July 2020

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

5 TIPS FOR SAFE KAYAKING

BUILD STRONG BODIES & MINDS

With Homegrown Vegetables This Fall

FOURTH OF JULY 2020

COMMUNITY RECYCLING GUIDELINES

Your success is our priority.

Close. Flexible. Affordable. Lone Star College.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

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

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

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

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

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

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

Emergency 911

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

message

from the woodlands township board of directors

Fourth of July 2020

It will certainly be a memorable one. Due to COVID-19, The Woodlands’ traditional Red, Hot and Blue Festival was cancelled, as was the Fourth of July Parade. The Woodlands Township has made arrangements for every resident (and visitor!) to view a grand fireworks show from the comfort of your own home or backyard, or you can drive to see and hear it up close. Plans are in the works to stream the fireworks show live online. There will also be parking available for those who want to see the show and still maintain social distancing. Remember, fireworks in the neighborhoods and parks are prohibited.

Please visit the Township website for additional details and information at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/fourthofjuly.

See in case you missed it on page 7

Gordy Bunch Chairman

No. 1

Bruce Rieser Vice Chairman Position No. 4

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs Director, Position No. 5

Jason J. Nelson Director, Position No. 2

Dr. Ann K. Snyder Secretary Position No. 6

Bob Milner Director Position No. 7

John Anthony Brown Treasurer Position No. 3

The Woodlands

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township

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

CHAMPIONS STAFF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr.

Account Executives

Cheryl Kirsch

Jim Callahan

Graphic Designers Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations

Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Senior Copy Editor Kacie Gurney

Copy Editors

Perry Frank

Shelby Doerries

Editorial Assistant Barbara Ryan

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

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

www.championsprinting.com

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

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

COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Treated in The Woodlands

At Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide the most comprehensive care close to home. And, during the coronavirus outbreak, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe.

Our team of physicians treats a variety of disorders, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders

• Chronic pain

• Degenerative disc disease

• Epilepsy and seizures

• Fibromyalgia and chronic pain

• Headaches and migraines

• Neuropathy

• Parkinson’s disease and tremors

• Peripheral nerve disorders

• Severe arthritis and spinal stenosis

• Sleep disorders

• Spine and cranial tumors

• Spinal injuries and carpal tunnel

• Stroke/TIA

For more information, or to schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/woodlands-neuro 936.270.3333

Hurricane Season Started June 1

Are You Ready?

Here are three of the pages that will help you get started or review what you have already done to prepare:

Emergency Preparedness

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/getready

Emergency Resources

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/emergency

Sign up for Township Emergency Notifications

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed

The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch Visit our Facebook page at @townshipneighborhoodwatch.

2020 South County 4th Of July Parade Cancelled

TheSouth County 4th of July Committee along with Market Street announce with great sadness, the cancellation of the 44th Annual 4th of July Parade, “Stars & Stripes Forever” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the potential of over 20,000 spectators and 200 volunteers gathering along the parade route through Town Center and Market Street, holding the parade would not be in the best interest of health and safety for our community. We look forward to presenting the 2021 South County 4th of July Parade as scheduled.

For more information about the event and how to become a sponsor for next year’s parade, please visit www.4thofjuly.org.

South County 4th of July Committee – The South County 4th of July Committee is an organization of nine dedicated volunteers responsible for the 4th of July Parade in The Woodlands area and is designated as a 501(c)(3) corporation funded through donations and sponsorships. The parade would not occur without the support of our community partner, The Woodlands Township. The parade dates to the late 1970’s when it was originally organized by The Woodlands Lions Club. The South County 4th of July Committee was organized in the early 1990’s. For additional updates, like us on Facebook (4thofJulyParadeTX), and follow us on Twitter (@4thofJulyParade) and Instagram (@4thofJulyParade).

The Woodlands High School Choir

The Board of Directors recognized The Woodlands High School Choir for being invited to sing at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention on February 14, 2020, for the first time in the school’s history. Additionally, The Woodlands High School Choir has won numerous Best In Class and Overall Outstanding awards at festivals throughout Texas. The Board recognized the choir with a proclamation during their Zoom meeting in late May. A video was shared showing the choir rehearsing for the competition in February.

The Township’s Coronavirus Website Section

The Woodlands Township’s special COVID-19 information page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ covid19, featuring Montgomery and Harris County Hubs, community resources and updated COVID-19 news from the Federal Government and the CDC, the latest news from the Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more. The Community Resources section includes information and resources for food banks, childcare, mental health issues and more.

#Township Together

The Woodlands Township is calling on residents to share images of inspiration with the community–a photo of something seen in the neighborhood, a family project or anything with a positive message. These will be shared through the Township email updates, social media channels and on The Woodlands Township website. Please submit your photos for consideration to townshiptogether@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Free Self-Screening Tool for COVID-19

Visit the self-screening tool on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.

The Woodlands High School Choir

DROWNING PREVENTION

By Susan Martin

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in Texas. Teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 have among the highest rates of drowning nationwide.

Drowning accidents are preventable with education and by following precautions. Leading causes of drowning per age group:

• Infants most often drown in a bathtub.

• Children most often drown in a neighborhood or backyard pool.

• Teens and young adults tend to drown in natural bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

Infants and Children

According to the Red Cross, children younger than 1 year old are more likely to drown at home. For children younger than 5, 87 percent of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs followed by bath tubs. However, toilets, buckets, bath seats, wells and decorative ponds are also potential drowning sources for infants and toddlers. It only takes a second to look away for the unthinkable to happen. If a child is ever missing –check the water first!

Teens and Young Adults

It is important to set rules and supervise activities in open water. Teens and young adults are at an increased risk of overestimating their skill and underestimating dangerous water conditions such as strong currents, rip tides, or unseen hazards beneath the water. Activities such as paddle boarding, water skiing or surfing require additional skill beyond the ability to swim. Horseplay or peer pressure can also contribute to the increased chance of drowning.

Alcohol use and water recreation are a deadly combination. Alcohol can dull your senses, slow your reaction time and impair judgment. Also, alcohol can limit the ability to accurately judge how long or far you can swim.

Precautions to follow:

• Swim where a lifeguard is on duty.

• Be aware of your skills and abilities. Open water swimming is different than a pool.

• Know the potential risk(s) of your environment such as current, undertow, depth of the water, etc.

• Never swim alone.

• Enter the water feet first. Only dive if this activity is allowed and you have checked the water’s depth.

• Do not enter water deeper than chest height unless you are wearing a certified life vest or are leashed to a flotation device.

• Wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) when tubing, boating or kayaking.

• Do not use alcohol or drugs while swimming or engaging in any form of water activity.

Be sure to give your undivided attention to those in the water and make good choices! To learn more, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch or call 281-210-3800. Follow us on Facebook @townshipneighborhoodwatch.

Homegrown

Vegetables

By Ann Hall

Photo by Ann Hall

You’ve heard “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” We all know a variety of fruits and vegetables are needed to create strong bodies and healthy minds. And the best source for those comes from your own backyard.

Produce delivers essential nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, obesity and even death. Fresh produce also packs more nutrition than store-bought and allows you to determine what chemicals, if any, are on your food. If you garden in your own back yard, not only are you maximizing nutrition, you are creating a rewarding activity for the whole family and getting a whole-body exercise.

Gardening can burn up to 400 calories an hour - that’s equal to a three-mile jog!

SOUL FOOD

Growing your own food is not only good for your body, but good for your soul. A 2016 meta-analysis shows a link between gardening and increased mental health. Getting your hands in the dirt brings you in contact with mycobacterium vaccae, a bacterium that stimulates the production of serotonin— one of our “feel good” hormones. Gardening also opens your mind to nature: bird songs and insect sounds, colors and textures of plants, cloud patterns, changes in weather and soft breezes. All of these naturally occurring elements have been found to:

• Reduce stress

• Reduce depression and lower anxiety

• Increase focus and mindfulness

• Inspire a sense of awe

• Create a sense of hope and purpose

A 2006 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, concluded that physical activity, particularly gardening, lowers the risk of dementia by 36 percent.

WHY WAIT?

Now is a great time to start improving your health through gardening. Common fall vegetables like broccoli, leafy greens and beets, can be planted right outside your kitchen, providing disease fighting, nutrient rich food for the entire family. And now is an ideal time to start preparing a fall garden. Whether you prefer raised beds, containers, or just a corner of your backyard, be ready with the basics: good soil, an area with plenty of sun, seeds or starters of your favorite foods and easy access to water.

Interested in learning more? Join an upcoming class or view online resources by visiting thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment, choose Visit Our Blog, and search “gardening.” Questions? Please email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2020

9 a.m. to noon

Please

Community Recycling

Help keep The Woodlands recycling program going strong by refreshing your knowledge of curbside guidelines. Follow the Golden Rule of Recycling: place only approved items in your recycling cart. Items other than those listed below are considered contaminants. Common contaminants include plastic bags, tanglers (cords or string), food waste, hazardous waste, and Styrofoam. These items harm machinery, endanger workers, and reduce the value of the approved materials.

Many items that don’t belong in your curbside cart can be recycled locally. Find where to take plastic bags, electronics, Styrofoam, batteries and more with The Woodlands Township Recycle More Guide, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/recyclemore

For more information about recycling, please call Environmental Services at 281-210-3800 or visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recycling. Select the Recycle More Guide to find more opportunities to recycle other items in our community.

Tips for Safe Kayaking

By Erica Dunn

Kayaking is a great way to explore new places, get some exercise while social distancing and enjoy a day on the water.

There are two boat houses in The Woodlands that are open to the general public: Lakes Edge Boat House*, in Hughes Landing just south of Restaurant Row and Riva Row Boat House, on The Woodlands Waterway behind Town Green Park. Lakes Edge Boat House offers single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Riva Row Boat House also offers all these options, plus swan pedal boats and our new water bikes! Below are some tips to help prepare for your next adventure on the water.

WEAR A LIFEJACKET

At both Boat Houses it’s mandatory that all guests wear lifejackets. Lifejackets are available in various sizes, and we will help you find the best fit. Your lifejacket should fit snugly and should always be worn while on the water.

CHECK WEATHER CONDITIONS

The weather can make or break your kayaking trip. Use a reliable source to check the weather before you plan to kayak. If there’s any chance of thunderstorms, it is suggested that you reschedule your kayaking trip for another day. If the temperature is forecasted to be extremely hot or cold, it is also best to plan your trip accordingly or reschedule.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY Kayaking is a water sport, so plan on getting a little wet when out on the water. Jeans are not recommended for kayaking as the fabric does not dry very quickly. If the forecast is calling for sun, be sure to bring a hat and consider sunscreen as well.

STAY HYDRATED Hydration is exceptionally important during Texas summers. While on the water, plan on drinking half a liter to one liter of water per hour. Both Boat Houses sell water and sports drinks if you forget to bring some.

KNOW YOUR ROUTE

Be sure to plan a route before you head out. Estimate how far you want to go and how long it will take to go there. A map of Lake Woodlands can be found on our website and at each boat house with estimated paddling times to help plan your trip.

DAILY RATE

Single Kayak $15 for first hour

Tandem Kayak $20 for first hour

Stand-up Paddle Board..... $20 for first hour

Swan Pedal Boats ............. $25 for first hour

Water Bike $25 for first hour

All Boats $5 per each additional hour

Lifejackets and Paddles included. There is no cap on hourly rental length, but riders must be back by closing time.

LOCATIONS & SUMMER HOURS

LAKES EDGE BOAT HOUSE*

Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Closed Tuesdays

1970 Hughes Landing Blvd.

The Woodlands, TX 77380

281-210-2065

RIVA ROW BOAT HOUSE

Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Closed Wednesdays

2101 Riva Row

The Woodlands, TX 77380

281-210-3965

July 2020

Photo by Nick Wolda

Recycle Batteries for Scholarship Money

StartNow!Saving

By Zoe Killian

The Village Recycling Challenge goes beyond the curb to recycle unusual items.

Start saving Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries for the 2020 Village Recycling Challenge. Residential use only. Please, no businesses.

Bring your batteries to the 3R Bazaar at The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at the Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center on Saturday, November 14. Each Village will receive a donation to their scholarship fund based on the number of batteries collected. To view guidelines for collection or for more information about the event, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3RBazaar.

Other Collections at 3R Bazaar

ORAL CARE PRODUCTS

toothpaste tubes

toothbrushes

floss containers by Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 11953

EYEGLASSES

The Woodlands Lions Club

DRINK & SNACK POUCHES

Hailey Elementary and Wilkerson Intermediate PTO

TEXTILES

worn out linens, clothing, and shoes

that can’t be donated by Simple Recycling

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. –ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING suggested donation of 5 cans of food or $5 per box.

ONCE A DRAGON, ALWAYS A DRAGON!

The John Cooper School faculty and staff applaud the 104 members of the Class of 2020 for your compassion, flexibility and dedication to making our school, and community, a better place.

Best wishes on your next adventures as you continue to make a positive impact on our world.

CONGRATULATIONS

Class of

2020

CONGRATS TO COOPER PIONEERS, a designation given to seniors who have attended JCS since Kindergarten: Alina Gill, Anna Claire Adam, Matthew Beaty, Caitlin Blank, Callum Burton, Emily Chandler, Lauren Cordes, Paige Cromley, Alanna Crowell, Anisa Davis, Vincent DeMonico, Haley Edone, Sereen Faruqi, Aleena Fayaz, Pablo Flower, Jacob Hayley, Kiyah Joseph, Stuart Lunn, Michael McGurk, Avery Nakahara, Antonio Pastrana, Anna Perugini, Cameron Reed, Avery Schlichter, Christopher Seymour, Alexandra Sims, Rishi Wahi, Hannah Weinman

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

Happy Fourth of July from Alden Bridge! At this writing, we are unable to inform you which fun festivities will be taking place due to the COVID-19 mandates, but hopefully you will find time with your family to enjoy a fantastic holiday weekend.

This month’s village association board meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. Meetings are scheduled at the Township office complex, 2801 Technology Forest, although due to the pandemic, our meetings have been held virtually. Follow the Alden Bridge Village Association page on Facebook or our website, www.aldenbridge.org for updates.

At this writing, it doesn’t look like our annual baseball game outing to Minute Maid Park will take place.

It’s always such a fun time, but due to the adjusted baseball season potentially playing without spectators, it doesn’t seem feasible. If this event changes, we’ll let you know on our Alden Bridge Facebook page and website.

Until further notice, the monthly Yard of the Month award has been suspended. We know many of you are using a lot of your free time to spruce things up outside, especially in those flower beds; keep it up! We hope to be able to continue our awards in the future.

Interested in more Alden Bridge news? We continue to publish our monthly electronic village newsletter. To join our subscriber list of over 1,000 households, please send your e-mail address to info@aldenbridge.org. Your e-mail address will never be shared and will be used only to disseminate news of our village. In addition, you can always

visit our Facebook page and our website, www.aldenbridge.org, for additional updates.

Scholarship Winners

We’re extremely proud to announce the winners of our $1,000 scholarships for 2020! Please congratulate Olivia McMullin and Alejandro Nunez Bravo, both outstanding in terms of scholarship and community involvement. Our scholarship selection process is more difficult every year because there are so many deserving and well-qualified applicants in our village. Thanks to all who submitted applications – and best wishes to all Alden Bridge students graduating this year, especially with their educational adjustments during the COVID-19 crisis.

Does your business want to reach Alden Bridge residents this summer? We are always seeking sponsors for our

Displaying some of the masks made by the Woodlands Area Quilt Guild for Tamarac Pines Senior Residents are Shanta Dronamraju, Tamarac Pines Service Coordinator (l.), Sara Bissig, Grogan’s Mill Village Association Board Member (m.) and Karen Estalella, Woodlands Area Quilt Guild member (r.)

Grogan’s Mill

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

scholarship program! If your company would like to participate, we’ll publicize you on our website and active Facebook page, as well as in our monthly electronic newsletter that reaches over 1,000 Alden Bridge households. Your donation will go into our scholarship fund, which awards village resident scholars. We could even name a scholarship for you. Please reach out to us at abvainfo@gmail.com.

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

The 2020-2021 Cochran’s Crossing Village Association recently held their first meeting of the new year via Zoom. Officers were elected and a discussion was held on what events may be possible at this time with the Coronavirus. Of course, we will wait for leadership of The Woodlands Township as to what events we may be able to hold. A decision will be made once guidance is given.

At the meeting, discussion was also held on the scholarship winners for this year. All applicants are in, and a committee will decide on who the winners are. An announcement will be made as to our two winners.

There are still vacancies for the current Village board. If you are interested in service, please email JC Harville at jaycee1957@yahoo.com.

Submitted by JC Harville

Grogan’s Mill

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association proudly budgeted $15,000 in scholarships this year. The scholarship funds were raised by the village association, through proceeds from its Woodlands Farmer’s Market. From 19 applicants, 10 were chosen for awards. Two of the students are already in college and both had been award winners last year. The remaining well-deserving

students, all from College Park High School, are: Ana Berlioz, Mackenzie Weathers, Andrew Parsons, Grace McCook, April Follis, Falomy Eugene, Niya Gaddam, Hira Qazi, Rianna Ramos and Samantha Atkinson.

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association Board sent a letter to Commissioner Noack of Precinct 3 concerning the partial closure of the Buckthorne/Grogan’s Mill intersection. The left exit from the village center is now closed and the traffic lights are not functional. The board considers this action not to be in the best interests of residents, businesses and the Farmer’s Market.

We often take things in our community for granted; especially if they have been around as long the community existed, like our local village associations. Each village, within the Woodlands, has one and they usually do their work for the community quietly and without much fanfare.

During the recent COVID-19 crisis, the Grogan’s Mill Village Association used Farmer’s Market profits to purchase meals from local restaurants in financial need to support families who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic. They also brought together two other community groups for COVID-19 assistance. Specifically, Ms. Shanta Dronamraju, Service Director of Tamarac Pines Senior Living Community, asked if the village association could locate face masks for their residents. Board member, Ms. Sara Bissig, quickly found a source, The Woodlands Area Quilt Guild, and within one short week guild member, Ms. Karen Estalella, delivered the first batch of colorful hand crafted masks to the grateful Tamarac Pines community.

Submitted by Andrew Coakley and Jennifer Robinson

VILLAGE WEBSITES

ALDEN BRIDGE

www.aldenbridge.org

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

www.cochranscrossing.com

COLLEGE PARK

www.villageofcollegepark.com

CREEKSIDE PARK

www.creeksideparkvillage.com

GROGAN’S MILL

www.grogansmillvillage.com

INDIAN SPRINGS

www.indianspringsvillage.com

PANTHER CREEK

www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

STERLING RIDGE

www.sterling-ridge.org

Burglary of Motor Vehicle

By Holly Steinke

We can all take part in preventing Burglary of Motor Vehicle.

As many of us have been spending more time at home, there is actually a lot more going on outside than you may have realized! Even when it’s quiet, there are birds and animals, delivery drivers, people and vehicles going by. It wouldn’t take much for someone to take a few things out of your vehicle without you noticing. Burglary of Motor Vehicle is a “crime of opportunity.” Someone walking by might spot something of interest in your vehicle, which could potentially result in a crime.

You have control and can “take away the opportunity” for that crime to occur.

Here are some helpful tips to prevent Burglary of Motor Vehicle

Park your vehicle in a locked garage

– A locked garage will keep any suspicious activity away from your vehicles.

– If you park in your driveway, get to know your neighbors who can call in suspicious activity if necessary.

– Install an exterior camera and motion sensor lighting that will alert you.

– If you are unable to park in either your garage or driveway, try to park in a welllit, visible area.

Remove valuables from your vehicle

– Take your valuables inside. If you must leave them in your vehicle, be sure to hide them in a locked trunk before you park your car, in case someone in the parking lot is watching.

– Try not to leave guns, wallets, purses and important documents behind, as those items may be difficult to replace. In addition, your identity may be stolen along with additional funds. Guns may also be used to commit crimes against others. (See box on Gun Safety for Vehicles.)

Lock your vehicle, close your windows and set the alarm

Take your keys and garage remote

– Avoid giving a burglar an opportunity to access your vehicle and your home. Avoid keeping a spare key hidden underneath the vehicle – Burglars know that trick too!

If you see a crime in progress or something suspicious, report it to law enforcement!

– Call 9-1-1, if it’s an emergency or crime in progress.

– Call 936-442-7797, option 3 for Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Montgomery County.

– Call 281-376-3472 for Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4 for the Village of Creekside Park, in Harris County.

Talk to your kids about what to do if they see a crime in progress

– Make sure they understand it is not acceptable to take someone’s belongings without permissionit’s a crime!

For more information about The Woodlands Township

GUN SAFETY TIPS

ü If you must temporarily store a gun in your car or truck, for your safety and that of your community, please take steps to store them properly.

ü Use a secure storage device which is kept out of sight. When you arrive home, take the gun inside with you and secure in your home storage area.

ü View the brochure Firearms Safety in Vehicles, from Project ChildSafe. This brochure and a free gun locking device can be found on the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office website at www.mctxsheriff.org.

ü It’s your priority as a responsible gun owner to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

Stay in Touch with The Woodlands Township

The Woodlands Township Website

The Woodlands Township website includes press releases, department information, an events calendar, emergency resources and more.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

To prepare for an emergency, the Township encourages residents to visit the Emergency Resources page on the website.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/emergency

To receive notifications from the Township during an emergency, please subscribe to Community Emergency Notifications. To receive regular notifications when news is posted to the Township website, please subscribe to Newsflash. Subscribers may receive alerts by email, text or both. Both options can be found on the Township website on the Notify Me page.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme

Talk of the Township e-Newsletter

The e-newsletter is sent weekly via email and includes upcoming events, Board updates and more. During an emergency, it may be used to communicate messages to residents. Please subscribe on the Notify Me page of the website.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme

Follow Us on Social Media

The Woodlands Township has multiple social media channels to follow:

• www.facebook.com/thewoodlandstownship

• www.facebook.com/townshipparksandrec

• www.facebook.com/townshipneighborhoodwatch

• www.twitter.com/thetownshiptx

• www.twitter.com/townshiptransit

• www.instagram.com/thetownshiptx

• www.linkedin.com/company/thewoodlandstownship

The Woodlands Community Magazine

The magazine is mailed monthly to residents of The Woodlands and is posted on the Township website.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/magazine

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed

By Amber Barnes

Urban

coyotes

are present in practically every city across the United States.

Though most of us have not encountered a coyote personally, some remain concerned with their close proximity and misunderstandings persist about their behavior and role in urban areas. So, let’s shine some light on this highly adaptable and impressive creature.

Average lifespan in the wild is 14 years

What do they look like?

Coyotes, which weigh between 20-45 pounds, are distinguished from domesticated dogs by their pointed, erect ears and drooping tail. Colors vary from grayish brown to a yellowish gray on the upper parts with a white throat and belly. The long tail, which is half the body length, is bottle-shaped with a black tip.

What do they eat?

Almost anything. Coyotes will hunt rabbits, rodents, fish and deer as well as insects, frogs, snakes, carrion, even fruit and grass. When natural options aren’t available, they’ve been known to rummage through garbage cans and on the rarest of occasions, may prey on a small pet.

Coyotes hunt individually, in pairs or small family groups. Though they prefer to hunt at night to avoid interactions with humans, seeing a coyote in the daytime is not necessarily an indicator of dense population or that the individual is rabid. Most likely they have a den of pups that demands more frequent hunting.

What eats them?

Natural predators include bears, mountain lions and wolves but in urban areas the coyote remains the top predator. As such, humans are its main cause of mortality through hunting, trapping, poisoning and car accidents. Overly bold or aggressive coyotes, usually the result of feeding by humans, are most at risk.

Can run up to 40 mph and cover 12 feet in a single jump

Why do we need them?

Coyotes serve an important role in ecosystems by keeping other wildlife populations in check. Species such as deer, Canada geese, feral hogs, and rodents - main food sources for coyotes in urban areas - can be destructive and spread disease when overpopulated. The presence of an apex predator thriving in an urban area is a positive sign of the heath and biodiversity of the area.

How are they managed?

Coyotes are removed by trapping and relocating or by lethal means. Researchers have found that eliminating a coyote population is not so simple.

Coyotes mate for life

Once a pack is removed, new packs move in to fill the void, temporarily increasing numbers. The preferred alternative is to allow existing packs to work out their territories and stabilize the population. The larger the territory, the fewer coyotes overall.

Targeted removal of an aggressive animal is the best solution to an identified wildlife problem. The local Texas Wildlife Services office provides expertise on wildlife control and can be reached at 979-599-5070.

For more on living in harmony with coyotes, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment and choose Visit Our Blog.

Adopt-a-path volunteers active January to March 2020

39 groups + 207 volunteer hours +1,869 gallons of trash 1,246 pounds

20 curbside trash carts

By Zoe Killian

ALDEN BRIDGE

Alison Loughlin, Real Estate Agent

Girl Scout Troop 11964

Karl Family

Steve and Judy Easton

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

Creighton Family

Kimmel Family

Rhoad Family

Roger Howard

Sterling Wealth Advisors

The Woodlands High School Science NHS

COLLEGE PARK

Bay Chapel Ct Bandits

Dunseith Family

CREEKSIDE PARK

Green Corners Duo

Hawkins Family

Sullivan Family

Zielinski Family

GROGAN’S MILL

Scott Marzano

INDIAN SPRINGS

Andra Wilcox and Richard Nieto, III

Ellison Family

Schapiro Family

Team Hans

PANTHER CREEK

American Heritage Girls Troop 1180

Barnes Family

Clayton & Diane

Grimes-Hanlin Family

Gunden Schmucker Family

Klein Family

National Charity Roundtable

Oney Family for Koda and Sunuk

STERLING RIDGE

Thank you for your commitment to keep The Woodlands clean and green by participating in the Adopt-a-Path program!

If you, your organization, business, or school are interested in adopting a pathway, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ adoptapath to submit an application. For more information, call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department or email them at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Brassard Family

Charles and Donna Moseley

Devitt Family

Kounthapanya family

Slocum Family

The Woodlands GREEN - Newman Family

RESEARCH FOREST

Houston Advanced Research Center

TOWN CENTER

American Legion Post #305

Photo by Perry Frank

NOTE:

to

Beautiful, one 30-gallon bag is estimated to weigh 20 pounds

Photo by Perry Frank

The ACTION GUIDE

xas TreeVentures

Summer Events

Camps

quatics

ennis

Fitness

Enrichment

Preschool Youth

ww

Due to programming interruptions from the Coronavirus outbreak, the Summer ACTION GUIDE is posted online. With many of the events and activities changing dates and availabilities, and some cancelled or postponed, please view the link below for the most updated information.

The Woodlands 311 is the official mobile app for The Woodlands Township. The app is a free, easy-to-use platform for community members to stay in touch with the Township.

✓ Submit Service Requests

Service requests, such as reporting broken streetlights, are easily submitted by completing a short description of the issue. Attach a photo or let your phone record the exact location to help pinpoint the problem.

✓ Track Your Requests

Track the progress of your request through the mobile app or on the Township website.

✓ Access Township Information

Use the in-app widgets to find important information about Township services, events, public facilities and more.

✓ Try the New Parks and Pathways Map Now improved with location and GIS functions.

app

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/mobileapp

MyWoodlands

Service

Nearby Requests

Township News Township Calendar

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

By Angela Ellis

Live, work, play and volunteer with The Woodlands Township!

Looking to get more involved in the community? Multiple opportunities are available. To view all volunteer opportunities and to register, please visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ volunteer.

Labor Day in The Woodlands

September 6, 2020

The Waterway

Arts in the Park featuring Shakespeare in the Park

September 19, 2020

Rob Fleming Park

The Haunting at Bear Branch

October 9 - 31, 2020

Bear Branch Park

Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas

October 10, 2020

Northshore Park

Trick or Treat Trail

October 24, 2020

Northshore Park

38th Annual Lighting of the Doves

November 21, 2020

Town Green Park

Holiday Events

Multiple dates and location options in December 2020

FIREWORKS PROHIBITED in The Woodlands Neighborhoods

The Woodlands Township Fire Department reminds all residents that The Woodlands Covenants strictly prohibit the sale or use of fireworks and sparklers of any kind in The Woodlands neighborhoods and parks.

The Woodlands is situated in a beautiful forest, and with dry weather conditions and so many trees, one errant spark could severely damage our hometown. Do not put your own property and safety, or that of your friends and neighbors at risk.

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. 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

New Resident Tool Kit

Welcome to The Woodlands! The New Resident Tool Kit, located on the Township website, includes information about the Board of Directors, contact information for local services and agencies, printable brochures and rack cards, interactive maps, links to Township programs and more. The Township invites you to utilize the New Resident Tool Kit and to keep in touch with the Township through the website and social media accounts.

The Relationship Between Woodlands Water And Your MUD

By Bob Dailey

Woodlands Water, founded in May 1982, as The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency, administers billing, provides services to customers, and handles the administrative duties for the MUDs in The Woodlands (excluding Creekside and May Valley).

Guided by a board of trustees comprised of 10 members, each member of the board is a director of one of the 10 MUDs, appointed by their respective districts.

A general manager and deputy general manager run the day-to-day operations of Woodlands Water. With a total of 28 employees, many of whom are part-time, the agency includes field staff, accounting and billing employees, a tax department, customer service representatives, and a water conservation team.

The general manager and deputy general manager are both professional civil engineers with years of experience in public water systems. Most of the staff who work under them are long-term employees who undergo regular training and certification.

Although the population of The Woodlands increased significantly from the time when the MUDs formed the agency and the state of Texas approved it, Woodlands Water now has fewer employees than it did a decade ago.

“We are constantly working to keep our operating expenses down,” said the general manager, James M. Stinson, P.E., “despite rising costs. Our board of trustees, as well as the 10 MUDs, strive to deliver clean, safe drinking water to the population we serve.”

The vision statement of Woodlands Water reflects the attitude that permeates the agency: “Our vision is to be an efficient and reliable water resource that delivers safe drinking water, promotes water conservation, and effectively manages storm drainage and wastewater collection.”

This article was provided by Woodlands Water. It is the third in a series on MUDs in The Woodlands.

www.woodlandswater.org

BRINGING HELP... PROVIDING HOPE.

YOUR CHURCH, EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

We’ve been a steady presence in this community for over 40 years, and we’ve found new ways to bring help and hope to you during this uncertain time.

We have increased our online presence so you can worship with us on the weekend, pray with us during the week and find meaningful Bible studies and support groups every day. In addition to our virtual presence, we are reaching out in the community by feeding the hungry and supporting the lonely and elderly. We are here for you now and we’ll be here to help and serve our community even after all of this uncertainty has passed.

2200 Lake Woodlands Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

281.297.5900 | thewoodlandsumc.org

YOUR HEALTH IS A LOT OF THINGS. THE ONE THING IT ISN’T, IS ON HOLD.

No

virus can weaken our mission.

At St. Luke’s Health, we’re resuming the scheduling of appointments and procedures.

And we’re doing it safely. Our thorough approach determines which procedures can safely be performed, where, and when. These are the steps we’re taking to make it happen:

• Cleaning all our facilities to an enhanced extent

• Limiting the number of visitors

• Requiring masks for all patients and staff

• Screening everyone entering our care sites

• Enforcing social distancing inside

• Requiring COVID-19 testing prior to procedures

Staying on top of your health has never been more important, whether it’s an ongoing health concern, a routine checkup, or a procedure. Don’t let social distancing stop you and don’t wait until it becomes an emergency.

Talk with your doctor about scheduling an appointment. For more information, visit us online at chistlukeshealth.org/here-always.

Here, always.