. Celebrating both artists and the arts, it features everything from a vinyl record store to a "bar and barbershop" to block parties to "the most expensive (dance) floor I ever built" (per Mr. Youssefi).
Their next major project will be the 700 block of K Street. It will help connect the Convention Center with Golden 1 Arena, as well as points further east and west.
Elsewhere during the meeting:
President Dave began by leading us in the pledge and thanking Mik Miklaus (Integrity Mortgage) for hosting our wine reception. Mik featured his own wines with his own unique "Surgeon General's Warning." We have appended the latter to this missive, in the public interest, of course.*
President Dave flirted with nepotism to induct his wife, Diann Cohen (Macro Pro.) as our newest honorary member. Their son, Jake Cohen (Work Comp Resolutions), already a club member, did the honors of awarding the Rotary pin to his mother. We thank Diann for her selfless work supporting and recruiting for the Pony Express Marathon!
Bob Rosenberg (Inve$tnet) Sponsor of the Day, described his firm, Inve$tnet, Inc. He listed his happy clients by reading from our club's roster. But never mind: Inve$tnet offers great services, has great goals, and reflects a great Rotarian spirit.
Community Service: Jim Relles (Relles Florist), announced he is the proud grandfather of his first granddaughter, Dalia. (Congrats Jim!) The happy moment garnered its predictable donation to the success of our club.
Club announcements (Contact the office if you have questions.)
And Past Emperor Wes Yee (Yee Dental Care), announced that he and member Clayton Lee (C.K.L. Trust) are off to Jamaica soon, to volunteer needed dental services and to work on their flossing.
President Dave gaveled us to a close at 1:33 pm. We meet next week again at the Red Lion/Woodlake and will host Ron Cunningham of the Sacramento Ballet. (How fast can you pirouette?)
*Mike Miklaus' world-famous warning about wine. (It cost Mike Bullington $50 to read it aloud.)
"Government Warning: (1) According to the Surgeon General, this wine should be consumed on a regular basis. (2) Consumption of this wine will illicit overwhelming feelings of optimism and may create the illusion that you are smarter, faster and better looking -- enjoy your liquid courage and never forget how great you really are. (3) Consumption of this wine may cause you to think you can sing…Whether you can or you can't, let it out -- our world needs it!"
Ably introduced by member Elena Naderi (Family CEO), Mr. Ali Youssefi, Vice President of CFY Development, enjoys a reputation for both creative ideas and energetic commitment to our community. In a clear, eloquent presentation he described his family-owned company's approach to infill development. The idea is to create "neighborhoods that are connected" and to pursue "high-density (growth) in a sensitive way." Tax credits help them make it so.
CFY has completed or is working on affordable housing projects for seniors, families and professionals throughout Central California, from Crescent City to Galt to Mojave and Arvin. (This author had to look up the last one: It's in Kern County.)
In Sacramento, Mr. Youssefi described in depth CFY's recent Warehouse Artist Lofts project in the R Street Historic District. Reusing the old Lawrence Warehouse at 12th & R, the $41.5 million project provides a mix of warehousing, retail, luxury housing, and a boutique hotel. Celebrating both artists and the arts, it features everything from a vinyl record store to a "bar and barbershop" to block parties to "the most expensive (dance) floor I ever built" (per Mr. Youssefi).
Their next major project will be the 700 block of K Street. It will help connect the Convention Center with Golden 1 Arena, as well as points further east and west.
Elsewhere during the meeting:
President Dave began by leading us in the pledge and thanking Mik Miklaus (Integrity Mortgage) for hosting our wine reception. Mik featured his own wines with his own unique "Surgeon General's Warning." We have appended the latter to this missive, in the public interest, of course.*
President Dave flirted with nepotism to induct his wife, Diann Cohen (Macro Pro.) as our newest honorary member. Their son, Jake Cohen (Work Comp Resolutions), already a club member, did the honors of awarding the Rotary pin to his mother. We thank Diann for her selfless work supporting and recruiting for the Pony Express Marathon!
Bob Rosenberg (Inve$tnet) Sponsor of the Day, described his firm, Inve$tnet, Inc. He listed his happy clients by reading from our club's roster. But never mind: Inve$tnet offers great services, has great goals, and reflects a great Rotarian spirit.
Community Service: Jim Relles (Relles Florist), announced he is the proud grandfather of his first granddaughter, Dalia. (Congrats Jim!) The happy moment garnered its predictable donation to the success of our club.
Club announcements (Contact the office if you have questions.)
2 February. (Too late!) Club Networking, per Randy Friedman (United States Navy).
6 February. Trap shooting at Coon Creek Trap & Skeet in Lincoln, per Mike Bullington (Pacific Advisors).
12 March. Annual Snowshoe Walk, per Jim Phillips.
16 March. Squaw Valley Ski Trip, per PP Frank Poelman (Poelman Company)
1 May. Pony Express Marathon--we still need sponsors! President Dave added that Coldwell Banker will host a Monte Carlo night Friday, 19 February, the proceeds of which are earmarked to our club's Marathon beneficiaries. (Nice touch.)
6 February. Trap shooting at Coon Creek Trap & Skeet in Lincoln, per Mike Bullington (Pacific Advisors).
12 March. Annual Snowshoe Walk, per Jim Phillips.
16 March. Squaw Valley Ski Trip, per PP Frank Poelman (Poelman Company)
1 May. Pony Express Marathon--we still need sponsors! President Dave added that Coldwell Banker will host a Monte Carlo night Friday, 19 February, the proceeds of which are earmarked to our club's Marathon beneficiaries. (Nice touch.)
And Past Emperor Wes Yee (Yee Dental Care), announced that he and member Clayton Lee (C.K.L. Trust) are off to Jamaica soon, to volunteer needed dental services and to work on their flossing.
President Dave gaveled us to a close at 1:33 pm. We meet next week again at the Red Lion/Woodlake and will host Ron Cunningham of the Sacramento Ballet. (How fast can you pirouette?)
*Mike Miklaus' world-famous warning about wine. (It cost Mike Bullington $50 to read it aloud.)
"Government Warning: (1) According to the Surgeon General, this wine should be consumed on a regular basis. (2) Consumption of this wine will illicit overwhelming feelings of optimism and may create the illusion that you are smarter, faster and better looking -- enjoy your liquid courage and never forget how great you really are. (3) Consumption of this wine may cause you to think you can sing…Whether you can or you can't, let it out -- our world needs it!"