January 2021

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

Fire Department (non-emergency) 281-367-3444

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 281-297-6500, Business, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 936-442-7797, Non-Emergency, 24 hours

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Water Providers

Woodlands Water (Montgomery County MUDs) 855-H20-SAVE (855-426-7283)

Harris – Montgomery Counties MUD No. 386, 281-290-6500

Emergency 911

For emergency information specific to The Woodlands, listen to K-Star Country, KVST-FM, the official emergency broadcast partner of The Woodlands Township.

message from The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

John Anthony Brown Treasurer, Position 3

Bruce Rieser Vice Chairman, Position 4

Gordy Bunch Chairman, Position 1

Jason J. Nelson Director, Position 2

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs Secretary, Position 5

Dr. Ann K. Snyder Director, Position 6

Bob Milner Director Director, Position 7

Jeff Jones President and General Manager

The Woodlands COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township

The Woodlands Community Magazine is a monthly publication of The Woodlands Township, in partnership with Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. It is printed and distributed free of charge to residents of The Woodlands The printing and distribution of The Woodlands Community Magazine are supported entirely by advertising revenue. Please patronize the advertisers whenever possible, and tell them you saw their ad in this magazine and appreciate their support.

CHAMPIONS STAFF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr.

Account Executives Cheryl Kirsch

Graphic Designers

Jim Callahan

Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Senior Copy Editor Kacie Gurney

Copy Editors

Perry Frank

Shelby Doerries

Editorial Assistant Barbara Ryan

Advertising inquiries, rate requests and change of address/delivery inquiries may be directed to:

6608 FM 1960 W., Suite G Houston, Texas 77069 281-583-7661

www.championsprinting.com

Editorial inquiries may be directed to The Woodlands Community Magazine, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, TX, 77381, telephone 281-210-3800. Editorial deadlines are the 15th of every month, approximately six weeks in advance of publication. The editors reserve all rights to accept or reject any submissions and reserve all rights to edit for clarity and space. The Woodlands Community Magazine is the official information source of The Woodlands Township. Its purpose is to inform Woodlands residents about the activities of the Township and the services provided to them as Woodlands residents. Information from the Township takes precedence over information submitted by any other source.

The Woodlands Community Magazine has earned three Communicator Awards of Distinction, the Bronze Quill Award of Merit from the Houston Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, a Merit Award from The Service Industry Advertising Awards and a Gold MarCom Award.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS

By Amber Barnes

Don’t miss one of the longest standing traditions in The Woodlands! Arbor Day encourages residents to take part in ongoing community reforestation efforts by planting trees in their yards.

The Arbor Day Tree Giveaway takes place Saturday, January 23, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sawdust Park and Ride, located at 701 Westridge Drive. Out of precaution and in light of COVID-19, this year’s event has been reformatted to be a drive-through activity. For the safety of all participants, no walk-ups or bicycles are permitted.

All vehicles must enter from S. Park Drive. PLEASE NOTE: All vehicles must be inside the Park and Ride Lot by noon. After this point, the line will close to allow time for all queued vehicles to drive through the

event. No public restroom facilities will be available.

To ensure social distancing, residents will remain in their vehicles during the event. Residents are asked to wear face coverings to protect themselves and others. Volunteers will place seedlings in vehicle trunks.

This year, 12 varieties of native seedlings are available including both canopy trees and understory trees.

Canopy trees, which comprise the upper layer of the forest, typically reach heights of 40 to 90 feet at full maturity. The following varieties are available this year: American Sycamore, Chinkapin Oak, Loblolly Pine, Lacey Oak and Green Ash.

Understory trees range in height from 8 to 40 feet at maturity and are generally more shade-tolerant. These smaller varieties include Texas Redbud,

Possumhaw Holly, Roughleaf Dogwood, Texas Persimmon, Spicebush, Texas Pistachio and Witch Hazel.

Each of these native varieties benefit local wildlife. Flowering trees and shrubs provide nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Berry-producing varieties offer small mammals and birds a source of food. All are critical hosts for beneficial insects.

This is a free event for Woodlands residents. Supplies are limited to two of each variety per vehicle. For more information, please contact enviro@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment.

Thank you to this year’s sponsors: Chevron-Phillips, The Woodlands

G.R.E.E.N., H-E-B, and Woodlands Water Agency.

Since 1977, more than 1.5 million trees have been given away at this annual event.

VOLUNTEER:

Run for a Residential Design Review Committee or Village Association Office

Each year, elections are held for more than 100 volunteer leadership positions within our community. Volunteers are critical to The Woodlands; thousands of volunteer hours are necessary to carry out the governance of our community. As in the past, elections will continue to be held in February for the Residential Design Review Committees (RDRCs) and the Village Associations. The Woodlands Township Board of Directors election is held in November and follows a different process.

Residential Design Review Committee

The majority of properties in The Woodlands Township are encumbered with either The Woodlands Community Association Covenants or The Woodlands Association Covenants (both herein referred to as the Covenants). The community associations transferred responsibility for Covenant administration to the Township as part of the governance transition back in 2010, and the Covenants continue to be encumbered on property throughout The Woodlands. As prescribed by the Covenants, five-member resident-elected committees serve to facilitate property improvements of their peers. Elected to one-year terms, residents dedicate several hours each month to review the applications submitted by their neighbors for improvements to their property. Residents interested in ensuring that design standards are maintained in The Woodlands may be interested in filing for Residential Design Review Committee candidacy in their village. The following Residential Design Review Committee positions are up for election in February 2021:

All Villages

• Up to five Residential Design Review Committee members to be elected for each village, all serving one-year terms. This includes two committees for the Village of Indian Springs, which is divided into two geographic areas based on Covenant imposition.

Village Associations

For

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association

• 18 At-Large Area Representatives (one-year term)

College Park Village Association

• President (two-year term)

• Secretary (two-year term)

• Nine At-Large Area Representatives (one-year term)

Creekside Park Village Association

• President (two-year term)

• Secretary (two-year term)

• Co-Events Chair (one-year term)

• 10 At-Large Area Representatives (one-year term)

Grogan’s Mill Village Association

• Seven At-Large Area Representatives (two-year term)

Indian Springs Village Association

• President (two-year term)

• Secretary (two-year term)

• Six At-Large Area Representatives (two-year term)

Panther Creek Village Association

• Nine At-Large Area Representatives (two-year term)

Sterling Ridge Village Association

• Eight At-Large Village Directors (two-year term)

Filing for Office

Each of the villages has a civic association that facilitates activities specific to their village. Each village will have officer positions and/or area (neighborhood) representative positions open for the 2021 election. While officer duties may vary by position and/or specific village (refer to each village’s bylaws at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov), all villages seek enthusiastic residents looking to volunteer their service and leadership for their closest Woodlands neighbors. The following village association positions are up for election in February 2021:

Alden Bridge Village Association

• 10 At-Large Area Representatives (two-year term)

Filing packets and related information can be found on The Woodlands Township website, www.thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov, at Residential Design Review Committee meetings and through the Village Association presidents. Filing for all community positions begins Thursday, December 31, 2020, and continues through January 21, 2021, at 5 p.m.

In accordance with the current Election procedures, candidates who are interested in running, but do not file by the deadline will be able to run as a write-in candidate only if they file as such by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Cancellation of Uncontested Elections

In the February 2021 election, for any Residential Design Review Committee or Village Association that does not have a contested race as of 5 p.m. on January 27, 2021, the entity’s election will be canceled, and the seating and/or filling of vacancies will proceed in accordance with the entity’s bylaws.

CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Woodlands Township Board Installs Officers and Newly Elected and Re-Elected Directors

Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ stayinformed. Follow the Township’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thewoodlandstownship.

John Anthony Brown Treasurer

Bruce Rieser Vice Chairman

Gordy Bunch Chairman

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs Secretary

Pictured above, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Matt Beasley (far left) administers the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected Directors (left to right): John Anthony Brown, Gordy Bunch, Bruce Rieser and Jason J. Nelson.

Boat Houses Move to New Reservation System

Since the Riva Row Boat House opened in 2009, The Woodlands Township boat houses have essentially operated as walk-up-only businesses with a limited number of large group reservations available.

But over the past year or so, with the popularity of the boat houses at an all-time high, customers have been unexpectedly caught in long lines waiting to get out on the water - especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more people outdoors in search of safer recreational options for the whole family. With this challenge in mind and with an eye towards safer transactions and immediate access to beautiful Lake Woodlands, would-be boat house visitors can now go online to reserve a kayak, paddleboard, water bike or the everpopular swan pedal boats before ever leaving home!

Walk-up rentals will of course still be available, as are some light concessions at the check-in window; but a percentage of the fleet is now going to be available only for online reservations. Large group reservations (company outings, family reunions, school trips, etc.) can still be

made by contacting the boat house by phone or through the new website. Gift cards are also available online.

Visitors to Texas TreeVentures or the Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center will be immediately familiar with the layout of our new boat house website and reservations process, as all three sites utilize the same user-friendly format.

By going to www.rivarowboathouse. com (or www.lakesedgeboathouse.com), visitors are led through a simple reservations process that allows the user to select their desired boat house, type of watercraft, departure time (within a 15-minute window), and the number of hours to be spent on the water. Upon completion of those choices, guests will pay for the reservation in full up front and receive a receipt including a link to complete the online waiver process so that when the party arrives at the boat house it’s simply time to grab your equipment and go! Policies regarding inclement weather, rescheduling, and refunds will be clearly available online and included in all emailed receipts. Reservations will be taken for as many as six months in advance, and re-scheduling is easy!

By Karl Shaw

Boat house staff members are excited to be able to get you and your family out on the water more efficiently while minimizing wait times and maximizing the fun! We hope that this new reservation system will take the guesswork out of visiting the boat houses as, with a little planning, visitors will no longer have to wonder how busy the boat house is going to be on any given day; or call to ask if certain boats are available; or wait in line unnecessarily.

Although it’s been many months since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Montgomery County, the boat houses are still taking precautions to keep our staff and customers safe in accordance with The Woodlands Township policy. At press time this includes the requirement to wear a mask during the check-in and boarding process (though you are free to remove it while on the water) as well as mandatory temperature screening. Both requirements apply to all boat house visitors (and staff) over the age of 10 years.

Visit our new website at www.rivarowboathouse.com and make a worry-free reservation online today!

From Curiosity to Wisdom

The Spring 2021 Action Guide is now available, exclusively online, at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/actionguide.

Although COVID-19 has changed the way we recreate*, The Woodlands Township is committed to providing safe and enriching programs and activities for residents and visitors. Some of the programs you will find for Spring 2021 include Family Bingo Nights, free music concerts, Mother-Son Date Night, Father-Son Challenge, egg hunts, the 7th Annual Community Tree Planting, the Muddy Trails Bash, day camps, cooking classes, dance lessons, sports and more.

Programs and activities tend to fill up fast, so early registration is recommended. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/signupforfun to register for programs. For assistance with registration or questions about programs, please email recreation@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348.

*Please note: The Woodlands Township is committed to preserving your safety while maintaining the integrity of organized recreation. With everyone contributing, we CAN have safe recreation! Given the unprecedented situation surrounding COVID-19, Township Parks and Recreation facilities, programs, services and events are subject to change, modification and/or cancellation to ensure compliance with respective State of Texas, Montgomery County and/or Harris County declarations and/or Township Board of Directors.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

It’s 2021 and those of us in Alden Bridge are looking forward to a great year! We appreciate all the hard work of the residents who made our village beautiful with their festively decorated homes and yards during the holiday season.

This year’s first Alden Bridge Village Association meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 7 p.m. at the Township building, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. We will be meeting in person this month and following Township COVID guidelines. The meetings are a good source of info on what’s going on in our village and The Woodlands overall. We schedule informative speakers periodically, and receive updates from the Sheriff’s Department and the Township board each month. If you think you would like to attend, due to limited space due to social distancing, please let us know before hand by e-mail at abvainfo@gmail.com, and someone will reply to your request.

Our village association elections will be held February 20, 2021, and we’d definitely appreciate your votes. This year Alden Bridge will elect ten at-large Area Representatives and five members of our Residential Design Review Committee. You can learn more about the upcoming election on the Township website – filing ends on January 21, 2021. Consider running for a position on our board or RDRC. It’s a great way to give back to your community – and have some fun at the same time.

As usual, we’ll be busy with activities for our residents throughout the year. We are still trying to plan a “COVID-friendly” Spring Festival at the end of March...stay tuned for plans on that. A new year of nominating your friends and neighbors (or yourself!) for our Yard of the Month competition

will get underway from May through September. As the year progresses, you’ll be able to decorate your home and yard to be judged in Halloween’s Spookiest House contest and the Holiday Lighting & Decorating contest.

How about meeting a challenge for the new year? The Water-Wise Village Challenge is well underway and if you haven’t signed up yet, you definitely want to go to thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment site and take the pledge! You’ll help your village and your grass while you save water over the winter. Once you pledge, your village earns a contest point and the villages with the most points receive cash awards for their scholarship funds from program sponsors.

There’s never a dull moment, and you can stay informed about our activities through our website, www.aldenbridge.org, our Facebook page, and by subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter (send your e-mail address to abvainfo@gmail.com). Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email (abvainfo@ gmail.com) or through our website (www.aldenbridge.org) if you have any questions or concerns about life in our village. We’re always here for you. We’re looking forward to meeting residents and being of assistance, however we can. Make it a great 2021, Alden Bridge!

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

Please join us for our annual meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 7 p.m. The guest speaker is Brittany Chandler with Entergy. She will address recent outages, area equipment, and the usefulness of the Entergy App. If you are interested in attending the meeting and/or have any questions to ask Ms. Chandler, please email us at cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com and we will provide the Zoom meeting information.

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is proud to have awarded the three elementary schools located in Cochran’s Crossing with $500 each to benefit the students of the schools! The staff and teachers at Powell, David, and Galatas Elementary Schools are greatly appreciated by the community!

Scholarship applications for every high school senior residing in Cochran’s Crossing and continuing to higher education are available. Please go to www.cochranscrossing.com to download an application or to the College and Career Centers at The Woodlands High School or The Woodlands College Park High School. Application deadline is April 19, 2021.

If you are interested in joining the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association board to serve our community for the March 2021 through February 2022 fiscal year, please download an application form found on www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. The filing period begins on December 31 and ends on Thursday, January 21, at 5 p.m. Our meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month with the exception of December. In December, the board members meet to judge Christmas lights in lieu of an official board meeting. If you’d like more information about serving on the board and what fun community activities the board participates in, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Please connect with the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association to receive emails announcing events in the village and in The Woodlands. Please go to www.cochranscrossing.com and under the Connect tab, complete the form to be on the distribution list.

Please follow us on the Village of Cochran’s Crossing Association Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest news and events, and email any questions to cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com.

Submitted by Cynthia Kessinger

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Indian Springs

Community Volunteers/Elections

Community involvement is about showing the next generation the importance of community service and the positive impact it has on not only those in need, but the ones performing the service.

After living in several different towns and homes, my wife and I lacked a real connection to what was really happening where we lived. Yes, you can watch the local news, read the local paper or even follow a particular local website or Facebook page, but we didn’t feel any real connection. Right after our second child was born, we moved to The Woodlands to be closer to family and to “live among trees.” We found our new community to be beautiful and everything we thought it would be, but what we didn’t realize was how interesting our neighbors were. Of course, everyone in our village is different and has very differing, sometimes extreme, viewpoints on numerous topics, but the one thing they all have in common is their love of The Woodlands. We noticed everyone cares deeply about our woods, our homes, our clean streets, our trails and our parks.

How do we ensure our community stays incredible? We get involved with the community by interacting with our neighbors, events and the Township. Involvement is about being informed of the issues by attending meetings rather than reading second or third-hand news. It is about representing our diverse neighborhood and their varying views.

If you are an Indian Springs resident and are looking to get involved in your community, board member positions are open in the Indian Springs Village Association (ISVA) and Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC). Several positions are open in both. Join us in three easy steps:

1. File for candidacy at The Woodlands Township in January 2021.

2. Get a sign for your yard and one for your friend’s (if you desire, of course).

3. Send some emails, texts and tweets to your friends in your village to ask for their vote.

Elections will occur in February 2021, and will be held at The Woodlands Township. More details will be provided on The Woodlands Township website. If you are afraid of elections, don’t be. Many times all it takes to win is signing up.

Submitted by Michael Saucier

Panther Creek

2020 is a year that most of us in Panther Creek rejoice in its passing, and there is much to look forward to in 2021. Montgomery County voters turned out well to select local, county, state and national leaders. Thank you for voting.

Also, our County Commissioner Noack oversaw the completion of many road projects, previously funded by your votes for taxation to pay for them.

Speaking of the elections, let me praise Suzie Harvey and the entire crew of election workers and volunteers who ran a COVID-safe and accurate election this year.

New opportunities for you abound in our community to help share with your neighbors. The Hand-Me-Up shop is now opening in Market Street, and there are other ways to share within the community.

On a final holiday treat opportunity, let me remind you that The Woodlands skating rink is still open till January 18, 2021. I grew up where ice skating provided a challenging but exhilarating form of winter fun. You can book various sessions online. Try it.

Submitted

by

Paul Gebolys

VILLAGE WEBSITES

ALDEN BRIDGE

www.aldenbridge.org

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

www.cochranscrossing.com

COLLEGE PARK

www.villageofcollegepark.com

CREEKSIDE PARK

www.creeksideparkvillage.com

GROGAN’S MILL

www.grogansmillvillage.com

INDIAN SPRINGS

www.indianspringsvillage.com

PANTHER CREEK

www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

STERLING RIDGE

www.sterling-ridge.org

NATIVE PLANT FOCUS

Indiangrass

Prior to European settlement, the central part of our continent was covered by fertile plains, stretching from what is now the Canadian border to central Texas. Indiangrass (sorghastrum nutens) is one of four grasses that dominated those beautiful tallgrass prairies. Prevalent and versatile, Native Americans made good use of it, drying and weaving it into baskets and mats, threading beads with it for ornamentation, and harvesting the seed. The Lakota Sioux name for Indiangrass means “red grass with fluffy lightcolored end.”

With a bloom time from September to February, this warm season perennial makes a highly ornamental addition to a garden. Beginning in late summer, showy light brown feathery flowers with yellow stamens rise above the foliage clump. Slender blue-green leaves form an

By Ann Hall

elegant, compact shape, one to two feet wide and three to five feet tall. By fall, the leaves turn orange-yellow, creating a dramatic winter accent in the garden.

Plant your Indiangrass from midwinter to late spring; just be sure to pick a sunny location. It tolerates a variety of growing conditions, withstanding drought and seasonal flooding. Maintenance is easy; simply cut to the ground at the end of winter and, if you’re maintaining a manicured landscape, deadhead to prevent the spread of unwanted seedlings. As an added bonus, like most natives, you won’t have serious pest or disease problems to worry about.

In addition to easy care, natives like Indiangrass provide extensive wildlife value. This versatile plant provides cover and nesting sites for birds as well as pollen and nesting material for

Showy light brown feathery flowers with yellow stamens rise above the foliage clump. Slender blue-green leaves form an elegant, compact shape, one to two feet wide and three to five feet tall. By fall, the leaves turn orange-yellow, creating a dramatic winter accent in the garden.

bees. The Pepper and Salt Skipper, a native southeast Texas butterfly, uses Indiangrass as a host plant for its caterpillars and small mammals favor the seeds as a source of protein.

You’ll find numerous applications for Indiangrass in your landscape. It works well in cottage gardens, low maintenance plantings, water wise landscapes, and rain gardens. Do you have a slope where erosion is a concern? Indiangrass’ deep

root structure works well at holding soil in place. Perhaps you have some borders? If so, consider Indiangrass as a vertical accent to a mix of perennials. It naturalizes easily, making it the perfect addition to a pocket prairie. And, you’ll enjoy this plant inside, as well – the flower stalks compliment dried floral arrangements beautifully.

Indiangrass is quite common, available for purchase at local home

supply stores, native plant nurseries and online retailers. For a deeper exploration of Indiangrass and its ecological role in tall grass prairie environments, visit the Indiangrass Preserve located within the Katy Prairie Conservancy. The Ann Hamilton Hiking Trail is an easy mile and a half hike through the Preserve. Directions are available on the Katy Prairie Conservancy’s and The Hiking Project’s websites.

Perspective on Internet Safety as a Detective and Father

A Message from Detective Sean Bridges, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office

Keeping our children safe online and while using their cellular devices has become ever more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our children are reliant on laptop computers for school work. Some are still conducting school remotely. This has created the ideal pool of victims for sexual predators in and out of our community. COVID-19 has created an environment where sexual predators have access to our children at all hours, seven days a week. As a parent myself, this is frightening. We have basically given these sexual predators open access to our children, almost inviting them inside of our homes. But what can we do to protect our children? How do we keep them safe in this online world that they cannot avoid?

Recently I was assigned as an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Detective. I was assigned to this position during the height of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. During one of my investigations, over 60 children were identified as victims of a convicted sex offender here in Montgomery County. This convicted sex offender used social media platforms to contact his victims and used multiple accounts and aliases to trick and lure Montgomery County children to him. I learned during this investigation that many children are very quick to send nude or semi-nude photographs to strangers. All this sex

offender had to do was ask, and the children provided him with pictures and videos. He offered some of the children gifts in exchange for their pictures and for some he did little more than pose as a teenager and ask. I learned that our children do not consider the internet as “real” and felt that the risk they were putting themselves in was minimal or nonexistent. This couldn’t have been further from the truth, as many of the children met with this sex offender in person. Children will all too willingly share their GPS location information, schools they attend, where they live and where they attend sporting activities.

Luckily, I was able to identify these 60 children and notified their families. But many more children are exposed to these predators that we do not know about. Children are afraid or embarrassed to talk to adults, which predators count on. They are looking for the child that can’t talk to their parents and are looking to exploit this to their advantage. They want to become your child’s best friend, always there for them, never judging them, and this is how they gain trust and access to our children. As a parent, I cannot stress how important it is to let your children know that you are there for them, open to communication without

judgment. I know it can be awkward for both the parent and the child to talk about this subject. Predators are counting on the lack of communications with our children in order to exploit it to their advantage.

Sexting has become a normal part of dating rituals. I had a hard time accepting that as a parent, but it is “normal” for our children to “sext” and to send nude or semi-nude pictures to those they have a romantic interest in. As a parent, I do not condone it, but I know it happens and I, like you, do my best to monitor their activities online.

I use various applications and programs to keep my children safe. Be nosey, know who your children are talking to and what social media applications that they are using. I know that our children are being contacted daily by kids they know. Adults are looking to get pictures of your child, to have sexualized conversations with them, and to physically meet them.

Know their friends. Know what they are doing and talking about. Do not be afraid to sit down and have a conversation with your children and to go through their devices and social media with them.

For more information, contact the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office at 281-364-4211.

Unwanted Winter Weeds

By Tori Fluellen

Asthe weather begins to cool and the winter season approaches, you may start to see pesky weeds germinating on your lawn. Although The Woodlands tends to have warmer season turfgrasses like St. Augustine, winter weeds typically begin sprouting around the third cold front of the year. This year, however, we noticed these cool-seasoned weeds appearing as early as October.

Common winter weeds found in St. Augustine grass include Henbit, Poa Annua, Asiatic Hawksbeard, Mock Strawberry, and Clover, to name a few. These weeds love to inhabit weak turf that may have suffered from over/under watering, overfertilization, compaction, or fungal disease, according to Michael Potter, Montgomery County Horticulture Extension Agent at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These situations will allow for weeds to germinate your weakened St. Augustine turfgrass causing the more dominant plant to overpopulate.

It is most important to identify the type of weed located on your lawn, as different weeds inhibit different turfgrasses (St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia) and require their unique extraction techniques. To identify your weed, you can go to the Aggieturf.tamu.edu website and search “weeds” to help or speak with a Horticulture Extension agent. They can help identify your problem and provide the correct products to use for your troublesome weeds.

After establishing the weeds identification, there are a few ways to remove these unwanted guests. You can mow your lawn more frequently or hand pluck your weeds if the population is few. Another way to remove weeds includes using herbicides that the Montgomery County Horticulture office can suggest to ensure both you and your lawn’s safety. Remember, ‘the label is the law of the land’; make sure you are using the correct herbicide for the proper weed and turfgrass in your lawn.

Keep in mind, removing unwanted weeds is not something that will go away in one season. It is best to establish a long-term weed-management plan - fertilization, a regulated irrigation system, and mowing. When autumn rolls around again, using pre-emergents in late September to early October can help protect your lawn from weeds’ growth during the winter season. Pre-emergents are equivalent to saran wrap for your soil as they create a barrier-forming on your soil’s top layer. Pre-emergents are designed to prevent weeds’ development and should be applied once the soil’s temperature drops below 75 degrees. These prevention techniques will prepare your lawn to fight off those invasive intruders before the winter season.

This article was provided by Woodlands Water, www.woodlandswater.org.

RESOLVE TO RECYCLE RIGHT IN 2021

Follow these five guidelines to keep our recycling program successful:

1. Recycle accepted items ONLY –they’re listed on your recycle cart lid.

2. Do not bag recyclables –empty them loose into your cart.

3. Empty, rinse and keep caps on containers.

4. Recycle clean paper only –no oils or residue.

5. Share your knowledge with friends and neighbors.

Eighteen percent of items placed in The Woodlands recycling carts don’t belong there. Plastic bags, coat hangers, wires and Styrofoam are some of the main offenders. These contaminants don’t get recycled when placed in your cart. Even worse, they can damage equipment,

By Zoe Killian

compromise worker safety and devalue the good recyclables. However, many of these items CAN be recycled elsewhere (see at right).

Never place bagged recyclables in your cart. Leave them loose. Bagged recyclables make up 50 percent of contamination and are landfilled for the safety of workers.

For information about recycling, please call the Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or check out the Recycle More Guide at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/recyclemore for a complete list of recycling options.

PLASTIC BAGS AND FILM

Clean, dry and stretchy films

• Take plastic films back to the grocery store. Recycling containers are by the store entrance.

BLOCK STYROFOAM

• Precinct 3

Recycle Facility 281-367-7283

ELECTRONICS*

Used computers, TVs, cellphones, etc.

Precinct 3 Recycle Facility ..281-367-7283

• Best Buy 281-292-1355

BATTERIES*

• The Home Depot ......... 936-321-0100

• Batteries Plus ............... 936-321-7587

• Walmart Supercenter ..... 281-419-0162 or 936-321-9922

• Precinct 3

Recycle Facility 281-367-7283

• Best Buy ...................... 281-292-1355

• Lowe’s .......................... 936-271-1166

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Paint, pesticides, cleaners, etc.

• Montgomery County Residents: Precinct 3

Recycling Facility 281-367-7283

• Harris County Residents: Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal 346-286-4299

*Call ahead, as some fees may apply.

A Message from Children’s Safe Harbor

We

The Woodlands Township offers a variety of tennis programs, through The Woodlands Tennis Academy, for all ages and skillsets. With 89 tennis courts located throughout The Woodlands, tennis is always in swing. The Woodlands Tennis Academy has 16 instructors that teach youth and adult group and privates lessons every day of the week.

Youth tennis classes are held monthly and students are welcome to join at any time. We have youth programs for ages 2 through 18 years old. Our toddler program, Teddy Tennis, is held at Terramont and Timarron Parks for ages 2 to 6, and designed to teach the basics of tennis in a fun environment. Rookies, ages 5 to 8, and Challengers, ages 9 to 12, programs are designed to help players develop good technique and learn the fundamentals of tennis. Our Advanced Programs: Zat, Aces, Elite and

Champs focus on the technical, physical, and mental aspects of the game with match play. The constructive learning environment allows every student to reach their maximum potential.

Tennis is a lifelong sport; The Woodlands Tennis Academy’s adult tennis classes are for all skill levels. Group and private lessons are offered for players who are just beginning to play, all the way to advanced players that play competitively. Over 80 competitive private league teams call The Woodlands parks home. The Woodlands Township also runs recreational Ladder Leagues throughout the week. These Leagues include Men’s Ladder League on Tuesday nights, Women’s Ladder League on Wednesday mornings, Men’s Singles Ladder League on Monday nights, and Mixed Doubles on Sunday afternoons. These leagues are for all levels of tennis and a great

By Erin Cranston

The Woodlands Tennis Programs

way to meet new people who enjoy playing the sport.

Whether you’re new to the sport or returning, The Woodlands Tennis Academy has a program for you. To register, please call The Recreation Center at Bear Branch, 281-210-3950, or The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming, 281-516-7348.

Please note all Township events and programs are subject to cancellation pending local, state and federal Orders or Declarations.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER...

potato vines

By Teri McArthur

Invasives Task Force Rises to the Defense

Non-native, invasive plants are a real menace. It takes a village to combat them. Fortunately, our villages are at the ready! Since May, 2019, 180 resident volunteers have been trained on invasive species and how to stem their spread along our pathways and greenspaces. More than half are now active members of the Invasives Task Force, a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving our native vegetation.

Together, Task Force members have logged over a thousand hours removing air potato vines, elephant ears, Japanese climbing fern, and Japanese honeysuckle so that our native species and the animals that depend on them can thrive.

If you’re ready to lend a hand in the battle against invaders, save February 20, 2021, for the next volunteer training. The class is free, but space is limited so register now at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment.

The Task Force will be hard at work throughout the coming months. Are you ready to get involved right now? Great! We can pair you with trained volunteers to help you learn on the job. Contact Teri MacArthur at tmacarthur@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov to find out how. Note: We still recommend you attend the February 20 training to further your knowledge and effectiveness.

Last year, volunteers with the Invasives Task Force worked to preserve native vegetation.

WE’RE HIRING

SUMMER 2021

lifeguards

• STARTING SALARY of $9.75/hour

• Must be 16 years or older by hire date

• Successful completion of Red Cross Lifeguarding course required (Training provided by The Woodlands Township, at a reduced rate)

swim team

• STARTING SALARY of $11.25/hour for ASSISTANT HEAD COACHES

• STARTING SALARY of $13.00/hour for HEAD COACHES

• Must have swim team or swim lesson experience

• Must be 18 years or older by May 1, 2021

• Must be available to work from April 20 to June 28, 2021

• STARTING SALARY of $15.00/hour for RECREATION SPECIALISTS

• Experience with swim team environment is preferred, but not required

• Must be 18 years or older by May 1, 2021

• Must be available to work from February to July 2021

water safety instructors

• STARTING SALARY of $12.00/hour

• Learn teamwork and leadership skills

• Must be 16 years or older by June 1, 2021

• Must be available to work June 7 to July 30, 2021

• Successful completion of Red Cross Safety Instructor course required (Training provided by The Woodlands Township, at a reduced rate)

Never underestimate the power of human connection.

Kindness is a gift that each of us is born with. And when we share it, the goodness that's released is amazing. Our human connection is important to our well-being, but it's essential when we're sick and hurting. For decades, we've been proud to bring world-class medical and academic excellence to our communities. But we also know that treating every patient with kindness, empathy, and respect is key to healing. Humankindness is what we call this strength. It has stood the trials of life and the test of time, and it leads us forward every day. Learn more at stlukeshealth.org.

Hello humankindness®