From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
Another wonderful year has flown by in the history of our beautiful city. Thanks to all for the support given during the year. The end of 2008 again leaves us with an enviable tax rate, high monetary reserves, excellent infrastructure and an overall high rating in all areas. A very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all!

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

Todd & Virginia Arvidson
Rhonda Barsalou
Paul Cato
Robert & Connie Fay
Jeff Kerr
Steve Hatley & Clarissa Lara
Jason & Tisha Miller
Charles Perkins
Carol Ann Robinson
Ana & Marcos Sarminto
Jack & Maria Sheidon
Clyde Turner Jr.
Michelle & Jim Wilson
Keith Wing
Wayne Woffard

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.

New Credit Card Scam

‘Tis the season. Beware of any calls regarding your credit card numbers, specifically the 3 digit security code on the back of the card.
The scammers may already have your credit card number and your address and phone number and they will use that information to get you to divulge the 3 digit pin code on the back of the card.
DON’T GIVE IT TO THEM!!

QUICK NOTES

Register Pets!
Please register your pets in January per city ordinance. Call 651-6831 or use the online form.

City Offices Closed
City offices will be closed on Friday December 19, from Noon until 3:00 pm for the employee Christmas Party.

Never Dial These Numbers
Never dial area codes 809, 282, or 876. Calls to those numbers are a SCAM and VERY Costly. They could cost up to $2425 per MINUTE!

Gifts by K. Belinne

Santa’s Little Helper
“Santa’s Little Helper” will help with gift wrapping for folks who would like the assistance during the holiday season. You provide the materials and the labor will be free. Contact Pa-Trisha Waggoner at
210-651-6750.

Precinct 205 Voting Results
Registered Voters: 4587
Ballots Cast: 3512
% of Voters voting: 76.6%
Voting Method
Mail Ballots: 241 — 6.8%
Early Voting: 2566 — 73.1%
Election Day: 705 — 20.1%
Selected Results
Presidential Election
McCain/Palin: 2728 — 78%
Obama/Biden: 732 — 21%
Other: 36 — 1.0%
Proposition to increase Elderly Homestead Exemption
For: 2784 — 82.4%
Against: 587 — 17.6%

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. We had one of the highest turnouts in the County! If anyone has more detailed questions, call Charlie Flink, Election Judge at 651-6632.

Library Footnotes
by Linda Crosland
Your Garden Ridge Library is happy to announce that our hours for Friday and Saturday have been extended an extra five hours. We will now be open from 10 am - 5 pm. Our goal is to serve our community and hope that this is one extra way to do so.

Other exciting news:
Children will enjoy our annual Visit From Santa. On December 6 there will be Story Hour at 11:45 am, followed by an appearance from Old St. Nick at 12:30 pm. Cookies and punch will then be served, and some books will be given away. Come enjoy this festive occasion!

Library Hours are:
Monday - Thursday 10 am to 6 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm

7th Annual Bracken Village Charles Dickens Christmas
Dec 5 - 6 and Dec 12 - 13
The Pony Express ride arrives Saturday, December 6th at 1:00 pm followed by a visit from Santa. This is a central part of our 7th Annual Bracken Village “Charles Dickens’ Christmas” event on Friday and Saturday, December 5th and 6th, and again the next weekend on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th from 6 pm to 10 pm.
The Village shopkeepers will be joined by the Fiesta City Chorus of the Sweet Adelines, the Arcade Barbershop Quartet of the Chordsmen, Violinist Bradley Bohn, the San Antonio Bagpiper Association, Damain Gillen in the Play “Bah, Humbug!”, Father Christmas, Tim St. John the Dickensian Juggler, Professor Pottersfield and his puppet Henry Little, Treasure Trio, horse drawn carriages circling the Village and Village Forest.
Caroling Each Evening at 9 pm
Candlelight caroling takes place each evening at 9 pm at the Great Christmas tree in the Village Green.
Great dining is available at the Bawdsey Manor British Tea Room and BBQ from Bucket Brigade! Bracken Village invites you, your family, and the staff and families of the City of Garden Ridge to join us in this great community event! More information at: www.BrackenVillageSA.com.

Save the Date!GRWC’s popular
Cowboy Casino Night
Saturday, February 7, 2009

GRWC’s popular Cowboy Casino Night. More details to follow in January’s Grapevine. There will be a Silent Auction and terrific barbecue. Casino Caper’s gaming tables and as always, dancing. Tickets go on sale January 7. Questions?
Please call Kay Bower at 650-8881.

Important Numbers

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

Graphic from the movie "Pearl Harbor"

Dec 7th Pearl Harbor Day
Lest we forget! 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

Attire: Semi-formal (Coat and tie) or black tie optional.

TRIUMPHANT LUTHERAN
CHRISTMAS EVENTS

The community is invited to the following Christmas events at Triumphant Lutheran Church, 21315 Bat Cave Road:
Children’s Christmas Program -Sunday, Dec 7th at 9:45 am
Christmas Cantata “And Glory Shown Around”- Sunday, Dec 14th at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services - Monday Dec 24th at 6:30 and 10:00 pm
Christmas Day Communion Service - Tuesday Dec 25th at 10:00 am

For more information please call the church office at 210-651-9090, or visit us on line at: www.triumphantlutheran.org.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.

Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. Submissions for the January GRAPEVINE need to be turned in by close of business December 15.