April 2016

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

SPRUCE-UP Seasonal

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

Battle Against Mosquito-Borne Disease

TEXAS TRASH-OFF

On the Cover

The

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 5310 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

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

The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (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

The Woodlands Township, located 27 miles north of downtown Houston, Texas, is the local government for one of the country’s leading master-planned communities. This 28,000-acre residential and commercial development is home to more than 111,000 residents and approximately 2,000 businesses. The Township is a special purpose district, not a city, that acts as the governmental service provider for the community. It is primarily funded by property tax, sales and use tax, hotel occupancy tax and program revenues. The Township provides supplemental law enforcement, fire protection, environmental services, parks and recreation maintenance and programming, economic and transportation planning as well as many other services, programs and amenities.

2015 Achievement Highlights

• Reduced property taxes by eight percent to an all-time low of 23 cents per $100 of property valuation.

• Increased funding for additional law enforcement personnel to maintain safety in the community.

• Awarded grant of $14 Million to purchase 25 new buses for The Woodlands Express.

• Completed the renovation of Fire Station No. 2 to maintain superior emergency service and life safety education.

2016 Priorities

• Continue to provide high-quality services while maintaining a low tax rate.

• Continue monitoring law enforcement needs and adjust as necessary to retain high-quality public safety services in The Woodlands.

• Complete development and construction of the new Gosling Road Sports Field Complex.

• Finalize design plans and begin construction on the renovation of Northshore Park on Lake Woodlands.

• Continue to improve existing parks and aquatics amenities.

• Develop a master plan for bike/pedestrian needs in The Woodlands.

For more information on the accomplishments of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, please visit www.TheWoodlandsTownship-tx.gov/SummaryofAccomplishments.

Ed Robb Chairman Position No. 4

Jeff Long Director Position No. 3

Mike Bass Vice Chairman Position No. 2

John McMullan Director Position No. 5

Gordy Bunch Secretary Position No. 1

Ann Snyder Director Position No. 6

Laura Fillault Treasurer Position No. 7

Don Norrell President and General Manager

Woodlands

The

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

Creative Director

Connie Krell

Charlotte Blanco

Cheryl Kirsch

Lori Short

Graphic Designers Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Copy Editors

Perry Frank

Jasmine Raziuddin

Editorial Assistant Amber George

Social Media

Ashley Gravois

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.

We are the exper ts in pediatric neurolog y. When Lillian was diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy, she came to Texas Children’s to receive cutting-edge , life-saving treatment. Now that she’s seizure-free –and developing like a typical child her age – she needs s p e c i a l i ze d fo l l ow - up c a re t h a t s h e c a n ’t f i n d j u s t anywhere . Why are we bringing world-renowned p e d i a t r i c ex p e r t i s e a n d m o re t h a n 2 0 p e d i a t r i c subspecialty ser vices to The Woodlands? So Lillian can focus on the more impor tant things in her life…like perfecting her signature catwalk pose .

Learn more at texaschildrens.org/woodlands.

EDUCATION, CELEBRATION AND COMMUNICATION

By Marian Montgomery Leck

One of the best ways to deter crime in a community is to create a network of neighbors looking out for one another. The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch does just that. This award-winning program encourages neighbors to join together, uniting residents and public safety to watch out for one another and report suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement.

Education and Celebration

In partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office District 6 and Harris County Constable Office Precinct 4, the Neighborhood Watch brings crime prevention education to the residents of The Woodlands. In addition, The Woodlands Fire Department contributes programs on fire safety and

the handling of emergency situations. These agencies join together with residents through events such as Watch Meetings, Good Neighbor Days, Emergency Preparedness events and National Night Out. These events help to strengthen police-community partnerships and enhance the community-oriented policing philosophy. As residents of The Woodlands, you and your neighbors can play an important role in community policing efforts by participating in the Neighborhood Watch.

As a participant in The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, you will learn:

• Vital information pertinent to public safety here in The Woodlands and about agencies that serve you.

• Important phone numbers for emergencies.

• How to handle door-to-door solicitors.

• Crime prevention tips and how to avoid crimes of opportunity.

So, how well do you know your neighbor? If your neighborhood is not active in The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, please consider hosting a meeting on your street or in your neighborhood park.

Communication

You and your neighbors can also stay informed about crime prevention and public safety through our new communication platforms.

Neighborhood Watch Blog – To follow, go to www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch, and choose “Visit our Blog.” Enter your email in the designated area on the right side of the page, and click on the “Follow” button.

Emergency Notifications and Neighborhood Watch eNewsletter –Sign up for all communications at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ stayinformed.

Neighborhoods, businesses or community groups can contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch at neighbor@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800 to learn more or to schedule an event. To learn more, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch.

Texas Trash-Off

By Kathie Herrick and Lucinda Valdes

TheWoodlands Earth Day GreenUp, an annual cleanup event, has always been about community stewardship. The Woodlands residents are passionate about this place, recognizing that our community is worth caring for and preserving. Past participants have frequently expressed, “This is what living in The Woodlands is all about.”

On Saturday, April 9, 2016, The Woodlands Township will join forces with the rest of the state in the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off for the Earth Day GreenUp.

Discover the rewards, enjoy the outdoors and meet neighbors by joining a pick-up team, bagging waste out of place along pathways, greenbelts and waterways to keep The Woodlands beautiful. Gloves, trash bags and maps will be provided during check-in at a designated park in each village.

Following the cleanup, the entire community is invited to celebrate at

Northshore Park, 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive, with eco-entertainment, food, fun and music. Laugh while you learn about litter from Jack Golden, a.k.a. Les Litter, who will take the stage at noon performing A Litter Bit Goes a Long Way Using juggling, slapstick, jokes, song and audience participation, the eco-performer shares litter facts along with rewarding and important ways to help eliminate litter.

Event volunteers will receive an event T-shirt and be treated to pizza and drinks. Food tickets will be on sale to the general public. Discover The Woodlands outdoors with booths, free face painting, and popular kids’ activities from the Ecology Carnival. Experience a hoopaluza, the new fitness craze, with Yvonne Bohanon and the Houston Spin Stars. Visit with the Hiking Club and try your hand with geocaching or discover from waterfowl rehabbers how you can protect our ducks and geese.

The event is coordinated by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department and The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., with support from Waste Management, Woodlands Joint Powers Agency, H-E-B, The Woodlands Development Company, Nature’s Way Resources and Keep Texas Beautiful. For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ greenup or call 281-210-3800.

Join the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off 2016!

Pre-registration at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ greenup

Check-in:

Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8 to 10 a.m. at one of eight locations throughout The Woodlands.

Walk-ups welcome!

Alden Bridge: Alden Bridge Park

Cochran’s Crossing: Shadowbend Park

College Park: Harper’s Landing Park

Creekside Park: Rob Fleming Park

Grogan’s Mill: Sawmill Park

Indian Springs: Falconwing Park

Panther Creek: Ridgewood Park

Sterling Ridge: Cranebrook Park

GreenUp: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Celebrate:

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Northshore Park

Free food for volunteers; tickets available for general public.

More Info: Call Environmental Services at 281-210-3800

The entire community is invited to the celebration.

Photos by Paula Paciorek

A highlight of the April 9, 2016 GreenUp celebration at Northshore Park will be Jack Golden in a stage performance of A Litter Bit Goes a Long Way, beginning at noon.

Did you know mosquitoes can breed in litter? Bottles, cans, chip bags and caps in the greenbelts hold water and contribute to mosquito populations.

ADDING A

By Lucinda Valdes

MORE THAN A TREND Butterfly Garden

Whetheradding a few plants, creating a niche garden or developing a wildlife habitat, learn tips and techniques for bringing the beauty and magic of butterflies to the landscape with Mark Bowen, noted expert, Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at McCullough Jr. High, 3800 S. Panther Creek Drive.

Creating dynamic gardens, or “living breathing landscapes,” according to Mr. Bowen, is both aesthetically pleasing and a trend that can benefit declining populations of butterflies.

“Think of a landscape that is more of a movie than a picture on a wall,” he says.

Many vibrant and interesting native plants also happen to be excellent habitat plants for butterflies, serving as larval hosts for caterpillars to develop on or nectar sources for adult butterflies and other precious pollinators. “A critical need is habitat,” the author notes. “People just need a little dedicated patch of land.”

Flowering perennials, such as purple coneflower, mist flower, verbena, bee balm, lantana and asters, commonly come to mind when planting a butterfly garden. Vines, such as pipevine and passion flower vine; native shrubs, like spicebush, turk’s cap and Virginia sweetspire; trees, and even some grasses, have a place in the habitat garden.

From design elements to selecting plants and maintaining curb appeal, Mr. Bowen concludes Walk in Woods Nature Lecture Series’ three-part butterfly focus just in time for spring planting. A free program of The Woodlands Township, the series is sponsored by

Waste Management, The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. and Nature’s Way Resources.

For more information, please contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services office at 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ wildlife.

Adding interest to a garden bed, nectar plants create curb appeal with colorful flowers that invite butterflies to the landscape.

Photo provided by Mark Bowen

A mannerly passionflower vine, passiflora lutea, brings height to the butterfly garden, blooming in part-shade and serving as both a nectar plant and larval source for gulf fritillary, Julia and several other butterfly species. Learn more about gardening for butterflies at April’s Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture.

Photo provided by Mark Bowen

Meet Mark Bowen, author of Habitat Gardening for Houston and Manager of Nature’s Way Resources, on Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. when he reveals tips and techniques for making a place for nature at Adding a Butterfly Gardening—Design, Plants and More!

Photo by Anita Wren

SPRUCE-UP Seasonal

Every season brings an opportunity for home/property maintenance.

The Woodlands Township reminds you to:

• Remove mildew/algae from all exterior surfaces.

• Repair and repaint siding.*

• Repair and replace broken fences.*

• Mow and edge your lawn.

• Edge, weed and mulch all landscape beds.

• Store trash and recycle carts out of sight.

• Remove all loose trash, debris and yard waste.

• Remove pine needles, leaves and debris from roof. Removal will improve the longevity of the roof, reduce fire hazard and discourage pests.

* Potential permit needed. Please contact The Woodlands Township at 281-210-3800 for help with the application process.

The Woodlands Township is charged with the care and enforcement of the standards and deed restrictions and keeps the residents’ best interests in mind when enforcing them. To learn more about the Covenants, Standards and Deed Restriction enforcement, please visit the Resident tab at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800.

Is the appearance of your home blemished by algae and mildew?

Suggestions for removing algae and mildew from your home:

• A solution of 10 parts water to one part common bleach (strength of mixture can be increased for removal of heavy growth). Be sure to wet foundation plantings first and rinse everything in clean water when done to protect plants from the bleach. Wear gloves and be careful not to come in contact with bleach. Please be aware that high concentrations of bleach may discolor your paint.

• Wipe or scrub with detergent and water.

• There are a number of cleaning products and suggestions for removing these substances from the exterior of the home that can be found and sold at your local home improvement store.

Prevention is always best! Periodic cleaning with a power washer containing WATER ONLY may help prevent the problem altogether. Remember: Mildew removal may reveal the need to repaint your home. If so, be sure to take the appropriate actions.

Consider the Facts

Trash and recycle carts left out where others can see them:

• Detract from the appearance of the neighborhood.

• Decrease the resale value of homes on the street.

• Impose on the next-door neighbors.

Expect the Best for Your Neighborhood!

All trash, refuse or recycling containers may be placed near the street edge no earlier than one day prior to waste collection. Emptied containers must be removed from the street, front yard or driveway by the end of the collection day. Containers must be stored on the owner’s property at all times. All trash and refuse containers must be stored out of public view at ground level from the street or alley or adjacent and surrounding properties at all times except during waste collection.

Note: The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department can provide information on lawn care, irrigation practices, disease prevention and plant selection tailored to this region. Please call 281-210-3800 for more information.

Lawn care expert Jim Faulk spreads compost onto a lawn.

Photo courtesy Cliff Roe Photography

teaming up

IN THE BATTLE AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASE

By John Geiger

Songbirds, verdant foliage and wildflowers — it’s springtime in The Woodlands!

That also means it’s time to prepare for mosquitoes. These pests love our hot, humid climate; a climate similar to the regions where Zika virus is present. While Zika has not been identified in our area, The Woodlands Township, together with Montgomery County Precinct 3 and, most importantly, residents are taking action to significantly reduce the risk of its transmission here.

The Township’s Role in Mosquito Management

The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department works closely with Montgomery County Precinct 3 Mosquito Abatement to implement Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM). This is the method recommended by the Center for Disease Control, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Mosquito Control Association. IMM involves:

• Sampling mosquito populations and testing for disease

• Applying biological controls to breeding sites

• Providing residents assistance with mosquito issues

• Providing education to residents on mosquito abatement and disease prevention

• Chemical treatment applications by Montgomery County when disease is present

What You Can Do

Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefactiatus, the primary disease-carrying mosquitos in our area, prefer to live near humans. They breed around homes in containers of water such as tires, toys, plant pots, meter boxes and tarps. Thus, neighbors working together to eliminate breeding habitats represent the most effective and efficient force in the fight against mosquito-borne disease.

• Drain containers on a weekly basis. Mosquito eggs hatch quickly once water is reintroduced.

• Treat any water that cannot be drained with Mosquito Dunks® (available at local hardware stores).

• Avoid overwatering your lawn, spraying off your driveway or sweeping grass and leaves into the gutter. Excess water and yard trimmings will create ideal breeding habitats in nearby ditches and storm drains.

• Protect yourself with long, light, loose clothing and FDA-approved mosquito repellent.

Together we can make The Woodlands safer and more enjoyable this season. To report mosquito issues or to schedule a mosquito abatement presentation for your community group, please call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Division at 281-210-3800.

A Mosquito Control team member applies a nontoxic larvicide to a meter box, a common breeding site for mosquitoes.

Traps are set throughout The Woodlands to sample for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Photos by Lynne Aldrich

April 2016

Friday, April 1

Gorilla Hole

The Woodlands Township Recreation Center

5310 Research Forest Drive

7 p.m.

This event is geared to fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders. There is a $7 admittance fee. 281-210-3950

Saturday, April 2

The Woodlands Farmers’ Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Center

8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine) www.grogansmillvillage.com

Kayaking 101

Riva Row Boat House 2101 Riva Row

9 to 10 a.m.

$40 per person 281-210-3965

TWFG Muddy Trails Bash

Rob Fleming Park

6055 Creekside Forest Drive

3 to 8 p.m. 281-210-3800

Live at Night

Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m. 281-210-3800

Tuesday, April 5

Creekside Park Village Association Meeting

8747 West New Harmony Trail

7 p.m. 281-210-3889

Sterling Ridge Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-3888

Wednesday, April 6

The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Special Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 11:30 a.m. 281-210-3800

Development Standards Committee Meeting*

Thursday, April 7

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 8:30 a.m.

281-210-3800

Friday, April 8

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

The Woodlands Waterway

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. www.woodlandsartsfestival.com

Kids Night Out

The Woodlands Township Recreation Center

5310 Research Forest Drive

6 to 10 p.m.

$30 per child; siblings receive a discount

281-210-3950

Saturday, April 9

Spring Flea Market

7 to 10:30 a.m.

Town Center Parking Garage Free to attend.

Booth spaces available.

The Woodlands Farmers’ Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Center 8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)

www.grogansmillvillage.com

Earth Day GreenUp

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Celebration at Northshore Park, located at 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 281-210-3800

Soggy Doggy Swim Day

10 a.m. to noon

Creekwood Park

3383 South Panther Creek Drive $10 per dog

Must register in advance. 281-210-3950

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

The Woodlands Waterway

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

www.woodlandsartsfestival.com

Pass $15 • 225 National Artists Top 10 Arts Festivals in the country • See page 22.

Photo by Ted Washington

Lake Woodlands Scavenger Hunt

Riva Row Boat House

2101 Riva Row

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

$40 solo kayak, $60 tandem kayak

Must register in advance.

281-210-3965

Live at Night

Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m.

281-210-3800

Sunday, April 10

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

The Woodlands Waterway

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults.

Children 12 and under are free. www.woodlandsartsfestival.com

Concert in the Park

Bobby D. Sawyer Band (Country)

Northshore Park

2505 Lake Woodlands Drive

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 281-210-3800.

Tuesday, April 12

Alden Bridge Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Indian Springs Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-5808

Thursday, April 14

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture

Adding a butterfly garden

McCullough Junior High School

7:30 p.m.

281-210-3800

Panther Creek Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Water Conservation Plans for People and the Environment

The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N

Sustainability Lecture Montgomery County South Regional Library

7 p.m.

For more information contact Cinda Hitchcock, 281-363-2723.

Friday, April 15

Gorilla Hole

The Woodlands Township Recreation Center

5310 Research Forest Drive

7 p.m.

This event is geared to fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders. There is a $7 admittance fee.

281-210-3950

Saturday, April 16

The Woodlands Farmers’ Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Center

8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)

www.grogansmillvillage.com

Lake Woodlands Excursion

9 to 10:30 a.m.

Riva Row Boat House

2101 Riva Row

$40 solo kayak, $60 tandem kayak Must register in advance. 281-210-3965

Live at Night

Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m.

281-210-3800

Sunday, April 17

Lake Woodlands Cleanup

Riva Row Boat House

2101 Riva Row

Regular rental rates and rules apply.

For more information, please call 281-210-3965.

Concert in the Park

Subdivided (Rush Tribute)

Northshore Park

2505 Lake Woodlands Drive

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 281-210-3800.

Monday, April 18

Grogan’s Mill Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

6:30 p.m.

281-210-3887

College Park Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-3889

Thursday, April 21

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall

2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 9 a.m.

281-210-3800

Saturday, April 23

Sterling Ridge Village

Second Annual Fishing Tournament

10 a.m. to noon

Pepperdale Park

17 N. Pentenwell Circle

281-210-3800

Open Water Swim Day and Triathlon Clinics

Northshore Park

2505 Lake Woodlands Drive 7:30 to 11 a.m.

For more information, please call 281-210-3950.

The Woodlands Farmers’ Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Center

8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)

www.grogansmillvillage.com

Live at Night Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m.

281-210-3800

Tuesday, April 26

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 7 p.m.

281-210-3887

Wednesday, April 27

Watch Talk Wednesdays

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Noon to 1 p.m.

281-210-3800

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 6 p.m.

281-210-3800

Saturday, April 30

CB&I TRI – The Woodlands Triathlon Northshore Park 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive 7 a.m.

For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800.

The Woodlands Farmers’ Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Center

8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)

www.grogansmillvillage.com

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Event

The Woodlands Township Town Hall 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

281-210-3884

Live at Night Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m.

281-210-3800

For American Heart Association Heartsaver and First Aid classes, please visit the Township calendar located at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

*Please visit the calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov for complete listings, or call the office at 281-210-3800.

GARBAGE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

No

garbage service this month. Watch this space for information about garbage and recycling service, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

March was a very busy month for Alden Bridge, so thanks to everyone who volunteered with us for The Woodlands Marathon Cheer Challenge, villages Flea Market and who attended the spring festival. We appreciate your help and participation!

The deadline for submitting scholarship applications was March 25, 2016, so these will be judged very soon, and we’ll announce the winners for 2016. We plan to honor our recipients at the May residents meeting, so save the date and join us that night, May 10, 2016, 7 p.m. at the Township Town Hall, to congratulate them.

The Earth Day GreenUp event will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016. This is a concerted effort among all the villages to gather trash from the streets and pathways. In our village, we’ll meet at Alden Bridge Park from 8 to 10 a.m. to register and pick up supplies. After the cleanup, we’ll have a pizza party at Northshore Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You can register and sign the required waiver before you come through the Township website, or just register at Alden Bridge Park. Each of the villages receives donations for their scholarship funds based on the number of residents who volunteer, so come join us!

Our April board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 7 p.m. at the Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Our guest speaker hasn’t been announced as of this date, so please check our website or Facebook page for this information. All residents are encouraged to attend. Bring us your questions and concerns or just stop by and introduce yourself! We have several openings for Area Representatives on our board. If you’ve ever thought about serving your village

through one of these volunteer positions, please attend a board meeting and find out what we’re all about.

Visit our Facebook page or our website, www.aldenbridge.org, for continuously updated news of the village. You can also send your email address to info@aldenbridge.org to be placed on the subscription list for our electronic newsletter.

Submitted by Darla D. Bell

Cochran’s Crossing

One community service the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is particularly pleased to provide is the annual awarding of grants in response to applications from elementary school teachers within the Village of Cochran’s Crossing. This includes Galatas, Powell and David Elementary.

Cynthia Kessinger, chairperson for the village association’s education committee, has announced that again this year, grants totaling $2,900 have been awarded. They will assist with a wide variety of products and activities that benefit students, but are not covered in school budgets. Grades one through four are represented in the grants. In some cases, the teachers have pooled their grants to get more support for specific programs.

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association Board of Directors for 2016 to 2017 includes Thomas Buffa, Gary Conwell, Brian Creighton, Kathy Creighton, Beverly Fennessy, James Goldmeyer, Jennifer Graff, Todd Graff, J.C. (James) Harville, Jo Anne Johnson, Cynthia Kessinger, Ben Perry, Steve Perry, Lori Riley, Stuart Schroeder and Dabney Wisenbaker.

If you look closely, you will see that many families serve on the board together. You might also see there are several board positions open. Interested Cochran’s Crossing residents who would like to serve on the board may contact Board Secretary Gary Conwell at 281-387-6986 or any other member of the board to express their interest and get additional details.

Incidentally, for the next year, Cochran’s Crossing’s representatives on the Residential Design Review Committee will be Christine (Chris) Gaynor, James Goldmeyer, Carlene Mullins, Gerard Rapp and John Truhe.

One of the responsibilities of the village association is to provide a way for Cochran’s Crossing residents to express concerns with situations that could be addressed by the Township. In some cases this might affect only one household and in others it may be of interest to many. Often, the village association board and the Township’s village program specialist, Doris Provencio, are able to respond effectively to the issues that are expressed.

Cochran’s Crossing Education Committee Chairperson Cynthia Kessinger, pictured above, far right, presented the village association’s annual grants to teachers at Galatas, Powell and David Elementary Schools.

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Remember the next board meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in the Township Town Hall meeting rooms.

Submitted by Gary Conwell

College Park

Time to get spring activities on your calendar that you and your family do not want to out miss out on!

On April 9, 2016, you can go shopping at The Woodlands Flea Market or gather your family and friends to join us at Harper’s Landing Park for Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off, Earth Day GreenUp. To participate in the cleanup, you can register your group on the Township website under Environmental Services or you can just show up Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and sign in your crew. Bags, gloves and all the items you might need to clean up trash (safely) will be provided for you. It is a great day in the outdoors and a way to contribute to the environment, plus spend quality time with your family. Make it a tradition.

The annual Sunday in the Park at Tapestry Park is Sunday, April 17, 2016. We look forward to seeing everyone who lives in Grogan’s Forest to come out and play and to meet your neighbors and your College Park elected board of directors.

The much anticipated Spring Fling pool party has a new name this year. Come out to the Poolooza May 21, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. Poolooza is at the Harper’s Landing pool and pavilion. There will be free entry to the pool that afternoon, games, activities, plus food and fun for all.

We are in the final days of the Water-Wise Village Challenge. Are your sprinklers still turned off? They should be! Sign the pledge to keep your sprinklers turned off until April 15, 2016. Hand watering is allowed. The village with the highest participation in this water conservation effort will be awarded a cash incentive. Pledges can be signed

online on The Township website under Environmental Services. Hurry!

We add here, a reminder to recycle your old toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, floss containers and any related outside packaging for these items. The America Recycles Challenge is on! These items will be collected during the America Recycles event in November. So, start saving and make a difference.

Submitted by Marti Fox Meerscheidt

Creekside Park

Greetings, Creekside Park Village residents! In case you missed it, on January 16, 2016, your Creekside Park Village Association Board hosted our Winter Festival and Chili Cook-Off. This main event for our village was held at the Rob Fleming Park. Despite the rain, many residents were in attendance and able to enjoy the festival due to the great venue we have, which kept things dry and allowed folks to warm up by a roaring fire.

This year’s activities included kid events, such as face painting, crafts, a bounce obstacle course, and of course, the snow hill, for children of all ages. Hot dogs, chips and drinks were provided to all, in addition to the wonderful samplings of chili. Four teams entered the cook-off challenge: Chili Chili Bang Bang, Fire in the Hole, Founding Fathers Bicentennial and H-E-B. The four teams were awarded for their participation and prizes were awarded for the contest winners.

Our residents voted, and Fire in the Hole won first place, closely followed by Chili Chili Bang Bang in second place, and Founding Fathers Bicentennial rounded out the contest in third place. Our Board challenges our residents to start thinking of a chili recipe and a team name to join in the competition fun next year!

MEETING INFORMATION

Of course, a festival as large as this takes a lot of funding, and the village continued on page 20

ALDEN BRIDGE

The Alden Bridge Village Association (ABVA) usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us!

Website www.aldenbridge.org

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-3886 or Village Association President Steve Leakey at 281-419-3468.

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association (CCVA) usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us!

Website www.cochranscrossing.com

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-3887 or Village Association President Stuart Schroeder at 936-273-0419.

COLLEGE PARK

The College Park Village Association (CPVA) usually meets on the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us!

Website www.villageofcollegepark.com

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-3889 or Village Association President Ted Stanley at 936-271-0587.

CREEKSIDE PARK

The Woodlands Creekside Park Village Association (TWCPVA) usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings in October and November will be held on the first Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Lone Star College - Creekside Center, 8747 West New Harmony Trail.

Please join us!

Website www.creeksideparkvillage.com

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-3889 or Village Association President Nancy Becker at 832-559-7004.

GROGAN’S MILL

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association (GMVA) usually meets on the third Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us! Website www.grogansmillvillage.com

Questions? Contact your program specialist at 281-210-3887.

INDIAN SPRINGS

The Indian Springs Village Association (ISVA) usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us!

Website www.indianspringsvillage.com

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-5808 or Village Association President Mike Arendes, Mike.Arendes@IndianSpringsVillage.com.

PANTHER CREEK

The Panther Creek Village Association (PCVA) usually meets on the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please join us! Website www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-3886 or Village Association President Everett Ison at 281-298-9524.

STERLING RIDGE

The Sterling Ridge Village Association (SRVA) usually meets the first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Website www.sterling-ridge.org

Questions? Call your program specialist at 281-210-5808 or contact Village Association President Anthony Fasone at sr_twa@hotmail.com.

association board would like to thank our wonderful sponsors for their support:

Alspaugh’s Ace-Sterling Ridge

Lonestar College-Creekside Park

BMW The Woodlands

ReMax

Corporate Incentives

Shannon Fine Jewlery

Crust Pizza-Creekside Park

State Farm

Darling Homes

The Woodlands Development Company

Fielding’s Local Kitchen & Bar

Toll Brothers

H-E-B-Creekside Park

Woodforest National Bank

In addition to sponsors, an event like this takes the dedication of our volunteers. Thank you to all our residents who came out to volunteer and a special thanks to The Woodlands High School Interact Club for showing up in force and manning all the different activities.

Submitted by Lisa Purtell

Grogan’s Mill

Beginning in April, the Grogan’s Mill Village Association again will honor selected residents with Yard of the Month awards, which includes prestigious bragging rights, a Yard of the Month sign, publicity in the Community Magazine and the village website, and a $50 Randall’s gift certificate. If you know of someone working hard to get their yard in shape, or want to nominate your own yard, contact us through our

website (www.grogansmillvillage.com), so we can check it out when the flowers and trees start to bloom.

The Woodlands Farmers Market was bustling with activities during our third annual Super Bowl Tailgating Party on February 6. Most popular was the free food, sponsored by the Grogan’s Mill Village Association, including Marchese sausage, Brother’s pizza, Pain Train salsa and chips, and Taco USA breakfast tacos. A special thanks to Streater-Smith Nissan for supplying a beautiful new Nissan pick-up with the all-important tailgate!

With spring in full bloom now, the Farmers Market is alive with over forty active vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood from the Gulf, pastries, breads, honey, jams, artist crafts and gifts, ethnic cuisine, and much more – all locally produced or packaged. Several more special events are planned for the 2016 season, including a “Bike Swap” sponsored by Bike The Woodlands Coalition on May 7. Come see us at the Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center at South Millbend and Grogan’s Mill Road every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. Check out the vendors scheduled each week by visiting our website at www.grogansmillvillage.com where you can also sign up for our weekly e-blast.

Submitted by Bob Leilich and Dana Denton

Panther Creek

The Spring Flea Market will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016. This semiannual event brings bargains galore for the shoppers and wonderful opportunities to trade those “in the way” treasures for cash. Start planning for the fall version of this extravaganza. Year-round details can be found at www.woodlandsfleamarket.org.

Help keep The Woodlands green: Join your Panther Creek neighbors at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Ridgewood Park to volunteer to pick up the trash that litters our parks and walkways. Bags will be provided and a post-pickup party will be held at

Northshore Park at 11 a.m. with activities, T-shirts and pizza for all workers.

Butterflies are free, or at least the presentation on them is, at McCullough Junior High School, April 14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. Learn how to garden to attract the magic of their beauty to your yard. This is another free Woodlands event for your family.

Learn how to protect your bank accounts from fraud in an hour at the free April 27, 2016, Watch Talk Wednesday at The Woodlands Township Town Hall at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. from noon to 1 p.m.

You can protect your family and the environment from drug pollution by disposing of old prescription medications (pills and patches only) at the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Event, Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Woodlands Township Town Hall.

Your Panther Creek Village Association serves as your first line of contact with the many agencies and governmental organizations that make The Woodlands work. Your input is needed to make sure that our “Hometown” continues to do its best for you and your family. Come learn about the many things going on that affect you and your neighbors in Panther Creek and be an active voice in your community. Our meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Visit us at www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org.

Submitted by Paul Gebolys

Sterling Ridge

Are you ready to have some “reel” fun? The Sterling Ridge Village Association’s Second Annual Fishing Tournament is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Pepperdale Park. The first hook hits the water at 10 a.m.

The Creekside Park Village Association Board would like to say thank you to all who participated in their winter festival!

This free event is aimed at children and teens, and open to all Sterling Ridge families. Trophies will be awarded for Most Fish Caught and Largest Fish Caught in two age brackets: 10 and under and over age 10.

For more details, and to confirm the date and location, please visit our village association website at www.sterling-ridge.org.

Last year, Bruce (age 15) landed a 16-inch bass, and Carson (age 10) caught a 10-inch winning fish. Also taking home trophies last year were Elias (age 12) with five fish, and Lilian, with 14 fish total in the youngest age category.

Join other Sterling Ridge residents Saturday, April 9, 2016, for Earth Day GreenUp. This year’s cleanup event is part of the “Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off.”

Sterling Ridge residents will checkin from 8 to 10 a.m. at Cranebrook Park. Walk-up registration is welcome.

Participants will form crews to help bag trash from our streets, pathways and streams. Volunteers should be prepared for the cleanup by wearing appropriate clothing: long pants and closed-toe shoes/ boots are recommended, and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and water.

As a bonus, there will be a GreenUp Celebration after the cleanup at Northshore Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that features eco booths and kids’ activities. If you volunteer, don’t miss out on your free T-shirt and pizza!

Sterling Ridge residents are always encouraged to attend our monthly board meetings, which are usually held on the first Tuesday at The Woodlands Township Building at 7 p.m.

Submitted by Dan Sousa

Trophies will be awarded to children for Most Fish Caught and Largest Fish Caught at the Sterling Ridge Village Association’s Second Annual Fishing Tournament.

Photo by Ted Washington

ESCAPE FOR A WEEKEND OF ART AND MUSIC AT THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY ARTS FESTIVAL

By Jenny Wright

Inspiring Others “Because Art Matters”

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival features 225 national and international artists selected by a juried competition. The Festival is produced annually by The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC), a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide regional, cultural enrichment opportunities to encourage, support and promote visual and performing arts. A portion of Festival proceeds benefit TWAC education and community outreach programs, titled “Because Art Matters.”

Each year, art enthusiasts from near and far escape to The Woodlands Waterway® and Town Green Park to enjoy art, music, food and performances at one of the top-ranked arts festivals in the country. The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (WWAF), April 8 to 10, 2016, is one of the premier and most highlyanticipated events of its kind.

A favorite among buyers and sellers of fine art and crafts, the festival’s popularity also comes from the community-oriented experience. Eclectic music performed by Texas artists, chef demonstrations, a craft beer garden, food trucks, children’s art experiences and a range of performing arts all come into harmony in a spectacular natural setting.

MD Anderson Cancer Center is sponsoring “First Look Friday,” offering a great option for leisure shopping, lunch or early dinner on the Waterway. The first 2,000 visitors will receive free commemorative postcards with artwork by featured artist, Julia Gilmore. Tickets for the three-day weekend are $15, and children under 12 are admitted free. Texas Children’s Hospital presents fun for all ages in the Artopoly area, offering interactive art experiences.

New this year is the opportunity to purchase a reservation at the Terrace Hospitality Club presented by Glade Gallery, offering exclusive access and parking, refreshments, a commemorative art piece, invitations to VIP events and more.

ADMISSION TOURS

april 20 • 9 am | or by appointment

Another popular aspect of the Festival is the Art Dash Party. One of the most fun parties in town due to the popular “60-Second Art Dash,” this year’s event is Friday, April 8, 2016, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. For more information about all aspects of the 2016 Festival and to purchase tickets online, please go to www.woodlandsartsfestival.com.

CONNECT AND GET ACTIVE with Township Parks and Recreation

By Ashley Gravois

Get to know The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation even better through the consistently updated department blog. Explore parks and facilities; stay up-to-date with community events; and find details on the hundreds of programs the Township coordinates for residents.

Get active this summer by following the blog and receiving email updates about Soggy Doggy Swim Day, Sunny Dayz Summer Camp, Learn to Swim programs, Memorial Day Weekend and much more during a jam-packed season of fun with The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation.

Learn to Swim Sunny Dayz Summer Camp

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed

To follow the blog, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/parksandrecreation and choose “Visit Our Blog” from the page menu. Residents can also subscribe to the frequent department newsletter by visiting www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.

By Kathy Coffman

FOOD

This month, make sure that you have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs of your household for three days without outside help.

Buy a three-day emergency food supply for your household. Put aside a three-day supply of food for disasters. Follow the BUS rule to help you. BUS stands for balance, usability and shelf-life.

• BALANCE A balanced diet includes a variety of foods from each of the basic food groups. This is especially important for people with certain health conditions. Also include high energy foods (such as nuts and protein bars) and comfort foods (such as graham crackers or chocolate).

• USABILITY Choose items that don’t need to be cooled, heated or need a lot of water. Examples include canned or dried meat, dry cereal and canned vegetables.

• SHELF-LIFE Look at the expiration date listed on the food item. Use and replace foods before the expiration date.

Take steps now to make sure your perishable food remains as safe as possible:

• Install a thermometer in your fridge and freezer.

www.facebook.com/TheWoodlandsCERT

• If you anticipate a power outage, such as a winter storm, reduce the temperature of your fridge and freezer. The colder your food is the more time it takes to thaw.

• Keep containers of ice in your freezer to keep the temperature down.

When the power goes out:

• Cover the fridge or freezer in newspapers and blankets. Keep vents clear in case the freezer starts operating again.

• Avoid opening the door to the fridge or freezer.

• Use dry ice, if available. Identify a source for dry ice in advance and remember that if the power outage is widespread, there may be a lot of competition for this resource.

Make sure you can meet any special dietary needs in your household. Talk to your healthcare provider or a nutritionist about nonperishable menu options that can be used if you can’t get to a grocery store, or that can be prepared at an emergency shelter. Keep a description of your medical condition and the diet in your emergency kit.

www.twitter.com/WoodlandsCERT

www.pinterest.com/twcert

By Holly Steinke

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Event

Don’t miss the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event in The Woodlands on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch will sponsor the drop-off location in The Woodlands at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Residents coming to theevent from Grogan’s Mill or Town Center may want to stop by after 10:30 a.m., once the roads have cleared for the CB&I TRI or check the Township website for

CB&I TRI road opening information to help with travel around the race.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, District 6 will be on site to collect your unwanted medications for safe disposal, at no charge. Medications will only be accepted during the event hours and may not be dropped off before or after the event. No SHARPS (needles) will be collected by the DEA at this event.

A DEA press release from October 1, 2015 states, “According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.5 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. That same study showed that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.”

Consider taking away the opportunity by safely disposing of your unwanted medicines at this event.

For more information about The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, please visit www.thewoodlandtownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch or call 281-210-3800. For more information about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event and alternative drug disposal information, please visit the DEA website at www.dea.gov.

OPEN WATER SWIM DAY

April 23, 2016

For

LONG COURSE

7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Last swimmer must enter water before 8:30 a.m.

$25 pre-register, $30 walk-up

SHORT COURSE

10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.

Last swimmer must enter water before noon

$15 pre-register, $20 walk-up

BOTH COURSES

7:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.

All swimmers must exit water between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. $30 pre-register, $35 walk-up

Practice open water swimming to prepare for your next triathlon. No instruction provided, just swimming. Walk-up registration welcome beginning at 7 a.m.

SWIM CLINICS

Open Water, Long Course Swim Clinic

Clinic on what to expect and how to tackle the 2.4- mile-long-course. Race morning protocol, mass start, navigation techniques, pros/cons of speed suits and wetsuits will all be included.

7 to 9:30 a.m., long course included

$35 pre-register, $40 walk-up

Instructor: Michelle LeBlanc

Open Water Swim Clinic with TJ

Great for first-time triathletes! Athletes new to open-water swimming will learn challenges of swimming in the CB&I TRI. Short Course included.

10 a.m. to noon

$25 Pre-register, $30 walk-up

Instructor: TJ Fry

Triathlon First Timer’s Clinic

Designed to educate triathletes on basic fundamentals involved with competing in a sprint-distance triathlon. Familiarizes participants with swim, bike, run, transition techniques and maps, as well as race day checklist.

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

$35 Pre-register, $40 walk-up

Instructor: Sandra Sutherland

Summer school built around you.

On your time. At your pace. For fun or for credit. To catch up, get ahead, or make up a grade. Taught just for you - one-to-one - always.

Summer at Fusion doesn’t take away your summer fun. Our flexible scheduling allows you to attend classes on your schedule. Go on vacation, sleep in, or come to class early - whatever works for you. Each class is one teacher and one student per classroom, allowing for a completely personalized summer school. Contact us to learn about our unique summer programming.

Fusion The Woodlands

281.419.1436

1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Suite 4000

The Woodlands, TX 77380

www.REDACU.com

Did you know?

By Debbie Arnold, Aquatic Programs Coordinator

SWIM LESSONS, SWIM TEAMS AND AQUATIC FITNESS CLASSES ARE ALL PART OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AQUATIC PROGRAMS

In 2015, The Woodlands Township had more than 1,000 individual participants in Learn-to-Swim programs and gave nearly 2,500 additional private swim lessons.

In 2016, the Township will offer more than 300 program options in mornings and evenings, from Monday through Friday. The group and private lessons will be regularly offered at eight of our 14 swimming facilities: Alden Bridge, Bear Branch, Cranebrook, Falconwing,

Lakeside, Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, Sawmill, and Wendtwoods pools with special requests considered for other Township locations.

The Township’s Water Safety Instructors (WSIs) are certified through a specially-designed training program and teach classes for all ages. The staff undergoes more than 35 hours of initial training to make sure they have the knowledge and skills needed for successful lessons.

Group lesson plans range from “Swim with Me,” geared toward babies and parents, to “Advanced” classes. Our two-week sessions run from June 6 to August 13, 2016. A wide variety of private and group program offerings are available and enrollment is open now!

The Township is also home to three summer league competition swim teams: the Hurricanes, Riptides and Waves; each with more than 220 swimmers ranging from 6 to 17 years old. Summer swim team enrollment began February 1, 2016, and the season begins April 25, 2016. There are also four non-competitive junior swim teams geared to get swimmers ready for the competitive experience, and there is a competitive winter swim team. The Cyclones keep our swimmers continually practicing and improving their strokes, turns and dives year-round!

Other programs offered by the Township’s Aquatics division include S.C.U.B.A., Aqua Zumba, Deep Water Run, Aqua Weight and Resistance Walk. For more information, please check out the 2016 Summer Action Guide at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ actionguide or call 281-210-3950.

We would love to see you at the pool!

GET READY FOR BIKE THE WOODLANDS

Bike

The Woodlands Coalition is working with The Woodlands Township to organize its first-ever bike month in The Woodlands during the month of May. Bike The Woodlands

By Randall Cade

MONTH IN MAY

Month will be an annual month-long celebration of bicycling in The Woodlands with organized bike rides, workshops and fun cycling events for anyone who rides a bike.

The goals of the Bike The Woodlands Coalition include:

• Encourage residents of The Woodlands and surrounding communities to safely engage in cycling for transportation, fitness and recreation.

• Generate a culture of mutual respect among bicyclists and non-bicyclists in the community.

• Increase appreciation and awareness of bicycling as an important part of The Woodlands community and living experience.

The planned events are a Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20, 2016, and a Bike The Woodlands Day celebration on Saturday, May 21, 2016. A bike swap meet, bike repair, maintenance workshops and organized rides will be offered during Bike The Woodlands Month.

For more information about Bike the Woodlands Month, please visit www.bikethewoodlands.org. Also, volunteer opportunities are available! For more information about volunteering, please email biker987@comcast.net.

Photo by Amber George

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE jungle

Beneath the cover of your now greening lawn, there exists a teeming jungle of rapacious creatures, eating (usually each other), multiplying and doing all the things creatures in a jungle do.

Decillions and more single-celled bacteria take in carbon dioxide and convert it to life-giving oxygen to billions of other microscopic organisms. These organisms in turn eat the bacteria. The protozoans, microscopic mites, nematodes and other minuscule creatures are eaten by larger creatures like earthworms and insects. Thousands of miles of symbiotic microscopic fungus, called mycorrhizae, colonize grass roots, providing plants with increased abilities to absorb water and nutrients. In return, the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates it has formed through photosynthesis.

Your yard is, in fact, a micro ecosystem, teeming with diverse life. This whole process allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, helps turf grasses to fend off diseases like take-all patch, assists in keeping weeds down and pests, like chinch bugs, out. This diversity is what keeps the grass green and lush.

Too much water, fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and other “cides” adversely affect the life cycles of all these organisms, making turf more susceptible to disease and damage. Too little organic matter can also contribute to short-lived lawns.

Water

According to Texas A&M turf research, grasses like St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda need no more than an inch of water a week. In fact, one city in north Texas monitored lawns for a year and discovered that the grass there only required a full inch of water for three weeks during the hottest part of the summer. That same city recorded that there was a number of weeks in spring and summer when it rained enough that no irrigation was required.

Rain sensors, connected to irrigation controllers will regulate watering in case it rains. There are even more sophisticated gadgets on the market, which take into account rainfall, evapo-transpiration rates, soil temperature, ambient humidity and temperature. Residents of The Woodlands who live within the area served by the WJPA can get a 50 percent rebate on the purchase of rain sensors or more sophisticated devices.

Cycle and Soak

Different types of soils have different abilities to soak up water. If the soil is hard and compacted (like most of the lawns in The Woodlands), it will not absorb water quickly. Instead of irrigating for 30 minutes per zone, break up the watering time to three 10 minute cycles per zone. That will give water time to penetrate through compacted surfaces.

By Bob Dailey, Master Gardener

Organic Matter

Perhaps the least understood component of maintaining a good lawn is the part organic matter plays. Organic matter inoculates the soil with beneficial organisms and provides nutrients for organisms already there. It helps increase the water-holding capacity of soil (soil with five percent organic matter can hold up to three quarts of water per cubic foot). It helps to fluff up the soil so air and water can better penetrate it, and so grass roots can grow deeper.

Adding a half-inch of organic matter over the lawn twice a year can produce magical results. Mid-April is one of the optimum times to spread it. There are many residents in The Woodlands who put nothing on their lawns except organic matter twice a year. Their lawns are lush, green and free of disease and weeds.

For more information, please visit www.wjpa.org.

Short roots: Watering every day or irrigating lawns with more than an inch of water per week damages root structure and helps compact soil.

Long Roots: Watering once or twice a week with one inch of water (less if it rains) creates strong root systems and healthy, lush grass.

Photographs courtesy of Texas A&M University Turfgrass Program

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AQUATICS TEAM NOW HIRING!

By Karl Shaw

Do you or someone you know need a summer job?

The Woodlands Township is hiring lifeguards, swim instructors, swim coaches, lifeguard leadership positions and more. Lifeguards now start at $9.25/hour at most pools or $9.75/hour at the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. Swim Coaches start at $9.50/hour and Swim Instructors at $11.50/hour. All positions are eligible for an increase of $0.50/hour with each year of additional experience.

APPLY ONLINE TODAY!

All team members must be at least 16 years of age, unless otherwise stated, and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen. Leadership team members must successfully complete an extensive background check. For more information about employment with The Woodlands Township, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

directly with the advertiser. The Publisher retains exclusive rights to the acceptance or denial of all advertising copy. Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and or misprints in this publication, Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. Under no circumstances shall The Publisher, The