The holidays are always very special at our properties!
At McKnight Senior Village, residents from both McKnight and Sunrise Senior Village gathered for Thanksgiving dinner, with over 50 in attendance (upper right). Manager Angel Rivera gave out Certificates of Appreciation to residents for their support throughout the year. Also, a holiday lights contest winner was announced at Christmas dinner with a $25 gift award to Walmart (below).
At Whispering Palms, Christmas dinner was served for 67 residents (far right). Staff provided baked ham, scalloped potatoes, candied yams, and residents brought desserts to share. Residents also worked together at the annual holiday decorating party early in the month.
At Sonoma Palms, Thanksgiving’s traditional dinner was attended by 97 residents, and the Christmas party saw about 70, with a smorgasbord of holiday favorites and several tasty desserts provided by residents and staff. Everyone enjoyed caroling and viewing the surprise Las Vegas snowfall!
McKnight Senior Village receives Jewel Award!
McKnight Senior Village was recognized at the 2nd Annual Jewel Awards gala on November 8, 2008, held at the Rio Hotel and Casino, by The Southern Nevada Multi Housing Association (SNMA).
The association provides legislative support, education and community outreach to the Multi-family industry, working on behalf of property managers and owners at the city, county and national level.
The Jewel Awards represent the best of the best, and Angel Rivera, McKnight’s manager, won the Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2008, for outstanding achievement in helping an individual or family, going well beyond the call of duty. Congratulations, Angel!
Shown below: Angel Rivera (at left), manager of McKnight Senior Village, with other award recipients!
What’s Developing…By George Gekakis, President The Key to Successful Senior Housing: Involvement
Aging is inevitable, but it has become increasingly clear that those who are more integrated socially remain healthier and happier over the years, and continue to contribute to the society at large. Generally, those who have family and friends close at hand, and those whose economic picture allows travel, social engagement, home ownership, enjoy more rewarding golden years, but those who have little means represent more of a challenge.
With that in mind, the goal of successful senior housing must be the creation of a positive environment regardless of economic parameters. To that end, the affordable senior community must foster the idea of extended family and social engagement. Connection keeps seniors informed about their bettering their health, handling their finances more effectively and efficiently, and learning new skills or sharing years of wisdom with younger generations. The ability to volunteer one’s time is always viewed as important and rewarding.
As the population ages, this issue is becoming more and more important. In the US in 2005, there were estimated 78.2 million Baby Boomers; by 2030 there will be approximately 82 million people ages 45 to 64 (US Census Bureau, 2006), and Baby Boomers have the potential to revolutionize the concept of active aging.
Colin Milner, CEO of International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the association that supports professionals who develop wellness programs states, "Active aging means staying involved in life, and the Boomers are planning to do that. This age group is ready to take action to stay healthy and actively engaged with their friends, families and communities.”
Developers have the opportunity to be proactive in this endeavor, providing a better quality of life for every economic strata. The time is now!
The Green Builder: Volatile Organic Compounds— What are they, and how do they affect you?
VOC’s are generally defined as “organic chemical compounds” that have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. In doing so, they can have a detrimental and toxic impact on the environment as well as the health of its inhabitants.
The most common VOC is methane, its source coming from decomposition of plant and other life forms. But there are many artificial VOC’s, such as paint, thinners, dry cleaning solvents, petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, aerosol propellants, cleaning fluids and some building materials that can contribute to respiratory disease, asthma, and the newly-coined “sick building syndrome” (SBS).SBS can be a cause of headaches, nausea, fatigue, and generally poor performance in the workplace.
Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoor. Proper ventilation when using VOC’s can help alleviate poor indoor air quality, but some VOC’s are not as easily dispelled, especially when they are used in construction materials and become a permanent part of a building. Flaws in heating, ventilation and cooling systems can distribute contaminants into the air. Many carpets, plywood and pressed wood contain formaldehyde. Paints, adhesives and sealants include toxic preservatives as well as drying agent additives.
Though remedial actions can be employed to remove dangerous VOC’s, they are usually done at great expense. The best course of action is to specify building materials that are free or nearly free of these types of pollutants or toxins from the start of construction.
Green Building materials can help reduce the impact of VOC’s, as these materials are composed of renewable and recyclable resources.
Green building projects consider not only the product itself but its process of manufacturing as well as its impact over the life of the product.
We at GGI have made that commitment, certifying that we will only use products with no or low VOC’s throughout our developments.
In the long run, using green building materials represents the most efficient, economical, eco-friendly answer to VOC’s and their affect on you.
Active aging means staying
involved in life, and the
Boomers are planing to do
that. This age group is
ready to take action to stay
healthy and actively
engaged with friends and
family and community.
The affordable senior
community must foster
the idea of extended
family and social
engagement.
McKnight Senior Village—Phase II Construction Start!
With plan check complete and permits issued, construction will begin on the second phase of McKnight Senior Village on Monday, April 6th, 2009.
This new phase will include a 7,000+ recreational clubhouse, with full kitchen, media/library, computer/business center, wellness/health room, fitness center, solar-heated outdoor pool, and spa. There will be planned activities for those who wish to participate as well as health screenings, computer training, and financial and employment counseling.
McKnight Senior Village II is comprised of 77 new two-bedroom units of approximately 978 square feet, with covered parking. The building will be 4 stories with with elevator access.
Phase II has received unanimous support from City of Las Vegas Planning and Development and City Council.
GGI in Attendance—Nevada Housing Division’s
“Where I Live” Annual School-Arts Exhibition
Once again, Nevada Housing Division held its “Where I Live” School-Arts Exhibition, the annual competition for Elementary school children to express their artistic ability in drawing housing and its relationship to the community in which we live.
Various schools participate from which 20 finalists are chosen to have their work displayed in the Division’s annual calendar as well as receiving E-bond gift certificates from Pardee Homes. The competition is a community outreach program in partnership with the Venetian Foundation, Clark County School District School Community Partnership Program, Pardee Homes, Las Vegas Review Journal/Sun and Countrywide Bank.
This year represents the 13th year of “Where I Live”, and it has become an event looked forward to by children and the business community alike. This year Napoleon McCallum, former NFL Oakland Raiders running back and Naval Academy graduate, was Master of Ceremonies. He is currently the Director of Community Development for Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Also on hand were Bridget Bilbray-Phillips (Director of CCSD Partnership Program), Carlos Zuluaga (Pardee), as well as representatives from the Division, including Charles Horsey, Conrad Frederickson and Mark Licea.
Marina Adamy, GGI New Development Coordinator and Caroline Adamy, GGI staff member were also in attendance. “Wouldn’t miss it! We look forward to this every year!” states Marina.
What’s Developing… By George Gekakis, President - A Summary of HR-3221
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HR 3221) was signed into law by the US House and Senate on July 20, 2008, to assist families facing home foreclosure, or help them avoid foreclosure, as well as help recover communities harmed by the recent foreclosure scene.
The bi-partisan legislation was designed to strengthen the mortgage markets and stabilize the economy, provide new regulations and reforms, new loan limits, a tax credit for first time homebuyers until mid 2009, funds to develop affordable housing and a program to help homeowners at risk for foreclosure. The bill was to create a stimulus for the real estate market and an incentive for buyers to take advantage of the new tax credit and FHA loan limits. Some of the specific provisions included:
1) A strong independent regulator.
2) Permanent conforming loan limits of 115% of the local area median home price up to a cap of $625,500 after December 31, 2008.
3) $7500 tax credit for qualified purchases until June 30, 2009 repayable over 15 years.
4) Development of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
5) Funds for neighborhood revitalization allowing communities to purchase foreclosures.
6) Modernization of the low income housing tax credit program.
7) Authorization for the Treasury Department to buy stock to ensure that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae do not fail.
At this time the bill is helping alleviate some of the problems, but the market is cautious and going forward buyers must continue to take full responsibility for financial decisions. Many who bought homes beyond their means, or thought homes would continue to appreciate, have paid a heavy price. One cannot know with complete certainty where the market will go, or what events can alter the situation. So as they said in Ancient Rome, Caveat Emptor! (Buyer Beware!).
The Green Builder: Green Collar Jobs: A Key Part of America’s Economic Future
Green building is fast becoming an integral part of the plan for the U.S. economic recovery, with economic experts now calling for a recovery plan focused on green jobs and infrastructure.
“The future of our built environment clearly centers on energy efficiency, water reduction, systems that encourage cleaner indoor air, the use of recycled and more sustainably developed materials, and communities that coexist with their environments,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Over and over again, Americans are saying the same thing: The key to a prosperous future is sustainability, and the triple bottom line of environmental responsibility, economic prosperity and social equity is imperative as we move forward.”
It is ironic how the crisis of repairing our environment can provide the key to economic prosperity. We have spent decades destroying the ecology, only to find that saving it is not only beneficial to our health and that of the planet, but to our pocketbooks as well. Cleaning up our environmental act in turn cleans up Wall Street’s excesses and its disastrous effect. Interesting!
Some recent statistics about building green include: 1) 70% of homebuyers are more or much more inclined to buy a green home over a conventional home in a down housing market, according to McGraw-Hill Construction’s 2008 SmartMarket Report, and that number is 78% for those earning less than $50,000 a year, showing the increasing access to green buildings for all members of our society.
2) California Solar Energy Industries Association of Rio Vista says that up to 7,000 workers statewide are employed at solar energy companies, while some national organizations estimate that one out of four jobs in 2030 in the nation will be green-related.
3) In 2006 renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies generated 8.5 million new jobs nationally, nearly $970 billion in revenue, and more than $100 billion in industry profits, with numbers increasing since.
Some green jobs titles include 1) Green Product Designer—designing efficient products designing efficient products that use less energy.
2) Energy Rating Auditor—analyzing building efficiency.
3) Biological Systems Engineer—develops systems that produce, package, process, and distribute the world's food and fiber supplies.
4) Permaculture Specialist—analyzes land use and building to create a correct blend of buildings, microclimate, plants, animals, soils, and water.
These new jobs tend to be locally specific and strengthen communities. They look toward the future, creating access to employment that will also be sustainable.
