December 2022

SCHERTZ SCHERTZ magazine

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. The magazine is mailed to 15,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses.

Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Bldg. 5, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1600 / Schertz.com.

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 Adrian Perez Executive Director

Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager

EDITORIAL TEAM

Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director

Devan Christensen Communications Manager

Caanon Gibbons Marketing & Communications Specialist

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Linda Klepper, Sarah Gonzalez, Devan Christensen, Caanon Gibbons, Jaime Cline, Anna Kraft, Cassandra Paddock, Lizzi Bertoia, Rosalyn Wise, Casey Moeller

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Linda Klepper, Sarah Gonzalez, Devan Christensen, Caanon Gibbons, Anna Kraft, Stacey Lovett, Cassandra Paddock, The Chamber

NEWS POLICY

Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. Publication is not guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email magazine@schertz.com or call (210) 619-1600.

The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. 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. Any publication of Schertz Magazine is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way without the permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.

Schertz Announces New City Manager

Following an extensive search for the best candidate to lead the City of Schertz forward, Schertz City Council has appointed Steve Williams as City Manager. The announcement and unanimous vote occurred following the Council’s Closed Session at the November 1 City Council meeting. Williams is scheduled to report to work in Schertz on December 01, 2022, following current City Manager Dr. Mark Browne’s retirement in November.

“I am looking forward to having Steve Williams join us as our new City Manager. His demonstrated leadership in the cities of Conroe and Flower Mound made him the best candidate for our city. The Council and I have full confidence that he will successfully manage our city as we continue to grow and prosper well into the foreseeable future,” commented Schertz Mayor, Ralph Gutierrez.

Williams began his career in municipal government with the City of Dallas in 1996 before he joined the City of Flower Mound in 1999 as the Director of Budget & Research. Most recently he led the City of Conroe as Assistant City Administrator/Chief Financial Officer for the past 17 years. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Williams has served in key leadership positions with various organizations including the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the US and Canada (Executive Board Member), GFOA Texas (President), Texas City Managers Association, and many others.

Williams commented, “It’s an honor to be selected as Schertz’s new city manager and I’m grateful for the Mayor and City Council's confidence. I’m truly excited to be moving to one of the state’s premier communities, while also having the opportunity to lead such a talented and accomplished staff. Schertz is poised to experience dramatic growth in the coming years and I’m confident that our team is up to the challenge of building and maintaining a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community while providing the highest quality services for our residents and businesses."

DECEMBER City Office

CLOSURES

City Offices will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Offices will also be closed on Monday January 2 in observance of New Year's Day. Offices will reopen the following business day at 8:00 a.m. Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

Fireworks Banned in City Limits

As we approach New Year’s Eve, the Schertz Fire Department would like to remind residents that fireworks are prohibited in the city limits of Schertz. City Code of Ordinances 30.64 prohibits the sale, use, or possession of fireworks in the City. If you are unsure whether you reside within the city limits of Schertz, go to the Interactive Map on Schertz.com and type in your address.

For more information, call the Fire Department at (210) 619-1300.

HEADLINES CITY

Utility Billing Text Notifications

The Schertz Utility Billing Office has now implemented a new text notification feature to notify residents when their bill is ready or for late payment notices. Text messages will include a link to the online payments website to pay the bill online. Residents have the option to opt-out by signing onto their online account and opting out.

For more information and if you have any questions, contact the Utility Billing Office at (210) 619-1100.

Operation Polar Express

It's that time of year, and the holiday season is upon us. Unfortunately, this season brings out more "porch pirates." The police department is offering Schertz residents an opportunity to help stop your packages from being stolen off your porch. For the third year, we offer Operation Polar Express to help keep the pirates at bay.

Starting November 7 to December 23, if you purchase an item weighing less than 50 pounds, you can choose to send your package to the Schertz Police Department. When you arrive to pick your item up, bring a governmentissued identification card and the package's tracking number. The person's name on the box must match the name on the identification card.

Holiday Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule

Republic Services will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. There will be NO CHANGES in service due to these holidays.

Friday,

Monday,

By mailing your package to the police department, you will have one less thing to worry about.

There will be certain times you can pick your package up. Those times are as follows: Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also pick up your parcel on the following Saturdays: November 19, November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17. Any packages not retrieved by December 23rd will be returned to the sender. To utilize this program, the address to us is:

{Your Name}

Attn: Operation Polar Express 1400 Schertz Parkway, Bldg. 6 Schertz, TX 78154

Friday, December 30 (City Offices Closed) No change in service Sunday, January 1 (Republic Services Offices Closed) Non-service day

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Utility Billing Office at (210) 619-1100.

RESIDENTS WITH AN AVERAGE BELOW 12,000 GALLONS

That total will be added to the base rate of $15.01 for residents with an average below 12,000 gallons.

RESIDENTS WITH AN AVERAGE GREATER THAN 12,001 GALLONS

The first 12,000

be multiplied by $4.94 and the portion of the average above 12,000 gallons will be multiplied by $11.22 and that total will be added to the base rate of $15.01 for residential use.

For more information, go to Schertz.com or call (210) 619-1100

2022 Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest Winners

IN OBSERVANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK (OCTOBER 9-15), SCHERTZ FIRE RESCUE PRESENTED THEIR ANNUAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK POSTER CONTEST OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN K-4 GRADE LEVELS, FOR SCHOOLS IN SCHERTZ AND SCUCISD.

This poster contest is one of many ways Schertz Fire Rescue helps raise awareness about fire prevention among young audiences. Students were asked to create a poster around the Fire Prevention Week theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” This program empowers kids to know what to do in case of a fire.

So many wonderful posters were submitted from students of all ages. The winning posters and artists were presented at the Schertz City Council Meeting on October 11. Thank you to all that participated and congratulations to all of the winners!

LIST OF WINNERS

KINDERGARTEN - GRADE

1st Place Dean Sannipoli

1

2nd Place Steven Goralewirz

3rd Place Harlee Cortinas

GRADES 2–3

1st Place Braxton Inman

2nd Place Harper Inman

3rd Place Audrey Deleon

GRADE 4

1st Place Jackson Boney

2nd Place Micelys Maldonado

3rd Place Xander Morgan

MAYOR'S CHOICE

Braxton Inman

HEADLINES CITY

Schertz will begin work on the Council Chambers Audio and Video systems upgrade project on December 15, 2022. While construction is underway at the Schertz City Council Chambers the facility will be closed. This project is anticipated to take 8 weeks to complete and is intended to improve the quality of live and recorded meetings on both the internet and on the planned cable channel, streamline management of City Council meeting minutes, allow for electronic voting, etc.

The new systems will better support meetings where there is a need for virtual and/or remote attendance by Council Members, Staff, and others presenting agenda-based information to the City Council. In addition, the new system will create the option to streamline the presentation and posting of meeting minutes, allow the Council and others using the facility to record votes electronically, and improve communications by giving Council and Board Members additional tools to watch presentations, ask questions, and provide feedback.

While construction is underway, public meetings typically held in the Council Chambers will be

temporarily relocated to other meeting spaces in the City. Below is a list of City Council and Board & Commission meetings that are scheduled to take place during this time along with their new location.

Schertz City Hall (Bldg. 1) 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154

■ City Council Meetings - City Hall Courtroom, City Hall

■ Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings - City Hall Courtroom, City Hall

■ Parks & Recreation Board - Bob Andrews Conference Rm, City Hall

■ TSAC Board – Bob Andrews Conference Rm, City Hall

■ Main Street Committee – Bob Andrews Conference Rm, City Hall

■ Historical Preservation Committee –Bob Andrews Conference Room

Schertz Public Library

789 Schertz Parkway Schertz, TX 78154

■ Library Board - Library Meeting Rm, Schertz Public Library

■ EDC Board - Library Meeting Rm, Schertz Public Library

Holiday Tree Disposal

Republic Services will begin picking up Christmas Trees during the week of January 9 through January 20. Trees will be picked up only on the second service day for customers with twice per week service. Customers with service on Mondays and Thursdays will have their trees picked up on Thursday. Customers with service on Tuesdays and Fridays will have their trees picked up on Friday.

Customers with once per week service will have their trees picked up on their regular service days. Wednesday customers will have their trees picked up on Wednesday. Friday customers will have the trees picked up on Friday. Trees must be placed at the curb. Any trees taller than 7 feet must be cut in half. Any trees at the curb after January 20 would need to be called in as a bulk pick up.

For more information contact (210) 619-1100.

Employees Honored for Their Service

We are excited to recognize two long-time city employees who have recently reached a milestone 20 years of service in their City careers. Dudley Wait and Richard Kunz of Schertz EMS and Schertz PD had the honor of being recognized at the October 25 Schertz City Council Meeting.

Dudley Wait

Dudley Wait started with the City of Schertz in June 2001 as the EMS Director. During his fourteen years as EMS Director, Dudley grew the agency to 5 units, and 5 separate stations with over 25 calls per day. In 2015 Dudley moved to Assistant City Manager where he oversaw Public Safety, Public Works, and a variety of other departments. When he left the Assistant City Manager position at the end of 2018, Dudley remained as a part-time paramedic, a role he continues to enjoy today.

Dudley was born in Perryton, Texas in June of 1967 and moved to Dumas, Texas in September 1967. Upon high school graduation, Dudley attended Texas A&M University, and after his 7 years there he moved to Clearwater, Florida to work in the largest multijurisdictional EMS system in the

U.S. He was there for 10 years until moving back to Texas and working for Schertz. Dudley met his wife of 26 years in Florida and they are the proud parents of four boys and one daughter.

During his time with Schertz, Dudley was the Chair of the Governor’s EMS & Trauma Advisory Council’s (GETAC) EMS Committee for 13 years, he was awarded the GETAC Journey of Excellence Award, led a statewide effort to pass anti-fraud legislation to clean up EMS industry in Texas, and led a statewide effort to update EMS regulations for the first time in 10 years.

Dudley was the founding member and first elected president of the Texas EMS Alliance, a statewide organization that has become the voice of EMS in Texas. They recently acquired $21.7M of state funds from the legislature to educate EMTs and Paramedics across Texas.

Dudley is also the current President of the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation (SSLGC) Board of Directors and has served in this capacity for the past 2 years.

Congratulations to Dudley on his many accomplishments during his career and we are grateful for his dedicated service to our community!

INCREDIBLY

Richard Kunz

Richard Kunz started with the Schertz Police Department on July 10, 2002. He has worked to serve the people of the City of Schertz in the position of a patrol officer for most of his time with the city. He has also served several years on the traffic unit and he is a certified Texas Commission on Law Enforcement instructor. About 10 years ago Richard became certified as a School Resource Officer and filled in as an SRO in the schools from time to time until 2018 when he became a full-time School Resource Officer. Since 2018, Richard has been president of the Schertz Police Association and has also been recently selected to the Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority board.

Richard was born in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in Live Oak, Texas. He graduated from Judson High School, and later Southwest Texas State University in 1999, with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. Richard has been married to his wife, Laura Kunz, for over 18 years and they have two children. Richard has lots of family members in the area and he is big on spending time with family. Richard’s hobbies include just about anything involving the outdoors, including hiking, camping, hunting, and most especially fishing. He has been a member of Trout Unlimited for several years and enjoys the art of fly fishing. He also enjoys traveling and has had the fortune since a very young age of traveling the country from Washington State to Florida.

Congratulations to Richard on his many accomplishments during his career and we are grateful for his dedicated service to our community!

THE CITY OF SCHERTZ IS PROUD OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE ARE

THANKFUL FOR THEIR GREAT SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

Dudley Wait Richard Kunz

Traveling for the Holidays?

Be Prepared!

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US AND IF YOU'RE TRAVELING THIS YEAR THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND TO ENSURE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY A SAFE AND HAPPY SEASON!

First, don't worry about your house if you decide to be away from home for the holidays. The Schertz Police Department offers a house check program to any resident of Schertz at no cost. To participate in this program, residents need to complete a House Check Form at the Schertz Police Department. Once the form is turned in, Schertz Officers will periodically check the home for suspicious activity or signs of criminal activity while you are away. Please note this program is not available for houses for sale or vacant homes.

Next, if you’re traveling by car be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest before departing and be prepared for any emergency. Traveling by car during the holidays means you could encounter various hazards and dangers.

Safety First

Residents are encouraged to stay safe on the roads over the holidays—and every day—by following the tips below from the National Safety Council:

■ Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you

■ Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving

■ Leave early, plan ahead for heavy holiday traffic

■ Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled

■ Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit

■ Practice defensive driving

■ Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over the counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment

619-1274. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

The Schertz Police Department would like to encourage residents if you see something, say something, and notify the police department by contacting the non-emergency phone number at (210)

Put a Freeze on Winter Holiday Fires

AS YOU DECK THE HALLS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BE FIRE SMART. A SMALL FIRE THAT SPREADS TO A CHRISTMAS TREE CAN GROW LARGE VERY QUICKLY.

Picking the Tree

■ Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the Tree

■ Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.

■ Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

■ Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

■ Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

■ Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.

■ Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number o f light strands to connect.

■ Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

■ Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

■ Properly dispose of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home, garage, or placed outside against the home.

■ Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Important Facts

■ Almost one third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

■ Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious.

■ A heat source too close to the tree causes more than one in every five of the fires.

Information provided by NFPA Public Education Division

City Completes 2020 SPAM Resurfacing Projects

THE CITY'S CONTRACTOR RECENTLY COMPLETED SEVERAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE CITY.

By DEVAN CHRISTENSEN

The 2020 Street Preservation and Maintenance (SPAM) Program consisted of three different areas: “Preservation” for a new street surface; “Rehabilitation/Reconstruction” for streets that need more work; and “Added Capacity” for new or expanded streets identified in the Roadway Capital Improvements Plan.

The planned “preservation” list would resurface the street sections in the following subdivisions:

■ Aviation Heights

■ Dove Meadows

■ Fairways at Scenic Hills

■ Ashley Place

■ Savannah Square

■ Oak Trail Estates

These streets were selected based on evaluation of the 2016 Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The project’s goals were to perform the necessary prep work to various city streets, then

apply a new driving surface to them. For this project, slurry seal was added on top of the road. A slurry seal is a thick mixture of sand and oil that is spread onto the street surface. The oil/sand mixture seals the surface of the street, rejuvenates the existing pavement, and provides a new wearing surface for vehicles to drive on. Prep work for these streets began in the spring and the slurry seal was applied this fall.

When the project was originally scoped, more streets were included in the slurry seal list. As the project was designed, it was discovered that the project budget was not sufficient to provide for slurry sealing all the originally intended streets. As a result, the project scope was modified to select the streets in the original project area that needed the slurry seal application now, instead of some that could wait for a future project. The streets that would not be able to receive a slurry seal with

this project effort, were instead crack sealed. Crack sealing these streets will help preserve them and save some effort for the future resurfacing project. The crack sealing will help prevent moisture from getting into the base, reducing the chances of developing potholes or base failures in the streets. The streets that were not slurry sealed in this project will be addressed in an upcoming SPAM Program.

The Engineering and Public Works Departments are currently finalizing data for the 2022 PCI and will be updating the Capital Improvement Plan based on that evaluation.

Stay updated on other SPAM and Capital Improvement projects at Schertz.com/CapitalImprovement.

Blue Santa is Coming to Town!

THE SCHERTZ BLUE SANTA PROGRAM IS SET TO KICK OFF THIS MONTH TO HELP BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO LOCAL FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN NEED.

By JAIME CLINE

The program consists of a “Blue Santa Tree” that is housed in the Schertz Police Department lobby and is adorned with tags filled out by local families in need. Labeled on each of the tags is the child’s name, age, and gender along with three “gift wishes” they hope to receive this holiday season. Local community members can come to the department lobby and select one (or more!) tags off the tree and purchase gifts for the corresponding children. The unwrapped gifts are brought back to the department to be handed out to the families at a date in December known as “Blue Santa Day”.

“We have such a supportive community. They really go above and beyond for these families—sometimes purchasing well above the three wishes that the kids have asked for,” shares Officer Anna Kraft.

“The children ask for all sorts of things. Some of the most popular items for the younger kids are dolls, games, cars, stuffed animals, clothing, Legos, dinosaurs, anything superhero related, and art supplies. We actually get a lot of requests for books too,” she explains.

“The older kids tend to want things like clothing, makeup, nail polish, anime, games, and hair supplies. We make sure to confirm the child’s size for clothing with their parents and any other special details they might want to include. The age limit for the program is 17 so we can help families that might have children with different ages,” Officer Kraft shares.

The department will step in to cover any children that are not selected off the Blue Santa Tree—going out and purchasing the gifts for that child themselves. They will also make sure that each child is gifted the same number of presents in the instances where children in the same family receive an unequal amount of gifts.

“Last year we were able to help 130 kids which is just amazing. We hope to help more this year if we can. Our program is really community based. The community steps up to help those in need in a big way. We have local businesses that can adopt a child or do a monetary donation and we list them as a sponsor of the program on our website,” Officer Kraft explains.

One mom says, “Blue Santa is such an amazing program! As a young mom who has a lot of kids, I always worry about how I’m going to make sure each one of my babies will have something to open! With the help of Blue Santa I don’t have to worry! We are very grateful that our community has such an amazing group of people willing to put this on for families in need!"

The children are given their gifts on “Blue Santa Day” in December. The department hosts a party featuring “Blue Santa” and the families are invited to come pick up their gifts, eat cookies, and take pictures with Santa.

“It’s just a great day all around. The families are just overjoyed to come participate, and the kids are so excited to be at the party, interact with Blue Santa, and receive some holiday gifts,” shares Officer Kraft. The deadline for applications for those individuals requesting assistance this holiday season has already passed, but make sure to look out for the application for next year starting in October.

Those willing to donate can pick up a Blue Santa Tree gift tag starting Monday, November 21 from the Schertz Police Department Lobby (1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 6). The department does accept monetary and gift card donations. Donations and unwrapped gifts must be returned to the Schertz Police Department Lobby by Monday, December 7.

For more information about how to participate in the program, please contact Officer Anna Kraft at (210) 619-1267 or go to Schertz.com/BlueSanta.

Our program is really community based. The community steps up to help those in need in a big way.

Attention Current Overdrive App Users

If you use the OverDrive app to access the Lone Star Digital Library for free eBooks and audiobooks, please plan to switch to the Libby app by the end of 2022. While it will still be available for current users, the app will no longer be supported moving forward. Download the Libby app or access additional ebooks and audiobooks through our other service cloudLibrary.

Schertz Public Library Holiday Magic Self-Service Gift Wrap Station

Bring your gifts and best wrapping skills, we’ve got the rest! Stop by the Library and wrap your holiday gifts November 28 through December 22! We will supply wrapping paper, tape, bows, gift tags, and plenty of space for you to work. The gift wrap station will be set up at a table right as you enter the library.

Winter Reading Challenge 2023

Cuddle up with great books and make reading a habit this winter! The whole family (Kids! Teens! Adults!) is invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge. Read 5 books or read 5 hours (you choose!). Mark your calendar to register and pick up your reading log starting December 16. Choose to log 5 books or 5 hours and record your reading on your reading log. Turn in your completed reading log by January 31 to be entered to win a raffle prize. For more information about the Winter Reading Challenge, please visit schertz.com/wrc.

Read Before Bookstore Gift Certificates Available

The Read Before Bookstore inside the library sells gift certificates in $5.00 increments that can be redeemed for bookstore merchandise only. The certificates cannot be used at bag sales or for any library related fines or fees. The certificates are available now and would make great stocking stuffers this holiday season. The bookstore will be closed for the holidays from December 19 - January 2. Gift certificates can be purchased at the circulation desk.

Adopt a Grandparent for the Holidays

The Schertz Public Library has partnered with the Legacy at Forest Ridge Assisted Living Community to hold our first Adopt a Grandparent Holiday Program. Many seniors do not have friends or family close by and we want them to know they are not forgotten this holiday season. If you would like to provide a gift for one of the residents, stop by the library and select a stocking, containing their wants and needs list. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community. Contact the library for more information (210) 619-1700.

L I V E M U S I C | F O O D | B A L L D R O P

Scherts Young Leaders

Meet the Inaugural class of Schertz Young Leaders!

TRAPS Rodeo

The Parks Maintenance Crew participated at this year's Texas Recreation and Park Society Maintenance Rodeo on Wednesday, November 9 in Brenham, Texas. Maintenance crews from all over Central Texas competed in events such as nail driving, truck and trailer pull, and plant identification. We are proud of the work and effort our team exhibited!

From left to right: William Davis, Nicholas Aikman, Genevieve Hercule, Marisa Estremera, Evan Reed, and Kylyn Gillespie

Nicholas Aikman

I am currently a junior at Samuel Clemens High School. I love the challenge of engineering and technology. My future dream is to become a Naval Aviator after college.

William Davis

I have lived in the Schertz area for all of my life and I am currently a Senior at Samuel Clemens High School. Hobbies of mine include playing video games, watching anime, and listening to music. I joined the Schertz Young Leaders Program to meet new people, and to gain more leadership skills and social confidence. I have a passion for cooking and plan to open my own restaurant in the Schertz area in the near future.

Kylyn Gillespie

I am a Senior at Samuel Clemens High School. I am currently active in varsity cheer, band, and DECA at Clemens, and I plan to participate on the track team in the spring. I enjoy singing, gymnastics, and working with the media ministry at church, and I am looking forward to participating in the Schertz Young Leaders Program. My future goals include attending either Prairie View A&M University or Texas State University to pursue a degree in education.

Evan Reed

I am a sophomore attending Samuel Clemens Highschool. I have been playing baseball since I was four years old and I still play this sport in high school and on select teams. I intend to pursue a

law degree in college with a baseball scholarship. I’m glad I will be able to be a part of Schertz Young Leaders so that I can learn more about my community and to be a better leader.

Genevieve Hercule

I am 15 years old and attend Saint Mary’s Hall High School and am a member of the Varsity Tennis Team. When I was seven years old, my family and I moved from Miami, Florida, to Schertz, Texas.  Since then, my little sister and I have enjoyed the wonderful community events in Schertz, including Girls Scouts for many years as well as being a contestant for the 2021-2022 Schertz Sweetheart Court. Schertz is our home and I want to learn more about my community. Joining the Young Leaders Program will help me accomplish that goal.

Marisa Estremera

I'm a sophomore at Byron P Steele High School. I am a member of the Medallions Varsity dance team, and I'm the region Vice president for Family Career and Community Leaders of America. I'm the Vice President for the class of 2025, I am extremely outgoing and a devoted member of this community.

Aralyn Storoy

I was born in Colorado and moved to Schertz/Cibolo when I was 3. I have always been an outstanding student and love to learn, especially math and history! I love volleyball and dance, reading and hanging out with my friends.

DEC. HAPPENING THIS MONTH in Schertz

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Deck the City Hall Dec. 1 @ 6:00 p.m. Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex

Medicare 101 with Texas Medicare Solutions Dec. 1 @ 6:00 p.m. Library Meeting Room 1

Retirement PlanningTax Implications

Dec. 1 @ 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Library Meeting Room 2

Holidazzle, Activities Dec. 3, all day Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex

Lego Lab (Ages 5+) Dec. 3 @ 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Library Program Room

Sunday Afternoon Meditation for Adults Dec. 4 @ 1 p.m. Library Program Room

Schertz Area Genealogists Meeting Dec. 6 @ 6:30 p.m. Library Meeting Room 1

Open Mic Poetry for Adults Dec. 8 @ 6:30 p.m. Library Meeting Room 1

CPR & First Aid Training Dec. 10 @ 9 a.m. EMS Training Room

Retirement Planning-Protection for Your Retirement Dec. 15 @ 5:30 p.m. Library Meeting Room 2

C.R.A.S.E. and Stop The Bleed Dec. 17 @ 9 a.m. EMS Training Room

Retirement Planning-Types of Investments Presentation Dec. 29 @ 5:30 p.m. Library Meeting Room 2

New Year's Eve in the Park Dec. 31 @ 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Pickrell Park

RECURRING LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Total Body Strength Class for Adults

Free Math Tutoring

Teen Tuesdays (Ages 13 – 18 yrs.)

Library Quilt Bee

Toddler Storytime (Ages 20 months – 3yrs.)

Preschool Storytime (Ages 3 – 6 yrs.)

Mondays @ 10:30 a.m. Library Program Room

Mondays @ 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Library Meeting Room 2

Tuesdays @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Library Program Room

Second and Fourth Tuesday and third Saturday (Time variesl check online)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Thursdays @ 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Walk-in Tech Help Dec 5 & 19 @ 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Dec 14 & 28 @ 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Discovery! (Ages 6 – 9 yrs.)

Baby & Me Storytime (Ages Birth – 24 months)

Library Meeting Room 1

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING

December 10 @ 11 a.m. – Noon

Schertz Public Library Program Room Celebrate the season with your family and decorate pre-built graham cracker gingerbread houses with us.

NEXT MONTH IN SCHERTZ...

Library Program Room

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

January 7 @ 10 a.m. – Noon Pickrell Park Pool $20/person

Library Program Room

Library Meeting Room 1

Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Library Program Room

Thursdays @ 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Library Program Room

Take the plunge into the new year with Schertz Parks & Recreation and the Schertz Family YMCA at the Cold for a Cause Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Pickrell Park Pool. After the plunge, this family-friendly event includes s’mores and hot chocolate to warm you up. Also, make sure to cozy up by the fire pit! This chilly tradition takes place internationally every winter, and our community is excited to join in. Funds raised from this event help make it possible for children, families, seniors, neighbors, and others to benefit from Y programs and memberships, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Register online at ymcasatx. org/polarbearplunge.

FROM THE

In the pursuit of workforce retention, upskilling employees has become a primary advantage for employers who are willing to invest in it. Due to the tight labor market and continuous technological developments across industries, upskilling can be utilized to close the skill gaps within organizations while also increasing retention.

“Investments in your workforce can come in many different forms,” said Casey Moeller, Business Engagement Manager for the Schertz Economic Development Corporation (Schertz EDC). “Researching resources and offering opportunities to improve personal and professional growth is extremely valuable.”

Cal-Tex Protective Coatings, Inc. is a leader in the automotive protection industry that offer a full range of cutting-edge products that are specifically engineered to provide dealers and agents the best products to meet their customers’ needs. Headquartered in Schertz, Texas, CalTex was founded in 1983 and is currently one of the city’s top 10 primary employers. Originally

two separate automotive product businesses, one located in California and the other in Texas, the two merged to form Cal-Tex Protective Coatings, Incorporated. Since then, Cal-Tex has grown to become the premier provider of environmental protection and aftermarket products sold, through thousands of automotive dealerships nationwide.

Fostering a culture that promotes continual opportunities for growth and development, Cal-Tex’s Core Purpose is to serve their customers and the individuals within their organization with excellence. The company currently partners with Alamo Colleges District, offering three separate options for continuing education in Information and Data Technology. Currently, eight employees are participating in this program benefiting from courses such as IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity, IBM Full Stack Software Developing, and SQL Basics for Data Science.

Isabelle Camara, Senior Quality Management Specialist for Cal-Tex, expressed “[the] course was very well created, the videos were informational

Blogand gave real life examples to help fully understand each topic. The quizzes at the end of each course helped prepare to move on to the next weeks course.”

Alamo Colleges District provides these accessible, on-demand, online courses which stack into a professional or specialization certificate. These courses and learning experiences help employees upskill and reskill quickly, based on completing work weekly according to course suggestions. The offered programs are “learn at your own pace” and self-directed so that employees can complete the specializations on their own terms. No prior experience is necessary. With convenient, fast-track, and on-demand offerings from the Alamo Colleges District, employees can quickly build professional skills to advance in their current positions.

“The Alamo College District staff are second to none.” Said Julio Garcia, Vice President of Human Resources for Cal-Tex. “Our partnership with the Alamo College District (ACD) has been a fantastic experience from start to end. In addition to providing our employees with extremely valuable course work, they have also been extremely accommodating and supportive of CalTex’s employee development goals. The professionalism and commitment to serving the business community was certainly evident throughout the process. Thank you ACD.”

The Schertz EDC is proud to have Cal-Tex Protective Coatings as a member of our business community, and grateful to have partners such as Alamo Colleges to help make opportunities like this possible.

For more information on convenient, fast-track, and ondemand offerings from the Alamo Colleges District, please visit alamo.edu/upskill. Interested in having your business featured in our blog or monthly newsletter? Please reach out to Casey at cmoeller@schertz.com.

Around the Community

Local Athletes to Play in All-Star Football Game

This year, 116 players representing 62 schools were selected to take part in the San Antonio Sports AllStar Football Game, presented by H-E-B. The San Antonio Sports AllStar Football Game is a showcase of the area’s top high school football talent with a goal of shining the light on local talent and enhancing their opportunities for college scholarships. Players are nominated by their high school coaches and chosen by a selection committee featuring broadcasters, journalists, and former coaches.

Seven Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD student-athletes have been selected to take part in this exciting game. Safety Jameer Dudley, Defensive Lineman Travion Smith, and Linebacker Evan Tapp were chosen to represent Clemens High School as a part of Team Black. Safety Javon Bejarano, Offensive Lineman Christian Fitchett, Offensive Lineman Alex Garza, and Linebacker Makai Williams were chosen to represent Steele High School as a part of Team Gold. Steele High School Coach David Saenz Jr. will coach the Gold Team.

The San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game will take place on Saturday, January 7 at The Alamodome. The game will be televised on CW35 and broadcast on San Antonio Sports Star ESPN 94.1 FM/1250 AM radio in San Antonio.

Local Food Pantry Serves the Community

The Bracken UMC Food Pantry has been feeding the community for over 12 years. During COVID, the H-E-B food bank was forced to shut down their support of small community pantries. The pantry was entirely dependent on their backing. The church could not stand by as they saw an increase in families in need of food due to quarantine and the post-pandemic economy. Thus an independent pantry was created. It receives some fresh food from Daily Bread Ministries but primarily runs on monetary and food donations from the church and community. It serves needy families of all ages in the Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City community. They do not require any proof of residency or financial statements to receive food. In the month of October, 82 families were fed. The food pantry is a drive-through

every third Wednesday of the month from 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. (or until food runs out) under the large pavilion in Pickrell Park.

To donate to the pantry contact Bracken UMC at (830) 6066717 or email Barbara Gordy at big0948@hotmail.com.

Around the Community

Six Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Campuses Receive Purple Star Designation

On October 13, the Texas Education Agency announced the designation of 179 Texas public schools, including six Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD campuses as Purple Star campuses for the 2022-23 school year.

According to the Texas Education Agency, the Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes Texas district and charter schools that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

The designation is awarded every fall, and to be eligible, campuses must designate a campus-based military liaison; create and maintain an easily accessible webpage that includes information for military-connected students and their families; institute a campus transition program for militaryconnected students; and support a military family assistance initiative.

According to the TEA, selected campuses will receive a Purple Star

recognition to display on campus or on the school website and will have their designation featured on the TxSchools.gov webpage.

The following SCUCISD campuses schools received a Purple Star designation for the academic year:

Samuel Clemens High School

Norma J Paschal Elementary School

Dobie Junior High School

Byron P Steele II High School

Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School

Rose Garden Elementary School

Honoring Victims of Domestic Violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Each year we team up with Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter (GVFVS) and Cibolo Police Department to bring awareness to Domestic Violence. On October 26th, we gathered at the Cibolo Flag Courtyard to honor the victims of domestic violence. Each person in attendance was given a set of names, and these names were read aloud.

In 2021, 204 victims were killed in Texas. To break down this number, the victims included 169 women, 35 men, and 12 LGBTQ. The youngest victim was 16, and the oldest victim was 85. These numbers are too high.

If you are being hurt or abused or know someone who is, please call your local police department or the GVFVS at 1-800-834-2033. Remember, love should not hurt.

Holiday Happenings

Main St. Commons Holiday Market

Main St. Commons Holiday Market is an outdoor vendor event where you can shop local vendors, artisans, and services. Drop by, grab a latte or hot chocolate, take a photo with the Grinch, have lunch at the new Kind Kitchen, shop local and be entertained! DJ Lil B and Chrissy Rae’s Dancers will be performing! Come have fun on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 816 Main St, Schertz, TX 78154.

Cibolo Main Street Market

Check out the Cibolo Main Street Market on Saturday, December 10 to enjoy a variety of vendors and artisans. You're sure to find something you’ll love while supporting local businesses. This event will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. each day in the Noble Center Parking Lot (203 S. Main St., Cibolo, TX). For more information email cibolomainstreetmarket@gmail.com.

Central & South Texas Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run

The Central & South Texas Arthritis Foundation will be holding their Jingle Bell Run, a family-friendly, holiday-themed 5K run and 1 mile walk, at Northeast Lakeview College on the afternoon of December 10. The event encourages participants to dress in festive costumes and get moving to raise awareness and funds to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. If you have any questions about this event or would like more information, contact Alicia Miller-Tamez at amiller@ arthritis.org or (210) 441-7121.

Christmas at the Caverns Christmas at the Caverns returns for the 2022 holiday season combining the sights and sounds

of the holidays with its underground world of natural beauty and amazement. Join Natural Bridge Caverns on December 3-4, 10-11, and 16-23 for unique holiday offerings including the Trail of Lights, Storytime with Santa, and Christmas Campfire. During this season of giving, “Christmas at the Caverns” continues its support of the San Antonio Food Bank with a portion of ticket sales. For more information visit naturalbridgecaverns.com.

Crosspoint Church Kids Crazy Community Party

Join Crosspoint Church on Sunday, December 11 for the Kids Crazy Community Party. Meet one of the World’s Top 3 Ball Handlers, Robyn Slain, and enjoy snow sledding, inflatables, and games. The party will take place at Crosspoint Church (2600 Roy Richard Dr). There will be a session for kids only from 4:00 – 7:10 p.m. and another session for family sledding at 7:15 p.m. Cost is $5/kid and parents are free. Space is limited. Visit crosspoint247. com/party to sign up.

Schertz Cibolo Local Vendor Extravaganza Shop local at the Schertz Cibolo Local Vendor Extravaganza at Schertz United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. You will find the perfect gift for that special someone (or maybe yourself). There will also be a special visitor from the North Pole! Photo ops will be provided.

The Light Park

The Most EXCITING, and ELECTRIFYING Light Show South of the North Pole! Eat, drink, and watch as we electrify the night with millions of Christmas lights and festive music. The Light Park will be open at Retama Park in Selma now through January 1. Open daily Mondays –Thursdays from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. and Fridays – Sundays from 5:30 – 11:00 p.m. Go to thelightpark.com/sanantonio for more information and to purchase tickets.

Around the Community

Showing Gratitude and Tribute to All Who Have Served our Country

On Friday, November 11, community leaders and residents gathered on Veterans Day to commemorate those who have and are currently serving our country in the Armed Forces. The Cibolo, Schertz, Selma Veterans Day Community Celebration, hosted by the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of The Chamber, was held at the Cibolo City Hall Plaza with a special ceremony, guest speakers, and local performers.

Master of Ceremonies, Joseph Terry, with the Military Affairs Committee, Chamber opened the ceremony honoring the history of the holiday and welcomed guests of the ceremony

Samuel Clemens

High School Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Samuel Clemens High School held its 55th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 5. The celebratory event included a classic car show, student-led campus tours, a special history set up in the library, lunch & munch, and a pep rally with special recognitions. This special day commemorated the generations of Buffs who have passed through the halls of Clemens over the years.

as the Clemens High School JROTC presented the posting of the colors and the National Anthem by the Steele High School Choir and Band. Following the Invocation given by Chamber President Mrs. Maggie Titterington, Rep. John Kuempel addressed the crowd before keynote addresses from Brigadier General Russell D. Driggers and Major General Jimmie Keenan.

The TAPS musical tribute was played by the Steel High School Band, and Pastor Mark Marley of Word Fellowship Church delivered the benediction. It was a beautiful morning as service members, their families, volunteers,

mayors and elected officials, and the local community came together in gratitude and tribute to all who have served our great country and given us the freedoms to do so each year.

Bring your Schertz Magazine along during your travels and send us a high resolution photo of you and your magazine to magazine@schertz.com. You may see your photo in an upcoming issue of Schertz Magazine!

Clemens Junior Aidan Federico went to St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and took his Schertz Magazine.

Elaine and James Ratcliff took their Schertz Magazine on their trip to Villa Botanica, St. Thomas, USVI.

Corbett Junior High students Jamie Cromer and Addyson Strilchuk took their Schertz Magazine on a trip to Walt Disney World.

Raymond Castro and Damaris Lopez visited the Monument of States in Kissimmee, Florida and took their Schertz Magazine.

LOOKING BACK

Schertz Texas

Something To Think About . . .

Schertz History

In 1890, Sebastian Schertz passed away and his sons, Adolph and Martin, would take over running the Cotton gin. His son William began the mercantile store in 1892 and became one of the largest in Guadalupe County, as well as became Schertz postmaster. Through the years, Schertz grew and the Schertz family continued to invest in the town. In December 1910, Adolph Schertz was part of a group of 16 farmers that created the Farmers Rural Telephone Company as a means of communicating with one another as well as long distance business centers. A box with 3 keys and lines strung over barbed wire fences to a service that provided to communities spread over Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties. It became one of the largest privately owned companies in the country until it was sold to Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1958. Adolph also donated two acres of land in 1917 to the school district, realizing the need for a better facility than the field house they were presently

using. The two-story, ten-grade level school was built and Schertz School was born. In 1953, construction of a new Schertz-Cibolo High School began.

Texas History

Texas Rangers was unofficially founded back in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin. The Texas Rangers played an effective, valiant, and honorable rule throughout the early troubled years of Texas. The Ranger Service has differed in organization and policy under varying conditions, demands for service, and state administrations, and it has not seen of entirely unbroken continuity. In 1821, Stephen F. Austin, known as the “Father of Texas,” made a contract to bring 300 families to the Spanish province (Texas). By 1823, more than 600 people were in Texas, who settled around the Gulf of Mexico. There was no regular army to protect them, so Austin called the citizens together and organized a group to provide the needed for their protection.

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.

Official City Meetings

Library Adv Board Meeting

6:30 p.m. | Meeting Room 1

City Council Meeting

6 p.m. | Council Chambers

Economic Dev Corp

6 p.m. | Council Chambers

City Council Meeting

6 p.m. | Council Chambers

CITY COUNCIL

Ralph Gutierrez Mayor (210) 619-1040

ralphgutierrez@schertz.com

Mark Davis Councilmember (210) 376-9141 markdavis@schertz.com

Jill Whittaker Councilmember (210) 846-8768 jwhittaker@schertz.com

Michael Dahle Councilmember (210) 419-9337 mdahle@schertz.com

David Scagliola Councilmember (830) 606-1130 davidscagliola@schertz.com

Allison Heyward Councilmember (210) 608-9543 allisonheyward@schertz.com

Tim Brown Councilmember (210) 608-2381 timbrown@schertz.com

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City of Schertz/311 (210) 619-1000

Animal Services (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

Planning and Zoning Comm

6 p.m. | Council Chambers

SSLGC Meeting 1:30 p.m. | SSLGC Admin Bldg

Christmas Eve Observed (Offices Closed)

Christmas Day Observed (Offices Closed)

VISIT SCHERTZ.COM

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Walt Disney

Public Affairs Department

1400 Schertz Parkway

Schertz, Texas 78154