  HOUSTON SYMPHONY'S "STAR-SPANGLED SALUTE" KICKS OFF PATRIOTIC FESTIVITIES - Begin your family's Fourth of July holiday with a bang at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Tuesday, July 3 at 8 pm. This FREE annual " Star-Spangled Salute" features an array of patriotic favorites led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, along with narration by former Houston Astros player and manager, Larry Dierker . The concert is being presented for the 18 th consecutive year by The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC). "The Woodlands Development Company is proud to present this free concert for the 18 th consecutive year," said Susan Vreeland-Wendt, Director of Marketing for TWDC. "It is a wonderful way to unite all of our residents in a bond of hometown spirit on the eve of Independence Day."
Enjoy the traditional sounds of the "Star-Spangled Banner", "The Original Ragtime Band" and "Orange Blossom Special". Dierker narrates such classics as "Casey at the Bat" and "God Bless America". The ever-popular "Texas Sing-Along Medley", salute to servicemen and women of America, and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete with cannon blasts from atop the hill, will thrill both young and old at this traditional event. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and sit on the hill for this all-American hometown celebration. All seating is general admission for this concert. Gates open at 6:30 pm, when plenty of fun, family activities will take place in The Pavilion's North Plaza, including a special visit from Puffy Pine Cone, lovable mascot of The Woodlands, and Uncle Sam . Puffy will pose for free photos with the children, while parents can participate in the South County 4 th of July Silent Auction . Proceeds from the auction will benefit the South County 4 th of July Committee , producers of the 4 th of July Parade , as well as other community charitable organizations. Generous local businesses have donated some very creative and useful gifts for the auction, including a Wine Tasting for 20, gift cards to several popular stores, gift baskets, and gift certificates to local restaurants. Parents can also register to win Tommy Bahama's "Best Seats in the House".
 TEXAS MILITARY FAMILY FOUNDATION COLLECTION DRIVE - The South County 4 th of July Committee has organized a community-wide collection drive for the Texas Military Family Foundation (TMFF). TMFF has provided relief for soldiers from all over the U.S. and has a presence at flights in and out of Ft. Hood, TX. TMFF also provides care packages for all wounded/injured flights that come into Darnall Army Community Hospital.
There will be collection barrels at the "Star-Spangled Salute" on July 3 at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and at the 4 th of July Parade in Market Street on July 4. The soldiers are in need of toiletries, packaged food like crackers, nuts and juice boxes, games like playing cards and Sudoku, panty hose to place items in and garden tools. Letters of encouragement are always welcomed and appreciated. For a complete Wish List of items that are needed, visit www.tmff.us , Things We Need.
 WE LOVE A PARADE - Next on the Independence Day schedule is the 18 th annual South County 4 th of July Parade. This spirited, hometown parade will take place on Wednesday, July 4 from 9-10:15 am in The Woodlands Town Center. This year's theme is "American Patriots 2007". The parade features marching bands from around the local area, classic cars, floats, fire trucks and more. Bring a lawn chair and sit along the route (see map at www.4thofjuly.org), which begins at The Woodlands United Methodist Church , stretches along Grogan's Mill Road and culminates at Market Street. Market Street is adjacent to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and bordered by Six Pines Drive, Lake Robbins Drive, Lake Woodlands Drive and Grogan's Mill Road.
While you're waiting for the parade, the whole family can enjoy an array of characters and entertainers along the parade route including jugglers, mimes, stilt walkers, magicians, clowns, Uncle Sam, The Wiggles Group, Scooby Doo and his crew, Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer, Spiderman (pictured) and many more! The Grand Marshall of this year's South County 4 th of July Parade is Houston Mayor Bill White. The parade judges include Charlie Bier, Editor of The Villager ; Ray Biggerstaff, Publisher of The Villager ; Fred Domenick , General Manager of The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center; Harold Dull, General Manager of Market Street; Karen Hoylman , President and CEO of the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce; Peter Lampros , Hometown Hero and owner of Lampros Gallery; John Powers , Assistant Manager of Community Services, Community Associations of The Woodlands; Dr. Ann Snyder , Hometown Hero and Executive Director of Interfaith; Julie Struble , Vice President Operations, Southwest Region for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; Coulson Tough , Hometown Hero and former Vice President of Design and Construction for The Woodlands Development Company; and Karen West, Vice President and General Counsel for The Woodlands Development Company.
 FREE PUTT-PUTT GOLF AT MARKET STREET - Thanks to Shankz and Market Street, Interfaith of The Woodlands will provide complimentary Putt-Putt golf beginning at 8 am on July 4 at Market Street. In addition, Interfaith will also provide free face painting and balloons for all the children. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information, visit www.woodlandsinterfaith.org or call 281-367-1230.
 AFTER THE PARADE, IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF! - Free, cool summer fun awaits the whole family immediately following the 4 th of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4 at all 12 of The Woodlands community pools. The popular "Splash Day" event will feature activities from 11 am - 4 pm, presented by The Community Associations of The Woodlands. Lifeguards at each pool have chosen special themes and activities to entertain families, including educational water safety lessons. Pictured here is last year's event at Ridgewood Pool . Free refreshments will also be provided.
Residents of The Woodlands can swim at no charge between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm. For more information about The Woodlands pools, visit www.thewoodlandsassociations.org .
 10 th ANNUAL RED, HOT & BLUE FESTIVAL IN TOWN CENTER - Town Center Improvement District (TCID) presents the 10 th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival on Wednesday, July 4 from 6-10 pm. The festival will be held in Town Green Park on the banks of The Woodlands Waterway®, along Lake Robbins Drive between The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and the South Montgomery County Library (2099 Lake Robbins Drive).
Admission to the festival is free, and concessions, games and family fun are offered at minimal cost. Games and activities will be $1-$2; hot dogs, popcorn, and Coca-Cola beverages are $3; and bottled water will be available for $2. Parking will be available for $5 in the Town Center Garage located on Six Pines Drive . Free parking will be available in the Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue lots along Timberloch Place . Follow the Event Parking signs to parking lots. Headline entertainers include Ezra Charles and The Works and The Kelley Peters Trio. Also on the Main Stage will be Presentation of the Colors, Parade Awards , and the Capital One Firecracker Essay Contest Winners . Other fun events include Hot Dog and Watermelon Eating Contests from 6:30 - 7:45 pm in the Contest Tent. There will be three "heats" for each contest. The festival will also be filled with inflatables, face painting, a putt-putt golf course, rock-climbing walls, strolling performers and more! For more information about the Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza, visit www.redhotblue.org or call 281-363-2447.
 JULY 4 TH CONCERT IN THE PARK - In the spirit of the day, Texas blues band Matt Leddy & The Meat Cutters will be featured in a special Concert-in-the-Park on the evening of July 4 from 7-9 pm at Northshore Park. This free concert is sponsored by The Community Associations of The Woodlands. Voted Houston's Best Blues Band in 2002 and Texas' Best Blues Band in 2003 and 2004, The Meat Cutters have been performing in the Houston area since 1999. Remember to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic supper to enjoy the great vibes at this free concert!
 A SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS FINALE TO A GREAT DAY IN THE WOODLANDS - The second largest fireworks display in the Greater Houston region, second only to downtown Houston, can be enjoyed by all in The Woodlands Town Center on Wednesday, July 4 at approximately 9:20 pm. The intense, 23-minute show will reflect off The Woodlands Waterway® and will be launched from three locations this year: the Waterway Plaza Garage , the Anadarko Garage and the intersection of Timberloch Place and Woodloch Forest Drive . Streets and The Waterway will be shut down at 8:45 pm for safety reasons and will re-open after the show.
"The 10 th anniversary of the Red, Hot & Blue Festival will feature one of the largest fireworks displays in festival history," said Nick Wolda , Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs for Town Center Improvement District (TCID), producer of the Red, Hot & Blue Festival. "We are proud to celebrate America's Independence in The Woodlands Town Center - one of the best places for families to enjoy classic Fourth of July traditions."
 THE WOODLANDS MALL CLOSING EARLY ON JULY 4 - If you want to catch up on your summer shopping on July 4, The Woodlands Mall will be open at 10 am, but will close early at 6 pm for the holiday so that everyone can start celebrating and enjoy the fireworks!
 SPECIAL RATES FOR WATER TAXI RIDES ON THE 4 TH - Water taxis will operate along The Woodlands Waterway® on July 3 and 4 from 11 am-11 pm, with the exception of 8:45-10 pm on July 4 during the fireworks. The boats will resume operations after the fireworks. Special water taxi pricing for July 4 th only includes an All Day Pass for $4 and a Senior/Youth/Disabled Pass for $2.
 PLEASE PROTECT OUR FOREST - FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE WOODLANDS - The Woodlands Fire Department is reminding all residents of The Woodlands not to set off any fireworks during the July 4 th celebration. The Woodlands Covenants strictly prohibit the sale and/or use of fireworks and sparklers of any kind in our community. The Woodlands has one of the largest professional fireworks displays in the Houston area, so if you feel that the 4 th of July is not complete without fireworks - come out and enjoy the BIG SHOW in The Woodlands Town Center!!!
 NO WASTE COLLECTION ON THE 4 TH - There will be no waste collection service on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day . Garbage, yard waste and recycling collection will be moved to the day following the regular service day. The normal schedule will resume on Monday, July 9.
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There are 30 places in the U.S. with the word "Liberty" in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri. Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty). - More than 66 million people celebrate the 4 th of July with a backyard barbecue. By the way, there's a 1-in-6 chance that the beef on your barbecue grill came from Texas!
- There is no official record stating why red, white and blue were chosen as the colors for the U.S. flag. However, when the Great Seal of the U.S. was chosen, this is how the significance of the colors was listed: white for purity and innocence; red for valor and hardiness; blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
We wish all of our readers a safe and happy 4 th of July holiday celebration. Be looking for your next issue of e-neighbor on Tuesday, July 10. | |
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