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Did You Know?Forest in 1960, where they became active in the community and raised their children.Tex grew up in Beacon Hill and went to Tech High School just north of downtown San Antonio. He told a San Antonio Light reporter that he was only four years old when his father bought him is first harmonica for 25 cents. “You know,” he said, “I carried that harmonica in my hip pocket everywhere I went.”After high school, he worked as a welder’s helper at Brown and Root Construction Company. He said it took him several years to become certified. He never stopped playing the harmonica and played with bands after work. He was a featured player for Bill Shore’s San Antonio Playboys, and also backed singers Johnny Rodriguez, Mel Tellis, Ferron Young, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Molly Bee.Tex Allen passed away 24 years ago, but his music plays on.second inspections, or, surprisingly often, the businesses subcontractor often failed to even submit the permit application. I hope this sheds some light on the permit process, and challenges encountered.FBy Cynthia Leal Masseyrom the 1960s through the 1980s, premier harmonica player Allen Ben Fischer (1926-2001), knownprofessionally as Tex Allen, often joined musicians Charlie Moss (1923-1980) and Dale Keith (1933-2009) at Floore Country Store for rip-roaring concerts and foot- stomping dances.In the early 1970s, Fischer produced a 45 RPM single with both sides featuring his harmonica playing. The A-side offered a big national hit, “Where is Your Heart,” while the B-side featured an original composition, the “Helotes Polka,” a catchy tune that became so popular that C&W radio fans jammed local radio station lines requesting it.In 1981, he released an album, “TexAllen and his Electric Harmonica,” with ten tracks produced under his “South Texas Sound” label. It includes the two songs on his earlier single, as well as other original compositions, including another favorite, “Texas Star Inn Waltz.” A fine collection of Texas music, this album appears to be the only one featuring Allen. Produced by Rudy Gray, other musicians appearing on this album are: Randy Rienhart, steel and piano; Hank Singer, fiddle; Ron Knuth, fiddle; Jimmie Peters, rhythm guitar; Richard Wolfe, lead guitar; Travis Blair, drums; and Allen Chapman, bass.Allen, who was born in San Antonio, and his wife Kathryn Williams, known as Kitty, who was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, were married in Mission, Texas in 1957. They moved to the Scenic Loop Playground subdivision in GreyTex Allen’s album was released in 1981 under his “South Texas Sound” label.Cynthia Leal Masseyis the author of several books on the historyof Helotes. For more information, visit her website, cynthialealmassey. com, and her Facebook page, CLM Books.Sincerely,Rich WhiteheadRich Whitehead Mayorear Residents,Mayor’s CornerPermits – Facts vs. FictionDU ggh... Permits.... Why do we need them? Why are they so hard to get? Can’t there be an easier way? These questions sometimes lead to well-intentioned, but ill-informed social media rants. So, let’s explain the process and answer some questions. First, permits are required so that we can ensure that your house, addition, pool, or deck is built by licensed contractors and built according to code for not only your safety, but for the safety of whoever you sell your house to. Business, sign, food, and vendor permits also assure quality standards, consistent product, and public safety standards. Permits require inspections and therefore ensure quality and an equitable playing field for all contractors operating in the city. Violators are cited and fined as they endanger the equity and quality standards we have come to know and expect in our city. It is also important to know that all these permits and more are required in every city.... But not in unincorporatedcounty limits. Which is why home values are often higher in incorporated cities as houses are required to be built to code.One of my goals as Mayor was to streamline the permit process and continually reduce permit fees. Vendor permits are now available at an annual basis instead of event by event. Despite what some frustrated people post online at times, Helotes’ permit process is incredibly efficient and fast compared to other nearby cities. We issue within 10 days, and often within 3-5 days. We understand that people get frustrated when they learn they can’t get their permit on the same day they drop off the application, but we have to schedule outside inspectors, plan reviews, and in case of signage we have to review locations and submit to Planning and Zoning.When you hear of ‘long delays’ in someone getting their permit, investigations reveal that nearly 100% of the time there were incomplete applications, yet to be corrected deficiencies, requiredLooking For Dads To Recognizey Staff BHwanted to let your father know how much you appreciate him? Well, why not make it public and show him how much you care? We are giving you the perfect opportunity to do so.Highlights Publications is doing a special section to honor Dads in the June edition. It will be a great keepsake for you and for him. He will be totally surprised and it will make a great gift from the heart. Tell us why your dad is special to you and keep at 150 to 250 wordsmax.Is it because of what he did and/or still do for you? Or how he helped you become the person you are today? We will highlightighlights Publications wants to recognize fathers of all ages. How many of you have everas many submissions as possible.We will be selecting one father to receive$50. Please send your submissions with contact information and photo via email to contest@highlightspub.com. Deadline for Father’s Day articles is May 9, 2025.I Spy With My Little Eye... ContestPBy Sally Kaloslease look carefully on each and every page, scanning up and down, left and right, from front toback, and then back to front. Don’t give up! If you can find the caricature boy with balloons and flowers, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $50! Just email the page number and location where you spotted the caricature boy with balloons and flowers tocontest@highlightspub.com.The deadline is May 9, 2025.We hope you’ll have fun with our versionof a mini-scavenger hunt within our pages. Good luck!your local geico agent makes bundling simple.Home + Auto = easyLOCAL OFFICERod Musslewhite210-673-2391¡Hablamos Español!Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129Congratulations to our AprilI Spy winner Kristine Lang4www.heloteshighlights.comMay 2025