magazine
DEC EM BER
2 0 1 4
City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Jim Fowler Councilmember Grumpy Azzoz Councilmember Daryl John Councilmember Cedric Edwards, Sr. Councilmember Matthew Duke Councilmember
Editor’z Letter
Executive Team John Kessel City Manager John Bierschwale Deputy City Manager Brian James Executive Director Bob Cantu Chief of Staff
By Chuck McCollough, Editor
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 12 30 Years and counting...!
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Communications Manager Chuck McCollough Editor Chris Matzenbacher Sales Director Lucille Sims Thomas Copy Editor Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Office Manager Mary Spence Events Manager Graphic Design/Art Direction Alexis Souza Contributing Writers Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Jim Webb, Stan Leland, Taryn McGillivray, Aubrey Parke, Kiko Martinez, Ashley Festa, Rudy Arispe, Tom Lovett, Kaylie Kennedy Contributing Photographers Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Joshua Nolden, Lisa Green, Diana Webb, Bryan Tobias, Mike Harris, Beverly McCollough, Ross Dye, Marc Bane, Michael Carpenter, Bryan Nguyen, Joe Herczeg, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Catherine White, Elizabeth Leland, Rudy Ornelas, Christopher Matzenbacher, Samuel Rhodes, Linda Klepper Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz promoting city, community, and business activities. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. © 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
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT 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 Magazine, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1630. 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 Magazine, 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.
I
suppose I should finally face the truth.
After 55 years of waiting for Santa Claus to bring me that shiny red toy fire truck with cool sirens and a watersquirting hose I asked for as a 10-year-old - it’s not going to happen. I’ll just go out and buy one myself -- if I can find it. Speaking of Santa -- he has a starring role in the December issue of Schertz Magazine. That’s not really surprising but the number of Santas is. Our story involves 41 Santa portraits done by Schertz artist Billy Keen. Billy’s Santa collection is the most unique Christmas tradition I have run across in 44 years as a journalist. The story will help put you in the holiday spirit and give you a
chance to see Santa in a lot of different ways. HoHo-Ho. Speaking of the Christmas spirit -- read Lisa Connolly’s Advice About Holiday Pets article. She is president of Homes For Pets/Schertz Humane Society and gives tips to those considering dogs and cats as presents. It is a good guide from a group that works with our furry friends. And speaking of dogs, meet Rambo -- the Schertz Police Department’s best member for sticking his nose into bad guys’ business. The four-year old German Shepherd and his partner Officer Mitch Weston (head of the Schertz PD’s K-9 unit) have had 150 assignments resulting in 40 arrests over a short tenmonth span.
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No wonder some drivers pulled over along IH-35 get nervous when the 80-pound canine cop starts sniffing around their vehicles. For his part, Rambo also likes visiting with residents at events like SchertzFest and National Night Out. At NNO, youngsters especially liked meeting and petting the all black dog. Next turn to the story about the Schertz community’s newest national star -- St. Joseph’s Chapel on FM 482 near St. John Paul II Catholic High School. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee and interested residents and community members, St. Joseph’s Catholic Chapel has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Turn then to the poignant story of the late Wendy
Swan and her drive and determination to turn a basic and underused city park in Northcliffe into an inviting green oasis with improvements and amenities that residents cherish and enjoy. In a fitting gesture, the City of Schertz agreed with nearby residents, friends of the park, advocates, and community volunteers to rename the site Wendy Swan Memorial Park. After reading the story, visit the park and see what a volunteer with a vision can do. Also look for articles on the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Plaza, a Schertz Scrabble Tournament and a profile of Miss Schertz 201415, Kiana Leal. All that and more in your source for hometown news Schertz Magazine. .
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FEATUREZ
Billy Keen Rambo’s Nose Knows Scrabble Tournament Advice on Holiday Pets
22 26 30 33
DEPARTMENTZ TALK OF THE TOWNZ Updatez Visionz / Chamber
7 18
CIVIC NEWZ Updatez
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CALENDARZ
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COVER
magazine
Miss Schertz Kiana Leal wishes everyone a happy holiday season. NOVE MBER
schertzmagazine.com DECEMBER 2014 schertzmagazine.com DECEMBER 2014
2014
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TALKOF THE
TOWNZ Honoring Those Who Serve The 2014-15 Sweetheart Court helped honor veterans during the 44rd Annual Universal City Veteran’s Day Parade Saturday, November 1, 2014. The Court- Miss Schertz, Kiana Leal; Miss Jubilee, Elena Garcia; Miss Friendly City, Sydney Fischer; and Miss Sunshine, Megan Rhoads- were among the more than 40 entries paying tribute to veterans of all the United States wars.
Schertz PD Creating Explorer Program The Schertz Police Department is partnering with the Boy Scouts of America to create an Explorer Program. Law Enforcement Exploring is open to young men and women ages 14 (who have completed the 8th grade) and not yet 21 years old with
an interest in learning more about careers in law enforcement. Law Enforcement Exploring provides educational training programs for young adults on the purposes, mission, and objectives of law enforcement. The program
provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to be-
come responsible citizens of their communities and the nation. Anyone interested needs to contact either Lt. John Correu or Cpl. Shawn Ceeko at 210-619-1200.
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Schertz Magazine All Over The Map Take your copy of Schertz Magazine when you travel and take a photo of the mag and you in front of a recognizable place and send to events@schertz.com. You might just make it into the magazine.
Schertz Magazine visits Washington State The Hodge family - Robert, Lynne and Maeghan - took Schertz Magazine on their recent trip to Anacortes, Washington, which is north of Seattle on Fidalgo Island in the Puget Sound.
And takes in the beauty of Hawaii Mary Kay and David Covington (Schertz Fire Chief) took Schertz Magazine on a trip to the City of Refuge on the Big island of Hawaii.
Schertz Mag and Big Tex at Texas State Fair And a wedding in Oregon Schertz residents Bill and Cathie Irons recently attended a family wedding in Oregon. While there, they visited Mount Hood and the historic Timberline Lodge. Schertz Magazine went along for the ride.
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Laurie and Steve Schindler and Schertz Magazine at the Texas State Fair (Big Tex in background) in Dallas
And shows up In Colorado Isaac and Sydney Spreen hold a copy of Schertz Magazine while taking in the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
SZ ks Than for ’ us takin ! along
Schertz Magazine at Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico Mark and Kathy Moody attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and took a copy of Schertz Magazine on their trip to the popular New Mexico event.
Schertz Public Library Events December 2014 Cookie Club: Children in grade 6 or younger can stop by the library anytime between December 19th and January 16th to pick up a Cookie Card. Each time you check out books at the library, bring your Cookie Card to get a stamp and put a paper cookie in the cookie jar! On Saturday, January 24th, attend our Cookie Party from 2:00-3: PM where we’ll read crazy cookie stories and eat some tasty treats!
And the sights in Austria Sebastian Hunter, grandson of Paul and Susan Hunter of Schertz, holds Schertz Magazine in Hallstatt, Austria - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sebastian traveled with his grandparents (Oma and Opa) to Austria and Germany for a month-long vacation that included Salzburg, Austria, where his grandfather was born.
Teen Anime-nia Movie Marathon: HEY, TEENS! If you like Japanese animation, then come check out our special “Anime-nia Movie Marathon” at the Schertz Public Library on December 23rd! Teens (ages 13-17) join us from 2:00 pm through 8:00 pm. Pizza will be provided but feel free to bring your own snacks. Noon Year’s Eve: It’s the last day of 2014, and we’re hosting a special celebration for anyone who can’t stay awake until midnight. We’ll countdown to noon with our party hats and confetti, play a game, and make a special craft. Join us Wednesday, December 31st from 11:30am to 12:15pm.
Holiday Themed Craft Night for Adults: Join us Wednesday, December 10th at 6pm in Library Meeting Room 1 for an exciting evening of making Pinterest crafts. Please register for this event online, by phone, or in person at the information desk. Please note: Children are more than welcome to accompany adults to the program, but the crafts are intended for adults ages 18+. Preregistration is required for this program! Winter Reading Club: “POP Open a Good Book” this winter with us at the Schertz Public Library. Our Winter Reading Club is a free reading club open to all. The reading club runs from January 3 to February 13, 2015. Registration is available starting December 19. It’s as easy as 1 -2-3: Register (in person at the library or online at www. schertzlibrary.org. Read ( five books), and Return (your completed reading log for a special prize).
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Schertz Sweetheart
Miss Schertz
H
ello my name is Kiana Leal and I am your Miss Schertz 2014-15. I am a senior at Samuel Clemens High School and am a part of the Cheerleading Squad. I have been a Varsity member for four years and this year I am the Cheer Captain. I am also an active member of the Future Farmers of America and I have been a member of this organization for seven years. I have been an officer for two years and I am currently the Vice-President. I am also a member of the Chapter Conducting and Wool Judging teams. I lettered in FFA as a freshman in Wool Judging. While in FFA I have had the opportunity to raise a lot of of different animals and have learned about leadership, responsibility, and dependability.
In my junior year I became a member of the National Honor Society and I am also a member of Meet in the Middle and was chosen this year to be their senior representative. In my spare time I work at Chick-fil-a in New Braunfels where I have been a team member for four years. I also participate in competitive cheerleading with Stars Dance and Tumbling/ Vipers where I have been a member for eleven years. I also volunteer at the Schertz Animal Control and with the Bar-Y organization. I have been accepted to Tarleton State University and will be attending school there in the fall of 2015. I plan to major in Psychology with a minor in Agribusiness.
YMCA Holding Winter Break Camp The Schertz Family YMCA will be offering a winter break camp for youngsters. There will be camp songs, games, crafts, movies, and a whole lot of fun. It’s an opportunity to meet new friends, and enjoy what the Schertz Family YMCA has to offer.
The camps will run from 7 AM to 6 PM, and youngsters can be dropped off at any time in between. The Y will provide two snacks each day but each camper will be responsible for bringing their own lunch. All activities will take place at the Schertz Family YMCA, 621 Westchester.
Dates the camp is offered are: December 22nd through 24th, 26th, 29th through 31st, and January 2nd. Cost is $108 for non-members and $92 for members for the week. For more information, contact Mario Gallegos at marioga@ ymcasatx.org, or call the Y at 210-619-1900.
PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY CHURCH
Proclaiming the Gospel, Embracing the Doctrines of Grace
Proclaiming the Gospel, Embracing the Doctrines of Grace
Join Us this Sunday Sunday School: 9:30 am | Worship Service: 11:00 Currently Meeting at the Schertz Civic Center: 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Building #5 Schertz, TX 78154
Civic Center:
Dec. 2 - Schertz Chamber Luncheon Dec. 25-26 CLOSED - Merry Christmas! Dec. 31-Jan. 1 - CLOSED - Happy New Year!
Community Center:
Dec. 12-13 - Beading House Jewelry/Trunk Show Dec. 20 - Alamo Pet Expo Dec. 25-26 - CLOSED Merry Christmas! Dec. 31-Jan. 1 - CLOSED Happy New Year! Zumba/Power workout Mondays, 6pm Zumba - Wednesdays, 6pm
210-858-8503 | pcc_schertz@yahoo.com
www.pcc-schertz.com A reformed church and member of the SBC.
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Trunk-or-Treat Turns Halloween Into Sweet Fun
The annual Trunk-or-Treat event held on Halloween at Pickrell Park brought out the child in everyone who isn’t a child. It also thrilled the little ones. Big smiles on little people and bigger smiles on grownups were everywhere October 31 when the Schertz community once again sponsored a safe and fun trick -or -treat night event. Hundreds of kids in costumes and adults in costumes and uniforms participated. City Public Safety personnel were among those taking part in the Halloween event, which ran from 6:00-8:00 PM. Trunk-or-Treat offers residents a safe alternative to traditional trickor-treating as youngsters get candy and other goodies from the vehicle trunks (hence the name) of participating groups. schertzmagazine.com
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Wendy Swan Memorial Park Dedicated On October 20th Northcliffe Park was renamed Wendy Swan Memorial Park after a community champion who worked tirelessly to transform the park into something better. The City of Schertz honored the late Wendy Swan by agreeing with nearby residents and others that that the park should bear her name. According to various family, friends and others, the former lieutenant colonel with 23 years of military service was dedicated to making her community better and had a knack for making things happen. Swan began her quest to improve the park at Northcliffe in late 2004 by drawing up a plan for improvements. She worked with the late Schertz City Councilman Tony Wilenchik, the City
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Parks and Recreation Department and many others to achieve her vision. Swan help start a 501(c) (3) organization in order to make contributing money to the park deductible and in the fall of 2005 help start “Friends of Northern Schertz Parks” The Board was made up of representatives from all of the subdivisions surrounding Northcliffe. Swan raised $65,000 in cash and labor donations in order to help in the addition of a cement walking path, pavilion with picnic tables, playground equipment, basketball court, sprinkler system and multiple trees. She held a focus group of parents and children to obtain their ideas of what type of activities the residents would most like to have in the park.
According friends of Swan she: •
Worked with the playground architect to plan the layout.
•
Spent hundreds of hours over 5 years mowing, fertilizing, watering and helping to maintain the park, pool and new trees.
•
Multiple times painted over graffiti along the entire cement drainage culvert and the pool house.
•
Spent her own money on truckloads of topsoil to cover the rocks resulting from building the walking path.
•
Formed a volunteer pool to pick up rocks and help spread the dirt.
•
Carried hundreds of feet of hose from the pool house to the far end of the park three days a week in order to water new trees.
•
Purchased and planted shrubbery to enhance the pool house entrance.
•
Sanded and painted two old wooden picnic tables she was able to secure for the pool area.
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Hundreds Brave Cold to Honor Veterans Chilly winds could not lessen the warmth felt by hundreds of people gathered November 11 at the Veterans Memorial Plaza dedication. The crowd - estimated at between 500 and 800 people and representing the diversity of the Schertz community – decided to spend part of Veterans Day with others who share their gratitude and love for our nation’s veterans. Old and young veterans, their families and friends, and others who respect the service and sacrifice of veterans enjoyed the event despite the biting cold. Among those attending were members of the Veterans Memorial Plaza Committee, Mayor Michael Carpenter and a number of elected officials from Schertz, Guadalupe County and the Texas Legislature, as well as representatives from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. The SCUC ROTC and several community choirs also participated in the event. The ceremony including the service song of each branch of the military and the flying of their respective flags. Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Col. David Drichta, Commander, 12th Operations Group. The moving ceremony was concluded with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps. schertzmagazine.com
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Donation Will Help RACAP Help Families During Holidays To help serve local families in need during the holidays Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry donated $1,000 to the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program. RACAP is a Schertz-based food pantry, serving portions of Comal, Guadalupe and Bexar counties. The donation and others will help RACAP provide holiday meal baskets to families who qualify. In the adjacent photo, plant manager Jacob Scherer ( far right) joins Servtex Quarry employees in presenting the check to RACAP representatives: from left, Mario Reyes and Wanda Hay of Servtex Quarry; Jessie Fisher of RACAP; Sarah Koranek of Servtex Quarry; Dorothy Stuart of RACAP; and Tony Mosqueda of Servtex Quarry. For more information contact RACAP at 210658-1613 or visit www.racap.org
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Corporate Sponsors AMM Collision Center The Brandt Companies eEmployers Solutions, Inc Frost Bank – Schertz Gillman Honda GUNN Buick/GMC GUNN Chevrolet Jordan Ford LTD K & I Health & Beauty Spa KDJ Insurance Agency Main Street Garage The Crossvine O’Haver Contractors Randolph-Brooks FCU
Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates Norton Rose Fullbright Red McCombs Toyota Ryder Transportation San Antonio Credit Union Schertz Bank and Trust Schertz Family YMCA Security Service FCU Wal-Mart SWBC Time Warner Business Class University of the Incarnate Word Interstate All-Battery Center Service King Collision Center Northeast Lakeview College
Partner Sponsors Eye Care Centers of America HEB – Schertz Preston Pest Control Retama Park Sysco Central Texas, Inc
The Wash Tub Total Lawn Care, LLC WellMed at Schertz EmbroidMe and Signarama – Schertz
Investor Sponsors: 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics AAA Auger Plumbing
Air Force Federal Credit Union Alamo City Medical Group Autumn Winds Retirement Lodge Baptist Emergency Hospital Bella Vista Homes CertaPro Painters Christian Brothers Automotive CPS Energy Dahill Diamond K Eyecare Fantastic Sam’s Fashion Affair Fish Window Cleaning Fit For Work Fox’s Pizza & Tap Room Hanson Aggregates Hanson Brick Rockstar’s Place SCUCISD State Farm Texas State Optical Holiday Inn Express Jazzercise Schertz Fitness Center Legacy Oaks Apartments Mama Margie’s Mexican Café Manco Structures Merritt Lakeside Senior Village MyCommunityCoupon.com New York Life – Trel Lloyd Northcliffe Golf Course PSP Industries RE/MAX Corridor River City Community Church Total Health Primary Care Friendship Pet Hospital Hampton Inn & Suites – Selma Herbalife New Haven Assisted Living & Memory Care South Texas Radiology Imaging Centers Weisinger Law Firm
Proprietor Sponsors: 1st Source Digital 34 Foundation
A Moment In Time Event Planning ABC Enterprises, AVON Abel’s Diner Abiding Hope Christian Counseling ADP Advocare – Laurie Crites Alex Hartman State Farm Agency Alamo Kidsports & Velocity Sports Performance Allstate Insurance – Vince Trevino & Associates American Bank of Texas Anytime Fitness Apache Construction Army Residence Community AshLynn Rose August Rosemark, CPA, PLLC Avon Products, Inc. Bahama Bucks Baptist M & S Imaging Barnard Donegan Insurance Barrett Cooper Accounting, PC Basket Case Berger Transfer and Storage Best Friendz Bestwestern Plus Atrium Inn Bexar Waste Beyond Cake BG's Catering & Restaurant BioMotion Physical Therapy BlackJack Speed Shop North Blackmon Mooring Blue Bonnet Golf Driving Range Blue Bonnet Palace Brenner Printing & Mailing Brighter Futures Learning Center Broadway Bank Buffalo Valley Youth Association C & W Properties C&S Electric Inc. Capital One Bank Cartwheel Communications CASA of Central Texas, Inc Casino Fun Changing Seasons Chick-fil-A Chili's Bar & Grill Christ Church San Antonio Cibolo Coffee Haus Cibolo Creek Physical Therapy Cibolo Dental CIMA Hospice Clark & Gossett Implant and Oral Surgery, PA Claus Team Keller Williams Realty Clear Blue Car Wash Coldwell Banker, D'Ann Harper, REALTORS Color Clay Studio Comal County Habitat for Humanity Communities in Schools of S. Central Texas Contreras Flowers and Gifts Cost Segregation Services, Inc. COSTCO Wholesale Cruise Planners_Carr David J. Eveld Attorney David Weekly Homes DeVoir Fitness Studio Direct Development Training Discount Mattress Depot Discovery Challenge Ropes Course Discovery Church DOCUmation Doss Audiology & Hearing Center Dual Arc Dental ECKO Construction Edward Jones - Cedric Edwards, Financial Advisor Edward Jones - Elsa Cranford, Financial Advisor El Charro Mexican Restaurant Emily's Place Coffee Shoppe Encanto Mexican Grill ETC HR Express Lube Fairfield Inn & Suites First Baptist Church Ford Engineering Forum at Olympia Parkway FREEBIRDS World Burrito French Quality Dry Cleaners Garden Gate Treasures GE Oil & Gas GG Cut & Styles Global BANK Academy Go Big Golf Gold Star Exterminators Grow Strong Consulting Guadalupe County Children's Advocacy Center Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers GUNN Collision Selma Hampton Inn & Suites Hands N Harmony Wellness Center & Spa Hearst Media Services Hearthstone Bakery Café Holtz Enter-tainment Homeland Group of Texas Honeybaked Ham Co & Café Houlihan's - Live Oak IBC Bank Independence Title Company InterLinc Mortgage Jacob's Ladder, LLC. James T Parma, PC, CPA Jason's Deli John Paul II Catholic High School John's Welding & Construction Joshua Nolden Photography Keller Williams Luxury - Sue Massari Young KGNB/KNBT Radio Kitty Hawk Smiles & Orthodontics Kolb & Murray, P.C. La Quinta Inn & Suites Laptop Specialist LeapFrog Promotions Legacy Mutual Mortgage LegalShield-Milton & Elnora Dennie Liberty Tax Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub LNV, Inc. Local Community News Lokal Focus Lowes – Schertz Maggie Maid Inc. MaidPro Main Street Hub Mark Penshorn DDS Massage Heights Schertz Mattenga's Pizzeria McGarrell Orthodontics Meca Sportswear - Armstrong Recognition Miss Cibolo Scholarship Pageant Modern Woodmen of America Fraternal Financial National Cinemedia National Optical & Scientific Instrument, Inc. Natural Stone Design New York LIfe - Ivory Freeman, Agent Next Generation Window Coverings North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Northeast Foot Center Oak Valley Vineyards Restaurant Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Center Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay Paychex INC Pediatric Therapy Specialists Photo Booth Janet Platinum Clipz Barber Shop, LLC Plaza Pizza and Wings Pronto Printing Providence Title Company Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc. Raising Cane's Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program, Inc. Randolph Family Dental Randolph Field Realty RC Pest Control Renewed Unique Boutique Resourcing Edge, Inc. Roadworthy Driving Academy, Inc. Robert Half Sam's Club Sandra's Creations Sather Financial Group Schertz Area Senior Center Schertz Auto Service Schertz Chiropractic Schertz Education Foundation Schertz Funeral Home & Crematory Schertz Housing Authority Schertz Kidney and Dialysis Center Schertz Parkway Physical Therapy Schertz PD Citizen's Police Alumni Association Schertz Photography Schertz United Methodist Church Schertz Vision Source Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club Schlotzsky's SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties Shekinah Learning Institute Sheri Cobarruvias, MS, LPC-S, NCC Siam Cuisine Signature Catering/O'Neill's Inflight Catering Silver Tree Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Silvers Pet and Feed Simmonds Real Estate, Inc. Simply Charming Cakes Small Business Administration /SCORE Smart Moves REALTY SMR Realty Sodalis Elder Living Graceland South Texas Radiology Imaging Centers Spider Man Pest Control SportClips Sports, Occupational & Knee Surgery State Representative John Kuempel Steamers Carpet Care Sterling Group Property Management & Real Estate SurePoint Self Storage -FM 1103 SurePoint Self Storage-FM 3009 Susy Williams Entertainment Suzie's Thrift & Gifts Synergy HomeCare Tazas Café Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company Texas Physical Therapy Specialists Texas Treasure Estate Sales Texas Trophies The Pulte Group Tiny Tot Learning Center Toshiba Business Solutions Total Media Solutions Town & Country Real Estate Tri-City Distributors, L.P UBuildIt Ultimate Travel Planners UPS Store, The Urgent Care & Occupational Health Centers of Texas, P.A. UTSA Small Business Development Center Vallance Security VIP Staffing Weight Control of Texas Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Westridge Pet Hospital Whitney Wiedner Graphic Designer Wild Birds Unlimited Yellow Cab San Antonio The Yogo Stop Bruguy Designs Welcome Wagon Brigman Enterprises David C. Samuelson Architecture and Construction IBC Bank
12 Days of Chamber Christmas Cash begins December 1st! Stop by the Chamber/Visitor’s center offices and pick up your playing sheet! Chance to win $500 CASH! For more information, call our offices at 210-566-9000. No purchase is necessary and all area residents are invited to play! Drawing for the winner will be on December 15th!
Monthly Chamber Luncheon December 2nd will be our last luncheon of the year and the topic will be Tax Updates for Businesses. Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. General Admission by RSVP is $28 and $18 for Schertz Chamber Members. RSVP deadline is November 25th.
The Chamber’s Monthly Mixer The Chamber After-Hours Mixer is scheduled on December 4th at the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 17702 IH35 N. in Schertz. Time is 5:30pm to 7pm. Food, beverages and Chamber Cash drawing! General admission is $10 and free to Schertz Chamber members.
Holiday Closings The Schertz Chamber/Visitor’s Center will be closed the following dates in observance of the holiday season: December 24th – 25th and December 31stJanuary 1st. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
For more information on how to join the Schertz Chamber of Commerce, please visit our website at schertzchamber.org or call us at 210-566-9000.
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Knights of Columbus 20th Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon The Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council in Schertz held its 20th annual Columbus Day Senior Citizen Appreciation Luncheon on October 13 at their hall on Schertz Parkway. More than 400 members of the community participated in the event and were served a barbeque chicken lunch. Boy Scout Troop 51 and local Girl Scout Troops helped serve lunch and assist in Bingo. The event also provided seniors the opportunity to get flu shots from the local WellMed clinic, voter registration, and a chance to receive information about Senior Move Management services from Changing Seasons.
Baldwin Tournament Big Success More than 90 golfers turned out for the 4th Annual Hal Baldwin Public Service Scholarship Golf Tournament at Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Center Course in Universal City on November 7. The tournament, benefitting scholarships for Schertz high school seniors wanting to pursue a career in the public sector, first started in 2008. It is named after Schertz Mayor Hal Baldwin, who served as a City Council member and mayor of Schertz from 1978 until his death in April 2012. To date, more than $50,000 has been raised for scholarships and $11,500 awarded to future public service employees.
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I
FEATUREZ
s Billy Keen painting Santa or is Santa painting Billy Keen?
Maybe both. “It took me a while to realize that all of these Santa portraits are autobiographical in a way - based on events in my life over the year before I painted each,” said the Schertz artist who looks and sounds somewhat like a Texas Santa. What started as a painting technique demonstration for a fellow artist, and became a Christmas gift “painting of Grandpa Keen” for his toddler son in 1974, has turned into a most unique Christmas tradition here in Texas and beyond. In 2014, Keen will have painted his 41st consecutive Santa Claus portrait - and it will be like none before.
Billy Keen:
Who’s Painting Whom By Chuck McCollough
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“Right now I’m not quite sure how I’m going to paint Santa 2014,” Keen said in a mid-October interview for this story in his studio in the back of a old store. “But I trust it will come to me.” Like an author writing a semi-fiction book based on his life - Keen is essentially bio-painting an image expressing the people and events that influenced his world over the past four decades. And the story venue - one of the most iconic faces in history - is rare if not exclusive.
Why so many visages of the Jolly Old Elf ? “The spirit of Santa manifests itself in many ways,” Keen said, adding: “And each person looking at each Santa painting interprets it in their own way.” The Keen Santa collection is a work of love and joy but also sadness and searching as well as depth and discernment from a man whose earlier life steered and has taken him in directions leading to the present.
of now and the anticipation of what is to come. I am motivated by love received and given. I cannot not paint,” he said. In Wichita Falls public schools Keen was “that student in the classroom doodling or drawing a picture.” Later, he attended Midwestern University where he pursued an art education, then joined the US Air Force, bringing him to Schertz in 1968.
The Birth of a Tradition On a late autumn day in 1974, Keen was at work in a large studio when he and another artist got into a debate “on how the old masters got their flesh tones for their paintings. I was trying to show the process of underpainting with grey green color and over glazing with a rose wash to get a flesh tone that gives real depth,” Keen said.
Earlier Times
“I am influenced by almost everything that is happening. I am touched by the romance of the past, the excitement and depression
“They say when you have two paintings you have the beginning of a collection, so I created a third one the following Christmas, even though I didn’t have a third son,” he said with a laugh. Three Santa paintings became four, then five, six and seven and family and friends began to ask about them as a special symbol to display in their home during Christmas.
Keen was raised in Wichita Falls with a dynamic backdrop of the high plains of North Texas. His family roots are there, engendering his love of wild places, of fishing, and hunting, and his deep respect for nature. These inspired his interest in drawing. “I grew up in rural North Texas and looking back, I see that my childhood journey predisposed me against superficiality. My parents worked hard and led me largely to reject a selfgratifying culture with easy fixes. I was taught to rely on more ancient, substantial foundations like prayer, nature and family,” the artist said in a reflective moment stated on his web site.
The Santa painting with his father’s face “laid around the studio for a while and later toward Christmas I took it home and put in my young son’s room. Next year rolled around and we’d had a second son so I decided to do a second Santa painting for him,” Keen said, smiling at a story that never gets old.
He has used same 18 by 24 inch canvas size for each Santa painting, creating a series that hangs together visually. “I was blessed to be able to progress from Midwestern University where I got art training to working on improving my craft as an Air Force illustrator,” he said. By the time he got out of the Air Force, Keene had a wife and son to care for. He started doing advertising work, then co-owned an ad agency for a while and ultimately worked for an advertising agency.
Keen happened to have an 18 by 24-inch canvas and a nearby photo of his father. “I used my father as a model and I did a quick Santa using acrylic paint, which dries really fast. Santa just popped into my head because of the coming holiday season,” he said.
“I have enjoyed sharing the Santa collection at Christmas and was getting invited to parties and receiving exposure as an artist. At some point my wife and I realized that there was a visual depth of sharing the whole collection as a whole.” continued on page 25
“They say when you have two paintings you have the beginning of a collection...” Billy Keen schertzmagazine.com
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FEATUREZ Billy Keen cont’d from page 23 Keen thinks the experience of seeing the Santa paintings is enhanced by viewing them all in one place at one time. As the Santa collection has grown over the years, it has consistently been displayed as a complete body of work, and often times in art galleries or museums. Sometimes the upcoming exhibit venue has influenced Keen, such as the year he painted a coastal Santa for an art center exhibition in Rockport on the Gulf Coast.
The Many Faces of Santa The wide variety of Santas and their range of expression and settings is a major contributing part of the collection’s popularity and the public’s fascination with it. The autobiographical nature of the Santas (these works with Keen’s feelings inserted) range from the first two celebrating the joyful arrival of Keen’s sons, to others reflecting the year his father died, a good artist friend’s passing, and the tragedy of 9-11. And there are many in between.
One year Keen met a homeless man who had such a thankful and positive attitude that he lifted the artist’s spirits - inspiring him to paint the man’s face as Santa Claus. This unique Santa collection contains the faces of real people and visages drawn from the artist’s imagination and the influence of his surroundings. Among other inspirations for his Santa faces have been the City of Schertz’ 50th anniversary in 2008 and the Buffalo Soldiers stationed near San Angelo many years ago. Perhaps the biggest inspiration for each Santa painting is Santa himself. Keen is a spiritual person who believes that Santa is one who embodies what most people seek - love, peace, and harmony. The created images of diverse Santa images and backgrounds represent that universal yearning. “The Santa collection is my Christmas gift to all who view them, and that sharing gives me great pleasure,” the artist said, smiling through a white beard and looking like someone who is very busy each December.
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FEATUREZ
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Rambo’s Nose Knows When Crime Nearby
Officer Weston gave Schertz Magazine an inside look not only into Rambo’s unique task-driven personality, but also into the work he and the dog do to protect their city and its residents.
whether that’s a piece of polymer pipe, a Kong (chew toy), a tennis ball, whatever it is, when they’re little puppies. You just put it all out there, and the one that they grab is the one that you usually want to go with.”
Rambo’s first toy was a tennis ball, but when tennis ball meets 80-pound German Shepherd, the ball doesn’t stand much of a chance. Now Rambo’s prized possession is his Kong, a big toy made of
As with most police dogs, Rambo’s career started young. Officer Weston explains that “to find out if a dog is going to be good for the K-9 program, you basically get a bunch of toys,
The toy then becomes the dog’s motivation: “That’s the key. If he’s got a toy, you can train him to do pretty much anything.”
hard black rubber. But even the hefty Kong has met its match in Rambo. “It’s a hard piece of rubber, but he split one in half the other day!” Officer Weston recalled. cont’d on page 28
By Aubrey Parke
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n July 2013, Rambo traveled all the way from Holland to join the Schertz Police Department. Rambo had spent his entire life immersed in training for police work, training that quickly showed itself through 150 deployments and 40 arrests over a short ten-month span. Not bad for a four-year-old. Rambo is an all-black German Shepherd that specializes in finding narcotics. Officer Mitch Weston, head of the Schertz PD’s K-9 unit, says of Rambo: “Most dogs have personalities that kind of give them that human trait. He wants to go to work. That’s what he does.”
“Finding drugs -- it’s hard. You’ve got to have a nose for it...” Officer Mitch Weston
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FEATUREZ Rambo’s Nose Knows cont’d from page 27
Through training with his Kong, Rambo learned to focus his energy and his powerful sense of smell on one goal - find drugs. Officer Weston said that “when he finds the narcotics, he begins what we call a positive alert, and he gets paid.” Rambo’s salary is the Kong, not too much to pay for a member of the force that can facilitate 40 arrests in ten months. All of Rambo’s training is identical to what he does in real life, minus the bad guys. The federal Drug Enforcement Agency supplies drugs to the Schertz K-9 department for training purposes. “The [drugs] that we worry about on the streets, the ones that are getting put out to the kids and getting put out to the civilians, that’s the stuff that he focuses on,” said Officer Weston. “Usually once a week we go out there and we train, whether it’s a house, a car, 18- wheel trailers. Whatever he’s gonna see in real life is what we try to focus on.” Sixteen hours of this training is required every month. Realistic training is key because for Rambo and his officer, it immediately translates into action.
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Schertz has seven miles along IH-35 and Rambo has played his part in battling drug trafficking in both directions of that interstate. His biggest bust was 15 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamines, wrapped up in duct tape and coated in Tide liquid detergent.
water, but “Rambo would smell the salt, the pepper, the ground beef, the flour. He would separate all that stuff.” According to Officer Weston, every drug has a basic chemical ingredient. Even when a drug is altered and disguised as something
persona. “He’s got command presence, just like we do in a uniform.” The officer noted that an intimidating dog like Rambo can make a case of search, seizure, and arrest run very smoothly: “It saves me the trouble of running after somebody and some-
like a pill or even a lollipop, Rambo can separate all the smells to detect its basic ingredient.
body getting hurt.” But even though Rambo is always ready to switch into work mode, he waits for a command from his officer.
According to Officer Weston, “Several times, it’s been a pill bottle. Less than a gram of marijuana inside a pill bottle inside the glove compartment and he smells it through the window.” But Rambo’s duties aren’t limited to the interstate. He inspects high school classrooms and once tracked down a woman in a parking lot just because she had recently smoked methamphetamines. “Odor gets on your clothes and stays on it…he went and started sniffing her and he knew, in a parking lot. He stopped what he was doing to start sniffing her,” the K-9 officer said. Rambo’s ability to sniff out countless varieties of drugs comes from an ultra-sensitive nose. Officer Weston offered the analogy of sitting down at Whataburger. Humans get a whiff of hamburger and fries that makes our mouths
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Rambo’s signal that he’s found drugs -- sitting down with an emphatic sense of “case closed” -- gives his officer probable cause to have Rambo search the building or vehicle where the drugs are hidden. “Command presence” is the phrase Officer Weston uses to describe Rambo’s
Smiling, Officer Weston said “Rambo hates being outside, honestly. He doesn’t like being outside unless I’m outside.” Rambo also pays regular visits to the local schools. At the elementary schools, he is laid back and friendly. Officer Weston said: “He loves kids, because he doesn’t
care about a whole lot. He just walks through there and they can pet him and everything, but he’s really laid back.”
Rambo and Officer Weston have a special relationship: “I’ve got a 3-year-old kid, and that’s how he kind of looks at me -- Dad.”
That was on display when Officer Weston and Rambo made appearances at
Part of their closeness comes from their shared drive. Prior to working with Rambo, Officer Weston did not have experience with police dogs, but he knew his passion was counternarcotics. “I wanted to go out there and find the bad guys. That’s really why I got into policing. Help the public and find the bad guys,” he said. Officer Weston and and Rambo both underwent special training before they began working together in November of 2013. Officer Weston not only trained in working with K9s but also taught himself German so that he could give on-thespot commands to Rambo.
SchertzFest in September and National Night Out in October. Children at SchertzFest and NNO were drawn to the beautiful black police dog and petted and talked to Rambo -- who took his “rock star” treatment in stride. Rambo’s ability to switch from a laid back, friendly dog into a determined narcotics tracker fits him perfectly for his role in the Schertz Police Department.
And all the hard work has been worth it, the officer said. “Finding drugs -- it’s hard. You’ve got to have a nose for it, you can sort of say. Having a dog around is one of those great tools that we have that helps us combat the drug epidemic. It’s really brought on a lot of guys that really want to go out there. It’s gotten their drive higher. Rambo has that drive. He wants to go work, he wants to get that stuff. He enjoys it, he loves finding it. It’s good for both of us, and it’s good for the police department and the city,” Officer Weston said.
FEATUREZ
Schertz Scrabble Tournament Top Draw By Kari Bridges
A
vid SCRABBLE player and Schertz resident Nancy Scott was instrumental in bringing the 2014 State of Texas SCRABBLE Championship Tournament to the City of Schertz for the first time in 22 years. From October 17–19, more than 45 competitive players from diverse professional backgrounds came together to share their love of words and the game of SCRABBLE in the Bluebonnet Hall of the Schertz Civic Center. The championship tournament had many longtime players attending, all of whom have a Texas connection. Eight different local club directors representing Houston, Dallas, Lubbock, San Antonio and Austin and the returning 2013 Champion in the Expert Category, Orry Swift from Houston, were in attendance. Additional players traveled to Schertz from Texas, California, Florida, Oklahoma and Louisiana to compete in the tournament.
“We are happy with the turnout for this tournament. Ideally, we would have 48 players that make up three groups of sixteen, but this is what we were expecting,” said Bryan Pepper, director of the 2014 Texas State Championship Tournament. According to Pepper, each championship tournament is typically made up of three divisions: Recreational, Intermediate and Expert. Opponents play 15 separate Round Robin rotating style games designed so all players competing in a specific division will play against each other one time in 25-minute rounds. Each round typically lasts one hour. “Most all major cities have SCRABBLE Clubs that are each sanctioned by the North American SCRABBLE Players Association (NASPA). Each club has a certified director who has had to pass a director’s test,” Pepper said. “There is a developed mentorship process with the NASPA, which teaches new directors how to run a tournament.” Pepper, who is a volunteer
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and responsible for all of the administrative responsibilities of the tournament, uses a computer software program called “Director!” specifically designed for SCRABBLE players, but can be adapted to other events such as basketball tournaments. “Using this software allows me to do creative tournaments by signing people up according to pairing rules and allows me to have as few repeats of players in each division as possible,” said Pepper, who is from Fort Worth. Participants are responsible for bringing their own playing equipment such as boards, racks, clocks and tiles to play the game. Score sheets are provided by the tournament for contestants to use. Standard SCRABBLE boards, priced at approximately $150 each, are used at SCRABBLE tournaments and can be purchased through various vendors who typically attend national tournaments. NASPA does not allow wood tiles
printed with letters to be used at tournaments. Players instead play with the preferred double-infused molded plastic with either printed or engraved letters that have been airbrushed onto the tiles.
Scott, who placed first in the Recreational division, was pleased with the overwhelming positive response she received for suggesting the annual tournament be held in Schertz.
Entry fees to play in the tournament range from $45 - $75 depending on which division you compete in. First- through third-place winners in each division received $50 to $740 in prize money.
“Everyone voted unanimously that they liked the venue in Schertz and would like to continue hosting the state tournament at the Schertz Civic Center. It is centrally located for the vast majority of players. The Bluebonnet Hall is perfect. It offers a nice spacious room with good lighting, a kitchen and bathroom. It also offers us the potential to grow the tournament within the venue,” she said.
The standing champion in this year’s 2014 State of Texas SCRABBLE Championship Tournament was Orry Swift, for the second consecutive year. Swift, who is studying to earn his doctorate degree in accounting at the University of Houston, has been playing competitive SCRABBLE for the past nine years. In addition to the prize money, Swift also received a plaque.
photo -L. to R. Mike Willis - Tournament Organizer , Nancy Scott - Schertz Resident , and Bryan Pepper - Tournament Director
“More important than the prize money and plaque is the pride you get from the rating points you receive for winning and how your seating is in your division,” Swift said.
The Schertz SCRABBLE group meets the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Schertz Library. For more information, contact Nancy Scott at nscott3@aol.com.
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FEATUREZ
Advice About Holiday Pets By Lisa Connolly President Homes For Pets/Schertz Humane Society
T
he scene has been replayed so often in popular culture that it has come to symbolize the holidays as much as tinsel and candy canes: A shopper, with freshly wrapped packages bulging out of two different bags, casually walks by a pet store window.
The puppies behind the glass, all floppy ears and paws, madly scramble over each other trying to capture the shopper’s attention. The temptation is too great. The shopper whisks into the store and impulsively purchases an animal for his wife, mother, or child.
The classic Hollywood scene, unfortunately, has roots in reality. This season, many shoppers will buy a dog or cat to give to a friend or loved one. Some will buy an animal on impulse, some because they’re caught up in the spirit of the season, and some just because the
doggie looks so darn cute in that window. Adding a pet to the family is a serious, long-term commitment. It’s a decision that needs input from everyone who would be involved in caring for the animal. We need to remember that pets can’t simply be returned or discarded like a broken toy. These are living, breathing creatures with
feelings and needs, that given proper care, can live 18 or more years. Deciding whether one has the time and resources to add a pet to the family needs to be made after careful thought. It’s important to remember that animal rescue groups, and their innocent charges, will suffer the effects of impulse purchases of pets as gifts.
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FEATUREZ Holiday Pets cont’d from page 33 There are many questions that need to be thoughtfully considered: •
•
•
•
What type of animal would have a personality most compatible with this person or family? Who would be the primary caregiver of the pet?
You could also wrap up some useful pet supplies: a dog bowl or leash, a cat or dog toy, a Nationwide, one out of every four shelter scratching post, and give and rescue dogs is a purebred, and there are those as “passports” as well. millions of healthy, loving mixed breed dogs and
cats currently awaiting good homes, too. Most of This not only promotes responsible adoption, How much will it these shelter animals have already been spayed or but provides a little fun, cost to feed and neutered, have received all their vaccinations and are too. After the holidays, if provide veteriyour loved ones decide nary care (which up to date on veterinary checkups. A foster home they are indeed willing adds up more based group means someone has lived with this and able to adopt a pet, quickly than most you can contact your local people realize)? dog or cat, so they know their personality, if rescue group or bring them they are house trained, and are familiar down to the local shelter Who would look where they can use their “passwith most of their likes and dislikes. after the animal during port” to choose and adopt their new friend.
trips? •
Do you have a reliable pet sitter, or are you going to take a chance on the neighbor’s kid?
•
Could someone be allergic to the pet?
It is extremely important that the primary pet caregiver -- whether it’s you, a friend or loved one -- is 100% involved in the adoption process. Instead of buying a puppy or kitten as a gift, consider waiting to adopt a pet after the holidays. You could even build some excitement for a postholiday adoption. You could give a loved one a gift certificate from a local shelter, or a snapshot of a shelter pet,
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or even a stuffed animal representing a shelter pet -- all of which can be used as “passports” to adopt an animal later.
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An added note, if you do have your own pets at home during the holidays, be aware of glass ornaments, wires that can be chewed, don’t use tinsel on trees, and keep the holiday foods, plants and candy out of their reach. All of these can be deadly for pets. Bring the dogs indoors during any kind of freezing weather and during any fireworks displays. More dogs left outside are reported missing after July 4th and New Year’s Eve than any other day. For more information, visit www. homesforpets.org.
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Caring for the Eyes of Texas
CIVIC NEWZ
Schertz Named One of Best Places For Young Families in Texas Schertz is one of the best places in Texas for Young Families, according to NerdWallet.com, a personal finance website. The City of Schertz ranked No. 18 on a list of 111 places when it comes to raising a family in the Lone Star State. New Braunfels, at No. 17, was the only other San Antonio-area community in the top 20 of the list. Here is what NerdWallet.com said: Texas now ranks as the fastest-growing state for job growth, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but to raise kids well, education and affordable housing also carry weight. So to find the best places for young families in Texas, NerdWallet crunched the data by analyzing the following factors: 1. Public school excellence. Data from GreatSchools.org, which compares students’ test scores to the state average on a 1-10 scale, with 10 as the highest. 2. Home affordability. Using U.S. Census Bureau data, we weighed median home values and monthly homeownership costs, including mortgage payments, real estate taxes, insurance costs, utilities, fuel and other bills. Places with more affordable homes had higher scores.
YOUR EXCLUSIVE SOURCE FOR NEWS FROM THE CITY OF SCHERTZ
3. Growth and prosperity. We assessed a city’s economy using census figures that detailed median household incomes from 2012 and long-term income growth since 1999. Schertz’s population has doubled from 18,694 in 2000 to nearly 38,000 in 2014 and much of that growth has come from young families moving here. “Hats off to our school districts for making Schertz a community that any family would desire to call home,” said City Manager John Kessel.
New City Council Members Take Oath
The Schertz City Council got one new member and the return of two incumbents during a ceremony at the Wednesday, November 12, Council meeting. After Council canvassed the November 4 election results, the winners were sworn in. From left they are: Michael Carpenter, re-elected Mayor; Jim Fowler, re-elected Place 1 council member; and Grumpy Azzoz, new Place 2 council member.
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Schertz EMS Gets Donated CPR Manikins Schertz EMS has received a set of four CPR training manikins through a grant program from the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation​thanks to local sponsorship by Gunn Automotive.
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In the above photo the manikins are presented at a Schertz City Council meeting by Charley O’Daniel, General Manager of Gunn Chevrolet and Phil Kandera, General Manager of Gunn Buick / GMC. Schertz EMS Community Health Manager Kellie Scurlock accepts the the manikins. She said in October alone, Schertz EMS has trained more than 350 people in how to properly provide CPR, with manikins as a teaching tool. The new manikins will help the EMS department with future training. The department was notified of the grant opportunity and reached out to Gunn Automotive for help.
“My husband & I have had an ad in the Schertz Magazine since it was the Schertz Tales! As our business changed so did our need for marketing, some months we made changes in sizes or text, and the public noticed! At RE/MAX Corridor, benefited from our partnership with the magazine and it’s wonderful staff. We look forward to continuing our business relationship with this award winning publication.” Tim and Nancy Brown RE/MAX Corridor
Schertz PD
Holiday Safety Tips Be sure doors and windows of your home are locked when you leave, even for just a few minutes. Don’t display presents where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Hide them if you leave town. Keep lights and a radio or TV on so your home looks occupied, even if it’s not. When you’ll be away from home for long periods of time, use an automatic light timer and have neighbors pick up newspapers, mail and even park in your driveway from time to time. Be cautious of strangers asking for charitable donations during the holidays. To make sure they are who they say they are and will use your donation for what they say they will, ask for
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identification, ask how the funds will be used, etc. Keep records on serial numbers of existing property and add to the list any new items that may be received as gifts. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Never leave your home or sleep with candles burning. Make sure holiday lights are in good working order and make sure ornaments are flame resistant. Avoid leaving large empty boxes on the curbside for trash pickup as they indicate to burglars items that may be worth stealing from the home. DO NOT leave your purse unattended in your shopping cart. Hold onto it or
carry only what you will need and secure your purse in the trunk of your vehicle. Be wary if anyone bumps into you. It may be an accident or it could be someone trying to pick your pockets. When using public washrooms, use extreme caution -- try to avoid putting your purse on hooks, door handles or the floor. Shop during the daytime, when possible avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Wear your purse strapped across your body. Don’t carry your wallet in a loose jacket or loose pocket. Whenever possible, use credit cards or checks instead of cash. When using credit cards, make sure that only one credit slip is printed with your charge card. Also, be sure to tear up any carbons that may
be used to complete the transaction. Credit card fraud can ruin your holiday season. Don’t try to carry too many packages -- that could attract purse snatchers. If you need to, store purchases in your vehicle; if possible lock them in your trunk. However, if they must be left in the vehicle, attempt to put them in a non-visible place or cover them from easily being viewed. Teach children that if they become lost in a store to go to a store employee, not the parking lot. Make sure party guests don’t drive drunk. Offer to take them home, have them sleep there or find them a designated driver if needed.
Dziewit and Weirtz Honored at Simonson Service Awards Two longtime community champions - Richard Dziewit and Dean Weirtz - were recognized October 30 during the 2014 Steve Simonson Community Volunteer of the Year Service Award event.
Dziewit and city officials.
They were honored along with many community volunteers who comprise the Board and Commissions of the City. Dziewit was named 2014 Steve Simonson Community Service Award Volunteer of the Year and Weirtz was named Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. Dziewit currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Board of Adjustments and also on the Transportation Safety Advisory Commission. His ongoing commitment to the City of Schertz is evidenced by his other group affiliations; Police Alumni Association, Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers, Special Olympics, Citizens on Patrol, Ashley Place HOA, Deputy Voter Registrar and Pancreatic Cancer Council to name a few. He was nominated by Sue Boissonneault; who in her application for the award says she chose Richard because of the selfless volunteer work he does without asking anything in return. His support of Schertz programs, such as Wilenchik Walk for Life, Doggie Dash, and his commitment to attending and participating in city council meetings proves his time is dedicated to the betterment of our city. Weirtz serves as the Chair of the Historical Preservation Committee. in this role, he oversees the historical artifacts in the Visitor
Weirtz and city officials.
Center and Senior Center. Dean was one of the driving forces pushing to preserve the City’s history; buildings and neighborhoods. Since 2008, Dean has spent enormous amounts of time and his own resources to research, preserve, give presentations, publish the Schertz History, attend conferences and even traveled to Riedersheim France twice to ensure our residents know their history. Weirtz was nominated by fellow member Debbie Krause. Through his efforts, he has helped establish the first historical neighborhood - south of FM 78 and was instrumental in the addition of the painted mural on the side of the Masonic Lodge on Main St.
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Looking Back December Quote of Note
“Glory lives only when the past is remembered� Author - British Prime Minister John Major
Local History
In December 1961, the citizens of Schertz passed its first bond issue ever and thereby approved the building of a city-wide sanitary sewer system. The general obligation bond provided for $350,000 for construction of the system.
Texas History
On December 29, 1845, the U.S. Congress approved, and President James K. Polk signed, the Joint Resolution for Admission of the State of Texas into the Union, Texas became the 28th state. The Texas and Pacific Railroad reaches Sierra Blanca in West Texas, about 30 miles east of El Paso.
Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.
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National Recognition for St. Joseph Chapel By Jim and Diana Webb
As a result of an extensive effort by several local historical groups and interested citizens, spearheaded by Dean Wiertz, chairman of the City of Schertz’s Historical Preservation Committee, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the selection of St. Joseph’s Catholic Chapel for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is administered by the National Park Service. To be listed in the National Register, properties must have significance in the history of their community, state, or nation. While many sites are nominated each year, only a handful are selected. Our St. Joseph’s Chapel now joins a list in Texas that includes such area landmarks as the Alamo, the San Antonio missions, and the Gunter Hotel. The chapel was built in 1905 and is located on FM 482 near Schwab Road in the Schertz extraterritorial jurisdiction. When the chapel was built on
land donated by the Peter Ignaz and Anna Maria Wenzel family, there was already a Catholic school and an attached convent on the property. Those buildings were demolished in the mid-1950’s. The chapel is in limited use today. It comes under the jurisdiction of the Saints Peter and Paul parish in New Braunfels. While the chapel’s age had a bearing in the selection process, the main qualification for its recognition came from its architect -renowned area businessman and architect Leo M. J. Dielmann (1881-1969). Dielmann graduated from St Mary’s College in San Antonio in 1898, and then studied architecture and engineering in Germany. In addition to working as an architect in his father’s business, he also served as San Antonio building inspector (1909-12) and as an alderman-at-large for the City of San Antonio (1913-14). Later, he established his own architectural business. He went on to design many types of public and private structures in the local area and throughout Texas.
Among his works are the Fort Sam Houston Post Chapel, the Conventual Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake University, the Joske Brothers’ Building, and the chapel at Randolph AFB. St. Joseph’s Chapel was one of the first to be designed by Dielmann. It is an outstanding example of the German Gothic Revival style, of which he was a leading exponent. This style is evidenced by, among other features, the chapel’s steeply pitched roof, lancet windows, interior floor plan, and exquisitely designed altar. The altar was crafted by well known craftsman, John Henry Sievers. He was born in Germany and immigrated with his family to Castroville. He was trained in the rigorous German cabinet-making tradition. He built altars and other types of woodwork and furniture for churches, businesses, and private citizens throughout Texas and the surrounding states. Schertz citizens now have one more reason to be proud of our city – a building on the National Register of Historic Places!
schertzmagazine.com
DECEMBER 2014
43
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CITY CALENDARZ
December 2014 Tuesday, 2
City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber
Thursday, 4
Annual Events:
TSAC, 5:30 PM City Council Chambers
December
Tuesday, 9
Festival of Angels; Friday, December 5
March
Wilenchik Walk for Life: Saturday March 7
April
Jazz, Blues ‘n BBQ April 11, 2015
May
Doggie Dash TBA
July
Jubilee July 3-4, 2015
September
SchertzFest September 18-19
Be sure to check out visitschertz.com for more event info!
City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber
Monday, 15
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 PM Bob Andrews Room
Tuesday, 16
City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber
Wednesday, 17
Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Tuesday, 23
City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber
Thursday 25
City Holiday - Christmas (offices closed)
Friday 26
City Holiday - Christmas (offices closed)
Tuesday, 30
City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber
Meeting locations may change, please visit the calendar at www.schertz.com for more information.
City of Schertz Elected Officials Mayor: Michael Carpenter
Council Members: Jim Fowler Grumpy Azzoz Daryl John Cedric Edwards, Sr. Matthew Duke
City Departments:
(210) 619-1045 (210) 658-1442 (210) 488-4214 (210) 204-2750 (210) 566-4540 (210) 204-8649
City of Schertz (210) 619-1000 Animal Control (210) 619-1550 Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100 City Manager (210) 619-1000 City Secretary (210) 619-1030 Civic Center (210) 619-1600 Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000 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
IMPORTANT SCHERTZ WEBSITES schertz.com visitschertz.com schertzmagazine.com Like us on Facebook
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