November 2011

29th AnnuAl

Features

6 holiday events in The Woodlands

8 National Night Out 2011 thank You

0 Recycle more at the 3R Bazaar

2 Township answers Frequently asked Questions about the drought’s impact

2 Ge run thru the Woods

22 Walk in the Woods: Encountering Birds in Winter

23 Giving thanks For Our adopt-a-Path stewards

24 new and improved Recycling service Begins in 202

25 It’s Not Waste, It’s a resource

26 The Woodlands history: The Name Game

28 Township Calls for election on Collective Bargaining for Firefighters

32 Public safety awards

on the Cover

the 29th annual lighting of the Doves along with the International Winter on the Waterway Festival (iWoW) take place on saturday, November 19, 2011, from 3 to 9 p.m., in town Green Park and along the Woodlands Waterway® these events mark the kickoff to the holiday season in the Woodlands. Please see pages 6 and 7 for more information. Cover photo by Ted Washington.

MONthlY

3 Message From the Chairman

6 Calendar of events

7 holiday Garbage Collection schedule

8 the Woodlands Village News

Lighting of the Doves

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

The Woodlands ToWnship

2201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380

*Moving in late 2011 to 2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 main line

All Offices and Departments 28-20-3800

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

M essa G e F ro M T he chair M an

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

the holidays are almost upon us, and with November comes the opportunity to be thankful for all that we have in the Woodlands and for our blessings over the past year. In september, the Woodlands township recognized 21 public safety officials who went above and beyond in their service to the Woodlands residents. We also opened a new fire station to help protect lives and property, and we remembered those who lost their lives 10 years ago during 9-11.

In October, we celebrated our public safety partnerships through National Night Out, celebrating both our public safety personnel and our residents who act as the eyes and ears of our community.

Bruce Tough

Chairman of the Board

The Woodlands Township

In November, we remember and thank the veterans who make our many freedoms possible. If you know any veterans, please remember to thank them for their service. they have given their all for us, and are deserving of our utmost respect and thanks.

In addition, this month the township will hold an election for collective bargaining for the Woodlands firefighters as required by the township’s enabling legislation. the township is also preparing to improve the recycling service currently provided to all residents by increasing the size of the recycling cart and including wheels and a lid. residents will begin receiving new carts in December. Watch for more information about this important change in this magazine (see page 24) and in local papers.

last but not least, the Woodlands township will consolidate three of its locations this month into one. the township service Center, Board Chambers and law enforcement/Neighborhood services annex will all be moving to 2801 technology Forest Boulevard. this will be of great benefit to the employees who serve the Woodlands residents and can now work together in one office, and in turn will provide even better customer service to the Woodlands residents.

the date of the move was not confirmed at the time of this writing, so please bear with us during the month as locations of meetings are subject to change until the move is complete. We will include more information about the new location in a future issue of this magazine. the phone numbers, e-mail addresses and Web address will remain the same.

thanks to all of you for doing your part to make the Woodlands such an exciting and vibrant place to be. happy thanksgiving to all of you and your families!

Board o F d irec T ors

Nelda Blair

Position No. 5 Director

Tom Campbell Position No. 2 Director

Peggy Hausman

Position No. 6 Director

Bruce Tough Position No. 7 Chairman

Lloyd Matthews Position No. 3 Vice Chairman

Ed Robb Position No. 4 Treasurer

Claude Hunter Position No. 1 Secretary

Don Norrell President and General Manager

november

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 Mary Connell assistant editor Elena Smith

Copy editor 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.

The Woodlands Offers THe Sights

So magical, some people think it’s the

North Pole

The Fountains at Waterway Square

November 18, 2011 – January 3, 2012 take a moment this holiday season to capture the perfect family photo in front of the 30-foot lighted tree at the Fountains at Waterway square. the one-acre plaza, located along Waterway avenue in the Woodlands, features a choreographed lights and water show that will be programmed to dance to your favorite holiday songs, including “Frosty the snowman,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bells.”

Town Green Park

November 19, 2011 – January 3, 2012

While you are in the Woodlands, cruise on over to town Green Park, located at 2099 lake robbins Drive, to view some of the best lighted holiday displays. Visitors can meander along rows of brightly lit trees, doves, snowflakes and other illuminated holiday scenes from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland

November 19, 2011 – January 2, 2012 located next to the Woodlands Ice rink along the northeast corner of lake robbins and six Pines Drive, Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland offers visitors of all ages an impressive fantasyland of magical, lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from dusk until 11 p.m. admission to Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland is free and is open to the public.

‘Tis the seaso n for playing in the snow, ice skating

Sights and Sounds of the Holidays

From The ice rink at The Woodlands Town center and donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland to the lighting of the doves celebration and the international Winter on The Waterway (iWoW) festival. the Woodlands is home to four major events and seasonal entertainment that are sure to become family holiday traditions.

Join the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau saturday, november 19, 2011, from 3 to 9 p.m., at town Green Park and along the Woodlands Waterway® for the kickoff to the 2011 holiday season at the 29th Annual Lighting of the Doves celebration, alongside the highly anticipated iWoW festival. this year’s lighting of the Doves celebration and iWOW festival feature a number of foods, arts and crafts representing countries from around the world, music and entertainment on three stages, ice carvers, children’s activities, inflatables, fireworks and a special visit from santa Claus himself!

The Woodlands ice rink and donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland will have a preview opening November 12 and 13, 2011, in conjunction with the annual Children’s Festival at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion! the Ice rink is open daily from November 19, 2011 through January 16, 2012, and will be located on the corner of lake robbins Drive and six Pines Drive.

ice rink hours of operation

Regular Hours

Monday - thursday .................. 3 to 9 p.m.

Friday 3 to 11 p.m.

saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

sunday Noon to 7 p.m.

Holiday Hours

school holidays ........... 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

thanksgiving Day .................... 1 to 9 p.m.

Christmas eve 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Christmas Day 2 to 8 p.m.

New Year’s eve Noon to 1 a.m.

New Year’s Day .............. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ice rink admission

Monday – Friday

$9.50...................... two-hour skate session

$5 two-hour skate session ages 5 and under

Saturday and Sunday

$10.50 two-hour skate session

$6 two-hour skate session ages 5 and under

enjoy the fantasyland of magical, lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen that surrounds the Woodlands Ice rink. Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland is free and open daily beginning November 19, 2011 through January 2, 2012, from dusk until 11 p.m.

the 2011 holiday events in the Woodlands are proudly sponsored by Donoho’s Jewellers, CenterPoint energy, Coca-Cola, the Woodlands Development Company, ace hardware of the Woodlands, the strong Firm, Planet Ford, Bud light, BBVa Compass, Wright’s Printing, service King Collision repair

Centers, hubbell & hudson Market & Bistro, Kyle sherburne - state Farm Insurance, Fidelity Investments, Kroger, st. luke’s the Woodlands hospital, the Woodlands Young learners academy, university of Phoenix, CB&I, spectrum events, sunny 99.1, reviewit Magazine, houston Community Newspapers, the Villager, the Courier and the Woodlands lifestyles & homes.

THANK YOU!

The Woodlands Township salutes our National Night Out 2011 participants and sponsors. This year’s event was our best ever, and we couldn’t have done it without your generosity.

participants

alpha & Omega Mounted security Patrol

Montgomery County Juvenile Probation

Montgomery County hospital District

Montgomery County search & rescue

Montgomery County emergency Communication District/9-1-1

Interfaith of the Woodlands

Montgomery County sheriff’s

Office Citizen’s academy alumni association

Woodlands Fire Department

Operation lifesaver

Crimestoppers

Woodlands Cert south east texas Poison Control, alliance Montgomery County

Friends of texas Wildlife texas equusearch

Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3

DWI tracker

texas alcoholic Beverage Commission

Department of homeland security/ Immigrations and Customs enforcement enforcement and removal Operations Office

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Conroe Independent school District

Crew 911/ Boy scouts

Drug enforcement agency

CenterPoint energy

Montgomery County Women’s Center

american red Cross

texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention association

the Woodlands township Park rangers

Veterans of Foreign War american legion

harris County Constable Precinct 4

texas Forestry

Macaroni Kids

einstein academy lowes

h-e-B

sponsors

National Sponsor target

Gold Level

silver rock Productions

Kroger

Dawson safe & lock services Inc.

Silver Level randall’s

Chick-fil-a®

Bronze Level

liberty Mutual

First Choice emergency room

Munday Chevrolet

aaron Brothers

Other Sponsors

Woodlands Wellness & Cosmetic Center

Marmi shoes

Kathleen O. ryan Fine art Photography

tommy Bahama

langford Market

red Mango

ritz Camera

Pizza Party Partners

Double Dave’s

Brothers Pizza

Pizza tonight!

Domino’s

Papa John’s

Pizza hut

Photo by Derrick Bryant

Right. Here. For your child.

The exper tise of Texas Children’s Hospital, together with the high level of care offered by St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, is the right choice , right here , for your child.

Our ser vices include:

• The exper t neonatologists who provide care at Texas Children’s Hospital manage and staff the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, offering the best possible care for your newborn

• The same physicians who provide pediatric emergency care at Texas Children’s Hospital are also caring for your children at the St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital emergency room, 24 hours a day.

• When your child needs inpatient care at St Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, the premier pediatricians who provide care at Texas Children’s Hospital are there to manage care through the Pediatric Hospitalist Program.

• Texas Children’s nursing leadership is on-site to provide exper t management of newborn and pediatric ser vices at St Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital

• An experienced consultant from the Texas Children’s Lactation Program is available at St Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital to provide lactation support and care to breastfeeding mothers and their infants

• A Texas Children’s child life professional is available at St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital to help your child and family cope with the stress of hospitalization.

We’re proud to offer Texas Children’s Hospital ser vices at:

17200 St Luke’s Way | The Woodlands, TX 77384

Recycle More at the

3R Ba aar!

By lucinda Valdes

ReCyCling guidelines

• Keys, caps and corks

- Keys: brass, tin, steel and aluminum.

recycling is the focus when the Woodlands township celebrates america recycles Day at the 3r Bazaar, an annual opportunity for recycling unique commodities, on saturday, November 12, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 8203 Millennium Forest Drive.

Nothing need go to waste! From toys to tote bags, every product has a story.

a competition to collect the most keys, caps and corks will determine which village is tops in recycling. Old metal keys will be recycled to fund research for a cure by the National Multiple sclerosis society. saved from the trash, rigid plastic twist-on

and flip-top caps will be remanufactured into new products and packaging. Christus stehlin Foundation for Cancer research will benefit from the collection of corks.

“Due to innovations in technology, we can recycle more than ever before,” said township environmental services Manager lynne aldrich. the collection of clean, foam food and packaging material at the event spotlights the hottest recycling opportunity at Montgomery County Precinct 3 recycling Complex. Other activities include a shred Day that will provide on-site destruction of personal documents by shred-all texas.

the trunk show spotlights innovative gift items made from recycled materials. Gleaned from studios of artisans and small manufacturers, every product has a story, from trendy purses for teens to rada cutlery for cooks and tool boxes for little ones.

the 3r Bazaar is brought to you by the Woodlands township, the Woodlands G.r.e.e.N., shred-all texas, americas styrenics and Waste Management. For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call the Woodlands township at 281-210-3900.

- Caps: threaded, rigid plastic, such as caps from shampoo, detergent, water, soda, juice and other bottles; flip-top caps from tubes and bottles; and large lids from peanut butter and other jars.

- Corks: natural and synthetic corks from bottles and jars.

• Candy wrappers benefit Veggie Village

- Clean candy wrappers and bags.

- Any brand, any size.

• Expanded polystyrene

- Foam food containers (rinsed).

- Styrofoam™ blocks, coolers, sheets, craft cones.

shRed day

• Boxed or bagged personal documents.

• No businesses please.

• Five cans of food or $5/ bank box benefits Interfaith Food Pantry.

• No limit.

Photo by Jon Krenytzky

The Township answers Frequently asked Questions about The

drought’s impact

the

entire state of texas is currently facing historic drought conditions, which impacts the community’s natural resources. Our community’s forest, ponds and wildlife all are able to handle these environmental challenges through a variety of mechanisms. the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department has prepared the following information to provide awareness of the impacts of the drought and how the township is reacting to these current challenges, as well as what you can do for the trees on your property.

Q: Are the trees in my yard dying from the drought?

A: Many hardwood trees appear to be dead or dying, however some of these trees may be experiencing early dormancy or shedding individual branches to conserve their own resources - especially in the elms, texas red Oaks and Water Oaks. Dormancy or shedding is a natural method in which trees protect themselves to ensure their survivability.

Q: How can I tell if my trees are simply dormant, and not dead?

A: Dormancy is marked by leaves turning brown, typically falling off and the tree appearing to be dead. For example, if an oak tree has a limb that is accessible, bend the end of the limb to see if it is pliable (alive) or brittle (dead).

Q: Should I report a tree that appears to be dead?

A: the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department is monitoring a number of the trees that have the potential to be a hazard versus removing them in anticipation that many will return to their normal vibrancy in the spring of 2012. If the

trees do not show signs of life next year, they may have to be removed. You may call the township at 281-210-3900, e-mail parkrec@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and click service request.

Q: Should I water my trees?

a: texas is in one of the worst droughts in state history. If you have a tree in your yard, it’s likely stressed from the drought. help your trees by watering. a few dollars worth of water may protect your tree investment. Please be advised of any water restrictions.

Q: When should I water?

a: If you can, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Check with the Woodlands Joint Powers agency, www.wjpa.org , for water restrictions. Currently, odd addresses are to water on Wednesdays and saturdays, and even addresses on thursdays and sundays . extreme drought conditions prompted the Woodlands MuDs, served by the Woodlands Joint Powers agency, to move directly from stage 1 to stage 3 – severe Water shortage Conditions – of the drought contingency plan.

Q: How do I water my yard trees during this severe drought?

A: Your trees are very valuable. Follow these simple directions to help your trees to survive this extreme drought:

If you use a garden hose: test your soil with a screwdriver blade. If it doesn’t go into the soil 6 to 8 inches it’s time to deeply water. Water pressure for the hose should be adjusted so the water doesn’t run off. Water closer to the trunk first and work your way out from there. Check every half hour until you know how long it takes for water to penetrate the soil to at least 6 to 8 inches deep. Once the screwdriver goes in at least 6 to 8 inches, note how long it took to water that spot. Keep moving the hose under that canopy of the tree until it is all watered. repeat every week during a severe drought.

If you use a soaker hose: soaker hoses work best for smallto medium-sized trees. It is a slow tree watering method. test your soil with a screwdriver blade. If it doesn’t go in 6 to 8 inches into the soil it’s time to deeply water. On some soaker hoses, it can take four hours to put out 1 inch of water and eight hours for 2 inches of water. Put out 1 to 2 inches of water under the tree, starting near the trunk. Make sure to at least water the entire area under the canopy. repeat every week during a severe drought.

If you use a sprinkler: this is the fastest method to water your tree. test your soil with a screwdriver blade. If it doesn’t go in 6 to 8 inches into the soil it’s time to deeply water. Put a can out under the sprinkler and water until there is 1 inch of water in the can. It will take about 30 minutes depending on your sprinkler. Check your container water levels every 15 minutes or so until you know how long it takes to put out 1 inch of water. Once you know how long it takes for your sprinkler to put out 1 inch, just set your timer and keep moving the sprinkler around under the canopy of the tree. Put 1 to 2 inches of water out in each spot. after a couple of hours, check how continued on page 14

FAQ’s About the Drought’s Impact -

deep you have watered by pushing a screwdriver at least 6 to 8 inches deep into the soil. the blade will go in as far as water has penetrated. Water more if it doesn’t go in at least 6 to 8 inches deep. repeat weekly in severe drought.

Q:What if I have in-ground, pop-up automatic sprinklers?

A: take a long screwdriver and poke it into the soil under the tree. If it doesn’t go 6 to 8 inches deep in the soil, give your tree more water by the above methods.

Q: What should I not do in a drought?

A: Don’t apply high-salt, quick release fertilizers or dig under the canopy of a tree in a severe drought. Don’t prune live branches off young trees just because of the drought. the tree may need these branches when the rains return.

Q: Where can I get more information about the care of my tree?

A: Contact a local Isa Certified arborist at www.isatexas.com or visit the texas Forest service Web site for more tree and drought-related information.

Q: Has the drought caused the water in my neighborhood pond to have an odor?

A: the community’s 45 ponds have been impacted by the drought and high temperatures. It is estimated that ponds can lose approximately 1/4 inch of water per day through evaporation and transpiration. some indicators of immediate stress include fish visible at the surface of the water early in the morning and returning to deeper water later in the day,

rapidly changing water color (usually brown, black or gray) that occurs when oxygen levels rise or the pond suddenly has a putrid odor.

Q: Is anything being done about the community ponds?

A: the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department is monitoring the township’s ponds weekly, including checking the levels of dissolved oxygen, ph, and temperature. additionally, depending on conditions, fountains may need to be turned off due to the low water levels.

Q: How can I keep wild animals from looking for water on my property?

A: In looking for water, wildlife will be more visible within the community. to avoid wildlife encounters, do not make your area welcoming to them.

• repair dry rot, gaps in boards, holes, loose soffit vents and gables.

• remove tree branches overhanging the roof that provide walkways.

• stack firewood at least 18 inches off the ground and away from walls and fences.

• Clean up piles of brush that provide nesting areas.

• stop feeding pets or birds outside until activity stops.

• store pet food and bird seed in secure containers indoors.

• Keep garbage can lids closed and secured.

• repair leaking faucets that provide water.

If you have questions, please contact the Woodlands township Parks and recreation Department at 281-210-3900 or parkrec@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

november

Tuesday, november 

Healthcare Provider CPR Class

Emergency Training Center

6:30 to 10 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Creekside Park Village Association Meeting

6464 Creekside Forest Drive 7 p.m.

281-210-3889

Wednesday, november 2

Development Standards Committee Meeting*

Thursday, november 3

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Friday, november 4

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, november 5

Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

www.grogansmillvillage.com

Heartsaver CPR Class

Emergency Training Center

9 a.m. to noon

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

FREE Composting Class

8203 Millennium Forest Drive

11 a.m. to noon

281-210-3900

First Aid Class

Emergency Training Center

Noon to 3:30 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Tuesday, november 8

Heartsaver CPR Class

Emergency Training Center

6:30 to 10 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Indian Springs Village Association Meeting* 7 p.m.

281-210-5808

Alden Bridge Village Association Meeting* 7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Wednesday, november 9

Law Enforcement Advisory Council Meeting* 6:30 p.m.

281-210-3800

Thursday, november 0

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Workshop*

7:30 a.m.

281-210-3800

Panther Creek Village Association Meeting* 7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture Winter Birds of the Upper Texas Coast

McCullough Junior High School 3800 S. Panther Creek Drive

7:30 p.m.

281-210-3900

Friday, november 

Veterans Day

Bloodborne Pathogens Class Emergency Training Center 9 to 11 a.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Su

For calendar updates, visit the calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

saturday, november 2

Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market

Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

www.grogansmillvillage.com

Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Panther Creek 26th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair

Panther Creek Shopping Center, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Lorraine Richardson at 281-298-6550.

3R Bazaar

Observing America Recycles Day 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

281-210-3900

16th Annual Children’s Festival

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ticket required

The Ice Rink Preview Opening Corner of Six Pines Drive and Lake Robbins Drive

10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

www.TheWoodlandsIceRink.com

sunday, november 3

16th Annual Children’s Festival

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Noon to 5 p.m.

Ticket required

The Ice Rink Preview Opening

Corner of Six Pines Drive and Lake Robbins Drive

Noon to 7 p.m.

www.TheWoodlandsIceRink.com

Tuesday, november 5

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

Going Green Sustainability Lecture South Montgomery County Library 2101 Lake Robbins Drive

7 p.m.

For more information, please call Cinda Hitchcock at 281-363-2723.

Wednesday, november 6

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting*

6 p.m.

281-210-3800

Thursday, november 7

Development Standards Committee Meeting*

Friday, november 8

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, november 9

Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market

Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

www.grogansmillvillage.com

The Ice Rink Season Opening

Corner of Six Pines Drive and Lake Robbins Drive

10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

www.TheWoodlandsIceRink.com

Lighting of the Doves

The Woodlands Waterway®

3 to 9 p.m.

www.LightingOfTheDoves.com

iWOW (International Winter on the Waterway®)

The Woodlands Waterway®

3 to 9 p.m.

www.iWOWInTheWoodlands.com

Donoho’s Jewellers Winter

www.metroministorage.net

Wonderland Season Opening

Corner of Six Pines Drive and Lake Robbins Drive

Dusk to 11 p.m.

www.TheWoodlandsWinterWonderland.com

monday, november 2

Grogan’s Mill Village Association Meeting*

6:30 p.m.

281-210-3887

College Park Village Association Meeting

Emergency Training Center

7:30 p.m.

281-210-3889

Tuesday, november 22

Healthcare Provider CPR Class

Emergency Training Center

6:30 to 10 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association Meeting*

7:30 p.m.

281-210-3887

Thursday, november 24

Thanksgiving Day

All Township offices closed.

Run Thru The Woods

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

7:45 a.m.

281-367-9622

Friday, november 25

All Township offices closed.

saturday, november 26

Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market

Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

www.grogansmillvillage.com

monday, november 28

Sterling Ridge Village Association Meeting

Mitchell Library, 8125 Ashlane Way

7 p.m.

281-210-5808

Tuesday, november 29

Healthcare Provider CPR Class Emergency Training Center

6:30 to 10 p.m.

281-210-5820 ext. 1731

meeTing loCaTions

* Due to the Township’s scheduled office relocation, visit us at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, to confirm the location of any meetings normally held at one of The Woodlands Township office facilities during November and December.

Please visit the calendar at

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov for listings, or call the office at 281-210-3800.

holiday Garbage collection schedule

there will be no waste collection service on thursday, November 24, 2011, in observance of thanksgiving. Waste collection will be moved to the day following the regular service day. all services are affected. Please refer to the chart below.

regular collection holiday collection

thursday, November 24

Friday, November 25

Friday, November 25

saturday, November 26 normal schedule will resume Monday, november 28, 2011.

Alden Bridge

since this is the traditional month for thanks, we’d like to honor everyone who has donated their valuable time, talents, goods and services this year in support of the alden Bridge Village association. so many people and organizations deserve recognition for assisting with our events and programs – and to everyone who attended our events. thanks to all!

the monthly alden Bridge residents meeting is tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the township service Center, 2201 lake Woodlands Drive. Our speaker will be Nick Wolda, President of the Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. Nick will fill us in on all the upcoming holiday activities and what else is new in the town Center area.

Congratulations to our latest Yard of the Month winners, the stanley family of Plum Crest! We’ll begin again next april thanks to our sponsors – lowe’s, the Pavilion and Chick-fil-a®. Next up will be the holiday lighting & Decorating Contest. We always have beautiful decorations in our village.

We continue to welcome additions to our electronic mailing list for village news. Please send your e-mail address to abinfo@comcast.net. Your address will not be shared and will be used only to distribute village news. also please visit our Web site, www.aldenbridge.org, which is updated continuously.

have a wonderful thanksgiving!

Submitted by Darla Bell

Cochran’s Crossing

Thank you, nancy… congratulations, stuart!

With the appointment of stuart schroeder to fulfill the remainder of Nancy Becker’s term as president, august marked a major changing of the guard at Cochran’s Crossing Village association. those of you who know Nancy are aware she recently became a resident of Creekside Park. While we wish the Beckers health and happiness in their new home, we’re saddened to lose them as Cochran’s Crossing residents and Nancy as our inspired leader for the past 12 years. Your record, Nancy, has been truly exemplary and we thank you for serving us so well for so long.

new cochran’s crossing village association president stuart schroeder really needs no introduction. a 13-year resident of Cochran’s Crossing, stuart has long been active in community affairs. he is a past Woodlands Community association Director having served as a member of the board four years up until the Woodlands Community association dissolution in 2010. stuart has also served as a director and vice president of the Woodlands recreation Center and most recently as Cochran’s Crossing Village association vice president. Welcome, Mr. President!

Submitted by Bill Mara

College Park

November brings us cooler temperatures and fall football games. We should all take a few moments to reflect on all the good things in our lives. We should be thankful for our friends and family and for the wonderful

village we live in. the College Park Village association is thankful for having been able to serve you and provide wonderful events throughout the year. If you would like to be a part of everything, please consider becoming a part of the village board. happy thanksgiving, everyone!

Next month will also be our annual holiday lighting & Decorating Contest. as you relax after all that turkey, it is a good time to plan your holiday lighting display. We will be judging individual homes and neighborhoods during the first week of December. Check the Web site at www.villageofcollegepark.com for more information as we get nearer to the event. also, check out more information at our meeting on Monday, November 21, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at the emergency training Center. this will be our last meeting of the year, so we welcome you to attend.

Submitted by

Gail Carney

Creekside Park

holiday lighting & decorating contest

It’s a great time to start preparing for the annual holiday lighting & Decorating Contest. No registration or entry requirements; Creekside Park residents simply display their lights and/or decorations during the dates of thursday, December 1 through tuesday, December 6, 2011. there are two categories: Best home and Best Neighborhood. Prizes will be awarded on Wednesday, December 13, 2011. For more information regarding the details and prizes, please visit www.creeksideparkvillage.com.

save The date

the Woodlands Creekside Park Village association will present the 3rd annual Chili Cook-Off and Winter Festival on saturday, December 10, 2011, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the lodge at rob Fleming Park. there will be fun for the whole family, including a chili cook-off, giant snow sledding hill, face painting, kids crafts, snowman building contest, free food and a holiday market.

N EWS FROM THE V illages OF T he W oodlands

Pictured are Taylor, Madison and Olivia Stanley of Plum Crest Circle.

Nancy Becker

Stuart Schroeder

e ven T s in you R nei G h B orhood

the Woodlands Creekside Park Village association will host the inaugural “Chilly” Chili 5K run and 1-Mile Kids run. the 5K race is certified by usa track & Field and will traverse along the roadways in the Village of Creekside Park. the 1-Mile Kids run will navigate the pathways around the rob Fleming Promenade and Pavilion. the event will start and finish in front of the rob Fleming aquatic Center on Great heron Drive. For more information and to register, visit www.creeksideparkvillage.com.

participate

Monthly association meetings are held the first tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the creekside YMca lodge making it more convenient for residents. Visit www.creeksideparkvillage.com for all of the latest news and event information.

Submitted by Nancy Decker Lent

Grogan’s Mill

the Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market continues its eighth consecutive successful season, and will run every saturday morning year round (with the exception of Christmas/New Year’s holidays). Check the Grogan’s Mill Village association Web site at www.grogansmillvillage.com for details.

If you haven’t met our new coordinator, Katerina Graham, stop by the Grogan’s Mill Village association table and say hello. a bundle of enthusiasm and energy, Katerina also chairs the Garden Building Committee for Interfaith’s Veggie Village and has long been active in gardening, horticulture and teaching. she has a degree in animal science from louisiana state university and a master’s degree in agriculture from texas a&M university. the mother of two, she has been active for many years with urban harvests and other farmers markets and gardening groups. as the market continues to grow in size and popularity,

look for Katerina to help us grow even more, responding to widespread community interest in our vendors and their produce and products.

Grogan’s Mill Village association congratulates sandra McMillan as the winner of september Yard of the Month. sandra, a Virginia “expatriate,” loves to talk about her plants, shrubs and trees. It has been a tough summer, but she managed to keep things green. One thing she had to learn was how much different the soil and climate are here.

at its regular september meeting, the board regretfully accepted the resignation of long-time Grogan’s Mill Village association area representative Jim upham, who is stepping down due to his business scheduling conflicts. Jim’s efforts on behalf of the Yard of the Month, along with so many other projects that benefited our neighborhoods, will be sorely missed. Fortunately, we had several candidates for the three vacant positions and voted to appoint lachelle Gentry, sara Bissig and Jim Duke as our three newest area representatives.

Submitted by Bob Leilich and Dana Denton

Indian Springs

We have a winner!

after years of searching, months of deliberation and sorting through numerous qualified entries, the Indian springs Village association Board has finally approved a winning logo design.

a lden Brid G e

The Alden Bridge Village Association (ABVA)* usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m at the Township Service Center.

Please join us!

Web site www.aldenbridge.org

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

c ochran’s c rossin G

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association (CCVA)* usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the Township Service Center.

Please join us!

Web site www.cochranscrossing.com

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

c olle G e park

The College Park Village Association (CPVA) usually 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 or Village Association President Nancy Decker Lent at 617-721-6939.

Gro G an’s Mill

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association (GMVA)* usually meets on the third Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the Township Service Center.

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 s prin G s

The Indian Springs Village Association (ISVA)* usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township Service Center.

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.

pan T her c reek

The Panther Creek Village Association (PCVA)* usually meets on the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Township Service Center.

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.

sT erlin G r id G e

The Sterling Ridge Village Association (SRVA) usually 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.

Pictured left to right: Franklin Palmer, Matt Beasley, Sandra McMillan, George Van Horn

Katerina Graham

V i llage n e W s continued

the contest, which started in March 2011, was offered to art students who reside in Indian springs and attend school in the Woodlands area. two finalists were chosen from the submitted entries and voted upon by the Indian springs Village association board at the september meeting.

the winning entry, shown below, was designed by McCullough Jr. high 8th grade student, Grant Davis. Grant, who loves the outdoors and fly fishes in the Indian springs area, was inspired by nature itself in designing the logo. the feather, used for the ‘I’ in ‘Indian’, represents the feathers he finds and uses for tying flies. the ‘s’ in ‘springs’ represents the streams and ponds in the area where he fly fishes. Grant’s school, McCullough Jr. high, will receive a $350 donation in honor of his winning entry.

the runner-up in the logo design contest was designed by Katie Wolfe, a freshman at the Woodlands high school 9th Grade Campus. Katie, who was also inspired by the natural beauty of the area’s ponds and pathways, designed a logo that represented the nature and style of living in the Indian springs area. Katie’s school, the Woodlands high school, will receive a $150 donation in honor of her runner-up entry.

Congratulations to Grant and Katie for their hard work in designing their logos. Both will be honored at the Indian springs Village association meeting on tuesday, October 11, 2011. Please look for photos of the presentation of the checks and certificates, plus a profile of the winner and runner-up, in next month’s magazine. For more current information, please visit our Web site, www.indianspringsvillage.com, for news about our Indian springs community.

disaster readiness

residents are advised to check the Woodlands township Web site, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, then click on the Public safety button, to find information on emergency preparedness for hurricanes or fire evacuation. useful information regarding local law enforcement, fire department and neighborhood services can also be found on this Web page.

Panther Creek

In august, Panther Creek Village association sponsored its annual baseball outing. Mary Bootz, who coordinated the sale of tickets and the transportation, did a great job! Because we all went together by bus, we avoided the traffic, and the bus let us off 20 feet from the front gate. the game was a lot of fun, and the astros won, which seems to be a requirement for Panther Creek’s trip. When the game was over, the bus was waiting for us a few steps out of the front gate. If you want to see a game but hate driving to houston, looking for a parking place and dealing with the traffic when leaving the game, plan to go with us next year. Panther Creek sponsors a trip to the ball game every year.

Betty Nelson, vice president of the Panther Creek Village association, has resigned due to personal circumstances. We wish her and her husband the best and appreciate the service she has made to the community. Dan lewis has been chosen by the board to become the new vice president.

the Panther Creek Village association welcomes two new area representatives, sandy Moore and Jennifer Ferrara.

the Panther Creek Village association meets on the second thursday of each month. almost every month we have a report from the sheriff’s Office about law enforcement activity in the Woodlands and more specifically in Panther Creek. We also hear reports from a township director and the village liaison. It is a great time to find out what’s happening in our village. the meetings are open and there is an opportunity for any resident to make comments or ask for help on any issue affecting Panther Creek and its residents. Community involvement is one of the keys to maintaining the quality of life in the Woodlands.

Submitted by Merle Causey

Sterling Ridge

sterling ridge village association donation to coulson Tough and deretchin pTos

sterling ridge Village association presented Coulson tough and Deretchin

schools with donations of $1,000 for each schools PtO. sterling ridge Village association sponsors our local PtOs with donations each year in support of the schools’ fundraising events and volunteering hours.

The sTar program is attracting many new and familiar faces from within our neighborhoods here in sterling ridge and we are grateful, as well as excited, about the wonderful show of support. We still want to encourage all of our residents to sign up to serve To advance the ridge and meet the folks while doing something fun like our annual barbeque and our haunted house events! Feel free to sign up at our monthly meetings or visit our Web site at www.sterling-ridge.org.

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 for the village meetings.

Submitted by Gabriel Castillo

PTO Donation at Coulson Tough Elementary

Sterling Ridge Village Association President Phillip Givens presents donations to PTO representatives at Deretchin Elementary.

Encountering

BIRDSin winter

By lucinda Valdes

Onthursday, November 10, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., Cecilia riley, director of Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, shares her knowledge and passion for winter birds at Winter Birds of the Upper Texas Coast, a free program of the Walk in the Woods Nature lecture series at McCullough Junior high school, 3800 s. Panther Creek Drive. Organized by the Woodlands township, the evening is sponsored by the Woodlands G.r e e.N., Waste Management and hilton Garden Inn. For information, please call 281-210-3900.

No other state matches texas for the diversity of avian species—more than 600— sighted within its borders. “the upper texas Coast is well known for its great diversity of habitat types,” notes Mrs. riley. “here, one can explore the

wildlife and wildfowl in all kinds of habitat, from mixed pine-hardwoods, bottomland forests, coastal scrub, freshwater and saltwater marshes, to beaches and dunes.”

the abundance and great variety of year-round birdlife is enhanced during our winter months when hundreds of migratory species from the north join the fray. american Goldfinches, yellowrumped warblers and song sparrows are welcomed winter guests.

“Backyard habitats are increasingly important as we develop more land,” she explains. While providing feeding stations is important, birds also need “safe refuge, free of predators,” according to riley. and, she says, that means native plants and trees.

Cedar Waxwing photo by Michael L. Gray

Photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

Giving Thanks

For our adoPT-a-PaTh stewards!

alden Bridge

Bredehoft Family

Cub Scout Pack 772, Dens 1, 5 and 18

Cub Scout Pack 886

Culp Family

McCann Family

Reeder Family

Steve and Judy Easton

Walters Family

Weaver Family

Cochran’s Crossing

Creighton Family

Kimmel Family

Tiffany and Todd Cauley

The Woodlands G.R E E N

Woodlands Landscaping

College Park

Bay Chapel Court Bandits

grogan’s mill

Wilkerson Student Council

indian springs

Andra Wilcox and Richard Nieto III

Grimes/Hanlin Family

Panther Creek

National Charity Round Table

Cub Scout Pack 883

sterling Ridge

Brassard Family

Charles and Donna Moseley

Degas Park Neighbors

Whittemore Family

New and Improved Recycling Service Begins In 2012

What is changing?

the Woodlands township Board of Directors recently selected an option for future waste and recycling collection with service scheduled to begin in 2012. the new option provides significantly improved recycling services with the least cost and least impact to residents, while taking into account that waste disposal costs will increase over the long term.

here are the changes:

• Recycling – the existing 18-gallon recycling container will be replaced with a green 96-gallon container with an embossed yellow lid, a handle and wheels. this is the same size as the current trash cart.

• Yardwaste – after February 1, 2012, plastic bags will no longer be accepted. Green waste can still be bundled or placed in resident-provided containers. If bags are used, they must be compostable bags, available at local stores.

What is staying the same?

Garbage service, using your current trash cart, remains the same. there will also be no changes to the bulky waste pick-up, extra trash tags, or the township’s recycling Center. (If you are unfamiliar with the current services, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, click residents, then trash Collection for details.)

What should I do?

Keep watching for articles in The Woodlands Community Magazine, the township’s Web site, www.thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov, and local papers for updates and information. at some point in December 2011 or January 2012, you will receive the new recycling cart at your home and then you may begin using the Woodlands township’s new and improved recycling service!

The new recycling cart has wheels and a yellow cover.

Photo by Laura Garvey

By Bob Dailey, Master Gardener

lastyear, the Woodlands produced more than 7,000 tons of green waste, mostly from residential landscapes. With approximately 31,000 homes, that converts to about 450 pounds per household.

Beginning February 1, 2012, Waste Management will no longer pick up yard trimmings in plastic bags. Instead residents can bundle, containerize or use compostable bags. By eliminating plastic bags, the Woodlands township is being a good steward of both your tax dollars and of the environment. residents who are concerned about the cost of compostable bags are encouraged to join hundreds of

homeowners in the Woodlands who have found a way to reclaim that green waste, saving money at the same time.

these residents are creating their own nutrient-rich soil amendments for their landscapes by composting leaves, grass clippings and other organic materials from their yards. they have taken advantage of free compost classes taught by master gardeners to learn how easy, thrifty and energy-efficient it is to compost. they’ve also been able to purchase quality compost bins at a fraction of their cost.

For more information, please contact Bob Dailey at 281-210-3900.

November 5, 2011

December 3, 2011

January 7, 2012

February 4, 2012

March 3, 2012

first saturday of the month

11 a.m. to noon

8203 Millennium Forest Drive

enter the drawing to win a FREE COMPOST BIN

Residents may purchase bins $20 off regular price (regular price $40) after compost class sponsored by Waste Management. no reservations needed.

Photo by Bob Dailey

The Woodlands, The InsIde sTory of CreaTI

The Name Game

By roger Galatas

there was one unforeseen problem with the original decision to persuade the City of houston to include the Woodlands within its extraterritorial jurisdiction, which George Mitchell had pushed so hard for back in the 1970s. It complicated the naming of our streets because all names had to be approved by the City of houston and none could duplicate those already in use in the city.

“In keeping with the way the Woodlands has been developed as a community in harmony with nature, of course we always have kept to the nature theme,” recalls susan Vreeland-Wendt, a marketing executive with the Woodlands Corporation. “Despite the fact most tree names had already been used in houston, we found a way to keep using them. If you

add enough words together you can come up with something like Oak Pond, Oak Court Place or Woodhaven Wood.” Or as susan jokingly said, “We cheat.”

“But frankly, we’re kind of running out of ideas,” she said. “You know we’ve done every species of bird, every species of butterfly, and tree and wildflower. I do a lot of research. We look for names that have a very fluid, lyrical sound. something that looks good on engraved stationary and makes you want to buy a home on that street. It’s all part of the marketing process.”

the Woodlands Corporation has tried to fit names of streets and neighborhoods with the names of each residential village. It is useful here to review those village names and their origin.

First to be established was the Village of Grogan’s Mill in 1974. Many of the original community residents still live there. the village is currently seeing a period of selective renovation and remodeling. It’s an attractive village with historic character. It has three golf courses, more than any other village, and is the closest to I-45. a portion of the original land purchase for the Woodlands was from the Grogan-Cochran lumber Co. Grogan’s Mill is named for one of the families that owned that company.

post. to read street names while driving a car, the driver had to cock his or her head to the left. there was a joke among some within the county that you could recognize a resident from the Woodlands by the way they held their head.

the second to be developed was the Village of Panther Creek, which is named for the creek running through it. the community’s first public high school, McCullough, and the original Interfaith facility are in the village. It is centrally located fronting the western shore of lake Woodlands. It is the smallest residential village in the Woodlands.

Next came the Village of Cochran’s Crossing, again named for one of the families who owned the lumber company. It opened in July 1983 on a very hot day. We had the grand opening in shadowbend Park and George Mitchell was present. he had been down on Galveston Island for a weekend visit, his typical routine, and he came in his fishing hat, light blue trousers and a slightly wrinkled shirt. he didn’t know it was going to be a formal event. Members of the Cochran family were also there. the Village of Cochran’s Crossing is also complete, including the 27-hole arnold Palmer Golf Course.

The Woodlands’ original entrance sign sat in a sea of bluebonnets, the official Texas flower. The sign stayed in place until 2001 when a new entry sign was installed on Woodlands Parkway.

since the Village of Grogan’s Mill was the only village for the first several years, it got the full attention of everyone on the team, including planners, marketing people, management, residents and George Mitchell to name a few. to remain consistent with the environmental theme, original neighborhood entry markers were sandblasted wooden signs with earth tone colors and hew. street signs with no cross arms had street names sandblasted as a vertical inscription into the vertical wooden

Following closely behind was the Village of Indian springs opened in 1984. there was limited archeological evidence suggesting that an Indian tribe hunted and perhaps camped within the flood plain along spring Creek, which formed the southerly boundary of this village. thus, street and neighborhood names such as Flintridge, rushwing, and shawnee ridge were used to recognize and honor possible past settlers. the spring Creek flood plain remains undeveloped and protected.

The Woodlands entrance

the Village of alden Bridge was next to be developed with its grand opening in 1995. the name, alden Bridge, actually came from my fond memories of a sawmill town near where I grew up in Benton, louisiana. the original town of alden Bridge had a millpond that I fished in when I was a kid. that old mill is gone, the town is gone and the forest has retaken the entire place. the original town was developed where a railroad bridge crossed a flowing stream and included a sawmill, a general store and houses for mill workers. Its founder, Philo alden, who migrated to louisiana from New York, was an ancestor of John and Priscilla alden, who were among the original signers of the Mayflower Compact and settlers of Plymouth Colony in the 1620s.

the sixth village is sterling ridge, named in recognition of the Woodlands’ 25th anniversary celebrated in 1999. It includes the neighborhood of Carlton Woods, a gated golf course community named in honor of Carlton Gipson, our very talented long-time golf course superintendent. still under active development, it has a higher percentage of upscale housing than the other villages with value driven by its two signature golf courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Gary Player.

the next in the sequence of development came the Village of College Park, a mixed-use village that has significant housing but also a major retail component. a portion of its residential development is on the east side of Interstate 45, and its amenities are consistent with the quality and the style in other parts of the Woodlands. College Park includes a 100acre community college campus and the university Center, from which the village derives its name, in addition to a significant medical campus that includes st. luke’s, texas Children’s and M.D. anderson. the age-restricted neighborhoods of Windsor hills and Windsor lakes and the community college make great partners for lifelong learning opportunities.

the last residential village, currently under development, is the Village of Creekside Park, the only village of the Woodlands not located in Montgomery County. It lies entirely in adjacent harris

Cochran’s Crossing

In July 1983, the formal opening of Cochran’s Crossing, the third residential village built in The Woodlands, was attended by Roger Galatas, Bill Cochran, Rev. Don Gebert, Ed Lee, Montgomery County Commissioner Weldon Locke, George Mitchell, State Representative Jim Turner and Montgomery County Judge Jimmy

County. Public education is provided to village residents by the tomball Independent school District as opposed to the Conroe district that serves the other villages. a centerpiece of the village is a tom Fazio signature golf course constructed as an extension of the gated country club experience provided by the Club at Carlton Woods, Creekside.

Public schools in the Woodlands are named to honor heroes of texas history (Mirabeau B. lamar), famous american leaders (sally K. ride, Colin Powell, Barbara Bush) and former school board members and school administrators (Knox, hailey, Buckalew, Collins, tough, Wilkerson, McCullough and Galatas). and appropriately, one school is named in honor of George Mitchell.

One school is named for David, the youngster who lived his entire life in a plastic bubble to protect his weakened immune system from disease and infection. David received special education assistance from the public school system and was an inspiration. his father, David Vetter sr., served as mayor of shenandoah and as a board member of the town Center Improvement District. the plastic bubble that was home to David for many years is in the smithsonian in Washington D.C.

Barbara Bush came to the opening of Barbara Bush elementary school. as I recall she arrived in a rather plain, unmarked white Ford automobile, driven by what appeared to be a secret service agent. as her car approached the event,

an alert local constable on routine traffic duty pulled her car over for entering a restricted parking area near the school. he approached her car, looked into the back seat and upon seeing Mrs. Bush recognized his dilemma. he quickly recovered by saying, “Welcome to the Woodlands, Mrs. Bush. May I escort you to your school?” and he did. they arrived on time. having a school bear my name is something I still don’t know how to deal with. It is a great honor and I appreciate it more than I can express, but it was not anything I expected. I visit the school several times each year and remain impressed with the quality of its learning environment. the faculty, staff and students are all so bright and enthusiastic. It is a school with great participation by parents, which is such a key element in education. Just amazing.

Four schools in the Woodlands are named to recognize individuals who played a role in the development company: George Mitchell, Coulson tough, Joel Deretchin and me. I think we all believe that this primarily recognizes an element of trust between the community and the Company rather than a personal accomplishment.

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.

Edwards.

Photos courtesy of The Woodlands Operating Company, LP/Ted Washington.

the Woodlands township Board of Directors has called for a special election to determine whether the township will adopt the state law on collective bargaining for firefighters that may be employed by the township.

Firefighting services are currently provided within and for the Woodlands township by the Woodlands Fire Department, Inc. (“WFD”), a non-profit corporation whose Board of Directors is appointed by the Woodlands township

e lection on Collective Bargaining For Firefighters

and which is funded by sales tax collected within the township. as a non-profit corporation, WFD currently has, and has had since april 2000, a collective bargaining agreement with the Woodlands Professional Firefighters association, local 3846 that establishes compensation, benefits and working conditions for covered employees of WFD.

effective January 1, 2012, the township will be permitted to directly

employ firefighting personnel. under texas law, a political subdivision of the state is not required to collectively bargain with its firefighter employees unless the voters of the political subdivision approve the adoption of the state law under Chapter 174, texas local Government Code, establishing collective bargaining, preserving the state law prohibition against strikes and lockouts, and providing penalties for strikes and lockouts.

under the township’s enabling legislation, the township is required to conduct an election on the adoption of the state law on collective bargaining if the township receives a proper and timely petition signed by a majority of the firefighting personnel of WFD requesting the election. such a petition has been timely received and is in proper form and has been signed by the requisite number of firefighting personnel of WFD. accordingly, the township has called an election to be held on tuesday, November 8, 2011, to present to the voters of the township the proposition of

whether the township should adopt the state law on collective bargaining.

If the proposition is approved by a majority of voters, the township and any successor municipality or other form of government would become subject to the state law requiring collective bargaining by an employee association representing the firefighters when the township directly employs firefighting personnel. If the election fails, the township would not be subject to the state law unless a subsequent adoption election is held and passed under Chapter 174.

www.biolandscape.com

www.championspediatric.com

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 toWnship

Top row (l to r): D/O/EMT-B Richard C. Allison, Lt./EMT-I Jeffrey W. Johnston, Lt./EMT-LP Douglas K. Adams, D/O/EMT-I Gary S. Bennett, Sgt. Paul Cassidy, Lt. Brady Fitzgerald.

Middle row (l to r): FF/EMT-P William C. Evans, FF/EMT-I Kevin C. Wiens, FF/EMT-B Douglas H. DeVries, Dep. Brad Curtis, Sgt. Edd West, Sgt. Kenton Ford. Front row (l to r): D/O/EMT-P Johnie B. Riddle, Lt./EMT-P Phillip S. Geminden, Lt./EMT-P Joseph W. Miller, FF/EMT-P Tyler D. Leach, FF James A. Simpson, Lt. Ronnie Glaze, Sr. Sgt. Jason Moore, Cpl. Rudy Almendarez

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The Woodlands is about to become greener than ever.

Waste Management has been your long-time service provider in The Woodlands. Now we are bringing you services that make it easier and more convenient for you to recycle. Here are some of the things you can expect:

New recycling toters (green with yellow lids). Your new 96-gallon toter will hold lots more, so you can recycle more without having to haul multiple bins to the curb.

New solid-waste toters (all green). If your household is still using the burgundy toter, you’ll get a brand-new replacement in the color we all like best – green.

Both kinds of toters will be delivered after the first of the year, and you can begin using them as soon as you receive them. We'll also be providing residents with:

Greener collection of yard trimmings, which will control costs by allowing you to choose to bundle, use compostable bags, or 30-gallon containers.

More details coming soon. Look for our mailer. You’ll find information about all our services, turning in your old carts, and more.