Meeting Recap for Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Patrick Mulvaney was in the house at this week’s Rotary meeting (proving that if you can’t have him in the kitchen, the next best place is to have him in the Speaker’s seat at the head table), where he educated us on just how expansive Sacramento’s farm-to-fork reputation is in the food world.
Before Patrick, however, we had the Rotary usual and customaries, starting with the pre-gavel meet-and-greet, with the wine flowing courtesy of Denise Mazzucca Barrett, while Elfrena (I make Bruce drive the) Foord tickled the ivories for the gathering throng that were met at the door by this week’s greeters, Bob Daly and Michael Pearson.
At precisely 12:15, the ever punctual President Susan (I’m staying at the) Sheridan called the meeting to order, and beckoned forth Eric Solis to provide the Thought for the Meeting, and then it was onto the pledge and the guest introductions, handled aptly by Sarge-at-Arms, John Lemmon.
Notable among the head table inhabitants this week was Past President “Good Time” Charlie Gray, who celebrates an amazing 55 years (that’s double nickels, yo!) of membership in our Rotary Club on December 21st. Congratulations, Charlie!
Next up was the Emperor, Past President Wes Yee, who introduced our newest (and, possibly, youngest) Sacramento Rotary Fellow. For you newer members, the Sacramento Rotary Fellow is the highest honor a member can receive, and the latest worthy Rotarian to reach that rarified air is the aforementioned Eric Solis (note to future Presidents – if you want to ensure that your SRF shows up at the meeting, take a page out of Prez Susan’s playbook and assign them to the Thought of the Day). Congratulations, Eric, on this most richly deserved honor.
After a luxuriant 12 minutes of conversation time, we heard from our Meeting Sponsor of the Day, Bruce (the Professor) Hester, who hails from Colliers International, and is our resident expert in the “apartment and multi-family housing” area of the local real estate market. Bruce spent his “$300 and 3” (dollars and minutes) updating us on the local market conditions (which are robust in the apartment sector), so if you want to diversify your investment portfolio and buy an apartment building (or unload one), give Bruce a jingle.
By the way, want to be wise like Bruce and reach 250 or so of the leading business people in this town for a total marketing cost of 3 Benjamins? Contact Jeff Curcio (Meeting Sponsor of the Day Chair), and tell him to take your money and get you on the calendar.
On the announcement front, Diane Woodruff reminds that Daughters Day is coming up on December 23rd, so contact the Rotary office to reserve your seats; John Swentowsky is in need of several good men and women on December 30th for our next Loaves & Fishes day; New Member Michelle Single is holding a LinkedIn workshop at the Rotary Office on January 8th, if you’d like to learn how to turn this social media vehicle into a marketing tool; and Steve Ruland advises that next week’s meeting (12/16) is your last opportunity to donate a toy (or a $20) to the Rotary Toy Drive.
On the tithing front, those leaving the meeting with fewer dollars than they walked in with included Dan Fennochio (new President of Cunningham Engineering), Aaron French (newlywed), Jon Snyder (his son James is taking Broadway by storm and gets to kiss Idina Menzel 8 times a week [James should have to pay up also!]), and Judy Kjelstrom (42nd wedding anniversary).
In addition, three generous Rotarians donated on behalf of other Rotarians, including Jerry Haley (who gave a grand!) in honor of the good works that Dave (he rules) DeRoos and his fellow Rotarians performed in Nepal recently; Heidi Hershenhouse, on behalf of Doug Crumley, who ran all of this weekend’s California International Marathon; and Elfrena Foord on behalf of the just mentioned Heidi, in honor of her excellent hosting of last week’s Foundation Day meeting. That’s how we roll at Rotary.
After the tithing, we honored a few more folks who attend every Rotary meeting, and quietly make our lunch experience more pleasant each week – the fine wait staff at the Red Lion, who received a well-deserved standing ovation from the grateful crowd.
Next up was Jeannie Reaves to introduce Patrick Mulvaney, chef extraordinaire who is best known around these parts for his extremely fine Mulvaney’s Building & Loan restaurant (trivia note – Patrick named his place the “Building & Loan” in honor of a line out of Jimmy Stewart’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” – how cool is that?!).
Before falling in love with Sacramento and planting his feet here, Patrick honed his considerable skills in New York, Ireland, Europe and Napa, then spent some time at Paragary’s and The Kitchen before starting MB&L. He is also responsible for putting Sacramento on the food map as the Farm-to-Fork capital of the world (a fact, Patrick advised, that is talked about in the Whitehouse, to name just one locale). Engaging and humorous, the half hour passed quickly with Patrick at the mike.
Speaking of mikes, former NFL Supervisor of Officials, and current Fox Sports commentator, Mike Pereira returns for a visit at next week’s meeting, so make sure you are ready for some football. JBW