May 2013 by City of Schertz

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Sports & Specialty Camps • Summer 2013 SCHERTZ FAMILY YMCA Let your kids join us as we take on summer! Our Sports & Specialty Camps will explore athletics, the arts & more for eight fun filled weeks. Your child will make memories & friends in a world class facility with great staff in an environment that fosters our core values : Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility & Faith! Our camps start with our smallest campers in Kinder Kamp and extends all the way to your choosy tween. At the Y, there is truly something for everyone and every kid, too! All staff is CPR & First Aid Certified. 

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June 10 – August 2 $65 Members/$75 Community April 20 – June 7 Sport & Specialty 9 am – 2pm / Kinder Kamp 9am -12pm SCHERTZ FAMILY YMCA 621 Westchester Drive Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 619-1900 www.ymcasatx.org/schertz

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind & body for all.

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contentz

EDITOR’Z LETTER Chuck McCollough, Editor

When does a community know it has the best of both worlds? When things come full circle and it can appreciate the past and the present together. And so it is with the Schertz Community as it celebrates having a hospital once again. The opening of new Baptist Emergency Hospital on April 17 comes 74 years after the Schertz Community Hospital closed. The historic former hospital building is an icon on Main Street. Go by and read the historic site plaque in front of the building and then our story on the new hospital in this month’s issue. Also check out another story that mixes history and healthcare. Felix and Aida Guerra are renovating the vacant former GVEC building on Schertz Parkway as new home for their business - Schertz Parkway Physical Therapy. Read how the move is expanding the local healthcare sector and making good use of a well known building, just as nearby Arlan’s Market did with the former Handy Andy supermarket building. Next, get ready for a story of adventure as three Schertz-connected folks take on the “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race.” Schertz residents Michael Dey and Jeannette Burris and Schertz Police Detective Mi-

chael McGuire will participate in the Texas Water Safari starting June 8. The grueling 200plus mile trip down rivers to the Gulf of Mexico is a test of mind and body. Speaking of an adventure, flip through the pages of your May magazine for the saga of Paul Miller, a local guy who once did the kind of work you’ve seen on the “Deadliest Catch” reality TV. Try not to get sea sick as the story takes you to the rolling deck of a fishing boat in stormy Alaskan waters. If all that excitement makes you hungry, head to Four Kings restaurant for a scrumptious sandwich or other culinary delight. And ask about the eatery’s name while you are reading the great menu on a giant blackboard. We also have stories with smiles and sunshine. Pictures of BVYA Opening Day will make you laugh and sigh with happiness at the joy spring and baseball came bring to a community. And put on sunglasses when you read how Schertz is going solar more and more. Schertz has always been a sunny place and now its plugging into that bright attribute. All of that and more in the May issue of Your Hometown Magazine.

FEATUREZ Boutique Hospital

DEPARTMENTZ TALK OF THE TOWNZ UPDATEZ

KITCHEN KUDOZ Royal Eating

VISIONZ / CHAMBER

COLUMNZ Leading By Example

Schertz Safari Trio

Run by the Sun

Scariest Catch

Lighting The Way

CIVIC NEWZ UPDATEZ

Calendar

COVER Baptist Emergency Hospital in Schertz

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Jim Fowler Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember George Antuna, Jr. Councilmember Cedric Edwards, Sr. Councilmember Sydney H. Verinder Councilmember

Executive Team John Kessel City Manager John Bierschwale Executive Director David J. Harris Executive Director Brian James Executive Director PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department David J. Harris Interim Director Linda Ervin Business Manager Chuck McCollough Editor Chris Matzenbacher Sales Director Lucille Sims Thomas Copy Editor Brittany Losey Senior Writer Design & Layout Souzamaphone Marketing, LLC alexissouzadesign.com Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Client Affairs Specialist Mary Spence Events Coordinator Contributing Writers Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Kiko Martinez, Ashley Festa, Rudy Arispe, Jim Webb, Stan Leland Contributing Photographers Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Mike Harris, Marc Bane, Bryan Nguyen, Joe Herczeg, Diana Webb, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, Zachary Carter, Ross Dye, Beverly McCollough Stock Photography: fontsandphotos.com

Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. The official publication of the City of Schertz promotes city, community, and business activities associated with the City. ÂŠ 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

MAY 2013

OF THE

Jacquelyn Darby-Dabney with the Kick Butt program and Mayor Pro-Tem Cedric Edwards Sr.

Schertz EMS 2013 Golf Tournament May 19 The 2013 Schertz EMS Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, May 19, at Olympia Hills Golf Course with a 1:00 PM shotgun start. Price is $240 for team of 4 or $60 per person. Deadline to register is May 6th. Proceeds go toward EMS Week activities and community outreach. Additional proceeds go to the Bobbie Dilworth Scholarship Fund. For more information call Amy Sellers or Matt Troncoso at (210) 619-1400

Kick Butt Event Shines Light On Tobacco Use The Guardian Angel Dance Studio, Inc. in association with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids hosted an “It’s Cool to be Tobacco Free” for Kick Butts Day, March 20, 2013, at the new Schertz Playscape. The Flash mob helped raise

awareness about the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke on children, teens, and adults. The Flash Mob is looking for dancers of all ages who would like to participate. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, one in

five Americans still smokes, and about 4,000 kids try their first cigarette each day. For more information on The Flash Mob or Kick Butts Day visit the website at www.kickbutsday.org.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Talk Townz OF THE

Schertz Comic Con Connects Celebs And Fans Hundreds of people from around the region, state and nation flocked to Schertz Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, for the LoneStar Comic Con.

Silla’s work includes Star Wars, Star Trek, Buck Rogers and the Addams Family. Gil’s work includes Spaceballs and Epic Movie.

Schertz hotels were packed with the Comic Con out-of-towners and the Schertz Civic Center parking lot was full as well.

A number of participants got really into the Comic Con spirit by wearing costumes including Robin, Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Joker sidekick Harley Quinn, Marvel Comic’s mercenary Deadpool, a cowboy, vampire and many more.

The first-of-its-kind event for the Schertz Civic Center featured such fan favorites as Claudia Wells (Jennifer Parker – Marty McFly’s girlfriend in Back to the Future), Paris Themman (the little cowboy “Mike Tee Vee” in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), and Jonathon Joss (voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill). Also entertaining the visitors were Little People actors Felix Silla and Arturo Gil. 10

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

Before the LoneStar Comic Con started, event producer Mike Roberts praised the City. “Schertz is a pretty amazing town and the city has really been above and beyond helpful in accommodating with this convention,” Roberts said in a story in Schertz Magazine. He is talent manager for D-Mented Entertainment.

Talk Townz OF THE

Plant and Play Day Makes Playscape Greener Volunteers working during the Plant and Play Day proved “getting dirty to get greener” is a good idea as they help build a ring of flowers around the Schertz Playscape, located next to the Schertz Public Library. The event held Saturday, March 23, brought out dozens of community members and City Officials including Mayor Pro-Tem Cedric Edwards Sr. and City Councilmember Sydney H. Verinder. The Playscape area also welcomed back the Statue of Liberty that used to be at the previous Playscape.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

THERAPY SCHERTZ PARKWAY

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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 7 AM to 7 PM Friday 8 AM to 5 PM (210) 659-0222

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SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

Talk Townz OF THE

Schertz Relocates 12 Trees to Library, Veterans Memorial The City of Schertz has relocated a dozen trees to make way for a future Natatorium. Wednesday through Friday, March 20-22, the City moved nine trees to the area between the Schertz Public Library and the new Schertz Playscape. Three other trees were relocated to the nearby Schertz Veterans Memorial, in front of the Schertz Area Senior Center, which is next to the library on Schertz Parkway.

The Natatorium will be located in the area of the previous Playscape and will be surrounded by the Library, Playscape, Senior Center and the Schertz Recreation Center, which houses the Schertz Family YMCA. City officials said the relocation of the trees provides more shade and tree canopy for the Library/Playscape area and the Schertz Veterans Memorial Plaza.

(Above) Capt. Human, a.k.a. Chris Matzenbacher (or Chris Matz) rides a bicycle Sunday in the 4th biannual Síclovía event held in downtown San Antonio. Chris is Schertz Magazine’s Sales Director and usually drives a sporty car, but traded that in for the two-wheel transportation and a lot of fun at the event.

Schertz Magazine At Komen Event Raeven Walker and Ryan Robinson read the April issue of Schertz Magazine at the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. They were part of a team from All Schertz-Cibolo Physical Therapy which took part in the event on Saturday, April 6, 2013. MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Talk Townz OF THE

BVYA Opening Day Attracts Thousands Norman Rockwell would have loved the Buffalo Valley Youth Association Opening Day Ceremony on Saturday, April 6. The famed painter of iconic American images would have gotten a dozen painting ideas that capture the fun and energy and of a small town celebrating spring and baseball. Of special joy was watching the mischief of the boys and girls in their sparkling baseball and softball uniforms. They were clowning around and laughing as they rode along in a parade from Clemens High School to the ballfields behind the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex. One parade entry featured girls softball team members with fake mustaches while others had boys making the “V” sign behind a team member’s head as cameras clicked. Thousands of players, parents, coaches and others cheered as the Opening Day Ceremony really kicked off when Mayor Michael Carpenter threw out the ceremonial first baseball and softball pitches. After that it was “play ball” and have fun at a nearby fair. Norman would have loved it!

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

Talk Townz OF THE

Easter In The Park Brought Out Kids Of ALL Ages

The Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club’s Easter In the Park event was a fun time for lots of little ones and their parents Saturday, March 30. Hundreds of eggs and dozens of youngsters going after them filled Pickrell Park with a lot of laughter the day before Easter.

It’s a bird? Nah, it’s a plane!

Back in the day movies sometimes showed firefighters (then called firemen) rescuing cats stuck in a tree. Fast forward to today and we find that Schertz Fire Rescue (SFR) rescued a plane stuck in a tree. The RC (Remote Control/Radio Control) model plane got stuck in a tall tree behind the main fire station recently. It took our SFR several tries with ropes and a cooperative wind which loosened the plane to help get it down. The aircraft was returned to its owner.

Battalion Chief Kirk Timke, left, and Fire Chief David Covington hold the rescued RC Plane.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Kitchen Kudoz

Four Kings

Serves Up Sandwiches, Soups, Salads and Sweets Royally By Andrea M. Allinger

SCHERTZ RESIDENT SANDRA Mason has known that she wanted to be a chef since the age of 10 when she took a summer cooking class offered by GVEC that ignited a lifelong passion for preparing food. After a lifetime of dedicated experience in the culinary world, including chef positions at Fresh Horizons, the Marriott, and the Magic Time Machine, Mason was able to make her dream a reality with the opening of Four Kings in Universal City in 2011 . Mason’s husband, Mark, had recently been laid off from his company, and the couple decided that it was the right time to jump into the restaurant business. Using money from their 401(k), the couple started what they thought would be a small venture. Mason enjoys working with her husband because she said she “had to have someone [she] could trust... he has exceeded,” with his daily baking of all breads used in the sandwiches. Two years later, Four Kings has grown into Universal City’s best kept secret. With only word of mouth marketing, Mason said she and her husband are still shocked at the following they’ve elicited. Four Kings offers what Mason says with a laugh are the four important categories of eating: soups, sandwiches, salads, and sweets, in the humble sandwich shop off Universal City Boulevard. When asked about her patrons, Mason said, “they are people we have come to love as a family — everyone that comes in here makes us want to take care of them.”

necessary to avoid developmental delays. Loren’s insurance would not cover the hearing aid, so her parents were faced with the tough decision of choosing between the pump and the hearing aid. After the Four Kings’ customers heard this story, they began a fundraising effort for “Loren the Brave,” raising over $2,000 in donations for the Masons’ granddaughter. Mason said she was “blown away by the kindness and generosity” of the Four Kings patrons in this effort. All of the sandwiches are tried and true combinations that Mason has painstakingly devised. Four Kings roasts their own meats and uses a German trained butcher. With a recent expansion of 1,500 square feet, the restaurant is now able to sell many of their goods for personal use including breads, meats, and salad dressings used in the sandwiches and salads, as well as their desserts. Four Kings always uses the freshest produce directly from Straight From the Crate, the Universal City based indoors farmers market that provides farm fresh produce daily to individuals. Paired with fresh produce, lunchtime favorites are mouthwatering and specials are posted daily on Four Kings’ Facebook page. Mason said the local favorite is the Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese five spice pork on a baguette, complete with homemade mayo, carrot slaw, julienne jalapeños, cucumber, and cilantro. The dessert case boasts a variety of cheesecakes and

is topped proudly with the thickest, richest brownies in Texas — corner and middle pieces. Open from 10:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, the menu consists of only lunch — which does not seem to hinder the patrons. As the sandwiches are made to order, the turnaround from ordering to serving is short — perfect for onthe-go customers. On Saturdays, Four Kings is open from 9:30 am to 4 pm and offers brunch items including cinnamon rolls, kolaches, and the unique fruit and cheese braids — cream cheese braided into a homemade pastry and topped with seasonally fresh fruit such as cherries or apples. With a booming business and recent expansion, Mason explains that her job “is a passion, not just a job, it is not just what we do, it is who we are.” She hopes to be able to hold cooking classes for children in the future to inspire children and teach them how to eat well and prepare their own food. The Masons often spend time with their granddaughters in the kitchen, hoping that Four Kings will be leaving them “a legacy, something they will always remember, being in the kitchen and laughing and learning how to take care of themselves.” Four Kings is located at 2047 Universal City Blvd., off Pat Booker Road, in Universal City. Specials and hours are kept up to date on their Facebook page. (210) 6876649

Sandra Mason and husband Mark, in Four Kings Restaurant

The Four Kings “family” has done their part to take care of the Masons in return. After their 5-yearold granddaughter Loren was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, she began wearing an insulin pump to avoid up to eight shots a day. However, due to severe hearing loss in one of her ears, a hearing aid was MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

The Taste: Iron Chef Throw Down – Winners: Houlihan’s (Iron Chef), Abel’s Diner (Soup & People’s Choice), Simply Charming (Cake), Clemens Culinary Club (Quesadillas and salsa).

MAY

CHAMBER EVENTS May 8th Grand Re-Opening

Beyond Cake @ 5:30pm 17323 IH 35 South, Suite 108

May 16th Schertz Shoot Out

@ Schertz Civic Center from 5:30 – 7:30pm hosted by Air Force Credit Union

May 21st Chamber Luncheon @ Schertz Civic Center @11:30am – 1pm.

May 22nd Biz Ed

7:30am – 9am at GVEC, free breakfast hosted by Broadway Bank. Free to Chamber members, Non Members $10.

May 22nd Chamber Luncheon

@ RE/MAX Corridor – 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Please see our lunch policy online at schertzchamber.org.

Schertz Chamber Toastmasters Club

Every Monday. Open to all - contact David Smith at 210-551-7656 for more information.

HELP US “BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW”

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ IN YOUR SCHERTZ CHAMBER?

OPEN AUDITION NIGHTS @Schertz YMCA: April 6th @ 2 p.m. June 29th @ 2 p.m. May 4th @ 2 p.m. July 13th @ 2 p.m. June 15th @ 2 p.m. July 27th @ 2 p.m.

Host:

GRAND FINALE: Date & Time TBA. Please go to www.facebook.com/SchertzIdol for updates. AGES: 10-20 ONLY

A portion of the proceeds benefits Y Partners.

Download Registration Form

Grand Prize winner sings at a spotlight Public Event! Registration fee is $20. Fill out registration at www.schertzchamber.org. Please make checks payable to Schertz Chamber of Commerce & registration may be dropped off or mailed to the Schertz Chamber of Commerce at 1730 Schertz Parkway Schertz, TX 78154.

PICTURES FROM THIS YEAR’S TASTE OF TOWN

The Taste of the Town draws a good crowd..

The Lerma family enjoys The Taste.

FEATUREZ

Baptist Emergency Hospital Opens New Era in Schertz By Lucille Simes Thomas THE VERY BUSY INTERstate 35 corridor through Schertz just got a medical shot in the arm when Baptist Health System (BHS) opened the last of five emergency hospitals in the San Antonio area.

Adolfo Carrasco, chief executive officer of Baptist Emergency Hospital, said Schertz is a very important location for BHS because, as the San Antonio area has continued to grow, so has the time and distance between emergency care for local residents. “That IH-35 corridor can get very busy and so by putting a facility in Schertz has improved the time and access to emergency medicine should the patients need that level of care,” Carrasco said. The level of care is what distinguishes Baptist Emergency Hospitals from the numerous urgent care centers around the area. The new hospital in Schertz is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It has seven beds and eight in-patient beds that can be used for situations in which a doctor needs to admit a patient. “We are an emergency hospital so we’re a little different from your urgent care facility, and the differences I would

say are our facilities will have emergency room doctors. We also have diagnostic capabilities such as X-ray and ultrasound. And of course the inpatient wing or unit is one of the things that would make us different from the urgent care facilities — they’re huge,” the CEO said. Carrasco said Baptist Emergency Hospital accepts most insurance plans and will work with the patient if their insurance plan is not accepted. Baptist Health System’s partner, Emerus, has emergency hospitals in Dallas, Houston and Austin and at this time is only in Texas. They opened the first of their five local hospitals on Dec. 9, 2011 at 16088 San Pedro Avenue in North Central San Antonio. So far the other San Antonio hospitals are all on the north side of San Antonio since the company said that is where their research showed there was a need. The other locations are: 8230 N. 1604 W, San Antonio, 78249; 10811 Town Center continued on page 22

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

when people have an emergency it’s never comfortable, it’s never something that happens on schedule — they just tend to happen. When they happen what we like to do is focus on the patient and make sure their experience while they’re with us is going to be one that’s memorable in the sense of how we help,” Carrasco said. City of Schertz officials said the new hospital is a game changer.

Baptist Emergency Hospital continued from pg 21

Drive, San Antonio, 78251; and 25622 N U.S. Highway 281, San Antonio, 78258. The Baptist Emergency Hospital in Schertz is a 40,000-square-foot facility with half of the space being used for the emergency room and in-patient unit and the other half set aside for medical office space. Doctors can open offices there and create what will be considered a “healthplex” with patients able to get primary care, specialty care and emergency care all in the same facility. The hospital brings 35 new 22

jobs to the City of Schertz and, combined with the four other new emergency hospitals, the total number of jobs brought to the San Antonio area is more than 200. In terms of cost to the patient, Carrasco said that the emergency hospital will be more expensive than urgent care facilities. He said people need to check their insurance cards to see what their co-pay is for ERs. “But there is a difference. The emergency room is going to be more expensive because of the type of service - type

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

of testing that’s done and so that’s generally normal in terms of ERs. We also have our own lab on site. Between the diagnostic imaging and the lab services, it really provides patients with an opportunity to get diagnosed immediately when patients need answers now,” he said. Carrasco stressed that both models (urgent care and ERs) have a role to play in patient care. If the urgent care facility is closed when a person needs emergency care, the Baptist Emergency Hospitals are an option that can handle lowerlevel illnesses and something that is life threatening. One of the most attractive goals of Baptist Emergency Hospital is a 15-minute wait time for all patients. According to Carrasco, the emergency hospitals that already have opened in the area are meeting that 15-minute goal. “Outside of what we do, our delivery of care is what makes us unique. We know that

The opening of Baptist Emergency Hospital in Schertz on April 17 is a great example of the City’s ongoing strategy to build a more diverse economy – especially a burgeoning healthcare sector, said City Manager John Kessel. “Our strategic plan in 2011 identified -under the category ‘Opportunities’ - doing several things to grow our healthcare sector,” he said.

Those included: • Developing a critical mass of medical offices. • Capitalize on the growing concentration of healthcare practitioners. • Attracting a “Boutique” Hospital. A boutique hospital is generally described as a specialized, smaller facility offering more personalized service in an upscale setting - including elegant interior decor - and with a shorter stay than a regular, larger hospital. Kessel said the City of Schertz and the Schertz Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) worked especially hard on getting the hospital. A strong tool in that effort was then-SEDC Chairman Harry Whitney, a retired hospital administrator who brought valuable experience to the effort. The City Manager said a good opportunity to get the hos-

pital came in fall 2011 when the City of Schertz and SEDC met with the Baptist Health System and the operator company of its emergency hospitals – Emerus. “We asked what their needs were in this market and told them what we would like to see here. Both sides could see it was a good fit to have a 24/7 emergency hospital here,” Kessel said. The Schertz hospital will offer many advantages including a closer facility to local patients and their families, top quality care and customer service and a crown jewel healthcare facility that will attract more healthcare providers to the Schertz region, Kessel said. Mayor Michael Carpenter said the opening of the Baptist Emergency Hospital is historic. “The old Schertz Community Hospital on Main Street served this area many years ago (from 1917 to 1939) and we have been without a hospital until now,” Carpenter said, the Schertz City Council took up the idea of trying to get a hospital in the 1980s “but it wasn’t yet the right time.” With the City’s astonishing growth in physical size, population and diversity of economy in the past decade, Council members and city staff said the need for a growing healthcare sector -- including a hospital -- became obvious. And so council set a goal of getting that “boutique hospital” and two years later Baptist Emergency Hospital in Schertz opened its doors to a welcoming community.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Who will be crowned?

FEATUREZ

Join the City for the

2013- 2014

Sweetheart Court Pageant Thursday, May 2, 2013 5:45 PM Doors Open/Light Dinner 7:00 PM Pageant

Schertz Civic Center Ballroom

Tickets $10.00 at Public Affairs Office 210.619.1630

Clemens Club Improving Environment For All By Jessalyn Castro Clemens High School Student Writer STUDENTS FOR A PEACEFUL SOCIETY RECENTLY joined together at Clemens High School in an effort to build a better environment for their community. “We are dedicated to improving not only our society at Clemens but in the community with the idea that small acts of kindness and service can improve the world and ultimately ourselves,” Matthew Ramirez, sponsor of Students for a Peaceful Society, said. “Part of

this philosophy is protecting and nurturing the environment.” The environment being particularly important to them, they do their best to help improve it every chance they get.

FEATUREZ

Every year Seguin has a festival celebrating Earth Day and Students for a Peaceful Society are always involved. “We have “Earth days” where we pick up trash and clean up a ton of parks,” secretary Kean Martinic said. Schertz’ Pickrell Park is one of the main focuses for them since it’s the central park for the community. “We plan to have a potluck picnic at the park,” vice president Chyanne Biondo said. “We are going to pick up the trash at the park before we eat and do fun activities.” Along with cleaning up parks around the community, they also help in local gardens. “Currently, we are planning our environmental service for the coming months where our plan is to spend time outside of school improving the community garden here in Schertz,” Ramirez said. “The group will meet together and spend the day gardening and eventually taking care of the garden and additionally, for Earth Day, we are planning to participate in Seguin’s Earth Day festival.” “The officers a few years back hosted a booth there where passersby could paint rocks,” treasurer Joshua Camarena said. “That might not sound like much, but it made whoever participated very happy.” Other future plans for the group include a project they call “Change for Change” where they will collect donations from the faculty and the student body at Clemens. “With the contributions we receive we plan on buying trees and planting them in local parks and other community locations,” Camarena said.

Acts taken by each member of the club don’t just go as far as cleaning up parks and planting trees. According to Lexi Lamberts, president of Students for a Peaceful Society, “Our mission statement is bringing students together in the spirit of peace to better ourselves, our school, and our community as a whole.” Establishing peace in the society is their ultimate goal. “We strive to eliminate discrimination and any movements that do not support equality,” Martinic said. Giving back to the community is one way they find that they can help and believe will benefit not only themselves but also the people around them. “We are all about getting involved in the community in any way we can,” Biondo said. “By doing helpful things for strangers, and even something as little as giving out compliments, we do as much as possible to attempt to make the world a better place.” The officers of the club see this as a big part of their life. The society they live in is important to them and they know that in order to keep it at peace, it starts with them.

Clemens Club students are working to make a better world.

“My personal goal in being a part of this club is to inspire new youth to be involved with the environment and simply get them to respect one person to another no matter whom they are or what they believe in,” Camarena said. “After all, I am not just a member of a school club, I am a student for a peaceful society.”

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

FEATUREZ

Schertz Trio Taking On Texas Water Safari By Brittany Losey This spring, Schertz will be well represented in one of the biggest tests of endurance water has to offer – the Texas Water Safari, aka “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race.” ON JUNE 8, PARTICIPANTS IN THE EVENT will take their teams and their boats to Aquarena Springs in San Marcos. From there, they will travel through rivers and bays until they reach the Gulf of Mexico, covering 260 miles.

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

Teams ranging from one to six people work to push through a variety of obstacles in water and on land as they race to the finish. Participants come in a variety of ages – the minimum age to be part of a team event is 13. However,

FEATUREZ many people take several attempts and years of training to even complete this event. The Schertz trio is: residents Michael Dey and Jeannette Burris and Schertz Police Detective Michael “Mac” McGuire. They train together when possible and support each other, but will compete as individuals. They follow a Schertz tradition of participation in the Texas Water Safari (TWS), an event that started in the early 1960s. Retired Schertz City Attorney Michael Spain twice completed the grueling adventure once in the 1980s and once in the 1990s.

Four-year veteran McGuire knows the intricacies of the event and has found great success, but not without setbacks – in his first water safari, he was disqualified at Mile 145 for not making it to his next check point in time. “The first year, I didn’t have a clue how long it would take to do a certain distance, and I scheduled a sleep stop the first night,” McGuire said.

The adjustment is an adaptation to the severe effects of dehydration and malnutrition that have resulted from the race. There was a death last year from one participant’s inability to replenish and absorb electrolytes. Burris will be in the race again this year after she had to stop after 150 miles and be hospitalized in 2012. This year, she knows exactly what changes to make to power through the race. Participants in the TWS have to watch out for other canoes and handle small waterfalls.

Dey said he got interested in the TWS after comparing war stories with an acquaintance. “In 2009, I had just completed the Colorado River 100 in a sit-on fishing kayak and was talking about it with one of our (business) customers. For every lame story I shared about my experience, he had three more interesting stories from the Safari,” Dey said, adding the storyteller has been his mentor for the TWS since late 2011. “I have been looking for a lifetime sport for a while. Having played soccer through college, then semi-competitive volleyball, I have always enjoyed competition. As I got older and the body starting slowing down, I was basically left with golf as my only choice. Right now I’m all about personal improvement and making new friendships. There are some incredible people in this sport that treat strangers like family and are always willing to help the newbies,” Dey said. “The progression for Safari boats in order of difficulty roughly goes: Novice Aluminum Canoe, Solo Unlimited (boats designed for Safari-style racing, with rudder), then USCA C1 (spec boats with no rudder). I’m attempting Solo Unlimited this year and then have at least one more challenge with C1. I would also like to Team Captain for a future race. It is very humbling to consider the sacrifices that these people make to support their racers,” he said.

There are 26 checkpoints along the route that must be reached within certain time limits. The entire race must be completed in 100 hours, leaving little time for rest or meals. Most people get a few hours of rest along the way, but certainly not a full night’s sleep. Prior to this year, all food for the race had to be provided and carried by the team in the boat, which added significant weight. This year, however, food can be distributed by team captains at checkpoints. “I actually dislike the rule because it takes away from the spirit of the original intent of the race,” McGuire said. “By making the change in the rule, people don’t have to do the same preparations, and are not truly required to be as self sufficient, which conflicts with the tradition and history of the Safari.”

“It was a simple matter of nutrition – I didn’t get enough carbs,” Burris said. “This year, nutrition will be handled a little differently. Last year, we were a three-man team, we hadn’t stopped. It was 35 hours of paddling through the day and through the night. It was my first time doing it and I didn’t carry the food that worked for me.” The rest of her team was able to finish the race, but not being with them was tough for Burris. “My DNF – did not finish – was the most devastating thing I’ve had to deal with,” Burris said. “It’s not something I ever want to undergo again. I can’t be sitting at home watching all my friends go down the river again.” continued on page 29

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

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Mike Dey, left, Jeannette Burris and Mac McGuire train together.

FEATUREZ

Schertz Trio continued from pg 27

Aside from nutrition considerations, Burris and her counterparts have been training hard for the event. Burris and her teammates will paddle 30 miles each day on weekends. McGuire does what he can as his schedule as a Schertz police officer makes it difficult to schedule time with a group, but when possible, he travels part of the route from San Marcos to Luling. Though they train with and without friends, McGuire and Burris will both be completing the race solo this year. “I will be the oldest solo women’s finisher this year,” Burris said. “It will be great to cross that finish line.” One of the toughest parts about going solo is less manpower to paddle and no help in facing the course’s many challenges. “I paddle solo every year,” McGuire said. “The big downfall of the solo, is that it is all on you. If you get into trouble, you have to rely on yourself to get out. If you are not paddling, no one is.” Last year, McGuire encountered some unexpected visitors to his single-man boat. “An alligator tried to get in the boat with me,” McGuire said. “I whacked it with a paddle blade. Most dive down underwater because they’re usually just as afraid of you as you are them, but this was a younger one, about eight feet long.

“Later the same morning, I decided I needed to paddle faster. Then I almost ran into a really big one, about 12-13 feet, way on the large side. My bow came an inch or two from hitting him in the head. Made him spit out his breakfast.” Alligators are one of many obstacles participants face. Logjams, not working with the current, and other natural circumstances can set paddlers back. “There’s a logjam at least a mile long near the coast,” McGuire said. “Then people sometimes get lost in Alligator Lake. We’ve seen people on our GPS zig-zag all over the screen. There’s a whole lot that goes into this, you’ve got to read the river, read the currents and use them to your advantage. How you handle all of these variables, could either gain you or cost you several hours worth of time.”

To get to that point takes much more than just self-motivation. McGuire suggests that anyone seriously considering the Texas Water Safari gets to know the community. “My biggest piece of advice is use the people who are in the paddling community to get advice and then get out there and learn the course and learn yourself,” McGuire said. “It’s a great course, it’s a great event. It’s a huge personal challenge, a lot of people who try it and don’t finish. Take the time to learn about the race. It was much more than I thought it would be. It ended up being a lot more than that.” McGuire navigates rapids on training session.

To participate in a race like the Texas Water Safari takes an expert paddler and endless endurance. To some, the feat may sound insurmountable, but to those who have completed the event, this is one of their greatest accomplishments. “One of the quotes that a veteran told me is ‘not a fun race to do, but it’s a hell of fun race to finish,’” McGuire said. “You’re tired, everything hurts. When you finish, that sense of accomplishment makes all the blood, sweat, and tears from the training and the race worth it.”

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

FEATUREZ

Solar Use Surging in Schertz By Brittany Losey

AS ENVIRONMENTAL concerns grow larger, the use of solar energy has boomed nationwide, and Schertz is no exception. “The technology has been around for 50-60 years, but Schertz is just now starting to get some momentum in the past 18 months,” Don Dickey of Advanced Solar Electric said. “It’s just always been reserved for a few because it was so expensive.” This is no longer the case. In just a few short years, Schertz and the surrounding areas have seen a major rise in the use of this clean energy. Solar panels have been utilized at the Schertz Public Library and in the construction of new residential and commercial properties such as Merritt Lakeside 30

Senior Village, Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary, and several businesses in the Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza.

tinuously since late December 2010,” Schaezler said. “The monitoring system on site was upgraded in January 2013.”

about the quality of energy or the cost of installation, experience shows no need for these concerns.

The shift to more widespread use of the technology happened when equipment costs were cut.

“We’re saving about $80 a month off our bill,” said Schertz homeowner Kelly Smith, who has had solar panels for over a year.

“We have two large AC units and a pool we run,” Smith said. “We’ve had no drawbacks, none at all.”

“The cost of equipment has come down drastically,” Dickey said. “What happened is we hit a supply and demand curve in the last five years. The cost of equipment is less than half what it was a year and a half ago, which is a major factor. Plus, electricity keeps going up.”

While some have reservations

Additionally, any initial costs as-

Dickey cites three main reasons for the rise in residential use of solar energy: personal savings, added value to the home, and positive environmental effects. “The system has operated con-

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

(Above) Solar panels on top of a Schertz medical office building.. (Below) Officials in front of giant solar panels at Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary.

sociated with the switch to solar energy will be paid off quickly. “When a system is going to pay for itself in 3 or 4 years, it’s foolish not to do it,” Dickey said. “You’re going to spend that money whether you like it or not. When the breakeven is that low, there’s a lot of motivation to buy.” Panels are very durable and are made to last around 25 years. They are unlikely to be broken by hail or other elements as they are made of tempered glass. Typically, the equipment can withstand up to 90 mph winds, which is more than sturdy enough for the area (special installations are done in high wind areas to make the panels stronger). While the process of getting permits may take a few weeks, a typical project will only take one or two days to install. Other incentives to go solar include rebates and tax credits. GVEC will pay a rebate of up to $8,000 and CPS will pay up to $25,000. “Tax credit is good through 2016; rebates tend to change every year,” Dickey said. “They typically go down every year.” Often, people assume that these advantages hurt other homeowners, but Dickey assures that this is not the case. “When people think of the incentive money, they think that leads to higher rates for everyone, and that’s completely untrue,” Dickey said. Other misgivings about solar energy are still prominent. “It’s been labeled a subsidy for the rich, which could not be further from the truth,” Dickey said. “The average home value with solar energy is $135,000.”

While solar energy provides benefits for homeowners, it also promotes the larger community. Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary is a great full-circle example of nature conservation at work. Owned and operated by Don and Susan Schaezler, this wildlife preserve hosts over 280 bird species, as well as a variety of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals – and their energy needs have been served by solar power since 2010. “We decided to install this system to be good citizens and to help with environmental conservation, while receiving a reasonable payback on our investment aided by a low-interest loan,” Don Schaezler said. The Warbler Woods system was designed and installed by Solar Community LLC and they are part of the service grid of GVEC. The system is a 4.32 KW system with 24 panels rated at 180 watts each. Anticipated energy production for the system was set at 6,200 KWH per year; it has produced about 14,000 KWH of AC electricity in 26 months, just exceeding initial expectations. “The system has operated continuously since late December 2010,” Schaezler said. “The monitoring system on site was upgraded in January 2013.” The system for the Warbler Woods cost about $26,000; this was covered by the $8,000 rebate from GVEC, $15,000 from a special solar loan from San Antonio Federal Credit Union (SACU), and $5,000 from federal tax credits. Solar energy has hit Schertz hard in a number of different ways, and there’s no question why.

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PROFILEZ

SPPT staff members include from left: Carla Nichols, Dr. Felix Guerra, Aida Guerra, Dani Hoffmann and Karina Rodriguez.

SPPT Rehabs GVEC Building Into New Home By Andrea M. Allinger

DR.

FELIX

GUERRA’S

business is healing, a passion he’s had since a high school sports injury introduced him to the benefits of physical therapy. After graduating high school, Dr. Guerra completed his university education throughout the region, at Palo Alto College, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and finally at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, eventually gaining a doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Guerra enjoys his job because of “the opportunity to work with patients, whatever ailment they come in with. . .the ability to help them out

and achieve their goals--it is just as rewarding as the first day I started,” he said.

he held true when he moved his family back into the area nine years ago.

After 14 years in the field, Dr. Guerra’s Schertz Parkway Physical Therapy is set to become the Schertz-Cibolo area’s first physical therapy clinic in a freestanding building with their expansion into the former GVEC building on Schertz Parkway and Curtiss Avenue this summer.

After a drive down scenic Schertz Parkway, where several families were walking, Dr. Guerra and his wife, Aida, “thought it would be a good place to relocate to.” The family has not been disappointed, with two children in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - Andrew, 10, and Samantha, 12 - Dr. Guerra boasts, “the teachers have done a great job with both kids, from kindergarten to the present.”

An Elmendorf, Texas, native, Dr. Guerra grew up with Schertz ringing in his ears. He laughs, “I remember my dad always saying that Schertz had a really good police department--that it was really safe,” a sentiment that

With family as a focal point for his business, Dr. Guerra made the decision to employ

his wife six years ago, giving her what she called “the best of both worlds, being able to work with [her husband] and having time for the children, simply because [she] always felt it was important to spend time with the kids.” Dr. Guerra commented that his wife, Aida, “is the only person that could be with me when we are working and when we’re not. She is the only person in this world who could handle that.” The Guerras have plans to keep the clinic in the family, as Dr. Guerra points out, “the kids already have dibs on the business,” as both children are interested in physical therapy. continued on page 34

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

FEATUREZ

SPPT continued from pg 27

Not only does Dr. Guerra have his family involved in the business, but he feels like “the patients pick up on the family atmosphere. We live in Schertz and will see many patients out in the community.” Many former patients refer family and friends; word of mouth advertising that Dr. Guerra says is “the biggest compliment.” After a booming six years of serving Schertz with physical therapy, Dr. Guerra felt it was the right time to expand into the former GVEC building. Extensive renovations to the 3,100 square foot building are set to wrap up this summer and include a large gym area with two large windows facing the charming sights of Schertz Parkway and a number of private rooms for clients to get back into shape. The opening of the Baptist Emergency Hospital in April and the Schertz Parkway Physical Therapy expansion are two examples of the growing healthcare sector in Schertz and the area. Dr. Guerra stresses to residents the importance of having local choices for health care because, “it is all about what is best for the patient.” With more specialists in the area, healthcare growth can continue, which Dr. Guerra predicts will lead Schertz into a “medical center” such as Stone Oak or Westover Hills. Look for the newly renovated, Schertz Parkway Physical Therapy on Schertz Parkway and Curtiss Avenue this summer. For more information call SPPT at (210) 659-0222 or visit their current location at 1420 Schertz Parkway Suite 100. Visit thier website at www.schertzparkwaypt.com. 34

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

FEATUREZ

Local Man Once Worked in Deadliest Catch Industry By Stan Leland

WATCHING THE TV

program Deadliest Catch for most lower 48 (states) viewers creates a sense of amazement at such a demanding and dangerous job.

Paul Miller spent about two months as a crew member on the fishing boat Amatulie. In 1992 he had just graduated from college and was looking for work in his home town of Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene, Idaho.

For a Cibolo man, the program brings back memories of his days as a deckhand on the Bering Sea.

Trident Seafood, a fish processing company, set up a recruiting table at the local

employment agency and convinced Miller to come work in the processing plant in Alaska. After about 9 months of cleaning crabs Miller decided to try his hand at crab fishing. A high school friend was a crew member of the Amatulie, based in Dutch Harbor, and he helped Miller get hired as

a deckhand. He was put to work getting the boat ready for the crab fishing season. It took 6 weeks to clean, repair and paint the boat. Also during this time several fishing trips were made to catch bait. These bait fish were then ground up into paste and continued on page 36

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

FEATUREZ

placed in perforated quart-sized plastic bottles that were frozen and stored for the upcoming season. Miller’s job was to bait the crab pots for the 60-hour long Blue Crab season. The Blue Crab is a slightly smaller relative of the King Crab seen on the popular “The Deadliest Catch” show. The season was literally 60 hours long. The boats would arrive at the fishing grounds and when the start time arrived the crews fished continuously for 60 hours (two and a half days) It was a race to see how many crabs could be put in the ship’s hold in that length of time. The crab traps or “pots” as the crew called them were large steel cages 8’ by 8’ and 2’ to 3’ high. One end opened to allow the crabs to be dumped out. When the cage was emptied of crabs, Miller’s job was to quickly climb into the pot, replace the bait container in the center and then get out as quickly as possible. “More than once my head had just cleared the gate when the door was slammed shut,” he said. The captain of the boat would deploy a string of pots 15 to 20 at a time. The cage was allowed to sink freely into the water and was marked by a very visible buoy. Once the string was deployed, the boat would move to another spot usually 20 to 30 minutes away. During that time men who had no immediate duties would rush to their bunks to try and get a few minutes sleep. The pots were set out in a huge circular pattern. When the last pot was deployed, the boat headed for the first pot to begin the harvest process. The goal was to unload and reset the traps as many times a possible before the 60 hours were up. According to U.S. Labor Dept. statistics, the shortness of the season, the weather and the 24/7 pace makes crab fishing the most dangerous job in the country.

Local Man Once Worked in Deadliest Catch Industry

36 36

When the boat reached the first set of pots a crew member with a grappling line would snare the buoy and attach the pot’s line to a winch that would bring it out of the water. A crane would then swing the pot over the hatch to the ship’s hold. The crabs were dumped and then Miller scrambled in to replace the bait container. Once clear, the pot was closed and swung back over the water and dropped. In the meantime, the man with the grappling hook would have already snared the next pot. The length of time from snare to release was 3 to 5 minutes.

continued

“The deck was a dangerous place during the harvesting and resetting of the pots. You had to be alert at all times,” Miller said.

from pg 35

The pots weighed up to 800 pounds and on the deck of a moving ship they were always dangerous. Miller saw a crewman get his hand caught between the pot and the ship – lacerating

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

him badly. The captain examined the wound and decided to stop fishing and take the man to a large floating processor ship nearby to get medical attention. “This took about 2 hours away from our fishing time but the captain wanted to make sure his crewman was cared for,” Miller said appreciatively. As the boat traveled between sets of pots, Miller had to bring up more bait containers, fill the empty ones and perform any other duties needed before the next pots came on board. If Miller was not needed for anything he could try to eat or catch a little sleep. Sometimes while sitting in the galley looking out the porthole, a wave would sweep over the boat so that he was actually looking underwater out the porthole! On the return trip to Dutch Harbor, Miller was asked to secure a loose piece of equipment on the bow of the boat. It was nighttime and the deck was full of stacked crab pots. The only way

to get by them was to stand on the guardrail of the boat and hold the wire pots and “tightrope” to the bow. The captain sent along another crew member so that help was near if needed. As Miller balanced precariously on the rail of the ship while it plowed into huge waves, he realized that this kind of work was not his preferred career choice. Shortly before that, Miller and his high school buddy had received news that another friend had been on a boat that had disappeared without a trace. After the end of the season Miller stayed on for about a week to help prepare the boat for the next crabbing season. The crew for that particular trip had already been established so he was not needed. “If a position had been open, I might have been tempted to try fishing again. But I have no regrets for walking away. I might very well be alive today because I didn’t sign on again. It was truly a unique and challenging experience,” Miller said.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

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FEATUREZ

Lighthouse Spotlights the Human Spirit By Kari Bridges Being visually impaired or blind can affect anyone no matter their age, nationality or gender. Early warning signs are not always present and the reason for vision loss can be as unique as the individuals themselves. THERE ARE MANY CAUSES of low vision and blindness including genetic conditions, accidents, eye diseases and health conditions. In the United States, most vision impairments are caused by agerelated conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. For almost 80 years the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) has been a constant presence offering the 50,000 visually impaired and blind individuals living in San Antonio the tools they need to build a better life each year. Every day SALB makes a difference in people’s lives through employment and sale of products through their military base service centers (BSCs), as well as their rehabilitation programs and employment opportunities in their manufacturing plant. The Randolph Air Force Base BSC has been serving the Schertz Community for the past 14 years by creating opportunities for disabled veterans, Wounded Warriors and the blind/visually impaired through employment oppor-

tunities. Housed adjacent to the flight line in a converted aircraft hangar, the Randolph BSC is able to supply the entire base with products that support their mission. “We support veteran-owned businesses located outside the Randolph base gates by allowing them to present their products to us through sales in the Base Service Store,” said Terry Braddock, SALB director of sales/military liaison. SALB has established and maintains 14 different BSCs located on different military installations in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. These centers serve all of the military’s complete needs offering over 60,000 individual products ranging from janitorial products, office supplies proudly bearing the Skilcraft logo, computers, furniture, uniforms and boots. Either base civilian agency members or military members who have obtained a government purchase card are authorized to make purchases in these stores. In addition to selling to the military, all of SALB office

supplies, including furniture and computers, can be purchased by residents and businesses. All products are competitively priced with other office supply companies and can be delivered to your door with free, next-day service. Customers can access the e-commerce store at www. salighthouse.org/store – where every purchase makes a difference and goes toward providing jobs for the blind. “The Lighthouse is about providing high quality, independent lives to anyone who is blind or severely visually impaired. Everyone deserves the chance to be a contributing member of our community – and the Lighthouse makes that a reality,” said Mike Gilliam, president of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. SALB is one of 90 Lighthouses for the Blind across the United States, although they are all operated independently with their own boards. As the third largest Lighthouse, it employs approximately 500 people, of which 250 are certified blind/legally blind by continued on page 42

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Lighthouse continued

Maintained by their rehabilitation department, customers can find an assortment of helpful items such as magnifiers, talking watches, clocks, thermometers, calculators, Braille items and folding white canes. They also carry large print items including clocks, telephones and remote controls. The store is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

independent living. These programs include: Basic Life Skills, Technology Evaluation and Training, Assistive Computer Technology, School of Business, Job Readiness and Placement, Career Guidance, Vocational Support & Counseling, High School to Work Program and scholarship opportunities to help obtain a college education.

a licensed ophthalmologist. These employees make their own daily travel arrangements to and from work, work a regular 40 hour week and receive competitive pay, medical/dental and retirement benefits.

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision,” said Vince Boyd, director of rehabilitation, quoting Stevie Wonder – the famous blind singer and entertainer.

Inside the walls of their main building, located at 2305 Roosevelt Avenue, you will find a unique, one-of-a-kind Low Vision Store to the South Texas area.

In addition to providing community awareness and resources/ information, the SALB Rehabilitation Center provides one-on-one or group instruction in vocational training, technology training and

The Vision Rehabilitation Center is home to their Low Vision Clinic Services. SALB has partnered with the University of Incarnate Word - Rosenberg School of Optometry to provide advanced services and eye exams at their convenient on-site location. These services allow anyone to have a low vision eye evaluation to help maximize your remaining vision.

from pg 41

Lighthouse employees (this page and Pg 43) work on various products.

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

Across the street from the main building is the SALB Senior Center – home of one of the only senior centers in South Texas for the blind and visually impaired over the age of 50. The goal of this program is to offer area seniors who are blind or low vision the tools to maintain their independence to continue living in their homes and learn the best methods of preserving the level of sight that remains. Free Seniors Program Services include: • In-Home Independent Living Skills Training including training and skill development on household management by teaching techniques and offering suggestions to maintain independence for daily activities. • In-Home White Cane Training teaches people how to utilize the white cane to increase their

•

sensitivity and awareness to assist them in seeing the things they cannot see. In-Home Counseling provides an opportunity to talk with a counselor on how you are experiencing vision loss and help in the adjustment to blindness. Adaptive Aids provides assistance in purchasing devices recommended by the Low Vision Doctor.

• The SALB, a nonprofit organization, is one of the largest manufacturing operations in San Antonio. They are proud to be a leader in manufacturing for both the military and government agencies and are one of only two agencies for the disabled in the world to be awarded quality certifications of both ISO 9001 manufacturing and AS 9100 Aerospace Quality Certified necessary to work on Boeing aircraft.

Above the entrance to the 50,000 square foot manufacturing plant hangs a plaque, which reads “Through This Doorway Walk People With Vision.” Nancy Lipton, SALB public relations director and spokesperson, explained what this means. “Those words mean everything – blind and sighted working side by side all with the same mission and vision – independence and high quality lives for people who are blind. You don’t need to see – the vision we speak of comes from within.” Each individual believes they are part of the Lighthouse “family” and proudly support our military heroes. They manufacture and produce approximately 30,000 different products each day that are then shipped across the United States to all branches of the military as well as government agencies. Items they manufacture include: roller ball pens, mechanical pencils,

highlighters and clam clip fastening systems, which are the only products of its kind to be constructed and produced in San Antonio. In addition, they also manufacture all the Marine and Army helmet chin straps that are attached to all combat helmets, as well as holding the contract for the Army Combat Shirt used by our military heroes. The SALB also holds additional contracts for other textile apparel projects, spill kits and absorbent products made from organic materials, and aerospace insulation blankets and floorboards for Boeing’s KC-135 airplanes. To learn more about the SALB programs/services, fundraising events or free monthly tours, go to www.salighthouse. org, or contact Nancy Lipton at 210-531-1533.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Buy 1 get 1 free Embroidery (Left Chest / Cap Front locations only) Expires May 31, 2013 Coupon must be present at time of purchase.

Civi cn ewz May 2013

Schertz Ambus Deployed to West Explosion The Schertz EMS Ambus - a large ambulance that can transport up to 20 patients - was deployed the town of West near Waco after a massive explosion Wednesday night. The Schertz Ambus was deployed around 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, after a giant explosion at a fertilizer plant around 8 p.m. Ambuses from Frisco in North Texas and Palestine in East Texas also were deployed.

The Schertz EMS Ambus (center) and Ambuses from towns of Frisco and Palestine on scene.

Mayor Baldwin Portrait Unveiled Susan Baldwin-Beck and husband Brian Beck (pictured left) unveiled a new portrait of Susanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, the late Mayor Hal Baldwin, during a Schertz City Council meeting Tuesday night, April 2. Mayor Baldwin passed away on April 6, 2012. His portrait now hangs with the other six former Schertz mayors behind the City Council chambers dais. The other six mayorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; portraits previously were on the walls on either side of the council chambers. MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

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Ground Broken for New Schertz Animal Adoption Center Ground was broken Tuesday, April 2, for the new $2.4 million Schertz Animal Adoption Center behind the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex. Stray dogs and cats in our community will have a better chance of survival and adoption when the 12,000-square foot facility opens in 10 to 12 months. It has 64 stalls. Among those taking part in the groundbreaking were Mayor Michael Carpenter, Mayor Pro Tem Cedric Edwards Sr., Councilmember David Scagliola, City Manager John Kessel, staff from Animal Services Department and Parks and Recreation and the Schertz Humane Society Homes For Pets. The facility will be located on Community Circle Drive, behind the Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce building on Schertz Parkway near the intersection with Live Oak Road.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

Civicn ews

Library Summer Activities Groundbreaking Reads

Summer Reading

Break out your shovels, hard hats, and don’t forget your books.

Summer Reading Club runs from June 8th-July 27th. Registration begins Friday June 7th online and at the library.

Join us at the Schertz Public Library this summer for entertaining activities, educational program, and lots of prizes. Groundbreaking Reads is a free reading club open to anyone over the age of 18. The grand prize for our Adult Summer Reading Club is a Kindle e-reader.

Dig Reading “Just dirt?” you say? Dig a little deeper and you’ll discover there’s a world of interesting things beneath your feet. Join us for Schertz Public Library’s summer reading program beginning Saturday, June 8th. Readers under 12 will explore our underground theme, “Dig Into Reading” with stories, music, crafts, and more. Registration begin Saturday, June 8. Stop in the library to pick up a flyer on summer events.

Beneath the Surface Area teens are encouraged to participate in “Beneath the Surface,” the Library’s teen summer library program from June 8 to July 27.

Stop by the library or call (210) 619-1700 for more information! Schertz resident Robert Brockman speaks at March 20 meeting.

Teens are invited to come to the library and read for prizes as well as to take part in special events offered throughout the summer. Special events this summer include Shark Week and our 3rd annual Zombiefest. The grand prize for teens this summer is a Kindle e-Reader.

Community Meetings Held On Proposed City Budget Community Budget Presentations on the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Proposed City Budget were held Wednesday, March 20 at City Council Chambers and Thursday, March 28, Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive (FM 3009).

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2013

After the presentation on the proposed budget by city staff, residents gave comments and asked questions. More public meeting on the proposed city budget will be held in coming months as the process moves closer to the start of the new Fiscal Year on October 1 .

LLBEADS

THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1976

MoTheR’S Day 5-12-13 Give her one...

give her two... or give her all three!

every story has a bead™

Show her how Special She iS with trollbeadS!

Mother’s Day Trunk Show May 3-4

• Receive a sterling silver bracelet with the purchase of a decorative clasp

• Gift of one Trollbead*

with the purchase of any three trollbeads *Free bead of equal or lesser value.

Best Friendz

824 Main Street | Schertz,TX 78154 | 210-231-0403 Open Monday - Friday 10am-6pm | Saturday 10am-5pm

Thursday, 2

Transportation Safety Advisory Commission 5:30 PM- Council Chambers

Tuesday, 7

City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chambers

Wednesday, 8

Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers

Tuesday, 14

Monday, 20

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 PM Bob Andrews Room Board of Adjustments 6:00 PM Council Chambers

Tuesday, 21

City Council 6:00 PM Council Chambers

Wednesday, 22

City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chambers

Planning & Zoning 6:00 PM Council Chambers

(210) 619-1045

Jim Fowler David Scagliola George Antuna, Jr. Cedric Edwards, Sr. Sydney H. Verinder

(210) 658-1442 (830) 606-1130 (210) 467-7914 (210) 566-4540 (210) 619-1000

City of Schertz Animal Control Business/Utilities City Manager City Secretary Civic Center Customer Care/311

(210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1550 (210) 619-1100 (210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1030 (210) 619-1600 (210) 619-1000

City Departments:

Tuesday, 28

City Counci 6:00 PM Council Chambers ***Meeting locations may change, please visit schertz.com for confirmation.***

Subscriptions to Schertz Magazine are free for each Schertz household. Subscriptions for residents and businesses outside the City of Schertz are $19.95 annually. Call 210-619-1630.

City of Schertz Elected Officials Mayor: Council Members:

Monday, 27

Memorial Day City Holiday Offices Closed

OFFICIAL FINE PRINT

#info Michael Carpenter

Thursday, 23

Economic Development Corporation 6:00 PM Council Chambers

CITY CALENDARZ

May 2013

City Departments: (contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d) Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com

SCHERTZ.COM

Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. For advertising information: Schertz Magazine, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154; call (210) 619-1630; Fax (210) 619-1619; email sales@schertz.com. NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Tales, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 6191630. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Tales, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.

MAY 2013 SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

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