Brou ght
t o
y o u
b y
t h e
c i t y
of
Sc h er t
Z
magazine
JANUARY
20 1 3
e l a S r RY a A e U Y BR E e F th G H
U f O o R nd D TH
on n o i t omo year! r p r DE d ou he new ars old. e N d n E exte nto t is over 8 ye XT i e E s v ’ m d, we nt syste your system e area’s #1 nair n N OW a em t Brya cially if ctio n th d h s bee % Satisfa ’re one g e a i h p n s s h ’ 0 10 cie gee , we to ill, e 69, A ler, with a ustomers mpanies 9 1 Due ergy-effiour utility b e Sinc ning dea to our c ioning co n lower y e ks itio dit w ne nteed to 3. counadrantee. Twhaanrded air con
E
a Guar
1.
rs ’s offe e e g A sive exclu up to es rebat
*. 5 2 1 $1,gee’s has ng i A Only oney sav 3 m /1 these Expires 2/28 . offers
2.
ents Paym as low as th ng /mon starti .** tems s y s w on ne /13
.82 4 6 $ 28
es 2/
Expir
dley Stan ger f f e a n J ral Ma Gene
4. 5.
s. a G most s. nician h e c h t e t f a o fest Tex ort ntral t & sa our comf s e b in Ce tise y rea’s the a the exper insured. s a h r d ’s Agee trained fo onded an y b r Facto s on, plus A1 nd n US o i t depe n Me any A/C? w e ff on n o a d nee 3 Don’t /28/1 ires 2 p x E and r.*** ils. te deta repai e omple . WAC. c c i r fo v . ly Co time on ser d er vice
25 $ e sav
ee’s S PR. Limit ee Ag A tem. S ths. 11.99% pair. s y s n re five to wn. 60 Mon t at time of a n o 5 o n d se ,12 p to $1 urchase. 0% Please pre r. bate u rgy re n $ 5,285 py other offe e n e l o n ca * Lo ment basedbined with a y ** Pa not be com n *** Ca
lvd 8 B d Byr X 7814 W 306 l City, T rsa e v i n
U
2 6 9 0-0 m
o 9 c . 3 c 10 eesa
2 ww.ag w
<0&$ 0LVVLRQ 7R SXW -XGHR &KULVWLDQ SULQFLSOHV LQWR SUDFWLFH WKURXJK SURJUDPV WKDW EXLOG KHDOWK\ VSLULW PLQG DQG ERG\ IRU DOO
e
tion. Regula g and -6599 in s n e 63 Lic ent of 02 â&#x20AC;˘ 1-512-4 2 epartm xas D 1-800-803-9 e T e th ed by TX 78711 â&#x20AC;˘ Licens n, 5758C 57 â&#x20AC;˘ Austi A L C TA ox 121 P.O. B
SCHERTZ magazine contentz Featurez
Schertz Teacher Draws National Praise “Moving to Schertz,” A Popular Phrase WATCH D.O.G.S. Guide Young Lives Thrift Shop is Gift Shop Gold The History of Education
24 27 29 31 34
37
31
21
Departmentz Talk of the Townz 10 ENTERTAINMENTZ - Festival of Angels 18 KITCHEN KUDOZ - Sweet Spot Cakery 21 Updatez
Columnz 37 BOND UPDATEZ: Natatorium 37
FOCUZ: Marshal Beverly Todd
24
34
City Newz 45 Calendarz & Contactz 50 Civic Newz Updatez
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
5
Editor’z Letter Chuck McCollough, Editor
City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor
2013. WOW! You know what this means? Some of us who were teens in the ’60s are now in our 60s in the teens...starting with 2013.
Jim Fowler Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember George Antuna, Jr. Councilmember Cedric Edwards, Sr. Councilmember Barbara Baldwin First Lady Emerita
Executive Team John Kessel City Manager
Sounds like a good excuse to do some of the goofy things I did in the 1960s. Anyone remember the proper way to paper a neighbor’s tree? January is all about new, starting over, fresh perspective. And that is what Schertz Magazine does this month with a look at strong home construction in Schertz and the area. A lot of people want to be new residents of this city and who can blame them. Certainly one of the biggest reasons people and businesses relocate to Schertz is because of excellent schools in our area. This month we look at one of the teachers in those schools Stephanie Armendariz.
a department responsible for municipal court security, warrants and lots more. Away from the office she likes to ride motorcycles, garden, read, AND watch bull riding. Schertz Magazine writers also give an update on the much anticipated Natatorium, clue you into a sweet Sweet Shop and we bring you all the fun, color and tradition of the 2012 Festival of Angels. All that and more in your Schertz Magazine. Happy New Year everyone!
Get read to smile as you get to know Marshal Beverly Todd. As City Marshal, Beverly supervises 8
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Ervin Publisher & Business Manager Chuck McCollough Editor-In-Chief Alexis Souza Art Director & Design Chris Matzenbacher Sales Director Lucille Sims Thomas Copy Editor Brittany Losey Senior Writer Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Client Affairs Specialist Mary Spence Events Coordinator Contributing Writers Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Kiko Martinez, Ashley Festa, Rudy Arispe, Taylor Tompkins, Jim Webb, John W. Blumentritt
One program Stephanie Armendariz is involved in is called Watch D.O.G.S. The program is so good we did a separate story on Watch D.O.G.S. and the important job they are doing helping bond kids and adults. Speaking of education, read about the Lower Valley School building that helped educate students many years ago and today is being restored at Northeast Lakeview College. It isn’t Little House on the Prairie, but close.
John Bierschwale Executive Director David J. Harris Executive Director Brian James Executive Director
Contributing Photographers Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Mike Harris, Marc Bane, Bryan Nguyen, Joe Herczeg, Diana Webb, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Zachary Carter, Ross Dye, fontsandphotos.com
On the Cover Stephanie Armendariz stands outside of Schertz Elementary School. She was one of four teachers nationally honored as an Unsung Hero by the National Office of Communities In Schools.
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. The official publication of the City of Schertz promotes city, community, and business activities associated with the City. © City of Schertz, Texas The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1630. Fax (210) 619-1619. Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com
Talk Townz of the
JANUARY 2013
Mama Margie’s Opens in Schertz
Talk Townz of the
Mama Margie’s Mexican Cafe opened its fourth area location Tuesday, November 20, in Schertz. The much-anticipated restaurant is located at 17196 IH35 (exit 175) in front of Lowe’s. The popular Mexican Food chain also has an outlet near Alamo Ranch in NW San Antonio and on IH-10 and the South Side. It didn’t take drivers long to find out Mama Margie’s in Schertz was open and the parking lot and restaurant were soon packed.
This Happened in Vegas, But Didn’t Stay in Vegas Donna Thompson, Director of the Schertz Area Senior Center, ran the Zappos Rock n’ Roll Half-Marathon in Las Vegas (also known as “Run the Strip at Night”) on Sunday, December 2. In addition to the joy of running, Donna also raised about $1,000 in pledges to help fund the Senior Center. As an added bonus, Donna finished 3rd in her age group with a time of 1:49:35, setting a new personal record by almost seven minutes. Way to Go Donna!
Benefit Event for Ag Youth January 12 The Second Annual BAR-Y Stock Show Kick-Off Dance will be Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 509 Schertz Parkway, in Schertz. Doors open at 6:00 PM and dinner is from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Music provided by Cactus Country begins at 8:00 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the dance, visit the BAR-Y website at www.bar-y.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/barygroup. BAR-Y stands for Backing A Raising Youth and is an organization developed in January 2011 .
Work on FM 3009 Turnaround Lanes Progressing Work on the FM 3009 turnaround lanes at IH-35 is moving forward with construction equipment on both sides of the highway (photo above) moving dirt in preparation of the lanes being added to the FM 3009 bridge. The turnarounds for north and south bound traffic are part of an 18-month, multi-million dollar project TxDOT is doing on IH-35 from Judson Road to FM 3009.
The January 12 event will raise funds for local FFA/4-H members. 10
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
11
Talk Townz
Become a Sweetheart!
of the
Program information and application is available at VisitSchertz.com Application deadline is Friday, March 8.
The scholarship program is open to Schertz residents in grades 9-12.
2013 Miss Cibolo contestants are from left to right: Rebecca Schultes, Megan Sexton, Paton Szablewski, Julia Cheatle Alyssa Bailey, and Destinee Draper.
Coronation to be held Thursday, May 2, 2013
2013 Miss Cibolo Pageant At Steele The 2013 Miss Cibolo Scholarship Pageant will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 26, 2013 in the Steele High School auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. Special guests will include 2013 Little Miss Cibolo and 2013 Tiny Miss Cibolo.
Raising Cane’s Opens on FM 3009 Schertz is the home for the third Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers location in the greater San Antonio area.
Officials with the City of Schertz, Schertz Chamber of Commerce and Raising Cane’s take part in the ribbon cutting for the chain’s new Schertz location.
12
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
Officials with the Baton Rouge, La.-based company joined City of Schertz and Schertz Chamber of Commerce officials for a ribbon cutting on Dec. 5. The new restaurant, the company’s 42nd in Texas and 146th in the nation, is located at 6027 FM 3009. The company has locations at the San Antonio International Airport and on Bandera Road in Leon Valley.
Talk Townz of the
Air Force Credit Union Opens Local Branch Air Force Federal Credit Union held a ribbon cutting Monday, November 26 at its new location, 6000 FM 3009 Suite 206, near Sign-A-Rama and in front of Walmart. The ceremony was sponsored by the Schertz Chamber of Commerce. Air Force FCU is one of nearly 20 financial institutions in Schertz.
Gunn Dealership Breaks Ground Gunn Automotive Group broke ground Tuesday, November 27, on a new 50,000-square-foot Buick and GMC dealership at 16440 IH-35 North (Exit 174) in Selma, near the Schertz city limits. The facility will open next summer with 24 service bays. In the photo below, representatives from Gunn Automotive Group, the City of Selma, the Schertz Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Randolph Chamber of Commerce take part in the groundbreaking.
New Friends, New Beginnings Only fifteen minutes from Schertz, Rio Terra offers a renewed focus on healthy living, terrific food and social activity. Discover how our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Resident Firstâ&#x20AC;? philosophy can redefine your retirement.
Meet your new friends at Rio Terra today! Call (830) 221-4800 for a tour and lunch on us. Ask us about our Veterans Aid and Attendance!
2294 E. Common St., New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.RioTerraLife.com Independent Living
AL# 101986
Assisted Living
Memory Care
A Legend Retirement Corp. Community
What’s Happenin’
Talk Townz of the
in your Schertz Chamber?
Baptist Emergency Hospital presents the SCOC Health & Wholeness Fair, in cooperation with the City of Schertz and HEB.
JANUARY
CHAMBER Events Biz Ed
January 23rd – 7:30am – 9am at the Chamber/Visitor’s Center House. Breakfast provided by RBFCU. Learn how to market, brand and business plan. Call 566-9000 to RSVP your
attendance. Free to Chamber members, non members only $10.
January Chamber Luncheon
January 15th @ Schertz Civic Center @11:30am – 1pm. State of the Chamber, given by President Maggie Titterington and State of our SCUCISD Education given by Dr. Greg Gibson.
presents
Saturday, January 26th from 11am - 3pm at the Schertz Civic Center. Free admission and screenings. Come find out how to have “whole” health by connecting mentally, physically, nutritionally and spiritually. Testimony from breast cancer survivor KSAT 12 News Anchor Leslie Mouton as well as a panel of doctors to answer your questions.
Virtual Dementia/Alzheimer’s Tour * Glucose * BMI * Blood Pressure * Dental * Vision * Nutrition * Fitness * Bone Density * Physical Therapists * Doctor’s Panel * Flu Shots * Cholesterol & more!
For more information, call the Chamber offices at (210) 566-9000.
FREE ADMISSION FREE SCREENINGS
Schertz Chamber Toastmasters Club
Want to build great Communication and Leadership skills? The Schertz Toastmasters will meet at the Comfort Inn & Suites, located at 15771 IH 35 North, in Selma at 6:45pm on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Open to all - contact David Smith at 210-913-9288 for more details on how to become part of this exciting group!
For more information, call 210-566-9000
want to join the Chamber?
It just makes “cents” to join the Schertz Chamber of Commerce! Unique networking opportunities, education, advocacy and more! Call us at 210-566-9000 or come by and visit at 1730 Schertz Parkway in Schertz. Help us “Build a Better Tomorrow” JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
17
A change in venue greeted attendees at the 2012 Festival of Angels event December 7-8. Held for the first time at the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex, thousands lined Main Street and Schertz Parkway for the lighted night parade. Thirty-four organizations mixed lights with holiday cheer as they traveled the 1 .6 mile route. Ms. Leslie Mouton, parade grand marshal, rode in a 2013 Ford Mustang provided by Jordan Ford. Awaiting parade viewers at the complex was entertainment provided by SchertzCibolo-Universal City School District group: Wilder Intermediate Band, Jordan Intermediate Band, Green Valley Elementary Choir, and the Clemens Jazz Ensemble; Community Bible Church Praise Team; Schertz Idol Merilette and The Schertz Sweetheart Court. Other activities included a bungee jump, a kids train ride and Mount Schertz, with sleds provided by the Schertz Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department. Santa made his appearance during the parade then joined his elves in Santa's Village for photos. Residents donated dozens of toys for the Blue Santa program in exchange for a photo with Old St. Nick. 18
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
Festival of Angels featured a Holidayz Market; a two day event with more than 40 vendors, to help guests get their holiday shopping to an early start. Marshall Shredding of Schertz, The Mac Exchange of Universal City and River City Steel and Recycling of San Antonio provided residents 'free' service in recycling used electronics and paper shredding. The area's mild temperatures made for a pleasant evening and a great way to kick-off the Holiday season. Thanks to event sponsors: HEB, Volvo Rents, Schertz Citizens on Patrol, Market Days Management and Methodist Healthcare for their assistance and the many community volunteers who helped stage the event. A list of the parade winners and a complete slideshow of the event is at visitschertz.com. JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
19
Talk Townz of the
Kitchen Kudoz
Satisfying One Sweet Tooth at a Time By Andrea M. Allinger Tucked comfortably off of Seguin Road in Converse is the Sweet Spot Cakery, a paradise filled with cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream galore — more than enough to satisfy the most serious sweet tooth. Owners Polly and Ysidoro Martinez got into the cake baking industry after retiring from the military. Polly spent 20 years in the United States Army and Ysidoro retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 30 years. Polly began with a cake shop in 1999. She earned a master’s degree in Spanish and education and after teaching first, seventh, and eighth grades she decided to get back into the bakery scene. “I was making all of my grandkids’ cakes anyway,” she said with a laugh. The Sweet Spot Cakery was founded in 2009 with Polly working in the front with customers and birthday parties while her husband, Ysidoro, mans the back — in the ultimate sweet partnership. continued on page 22
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
21
Talk Townz of the
Kitchen Kudoz
Satisfying One Sweet Tooth at a Time continued from page 21 Polly boasts of the birthday parties held at the Sweet Spot Cakery, calling them “a little girl’s dream,” as they include makeup, nails, and dress-up clothes, a beautifully decorated party room, and cupcakes for all of the guests to decorate. The party room comes fully equipped with everything a girl could ask for complete with an oversized pink booth for the birthday girl and her closest friends to giggle away the day, not to mention the cakery’s 24 varieties of cupcakes to decorate.
Polly’s favorite part about the business is seeing “the finished product and being able to interact with the customers,” and with products including wedding and specialty cakes to cookies and ice cream, the range of pleased customers is extensive. By far, the most impressive display is the large glass case of cupcakes, which includes classic and unique flavors such as Sweet Spot Triple Chocolate, Oreo Cookies N Cream, Tres Leches, Banana Cream, Cherry Chip and White Chocolate Mousse. Each cupcake can be doctored up at the cakery’s cupcake bar and enjoyed on the spot at an ornate table or bought as a dozen (cupcakes come in miniature versions as well, which should be pre-ordered to ensure availability) and enjoyed at home or work.
ExpErt CarE You Can
trust
ian Cream, Chocolate Strawberry-Swirl, or just plain delicious Vanilla mixed with Chocolate or Vanilla Buttercream, Ganache, or Coconut Cream icings and filled with a selection of cake fillings, including Vienna Cream, Bavarian, and Mousse. Any birthday girl or bride is sure to feel like a princess after a visit to the Sweet Spot Cakery.
Surgical care ServiceS: • Advanced Hernia Repair • Breast Care including Cancer • Colorectal Problems • Advanced Laparoscopy • Burn & Wound Care • Gastrointestinal Surgery including Gallbladders • Inpatient Surgery & Trauma Critical Care
The Sweet Spot also serves fresh fruit smoothies and homemade cookies, ensuring the satisfaction of any customer. The Sweet Spot Cakery is located at 105 S. Seguin Road in Converse and can be found on Facebook under The Sweet Spot Cakery or contacted at 210662-8370. The doors are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wedding and specialty cakes can be created with an endless supply of cake and icing combinations, including Ital-
Donald D. Dilworth, MD , FACS
We have a Schertz clinic to better serve you in the community, where you live. (210) 657-2100
StatSurgicalServices.com
BHS248C Dil_SchrtzAd.indd 1
12/5/12 4:47:27 PM
Start the new year off right with a new pair of eyeglasses!
$199
Complete pair of no-line bifocals Includes frame, polycarbonate lenses, and non-glare coating. Some restrictions apply.
Dr. Leigha M. Nielsen
Ysidoro and Polly Martinez (background) watch kids having fun in their party room.
22
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
�erapeutic Optometrist & Glaucoma Specialist
210.590.2482 www.schertztso.com
17460 IH 35 North Suite 412 Schertz, TX 78154
FEATUREZ
FEATUREZ
Schertz Teacher Draws National Praise By Renee Schuler Steele High School Student Journalist Stephanie Armendariz, the Site Coordinator for Communities in Schools (CIS) at Schertz Elementary School, was awarded the 2012 Unsung Hero Award on September 20 at a ceremony in Washington D.C. She was recognized at the Communities In Schools 35th annual Celebration and Dinner in Arlington, Va. and was accompanied by her husband and four children. A film crew had videotaped her with some of her students and their parents. The Stephanie Armendariz Unsung Hero video was shown during the awards ceremony. Armendariz was recognized for her role in getting the Watch D.O.G.S. program started up at Schertz Elementary. The Watch D.O.G.S. program gets positive male figures to help out in classes and be extra security for the kids who attend the school.
“They did ask me if I could be there for the kickoff party, and it was just a lot of fun and we had an amazing turn out. I was fortunate enough to help be a small part in helping it be a successful program on our campus as a staff liaison. Thanks to all of our campus parents who are involved in helping our campus be successful. Without them we could not continue to support our students. Watch D.O.G.S. is a wonderful program and I’m happy that it has been such a success and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of it again this year.” Armendariz didn’t do just one specific thing to be a winner of this award though; she has done a number of things
throughout the four years she has worked as the site coordinator for CIS. “Operation Backpack is one of most cherished programs that we have here at Schertz Elementary. This program has continued for three years now with the support of area churches, teachers and our own Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City School District Transportation Department. Our campus has a high percentage of its students who are economically disadvantaged,” Armendariz said. “We found that many of our students were not eating on the weekends, and continued on page 26
“When I first started, I heard of this program called Watch D.O.G.S. and I wanted to get it started at my school but we had to pay for it. We had not budgeted for it so we had to wait.” Armendariz said. “A year or two had passed and I mentioned it again and this time they said they would look into it. The PTC (Parent Teacher Club) at Schertz Elementary paid for the program to get started, and played a huge part in starting and keeping the program successful,” she said.
24
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
25
Schertz Teacher Draws National Praise
continued from pg 25
made at our school it has spread to other campuses not only in the SCUC District, but to surrounding communities as well.” Academic Support is a major component that CIS believes in to help students be successful in school and in life. Stephanie offers a homework club, tutoring after school, individual academic and social skills support, school supplies, community referrals and support for families in crisis. “There is not just one specific thing I do on campus each day. Everyday is different, and the needs of our students are always changing. My goal is to be there to help support our students and families. To help guide them and helping them see their strengths and to be that familiar person in their life.”
FEATUREZ
We have an annual food drive which collects non-perishable food items for the Thanksgiving holiday. The food that the Schertz Elementary students collect is in turn used to give holiday baskets to our campus students and their families. I hold a Bike Rodeo each year to promote bicycle safety, and have a large turnout each year and is fun for all involved. We have Parental Involvement activities such as Family Craft Night, Muffins for Moms, Donuts for Dad and Family Movie Night,” she said. “It all started last year around March or April. One of my CIS executives wrote letters of recommendation for me saying I go above and beyond what my job entitles. Officials were so pleased to see that, within the four years I have been here, how established the program is,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience to go to Washington and receive the Unsung Hero Award from our National CIS offices. Having my family there to share this honor with me has made this entire experience a truly memorable moment in my life.” “This opportunity is very humbling. It came with a lot of publicity which I am not used to, but it has been a wonderful experience. I am a person who enjoys working with my students. I love coming to work every day with the hope of making a difference in their lives, and CIS gives me that opportunity. I’m just fortunate and blessed to work for an organization that does so much to help our youth be successful in school and helps them to achieve their goals in life.”
coming to school hungry and unable to focus in class. With that said we implemented a backpack feeding program with the help of our supporters which allows students to take a backpack filled with food for their family to use over the weekend. Each week these same families continue to receive a backpack every Friday for the entire school year. “Each year the school staff is are amazed by the generosity of it all, and what an amazing difference it makes in our students and their families,” she said.
“Promoting higher education and different career opportunities to our students is also a goal of CIS. Each year we have our College Week event. This is where we promote different colleges and discuss different degrees students can get to become whatever they want to be when they grow up. We have a Career on Wheels event where I bring in area businesses to talk with our student about what it is they do in the community, the types of equipment they use and information on what they do in their career,” she said.
“We do know that just by talking to others about what a difference this program has
“There are also large events that I also get to provide to our campus each year.
26
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
FEATUREZ
‘Moving To Schertz’ A Popular Phrase By Ashley Festa Homebuyers and investors alike will be pleased at the outlook for the the 2013 real estate market in Schertz. The market was generally pretty good throughout 2012, too, according to Cyndi Broschat, a local real estate agent at Smart Moves Realty. “We really haven’t had the downfall that other real estate markets have had,” she said. “We’ve been busy all year, which is unusual for us.” She said she expects the momentum to continue as the new year progresses. All the hustle and bustle at local agents’ offices might be due in part to more and more businesses discovering the benefits of headquartering in Schertz and then relocating into the area. Jeanine Claus, part of the Claus Team at Keller Williams Realty, said she thinks
Schertz is a better value than San Antonio for both investors and homebuyers for several reasons. For example, property taxes in Guadalupe County are lower than in neighboring Bexar County. Many real estate agents also have highlighted the appeal of Guadalupe County because of Schertz’s reputation, and Claus emphasized the school district as another selling point, especially with families of schoolage children.
Prices on the Rise – Slowly
“Schertz has a great quality of life,” said Tim Brown, an agent with RE/MAX Corridor. “At any hour of the day, you’ll find people walking, jogging downtown. It’s a destination city for family life.”
Other good news, at least for some homeowners: Rental prices are also going up, Broschat said. For homeowners who have been unable to sell their properties, they may decide to rent out their houses for better prices than they had been seeing.
He believes it’s the people that make Schertz such a desirable place to live, but don’t discount the city’s festivals, its library, the Schertz senior center and the YMCA. “There’s a sense of community, and people want to be a part of it,” Brown said.
Agents are expecting a continued rise in home prices, though not a drastic increase. Brown said he saw a 1 percent to 3 percent increase in prices during 2012. “It’s not a significant rise in prices. It’s a slow, steady rise.” Broschat said that’s the best way for increases to happen. “That’s when we get in trouble, when things start doubling.”
But renters seem to be pickier about selecting a new abode than in previous years. “I’d used to show a couple of rental properties, and they’d rent. Now, I show
continued on page 28
“The support I have from my Schertz Elementary administration, staff, and SCUC District is beyond what I could ever hope for, and without them behind CIS I would not have the opportunity to do what I do for my students,” Armendariz said. For more information on Communities In Schools or to watch a video of this award winner visit www.communitiesinschools.org. Workers check on a new house foundation in a Schertz neighborhood off of FM 1103 near IH-35. JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
27
FEATUREZ
Moving to Schertz continued from pg 27
five, six, 10 properties before they rent,” Broschat said. She attributes the change to renters who had previously been homeowners, so they’re choosier than they might have been in the past.
Residents on the Move
opinion, is that the area will be in Bexar County, rather than Guadalupe County, resulting in higher taxes and insurance costs. Claus again emphasized the importance of quality Schertz schools and the development will be in the city.
The movement in the city appears to be a mix of upgrades and downgrades. Because interest rates have been so low, many residents have decided to upgrade, getting into larger, nicer homes, Brown said. But Broschat said she has seen others downsizing after retirement or even moving out of the area.
“Crossvine will offer a different product in a different location,” Brown said. He expects the area to grow slowly at first because homes are farther from shopping options and grocery stores, he said. But because it’s closer to Randolph Air Force Base, he expects more military interest.
Despite some folks moving away from Schertz, there’s still a lot of growth on the horizon, especially at the new Crossvine development in Southern Schertz near the IH-10 corridor. Despite the temporarily heavier traffic, real estate agents expect the development to be a boom for the area.
In addition to the Crossvine, also down FM 1518 is Schertz Forest, an area with larger plots of land and larger, custom homes that may satisfy the requirements of higher-end buyers, Brown said.
“It’s going to be awesome when it’s finished,” Claus said, adding that “it’s going to be hell until then,” referring to the increased traffic problems during the 18-month development phase. “It’s going to be a busy area when it gets going,” Broschat said. The downside, in her 28
Making the Purchase
New home buyers are taking advantage of the low interest rates, though lenders have been more careful when qualifying first-time buyers. “The pendulum has swung the other way. You have to be the perfect applicant,” Brown said. “It’s almost too difficult for home buyers. It’s slowing down the ability of first-time buyers.” That, of course, is a result of
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
the real-estate bubble of a few years ago. “For a while there, I’d go on the MLS and it seemed like a third of [the houses] were foreclosures,” Broschat said. Though foreclosures haven’t disappeared from the market, there are fewer, Broschat said, and many people who got into credit problems are now trying to improve their credit so they can buy a house. And that’s Broschat’s best advice for the 2013 real estate market: “Buy.”
FEATUREZ
quarter,” she said. She doesn’t expect the recently re-elected President Obama to “rock the boat” that much. Brown said he thinks the low rates might last until 2014, but of course, “there’s no guarantee.” He, too, advises potential buyers to take advantage of current interest rates and home prices. “When inventory goes down, prices will surely go up,” he said. “If you expect to be in a home for five or more years, now is the best time to buy a home or to ‘right-size’ – either moving up or moving down (in home size).”
“Interest rates are phenomenal. If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next couple of years, buy now,” Broschat said. “Rates may be going up after the election, probably summer of 2013.”
And for those looking to sell?
Claus echoed the assessment to expect higher rates by summertime. “Not much will be happening during the first
Overall, Schertz real estate agents are optimistic about the coming year.
“Maintain the integrity of your property,” Claus said. “A coat of paint doesn’t cost that much. Do it.”
“We’re going to be just fine,” Broschat said.
“Schertz is a desirable place to go.”
WATCH D.O.G.S. Guide Young Lives By Brittany Losey Just one day a year
ing a reality for many families. Not only do situations such as divorce and death drive this phenomenon, but also unique demographics such as Schertz’ strong military community can keep even more parents out of homes and schools.
The main facet of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program allows a father of a student in a participating school to choose one day during the school year that he can spend volunteering at his child’s campus.
“Twenty-eight percent of our school district are active duty military,” King said. “That’s just that percentage. I don’t
can make a lifelong impact on students through the WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program that is sweeping the Schertz-CiboloUniversal City Independent School District.
“The program is awesome,” Billie Jo King, the SchertzCibolo-Universal City School Independent School District WATCH D.O.G.S. coordinator said. “It’s all about having dads on campus. With my background, I actually grew up without my father being around. He was active duty Army, special forces, for more than 16 years. Although he was in the household when he was around, he was deployed quite a bit.” While most people acknowledge the importance of positive male role models for children, sometimes circumstances prevent this from be-
WATCH D.O.G.S. is a father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering. It began in Springdale, Ark., in 1998, and since then it has spread to more than 2,200 schools in 41 states. It serves all grade levels (K-12) and is open to fathers, grandfathers, uncles or other father figures. Two of the organization’s primary goals include providing posi-
“Studies show that it’s different when there’s a man involved in the relationship with a child,” Tony Cardenas, Top Dog at Sippel Elementary, said. “Bullying stops. If we get into the elementary, middle schools, we’re stopping that behavior before they even start to get into the position where they might bully or make fun of each other or whatever it is.” On-duty WATCH D.O.G.S distinguish themselves with a uniform T-shirt, one of the few costs of participating in the program. Upon arrival at school in the morning, a WATCH D.O.G. will receive a detailed agenda for the day. Typical daily duties of a WATCH D.O.G.S. include patrolling the school perimeter, checking that the doors are locked, and engaging with students in the classroom and cafeteria.
even have the percentage of how many households do not have a dad in the household because they work out of town, are divorced, go to school elsewhere. All of those numbers factor in to having a male presence on campus.
tive male role models for students by placing an emphasis on the value of education and adding extra eyes and ears to a campus to enhance its security and reduce bullying.
Perry Callaway, Top Dog at Schlather Intermediate, finds being involved at his grandchild’s school extremely rewarding.
continued on page 30
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
29
WATCH D.O.G.S. continued from pg 29
IGNITE GOD’S VISION FOR YOUR LIFE JANUARY 13-27th
9360 Corporate Drive, Selma, TX 78154
SUNDAYS @ 10:00AM, 11:30AM & 1:00PM
“It’s a blast to see the kids light up when you walk in,” Callaway said. “It’s just unreal. You’re treated like a rock star. And it’s not just the kids, it’s the teachers too. They really appreciate you being there.” The program has been in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City district for a year and a half. It started when King was approached by the Parent Teacher Club (PTC) at Sippel Elementary for a financial donation, but she ended up becoming the head volunteer for the new program. From there, she has taken on the lead role as coordinator for the district, which includes Sippel Elementary, Schertz Elementary, and Schlather Intermediate along with the January inductees Green Valley Elementary and Dobie Junior High. In the San Antonio area, some Northeast and Northside ISD schools have adopted the program, but primarily at the elementary level. The Schertz- Cibolo- Universal City Independent School District hopes to implement the program in the whole district over the next several years.
“Word just spreads,” Cardenas said. “We were fortunate enough that first night we kicked it off last year, 300 fathers showed up. That was just unheard of . We were expecting maybe 100.” SCUCISD superintendent Dr. Greg Gibson has also shown support for the program. Gibson listed WATCH D.O.G.S. as a collaborator with the district and was inducted as an honorary WATCH D.O.G. this past November. “Once you get the superintendent saying we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it,” Cardenas said. Other honorary WATCH D.O.G.S. include the late Mayor Hal Baldwin who participated in last year’s spirit night at Baskin Robbins. Such community support and the impact it has had already on students and parents alike have left program leaders extremely optimistic about the future of the program.
“Our unified goal is to get it in every school in the Schertz-Cibolo School district, high school as well,” Callaway said. “We’re going to follow our kids as they go up through.”
“I think that the personal invitation for a dad, a grandfather, an uncle, an adult brother – I felt like that would touch so many men’s lives,” King said. “Not one dad has ever said no to me. Not one dad has said I’m not interested in the program. Not one dad has said, I really don’t think this would be for my family. Everyone has approached this wideeyed.”
Current WATCH D.O.G.S. have had no problem getting that process started.
For more information on Watch D.O.G.S. go to www.scuc.txed.net or www.fathers.com.
FEATUREZ
Schertz Senior Center Director Donna Thompson (third from left) visits with shop staff (L-R) Catherine Kelly, Sandy Ford, and Judy Goldick
Thrift Shop
is Gift Shop Gold By Brittany Losey Shopping for unique finds at thrift or second-hand stores (AKA “thrifting”) is a popular trend in consumerism for many reasons. A revival of vintage styles makes thrift stores a haven for valuable finds, while the act of recycling old goods rather than buying new ones promotes a greener society. Even more specifically, at Schertz’s New 2 U thrift shop, customers can invest in their own community through their purchases, as proceeds from the store go to a program that benefits our senior citizens. “All of their profit goes to the Senior Center to pay for their meal program,” Donna Thompson, director of the Schertz Area Senior Center, said. “The meal program over there costs anywhere from $7,000 to $9,000 depending on how many people eat each month. Currently, they’re providing about $2,500 of that for the meal program.” “Both organizations are run by the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation,” Thompson said. While the concept of charity stores is common in other communities, the New 2 U thrift shop is unique in that it is the only store of its kind in Schertz in which all proceeds go back to the city-sponsored operation. The store originally was to open with the senior center as a joint project. “It was in their original plan that when they opened the Schertz senior center, they would also open a thrift store to help fund the program for the senior center. The original plan was that we’d all be in one building, but that didn’t work out so they looked for a store close to the senior center. They’re about a year and a half apart in opening.” Both the senior center and the store are located on Schertz Parkway near Arlan’s Market (formerly Handy Andy). The store offers a wide variety of items including clothing, books, furniture, jewelry, holiday items, and more. The store’s stock is entirely dependent on donations and the generosity of the community.
“There’s not much that we don’t accept but we do ask that people try to look their items over before they bring them,” Catherine Kelly, manager of New 2 U, said. Even if some of the items are unusable by the store, they still find a good home. “We have a process for clothing,” Kelly said. “If we don’t use it, it goes back to the New Braunfels store and is donated, sold for a small amount to American, an organization that sells clothes in bulk to Third World countries. Things that we rotate out have a home somewhere else.” Additionally, they have the ability to facilitate the transfer of larger items, so transportation is not an issue. “We have the ability to pick up larger items, furniture. Other donations can be brought to the shop any day we’re there,” Kelly said. “We’re there Monday-Saturday, 9-5.” Larger items such as furniture and appliances are major sellers for the store and are the most beneficial to the senior center.
continued on page 32 JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
31
FEATUREZ
Valentine’s Dinner for 2
Visit us Jan through Feb 12th and receive a raffle ticket for your chance to win a FREE: 1st
Bottle of Wine Bottle of Champagne Dinner for 2 on Valentine’s Day 6032 FM3009 - Schertz
Past Wal-Mart, behind Chase Bank (210) 888 2753 - www.encantogrill.com
Thrift Shop continued from pg 31
“Any furniture items usually sell quite well, and we would like to expand that,” Kelly said. “At first we weren’t doing that because of shop size, but then we expanded into a couple of rooms that we weren’t using before, so now we feel that we’re more capable of handling large items.” The store has expanded quickly since its opening at the end of 2011 at the hand of an experienced store manager, Kelly, who ran a similar business in Chicago.
32
“I owned and operated a shop outside of Chicago for five years prior to moving here, so getting involved with the thrift store was a dream come true for me.” While working at New 2 U has been a highlight of Kelly’s time in Schertz, it wasn’t her main reason for relocating. Kelly moved to Schertz to help care for her niece’s twoyear-old while her niece, Major Kristen Kayata, serves in the United States Air Force in Afghanistan.
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
“I moved here a year ago, she was deployed in June and will be gone until next June,” Kelly said. In the meantime, Kelly and Kayata’s husband, Wayne, look after two-yearold Zander. Occasionally, Zander will stay at the shop with Kelly, but more often they will go on outings. “He is a joy,” Kelly said. “He and I go to Landa Park a lot. We have season passes for the train.” Kelly balances the task of looking after Zander with managing the store successfully. There are many other volunteers at the shop who
keep it running smoothly as well. Kelly believes that the store personnel sets their shop apart from other thrift shops in the area. “Our volunteers that we have are extremely pleasant to work with, and really, everyone that we have works for the shop as if it were their own and puts 100 percent into making it a pleasant place for people to shop and a clean and nice place to enter.” New 2 U is located at 420 Schertz Parkway and is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM . For more information call 210549-0811 .
“...the thrift store was a dream come true for me.” Catherine Kelly, Store Manager
In February 2008, North-
The History of Education Northeast Lakeview hosts the Lower Valley School District #33 By Andrea M. Allinger
east Lakeview College (NLC) became the first institution of higher education in Texas to host an authentic rural schoolhouse on its campus, with the relocation of the Lower Valley School District #33 schoolhouse. Dr. Eric Reno, President of Northeast Lakeview College, reflects on the project as “the symmetry of the oldest educational facility into the newest in the area, that shows where we’ve come and where we were.” The Lower Valley School was founded in 1877 by German immigrant August Schwartz, who taught at the school for 14 years, providing a premiere education including German, Spanish, and English languages to cater to the high volume of German immigrants. Maxine and Lutrell Watts taught at the Lower Valley School for 25 years, Maxine teaching 1st-5th grade on one side of the two room schoolhouse, Lutrell teaching 6th-10th grade in the other room of the schoolhouse. Upon the closure of the school in 1966, the Watts purchased the school and continued to live on the teacherage until their deaths, upon which the school was donated to NLC by the Watts heirs. Northeast Lakeview College was established as the newest of the five Alamo Colleges in 2007 on its 245 acre site. The Lower Valley School District building currently rests at the main entrance of NLC on Kitty Hawk Road awaiting renovation. Lewis Borgfeld, whose family’s presence in the Schertz/Cibolo area dates back to the 1840s, serves on the committee of local business owners and residents who continue to work towards complete restoration of the old schoolhouse. Both Borgfeld’s grandfather and his mother attended the Lower Valley School.
Lower Valley School #33 was located near Lower Seguin Road and Cibolo Creek. 34 34
schertzmagazine.com schertzmagazine.comJANUARY JANUARY2013 2013
Borgfeld, Vice President of Finance at Schertz Bank & Trust—one of the foundational businesses of our city celebrating their 100th birthday this
year—respects and admires the value of the Lower Valley School to the area. Borgfeld explained the relocation of the schoolhouse as a melding of geographic lines in a mixed area of Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City, saying that he has always “thought of us as one basic community—what is good for one community is good for another.” Dr. Martha Trevino, the Dean of College and Community Development at NLC, has taken a large role in spearheading the campaign for saving the remnants of the Lower Valley School District building, through raising funds from private corporations and organizing the committee of community members that oversee the progress of the project. Trevino commented that it “made sense that NLC is the continuation of what has been here, education isn’t new, it didn’t just sprout up overnight, and it matters to people.” By the end of 2013, the committee hopes that fundraising through their Ring the Texas School Bell campaign for the $500,000 restoration of the Lower Valley School building will be complete, which will lead to the next phase, the restoration work itself. Trevino explains the vision for the school house excitedly; she envisions a unique educational facility and living museum specifically benefitting students of the Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District. Students will be able to take a day long field trip to the renovated school where they will experience a school day in the Lower Valley School, complete with period appropriate clothing, studies from authentic primers, lunch out of antique lunch pails, and playground games from the turn of the century. The public will also be welcome to visit the living museum. The magnitude of this project reaches beyond one person, thus Trevino has elicited help from many Schertz community members, including Schertz
continued on page 36 JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
35
FEATUREZ
The History of Education
FOCUZ FOCUZ FOCUZ
continued from pg 35 Public Library Director Gail Douglas. Douglas remembers Lutrell Watts renting movies from the Schertz Public Library and was pleased to get involved in the fundraising for the improvements on the school. Douglas became involved with the project because of the long term benefits, saying “the children are going to remember being on the college campus and be comfortable with it later on,” and sentiment mirrored by Dr. Reno of NLC, who remarked that the Lower Valley School will in part “demystify the college experience,” by bringing school aged children onto the campus early. Dorothy Attkisson, Lower Valley School District #33 Alumnus and Chair of the Lower Valley School Reunions, just recently revisited her newly rooted alma mater for the first time since 1951, reminiscing of her dwindling graduating class and the original remaining materials in
the school, such as the wood burning stove. Every three years the students of the Lower Valley School reunite, and most recently, learned about the efforts to restore their school. Fundraising efforts are actively underway, many local businesses have contributed to the efforts of Dr. Trevino, one of the first being Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union. Trevino stresses that community donations are essential to the completion of the project, but monetary donations are not the bottom line, as in kind donations are useful as well, materialized as services or materials for the restoration of the old building—which still houses original desks and learning materials. Contact Dr. Martha Trevino to inquire about donations at 210-486-5469 or mtrevino114@alamo.edu, and follow the progress of the restoration and the history of the school at www.alamo.edu/nlc/lvs/.
Marshal Todd of Schertz By Chuck McCollough For hundreds of years the term “marshal” has been welcomed by the law abiding and feared by the law breaking. And marshals have been immortalized in history books and on TV shows as the hard-as-nails individuals who helped tame the Old West. The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the nation and President Washington appointed the first 13 marshals on Sept. 24, 1789. Today the U.S. Marshals Service is perhaps best known for hunting down fugitives, but the term is rarely connected with local, smaller communities. Schertz is one of the rare exceptions. City Marshal Beverly Todd head’s the Marshal’s Office, which handles municipal court security and enforces environmental, health and safety codes. Marshal Todd is from the small town of Everman, south of Fort Worth. She graduated from high school in 1968 and attended Tarrant County Community College for a while before moving to Houston around 1971 to find work. She and her husband, Chuck Todd, both found work in the oil business. After 10 years in the Bayou City, the future city marshal moved to College Station. She and Chuck transferred with their companies to work in the oil business. “I did both secretarial work and also operated a forklift to move pipe,” she said.
continued on page 38
36
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
37
FOCUZ FOCUZ FOCUZ
Marshal Todd
continued from pg 37
with a smile. “I enjoy feeding the cows, watching the hawks, shooting rattlesnakes and listening to coyotes. It’s soothing.”
ing to leave to deal with a family emergency. She returned two years later. “I went on street patrol and I loved it, really loved it,” she said, remembering her rookie time with SPD. It may have taken Todd years to finally get into the law enforcement profession, but her climb up the chain of command was fast.
“I kind of had an interest in law enforcement when in high school but never pursued it. That interest was renewed when I took the job and the department head, Dr. Morgan Robnett, encouraged me to follow that dream. He became my mentor,” Todd said. He was a retired Dallas police officer and in the military reserve.
“In 1993, the department was looking for an investigator and preferred a female who would be better suited to handle cases involving rape or child abuse. Being a woman was a plus in that case – especially with the children who were just more comfortable with a female figure,” she said.
He happened to be a captain in the U.S. Coast Guard and convinced Todd to join that service branch. “I joined the Coast Guard reserve in 1985. I went to boot camp and then moved to the San Antonio area to help my brother – who was retiring from the Air Force – to help him care for his baby girl.”
Todd applied for and got the position with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division or CID. The next year she tested and was promoted to sergeant in CID and two years later in 1996 was elevated to lieutenant in the street patrol.
In 1986, Todd lived in Live Oak and worked at a nursing home during the day and began taking night classes at the law enforcement academy at San Antonio College. “I finally decided to become a peace officer. It was a matter of age; the door of opportunity was closing and I needed to make a choice,” Todd said.
In 2004, Todd was promoted to captain with responsibility for CID and street patrol. She was promoted to assistant chief two years after that.
Both were laid off around the same time and Beverly looked for work at Texas A&M University. “We were just trying to pay bills. Chuck joined the Air Force and I found a job at Texas A&M Law Enforcement Training division. They held law enforcement classes for officers.”
In 1988 Todd became an unpaid reserve officer with the Schertz Police Department and two years later was hired. She served for about six months before hav38
In 14 years she went from rookie to second in command of the Schertz Police Department. “I was the department’s first female investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief. I am proud of that,” she said. In 2008, Todd was again promoted, but
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
this time to the newly created department of Marshal’s Office. By that time the city leaders decided it was more efficient to handle warrants, municipal court security (bailiff), in a separate department and they created the Marshals Office,” she said. Away from the office, Todd likes to work in her garden, read a book and sometimes show her free spirit. “Chuck and I love to ride motorcycles, and there are lots of wonderful places around here to ride,” she said. “I have a 2002 Harley Davidson Trike and while riding motorcycles is a way to relax, there is nothing like going home.” “We have a small, 10-acre farm near New Berlin and when I turn into and go through my blue gates and my dogs greet me, well it’s relaxing. I am home and the stress of the day is gone,” she said
Beverly and Chuck Todd celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Nov. 29 and are planning a big trip next fall. Chuck retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air Force and now works in civil service at Randolph AFB in Air Force Personnel Center. “We love to watch professional bull riding. I dated a bull rider in high school and have liked the sport for many years. I got Chuck interested in it years ago and we go see PBRA (Professional Bull Riders Association) events when we can. We are going to the PBRA championship in Vegas in October. That will be great,” she said. The marshal confessed that she actually rode a bull once. “I was in college, it was a yearling bull, but still really mean, and I only stayed on two seconds before being thrown off,” she recalled with a laugh. “I am a country girl and those are some of the fun things we country girls do,” Marshal Todd said as she turned her attention to her official duties like preparing for municipal court. “People here in Schertz gave me a chance at a wonderful career. I know a lot of people in this town. People who still greet me in stores, restaurants, and other places. I’ve watched their kids grow up and become responsible adults. I feel honored that the residents stop to say hello or ask about me. And I work with some of the best people in the state of Texas. This is a great city and I’m glad I’m part of it.”
BOND UPDATEZ
TROLLBEADS THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1976
Nice difference.
Winterize Special Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready to Start on Cold Winter Mornings Winterize Special Oil Change, Starting/ Charging System Test & 37-Point Inspection
every story has a beadTM
Free local shuttle Free WiFi Locally owned All makes and models Convenient location
Incudes up to 5 qts. synthetic-blend oil (excludes full-synthetic and diesel). Must be presented at time of service. Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 2/28/13.
Mon – Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
205 FM 3009, Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 658-1717 / ChristianBrothersAuto.com
Valentine’s Day eVent at Best FrienDz! Saturday, February 9 Show your love!
Best Friendz
824 Main Street | Schertz,Tx 78154 | 210-231-0403 Open Monday - Friday 10am-6pm | Saturday 10am-5pm
This photo is of the site where the Natatorium will be built.
Natatorium Designers, Take Your Mark By Brittany Losey The initial planning stages of the 2010 bond project for a natatorium have kicked off and will continue until its estimated completion in late 2014.
lanes and two warm-up lanes. A highlight of the design is that its 25 m x 25 yd dimensions lend itself to versatility of use – lanes can be set up in either direction.
“We’ve got the preliminary master plan done, we’ve got the high points anchored, so then it’s just a conversation of what happens in this space,” said Phil Gaudreau, owner’s representative for the project.
“It truly is a competitive facility,” Gaudreau said. “And that’s what the bond package required – that we give the city a competitive facility, and this certainly meets that. It’s going to be a public facility, but there’s going to be opportunity for the school to book times for meets or practice.”
The general plan for the pool has been set, but specific details are still to be determined. The natatorium will be located adjacent to the YMCA near the splash pad area. The facility as currently planned will contain 10 lanes – eight competitive
With this new facility, SCUCISD swimmers will be able to host practices or meets at a home location. However, the natatorium will not contain diving
boards or a diving well due to the soil conditions of the lot. “With the new codes, if we had a diving board, it has to be in the neighborhood of 12 ft deep, and the soil here doesn’t lend itself to that,” Gaudreau said. “It’s much better to have maybe a 6-7 ft pool, which is really fast water, and limit it to that. And that’s within the budget. The deeper you go, the more it costs.” Budgeting and planning issues will continue to be discussed over the next several months. The design process is beginning with the new year and is expected to be completed around May
continued on page 42
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
41
Natatorium continued from pg 41 2013. The construction phase will be much longer and more dependent on external conditions, such as weather. “It’s probably a 14-month construction project,” Gaudreau said. “If we do a January start of design, that will be a May finish. It’s probably a December 2014 completion. Right now we’re working on getting the facility built and then along that pathway, we’ll figure out operational issues.” Some changes will have to be made to accommodate the new facility such as expansion for parking, though these changes are yet to be determined.
The natatorium’s location near the YMCA offers a chance for a potential partnership between the two entities, though it has not been decided whether or not a YMCA membership will include pool access. “I think we’re going to look at operation in conjunction with the Y,” Gaudreau said. “That hasn’t been decided. But I think they certainly have the aquatic management experience that we would be looking for.” The natatorium is one of several approved bond projects that are currently in the pro-
cess of design and construction, along with the new animal services facility and the second generation Schertz Playscape. The natatorium will take the place of the original Playscape while the new Playscape shifts to the area
between the Schertz Public Library and the Schertz Family YMCA (facing Elbel Rd.). The proximity of the Playscape to the natatorium will potentially create a recreational hotspot similar to the area near the city’s municipal complex where the new animal services facility and skate park will be located.
“It truly should be a unique facility,” Gaudreau said.
“It’s going to be really nice.”
Civi cn ewz January 2013
Perez Named SZPD Officer of the Year Arturo Perez received the 2012 Officer of the Year award December 5 during the Schertz Citizens Police Academy Alumni Police Employees Dinner. Perez has been a member of the Schertz Police Department since August 2009 and was selected from nominations submitted by his peers. His achievements include being a member of the SWAT team, Honor Guard, and Bicycle unit. According to Interim Police Chief Mike Harris, Perez has been an instructor in the Citizens Police Academy and is considered to be driven, kind hearted, and hard working. “Officer Arturo Perez is a well deserving recipient of this award,” the Chief said.
42
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
43
Civicn ews
A abo re yo ut u s We adv erio us to rea are yo ertis c u i sal es@ hing thr ticket ng? is sch
ert
are
z.c
a!
om
McDow Named Simonson Award Winner The City of Schertz Steve Simonson Community Service Award was presented to Johnny McDow, a longtime community leader best known for his work with the Buffalo Valley Youth Association, a youth sports group. McDow was named recipient during an awards lunch Monday, December
44
10, in the Schertz Civic Center. He was one of five individuals and one couple nominated. Pictured (from left) are: City Manager John Kessel, McDow (holding the award); fellow nominees Richard Dziewit (represented by wife Melanie), Richard and Debbie Shelton, Mark Davis, Harry Richburg and Jake Jacobs; and City Councilman Cedric Edwards Sr.
The Simonson Community Service Award â&#x20AC;&#x201C; named after the late community volunteer and former assistant city manager Steve Simonson -recognizes people who voluntarily offer their time and talent to improve the community.
Antuna Sworn In as Mayor Pro Tem
Rep. Kuempel Tours Autumn Winds
City Councilman George Antuna Jr. (right) is sworn in as the new Mayor Pro Tem by Mayor Michael Carpenter during the November 27 City Council meeting. Antuna was the Mayor Pro Tem and finishing up a six month term and was selected by council to continue in that position until council names a replacement. The Mayor Pro Tem slot has been rotating among council members for a number of years but voters in November approved a change allowing Council to change the selection process if they desire.
State Rep. John Kuempel (left) visits with Autumn Winds Retirement Lodge resident Agnes Foerster (seated in wheelchair) and Autumn Winds owners Ronnie and Darlene Evans on Monday, December 3. Kuempel, R-Seguin, toured the retirement lodge and discussed possible funding cuts to nursing home care in the state.
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013 schertzmagazine.com
45
Civicn ews
Bowling for Badges Members of the Schertz Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division took part in a “Bowling for Badges” fund raiser Sunday, December 2, at the AMF Country Lanes on San Pedro Ave. The proceeds benefit the Special Olympics athletes. Shown above is the SPD team: from left, Ernest Spradling, Athlete Eddie Garza, Manny Casas and Kelly Kallies. Also bowling but not shown was CID’s Christopher Martinez. The Schertz team took 1st place among law enforcement teams and 2nd place overall.
46
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
Join Us on Saturday, February 2nd at 7:00 PM We will be hosting Christian Apologist Dr. James White as he gives a presentation on
“The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ.” * If you would like to attend please call 210-858-8503 and leave a message (with your name and phone number) letting us know that you are coming, as there will be limited seating.
James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the author of more than twenty books, a professor, an accomplished debater, and an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church.
Civicn ews
On November 15, officials from the City of Schertz, Schertz Chamber of Commerce, Randolph Metrocom Chamber of Commerce, students and teachers along with well wishers were on hand for the ribbon cutting of the Washington Tyrannus School of the Arts. The new school, located at 8410 FM 1518, has 81 students in grades 6 through 12.
48
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
Washington Tyrannus School of the Arts is part of the Schertz-based Shekinah Radiance Academy, an open-enrollment public charter school regulated by the Texas Education Agency. It also has campuses in Live Oak, San Antonio, Dallas, Tomball, Pearland, Garland and West Columbia.
City Calendarz
January 2013 Tuesday, 1
Monday, 21
City Holiday Offices Closed
City Holiday Offices Closed
Thursday, 3
Tuesday, 22
Transportation Safety Advisory Commission 5:30 PM- Council Chambers
Tuesday,8
City Council 6:00 PM—Council Chambers
Wednesday, 9
Planning & Zoning 6:00 PM - Council Chambers
Tuesday, 15
City Council 6:00 PM—Council Chambers
Council Members:
Wednesday, 23
(210) 619-1045 (210) 658-1442 (830) 606-1130 (210) 467-7914 (210) 566-4540
City of Schertz Animal Control Business/Utilities City Manager City Secretary Civic Center Customer Care/311
(210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1550 (210) 619-1100 (210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1030 (210) 619-1600 (210) 619-1000
50
Tuesday, 29
City Council 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Thursday, 24
Economic Development Corporation 6:00 PM Council Chambers
***Meeting locations may change, please visit schertz.com for confirmation.***
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT Subscriptions to Schertz Magazine are free for each Schertz household. Subscriptions for residents and businesses outside the City of Schertz are $19.95 annually. Call 210-619-1630. 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.
Jim Fowler David Scagliola George Antuna, Jr. Cedric Edwards, Sr.
City Departments:
Board of Adjustments 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Planning & Zoning 6:00 PM Council Chambers
#info Michael Carpenter
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board 5:30 PM Bob Andrews Room
City Council 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Schertz.com City of Schertz Elected Officials Mayor:
City Departments: (cont’d) Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com
schertzmagazine.com JANUARY 2013
MARCH 2, 2013
Monday, 28
NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Tales, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 6191630. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Tales, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.
Signs of Love Dog- Friendly Walk Registration information is at visitschertz.com
Proceeds Benefit:
visitschertz.com
Presort standard
US Postage paid
Office of Public Affairs 1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas 78154
Permit #744 San Antonio, TX