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11_November 2018BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS ma g a z i n e NOVEMBER 2018 City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember Angelina Kiser Councilmember Bert Crawford Councilmember Executive Team Brian James Acting City Manager Dudley Wait Executive Director Kyle Kinateder Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager 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 38,000 residents. Today, Schertz Magazine is the leading publication in the Tri County area with a circulation of 15,000 copies; including 13,000+ direct mailed and 500+ subscriptions from Austin through San Antonio and around the country (including dozens of out-of-state readers). The magazine is mailed to 12,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses with hundreds of copies made available at local and regional banks, hospitals and clinics, schools, pharmacies, and restaurants. Mission Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community. Vision Community.Service.Opportunity. Core Values Treat others the way you would want to be treated Do the right thing De the best you can Work cooperatively as a team TABLE OF CONTENTS 07 16 10 City Headlines Parks & Recreation Library 29 35 47 Features Around the Community Calendar FEATURES A Day in the Life of a Code Enforcement Officer 29 A Food Truck Sensation 32 SCHERTZ.COM H appy November, Schertz! Every issue of Schertz Magazine, I try to write my editorial letter to reflect the content inside, focusing on traditions, values, and inspiring words. As the holidays are nearing, I think it’s more important than ever to reflect on the good that we are surrounded with and be reminded to give back where we can. Even if just small acts of kindness, the Schertz community has various opportunities for giving back. Tucked into the pages of this issue, you’ll find some of these community service opportunities to include the RACAP Holiday Food Drive and the Police Department Blue Santa program, where donations of gifts and wrapping paper can make all the difference in the world for area children and families during the holiday season. Our Public Safety departments also work to give back to the community and enjoy seeing the public’s participation as well. Back in October, the annual National Night Out event took place inviting neighborhoods to host block parties where City officials and Public Melissa Geedman Melissa Geedman Communications Manager PUBLISHED MONTHLY BYPublic Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Melissa Geedman Communications Manager Devan FloresMarketing & Communications Specialist _________ Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Civic Center Manager Mary Spence Events Manager Contributing Writers Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, Linda Klepper, Cassandra Michels, Elizabeth Bertoia, Lauren Shrum, Brenda Dennis, Stacey Lovett, Helen Lafitte, Chuck McCollough, Jennifer Kolbe, Ed Suarez Contributing Photographers Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, Linda Klepper, Sarah Gonzalez, Jessica Sullivan, Chuck McCollough, Jennifer Kolbe, Stacey Lovett, Helen Lafitte, Kelly Kallies, Hillory Halbardier 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) 619-1619Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at magazine@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1630 or 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 magazine@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 34 ISSUE 11 Safety staff spent time with the community engaging in a relaxed atmosphere. Be sure to look for your picture inside! You can also stop by the Schertz Starbucks on November 3 to enjoy a morning cup of joe at the Coffee with a Cop event. Our men and women in blue want to bring the community members they serve together to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay in the know on upcoming events! As Thanksgiving approaches and the holidays ring in, I’d like for everyone to give thanks for the people, things, and memories you have and consider ways you could give back to the community. We are fortunate to call Schertz home, and it wouldn’t be the wonderful place it is without the warming hearts that live here. Simply remember, “small seeds of gratitude will produce a harvest of hope.” Wishing everyone a beautiful Thanksgiving full of love, laughter, and warm memories, Cheers, Every Friday Night 5:30 - 9:30 PM LIVE Entertain m e n t 7:00 - 9:0 0 P M Happy Hour 5:30 - 7:00 PM ADMISSIONPER PERSON & KIDS UNDER 36 INCHES ARE FREE PING PONG TABLES HORSESHOES PITS CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WITH SANDBOX GAME ROOM WITH MOVIES AIR-CONDITIONED LODGE WITH BIG SCREEN TV CORNHOLE GAMES WASHER TOSS GAMES VOLLEYBALL COURTS BASKETBALL COURTS UNLIMITED RIDE WRISTBAND FOR ADDITIONAL $5 TRAIN RIDE PONY CART RIDE TUMBLEWEED RIDE CRANK AND ROLL RIDE ROCKET RIDE BOUNCE ONE SOUVENIER SPIN ART AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL CHARGE:• RESERVED AREAS • CONCESSION STAND • FOOD TRUCKS • BEER AND WINE NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS ALLOWED. NO PETS ALLOWED. 12020 W. SCHAEFER ROAD IN SCHERTZ • (210) 659-0221 SHADYOAKSRANCH.NET MINIATURE GOLF COURSE SOCCER FIELD SOFTBALL FIELD WRISTBAND INCLUDES: FRIDAY PLUS TAX PLUS TAX KIDS MUST BE 36 INCHES OR TALLER TO GET ON RIDES. Schertz Magazine November 2018 7 City Purchases New Water Meters The City of Schertz is purchasing new water meters that will increase efficiencies in the water department and improve accuracy in reading water usage. The vote to approve the new water meters was made during the August 14 Schertz City Council Meeting. This fall, water utility customers will start seeing their water meters replaced as part of the City’s Advanced Water Meter System project, a new service enhancement initiative to install advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) throughout the community. The city-wide installation of 14,208 new meters is projected to take nine months. Once installed, the new meter system will provide customers with more accurate water usage data that is updated multiple times throughout the day, water budget and water consumption threshold alerts, comparative data, leak alerts and notifications from the City. Professional Meters Inc, (PMI) will be installing these meters on behalf of the City of Schertz. Their vehicles and personal will be marked. Your water service will see an average of 10 minutes interruption during the meter change out. Every effort will be made to notify you of the change out and flushing of the lines. For more information, contact the Business Office at (210) 619-1100. CityHeadlines Now Accepting Blue Santa Donations and Applications The Schertz Police Department has begun collecting items for the Blue Santa program. Collection boxes can be found throughout the community, including schools and various businesses. Donations can also be dropped off at the Police Department at 1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 6. Schertz PD is asking for new toys and wrapping paper donations. The Blue Santa Program was created to help bring holiday happiness to families and children in Schertz. Applications for those individuals requesting assistance are available at the Schertz Police Department. You can find applications at Schertz.com. The deadline for applications will be Friday, November 30. Contact: Esther Mendoza or Officer Lafitte at (210) 619-1200 for more information. Schertz Magazine November 2018 8 CityHeadlines Neighborhoods Gather for National Night Out This year’s National Night Out was another huge success. A total of 26 neighborhoods registered for a visit from one of our teams consisting of Law Enforcement personnel, City Council, and City Staff. In its 35th year, National Night Out falls on the first Tuesday in October with this year’s event occurring on October 2. According to the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. As in the past, area neighborhoods are asked to contact the Police Department to register their neighborhood parties. This ensures they will get a visit from one of the teams. In keeping with the partnership, other departments have been invited to join in on the event as well to include Fire and EMS. A total of seven teams visited neighborhoods throughout the city from as far north as Fairway Ridge to the southern end down in Schertz Forest. Each registered neighborhood visited is provided a proclamation which is read onsite by the visiting Councilmember. One Forest Ridge resident was overheard saying this was her 21st National Night Out event, and she was looking forward to many more! We are already looking forward to National Night Out 2019, so be sure to register your neighborhoods early. We can’t wait to party with you all again! Schertz Magazine November 2018 9 Schertz Magazine November 2018 10 Library H3lp gives library patrons the opportunity to chat with a staff member via the web. • Online help can be used for reference questions or other library needs such as renewing materials or putting holds on items. • Online chat service is available during library operating hours. • Chat is accessible by clicking on the contact a librarian link on the library homepage. • Ask us your question today! Schertz Magazine November 2018 11 NOVEMBER CALENDAR DID YOU KNOW…THE READ BEFORE BOOKSTORE IS NOW SELLING GIFT CERTIFICATES The Read Before Bookstore inside the library now 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. FAMILY COOKING WORKSHOP: APPLE PIE Come make a yummy apple pie! This easy cooking program for family and friends to share together will be held on Saturday, November 3 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Learn the basics of kitchen safety as well as how to make an apple pie. You will have a pie to take home (unless you eat it during the program). One pie per family will be offered. All ages are welcome with an adult accompanying. Registration is required as space is limited. THE BOOKENDS AFTERNOON BOOKCLUB The afternoon library book club meets the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 PM in Library Meeting Room 1. On Thursday, November 8 the group will discuss The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. The book club is for adults 18+ and pre-registration is not required. B.Y.O.C-BRING YOUR OWN CRAFT Join us for a few fun hours of crafting fun! This is a brand new program for adults 18+ that will be held the first Thursday of each month (November 1) beginning at 5:30 PM in Library Meeting Room 1. Bring any craft project you are working on and enjoy the company of fellow crafters. Coloring pages, colored pencils, and gel pens will be provided by the library. Pre-registration is not required. BASIC SEWING MACHINE CLASS Local resident, Patti Burditt will be teaching a beginners course on how to operate your sewing machine and assisting students with making a simple project on the first Tuesday of each month (November 6) at 12:00 PM and the third Thursday (November 15) from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. This program is designed for adults ages 18+ and requires students to bring their sewing machine with them to class. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Call the library at (210) 619-1700 for more information and registration. WELLMED PRESENTATION The local WellMed Medical Group will be doing informational presentations and screenings at the library periodically throughout the year. This month the presentation will cover Diabetes, as it is National Diabetes Month. Monday, November 26 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in Library Meeting Room 1. SCHERTZ AREA GENEALOGY INFORMATION The Schertz Area Genealogy group meets on the first Tuesday of every month, except July, at the Schertz Public Library. The meetings are from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in Library Meeting Room 1 with speakers or general discussion about worldwide research. This month’s speaker will discuss archaic terms. The group would like to thank all of the residents who provided food items during their annual food drive for RACAP. Schertz Magazine November 2018 13 A little rain didn’t stop Schertz residents from celebrating at the Schertz Turns 60 anniversary celebration! We were so pleased to celebrate Schertz's 60th Anniversary with our friends, families, and neighbors. The Main Street festival brought some life to the heart of the city on Sunday, October 7 as the street was lit up with carnival rides, fireworks and smiles! Folks enjoyed complimentary cupcakes served by City Council Members as well as some handcrafted root beer from BJ’s Brewhouse. Mayor Michael Carpenter gave a celebratory toast commemorating the accomplishments Schertz has achieved together over the last 60 years. Some of the good old fashioned free fun included carnival rides, giant trike races, rock wall climbing, a tie dying station, climbing into a giant inflatable hamster ball, and a Gaga Pit! The Schertz Public Library provided giant games like Giant Jenga and Giant Connect4, which residents had a blast with. We loved seeing the entries received in the Junk Art Contest and look forward to growing this event in the future. Festival goers were able to stroll through the marketplace and shop through local craft vendors and grab a bite to eat from one of the seven local food trucks that frequent the area. Thank you to our sponsors, Walker Partners, H-E-B and Schertz Bank & Trust for helping us make this event a great one. Most of all, we want to thank the residents of the City of Schertz for the last 60 years. Here's to many more! Schertz Magazine November 2018 14 CityHeadlines Over 30 Years of Financial Excellence The City of Schertz Finance department has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). This is the 33rd time in a row the City has received such achievement. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. Schertz Magazine November 2018 15 CityHeadlines Young Women Discover Manufacturing Careers Caterpillar Inc.’s Schertz and San Antonio locations opened their doors to 50 eighth grade students from J. Frank Dobie and Ray D. Corbett Junior High Schools on October 11, 2018, as part of National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). MFG Day is a national effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide. The tour focused on reaching young women to further promote manufacturing careers. The students heard presentations from key Caterpillar team members on how the company utilizes and develops the local workforce to manufacture 7.2- to 18-liter engines in Schertz, San Antonio and Seguin. The students were given a tour of Caterpillar’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Schertz and San Antonio, had lunch with their leadership teams, and heard from influential female leaders from their engineering and quality departments. These leaders provided a glimpse into their lives explaining not only how they entered the field but highlighting how they have thrived in the traditionally male- dominated fields of engineering and manufacturing. Caterpillar Inc., the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District and the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation united for this event encouraging this very special group of eighth grade girls to pursue careers in manufacturing, beginning with pursuing educational opportunities in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Caterpillar Inc, SCUC ISD and the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation believe that introducing these students to STEM and manufacturing will not only have a positive impact on the girls, but also to influence their parents and teachers giving them a better understanding of the positive aspects of advanced manufacturing careers and the education needed to obtain careers in the world of manufacturing. For more information about manufacturing at Caterpillar, visit caterpillar.com/manufacturing. For more information about the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation, please visit SchertzEDC. com or call (210) 619-1072. Schertz Magazine November 2018 16 STAY INFORMED!Follow us on Facebook at cityofschertz andcityofschertzparksandrecreation WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!Follow us on Instagram at @SchertzParksandRec and use #SchertzParksandRec when posting. DUNKIN FOR PUMPKINS Summer has faded, but the pool splashes didn’t have to end. What better way to combine the two other than jumping into a pool full of pumpkins? A little twist on your typical pumpkin patch, the Schertz Family YMCA and Schertz Parks and Recreation Department held its second annual Dunkin for Pumpkin event on Saturday, October 6. Children of all ages had the opportunity to plunge into the pool at the Schertz Aquatics Center and hunt for that perfect pumpkin to bring home. The fun didn’t stop inside. Outside the pool area were many activities set up including games, paint stations, and our local H-E-B Buddy to greet the children. Raising Cane’s was also there passing out free kids meals to all the children that showed them their pumpkins they had dove in the pool for. The event was a big hit with the kids and their families and offered a unique experience to a Halloween tradition. We hope to see you make a splash at next year’s event. NATURE DISCOVERY SERIES The Nature Discovery Series is back for the Fall! Does your little one enjoy being outdoors and searching for creepy crawlies? Do Mom and Dad want to get the family outside more enjoying time together? Then the Nature Discovery Series is for you! The program is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but older and younger siblings are welcome too. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers will lead the themed programs held at 10:00 AM at Crescent Bend Nature Park, and the program is free. Upcoming topic: November 3: Discover Geology Pre-registration is required. Contact the Schertz Parks & Recreation Office at (210) 619-1850 to secure your spot. CRESCENT BEND BIRDING WALKJoin us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on Tuesday, November 27 from 8:00 – 11:00 AM. Meet in the first parking lot with leader Sandi Wheeler for a walk through the park to learn about the bird life. Bring your binoculars, cameras, water, and snacks. All levels of birders are welcome – from beginners to experts. MOVIE IN THE PARK FEATURING COCOCelebrate the Day of the Dead with us at the next Music and Movies in the Park series event featuring Disney & Pixar’s Coco on Friday, November 2 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Pickrell Park. Come along with aspiring musician Miguel as he enters the land of the dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary musician named Ernesto de la Cruz. He embarks on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind his family history. Participate in activities for all ages and get your face painted as a traditional sugar skull. Don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Guadalupe County - City of Schertz: Polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, November 6, 2018 for voting in the general election to elect Councilmembers for Place 6,and Place 7. MCQUEENEY LIONS CLUB  3211 FM 78, McQueeney   VOGEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 16121 FM 725, Seguin REMARKABLE HEALTHCARE 1339 Eastwood Dr., Seguin   FOREST HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 8251 FM 1117, Seguin JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT, PCT 1 2405 E. US Hwy 90, Seguin KINGSBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7035 FM 2438, Kingsbury STAPLES BAPTIST CHURCH 10020 FM 621, Staples MARANATHA FELLOWSHIP HALL 2356 S. Hwy. 80, Luling   JACKSON PARK STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER 824 Fleming Dr., Seguin GRACE MEMORIAL CHURCH 3240 FM 725, New Braunfels MCQUEENEY VFW POST 9213 275 Gallagher, McQueeney   COLUMBUS CLUB OF SEGUIN 1015 S. Austin Street, Seguin   OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH ANNEX 730 N. Guadalupe St. Seguin WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH 1208 N. Vaughan St., Seguin   AMERICAN LEGION HALL 618 E. Kingsbury, Seguin   GERONIMO COMMUNITY CENTER 280 Navarro Dr, Geronimo   ST. JOSEPH’S MISSION 5093 Redwood Rd., San Marcos    THE SILVER CENTER 510 E. Court St., Seguin   CENTRAL TEXAS TECHNOLOGY CENTER Room 118 Conf. Room 2189 FM 758, New Braunfels FORMER CITY OF SEGUIN-GUADA- LUPE COUNTY LIBRARY 707 E. College St., Seguin SANTA CLARA CITY HALL 1653 N. Santa Clara Rd., Santa Clara MARION DOLFORD LEARNING CENTER 200 W. Schlather Lane, Cibolo SCHERTZ ELECTIONS OFFICE 1101 Elbel Rd., Schertz   SCHERTZ UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3460 Roy Richard Dr., Schertz SELMA CITY HALL 9375 Corporate Dr., Selma CROSSPOINT FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 2600 Roy Richard Drive, Schertz IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 212 N. Barnett St., Marion SCHERTZ COMMUNITY CENTER 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz   MIKULSKI HALL 509 Schertz Pkwy., Schertz SCHERTZ COMMUNITY CENTER NORTH 3501 Morning Dr., Cibolo   ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH 606 S. Center St., Marion NEW BERLIN CITY HALL 9180 FM 775, New Berlin    KLEIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2620 W. Klein Road, New Braunfels    ELAINE S. SCHLATHER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 230 Elaine S. Schlather Pkwy., Cibolo ELECTION DAY! TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 Comal County - City of Schertz Precinct 202 Bexar County - City of Schertz Precinct 4087, 4126, and 4127 RAY D. CORBETT JUNIOR HIGH 12000 Ray Corbett Drive FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO SCHERTZ.COM. Precinct 301 JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL 6720 FM 482, New Braunfels, 78130 WESTSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER 2932 S. IH 35, New Braunfels, 78130 Guadalupe County is participating in the Countywide Polling Place Program (Vote Centers) which means that Guadalupe County Election Day voters may now vote at ANY Guadalupe County Election Day Polling Location. It is no longer necessary to vote in the voting precinct in which you reside. Early voting ends Friday, November 2, 2018. Locations and times for early voting can be found on our City Website at www.schertz.com or contact the City Secretary's Office at (210) 619-1030 for details. Bexar County - City of Schertz Precinct 4087, 4126, and 4127 RAY D. CORBETT JUNIOR HIGH 12000 Ray Corbett Drive Schertz Magazine November 2018 22 Sewer Averaging will Affect Residents' 2018-2019 Bills Sewer averaging for the winter months began on October 24, 2018 and will continue through March 6, 2019 for cycle billing. Water usage over this period determine your sewer charge for the next billing year, which begins April 1. The water usage readings will be averaged and the average per thousand gallon usage per month will be multiplied by $4.32. That total will be added to the base rate of $12.54 for residents with an average below 12,000 gallons. For residents with usage greater than 12,001 gallons, the first 12,000 gallons will be multiplied by $4.32 and the portion of the average above 12,000 gallons will be multiplied by $9.37 and that total will be added to the base rate of $12.54 for residential use. The final calculation result will be your sewer charge for the next 12 months. For more information, go to Schertz.com or call (210) 619-1100. Breakfast with the Blue On Saturday, September 29, Whataburger played host to Schertz Police Department’s most recent Breakfast with the Blue event. The coffee was fresh, the cinnamon rolls were warm and Schertz Police personnel were on hand to chat with residents and guests over breakfast. This was the first Breakfast with the Blue event to be held on a Saturday morning offering individuals and families the chance they otherwise would not have to visit with their local law enforcement. Often times, during the week, people are on their way to work or school, and don’t necessarily have time to stop and chat. The purpose of an event like this is to give people the opportunity to talk with their local law enforcement about any concerns they may have or to just say ‘hi’ in a relaxed atmosphere. The overall turnout was great, and several people who stopped by to chat were appreciative of all the officers in attendance. The Schertz Police Department is working to implement this type of gathering on a quarterly basis, alternating week days and weekends. The next event is "Coffee with a Cup" scheduled for Saturday, November 3 at 8:30 AM at the Starbucks on Tri County Parkway. Be sure to check out the Schertz Police Department Facebook page for details. Schertz Magazine November 2018 23 Texas Crime Stoppers 30th Annual Conference In October the City of Schertz proudly welcomed the Texas Crime Stoppers organization for their 30th annual Crime Stoppers Conference. Hosted by the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers at the Schertz Civic Center, the conference offered a 3-day training opportunity for Peace Officers, Crime Stoppers Board Members, and Volunteers to learn more about the impact of Texas Crime Stoppers across the state. Texas Crime Stoppers organizations are community- based partnerships formed by dedicated citizens, law enforcement, and the media. They work together toward a common goal: the reduction of crime and the arrest and conviction of criminals and fugitives statewide. Local Crime Stoppers organizations are designed to serve as a vehicle for citizens to relay criminal information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous. Since inception in 1981, Texas Crime Stoppers has grown from 8 certified organizations to approximately 150 certified community and campus organizations. These organizations are run by dedicated volunteers, making it a cost effective tool in preventing and solving crime. For more information on your Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers go to www.gov.texas.gov/ organization/crime-stoppers CityHeadlines Schertz Magazine November 2018 25 Fire Station #3 Ground Breaking CityHeadlines The City of Schertz will soon have a third fire station to meet the needs of its growing community in southern Schertz. The community is invited to join representatives of the City of Schertz and Schertz Fire Department staff at the official groundbreaking ceremony of Fire Station #3 on Thursday, November 15 at 5:00 PM located at 11917 Lower Seguin Road. The selected parcel of land is just north east of the intersection of Lower Seguin Road and Hollering Vine and was purchased in December of 2017. Fire Station #3 will measure roughly 14,000 square feet and will house 1 engine, 1 brush truck, 1 reserve engine, and 12 firefighters. Additional features of the new station include full living quarters and offices for staff, a radio/watch office, and a community meeting room which will be used as classroom space for staff and general public. The new station, designed by BRW (Brown Reynolds Watford), is anticipating completion by late Summer 2019. The construction will be completed by Byrne Construction Services. For more information, follow the City of Schertz on Facebook or go to Schertz.com Schertz Merch Now On Sale A limited supply of Schertz merchandise is now available and we hope to see you rockin' your Schertz pride! The City officially released the special Schertz tees, tank tops, and hats at the Schertz Turns 60 anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 7. Products are available for purchase at the Schertz Civic Center Office (1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 5). Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Cash, Check, and Credit Card are accepted. Supplies are limited so stop by and get your Schertz merch today! Pricing: Adult Tees - $10.00 Tank Tops - $15.00 Kids Tees - $10.00 Hats - $15.00 6:00 pm Free Dinner 6:45 pm Worship 7:30 pm Small Groups Sunday Services: 9:00 am Traditional 10:15 am Sunday School 11:15 am Family Praise and Worship united methodist church 3460 Roy Richard Drive (210) 658-3202 schertzumc.com Home of Grace Place Learning Center Graceplaceschertz.com Building Relationships Making Connections Growing Together www.facebook.com/SchertzUMC @SchertzUMC CORRIDOR Nobody sells more Real Estate than REMAX ® 17156 IH-35 North, Schertz, TX 78154 EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED USAF RETIRED TIME TO SELL OR BUY? NEED MORE ROOM? WE CAN HELP! WATCH FOR OUR NEW OFFICE OPENING SOON IN CIBOLO! Schertz Magazine November 2018 29 T he evolution of the food truck phenomenon has brought this unique dining and cultural experience to new heights, making what was once a novel trend into a more mainstream experience. Along the I-35 corridor, San Antonio and Austin have nurtured their regional existence, continuing to help these thrive and pop up in the smaller towns in between. This culinary embodiment has been the (literal) vehicle for many to start up and implement their foodie visions, and a local Schertz company has been lending its expertise to fabricate these ideas into reality. Rolltechs Specialty Vehicles, LLC. has been conducting business in Schertz for the past 41 years mirroring the exponential growth of the City’s industrial sector and bringing on new endeavors in their own industry. The company deals in specialty vehicle builds creating anything from mobile command centers for first responders, media broadcast & military satellite communication vehicles, and even fabricated Texas A&M University’s 52’ x 16’ rolling jumbotron. With their expertise in their craft and their reputation in the business they were approached about 3 years ago by another local business out of Boerne – On The Move – to take on another mobile project: food trucks. On The Move launched their food truck program in 2012 bringing vision and design to new entrepreneurs and offering financing & aid in regulation compliance with all of the guidelines placed upon this growing industry. While they supplied the support and unique merchandising for branding these trendy on-the-go eateries, they needed someone to physically make it all come together; that is when they approached and partnered with Rolltechs. With both companies situated between two large Central Texas metro cities, both embracing these popular businesses, their partnership thrived quickly and resulted in the creation of an entirely new division just for food trucks. Rolltechs bought another separate space and built a team to service these both locally and nationwide. sensation a By Stacey Lovett continued on page 31 Schertz Magazine November 2018 31 The widespread presence of food trucks as we know today began in 2008 when the economic collapse caused many chefs in the culinary industry to seek more efficient and cost effective ways to continue their work after being displaced in the business. Many turned to the trucks in larger cities throughout the US. Although less fancy, they still served up the same quality product. As the trend evolved, so did the image with professional branding and the outcrop of more permanent establishments. Food truck parks have rapidly established as eatery destinations featuring many amenities like covered seating areas, playgrounds, music stages, as well as the availability to host special events with on-site catering. This whole new level of service has built its own multibillion dollar food truck support service offering anything from geolocation services, specialized insurances, commissaries, and central prep facilities catering to the needs of these mobile restauranteurs. Food trucks are more than a meal service, they’ve become their own culinary art – a culture – reshaping the dining habits of cities as well as the foodie world. A notable amount of the original concept food truck startups have reached success and grown into their own enterprises today. Additonally, existing brick and mortar restaurants have embraced this medium to effectively downsize – or branch out – with mobile versions of themselves. Rolltechs recognized the same broad scope of this market growth that On The Move did and signed on to continue to build this industry that is projected to value at $996.2 billion by 2020 according to The Economist. With Austin spurring the regional trendiness of the diversity of food trucks, boasting the title of 2nd most trucks per capita in the nation, San Antonio is raising the stakes creating their own multimillion dollar state of the art food truck parks throughout the city. You can find these around The Pearl, Southtown, and The Block at UTSA among many others. Naturally, the popularity of them in both cities has brought their individual presence to many of the smaller towns in between – including Schertz. The Alamo City’s latest endeavor is a $2.7 million dollar park on the East side called Brooklyn StrEats – named after its street location – projected to be completed by Fiesta 2019. Their concept for this open air facility includes a farm to table initiative, A Food Truck Sensation cont’d from page 29 a 3-story structure with rooftop bar, yoga and exercise classes, and 6 permanent food trucks representative of the city’s culinary range with room for an additional 19 more. Projects such as this breed more eclecticism in the industry and constructing these next-level novelties is what Rolltechs works to orchestrate. The company has had its hands on many eclectic builds such as the train caboose inside the Spaghetti Warehouse, fabricating the Wendy’s 18-wheeler food truck, chopping a retired food truck at The Pearl and turning it into an indoor bar there, as well as splitting entire food trucks into working facades for the Andretti Indoor Karting & Games near The Rim. These are specialties alongside many traditional truck builds including the Corner Store convenience store mobile trucks, numerous eateries for universities, and a handful for Cousins Maine Lobster nationwide. With the complexities of pairing sensitive pieces of kitchen equipment and generators with space constraints, Rolltechs’ team of highly skilled individuals work to master the balancing act of mechanical & electrical to bring each truck to life and on the road to success. With around 50% of their builds outside the state, they continuously have to overcome the challenge to conduct warranty, repair, and upgrades outsourcing the work or even on occasion flying out their technicians to fix on location. That speaks to the level of service and specialization the company provides. Always open to expanding ideas – a key mindset in the fabrication business – they are also proposing the thought of turning a portion of their 13 acres into a Central Prep Facility for these local trucks, helping to further cater to the business by providing a secure place to house and maintain the trucks overnight and dump their grease and grey water. The local presence and support for the food truck industry not only aids in its growth nationwide from our own backyard, but creates and supports an infrastructure for more local businesses and dreams to be implemented. Positive support of growth and community impacts is what helps keep small businesses alive and to see industry provision for it from Schertz lends that special small town vibe to this national phenomenon. A Day in the Life of a Code Enforcement Officer By Melissa Geedman M ost kids say, I want to be a doctor, I want to be a lawyer, I want to be a fireman. It is rare for children to say they want to be a Code Enforcement Officer when they grow up. In fact, Code Enforcement remains a misunderstood profession that most people probably know little about. The fact of the matter is the role Code Enforcement has on our community is integral and works to enhance our quality of life by sustaining safe, healthy living conditions for residents and businesses. It is essential for our residents to recognize the contribution and service that Code Enforcement provides and understand just how our community is impacted by a strong adherence to code and ordinances. Code Enforcement is a unit under the Schertz Police Department whose purpose is to provide inspection and enforcement of environmental hazards in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community. This unit under the Schertz PD investigates complaints, obtains warrants, addresses structures which are not in code compliance, and prosecutes code enforcement cases. City of Schertz Code Enforcement Officers make sure city codes and ordinances are met so Schertz continues to be an attractive city to residents and businesses. This is achieved by educating, collaborating and partnering with neighborhoods, local businesses, non-profits, and other departments within the city. Educating the community about ordinances and code requirements and standards is one of the ways Schertz is trying to prevent violations from occurring or reoccurring. Maintaining a standard of aesthetics and cleanliness is important to a community. When new citizens move to the area, Code Enforcement plays an important role in maintaining the qualities that attracted them to Schertz in the first place. However, aesthetics isn’t Code Enforcement’s prime focus. Safety is another primary way that Code Enforcement officers positively impact communities. Cities have legislative bodies that endorse ordinances for the good of the entire community. These ordinances include rules and regulations that take into consideration the safety and wellbeing of the public, such as general property standards. While there are a handful of violations the Code Enforcement Office administers, some of the more common code violations include dilapidated fences, discarded furniture, illegal dumping, illegal signs, junk vehicles, mobile vendors without a permit, running a business from home, stagnant water and swimming pools, structure in right of way, substandard housing and dangerous structures, trash/debris/junk accumulation, and tree/ weed overgrowth. Violations are frequently addressed at the request of a concerned resident; however, it is very common for Code Enforcement Officers to be regularly identifying sites and structures of which are not up to City compliance. Schertz Magazine November 2018 33 A proactive code enforcement approach involves attending to issues that may become code enforcement cases or complaints before they escalate to a point of mandated abatement or referral to the court system. Code Enforcement Officer, Thomas Brooks reiterated just how important adequate enforcement of City of Schertz Municipal Code is the answer to a problem. “Municipal code is the set of laws created by your city for your city. These laws play a significant role in what makes a city unique. Code enforcement plays a big part in the application of these laws. A cleaner city is a safer city,” Brooks emphasized. Code Enforcement is a highly visible position and they typically interact with a variety of different people and agencies as well as working closely with community members. However, it is often that some of the most important tasks Code Enforcement adheres to goes unseen. They may treat a pool of stagnant water in a drainage easement behind households for mosquitos that you may be unaware existed. Additionally, vacant lots in and around the community that appear to be maintained could very well be the result of an enforcement action on behalf of the City. While the day in the life of a Code Officer changes regularly, Brooks mentioned just why the life of an officer is a wonderful career. “I never know what a day will have in store for me. One day we will have a sewage discharge the next we will have a resident attempting to open a paint and body shop in their residential subdivision. Whether you are being irritated by an industrial operation at your neighbor’s house, or the unpleasant odors from sewage on the ground, we can help.” Code Enforcement does a wonderful job ensuring violations are addressed in a timely manner; however, there are larger-scaled concerns the City is working to correct. As parts of the community begin to age, the City is beginning to encounter the challenges all cities face at one time or another, to include structural damage and annual maintenance repair. How we address these challenges will directly affect the future of our city. The City recognizes that major code compliant issues cannot be done singlehandedly. At times when Code Enforcement is performing their duties, they encounter someone who really needs assistance, whether they lack the resources, health, or skill required to perform what is required of them. In these cases, the City takes a different approach by partnering them with organizations such as Love Where You Live. The City of Schertz is fortunate to have compassionate people who want to help those in need, and this offers the opportunity to get local organizations and neighbors working together. Schertz began partnering with the Love Where You Live organization back in 2016 as a way to connect with area neighborhoods and make them beautiful, safe, and stable. Love Where You Live is a nonprofit organization that helps people do minor repairs and cleanups. They work selflessly to assist their neighbors in need. Bi-annually, Schertz and the LWYL organization selects a neighborhood to provide a service day, which brings community volunteers together to aid in landscaping, home maintenance and structural work. By doing so, Schertz has been able to refrain from issuing code violations to lots and homes who may be out of code. “I am inspired and reassured in the good of humanity when I see people go to the lengths they do to help. People from different cultures, political affiliations, and neighborhoods coming together to help others right here in our city. This is the best of Schertz, and it is who I get to work with,” mentioned Brooks. Code Enforcement Officers have a very intricate, challenging, and demanding role, therefore, seeing real, visible, and tangible results is rewarding, and the City of Schertz Code Enforcement is responsible for just that. “I find it very satisfying when the results of our efforts come to fruition. Even now I am wowed at times when observing the before and after photos of our cases – it’s clear to see we’re truly impacting the community.” Schertz Magazine November 2018 34 TheCrossvine.com Explore our miles of hike and bike trails at The Crossvine, a new master-planned community in Schertz, Texas. Schertz Magazine November 2018 35 Schertz Magazine November 2018 36 AROUND THECOMMUNITY RACAP Holiday Applications The Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) will accept applications for the Christmas holiday assistance program through November 15, 2018. Applications from families in need of help for the holidays because of limited or no income, who are at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, will be accepted. RACAP is seeking financial donations to cover the cost of its Holiday Meal Basket Program. Donations from churches, businesses, groups or individuals are greatly appreciated and are being accepted now. Please make all donations payable to RACAP and designate on the check that the donation is specifically for the “Holiday Program”. Families who reside in zip code service areas (78108, 78109, 78124, 78148, 78154, 78132, 78233 (Live Oak only), 78247, and 78266) and meet income qualifications are eligible. Applications are available at the RACAP office, 307 Pfeil St., Schertz, TX 78154. If anyone knows of a family in need of this special assistance, have them call (210) 658-1613. For information on how to apply or how to help, call RACAP at (210) 658-1613 or visit racap.org. Schertz Magazine November 2018 37 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! Schertz Magazine All Over the Map (Left) Barbara Chavez took Schertz Magazine to Paris, France. (Right) The Boney Family went to Sequoia National Park, CA with their Schertz Magazine. (Right) The Ybarra Family went to the Princess Cays, Bahamas with their Schertz Magazine. (Left) Clisher Harmon took Schertz Magazine to San Francisco, CA. (Right) Gabriel & Helen Herrera traveled to Albuquerque, NM with their Schertz Magazine. Schertz Magazine November 2018 38 Santa Square Dances with the Fun Dancers Square dancing brings people together for fun and fellowship, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. The Fun Dancers Square and Line Dance Club invites you to get into the holiday spirit at their Christmas square dance on Sunday, December 2 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at 3501 Morning Drive, Schertz, TX 78108. Dancers of all levels are invited to participate, or just come and enjoy the show. Santa will be the guest of honor as he will be stopping by to take a few square dance lessons before he returns to the North Pole to start packing his sleigh for Christmas deliveries. Santa’s dancing elves will also be making an appearance! Square dance clubs in San Antonio, Austin, Gonzales, Canyon Lake, and San Marcos as well as Fun Dancers in Schertz, will be starting Beginning Square Dance lessons in January 2019. For more information call (210) 392-5433 or email jimpresfundancers@yahoo.com. This year’s Holidazzle event, formerly known as Festival of Angels, promises to get you into the holiday spirit! Join us on Saturday, December 1 as we kick off the holiday season with a full day of yuletide cheer. Santa’s elves are cooking away to bring you a magical Breakfast with Santa. Warm and delicious pancakes will be served, and St. Nick himself will be present to take pictures. Breakfast with Santa will be in the Civic Center Bluebonnet Hall, 1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg 5. Space is limited and registration is required. Tickets for the breakfast are $10.00 and can be purchased at the Parks and Recreation Office, 10 Commercial Place, Bldg 1. It’s time to get your holiday shopping done! Kris Kringle’s Market will offer a unique shopping experience with vendors set up in the Civic and Community Centers. Craft and vendor booths are still available. Contact festivals@schertz.com for more information. The weather outside might not be frightful in South Texas, but the snow sure will be plentiful. We’re bringing an ice skating rink to City Hall where people of all ages and skill levels can glide with glee! This event is sure to provide plenty of great photo opportunities, including the chance to climb inside a giant snow globe! We’ll even have a snow angel play area. We want to bring out the holly jolly spirit of Schertz. Several local entertainment groups will bring sounds of the season throughout this event including area bands and dance groups. Entertainment will begin at 1:00 PM at the stage located in the City Complex. The community favorite lighted night parade will dazzle the crowds lined along Schertz Parkway. The parade kicks off at 6:00 PM and travels along Oak Street to Main Street, down Schertz Parkway and into Pecan Drive. The Schertz Holidazzle promises a cheerful time for all ages to enjoy. We hope you join us for the holiday festival everyone will be talking about. For more information, follow the City of Schertz on Facebook or go to Schertz.com. Get Dazzled at the Holidazzle Schertz Magazine November 2018 40 Danville School Name Lives On Danville School and Danville Middle School are 155 years old and one mile apart. The new Comal Independent School District’s Danville Middle School, which opened in 2018, is located at FM 482 and Hubertus Road and is named after the original one-room Danville School built in 1863 to educate children grades 1-8 of the Comal Settle, also known as Danville. In that historic Danville area, the original Danville school was saved from demolition and renovated by Margy Waldrip to be part of a bed and breakfast one mile from the new 21st century middle school. “History is usually about looking at the past, but this is about looking at the future,” said Dean Weirtz, chairman of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee. The SHPC wrote a letter of support for the name Danville Middle School, suggested by Sandra Sahn Reeh, to the CISD middle school name search committee. Reeh is a descendant of Comal Settlement/Danville German immigrants. Danville community was named after Daniel Murchison, who was a surveyor and former Texas Ranger who moved to Comal County around 1850, according to historical information on display at a September 20 dedication at the namesake middle school. The display document stated Dan Murchison was instrumental in the formation and operation of the Comal Union School in Comal, serving as president of the school board in 1857. On September 20, a dedication was held honoring the new school. The dedication included performances by the Danville Middle School band, wind ensemble, choir, dance team, and remarks by CISD Trustee Cody Mueller, CISD Superintendent Andrew Kim, DMS Principal Julie Cronkhite, and a history of the Danville School by Sandra Reeh. A video presentation was also shown which played interviews with Danville School alumni who said they were proud the Danville name was selected. Representing the City of Schertz was City Council member Bert Crawford and Acting City Manager Brian James. “I was on the Planning and Zoning board when this CISD school plan came up a few years back. It is good to see it completed,” Councilman Crawford said. Brian James commented, ‘‘Having a Comal ISD school in the City of Schertz is a good example of the cooperation of local school districts and cities working to build a better community." SHPC Chairman Weirtz commented on the significance of the school naming. “Naming the new school Danville Middle School after the historic Danville School keeps the community’s history alive and growing. To me the naming cements the legacy of the pioneer people who settled this community and worked so hard to give their children a good education. The name and dedication to education lives on,” Weirtz said. Schertz Magazine November 2018 41 SCUC ISD Earns Top Workplace Award Rose Garden Elementary School Dedication Rose Garden Elementary School students, staff and community officially dedicated its new campus in a standing room ceremony held in the cafeteria on Thursday, September 20. The program was filled with student songs and a nod to its history at the old campus in Universal City. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Gibson was joined by five school board members (Robert Westbrook, President; Jerry Perkins, Secretary; Ed Finley, Trustee; David Pevoto, Trustee; and Gary Inmon, Trustee) and Cindy Ward, principal, to cut the ceremonial green ribbon in front of the school. The 155,000 square foot facility is part of the $137 million bond referendum approved by 76% of voters in November of 2016. Students christened the facility with a school song, “Hoot, Hoot, Hooray”, written by music teacher Amey Szanto. Dignitaries in the audience included elected officials from Guadalupe County, along with the cities of Schertz, Cibolo and Universal City. Former Rose Garden staffers and recently-retired principal Sherri Schlather were also honored for the meritorious years of service. Wayne Pruski, Chief Operations Officer, recognized the firms instrumental to the construction of the new school: General Contractor – Joeris Architect – LPA, Inc. Civil – Civil Engineering Consultants Landscape – LPA, Inc. Structural – Alpha Consulting Engineers, Inc. Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing – HMG & Associates, Inc. Technology & Security – Combs Consulting Group, LP Food Service – Cosper & Associates, Inc. Students and staff culminated the evening by holding hands and forming a circle around the audience to sing, “Change the World”, which elicited a standing ovation. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC ISD) has once again been selected as a Top Workplace for 2018 by the San Antonio Express- News. It is the fifth consecutive year SCUC ISD has been awarded this designation, and the sixth time since 2011. SCUC ISD finished among the top fifteen companies in the large employer category (at least 500 employees). The winners were announced at an awards luncheon held on October 11, 2018 at the J.W. Marriott in San Antonio. The entire list of companies who merited that honor can be seen in the San Antonio Express-News in an upcoming Sunday edition of the newspaper. “We care about our entire staff, at every level of the organization,” said Dr. Greg Gibson, Superintendent of Schools. “It’s not the award in and of itself, but about stacking the thousand successes on top of one another that staff members attain every day.” Dr. Gibson was joined by SCUC Board President Robert Westbrook and Chief Human Resource Officer Linda Cannon and five other employees at the luncheon. “Top Workplace is a recognition by employees that vision, resources, effort and processes are in alignment and moving an organization in a positive direction,” said Westbrook. “From students to administration and School Board there is a concerted effort towards improvement and excellence.” This is the ninth year for the San Antonio Express-News to team up with Energage (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), an independent research firm, to recognize the best places to work in the greater San Antonio area. Honored employers are chosen through employee surveys on a variety of workplace topics. Survey results are verified by an independent organization. SCUC ISD is the largest employer in Guadalupe County, with a workforce of 1,901. It has attained “Superior” ratings in the FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) rankings since its inception in the 2002-2003 school year. FIRST measures the quality of a school district’s financial management practices. Later this fall, SCUC ISD expects to hear official word that they have again earned a “Superior” rating. Texas Towers 4 Tots Cars 4 Kids Car Show Join Texas Towers 4 Tots for the Cars 4 Kids Car Show on Saturday, November 10 at Pickrell Park. Register your car or just come enjoy and show your support. Awards include Mayor’s Choice, Best in Show, Best Paint, and 1st & 2nd Place in each class. Registration will begin at 10:00 AM, judging will be at 3:00 PM, and awards will be announced at 4:30 PM. Participate in the live & silent auctions, and enjoy the live music and BBQ plate sale. For more information contact Geoff Nienstedt at (210) 658-8610 or email geoff@texastowers4tots. com. Schertz Area Senior Center Fall Schedule The Schertz Area Senior Center has a number of exciting events for the remainder of 2018! Events taking place at the Senior Center: Friday, November 16 - Bingo Night (6:00 – 8:00 PM) Thursday, December 6 - Holiday Senior Roadtrip Friday, December 14 - Annual Holiday Party The Senior Center is located at 608 Schertz Parkway, adjacent to the Schertz Public Library & Aquatic Complex. For more information call the Senior Center at (210) 619-1970 or send an email to cathyf@ ymcasatx.org. Be sure to like the Schertz Area Senior Center on Facebook! Seguin Holiday Stroll Seguin’s Annual Holiday Stroll starts the first Thursday after Thanksgiving and goes all weekend long. The festivities begin with the Holiday Stroll Parade on Thursday, November 29 at 6:30 PM at the intersection of College and Austin Streets and heads south on Austin Street to downtown Seguin. Thursday will also include food vendors, pictures with Santa, and entertainment from the Seguin High School Band. On Friday, November 30, stroll through downtown tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate at the Sip-N-Stroll. Other activities in downtown will include live entertainment from the Seguin High School Star Steppers, horse drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, a wiggle waggle train ride, and a variety of food vendors. The weekend will conclude on Saturday, December 1 at the North Pole Stroll from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. For more information go to facebook.com/ SeguinHolidayStroll. Jingle Jam River City Community Church presents Jingle Jam: The BIG Give on Sunday, December 2. This is a Christmas party big enough for the whole family. The event is free to the public. Doors open at 5:00 PM for activities, a show at 6:00 PM and the Christmas tree lighting at 7:15 PM. For more information go to reallife.org/events. Yulefest Arts & Crafts Show Join the Seguin Art League at the Yulefest Arts & Crafts Show. This holiday event will be held on Sunday, December 2 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum (950 S. Austin St. Seguin, TX 78155). Enjoy over 70 vendors with exclusively handmade items made by area artists and craftsmen. Purchase wonderful Christmas gifts and holiday décor. There sill be multiple door prizes every hour. Admission is free to shoppers. For more information visit Seguinartleague.com or call (830) 491-9676. Crosspoint Fellowship Church Kids Crazy Christmas Party Join Crosspoint Fellowship Church for their Kids Crazy Christmas Party, a free community-wide kids event open to those Kinder – 6th Grade. The party will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 16. Festivities will include a snow zone with 30,000 lbs of snow, entertainment featuring Team Impact, inflatables, games, pizza, and Parent Zone with refreshments and free wifi. Register online by December 12 for a chance to win an iPad. Go to Crosspoint247.com/party to register today! Christmas Eve at River City Community Church Christmas is a time when experiences turn into memories and memories turn into traditions. This holiday season join River City Community Church for a Christmas Eve experience that your family won’t soon forget! Come for carols & candlelight, fire pits & hay rides, hot cocoa and an interactive live nativity. Services will be held on Sunday, December 23 at 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM and Monday, December 24 at 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. For more information go to reallife.org/ Christmas. Holiday Happenings Selma Authentic German Christmas Market Enjoy gluehwein, bratwurst, and authentic German Christmas goodies at the 3rd Annual German Christmas Market (8088 Old Austin Road, Selma, Texas 78154) on Sunday, December 2 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Admission is free so come out and enjoy the old world Christmas spirit. For more information call (210) 240-4397. Christmas Market at Armadillo Antiques, Vintage & Artisans Come out and shop the Christmas Market at Armadillo Antiques, Vintage & Artisans (122 E Byrd Blvd Suite 100, Universal City, Texas 78148) on Saturday, December 8 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Enjoy spectacular handmade vendors with unique items made with love. You’ll find vintage Christmas items as well, items you may remember as a child. Something Old, Something New, Something for Everyone. For more information call Armadillo Antiques at (210) 885-3366. Holiday Happenings Christmas at the Caverns Christmas at the Caverns returns to Natural Bridge Caverns for the 2018 holiday season combining the sights and sounds of the holidays with its underground world of natural beauty and amazement. This one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration has become a holiday tradition for families throughout the state. Every day in December the entire park will be filled with the joy of the season. Unique Christmas offerings during the month of December include Caroling in the Caverns, Christmas Campfire, Christmas Hayride, the AMAZEn’ Reindeer Roundup, Canopy Challenge, and Flying Elf Ziplines. Treat yourself and your family to a Texas Hill Country Christmas and discover your new holiday tradition. During this season of giving, Christmas at the Caverns supports the San Antonio Food Bank. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Food Bank, and during December each guest who brings a nonperishable food item to donate to the Food Bank will receive $2 off an adult or $1 off a child Cavern tour ticket, redeemable for any Cavern tour. For ticket prices, which vary depending on the activity selected, as well as general ticket information and show times, please visit naturalbridgecaverns.com. ThanksgivingThanksgivingSafetySafety nfpa.org/education ©NFPA 2017 NATIONAL FIREPROTECTION ASSOCIATION The leading information and knowledge resource on fire, electrical and related hazards The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home. The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home. • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away. • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags. • Keep knives out of the reach of children. • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet. • Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle. • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. Did you know? Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outsidethe kitchen. Thanksgiving Safety The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home. Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies. LOOKING BACK November QUOTE OF NOTE “A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all – he’s walking on them.” LOCAL HISTORY In November 2008, the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee produced its first book on the history of Schertz titled: “Schertz, Texas – The Story of Great Ancestry, Legacy and Development.” TEXAS HISTORY On November 7, 1884, a prominent group of Texas cattlemen met in St. Louis to attempt to thwart plans of northern interests to quarantine Texas cattle. Texas fever, caused by ticks indigenous to the Southwest, had inflicted heavy losses upon the northern range-cattle industry by the early 1880s, and these losses had caused northern cattlemen to lobby for state and territorial quarantines against infected livestock. The Texans called upon Congress to build and maintain a National Trail across several states which would allow cattle-trailing to continue unabated by quarantines. The measure was brought before Congress, but failed to pass. The northern quarantines, western migration and barbed wire fences ended the cattle trailing. Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter (210) 619-1045 mcarpenter@schertz.com Council Members: Mark Davis (210) 376-9141 MarkDavis@schertz.com Ralph Gutierrez (210) 376-9231 ralphgutierrez@schertz.com Scott Larson (210) 376-9835 scottlarson@schertz.com Cedric Edwards, Sr. (210) 566-4540 cedwards@schertz.com David Scagliola (830) 606-1130 davidscagliola@schertz.com Angelina Kiser (210) 376-9579 angelinakiser@schertz.com Bert Crawford (210) 376-9780 bertcrawford@schertz.com City Departments: City of Schertz (210) 619-1000 Animal Control (210) 619-1550 Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100 City Manager (210) 619-1000 City Secretary (210) 619-1030 Civic Center (210) 619-1600 Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000 Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com IMPORTANT SCHERTZ PHONE NUMBERS SCHERTZ.COM NOVEMBER 2018CITY CALENDAR 3 10 17 4 11 18 25 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 12 13 14 15 16 24231920 26 27 21 22 28 Parks & Rec Advisory Board, 5:30 PMBob Andrews Conference Room Board of Adjustments, 6:00PM Council Chambers Election Day SSLGC Meeting, 1:30 PM SSLGC Administrative Building Economic Development Corp, 6:00 PM Council Chambers Be sure to go to Schertz.com for more event information. Meetings are subject to change. Library AdvisoryBoard, 6:30 PMSchertz PublicLibrary Transportation Safety Advisory Commission, 5:30 PM Council Chambers Planning and Zoning Meeting, 6:00 PMCouncil Chambers Committee of Committees Advisory Board Meeting, 3:00 PM, Council Chambers 29 30 City Council Meeting, 6:00 PMCouncil Chambers Hal Baldwin Golf Tournament Movie in the Park: Coco6:00 - 9:00 PM Pickrell Park Daylight Savings Time Ends Veterans Day Veterans Day holiday (City officces closed) Thanksgiving (City offices closed)Thanksgiving holiday(City offices closed) Special Meeting/Swearing In, 6:00 PMCouncil Chambers Animal Services Advisory Committee6:00 PM, Council Chambers Holiday Tree Lighting6:00 PMCity Hall City Council Meeting, 6:00 PMCouncil Chambers SCHERTZ.COM PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154