EVENTS AROUND TOWN MEET THE CANDIDATES: “WHISTLE STOP TOUR LUNCHEON” – The South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet the Candidates: Whistle Stop Tour Luncheon” is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3 from 11 am – 2 pm at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. Every other year, the business and professional communities across Montgomery County come together to meet face-to-face with candidates for United States, Texas, Montgomery County, and local offices at the “Meet the Candidates: Whistle Stop Tour Luncheon”--an old-fashioned political rally and business luncheon. Attendees enjoy an all-American lunch, visit the candidates’ information tables, and listen to brief “stump” speeches by the candidates who want to serve in office. To RSVP, call 281-363-8104. THE WOODLANDS CUSTOM HOMES HOSTS OPEN HOUSE – The Woodlands Custom Homes will host an Open House on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 – 7 from 1 – 4 pm at 74 Silvermont in the neighborhood of Silvermont in the Village of Sterling Ridge. This home is located near the Gary Player Signature golf course. Built by Leigh Custom Homes, this Traditional style residence features a stucco and stone exterior, 4,284 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, casita connected to the detached garage, four-and-a-half baths and a three-car garage. This home is priced at $778,800. For more information, call The Woodlands Custom Homes at 281-367-4550 and visit www.TheWoodlandsCustom HomesOnline.com. DATES FOR REGISTRATION & OPEN HOUSES AT INTERFAITH CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER - Interfaith Child Development Center (ICDC) is preparing for the 2010-2011 school year and is looking forward to providing parents the opportunity to register their child in the award-winning learning center.   The state-licensed and nationally accredited school located at 5630 Rush Haven Drive, will host public registration on Saturday, February 20 from 8 - 11 am, as well as two open houses on Sunday, February 7 from 2 - 4 pm and Thursday, February 18 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. The Woodlands Township Honors Contributions of Cynthia Woods Mitchell The Woodlands Township Board of Directors recognized the contributions of Cynthia Woods Mitchell (pictured) at its recent board meeting and approved a proclamation to declare Thursday, April 29, 2010 as Cynthia Woods Mitchell Day. Mrs. Mitchell, who was instrumental in giving The Woodlands its name, was a patron of the arts who envisioned The Woodlands as having a place where everyone, not just the elite, could enjoy symphonies, operas and ballets. This dream became The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. George Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands and husband to Cynthia Woods Mitchell, accepted the honor on behalf of his wife, who passed away December 27, 2009. CISD School Board Applauded Texas Governor Rick Perry proclaimed January 2010 as School Board Recognition Month so the students and staff members of CISD proudly joined other districts across the state to thank the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees for caring so much about the future of every child in the state of Texas.  The board room was filled with cards, letters, small gifts, pictures, student-created drawings, and more--all designed and made by students to express their appreciation for the Board. Board members were also presented an American flag flown in honor of the Conroe Independent School District over the skies of Afghanistan on a combat mission in an F-15E Strike Eagle.  The mission supported Operation Enduring Freedom and was flown by former Oak Ridge High School graduate Captain Ross Clark of the United States Air Force.  Clark wanted to acknowledge the support, training, preparation and education provided by the District which has had a positive influence on his life.   The flag was presented to the Board by Clark's mother, Kathy Clark. Members of the CISD Board of Trustees honored were Mrs. C. J. Haynes, President;  Dr. Mel Brown, First Vice President;  Mr. John Husbands,  Second Vice President; Dr. Ann Snyder, Secretary-Past Presiden; Mr. Chris Irish, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Gerald D. Irons, Sr., Past President; and Mrs. Lynda Sasser, Immediate Past President. Arbor Day in The Woodlands a Blooming Success Thousands of residents and visitors took advantage of the recent Arbor Day Celebration in the award-winning Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands’ Village of Creekside Park. Approximately 31,000 free tree seedlings in eight different varieties were distributed at the event, continuing a tradition that began in 1977. “Over the years, the developer and the sponsors have given away about 906,000 tree seedlings,” said Susan Vreeland-Wendt, Director of Marketing for The Woodlands Development Company. Giant inflatables, exhibitor booths and local performers entertained at Arbor Day. The grand finale included the birthday party of lovable mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone, and 16 of his mascot friends. Inaugural Event: The Woodlands Golf Championship Swings into Action in August Get your clubs ready! The Woodlands will have a golf tournament to call its own as The Inaugural Woodlands Golf Championship and Community Scramble, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands, swings into action. With The Woodlands’ own Roland Thatcher, PGA Tour Professional, serving as Honorary Chair, The Woodlands Golf Championship will feature 96 amateur players competing in a 36-hole stroke play competition to try and win the first title of The Woodlands Golf Championship. All amateur players will compete on Monday, August 9, 2010 and Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at both the Tom Fazio Championship Course (Hole #13, pictured) at The Club at Carlton Woods and The Woodlands Country Club’s Tournament Course. Each amateur player must qualify and either live or work in The Woodlands or belong to The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands Country Club or Canongate Clubs. The field consists of different divisions comprised of post high school age and older participants. The Woodlands Golf Championship will also offer an opportunity for the entire community to participate in a four person Scramble. The teams will compete on Monday, August 9, 2010 at The Woodlands Country Club’s Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course. Tournament sponsorships are available. Contact Bev Earl, Tournament Chair, at 281-362-0532 or bev.earl@corp-inc.com to find out more about the sponsorship levels. To apply/register for the tournament or for more information, contact Kathy Beisenherz at kbeisenherz@woodlandsinterfaith.org or 832-615-8230. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Earns "Gold Medal" of Nursing Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital has achieved one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital can receive – Magnet® recognition for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is the first hospital in Montgomery County and North Houston to earn this prestigious recognition.  Only 6.2 percent of all healthcare organizations in the United States have achieved Magnet status.  The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services.  To become Magnet recognized, hospitals undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews and review of nursing services.  ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States.  Memorial Hermann The Woodlands’ Magnet recognition is valid for four years.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.memorialhermann.org, or call 713-222-CARE. The Woodlands Mall to Reward First 350 Club Members on February 12 & 13 for Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and The Woodlands Mall has love in the air and a special holiday program for shoppers who are members of The ClubSM. On Friday and Saturday, February 12 and 13, the first 350 members to redeem the Valentine’s Club e-mail at the Redemption Center (located at the Information Desk in Center Court at the Mall) will receive a $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card (must verify age and be 17 years or older). Members should watch for a special Valentine’s Reward e-mail that will distributed approximately one week prior to Valentine’s Day. To register free for The Club or for more information, visit www.thewoodlandsmall.com and click on The Club icon. Teen Talent Show & Spring Recreation Programs The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department will be taking applications for auditions for the In the Spotlight Teen Talent Show (Kathryn Hallberg, pictured). Auditions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, February 15 and 16 at The Woodlands Rec Center. The deadline for applying is Wednesday, February 10. The Teen Talent Show will be held on Saturday, March 6 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm at Rob Fleming Park. To sign up online visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3950. Applications are available at the Rec Center at 5310 Research Forest Drive. Parks and Recreation is also hosting several spring recreation programs including Interactive Story Time; great sports programs for preschoolers; the Third Annual Ter-Ra-Mont Campout; Spring Fever 5K; Muddy Trails; and CB&I Tri. For more information on programs, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, then click on the January edition of The Woodlands Community magazine icon to view the Spring Action Guide. Trademark Property Company has named Tommy Miller as President of the retail and mixed-use investment, services and development firm. Miller has been with Trademark since 1999 and is responsible for developing Market Street-The Woodlands. The first ever The Woodlands Crawfish Festival will take place on March 27, 2010 at Town Green Park in Town Center. Attendees will enjoy crawfish, fried alligator, jambalaya, desserts and a variety of refreshments while listening to the sounds of a live zydeco band. To reserve tickets or for more information, call 281-367-2222. Friends of Texas Wildlife will be offering specialized training classes for wildlife rehabilitation in February. For more information, call Cheryl Meyer at 281-723-9696 and visit the calendar at www.friendsoftexaswildlife.org.