November 2021

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

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

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

281-297-6500, Business, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 936-442-7797, Non-Emergency, 24 hours

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Water Providers

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

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

Emergency 911

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

message from The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

Veterans Day Tribute

Please join The Woodlands Township on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. in Town Green Park for the Veterans Day Tribute featuring a presentation of colors, musical performances, keynote speakers and more. A special military care package drop-off booth will be on site to accept donations of recommended items to be shipped to troops abroad.

For a list of recommended items and more information about the Veterans Day Tribute, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/veteransday.

Photo by Perry Frank

John Anthony Brown Treasurer, Position 3

Bruce Rieser Vice Chairman, Position 4

Gordy Bunch Chairman, Position 1

Jason J. Nelson Director, Position 2

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs Secretary, Position 5

Dr. Ann K. Snyder Director, Position 6

Bob Milner Director, Position 7

Jeff Jones President and General Manager

Lt. Col. Barry Winnegan of the U.S. Army delivered the keynote address at The Woodlands Township’s Veterans Day Tribute at Town Green Park on November 11, 2020.

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.

Advertising inquiries, rate requests and change of address/ delivery inquiries may be directed to Champions Printing & Publishing, 6608 FM 1960 W., Suite G, Houston, TX, 77069, 281-583-7661.

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.

CHAMPIONS STAFF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr.

Account Executives

Graphic Designers

Cheryl Kirsch

Jim Callahan

Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations

Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Senior Copy Editor Kacie Gurney

Copy Editor Perry Frank

Editorial Assistant Barbara Ryan

6608 FM 1960 W., Suite G Houston, Texas 77069

281-583-7661

www.championsprinting.com

Cool Holiday Fun at The Ice Rink

By Liz Aguirre

The Woodlands Township invites families and friends to enjoy ice skating this season, beginning on Friday, November 19, 2021. The 21,000-squarefoot multipurpose facility features ice skating in a main room with lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, concessions and tables for parties. Grab your friends and get your cheer and chill on at The Ice Rink!

Reservations are available for private parties or corporate events. Private rink rentals are available before or after normal business hours. The Ice Rink also offers private and group lessons!

Book your skate session online at www.thewoodlandsicerink.com. For additional details, please call 281-4195630 or email icerink@spectrumfcs.com.

Those planning to attend should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue to follow all guidelines established by the CDC. Face coverings are optional. Please note all information is subject to change, pending local, state and federal Orders or Declarations.

Monday – Thursday 3 to 9 p.m.

Friday 3 to 11 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday..................... Noon to 6 p.m.

www.thewoodlandsicerink.com

Photos by Mauricio Ramirez

Early Detection Starts With Your ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM

Advanced Breast Screenings Close to Home

At Houston Methodist Breast Care Center in The Woodlands, our specialists review your mammogram history and track results over time — detecting changes earlier. That’s why getting your mammogram starting at age 40 — or earlier, if you have a family history — is so important.

Our Breast Care Center offers:

• The latest 3D mammogram technology

• Board-certified breast imaging radiologists

• Acceptance of most major insurance plans

Your health is our priority. To better protect you, we took it one step further by requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all of our physicians, staff and employees.

Scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care or call 936.270.3600 to schedule your mammogram today.

We do not require a doctor’s order for your annual screening mammogram.

The Woodlands

The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ENCOURAGES Playground Safety

By John McGowan, CPRE, CPSI

The Woodlands, home to 90 unique and innovative playgrounds, values the benefits and importance of safe playgrounds.

Parents and other caregivers should take safety precautions when visiting our community’s parks and playgrounds. The following are a few tips to ensure a safe and fun experience:

Though most of our playgrounds are surrounded by trees, on a hot day, touch the equipment, especially slides, before using. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot to play on. Come back another day or use one of the community’s pools or spraygrounds.

One of the general guidelines for planning a safe play area is to provide

age-appropriate equipment. Most playgrounds have stickers designating the play area for two to five years old or five to twelve years old. Generally, the smaller units lower to the ground are for the younger pre-school aged user.

Do not park your bike, stroller, etc. in the play area. Children love to run, play tag and chase on the playground, typically not paying attention to objects that they could trip and fall on.

The best way to know the playground is safe is to play on the equipment with your children. Ride the

slides, swing on the swings or be home base for tag; enjoy the playground as much as your children do.

It is important to play safe as our playgrounds are learning laboratories for our children that incorporate elements that excite their senses and help to challenge and develop motor and social skills. If you have any issues at the parks and playgrounds, please call The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department at 281-210-3900 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

The Woodlands has many unique and innovative playgrounds for children to enjoy. Parents should be aware of all precautions to keep children safe while enjoying the equipment.

Celebrate America Recycles Day

Celebrate America Recycles Day with The Woodlands Township at the 3R Recycling Drive-thru event Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon in The Woodlands High School’s parking lot. This event celebrates the importance of recycling in our community and offers a free opportunity to recycle select items that cannot be recycled in curbside carts. Secure, on-site document shredding is available while capacity lasts. This event is for residents only, no businesses. Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED light bulbs are the featured item this year. Recycling light bulbs keeps hazardous chemicals, like mercury, out of our environment and reuses valuable material. Please remember, light bulbs do not belong in your curbside cart.

Can’t make it to 3R Recycling Drive-thru? The Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Center (1122 Pruitt Road in Spring), Home Depot, Lowes, Batteries Plus and Best Buy accept different types of light bulbs year-round. For a list of local recycling outlets for other materials such as electronics, batteries, paints, pharmaceuticals and more, scan the QR code below with your phone camera or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recyclemore.

The 3R Recycling Drive-thru is hosted by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department and sponsored by Chevron Phillips Chemical, H-E-B, The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., Waste Management, Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware and Woodlands Water. For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3rbazaar or contact the Township’s Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.

Accepted Items Are...

lightbulbs (intact only)

alkaline batteries

eyeglasses

block Styrofoam (please no food containers or peanuts) textiles & shoes (any condition)

oral care products

snack and drink pouches

disposable razors

By Liz Aguirre

November 2021

Join The Woodlands Township on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Town Green Park for the 39th Annual Lighting of the Doves, a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands that signifies the start of the community’s holiday season. The doves illuminate The Woodlands Town Center, symbolizing hope and peace for the holidays. The Lighting of the Doves Festival features live performances, vendors, children’s activities and more. The event culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus arriving by sleigh down The Woodlands Waterway and a dazzling fireworks display, weather permitting. This event is produced by The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department and is sponsored by Howard Hughes Corporation. Those planning to attend the event should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue to follow all guidelines established by the CDC. Face coverings are optional. Please note all information is subject to change, pending local, state and federal Orders or Declarations.

Please visit the Township’s online calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar.

CHANGES IN GARBAGE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

There will be NO garbage and recycling service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2021. All services will be delayed by one day through Saturday, November 27, 2021. Regular schedule will resume on Monday, November 29, 2021. Please watch this space for information about garbage and recycling service or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/holidaytrash.

Photos by Derrick Bryant

Holiday Fun with Parks & Recreation

Tisthe season for holiday family fun with The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department! Choose from a variety of festive activities, such as Flashlight Candy Cane Hunts, Gingerbread House Making, Feliz NaviDog, Elves and Arrows and Milk and

Cookies with Santa. We are also proud to introduce two new holiday programs in 2021 that are sure to become a family tradition for years to come: Donuts with Santa and Holiday Bingo Breakfast. Events include supplies for various activities, and some activities offer

multiple dates and times. Holiday events sold out quickly in 2020, so please register as soon as possible! Pre-registration is required, registration on event day not permitted. For more information or to secure your spot, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348 today!

Sponsored by

$10

Alden Bridge

Our big event is only a few days away, and we can’t wait! We hope you’re planning on joining us for the Alden Bridge Fall Festival on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakeside Park. Bring the whole family and treat yourselves to food, games, a DJ, a rock wall, and much, much more. We want to see everyone out to enjoy a great time and the best part, it’s FREE for all to attend!

The Woodlands Township Veterans Day Tribute will be held Thursday, November 11, 2021, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Town Green Park. Please join us as we honor the military men and women who have served our nation. You are invited to The Woodlands Township Veterans Day Tribute featuring a presentation of colors, musical performances, keynote speaker and more! A special military Care Package Drop-Off Booth will be set up to accept donations of recommended items to be shipped to the troops.

Celebrate America Recycles Day at the 3R Recycling Drive-thru on November 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at The Woodlands High School Parking Lot at 6101 Research Forest Drive. This event celebrates the importance of recycling in our community and offers a free opportunity to recycle select items that cannot be recycled in curbside carts. This year’s Village Recycling Challenge item is Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED light bulbs. For more on what items you can drop off, go to Environmental Services at thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

There is still time for the Plant for Pollinators Program. The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department is offering the Plant for Pollinators Program again for 2021. Residents who register a garden between June 1 through December 1, 2021 will earn a point for their village. If you were

part of the program in 2020, you can renew your registration. The top three villages will be awarded a cash donation for their village scholarship fund…let’s see if we can’t put Alden Bridge in that 1st place position.

This month’s village association board meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 7 p.m. Meetings are scheduled at the Township office complex, 2801 Technology Forest. You are all welcome to attend. And speaking of attending, how would you like a great volunteer opportunity…being a board member on our Village Association? We have several seats available and if interested, send us an e-mail at abvainfo@gmail.com and we’ll tell you more about it.

Between issues of this magazine, don’t forget our website, www.aldenbridge. org, Facebook page, or email newsletter as ways to keep up with the latest news of our village. If you don’t receive the email newsletter, send your email address to abvainfo@gmail.com so you can be added to the mailing list.

Happy Thanksgiving, Alden Bridge !

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

College Park

Hello and hope everyone is enjoying our fall weather in The Woodlands and staying healthy! November is a busy month for family time and decorating and sprucing up our homes. We are very blessed to live in a wonderful community and everyone does a great job of keeping it clean. For your calendar and looking ahead, we have an election day on November 2, 2021. Make a difference in our community by taking the time to vote!

Also, The Woodlands Environmental Services Department hosts the annual 3R Recycling Drive-thru on Saturday, November 13, 2021. It is held in the parking lot of The Woodlands High

School on Research Forest Drive. This year they are collecting used lightbulbs.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 25, 2021. Time to reflect and give thanks for all that we are blessed with and pray for our family and friends! After that, it is on to December where we all need to enjoy each day of the holiday season and think of each other’s safety and health. In closing, please think about attending a College Park Village Association meeting at The Woodlands Township office every third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. We need new board members to help College Park continue to be a great village of The Woodlands! Stay safe.

Submitted by Johanne

Stanley

Creekside Park

November is here and the Holiday Season begins! It’s a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors with visiting family and friends. Stop by the newly opened, 151st park of The Woodlands, Monarch Park in Mariposa Woods, right here in Creekside Park. The natural habitat features a pond, walking trails, and specific vegetation to attract the esteemed Monarch butterfly.

In response to the fatal cyclist incident on Kuykendahl and Creekside Green earlier this summer, the village association has been in continued discussions with The Woodlands Township, Harris County, Howard Hughes, and Tomball ISD to help improve the intersection and adjacent pathways. Construction of a new pathway around the Timber Creek Elementary area on the south side of Creekside Green between Kuykendahl & Strake has commenced. The Township and Howard Hughes funded and selected a contractor for this project. To identify other longerterm solutions, Harris County performed a traffic study of the Creekside Green & Kuykendahl intersection which was

planned to be completed in September 2021. Follow us on our Facebook page or attend monthly association meetings to stay up to date about this topic.

Environmental Services recently investigated reports of water quality issues in our area and found the source to be bacteria that is entering the water though dog poop that residents are not picking up when walking their dogs. Please be mindful and pick up and properly dispose of your pet waste to prevent contamination in our neighborhoods and keep our waterways clean. For more information visit https:// www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/105/ Environmental-Services or attend an information session.

Stay up to date with news and events on the Creekside Park Village Association Facebook page and on our website at www.creeksideparkvillage. com. We look forward to seeing you at our next association meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at the Rob Fleming Recreation Center.

Submitted by Melissa N. D’Mello

Grogan’s Mill

In lieu of a Holiday Lighting contest, our village board allocates money each year to decorate our village signs for the holidays. Starting soon, you will see the Grogan’s Mill Village signs adorned with decorated garlands so that the whole community can enjoy.

Are you aware that the Grogan’s Mill Village Association publishes two email newsletters each month? They contain important information. You can get them by scanning this QR code.

With cooler days finally here, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market is still offering varied deals on fruits, vegetables, honey, prepared foods, crafts and more. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., rain or shine, at 7 Switchbud Place in the Grogan’s Mill Village Center. Bring your own bags to save on plastic. Check out our website at www.grogansmill.org/fmabout or look

us up on Facebook at www.facebook. com/WoodlandsFarmersMarket. Profits from Farmer’s Market vendor fees are returned to our community through various philanthropic contributions, school donations, scholarships and community programs.

Submitted by Jennifer Robinson

Indian Springs

The Falconwing Park Renovation started construction July 2021 and will run through January 2023. Please join us at our Indian Springs Village Association meeting each second Tuesday of the month if you have questions or suggestions.

2021 Holiday Lighting & Decorating Contest: Dust off your reindeer, get your decorations out of the attic, and fire up the auxiliary power to energize your million-bulb Christmas light strings, because it is time to don your house with enough holiday cheer to enrage the Grinch.

The Indian Springs Village Association will award the Best House and the Best Neighborhood based on an individual family’s effort and a coordinated effort by a neighborhood. In 2020, more homes and areas stepped up to the challenge and displayed an incredible amount of elf culture. In 2020, The Indian Spring’s Christmas Lights competition hit all new levels.

Judging normally occurs during the second week of December, so start your over-the-top holiday projects now so you and/or your neighborhood are in the running for the annual bragging rights. Prizes for this year’s contest are still being determined. Past prizes have included several tickets to The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center and gift cards. We look forward to witnessing the immense creativity Indian Springs residents possess.

Save your burned-out light bulbs for the 3R Recycling Drive-thru on November 23, 2021. Feel free to bring them to our meeting if you cannot participate in the 3R Recycling Drive-thru.

As we work to increase communication with our Indian Springs neighbors, we recently added an Instagram page and a LinkedIn page in order to better communicate with you. When you get a chance, please like, follow and/or subscribe to any and all of our pages listed below.

• www.instagram.com/ indianspringsvillage

• www.linkedin.com/company/ indianspringsvillage

• www.facebook.com/ IndianSpringsVillage

We hope our Indian Springs residents will visit our regular Village meetings, normally the second Tuesday of each month. Happy Thanksgiving!

Submitted by Carol Stromatt

Sterling Ridge

Get ready for the Sterling Ridge Village 2021 Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest. It’s that time of year to show the community your holiday spirit. See our website for contest dates. Prior winners have been presented with yard signs plus a plaque for Best Home and skating rink passes for Best Neighborhood!

The Woodlands Township will be having the 39th Annual Lighting of the Doves Festival at Town Green Park. The festival includes traditional and international performances showcasing the cultural diversity of The Woodlands and holiday traditions celebrated around the world. Featuring snow play areas, vendor booths, children’s activities and strolling entertainment, Lighting of the Doves culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus arriving by sleigh down The Woodlands Waterway and a dazzling fireworks display.

The Sterling Ridge Village Association meets on the first Thursday of every month, and our next meeting will be November 4 at the RE/MAX office at 6620 Woodlands Parkway at 7 p.m.

Visit us online at www.sterlingridge.org and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Submitted by Thomas Principale

By Holly Steinke

Shopping Safety for the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner and that means you may be out shopping more during the holiday season. Here are some tips from The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch to help keep you safe.

Take someone with you when you shop. It’s nice to have company. You can keep an eye on each other and your bags.

Avoid carrying a large amount of cash, credit cards, debit cards, important documents. Just take the cash and card(s) you need to shop. Consider using a credit card over a debit card, since they have more protections for you, in case they are lost or stolen. The money won’t come directly out of your account, which could possibly cause other bills not to get paid on time.

When you expect to return from shopping after dark, be sure to park in a well-lit area, by a shopping center door that will be unlocked. Parking in a well-lit area helps you see if anyone is around your vehicle before you approach. The mall or store may have numbered light poles to help you find your car. The mall may only have certain doors unlocked at

closing, so be sure you park by those doors, if you will be late, to avoid a longer walk in the dark.

Be sure to lock your vehicle, set your alarm and avoid leaving valuables inside. Leave valuables at home. If you must leave valuables inside your vehicle, hide the items before you park, so someone watching doesn’t see you put them there. If you are bringing a large ticket item out to your vehicle and are going back to shop, consider hiding the item and moving your vehicle, so that it will be less likely to be seen. Avoid leaving a gun in your vehicle, but if you must, be sure to use a gun lock.

Remember where your car is parked. Use a Smart Phone to take a photo of where you parked. If your iPhone is set-up to do so, use your iPhone Maps to search for “Parked Car” to see where your car is. Check with your phone provider for other options.

Always be aware of your surroundings when you shop and when you are in the parking lot. Report any suspicious activity to store security or law enforcement, as needed. Trust your instincts and ask for store security to assist you if something doesn’t seem right in the store or parking lot.

For emergencies, call 9-1-1. For suspicious activity, call law enforcement:

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 936-442-7797, option 3

Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct #4 (for Creekside Park), 281-376-3472

For more safety tips, please contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch at 281-210-3800, visit us at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch or email neighbor@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

www.facebook.com/townshipneighborhoodwatch

Thanksgiving Holiday Waste Schedule 2021

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, The Woodlands Township reminds residents that there will be no solid waste collection services on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Curbside service will resume on Friday. Households with standard Thursday or Friday service will receive service the following day. These schedule changes impact all collections—trash, recycling, yard trimmings, and bulk pick-up.

REGULAR SERVICE DAY

HOLIDAY SERVICE DAY

Monday, November 22 .................... No interruption

Tuesday, November 23 .................... No interruption

Wednesday, November 24 .............. No interruption

Thursday, November 25 ..................

Friday, November 26

Friday, November 26

Saturday, November 27

The Woodlands Recycling Center will remain open on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please keep streets clear of parked cars to allow trucks to safely access carts. Place carts at the curb before 7 a.m., and ensure cart lids close completely. Failure to follow all service guidelines will result in items being left at the curb. The only holidays that affect residential trash and recycling service are New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Find more information by visiting Environmental Services online. To report a missed pick-up or schedule bulk pickup, please contact Waste Management Customer Service at 800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com

Seasonal Decorations & Lighting

The Woodlands Township reminds residents to please follow guidelines to remain within The Woodlands Residential Standards for outdoor holiday decorating.

1) Winter holiday decorations and lights may be illuminated from November 15 through January 15 of the following year.

2) Decorations and lighting may be installed no earlier than October 1 and must be removed by February 1 of the following year.

3) All other seasonal decorations may be displayed for a period not to exceed three weeks.

Decorative lighting bulbs must be of a low wattage to not cause an impact to an adjacent property. Strands of lighting should also be limited in scope and not cause an adverse impact to adjacent properties.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.

MAKE A BETTER LIFE

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Keep You and Your Home Safe for the Holidays!

By Holly Steinke

The holidays are just around the corner. It’s a great time to celebrate with close family and friends and have a little time off.

Tips to help keep you and your home safe for the holidays.

• Lock your doors and windows to your home and garage. Keep the doors closed and locked, even when you are home, to prevent someone from accessing your home.

• Set your home alarm and make sure that your family and houseguests know how to use it, or at least how to turn it off, if they accidentally set it off.

• Keep motion cameras charged and ready, if you have them.

• Consider using motion sensor lights outside that turn on automatically.

• Carefully trim shrubs and trees to allow visibility to your home. It doesn’t take much to keep someone from hiding there without being seen.

• Encourage your family not to open the door to solicitors or anyone they don’t know. Speak to the person through the door, so the person knows someone is inside.

• Discuss with your older children what to do in different situations and when to call 9-1-1.

• Make sure your family has important numbers in their cell phones and post numbers for home phones, too.

• Tilt your blinds to avoid someone looking inside and window shopping for your personal property.

• After the holidays, be sure to break up boxes and turn them inside out, so that someone can’t see what new items you just got, when your recycling or box pickup items are out front.

• The following items are available from The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch to help keep you safe:

File of Life: Add your medicines, contacts and medical information and keep it updated and in the magnetic pocket on your refrigerator (inside your refrigerator if it is stainless steel), to provide first responders with your information in an emergency. Also, ask us about setting up a Smart911 profile.

EPaint Kit: Paint your address on the curb, so emergency vehicles can find your home faster.

Engraver: Etch your tools or valuable items with a number unique to you

• Report suspicious activity to law enforcement when it is happening! For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

For suspicious activity, call law enforcement at: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 936-442-7797, option 3 Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct #4 (for Creekside Park) 281-376-3472

Tips to help keep your home safe if you are away.

• Lock your doors and windows.

• Have a neighbor or trusted friend pick up papers, flyers and packages left at your home.

• Let your trusted neighbor or friend know when you’ll be back and how to reach you.

• Use lights and a radio on timers to make it look like you are home.

• Sign up for Vacation Watch. Montgomery County, visit www.mctxsheriff.org for Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Click on Community>Services Offered>Vacation Watch, fill in the form and click Submit or call 936-442-7797, option 3.

Harris County (Village of Creekside Park), visit www.constablepct4.com for Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct #4. Click on Community Involvement>Services Offered>Vacation Watch

Request>Choose Creekside (Woodlands) from the dropdown menu; fill in the form and click Submit Vacation Request, or call 281-376-3472.

For more safety tips, please contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch at 281-210-3800, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch or email neighbor@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

www.facebook.com/townshipneighborhoodwatch

The Woodlands Township would like to thank the following

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2021 SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Brothers Pizza – Grogan’s Mill

Brothers Pizza – Sterling Ridge

Cru Food and Wine Bar

Crust Pizza – Panther Creek

Domino’s Pizza

European Wax Center / Miller Family Holding

Main Squeeze Juice Co.

BRONZE SPONSORS

Mod Pizza – Indian Springs

Papa John’s Pizza – Alden Bridge

Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille

Pizza Tonight

Snip-Its Trudy’s Hallmark Truluck’s

Warby Parker The Woodlands

By Zoe Killian

ALDEN BRIDGE

Alison Loughlin, Real Estate Agent

Claude Hunter

Peter K Valles

Roxy’s Walk

Steve and Judy Easton

The Brassard Family

The Bredehoft Family

The Geiger Family

The Irhabi Family

The Karl Family

The Reeder Family

The Rodriguez Family in memory of Abuelita Gladys Rodriguez

The Sullivan Family

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

Boy Scout Troop 772

Cochran’s Crossing Crew

Falconwing Trash Hunters

Girl Scout Troop #106325

Julia and Owen’s Grandma Jo

NCL Texas Laurels

Roger Howard

Sterling Total Wealth Solutions

The Creighton Family

The Figueredo-Weiser Family

The Gonzalez Family

The Kimmel Family

The Rhoad Family

The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.

The Woodlands High School Science

NHS

COLLEGE PARK

Bay Chapel Ct Bandits

College Park HOSA

The Hanley Family

CREEKSIDE PARK

Evermore Trail Neighborhood

Ken Conner

The Benedict Family

The Green Corners Duo

The Hawkins Family

The Samaia Family

The Zielinski Family

War Eagle Way

GROGAN’S MILL

MollyAnne and Robin Davis

Stronger to Serve

The Gooding Family

The Houston Family

INDIAN SPRINGS

Andra Wilcox and Richard Nieto, III

Fire Flicker Trash Hunters

Team Hans

Thank you to the Adopt-A-Path volunteers that help keep our community looking clean and green. Picking up litter from our green spaces prevents pollution in waterways, protects wildlife and keeps our community beautiful. Join the team! Visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/adoptapath to find a map of available pathways and an application. For more information, please call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or email enviro@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Adopt-a-path Volunteers

May to August 2021

70 groups +709 volunteer hours

+3,208 gallons of trash

2,140 pounds of trash

34 of our curbside carts

The Ellison Family

Trash-B-Gone

PANTHER CREEK

Académie de l’arc-en-ciel

Bike The Woodlands Coalition

Clayton & Diane Rowing Club of The Woodlands

Steph’s Pet Sitting

The Bannon Family

The Barnes Family

The Grimes-Hanlin Family

The Gunden-Schmucker Family

The Killian Family

The Redmond Family

STERLING RIDGE

Charles & Donna Moseley

Julian Schwertz eXp Realty

Kathy Hancock in honor of Jerry and Kay Pierce

NCL Bluebonnets

NCL Texas Laurels

Rohm Home

Stronger to Serve

The Devitt Family

The Halverson Family & Friends

The Slocum Family

The Wasserman Family

John Park, Owen Leicht and Julia Leicht enjoy the outdoors while keeping our community clean through the Adopt-A-Path program. Photo by Kendra Leicht Park

Water Wise

VILLAGE CHALLENGE PLEDGE OF 2021-22

Help your Village and your lawn while saving water this winter! Our St. Augustine lawns naturally go dormant during winter to strengthen their roots. Watering disrupts this process, weakening the grass and inviting pests and disease come spring. Pledge to turn off your sprinkler system this winter. When you do, you earn a point for your village. The villages with the most points receive education funds from program sponsors: Woodlands Water Agency, Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware and Chevron Phillips Chemical.

Turn off your sprinklers from October 15, 2021 to April 15, 2022.

Mistakes Gardeners in The Woodlands Make

By Bob Dailey

Part 1

We all make mistakes in taking care of our lawns and gardens. Just like any mistake though, most can be corrected with some slight variations in practices.

1. Overwatering: Overwatering causes shallow root systems. This in turn makes plants susceptible to fungal and bacterial infection and predation by pests. Plant roots need oxygen to survive. Waterlogged root systems cause plants to yellow and die. Solution: Do not water every day. Few plants, especially lawns, need more than an inch of water per week, and less if it rains. The best time to irrigate is in the early morning before the sun comes up.

2. Overfertilizing: Of course, some fertilizer is needed, but too much of a good thing…well you know the rest. Too much fertilizer can cause really fast growth which in turn makes the plant more susceptible to disease. Do not use weed and feed products.

3. Misusing Pesticides: Smart gardeners know that making a lawn or garden insectfree is an impossible task. The goal is to control the insects that harm our plants and avoid killing insects that are good for them. What insects are beneficial? Assassin bugs, lady bugs, praying mantids, spiders, butterflies and bees, including the 800 species of native bees in The Woodlands.

4. Bad diagnosis of a problem: If you are not sure what the problem is, and most of us aren’t entomologists or plant pathologists. However, there is a plethora of symptomatic descriptions online. Failing that, take a sample of a plant, put it in a plastic bag and bring it to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension service in Conroe.

5. Using plants that are not adapted to our area. For instance, Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and perennial ryegrass are cold-weather grasses and do much better farther north. Planting any of these here is an endeavor doomed to failure. In warm season grasses, only a few varieties of Zoysia are capable of being started from seed. The two other common warm season grasses, St. Augustine and Bermuda, are not.

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

Tourism is Powerful in  The Woodlands

A Message from Visit The Woodlands

Are you ready to travel? Whether it is hopping on a plane, hitting the open road or exploring your own backyard, this last year has made most people pine for adventure. Travel and tourism are key to helping our community grow and thrive, making The Woodlands a wonderful place to live and visit.

This economic boost not only helps our local businesses, but also helps the residents of The Woodlands. Tourism influences the economy, which enhances our community’s way of life. The contributions of visitors made by hotel stays and tax revenue allows for job creation and business growth. In addition, it assists in maintaining the Township’s critical infrastructure and funds other initiatives that benefit everyone.

This month, you are invited to log onto our award-winning website at www.visitthewoodlands.com to find tools and tips to be a “Tour Guide” in your own hometown. You’ll find specials and discounts, itineraries and maps, a link to easily book a staycation at one of the 14 hotels in The Woodlands and so much more. Let us know how you celebrated your love for The Woodlands by sharing your photos using the hashtag #SoWoodlands.

Visit The Woodlands is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for The Woodlands and its mission is to bring events, conventions, sports tournaments, weddings, meetings and publicity to the area that increases retail and fills up restaurants and hotels in The Woodlands.

Friday Night Family Fall Series

Movie Night

Bingo Night

The Woodlands Township presents the Friday Night Family Fall Series! Come join us at the Rob Fleming and Bear Branch Parks for loads of fun with the whole family. Three exciting activities are available to satisfy your Friday night entertainment needs.

Try your luck at a thrilling round of Bingo and win fabulous prizes at the Rob Fleming Recreation Center. Score an exhilarating hole-in-one and kick back under a screen on the green at the Bear Branch Recreation Center’s all new PuttPutt and movie night. Swing by Texas TreeVentures for a one-of-a-kind, nighttime experience at our illuminated adventure course with our Glow in the Park events.

Family Bingo Night at the Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring food, family and friends! Entry to this event is $5 per person. The Family Putt-Putt and Movie event at the Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park begins at 6 p.m. Bring your blankets, chairs and snacks! Entry to this event is $10 per child and $5 per adult. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/signupforfun.

Glow in the Park at Texas TreeVentures begins at 7 p.m. Come dressed for adventure. Entry to this event is $60 per person. Supervision ratios do apply. For details and to register, please visit www.texastreeventures.com.

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

The free concert series, Rock the Row, returns to Hughes Landing this fall on Thursdays through November 11, 2021, from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring live music next to Restaurant Row. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are permitted, glass is prohibited. Rock the Row is produced by The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by The Howard Hughes Corporation®

Those planning to attend the event should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue to follow guidelines established by the CDC. Face coverings are optional. Please note all concert dates are subject to cancellation, pending local, state and federal Orders or Declarations.

By Liz Aguirre

Photos by Derrick Bryant

Awareness is good. Doing something is better.

Did you know some of the most essential factors in determining the potential success of breast cancer treatments are tumor size and if cancer has spread outside of the breast? Regular mammograms can often nd cancer in the early stages before you notice a lump.

Schedule a visit with your doctor or health care provider today. StLukesHealth.org