It's always encouraging to see the area's ministries rallying their troops to accomplish big community tasks.
Take, for example, Northside Christian Church's men's ministry program Special Forces.
About a year ago, a dozen men gathered at the coast to brainstorm how they could make a difference and grow. They decided to tackle a project every fall or spring. "Something significant in the community," says the men's ministry director, Gary Olsby.
Their first project is today: To renovate a southwest Fresno home, 19 E. Dunn Ave.
The home is owned by World Impact Inc., the Christian inner-city missionary organization that buys homes and assigns couples to live in them where they can get to know their neighbors and help them.
Bill and Danette Bliss have lived in the Fresno home for more than 15 years. But it needs a lot of renovation. Stucco. Fencing. Windows. Sprinklers. Tree removal (its roots are tearing up the basketball court.)
So about 125 Special Forces members -- plus others who just want to help -- will go at it today.
The project's coordinator is Fresno builder Tom Bludau, owner of Agape Development & Design. Details: (559) 908-2831. Night of Muslim fun
Want a good laugh?
Ali Ardekani, aka Baba Ali, will headline a Night of Comedy and Entertainment at 6:30 p.m. next Saturday at the Satellite Student Union at Fresno State.
The Muslim comedian is co-founder of Ummah Films, a Muslim company that strives to provide entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims.
The event is presented by the Muslim youth organization My Deen. Cost is $10. Those under age 4 are admitted free. Details: (559) 297-9535.
Jewish film time
The film "My Wife is an Actress" will be shown at 7:30 p.m. today, as part of the Fresno Jewish Film Series, at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Ave.
The film is a light-hearted French drama focusing on a sports writer tormented by suspicions about his wife.
Cost is $8. A wine/cheese event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Details: (559) 432-3600. Silk panel discussion
A panel discussion on "Sikhism: Culture and Religion" will be held 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the Fresno City College student lounge, 1101 E. University Ave.
Panelists will be Mohinder Singh Grewal, Sudarshan Kapoor, Amrik Singh Virk, Sarbjit Johal and Manpreet Kaur.
The event is presented by the school's anthropology department. Details: (559) 442-4600, ext. 8343.
Buddhist bazaar set Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple's annual Ginza Food Bazaar promises Japanese foods, raffle prizes -- and special Hawaiian shaved ice.
The fundraiser will be 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 25 at the temple, 1340 Kern St. Details: (559) 442-4054.
Talks on Mennonites
The Believer's Church Lecture Series at Fresno Pacific University will present free talks on the Mennonites in Poland:
*Peter J. Klassen, former history professor at Fresno Pacific, will speak on "Surprised by History" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary's Warkentin Memorial Prayer Chapel, 4824 E. Butler Ave.
*John J. Friesen, professor emeritus at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, will talk on "An Enduring Legacy: Polish Prussian Mennonites and the World -- For or Against" at 3 p.m. Friday at Fresno Pacific's Steinert Campus Center, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
The lecture series explores the relevancy of Believer's Church tradition to contemporary thought and life.
Details: (559) 453-2225.
A dessert and more
Kay Warren, author of "Dangerous Surrender," will be the guest speaker at the NorthPointe Community Church women's ministry dessert event at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, 4625 W. Palo Alto Ave.
Warren will talk about women's dreams for their lives, God's dreams for them -- and are they the same? She is the wife of Saddleback Church's pastor, the Rev. Rick Warren.
Cost is $5. Details: (559) 276-2300.
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