From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
LEST WE FORGET!
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
As the 6th anniversary of 9-11 approaches, we need to reexamine our feelings and attitude toward that horrendous event and individually vow not to become complacent. Let there be no mistake. The United States is now in a war that could devastate and destroy our very way of life. Complacency can fuel potential destruction!
In a lighter view, the city is in the midst of formulating the Fiscal Year 2008 budget. Current projections show an increase in the general fund budget to just over $1.8 M. up approximately 7% over last year, but with a tax decrease from .23246 per $100 valuation to .22102 of which $0.15 is the tax rate and $0.07 is the interest and sinking fund. These figures are created by tremendous growth, capital worth of the city increasing this year by more than 85 million dollars to over 460 million. As you read the newspapers on surrounding cities budget processes, check their proposed tax rates.
I think when compared with ours, you will be pleased.
Have a nice Labor Day. Play and drive safely.

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

Justin Balusik
Sybil Booker
Bruce & Judi Boyd
Janice & Kevin Devine
James & Satiko Lee
Gualberto & Lourdes Marrero
Charles & Carolyn Reece
Willie & Anna Rivers
George & Olimpia Rodruguez
Greg Schorp
Lewis & Dana Syring
Mr & Mrs Wayne Tyson
Alison White
David & Joan Zurovec

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

QUICK NOTES

Time Warner Cable Increase
As with any business, to offset rising business costs, Time Warner is adjusting its pricing structure. For example, basic service is going from $13.40 to $15.40. Pricing for the standard service is going from $38.05 to $38.75. These prices will become effective September 2, 2007. Please refer to the Time Warner web site at www.twc-sa.com for all their pricing.
It is important to note that many will NOT see an increase as they are already participating in one of our discount pricing and promotions or have taken advantage of the price guarantee we are offering with our Digital Phone product.
(Paraphrased and reprinted from August 3, 2007 letter from Time Warner Cable, San Antonio.)

Caution the Children
Caution your children to look before stepping out from their school bus into a traffic lane. Many do not heed the law and still pass stopped busses.

GOSPEL MEETING
with Harold Fite
September 6 - 9
You are Cordially Invited to Attend Thursday through Saturday 7:30 pm
Sunday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am & 5:00 pm
No collections will be taken from the public. Bible Studies can be arranged at your convenience.
Garden Ridge Church of Christ
19881 FM 2252, Garden Ridge, TX 78266 Phone: (210) 621-3480

Library Footnotes
by Nancy Feibelman
With the hiring of a part time librarian, the city library is now open 40 hours per week:
Hours:
Mon and Wed: 10 am to 6 pm
Tues and Thurs: 10 am to 8 pm
Fri and Sat: 10 am to Noon
The library will be closed on holidays. If you have not visited the facility, we encourage you to do so. We think you will be impressed.

Police Academy Alumni

The Garden Ridge Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni association will meet September 18, at 7 pm in the Municipal Court Room. Jerry Warden of Texas Parks and wildlife will be the guest speaker.

Help Stop the Spread of Deadly Oak Wilt
Austin, Texas — With increasing summer temperatures, more red and live oaks are succumbing to oak wilt, a devastating fungal disease striking millions of trees in over 60 counties across Central and West Texas. Texas Forest Service strongly urges landowners to be on the lookout for symptoms of oak wilt on their property, and to destroy infected red oak trees before they begin to lose their leaves in the fall season.

Because of the extremely dry conditions in previous years, people may have attributed tree loss to drought, however this year the main culprit is oak wilt, according to the Texas Forest Service. Red oaks that die during the summer season can also be the source of long-distance spread of the disease the following spring. Red oaks that are in the process of dying may produce fungal spore mats under their bark next spring, and sap feeding beetles transfer these spores long distances, thus starting a new infection center. If a landowner has red oaks that die from oak wilt (especially from late summer through fall), they must be destroyed or removed before fall or risk starting new infections. Red oaks that fall victim to oak wilt range from areas in North Central Texas to South Central Texas and westward, and include species such as Spanish Oak, Shumard Oak, and Blackjack Oak. Once infected, these species die within a matter of weeks, with foliage on the tree turning from yellow to red to brown — almost a false fall coloration. The brown leaves may stay attached to the trees for a period of time.

For additional information about oak wilt and techniques for slowing its spread, logon to http://www.texasoakwilt.org.
Provided by the Texas Forest Service.

United Way of Comal County
The United Way of Comal County is again asking for your help in the upcoming United Way campaign season. Approximately 20 percent of the United Way of Comal County funds come from residents who work outside the County and designate their gift to come home. For instance, USAA employees designated over $32,706 to the United Way of Comal County and Valero employees designated over $100,313.
With many Garden Ridge residents working in San Antonio, it is important to know that your United Way gift can be designated to United Way of Comal County to assist the 26 health and human service organizations in Comal County. These organizations work with children, teems, families and individuals in crisis, disabled, and the elderly in our community. A listing of agencies can be obtained by calling the United Way of Comal County office in New Braunfels at 830-620-7760 or visiting our web site at: www.uwcomal.org.
Since many United Way agencies in San Antonio serve only Bexar County residents, it’s important to make sure your caring counts where you live. The designation code for Comal County this year is #46593. This option is also available to federal employees through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), State employees in the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC), school employees in the Combined School Campaign as well as campaigns in San Antonio, Bexar County and other companies. If you check the acknowledgement statement on the designation form, we will receive a listing of your gift and send you a thank you note to ensure your gift was received in Comal County.
Do what matters where you live. Put yourself in the way — THE UNITED WAY!

Important Numbers

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

ANNUAL FISH FRY, BBQ AND AUCTION
October 6th

Mark your calendar now for the Garden Ridge - Bracken Lions Club Annual Fish Fry, BBQ and Auction on October 6. It promises to be a great event with good food and a wide variety of items in both the live and silent auctions.

Luncheon and Style Show
Join friends and neighbors at the annual
Fall Luncheon and Style Show
Fashions by Coldwater Creek.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
11:00 am until 2:00 pm
Garden Ridge Community Center
Members … ($23)
Non-members…($28)
Please send checks payable to GRWC by September 12th to:
Marti Matthews, Co-chair
10858 Tonne Dr. W
New Braunfels, TX 78132
210-602-0626
Joan Church, Chair
210-391-4703

“Holiday A’Fair” Marketplace Sat. Oct 20th

This event, featuring a variety of unique vendors and sponsored by the Knotty Knotters of the Garden Ridge Women’s Club, will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007, from 10 am to 3 pm. Location of the event is the Garden Ridge Community Center.

All proceeds will be donated to the New Life Children’s Treatment Center in Canyon Lake, a residential treatment center for girls 11 - 17. Please invite your friends and come join us for a fun event and start your holiday shopping early. For additional information, call 651-9241.
Garden Ridge Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association

BRACKEN VFD
KARTOFFEL PUFFER FEST
The Original World-Famous Potato Pancakes Oct 27 - Oct 28th

The Bracken Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) will be moving its Potato Pancake Wurstfest operation to the Garden Ridge Community Center, where it will continue to prepare and sell its famous potato pancakes. In addition to pancakes, there will be drinks (beer/sodas/water), sausage, and some good ole foot-tapping German music. There will NOT be an entrance fee or parking fee.
This year, the first annual “Kartoffel Puffer Fest” is in conjunction with the Garden ridge Police Department’s Annual “Halloween Haunted Hay Ride” on Saturday, October 27th and will continue its pancake sales through Sunday, October 28th. So mark your calendars and tell your neighbors, friends and family so they won’t miss out on this very special event. It will be the only place around to get those famous potato pancakes this year! David Hencshel, BVFD, President

GRWC
For fellowship and fun, join the Garden Ridge Women&December 28, 2007Tanya Haddad
8908 Sonata Court
Garden Ridge, TX 78266 (210-651-9241)

Register Your Pets

The City of Garden Ridge requires that all dogs and cats be registered. Call 651-6831 for information. Online Registration form.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Actions in August

Grapevine Deadline
The deadline for articles/notices for the GRAPEVINE is the 18th of the previous month. Please deliver all submissions for the October Grapevine by September 18th.