THU Council STOPS
proposed apartment complex at 46, Cordova Road
Darren Dunn
(Seguin) -- The Seguin City Council has declined to move forward with the Lily Springs Apartment Complex on State Highway 46. The council voted 4-3 during Tuesday’s meeting to not allow the city’s Public Finance Corporation to move forward with an agreement with the Navarro ISD and the developer Lightpath Corporation.
The project was controversial to some because it would have been owned by the city of Seguin, but managed by a private firm, which would have been responsible for all of the financial risks involved in the project. In lieu of property taxes, the company would have made lease payments to the city for 75 years. That’s where
the problem begins for some in the Navarro ISD. Because the project would be owned by the city, there would be no property taxes collected. That means it would generate no tax revenue for the city, the Navarro ISD or Guadalupe County. The deal initially created an uproar, with some Navarro ISD stakeholders who cried foul over the project because it would have directly impacted the district without the district receiving an adequate level of funding from the project. But this time around, the deal had been reworked. It included a new developer, with ties to the community; and it also included a new funding agreement.
Apartments, pg. 4
Holiday Season arrives in Seguin tonight
This year’s Holiday Stroll Parade gets underway at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Seguin. It will be followed by the annual lighting of Central Park. See story on page 2.
2024 Holiday Stroll Parade set for tonight in Seguin
(Seguin) – Seguin has officially announced that tonight’s Holiday Stroll Parade in Downtown Seguin will be the largest ever. With 110 entries expected to travel south on Austin Street, the city’s parks and recreation department says it is excited to see the holiday tradition grow.
This year’s parade gets underway today at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Austin and College Streets. The parade route will continue south on Austin Street ending in the Seguin Coliseum parking lot.
Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen has also chosen to posthumously honor Sonia Mendez as this year’s Grand Marshal for the holiday parade.
Mendez served as the Seguin City Council Member for District 2 from 2020 until her passing in 2024.
Dodgen says she just felt it was right to select Mendez for the honor and will welcome her family in this year’s parade.
“She participated each year, loved this community, gave so much of her time and attention to making us better that it just felt like to the
right thing to do, and I wanted to honor her service. What better way to do that then at our City’s Holiday celebration,” said Dodgen.
The parade, which kicks off three days of downtown holiday fun, will feature entries from local and area businesses and organizations.
After the parade, the community is invited to gather in Central Park for the annual tree lighting by Mayor Dodgen. The mayor will also announce the winners of the parade and the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest.
Stroll, pg. 4
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
TLU Vespers tickets still available
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Seguin) -- TLU’s gift giving will continue into the weekend with this year’s Christmas Vespers.
For years, Texas Lutheran University has hosted Christmas Vespers, a presentation of beloved Christmas carols from all over the world. This year’s 2024 concert is titled “When All Is Still.” Although tickets are free, they usually go fast. That’s according to Tracy Donley, the director of communications and content.
“People are welcome to go to our website to reserve their tickets or they can call, or they can stop by the TLU bookstore. There is no charge for the tickets. If they reserve them in advance, they will be held at will call – at the door the night that they go to the performance,” said Donley.
During the service, the TLU Choirs will present the world premieres of three new works:
“What Child Is This?” “I Wonder as I Wander” and “When All Is Still.”
The TLU Orchestral Winds and Percussion will join with the choirs to bring the music of the season
to Seguin.
Performances are scheduled for today, Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8 a 4 p.m. in Jackson Auditorium. There will be an additional performance on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin. No tickets are required for the Austin performance.
Hope for the Holidays
Clothing, Toy Drive to be held through FRIDAY
(Seguin) -- With the chill of winter just around the corner, students at Texas Lutheran University are thinking of others— and they want to do something to help those in need. The TLU Holiday Hope Drive, hosted by the TLU Black and Gold President’s Council (BGPC), will run through this Friday, Dec. 6. The goal is to provide warm winter clothing, blankets, and other essentials to those in need at Thriving Hearts Crisis Center (formerly the Seguin Family Violence Shelter).
“At Texas Lutheran University, we're committed to ensuring everyone in our community experiences the spirit of the season,” said Courtney Burnett, president of BGPC. “The Holiday Hope Drive is essential because in South Texas, unpredictable winters make warm clothing crucial, and every child deserves to feel included in the holiday magic.”
New and gently used winter clothing can be dropped off at bins located throughout campus. Dropoff locations off campus include Dietz Flower Shop, the Seguin Public Library and the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce Office. Toy donations for the Seguin Police Department’s Blue Santa Program are also being collected at these same bins. The toy collection is being held to help bolster KWED’s Holiday Food and Toy Drive slated for this Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. outside the radio station located at 609 E. Court St.
Deadline nears for Seguin’s Blue Santa PROGRAM
(Seguin) – If you need Blue Santa’s assistance this year, then you’ve got only two more days in which to let him know. The deadline to apply for the Seguin Police Department's Blue Santa program is 5 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 6.
Applications are available at numerous locations including the Seguin Police Department, the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and Seguin ISD schools. For application requirements or where to pick up applications, visit seguintexas.gov/bluesanta.
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Apartments, continued.
The city was agreeing to give two-thirds of the revenue it would have received to the Navarro ISD over the 75-year lease agreement.
The project would have been built at the intersection of State Highway 46 and Cordova Road. It was billed as a “Class-A” apartment community, with high-end amenities. It would have been a partnership between the city of Seguin and a private developer. It has also been touted as a much needed project that would provide housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters and others who earn similar wages.
City Manager Steve Parker laid out the plans for the deal during Tuesday’s meeting. He says workforce housing is needed in Seguin. Parker says this partnership would ensure that the city would get a quality development built.
“It will be one of the nicer multi-family projects in the city of Seguin and that’s one of the benefits of us partnering with this is that the city has some control of how quality of a level of a project this is and there’s callbacks if it is not maintained as a Class-A development,” said Parker.
Lightpath was the new proposed developer for the project. It’s owned by John Kirk, who may be a familiar name. Kirk isn’t just the owner of Lightpath Corporation, but he also resides in and has children that attend schools in the Navarro ISD. He says he got involved in this project after the original developer, Vaquero Multifamily LLC, could not move forward with the financing for the project. Kirk told the council on Tuesday that his company is new, but says he has a great deal of experience with building apartment complexes like this one.
“I’ve been in the apartment development business for over 20 years. That’s been my career and earlier this year, January of this year, through faith and courage, I started my own company Lightpath and my focus is workforce housing. After developing over 20,000 units in my career across the US, I wanted to go out on my own and do it under my core values and what I believe in,” said Kirk.
The project called for a three-story apartment complex, with 282 units.
Kirk says it would be a high-quality living community for working people. He says he lives here and is excited to be able to provide the community with the quality housing that it needs.
“I think it fits the neighborhood that’s been developed there with the clubhouse. Like Mr. Parker said, it is a classic project with all your typical amenities but it’s geared toward the workforce professional,” said Kirk.
Prior to the vote, the council also heard from Summer Greathouse, a partner with the Bracewell Law Firm, which has represented the city through this process. Much like Kirk, Greathouse has a connection to the local community. She told the council she grew up along Three Oaks Road and was a student in the Navarro ISD. Greathouse says the way the law is written, it allows the city to get the workforce housing that it wants, while making the developer responsible for all of the financial risk.
“The principal purpose of the project is to own the project. It will then enter into a 75-year lease with a development partnership. The partners of that partnership will be the developer as well as equity investors. The reason that we do the public facility corporation is number one to help provide for that property tax exemption, but it also insulates the city from liability. This is as separate legal entity from the city of Seguin and then finally, it allows for the development of workforce housing,” said Greathouse.
Kirk wanted to move forward with the project, but the item was also back on the council agenda, because the city and the school district were both concerned that not moving forward might open up an opportunity for another governmental entity to creep into Seguin and completely cut the local entities out of the deal. Parker says that’s a real concern and it’s been seen in other communities.
“There have been other housing corporations across the state primarily in Cameron County who have actually gone out and financed these deals without any public input from the local governments here and actually, it has already
happened here in Seguin. There’s an apartment complex on Walnut that was taken off the tax rolls in 2023 – the city was making $52,000 a year. There was no notice that was given to any of the public entities, and it is now off the tax rolls completely because now Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation bought that property and they are getting 100 percent of the rental payments moving forward and so, there is an opportunity and now there’s litigation out there that’s trying to stop all this. I think there will be some things going through the next legislative update that is going to protect some of these things, but I think we move forward with a recommendation because we think that we’d rather lock this up and make sure that we get the most benefit out of a project like this,” said Parker.
Councilman Paul Gaytan says he’s not buying the threat that this project would be gobbled up by some outside entity. He says he doesn’t believe that this is a good deal for the city or the school district.
“I don’t think that’s a credible threat being scared into doing this. If we want to do it, okay. But I don’t think we should be scared into doing it. We need to protect our city and if somebody wants to come in and steal our tax money, we are going to sue them and that’s our job. So, I don’t think you should vote on this for that reason. That’s not a good reason,” said Gaytan.
Councilman Jim Lievens, who represents the area where the complex would be built, said that he was originally opposed to the deal. But he says the threat of an outside public entity getting involved and completely cutting Seguin and Navarro ISD out of the deal is very real.
“If we voted this down, another sponsoring governmental entity, it could be a city, it could be a county, it could be a housing corporation, it could be a school district – (they) can finance this and unlike this body, this council agreed to that revenue split, there may be no such option if another governmental entity came in,” said Lievens.
Lievens comments were like those made by Navarro ISD Superintendent Mandy Epley. She told the council that the school district doesn’t like that the project would not be taxable for 75 years. But she says getting something through the proposed revenue sharing agreement, versus getting nothing if another outside entity gets involved -- is the better of the options currently available with this deal.
“They would like to see it as a taxable property on our rolls but when you are asking me, do I take the deal or do I risk nothing for income to run our district, I think most of our board understands that it’s not the deal that we would like but it’s income off the property which is what we need to run our school district,” said Epley.
Kirk confirmed that there are outside public entities that might be interested in the project.
“It would force me to look at other options and take an objective approach of do I want to do this or do I flip my interest to someone else – the outside developer who doesn’t really care about the community and say do they want to do that?” said Kirk.
The council weighed each side of the issue, but in the end, the majority of the council voted to deny the agreement. Now, the waiting begins to see if another developer or public entity emerges that might try to find another way to restart this project.
Stroll, continued.
The contest is designed for those creative trees planted throughout the downtown square.
Vendors plus free pictures with Santa will also be available.
Residents are also invited to return to downtown Seguin on Friday for the annual Cocoa Sip N’ Stroll from 6 to 9 p.m.
Folks will get to stroll through downtown tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate. Seguin’s downtown businesses will keep their doors open late for some shopping and sipping of their very own hot chocolate recipes. Other activities will include live entertainment from the Seguin High School Star Steppers, photos with Santa, and a variety of food vendors.
The holiday fun continues on Saturday with the annual North Pole Stroll from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of nonprofit organizations will be hosting activities for children in Central Park including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating and letters to Santa.
All events are free and open to the public.
Area teams fall on the high school hardwoods on Tuesday
Chris Austin
(Seguin) -- The Seguin Matadors and Lady Matadors dropped home games on Tuesday.
The Matador boys fell 65-38 to the Canyon Cougars. Junior forward Corey Dailey topped the Mats in scoring with 19 points. Senior guard Colton Saengerhausen dropped in eight points.
The Mats will play at the SAISD Boys Invitational Basketball Tournament starting on Thursday.
The Lady Mats fell to San Antonio Burbank, 77-41 in their first District 27-5A game of the season.
The Seguin girls will be back in district action on Friday, when they take on San Antonio Brackenridge. That game will be played at
Highlands High School. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday night.
(Poth) -- The Marion boys fell on the road at Poth on Tuesday.
The Pirates took down the Bulldogs, 48-43. Marion will next play in the Llano basketball tournament starting Thursday.
(Devine) -- The Lady Bulldogs dropped a 6240 decision at Devine on Tuesday. The Marion girls will next play at the New Braunfels Long Creek tournament beginning on Thursday.
(Geronimo) -- Over in Geronimo, the
Navarro Runnin’ Lady Panthers dropped a close one to Medina Valley on Tuesday.
In a battle of Lady Panthers, Medina Valley hit two free throws with three seconds left to edge Navarro 41-39. Senior Tegan Harborth paced Navarro with 16 points.
The Lady Panthers will host the Navarro girls basketball tournament starting on Thursday. Navarro will take on Corpus Christi King in their first game at 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon at Navarro High School.
Meanwhile, the Navarro boys will head east on Thursday to begin play at the La Grange basketball tournament.
CDC: McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak Is Over (Atlanta, GA) -- McDonald’s E. coli outbreak is over. The CDC said over 100 people in 14 states were infected. It caused 27 hospitalizations and one previously reported death of an older adult in Colorado. The CDC first announced the outbreak on October 22nd. The fresh slivered onions on the fast food chain’s Quarter Pounders and other items were likely the source.
Supreme Court Looks Into FDA Ban On Vapes
(Washington, DC) -- The Supreme Court is reviewing the FDA’s actions on flavored vapes. The justices discussed on Monday whether the agency acted unfairly in its decision to stop two companies from marketing their e-cigarette products with flavors, including pink lemonade and crème brulee, that it saw as a risk to young people. The companies allege the FDA changed the rules in the middle of its review on how their products would be evaluated.
Pete
Hegseth’s
Drinking Concerned Fox News Colleagues
(Undated) -- Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nomination for defense secretary, allegedly had alarming drinking habits while working at Fox News. Ten current and former Fox employees spoke with NBC News, and said Hegseth drank in ways that concerned them. Two people said that on more than a dozen occassions, Hegseth smelled like alcohol before going on air, and would complain about hangovers regularly. One source said they smelled alcohol on him as recently as last month. The New Yorker recently detailed concerns about Hegseth’s drinking at two jobs he had before joining Fox. Hegseth’s legal team said they deny the allegations.
CU Awarded Over $46M To Study Restoration Of Human Sight
(Aurora, CO) -- Researchers in Colorado are being given a federal contract to study ways to restore human sight. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health has awarded the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus a five-year contract worth just over 46-million dollars. Much of the research will focus on transplanting eyes from deceased donors to restore vision to blind patients. The effort will require multiple fields of research in areas such as preventing organ rejection and creating ways to connect nerves to the transplanted eye.
December
Family Christmas Movie
Zonta of Seguin presents a Family Christmas Movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Palace Theater on December 8th, from 5-8 PM. Tickets are $10 each in advance and $15 at the door. The ticket includes a cup of hot cocoa or lemonade, cookies, and door prizes. Pictures with Jack Skeleton will be available, and a raffle will be held. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at Seguin Chamber and Century 21 office behind Taco Bell. For more information, call 830-305-0785.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Casino Night
TruLight127/TruLight Youth Village will host an Ugly Sweater Casino Night on Thursday, December 5th, from 6-10:30 PM at the Blue Bonnett Palace in Selma. Individual Tickets are $50 & include dinner, gaming chips & 1 drop bucket raffle ticket. Sponsorship Opportunities are available! All net proceeds will support children and youth in foster care. Tickets can be purchased at (www.trulight127.org) or https://trulight127-bloom.kindful.com/e/ugly-christmas-sweater-casino-night
GARAGE/RUMMAGE SALE ON SATURDAY, December 7, 2024
Guadalupe County Humane Society Garage/Rummage Sale, on Saturday December 7 starting at 8:00. EVERYTHING WILL BE 50% UNTIL NOON. We have household items, home décor including Christmas, men’s tools, yard and garden items and furniture. The sale will be held at the Handi-Stop Storage behind the liquor store located at 2511 N. State Hwy 46 starting at 8AM. All proceeds from this sale help sustain GCHS’ daily operations, as well as help finance our low-cost Spay/Neuter program.
Di Sucre by V
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Di Sucre by V at 11 AM Thursday, December 5th, at 225 S. Saunders ST. Inside The Schoolyard.
Sip n Stroll
The Seguin Young Professionals will participate in the 14th Annual Sip n’ Stroll in Downtown Seguin hosted by the Downtown Business Alliance. Please stop by for your coca and learn more about our Young Professionals! The Sip n Stroll will take place December 13, 2024 in downtown. The group will set up at 200 N. Austin Street in front of First United Bank.
Unwind Your Drawing Class
The Seguin Art League will host an “Unwind Your Drawing” art class on December 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Seguin Art League, 104 S. Austin. Slow down, relax, observe, and practice your drawing skills in this class for all skill levels. This session will include a lesson on linear perspective and drawing an object, and a street scene in a bird’s eye or
worm’s eye view. Age requirement is 18 and older. $20. Bring your sketchbook.
THE K-9 DREAM A DOG’S DREAM COME TRUE
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, December 10th, @ 100 Schneider RD Unit F. in Seguin.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS NETWORKING w/SCOC
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After-Hours Networking event from 5-7 PM Thursday, December 12th, held at A-1 Tri County Plumbing Inc. 384 Partnership Rd. Seguin. Make sure to bring your Chamber Membership Card for entry! Shake hands with the mystery guest for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate!
EL RANCHITO
RIBBON CUTTING
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 A.M. Thursday, December 12th @ 921 S. HWY 123 Bypass, Seguin, Texas.
Guadalupe County Republican Women Meeting
On Friday, December 13th, 2024, the Guadalupe County Republican Women will host a luncheon with Chris Byrd as their main speaker. The luncheon/meeting will be held at the Seguin Silver Center at 510 East Court Street, Seguin. Social hour starts at 11:00 AM with a cash bar. Seated lunch at 11:30 AM. Cost for lunch is $20.00. Please make reservations with Glenda Partain by calling or texting 830.391.3979 or emailing silvercenter@sbcglobal. net. The program is free but lunch requires a reservation. Payment by cash or check. Please join us for a timely and informative program. More information is available at https://www.guadalupe-county-rw. com/.
Agave Coffee
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Agave Coffee at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 17th, at 109 S. Crockett ST.
Serenity Boutique
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Serenity Boutique at 11 AM Thursday, December 19th at 837 E. Court St.
Christmas Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church will host its 9th annual Christmas Market from 9 AM- 2 PM Rain or shine, at 310 Seguin Street in La Vernia. There will be Breakfast Tacos, Cheesy Potato Soup, Wassail & More. Visit the country store for fresh baked and candied goods. There will also be Christmas pictures in front of the church, face painting & balloon animals for the kids. Outdoor vendor spaces are still available! For more information, contact LCWOFChristmasMarket@Gmail.com or call (830)-688-1810.
Parkinson’s Support Group
The Gonzales Area Parkinson’s Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in the Fellowship Hall at the Presbyterian Church, located at 414 St. Louis St. in Gonzales. For more information, visit lonestarparkinsonsociety. com or email gapsg23@gmail.com.
TLU’s Operation Blue Santa
Texas Lutheran University is partnering with KWED for an Operation Blue Santa Christmas Toy Drive until Friday, Dec. 6. New, unwrapped toys, crafts, books, and games suitable for ages 0 to 18 are being collected at various locations on the TLU campus and in the Seguin community. TLU is accepting cash or check donations only for Operation Blue Santa.
Wesley-Harper
UMC Fashion Fusion 2024
The Wesley-Harper UMC will present its Fashion Fusion 2024 at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Seguin Events Complex, located at 950 S. Austin St. in Seguin. Tickets are $25 pre-sale or $30 at the door and are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the church, located at 754 W. Court St. in Seguin or at Serenity Boutique, located at 837 E. Court St. in Seguin. For more information and tickets call 210-669-3404 or 210-857-4752.
Grand Parents Raising Grand Children Group
The Texas Grand Parents Raising Grand Children Seguin Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the GVEC Community Room, located at 927 N. TX-46 in Seguin.
GCCWB Ugly Sweater Dinner Party
The Guadalupe County Child Welfare Board (GCCWB) will have its Ugly Sweater Dinner Party at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Stephen and Mary Birch Texas Theatre, located at 425 N. Austin St. in Seguin. There will be a silent auction, live entertainment with Magician Carlos David, dinner, and an Ugly Sweater Contest. Tickets are available at www. gccwb.org/event-details/5th-annual-ugly-sweater-dinner-party.
Mid-Texas Symphony
The Mid-Texas Symphony, with conductor Akiko Fujimoto, will present Merry Melodies at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Jackson Auditorium at Texas Lutheran University. To purchase tickets, visit www. mtsymphony.org or call the box officeat 830-4635353 For questions, email boxoffice@mtsymphony. org.
Public Service Award Nominations
The GVEC’s Public Service Award (PSA) acknowledges deserving individuals and organizations who consistently make a positive impact on their community. Nominations for the GVEC 2025 Individual or Organization PSA are accepted until Monday, Dec. 16 at www.gvec.org/psa.
Continued on the next page.
Seguin Art League Creating Fabric Designs Class
The Seguin Art League will offer a Creating Fabric Designs Class from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 104 S. Austin St. in Seguin. Participants will learn to use block print techniques to create their own unique fabric. A reusable block will be carved using custom colors that you create. The class is for adults and the cost is $35 with supplies included. For more information call 830305-0472.
Seguin Art League Beginning Drawing Class
The Seguin Art League will offer a Beginning Drawing Class, for ages 9 to 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Seguin Art League, located at 104 S. Austin St. in Seguin. The class will cover basic skills and lead up to drawing in 3D, and finish with a still life drawing. The cost is $35 with supplies included. Participants can also bring their own supplies. There is a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 10. For more information, call 830-305-0472.
January
First Friday Feast
The Geronimo Lions Club will host their First Friday Feast from 5:30 - 7:30 PM or until they run out @ The Red Bar on 390 Cordova Rd. There will be $20 Steak or Fish Dinner with sides and a drink. This event is benefiting local non-profits. Happy New Year from the Geronimo Lions.
February
Chamber 2025 Showcase Seguin: Wild West Business Round-Up
The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have its 2025 Showcase Seguin Wild West Business Round-Up from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Seguin Coliseum, located at 950 S. Austin St. in Seguin. Registration is required for all attendees. Register by Friday, Jan. 31 to avoid a $5 entry fee. For more information, call 830-379-6382.
Mid-Texas Symphony
The Mid-Texas Symphony, with conductor, Akiko Fujimoto, will present Puttin On the Ritz, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels. To purchase tickets, visit www.mtsymphony.org or call the box office 830-463-5353 For questions, email boxoffice@mtsymphony.org.
Brown Cultural Event Series – Elizabeth Smart
The TLU Jessie S. and Jack Harold Upton Brown Cultural Enrichment Fund will present Elizabeth Smart at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Jackson Auditorium on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. Elizabeth Smart is a victim of one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time and has become a beacon of hope and an advocate for change related to child abduction and recovery programs. Smart, now a bestselling author, will speak about her experience and recovery.
March
versary
The TLU Jessie S. and Jack Harold Upton Brown Cultural Enrichment Fund will present The Second City 65th Anniversary Show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26 at Jackson Auditorium on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. There will be handpicked songs, sketches, and characters written by Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray, Keegan Michael Key, Eugene Levy, and other star-studded alumni of The Second City. The show celebrates the comedy troupe’s history with favorite material from their stages over the years.
Mid-Texas Symphony
The Mid-Texas Symphony, with conductor, Akiko Fujimoto, will present Bond and Beyond, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30 at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center in New Braunfels. To purchase tickets, visit www. mtsymphony.org or call the box office 830-463-5353 For questions, email boxoffice@mtsymphony.org.
April
Mid-Texas Symphony
The Mid-Texas Symphony, with conductor, Akiko Fujimoto, will present Ode to Joy, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at Jackson Auditorium at Texas Lutheran University. To purchase tickets, visit www.mtsymphony.org or call the box office 830-463-5353 For questions, email boxoffice@mtsymphony.org.
Ongoing Community Calendar Items
CCSCT Utility Assistance Application for 2024 Applications are available for the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (C.E.A.P.) provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs through the CCSCT. The program will help low-income consumers reduce their utility bills. There is also assistance available through the Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). For more information visit www.ccsct.org or follow them on the socials at https://linktr.ee/ccsct_cares.
Heritage Museum Calendars
The Heritage Museum is selling 2024 Then and Now Themed Calendars. There is a limited supply and they are available for purchase at the Heritage Museum, Gift & Gourmet, Pecan Town Books and Brews, Parker’s City Pharmacy, and online at www.heritagemuseum.net. All proceeds benefit Museum projects.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
Volunteer Van Drivers Needed
Guadalupe County Veteran Services Office is in great need of volunteer van drivers. Even those who can only commit to one day per month. Volunteers will drive local veterans who have no transportation to their VA medical appointments in San Antonio. To volunteer, call 830303-4188 ext. 1249.
Precious Life Services
Precious Life Services is accepting new clients who may
need help with Anger Management, Parenting Skills, Christian Counseling, Group and Family Therapy, Anxiety and Depression, etc. Appointments are available in-office, by Zoom or Teleconference by calling 830-3725980.
Free Accredited Adult Homeschool Program
The Life Changing Church is now offering a Free Accredited Homeschool Program for adults wanting to earn their high school diploma. It is a self-paced, no classes to attend program. You work around your schedule and at the end of the program you will receive an accredited diploma that is acceptable for college. Tutors are available at no charge. Free placement testing, no previous records required. For more information call or text Crystal at 325-956-1155.
Salvation Army Office
The Seguin Unit Salvation Army office is located at 205 North King Street. The office is open to receive requests for assistance weekly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Volunteers Needed
The Guadalupe Valley Young Marines need volunteers. They promote a healthy, drug-free program and need males, 19 years and up who would like to see the program grow by contributing time to help future citizens, boys and girls 8 to 18. Positions available include computer input, physical fitness training, planning/logistics, and medical. Contact Dina Dillon at 423-227-9610 or visit www.gvyoungmarines.org.
La Trinidad Blessing Box - Food Pantry
The La Trinidad United Methodist Church invites you to “Take what you need, Bring what you can, and above all be Blessed!” by its Blessing Box Food Pantry located at the corner of the church at 306 E. Gonzales St. in Seguin. The Blessing Box is filled with items to help those in need.
The Country Church Attic
The Country Church Attic is now open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday.
Clothing Ministry
The Refuge III Clothing Ministry continues to give away clothing, some furniture, dishes, and other items at 7535 Elm Creek Road in Seguin. For further information call 830-303-6478.
Free Bible Course
The World Bible School is offering free Bible correspondence courses. Answer questions from the Bible and send in for grading. Visit studygod.info for further information.
To ensure non-profit organization’s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@kwed1580.com, or drop off the information at the Seguin Daily News/KWED offices located at 609 E. Court St. in Seguin. For best results, submit information at least two weeks prior to the event.
Brown Cultural Event Series – The Second City 65th Anni-
