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News and Information From the City of Bulverde for our Neighbors Issue 6 September/October 2014

News and Information from the City of Bulverde and our Neighbors Volume 5 Issue 4 ď‚ś April 2018

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE ~ OPENING DOORS FOR YOU

CITY OF BULVERDE ALL DEPARTMENTS

HTTP://BULVERDETX.GOV MAIN NUMBER 830-438-3612

KenCom Real Estate Services

METRO LINE 830-980-8832 FAX 830-438-4339 Bill Krawietz, MAYOR Gene Hartman, MAYOR PRO TEM

Yvonne Chapman, COUNCIL

Kirk Harrison, COUNCIL

Rob Hurst, COUNCIL

Ray Jeffrey, COUNCIL

David Payne, COUNCIL

COMAL COUNTY MAIN NUMBER 877-724-9475

Real Estate Sales • Marketing • Property Management

JUDGE 830-221-1105 COMMISSIONERS COURT 830-221-1100 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT 2 830-387-7600

ANIMAL CONTROL 830-608-2016 SHERRIFF’S OFFICE 830-885-4883

CONSTABLE, PCT 2 830-438-3117

Yvonne Chapman (210) 240-3148 At Your Service YvonneLChapman@yahoo.com

ROAD & BRIDGE 830-608-2090

Bulverde Feed & Seed TAX OFFICE 830-387-7621

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Deer Feed ~ Feeders Horse ~ Livestock Feed Quality Hay Pet Food www.BulverdeFeed.com

(IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911) NONEMERGENCY LINE 830-620-3400

BULVERDE SPRING BRANCH FIRE & EMS 830-228-4501

CENTRE FOR EMERGENCY HEALTH SCIENCES 830-228-4504

BSB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 830-438-4285

BSB ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION 830-885-4331

Feeders HWY 281 JUST SOUTHDeer OFFeed FM ~1863

BSB LIBRARY 830-438-4864

FRONT PORCH NEWS editor@bulverdetx.gov

Some of the content herein may be the copyrighted property of the City of Bulverde, the contributing authors, or our publisher's licensors. No article from this publication may be used, reproduced, transmitted or distributed with the exception that you may photocopy one copy thereof for your personal, noncommercial, home use only. Articles that appear in The Front Porch News do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Bulverde, and their publication does not constitute an endorsement thereof. The appearance of any advertisement in The Front Porch News does not constitute an endorsement by the City of Bulverde. As a City publication, the Front Porch News strives to maintain objectivity and accuracy in all published content. The newsletter must remain neutral in the publication of content that may be considered controversial, biased, or inflammatory within the community (e.g., political content or opinions, religious material, etc.). The newsletter differs from a newspaper in that opinion pieces are typically not included. Publication of contributing partner content is subject to review for applicability and appropriateness of a publicly funded communication initiative. The newsletter is produced in part through public funding, and is accordingly governed by the regulations set forth in Texas State Law.

Page 2 April 2018

Horse ~ Livestock Feed Quality Hay Pet Food

(830) 438-3252

www.BulverdeFeed.com

Hwy 281 Just south of FM 1863

Mayor’s Point Bill Krawietz

Mayor of Bulverde, TX

Land developers use many methods to attract potential customers. Grand neighborhood entrances, amenity centers, and pools all sell property. Those flashy items are nice, but what keeps property values up and the negative impacts to existing residents to a minimum are more important in the long run. The City of Bulverde has some excellent development standards. Good government needs to constantly evaluate what they have “on the books.” Obsolete ordinances need to be changed or outright eliminated. Even the best regulations should be reexamined and “fined tuned” over time to assure quality and effectiveness. With experience comes wisdom. It is easy to look at what other Cities have done and just copy them—like they say, “why reinvent the wheel,” right? Well, it’s ok to look to others for guidance or ideas, but local factors and expectations play a big role.

Bulverde is a special place; our residents demand and expect more. Examining projects while they are under construction or after they are built can provide much insight. City Council just passed several updates to our subdivision ordinances. The City now limits the amount that Steep Slopes can be disturbed (how much grading is allowed), puts limits on Cut and Fill (how much earth can be moved, removed, and/or put back to facilitate a level building site), and improves the section on Impervious Cover (impenetrable materials like asphalt and concrete that prevent water absorption and increase runoff). These safeguards will go a long way to help with erosion, runoff, and water quality, among other things. Now we are focusing on road standards. Just like the materials and workmanship determine how a house will hold over time, the same holds true for motorways. The cheapest paving job often looks great right after completion but will start to fail a short time after. A developer pays initially to construct a road, but after it is finished and accepted, either the County or the City is responsible for maintaining it. That maintenance is paid for by your tax dollars. A newly completed roadway should not need any attention for quite some time. It is truly alarming to see areas of pavement failing in neighborhoods that haven’t even (Continued on page 4)

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Page 3

(Continued from page 3)

been completed yet. The City is finalizing updates to our standards that will hopefully put an end to this. The same goes for traffic impact analysis and mitigation. It is not fair for long-time residents to pay to increase the capacity of a road to accommodate the new guy. The City currently requires a traffic impact analysis and mitigation measure from developers, but it does not go far enough down the road. Quite a bit of work has been done, and the revised ordinance is about ready for Council’s consideration. The City has much more authority when a developer connects to a City-owned street. When a developer is connecting to a State Highway however, TXDOT does most of the review. In which case, the City has limited input on the design. As an intersection becomes busier, a traffic light is often installed to improve safety and keep flow orderly. Traffic lights tend to impede flow. Usually to compensate for lowering capacity, an additional lane is required. In an ideal world, an overpass would be the best solution at high volume intersections. Overpasses or grade separations are very expensive. It would be challenging to make a developer pay for one except in the most extreme cases. That decision would most likely be challenged and determined as arbitrary and capricious by the courts. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. We have been told that a new stop light signal on US Hwy 281 at Mustang Vista (the entrance to Johnson and 4S Ranch on US Hwy 281 just south of Casey Rd.) will be coming soon. The home count in Johnson Ranch and 4S Ranch has triggered the necessity. Thankfully, because of mitigation requirements, the construction and installation of the light will be paid for by the developer. Two stop lights were originally planned for on US Hwy 281 north of Hwy 46 at the entrances to Singing Hills. The City was opposed that plan and worked closely with TXDOT to find and an alternate solution. What was installed is called an “enhanced turnaround.” It has proven to work quite well at those intersections with the current traffic load.

Comal County Corner By Tom Hornseth, County Engineer

It’s no secret that Comal County has its share of deer and other wildlife—and no secret that sometimes those animals don’t always make it safely across the road. If you see a dead deer on the road, especially a countymaintained road, or if one has died on your property, here’s what you should do: • If the animal is in the county-maintained right of way: Call the Comal County Road Department at 830608-2090 and ask for Kari Mallett. The animal should be picked up within 24 hours. • If a non-domesticated animal has died on your private property, the county can remove it if you sign a waiver allowing crews to enter your property. Call Kari and either set up an appointment or provide an email address where she can send the waiver for you to print, sign, scan, and send back. • If the animal is in the state-maintained right of way (Interstate 35, State Highway 46, U.S. Highway 281, or an FM road), call the Texas Department of Transportation at 830-609-0707. • And if the road or property is inside the city limits of Bulverde or Spring Branch, call City Hall to see what their policies are. Thank you for helping us keep Comal County’s roads clean! As county engineer, Tom Hornseth’s duties include overseeing the Comal County Road and Bridge Department.

Licensed & Bonded Residential & Commercial

The City has asked TXDOT if the same could be done at Mustang Vista. Unfortunately, due to the close proximity to Casey Road just to the north, it is not feasible.

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Remember, the City can’t stop development, it can only manage it. We will continue to look for ways to preserve and protect the Hill Country and limit negative effects of new development. I know many people wish we could just close the gate and not let anyone else in. That is not an option.

Weekly • Biweekly As Needed

Page 4 April 2018

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V IP S o n P atro l In December 2014, the Volunteers in Police Services program, better known as VIPS, was presented to Bulverde City Council and approved; later that same month, the first VIPS training program was delivered to a group of volunteers at City Hall. Since that time, volunteers in the program have donated over 3,300 hours of their time patrolling over 21,000 miles of City streets. Currently there are 18 active VIPS members serving the community. Most volunteer hours are completed on patrol, but VIPS are also involved in other operations within the City and Police Department. One project that VIPS are involved in is the PDâ€™s proactive theft prevention detail. The detail is conducted on random days of the week at locations within the city. During these theft-prevention details, patrol officers are briefed on the details and about which VIPS are conducting surveillance. Theyâ€™re on alert awaiting contact from VIPS in case someone decides to do the wrong thing and commit theft. The most recent detail was conducted at the Home Depot, with VIPS coordinating the specifics and the police department approving the final plan. VIPS conducted surveillance of the Home Depot parking lot for several hours looking for theft suspects or any other criminal activity. One VIPS volunteer drove to the location with a truck full of tools and went inside shopping while another group of VIPS were looking for the thief who would help himself to equipment in the bait vehicle. The detail had a few lookers, but no takers. Proactive anti-theft measures like these exemplify the many services the VIPS provide for the City of Bulverde, all on a volunteer basis, all in an effort to serve the community, thus making Bulverde a great place to live, work, and play. If you are interested in volunteering a minimum of 12 hours a month to the VIPS program, please email Gary Haecker at ghaecker@bulverdetx.gov or contact Mary Bell at 830-438-3612 ext 217. Together we can make a difference.

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The Front Porch News

Page 5

Bulverde Bowling Club A brief history of The Makery building In the early 1920s, the Bulverde Bowling Club pooled their resources and built themselves a bowling alley on a piece of private property along Bulverde Road. Most bowling centers, both private and commercial, had made the switch to 10 pin bowling in the years following World War I, but the older nine pin game was still wildly popular in Texas, and small private clubs were springing up in communities all across the Hill Country. The Bulverde club operated for decades as a member-run gathering place, where families came several nights a week to play on four lanes. When Jane and Charlie Wood moved to Bulverde in 1956, the alley was one of a number of older buildings on the property at the heart of the Village, including several barns, a general store, two stone houses, an outbuilding with attached chicken coop, and the original late 1800s farmhouse (which unfortunately burned down in 2010). A condition of the purchase was that the Woods keep the alley open—and they did, for many years. “Charlie was there whenever the alley was open,” Miss Jane recalls now. “He used to carry in the ice for their ice chest by hand.”

This replica of the original Village sign was placed in the 1960s when the original became too fragile to stay on the post. It still stands at the crossroads of Bulverde Road and Bulverde Lane.

But sometime in the 1960s or 70s, the club members voted to build a new facility attached to the Bulverde Community Center. “The old building had no air conditioning,” says Miss Jane, “and I seem to remember that had something to do with it.” The Woods donated the lanes to the new facility, in exchange for which the club members installed new (old) floors in the alley building. And then, for a time, the building sat vacant. In the years that followed, the Woods added a wall dividing the originally one-room building into two distinct spaces. The front portion became, over time, a meeting place for the Bulverde Baptist Church Youth Group, set storage and The Emporium and the tearoom rehearsal space for the entrance, as it looked in the mid1980s. S.T.A.G.E. community theatre group, and a variety of restaurants featuring everything from tea room fare to steaks and fine dining. The longest-running and perhaps best known was Mike’s Page 6 April 2018

in the Village, a local favorite featuring American cuisine with a New Orleans/Cajun flair that closed in 2017. The back section was a feed store and, for nearly 30 years, The Emporium, an antique store run by Jane Wood and several friends. The Emporium was so well-known in the area that even though it closed in 2010, the current tenants regularly get visitors looking for it, some of who insist they were “just shopping there” not long ago. “Not a bad run, 30 years,” Miss Jane laughs. The building is undergoing something of a revival now, with new tenants making renovations for a new bistro and martini bar. With plans to open in late April, new owner Mari Olivas will be featuring tapas, pizza, and Latin fusion dishes plus outside patio dining with live music and weekend brunches with traditional brunch fare including pancakes, Belgian waffles, and mimosas. The back section of the building houses The Makery, a working and teaching studio owned by resident artists Nick and Francesca Watson, a painter and metalsmith respectively. In addition to the work of the owners, The Makery offers locally handcrafted goods and workshops in jewelry making, often featuring nationally known guest artists. It is also the sometime home to the Bulverde Area Art Center, a local nonprofit working to bring art to the This Dapper Man wood community. sculpture

local

artist

Several years ago, when The Buzz Heye now stands at Makery’s predecessor studio The Makery’s entrance. held its grand opening, one guest was especially struck by transformation of the building. She said her father used to bring her to the alley every week to bowl, and it was one of her fondest memories. It’s a good reminder that while these buildings now house businesses in the midst of a region experiencing booming commercial growth, they were once vitally and intimately important to families at the heart of a much smaller community. How wonderful that their history can be remembered and celebrated!

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Painting for Provisions Provisions: A 25:35 Outreach, the Bulverde food pantry, invites you to come Paint for Provisions! On April 20, Provisions will host artist Jennifer Conder as she teaches our guests the basics of painting and leads the class in creating a lovely spring flower painting. All are welcome, painters and non-painters alike, to enjoy an evening of creative fun, some good food, and good company—all for a great cause! Aspiring artists of all skill levels are welcome! Guests who aren’t so artistically inclined are also welcome to come socialize, have a bite to eat, and enjoy the evening among friends. Guests are welcome to bring an adult beverage of your choosing, while Provisions will provide food and non-alcoholic beverages. All supplies necessary for the painting will be provided as well. The evening is casual, so feel free to wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting a little paint on.

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While at Provisions, guests will get a first-hand look at how our food pantry operates and learn how we serve our client families. Guests may also “sponsor” items to purchase from the San Antonio Food Bank’s shopping list to help stock Provisions’ shelves. Call Jennifer Sande at 210.556.4770 to reserve your spot at a painting easel. We will have two sessions: the first session starts at 6:00 p.m., and the second session begins at 7:30 p.m. Space is limited to 14 painters per session, so call soon! The admission for painting guests is $35.00, and $10.00 for non-painting guests. You may also come by Provisions during our hours of operation on Tuesdays (10:00 to 6:15) and Wednesdays & Thursdays (9:00 to 3:00) to pick up tickets (please have exact cash or a check, as no cash is kept on the premises). All proceeds from this painting party will be donated directly to Provisions, the Bulverde food pantry that has served the greater Bulverde community for 27 years. Provisions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax deductible. Please note that this is an “adult only” event, as the warehouse environment of the food pantry is not conducive to hosting children.

210-504-4616 vdwws.com

The Front Porch News

Page 7

Bulverde Community Park Events Fun for the Whole Family! Movies in the Park are Revving Up with the presentation of Pixar’s Cars 3

Once again, the City of Bulverde and the BSB Library are teaming up to bring you Movies in the Park during the spring and summer months, April through July. These movies are all family-friendly and free! Cars 3 is the featured film showing on Friday, April 13. The movie will start at sunset. Bring the kids, some lawn chairs or blankets, and some snacks, then sit back and enjoy the show.

Make plans to attend the free Musik in the Park concert featuring Sylvia Kirk and her friends on Saturday, April 21 at 6:00 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets to sit on, and feel free to bring your own cooler of refreshments (no glass containers, please).

Sponsors Make Beautiful Musik Possible!

The Musik in the Park committee is thankful to all of our sponsors who are making the music series a reality. Our sponsors include Noah’s Ark, Young Landscaping & Lighting, Faithville, State Farm by Kathleen Banse, Smokey Mo’s, Beach Consulting, Teri & Douglas McKenzie with ReMax Realtors, the Bulverde Lions Club, Bulverde Hills Dental, Hair Tech Plus, Jahnsen Family Foundation, Ralph & Bev Lemes, Bulverde Feed & Seed LLC, Dr. Gregory Frei DDS, Bookkeeping by Val, and Bird, Dog, Cat, Fish Pet Shop. Again we thank them for their contributions, as this season is possible due to their generosity.

Park Event Courtesy The City of Bulverde strives to provide an enjoyable, clean, safe, family-friendly venue at the Bulverde Community Park. Please be courteous guests and clean up after yourselves and your children by collecting your trash and disposing of it properly. Guests at the park are welcome to bring snacks and beverages in a cooler, however, no glass containers are allowed. Your consideration of this and the other park rules (posted at the park) are appreciated.

Kathleen Banse State Farm Insurance 33200 Hwy 281 N. Bulverde TX 78163

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Page 8 April 2018

KRES Hosts a Multicultural Experience In March, Kinder Ranch Elementary hosted its Multicultural Art Show along with Tastings From Around the World, led by Chef Mario Perez. "I think everyone had a great time,â€? said Karen Williams, KRES art teacher "Part of Art Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for all grade levels is to cover historical and cultural relevance. Students demonstrated an understanding of art history and culture by analyzing artistic styles, historical periods, and a variety of cultures. The students developed global awareness and respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures. Chef Mario and Heidi Feomaia, the Child Nutrition Manager at Kinder Ranch, really brought it home with Italian Bruchetta, Franciscan Artichoke Cheese Dip, Cuban Ropa Vieja, Greek Tomato and Cucumber Salad, and African Moroccan Quinoa Salad.â€? In addition to the art and cuisine, there were several P.E. Activities available for families to experience. Pictured are Scarlet Timms and Dustin Keeth, all smiles among the many works of art at the Kinder Ranch Elementary Multicultural Art Show. Also pictured is Chef Mario Perez, of Comal ISD Child Nutrition Department, serving up a yummy treat during the Kinder Ranch multicultural evening.

The Front Porch News

Page 9

J-Crew: Our Youth Preparing for Their Futures In past articles, we have been sharing the different offerings of the H.I.S. Centre, and this month continues with one of our programs focusing on the youth of our community. Hosted at the Centre, the J-CREW Explorer Program is part of the Alamo Area Council Exploring Program, which in turn, comes under the umbrella of the Boy Scouts of America. Being a part of J-Crew gives high school students and young adults, ages 14 to 20, an eye opening, learning experience that provides the opportunity for members to see, first-hand, the daily life of health care professionals, EMTs/Firefighters, and law enforcement officers. Members have the ability to do ride-alongs and are able to witness responses made by emergency personnel. Exploring provides experiences to help young people mature and prepare to become responsible and caring adults. High school students enrolled in the Emergency Services Explorer Program develop the tools necessary for a successful school-to-career and school-to-highereducation transition, as well as discovering potential contacts that may broaden a student’s employment options at Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS and Bulverde Police Department.

If you would like to support this next generation of emergency service, visit our website, hiscentre.com, and go to the J-Crew page. Questions? Please contact Richard Britz: richard.britz@hiscentre.com

J-Crew member teaching CPR skills at a community workshop

LAW

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170

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2. Life Skills • Develop physical and mental fitness • Experience positive social interactions

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3. Leadership Experience • Develop leadership skills to fulfill responsibilities in society • Provide exposure to different leadership traits 4. Service Learning • Encourage the skills and desire to help others • Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others 5. Character Education • Help make ethical choices • Fulfill one's responsibility to society as a whole Highlights of what Explorers do: • Perform community service assignments • Receive instruction in the operation of department tools and equipment Page 10 April 2018

Requirements to Join • 14 to 20 years of age • Must show and demonstrate respect for service and authority • Able to attend three meetings per month

J-CREW

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• Receive instruction in medical adjuncts and fire equipment • Serve at Community Service Events • Participate in fire and rescue competitions

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Live entertainment Thursday,Saturday night and Sunday Afternoons

On May 5th, 2018, the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center will host its 19th Annual 5K/10K Run/Walk/Health Fair. Proceeds from this event help cover the cost of senior outreach services in our area, such as Meals on Wheels. We are currently looking for assistance in the form of sponsorship, food donations, and/or gift cards for this event which regularly brings 400+ participants. For more information, contact Jessica Rosario @ jrosario@bsabac.co or 830-438-3111.

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Contact us for volunteer opportunities and corporate sponsorships! www.bsbac.com The Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization and receives no city, county or federal funding. Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center, 30280 Cougar Bend, Bulverde, TX 78163 Ph: (830) 438-3111 The Front Porch News

Page 11

Local Singers Do It Again! The Bulverde Community Chorus is getting a reputation, and it’s a good one! What started out as a single church choir has grown to a chorus of 40 or more singers from churches all over the area. You know that something is going right when people who like to sing start asking how they can participate and people who just enjoy music start asking when the next program will be. The Christmas program in December was the largest yet, both in the number of people in the chorus and in the number of attendees.

S.T.A.G.E., Inc. is honored to present Mom’s Gift, a comedy by Phil Olson, directed by Kathleen Lovejoy, on April 26 through May 12. Mom has been dead for 11 months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost trying to earn her wings. The only person who can hear or see mom is her daughter, who is attending the party as part of her court ordered Anger Management Program. Opening night is a benefit performance for Bulverde Spring Branch Pregnancy Care Center. All seats are $18 for the April 26 performance and no season tickets will be accepted.

The Chorus is working on their next presentation for late April, so mark your calendar for the 27th, 28th, and 29th. With a theme of Grace That Amazes, it is intended to illustrate that the Easter story of Hope, Rebirth, and Redemption is available to us all year long—all life long. This story will be told through some Gospel, some traditional, some fun, and ALL very moving music. Come join those who have come to anticipate the message, the music, and the fellowship at the presentation of:

Grace That Amazes

April 27 and 28 at 7:00 PM and April 29 at 3:00 PM Bulverde United Methodist Church 28300 U.S. Hwy 281 North For more information: 830 980 7745 or vicki@bulverdeumc.org This is a free, family-friendly event.

To purchase tickets online, go to our website www. stagebulverde.org. An optional dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. before the 8 p.m. curtain on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 P.M. with a 1 p.m. lunch available. Contact Mona Klein or Charlotte Miniard at (830) 438-2339 for any additional information. The Krause House Theatre (Home of S.T.A.G.E., Inc.) is located at 1300 Bulverde Road in Bulverde and is wheelchair accessible.

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Gathering Provides Fellowship and Encouragement for Local Women Ladies, are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed by responsibility? Have you already broken all your New Year’s resolutions? Do you miss spending time with other women? Do you dream of a day away for inspiration, encouragement, and refreshment? Stand Tall, a Women’s Gathering, was created just for you, (and your friends, sisters, neighbors, mothers and grandmothers).

Don’t miss out! Registration is open now at www. bulverdeumc.org and the cost is only $30. You may also register by mail at BUMC, STAND TALL, 28300 Hwy 281 N., San Antonio, TX, 78260. Please include your phone number and email address. Free, quality childcare is provided during the event, although you must register your children in advance. Have business contacts? Sponsorships or donations are greatly appreciated. Please contact Anna Blackstock, 210382-3614. For more information or questions regarding the event, Vicki Harwell, BUMC church administrator, can be reached at 830-980-7745.

This year, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of Stand Tall on Saturday, May 5th, from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. At Stand Tall, you’ll be treated to a delicious breakfast, fellowship, worship music, an inspirational message from Allison Allen (Broadway star, Women of Faith dramatist, author, and speaker), lunch, door prizes, and more. Stand Tall was inspired by the text of Luke 13:10–16, and in particular the reference to Jesus healing a crippled, burdened woman. This theme is reflected in the key phrase chosen to represent the spirit of the day, “Thou Hast Lifted Me Up.” “Our goal for each woman is to leave the event feeling refreshed and encouraged, excited about her own faith journey or about beginning a faith journey,” said Rev. Barbara Aziz, BUMC Associate Pastor.

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Page 13

Community Angels Provide Christmas Mardi Gras Comes to Bulverde

Neighborhood News

by Cindy Hurst, Director Bulverde/Spring Branch Angels A sprinkling of Mardi Gras made The Lifetime Achievement its way to the Bulverde Visitors and Award is how we Event Center on February 17, 2018 recognize someone from as the Bulverde Spring Branch the community who has Proofing Instructions Chamber of Commerce celebrated selflessly given back to the Æ’ 3OHDVH FDUHIXOO\ UHYLHZ \RXU DG IRU HUURUV SD\LQJ SDUWLFXODU DWWHQWLRQ WR FRQWDFW LQIRUPDWLRQ SKRQH with its members at the Annual Bulverde Spring Branch QXPEHU ZHEVLWH DGGUHVV HWF DQG RWKHU GHWDLOV Awards Banquet. Mike Johnson Community over the years. Æ’ 3OHDVH QRWLI\ PH YLD HPDLO RU ID[ E\ WKH GHDGOLQH EHORZ RI DQ\ FRUUHFWLRQV UHTXLUHG (2017 Chair of the Board) and Tom This year we were honored Æ’ ,I \RX UHTXLUH QR FRUUHFWLRQV SOHDVH UHVSRQG YLD HPDLO RU ID[ VD\LQJ Â³, $33529( Â´ Note: This Hackleman (2018 Incoming Chair to recognize Zada Jahnsen Publication Mont response responsibility any errors in your Neighborhood of constitutes the Board)acceptance were ourofMasters of forfor serving as ad.Executive News will not be responsible for errors overlooked this point. of Ceremony for the Event. Several of atDirector S.T.A.G.E. April 2018 the attendees dressed in the spirit of Theatre for 30 years while Please note: the evening, with the winning Female also cooking the meals and Æ’ WH KDYH IROORZHG \RXU RULJLQDO LQVWUXFWLRQV DV FORVHO\ DV SRVVLEOH DQG WKLV LV QRW DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR costume award going to Dana Palmer wonderful desserts served Newsletter(s) UHGHVLJQ \RXU DG 6LJQLILFDQW FKDQJHV WR \RXU DG PD\ LQFXU DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH of Home Builder Assist, and winning each night during the plays. Æ’ %DVLF DG OD\RXW LV D IUHH VHUYLFH RIIHUHG WR DOO DGYHUWLVHUV LI \RX UHTXLUH GHWDLOHG DQG RU Male costume to Buster Ellisor of The Her dedication and support Bulverde WLPH FRQVXPLQJ OD\RXW DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH PD\ EH DVVHVVHG Heights of Bulverde. of the Arts has allowed Æ’ $GV UHTXLULQJ PRUH WKDQ WKUHH SURRIV EHIRUH DSSURYDO PD\ LQFXU DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH the theatre to grow and The Chamber of Commerce benefiting3the entire PROOF 1 PROOF 2 prosper, PROOF (final) members nominate and vote for their community. choice for the Business of the Year, March 26, 4:00 pm Please respond by: Monday, Chamber Volunteer of the Year, and The Chamber appreciates 1RWH ,I \RX GR QRW UHVSRQG E\ WKH WLPH VSHFLILHG ZH ZLOO DWWHPSW WR FRQWDFW \RX YLD WHOHSKRQH DQG RU HPDLO ,I DIWHU FRQWDFW Community Volunteer of the Year. and would like to thank the DWWHPSWV \RX KDYH QRW UHVSRQGHG ZH ZLOO UXQ WKH DG DV LV 8QOHVV RWKHUZLVH DUUDQJHG ZH ZLOO UXQ WKH DERYH DG LQ IXWXUH LVVXHV XQOHVV QRWLILHG RI XSGDWHV SULRU WR WKH QH[W LVVXHâ€™V sponsors for the evening. This year we were so happy to GHDGOLQH 7KLV DG LV WR EH XVHG IRU 1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF SXEOLFDWLRQV RQO\ 8QOHVV WKLV DG ZDV RULJLQDOO\ SURYLGHG WR XV â€¢ Title Sponsors: Randolph Brooks Federal Credit DV FDPHUD UHDG\ UHSULQWLQJ RI WKLV DG LQ DQ\ RWKHU SXEOLFDWLRQV LV SURKLELWHG ZLWKRXW SHUPLVVLRQ 1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF LV recognize the Bulverde Spring Branch Union, GVTC Communications, Frost Bank, Highland QRW UHVSRQVLEOH IRU HUURUV EH\RQG WKH FRVW RI WKH DFWXDO DG VSDFH Â‹1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF Activity Center as the Business of the Lake AC & Heat, and the Heights of Bulverde. and thank ext. them for providing Phone:Year 210.558.3160 5834 Outside San Antonio: 866.558.3160 to the Bulverde and Spring â€¢ Table Sponsors: A & E Air Conditioning & Heat, GBRA, Fax: services 210.558.3163 Outside San Antonio: 866.558.3163 Branch senior community through Security Service Federal Credit Union, Security State Email: keaton@neighborhoodnews.com their various exercise programs, Bank & Trust, Sonora Bank, Pedernales Electric Co-op activities, Meals on Wheels, and We also appreciate SA Print Supplies for the Photo Booth, other Outreach Programs. Pat Rodriguezâ€“Mary Kay Independent Sales Director as Mike and Jan Clark were recognized as the Chamber the Ticket Sponsor, and Sam Roberts Photography for the Volunteers of the Year, as they have served the Chamber wonderful pictures to memorialize the event. on a variety of committees and we can count on them to A huge thank you to the City of Bulverde for the use of the assist at any of the Chamber events. Bulverde Visitors & Event Center and the staff (especially The Community Volunteer of the Year is known by many, Sandra Graver) of the Hampton Innâ€“Bulverde for all of as she is very passionate about helping the community. their help and support. Weslea Miller currently serves as the Executive Director for Provisions: A 25:35 Outreach, is editor of the Bulverde Front Porch News, is an active member of the Spring SPRING HAS SPRUNG Branch Bulverde Lions Club, and is involved with her church. She is the heart of the community-wide Day of Services & Back to School Outreach program that is held in August and helps so many in our community get ready THURS: 8AM-4PM FRI: 8AM-4PM SAT: 9AM-3PM to go back to school. 15% OFF

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We also take this opportunity to recognize and thank our Chamber Ambassador of the Yearâ€“Jeane Williams. By day she is your local source for all things Tupperware; however, when the chamber has an event, Jeane is always on hand welcoming our new members and helping in any way possible. The Ambassador of the Year is based on points earned throughout the year.

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Rodeo Time in Bulverde

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Farm, Parrish & Company, and Team Hancock-JB Goodwin Realty â€¢ Hay Sponsor: Bulverde Feed & Seed Proofing Instructions The Bulverde Spring Branch â€¢ Rodeo Fans: Bookkeeping by Val, Debbie & Duane Chamber of Commerce Æ’ 3OHDVH FDUHIXOO\ UHYLHZ \RXU DG IRU HUURUV SD\LQJ SDUWLFXODU DWWHQWLRQ WR FRQWDFW LQIRUPDWLRQ SKRQH held Hannasch, Promptu Immediate Care, Regeneration QXPEHU ZHEVLWH DGGUHVV HWF DQG RWKHU GHWDLOV their 4th Annual Chamber Health, and San Antonio Print Supplies Rodeo on January 27 Æ’ 3OHDVH QRWLI\ PH YLD HPDLO RU ID[ E\ WKH GHDGOLQH EHORZ RI DQ\ FRUUHFWLRQV UHTXLUHG and â€¢ Photography for Chamber: Sam Roberts Æ’ ,I \RX UHTXLUH QR FRUUHFWLRQV SOHDVH UHVSRQG YLD HPDLO RU ID[ VD\LQJ Â³, $33529( Â´ Note: This Photography 28, 2018 at Tejas Rodeo and Christiana Sullivan Publicatio response constitutes acceptance of responsibility for any errors in your ad. Neighborhood Company. The attendees News will not be responsible for errors overlooked at this point. and contestants came from Thank you to Diamond Cross Rodeo for April far and wide â€“ Montana to note: Please providing the stock, World Champion Australia and from all parts Æ’ WH KDYH IROORZHG \RXU RULJLQDO LQVWUXFWLRQV DV FORVHO\ DV SRVVLEOH DQG WKLV LV QRW DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR Bull Fighter Leon Coffee for providing of Texas and the surrounding UHGHVLJQ \RXU DG 6LJQLILFDQW FKDQJHV WR \RXU DG PD\ LQFXU DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH the laughs and Matthew Myers andNewsl states. The Texas Bronc Æ’ %DVLF DG OD\RXW LV D IUHH VHUYLFH RIIHUHG WR DOO DGYHUWLVHUV LI \RX UHTXLUH GHWDLOHG DQG RU Rob Smets for keeping all informed Bul Riders Association kickedWLPH FRQVXPLQJ OD\RXW DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH PD\ EH DVVHVVHG off about what was happening next. their 2018 Tour and brought Æ’ $GV UHTXLULQJ PRUH WKDQ WKUHH SURRIV EHIRUH DSSURYDO PD\ LQFXU DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH Ladies Ranch Bronc Riding We truly appreciate the partnership we to our Rodeo for the first time. PROOF 1 PROOF 2 PROOF (final) have with3Tejas Rodeo Company on We had over 250 contestants competing in 10 different this event. Without the help of Yancey Friday, March 23, 4:00 pm respond by:ones events in addition to thePlease Mutton Bustinâ€™ for the little James and his team on the 1RWH ,I \RX GR QRW UHVSRQG E\ WKH WLPH VSHFLILHG ZH ZLOO DWWHPSW WR FRQWDFW \RX YLD WHOHSKRQH DQG RU HPDLO ,I DIWHU FRQWDFW and the Calf Scramble for the older kids. grounds and Mark Hernandez DWWHPSWV \RX KDYH QRW UHVSRQGHG ZH ZLOO UXQ WKH DG DV LV and his team in the restaurant, 8QOHVV RWKHUZLVH DUUDQJHG ZH ZLOO UXQ WKH DERYH DG LQ IXWXUH LVVXHV XQOHVV QRWLILHG RI XSGDWHV SULRU WR WKH QH[W LVVXHâ€™V We could not make events GHDGOLQH 7KLV DG LV WR EH XVHG IRU 1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF SXEOLFDWLRQV RQO\ 8QOHVV WKLV DG ZDV RULJLQDOO\ SURYLGHG WR XV we could not make this happen. like this happen without the DV FDPHUD UHDG\ UHSULQWLQJ RI WKLV DG LQ DQ\ RWKHU SXEOLFDWLRQV LV SURKLELWHG ZLWKRXW SHUPLVVLRQ 1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF LV Help us show our appreciation QRW UHVSRQVLEOH IRU HUURUV EH\RQG WKH FRVW RI WKH DFWXDO DG VSDFH Â‹1HLJKERUKRRG 1HZV ,QF support of our Sponsors and by taking in a Rodeo at Tejas our Community. Please stop Rodeo any Saturday night until Phone: 210.558.3160 ext. 5834 Outside San Antonio: 866.558.3160 by and visit the following November â€“ Rodeo starts at 7:30 pm or by enjoying a Fax: 210.558.3163 Outside San Antonio: 866.558.3163 sponsors and thank them for fabulous meal at Tejas Steakhouse and Saloon. Email: keaton@neighborhoodnews.com support the Chamber and the Community. â€¢ Silver Spur Sponsors: Alamo Title Company, Singing Hills â€“ DJL Development and Sonora Bank â€¢ VIP Sponsors: Frost Bank and Welcome Home â€¢ Bucking Chute: GVTC Communications â€¢ Barrel Racing: Bulverde Hills Dental â€¢ Entertainment Sponsors: Texas Regional Bank (Leon Coffee) Security Service Federal Credit Union (Texas Thunder Drill Team) Hill Country Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Thomas Stone & Materials (Band Sponsor) 20845 TX-46 West, Spring Branch, TX. 78070 Reliance Residential Realty (Petting Zoo) Senior Pastor: Rev. Larry Garcia â€¢ Associate Pastor: Rev. Janie Harrison Rebecca Creek Baptist Church (Sunday Fun Day) Church office: 830-980-2019 â€¢ Church office hours: M-Thur., 9:00AM-3:00PM Website: www.trymychurch.com / Email: debhccc@gvtc.com â€¢ Military Appreciation Night: Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union 10:30AM Sunday Worship Service with Communion each â€¢ Ticket Sponsors: Boot Barn and Whataburger Sunday in addition to a Staffed Nursery, Childrenâ€™s Church, and â€¢ Cow Chip Bingo: First United Bank and Highland Lakes Youth Group available. AC & Heat â€¢ Event Sponsor: In-depth Bible study offered every Wednesday at 1:30PM at the CLEANGIE Professional Cleaning & Services (Ranch Bronc) church and on our website. Craggâ€™s Do It Best (Calf Scramble) Summer Bible camps for children in grades 3-12 at the Disciples Independence Title (Bareback Riding) Camp in Gonzales, TX. The Law Office of Jason Rammel (Calf Roping) Noahâ€™s Ark Self Storage (Womenâ€™s Breakaway Roping) Evening Vacation Bible School, July 23, 24, 25, 2018 / 6:00PM to 8:00PM. A light meal will be served each evening. Registration Sage Capital (Team Roping) forms are available on line at www.trymychurch.com. Texas Farm Bureau (Saddle Bronc Riding) The Heights of Bulverde (Steer Wrestling) Come by for a visit and refreshments. Security State Bank & Trust (Bull Riding) Weâ€™d love to meet you! Mutton Bustinâ€™â€”Broadway Bank, Chicken Express, JB Goodwin Realty, and Texas Physical Therapy Specialist â€¢ Rodeo Art: ABCD Pediatrics, Kathleen Banse State The Front Porch News

Page 15

Ribbon Cuttings

New Members

Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper - Karen Lauderdale, REALTOR Cross CPA & Associates, LLC Discount Tire Elisa Wilcox - Keller Williams Hill Country Realty H.I.S. Centre Johnson Applied Solutions LLC Mercy Wellness Clinic Old West Burgers Soane, Joe Texas 46 BBQ VeniSia Nails & Spa

Smithson Valley Family Dentistry 18636 Forty Six Parkway, Spring Branch, TX 78070 (830) 217-7000 www.SVFamilyDentistry.com

Renewing Members

All Axis Property Services LLC ALL CITY REAL ESTATE, A.C.R.E. Amegy Bank of Texas Anderson Aviation Angelique Kirkland Insurance Agent Barber 281 Margaret A. Brumley Bulverde Boat & RV Storage Inc. Bulverde Professional Center Bulverde/Spring Branch Pregnancy Care Center China King Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector Comal Roofing DHJB Development LLC Emerald Oaks Retirement Community Franklin Park TPC Pkwy Independent & Assisted Living & Memory Care FredericRemingtonArt.com, A Troubadour Trading Company Frost Bank Grace Bible Chapel GVTC Communications Marlee Green HBI Small Business Consulting, LLC Jeffrey Harrison Homes Keller Williams Heritage - Sally Cresswell KenCom Real Estate Services LLC Kid’s Day Daycare and Preschool Dickie Lubel On-Going Safety & Health Advice Private Jets Inc. Promptu Immediate Care RBFCU Ranger Shredding Richter’s Antler Cafe Sam Roberts Photography Security State Bank & Trust SH-DJL Development LLC Shutter America Skin Rejuvenation Clinique - Blown Beautiful Sonora Bank South Texas Growers, Inc. Spring Branch Roofing Texas Physical Therapy Specialists The Fieldhouse The Furry Godmother The News Stream The UPS Store Tru-Skin Dermatology Page 16 April 2018

Nerds To Go–San Antonio 28120 US Hwy 281 N, Ste 101A, San Antonio TX 78260 800-390-NERDS www.nerdstogo.com

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B/SB Area Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar April 18, 2018 Chamber Monthly Power Lunch Sponsored By: Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center And Pat Rodriguez, Mary Kay–Independent Sales Director 12 Noon–1:00 pm (Doors open at 11:30) Location: Bulverde Visitors and Event Center www.bsbchamber.com April 26, 2018 Business Networking Mixer Hosted By: S.T.A.G.E. Theatre 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Location: 1300 Bulverde Rd, Bulverde, TX Member Only Event

April 28, 2018 DEA–National Drug Take Back Day Sponsored by Spring Branch Pharmacy 10 am–2 pm Locations: Bulverde City Hall 30360 Cougar Bend, Bulverde, TX 78163 and Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS Station 353 Rodeo Dr, Spring Branch, TX 78070 May 14, 2018 BSB Chamber Golf Classic River Crossing Golf Course 4 man Scramble–9 am Shotgun Start www.bsbchamber.com

May 19, 2018 Community Wide Shred Day BSB Chamber Office 121 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX 78163 Chamber Members 9–12 Community Residents 10–12 **For information on any of the above events, please see our website at bulverdespringbranchchamber.com or call the Chamber Office at (830) 438-4285

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Auto • Life • Home • Business • Farm • Ranch The Front Porch News

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The Buzz

From the Garden

The Bulverde Community Garden is pleased to announce a partnership with Childrens Centre Los Niños (CCLN). CCLN is a 501(c)3 Bulverde based ministry that grew out of a local family’s desire to directly help those in need in our immediate community. The Ecoff family volunteered for four years with locally based nonprofit Light Shine Ministries, where they met families and learned of the many needs in our community. The ministry grew from offering Pastoral care and some financial help to also offering food, clothing, and fellowship to Spring Branch/Bulverde residents. When the Ecoff family stopped serving at this outreach program, Katie Ecoff, then a sophomore at SVHS, made room in her bedroom and began collecting clothing donations for children in need. Katie’s clothing ministry, now known as Isaiah 58 Clothes Closet, began making home visits to families, delivering shoes, toys, blankets, and clothes. By visiting families in their homes, the Ecoffs were able to build trust and relationships, and were better able to determine what the families needed most. Their goal was to offer a hand up rather than a hand out. These home visits led to seasonal gatherings, sometimes at the Bulverde Community Park or other borrowed spaces. Clothes, games, bible stories, arts and crafts, potluck meals, and most importantly, spiritual nourishment was offered at these events. Katie’s mom, Lupita, had served as Outreach Director/ Pastoral Care Minister for Light Shine. At about the same time that Isaiah 58 Clothes Closet was created, Lupita continued exploring more fully her spiritual calling to serve as a chaplain as a Methodist Reverend. As Lupita

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Page 18 April 2018

drove down 281 for her ministry meetings, the inspiration for Childrens Centre Los Niños grew. Childrens Centre Los Niños today offers clothing, food, and tutoring. Every Friday, 15 families go home with weekend food packages to help alleviate their children’s hunger. In the summer, there is a Fish and Loaves weekly food package program; they also offer Christmas/Thanksgiving care packages that aid in the nourishment of local children. The organization is an all-volunteer program and they currently have 100 families on the waiting list to receive weekend food packages. These needs are growing every day; more food is needed to better serve these families. So how does the Community Garden come into this? One day, as I was delivering food from the Garden to Provisions, I ran into Lupita, who was volunteering there. We got to talking about Los Niños and their weekend food program. I knew we had some vacant plots at the Garden so I offered them to her organization. She quickly said “Yes” and now 2 plots are planted that will help provide food for CCLN families. Katie’s inspiration was Isaiah 58: “share your food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter...when you see the naked, clothe them…and not turn away from your own flesh and blood.” For Katie this means “It’s about overall caring for those who cannot fully care for themselves, helping them rather than turning away from them and treating them like they are your own family because we are all brothers and sisters through Christ.” To learn more, please visit or contact us through www. cclntexas.org or Facebook: @cclntexas, or call 940782-1018. If you or your business or SCHOOL would like to secure a plot (at no cost), please contact Joanne Hall at jothall@gvtc.com. Donations gladly accepted. Also, interested persons are invited to attend the Bulverde Community Garden Committee meeting on the second Monday of the month at 5:15pm at the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center.

Bill Brown Students Lead Successful Pet Drive, Benefits Bulverde Area Humane Society The Bill Brown Elementary Student Council held a successful Pet Drive recently. A total of 101 items were collected to help the Bulverde Area Humane Society (BAHS). Student Council members made creative and clever posters with catchy slogans asking students to go “fetch” items they listed from the BAHS’s wish list. The daily announcements reminded students that the class with the most items would win a “doggy bag” with cool “treats.” Students in Marcie McCranie’s fourth-grade class won the prize for most items collected. Tom Blacklock, the president of the Bulverde Area Humane Society, spoke to Student Council class representatives and explained how the Humane Society is funded, why the “wish items” are important, and how students can continue to “lend a paw.” The BAHS operates and depends on donations and volunteer work of the community.

IN PHOTO: Pictured is Tom Blacklock, the president of the Bulverde Area Humane Society, along with members of the Bill Brown Elementary Student Council. The Student Council led a successful pet drive to gather donated items needed at the humane society.

He also told students about a success story with one of their longtime residents, a dog named Lucas, who became more comfortable around people because of the “Reading to Cats and Dogs” program. This is something children of all ages can participate in on Wednesdays from 10–11:30 a.m. “The students were so moved by the story of Luke, and were excited to know they can go read to dogs and cats during spring break or in summer when school is out,” said Irene Clancy, Bill Brown counselor. “They also are now aware of items the Bulverde Area Humane Society is always eager to receive any time of the year.”

The Front Porch News

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Great Decisions Discussions at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library Great Decisions Topics 2018 is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs created by the Foreign Policy Association (see more at www.fpa.org). The program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year, and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. Our library’s program model, sponsored by Mammen Investments, Inc., includes watching the DVD and hearing a speaker relating to the subject prior to questions and discussion. Briefing books, which cover every topic that will be discussed, are available for $20 at the library, while supplies last. A light meal will be provided at each scheduled meeting. All discussions are on Thursday evenings from 5:45pm – 7:45pm. The Bulverde/Spring Branch Library will host discussions on these upcoming dates: April 5—The discussion will focus on The Waning of Pax Americana. During the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. began a historic shift away from Pax Americana, the liberal international order that was established in the wake of World War II. Since 1945, Pax Americana has promised peaceful international relations and an open economy, buttressed by U.S. military power. In championing “America First” isolationism and protectionism, President Trump has shifted the political mood toward selective U.S. engagement, where foreign commitments are limited to areas of vital U.S. interest and economic nationalism is the order of the day. Geopolitical allies and challengers alike are paying close attention. The speaker for the evening will be Benjamin C. Montoya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History at Schreiner University. April 12—Dr. Jeremy Stephen Roethler, Senior Lecturer, Department of History and University College; Coordinator, General Studies Degree Program at Texas State University, will be discussing Russia’s Foreign Policy. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is projecting an autocratic model of governance abroad and working to undermine the influence of liberal democracies, namely along Russia’s historical borderlands. Russia caused an international uproar in 2016, when it interfered in the U.S. presidential contest. But Putin’s foreign policy toolkit includes other instruments, from alliances with autocrats to proxy wars with the U.S. in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. How

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does Putin conceive of national interests, and why do Russian citizens support him? How should the United States respond to Putin’s foreign policy ambitions? April 19—China and America: The New Geopolitical Equation will be discussed. In the last 15 years, China has implemented a wide-ranging strategy of economic outreach and expansion of all its national capacities, including military and diplomatic capacities. Where the United States has taken a step back from multilateral trade agreements and discarded the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), China has made inroads through efforts like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). What are Beijing’s geopolitical objectives? What leadership and political conditions in each society underlie growing Sino-American tensions? What policies might Washington adopt to address this circumstance? The presenter for this discussion is Deli Yang (BSc, MBA, MSc, PhD), R. Burr & D. Clark Professor of International Business, Global Business and Intellectual Property Consultant, Head of International Business Program, School of Business at Trinity University. April 26—The final discussion will be Media and Foreign Policy. State and non-state actors today must maneuver a complex and rapidly evolving media landscape. Conventional journalism now competes with user-generated content. Official channels of communication can be circumvented through social media. Foreign policy is tweeted from the White House and “fake news” has entered the zeitgeist. Cyberwarfare, hacking, and misinformation pose complex security threats. How are actors using media to pursue and defend their interests in the international arena? What are the implications for U.S. policy? Four additional discussions will take place later in August and September 2018. The topics for the fall dates are Turkey: A Partner in Crisis, U.S. Global Engagement and the Military, South Africa’s Fragile Democracy, and Global Health: Progress and Challenges. Please note, fall topics may change order of discussion. For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this article, or to learn more about the speakers at each discussion, please visit https://bsblibrary.libcal.com. We look forward to seeing you at the discussions!

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Upcoming Library Events Please check the library’s online calendar or call (830) 4384864 to verify program location before attending. The library calendar can be accessed at https://bsblibrary.libcal.com Cookbook Demo & Lunch Potluck Club Thursday, April 5, 11:30am–1:30pm Join us as we enjoy recipes from a selection of the month cookbook. We will demonstrate a technique out of the cookbook and you will select a recipe to share family style. Please sign up at the Printing Station where you can choose a recipe and get it printed. Learn Adobe Dreamweaver Basics Thursday, April 5, 1:15pm–2:45pm The San Antonio Web Spinners are an informal group that will be meeting on the first Thursday afternoon of the month at the library. This is an open program for all to learn about Dreamweaver’s Basics: How-To’s, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques. Knitting, Crocheting, Spinning and Weaving Group Monday, April 16, 1:00pm–4:00pm Interested in knitting, crocheting, spinning or weaving? Come out and join Hillys and learn more or get started on just about any type of fiber art. Please register if you plan to attend. Watercolor for Adults & Teens 13+ Tuesday, April 17, 3:00pm–5:00pm Come learn some watercolor techniques taught by Debbie. Please bring any supplies you want to use. We will have a limited amount of paint and brushes but will supply the paper. Registration required.

The Doc Moore Storytelling Guild Thursday, April 19, 6:00pm–7:45pm The Doc Moore Storytelling Guild will meet monthly and welcomes audiences (middle school age to adult) to enjoy stories told by both professional oral performers and up-and-coming storytellers. Gardening with Kids–Attracting Wildlife Saturday, April 21, 11:00am–12:00pm Love gardening and want to pass on that love your kids? Join us and Spring Creek Gardens as we learn about how to attract butterflies and bees and what plants are a good fit for you. There will also be a gardening related craft for children. Watercolor for Adults & Teens 13+ Monday, April 23, 6:00pm–7:45pm Come learn some watercolor techniques taught by Susan. Please bring any supplies you want to use. We will have a limited amount of paint and brushes but will supply the paper. Registration required. Book to Movie Fundraiser Friday, April 27th, 3:00pm–5:30pm Join us for a viewing and discussion of Still Life, a mystery with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, by Louise Penny. Still Life, set in the rural village of Three Pines, Quebec, is the debut novel introducing the engaging Armand Gamache, who commands his forces with integrity, strength and charm. For your minimum donation of $25.00 you will be able to watch the movie and enjoy light bistro snacks. The proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, will go to the Library Expansion Capital Campaign.Further details about the event can be found on the calendar at bsblibrary. libcal.com. Registration is required and your donation will be taken at the door.

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The Front Porch News

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BAHS Pets of the Month Baby & Bubba—a bonded pair We have two sweethearts that would love to find a home together. They came to us from an owner her had to give up her beloved pets to go into assisted living. Baby had severe cataracts and relied on Bubba to understand her new surroundings. We waited to offer them for adoption until Baby successfully recovered from her eye surgery in hopes there was a home out there where they could stay together. They are very affectionate, housebroken, love leash walks–quite a little two-for-one package! Both are mixed-breed terriers. Baby is 7 years old and weighs 14 lbs. She is comical and loves your lap. Bubba is 5 years old and weighs 20 lbs. A little Romeo himself, he has the cutest, expressive underbite which causes his little tongue to stick out on the side when he is relaxed. It would be easiest for their adjustment to be adopted together, but we will consider splitting them up if that’s the only way we can get them back into loving homes. Both dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and heartworm-negative.

Lucas

A Feline Friendly Fiesta! Are you ready for Fiesta??? Animal Rescue Connections’ frisky feline friends are freely frolicking in anticipation of Fiesta’s frivolity and fanfare! Just as you are looking forward to living it up at the Oyster Bake, Carnival, and Cornyation, our fun-loving group of adoptable and loveable kittens is anxiously anticipating the fun and games they’ll share when you whisk them away to their fur-ever home! These hep cats are hardy partiers and will delight you with their thrilling antics. Like Fiesta, we have a kaleidoscope of colors for you to choose from, whether you fancy an elegant jet black beauty; a perky blue-eyed Siamese; tabbies in a host of oranges, greys and browns; or even a gorgeous tortie with its grab bag of multiple colors! If you’re that extra special type (you know you always hold your friend’s hair at NIOSA!), then maybe you’ve got what it takes to be a foster parent for kitties, offering short-term love and care as you prepare these fun-loving fur babies for their future fur-ever homes! You can find the cat of your dreams by visiting our website at www. animalrescueconnections.org, adoptapet.com or allpaws.com, or by coming to see us at an adoption event. Just find out where and when through our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ animalrescueconnections/. This year, let the spirit of Fiesta fill you with love for your fellow creatures and be inspired to offer your home as a place of caring and safety to one of our delightful balls of fluff! Viva San Antonio and Viva Fluffiesta!!!

DON'T BE THE

Lucas recently got the attention of KSAT News for how long he’s been a shelter dog. Seven years ago, Lucas was living on the streets. After a lot of leaving food, returning time and again to gain Lucas’ trust, a rescuer captured him and got him to safety at BAHS, where he’s been ever since. At first, he didn’t trust most people but over time, Lucas has learned the world is not such a scary place. It may take him a bit to warm up to you but once he does, you become his hero. A gentle 71 pounds, Lucas is a butterscotch-colored shepherd mix who enjoys a leisurely leash walk or just hanging out. The caretakers think he’s house trained. We’re hoping that the news story, plus this Front Porch News coverage, gets this gentleman a long overdue home, one with a calm routine, a soft bed, and a warm heart.

Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back.

If Baby & Bubba or Lucas could be an addition to your dog family, you can schedule a Meet and Greet under supervision at our shelter; call 830-980-2247 or email

Saturday, April 28 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Page 22 April 2018

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Two Local Locations: Bulverde City Hall, 30360 Cougar Bend, 78163 BSB Fire & EMS Station, 353 Rodeo Drive, 78070

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Bulverde City Hall 30360 Cougar Bend Bulverde, Texas 78163

Time Dated

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Sunday

APRIL 2018

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friends of Library Board mtg. 1:00p Bulverde Garden Club 10:00a (BSB (Library) Library) Rural Library District mtg. 4:00p (Library) City Council 6:30p ESD #4 5:30p (9850 FM311) Bulv. Comm. Garden mtg. 5:15p (Activity Ctr.)

16 CTGCD* 6:00p (9850 FM 311, 78070)

Earth Day

Voter Registration deadline for May primary runoff election

17 Tax Day (Taxes Due)

Roar for Kids Car Show 7:00a staging; 10:00a judging (1331 Bulverde Road)

18 SBB Family Lions 7:30p (Activity Ctr.)

19 ESD #1 4:00p (353 Rodeo Dr.)

NOTES: Bulverde City Council,

Bulverde Planning & Zoning Commission, and Park & Rec Advisory Board meetings are held at Bulverde City Hall (30360 Cougar Bend)

Planning & Zoning SBB Family Lions 7:30p 6:30p (Activity Ctr.)

Friday

Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.)

Bulverde Lions 7:00p Mom’s Gift (Bulv. Comm. Ctr.) 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.) Mom’s Gift Movies in the Park, 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.) Coco, Dusk (29815 Bulverde Lane, 78163)

Bulverde Garden Club 10:00a (Field trip to Blanco) City Council 6:30p

P.O.E.T. Program 5:30p (City Hall)

Musik in the Park 6:00p (29815 Bulverde Lane)

Mother’s Day

Painting for Provisions 6:00p and 7:30p (2295-1 Bulverde Road)

27 Arbor Day Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.) Grace That Amazes 7:00p (BUMC, 28300 US-281, San Antonio, TX 78260)

Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.) Grace That Amazes 7:00p (BUMC, 28300 US-281, San Antonio, TX 78260) Drug Take Back Day 10:00a–2:00p (30360 Cougar Bend AND 353 Rodeo Dr.)

NOTES: Bulverde City Council, Bulverde Planning & Zoning Commission, and Park & Rec Advisory Board meetings are held at Bulverde City Hall (30360 Cougar Bend)

Grace That Amazes 3:00p (BUMC, 28300 US-281, San Antonio, TX 78260)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Mom’s Gift 2:30p (S.T.A.G.E.)

CISD Holiday

Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.)

Mom’s Gift 2:30p (S.T.A.G.E.)

Sunday

Saturday

12 Cinco De Mayo Run for the Hills 5K/10K 7:00a (30280 Cougar Bend) Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.)

Administrative Bulverde Lions 7:00p Professionals Day (Bulv. Comm. Ctr.)

Bulverde Lions 7:00p Movies in the Park, (Bulv. Comm. Ctr.) Cars 3, Dusk (29815 Bulverde Lane, 78163)

Planning & Zoning BSBES 5:30p (353 6:30p Rodeo Dr.) ESD #5 5:30p Native Plant Soc. (30476 Johnson 7:00p (GVTC) Way)

Saturday

Planning & Zoning SBB Family Lions 7:30p 6:30p (Activity Ctr.)

Easter

Friday

MAY 2018

*Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

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Neighborhood News, Inc. 3740 Colony Drive Suite LL100 San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 558-3160 * (210) 558-3163 fax

BSBES 5:30p (353 Friends of Library Rodeo Dr.) Board mtg. 1:00p Planning & Zoning (Library) ESD #5 5:30p 6:30p (30476 Johnson Rural Library District Way) mtg. 4:00p (Library) Native Plant Soc. SBB Family Lions 7:00p (GVTC) ESD #4 5:30p 7:30p (9850 FM311) Primary Runoff (Activity Ctr.) Primary Runoff Early Early Voting Primary Runoff Voting Early Voting

Memorial Day Bulverde City Hall Closed CISD Holiday County Offices Closed

ESD #1 4:00p (353 Rodeo Dr.)

Primary Runoff Early Voting

Mom’s Gift 8:00p (S.T.A.G.E.)

Primary Runoff Early Voting

CISD Holiday

Bulverde Lions 7:00p P.O.E.T. Program (Bulv. Comm. Ctr.) 5:30p (City Hall)

CTGCD* 6:00p (9850 FM 311, 78070)

26 Armed Forces Day Community Shred Day 10:00a–2:00p (121 Bulverde Crossing) Musik in the Park 6:00p (29815 Bulverde Lane)

*Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

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