Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Plans $104 Million Expansion

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, which has been serving The Woodlands and nearby communities for nearly 25 years, will break ground on a new, seven-story patient tower early next year. The cost of the project is roughly $104 million.

Phase One of the 240,000-square-foot expansion will add eight, state-of-the-art surgical suites and surgical support services, including pre-operation and recovery rooms, waiting areas and sterile processing.  Additionally, a patient care unit with 36 beds and a parking garage will be added. This will bring the hospital’s total bed count to 288. Three shelled floors will accommodate future growth and could include additional patient beds, an expanded Emergency Center and clinical support services.

“Since 1991, we have invested more than $180 million to respond to the growth and needs of this dynamic market,” said Steve Sanders, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital Chief Executive Officer. “The greater Montgomery County area is one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. and it is our responsibility to continue to respond to that growth not only with facilities like the new patient tower, but also technology and a higher level of services.”

This is the third major expansion project undertaken by Memorial Hermann The Woodlands in the past decade. In 2003, the hospital completed a six-story patient tower, and a third medical office building was opened on campus in 2005. The hospital recently opened a new community 24-Hour Emergency Services on Woodlands Parkway and has established an ongoing relationship with Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Children’s Memorial Hermann, Mischer Neuroscience Institute and the University of Texas Health Science Center.

For more information on Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, call 281-364-2300 or visitwww.memorialhermann.org.

AVIA® The Woodlands Opens Next Monday, December 14

LodgeWorks, L.P., a privately-held hotel development and management company in the midst of portfolio expansion, is set to open AVIA® The Woodlands in Market Street on Monday, December 14.

AVIA features 70 rooms and suites. Room options at AVIA The Woodlands include a Classic Guestroom, Grand Suite, Lux Suite, Master Patio Suite and two Signature Presidential Hosting Suites.

In celebration of the hotel opening, AVIA The Woodlands’ guests who stay anytime between December 14, 2009 and January 7, 2010 will receive a complimentary $25 dining credit valid at the AVIA Kitchen and Lounge. Rates for those dates start at $179. The dining credit will be automatically provided at check-in to guests who stay during this timeframe.

In addition, AVIA The Woodlands will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration and special guests-only New Year’s Day brunch. Room rates for New Year’s Eve accommodations start at $279. For more information or to make reservations for AVIA The Woodlands, please email contactus@aviahotels.com or visit www.aviahotels.com.

The Woodlands Parks & Recreation Hosts Holiday Fun

The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department has holiday fun for everyone!

Sign up now for Holiday Drop-in Dayz Camp, December 21 - 23 and 28 - 30 from 8 am - 5 pm at The Woodlands Recreation Center. Kids ages 6 - 12 will have lots of fun playing holiday games, making gifts, creating crafts and watching holiday movies!  $160/for all days or $40/day.

Fun with Santa – Santa Claus is coming to the park! Crafts, games, music, fun and a photo with Santa add to the entertainment. All ages are welcome: $10/child admission fee and $5/admission fee for additional siblings.  Wednesday, December 16, 10:30 am at Bear Branch Park; Monday, December 21, 1 pm at The Lodge at Rob Fleming Park; and Tuesday, December 22, 10:30 am at Waterway Square. To ensure your child’s spot, please pre-register. Limited walk-ups are available.

Parents Night Out – Shop for gifts or take a break from the holiday shuffle! Bring the kids, the unwrapped gifts and the wrapping paper and we will take care of both! On Friday, December 18, from 5 - 9 pm, kids ages 5 - 12 will play games, eat pizza, watch a movie, make a craft and wrap gifts. $10/child admission fee, $5/fee for additional siblings at The Woodlands Recreation Center.

Sleigh Ride Stops – Santa is stopping at the parks just for you! Wednesday, December 9, 11 am at Bear Branch Park, and Monday, December 21, 11 am at Terramont Park. $3/child admission fee, all ages welcome.

Registration for spring programs begins Monday, December 7!  Check out all the great spring programs online atwww.thewoodlandsassociatons.org. For more information on the holiday programs, click here.

Breakfast with Santa at The Woodlands Resort

The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 12 from 9 am – 11 am at The Woodlands Dining Room. Enjoy a lavish breakfast buffet of Mrs. Claus’ favorites like pancakes, eggs, bacon, omelet/waffle stations and more. Children can visit with Santa Claus and provide their wish list. Don’t forget the camera! For pricing and reservations, call 281-364-6323.

Town Center Theatre Performs “Merry Christmas, George Bailey”

Town Center Theatre, Montgomery County’s first professional theatre, will perform the annual holiday favorite “Merry Christmas, George Bailey” at the ShenandoahMunicipal Center at 29955 I-45 in the Loblolly Pine Room. Times are December 17 – 18 at 8 pm and December 19 – 20 at 3 and 7 pm. Ticket prices range from $10 – $18. For more information or for reservations, call 832-592-9697, extension 2.

The Woodlands Repertory Presents White Christmas

The Woodlands Repertory presents performances of White Christmas on December 17 – 20 at 7:30 pm with additional performances on December 19 – 20 at 2:30 pm atThe Woodlands High School Theatre at 6101 Research Forest Drive. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thewoodlandsrep.org or by calling 936-271-3532. Individual tickets are $22; group, student and senior tickets are $17 each.

Handel’s Messiah, Performed on Period Instruments, Set for December 13

Mercury Baroque, one of the nation’s leading chamber orchestras,  will make their debut into The Woodlands with their inaugural performance of Handel’s Messiah. The performance is on Sunday, December 13 at 2 pm in the Performing Arts Center at The John Cooper School. A quintessential holiday musical masterpiece, Mercury Baroque will perform the Messiah on period instruments with the Bach Choir of Houston and several renowned soloists. Tickets for the Messiah start at just $20 and are available online at www.mercurybaroque.org or by phone at 713-533-0080.

• The Woodlands Idol Competition was cancelled last Friday due to the inclement weather. It has been rescheduled for Friday, December 11, beginning at 7 pm at Papa’s Ice House in Spring. For more information, visitwww.woodlandschamber.org.
• The Montgomery County Community Foundation recently awarded $87,000 in grants to 19 Montgomery County non-profit agencies. The Foundation was established to create and build a permanent fund to provide for the present and future well-being of our community. For more information, visit www.mccfoundation.org.
• The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council recently announced Administaff as the major sponsor of the Fifth Annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. For more information on The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, scheduled for April 10-11, 2010, visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com.