Sunday, January 10, 2010

01-08-10 Week One

My first meeting was at 8:30 with DG Safeer, a gentleman that I met 4 or 5 years ago when he first moved back to Fresno. Mr. Safeer has a long history with co-operatives. We were discussing the possiblity of a co-op grocery store in some of our downtown neighobrhoods. It would be great to have stores that really catered to neighborhood interests and needs like hiring policies, good prices and healthy options.

Elaine Robles and I met with Fresno County Superintendent Larry Powell at 9:30 at his office on Van Ness. It was a great meeting, Larry is always so upbeat and optimistic. We gave him an overview of our revitalization efforts in Lowell. He is having the person who coordinates their volunteer activities work with us and will help us to find additional resources. He filled us in on their technology expansion efforts and how they might dovetail with what we are doing.

I was a little late getting back for my one on one meeting with Elliott Balch.

11:30 I took our new (November) City Controller Joe Gray to lunch at the Downtown Club. I had a great Gruyere and carmielized onion burger! I have not had much time to meet our newest Department Director. Joe comes to us from Cincinati. We also walked down to the Fulton Mall after lunch for an abreviated tour.

1:30 Elliott and I met with Scott Anderson and Brian Glover of Penstar at their offices. We discussed the Property Based Improvement District and the Bank of Italy Building.

3:00 City Manager Andy Souza and I met with the General Managing Partner of Club One Casino Kyle Kirkland. for an update on the cardroom's activities and ongoing partnership with the City of Fresno. Club One is open 24 hours, seven days a week. They have upgraded their restaurant, and could be a resource to further downtown revitalization.


4:00 I met with Darius Assemi at City Hall with Donna Gavello and Elliott Balch. We gave him an update on DT Faces and he updated us on the Fulton Village project next to Tokyo Garden. Have you been by there yet. They are grading it. 60+ apartments will be underway soon.


5:00 Creative Fresno met at the Cosmopolitan Tavern for their Creative Blender. The Cosmo has morphed from a classic neighborhood bar and a great lunchtime spot. They are now packing them in for dinner and it feels more like one of the traditional San Francisco grills, but better because it is ours and it is real.


7:30 I met Coach Carter for shabu shabu at Yoshino's, something I've never had before. Very fun way to meet a friend and cook and eat. Plus they give you the leftovers and you get to have soup the next day.

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