27 FEB 2023 · Looks like they a rw going to revamp the Woodlands Mall! New hotels, new restaurants, new retail space, new parking garage.... Man, lots of new stuff, maybe. ********** If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider subscribing to it. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated, as are likes, shares, and comments! You can support this show by checking out https://thetalkinggeek.com/podlinks/ on my blog. Thank you for listening!

17 FEB 2023 · This satuday, February 18, 2023 is the election for Village Association and Residential Design Review Commitee board memebrs. And, I am running for the Grogan's Mill Village Association board! ********** If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider subscribing to it. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated, as are likes, shares, and comments! You can support this show by checking out https://thetalkinggeek.com/podlinks/ If (for some reason) you want more of me, my blog is https://thetalkinggeek.com/. And, you can find me on social media at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleTheTalkingGeek/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesouza Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekylesouza Instagram: http://instagram.com/thekylesouza Thank you for listening!

1 FEB 2023 · I can spout off stats and read a carefully worded "About" on https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Woodlands,_Texas - but what is The Woodlands to me? It is a safe place to raise a family, an aesthetically pleasing place, a community of neighbors, and an econimic boon to the surrounding area. Those aren't all it is, but that's what was on my mind when I recorded this. What is The Woodlands to you? ********** If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider subscribing to it. Ratings and reviews are always appreciated, as are likes, shares, and comments! You can support this show by checking out https://thetalkinggeek.com/podlinks/ If (for some reason) you want more of me, my blog is https://thetalkinggeek.com/. And, you can find me on social media at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleTheTalkingGeek/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesouza Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekylesouza Instagram: http://instagram.com/thekylesouza Thank you for listening!

2 NOV 2022 · It's the midterms! There's several positions up this round, including for the Township Board. Of course a hot topic is still incorporation, which isn't on this ballot, but people who support it and oppose it are. https://TheTalkingGeek.com

26 OCT 2022 · Hey everybody! I'm going to try doing this podcast again, but a little differently, maybe a lot differently. New episodes will come out on a Sunday once a month, and be focused on one or two core issues affecting The Woodlands, TX and the people who live, work, and enjoy life there. https://TheTalkingGeek.com

1 NOV 2020 · I'm back! It's November first, who's ready? It's getting cold, Halloween is over, and Christmas is coming soon.

14 JUN 2020 · A look back at September 2019, Recorded in January 2020.

14 JUN 2020 · It's been a while. I am changing things up a little bit. This feed should be back in full swing on July 5.

28 MAR 2020 · SOURCE: https://www.woodlandsonline.com/cnt/files/Robert/MCTX_Occupancy_Order_20200327.pdf NOW THEREFORE, I, COUNTY JUDGE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 418, HEREBY FIND AND ORDER: e : 1. Effective as of 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2020: a. All individuals currently living within Montgoinery County are ordered to stay at their place of residence except for Essential Activities as defined in this order. All persons may leave their Residences only for Essential Activities, or to provide or perform Essential Government Functions, or to operate or work at an Essential Business, as defined in Section 2. For the purposes of this Order, Residences include homes, hotels, motels, shared rentals, RV parks, multi-family complexes, and their curtilage or similar facilities. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence and its curtilage. b. A curfew will be in place throughout all of Montgomery County, starting at 11:59 p.m. every night and ending at 6:00 a.m. the next morning for all persons not performing Essential Government Functions, working for and traveling to or from an Essential Businesses, or seeking emergency medical care, and traveling through the county from one county to another, or as otlerwise as defined in Section 2. This curfew will begin at 11:59 p.in. on March 27, 2020 and continue as Ordered until the expiration of this Order including amendments. c. All businesses operating with in Montgomery County, except Essential Businesses as defined below in Section 2 and Attachment are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County. For clarity, businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors perforining activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). Those employees associated with ongoing physical maintenance of non-essential businesses. To the greatest extent possible, all Essential Businesses shall comply with the Social Distancing Guidelines, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and the general public where possible. I d. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except as otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gatherings of members of a household or living unit. Nothing in this Order affects court orders or agreements regarding child-related visitation or custody arrangements. e. Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas. However, public playgrounds may increase the spread of COVID-19 and, therefore, shall be closed. Biking, waterborne activities, hiking and any other outdoor recreation activities not specifically listed shall be conducted in accordance with Social Distancing Guidelines, at all times. Restaurants, bars, clubs, private clubs, micro-breweries, micro-distilleries, wineries, and other establishments that serve food and/or alcohol, shall cease serving food and/or alcohol, for consumption on the premises and may only serve food and/or alcohol by take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by Texas law or in accordance with Executive Orders issued by the Governor of Texas or the County Judge. g. Gyms, fitness centers, and other facilities that are used or intended to be used for any type of training, martial arts, gymnastics, sports, or recreation shall close. h. Hair and nail salons, spas, licensed massage businesses, tattoo parlors, cosmetic businesses, barber shops, concert halls, live performance theaters, arenas, stadiums, movie theaters, game rooms, bowling alleys, arcades, indoor and outdoor flea markets, and swap meets, indoor malls, indoor shopping centers, and bingo halls shall close. Churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship may only provide worship services by video, audio, teleconference, and drive in. Faith leaders may minister and counsel in individual settings to include end of life counseling in a hospital or at the request of a Justice of the Peace or other Government Official, so long as social distancing protocols are followed. Religious institutions must limit in person staff to those necessary for the operations and physical maintenance of the institution and all individuals must follow the Social Distancing Guidelines, including the six-foot rule. 2. Definitions: a. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities": i. To engage in activities or perform task cssential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (for example, obtaining inedical supplies or medications, visiting a healthcare professional, or obtaining supplies needed to work froin home). So long as those activities are done within the provisions of Section 1 (b). ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others (for example, food, pet supplies, and any other household consumer products, supplies needed to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences). So long as those activities are done within the provisions of Section 1 (b). 3 iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, running, or fishing). So long as those activities are done within the provisions of Section 1 (b). iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order. Persons actively employed, working with, or providing services, to include, the delivery of goods for an Essential Business or Government Functions are exempt from the provisions of Section 1(b), while actively engaged in the performance of their duties. v. To care for a family member or pet in your household or another household. Persons actively performning functions under this provision are exempt from the provisions of Section 1 (b) while traveling to or from another household to perform the care needed. b. For purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses" include: i. Essential Critical Infrastructure. Work necessary to the operations and maintenance of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet to the extent possible. See Attachment (CISA's Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce). Essential Businesses providing essential infrastructure should implement screening precautions to protect employees and all activities shall be performed in compliance with social distancing guidelines where possible. ii. Essential Government Functions. All services provided by local governments and municipalities deemed essential by the presiding officer or designee, to include operations deemed essential by an elected official for their department located in Montgomery County as needed to ensure their continuing operations to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public, including law enforcement, jail operations, court operations, fire services, emergency medical services, emergency management and other services necessary. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing “Essential Government Functions". All Essential Government Functions shall be performed in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet to the extent possible. iii. Essential Healthcare Operations. Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentist, pharmacies, chiropractors, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, mental health providers, substance abuse service providers, blood banks, medical research, laboratory services, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. Home-based and residential-based care for seniors, adults, or children are also considered healthcare operations. Healthcare operations also include veterinary care and all health and welfare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be viewed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare. Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals. iv. Essential Retail. Food producers and service providers, including grocery stores, warehouse stores, furniture suppliers, big box stores, bodegas, liquor stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, farmers' markets that sell food products and household staples. Retail outlets that sell pet food and pet products, including businesses that service pets for grooming or boarding. . Food cultivation, including farming, ranching, fishing, and livestock. Food production, including the production of canned goods, bottled beverages, and other grocery items. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery, drive-thiru, carry-out.

27 MAR 2020 · As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) begins to surface in the Greater Houston Area, The Woodlands Township is taking preventative measures and is committed to keeping residents and businesses informed. The Woodlands Township is working closely with public health and human services (Montgomery County Public Health District and Harris County Public Health District) on behalf of The Woodlands residents, businesses and visitors. “The Woodlands Township, Directors and staff are working closely with all these organizations proactively implementing protocols for public spaces and in messaging to the community,” said Chairman Bunch. Chairman Bunch participated in Friday’s CountywideElected Officials and First Responders Coronavirus (COVID-19) update led by Montgomery County Public Health District and Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. On Saturday, March 7, 2020, Chairman Bunch participated in a meeting with Texas Department of State Health Services alongside other local, county and state elected officials to discuss statewide COVID-19 recommendations, plans and protocols. This meeting was led by the Commissioner of Health,Dr. John Hellerstedt, who shared proactive preventative measures that communities, businesses and individuals should take to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 that would also reduce the spread of Influenza. “We have taken steps at our public office buildings and recreational facilities to make sure we keep these areas wiped down with a high-grade disinfectant and multi-purpose cleaners including lavatories, counters, tables, workout equipment, chairs and other high touch point surfaces,” Bunch said. “We strongly encourage our businesses and residents to proactively implement the same precautionary measures.” Late Friday evening, the Montgomery County Public Health District reported one case of possible COVID-19in MontgomeryCounty, as seen on KPRC in Houston. https://www.click2houston.com/health/2020/03/05/man-woman-confirmed-to-be-first-cases-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-harris-county/ A possible case is not a presumptive case or a confirmed case. Chairman Bunch added, “A presumptive case means a patient tested positive at a state level lab and a confirmed case represents CDC confirming as positive. At this time, we have no known presumptive or confirmed cases involving residents of The Woodlands. Houston has a state level lab operating with a 24-hour turnaround time. We are not receiving the numbers of COVID-19 tests administered and have been told the majority tested are negative for COVID-19 and that those patients had Influenza or a common cold.” People that suspect they may have or have come in contact with someone COVID-19 positive are encouraged to stay home and work with medical officials from their home to coordinate monitoring orneeded testing. Hospitals have special intake teams to coordinate accepting potential COVID-19 patients. “The Woodlands Township will be notified if any of our residents are presumptive or confirmed to have COVID-19,” Chairman Bunch said. Chairman Bunch added, “The Texas Department of State Health Services also confirmed cases are reported in the county of residency for the patient while treatments can be occurring if differing counties.” “The Greater Houston Area and Montgomery County are blessed with world class medical facilities,” Bunch said. “Patients with symptoms of COVID-19, Influenza and other infectious diseases are being treated in these facilities that are equipped, trained and ready to adhere to treatment, testing and quarantine protocols.” Bunch added, “We have learned the Houston Area confirmed cases are travel related with all confirmed individuals returning from the same Nile River Cruise in Egypt. Individuals that have had contact with these confirmed cases are being monitored by public health officials. Egypt has been added to the Travel Advisory along with China, Japan, Italy, Iran and South Korea. More regions will be added as needed.” All Township operations and services are continuing to operate, including the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Shuttle on Township buses the first three weekends of March. The Township will continuously monitor and post updates. “We urge our residents, business and visitors not be alarmed at the situation, but just be vigilant about best practices and have a plan to implement in the event The Woodlands is exposed to the virus,” Chairman Bunch said. “While we are hopeful the virus will soon be contained, it is always wise to be prepared.” FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What are the symptoms of COVID‑19? Patients with COVID‑19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include: Fever Cough Shortness of breath At this time, CDC believes that symptoms of COVID‑19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS coronaviruses. How can I prevent COVID‑19? There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID‑19. The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. DSHS always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask: The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID‑19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID‑19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). Here are important links regarding the coronavirus: Montgomery County Public Health District https://mcphd-tx.org/ Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management https://mctxoem.org/ Harris County Public Health District http://www.hcphtx.org/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus Harris County Office of Emergency Management https://www.readyharris.org/ Texas Department of State Health Services https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Conroe ISD https://www.conroeisd.net/department/health-services/2019-novel-coronavirus/ Tomball ISD https://www.tomballisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=307639&type=d&pREC_ID=1843043 Magnolia ISD https://www.magnoliaisd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=256217&type=d&pREC_ID=1844196 For more information on The Woodlands Township, please call 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. SOURCE: https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2943