Poster Contest Underway For Wildflower Festival

For The Woodlands Wildflower Festival Poster contest, entries are now being accepted. In conjunction with The Woodlands Wildflower Festival, the contest is held annually, which will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Cochran's Crossing Shopping Center.

Contest entries are to depict a scene from nature in the strength of mind of the Wildflower Festival. Illustrate a preferred scene from nature on heavy, unlined white paper, paper board or canvas, no bigger than 11" X 17". There should be no writing included on the front of the artwork. Favored drawing items are oils, watercolors, pen and ink, crayons, pastels, colored pencils, or markers.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., entries may be turned in at The Woodlands Homefinder Center at 2000 Woodlands Parkway, which is open everyday. Entries will be judged by a panel of artists in The Woodlands area. The deadline All entries must be entered by Monday, October 5 at 5 p.m. By Thursday, October 8, the winners will be notified.

Sponsoring The Woodlands Wildflower Festival are the merchants at Cochran's Crossing Shopping Center, TWDC and the Community Associations of The Woodlands. Also a participating sponsor is The Brickman Group. Profits from shirt and poster sales at The Woodlands Wildflower Festival will go to The Woodlands Lions Club.

National Night Out Village Swim Party Hosted By The Woodlands Community Pools

On Saturday, September 19, all residents in The Woodlands are welcome to spend their day at the National Night Out Village Swim Party. The neighborhood pools listed below will be open for free from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. Alone from residents benefiting from a day of invigorating fun, Community Associations staff is set to available from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. to aid residents in registering a National Night Out party in their subdivision on Tuesday, October 6, which is the official date of National Night Out in The Woodlands.

- Cranebrook Pool in the Village of Sterling Ridge

- Ridgewood Pool in the Village of Panther Creek

- Forestgate Pool in the Village of Indian Springs

- Sawmill Pool in the Village of Grogan's Mill

- Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in the Village of Creekside Park

- Harper's Landing Pool in the Village of College Park

- Bear Branch Pool in the Village of Cochran's Crossing

- Lakeside Pool in the Village of Alden Bridge

Groundbreaking of Senior Living Village

Bridgewood Property Co. has recently broken ground on new senior citizen community, The Village at The Woodlands Waterway.

The Woodlands-based property which will be eight stories high at 2323 Lake Robbins Dr., will span 240,000 square feet. The planned 207 rental units will consist of 28 memory-care units, 63 assisted living units and 116 independent living units.

Spring 2011 is when the opening has been planned for the village. Along with Harrison Real Estate Capital, Bridgewood is developing the project in a joint venture.

The project was designed by Ambrose, Munoz + Albin Architects and House Architects. Construction handling is being taken care of by Construction Supervisors.

Source: Houston Chronicle

New Waterway Square Programs For Fall 2009

Located on The Woodlands Waterway in The Woodlands and one block south from Lake Robbins Drive, Waterway Square, will be crowded with activity this fall. This astonishing Woodlands attraction will be the site of numerous new and fun programs, most of which will take place exclusively at Waterway Square, including:

Summer Nights, Waterway Lights: Through September 19, 6 to 8 p.m., take a walk by Waterway Square on Friday and Saturday nights, and take pleasure in entertainers, including jugglers, face painters, mimes, caricature artists and more. Check out the exquisite scenery of The Fountains at Waterway Square. It is free to all ages, with no pre-registration required.

Half-Pint Hullabaloo: On Wednesday, September 2, from 9 to 10 a.m., get the kids together and bring them to the Half-Pint Hullabaloo. Children can have a great time with themed, age-appropriate games and crafts. Johnny Appleseed is the theme for September. It is for ages 2 - 5, with a fee of $7 per child and $5 for each additional sibling.

Drop & Shop: On Thursday, September 10, from 4 to 6 p.m., drop off the kids for fun and games while parents shop and dine in The Woodlands Waterway area. Children will enjoy crafts, have relays and have a lot of fun. It is for ages 6 - 12, with a fee of $15 per child and $10 for each additional sibling.

String Me Along Parties: On Saturday, September 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., make a chic necklace and earring set made with fashionable stones and beads. This program must have four participants pre-enrolled minimum to admit drop-ins on site. It is for ages 6 - 14, with a fee of $20 per person and $15 for each additional sibling.

Geocaching Adventure: With a high-tech treasure hunt played by using GPS devices, geocaching, gear up for outdoor fun and adventures. On Saturday, September 12, at 1 p.m., locate hidden treasures along The Woodlands Waterway. This program must have four participants pre-enrolled minimum to admit drop-ins on site. It is for all ages, with a fee of $10 per pseron.

Digital Scavenger Hunt: Every team or person will get a list of items to locate. The first team or person to discover and take a picture (with a digital camera) of all of the items will win a prize. On Saturday, September 12, at 4 p.m., the hunt will take place. It is for ages 13 - 17, with a fee of $10 per person.

Totally Tie Dye: On Thursday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., watch as your shirt magically changes colors. T-shirts are included in this particular activity. It is for ages 3 - 5, with a fee of $10 per child.

Market Information For Fall Farmer's

Every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Fall 2009 Farmer's Market will be open, starting October 10 through December 12, 2009 at The Grogan's Mill Village Center, located at the corners of South Millbend Drive and Grogan's Mill Road.

The Farmer's Market includes locally grown produce, plants and products. Vendors wishing to contribute in the Fall 2009 Farmer's Market in The Woodlands can fill out an application found on the Grogan's Mill Village website. All applications for the Fall Farmer's Market have to be received by September 26. Along with their application, new vendors will be required to give a $100 non-refundable processing fee.

Market Street - The Woodlands Opens Doors of Eminence Fine Furniture Store

A local fine furnishings retailer specializing in handcrafted furniture and imported art and antiques, Eminence, has leased 1,490 square feet of retail space at Market Street - The Woodlands. Later this month, a grand opening festivity and special discounts will take place.

Co-Owner, LeJon Alden-Brown, said "We opened our first store in the Houston market less than a year ago and it has been successful beyond our dreams. We are thrilled to be opening our second store so soon and at Market Street."

This unique home furnishings store gives customers an adventurous approach to home decor by featuring an ever-changing selection of imported home furnishings from over 30 different countries, which is located next to Sur la Table in Market Street's north commons building.

Also, Eminence specializes in custom-made furniture and offers in-home decorating support to all customers. Interior designers and real estate professionals are given charitable discounts and on the first Monday of each month, the store will close its doors to the general public and offer a private viewing of new and exclusive items to its preferred customers.

"Eminence is a great addition to Market Street's eclectic mix of retail offerings. Nowhere else will shoppers discover furniture, decorative accessories and exclusive clothing sold side-by-side in one center," stated Market Street Activity Coordinator, Jenny Taylor.

LSC - Montgomery Offers Second Start Courses

LSC - Montgomery in The Woodlands offers a wide variety of "Second Start" courses with start dates beginning in late August through November, even though the traditional 16-week fall semester at Lone Star College-Montgomery began Monday, August 24.

Students can register up to the first day of class for Second Start courses, which range from three to 14 weeks in length. Depending on the individual course length and start date, coursework is completed by mid December or earlier.

"We understand that many people can't fit in a 16-week course, so these classes provide a convenient alternative," said Dr. Julie Leidig, Vice President of Instruction.

Second Start offerings are designed to help students achieve academic goals set toward workforce certificates, an associate degree, or university transfer, similar to the traditional 16-week courses.

LSC - Montgomery offers Second Start classes in the following program areas this Fall: Art, Chemistry, Computer Information Technology, Drama, Economics, Education, English, Government, History, Humanities, Mathematics, Music, Physical Therapist Assistant, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and Speech Vocational Nursing.

New Academic Dean Welcomed At LSC-Montgomery

Dr. Lawrence D. Brandyburg has been announced as the new academic dean over the theatre, education, arts, humanities, math, and music division at Lone Star College - Montgomery. Brandyburg brings to LSC-Montgomery a wealth of noteworthy achievements and an exceptional career in education and service.

Previously, Brandyburg taught courses on marriage and family, social psychology, and minority studies where he served as professor of sociology at LSC - Tomball for more than 10 years. Also, he executed the responsibility of department chair for the behavioral sciences department and worked as a special assistant to the vice president of instruction and student development.

Brandyburg understands the needs and concerns of faculty, as well as students as he has had a terrific career as a professor. Also, he is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and a strong advocate of math for all students.

Currently, Brandyburg serves on the board of trustees for Royal Independent School District and Waller County Appraisal District. He replaces Deborah Ellington, who is returning to the teach in the classroom after seven years as an academic dean.

Heart Walk Kicked Off by American Heart Association With Good Start

To kick off this year's Heart Walk activities, The American Heart Association hosted a CEO Leadership Breakfast. On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the annual Heart Walk will take place at Northshore Park in The Woodlands, Texas.

To support the area to take a more lively role in fighting the nation's number one and three killers, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, Heart Walk will continue with the theme "Start!" Walkers will bring in donations which go to stop disability and death from heart disease and stroke and promote public and professional awareness, let alone reap the health benefits associated with the walk.

AHA Sr. Corporate Market Director, Lindsey Mulholland, stated "The Montgomery County Division raised the bar and set its goal for this year's Heart Walk to raise $200,000. Through our goals and efforts, the American Heart Association has been able to reduce heart disease and stroke by 25 percent, resulting in saving over 200,000 lives per year. Every contribution helps us save another life!"

Serving as Committee Chair for this year's Montgomery County Heart Walk, Edgar Anderson, said the following at breakfast: "We all have been affected by heart disease in some way or another. With heart disease and stroke being two of our top three killers we must urge the community to take part and participate in the upcoming Heart Walk. We can each do our part by simply participating as an individual, becoming a team leader or by recruiting sponsors for Montgomery County's Heart Walk."

The Pavilion Gets Rocked by Aerosmith and ZZ Top

At The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Aerosmith and ZZ Top performed all of their hits songs to a sold-out crowd on July 17.

This venture being nothing new for the two legendary bands, the all-time highest-gross record for The Pavilion was broken, which was had previously been set by them in 2003.

YMCA Family Fall Fun

Children and parents have frantic schedules, and today, families are pulled in several directions. With summer nearly over and the first day of school imminent, parents are looking for a secure place for their children to stay after school, and they are also wondering how they can get more involved in their children's activities. YMCA family programs like YMCA Early Child Development, Adventure Guides, YMCA After School, and Youth Sports search to support family ties, encourage core values and give parents unstressed options as children and teens get prepared for fall.

YMCA Marketing Director, Roxanne Davis, said "Time and money are at a premium, with an increasing number of families trying to do more with fewer resources. Offered in a nurturing and supportive environment, YMCA family programs help to provide a foundation of positive communication, teach positive parenting, mutual respect and create fond memories."

Also, the YMCA believes after school hours are a significant time for children and has intended values-based programs like YMCA After School that have demonstrated to advance school attendance, conduct and relationships with adults. The After School program is available at the majority of Conroe ISD elementary schools in South County including Birnham Woods Elementary and TISD's Creekside Forest Elementary. Davis stated "These state-licensed programs help children grow physically, mentally and spiritually while emphasizing and modeling character development values such as caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith."

The Woodlands' South Montgomery County YMCA offers Youth Sports; Performing Arts; Year-Round Aquatics; Gymnastics for ages 9 months-10 years; Tae Kwan Do for ages 6-adult; Adult Sports for ages 18 and older, Cooking classes for kids and adults; Weight Management programs for kids and adults; Small group trainings; Certification classes for CPR and First Aid.

2009-10 Season Announced for LSC-Montgomery Theatre

The Lone Star College-Montgomery theatre season will include The Miss Firecracker Contest by Beth Henley, And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson by Jim Leonard, Jr., two Actors Workshop productions, and Rent with music, book, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson.

The theatre department has chosen an assortment of productions for the upcoming 2009-2010 season that will leave audience members in tears, laughter and seeing what is important between friends. The Actors Workshop series are specialized for the Performing Arts Lab at the college.

The students in the Actors Workshop series reduce the peripherals of costumes, sets, and lighting and concentrate on character growth. The season will also be comprised of two separate Actors Workshop productions. The Actors Workshop performances are built to offer audience members a more personal understanding with the play. The admission cost for the Actors Workshops are "pay what you will" backing the theatre productions and department. The fall workshop performance will take place November 19-21 and the spring workshop performance will take place February 18-20. Prices for tickets to shows are $10 for general admission, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students/staff/faculty.

Celebrations Announced For National Night Out

The Woodlands celebrates National Night Out every year by giving "Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party." This year's celebration includes thrilling new events, including the return of an importance on individual community parties.

Usually held in August, National Night Out in Texas will be held in October to better serve residents during a cooler time of year. This will mark the country's 26th Annual National Night Out Celebration.

To make sure that everyone has a chance to take part, The Woodlands is holding National Night Out on three dates:

Saturday, September 19, 12 - 6 p.m., is the Village Swim Party. A pool in each village will be open with National Night Out activities happening between 1 - 5 p.m. There is free admission to the select pools.

Alden Bridge - Lakeside Pool

Cochran's Crossing - Bear Branch Pool

College Park - Harper's Landing Pool

Creekside Park - Rob Fleming Aquatic Center

Grogan's Mill - Sawmill Pool

Indian Spring - Forestgate Pool

Panther Creek - Ridgewood Pool

Sterling Ridge - Cranebrook Pool

Saturday, October 3, 1 - 5 p.m., is the community-wide festivity at Northshore Park. Safety officials and law enforcement from a variety of associations, including the Harris County Precinct #4, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Conroe ISD Police Department, The Woodlands Fire Department will give public safety demonstrations.

Tuesday, October 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m., is the date of National Night Out in Texas, and the evening for community parties. Residents are encouraged to have National Night Out parties in their communities or at a park close by. By scheduling their party in advance with Neighborhood Services Department, Community Associations of The Woodlands, party hosts will obtain a National Night Out yard sign, games, balloons, and safety information.

The Woodlands Resort Offering Rates At $99 During August

The Woodlands Resort is offering their rates starting at just $99 a night during August. Also, for only $10 more, you'll be able to get a full breakfast for two. Guests can find dive-in movies, winding waterslides, live music, s'mores, and organized games as well. Other resort amenities will include a full-service spa and fitness facility, 145 miles of nature and bike trails, 36-holes of championship golf, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Plus, there is no daily resort fees and free parking.

Pulte Homes Grand Opening in Creekside Park this weekend

On Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and August 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a grand opening event will take place at Pulte Homes' latest neighborhood in The Woodlands, the Village of Creekside Park, along with extraordinary grand opening pricing and incentives.

Vice President of Sales of Pulte Homes' Houston Division, Kimberly Paulus, states "There is a lot of pent-up demand for this community, especially from first-time homebuyers who want affordable, quality-built homes within the prestigious location of The Woodlands. Nowhere in The Woodlands can homebuyers get it all at this price point: from impressive standard home features in a single family home to the near conveniences of shopping, entertainment and community amenities and excellent school district."

Ranging from an estimated 1,600 square feet to 2,550 square feet, Pulte Homes offers a selection of detached homes. Beautiful home sites present nature preserve, oversized, large cul-de-sac, and lake lots and start in the $170's. Also, homebuyers have the luxury of being able to tour two models, the Avalon and the Meadowbrook. The Avalon model starts at $212,000, which features four bedrooms, and encompasses 2,399 square feet. Featuring three bedrooms, the Meadowbrook is a 2,211 square foot home, starting at $204,000.

3rd Annual Baby Fair Hosted by Memorial Hermann

The Department of State Health Services and the Texas Hospital Association has chosen Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands Hospital as a 2010 Texas Ten Step Facility. This yearly title is awarded to birthing facilities that offer optimal care to advance breastfeeding outcomes.

BSN, RNC, Clinical Manager of Lactation and Perinatal Education, Jackie Stiernagle, states "We have worked very hard to earn the Texas Ten Step designation. And we are proud to be a member of these select Texas facilities that promote the healthiest outcomes for our newest Texans."

Through its third annual Baby Fair, Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands is further promoting the significance of breastfeeding for expectant, new and experienced parents in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week. This event will take place on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital's first floor conference center at 9250 Pinecroft Drive, and it is a free, educational event that is open to the public.

An assortment of booths from vendors and community resources such as La Leche League, Medela, Mother's Milk Bank of Austin, Woodlands Mother's of Multiples, S.A.F.E.R. Houston, Evenflow, Easy Expressions and the B.I.R.T.H. Organization will be featured at the Baby Fair. Attendees can contribute in breakout sessions on lactation, infant development, and healthy nutrition during pregnancy and after. Also, there will be chair massages for pregnant moms, tours of Women's and Children's Services, and door prizes.

Newest Town Center Restaurant, Freebirds Opens

The quick and informal burrito restaurant that concentrates in steak and flame-broiled chicken burritos, Freebirds World Burrito, is open now in the Pinecroft Shopping Center at 1640 Lake Woodlands Drive near Best Buy.

The restaurant unites friendly service with high-quality ingredients to make a excellent dining experience with an assortment of salads, tacos, soups, and made-to-order California-style burritos. The restaurant is open from 11 am - 10 pm. Call 281-419-8011 for more information.

Open House For Custom Homes This Weekend

This weekend, The Woodlands Custom Homes will host an open house. The Village of Sterling Ridge will have four homes open for viewing. Also, One home in the "Garden District" of The Woodlands Town Center, bordering 200-acre Lake Woodlands, East Shore, will be open.

Village of Sterling Ridge:

Address: 6 N. Player Crest

Builder: George Weaver, Inc.

Area: 6,000 square feet

Price: $1,220,000

Amenities: 5 bedrooms, 5-2/2 bathrooms, 3-car garage, pool allowance

Open: Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & Sunday, August 2, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Address: 10 N. Player Crest

Builder: George Weaver, Inc.

Area: 5,526 square feet

Price: $1,065,000

Amenities: 5 bedrooms, 5- 2/2 baths, 3-car garage

Open: Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & Sunday, August 2, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Address: 19 N. Player Crest

Builder: Tommy Bailey Homes, Inc.

Area: 5,114 square feet

Price: $1,114,000

Amenities: 5 bedrooms, 5-1/2 baths, 4-car garage

Open: Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Address: 14 Sterling Dale

Builder: Hann Builders

Area: 6,426 square feet

Price: $1,750,000

Amenities: 4 bedrooms (could convert to 5 bedrooms), 5-2/2 baths, 3-car garage

Open: Saturday, August 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

East Shore:

Address: 6 Georgian Row

Builder: John Post Homes, LLC

Area: 9,000 square feet

Price: $2,695,000

Open: Sunday, August 2, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Woodlands Parkway Expansion Project

According to Vice President of Engineering & Construction for The Woodlands Development Company, Dan Kolkhorst, P.E., from East Panther Creek Drive to Kuykendahl, road construction has begun on one additional lane on the eastbound and westbound sides of Woodlands Parkway in The Woodlands, Tx. Construction has begun on the eastbound lane.

Kolhorst states, "The shoulder will be replaced with the new lanes of roadway, similar to what was done during the widening of Woodlands Parkway east of Grogan's Mill Road. We maintained the forested look of Woodlands Parkway during that expansion project, and we plan to preserve as much natural vegetation as possible during this phase of the project as well."

Simultaneously, two contractors will be building the sections of the roadway. Hassell Construction Company, Inc. will be constructing the section from East Panther Creek to Gosling, and South Coast Construction Company, Inc. will build the section from Gosling to Kuykendahl. Temporary lane closures will be required from time to time during construction, which is projected to be finished in the first half of 2010. Also, traffic signals from East Panther Creek to Kuykendahl will be modified.

Timarron in Creekside Park is Open...Take a "First Look" This Weekend

For a "first look" at a new 240-acre area found west of Kuykendahl Road in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands, Tx, their two recently designed models in Timarron, Pulte Homes will be open this weekend.

Pulte Homes is offering one - and two-story residences along with a special one-and-a-half-story plan that highlights first floor living with a half bath and extra room upstairs, with thrilling floor plans beginniing from the $170s at pre-construction pricing.

Pulte's features granite countertops, 18" ceramic tile, 42" maple cabinets, raised vanities and more. The industry's strongest warranty and highest commitment to quality comes with all Pulte homes.

J. Patrick Homes Building in Creekside Park The Woodlands

The family-owned homebuilding company, J. Patrick Homes, has been active in 12 neighborhoods in the greater Houston area. J. Patrick began a homebuilding program in the Village of Creekside Park community. In the subdivision of Tupelo Green, a model home is under construction which should open to the public in early July, according to Vice President of Residential Sales and Development for The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC), Buck Driggers.

Vice President of J. Patrick Homes, Tim Drone, states, "We are thrilled to be starting our building program in the #1 master-planned community in Texas. The Woodlands, Tx is first-class all the way, and we look forward to being one of the quality homebuilders active in this incredible community."

Six different floor plans will be offered by J. Patrick Homes in Creekside Park, ranging in size from 3,132 - 4,400 square feet. Prices will range from the low to mid-$400's. Driggers says, "J. Patrick Homes has been successful in many Houston area communities, and we look forward to offering this popular product in the Village of Creekside Park." Since 1990, J. Patrick Homes has been building homes in prime neighborhoods throughout the greater Houston area.

View Creekside Park homes for sale here...if you have any questions contact us.

The Hollywoodlands, and the Texas Film Commission after The Media Producers

An initiative by both The Texas Film Commission and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors' Bureau is in motion to attract the film and television industries to the State of Texas and The Woodlands.

Attractive Texas Film Commission's incentives are hoped to trigger the flow of producers to the area, among them: 6% refunds in state occupancy tax on hotel rooms, upfront sales tax exemptions, and fuel tax refunds for off road travel.

With the hope of establishing the area as a hot spot for TV and Film producers,
The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau will launch a Shooting Locations Inventory which will include parks, shopping centers as well as suburban neighborhoods to the Texas Film Commission.

On behalf of The Woodlands, event manager Julie de Guerre, commented on how the new initiative sets off a business diversification for local enterprises, promoting and helping outsiders to appreciate what this upscale community has to offer. In her view not much work is needed to place The Woodlands on the producer's location map. She made reference to to other state cities which have succesfuly capitalized themselves as film-friendly site leading a significant economic development.

Board Member of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and President of South Montgomery County The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, Karen Hoylman refers to Market Street as Hollywoodlands an exciting new marketing opportunity.

An example is Smithville with its Hope Floats shooting which led to a 17% increase in sales taxes and an $ 800,000 revenue income directly associated to filming. Other important productions are on the way, one of them Tree of Life starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Attracting media producers could turn The Woodlands into an ongoing tourist destination, according to TWCVB president's Nick Woda, another spokesperson pointed out the educational effort required on this initiative, bringing business to town, displaying The Woodlands suburban ambiance.

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Environmental Planning Award goes to The Woodlands Development Company

The American Planning Association (APA) Houston's Chapter has recently granted the Environmental Planning Award to TWDC. The award honors the contributions of individuals, organizations or communities to planning in the Greater Houston Area.

Robert Heinemann, TWDC's VP spoke on behalf of the company, and was grateful for the honor and recognition from APA. He called on George Mitchell's vision to create a master-planned community that provided open spaces for conservation of natural beauty, and stated that today The Woodlands, Texas celebrates 35 years of being green.

He also mentioned that in a near future The Woodlands will add another estimated 2,000 acres to the already protected green space areas, with 162 miles of hike and bike trails and 110 parks.

Source: Houston Community Papers

E- Guide to Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in The Woodlands

Market Street Central Park

On May 4th, 2009 Maria Williams will be playing Latin jazz music in Market Street Central Park from: 5:00 to 9:00 pm, under the Jazz Beat Concert Series.

The 4th annual 5 de Mayo Celebration at Market Street will take place on May 5th from 5 to 9 PM, with Latin Music, Flamenco dancers, Mariachi bands, children's activities and a special performance by Crossing Borders.

Food and Margaritas will be available for purchase.

Town Green Park

The 6th annual family friendly celebration, Fiesta Universal, on May 2nd, 2009 from 5-10pm at Town Green Park at 2009 Lake Robbins Drive will be a display of Latin culture, there will be singing, dancing music, food and art, Mariachis, professional dancers of salsa, merengue and tango.

A Professional Tamale Eating Contest which will be taped by ESPN, children's games and activities, local restaurants will be offering food at the booths.

Source: The Woodlands csvb

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Re-opening

On May 1st the venue sets off on a new stage, after a $ 9.5 million renovation following the estimated $3 million damage, and an additional $1 million due to cancelled events after hurricane Ike last year, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas re-opens.

Jerry Mac Donald CEO of the nonprofit organization said the devastated site called for a renovation and expects a sold -out concert at the re-opening with the performance of The Dave Mathews Band.

Based on ticket sales, The Woodlands Pavilion ranks in the top 10 amphitheaters worldwide according to Pollstar magazine.

Some of the highlight performances include productions by Live Entertainment and presentations by The Houston Ballet, The Houston Symphony and events like The Annual Children's Festival.

The 20th Performing Arts Season starts on May 15th with a performance by The Houston Symphony.

Source: Greater Houston Weekly

Woodlands to hand out Seedlings at Arbor Day

Celebrating the Arbor Day, and the 37th anniversary tradition, The Woodlands at Creekside Park village, will hand out 37,000 seedlings in 12 varieties as part of the festivities. The celebration will be January 31, at 10 am to 2 pm. There will also be inflatable rides and rock balls, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, and Musical entertainment by local talents. Also, you will be able to say 'Hello' to 'Puffy', the Woodlands mascot. This is a free event.

Taste of the Town
Date to remember: Thursday, January 22, 'Taste of the Town is such a great fun occasion', says event chair, Sarah Rhea, of LJF Associates. This occasion there will be featuring 60 different restaurants; Hubbell & Hudson market bistro, La Torreta del Lago, among the new ones. This is a great event to sample our area's great restaurants' delicacies. Tickets: $ 20. per person.

The Woodlands Idol
The Woodlands Idol competition registration will take place this Saturday, at Baker St. Pub at 7.30 pm.

The Woodlands, Texas
Located 30 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands, was born as one of the leading master-planned communities 30 years ago. This 28,000 acre residential and commercial development is the home to 88,000 residents, and for 1500 businesses. 155 miles of hike and bike paths, along 111 parks, and millions of square feet of shopping and dining. The latest residential developments are the Village of Creekside Park and Sterling West located at the Village of Sterling Ridge.

The Woodlands Trolley at the Waterway

The Trolley runs every week-end from 10 am. To 7 pm.

Trolley Stops

- Community Center / South Montgomery County Library at Lake Robbins

- H.E.B. Market Street

- Town Green Park

- The Woodlands Mall

- Woodlands Waterway

- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

- Landry's Seafood House

Sterling Bank to Open a Full-Service Banking Center in The Woodlands

Very soon, Sterling Bank will open a new full-service banking center at 1430 Research Forest Dr. in The Woodlands, Texas early this 2009. Research Forest between Pinecroft and Six Pines Rd. building that formerly was Wachovia Bank.

"We have an amazing number of loyal customers in The Woodlands who have been banking at our Houston-area locations," said Sterling's Chairman, President & CEO Downey Bridgewater. "We sincerely appreciate their patience. We've wanted to bring our style of banking to The Woodlands for some time and were in the middle of planning to build a banking center when we found this existing building on Research Forest," he said.

Sterling Bank is modifying the building to meet its needs and expects to be open for business by late this month. Besides Sterling's legendary personal bankers, the facility will have Commercial and Private Banking Departments, a 4-lane drive-through and 24-hour ATM.

Sterling specializes in relationship banking for small and medium-sized businesses, and offers a full line of personal banking services, as well. In addition to competitive loan and deposit products, Sterling offers international banking, treasury management services, private banking, home equity loans, and investment services.

With total assets of $4.9 billion and 59 banking centers in Texas' largest cities, 35-year old Sterling is one of the largest Texas-based independent banks. Sterling has been cited by Greenwich & Associates for its service quality, as well, has appeared numerous times on FORTUNE Magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, as has been repeatedly recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of the best places to work in the Houston area.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Celebrate the New Year at The Woodlands Resort

The Year is ending and it's time to get together with family and friends and celebrate the coming year in The Woodlands, Texas. The Woodlands Resort is offering a five course dinner at The Glass, its signature dining venue which overlooks Lake Harrison.

The party will be brought to life with music from Daniel Blanchard & The Majestics. This celebration includes a champagne toast at midnight and traditional party favors.

The cost is $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. It will start at 8 p.m. and go until 1 a.m. on Wednesday December 31. If you would like to make a reservation for this event you can call 281-364-6323.

10th Anniversary for The Ice Rink in The Woodlands

The Woodlands, Texas celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Ice Rink located in The Woodlands Town Center. The Ice Rink in The Woodlands has moved to Six Pines and The Woodlands Waterway, it is exactly behind the Town Center Garage at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

The Town Center Garage will hold the parking for The Ice Rink. This great entertainment was previously located at Lake Robbins Drive and Six Pines Drive but has moved because of the new parking lot at this location.

Donoho's Jewellers Winter Wonderland TM has also moved and will display its lovely lighting which will be seen from The Woodlands Waterway and Six Pines Drive.

The Woodlands is a wonderful place to live with all its new life and magic. The Woodlands Texas is becoming a major visiting and residing place for national and international visitors. The Ice Rink will be opening on Saturday, November 22 of 2008.

The openings of this years 26th Annual Lighting of the Doves TM, The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, Donoho's Jewellers Winter Wonderland and the International Winter On The Waterway TM will all take place on November 22. There will also be other events taking place in The Woodlands TX such as the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Market Street on November 20 and the Lighted horse and Carriage Parade at Market Street on December 7.

The Woodlands Mall will also open at 6 a.m. on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving so that all shoppers can start their gift buying early.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

The Nature Conservancy of Texas Awards The Woodlands Development Company

The Nature Conservancy of Texas gave a special award to The Woodlands Development Company at the group's 16th annual Houston Conservation Leadership Awards Luncheon.

The George Mitchell Nature Preserve in The Woodlands in Creekside Park was the receiver of this award for vision and development. This Nature Preserve was named after The Woodlands' founder, George Mitchell and is a gorgeous 1,700 nature preserve.

The Spring Creek Greenway Project is an initiative of Montgomery and Harris counties; the plan is to conserve more than 33 miles along Spring Creek for a regional park and nature trail system which will extend from the San Jacinto River in Humble to Burroughs Park in Spring. The George Mitchell Nature Preserve in The Woodlands Texas is a major link in this project and thus received this honoring award.

The Award The Woodlands received is not bestowed annually, it is only presented when there is an individual achievement and it warrants recognition.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

ASID Showhouse

The Grand Opening of the ASID 08 Showhouse in East Shore The Woodlands was last weekend and it attracted more than 500 people. The Showhouse is a $2,675,000 Southern Colonial home by Post Homes, Ltd. it was set in the "Garden District" of The Woodlands Town Center.

The beautiful home was designed by over 20 members of the American Society of Interior Designers Gulf Coast Chapter, each room was created by a different designer making the home even more amazing and breathtaking.

The ASID Showhouse is located at 6 Georgian Row in the Colonial Park neighborhood of East Shore. This home features many magnificent details including low-VOC paints, sustainable materials, recycled glass tiles and flooring made from wine barrels.

The furnishings and accessories will be sold at the Showhouse. It will remain open through Sunday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. This Showhouse benefits the GastroEsophageal Cancer Foundation, Inc. and tickets are sold at the door for $15.

To learn more about The Woodlands Real Estate, feel free to call us at (832) 482-9367 or click here to contact us by eMail.

Seussical presented by the New Performing Arts Center in The John Cooper School

The new Performing Arts Center in the John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Tx will be presenting Seussical, a play about the many vivid worlds created by Dr. Seuss. This new musical will be presented November 13 - 16 with evening performances beginning at 7 pm November 13, 14 and 15 and matinee performances at 2 pm on November 15 and 16.

Tickets for this play will be $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Ticket order forms will also be available on the School News page of the school website at www.johncooper.org. You can also reserve your ticket by phone at 281-367-0900, ext 461 or also by email at drama@johncooper.org.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

New Beauty Store Opening in Market Street The Woodlands

Cos Bar, a luxury beauty boutique will be opening in Market Street in The Woodlands. It is the first time for Cos Bar to go outside of a resort market being that it is a fixture in ten resort destinations including Wailea, Aspen and Scottsdale.

Cos Bar in Market Street will give special focus on its collection of moisturizers and creams by well known brands including La Prairie, La Mer, Kanebo and Sisley. The store will also feature the finest selection of perfumes and colognes in addition of offering the lowest prices on department store lines such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Kevyn Aucoin.

Men will also be included in this beauty store; they will find top-of-the-line scrubs, shaving creams, sunscreen and shampoos from brands including MenScience, John Allan, The Art of Shaving among others.

A team of experienced consultants will be available at Cos Bar to assist all customers in purchasing the right make-up, skincare items and fragrances to fit their individual style.

Market Street is located across from The Woodlands Mall and also from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

20 Waterway Avenue home to new Crush Wine Bar in The Woodlands

A new lounge and retail store, Crush Wine Bar, will be opening in the new 20 Waterway Avenue building on The Woodlands Waterway around early spring of 2009. It will be located on the upper level of the north building and will include a rooftop terrace which overlooks the Waterway Square in The Woodlands, Tx.

The owner, Blake Boyd, stated that Crush will offer and serve affordable and unique wine selections in the store. It will also offer a gourmet appetizer menu with an option to order meals from neighboring restaurants which will be served in-house.

Crush will accommodate 250 people and feature mesmerizing views of the Fountains at Waterway Square. There will also be three VIP cabanas which will offer a more intimate party for up to 15 guests. A Cellar Room within Crush will also feature private parties up to 30 people. It is encouraged to book your events in advance for the best availability.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

The Woodlands Offers $2,000 to New Homebuyers

On October 25, 2008 The Woodlands started a special holiday promotion that offers a $2,000 Woodforest National Bank MasterCard to new home buyers of selected homes in the community if they purchased by December 31, 2008 and close by February 28, 2009.

"Home for the Holidays" is the name of this new program which is also offering incentives of up to $50,000 from nearly all The Woodlands homebuilders. The homes that pertain to this program have a price range from the $150,000 to more than $3 million. The buyer will also receive a free one-year family membership to the South Montgomery County YMCA. The Woodlands has two YMCA branches with a third new facility opening next year in the Village of Creekside Park.

Creekside Park is where many of the homes in the program are available, Sterling Ridge and East Shore also has some of these homes.

Some of the Builder's incentives include:

- Carlton Woods Properties - $2,000 American Express gift card with the purchase of a new home

- Carmel Builders - $15,000 in custom options on all homes

- Chesmar Homes - $10,000 off the sales price for homes not started by 10/25/08 that can close by 2/28/09, or up to $20,000 off the price on select inventory homes

- Coventry Homes - $5,000 in custom options on all homes; No electric payments for two years on all homes; $2,000 Best Buy gift card on completed homes.

- Darling Homes - $15,000 towards personalizing your Darling home

- David Weekley Homes - $15,000 decorator allowance

- Gracepoint Homes - $10,000 towards upgrades to the buyer and $1,500 BTSA for the Realtor when the buyer builds a new home

- Highland Homes - $15,000 off the sales price

- Huntington Homes - $50,000 off the sales price

- Lennar Homes - $10,000 discount on selected homes

- Partners in Building - $20,000 in designer upgrades with a new home purchase in Player Trail

- Plantation Homes - $5,000 in custom options on all homes; No electric payments for two years on all homes; $2,000 Best Buy gift card on completed homes

- Southern Mark Homes - $7,000 in custom upgrades

- Trendmaker Homes - $10,000 Design Center allowance on select inventory homes;

- Village Builders - $10,000 discount on selected homes

- Wilshire Homes - $15,000 decorator allowance at Wilshire's Design Center

- The Woodlands Custom Homes - $10,000 off the sales price of selected completed homes or $10,000 towards closing costs.

The buyer should notify the Home finder Center after the closing and make arrangements to redeem their $2,000 MasterCard and YMCA gift certificate by March 31, 2009.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Early ending season for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Tx ended their 2008 season early because of Damage from Hurricane Ike. The pavilion did suffer severe damage to the Teflon coated Fiberglas fabric roof and support structure over the reserved seating area.

Damage was reviewed and assessed by a structural engineering firm that was hired to check the Pavilion. They concluded that it should not be used for public gatherings until everything had been completely repaired for the safety of the public.

Many events that were going to be held at The Woodlands Pavilion were canceled, postponed or relocated due to the damage, these shows included:

Houston Symphony's "Music of Mozart"

Santana

3 Doors Down

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Houston Ballet's "Classics on Pointe"

KSBJ's "The Music Builds Tour"

Brad Paisley

Houston Symphony's "Hocus Pocus Pops"

Buzzfest XXII

14th Annual Children's Festival

Refunds for all canceled events will be credited automatically to the credit card of the purchaser for those who purchased from Ticketmaster. For others who purchased their tickets at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Ticket Office or Ticketmaster outlets, refunds will be given in person at the point of the purchase. If you would like more information about ticket refunds for any cancelled shows, you can go to www.woodlandscenter.org

3 Doors Down was to be rescheduled at a later date; it will take place in the Houston area in 2009. KSBJ's "The Music Builds Tour" was relocated to the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas; it will take place at 6:30 on October 3.

Bridgewood Property Company purchases site for senior living community

A new site for a Senior Living Community has been purchased by Bridgewood Property Company in The Woodlands, Texas. They purchased a 2.66 acre site which overlooks the magnificent Woodlands Waterway and will be a future senior living rental residential community which will offer independent and assisted living apartments.

This new development will be known as The Village of The Woodlands and it will be located at the southwest corner of Grogan's Mill Road and Lake Robbins Drive on the Waterway. It will contain 188 units and around 250,000 square feet. The construction for this new development has a scheduled beginning of spring of 2009 and is expected to be completed by fall of 2010.

These Common areas of these apartments will include a living room, dining room overlooking The Waterway, bridge room, library, theater and fitness center with indoor pool. Many other amenities and services will also be offered to the residents of The Village of The Woodlands, these will include flexible meal programs, controlled access parking, scheduled activities, events and transportation, a billiards room, computer room, 24-hour on-site management, cultural guild programs, landscaped courtyards, and spacious lobbies with sitting areas throughout the building.

A variety of apartments will be offered including studio, one bedroom, one-bedroom plus study and two-bedroom apartments. These will feature full kitchens with full sized refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Other features are standard including stackable washer/dryer, climate controls, walk-in shower with safety bars and telephone and cable connections, nine-foot ceilings and mini-blinds throughout, wall-to-wall carpet in living rooms and bedrooms, and tile in kitchens and baths.

The Bridgewood Property Company specializes in creating quality communities for senior adults with experienced, professional, caring staffs and resident programs which will stimulate mind and spirit. This company has developed 2,500 independent living units in six states in the U.S. for the past 10 years.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Best Buy Showcase of Home Theatre Equipment and Appliances in The Woodlands

The Sixth Annual Fall Home and Garden Show is coming up in The Woodlands, Texas on Saturday September 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on September 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This annual event will be held in The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center located on 1601 Lake Robbins Drive. There will be a wide range of brands showcasing in the Best Buy exhibit, there will be anything from home theatre to home appliances like washers and more. The best brands will be exhibited including the Pioneer Elite televisions and speakers by Definitive Technology and Speaker Craft. There will be Speakers by Denon. Amazingly, sales associates will be giving away free home consultations which have a $100 value.

If you are looking for the best quality television and best picture quality, Best Buy of The Woodlands offers a calibration services, and an ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) certified technician which will be available for advice. During this exhibit in The Woodlands, Best Buy will also feature a variety of kitchen and household appliances which will include: Electrolux, LG, Whirlpool and Kitchenaid.

The admission for this wonderful event held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center will be $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 12 enter free. There will also be FREE covered parking provided in the Convention Center garage. Valet Parking will also be available at the Hotel entrance. for a $1 off coupon you can visit WoodlandsShows.com.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

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.

2008 Neighborhood Pool Schedule for The Woodlands

The new swim season is about to begin in The Woodlands, Tx. The Woodlands currently has 12 pools open to all residents of the area and will have 13 when the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center is finished later this summer. The regular season will begin on June 6.

Pre-season Weekend Use

There will be some pools available for weekend use for the following dates: May 10,11,17,18,24,25,26,31, and June 1. The hours of the pre-season are Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. The pools will also open on Memorial Day from noon to 6 p.m.

The pools that will be available for this pre-season will be:

- Alden Bridge - Alden Bridge Pool
- Cochran's Crossing - Bear Branch Pool
- College Park - Harper's Landing Pool
- Grogan's Mill - Sawmill Pool
- Indian Springs - Forestgate Pool
- Panther Creek - Ridgewood Pool
- Sterling Ridge - Cranebrook Pool

Pre-season Daily Use

There will be one pool open during the pre-season for days Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, hours noon to 6 p.m. The pool for the Daily use will be the Cochran's Crossing Bear Branch Pool.

Regular Season Daily Use

The regular pool season will have the following pools open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed one day each week for service.

- Alden Bridge pool
- Windvale pool
- Bear Branch pool
- Harper's Landing pool
- Sawmill pool
- Falconwing pool
- Ridgewood pool
- Cranebrook pool

Lakeside, Shadowbend, Forestgate and Creekwood pools will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. When The Rob Fleming Aquatic Center is finished, it will be scheduled to open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed one day of the week for service.

Pool Admission Fees

0-2 years of age ___________________$8
3 years and older __________________$35

Additional Family Pass

(More than 4)_____________________$6

Discount Rate Season Pass

55 years and older _________________$10
Daily Pass _______________________$6
Punch Card (six visits) ______________$30
(woodlands residents only: includes all pools)

Non-resident Rob Fleming Punch Card

(six visits) ________________________$50

Rob Fleming Aquatic Center

Daily Pass _______________________$10
Day Care Group Rate ______________$3
Rob Fleming Day Care Group Rate ____$6

Non-Residents Season Pass

0-2 years of age ___________________$18
3 years and older __________________$90
No additional family discount
No senior discount

Pool Rentals

The pools are available for pool rentals throughout the season. You can visit http://www.thewoodlandsassociations.org/ for more information on the pool season coming up.

Click on the Parks and Recreation, then Pools and Aquatics for more information. If you would like to make a reservation you can call the Parks and Recreation Department at 281-210-3900 or email parkrec@catw-tx.org.

Source: The Woodlands Community Magazine (May 2008)

Fingers Furniture Store soon in The Woodlands

The Fingers Furniture has already announced their plans to build an 85,000 sq. ft. furniture store in the College Park Shopping Center. This shopping center is located in The Woodlands at 1-45 and College Park Drive.

The Fingers Store is planned to open in mid 2009 with construction beginning in the next 30 days. The store will bring many brand names, bedding and home accessories. This store will be close to the Kohl's store in College Park The Woodlands. So get ready for amazing furniture nearby.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

New Way finding System in The Woodlands

The Woodlands, Texas is seeing a new way finding system taking place throughout the Town, starting in Town Center. The Woodlands Township has updated this system with new signage replacements designed by Juliana Marek of Marek-Jill Design. This company is a Houston based architectural and environmental graphic arts firm.

The major streets of The Woodlands such as Town Center, Research Forest and Woodlands Parkway will still maintain their current shape and color with some new updated messages, but the interior signage will undergo a new change in shape, size and color showing updated information.

This will give The Woodlands, Texas a fresh new look and it will make residents and visitors know their way around the town better. The new signage will show where major destinations around The Woodlands are located such as retail centers, parking, commercial areas and many more amenities.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

CB&I TRI coming to The Woodlands

The Woodlands Triathlon has been scheduled for May 3 of 2008 at Northshore Park. This Park is located in 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive close to The Woodlands Mall and Market Street among other attractions of The Woodlands Community.

This event has been sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT) and has been designated as the USAT South Midwest Sprint State Championship. It will consist of a sprint format of a 500 meter swim, a 15 mile bike and a 5K run. There will be around 850 participants, with a range from beginners to nationally ranked triathletes.

The ages will start from 14 and will go up, the registration for this Triathlon will end on April 27 at 10 p.m. This event will start at 7 a.m. on May 3 and will have a fee of:

- $85 Individual Late Registration
- $140 Relay Team Late Registration

There will be many different ways for people to volunteer, if you would like more information go to www.thewoodlandsassociations.org and find details and registration.

Source: The Woodlands Community Magazine

Muddy Trails Race this weekend

The Muddy Trails 5K Race was re-scheduled for this Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 9 a.m. This race will go through the George Mitchell Nature Preserve which is a 1,700 acre preserve located in Creekside Park in The Woodlands. The race will be for ages 10 and older.

There will be a post-race that will be held at Rob Fleming Park with a live band and a crawfish boil. If you would like more information you can contact race co-directors Willie Fowlkes or Meghan Sturrock at 281-210-3900 or email parkrec@catw-tx-org.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Rowing Championships set in Lake Woodlands

The Woodlands will have Rowing Championships located in Lake Woodlands this Saturday, April 5, 2008. These Championships are sponsored by The Rowing Club of The Woodlands (RCTW). The Championships will take place at Northshore Park in The Woodlands and races will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will be completed approximately at 5 p.m.

There will be more than 200 rowers including masters and junior level, and they will be coming from clubs throughout Texas. All public has been welcome to attend these championships. There will be Lunch Concessions available for purchase from the park pavilion.

If you would like more information about the Rowing Club of The Woodlands you can go to www.woodlandsrowing.org

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

The Woodlands has a New Sales Tax

Beginning on April 1 of 2008, The Woodlands has a new sales tax rate. This has come about because of a new governance structure in this community. Businesses located within The Woodlands Township's boundaries like Harris and Montgomery counties will be charging one percent local taxes and use tax in addition to the 6.25% sales tax assesses by Texas State. Apart from this new change, an additional 1% tax will be collected in Montgomery County for the new The Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone.

The total sales tax for businesses in The Woodlands Texas will be 8.25% and any additional sales tax that is collected will be to fund fire protection services for The Woodlands.

This new increase in sales tax makes The Woodlands comparable to surrounding cities like Shenandoah, Conroe, Oak Ridge North and Houston. If any business or taxpayer needs help in understanding this new rate change, there is a tax rate map available at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

New Construction of K-6 School in Creekside Park

In the newest Village of The Woodlands known as Creekside Park, a new construction is under way. Tomball ISD is beginning the construction of the new school that will be based within Creekside Village. This new school will be K-6 grades and will be set on a 12.9 acre site, it is planned for opening for the school year of 2009-2010.

Tomball ISD has also bought two other sites within the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands. These two other schools will be located on the east and west sides of Kuykendahl Road. This site that will be currently under construction is located near the entrance of Creekside Park off Gosling Road. It is near the Rob Fleming Park and close to all the new neighborhoods in the Village. The school will have a Craftsman style that will go perfectly with the rest of the Village. The architect for this new school will be PBK and they will plan to begin construction this summer.

There will be a second K-6 school in Creekside Park and has been planned for opening in the fall of 2011. Tomball ISD will provide excellent education for the students living in Creekside Village in The Woodlands, Texas.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

David Weekley Homes in The Woodlands Montfair

David Weekley Homes in The Woodlands Montfair is currently blowing out their prices on Hampton Style Cottage Homes and they're are ready for move-in.

55 Chipwyck Way-Breeland
This delightful 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1 story home offers a fantastic open kitchen. It has upgraded appliances, 42" maple cabinets, granite countertops and deep stainless sink. There is extensive tile, wood in the dining room and upgraded carpet and pad. There are beautiful tile accents in the master bath and the kitchen backsplash. You will also enjoy the covered front and rear porches. Sod in backyard and sprinkler system included. $199,990

79 Chipwyck Way-Brazelton
Fabulous 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath with study on a corner lot. Unbelievable upgrades include extensive 18" tile throughout and high quality carpet with plush upgraded pad. The kitchen has 42"maple cabinets and granite tops with upgraded gas appliances. Stunning hard surface countertops with drop-in sinks. Huge covered porch on front and back. Sod and sprinkler are included. $255,990

71 Chipwyck Way-Larsen - SOLD
This Large 1 story 3 bedroom home with 2 bath is great for entertaining. Huge kitchen with granite countertops and upgraded cabinets. Nice formal dining and study as you enter the home. Upgraded wood floors in the study and upgraded tile in dining room. Surround sound in family room, large master bedroom with great master bath, amazing landscaping, sprinkler's and sod included. Must see!! $218,990

75 Chipwyck Way-Milton
This beautiful 2 story home has 3 bedrooms with 2 1/2 baths. High ceilings in family room, great breakfast area w/sunroom overlooking your backyard. Nice kitchen with lots of cabinets and granite countertops. Upgraded wood floors in study, family and entry way. Rear covered porch...Sod and sprinker's inlcuded $227,990.

78 Whetstone Ridge Way-Brazelton
Wow!!! Gorgeous 2 story home with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, formal dining and study with upgraded wood floors, tile throughout kitchen, entry and family room. Silestone countertops with 42" maple cabinets. Huge back yard and lots of trees!!! $236,990

There are more inventory homes ready for move-in...call today at (832) 482-9367 or eMail us by clicking here to Schedule a Showing.

The lodges in Montfair The Woodlands

Village Builders has 4 beautiful lodges in Montfair in The Woodlands, Texas. The lodges are:

7 Pine Needle Place
GE Stainless Steel apliances in the kitchen, tile in dinning, kitchen, entry and family rooom. Omega Stone in kitchen with under mount sink, decor backsplash in kitchen, tile showers surround, oversized master shower, iron stair baluster, 42" cabinets in kitchen, upgraded carpet, Omega Stone countertops in master bath, crown molding, brick exterior, garage door openers, and recessed can lighting throughout!! Energy star home with a radiant roof barrier to help reduce attic temperatures!!
3 Bedrooms 2.5 baths 2 car garage 1762 sq.ft.
Sales Price: $207,787
Available: June 2008

6 Pine Needle Place
GE Stainless Steel apliances in the kitchen, 2" faus wood blinds, tile in dinning, kitchen, entry and family rooom. Omega Stone in kitchen with under mount sink, decor backsplash in kitchen, tile showers surround, oversized master shower, iron stair baluster, 42" cabinets in kitchen, upgraded carpet, Omega Stone countertops in master bath, pre-wired surround sound in family room, crown molding, brick exterior, garage door openers, and recessed can lighting throughout!! Energy star home with a radiant roof barrier to help reduce attic temperatures!!
3 Bedrooms 2.5 baths 2 car garage 1762 sq.ft.
Sales Price: $204,312
Available: June 2008

149 E. Montfair Blvd.
GE Stainless Steel apliances in the kitchen, 2" faus wood blinds, tile in dinning, kitchen, entry and family rooom. Omega Stone in kitchen with under mount sink, decor backsplash in kitchen, tile showers surround, oversized master shower, iron stair baluster, 42" cabinets in kitchen, upgraded carpet, Omega Stone countertops in master bath, pre-wired surround sound in family room, crown molding, brick exterior, garage door openers, and recessed can lighting throughout!! Energy star home with a radiant roof barrier to help reduce attic temperatures!!
3 Bedrooms 2.5 baths 2 car garage 1762 sq.ft.
Sales Price: $204,555
Available: July 2008

The lodges in Montfair offer a Maintenance FREE lifestyle, with exterior maintenance of your townhome takes care for you!! Low tax rate of 2.30% ~ HOA Dues .385% ~ Monthly Maintenance Fee does apply. Schedule a Showing Today!!...Call at (832) 482-9367 or contact our new home specialist, Luis Tamborrel at (281) 813-6027 or eMail him by clicking here.

New amenities for Bear Branch Park

New amenities will be included for Bear Branch Sportsfield Park in The Woodlands. The board allowed MoBill Contractors Inc. to build a new women's restroom and convert the current one to a men's restroom.

They were also approved to build a concession stand at Bear Branch Park.
This Park is the largest sports complex in The Woodlands Master Planned Community. Bear Branch Park includes seven soccer fields for the residents enjoyment.

Source: The Villager

Northshore Park fishing approved until 11 p.m.

The Woodlands Community Association made the decision to permit fishing at Northshore Park until 11 p.m. This came about because of certain concerns residents about fishing late near their homes. The primary concerns came from residents of The Cove and Vista Cove neighborhoods, they were disturbed by the anglers blocking the roadways when parking and also the littering made by them during their late nights.

The board took a decision based on past actions and trying to improve conditions for residents, they decided to extend the hours at Northshore Park in The Woodlands because of its large parking area and the visibility it gives the patrol officers.

Source: The Villager

The Woodlands Township Logo Design Contest

The Woodlands Township has created a contest to develop the official logo for the newly renamed and expanded governmental organization which was known as Town Center Improvement District. The deadline for any logo design submissions is April 30, 2008.
The winner will be awarded $500 and a night on the town in The Woodlands. They will also have the honor of having designed the exclusive logo that will be used as the official logo in all correspondence, signage, marketing, advertising, public relations and all other printed materials made for The Woodlands Township.

The first 25 entries will also receive two free tickets to the Tinseltown theater in The Woodlands, Texas. If you want to learn more information about submission guidelines or to submit your entry go to www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/logocontest

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival will showcase more than 200 national and regional artists on April 12 and 13. This wonderful event will take place at the Waterway in The Woodlands starting at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, along The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and ending at Town Green Park.

There will be a water taxi and a trolley service througout the festival. There will also be great international artists from Mexico who will be presenting their work. Some of the highlights of this festival will include master scratchboard artist Sally Maxwell, "Healing Arts", live entertainment on two stages, and "artopoly".

A new addition to this impressive festival will be the Floating Art Parade that will reflect this year's theme "Water Creatures". For this parade individuals, organizations and area businesses will be invited to design and build floats. They will start at 10:30 am on April 12. Participants in this Parade must submit their application along with a rendering and a brief description of their entry. The application's deadline will be on Monday March 24th. For more information you can visit http://www.woodlandsartsfestival.com/

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Masonry Award presented for work in East Shore

The Masonry Award was presented to Hogatt LP for their work in East Shore. Hogatt LP , a masonry contractor who has been designing several architectural features that are present in The Woodlands' Lakefront urban Community known as East Shore. The firm recently won the Landscape Project of the Year Award that was presented by Masonry Construction Magazine.

Several textures, colors and patterns were used in this project including Cheyenne sandstone, Cheyenne flagstone and Cimarron limestone. This firm created the stone entryway, a circular-shaped plaza at Colonial Park and the bridge in East Shore in the Woodlands and by their incredible work, they won this acclaimed award. Hogatt LP was already a Golden Trowel Award winner in a statewide competition at the Texas Masonry Council's Annual Convention in August of 2007.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

La Costa Garden in East Shore The Woodlands

Stonemark Builders LLC will begin construction this spring for La Costa Garden homes in East Shore, the Garden District of The Woodlands Town Center.

Inspired by Mission-Style architecture, the properties at La Costa are designed to form a lakeside village within walking distance of the shore of 200 acre Lake Woodlands.
The enclave will be near Olmstead Park in East Shore on a site that is bounded by Lake Front Circle to the west, Shell Port Square to the north and Woodlands Parkway to the south.

La Costa includes 42 condominiums in 14 two-story buildings. Each building is designed around a courtyard garden that connects three unique floor plans in each building, each with an attached two-car garage. Three distinctive designs are featured. Prices will range from the high $300's.

"La Costa will be the only project in East Shore Park with its own amenities. Stonemark has done an outstanding job of designing this enclave in the setting of East Shore. We have gotten very good feedback on the designs from Realtors and prospects, and feel that La Costa will be very popular with home buyers", Driggers said.

La Costa includes 42 condominiums in 14 two-story buildings, priced from the high $300's.

East Shore architecture, contractor receives national award

Hogatt LP, masonry contractor for several unique architectural features in The Woodlands' lakefront urban community of East Shore, has garnered the Landscape Project of the Year Award presented by Masonry Construction Magazine, according to Joel Deretchin, vice president of public affairs for The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC).

The firm won the award for construction of the stone entryway, bridge and circular-shaped plaza at Colonial Park in East Shore. The national award was presented at the World of Concrete Convention and Expo on Jan. 23 in Las Vegas. Hogatt LP had already received the Golden Trowel Award in statewide competition at the Texas Masonry Council's Annual Convention in August 2007.

Hogatt's 56 years of experience and mastery in masonry fencing and hardscape were the reasons they were chosen for the job by architectural firm Clark Condon and Associates. "A one of a kind neighborhood, East Shore begs for sophisticated, subtle and attractive detailing worthy of the homes located there...and it takes exemplary craftsmen such as Hogatt LP to bring such ideas to fruition," said Sheila Condon of Clark Condon and Associates.

A combination of locally quarried Cheyenne sandstone, Cheyenne flagstone and Cimarron limestone in various colors, textures and patterns were used in the award-winning projects.

"We congratulate Hogatt LP on their flawless execution of these important landscape elements in East Shore," said Deretchin. "East Shore is the 'Garden District of The Woodlands Town Center' and the parks and entries give this community the walkable, urban ambiance that makes East Shore unique in The Woodlands."

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre, master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. It is a project of The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.

Source: The Villager by The Woodlands Development Company

The Woodlands, TX is Featured in Where to Retire Magazine

Where to Retire magazine, the only magazine in America geared to helping people with retirement relocation decisions, has selected The Woodlands, TX to profile as a top retirement town in the March/April issue, which mails to subscribers nationwide on February 22, 2008.

According to Where to Retire editor, Mary Lu Abbott, The Woodlands has many of the qualities that are important to today's retirees. "The Woodlands, just 30 miles north of Houston, has focused on environmental preservation since it was established in 1974, and when the 28,000-acre master-planned community is completed in 2014, it will boast 8,000 acres of green space. Amid a forest of pine trees, the commmunity of nearly 84,000 residents has 155 miles of hiking and biking trails and 108 neighborhood parks for its nine residential villages.

In the Town Center, glass-enclosed water taxis glide along waterway connecting businesses and shopping, dining and entertainment venues. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion hosts the Houston Symphony in the summer and major touring acts year-round. The Woodlands has two hospitals and a college and is close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport," Abbott said.

Each year, 700,000 Americans move to new towns to retire. Generally healthier, better educated and more affluent than retirees who stay put, relocating retirees bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns. Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.

Where to Retire magazine was launched in 1992 with the goal of helping its readers find the ideal place to retire. Now published six times a year, the magazine covers the best retirement regions, towns, and master-planned communities, and has a national circulation of 220,000. A one-year subscription to Where to Retire is now $18.00 (a 39% savings from newsstand price). The magazine is also found on various news stands and at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores.

Source: www.town-center.com by The Woodlands Township

Township looks at plans for $40 million museum

Officials in The Woodlands are working with representatives from the Houston Museum of Natural Science in an effort to bring a $40 million, 200,000-square-foot museum to Town Center. The idea took shape after a market feasibility study was conducted in line with The Woodlands Township's "visioning" document.

That forward-looking document calls for adding new places to the community to benefit both residents and visitors, said TWT Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs Nick Wolda. "We have been in a process the last year and a half looking at what are the next options for 'people' places in the town center area," Wolda said. "We did a study that narrowed it down to eight options - arts, culture, history - we looked at all different types of things."

PFK Consulting, a San Francisco firm with a Houston office, estimates the economic impact of the facility, in terms of sales tax and other revenues, would be about $353 million over the next 20 years. "A partnership with Houston in building a museum here...would attract several hundred thousand people a year and be beneficial for the residents of The Woodlands, as well as the visitors, the schools here and many others," Wolda said.

Included as part of the proposed museum would be classrooms, exhibition space and an observation tower providing an aerial view of The Woodlands, said Joel Bartsch, president of HMNS. There has been discussion about locating an IMAX theater in the building, but Bartsch said he wasn't sure if that would happen. The Woodlands Mall currently houses two museums, The Woodlands Children's Museum and the XPloration Station, an HMNS satellite location.

Bartsch said the Houston Museum of Natural Science's first presence in The Woodlands was with its summer camp offerings. Because of their popularity, the XPloration Station was opened in the mall. About 1,500 memberships to the Houston Museum of Natural Science have been purchased by visitors to the XPloration Station, and The Woodlands now has one of the highest concentrations of museum memberships in the Houston area, Bartsch said. "That convinced us this is probably the time to do something a little more permanent (in The Woodlands)," he said.

No date has been set for the design or construction of the museum, and the project could still be several years away. "If this was a 12-step program we'd probably not even be to step one yet. We have a lot more to do and a lot further to go down the road," Bartsch said. Among the issues that need to be worked out are ways for TWT and the museum to finance the building and land acquisition options. The primary site being considered for the museum is at the southwest corner of Six Pines Drive and The Woodlands Waterway, south of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion parking garage.

That two-acre property is owned by The Woodlands Development Company. "We still have a long way to go before we can say a museum is coming, but we're excited to be at this point," said TWT Director Vicki Richmond. "(There would be) a community sense of pride in having a facility of this magnitude in The Woodlands. Cultural arts are really part of the fabric of a great community."

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

The Conservatory At Alden Bridge Scheduled To Open March 2008

The Conservatory at Alden Bridge, a 237-unit senior independent living community, is scheduled to open in March 2008 in The Woodlands Village of Alden Bridge.

The Conservatory is being built on 10 acres located at the southeast corner of Alden Bridge Drive and Crownridge Drive. The Conservatory at Alden Bridge will be comprised of elegant one- and two-bedroom suites with luxury finishes such as granite countertops, marble vanities, crown molding, nine-foot ceilings, decorator series paint palette, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, and full-size washer/dryer connections.

The leadership team at Conservatory Senior Living is dedicated to providing a superior retirement experience for people age 55+. Their founders recognized a need for gracious living environments offering a choice of outstanding services for reasonable fees rather than the expensive buy-in entrance fee plan that continuing care communities offer.

Conservatory's mission is to create a setting that encourages seniors to design the best possible retirement lifestyle for themselves. For that reason, the community offers programs for the body's strength, flexibility, balance and general health to extend senior's independent lifestyle.

The Conservatory also offers an enrichment program for the mind, utilizing Posit Science's Brain Gym program that stimulates brain processing mechanisms to function faster and more effectively, with profound effects for memory, cognitive function, and quality of life
Moreover, The Conservatory at Alden Bridge will offer activities programs, fine dining, a beauty salon, a pool, a 50-seat state-of-the-art movie theater and service employees to include a concierge, dining staff, management staff, maintenance staff, housekeeping staff, executive chef and staff, driver and social director. Conservatory's residents will also enjoy the convenience of living near neighborhood shopping at Alden Bridge Village Center.

The Conservatory at Alden Bridge's combination of extraordinary luxury, services, amenities, and value makes the Conservatory lifestyle truly unique.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

Shenandoah seeks to expand while keeping small-town atmosphere

While the city cannot annex property without the owner's consent, new state legislation will allow Shenandoah city officials to annex properties along Wellman Road needed for the city's expansion. Shenandoah City Council reviewed Montgomery County Attorney David Walker's legal opinion on annexing the Wellman Road properties, which are surrounded by the city, during a workshop meeting.

The general law city has fewer than 5,000 residents and does not have a home rule charter, and therefore cannot annex property unless the property owner gives the city consent, said Chip VanSteenberg, city administrator. However, due to recent changes in legislation, an exception will allow the city to annex properties along Wellman Road without the owners' consent.

VanSteenberg said Walker confirmed at the workshop that these properties can legally be annexed without consent. While VanSteenberg said he did not know exactly how many residents lived on Wellman Road and the adjacent Hurley Road, he said about four houses in the area are occupied. The city will now do survey work so officials can set the boundaries to be annexed.

There will also be two public hearings on the topic before anything is decided, he said. Marketing plan: City Council also heard the findings of an extensive marketing plan for the city prepared by Northstar Destination Strategies. VanSteenberg said in order to find out what people thought of the city the company conducted surveys, created focus groups and collected data on spending habits and travel patterns of residents.

Based on the findings, Northstar created a brand for the city, similar to a summary of its location, character and attitude. "We identified our target audience as people who are seeking small town independence with upscale amenities," VanSteenberg said.

"Our frame of reference is that Shenandoah is a small town comfortably nestled next to The Woodlands and what makes our community different from others is that we're big enough to serve and small enough to care. The benefit is that every person matters and success is shared."

Source: The Villager by T.L. Hamilton

The Woodlands' Young Girls Group has raised $5,000 to Help fight Breast Cancer

The Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands received a donation of $5,000 for it's Breast and Bone Health Center, it came from the hard work of the Girls Run of The Woodlands. Girls Run in The Woodlands, Tx is a group of girls that live in the area and are 7 to 13 years old, they are committed to physical fitness and participate in educational programs.

The Girls Run presented a check to the Breast and Bone Health Center on January the 26th, they were specially envited to take a tour of the center and learn more about breast cancer through a presentation by Amy Nordmann, M.D., a breast radiologist with The Center.

The Girls chose the Breast and Bone Health Center and Live Strong as the charities of their choice. This group's founders are Brook Baugh and Katie Cromer who have experienced the loss of theirmother to breast cancer.

This wonderfully generous group will host the Tulip Trot fun run in late April.

If you are interested in learning more about how to participate and train for the two mile run send an email to : girlsrun@gmail.com

Cricket Communications in Sam Moon Center

Sam Moon Center receives new addition; Cricket Communications has opened a location in the Sam Moon Center.

The wireless service center offers programs such as flat monthly rates, unlimited talk and text and no contracts or credit checks. "Every tenant helps because they bring their own clientele," said Patrick Murphy, real estate director for Sam Moon. "Cricket is a nationally-known name." The communications company recently expanded its coverage area in Texas.

The Sam Moon Center opened in October 2006 with about 165,000 square feet of retail space. The center includes stores such as Sam Moon Trading Co., Sam Moon Luggage & Gifts, Sam Moon Home Decor Store and Woodlands Golf. The center now has 12 occupants with two more on the way.

According to Murphy, the shopping complex is about 70 percent full, with Sam Moon franchises taking up a good portion of the space. The trading store is about 25,000 square feet. The center is located at 17940 Interstate 45 South in Shenandoah. Many stores are open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Cricket service center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges

Economic outlook

U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, said he will reveal the results of his recent health care surveys at the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce's upcoming Economic Outlook Conference.Brady said the surveys polled 50,000 households on how U.S. health care can be improved. In addition, about 600 people took online polls. Brady will give the opening remarks at the conference at 8 a.m. Feb. 29 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, located at 1601 Lake Robbins Drive.

He plans to talk about what he heard during all of the town hall meetings and tours of medical facilities he did to research health care issues, he said. He will also discuss what he will turn into legislation for Congress to consider. "It became clear that you can't regulate the efficiency and quality of health care from Washington," he said. "That has to be done locally, and our biggest challenge is to turn America's sick-care system into a real health care system."

Brady said his potential legislation will focus on preventative health care, making health care more affordable and accessible and improving its quality. Kay Hohman, vice president of communications, legislative and economic outlook for the chamber, said the keynote speaker will be U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. "We were just thrilled that we were able to ask him to speak," she said.Hohman said the chamber expects about 500 people will attend the conference, 50 more than last year.

Hohman said the conference provides a great economic outlook for the community that isn't available anywhere else, and it's also the largest area business event of the year. "It's a great overview from the national level to the local level," she said.Hohman said the conference will take an optimistic tone amid the recent national economic downturn. Reservations cost $75 for members or $85 for non-members before Feb. 22 and $85 for members or $95 for non-members after that date. For more information or reservations, call 281-367-5777.

Source: The Villager by T.L. Hamilton

Governance transition agreement approved

Three community association boards and The Woodlands Township Board of Directors have approved an agreement detailing the transition of governance from the associations to the township.

The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association and The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association's boards of directors voted unanimously for the agreement at a joint meeting Feb. 6 "(The agreement) now allows all of the things intended from the November election to take place," said Lloyd Matthews, a member of the TWA and township boards of directors.

"The three propositions in the November election that were all overwhelmingly approved gave us the base to set this up, but they were a non-legal document about the intent. This transition agreement is a legal document approved by all parties to go forward to meet those objectives."

"All it does is it contractually changes the functions from the community associations to the township," TWT President Frank Robinson said. Matthews said the agreement sets a timeline for the how and when the transition will occur. According to Matthews, key points in the agreement include:

-Through 2009 the associations will continue to operate as they currently do.

- On Jan. 1, 2010, the associations will transfer all of their fixed assets to The Woodlands Community Service Corporation, which employs the community associations' staff, and kept in trust until Dec. 31, 2011. If the conditions of the agreement are met at that time, the assets will then be transferred to the township.

The Community Associations Building, which is located at 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive, is excluded from this portion of the agreement, as are several WCA funds, Matthews said. The WCA Board of Directors will have the authority of how to dispense of those assets, he said.

- Services added during 2008 and 2009 by the association boards will only be allowed if they were included in the boards' five-year plans or are agreed to by The Woodlands Township. Matthews said the measure was added to the agreement to discourage frivolous spending.

-The township will begin using sales tax to fund Woodlands Fire Department services beginning in June. Total funding by TWT is budgeted at $6.1 million in 2008.

- Funding for services within the areas of The Woodlands that had been governed by the community associations, beginning in budget years 2010 and 2011, will require TWT to levy an ad valorem property tax.

One sticking point for the agreement is assessment abatements issued to businesses by the WCA and WCOA, Robinson said.

Texas law currently does not allow for abatements to transfer between taxing authorities, he said, meaning TWT will have to go to the state legislature to have the incentives, which were used to entice businesses to locate to The Woodlands, transferred to the township.

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

Plans set for Grogan's Mill extension

The Shenandoah City Council has approved up to $80,000 to cover costs of design work, engineering and construction management services for the project. Engineer John Bleyl, of Bleyl & Associates, wrote in the bid proposal that the preliminary engineering and design work is expected to take about 45 days.

Following that, work will begin on extending Grogan's Mill Road to the north about 800 feet and Vision Park Boulevard to the west about 700 feet. "Our goal is to have that (road connection) done by the end of 2008," City Administrator Chip VanSteenberg said. A roundabout is among the eventual road design possibilities Shenandoah is considering for where Vision Park and Grogan's Mill connect.

The idea was suggested to the council by Assistant City Administrator Manny De LaRosa as a way to transition the four-lane, divided Vision Park Boulevard to the two-lane Grogan's Mill. "It would make a signature, if that's what you're looking for," De LaRosa said.

That design will be examined further when the properties near the intersections of the two roads are further developed. Several council members suggested the final design prioritize safety over aesthetics.

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

The E.C.H.O. Foundation announces fifth annual gala

The E.C.H.O. Foundation benefiting Tomball Regional Medical Center proudly announces its fifth annual gala to be held on Feb. 9, accompanied with the two-time Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes. The Under the Moonlight Gala, held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriot, will benefit the new Women's Imaging Center at Tomball Regional Medical Center.

The extravagant evening begins at 6 p.m. and includes an array of live auction items consisting of a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock, two trips to Hawaii, a Houston sports package, a Chihuahua puppy, jewelry from Bailey, Banks and Biddle, jewelry from Thomas Markle Fine Jewelers, an entertainment system, cooking lessons by the Marriott chef, an autographed guitar by LeAnn Rimes, as well as a few more surprises.

If the live auction doesn't tempt you, there will be 150 silent auction items that may, as well as a sumptuous multi-course dinner and a 75-minute performance by the legendary LeAnn Rimes.
"We are delighted to have LeAnn Rimes perform at the gala," said Marilyn Kinyo, Director of the E.C.H.O. Foundation. "We hope all attendees enjoy the star studded performance, fabulous dinner and exciting auctions, while helping The E.C.H.O. Foundation improve the types of services Tomball Regional Medical Center can offer to the community."

Funds raised from the gala will help purchase state-of-the-art equipment such as new Digital Mammography units equipped with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software, Stereotactic breast biopsy unit, Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), Bone Density units, Ultrasound units, a patient library and a conference room for support groups, seminars and educational meetings.

The E.C.H.O. Foundation was created in 1996 to advance the philanthropic and charitable contributions for improving healthcare services and programs at Tomball Regional Medical Center. Funds raised by the Foundation are used to further the hospital's mission as a nonprofit organization. The E.C.H.O. Foundation and Tomball Regional Medical Center are dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of Northwest Houston.

TRMC is a self-supporting, nonprofit regional medical center serving Northwest Houston, Tomball, Waller, Cypress, Magnolia, Spring and Montgomery areas. The Medical Center offers comprehensive heart surgery, diagnostic testing, magnetic resonance imaging, intensive cardiac care; family centered birthing suites, emergency room services, outpatient surgery, sports medicine and much more.

For tickets, tables, or to volunteer, please contact the E.C.H.O. Foundation at 281-401-7928.

Source: The Villager by Beth Kuhles

Sales tax revenue up in Town Center

It was a very good year for taxes in the new Woodlands Township. Despite no new revenues from the expanded district, which are expected to kick in by April, the township ended 2007 with double digit increases in sales and hotel taxes.

The township collected $11.6 million in sales tax revenue through a one-cent sales tax in Town Center and an additional one-cent tax in Market Street, The Woodlands Mall expansion, along Texas 242 and at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. That is an 11.6 percent growth from 2006.

The township realized a 7 percent increase from retail sales, and the rest came from construction proceeds and audit adjustments, said Brian Pate, vice president of financial and administration for the township.

On the hotel side, there was a 15 percent growth, with $3.7 million collected from a 7 percent tax on rooms in Town Center. While occupancy has remained steady in the district, the growth in 2007 has been mainly in increased room rates collected for limited service hotels in Town Center, Pate said.In April 2008, the township will begin collecting a 2 cent sales tax throughout The Woodlands, Texas. Those funds will be used to offset fire department costs.

Source: www.Chron.com by Beth Kuhles

History month events planned

The Montgomery County Central Library will celebrate African-American History Month in February. The Conroe branch will host the R.C. Hickman photography collection documenting the Civil Right movement in Texas throughout the month. On Feb. 19, poet A. Van Jordan will ready from this books, Rise, Magnolla and Quantum Lyrics.

Following the reading, participants will be invited to make their own presentations of up to eight minutes.

Source: www.Chron.com by Beth Kuhles

Triathlon training class offered

The Parks and Recreation Department once again is offering training classes for the CB&I Triathlon in The Woodlands, Texas. Classes include a 10-week beginner program that meets one hour a day, three times a week.

It focuses on all aspects of the triathlon, including swimming, cycling and running. Class starts on Feb. 26. The fee for residents is $300, non-residents will pay $310. For those too busy to make all classes, an on-line workout program is available for $100.

The Community Associations also is providing personal coaches in its Tri-Training Program through a 10-week class of conditioning and seminars. It includes weekly workouts and seminars to enhance your knowledge about the sport. That offering costs $350 for residents and $360 for non-residents and also begins Feb. 26.

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 281-210-3950.

Source: www.Chron.com by Beth Kuhles

Xploration Station sponsors photo contest

Xploration Station at The Woodlands Mall is sponsoring a nature photography contest to capture the wilds of The Woodlands. Photos can portray animal behaviors, wildlife in natural habitat, plant life, naturl alandscapes, weather or people interacting with nature. There are two categories, including photos taken in The Woodlands and photos taken by Woodlands residents.

Winning photos will be featured in a new exhibit at the museum beginning on Feb. 29, in the museum newsletter and on the museum's Web site.The competition will present awards for children from 10 to 17 and adults 18 and older. The awards include a museum membership.

Source: www.Chron.com by Beth Kuhles

Innovative Tourism Oriented Policing Conference Brings Local Public Safety and Business Groups Together

Expanding modern community oriented policing strategies to encompass the unique tourism and commercial based economies of South Montgomery County, the Shenandoah Police Department in partnership with the City of Shenandoah Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Woodlands Township, and The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts a two day Tourism Oriented Protection Services Seminar at the City of Shenandoah CVB on the 29th and 30th of January.

Area Emergency Services Providers, Government Officials, Retailers, Restaurateurs, Hoteliers, Public Entertainment Managers, and Media Representatives will be in attendance to hear world renowned tourism safety expert Dr. Peter Tarlow discuss proven strategies which address the costly effects of crime and terrorism on the tourism industry.

Since 1990 Dr. Tarlow, who holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas A&M University, has been instructing police forces, security specialists, and tourism professionals around the globe in innovative techniques to develop and protect thriving local economies. John Chancellor, Shenandoah Police Chief, spearheaded efforts to bring Dr. Tarlow to the area and share a revolutionary crime prevention philosophy that most closely meets the needs of the South Montgomery County area. While discussing this initiative with members of the Shenandoah Police Department Command Staff, Chief Chancellor said, "We police in a very unique environment and maintain excellent relationships with our fellow public safety entities, but we need to take our efforts a leap forward and garner strong partnerships with each of our local businesses and entertainment venues if we are to be truly successful."

Chief Chancellor added, "Having people return over and over again to Shenandoah and The Woodlands because they feel safe and welcomed is the key to the area's prosperity. We have a responsibility to provide the type of environment that each of us would feel comfortable sending our families to shop, dine, and play in."

The sense of excitement regarding this new philosophy in modern policing has been building amongst all those long involved in the planning process. "Public safety is highly important to tourism, and we welcome this type of approach as The Woodlands and Shenandoah have become regional destinations for shopping, dining and entertainment," said Nelda Luce Blair, Chairman of The Woodlands Township. "We salute the efforts of our public safety community in the proactive approach to creating this great destination. This conference brings a high degree of recognition to the role tourism oriented policing plays on a destination."

Source: www.town-center.com by The Woodlands Township

Model Search at The Woodlands Mall Every Saturday Until February 9

Neil Hamil Modeling Agency FACE 2008 Model Search now underway at shopping center THE WOODLANDS, Texas. January 22, 2008 ~ Every Saturday through February 9, the Neil Hamil Agency will be at The Woodlands Mall looking for individuals interested in entering the agency's FACE 2008 Model Search. Male and females are invited to apply, and no experience is necessary.

Representatives from Neil Hamil will be at the shopping center in the JCPenney court accepting applications from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, January 19, 26 and February 2 and 9. A DJ will be providing music, and applicants can have their photographs taken. The search will be conducted throughout greater Houston, with the top six applicants receiving scholarships to the Mayo-Hill Centre for Modeling and also a contract with the Neal Hamil Agency.

Two lucky winners will also receive a trip to New York City for a fashion photo shoot and a Mayo-Hill skincare package. The FACE 2008 model will also receive a $250 wardrobe.To enter, females should be between the ages of 12 to 22 and be 5' 6" or taller. Males should be 15 to 25 and 5' 9" or taller. There is no charge to apply.

Source: www.town-center.com by The Woodlands Township

Citizens Bank To Construct New Building In College Park

Citizens Bank, a $260 million community bank, plans to open its tenth full service location in The Woodlands later this year at 3705 College Park Drive. The bank is building a 10,600-square-foot building, with 3,700 square feet of bank space and 6,900 square feet of lease space, according to Greg Jordan, director of commercial sales for The Woodlands Development Company.

Construction is now underway, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2008. A full range of banking products will be offered at the new Citizens Bank location.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

Advanced Auto Care Of The Woodlands To Open In Terramont

Advanced Auto Care of The Woodlands, L.L.C. has purchased a 1.3-acre site in the Terramont area of The Woodlands' Village of Sterling Ridge for construction of a Goodyear Automotive Center expected to open this spring, according to Greg Jordan, director of commercial sales for The Woodlands Development Company.

The new independent Goodyear dealer will offer the Goodyear product line of tires and automotive services, including safety and emissions inspections and repair; manufacturer's scheduled services and recommended maintenance; chassis, suspension and steering; state of the art Hunter wheel alignment systems; anti-lock and hydraulic brake system service and repair; air conditioning service and repair; electrical system diagnosis and repair; transmission and fuel injection system diagnosis and repair; engine mechanical service and repair; and tires, wheel balance and ride quality diagnosis and repair.

They will service all makes and models. Advanced Auto Care will be a national account service provider and an extended warranty contract service provider. They will offer a customer shuttle and transportation options, roadside assistance and towing. The shop will feature a comfortable waiting area and media room with Internet access. Advanced Auto Care also offers AAA member benefits, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau, ASA and the Chamber of Commerce.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

Rags to Riches, reopens after renovations.

It might be clothing for a cause, but the fashions at one specialty store in The Woodlands remain first-rate.

The Rags To Riches resale shop has reopened after a brief closure for renovations. Proceeds from the volunteer-run shop benefit legal advocacy for the Montgomery County Women's Center. The center helps victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through services that include counseling, legal advocacy and shelter.

There are more than 11,000 households in Montgomery County affected by domestic violence, according to a press release from the center.

Organizers of the resale shop said it needed a makeover since customers often weren't able to find what they wanted among a jumble of men's and women's business suits, jackets, slacks, skirts, formal dresses and bridal gowns.

The reorganized Rags to Riches also has videos, compact discs, collectibles, coats, sweaters, furs, jackets, shoes, purses, scarves and jewelry. Items are touted as "like new" after countless volunteers sort through items for stains, missing buttons or rips. "We pride ourselves in offering our shoppers very reasonable prices on very good clothing," store manager Eva Joy said.

Rags to Riches is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is located in the Woodridge Shopping Center, directly across Interstate 45 from The Woodlands Mall and the Waterway. Donations for the store can be dropped off 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 1031 Pruitt Road. For bigger items such as furniture, call 281-292-3234 for pick up. Donated items can include household goods, baby items, coats, car seats, high chairs, baby beds, towels, sheets and blankets. All goods should be in gently used or like new condition.

For more information about Rags to Riches, call the store at 281-292-0443. For information on the warehouse or on how to make donations to the women's center, call 281-292-3234.

The 24-hour crisis hotline number for the agency is 936-441-7273.

Rags to Riches
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store is located in the Woodridge Shopping Center, directly across I-45 from The Woodlands Mall and the Riverway.

In the shopping center it is located at 1037 Pruitt Road behind Pappas Bar-B-Q. The store number is 281-292-0443.

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges

Dream day: Bridal event to feature 150 vendors, fashion shows

Wedding anywhere on the horizon? Then the upcoming Dream Weddings Bridal Show is the place you want to be.About 150 vendors will be part of the Saturday and Sunday event at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

Gail McGroder, producer of the bridal show, said four professionally-choreographed fashion shows each day will be another attraction at the event. Consultants also will be on hand to give advice. "We will have a bridal coordinator who will interact with the brides and answer any questions they might have," she said.

McGroder said the show is convenient in that it provides one-stop shopping. She said the event gives brides on the north side of Houston the opportunity to meet north side vendors they might want to consider. "You can visit with anyone involved in the wedding under one roof," she said. Pre-registered guests will receive a $3 discount per ticket, which will be $15 at the door.

Dream Weddings Bridal ShowWhen: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, noon - 5 p.m. SundayWhere: Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive Cost: $15 at the door, $12 pre-registrationRegister: online at http://www.dreamweddingsbridalshow.com/

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges

Several children's stores open at Market Street

Clothing stores aimed at younger residents top a list of several new outlets at Market Street. New to the retail square are Sweet and Sassy, The Right Start, GapKids and Baby Gap. Also new is Vogue Cleaners, the first dry clean operation in Town Center. Jenny Taylor, Market Street activities coordinator, said The Right Start will sell car seats and strollers, marketed to pre-kindergarten children. The store also will offer interactive learning products, developmental toys, books, videos, music, nursery accessories and home safety items.

Sweet and Sassy is a salon for tween girls, but boys up to the age of six can get a haircut there. The salon also will offer specialty up-do's, mini-manicures and pedicures, ear piercing, spa packages and signature parties."It is a full service salon," Taylor said. "It's the coolest place I've ever seen. The little pedicure booth is really dynamic."

Market Street will be the only location in The Woodlands with a GapKids and Baby Gap. These stores will carry sizes newborn through kids size 16. "(The stores) give our customers diversification," Taylor said. "It adds to the mix and what we have to offer. We are excited they are part of our Market Street family." Vogue Cleaners offers customers not only a place to drop off and pick up cleaned clothing, but will do alterations. "With the huge population of people that work in Town Center we hope that this will be a great service," Taylor said.New ShopsThe Right Start and Vogue Cleaners will open this month. GapKids and Baby Gap will open in late February. Sweet and Sassy is now open. For more information, call 281-292-9090 or visit sweetandsassy.com. Market Street is located at 9595 Six Pines Dr.

Source: The Village by Lauren Hodges

Township to study parking

Parking issues in and around The Woodlands Town Center will be the focus of a 13-week study being overseen by The Woodlands Township officials. On Jan. 16, the Township's executive committee accepted a $39,000 bid from Carl Walker Parking to conduct the study. Bids for the project ranged from about $39,000 to $99,000. The firm, founded in 1983 in Michigan, has overseen parking-related projects in many cities including Denver and Portland.

The company has 10 offices in the United States, including one in Dallas. "We know parking in Town Center is a major problem," said Lloyd Matthews, who led the Township's executive committee search for the consultant. "I've been on the board since 2002 and residents have contacted me since 2002 asking 'What are you going to do about it?' "By mid-year, Township officials hope to have reviewed the consultant's assessment of existing parking options, so recommendations on improving the situation can be considered.

Matthews said results of the study will help in sifting through a range of potential solutions to parking problems. "(The parking study) is trying to address the parking problem that we see, to see if the Township could do anything to try to address it, what could be done and how much it would cost," Matthews said. The study will focus on several primary areas, including the evaluation of parking layouts, as well as potential parking garage expansion sites, possible improvements for a selected garage site and a final design and cost estimate for a site, Matthews said. The consultant also will help The Woodlands Township create a parking operations management plan.

No such plan now exists. Parking management issues currently are addressed by a parking committee comprised of business owners. The study also will address the feasibility for sharing select large parking spaces in Town Center, including church parking lots and those belonging to nearby large businesses. Negotiations could be made with those property owners to utilize the parking areas when they are not in use or at off times, Matthews said. "We want to look for a way to help share some of the facilities that exist," he said. Another option to be taken into consideration includes using the trolley system and waterway taxis, which serve Town Center, to ferry people from where they park to another location, Matthews said.

During the process of searching for a consultant, several township officials visited Savannah, Ga. to inspect parking there and glean ideas from city officials. One tactic implemented there involved strategic placement of parking garages throughout the city, Matthews said.

Residents then are bused into residential areas or work hubs."Some of the garages are a mile from downtown, but they're used. We need to look at what can you do to help improve the situation you have here. We're looking at this more for residents and workers than we are for shopping solutions," Matthews said.

The Woodlands Township, previously the Town Center Improvement District, has contributed to parking projects in Town Center in the past. Two of those projects included the Market Street parking garage and the parking garage between the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Matthews said.

The current study, however, is being undertaken to benefit the entire area, not a specific business or entity. "We're not going to go in and build parking spaces for the mall. We're looking for things within the general area we can contribute to," he said. Matthews added the Township's board of directors would listen if a business asked for participation in a parking project."If they approach us and say 'We want to do this. We'll provide these funds and you would provide these funds.' We will consider it," he said.

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

Visitor Services in The Woodlands Hits Record Numbers In 2007

2007 marked a record year for visitor services in The Woodlands, according to The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce. The two organizations recently announced plans to partner in an effort to build upon the distribution of materials to those visiting The Woodlands.

In 2007, more than 54,000 visitors from 59 countries, over 200 Texas zip codes and 47 states visited The Woodlands Mall Information Center and the Concierge Desk & Information Center at Market Street. Moreover, more than 13,500 welcome bags filled with content specifically geared for visitors, those relocating to the area, residents or convention groups, were presented at the two Information Centers. The bags also were presented to visiting convention groups.

"The CVB is doing a remarkable job of marketing The Woodlands as a destination and bringing new visitors and potential residents to our area," notes Connie DeGuerre, Director of Information Centers for the Chamber. "With its partnership, we can provide a high level of service to visitors through The Woodlands Mall Information Center and the Market Street Concierge Desk & Information Center." Besides the welcome bags, the two centers provide a restaurant guide and reservation service, a weekly printed Event Calendar and information on The Woodlands Trolley and Waterway Cruisers.

They also provide maps, assistance with shopping suggestions, transportation, weather forecasts, and more. The centers are open seven days a week, including evenings, with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. "The two Information Centers are the first points of contact for many visitors to The Woodlands," says Nelda Blair, Chairperson of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. "In fact, one new resident who received assistance from the Information Center said, I have been away from this area for several years and I'd almost forgotten how nice it is to receive Southern hospitality!" Nick Wolda, President of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, adds the success of The Woodlands visitors information program starts with identifying the right staff. "Nothing else works if the experience at the two Information Centers is not outstanding," remarks Wolda. “Those who staff the Centers are the ones who make it happen."

Attractions in The Woodlands include championship golf; The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater that provides an array of performing arts and contemporary entertainment while accommodating 16,500 patrons; The Woodlands Waterway; world-class shopping as well as casual and upscale dining options.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

The Woodlands working to become destination for Latin Americans

Local officials and community leaders are continuing their efforts to make The Woodlands a destination for Latin American travelers.

The effort, which has been going on for the past two years, continued recently as representatives with The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center joined several other local organizations in hosting a group of travel writers and tour operators visiting the area from Mexico."We look at Houston as a tourist area for international visitors," said Nick Wolda, vice president of marketing and public affairs for The Woodlands Township. "Right now our focus has been Mexico. With over 100 flights a day from Mexico into Houston International Airport... that's almost 2 million passengers every year," Wolda said. "Looking at sheer numbers, it makes sense for us to really get out there and promote The Woodlands as a destination. We have so many things to do over a weekend's time."

The guests in town were here as part of the Texas-Mexico Familiarization Visit, an annual visit to Houston sponsored by The Office of the Governor for the State of Texas. In addition to The Woodlands, the writers and tour operators visited Austin, Galveston and Houston, the four destinations the State of Texas now considers key to the Mexico travel market. Travel writers visiting The Woodlands included those from the widely-respected travel magazine Travel & Leisure and Mexico City's second-largest newspaper, El Economista. Also in attendance were writers from Turistapma Tourism, a publication distributed throughout Mexico's travel industry, and the women's lifestyle magazine Mujer es Banorte.

The group was joined by contacts from Ofertas Turisticas, a travel wholesaler for those interested in Texas and other destinations, and Exmar, which specializes in leisure and corporate travel for an upscale customer base from Mexico."This group is as influential as there is when it comes to selling The Woodlands as a destination in Mexico," said Julie Charros-Betancor, who covers Mexico and Latin America as a sales manager for The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. "It's a real credit to our community to have the opportunity to host them."While in The Woodlands, the group stayed at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, dined at several nearby spots and shopped at Market Street and The Woodlands Mall. The group was hosted by representatives of Perry's Steakhouse and Grille, Tommy Bahama's, La Madeleine and The Glass at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center.

"The visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase The Woodlands as a first-class destination for shopping, great dining and entertainment," said Wolda, who is also president of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau."Showing a wide range of culinary options is important when hosting a group for a tour," said Marilyn Laidlaw of Perry's Steakhouse and Grille. "We were honored to be able to showcase our restaurant." This year The Woodlands Township has budgeted $40,000 toward marketing to Latin American countries. "There are 92 countries represented in households in The Woodlands," Wolda said. "The Woodlands is very culturally diverse and there are businesses here that want to promote in those areas. We think we've been very successful in our effort."

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

Come enjoy the Chamber's Taste of the Town

On Thursday, Jan. 31, the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau will bring more than 70 restaurants, caterers, bakeries, delis and beverage companies all together under one roof for a huge indoor picnic!
Add a fabulous silent auction, and new this year--The Woodlands Idol finals and a People's Choice award for your favorite booth--and you have a recipe for an enjoyable, fun-packed evening! Dawn O'Brien, DAOS Business Services and Chair of The Taste, said, "We are excited about the addition of the new online services implemented this year, such as online ticket sales and online voting of the People's Choice Restaurant Award." Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite restaurant in the exit survey. Visit www.tasteofthetown.org for details. All attendees are encouraged to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food items for the Montgomery County Food Bank.

Show your talent at The Woodlands Idol Preliminary Competitions set for January 18 from 8-10 p.m. at Dosey Doe and January 26 from 8-10 p.m. at Papa's Ice House Three winners plus a People's Choice Winner from each of the four preliminary events will advance to the finals at Taste of the Town! That's right, a People's Choice! The audience chooses its favorite at each venue to perform at the finals! So, bring your friends to cheer you on for a chance to win fantastic prizes, courtesy of AAA Texas LLC, and the title of The Woodlands Idol!

Contestants must be 18 years or older at the time of the competition. Entry fee is $5 to benefit the Montgomery County Food Bank. Only the first 25 contestants to sign up at each venue will get the chance to compete--so get there early! The lyric monitor will be used at all preliminary competitions but not at the finals at The Taste. A truly tasteful thank you to our underwriters (as of print date):

Iron Chef Underwriter is The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau.Gourmet Chef Underwriters are Bayside Printing, Buca di Beppo, City of Shenandoah, Guri Do Sul, Kroger Food Stores, Northside Lexus, Pepsi Bottling Group, St. Luke's Community Medical Center - The Woodlands and The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

Taste of the Town tickets are now on sale for $20 (will be $25 at the door) online at www.tasteofthetown.org, as well as area Woodforest National Banks, The Chamber Office and The Chamber's Information Center at Market Street. For more information, please contact The Chamber at 281-367-5777 or specialevents@woodlandschamber.org. We hope to see you there! Bon appetite!

Source: The Villager by Kay Hohman

New homes, roadwork is planned in Shenandoah

Shenandoah officials are expecting a housing boom this year. "We're starting to see activity," said Shenandoah City Administrator Chip VanSteenberg. "For most of 2007, a lot of (property) was tied up with problems of funding, but we're shaking that off and leaving that behind us." VanSteenberg's estimate for 2008: "I would anticipate we'll probably see 10 to 15 times the number of new homes built in Shenandoah (compared to 2007)," he said.

After only about 10 homes were issued certificates of occupancy in the city in 2007 - and the potential for up to 150 this year - the city could be in for a population bump.Much of the residential property under development is located to the north and south of Wellman Road. Juliet Homes, the company that owned the Tuscany Woods and Silverwood developments in Shenandoah, went bankrupt in 2007, VanSteenberg said. New developers purchased the properties, and the Silverwood development is expanding to include an additional 40 new lots. "Looking a little further out, the development of the Renniger tract will get going, that's a tract on the west side of Grogan's Mill," VanSteenberg said.

The development is expected to continue for several years, as new plats extending west to Research Park Drive are possibly annexed by the city and developed into more homes. Several significant road projects are expected to see some work this year as well. Some of the projects, like the extension of David Memorial Drive to the north and the widening of Wellman Road, are already under way. Others include the extension of Grogan's Mill to the north, where it will connect to Vision Park Boulevard.

Other road improvements include work on Tamina Road, east of Interstate 45 and significant road and sewer improvements in the Shenandoah Valley Subdivision.The road work will also be partnered with the first steps in Shenandoah's implementation of a parks and pathways plan, which was formed in 2007. A number of commercial projects, including a high-end car dealership, a rehabilitation hospital and a 10-story office tower, are also expected to proceed this year.

Within the city itself, eight new positions were added for the current fiscal year, bringing the city's total work force to about 70. VanSteenberg said several of those positions were within the public works department, and that the number of employees added each year is likely to see smaller increases in the future.

Source: The Villager by Jake Muonio

The Wright Family Designs Art Glass for Palmer Clubhouse

There could be no better way to honor Frank Lloyd Wright, whose architecture inspired the design and decor of the Palmer Clubhouse, than the creation of art glass windows by members of the Wright family. Mrs. John Lloyd Wright II (Jacqueline) and her son, Jordon Lloyd Wright, great grandson of Mr. Wright, recently completed the design, fabrication and installation of new stained glass windows and doors at the entrance to the club.

Jacqueline Wright, designer of the new stained glass said: "The Woodlands is a unique balance of nature and architecture and the design of the Palmer Clubhouse is an example of what Mr. Wright was seeking in his Prairie-style of architecture. To compliment the existing structure, I wanted to try and capture that same organic beauty and the wooded nature of the site."

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

Passport services expand with opening of South County office

Passport service has expanded in South County.
A new location, at J.R. Moore Jr.'s South County Tax Office in the Ed Chance Courthouse Annex, opened Jan. 8. The office is at 1520 Lakefront Circle in The Woodlands. The new location complements an existing passport office at the Conroe District Clerk's Office.
The new joint effort between District Clerk Barbara Adamick and Tax Assessor-Collector J.R. Moore will give residents the opportunity to apply for their passport, renew existing passports and have their picture taken. The office will be open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. According to Adamick, the service will be offered on a trial basis. "It is for the first year," she said. "We will see if it will pay for itself. With the branch down there, if it doesn't pay for itself we will bring the office back (to Conroe)."

The additional location will cost $42,000. Transactions need to gross enough annually to recover expenses. Only one additional employee will be hired to run the new office.Adamick said she has received a lot of complaints about the long lines at other outlets. The Woodlands averages more than 6,200 transactions a month."We are just offering an additional service to the citizens," she said.

Passport OfficesNew office: J.R. Moore, Jr.'s South County Tax Office, Ed Chance Courthouse Annex, 1520 Lakefront Circle.Existing office: Montgomery County Office of Tax Assessor and Collector, 400 N. San Jacinto St. in Conroe.

Source: The Village by Lauren Hodges

Bumper cars: Anti-cell phone bumper stickers going on Constable's fleet

The Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office has become one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to send a very specific type of message.

Constable Tim Holifield has begun distributing bumper stickers among the Precinct 3 fleet which advocate against cell phone use while driving. The sticker reads "Cells Off-Saves Lives." "What we are trying to do is heighten the awareness and take a look at what we are doing," Holifield said. "It could be the difference between someone being injured or loosing their life."

The initiative was spurred in part by the recent death of Deputy Jason Norling, a Precinct 5 Constable killed after he was struck during an October traffic stop. The auto which hit Norling was being driven by someone using a cell phone and who didn't notice him. Holifield said deputies are given a choice to use the sticker, with most willing to participate. The Precinct 3 Constable's Office has ordered more stickers which will soon be available to the public. Stickers will be free and can be picked up in the lobby of the Constable's Office at 1520 Lake Front Circle, Suite 200 in The Woodlands.

"A lot of people will start placing them (stickers) on their vehicles without being asked," he said. "They want to make their community safer too.""It's shocking to learn the number of accidents that are a direct result of distractions," Holifield said.

Although citizens are indeed living and working in a multi-tasking society, Holifield said technology to allow safer communication while driving does exist."Many folks have hands free devices. That alone may reduce (instances where) something is controlling one hand," he said. He asks that people think before or while driving. He said people are now realizing that they can pull over if they need to make a phone call, use a speaker phone or conduct phone calls before even entering the vehicle. He said it is important that our community helps by using alternative means to communicate to focus on the road and keep both hands on the wheel. "We want to help drivers get home to their loved ones, like Deptuty Norling was trying to do," Holifield said.
Stick 'em up Free bumper stickers which advocate against cell phone use while driving are available at the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constables Office at 1520 Lake Front Circle, Suite 200 in The Woodlands. For more information, call 281-364-4211.

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Receives Prestigious Award & Gifts Commemorative Shirts to All Employees

The President's Cup is the most prestigious award given by Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital was selected among 14 other Memorial Hermann hospitals in the greater Houston area for its outstanding performance in the four key strategies of the System: quality, operational excellence, customer service and growth.

"All of our staff share in this award and I want to thank each of them for their many contributions that led to a very successful 2007," says Memorial Hermann The Woodlands CEO Steve Sanders.

"We are so proud to serve our community and it shows." In addition to receiving the award itself, the hospital also earned a $15,000 gift. With the monies received, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands leadership provided each of its 1,200 plus employees with a commemorative golf shirt.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Township

Register for YMCA Early Spring Youth Sports

YMCA Youth Sports Programs are a Great Start to a Lifetime of Health and Wellness
YMCAYouth Sports programs encourage and promote healthy and strong kids and is a great start to a lifetime of health and wellness.

Registrations are underway at the South County YMCA for early spring youth sports. The sports to be offered include Soccer for ages 3 - 15, Basketball for ages 6 - 13 and NFL Flag Football for ages 6 - 13. (Age eligibility as of 09-01-07). Registration deadline is February 3rd.
At the South Montgomery County YMCA, every child is a winner. The Y is turning sports skills into life skills by offering youth sports programs that combine the YMCA philosophy of fair play, teamwork, and inclusiveness to build healthy spirit, mind and bodies. Y Youth Sports help young people to become better players by emphasizing skill development not competition. Everyone plays and everyone wins at the YMCA. Each athlete is treated as an equal and plays in every game.

The YMCA is a not-for-profit, volunteer based charitable organization. We strongly encourage parents to be more than spectators by getting involved as volunteer coaches, team parents and officials as well as being your child's biggest fan. All volunteer coaches are required to be certified through the YMCA Rookie Coaches Course. If you are interested in volunteering please call Sports Director, 281-367-9622.

To register please stop by the YMCA located at 6145 Shadowbend Place or 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands. Online registration is available at http://www.ymcahouston.org/. The YMCA is available to all and strives to turn no one away for inability to pay. Limited Financial Assistance is available to families that substantiate a need. For more information please call 281-367-9622 or log on at http://www.ymcahouston.org/.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Township

Community Organizations & Businesses Prepare for the 31st Annual Arbor Day Celebration in The Woodlands

Community organizations and local businesses are preparing for the 31st Annual Arbor Day Celebration in The Woodlands on Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 10 am until 2 pm at Sterling Ridge Village Center, according to Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing for The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC). Lovable mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone, will also celebrate his birthday at the event. The merchants at Sterling Ridge Village Center and TWDC are sponsors of this celebration while the Community Associations of The Woodlands is sponsoring the tree giveaway. The Brickman Group, Ltd. is a participating sponsor of Arbor Day. Approximately 33,000 tree seedlings in nine different varieties will be distributed free, continuing a 31-year tradition that began in 1977.

The selection of trees includes Bald Cypress, Chinquapin Oak, Loblolly Pine, Magnolia Grandiflora, Nuttall Oak, Pecan, Texas Redbud, White Oak and Willow Oak. In addition to receiving free tree seedlings, guests may register at the event to win one of five, 15-gallon native trees. The drawings will be held at 1:45 pm, and entrants must be present to win. Free giant inflatable rides, face painting, musical entertainment from youth performing duo Nick and Jake and free children's gifts (while supplies last) add to the fun. Puffy's birthday celebration will begin at 1 pm with 15 mascot friends joining in the celebration.

Puffy's mascot friends include Clutch from the Houston Rockets; Alex from the Madagascar movie; Barkley from Woodforest National Bank; Bear from Bear Branch Junior High School; Bones from the Museum of Natural Science; Carey Bear from Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital; Chick-fil-A Cow; Chicken Little from his movie; Dora the Explorer; Good Neigh-Bear from State Farm Insurance; Grimace and Hamburglar from McDonalds; Patrick and SpongeBob from the SpongeBob SquarePants' cartoon series and movie; and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle from the cartoon series and the movies. Children will also enjoy free birthday cupcakes at the birthday party.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Township

The Woodlands Alden Bridge

Happy New Year from Alden Bridge!

This will be another fun filled year for Alden Bridge residents! We're already planning the annual Spring Festival and the Summer Pool Party. We'll be awarding scholarships to Alden Bridge students and prizes to Yards of the Month and Spookiest House winners for Halloween.

We'll participate in the 4th of July Parade, villages' Flea Market, baseball game trips and various festivals occurring in The Woodlands during the year. You'll find information about our activities on our Web site, http://www.aldenbridge.org/, and by subscribing to our monthly newsletter (send your email address to info@aldenbridge.org). We'll need volunteers for all of these activities, so please contact us to sing up. It's rewarding and fun.

Dog Park Club donates to Parks and Recreation for dog park improvements

The Woodlands Dog Park Club recently donated to the Community Associations of The Woodlands, Parks and Recreation Department, for improvements at the Bear Branch Park dog park. "We are donating $1,500 to our Parks department for the addition of needed trees and a bigger concrete area at Bear Branch Park," said Laura McConnell, president of The Woodlands Dog Park Club.

"Our dog parks are important to us. Their creation has saved many human/canine relationships, and in speaking to dog park users, I know they have prevented many high-energy dogs from being returned to shelters. We have worked closely with our Parks department for years, and they partner with us every year at Spring Bark! We could not do this event without their help. It is our pleasure to give back to an organization that does so much for our community."

Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation, accepted the check on behalf of the department and The Woodlands Community Association, owner of the park.

"We are very thankful to The Woodlands Dog Park Club for their generous donation. This funding is greatly appreciated and will be used for making various improvements to the Bear Branch Dog Park," he said. "The Woodlands Dog Park Club continues to be a great advocate and partner for the Parks and Recreation Department, and we look forward to maintaining this relationship in the years to come."

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Township

Reporters, Tour Operators From Mexico Descend On The Woodlands

Seeking to promote The Woodlands as a premier destination for travelers from Mexico, representatives with The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center and other local organizations recently rolled out the red carpet for a group of travel writers and tour operators visiting the area from Mexico.

"This group is as influential as there is when it comes to selling The Woodlands as a destination in Mexico," explains Julie Charros-Betancor, who covers Mexico and Latin America as a sales manager for The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. "It's a real credit to our community to have the opportunity to host them."

Those in town were guests of Texas Mexico Familiarization Visit, an annual Christmas visit to Houston sponsored by The Office of the Governor for the State of Texas. In addition to The Woodlands, the writers and tour operators visited Austin, Galveston and Houston, the four destinations the State of Texas now considers key to the Mexico travel market.

Travel writers visiting The Woodlands included those from the widely-respected travel magazine, Travel & Leisure, and Mexico City's second-largest newspaper, El Economista. Also in attendance were writers from Turistapma Tourism, a publication distributed throughout Mexico's travel industry, and the women's lifestyle magazine Mujer es Banorte.

The group was joined by contacts from Ofertas Turisticas, a travel wholesaler for those interested in Texas and other destinations, and Exmar, which specializes in leisure and corporate travel for an upscale Mexican customer base.

While in The Woodlands, the group enjoyed accommodations at The Woodlands Resort, dined at several nearby spots and shopped at Market Street and The Woodlands Mall. The group was hosted by Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, Tommy Bahama's, La Madeleine and The Glass at The Woodlands Resort.

"The visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase The Woodlands as a first-class destination for shopping, great dining and entertainment," says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It was a home run for everyone involved."

"Showing a wide range of culinary options is important when hosting a group for a tour," said Marilyn Laidlaw of Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. "We were honored to be able to showcase our restaurant."

"This was a fantastic group and it was great to be able to show them what The Woodlands has to offer," added Connie DeGuerre, director of information centers for the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce.

The group arrived in The Woodlands on December 14 and departed December 16.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Township

WWE personalities open clothing store

The Woodlands is getting a little taste of smack down.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Champion and The Woodlands High School product Nick Mitchell has opened a clothing store on Market Street with partner Torrie Wilson, a WWE diva. Jaded offers clothes with a celebrity feel, billed as casual, yet chic for the young and style-conscious.

The store features men's and women's clothes from designers such as Bejeweled, Sky, True Religion, LA Rock, BB Simon, Tarrina Tarrantino, Ed Hardy, Sinful, Dragonfly and Edward Dada. "We have fun hats," Wilson said. "We try to carry things that are original. A lot of stuff is attention-grabbing, nice, quality clothing that can fit any age group to the hipster that likes to hang out with their friends at night, to the mother who has to go pick up their kids from school."

Growing up in The Woodlands, Mitchell participated in a Mr. Woodlands contest and played on the high school football team. Wilson moved here to help Mitchell, her boyfriend, open the store. "This is the first location, we definitely have plans to expand within the next two years," Wilson said.

The owners feel the tastes and sense of fashion style displayed by area residents makes The Woodlands a prime location for Jaded. "I have always been a big clothes horse," Wilson said. "I made my own costumes and clothes. I moved to Houston a year ago and I realized there was nowhere to shop in The Woodlands for the kind of clothes I wanted to buy."

Wilson said clothes are a way for people to express their personality."If you feel good about what you have on, you feel good about yourself," Wilson said. "For a lot of people it is really a form of self expression." Wilson said she likes to wear funky, flashy outfits. "I'm a Texas girl," Wilson said. "I like the bling, something that catches someone's attention." Wilson's favorite brand is Sky. She said the store does not carry children's clothing, but it does offer Ed Hardy for young teens. "That is the brand hitting hard in Houston right now and the teens really love it," Wilson said.

Jaded
Store hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday12-6 p.m. Sunday

Jaded is located at Market Street between Chipotle and Luke's Locker at 9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1070. For more information, visit their website at www.officiallyjaded.com

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges