February '24 Newsletter

Volume 24 • Issue 2 • February 2024

T Get Active

Reduce Stress

Manage Blood Pressur e

ular g e r Get ck ups che

Eat Healthy

Celebrate American Heart & Black History month this February!

A monthly newsletter for the residents of the City of Windcrest published by Neighborhood News, Inc.

City of Windcrest 8601 Midcrown Windcrest, TX 78239-2598 City Administration & Municipal Court Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM 210-655-0022 Contracted Post Office Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM City Manager: Rafael Castillo, Jr. Ext. 2120 rcastillo@windcrest-tx.gov City Council Mayor: Dan Reese 210-419-0099 | dreese@windcrest-tx.gov Mayor Pro Tem/Place 2: Cindy Strzelecki cstrzelecki@windcrest-tx.gov Place 1: Wes Manning wmanning@windcrest-tx.gov Place 3: Greg Turner gturner@windcrest-tx.gov Place 4: Marcus Yax 210-246-8895 | myax@windcrest-tx.gov Place 5: Adam Astleford aastleford@windcrest-tx.gov City Departments: 210-655-0022 City Secretary: Rachel C. Dominguez Ext: 2100 | citysecretary@windcrest-tx.gov Permits: Shannon Strey Ext. 2430 | permits@windcrest-tx.gov Municipal Court: Claudia Carrera Ext. 2250 | court@windcrest-tx.gov Public Works: Chris Gamboa Ext. 2490 | cgamboa@windcrest-tx.gov Finance: Natalia Witmer (MFO) Ext. 2820 | nwitmer@windcrest-tx.gov Utilities: Kathryn Sittenauer Mon – Thu 8 AM – 4 PM | Fri 8 AM – 3 PM Ext. 1053 | utilities@windcrest-tx.gov Fire Department: Chief Ivan Hernandez Ext. 2180 | firechief@windcrest-tx.gov FD Admin: Delma Cortez Ext. 2320 | dcortez@windcrest-tx.gov Fire Inspector: Tim Zelenak Ext. 2990 | tzelenak@windcrest-tx.gov Police Department: Chief Jim Cole Ext. 2130 | jcole@windcrest-tx.gov Code Enforcement | Animal Control 210-655-2666 City Website: www.windcrest-tx.gov Windcrest Economic Development Corporation Director: Mario Hernandez 210-469-6802 | marioh@satx.rr.com Coordinator: Karen K. Nelson 210-469-6800 | knelson@windcrest-tx.gov Bexar County Water District #10 General Manager: David Wallace 210-655-2888 | gmbcwcid10@gmail.com Mon – Thu 8 AM – 4 PM | Fri 8 AM – 3 PM Water Emergencies: 210-422-4159 24-Hour Police Non-Emergency 210-655-2666 ALL EMERGENCIES FIRE – EMS – POLICE 24 HOURS A DAY 911

Mayor’s Message

Dan Reese

Happy Leap Year! Every four years February gets an extra day. According to NASA: “It takes approximately 365.25 days for Earth to orbit the Sun — a solar year.

We usually round the days in a calendar year to 365.

To make up for the missing partial day, we add one day to our calendar approximately every four years”.

What will you do with the extra day this year?

In February, we observe Black History month and American Heart Month, along with celebrations of past Presidents. On February 2nd, we anxiously await to see if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow to forecast the remaining weeks of winter. On February 14th, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day. I am reminded of those around me that I cherish and those that have passed, and hope you are able to connect with your loved ones either in person or in thought.

65th Annual Light Up “Twas the Night Before Christmas” – We finished strong. There was an increase in media presence this year. I saw at least four news articles and multiple social media posts highlighting our “City of Lights.” As we look forward to next year, I hope all our homes will consider “Lighting Up” and help continue the trademark our city is known for around the area and bringing the joy of the season to others.

Windcrest turns 65 this year! – A bit of Windcrest history. Windcrest was incorporated in 1959. Here is an excerpt from History of Windcrest 1959 to 2009 by Joseph Regan and Danette Fox: “In the beginning Barbee and Murray Winn had a vision. In the middle of their vacant fields, where crops had been harvested, they viewed a city, not yet developed, where people could live and raise their families; where friendships could grow; where patriotism and civic pride would thrive; where peace and tranquility could be experienced; a city of quality, large enough to be self-sufficient, yet small enough for its residents to shape their destiny. They saw a place where residents could be involved and a place to proudly call home.

Through many years of development and nurturing, the efforts of these visionaries have created the unique City you see today.”

Looking toward 2024 – In last month’s newsletter, I mentioned several projects that your City Council will be addressing this year. We will finalize our audit in early 2024 and it will highlight an incredibly positive picture of the state of our great city! I am excited about where we are and optimistic about how we can build on our successes.

I am continuing my “Coffee with the Mayor” every Saturday that I am in town. Please see my Facebook page (Dan Reese, Mayor, City of Windcrest) for updates. We begin at 8:30 a.m. at Las Palapas on Walzem. You are welcome to come anytime you wish and leave as you choose to.

“

“The credibility of the message is intrinsically tied to the integrity of the messenger.” ~Chip Ingram

”

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS

By Jim Cole, Police Chief We hope 2024 has been a safe year for you. We are so proud to announce that through the hard work of Officer Raymond Yee, we have been awarded a $625K C.O.P.S. Grant! The COPS Grant funds will enable us to hire five additional police officers! From the CHP DOJ: “COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program designed to provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

BRUSH & BULK PICK UP

Anticipated outcomes of the CHP program awards include engagement in planned community partnerships, implementation of projects to analyze and assess problems, implementation of changes to personnel and agency management in support of community policing, and increased capacity of agency to engage in community policing activities.”

SAVE THE DATE! APRIL 1ST - 19TH

We are grateful to Officer Yee for his work on this!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Chief Cole Protect and Serve

Wearing the Windcrest Badge Highlighting Badge 123 Officer Raymond Yee wears Windcrest Police Department Badge 123. Officer Yee has been a member of the Windcrest Police Department since September of 2022, when he started as a Reserve Officer, and then joined the Department as a full-time officer in January 2024. Officer Yee holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. Officer Yee has been assigned grant writing duties that have resulted in the awarding of more than $730,000.00 in grants to the City of Windcrest Police Department. Officer Yee, when not working, enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and 12-yearold son.

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

For Guidelines Visit Our Website www.windcrest-tx.gov/637/Brush-Bulk-Pick-Up

PUBLIC WORKS

By Chris Gamboa Public Works Director The Public Works crew will continue with significant alley repairs. Once these major repairs are complete, the crew will move on to any patch work that has been requested.

Additionally, crack filling will resume in early spring this year, weather permitting. We are working hard to complete all the repairs.

Thank you.

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Fire Department

News

By Ivan Hernandez, Windcrest Fire Chief

Keeping a fire extinguisher in your home can be a lifesaving decision, preventing a small fire from spreading into a larger fire and causing extensive damage. With a variety of sizes and types of extinguishers to choose from, it is important to select the right one to best protect your home.

The recommendation for a typical home is a 5-pound A-B-C fire extinguisher, but a 2-pound option is available for users who find the larger size too heavy or bulky. The number of extinguishers required for your home depends on factors such as your home’s size and layout. The kitchen, laundry room, garage, and storage building are recommzended locations to place fire extinguishers. Homes with a connecting kitchen and laundry room can usually get by with a single fire extinguisher for both areas.

Once you have determined the types, sizes, and locations of your fire extinguishers, it is important to mount them in an easily accessible area of your home. While many people find wall-mounted extinguishers unattractive, there is an alternative. Consider mounting your fire extinguisher inside a cabinet to keep it out of sight.

Be sure to mount the fire extinguisher to avoid it becoming blocked, making it difficult to reach quickly in case of an emergency.

If you have any questions or need help in selecting the right fire extinguishers for your home, please contact the Windcrest Fire department at: firechief@windcrest-tx.gov

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A Message From

Fire Inspector Zelenak Hoarding and Fire: Reducing the Risk Do you have a person in your life who may be a hoarder?

Hoarding is a condition where a person has persistent difficulty discarding personal possessions causing substantial amounts of possessions to fill the home and prevent the normal use of the space. Living spaces in the home become cluttered and unusable creating an unsafe environment.

Hoarding brings distress and emotional health concerns.

WHY HOARDING INCREASES FIRE RISK • Cooking is unsafe if flammable items are close to stove or oven.

• Heating units may be too close to things that can burn or if placed on an unstable surface the heating unit can tip Electrical wiring may be old and worn from the weight of piles of items sitting on them. Pest can chew on wires; damaged wires can start fires.

• Open flames from smoking materials or candles in a home with excess clutter are extremely dangerous.

• Blocked pathways and exits may hinder escape from a fire.

HOW HOARDING IMPACTS FIREFIGHTERS • Hoarding puts Firefighters in harm’s way during an emergency.

• Firefighters are unable to move swiftly through a home filled with clutter.

• Firefighters can become trapped in a home if clutter is blocking the exits. Firefighters can become injured from falling objects placed on piles.

• The weight of the stored items could lead to a building collapse, especially when using water to extinguish the fire.

• Fighting fires is very risky in a hoarding home. It is hard to enter the home to provide medical care. The clutter impedes the search and rescue of people and pets.

HOW CAN YOU HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE INJURIES IN A HOARDING HOME • Install working smoke alarms in the home and check them once a month to make sure they are working properly.

• Make a Home Safety and Escape Plan, making sure to keep pathways and exits clear of clutter. Remember to practice the plan often, exit routes may change as new items are added into the home.

• If you are someone you know is living in a hoarding home, please focus on safety rather than the clutter.

If you our someone you know needs assistance with making a Home Safety and Escape Plan, you can contact Fire Marshal Tim Zelenak at tzelenak@windcrest-tx.gov for more information.

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Code Enforcement & Compliance

By Lt. Daniel Hernandez Can you believe February is already here!! 2024 holds a lot of promise outdoors with this nice cool weather that will soon turn to SPRING! Time to plan for property maintenance, such as lawn tool care (trimmer and tool sharpening and oiling), sprinkler checks, and a maintenance plan for your swimming pool if you have one! February is a great time to take on outdoor projects, as the weather is still pleasant enough to be outside comfortably! Do not forget- even though it is not summer, use sunscreen and stay hydrated! Plan for this spring’s upcoming bulk and brush pickup (April 1 – April 19) and be sure to keep your yards trimmed in the meantime. Also, do not forget that it is a great time to tackle those back-alley projects. Make sure nothing is overgrown and the path is clear for trash pickup in accordance with City Code. For you gardeners out there- mid February is a great time to plant tomatoes, peppers, and corn!

If you need any assistance or want to report a violation of the Windcrest City Code, please contact your Code Enforcement Agent via the Windcrest Police Department Dispatcher at 210-655-2666 or submit online through “Report a Concern” on the city webpage, https://www. windcrest-tx.gov/formcenter/administration-10/report-aconcern-65.

Animal Care & Control

By Lt. Daniel Hernandez

February is Responsible Pet Owner Month! Please spay/ neuter your pets and keep them vaccinated and microchipped. Did you know that there are many low cost spay/ neuter and vaccination clinics around our zip code?

Let’s keep our Windcrest pets safe by making sure they are always on a leash while being walked. This keeps your neighbors and your pet safer than being off leash, and it’s a requirement in the city. There are many different styles and colors of leashes, and many have reflective elements for walking after dark. Visibility is important!

We have adoptable dogs, and we are hoping if you are looking for a pet, to consider fostering or adopting from animal care & control- adopt before you shop.

Please do not forget to register your pet with us! It’s free in most situations, and it’s the law! Contact us at 210-6552666 to report a lost or found pet, to register your pet or to apply to foster or adopt. If your pet becomes lost, we want to help it find its way home! Please watch our Facebook page to see if we have posted any lost pets and reshare to help us spread the word.

CITY SECRETARY Rachel C. Dominguez City Secretary

Citizen Participation in Open Meetings Act of Texas The Open Meetings Act (OMA) of Texas is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in government proceedings. It grants citizens the right to attend and participate in open meetings of governmental bodies, such as boards and councils. Let us explore the rights and limitations of citizens in expressing their views during meetings, as well as the responsibilities of the board or council in responding to citizen input.

Under the Open Meetings Act of Texas, citizens have the right to speak on matters relevant to the government body's jurisdiction. The act allows citizens to address the board or council during the designated public comment period. During this time, citizens can express their opinions, concerns, or suggestions on agenda items or other matters within the body's purview.

While the act permits citizens to speak freely, it is important to note that there may be certain limitations or guidelines imposed by the specific governmental body. These guidelines may include time limits for individual speakers or restrictions on discussing specific topics not related to the meeting's agenda. However, such limitations should be reasonable and applied uniformly to all participants to ensure fairness.

The Open Meetings Act does not explicitly require the board or council to respond to citizen comments during the meeting.

However, it is generally expected that the governing body will listen attentively and consider the input provided by citizens.

The act emphasizes the importance of transparency and public engagement, aiming to foster a democratic process.

While the board or council may not be obligated to respond immediately, they might choose to address citizen concerns during their deliberations or take them into account when making decisions.

In addition to addressing the governing body during their meeting, you are also welcome to email the Mayor, City Council, Board or Commission member. The Mayor and City Councils email address are provided on the first page of the Windcrest Newsletter and on the City’s website at www.windcrest-tx.gov. You may email the City Secretary at citysecretary@windcrest-tx.gov to share your email with any Windcrest Board or Commission member.

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

5

GARDEN CLUB By: Kathleen Mulkey

Members of our organization have put their garden beds to rest. Remember to protect tender vegetation as the frost and “freezes”return to South Texas.

The US American Heart Association has designated the month of February as Heart Health Month. In keeping with this theme, our Windcrest Garden Club meeting will connect healthy plants, healthy foods and healthy hearts.

This month’s speaker, Virginia Guzman, Certificate of Medicinal Plants instructor from Cornell University, will present a program on how gardening and eating vegetables, fruits and nuts will better our health. Please join us on Monday, February 5, at 10am at Takas Center to learn how to be your own “Valentine!” As always, refreshments, door-prizes, good conversations and information will be in abundance. A nomination committee for new officers will be chosen at this meeting.

FUTURE WINDCREST GARDEN CLUB MEETINGS: MARCH: Presentation by a Master Gardener and candidates for new officers will be announced.

APRIL: Field trip to the San Antonio Zoo, lunch to follow, (restaurant TBD) reservations required. Voting for new officers will take place prior to leaving for the field trip.

Recent projects include: WGC Christmas Luncheon and volunteering with San Antonio Garden Center making center pieces for displaced families.

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LOVE happens when Cupid shoots an arrow into the air and it lands we know NOT where! That happens after hitting a ball in golf too, but a golfer is still in LOVE with the game!

Come and join in the fun every Thursday, Tee time is 9am. We welcome all levels of lady golfers. Information or questions please call Mary 210-608-9645.

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Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

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By Mario Hernandez, Executive Director, and Jennifer Newman, WEDC President

The Windcrest Women’s Club Founder’s & Membership Appreciation Tea is at 2pm on Wednesday, February 28th at the Windcrest Civic Center.

All ladies, young and old, are invited to join the Club as we celebrate our history, honor our past presidents, and appreciate the hard work of our membership.

It is so exciting to once again have one of our great field trips. It has been too long! We will meet at the Civic Center on Wednesday, March 27th, at 10am to carpool to the Pearl District for some fun shopping, a great lunch, and to learn a little about the history of the area.

Our famous “Old Bag Luncheon” is on track for Tuesday, May 9th, from 11am – 2pm. More details are coming SOON, so save the date and start dreaming about all the fun and the great handbags you will ‘win’ at the auction. Tickets will be available online soon at windcrestwomensclub.org or through a Club member.

This is our primary fundraiser to support our many school & community projects.

Remember, you do not have to be a member to participate in or attend our events.

However, if you are interested in becoming a member of the Windcrest Women’s Club simply join online at windcrest womensclub. org for only $20 a year!

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

Windcrest Business Park will Transform the Rackspace Property and Attract New and Different Businesses Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) has closed on their purchase of the Rackspace property and is working closely with the WEDC to bring in new and diversified users on the more than 66-acre site and in the 1.2 million square foot building. The company will invest between $40 and $50 million in refurbishing the property and will attract 8 to 12 different employers.

ICP is an expert in repurposing large malls and single-tenant buildings and sees the project as a significant step toward the overall revitalization of the Walzem Road Corridor. The project's economic impact is expected to increase sales/ output in the region by more than $279 million per year and generate new payrolls of over $55 million.

The company's priorities include real solutions for growth opportunities and developing a "beautiful and effective" business park. By attracting diversified users and tenants to a mixed-use development, Windcrest is better protected against a single business decision impacting the local economy.

This project is the culmination of much hard work and dedication of not only the City of Windcrest and the WEDC but also Bexar County, Rackspace, and ICP, spanning over a year. What began as the loss of one corporate partner has flourished into a great opportunity. The WEDC Board would like to thank everyone who contributed to bringing this project across the finish line-it was truly a team effort.

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LIONS CLUB NEWS

By Lion Tim Flick

Windcrest Animal Control Task Force

By Pam Dodson

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you to everyone who supported the Lions Club through our Christmas Greenery sales, the annual Chili dinner, and Fill-the-Boot efforts during Christmas!

The Chili dinner was a huge success, and a lot of fun! So many of you came out, had some chili and cornbread, then just hung out with your neighbors, and had a great time.

Thank you again for your support.

A reminder that our famous Pancake Sausage Breakfast is just a couple of months away and will be held at the Civic Center. Check here next month for information on the date and time! We hope to see you there.

Many local students spent time during the holidays making Christmas ornaments and cards for the elderly at our local nursing homes. Many of the residents are alone during the holidays, and these hand-made cards and ornaments mean the world to them! They were absolutely beautiful.

If you would like to donate used eyeglasses or hearing aids, we would love to have them. You can reach out to any Lions Club member; you can call the number below or you can drop them in the white mailbox at City Hall. It is one with the Lions Club logo on it.

If you have been considering joining an active community service club, the Lions Club could be right for you. We focus on serving the Windcrest community, schools, and all its citizens. Contact us at 210-951-9463, on Facebook at www. facebook.com/WindcrestLions or through our website at www.windcrestlionsclub.org. We are currently meeting at the Windcrest Civic Center. Stop by and join us!

Interested in joining the Lions Club? Contact us at 210-951-9463 or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WindcrestLions. You can also learn more about our organization at www.windcrestlionsclub.org.

Give us a call and join us for one of our meetings at the Takas Park Civic Center.

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

Understanding Sponsorship and How You Can Help Dogs in Windcrest At TxWeACT, we take pride in helping care for stray dogs in our community. As the number of lost dogs continues to rise, we need your support to keep up with the demand for care. We recognize you might not be able to adopt or foster, but there is still a way for you to make a difference. By donating to our organization, you can sponsor a dog in need and help us provide the care they deserve.

As a 501c3 nonprofit, your donation is tax-deductible.

Simply visit our Facebook page where you will find photos of available dogs. Once you have selected the dog you would like to sponsor, contact us through Facebook messaging or by phone at 210-652-0029.

We will provide you with the necessary paperwork to complete the sponsorship process, and your name will appear on the dog's information card used during adoption events.

By promoting your sponsored dog to friends and family, you can help us find a permanent loving home for them. This benefits everyone involved – you get a tax deduction, the dog receives the care they need and has a chance at a new home, and TxWeACT gets aid with the cost of caring for the dogs.

"Being Part of the Solution" is our motto, and we are committed to making Windcrest a better place for everyone. Please help us continue our work by sponsoring a dog today.

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Celebrating the Rich Literary Legacy: Black Authors for Black History Month Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of African Americans throughout history. Numerous black authors have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, creating works that resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Their stories often explore themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for diversity.

Let us begin with Maya Angelou, whose autobiographical work, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," provides a poignant and powerful exploration of her early life and the challenges she faced as a black woman. Angelou's eloquent prose and insightful reflections have made her a revered figure in literature.

create a better future. Lines such as "For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it / If only we're brave enough to be it" resonated deeply with listeners around the world.

Celebrating black authors during Black History Month is a way to recognize their literary achievements, fostering a broader appreciation for the diverse voices that contribute to the richness of the literary world. It is an opportunity to engage with stories that span genres and time periods, creating a deeper understanding of the African American experience and its impact on the broader tapestry of human history. https://askaichat.app (January 2024)

Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is celebrated for her powerful storytelling and exploration of African American history and culture. Works like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon" delve into the impact of slavery and the quest for identity, showcasing Morrison's unparalleled ability to weave historical context into captivating narratives.

The contributions of contemporary black authors are equally significant. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author, has gained international acclaim for her novels, including "Half of a Yellow Sun" and "Americanah." Adichie's storytelling skillfully explores themes of identity, feminism, and the interconnectedness of global narratives.

Lastly, when Amanda Gorman stepped onto the podium at President Biden's inauguration, she delivered a poem titled "The Hill We Climb" with grace, poise, and unwavering confidence. The poem spoke to the challenges and divisions that America faced, yet offered a message of hope and unity. Gorman's words were a call to action, urging the nation to come together and

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Official City Meetings & Events 5

Free Fitness Class Zumba 6:30 PM Civic Center

5

City Council Meeting 6:00 pm Council Chambers

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Volunteer Meeting 6:30 pm City Hall

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Free Fitness Class Yoga 6:30 PM Civic Center

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Free Fitness Class Zumba 6:30 PM Civic Center

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Happy Valentines Day WEDC Meeting 6PM

Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations are subject to change. Refer to the City Calendar on www.windcrest-tx.gov for updated information.

City Hall Closed Presidents’ Day Holiday

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Parks & Rec Meeting 6 PM Council Chambers

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Leap year!

Don’t Forget there’s an extra day this year!

Let’s Celebrate Black History Month!

Fun Facts About Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February, which celebrated the coming of spring.

The ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.

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Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

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Protect Yourself from SCAMS Imposter scams are still rampant, especially with advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI). Here are a few examples, plus ways to avoid falling victim to these scams:

IRS SCAM

How it works: Tax season will soon be upon us, and scammers posing as IRS officials call saying you owe taxes and better pay up. They threaten to arrest or deport people, revoke a license, or even shut down a business.

How do they do it? By rigging caller ID information to appear as if the IRS is calling, they can fool people.

Sometimes they even make a follow-up call claiming to be the police or the DMV. What to do: Remember, the IRS will not call you on the phone. If they need to start a conversation with you, they will do it by official USPS mail. If you owe, or think you owe federal taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or go to irs.gov.

IRS workers can help you with payment questions.

TECH SUPPORT SCAM

How it works: A technical support scam usually starts as a phone call from a person pretending to be with “Microsoft” or “Windows.” They try to trick victims into believing that their computers are infected or is “sending signals” that there is a problem. Then the sales pitch starts with the caller trying to convince the consumer to download and pay for worthless software or to let the “technician” remotely access your computer. The fraudsters charge for their “help” and sometimes install malware on computers while they have the computer under their control, allowing the scammers to steal your money and/or your personal information.

What to do: Hang up the phone and call SAPD (210-207-7273) to report the incident.

Court officers never ask for confidential information over the phone; they generally correspond with prospective jurors by mail.

GRANDPARENT OR IMPOSTER SCAM

How it works: You receive a phone call from someone saying that your grandchild or another loved one is in trouble, or voice cloning is used, and the caller sounds just like your family member.

Voice cloning uses AI to replicate someone else’s voice.

The con artist exploits the love and generosity of the grandparent by pretending to be the actual grandchild or someone helping the grandchild who needs emergency funds (by bank transfer or pre-paid credit cards) to pay for transportation from a foreign country, medical treatment, or bail.

What to do: Don’t fall for it. Independently check on the status of your family member first. Don’t provide personal information, and don’t wire any money. If you have gotten a call like this, contact the Police Department to report the incident. An additional way to protect yourself from AI scams is to create a “safeword” to share with family and friends to help authenticate phone calls.

A safeword is an easy way to verify a person’s identity.

What to do: If you think you have been a victim of this scam, download legitimate security software and then run it to scan your computer for viruses and malware. Change any passwords you gave out. If you paid for a service with a credit card, call your provider to stop/reverse the charges. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

JURY DUTY SCAM

How it works: The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he will need some information for “verification purposes” – your birth date, Social Security number, and sometimes even a credit card number. Facing the threat of arrest, victims are caught off guard and may part with some of the information to defuse the situation.

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

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Pruning Calendar for

OAK WILT PREVENTION Oak Wilt, one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, is killing oak trees in Central Texas at epidemic proportions. Proper pruning techniques and timing can help prevent oak wilt. Oak wilt is expensive to manage, affects aesthetics and decreases property value. Prevention is key.

February

Beetles that carry the fungus spores from tree to tree are most active February-June.

Avoid pruning/wounding oaks FebruaryJune if possible. If pruning is a necessity for safety purposes, make sure to PAINT ALL OAK WOUNDS IMMEDIATELY.

MAY

Oak trees typically show symptoms of oak wilt at this time of year. Reach out to a tree professional if concerned.

JULY

Beetles and fungal mat activity decrease with high temperatures.

AUGUST

Pruning your oak trees in the heat of summer can stress the tree. Try to wait until fall/winter to tackle pruning unless safety is a concern.

OCTOBER

Now is a good time to prune your trees, but always paint oak wounds immediately!

NOVEMBER

Fall is a great time to plant new trees!

DECEMBER

Don’t move firewood! Never use infected red oak wood.

JANUARY

Wrap up your tree pruning.

Visit texasoakwilt.org for more information.

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

Introduction to

OAK WILT in Texas

What is oak wilt?

Oak wilt is an infectious tree disease caused by a fungus. All oak trees are susceptible to this potentially deadly disease. Thousands of acres in Central Texas have already been affected by oak wilt.

Why should you care?

Oak wilt can impact entire communities.

Infected trees usually die if they are not treated quickly by a qualified arborist. This can affect aesthetics, decrease property value, and be expensive to manage. Ignoring this disease is costly. Prevention is key.

How does it spread?

Above ground by beetles: The oak wilt fungus can produce spores on red oaks that it has killed. These spores are inadvertently transported by beetles feeding on the fungus.

If these beetles land on a fresh wound or pruning cut on an uninfected oak, the spores may enter and infect a new tree.

Below ground through root connections: Once a new infection starts, the fungus may spread from tree to tree through an interconnected root system. Trees as far as 200 feet apart may be at risk. The fungus can spread as rapidly as 75 feet per year.

How to recognize oak wilt Look for defoliation and death of oak trees expanding from a central location. Live oaks will typically defoliate and die in 3-6 months while red oaks may die within 4-6 weeks. The most characteristic symptom of oak wilt is yellow and brown leaf veins in live oaks known as veinal necrosis. Sweet smelling fungal mats may form under the bark of dead red oaks in the spring. Laboratory isolation of the fungus is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. When in doubt, a trained expert should be consulted.

How to reduce the risk of oak wilt • Avoid pruning oak trees from February 1 to June 30.

• Make proper pruning cuts.

• Paint all oak wounds/cuts immediately with any type of paint.

• Sterilize tools with 10% bleach between trees.

• Only move firewood that has dried for over one year.

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Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

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Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

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OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION ORGANIZATIONS: American Legion - Jack Leonhardt - jackleonhardt@aol.com Boy Scout of America: Justin Buckner - 210-744-7296 - buckj64@gmail.com FIT High-Performance Tennis Academy & Pickleball Center - 210-405-3781 www.fithptennisacademy.com GRASP Transit: 210-658-6351 - grasp211.org/windcrest-shuttle/ Lion’s Club - Timothy Flick - 210-951-9463 - tkflick@gmail.com TxWeAct - Pam Dodson - 210-562-0299 - txweact@yahoo.com Windcrest Garden Club - Kity Mulkey - 210-780-1037 Windcrest Golf Course - 210-655-1421 Windcrest Little League - Aaron Garcia - 210-608-2729 - windcrestlittleleague@gmail.com www.windcrestbaseball.org Windcrest Volunteers - Anita Luna-Caulk - volunteers@windcrest-tx.gov Windcrest Women’s Club - Lois Wooten - 210-827-4357 Windcrest Citizen’s Patrol: • Team 1 Captain - James Senseney - 210-823-1726 • Team 2 Captain - Joe Regan - 210-655-2355 • Team 3 Captain - Mike Magallanez - 210-267-8390 • Team 4 Captain - Elvie Ortiz - 210-861-5558

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:

Refer to the City of Windcrest Board and Commission web page for a current list of vacancies. Applications accepted year-round.

Board of Adjustments Billy Gipson George Alva Robert Rohleder - Chair Susie Hamilton Dr. Bruce Thompson A1. Gwen Wilson A2. VACANT A3. VACANT Ethics Commission Rose Marie Caballero Jill S. Vogel Vanessa Rye Peter Van Dusen - Chair Victoria Moe A1. VACANT A2. VACANT Parks & Recreation Commission Jim Flinn - Chair Landon Patterson Jay Eldridge Lamar Lawson Scott Lee Ross – Vice Chair Justin Prochnow Monica Baietti A1. Angel Selina A2. Jesus Martin Planning & Zoning Commission Rainbeau Presti - Chair

Windcrest Newsletter | February 2024

Terry McDowell Steven Hall Fern Dallas Debora Huber Barbara Meade Matthew Halbert A1. Tanya Aksamentova A2. VACANT A3. VACANT WCCPD Board of Directors Mike Arnold Rhonda Rowland William Lambrides Margaret Weidenbach – Vice President Dr. William R. Mueller – President James Senseney Tim Dehn

CUTOFF DATES FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER NOTICES TO CITY HALL: To provide timely information in the next Newsletter, notices must be in the Administration Office by noon on February 29th, and announce activities occurring after Mar. 31st only. Please email articles to newsletter@windcrest-tx.gov in ‘Word’ documents only so articles can be edited for misspellings, etc. which cannot be done in PDF or any other format. Also, please provide a contact name & phone number for City Hall.

Advertise Your Business Here To advertise in this newsletter, please contact Neighborhood News at 210-558-3160 or sales@neighborhoodnews.com.

Economic Development Corporation Melissa Cervera-Castro Tanya Aksamentova Frank Martin Rainbeau Presti – Vice President John Fagin Ritchie “Rip” Stimpson Jennifer Newman – President BCWCID #10 Sue Alexander Salexanderbcwcid10@gmail.com

Refer to the City Website www.windcrest-tx.gov and city hall Marquee for City Council and Board & Commission meeting dates.

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