NORTH ANDOVER — Members of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley have a lot to celebrate tomorrow.

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America, will preside over the consecration and blessing of the church's new altar and baptismal font and the church is celebrating the 42nd anniversary of its founding. Divine liturgy begins at 10 a.m. and the church is located at 158 Main St.

"It's going to be a historic event," said the Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor. "This is a very exciting. We can't wait to enter our newly renovated church to restart our faith journey."

For the past nine months, Bedourian has led divine liturgy in Jaffarian Hall while the construction was taking place.

In addition to the altar and baptismal font, St. Gregory had a complete overhaul of the sanctuary from rebuilding the walls and ceiling, refinishing the hardwood floor, updating the electrical system and installing new chandeliers.

Plans for renovations started in 2005 with a capital campaign, said Richard Shahtanian, chairman of the 16-member building committee.

Work on Jaffarian Hall was done in 2007, followed by fixing the exterior granite stairs in front of the main entrance and side office door, siding the cupola and capping the chimney.

Next on the repair list will be installing a lift/elevator, the steeple and renovating the Sunday school classrooms and church offices.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that members have done major repairs to the church. Repairs will total $1 million.

St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic has more than 100 members who come from Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Salem and Manchester. An average of 70 people attend divine liturgy on Sundays, and there are 50 children in the Sunday school. Bedourian said 95 percent of its members contributed to the campaign, with the largest donation being $50,000.

"For a church of our size, it took a lot of sacrifice for our people who put church above personal interest, but that's how important their faith is and how much they want to preserve it," Shahtanian said.

The downturn in the economy affected members and almost stalled renovations because they needed to fill a $75,000 gap. But after explaining the situation to parishioners at a meeting and asking families to contribute $2,000 each, all the money was raised.

"They had a vision to see the future of our church for our children," Bedourian said. "For us, the church is not only a place to go and enrich your spirit, but also where we gather to keep our Armenian heritage alive and get a sense of belonging."

Shahtanian agrees.

"This work is going to create a platform for years to come and preserve the church for generations to practice our Christian faith," he said.

In addition, Shahtanian said members put their faith to work by helping out the needy, including the House of Hope in Lowell and orphan children in Armenia.

"This is a very exciting time for our community because our Christian faith is so strong," Shahtanian said.

Lithuanians celebrate independence day at Mass

LAWRENCE — Father Joseph of the Primitive Franciscans celebrates Mass in honor of Lithuania's 94th Independence Day tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi, 35 Essex St.

The liturgy will be in Lithuanian and English. Dinner follows. A slide show on Lithuanian Wayside crosses will be shown.

Tickets are $10. For information, contact Lithuanian Council president Jonas Stundzia at 978-685-4478.

Registration for Lenten program

HAMPSTEAD, N.H. — Registration will be taken this weekend for "Living the Eucharist" Lenten program schedule for Feb. 20 to April 1 at St. Anne Church, 26 Emerson Ave. People can sign up today after the 4 p.m. Mass or tomorrow after the 8, 9:30 or 11 a.m. services.

There will be adult discussion group held at the church or in home settings; a family program, and a teen group.

Religion listings

All Saints, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill: The parish is starting a writer's group Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. It will begin with a reflection by a catholic writer followed by sharing memories on different topics. The theme for the first meeting is, "I realized I loved saint... when...." A movie on the apparitions of our Holy Mother in Garabandal, Spain to four girls during 1961-1965 will be shown Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., sponsored by the Knight of Columbus.

Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: Rachel Williams shows her film, "Afghanistan: View from a Grain of Sand" about thee women and war, Monday at 7 p.m. Williams, from "Help Women Heal" will show photographs taken while making the film and leads a discussion. Epiphany Learning Series ends Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Choral evensong service is Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

DeColores Bookstore, 34 N. Broadway, Salem, N.H.: Father Andrew of the Primitive Order of Franciscans in Lawrence offers a teaching on the book of Genesis, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Faith Lutheran, 360 South Main St., Andover: The movie, "Random Harvest" will be shown Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Newcomers dinner for people interested in joining the church is tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

Free Christian, 31 Elm St., Andover: The Alpha course continues Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., until Dec. 5.

Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St. North Andover: The school's newspaper, The Beacon, hosts a forum on "Faith in the Press," Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. A panel of political journalists discuss religion and faith as an issue in the upcoming presidential election.

Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation, 439 S. Union St., second floor, Lawrence: Hebrew Ulpan class, a full-language program that teaches grammar, reading comprehension and conversational skills begins Feb. 26 through May 20 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class is for high school to adults and is being offered by Hebrew College.

New England Bible, 60 Chandler Road, Andover: "Clear Answers to Hard Questions" adult class Sundays through April 1 at 9 a.m.

North Parish, 190 Academy Road, North Andover: Lunch with Rev. Lee Bluemel is Feb. 21, noon to 1 p.m. and every third Tuesday of the month. Bring a brown bag lunch, opinions, politics, questions and observations. Newcomer night for teens and young adults at Great Pond Sangha, Feb. 29, 7:30 to 9 p.m.. Old Center Hall, 3 Great Pond Road with guided meditation and discussion. Free. For details, contact Laura at greatpondsangha@verizon.net.

St. Andrew Episcopal, 90 Broadway, Methuen: Bishop Gayle Harris leads service tomorrow at 2 p.m., followed by meetings with parishioners until 6 p.m. The church's book club reads "Same Kind of Different as Me," Feb. 29.

St. Anne, 26 Emerson Ave., Hampstead, N.H.: "Living the Eucharist" learn about and discuss the meaning of Mass, the Eucharist, scripture readings, and enjoy and connect more deeply with your faith community, Feb. 20 through April 1. for adults, teens, and families. Sign up at February 11/12 or call the office at 603-329-5886.

St. Augustine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 128 Ames St., Lawrence: Confirmation students lead Holy Hour tomorrow at noon to pray for people dealing with an illness.

St. David Episcopal, 231 Main St., Salem, N.H.: The adult education series is studying, "Breaking Free," by Mark William Olson, Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

St. James, Winter Street, Haverhill: Youngsters from St. James and St. John serve as altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, cantor and choir members at the first youth Mass Feb. 19 at 5 p.m.

St. James Episcopal Church, 119 Washington St., Groveland: Kid's Day of Art and Prayer during School Vacation for second through sixth-graders, Feb. 22 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children's workshop lead by Ingrid Sanborn and the Rev. Marya Decarlen. Participants will create charcoal drawings for a quilt which will be displayed in the church during Lent. Cost is $7 per child and includes a pizza lunch.

St. Joseph of Sts. Mary and Joseph parish, 40 Main St., Salem, N.H.: Catholics who have been away from the church are invited to a series of meetings to talk about their faith journey, Feb. 27, March 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m.

St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Road, Londonderry, N.H.: Scripture study on the Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus Christ will be held Mondays Feb. 27 to April 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $15.

St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: On the third Sunday of the month, the 5:30 p.m. Mass will be signed by a volunteer using American sign language.

St. Robert Bellarmine, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: World Day of Prayer for the Sick is celebrated with the anointing of the sick tomorrow at the 11 a.m. Mass.

St. Theresa of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen: Joyce Wholey of the San Damiano House of Prayer speaks about the house and spiritual direction, Feb. 20 at noon. This is part of the monthly luncheon speakers series. Free but donations accepted. Register by calling the parish office at 686-3984 by Feb. 18.

St. Thomas Aquinas, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, N.H.: Donald H. Nohs, one of the world's leading authorities on the Shroud of Turin speaks on the image Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. He will have on display one of the few church-sanctioned authentic full body replicas of the shroud.

South Church, 41 Central St., Andover: The Rev. Ned Martin leads a four-week session titled, "Love your Enemies? What does that mean and why should I" tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. The Rev. John Zehring leads a study on "The Sermon on the Mount" Sundays through March 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Family sabbath dinner is March 2 at 6 p.m., prior to the service for kindergartners, first-graders and their families. Reservations must be made by Feb. 24 by calling 978-470-1356.

Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Bible study class on issues concerning Israel and the Middle East is Feb. 18 at noon.

Trinitarian Congregational, 72 Elm St., North Andover: Singers Lara Sablich, Janet Swatski, Mike and Laura Green, Rich and Alisa Knight perform in "An Evening of Love Songs" tonight at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 and proceeds benefit the youth mission trip. The Rev. Rich Knight continues his sermon series titled, "Love, Sweet, Love," exploring the great love passages in the Bible tomorrow at 10 am. Joani Geltman, author of "I Get It — The Three Magic Words for Parents of Teens" kicks off "Parenting Potluck Series" March 5 with supper at 6 p.m. followed by workshop 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The series continues March 12 and 26.

Trinity Episcopal, 26 White St., Haverhill: Bishop Gayle Harris visits tomorrow beginning with the 10 a.m. worship service followed by meetings with parishioners.

Universalist Unitarian, Kenoza Ave., Haverhill: The book groups discusses "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color blindness," by Michelle Alexander, tomorrow at 9 a.m. Salma Kazmi speaks on, "Islamic faith from the Perspective of a Believer," Feb. 18, 1 to 4 p.m. Kazmi developed and teaches "Theology and History of Jewish, Christian Muslim Relations" at Merrimack College.

West Congregational, 767 Broadway, Haverhill: Alpha course exploring key issues of the Christian faith continues Tuesdays at 6 p.m. until Dec. 5. A 12-week women's Bible study looks at the prophet Daniel, Mondays, 6:45 to 9 p.m. After School Bible Club, Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., Feb. 29 to April 4 for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Program teaches about the Christian faith through music, memorization, study, games and videos. Each session includes pizza. To register, log on to westchurch.org.

West Parish, 129 Reservation Road, Andover: "Living the Questions 2.0," Lenten series begins Feb. 16, featuring leading mainline and progressive Christianity through such topics as "Taking the Bible Seriously" "Stories of Creation," "Thinking Theologically and "Out into the World: challenges Facing Progressive Christians." Silent meditation is Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

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Church celebrates renovations, anniversary

Building God's Way founder and church architect, Dan Cook, along with partner Don Mahoney and a team of experts in the areas of church building, church growth, church fundraising, church finance and leadership will address key strategies for facility expansion and renovation to meet the needs of a new generation. The spring seminars are expected to draw up to 1,000 church and school leaders.

Yuba City, CA (PRWEB) February 09, 2012

Building God’s Way today announced its 2012 spring seminar schedule, which will include dates in 12 cities across the country between March 20 - May 17. Following the successful 2011 campaign theme of "Not Your Parent's Church", which drew more than 1,100 people from 550 churches and Christian schools, the seminars will focus on key trends and strategies in church design, church building and renovation and more.

Two speaker panels have been established that will include experts in the areas of church architecture, church construction, fundraising, finance, leadership and church growth. Each of the speakers have worked with hundreds of ministry-based organizations across the country and will share vital information about how successful and vibrant ministries are responding to the largest generational shift in U.S. history.

Not Your Parent’s Church will shed light on how the new generation is impacting the way ministry space is being designed, utilized and funded. Dan Cook and Don Mahoney, architects that have designed more than 500 facilities for churches and Christian schools, will discuss new perspectives on master planning and design that are key in reaching the Millennial generation. Recent research indicates that a paradigm shift is bringing about new economic realities for ministries. As giving declines, churches must prayerfully seek out new and creative ways to fund ministries and outreach. In one seminar session, entitled, “The Church Facility...it’s not just for Sunday’s anymore,” the architects will share about how facilities that are planned and designed properly can play a key role in financial sustainability for churches.

The architects and local BGW church building partner, Hilbers, Inc. will also share about a unique construction delivery model that is changing the way churches and Christian schools are being built. With a foundation based on relationships, stewardship and outreach, this proven process is delivering a consistent 20-30% savings compared to standard design and building methods - without lowering quality. The program focuses not only on lowering up-front construction costs, but also has a huge impact on long-term operation and maintenance costs. The construction session will provide detail about the key elements that lower costs, including a unique pre-construction process and an exclusive network of suppliers for building materials, products and furnishings.    

Terry Bates and Michael Goldsmith will headline the fundraising and growth tracks of the seminars. Terry and Michael have personally led multiple congregations through growth barriers and have helped ministries across the country to inspire and motivate their congregations to successfully fund their God-given vision. Terry Bates is currently the pastor of OKC Faith Church in Oklahoma City and is the author of “Positioning Your Church”. Terry previously worked with Dr. John Maxwell’s Million Leader Mandate, in which he was involved in training more than 250,000 in Asia and Africa. Michael Goldsmith played an integral role in tripling the weekly attendance at The Assembly at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Michael trains pastors across the country in his role as a consultant for BGW Forward in Faith.

Pastor Bates and Goldsmith will share some keys to developing momentum in any economic environment, momentum that can lead to increased attendance, greater member involvement and increased giving capacity. In another session, the pastors will provide an overview of a radically different concept in capital fundraising called “Hearing from God.” This refreshing approach is having dynamic results with ministries around the country without the high pressure and manipulation tactics common with most capital fundraising campaigns. Attendees will learn how their ministries can cultivate spiritual sensitivity as their congregation joins together to pray, fast and respond to the individual vision that God has for them.

For more information about registration and a schedule of dates and locations for the BGW “Not Your Parent’s Church” seminars, visit the BGW Events web page.

About Building God’s Way - With a portfolio of nearly 400 churches and 120 Christian schools and colleges nationwide, Building God's Way (“BGW”) has become a recognized leader in ministry design and construction. BGW has also developed an unparalleled network of kingdom building services that extend beyond just architecture and building and includes growth coaching, vision casting, capital fundraising, financing, leadership development and more. The mission of Building God’s Way is to build God’s Kingdom by translating the God-given ministry vision of Christian organizations through high-quality, cost-effective buildings and by demonstrating the love of Christ on the job site through the BGW Ministry of Construction program.

###

Derek Johnson
BGW Services
801.409.1045 1045
Email Information

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"Not Your Parent's Church" Seminar Highlighting New Strategies for Church Design and Church Building for the 21st ...

NORWICH, Conn.—Safety goggles and stacks of scaffolding may not be the most sacred items ever to occupy space in the sanctuary of his Norwich church, but the Rev. John Lancz is happy to have them.

"We are really looking ahead with excitement at putting in possibilities that were only dreams before. We are really pleased," said Lancz, pastor of United Congregational Church at 87 Broadway.

Work recently began on a $290,000 structural upgrade that caretakers say is among the most significant construction projects ever at the 155-year-old building.

Crews will dismantle what's left of two internal chimneys and remove rubble they've left behind that has been pressing against the church, threatening its organ apse and buckling the walls.

They'll also shore up a failing truss, which has caused the ceiling to separate from its supports. The venture is being paid for in part by a $125,000 state Commission on Culture & Tourism grant. The church's long relationships with other local faith organizations have also helped bring in dollars.

Lancz said officials remain about $90,000 short but are confident they'll find a way to pay for the renovations -- simply because the alternative is too steep a price to bear, he said.

"If this work were not done, the building would collapse," Lancz said.

The church is planning a May celebration to mark the project's completion.

Pleasant Valley-based Gesco Construction was awarded the contract and has been on site for the past month preparing the sanctuary for its facelift. It's a delicate process, with many original parts of the church still intact and in need of protection.

That includes more than a dozen stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany that feature his characteristic use of opalescent glass and color patterns -- a feature that helped get the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tiffany, who was married at the church in 1872, redesigned it in 1891 with an elaborate stencil pattern on the walls next to the top of the organ and on its crowning. The artwork was rediscovered last week by Dave Gavrillen, one of the project's general managers.

The happy surprise leaves church leaders with a decision about whether to restore the images. They're expected to solicit bids for the work shortly.

Despite the major undertaking, Sunday services remain uninterrupted as the congregation meets in the church's Fellowship Hall on the lower level. The church is structurally sound and used daily by groups like the Norwich chapter of the NAACP and Bully Busters, which have offices there.

"All church activities are rolling," Lancz said. "And those who use this building are excited the work is being done and look forward to expanding what we already do here."

Gail DeCoteau, of Groton, has been a member of the church for nearly a year and is thrilled that construction has started.

"I'm very happy. This building is just too valuable a resource for the community to let disintegrate," she said. "Once the upstairs is done and the organ is rocking, they're going to know this building is alive."

Information from: Norwich Bulletin, http://www.norwichbulletin.com

© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Work saves crumbling Norwich church

This Sunday, Our Lady of Peace Church opens its brand-new doors in Silverthorne to those interested in taking a look inside.

The church, under construction at the north end of Silverthorne, was recently enclosed with the completion of the roof.

Now, church officials want to take the opportunity to showcase the new building. The church is moving from its current location in Dillon Valley to its new spot below the Gore Range in Silverthorne.

From 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, the church and rectory buildings will be open for public to walk-through. Officials expect construction to be completed (they're currently working on the interior) by late summer.

The church is also showcasing its commitment to employing local skilled labor, contractors and purchasing building materials from within the county.

According to Deacon Chuck Lamar, an extensive process of pre-qualifying and prioritizing local subcontractors resulting in the ability to hire two-thirds of the subcontractors in Summit County, and spend 77 percent of the dollars (more than $3 million) with the local businesses.

“Since 1881, we have been part of Summit County and are committed to local people here,” Lamar said. “We have $4 to $5 million to spend, and we'd really like to support our local community with people looking for work. ... If they were qualified and competitive in price, we opted to hire them as we could.”

To his knowledge, the only workers who came from outside of Summit County were those whose skills couldn't be found within Summit's borders.

Our Lady of Peace is an extension of Breckenridge's St. Mary Catholic parish, founded in 1881. The original church still sits at 109 S. French Street, which received an addition in 1985 to accommodate continuing growth. In December, a major interior renovation was finished, adding more seating and social space at the site.

As the community grew, a new mission, called Infant of Prague, was established in 1958 and met in old Dillon until the town was flooded for the new reservoir. In 1975, Our Lady of Peace church was constructed on its current site in Dillon Valley. With little room to expand, church officials sought a new site and landed on the Silverthorne property.

The construction budget for the project exceeds $4 million, which is being funded by pledges and donations from the local Catholic community (full and part time residents) as well as visiting families.

Original post:
New Catholic church under construction north of Silverthorne holds open house Sunday

Published: 6:48PM Friday February 10, 2012 Source: ONE News

Maurice Williamson - Source: Close Up

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The Minister of Building and Construction wants to set up a mandatory scheme for buildings to display their earthquake safety standards.

The proposal from Maurice Williamson comes after a report into the collapse of Christchurch's CTV building found it failed three standards of the building code when it was built in 1986.

The six-storey building claimed 115 lives when it was flattened in the February 22 quake and subsequently caught fire.

Williamson said establishing a law which forces building owners to publicly disclose a building's ability to withstand an earthquake would allow people to make their own decisions about using it.

"If you were going to rent an apartment and you saw your building only met 30% of the earthquake standard you'd make the decision, 'I'd rather pay more for a flat in a better building,'" he said.

"Then you'd see market forces making owners lift the standards of their buildings."

Williamson said the Canterbury earthquakes had forced officials to rethink the current building code, particularly with regard to seismic activity.

He said it was possible higher standards may be introduced, but these had to be balanced off against the extra cost to builders. 

"We've put about a 35% increase in the seismic standards for new buildings (since the quakes)," he said.

"But it (the CTV report) will also make us think seriously about where we take that level for older stock.

"You could have the gold plated standard and have no one able to afford a building or have low standards and buildings be really cheap."

Meanwhile, the Department of Building and Housing is currently examining 352 structures built around the same time as the CTV building which may have similar problems in the event of a quake.

"They think it highly unlikely it'll be replicated elsewhere, but we are going to do those checks to make sure," Williamson said.

"We've inspected just about half of them, about 176, and we've found about 60 that require some further work."

Williamson won't name the other buildings on the inspection list but said the chances of another collapse like the CTV building is very unlikely.

He said CTV had a unique design which made it more vulnerable and it also failed to meet the building standards of its time.

The department hopes to have the remaining surveys completed by April.

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Minister calls for building quake safety ratings

Saturday, February 11, 2012    Last updated: Sunday February 12, 2012, 1:21 PM

After living in a small New York apartment, Michelle and Alon Frumer were thrilled to find a new-construction house in Englewood in 2008, with plenty of room to raise their two young children.

KEVIN R. WEXLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Alon Frumer in his Englewood home, where several rooms had to be gutted because of leaks that fed the growth of mold. That and other problems have forced him and his family to leave the house, and a lawsuit is pending.

But just days after moving into the $997,000 home, the couple discovered water pouring into the basement from an opening in the foundation. Other problems soon turned up, including a cracked chimney, missing fire protection and extensive water leaks, which fed the growth of mold.

"It reminded me of that movie 'The Money Pit,' " said Michelle, a real estate investment manager. "I feel like we're living a real-life 'Money Pit' with this house."

Their years-long struggle to get relief raises questions about the effectiveness of municipal building inspections and home warranties. The Frumers say the city's building inspector should have found the home's problems during its construction, and the warranty company should now do more to remedy them.

Much litigation

 

The Frumers, who moved out of the house in 2009 and are now living in Teaneck, have sued the architect, the builder, the city of Englewood, the home warranty company and the contractor that the warranty company sent to fix the problems.

According to the suit, the four-bedroom, 4,883-square-foot Valley Place house was built by Leonard and Evelyn Krimsky of Englewood in partnership with Jack Nelson of Englewood. It featured high ceilings, a library and fireplaces in both the living room and master bedroom. It was completed in 2007, and the Frumers bought it in April 2008. They didn't have an inspection because the home had been inspected by the city's building code officials, and it came with the warranty.

But new homes should "absolutely" be checked by an independent inspector, said John Nastasi, an architecture professor at Stevens Institute of Technology.

'A total disaster'

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New home, no worries. No way!

WATERLOO REGION – Housing starts in Waterloo Region surged in January due to construction of a large apartment building in Waterloo.

Builders started 467 housing units in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo census metropolitan area last month, more than double the 177 units started in January a year ago, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Wednesday.

Last month’s total was boosted by 362 apartment starts, including a 358-unit building on Erb Street in Waterloo.

Although that single project skews last month’s numbers, the increase in apartment construction reflects a trend as young adults, immigrants and downsizing baby boomers boost demand for apartment-style accommodation, said Erica McLerie, a senior market analyst with the housing corporation.

Foundations were poured for 75 single-detached homes last month, down from 93 in January a year ago.

Nationally, the pace of housing starts slowed slightly in January, mainly because of sharp decreases in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

The housing agency said the seasonally adjusted annual start rate was 197,900 units in January, down from 199,900 units in December.

The seasonally adjusted figure attempts to smooth out monthly variations and calculates an annual total as if the January rate continued for 12 months.

The actual number of units begun in January was 12,950.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased by 2.8 per cent to 176,600 units in January, with single starts down by 7.8 per cent and multiple starts up 0.4 per cent.

Urban starts decreased by 35.4 per cent in Atlantic Canada and by 34.4 per cent in Quebec on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

On the same basis, rural starts were estimated at 21,300 units in January.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Big apartment project boosts local housing starts in January

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- An apartment complex proposed along University Avenue has some neighbors concerned.

Developers addressed their questions during a Planning and Zoning Commission subcommittee meeting Wednesday. Brent Dahlstrom and Jim Sulentic have partnered to construct a 12-unit building on unused land behind the University Inn, 4711 University Ave.

The complex is similar to one Dahlstrom built at 3834 W. Fourth St. in Waterloo.

Improved storm water detention and access to the complex fueled the discussion. Sulentic assured the residents the apartments would not be considered low-rent housing.

Walter Combes wasn't convinced. His fears centered on increased traffic near his home on Chapman Court.

"I'm against it, I'll tell you that," he said. "I don't think this is a feasible plan."

A private driveway is planned to the west to Orchard Place and onto Orchard Drive, which intersects with Chapman. Tenants also could exit east onto University Avenue by driving through the existing motel lot.

Sulentic said if each two-bedroom apartment has two tenants, that amounts to a maximum of 24 vehicles. He compared the complex to the much larger Mallard Point retirement community across Orchard Drive.

"That thing just keeps going and going and going and going," he said. "We're not talking about 36 units or 48 units. We're talking about 12 units."

Even so, Richard Hanson feels "it's just not a very desirable place to put a nice apartment building."

The facility will require special permission from Planning and Zoning and the City Council, according to City Planner Marty Ryan said. The area is zoned C2 commercial, and the ordinance establishing that district doesn't allow residential uses.

"Our main objective is to make sure we're not sacrificing or giving up commercial properties for residential uses," Ryan advised commissioners.

The 3.6-acre property, which includes the motel and proposed apartment building, would remain zoned C2 commercial and could be transformed into something else in the future, Ryan said.

"If some motel element is preserved, I think we have to recognize that," Ryan said.

But some argued the adjacent motel, the former Vagabond Motel, could be conveyed as an apartment, as the business is transitioning to an extended-stay facility. The JLL Extended Stay Inn on University also has long-term tenants.

Dahlstrom said the University Inn fills a "big demand" for short-term housing. John Deere and construction workers, for example, may stay a few months and can't commit to a yearlong lease.

"It's such a gray area," Commissioner Jim Moody said.

Cedar Falls Fire Battalion Chief Desi Duggan agreed. If occupants stay more than 30 days, code requirements change. The Extended Stay Inn has installed sprinklers and kitchenettes.

However, in some places residents are doing a lot of cooking and washing dishes in a bathtub, making protection difficult, Duggan said.

"It's a real unsafe environment," he said, adding that many are flood victims from North Cedar. "They're paying month to month, but they're not going anywhere. These people can't afford to go anywhere else."

Rent at extended-stay facilities isn't necessarily geared toward low-income people, but rather residents pay the market rate for the square footage, Sulentic said. Even with low interest rates, some still can't afford to buy a house.

"People have to live somewhere," Ryan said. "We can't just say because you're too poor you can't live in Cedar Falls. That's not acceptable."

Dahlstrom receives about three calls daily from people looking for a place to rent and said vacancies are sparse. He owns a couple of hundred units but won't have anything available until 2013.

The preliminary apartment plan will advance to the regular commission meeting Feb. 15.

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Cedar Falls neighbors wary of proposed apartment building

Once, when I was a small boy of six or seven years, my dad came home from work very tired and in need of rest. After supper, he said it sure would be nice if someone would wash his feet.

I volunteered to do the job, for I knew he would give me a dime. I got a pan of warm, soapy water and a clean cloth and gently washed his feet. My mother and dad told me I was doing a good job and I was glad to help my dad –– and get a dime!

Washing another’s feet is a humble task, and I doubt if many have ever had the experience. Jesus washed His disciple’s feet, as told in John, chapter 13.

Afterward, He said, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Some Christians believe that Christ intended to institute a foot-washing ordinance to be practiced regularly. Most seem to interpret Christ’s action here as providing an example of humble service. Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services for one another. We should cultivate a servant-attitude in our personalities.

In my experience, I have known people who would do most anything to help someone else, whether it was some kind of work or providing food or clothing, even money.

I have also known those who would not help anyone and were very selfish. Those who helped others seemed to be happy and well-adjusted and with good attitudes. Jesus said we would be blessed if we served others, and this is incentive enough for me. However, we should never think that Christians serve others for personal gain or that they want something for their services. True Christians want to help others and be of service because they want to follow Jesus’ example and please Him.

They don’t want to be paid or paid back. If you want to do something, then follow their example and serve others yourself.

I realize there are people who are humble servants and are not Christians. I pray for them, for I know anyone with a servant’s heart surely loves his fellowman and must be a good person. There are many, today, who believe if they live their life being good, and if there is a God and a heaven, then they will surely go there when they die.

This idea sounds good and is logical, but it doesn’t agree with the teachings of God found in His Holy Word, the Bible. God, the mighty and righteous One, the only God there is, knew man could not be free of sin in his own power, so He gave us His great plan of salvation for all who would believe in Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9).

In this way, God reconciled Himself to a sinful world and to all mankind. There is no other way we can find forgiveness for our sins. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except by me.” (John 14:6).

We can’t be good enough to go to heaven, we can’t earn our way there, we can’t buy it or deserve it. Only through faith in Christ can we attain eternal life in heaven.

Is this too high a price to pay — our faith and trust in Christ and God’s forgiveness of our sins? It really isn’t a price at all, for salvation is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ. He paid it all when he died on the cross, so that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Decide today to be a Christian and a servant of God. Then, surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever (Psalm 23:6). I pray you will.

More:
Christians are servants of the Lord — Jim Bell

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 8, 2012) - VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VMS.V - News) ("VMS") today announced results from a mechanical trenching, outcrop power washing, mapping and sampling program at its 100% owned Sails Lake Property in northwestern Manitoba.

Neil Richardson, VMS' Chief Operating Officer, states: "I am pleased with the results from our channel sampling program at Sails Lake and look forward to incorporating these results into our 3D IP/geological model. The Long Zone mineralization is still open to the east and high grade samples from the M-Zone are not drill tested. Both areas warrant follow-up work."

The program was carried out in August of 2011 in three main areas of the property named the Long Zone, M-Zone and the E-Zone. Each area consists of numerous large trenches that expose gold mineralization in association with quartz vein and bedrock-hosted blocky and acicular arsenopyrite. Host rock to the gold mineralization is a multi-phase tonalite-gabbro intrusion. The mineralized zones are marked by Induced Polarization (IP) chargeability anomalies and well developed Mobile Metal Ions soil geochemical anomalies.

The Long Zone trench uncovered two sets of quartz veins. One set trends in a northeasterly direction, is mineralized with arsenopyrite and appears to be the host for the gold mineralization with values of up to 61.73 g/t gold. The second set trends north-northwesterly and is barren. Two previous holes drilled by VMS beneath the Long Zone trench assayed 1.21 g/t gold over 58.89 metres core length (DDH SA-10-007) and 1.48 g/t gold over 13.41 metres core length (DDH SA-11-013). Channel sample results from the current program will be incorporated with our 3D IP data and drill data in the upcoming months. Two additional trenches were excavated at locations 35 metres and 75 metres from the main trench at the Long Zone. These new trenches uncovered a large broad northeast-trending shear zone with lesser gold values of up to 0.31 g/t. This shear zone is interpreted to be a late feature and unrelated to the main gold mineralizing event.

The M and E Zone trenches exposed gold mineralization associated with quartz veins in a tonalite intrusion with values of up to 13.58 g/t. These gold values are associated with blocky to acicular arsenopyrite and similar to the Long Zone mineralization. Gold values are generally sporadic and correspond with the amount of quartz veins observed in outcrop. These veins are quartz-filled tension gash structures developed at the boundaries of the multi-phase tonalite intrusion.

The Sails Lake property is located 25 km east of the mining community of Snow Lake, Manitoba and consists of 8 claim blocks covering an area of approximately 1,900 hectares. Additional follow-up work on this project is warranted and will be reviewed in the upcoming months.

For additional details on exploration on our Sails Lake property, see VMS' press releases issued between January 24, 2007 and September 9, 2011, available at http://www.vmsventures.com.

Qualified Person

All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Dr. Mark Fedikow, P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person for the Company and Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services, VMS Ventures Inc.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Geological mapping was carried out at 1:100 scale by geologists and geotechnicians employed VMS Ventures Inc. Channel samples were marked on outcrop with spray paint and samples were cut with a portable diamond saw approx. 4cm thick and 5cm deep with the maximum sample length of 1.2 metres, but average 0.60 metres. The channel samples were then placed in plastic bags and tagged with a unique sample number. A metal tag with the sample number was placed in cross slots at the end of samples for future reference. Chemical analyses reported in this press release were performed by TSL Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK, where it was dried, crushed and pulverized and a 250-gram sample was prepared for assaying. Gold was analyzed by fire assay Atomic Absorption using a 30g charge, with gravimetric finish for assays greater than 3 g/t. Sampling and analytical procedures are subject to a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control program that includes blanks and analytical standards.

About VMS Ventures Inc.

VMS Ventures Inc. is focused primarily on acquiring, exploring and developing copper-zinc-gold-silver massive sulphide deposits in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake VMS Belt of Manitoba. The Company's VMS project property portfolio consists of the Reed Copper Project, McClarty Lake Project, Sails Lake Project, Puella Bay Project and Morton Lake Project. Outside of the Snow Lake camp, the Company holds massive sulphide prospective properties near the past producing Fox Lake and Ruttan copper-zinc mines, near the communities of Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids in northern Manitoba. These properties are located in the mining friendly province of Manitoba, Canada. The Company also has optioned three properties in the Sudbury mining camp. They are Terra Incognita, Golden Pine and Black Creek.

VMS Ventures owns approximately 45% of North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN.V - News). For more information on North American Nickel Inc., please visit http://www.northamericannickel.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. VMS Ventures Inc. undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Roozendaal, President

VMS Ventures Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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VMS Ventures Trenching Program Returns Assays of Up to 61.73 g/t Gold at Its Sails Lake Property Near Snow Lake ...