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The Woodlands Children’s Museum offers SUMMER PROGRAMS 2013 for ages 4-10 years! Our classes are age appropriate, developmentally sound and foster creative thinking with dynamic hands-on activities.

Camp Session: Sessions begin June 10 and are offered thru August 22 with half day or full day opportunities 9am-Noon and/or 1-4pm.

Camp Fees: Programs begin at $49. Membership offers discounted pricing on classes and birthday parties. Family membership $67 per year/unlimited visits.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS BROCHURE.

https://woodlandschildrenmuseumorg.s3.amazonaws.com/Summer2013TWCM.pdf

4775 W. Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, Tx 77381

Call: (281) 465-0955

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Sunday March 17th
5pm-9pm
At the Genuwine Tasting Room
Magnolia Texas

Come celebrate with Chef Fran as she presents a gourmet dinner comprised of some of Ireland’s finest delights.

Dinner Includes:

Dubliner Palmiers
Wild Mushroom Bisque
Guiness Glazed Corned Beef
Irish Roasted Potatoes
Summer Fruit with Celtic Sabayon

Included is your choice of one Black and Tan beer or one paired Red Wine

$35 Per Person – Reservations Required – Call 936-588-9225

Residential and Commercial Services Diamond Exterior Care provides

*Windows, inside and out, de-ionized water and traditional squeegee methods.

*Gutter and Siding Cleaning/ Mold and Mildew Removal

*Pressure Washing, heated and x-jet “Black Mold” Eradication

*Roof Cleaning “soft no pressure technique”

*Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning -Code 96 of the N.F.A

*Heated Surface Cleaning. Driveways, Pathways, act.

*Parking Lot Restriping

*Motor Coach / R.V- Microfiber/ De-Ionized water cleaning system.

Seven Coves Marina Committee and Seven Coves Association is promoting the second annual Kid’s Fishing Derby on May 4th, 2013 in the Marina and Clubhouse. The Marina is located at 7021 Kingston Cove Lane and the Derby is supported by local Businesses and Lake emergency personnel. The Dockline Magazine, United States Coast Guard Auxilliary, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Silver Eagle Distributing, Seven Coves Bass Club, Robbins AutoMall, and many others are providing a morning of fun and food which include door prizes for all who attend.

Registration starts at 7:00am followed by fishing from the banks at 8:00am. There will be food, drink, and music during the fishing period and judging will start at noon.  We are still looking for support for this event so that we can have something for everyone who attends. For more information contact Shelly Corso at sevencoves1@yahoo.com or call 936-856-6111.

127 Simonton, Conroe 77301
Beautiful Art work, friendly artists, fabulous 100 year old Gallery. Monthly receptions. Xmas open House Dec 8, 2-5

“Christmas in the Woods“ Free Holiday Market with Santa

December 1st from 11am-4pm.

Located at 7 Acre Wood (4401 N. Fraizer, Conroe, Tx 77303)

http://www.7acrewood.org

Come enjoy our Annual Christmas in the Woods free family event at 7 Acre Wood. This FREE event is to help area families enjoy a holiday-outing together of shopping in our Bakers-Crafters Market, & playing in the park! We turn our park into a winter wonderland of holiday fun for the whole family! Shop our Christmas market, enjoy some hot coco, take photos with Santa and enjoy the first taste of the holiday season!

All of the following are free: admission into the park, visiting Santa, entrance into the Christmas market (where area families and businesses will be showcasing their trade), petting zoo, mini golf, zip lines, Old Town West, many other play areas, and watching music & dance teams on the stage. We will also be giving away free door prizes every hour.

Tickets may be purchased for pony rides, hayrides, barrel car train, craft kits, face painting, concessions, and more.

Contact us @ (936)890-2326 or email fun@7acrewood.org for any questions

Vendor booths available for $25 – email us to sign up.

Join us December 15th at 6:30 for a wonderful Parade of Lights! If you haven’t signed up your boat yet, please send us an email to: info@LiveLakeConroe.com and get the form at: http://www.livelakeconroe.com/christmasboatparade/

Mark the date and invite your friends and Family to come see this wonderful event! Free event and will also be collecting gifts to donate to those who don’t have the means to have a gift this Holiday (kids from 3-12 years old)! It’s time to give back, let’s get together to celebrate and Have a great time!

This is one of the best Lone Ranger stories around.
Jay Thomas told this story on Letterman’s show. It is about Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger on television, who was known for taking his role seriously and never breaking character in public.

LCA President’s Update

October 3, 2012

We hope you have enjoyed a beautiful, safe Summer and are now looking forward to some cooler Fall weather. We wanted to provide you with a brief update on happenings within our lake community just to stay “in touch”. In no order of significance:

LAKE LEVEL: 198.27 (relative to “normal pool elevation” of 201.0….2.73 feet down)

INVASIVE PLANTS: With Texas Parks & Wildlife having completed their annual end of Summer vegetation survey at Lake Conroe, we are pleased to report only 0.1 acres of Hydrilla (with approximately 20,000 White Amur Grass Carp still alive). It is not anticipated that additional White Amur will be added in 2012 or 2013 but, as the White Amur continue to die off, a maintenance stocking of White Amur will be provided annually to keep Hydrilla at a minimal level. Very little Giant Salvinia and only 34 acres of Water Hyacinth were discovered, and both have been treated with aquatic herbicides since the survey completion.

NATIVE PLANTS: There was great concern over the reduction of native vegetation in Lake Conroe to only 150 acres by 2010. Native vegetation in a necessary component in our lake ecosystem, and it was dramatically reduced by the White Amur introduced to control Hydrilla. Through efforts by Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Seven Coves Bass Club, native plants have been added to Lake Conroe in protective cages to facilitate re-population of native plants along our shorelines. Further, lower lake levels have permitted certain woody plants to take hold in shallow waters. The recent Texas Parks & Wildlife survey concluded that 1,835 acres of native vegetation occupy Lake Conroe. This is good news for residents and anglers alike. We believe all involved parties (Texas Parks & Wildlife, San Jacinto River Authority, Lake Conroe Association and angling organizations) have a better understanding of how to balance the control of invasive plants such as Hydrilla, maintenance of native vegetation and future quantities of White Amur.

2012 LCA ACTIVITIES: With Hydrilla currently under control, no monies were expended by the LCA for the control of invasive vegetation in 2012. We were primarily involved in two activities in 2012. First, we followed through to completion the issuance of the Texas A&M Report entitled “Impact of Lake-Level Reductions on Lake Conroe Area: Lake Area Property Values, Property Tax Revenues and Sales Tax Revenues” which is discussed below and, for which, we expended $69,000 of the $152,000 total cost. Second, we funded $29,000 of the total $39,000 cost to remove approximately 450 stumps from the main body of Lake Conroe. This project was endorsed by members of the Lake Conroe Advisory Committee (Texas Parks & Wildlife, San Jacinto River Authority, Lake Conroe Association and angling organizations) for the improved safety of boating and related activities on Lake Conroe.

SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY SURFACE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES: As part of Groundwater Protection Plan to reduce the use of water from the Jasper Aquifer (which currently supplies all of our water for Montgomery County), construction of the treatment facilities at the Lake Conroe dam commenced August 1, 2012. The facilities are expected to be completed in mid-2015 at an estimated cost of $190 million. All facets of the project will be up and running before the January 1, 2016 deadline set by the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District.

CATAHOULA AQUIFER UPDATE: Having drilled successful test wells (some of which are already operational) into the Catahoula Aquifer, concerns existed over whether removal of water from the Catahoula Aquifer could diminish water levels in the Jasper Aquifer. In a model study presented to the Lone Star Conservation District by independent hydrologists from LBG_Guyton Associates, in was concluded that use of the Catahoula Aquifer would have little effect on the Jasper Aquifer.

WATER CONSERVATION PROJECT: Region H and the Texas Water Foundation have initiated a project to quantify and measure the ongoing water conservation efforts in the region. Region H of the State Water Plan consists of all or part of 15 counties, including Montgomery. Obviously, we need water to sustain our current population and its projected growth. The project allows participants to use information to track the implementation, water savings, costs and benefits of actual conservation activities over time. The City of Conroe has agreed to help fund the project with a total of $6,000 over the next two years. Further, Region H’s plan calls for an additional water supply of 1.5 million acre feet by 2060 and five new major reservoirs to meet some of that demand.

TEXAS A&M STUDY ON “IMPACT OF LAKE-LEVEL REDUCTIONS ON LAKE CONROE AREA”: The Texas A&M Study contracted by Montgomery County, coordinated by the Lake Conroe Communities Network and principally funded by the Lake Conroe Association has been completed and published. A copy of the complete report can be accessed through our LCA website www.lakeconroeassociation.com. While by no means a complete summary of the Study, I have listed some key points of interest in my opinion as follows:

• Lake levels are expected to fall more than 4 feet below full pool (201.0 feet) 1.6 times more often between 2016 and 2026 compared to today, and 8.5 times more often by 2046.
• Lake levels more than 4 feet below full pool occurred only 2.8% of the time in the history of the lake. With the implementation of the Groundwater Protection Plan, lake levels are expected to fall more than 4 feet below full pool as follows: 2016-2026….4.6% of the time, 2026-2036….7.9% of the time, 2036-2046…12.7% of the time, and beyond 2046….22.0% of the time.
• For each foot of lake level decline beyond the first 2 feet, the City of Montgomery decreases retail trade revenue by $1.6 million per year per foot.
• Direct economic impacts of lake level fluctuations occur primarily in the geographic area closest to the lake and most directly associated with retail trade activities.
• In many ways, the future of Lake Conroe is the future of Montgomery County. Lake Conroe has a major role in the local economy and real estate values. Lake Conroe plays a critical role in tourism and recreation, providing natural habitat for the fishery and waterfowl populations. And now under the GRP, it is expected to contribute to the consumable water supply in Montgomery County.
• The costs of using water from Lake Conroe will be borne ultimately by county residents and businesses in increased local taxes (presumably to pay for bonds for construction), increased water rates, and potentially reduced real estate values near the lake.
• Gradual sedimentation is reducing the lake volume. Upon lake construction in 1974, lake volume approximated 430,260 acre feet. Current volume is estimated to be 406,660 acre feet and, by 2045, the volume is estimated to be reduced to 384,975 acre feet (or 10.5%).
• Once utilizing water from Lake Conroe under the GRP, future droughts will result in more frequent drops in lake levels, lower lake levels, and levels will remain low for longer periods compared to the same size drought in the past.

I’m sorry for reaching a third page of text, but I just couldn’t decide where to reduce content. I congratulate you for reaching the end! On behalf of the entire Board of the Lake Conroe Association, thank you for your continued support and we wish you happiness and health through this Fall season.

Mike Bleier, President

Lake Conroe Association

Liberals may control the media, but we are taking BACK the music!! OFFICIAL music video – Blame It On Bush. This is the 1st single from the new album Electile Dysfunction. I think this sounds really good. Solid musicians
A completely independent, grass roots band trying to encourage people to get informed before they vote. Please help spread the message. You can get more information on the song and the band at www.TheVotersMusic.com. If you’d like to support the band’s efforts, please buy the album from www.TheVotersMusic.com (via paypal) or iTunes, Amazon and other retailers.
The album, called Electile Dysfunction, is made entirely of political and patriotic material. The songs are: Blame it On Bush, Pelosi’s Jet, Distractions, Leading from Behind, Wife Of A Soldier, America Is Coming Back, Shining City Upon A Hill, Nobody Told Me and America- What Have We Done.
Thank you for your support. Let’s take America BACK!

View on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzHAlwEK7a4

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for a beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.00.
The sixth would pay $3.00.
The seventh would pay $7.00.
The eighth would pay $12.00
The ninth would pay $18.00.
…
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.00.

So that’s what they decided to do. The men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with arraignment, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

Since you are all such good customers, he said, I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.00.
Drinks for the ten men now cost just $80.00.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get their fair share?

They realized that $20.00 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay!

And so:
The fifth man like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of 12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid 14 instead of 18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before! And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

I only got a dollar out of the $20 declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, but he got $10!
Yeah, that’s right, shouted the seventh man. Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!

Wait a minute, yelled the first four men in union. We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalist and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

David R. Kamerschen, PH. D
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia.

This is a non-partisan video produced by an accountant, Hal Mason, retired after 27 years with IBM. He looks at the budget, its revenues and expenses, and very simply illustrates the problem.

Amazingly, we get all the media talking heads blathering and shouting for hours and never get clarity.

This guy does it in a couple minutes.

Click below to view the video on YouTube or watch below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW5IdwltaAc&feature=player_embedded

This the man that helped get Clinton elected President twice, and Governor of AR three times.  You should watch this video…this is NOT a “phony.”

This is Dick Morris who used to work for the Clinton administration, he is a respected news  contributor and author.

He knows what he is talking about. He investigates before reporting etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=-wIfI2whjiM

12th Annual Thrill @ The Mill: Free Family Fall Festival October 27th 11am-6pm
7 Acre Wood

http://www.7acrewood.org/

HEY KIDS! I’m Liberty the llama and I want to invite YOU to come Celebrate Fall with ME and all my barnyard friends at 7 Acre Wood! Come jump in the hay and pick a passel of pumpkins from the patch for your parlors!!! Wow! This is so exciting… you can visit the petting zoo and see me, play mini-golf, play in the Old Town West, zip down the zip-line, play on the playground, watch & listen to the musicians & dance teams, and oh my, I’ll just leave the rest up to you!!!

This is one of 2 free annual community events that 7 Acre Wood hosts. All of the following are free: admission, petting zoo, mini golf, zip lines, Old Town West, many other play areas, watching music & dance teams on the stage is free, and Pumpkin Patch admission. Pumpkins are priced according to size. Tickets may be purchased for pony rides, hayrides, the barrel car train, craft kits, additional games, face painting, meals, sweets, etc. Admission before 11am is $6/each (after 11am admission is free).

We also have a pumpkin patch open all October!

The 7 Acre Crew
fun@7acrewood.org
936-890-2326
4401 N. Fraizer, Conroe, Tx 77303

PUMPKIN PATCH

Pumpkin Patch At 7 Acre Wood Family Park

Come visit our Pumpkin Patch when you visit our park all throughout October! Pumpkins are priced according to size. Hay rides, pony rides and Craft Kits are available throughout the month! This is always a family favorite!!!

Weekly Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday-Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday Noon-5pm
Monday Closed

We also have a second patch up front for those who don’t have time to play in the park!

Here is the final report for Texas A&M estimating the impact of the lake level reductions:

Download the PDF: Lake Conroe Final Report

Bottom Line Summary

•  The GRP scenarios are likely to impact lake-levels significantly. Lake-levels are expected
  to fall more than four feet below full pool 1.6 times more often in phase one than in prior
  periods, and increase to 8.5 times more often in phase four.
• Direct economic impacts are most likely to occur geographically near the lake.
• Residential properties in lakefront communities enjoy a 15% premium, which declines
  quickly with geographic distance.
• Residents in lakefront communities expect a 28% decline in residential property values,
  in which case losses in real estate values would amount to $1.1 billion in the area.
• For each foot of lake-level decline beyond the first two feet, retail trade revenue in the
  City of Montgomery decreases about $414,000 per quarter per foot, or about $1.6 million
  per year per foot.

I will come to your place, or set up a study at the Conroe  Library.  I’m open to any time and you can reach Ed @ yours2make@gmail.com, I will also answer Bible questions with the  Bible.

thank you Ed

LCA PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
as of July 12, 2012

Hello again, LCA Members. As things have been relatively uneventful on Lake Conroe and lake levels have improved to far more enjoyable levels for all of us, there hasn’t been much to report over the first half of 2012. I share a few brief thoughts to keep in touch as follows:

LAKE LEVEL: 198.44 (relative to “normal pool elevation” of 201.00..…2.56 feet down)

INVASIVE PLANTS: Texas Parks & Wildlife reports they haven’t seen any substantial re-establishment of Hydrilla and very little Giant Salvinia or Water Hyacinth. They are currently completing an Aquatic Plant Survey and will report specific quantities within the month.

NATIVE PLANTS: Texas Parks & Wildlife reports “some spread” of shallow water native plants such as water willow, water hissop and water primrose. As you may recall, when the White Amur Grass Carp finished eating our Hydrilla, they moved on to feeding on our valuable native vegetation. Many thanks to Texas Parks & Wildlife, San Jacinto River Authority and Seven Coves Bass Club for their efforts in Lake Conroe’s Native Plant Restoration Project initiated in August, 2011.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING: Lake Conroe established an Advisory Committee approximately 5 years ago to jointly address Aquatic Plant Management issues. Members include Lake Conroe Association, Seven Coves Bass Club, National Bass Organizations, San Jacinto River Authority and Texas Parks & Wildlife. Upon completion of Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Aquatic Plant Survey, we will meet together to discuss both 1) Invasive Plants and the need to treat/not treat them, and 2) Native Plants and the continued restoration of the diverse species needed to maintain a healthy reservoir.

TEXAS A&M LAKE CONROE STUDY: The study contracted between Montgomery County and Texas A&M University to evaluate the effects of removing water from Lake Conroe as part of San Jacinto River Authority’s Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) is almost completed. The study funded primarily by the LCA was to be completed by the end of 2011 but, we are assured, a final product is soon available and a Public Meeting discussing its findings will follow.

NO LCA FUND RAISING FOR 2012: Anticipating limited cash needs for 2012, the LCA is pleased to waive annual dues for 2012. We know if an emergency occurs and significant cash is required, our LCA Members will respond favorably and contribute to an LCA fund raiser.

As new information of interest becomes available, I’ll write again. Should you have questions or desire to review previous LCA President Updates, please access our website at www.lakeconroeassociation.com. Wishing you an enjoyable Summer season on Lake Conroe.

Mike Bleier, President
Lake Conroe Association

Has anybody had their boat ramp worked on during the low water level?   Can they recommend  a decent contractor for boat ramp work? I know that Stow Away Marina and EZ Boat Storage had work done.  Can you tell me who did the work?

Thanks,

My family and I are going to Lake Conroe the end of July. I was wondering if there is anything there that is a must or anything to do that would be a cool thing to do there? And ideas I would really like the ideas.

Taking advantage of the low lake levels, the Lake Conroe Association along with the family that owns EZ Boat Storage and the Palms Marina pooled private funds to embark on a stump cutting project to eliminate the stumps in the main body of the lake (not the tributaries, shorelines or fingers that feed the lake). This project covered an area from the dam on the south end all the way north to the southern point of Cape Malibu or approximately 2.5 miles north of the FM 1097 bridge (see map below). This project is complete and it can be stated that virtually all stumps visible at the 192.68 MSL lake level have been cut and eliminated. There were approximately 400 stumps targeted and they were all cut approximately 8 feet below the 192.68 MSL level. The stumps were not removed from the lake as approximately 95% of the stumps sunk to the bottom of the lake providing an enhanced fishing habitat. Lake Conroe is a safer and more navigable lake because of the support of the Lake Conroe Association, San Jacinto River Authority, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Black Bass United and the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation. Thanks to all.

Normal Pool Level:  201.00 MSL

Lowest Level ever:  192.68 MSL

Current Level:         196.79 MSL

Let’s hope the rains keep coming!

This map does not use the Google Controls shown: