june 2011 The Official magazine O f T he w OO dlands TO wnship 6608 FM 1960 West, Suite G, Houston, TX 77069 POSTMASTER –REQUESTED IN-HOME DELIVERY DATE UNEJ 1, 2011 summer safety Tips for Kids The woodlands governance: Decisions Ahead are You Ready for hurricane season? The woodlands history: The Education Building Block fourth of july in The woodlands
281-686-5296 | 832-698-7665 | www.absolutelyoutdoors.net
6 The Woodlands history: The Education Building Block
8 Fourth of July in The Woodlands
2 the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau
4 neighborhood Pools open for Regular season
20 summer safety Tips for Kids
2 summer employment
22 The Woodlands governance: Decisions Ahead
23 Fireworks Prohibited
23 a Message from the Woodlands Joint Powers agency
24 are you Ready for hurricane season?
26 the Woodlands township election results
27 serving Our seniors
28 the Woodlands Fire Department station Construction update
on the Cover
Brother and sister Jack and sara schweiker share a splash! at the rob Fleming aquatic Center in the Woodlands. see page 14 for more information about neighborhood pools, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov (click residents, then Pools) to see the complete schedule. a Splash! brochure with details about each pool is also available at the township main office, 2201 lake Woodlands Drive, and at each of the pools. Cover photo by Jon Krenytzky with enhancements by Laura Garvey.
30 2011 Concert-in-the-Park series
30 riva row Boat House
32 the Gorilla Hole summer series
MOntHly
3 Message from the Chairman
6 Calendar of events
8 the Woodlands Village news
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine
Features
20
Contents June
2 8
www.woodlandswellness.com
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
The Woodlands ToWnship
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Main Line
All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800
Board Chambers
10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281-210-3800
service Center
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281-210-3800
law enforcement and neighborhood services annex 2202 Timberloch Place, Suite 222, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281-210-3800
The Woodlands Fire department (non-emergency)
9951 Grogan’s Mill Road
The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281-367-3444
Parks, Recreation and environmental services
8203 Millennium Forest, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3900
Recreation Center
5310 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950
Convention & Visitors Bureau
10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281-363-2447
oTher service providers
The Woodlands Joint Powers agency (Water) 281-367-1271
montgomery County sheriff’s office 281-297-6500 • 936-442-7797
harris County sheriff’s office 713-221-6000
montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211
harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472 emergency 9
summer is here and time to enjoy many things our great hometown has to offer!
the riva row Boat House, located at 2101 riva row, rents kayaks by the hour, and there are doggie life jackets available for those who want to bring along their favorite pooch! People travel from all over the area just to enjoy this unique facility.
For emergency information specific to The Woodlands, listen to K-Star Country, KVST-FM, the official emergency broadcast partner of The Woodlands Township.
The Woodlands Township
all 13 pools in the Woodlands open for the regular season beginning Friday, June 3, 2011. a pool pass is good at any pool in the Woodlands, including the award-winning rob Fleming aquatic Center. see page 14 for information about the 2011 pool season and pool passes.
Waterway nights features live music and strolling entertainment every saturday night from 6 to 8 p.m. from June 4 through July 2, at Waterway square. Picnics, coolers, blankets and lawn chairs are allowed.
the end of the month will find us preparing for annual Fourth of July festivities, including the south County 4th of July Parade and the red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks extravaganza. Fireworks are not permitted by the Woodlands Covenants. Considering the drought our area, and most of texas, has experienced this past spring, we ask that our residents not set off fireworks. see page 8 for more information about Fourth of July activities in the Woodlands.
enjoy your summer!
Board of d irectors
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 3
Nelda Blair Director Tom Campbell Director
Peggy Hausman Director
Bruce Tough Chairman Lloyd Matthews Vice Chairman
Ed Robb Treasurer
Claude Hunter Secretary
Don Norrell President and General Manager
M essa G e fro M the chair M an
Bruce Tough Chairman of the Board
4 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011 The Woodlands C ommuni T y magazine The Woodlands Community Magazine is a past recipient of The Communicator Award of Distinction and the Bronze Quill Award of Merit from the Houston Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township advertising inquiries, rate requests and change of address/delivery inquiries may be directed to: Cham P ions sTa FF President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr. account executives Connie Krell Charlotte Blanco
Kirsch Creative director Lori Short graphic designers Jami Davis Charlene Strine T o W nshi P sTa FF director of Community Relations Nick Wolda editor Mary Connell Copy editors Elena Smith
Garvey editorial assistant Terri Jefferies
fM 1960 W., suite G houston, texas 77069 281-583-7661 www.championsprinting.com
inquiries may be directed to The Woodlands Community Magazine, P.O. Box 7859, The Woodlands, TX, 77387-7859, 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 community and the services provided to them as Woodlands residents. June 20 • Volume 5 • issue 6
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. Printed on recycled paper Your smartphone link to this magazine online. Automobile Home Life Health 24 Waterway Ave., Suite 900 | The Woodlands, TX 77380 281.296.4100 | www.PanopticIns.com Travelers Progressive ® Safeco ® The Hartford Foremost Dairyland ® Encompass TM Contact us today for a free, multi-carrier insurance quote. At home, on the road, or in the water, Panoptic has your family covered this summer.
Cheryl
Laura
6608
editorial
The
The Woodlands, The InsIde sTory of CreaTI ng a Be TT er h ome To W n
The Education Building Block
By roger Galatas
successful master-planned communities provide quality educational opportunities within the community. Families with school-age children want to locate in communities with great neighborhood schools. Companies want their employees to have access to continuing education and job training programs. Master-planned communities attract people and corporations who support schools with participation and an expanding tax base. neighborhood schools encourage parent participation and reduce transportation costs for the district. Of course, the real winners are the students who benefit from a safe, challenging, learning environment.
the Woodlands concept embraced the full range of educational objectives. Much effort went into fostering a system that would include high quality public schools, private schools and institutions of higher education. there were disappointments, but in the end, the vision has succeeded.
When Mitchell bought land for the Woodlands, it was without regard to school district boundaries. It was just land available for sale that had some proximity to I-45. For the most part it was in Montgomery County and in two school districts with the Conroe Independent school District (CIsD) having jurisdiction over the east, and the first developed half of the Woodlands (generally east of Kuykendahl road). the Magnolia Independent school District (MIsD) half was to the west.
Conroe IsD shared Mitchell’s vision and committed to build a high school for the Woodlands before the new town opened. Mitchell made an arrangement with then-superintendent of the schools, J.l “Mac” McCullough, to provide a 50-acre site for the high school. the site was deep in the woods. the first trip the members of the Conroe school board made to inspect the site was in a marsh buggy; there was no road to the property.
Mitchell agreed to provide access and utilities before the school opened, including a bridge across Panther Creek, which required a substantial capital outlay. this was during 1974 when cash flow was a problem for the Woodlands Corporation. as the story goes, McCullough threatened bodily harm to Mitchell if he didn’t get the bridge built across Panther Creek in time for the school to open. While that’s
probably an overstatement, McCullough was more than a little upset. Here was a brand new high school nearing completion with no road access. the road and bridge were completed just before school opened. the school was named for McCullough.
For the first 10 to 12 years of operation, the corporation successfully developed within CIsD. as development advanced toward the Magnolia Independent school District (MIsD) it became apparent that we had to address a pending problem in timely delivery of public education. While MIsD is a good school district, it didn’t then have financial resources to expand its physical plant in a timely way. It was obvious that growth of the Woodlands was going to be hampered because we would be moving into a new school district whose physical school plant was located at least a 45-minute bus ride away from homes to be built.
state law as it existed at that time did not easily accommodate the change of a school boundary. We successfully worked with our legislative representatives to amend state law to allow the school boundary change, and then we had to gain approval of each district. there was one additional hurdle – a financial one. the new law required that if land is detached from one district, in this case Magnolia, then the district annexing that land, Conroe, would be required to reimburse Magnolia for its loss of tax base.
after many public meetings in each district, including several late night sessions, both districts did vote to approve the boundary change, and the Woodlands Corporation agreed to assume Conroe’s obligation to pay Magnolia for its loss of tax base. the compensation finally agreed upon was $12,000,000, payable to Magnolia at the rate of $500,000 per year. an extensive economic study demonstrated
Long before The Woodlands appeared on the scene, a portion of the land it now occupies was owned by the Grogan Cochran Lumber Company, which operated the Tamina Sawmill. The Sam Ashe School served mill workers’ children from 1917 to 1927.
6 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
Photo courtesy of Jim and Wanda Cochran
sam ashe school (so. of Fm 242 & i-45)
to Conroe that continued efficient residential development of the Woodlands upon lands it annexed from Magnolia would support the commercial development of town Center, and its related tax value would accrue to CIsD. as it turned out, everyone was a winner. all projections about residential growth and expansion of the commercial base have come true. Had not that school boundary adjustment been made, the Woodlands would be very different today.
While Conroe IsD has excellent programs, Mitchell felt a top-quality private school was also needed in the Woodlands. recruiting companies to move to the Woodlands, particularly biotechnology companies and venture capitalists, would be easier if we had a private college preparatory school to complement the public school system.
so when John Cooper retired as the headmaster of Kincaid school, one of the top private schools in Houston, Mitchell convinced him to move to the Woodlands and be an ex-officio advisor in the formation of a private school.
I got the opportunity to work with Cooper and engaged the help of Joel Deretchin and others within the Company. We formed a non-profit corporation and recruited a board of directors from leaders in the community. Mitchell agreed to donate the 40-acre school site and $2 million dollars to build the first classroom building. the John Cooper school opened in 1988, and the first graduation ceremony was in 1994 with former President George H.W. Bush delivering the commencement address to a class of 25.
Mitchell was not as successful in his original move to locate a college campus in the Woodlands. In 1971, before
The John Cooper school graduation
The first graduation at The John Cooper School was held in May 1994. In attendance were Board Chair Warren Butler, Roger Galatas, Headmaster Marina Ballantyne, President George H.W. Bush, George Mitchell, Cynthia Mitchell and members of faculty and staff. A secret service agent is in the background… can you spot him?
Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Operating Company, LP/Ted Washington
development of the new community, Mitchell formally offered the university of Houston (uH) 400 acres of free property in the Woodlands, upon which the university would locate a branch campus. talks continued off and on with uH for years but finally ended in frustration brought on by bureaucratic roadblocks. Ironically, the proposed campus site rejected by uH was located on what would later become the very valuable east shore of lake Woodlands as it was constructed.
Having lost the battle for uH, we focused our attention on getting a community college campus for the Woodlands. that effort was successful as community leaders in both Conroe and the Woodlands joined to gain voter approval to allow the north Harris Community College (later renamed lone star College system) to expand its jurisdiction to cover the entire CIsD. a 100-acre campus acceptably located midway between Conroe and the Woodlands was acquired from the
Corporation and an architecturally attractive 4,000-student community college campus opened in 1995 with then Governor George W. Bush in attendance.
later, with encouragement from Mitchell, the Community College, working with six universities, including uH, created a university Center to provide the final two years of undergraduate study resulting in a college degree program (the first two years provided by the Community College). the Woodlands Corporation donated 10 acres of land and $2 million toward the construction of the 70,000 sq. ft. university Center that opened in 1998 as one of only three such centers in the u s
Roger galatas
Roger Galatas is the former president of The Woodlands Corporation and the author, with Jim Barlow, of the popular book, The Woodlands, The Inside Story of Creating a Better Hometown. For more information, please visit www.rgiwoodlands.com.
north harris montgomery Community College
Located on a 100-acre campus acquired from The Woodlands Corporation, the North Harris Montgomery Community College campus opened in 1995. Continuing education and technology training programs have played an important role in business development and job creation in The Woodlands community. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Operating Company, LP/Ted Washington
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 7
Fourth of July
t
he u ltimate July 4th d estination in t he Woodlands
in 2011, the place to celebrate the 4th of July is the Woodlands, texas!
a spectacular lineup of events provides days of entertainment for the entire family.
Saturday, July 2
Waterway Nights
the patriotic weekend begins saturday, July 2, 2011, with an outdoor concert at Waterway square from 6 to 8 p.m. during the Waterway nights series. the event features a live band and strolling entertainers.
SuNday, July 3
Star-Spangled Salute
the festive weekend continues on sunday, July 3, 2011, with the Houston symphony’s star-spangled salute, conducted by Michael Krajewski. the concert features a selection of patriotic favorites, american classics, sing-alongs, and of course, tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with cannons from the hill. the Woodlands Development
Company has proudly sponsored the star-spangled salute concert since 1990. the concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and admission is free. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. lovable mascot of the Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone, will pose for free photos from 7 to 8 p.m.
MoNday, July 4
Fourth of July Parade
Wake up early on Monday, July 4, 2011, put on your red, white and blue and get a prime viewing spot for the exciting south County Fourth of July Parade. the 1.3-mile parade begins and ends at the Woodlands united Methodist Church, and this year’s theme is “Celebrating the american Dream.”
the parade begins at 9 a.m., with fire engines, clowns, horses and many exciting commercial floats. this year’s parade will again proudly feature marching bands. the south County Fourth of July Committee is hosting the 6th annual Marching Band scholarship Program, which gives $10,000 annually to participating band programs.
a tent will be set up in front of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for senior citizens and the physically challenged to obtain relief from the summer heat. roads will be closed during the parade.
For parade entry forms, sponsorships and updated information, call 281-210-3975 or visit www.4thofjuly.org. Judging will occur on the parade route just above the north Passage in Market street. Parade announcers nick Wolda and ramon torres will provide a brief description of each entry as it passes the judging stand.
continued on page 10
8 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
LIVE MUSIC
July 2, 2011 Waterway Nights Waterway Square 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
July 3, 2011 Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 8 p.m. Monday, July 4, 2011 Market Street, 9 a.m. All pools in The Woodlands Noon - 4 p.m. Things That Go Northshore Park 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Northshore Park 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. www.Facebook.com/VisitTheWoodlands Monday, July 4, 2011 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Waterway Square Fireworks Extravaganza Presented by SUNNY 99.1 Simulcast on Starting at dusk! Presented by
Saturday,
Sunday,
Fourth of July
Continued from page 8
awards will be presented on July 4 on the main stage at the red, Hot & Blue Festival. entries will be judged in the following categories:
• Most Beautiful entry
• Most Patriotic entry
• entry with Best use of theme
• Best Musical entry
• the President’s award
• Best Military entry
• Community entry award
• youth entry award
• Participation award
• trophy only: Best Professionally Built Commercial Float sponsorships
the south County Fourth of July parade has many sponsorship levels available. Contact the committee at 281-210-3975 or visit www.4thofjuly.org.
Volunteers needed
Please contact the south County Fourth of July committee at 281-210-3975. It takes numerous volunteers to make this event happen!
Splash day
stay cool at one of the 13 community pools in the Woodlands. admission is free to all Woodlands pools for splash Day on Monday, July 4, 2011. Pools are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with splash Day activities scheduled for noon to 4 p.m.
things that Go Bike Parade
Bring your favorite bike, tricycle, scooter or wagon to northshore Park for the annual decorating contest and parade. the free event is on Monday, July 4, 2011, right before Concert in the Park, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. limited decorating materials are provided, you can also bring your own. For ages 14 and younger.
Concert in the Park
Pack a picnic and bring your lawn chairs to northshore Park on Monday, July 4, 2011, for a Concert in the Park. enjoy an evening of lively country music with the Buck yeager Band, starting at 7 p.m.
red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza
Fourth of July wouldn’t be complete without a breathtaking fireworks display! Head to town Green Park and the Woodlands Waterway® for the 14th annual red, Hot & Blue Festival on Monday, July 4, 2011, from 6 to 10 p.m., produced by the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. year after year the Woodlands is home to one of the largest Fourth of July festivals and fireworks displays in the Greater Houston area. this year’s festival will prove yet again – the Woodlands is the ultimate Fourth of July Destination. the red,
Hot & Blue Festival is presented by ellis & ellis. the Fireworks extravaganza is presented by BBVa Compass. the festival begins at town Green Park, 2099 lake robbins Drive, and continues down the Woodlands Waterway® to Waterway square, 31 Waterway square Place. Bring your family and friends for a festival filled with live music, face painting, strolling performers, games, hot dog and watermelon eating contests, vendor booths, concessions and so much more!
When the sun goes down, festival goers will witness a fireworks extravaganza worth talking about. the fireworks will shoot off near the anadarko Building in the Woodlands to create a bigger and better-than-ever display of color and pageantry. the best fireworks viewing location is along the Woodlands Waterway® Follow the “Fireworks Viewing area” signs for the best spots. For more information, please visit www.redhotblue.org.
0 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
Photos by Terri Jefferies
Friday, June 10
Houston Symphony
8 p.m. / Gates open 7 p.m.
Dancin’ with the Symphony
Robert Franz, conductor
$15 orchestra seating FREE mezzanine and lawn seating
Get ready to be swept off your feet at Dancin’ with the Symphony. Robert Franz gets you tapping your toes for this enchanting evening under the stars featuring some of the most-famous dance-themed works of our time.
Friday, June 17
Texas Music Festival Orchestra
8 p.m. / Gates open 7 p.m.
Made in America
Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
FREE EvEnT
Join us as more than 100 gifted musicians from around the world, in conjunction with the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival, return to The Pavilion for a summer concert extraordinaire. Enjoy these young artists as they perform Jennifer Higdon’s “Blue Cathedral” and Aaron Copland’s Symphony no. 3.
Sunday, July 3
Houston Symphony
8 p.m. / Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Star-Spangled Salute
Michael Krajewski, conductor
FREE EvEnT generously presented by The Woodlands Development Company
This Independence Eve spectacular features a selection of patriotic favorites, American classics, sing-alongs, and of course, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with cannons from atop the hill. Commemorate the birth of our nation by joining the Symphony in this grandiose celebration. It’s an evening of good, oldfashioned family fun!
Tickets can be purchased at The Pavilion Box Office, located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on event days through the start of the show. Individual tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Fiesta, Media Magic and select FYE and H-E-B locations, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Most major credit cards are accepted. Some service charges may apply.
www.woodlandscenter.org 281-363-3300
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Robert Franz, conductor
Photo by Jeff Fitlow
Photo by Michael Tammaro
Mei-Ann Chen, conductor official airline of The Pavilion official automobile of The Pavilion
A z A
T HE C Y n THIA W OODS M ITCHELL PAv ILIO n
2011 PeRFo RMing A Rts se A son sPonso Rs
Pl
sPonso R
June Kicks off the Waterway Nights Series at Waterway Square
June marks the beginning of the popular Waterway nights series at Waterway square. this series is back for the third summer in a row with a new list of live entertainment as well as strolling entertainers. Join the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau at Waterway square every saturday evening, June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more details, visit www.theFountainsatWaterwaysquare.com. event sponsors include the Woodlands Development Company, state Farm Insurance, Munday Chevrolet, Moon Water and Berripop Frozen yogurt.
Wine and Food Week Returns to The Woodlands
Wine and Food Week returns to the Woodlands June 6 through June 12, 2011, with the h-e-B Wine Walk, thursday, June 9, 2011 at Market street from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m, and the Wine rendezvous Grand Tasting & Texas Monthly chef showcase, saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center from 7 to 10 p.m. For more information on tickets, visit www.WineandFoodWeek.com.
Have a visitor coming to The Woodlands?
request your Free Discovery Guide & savings Book featuring more than 75 coupons to merchants in the Woodlands, and your Free the Woodlands Visitor Guide & Map featuring all the restaurants, hotels, shops and more in the Woodlands. Visit www.thewoodlandscvb.com/visitorsguide.asp.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Join the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Facebook Fan Page to receive up-to-date information on events, new stores and other special offers! Visit www.Facebook.com/VisittheWoodlands.com.
2 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011 The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600 • The Woodlands, TX 77380 info@thewoodlandscvb.com • www.VisitTheWoodlands.com 281-363-2447
Photos by Ted Washington
What do you want to do today?
Don’t waste a single moment!
Everything you need is just minutes away in The Woodlands. From a morning workout at the YMCA to a romantic dinner on The Woodlands Waterway ® , you’ll never run out of fun things to do in Texas’ most celebrated community.
This spectacular model home, Plan 8043A by Darling Homes, is priced from $679,000 in Paloma Grove. The 4,954-square-foot, two-story home features Mediterranean architecture, five bedrooms, five full baths and one half bath, private downstairs casita and study, media room and three-car garage. Many other options are available. For more information, visit www.darlinghomes.com.
New Homes iN paloma grove priced from tHe $500’s
Discover Paloma Grove in The Woodlands Village of Creekside Park. This beautiful new neighborhood features homes by Darling Homes and Highland Homes, priced from the $500’s - $800’s. Paloma Grove is one of several neighborhoods bordering 72-acre Lake Paloma, a scenic waterway that winds through the village. Outdoor recreation abounds in Creekside Park, including 33-acre Rob Fleming Park and Aquatic Center, the Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center and the George Mitchell Nature Preserve. The Exemplary-rated Creekside Forest Elementary School is also nearby. Find out why more families are experiencing life’s next great adventure in Creekside Park.
Homes within The Woodlands are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) or any of its affiliates, companies or partnerships. Neither TWDC nor any of its affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change. Membership fees may be required. 6/11 Homes priced from the $180’s to more than $3 million • 281-719-6333 • TheWoodlands.com TAKE I-45 TO WOODLANDS PARKWAY, GO WEST ON WOODLANDS PARKWAY TO THE HOMEFINDER CENTER.
The Woodlands Township is known for its outstanding pools throughout all of its villages. Official pool season opens June 3, 2011, for all 13 pools.
For a complete listing of pools and hours of operation, including the regular season and special events, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and click residents, then Pools.
Open for Regular Season
Regular season Pool schedule
regular season pools open June 3 through august 21, 2011.
daily admission
Daily Pass (except Rob Fleming) ............ $6
Daily Pass for rob Fleming 48 inches and taller $10 under 48 inches tall $8
season Pool Passes
It’s easy to purchase a season pass! Visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or stop by the Woodlands township recreation Center at 5310 research Forest Drive, 281-210-3950. season passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. season passes are good through september 25, 2011.
resident season pass
0 - 2 years ................................................ $6
3 - 64 years $40
senior (65 years and up) $15
additional family pass (over 4) $15
non-resident season pass
0 - 2 years $30
3 years and up $120
No additional family discount, no senior discount.
Punch Cards
resident Punch Card (6 visits) $30
All pools except Rob Fleming
resident Punch Card
Rob Fleming (6 visits) ........................... $40
non-resident Punch Card
Rob Fleming (6 visits) $55
4 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 5
june
Wednesday, June
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting
10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600
9 a.m.
281-210-3800
Development Standards Committee Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive 5:30 p.m. 281-210-3973
Thursday, June 2
Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*
Friday, June 3
Regular pool season hours begin.
See page 14 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Gorilla Hole
The Woodlands Township Recreation Center
7 p.m.
281-210-3950
This event is geared to 5th and 6th graders. There is a $7 admittance fee.
saturday, June 4
Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)
Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center, 2230 Buckthorne Place www.grogansmillvillage.com
For more information, please call Lorraine Richardson at 713-992-5983.
Waterway Nights
Waterway Square
6 to 8 p.m. 281-363-2447
Tuesday, June 7
Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center
6:30 to 10 p.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Creekside Park Village Association Meeting
6464 Creekside Forest Drive 7 p.m.
281-210-3889
Thursday, June 9
Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*
Panther Creek Village Association Meeting 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive 7 p.m. 281-210-3886
saturday, June
Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)
Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center, 2230 Buckthorne Place www.grogansmillvillage.com
For more information, please call Lorraine Richardson at 713-992-5983.
Waterway Nights
Waterway Square
6 to 8 p.m. 281-363-2447
6 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
for calendar updates, visit the calendar at
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Su
N Mo N Tu ES W ED T H u RS F R i SaT
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
Tuesday, June 4
Flag Day
Heartsaver CPR Class
Emergency Training Center
6:30 to 10 p.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Alden Bridge Village Association Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive
7 p.m.
281-210-3886
Indian Springs Village Association Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive
7 p.m.
281-210-5808
Wednesday, June 5
Development Standards Committee Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive
5:30 p.m.
281-210-3973
Thursday, June 6
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Workshop
10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600
7:30 a.m.
281-210-3800
Friday, June 7
Bloodborne Pathogens Class
Emergency Training Center
9 to 11 a.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Gorilla Hole
The Woodlands Township Recreation Center
7 p.m.
281-210-3950
This event is geared to 5th and 6th graders. There is a $7 admittance fee.
saturday, June 8
Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)
Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center, 2230 Buckthorne Place www.grogansmillvillage.com
For more information, please call Lorraine Richardson at 713-992-5983.
Heartsaver CPR Class
Emergency Training Center
9 a.m. to noon
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
First Aid Class
Emergency Training Center
Noon to 2:30 p.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Waterway Nights
Waterway Square
6 to 8 p.m. 281-363-2447
Dive-in Movie Megamind Bear Branch Pool, 5200 Research Forest Drive
8:30 p.m.
For more information, call 281-210-3900. Admission is $5 per person (ages 3 and younger are free).
sunday, June 9
Father’s Day
monday, June 20
Grogan’s Mill Village Association Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive
6:30 p.m.
281-210-3887
College Park Village Association Meeting
Emergency Training Center
7:30 p.m.
281-210-3889
Tuesday, June 2
Healthcare Provider CPR Class
Emergency Training Center
6:30 to 10 p.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Wednesday, June 22
Watch Talk Wednesdays
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive
Noon to 1 p.m. 281-210-3800
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive 6 p.m. 281-210-3800
Thursday, June 23
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Planning Session 281-210-3800
saturday, June 25
Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine)
Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center, 2230 Buckthorne Place
www.grogansmillvillage.com
For more information, please call Lorraine Richardson at 713-992-5983.
Waterway Nights
Waterway Square
6 to 8 p.m. 281-363-2447
monday, June 27
Sterling Ridge Village Association Meeting
Mitchell Library, 8125 Ashlane Way 7 p.m. 281-210-5808
Tuesday, June 28
Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center
6:30 to 10 p.m.
To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.
Cochran’s Crossing Village Association Meeting
2201 Lake Woodlands Drive 7:30 p.m. 281-210-3887
upcoming events
saturday, July 2 –monday, July 4
Fourth of July Events
See page 8 for details. www.metroministorage.net
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 7
Alden Bridge
this month’s residents meeting will be held tuesday, June 14, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the township service Center, 2201 lake Woodlands Drive. all residents are invited to attend and bring us your questions and concerns.
We’re very proud to announce the winners of our three $1,000 scholarships for 2011! ashley Vernon, lauren Medina and teresa Wu are all outstanding in terms of scholarship and community/school involvement. there were so many deserving applicants, and choosing just three was very difficult. Best wishes to all alden Bridge students graduating this year!
Want to help build a parade float? Volunteers are needed to design and construct the alden Bridge float for the 4th of July Parade. this is a fun activity for the whole family! Please contact any board member or e-mail us at abinfo@comcast.net. With your help, we can build another award-winning entry!
alden Bridge is participating in the villages’ trip to the astros game at 6:05 p.m. on saturday, august 20, 2011. We’re playing the san Francisco Giants. tickets are $12 each and the price includes round trip transport by bus from our village center. Contact us at abinfo@comcast.net if you’d like to purchase tickets.
Please send your choices for best front yard in the village to abinfo@comcast.net. each monthly winner receives tickets from the Pavilion, goodies from Chick-fil-a® and a yard sign recognizing all the hard work that goes into creating an award-winning yard.
Our electronic newsletter is distributed monthly to more than 800 households. to subscribe, please send your e-mail address to abinfo@comcast.net. this information will not be shared and will be used only to disseminate news of our village. Between newsletters, please check our Web site (www.aldenbridge.org) for up-to-date information.
Submitted by Darla Bell
Cochran’s Crossing
An Earth Day GreenUp Success Story
Kudos to the volunteers who literally beat the bushes to make our community a cleaner, greener, safer place for all! Kudos also to the Woodlands township’s environmental services Department for organizing the event. Want to know how much trash was collected or how many people participated? satisfy your curiosity by checking full details appearing on pages 15 of this magazine. Our purpose here is not to repeat the impressive stats but to thank all the picker-uppers from Cochran’s Crossing who helped achieve the remarkable numbers. so to all you stalwarts – men, women, brownies, cubs, Interact students and just plain kids – thanks for putting litter back in the dumpster where it belongs!
Submitted by Bill Mara
Grogan’s Mill
Grogan’s Mill Yard of the Month Winner
Congratulations to Jan Cummings, a 16-year resident of Grogan’s Mill! this beautiful yard was found by Franklin Palmer and stan and ellen ericksen.
Submitted by Franklin Palmer
Grogan’s Mill Yard of the Month
Indian Springs
2011 service scholarship Winners at the april 12 meeting, the 2011 service scholarship winners for Indian springs were announced and introduced to the board. the Indian springs Village association service scholarship is awarded to deserving students residing in Indian springs who are pursuing higher education. the scholarship is intended to recognize and promote good citizenship and community involvement among our residents. since this is a service scholarship, volunteerism in the community is the primary focus and academic achievement is a secondary consideration, although all applicants excelled academically as well. the 2011 Indian springs Village association service scholarship winners are listed below with highlights of each of their volunteer accomplishments:
• Camille Bergsrud – John Cooper school – Jack and Jill of america, Inc., teen Contributor of the year in 2009, 2010, yMCa Volunteer of the year for teen program, Habitat for Humanity
• Katie DeHaven – the Woodlands College Park High school –leo Club fundraising and events, visiting retirement homes, church food bank, Montgomery County animal shelter volunteer
• nicole Kruijs – academy of science & technology at the Woodlands College Park High school – Memorial Hermann the Woodlands Hospital volunteer, neonatal intensive care unit cuddler, 4th of July Parade, arbor Day, national night Out, leo Club
• ryan scheffler – the Woodlands High school – Interact Club, OrWall baseball festivals, tOPs, Woodlands soccer Booster Club event elves & More, bike donations, nHs community events, mission trips
8 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011 N EWS FROM THE V illages OF T
W
he
oodlands
Left to right, Franklin Palmer, Jim Upham.
Photo by Anne Upham
e vents in you R nei G h B orhood
the 2011 Indian springs Village association scholarship Committee would like to thank all students who submitted an application. the judging was extremely difficult due to the abundance of qualified applicants. thank you also to the scholarship Committee for their time and efforts. Committee members were amy lecocq, Carolyn Dalglish, Kelly sharer and erika Bondy. Congratulations, 2011 scholarship winners!
2011 logo contest
Board members are working with the Woodlands area high school art students to create a new logo that represents our village to the community. look for the results in an upcoming the Woodlands Community Magazine or check our Web site, www.indianspringsvillage.com, for an update.
activities
Volunteers helped green up Indian springs on april 16, 2011. your neighborhood pathways, greenbelts and drainage areas are litter-free, thanks to our helpful residents. thank you to all who participated in keeping our village clean.
Indian springs’s biggest event, taste of the Village, will be held on October 15, 2011, in the Indian springs
Village shopping Center. the annual community event provides an afternoon of free family fun for residents of the Woodlands as they walk among the booths to experience a taste of the newest offerings and old favorites from businesses in the shopping center.
Please check the Web site for the most current information at www.indianspringsvillage.com and notify us if you have any questions or concerns about your community or if you have a newsworthy item of interest to share.
all residents are invited to attend our village association meetings held at 7 p.m. the second tuesday of every month at the Woodlands township service Center, 2201 lake Woodlands Drive.
Submitted by Carolyn Dalglish
Panther Creek
Celebrate Flag Day at the annual Panther Creek Picnic and Pool Day at ridgewood Park on saturday, June 11, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the village association is providing food and drinks, and the swimming pool will be open free of charge. all village residents are invited. Come to the picnic and enjoy a day with your neighbors!
as a reminder, the Panther Creek Village association annual Baseball Outing will be saturday, august 20, 2011. this is a great time to bring the whole family and guests as the astros host the san Francisco Giants. the Panther Creek Village association will provide bus transportation from the Panther Creek Village Center to Minute Maid Park and back. Contact Mary Bootz at 281-296-9960 for information and tickets.
Our June meeting will begin at the new time of 7 p.m. Our meetings will remain at the Woodlands township
continued on page 26
a lden Brid G e
The Alden Bridge Village Association (ABVA) meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m at the Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Please join us!
Web site www.aldenbridge.org
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3886 or Village Association President Steve Leakey at 281-419-3468.
c ochran’s c rossin G
The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association (CCVA) usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Please join us!
Web site www.cochranscrossing.com
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3887 or Village Association President Nancy Becker at 936-321-4264.
c olle G e Park
The College Park Village Association (CPVA) meets on the third Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at The Woodlands Emergency Training Center. Please join us!
Web site www.villageofcollegepark.com
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3889 or Village Association President Ted Stanley at 936-321-5996.
c reekside Park
The Woodlands Creekside Park Village Association (TWCPVA)
usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Creekside YMCA, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive. Please join us! Web site www.creeksideparkvillage.com
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3889.
Gro G an’s Mill
The Grogan’s Mill Village Association (GMVA) meets on the third Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Please join us!
Web site www.grogansmillvillage.com
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3887 or Village Association President Deborah Sargeant at 281-292-5341.
i ndian sP rin G s
The Indian Springs Village Association (ISVA) meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Please join us! Web site www.indianspringsvillage.com
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-5808 or Village Association President Amy Lecocq at 281-298-1476.
Panther c reek
The Panther Creek Village Association (PCVA) meets on the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Please join us! Web site www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-3886 or Village Association President Everett Ison at 281-298-9524.
s terlin G r id G e
The Sterling Ridge Village Association (SRVA) meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library meeting room, 8125 Ashlane Way. Please join us! Web site www.sterling-ridge.org
Questions? Call your village liaison at 281-210-5808 or Village Association President Phillip Givens at 281-419-9331.
m ee T ing i n F o R ma T ion
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 9
Scholarship Winners, front row, l to r: Camille Bergsrud, Katie DeHaven, Nicole Krulijs, Ryan Scheffler. Scholarship Committee, back row, l to r: Carolyn Dalglish, Amy Lecocq, Erika Bondy, Kelly Sharer
Photo by Steve Scheffler
summer safety tips for
School is finally out for the summer!
If you have children, they are probably overjoyed at the thought of three months of freedom, but as a parent, the idea of your kids being home for that long may not fill you with quite as much glee.
there is not only the big question that looms every June, “How am I going to keep these kids busy?” but you may also have concerns about safety. no matter where one lives, it is important that adults and children alike be aware of basic precautions they can take to make everyone feel safer this summer.
• explain to your children that it is always okay for them to call law enforcement if someone or something doesn’t seem right. although any child old enough to stay home alone should already be aware of “911,” it is also a good idea to post the dispatch number for the Montgomery County sheriff’s Office or the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office near or on all your telephones.* take the time go over the
questions a dispatch operator will likely ask a child. this includes:
– the child’s name and address.
– your name and a way to reach you.
– a description of what your child has seen that is suspicious, whether it is a person, automobile, etc.
– any information related to the incident that the dispatch operator believes is important for law enforcement to know.
– Children should be aware that they need to follow all of the dispatch operator’s instructions.
• remind your children to keep all doors closed and locked. this includes the garage door.
• emphasize how important it is that your children never open the door to someone they do not know. If anyone comes to the door who refuses to leave or who frightens your children in any way, let them know they should call law enforcement immediately. However, do not suggest that your children ignore someone at the door completely. a stranger at the door may be a potential thief who is trying to determine if anyone is home. Instead, tell your children to make noise by turning on the television or music.
• Discuss your rules about answering the phone with your children. If your
By anne spaulding
children do answer the phone, make sure they know to never provide any personal information, such as name or address, to a caller they do not know personally. It is especially important that children do not let strangers know they are home alone.
• If your children use social media sites such as Facebook, explain that they should not inform their friends that they are alone. unfortunately, someone other than an actual “friend” may see that.
• take this opportunity to review fire safety. Discuss using appliances such as the stove and oven, and remind children not to light candles while you are away. If you have not yet put together a home fire escape plan, this is a good time to do so. Practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.
the Woodlands township, neighborhood services Department, can provide “no solicitors” and emergency phone number stickers. these and other crime prevention and public safety materials are available through the Woodlands Watch program at 281-210-3800 or by e-mailing neighbor@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
*Montgomery County sheriff’s Office 936-442-7797 (Most areas of The Woodlands)
*Harris County Pct. 4 Constable 281-376-3472 (Village of Creekside Park)
20 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
Summer 2011
E MPLOYMENT O PPORTUNITIES
the Woodlands township is accepting applications for 2011 summer seasonal positions in the Parks and recreation Department, such as lifeguards from $7.75/hour. training classes for positions will be provided at a reduced rate to successful candidates.
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 also successfully complete an extensive background check. applications may be obtained from the Woodlands township Parks, recreation and environmental services Building, 8203 Millennium Forest Drive or recreation Center, 5310 research Forest Drive.
For more information or to apply online, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Among our clients’ challenges:
Structuring Foreign-Owned Businesses: In our recently published a r t i c l e “ I s s u e s Fa c i n g Co m p a n i e s Fo r m e d b y Fo re i g n N a t i o n a l s Operating in Texas,” we discuss the legal path to support the amazing growth in Montgomery County, Texas, of business investment from other countries
To read more, visit www TheStrongFirm/CorporationsLLCsPartnerships com
S a fe t y a n d S e c u r i t y : We o u t l i n e i n t h e a r t i c l e “ T h e M o n te r re y Exodus” effective and legal means for entrepreneurs and investors f ro m ot h e r co u n t r i e s to re l o c a te t h e i r b u s i n e s s e s , fa m i l i e s a n d i nv e s t m e n t to the serenity of The Woodlands
To read more, visit www TheStrongFirm/CorporationsLLCsPartnerships com
L egal Pl an nin g : Investing in a business requires special planning for the issues associated with the unforeseen events such as death or disputes between owners and investors. In our article “Investments and Related Estate Planning for Foreign Nationals,” we detail the importance of planning and preparing the necessary documents to protect your investments
To read more, visit www.TheStrongFirm/WillsProbateTrustsEstates.com.
We i nv i te yo u to v i s i t o u r we b s i te to l e a r n m o re a b o u t h o w o u r a t to r n e y s , a m a j o r i t y of w
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 2
h o m a re f l u e n t i n S p a n i s h , a n d e x p e r i e n ce d i n M e x i c a n a n d Ce n t ra l A m e r i c a n business and culture, assist clients with these and other legal issues related to new, restruc tured or relocating businesses or investments. WeMean Bu s i n e s s In The Woodlands Ever y day, our business law attorneys assist entrepreneurs a n d i nve s to r s i n e s t a b li s h i n g t h e m s e lve s a n d t h e i r b us i n e s s e s i n o ur g ro w i n g co m m un i t y.
For more information, please contact us at 281-367-1222.
L STRONG Attorney, founder & managing shareholder 10003 Woodloch Forest Dr , Suite 210 The Woodlands, TX 77380 281-367-1222 • bstrong@thestrongfirm com www.thestrongfirm.com Licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of Texas Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
BRET
The Woodlands Governance: Decisions Ahead
theWoodlands township, now the official governing body of the Woodlands, was created with the merger of the Community associations of the Woodlands and town Center Improvement District (tCID). the Woodlands township collects an ad valorem property tax as well as sales and use tax and hotel occupancy tax.
In 2007, voters overwhelmingly approved a change in governmental structure that allowed residents to ultimately determine their future and release the Woodlands from annexation possibilities by the cities of Houston and Conroe. the Woodlands township entered into regional Participation agreements (rPas) with both cities that allow residents of the Woodlands to decide their future governance. at that time, tCID changed its name to the Woodlands township, and the Community associations entered into an agreement that would transfer services and operation to the township. the Woodlands township assumed all
responsibilities and services previously provided by the Community associations on January 1, 2010, and the Community associations were dissolved. these changes in governmental structure occurred after many years of dialogue and study.
a key provision of the rPas provides the Woodlands with the ability to determine their future governance, including the opportunity to incorporate as a city as early as May 2014. Between now and then, the Woodlands township Board of Directors will be facilitating a process that will include research, analysis, and dialogue with citizens, businesses, and service providers. the purpose of this process is to determine what, if any, adjustments need to be made to the current governance structure to lead the community into the future. If additional changes to governance are desired, implementation steps will be outlined to guide the community toward its desired future.
Over the coming months, a series of articles will be published in The Woodlands Community Magazine reviewing the history of governance and how the township came to be, outlining the community’s current governance structure, and identifying some of the decisions ahead. this information is being provided to prepare the community for public dialogue events that are anticipated to be held in the fall.
We invite you to learn the history and follow the process by visiting the township’s Web site at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and clicking on Government, then transition and Governance, and by following monthly briefings provided at the Board of Directors’ meetings. this is an important process, and we encourage you to stay engaged as the community plans for its future.
Editor’s Note: Information is this article was compiled by Partners for Strategic Action and Township staff. Please watch for ongoing governance information in future issues of The Woodlands Community Magazine.
22 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
SUMMER FIRE SAFETY TIPS Fireworks Prohibited in The Woodlands
the Woodlands Fire Department reminds all residents that the Woodlands Covenants strictly prohibit the sale or use of home fireworks and sparklers of any kind in the Woodlands. Our community is situated in a beautiful forest, and with dry weather conditions, one errant spark could severely damage our hometown. If you feel the holidays are not the same without a firecracker or two, please come out and enjoy our community’s Fourth of July Fireworks extravaganza in the Woodlands town Center. you will not be disappointed!
For more information, please contact the Woodlands Fire Department at 281-367-3444.
message from The Woodlands Joint Powers agency
Try it…
water grass no more than two times per week:
O DD - NUMBERED A DDRESS saturday/Wednesday
E VEN - NUMBERED A DDRESS sunday/Thursday
…we think your lawn will like it!
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 23
Paid a dvertisement
are you ready for HurrICAnE SEASOn?
theWoodlands township urges all residents of the Woodlands to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season.
June is the beginning of hurricane season that lasts through november. now is the time to make sure that you and your family are prepared if disaster strikes our area. thinking about it now will help you decide what to do later.
a great source of information is the Homeland security Web site located at www.ready.gov. this Web site has information about different types of emergencies, including tornadoes, lightning, flash floods, biological threats and nuclear blasts.
the township’s neighborhood services Department offers Get Ready –The Woodlands presentations that are designed to teach residents how to prepare for both natural and man-made emergencies. the presentations can either be one-hour interactive presentations in a home or central setting, or an event setting where several organizations teach emergency preparedness at a community event. regardless of how it is done, now is the time to plan, prepare and stay informed!
For emergency information specific to the Woodlands, listen to K-star country, KvsT 99.7 FM, official emergency broadcast partner of the Woodlands township.
• Fully-redundant power
• locally owned and operated
• north Houston and Conroe coverage area
• local news, weather and traffic
Tips To stay informed
• Visit the Woodlands township Web site – www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
• sign up for Woodlandsalert at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and click Woodlandsalert signup. Be sure to select your preferences, which you may update at any time. Prior to an emergency, you may want to add your cell phone number or change your information so that you can receive messages when you are out of your usual routine.
• sign up for advance weather warnings for our area by visiting www.mc911.org and clicking CodereD.
• sign up for a Community emergency response team (Cert) training class. Contact rachel Mitchell at the Woodlands Fire Department for more information at 281-367-3444.
• Call the Woodlands township to schedule a Get Ready – The Woodlands presentation. this presentation includes the basic steps to get prepared for
an emergency as outlined by the u.s. Department of Homeland security. Join the Woodlands Watch and schedule your presentation today by calling 281-210-3800.
• Watch television newscasts.
emergency supply Kits assembling a basic emergency supply kit will put everything you need in one place. recommended supplies to include are:
• One gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
• at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a national Oceanic and atmospheric administration (nOaa) weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Filter mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Manual can opener and utensils if kit contains canned food.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Important family documents.
• Items for unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers.
Listen live daily at 99.7 FM or online at kstarcountry.com. for more information about emergency preparedness, call the Woodlands township at 281-210-3800 or visit the homeland security Web site at www.ready.gov. 24 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 25
the event all
may
of the six
will have
and information available for residents.
in
communication efforts fail, residents
go to one
fire stations located in the Woodlands. Woodlands fire stations
updates
Station – 9951 Grogan’s Mill Road Station 2 – 9303 Gosling Road
3 – 1522 Sawdust Road
Central
Station
7900
Drive
Station
4 –
Bay Branch
5 – 10100 Branch Crossing Drive
6 – 1100 Windsor Lakes Boulevard Ryland Homes presents Concerto, its luxury line with elegant, spacious homes and gorgeous exteriors featuring intricate blends of natural stone, stucco and textured brick. You’ll fall in love with our distinctive architecture which includes curvilinear kitchen islands, choice of granites, stainless steel appliances, wrought iron staircases, covered outdoor living areas with front courtyard availability, soaring ceilings and flexible spaces that can be hand tailored as home offices, fitness rooms and media rooms. Ryland Homes is back in The Woodlands Luxurious new homes in Creekside Park from the $250’s d d Tour our model homes to experience living in the lap of luxury that you deserve. For more information visit ryland.com or call 281-516-7408 (creekside park) or 281-255-4452 (timarron) In the Houston division, prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Photograph and rendering are for illustrative purposes only. Square footage is approximate. See Sales Counselor for details. © 2011 RH of Texas Limited Partnership. a
Station
Station
V
llage n e W s
service Center, located at 2201 lake Woodlands Drive in the Woodlands.
Please visit our Web site— www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org— for additional information.
Submitted by Everett Ison
Sterling Ridge
“Yard of the Month” contest
During the coming months we will be looking for the “yard of the Month.” Winners will receive a sign for their home, a gift certificate from one of our local businesses, a photo and acknowledgment on our village Web site! Please send the address and contact information to srevents@sterling-ridge.org if you would like to nominate any resident of sterling ridge. note: photographs are not required as the property will be viewed by board members.
Web site: www.sterling-ridge.org
did you know?
at every sterling ridge Village association monthly meeting a member of our local law enforcement speaks and provides detailed community policing information and answers questions from the community.
serving to advance the ridge needs YoU!
Volunteers will be recognized by sterling ridge Village association for their commitment to our community! Help out with a special event—families are encouraged to volunteer together!
During the 2010 holiday season, Ms. loretta Werling, a Degas Park resident, created the holiday wreath and garland on the Degas Park monument. thank you, Ms. Werling.
May 14, 2011 e le C t IO n r esults
t
hree at-large positions on the Woodlands township Board of Directors were filled in the May 14, 2011, election by vote of the Woodlands residents. returns were scheduled to be canvassed and official results announced on May 25, 2011, at the regular meeting of the Woodlands township Board of Directors. the new Board is scheduled to be seated and officers elected at a special meeting on June 1, 2011.Full election details are posted on the Woodlands township Web site at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, under elections.
26 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
Submitted by Kerri Chew and Gabriel Castillo i
continued from page 19
seRVing ouR senioRs
By Keith Weaver
More than 350 volunteers – 18 local church and school groups, plus many families and individuals – recently gathered to assist senior citizens in our community through the serving our seniors work day event. Projects included yard work, light home maintenance and interior cleaning. Pictured above, volunteers from the aFJrOtC pause for a photo during a serving Our seniors project. For more information regarding the serving Our seniors program, please call Interfaith of the Woodlands at 281-367-1230.
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 27
Photo by Keith Weaver
The Woodlands Fire Department S TATION C ONSTRUCTION U PDATE
thenext six months will see some changes at the Woodlands Fire Department; specifically two new fire stations. these two new stations, station 8 and station 7, respectively, will serve residents in Indian springs, Panther Creek and Creekside Park. each station will be staffed by four firefighters per shift, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. station 7 will be equipped with one fire engine, one brush pumper and one rescue boat. station 8 will be equipped with one ladder truck and one special operations vehicle.
residents of the Woodlands can feel confident that these additional facilities will help the Woodlands Fire Department continue its efficient and effective handling of emergencies.
S TaT ion 8
S TaT ion 7
The Woodlands Fire Department
8 on Gosling Road shows what the building will look like upon completion of the two million dollar construction project. The grand opening for the Indian Springs station is anticipated to be in July 2011.
BoTTom leFT: Once construction of Station 8 is complete, the facility will house 5,000 square feet of living space and 7,000 square feet of apparatus and support areas. It will include three apparatus bays, officers’ quarters, dorm rooms, kitchen and dining areas, study/conference room, equipment rooms and an exercise room.
ToP RighT: An artist rendering of The Woodlands Fire Department Station 7 on Kuykendahl Road shows that the building is very similar to Station 8 on Gosling Road. The square footage and amenities of both buildings are the same.
BoTTom RighT: Construction of Station 7 is expected to continue through 2011. The grand opening of the Creekside Park station is anticipated to be in January 2012.
28 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
ToP leFT: An artist rendering of
Station
important Notice: By submitting letters, photos and other materials to The Woodlands Community Magazine (TWCM) you agree that the materials submitted will become the property of TWCM and will not be returned. You also agree that TWCM, its assigns, and the publisher, have been granted the non-exclusive right to use and /or reproduce the materials in any manner and for any purpose. You also agree that you have made no other considerations for the use of any submissions unless authorized in writing by TWCM and the Publisher. They may be submitted to The Woodlands Community Magazine, P.O. Box 7859, The Woodlands, TX, 77387-7859. For more information, please call 281-210-3800.
Photographs may be submitted, and are encouraged, for publication either within the magazine or on the cover. There is no payment for photographs featured either within the publication or on the cover. Both amateur and professional slides and photographs, featuring Woodlands people and scenes, are welcome.
Disclaimer: The Publisher, Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. (CP&PI), and The Woodlands Township assume no responsibility for the advertising content within this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be addressed 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 Woodlands Township be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to the liabilities stated above. Articles, cartoons, and photographs in this magazine express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CP&PI or its employees. Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. or its employees assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. Space does not always permit a full description of provisions of The Woodlands Covenants or Residential Development Standards being discussed. This magazine does not replace or alter The Woodlands Covenants or Residential Development Standards. Always refer to the Covenants or Standards or call the office for specific information.
Copyright: The Woodlands Community Magazine is published monthly in Houston, Texas, U.S.A. by Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc., 6608 FM 1960 West, Suite G, Houston Texas 77069. Copyright © 2011. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the publisher or The Woodlands Township.
JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 29
www.championspediatric.com
20 Concert-in-the-Park series
sunday evenings at northshore Park 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive
summer 20 – 7 to 9 p.m.
July 4 Buck Yeager Band (Country)
Fall 20 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
september Troy Hess (Country)
september 8 Cold Shot (Variety)
october 2 Akina Adderly (Jazz)
october 9 Swing Thing (Country Swing)
october 6 Miss Leslie & Her Juke Jointers (Country)
october 23 Fab 5 (British Invasion)
Concerts in the Park is a program of The Woodlands Township. For more information, call 281-210-3900 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Kayak
Take a point of view!
Riva Row Boat House is open
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Wednesdays) with last boat out one hour before closing
Single kayaks: $15 first hour
Tandem kayaks: $20 first hour $5 per additional hour for single and tandem kayaks
30 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011
Presented by stage sponsor
www.greendogtraining.com JUNE 2011 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine 3
June 3 – Luau
Wear Hawaiian-themed clothes and enjoy some summer fun
June 7 – Funky Friday
Show up in your funkiest outfit and win a prize
July – Freedom to Have Fun
Join your friends in some patriotic fun
July 5 – Futuristic Friday
Wear a futuristic outfit for some out-of-this-world fun
august 5 – Disney night
Dress as your favorite Disney character and watch a new Disney movie
august 9 – Back to School Bash
Have fun with a texting contest and much more!
a fun and beloved tradition in The Woodlands for 7 years!
Summer Series
First and third Fridays of June, July and august 7 to 9:45 p.m.
admission $7 snacks and drinks $
This fun social program for fifth- and sixth-graders is held at The Woodlands Township Recreation Center, 5310 Research Forest Drive. Gorilla Hole T-shirts and glow sticks are for sale. Dress code and proper behavior are enforced by two uniformed officers and Township staff. For more information about this Woodlands tradition, please contact Recreation Program Coordinator Cara Church at 281-210-3950 or cchurch@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
32 The Woodlands CommuniTy magazine JUNE 2011