Page 12 - Sanger Herald 12-21-17 e-edition

Chamber
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operation to Sanger. “We’re trying to make Sanger their secondary home,” he said at the time. Some months later, Ontiveros met with a development team from a German company that manufactures high- performance automotive racing components to interest them in locating a U.S. facility.
Those in the economic recruitment trade say cultivating business contacts is tricky and can take years, but many consider it the best way to grow a tax base and develop a healthy community regardless of the time it takes. Pete Wallace, a Rotary member and retired executive of Sanger’s packaging sector, said industry is the backbone of a successful community.
Wolfe said having a town people enjoy visiting and want to live in is one of the most important components of expansion. “They say, ‘Wow. Our town isn’t like this. It isn’t safe like this,’” she said. “And they want to move here.”
Wolfe said the Sanger
To get an item into the calendar, email details to nemethfeatures@gmail. com or call Mike or Sharon at 559-875-2511.
For the Blossom Days Festival on March 3, the Sanger Chamber plans to announce the first- ever Blossom Queen. Nominations are currently being accepted. Details, 559-875-4575.
Jessica Milam, the Sanger woman injured in the Las Vegas shooting Oct. 1, returned to work this week, said Terrance McArthur, Sanger librarian and storyteller. McArthur reported the update to the Sanger Community Task Force on Tuesday. Milam served as an attractions hostess at Disneyland.
The Sanger Comedy Club presents Rudy Ortiz, Chris Estrada, Anna Allen, Patric Polac and Curtis Tavor III Jan. 6 at Sofia’s Restaurant, 1028 N St. Tickets are $10. Doors open and dining room is open at 6:30 p.m. Comedy starts at 8 p.m. Host is Ty Martin.
Motion Matters Physical Therapy at 1132 Academy Ave. Suite 101 has hired Ben Fox as its physical therapist. Fox is a Fresno State graduate and attended Sanger High. He is a former track and field athlete who competed at the collegiate level. He has participated in many major sports and
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Santa waves to all his fans at the Dec. 2 Toyland Parade, which drew a huge audience this year.
more than $11,000 for Las Vegas shooting victim Jessica Milam on Oct. 29, her birthday. Another was the Mi Linda Tierra Block Party, an open air concert to support the corner store and restaurant started by Javier and Erika Elizondo.
Wolfe said Mi Linda Tierra won the Chamber’s inaugural Taco Throwdown on Sept. 23, which drew crowds in excess of 6,000. She said her organization supports local businesses and keeping them successful sometimes requires a little extra effort.
“It’s hard to imagine a chamber helping one business at a time,” she said. “But we did. And it’s been very positive.”
Wolfe said the official groundbreaking for the third construction phase of the Highway 180 extension also brought high visibility to Sanger as television stations broadcast some of Sanger’s message to the rest of the region. And a performance by Centerville Elementary’s cheerleaders proved to be a big hit with the hundred or so officials, political leaders and dignitaries gathered.
Lee Delap, a Rotary
member and a member of the Measure C Oversight Committee, said Sanger’s message is getting out. He said he was recently at Cherry Auction, Fresno County’s biggest outdoor auction just off Highway 41 and American Avenue, and heard “positive comments about Sanger” during a car swap meet.
And Dick Sheppard, wearing his Rotary hat rather than that of Sanger Herald editor, said Wolfe’s innovations have made the difference. “You’ve done a fantastic job creating new events,” he said.
Wolfe said she treats every event like a new one and tries to bring something different. “Every one is better than the one before,” she said. “We try to make decisions to bring more people to Sanger.”
For the Blossom Days Festival on March 3, the Sanger Chamber plans to announce the first- ever Blossom Queen. Nominations are currently being accepted. The chamber also is issuing a membership directory next year.
Wolfe told of an encounter with a family she met at the Sanger High ball fields. She said they were
looking for Dodson Field behind the middle school and had come from Selma to attend a track meet. Wolfe pointed them in the right direction but didn’t tell them who she was. It was, after all, a chance meeting and brief.
However, they appeared enamored by Sanger despite having trouble figuring its layout. “This is just such a wonderful city,” they told Wolfe.
And she said she replied, “Then this is where you need to be.”
The family had three young children in tow.
Wolfe also said she intends to direct Sanger to nab a bigger chunk of the tourist dollars coming into Fresno County. The amount is substantial and Sanger’s said to be poised, with the new Highway 180 extensions complete, to pull in additional traffic from the designated scenic highway that heads up to the General Grant sequoia and the national parks.
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
College’s Forum Hall, 995 N. Reed Ave. in Reedley. The free event is for high school students and will include youth development workshops, speakers and prizes. Those interested must register at http:// ys2018.eventbrite.com. The event is sponsored by the college, the Lock It Up Project, the California Health Collaborative and Performing Above the High.
Gymnastics for boys and girls 4 to 12 starts at 9 a.m. Saturdays at the Sanger Youth Center, 818 L St. Times are specific to age groups. Cost is $20 per month. Details, recinfo@ ci.sanger.ca.us or 559-876- 6300, ext. 1430.
Karate for all ages is 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at the Sanger Youth Center, 818 L St. Cost is $25 per month. Details, recinfo@ci.sanger.ca.us or 559-876-6300, ext. 1430.
Youth Basketball League is for girls and boys kindergarten through eighth grade and will be held December and into February. Games will be played on Thursday or Friday nights or Saturday. Cost is $35 in December. Details, recinfo@ci.sanger. ca.us or 559-876-6300, ext. 1430.
Registration is open for the Sanger Boxing Club. The gym is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Sanger Youth Center, 818 L St. Open to boys and girls 8-17 and adults 18 and older. Details, Mario Irazoqui 559- 412-9736.
trees until the night of Dec. 23.
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
police and fire departments do a great job providing that safe environment. She repeated one of her mantras: “Events will
bring families to see what Sanger’s all about.”
That extends to special events like the fundraiser Infinity & Beyond for
SANGER HERALD
4B THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 Jessica, which raised
Sanger News & Community Calendar
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Richard Franco receives the VFW Post 7168's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. The presentation was made at the Sanger Police Department's annual meeting on Dec. 14 by post commander Keith Kriser and post adjutant Jim Anderson in front of all Franco's coworkers, who were wearing their finest dress blues. A group photo of the department's finest had just been taken. Franco has been with the department 22 years. Police Capt. Kent Matsuzaki said Franco was destined to work for the department since he was born in a house where the existing police station now stands. Kriser said it's easy to see how Franco won the honor — just watch him work. "He is a master of effective, efficient, calm multi-tasking," Kriser said. "He never seems flustered as his attention flows seamlessly from typing a message on a computer to an officer in the field while at the same time talking, in Spanish, to a distraught woman about a possible domestic violence situation — then without missing a beat — responding, in English, to an angry man in the lobby who wants to know why his car was towed and how he can get it back. Then noting on one of thecameramonitors,someonepaintinggraffitiinoneoftheparksanddispatchingaunittoarrest the young vandal before he can put the cap back on the can of spray paint."
10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Read to a Dog with Vinny! is every other Saturday. The library is at 1812 Seventh St. Details, 559- 305-7130.
A ministry from Window of Heaven in Sanger is seeking donations of bikes, toys or cash for needy children. Details, Pastor Sam Rodriguez 559-281- 1302.
Blue Bonsai Lifestyle Center has opened in downtown Sanger at 714 N St. The center offers therapeutic massage treatments customized to suit the health needs of each individual client. The team consists of Leslee McGann and her daughter Demaree Smith. “We take pride in our professionalism and our ability to provide clinical results while creating a relaxing atmosphere for our clients,” McGann said in prepared remarks. Details, 559-558-2889.
The New Sanger Democratic Club plans to meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Me-N-Ed’s Pizzaria, 2616 Jensen Ave. Details, 559- 977-5956.
The Sanger Eagles’ taco nights will resume Jan. 15. Prime rib dinner is 6 p.m. Jan. 20. Cost is $30. The location is 225 J St. Details, Jim Batten 559-875-6820 or Denny Noller 559-392-1936.
The Sanger Community Task Force meets at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16 at the Sanger Eagles, 225 J St. Details, 559-250-6433.
The 2018 Fresno County Youth Summit this year has been dubbed “Be the Light in the Dark” and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Reedley
Trees
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next year but maybe get a higher profile lot and do a bit more promotion.
Church will be selling
is experienced in their rehabilitation, according to a press release. His doctoral project at Fresno State involved Achilles tendinopathy. Details, 559- 876-1191.
Proteus Inc., which provides job training, education and various community services, has
moved to 2570 Jensen Ave. Suite 108. The new location provides more space for operations. The new site is up and running this week. Old site was on Academy Avenue. Details, 559-875- 7146.
AMVETS will bring back its chili dogs from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at 812 K St. Everybody who’s anybody will be there. Come early. It’s popular. There will also be kraut dogs, mustard dogs and Frito boats. The meals will be served the second
and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Details, George 559-286-5667.
The Sanger branch of the Fresno County Library has a lot going on. Diabetes Prevention Classes are from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 3, Feb. 7 and March 7 (the first Wednesday of the month). Come Play with Me, which caters to children up to 3 years old and they are read to and participate in different activities, is 10:30 a.m. every Friday. Preschool Story time is at
Sanger District
Chamber of Commerce
The Nation’s Christmas Tree City Christmas 2017 Events
4 1st AnnuAl
Business light Contest
Wed., Dec. 20 5:30pm - 7pm
Vote for the Best Decorated Business
4 PiCtures With sAntA Dec. 20 5:30pm - 7pm
In Santa’s Workshop
Downtown Sanger in Brehler Square
Details, yes!, Call today the Sanger Chamber office 559-875-4575 sangerchamber@gmail.com
Make housecleaning
SIMPLE & EASY!
A clean you can trust.
Gift Certi cates Available
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