New Sports Event may be coming to The Woodlands - Memorial Herman Ironman

Today, Nick Wolda of The Woodlands announced a proposed international Ironman competition event right here in The Woodlands to the Woodlands Board of Directors. Memorial Herman Ironman would, if approved next week, become a major international event with participants from all 50 states and 23 countries. $100,000 would be raised for local charities, mostly for those organizations that provide volunteers to help put on the event. The race would be televised and viewed by some 1.5 million persons over the world. The proposed competition would be held on the third Saturday in May. The run would be here; the swim on Lake Woodlands; and biking in Montgomery County. 

Its economic impact on the community will be $16 million at the event in hotel, services and sales. It will generate more money with the preparations, trials and visits by competitors and news media. This is a great opportunity for The Woodlands, and will give us considerable advertising all over the world.

It will cost us $30,000 per year for five years. Bret Strong (a triathlon competitor) and Nick Wolda (CVB) helped to negotiate the deal. Hotel room tax and local sales taxes would more than offset the cost.

Waterway Nights in summer of 2010

From outdoor movie screenings to live music, Waterway Square in The Woodlands, Texas will once again become a gathering spot for families as “Waterway Nights”. It will be an entertainment series debuting Friday, July 2 from 6 pm – 8 pm and continues through August 27th, 2010.  There will be a variety of entertainers including live musicians, jugglers, face painters, balloonists, caricaturists, and more! Picnics, chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome.


Waterway Nights is free and open to the public, thanks to sponsors such as The Woodlands Development Company, University of Phoenix, State Farm Insurance – Kyle Sherburne, Munday Chevrolet, Ace Parking, and Berripop.


Located along Waterway Avenue, Waterway Square is a one-acre public plaza with unique water features and green spaces that serve as the “centerpiece” of The Woodlands Town Center.

For more information on The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, please visit www.thewoodlandscvb.com or call 281-363-2447.

July 4th Weekend is just around the corner

Before we know it, here in The Woodlands Texas, the sizzling fire of mid summer will reach into our midst and we will want to be outside to be part of it. July 4th promises to be better than ever this year. South County's theme this year is “Only in America”. The Grand Marshall of this July 3rd event will be state senator Tommy Williams.

The parade begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 3rd and runs through the Market Street area of The Woodlands Town Center. Family members of all ages will enjoy fire engines, clowns, horses, and parade floats. Also featured will be participants in the 5th Annual Marching Band Scholarship Program. Band entries will receive at a minimum $1000 in support of their program.

This parade dates way back to the 1970’s . The South County 4th of July Committee is a volunteer-based organization and is designated as a 501(c)(3) corporation. This year’s committee is headed by Ms. Kelly Dietrich, the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for The Woodlands Township.

Last year, there were approximately 145 entries with 2,000 to 3,000 participants. This year, the committee anticipates 20,000 to 25,000 in attendance. The parade route is approximately 1.3 miles; it will begin and end at The Woodlands United Methodist Church on Lake Woodlands. Roads on the route will be closed during the parade. To participate in the Parade or to sponsor this great annual event, you can find additional information on-line at the 4th of July Committee’s website: www.4thofjuly.org. The parade will be accompanied by other community events in The Woodlands to also commemorate this patriotic holiday: + Star Spangled Salute at the Cynthia Woods Michelle Pavilion, July 3rd starting at 8:00 PM. + Splash Day at the 13 community pools in The Woodlands, July 3rd from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM. + Concert in the Park at North Shore Park, July 4th at 7:00PM. + Red, Hot and Blue Festival™ at Town Green Park, July 4th at 6:00 PM. + Fireworks Extravaganza at The Waterway, July 4th beginning at dusk, approximately 8:30 PM

Creekside Outdoor Adventure Park

This facility in The Woodlands, Texas, is quite a leap to something different than the other YMCA's. Today, the "Y" had its debut or grand opening of the new facility in the woods. Phase 1 of 2 has been completed and is available for camp adventures. The facility is designed for families, children and adults. Adults might want to schedule the main room for banquets, meetings and the like for business, community events or for various age group socials or meetings. Children will engage in day camp and special interpretive nature outings. Today's festivities are presented as a slide show. 

This climbing tower is really huge. Today, they were limiting it to three children at one time, heavily supervised.

The camp has several cabins elevated by a railed boardwalk high off the lowlands that are subject to flooding.

There are nine tepees, three separate camps slightly elevated off the ground.

An amphitheater is quite spacious for seating. Today, a young lady was singing for the visitors.

A mist was really cool (literally) on this hot day!

The main building is without sectioning, designed for meetings or banquets. Today, it was full of vendor booths and free food and drinks. It has a capacity to hold 250 adults or 500 children. It is available for day rental.

This facility fits into The Woodlands very well. It has been part of the vision, the master community plan, from the very beginning. Today's opening is however only phase 1. Next to this facility is room to build phase 2 - a complete gymnasium with two sports fields. Akk theyneed is the money to start phase 2. That will come in time. I'm sure residents in the Village of Creekside Park would love to have an exercise facility in their community. All of it is part of the South Montgomery YMCA, so there will be discounts on activities at the adventure park as well as the gym, when it is built. Membership will be shared and interchangeable among the three gymnasiums in The Woodlands.   

The Woodlands High School Graduation 2010

It seems each year that the summer bears down on us at this event. Walking from the orange parking lot, I was certainly glad I wore a short sleeve shirt this year. And water! The ice cold water was very popular. Imagine a grade point average of 120. The valedictorian superseded all the rest of his peers in a class of more than 900 with a GPA of 5.20. The salutatorian was not far behind.

As each graduate filed one by one into the pavilion, some were ready with a smile.

Teaching staff were enjoying the occasion like Mrs Garcia, a counselor.

Some felt the accomplishment and its significance with a thumbs up.

Some were even relaxed and enjoying the moment.

Whoever you were in that mass of graduate city, you were just following the person ahead of you! That gave many the time to look up with a sweet smile.

I caught a Vice-principal or two heading into their huge chamber with their students. After three and sometimes four years with these students, one gets to know them pretty well. Goodbyes are said right here.

By now, many had their seats in the pavilion as the tune of the graduation march continued.

Some were precocupied with what was to come, finding their names in the list.

Some were multi-tasking. Congrats and hi just being some of the tasks at hand. Let's get on with it!

Introduction of the Salutatorian Amanda Frank.

Valedictorian Kevin Wang

Then one by one, each graduate recieves their diploma.

The ceremony proceeded rapidly as two were in process at the same time.

Many nationalities were represented. This young lady getting her photograph taken is from Venezuela.

 

Graduates sat in the front rows of course. We were in the back. The video screens help a lot to see what is transpiring. Some guests sat on the grass.

 
This could be the last time some of the graduates ever sing the song of their Alma Matar with the excitement of the Scottish beat and bagpipes.

 
So ended an excellent class of seniors who broke records, who achieved great feats in sports.  Now on to the lock down graduation night, a long standing tradition of a fun filled night and being safe inside all night long, without the risk of alcohol or party drivers on the road. There has never been a loss of life on this night since this tradition began about 1988.

Put your hands together to celebrate the accomplishments of this class. On towards the next phase of life - college for most.

New Creekside Park YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center Grand Opening, June 5, 2010

The new YMCA, part of the South Montgomery County family of locations in Creekside Park of The Woodlands Texas, will have its adventure center grand opening on Saturday from 4pm to 930pm. There will be pony rides, camel rides, archery, the alpine tower, climbing wall, moon walk, face painting, magic show,  hot air balloon, craft fair, strolling entertainers, performing entertainers, door prizes, just a host of activities! There is an native American teepee, outdoor chapel, giant swings, tree houses, boardwalks and more in the center.  An outdoor family movie will be shown at 8:15pm. I plan to be there, how about you?
Getting there: Map