Page 10 - Sanger Herald 9-20-18 E-edition

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 2B • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
The building that will never get finished?
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
Helio Cuevas stood in a kitchen covered in a heavy layer of sheetrock dust.
He had just finished describing his conflict with city officials that resulted in his new three-unit apartment complex getting red-tagged the previous month. The construction project at P and Fifth streets had been close to completion and he may have been lining up tenants had his construction work passed inspection.
Unfortunately for Cuevas, Sanger inspectors found problems. Costly problems.
“It failed the sprinkler inspection,” he said.
And Cuevas said putting inanewsystembya specialist would cost about $30,000, a sum he just doesn’t have. He said he’s already got about $400,000 invested into the apartment building, and because he’s paying out of pocket, he just doesn’t have the money.
“They’re really making it difficult for businesses to operate,” he said.
Cuevas, who lives in Sanger works as an auditor consultant. He said for about 18 years he worked for the Fresno County
To get an item into the calendar, email details to nemethfeatures@gmail. com or call Mike or Sharon at 559-875-2511.
Sanger Farmers Market & Street Fair is planned from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22 in downtown Sanger. The theme of the night is the Taco Throwdown where contestants partake in competitive eating. The market continues through the month. Details, 559-875- 4575.
The Sanger Boys Basketball program presents its Fall Basketball Camp until Oct. 3 at the Sanger High Coach Dean Nicholson Gym. Cost is $65, kids from kindergarten to eighth grade. The goal is to teach young people the “fun-damentals” of the game and build a premier Sanger program at the same time. Details, coach Al Alvarado al_alvarado@ sanger.k12.ca.us.
SAM fundraiser: Wine at the Workshop is planned for6to9p.m.Sept.22at SAM Academy, 750 N St. The event is to encourage
The Key to a Happy Heart — Part 1
In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul describes ways we lose our happiness and then shows the ways to keep joy percolating in our hearts.
Let me share this with you, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you’ve always obeyed — not just in my presence, but even more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (‘Fear’ means deep respect and ‘trembling’ means with sensitivity. So this means with deep reverence and
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Helio Cuevas says he builds a project once every other year, doing most of the work himself. And he just wants to finish this one. He has built about eight others in the Valley.
corrected” on Cuevas’ project. He said the city, which has been experiencing a building boom the past couple years, is also “getting a ton of duplexes.”
“We’re not trying to be difficult because we want people to build here,” Navarro said. “But at the same time we want to be assured (of the health and safety of people who eventually will live in the structures.)”
“These things obviously cost money, and we know that.”
Navarro said that while inspectors found other problems that appeared relatively easy to fix, the fire suppression system “seems to be the biggest hurdle.”
Cuevas said he got the appropriate permits and that everything was installed to code. He revealed a copy of a plumbing permit from the city from June 26 that cost $1,020.90.
However, Navarro said Cuevas completed the sheetrock in the ceiling of the units prior to getting signed off on an inspection. And that brought the story to its present status and the reason why dust covered the granite countertops, hardwood floor and dark
board. Refreshments will be served. Details, 559-531- 5067.
The Sanger branch of the Fresno County Public Library has reopened after an extensive remodel and has restarted its At the Library with Friends program which begins at 6 p.m. at 1812 Seventh St. Sept. 24 Mujeres Valientes Mexican music and children’s songs with a mariachi DJ; Oct. 8 Acoustic Highway playing oldies; Oct. 15 Patrick Contrerras and his electric violin. At 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27 a grand reopening is planned with face painting, ice cream, magic, dancing and the music of Hugh Taylor and the Wing Walkers. Details, 559-875- 2435.
The Sanger Woman’s Club monthly luncheon meetings include author and speaker Beth Bridges on networking for business and social circles at noon Oct. 2; Working for Causes that Matter with Julie Mendoza of HOPE Sanger and Jerry Valadez with SAM Academy at noon Nov. 13; Ring in the Holidays with Song with Dan Warneke, Sanger
cabinets in the kitchen of Cuevas’ upscale unit.
He used a reciprocating saw to cut long gaps in the ceiling so an inspector could see the fire suppression system’s pipes.
An inspector who visited said it didn’t match the plans provided to the city, Navarro said. “It was installed before the plans were provided,” he said.
Construction requires inspectors to sign off on all construction. This is done in stages as work is typically completed. Plumbing, roofing, electrical and other components of a build need the inspector’s signature before work is allowed to proceed.
Navarro said this particular schedule hadn’t been followed.
Cuevas said he believed he was following procedure. “My proposal went over well initially,” he said. “I know the trades. I’ve worked in the trades. (And on his other projects,) I didn’t have a single issue. Not a single issue. I do one (project) maybe every other year.”
Cuevas said he would prefer the city work with him to resolve its issues so he doesn’t have to rip out his entire fire suppression system. “I’m more than willing to sit down and
High choir director; Osher Lifelong Learning Center at Fresno State with Jill Wagner, executive director at noon Jan. 8; Looking back with John Alkire, Big Fresno Fair chief executive and museum curator at noon Feb. 5; Helping Students with Mary Castro, wife of Fresno State president at noon March 5; the Sierra National Forest at noon April 2; Sanger’s new Mother of the Year at noon May 7. The club is at 1602 Seventh St. Details, Liz Hudson 559-779-1569.
The Lock It Up Sanger High School Youth Coalition is seeking members interested in learning about prescription drug abuse and gainining professional development experience and community service hours. Leadership training, public speaking and media projects are part of the program. The group meets at 3 p.m. every Monday in Room 330 at the high school, 1045 N. Bethel Ave. Details, Frances Nixon 559-244-3617 or fnixon@ healthcollaborative.org.
American Red Cross Central California Region is looking for volunteers. Give relief during disasters,
will be with you ... and you will realize that I am in you and you are in Me.”
God says, not only am I “with” you, I am “in” you. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:3 that we are hidden with Christ in God. Think about this. The Bible says Christ is in me and I am in Christ. The Bible says we’re hidden with Christ in God and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
That is the divine power when facing any of life’s difficulties or problems. Romans 8:31 states, “If God is FOR us, Who can be against us?” He will work in us and for us.
When you get up every
compromise,” he said. “But if they’re not willing, there’s no progression.”
The apartments are each three bedroom and have two bathrooms in 1,800 square feet. The construction is more in keeping with the new construction of homes with unique lighting fixtures and high-end finishes. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet the size of some bedrooms in older homes. Each unit is two- story, configured like row condos that share common walls.
The project at 502 P St. began about three years ago, replacing a couple older run-down structures that were about 500 square feet apiece. Cuevas said he worries his building will get a reputation.
“It’s the building that will never be finished,” he said. “That’s how everybody refers to it.”
Navarro said the city is doing its best. “We want to see it opened,” he said. “We want to see it occupied.”
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
connect with community and offer hope. Details, volunteer.centralca@ redcross.org.
The annual Sanger Police and Fire Open House is planned from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at 1700 Seventh St. There will be helicopter landings, food and an opportunity to meet Sanger’s first responders. Pictures can be taken in the jail. Details, 559-875-8521,
Jensen Avenue Cleanup by the Sanger Parks and Recreation Division and Sunset Waste Systems is planned from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 with volunteers meeting in the parking lot behind Wal-Mart. The target is between Bethel and McCall avenues. Details, recinfo@ci.sanger. ca.us or 559-876-6300, ext. 1430.
Healthy Halloween returns from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Sanger Youth Center, 818 L St. The Sanger Parks and Recreation Division again stages an event celebrating the harvest season with treats, tricks and games. Participants are asked to come dressed in costumes. Details, recinfo@ci.sanger. ca.us or 559-876-6300.
morning you need to say, “God, I thank you that you are going to be with me today, You are going to be in me today and you are going to be for me today.”
That is great news! If God is with me, and God is inmeandGodisforme,we can overcome whatever the difficulties I face today!
Pastor Sam Estes is city advance director and facilitates the Sanger Community Task Force that meets the first and third Tuesdays every month. He can be reached at pastorsam51@gmail.com.
auditor’s office. He said he’s done about eight projects as an owner-builder, doing much of the work himself, in Visalia, Madera, Fresno and Sanger.
people to become a part of bringing science, technology, engineering and math to children in the community. There will be wine and food and members of the Community Science Workshop Network. Tickets $20. Details, 559-399-3090.
The 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s begins with registration at 8 a.m. Sept. 22 at Fresno State’s Maple Mall, 5241 N. Maple Ave. in Fresno. Andi Sanders is again organizing a team in honor of her father, Sgt. Fred Sanders, who was a Sanger police officer for 20 years. She and her family encourage others in Sanger to support the cause or join their team for the event.
HOPE Sanger’s Rack of Ribs Fundraiser is planned at noon Sept. 29 at 502 L St. Cost is $20. Details and to pre-order, 559-824-4280.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is planned from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3 at the Wilson Community Resource Center, 610 Faller Ave. The two-day workshop is free and designed to teacher intervention
humility.) for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
The phrases “work out” and “work in” are significant. In your life, you and God have a partnership in your spiritual growth. God’s part is to work in you, and your part is to work it out.
What does it mean to work out your salvation? Notice it doesn’t say to work for. This is a big difference. You cannot work for your salvation. You can’t earn your salvation. You can’t buy your salvation. It is a gift from God.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul
Tom Navarro, Sanger’s community development director, said the building code needs to be followed, and “there’s a whole list of things that need to be
techniques for somebody at risk. Details, Stephanie Collison 559-524-6681.
The Sanger Rotary Barbecue Fundraiser is planned from 4 to 830 p.m. Sept. 30 at the King’s River Winery, 4276 Greenwood Ave. There will be food, drinks, entertainment and live auction this year. There will also be a silent auction that includes desserts. The meal includes tri-tip and chicken, chili beans, bread roll, salad and rice pilaf. Cost is $25 for adult, $10 for children’s meal.
The Sanger Community Task Force meets at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. Subsequent meetings are Oct. 16 at the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 6 at Proteus Inc., Nov. 20 at Calvary Fellowship Church, Dec. 4 at Life Tabernacle Church, Dec. 18 at Life Tabernacle Church. Details, 559-250-6433.
Meet the Candidates forum held by the Sanger Woman’s Club is planned from1to3p.m.Oct.20 at 1602 Seventh St. The event includes those for the city council and Sanger Unified School District
Sanger News & Community Calendar
PASTOR’S CORNER
says “It’s by God’s
grace that you’re
saved, through
faith — and even
the faith is not of yourselves; it is
the gift of God,
not of works, so no
one could boast.”
God works in the salvation and you work it out. Take a puzzle for instance. Did you create the puzzle?
The working out is you putting it together to see the big picture. When you go work out at a gym, you are trying to create muscle, you develop strength in a muscle that God has already given you. We are
to work out what God is working in.
So here is an exercise to work out found in verse 13, “For God is always working IN YOU, giving you both the desire to obey him and the
Pastor Sam Estes
power to do what pleases him.” God is with me, inmeandforme.Godis always working.
The Greek word for working is energos, which is where we get the word energy. God says he will give the power you need to face any difficulty. In John 14:18-20 Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I