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FREEDOM FROM BOREDOM. Summer 2013 SCHERTZ FAMILY YMCA Celebrate your independence from boredom with quality programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in a family friendly atmosphere.
Summer Sport & Enrichment Camps—for children ages 3 through 14 years of age.
Athletic Performance Training—for your advanced athlete to maintain conditioning this summer!
Splash Pad— to cool down this summer— a spacious water play scape.
Swimming Lessons—for the entire family! Affordable prices and flexible schedules for busy families!
Summer Shape Up Team Challenge—compete as a team or family and win great prizes while you shape up this summer!
SCHERTZ FAMILY YMCA 621 Westchester Drive Schertz, TX 78451 (210) 619-1900 or find us on Facebook YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
EDITOR’Z LETTER Chuck McCollough, Editor
Better get the soap and water ready. You might need them after reading some of the stories in this month’s edition. But at least you will be smiling. Start with the the saga of four Schertz police officers who played in the mud, lots of mud, and water, in freezing weather, with hundreds of other people. The Tough Mudder event near Austin attracted extreme athletes from all over including the Thin Blue Line team members from Schertz who said it was good clean fun -- without the clean. You will howl with laughter at this tale. Next go “Dirt Fishing” with Gary Penta, an Air Force retiree who has taken up the hobby of metal detecting. Penta has discovered a number of interesting and historical items such as coins, rings and buttons. Follow Penta’s adventures as he literally unearths buried “treasure” and tries to solve their untold stories. Amateur sleuths prepare to take notes. Switching to the clean side of things, move on to one of the top barbers in our area. Kathy Hedgepeth (yes it is a lady barber) started lowering ears in 1981 in Nebraska and came to the Schertz/Metrocom area a few year later.
Her customers range from babies to seniors and some travel nearly 100 miles just to get clipped. What is Kathy’s scissor-snapping secret? Read and find out!. Visit with Ben and Bobbie Proskine, franchise owners of the Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center in Schertz. Their new generation of child-care center has a big focus on keeping kids minds and bodies busy. Read how the Schertz community has taken to Ben and Bobbie and their business and how the Proskines selected Schertz for its dynamic and friendly community. But be warned. If you start a conversation with a four-year old there you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the wisdom coming out of that little person. The curriculum is that good. And if you need a lift or even if you don’t, you will get one after learning the story of Ms. Wheelchair America Mariah Kilbourne as she finishes her one year reign this month (July.) Mariah helps remind all of us that people with disabilities - such as those in wheelchairs - are important contributing members of our community. And her reign is being captured in a special way through a Schertz connection. Read and enjoy. Speaking of wheelchairs, read the heartwarming item of a disabled young veteran getting a new Schertz home. Also look for stories on championship cheerleading and a ping pong connection at City Hall. All that and more in your July Schertz Magazine.
contentz FEATUREZ Dirt Fishing
31 DEPARTMENTZ TALK OF THE TOWNZ 9
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COLUMNZ A Cut Above
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Lighting The Way
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Mud Buds
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Molding Young Minds
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Ping Pong Champion
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CIVIC NEWZ UPDATEZ
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Calendar
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COVER
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Steve Rolison (left) and mud bud Cory Vanderver get down and dirty.
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City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Jim Fowler Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember George Antuna, Jr. Councilmember Cedric Edwards, Sr. Councilmember Sydney H. Verinder Councilmember
Executive Team John Kessel City Manager John Bierschwale Executive Director David J. Harris Executive Director Brian James Executive Director PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department David J. Harris Interim Director Linda Klepper Business Manager Chuck McCollough Editor Alexis Souza Art Director & Design Chris Matzenbacher Sales Director Lucille Sims Thomas Copy Editor Brittany Losey Senior Writer Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Client Affairs Specialist Mary Spence Events Coordinator Contributing Writers Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Kiko Martinez, Ashley Festa, Rudy Arispe, Jim Webb Contributing Photographers Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Mike Harris, Marc Bane, Bryan Nguyen, Joe Herczeg, Diana Webb, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Zachary Carter, Ross Dye, Beverly McCollough, Catherine White, Elizabeth Leland, Stock Photography: fontsandphotos.com
Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. The official publication of the City of Schertz promotes city, community, and business activities associated with the City. Š City of Schertz, Texas The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1630. Fax (210) 619-1619. Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com
Talk Townz
JULY 2013
OF THE
Back-to-School Shoe Program 2013 Every year, the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) provides shoes for children in our community who would not otherwise have a new pair of shoes to start the school year. Families who reside in our ZIP code service areas (78108, 78109, 78124, 78148, 78154, 78132, 78233 (Live Oak only), 78247, and 78266) and meet income qual-
ifications are eligible. Applications may be picked up at the RACAP office, 307 Pfeil St., Schertz, starting July 9, If anyone knows of a family in need of this special assistance, direct them to RACAP or have them call (210) 658-1613.
of shoes we will be able to purchase will be determined by the amount of donations we receive. Please make all donations payable to RACAP and designate on the check that the monies are specifically for the Shoe Program.
Donations from churches, groups or individuals are greatly appreciated and are being accepted now. The number of pairs
For more information or for answers to any questions about this program, please call (210) 658-1613.
Schertz Magazine In The Desert Justin O’Donnell of Schertz holds a copy of Schertz Magazine in the City of Rocks National Park in New Mexico while on a recent visit. Take Schertz Magazine on your next trip and send us a photo of you holding it with a iconic or unusual background.
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Talk Townz OF THE
Disabled Veteran Gets New Schertz Home Ron Sullivan is one of the newest homeowners in Schertz thanks to a caring community.
He took the keys to his new house Wednesday, May 29, to thundering applause from dozens of supporters including city officials, the home builder and a veterans organization. Sullivan joined the Marines in November 2008 and was de-
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Top photo - Sullivan subject of TV report. Bottom left – Congratulated by Mayor Michael Carpenter Bottom right – Congratulated by Mayor Pro Tem Cedric Edwards Sr.
ployed to Afghanistan. While on patrol he lost both legs to an IED device on August 23, 2010.
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Ron’s injuries include both legs amputated above the knee, a rod & plate in his left femur, head, and limb salvage on his right hand due to multiple fractures. He has several close family members helping with his recovery needs, including his mother, and grandparents. Chesmar Homes and HelpingaHero.org arranged for a new home for Ron in the Riata subdivision in Schertz. The fully handicapped accessible 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home features a large master suite, wide doors, a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink, flush thresholds, an adapted kitchen and everything he needs to make
his home functional in light of his needs. Rooms To Go supplied a house full of furniture for the 24-year old wounded warrior --- completing the job of making the house his home.
Talk Townz OF THE
Entertainmentz
Cheering Up Schertz By Andrea M. Allinger Idaho native Peggy Larson claims Texas as her homeland, saying, “I’ve been here longer than I’ve been anywhere else.” The mother of six and founder/owner of the Stars Cheering and Tumbling Academy is the pinnacle of self-made success in business and family. In May, all seven teams Larson took to the national cheerleading competition, The Summit, won at least one National Championship. Larson’s cheerleading career went as far as high school, but with her background in dancing, her passion became her success. While living in El Paso with her husband and children, Larson attended a basketball game and saw a group of little girls dancing at halftime, and turned around and told her husband, “I could do that.” At the time, Larson had four children, whom she towed along with her as she rented out a room in a church and began teaching dancing and tumbling. She said, “I had to find something I could bring my kids to, I seriously couldn’t afford daycare . . . I was desperate.” In the nearly three decades following Larson’s initial venture, she has moved around the Southwest, including Clovis, N.M., and Lubbock, founding
and running dance and tumbling businesses while juggling her family life. Larson remembers that when she left her Clovis business, she had over 1,000 enrollees. When Larson came to San Antonio she worked out of schools and began her contact with the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) at Kelly Air Force Base to develop a plan for her land purchase in Schertz. Larson recalls getting a loan and asking family and cont’d on page 12
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Entertainmentz Cheering Up Schertz continued from pg 11
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friends to invest in her dreams, saying “I am blessed to have people who invested in me.”
90 percent of them are on the A-B honor roll. There is a ton of talent in this area.”
“By the time I moved out to Schertz, I had been doing this for 17 years and I didn’t want to rent anymore,” Larson said. So she made the big commitment and purchased the land on Borgfeld Road and founded the 10,000 square foot Stars Cheering and Tumbling Academy, incorporating cheering into her life again as the demand was large in the area. With the invaluable help of her talented coaches, many of whom have been with her for 10 years or more, her cheerleaders have continuously won national championships and given the Schertz business an unbeatable reputation.
On May 4, 2013, Larson and her seven teams traveled to Orlando to compete in The Summit, an all-level national championship. Larson’s teams that competed had previously won nationals in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and San Marcos competitions. They competed in 11 competitions and collectively won 39 first places. Every team won at least one national championship, with three teams taking four or five nationals championships.
Students travel from as far as Helotes and La Vernia to enroll in the Stars Cheering and Tumbling Academy, practicing five to eight hours a week. Enrollment begins at age 3, with competitive cheering beginning at age 5. Each year, a portion of the 420 students fill the 140 competitive cheerleading spots at the gym. “I run my gym like I do my family — I demand respect and they know if you follow the rules you stay, if you don’t, you don’t stay,” Larson said with a laugh. The athletes at Stars Cheering and Tumbling Academy are what Larson calls, “intense athletes, they are very dedicated and the best part of it is that
Larson says her favorite part of her job is, “working with the youth, I love to work with them and see their faces when they learn a new skill. I love them with all my heart.” As for Larson’s six biological children, all of them have either coached or done competitive cheering. Three are pursuing doctorate degrees, one is married with children, and the two youngest are currently attending Clemens High School. She said that her youngest son is the only one not interested in cheering; instead he works at Stars cleaning up after hours and plays tennis. Stars Cheering and Tumbling Academy is located at 1230 Borgfeld Road in Schertz and can be found on the internet at www.starscheerandtumbling. com. For more information call (210) 566-3200.
Talk Townz OF THE
Left to right: Ken Helgren, Michele Helgren, Emily Helgren, Dr Mark Penshorn, Zachary Goodall, Mary Goodall, Chris Goodall
Helgren and Goodall Named Penshorn Scholars Steele High School Senior Emily Helgren and Clemens High School Senior Zachary Goodall have been selected as the 2013 Penshorn Dentistry Excellence in Science Scholars, each winning a $1,250 grant.
Emily Helgren, the daughter of Ken and Michele Helgren, graduates fourth in the Steele senior class of 511 students with outstanding grades in all of the sciences. Her diligence in the classroom demonstrates her commitment to the precision needed in the complex world of chemistry. “Emily has outstanding grades in science, but she also shows a solid grasp of the broader application of science, “says Dr. Mark Penshorn, “These chemistry terms aren’t just words to her, she understands
their meaning and their influence on the problem she is solving. She will make an excellent chemical engineer.” AP Chemistry teacher Scott Thomas adds, “Emily doesn’t take shortcuts. Her lab reports explain everything in detail and her calculations are easy to follow. She learns the material with a thorough understanding.” Emily will attend Texas A&M University and major in chemical engineering.
biology and outstanding grades in AP Biology and AP Physics this year. He successfully completed AP Chemistry his junior year. Zach’s work ethic clearly developed during his high school years, driving his class rank and grades consistently higher each semester. A member of the UIL science team, he finds non-traditional ways to solve problems, according to teacher Cyndi Whitson.
Zachary Goodall, the son of Mary and Christopher Goodall, graduates from Clemens with a love of
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WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ IN YOUR SCHERTZ CHAMBER?
SCHERTZ CHAMBER AMBASSADORS This dynamic group of local business men and women help serve as the “face” of the Schertz Chamber. Helping with Ribbon Cuttings, Events and volunteering in the Community, we want to recognize our “Red Coats”. Thanks for all your hard work!
JULY CHAMBER EVENTS
EVERY Monday evening and open to ALL– Schertz Chamber Toastmasters
Contact David Smith, 210-551-7656 or Jan King 210-8469061 for more information.
EVERY Tuesday and Thursday
Get Fit with SCOC! For Chamber Members – 5:30-6:30pm Call for more information.
July 16th Chamber Luncheon
@ Schertz Civic Center @11:30am – 1pm. RSVP by July 9th.
July 24th Chamber Mixer
@ Bella Vista Homes – 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
July 24th Biz Ed
7:30am – 9am at Sponsored by GVEC Schertz located at 908 Curtiss Avenue. Guest speaker Shennandoah Diaz presents “Getting the better deal: the best loan program you’ve probably never heard of”. Free to Chamber members, Non Members $10.
It just makes “cents” to join the Schertz Chamber of Commerce! Unique networking opportunities, education, advocacy and more! Call us at 210-566-9000 or come by and visit at 1730 Schertz Parkway in Schertz. Help us “Build a Better Tomorrow”.
Talk Townz OF THE
Century Cake Cutting Schertz Bank & Trust President and CEO Mark Sunderman (right) cuts a piece of the bank’s 100th Anniversary Cake on Monday, June 17, while SB&T Chairman Roy Richard Jr. holds a plate. The bank opened on June 17, 1913 and is celebrating all of 2013. The bank has 56 employees with a total of 623 combined years - an average of nearly 11 years.
Partners In Education (PIE) Gets Bell Foundation Check The 5th annual TJ Bell Scholarship Foundation golf fundraiser was held May 24, 2013 at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Oaks Golf Course. TJ, a 2003 graduate of Randolph High School, passed away January 2004. With the assistance of family and friends, a memorial scholarship was established in TJ’s name and awarded to deserving seniors at Randolph High School. A scholarship foundation was established and raised enough money to continue to give the
scholarships. This wonderful tradition of annual scholarships at Randolph High School continues due to the annual golf tournament. The proceeds from these fundraisers will benefit deserving seniors for years to come. TJ was a member and employee of the Randolph Air Force Base Youth Center and as a college student, was considering a career in Childhood Education.
Left to right: Tommy Bell and Kent (Uppy) Uphoff from the TJ Bell Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser present a check to The Partners In Education (PIE) Foundation: Phronsie Kelly-Zion, Guidance and Counseling Center, Judson ISD; and PIE Board Members: David Sippel (PIE Treasurer/Secretary), Jay Higginson (G.R.A.S.P.), Dan Murphy (PIE VP) and Jeff Fletcher, PIE Golf Chair.
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hertzTales Ad.indd 1
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The Alamo Colleges are an EOE. For any special accommodations issues or an alternate format, contact the Title IX Coordinator, (210) 485-0200.
FEATUREZ
“Best Barber” Happens To Be A
Barbarette By Jim Webb
Kathy Hedgepeth was as, if not more, surprised than anyone when she received a call from a representative with the San Antonio Current informing her she had been selected by its readers as the best barber for 2013! Kathy Hedgepeth (left) being congratulated by Marilyn Grove
THE CURRENT IS PUBlished weekly and distributed free throughout the San Antonio area. Since 1990 it has conducted an annual “Best of San Antonio” competition in which readers nominate and vote for people, places, and things for “best of” in a wide variety of categories, one of which is barber. Kathy had not been aware of the contest
or the fact that she had been nominated for best barber. She commented that she wished she had known about being in the contest so she could have (1) thanked the person who nominated her, and (2) encouraged customers and friends to vote. As it turned out, the latter was unnecessary, but she still hopes
to discover who nominated her and thank that person individually. Kathy first became a barber in her home state of Nebraska in 1981 . She began barbering in the Metrocom area in 1988 at the Randolph AFB Base Exchange barber shop. She later had a shop in Universal City, and, since 2008, has been
running the barber shop in the Parr O’Club on Randolph. During her 30 years cutting hair, Kathy has had many interesting experiences. Some are light hearted, like giving mohawks, and some are heart tugging, like when she cuts the hair of a cancer patient who is undergoing chemo cont’d on page 22
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FEATUREZ
treatments. Kathy has male and female clientele, ranging in age from babies to senior citizens in their 90’s. She gets genuine enjoyment from sharing experiences with her customers, many of whom have been her customers for decades. One such longtime customer is a gentleman who now lives in Austin, but, every three weeks, still comes to get his hair cut by Kathy.
“Best Barber” Happens To Be A Barbarette continued from pg 21
One of Kathy’s greatest pleasures nowadays is being a grandmother. She tries to spend a good deal of time with her two granddaughters, because she understands that only a grandmother can properly spoil a grandchild. Kathy’s other interests include gardening and photography, and participating in mission trips to Mexico. Kathy received another piece of good news recently, when she was awarded the Parr O’Club barber shop contract for another five years! So, if you are one of Kathy’s current customers or someone with base privileges who would like to become one of her customers, you’ll know where to find her for at least the next several years.
Hedgepeth with customer Col. Chris Richardson
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FEATUREZ
Ms. Wheelchair America Inspires By Kari Bridges
Forty-one years ago, an Ohio physician wanted to create a national platform that would recognize and promote the talents, achievements, capabilities, determination and courage of individuals across the country who are faced with mobility impaired challenges. FROM THAT VISION, Ms. Wheelchair Texas title he established the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant to , increase public awareness of people with disabilities through advocacy and education.
Converse resident Mariah Kilbourne, is the current reigning Ms. Wheelchair America and knows first-hand what it takes to be an official advocate for the more than 57 million Americans living with disabilities. Kilbourne first found out about the Ms. Wheelchair Pageant Program while attending a fundraising event last year at Morgan’s Wonderland. During the event, she had the opportunity to meet both the 2011 Ms. Wheelchair Texas title winner and 2004
winner who encouraged her to consider competing in the 2012 Ms. Wheelchair Texas Pageant. Kilbourne recently commissioned Lisa Aguirre, Owner of The Scrappy Quilter quilt shop in Schertz (in the Lone Oak Plaza at the intersection of FM 78 and FM 3009), to create a T-shirt quilt that will showcase her year-long reign as Ms. Wheelchair America 2012. The quilt will use Tshirts that she has acquired at pageant events from all over the country. “I wanted to have a T-shirt quilt made because it is the perfect way to see and share all of my memories from this amazing year. A little part of every place I went to, the
people I met, all the things I experienced, will be pieced together and connected in one beautiful piece of art. Tshirt quilts are a tradition in my family for big events – my high school graduation, my college graduation and now my year as Ms. Wheelchair America. I wanted to keep up the tradition for this lifechanging, empowering, important year, too,” Kilbourne said.
Aguirre indicated that requests for custom-made Tshirt quilts, memory quilts and memory pillows are popular with customers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether they wish to preserve memories from special events in a person’s life, or memories of a loved-one, each individual quilt will be a special and unique item that will last a lifetime. cont’d on page 27
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“The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Pageant, which began in 2004, is a three-day event held each spring in Houston. Of all the states, Texas has the largest Ms. Wheelchair Program with 11 girls participating,” Kilbourne said. Born three months premature with cerebral palsy, Kilbourne never felt discouraged from pursuing her dreams and possesses an amazingly positive attitude filled with ambition and determination. Last August, just five months after being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Texas, Kilbourne went to Rhode Island to represent Texas, where she competed against 26 other contenders. She won the title of Ms. Wheelchair America at the pageant.
Ms. Wheelchair America continued from pg 25 “It warms our hearts to know that something we have created will touch the lives of family member for years to come,” Aguirre said. “I can’t wait to see the quilt! A lot of hard work and talent went into making it. It will be one of my most treasured mementos from this entire experience,” Kilbourne said. To compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Texas you must be between 21-60 years of age, utilize a wheelchair for 100 percent of your daily mobility, be a U.S. citizen, and reside in the state of Texas at least six months prior to the pageant. You must also represent the state at the annual Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant.
During her week at the Ms. Wheelchair America Program contestants attended leadership classes, self-defense training, interactive workshops, developed goals, made vision boards, attended teambuilding activities that included learning about the state that each contestant represented and learned makeup techniques. Throughout the year the national pageant has hosted monthly video conferences where contestants can continue
FEATUREZ learning new skills and share with each other what they have learned. Kilbourne has a love for historic downtowns and works diligently with her platform “Be Inclined for Inclusion,” to ensure communities offer access for people with disabilities and making sure that everyone is included in work, play or school. During her year-long reign her goal has been to share her platform by speaking to different groups across the country. She has visited various advocacy groups, made public appearances, and conducted media interviews in hope of promoting awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, educating the public on disability issues and awareness of the achievements of people with disabilities and assisting in establishing the Ms. Wheelchair America programs in all 50 states. Kilbourne explained that The Ms. Wheelchair America Program was designed to offer different techniques with advocacy skills and how to be a good spokesperson for people with disabilities in the community. She shared that the most important thing she learned about herself from this experience is to be open to all opportunities, adding that you don’t know what opportunities will come and how one opportunity will lead to another.
State pageant competitions are designed to select a successful and articulate spokeswoman for people with disabilities. The crowned titleholder must be able to communicate the accomplishments and needs of her constituency to the general public, business community and the legislature. Contestants are judged based on the following: accomplishments since the onset of their disability, individual interviews, onstage questions and personal platform speech.
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FEATUREZ
Cory Vanderver (left) and Steve Rolison (both in background center) finish one obstacle.
Mud Brothers Stick Together By Chuck McCollough
Being a Blood Brother requires blood. Being a Mud Brother requires mud, blood and “thud” – as in bumping into things. THAT WAS THE DOWN
and dirty truth for four Schertz Police Department officers who took part in a Tough Mudder event south of Austin near the town of Wimberley on April 20.
SPD Officer Cory Vanderver (patrol and SWAT), Cpl. Steve Rolison (patrol supervisor), Officer Ryan McCosh (patrol) and Cpl. John Cumpian (patrol supervisor) were hardly recognizable under the mud,
more mud and still more mud they collected during the super physically challenging event. “When I finished the run with Cpl. Rolison, I sat down near the finish line to wait for the rest of the guys to finish,” Vanderver said. “I was so completely covered in mud from the waist down that I looked like a melted bar of chocolate. I made the mistake of sitting in the sun and not immediately washing myself off and I completely hardened with all the mud on me. There was so much mud that each time I walked I would crack and chunks of mud would fall off me. It took almost 30 minutes to wash
myself off,” Vanderver said with a laugh. Playing in the mud has long been an iconic action of little boys and apparently evolves into an obstacle-course obsession among some men (and women) as evidenced by the hundreds of people who took part in the Austin-area Mudder. According to a Tough Mudder website: “the events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.” The website said the innovative courses have drawn more than 700,000 partici-
pants worldwide and raised more than $5 million for the Wounded Warrior Project. “Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world,” the website said. “But Tough Mudder is more than an event; it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days,” the website said.
“When you approach the Arctic Enema, you have to climb up to the deck and just jump in. Once you are in the ice cold water, you then have to go under the water to get to the other side and climb out. I have to say, that is the coldest I have ever been in my life. I do not know if other police departments competed in the event, but I know that this event helped us with good team camaraderie. “The Tough Mudder is not for your own personal time, it’s about teamwork and a chal-
From left: Dusty McComsey (friend of Vanderver), Cory Vanderver, Steve Rolison, Ryan McCosh, and John Cumpian
Cumpian said his family and friends were “very proud of me for taking on this challenge, but they all thought we were crazy for doing the course in such cold weather. At our start time -- 8:40 AM -- the weather was a cold 34 degrees and the first obstacle was crawling on your stomach under barbed wire through mud and cold water. The worst part of the obstacle course was the ‘Arctic Enema’ -- a large container filled with ice cold water and on top of that, they were adding bags and bags of ice throughout the day.
lenge to yourself. This was my first Tough Mudder challenge and I have to admit, it was a great experience. When we first started the competition I was very nervous about the unknown obstacles and what was to come throughout the entire course. After completing the course I felt very proud of myself for have completing the 10.5 mile course. It was a tough physical and mental challenge to see what you are made of and how far you could push yourself. It was a great experience and I plan on doing another Tough Mudder in the near future.”
Cumpian said. Rolison has been here before. “This is the second time that I have done the Tough Mudder event. The first time was January 2011 in Bastrop so I kind of knew what to expect. I found out about that race from our SWAT Commander at the time and I completed the race with a couple of guys from the Guadalupe County SWAT Team. I was approached by Cory Vanderver about this race and I figured -- why not? “This time it was much colder and I don’t think that the temps got out of the 30’s. If so it was the low 40’s. This race had different obstacles and the one that I particularly enjoyed the least was an obstacle in which you had to crawl under wire in water while you were being shocked from above. I didn’t like this obstacle because there is no way that you could go through it fast. The last obstacle is a shocking experience, but you can just sprint through it. I enjoy these events because it is always fun to suffer as a group. I probably enjoyed the running and swimming the most. The obstacles are fun too, but you get pretty banged up (the ‘thud’ factor),” “Cory (Vanderver) and I ran together the whole time and helped each other through the obstacles. Cory’s race number was starting to fall off his shirt and I helped him out by ripping it the rest of the way off. Unfortunately this caused a hole in his $60 Under Armour shirt, which he was not happy about. My wife is used to me doing crazy or endurance events so she does not bat an cont’d on page 30
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FEATUREZ
Mud Brothers Stick Together continued from pg 29
eye when I tell her … well maybe she rolls her eyes occasionally,” Rolison said. McCosh, who has been a Schertz officer a little over a year, was intrigued by the Mudder description and decided to join the team. “We didn’t really train as a team because of the nature of the course. I did step up my regular workout of lifting weights and such.” The young officer -- like his teammates -- said the really cold temperature that day really ramped up the challenge and made it seem more like a polar adventure.
McCosh was unable to finish the course after being pulled out by medics for low body temperature. He expressed disappointment but also determination to possibly try another Mudder in the future. . Team captain Vanderver said: “The main reason I chose to do the Tough Mudder was to test myself. I am really heavy into fitness and exercise and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and push my limits again. It was my first but not my last run mud event.”
The Schertz Mud Brothers team wore superhero outfits like The Hulk and SpiderMan.
He also mentioned the same obstacle Cumpian cited.
“I created the team on the website and got the other officers to join. Our team was called TBL, which stands for Thin Blue Line. It seemed fitting for us,” Vanderver said, adding none of his family and friends were surprised that he did a Tough Mudder.
“The most fun obstacle would probably be the Arctic Enema. It was two giant trash bins packed with ice and water. As soon as I jumped into it I felt this massive brain freeze headache. It was insane. It also felt like a horse just kicked me in the head. The water was so cold all my muscles felt useless,” he said.
“All participants are encouraged to dress up and be colorful during the Tough Mudders. Since it began numerous participants dress up in every run,” Vanderver said. The event is open to the public and a lot of public safety personnel including police, firefighters and EMS participate.
“I went into the Marines at 17, police academy at 22, and joined SWAT at 25. Doing the event was a normal ambition
for me and I plan on doing many more. The whole event was fun. I felt like a machine the whole time. I hadn’t been so motivated and pumped to do a challenging event since I went to the San Antonio SWAT School.” “Everybody helps each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re next to your friend or a complete stranger, everyone has fun and everyone gets pushed to their limits,” Vanderver said with a smile. Perhaps the exploits of the Thin Blue Line team will inspire something else. When the hit TV show “Mad Men” completes its run, perhaps another series could be created around the Schertz team. It could be called -“Mud Men.”
“At one of the obstacles you had to jump 30 feet from the top of a tower into freezing water. I froze at one point with a bit of hesitation -- it gave me pause to think about it but I jumped in and then kept on going. The other obstacles included crawling through pipes filled with water and getting sprayed with water along the way. “At one obstacle you had to walk through chest high water and under the water was knee high mud you could feel but not see. It was a real physical and psychological challenge,” he said.
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Cumpian (in green shirt) climbs platform
FEATUREZ
“Dirt Fishing” Finds Hidden History By Jim Webb LOCAL RESIDENT GARY PENTA, A UNITED STATES AIR Force retiree, recently adopted the hobby of metal detecting. Originally, he hoped it would be a great bonding activity for him and one of his sons. It turned out that the son’s interest waned, but Gary’s interest soared as he enjoyed the thrill of discovering a wide variety of items buried in the soil. Even as a kid growing up on Long Island, N.Y., Gary was intrigued by the adults he would encounter exploring with their metal detectors. However, it was only in December 2012 that he purchased his first detector. In the few months since, he has amassed a collection of discoveries that include coins, rings, buttons, knives, belt buckles,
and an assortment of trinkets of all shapes and sizes. With every item he finds and decides to keep, Gary imagines what the story might be behind the item and how it ended up where he found it. One such item is a ring with a small charm attached in the shape of Texas. Maybe it was a present to a daughter from a parent, or a gift from one good friend to another, or….? The possibilities are many and present a challenge to amateur sleuths. On one occasion, Gary was able to return an item to its original owner. He discovered a bejeweled dog’s tag with the name Max on it and a phone number. He called the number and asked the woman who answered if Max was there. After a moment’s hesitation, she replied that he was, but he was a dog. Playfully, Gary asked her to tell Max he had found his tag and would be glad to return it – which he did. Gary cleans most of the items he keeps and if needed uses appropriate tools to nudge them back into or near their original shapes. In one instance, however, he converted the item from its original shape and purpose into something entirely different. He uncovered a spoon monogrammed with the letter “B.” Skillfully, he honed the spoon until he made it into a wraparound ring displaying the initial of his son’s first name – also “B.” Gary has a few items in his collection he especially prizes, including an “eyeball” ring, a 1915 Barber quarter, and a metal cont’d on page 32
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FEATUREZ
“Dirt Fishing” Finds Hidden History continued from pg 31 sign from an old Bally arcade game. However, he chose to give away his most prized find. Fortunately, it was the City of Schertz that benefited from this significant discovery – a trade token issued by the Gerlich, Schulz and Company mercantile store that opened on First Street in Schertz in 1911! In the 19th and early 20th centuries, trade tokens were issued by businesses in lieu of money and/or as an enticement for customers to shop at their store, similar to how coupons are used today. In mid-April, Gary was “dirt fishing,” as detector users refer to their soil explorations, in Cut-off Park on FM 1518 across from Pickrell Park in Schertz. At one point he received a strong signal from the detector. As he normally does, he excavated a few inches around the spot and found a U.S. 1915 Barber quarter and then the trade token. Gary already knew about trade tokens and their history, so he was aware of what he now had in his hand. He returned home, cleaned the token to the best of his ability, and researched the item. Appreciating the potential significance of this token to Schertz, Gary contacted Dean Weirtz, chairman of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee, and told him of his find. He attended the committee’s next meeting and described for members what he found and how he found it. Then he offered to donate the token to the city because he understood the value to the city and its citizens of such an artifact. Naturally, the committee accepted his offer. Gary served 23 years in the Air Force. His wife of 20 years, Christina, is a lawyer on active duty at Randolph AFB. They have five children, one grown, four still at home. The youngest is their only daughter, who was born in Japan while they were stationed there. They enjoying camping as a family and have progressed from a tent to a motor home. On occasion, Gary has been hired by folks trying to find a metal item. Once he was hired to locate a sprinkler timer/ control box and found it in a matter of minutes, buried 2-3 inches under the soil. Gary has a keen interest in history and hopes in the future to be contacted by owners of old property in the area who would be interested in having him do a search on their property to see what manner and variety of items might be located there. He can be contacted at (571) 882-0478. For more information on trade tokens, go to www.texastokens.com or www. tokencatalog.com.
Gary Penta and wife Christina with jewelry he found
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Children’s Lighthouse:
R U Smarter than a Pre-K’er?? By Brittany Losey
“CLASS, WHAT’S THE tion based, values based. We state flower of Texas?” the teacher asks. “Bluebonnet!” they respond in unison. This question is followed by prompts for the state tree, state capital, and finally the name of a business creating group growing in the capital city.
bring in values for each classroom. We want them to grow mentally.”
A small 4-year-old boy correctly cries out “entrepreneurs” in not so many syllables. This is not the work of an ordinary classroom, but the committed, quality care of the Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center.
This past January, Ben and his wife, Bobbie, opened the Schertz location as a branch of the Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers system. Established in 1997 in Fort Worth, the franchise has grown across Texas as well as several other states. They maintain standardized, award-winning curriculum for each age group they serve, which extends from six weeks to 12 years.
“It’s more than just a daycare,” said Ben Proskine of the Children’s Lighthouse in Schertz. “That’s why we’re called a learning center. It is educa-
“Our curriculum is geared more toward technology now,” Ben said. “We have an interactive whiteboard. The cont’d on page 35
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Children’s Lighthouse continued from pg 33 elementary schools now are getting into technology, they’re getting iPads, laptops. This is going to better prepare them.” In addition to being technologically savvy, the curriculum and activity plans keep children’s minds and bodies engaged. Students are given two 30-minute recess periods each day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The bright and expansive play area is more than accommodating for the maximum student population of 220. “I think for the area, one of the things that parents really love about this center is that they’re getting so much exercise,” Ben said. “We have a huge playground. The parents are loving the physical aspect of it.” The holistic approach seems to be effective in promoting the children’s happiness and success. “In the 4-year-old room, a lot of them are reading already,” Bobbie said. “The curriculum, the values, it’s very activity based,” Ben added. “There’s something for them to do every minute of the day. We keep them structured.” Bobbie and Ben also pride their facility on the high-quality teachers they hire. They cite director Tammy Smiley as their key in putting together a topnotch team. “Tammy is really creating a good solid team,” Bobbie said. “She’s working hard to get us
educated teachers. Today I feel so much more positive about our staff than I have ever felt.” Creating a learning environment that is more than just a daycare was the Proskine’s motivation for opening the Lighthouse. “We both love children,” Bobbie said. “I’ve been very involved with both my children’s education. We’re very family oriented and we have the business know-how – it was a perfect fit. Schertz was also an ideal location for the Proskines’ business. “When we did the market analysis, a lot of the places in the area are older,” Ben noted. “Schertz has been growing but the daycare business hasn’t been. We’ve had fantastic growth since we opened – there was definitely a need.” Heading into the summer, Lighthouse enrollment rolled into the triple digits – this number is growing weekly, especially with all of the special summer programs the center is offering. “While we regularly do before and after school care, we also have summer programs that start the week after school lets out,” Bobbie said. “We’re doing all kinds of field trips, cooking projects, and more.” A few of these in-house summer activities include a visit from KENS 5 meteorologist Bill Taylor and a petting zoo set up in the parking lot where kids can visit different animals. Additionally, the Proskines are including a service element to these programs. “We’re incorporating commu-
The Proskines – mom Bobbie, dad Ben, daughter Courtney, son Trey
nity outreach,” Bobbie said. “Every week, we’re going to go to the Schertz senior center to visit, help with bingo, etc. I’m very excited about this project.” The Proskines are optimistic about the Children’s Lighthouse’s growing position in Schertz. “Schertz has embraced us as a community and they’re so excited about us being here,” Bobbie said. “They’re really helping spread the word.” Smiley also appreciates the mutually beneficial relationship between the facility and the city. “We’re just excited that we’re able to be here in Schertz and bring in good quality childcare, especially for our military families,” Smiley said.
Though the center has only been open a few months, staff are constantly looking for ways to improve the facility and its offerings. “We’re going to get better and better with the curriculum, better at meeting the needs,” Ben said. “We’re having to change things daily. With the long term we’re just going to get better and better.” Bobbie adds, “I just want to encourage people to come in and see what we’re really about.” Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center is located at 2080 Schertz Parkway, near Live Oak Road. For more information call (210) 659-2552 or visit childrenslighthouse.com/ schertz
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r:
r:
Y L JU TS N E V E
Civic Center:
July 2 – USAF Band of the West Concert Band July 4-5 – Facilities closed. Happy 4th of July! July 16 – Schertz Chamber Luncheon
Community Center: Jazzercise – M-F, various times Zumba – M, W, Th 6pm 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Bldg. #5
(210) 619-1600
FOCUZ FOCUZ FOCUZ
Brian James
Ping Pong Summers Led to Schertz By Chuck McCollough
Brian James - the City of Schertz Executive Director of Development - is a perpetual motion man.
IF YOU EVER SEE HIM
Really.
As the City person mainly dealing with development in
still - standing or sitting - it is a rare moment. James seems to always be zooming between one meeting and another. And for good reason.
Schertz – a city buzzing with growth - James has a lot of irons in the fire. More irons than minutes in the day it seems. He keeps in shape for all that hustling by running, sometimes with his oldest son,
biking and other outdoor activities, but it was an earlier chapter in his life that likely prepared James for the fastpaced career he would have in the future. “My brothers and I convinced my mother at the start of one summer that we needed a ping pong table to keep us busy,” James said during one of those rare moments when he was actually sitting at his desk. “Our house was in a central area among where our friends lived - and in San Antonio of course the summers are really hot - so they were always coming over to our house. Since my mom didn’t want them in the house she agreed to the ping pong table so we could stay in the garage,” he said. cont’d on page 38
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Brian James Ping Pong Summers continued from pg 37 “We spent hours and hours playing ping pong in the garage in bare feet and loving it. I continue to enjoy playing it to this day, especially with my brothers when we get together.” James said ping pong is a magnified version of tennis (and is called table tennis) and took on iconic stature thanks to President Nixon and Tom Hanks. Ping Pong Diplomacy - where teams from what was then called Red China and the U.S. played a series of friendly matches -- helped re-establish diplomatic relations between the two nations during Nixon’s presidency. Hanks, in his role as Forrest Gump, played an amazingly fast game of ping pong as part of that Ping Pong Diplomacy. James is modest about how good he is, but several trophies on shelves in his office speak of a ping pong skill level beyond the average person (but he insists that is not the case).
“Through college and grad school I worked for Barnes and Noble and then got an internship with Bexar County.
like roads, parks and services meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Later he moved to the North Texas city of McKinney where he stayed for nearly nine years from March 1998 to December 2009. He held several positions including Planner, Senior Planner and Director of Planning and Deputy Director of Development Services.
“The fact that the City of Schertz is working on so many initiatives does mean that it will be a lot of hard work, but that also makes it very rewarding to be part of the success that is to come,” he said shortly after joining the City.
James returned to his hometown to begin his career with the City of San Antonio in December 2009 as the Assistant Director of the Center City Development Office. Just before coming to Schertz in March 2012, James was Assistant Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of San Antonio. His job included supervising the City’s Housing, Community Reinvestment and Policy, Research and Outreach units. “Having worked in growing communities in the past, I understand how important it is to maintain the unique sense of place that attracted people to Schertz in the first place. Maintaining all the things that make Schertz as special as the community continues to grow requires planning for the future to ensure that things
During a “pick up ping pong game” in a Schertz Fire Rescue bay some time ago, James showed his form and held his own (sort of) against Fire Chief David Covington and other fire fighters. James has moved to San Antonio twice. “I was born in Altus, Okla. where my dad was stationed in the Air Force. We lived in Houston for a while and then moved to San Antonio when I was in the first grade,” he said. James grew up in the Alamo City, graduated from Clark High School in 1987 and then earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from UTSA.
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“I go to a lot of City Council and boards and commissions meetings and it has given me a really good feel for the community in my first year. There are signs of growth everywhere but Schertz still has that small town feel and sense of identity that makes families and businesses want to be here,” he said. “Schertz has handled growth well - with a lot of good decisions in the past and present. The challenge is - how do we continue on that path of making good decisions?” he said. When James is not running around on City of Schertz business, he focuses on family time with wife, Erika, and sons Jack, 13, and Tommy, 10. The family enjoys a variety of activities including fishing at the coast, biking, running, Cub Scout functions and more.
Civi cn ewz July 2013
Schertz Magazine Wins TAMIO Award of Excellence Schertz Magazine captured an Award of Excellence at the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Award Luncheon in College Station on June 7. Schertz Public Affairs Department representatives attending the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Awards Luncheon June 7 in College Station were (from left): Erin Matlock, Client Affairs Specialist; Chuck McCollough, Schertz Magazine Editor; Linda Klepper, Schertz Magazine Business Manager ( holding award); Chris Matzenbacher, Schertz Magazine Sales Manager; and Mary Spence, Events Coordinator.
In the category of Print External Newsletter for cities of population under 50,000, Schertz Magazine took second place and an Award of Excellence while Sugarland captured first place. Schertz Magazine won second place in the same category in 2011 and 2012. The TAMI Awards is the leading recognition program in Texas honoring excellence for municipal communication strategies. This is the second award Schertz Magazine has won in the past few months. The magazine was named one of the winners of the 2013 Communicator Awards announced by the International Academy of the Visual Arts recently.
Loren Morris and Aruna Kharod are winners of this year’s Hal Baldwin Scholarship, named for the late Schertz mayor. Morris received $2,500 and Kharod got $1,250. In the photo above, Mayor Michael Carpenter (left) and Susan Baldwin Beck (right), daughter of Mayor Baldwin, present Morris with her check. The scholarship program is open to any Schertz high school senior considering a career path in public service.
The July 2012 Schertz Magazine cover showing a Schertz glass blower in action was selected one of the winners out of more than 6,000 entries received from across the U.S. and around the world.
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Civicn ews
City Receives Top Financial Information Award from State SEEKING NOMINATIONS STEVE SIMONSON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD The Steve Simonson Community Service Award is presented annually to the Schertz citizen who during the eligibility year exhibits selfless commitment to his or her community via volunteer efforts that made a difference in others’ lives. The award recognizes people who voluntarily offer their time and talent to improve the community in such areas as (but not limited to): *health care *social services *youth or senior activities *the arts *education *justice *housing *nutrition *community growth and development The Volunteer of the Year and two Distinguished Volunteers will be recognized at a dinner in their honor; August 19, 2013.
Do you know of a deserving honoree? The nomination form can be found at schertz.com under the Events category. You may also pick up a packet at the Schertz Civic Center/Public Affairs Office Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
NOMINATION PACKAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH JULY 31, 2013.
The City of Schertz has been awarded the top-level Gold Leadership Circle award by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The award is given to local governments that promote transparency in their financial statements. “We are thrilled to receive this honor from the Comptroller’s Office,” said Schertz City Manager John Kessel. “This is an outstanding confirmation about the city’s ongoing commitment to transparency in the city’s finances.” According to the comptroller’s website, the award is given to cities, counties, school districts, and special districts that are committed to opening their books to the public; providing clear, consistent pictures of spending; and sharing information in a user-friendly format that lets taxpayers easily drill down for more information. To receive this award, a governmental entity must make it easy for residents and businesses to find vital signs about the city’s financial health including the city’s tax rates, the annual budget, the Certified Annual Financial Report, current vendor payment list, and current contact information for the city’s leadership. This information can be found on the
City of Schertz website, schertz.com, on the Finance Department page. “This award complements the annual financial award received for the city’s Certified Annual Financial Report from the Government Finance Officers Association,” said Finance Director Juan Santoya. “The city has received this distinguished award for the past 27 years.” The city’s website also contains an archive of financial information and minutes of Council meetings dating back to the city’s founding in 1958. “Additionally, the city has received one of the highest bond ratings, AA, by the bond rating agencies Moody’s and Fitch, another confirmation from an outside agency about the financial stability and practices of the city,” Santoya added. “We will continue to promote open government and open books so that our residents and businesses can better understand where their tax dollars are spent,” Mayor Michael Carpenter said. “It is such an honor to receive this award.”
Sector PlanLooks at Schertz’ Future Executive Director for Development Brian James (right) answers questions from a group of Schertz residents during the Schertz Sector Plan Open House and Town Meeting Monday, May 13, in the Schertz Civic Center. The gathering was the latest in a series of such meetings looking at community-driven ideas for the city’s future development in North Schertz, South Schertz and the downtown area. The process involves analysis and suggestions from the Gateway Planning Group. To view the Schertz Sector Plan go to schertz. com.
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Tuesday, 2
City Council 6:00 PM—Council Chamber
Tuesday, 16 City Council, 6:00 PM—Council Chambers
Thursday, 4 and Friday, 5
Monday, 22
City Offices Closed For July 4th Holiday
Tuesday, 9
Planning & Zoning 6:00 PM - Council Chambers
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board 5:30 PM – Bob Andrews Room
City Council, 6:00 PM—Council Chambers
Board of Adjustments 6:00 PM – Council Chambers
Wednesday, 10
Tuesday, 23
Planning & Zoning 6:00 PM - Council Chambers
Wednesday, 24
Thursday, 25
Economic Development Corporation 6:00 PM - Council Chambers
Tuesday, 30
City Council, 6:00 PM— Council Chambers
City Council 6:00 PM—Council Chambers
CITY CALENDARZ
July 2013
***Meeting locations may change, please visit schertz.com for confirmation.***
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT
#info
Subscriptions to Schertz Magazine are free for each Schertz household. Subscriptions for residents and businesses outside the City of Schertz are $19.95 annually. Call 210-619-1630.
City of Schertz Elected Officials Mayor: Michael Carpenter
Council Members:
(210) 619-1045
Jim Fowler David Scagliola George Antuna, Jr. Cedric Edwards, Sr. Sydney H. Verinder
(210) 658-1442 (830) 606-1130 (210) 467-7914 (210) 566-4540 (210) 619-1000
City of Schertz Animal Control Business/Utilities City Manager City Secretary Civic Center Customer Care/311
(210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1550 (210) 619-1100 (210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1030 (210) 619-1600 (210) 619-1000
City Departments:
City Departments: (cont’d) Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com
SCHERTZ.COM
Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. For advertising information: Schertz Magazine, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154; call (210) 619-1630; Fax (210) 619-1619; email sales@schertz.com. NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Tales, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 6191630. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Tales, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.
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