March '24 Newsletter

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

Mayor’s Message Dan Reese

2024 Light Up – 65th Anniversary - Blue Sapphire Christmas. At the recommendation of the Parks and Recreations Commission and the approval of the City Council, the 2024 Light Up will celebrate the 65th anniversary of our great city. We announced the theme at this year’s “Winner’s Dinner” in January. Light-Up is the signature event for Windcrest. We continue to be known around the area as the “City of Lights”. I know it’s many months away, but I hope our residents will continue this great tradition of “Lighting Up’. We are one of the only free Christmas lights events om the area.

Total Eclipse – April 8th. – Windcrest is in the line of a total solar eclipse on April 8th. We are just on the edge of the “total” part of the ellipse path. The “total ellipse” path will be West of San Antonio and the Dead center of the path is to the west towards Boerne, Helotes and Kerrville. I could not find out when the next “total” eclipse will happen, but the last one I found a record of was in 1397 – so I’m guessing this is a once-in-a-lifetime event for our area. Make sure you get eclipse glasses if you are going to watch. Maybe some of you still have them from the partial eclipse we experienced in October.

Staying Connected. – If you are reading this article, this is just one way to stay connected with the events in Windcrest. If you want e-mail and phone text alerts, go to the City of Windcrest web site, type in “Notify me”. This will take you to a page that allows you to add your email (and phone if you’d like) to receive notifications for a wide variety of events. The list of notifications are alerts for city events, calendar information for civic meetings, job listings and City News Flashes. HOW WE HAVE CHANGED! – From the website “texashighwayman.com” Fratt Interchange looking southeast (1956) Construction is underway on the interchange. Note the single residential street at the top left; this is Weathercock Lane and was the first street in Windcrest.

Rackspace/Industrial Commercial Properties Update. The sale of the Rackspace property to Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) has been a work in progress. We expected the closing of the deal to happen in mid-December. Unfortunately, commercial deals can take more time then expected. I expect that the closing on the sale will have happened late February. We remain excited about the growth potential for this important piece of Windcrest

“Coffee with the Mayor” happens 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 at Las Palapas on Walzem. You are welcome to come anytime you wish and leave as you choose to. Coffee is on me!Dan

Reese

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

~Chip Ingram

POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

By Jim Cole, Police Chief

Fun fact: The Windcrest Police Department provides a House Check Program for residents! If you are planning a spring break getaway, or even a weekend jaunt out of the city, we will periodically check your home while you are away. Interested residents need to complete a House Check Worksheet and submit it to us. The form is available in person or downloaded from the City of Windcrest’s Website under Home-Department-Police DepartmentServices-Resident Services.

In other news, have you noticed our new look? We are in the process of rolling out our new decals on select patrol vehicles. Be on the lookout to see them in your neighborhood and spread the word! Our officers remain dedicated to providing excellent service to our community and doing what they are passionate about. Please watch our Facebook page for all the latest news and events, see what the officers are up to and more! Follow us today!

-Protect and Serve-

Code Enforcement & Compliance

By Lt. Daniel Hernandez

It's time for Spring cleaning in 2024! Let's prepare for the brush and bulk pickup starting on April 1 by removing any unwanted items from our properties. Be sure to check the city's information for your scheduled pick-up times and refrain from placing brush and junk outside your residence until the weekend before your scheduled collection. Ensure that tree branches over roadways and alleys are trimmed to a minimum height of 13’ 6” above the roadway. Let's work together to maintain the beauty of Windcrest! Remember, the city ordinance allows for a warning violation notice first delivered to your door to advise you of what the violation is and how long you must correct, with subsequent violations in the same year for the same issue could potentially result in a court summons. Please correct or remove any junked vehicles from your property, including the backyard, and avoid using streets to store extra vehicles. When placing residential waste for pickup, use durable metal or hardened rubber containers with tightly sealed, insect-proof and animal-proof lids.

For assistance or to report any violations of the Windcrest City Code, contact the Code Enforcement Officer through the Windcrest Police Department Dispatcher at 210-6552666 or via email provided on the code enforcement site.

Age matters when it comes to your smoke alarms.

Check the manufacture dates on your smoke alarms today! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.

How to find the date of manufacture on your smoke alarm:

1. Remove the smoke alarm from the wall or ceiling.

2. Look at the back of the alarm for the manufacture date.

3. Smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture. If your smoke alarm was manufactured on or before March 2014, it’s time to replace your smoke alarm.

4. Put the smoke alarm back on the ceiling or wall, if it is less than 10 years old.

Daylight savings time begins on March 10, 2024, it’s a perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke detector.

Fire Department News

By Ivan Hernandez, Windcrest Fire Chief

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Home

CALL FOR HELP EARLY- Call 911 right away if you suspect that someone in your home is experiencing carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It is a good idea to exit the premises if possible and call 911 from a different location. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer because it is an invisible, colorless, and odorless gas.

SIGNS AND

SYMPTOMS- CO poisoning can present itself with signs and symptoms similar to the flu and may include a headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and possibly loss of consciousness. When someone in the household is experiencing any or all these signs and symptoms. It is imperative that he or she seeks medical help as soon as possible. When you call for help, the Windcrest Fire Department will respond and make an evaluation of both the affected family member’s condition and of the air quality of your home to determine the cause of the CO. Consistent signs and symptoms among multiple household members could indicate elevated CO levels in the home.

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTORS-

If your CO detector(s) sounds an alarm, be sure to treat it as a true emergency. Homes and apartments should have CO detectors installed in them following the manufacturer’s recommendations. CO detectors sample the air in a room and sound an alarm when a minimum concentration of CO is detected. Various CO detector models exist, including battery-powered, electrically powered by the building, or a combination of the two. There are also combination units which have both CO detection and smoke detection in one device. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the proper placement and installation of quality CO detectors. Test your CO detectors monthly along with your smoke detectors and replace the batteries as recommended.

If you need help with any of the installation or checking of the detectors, please contact the Windcrest Fire Department.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization

provides the Voters Guide. It is available in public libraries and online VOTE411.org.

TUESDAY, 5 MARCH – Joint Democratic-Republican Primary Election

SATURDAY, 4 MAY – General Election for local political

TUESDAY, 28 MAY – Joint Democratic-Republican Runoff Election

TUESDAY, 5 NOVEMBER – General

Rachel C. Dominguez City Secretary

CITY SECRETARY Building/Permit Services Division

Residents in the City of Windcrest are required to obtain building permits for various residential construction/ remodeling/installation projects. These permits ensure that the construction work meets safety codes and zoning regulations set by the city and State of Texas.

Here is a small snapshot of some common residential building permits that Windcrest residents are required to obtain.:

• New residential building, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

• Remodeling and additions, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

• All types of roofing, to include replacement of shingles.

• Fence, new or replacement of an existing fence, when using different material or placed in a different location. (All masonry fences require a permit.)

• Furnace, or central air conditioning, entire new unit or replacement of an existing unit or component.

• Flatwork:

• Driveways, new or a replacement, including curb cut.

• Sidewalks.

• Slabs in front or side yards exceeding 16 square feet.

• New irrigation or lawn sprinkler systems or the replacement of backflow prevention.

• New swimming pools, either above or in the ground.

• New spas or hot tubs.

• Masonry mailboxes on public sidewalks.

• New or replacement water heaters or water softeners.

• Accessory buildings

For a full comprehensive list of required permits in the City of Windcrest, visit, www.windcrest-tx.gov and CLICK ON “GOVERNMENT” then CLICK ON “City Charter & City Code.” Refer to Chapter 103-Buildings and Building Regulations, beginning with Section 103-58.

Very recently, the City of Windcrest City Council passed Ordinance 2023-022(O), amending the Chapter 103, Section 103-95, stating “NO fence, screen, wall, or combination thereof shall be erected, sited, constructed, altered, reconstructed, or enlarged to an overall height of more than six eight feet except that this restriction shall not apply to privacy fences or walls separating or enclosing garden homes or similar units having a side line building setback of less than ten feet.”

Overall, residents in the City of Windcrest, Texas should always check with the city's Building/Permit Division before starting any residential construction project to determine if a building permit is required. Failure to obtain the necessary permits can result in fines and penalties, so it is important to comply with all regulations set by the city. (210-655-0022 ext. 2430)

GARDEN CLUB

Kathleen Mulkey

Our March meeting will be held on Monday the 11th due to the election primary, on March 5th The non-partisan, “League of Women Voters” free guide to candidates’ positions is available at Molly Pruitt Library.

The April Field Trip is to the Zoo to learn about the flora. Registration is required, fee and date TBD.

Master Gardener Kathy Littlefield has tips for March garden maintenance: Do not trim until March or April. Texas can have a late freeze. Plants may not look good, but early trimming can kill by giving plants the wrong signal that Spring is here.

At February’s “Heart Health and Plants” meeting, a member of the WGC, certified in medicinal plant health, pointed out that often we do not appreciate our health until illness arrives. Three important elements needed to have a healthy heart are Exercise, Water and Salt. She spoke about solutions to prevent and minimize the damaging effects of heart problems. It was a lively discussion.

In January, members created yard artwork. Lynne Rothe gave us tips on how to preserve paint brushes. Dip the brush into the water to the middle of the ferrule (the metal holding the bristles) dab excess water then dip into paint. This prevents paint from getting under the ferrule which holds the bristles together. You can then wash the paint away and use the brush again. Wet bristles allow paint to go on smoothly.

FUTURE WINDCREST GARDEN CLUB MEETINGS:

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.

Spring Digging

March is a fantastic month to be a gardener! It’s the busiest month of the year!

Plant my tomatoes as early as you can in March. The biggest concern is always the possibility of a late freeze. An approach - look at the 14-day forecast on March 1st. If morning lows are above freezing, plant tomato transplants. Make sure that you have a plan to cover your tomatoes with “row cover” if we happen to experience an additional freeze later in the month. San Antonio’s latest freeze on record is April 3rd.

Some of you may ask what’s the hurry? This is a great question. Large, fruited tomatoes set fruit when the morning temperature is below 70. It takes about 30 to 45 days to have your plants grow large and begin to flower. Typically in the month of May, our morning lows begin to approach 70, therefore the window of opportunity is pretty short. The good news, however, is that this only happens with large tomatoes. Sweet cherry tomatoes do not have a problem settling fruit in warmer temperatures. Happy Gardening!

Windcrest GOLF

by Mary Wold

March is a month of ACTION-it’s in the name! March to a different Drummer, March Madness, Marching to Pretoria! Choose your activity, or just March over to the Golf Course for a round. Great Prices and Good People. Ladies play on Thursday, Tee time is at 9am. We welcome all levels of lady golfers. Information or questions please call Mary 210-608-9645

CLUB

March, like every month, is a full month for the Windcrest Women's Club. General meeting is a fun excursion to the historic Pearl District for lunch, sightseeing, and probably a little shopping. We'll meet at the Civic Center at 10am and carpool to the Pearl. This is an open event and you do not have to be a member.

From February to May we focus on the OLD BAG LUNCHEON, our major fundraising event. SAVE the date now: Tuesday, May 9th, 11am2pm. Tickets are $30 each and are available online at WindcrestWomensClub.com. Seating is limited, so get your friends together and order now. Talk to any Club member for more information.

Membership renewal will be in full swing in March. Go to WindcrestWomensClub.com to renew or join as a new member for the 2024-2025 Club year. We are a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, primarily focused on our schools, elementary through high school.

Founded in 1960, before Windcrest was officially a city, we've hosted Light Up since its beginning. Join us in fun, friendship, and service. Something is always cooking at the Windcrest Women's Club.

By Karen K. Nelson, WEDC Coordinator

BUSINESS FIESTA NETWORKING EVENT

The Windcrest Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is actively planning its Business Fiesta Networking Event, which will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Takas Park Civic Center. The event is intended to connect business owners and key employees with other businesses in the community.

Networking events offer a unique opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals, connect with other business owners, and establish collaborations that can lead to valuable insights, resources, and support. Businesses can work together toward achieving mutual goals and successes by sharing expertise and exploring partnerships. It's noteworthy that Windcrest has approximately 277 businesses that cover diverse areas. Often business owners tend to focus on their business exclusively, which can result in a lack of awareness of other businesses in the community that might offer support and assistance.

The key focus of this event is to facilitate networking, which will also enable businesses to get acquainted with the WEDC Board and learn how they can assist them with incentives, storefront and streetscape grant programs, and develop a relationship between the businesses. Networking comprises three essential elements: cultivating connections, communication, and collaboration.

WEDC Board Members Melissa Cervera-Castro, Frank Martin, and Tanya Aksamentova are responsible for planning this event. With their incredible skills and experience, they are sure to make this event a very successful one.

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LIONS CLUB NEWS

By Lion Tim Flick

Don’t Forget…. It’s that time of year again. Join us for our famous Pancake / Sausage Breakfast! This year the breakfast will be held on the

9th Saturday of March, from 8 – 10 AM at the Windcrest Civic Center. Secure your tickets in advance for $8 or pay $10 at the door. Be sure to contact any Lions Club member to get your tickets early and save $2!

We had an amazing turnout last year and hope to see everyone again this year. So come out and support your local Lions Club! Enjoy a hearty breakfast and fellowship with your neighbors! Your support allows us to help and serve our community! Thank you!

In other news, the Windcrest Lions Club recently sponsored a new Lions Club known as the San Antonio Yellow Rose Lions Club. This specialty club is comprised mostly of military veterans and their families. As veterans, they know what it is to serve, so this organization is a perfect fit for them.

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.

Registration is open for the Texas Lions Camp for special needs children. We would love to sponsor local children who qualify. You can visit LionsCamp.com for more information, or you can contact Lion Tim at tkflick@gmail.com.

A group of Lions recently visited Worldwide-Mobility to help build and assemble PET Carts.Personal Energy Transportation carts are three-wheeled, all terrain wheelchairs, operated by hand power. Mobility Carts are provided to individuals in developing nations who meet the necessary local criteria completely free of charge.

To learn more about joining the Lions Club, you can contact us at 210-951-9463. Or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WindcrestLions or on our website at www.windcrestlionsclub.org. Join us at one of our meetings at the Windcrest Civic Center. Contact us directly for the schedule.

DOUBLE

Public Works

By Chris Gamboa, Public Works Director

We are excited to announce that our Public Works team is continuing our efforts to fill cracks in the streets throughout our city, of course as weather permits. While this may seem like a small and routine task, it is incredibly important for maintaining the integrity and safety of our roadways. By filling these cracks, we are helping to prevent further damage from occurring, such as potholes and deterioration, which can be costly to repair.

We want to take this opportunity to highlight March is National Learn About Butterflies Month! Butterflies play a vital role in our ecosystem as pollinators and indicators of environmental health. To celebrate this, I encourage you to visit the Windcrest butterfly garden at Takas Park Windy Hallow Pond. This beautiful garden is a peaceful place to observe and learn about these colorful insects.

Butterflies are not only beautiful to look at, but they also play a critical role in our environment by pollinating plants and serving as food for other animals. By supporting butterfly habitats, such as our butterfly garden, we are helping to ensure a healthy ecosystem for future generations.

Lastly, we want to stress the importance of school bus shelter stops in our community. These stops provide a safe and convenient location for children to wait for their buses, away from traffic and inclement weather. It is crucial that we continue to maintain and improve these stops to ensure the safety of our students as they travel to and from school. Your Public Works team is currently working on an additional shelter on Windrock Dr.

Thank you for your continued support of the Public Works team and our efforts to maintain and improve the infrastructure of our city. Together, we can create a safe and beautiful community for all residents to enjoy.

Windcrest Animal Control Task Force

By Pam Dodson

Spring City Garage Sale

We are excited to announce that TxWeACT is once again participating in the spring city garage sale on

March 16th from 10 am to 2 pm

We will be located at 506 Crestway. We are planning to have a number of different items…. to include some of our own crafts.

Since we now have a number of Windcrest dogs in our care, we are holding adoption events the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at our local Petsmart from 2pm – 4pm. Come on by to check out the dogs and spend some time with us to talk about what we can do to make animals’ lives in Windcrest better. Just remember….we don’t just talk….”We ACT!” We are definitely open to new ideas and solutions!

We also would like to encourage folks who have a love for dogs to consider fostering a Windcrest dog. A home is the best environment for a dog while it waits to be adopted. A kennel is a good place so that the dog is in a safe, warm, and clean environment but just not enough human interaction so that the dog can regain its trust for people. You can contact us, (210-562-0299) to fill out the paperwork. And please don’t forget about sponsorships if fostering just isn’t right for you.

TxWeACT meets the 4th Tuesday of the month 7pm at 642 Moorside Dr….we would love to have you join us.

Windcrest SPRING Bulk and Brush Pick Up April 1 – April 19, 2024

THE CITY OF WINDCREST CURBSIDE BRUSH AND BULK PICK UP WILL RUN APRIL 1 TO APRIL 19, 2024.

This service is for WINDCREST RESIDENTS ONLY. Brush and bulk collection will be picked up in sectors throughout the city. For your reference, please refer to the guidelines below to identify the sector your collection will occur.

Our SPRING bulk and brush collection will begin in SECTOR 1.

SECTOR 1:

All homes located west of Midcrown are located in Sector 1. Curb side service will begin on  Monday, April 1, collecting through Friday, April 5 ONLY. ALL brush and bulk items to be collected MUST be placed out on the curb  NO EARLIER than Monday, March 25, and NO LATER than Sunday, March 31. Collection will only be picked up once in each sector. Republic Service  WILL NOT RETURN for additional pick-ups or missed pick-ups due to collection not being placed out by Sunday, MARCH 31. NO EXCEPTIONS.

SECTOR 2:

All homes located east of Midcrown, south of Crestway, and west of Eaglecrest are located in Sector 2. Curb side service will begin on  Monday, April 8, collecting through Friday, April 12. ALL brush and bulk items to be collected MUST be placed out on the curb  NO EARLIER than Monday, April 1, and NO LATER than Sunday, April 7  Collection will only be picked up once in each sector. Republic Service WILL NOT RETURN for additional collection or missed collections due to items not being placed out by Sunday, April 7. NO EXCEPTIONS.

SECTOR 3:

All homes located north of Crestway and east of Eaglecrest are located in Sector 3. Curb side service will begin on Monday, April 15, collecting through Friday, April 19. ALL brush and bulk items to be collected MUST be placed out on the curb  NO EARLIER than Monday, April 8 and NO LATER than Sunday, April 14. Collection will only be picked up once in each sector. Republic Service WILL NOT RETURN for additional collection or missed collections due to items not being placed out by Sunday, April 14. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Refer to the map above to confirm the sector your collection will be picked up. Each sector will be serviced ONLY ONCE. Your collection must be out on the curb by the prescribed date. If your items are not on the curb by your sector deadline, your house will be MISSED.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY RETURN VISITS FOR PICK UP. materials placed out after your street has been serviced, the homeowner will be responsible for disposing the materials at the Republic dumpsite and pay their dumping fees.

Need to know what are acceptable collections for this service? Refer to the guidelines listed below. Any questions regarding materials not listed below, please contact Republic Services directly at 210-304-2700.

Brush/Bulky Guidelines:

o Do not place brush piles in front of parked cars, near fences, trees, mailboxes, beneath overhead wires, lowhanging tree limbs, or on top of gas/water meters.

o Accepted Materials: Shrubs, Tree Branches, Woody Vines, Other herbaceous and woody plants, BBQ grills (without compressed gas tanks), Carpeting, Fencing, Furniture, Mattresses, Toilets, Water heaters, Appliances

***Refrigerators, freezers, and a/c window units will be collected only if refrigerant has been removed and the appliance is tagged and certified, indicating removal of refrigerant***.

Materials Not Accepted

Household Trash, Construction Debris, Glass (such as doors or Windows), Hazardous Materials (paints, household cleaners), Compressed Gas Tanks, Tires, Televisions, Computers, Waste Oil, Medical Waste, Appliances with refrigerant that has not been removed and certified.

o LIMIT YOUR BRUSH PILE TO FIVE (5) CUBIC YARDS. IF OVER FIVE (5) CUBIC YARD, IT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP.

o To determine the cubic yards take the Length x Width x Height of the pile and divide by 27. (this will equal the cubic yards for example 5ft long by 5ft Wide by 5ft High = 125 divided by 27 equals 4.63 cubic yards.

o Brush must be placed within eight (8) feet of the curb.

Meals on Wheels San Antonio is on the lookout for heroes to deliver more than just food!

By lending a hand, you will be offering valuable moments of personal connection and essential wellness checks for our seniors citizens.

Your support enables almost 200 seniors in the City of Windcrest to age independently and securely in the familiarity of their own homes. Meal Delivery volunteers can pick up meals from Cross Roads Church on Midcrown daily, Monday through Friday from 11:00 - 11:30 AM, with each route taking about an hour.

Ready to make a difference? Head to visit https://www. mowsatx.org/volunteer to learn more and submit a volunteer application. Let’s roll out those wheels and bring smiles to our seniors!

https://www.mowsatx.org/volunteer

Animal Care & Control

By Lt. Daniel Hernandez

Spring has srung, it might be nice for you to have a new best friend to enjoy Windcrest with! We have a number of dogs looking for forever homes or a temporary foster family to help them get acclimated to life “outside” the kennel. All our adoptable furry friends are socialized with other dogs and we can give you the inside scoop on their personalities and temperaments - just ask! Please see our current available animals on the City’s website and give us a bark to adopt or foster today! Please register your pet’s microchip so we can get them back to you in case they decide to take a solo impromptu adventure out of your yard. This way you can avoid any fines involved with an unregistered pet being picked up by Animal Control. Section 6-59 of the City Code indicates that residents must license and register their dogs and cats with the city on an annual basis. There is no fee associated with this if your pet has been sterilized and microchipped.

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 - 210-405-3781www.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.comwww.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

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

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

VITA Tax Preparation –Free Tax Assistance Available

Tax season is right around the corner! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides free income tax return preparation to eligible taxpayers. VITA helps working families take advantage of all the tax credits they are eligible for. Individuals and families who earn up to $60,000 annually are eligible to receive free tax preparation services. Coalition VITA sites will be located throughout the community from January until the last day of tax season in April, with many offering evening and weekend hours. If you are filing jointly your spouse must be present.

Stay Connected with Your City – Sign up to receive text message notifications from the City of San Antonio with one easy step. Text the word "COSAGOV" to 73224.

Prevent Oak Wilt

Friendly reminder that oak trees may NOT be trimmed from February 1 to June 30, 2024. Reminder signs will be posted throughout the community.

The best time to prune trees is either in the middle of summer, when temperatures are the hottest, or in late fall/early winter months when temperatures can be the coldest.

Oak wilt is a deadly fungal disease that infects and disables the water conducting system in oak trees. It can spread both above and below ground. Fungal mats develop under the bark on the trunks and major branches of infected trees. Because oak trees have interconnected roots, the disease can be spread below ground through grafted root systems, eventually killing great numbers of oak trees in a community. We are known for majestic trees – let’s keep it that way.

Ingredients:

4 cups flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup raisins (I use more)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pint of sour cream

3 eggs & some milk

Instructions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together then add eggs and sour cream

2. Gradually add a very small amount of milk until the batter is wet but tacky. You might not need milk.

3. For the pan, use a large springform pan. Grandmas used to bake it in a cast iron skillet in the oven. Take your pick!

4. Grease the pan and bake at 350 for approx. 40 to 45 minutes. Check center of bread with knife or toothpick. If knife comes out clean, it is done. Spread a pat of butter over top of bread while hot. Wrap in terry towel while hot and let cool on the counter.

5. Serve warm or toasted with your favorite spread –salted butter is perfect.

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

- by Louisville Family Fun