From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
In the period of one week, I received two emails from supposed banking institutions that stated a problem existed with my account. I must respond within 48 hours with certain personal data to preclude cancellation of on-line banking services. Both were very official looking and of course both were an attempt to get account numbers, pin numbers, etc. NEVER respond to such requests. Provide that type of information ONLY if you initiate the request! I have been told by Bank of America that they would never send an email addressed “Dear Member”. They would always use the member’s name. If ever in doubt, call your financial institution for verification. If you receive an email or letter like this, notify the Garden Ridge Police Department at 651-6441 - Detective O’Conner. She is tracking such scams and placing such information in proper channels to identify these “scum bags”.
With the current world situation, the war on terror, our troops in harms way, November 11th, Veterans Day takes on a regenerated meaning. This year on Veterans Day, make a conscious effort to pause and reflect on the meaning and significance of the day. The observance was originally designated Armistice Day, the date which signified the end of WW I. Documents were signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was subsequently changed to Veterans Day to honor all who serve.
Honor all who are serving and have served to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Hope you had a great summer and even a better fall. Remember those less fortunate due to Hurricane Ike. Thanks for your continued support!

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

Stephen & Susan Bean
Gerry L. Brown
Scott Bryson
Stephen & Laurie Jones
John & June Montella
Gary & Kimberly Nave
John Penman
Marcia Stewart
Amy & Phil Vella
Joel Wineland

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

THANKS !
BVFD Thanks YOU
Many, many thanks to all those volunteers that made the Bracken VFD Kartoffel Puffer Fest on October 25-26 a huge success! Without the support of a wonderful community, an event of this magnitude could not be pulled off! Remember the monies collected go a long way to provide you quality fire protection services. See you next year as we continue the tradition.
David Hencshel
BVFD President

Many Thanks
My thanks to all the thoughtful people in Garden Ridge for everything you have done to help me after my husband, Vernon, passed away August 19th. He is now looking down from his new garden above And thanking you also.
Loretta Reitz and family

WILDLIFE
Remember that having wildlife around your house has many benefits. They help clean up our roadways and neighborhoods by scavenging for food. They control populations of both insects and rodents and observing them in their natural habitats provides us with a limitless supply of entertainment, education and enjoyment free of charge! So whenever possible, give animals a break. Tolerance, respect and patience are ultimately the most useful tools in successfully solving conflicts with wildlife. Always, always be cautious when dealing with or confronting these animals but let’s also remember they were here first!

Mah-jongg
Anyone interested in playing mah-jongg please give Micky Sanders a call at 651-5782.

VOTE !
Vote for the candidates of your choice on the 4th of November at City Hall. Voting is one of the most precious rights we have in this wonderful country. Exercise that right!

New Electronic Sign
Many thanks again for the support of the Garden Ridge Women’s Club. Their generous donation has enabled the City to place an electronic sign at the entrance to the city complex to notify citizens of events in the city and community center.
Thank You!

Library Footnotes
by Lynne Dean
Attention kids! We have purchased the first book in the exciting new adventure series by San Antonio author Rick Riordan. The 39 Clues series begins with The Maze of Bones where we meet Amy, age 14 and her brother Dan, age 11, who turn down $2 million to take up the challenge of finding the 39 Clues to their family history. Danger and deception follow them as they travel across the country and around the world. This interactive series includes the books, cards, internet games and a chance to win prizes. Also new to the library:
Books:
The Other Queen — Phillippa Gregory
The Given Day — Dennis Lahane
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street — Jeanne Birdsall
The Whiskey Rebels — David Liss
DVDs
Iron Winged Angels — Hillary Swank - history of women’s suffrage movement
Tom Jones — A&E hilarious version of classic book by Henry Fielding
Scarlet Pimpernel — 3 episodes
Nicolas Nickleby, Lorna Doone, Ivanhoe, Jane Eyre, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, The Russia House, Junior Bonner

The library is looking for volunteers for the evening hours on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 PM. Please call the library between 12 - 6 PM to talk to Linda.

Library Hours are:
Monday - Thursday 10 am to 6 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to Noon.

1st GRWC Cookbook
GARDEN RIDGE WOMEN’S CLUB
See your name in print in our 1st GRWC-produced cook book! Submit recipes (1 or more; more is better) for this fundraiser in any category to:
Kay Bower (650-8881)
8947 Garden Ridge Drive
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
kmail@satx.rr.com
Peggy Campbell (651-6065)
9435 Gardenia Bend Drive
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
peggycampbell@satx.rr.com
Please include: (1) any short anecdote/tip/history of the recipe (2) your name & phone number. Email, typewritten or legible handwriting ok.
Open to all, not just GRWC members, so recruit your friends and family, too, for those tried & true recipes. Have fun and beat the holiday crunch; submit now!
DEADLINE: Friday, November 28

Garden Ridge-Bracken
Lion's Club - Thank You
The Garden Ridge - Bracken Lions’ Club and I thank everyone in the community who helped make our annual Fish Fry, BBQ, and Auction a great success. Because of your generous contributions, we will continue many important services. The Lions in our club could not achieve civic and humanitarian goals without your support.
Last year we provided Christmas groceries and gifts to many needy families, scholarships to local high school graduates and Texas Lions Camp counselors. We are major contributors to the Texas Lions Camp for Disabled Children in Kerrville, and Lions Club International, the leader in providing blindness prevention services, leader dogs for the blind, diabetes prevention and research. We also support local organizations such as the Bracken Fire Department, Boy Scouts, Garden Ridge Library, Texas Boys and Girls State.
Thanks to all of you who donated and volunteered for the Fish Fry, BBQ, and Auction. We could not pull off an event of this magnitude without everyone’s help. For membership information, contact Dick Vogt at 651-5894.
We've already begun planning for next year’s event on the first Saturday in October. During this year’s event, a volunteer entertained folks with his guitar and singing prior to the live auction. This was greatly appreciated and I want to identify and thank him properly. Call 651-6094.
Jay Feibelman, President
Garden Ridge - Bracken Lions Club

Important Numbers

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

NOV 11 VETERANS’ DAY
Remember with great gratitude and honor all members of our Armed Forces,
especially those who fought and died serving America!

The Garden Ridge
Women’s Club
proudly presents
“A Christmas Gala”
Sponsored by GR Women’s Club but
OPEN TO ALL, we invite everyone to celebrate the holidays close to home.
Enjoy a festive dinner…relax and visit with friends and neighbors while dancing or just listening to the music of Percy Lewis & Jazz Prodigy.

Saturday, December 13, 2008
from 7 – 11 pm
Garden Ridge Community Center
Only $45.00 per person, $50.00 for non-members
Checks payable to GRWC due by 12/5/08

Send to: Connie Furbish
8814 Garden Ridge Drive
Garden Ridge, TX 78266

Quarry Commission Happenings
Quarry Commission Report
On October 13, 2008, the Quarry Commission held its monthly meeting. The Commission reviewed and analyzed recent blasting data. For the past four months, the number of blasts at the Quarry and the overall effects of the blasts have decreased. (Only five blasts in Sep.) The lower demand for rock products is one reason the Quarry is not blasting as much. Also, blasting has shifted to the Blank property on the northwest side of the Quarry. Shifting to the Blank property has had two noticeable effects. First, the blasts are further away from housing areas; so slightly longer lasting blasts can be used, which increases the length of the blast effects a few tenths of a second, but decreases the number of blasts/month. Also, the blasts are angled back at, rather than away from FM3009, which means sometimes the noise level heard in the subdivisions south of the Quarry may be slightly higher than in the past. The ground effects of the blasts, on the other hand, have diminished because of the location of the blasts and improved blasting techniques. As a result of the shifting blast patterns, we will monitor the blasts from a home in Georg Ranch for the next cycle of blasts. More details about the Quarry Commission meetings are available on the Quarry home page.

Citizens who are interested in having quarry blasts monitored at their residence should contact a member on the Quarry Commission. Citizens are also invited to attend the next Quarry Commission meeting on November10, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

BRAUNTEX THEATER
Upcoming shows at the Brauntex Theater in New Braunfels include:
“The Tweaksters” — Think like Cirque du Soleil without the high ticket price. Fabulous feats of physical fun of dance and artistic juggling. November 15, at 7:30 pm. Tickets $30 and $35 for reserved seats
“Brauntex Unplugged” — Brauntex Fundraiser Concert featuring Stoney LaRue, Wade Bowen, Matt Skinner, Cody Canada and Susan Gibson. November 16 at 6 pm. Tickets $45 includes pre-party at Seekatz and concert event at Brauntex Theater.
“Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway” — Features actual stars of shows from the best known Broadway musicals of the last 101 years. Backed by a New York band. November 23, at 7 pm. Tickets $30 and $35 for reserved seats at the Brauntex Theater.
Tickets for all shows may be purchased at the Brauntex Office, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX. (830) 627-0808 or online at www.brauntex.org

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.

Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. Inputs for the December GRAPEVINE need to be turned in by close of business November 14.