December 2021

The Ice Rink

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

message from The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

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

December

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

The Woodlands Township Election

The unofficial consolidated results for the November 2, 2021, Incorporation and Board of Directors Elections were posted on the Township website and were scheduled to be canvassed at The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meeting on November 12, 2021. Full information can be found online at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ novemberelection.

Based on the unofficial results available at the time of this writing, The Woodlands voters have chosen not to incorporate as the City of The Woodlands during this election. The residents also re-elected Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs in Position 5, Dr. Ann K. Snyder in Position 6, and Bob Milner in Position 7. All three will serve two-year terms in these volunteer and uncompensated positions.

The Woodlands Township is the only governmental entity collectively serving all residents and businesses within its boundaries in both Montgomery and Harris Counties and will continue to work in providing the highest quality of life for our residents, businesses and visitors.

A LAKE WOODLANDS TRADITION! Jingle Boats

By Erica Flocke

Every holiday season for more than a decade, the Riva Row Boat House has presented Jingle Boats, a fun family program bringing parents and kids together on beautiful Lake Woodlands and the lower Woodlands Waterway. Away from the large crowds and stores, spend time in nature while paddling for presents!

Starting from Riva Row Boat House, participants will venture out on a tandem kayak along the lower Woodlands Waterway to the edge of Lake Woodlands. Along the way there will be various stops to collect wrapped presents from our friendly boat house staff. Once you get to the last stop, near Mitchell Island, participants will turn around and head back to Riva Row Boat House for hot chocolate, cookies and other treats. Also awaiting your return will be a very

special guest! Expect the whole trip to last about an hour with time to relax in the park afterwards.

Kayaking in December is made especially enjoyable by the mild Texas winters and generally clear daytime skies, but come prepared for the forecasted weather that day. You may get wet in the kayaks, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing.

This kayaking event is great for all ages but recommended for children 10 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is just $40 per child. Tandem (two-seater) kayaks can be navigated with one adult in back and one small child in front, OR children that are under 42 inches tall can also ride in the middle of two adults. If you have any questions about how to register for multiple children and/or multiple parents, please call 281-210-3965 or email boathouse@thewoodlandstownship.com!

Pre-registration for this program is required. Unfortunately, walk-ups will not be permitted to this event because a limited number of gifts are purchased for known participants. To sign up for Jingle Boats 2021, please visit www.rivarowboathouse.com/rivarow/jingle-boats.

• Wednesday, December 8, 2021 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, December 18, 2021 9 to 10 a.m.

• Sunday, December 19, 2021 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Hurry to register! Jingle Boats has sold out all sessions for the past few years and we are unlikely to add more dates.

As always, please consider Riva Row Boat House for a fun day out any time of the year. During winter, the boat house is open from 9 a.m. to sunset, Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) with last boats going out one hour before sunset each evening.

Paddle for presents with Riva Row Boat House this holiday season! Reserve your space for Jingle Boats at www.rivarowboathouse.com/riva-row/jingle-boats.

Photos by Erica Flocke

Skate into the Season at The Ice Rink

By Liz Aguirre

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by Woodforest National Bank, will be open for the 2021-2022 holiday season through Monday, January 17, 2022. The 21,000-square-foot, multipurpose facility features ice skating in a main room with lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, concessions and tables for parties. Need help learning to skate? The Ice Rink offers skate lessons!

For hours of operation, rentals, skate lesson and admission information, please visit www.thewoodlandsicerink.com or call 281-419-5630.

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.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

By Mark Lazenby

‘Tis the season for holiday family fun with The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation!

Choose from a variety of festive activities such as Flashlight Candy Cane Hunts, Gingerbread House Making, Feliz Navi-Dog, Elves and Arrows, and Milk and Cookies with Santa!

Make plans to attend the Township’s two new holiday programs 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! Please note, pre-registration is required; registration on event day is not permitted. For more information or to secure your spot, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ signupforfun.

Celebrate the season at The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by Woodforest National Bank. The Ice Rink offers holiday cheer for the whole family!

Photos by Mauricio Ramirez

The 2021 Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest

Celebrate the season with the annual Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest! Village associations coordinate their own contest with support from The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Fire Department. To enter the contest, just decorate the outside of your home for viewing by the judges during the month of December.

There are usually two categories:

Best Home in the village and Best Neighborhood in the village. A neighborhood is broadly defined as a few homes located in close proximity, or an entire cul-de-sac or subdivision. Best Home prizes include a yard sign and plaque. A yard sign

and other prizes are usually awarded to Best Neighborhood.

Members of each village association serve as contest judges. The selection of winners is left to the sole discretion of the judges. Please check with your village association for more details about your respective village contest.

Please remember that winter holiday decorations and lights may be illuminated no earlier than November 15 through January 15 of the following year. Seasonal displays must also be limited in scope and not become a nuisance or annoyance to the neighborhood.

Seasonal Decorations and Lighting Guidelines

The Woodlands Township asks residents to remember the following guidelines to remain within The Woodlands Residential Standards for outdoor holiday decorating.

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

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

• 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.gov/ covenants

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: BLOOD DRIVE

The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch invites you to donate blood and give the gift of life this holiday season. While one in seven people hospitalized will need a blood transfusion in a lifetime, only one in 20 eligible blood donors actually donate. Because there is no substitute for blood – please know that your donation will save lives. Your blood donation can be broken down into three different components. Each of these components can save a life in a different way:

• Red blood cells are used to treat cancer, surgery, and trauma patients.

• Plasma is used to replace fluids in burn and trauma patients.

• Platelets will help cancer and bone marrow transplant patients recover.

There remains an urgent need for blood donors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs 1,000 donations every day of the year to serve the patients of our region.

If you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, face masks are no longer required to donate blood. We ask that you continue wearing face coverings if you are not fully vaccinated or you desire an additional level of safety.

By Susan Martin

Thursday, December 16, 2021

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

Donors can sign up for the December blood drive here: www.commitforlife.org/ donor/schedules/drive_schedule/322932 or scan the QR code.

December 2021

Please visit the Township’s online calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar for the very latest information on Township events regarding The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meetings, Development Standards Committee and Residential Design Review Committee Meetings, Village Meetings, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market and many other Township-related activities.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar

COLLECTION SCHEDULE

There will be no interruption in solid waste services during the Christmas and New Year holidays. All services will occur on their regularly scheduled service day including trash, recycling, yard trimmings and bulky trash pick-up. More information can be found in the article on page 18. Please watch this space for information about garbage and recycling service or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/holidaytrash.

Photo by Kacie Gurney

THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in The Woodands

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NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

It’s the most wonderful time of year: time to judge holiday lights! Yes, it’s time again for the Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest, and Alden Bridge has some of the most beautifully decorated homes in The Woodlands. If you see a neighbor or a home in Alden Bridge that looks like a winner, send your nomination with address and name (if known) to aldenbridgeyom@gmail. com. Judges will review the nominations between December 10-16, 2021. All nominations are due by December 10, 2021, so be sure to leave your lights on every night so we don’t miss your hard work! We’ll select one Best Home winner and one Best Neighborhood winner. Awards will be presented to the winners on December 18, 2021.

We wouldn’t have a village association without a group of great volunteers, including our board members and members of the Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC). Please consider joining us! It’s a great way to give back to your community, and we have fun, too. Village elections will be held in February, and filing begins later this month. In 2022, we’ll elect nine at-large Area Representatives for two-year terms, plus five RDRC members for one-year terms. The Township website, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, is your source for information and filing forms. Look for them in early January.

We truly have one of the best places to live during the holidays. We always stress safety, and especially this month when so many things are tempting to criminals, so stay safe and be aware of your surroundings while you’re out and about. Use the Sheriff’s Vacation Watch if you’re taking a holiday vacation, and don’t forget to lock your house and car doors. Don’t leave any packages visible in the car when you go shopping. As you know, most of our car burglaries occur

when parked cars are left unlocked.

Our most heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to our village association in any way during 2021, especially in light of the pandemic, with special thanks to all of our event and program sponsors! Your support is much appreciated, and we look forward to working with you again in 2022. We have a very active sponsor program, and if your business would like to sponsor us (money goes to scholarships), please contact abvainfo@gmail.com.

Joining our electronic mailing list allows you to receive our monthly newsletter; just send your email address to abvainfo@gmail.com. We promise not to share your address. Also, please visit our website, www.aldenbridge.org, and like our very active Facebook page.

We take a little break from our monthly board/residents meeting in December, so the next meeting is set for 7 p.m. on January 11, 2022, at the Township building, 2801 Technology Forest.

Here’s to a joyous holiday season, Alden Bridge!

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association will once again be searching in December for the best decorated home and best decorated neighborhood! We hope to find home after home brightly decorated for the holidays! The association will be judging lights from December 4 to December 15, 2021. Be

sure to have your lights on and keep them on every night so they won’t be missed when we are in your neighborhood!

The annual Fall Festival was held on October 24, 2021, at Shadowbend Park and was a big success. Thank you to all who attended. A huge thank you to Kroger in Cochran’s Crossing. Kroger provided the free hot dogs, chili, chips, cookies, and drinks. The event included free games with prizes, a fortune teller, a DJ, photo booth, rock climbing wall, inflatables, and a petting zoo. Thank you to our booth sponsors, we really appreciate you! We look forward to seeing everyone out to enjoy the event again next year!

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is participating in the Water Wise Challenge to help raise scholarship and education funds for students of the village. We need your help, and it is so easy! Please go to www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ waterconservation to pledge not to run your sprinklers through April. It takes less than a minute! Get as many neighbors to take the pledge as well. It’s good for the grass and good for the neighborhood!

Please join us at the next meeting of the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 7 p.m. at The Woodlands Township building. Please follow our Facebook page, Village of Cochran’s Crossing Association, and find us on our webpage, www.cochranscrossing.com, and email us at cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com with any questions.

Submitted by Cynthia

Kessinger

College Park

Happy Holidays from College Park Village Board! We hope you are all staying healthy and safe in our community. Practice what you learned at National Night Out back in October: Keep doors locked at all times on homes and cars, and when out shopping, try to go with someone or park in a popular area. Be observant to and from your vehicles.

Our annual Holiday Lighting Contest award will be December 16, 2021. Our village board members will be out cruising and judging on December 14-15, 2021! Be ready in case you hear our firefighter’s siren! That means we are coming to give an award to the Best Decorated Residence and the Best Decorated Street in College Park. So have fun and enjoy the holidays! Family, friends and neighbors all need to feel love and friendship from one another! Our appreciation and thanks go out to our Township board and staff, our Sheriff, Constable, and Fire Department for keeping us safe and informed! Stay healthy and best wishes for a great 2022!

Submitted by Johanne Stanley

Creekside Park

Happy Holidays Creekside Park Village residents! The holiday season is here, so be sure to get your lights up as the village board will be driving around judging the light displays for the annual lighting contest during mid-December. We look forward to awarding the best house and best street prizes. Let the decorating begin! Thank you to everyone who came out to the Community Spirit event held at Rob Fleming Park on October 23, 2021. We would like to

thank the Salt Band, The UPS Store –Creekside Park Village Green, Harris County Precinct 4 Constables, The Woodlands Fire Department, Alpha and Omega Mounted Patrol, Bike The Woodlands, Township Neighborhood Watch, Environmental Services and Parks and Recreation for supporting the event. Check out a few photos from the event this fall. See below.

Save the date for our next community event - the annual Creekside Park Chili Cook-Off and Winter Festival, which is set for Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Rob Fleming Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Get your teams together and register by January 14, 2022, to participate in the Chili Cook-off. Teams are asked to prepare enough chili to serve two-ounce samples to the public, who will vote on the best recipe. Tent decorating is a must, so pick a theme and go all out. Prizes will be awarded to the top three chili teams and the best decorated tent. Each team will be provided some startup funding from the Village Board to assist with costs. To register, or if you have any questions, please contact area representative Bill Blizzard at wblizzard@sbcglobal.net. We look forward to tasting some awesome chili!

Also, a reminder that Smart Water meters have been installed in all homes within the MUD 386 district. Don’t forget to download the ‘Eye on Water’ app to start tracking your water usage and to receive alerts about any leaks in your house. The Water Wise Village Challenge is also ongoing. Take a moment to sign up by April 15, 2022, to help Creekside Park win the challenge. All funds received from winning village challenges are donated back to the schools and organizations within our community.

This year, the Creekside Park Village Association donated a total of $4,000 to public schools located in our village. If you are traveling for the holidays, don’t forget to sign up for the vacation watch program offered by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Office. If you are staying in The Woodlands, look for events and happenings on our Creekside Park Village Facebook page or our website at www.creeksideparkvillage.com. Our next village association meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 7 p.m. at the Rob Fleming Recreation Center.

Submitted by Melissa N. D’Mello

Grogan’s Mill

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association will be awarding scholarships this spring. Scholarships are open to all graduating high school and current college students who are residents of Grogan’s Mill at the time of application. Applicants must also be in good standing at their school at the time of application. Applicants may attend either a two- or four-year college or vocational school. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria:

A. Financial need

B. A strong sense of community involvement and good citizenship

C. Extracurricular or other activities and accomplishments

D. Counselor and academic administration recommendations Applications may be obtained from school guidance counselors, the Grogan’s Mill Village Association website, www.grogansmillvillage.com, or from any village board member.

continued on next page

VILLAGE NEWS - cont.

Completed applications must be received by April 15, 2022.

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

Please bring your used alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries, from your home, workplace, friends and families to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. We narrowly missed being in first place last year. We’re now up to over 1,000 pounds and counting! You can bring them to the Farmers Market where we will hold them until the challenge officially begins. Our village association could win up to $1,000 which we use to support schools and student scholarships in Grogan’s Mill.

With cooler days here, The Woodlands Farmers Market is still offering hot deals on fruits, vegetables, honey, meats, crafts, food, and more at The Woodlands Farmer’s Market. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, rain or shine, at 7 Switchbud Place in the Grogan’s Mill Village Center. Most Saturdays the market has one or more food trucks for your breakfast or lunch. Check out our website at www.grogansmill.org/fmabout or look us up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ WoodlandsFarmersMarket. Profits from vendor fees are returned to our community through various philanthropic contributions, school donations, scholarships and community programs.

Submitted by Jennifer Robinson

Indian Springs

Thanks to all of you who worked at and attended our Taste of the Village! We’re looking forward to awarding the scholarships from the funds of this event. Stay tuned for the scholarship winners. If you missed our Taste of the Village this year, we’ll see you next October!

We appreciate all our neighbors who are participating in the 2021 Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest.

The Falconwing Park Renovation is on schedule and changes/ improvements have been communicated to us by Township Parks and Recreation. There could, of course, be minor changes. We might get a pickle ball court, and it looks like the swimming pool will be renovated, saving as many trees as possible. Work is still scheduled to be completed by January 2023.

Thanks for your used lightbulb donations for the 3R Recycling Drive-thru in November! Indian Springs residents are always good neighbors.

Thanks to all who participated in the December Flea Market, which was coordinated by Panther Creek. This is always a fun and valuable event which allows The Woodlands residents to sell items they no longer need or want, and shop what their neighbors are offering.

Thanks for everyone’s input on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We’re glad you like them! We value your comments and suggestions. Please like, follow and/or subscribe to our pages listed below.

• www.instagram.com/ indianspringsvillage

• www.linkedin.com/company/ indianspringsvillage

• www.facebook.com/ IndianSpringsVillage

All Indian Springs residents are invited to visit our regular Indian Springs Village Association meetings, normally the second Tuesday of each month.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

Submitted by Carol Stromatt

Sterling Ridge

Our 14th Annual BBQ Challenge and Kid’s Festival this year was a success! Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers and residents who came out to the event. This year’s sponsors were Patrick Graham State Farm, Ivan and Natalia Arjona RE/MAX, and Sterling Ridge Orthopedics

(Platinum Level); Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry and Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands (Gold Level); and Texas Twirlers, Maxine and Fred Lederman, and Kroger (Silver Level).

Thank you also to our amazing village BBQ teams and our 2021 President’s Trophy award winner, El Barrio, from Player Point. Start heating up your BBQ pits for next year’s event!

Make sure to show your holiday spirit and creativity along with your neighbors for the Sterling Ridge Village 2021 Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest. See our website for contest details. Prior winners have been presented with yard signs plus a plaque for Best Home and skating rink passes for Best Neighborhood!

The Sterling Ridge Village Association meets on the first Thursday of every month, and our next meeting will be December 2, 2021, at the RE/MAX office at 6620 Woodlands Pkwy. at 7 p.m.

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

The Sterling Ridge Village Association wishes all of our neighbors a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year. See you in 2022!

Submitted by Thomas Principale

Congratulations to all of those who participated in the Sterling Ridge 14th Annual BBQ Challenge and Kid’s Festival.

HOLIDAY RECYCLING AND TRASH SERVICE

There will be no interruption in solid waste services during the Christmas and New Year holidays. All services will occur on their regularly scheduled service day including trash, recycling, yard trimmings and bulky trash pick-up.

The Woodlands Recycling Center at 5402 Research Forest Drive will maintain its standard schedule:

• Wednesday, 4 to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Waste Management has discontinued courtesy collection of extra holiday boxes and wrapping paper the week after the holiday. Extra boxes left outside of the cart will not be picked up unless items are bagged and affixed with an extra trash pink tag. Please see the Extra Trash guidelines below. Please note, recycling that is bagged and pink-tagged will be considered trash and landfilled, not recycled. See #4 under Tips for a Greener Holiday. Residents can recycle extra boxes at The Woodlands Recycling Center or by requesting bulk cardboard pickup from Waste Management, 800-800-5804.

Extra Trash

• Extra bags of trash can be placed on the curb next to your cart.

• Each bag must be affixed with a pink extra service tag.

• Purchase tags for $1.75 each from The Woodlands Township offices or Kroger stores (Cochran’s Crossing, Alden Bridge and Sterling Ridge)

• Each bag may not weigh more than 40 pounds.

For trouble-free service this holiday season, please keep streets clear of parked cars to allow trucks to safely access carts, place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. and ensure cart lids close completely.

Cut Christmas Tree Recycling –Unflocked Trees Only

• Remove tree stand, all decorations and lights.

• Place the tree at the curb on your regular service day for collection by the yard trimmings truck.

• Trees free of decorations may also be deposited at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Drive and Research Forest Park and Ride, 3900 Marsico Place. These trees will be chipped and used on the ground at Texas TreeVentures.

Flocked Christmas Tree Disposal

• Flocked Christmas trees must be landfilled.

• Schedule bulky trash pickup by calling Waste Management Customer Service at 800-800-5804.

• Call at least two business days before your regular service day.

To report a missed pick-up or schedule bulk pickup, please contact Waste Management Customer Service at 800-800-5804 or cssatex@wm.com.

Tips for a Greener Holiday

Season’s greetings cards and packages fill our homes and warm our hearts during the holidays. Consider these tips for a greener Christmas and reduce the amount of holiday tidings that end up in the landfill.

1. Recycle plain wrapping paper and flattened cardboard boxes in your curbside cart. Check out Recycling Tips for the Online Shopper on our blog for help deciphering which items can be recycled at www.thewoodlandstownshipblogenvironment.com.

2. Give a second life to your clean, gently used clothing, housewares, toys, furniture and appliances

By Zoe Killian

by donating to local charitable organizations. Items should be in good, usable condition. Check out The Woodlands Donation Guide for a list of local organizations accepting donations. Many organizations will pick up your items. If you have an item that is not specified in the guide, call first to ensure it is accepted.

3. Find new recycling opportunities for items that cannot be recycled in your curbside cart. Items such as used electronics, batteries, Styrofoam, light bulbs, eyeglasses, mattresses and more can all be recycled locally at participating locations. Check out the Recycle More Guide at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/recycling. for a complete list of locations and phone numbers.

4. If wrapping paper is metallic, has glitter on it or has a texture to it, it is not recyclable and must go in the trash. Gift wrap mistakenly put in the recycling cart harms the value of other collected paper at the recycling center. Please check the Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Guide on the Environmental Services blog at www.thewoodlandstownshipblogenvironment.com for sustainable wrapping tips.

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.

Use this code to pledge online or find a link at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/waterconservation.

Important Notice:

By submitting letters, photos and other materials to The Woodlands Community Magazine (TWCM) you agree that the materials submitted will become the property of TWCM and will not be returned. You also agree that TWCM, its assigns, and the publisher, have been granted the non-exclusive right to use and /or reproduce the materials in any manner and for any purpose. You also agree that you have made no other considerations for the use of any submissions unless authorized in writing by TWCM and the Publisher. For more information, please call 281-2103800. 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

Turn off your sprinklers through April 15, 2022.

What Can We Do About Scams?

By Holly Steinke

Scams don’t appear to be letting up, so don’t let your guard down during the holidays or in the New Year. Make sure you know how to recognize a scam or fraud when you see one!

There are many types of scams, but most of them have the same basic features to avoid. These are examples of some typical scams:

• The scammer may contact you and pretend to be from a bank, a charity, a utility, a business, IRS, Social Security or another government agency.

If you, or someone you know, is having a difficult time or suicidal thoughts, get help now by calling the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

They may want your personal information, account numbers, access to your computer or your money. They may say it’s to help you or a family member avoid arrest, avoid deportation, pay unknown bills, fix your computer or help with medical expenses.

• They may say they want you to act right away without checking with anyone.

• They may want you to pay with a gift card or wire transfer or send excess money back from a money order.

So, what can you do to prevent it? Don’t answer calls from people you don’t know; they should leave a message if it’s important. If you do answer thinking it’s an important call, you can hang up if it’s not. Don’t provide unknown callers with any personal information. If you think their information might be real, you can hang up and call them at a number you know to be true (not the one they provide). Also, don’t click on links on email or text messages that you aren’t expecting.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office posted earlier this year about a scam “where individuals are contacting local business owners under the guise of soliciting donations for local schools and or organizations…(they) strongly encourage you to verify directly with the organization the solicitor represents before providing any financial or personal information.”

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers these consumer tips at www.ftc.gov in their “How to Avoid a Scam” brochure:

• Block unwanted calls and (filter unwanted) text messages.

• Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.

– Legitimate organizations won’t call, email or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers.

• Resist the pressure to act immediately. – Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision.

– Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.

• Know how scammers tell you to pay.

– Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service.

– And never deposit a check and send money back to someone.

• Stop and talk to someone you trust.

– Before you do anything else, tell someone - a friend, a family member or a neighbor (about) what happened.

– Talking about it could help you realize it is a scam.

Please share this information. 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. Also, please like and follow The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch on Facebook at www.facebook. com/townshipneighborhoodwatch.

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Registration for 2022 Township Races Opens December 1

By Megan Meaux

Achieve a fitness goal and enjoy a challenge with friends by participating in one or more of The Woodlands Township’s races in 2022! Enjoy the thrill of competition from a triathlon to trail running with a variety of races for all skill levels. Races in 2022 will feature chip-timed 5K events, a sprint triathlon, a 10-mile road race and more in the spring and fall.

Give the gift of race registration this holiday season with a gift card! Please email races@thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov for details and to purchase.

The Woodlands Township’s races benefit and help fund programs and services offered through The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department. Registration for all 2022 events will open Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/races.

Possum Haw Deciduous Holly

For showy winter seasonal color, Possum Haw holly (Ilex decidua) is unequaled. This east Texas native shrub (or small tree) adapts to a variety of soil types, tolerates changes in moisture and heat, and flourishes in part shade to full sun. It is not surprising that this beautiful tree has been designated a Texas Superstar ® which means it has passed field trials and proven to be successful under tough growing conditions here in Texas.

Possum Haw holly is a deciduous holly which sheds its dark green glossy leaves in the fall, leaving a breathtaking display of brilliant red berries. Cutting a few of the branches of berries can provide a stunning indoor holiday decoration. Numerous songbirds are attracted to the natural food provided by the berries. In spring, when this tree is blooming, its small white blossoms serve as a nectar plant for native pollinators.

When grown in partial shade, the tree can reach a height of 20 feet.

By Ann Hall

Planted in full sun, it matures at 8 to 10 feet. Plant multiple trees to create a beautiful and effective screen.

January and early February are the ideal months for adding a Possum Haw holly to your home landscape. Check for these trees at nurseries that stock Texas native plants and trees.

Possum Haw holly provides unmatched color and

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Reach your fitness goals and enjoy a challenge with friends by participating in one or more of The Woodlands Township’s races in 2022!

Sometimes Christmas feels so exhausting. It’s easy to lose sight of the purpose for all the celebration.

At The Woodlands Methodist Church, we want to help you find the deeper meaning for Christmas – to remind you about a loving God who sent His Son to give you an inner peace that even the most chaotic days can’t shake.

Bring your friends and family to celebrate Christmas with us. There’s something for everyone.

• Children’s Christmas Story Living Museum

• Special Needs Family Worship

• Traditional Candlelight Worship

• Contemporary Candlelight Worship

• Worship for those who are grieving

Services are in person and online. Find our full schedule of services and events at thewoodlandsmethodist.org/Christmas