From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
It was a sad, but happy day on August 14 when Linda Knowlson, a city employee and City Secretary for 13 years retired. A nice luncheon was held and due to her love of animals and wildlife, a bird bath with plaque now is placed between the library and City Hall. Arriving on board to replace Linda is Yolanda Benitez, long in city administrative issues and coming from the City Secretary position in Hondo. We also welcome Sandy Edwards, a new administrative assistant hired from Live Oak. We were fortunate to hire these ladies as they add immense experience to the staff.
A special thank you to all for a great National Night Out. Good crowd, good displays, and interesting throughout.
Please, please do your part in water conservation. Every month as I write this, I say “by the time you read this I hope it has rained.” Not much luck so far.
Please note the article on rattlesnakes in this issue. Brief your children.
“Lest we forget! September 11, 2001!”
Enjoy the remainder of the summer.

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

Anthony & Linda Bishop
James R. Booker
Jamie Booth
Oscar Cadena
Joseph & Andrea Haltaman
Benjamin & Veronica Henderson
Richard & Marianne Jones
Bridget Knecht
Patrick & Amy Martin
Sally Pierce
Jose A. Rodriguez Jr.
Thomas & Debbie Suchenski
Jason & Renee Zmuski

Note: Newcomers are identified by water service records. Consequently, not all names in the household will appear. Those not appearing are also welcomed! The City of Garden Ridge requires that all dogs and cats be registered. Call 651-6831 for information.

THANK YOU !!
Pat and Mickey, along with the City of Garden Ridge, the Garden Ridge Police Department, and the Garden Ridge Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, would like to thank the American Bank of Texas, NA, and Ameriprise Financial Advosors of Garden Ridge - sponsors of Digi Kids - as well as all the city county, and state organizations that helped make the 7th annual National Night Out a big success. We had the largest turn out ever this year. This event could not have been the success it was without all the volunteers who participated. We wish to say a “Big Thank You” to all who helped in this event. Hope to see you at the
8th Annual National Night Out,
August 3, 2010.

NEW IN THE AREA
The Parlor Family Hair Care
18426 Second Street
Bracken, TX 78266
210-651-1126
Affordable haircare for men, women, and children. Skye Polchert Owner/Operator
Located between Big John’s Hangin’ Tree Saloon and the Bracken Café.

QUICK NOTES
Children and School Bus
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.
More Snakes
Many snakes are being spotted in the city. Be Cautious!
Very Tacky Garbage
A definition of “tacky” — placing garbage at curbside 30 minutes after the truck has been by.

Rattlesnake Caution
Hospitals across Texas are seeing an alarming increase in rattlesnake bites. Hays County treated five people for the bites in recent weeks. Travis County reported 11 rattlesnake bites in the last three months. Experts state that it is mating season, but it is mostly drought that is pushing them into residential areas to find water.
During the day, you most likely won’t find snakes in the grass, but under rocks or in drainage ditches trying to stay cool. At night, they are more prevalent in areas with high grass, near some source of water. Rattlesnakes won’t chase you, but if someone gets too close and they feel threatened, the snakes will strike.
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake call 911 immediately, try to stay calm and keep your blood circulation as slow as possible. The sooner the venom gets to the heart, the less the chances of survival. Rattlesnake bites cause more fatalities than any other snake in the country. BE CAUTIOUS!! Thank you!

Garden Ridge Women’s ClubAnnual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon
It’s time for the annual GRWC Luncheon and Fashion Show. Mark your calendars for September 17th, 2009, from 11am until 2pm. We will be featuring a new venue for our fashion show with a “Trunk Show” sponsored by Chico’s using their fabulous fashions and accessories!
We will also have sign-up sheets for activities such as the Dining-In, Dining-Out, Lunch Bunch, Bunco, and Knotty Knotters, just to list a few. We will also be selling our Amazing Grazing Cookbook and raffle tickets for an opportunity to buy a chance to win our Butterfly Kisses quilt.
So, make your reservation now for this big event. You don't want to miss the great food, fashions, fun, and door prizes!
Location:Garden Ridge Community Center
9400 Municipal Pkwy, Garden Ridge, TX 78266
Cost: Members $28.00 per person and non-members $33.00 per person
Please make your check payable to GRWC and send to:
Diana Scott
21916 Deer Canyon Dr
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
Questions: Call Diana Scott at 651-3320 or Sharon Duemler at 651-0654.

Library Footnotes
by Karen Bishop
The last week of September is designated by the American Library Association as Celebrate the Freedom to Read week. This year it is September 26—October 3. Come check out a book during that week to show awareness of our First Amendment rights.
The new school year is here! Parents, remember the library supports school reading programs such as Lone Star and Bluebonnet. We have all the latest titles, including Alvin Ho by Lenore Look and Surprises According to Humphery by Betty G. Birney. Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, is also the author of another series, 44 Scotland Street. The library has the first 4 titles: 44 Scotland Street, Espresso Tales, Love Over Scotland, and World According to Bertie. Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, stories of those who live in the area of 44 Scotland Street are most entertaining.
Another series, The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901: Arizona Territories by Nancy E Turner, is also available. The library has These Is My Words, Sarah’s Quilt, and the Star Garden. Wonderful tales of early settlers, their joys and sorrows.
Lance Armstrong’s autobiography, It’s Not About the Bike. Amd David Coyle’s biography, Lance Armstrong’s war will leave you wanting to train for a big bike race (or not!). Both are good reads about a determined person.

Garden Ridge Lions Club
Fish Fry/BBQ/Auction
The annual Garden Ridge Lions Club Fish Fry/Barbeque/Auction will be held on Saturday October 3 from 3pm - 9pm at the Garden Ridge Community Center.
The event will feature an excellent dinner prepared by your local Lions Club, raffle, super raffle, and silent and live auctions. The live auction is expected to have some 80 items, including power tools, small appliances, electronics, dinners at selected restaurants, and more. We will also offer live entertainment by “Three Hits & a Miss”. All proceeds are donated to charity.
Come join us for a fun experience. Please invite your friends and help make this fundraiser a success. For additional information, call 654-9202.

Holiday A’Fair Marketplace
Mark Your Calendars and Join Us on Saturday, October 17th - 10 am to 4 pm at the Garden Ridge Community Center. This event is sponsored by the Knotty Knotters of the Garden Ridge Women’s Club. Start your holiday shopping early at this event with more than 40 unique vendors. An admission fee of only $2.00 includes 2 free raffle tickets. Parking is free.
Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase. Join us for this delightful event and help make this fundraiser a success. Profits will be donated to local charities. For additional information, call Tanya Haddad at 651-9241.

Please Conserve Water
From the SAWS website for Water Conservation

But remember that wildlife need water

Important Numbers

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

Lest We Forget - Sept 11, 2001

Bracken VFD Annual
Firefighter's Festival
The annual Bracken VFD Firefighter's
Festival, (postponed last May) will be held at the Garden Ridge Community Center on Saturday, Sept 12th. This venue provides better parking, more room, air conditioning, and protection from rain we so desperately need.
Bracken’s famous Kartoffel Puffers (German Potato Pancakes) will be served for the 41st year. Other food and drinks will include applesauce, sausage, hotdogs, sauerkraut, various desserts, homemade ice cream, water, tea, sodas, beer, and wine.
This year’s festival will feature a live auction and a silent auction of great items donated by area businesses and individuals, while a jump castle and inflatable slide will entertain energetic children.
Schedule of Events:
10 am – 8 pm
Meals served, Address Signs sold
10 am – 9 pm
Silent Auction, Moon Bounce, Slide
6 pm – 9 pm
Live Auction
Although Bracken VFD is partially supported by tax revenue, fund raising is critical to providing the best fire, rescue, and medical first response service possible. Mark your calendar to come enjoy great food and company while supporting your local fire department! BVFD, President

Open Invitation
The Garden Ridge Church of Christ invites you to a special series of studies on home and family Sunday, Sep 27, 2009.
Charles Willis of New Caney, TX will speak on the following:
9:30 am Class: Giving God Control of My Marriage
10:30 am Worship: I Searched for a Man
5:00 pm Worship: Bringing Them Up in the Lord
For further information, contact:
Garden Ridge Church of Christ
19881 FM 2252
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
http://www.grcoc.org

Enhanced Neighborhood Business - Postmaster Global Shipping and Business Center iIs relocating from their Schertz office to their Garden Ridge/Bracken location (co-located with Acres of Diamonds).
18820 FM 2252
San Antonio, TX 78266
210-651-4515
FAX: 210-651-4904
They intend to provide expanded hours of operation and their capabilities will include: U.S. Mail and Fed EX services, packaging supplies, mail box rental/forwarding, copy and fax services, Notary services, and postal pickup and delivery for shut-ins.

QUARRY HAPPENINGS
On Aug 10, 2009, the Quarry Commission held its monthly meeting. The Commission reviewed and analyzed blasting data from July 2009. There were 6 blasts in July. Blasting was conducted on the Blank property northwest of the main pit, the the South Texas Aggregate pit, and in the “new pit”, which is the main pit but deeper. None of the blast data in July were significant; in fact the data was below average. One of the commissioners noted, however, the blast on July 22 felt very strong. That blast was in the New Pit. To minimize the effects of blasts in the New Pit, the Quarry will widen the pit and reorient future blasts.
Iinformation about the Quarry Commission meetings is available at the City Municipal Building or on the Quarry Commission’s home page.If you wish to complain about a blast or have comments for the Quarry Commission, contact City Hall at 651-6632 or visit the Citizens’ Blast Report page. Citizens who are interested in having quarry blasts monitored at their residence should contact a member of the Quarry Commission. Citizens are invited to attend Quarry Commission meeting on Sep 14 at 7 pm.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.

Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. Submissions for the October GRAPEVINE need to be turned in no later than September 15th.