From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
As the 7th 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 2009 budget. Current projections show an increase in the general fund budget to just over $2 M. up approximately $130,000 over last year, but with a tax decrease from .221024 per $100 valuation to .209537 of which $0.15 is the tax rate and $0.06 is the interest and sinking fund. These figures are created by tremendous growth, capital worth of the city increasing this year by more than 76.9 million dollars to over 534 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:

Rudolpho Abalos
Roland Aubert
William & Wanda Chamartin
Clair & Shilah Geishauser
Francis & Esperanza Graham
Celester & Dontriah Johnson
Melissa Laurel
Kim Pope
Frank & Joycelyn Simas
Tim & Lorraine Swinney

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

Look Before Stepping Out
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.

We have Snakes
Many snakes are being spotted in the city. Be Cautious!

Very Tacky
A definition of “tacky” — placing garbage at curbside 30 minutes after the truck has gone by.

Garden Rridge Women's Club
We are starting our 2008-9 membership drive and are looking for new members. We have many activities and special interest groups. If you are interested in joining our group and have any questions, you may contact Becky Baldwin - Membership Chairman - at 375-3368. Dues are $20.00 per year. You may send checks made out to GRWC to:

Becky Baldwin
21022 Plum Ranch
Garden Ridge, TX 78266

Thank You!
National Night Out a Success!
The 6th annual National Night Out was a huge success. We thank American Bank of Texas for sponsoring the event and the Ameriprise Financial Advisors for sponsoring DigiKids. We also thank Schertz EMS, Bracken Volunteer Fire Department, Garden Ridge Police Department, Garden Ridge Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, the Mayor of Garden Ridge for the city grill that our Master Chef, Lt. Johnson of the GRPD, used in cooking the fabulous food and the smiling kitchen help who kept the food and drinks flowing.
Garden Ridge is a city of volunteers and everyone came out to make this a big night. We are grateful to the churches, clubs and community organizations who donated their time and people to inform our citizens of what is available.
Thanks to each of you for your hard work. Until next year,
Pat Cook and Mickey Sanders

Lest We Forget Sept 11, 2001

You are Cordially Invited to Attend
GOSPEL MEETING

September 7 - 12
Sunday 9:30 am & 10:30 am
7:30 pm Sunday — Friday Evenings
Garden Ridge Church of Christ
19881 FM 2252 Garden Ridge, TX 78266 (210) 621-3480
www.grcoc.org

Garden Rridge Women's Club
Fall Luncheon and Fasion Show
This is it, the BIG EVENT! The annual GRWC Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show! Join us at the Garden Ridge Community Center for fashions from Andie and Barbara’s Fashion Boutique, followed by a creative new luncheon menu from True Flavors. This event is one of our biggest each year, so mark your calendars for:

Thursday, September 18
11am to 2pm
$28 for members, $32 for non-members

RSVP: Make checks payable to GRWC before Friday, September 12th and mail to:

Becky Baldwin
21022 Plum Ranch
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
(210) 375-3368

Bracken Lions Club Annual
FISH FRY, BBQ AND AUCTION
October 4th
Mark your calendar now for the
Garden Ridge - Bracken Lions Club
Annual Fish Fry, BBQ and Auction on
October 4. It promises to be a really great event with good food and a wide variety of items in both the live and silent auctions, and in the lotteries. Don’t miss this charitable fund raiser. Support your local Lions Club!

Library Footnotes
by Linda Crosland

Attention teens! The library now has some new books that are sure to interest you. We have all four of the Vampire Series by Stephenie Meyer: Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon, and Breaking Down. We also have added four Amelia Atwater-Rhodes books: Wavernhall, Wolfcry, Falcondance, and Snakecharm, as well as four of James Patterson’s “Maximum Ride” books. Come check these out when they aren’t available at your school library! In addition, be sure to look for Pretties, Uglies and Specials by Scott Westerfield, or Queste, Flyte, Physik, and Magik, as well as several new Tayshas books. Not as much waiting!
Did you know that we have some fine magazines at our library? We have current copies of Forbes, Parents, and Consumer Reports, which you can sit in a comfy chair and read. You can use the library’s subscription to look up Consumer Reports online at your house. Log on at www.consumerreports.org. User ID: cgrl2008. Password: bookworm. Look it up to make more informed purchases.

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

BRACKEN VFD
KARTOFFEL PUFFER FEST
Original World-Famous Potato Pancakes

The Bracken Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) will again hold its annual Kartoffel Puffer Fest at the Garden Ridge Community Center on October 25-26. Watch the next Grapevine for times and more details.
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.
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

Important Numbers

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

Bracken Church
Rummage Sale - Sept 6th

The Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, September, 6 from 8 am until noon.
For information, contact:
Luanne Schuetze
Bracken United Methodist Church
830-606-6717
Luanne@satx.rr.com

Comal Elementary PTA
Organizational Meeting
& Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
6:00 PM in the School Cafeteria

We will elect officers, adopt bylaws and pay dues for membership. We welcome all of you to become new members of the Comal Elementary PTA and enjoy some ice cream!

Community CPR Class
at Bracken UMC October 7th
The mission of the health ministry at Bracken United Methodist Church is to provide useful information and education to the people in the surrounding community. The next event will be:
Community CPR Class
Tuesday, October 7
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Ages 12 to adult. Please call 830-606-6717 to sign up.
Space is limited. There is no cost.
This is not a class for certification!
Bracken UMC is located at 20377 FM 2252, one mile north of FM 3009.

Triumphant Lutheran Church Annual Oktoberfest
Saturday October 18

10 am - Arts and Crafts Fair

2pm - Children's activities and silent auction

4pm - Live music with dancing by the Bohemian Dutchmen

5pm - Homemade BBQ supper served.

All proceeds will benefit local charities.
Anyone wanting a table for the Arts & Crafts Fair contact Kristin at 210-843-7953.

“Holiday A’Fair”
Marketplace Saturday Oct 18th
Start your holiday shopping early! More than 50 vendors will be at the Holiday A’Fair Marketplace on Saturday, October 18 from 9 am - 4 pm at the Garden Ridge Community Center. Sponsored by the Knotty Knotters of the Garden Ridge Women’s Club, all proceeds will be donated to the New Life Children’s Treatment Center in Canyon Lake, a residential treatment center for girls 11-17.
Only $2 admission fee (includes 2 free raffle tickets), free parking. Sandwiches, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Join us for this fun event, and help make the fundraiser a success. For additional information, call 651-9241.

Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.

Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.

Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. Inputs for the November GRAPEVINE need to be turned in by close of business on October 14 due to publishing constraints.