Hurricane notices will be sent by the WoodlandsAlert system

If there are any hurricanes this season, there is a new notification system in The Woodlands, Texas called The WoodlandsAlert system which will relay the relevant information to the residents of the community.

A combination of telephone, email, fax and text telephone (TTY) will be used to notify residents b the WoodlandsAlert system (http://www.woodlandsalert.org/). Residents who sign up for this special service will be able to know if The Woodlands and surrounding areas are in danger of a hurricane. Hurricane season usually runs through November.

John Raybon, neighborhood services manager for the Community Associations of The Woodlands, said "If it looks like it is going to have any kind of significant effect in this area, we will start putting out reminders on taking precautions. This is not an emergency broadcast system, but we will start sending out reminder messages, recommendations on getting provisions and different kinds of safety precaution".

The WoodlandsAlert system is created not only to help in storm warnings but also it can relay crime alerts, emergency preparedness, neighborhood services and events of interest. The website allows residents to choose which type of alerts they are interested in and how they wish to be notified.

If you would like more information about hurricanes, go to the National Hurricane Center's website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

For more local information you can visit the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management at http://www.mctx.org/.

Source: The Villager

The Woodlands Mall and Market Street Partner up to Help Families in Iowa

The Woodlands Mall, Market Street The Woodlands and the South Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a 'Gift Card Drive' for the affected families of Iowa which have recently experienced terrible floods.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can visit the Information Center in the Woodlands Mall or the Concierge Desk at Market Street. You can also purchase gift cards which will be sent to Iowa flood victims through the Montgomery County United Way.

The Woodlands Mall also has General Growth Properties mall gift cards which can also be purchased and are redeemable at General Growth Properties Malls in Iowa. These places include Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines, Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Mall of the Bluffs in Council Bluffs and Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville.

All donations will be accepted at The Woodlands Mall or The Woodlands Market Street on Mondays - Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donations to the South Montgomery Chamber of Commerce are received on Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations made in The Woodlands Market Street can be taken to 9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 6930. Donations made through the South Montgomery Chamber of Commerce can be taken to 1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300.

For more information on the gift card drive you can go to http://www.mcuw.org/ or contact Market Street Activities Coordinator Jenny Taylor at jtaylor@marketstreet-thewoodlands.com

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Expansion of The Plantation Apartments by Easterling Development Company

The Construction of phase two of The Plantation Apartments in The Woodlands, Texas is on the way with the 5.8 acre site purchased in College Park Drive (State Highway 242) by Easterling Development Company.

The gate neighborhood is located at the northwest corner of Windsor Hills Drive and College Park drive and has the first phase of construction. This gated neighborhood includes 312 luxury apartments with various amenities which include:

- A clubhouse with swimming pool and built-in grilling area
- Fitness center
- Children's playscape
- Basketball court
- Movie screening room
- Computer room
- Community meeting room

The second phase of this gated community will consist of 120 apartments next to phase one, they will include their own swimming pool. There will be similar floor plans and rental rates to phase one.

There will be one, two and three bedroom apartment homes with up to two and a half baths. Apartments will range in size from 800 to 1,400 sq.ft. there will be covered parking areas and enclosed garages as an extra option. The architect of this project is Steinberg Design Collaborative.

The completion of phase two of The Plantation Apartments will be planned for late summer of 2009.

This is the third apartment neighborhood that is developed by Easterling Development in The Woodlands. The first was in the Village of Alden Bridge and they are known as Whispering Pines Ranch Apartments, the second is located across Windsor Hills Drive and is Pine Creek Ranch Apartments.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Wilshire Homes recognized as a leader in Energy Efficiency

The United States Department of Energy and the National Association of Home Builders recognized Wilshire Homes a leader in Energy Efficiency construction. They awarded them the Gold 2008 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA). This award is given to recognize builders for raising the bar in residential energy efficiency every year. These energy efficient homes offer higher performance and popular aesthetic features that every home buyer looks for.

This amazing builder offers great standard energy efficient features including radiant barrier roof decking, Low E3 double pane vinyl windows, tankless water heaters, whole-house HEPA filtration, 14-SEER factory matched Amana air-conditioning system among others. Wilshire Homes demonstrates their commitment to building this wonderful energy-efficient homes and is the most energy-efficient production builder in Houston.

Wilshire Homes joined with Standard Renewable Energy to build homes in The Woodlands. They teamed up to build a solar powered home in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands. This is the first production builder to offer this solar powered system as a standard option. The Wilshire Model Home is located at 7 N. Arrow Canyon Circle, it is the Kensington floor plan and it features many amazing energy efficiency qualities that make it unique. This is a two story home that includes four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and two dining areas, a private study, formal dining room and a game room to top it off.

There are many benefits to buying a solar energy system home including tax saving opportunities. Owners of these homes will be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for installing a solar energy system. The cost of the installation of this system can also be incorporated into the cost of the mortgage.

These new homes will be offered by Wilshire Homes in Creekside Park in The Woodlands, the prices will start from the $300's and will offer various floor plans and designs. The first production home with the solar power system in the Houston Market will offer a tour Saturday, July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at 7 N. Arrow Canyon Circle in Creekside Park The Woodlands.

If you'd like to tour these homes, call us today at (832) 482-9367.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

DvL Custom Concepts

DvL Custom Concepts, founded by Danie van Loggerenberg, is a professional building design company in The Woodlands, Texas. At the 50th Annual Convention of the American Institute of Building Design, DvL Custom Concepts won 11 state-wide honors. These honors included the W.R. Coleman Award of Excellence and Best of Show trophies.

This renowned company designs various projects in different areas of Texas including The Woodlands, the Greater Houston area, the Gulf region and throughout the State.

DvL works with different custom homebuilders in The Woodlands and also various private clients. The homebuilders include The J.M Wendell Family of Companies (J.M. Wendell, LLC and Southern Mark Homes). Most of the awards won by DvL were for projects made in The Woodlands, in the lakeside neighborhood of East Shore and also in the well known gated communities of Carlton Woods Creekside and St. Peter's Gate in the Village of Sterling Ridge.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

New Solar Powered Model Home built by Wilshire Homes in The Woodlands

Wilshire Homes, a renowned builder, will host a tour of their new Solar Powered Model Home this Saturday July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands. This is the first Solar Model in the Houston Market, Wilshire Homes teamed with Standard Renewable Energy in order to accomplish this extraordinary home.

All public is invited to visit the new model and learn how this new design will can help reduce the homeowner's annual electric bill by up to 40%. This will create a positive impact on the environment featuring a state-of-the-art 3.5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system.

Creekside Park is home to this marvelous model home, it is located at 7 N. Arrow Canyon Circle. There will be live demonstrations of the home's energy efficient features, refreshments and more so go on by July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. and visit with Wilshire Homes.

We're the Real Estate Specialists in The Woodlands, Tx; Contact us today direct at (832) 482-9367.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Stonemark Builders in East Shore in The Woodlands

East Shore is a 260 acre enclave that borders the eastern edge of Lake Woodlands. It is known as the "Garden District" of The Woodlands Town Center and it brings together classic architecture, green spaces, formal garden parks and much more.

Location is one of the many attributes of East Shore because it is located within walking distance from many major local attractions which feature shopping, dining and entertainment along The Woodlands Waterway.

An acclaimed builder is getting ready to break ground on the La Costa Garden Homes. This will be a beautiful and exclusive neighborhood with red tile roofs and breath taking stucco exteriors which will from a lakeside village and will feature convenient location being within walking distance of the shores of Lake Woodlands. La Costa Garden Homes will include 42 garden homes in 14, two-story building with prices starting from the high $300's.

These buildings are designed to surround a courtyard garden which will connect three different and gorgeous floor plans. The floor plans will offer different styles including downstairs master bedrooms, private studies, elevator options and attached two car garages. Each and ever floor plan will have its own outdoor patio or terrace.

La Costa will be the only project of East Shore to have its own private resident amenities including a central community pool and spa, covered cabana and outdoor grill for residents, 24 hour security patrols and landscape maintenance.

The Villas in East Shore in The Woodlands, Texas has also been created by Stonemark and it includes 25, three story single family detached residences with detached, rear accessed three car garages. The Villas provides the buyers the opportunity to re-design their interiors to fit their personal tastes and style.

We're The Woodlands Real Estate Specialists!! Contact us today at (832) 482-9367 and our Broker Associate Luis Tamborrel or any of our agents can answer your questions.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Increasing Sales in The Woodlands Carlton Woods

Carlton Woods is a premier and exclusive gated community located in The Woodlands. Their sales have been increasing with a total of 23 homes sold in the past six months comparing to a total of 29 homes sold in all of 2007. The average of the sales price on these homes has been of $1.5 million. There have also been eight homesites sold with an average price of $475,000 in the past three months according to the managing partner/broker of Carlton Woods Properties, Andrew Whitacre.

Carlton Woods features two gated communities in The Woodlands with two famous golf course designers fit for the most exclusive customers. There is the 827 acre Carlton Woods that surrounds the Nicklaus course and also the 500 acre Carlton Woods Creekside that has the amazing Fazio course.

The Nicklaus course features a 53,000 Italianate clubhouse with beautiful architecture and offers fine dining and amazing amenities for its residents. There are other amenities like a 5,000 square foot health and fitness center, fully appointed men's, women's and junior locker rooms, a swimming pool, fitness/ tennis center and many more wonderful amenities.

The Carlton Woods Creekside features a 13,500 square foot clubhouse overlooking the Fazio golf course. There is a Tuscan feel in the magnificent clubhouse and it features great amenities as well.

Homes in these two wonderful gated communities range in prices and square footage. Their prices start from the high $800's to more than $3 million and Homesites are priced from the low $200's to more than $2 million. It is definitely a elite and exclusive neighborhood with great security and a fabulous environment.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Sterling Ridge will have a new trash service day on some neighborhoods

Waste Management in The Woodlands, Texas will be changing the service day for some neighborhoods located in the Village of Sterling Ridge in The Woodlands. This change of service day will be from Monday to Friday. On the week of July 7 these neighborhoods will be serviced on both days, Monday and Friday.

The week of July 14, the trash service will start to change to Fridays. All of the services which include trash, yard waste and recycling will also change to Friday.

The neighborhoods which will be changing their trash days are located between Woodlands Parkway, Sterling Ridge Drive, Kuykendahl Road and Branch Crossing.

These neighborhoods include:
Southern Garden
Thymewood Place (East and West)
Sapling Place
Southern Garden Place
Belcourte
Cotillion Court
Silvermont
Silvermont Drive
Coverdell Park
Slate Path
Rhapsody Bend
Rhapsody Bend Drive
Serenade Pines Place
Libretto Court
Ashbury Square
Douvaine Court
Longsford
Longsford Circle ( North and South )
New Light Place
Middle Gate Place
Bonny Branch
Bonny Branch ( East and West )
Dapple Gray Street
Barley Hall Street
Highland Breeze Lane
Hansom Trail Street
Fledgling Path Street
Maypole Lane
Old Sterling
Old Sterling Circle ( East and West )
Balmoral Place
English Heather Place
Sutton Mill Place
Stanwick Place
Silver Maple Place
Valcourt Place
Bantam Woods
Bantam Woods Circle ( North and South )
Chamomile Court
Angel Dove Place
Beckonvale
Beckonvale Circle ( East and West )
Beckonvale Court
Elfen Way
Heather Bank Place
Chantsong
Chantsong
Millwright Place
Kingcup Court
Ashlyn Grove Court
Dulcet Hollow
Dulcet Hollow Circle ( North and South )
Dulcet Hollow Court
Journal Leaf Place
Sedgewick Place
Filigree Pines Place
Columbia Crest
Columbia Crest Place
Carlyle Place
Garnet Bend
Garnet Bend ( North and South)
Garnet Bend Court
Amulet Oaks Court
Amulet Oaks Place
Baronet Woods Court
Cardinal Point
Warbler Bend Circle ( North and South )
Spring Brook ( North and South )
Galway
Galway Place
Dresden Place

For more information call Waste Management customer service at 281-364-9390 or the Community Associations' Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3900. You can find complete information on trash service in The Woodlands at www.thewoodlandsassociations.org click Environmental Services.

The New Rob Fleming Aquatic Center

The Grand Opening of the new Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in Creekside Park was only a few days ago. The Aquatic Center has been the latest addition to The Woodlands' community swimming pool system and it has been welcomed by many residents of the area. The Rob Fleming Aquatic Center is designed with all family members in mind, it has the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.

There are many characteristics that make the new aquatic center in The Woodlands an amazing one. There is a 500 foot lazy river with calm turns that let you relax and unwind in these beautiful summer days. There is also a 150 gallon dump bucket, the largest in the community which is located next to a shallow play area as well. And for those who love to swim, there are three lanes just for you.

There is tons of space to take in the sun in the grass or deck areas surrounding the aquatic center. This pool is also available for rental for residents and non residents. There is a charge of $750 for residents and $950 for non-residents. The rental hours are from 8 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m.

If you would like to visit the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in The Woodlands you can purchase the resident or non-resident pass at The Woodlands Recreation Center located at 5310 Research Forest Drive. You can be admitted to the other 12 community pools by purchasing this season pass as well. There is also a non-season pass which will have a $10 daily fee which can be purchased in the facility or they also offer a discounted punch card for multiple visits.

For more information you can visit www.thewoodlandsassociations.org and clik on Parks and Recreation, then Pools and Aquatics. You may also call 281-210-3950.

Go and visit the new and entertaining Rob Fleming Aquatic Center and relax, remember Creekside Park is home to this new development.

Source: The Woodlands Community Magazine