Local Stories

SPOTLIGHT - Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens (It’s FREE!)

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The Woodlands is downright gorgeous and bursting with nature, so residents here might not be too gung ho about making the drive down to the FM 1960 area just to check out more plant life. Allow me to shake that thought! If you’ve never visited Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, you should put it on your to-do list for the fall season. This serene, 300+-acre, free-to-the-public attraction is nationally recognized and boasts the largest collection of native and cultivated plants in the region. The grounds are pretty, smell lovely, and water features and wooden benches scattered throughout the botanical gardens make it great place to go just to gain some peace of mind.

Five Things To Know About School Zones

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The local schools will be back in session soon, and that means that school zones are active again. Rusty Fincher, Retired Captain in Precinct 1 of the Montgomery County Constable's Office, has five simple tips for drivers who find themselves driving up to a school zone.

1. Don't exceed your limit - Typically, a school zone is 20 miles per hour in a residential area, and can be as high as 35 or 40 mph in a highway area. Fincher warns that these are maximum speeds, and most law enforcement officers don't have a "buffer" zone of a few miles per hour over the limit. "By the time you reach the sign marking a school zone, you should be at or under the speed listed on it," said Fincher. "The difference between, say, 20 and 25 miles per hour may not amount to much on the open roads, but it can spell the difference between life and death when youngsters are running about."

Our evening at The Learning Zoo! (Plus tickets to their SUMMER BASH!)

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Eeek!! The kids held a python!

It was part of our hands-on learning experience at The Learning Zoo right here in Conroe off FM 1488. Two moms and our 4 kids ranging in age from 4-11 got up close and personal with a variety of animals during our private VIP Tour. We saw snake and other reptiles, chickens, goats, pigs, a cow, parrot, and more! Feeding fresh veggies to the farm animals and tortoises was a huge hit with the kids! The grounds are perfect - spacious enough with many animal habitats, but not so huge to where it's overwhelming for kiddos.

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The Learning Zoo is owned and operated by Drew Schulz, a professional zookeeper, and the facility is currently open by appointment only. Our tour was conducted very efficiently. There were no long, drawn-out introductions; the kids grabbed their feeding cups and we got to the action right away! Drew shared so many fun facts about the animals we were seeing, and he moved along quickly so we never got bored.

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Check out The Learning Zoo for VIP Tours (like the one we did), homeschool classes, summer camps, weekend workshops, and more! Your child can even have a birthday party at the zoo, OR The Learning Zoo can bring out some of the animals to YOU!

On Saturday, August 14, The Learning Zoo is having a Summer Bash that's open to the public. The event is open to the public and is a convenient opportunity for you to experience the zoo without assembling a small group for a private tour. Tickets are only $12 and free for children under 3. More info can be found here.

Small Business Spotlight: Nutmaste

Meet Rachel Cabrera:

Attend a Fun Family Campout at Space Center Houston!

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Are you looking for an out-of-this world adventure for your family this season? Experience an overnight experience at Space Center Houston located just an hour away from The Woodlands! You and your family will navigate your own space exploration journey while engaging in science, technology, and engineering activities. You'll also build rockets and explore robots!

Bring your camping gear out and setup a tent in a 10ft x 10ft space reserved for you!

Please note: All campers must be at least 5 years old.

Cost is $69.95 per person, meals included (or save 10% if you're a Space Center Houston member).

Get fit for summer while your preschoolers get out some energy too!

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Come try out nonprofit Stronger to Serve's new program made just for you! Your first session is FREE!

Tired of fighting to keep your preschooler happy in the jogging stroller while you try to get in a run? Wish you had more time during the day to connect with other moms of preschoolers?

Then the STS Running Club for Moms and Minis is for you!

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30am at Burroughs Park, they'll have coached group runs & core workouts just for moms (led by a certified running coach) and fun fitness for your kids (led by a kid’s fitness expert)! And because Stronger to Serve is all about combining fitness & service, each session will conclude with kindness-focused storytime for all.

Want to have even more fun after the session? The Wheel Kitchen, right next to the park, is offering participants a special deal on coffee and muffins and has a great outdoor seating area where you can relax and socialize while the kids run around.

Come out during the month of May for special prizes, starting with the kickoff celebration on May 11th. All fitness levels are welcomed!

Learn more at https://www.strongertoserve.org/momsandminis or email or call Teri (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 936-37-3649) with any questions.

About Stronger to Serve:
Stronger to Serve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to filling our communities with healthy, strong, compassionate leaders. They work toward this vision by engaging kids and adults in fun fitness and meaningful service. To learn more, visit www.strongertoserve.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@stronger2serve). Questions?: Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Teri at 936-337-3649.

Introducing "Cowboy Jack" - a locally produced fun & educational YouTube show!

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Have you seen "Cowboy Jack"? Longtime local residents John & Andrea Havard wanted to create a fun and educational show for kids that would showcase area attractions and businesses by means of a “weekly virtual field trip” via YouTube. With John dressed head to toe like a cowboy and Andrea working hard behind the camera, the duo creates a new episode once a week.

"Cowboy Jack" focuses on speaking peer-to-peer with children to develop their vocabularies while going on adventures to cover everything our community has to offer. Agility dogs diving into pools, indoor play places, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, a science lab specifically for kids, equestrian center, train museum...if your child likes it, Cowboy Jack has you covered!

The entire goal is to entertain children and encourage learning through play and exploration. Check out "Cowboy Jack" - Educational and Fun Videos for Kids on YouTube and subscribe to catch the latest episodes!