The Woodlands

Koi Garden on The Woodlands Waterway® Now Open to the Public

Koi Garden, an Asian-inspired garden and koi pond located on the south side of The Woodlands Waterway®, is now open to the public from dawn until dusk daily. The garden was created on and around two “tear-drop” shaped islands in The Waterway that are linked to the banks of The Waterway by pedestrian bridges. The garden was designed to be a place for quiet contemplation and meditation, where visitors can reconnect with nature, according to Alex Sutton, president of The Woodlands Development Company.

The koi pond is one of the largest of its kind outside of public arboreta or gardens. A variety of distinctive materials and exotic plantings enhance Koi Garden, along with a 60,000-gallon koi pond that is separated from The Waterway by dams. Designed by SLA Studio Land and constructed by Millis Construction, the Koi Garden is secluded from a pedestrian walkway along The Waterway by walls, fences and timber bamboo, native to Asia. The koi pond was designed in collaboration with Laguna Koi Ponds of Laguna Beach, California, using bio-filtration methods for fish health and water clarity.

A two-sided galvanized steel arbor marks the entry to Koi Garden off Waterway Court. Two ancient proverbs are carved into the arbor – “Enough Pails of Water….A River” on the south side, and “The Journey is the Reward” on the north side.

The koi in the pond are Japanese imports selectively bred for their brilliant colors and appealing patterns. There are 33 adult koi and about a dozen baby koi in seven different varieties currently living in the pond. The koi pond is maintained by Brett Rowley of Brett’s Fish Farm, fisheries biologist. For more information, visit www.thewoodlands.net.

In the bottom photograph, officials from The Woodlands and residents of The Waterway Lofts feed the koi in a ceremonial opening of the Koi Garden.

New Homebuyers Receive a $2,000 MasterCard During The Woodlands "Come Home for the Holidays" Celebration

New homebuyers are taking advantage of The Woodlands’ special holiday promotion, offering buyers of selected new homes in the community a $2,000 Woodforest National Bank MasterCard if they purchase between October 31, 2009 and December 31, 2009 and close by February 28, 2010, according to Tim Welbes, President of The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC).

“Come Home for the Holidays” also offers incentives from nearly all of the homebuilders active in The Woodlands. The homes designated in the program range in price from the $140,000’s to more than $3 million. In addition, the buyer will receive their choice of either a free one-year family membership to the South Montgomery County YMCA or free initiation fee and two months free dues to Canongate Golf Clubs.

There are more than 200 homes available in the Village of Creekside Park, the new May Valley area of the Village of Sterling Ridge and in East Shore, the “Garden District” of Town Center. With over 50 homebuilders, The Woodlands offers a wide variety of sizes, styles and price ranges.

Home shoppers are being directed to The Woodlands Homefinder Center, where they can register for the program before visiting the sales offices. After the home closing, the buyer should notify the Homefinder Center and make arrangements to redeem their $2,000 MasterCard and YMCA or Canongate gift certificate by March 31, 2010.

Pictured are the Twin Villa townhomes by Lennar Homes in the neighborhood of Bloomhill in The Woodlands’ newest 400-acre area called May Valley. May Valley is located in the Village of Sterling Ridge. Lennar Homes is offering a $10,000 discount on select homes during the “Come Home for the Holidays” Celebration.

For more information about “Come Home for the Holidays”, call The Homefinder Center at 281-719-6333 or visit www.thewoodlands.com.

Annual Author Series Luncheon Continues Successful Tradition with John Grogan

The John Cooper School celebrated the success of the 5th Annual Signatures Author Series in The Woodlands on November 11 with approximately 700 guests in attendance to hear Marley & Me author John Grogan.

"Each year, our goal is to have 600-800 guests join us, and we feel fortunate to have met this goal each year," said 2009 Signatures Chairperson Isela Atwood. "Attendance is always based on interest in the author and we are very pleased to have had the opportunity to host a diverse array of authors each year." The annual luncheon event has previously hosted Barbara Bush, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry and Anthony Bourdain.

The planning committee for the Signatures Author Series is pictured with author John Grogan. Seated, from left, are: Joanne Tikkanen, Heather Dickens, Joan D'Arezzo and Lori Riley. Back row, from left, are: Herminia Sitter, Lisa Sims, Jenny Tait, John Grogan, Isela Atwood (chair), Pat Schwartz, Amy Lecocq and Kim Lindley. For more information on The John Cooper School, visit www.johncooper.org.

The Woodlands Kicks Off the Holiday Season with Events

The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau presents holiday fun as the 27th Annual Lighting of the Doves, International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW), The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center and Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland return on Saturday, November 21.

Presented by the Community Associations of The Woodlands, the 27th Annual Lighting of the Doves will take place on Saturday, November 21 from 2 - 7 pm at Town Green Park. Admission is free. This year’s festival will be highlighted with live music and entertainment, interactive booths and games, ice carving competition, snow play area, amazing fireworks, balloon artists, face painters, inflatables and so much more. Don’t forget to check out Santa Claus, as he makes his grand entrance in a dazzling, decorated boat from The Woodlands Waterway® at 6:30 pm.

In conjunction with the Lighting of the Doves, International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW) will also take place on Saturday from 2 pm – 7 pm. With its “street fair” atmosphere, iWOW showcases the holiday traditions from Japan, Panama, the United States and a myriad of other countries at exhibits along the banks of The Woodlands Waterway. From foods, arts & crafts, to music and entertainment, iWOW is certain to add an international flavor to The Woodlands’ holiday celebrations. Admission is free.

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by Jaguar and Land Rover Houston North, will open daily beginning Saturday, November 21. As the largest seasonal outdoor ice rink in the southwest, The Ice Rink will remain open through January 18, 2010. Visitors can also pick up a $2 off admission coupon at Which Wich Superior Sandwiches in The Woodlands and specific events. Also, visit Fidelity Investments in The Woodlands for a Buy One Get One Free coupon.

Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland features illuminated holiday scenes and storybook displays surrounding The Ice Rink. Visitors can wander through the fantasyland of magical, lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from dusk until 11 pm, beginning this Saturday through January 4, 2010.

For complete information on all holiday events and parking, visit www.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com or call 281-363-2447.

The Woodlands Resort Highlights Thanksgiving Buffet & Winter Wonderland Package

The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is hosting a Thanksgiving Holiday Champagne Buffet on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm at The Glass and The Woodlands Dining Room. This year’s event features live music and a scrumptious display of entrees with carving stations of Honey Basted Roast Turkey, Virginia Ham and Prime Rib plus much more. Reservations are required. For more information, call 281-364-6323.

To celebrate the 11th season of the Ice Rink, The Woodlands Resort is offering a Winter Wonderland Package which includes two ice rink admission tickets, overnight accommodations, transportation to and from Town Center and breakfast for two starting at $189. The package is available from November 21 – January 18, 2010. Additional restrictions may apply. For more information, call 281-367-1100 or visit www.WoodlandsResort.com.

The Woodlands Mall Plans 6 am Opening After Thanksgiving

On Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, The Woodlands Mall will open its doors at 6 am so early-bird shoppers can get a jump on holiday gift giving. The shopping center will be open until 10 pm on Friday. On Saturday, November 28, The Woodlands Mall will open at 9:00 am with shopping continuing through 10 pm. Department stores, restaurants and entertainment venues at the shopping centers may keep different hours on Friday and Saturday. Please call for exact opening and closing times.

The Woodlands Mall will have early-bird giveaways (Friday, November 27 from 6 am to 12 noon - while supplies last). Visit www.thewoodlandsmall.com or www.MerryGiving.com for more details.

Market Street Announces Extended Hours

Need a few hours to find that special gift? Feeling rushed to get your shopping done? Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, the shops, boutiques and restaurants at Market Street will observe extended hours from 9 am – 9 pm. Market Street’s stores will also open at 9 am on December 19, 22 and 23 for your shopping convenience.

For more information on holiday hours, call 281-419-4774 or visit www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com.