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08_August 2016BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS ma g a z i n e AUGUST 2016 Editor’z Letter By Chuck McCollough, Editor ranging from a dog park and skatepark to a large nature park where visitors can see wildlife and experience the awesome quietness of a woodland setting. The story points out that Schertz’ outdoor offerings should meet almost anyone’s interests. Next learn how the investment Schertz residents made in outdoor sports facilities has not only increased the quality of life here but also attracts thousands of youth athletes and their supporters to town. Large tournaments at the Schertz Soccer Complex and the Schertz Ballpark - both of which recently had PUBLISHED MONTHLY BYPublic Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Chuck McCollough Editor Melissa GeedmanMarketing & Communications Specialist Alexis Souza Graphic Design/Art Direction Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Office Manager Mary Spence Events Manager Contributing WritersChuck McCollough, Melissa Geedman, Brittany Losey, Lucille Sims Thomas, Richard Erickson, Amanda Mercer, Allyson Ortegon, Claudia Pharr, Emily Wallen, Kari Bridges, Jim Webb, Stan Leland, Wendy Kinkade, Taryn McGillivray, Aubrey Parke, Kiko Martinez, Rudy Arispe, Mike Harris, Chris Meek, Tom Lovett Contributing Photographers Chuck McCollough, Melissa Geedman Mary Spence, Joshua Nolden, Mary Oakes, Diana Webb, Emily Wallen, Bella Cheney, Mike Harris, Beverly McCollough, Ross Dye, Michael Carpenter, Joe Herczeg, Kari Bridges, Catherine White, Elizabeth Leland, Rudy Ornelas, Samuel Rhodes, Linda Klepper, Amanda Mercer, Calvin True, Elysia Santoya, Alyson Garcia, Erin True, Lisa Green, Kaylie Kennedy, Mike Bowers, Fiona Scoggin, Ethan Bookout, Terrell Mitchell, Cindy Kelleher, Aaron Davis, 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) 619-1630. Fax (210) 619-1619. Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Jim Fowler Councilmember Grumpy Azzoz CouncilmemberDaryl John CouncilmemberCedric Edwards, Sr. Councilmember Robin Thompson Councilmember Executive Team John Kessel City Manager Brian James Executive DirectorDudley Wait Executive DirectorKyle Kinateder Executive DirectorSarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at events@schertz.com. For advertising information: Schertz Magazine, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154; call (210) 619-1630; Fax (210) 619-1619; email sales@schertz.com. NEWS POLICYSchertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1630. 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. OFFICIAL FINE PRINT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 8 32 Years and counting...! M ost of us like to get outdoors and have fun in the summer months in green spaces and parks. The high temperatures of summer keep most of us indoors at the hottest times, but morning and evening hours allow us to enjoy communing with nature. In that spirit the August issue of Schertz Magazine has several stories about the City’s diversified and growing parks and recreation amenities - some of which are attracting visitors and revenue. Read how the Schertz Parks, Recreation and Community Services department is responsible for amenities major upgrades - bring teams and fans from as far away as neighboring states to stay in Schertz hotels and eat in Schertz restaurants. Schertz Magazine also has a story that gives information and tips on how to Beat The Heat this summer. The story focuses on signs of heat related dehydration, exhaustion and stroke, in addition to those at greatest risk and preventative measures to take. Next read the story of Rebecca Baumgarten, a 2016 graduate of Steele High School who is headed to Texas A&M. Rebecca, who is visually impaired, has accomplished many things and is now working on her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Her strength and determination will inspire you to accomplish anything. Then read the story on Jonathan Harshman - a City of Schertz supervisor who was destined to be in an automotive environment. Also look for articles on the 2016 Jubilee, the Junior Police Academy and the upcoming Community Budget meetings. All that and more in Your Source For Hometown News - Schertz Magazine. DEPARTMENTZ TALK OF THE TOWNZ Updatez 10 Visionz / Chamber 18 CIVIC NEWZ Updatez 44 CALENDARZ 47 COVER Pickrell Park is one of the most popular green spaces in Schertz. schertzmagazine.com FE A T U R E Z P24 P29 Jonathan Harshman Passionate About Vehicles Parks & Recreation Offers Variety of Outdoor Fun Youth Sports Tournaments Attract Visitorsand Money P35 7 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 Beat the Heat Before ItBeats YouP38 P21 Blind Girl Scout Working on Gold Award Project PROVI DENCE COMMUNITY CHURCH Proclaiming the Gospel, Embracing the Doctrines of Grace Proclaiming the Gospel, Embracing the Doctrines of Grace Join Us this Sunday Member Sunday School: 9:30 am | Worship Service: 11:00 Currently Meeting at the Schertz Civic Center: 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Building #5 Schertz, TX 78154 210-858-8503 | pcc_schertz@yahoo.com www.pcc-schertz.com A reformed church and member of the SBC. AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 10 TALK TOWNZOF THE Star Spangled Fun at the Jubilee By Emily Wallen This Independence Day, locals had the opportunity to celebrate America’s 240th birthday as a community. The Jubilee promised a day of star-spangled fun for all ages with its wide variety of events that included the 41st annual Jubilee Parade - with thousands of local residents lining the streets of Schertz to cheer on the passing floats, the 4th annual Let Freedom Run 5k Run/Walk, food and drink vendors, a multitude of bands to satisfy any music taste, fireworks, a carnival and tons of red, white and blue activities. A main attraction at this year’s Jubilee was the array of activities for children of all ages. Activities included a hula hoop contest, sack races, “Boom Blasters”, a magician, a storyteller, and a watermelon eating contest. The longest time for the hula hoop contest was claimed by the winner of the 5-8-year- old division, Hope, with a time of 19 minutes and 40 seconds. Trisha Pena stated, “I think my favorite part of today was watching my son do the watermelon eating contest.” Entertainers at this year’s event included Phantom 46, Chill Factor, the Senior Serenaders, 2015 Schertz Idol Riley Krkosa, the Jesse Stratton Band, the Clint Taft Band, and Mario Flores & the Soda Creek Band. In addition to the performers, an entire midway was set up within the park, full of rides and games for visitors. Diana Trommer stated, “I enjoyed everything about today, I’m so glad that they do this every year. It’s really nice to have the parade and the rides and everything else for us to enjoy.” The patriotic event dates back to 1976 and is the city’s largest annual celebration. Serving as Grand Marshall at this year’s event was James Bynum, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the Honorary Grand Marshall was Col. Joel Carey, Commander of the 12th FTW JBSA-Randolph. 11 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 The Jubilee provided a day of patriotic fun for residents, and like any other 4th of July celebration, the event ended with singing of the National Anthem and a spectacular firework display that astounded thousands of individuals at Pickrell Park and nearby locations. Seven- year-old Libree Wilder said, “My favorite part about the 4th of July is the fireworks.” Sponsors of the event included the Schertz Parks & Recreation Foundation, H-E-B, GVEC, RBFCU, Bexar Waste, Fox’s Pizza & Tap Room and the City of Schertz. Without the help of local sponsors and volunteers, the event would not be nearly as wonderful as it was. 13 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 SZ Swimmers Make Mark With Aquatic Center Handprints Young swimmers and some adults made a lasting impression at the Schertz Aquatic Center June 28. That impression was in the form of hundreds of handprints in paint on two long metal support beams that are part of Natatorium project. Many traditional construction projects have a “topping out” ceremony such as putting a tree at the top of a building. In this case officials decided to invite members of youth swim groups to come and put their hands in paint and then make handprints on the beams. The prints will be visible when future visitors walk through the doors of the Aquatic Center when it opens by year’s end. An estimated 350 young swimmers from the YMCA, BVYA and SCUCISD were invited to participate and as well as 50 adults also attended including Schertz City Councilmembers who took part in the paint handprint fun. AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 14 SZ Schertz Magazine All Over The Map Take your copy of Schertz Magazine when you travel and take a high-resolution photo of the mag and you in front of a recognizable place and send to events@schertz. com. You might just make it into the magazine. Atlanta Johnnie and Alberta Miller took Schertz Magazine with them to Atlanta, GA Santa Fe Sharon and Steven Schultz took Schertz Magazine with them on a vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Alaska Schertz Magazine staff member Melissa Geedman brought her magazine onto Ruth Glacier in Alaska. 15 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 Maine Fire Chief David Covington took Schertz Magazine with him to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine. Junior Police Academy Big Hit San Francisco Albert and Cynthia Peña took Schertz Magazine with them on a trip to San Francisco and its iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The Schertz Police Department’s Junior Police Academies this summer were another community success story. The Junior Police Academies are held at different times during the summer and are offered to different age groups. The camp is open to children ages (8-11 years) who reside in Schertz. The first Junior Police Academy was June 8-12 for 8-9 year olds. The second Junior Police Academy was July 18-22 for 10-11 year olds. The camp covered several topics including internet safety, bullying, forensics, basic Texas laws including traffic stops, Fire and EMS. Children learned how to interact with new people, team build, and get a first-hand look into law enforcement and emergency services. The Junior Police Academy also included help from volunteers from the Citizens Police Alumni and the Explorers program as well as assistance from Schertz Fire Rescue and Schertz EMS. For more information go to the Schertz Police Department Facebook page, Schertz.com or call 210-619-1200. SZ 17 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 SZ Sweetheart Court Shines In Luling Parade The 2016 -17 Schertz Sweetheart Court traveled to Luling for the 62nd Annual Luling Watermelon Thump Parade Saturday, June 25. The Sweetheart Court and Float won Second Place in the Visiting Float Category. Court Members are from left: Miss Sunshine, Regina Deason; Miss Jubilee, Ashley Poerner; and Miss Schertz, Sydney Fischer. Welcoming Our New Chamber Business Investors! The Mission of The Chamber is to Serve, Promote and Enhance Economic Success! A Place For Mom Schertz, TX 78154 210-417-4285 - www.aplaceformom.com Dupure 9707 Ball Street, San Antonio, TX 78217 281- 890-7900 - www.dupure.com Burger King - Cibolo 602 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo, Tx 78108 210-659-1577 Jobe’s Alkaline Water Station 418 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 210-837-0919 J2 Leadership Team Cibolo, Tx 78108 210-570-4865 - www.j2servantleadership.com Custom Concrete Solutions 17305 IH 35 N #114, Schertz, TX 78154 210-651-5844 - www.createafloor.com The Chamber Calendar August 16th - Chamber LuncheonA presentation by San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA) Join us at our Monthly luncheon where guest speaker Rey Chavez, President/CEO of the San Antonio Manufacturer’s Association, will focus on the surrounding area of the economy and effects for manufacturers of both large and small businesses. RSVP deadline to attend our luncheon is August 9th. General Admission is $28, our Chamber Members are $18. RSVP online at thechamber.info or call 210-619-1950. August 18th - Chamber Mixer at GVEC in Schertz Come on out for a time of food, fun, networking and a chance to win Chamber Cash! Mixer will be hosted by GVEC, located at 908 Curtiss Avenue in Schertz from 5:30-7:00 pm. General Admission is $10 and our Chamber Members are free! SAVE THE DATE: Meet the Candidates Forums presented by RBFCU Meet the Candidates is a question and answer forum, conducted by a moderator, to allow area residents to get to know the incumbents and challengers as well as their stands on local issues in the upcoming area elections. For the City of Cibolo, the forum will be on September 28th at 6:00 pm at Cibolo City Hall. For the City of Schertz, it will be October 12th at 6:00 pm at the Schertz Civic Center. 1730 Schertz Parkway, Schertz Texas 78154 210-619-1950 admin@schertzchamber.org www.thechamber.info Welcoming Our New Chamber Business Investors! 21 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 FEATUREZ continued on page 22 Blind Girl Scout Working On Gold Award Project By Jim and Diana WebbRebecca Baumgarten is a native Texan, the daughter of Harry and Mary Baumgarten, and the youngest of four children. Her two older brothers live in the Dallas area with their own families, and her older sister is an upperclassman at Texas A&M. Baumgarten is a very proud graduate of Steele High School, class of 2016. In fact, she was number three in her graduating class. This month (August) she will move on to her next challenge, as she joins the incoming class of 2020 at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She plans to double major in English and Communication. Rebecca is no stranger to challenges; she’s been facing them her entire life. Around the age of two, she was diagnosed as having strabismus (commonly called crossed eyes) and amblyopia AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 22 (commonly called lazy eye). She underwent surgery which did correct the strabismus. When she returned for her six-month follow-up appointment, the doctor diagnosed her as having retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that, over time, produces severe visual impairment. When Rebecca was 10, she underwent detailed testing of her vision, and that’s when the family learned her field of vision had narrowed to only 23 degrees versus the norm of 180 or more degrees. Today, Rebecca’s field of vision is between 1-3 degrees. Blind Girl Scout Working on Gold Award Project cont’d from page 21 FEATUREZ Initially, Rebecca did not want to use a cane because she thought “blind people use canes” and she did not want to think of herself as blind. However, by age 12, she decided that it was simpler to tell folks she was blind as opposed to visually impaired as it was easier to tell people. Today she is very comfortable with her cane and very skillful in its use. Rebecca’s vision issues have not kept her from leading an active and successful life. Not only does she excel in academics, but also she is a musician (played flute, piccolo and piano in the Steele HS band), a girl scout, a member of her church choir, and she was an enthusiastic member of the Steele High School quidditch team, a sport played in the Harry Potter movies. While in middle and high school, in addition to her regular coursework, Rebecca worked with an Orientation and Mobility specialist (O&M) and a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). The O&M specialist worked with Rebecca on developing life and social skills. Because she’s unable to drive, learning how to use public transportation was important for her. She has learned how to access the 23 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 VIA route information on the internet to plan her trip, know where to be, and when to be there. Each year the appropriate school district staff would meet with Rebecca and her parents, the O&M specialist, and the TVI and develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for that school year. The IEP covers a variety of objectives, both academic and life skills. During the course of the year, the TVI would act as the mediator between the family and the school district to ensure Rebecca received whatever assistance she needed to ensure the IEP goals were met. From the school district and other supporting agencies, and as personal gifts, Rebecca has been provided with electronic assistive devices that enable her to use the internet, listen to and read a variety of materials, send/receive texts on her mobile phone, and more. Now that she officially is an adult, while she is a student at Texas A&M the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will oversee her progress and ensure that her assistive needs are being met. A particularly helpful device that Rebecca uses is called the Brailliant, which enables her to connect wirelessly to designated electronic sources of print materials and actually read them in Braille on her device. A primary focus of Rebecca’s at the moment is completing her project to earn the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a girl scout may achieve. In June 2014, having completed all the prerequisites to become eligible to attempt the Gold Award, Rebecca initiated her project. The issue she identified to work on was that a lot of visually impaired people do not reach their full potential because they are raised to think there are many things they cannot aspire to do because of their disability; that or the parents are reluctant to push the child too hard out of fear that doing so might harm the child’s development. She then began the formal seven-step process required to earn the Gold Award: identifying the issue, investigating it thoroughly, getting help and building a team, creating a plan, presenting a plan and gathering feedback, taking action, and educating and inspiring others. The end result of Rebecca’s project was to write a book that contains information helpful to families raising children with visual impairments. To do this, she interviewed fifteen successful visually impaired individuals and made each a chapter in her book. Each chapter contains information on how to raise a visually impaired child so he/she can live an independent, successful life and be confident in their ability to achieve their full potential. The book is titled Cane and Able, Perspectives on Raising Successful Visually Impaired Children. While Rebecca’s book is not available for purchase, copies are in each SCUSISD school library and in the Universal City, Schertz, and main San Antonio public libraries. It also is available as an e-book. Interested readers can find information related to this book on its Facebook page, at facebook.com/Cane-and- Able-1681913132062186. Rebecca is an outstanding representative of the younger generation and a magnificent example for other people with disabilities. She is excited about her future and truly believes her potential is unlimited. AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 24 FEATUREZ Parks & Recreation Offers Variety Of Outdoor Fun By Brittany Losey “We are really just trying to recapture that sense of community,” said Chuck Van Zandt, Director of Schertz Parks, Recreation, and Community Services. The Parks and Recreation department has been adapting to meet the needs of the dynamic City of Schertz. One of the changes the city has faced is booming growth. “When I got here in ’09, they did the 2010 census,” Van Zandt said. “The population went from 18,694 in 2000 to 31,465 in 2010. That’s a 68 percent increase in population in 10 years.” The department has been following a Parks Master Plan completed in 2014 W ith the South Texas summer in full swing, heading outdoors may not be at the forefront of anyone’s minds; however, the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services department has other plans for its residents. In the last several years, the Parks and Recreation department has been pushing even more to serve the residents of Schertz in a number of ways. The full title of the “Parks and Rec.” department deliberately includes the term “community services” to convey the essence of what they truly are all about. 25 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 continued on page 26 and comprised of planning principles to meet the needs of this diverse, growing population. One of these goals is to ensure that “all people have equal access to recreational areas, activities, services, and facilities” and that the facilities “appeal to the young and old and have active and passive activities… that should be well distributed.” Key to the department’s success is public participation. The Parks and Recreation Department has expanded its leadership team to help meet these needs. This past June, they added an Assistant Director to bring a fresh perspective and valuable experience to the crew. Lauren Shrum is a Texas A&M graduate and comes to Schertz from Wimberley, Texas. “Ms. Shrum is very skilled in budgeting, recreational programming, operations management, contractual oversight, and grant writing.” Van Zandt said. “We’re already running a tight ship and her educational and work background will prove to be extremely helpful in pursuit of that goal.” In just a few weeks on the job, Shrum is already responding directly to citizen requests. One of those requests is connectivity of the City’s trails. “Trails are the number one item in the Parks Master Plan that residents said they wanted to see in Schertz, so that’s one of the top goals that we’re working towards,” Shrum said. “We’re going to use existing drainage ways and easement access to help get to that goal. It’s not happening all overnight, but we’re working toward that.” Another top priority is increasing community involvement in the parks on a routine basis. Most Schertz residents are likely familiar continued on page 26 AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 26 Parks & Recreation Offers Variety of Outdoor Fun cont’d from page 25 FEATUREZ Additionally, the Schertz Soccer Complex got a nearly $4 million renovation from the 2010 bond package and is now home to several local organizations whose partnership brings life to the development. “We were able to take a 42-acre plot that was marginally functional and turn it into a first-class facility,” Van Zandt said of the complex. Despite huge improvements to the game-quality baseball, softball, and soccer fields, an unresolved challenge remains for athletes – adequate practice space. Because the fields have been maintained for games and with and have participated in the City’s larger annual outdoor events such as the well-established 4th of July Jubilee or the more recent SchertzFest. Parks and Recreation is working to develop new, more frequent traditions such as the latest ‘Movie in the Park’ designed to provide families with a safe, fun, community-oriented evening. “What we’ve introduced this year is Movies in the Park, which has been extremely successful,” Van Zandt said. “And we’re not just throwing movies out there. We think it makes more of an impact if what we do is periodic and theme-based.” Because of the project’s initial success, the City plans to continue the event and further expand it into other series such as Concerts in the Park. These events have taken off with titles such as “Beatles in the Park”, which featured a Volkswagen car show along with a tribute to the famous 1960s British rock band. Residents can look forward to “Rods, Hawgs, and Dogs” in early October, which will be a haven for Harley Davidson and classic rock fans. Sports, particularly youth sports, remain a huge focus for the department. Since the 2010 bond, three fields have been added to the complex behind the City’s municipal building so that its seven- diamonds can accommodate regional tournament play for local leagues such as the Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA). tournaments, they are typically not suitable choices for team practice. “We’re continually trying to locate more practice space,” Van Zandt said. In the meantime, the department continues to manage the balance of parkland distribution to best meet the City’s goals. Other notable recent projects include the dog park and the skate park. The current skate park is the first phase of a projected 3-phase project; however, even in its current state, the park has been very popular. “If success is measured by usage, this project has been resoundingly 27 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 successful,” Van Zandt said. Future plans continue to be developed to include all age levels, backgrounds, and interests. Parks and Recreation hopes to host a kickball tournament in the near future to gauge interest for future recreational leagues. Another recreational sport that is gaining popularity is disc golf, and Schertz hopes to keep up with the trend by installing a course in its northern sector. “It could (potentially) be located in Cypress Point Park, north of Northcliffe,” Van Zandt said. “It’s undulating terrain would make for an enormously challenging course.” Crescent Bend Nature Park - an innovative continued on page 28 AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 28 Parks & Recreation Offers Variety of Outdoor Fun cont’d from page 27 FEATUREZ partnership between Bexar County and the City of Schertz - continues to be a popular and quiet place to visit by walkers, horseback riders (with permit) and nature lovers of all kinds, especially bird watchers and other wildlife watchers. The Friends of Crescent Bend Nature Park recently put in a second bird blind - where watchers can see and photograph rare birds close up without being seen. Improvements to the first bird blind were also made. Overall, Van Zandt, Shrum, and the rest of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services crew just hope to find something to meet everybody’s interests. “Come out to the parks!” Shrum said. 29 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 FEATUREZ continued on page 30 Youth Sports Tournaments Attract Visitors And Revenue By Brittany Losey A major change in the landscape of Schertz in the past few years is the upgrades to the City’s sports fields. The improvements were made possible due to the 2010 bond which added three baseball diamonds to the Schertz Baseball Park, the municipal buildings, and a major renovation of the City’s soccer complex on Maske Road. These fields have not only improved the sports and recreation scene in Schertz but its economy as well. 29 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 30 Youth Sports Tournaments Attract Visitors And Revenue cont’d from page 29 FEATUREZ The Schertz Soccer Complex is home to the Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance (SYSA), a coalition of several key local soccer organizations. Originally formed in 2008 as a partnership between Lions FC, Greater Randolph Youth Soccer Association (GRAYSA), and Soccer Association for Youth of San Antonio (SAYSAT), the current alliance features Lions FC, GRAYSA, and the Schertz YMCA. The Schertz Ballpark is home to the Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA). Benefits of local sports leagues such as BVYA and SYSA include not only bringing more youth sports activity to Schertz, but also relieving the City of some of the economic burden of maintaining fields. “BVYA, for example, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization,” Chuck Van Zandt, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services said. “They have a $450,000 budget. All of the money goes back to their programming and maintenance of the fields. Without them, the City would have to pay half a million dollars to provide the program that they do for free.” said SYSA President, Heather Hurlbert, about the Schertz Soccer Complex. “We provide a very quality, safe place for soccer players to play. But there is also revenue being brought in.” restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. To consider the impact of an event such as a sporting tournament on the local economy, one must know a few pieces “We provide a very quality, safe place for soccer players to play. But there is also revenue being brought in.” Heather Hurlbert, SYSA President Both the soccer and baseball complexes are designed to accommodate competitive play, from individual games up to regional tournaments. This provides higher caliber competition for young athletes in Schertz, the region and beyond as proven by teams that travel from neighboring states to play here. “We have premier fields,” The revenue Hurlbert refers to is not just money raised to maintain the game-ready fields, but also the cash from visitor expenditures. Because the fields are capable of regional play, tournaments held on them bring families locally, across the state of Texas, and neighboring regions, she said. This benefits a multitude of local businesses including - but not limited to - hotels, 31 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 of data: the duration of the event, the number of non-local attendees and their average expenditures, which may include hotel reservations, food, gas, and miscellaneous items. To give an estimate, Hurlbert shares her perspective. “You may have one or two meals at the field, but you’ll probably go out and eat a few too. It really varies. If you have a family of four, they stay two nights in a hotel for around $150. They may spend $40-50 per meal… which comes out to about $300-400 per family for a weekend.” The amount of traffic in Schertz for these sporting events creates promising fiscal opportunity. Organizations that comprise the SYSA host 10-12 tournaments a year on the fields, some large enough to utilize the entire complex with around 150 teams. If you consider each team has 10-12 players and most of those will have 1-3 people traveling with them on average, these tournaments draw over 3,000 people to Schertz. While some may be already local, Hurlbert estimates that over half of the teams are traveling from outside the San Antonio metropolitan area. “There is revenue being brought in and not just by tournaments,” Hurlbert said. “We have games that run in the fall and in the spring, just regular games. We have those fields played on so there are people coming in. You may go to the fields and then need to grab food afterwards continued on page 32 AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 32 Youth Sports Tournaments Attract Visitors And Revenue cont’d from page 29 FEATUREZ so you’ll hit a local restaurant. You may need to stop and pick up groceries on the way home after practice so you may visit the local H-E-B or WalMart.” BVYA tournaments draw a crowd as well. This summer the Shetland Pinto State Tournament (July 13- 16) consisted of 32 teams from 384 families from all over Texas- two teams in particular were from BVYA. The Shetland Pinto Sectional Tournament (June 15-18) hosted 32 teams or about 384 families from the area. BVYA President Johnie McDow said Schertz is a magnet for youth sports tournaments. “Throughout this tournament season, BVYA and the City of Schertz will play host to over 150 teams with more than 1,800 kids. Ages of the kids range from 5 -16 years of age. These teams will bring with them in excess of 5,000 or more visitors to our community to play in the tournaments. During the State Championships, local hotels and eateries are used extensively by the teams,” he said. Overnight visitors to BVYA or SYSA tournaments not only increase revenue for Schertz businesses but also the City in the form of sales tax and hotel occupancy tax. In addition to revenue, these youth sports bring awareness of the City and its offerings. Those traveling to play in Schertz may never have made a stop in town or connected with it as they may in a weekend enjoying sun and fun. 35 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 FEATUREZ continued on page 36 Harshman Passionate About Automotives By Chuck McCollough J onathan Harshman was destined to live in an automotive environment. “My dad was a licensed mechanics instructor and as a kid growing up my world was all about wrenches, oil changes and taking things apart. Part of my DNA profile is to fix things,” he said with a laugh. Harshman was hired in July 2011 as City of Schertz Fleet Supervisor with the responsibility for all City vehicles. He was recently promoted to Director of Fleet and Facility Services and now also oversees maintenance for City buildings. “There are similar protocols in building maintenance and Fleet maintenance, and we are looking for ways to improve operations and service,” he said. One way to do that is by using software that provides maintenance records and a forecasting capability. He explained that developing that software helps building maintenance understand what’s going on in the department. “It gives us a good picture of what we are spending on each unit (vehicle) and the frequency of maintenance and type of maintenance on that unit. It helps us see the bigger picture and forecast repairs and develop a replacement AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 36 Harshman Passionate About Automotives cont’d from page 35 FEATUREZ schedule based on the activity in our own Fleet and not going by some industry standard alone. It has worked out well,” Harshman said. And there is a carry over. “What we did in Fleet we can do in Facility Services by developing software that shows the frequency of things like facility AC testing, roof inspection, light bulb replacement, etc,” Harshman said. There are commonalities in Fleet and Facility Services - repairing and maintenance - and there are efficiencies to be found, he stressed. The other part of Harshman’s strategy is a strong focus on customer service, he emphasized. Harshman was raised in the Rio Grande Valley and lived in Harlingen from 1978 to 1992. “In the early part of my career I was fascinated with electronic devices like audio that were tied to the automotive industry,” he said. On a vacation trip to Illinois to visit with his wife’s relatives, the couple decided they would like to live in that area. Harshman quickly found employment with a company that sold and serviced electronic devices and then ran a number of businesses before starting his own business around 1998 in Springfield. ”We did automotive enhancements including audio/video, upholstery, and all things electrical/electronic,”he said. But time and technology did not stand still in the automotive industry and advances like fuel injection, replacing the carburetor, and vehicles using more and more electronic devices were causing a lot of traditional mechanics to retire, Harshman said, adding he saw it as an opportunity. “During my 20s, while some guys were busting knuckles working on motors or transmissions, I was rewiring cars from front to back and working with electronic devices. I liked new technology, it is intriguing,” he said. It is just another step in the evolution of automotive service. “For the first year after we moved here I took a sabbatical to think things through as to what I wanted to do. I decided my focus would be on making a positive impact on people’s lives because that is what I enjoy most,” he said. After sending out his resume to more than 100 prospective businesses with Around May 2008 Harshman decided to sell his business and move back to Texas and settle in San Antonio. no response, Harshman noticed a help wanted ad for a lawn mower mechanic at the Universal City golf course. “I was struck by the irony and my mind was saying ‘are you crazy this is what you did when you were a kid?’ but I got an interview.” Harshman did not get the lawn mower mechanic job but was hired as a Fleet lead mechanic at UC and stayed there several years before coming to Schertz. “The Fleet department at UC became my family but the Schertz Fleet department had three times more vehicles and three times the staff. It was more of a personal challenge for me and a bigger chance for me to have a positive impact on people,” he said. Now, five years later, Harshman has helped take the Schertz Fleet Department to the next level in vehicle service and efficiency; He has also enhanced innovative programs like the Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) program that trains technicians to work on the more technology filled emergency vehicles instead of sending them to an outside vendor. He plans to use the same employee empowerment and “best practices” methodology with the Facility Services Department “I have never been disconnected from the automotive industry. I have a passion for it that is infectious and I still get grease under my fingernails. I am a hands on guy,” said Harshman who has purchased nearly 30 cars in 30 years including 10 mustangs. 2016 SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 Schertz Civic Center Alamo Coin Club - Coin Show SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 Kids First Aid Schertz Civic Center 3pm-6pm For More Information Please Call 844-KIDS911 www.kids1stAid.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Schertz Civic Center Hill Country Doll Show SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 Schertz Community Center Building 3 Sports Cards and Collectibles Show EVERY TUESDAY AT 9AM Schertz Community Center- Building 3 Senior Line Dancers FEATUREZ 39 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 continued on page 41 Beat The Heat Before It Beats You By Chuck McColloughBeating The Heat this summer is more than a slogan; it is a potential lifesaver. August is historically one of the hottest months of the year in South Texas and taking precautions is crucial. Officials say the public should respect the danger high temperatures present. Local officials said they are not expecting temperatures to reach 120 degrees, but temperatures in the high 90s and 100 plus are still considered dangerous; young children, senior citizens, immune deficient and pets are particularly vulnerable to heat related illness. In the hottest part of the year, usually late July, August and early September in this area, reports of heat related injuries and death are most common. City of Schertz Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Marshal, John Perry, stresses that beating the heat is a community effort where people need to take precautions for themselves but also keep an eye on neighbors. Beat The Heat Before It Beats You cont’d from page 39 FEATUREZ Effects of Overheating The community should look for signs of overheating such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Common symptoms to all three are dizziness and weakness/fatigue, but there are important differences in the causes. Dehydration symptoms could include increased thirst, dry mouth and swollen tongue, palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding), confusion, sluggishness, inability to sweat and decreased urine output. Heat exhaustion symptoms include confusion, chills, no sweat, dark colored urine (a sign of dehydration), fainting, headache, muscle or abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, pale skin, profuse sweating and rapid heartbeat. Heat stroke symptoms include throbbing headache, extreme chills, cramping, red hot or dry skin, nausea, rapid heart heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, seizures and unconsciousness. While discussing heat related concerns with Schertz EMS, Community Health Manager, Kellie Burnam, stated that, “Heat illnesses can range in severity from heat cramping all the way to severe heat exhaustion or heat stroke. For minor emergencies such as heat cramps, nausea or headaches, simply cooling a person off could reverse the problem. In the event that a person becomes so overheated that they are confused, begin to lose consciousness or begin to have seizure activity, 911 should be contacted immediately.” continued on page 43 Beat The Heat Before It Beats You cont’d from page 41 FEATUREZ cool yourself down while working outside; even a shady spot outdoors can be much cooler than direct sunlight.  3. Dress Appropriately Make sure to dress appropriately for outdoor activities by wearing loose- fitting clothes in natural fabrics like cotton. Dress in light colors that will reflect the sun and heat, and always wear sunscreen – reapplying every two hours. Brimmed hats, sunglasses and umbrellas can also protect from sun exposure. 4. Sun Exposure and Medications Some prescription medications can have negative side effects if the user has prolonged exposure to the sun or takes part in outdoor physical activities in very 1. Drink Plenty of Water Staying hydrated is essential for everyone. It is important to drink lots of water and other clear liquids to get proper nutrients and stay hydrated. If at all possible, avoid beverages like alcohol, soda, coffee and tea which can leave you dehydrated quickly. Try to avoid effects of dehydration by carrying water with you at all times and not waiting to hydrate until you’re thirsty. 2. Minimize Exposure to the Sun When possible limit direct exposure to the sun. During the early morning and late evening hours temperatures are slightly cooler and offer a safer opportunity for outdoor activities. It is also wise to take frequent breaks to hot weather. Certain medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or inhibit perspiration under similar conditions. Seniors, especially, should always read the warning labels on medication and check with a physician or pharmacist to avoid harmful side effects. 5. Pets and High Temperatures Schertz Animal Services Manager Shanna O’Brien said pets are especially at risk of high temperatures because many are outdoors most of the time and they cannot express distress and overheating. O’Brien emphasized, “Keep fresh clean water out at all times, and if you do not have natural shade in your yard make sure you get protection your pet can get 43 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 The City of Schertz is prepared for the high temperatures this summer. “Our emergency management team is monitoring changes in heat situations and will adjust and implement a heat emergency plan accordingly,” said John Perry. For any questions on heat prevention, please call Schertz Fire Rescue at 210-619-1300. For any emergencies, please remember to call 911. under, or in. Limit their time outside during the heat of the day. Best times to have them outside to exercise is early morning and late afternoon.” O’Brien said pet owners need to remember to change their normal habits in summer from what they do in milder temperature months. “Never leave your dog in the car. On an 85-degree day, temperatures in cars can reach over 100 degrees in minutes, and heat stroke symptoms can start to set in quickly. Signs of heatstroke in pets include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness.” Schertz EMS and other sources offer these heat prevention tips: CIVICNEWZ YOUR EXCLUSIVE SOURCE FOR NEWS FROM THE CITY OF SCHERTZ SEEKING NOMINATIONS STEVE SIMONSON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD The Steve Simonson Community Service Award is presented annually to the Schertz citizen who during the eligibility year exhibits selfless commitment to his or her community via volunteer efforts that made a difference in others’ lives. The City of Schertz will accept nominations for the Steve Simonson Volunteer of the Year beginning August 1, 2016. Nominations are open through September 30, 2016. Do you know of a deserving honoree? Nomination packets are available at the Schertz Community Center, Bldg 3; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday or you may request an electronic version; please send an email to events@schertz.com. Volunteers make the world go ‘round! The award recognizes people who voluntarily offer their time and talent to improve the community in such areas as (but not limited to): *health care *social services *youth or senior activities *the arts *education *justice *housing *nutrition *community growth and development YMCA Campers Become Mock City Council Schertz Family YMCA Community First Campers got hands on experience about local government during a visit to City Council Chambers on July 11. After a greeting from Mayor Michael Carpenter and some information from City Manager John Kessel a mayor and five council members were selected from Y campers and seated as a mock City Council in the seats of the real Mayor and City Council members. The remaining YMCA Community First Y campers played the roles of Schertz residents or visitors and gave their opinions on what mock projects they wanted the Council to fund with the understanding only one project could be funded. City staff from the Police Department, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department and the Planning & Community Development Department presented the young mock council members with mock projects including a mobile 45 schertzmagazine.com AUGUST 2016 CIVIC NEWZ Community Budget Meetings Scheduled The process to draft a proposed Fiscal Year 2016-17 City of Schertz Budget includes three Community Budget Meetings in August. The public is invited to see what is being proposed to City Council in an interactive setting. The three meetings run from 6:30-8:30 PM. The first meeting will be Thursday, August 11 at Corbett Junior High School, 12000 Ray Corbett Drive. The second meeting will be held Wednesday, August 17 at the North Community Center, 3501 Morning Drive in Northcliffe. The third meeting will be held Thursday, August 18 at Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Dr. (FM 3009). Volunteers Needed For Community Clean Up The City of Schertz and Love Where You Live are teaming up to sponsor a one-day community clean up on Saturday, October 22. The clean up will include yard work, tree trimming and minor maintenance for homes. The project is looking for volunteers - individuals and groups - to work in this effort to help our neighbors who may not be able to help themselves. For more information call Jim Fowler at 210-326-6017. library, expanded skate park and a virtual driving program. The mock council learned how hard it is to make a decision and several votes were needed before a majority of the young council members selected the mobile library for funding. The Y campers said they enjoyed the experience and understand that making choices that affect other people are hard and require a lot of thought. AUGUST 2016 schertzmagazine.com 46 Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies. Looking Back August Quote of Note “Words are innocent and powerless when they are standing in a dictionary. But, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them” American Author Nathaniel Hawthorne Local History In August 1968 the Schertz City Council approved development of an industrial park within the city limits. The park was destined to grow extensively in the decades ahead and tax revenue has aided the city greatly. Texas History The Battle of Medina occurred on August 18, 1813 between the Royal Spanish Army and the Republican Army of the North. Between 800 and 1,300 American, Tejanos, Indians, and Spanish soldiers died in the battle. This was the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on Texas soil. The battle was important as a step toward Mexico’s independence from Spain that was proclaimed on April 6, 1813. City of Schertz General Election November 8, 2016 LAST DAY FOR FILING APPLICATION FOR PLACE ON THE BALLOT IS AUGUST 22, 2016 BY 5:00 P.M. The City of Schertz will be holding its General Election on November 8, 2016 for the purpose of electing Council Members in Place 1, Place 2 and Mayor for a 3-year term, and also up for election are the new Council Member Places 6 & 7 for a 2-year term. Any candidate desiring to have his or her name placed on the Official Ballot shall, by August 22, 2016 file with the City Secretary an application in writing in the form prescribed by the Texas Election Code requesting that his or her name be placed on the Official Ballot and declaring as a candidate for Council Member Place 1, Place 2 and Mayor. The term of office for these three positions is three years and is from November 2016 to November 2019. Also note that up for election this year are the new Council Member Places 6 & 7 positions. The term of office for these two positions is two years and is from November 2016 to November 2018. All candidates for office in the City of Schertz must, at the time of filing for office, have attained the age of eighteen or older on the first day of the term of office applied for, be a registered voter of the City of Schertz, and have been a resident of the City for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the deadline for filing for an application for a place on the ballot. The Candidate packet is available in the City Secretary’s office at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 2, or it can be found online at www.schertz.com. Should you have any questions, please contact the City Secretary’s office at (210) 619-1030. ================================= ================================= REMINDER: OCTOBER 11, 2016 LAST DAY FOR SUBMITTING VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION IN TIME TO VOTE AT THE ELECTION OR FOR REQUESTING TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION IN TIME TO VOTE IN NEW PRECINCT NOT IN THE SAME COUNTY AND TERRITORY. Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter (210) 619-1045 Council Members:Jim Fowler (210) 326-6017Grumpy Azzoz (210) 488-4214Daryl John (210) 204-2750Cedric Edwards, Sr. (210) 566-4540Robin Thompson (210) 204-8649 City Departments:City of Schertz (210) 619-1000Animal Control (210) 619-1550Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100City Manager (210) 619-1000City Secretary (210) 619-1030Civic Center (210) 619-1600Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000Economic Development (210) 619-1070EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300Human Resources (210) 619-1150Information Technology (210) 619-1180Inspections (210) 619-1750Marshal Services (210) 619-1650Municipal Court (210) 619-1500Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200Public Affairs (210) 619-1630Public Library (210) 619-1700Public Works (210) 619-1800Records (210) 619-1030Website schertz.com #info IMPORTANT SCHERTZ WEBSITES schertz.com visitschertz.com schertzmagazine.com Like us on Facebook August 2016CITY September Schertz Fest Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 October Rods, Hawgs, and Dogs October 1 National Night Out October 4 National Fire Prevention Week October 9-15 Movie in the Park October 29 Trunk-or-Treat TBD Be sure to check out visitschertz.com for more event info! Annual Events: Tuesday, 2 City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Thursday 4 TSAC, 5:30 PM City Council Chambers Tuesday, 9 City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chamber Wednesday, 10 Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Monday, 22 Board Of Adjustment, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 PM Bob Andrews Room Tuesday, 23 City Council, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Wednesday, 25 Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Thursday, 28 EDC Board, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Meeting locations may change, please visit the calendar at www.schertz.com for more information. CALENDARZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154