TO
YOU
BY
THE
CITY
OF
SCHERTZ,
TEXAS
magazine
BROUGHT
M AY 2 0 1 8
TABLE OF CONTENTS
06 09 16
City Headlines Library Parks & Recreation
23 31 47
Features Around the Community Calendar
FEATURES City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember Angelina Kiser Councilmember Bert Crawford Councilmember
Executive Team Brian James Acting City Manager Dudley Wait Executive Director Kyle Kinateder Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager
Mission Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community.
Vision Community.Service.Opportunity.
Core Values Treat others the way you would want to be treated Do the right thing De the best you can Work cooperatively as a team
About Our Magazine Schertz Magazine is a monthly popular lifestyle/entertainment/ community events publication wholly owned and operated by the City of Schertz and produced internally by the Schertz Public Affairs Department. It serves as the primary dissemination source for government information for a growing city of 38,000 residents. Today, Schertz Magazine is the leading publication in the Tri County area with a circulation of 15,000 copies; including 13,000+ direct mailed and 500+ subscriptions from Austin through San Antonio and around the country (including dozens of out-of-state readers). The magazine is mailed to 12,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses with hundreds of copies made available at local and regional banks, hospitals and clinics, schools, pharmacies, and restaurants.
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EMS Gets Industry-Leading Equipment
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Students Get Real World Experience in Public Service
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Local Seniors Challenge Beauty Standards in Project Beauty
VOLUME 34 ISSUE 5 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Melissa Geedman Communications Manager Devan Flores Marketing & Communications Specialist _________ Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Civic Center Manager Mary Spence Events Manager
Contributing Writers
Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, Elizabeth Bertoia, Lauren Shrum, Mary Spence, Kellie Burnam, Jenna Carroll, Stacey Lovett, Chuck McCollough, Maggie Titterington
Contributing Photographers
Melissa Geedman T
he presence of public safety is essential to a city’s quality of life and to building a strong and safe community. We are blessed to live in a community where safety is of top priority and our crews are best in the industry. This issue of Schertz Magazine highlights not only the successes of Schertz Fire, Police, EMS, and Public Works, but also recognizes the dedication and efforts of the departments throughout the month as various weeks are acknowledged for their service. May 13-16 is National Police Week which pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. A memorial ceremony will be held in Cibolo this year in partnership with the Schertz PD. May 20-26 recognizes National EMS Week that brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the
day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's front line. Our EMS crews will be out in community schools educating students on CPR and other medical related topics. The same week also recognizes National Public Works Week which gives voice to the impact the many facets of public works has on modern civilization, such as providing clean water, disposing of solid waste, and building roads and bridges. In addition to these nationally recognized weeks, this issue features two public safety related articles: one highlighting the industry leading equipment our EMS department recently added to their department and the other focusing on the local high school CTE program offering students the opportunity to get hands on in public service careers. We are very proud of our public safety crews and their dedication to keeping the community safe. Please join the City in acknowledging their service and commitment to Schertz throughout this month.
Melissa Geedman Communications Manager
SCHERTZ.COM
Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, Jenna Carroll, Stacey Lovett, Chuck McCollough 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. 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
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at magazine@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1630 or 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 magazine@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.
City
Headlines
Schertz PD Brings Awareness to Child Abuse To bring awareness and prevention of child abuse, Schertz Police Department partnered with Childsafe for their annual Cardboard Kids campaign. At the April 10 Schertz City Council meeting, a proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness month was read, and the creative cardboard kids designed by area community members and Schertz City staff were displayed in the Council Chambers. In addition, the Guadalupe County children’s advocacy center set up their annual pinwheel displays throughout the City of Schertz on Monday, April 2. The pinwheels were placed at RE/MAX, Schertz PD, the Guadalupe County Annex building, and Schertz United Methodist Church. Each pinwheel represents each child that was interviewed at the advocacy center for allegations of abuse or neglect. This year they had 623 pinwheels to set up at each location.
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Schertz Magazine May 2018
City
Headlines
Endless Possibilities for Volunteering The City of Schertz hosted a Community Volunteer Fair on Thursday, April 19 where the community gathered to connect with local non-profit agencies and organizations to seek volunteer opportunities. Attendees had a chance to learn more about the volunteer opportunities City Boards & Commissions and local organizations have to offer. The fair was free and open to the public. Over thirty vendors came out to the Schertz Civic Center in hopes of attracting some new volunteers for their organization. Some of the vendors who participated included Schertz Family YMCA, Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program, Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA of Central Texas, and more! If you missed the Community Volunteer Fair but are interested in volunteering, please contact us at (210) 619-1030.
Wilenchik Walk Raises Money for Cancer Research On Saturday, March 3 hundreds of participants gathered for the 10th Annual Wilenchik’s Walk for Life. The 5K walk honors and supports those who are affected by cancer and was named after former Schertz City Councilmember, Tony Wilenchik, who was taken by cancer in 2009. More than $169,000 has been raised and donated through Wilenchik’s Walk for Life over the last decade. This year $7,184.32 was raised for the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson. The mission of the UT Health San Antonio Cancer Center is to conquer cancer through research, prevention and treatment. Their vision is to be one of the world's premier cancer research and treatment centers dedicated to the development of novel therapies, compassionate and comprehensive care, outreach to the diverse communities they serve, prevention of disease and promotion of wellness, and an uncompromising commitment to understanding the complex nature of cancer, its causes and consequences. The check was presented by Mayor Carpenter and Valerie Wilenchik during the City Council Meeting on March 27 to Vicki Shapiro from the Sarcoma Support Group and Janet Goebel from the Mays Cancer Center. Along with the check presentation, the award for best t-shirt design was presented to Devoir Fitness. Thanks to all the participants and supporters who made this possible!
City Adopts Roadway Impact Fees On March 27, Schertz City Council approved the final reading of Ordinance 18M-13, which amends the Code of Ordinances of the City of Schertz by adopting Chapter 78, Article VII: Roadway Capital Recovery Fees, and to adopt a roadway impact fee that may be imposed for roadway facilities in the City. The vote was 6-1. The City of Schertz adopted impact fees to offset the cost of new road construction. The reduction of available funds for Schertz' roadway expansion has impeded the city from upgrading infrastructure to meet increasing travel demands resulting from new growth. One method to alleviate this funding issue is for a city to collect impact fees from new development to help fund expansion of the network. Road impact fee calculations consider the anticipated burden a development will place upon existing roadways, and are based on location and type of development. For more information go to Schertz.com
Schertz Magazine May 2018
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MAY CALENDAR SUMMER READING PROGRAMS WITH ONLINE TRACKING BEGIN THIS JUNE & JULY AT THE SCHERTZ PUBLIC LIBRARY
Once again, Summer Reading sign-up is online with our program Beanstack For All Programs (Birth-Adult). There are four programs: Rubber Ducky, Youth, Teen, and Adult Summer Reading Clubs. With Beanstack our patrons can log and track their reading, access book lists that link directly to our catalog, earn badges by participating in seasonal and year-round reading programs, and enjoy activity tracks. Visit with a staff member to learn more about Beanstack and Summer Reading 2018!
SUMMER READING REGISTRATION OPEN HOUSE
Join us for registration for all our summer reading programs infant-adult from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 2 in the Children’s Library. The Summer Reading Program will run from June 2 - July 27.
TEE OFF FOR THE LIBRARY FUNDRAISER: A MINI GOLF COURSE INSIDE THE LIBRARY!
During our annual Summer Reading Program at the Schertz Public Library, the Schertz Library Foundation is sponsoring a mini golf fundraiser event inside the library. The mini golf course will be open on Saturday, June 23 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and will give residents of our community an opportunity to experience the library in a new exciting way together. This will be a family-fun event for all ages! All proceeds from this event will help the library add picnic tables and benches to the library courtyard. For $5.00 per person you get to play the course and will receive a hot dog, chips and a drink. Please contact the library (210) 619-1700 or email librarian@schertz.com for more information.
IMPACT SURVEY
We want to hear from you! From May 1 to May 28, the Schertz Public Library will be running a survey to understand how patrons benefit from the Library’s technology. This will help us provide resources and services that are valuable to the community. The survey is anonymous and does not collect any personally identifiable information. It should take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Take the survey by visiting schertzlibrary. org or visiting us and asking for a paper copy. Please support the Library and help us improve our services.
YEAR LONG BOOK NERD READING CHALLENGE
The library is also presenting a year-long book nerd reading challenge for ages 5 - adult. The goal is to complete a book from each of the categories on the list for your age group throughout the year. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded an awesome prize in January of 2019! Registration is open now and will remain open throughout the year, but all categories must be complete by January 31, 2019. Please contact the library with any questions about this program.
THE BOOKENDS AFTERNOON BOOKCLUB
The library book club meets the second Thursday of each month in Library Meeting Room 1. On Thursday, May 10, join us for a discussion of The Newcomers by Helen Thorpe beginning at 1:30 PM. Pre-registration not required.
BASIC MACHINE SEWING
Local resident, Patti Burditt will be teaching a beginners course on how to operate your sewing machine and assisting students with making a simple project on the first Tuesday of each month (May 1) at 12:00 PM and the third Thursday (May 17) from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. This program is designed for adults ages 18+ and requires students to bring their sewing machine with them to class. Pre-registration required as space is limited. Call the library (210) 619-1700 for more information and registration.
B.Y.O.C. BRING YOUR OWN CRAFT
Join us for a few fun hours of crafting fun! This is a brand new program for adults 18+ that will be held the first Thursday of each month (May 3) beginning at 5:30 PM. Bring any craft project you are working on and enjoy the company of fellow crafters. Coloring pages, colored pencils, and gel pens will be provided by the library. Pre-registration not required.
TINKERLAB
Tinkerlab introduces science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through play, experimentation and discovery. Drop in for monthly self-directed challenges on the third Saturday of the month. This program is designed especially for students ages 8-12. Join us on Saturday, May 19 at 2:00 PM. Check our online calendar for more details and monthly themes.
Contact Us
798 Schertz Parkway Schertz, TX 78154 Phone: 210-619-1700
Hours of Operation Mon-Thur 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Fri-Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sun 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Schertz Magazine May 2018
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Council on the Go Draws Crowd The City of Schertz held its second Council on the Go meeting in 2018 on Tuesday, April 17 in the northern region of Schertz, at the Scenic Hill Community Center. The meeting began at 6:30 PM with a meet and greet, which gave residents an opportunity to meet and visit with City Council and City Staff from all departments. Presentations proceeded shortly after on various topics included updates on FM 1103 construction, area drainage project updates, an overview of the Northcliffe water main replacement, and FY 2017-18 Budget updates.
The City is working on several drainage projects this year. The primary concentration of these projects is removing the silt build-up from the drainage channels and to protect the side walls of these channels with concrete. Silt removal is necessary maintenance as it maintains the design capacity of the channel. Some of the drainage channel banks are steep and the concrete not only protects the channel from erosion, but also eliminates the need to mow those banks.
The FM 1103 expansion project was part of a voter approved bond election in 2015. Voters approved 2 million dollars to go toward road improvements, and TxDOT is currently finishing right-of-way acquisitions and working with all utility companies to have utilities along the road relocated. The scheduled let date, or construction contract date, is targeted for October 2019. Residents may have noticed work being done on the FM 1103 bridge over IH 35. This project is being funded entirely by TxDOT and when complete, will widen the bridge to provide additional lanes and also a turn-around lane. TxDOT’s current scheduled completion date is estimated for Winter 2018.
As the City grows, the infrastructure such as waterlines, ages and reaches a point where it needs to be replaced. These replacement projects are very expensive and are often done over the course of several phases, as to spread out the cost. The Northcliffe Waterline Replacement Project is an example of this. This project began in 2010 with four phases planned and was completed in 2017 with an estimated total project cost of $2 million dollars. The FY 2017-18 budget presentation covered areas that residents identified as a focus for city staff based on the results of the 2016 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. Areas included additional staff for police services, facility maintenance of parks and new trail connections, storm water runoff channel maintenance, and more enforcement of city codes and ordinances. The current budget approved 22 new personnel, 20 work vehicles, and funds for street maintenance around the city. After staff presentations, the meeting concluded with a brief question and answer session. Residents were encouraged to visit with City Staff and Council members after the meeting to discuss their concerns and needs. The final Council on the Go meeting of the year will be held on May 29 at Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School. The Council on the Go meeting initiative started in February 2016. The concept was to enhance City Council’s community outreach by hosting quarterly town-hall style meetings in nearby neighborhoods to address area-specific topics. The goal is to offer residents a closer, more accessible and convenient venue to interact with City Council and staff.
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Schertz Magazine May 2018
National EMS Week National EMS week will be held the week of May 20-26, 2018. Schertz EMS will be holding their annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 19 to kick off the week followed by some community engagement activities. Proceeds from the Golf Tournament are used to fund all of the community engagement activities. Crews will be visiting with all of the elementary, intermediate and high schools in the area educating students on CPR and when to call 911. This year they plan to engage with over 7,000 students throughout the Schertz-Cibolo Universal City Independent School District. On May 22, EMS will be giving a Cardiac Arrest Survivor presentation at City Council.
National Police Week In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year's National Police Week is recognized May 13-16. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. It is a collaborative effort from many communities and organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community. Each year Cibolo and Schertz trade off in hosting a memorial. Cibolo will be hosting this year's memorial ceremony Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30 PM. For more information follow the Schertz PD on Facebook.
Jr. Police Academy Schertz PD is now accepting applications for their upcoming Junior Academy classes. The Schertz Police Department’s Junior Police Academy is open to boys and girls that reside in the City of Schertz and are from the ages of 8-11. The first class (Alpha) is for 8-9 year olds and will be held June 25-29. The second class (Bravo) is for 10-11 year olds and will be held July 23-27. The camp will be from 8:00 AM to noon daily at the Schertz Police Department. The camp is free, but registration will be limited to 20 participants per class, so register early to guarantee your spot. Keep in mind, children who have not previously attended will be given first priority for each class. For more information, please contact the Schertz Police Department at (210) 619-1200. Registration packets can be picked up in the lobby of the Police Department during business hours or found online at Schertz.com. Please complete the registration packet and return it to the Schertz Police Department as soon as possible.
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STAY INFORMED!
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WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!
Use #SchertzParksandRec when posting to Instagram and share your Schertz Parks pictures with us.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN THE PARK
As part of the Music and Movies in the Park series, Schertz Parks and Recreation held a music event at Pickrell Park on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, for community members to attend. The event offered a family-friendly environment, and people of all ages were welcome to attend. This event was held from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. “It’s just something nice that everyone can come out and do regardless of age,” Amanda Kirk said. “It’s like an ageless event.” At the event, attendees could go on a hayride around the park, purchase food, and listen to the traditional Celtic band, Ravenmoor. People came to the park with chairs and blankets to sit and listen to the band perform. “Celtic music is party music and dance music,” band vocalist and guitar player John Wiessen said. “There’s nothing more positive than partying or dancing. It’s good time stuff, so we enjoy playing for people, and people seem to like it.” The band played a variety of different songs for the audience, and in between songs they would talk to and joke with the crowd. The weather was warm and breezy, creating a comfortable setting for those in attendence. “It’s quite lovely,” band vocalist, concertina, fiddle and mandolin player Ron Wilson said. “It’s just the perfect way to spend an afternoon under the trees, with a nice breeze. It’s delightful.” Some attendees heard about the event from reading about it in Schertz Magazine or from family members, but other people came to the park not knowing about the event taking place. These people were still able to engage in the activities and enjoy the event. This event was an opportunity for members of the community to gather and enjoy a day at the park with friends or families. Everyone is encouraged to go to future events such as this one and enjoy themselves with loved ones.
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2018 MUSIC & MOVIES IN THE PARK
Schertz Parks and Recreation is excited for a summer full of movies and concerts in the park. Families and friends are invited out to one -or all- of this year’s great events for a day of fun for the whole family. We encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs, refreshments, friends and neighbors out for a free day of entertainment. Coming up this summer will be a Music in the Park event featuring Mariachi Las Coronelas and two Float & Flicks featuring Moana and Jaws. May 5 – Mariachi Las Coronelas at Pickrell Park June 9 - Moana at Pickrell Park Pool July 21 – Jaws at the Schertz Aquatic Center For more information, go to Schertz.com or follow the City of Schertz on Facebook.
NATURE DISCOVERY SERIES
More sessions coming in 2018! Does your little one enjoy being outdoors and searching for creepy crawlies? Do Mom and Dad want to get the family outside more enjoying time together? Then the Nature Discovery Series is for you! The program is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but older and younger siblings are welcome. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers lead the themed programs held at 10:00 AM at Crescent Bend Nature Park, and the program is free. Upcoming 2018 dates and topics are: May 5: Discover What’s Swimming June 2: Discover a Bug’s World
DID YOU KNOW?
As the weather heats up and our outdoor pools get ready to open for the season, our employees are gearing up for the challenge of operating two outdoor pools. Did you know that all of our Parks field staff are Certified Pool Operators (CPO)? A CPO certification from the National Swimming Pool Foundation provides individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. This training has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing the hazards at aquatic facilities.
CRESCENT BEND BIRDING WALK
Join us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on Tuesday, May 15 from 8:00 – 11:00 AM. Meet in the first parking lot with leader Sandi Wheeler for a walk through the park to learn about the bird life. Bring your binoculars, cameras, water, and snacks. All levels of birders are welcome, from beginners to experts.
GET INVOLVED!
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meets on the fourth Monday of every month at 5:30 PM at City Hall in the Bob Andrews Conference Room. The meetings are open to the public and we welcome your participation. Call (210) 619-1850 for more information. The Friends of Crescent Bend Nature Park is an informal group of residents who are passionate about the nature park and supportive of the nature programs the city provides at the park. They meet the third Monday of every month at 9:00 AM at the Parks & Recreation Office. They are always looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining the bird blinds at the park. See their website for more information at friendscbnp.zenfolio.com.
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS… but they also make the grass grow like crazy! If you’ve noticed the grass looking a little tall at your neighborhood park and wondered when it will be mowed, here is a quick guide to help you understand the mowing schedule for the Park Department. Parks are scheduled to be mowed every 14 days, throughout the growing season March – October, and this can vary based on wet weather conditions or special events. The city campuses such as the Library, Aquatic Center, Community Playscape, City Hall, etc. are scheduled to be mowed every 7 days throughout the growing season March - October. This can also vary based on wet weather conditions. Some parks are mowed through a landscaping contractor that is managed by the Parks Department, and some are mowed in-house by Parks Department staff. All city campuses and medians are mowed through a landscaping contractor that is managed by the Parks Department. The chart below details when your neighborhood park is scheduled to be mowed this month. Please call us with any questions or concerns at (210) 619-1850.
Mowing Schedule
Park or City Campus:
Scheduled the Week of:
Ashley Park Country Club Drive Medians Crescent Bend Nature Park Cut-Off Park Cypress Point Park Fire Station #2 Forest Ridge Park Gutierrez Xeriscape Park Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Heritage Oaks Park Legacy Oaks Parkway Medians Lone Oak Park Mary Whitfield Burks Park North Center Oak Forest Park Palm Park Pickrell Park Rhine Valley Park Schertz Area Senior Center Schertz Aquatic Center Schertz Ballpark Schertz Community Playscape Schertz Dog Park Schertz Parkway Medians Schertz Public Library Schertz Recreation Center Schertz Skate Park Schertz Soccer Complex The Park at Woodland Oaks Thulemeyer Park Wendy Swan Memorial Park
5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/21 5/7, 5/21 5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/21 5/14, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 Weekly 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28 Weekly 5/14, 5/28 Bi-weekly 5/14, 5/28
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City
Headlines
Schertz Promotes Building Safety The Planning and Community Development department is participating in the 38th annual Building Safety Month to promote building safety. Building Safety Month raises awareness about critical safety issues from structural to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. Building codes and the officials who enforce them are making our community safer and more resilient. Homes and buildings that are built in compliance with building safety codes result in resilient structures that minimize the risks of death, injury, and property damage. Building safety affects everyone, and modern, updated building codes save lives. The International Building Codes adopted by our community, are the most widely used and adopted set of building safety codes in the U.S. and around the world.
Local events to promote Building Safety Month include: Ask an Inspector
City Inspector will be available to answer building code and safety questions. Date: May 7, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Where: Lowe’s Home Improvement 17280 Interstate 35 N, Schertz, TX 78154
Schertz Senior Center Presentation Date: May 4, 2018 Time: 10:30 AM
Contractors Meeting
Date: May 15, 2018 Where: City of Schertz – Building #1 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 Time: 2:30 PM
Rose Garden Elementary Presentation Date: May 18, 2018 For more information, go to schertz.com.
City
Headlines
National Public Works Week National Public Works Week is recognized May 20-26 this year. This year's theme, “The Power of Public Works,” gives voice to the impact the many facets of public works has on modern civilization. From providing clean water, disposing of solid waste, building roads and bridges or planning for and implementing mass transit, to devising emergency management strategies to meet natural or manmade disasters, public works services determine a society’s quality of life. This year’s poster honors the vital contribution public works professionals make every day to communities all across North America, and it invites the public to celebrate their quiet dedication and indispensable influence on our way of life. Please join us in recognizing Schertz' Public Works for their hard work and dedication to the quality of life in our great community. For more information visit npww.apwa.net.
City
Headlines
Schertz Fire Rescue Welcomes Engine #3 On Thursday, April 19 the community came together at Schertz Fire Station #1 for a Housing Ceremony where a wet down from the fire hose and wipe down marked the official welcoming of the new Engine #3. Families and friends had a great time hosing down the engine and welcoming the apparatus into service. The celebration of the arrival of a new piece of apparatus has been a source of pride for fire departments for more than 100 years. Once the truck received its symbolic wash, fire department members-with the mighty help of the community- moved to the front of the truck to [push] roll the apparatus back into the bay. Engine #3 will service out of Fire Station #1 until the new station opens.
Schertz EMS Gets Industry-Leading Equipment By: Melissa Geedman
A
n emergency crew should always be prepared, ready, and reliable. Schertz Emergency Medical Services now has the latest technology in life-saving equipment to provide top-quality medical coverage to nearly 220 square miles and its eight cities to include Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Selma, Live Oak, Marion, Santa Clara, and ESD6, which covers Garden Ridge. The prime mission of Schertz EMS is to assure high-quality patient care and appropriate response times in emergency situations. The department is excited to announce the new additions of state of the art equipment, to include two new ambulances. Brought into service in April 2018, the new 2017 Ford F450 Type I Road Rescue Ultramedics offer top-of-the-line features and solid engineering that defies industry standards. The new ambulances are designed to provide a secure environment for patient care and occupant safety. Each ambulance is uniquely designed and equipped with high-end features. The spacious aluminum interior is comprised of a patient
area, three attendant seats, and ample compartments, storage and countertop space. The cabinets are anti-microbial with a thermal plastic laminate, and the restocking cabinets are designed with two gas-assist shocks to ensure doors remain open even during a bumpy commute. EMS has long since removed the “normal” bench seat and replaced them with attendant seats with 3 point seat belts to improve the safety of the personnel riding in the patient compartment. “Safety is a priority for our medics, we want our crews to be able to go home to their loved ones, so we give them the opportunity to stay seat belted while still being able to care for their patient,” says EMS Director Jason Mabbitt. Schertz EMS currently has a fleet of eight ambulances. With the addition of the two new ambulances, two older models will be retired out of service. This will give the department nine operating ambulances in total.
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Schertz EMS Gets Industry-Leading Equipment cont’d from page 23
To accompany the new ambulances, the department purchased five Stryker Power Pro XPS stretchers and Styker powered cot fastener loading systems. At the touch of a button, the system helps EMS personnel load patients into and out of the ambulance, reducing the risk of back injuries. Medics experience frequent back injuries due to repetitive motions such as lifting, lowering, carrying, and bending.
The system has the weight capacity of up to 750 pounds and can help seriously reduce workplace injuries for EMS personnel. The XPS stretcher is adjustable with seven locking positions and includes a wider mattress. It is designed with the comfort of the patient in mind. “By utilizing Powerload, we are hoping to extend the careers of our EMTs and Paramedics,” stated Mabbitt. “EMS is a very physically demanding job, and the more tools we give them to overcome these demands the healthier our employees will be.” Schertz EMS has a 5-year purchase-lease and service agreements for the equipment. After the 5-year commitment, the purchase of the loading systems will cost the department one dollar. In an effort to expand the department, five new recently hired employees will join the EMS crews.
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The goal for the department’s slow-andsteady revamp of emergency services is for it to be cost effective, and they are doing just that. With the added resources to the department, Schertz EMS is confident in their ability to provide quality service with efficient response times.
The Schertz EMS department currently employs 63 personnel to include 8 administration staff, 3 office personnel, 3 Supervisors, 3 Field Training Officers, 24 full-time paramedics, 2 full-time EMTs, 15 part-time paramedics, and 5 part-time EMTs who respond to over 10,000 requests for emergency services annually across the coverage area of over 220 square miles.
New equipment and added staff isn’t the only thing the department is excited about! Schertz EMS will be engaging with the community May 20-26 in recognition of National EMS Week. National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's front line. On May 19, Schertz EMS will be hosting their 10th annual golf tournament at Olympia Hills. Proceeds benefit the Departments community outreach programs. EMS plans to train over 7,000 students in CPR by visiting schools in the SCUCISD in the month of May. Visit the City Headlines section of this issue for more information.
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Health Science students
Students Get Real World Experience in Public Service By: Jenna Carroll
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etermining the best career to go into upon graduating high school is not always a simple task due to the wide variety of careers available. To help students decide which job field suits them best, various Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs are offered to students at Clemens and Steele High School. By choosing a specific program, students are able to learn about certain job fields and determine whether or not it is a good fit for them. Among these options is the Public Service Endorsement. The Public Service Endorsement offers a wide array of courses for students relating to Law Enforcement and Health Science job fields. Students can take classes from their freshman to senior year. Though careers in these fields are shown on a variety of television shows, in these classes students learn that the way the jobs are depicted through the shows is not always accurate. By being a part of one of these CTE Career Pathways through the Public Service Endorsement, they are able to learn what each profession is like and determine whether or not they wish to pursue it as a future career. The courses that students take are taught by teachers who have had
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experience working in the Law Enforcement and Health Science fields. This helps make the class more relatable for students as they can learn from people who have been through situations that they are learning about. “I think it’s beneficial because our teachers can share their own personal experiences in the field, and we can get a better idea of what it would be like,” Blythe said. The Clemens Law Enforcement Program is designed to prepare students for a future career in Law Enforcement. The classes offered in the Law Pathway are Principles of Law, Law 1, Law 2, Forensic Science, Court Systems, and Federal Law and Protective Services. These classes must be taken in sequence with one another, starting with Principles of Law. In this class, students learn information on a variety of topics and jobs related to the program. “It’s shown me so many different careers in Law Enforcement, everything from being a security guard in a correctional facility to being in the FBI,” student Meagan Blythe said. “I call the intro class, Principles of Law, the “sampler platter”
because it covers a little bit of everything. It gives enough information that the kids get an idea of how in depth this is going be. We cover everything from Fire and EMS, to Courts and Corrections, to Law Enforcement,” teacher Kellie Davidson said. Currently, students in the Law Enforcement Pathway are able to receive their CPR and First Aid certifications. College credit is not yet offered, but there are hopes that it will be in the future. Students who go through these specific CTE Career Pathways have realized that they can pursue a career as an attorney, in forensics, or as part of the FBI, DEA, or DPS. However, this course is still beneficial to students who do not pursue a career in a Law Enforcement field. They are able to learn what the laws are, what rights one has, and the correct way to deal with certain situations when dealing with Law Enforcement. “If they have an interest in law enforcement or want to know how the criminal justice system works in any way, then this is
the right CTE Career Pathway to obtain the information they need,” Dossett said. “Some people don’t even necessarily want to be involved in criminal justice later on. They just want to know how laws are made and what the process is for doing that.” The Clemens Health Science Program is designed to prepare students for a future career in the Medical Field. This pathway focuses on preparing students by providing them with a strong foundation in the Health Sciences. Students begin by taking Principals of Health Science in their 9th grade year. Each year, students build upon that foundation with additional Health Science courses including: Medical Terminology, Health Science Theory, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, and Counseling & Mental Health. Once students complete foundational courses, students have the opportunity to take a Health Science Internship course. Clemens is proud to offer the following Health Science Internship programs: Medical Billing & Coding Certification
and Limited Scope Radiology Certification. Steele offers Medical Assistant Certification and Certified Nursing Assistant internship programs for their Health Science students. Through both of these Internships, students go out into the community and gain hands-on medical experience at various physician’s offices and nearby hospitals within the Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City community. Health Science students are also encouraged to join the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club. HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. Clemens HOSA currently has 242 members who compete in medical competitions and who volunteer at medical facilities throughout the community. This year 65 Clemens HOSA
students went to the regional competitions, 35 students advanced to the HOSA State competition, and 18 student have advanced to the National level. Clemens students have completed over 1800 medical service (volunteer) hours in our community. Choosing a pathway in health science prepares you for a robust and versatile career in a large interdisciplinary health care field. Those students who advance and choose a career in health sciences may work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, in public health or administration, or for non-profit groups. The choices are virtually limitless in this dynamic and critical health care industry. Health science combines science and health care and melds these into a number of career fields that are committed to delivering quality care to patients. Just as many other career fields offer the option to work up front with patients or behind the scenes in technology support, your job in health science will also provide the choice of either working clinically or in the more academic and research arena. If a student has an interest in the law, public safety, corrections, and security career field than Public Service is the CTE Career Pathway they might benefit from. More information on the various CTE Endorsements can be found by going to the school district’s webpage or by talking to your campus College and Career Advisor.
Law Enforcement students
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Local Seniors Challenge Beauty Standards in Project Beauty
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By: Stacey Lovett
eah Godfredson, Schertz resident and photographer/owner of Ever After Photography, specializes in senior portraits and has successfully built her business around capturing the essence of these young adults as they embark on their new journey in life. Throughout the process of these custom photoshoots, she deals with more that the physical image itself. It’s in her interactions with these senior clients that craft the true picture of the beauty within which she in turn captures outward in the final product. Working closely with these teen girls brought forth a deeper awareness to Godfredson of just how much society’s perception of beauty standards has molded not only the view of what beauty should be but the views that these young girls have on themselves in regards to it. Seeing this pressure to uphold a perceived level of standard led her to bring local participation to the national Project Beauty movement. The Project Beauty campaign was started in 2017 by Cincinnati-based photographer, Thomas Nguyen, to help young females “free themselves from the idea of perfection and empower them to not only feel confident about themselves but embrace the flaws that make them so uniquely beautiful.” The girls are photographed without makeup in a simple setting and outfit to enhance their natural beauty and, in turn, their confidence of it. Photographers nationwide began picking up on this empowering movement offering shoots in the same manner with the proceeds benefitting local charities. As a mother of four, Leah Godfredson has witnessed firsthand the effects that the proliferation of social media has had on the younger generations, especially in her daughters. The image of perfection and in turn the reliance on makeup, editing, and filters to seek and seemingly achieve that standard was putting a greater deal of pressure on these girls than what she truly saw naturally in each of them, as well as her clients, as beautiful. In her desire for them to see themselves in the same light, Godfredson proposed the idea of doing Project Beauty with some of the girls in her modeling team and their immediate interest in the campaign was surprising. Twenty high school girls ultimately comprised Leah’s team, five of whom were Clemens Seniors, and each girl was photographed adhering to all of the guidelines of the project: no makeup, simple outfit and setting, and the only digital enhancements being the manipulation of the image into black and white. As imagined, this isn’t an easy request to ask of anyone to open up to this level of honesty, let alone almost two dozen adolescent girls, but Godfredson said every one of them embraced the
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generations are continuously comparing themselves to each other. While she believes her peers and school environment are generally accepting of people being themselves, Senior Emily Brunet agrees that “there is more pressure to present yourself on social media to an unrealistically high standard” and that it tends to be the “girls putting the pressure on themselves, [that] the pressure doesn’t come from others.” This generation holds a strong awareness of the issue; however, awareness is often the easier hurdle to overcome. While these senior ladies were immediately receptive to join the project and promote its cause, some underlying apprehensions, from dealing with acne to anxieties of the untouched photos being publically posted, did arise prior to the shoot, requiring a little reassurance from the other side of the lens. challenge with such a level of maturity and thoughtfulness that shows through in the imagery, continuing the project’s exposure beyond the prints. The five Clemens High School Seniors, Aerin Suarez, Taylor Montgomery, Teri-Ashlee Liles, Desiree Antu, Emily Brunet, and Bailey Mosely, all shared very similar opinions regarding the social norms of physical appearances surrounding their generation. “Social media plays a huge role in my generation and definitely sets unrealistic standards of what it means to be beautiful. [It] promotes the use of editing and filters to change appearances which ultimately has a negative impact on one’s ability to feel naturally beautiful,” says Bailey Mosely.
The resulting images speak for themselves and these apprehensions were lifted when the photos were revealed and the girls saw what both Leah and Project Beauty sees – a truly beautiful vision of the beauty that shines from within. It was through their courage that they gained a deeper introspection and strength to portray the “perfectly normal imperfections” gaining a stronger confidence in themselves by embracing them. With Project Beauty gaining its own national public platform, it
opens up the awareness and acceptance to more of their peers as well as younger girls to continue the conversation and work towards changing this media-based beauty bias. Leah Godfredson defines her vision of true beauty as “someone who is able to be their most authentic self and believes that acceptance of others begins with the acceptance of yourself.” This is a beautifully powerful statement and what she set out to exemplify in bringing Project Beauty to the local community. The journey these girls have taken with their participation of the project resulted in not only a greater sense of self-confidence but understanding of a greater issue that has become a daily affliction on their generation, taking their recognition for change into their next journey as they graduate. Godfredson plans to participate in the project again in the fall of the upcoming school year and cultivate this sense of self-acceptance to even more girls in the community. Arming these young ladies with the tools they need not only to achieve their personal success but those that extend the awareness to others around them strengthens the voice of change for this generation as they move further into the world on their own. In the eyes of Project Beauty’s message, if seeing is believing, feeling is more so the path to true acceptance. *Proceeds of this shoot went towards David’s Legacy
Mosley’s words hit the core of the issue at hand – the greater issue affecting these young women in our society is the falsification of beauty to the level of reaching the inability to feel beautiful if that perceived standard isn’t reached in their minds. Not only has the internet, social media, and media/mass marketing in general sculpted the ideals of flawless beauty, it has also created a platform on which younger
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AROUND THE
COMMUNITY
The Easter Bunny Visits Pickrell Park To hundreds of youngsters, eggs were more valuable than gold in Schertz on Saturday, March 31. The Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club Easter In The Park event in Pickrell Park gets bigger and better each year and is one of the top Easter egg hunts in area. Just ask Ray Bueno who lives near Sea World and drove the 30 plus miles to Schertz with his two sons, ages two and ten, for the event. “This is our first year living in San Antonio and we wanted to explore it. I went online and saw Easter In The Park in Schertz is one of the top three eggs hunts in the San Antonio area. Online photos of the beautiful park where the event is held convinced us to come,” Bueno said. “Seven years ago we had 300 kids and 5,000 eggs,” said Rhonda Williams, Easter In The Park Chairperson. “This year we have about 1,000 children and 12,000 plastic eggs. Casino Night is our Lions Club main fundraiser, but Easter In The Park is our signature event,” Williams said. The Easter egg hunts were broken down by age from “crawlers” to 10 years. The crawlers were on a mat under the pavilion and the other egg hunts in a nearby grassy area. As each age group charged out to get eggs it was pure fun for the children and their families cheering them on. It was amazing each time to see up to 1,500 colorful plastic eggs, spread out to the size of a football field, disappear in less than a minute under the stampede of little feet. Some of the egg-seeking children had a strategy, like the little girl who took the Easter egg basket of a little boy next her and put it over his head to block his view as the “go” siren sounded. Barbara Rubles moved to Schertz two years ago and visited Easter In The Park with her very excited five grandchildren, ages 8 to 10. “Easter is my favorite holiday, and I love spending it with my family at this fun event,” she said. Chairperson Williams said the event is a true community endeavor for children. It is sponsored by the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club and H-E-B and aided by many community partners including groups and individuals.
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Schertz Gets Movin in the Streets The City of Schertz and the Schertz Family YMCA, along with event sponsors the Homestead and Republic Services, and in-kind sponsors RBFCU and H-E-B, hosted residents and visitors at the inaugural Movin on Main event on April 8. Main Street was the center of more than 40 wellness vendors, demonstrations from YMCA staff and area businesses, and performances by local groups. Activities for all ages were available, including children’s activities, classes in Yoga, Zumba, Body Flow and Body Combat, chair volleyball and Zumba Gold. Participants were encouraged to stroll along Main Street to learn ways to be fit, find places to exercise and move, listen to music, and watch local groups perform. Joining the fun were Sweet Sensations, the Clemens Jazz Band, Mary Lou’s School of Dance, Kinder Dance of Alamo City and Schertz Emergency Services Firetruck and Ambus. To keep bodies fueled, a selection of food and beverage items were offered by LLallas Empanadas, Lady Picoza, Kona Ice, Kings Cross, Orange Leaf, Reggie’s Dogs, and Cori Jean’s Ice Cream. Keeping participants moving were a local jazz band, Soulful Flow, and a 14-person bike that needed human power to go up and down Main Street. Business, retail and non-profit groups on hand shared information about classes, demonstrated an activity and provided water to participants. Vendors included AdvoCare, Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Alex Hartman State Farm Insurance, Animal Adoption Center, Authority Chiropractic, Bath Planet, Bunk'n Biscuit, Camp Gladiator, Concrete Yoga, Costco, Cross Road Bikes, Devoir Fitness, Dynamic Designs Face & Body Art, Familia Dental, Fitness Kinektions, Herbalife (About Face Nutrition), Homestead, Jazzercise Schertz Fitness, Kung Jung Mu Sul, Orangetheory Fitness, Pawderosa Ranch, Positively Impacting Communities, Inc., RE/MAX Corridor, Scribner Boxing, Strength in Motherhood, TOPS-Taking Off Pounds Simply, and Valeo Chiropractic. The Movin on Main event drew an estimated 3,500 to historic downtown Schertz. Plans are underway for the 2019 Movin on Main.
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Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 28 9:00 AM Veterans Memorial The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for their selfless service by hosting its 4th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony with collaborative efforts from the City of Schertz. This event is free and open to the public.
AROUND THE
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Civic Center Events The Alamo Exhibition Bird Club will be holding their annual Spring Bird Expo at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Bldg. 5, on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 and children 12 and under are free. Participate in raffle drawings and a silent auction. The event will provide a variety of vendors selling all types of birds, bird cages, supplies, bird toys, food, and more. Come celebrate the Year of the Bird! For more information go to aebc.org. The San Antonio Coin and Collectible Show will be held on Saturday, May 26 at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Bldg. 5. This show is sponsored by the Gateway Coin Club. Admission is $2.00 and those 17 and younger are free. For additional information about the show or the Gateway Coin Club, call (210) 271-3429, email retate@msn.com, or go to gatewaycoinclub.com.
AROUND THE
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Schertz Community Comes Together to Help Those In Need Working in the cold and wind, members of the community volunteered their time and efforts to help participate in a Love Where You Live project. During this event volunteers performed a variety of jobs to help people in the Pecan Groove neighborhood make repairs to their homes on Saturday, March 7. “We’re doing everything from landscaping to replacing some old tubs inside some of the homes and helping people out where they just need some work done,” Schertz resident, Kyle Anderson said. A variety of people volunteered for this event in order to help make a difference for their community and help others. “I’m a Christian, and I believe in being the hands of Jesus and making life better for others if I can the best I can,” Schertz resident, Barbara Gordy stated. For some people, these home repairs have been needed for a long time. “We’ve been here going on ten years, and I think they’ve had the problems before we moved in, so probably a long time that the repairs have been needed, so it’s definitely time for some love,”
Schertz resident, Miguel Flores said. The work done by volunteers also helps the home owners and their families financially. “I know for a fact that if they weren’t doing this now for us as charity that we’d be paying for it, and if we’d be paying for it, it’d be a lot out of pocket,” Flores said. Not only did the event help improve the quality of people’s homes, but it also allowed volunteers a chance to come together and form bonds. “I think it brings us together,” Barton Wheeler said. “It unites us. I’ve met some new friends here too, so that’s a good thing. The volunteers involved in this event had an impact on the community that some are very grateful for. “All I would like to say is a big thank you,” Flores said. “Without them this wouldn’t be possible, and if it would be possible it wouldn’t be as fast as they’re doing it right now, and they do good, quality work too, so I just want to say thank you.” Thank you to the following sponsors for their support: Chick-fil-A, Mattenga's Pizzaria, H-E-B, and Country Boys Catering.
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AROUND THE
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YMCA Hosts First Ever Underwater Egg Hunt The Schertz Aquatic Center hosted the 1st Annual Easter Egg-stravaganza for area 2-13 year olds. Partnering with the City of Schertz Parks & Recreation Department and sponsored by H-E-B, the Schertz YMCA put a spin on the traditional Easter egg hunt by filling the pool with over 4,500 plastic eggs. Smiles and splashes filled the evening as over 500 participants showed up to paddle around for the colorful floating eggs which they exchanged their full baskets for goodie bags at the end. Easter themed games and arts & crafts were set up outside for participants to enjoy as they waited on their age group’s time to dive into the fun. Information booths were also on hand to pick up flyers on the YMCA and aquatics programs offered, as well as membership and upcoming events for the Schertz Public Library and Schertz Parks & Recreation. A free swim followed the hunt and with its extreme popularity, the Easter bunny – and event organizers – plan to add an additional day for next year’s event. The City of Schertz hosts a variety of family fun throughout the year. Go to schertz.com for the full list of upcoming events.
Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry Partners with Area Schools, City Halls for Fifth Annual Food Drive for RACAP During summer, many children go hungry because they don’t have access to regular, nutritious meals served at school. To help ensure that all kids get to eat this summer, Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry is organizing its fifth annual food drive. The fifth annual Food Drive for RACAP (Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program) takes place May 21-25. RACAP is a Schertzbased food pantry serving portions of Guadalupe, Comal and Bexar counties. Summer is the busiest season at Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP), when the program sees increased demand from families with school-aged children. Hanson Aggregates –Servtex Quarry is coordinating the food drive with help from other community partners. During the week of the food drive, food will be collected at city halls in Garden Ridge, Cibolo, Schertz, Selma and Universal City, along with participating schools in these communities.
Last year, Servtex Quarry worked with area communities and schools to collect more than 9,200 pounds of food to help fill RACAP shelves. Items in high demand include 1-2 lb. bags of rice and dried beans, canned soups, canned pasta and meat, boxed meat helpers, ramen noodles and other shelf-stable items. RACAP relies solely on churches, businesses and individuals to help stock its pantry and does not receive any government funding. Services provided to clients include food, rent assistance, and help with prescription medications and utilities. Servtex Quarry, located in Garden Ridge, produces several million tons of crushed stone a year, which is used mainly for road, residential and commercial construction in San Antonio, South and East Texas. For more information or to learn how to help, please contact Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry at (210) 658-7461.
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Schertz Magazine All Over the Map Bring your Schertz Magazine along during your travels and send us a high resolution photo of you and your magazine to magazine@schertz.com. You may see your photo in an upcoming issue of Schertz Magazine!
(Above) Frank Dansby and Maria Galanis took their Schertz Magazine to Acropolis in Athens, Greece. (Above) Leon and Diana took their Schertz Magazine to Honolulu, HI.
(Below) Cynthia & Albert PeĂąa went to Cancun, Mexico for their 30th Anniversary with their Schertz Magazine.
(Below) Leah Reagan took her Schertz Magazine to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
(Above) G Dominguez went to Palawan Island, Philippines with his Schertz Magazine.
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Schertz Resident Turns 100 Schertz resident, Ysidra G. Mijares “Shelia”, celebrates her 100th birthday on May 15, 2018. She was born in New Berlin, Texas to Nicolas and Daria Garcia on May 15, 1918. She is one of 9 children, which she has outlived all but one sister, Mary Garcia of Schertz. Shelia was raised in Seguin, Marion, and Cibolo, while attending school in New Berlin. After living many years in Corpus Christi, Texas, Shelia moved to Schertz, Texas with her daughter Gloria Velasco and son-in-law Tony Velasco in 1972 and established permanent residency. Her greatest joys are her four grandchildren Joshua, Jacob, AnaLisa, & Christina and four great grandchildren Leon, Vera, Allison & Alaina. She has been a faithful member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church for 46 years, serving in Altar Society, Funeral Ministry, Adoration and Festival Fundraising Committee. She loves to sew, crochet, play BINGO and Scrabble with her sister Mary, and is known for her famous homemade carne guisada and corn tortillas. Her door is always opened to those who love her. She has touched many young and old with her love and warm hospitality. Those who know Shelia know that her greatest gifts to others are her Faith, Wisdom and Love. She is truly loved by all! Please join us in celebrating her 100th birthday!
U.S. Chamber Awards The Chamber The United States Chamber of Commerce awarded The Chamber (Schertz-CiboloSelma Area) with 3-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. “Business leaders are a critical voice in conversations about promoting economic growth and job creation in their communities,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “Accreditation honors a chamber’s work to enhance the quality of life for its members and its region.” Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.
“I am thrilled that at our first venture into Accreditation, we were awarded a three star level,” states Chamber President, Maggie Titterington, IOM. “Not only did we meet the standards necessary but went above and beyond the minimum requirements, as stated to us by the President of the United States Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue. All of our Chamber staff worked together to make this submission possible. The Chamber members are the true benefactors of this designation as it will help us to continue and strive to higher levels of excellence for them.” Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. For more information go to uschamber.com
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LOOKING BACK May QUOTE OF NOTE
“Only those willing to bear the burdens of freedom have the right to its rewards.” John Marini, Author & Professor of Political Science, University of Nevada
LOCAL HISTORY
On April 1, 1974 began what became known as the Schertz Area Facility For Emergency Service (SAFES) The SAFES organization was an allvolunteer, non-profit ambulance service first headed by Tom Funk (Chairman). The organization was created following the termination of emergency ambulance service to the Schertz area by Randolph Air Base. SAFES served the community faithfully until October 2000 at which time the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organization was formed as a paid, all-professional emergency service.
TEXAS HISTORY
On May 14, 1839, Manuel Flores and a band of Mexicans were in route to deliver weapons from the Mexican government to Texas Indians whom the Mexicans were trying to organize as allies. Along the way, Flores and his men killed four surveyors somewhere between Seguin and San Antonio. On May 17, 1839, Texas Rangers met up with Flores’ group on the North San Gabriel River and defeated them. Documents were found among Flores’ belongings that suggested that the Cherokee Indians were linked to a plot to conquer Texas. These documents prompted President Lamar to demand that the Cherokees leave Texas, and this precipitated the Cherokee War.
Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.
IMPORTANT SCHERTZ
PHONE NUMBERS Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter
Council Members:
Mark Davis Ralph Gutierrez Scott Larson Cedric Edwards, Sr. David Scagliola Angelina Kiser Bert Crawford
(210) 619-1045
(210) 376-9141 (210) 376-9231 (210) 376-9835 (210) 566-4540 (830) 606-1130 (210) 376-9579 (210) 376-9780
City Departments:
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
SCHERTZ.COM
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154