Put yourself in their Shoes! Their World – Universe!

UNITED WE STAND----STAND UP FOR AUTISM!
By: Jocelyn Plowey- of Woodlands,Texas

The way I see it – as having a daughter on the Autism spectrum! We may not understand (fully) the world that surrounds us. The concepts of the whole universe. Nor do they understand the world we are locked in as how and why we processes and precedes things differently; our thoughts and actions, which may seems strange to the universe!

We are aware of certain things- some we can’t control, some we are fixed upon. Our mind operates in an unusual way, passes quickly before our eyes as we foresee the ‘unexplainable’ behavior, patterns of doing things, our incredible minds and amazing talent beyond our expectations. Why we fix on things in a specific way, which you may have no interest in. We have a peculiar way of using pictures of shapes and sizes to help us visualize things that surrounds us. How complex our mind is, as causing ‘awareness’around the world. How different our lifestyle is, as we adjust in the lifestyle of society. A society which is now aware of acceptance to our needs in embracing who we are, as we are human beings which require the same needs as you; but shown to us in a differ way. We too have a voice for changes! Changes we can have to help us, or changes we may not require, as this is who we are, set in our own autistic way! The way we portray things differently. The question as ‘why’?

Why is it so difficult for others to see, we can accomplish things in our own way, a different approach! We may need some guidance, a helping hand, and a shoulder to lie on, just as you do too! Life is a mystery for all of us, to seek the best to suit our needs. The world has its problems and solutions, some can be fixed, while others remained unfixed. We do not have all its answers, as to why things are the way they are. The key is to unlock its causes.

The unknown! This is the reason we are seeking answers, going global! We can just rely on ourselves, our intuition or the help of others to live side by side as we strive for success under one nation. The Universe-The World as it is today…Autism is going global!!!

Tips for Embracing Anti-Bordeom Month!

As you may know July is Anti-Boredom Month. To encourage learning through fun, Target and Search Institute, a Minneapolis nonprofit, have developed a summer-long series of boredom-busting learning activities that give kids a mental and physical workout. This series of tips is one of the many ways Target is inspiring parents and caring adults to nurture a child's love of learning all summer long.Beat boredom with a few tips to help awaken imagination and spark curiosity in kids:

Get lost! Pile into the minivan and just drive, with no destination in mind. Treat it like a grand adventure: discover a new town, find an untouched patch of nature, grab lunch at a roadside diner. Let your kids decide when it's time to stop somewhere. Wherever you land, you'll find something or somewhere brand new to you. Why It Matters: Children are naturally curious about anything and everything. So when you engage them in activities that stretch their imaginations and let them explore, they soak it up like little sponges! One study even showed that boys who had many chances to explore and experiment in preschool scored higher on creativity tests several years later. Every excursion brings new experiences and expands kids' view of the world, so hit the road! (Recommended for all ages)

Make a splash! Fill buckets or the kitchen sink with colored water (just add a couple drops of food coloring), strap on an apron, and let your kids get wet 'n' wild. For toys, use kitchen tools such as funnels, strainers, paper cups, and plastic baggies. Why It Matters: The more your kids play, the smarter they get! The American Academy of Pediatrics says playing builds kids' creativity and imagination, dexterity, physical strength, and healthy brain development. And when you just let them be, kids learn to work in groups, negotiate, and problem-solve as they play! (Recommended for ages 3-5)

Create a coloring book! Budding artists can use black ink on white paper to illustrate summer scenes, race cars, or whatever they love to draw. Make copies, staple, and distribute to friends and family! Host a contest with a small prize, encouraging people to send back their fully-colored pages. Why It Matters: Art not only colors your kids' world, but makes them better learners. A series of recent studies by the Dana Foundation showed that when kids experiment with art, they have improved attention spans and a better understanding of what they learn at school. (Recommended for ages 6-9)

Get your groove on! Ask tech-savvy kids to make a summer soundtrack of cool songs. They'll love introducing you to new music, and you'll get an insight into the artists they love. Then, risk embarrassment by dancing your heart out! Why It Matters: Learning to play music has been shown to improve school-aged kids' IQs, but even just listening to music has positive effects. For instance, research shows that when children listen to classical music, the right hemispheres of their brains practically light up, boosting things like memory and creativity. Plus, listening to music can boost the immune system and decrease stress. That's good for the whole family! (Recommended for ages 10-13)

The tips can be accessed through the Play + Learn tab on Target's Facebook page: facebook.com/Target

The Wizard of Oz Starts This Weekend!

Class Act Productions is off to see the wizard in their summer production of The Wizard of Oz at the Nancy Bock Center for Performing Arts in The Woodlands. In the Royal Shakespeare Company's version of The Wizard of Oz, based on the 1939 MGM movie, we meet Dorothy Gale of Kansas who, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away to another world. Join Dorothy and Toto as they travel with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and the many colorful inhabitants of Oz through the realm of Dorothy's imagination. Through her many fantastic adventures, Dorothy grows in her appreciation of her family and friends and ultimately realizes there's no place like home! This performance provides a wonderful outing for families and creates a superb opportunity to introduce young children to musical theater.

The Wizard of Oz will be presented July 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee performance will be held July 25 at 2:30 p.m. Regular reserved seat tickets are $22.00, and senior and student tickets are $17.00. Tickets can be purchased online at www.classactproductions.org or by calling 281-292-6779.

CLASS ACT CARES - Please join the cast members of The Wizard of Oz in helping Toto's friends at the Humane Society of Montgomery County. We will be collecting donations during rehearsals and performances. Your contribution to this cause will be much appreciated. Class Act Productions is a non-profit performing arts group that provides education, training, and participation in professional-quality musical theatre productions for students in The Woodlands, Texas and surrounding areas. By participating, students learn teamwork and responsibility as well as the technical, performance, and artistic elements of musical theatre.

13th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Food Drive to Benefit The Woodlands

The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and Hewitt are joining together for a Patriotic Food Drive to benefit Interfaith of The Woodlands.

On Sunday, July 4, 2010, bring non-perishable food items including canned items, soup, pasta, snack foods, cooking helpers, protein items, condiments, desserts, cereal, personal care items, household items, and diapers to the Hewitt Associate Booth at the 13th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival before the Fireworks Extravaganza at Town Green Park and Waterway Square from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, you can also drop your can goods off at The Town Center Garage and the Six Pines Drive corner lot at Lake Robbins. Bring 5 cans or more and park for free at either of these parking spots.

“Interfaith of The Woodlands is grateful to have been selected as the Red, Hot & Blue Festival Food Drive recipient. With so many individuals and families approaching Interfaith for food this summer, this opportunity will help fill the shelves of our food pantry and truly make a difference. Interfaith is thankful for the community’s ongoing support,” says Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith.

Hewitt Associates is a new sponsor to the annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival held each year on July 4 which features live entertainment, Hot Dog and Watermelon eating contests, activities for the kids, Fireworks and much more!

“As one of the largest employers in The Woodlands, Hewitt has always looked for the right causes in the community to align our associate volunteer efforts with financial sponsorship support,” says Tom Earle, Hewitt Associates Operations Leader. “With nearly 1,500 associates in The Woodlands office, Hewitt's associates are active with many volunteer efforts focused on areas of education and human services. We are excited for the opportunity to use the Red, Hot & Blue event to highlight the needs of the Interfaith Food Pantry and to collect food items and money to support their needs.”

For more information, a complete schedule of activities, maps and up-to-date parking information, visit www.redhotblue.org or call 281-363-2447. And for more information on other giving opportunities visit www.woodlandsinterfaith.org.

The Woodlands Township Proclaims Joel Deretchin Day

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors proclaimed June 21, 2010 Joel Deretchin for his many years of service, dedication and leadership to The Woodlands. The Woodlands Township Chairman Bruce Tough, left, presented Joel Deretchin with a proclamation honoring Mr. Deretchin's many years of service and leadership in The Woodlands and proclaiming Monday, June 21, 2010, as Joel Deretchin Day in The Woodlands.

"The Board of Directors of The Woodlands Township commends Joel L. Deretchin for his countless contributions to the creation of a lasting foundation for The Woodlands community, thereby making The Woodlands one of the most emulated planned communities in the world," said Bruce Tough, Chairman of the Board, The Woodlands Township.

During Mr. Deretchin's more than 33 years of service to The Woodlands community, he worked for The Woodlands Development Company and its predecessors, and was involved in every aspect of community development in The Woodlands, from governance, education, social and religious services to non-profit and philanthropic organizations and economic development.For many years, Mr. Deretchin led the Community Associations, having served as president of The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association, The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association, The Woodlands Community Service Corporation and The Woodlands Fire Department. During this time, he also oversaw the development of the award-winning parks and recreation system in The Woodlands.

In addition, Mr. Deretchin helped found 18 of the 19 Conroe ISD schools in the Woodlands, The University Center, The John Cooper School and the Villager newspaper. He also chaired many not-for-profit boards, including Interfaith of The Woodlands and Montgomery County Youth Services. He was the founding president of Congregation Beth Shalom.

He has been named Citizen of the Year, a Hometown Hero and a Paul Harris Fellow, and CISD named the Joel L. Deretchin Elementary School in his honor.

"His leadership and dedication to The Woodlands has truly been outstanding," Chairman Tough said. "The Woodlands is a world-class community and much of this can be attributed to his vision, his leadership, his commitment, and his love of The Woodlands."

Presenting Sponsor Named for 13th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival in The Woodlands

Ellis & Ellis has signed on as the anchor sponsor for the 13th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza.

This is Ellis & Ellis’ first year to be the presenting sponsor of the Red, Hot & Blue Festival. The company is located in The Woodlands Town Center.

“We love our country and we love The Woodlands and are excited to play a special part in our July 4th celebrations. We want to do our part to help bring back the pride in our country,” said Byron Ellis, Private Wealth Advisor for Ellis & Ellis.

Following a full evening of festivities at Waterway SquareTM and Town Green Park, festival goers will be treated to one of the region’s largest fireworks display beginning at dusk.

Each year, the Red, Hot & Blue festival is produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and made free and open to the public thanks to generous sponsors. For more information on this year’s festivities, visit http://www.redhotblue.org/ or call 281-363-2447.

Vacation Watch Program in Montgomery and Harris Counties

By Nelda Luce Blair, The Woodlands Township & Sheriff Tommy Gage, Montgomery County

Summer is here and this is a great time to think about a few things to keep you and your neighbors proactive in deterring individuals from criminal activities.

Summer is a time when you and many of your neighbors might be traveling, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Harris County Constable Precinct #4 can help you if they know when you plan to be away.

Both offer a Vacation Watch program, and it is as simple as placing a phone call letting them know when you will be out of town. Montgomery County residents can request a Vacation Watch from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office by calling 936-442-7797. Harris County residents can call 281-376-3472 to request a Vacation Watch with Harris County Constable, Precinct #4.

Make sure you have timed lights, close your garage doors, turn on alarms, stop newspaper deliveries and lock your doors and windows.

If you do not keep the porch light on at night because you are concerned about the cost of electricity, consider installing a motion detector light, which is an effective but less expensive way to provide light. But no matter what method you use to get the lights on, the electricity will be a lot less expensive than the cost of repairing a broken door or window and replacing any items stolen by a thief. In fact, former thieves have told law enforcement that when choosing homes to burglarize, they would avoid homes with good outdoor lighting.

Summer is also a time when school is out and creates an opportunity for criminal mischief. Captain Andrew Eason who is in charge of the Sheriff’s Office in The Woodlands urges individuals to report suspicious activities immediately.

“Residents know what is normal activity and what is not normal activity,” he said. “We like to know what is happening in the neighborhoods and rely on individuals to let us know. If you are in immediate need, always call 9-1-1. But if you see something out of the ordinary that you are questioning, please give us a call.”

Suspicious activity can also be reported at the telephone numbers above. When you see suspicious activity, please make a note of the following:

· For vehicles: make, model and license plate
· For individuals: clothing, hair color, age, sex, height, weight, tattoos

Everyone working together can make a big difference. For more tips on how you can make your home safer, contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Services Department at neighbor@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.

Finally, if you have information about a crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.392.STOP (7867) or call the Sheriff’s Office directly. Crime Stopper Tips are anonymous and can also be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers web page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.