July 2017

TO

J U LY 2 0 1 7

YOU

BY

THE

CITY

OF

SCHERTZ,

TEXAS

magazine

BROUGHT

Schertz

JUBILEE Freedom 5K Parade Carnival Live Music Fireworks

Pickrell Park Independence Tuesday, July 4 Day 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Celebrate our nation’ s freedom and take part in all the activities and excitement !

Parade Starts at 9:30 AM Fireworks Start at 9:15 PM

visitschertz.com

City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember Robin Thompson Councilmember Angelina Kiser Councilmember Bert Crawford Councilmember

Executive Team John Kessel City Manager Brian James Executive Director Dudley Wait Executive Director Kyle Kinateder Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 7 33 Years and counting...!

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Melissa Geedman Communications Manager Devan Flores Marketing & Communications Specialist Alexis Souza Graphic Design Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Office Manager Mary Spence Events Manager

Contributing Writers

Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Richard Erickson, Allyson Ortegon, Claudia Pharr, Emily Wallen, Kari Bridges, Jim Webb, Stan Leland, Wendy Kinkade, Taryn McGillivray, Aubrey Parke, Kiko Martinez, Rudy Arispe, Mike Harris, Chris Meek, Tom Lovett, Shelby Adelsen, Kira Villarreal, Stacey Lovett, Brittany Losey

Contributing Photographers

Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Joshua Nolden, Mary Oakes, Diana Webb, Emily Wallen, Bella Cheney, Mike Harris, Beverly McCollough, Ross Dye, Michael Carpenter, Joe Herczeg, Kari Bridges, Catherine White, Elizabeth Leland, Rudy Ornelas, Samuel Rhodes, Linda Klepper, Amanda Mercer, Calvin True, Elysia Santoya, Alyson Garcia, Erin True, Lisa Green, Kaylie Kennedy, Mike Bowers, Fiona Scoggin, Ethan Bookout, Terrell Mitchell, Cindy Kelleher, Aaron Davis, Mac’y Patterson, Stacey Lovett, Greg Martin, Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz promoting city, community, and business activities. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Š City of Schertz, Texas The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154.

Call (210) 619-1630.

Fax (210) 619-1619.

Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com

OFFICIAL FINE PRINT

Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at events@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1630 or email sales@schertz.com.

NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number.

All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1630.

The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz.

All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron.

Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Magazine, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.

Schertz Fire Chief Trades Fire Hose for Fishing Pole

Melissa Geedman

H

ave you ever heard the quote, “great achievements involve great risk”? I know I’m not alone when I admit that some things in life are scary due to the risk involved in achieving success.

I believe the most critical components of achievement is understanding the steps it took to attain the final result.

Achievement can be defined as something done successfully, typically through effort, courage, or skill. There’s no doubt about it that the various heights of achievement you’ll read about throughout this issue of Schertz Magazine demonstrates the efforts, courage and skills delivered by talented people in our community.

For starters, we would like to recognize the hard work and successes of our talented young adults in the area.

Not only did the Tri-County Volleyball Association (TCVA) 15 Green Club Volleyball team just compete at the Junior National Championship Tournament, but they also ranked 10th out of 266 teams

in the Lone Star Region. In addition, Azariah Reese has a lot to be proud of as he recently became the first Clemens student to compete in three State UIL events, covering all performing aspects of the music program: Band, Choir, and Orchestra.

Finally, the Watts Elementary students should be very proud of themselves for gathering enough lose change to help Toby, a recently adopted dog, receive heartworm treatment. These individuals have a lot to be proud of and deserve recognition for their acheivements.

It doesn’t stop there. You’ll read all about the achievements of the talented mounted archery rider, Tess Shelton; the huge successes of the RACAP food drive; the five awards presented to Schertz Public Affairs; the 2017 Hal Baldwin Scholarship Winner, Grace Harper; and many, many more.

I’ll leave you with my favorite quote, “she believed she could, so she did”. Everyone has the potential to go out and achieve great things; you just have to believe in yourself to get there.

Melissa Geedman Communications Manager

SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM

27 New Passion for a Historic Sport

31 Pennies for Pets

DEPARTMENTS TALK OF THE TOWN Update 6 Parks & Rec 10 Library 14 Visions / Chamber 18 CIVIC NEWS Updates

35

CALENDAR

47

COVER

Tess Shelton practicing her mounted archery skills

TABLE OF CONTENTS

24

TALK OF THE TOWN

Pirates Gather for Treasure Trove of Fun

By Stacey Lovett The City of Schertz Parks and Recreation kicked off the summer with the Pirate Pool Party Movie in the Park at Pickrell Park pool Saturday, June 3rd.

The first 150 people to fill the pool’s capacity got to swim free of charge and everyone who came got to enjoy the pirate-themed activities at the park’s pavilion. Attendees were encouraged to come in costume and participate in the costume contest, but foam swords and

6

JULY 2017

eye patches were also handed out to keep with the theme.

Kids could decorate their own little treasure boxes with glitter and jewels and color their own pirate hats to wear for the movie, Pirates! Band of Misfits, which played on the inflatable movie screen at sundown. Park University’s pirate mascot was even there walking around giving plenty of hugs and high-fives, and could be occasionally seen flying the Jolly Roger on the pirate ship hayride which ran continuously during the evening.

schertzmagazine.com

Approximately 300 people were in attendance for the event.

Cori Jean’s Ice Cream was there to help everyone beat the heat, and Candy Brite sold their everpopular cotton candy glow sticks to illuminate the night. Blankets and lawn chairs covered the pavilion floor and foam sword fights ensued before the movie as the sun went down. As the popcorn started to flow the little ones settled in with the darkness to watch the show.

The Movie in the Park series breaks for the summer heat and picks back up in the fall.

Assistant Director of the Schertz Parks & Recreation, Lauren Shrum, announced to the crowd that they are planning eight events for 2018 in addition to the ones announced for the remainder of this year. Join us for the next Movie in the Park on October 28 for Hotel Transylvania 2!

TALK OF THE TOWN

Schertz Magazine All Over the Map

(Above) Debbie Silvas and her family went on vacation to Mission Beach, California with their Schertz Magazine.

(Above) Vince Fonner took his Schertz Magazine on a trip to Israel and Jordan.

(Above) Debbie Bell took her Schertz Magazine to the Grand Canyon.

(Right) Jim and Cindy Mullins went to PONY headquarters in Washington, PA with their Schertz Magazine.

(Left) Patsy Woodward, Charles & Rose Ervin, Curtis & Jan Jenkins & Sandy Farrow & Michael Ontko took Schertz Magazine to Hale Koa Hotel Honolulu, Hawaii.

The map above shows just some of the places Schertz Magazine has traveled!

Take your copy of Schertz Magazine when you travel and take a high-resolution photo of the magazine and you in front of a recognizable place and send to events@schertz.com. You might just make it into the magazine.

TALK OF THE TOWN

RACAP Food Drive Collects 9,220 Lbs. of Food

Book Sale The Read Before Book Store Summer Sale will be held Friday, August 4 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday, August 5 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The book sale will be held in the meeting room in the children’s area of the library. Come explore all of the great books for your late summer reading.The book store will be open for browsing, as well as our interesting selection of Vintage Books.

For more information contact Schertz Public Library at 210.619.1700

Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry employees work with area schools and city halls to help make sure children have enough food during the summer months.

Summer is the busiest time of year for the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP), a food pantry that serves families in portions of Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties. That’s because when school is out, many children don’t have regular access to nutritious meals.

To help ensure that all children in our area have enough to eat this summer, employees of Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry teamed up with local schools and municipalities to collect 9,220 pounds of food during its fourth annual Food Drive for RACAP in May. Servtex Quarry teamed up with Garden Ridge Elementary School in Garden Ridge and Green Valley,

schertzmagazine.com

Sippel, Watts and Wiederstein Elementary Schools and Jordan Intermediate School in Schertz. The winning class level at each school received a pizza party courtesy of Servtex Quarry. City halls in Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma and Universal City also served as collection sites for the food drive.

RACAP provided services to more than 1,400 families in 2016, feeding more than 3,000 people with an estimated $100,940 worth of food, most of it donated. RACAP relies solely on churches, businesses and individuals to help stock its pantry.

Servtex Quarry, which is located in Garden Ridge, is one of the top producing aggregates quarries in the state of Texas. The quarry produces several million tons of crushed stone a year, which is used mainly for road, residential and commercial construction in San Antonio, South and East Texas.

JULY 2017

9

STAY INFORMED!

Follow us on Facebook at cityofschertz and cityofschertzparksandrecreation

WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!

COMING SOON!

A Master Naturalist class will be held in Schertz in the Fall of 2017 hosted by the City of Schertz and the Guadalupe Master Naturalist Chapter. Are you the type of person that loves the outdoors? Would you like to learn more about the plants, wildlife, and water resources in this area?

Do you want to share your passion for the natural world with children or other adults in programs in area parks? Then the Master Naturalist Program is for you!

To learn more go to www.txmn.org/Guadalupe or call the Schertz Parks & Recreation office at (210) 619-1850.

Use #SchertzParksandRec when posting to Instagram and share your Schertz Parks pictures with us.

CRESCENT BEND CORNER

Join us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on July 18 from 7:30 11:00 AM. Meet in the first parking lot with leader Sandi Wheeler for a walk through the park to learn about the bird life. Bring your binoculars, cameras, water, and snacks.

All levels of birders are welcome – from beginners to experts.

10

JULY 2017

schertzmagazine.com

Do you want to watch the fireworks at July 4th Jubilee while floating in Pickrell Pool?!

Pickrell Pool will be open from 6:00 – 10:00 PM, and these special tickets are sold inadvance for $3 per person (Children 2 and under are free.) Extra fun 4th of July activities and giveaways will be included.

Tickets are now available for the “Coolest Seat in the House” for the fireworks show and can be purchased at the Parks & Recreation Office located at 10 Commercial Place, Building #1, Schertz, TX 78154. Or call (210) 619-1850 for more information. All normal pool rules will apply, so no alcohol will be permitted within the pool area during the event.

PARK & RECREATION MONTH 2017

Summer is here, which means it’s time to get our play on. Help us celebrate Park & Recreation Month this July by getting out in Schertz Parks! Share your photos with us on Instagram and tag them #SchertzParksandRec #ParkandRecMonth #PlayOnJuly.

Schertz Parks and Recreation is celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and all the ways parks and recreation has the power to transform our daily lives.

From providing us places to play, get fit, and stay healthy — to fostering new relationships and forging a connection with nature - our close-to-home community park and recreation facilities provide essential services and improve quality of life.

schertzmagazine.com schertzmagazine.com

JULY JULY 2017 2017

11

TALK OF THE TOWN

Science Scholars Passionate About Their Field Dr. Mark Penshorn announced this week that he has selected Enrique Navedo and Christian Jacobson as the 2017 Penshorn Science Scholarship recipients. The two seniors each received a $1250 scholarship for their freshman year of college.

“Once again, we are so impressed with the young scientists graduating from Clemens and Steele. All of our applicants have done outstanding work during their high school years and have been challenged by their teachers to learn even more than the seniors before them. Both the AP and IB curriculums are preparing our local students for a strong entrance into STEM fields. Enrique and Christian represent a great group of seniors from Schertz and Cibolo. We are proud of all of them,” said Dr. Penshorn.

Enrique, the son of Jose Navedo and Ivonne Diaz, will pursue a degree in chemistry and a path to medical school when he enters The University of Texas in August.

Navedo has excelled in chemistry at Steele as a top performer on all of the challenges presented by AP Chemistry teacher, Scott Thomas. He competed this year as the first Steele student to ever enter the Chemistry Olympiad Competition and hopes to qualify for the National Chemistry Olympiad. As

a top student in AP Chemistry, Navedo frequently tutored fellow students, researching new and additional teaching tools to expand his tutoring resources for others.

“Enrique has spent this year achieving at the highest possible level, earning a perfect score on several AP practice tests. He ponders chemistry concepts in and out of class and sometimes turns them over in his mind for weeks. He is one of the best I have taught. In addition, he works well in a group and always completes the prelab work ahead of time. He is an amazing problem solver and I know he will tackle college with the same intensity that I have seen him display at Steele,” said Thomas.

Christian, the son of Loyd & Brooke Dittfurth, and Jason Jacobson, will enter the University of Oklahoma in August to major in engineering and business, following in the tradition of several family members.

At Clemens, he completed 3 years of physics, taking pre-AP physics as well as the 2-year HL IB-Physics. He also completed both an extended essay in physics and an Independent Study in physics.

“Christian has a passion for science and for hands-on experiences. I have no doubt he

will excel in an engineering career. He can problem-solve, and he also has the grit to finish a large task. I can count on him to spur the rest of his project group to finish on time even if they have fallen behind,” said Clemens physics teacher Bonnie Ruder.

“Physics is so interesting to me, and it’s everywhere we look,” says Clemens Senior Christian Jacobson enthusiastically. “From dark matter to the way the dimples on golf balls affect the ball’s flight, I think it is all cool. “ This is the 10th year that Dr. Penshorn has given the Science Scholarship to seniors graduating from Clemens and Steele. A 1975 graduate of Clemens High School himself, he started offering this assistance to students in 2008 as an encouragement to students to pursue science-related fields as they head to college. Dr. Penshorn graduated from Texas A&M University and received his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1982, opening his practice that same year to serve the greater Randolph area where he grew up. More information about his practice can be found on his website www. drpenshorn.com.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

13

JULY EVENTS

NEW @ YOUR LIBRARY

The Schertz Public Library now provides wireless printing from laptops, tablets and smartphones!

There are three ways to send print jobs to the Library’s printer: 1) Web Portal Method – best use for printing documents, websites, and photos 2) Email Address Method – best use for printing emails or/and email attachments 3) Mobile App Method – best use for printing photos and websites If you would like to download the app for tablets and smartphones search for PrinterOn in your app or play store. For more information on this exciting new service please visit us or our website, schertzlibrary.org

DID YOU KNOW… YOU CAN LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE ONLINE THIS SUMMER USING YOUR LIBRARY CARD?

Rocket Languages is an award-winning interactive online language learning system. Schertz Library cardholders can use this interactive website to learn conversational language at their own pace. Rocket Languages can be accessed from home and provides lifelong language learning. You can access it as streaming learning or by downloading it for easy access on all MP3 compatible devices. You can go at your own pace and study whenever you have time! Languages available: Spanish (Latin American), Arabic, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, English (Spanish Speakers), English (Japanese Speakers) and American Sign Language.

Stop by the library anytime for a demonstration on how to use this resource.

SCRIBBLER’S PRINT SOCIETY

The Scribbler’s Print Society is a series of creative writing programs for daring young writers ages 8-12. The group will meet on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM in locations around the Schertz area to tackle various writing challenges throughout the summer of 2017. Special guests will guide the writing sessions, and attendees will learn how to write in different forms including fiction, comic books, mysteries, and scripts. Locations will be made available prior to the Scribbler’s Print Society meeting. Please RSVP to the event on the online calendar so we can let each venue know how many to expect. Parents are expected to stay with their children for the Scribbler events.

ACTS OF KINDNESS (TEEN PROGRAM)

Make someone’s day a little brighter! On Friday, July 7 at 4:00 PM we will make paracord bracelets and dog and cat toys to donate.

MINECRAFT IRL

Calling all kids who like to play Minecraft! What if you could explore the world of Minecraft…in real life? We’ll be crafting, playing games, and more at our Minecraft IRL program on Saturday, July 8 at 12:00 PM.

STRANGER THINGS COOKIE BAKE-OFF (TEEN PROGRAM)

Can you make the most delicious cookie?

Join us on Friday, July 14 at 4:00 PM for the Stranger Things Cookie Bake-Off ! Make sure to bring one special ingredient.

TALK OF THE TOWN

OPERATION GRATITUDE PROGRAM-WRITE A LETTER TO AN ACTIVE OR RETIRED MILITARY HERO

Tuesday, July 18, we will be drafting letters to our nation’s heroes from 12:00-2:00 PM. Operation Gratitude needs hundreds of thousands of letters to deliver to Deployed troops, Veterans, and New Recruits. We want our nation’s heroes to know we care about them and this is the perfect opportunity to share your sentiments with them. Pre-registration not required and we will have all the supplies you need.

LIFE SIZE GAME DAY

Come play some of your favorite games in life-size format as the children’s library is transformed into several jumbo game boards! This program is designed for all ages (youth-adult). Come on out on Saturday, July 15 from 12:00-3:00 PM, and don’t miss out on the fun!

WILL PARKER MUSIC PROGRAM

Will Parker is a children’s songwriter and teaching artist, making music for “kids ages 1-100.” During Will’s whimsical and interactive shows, he plays guitar, harmonica, and sings songs that open us up to the world of imagination while simultaneously validating the human experience. Please join us at the Community Center Friday, July 21 at 1:00 PM.

RUBE GOLDBERG CHALLENGE (TEEN PROGRAM)

A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices that perform simple tasks are linked together to produce a domino effect in which activating one device triggers the next device in the sequence. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor of such contraptions, Rube Goldberg (1883–1970). Come build with us on Friday, July 21 at 4:00 PM! We will provide the supplies and you build your own Rube Goldberg machine.

YOUTH & ADULT LEGO DESIGN CONTEST 2017

etc. Bring your fully assembled LEGO design to the library Friday, July 21 between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Attach a brief description of your design on a 3x5” index card if desired. Please do not include your name on your entry. Entries will be judged in 5 categories: ages 3-6, 7-19, 11-14, 15-17, and 18+. This contest is open to individuals only and LEGO kits and technic LEGO pieces are not permitted. Public voting for the contest will be held Saturday, July 22. For more information, please contact the library (210) 619-1700.

CUPCAKE WARS

This event will wrap up our adult summer reading program for 2017. CUPCAKE WARS! Come out on Friday, July 28 at 2:30 PM. We will provide the cupcakes and basic materials to decorate, but you are welcome to bring anything extra you may want to add to your design. You will have 1 hour to decorate your cupcake(s) to represent your favorite book! Judging will take place the last 30 minutes and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs! Decorators are you ready? Pre-registration required.

Imagine, design, and build a LEGO creation using the theme, “Build a Better World” as a guide. Think about architecture, engineering, recycling, community service,

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

15

TALK OF THE TOWN

Summer Aquatics Center Programs Get active this summer at the Schertz Aquatic Center and Schertz Family YMCA! There are tons of activities for kids all ages to enjoy from camp to swim lessons.

Jr. Lifeguard Camp

Classes run July 24 to July 28 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM for ages 9 to 13.

Registration will start July 3 and camp runs from July 24 to July 28 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Camp is open to ages 9yrs to 13yrs. YMCA members are $25.00 and non-members are $35.00.

The Junior Lifeguard Camp focuses on water safety awareness and physical skill development activities. Participants will enjoy a variety of water and land activities designed to promote fitness, self-esteem, and teamwork that will enrich the future of each camper. Classes will include videos, lectures, skills practice, games, and physical activities keeping students engaged while having fun with new friends.

at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Registration for this program begins July 3.

A typical lesson includes: Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water and fun activities to reinforce skills on land & in water Instruction in how to help themselves if in trouble in the water

Specialty Camps @ the Schertz YMCA

Give your kids the best summer ever! Week long or summer long, kids experience friendships, accomplishments and belonging. Your child will create new memories, make new friends and have fun in an environment based on the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, responsibility and faith.

The curriculum of this camp includes lifeguarding skills and conditions that affect lifeguards on a daily basis. Participants will need to come ready in a swim suit and bring a towel and googles.

Each participant will receive a fanny pack, whistle, and Jr. Lifeguard Shirt. Space is limited.

Camp is from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Schertz Family YMCA. Weekly sessions run from June 5 to August 7 and are open to ages 5-12. Weekly cost per child is $85 for YMCA members and $100 for non-members.

Register online or in person at the Welcome Desk. #BestSummerEver #SummerFun #SchertzFamilyY

Safety Around Water

Swim Lessons

The World is 71% Water and your children are 100% curious. Attend this free program for all children ages 4 to 14. The YMCA of Greater San Antonio believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim. This summer we are bringing our free Safety Around Water Swim Lesson Program to you! Class run from August 7 to August 10. Ages 4 to 7 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and ages 8 to 14

Goggle up and learn to swim through the YMCA New Swim Lesson Program. With classes offered at 3 different locations, we have the ability to meet your needs. Classes start at age 6 month and go through adult. For more information, please come to the Aquatic Center for more information and register at the Membership desk at the YMCA.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

17

The Chamber: Building A Better Tomorrow BELIEVE IT OR NOT, the first Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. came about in 1773 and was made up of tradesmen to protect commerce against local government. As time has progressed, Chambers of Commerce are not only more relevant, but they must serve multiple purposes and generations, from baby boomers to millennials. Though the basic needs of networking events, advocacy, education, and sales are the backbone, it is HOW we deliver it to our members that make the difference.

We are strong proponents of face-to-face time and the value of those building trust and connection. Hand in hand with this value we must embrace the diverse and changing needs of our members, as well as new members, because the times. We are CONSTANTLY changing while understanding that a fad today is the trend of tomorrow.

Today’s member business wants to see value in the events that they participate in, whether that is in increased visibility to increased bottom line. As a result, events that chambers produce must evolve to meet those needs as well as keep an eye on the trends.

Think of the Chamber of Commerce as a stock that you invest in. When we invest, we are IN and we are in to grow, and we hope for that eventual big payoff. When you invest in the Chamber, you are investing in the future of your business, and part of your area and community. When clientele see that chamber door decal, or that plaque on the wall or that directory listing in bold, they know that your business is invested in their community; to say not OF the community but IN it. That is the relationship that builds and that builds a better tomorrow.

Want to join our Chamber?

Give us a call or email us today!

Our Mission is to Serve, Promote and Enhance Economic Success!

1730 Schertz Parkway Schertz Texas 78154 210-619-1950

membership@thechamber.info www.thechamber.info

TALK OF THE TOWN

VFW Memorial Day Service The Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) honored the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces by hosting its 3rd Annual Memorial Day Ceremony with collaborative efforts from the City of Schertz. The ceremony began at 9:00 AM on May 29 at the Knights of Columbus adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Plaza on Schertz Parkway. The event was sponsored by VFW Post 8315 and the Ladies Auxiliary. VFW Post 8315 Past Commander, State of Texas - District-5 Incoming Commander and Retired USA Sergeant Major, Henry R. Conway, served as the Master of Ceremony. T he patriotic ceremony included the singing of the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance by Ronald Spalding VFW Post 8315 & State of Texas District-5 Commander, Invocation by Terri Reyes

VFW Post 8315 Auxiliary Senior Vice President and an address by guest speaker Mayor Michael Carpenter. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard took part in the Memorial Service. Samuel Clemens High School students also participated by playing Taps and serving as escorts.

Honored guests included Mayor Pro-Tem Cedric Edwards and Councilmembers Mark Davis, Ralph Gutierrez, Scott Larson, Robin Thompson, Angelina Kiser and Bert Crawford.

The VFW Post 8315 and Auxiliary would like to thank the City of Schertz, Knights of Columbus Counsel 6358, Samuel Clemens HS Band and JROTC, and the 2017 Memorial Day Committee Members.

Fire Works Banned in Schertz The Schertz Fire Department reminds residents that fireworks are prohibited in the city limits of Schertz. City Code of Ordinances 30.64 prohibits the sale, use, or possession of fireworks in the City.

While the area is no longer classified as within the drought zone reports by the Texas Forestry Service are showing we are dry which causes concern for fire growth. If you are unsure whether you reside within the city limits of Schertz, or are within 5000 feet of the city limits, you can go to the Interactive Map on the City’s website and type in your address. For more information, call the Fire Department at 210-619-1300.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

21

TALK OF THE TOWN

Volleyball Team Headed to Championship Tournament Tri-County Volleyball Association (TCVA) 15 Green club volleyball team qualified to compete at the Junior National Championship Tournament in Minneapolis June 26-29. This marked the 2nd year in a row the team has qualified for this prestigious tournament, which is unprecedented in the history of TCVA. Last year they competed at Nationals in Indianapolis. The team kicked off their season in November, practicing at least 3 times a week and playing in tournaments almost every other weekend. They have competed throughout Texas, as well as in Atlanta, GA. Qualifying for Nationals is extremely difficult. It’s the ultimate goal of every team across the country and very limited in nature regarding the number who qualify. In essence, it’s the Super Bowl of club volleyball.

Currently TCVA 15 Green is ranked 10th in the Lone Star Region, which consists of 266 teams and stretches all the way up to Waco, over to Houston and down to the tip of Texas.

Nationally, the team is ranked 118th out of 3,334 club teams within their age division. Congratulations to TCVA 15 Green for their accomplishments and for representing Schertz and the surrounding areas so well!

TCVA, a premier volleyball club, was founded to give area athletes interested in improving their volleyball skills an opportunity to advance to the next level with a concentration on both individual growth and team cohesion. TCVA teaches the values of teamwork, responsibility, commitment, selfdiscipline, and develops leadership skills. TCVA supports Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Converse and surrounding communities. For more information visit their website at: www.tcva-tx.org

Award-Winning Clemens Musician Three-time State Qualifier, a first for Samuel Clemens High School music programs, Azariah Reese has a lot to be proud of. He recently graduated from Samuel Clemens High School and is enrolled to major in Music Education at Texas State University in the fall.

Being musically inclined would be an understatement. He began his journey in music learning a string instrument the summer before his freshman year. At the same time, prior to his junior year he decided to join the Band, asking Head Band Director Robert Petrisky what instrument he should play. Petrisky assigned him tuba, and his progress learning the instrument was amazingly fast. So much, that by the end of the year he earned a silver medal for his solo performance at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest at the University of Texas in May of 2016. This was not enough for Azariah.

His senior year he began to practice singing. His advancement with this area of music ended up earning him a gold medal at this year’s Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Saturday, May 27, Azariah was a very busy competitor performing the first movement of “Concerto for Tuba” by Edward Gregson in the morning. In the afternoon he performed the vocal solo “Sea Fever” by Mark Andrews and “String Trio in D” by Ludwig Van Beethoven. This is the first time a Clemens student competed in three State events, covering all performing aspects of the music program: Band, Choir, and Orchestra. His two years of participation at this level has earned him five medals including a gold, two silver, and two bronze.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

23

FEATURE

Schertz Fire Chief Trades Fire Hose for Fishing Pole

By Melissa Geedman

S

chertz was fortunate to have brought David Covington to the City when the opportunity arose and the position became available back in 2007. Schertz Fire Chief, David Covington, will be retiring from the Fire Department after serving decades in the fire industry, the past ten years spent with the Schertz Fire Department.

Chief graduated from the San Antonio Fire Academy in 1976. Serving in the fire-fighting industry for 41 years, Covington has held just about every position. Chief Covington came to Schertz with over 30 years of experience from the City of San Antonio where he had served as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Captain, Chief of Training and Services, ARFF Coordinator, and retired from there as a District Chief. He has since been with Schertz where he has served as Fire Chief.

While Covington is proud of becoming Chief, he stated that he never had aspirations of being one. In a recent interview, however, he mentioned that it’s been great being Chief and being a part of the development of a great group of people. He continued to comment that he admires all of the firefighters he gets to work with and sees great reward by witnessing the crews evolve into strong leaders.

During his tenure as Fire Chief for Schertz, Covington has helped develop the department into what it is today. But keeping pace with the City’s growth required some expansion, including more personnel, new equipment, and the addition of Fire station #3 which was approved by voters in the 2015 Bond election. The City has also recently begun the purchasing and design of the new fire apparatus to occupy the new station, set to break ground in summer 2017. Over the years Covington has been proud of the growth and professional development of Schertz Fire Rescue.

When asked what his most fond memories of serving have been, Chief Covington said there were too many to name. Chief remembers fighting some big fires early in his career. One of the more memorable ones being the Tobin Center, formerly known as the Municipal Auditorium, when a fire had destroyed much of the building’s interior in 1979 and demolished the asbestos curtain beyond repair. He also commented that he had some fond memories working for the San Antonio Airport Fire Department where his Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting team specialized in aircraft crash fire suppression, passenger rescue, and first response for the airport. Covington had the opportunity to aid in the research of fire suppression and rescue, of which he and the FAA Technical Center burned a scrapped commercial airplane at San Antonio International Airport, capturing data and developing tactics for future aircraft disasters efforts. This data has been used by the FAA and cited by the NTSB in recommendations on aircraft firefighting.

Covington admits that he has thoroughly enjoyed the educational and research contributions throughout his career. Aside from his active role in the Fire department, Covington has spent several years partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Chief has contributed to the Making the Connection Traffic Incident Management in Transportation Planning document where input from

continued on page 26 schertzmagazine.com schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017 JULY 2017

25 25

FEATURE Schertz Fire Chief Trades Fire Hose for Fishing Pole cont’d from page 25 practitioners from metropolitan planning organizations, State departments of transportation, public safety agencies, and other organizations took part in developing the primer. The intent of this primer is to inform and guide traffic incident management (TIM) professionals and transportation planners to initiate and develop collaborative relationships and advance TIM programs through the metropolitan planning process. The primer aims to inspire planners and TIM professionals to create transportation plans and programs that support regional TIM programs through TIM-focused objectives, performance measures, and TIM strategies and projects.

has been invaluable to me and the Fire Department. His leadership and guidance have been instrumental in moving the department forward as we have grown.

Although he will be missed, we wish him all the best and a happy retirement.”

“It has been an honor to serve under Chief Covington,” Schertz Assistant Fire Chief, Kade Long said. “His 41 years of experience

Now Chief Covington has decided it’s time to retire from the career he’s devoted his life to. “It’s time for me to move on,” Chief

Covington said in a recent interview.

“I want to thank the fire departments and all of the firefighters I’ve worked with over the past several years,” he said.

When discussing his post-retirement plans, Covington said with a laugh, “fish, rest, repeat” and that’s exactly what he anticipates doing. He said he’s ready to take some time to enjoy some fishing and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Chief said he still plans to work with the Federal Highway Administration traveling around the United States teaching Traffic Incident Management to first responders. Covington also mentioned that he might also return to teaching some college courses.

Transitioning into the role as Schertz Fire Chief is Kade Long who has been with the City of Schertz since August 2015 serving as Assistant Fire Chief. Kade was welcomed to Schertz after several years with Duncanville and Vernon, Texas. According to Covington, “Chief Long hit the ground running when he arrived here in 2015. I am confident that he will take the Schertz Fire Rescue Department to an even higher level of service and professionalism.”

Chief Covington’s official last day with the Fire Department will be July 31, 2017.

26

JULY 2017

schertzmagazine.com

FEATURE

New Passion for a Historic Sport

By Kira Villarreal

T

ess Shelton’s discovery of the sport of mounted archery almost seems like fate.

The 23-year old Schertz resident had been riding horses since the age of five and had learned a few things about using a bow and arrow from her father, an avid bow hunter. So when a friend at the stables invited her to the South Texas Archery Riders practice range about a year ago, she was intrigued and agreed to go along. Little did she know that she’d discover a new passion for a very old sport so close to home.

A year later, Shelton has just returned from a 17-day whirlwind trip to Europe, where she participated in an intense four-day training camp and competed in the Grunwald International Mounted Archery Games near Warsaw, Poland,

along with 41 other competitors from 11 different countries. She’s accomplished a great deal in the past year, and she’s just getting started!

In the United States, many people associate mounted archery with the Native Americans, but the practice dates back thousands of years to when people first began riding horses in the Eurasian Steppe. This method of combat was so powerful that it was adopted from Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the far reaches of Asia. As the use of gunpowder became widespread, the horse and bow was quickly made obsolete. In the last twenty years, however, mounted archery has seen a huge revival as countries all over the world try to recreate their lost heritage of this equestrian martial art.

continued on page 28 schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

27

FEATURE Mounted Archery cont’d from page 27

Today, mounted archery competitions can be found all over the United States and throughout Europe, and the international community has set some basic standards for these competitions.

Participants ride along a track, generally 90 to 120 meters in length, while shooting arrows at various targets placed along the track. Since the sport requires riders to let go of the reins and shoot their targets while riding full speed, superior equestrian skills are required, along with excellent marksmanship

28

JULY 2017

and stamina. The number of targets and length of the track varies depending on the style of mounted archery being practiced. Shelton practiced and competed on Polish, Korean, and Hungarian style tracks during her European training camp and at the Grunwald Games. Here in the United States, the Mounted Archery Association of the Americas is the oldest horse archery organization, and it has helped to establish mounted archery clubs around the country.

When Shelton first discovered the sport at the South Texas

schertzmagazine.com

Archery Riders practice range in Marion, Texas she was instantly hooked. “Something just clicked immediately for me, the first time I tried it,” she said. She soon joined the South Texas Archery Riders and began practicing every chance she could get. But Shelton wasn’t the only one who needed to get familiar with her new sport. Her horse, Pierre, is still learning as well. For now, she generally borrows her friends’ horses when she practices.

After just ten months, Shelton had progressed enough to be able to participate in her first

competition, and was fortunate to have an opportunity very close to home. In March 2017, she entered the South Texas Archery Riders Competition, held at the Guadalupe Hills Stables in Seguin, Texas.

Shelton’s mother, Teri, was not familiar with the sport before her daughter started practicing it, but now she’s one of her biggest fans and was there to cheer her on in Seguin. “It was pretty awesome,” she says about seeing her daughter compete for the first time.

After the competition, Shelton

It was fun and intense and very physically and mentally demanding.

knew that she wanted to continue sharpening her skills and seeking out new competition opportunities.

Just a few months later, she was given the opportunity to do just that when she learned about a four-day training workshop near Warsaw, Poland. Immediately following the camp, the Grunwald International Mounted Archery Games would take place. In May 2017, Shelton made the trip to Poland for both events.

She describes the training workshop as a boot camp, where participants were riding

and shooting six hours per day.

There were 12 participants representing seven different countries, and everyone practiced multiple exercises daily, on the ground as well as on the horse. “It was fun and intense and very physically and mentally demanding. It also really gave me the tools I needed to help improve my skills,” Tess said.

Shelton practices shooting on the ground nearly every day but doesn’t get to practice daily on a horse because she doesn’t have her own track. According to her mother, that may soon change.

“We’re currently looking at buying a new home in the country, possibly in Marion or Seguin,” said Teri Shelton. “Our plan is to build our own archery course right in our backyard.”

The Grunwald Games were a likewise intense, yet extremely exciting experience for Shelton. Held on a famous fifteenth century battlefield, the competition encompassed several different styles of mounted archery and included competitors from all over the world. Participants completed six runs of the Korean Track, nine runs of the Hungarian course and two different Polish hunt tracks.

Shelton looks forward to training her horse Pierre to participate with her in competition, and she has recently begun making her own arrows as well. Among other things, her new sport has taught

her patience, perseverance and many other valuable skills that will help her throughout her life. In particular, she notes the difficulty of the mental aspect of the sport. “What I find most challenging is remaining in a state of intense, calm, conscious, focus,” she explained.

“It’s not just training your hands to shoot the bow, or your legs to ride the horse. You have to train your mind to make the shot.”

Although Shelton admits that she still has much to learn, she’s proud of how far she has come in just a year, and she looks forward to the new adventures that await.

Both the Grunwald Games and the South Texas Archery Riders Competition were open tournaments, which means that Shelton did not have to qualify in order to participate. Qualifying events, known as Grand Prix, are held throughout Europe, but there are none in the United States as of yet. Shelton hopes that someday, she will participate in a Grand Prix event, but she wants to spend the next year focusing on training and improving her skills. “My first two competitions were learning experiences for me,” said Shelton. “Now I’ll train for longer and when I do compete again I will be hopefully at a higher level.”

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

29

By Brittany Losey

L

oose change – whether laying heads up in a parking lot, jingling about at the bottom of a washing machine, or tucked away neatly in a purse, we often overlook the value of these small coins. The students of Watts Elementary, however, discovered the power of pennies this past spring as they raised over $500 in spare change to forever transform the lives of several Schertz residents, both human and canine. They were able to do this by donating their money to the Schertz Animal Shelter, which was able to then pay to treat a heartworm-positive German Shepherd and unite him with a home.

FEATURE

Pennies for Pets

“It was as joint venture between our leadership groups, Student Council and Meet in the Middle,” said Autumn Heyman, teacher at Watts Elementary and advisor for Meet in the Middle.

“Each year, we do a campus-wide service project that is led by those committees. They voted and chose the animal shelter.”

Once the students had chosen their desired charity, the fundraiser began. The first step in the process was a campus-wide assembly to raise awareness. A video was produced for the assembly by students of Meet in the Middle, which is a group comprised of general education and special education students designed to promote inclusion and acceptance. The video explained what the shelter is, what services they provide, and what types of needs they have.

The project became a very holistic learning experience for Watts students, rather than just another service plan. In connection with the fundraiser, students also did a rabies awareness unit in conjunction with a statewide art conference that several Watts students participated in. The visits from the animals also created much more hands-on memories for the students.

continued on page 33

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

31

FEATURE Pennies for Pets cont’d from page 31

“They came to school so everyone got to experience it, which makes it so much bigger than just collecting coins. It makes it more concrete. You actually get to pet and touch the thing.”

Letters detailing the fundraiser were sent home to parents as the project began. Each classroom was given a jar for students to bring in spare change for a two-week period.

The classrooms competed to raise the most money, and the highest earning grade level was rewarded with a popsicle party (this honor would end up going to the 2nd graders). Another incentive to collect this money was the promise of hanging their photo on the pet wall.

“Any student who brought in at least $1 got to also bring in a picture of themselves with their pet, either a real animal or stuffed animal.” Heyman said. “We put those up all over the walls and decorated them on a posterboard that said “We love our pets”.

We left those up for a while – the kids really enjoyed seeing themselves with their animals.”

After the two-week collection period, the groups leading the project figured out how much money was collected and was then donated.

While students were initially briefed in different routine ways the money might be used at the shelter toward food or maintenance costs, the outcome ended up being much more personal and real. This money was going to one specific dog – a German Shepherd with a potentially bleak future, due to his heartworm diagnosis.

While heartworm is easy to prevent, it is difficult and costly to cure. However, the combination of the money from the fundraiser and the skilled and caring hands of Dr. Rodriguez at the Schertz Animal Hospital was enough to change that outcome and give new life to this pup, who would soon be adopted and called “Toby” by his new family. Not only was Toby treated for his heartworm, but he was given top care by Dr. Rodriguez who also included lab work and x-rays to ensure that Toby would have a fresh start in his new home.

happy, healthy pet united with a welcoming owner. While celebrating the happy ending to this story today, Rodriguez hopes it will have future ramifications as well.

“It’s a nice thing that I can do to give back to the community,” Rodriguez said. “I was there at the school, and it brought a big smile to my face. I’m always the type of person that likes to be behind the scenes.”

“It was really cool for them to see it all come to fruition,” Heyman said. “They don’t always get to see that.

"All those kids are probably going to remember that pet,” Rodriguez says. “And maybe when they’re older, they will be responsible pet owners.”

Rodriguez hopes that one day, these students, along with current pet owners will invest in protection for their animals against this serious, but highly preventable disease.

Heyman notes that the entire project did have a meaningful impact on the students of Watts. Unlike some projects where just a few students might deliver care packages and see the results of their work, the entire student body was able to physically see and feel the outcome of their efforts.

While Rodriguez may have been working behind the scenes, his work took center stage as students were able to see the

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

33

CIVIC NEWZ

Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz

City of Schertz Wins 5 State Awards The City of Schertz Public Affairs team recently attended the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in Lakeway, TX. The Public Affairs team submitted entries of work done this past year and were proud to be finalists in 5 categories.

The TAMI Awards, founded in 2001, distinguish the efforts of municipal communications and marketing professionals around the state. This year there were 320 submissions for the TAMI Awards. The winners were announced at the special TAMI Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 8.

Awards accepted include:

TAMIO is an active network of communications professionals dedicated to informing Texas residents of important issues in municipal government. TAMIO was developed as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. When organized in 1974, only a few Texas cities employed professional communications staffs. Today, TAMIO has a increasing number of public information professionals serving small communities as well as urban centers throughout the state.

•

TAMI Award for Brochures, Flyers, Posters (Population under 70K) – Trunk or Treat Flyer

•

TAMI Award for Best Photography – February cover of Schertz Magazine

•

Award of Excellence for Most Creative with Least Dollars (Population under 120K) – Trunk or Treat Event

•

Award of Excellence for Internal Communications (Population under 100K) – Schertz Strong Wellness Program

•

Award of Honor for External Newsletter or Magazine (Population under 60K) – Schertz Magazine

Filing for Schertz City Council Election starts July 24 The City of Schertz will be holding its General Election on November 7, 2017 for the purpose of electing Council Members in Place 3, Place 4 and Place 5 for a three-year term, from November 2017 to November 2020.

Any candidate desiring to have his or her name on the Official Ballot shall, no sooner than July 22, 2017, (since the 22nd falls on a Saturday and City offices are closed) the date moves to Monday, July 24, 2017 and no later than August 21, 2017, file with the City Secretary an application in writing in the form prescribed by the Texas Election Code requesting that his or her name be placed on the Official Ballot and declaring themselves as a candidate.

All candidates for office in the City of Schertz must, at the time of filing for office, have attained the age of eighteen or older on the first day of the term of office applied for, be a registered voter, and have been a resident of the City for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the deadline for filing for an application for a place on the ballot.

The Candidate packet is available in the City Secretary’s office at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 2, or it can be found online at www.schertz.com. Should you have any questions, please contact the City Secretary’s office at (210) 619-1030.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

35

CIVIC NEWZ

Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz

Jr. Fire Academy All Fired Up! Schertz Fire Rescue held its 2nd Annual Jr. Fire Academy June 12 -16. The academy consisted of twenty-two 5th and 6th grade students who learned various firefighting skills.

Lieutenant Carl Schultze organized the academy, and firemen from each shift helped with the various activities.

The academy kicked off on Monday morning with a Pancake breakfast cooked by Schertz firefighters. The day followed with lessons on fire service history, a PPE/SCBA demo, physical agility training, a look into the fire safety house, fire Extinguisher training, and Ladder exercises.

On Tuesday Lt. Clint Williams led the academy with vehicle extrication, fire streams and pump ops.

Wednesday was hazmat training day led by Lt. Chris Deady.

Students were able to get hands on by putting on the hazmat suits and learning about specialized hazmat skills.

Thursday students participated in search and rescue, RIT DEMO fire studio, and fire chemistry activities.

On Friday, the final day of the academy, was spent doing ropes, confined space, repelling, and rope rescue training led by a handful of firefighters.

The Fire Department held a graduation pizza party on Friday, June 9 to wrap up the academy.

“The second annual Jr. Fire Academy was a huge success,” said Assistant Fire Chief, Kade Long. “Lt. Carl Schultze did an outstanding job planning and coordinating this year's academy.”

“The firefighters' enthusiasm and hard work made the academy a fun learning experience for the kids,” said Long.

“We look forward to planning next year's Jr. Fire Academy and are looking to add a citizen’s fire academy in the future.”

The Schertz Fire Department would like to extend a big thank you to all of the outstanding sponsors that helped make this year’s academy a success: Mattenga's Pizza, FarrWest, CVS, Wal-Mart, A-1 Fire & Safety, Schertz Professional Firefighters Association, and Roadrunner Towing.

36

JULY 2017

schertzmagazine.com

Schertz PD News 55th Annual National Police Week This May marked the 55th year of National Police Week since President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 designating May 15th as Police Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

Beginning in 2013, the City of Schertz and Cibolo began alternating hosting the memorial ceremony, and this year Schertz hosted the ceremony on May 17. The ceremony was scheduled to take place in the parking lot in front of the Municipal Building, but due to inclement weather, was moved inside the Schertz Civic Center.

With the help of City staff and volunteers the ceremony was a true memorial to the Texas officers who paid the ultimate price in 2016. In 2016, the national line of duty deaths were 145, with 19 of those in Texas. Following the ceremony, guests and city staff were invited to enjoy a steak lunch donated by Geoff Nienstedt of Roadrunner Towing. There were several others who worked hard to make the ceremony a special one to include Tas Leasman who provided the cook trailer and labor, Contreras Flower Shop, the Samuel Clemens Band, San Antonio Pipes and Drums and several other City staff members and volunteers.

Throughout National Police Week, Schertz Police Department received an outpouring of support from the community, with generous cards and assorted goodies donated. Thank you for all of the community’s support as we honored the brothers and sisters in blue.

Battle of the Badges On Saturday, May 20 the Schertz Police and Fire Departments participated in their first Battle of the Badges fundraising basketball game.

The final score was PD 92, Fire/EMS 41. A total of $708 in cash and gift cards was raised and awarded to Clemens Criminal Justice student, Reagan Aldersea.

Reagan attended Samuel Clemens High School and was enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program. Students were asked to submit an essay as to what benefits they gained from taking the course, and how they think it will impact their future. Reagan was chosen to receive the scholarship based on her submission.

The event was a huge hit, and there is talk about a rematch next year.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

37

EMS Educates Schools on CPR In recognition of National EMS Week (May 21- May 27), Schertz Emergency Medical Services visited eleven schools in SCUCISD teaching students what to do in emergency situations. Each school was given a presentation with age-relevant information. Pre-K thru first grade was taught how to dial 911 in emergency situations, while grades second through sixth were educated on some basics of the circulatory and respiratory system and how that relates to CPR. They then were trained on actually doing CPR. EMS incorporated fun learning techniques into their presentations including using popular kids music with 100 beats per minute to conduct CPR.

“It is important to expose children to emergency situations at such young ages so they’re prepared at any given time,” said Kellie Burnam, Community Health Manager for Schertz EMS. EMS anticipates continuing to educate students around the area on how to handle emergencies and the basics of CPR and hopes to involve students in educational classes such as these for years to come.

EMS Golf Tournament a Success The Schertz EMS annual Golf Tournament was once again a great success! We would not have been able to have such an amazing event without our Sponsors and Players. We had some tough competitors this year and ended with three top teams, but all was in good fun and for a good cause. First place: Coopers BBQ Sponsored Team: Mark Lehmann, James Sellers, Garon Shuler, Kenneth Jacks; Second Place: Seguin PFFA Team: JT Bradford, Dale Skinner, Danny Klaus, Ainsleigh Bradford Third Place: American Medical & Rehab Company Team: Chris Klaus, Tony Hill, Rick Farrar, Matt Hubble.

The Golf Tournament helps benefit our Community outreach programs. This year because of our monies raised we were able teach CPR to 11 schools in our community. “Every Player and every Sponsor makes a big difference in our Community and we appreciate all of them,” said Toni Bradford, Operations Manager of Schertz EMS.

Thank you to our sponsors: Baptist Health System, Methodist Health System, MVBA Attorneys, Coopers BBQ, University Health System, The Beck Family, Schertz Cibolo Emergency Clinic, WoodCreek Vapory, Linebarger Attny at Law, Republic Beverage

CIVIC NEWZ

Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz

O BEAT TIPSTHE TO HEAT! BEAT THE HEAT!

ATEd

KEEP HydrATEd Non-essential strenuous LIMIT

IPS TO BEAT THE HEAT!

LIMIT

activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Non-essential strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.

AvOId

Alcohol and caffeine as they can make dehydration worse.

KEEP HydrATEd

AvOId

LIMIT

hower elp you

Alcohol and caffeine as they can make dehydration worse.

Non-essential strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.

SOAK

Take a cool shower or bath to help you cool down.

AvOId

Alcohol and caffeine as they can make dehydration worse.

SOAK

BE COOL

Take a cool shower or bath to help you cool down.

Stay indoors and make use of fans or air-conditioners.

BE COOL

rEST

rEST

ake sure you get nough sleep, and rest you feel tired.

ESH

Make sure you get enough sleep, and rest if you feel tired.

EAT FrESH

cold foods ads or fruit.

Try eating cold foods such as salads or fruit.

Stay indoors and make use of fans or air-conditioners.

BE COOL

Stay indoors and make use of fans or air-conditioners.

CHECK On OTHErS

Including children, elderly, people with medical conditions and don’t forget your pets!

CHECK On OTHErS

Including children, elderly, people with medical conditions and don’t forget your pets!

SEEK SHAdE

When outside.

CHECK On OTHErS

Including children, elderly, people with medical conditions and don’t forget your pets!

dOwn SEEK SHAdEdrESS Wear light weight clothing When outside. drESS dOwn and be sun-smart.

Wear light weight clothing and be sun-smart.

Be on the lookout for any symptoms of heat related illness. onunwell. the lookout for any symptoms of heat related illness.

See your GP if youBe are See your GP if you are unwell.

In a medical emergency call 000.

In a medical emergency call 000.

For more information on extreme heat pleaseheat visit For more information on extreme When outside.please visit http://health.act.gov.au/health-services/population-health/summer-safety http://health.act.gov.au/health-services/population-health/summer-safety

HwATCH OUT OUT

SEEK SHAdE

drESS dOwn

Wear light weight clothing and be sun-smart.

schertzmagazine.com

© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra | www.health.act.gov.au | www.act.gov.au | Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281

JULY 2017

Be on the lookout for any symptoms of heat related illness.

See your GP if you are unwell.

39

Planning & Community Development

From the Development Whiteboard What is Zoning and the History Behind It? By: Emily Grobe, Planner I Some of the most frequent questions planning staff receives are “What is zoning, what is my property zoned for, and why does the City have zoning?�. The primary function of zoning is to establish the types of land uses permitted on a specific tract of land. Zoning also helps regulate the size, intensity, and height of development.

Zoning, in its simplest form, dates back in American history to 1791, in Washington D.C. At this time in history, zoning was used to regulate the use of combustible materials. An example of this was an Act passed in Georgetown in 1822 which stated that no frame house intended to be occupied as a blacksmith’s shop, factory, or livery stable, shall be erected within 50 feet of any store or brick house.

Moving to 1926, the United States Supreme Court in Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. overturned the decisions of the lower courts and deemed that a zoning ordinance is a legitimate exercise of police power by a municipality. In other words, the Supreme Court ruled that zoning did not violate the due process clause of the federal Constitution.

The Supreme Court decision led many cities across the United Stated to enact zoning regulations.

The City of Schertz adopted the first zoning ordinance on November 28, 1974. This ordinance established zoning regulations and divided the City into districts. Since this original zoning ordinance, there have been many revisions and rezones approved through the City Council ultimately resulting in our current zoning map, which continues to change. However, with all of the revisions and rezones the overall zoning classifications have remained relatively the same.

Within the City of Schertz there are two basic categories, residential and non-residential. Residential is considered homes or dwellings that include single family homes, and

40

multifamily homes/apartments. Non-Residential consists of commercial uses ranging from retail shops, schools, to manufacturing. Within the two categories of residential and non-residential there are more specific districts. For example under the non-residential classification there are seven different districts. These districts range from Office & Professional to Manufacturing Heavy. The districts are a way of differentiating the intensity of the commercial use.

Similarly to the non-residential classification, residential has different districts. These residential districts are used to differentiate the density and lot dimensions allowed in each zoning district. In total the City of Schertz has 30 different zoning districts / overlays.

By using these zoning districts, City staff is able to determine what land uses are permitted, the minimum lot size and dimensions (area square footage, width, and depth of the lot), the minimum yard setbacks (the distance between the property line and the building), the maximum height in feet the building is allowed to be constructed, and the maximum impervious cover (the amount of land area that is allowed to be of an impervious material).

The City of Schertz zoning information can be viewed in visual form using the maps provided on the Maps/ GIS Department page. Additionally, the uses allowed and other information that is determined via the zoning designation on the property can be found online by visiting the City of Schertz website, and reviewing the Planning & Zoning Division webpage, and selecting Unified Development Code, specifically Article 5.

The Planning Division staff is happy to answer any questions about the zoning of a current property and what would be permitted there. To ask a Planning staff member about zoning, please call 210-619-1780 or email planning@schertz.com .

Emily Grobe, Planner 1 Planners assist the general public with planning, zoning and development concerns and inquiries. Planners are also responsible for performing a variety of tasks including plat & plan review, ordinance writing, interpreting state laws and codes, and project research.

JULY 2017

schertzmagazine.com

CIVIC NEWZ Chipping Service Dos and Donts

REAN Notifications In an effort to improve communication during emergency situations, the City of Schertz encourages residents to register for the Regional Emergency Alert Network (REAN) system. Use of this system allows local public safety officials the ability to send mass notifications to registered users through both land-lines and a variety of electronic devices during a natural or manmade emergency in the area.

Traditional systems similar to this were previously limited strictly to land-line phones. Guadalupe, Comal, and Bexar Counties have improved the system and now register multiple means of communication so that mobile contact information is included in the 911 database.

It is important to note that citizens must be registered in REAN to receive notifications. During the registration process users are able to opt-in to receive emergency notifications via phone call, text messaging, and/or email based on addresses that they specify (home, work, school, parent's house, etc.). Alerts will be disseminated during the duration of an emergency and will cease to broadcast when public safety officials deem the imminent threat has passed or activation settings expire.

The REAN system also allows public safety officials to send mass notifications to users during large events or other occasions when roads may be closed and detours should be noted in case of emergency.

Registration is available at schertz.com. The information provided during registration is for emergency notification purposes only and will not be shared with any other entity.

Once registered, a conformation email will be sent to registrants and they must respond using the link in the email to activate the service.

The City of Schertz provides a Curb Side Chip service during the year for Schertz Residents. Chipping service will be performed on Fridays during normal business hours. You may sign up for an appointment on line at Schertz.com (upper right hand corner – main page) or at 210.619.1800 to schedule appointments.

Appointments will be scheduled according to availability. In the event of unforeseen delays, including weather, chip jobs not done Friday will be completed the following Monday.

All brush and tree limbs must be at the front of the curb of the billing address and stacked neatly for easy access (parked vehicles cleared of brush pile) with ABSOLUTELY NO TREE STUMPS PLACED ON TOP OF LIMBS. All brush must be curbside by 7:30 am on date of scheduled service.

Stumps must be cut 18 inches in length and less than 12 inches in width (or split in half) in order for pickup and must be placed in a separate pile along curb. Stumps will not be chipped, but must be accessible and able to be lifted by a single person in order to be removed from location. These guidelines must be followed or stumps will not be removed.

Brush pile guidelines are as follows: Brush should not be stacked more than 5ft in height and limbs should not be longer than 7ft in length.

The following items will not be picked up: NO LUMBER, PALM TREE LIMBS, CACTUS LIMBS OF ANY KIND, HOUSEHOLD TRASH. ETC. This is a brush removal service only. NO EXCEPTIONS. City employees will not go onto private property to drag brush and/ or tree limbs to the curb Line, they will not enter alleys, easements or undeveloped lots to chip brush. NO EXCEPTIONS.

This is a residential service only.

Any work performed by hiring of a contractor from resident will be the responsibility of resident to have contractor remove all limbs and debris. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Chips will not be shoveled out of truck or shot into resident yard with chipper.

A fee of $25.00 per half hour will be assessed for pickup and chipping (charge will appear on customer water bill).

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

41

CIVIC NEWZ

Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz

Schertz Budget Meetings

Hal Baldwin Scholarship Winner On May 23, 2017 City Council approved Resolution 17-R-32 awarding the 2017 Hal Baldwin Scholarship to Ms. Grace Harper.

Prior to this approval, Council appointed a five-member advisory committee in February 2017 to assist the City Council with the annual scholarship process. Among the applications that were submitted for consideration, Ms. Harper was selected by the committee to receive the full amount of this year’s scholarship, $5,000. She is a graduate from St. John Paul II Catholic High School and will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.

The Hal Baldwin Scholarship was established in 2009 to encourage high school seniors who are residents of Schertz to consider public service as a career path in education, local, state and/or federal government. The scholarship honors Hal Baldwin, who served the City for more than 30 years as a civic volunteer, an employee, a Councilmember, and Mayor.

Funds for the Hal Baldwin Scholarship come from donations and profits from the Hal Baldwin Golf Tournament which is held annually in the fall; this year the tournament will be on November 3, 2017 at Olympia Hills Golf and Event Center. To date, over $25,000 has been awarded in scholarship money.

The city staff looked to the citizens in a citywide survey last November and with the Council on the Go meetings held over the past few months to give feedback on what services the City should prioritize going forward. Citizen direction and feedback is even more important for a City experiencing growth like Schertz. Based on the feedback received those priorities are road maintenance and expansion, park maintenance, new trails and recreation activities, improved code enforcement, Fire Station #3, Police services, and stormwater and drainage services. These areas will be looked to while the FY 201718 Budget is put together. Please join staff in the August community budget meetings for an in-depth look at the proposed budget and see how staff is moving to address those priorities in the coming year. Go to Schertz.com for more information.

Community input is an important part of the budget process.

Feedback from the community provides valuable direction for City Council and City Officials. We will be hosting 3 Post Budget events held in August. We look forward to hearing from you!

August 10th 6:30pm-8:30pm Schertz United Methodist Church 3460 Roy Richard Dr, Schertz, TX 78154 August 17th 6:30pm-8:30pm North Community Center 3501 Morning Dr, Schertz, TX 78108 TBD-6:30pm-8:30pm Corbett Middle School 12000 Ray Corbett Dr , Schertz, TX 78154

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

43

CIVIC NEWZ

Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz

Mr. Richmond Receives Service Recognition David Richmond, Chairman of the Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission, has served as a volunteer on the Schertz Planning & Zoning Commission for over 24 years. He was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission in November 1992, elected Vice-Chairman in October 1994, and elected Chairman in November 2000.

As a Planning and Zoning Commission member Mr. Richmond has always welcomed input from residents and others interested in the development of the community. Additionally, his positive helpful attitude has fostered an environment where developers and residents work together to successfully develop the community in keeping with the vision of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

His efforts in building consensus among diverse interest groups has been instrumental in achieving support for various amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and updates to the Unified Development Code. By steadfastly serving the community for over two decades, he has gained the trust of the Schertz City Council who shows a great deal of deference to the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission of which Mr. Richmond is the Chairman. His willingness to keep an open mind and stay up to date on trends in planning have made him an effective leader in the community and in particular a strong proponent of planning in Schertz. Mr. Richmond received the Planning Commissioner of

the Year award for 2015 from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.

During his tenure on the commission, Mr. Richmond has witnessed the City’s population grow from approximately 10,000 to almost 40,000 and through his leadership and service, has helped shape our community into what it is today.

We would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Richmond for the many years of leadership and volunteer service that he has provided to the City of Schertz.

schertzmagazine.com

JULY 2017

45

CIVIC NEWZ LOOKING BACK July QUOTE OF NOTE “The challenge of history is to recover the past and introduce it to the present.�

David Thelen

#INFO IMPORTANT SCHERTZ

PHONE NUMBERS Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter

Council Members:

LOCAL HISTORY

In July 1903, a tent revival held at what is today the 500 block of Main Street, Schertz, Texas was led by a resident doctor named Dr. R. L. Graham. Dr. Graham made an urgent request for a church to be built in Schertz. William Schneider responded with a donation of an acre of his land upon which the church could be built.

The church was constructed in 1904 and was named Schertz Emanuel Methodist Church. The church still stands at the corner of First and Church Streets. The building remains a house of worship, although under a different name and denomination.

TEXAS HISTORY

On July 4, 1845, the convention to consider the joint resolution of the United States Congress proposing the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States assembled in Austin, Texas. By a vote of fifty-five to one the delegates approved the offer of annexation. Subsequently the convention prepared the Constitution of 1845 for the new state.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

46

JULY 2017

schertzmagazine.com

Mark Davis Ralph Gutierrez Scott Larson Cedric Edwards, Sr. Robin Thompson Angelina Kiser Bert Crawford

(210) 619-1045

(210) 376-9141 (210) 376-9231 (210) 376-9835 (210) 566-4540 (210) 204-8649 (210) 376-9579 (210) 376-9780

City Departments:

City of Schertz (210) 619-1000 Animal Control (210) 619-1550 Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100 City Manager (210) 619-1000 City Secretary (210) 619-1030 Civic Center (210) 619-1600 Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000 Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com

IMPORTANT SCHERTZ WEBSITES

schertz.com visitschertz.com schertzmagazine.com Like us on Facebook

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154

tour us today

Only a few suites remaining

Call now to take advantage of our suite deals!

(210) 305-5713

5001 Schertz Pkwy

alf #106371