July 2011

fourth of July in The woodlands

The woodlands history: The Interfaith Building Block

are you Ready for hurricane season?

neighborhood pools Open for Regular season

The woodlands governance: Historic Achievements

water for a healthy landscape

The Woodlands Fire Department reminds all residents that The Woodlands Covenants strictly prohibit the sale

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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

The Woodlands To W nship Begins New Board Year

the Woodlands township officially welcomed back its incumbent directors who were elected to Positions 5, 6 and 7 during the May 14, 2011, election. Bruce tough, far left, was elected to Position 7, Peggy s Hausman, center, was elected to Position 6, and Nelda Luce Blair, not pictured, was elected to Position 5.

Montgomery County Judge alan B. sadler, far right, administered the oaths of office. the directors will each serve two-year terms.

Please see below for a schedule of board meetings and budget workshops that will be held throughout the summer. the schedule of summer board meetings and budget workshops can also be found on the township Web site at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Board of directors meeting schedule

Board Workshop

Thursday, July 21, 2011

7:30 a.m.

Township Board Chambers

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Board Budget Workshop #

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

8 a.m.

Township Board Chambers

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Board meeting

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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

The Woodlands Township Town hall meeting

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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

Board Budget Workshop #2

Thursday, July 28, 2011

8 a.m.

Township Board Chambers

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Board Budget Workshop #3

Friday, July 29, 2011

9 a.m.

Township Board Chambers

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Please note: additional meetings and public hearings may be scheduled during the months of July and August. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov for more information.

Board of d irectors

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

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

The Woodlands

C ommuni T y magazine

The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township

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

Cham P ions sTa FF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr. account executives

Connie Krell

Charlotte Blanco

Cheryl 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

Copy editors

Mary Connell

Elena Smith

laura Garvey editorial assistant Terri Jefferies

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, 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 Township and the services provided to them as Woodlands residents.

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.

Paid

I chose MD Anderson in The Woodlands

- Stacey Severin

When I had breast cancer, the world’s leading care was right here.

My mom was treated for breast cancer at MD Anderson in The Woodlands, and I knew it was also the right choice for me. My team of experts focused only on me and my cancer. They guided me through advanced MD Anderson treatment options including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and support services. They customized a plan just for me. Having MD Anderson in my community kept me close to my family. I chose MD Anderson in The Woodlands. Find Your MD Anderson today.

are you ready for HurrICAne SeASOn?

The Woodlands Township urges all residents of The Woodlands to be prepared for hurricane season.

Hurricane season is here. Now is the time to make sure that you and your family are prepared.

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

Listen live daily at 99.7 FM or online at kstarcountry.com.

Tips To stay informed

• Visit the Woodlands township Web site, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. sign up for News Flashes under e-News signup.

• 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.

In the event aLL communication efforts fail, residents may go to one of the six fire stations located in the Woodlands: Central station – 9951 Grogan’s Mill road station 2 – 9303 Gosling road station 3 – 1522 sawdust road station 4 – 7900 Bay Branch Drive

station 5 – 10100 Branch Crossing Drive station 6 – 1100 Windsor Lakes Boulevard

the Woodlands fire stations will have updates and information available for residents. Please see the June 2011 issue of this magazine for maps of the fire station locations.

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.

Join the Team

“

Every sports team knows that one of the keys to winning is a good defense. That’s why I joined The Woodlands Watch – to be part of the team working to keep our homes and neighborhoods safe.

Neighbor knowing neighbor means we keep our eyes on the ball when it comes to keeping our community safe.”

Matt Bullard

Former Houston Rockets forward, color commentator and Woodlands Watch member

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The Woodlands Governance: Historic Achievements

The original Vision

as Mr. George Mitchell was considering a plan for the Woodlands in the 1960s, many major cities were experiencing an out-migration of people from declining inner cities to thriving suburbs. Mr. Mitchell traveled extensively and witnessed the plight of some u s cities. He held the view that the Houston region would be stronger if the central city retained the ability to grow its tax base. He wanted the Woodlands to be a part of Houston’s solution, not a part of its problems. therefore, by agreement with Houston, all of his landholdings that would become the Woodlands (and not already within another city’s annexation area, known as extraterritorial jurisdiction, or etJ) were included in Houston’s etJ. this meant that the City of Houston would have the ability to annex the Woodlands into the City’s corporate limits, allowing the Woodlands to become part of the City of Houston’s tax base.

Having essentially all of the Woodlands within the etJ of a single city effectively prevented fragmentation of the planned community and its services through partial annexations initiated by other adjacent cities or through potential multiple, separate, smaller incorporations that could have taken place on a piecemeal basis.

impetus for Change

then, in 1996, Kingwood, a similar master-planned community east of the Woodlands, was annexed by Houston without the consent of Kingwood residents. the growing desire for the Woodlands to be independent, coupled with the fear that the Woodlands would be the next to be annexed by Houston, triggered a group of community leaders in 1999 to initiate a local governance dialogue. subsequently, a moratorium agreement was signed by the City of Houston and the Woodlands, preventing annexation by Houston for at least 12 years. a three-phased governance process was designed and initiated to study, recommend and establish the community’s preferred governance structure.

In april 2003, Phase I of the Governance Process was launched. Phase I conceived a community-based decision-making process and produced a range of governance alternatives to explore with the public in Phase II.

a new Vision emerges

Based on the work in Phase I, in april 2004, a Phase II committee of local leaders called the Governance steering Committee, or GsC, was organized. the GsC’s basic responsibilities were to gather information, receive feedback from citizens and stakeholders, and recommend a logical

and thoughtful course of action to the community. the results of this extensive public engagement effort were five key directives: avoid annexation; take action now; obtain the broadest scope of local control; work with, not against, Houston (and eventually the City of Conroe, which also had a portion of the Woodlands in its etJ); and maintain communication channels with the public and stakeholders. these directives were addressed through legislation crafted by Woodlands’ legislators and corresponding propositions passed by voters in 2007 (Phase III). these actions resulted in a change in governance structure (completed in 2010) as the Woodlands township, a special purpose district, became the central government for provision of most municipal-type services. the 2007 action by legislators and voters also enabled the Woodlands to enter into regional Participation agreements with the Cities of Houston and Conroe, preventing annexation of the Woodlands and allowing residents to determine their own future governance structure, including the option to incorporate as a municipality, as early as May 2014. the regional Participation agreements also provide a means for the Woodlands to contribute funding toward important mutually-beneficial regional projects, thereby fulfilling Mr. Mitchell’s wish for the Woodlands to be part of the solution for sustaining Houston’s vitality.

This is the second part in a series of articles 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 follow the process by visiting the Township’s Web site, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, and clicking on Government then Transition and Governance, and by following monthly briefings provided at the Board of Director’s meetings. 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.

The Woodlands Township Transition

George Mitchell begins planning The Woodlands 1960’s

The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Launches a New Web site

the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau unveiled its new and enhanced Web site, www.VisittheWoodlands.com, as the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau continues its efforts to position the Woodlands as a destination for families, individual business travelers and groups.

using clean lines and panoramic photographs, visitors are encouraged to explore the many facets of the Woodlands through simple navigation broken down to the basic tenets of a getaway – What to Do, Where to stay, Where to Dine, Where to shop and Where to Do Business.

“the Web site is an interactive way to illustrate the idea that visitors can create their own perfect getaway with activities and events that excite them,” says the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Chairman of the Board Nelda Blair.

Visitors to the new site will find a vibrant rotating photo gallery full of spectacular images that show the Woodlands as an attractive destination for leisure and business travel. the site also utilizes numerous new and innovative tools that are in demand by today’s travelers, from up-to-the-minute social media feeds for twitter and Facebook to the addition of a tailored section for meeting planners or travel-related businesses.

“the Woodlands is one of the most scenic places to visit in the Houston region. this Web site will be used by visitors all over the world,” says the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau President Nick Wolda.

understanding the need for form as well as function, the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau collaborated with longtime strategic partner and leader in the field of interactive marketing, John Manlove Marketing & Communications. the agency took an integrated approach, supplying the design of the new Web site while also incorporating complete back end functionality.

“the Web site is a front door to the Woodlands and establishes the area as a quality getaway with a variety of things to do year round,” says the Woodlands Convention & Visitor’s Bureau General Manager Casey snyder.

For more information on the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and other events and activities in the Woodlands, visit www.VisittheWoodlands.com or follow on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ VisittheWoodlands.

Landry’s Restaurants Awarded Catering Contract For The Woodlands Waterway Cruisers

Passengers on board the Woodlands Waterway Cruisers will soon be able to dine on authentic Italian cuisine, tender steaks, fresh seafood and more, thanks to a one-year contract awarded to Landry’s restaurants, Inc. to provide exclusive catering services, private charters and events on the Woodlands Waterway Cruisers.

Groups interested in catering on board one or more of the Waterway Cruisers can contact Megan Bennet with Landry’s seafood, 281-363-9750, to coordinate all food, beverage and logistics for parties, family gatherings, meetings and corporate functions, to name a few. Landry’s will customize catering menus based on a wide variety of offerings, including appetizers, fajitas, chicken dishes, pasta and seafood of all kinds.

From left: The Woodlands CVB Event Specialist Julie DeGuerre, Landry’s Seafood General Manager Sean Mosher, The Woodlands CVB President Nick Wolda and The Woodlands CVB Chairman Nelda Luce Blair. Photo by laura Garvey

Nelda Luce Blair, Nick Wolda and Casey Snyder demonstrate the features of the new Web site.

Photo by Ted Washington

July is ReCReaTion and PaRKs Month

since 1985, the National recreation and Park association has designated the month of July as recreation and Parks Month. recreation facilities and parks across the country use July as a time to pull their communities together to volunteer, get involved in outdoor physical activities and become an advocate for parks and recreation. In the Woodlands, most residents live within a quarter of a mile of a park and often have a pathway just outside their back door.

as the Woodlands observes Park and recreation Month, we recognize the vital contributions our parks and recreation system has within our community. the Woodlands township is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of residents through recreation programming, leisure activities and conservation efforts.

Parks and Recreation advisory Council

One group that is well-versed in the benefits parks and recreation can provide is the Parks and recreation advisory Council, which was formed in 2004. the council was created to provide input on programs, activities, policies and initiatives of the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department. the council members, who are appointed, are all representatives of or active in local parks, recreation and leisure

www.houstonroofingonline.com

Parks and Recreation advisory Council

Front row, from left, Anthony Fasone, Sally Johnson, Claude Hunter, Township Parks and Recreation Director Chris Nunes, Gail Carney, Sue Tedesco, Ken Schumann. Back row, from left, Steve Perry, Dan Kolkhorst, Merle Causey.

Photo by Ted Washington

service activities or organizations. to ensure a well-rounded residential voice, the council consists of a representative from each village association, one township board member and one representative from the Woodlands Development Company.

the council has provided invaluable feedback on such issues as updating park rules, creating the needs assessment study, changing the Concert in the Park schedule, marketing techniques and updating the business and operational plans for pools and recreation programs.

members

Recreation

www.helpourcounty.org

connecting you to volunteer and donation opportunities in Montgomery and Liberty county. don’t wait, get involved today!

this site was created by the Leadership Montgomery Class of 2007 and originally maintained by Interfaith of the Woodlands. the site is now maintained by Montgomery County united Way. thanks to the vision of the class, this site helps to create lasting partnerships between the business community and volunteers with all non-profit organizations in Liberty and Montgomery Counties.

Additional

of the Parks and

Advisory Ctouncil, from left are Marti Fox Meerscheidt with “Shooga,” Nick Norris and Adele Yung.

Photo by l aura Garvey

Monday, July 4,2011, in tH e Wood L ands

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 updated information, visit www.4thofjuly.org or call 281-210-3975.

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 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m on Monday, July 4, 2011, right before Concert in the Park. 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.

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, the fireworks will shoot off near the anadarko Building in the Woodlands to create a bigger and betterthan-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.

Friday, July 

Gorilla Hole

The Recreation Center

7 p.m.

281-210-3950

This event is geared to 5th and 6th graders. There is a $7 admittance fee.

saturday, July 2

Waterway Nights

Waterway Square

6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, please call 281-363-2447.

sunday, July 3

Houston Symphony presents “Star-Spangled Salute”

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

FREE event

8 p.m.

monday, July 4

Independence Day

Township offices closed

Fourth of July Parade Market Street

9 a.m.

See page 14. Visit www.4thofjuly.org or call 281-210-3975 for more information.

Splash Day

FREE event at all community pools. Noon to 4 p.m. Call 281-210-3900 for more information.

Things That Go Bike Parade

Northshore Park, 2505 lake Woodlands Drive 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 281-210-3950.

Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza

Town Green Park and The Woodlands Waterway®

6 to 10 p.m.

Visit www.redhotblue.org or call 281-363-2447 for more information.

FREE Concert-in-the-Park Buck yeager Band (Country)

Northshore Park, 2505 lake Woodlands Drive 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information, call 281-210-3950.

Tuesday, July 5

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

Wednesday, July 6

Development Standards Committee Meeting

2201 lake Woodlands Drive 5:30 p.m. 281-210-3973

Thursday, July 7

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

saturday, July 9

Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.

Su N Mo N Tu ES W ED T H u RS F R i SaT

A well-mannered ground cover, pigeonberry adds charm to a woodland or shady setting with wavy-edged leaves, delicate blooms and red berries. Photo by lucinda Valdes

Tuesday, July 2

Heartsaver CPR

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

Thursday, July 4

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Panther Creek Village Association Meeting

2201 lake Woodlands Drive

7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Friday, July 5

Bloodborne Pathogens Class

Emergency Training Center

9 to 11 a.m.

To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.

Gorilla Hole

The Recreation Center

7 p.m.

281-210-3950

This event is geared to 5th and 6th graders. There is a $7 admittance fee.

saturday, July 6

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.

Dive-in Movie

Despicable Me

Cranebrook Pool, 11800 Cranebrook Drive

8:30 p.m.

For more information, call 281-210-3900.

Admission is $5 per person.

monday, July 8

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, July 9

Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center

6:30 to 10 p.m.

To register, please call 281-210-5820 ext. 1731.

Wednesday, July 20

Development Standards Committee Meeting

2201 lake Woodlands Drive

5:30 p.m. 281-210-3973

Thursday, July 2

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Workshop

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600 7:30 a.m. 281-281-3800

monday, July 25

Sterling Ridge Village Association Meeting Mitchell library, 8125 Ashlane Way

7 p.m.

281-210-5808

Tuesday, July 26

Township and Fire Department Board of Directors Budget Workshop #1

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600

8 a.m.

281-281-3800

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

Wednesday, July 27

Watch Talk Wednesdays

2201 lake Woodlands Drive

Noon to 1 p.m.

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

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

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

The Woodlands Township Town Hall Meeting

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

Garbage collection

Thursday, July 28

Township and Fire Department Board of Directors

Budget Workshop #2

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600 8 a.m.

281-281-3800

Lone Star College-University Center at Montgomery – Information Fair 3232 College Park Drive 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information, call the Student Services Office at 936-273-7510 or 281-618-7140.

Friday, July 29

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

Budget Workshop #3 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600 9 a.m.

281-281-3800

upcoming events:

Tuesday, august 2

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Workshop #4 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600 8 a.m.

281-281-3800

Creekside Park Village Association Meeting 6464 Creekside Forest Drive 7 p.m.

281-210-3889

Remember, no garbage or recycling pickup on Monday, July 4. All services move to the following day.

www.metroministorage.net

alden Bridge

Happy Fourth of July from alden Bridge! Come out and wave to your alden Bridge neighbors on our float in the big parade on July 4! there’s a lot to do in the Woodlands this holiday, so take advantage of the fun-filled activities!

this month’s residents meeting will be held on tuesday, July 12, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the township service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Our speaker will be Don Norrell, President/General Manager of the Woodlands township. all residents are encouraged to attend and bring us your questions and concerns!

Once again, alden Bridge will participate in the villages’ baseball game outing on saturday, august 20, 2011. If you’d like to join us on our bus, there may be some tickets remaining, so contact Darla Bell at dbell7246@aol.com. tickets are $12 each and the price covers the game and the bus trip. the astros will play the san Francisco Giants that evening.

We’re seeking nominations for the monthly Yard of the Month award! Please send your candidates for best front yard in the village to abinfo@comcast. net. the winning household receives a gift from Lowe’s, goodies from Chick-fil-a®, tickets to a performance at the Pavilion and a yard sign recognizing their hard work. Our last winning homeowners were Nasim and Peter Bell of sundance Circle.

We continue to publish our monthly electronic village newsletter. to join our subscriber list of more than 800 households, please send your e-mail address to abinfo@comcast.net. Your e-mail address will never be shared and will be used only to disseminate news of our village.

Submitted by Darla Bell

College park

Congratulations graduates! It is with great pride that we announce the winners of this year’s college scholarships. Congratulations go out to Danica Lapid, shenwei Chang and shannon King. they are excellent examples of the qualities which we all desire. this year, we have had so many excellent applicants, it was a very difficult decision to make! We are so proud of all of our College Park graduates, whether they be graduating from junior high, high school or university.

Don’t forget that this month the College Park Village association will be designing and building a float for the 4th of July parade. the plans are made and we need volunteers to help us decorate and build the float. We are also looking for volunteers to ride along and walk with our entry. If you are interested in a fun and creative evening, please join us for our annual float-building party and BBQ.

Cochran’s Crossing

cochran’s crossing village association scholarships awarded Congratulations are due the Woodlands High school graduates emily Murray and christopher Wilson, winners of $500 Cochran’s Crossing Village association scholarships. High achievers inside the classroom, both students participated in a wide variety of activities outside the classroom. Both were also outstanding athletes. emily demonstrated speed and endurance running track and cross country. Christopher exhibited strength and agility as a hard-hitting Highlander linebacker. emily’s plans take her to university of texas austin for study of environmental science. Chris goes north to the university of Oklahoma to major in journalism and mass communications. We send them off not only with hearty congratulations, but with our very best wishes for success in their continuing education.

Submitted by

Bill Mara

Grogan’s Mill

We will meet at Harper’s Landing Pavilion on sunday, July 3, 2011, to prepare our float for the parade. also, please check out our new Web site. We have recently revamped our Web site, www.villageofcollegepark.com. there will be further details about this and other events added periodically and we encourage your feedback.

Submitted by Gail Carney

the Farmer’s Market had a very successful spring season, and we thank all our customers. after the summer hiatus, the market will reopen for the fall season on saturday, October 1, 2011, from 8 a.m. to noon, every saturday.

We would like all of you to welcome our new village liaison, susan Golden. susan serves as the interface between the Village association and the township.

If you would like current information on what is happening in Grogan’s Mill, please sign up for our e-mail newsletter. You can do that at our Web site: www.gmva.org.

2011 Alden Bridge scholarship winners: (L to R) Teresa Wu, Ashley Vernon and Lauren Medina.

Christopher Wilson

Emily Murray

Kids ride the alligator at Harper’s Landing Pool.

e vents in you R nei GHB or H ood

Grogan’s Mill Yard of the Month Winner

Luke and Harriett have lived in their home for five years. they have red salvia, white begonia and coppertone ginger in their flower beds and have hard landscaping paths so everyone can walk around without getting muddy. they also have red maple and red oak trees as well as several tropical trees. In the front entry way Harriett has put juniper holly with an assortment of other plants for balance.

additionally, they have moss rock borders around each flower bed. this yard makes us all proud of the hard work Luke and Harriett have done in their yard.

Congratulations Luke and Harriett! this beautiful yard was nominated by Jim upham.

Submitted by Franklin Palmer

indian springs

Green Up! clean Up!

a BIG thank you to all residents who participated in the earth Day 2011 Great american Cleanup event on april 16, 2011. this marked the first year that a community-wide stewardship project became the main event in the Woodlands township for earth Day. Prior earth Day events included informative booths, games, music and giveaways, but this year a service project element was added to help clean up the environment in our community. More than 765 participants collected nearly 40 cubic yards of trash in the Woodlands township. Volunteers received earth Day t-shirts and a free slice of pizza for their efforts.

Our Indian springs volunteers helped clean up along neighborhood pathways, drainage ditches, streams and easements. everything from tires to wire fences to construction residue was removed. If you see trash collecting in any drainage ditch, greenbelt or park, please complete a service request on the Woodlands township Web site, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. to view Indian springs photos related to this event, go to www.indianspringsvillage.com. Please consider volunteering next year. save the date: March 31, 2012!

Trace creek sign

the residents of trace Creek have a new home for their old sign! as part of the upgrade to neighborhood signage, the original trace Creek sign was replaced with one that is consistent in style and composition with other Indian springs neighborhood entrance signs. residents who inquired about their ‘old sign’ were happy to learn that the original was repurposed for use in trace Creek Park with the same white limestone that matches trace Creek’s entrance sign and park gazebo. thank you to the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department for their help in saving, reinstalling and reusing the sign.

aL den 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 oc H ran’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 o LL e 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 Mi LL

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.

Pant H er c reek

indian springs village logo contest

Indian springs is sponsoring a logo contest for students who are ages 18 and younger and currently reside in Indian springs. We are looking for a logo that is small, scalable, clean and simple that represents our village to the rest of the Woodlands township. It will be used in Indian springs Village association

continued on page 20

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 ter L in 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.

Trace Creek Park with original sign installed.

From left to right, Franklin Palmer, Jim Upham

Photo by Anne Upham

V i llage n e W s continued from page 19

newsletters, t-shirts, our Web site and promotional materials. the winner will be highlighted on our Web site and other public forums for Indian springs. Deadline for submissions is august 1, 2011. Details and the application form for the logo contest can be found at www.indianspringsvillage.com. this is a great opportunity for student artists in our village, so please go to the Web site and give it a try!

Submitted by Carolyn Dalglish

panther Creek

red, hot & Blue Festival and astros Baseball in august

the Fourth of July will be exciting in the Woodlands with the red, Hot & Blue Festival in town Center and a parade in the morning. the parade has grown over the years to a large number of floats, bands and marching groups. the festival will continue with activities and events in town Center through the afternoon and evening. Fireworks after dusk will complete the

festivities. see page 14 for more information. Baseball fans from the Woodlands will root for the astros in their battle with the san Francisco Giants on august 20, 2011. Panther Creek fans will travel in comfortable buses from the village center to Minute Maid Park for the game. Call Mary Bootz at 281-296-9960 for any tickets that may be available.

the next monthly meeting of the Panther Creek Village association will be held at 7 p.m., thursday, July 14, 2011, at the Woodlands township service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. all Panther Creek residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Be safe and enjoy the Fourth!

Submitted by Everett Ison

sterling Ridge

sterling ridge village association 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.

sterling ridge’s Green corner by Gabriel castillo

shopping: another Way to save Our Planet! there are multiple ways by which we all can do more to help our environment; shopping is one of them! Yes, shopping for environmentally friendly products is another great way to take care of our planet and most importantly, to teach our kids a way to be more responsible consumers. But with so many varieties of products out there, how can we identify these items? One way is by looking at the

product labels for signs or descriptions of the environmentally friendly features of the product. some companies do a really good job labeling products based on their environmentally friendly features, but typically manufacturers of consumer products stick to the basic regulatory labeling requirements, mostly due to cost, and thus rely on simple signs or generic logos printed on the item’s package to help consumers identify their products as environmentally friendly.

reading the ingredients or content labels is also an effective way to identify environmentally friendly products. and when making the sometimes difficult choice of selecting which product to buy, please always bear in mind that the extra cost spent in buying green products is trivial compared with the toll taken on our planet for people failing to shop environmentally friendly items. Be a sTar! serving to advance the ridge needs YoU!

Volunteers will be recognized by sterling ridge Village association for their commitment to community!

Help out with a special event. Families are encouraged to volunteer together!

Did you know that 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?

Please visit the sterling ridge Web site at www.sterling-ridge.org for more community information.

Want to submit a news idea?

Want to receive regular updates? Know something about our village that needs attention? Please e-mail srva_information@sterling_ridge.org. We love to hear from our residents!

sterling ridge Village association typically meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Mitchell Library located on ashlane Way. Please check the calendar on the Web site to verify the dates, times and locations of meetings.

Submitted by Kerri Chew

Woodlands Firefighters Climb for American Lung Association Benefit

a group of Woodlands Fire Department firefighters recently headed to the First City tower in downtown Houston to participate in a fundraising event for the american Lung association called the Fight for air Climb. the group hoped to raise $700, which goes toward lung disease research, but actually raised $1,290! the team of five firefighters climbed 48 floors in full personal protective equipment (PPe). Congratulations to all involved!

Firefighter Paul W. Taylor placed second at the event. His time was slowed a bit when he stopped to check on the welfare of some fellow climb participants.

Standing from left, Firefighter Erik Secrest (team captain), Firefighter Paul W. Taylor, Firefighter Michael de los Reyes, Firefighter Chris Evans and Firefighter Jake Zacharias (kneeling) took part in the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb in Houston. The benefit consisted of climbing 48 floors in full firefighter gear.

The Woodlands, The InsIde sTory of CreaTI ng a Be TT er h ome To W n

The Interfaith Building Block

By roger Galatas

DonGebert left the job he loved and the city of Philadelphia to come to texas and help build a brand new community called the Woodlands. a Lutheran minister, Gebert did not come as an employee of the Woodlands. He was supposed to help the company-funded Institutional Planning Committee build a social infrastructure for the new town. specifically, he was to be the link between the committee and the religious community. Gebert loaded his wife and five children into his car, and with a moving van trailing, arrived at the Woodlands Information Center in early 1975. He was met by the head of the Institutional Planning Committee who told Gebert that in the three days since he had left Philadelphia, all of the members of the planning committee had been laid off – the result of a severe cash flow problem at the Woodlands.

First, Gebert said, he cried. then he got busy, and stayed that way for 10 more years. What Gebert accomplished isn’t just his story. But he was the catalyst of the volunteer effort that has been so important to the Woodlands. People like Gebert – and over the years they have numbered into the thousands – had a sense of what needed to be done, and they did it. Most developers of planned communities would have put in place infrastructure that would help these things get done. When Gebert arrived, the Woodlands couldn’t do it because of financial constraints. Later on, the Woodlands did get much more involved in community building. But it was the pioneers like Gebert and the others who built a social infrastructure when doing so looked hopeless. It was they who did so much to make the Woodlands a success.

When Gebert arrived there were no churches. No YMCas or YWCas, no senior citizen groups, no child care. there were only a few people and plenty of lots for sale awaiting not-so-eager buyers.

Gebert’s journey to texas started without his knowledge. Before the Woodlands opened, George Mitchell assembled a meeting of the leaders of many of the religious bodies in the Houston area: Catholic, Jewish and Protestant. “He told them he was developing the Woodlands,” said Gebert. “He also told them he knew how to do the hardware, but they needed somebody to do the software. that is, he needed somebody to plant the religious community and all the human services in this new town.”

the religious leaders that day formed a corporation separate from the Woodlands called the Woodlands religious Community Incorporated. It’s now called Interfaith of the Woodlands.

On Gebert’s arrival the news of financial troubles was devastating. “My kids and wife were sitting in the car, moving van behind me, and I didn’t have a job, and I had given up what I thought was the best job in Philadelphia as associate director of a major charitable foundation.” But he was encouraged to stay and meet Mitchell.

Gebert and Mitchell did meet for lunch, and immediately disagreed. “I had never met (Mitchell),” Gebert recalled. “and he said, ‘Now the way we’re going to do this is going to be copied after Columbia, Maryland.’ Columbia has three religious centers in which the denominations collectively own a share of the center where they met.”

Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Operating Company\Ted Washington

interfaith headquarters Interfaith, a non-denominational religious organization, was established before The Woodlands opened. The facility, located on Interfaith Drive, was constructed in 1979 and continues to serve as the organization’s headquarters.

“Well, I was scared to death but I had to open my mouth because I had visited Columbia and it had the lowest percentage of people attending church of any city in the united states, and I knew what the reason was. they were asked to share with other denominations things they didn’t want to share and people were trying to erase the lines between Baptists and the Lutherans and the Presbyterians, and I knew that in the ‘70s in texas it wasn’t going to work.”

“so I said, ‘Mr. Mitchell, we can’t do it that way.’ He said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘sir, forgive me, but here’s what we need to do. We need to get the churches in here. We need to provide incubator space (space for congregations to meet until there are enough members to support construction of a facility) for them, but we need to provide land for them to have their own church buildings, rather than putting them all in one Interfaith Center. and we need to have enticements like giving them big discounts on their land and placing their land next to schools and parks, so that they didn’t have to buy a lot of land. We could get them to commit to work together with each other long term through this organization we have, the Woodlands religious Community Inc.’ ”

“and he (Mitchell) sat there for about two minutes without saying a word and I thought this was the end of me, I was going back to Pennsylvania. He said, ‘Let’s try it your way.’ I almost fainted out of joy. and that’s why we have this model – a totally different model from any of the other new towns in the united states. But it’s a model that we knew would work and it did work.”

Now all Gebert had to do was develop an organization on a budget of $40,000 a year, including his salary of $20,000. He, with help from his small army of pioneers, visited every household in the community and others as they arrived, collecting pertinent information on 3x5 cards. this eventually grew into the Interfaith resident directory, a major source of community information and advertising dollars to fund Interfaith activities. they also sent out a four-page mimeographed newsletter delivered weekly by bicycles to neighborhood residents. that became

the Villager, which is our newspaper now. Gebert and about a half dozen ladies led an effort to establish the Interfaith Child Development Center and negotiated an arrangement with the Development Company for “free space” to get it started.

With a child care center up and running along with an information services system, Gebert then turned to the primary task of Interfaith, to support the establishment of religious institutions in the community. Interfaith often provided incubator space for congregations. the first was the First Baptist Church closely followed by the Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and episcopal churches. today there are more than 40 places of worship, many located adjacent to public schools and parks to accommodate shared parking arrangements.

When started, Interfaith had one employee. It now has hundreds, plus thousands of volunteers and a talented executive leadership. It’s still a non-profit corporation established to help churches develop in the Woodlands. But it is much more. Interfaith volunteers visit

. don and Barbara gebert

new residents to provide information on how they can relate to the community. Its services to seniors range from transportation for shopping and medical visits to pairing with student writers so the seniors can record their life stories. Interfaith offers those in need financial assistance for rent, food and clothing. Its annual programs include adopt-a-school, a school supplies and backpack drive, and an adopt-a-family drive at Christmas. Its information and referral services provide up-to-date, full-time assistance for area residents, via telephone and internet.

When Gebert “retired” from Interfaith 10 years after taking the job, he was still making $20,000 a year. He rejected all pay raises, always finding better places to put additional funds than in his own pocket.

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.

Don Gebert and wife Barbara worked as a team in building the Interfaith organization. Recently the Interfaith facility was named in their honor. Photo courtesy of Interfaith

2. lord of life lutheran Church

Don Gebert serves as Pastor Emeritus of the Lord of Life Lutheran church, one of the early churches established in The Woodlands. Photo courtesy of Roger Galatas

Our

Stewards are real Patriots!

adoPT-a-PaTh sTeWaRds aCTiVe on The PaThWays

d ecember-January- f ebruary-March- a pril 2010-2011

3 groups • 388 volunteer hours 3,353 gallons of trash or 2,032 lbs (According to Keep America Beautiful, one 33-gallon bag is estimated to weigh 20 pounds or 16.6 cubic yards of trash)

Photo by J. Easton

alden BR idge

Bredehoft Family

Cap Family

Colosimo Family

Culp Family

Cub Scout Pack 772 Dens 1, 5 and 18

O’Neill Family

Peter Hendrix

Steve and Judy Easton

Walters Family

Weaver Family

C o C h R an ’ s CR ossing

Girl Scout Troop 11351

Joe Merrill

Robert and Nancy Rodd

Roger Howard

S.O.A.R.

Tiffany and Todd Cauley

The Woodlands GREEN

TWHS Science NHS

Woodlands landscaping

CR

Desi’s

g R ogan ’

Homewood Christian Association

indian s PR ings

Andra Wilcox and Richard Nieto III Woodlands India Association

Pan T he R CR ee K

College Park Reveillers and CC

Cub Scout Pack 336

Mothers of The Woodlands

Rowing Club of The Woodlands Juniors

s T e R ling R idge

Charles and Donna Moseley

Texas laurels NCl

Whittemore Family

Water for a healThy landsCaPe

By Lucinda Valdes

Are mosquitoes keeping you from enjoying your yard?

Mosquitoes need water to breed and grow. overwatering and yard waste in storm drains create mosquito breeding sites. Using water-wise irrigation methods keeps your landscape healthy and reduces the risk of mosquito-borne disease.

The most effective mosquito control targets mosquito breeding sites! Tune-up your irrigation system to reduce run-off and eliminate standing water. Keep grass clippings, leaves and other debris out of storm drains to keep them flowing and reduce mosquito breeding sites.

iRR iga T ion i Q!

is your irrigation system working properly?

ü run system through test cycle to check for leaks and run-off.

ü replace damaged heads and leaky pipes and fittings.

ü adjust sprinkler heads to correct overspray.

are you overwatering?

ü No more than an inch of water a week, including rainfall, is best for established landscapes.

ü Install a rain sensor or set irrigation system to manual control, activating zones when landscape shows signs of thirst.

is soil compaction causing run-off?

ü add organic matter, such as compost, to improve absorption and reduce run-off.

ü run irrigation system at intervals, cycling on and off to allow water to absorb into soil.

For your family’s health, don’t let it go down the drain!

Irrigate efficiently and keep grass clippings, leaves and other debris out of storm drains. for more information about water wise irrigation or mosquito abatement, contact the Woodlands township at 281-210-3900.

Photos by Mackenzie Sammis

Fireworks Prohibited in t he w oodlands

www.biolandscape.com www.aprettydoor.com

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 or visit www.thewoodlandscvb.com or www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

www.championspediatric.com

hide your things, lock your car, take your keys.

By susan Martin

The power is in your hands. you hold the Keys.

thenumber one crime of opportunity in our community continues to be burglary of motor vehicles (BMVs). BMVs are crimes of opportunity and are therefore preventable. a crime of opportunity is a crime that is committed without planning. the crime is simply carried out because the opportunity has presented itself to the perpetrator. the Woodlands township would like to remind you of the following tips to help prevent these crimes: out and about

• Park in areas that are well lit and not secluded.

• Do not leave any items in plain sight in your unattended vehicle.

• remember to hide your valuables before you park.

at home

• Park and lock your car in a locked garage whenever possible.

• Install motion sensor lights where you park your cars. and always hide your things, locK your car and TaKe your keys. take away the opportunity. You can make yourself less likely to be a victim of BMV by following the above tips, and by using common sense. Law enforcement asks that you be alert and observant. to report suspicious activity, please call the Montgomery County sheriff’s office at 936-442-7797. residents of Creekside Park should call Harris County Constable Precinct 4 at 281-376-3472.

For further information, or to become a member of the Woodlands Watch Program, contact the Woodlands township at 281-210-3800.

The Woodlands Township is known for its outstanding pools throughout all of its villages.

Open for Regular Season

Regular season Pool schedule

regular season pools are open through august 21, 2011.

daily admission

Daily Pass (except Rob Fleming) ............ $6

Daily Pass for rob Fleming for those 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

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.

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

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 of shopping at Market Street to an afternoon on the links, you’ll never run out of fun things to do in Texas’ most celebrated community.

NEW HOMES IN TIMARRON PRICED FROM THE $180’s TO THE $450’s Discover Timarron in The Woodlands’ Village of Creekside Park. The 240-acre neighborhood highlights residences by popular homebuilders including Beazer, Coventry, D.R. Horton, Pulte, Ryland and Toll Brothers, priced from the $180’s to the $450’s. The centerpiece of Timarron is seven-acre Timarron Park including a new “Flower Garden” theme Sprayground, Craftsmanstyle picnic pavilion, separate play equipment for older and younger children, lighted basketball and tennis courts and a playfield. Rob Fleming Park and Aquatic Center and the new Creekside Forest K-6 school are also nearby. Find out why more than 1,000 families are experiencing life’s next great adventure in Creekside Park.

Coventry Homes presents this luxurious patio home, Plan 5863, in Timarron Lakes. This one-story homes features a stone and brick exterior, 2,578 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, study, dining room, outdoor living areas including a front porch, side atrium and rear covered patio, two-anda-half baths, a two-car garage along with energy saving features. This home is priced from $284,990.