February 2021

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

Fire Department (non-emergency) 281-367-3444

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 281-297-6500, Business, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 936-442-7797, Non-Emergency, 24 hours

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Water Providers

Woodlands Water (Montgomery County MUDs) 855-H20-SAVE (855-426-7283)

Harris – Montgomery Counties MUD No. 386, 281-290-6500

Emergency 911

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

message from The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

Vote in February for Residential Design Review Committees and Village Associations

It’s time to vote for your village leaders on the Residential Design Review Committees and Village Associations.

Volunteers are critical to The Woodlands; thousands of volunteer hours are necessary to carry out the governance of our community. As in the past, elections will continue to be held in February for the Residential Design Review Committees (RDRCs) and the Village Associations. The Woodlands Township Board of Directors election is held in November and follows a different process. All elected positions in The Woodlands are volunteer.

The majority of properties in The Woodlands Township are encumbered with either The Woodlands Community Association Covenants or The Woodlands Association Covenants (both herein referred to as the Covenants). As prescribed by the Covenants, five-member resident-elected committees serve to facilitate property improvements, known as the Residential Design Review Committees. Elected to oneyear terms, residents dedicate several hours each month to review the applications submitted by their neighbors for improvements to their property.

Each of the villages has a civic or village association that facilitates activities specific to its village and has officer and/or representative positions up for election.

Voting for all residents and property owners for the February Residential Design Review Committee and Village Association elections will be held at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, located at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. No voting will be held for uncontested races. Check the Township website for the list of contested races and cancellations. Election Day is Saturday, February 20, 2021.

More information regarding elections can be found on The Woodlands Township website, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/februaryelection, or call 281-210-3800.

February 2021

• Volume 25

The Woodlands COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township

CHAMPIONS STAFF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr.

Account Executives Cheryl Kirsch

Graphic Designers

Jim Callahan

Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Senior Copy Editor Kacie Gurney

Copy Editors

Perry Frank

Shelby Doerries

Editorial Assistant Barbara Ryan

Advertising inquiries, rate requests and change of address/delivery inquiries may be directed to:

6608 FM 1960 W., Suite G Houston, Texas 77069 281-583-7661

www.championsprinting.com

The Woodlands Community Magazine has earned three Communicator Awards of Distinction, the Bronze Quill Award of Merit from the Houston Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, a Merit Award from The Service Industry Advertising Awards and a Gold MarCom Award.

Learn to Kayak at Riva Row

Kayaking is a great outdoor recreational activity with many inherent benefits – including social distance! It can help increase cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, particularly in the back, arms, chest and shoulders, but it is also a low-impact activity and is great for people of all ages. Kayaking can also help with stress reduction, which so many of us need after the past year. And, of course, being out in nature helps reconnect kayakers with their environment in a multitude of ways.

Many people haven’t tried kayaking because there’s a sense that much preparation accompanies it, such as what gear is needed, how to prepare and where one should kayak. Fear not!

Riva Row Boat House, right here in The Woodlands Town Center, is here to take all the confusion and stress out of kayaking so that you can feel wellprepared for your next relaxing and/or adventurous day out on the water.

Every Friday this month, join us at Riva Row Boat House, 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands, TX 77380, for our Learn to Kayak program. This program is designed to get you comfortable out on the water and in a kayak so that you can reap all the benefits this awesome activity has to offer. Class begins at 4 p.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes. This program is specially

designed for those who have never been kayaking or haven’t kayaked in a long time and need a refresher. Instructors will review equipment, paddling techniques and emergency skills. Instructors will answer any questions you may have about kayaking to ease your mind and help you enjoy the activity. By the end of one of these classes, you will feel much more prepared to adventure in a kayak on your own or you can come to multiple dates for additional practice and more intermediate instruction.

Children ages 10 and over are welcome to join as long as there is a parent or guardian in a separate boat with them.

To register for one of these classes, please call 281-210-3950 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ signupforfun. The cost of the program is $40 per person, per class. We look forward to seeing you this month at one of these classes!

Learn to Kayak Program Dates

Pre-registration is required.

All sessions take place at Riva Row Boat House and cost is $40/person.

• Friday, February 5, 2021: 4 p.m.

• Friday, February 12, 2021: 4 p.m.

• Friday, February 19, 2021: 4 p.m.

• Friday, February 26, 2021: 4 p.m.

Now Hiring

Riva Row Boat House will be hiring for the spring/summer season with seasonal postings starting this month. If you or someone you know loves the outdoors and needs an exciting summer job, apply now! For more details and to view these positions please visit: www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/jobs.

Online Reservations Available Now

Did someone say I could get my Valentine’s Day swan boat RESERVED? New for 2021, you can now make an online reservation or walk-up to either boat house and get out on the water more quickly. Go to the new www.rivarowboathouse.com or www. lakesedgeboathouse.com to see rules, maps, boat descriptions, age and weight restrictions, check online availability, sign waivers and secure your favorite watercraft before you leave home!

Please call 281-210-3965 for more details.

HEART & VASCULAR CARE

in T h e Woodland s

2021 Community Tree Planting

Calling all tree lovers! On Saturday, February 13, 2021, The Woodlands Township will host the seventh annual Community Tree Planting event. To maintain COVID-19 safety, this year’s event has been reformatted: residents will drive through The Woodlands Senior High School parking lot and select up to two trees in three-gallon pots. Trees may be planted wherever the resident wishes, at home or in green spaces in The Woodlands.

A total of 1,000 trees are available in the following varieties: Loblolly Pine, Shumard Oak, Bald Cypress, Pecan, Swamp Chestnut Oak and Water Hickory. Supplies are limited, so residents must register in advance for their trees. Please visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment for more information.

Residents are asked to share the location of their newly planted trees and report back on the health of their trees one year later. Data collected from these reports supports the tracking of reforestation efforts throughout the community. Resources will be available to help in the successful planting and care of the trees.

Community Tree Planting is made possible through a partnership with The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., Chevron Phillips and Trees for

Houston. More than 13,000 native trees have been planted since the program began in 2015.

2021 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING

Saturday, February 13, 2021

9 a.m. to noon

The Woodlands Senior High School, 6101 Research Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381

This year’s annual tree planting will take place as a drive-thru event. Residents can pre-register to pick up five-gallon native trees to plant throughout the community.

Registration Required: www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment

EARTH DAY GREENUP 2021

Join The Woodlands Township for its 10th annual community litter cleanup event, Earth Day GreenUp, on Saturday, March 20, 2021. Team up with family, friends and neighbors for a socially-distanced volunteer opportunity to target litter on pathways, along waterways and in greenbelts. Help keep our community beautiful and enjoy the outdoors while bagging litter from streets, pathways and streams. March is the perfect time to spot litter hiding in the bushes before new leaf growth covers it up. All litter, big and small, can have adverse effects on wildlife, public health and property values.

Participants will check in at a designated neighborhood park to pick up supplies: disposable gloves, bags, safety vests and a map to an assigned area. A limited number of trash grabbers are available to groups who pre-register. Participants are encouraged to bring reusable work gloves and a reusable water bottle to reduce waste. The safety of volunteers, residents and staff is the highest priority. All volunteers and staff will wear face coverings. Participants are required to wear a face covering when picking up and returning equipment at check-in.

Pre-registration is encouraged before March 15, 2021, especially

for groups. Those who pre-register will receive a special 10-year anniversary T-shirt (while supplies last, sizes are limited). Day-of walkup registration is welcome. Register now at www.thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov/greenup. For more information, please call 281-210-3800.

Earth Day GreenUp is coordinated by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department with sponsorship from Waste Management, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Woodlands Water, Yellowstone Landscape, The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., H-E-B and Howard Hughes.

Spring OrganicVegetable Gardening Class

WITH DR. JOE MASABNI

It’s a new year and a great time to recommit to your health. If you set a health or fitness goal for 2021, consider gardening. It’s a fantastic way to reduce stress and stay active with 200 to 400 calories burned in an hour! Additionally, having fresh organic vegetables in your own back yard makes it easy to turn out nutritious, delicious meals.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your spring vegetable garden. Take your first step by attending The Woodlands Township’s Spring Organic Vegetable Gardening Class on Saturday, February 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. to

noon. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this free online class will help ensure a bountiful harvest. Join Dr. Joe Masabni as he shares his vegetable gardening expertise honed through a lifetime of research and practice. Author of numerous “Easy Gardening Fact Sheets” for Texas A&M and recipient of Blue Ribbons by The American Society of Horticultural Sciences for his two books, Organic Vegetable Production Guide and Easy Gardening for Texas, Dr. Masabni is an expert at conveying research-based information in way that gardeners of all

experience levels can understand and apply.

Want to know which vegetables grow best in southeast Texas? Have questions about improving your soil, selecting the right plant or companion planting? Would you like to know how to manage pests without chemicals?

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the top gardening experts in Texas. The Spring Organic Vegetable Gardening Class is free but registration is required. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment to register today.

February 2021

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

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar

NO CHANGES IN GARBAGE SERVICE THIS MONTH

Please watch this space for information about garbage and recycling service or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/holidaytrash.

Enjoy the arrival of spring with the free Concert In The Park music series at Northshore Park.

Concert in the Park is a popular family tradition of music and fun for all ages! Concerts are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at beautiful Northshore Park, 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381. Come out this spring and enjoy the free concert series, featuring the following acts:

March 7, 2021: Bulbo (Variety)

March 14, 2021: Sound Warehouse (Variety)

March 21, 2021: Festus (Variety)

March 28, 2021: Samy Jo (Variety)

April 4, 2021: NO CONCERT

April 11, 2021: Andy and The Dreamsicles (Classic Rock)

April 18, 2021: The Shades of Gray (Blues/Country)

Blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and pets are permitted.

Those planning to attend the event should practice social distancing,

refrain from gathering in large groups and continue following all guidelines established by the CDC when in public spaces and around others outside of your household. Please note all concert dates are subject to cancellation, pending local, state and federal orders or declarations.

For more information, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ concertinthepark.

Adult and Youth Enrichment Programs

The Woodlands Township

Parks and Recreation is proud to offer fun, safe enrichment programs for youth and adults this spring! Enrichment activities include Adult Ballroom Dancing, Drama Rocket Comedy, improvisation classes, Young Rembrandts art programs and more. All adult and youth enrichment programs can be found in the Spring 2021 Action Guide at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ actionguide.

For more information or to register, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348, or visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/

signupforfun. Programs are sure to fill up quickly, so register today!

Please note: The Woodlands Township is committed to preserving your safety while maintaining the integrity of organized recreation. With everyone contributing, we CAN have safe recreation! Given the unprecedented situation surrounding COVID-19, Township Parks and Recreation facilities, programs, services and events are subject to change, modification and/or cancellation to ensure compliance with respective State of Texas, Montgomery County and/or Harris County declarations and/ or Township Board of Directors.

Find your fun with The Woodlands Township this spring at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/actionguide.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

This month’s village association board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. Meetings are scheduled at the Township office, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., although, as of this writing due to the pandemic, our meetings have been held virtually. Follow the Alden Bridge Village Association page on Facebook or our website, www.aldenbridge.org, for updates. If you are interested in attending our meetings while they are being held virtually, especially if you have a public comment or concern, please send us an e-mail at abvainfo@gmail.com.

The Residential Design Review Committees (RDRC) and Village Association Election Day will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021, with voting hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Convenience voting will occur for one week leading up to Election Day (Monday, February 15 –Friday, February 19, 2021), with voting hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All voting will take place at the Township Town Hall, located at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Alden Bridge will elect 10 at-large Area Reps and five members of the RDRC. Your vote is important, so please participate in our election!

It’s time to think about our 2021 scholarship program, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by. If you or someone you know will begin higher education this year, don’t hesitate to apply for one of our scholarships. All graduating high school students residing in Alden Bridge are eligible to apply. See your high school counselor for

details or find more information and the scholarship application at www.aldenbridge.org/scholarships.

For more news of our village, please visit our Facebook page and sign up for our monthly email newsletter. Just send your email address to abvainfo@gmail.com and we’ll sign you up. Use that same email address to contact us with any concerns about life in Alden Bridge. We’re here to help our residents.

Enjoy the month and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

Please plan to vote! Residents and property owners may vote in the election of village association area representatives at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, located at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Convenience voting is from Monday, February 15 through Friday, February 19, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day is Saturday, February 20, 2021, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Scholarship applications for every high school senior residing in Cochran’s Crossing and continuing to higher education are available. Please go to www.cochranscrossing. com to download an application or to the College and Career Centers at The Woodlands High School or The Woodlands College Park High School. The application deadline is April 19, 2021.

Great news! The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association came in third in the Plant For Pollinators Village Challenge and will receive

an award for our education fund. The education fund supports both the scholarship program and grants to fund projects and buy supplies for our three elementary schools in the village. These village contests and the board’s volunteer efforts in the community are the main sources of funding for the education fund.

The current opportunity to raise education funds is the Water Wise Village Challenge. It only takes a minute, literally, to go fill out the pledge form for the Water Wise Village Challenge at this site: www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ waterconservation. Click on the link to take the pledge to turn your sprinklers off until April 15. Please take the pledge. It’s great for your water bill, for your lawn, for the environment, and for the children and teens of this village!

The next meeting of the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Please follow our Facebook page, Village of Cochran’s Crossing Association, and find us on our webpage, www. cochranscrossing.com, and email us at cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com.

Indian Springs

Indian Springs Village Association Community Service Scholarship Applications: Calling all college-bound 2021 graduating seniors who are residents of Indian Springs. The most exciting time of the year for the Indian Springs Village Association is when we award scholarships to deserving graduating seniors. The essential purpose of

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Indian Springs Village Association is to raise funds to honor those students who have demonstrated an immense dedication to community service and citizenship. This year’s scholarship applications are currently available on our website and are due in March. Award winners and their parents will be notified and invited to a special reception held during the ISVA Board Meeting at The Woodlands Township in April. Scholarship information and applications can be downloaded at www.indianspringsvillage.com/ programs/scholarships.

Indian Springs Village Association has funded $34,000 in scholarships during the past seven years. Funds are raised primarily through the community events such as The Taste of the Village held in October. Recent scholarship recipients by year include:

2020

Brendan Alam

College Park High School

Madelyn Mize

The Woodlands High School

Tyler Clough

The Woodlands High School

2019

Abby Inbusch

The John Cooper School

Alex Alley

The Woodlands High School

Bernadette Pavlich

The Woodlands High School

Matther Kaiser

The Woodlands High School

Submitted by Michael Saucier

Panther Creek

Spring is around the corner, and many activities are getting

underway. Planting your own vegetable garden is a wonderful way to keep in touch with nature and to treat your family to the freshest and healthiest foods. On February 20, Dr. Joe Mosabni of Texas A&M will share tips and methods for you to produce your own bountiful harvest this year. Register online at The Woodlands Township for this ZOOM presentation.

Also on that day, you can bring your kids to explore and touch real versions of the big trucks and emergency vehicles at Touch-a-Truck, from 9 a.m. to noon at Rob Fleming Park. Call 281-516-7348 for details.

Outdoor music will fill the air at Northshore Park beginning again March 7 at 5:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, snacks, coolers, family and pets. This concert series is great fun and will continue Sunday evenings for several weeks.

The Panther Creek Village Association exists to serve our entire Panther Creek community. We are all volunteers working to help living here be a richer experience for all. We help address questions and concerns about living in The Woodlands for you. From student scholarships, to Christmas gifts for our seniors, to community events like the 4th of July parade and more, we invite you to participate as we all keep The Woodlands a real hometown. As a resident of Panther Creek you are already one of our 12,000 members. Our board is listed at: www.PantherCreekVillage.org.

Listed there also are links to numerous services and events. We look forward to your participation.

Submitted by Paul Gebolys

VILLAGE WEBSITES

ALDEN BRIDGE

www.aldenbridge.org

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

www.cochranscrossing.com

COLLEGE PARK

www.villageofcollegepark.com

CREEKSIDE PARK

www.creeksideparkvillage.com

GROGAN’S MILL

www.grogansmillvillage.com

INDIAN SPRINGS

www.indianspringsvillage.com

PANTHER CREEK

www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

STERLING RIDGE

www.sterling-ridge.org

Residents of The Woodlands saved more than 17,000 pounds of waste from the landfill at the 3R Drive-thru event!

For more opportunities to recycle items not accepted in curbside recycling carts, please check out the Recycle More Guide via the QR code.

3R Recycling Drive-thru Results

The Woodlands Township hosted the 3R Drive-thru on Saturday, November 14, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon at The Woodlands High School. About 750 vehicles drove through the event for free recycling of select items and secure document shredding.

With the help of local partner organizations, more than 17,000 pounds of material were collected for recycling, including 9,547 pounds of shredded paper by Shred It; 5,114 pounds of batteries by U-Waste Recycling Solutions; 2,692 pounds of textiles by Simple Recycling; 1,800 pairs of eyeglasses by The Woodlands Lions Club; 100 pounds of oral care products and two pounds of disposable razors by Junior Girl Scout Troop #108094; 10 pounds of snack and drink pouches by Hailey Elementary PTA and Wilkerson Intermediate PTO; and 1,200 cubic feet of block Styrofoam.

The event also collected more than $2,500 and 1,010 pounds of canned food items, both of which were donated to Interfaith of The Woodlands Food Pantry. Volunteers from National Charity League Texas Laurels (NCL) and National Charity Roundtable (NCR) assisted with event operations.

The 2020 Recycling Village Challenge item was batteries. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. awards money to each village scholarship program based on pounds of batteries collected

per capita (pounds of batteries collected per household in each village).

Between annual 3R events, residents are encouraged to recycle rechargeable batteries at the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility (Montgomery County residents only), Batteries Plus Bulbs, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s or a Walmart Super Center. Single-use alkaline batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus Bulbs or the Precinct 3 Recycling Facility.

The 3R Drive-thru is a free program of The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department with sponsorship from Chevron Phillips Chemical, Waste Management, Woodlands Water, Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. and Woodlands Wholesale Nursery. For more information about recycling, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ recycling or contact the Township Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

WHEN IN DROUGHT

Drip Irrigation Can Help!

Conserving water is always important, but even more so in times of drought. Our area, like most of Texas, has been experiencing a drought since December. Forecasts call for a continuation through the summer.

You might think expensive water bills also loom on the horizon as you try to keep your landscape looking good, but don’t despair. Even during our driest periods, your plants can thrive, while you use less water. Drip irrigation is the answer. It’s easier than you think to install and the cost is surprisingly affordable.

On March 7, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department presents a free Online Drip Irrigation Workshop. You’ll learn why drip irrigation has become one of the hottest trends in home landscaping, and not just because it’s a great water and money saver. Drip irrigation prevents plant disease by minimizing water

contact with leaves and stems, it reduces leaching of important nutrients below the root zone and it’s a tremendous timesaver for the homeowner.

This workshop will leave you with a firm understanding of how to design and install a system that works for your specific landscape, using parts readily available at your local home

improvement store. Your plants will love you for it…and so will your wallet.

Registration is required for this free workshop. To sign up or find information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov/environment or call 281-210-3800.

For more about our current and projected drought conditions, please visit www.twdb.texas.gov.

Learn more about how to conserve water and keep your yard healthy at the Online Drip Irrigation Workshop on March 7, 2021.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES with The Woodlands Township

Showcase your business and reach thousands annually with the unique opportunity to promote your brand at The Woodlands Township events in 2021! Varying sponsorship levels offer companies onsite signage, advertising entitlements and much more.

Sponsorships are available for upcoming events including Waterway Nights, Arts in the Park and numerous other programs.

For more information about The Woodlands Township’s events, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ specialevents or email specialevents@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Enjoy

an afternoon with family and friends at Arts in the Park on Saturday, March 13, 2021, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Drive. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers (glass is prohibited) and enjoy the music. This free event features live performances and local vendors selling original artwork.

Showcase your business this year by sponsoring events produced by The Woodlands Township! Activities range from outdoor events to concerts and reach consumers of all ages and interests.

Create your own masterpiece, and enter the Youth Art Contest, open to artists 18 years and younger. Submissions will be on display at the event, and winners from each category will be recognized on stage. Submissions will be accepted through Monday, March 8, 2021, at 5 p.m. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ artsinthepark for complete details.

Those planning to attend the event should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue following all guidelines established by the CDC when in public spaces and around others outside of your household. Please note all event dates are subject to cancellation, pending local, state and federal orders or declarations.

OpenHeart:Your

The Woodlands Township Blood Drive

February 9, 2021

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 800 blood donations are needed daily to supply the more than 170 facilities in our region. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, now is a great time to open your heart to the community by donating blood.

The Woodlands Township will host a blood drive on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive.

Donations will be collected in a Donor Coach (vehicle) rather than inside the Recreation Center. Appointments can be made online at www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/328586. Walk ups will be accepted if there is an opening in the schedule. Please note, masks and social distancing will be required.

www.ChildrensSafeHarbor.org

It is with great excitement that Children’s Safe Harbor announces its new website as an investment to further communicate and showcase their work as a children’s advocacy center in the community, serving child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, human trafficking and trauma.

The new website is interactive, informative, educational, easy-tonavigate and promotes awareness.

Please visit to experience a conversation about this important work and discover how you can provide support at www.childrenssafeharbor.org.

www.ChildrensSafeHarbor.org

CRIME PREVENTION: PROGRAMMING FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Do you own your own business here in The Woodlands? Are you in charge of setting up monthly staff meetings or safety trainings? If so, The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch can help.

All neighborhoods throughout The Woodlands are important to The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch. Crime Prevention initiatives are tailored to meet the needs of businesses, commercial properties or offices in collaboration with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Prevention Unit and/or the Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4.

Several crime prevention opportunities are available to create a partnership between businesses and the law enforcement agencies that serve The Woodlands. A variety of crime prevention presentations are available

and other topic-specific presentations may be developed upon request. Presentations can be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the topic.

• Business Safety & Awareness

• CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events)

• Basic Crime Prevention

• Personal Safety

• Identity Theft

• Holiday Safety

• Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4

– Overview of agency – Introduce your business to local law enforcement

• Emergency Preparedness

Learning about local law enforcement, crime prevention and services provided is important to all

neighborhoods, including businesses. Each business (or property) is unique, and crime prevention initiatives are addressed on an individual basis. However, basic tools are readily available to you and your business, such as public safety reference cards and No Solicitor stickers.

Last but not least, you may know your address, but do your employees, guests and customers know it when on your property? We encourage all businesses to distinctly display their physical address outside and inside their business. Educate all employees of the address as well. In an emergency, a few minutes or even seconds can make a difference to your safety.

Making your address clearly visible (and known by employees) can ensure that public safety personnel find you quickly in an emergency.

To schedule a crime prevention presentation for your business, please call 281-210-3472. Due to possible COVID-19 restrictions, Zoom or other telecommunication presentations may be available.

Vaccine Distribution in The Woodlands

As of this writing, vaccines are being distributed through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) directly to individual providers such as hospitals, pharmacies, physicians’ offices and clinics. Please keep up with the state’s timeline for availability to the general public here: www.dshs.texas.gov/ coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx. You can also see what places near you have vaccine availability and if you are eligible to take the vaccine.

Once you have determined that you are eligible for a vaccine and found a provider on the link above, contact the preferred provider to confirm the vaccine’s availability and make an appointment if necessary.

Another way to keep up with the latest COVID-19 news in The Woodlands is to sign up for the semi-weekly COVID-19 Updates newsletter, published by The Woodlands Township at www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme.

Please note, information in this article is subject to change.

Dr. Ed Robb Retiring as Senior Pastor of The Woodlands UMC

The Woodlands UMC is announcing the retirement of their longtime Senior Pastor, Dr. Edmund W. Robb III, effective June 30, 2021. Dr. Robb founded the church in 1978 when The Woodlands was only a fledgling community of families. He has remained as the pastor of the church for 43 years and has overseen the tremendous growth of church membership and outreach. Bishop Scott Jones will appoint Reverend Mark Sorensen to become the Senior Pastor upon the retirement of Dr. Robb.

Ed and Bev Robb arrived in The Woodlands in 1978 after he completed his Master of Theology from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Dr. Robb was appointed to start a new Methodist Church in this growing community. He started knocking on doors as he worked to establish the new church. Over the years it’s grown from 160 members to its current status as the second largest church in Methodism with a membership of 14,000. Along the way, Ed and Bev have become an integral and beloved part of The Woodlands community. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Not only has Dr. Robb been a successful pastor, but he has been very active in the civic affairs of The Woodlands. For 20 years he served as an elected official of The Woodlands Township and its predecessor, TCID – Town Center Improvement District. During his tenure he led the way, along with State Senator Tommy Williams, in negotiating an agreement which allowed The Woodlands to become a Township. He was also instrumental

in leading the TCID in partnering with private developers to build the Convention Center, develop Town Green Park and expand the Waterway.

He currently serves on the board of Houston Methodist Hospital and is the board chairman of A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) which provides fellowship grants to United Methodist doctoral students. He is a former trustee of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky and the author of four books, published by Abingdon Press.

Reverend Mark Sorensen will become the Senior Pastor on July 1, 2021. Mark received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is the lead pastor of the Harvest community of The Woodlands UMC. He has served in the United Methodist Church for over 20 years in Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Robb invited him to join the pastoral staff at The Woodlands UMC seven years ago.

Under Mark’s leadership, the Harvest worship community has grown, adding a second worship service and averaging nearly 2,000 attendees each weekend. He looks forward to continuing the mission of the church to be a light to the community and the world. He and his wife Nycki have two adult children.

The Woodlands UMC will be celebrating Dr. Robb’s dedicated service to the church and its members in the months to come.

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