Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Woodlands eNeighbor











American Trails Honors The Woodlands with 2010 Developer Award


The Woodlands was recognized on November 16 at the National Trails Awards Ceremony with the 2010 American Trails Developer Award. The awards ceremony, recognizing individuals and projects in a range of categories, was held as part of the 20th American Trails National Symposium. American Trails established the Developer Award Program in 2008 to recognize quality, well designed, multi-use trails systems that are integrated into private developments. The program is the only one of its kind in the nation.


“Increasingly, enlightened developers are providing quality trails and open spaces,” said Bob Searns, Chairman of the Board of Directors for American Trails. “This helps fulfill our vision of access to trails from the doorsteps of every American home. It’s smart business and smart land stewardship. We are thrilled to acknowledge The Woodlands Development Company for its commitment to establishing such an extensive, high quality trails system for the enjoyment of the community’s residents and visitors.”


Trails are very popular within planned developments. They rank as the number one community amenity desired by prospective homebuyers, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.


“We are grateful to American Trails for honoring us with this prestigious award,” said Tim Welbes, President of The Woodlands Development Company. “The Woodlands was one of the first large-scale, master-planned communities to incorporate a system of hike and bike trails into the overall community design. The trails are among our residents’ favorite amenities, and help to maintain our philosophy of living green by creating a walkable environment.”


For more information about American Trails, visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B5A:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634&.




Traffic Signal and Pedestrian Crossing Being Installed at Creekside Forest and Gosling


Construction is underway at Gosling Road and Creekside Forest Drive for installation of a traffic signal, pedestrian signal and crossing, and a new pathway. Construction is also progressing on moving the inbound lane on Creekside Forest Drive. The inbound lane will be angled over to the center median to provide a tighter radius and easier curve when turning left from Gosling to Creekside Forest Drive, according to Daniel E. Kolkhorst, P.E., Vice President of Engineering & Construction for The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC). These are projects of the Road Utility District, being managed by TWDC.


A new pathway on the east side of Gosling Road from Flintridge Drive traveling south to the Spring Creek Bridge was recently opened. Construction is underway on the extension of the pathway to the entrance of the Village of Creekside Park. The pathway will provide a pedestrian signal and crossing at Gosling Road and Creekside Forest Drive. “The pathway and crossing will provide an easier connection from the Village of Creekside Park to other villages in The Woodlands and vice versa,” Kolkhorst said. The pathway is a project of TWDC.


For more information about roadway improvements in The Woodlands, visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B4B:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634& and click on Development Updates.




Mitchell Intermediate Visits Interfaith’s Food Pantry


Approximately 100 students from Mitchell Intermediate School’s LC3 (Learning Community) visited Interfaith of The Woodlands Food Pantry to better understand the need in our community and inspire the students to perform community service. Every year in each learning community, Mitchell Intermediate students choose a community service project they feel will help make an impact in their community and surrounding area. This year, LC3 students wanted to help people who are hungry and may be having trouble providing for their families because of job losses or other reasons. Pictured are LC3 students Nick Roush, Davis Fridley and Payton Tucker.


Interfaith of The Woodlands was selected as its service project, and students will collect food throughout the year for Interfaith’s Food Pantry. In addition to visiting the food pantry, the students donated 412 pounds of food. For more information about Mitchell students’ experience or Interfaith of The Woodlands, visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B5D:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634& or call 281-367-1230.




A Horse With No Name? Never! Lone Star College’s New Mascot Dubbed “Monty”


Last month, Lone Star College-Montgomery debuted its new mascot, a white horse – a maverick – with a blue mane and tail, at the college’s 15th anniversary celebration. What was missing, however, was the maverick’s name.


Problem solved – with a list of more than 100 suggested names from an online submission process, a clear winner emerged – Monty, which is often used as a shortened version of “Montgomery”. “Monty was easily the most popular choice,” said Steve Scheffler, Dean of College Relations at LSC-Montgomery.


The next step is the creation of a graphic that depicts the maverick in a bold, exciting manner, said Scheffler. That should be ready in a couple of weeks. “Our goal with the new mascot is to make it a fixture – not only on our campus, but out in the community as well,” added Scheffler. “If anyone is interested in inviting our mascot to their community event, I know that Monty would love to attend.”


For more information about the college, call 936-273-7000 or visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B5F:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634&.




Also at LSC-Montgomery, ‘Operation Helmet’ Co-Founder to Speak


The Lone Star College-Montgomery Lyceum Speaker Series invites the community to a motivational and heartfelt presentation by Dr. Bob Meaders, Co-Founder of Operation Helmet, Tuesday, December 7 at 12 pm on campus in Building B, Room 102. This presentation, which coincides with the nation’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided, and a meet-and-greet reception will start at 11:30 am in the same location.


Meaders will share the story of how he and his grandson, Lance Cpl. Justin Meaders of the U.S. Marines, organized a global movement to touch the lives of soldiers through their non-profit volunteer-driven organization, Operation Helmet. Providing free helmet upgrade kits to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Operation Helmet aims to increase the comfort and safety of the nation’s soldiers. The movement has morphed into one that has provided more than 53,000 helmet upgrade kits over a six-year period, capturing the attention of celebrities like Cher (pictured with Dr. Meaders) along with significant support from the business community.


For more information about this presentation, visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B61:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634& or contact Linda Woodward at 936-273-7228.




Greater Houston Builders Association and HomeAid Houston Present MCYS with Storage Facility


The Montgomery County Builders and Developers (MCBDD) division of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) and HomeAid Houston (HAH) presented Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS) with a new 600-square-foot, climate-controlled storage facility for MCYS’ BridgeWay and Fairway homes at a recent ribbon cutting and dedication.


“We are so grateful to everyone who contributed their time and resources to MCYS,” said MCYS Executive Director John Bracken. “These can be tough times for our residents, and the addition of our new storage facility will allow us to provide them with more living space and a more comfortable environment as we move items that have been stored in the home out to the new facility.”


MCYS is a private, not-for-profit counseling agency committed to providing quality social service programs to children and families in crisis throughout Montgomery County. For more information, visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B63:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634& or call 936-756-8682.






Plantation Homes “Stuff Your Stocking” Promotion Now Underway


Plantation Homes is offering a $3,000 Gift Card to Best Buy and a $1,000 Gift Card to Gallery Furniture with the purchase of a new home between November 24 and December 31, 2010. Plantation builds in the neighborhood of Tupelo Trail in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands. Homes are priced from the $300’s. Visit or call the sales counselor for details at 281-351-2266.




Custom Homes Open for Touring this Weekend


Three gorgeous custom homes, ready for immediate move-in, will be open for touring this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 in neighborhoods surrounding the Gary Player Signature golf course in the Village of Sterling Ridge. Here are the details:















34 E. Loftwood

Jeff Paul Custom Homes, Ltd.

$999,000

Open Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 4 pm
19 E. Loftwood

T.D. Cox Homes, LLC

$999,950

Open Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 5 pm
7 N. Player Crest

George Weaver, Inc.

$1,150,000

Open Saturday, 1 – 4 pm and Sunday,

2:30 – 5:30 pm

For more information about these homes and other available custom homes in The Woodlands, call The Woodlands Custom Homes at 281-367-4550 or visit http://whatcounts.com/t?r=399&c=2399420&l=48737&ctl=3419B66:E6E1C2CB4DBFDECBC112C79C732B230EF6F7A55605789634&.



  • You can help make the holidays brighter for a senior in Montgomery County by purchasing a gift for either a man or woman valued at $10-$15. The gift should be unwrapped or placed in a decorative gift bag and delivered by December 10 to any First National Bank Texas location or The Friendship Center at 1202 Callahan in Conroe. For more information, call 936-756-5828.




  • The Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW) will hold their monthly mixer at the Montgomery County Food Bank, located at 111 South Second Street in Conroe 77301 on Thursday, December 9 from 5 – 7 pm. The MCABW is asking members to bring a $10 donation or bag of non-perishable goods for the food bank. For more information about MCABW, call Carol Gooch at 713-256-8002.




  • The popular Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market will be open for two more Saturdays – December 4 and 11 – from 8 am – noon in the parking lot of Grogan’s Mill Village Center near Randalls. The market features all local vendors offering sustainably and locally grown produce, grass fed beef, cheeses, bread & pastries, prepared tamales, cocoa and pancake mixes and other specialty items.