April 2022

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS

SCHERTZ

SCHERTZ

11th Annual

Easter In

The Park

presented by Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Pickrell Park in Schertz

Pleasejoin us foraFREEcommunityeventwithaliveappearance from the EasterBunny,games,anegg hunt withTHOUSANDS of eggsandHUNDREDS of prizes for egg hunt winners!

Bring your camera & Easter basket!

Registration begins at 9:30am

Egg Hunt Schedule By Age :

–

–

Providing free vision screening for children. Bring canned food donations for RACAP & receive a raffle ticket for one of our grand prizes including a H-E-B $50 gift card! No need to be present to win!

Sponsored by Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club

HEB Plus! & City of Schertz

San Antonio Custom Hearing is looking for participants to test the latest advanced hearing technology by Oticon . To participate, you must have difficulty hearing and your hearing must fall in the range for the hearing aid. Participants will be asked to evaluate latest Oticon hearing solution for 30 days (riskfree). If you are satisfied with the improvement in your hearing and wish to keep the instrument, you may do so at tremendous savings. This is only for a limited time. Please set your appointment now, this event ends 4/28/22. Participants will also be entitled to a $25 H-E-B Gift Card.

City Council

Ralph Gutierrez Mayor

Mark Davis Councilmember

Jill Whittaker Councilmember

Michael Dahle Councilmember

David Scagliola Councilmember

Allison Heyward Councilmember

Tim Brown Councilmember

Executive Team

Dr. Mark Browne City Manager

Brian James Assistant City Manager

Charles Kelm Assistant City Manager

Adrian Perez Executive Director

Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager

Mission

Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community.

Vision

Community. Service. Opportunity.

Core Values

Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Do the right thing.

Be the best you can. Work cooperatively as a team.

About Our Magazine

Schertz Magazine is a monthly popular lifestyle/entertainment/ community events publication wholly owned and operated by the City of Schertz and produced internally by the Schertz Public Affairs Department. It serves as the primary dissemination source for government information for a growing city of over 42,000 residents.

Today, Schertz Magazine is the leading publication in the Tri-County area with a circulation of 16,000 copies; including 14,000+ direct mailed and 500+ subscriptions from Austin through San Antonio and around the country (including dozens of out-of-state readers). The magazine is mailed to 15,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses with hundreds of copies made available at local and regional banks, hospitals and clinics, schools, pharmacies, and restaurants.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

07 City Headlines

08 Parks & Recreation

10 Library

32 Features

39 Around the Community

47 Calendar

FEATURES

32

SCUCISD Internship Programs Brings New Opportunities for Students

36

Supporting Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.

CITY MANAGER FROM THE DESK OF THE

Hello everyone, it is my pleasure to introduce the April issue of the magazine. I want to begin by saying that I will be retiring in November of this year, and it has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the citizens of Schertz as City Manager since 2019. Together, we have accomplished many things and the City is positioned for great achievements in the future. I thank you all for the support you have given me, and I will always remember this position as a wonderful ending to my career.

Now on to the magazine this month! We have several great articles and stories. First, the Parks & Recreation FUN Guide comes out in this issue and it highlights the lineup of parks and library programs and events for the spring and summer; as usual, there is an enormous number of activities going on. There is something for everyone!

One of our feature articles this month highlights our Crime Victim Liaison program as a part of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month, and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate our programs in support of crime victims.

April is designated the Month of the Military Child, and we have many military children in our community, so it is a wonderful opportunity to recognize their importance. They face unique challenges growing up in military families, and we appreciate our military children for their sacrifice!

Finally, I want to note that the Hal Baldwin Scholarship Application is now available. This scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving student who desires to make a career in some form of public service. We hope that our seniors out there will take advantage of this opportunity. The amount is not set so the selection committee has flexibility in determining how much is awarded. I hope you have a wonderful month and thanks for taking the time to read our magazine.

APRIL 2022

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department

Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director

Devan Christensen

Communications Manager

Madison Porras

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Contributing Writers

Linda Klepper, Devan Christensen, Sarah Gonzalez, Madison Porras, Kira Villarreal, Jaime Cline, Anna Kraft, Stacey Lovett, Barton "Scoop" Bowers, Lauren Shrum, Michelle Yang, Lizzi Bertoia, Casey Moeller, Vanessa DiCiolla

Contributing Photographers

Devan Christensen, Madison Porras, Stacey Lovett, Anna Kraft, Jessica Sullivan, Casey Moeller, Vanessa DiCiolla, Erica Ellis Photography, Sora Johnson, Ed Suarez

Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz promoting city, community, and business activities. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. © City of Schertz, Texas

The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1600 / Fax (210) 619-1619 Website is Schertz.com

OFFICIAL FINE PRINT

Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at magazine@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1633 or email magazine@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. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email us at magazine@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1600.

The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron.

Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Magazine, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.

Dr. Mark Browne City Manager

mbrowne@schertz.com

Schertz is ready for a beautiful spring season! We hope you get out and enjoy the weather.

City Headlines

Bringing Awareness to Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Crime Victim Rights

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month, and April 24-30 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. A proclamation for these designations will be given at the April 5 Schertz City Council Meeting. Follow the City on Social Media for updates on the upcoming proclamations. We encourage you to join us and participate in the many efforts of awareness throughout the month.

To help bring awareness and prevent child abuse, the Schertz Police Department partnered with the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center (GCCAC) for their annual countywide pinwheel displays recognizing the 893 children served at the GCCAC in 2021 as well as their new fundraising campaign, Champions for Courageous Children. You can join them too by texting GCCAC to 44-321 for more information or go to ‘Events’ at gccac.net. The Schertz Police Department also partnered with ChildSafe for their annual Cardboard Kids campaign. Starting April 4, you will begin to see cardboard kids throughout the city, each one representing one of the thousands of children who suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of adults in Bexar County every year.

Friday, April 1 is the official Go Blue Day for Texas. Thousands of Texans will wear blue, the official color of prevention, to

show their support for ending child abuse. To raise awareness of rape and sexual assault, Wednesday, April 27 is Denim Day, where millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. We encourage you to wear your blue on April 1 and your denim on April 27, and ask that you encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same!

For more information on Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month go to childwelfare.gov, for more information on Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month go to nsvrc.org, and for more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week go to ovc.ncjrs.gov.

SCHERTZ LAUNCHES SPRING/SUMMER 2022

PARKS & RECREATION FUN GUIDE!

We are excited to launch the Spring/Summer 2022 Parks & Recreation FUN Guide to highlight all of the exciting events and amazing recreational opportunities we have here in Schertz. We have a lot of exciting things planned for spring and summer of 2022!

Movin’ on Main kicks off on Sunday, April 3 from 12 – 4 p.m. It’s an open streets event and we’ll have fitness demonstrations, health & wellness vendors, DJ music, kids’ activities, and food trucks. Bring your bikes, scooters, strollers, and get movin! Our popular Adult Social League is back with kickball starting up this month. Sign up online at Schertz.com and we’ll place you on a team.

We’ve got some exciting park development projects happening this spring that should be completed in time to enjoy this summer. We’re adding a playscape feature and a picnic pavilion available for birthday party reservations at Ashley Park. We’re also converting the small pool at Wendy Swan Memorial Park into a small splash pad feature! Both projects are expected to be completed in June.

The first section of the Great Northern Trail is substantially complete, and contractors are working on punch list items. We look forward to hosting a grand opening event soon as we continue to work on adding trail sections in the city. Finally, July is National Park & Recreation Month, and we’ll be celebrating by hosting two Float & Flicks at Pickrell Pool and every Thursday night in July, we’ll have a fun event in the park, such as Pup-sicles in the Park, Tactical Laser Tag, Pickleball Play, and a Glow Party in the Park. Be sure to follow Schertz Parks and Recreation on social media for more details about our month-long celebration!

We hope you have FUN exploring everything your Schertz Parks & Recreation Department has to offer!

Volunteering time and talents is a great way to give to the community, build self-esteem, share your skills, and make a positive impact in others’ lives. A variety of opportunities are available in the local area. Visit Schertz.com/Volunteer to sign up today.

Upcoming Opportunities

■ April 3: Movin’ on Main

■ April 23: Ed-ZOO-Cation

JOIN US FOR THE NATURE DISCOVERY SERIES

Get your little ones outdoors to discover the exciting nature right in our own backyard. Kids are encouraged to explore, discover, and ask questions to help grow their knowledge of nature. This FREE program is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but older and younger siblings are also welcome. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers will lead the themed programs the second Saturday of the month, between 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. at Crescent Bend Nature Park. Attendees will meet at the first parking lot near the restroom building and the trailhead. Pre-registration is required for all participants.

April 9

May 14

June 11

July 9

Sep 10

Oct 8

Nov 12

Discover a Bug’s World: The world needs bugs

Discover What's Buzzing & Blooming: Functions of flowers, bees, and butterflies

Discover the Forest: Every living thing has a role in the forest

Discover Clues and Traces: Find what animals leave behind

Discover Horns and Thorns: Staying alive is tough

Discover Dinosaur Tracks: Tracks tell tales

Discover Early Texans: When kids knew how to live off the land

IT’S TIME TO PLAY BALL! A REPORT FROM THE BVYA BOARD ON OPENING DAY

The Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA) has served as a positive sports organization for area youth since 1974. Its unique public-private relationship and incredibly generous support from the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Schertz and the population of the City of Schertz has allowed it to grow into a large multi-sport league. As of 2022, BVYA offers baseball, softball, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and football. BVYA kicked off its 2022 baseball season on Saturday, March 5 with a parade of baseball and softball teams and a formal welcoming ceremony with players, parents, and city officials ringing in a new league season. The ceremony included an invocation and performance of our National Anthem by Cibolo police officer Kevin Clark with the flag ceremony performed by Boy Scouts of America Troop 51. No ball season would be complete without the ceremonial first pitches. The ceremonial first pitch for baseball was thrown out by Schertz Mayor Pro-Tem David Scagliola with league player Jaxon VanDyke catching. The ceremonial first pitch for softball was thrown out by Cibolo Mayor Stosh Boyle with league player Aleeya Hernandez catching.

The partnership with the Schertz Parks and Recreation Department allows BVYA to utilize existing park space and sports fields in exchange for its volunteer parents cleaning and maintaining those facilities. The dedication of everyone who steps up to the plate to make the league run, from volunteers to community support, was celebrated as they brought another year of fun on the fields to kids from the area. Following an unexpected end to the season in 2020 due to COVID-19, BVYA has rebounded to around 75 percent of its former participation, while some sports leagues have been reduced to fractional participation or have even folded completely. BVYA thanks the great residents of Schertz, the Tri-Cities area, and beyond for their support and participation. PLAY BALL!

CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK!

Libraries have been lifelines for many over the past two years, connecting people to opportunities, resources, and assistance. This National Library Week, April 3rd through 9th, visit your library online or in person to learn how you can connect to technology, multimedia content, educational programs – and more. Check out Schertz Public Library’s website or social media pages, or go to ilovelibraries.org. The theme for National Library Week 2022, “Connect with Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources. Libraries also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes— in addition to books. Most importantly libraries also connect communities to each other. Overall, the theme is an explicit call to action—an invitation for communities to join, visit, or advocate for their local libraries.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

SCHERTZ PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES LIBRARY EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR 2021

The Schertz Public Library has received the 2021 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA). TMLDA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. Each year TMLDA confers awards for outstanding contributions to public libraries. To successfully receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award, the applicant must exhibit excellence in providing services to underserved and special populations, in enhancing services, in marketing their programs and services in innovative ways, in promoting cultural, topical, and educational programming, in providing literacy support, in providing summer reading clubs, in pursuing collaborative efforts, in supporting workforce development, in providing for digital inclusion, and in comprehensively training staff. According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 565 public libraries exist in Texas. Of those libraries, only 59 received this award in 2021.

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK BOOK SALE EVENT

The Library's Read Before Bookstore will be holding a used book sale on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Children's Program Room. Fill a bag of books for $5.00!

SCHERTZ AREA GENEALOGISTS MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 6:30 P.M.

The Schertz Area Genealogists meet on the first Tuesday of every month, at the Schertz Public Library. The meetings are held 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Library Meeting Room 1 with speakers or general discussion about worldwide research.

POETRY OPEN MIC

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 6:30 P.M.

Join us for a relaxed and friendly open mic poetry night on Thursday, April 14 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Library Meeting Room 1. This open mic will give poets the opportunity to socialize and network with other writers. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the work of our local poets. Sign-up for readers will be available the night of the program. The library holds an open mic event once a month on the second Thursday.

SEW LET IT BEE: LIBRARY QUILT BEE

APRIL 12, APRIL 16

Join us for a few fun hours of quilting! The Quilt Bee meets on the second Tuesday and third Saturday of each month in Library Meeting Room 1. The bee is perfect for advanced quilters as well as those interested in getting started! Join us Tuesday, April 12 from 12 - 3 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This program is for adults 18+. Visit the calendar for more details at Schertz.com/adultcalendar.

STORY & SWIM TIME

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 10:00 - 11:30 A.M.

The Schertz Family YMCA and the Schertz Public Library invite children ages 6 and younger to join our Story & Swim time. Ms. April presents story time followed by a craft or activity. We end the morning with swim time with a certified instructor. Join us the first Friday of every month September through May from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Space is limited and registration is required. Sign up at the YMCA Welcome Center. Parents are required to participate with child(ren) and accompany them in the pool.

LEGO® LAB

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 10:15 - 11:15 A.M.

Think you're a master LEGO® builder? Join other LEGO® enthusiasts at the library and hone your skills. Our monthly events include a themed LEGO® build, where you can create your own masterpiece! You may even find your work on display in the library. This program is open to elementary age children and their siblings. LEGOS® are provided, just bring your imagination! Join us the first Saturday of the month from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Find the link to register on our online calendar at Schertz.com/youthcalendar.

QIGONG EXERCISE CLASS AT THE LIBRARY

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 10:30 A.M.

Qigong at the library is intended for adults 18+ and led by local certified instructor, Jennifer of Jennifer Eash Yoga. The program will be held Monday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Library Courtyard. No additional equipment is required. Visit the calendar for more details at Schertz.com/ adultcalendar.

SCRAPBOOK AND PAPER CRAFTING CROP

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 12:00 P.M.

Join us on the fourth Sunday of each month from 12 – 5 p.m. in the Program Room for a paper crafting meet-up. Visit the calendar for more details at Schertz. com/adultcalendar.

EXTREME BOOK NERD BYOB(OOK)

VIRTUAL DISCUSSION GROUP

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 6:30 P.M.

If you are participating in the Book Nerd Challenge join us the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. via GotoMeeting to share what you read for the selected category. This month we will be discussing a book written in epistolary.

TEEN TUESDAYS

TUESDAYS IN APRIL AT 4:30 P.M.

All teens, ages 13-18 are welcome to come hang out at the library. Activities vary from week to week - sometimes we game, sometimes we watch movies, sometimes we art... you help decide.

DISCOVERY!

WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL AT 4:00 P.M.

The Discovery program offers handson exploring for young learners in many different topics, including science, literature, technology, and more. Designed for elementary-aged kids ages 5 to 7 years old who are curious about the world. Come each week on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and discover something new! Find the link to register on our online calendar at Schertz.com/youthcalendar.

GAME ON

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 10:00 - 11:30 A.M. Did you know board games teach critical thinking, strategic skills, offer social opportunities for participants, keep minds sharp and are just plain fun? We are excited to offer a board game program for families. Join us on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Learn a new game or play an old favorite. Our goal is to connect families, teach social skills, learn problem solving skills, and to have fun. A parent or guardian is required to participate with child(ren). Registration is required at Schertz.com/youthcalendar.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME

TUESDAYS, 10:15 A.M.

Preschool Storytimes are appropriate for children ages 3-6 years with an accompanying adult. This program is a language-rich experience with books and songs for children who are getting ready for school. Participants will receive a takehome craft after storytime. Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:15 a.m. Registration is required at Schertz.com/youthcalendar.

TODDLER STORYTIME

WEDNESDAYS, 10:15 A.M.

Toddler Storytime is for library users between the ages of 20 months to 3 years with an accompanying adult. We will share fingerplays, songs, stories, and rhymes. Participants will receive a take-home craft after storytime. Join us Wednesday mornings at 10:15 a.m. Registration is required at Schertz.com/ youthcalendar.

BABY & ME STORYTIME

THURSDAYS, 10:15 A.M.

Baby & Me Storytime is for our youngest library users, those from birth to 24 months with an accompanying adult. We will share short stories, songs, and rhymes. Join us Thursday mornings at 10:15 a.m. Registration is required at Schertz.com/youthcalendar.

Wendy Swan Memorial Park Splash Pad Coming Soon!

At the March 1 Schertz City Council Meeting, council approved the permanent closure of the small pool at Wendy Swan Memorial Park and its conversion to a small splash pad feature. With a splash pad, a longer operating season is possible and it can be open from March – October versus the traditional summer season (Memorial Day – August). The cost savings from staffing the pool will be used to pay back the reserves for the construction of the splash pad and the existing pool filtration systems is being utilized for the splash pad, resulting in further savings. Construction is estimated to start in late April and the project will take about 6-8 weeks. Stay tuned for information on the Grand Opening Celebration later this summer!

The Dynamic Duos Strike Again!

Schertz area parents and kids answered the call of “Avengers assemble!” for the Dynamic Duos Do-Over Dances during the third weekend in February!

The dances were held at the Schertz Civic Center with the Mother/Son Dance held Friday evening followed by the Daddy/Daughter Dance the next day and invited the duos to dress in their best superhero attire for the occasion – and they did! Even Captain America and Wonder Woman made an appearance to join in on the dancing fun and photo ops!

Super dance abilities were shown on the dancefloor as the DJ spun popular hits and themed photo booths and activities were stationed around the building to commemorate the night through a snapshot or caricature of these extraordinary guests and the night shared. Raising Cane's sponsored the refreshments as well as some takehome swag for a future meal on them as they know fighting crime and keeping the city safe isn’t easy business. The City of Schertz and Schertz Parks & Recreation used their forces once again to put on a mighty community event and there are many more on the calendar throughout the year.

Go to Schertz.com to see what is coming up!

City Headlines

Future Workforce Explores Career Paths

In the month of February, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD junior and senior high school students were connected with employers to provide a hands-on, half-day job shadow experience. The annual, district-wide Job Shadow Day helps provide valuable information to students on possible careers and what it takes to be successful in them. During this time students engaged in industry tours, active discussion, and hands-on activities. In addition to visiting in person, students also had the opportunity to participate in virtual tours that allowed them to visit with professionals within the company from the comfort of their classrooms.

“Each year our students and teachers look forward to getting out in the community to learn about careers that are available in our own backyard," said Amy Massey, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for SCUCISD. "Many students come away with new areas of interest and changes in career plans. Our job shadow event would not be successful without companies willing to open their doors to our students and teachers.”

The event, which requires year-round preparation, was developed in response to the district’s plans to ensure every student is prepared for a career, college, or the military and to address an increasing need for new talent within existing businesses. Student groups range in size from 5 to 40 students and are matched with host businesses based on their industry interests. If participating in person, students are accompanied on the day-of by SCUCISD staff during their visit. Companies also have the option to host job shadow day virtually as well. More than 129 students from Samuel Clemens and Bryon J. Steele High School visited 13 companies.

Participating employers include Caterpillar, FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, Schertz YMCA, Cibolo YMCA, Makos on the Creek, A&A Plumbing, Texas Lawman Security, Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority, Groesbeck Masonry, Cox Manufacturing, Amazon, and Toyota.

“FedEx Freight was happy to be a part of this great community event and we look forward to participating in the future," said Chris Chevalier, Assistant Service Manager at FedEx Freight. "Having the opportunity to explain the different job classes to the students was a good way for our employees to add value to their visit. This was the perfect occasion to review all the different ranges and job opportunities FedEx offers, not only here with Freight, but with all the other FedEx Op Co’s.”

Job Shadow Day benefits are not limited to just the students. Employers are excited to have the opportunity to meet the future workforce and introduce them to the company’s culture, vision, and standards. This begins the employee development process before the student applies or is offered a position.

“Caterpillar is proud of our diverse workforce, including our employees who join after high school, the military, trade school or college. This is an exciting opportunity for us to show high school students that working for Caterpillar in any of our fields can lead to a long-term, fulfilling career,” said Mark Stratton, Large Engines General Manager, Industrial Power Systems Division, Caterpillar.

For more information on how companies can participate in future job shadow events, please contact Amy Massey at (210) 945-6086 or Casey Moeller at (210) 619-1070.

TXDOT Project Updates

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has several improvement projects in Schertz that are in design or under construction.

IH 35 OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

Paving is set to resume on the IH 35 Operational Improvements project in April with expected completion in late Spring 2022. This project from FM 2252 to Schwab Road includes ramp revisions (reversals), intersection improvements, frontage road operational improvements, and a VIA Park & Ride. Paving is set to resume on the IH 35 Operational Improvements project in April with expected completion in late Spring 2022. This project from FM 2252 to Schwab Road includes ramp revisions (reversals), intersection improvements, frontage road operational improvements, and a VIA Park & Ride.

FM 1103 IMPROVEMENTS

Groundbreaking on the FM 1103 Improvements is expected to be in June 2022 and the construction period expected is 4 years. This project includes construction in Schertz and Cibolo. The contract has been awarded to Hunter Industries for $39 million. The proposed FM 1103 section will include four 11foot travel lanes (two in each direction), raised medians and left-turn lanes, two 5-foot bike lanes (one in each direction), curbs, a 6-foot sidewalk on each side, and an underground storm sewer system for drainage.

IH 35 NEX (NORTHEAST EXPANSION)

The IH 35 Northeast Expansion project, or IH 35 NEX, will add two general-purpose lanes and one HOV lane in each direction on an elevated structure on IH-35. The project runs from AT&T Parkway to FM 1103. The project is broken into three segments. Segment 1 is from 410N to FM 3009. This segment is fully funded and the design-build contract was awarded in July 2021. Construction is currently expected to begin on Segment 1 this year.

IH 10 IMPROVEMENTS

Construction is underway on the IH 10 Improvements which will add lanes and expand bridges from Graytown Road to the Bexar-Guadalupe County Line. This $149 million project is funded through Santa Clara, but the full project includes

highway widening through SH 130 in Seguin. Construction is anticipated to take 3 to 4 years.

FM 1518 IMPROVEMENTS

The FM 1518 project will add additional lanes on FM 1518 in the southern part of Schertz from FM 78 to IH 10. The total project cost is $60 million with funding coming from TxDOT, Federal Funding, City of Schertz, and Bexar County. The design on this project is approximately 90% complete. The construction contract is currently expected to be let in Summer/Fall 2023. Construction is expected to start in 2024 with a 2½- to 3-year construction period. (Utility relocation construction will start sometime this year.)

For more information on local TxDOT projects go to txdotsanantonio.blogspot.com.

PEPRALLY AND 5KRUN

RALLYING IN SUPPORT OF CANCER RESEARCH

Saturday, March 5 marked the 13th year of the City of Schertz's fundraising 5k for cancer research and awareness. The Kick Cancer Pep Rally and 5k Run, formally the Wilenchik Walk for Life, brings community members together to honor loved ones and the late City Councilmember Tony Wilenchik who have fought this disease. Over the course of the event’s existence, they have raised over $187,000 towards cancer research donations to the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Over 200 participants ran and walked the 5k course around Pickrell Park amid the “Signs of Love” placed in remembrance of their friends and family and many sported team support for those who have run their own race against this disease. The Steele High School Aquatics team showed up full force in support of this year’s run and took the team title for most spirited. The top 3 runners in each age group were awarded medals in the ceremony following and all participants took home a commemorative t-shirt. Thanks to event sponsors H-E-B, Vallance Security, SAMCO, KDJ Insurance Agency, RE/MAX Corridor, GVEC, Schertz Bank & Trust, RBFCU, and Abel’s Diner for making the Kick Cancer Pep Rally and 5k Run a great success this year!

Hal Baldwin Scholarship Applications Open

The Hal Baldwin Scholarship encourages young people to consider public service and is named after the Schertz mayor who gave 30 years of service to this city. As Schertz residents beginning in the 1960s, Mayor Baldwin and wife Barbara saw the city grow from 5,000 residents to more than 30,000 and become San Antonio’s largest suburban city.

Baldwin, a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, served Schertz as an assistant city manager, civic volunteer, city councilman, and then mayor for nearly 17 years.

In recognition of Baldwin’s long service, the Schertz City Council established his namesake scholarship to encourage high school

Purple Up for Military Kids

Each year, the United States Military declares April to be the Month of the Military Child to recognize and celebrate military children. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), a nonprofit group dedicated to supporting the children of military members, is encouraging Schertz residents to wear purple for military children on Wednesday, April 20. Purple references the joint environment of the military – encompassing all service branches.

The City of Schertz will recognize April as the Month of the Military Child at the April 5 Schertz City Council Meeting. We encourage residents to show the military children and youth in the area that they appreciate their sacrifices and contributions. For more resources and to learn more about how you can participate visit militarychild.org.

seniors (public, private, or homeschooled) who are residents of Schertz to consider public service as a career path.

The 2022 scholarship will be awarded on a competitive basis. The scholarship may be used for tuition or other fees or expenses for any postsecondary school that is accredited by a state, regional, or national accreditation agency and is a traditional 2-4-year institution or other educational institution offering courses, degrees, or other training suitable to a public service career.

Applications for the Baldwin Scholarship can be downloaded from Schertz.com or picked up at the following locations:

■ Administrative Office, Bldg. No. 2, 1400 Schertz Parkway

■ City Hall, Bldg. No. 1, 1400 Schertz Parkway

■ Public Affairs Office, Bldg. No. 5, 1400 Schertz Parkway

■ Schertz Public Library, 798 Schertz Parkway

Completed applications must be received in the City Manager’s Office (Bldg. No. 2) by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 29. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

For more information, contact Sarah Gonzalez at (210) 619-1015 or by email at sgonzalez@schertz.com.

Breakfast with the Heat

On Saturday, March 19, the Schertz YMCA hosted the Schertz Police Department for the first Breakfast with the Heat event. This allowed our community members to eat breakfast and visit our police officers. The event had approximately 150 people attending, including our City Councilmembers and City Administration. We want to extend a special thank you to Sgt. Arriaga, Cpl. Armstrong, Cpl. Hanley, K9 Medor, Officer Kraft, Officer O'Leary, Officer Samaniego, Crime Victim Liaison Krista Chandler, and the Volunteer Auxiliary Service for helping this event be a success!

This event is similar to the Breakfast with the Blue events, with the goal to bring the police department and the community members they serve together to learn more about each other. If you are a local business and would like to host a Breakfast with the Blue or a similar event, contact Officer Anna Kraft at (210) 619-1264 or akraft@schertz.com.

Dr. Mark Penshorn welcomes Dr. Cody Strahler as his new partner in dentistry.

Dr. Mark Penshorn welcomes Dr. Cody Strahler as his new partner in dentistry.

Dr. Mark Penshorn welcomes Dr. Cody Strahler as his new partner in dentistry.

If you are looking for a new dentist, come see Dr. Cody Strahler or Dr. Mark Penshorn

Dr. Mark Penshorn welcomes Dr. Cody Strahler as his new partner in dentistry.

Dr. Strahler is accepting new patients and also expands our services to include implant placements, wisdom tooth extractions , sedation, and smile makeovers.

Dr. Strahler is accepting new patients and also expands our services to include implant placements, wisdom tooth extractions , sedation, and smile makeovers.

Dr. Strahler is accepting new patients and also expands our services to include implant placements, wisdom tooth extractions , sedation, and smile makeovers.

Come see us at 2501 FM 3009.

Dr Strahler is accepting new patients and also expands our services to include implant placements, wisdom tooth extractions, sedation, and smile makeovers.

Come see us at 2501 FM 3009.

Both doctors are accepting new patients. We have expanded our services to include implant placements, wisdom tooth extractions, sedation, and smile makeovers in addition to crowns, dentures and the general dental procedures we have always done.

Come see us at 2501 FM 3009.

Come see us at 2501 FM 3009.

Call us at 210-659-1379

Call us at 210-659-1379

Call us at 210-659-1379

Call us at 210-659-1379

Check our website for more information on Dr. Strahler at www.drpenshorn.com

Check our website for more information on Dr. Strahler at www.drpenshorn.com

Come see us at 2501 FM 3009. Call us at 210-659-1379 or look us up at www.drpenshorn.com

Check our website for more information on Dr Strahler at www.drpenshorn.com

Check our website for more information on Dr. Strahler at www.drpenshorn.com

Cody Strahler, DDS

Mark Penshorn, DDS

Cody Strahler, DDS

Mark Penshorn, DDS

Cody Strahler, DDS

Mark Penshorn, DDS

Cody Strahler, DDS

Mark Penshorn, DDS

Cody Strahler, DDS

Mark Penshorn, DDS

City Headlines

Unified in Fun and Kickball

It was a special night of fun and kickball as Schertz PD joined students from the Samuel Clemens High School Unified Sports program on Wednesday, February 16. Once a month, students with disabilities participate in games with nondisabled students and this month officers were excited to get to participate.

Mrs. Terri Woods, Special Education Teacher and the Unified Sports Sponsor, had been in communication with Jessica Gamez, a paraprofessional at Clemens, and Corporal Greg Flowers a School Resource Officer who were both part of the Schertz Parks & Recreation Adult Kickball Social League. Mrs. Woods was looking for volunteers to assist the students during the kickball event and she extended an invitation to their kickball team which included civilians and police officers. Other participants for the evening included Unified Sports athletes and their peer partners, Adult Social League kickball

team members, members of the JROTC, and various other volunteers ranging from siblings to family friends.

There are several more events planned for Unified Sports throughout the rest of the school year including scooter basketball, indoor tennis, and kids choice where they can choose between kickball, dodgeball, tennis, basketball, or volleyball.

Unified Sports brings together athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities and those without disabilities to train and compete as one team. The program provides another level of challenge for the athletes and promotes equality and inclusion. Unified Sports enables athletes to improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, have new competition experiences, socialize with peers, and develop new friendships.

10 MINUTES TO PREPAREDNESS

Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Collecting Items for Time Capsule

The Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) is asking local residents of Schertz to participate in the City of Schertz Time Capsule. The collection will consist of tangible and intangible items which you may feel will be of historic value and of interest to all when the time capsule is opened. The time capsule will be opened at a City of Schertz/Schertz Historical Preservation Committee public ceremony in the year 2032 (15 years). Items to be considered should be from the years 2020 to 2022 that are personal and/or company writings, photos, space, technology, poetry expression, art, etc. Companies and individuals may write on their experiences and struggles of how business/life changed during the pandemic.

The collecting of items will end on June 30, 2022.

For further information, please contact the SHPC member Dean Weirtz at 210-651-0394 or weirtz1@yahoo.com.

Hosted by the Schertz Historical Preservations Committee Dean Weirtz, Chair of Time Capsule Subcommittee, weirtz1@yahoo.com

PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS STREAMING ON YOUTUBE

Watch and participate in Schertz City Council Meetings from the comfort of your own home.

Every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM

Residents to be Heard

Email City Secretary, Brenda Dennis, at bdennis@schertz.com

City Headlines

Volunteer Roundup

It was a roundup of all our amazing city volunteers on Thursday, February 24 at the Schertz Volunteer Appreciation Banquet held at the Schertz Civic Center. City volunteers from all of the boards, commissions, and committees joined together to celebrate their accomplishments and be honored by staff and City Council for all of their hard work and dedication to the city. Dinner was served by Blue Pit Smokehouse.

“Special thanks go to Brenda Dennis and Sheila Edmondson in the City Secretary’s Office for their fantastic work putting on the volunteer banquet,” says City Manager Dr. Mark Browne. “It was a great night to recognize all of our board and commission members for their service to our city and all they do to support the mission of our city departments.”

We are incredibly thankful for all of our generous volunteers who take the time to serve the city they love. If you are interested in volunteering with the city learn more and apply at Schertz.com/ Volunteer.

SCHERTZ PROJECTS

STREET IMPROVEMENTS ON BOENIG ROAD

Public Works crews have been hard at work making improvements to Boenig Road between Ware Seguin Road and Graytown Road, including three intersections at Laura Heights, Trinity Way, and Noah Way. These areas were milled, recompacted, and asphalt will be installed at these three locations. In addition, the lay-down machine will be used to complete some leveling up work to lay the asphalt and compact it with a steel wheel roller on Boenig Road from Ware Seguin Road to the concrete low water crossing. Improvements will be completed this Spring.

Go to Schertz.com/CapitalImprovement for more information and updates on all current and upcoming infrastructure projects.

SCUCISD Internship Programs Brings New Opportunities for Students

By: Jaime Cline

It’s a program that has been years in the making. High school students from Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD are now able to participate in a newlycreated intern program where they are working in paid positions within various departments across the district — Child Nutrition, Summer Learning, Technology, Custodial, Grounds, and Maintenance.

“We’ve wanted to create a program like this for a few years. We have always had a strong college and military prep program but really challenged ourselves to think about how we could not only offer employment but employment skills training to our students. We (SCUCISD) are the largest employer in Guadalupe County and in that role, we really had a huge opportunity not only for our students but also for the district,” shares Dr. Damon Edwards, Deputy Superintendent.

As with most organizations, COVID had an impact on the district. This past summer, they found themselves short-staffed in several areas and the help that the interns were able to provide in these newly-created roles was invaluable.

“The impact of the labor market and the subsequent staffing shortages we were seeing due to the pandemic definitely accelerated the launch of the program," shares Dr. Edwards. "The contributions that the students were able to provide was a huge lift — there were several teams, like the Child Nutrition Program, that wouldn’t have been able to meet their responsibilities without them."

The program focuses on creating not only career opportunities for students but also teaching them valuable job skills, and helping them grow in areas such as interview prep and resume creation.

“We had students show up for their interviews in suits and ties. They took the whole process and their new roles very seriously. We had extremely positive feedback from the department leaders that worked with our intern group. They shared that several of the kids stepped up and took on leadership roles — keeping others on task and asking for extra responsibility. The kids had to learn to be on time, to manage their own work schedules, show initiative, and ensure that the tasks that they were assigned were completed in a timely manner,” explains Dr. Edwards.

The interns were integrated into a myriad of roles within the district. They helped with the early morning preparation of snack bags and meals for the Child Nutrition department — organizing and ensuring everything was in stock, and meeting not only the daily time deadlines but also ensuring the accurate number of snack bags were created based on the need.

They were vital in the Technical Department — wiping down devices daily to ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines, setting devices back to factory settings, and also performing needed device maintenance on the roughly 5,000 Chromebooks the district purchased at the start of the pandemic.

If you happened to walk into any of the campuses that were open for Summer Learning Academy, you probably interacted with one of the interns there too — they filled several roles within the front offices. Answering phones, directing traffic, filing

continued on page 34

We had extremely positive feedback from the department leaders that worked with our intern group. They shared that several of the kids stepped up and took on leadership roles.

SCUCISD Internship Programs Brings New Opportunities for Students

continued from page 33

paperwork, and running messages were all some of the tasks that they assisted with in the district.

“The students also gained hands-on experience within our Maintenance, Grounds, and Custodial departments. These are teams that we really utilized all summer long whether it was checking, cleaning, and maintaining the HVAC systems or working with our small equipment on the school grounds. They gained so much insight into the daily maintenance that it takes to keep the schools up and running,” explains Dr. Edwards.

As the program enters its second year, Dr. Edwards is already looking at ways in which they can grow and expand it.

“We have a lot of the same opportunities currently and are looking to expand — students could potentially stay on campus and work in intern roles during the evening hours. We are very conscious of being flexible with the student’s schedules," says Dr. Edwards. "The kids have their schoolwork to manage, and some participate in our extra-curricular program so we want to create

roles where they can work two to three hours, four to five days a week during the school year as well. It really would be a perfect opportunity for some of our seniors that have early release. We would love to expand it to the teaching program as well; potentially creating intern roles as teachers aids and assistants in our summer learning program.”

The intern program is a stepping stone for students — teaching them how to build a network, how to establish references for their resume, and how to create a positive impact in the workplace. The program leads are exploring bringing in guest speakers for the interns to share best practices in the workplace, how to dress for success, and to host workshops on soft skills.

“We are just so pleased with this program and excited for its continued growth for many reasons. It’s providing something for the students to make them more marketable and they also were such a valuable resource for us last summer. I’m excited to see where we take this program next,” shares Dr. Edwards.

Supporting Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.

By: Kira Villarreal

Krista Chandler has made a career of helping people navigate difficult and stressful times. As the Regional Crime Victim Liaison for the Schertz Police Department, she helps area crime victims understand their rights and the resources available to assist them, as well as their role in the investigative and criminal justice process. Chandler has been in this role for less than a year but has spent 25 years in the field of victim services. Prior to coming to Texas, she spent 19 years as the director of a victim witness program in Virginia, and she also has eight years of experience as a first responder, working as a volunteer EMT. She is nationally certified as an advanced crisis responder and has assisted victims in several mass casualty events throughout her career.

The Regional Crime Victim Liaison role was first established as part of the Schertz Police Department in 2015. In this position, Chandler works with victims in both Schertz and Cibolo, primarily with victims of family violence and sexual assault. One of her most important responsibilities is taking the time to speak with the victims and explain how the investigative process works, as well as serving as a resource and contact person that they can call if they have questions. Chandler notes that this is particularly important because few people know what to expect or what to do next after a crime has been reported.

“There’s a lot of misunderstanding around how the investigative process works, and most of what people think they know about it comes from what they’ve seen on television,” she said. “I can explain how it actually works and give them a good idea of what to expect during the process.”

Another important service she provides is making victims aware of community resources that are available to assist them. This includes things like counseling services to help them process the trauma that they’ve experienced, as well as needs like food, emergency shelter, and legal aid. Chandler has a network of

service providers throughout the local area and can connect the victims with agencies that can meet their needs.

One resource that many victims are not aware of is the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund, which provides funding to assist qualifying victims with covering expenses that occur as a result of the crime. These may include things such as counseling services, funeral expenses, or travel to court hearings. Operated by the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Texas, the fund has its own application process and any crime victim in the state may apply, as long as they have reported the crime. Some individuals choose to apply on their own, but Chandler says she can help walk them through the application process, if needed.

If the victim is under the age of 18, Chandler works with the Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit organization that conducts forensic interviews with child victims. The center has specially trained interviewers that are experts in working with children. The goal of this process is to minimize the trauma and discomfort of the investigative process for the young victims. This prevents them from having to go to the police station and it also prevents them from having to tell their story multiple times, as the interview recordings can be shared with investigators, attorneys, and others involved in the case.

At any given time, Chandler says she’s usually working on multiple cases –sometimes more than 30 at a time. Each day, she gets notified of all the new

continued on page 38

The conversations I have are not always easy, but I do this because I care about people and I want to make a positive difference in their lives.

Supporting Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.

continued from page 37

cases and she reviews them and starts contacting the victims individually. Her contact information is also provided in the victims’ referral packet that police officers provide to victims at the crime scene. Chandler says that she always starts by reaching out by phone but will also follow up with an email that has information and a link to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, Crime Victim Rights, as well as other helpful information and resources. She likes to be able to spend quality time with each client, as she understands that they’ve gone through a significant life event, and that sometimes they just need to know that someone is available to support them.

One of the specific challenges she has seen in recent years deals with communication among the teens younger victims she works with. “They are so used to social media now and less comfortable with verbal communication, so it’s tough for them to articulate their feelings in these situations,” she said.

Other challenges include the need to help the victims understand that the legal and investigative process can be lengthy and that they may need to be patient, since the case could take a long time to be resolved.

Overall, Chandler acknowledges that her job can be difficult, but she is grateful for the opportunity to help others through some of their most difficult times. “The conversations I have are not always easy, but I do this because I care about people and I want to make a positive difference in their lives,” she said. “It’s about treating them with compassion and respect and trying to be a light in a dark situation.”

April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and April 24-30 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. During this time, agencies throughout the country will bring awareness and recognition to the efforts to achieve justice for all victims of these crimes.

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

For more information about resources and assistance for Schertz and Cibolo area crime victims, please call the Schertz Police Department at (210) 619-1200 or visit the following websites:

Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Services 830-372-2780

www.safeseguin.org

Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program

www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/ crime-victims-compensation-program/ overview-crime-victims-compensation-program

Texas Vine Link

vinelink.vineapps.com/state/TX

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Local Family Shares their Humorous Stories of the Pandemic in New Book

Local Schertz resident Donna Hoffmeyer used humor and Facebook to document her family’s daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic and her stories were officially released on February 22, 2022, with her published book, Pandemic Parodies - The First 86 Days. Her 10-year-old daughter, Bianca Hoffmeyer, has also now become a published illustrator.

Upon release, the book was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Pandemic Parodies is a new book that comically follows the Hoffmeyer family over a two-and-a-half-month period during the height of COVID-19. Dad Brian, Mom (and author) Donna, Son Brady (14), and Daughter Bianca (10 and illustrator) are laid out there, completely vulnerable to make us laugh when we felt like crying because as the author says, “writing humor helps me relieve stress” and we could all use a little stress relief as the pandemic drags on.

The youngest Hoffmeyer, Bianca, was 9 when her mom was urged by friends and family to put the collection into a book. Bianca has always loved to draw and do artwork that is proudly displayed all over the Hoffmeyer home. Since she was old enough to hold a brush, Bianca has loved to draw and do anything art-related. She says, “I did the illustrations because I wanted to do something really cool at a very young age. I mean, who gets to illustrate a

book at 9 years old?!” There’s no doubt that “illustrator” is one of many more titles this young, artistic, intelligent, and effervescent young lady will hold in her lifetime. It’s great to see a daughter and mother work together on something and see it come to print. Readers will relate to the difficulties of homeschooling during quarantine and find nuggets of their own struggle in this book that reads like a journal. Grandparents and parents are going to love this witty writer’s reports. There’s a little bit of everything in it that is sure to delight anyone who has had children in their life. This is the second book from author Donna Hoffmeyer, a former nurse in the United States Air Force, who retired in 2020, after 21 years. Her first publication, “Warrior to Patriot Citizen”, is a helpful guide to assist soldiers in all branches who are ready to transition out of the service and into civilian life. Hoffmeyer wrote it after seeing so many soldiers struggling to transition out of the service.

To learn more about Pandemic Parodies and order a signed copy, go to rebel-llc.com/shop. Paperback and Ebook are available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Kobo, and distributors for schools, bookstores, and libraries.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

JPII Guardians Athletic Programs Continue to Shine

The Guardians of St. John Paul II Catholic High School have continued to build on their athletic success, which has seen them become one of the best programs in the San Antonio area.

The TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) winter season recently concluded with the Guardians showcasing their talent in many sports. In addition, the Guardians continued their trend of qualifying all of their teams for the playoffs.

The Guardians Women's soccer team finished the season as State Champions, their second championship in three years, and finished with a 23 game winning streak. Finishing 24-2-0, the Guardians recorded the most wins in program history. This state championship is JPII's second on the year after volleyball won state during the fall season. After a strong season, men's soccer made it to the regional playoff game.

Men's basketball made a historic run to the state championship game for the first time in program history and was narrowly defeated. However, the team recorded many milestone victories throughout the year, defeating Samuel Clemens, Taft, and Brackenridge on their non-district schedule. The season also saw the team claim their third successive district championship solidifying their status as one of the top TAPPS programs in the state. In addition, the women's basketball team made it to the area round of playoffs, and the future looks bright for the young team to make a deeper run next season.

The Guardians women's swim team finished 3rd in state, and the men's swim team placed 8th overall to continue the growth of the swim program at JPII.

The Guardians have an additional reason to be excited about their athletic programs as completion nears for their newly built gymnasium on campus. The 24,000 sq ft. state of the art facility will allow the Guardians volleyball and basketball teams to practice and host future home games on campus for St. John Paul II Catholic High School.

The Guardians look to build on their success in the spring season, and baseball, softball, and track compete to the growing success of the Guardians from St. John Paul II Catholic High School.

Spring Happenings

Crosspoint Church Good Friday Sports Camp

Good Friday Sports Camp at Crosspoint is a legendary day filled with football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, foursquare, and kickball. This is a fun, all day, drop off sports camp for kids in Kinder through 6th Grades. Lunch (pizza) as well as snacks and hydration will be provided. Early and after care are available for an additional cost. Campers will be assigned a color so they can dress in that color. Registration is $20 per child with a limit of 30 kids per grade. Sign up at crosspoint247.com/ good-friday-sports-camp.

Great Texas Airshow

Join JBSA-Randolph for The Great Texas Airshow on April 2324. The Great Texas Airshow is a two-day event that is free and open to the general public. Gates will be open both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will host some of the best acts from across the Department of Defense. Complementing the lineup is a wide variety of civilian aerial performers, sure to "WOW" old and young alike! Additional performances include a combat battle demo, medical extraction demo, military jump team, and an awesome 21-gun salute by the U.S. Army North. Military static displays from all services will be on the ramp for all to view along with exhibitions from the STEM organizations. The STEM Expo will feature over 15 exhibitors with demonstrations and displays of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math from local San Antonio industries, colleges, and organizations. The STEM Expo will include interactive exhibits such as robots individuals can operate, virtual reality simulators, games and prosthetics. Individuals will be able to engage in discussions and activities to learn more about STEM programs happening around San Antonio, TX. For more information go to greattexasairshow.com.

First Responder Appreciation Day

Head out to Retama Park on Saturday, April 9 from 1 – 4 p.m. and show your support for our area first responders. There will be fire trucks, EMS, and police vehicles on site for the kids and adults to look at and enjoy.

Easter in the Park

Join the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club for the 11th Annual Easter in the Park on Saturday, April 16 at Pickrell Park! This FREE community event will include a live appearance from the Easter Bunny, games, an egg hunt with thousands of eggs and hundreds of prizes for egg hunt winners! Bring your camera & Easter basket! Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with egg hunts by age starting at 9:45 a.m. through noon. Bring a canned food donation for RACAP & receive a raffle ticket for one of the grand prizes including am H-E-B $50 gift card! No need to be present to win.

Resurrection Weekend at Everyday Christian Fellowship

Celebrate Easter with Everyday Christian Fellowship during their Resurrection Weekend on Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17. On Saturday, there will be an egg hunt with candy inflatables from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. and a children’s pageant at 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, enjoy a 7:30 a.m. outdoor service followed by breakfast or join them for an indoor service at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. For more information visit www.everyday.family.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Running to Support our Service Members

The 12th annual Operation Comfort Salute to Service Members 5k was held at the Bluebonnet Palace on February 26 and brought out close to 200 participants despite the near-freezing wind chill and rain. Operation Comfort is a program founded to help facilitate veterans heal from the physical and emotional wounds of war, empowering them through activities like sled hockey, woodworking, yoga, cycling, aquatics, and community retreats. This run was organized to honor and support fundraising efforts for this non-profit as well as help spread awareness of the program to the local community. It kicked off with a kid's fun run before the main race which began in Schertz and looped into Selma down Lookout Road. Awards were given out to the top 3 male and female participants who placed in each division including an adaptive ambulatory and cycling division.

The Samuel Clemens High School Cheerleading squad joined in support this year to cheer on the race participants to the finish line alongside representatives from many of the event sponsors and the mayors of both Selma and Schertz. Gunn Chevrolet and Gunn Buick GMC headed up the sponsorship for the 2022 race in addition to the Medal of Honor sponsor Mercedes Benz of Selma, Purple Heart level sponsors City of Selma, City of Schertz, & Argo Group, Gold Star Members: Certa Pro Painters, Bluebonnet Palace, Marathon Petroleum, Northeast Partnership, and Schertz Bank & Trust, Silver Star Level: Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, P.C., Ben E. Keith Company, Frost Bank, Magnolia Pancake Haus, Bronze Star: Action Bikes, First United Bank, Airforce Federal Credit Union, H-E-B, Leapfrog Promotions, Navy Federal Credit Union, Regal Realty SA, Supporting sponsors: Abel's Diner, Broadway Bank, GVEC, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, RE/MAX Corridor, Virtuoso Builders, WellMed Medical Management, and Contributing sponsor: 1st Source Digital Signs & Banners.

Programs like Operation Comfort rely on community support to help nurture this outlet for recovery and support a welcoming reintegration back into an active lifestyle. A big thank you goes out to all of the participants, sponsors, and supporters each and every year. More information on this program can be found at operationcomfort.org.

Help Feed Local Families During Servtex Quarry’s RACAP Food Drive

Did you know that summer is the busiest time for our local food pantry? When kids don’t have access to nutritious meals that their schools provide, they are at greater risk of going hungry.

That’s why Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry is organizing its 8th annual food drive for the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP), a Schertz-based food pantry serving portions of Comal, Guadalupe, and Bexar counties. The food drive helps stock the pantry for the busy summer months.

You can help make sure all kids in our community have enough to eat. Donate non-perishable food in cans or boxes (no glass containers, please) to city halls in Schertz, Garden Ridge, Selma, Cibolo, or Universal City from April 18-29 during each office’s regular business hours.

Items in high demand include 1-2 lb. bags of rice and dried beans, canned soups, canned pasta and meat, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, muffin mixes, and boxed meat helpers. Thank you for helping us help local families.

sponsored by:

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Apply for the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club Scholarship

The Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club has established this scholarship program for high school seniors, who are residents or attend school in Schertz or Cibolo, to encourage higher education or training and assist the applicants’ achievement of personal goals.

The Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club works as a service club organization and partners with the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Foundation to raise money for worthy local causes such as this scholarship program. All funds raised are used for charitable purposes; administrative costs are kept strictly separate and paid for by members.

The scholarship award may be used for tuition, fees, or expenses for any full-time post-secondary institution of higher learning. Acceptable institutions include traditional two or four-year colleges or universities accredited by a state, regional

or national agency, or an educational, vocational, or technical training program of at least one year in duration.

In the past, up to 5 scholarships of $1,000.00 each have been awarded on a competitive basis. Eligible students must:

■ Be currently enrolled high school seniors (including homeschooled students)

■ Have a graduation date in May/June 2022

■ Reside or attend school in Schertz or Cibolo.

Completed application packages must be received (not postmarked) no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 9, 2022. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Scholarship winner(s) will not receive direct payment from the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Foundation; instead, awards will be made in the name of the recipient to their selected institution of higher learning, upon receipt of evidence of registration or enrollment. For more information, contact Dr. David L. Scagliola, Scholarship Committee Chair, at (830) 606-1130 or visit the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club website Calendar page and click the ‘view flyer’ tab on the scholarship listing.

Wesley Kuberek visited Amelia Island, Florida with his Schertz Magazine.

Gary Weaks brought his Schertz Magazine to the Navy Air Station on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Share your Wildflower Photos With Us!

Spring has begun, and this means that the Texas hills will soon be filled with colorful displays of bluebonnets and other beautiful wildflowers. It’s time to frolic in the flowers and get those perfect spring pictures.

Your photo could be featured in an upcoming issue! Please send your photos to magazine@schertz.com. We can’t wait to see them!

LOOKING BACK April

QUOTE OF NOTE

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.”

– Les Brown

LOCAL HISTORY

The City of Schertz began with origins from Riedesheim, (Alsace) Lorraine, France. Joseph and Anna Schertz, along with six of their ten children, came to Texas leaving in October of 1843 on the ship, Jean Key De Teau. The three boys (Joseph Jr., Sebastian, and Johann Jean) and their father are considered first founders of New Braunfels, Texas. Two of the daughters married New Braunfels founders (Wenzel).

TEXAS HISTORY 1882 Women’s Equality

The bluebonnet is the official flower of Texas and was adopted by the Texas state legislature in 1901. Also known as the buffalo clover, wolf flower, and “el conejo” (“rabbit” in Spanish), the beautiful sapphire blue petals are said to resemble the bonnets worn by pioneer women to protect them from the hot Texas sun. After a heated flower war in 1901, the National Society of Colonial Dames of American successfully convinced the Texas legislature to choose the bluebonnet, a name that paid homage to the many brave Texas pioneer women. Other nominees were the cotton plant which symbolize Texas’ economic independence and growth and the pear cactus for its hardiness and strength. The cotton plant was the likely winner, but the women did not go without a fight. They displayed paintings of bluebonnets on the floor of the legislature and made floral arrangements of bluebonnets to adorn each politician’s desk the day of the voting. The bluebonnets won! According to the Texas DPS, it is not illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas. But there are some areas you should not pick, cut, or destroy the bluebonnets and plant life on Texas State Parks and private land. The bluebonnets are poisonous to people and pets. The bluebonnets remain one of the most beloved and recognizable symbols of Texas. The plants come back year after year and bring the state beauty as we travel along our highways.

IMPORTANT SCHERTZ CONTACT INFO

Schertz City Council

Mayor:

Ralph Gutierrez (210) 619-1040

ralphgutierrez@schertz.com

Council Members:

Mark Davis (210) 376-9141

markdavis@schertz.com

Jill Whittaker (210) 846-8768

jwhittaker@schertz.com

Michael Dahle (210) 419-9337

mdahle@schertz.com

David Scagliola (830) 606-1130

davidscagliola@schertz.com

Allison Heyward (210) 608-9543

allisonheyward@schertz.com

Tim Brown (210) 608-2381

timbrown@schertz.com

City Departments: City of Schertz/311

Animal Services

(210) 619-1000

(210) 619-1550

City Manager (210) 619-1000

City Secretary (210) 619-1030

Civic Center

(210) 619-1600

Economic Development (210) 619-1070

EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400

Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300

Inspections

(210) 619-1750

Municipal Court (210) 619-1500

Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850

Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780

Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1274

Police Records (210) 619-1200

Public Affairs (210) 619-1600

Public Library (210) 619-1700

Public Works (210) 619-1800

Records

(210) 619-1030

Trash & Recycling (210) 619-1100

Utility Billing (210) 619-1100

If you would like to share your memories living in Schertz before 1970, please submit to Roz Wise, Historian of Schertz Historical Preservation Committee, Rozwise@aol.com.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

APRIL

Where Home Means More Than Square Footage

Grow your square footage beyond the walls of your home with the Army Residence Community’s three dining rooms, superb sky lounge, various card / activity rooms and so much more. Then you’ll have extra savings and an open-floor plan home with modern upgrades to make your own!

And right now, you can take advantage of significant savings through the Army Residence Community Charter Club. Charter benefits include:

• Up to $24,000 Entrance Fee Discount (based on unit choice)

• Moving Allowance

• Personalized Renovation Allowance

• Charter Club Membership

• Second Person Fee Discount

• Home Warming Celebration

• Maintenance Assistance

The ARC welcomes all officers, retired or honorably discharged from all branches of service, warrant officers, as well as senior level GS 14 and above federal employees, who are at least 62 years old, to include spouses and surviving spouses.