From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
The City Staff has completed negotiations for a new garbage contract to be effective April 1st. Although a final contract has not been completed, it would appear that although cost, as expected, has increased, services remain excellent. Around mid-March look for a special mailing from the City breaking down costs and services.. It has been a long process!
Have a happy Spring. Thank you for your continued support.

Welcome to Garden Ridge
New Residents:
Those listed and families:

Joe Ballusik
Arnoldo & Dorothy Benavidez
Brett & Mary Challenger
Gregory and Heather Harrison
Richard Heller
Michael Heller
Walter & Clarisa Lamar
Bryan Lantzy
Margarita Ortigoza
Jonathan Reyes
Vann & Katharyn Riley
Wilfred & Diane Schmedes
Ronnie & Linda Shaner
Kelly & Kathleen Taylor

Note: Newcomers are identified by water service records. Consequently, not all names in the household will appear. Those not appearing are also welcomed!

Water Department Note:
If you pay your water/trash bill using an online bill pay service, Please make sure your check is being mailed to 9400 Municipal Parkway, Garden Ridge, Texas 78266. The Post office no longer forwards mail addressed to our prior address on Schoenthal Road.

QUICK NOTES

FRAUD TIPS
If your wallet, purse or credit cards are stolen file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is the first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
Numbers you need to contact:
1. EQUIFAX: 1-800-525-6285
2. EXPERIAN: 1-888-397-3742
3. TRANS UNION: 1-800-680-7289
4. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

NEVER give a credit card number or account number out unless you have initiated the action. Scams are rampant. If it sound too good to be true, it probably IS NOT TRUE! Report suspicious activity to police at 651-6441.

Pruning Oak Trees
When pruning oak trees, paint wounds within 6 hours to prevent oak wilt.

A New Breath of Life
Has Blown into the Community of Garden Ridge
Have you ever noticed how the gusty winds of late winter seem to bring fresh relief from the humidity that accumulates in south Texas? Well, just like the winds of winter, we get to have a fresh, uplifting, springtime attitude of the Holy Spirit gusting through the congregation of Triumphant Lutheran Church in Garden Ridge, TX. We are excited to announce the arrival of our new pastor, Reverend William Jon Irons, to the congregation of Triumphant. Pastor Bill will be installed on March 9th at 3 PM at Triumphant Lutheran Church located at 21315 Bat Cave Rd. in Garden Ridge. He brings many gifts to our growing congregation. Pastor Bill has extensive experience with youth, music, studying God’s word and bringing it to life as he preaches and teaches.
Just as we are growing spiritually, you will notice we are growing physically. If you are in the neighborhood and happen to drive by you will notice the new construction. We are in the process of building a 9,000 square foot multifunction fellowship hall and another addition to our Pre-School unit which will add six more classrooms and offices.
The congregation at Triumphant is more than just a worshipping community — we are family that enjoys celebrating together and we invite you to join us one Sunday at 8:30 or 11am.

Image by Gene Moore

The Randolph Metrocom Chamber of Commerce Presents
Randolph Metrocom
Marketplace 2008

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
1 pm to 6 pm

Live Oak Civic Center
8101 Pat Booker Road
Live Oak, TX 78233

The Event
The first Business Expo of its kind in the area and the best place to showcase and market your business in the Randolph Metrocom.
We expect a large crowd! The event will be open to the public and admission is free.

Filing for City Election
May 10, 2008

The General Election for the City of Garden Ridge will be held on May 10, 2008. City Council Places 1, 4 and 5 will be up for election for a two year term. Individuals interested in filing for a place on the ballot can do so through March 10, 2008 at City Hall during regular business hours 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. March 17, 2008 is the last day to file for a write-in candidacy.

Library Footnotes
by Nancy Feibelman

Congratulations to resident Jerry Bailey for discovering the identity of the lawmaker who was the lone “NO” vote to the declaration of war on Japan after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Sunday, December 7, 1941. Following that attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt conducted a joint session of Congress in which he stated December 7th, 1941 is “a date which will live in infamy.”

With the exception of Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin of Montana, the vote was unanimous for a Declaration of War. Her rationale — “A good democracy does not always vote for war!”

Your city library is full of such facts on all topics. Come visit us. Open 40 hours per week, Monday –Friday.

Library Hours are:
Mondays and Wednesdays 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am to 8 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to Noon

GRWC Garage Sale
March 15 8am to Noon

It’s almost time for the Garden Ridge Women’s Club Annual Citywide Garage Sale and you don’t want to miss it! The sale is Saturday, March 15, 2008, from
8 am to 12 Noon at the Garden Ridge Community Center.

Remember there is no admission fee to come and shop. To rent a table or for more information or questions, call Peggy Campbell (651-6065) or Catherine Schiller (651-6103).

Triumphant
Lutheran Church
The Community is invited to attend Holy Week and Easter Worship services at Triumphant Lutheran Church, 21315 Bat Cave Road.
March 20
Living Last Supper Drama at 7pm
March 21,
Good Friday Worship Service at 7pm
March 22,
Saturday, Easter Vigil Service at 5pm
March 23, Easter Sunday
Sunrise Worship Service at 7am
Easter Breakfast (Free Will Offering) Begins 7:40 am
Traditional Worship Service at 8:30am
Easter Breakfast (Free Will Offering)
Ends 10:45M
Contemporary Worship Service at 11am
Contact Person: Mary Feuge, 599-4812

Important Numbers

City Hall 210-651-6632
Lost Pet 210-651-6831
Police Department 210-651-6441

Significant Past Events in March
2 Mar 1836 - Texas declares independence from Mexico
3 Mar 1931 - Star Spangled Banner made US national anthem
6 Mar 1836 - Fall of the Alamo

Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 17th

GRCPAA
Garden Ridge Police Academy Class

The GRCPAAA will meet March 13 at 7 pm in the Bluebonnet Room of the Community Center. Discussion on coming events and meeting place and time will be addressed.

Code Compliance
The city has grown to a point that a formal code compliance officer be appointed. The new position will be a police officer who splits duties as a patrol officer and code compliance. Please remember that this function is designed to preserve your property values. Refer questions to Det. Donna O’Conner at 210-651-6441.

Quarry Commission
On February 11, the Quarry Commission held its monthly meeting.
The Vibra Tech representative reviewed the blasting analysis data from January and reported that there were 13 blasts with the highest readings on the seismograph monitors occurring on January 16th. Two blasts were on the fifty foot face, nine blasts were on the west wall, one blast was on the south wall, and one blast was on the bench. Blast frequencies were generally high with over half of the seismograph readings at or above the desired 14 Hz level.

More details about the Quarry Commission meetings are available at the City Municipal Building or on the Quarry Commission page of this website.

Citizens who are interested in having quarry blasts monitored at their residence should contact a member of the Quarry Commission. Citizens are also invited to attend the next Quarry Commission meeting on March 10, 2008 at 7pm.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS
Comal Elementary’s
Annual Spring Fling

Saturday, April 5th
2:00 to 6:00 PM
At the Playground

Silent Auction, Raffle, Cake Walk, Games, Prizes Food and Fun, Inflatable Slides & Jumpers, And Special Guests.
Come have a wonderful time while supporting the school.

Rio Cibolo Cooking Class
New! The Garden Ridge Women’s Club invites you to experience “a little bit of Texas” Cooking School at the Rio Cibolo Ranch in Zuehl, Texas on Thursday, May 1 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Enjoy a cooking lecture, demo and lunch, and if you wish, tour the gardens and nature trails, take a wagon or river barge ride, or feed the resident Longhorns. Cost is only $30 for members, $35 for non-members. Carpooling for the short 25 minute ride will be available. Checks payable to GRWC must be RECEIVED by Thursday, April 3. Please send to Janet Fleckenstein, 9412 Gardenia Bend Dr., Garden Ridge, TX 78266. Questions? Please call Janet at 651-0026.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.

Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. The deadline for articles/notices for the GRAPEVINE is normally the 18th of the previous month. Please have all submissions for the March Grapevine in by Friday, February 15 due to the short month.