From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
It’s election time again. I urge all eligible to exercise their cherished constitutional right and vote May 12th. Don’t be apathetic, YOUR VOTE COUNTS! One need only look at some recent elections to see how close the count is that determined some races.

Welcome to Garden Ridge
New Residents:

Marvin Baker & Jacqueline Riley-Baker
Brian & Christy Baumann
Ghada Zoorob & Yasser Farra
Alexandra Hernandez
Eric & Jennifer Irvin
Sandra Koentopp
Mark Nowak
David & Rosalyn O’Dell
Edward Rice
Charles W. Scott
William & Phyllis Terry

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

Sprinkler Hours:
Year around sprinkler operating hours are 8:00 pm to 10:00 am ONLY
Deer feed corn can kill
VOTE MAY 12TH !!

Thank You
GRWC Garage Sale

The Garden Ridge Women’s Club thanks the many volunteers who helped make the Annual City Wide Garage Sale a success again this year. We offer special thanks to C.O.P.S. (Citizens on Patrol) members who worked tirelessly assisting our Police Department with parking and crowd control. We appreciate you; hope to see you next year!

by Belinne Studios - Killdeer eggs

QUARRY TOURS
The Quarry Commission has arranged to provide Garden Ridge citizens with the opportunity to tour the local quarry operated by Hanson-Servtex. If you are interested in visiting the quarry, please stop by City Hall and sign up for a tour.

Children's Story Hour
Yoo-hoo! Calling all children!
Please join us on Saturday mornings this summer: 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28
Featuring: Puppet shows, special guest readers, prizes
Garden Ridge City Library
9400 Municipal Parkway

Children 10 years old and younger are invited. Parents are asked to stay with their children. For more information call 651-6570 during library hours.

Your Health and Wellness
Please join us at Forest Waters Club Wednesday, May 23, from 7 - 8 pm in the Duck Blind Lounge.
Open to ALL - FREE!
We are all concerned about maintaining optimal health. We want to remain young looking. We want to lose weight and feel healthy. We want to reduce the appearance of aging. We want to reduce the risk of degenerative diseases
This informative program will last 1 hour and will include:

• Introduction to wellness
• Current health trends in the U. S.
• Oxidative stress and our Environment
• Why we are dying of degenerative diseases
• The importance of cellular nutrition
• Risks and limitations of our modern food supply
• What is USANA Health Sciences?
• Why USANA Nutritionals?

Speakers: Dr. Larry Cazelusta of Garden Ridge, National Champion and #2 in the World Duathlon and Brent Lane, Architect, USANA Independent Associates.
Come learn how to take charge of your health!

City Adopts Noise Ordinance
The Garden Ridge City Council has adopted an ordinance to control noise within its corporate limits. Ordinance 139-042007 was adopted April 4, 2007 and is now in effect. Citizens desiring to review the noise ordinance can obtain a copy at City Hall.
Read Online copy in pdf format- 8 pages.

Library Footnotes
By Nancy Feibelman
In March 2007, the library received a
complimentary copy of Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter. I have read it and would like you opinion on it.
I just had to buy it for the library: the DVD Gettysburg. The movie is filmed on location and is as realistic as it can be. The startling message is that more soldiers were killed at Gettysburg than in all the years in Vietnam.
Again thanks once more to Jesse Rodriquez for donating more double sided bookcases for our ever increasing number of books.
Soon the computers will be here and we will be able to catalogue all our new books for easier check-in and out. I noticed today that we have a printer!

Visit the Library on the web site.

Significant Dates

Mother’s Day - May 13
Armed Forces Day - May 19
Memorial Day - May 28
Remember with great gratitude and honor all members of our Armed Forces -
especially those who fought and died serving America!

Come One, Come All
To the Annual Firefighter’s Festival
Saturday, May 5, 2006

If it’s spring, it must be time for the Bracken Volunteer Fire Department’s spring fundraiser. Please support your fire department. Come see us May 5th and enjoy a fajita dinner: large meal $6, small meal $4 with to-go orders available. Please bring your home baked goods for our bake sale.
This year we are having a Raffle, Live Auction and music. We will serve a Fajita Dinner from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with to go orders available. We need your support to make this department a viable part of your future.
We hope to see you Saturday, May 5th at our Central Station, 23600 FM 3009. Your support enables us to continue to provide quality fire protection and first responder EMS services. Help us make this our biggest and best fundraiser ever!! 651-5762

Oak wilt
Oak Wilt is a fungal disease spread from spores produced on an infected red oak to fresh wounds on red or live oaks. The disease and/or the sap beetles that spread it are inactive during the coldest part of winter and the hottest part of the summer. With the mild temperatures, however, our red and live oaks become susceptible. Recognize oak wilt in red oaks when an apparently healthy tree suddenly assumes autumn color and dies in early summer. The death occurs so fast that the leaves hang on the tree.
A live oak dies over several months. Major branches will die one at a time. The symptom is called flagging. An even more distinctive symptom is the leaf color. Leaves on live oaks infected with oak wilt will show venial necrosis. The veins will often be bright red or yellow while the area between the veins is green.
Insist that companies cutting on oaks in your neighborhood paint the wounds. If you have oaks, it is probably a good idea if you keep a spray can of pruning paint in your garage as well.
The MOST critical period is Feb 1 — June 1.
Reprinted in part from the San Antonio Express News — Calvin Finch

Water Pressure
Since the installation of our water tank, we are fortunate to have ample water pressure within Garden Ridge. In some cases, the pressure can on occasion be too high and cause plumbing problems. All newer homes should have pressure reduction valves installed per building code. However older homes should have the pressure checked to see if a problem could occur. This can be accomplished by purchasing a monitoring gauge (cost about $10) at stores like Home Depot, Lowes, or possibly Wal-Mart. Call City Public Works (Royce) at 652-6831 and the city will do the pressure check for you, but remember pressure does fluctuate based on time of day, other usage, etc. While there is no particularly ideal pressure, according to the International Plumbing Code, 80 psi or below is recommended.

General Election
May 12, 2007
The General Election for the City of
Garden Ridge will be held on May 12, 2007 for the purpose of electing a Mayor and Aldermen to City Council Places 2 and 3.
Early voting for the May 12th election will be conducted from April 30th to May 8th at the Garden Ridge City Council Chambers located in City Hall at 9400 Municipal Parkway, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm except on May 3rd and May 7th early voting will be conducted from 7 am to
7 pm
Voting on Election Day, May 12th, will be conducted from 7 am to 7 pm in the Garden Ridge City Council Chambers located at 9400 Municipal Parkway.
For voter convenience, all registered voters in Garden Ridge Precinct #205 will be able to cast ballots in the Comal ISD School Board Election and the Comal County Special Election in the Garden Ridge City Council Chambers during the April 30th through May 8th Early Voting period and on May 12th Election Day.

Cowboy Casino Night
Back by Popular Demand!

It’s back by popular demand! So, dust off the old cowboy hats, shine your boots and join the Garden Ridge Women’s Club for a night of Casino games and dancing fun with music provided by Bobby Baker and the Longnecks. Don’t forget to bring your appetite for great BBQ. Price includes dinner, $1000 in “faux” chips, and great prizes.
Grab your friends and neighbors and kick up your heels at this special evening event. Cash bar with beer, wine and sodas available.

Saturday May 19 th
6 - 10:30 pm
Garden Ridge Community Center

Price: $30 members; $35 non-members
For tickets contact: June Fordiani
210- 651-9111 or
Sandy Edsall 210-654-9202
Sponsors are needed for Casino Tables.
For more information contact:
June Fordiani, 651-9111

7 Steps to a Happier Pet
The Humane Society of the United States, in battling to end animal neglect, cruelty and abuse, encourages you to take the following actions to support animals.
Make sure your pet wears an ID tag to let him be returned if lost.
Enroll you new puppy of dog in behavioral training classes and visit www.petsforlife.org.
Animal behavioral problems can be health related. Get a complete physical at a veterinarian at least once a year.
Prepare for disasters. Make sure you have a plan that includes your pet.
Plan for your pet’s future in case something happens to you, see www.hsus.org/petsinwills.
December 28, 2007rom biting by going to www.nodogbites.org.
Have a heart, be smart and have your pet spayed or neutered.
NOTE: If you haven’t done so, register your pets with the City — 651-6831.
Online Pet Registration form.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Actions in April

Grapevine Deadline
The deadline for articles/notices for the GRAPEVINE is the 18th of the previous month. Please have all submissions for the May Grapevine in by May 18th.

by CA&BS - cream colored paintbrush