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send queries about articles or photographs to schertz Magazine at 1400 schertz Parkway,

schertz, Texas 78154.

subscriptions to schertz Magazine are free for each schertz household. subscriptions for residents and businesses outside the city of

schertz are $19.95 annually. call 210-619-1630.

For advertising information:

schertz Magazine, 1400 schertz Parkway, schertz, Texas 78154; call (210) 619-1630; Fax (210) 619-

1619; email [email protected].

news POLicYschertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. news and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. if you would like to submit an item to schertz Tales, email us at [email protected] 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 Tales, 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.

Contributing WritersB.E. Bailey, Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Brittany Losey, Julie Cooper,

Laura Stella Reyes, Lucille Sims Thomas, Andrea Allinger, David Covington, Cathy Penshorn, Kari Bridges, Shawna Frakes,

Elise Baker, Airman Alexis Siekert

PhotographersB.e. Bailey, chuck Mccollough, Mary

spence, Mike harris, diana webb, Bryan nguyen, Joe herczeg, Julie cooper, Lucille

sims Thomas, david covington, Andrea Allinger, Kari Bridges, richard Termine, rich

McFadden, chrystina straughan

schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs department of the city of

schertz. Our mailing address is 1400 schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. The official publication of the city of schertz promotes

city, community, and business activities associated with the city. © 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.

Mayorhal Baldwin

City CouncilJim Fowler

david scagliolaMichael carpenter

cedric edwards, sr.george Antuna, Jr.

Executive ManagementJohn Kessel, city Manager

John Bierschwale, Assistant city Manager

david J. harris, Assistant city Manager

PUBLished MOnThLY BY The

schertz Public Affairs Office

B. E. Bailey director, Public Affairs, Publisher

Chuck McCollough editor

Alexis Souza creative director

Chris Matzenbacher sales director

Mary Spence Business Manager

Linda Ervin Administrative Assistant

Shelby O’Neill copy editor

Brittany Losey senior writer

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F E A T U R E Z

21

KnighT sOUnds iMPress new YOrK Carnegie Hall Comes alive witH steele Band musiC

Local Music students Play Like Pros in the venerable venue of the Big Apple.

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BAcKBOne OF The ArMed FOrcesmilitary City Counts on its Civilian personnel

More than 30,000 civilians keep local military installations on mission and a growing number live in the schertz area.

FiLMed On LOcATiOn in...sCHertZ sHares stage at premier oF Cooper’

This heartfelt drama about love, loss and hope was filmed in and around our city and its parks.

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9 Talk of the Townz

15 visionz: news from the chamber of commerce

19 entertainment extraz

26 435th expansion

28 vanpool to Lackland

30 Maintainers Prep Aircraft

39 did you know this about schertz?

40 My Take: Tales from schertz Military wife & Mom

41 Bold history of the Flag

42 Bexar county volleyball Training champions

43 sweetheart court

44 Fitnezz

45 Focus: Larry dublin

46 government round-Up & calendar

Maggie Titterington, schertz chamber of commerce presi-dent, recreates “rosie The riveter,” the iconic character who symbolized the home-front spirit of civilian workers during world war ii. The rosie the riveter campaign helped recruit millions of civilian women to work in the war effort. civiLiAns

KeePrAndOLPh FLYingtHousands at work every day around tHe Base

From the iconic Taj Mahal to the always busy flight line, non-military employees work side by side with their uniformed brethren.25

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chertzhamber

fommerce

FRIDAY 7/16:00 PM Gates Open 6:00 - 8:30 PM DJ Ernest8:00 - 11:00 PM Airwave 80’s Rock Band SATURDAY 7/26:00 PM Gates Open 7:00 - 9:00 PM Cinco Doce9:30 - 11:00 PM Shelley Lares Band SUNDAY 7/36:00 PM Gates Open 6:00 - 8:30 PM Open Mic US9:00 - 11:00 PM Nick Lawrence Band

MONDAY 7/412:00 PM Gates Open Carnival, Food Vendors BBQ Cook Off 12:00 - 1:00 PM Opening Ceremonies CFAN Band1:00 - 4:00 PM Open Mic US2:00 - 3:00 PM Apple Pie Bake Off Judging4:00 - 5:00 PM Watermelon Eating Contest5:00 - 6:00 PM BBQ Awards / Apple Pie Awards6:00 - 7:30 PM MC and the Mystyx Country Band8:30 - 11:00 PM Brandon Rhyder

36th Annual Jubilee July 1-4, 2011 Pickrell ParkRegistration, Parade and Event Information at Schertz.com

&


I was born four years after World War II ended but I’ve always been fascinated by that global struggle and America’s part in it. As a kid in the ‘50s and teen in the ’60s, I learned more about the homefront effort to win WWII and the carryover importance of civilian workers in the Cold War era, especially those working at Kelly AFB. I heard and read how crucial civilian workers in San Antonio were to the national security and they still are today. The June issue of Schertz Magazine includes a salute to civilian

Saluting our workers and

neighborsworkers and the fact many are calling our area home, thanks to BRAC. We also look at two sides of entertainment in the Schertz area. First is a story on how and why a movie with a dog star was made in Schertz and second is a tale of how the Steele band performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Also look for a story on things you probably didn’t know about Schertz, and a new column about being a military spouse. All that and more in this month’s issue!

By Chuck McCollough, Editor



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Hopefully as you read this a lot of rain has fallen and you are mowing your yard twice a week and washing your car nearly as often. If not, then the Old Farmer’s Almanac was right-no appreciable amount of rain in the forecast through the summer months and that lack of rain is creating a dangerous addition to our wildfire season.

The wildfire season is in a tran-sition phase from winter wind-driven to a summer season in which fires are fuel-driven. Rates of spread will not be as dramatic, but fire behavior can be more explosive with a higher difficulty of control. Since fire season started on November 15, 2010, Texas Forest Service and area fire departments have responded to 9,575 fires that have charred 2,294,946 acres.

In a normal year, spring and early summer are not con-sidered parts of the wildfire season, but this is certainly not a normal year. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released May 5, “The seven-month precipitation total from October 1, 2010, to April 30, 2011, will be about 6.00 inches. This will be the driest such seven-month period on record. Data extends back to 1895. The previous record was 6.36 inches back in 1950-1951.”

A wildfire burns out of control in rugged land.

Schertz firefighters have travelled to several big

wildfires in West and North Texas to help

battle the big blazes.

By David CovingtonSchertz Fire Chief

The weather pattern continues to favor the rapid spread of fires in rural areas. Dry fronts have brought high winds and low relative humidity across nearly the entire state of Texas, which as you know, is HUGE! The Texas Forest Service, the National Forest Service, and the National Parks Service have joined thousands of local firefighters across the state of Texas in battling these blazes.

Hundreds of homes have been lost and two firefight-ers have died in these wildfires just this year.Schertz firefighters have joined others from our area on the Alamo Wildland Strike Team, an elite wildland team recognized by both the Texas Forest Service and the National Forest Service. Our firefight-ers have responded to fires with such exotic names as the Swenson Fire, The Pos-sum Kingdom Complex Fire, and the Deaton Cole Fire.

In all, our firefighters have helped put out fires cover-ing nearly half a million acres. They held back the fires from homes in Possum Kingdom, and trekked long hours into the canyons fighting fires by hand in the Deaton Cole Fire outside of Comstock, Texas.

The weather conditions along with cured grasses increase the potential for fire starts at home as well as in those far off areas. Fire rates of spread in grass fuels could reach 4 miles per hour with flame lengths 10 to 12 feet. This equates to flames the height of a one-story building burning the length of a football field in a minute.

Evacuations have been com-mon under these conditions. We live at what is called the wildland-urban interface where houses and subdivisions come into close proximity to fuels in the form of grasses, trees, and fallen timber and logs called slash in the wildland arena.

It was at that wildland urban interface in Possum Kingdom and other recent wildland fires where homes were threatened. Some were destroyed. Oth-ers were saved by firefighters or by just plain luck. But we don’t have to rely on luck in order to stay safe. We have areas within the city of Schertz that qualify as a wildland urban interface and there are actions we can take.

Please follow these simple rules to help us keep our area safe.

• Firewise at www.firewise.org is a resource for resi-dents to protect their home and property from wildfire.

• Develop an evacuation plan for your family. Resources are available on the Ready, Set, Go website and at www.texasfirestorm.org .

• Obey outdoor burning bans. Don’t burn trash or debris when conditions are dry or windy. Unsafe burning of leaves, brush, household trash and other debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in Texas.

• Keep lawn mowers and agri-cultural equipment in proper working condition and avoid rocks and other materials that might cause a spark.

• Keep gutters cleaned and free from combustible debris.

• If you barbecue, keep the fire in the pit and under control, and always wait several days before cleaning out the ashes and old coals, or place them in a metal container AWAY from any combustibles.

• To report suspicious activities, call the Arson Hotline at (888) 501-3850. If possible, safely obtain an accurate description of the person and/or vehicle (including the license number) before calling the hotline.

• Do not weld or cut with-out a spotter, a water source and a shovel.

• Remember, humans cause more than 90 per-cent of all wildfires.

Texas Wildfires

Schertz Cibolo Lions Club Go Fiesta!

Merritt Lakeside Senior Village

$25M Senior Facility Breaks Ground

City Officials took part May 5 in the groundbreaking for Merritt Lakeside Senior Village at 12222 Borgfeld Road. The $25-mil-lion project is expected to open in summer 2012. Shown above from left are: City Councilman Jim Fowler, Mayor Hal Baldwin, Councilmembers David Scagliola and Cedric Edwards Sr. and Merritt Lakeside Senior Village Developer Colby Denison.

New Fundraiser Ready to Fight Children’s Cancer

The First Annual Little Fighter Foundation BBQ & Con-cert will be held June 4 in Pickerell Park at the corner of Oak and Aero streets in Schertz. The event is spon-sored by Schertz Professional

Firefighters Association Local 4083. Activities include free face painting, a dunking booth and jumping castles for kids. For more information, visit [email protected]

B Y B r A d e . B A i L e Y ,M A r Y s P e n c e

A n d c h U c K M c c O L L O U g h

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TOwnzArea Artists Have Chance

to Create Fiesta Poster The Fiesta 2012 poster contest is under way. Artists at least 18 years old who live within 60 miles of San An-tonio have until July 8 to deliver their artwork to the Art Incorporated Gallery of Fine Art, 9401 San Pedro Ave. Each entry must be an original, two-dimensional work submitted by a single artist. The Fiesta Com-mission is encouraging artists to enter traditional me-dia (oil/acrylic/tempera, watercolors, illustrations, prints, etc.) as well as computer-generated works. The winning poster defines the “look” for many Fi-esta merchandise items: t-shirts, baseball caps, orna-ments, the official Fiesta poster pin and much more. The Fiesta Store, at 2611 Broadway, will open with of-ficial 2012 Fiesta merchandise in early November. Art Incorporated will accept entries through noon July 8. The gallery, in conjunction with the San Antonio Art Gallery Association and the Fiesta Commission, will select up to 10 semifinalists, and the Fiesta Com-mission is to choose the winner later that month. The winning artist will receive $5,000, be honored at the Fiesta San Antonio 2012 Poster Unveiling in No-vember and be recognized in the Fiesta 2012 Maga-zine. The artist also makes a number of appear-ances at The Fiesta Store® and other locations. Additional information is available at the commis-sion office, 2611 Broadway, and on its website,

www.fiesta-sa.org.

Cecilia Paz Mujica of Schertz created

the official 2011 Fiesta poster.

Clemens Gets Top Ten Score from National Group

Samuel Clemens High School has been named one of the Top 10 Best High Schools in the greater San Antonio area by Children at Risk, a Houston-based nonprofit research and advocacy group. In addition to being named to the Top 10 Best list, Clemens was also named to the Top 10 Most Improved High School List. The rankings were an-nounced in the April 10 issue of the San Antonio Express-News. The Children at Risk press con-ference was held on April 11 at Health Careers High School, a magnet school in Northside ISD, to formally announce the rankings of the schools in the greater San Antonio area.

Steele High School was ranked No. 18 on the list of 64 area high schools. To view the complete lists, go to http://childrenatrisk.org/research/school-rankings/san-antonio/. These lists measure how well San Antonio public schools are preparing students for post-secondary success. A total of 14 measures are used in the ranking process, including TAKS Commended percentages, graduation rate, participation in advanced coursework and performance on college entrance exams. For more information, visit www.childre-natrisk.org.

Seniors Get Chance to

Cut-A-Rug July 30 The Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation will hold a fundraiser called Summer Nights Dinner and Dance to benefit the Schertz Area Senior Center. The event will be held at the Schertz Area Senior Center on July 30. The cash bar opens at 6:30 PM, with dinner at 7:00 PM and dancing from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM with the Texas Weather Band. (paulccash.com) Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Senior Center at 608 Schertz Parkway. Call (210) 619-1974.


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Prize is a gift certificate for:

Win a Gift Certificate for a two-night stay at Plantation Suites

& Conference Center in Port Aransas.

1

2Locate the fish pictured below in one AD some-where in this issue of Schertz Magazine. Visit schertzmagazine.com and complete the entry form to be entered into this month’s drawing.

A winner will be chosen June 2011.

BARGAINZFind the “Z” at schertzmagazine.comfor exclusive offerz from our advertisers.

Locate the paper airplane pictured above in one AD somewhere in this issue of Schertz Magazine. Visit schertzmagazine.com and complete the entry form to be entered into this month’s drawing. A winner will be chosen June 2011.

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Schertz Municipal Building, Bldg #5, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154

Join us Sunday mornings at 10:30, and discover the practical difference Jesus can make in your life.


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Here is the Summer Schedule for City of Schertz Swimming Pools:

NorthcliffeJune 8– August 21 12:00-7:00 PM. Closed on Tuesdays for Cleaning(Pool closed July 4)

Pickrell ParkJune 7-August 21 12:00-7:00 PM. Closed on Mondays for Cleaning(Pool closed July 1-4)

Daily Pool Rates:Per Entry: $1.50Daily Pass: $4.00

Pool passes sold at the pools.

For more information call (210 619-1854

Time to Make A Splash! Pools Opening for Summer!

Three small pooches give their caretaker, Barbara Rojas, a breather after pulling her along during the Doggie Dash May 5. Also shown are some of the many other two- and four- legged event participants.

Hundreds of people and pooches took part in the 10th Annual Homes for Pets Wilenchik Memorial Doggie Dash at Schertz Saturday, May 14, from 7:00 to 11:00 AM in Pickrell Park. The event, which benefits the Schertz Hu-mane Society, included a 5K Fun Run and a 3K walk. For more information visit www.homesforpets.org.

Pooch Power Puts a lot of Bark in Doggie Dash

Cajun Fest = Gumbo, Chili And Fun

June 11The 4th Annual Cajun Fest -Gumbo & Chili Cook-off will be held June 11 from 11:AM to 6:00 PM in Pickrell Park. The event includes food, fun and a Gumbo and Chili cook-off. The is a $20 entry fee for gumbo and a $20 entry fee for chili or $35 total entry fee for both. Turn in time for chili is 2:00 PM. Turn in time for gumbo is 3:00 PM. Anyone interested in being a judge for either cook-off should call (210) 590-1863. The event also will include a classic car show, cake walk, dancing and live music! For more information please contact American Legion Post 592 at (210) 590-1863.

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July Jubilee Ready to Explode with Fun

In Schertz, it’s never too early to celebrate freedom! Join the City of Schertz and the Schertz Parks and Recreation Foundation for South Texas’ most established Fourth of July Celebration, the 36th Annual Schertz Jubilee brought to you by H-E-B!Join us for four days of family activi-ties, entertainment and delicious food! And what would Fourth of July be without Fireworks? Top off your celebration with the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:15 PM on July 4. Take your blanket or lawn chair to Pickrell Park on FM 1518, and enjoy the beautiful display of sound and color. For more informa-tion, visit www.schertz.com.

NFL Mascot Scores Big With Elementary Kids

The Houston Texan Football Team mascot, Toro, visited John Sippel Elementary School on April 15 to promote the TAKS test. Toro entertained students with funny movements, dances with teachers and students and acrobatic moves.

Watch Out Wrestling World!

Here Comes Darwin Darwin A. Hull of Schertz became the 2011 Texas State Rookie Wrestling Champion for his division and weight class after he pinned his opponent within one minute to capture the title. He also placed second dur-ing the 2011 Texas State Novice Wrestling Championships in Austin and was honored as the San Antonio Wrestling Club Rookie of the Year for his age group. Darwin has been competing in folk-style wrestling since No-vember of last year and has

been an outstanding competitor while bring-ing home an arsenal of first place medals and trophies and maintaining his All-A Honor Roll status as a second grader at Paschal Elementary School. Congratulations, Darwin!

Prayer Safari Welcomes Kids to the Jungle

The Cibolo Valley Baptist Church is inviting children to embark on a prayer safari into the Kingdom of the Son. All classes are free and run from June 19 to June 24 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Through their adventures, children will discover that “God Listens,” “God Provides,” “God Forgives,” “God Protects” and “God Rules!” The safari includes lively songs, hilarious skits, creative crafts, exciting games, Bible stories and tasty snacks, all of the things that make Vacation Bible School so much fun! On top of that we will be helping chil-dren learn to know God through prayer. For more information, call (210) 658-0525 or check out cibolovalleychurch.org.

Houston Texans Mascot Toro



VisionzAfter-Hours Mixer

Join us at our Welcome to Summer

After Hours Mixer on Wednesday,

June 15, at United SA Federal Credit

Union at 6000 FM 3009, Suite 206,

in Schertz from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

Great food, fun, door prizes and

more! Must be present to win

Chamber ca$h drawing.”

May Luncheon: Tuesday, June 21st

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PMLocation: Schertz Civic Center,

1400 Schertz Pkwy., Bldg. 5Featuring Speaker Tim Brown (see below)

Cost: $15 Schertz Chamber Members/ $25 Non-Members

RSVP by Tuesday, June 14

Tim Brown, RE/MAX Realtor ownerTopic: “How’s the Market?”

Does your business need resources, networking, advocacy and growth? Join the Schertz Chamber of Commerce!We are the first point of contact for marketing to visi-tors and residents within the community. Through our Chamber website, monthly luncheons, mixers and educa-tional courses, we strive to provide for all your business needs. Stop by our office at 1730 Schertz Parkway, and pick up an application today! Schertz Chamber of Com-merce – Helping your business build a better tomorrow.

Meet our “Tailgating at The Taste” Poster Artist

(Above) Eighth grader Jasmine Schuder is the winning artist from Dobie Middle School who

designed our poster. Jasmine won a $100 sav-ings bond presented by Larry Anthis of Frost Bank in Schertz. Special thanks to Mrs. Nancy Watson and the Dobie Middle School Art class

students for their help and participation!

HEB and the Chamber present

Tailgating at The TasteMake plans to attend on Thursday, July 28, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

at the Schertz Civic Center. Tickets on sale now at the Chamber offices. Prices are $10 adults and $5 seniors

(over 60) and children ages 3-11.

Poster winner Jasmine Schuder stands with Larry

Anthis of Frost Bank

SAVE THE DATES!Mark your calendars and plan

ahead to participate in:The Taste:

July 28 at the Schertz Civic Center; 5:00-8:00 PMGolf Classic:

October 21, 2011 at Olympia Hills Golf

& Conference Center

Contact us by phone at (210) 566-9000, e-mail [email protected] or visit our website at schertzchamber.org.

cont’d

Schertz Chamber recognized Terri Donahoe and Amar Tor-res as winners of the Civilians of the Quarter for Randolph AFB. This program recognizes the accomplishments of top perform-ers, both military and civilian, within the five major organizations on Randolph AFB. Thank you to Chamber businesses United SA Federal Credit Union, Anytime Fitness, Tazas Coffee, Gill-man Honda, Texas Shine Car Wash and BG’s Catering, who presented the two winners with goodies, and Valance Secu-rity, who sponsored their chamber lunches. Congratulations!

Randolph JBSA Civilian of the Quarter honored by Chamber

Maggie Titterington, Whitney Wiedner, Terri Donahoe, Kevin White, Bob West

Thanks to Cedric Edwards, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones Investments, who spoke at our April luncheon concerning finances for retirement. We also proudly welcomed SWBC, North-east Lakeview College, Sharon Warshaw – Inde-pendent Scentsy Consul-tant, Discovery Church and Alamo City Medical Group to the Schertz Chamber of Commerce! Photo courtesy of Straughan Photography.

Thanks!

Entertainmentz Extraz: Live Music & Gotta Go-To Placez

entertainmentz & eatz

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Do you have a favorite spot

that isn’t listed?

Send an e-mail Send to

[email protected] and

let us know about it.

It could make the next edition

of “GotTa Go-to Places”!

Hannah’s CountrySteak House 1901 weil road, Marion(830) 420-3755 Jeffrey CharlesJune 25; 7:00 PMNo Cover

Hooligan’s 13920 n. ih-35, Live Oak(210) 654-4444 DriveJune 24; 10:00 PMNo Cover

The Hangin’ Tree 18424 2nd street, Bracken(210) 651-5812www.hangintree.com The WhoositsJune 11; 2:00-5:00No Cover

Encanto Grill6032 FM 3009 , schertz(210) 888-2753www.encantogrill.com B-SideJune 4; 8:00 PMNo Cover

Billy D’s Club1805 Pat Booker rd,Universal city(210) 566-0559 Ernie Garibay and Cats Don’t SleepJune 18; 9:30 PMNo Cover

Bluebonnet Palace17360 Lookout road , selma(210) 651-6702www.bluebonnetpalace.com Midnight River ChoirJune 18; 9:00 PM$5 Cover


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Military City Counts on Its Civilian Personnel

Skilled civilian workers re-main a crucial component for the Alamo City to be Mili-tary City, USA, a top official said. And Schertz plays an important role in that effort.

“The military in San Antonio cannot do its mission without its civilian workforce, which runs the gamut from blue-collar workers to top-tier scientists,” said Dr. Clarence E. “CEM” Maxwell, Deputy Director of the San Antonio Joint Program Office at the headquarters of Air Educa-tion and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base.

Dr. Maxwell helps the director implement the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission Business Plan for the San Antonio area. Be-cause of BRAC, some 8,000 civilian positions have been relocated to the San Antonio area, and those employees who move will be looking for off-base housing. According to Dr. Maxwell, historically the area around Randolph AFB, like Schertz, has been a pop-ular choice for putting down roots. Additionally, current Schertz residents may have more opportunities for civil-ian jobs at the base or other area military installations.

“If someone in the Schertz area, for example, is look-ing for a job, they may get a civilian worker job as a result of the BRAC activity in this area,” Dr. Maxwell said.

The San Antonio area (includ-ing Schertz) has a day-to-day workforce of more than 90,000 Department of Defense employees, which includes uniformed and civilian workers and military students. Broken down, that workforce comprises nearly 50,000 uniformed personnel, almost 30,000 civilian work-ers and a monthly average of just under 12,000 military stu-dents who cycle in and out,

Military City Counts on Its Civilian Personnel

(cont’d from page 21)


“We are very fortunate here in San Antonio to have a population that has a long history of great relations with the military,” he said.

Dr. Maxwell pointed to the his-tory of San Antonio citizens do-nating money to build an early chapel at Fort Sam Houston and President William Howard Taft talking about the special relationship when he visited San Antonio during his presidency.

When San Antonio lost Kelly AFB to the early BRAC clo-sures, many here considered it a great loss. In the mid-1990s, Kelly employed more than 15,000 civilian workers and was the largest employer in San Antonio, but that changed with the closing of the vener-able base and loss of many civilian jobs. But as it turns out, the San Antonio area (includ-ing Schertz) came out a big winner in the BRAC process with tens of millions of dollars

in new construction and many missions and jobs moving here.

Among those who have seen the civilian worker contribu-tion to the local military is Bob Cantu, who calls himself an Air Force civilian and talks proudly about his years as a civilian worker at Randolph AFB. He ended his career there as Advi-sor to the Commander and Di-rector of Plans and Programs for the Air Force Recruiting Service. Cantu, who currently works as assistant to the Schertz city manager, maintains close ties with retired civilian workers and retired military personnel from Randolph as well as the current military leadership at the base.

“From what I have seen, one of the most important roles the civilian workforce plays is to bring stability and continuity

to military leaders who cycle in and out of a military installa-tion,” said Cantu, who worked for 22 generals at Randolph over a 41-year career there. “And the civilian workers are essential to the day-to-day infrastructure at Randolph and other military facilities.”

Cantu said civilian workers at military installations benefit because they became bet-ter citizens by working in the disciplined, team-oriented culture of the U.S. military.

“Schertz has so much talent, experience and a sense of service because of the large re-tired military and retired civilian worker sectors,” Cantu said. “A big reason companies and busi-nesses want to locate in Schertz is the culture of success here thanks in large part to the retired military and retired civilian worker communities in our city.”

said the office of Joint Base San Antonio. According to the most recent figures, there are 12,520 civilian workers at Fort Sam Houston, 10,131 at Lackland and 5,800 at Ran-dolph, for a total of 28,461.

Schertz residents work at Randolph AFB, Fort Sam Houston and Lackland AFB, even though the latter is

a good distance away. VIA Metropolitan Transit

runs a vanpooling service from Schertz to Lackland (see related story) and is working to do the same from Schertz to Fort Sam, said VIA spokesman Blake Berlin.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maxwell said the high caliber of civilian workers at local military instal-lations today is not surprising given the tradition of profes-sionalism by civilian workers going back to World War II and through the Cold War.


1400 Schertz Pkwy, Bldg. #5 (210) 619-1600

JUNE 21: Chamber Luncheon


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Civilians Keep

Randolph Flying

Since 1930, Randolph Air Force Base has been training pilots. Alongside the brave men and women on active duty who serve at Randolph you can also find some very impor-tant civilian workers. These workers assist the Air Force men and women in achiev-ing their goals and help keep the base running smoothly.

Among the thousands of hardworking Randolph civilian workers are Eloy J. Uresti, Paul Polanco and Linda Howlett.

Uresti is an assistant chief of fire prevention. He has been a firefighter for 33 years and spent four years in the United States Air Force. He has been at Randolph for 14 years and said that what he likes most about the job is the camaraderie and watching the young firefighters develop.

“I see a lot of young fire-fighters come through and leave,” Uresti said. “They develop into senior non-commissioned officers. I’ve seen some start out as young

firefighters, and before you know it, they’re chiefs.” The veteran firefighter said his mission is to save lives and protect property. That is ac-complished through education, so he and two fire inspectors spend a lot of time training facility managers and educat-ing youngsters at local schools.

Uresti said what he likes least about the job is the hu-man suffering he sees when people lose their homes or their loved ones. When active duty firefighters are mobilized, the civilian firefighters fill in so that the base is still protected.

Uresti is married and the father of two sons. He is active with the Boy Scouts and likes fishing and camp-ing in his spare time.

Polanco has been a civilian air traffic controller at Randolph AFB since 1999 and has served six years in the Air Force. “We’re part of the training mission here where pilots are learning to be instructors,” Po-

lanco said. “We help them get their mission accomplished.”

There are no active duty air traffic controllers at Ran-dolph, so civilians handle all the duties, which include providing services within five miles of the base. The con-trollers rotate between the two towers on the base and also work rotating shifts.

Although Polanco does clear planes for takeoff and landings like at commercial airports, his primary job is helping the Air Force instructor pilots do touch and go landings and practice approaches. Polanco said what he likes most about the job is the rotating shifts, which some-times leave him time to do other things during the day. What he dislikes most is working weekends.

He is married with a son and a daughter. In his spare time, Polanco enjoys watch-ing sports and coaching his son’s youth football team.

Howlett is a ground safety manager in the Wing Safety Office at Randolph. She’s worked at the base for more than 18 years and helps provide safety support for Joint Base San Antonio.

“What I like most about the job is working with people throughout the base,” Howlett said. “What I like least is the paperwork and the continued increase of additional duties.”

Howlett says that the military takes safety very seriously, and taking care of military people is a priority from the top down, which shows. She thinks the civilian workforce remains important to the military mis-sion in the San Antonio area.

“By working civilian service, I get to work alongside a great bunch of profession-als and be part of the military family without actually being in the military,” she said.

Outside of work, Howlett enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews.


Pictured above, from left to right: Linda Howlett, Eloy J. Uresti, and Paul Polanco

B y A i r m a n A l e x i s S i e k e r t

5 0 2 n d A i r B a s e W i n g O L - B P u b l i c A f f a i r s

Maj. Bryan France (left), 435th Fighter Training Squadron instructor pilot, and Capt. John Stukavec, 435th Flying Traning Squadron, per-form final checks prior to a morning training flight at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas May 9, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rich McFadden)


A year and a half after moving into Hangar 6 here from the trailers where they used to operate, the 435th Fighter Training Squadron is slated to expand further, making a big impact on Randolph Air Force Base and saving the Air Force millions in tax payer money.

According to a news release by Air Education and Train-ing Command Public Affairs, due to a decreased demand for Air Force Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals graduates, the Air Force will combine operations, currently conducted at five separate bases, to three. While both Randolph and Columbus Air Force Base were originally considered for the consolida-tion, May 2 it was announced that Randolph has been cho-

435th FTS Expanding

Mission At RAFB

sen as the preferred location.

The move is projected to save the Air Force approximately $55 million over the next eight years, the release stated.

IFF teaches the curriculum for training pipeline-level pilots, pilot instructors and foreign nationals, Lt. Col. David Drichta, 435th FTS commander, said. Pilots learn air-to-air engagements, such as how to attack other aircraft and avoid being at-tacked, and air-to-ground engagements, including how to perform air strikes.

“This training is very im-portant,” he said. “Here they train for what they will see while deployed.”

Once plans are approved, the consolidation is projected to bring in 15 more T-38 Talons, 14 additional active-duty pilot instructors and 37 sup-port positions to the 435th FTS, Col. Drichta said. The changes will allow the 435th FTS to accommodate the ad-ditional 80 students who will be trained here every year.

“This change will allow us to gain back the efficiencies we lost in the Air Force’s drawback of numbers,” he said. “With the increase of manpower, everyone will be able to do so much more.”

Although nothing will be finalized until after an en-vironmental assessment is conducted in June and July, Colonel Drichta said,

Randolph has been deemed the most desirable loca-tion, a decision based on both installations’ capabili-ties to expand operations.

“They tested our air-space ability, capacity for more students, ramp and han-gar space, cost, base support, whether or not we could add more bod-ies and our weather,” he said. “We scored higher.”

After the decision is official, new classes are scheduled to start in October, he said.

“This will be terrific for us when it is finalized,” Col. Drichta said. “We have the world’s best mission.



B y J u l i e C o o p e r

A VIA Vanpool from Schertz to Lackland AFB consists of civilian employees (from left) Betty Bennett, Vivian Bailey, Erika Stewart, Ka-trena Johnson, Gloria Mick and Alan Mick.

Area Civilians Vanpool to Lackland



The price of gas may be climb-ing out of sight, but for Schertz residents who are part of a VIA Vanpool to Lackland Air Force Base, they can sit back and enjoy the ride to work. Schertz shop-pers may have seen the vans with Enterprise or VIA logos parked at the HEB or Handy Andy, common pick-up and drop-off points for daily commuters.

“Vanpools as a transit option began around 30 years ago,” said VIA Vanpool Marketing Director Blake Berlin, who has been part of the process since it began five years ago. Berlin added that Houston has one of the biggest programs in the country, while Fort Worth and Austin have also had vanpool programs for more than 20 years.

According to Berlin, more people have begun shifting from single- to multiple-occupancy vehicles for their daily commute. Essentially, the vanpool works like a car-pool among co-workers with the big difference in that the van is provided by VIA through En-terprise Rent-a-Car.

The typical group size for a VIA Vanpool is 10 people, and the distance traveled is 22 miles each direction. The basic cost of riding in a van per person is $81 per person, plus another $27 (at current prices) for fuel, for a total of $108 per person, per month. About 65 percent of people using VIA Vanpool services are federal employees who can access up to $230 to pay for monthly transit.

A Schertz resident since 2000, Betty Bennett works as a civil-ian paralegal at Air Force Ser-vices Agency at Lackland Joint Base. She has been part of the vanpool since August 2009, when a VIA representative did a presentation at her work-place. Prior to that time, she carpooled with a co-worker.

Weekdays, Bennett and her co-riders leave the Handy Andy on Schertz Parkway in a minivan at

6:30 a.m. for the 45-minute ride to Lackland. All seven riders are civilian workers at Lackland.

“It’s less stress and more economical, and I get to meet people,” Bennett said. Dur-ing the ride, she might knit, socialize and sometimes sleep.

Van etiquette is simple, ac-cording to Bennett. The driver doesn’t talk on the phone, riders should be on time, and if you are running late, notify your vanpool coordinator.

“At its core, the program is sim-ple as it can be,” said Berlin. Anyone can apply to participate by visiting www.viainfo.net and registering his or her com-mute. Riders will be matched by workplace, times and other preferences. You must be a licensed driver and must be insurable. Berlin called the database a “dynamic match-ing process.” While VIA Park and Ride locations are also used, local businesses benefit from being a vanpool location.

“The average trip length is 44 miles one way,” said Berlin. “We have a lot who are doing 60 to 65 miles and a lot doing 20 to 22 miles. Vanpooling doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for people commut-ing under 15 miles.” Most participants live outside of 1604. There are also vanpools between San Antonio and Austin or rides that start inside Loop 410 and travel to the other side of Bexar County.

The benefits seem to be many, including reducing traffic, reducing highway emissions and keeping drivers fresh. “I like the idea that I am do-ing something good for the future,” Bennett said.

“Anyone who works out here deserves kudos on a daily basis...”


Every day, rain or shine, smolderingly hot or freezing cold, more than 50 air-craft are launched from Randolph’s east flightline, and behind every one, mainte-nance directorates from the 12th Flying Training Wing are making that possible.

“It takes a very unique person to want to work out here and come to work happy every day,” said Roland Gar-cia, 12th Flying Training Wing expe-diter. “With the environment we work in, you would never expect it.”

Maintenance workers, all civilians, meet every morning for the flying schedule to coordinate the launches and prepare for the aircrew. The scheduled flights are always predetermined the Thursday prior.

Before the aircraft can be marshaled out of the hangover, it must be thoroughly inspected by both the pilots and the maintenance workers. Then, pilots are strapped in and tested one more time.

“Once the aircraft is ready, it taxis to the runway. If they go out, they’ve got to come back in,” Garcia said.

Upon return, the pilot directly commu-nicates with maintenance and reports any squawks. The aircraft is then refu-eled and inspected by several sets of eyes to be ready for the next day.“Anyone who works out here deserves kudos on a daily basis,” Garcia said. “Everyone does an excellent job.”

Civilian Maintainers Prep RAFB

Aircraft Rain Or Shine

Prince Valair, 12th Flying Training Wing civilian maintenance worker, straps in Lt. Col. Rich Flake, 560th Flying Training Squadron, prior to a T-38 Talon launch. Maintenance work-

ers at Randolph prepare and launch a large variety of aircraft daily. (U.S.

Air Force photo/Rich McFadden)


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B y C a t h y P e n s h o r n

S t e e l e B a n d B o o s t e r s P r e s i d e n t

P h o t o g r a p h y b y R i c h a r d T e r m i n e , N e w Y o r k , N Y

Carnegie Hall Rocks With The Music of Steele Band

Steele Band members pose in front of Carnegie Hall


On March 10, the sound of the Steele High School band echoed through the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Nearly 120 Steele musi-cians traveled to New York to perform the concert “Reflec-tions of Texas, ” featuring Texas composers and a variety of musical styles heard through-out the Lone Star State.

Invited guests included USO officials and members of Big Brothers & Sisters New York City and students from the Harlem School of the Arts, as well as friends and family members of the band. Mick Molina, Steele sophomore, who attended the trip, was recently named the win-ner of the Austin Symphony Young Composers Contest. “We were very pleased to have the opportunity to return to Carnegie Hall this spring,” said Kyle Friesenhahn, director of bands. “This stage is unlike any other in terms of acoustics and sophistication, and it was

Steele High School Wind Ensemble per-

forms at Carnegie Hall under the direction of

Mrs. Kyle Friesenhahn.

very rewarding to be able to present these students with such an exciting performance experience, one that they can’t get anywhere else and that they will always remember.”

The program included works from composers Mike Hannick-el, Larry Daehn, Karl King, Alfred Reed and Jay Gilbert. Several of these pieces were commissioned for Texas bands for specific celebrations. The first half of the program was presented by the Symphonic Band under the direction of band director Patrick Atkins. The second half of the program was presented by the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Friesenhahn and Steven Deater. The bands closed the performance with an encore of “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”

The spring trip, organized by the Steele Band Boosters, included a host of up-close-and-personal music and history lessons in addition to the Carnegie Hall experience, which in itself was multi-

faceted. Band members met with New York Philharmonic Senior Teaching Artist Dr. David Wallace, professor of music at the Julliard School of Music and a professional musician with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Wallace led an animated discussion with the Steele students regard-ing music composition and dramatic effects within a select group of Hungarian works.The students then attended the performance of the New York Philharmonic of those works that they had discussed.

Students were divided into classroom-size groups and taken to see the historic and cultural features of New York City with instruction. One of the visited sites was the World Trade Center rebuilding and memorial. Only a handful of the students in attendance had been to this location before and since they were ages 4-8 when the Trade Center was attacked, the leader’s passionate review of this historical event was a significant addition to their un-

derstanding of the textbook in-formation passed along to them these past nearly 10 years.

Another history lesson came as the students spent an entire morning walking the halls of the Ellis Island Immigration Center and Museum on Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty Monument at Liberty Island and viewing the film regarding the immigration history of our country. Many were able to research family names and his-tory at the Ellis Island Center. Only six years old, the Steele High School Band received Texas Sweepstakes Honors in marching and concert/sight-reading contests again this year as it has every year since the school opened in Sept. 2005. This spring, more than 245 students received first division ratings at the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, and 28 will continue on to the state solo and ensemble judging in Austin in May.


Jake Bryant grieves the loss of his wife and children as the lovable

stray, Cooper, looks on.

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With an all-Texan cast and crew, Robin Nations’ indepen-dent film Cooper was destined for success. Nations wrote and directed the film as her husband, Kevin, directed the photography and commented that Schertz “is such a beautiful town, a perfect canvas to paint our wonderful little movie.”

The Nations teamed up to cre-ate the story of a stray dog that rehabilitates a grieved man af-ter the loss of his wife and chil-dren, and Schertz played a ma-jor role in the film. The film was shot primarily in Schertz in the Jonas Woods neighborhood due to the spectacular parks and nature walks in the area.

Nations’ sister Rebecca Dublin lives in the neighbor-

hood with her husband and two sons and granted full access to her house for three weeks during the shooting of the movie. Dublin’s father-in-law, Schertz City Engineer Larry Dublin, also loaned his house to the movie crew as it was within walking dis-tance of his daughter-in-law’s picturesque family dwelling.

Robin Nations said that the Schertz community welcomed the movie crew and granted permissions for locations without question. The cast and crew of Cooper were care-ful not to leave a footprint on Schertz, as production manag-er Scott Greenberg organized a green filming of the movie.

“We want to show independent

filmmakers that it is pos-sible to make budget-friendly, environmentally conscious decisions within your produc-tion,” Greenberg said. The eco-friendly efforts included an HD format of shooting, refill-able aluminum water bottles and numerous recycling bins and compost bags on set.

Along with the location, Schertz animal trainers Karen and Aubrie Dahle played a vital role in the making of Cooper with the training and coaching of the star, an English-born border collie named Tommy who was rescued from an abusive home.

A mother/daughter training team, proud mother Karen Dahle boasted that her daugh-ter, Aubrie, was the head trainer

of the pooch for the film. The Dahles had never trained a dog for a movie before, and as Nations recalls, “The dog could make or break the film. A lot was riding on his performance.”

Tommy and the Dahles basked in success at the sold-out San Antonio premiere of Cooper at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on April 30. Fans lined up to take photographs and pet the star of the show after the film.

Cooper has placed second out of more than 500 entries in the International Film Festival of Los Angeles and was nomi-nated in the Fredericksburg Film Festival for Best Feature. For more information on Coo-per, visit the movie’s website at cooperthemovie.com.

Jake Bryant and Dr. Caroline Mason unravel the miraculous background of Cooper, a dog who rehabilitates the grieving.

Dear Friend, I want to give credit where credit is due. So, perhaps a confession can help clear the air so there’s no misunderstanding, Before I talk about my confession, though, let me say a few other things first. Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. You know, when I meet people in town they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Martin. I’ve seen your ad with that picture of you and the two cute kids.” Well, I’m the guy in the middle. Years ago I was a college baseball player, but I developed a painful neck, shoulder and arm condition. In my case it came on suddenly. The pain in my hands was so intense that I couldn’t raise my arm above my head or even throw a baseball. I was afraid that I would lose my scholarship if it continued. I went to my trainer and medical doctor and was given anti-inflammatories. The problem with those medications is that they just mask the symptoms and in my case did not help. Finally, after steroid injections I decided against it. But, there’s more…A family member of mine convinces me to give their doctor a try. This new doctor did an exam, took some films, and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt, it actually felt good. I got relief, and I could use my arm again. Oh, did I mention that this doctor is a chiropractor. It worked so well that I went to chiropractic school myself. Now for McKenna and Cooper, who are the cute kids in the picture. They get adjusted regularly and are some of the

healthiest kids you will know. Their mom is also

problem-free even with all the

bending and lifting a busy mom of two does. It might seem like a small

“A Doctor’s confession to the city of schertz…”thing, but it makes a big difference to her. It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their neck, arm and shoulder problems. Also they come to me with their headaches, migraines, chronic pain, carpal tunnel, whiplash from car accidents, backaches, ear infections, asthma, allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic injuries, just to name a few. Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “I have not had a headache in months”- (Mary J.) “Mood and attitude have improved” – (Lisa A.) Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take the credit. My confession is that I’ve never healed anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. We get tremendous results. It’s a simple as that! Forty-eight million Americans no longer have health insurance, and those who do have found that their benefits are reduced. That’s where my I come in. I have a significantly lower fee plan so that more people are able to afford the care they need. A whole week of care in my office costs what you could pay for one visit elsewhere. Studies show that people actually pay less for their long-term overall health care expenses if they are seeing a chiropractor. You Benefit from an Amazing Offer- Look, you are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well write one for a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article, you will receive my entire new patient exam for $17. That’s with an evaluation and X-Rays….the whole ball of wax. But, please call right away because this offer expires on June 30, 2011, and I don’t want you to miss out.

By the way, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that I have affordable plans. You see I’m not trying to seduce you to come see me with this low start up fee, then to only make it up with high fees after that. Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor. High costs can add up very quickly. Great care at a great fee…Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care just because I have a lower fee. You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications…I’m a Magna cum Laude graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College and a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to pro athletes that you may know. After practicing for four years in San Antonio I moved my practice to Schertz. I just have a low exam fee to help more people who need care. My Associate, Dr. Kyle Stringer, brings over five years of experience to our practice with the latest in pain-free techniques. My assistant is Melissa, and she is really a great person. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called Schertz Chiropractic and it is at 17323 IH 35 North Ste 106, (we are between 3009 and Schertz Parkway on the 35 South Access Road). Our phone number is 210-646-6000. Call Melissa or me today for an appointment. We can help you. Thank you. -Patrick W. Martin, D.C.P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $10.P.S.S. Your time is just as valuable as ours, that’s why we will be with you promptly at your appointment.

Not applicable to Medicare Beneficiaries due to regulations.

In 1897, the Schertz school had nearly 30 students en-rolled. There were no grade levels but rather four “read-ers” that students had to complete. An official school with all 12 grade levels was established in 1917.

In 1870, the first cotton gin built by the Schertz family was powered by mules.

The first phone company in Schertz, Farmer’s Ru-ral Telephone Exchange, set phone etiquette standards for users:

No one shall use the telephone for more than five minutes.

No abusive or profane language shall be permit-ted. Offenders will be fined

Did You Know This About Schertz?

Near the intersection of FM 2252 and FM 3009 a sign for Kitty Hawk Ultralite Flying Field leads to the Schertz air-field where Osama bin Laden’s brother died 23 years ago

B y L a u r a S t e l l a R e y e s

Schertz has its share of stories. Do you know them? Bet you haven’t heard some. Trivial Pursuit enthusiasts might be surprised by the town’s native

ties, legends and historical gems. Here are just a few fun facts:

Do you know something about Schertz most people don’t? Then send it to [email protected] and we may share it with everyone in a future story in Schertz Magazine.

$1 and will not be allowed use until the fine is paid.

Quahadi Comanche Ase-waynah was originally Rudolph Fischer, the son of Sophie Schertz Fischer. At the age of 13, he was kidnapped by Coman-ches. In 1877, he returned to civilization, but his stay was brief. He ventured back into Indian Territory, where he remained un-til his death in 1941. He fathered 12 children by two Comanche wives.

The legend of Hollering Woman Creek is tied to Randolph Air Force Base. Before the base was built, the land had a small creek where, legend has it, that a family was once ambushed by Indians. A woman’s wails

were heard across the land. To this day, some say they hear her cries at night.

In 1960, the town’s first salaried police officer earned $50 per month. Ac-cording to the Texas Work-force Commission, today’s police officers can earn from $15 to $30 an hour.

Singer and songwriter Steve Earle spent his youth in Schertz. As a teen, he left high school to pursue music and went on to have a stel-lar career, writing songs for artists like Vince Gill and Patty Loveless. He’s record-ed several Grammy Award-winning albums, and artists like Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Waylon Jennings have recorded his songs.

On May 29, 1988, Salem bin Laden, half brother of Osama bin Laden, died when he accidentally drifted into high voltage electrical power lines adjacent to the Kitty Hawk Ultralite Flying Field at the edge of Schertz. Salem died of head injuries, and Schertz officials called it a freak accident. Conspiracy theorists tried to turn the accident into a government cover-up, but the accident report is public record, and no foul play was reported.


My name is Elise Baker, and I am thrilled to be able to share my thoughts with you each month … be-cause I am one of you. And you. And you. And you.

I am a military spouse, a stay-at-home mom, a volunteer, a lover of the arts, an exercise enthusiast, an avid reader, and above all … a huge believer in the Schertz community.

“Home is where the Army sends us,” I whispered to myself as we arrived in the unknown city of Schertz four years ago. “Prosper where you’re planted!” I reminded myself, while watching box after box labeled “BASE-MENT” parade off the moving truck, as I quickly realized we had no basement.Within weeks of those boxes being unloaded, my hus-band

My Take: Tales from a Schertz Military Wife and Mom

deployed for 15 months and I was alone with my babies in Schertz. I needed to find a good preschool for one child and I needed to get the other registered for Kindergarten. I needed to find a moms group. I needed to find the library. Where would I grocery shop? What day did the trash man come? Where was the MAIL-BOX!? It would have been easy to get overwhelmed, but I should have feared not. This was SCHERTZ! The com-munity embraced me, and I wasted no time in becoming immersed in it. My kids are now thriving in the SCUCISD, I am a school volunteer and youth soccer coach, and we are involved in every community activity available.

I will leave you with this amusing Schertz tale. Now that I am an old “veteran” of Schertz, I try to welcome new families and show them the “Schertz ropes.” One new military mom asked me about exercising. I enthusi-astically extolled the virtues of jogging on the Parkway. “Ooooohhh!,” she exclaimed. “Where is that?” I smiled to myself, remembering the boxes in my own driveway not long ago, and not knowing where Schertz Parkway was. “I’ll show you,” I grinned.

I look forward to narrat-ing my fun “take” about my experiences as a military mom who lives in and loves Schertz. Join me for the ride! “Coming next month in My Take: “How to soak up the summer ... Schertz-style!” Fun stuff to do with kids to make the absolute most of a summer in Schertz!


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On June 14, America will celebrate Flag Day. For most of us, it is just another day at the office since all businesses, including banks and post offices, will remain open. So what is Flag Day and how did it come about?

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first flag act creating a brand new flag for our brand new nation. Over the years, with the approval of Congress, the shape, design and arrangement of the flag changed dramatically. Each new state called for a redesign of the flag. The flag we see today consists of 13 horizontal stripes (representing the original 13 colonies) and 50 stars represent-ing the 50 states of the union. The colors on the flag also have special meanings with white representing purity and innocence, red repre-senting hardiness and valor and blue repre-senting vigilance, perseverance and justice.

The idea of celebrating our flag reportedly originated in 1885 when a school teacher in Wisconsin named B.J. Cigrand decided to have some of his students mark the birthday of the flag. After that, Cigrand enthusiasti-cally pushed for the idea of a flag day. Other schools and various groups across the country started marking June 14th with a celebration.

After more than 30 years of local and state cel-ebrations, Flag Day was officially established by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. Still it was not until Aug. 3, 1949, that June 14 was set aside as National Flag Day with President Harry Truman’s signature.

How did our flag come to be called ‘Old Glory”? It was first given that name by Capt. William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Mass., in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his numer-ous journeys, Driver was given a flag by some friends, and as it unfurled into the wind for the first time, he reportedly called it “Old Glory.”

For more information about the U.S. flag and National Flag Day, visit us-flag.org or usa-flag-site.org.

The Bold History of Old Glory

Tales from a Schertz Military Wife and Mom

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Flag Etiquette The Flag Code, which for-malizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we show respect to the flag, also contains specific in-structions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

• The flag should never be dipped to any per-son or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cush-ions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes or any-thing intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.

• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind.

• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carry-ing or delivering anything.

(information taken from usflag.org)


Coronation

B y K a r i B r i d g e s

The age 18-year-old team practicing for the Lone Star

Regionals Competition held May 7 – 8 in Austin.

Playing volleyball could be the key that opens the door to a brighter future for young wom-en interested in both athletics and academics. For the past six years, Schertz has been the home of the Bexar County Volleyball Academy, where girls ages 8 to 18 can receive training in more than just skills in volleyball technique.

April Fricke, owner and head coach of the acad-emy, believes that volleyball gives more to young women besides coaches and train-ing. “Sports in general offer so much more than physi-cal training and technique

for the girls,” Fricke said. “It gives them an opportunity to learn about leadership, respect, interaction, confron-tation and self-esteem.”

In addition to the skills training, BCVA offers educa-tion in sports psychology, academic preparation and an opportunity to participate in a college recruiting program. “Girls focus on a direction in what they want to do and volleyball helps them with that,” said Fricke. “Every girl who has gone through our program has gone on to play college volleyball.”

Currently eight women partici-pating in the age 18 volleyball team program have received offers of athletic scholarships to attend college for the 2011-2012 academic years. Two other women have received the same offer for the 2012-2013 academic school years.

As a sport, volleyball in the South Eastern Texas Region has grown quickly in the last few years. “I see it just get-ting bigger and bigger,” said Fricke. “Girls are becoming so much more independent. They are faster, stronger and more committed.”

As a group, the age 18 women’s team is bright with anticipation for what life holds for them. They are in agree-ment that volleyball is more than a game. It has given them confidence, friendship, respect, the skills to learn to work with one another and the spark in life to work hard to get to where you want to be.

Team tryouts for all skill levels for ages 13-18 will be held July 9-11. For more information on volleyball in Schertz, visit www.bcva.us or call (210) 659-5455.


Bexar County Volleyball Academy Training Champions


CoronationThe 2011-2012 Schertz Sweetheart Court was crowned in a gala event May 5 at the Schertz Civic Center. Court members are residents of the City of Schertz and will attend area high school in the fall. The new court members include: Emily Poole, Miss Friendly City - Randolph; Brittany Schall, Miss Freedom - Steele; Caitlin Baumgarten, Miss Schertz - Steele; Tabitha Joseph, Miss

Sunshine - Clemens; Kayley Carter, Miss Liberty - Clemens.

Led by pageant coordina-tors Mrs. Lindsey Musch, Miss Fiesta 2004, and Mrs. Penny McCutchen-Gardner, finalists engaged in an in-tensive preparation process leading to the coronation.

City Councilman David Sca-gliola remarked after the


The Court will represent the City in various func-tions in and around Texas over the next twelve months.

Here are a collection of photos highlight-ing the event.

coronation, “Twelve finalists were introduced as potential ambas-sadors for the City, five were crowned officially, but there were twelve winners on that stage.”


At the beginning of 2010, I weighed the most I had ever been in my whole life - 178 lbs. I never had any energy and could literally sleep anytime, anywhere.

There was no energy for my family or me. My cholesterol had been consistently high for the past three years, and I was only 35 years old. My doctor discussed implementing a medication regimen for my cholesterol with a follow-up in six months.

The thought of my deteriorating health scared me, and I decided enough was enough started looking for a way to lose weight, im-prove my life and avoid the medications. At this time, my husband and I were buying a house in Schertz. Looking for ways to improve my health, I started researching possibilities. I located an article online in Schertz Magazine about Zumba with Carolyn at Feels So Good Fitness.

Excited about what I read, I contacted Carolyn and later met with her for an assessment, then signed up for classes that day and began Zumba in June 2010. Within my first four months of working out, I had lost nearly 17 lbs. and several inches.

Carolyn had mentioned that our daughters were always welcome, so in October 2010, I began bringing my 10-year-old daughter with me to Zumba class. I believe exercise and good health practices are important values to convey to your children, especially when they are young and still impressionable. Providing her with oppor-tunities such as these will hopefully allow her to lead a healthy and productive life while avoid-ing complications such as what I encountered. Kalie and I have been doing Zumba together now for seven months. We both love Zumba, and she picks up the moves very quickly. Kalie has even got up in front of the class with Carolyn and helped her to teach.

I have lost a total of 23 pounds and, get this, 36 inches! My cholesterol is down 75 points, and needless to say, I am medication-free! This has brought Kalie and I together in many ways too.

Before, I would want to relax and not have the energy to do anything, and now we work out together four days a week .I have the energy to do more things with Kalie, and she is learn-ing a way of life that will last a lifetime!

Zumba Mother’s Day Gift

SCHERTZF I T N E Z Z

Visit www.feelssogoodfitness.com for more info & times, or stop by

Anytime Fitness in Schertz .(830) 221-8818

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Shawna Frakes (left) poses with daughter, Kalie, and instructor Carolyn Angello.


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Many people want to move to Schertz these days for its premier quality of life and other renowned attributes like good schools and parks. But one city employee knew long ago this city was the place to be.

City Engineer Larry Dublin was a tall, lanky 14-year-old freshman at Pea-cock Military Academy in San Antonio when he first visited Schertz in 1959 for a sporting event at Schertz-Cibolo High School (now Corbett Middle School).

“I am a country boy and grew up on a ranch in West Texas, and I recall looking around as we drove into Schertz and thinking it would be a really nice place to live,” Dublin said during an interview on the patio of the house he purchased in 2004, some 45 years later.

Dublin smiled as he remembered his long journey toward becoming a Schertz resident. He was a good athlete at Peacock, playing football and basketball and running track. At 16, he also competed as a professional bull rider at rodeos. Dublin was a good student and received scholarship offers from several major universities but instead attended two West Texas colleges before going into the Army.

His long-term goal was to become a doctor, and he was headed in that direction as a Green Beret medic who did three tours in Vietnam. That career path changed when the Army de-cided Dublin was engineering material and sent him to Texas A&M University to become one.

“The first time I got on a bulldozer, I knew I wanted to help construct things,” he said in his trademark West Texas accent. Dublin graduated from Texas A&M and

Dublin Helped Build

Modern Schertz

spent the next 45 years working in con-struction and engineering, including hav-ing his own construction business.

Dublin’s association with Schertz began in 1998 when he worked for a local engineer-ing company that did projects for Schertz and other cities in the Metrocom area. For 10 years, he worked on Schertz capital projects as a representative of the engineering com-pany and in 2008 became city engineer. “Since 1998, I have worked on nearly $60 million worth of capital projects in Schertz,” he said.

Examples of such capital projects, Dublin said, are moving the Playscape (which could start by year’s end) and construction of an Aquatic Center (which may begin next sum-mer.) Both are part of the 2010 bond issue.

Dublin has long loved building things. “As a ranch kid, if you wanted toys, you had to make them,” he said with a laugh. When he isn’t building new libraries or recreation centers, Dublin likes to build furniture for family and friends or make improvements to the home he and wife Janet share. They will have been married 38 years in July.

Dublin also likes spending time with his extended family. “Two of my children and their families - including four of my eight grandchildren - that’s three generations - live in this area. The remainder are planning on moving here in the future. They are a big part of my life,” the city engineer said. As example of his home improvements, Dublin pointed to the patio cover in his backyard and said proudly, “I made that.” He can say the same about many parts of Schertz.



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gOvernMenTrOUnd-UP

Kessel Takes the reins as city Manager

The Schertz City Council named John Kessel City Manager on May 10. He took office June 1 replac-ing Don Taylor, who had served as city manager for six years.

“I am looking forward to working with the team of Assistant City Managers, John Bierschwale and David J. Harris, and City Council on the budget and other matters,” Kessel said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get started.”

Mayor Hal Baldwin praised Kessel as the strongest candidate in a field of very talented applicants. Kessel was hired as Schertz Economic Develop-ment Director about two months ago. He previously served as Executive Director of Development Services for the City of McKinney, which has a current population of 132,500. Kessel started with McKinney, a suburb of Dallas, in 1997 and was credited by officials there with being instrumental in the city’s growth.

citizens help Keep neighborhoods saferThe members of Citi-zens on Patrol (COP), a part of the Schertz Citi-zens Police Academy Alumni Association, volunteer to drive a re-tired Schertz Police car that has been recycled

into service with distinct identi-fying markings that indicate that the vehicle is a Schertz Citizens Patrol car. All COP members have completed the Citizens Police Academy and joined the SCPAAA.

The volunteers drive these vehicles throughout the City of Schertz as an extra set of eyes and ears as well as an opportunity to interact with the general public. This works as great visible deter-rent to those who may be attempting to commit crimes within the City of Schertz.

While on patrol, volunteers who witness something suspicious or any type of incident in which police, fire or EMS attention is required report back to the Schertz PD dispatcher via radio so that the appropriate agency

may respond. The volunteers are not to get into any physical type of event such as detain-ing or apprehending a suspect or to pursue the suspect. More often than not the members will not even have to exit the car.

Those who are interested in be-coming members may do so by signing up for and completing the 2011 Schertz Citizens Po-lice Academy, which starts Au-gust 18 at the Schertz PD from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will be every Thursday until November

3. There is no cost to join the Citi-zens Academy, and the students will not receive any special police authority upon completion. It is de-signed to give the student a better understanding of how the Schertz Police Department operates. Mem-bership in the Alumni is voluntary after graduation from the course.

Applications for the academy may be downloaded from the City of Schertz website and turned into the police department. For more information, visit www.schertz.com/p_citizens.html.


Fallen Officers honored in

schertzThe reading of names of Texas law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2010 and the sound of taps were part of the Schertz Police Depart-ment’s annual Police Officers Memorial service held May 18 in front of the police department building. The event was held in conjunction with similar ones across the nation for Peace Officer Memorial Day observed as part of National Police Week May 15-21. Police Chief Don Taylor and Mayor Hal Baldwin were among Schertz officials who thanked local, state and federal officers for their service.

Schertz Police Officers Memorial

Citizens On Patrol car

Taylor Toasted And roasted

by staff, Family And

FriendsDon Taylor shares a laugh with Ed Azzoz, or “Grumpy” from Grumpy’s Mexican Cafe, during a Toast and Roast of the outgoing city manager on April 29 at the Civic Center. With Taylor’s time as boss growing short at the time, city employees jokingly recalled some of the funny stories about Taylor they encountered over the years. By evening’s end, tears of laughter flowed freely, hugs and thanks were given and memories were made.

Don Taylor and Grumpy

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C.A. Mallard donating books to Mayor Baldwin

Author Presents Books on crescent Bend nature Park to city

Mayor Hal Baldwin accepts copies of two books by author and photojournalist C.A. Mallard donated to the City of Schertz during the May 10 City Council meeting. The books, “Crescent Bend Nature Park: Birds and the Habitat” and “The Nature With-in: Crescent Bend Nature Park,” chronicle the flora and fauna of the joint Schertz/Bexar County park along Cibolo Creek.

vintage Properties in Old schertz honored

Mayor Hal Baldwin presents Landmark Prop-erty Plaque No. 1 to Pedro and Francisca Perez of 212 Lee Street in Schertz during the May 10 City Council meeting. The plaque was from the Schertz Historical Preservation Commission. The Mayor also presented Landmark Property Plaque No. 2 to Daniel and Dianne Genbrowski of 401 First Street and Landmark Property Plaque No. 3 to Pedro Perez Jr. on behalf of his brother, Armando Perez of 216 Lee Street.

Mayor Baldwin and Pedro and Francisca PerezSweetheart Court Parade Plaque Presentation


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Three city council

Members sworn in for new Terms

City Secretary Brenda Dennis swears in (from left) City Coun-cil members George Antuna, Michael Carpenter (who also is mayor pro tem) and Cedric Edwards Sr. The three council members were unopposed in the May 7 City Council election.

council honors city secretary’s

OfficeMayor Hal Baldwin reads a proclamation declaring May 1 to May 7 as Municipal Clerks Week during a City Council meeting May 3. From left is City Secretary staff Traci Paprocki, Cindy Raleigh and Brenda Dennis.

schertz Float Takes Bronze in Flambeau

Parade The 2010-2011 Schertz Sweetheart Court par-ticipated in the 2011 Fiesta Flambeau Parade April 16, and their City of Schertz float captured third place out of more than 20 entries in the Community Orga-nization category. At left, Nicole Elliott (Miss Schertz 2010-2011) and Danica Mathis (Miss Sunshine 2010-2011) present Mayor Hal Baldwin with the third place plaque. Also shown are Erin Matlock, immedi-ate past coordinator of the Sweetheart Court, and William E. Untiedt of the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association. Mayor and city

secretary staff49JUne 2011

scherTzMAgAzine.cOM


***Meeting locations may change, for up-to-date information visit schertz.com***

THURSdAy, 2 Transportation Safety Advisory Commission, 5:30 PM- Council Chambers

MONdAy, 6Library Advisory Board, 7:00 PM-Library

TUESdAy, 7City Council, 6:00 PM,Council Chambers

WEdNESdAy, 8Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM, Council Chambers

THURSdAy, 9Economic Development Corporation, 6:00 PM,Council Chambers

MONdAy, 13Buffalo Valley Youth Association, 6:00 PM,401 Oak St.

TUESdAy, 14FLAG DAYCity Council, 6:00 PM,Council Chambers


WEdNESdAy, 22Planning & Zoning, 6:00 PM,Council Chambers

MONdAy, 27Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 PM,Bob Andrews Room

Board of Adjustments, 6:00 PM,Council Chambers


CITy dATES To KNoW

GET UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT CITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT:

schertzmagazine.com

gideon Bibles donated to First responders

Local Gideons donated Bibles to the Schertz Police De-partment and Fire Department during a ceremony May 12. From left are: Police Capt. Marc Bane, Assistant Police Chief Mike Harris, Assistant Fire Chief Glen Outlaw, Po-lice Chief Don Taylor and Gideon members Joe Medinger, Bobby Allen, David Kirkland, Jerry Reed and Humberto Saldivar. The Gideons International consists of over 200,000 Christian business and professionals in 190 countries.

Reserve Officer Added to sPd team

Police Chief Don Taylor swears in Helen Lafitte as a reserve of-

ficer for the Schertz Police Depart-ment during a ceremony April 15.

iMPOrTAnT scherTzPhOne nUMBersCity of Schertz Elected Officials

Mayor: Hal Baldwin 210-658-6466

Council Members:Michael Carpenter (210) 619-1045Cedric Edwards, Sr. (210) 566-4540Jim Fowler (210) 658-1442David Scagliola (830) 606-1130George Antuna, Jr. (210) 467-7914

City departments:City of Schertz (210) 619-1000Animal Control (210) 619-1550Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100City Manager (210) 619-1000City Secretary (210) 619-1030Civic Center (210) 619-1600Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000Economic Development (210) 619-1070EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300Human Resources (210) 619-1150Information Technology (210) 619-1180Inspections (210) 619-1750Marshal Services (210) 619-1666Municipal Court (210) 619-1500Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200Public Affairs (210) 619-1630Public Library (210) 619-1700Public Works (210) 619-1800Records (210) 619-1030Website schertz.com

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CITy OF SCHERTZOFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY - SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154

1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY.SCHERTZ.TEXAS.78154

SCHERTZPUBLIC AFFAIRS

june 2011

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